Chapter Thirty Six

I'm sorry this is late. PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END! And thank you once again to those who reviewed, added as a favourite and put on alert – always appreciated :D

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight or anything recognisable but anything/anyone unrecognisable is mine.

Jared POV

I swear the day that Hetani came home after graduating (flying colours in all exams, of course) was the happiest Embry had ever been in his whole life. He was always excited when Hetani came home to visit but there was always a sense of foreboding because we all knew she would leave again. That wasn't the case when she graduated and the entire pack was thrilled to have her back.

"Jared." Twenty two years old and smiling, Hetani walked into Emily's kitchen where Kim was curled up in my lap and Emily was cooking. She didn't look twenty two and I found it hilarious every time she stood next to Embry because he looked older than her still.

"Hetani," I replied as Kim shifted around a bit. Hetani looked surprised as she finally noticed Kim, who had previously been hidden because I was so big.

"Hey Kim." Embry's imprint idly picked up an apple and started tossing it back and forth in her hands. Kim gave me a look before clambering out of my lap and approaching Hetani slowly.

"What's up?" she asked but Hetani just stared at the apple blurring in and out of her grip. Concerned, I looked at Emily to see her separating some cookie batter from the larger bowl she'd prepared and putting it in a smaller one. What was that about? Next, a spoon was added and Emily handed Hetani the smaller amount.

"Thanks," she muttered and I watched in amusement as she dug in. So that was what it was for.

"What happened?" Emily pried and Hetani huffed, putting the cookie batter down and swallowing her mouthful.

"Embry and I got in a fight."

"What!?" we all exclaimed. Hetani and Embry were like the golden couple – they didn't fight, they were just grossly happy. The only time they'd come close to a fight was when Hetani chose to go to Duke and that hardly counted. Embry walked away and they made up the day after.

"We fought. And I guess it was my fault." They hadn't even fought when Embry left for Jake's pack! It would probably end up being really petty.

"What was it about?" Kim asked in that beautifully soft voice of hers, the one she used when aiming to calm someone down.

"I've been . . . writing a book over my time at Duke." The shy Hetani that we'd all met when she was fourteen was suddenly back. Her fingers tangled nervously and she chewed her lip. Wait, a book?

"And you fought about it? Was it using the Quileute legends?" I asked, finally speaking on my own. The only way it would remotely anger Embry would be if it used the legends – but even that wouldn't be too bad because everyone would think it was fiction.

"No!" she protested angrily and I winced.

"Then what on Earth were you fighting about?" Emily demanded, shoving the cookie batter into Hetani's hands again. The young adult took a mouthful and swallowed before running her hands through her grown waist length waves.

"He thinks that, because my friend sneakily sent it off to a publisher, I'm going to leave again." I understood Embry's perspective, especially if he didn't have the whole story. Wolves were very possessive over their imprints. But Hetani, despite knowing this, clearly wasn't coping with it.

"Are you?" Kim asked although I knew she didn't mean to blurt it out. Hetani looked offended.

"No, I'm not," she insisted savagely, making me tense protectively even though I knew Hetani meant no harm. That was how protective wolves were. Kim sighed, handing the bowl over again.

"You need to explain this to him," Emily said reasonably and Hetani raised an eyebrow, looking between the three of us with an exasperated curve on her mouth.

"I tried! But he wolfed out and I barely had time to blink before he vanished. His mom isn't going to be too amused when she sees she has no back door left," Hetani scoffed angrily and I grimaced as she looked at me.

"Oh no," I answered before she could even start to beg. I would not reason with Embry.

"Jared, please," Kim pleaded and I sighed loudly. Hetani had a small smirk on her lips, like she knew Kim would side with her.

"Alright, I'll try my best." I moved towards the back door and, after giving Kim a quick kiss and gaining a weak smile from Hetani (who had started looking miserable once more), I left. I hadn't considered that when I said we would be great friends all those years ago.

XXX

Hetani POV

After finishing the bowl of cookie dough then several of the real baked cookies, I made my way back to my house. My dad was out with Charlie and Sue and Jake was with Nessie. Two minutes after I collapsed face down on my couch, Leah appeared.

"Good God, it's true."

"What is?"

"You two really had a fight." Yes, I had had my first real fight with Embry and I did not like it. We had both gotten so angry and it ended with Embry physically removing the back door from its hinges.

"Yes."

"Jared's talking to him right now."

"Good."

"Alright, get up!" Leah ordered, moving me herself so that I was sitting up and she sat where my head had been. She looked at me quizzically.

"What?"

"It's pathetic. You had a stupid fight – you'll both get over it!" she cried and I knew she was right. It still hurt though.

"Yeah, I know." Leah sighed and stood up.

"Right, I'm going elsewhere. Besides, you still can't cook and I'm starving." Smiling at her, I gestured for her to leave if she wished. She did so but I only had thirty seconds of peace before Embry appeared and sat next to me.

"Please, please don't leave me." Shocked, I stared at him. His eyes were wide and wet and he looked frightened. Deciding that Jared was clearly useless, I took matters into my own lap and shifted so I was straddling Embry's lap.

"I am not leaving you. I will not go through that again. If this even pulls through, I will stay with you and meet my publisher here." My eyes did not waver from his and he nodded numbly, an expression of complete surprise on his gorgeous face. Then his expression softened and he rubbed his nose against mine affectionately. I giggled and pecked his lips.

"Ok," he replied simply and we resumed kissing with more passion. It was great to be home – but even greater to know I wouldn't leave again.

XXX

"Hetani?" Embry asked softly, an hour later when we were entangled on my bed. When Rachel had moved out to live with Paul, I had claimed her room she'd shared with Rebecca to be mine. It was bigger and came with a double bed – meaning my activities with Embry were much easier.

"Hm?" I murmured, stroking the defined muscles of his torso as I always did.

"Will you . . . will you marry me?" My fingers stopped their work as shock froze me. What? What had he just asked me? I lifted my head from his shoulder to gaze at him in bewilderment. He was flushing in embarrassment but his eyes were resolute. He was serious. I continued to stare at him, the old Hetani with her shy disposition returning with flare. Then I thought about it and the image came so easily to me that a wide smile eventually erupted across my face.

"Yes, I'll marry you," I replied quietly, my own blush lighting my cheeks. I was suddenly being hugged extremely tightly as Embry laughed with joy and relief. He kissed my head three times before moving my face up, kissing me full on the mouth. I smiled into the kiss and eagerly returned it, fisting my hands into his hair like I would never let go. He slowly separated us and brought his hand up right into my eye line. In a little black velvet box sat a stunningly simple silver band with a single diamond at the top. Embry removed the ring with gentle fingers and two identical sighs of satisfaction left us. It was a perfect fit.

"I love you," he said firmly, gazing at me with that specific look wolves have for their imprints. His eyes glittered like I was the only one in the world and his lips were turned up in a euphoric smile.

"I love you too," I breathed back before staring at my ring with a goofy smile. I could get used to it. I was already used to it.

XXX

I had always heard things about cold feet for both the bride and the groom at weddings. Emily had been relatively calm but I had heard stories from a gleeful Jared that Sam had been full on panicking. Then came his wedding and he was much the same, along with Kim who had to down two glasses of champagne before becoming coherent again. Of course, that was followed by water and bread to make sure she wasn't tipsy whilst saying her vows.

"You look beautiful," Rachel sobbed in the corner. We were in my house and I was standing in front of the full length mirror we'd attained whilst Rachel sat on a chair and Elisha sat curling her hair at the vanity. My best friend, of course, was my maid of honour in a bright blue dress that had a sweetheart neckline and a halter neck, flaring out in a simple satin skirt. Rachel and Rebecca were my bridesmaids in the same dress as Elisha, but pale pink instead of blue.

"Would you sort yourself out?" Rebecca scolded lightly, handing her twin sister a box of tissues. I barely paid any attention, though, as my lungs seemed to be constricting in my chest. Oh God, the cold feet and deep seated panic had arrived. What was I supposed to do? "Oh for Pete's sake, now you've set Hetani off." Of the four of us, Rebecca was the calmest. Even Elisha was shaking as she wrapped a strand of hair around the curling iron. Rebecca came up and set her hands on my exposed shoulders, leading me through some breathing exercises. Eventually, my breathing evened out and I regained some blush in my cheeks.

"Thanks," I said shakily, looking at my reflection. Behind me, Rebecca stood in her pink dress with her hair in a painstakingly arranged up-do, complete with little tendrils surrounding her face. I had decided to keep my waves in as they were much more manageable since growing to my waist. They'd been attacked with hairspray to make them sleeker and little glittering clips decorated the right side where my fringe had been pulled away. My dress was simple – just my style. The bodice clung in thick satin, almost like a corset, with sleeves that were off the shoulder. The skirt flared out, not too much as I was small and didn't want to be drowned, and was covered with a layer of glittering lace. My shoes were silver and strappy but weren't visible unless I was walking.

"Right, I'm done!" Elisha finally declared and I rolled my delicately made-up eyes at her. I had always known she would be the last to finish getting ready at the wedding but with only ten minutes to spare, she was pushing my expectations. All the same, I smiled at her with lightly glossed lips, turning away from the mirror.

"Hetani, I just want you to know that I am so happy for you. I know we don't talk as much as we did when we were younger and I am so grateful that you asked me to be a bridesmaid. I love you, baby sister, and I hope you know that," Rebecca said and tears welled in her eyes. Fortunately, we were both wearing waterproof mascara as I finally caved to the intense emotions I was feeling. We hugged, sobbing occasionally, before breaking apart. A smirking Rachel handed her twin the tissues and Elisha cleaned my face up herself.

An alarm went off next to Rebecca and we all looked at each other before squealing excitedly. It was time and I was ready. Embry was my future.

OK, I really feel like my muse left me and I think it's glaringly obvious, especially at the end of this chapter. And my defence for not writing the actual wedding: I'm pretty tired of writing weddings. I just thought this was better because, as mentioned, my muse left and I think it would be unfair to submit you to that agony. Anyway, BREAKING NEWS: only the epilogue is left after this. Of course, I've still to write it but it shouldn't be two weeks before I update this time, promise. Love Bianca :) x