Chapter 71: Nice Seeing You Again Sam

It has been two weeks since the triplets have been born.

Man. I am so thankful for Paul and Seth. If it wasn't for them, then I would've lost my mind with stress. Good thing I brought the breast pumping, so in the middle of the night when one or all of them wake up from their sleep, Paul or Seth would bottle feed them. I had to take things one day at a time to not be overwhelmed with anxiety, but surprisingly, I made it through. Paul eventually told me that Jacob, Billy, and Sue told Charlie the secret, but Charlie had some questions regarding about Bella. They gave him my phone number, but he hasn't called, so I guess he has been trying to keep his distance. Paul was glad that he didn't call. He wasn't pleased to find out that Billy was willing to get me to talk to Charlie immediately after I gave birth. Even seth agreed, he was disappointed at Billy. They both were surprised that Charlie didn't cut off everyone from the reservation, and I disagreed. Knowing Charlie, he is a man of integrity when he needs to be. He is forgiving even if he has his temper and stubbornness. I know he is hurting, but he doesn't take grudges.

Both Seth and Paul were very protective of the pups which is understandable. They are very small and vulnerable. Paul only let Leah and Sue to visit us. He didn't even let Jacob to come over, but Jake as a sweet and understanding self that he is, he didn't take that personally. Leah would come over with Seth to keep an eye on him, so he won't get too distracted with Evangeline and forget to do his college homework. She was on top of him with his schoolwork. Sometimes Seth and Paul would fight who is going to feed Evangeline. I had to step in and make them decide by doing paper-rock-scissor. The loser will have to do diaper changing for a day.

It was amusing.

There was one time that Paul lost, and he had a mask on while he has changing everyone's diapers because he couldn't stand it for his poor little wolf nose. Yet, he has been an amazing dad. We both were clumsy with handling infants. I am used to handling toddlers and up as a Behavior Technician, so it needed some time for me to get adjusted. I am used to dealing one kid at a time, not three. I was overwhelmed at times, but Paul helped me to see that I was putting too much expectations on myself as a newly mother just because I have some experience dealing with children from my previous job.

One day, Paul and Seth took care of the kids while Leah and I were at the grocery store buying groceries. It was honestly my first time in weeks since I have gone out to the public. It took days for me to truly recover from childbirth even if Paul's wolf would give me his saliva to heal myself properly. I was physically drained. I no longer have the stretch marks in my stomach, but I do still have the baby fat on my legs.

Nevertheless, Leah and I went on our separate ways to finish grocery shopping quicker until I ran into Sam. He had a cart, and he had some items on his cart. Sam had a tired look on his expression, but he gave me a small smile. I smiled gently back at him, and I asked him, "how are you, Sam?"

He answered, "Good, good.."

I probed lightly, "you look tired?"

He laughed softly, "yeah. I, uh have been working overtime for Paul which is understandable, and I have been going back and forth to Makah tribe to satisfy the imprinting pull."

I said slowly, "I see..how has it been without your imprint around."

He paused. I can see he was hesitant to open up, but he finally said, "…it's hard to be honest. I could feel her emotions and how depressed she was. My wolf and I really wanted to be by her side and comfort her, but I know..it wouldn't have done any good for her but enable her. It was hard watching her be depressed the first week without me, but finally two days ago, she went on a girl's night with her sister and her mom."

He continued, "as in for me…I tried to take my mind off from the pull by working longer hours and spending time with Embry."

I said in a intrigued tone, "oh, how has it been with Embry?"

He gave a nervous laugh, "honestly, it was awkward as hell..Even though he told me weeks ago that I was his half-brother, I never made an effort to get to know him. I felt bad that I never reached out to him, but..he was forgiving and he understood. I thought I can use this time to get to know him. I showed him my place, pictures of my father. I showed him some of my family history to him, and I can see that he enjoyed it."

I said kindly, "that's great, Sam. I hope that you continue to bond with Embry."

He nodded, "Y-yeah.."

I nodded awkwardly, and he said, "well, I don't want to take up much more of your time. I'm glad that I got to see you."

I said kindly, "likewise."

He turned around and stroll away to the cashier register. I looked at him curiously before I shrugged, and I continued to shop until Leah quietly appeared next to me. I looked at her, and she glanced at me. I raised an eyebrow knowingly at her, and she sighed dramatically, "okay, I went on my own way because I smelled Sam in the grocery store as well. However, I didn't expect Sam to talk to you for a bit before he left."

I smirked at her, and I added, "yeah. I had to push it a little for him to open, but he still opened up to me. Even though he looked tired, he doesn't look tense."

She said casually, "yeah.."

I nodded along with her, and we both went to pay off the groceries. We were quiet the rest of the way back to the house. Leah dragged Seth out of the house, so he can focus on studying for his college exams. I told Seth that if he does well with his exams, I will treat him to some ramyeon. Now that made Seth to run out of the house because he really enjoyed it that one time that I gave it to him.

Paul put the babies to sleep by the time that I got home. We were silently and comfortably making dinner when I my phone in my pocket buzzed.

Confused, I checked my phone, and it was Charlie calling. Paul asked, "who is it?"

I said softly, "it's Charlie."

He sighed, "it's fine. The pups are sleep. Go talk to him, I'll finish up cooking."

I gave him a peck on the lips and his cheek. I said gratefully, "thank you, hon."

He nodded with a grin. I answered it, "hello?"

Author's Note:

I am back, and I have a lot of ideas for this story. I was honestly stuck, so I focused a lot on the other story. Finally, I got my spark for this story again. I will be posting another chapter tomorrow.

Thank you guys so much for your patience!