Chapter Twenty Three

Yeah, this is both a bit random and short. It's kind of a filler, hence why I am updating early – so I can get it out of the way.

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

I had always known that Alice Cullen had a few screws loose. It didn't take a genius – she was hyper all the time, had an unhealthy addiction to clothes and shoes rivalled only by my sister Rebecca and treated new humans she met like Barbie dolls. I just never imagined she would think to try it on me.

"Oh come on Hetani – please," she begged down the phone and I looked at Paul, Rachel and Embry with stunned raised eyebrows.

"Alice, we're not friends. What on Earth has gotten into you?" It was harsh but true. We weren't friends and I wasn't about to be treated like those make-up doll things I'd had when I was a kid.

"I know we're not but we could at least try. Besides, Jake and Nessie really want to see you." Oh, that was low. Jake frequently stayed with Nessie up at the Cullen place, so much that we hardly ever saw him anymore.

"You're not making me over!" I protested. I was quite happy looking natural and Embry was equally pleased to have me that way. He and everyone else didn't like me wearing too much make-up (although Rachel had been increasing it slightly since she returned).

"Ok, ok, I won't touch you with make-up. But I could straighten your hair." I really didn't like her; she knew just how to push my buttons. And she knew how I got annoyed at my wavy hair.

"This is more for Nessie than about my hair," I ground out and it was true. I wanted to see Nessie and I just got a bonus hair style out of it.

"I know that; you're not superficial. Anyhow, I'll see you soon!" And she hung up on me. I looked over at the three others in my living room and shrugged helplessly.

"Nessie has you wrapped around her finger," Rachel pointed out but it wasn't venomous. She too liked the little girl, just not as much as I did. Embry grinned and pressed a kiss to my hair.

"I think it's cute." I giggled as we both stood up and I looked at him questioningly. "I need to talk to Jake about patrols." I nodded and pulled on my shoes before hugging Paul and Rachel goodbye.

"No more make-up," Paul growled and I ruffled his hair affectionately. He was so funny when he was protective but I appreciated it nonetheless. Embry's arm wrapped around my waist and he guided me out to his truck. I wasn't sure about the Alice/hair thing but I would let it happen as I really wanted to see my brother and his imprint.

XXX

I noticed Jake's eyebrows shoot up as I stomped down the stairs. Alice had spent fifteen minutes straightening my stubborn hair and I grew bored quickly. Just because I adored Renesmee didn't mean I liked any of the other vampires around the house. Nessie smiled appreciatively at me and I felt warmth spread to my heart.

"You look pretty, Aunt Hetani." The words were so simple but their impact was vast as I realised she had called me 'aunt' for the first time. Wow, she sure had a way with making me want to cry happy tears.

"Thanks, little girl," I replied, perching next to her on the floor. She was seated across from Emmett and they looked like they had a very complicated card game going on. Deciding it was better not to ask, I looked over at Jake who was still eyeing my shiny locks.

"You look older," he stated and I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not. Shrugging, I disregarded the thought and watched Nessie. She had a small frown on her delicate face that was edging more towards five years old as time went by and she kept glancing between her cards, her uncle and the cards between them. I gave up trying to follow the game after Nessie somehow managed to get a hold of five of the cards in Emmett's hands and just watched in amusement as the smart child wiped the floor with the vampire. Rosalie, the blonde vampire that Jake lived to torment, chose that moment to walk in. She took one look at me, scoffed and stormed upstairs, leaving only a breeze in her absence. Jake and I rolled our eyes in sync then burst out laughing. It was just too funny.

Embry POV

After talking to Leah and Seth about the patrols Jake and I had renegotiated and catching up with the pair of them, I headed inside where I could hear Jake's boisterous laughter barely overcoming Hetani's hysterical giggles. I smiled to myself at the sound that, more than almost anything else about her, made me happiest. Just that sound meant she was happy and that was enough to make me grin like an idiot.

"Hello Embry," I heard Nessie say politely but I noticed she didn't even glance up from the intense game of cards she was having with Emmett. I was pretty certain they'd both made it up but that was nothing new. Nessie got bored of games as easily as reading material, so they needed to constantly change and boost things up. My thoughts completely halted when my probing brown eyes landed on Hetani. She was looking at me with a wide smile on her face but her hair was what caught my attention. I adored her wavy locks, especially when she crinkled her nose during complaining about it . . . but the straight hair made her look stunning. She looked older and the strands seemed to catch the light even more, which made it even better. There was the added bonus that she'd be happy if her hair was straight, rather than irritated.

"Wow," I breathed. True to her word, Alice hadn't gone near Hetani with make-up, which I was thankful for. The hair was enough of a change. The answering smile made me think sappy thoughts that both packs would rib me for if they ever heard them.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she replied, standing up and brushing her lips to mine softly. I barely had time to think about kissing back before she withdrew and linked her fingers with mine.

"I like your straight hair. Just . . . not all the time." I needed to have the waves some days of the week. Hetani beamed widely and I knew she was thankful that I still liked her natural style too.

"I need to get some hair-." Alice suddenly halted abruptly next to us and held out a brand new box. Good God, she'd bought Hetani straighteners. "You're annoying, do you know that?" I tried desperately not to laugh at Hetani's bluntness but Alice didn't, her chiming laugh spreading over everyone and making Hetani scowl.

"I do know that. You're welcome, by the way."

"Thank you – but you really, really didn't have to buy me these."

"Please, behave Hetani. You'll make good use of them, I know that. See you!" And Alice blurred away to do God knew what. Hetani looked up at me with a helpless expression and I just shrugged.

"There's no way to stop Hurricane Alice and you should know that by now." She rolled her eyes at me and placed the box by her bag on the couch. She turned her head at Nessie's victorious shout and grinned at seeing the disgruntled look on Emmett's face. Jake, naturally, was applauding next to his imprint and Hetani quickly joined in. I mimicked the action and watched as Nessie lapped up the attention eagerly. Hetani snuggled into my side and we all settled down for an afternoon of relaxation.

Yeah, totally random. The next chapter is Hetani's sixteenth birthday and then the drama skyrockets after that. Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter – absolutely and completely appreciative. Anyhow, I'm off to listen to the 'Rock of Ages' for the millionth time and I'll update on Friday morning (British time). Love Bianca :) x