Authors Note:

A little heads up for everyone. I'll be going to my parents' house on the 6th for my first dress fitting on the 10th. I'll be there for two weeks to celebrate my birthday with my parents and my in-laws. I'll try to write and post as usual, but I can't be sure that I'll be able to too. My parents have pretty shitty internet. If I'm not able to, I'll still keep up writing and post them when I get back. This chapter is only Lily's POV. I own nothing but Lily.

Lavender

Lily POV

(October 23rd,2004)

My life had changed since the attack. I only can describe time as before and after. My life before was innocent, but now I felt like my life now has been tainted. I jumped every time someone came behind me quietly or touched me from behind. Even dad and Leah had noticed that something had changed within me, although they didn't try and pry. I was thankful for that. I still hadn't reported my attack, and I didn't want to. It didn't feel serious enough for me to report, and I didn't want to have to relive it by having to retell what happened in front of everyone and have everyone talk about me.

It was only through Allison that I hadn't felt my life crumble completely. She was there helping me, guiding me through the steps of healing. She told me to draw what I feel and find an outlet in the art I create. She never judged me for how disturbing the painting came out to be. The week after the attack, I stayed at her house, and she was there every time I woke up screaming from the nightmares. She would just hold me until the tears and screams stopped, and then she would take me into the kitchen to have tea to talk if I wanted. She never forced me to talk about it, but I still found myself opening up to her. She truly felt like a mother to me. I wanted her to be my mother.

I heard as a door opening up behind me. "Are you done with your painting, sweetheart?"

"Almost, I just have a few more details I would like to put in," I responded.

"Can I look at it, or would you like to keep it a secret?" She said while sitting a cup of tea beside me on the small glass table. The smell was that of lavender tea, and it made me smile. It was a tea I was starting to prefer since it calmed my nerves.

"You can look. You don't have to ask anymore, Allison. You're always welcome to look at my art." I stated while turning to look at her.

"I never want to assume that I can, sweetheart." She said while patting the back of my paint-covered hand.

"Well, I'm telling you now that you always have permission."

"Okay, then, sweetheart. Well, let me see what you're working on now."

I moved the canvas towards her to show her. It was a large painting of a forest and meadow. The trees created a circle around the meadow. The background was a large crystal clear waterfall with a white spotted doe and her fawn gently drinking. In the foreground was a large black wolf, standing tall and proud with hypnotizing brown eyes. Besides, the wolf was an outline of a woman petting the wolf with her back turned to the seer. I don't know why, but I couldn't add more details to the woman; something in my brain stopped me. I had a few more details that I wanted to add, like shadows to the trees and highlights to the waterfall, but so far, I was happy with what I had created. It was the first painting that I had created, which wasn't focused on pain and my suffering. Maybe I was starting to finally heal.

Allison took a good long look and smiled "It's amazing. It feels like I'm getting absorbed into the painting. You truly have a gift. If you didn't love nursing, you could be a professional artist."

I blushed at that statement. "I'm an alright painter, Allison. Besides I like that it's just a hobby for now. Maybe when I become old and grey, I'll fully turn over to being an artist."

She patted my hand again. "I'm just saying, sweetheart."

"I know, I know," I responded as I pushed my chair back and sat up to stretch.

"Mom, I'm here." A deep voice called from inside the house.

"We're out on the porch," Allison replied to the voice.

Heavy footsteps came towards us, and the door to the back porch opened. Sam walked through the thresh hold and went up to give Allison a hug. Sam and I had started to have a better relationship again. He hadn't brought up his feelings for me, but I knew they were still there just from the way he would look at me.

"Hey baby, what are you doing here?" Allison said while stepping out of the hug.

"Can't I just stop by to say 'hi'" He responded.

"You can come over whenever you want, baby. Now say Hi to Liliana."

He gazed over at me with a sweet smile on his face. "Hi, Ana. Is that your new painting?" He still called me Ana, and although I told him never too, it brought a smile to my face every time he did, though.

I blushed, while I like Allison's feedback, I was always apprehensive of showing Sam. But with this painting, I really wanted to know what he thought. "Yes. What do you think?"

His eyes roamed the painting before stopping to stare into my soul. His eyes looked as if there was a secret he wanted to tell me. That he was so close to telling me but just couldn't. "It looks wonderful, Ana."

As I stared back, trying to see if I could figure out the secret, I replied. "Thank you, Sam" This moment seemed to go on forever. Neither one of us wanted to break out eye contact.

Allison cleared her throat, interrupting the moment. "Well, I'm going to head to the store to pick up the things for dinner. You are staying for dinner right, Liliana?"

I nodded, "Yes, thank you for having me again. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"Nonsense, you're family. I always wanted a girl." She said while wrapping me in a hug.

Sam scoffed "What am I then?"

She just went over and patted his head. "A boy was good too."

He just laughed in return and walked into the house with us following.

"How does pasta sound for tonight?" Allison said as she headed towards the door.

"Sound great," I replied at the same time as Sam.

Sam turned to me with a cheesy smile, "Jinx, you owe me a soda."

I couldn't stop the snort that came out of my mouth. "What are we, 5?"

"You have the height of a 5-year-old." He shot back with a smirk on his face.

I fake gasped in shock but ruined the effect by laughing. "Well, at least I can fit through a door frame."

"Alright, children," Allison said, walking in-between us while heading to the front door. "I'll be back in a little bit." With that, she left.

"So, what are we going to play today?" I asked. Ever since the attack, Sam and I had bonded by playing cards and board games. He had been trying to lift my spirits whenever I came over, and it worked. I would be able to focus not on the memories but on whatever game we played. The only downside is that the more I got to know Sam, the more feeling began to bubble up. Which only made me feel terrible. I should hate Sam like Leah did, but he was a rock for me, letting me use his strength to get by.

"Well, we played slap jack last time. So how do you feel about war?" He responded while heading to the living room.

I smiled and walked in front of him. "Sounds good, ready to get your ass kicked. Old man." I had started calling him that because he acted like an old man. Always full of wisdom and acting beyond his age.

"I'm only two years older than you, Ana, I'm not old."

"So you say. Anyway, what are we talking about today?" We had started having conversations about anything and everything. Getting to know each other even better. Making my feelings towards him grow stronger.

"I want to know about your childhood Ana." He said while pulling out the deck of cards.

"Are you sure, it's not a happy story."

Sam shook his head. "Neither is mine. But it seems like the last thing we could talk about. After this, we'll know everything about each other."

We sat down at the coffee table, and Sam began dealing the cards. "Well, Renee, my mother, left when I was five, and it really messed me up. I hated the world and felt like the world hated me."

"I know what you mean, I was a bit older by older I mean I was 7 when my dad left. I started picking fights for the sake of fighting. Getting my aggression out. Caused my mom some real heartache. Not only did she have to deal with losing her husband, but now she had to deal with a son who was constantly in trouble." Sam nodded while speaking. I knew his father wasn't around, but I never knew how young he was. I shouldn't have, but it brought me comfort because he knew exactly how I felt and at the same time.

"I think it's because of Sue and Leah that I didn't become that angry. They were there, bringing me comfort and Sue becoming somewhat of a mother figure. She, however, couldn't fully take away the pain. I clung tightly to Leah, hoping that if I didn't let go, she wouldn't leave like my mom did. How did you stop being so angry?" It was true without them. I think I would have been angrier even though I was still just as hurt.

Sam blanched at the mention of Leah. I knew he still regretted breaking up with her. I knew that, but at the same time, I realized that he was only saving their hearts as they were both unhappy and becoming jaded. Although I think he didn't know the full extent of what he had done. "I came to realize if I didn't stop, I would only end up breaking my mom, and I needed to realize that I didn't need my flake of a father. I needed to be strong for my mom, and being angry at the world didn't help me be strong. So do you talk to your mother?"

"I did for a while. When I was 12, dad started sending me to Arizona, so Bella could come to Forks. I hated being around that woman, but I eventually realized I had to let my anger go. So we had a cordial relationship. But as soon as Bella decided that she didn't want to come to Forks anymore, the relationship went down the toilet. I guess you don't talk to your dad?" I was inquisitive. Even Allison didn't talk about Sam's dad.

He gritted his teeth. "I think I would kill that man if he ever stepped onto the reservation again. He really messed my mother up, and I'll never forgive him for that."

I knew I had to move the conversation in a new direction. "What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? You can probably guess mine."

He smiled gratefully. Happy to move the conversation onto something else. "I loved playing with Legos. I always loved anything that had to deal with building. I've heard that you've always got your hands busy with something creative. From your painting, I can see the years of practice. You've got talent that's for sure."

I blushed at his compliment. I don't know why, but hearing that he could see the years of hard work made me shy. "What was your favorite candy as a kid?"

He laughed. "I always liked cookies n' cream chocolate bars, but I found that their way too damn sweet now. I prefer rich dark chocolate, especially when it's on strawberries. But don't be telling anyone that, gotta keep my manly reputation. What was yours?"

I snorted and replied, "I prefer that combination too and don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I used to love jolly ranchers, don't know why but they were my favorite. I would have to say I love anything with coconut and chocolate. I think it's the best combination."

"That's also really good. Did you enjoy sports as a child, or were you too focus on art?"

"What do you think? I was raised by a single father. Sports were never out of the question. I had to sit and watch every Seahawk or Mariners game. I could probably list off all their statistics too, but please don't ask me too."

He smiled, "You'll have to come down, and we'll watch a game together."

I beamed back and felt my heart race. "I would love too."

We continued playing the game, each of us getting more and more aggressive as we tried to win and making stupid jokes to make the other laugh. We didn't even notice when the front door opened.

"I see you two are having fun. Liliana, do you want to help me make dinner? Since you know, Sam is no help in the kitchen."

I stood up. Finally noticing that me and Sam had inched closer to each other till we were almost sitting on top of each other. I blushed a bright red and responded. "Of course, I'll help."

Sam just protested saying, "I'm not that bad."

"Sam, you can't even boil water without setting something on fire," Allison stated.

"That was only one time," Sam said, not denying that he had done that.

"One time is one too many Sam," Allison replied.

"Let's get dinner started. We can talk about Sam's failures in cooking during dinner." I said through my laughter.

"Alright then, let's get started then."

Lily POV

(November 28th, 2004)

"Liliana, I'm so glad you've come. Sam is excited to watch the game with you." Allison said as she opened the door. She was dressed in a pair of nice jeans and a blue long-sleeved thermal top. "Ooh, I see you've brought cake."

In my hands was a three-tier red-velvet cake decorated with white to black ombre rosettes. I gave a small smile, "Yes. I thought of a new recipe. I would like you and Sam to try it."

"Well, it'll just be Sam. Sorry sweetheart. A couple girlfriends and I are heading to Port Angeles for an impromptu girls night out." A look of panic must have crossed my face because she quickly added, "I can cancel if you want."

"Oh, don't cancel on my account Allison, It's just a shock," I commented, shaking my head.

She let me into the house while following behind me, "If you're sure, sweetheart."

I nodded, "I am. Besides, I know sports aren't your thing."

"You're right." she laughs. "They really aren't. God knows how I raised such a sports-focused boy."

"My ears are burning. Is someone talking about me." Sam said, walking into the living room.

"Just how you have a sports obsession," Allison replied.

Sam snorted, "Is it a crime to like sports?"

"I don't think so," I spoke up.

Sam took full notice of me and saw the cake. "Please tell me that the cake is for me."

"It was supposed to be for all of us, but seeing as your mom is going out, it's just for the both of us," I corrected.

Sam came and took the cake out of my hands and remarked, "Well, regardless, it looks amazing. You certainly know how to bake and decorate a cake. I'm sure it tastes amazing."

I blushed bright red "Thank you."

Allison grabbed her keys off the key rack "I'll be home around midnight. I'll see you another time Liliana. Sam, be good."

"Bye," both of us said as we headed into the kitchen to slice up the cake.

"I'm serious this cake looks amazing, Ana. You must have spent hours on it. You didn't have to go through all that trouble." Sam praised.

"It didn't take that long, Sam, plus you know I love to bake," I thanked as I began to slice up the cake and place the slices on two separate plates. Sam's slice was huge, taking up most of the plate. My slice was much more measured. "So, who do you think is going to win?"

"The Vikings have always been a losing team, so it's an easy guess that the Hawks are going to win."

I hummed in agreement. "You're right."

"Shall we then." He said as he nodded to the living room.

"We shall." I agreed.

We sat down and enjoyed the first half of the game while eating the cake. Sam raved about how good it was and went multiple times to get another slice. He went enough times that there was no cake before half-time came around.

"Ana," Sam said as he turned to me. His voice was serious, but his eyes showed that he was nervous.

"Yes, Sam?" I questioned.

"Can you follow me? I have to tell you something." He stood up and placed his hand in mine to pull me up.

I was confused. "You can tell me in here, Sam, it's freezing outside."

He shook his head. "No, I have to tell you outside."

I just sighed, "Okay."

I followed behind him. He kept his warm hand, clutching mine, pulling me forward. My confusion only growing as he lead us off the porch.

"Ana, I have a secret. A secret that I can only share with you. Not even my mom can know." He said as he let go of my hand and took a few steps away from me.

My eyes widened. What could Sam tell me that no one else knows? "Sam, you can tell me anything. We're friends, aren't we?"

He shook his head "This is not easy, and you probably won't believe me."

"Sam, I promise I'll believe anything you say. Please just tell me. It's freezing, and I would like to go inside." I said, getting more and more curious while rubbing my arms.

He took a deep breath, "I'm a wolf."

That was not exactly what I thought was going to come out of his mouth. "So you think you're a wolf –"

"No, I AM a wolf, Ana. I can transform into a wolf." He said with conviction.

I shook my head and was about to answer when he said, "I can prove it."

I didn't know what else to say, so I said, "Alright."

He walked into the treeline, "Sam, this better not be a joke." I got no answer. It seemed like only a minute when a giant black wolf walked out. I stumbled back in shock. My fight, flight, or freeze gene activated apparently I was freeze. It slowly stepped closer to me as if it was afraid I would bolt if it came too quickly. It came within a foot of me before I noticed its eyes. It's deep brown enchanting eyes. "Sam?" I questioned my voice in almost a whisper. The giant wolf nodded its head and took a step closer to me. Goosebumps ran up my arms. My mind ran through all the possibilities as to why this was happening. It had to be a dream; this can't be real. The wo- Sam seemed to notice the wheels grinding in my head and went back to the tree line, and in a moment, Sam walked back out.

"You're a wolf," I started trying to believe what I was saying was true.

"I'm a wolf." He nodded, seeming glad that I wasn't running to the hills and screaming all the way.

"Why are you a wolf?" I asked, shaking my head, trying to understand that this situation was real.

"Let's go inside, and I'll tell you. It's too cold for you to be out here any longer." He stated while reaching for my hand. He was hesitant as if I would run away the moment he touched me, but to my surprise, my hand automatically reached out to meet his. We walked hand and hand back into the house. The warm air sent shivers down my spine while Sam lead me back into the living room. I sat down on the couch while Sam stood up and paced back and forth.

"Sam either stand still or sit down. You're making me nauseous from watching you pace."
He stood still and sighed, "You're not running, so that's a good sign. Why aren't you running?"

"I'm still not sure. Something in me just believes that you won't hurt me." I said with a tone of confidence.

"I won't." He responded with a soft voice. As if reassuring himself.

"Now, start at the beginning and tell me everything."

"So let me get this straight. You're telling me that Carlisle Cullen is a vampire, and because of him, you've turned into a giant wolf-like your ancestors." I said, rubbing my temples.

Sam nodded, "That's the gist."

I pinched the bridge of my nose "This is probably the most insane conversation I've ever had."

There's one last thing you need to know."

I sighed, "This one better be easier to comprehend because my brain is super tired from absorbing all this information. I'm still not sure this isn't a fever dream."

He laughed, "No, this one is simpler in terms of understanding, and this isn't a fever dream." Suddenly he became real nervous and knelt down in front of me and grabbed my hands. I couldn't help but notice the heat that radiated off of him from his abilities. "There's something called imprinting. It's when we as wolves find our soulmates. The whole world melts away, and it is only them connecting us to the earth. They can be friends or lovers. It all depends on what the imprint needs. They will also stand by their imprint forever."

I raised my eyebrow, "Why are you telling me all this, Sam. Is that the reason you broke up with Leah. Over fear that you'll imprint on someone?"

"I've already imprinted on someone Ana. It's you. You're my world now. I'll be whatever you need, but you have to be in my life. You must have felt the pull. Your painting just a month ago shows that you've been fated for me. I will always be yours, and you will always be mine." He said, moving my hands to be over his heart.

I stood straight up, "Okay, now that is too much to take in. I became your whole world in an instant. You're saying that I'm yours and that you became in love with me in an instant. That's insane more insane than anything else you've told me tonight. Anything you've shown me tonight."

"It's the truth, Ana. Yes, I felt drawn to you, but the more I got to know you, the more the feeling grew to be something real. Please give me a chance. I know you feel something towards me. I've seen it in your eyes." He said standing up

I stood up, and half-way ran towards the door. "Look, I need time to processes this. I'm going home."

He just watched me as I slipped my shoes on. Then as I reached for my keys, his voice broke through my jumbled thoughts. "You can't tell anyone about my secret, not your dad, not Leah, not even my mom."

"Like anyone would believe me if I did." I scoff.

"Please be careful, Ana."

Blowing the last hit of my cigarette out. I found that nicotine wasn't soothing my nerves. I had been smoking the whole way home. My mind was in pieces. I didn't know what to think or what to do about what I thought. Sam was not wrong when he said he knew I had feelings for him, but could I really do it. Really betray Leah fully and accept this imprint. Entirely fall in love with the man she was once going to marry. Tears began welling up in my eyes. I didn't know what to do. I opened the car door and rushed inside as the sky began to pour, drenching me in cold rain. I must have freighted my dad, by the way, I slammed the door open.

"Ahhh. What the hell, Liliana? You should know better than to just barge. I could have shot you. Also, why aren't you at Allison's? I thought you were watching the game." Dad said. But I couldn't answer. I couldn't open my mouth to speak. I went running up the stairs when my knees collapsed at the base of them. The dam fully broke. Sobs overtook me. I didn't even register my dad basically sprinting over to wrap me up in his arms. "Liliana. Lily Pad. What's wrong?" I just cried even harder. I hadn't cried this hard since my attack. I was breaking apart inside. Dad just sat there on the floor with me. Rocking me and stroking my hair. It felt like we sat on that floor for eternity until I was finally able to collect myself enough to talk. He finally asked again when he heard the sobs start to quiet. "What's wrong, Lily Pad? What can I do?"

"I've done something awful, daddy. I don't think I can ever be forgiven." I choked out. My throat raw.

"What do you mean, Lily Pad? Whatever you've done, we can fix. You can't have done something that bad." He said, rubbing my back.

Tears continued to stream down my face. "No, daddy. I've done a horrible sin, and it'll destroy my life."

"Lily Pad just, just take a deep breath and tell me what is going on."

"I've fallen in love." I bewailed and burst into tears again.

Dad took a deep breath. I knew he wasn't expecting that. "Well, isn't that a good thing?"

"No, it's not; it's a man who shouldn't be mine. I don't deserve him, and he should be with another." I wept.

Dad tried to console me. "Who is it, Lily Pad?"

"Samuel Uley," I whispered.

"Oh."

"My heart hurts, daddy. Make it stop. Make it stop. I don't want to love him."

Dad shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lily Pad, I can't do that. I can't take away your feelings. You have two options lying before you. Embrace the pain fully or embrace the love you feel for Samuel."

"But I don't want to love him." I cried out. "I want things to go back to normal."

"That won't happen. Your life will never be the same again. Love is always a hurricane. You can't control it. But it will change your life forever." He sighed. "He must be a good man to make you fall in love with him, Lily."

"But it will make me an awful friend if I accept him. Leah will hate me. I can't have my sister hate me."

"It is true, she'll be angry, but you two have been friends for so long she will eventually see that it is not your fault. You can't control your feelings. Now don't think. Just answer. What do you want to do?"

In a rush, I say out loud: "I want to be with Sam." A weight comes off my chest, the weight I've dealt with for months leaves. I feel the tears stop.

"Seems like you have your answer Lily Pad. Now, why don't you go upstairs and take a bath then go to sleep." He said as he kisses my forehead.

"No, I wanna go back to La Push. I want to tell Sam how I feel." I say as I stand up with shaky knees.

Dad stands up, and as he does, his knees pop. "It's late, Lily Pad. I'm sure he's asleep."

I grab my keys off the floor. "No, I'm certain he's awake."

"Okay, be safe, Lily Pad. I'll see you soon. I'll stay up in case you need me again."

"Alright, daddy. I love you."

"Love you too, Lily Pad."

I had never been to Sam's actual house. Only seeing him at Allison's but pulling up to his house, I could see the hard work he told me he had put in show. It was a two-story blue house with white trim. But I couldn't spend all night just staring at the house. I was here on a mission. I quietly closed my door, but to Sam, it must have seemed like a slam because he was on the front porch in an instant.

"Ana, what are you doing here? I thought you needed time." Sam asked. But I didn't answer him I ran up to the porch and pulled down his lips to mine. They were rough and hot but all so perfect. He was shocked in the beginning but then began to return the kiss. I eventually had to back away for air.

"I've have thought, and I want to give this; give us a chance," I said a bit breathless. A smile broke across his face, and he picked me up and spun me around.

"I promise you won't regret this, Ana, my Ana."

"We can't tell anyone, though. No one but our parents must know. I'm not ready to tell Leah or have her find out yet." I said, my voice completely serious.

Slinging an arm over my shoulder. I felt comforted by the heat. "I understand, Ana. Now let's get you out of the rain. We can watch the highlights of the game."

"Sound perfect. That sounds absolutely perfect."

She's accepted the imprint. I hope this chapter was good enough for all of you.