A/N: Sorry it took so long, I have been busy and distracted. I promise I am back now though. I mean after all who can stay away from the wonderful world of Twilight for too long.

Disclaimer: Twilight = Not Mine

12) The Dream

APOV

His warm, unbelievably soft lips still lingered on mine as I drifted into sleep. Seven years, it had been seven years since I stopped having those nightmares and yet I find myself falling into one now. Only It wasn't the same, it started like it always did, I was standing all alone in the zoo when I heard the growl. Then all of a sudden I was transformed to a beach but the wolf was still there staring at me from the edge of the forest. Like all the other times it stalked towards me, ready to attack but then it stopped and I gasped.

It was not the ugly muddy brown wolf, the one that caused my scar, no this one was different. This wolf's fur was a luscious dark brown with silver spots and twice as big, I was more scared than any of the other times. Why after all these years did the wolf change, why is it just staring at me, is it waiting for the right time to kill me? Maybe it was coming to finish what the little one could not. I wanted to run, to scream but I couldn't move, after 7 years it was time to admit my defeat. That was when I saw his eyes, I knew those eyes, but from where. A calm mist was starting to form off the ocean as I was violently shaken awake.

Incoherently I opened my eyes to Brook's panicked voice. "Ash are you ok? You were talking in your sleep, saying 'Don't Leave' over and over again." What? I've never talked in my sleep before and definitely not when I was having those nightmares. I was too tired and too confused to explain to her about my nightmares so I just said the first thing I could think of.

"Yeah I am fine, I was just having a dream about dad." As I said this I realized it just might be the reason for the change in the dream. Maybe that's why I said 'don't leave', it would make sense. He was in my room every night for the 2 years that those nightmares went on. He even used to tell me stories that his father used to tell him about good wolves, protectors of the people, he called them. That had to be it, I was missing my father, why else would I be dreaming about wolves again?

"Ok, well if you wanna talk you know I am here for you. I love you sis!" I nodded my head and she walked out of the room to take a shower.

My father, I missed him so much, I still didn't want to believe it, it hurt too much. I didn't want to forget him though so I had to think about him no matter how much it hurt. I would never forget his smile, his laugh, or even the way we didn't need words to express our feelings. Even now, knowing what he did, he is still the greatest man I have ever known.

I remember one day we were watching CMT in the hospital, that's my dad for you, he loves country. Anyways the song Live Like You Were Dying came on, I could see his eyes get sad. He turned to me and said, 'Ash, baby, never take anything for granted you hear me. It's the moments where you risk the most that you truly feel alive. Promise me you will never pass up on those moments. You never know what life will give you but every now and then it will throw you something great. Take it and hold on tight, don't be afraid, you can't let fear rule your life.'

Those also were the words that were echoing in my mind when I first saw Embry. He was my something great, I could feel it in every ounce of me, something I have never felt before. That's how I knew it was him and I wasn't about to let him pass me by. I was wiping away the last of my tears when Brook came back into the room.

"Are you sure your ok Ash, I hate seeing you like this." Somehow I managed to get out a small smile.

"Thanks Brook, I would say I am fine but you know better than that. It's just that it's finally starting to sink in and it hurts. I am just gonna go take a shower I think, the hot water always helps to calm me down." Climbing down the ladder I could feel the tears again but I fought them back. As soon as my feet were on the floor, Brook's arms were around me.

"I couldn't even imagine how it must feel, but please know that you are not alone. We will never try to replace him but we love you too, you have been and always will be a part of me and this family." She hugged me for awhile, both crying, before she finally pulled away. "Auntie says dinner will be ready at six, I am gonna go for a walk before but I will wait for you if you want to come."

"6? What time is it now?" The alarm clock shone 4:00. "Wow, staying up all night really messes with your internal clock!" We both let out a half hearted giggle, "Thanks sis but I am just gonna take a shower and then write some. It's been awhile since I have written anything and it helps me think of him." She just smiled in complete understanding and walked out of the room.

Fifteen minutes later I was sitting at my desk, in my cami, boy shorts and robe, turning on my laptop. I hadn't bothered getting dressed cause I didn't plan on going anywhere tonight. While I was waiting for Word to load up I turned my Ipod onto my dad's favorite country play list. As soon as my fingers touched the keys, I couldn't stop them. All of my emotions and thoughts just came pouring out of me. So I just wrote and wrote, not worry about how it sounded, knowing I would edit it later like always. Finally the play list ended and snapped me out of my spell. I decided now was a good time to really read what I had just wrote. Ten lines, that is all I needed to read to know that I had written all about Embry and more surprisingly, my dream from earlier. My thoughts however were interrupted by someone opening the door.

"Hey Ash, Aunt Yvonne wanted me to come and tell you dinner was ready." She reached her hand out and pulled me outta the chair. Before I knew it we were skipping into the kitchen, I couldn't help but laugh. Judging by the look on her face, that was exactly what she was going for.

"Well Good morning, or rather evening sleepy heads! I hope you girls are hungry, I made pot roast."

"Yummy" we both said at once, rubbing our tummies as we sat down. Which caused my aunt to laugh uncontrollably.

"To think I was afraid you two wouldn't get along. Nope, now I just have two Brooks on my hands. If I didn't have gray hair before, I will now." By now my aunt was in tears and we were just giggling along with her. "So Ashlynn how was your first movie night? Brook told me you had some news to share." The smirk on her face told me she already knew.

"Brook!" It came out as a screech as I tried to put on my best applaud face. "By the way Auntie, this pot roast is amazing." I continued eating, ignoring the Embry comment, too bad they caught on.

"Thank you Ashlynn, now how about that great news." Her and Brook exchanged winks.

"I can't believe you are making me say it, Embry and I are offically dating." Even as I said it I couldn't hide the excitement in my voice, being able to call Embry mine felt, well, it felt amazing.

"Well that is great sweetie, Embry is a great catch. You can just leave the dishes in the sink. The boys should be here any minute, shouldn't you be getting dressed?" Huh? I was so confused.

"Boys? What are you talking about, I planned on staying in tonight." Just then I saw Brook turn on her innocent, I didn't do it face.

"Well see, you were so sad earlier and I wanted to cheer you up so I called Jake who called Embry..." I gave her my best get to the point look. "Ok, ok they are taking us to Port Angeles to go mini golfing." I just stared at her with my mouth wide open. It only got worse cause at that same moment there was a knock followed by the door being opened.

"You are telling me this now, when they are here? I am in my robe and underware with my boyfriend about to walk in any minute, what am I suppose to do now." Some help they were, they just looked at each other and burst into hysterics. "Fine then!" So I got up and stomped into the living room, Brook quickly on my heels.

If pictures were worth a thousand words, Embry's face when he saw me was priceless. I never thought someone's jaw could actually hit the floor. I decided to have a little fun with him. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck. "So I take it you like my outfit." He just nodded, unable to pull his eyes away from my barely clothed body. "Good, I am glad cause this is what I am wearing tonight."

Like the flip of a switch his eyes went from hungry for more to full of anger. Then out of nowhere he started to shake, he couldn't be cold, he never gets cold. No this definitely was not a cold shaking.

"Dude Embry calm down, she is just joking, right Ash?" I couldn't speak so I just nodded my head. "See? No need to get all jealous man." He slapped Embry on the back and started laughing, trying to lighten the mood, it worked. Feeling much better, knowing that he was just jealous and not mad at me, I continued with my teasing.

"Yeah Embry no need to get all jealous, I only want you." His smile was so sexy, it took all I had to resist myself. "Now if you will excuse me I have to go get dressed to go out with my jealous but hot boyfriend, my absent minded sister, and her dorky boyfriend." With that I turned and walked into my bedroom leaving them cracking up in the living room.

In the comfort of my own room I finally let go of the wild blush that was trying so hard to escape in front of them. Ashlynn Lee, what has gotten in to you? I have never been a shy girl before but even that was out of my comfort zone. My outgoing personality has always made me do crazy things. Before today though I would have never had the nerve to tease my boyfriend while being half naked. Oh no, what if he starts getting ideas, I am so not ready for that, Embry isn't like that though, is he?

EPOV

Brook called Jake earlier in the day and told him that we were all going out to cheer Ash up. I was ecstatic that I was going to get to see her again, especially when she was so sad. On our way over to the girl's house I was preparing myself for the worst. Brook said Ash was having a rough day but she never said just how rough.

The last thing however I was expecting to see as I entered the house was her walking out of the kitchen almost naked. There she was, my everything, in only her tank top and boy shorts with a knee length robe. Before my mind could even react, my jaw hit the floor, she was unbelievable. At that moment I forgot what the world slow meant, I forgot that we were with her family, I forgot everything but her. I wanted to take her right then and there, I wanted to make her happier than she had ever been. I wanted to have her, all of her, in every way, forever.

Then I remembered that Jake was in the room and also seeing her like this and I started to shake slightly. The shaking only intensified when she said that she was going to wear that out tonight. Did she seriously think I was going to let that happen? She is mine, there is no way I will stand by and let guys gawk at her. I was about to lose control completely when I realized she was joking and her sweet voice said that I was the only one for her. All of my fears, all of my jealousy instantly washed away, she only wanted me and she was all I ever needed.