Chapter 3/15 Getting To Know, Know, Know You...

We all sat down in the living room, that was always a fun thing, I do not know if they even realized it but there were not quite enough seats for everyone to sit. And there were of course seating requirements. Emmett always sat by the TV, Rose by him or Nessie, but as far away from Jacob as possible, Edward and Bella, Alice Usually sat on the Arm of Jasper's chair, or his lap but even though we were just as comfortable wherever we sat there were favorite spots. So it was like a game of musical chairs every time we all came into the living room together. As soon as I thought that Edward chuckled, and looked at me nodding.

It was kind of funny having someone know your thoughts, I had gotten used to it. And at least now the couples had their privacy, as Bella now used her Shield to block Edward during private times, so unless they we loud (Emmett and Rosalie) Edward was not forced to have their sex lives played out every night.

Now I looked at Tanya, who was just peeking at me from under her bangs which hung seductively over her face partially covering her eyes. Carlisle asked "So, Tanya nice of you to come for a visit! What brings you here, is everything OK?"

Tanya said "Everything is fine, I just wanted to see you all, everyone sends their regards. I thought we should try to repair our relationship, we have grieved enough for Irina I think, and that would not have happened if we had not been being so proud."

I had been told all about the Volturi visit/attack that cost their coven one of their sisters, and almost the lives of everyone in this room. Heck, me included, I would not be here today had that turned out differently.

Carlisle said "There is really nothing to repair, we understood your feelings, and that was really Laurent's fault. He was going to feed on Bella and kill her, and would have if it were not for the wolves."

Edward frowned "And if I had not made us leave forks and leave Bella unprotected" To which Jacob said "Hey, we did a pretty good job of protecting her if you remember!" Bella then socked Edward and teasingly said "Yeah, that will teach you to ever leave me alone, I hope you have learned your lesson"

Now it was my turn Tanya had still not let go of my hand, not that I minded of course but I was still reeling and needed to know what was up. "So, Tanya, you're still single?" She smiled at me and said "I don't think I am any more........" I was beside myself, here I was just thinking about how I was alone, and homesick and would I ever find someone like the others had and WHAM! I thought for a second and chose my words carefully "OK, when everyone told their stories Jacob described the first time he saw Nessie's eyes and the imprinting. It was very sweet story, but I thought he was just taking poetic license with the description, but I think I believe him now, if anything he did not do it justice 1000 steel cables...... blah, blah, blah, I think a better description, would be 2 powerful magnets, I just felt pulled to her, and like I was seeing beauty for the first time." Tanya said "EXACTLY!" smiling broadly now not just peaking bur really looking at me now. Rosalie made a huffy noise, I said "Now, sis, you know you are pretty but do you think anyone thinks you are more beautiful than Emmett does? Of course not, don't hate, I just think Tanya is more beautiful than any of you, nothing personal just personal preference......" I was thankful for vampire reflexes and newborn strength and my power because I needed all 3 to dodge the things the girls playfully whipped at my head, of course they were all smiling,.

I could not help it, I know Tanya came to see my family but I kept monopolizing the conversation with her and eventually we started to get some privacy as first Carlisle and Esme left the room followed by Alice, Emmett, Jasper and Rose. Edward and Bella left last Edward offering "Tanya, since John is new we are all going hunting tonight again, Carlisle has asked you to join us. It is quite an experience hunting with John, you will see what I mean if you decide to join us, he may want to surprise you." In the background we could hear Emmett mutter "Yeah, an experience a very wet experience." and I could hear laughter from various parts of the house.

Tanya looked confused so I asked her "Do you like surprises? I have a power, it is a good one from what I gather, makes hunting a little easier, and makes practical jokes easier too....." Tanya replied with a little trepidation "yes, I like surprises, as long as they do not require me to get all wet and ruin my hair!" I laughed, no that was just Emmett, and he was asking for it!" From the other rooms everyone said like it was scripted "Yeah he did! 'Bout time too!"

Tanya said "Then yes, I would love to join you, not hungry as you can see from my eyes, but I will go along for the fun of it since my hair is not going to be victimized."

I smiled at her and said, "I would never! I love your hair it is beautiful!" raising my right hand in mock swearing of an oath.

So it was decided. Nightfall was several hours away, but the time flew by as Tanya told me about her history, and her family and home in Denali, and I about mine, and filled in the gaps in the story Esme told when she called to tell them about breaking the news of Bella's "accident".

After I had finished my tale, she looked at me sheepishly...... "I actually fibbed a bit" I said "About what?" She said "I have been very lonely as of late all of these years and I have never met someone who could be a candidate for a mate, I threw myself at Edward a few years ago, but he may as well have been gay for all the good it did, he was not at all interested, so when Esme told me there was a new male here, who was single, I came down to try and stake a claim...." I smiled and then threw back my head and laughed. "I don't care why you came here, just glad you did! I just met you but I already am so into you I feel happier than I did when I won the lottery as a human!"

As night fell we were joined by the rest of my family. "Are you ready to hunt uncle John?" asked Alice. I smiled at her and said "So it is to be Uncle huh? I'll take it! I am just glad it is not Grandpa!" Everyone laughed, Carlisle said "We think the best cover is you are Esme's Brother, that way we can spin it which ever way this goes." I said "whichever way It goes?" Alice said "I can't see it is fuzzy, Tanya wants to ask you to join her in Denali, but she is also thinking of joining us here to be with you, so until that is decided we won't know but either way you being Esme's brother works, you are here for a visit because of a job layoff at your old factory, or you live in Denali and when you visit it will explain your being here."

I said "That sounds like a plan." and then to Tanya "Of course whatever you decide is fine, I will follow you anywhere! But I would like to be married here first if it is OK with you?" just then I felt something being pressed into the small of my back I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see Alice gesturing with her head I reached back to feel a velvet box and took it and it instantly dawned on me what had happened. So I took a knee and held the box up to Tanya and said "Tanya, will you marry me?" With that I opened the box and hoped it was a ring, and not a hornet or something. Tanya gasped and put her hands over her mouth, then said "Of course!!!! Yes!!!!" I rose took the ring and slid it on her finger and she threw her arms around me and hugged me. I reached over with my power and pulled Alice to us and Reached around her too and pulled her into our hug, so grateful for her being ready for all possible futures then called out "GROUP HUG!" Everyone without shame joined in, I was so touched, I thought how crazy this is, vampires, group hug, family. Just impossible but here I was.

As the hug was falling apart Jasper said "We have a spot we have not hunted in a while, it is a bit of a run, but it will take us well away from cities and towns and it is really wild so humans never camp or hike there." I said "I'm game." and with that we took off following Jasper and Edward into the night.

REVIEW? Sorry if it is a bit fluffy but I like happy, there is enough unhappy in the world. The hunting trip is next then after that SOME ACTION! Promise......