Jared:

I phased back quickly pulling on a pair of sweats I'd stored near by and jogged over to where Charlie was getting out of his car.

"Hey Jared" he called, looking a bit glum. I guess he was thinking about having to tell Bella about her real parents.

"Um, hey Chief, just an update on a little situation we got going on"

"Yeah, what's that? More kids phase?"

"Uhh..yeah the Clearwaters both phased" I said quietly watching for his reaction. He remained quiet and then dropped his gaze to his shuffling feet so I carried on hoping to do this as quick and as painless as possible.

"Bells also knows about her parents" he looked up and the glare he was fitting me with was deadly, he clearly thought I'd just blabbed "Whoa there Chief. I didn't tell her on purpose, she was phased as I was running home"

"Fuck" he mumbled to himself before warily looking at me again "So should I leave?"

I was just about to answer when I heard the sweetest little voice saving my ass.

"Daddy, if you turn around and run away now there'll be no fish fry left. We're literally feeding a pack of wolves here" she giggled whilst they both watched each other carefully. For what I wasn't sure but they obviously both found it a Charlie broke in to a run to the steps where she was standing and she launched herself in to his arms clinging to him tightly whilst he whispered how sorry he was and how much he loved her.

They broke apart after a few minutes with Charlie gently brushing away her tears. I'd been standing close by as moral support for Bella and once she left the comfort of her fathers arms she walked over to me and tucked herself in to my side. I smiled down at her and kissed her forehead gently before gesturing to Charlie to go inside.

Bella:

I followed my dad in to the house keeping a close to Jared as possible in search of comfort and warmth only he and Paul could provide. Once inside I moved to stand behind Paul where he sat at the table and threaded my arms around his shoulders and resting my cheek against his.

He smiled and kissed my hands softly before I heard the rumble of many stomachs in the house. I looked up and around the table raising an eyebrow in question when finally Quil answered me in a petty whine.

"Come on Bella Bean, stop pawing at these guys and feed us poor starving boys"

I couldn't help but snort at the insinuation that they were at all starving but moved away from Paul and towards the food.

"Shut up Quil, you only ate an hour ago!"

"That was only a few cookies Bells, hardly a good meal"

"You ate 3 batches Quil! That counts!" I shouted before breaking in to laughter followed by the rest of the pack.

I looked up and saw my dad looking lost in the corner, I took his hand and led him to the table and gesture to an empty chair at the opposite end of the table to Sam between Jake and Seth.

"Here daddy, sit, I'll get you your favourite" I smiled before heading away to fix plates for everyone. Once done I handed them out to each person and then finally my dad and with a kiss on the cheek I headed to my own seat in between Jared and Paul.

Everyone sat around eating and talking until late in the evening. My dad was ready to leave and I promised I didn't hate him and would see him soon before he would leave the house. Paul was patrolling tonight so I sent him to tail him, making sure he got home okay.

Sam was sat around the table with the rest of the pack giving out orders whilst I washed the dishes from the meal with the help of Emily.

"So, Jake you go patrol with Paul; Embry it's you and me in the morning before school and when you phase out Jared and Bella will join me for the afternoon. Seth you phase as often as possible in order to gain some control of the wolf. Asking one of us will probably help. For tonight I suggest you go calm your sister down enough to phase back"

Everyone stood from the table and left to go home but not without a hug and a kiss to either my cheek or forehead. Seth was last and was looking at me shyly.

"You okay Seth honey?"

"Yeah, um, Bella, do you think it would be okay to give you a hug?" he asked carefully flicking between myself and then Jared who obviously intimidated him. I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist hugging him tight and he returned the affection as if I were made of glass.

I pulled away before walking to the kitchen counter and picking up a large box of cookies and handing them to him "Here take these, see if you can maybe bribe Leah with some"

He smiled and took the cookies before jogging out the door with a flash of his sunny grin. I turned to find Sam watching me with an easy smile playing on his lips "That was really nice of you Bells, you didn't have to let him in but you are and you'll be a huge rock for him through the next few weeks"

"We family is family Sam, like people say you can't choose em. I didn't choose you guys but I wouldn't want anyone else and you guys certainly didn't choose me" I chuckled before being engulfed in a hug which felt like home.

"We wouldn't change you Bells, you've done a lot for us already and we won't forget it"

I looked up to him and smiled before removing myself from his arms and going back to cleaning the kitchen when Sam stopped me with his hand on my shoulder.

"Go to bed Bella, you've had a long and emotional day, I'll fix this place up"

I turned once more and headed in the direction of my bed. I turned in to my room hoping to find Jared waiting for me but he was no where to be found. I wandered the house a little until I found Jared lying on the sofa trying to drift off.

"What you doing out here Jay?" I whispered in case he was asleep.

"Just gonna get some shut eye sweetheart before our patrol tomorrow afternoon. Why are you still up?"

"Well I went to go snuggle up in my nice warm bed but it seems to be very cold and wolfless tonight" I pouted causing his gaze to snap to mine.

I smiled and cocked my head towards the door before heading off back to my room waiting for him to follow. I soon heard his feet padding along behind me before he swung me up in to his arms and carried me the rest of the way.

I cuddled up close to him once we were comfortable when I felt his nose butt softly against my head as I was drifting off.

"Mmmhmmm?"

"I love you Bells" he whispered softly against my ear.

"I love you too wolf boy now get some sleep" I mumbled and drifted off to his chuckle as my reply.