All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.

This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do.

The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.

AN: So this chapter's a little long...a tad bit long and it's the first part of a two part chapter...there's also some very graphic lemons halfway through...I'm not sure what got into me but I was needing to express that part of my imagination. However, I do not condone teenage sex -at least these two were eighteen...enough of that, don't want to give it all away.

CH 4 has been updated with new ages and such -please review and let me know what you think...I'm a bit apprehensive over this chapter, it's taken me so long to work it out but I finally did -basically, I wanted to put one of my reviewer's suggestions to use concerning Vivi and her vampire nature.

Don't forget to REVIEW -and as always, enjoy as you read.

Chapter Sixty-Eight Part One (15 Years Old)
March 3rd

"You have got to be kidding me!"

They all walked into the dance studio, eyes wide as they took in the sight before them, Daisy's blue-green eyes wide as she turned her attention from the room's contents to Rachel, "This is why you told us to wear work-out clothes?"

"The tighter, the better," Rachel moved to stand before her friends, dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail, three quarter black and red spandex pants showcasing her long legs, "Come on, girls. It's been two years since we've had a girls' night –we're too busy being moms and wives, not to mention careers. It's time to remember we're also women…friends…sisters!"

"Agreed," Leah moved further into the studio, studying the layout as the rest of their group –all the usual suspects plus their newest addition, Julie Young –spread out, looks of intrigue and curiosity evident on their faces as they looked around the wall to wall mirrored dance studio, "But this? It's a little…risqué, don't you think?"

"Not at all," Rachel moved to the side to set her gym bag down, unzipping her sweater to reveal the matching sports top she was wearing, "Two hours, three times a week for one month –it'll bring us closer together, not to mention make us tighter."

Julie stared at Rachel for a few seconds before bursting out laughing, thinking how right her sister had been when stating Rachel as being a walking innuendo, "I have a three month old at home."

"That's alright," Rachel grinned as she watched the rest of them slowly move further into the room, "You can bring him with you –the instructor said as long as they're not running around, they can be here and since Donny is not yet mobile, and is used to noise, he should be okay."

Leah's eyes followed the sleek lines up to the ceiling before reaching out to wrap her fingers around the cool metal, "You know…this might actually be fun."

Rachel couldn't contain her excitement as she moved across the sleek floor, "Definitely! I got us a group rate –it will be totally worth it."

The slow crescendo of a throbbing rhythm had them all look to the side as a tall, luscious shaped blonde stepped into the room, quietly closing the door behind her before slightly dimming the lights, "Welcome, ladies, to Fit Pole. My name is Shay and I will be your instructor for the next month. We'll be learning the basics today to prevent injury but other than that, we'll be having fun."

She gave them a bright smile, stepping up onto the two foot stage and grabbing hold of the steel pole, "So grab a pole, ladies, and let's get dirty."

They all laughed except for Rose, a grimace on her face as she hesitantly wrapped her fingers around the pole to the left of Leah, "Seth is so going to kill me when he finds out."

"Are you kidding me," Rachel chuckled as she looked over her shoulder at her friend, a naughty smile on her face, "The kinky bastard is going to love it!"


March 10th

"I have something for you."

Emmie looked up at Embry as she sat down on the cold concrete bench, placing the napkins she had gone into the ice cream shop to get beside her cup of rocky road ice cream, "What is it?"

Embry grinned as he took the wrapped package he'd taken out of his trunk, sliding it across the slick surface of the round concrete table, "It's a late Valentine's –early birthday gift."

Emmie wrinkled her nose, pushing her glasses up before setting her ice cream cup aside and pulling the heavy package closer, "You don't get me Valentine gifts."

"Fine, then –an early birthday gift."

Giggling, she tore at the dark blue wrapping paper, easily lifting the top of the box to reveal a hard cover textbook, her eyes going wide as she let out a gasp, "Oh my god! They published your thesis!"

Embry's grin was wide as he nodded, taking a spoonful of his ice cream as he watched her carefully take out the book representing his last three years of hard work and research, "It's been approved, published and I'll be walking the stage first weekend of May for my Master's in Mechanical Engineering."

Emmie's face lit up with a grin as she opened the black leather cover, laughing at the inscription inside, "You dedicated it to me…thanks."

"You're an inspiration, Emmie," Embry grinned at her as she randomly flipped through the book, studying the graphs and designs, not to mention formulas he'd theorized and put into practice to support his thesis: Structural Analysis of a Conceptual Structurally Integrated Acreage Thermal Protection System for Hypersonic Vehicles, "It's only fair to let everyone else know."

A faint pink flush under her cinnamon colored skin let him know she was pleased with his comment as she carefully closed the textbook, giving him a big smile, eyes bright behind the glass of her blue wire-rimmed glasses, "I promise, I will read every page of it."

"Thanks."

He continued eating his vanilla and rum ice cream, watching as she carefully set the box to the side before twisting to the side to open her own backpack as she spoke, "I also have something to show you. Remember how, last year, my science teacher requested permission to send my paper on plant cell mutation for the purpose of flora survival in hostile environments to the Nature Journal?"

Embry chuckled as he nodded, finishing the last of his ice cream before reaching for a napkin, "Yep."

Pulling out a glossy magazine, she pushed it across the tabletop, grinning as he turned it around and read the cover, "Well, it took a whole year for them to publish it because they had to put my theory to the test –a waste of time, if you ask me –but it got approved and it's going to be released next month. This is an early issue they printed, just for me."

"This is great, Emmie," Embry grinned as he opened the cover to read through the table of contents, finding her article fourth down, "You're officially published –at twelve."

Emmie laughed as she pulled an envelope out of her bag, placing it in the middle of the table, "That's not all…my teacher gave this to me today after class so I haven't had a chance to show it to my parents."

He lifted an eyebrow as he took the envelope, reading the front where her name was before turning it over, "Do you want me to wait until you show your parents?"

"No need," she lifted a shoulder in a shrug, returning to her ice cream, which was quickly melting into soup, "It's still the same news, either way."

Embry smirked at her no-nonsense tone as he pulled out the heavy grade folded paper from the equally high quality envelope, which he set aside before opening the single page letter, brown eyes moving quickly over the neatly typed paragraph, "Oh…wow, Emmie! They're offering you a full ride scholarship?"

Emmie nodded with a self-satisfied smile as she finished her ice cream, "To any undergraduate college of my choice. They want to do an interview, something concerning young promising scholars but mama and Daddy have to sign some consent first."

"I'm sure they will," Embry neatly folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope, handing it to her, "They're both very proud of you, Emmie."

Emmie smiled at him, her face flushing a bit as she slipped the letter back into her bag, "Yeah, well…they're proud of all of us. Did I mention I made it into the final meet? It's going to be the second Saturday of April. Dad put me down for the two hundred meter sprint and the four hundred meter relay –I'm fourth position."

"You'll do great," Embry assured her as he flipped through the magazine in search of page fifty-seven, where her article was featured, "Your speed's been improving the past two months."

She nodded, pulling out her notebook to start on her Anatomy homework, "Daddy says what I need to work on is endurance –I'm going to be doing cross-country next year."

"We'll run over the summer," Embry offered, having found the article, grinning at the picture of Emmie on the side with a short bio under it, "There's several worn in tracks in the forest we can use –it'll help build endurance."

Emmie nodded, giving him a smile before she turned to the cardiovascular unit of her textbook, comfortable silence ascending as they both got to reading, both comfortable in each others' presence.

Just the way it's always been between them, the way it would always be.


March 12th

It was humid and the noise echoed in the enclosed space but it didn't stop Marc from cheering for his girlfriend as she started her fourth and final lap, at least eight other swimmers in the Olympic sized pool with her. Sticking his fingers into his mouth, he pulled in his bottom lip and let out a sharp pitched whistle as she reached the end of the pool, wet hand slapping the concrete just five seconds before the girl two lanes down, thus winning first place in the two hundred meter breaststroke race.

He stood up from bottom bleachers he'd been sitting on, Vivi staying where she was as he headed to the back of the indoor pool area where a dripping wet Betty was waiting as they called out the times. He'd made his sister come with him, stating how, since Betty was his girlfriend and she was his sister, it was only fair she showed support for his girlfriend –he did, after all, go to Gabe's games.

Grinning, he opened the large towel he'd been holding for her, wrapping his arms around her when she stepped towards him, his smiling mouth brushing over her trembling lips, "Very impressive."

"Did you hear my time," Betty pushed her trembling body harder against his, always having a hard time acclimating to the cool air after getting out of a warm water pool, "It's the best I've gotten all year."

"It's a good way to finish the last meet of your high school career."

She laughed, tilting her head back to kiss him, neither paying attention to the activity and noise around them.

It was probably about three minutes into their rather intense kiss when they got interrupted by a voice from the past, "Marc?"

Lifting his head, he looked into a pair of blue gray eyes he hadn't seen since back when he was in middle school, "Robyn? What are you doing–uhm, I mean…hi."

"Hi," her eyes flickered to Betty before she focused on Marc, her mouth tilting into a familiar smile, "I compete for the swim team for Anne Wright School…its' the boarding school dad banished me to after that whole…baby-sitting fiasco."

Marc almost choked on his own laughter, working hard at not letting his amusement show, "Oh, uhm…that's cool."

He looked down at Betty, catching the expectant look on her face before giving Robyn an uneasy smile, "This is Betty, my girlfriend. Betty, this is Robyn. She's…a friend –from back in middle school."

"A friend," Robyn arched an eyebrow as she played with her swim cap, which she was holding along with her goggles, "How long have you two been together?"

"Uhm," Marc cleared his throat as he looked down into Betty's warm brown eyes, tightening his arms around her, "It's going to be a year this summer, right? Betty and I have known each other since second grade."

Robyn nodded as she sucked in her cheeks, giving Betty a strange look, "Second grade?"

"I moved to Florida with my parents at the end of the school year," Betty explained, not sure why but she didn't like the girl, "My dad got offered an administrative position at Florida State –he's still there. I moved back with my mom beginning of freshman year."

"Oh," Betty nodded, her mouth lifting into a slightly calculating smile, "Probably around the same time my dad was enrolling me into Anne Wright, even though I didn't want to go."

"Uh…" Betty bit her bottom lip, giving Marc a wide eyed look before she turned her attention back to Robyn, "Yeah, well…I've heard Anne Wright is a really good school –all girls, right?"

"Yup," Betty tilted her head to the side, shifting her weight slightly as she looked over her shoulder at the clock on the wall then looked at Betty again, "Dad insisted I go –he wasn't all that happy when he found out Marc had his hand up my skirt."

"What?"

Marc stared at Robyn in complete shock, realizing somehow in the past four years, she'd turned into a total vindictive bitch. Betty herself wasn't sure how to respond; her eyes were locked on Robyn as she grabbed the edges of the towel and took a step back from Marc.

Robyn's smiled widened as she looked from Marc to Betty then back, "I guess you could say it was a…friend thing. Anyway, I'm up for the freestyle relay. See you at the awards ceremony."

They stood awkwardly beside each other, the noise around them suddenly grating as they watched Robyn head towards the diving blocks as she pulled on a peacock blue swimming cap over her blond hair, situating the goggles in place as she stepped up onto the diving block.

"How old were you?"

Marc looked down into her brown eyes –the top of her head reached his chin while she was barefoot, something he was just realizing now –as he stuffed his suddenly sweaty hands into his jeans' pocket, "What?"

Betty tilted her head to the side as she removed her goggles, which she'd pushed up to the top of her head, pulling off her swim cap as well, "How old were you when you put your hand up her skirt?"

"Uh," Marc rubbed the back of his neck, clearing his throat as he tried not to blush, "I was…uh…it was back in middle school –I, uhm…she was the, uh…the first girl I hung out with outside of my cousin Bailey."

"Was she your first kiss?"

He knew his face was turning red, not to mention the fact he felt about as awkward as a pre-teen boy with a squeaky voice, "Uhm…well, uhm…no, she was not."

Betty nodded but didn't say anything; she gripped the towel tighter as she turned away from him to head to the other side where the Forks swimming team was congregated.

"Betty –"

Looking over her shoulder, she gave him a tight smile, "I'm gonna go change…I'll see you after the awards ceremony."

"Betty."

She stopped walking, taking in a deep breath before turning and approaching him, a small, albeit sincere, smile on her face, "I'm okay…" she stopped before him, pushing up on her tip-toes to press a kiss against his cheek, "I'll be okay."

He took hold of her upper arms, pressing a hard kiss on her mouth before letting her go, watching her walk away to join her team as they headed to the locker room. He let a few minutes pass by before moving to join his sister on the bleachers, doing his best to ignore her but it didn't work. Looking at her, he raised an eyebrow, which she took as silent permission to speak.

"What was that about?"

He let out a heavy sigh, leaning forward to place his forearms on his thighs as he watched the current relay going on, "Not sure…that was Robyn…she…she said some stuff –I think she was trying to upset Betty."

"Looked like it worked."

He looked over at her, face devoid of expression, "You think? I never thought she'd be vindictive…it's not my fault her dad went postal and send her off to boarding school, you know."

Vivi lifted a shoulder in a shrug, resting her chest on her drawn up knees to retie her high top Converse sneakers, "There was something about her I never liked –I guess it was the vindictive streak you're talking about. True colors always shine through, no matter how hard people try to hide them."

He ignored the echoing noise around them as he studied his sister's profile, thinking over her words before quietly asking, "Is that what you see?"

Vivi nibbled on her lower lip, keeping her eyes on the swimmers currently doing the backstroke, "Something like that."

Running fingers through his dark hair, he squeezed the back of his neck as he continued studying his sister, "I just realized…we're twins –have been together since before we were born and yet, I know nothing about your gift…you've never explained it to me."

Vivi lifted a shoulder in a shrug, eyes on her hands as she picked at her cuticles, "It's not a big deal –not like yours so I didn't think you would care."

"Of course I care," Marc's look of shocked incredulity almost had Vivi laughing but she held herself back as he continued talking, "You're my sister –I care about everything having to do with you."

Ducking her head to hide the smile she was currently sporting, she shifted slightly in her seat as she tried to figure out how to explain her gift to him, "I see…connections –between people. They look like ribbons…beautiful, colorful ribbons holding two people together, no matter how far apart they are. It's like…the first time they appear, they look like gossamer…they're so delicate, and the color is so pale, just about anything could snap it in two."

Marc's eyes stayed on his sister's profile as she tried to think of words to continue explaining something he just couldn't picture, "Like, when Aunt Leah was pregnant with Emmie –the connection between her and Uncle Rick was a beautiful bright teal ribbon –the color was so deep and vibrant, it was obvious how strong it was…but she also had another ribbon, a white one –transparent and delicate looking…it was connected to Embry…that ribbon is now much stronger but still vibrantly white and it's now only between Embry and Emmie."

Marc nodded, sucking on the inside of his cheek as he thought over what she was saying, "So you and Gabriel…"

"Since the first time I saw him," Vivi's smile turned soft as she thought back to that first meeting in the toy aisle of the store, "It was beautiful –gold and silver and I knew he would be it for me…he would be the one I would trust with my very life."

Marc grunted but he didn't say anything, watching as his sister fingered the black leather necklace around her neck, the light glinting off of a glass marble tightly weaved into the leather knotted braid –it was oddly familiar to Marc but he couldn't figure out why.

"Betty and I…do we…"

Vivi turned her eyes towards her brother, a slightly pitying look on her face as she sucked on her bottom lip before answering, "You two are friends…very good friends but…I don't see…you're not…she's not the one for you."

Attention, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family –we'll be hosting the award ceremonies in Conference Room E. If you can please start making your way there, we'll be starting in thirty minutes.

Vivi looked over at her brother, wondering if he was going to say anything in response to what she'd just revealed but he wasn't looking at her –his eyes were lowered, his mouth tight as he took the gift bag he'd placed on the footrest of the bleachers. Standing up, he didn't look at her or even waited for her to follow, simply moving down and across the floor towards the closest double doors.

Vivi trailed behind him, feeling a little guilty over what she'd told him. She knew he really cared for Betty, not just as a friend but as something more, but he'd asked and Vivi didn't make a habit of lying –to anyone but especially to Marc. Letting out a heavy breath, she reminded herself –again –he had been the one to ask.

Marc himself was trying to scrub out what she'd said from his thoughts but it wasn't easy –he really shouldn't have asked…but it just couldn't be true. Betty made him into a better person –being with her was like being someone who deserved to have happiness, someone who truly did have a soul. Betty complimented everything in him that was human.

Vivi was wrong –she had to be.

They found seats halfway down the front, the increased noise level serving as the white noise Marc needed to clear out Vivi's words from his mind. As soon as the announcer stepped up to the podium, everyone quieted down, the straggling few taking their seats or standing in the back being seating was limited to seventy.

It wasn't a long ceremony, mostly because of the request to hold all applause until the end when all winners would be called to line up at the front. The clapping and cheering went on for at least five minutes before it was all done, Marc and Vivi standing up to move to the side where Betty met them, the smile on her face as bright as the first place medal around her neck.

"Way to go," Marc smiled down at her, a little surprised when she threw her arms around his neck but he didn't keep his own from wrapping around her waist as he kissed her cheek, "I knew you'd get first place."

Betty laughed, tilting her head back to give him a peck on the lips before she moved back, sliding a hand into his one free on as she looked over at Vivi, "Thank you so much for coming, Vivi. Doesn't Gabe have a game today?"

"Yeah," Vivi shifted her weight as she slid her hands into the front pockets of her skinny jeans, "It's not until later though."

"Well," Betty grinned as Marc handed her the gift bag, looking over at Vivi, "Marc and I will make sure and be there."

"We will?"

"Yes," Betty bumped her shoulder against his, "Vivi was nice enough to come with you to see me swim even though she didn't have too –it's only fair we do the same."

"Why do I have to go," Marc arched an eyebrow, no expression on his face for her to see he was teasing her, "Gabe didn't come so there's no reason for me to go."

Rolling her eyes as she shook her head, she turned to look at Vivi, "Don't listen to him –he'll be there."

"Thanks," Vivi smiled at her, gold-brown eyes flicking to a point over Betty's shoulder, "Oh boy."

"What," Marc followed his sister's line of sight, letting out a heavy sigh, "Oh god…I hope she behaves."

Vivi crossed her arms over her chest as she watched Robyn come their way, "I'm sure she will."


Seth entered the kitchen, stretching his arms over his head as he moved across the floor to where his wife was, "They're down for their nap."

Rose smiled over her shoulder at him before she turned her attention to the chopping of vegetables, "That was quick."

"Really," Seth stopped behind her, wrapping his arms around her small waist as he placed a kiss on the side of her neck, "Thirty minutes is quick?"

"It usually takes me an hour," Rose set aside the diced carrot, taking two celery stalks and rinsing them under warm water as Seth nibbled his way up her neck.

"That's because they know you're a pushover," Seth tugged at her earlobe with his teeth before letting it go, whispering suggestively into it, "Maybe we should go and take a nap too…you know –grown up style."

Rose laughed as she grabbed a potato and the peeler before spinning around in his arms and pushing them against his chest, "We don't have time for a grown-up nap –dinner needs to be done in an hour."

"What's this?"

Rose gave him one of those looks as she moved aside to make room for him at the sink, "A potato and a peeler."

It was his turn to roll his eyes as he got busy peeling the potato, seeing he had five more to do, "I know what it is –what are you making?"

"A potato bake casserole," she set the diced celery in the same bowl where the carrots were, moving on to cutting cherry tomatoes in half, "I'm also making a meatloaf using a recipe Vivi found for me –"

"A meatloaf," Seth asked as he looked at everything she had out on the counter –after almost ten years of marriage, he knew Rose always took everything she was going to use for a meal out to be within easy reach, "Where's the meat?"

"It's a vegetarian meatloaf," Rose pointed at a pot on the stove, delicate swirls of steam rising up from the sides of the lid, "It's made with lentils."

"Okay, hold on," Seth stopped peeling the potato he was currently on, looking over at his wife with a look of incredulity, "Is this a completely vegetarian meal?"

"Well," Rose's hazel eyes were wide as she watched him looking over everything spread out on the counter, "The potato bake has bacon in it."

"Seriously," he gave her that look –the one that always set her off whenever he was being unreasonable, "I'm going to need more than bacon bits, Rose."

Tightening her jaw, she set her knife down before turning to face him, "There's a steak marinating for you in the fridge."

"Oh."

The silence was a little awkward as Rose returned to what she was doing, a whole minute passing before she muttered under her breath, "Jackass."

He looked her way as she looked his, both silent for a beat before they started laughing, the tension dissipating. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss against her smiling lips before going back to work, their conversation resuming easily, jumping from one topic to another, as conversations were wont to do.

"Oh," Rose closed the lid to the pot with the lentils, bending to take out a pan from the bottom cupboard beside the stove, "Minerva called –she and Andy are going to be flying in this weekend."

Seth leaned against the counter as he admired his wife's jean-clad bottom, "Why the short notice?"

"They'll be restricting her at the end of the month," she straightened up, setting the pan on the burner before crossing the floor to the refrigerator, "She's trying to get all her traveling done before she's confined to Kentucky."

Seth chuckled as he took the marinating steak from Rose, preferring to cook his own beef being his wife liked to cook it all the way through, "Are they bringing the brood?"

"I'm sure they are," Rose returned to the fridge to pull out green and red bell peppers, along with an onion, "Minerva likes keeping them with her and since I don't mind them coming along..."

Seth nodded as he thought back to last year when Minerva and Andy had come to visit. They'd also brought their kids –Sadie and Carson, respectively four and two at the time –and it had been a fun weekend for the Weston family, "Carlos has a crush on Sadie so I know he won't mind."

Rose laughed, wiping her hands as the phone peeled out a ring. Rushing to pick it up so it wouldn't wake up the boys, she pressed the TALK button, "Hello?"

Her smile grew as she tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder to free up her hands, "Are you three on your way or are you going to be late?"

Seth could hear the faint tone to Marc's voice although he wasn't picking up every word he was saying, instead noticing the change of expression on Rose's face as she took the phone in one hand, "What do you mean you're in jail? What did you do?"

He stopped what he was doing, turning to give her his full attention although she wasn't looking his way, surprise evident on her face as she responded to whatever their nephew was saying, "Vivi? What happened?"

The silence was brief before Rose's high pitched voice shattered it completely, her words bringing the easy ambiance they'd been enjoying to an end, "Arrested for assault?!"


The silence was oppressive as Seth drove them back to La Push, Vivi sitting in the passenger seat, Marc and Betty having headed out at the older man's insistence. Now, it was just him and his Ladybug and he had no idea how to approach the subject of Vivi's unusual behavior.

"Does it hurt?"

Vivi shook her head as she touched her bottom lip, which was split and swollen –and yes, it did hurt, but she didn't cop to it because after having to watch her uncle pay a thousand dollar bail, she didn't really have a right to complain.

"So what happened?"

Vivi kept her eyes on the passing scenery outside the passenger window, her voice low yet heavy, "She called Marc a coward…my brother's not a coward."

Seth nodded, keeping a hand on the steering wheel as he rested his left elbow on the window ledge of the car door, "And that warranted breaking her nose?"

"I wasn't planning on breaking her nose," Vivi reached up to tug a loose strand of hair behind her ear, what had once been a neat French braid now a mess from pulling and tugging, "She called him a coward and I –I saw red. I told her to take it back…she laughed and I…I snapped."

This was why Seth had volunteered to be the one to pick her up, because he'd been just as shocked as Rose when she'd passed on the information to him and he wanted to hear it first hand, "You snapped. Was Marc bothered by being called a coward?"

"I don't know," Vivi shrugged, giving her uncle a quick glance before returning her gaze to the passing scenery, "I didn't exactly ask him…I was too busy slapping the shit out of that bitch."

That did it –he couldn't help it, he just had to laugh, shaking his head as he worked hard at staying in his lane, "Oh god, Vivi! Have you been hanging out with Bailey?"

"No," Vivi stared at him, thinking him strange for finding humor from this not very funny situation, "Although she did teach us how to cuss…when we were twelve."

Shaking his head as his laughter died out, he looked over at her, the exit to Forks approaching quickly, "You do know you're grounded, right?"

"What," Vivi looked at him in surprise, the faint bruise he'd seen along her cheekbone back in the station much deeper in color now that an hour had passed, "I'm being charged with assault, owe you a thousand dollars and was actually tossed into a jail cell. You're grounding me, on top of all that? I've never done anything like this before!"

"Your aunt thinks if we don't ground you, you'll think it acceptable behavior to haul off and punch someone else."

Vivi's open mouthed expression let Seth know the thought hadn't even crossed her mind, "That's…ridiculous."

"Sorry Ladybug…I couldn't talk her out of it."

Five minutes of silence passed before he heard her soft voice as she let her head fall back against the headrest, "Gabe has a game tonight."

"Well," Seth gave her hand a quick squeeze as he got onto the one o one into Forks, "You can have Marc explain everything to him –he does owe you one, after all."


Spring Break, March 16th
Tuesday afternoon

"I got my acceptance letter from SU."

Removing his ear buds as he looked away from the book he was reading, Marc gave Betty his attention, "What?"

It was day two of their spring break and they'd hiked into the woods until they found a clearing where they could spread out a blanket, take off their shoes and socks and have lunch before working on their English Lit homework. Mrs. Butcher, the old bat, had assigned a book analysis paper over the week, due date Monday when they returned from break.

"I got my acceptance letter from SU," Betty repeated herself as she sat up, placing the open book face down beside her as she looked down at Marc, "I've got a visit scheduled first weekend of April to meet with my adviser –Mom's got a lecture to teach in Chicago so she won't be able to go with me."

"I'll go," Marc set the open book on his chest, giving her a lazy smile as he tucked his arms behind his head, "I haven't scheduled a visit with them yet so I can call tomorrow."

"You got accepted by SU?"

"Yup," Marc nodded as he let out a yawn, feeling decidedly relaxed stretched out under the warmth of the sun, the sky a faded blue with no clouds keeping the sun from getting too bright, "I also got accepted into UW, UCLA, NYU and Barcelona."

"Barcelona," Betty bit her bottom lip as she crossed her legs Indian style, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her thighs, "That's kind of far."

Marc's eyes were closed as his body soaked up the warmth of the sun's rays, "Kind of, yeah, but I was born in Spain so it would be like going home…but then again, my family's still here."

Betty nodded, looking down at her hands as she picked at her cuticles, "Are you thinking of going there?"

"Not sure," Marc shrugged, drawing up his knees just to change position, the blanket dragging along which meant he could feel the coolness of the grass as it tickled the soles of his feet, "It's expensive but that's not really an issue, being our father left us more than enough money to cover our education and then some. Not to mention Tia Rosa and Uncle Seth aren't hurting financially, either."

"But won't you miss your family?"

"Yeah," Marc nodded, opening his eyes just a fraction to look at her before he closed them again, "But Vivi's heading off to New York after she graduates next year –that is, if she doesn't give in to Gabe. I just might do NYU instead, that way I can look after her."

Betty nodded even though she knew he wasn't looking at her, "It's going to be an entire year before she goes off to college…maybe you can go to SU then transfer when she heads to Juilliard."

"That's a possibility."

The following silence was comfortable although a little rift with faint tension. She studied him, feeling free to do so being he kept his eyes closed.

He was the most beautiful boy she'd ever seen –had always been the most beautiful boy around, since back when they were in grade school. She knew she wasn't alone in her opinion, being majority of the girls at school believed him to be one of the hottest guys around Forks (his cousin Gabriel was up there on that list too). A few of them even going as far as propositioning him even though they knew he had a girlfriend.

He was a sweet guy to her, but to the rest of the girls, he was a bit stand-offish, which was why, whenever he gave a definite no to their suggestions, he'd been called everything from conceited to asshole…of course, Vivi was never around for that.

Betty swallowed back a laugh at the memory of his sweet, quiet little sister going at it with Robyn –she had no idea Vivi could actually exhibit that much anger…it had been slightly frightening in the couple of minutes it took for Marc to snap out of his own surprise and pull them apart.

By then, Robyn already had a broken nose, a spectacular looking black eye and a bloody lip. Even now, Betty still had a hard time actually believing Vivi had been capable of so much damage in such a little time…then again, the fact Vivi had court next month was a constant reminder not to insult Marc in front of his little sister –something all the girls at Forks High now knew not to do.

Letting out a soft sigh, she broke out of her revere, turning her attention back to her boyfriend, watching his tanned skin glow in the sun's light, his blue-black hair falling over his forehead and ears –he liked keeping it on the shaggy side without it being too long. His face was classically handsome…painfully so at times, with a high forehead, dark heavy brows over those chocolate brown eyes which seemed to be able to look deep into her soul, eyelashes any girl, including her, would kill to have.

High cheekbones, defined jaw line ending with a squared chin, what she'd learned in art class to be an aristocratic nose set over a mouth that didn't give much to smiling, but when it did…she had to kick start her heart, each and every time. His bottom lip was plump…it poked out in a perpetual pout that had her wanting to kiss him at the oddest moments…he really had a very beautiful mouth.

As for the rest of him…

She let out another soft sigh, tilting her head to the side as she drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs, wondering if he'd fallen asleep. She didn't mind if he had, especially because she still needed to think over their conversation –she knew how she felt for him…she'd been enthralled by him since back in second grade.

She'd been a shy girl, one who didn't really fit in well with any of her fellow classmates and she remembered how he too kept himself separate from the other kids during recess time, which was when they were all expected to socialize.

It had been hard for her, trying to get up the courage to approach him but after three days of watching him across the playground while the rest of the kids played, she had finally made her move, offering him some of her animal crackers in hopes of being able to be his friend.

Here they were now, two months away from graduating high school and spending their last summer together before they each headed off to wherever they decide to go –she would love nothing more than to have him go to SU with her but she couldn't push him into it. College was supposed to be the stepping stone to the future world of adulthood and she knew he had to go where he felt he should go, not where she wanted him to go.

As for her…she loved him –she loved him with the same fervor as she had back when she'd been a child and yet, with an additional burning need she knew was due to her own development into a woman.

This was what she was trying to make up her mind about.

Would she regret it? If she gave herself to him, completely without holding back, and he then went off to wherever he felt best for himself, would she regret it? Of if she didn't, if she held back this desire to express her feelings in the most natural and elemental way possible and he left to who knows where, would she regret not having a memory of them, of first love, of giving and taking without demanding any commitment because it was beautiful on its own?

Looking over at him as he shifted, his head turning towards her as he opened his eyes just enough to be able to see her, she decided which of her two options she preferred to live with.

Marc was certain he was dreaming, his brain somewhat fuzzy as he watched through heavy lidded eyes.

Betty had stood up, facing him as she slowly undid the buttons of her blouse, the light blue fabric pooling around her bare feet as soon as it slipped free of her arms. Studying her small feet, he watched as her pink tipped toes curled into the blanket, his eyes moving lazily up her long jean clad legs, thinking what a good dream this was as she undid the snap and zipper of her jeans, pushing them over her hips and down her legs, leaving behind white cotton panties.

His eyes opened a little more as she stepped out of her jeans, kicking them aside before she reached up to pull at the tie holding her hair back in a ponytail, the sun touching the pale skin of her flat stomach, the white fabric covering her breasts stretching with the movement as she dropped her arms down to her sides.

The atmosphere practically crackled with intensity as he studied the sight before him, dark eyes moving over every curve and flat plane, lingering in certain places before he looked up at her flushed face, "Betty…"

"I want you to be my first," she whispered, her cheeks feeling hot as she took a deep breath, unaware of how the tops of her breasts rose above the line of her white bra, Marc's eyes dropping to intently study the motion of her breathing, "I don't know what's going to happen after we graduate, I don't know what the future holds but I do know I want to share this moment with you."

Marc nodded as he moved to kneel before her, placing slightly trembling hands on her hips as she looked up at her, the feel of her fingers brushing his hair back causing a shiver to run down his spine, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Marc lowered his eyes to her stomach, trying to breathe through his mouth but it wasn't helping –he could smell the sun warmth scent of her skin and the heated sweetness of her blood rushing right under it, "I don't have anything with me."

Biting her bottom lip, she feathered her fingers over the back of his neck, swallowing as he dropped his forehead to rest against her stomach, his nose brushing the waistline of her panties, which rested right above her pubic bone, "I'm on the pill…have been since December."

Marc nodded, eyes closed as he breathed her in, his own body and brain picking up the subtle smell of her arousal. Moving his hands from her hips around to her small yet shapely bottom, he stroked the edges of the cotton panties, fingers dipping between her thighs before he moved his hands around her thighs to stroke his thumbs against the cotton covered triangle of what made her female.

She could feel the tightening below her bellybutton, her skin tingling as if she were holding a live wire with both hands. Biting back the building moan threatening to escape, she let her head fall back as his hands moved up her body, fingers rough against the soft skin of her stomach, his mouth leaving behind a wet trail along the waistline of her panties.

Shuddering with the strength of his own arousal, he gripped her torso, his thumbs tucked under the swell of her breasts as he pulled her down onto his lap then onto the blanket, the sun touching her skin and turning her blond hair into a halo, her brown eyes slightly unfocused as she looked up at him.

"I'm not really sure what to do," he whispered as he stretched out over her, an elbow beside her head keeping his weight off her.

Reaching up to touch his mouth, she traced the bottom lip with her fingers before sliding them over his jaw and into his hair, giving him a shy smile, "We can learn together…can't we?"

Marc swallowed back a mouthful of saliva and venom, telling himself he could do this –he could be with her and give her all of him without taking anything other than what she was offering, "Yeah…"

It was a sweet moment, shy and hesitant but neither held back as they touched each other, articles of clothing removed, mouths and hands exploring, soft words of assurance spoken, all the while the early spring sun shining down on them.

Marc brushed his fingers over the pink buds of her breasts, watching them tightening into hard points, the color around them deepening into a cherry pink. Dipping his head, he slid his tongue over one nipple then the other, Betty's fingernails raking lightly down his bare back as she arched her back.

Keeping his teeth sheathed behind his lips, he sucked one of them into his mouth, the taste of her skin, moist with perspiration and something else, exploding in his mouth, rocketing through his body.

Betty felt him shudder, her own body quivering as he continued to suck and lick, one hand moving over her stomach, fingers exploring the soft skin and the small dip of her bellybutton before moving further down.

Betty's moan drowned out Marc's groan as he sank his fingers into her wet heat, his mind practically short circuiting at the thought he would soon be able to do more than just finger her –he would be able to feel the wet heat of her tight around him.

Her hips rose with every deep, slow thrust of his fingers, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth in an effort to stay quiet which didn't last long as Marc moved his mouth up her chest, his tongue flicking over her fast beating pulse before he moved his mouth to whisper into her ear, "Let me hear you, baby –I need to know if it feels good for you –it's the only way I'll learn how to touch you."

"Oh god," Betty let out a soft sob, her eyes flying open as she looked up into his dark eyes, the warm brown of them she loved so much a thin ring around the dilated black pupils, "Please Marc…I want you…please."

Moving over her, he settled himself between her spread legs, having already dispensed his jeans and briefs some time ago. Sliding his arm under her neck, he pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes staring into hers as he took himself in hand, sliding the head of his cock between her wet folds before he found the notched opening of her body.

Betty took in a deep breath as she felt the pressure of him pushing into her, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she held her breath.

"Tell me if it hurts," Marc whispered, his breath brushing over her swollen lips, his eyes studying every emotion flitting through hers, "Tell me if you want me to stop."

"Don't," Betty swallowed in an attempt to get rid of the huskiness to her voice, her hands moving to grip the back of his neck, "Don't stop."

Marc exercised every last shred of his self-control, his arms trembling with the effort as he pushed in an inch at a time, letting her get used to the pressure before he pushed in some more. It wasn't easy –his forehead was beaded with sweat, his breathing ragged as he fought back the urge to sink himself into her wet heat –she so damn tight, his eyes were practically crossing at how amazing it felt to have her around him.

She could see how hard he was trying not to hurt her, her heart swelling a bit more over his consideration for her comfort. She felt pressure deep inside her and she knew this was the part to truly hurt. Making the decisions to take this last step herself, she gripped his shoulders as she drew her knees up on either side of him, planting her feet flat on the blanket and lifting her hips.

Swallowing back a cry as he broke through and completely sank into her, she worked hard at breathing again as her eyes opened to look up into his, slowly relaxing back onto the blanket, Marc's body following hers.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he brushed his thumbs against her temples, Betty feeling mild surprise at the realization some tears had escaped.

"Don't be," she smiled up at him, her fingers relaxing as the searing pain she had felt dulled to a faint throb, "I want it…I want you."

Marc swallowed, burying his fingers into her hair as he moved to press his mouth against hers, the tip of his tongue sliding along the bottom swell of her lips, "I want you too."

They moved slowly, working at finding a rhythm of give and take, neither wanting this to end up both knowing it wasn't going to last long.

Marc was certain he was going to die if he didn't taste her –really taste her –so for that reason, as the tingling raced down his back letting him know he was close to coming, he wrapped his arms around her, his chin tucking into the groove between her neck and shoulder as he bit down into his forearm, blood spilling into his mouth as he emptied himself into her body.

Betty held on tight to him, the sun's rays against her face having her close her eyes, feeling the heat against the delicate skin of her eyelids as she let herself sink into the lassitude of her release. It had been a surprise, being she'd read many a magazine article of how a girl's first time was never pleasurable but it hadn't been the case –she supposed the way Marc had touched and kissed her before they actually did it, not to mention his care for her by taking it slow, had helped her reach an orgasm.

Making sure the bite on his arm was healed closed, he slowly rolled off of her, wiping his mouth with his free hand, his other arm still wedged under Betty's shoulders. They didn't speak, didn't move as they laid side by side, as a midday breeze stroked their moist skin, the sun shining down on their nude bodies.

Moving enough to rest her head on his shoulder as she slid her arm over his stomach and a thigh over his hips, she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his fingers combing through her hair in rhythmic strokes, her voice sleepy as she whispered, "Marc?"

"Mhm?"

She smiled, knowing the hum he'd given in response was to let her know he wasn't asleep –not yet, at least, "I love you."

Marc's fingers stilled in her hair, his eyes opening to stare up at the blue sky as the chirp of birds echoed from far away, the spring time breeze moving over the tops of the trees and stirring the scent of the spring flowers strewn all across their clearing.

Vivi was wrong –somehow, his sister had made a mistake about Betty.

She made him human –she gave him a soul.

"I love you too."


Monday, March 22nd

She stared at her bowl of cereal, a wave of nausea moving through her, dizziness following as she closed her eyes in an effort to make it go away, but it didn't work.

Reaching for the spoon, she drew up her knees to her chest, the heels of her bare feet against the edge of the kitchen chair keeping her legs in place, which was good because the position made the pain in her lower abdomen a little more bearable.

Spooning some cereal into her mouth, she chewed slowly and swallowed despite the nausea rising again, gold-brown eyes looking up as her brother walked into the kitchen, whistling some cheery tune under his breath as he filled up a bowl with cereal.

Looking over at her as he poured milk over the sugary breakfast, he returned the gallon back to the fridge, "I leave in ten minutes."

Vivi shrugged as she took another spoonful of cereal, "Fine."

Marc sat down across the table from her, looking at the t-shirt and shorts she wore as pajamas, her hair still a mess of sleep tossed curls down her back, "It takes you longer than ten minutes to get ready."

She lowered her spoon, letting it fall into the cereal with a small plop as she reached up to swipe hair off her face, her skin feeling cold and clammy, the nausea returning again, "I'm not going –I'm not feeling well."

Marc wrinkled his nose as he ate his cereal, dropping his eyes as he brought up the one thing he knew his sister did not want to hear, "You know why."

Lips tightening, she slowly uncurled her aching body and stood, taking the more than half full bowl of cereal and moving across the kitchen floor to dump it into the sink, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Vivi," Marc put down his spoon as he looked over at his sister, not liking the way her face was pale, her eyes wide and dark, "This is something you can't avoid anymore –it's gotten worst this past year. You need bl –"

"Shut up," Vivi snapped, turning to glare at him, grabbing on to the edge of the counter to keep from falling, her head spinning with the sudden movement, "I will not –I refuse to be like –"

"Like what," Marc pushed back from the chair, grabbing his empty bowl and dumping it into the sink before moving away from his sister, "Like me? Like a vampire?"

He stared at her, his jaw tightening as she looked away from him, "You're half vampire, Vivi. You have to come to terms with that half of yourself or you're going to end up killing yourself."

"It's just an anemic episode," she stated, her chin rising in that stubborn manner which let Marc know she wasn't going to give in, no matter what, "The doctor said –"

"Pardon the bullshit but the doctor doesn't know the whole story," Marc crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at his sister, leaning back against the counter, "You're starving a part of yourself, have been since you were born –keep it up and you won't last long."

Her lips in a flat line, she gave him a look, one filled with anger, before she moved to cross the kitchen, Marc's hand reaching out and grabbing her arm to stop her before she walked past him, "Vivi –"

"I don't care," Vivi screamed at him as she pulled her arm away, stumbling with the effort, knocking aside a kitchen chair before she managed to grab on to the edge of the table, "I'm not going to be one of them –I'm never going to do what you do."

"Go ahead, then," Marc straightened as he held his arms rigid at his sides, his eyes dark with anger and another emotion he was working hard at hiding, "Sacrifice yourself –you're so goddamn good at it, after all."

"Hey," Seth's voice boomed down the hallway, "What the hell's going on in here?"

Vivi turned as he appeared but everything kept spinning, her legs giving out as she tumbled forward, darkness swallowing her up.