Days went by slowly with Uncle Marcus and the kids. I spent the days, in the house, waiting for them to come home from school and work. I couldn't leave the house except for meeting the kids at the bus stop two doors down. I tried watching TV, doing chores, and sleeping, but nothing seemed to pass the time. The only thing I could do was wait.

The kids would come home from school. I would wait for them at the bus stop. The only thing that made my day was the look Lilly got off the bus. It was like I was the thing that made her happy. She would run out and hugged me. Jimmy would come off shortly after her, say goodbye to his friends, and run to my side. I walked them back home, made them an afternoon snack, and helped them with their homework.

Then Uncle Marcus came home.

Uncle Marcus expected dinner as soon as he got home. I had it ready, and he was happy. When it wasn't ready, he was furious. He would hurt me by burning me, or punching me, right in front of the kids. Lilly would cry, but she knew better than to do anything about it. She was silent when she cried.

But, finally, he would stop. I was thankful when he did, but I didn't say anything. I couldn't say anything without getting punished. I watched my tongue, and didn't say anything.

One day, Uncle Marcus came home from work. I had dinner ready like I was supposed to, and greeted him at the door. He kissed me warmly as he handed me his jacket and brief case.

"What's for dinner tonight?" he asked.

"Steak and potatoes," I whispered, putting his things away. "Just like you wanted."

"Thank you, baby." He came back over and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me to him, and started kissing me. He licked my lips, begging for entrance. I tried as hard as I could not to let him in, but I couldn't do anything. He pushed his tongue as hard as he could through my lips and wrestled with my tongue.

Finally, when he stopped, he looked me deep in the eyes.

"How about we visit La Push?" he asked. "You've been such a good girl; I think you deserve a treat."
I looked at him with wide eyes. I was so surprised, and happy, that I could barely stand it.

Then I realized there had to be a catch.
"That depends," I whispered. "What do you want in return?"
"Nothing that I haven't been getting," he chuckled. "What do you say?"

"What can I do with Embry?" I continued.

"Anything that you're willing to give to me when we get home."
"Okay," I whispered. "I guess that's reasonable."

"Glad you think so." He smirked. "Go set the table for dinner."

"Already have," I replied.

He looked back at me. "Perfect. Kids! Dinner's ready!"

Lilly and Jimmy came running from their spaces on the couch. We ate dinner in almost silence. Uncle Marcus tried to make conversation, asking us how our day was. I just answered him softly. There wasn't much that I did in a day except for cleaning and cooking.

"Maybe tomorrow, since it's Saturday, I'll take you guys shopping," Uncle Marcus told Lilly and I. "Jimmy, would you like to go to a friend's house or come with us?"

"Friend's house," he replied with steak in his mouth.

"Okay," Uncle Marcus nudged my leg under the table and smirked. "Are you excited to see your friends?"

I nodded slightly and took a bite of my food.

"Can I go, Daddy?" Lilly asked.

"No," Uncle Marcus replied. "This is a day for Mommy to enjoy. We're going to go to the amusement park that day."
She smiled widely. "Thank you Daddy."

"Yeah, thanks, Dad," Jimmy added.

Uncle Marcus smiled. "No problem, kids. Anything to make you happy."

I wanted to say Uncle Marcus was a good dad, but what he did to me would be passed onto Lilly when I was gone. When I turned eighteen, I was out of there. I knew that I couldn't, and shouldn't, leave the kids, but Uncle Marcus was too much for me. My birthday was in seven months, which was something I could endure to get my freedom.

The next day we went shopping. Jimmy went to his friend Leon's house. Uncle Marcus bought me everything I tried on, from Wet Seal and Buckle B. It must've cost him over a thousand dollars, but I didn't care. I liked being spoiled, even though I knew he would rape me as soon as we got home.

We went out for dinner, and then came home. Uncle Marcus took me to his bedroom, and he raped me. I tried as hard as I could not to cry, but I couldn't help it. I was getting used to the idea of him raping me, just like I was with my father. It may sound wrong, but I couldn't fight any more. I couldn't help but to lay there and not do anything.

Sunday was the day I finally got to go see my friends. Uncle Marcus would drive me down to Emily's house, and I would stay there until after dinner. Uncle Marcus drove me with the kids in the car, and took me to Emily's house.

When he pulled into Emily's house, he kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear.

"Remember our deal."
I couldn't forget it.

I slowly got out of the car, waved goodbye to everyone, and walked up to the door. I rang the doorbell once, but no one answered. I jiggled the door, and it was open. I walked inside and when I did everyone jumped out of the shadows.

"Surprise!" everyone laughed. "Welcome home Payton."

I was freaked out of my mind, but I started laughing along with them. Kimmy ran up to me and took me in her arms. She hugged me and spun me around.

Then Cameryn came and gave me a huge hug. I hugged her back, and kissed her cheeks.

Emily came up after her and gave me a bigger hug. Tears were running down her cheeks, which was so sweet. I kissed her cheek.

Then Taya came, and we hugged for a while. She wasn't that close to me, but I wanted her to be. We would be best friends soon enough.

Finally, Embry came out of the group and took me in his arms. It felt so great to be in his arms again. He didn't try to do anything; he just hugged me like he never had before. He put his head in my hair. Tears ran down my cheeks.

"I love you Payton," he whispered. I hugged him closer.

"I love you too," I whispered back.

It felt so good to hear him say those words. It was like my stomach dropped out of my body, and my heart was about to pound out of my chest. I loved the feeling, although it wasn't a feeling that was particularly comfortable.

"Welcome home," he continued to whisper.

"I'm not staying here forever," I sighed.

"Didn't Emily tell you?" Paul asked. "We're filing a lawsuit."

My eyes widened. "You are?"

Emily nodded. "Yes. Sam and I can't stand for you to be away from us, so we're filing a lawsuit."
"You've got to be joking!" I almost screamed. "Do you know how great this is?"
Embry smiled. "It's perfect. You'll be back in La Push in no time."

Then it hit me. Uncle Marcus would think I was the one who asked for them to file the lawsuit. He would kill me if he got me from the judge.

"No," I replied.

Everyone seemed so surprised.

"What?" Embry almost yelled.

"I'm out in seven months," I stuttered, trying not to sound nervous. "I mean, it's not worth fighting over me for two months, which is what you're going to get if you get me."

"I don't care." Emily took me from Embry and hugged me. "You're part of this family, and since you're part of this family, you're going to stay with this family."
It felt good to be a part of some family.

"Okay," I whispered. "I guess that's fine."

"Fine?" Emily asked. "More like perfect."

"Yeah," I nodded. "Perfect."

"Is something wrong, Pay?" Cameryn asked.

I shook my head. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just so happy that you guys would go through so much trouble to do all this for me. I really appreciate it guys."

Jared smiled. "It's not a problem. We all got you presents. You wanna go open them?"
I nodded. "Yeah. That sounds great."

We walked into the living room, where all the presents were.

Emily and Sam got me skinny jeans with jewels on the butt pockets and around the front pockets. Paul and Cameryn got me a Bath and Body Works lotion, spray, and body wash. Taya and Jacob got me a Betsy Johnson necklace. Jared and Kim got me a cute, and cheap, Ed Hardy t-shirt. Quil got me a jacket from Wet Seal.

But Embry's gift was the greatest of all.

It was a small, diamond ring. There was only one diamond, but it was still more than anything that anyone else had gotten me.

"It's a promise ring," Embry whispered. "It's our promise to be together forever."

Tears weld in my eyes. "Embry. This is so sweet." I kissed him warmly. "I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered.

I put the ring on my finger. I would wear it proudly, no matter what Uncle Marcus had to say about it.