There's only two more chapters of Falling after this chapter, then the next installment will be published. It won't be until next week that it's published, though, so I might finish posting Falling today to hold you all over. I don't own anything recognizable, and please review!

"Good morning, Dani," Jayne said, opening the curtains in the room to reveal the unnaturally sunny day in Forks. "How are you feeling today?"

The little girl smiled. "I feel good. It doesn't hurt to breath today."

Jayne smiled, going to the cabinet. "Let's listen then."

Jayne and Dani went through the normal morning checkup. In the end, Jayne smiled. "Well, we'll have to wait for Dr. Cullen, but I think you'll be ready to go home soon."

The little girl clapped. "Yay! Sissy Leah, did you hear that? I get to go home!"

I smiled at her and nodded. "Yes, I heard that."

Over the week I'd been there, they'd all taken to calling me Sissy Leah, like Thomas. It was his birthday, and we were getting an early start on the checkups so the entire ward could go to the playroom early for his party.

We made all of our rounds, the last stop being the birthday boy. After his checkup, we started the process of moving the ten children to the already decorated playroom. Jayne got Thomas, because he had to handled with extreme care. A few other nurses and the other nurse's assistant and I got the rest of the children. I held Dani's hand as we walked down the hall. She was getting much stronger, and was full of energy.

"Happy birthday, Thomas!" she cheered, waving at him when we got to the playroom.

"Thank you, Dani," he said, smiling widely. "I'm five!"

All of the munchkins told Thomas happy birthday and sang to him, then they were all aloud to have a slice of cake and a bowl of ice cream. At the end of the party, Thomas got his present from the floor, which was a Transformers coloring book with a new box of crayons. He loved it, and that afternoon, he colored a picture for everyone.

"Thomas is so sweet," I gushed to Embry later that night, sitting on his couch with our legs intertwined. "He was blowing kisses to everyone and he colored the nurses and assistants a picture. It was so precious."

Embry smiled at me. "You really love that little boy, don't you, Leah?"

I smiled and nodded. "I mean, I've barely been there a week and I already love all of those sweet little kids."

"Well," he said slowly, "I'm off tomorrow. Do you think maybe I could come and see these sweet little kids you love so much?"

I grinned and nodded. "Yeah. Jayne's son came to visit Monday. She said it's fine as long as it's in visiting hours and as long as it's not taking away from my work. All I do in the afternoons is go around and make sure the kids are eating, and some days I help bathe the really little ones."

"Tomorrow after we have lunch I'll come back with you then," he said, squeezing my hand. "Do you need a ride tomorrow?"

"Yes, please," I said, then a thought came to my mind. "Since you don't have work tomorrow, and if you swear you won't talk all night, do you want to stay at my house? You'll have to sleep on the couch or something, since everyone will be here, but you can still stay."

Embry chuckled, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. "Really? I don't know what Charlie thinks of me and you having sleepovers."

I shrugged passively. "He doesn't really care."

"I don't know about that. You might not be his biological daughter, but he's been around since you were born, and I can tell he really cares about you." Think about it.

I leaned in and kissed him gently. "You're overly perceptive, and that may be true, but I'm legally an adult, and Mom's offered the couch to you several times. Do you want to or not?"

Embry smiled, lifting my hand to his lips. "I want to, but I won't. I'll stay this weekend. Charlie and Sue are going to be in Forks, and Seth will be at the Cullens'. We won't get funny looks."

I reluctantly nodded in a agreement. "Why does no one believe us when we say we're not doing anything?"

He laughed, yanking my arm so I was pulled against him suddenly. "It's not that they don't believe us, it's that they don't want to see something unnecessary."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Being?"

"Don't you remember how badly Seth spazzed out when he saw our kiss in my mind?"

"I repress those memories."

"Well that kiss was somewhat accidental. If anyone were to walk in on a fully intentional one, they'd be scarred. Believe me, I've had my fair share of issues with Jarred and Kim, and no one can forget Paul's whore of the week before Rachel."

I laughed out loud. "I see your point. Okay, well, Friday it is. I'll see you tomorrow morning. I need to go."

Embry wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I said, standing and stretching. "Goodnight."

"Night."

The next day, after lunch, Embry came to visit the kids in the ward. I worried that they might be afraid of a hulking man that looked like he could break down a door with his pinky. Oddly enough, they loved him. They able-bodied ones (including Dani, who was set to be released the next day) climbed him like a jungle gym, and the ones that couldn't get out of bed talked to him. A few of them asked us both a million questions, making me semi-embarrassed.

"Are you Sissy Leah's boyfriend!" Dani had squealed the second I introduced him to her. "My brother Jamie has a girlfriend. He says that's when two people like each other but aren't allowed to be a Mommy and Daddy."

I had blushed bloody red, but Embry had chuckled. "Yes, I'm Leah's boyfriend."

Dani smiled and clapped. "I knewed it! Sissy Leah, I knewed it!"

I nodded, trying to hold back the ever deepening blush. "Yes, you did know it."

She smiled happily at being right, then proceeded to harass Embry. When we got to Thomas's room, Embry had been poked, prodded, climbed, questioned, and nearly puked on once or twice. Thomas was sitting up, happily coloring in his coloring book. When he saw me, he smiled, then pulled out a picture he'd colored.

"Sissy Leah, look what I colored for you. It's Optimus Prime! He's the best one, and you're the best Sissy nurse," he said, holding it out to me.

I nearly teared up, taking the picture from him. On it, he'd written To Sissy Leah, From Thomas. I laid it down flat on the counter, then sat in the chair next to his bed. He had to have an experienced nurse bathe him and dress his wounds, so when I made my rounds to him, I simply visited him and cheered him up.

"Thomas, this is Embry," I said, smiling at him gently. "He's going to be visiting with you today, too."

The little boy smiled. "Hi, Embry! Do you want to see my pictures?"

Embry and I sat and watched as he commentated each picture. Finally, near the end of the visit, Thomas asked what most of the kids had been asking, though in a slightly different way.

I was getting Thomas a glass of water at the counter when I heard him ask Embry a peculiar question.

"Embry, are you in love with Sissy Leah?" he whispered, studying Embry carefully.

I flushed red, pretending to have not heard.

"Yes," Embry whispered softly, even though he know I could hear perfectly well. "I am."

I didn't know where that came from, but I found myself smiling softly at the thought.

Thomas continued his thought. "She's pretty, isn't she? I think she's pretty. She reminds me of Pocahontas, because Sissy Chrissy used to watch movies with me."

"Well," Embry said softly, "Leah couldn't be Pocahontas because Leah is a Quileute, and so am I."

The subject being changed, I returned to Thomas's side with his water. "Here, kiddo."

"I know Sissy Chrissy is with God," Thomas whispered all of a sudden, after taking a big gulp of water. "And I know that you and Embry are special. Embry's too tall, and he looks like the Hulk, and you're too pretty, Sissy Leah. You never have zits like Christina got, and you look like one of those girls in her old magazines, the ones who showed off dumb girl clothes."

"Thomas, I-" I didn't know how to respond to that.

"And I know Dr. Cullen is different, too. But he's different than you two's different. He smells like candy, and you smell like trees."

I looked at Embry and met his stunned eyes, most likely looking as stunned as mine. "Thomas, how can you tell?"

He shrugged the shoulder of his that wasn't burned and bandaged. "I don't know. I can just tell when people are special. Are you like superheroes?"

"Kind of," I whispered, looking at him fearfully. "Do you know how we're special?"

"No," he said sadly, looking at his lap. "I can't tell. I can just tell that you're special."

"Do you want to know?" Embry whispered lowly, shocking me.

"Embry, we can't-" I tried.

"The treaty was broken the moment Jacob befriended Bella. He's just a little kid. Who's it going to hurt?" he asked, begging me with his eyes.

"Okay."

"I want to know," Thomas piped up, looking excited. "I won't tell anyone. I swear."

I looked from Embry to Thomas, then leaned in and whispered to him nearly silently, so Carlisle wouldn't hear if he happened to be listening. "We're shape shifters. We can turn into wolves."

Thomas's eyes grew ten times. "That's really…cool! I won't tell nobody, I promise."

Embry nodded, smiling at the little boy. "Good."

As we left, Thomas grabbed my hand. "Sissy Leah?"

"Yeah?" I asked, kneeling down to his level. "Do you need something?"

"I love you, Sissy Leah."

"I love you, too, Thomas."

Later that night, as I laid on Embry's shoulder on my couch, I couldn't get my mind off of Thomas. Little did I know, I had good reason. Thomas kept my secret, alright.

The next morning, I went to work for a half day shift. Jayne was unusually solemn as we made our rounds. Dani's room was unoccupied, as she'd been released early that morning, and I found myself eager to get to Thomas's room. When Jayne announced we were done for the day in the room right next to Thomas's, I was taken aback.

"Jayne, we forgot Thomas," I pointed out, motioning to his door.

"Leah," Jayne said gently, "did Dr. Cullen not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

She swallowed hard, then grasped my hands in hers. "Leah, Thomas started bleeding last night. He was really tiny, and he was weak. Dr. Cullen and Dr. Gerandy tried their hardest, but he didn't make it."

I felt as though someone had body slammed me into the jagged rocks at the bottom of the cliffs. "He's…"

"He's gone, sweetie. But we did find something in his room that belonged to you." She led me to the nurse's station where sat my picture of Optimus Prime. "He was a fighter, but he just wasn't strong enough."

I felt the tears trying to make their way up, but I tried to restrain them. "He…he…"

"Go home, honey," Jayne said softly, squeezing my hands. "It's the end of your shift anyway."

I nodded, clutching the colored picture to my chest as I walked out, numb to the core. Embry was already waiting in the parking lot for me, and could tell something was wrong instantly.

"Leah, are you-"

I held up a hand. Not right now, please.

He nodded, opening the passenger door for me. He drove us to my house, then led me in. I put the picture on my dresser, then sat down on the edge of my bed and broke down. Embry didn't ask questions. Instead, he sat down next to me and pulled me into his arms, letting me sob hopelessly into his chest. It was unbelievably painful, the loss of Thomas. It was shocking, as well. I'd barely known him a week, and yet his death left me shattered.

He's gone… I finally told Embry. Thomas is gone…

Embry held me tighter, kissing my head gently. "Leah…"

Don't talk, please. I just want to… I don't know.

Okay, he thought back, rubbing my back.

I don't know how long I cried in his arms, but I knew it was actually helping. Embry holding me, loving me, made everything hurt just a little bit less. After a long time, I pulled back from his embrace, wiping my eyes.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "For everything."

Embry nodded, cupping my face in his hands. "You don't have to thank me," he said softly, kissing me gently on the mouth. "I love you."

I nodded, my voice failing me. I love you, too.

After ordering in a pizza, then sharing a pint of ice cream, we turned in early. Laying in my bed, Embry's arms around me protectively, I told him everything. When he was amazingly understanding, I wanted to cry again.

"Embry, you're so sweet," I whispered, swallowing and choking.

"I'm just being there for my girl," he said softly, kissing my head.

I nodded, swallowing a lump in my throat. "But even that. I don't think I know any guy that would lay in bed, holding his crying girlfriend, without trying something."

"Then you've just never had the right guy, Leah. I love you, and I'd never do anything to hurt you. You're too important to mess that up."

My response was a slow, deep kiss. After the kiss ended, after what seemed like a lifetime and yet still all too soon, I settled against his chest, unconsciousness calling to me. "I love you, Embry."

"I love you, Leah."

Thomas kept our secret to the grave, a grave he went to all too soon. As I fell asleep, I couldn't help but wonder how many young lives I would see be lost far too soon.

A/N: I was seriously crying as I wrote this chapter. I hate it, but I planned from the beginning for Thomas to die. It was just something I had to do, and all will be explained later. Please review!

~Sidney