I own nothing apart from Amber and Riley and the plot!!!

Chapter Twelve

"You need to do this for yourself. You need closure and you need to let go of the past."

I shook my head stubbornly, "Embry I can't. Not right now at least; I need time."

He traced a finger across my jaw gently, "You can't run from it forever, no matter how far you go. I know you want it to be so but its not."

"I'm scared Embry." I whispered.

"I know sweetheart." He said tenderly, "But they can't do anything to you; I won't let them. They can't take Riley from you and they can't tell you what to do. You're not a little kid anymore."

I bit my lip trying to think of an alternative for calling them, "What if I do something else instead of calling to start off with?" I suggested.

"What would this something be?" He asked cocking his head to the side curiously.

I took a deep breath, playing with his fingers, "What if I checked my Myspace. I know it may not be much but…"

"It's a start for today." Embry said encouragingly, kissing me, "We can take small steps Amber. I'll go get the laptop."

I fidgeted nervously as I waited for him to return with the laptop. I had not once logged into Myspace since I had left home and I wondered if anyone had messaged me over the years to try and get in contact with me.

Embry handed me the laptop, sliding onto the bed next to me and leaning back against the headboard. He watched as I typed in the address, taking my hand and squeezing it gently as I logged into my account for the first time in five years. I blinked at the number of comments and messages left for me. I opened my comments, surprised to see half of them from Kane, the other half from my sister and parents.

Amber,

Please, just call us. Just let us know you're okay, please.

Mom & Dad

Amber,

I didn't mean to hurt you like this. Please, everyone is worried about you. There are people here who want to help you.

Kane

The list went on like that, and as time had gone on they had gotten fewer, only sending them once a month and eventually once every couple of months. There were promises of a better home, help, everything that I could think of but not in one of them did they mention anything about me having a baby.

"They thought I went ahead with the abortion." I whispered aghast, "They actually think I ran away because I had the abortion."

Embry rubbed my back comfortingly, "Its okay sweetheart." He murmured, "Why don't you message someone?"

I bit my lip, deliberating who to message. Hesitantly I clicked on my parents wondering how I was going to write this.

Mom & Dad,

I'm sorry I've never written over the years. I've had too much to deal with and I needed to do it on my own.

I paused writing, looking over at Embry, "Do you think I should tell them about Riley?"

Embry nodded, "If you think it's a good idea."

I bit my lip and continued writing.

I want you to know about someone; his name is Riley and he's your grandson. I never had the abortion; for the past five years I've been wondering over America trying to find somewhere to settle down with him but it's been hard. Everywhere we go people always comment about my age and Riley but we've found a good place and I have a boyfriend that loves me and Riley.

I don't know when I'll call but I'll try and stay in touch.

Amber

Before I could rethink doing this I clicked the send button and leaned back sighing heavily. Embry rubbed a hand down my back comfortingly; he knew how hard this was for me to do. I smiled up at him tracing my hand across his jaw and cupped my hand around his neck, drawing him closer so I could plant my lips across his.

"Amber." Embry groaned, roughly kissing me back as his hands moved to my waist, the rest of his body rolling on top of me.

I'll admit it; we got a little carried away, and when I say little I mean clothes started to come off. Embry's hands felt like they were in a million places at once and I couldn't get close enough to him to be satisfied. He was tracing his lips all across my collarbone and down to my breasts, switching between each one while I gasped underneath him. It wasn't until we heard the small patter of feet that we stopped, looking at each other with wide eyes.

We had forgotten completely about Riley.

We rushed to get our clothes back on and I hurriedly flattened my hair, positioning the laptop on my lap to make it seem like I hadn't just been making out heavily with my very hot boyfriend. Riley came in, smiling unaware of the flustered looks that Embry and I gave him; I looked anywhere but at Embry, sure that if I did I would try and jump him.

"What's the matter sweetie?" I asked as he climbed up onto the bed.

He crossed his legs, smiling innocently. I knew instantly he wanted something. "Mommy, you know how much I love you…"

I narrowed my eyes playfully at him, "What did you want Riley?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

He giggled, knowing that he'd been caught out, "Can I get a puppy?" He asked, widening his eyes pleadingly.

I half expected the lower lip to start trembling. "I don't know sweetheart. We've only just moved in here. Maybe we should wait until we've settled in a bit more?" I suggested, looking over at Embry who looked torn at Riley's innocent, pleading face.

"Well I don't see why we can't." Embry said slowly, his face still torn over Riley's pleading face and staying with reality.

"What about money?" I enquired.

He waved that worry away with a flick of his hand, "We get plenty of good cash from the shop. That and we also get a little pay from doing all the patrol work for the council around here."

Riley brightened, realising that he may get his wish, "Really? We can get a puppy?" He asked excitedly.

Embry rubbed a hand across his jaw, "Well, I'll have to make sure that the backyard is safe for a puppy."

"What does that mean?" Riley asked, burrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"I'll need to check the fences to make sure there aren't any holes that a little dog could climb under otherwise he might run away." He explained, "And maybe I should start building the gate; that wouldn't be a bad idea." He added as an afterthought.

Riley began to jump up and down on the bed excitedly, and grabbed Embry's hand, demanding that he go and check the fences now. Laughing Embry allowed himself to be dragged outside; I followed, smiling contently as Riley helped Embry search the fences for any possible escape routes for a little animal. For years Riley had wanted a pet and finally, he may just be able to get his second wish.

They came back over after they had searched all along the fence line; judging by the look on Riley's face everything looked good.

"Can we go to the pet store today mommy? Can we please?" He pleaded excitedly, bouncing up and down in front of me.

Embry laughed and tousled his hair, "We'll have to wait until I can build the gate first."

Riley pouted and sighed, "Alright daddy."

Both Embry and I froze as that word left Riley's mouth, watching as he went back into the house not noticing the two stunned adults. I studied Embry's expression wearily, wondering how he would react to what Riley had called him. I almost collapsed with relief, seeing the bright smile form on Embry's face.

"He called me dad." He whispered, the smile never leaving his lips.

I moved to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and stretching up on my toes to kiss him. "That's because you are his dad." I whispered.

He pulled back, suddenly looking excited like he had won the lottery, "I have to start the gate." He said hurriedly, going into a cupboard and pulling out a tool box.

"Embry, don't you need the wood to build the gate?" I called, watching him dart down the back to the shed.

"I've already got some." He shouted back, carrying up planks of wood half his size.

I watched from the door, amazed, as Embry worked for the rest of the afternoon on the gate. When I came back to check on him after making dinner he was finishing screwing the door between the fence. Riley followed me out and ran to Embry, throwing his arms around him and hugging him, beaming up happily.

"Thanks daddy. We can get a puppy now?" He asked excitedly.

Embry lifted him up, balancing him on his hip as he walked back up to the house, "How about we go tomorrow? And your mom has cooked something pretty yummy." Embry said, swooping down to give me a kiss.

Nothing could ruin this moment.