Chapter Twenty One

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the reviews etc on the last chapter! They were brilliant!

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight but I do own Twilight.

I didn't really know what to think. That was probably a good thing because Edward could hear my thoughts and I didn't want him to kill me for something I'd accidentally thought about. I studied the young girl in front of me with a skilfully blank expression. She was still smiling widely as Embry wrapped a warm arm around my waist and pulled me close. The little vampire/human girl looked absolutely thrilled at our too blatant show of affection and, for some strange reason, it annoyed me. Oh great, I was forming an opinion and it was forming fast. Much like I had when Jake asked me to come to the big, scary house in the middle of the woods filled with vampires and a somewhat unknown imprint, I thought of the pros and cons in a desperate attempt to make sure Edward didn't find a reason to bite me. Pros: she seemed like a sweet child, she was Jake's imprint, she wasn't a danger to anyone, she was clearly mature for her age. Cons: she was still unexplored, it was kind of creepy how she was so mature for her age as she was only two months old, she was Jake's imprint (okay, that was selfish but true) and . . . I ran out of cons. Chancing a glance at Edward to make sure I hadn't crossed any boundaries and my blood wasn't at risk, I saw that he looked pleased with my lack of reaction. Then I looked back at Nessie and wondered if I could add her nickname to the cons list – although that wasn't really her fault but my brother's. Jake then pointedly cleared his throat and I stopped staring at her to look at him. His expression pleaded with me and I noticed that I hadn't actually reacted to her greeting.

"Um . . . hi," I finally answered and, if possible, her smile got wider. Clearly, unlike me, this girl adored meeting new people. She sprung up in a surprising show of agility and walked over to me. My instincts told me to either run or crouch down but I found myself stiff and unable to do either. She looked up at me expectantly and I forced myself to move my limbs and bent down in front of her. Surprising me even more, Nessie pressed her hand to my face and I gasped in a mix of fear and horror as images flashed through my mind. I saw Embry's face when he first appeared at the Cullen house, the agony only matched by Quil's. I saw Jake getting an explanation of how I had been from Embry, Alice plaiting Nessie's hair, Bella expressing her wishes for me to come over, me arriving and the look on my face when I'd seen her. Vaguely, I realised she understood the expression on my face but I couldn't really process it. In the back of my mind, I felt her hand withdraw but black spots crowded my vision so much that I didn't think she'd let go.

"She's going to faint," a voice I assumed to be Edward's said in alarm. It was the last thing I heard before I collapsed and the darkness enveloped me.

XXX

Embry POV

I placed Hetani on the quickly vacated couch as Carlisle examined her. My eyes drifted to Jake and Nessie, the latter looking horrified at Hetani's unconscious state and the former trying to reassure her that it wasn't her fault. Even though, technically, it was kind of her fault – not that she could have stopped it. If it wasn't Nessie's strange yet intriguing gift, then it would have been something else. I knew as soon as my imprint walked through that front door that her mind would shut down. I just had no idea when.

"She's going to be perfectly fine. I think her mind just needs to adjust," Carlisle assured us and I breathed in relief, even though I'd suspected that was the case. I looked at Edward uncertainly and he was frowning.

"Whatever she's thinking, she probably doesn't mean it. Unless it's about Bella – no offense – then she means it," I told him and he cracked a small smile. I knew that Hetani didn't want to like Nessie but it was only a matter of time – Nessie made everyone fall in love with her.

"It's not that. She's very confused, even in unconsciousness. And she likes to weigh up the pros and cons." I knew that already, of course, but I didn't like the thought of her uncertainty plaguing her in sleep as well. I noticed Alice breeze casually over to Hetani's bag and opened my mouth to reprimand her when I noticed her glaring at the homework in her tiny hands. In all honesty, Alice's stature reminded me of Hetani's.

"I'll get this done," she said, turning her nose up at it. I had no doubt that she would get the homework done and quickly but I also knew Hetani would flip out.

"That's not a good idea," I said hurriedly, before she had the chance to find one of the numerous laptops in the house. Alice shrugged.

"I know that. But I also see her having no time to do this if I don't and it's due tomorrow. She'll thank me soon enough." She seemed pretty certain and I let her go. If she knew what Hetani's reaction would be and was still willing to do her homework for her then she could be my guest. Hetani wouldn't be happy though. Sighing, I glanced back down at my imprint and smiled just slightly. It had been pure agony being separated from her and I was just glad she was with me. She wouldn't stay, I knew that. I wouldn't go, I knew that too. But we wouldn't stop being together and I sure as Hell wouldn't stop loving her. It would all be over soon and things would go almost back to normal. Hetani and I could be together all the time and everyone would be a real family again. Of course, Nessie would be introduced and I wasn't sure how Hetani felt about that. She seemed absolutely horrified as she looked over the two month old but Nessie hadn't failed to win anyone over yet. And Hetani, with her soft heart, really didn't strike me as an exception. I really hoped she wasn't. That didn't mean it wouldn't take a long time though.

Hetani POV

Groaning at the light behind my eyelids, I grudgingly opened them up and rose into a sitting position. Embry was sitting cross legged next to where my head had been, Jake was still across the room with Nessie and appeared to be trying to entertain her whilst Bella watched me and Edward watched them. My eyes then firmly planted on Nessie and I found myself caught between glaring and resignation. I knew that she hadn't meant to do it. In hardly any way was the fainting spell her fault. But I really didn't want to like her. Sure, she wasn't a threat to anyone and she was really cute . . . but the selfish part of me that I came very close to naming Bella just wanted my brother back. I wanted Jake to come home with me and bring the rest of the wolves with him and things could return to normal. I wanted the Cullens to leave and I wanted the imprint erased.

"You're awake!" a gleeful Renesmee cried, hopping off Jake's lap to skid to graceful stop next to my knees. She, thankfully, didn't touch me again but I wasn't sure if I was grateful for that or not. The fact that she could speak at two months old was just kind of disturbing. "I'm sorry for causing that." Unwillingly, I felt my heart soften. Then I forcefully hardened it again – but not enough to blame her.

"It's not your fault." My words didn't have their normal warmth to them but I wasn't being harsh or cold. I was just kind of . . . neutral. She sighed in relief and beamed at me – again, it was cute but scary.

"Embry talks about you all the time." I turned my newly amused expression in his direction and saw him blushing. It was adorable how he still had that reaction when people said similar things.

"Has he now?" I asked, my tone warming slightly as I once again looked at Nessie. She nodded eagerly and my heart started softening once more against my will. I didn't stop it, though, as I carefully considered my selfish cons list. None of this was her fault. She didn't ask to grow up too fast, she didn't ask to be imprinted on and she didn't purposefully break my family apart. If there was anyone to blame, it certainly wasn't the little girl in front of me. I took a deep breath and blew it out harshly. "Then why don't you tell me all about it?" Her answering smile was sparkling as she perched next to me on the couch. She instantly began speaking, telling me all about Embry's descriptions of me and everything he'd told her over the two days he'd been at the house. I spared a second to glance at Edward and Bella and the relief on both of their faces was clear for all to see. Instead of focusing on them any longer, I looked back at Nessie as she continued to parade tales of Embry for me. Of course, I was still furious at the situation and how Jake didn't want to reconcile with Sam – but I no longer blamed the imprint for the disaster. She was far too adorable and innocent to even know about the disruption she had caused.

"And then he put you on the couch and Alice took your homework," Nessie concluded eventually. I grinned at her before I registered what she'd said and frowned.

"Alice took my what?" I asked and Nessie shrugged, gesturing to my open bag. Embry was eyeing the ceiling in a look I'd long ago accustomed to discomfort.

"She said that she knew you'd be mad but you had no time and it was due tomorrow," the little girl informed me just as the aunt we were talking about skipped into the room.

"Here you go!" she chirped, handing over the list of homework and freshly printed sheets of finished product. I looked from the sheets to Alice then back again, briefly stopping at Embry in between. I knew by his look that he knew just how I'd react and that he'd told Alice, who clearly hadn't listened.

"Why did you do this?" I asked, trying to remain calm. Alice just rolled her eyes at my pathetic excuse for a neutral tone.

"It's due tomorrow! I was just giving you a helping hand."

"A helping hand would have been talking me through it. I don't need you to do my homework for me!" I exclaimed, noticing Embry shift slightly. Alice looked unbothered and just waved her hand dismissively.

"You'll come to terms with this. Anyhow, if it makes you feel better, I promise to actually help the next time instead of just doing it for you." My eyes flashed as I stood up and stuffed the paper in my bag angrily.

"What makes you think there's going to be a next time?" I snarled, looking around the room. Embry instantly rose to his feet with a pained expression that rivalled when he'd left me and the image Nessie had shown me.

"Of course there's going to be a next time. You may not like us and Bella even less than that – but you've seen Embry and Jake now and there's no way you'll be able to stay away. It would kill both you and Embry," she pointed out and I felt white hot rage flash through me. I was furious that she had assumed things about me and that she was standing there guilt tripping me! Seeing my expression, Embry came over to me and pulled me to his chest. She was right, which probably angered me more than anything else, I couldn't leave and not come back. But how DARE she say those things?

"Alice, maybe give her a minute," Embry suggested as I seethed against his abs. I don't know what she decided and I didn't care.

"That's not fair," I whispered, knowing he would hear me. His fingers brushed through my hair.

"I know," he breathed.

"She's right," I grudgingly admitted.

"I know that too." I clutched him closer as I glanced out the window. It was getting dark and Paul and Rachel would be wetting themselves with worry.

"I need to go." Embry tensed and pulled back just enough to brush his lips to mine.

"Will you come back?" he asked desperately and I looked around the room. Nessie looked at me pleadingly and Jake mimicked the expression. Bella and Edward stood like they had since I arrived against the wall and both looked blank. Then I looked at Embry and knew I couldn't say no. There was absolutely no way I could not come back.

"Of course," I whispered and he grinned widely, pulling me in for a quick kiss.

"I'll see you soon," he said softly and I nodded, fully pulling away. Sue moved out of the door and I shared a farewell wave with Nessie and Jake before following her. I hadn't seen Leah or Seth but that was a task for another day, I assumed. Sue pulled away from the house and I smiled, glad I was reunited with Embry – no matter that I had to be around vampires. He was worth it.

Well, there you have it. Obviously Hetani is struggling with the whole situation. Anyhow, I'll see you Friday morning for an update. Love Bianca :) x