Susan Leah Call (destined to be called Susie to avoid confusion with her grandmother) was perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, and a mop of black hair. Her older sister, Amber Leigh, was enchanted.

Embry leaned over the bed and kissed his daughter's cheek. "She's beautiful, Lee. I'm so sorry I wasn't here earlier."

Leah kissed her husband's hand, which was resting on the baby's head. "I understand, Babe. But thankfully there were no complications. Carlisle always worries that I'll phase - and he admits he doesn't have any idea how he could cope with that. But she's perfect." She swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"What the hell are you doing?" Embry sounded incredulous.

Leah sighed. "Come on, Em! You had two broken ribs this morning. Are you hobbling around? I had a baby, not open heart surgery!" She walked over to him and perched on his lap, kissing him hungrily.

"Leah!"

Laughing, she kissed his cheek and stood. "I'm teasing you, Honey. I'll give you a couple of days to heal."

"You're amazing, my wolf girl. And now we have two beautiful daughters. I can't wait for Amber to meet Susie. Can you imagine how thrilled she'll be? And she's old enough to be a real help to you." He snaked an arm around her waist. "We're truly blessed, Leah."

Leah laid the sleeping baby in her cradle next to the bed. "And now we have to address the 500 pound gorilla in the room. What are you going to do about Jacob?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to know, Lee. I have no desire to speak to Billy. He betrayed his whole family as well as me. I don't care what Jacob does. I did my part, and I'm out of it. I'll be here for Jake if he wants to talk, but I've managed just fine without a relationship with my father. I'll continue to do so."

Speaking softly, Leah said "I understand your grief and disappointment. But your children have one grandfather. It's not going to be that simple. And what about your mother?"

"It is that simple. I'm done. Now let's get you something to eat." He led the way to the kitchen and Leah understood the subject was closed for now.

Embry pulled out a chair from the kitchen table. "I'll make us a light supper. How about eggs?"

Laughing, Leah sat down. "You planning to spoil me?"

"Absolutely." He fished around in the fridge and pulled out a pound of bacon and a dozen eggs.

"Okay, I'll just sit back and enjoy it. Where's my phone? I need to call Renesmee." She sighed theatrically as he handed her the phone. "Wish me luck. But she does have our daughter."

"Leah! How are you? And the baby...tell me everything!" In spite of the comforting words, Leah could detect an undercurrent in her friend's voice.

"We're fine, Ness. Seven pounds, four ounces and 21 inches. But I didn't call to brag about my beautiful daughter." There was a short pause. "Well, okay, I did - but that's not the only reason. We named her Susan Leah and plan to call her Susie. My mom's on her way over to meet her, but she's going to stop at your house to pick up Amber first. Thanks for keeping her, Ness."

"No problem at all. I love having her here. And let's worry about the other stuff when you've had time…"

Leah interrupted her impatiently. "I wish everybody would stop treating me like an invalid!" Another pause. Renesmee didn't know how to respond. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you, Ness. I guess I'm a bit on edge. Is Jake home?"

Lowering her voice, Renesmee said "He's out in the garage, Leah. I know he feels terrible about - well, about everything."

"Do you think he's going to talk to Billy?"

"I'm sure he will have to, eventually. But I can't imagine how you can start such a conversation. I'm just giving him some space. And time."

"You want me to talk to him?"

"No, but thanks. I appreciate the offer, but you have much more important things to deal with."

"He's family to me too, Ness. He's been my pack brother for many years - and it turns out he's my brother-in-law as well. If you think it would help, I can stop by."

"I love you for that, Lee, but let's give him some time. I'll keep you posted, and I promise I'll call if he needs your help. Just take care of that beautiful baby. I'll come see her when you're feeling up to company. Oh, your mom's here. Gotta go."

Leah chuckled. "Come visit any time! With Mom and Charlie and Embry hovering, I should have plenty of spare time!" They disconnected and Renesmee went to answer the door.

"Sue! Hi! And congratulations on your new granddaughter!" Renesmee stepped back to let Sue enter, then gave her a brief hug. She knew Sue was still not entirely comfortable with vampires, though she was polite.

"Thanks, Renesmee. I can't wait to see her! Is Amber ready?"

"Amber! Grandma Sue is here to take you home!" Amber appeared with Jenny in tow, the two little girls holding hands.

By the time all the kids were asleep, Jacob had still not come inside. Renesmee pocketed the portable baby monitor and slipped out the back door. She found him on the back porch, sitting on the top step, and slid in beside him. She took his limp hand in hers, kissed it softly, and held it without speaking.

Jacob's shoulders relaxed and he laid his head on her shoulder. Touching his face, she found his cheeks wet. "I love you, Jacob," she whispered. "Embry is fine, and he understands. The baby is perfect." A smile touched her voice. "Leah too, but she's worried about you."

He snorted softly but still didn't speak. "Come inside, Jake. Let me hold you. We'll deal with the rest tomorrow." They made love silently, and he fell asleep with his head on her stomach, her hand caressing his scalp. Renesmee lay awake for a long time, her red-rimmed eyes blazing in the darkness. The heartache wasn't over yet.

Jacob opened the garage early the next morning. There was a message from Embry. "I'm taking a sick day, boss. I'm fine, just giving you some breathing room. I'll see you on Monday." He erased the message and got to work. It was too quiet. He turned on the radio and waded through the day's appointments as well as a couple of emergency repairs, replaying the events of the previous day in his head.

At six, instead of heading home he drove to Embry's house. The front door stood open, and through the screen he could see Leah giving the baby a bottle. "Come on in, Jake," Leah said softly. Of course she knew he was there.

He stood over his pack sister and smiled down at the baby. "She's beautiful, Leah. She looks like you." The baby grabbed his pinky finger and gripped it tightly. He chuckled softly. "Got a good grip for her age." His smile disappeared. "Embry around?"

"He's in the laundry room. We're washing up some of Amber's baby clothes."

Embry heard every word from the far end of the small house. "In here, Jake."

Jacob gently retrieved his finger and walked down the hall. Embry was moving a load of clothing in various shades of pink from the washer to the dryer. He looked up. "We okay?"

Jacob nodded. "I'm sorry, Em. There's no excuse for what I did."

Embry extended a hand, but Jacob stepped forward for a man-hug. "I get it, Jake. Really." He set the dial and the dryer began to hum. "Come in the kitchen and have a beer."

Embry opened the fridge and withdrew two bottles, handing one to Jacob, who twisted off the cap. "I didn't want to wait till Monday to apologize. Figured I'd take my ass kicking like a man. I deserve it."

Chuckling softly, Embry touched his bottle to Jacob's. "I think we're done with the ass kicking stuff," he said. He took a deep swallow. "Even though that's what I understand brothers do."

"That part's kind of great," Jacob said. "Now that I've had time to think about it. We lost a lot of years, but thankfully we've always been friends. What a waste it would be if we'd never met till now." They each took a seat at the table. "I know I have to talk to Billy, but I have no idea what to say to him."

"I'm really sorry about that part, Jake. I guess I was so excited about the brother part that I didn't think about what it might do to him."

Jacob's eyes hardened. "Whatever happens to him, it was his doing. Not yours, and not mine. I've never had more respect for any man alive, Embry, and it's killing me. I keep trying to dream up an excuse for him, and you know what? There is none. Do you want to go with me when I confront him? You have a right to." He looked across the table into deep brown eyes, so much like his own.

Embry was shaking his head. "I haven't even decided what to do about my mom, Jake. She's coming over tomorrow to see the baby. Talk about secrets! She's kept hers and I've kept mine. She doesn't even know I'm a shifter! Maybe it's time for it all to come out." He drained his bottle. "I had no idea what a can of worms I was opening up."

"Uncle Jake!" The screen door banged and Amber ran at Jacob with her arms open. He swept her up in a bear hug. "Did you see my baby sister?"

"I did, Honey, and she is a beauty! Your mommy says she's glad to have such a good helper too. Are you happy to be a big sister?"

She hugged him back, then wiggled out of his grip. "It's the bestest thing in the world! Bye!" And with that, she rushed out of the room and down the hall to find Leah and Susie.

"I guess he knows they're his grandchildren, Embry. How could a man fail to acknowledge such a thing?" Jacob shook his head and stood. "I'd better get on home. I didn't tell Ness I was stopping, but it couldn't wait. Oh, and I brought your pay." He handed Embry a bank envelope. "It didn't seem fair to dock you for today, so it's all there."

"Thanks, Jake. And thanks for stopping by." The brothers walked together to the front door. In his wheelchair on the other side of the door, his hand raised to knock, was Billy Black.