Eighteen Years is All I Need:

I take a deep breath as I walk into the meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Roberson. I give a small polite smile when I see the couple sitting at the table, a cup of coffee clenched in their hands. They look like an upper class, well to do family and not at all evil and maniacal like I would like them to. Carry is next to me in a deep purple dress, her head down refusing to look at the couple in front of her. The couple give me a watery smile in greeting and Mrs. Roberson gets up and rushes over to Carry pulling her into a hug. The girl hesitantly responds to it, but when the women lets her go she takes a step closer to me.

She is tired, I can see it in her eyes as she looks up at me, pleading, begging, and praying that I not let them take her. The last few days have been emotional to say the least, all anyone seems to have done is cry and get angry. I have never seen the cheerful and easygoing Seth so worked up. The only time I've seen him is when I go to see the progress on the house since he isn't allowed over anymore, and it's killing him. Poor thing... At first I didn't understand why Carry is so important to him, but then Paul explained it all to me.

Speaking of Paul... I haven't seen much of him lately either. Which I find ironic since we are going to be moving in together soon... Did I mention that he kissed me? Yeah... I think this is all innocent and 'for the children' and then he goes and makes it messy.

I heave a sigh as I shake my head to clear my thoughts so I can focus on the problem at hand. That's precisely what I need to do, focus on the problems one at a time.

"Good, now we can get started," states a Lawyer as he adjusts his glasses and looks down at the documents before him.

I frown, I know this probably isn't going to turn out well for us. The only hope that we have is that they let Carry make the decision.

"Now Miss. Grace you are fostering Carry after her mother was taken into custody for abuse of illegal substances and child endangerment correct?"

"That's correct."

"And you know this was only to be temporary, until relatives were found, yes?"

"No. I was under the impression that she didn't have anyone else to turn to, after the initial search at least."

"Is this why you intend to fight to keep her? Even though you have no legal right?"

"I'm fighting to keep her because she has a family here even if they aren't related to her by blood."

"So this has nothing to do with the money that you get every month from the Foster System?"

"No." The finality in my voice must have surprised him, because he looks away from me, clearly uncomfortable.

"Well without any better evidence to support your claim to her, I'm afraid that she is going with the Robersons. They wish to take in the neice that they have never known before. They believe that it would be better for her than living with a young unmarried woman, barely out of college and barely starting her career..."

"So you think that uprooting her from the place she has known all of her life is good for her in such a troubling time? If she wished to go with you, it would be different, but she doesn't. And for all of how apparently unstable I am, I think I am doing a better job with her than her mother ever has and she lived with her for fourteen years. Where was her 'family' when she needed them then? She has something here that she doesn't want taken away from her, why can't you let her keep it?" I say as I look at the couple before me.

They were staring me down, clearly they didn't care for how I was talking, but they also couldn't argue with my validity.

"You really want to stay?" questions Mr. Roberson.

She nods, "Meg was there for me when no one else was. She's like my big sister... She takes care of me and so many other people. Look... I know she's young... but she understands me! The only place I've ever been happy is when I moved in with her! And I thought that finally I may just be able to have a family that I could be proud of..."

Carry looks away from them, obviously embarrassed about her impassioned speech. I hide my smile, Seth has rubbed off on her...

The Robersons look shocked.

"You really want to stay here, don't you?" questions Mrs. Roberson.

She nods passionately.

The two exchange a look, "We would like time to think about this..." begins Mr. Roberson, "Also, we would like it if Carry would spend some time with us before making her decision."

"That's perfectly understandable, but I would also like to invite the two of you to our home for dinner when you have the time. I think that if you saw how happy that Carry is here, you would allow her to stay."

Mr. Roberson nods in agreement, before we all stand up and shake hands.

When I get home everyone is standing in my livingroom...

And I mean everyone...

I walk over to the one place on the couch, conveniently next to Paul otherwise known as problem number two that is open and plop down next to him, lean my head back and close my eyes. It's quiet for a moment until I hear.

"So...?"

I open my eyes to see Kim sitting in the chair across from me looking stressed and impatient.

"They will be making a decision in a week..."

"A week?"

"Yes a week, they wish to have Carry get to 'know' them. I also invited them to dinner with us."

"So do you think they will let her stay?" Questions Sam.

"I don't know... I do know that I think it would be best if you all made yourselves slightly scarcer around the house."

"Why?!" exclaims Paul in frustration.

"Because I don't know how Mr. and Mrs. Prim and Proper are going to take to a single young woman with a house full of single men."

"But what about-" Begins Embry only for Jared to elbow him in side.

"What about what?" I question raising my eyes suspiciously.

"Paul."

"Yeah I don't know how they are going to react to me moving in with a single guy, regardless of the reasons no matter how noble they are."

"Just... give me a week..." I say in exhaustion after a moment of uncomfortable silence.

'I just need a week...' I think to myself as I get up to get into more comfortable clothes.

"I'm not okay with this..." says Paul as he follows behind me.

"I didn't ask you if you were alright with this..."

"What if something happens?!"

"Paul," I say rounding on him, "What are you so afraid of?"

He stops and his eyes widen, a sure sign that there is something that he's afraid of.

He sighs, "I'm afraid of something happening to you... and Tommy... and Carry... We do have enemies and you live much farther away from the pack than any of us. Yes, Tommy can keep away normal threats, robbery or whatever, but there are other things out there that a pup won't stand a chance against. I know we seem invincible to you but there are things out there that can hurt us."

I feel a fear creep into my heart, this is what Paul's been afraid of this entire time. He just didn't want to worry me. This also explains why he is so eager to have us move in with him, that would eliminate two problems; we would be closer to the pack and he would live with us.

"I see..." I say as I look down.

"Look... I don't want to scare you... but you've already been targeted by something and it's all my fault..."

"What?!"

Paul nods but doesn't meet my gaze.

"How is it your fault?" I question after taking a moment to process this new information.

"It can smell me on you..."

"What can?"

"We don't know..."

"What do you mean you don't know?!" I yell in panic.

I'm surprised when Tommy comes rushing out of his room where the younger wolves are trying to calm Carry.

"What's wrong?" he asks his eyes darting between the two of us. He's been jumpy lately due to the tension he can sense between the two of us.

"I-It's-"

"Don't worry about it Tommy," Says Paul as he looks deep into my eyes.

He doesn't know...

"Just... can't believe he doesn't know what color he's painting the man cave," I say with a bright forced smile.

"Oh... Alright..." Says Tommy looking confused as he returns to his room and shuts the door.

"Could you just... give me a minute?" I say as I motion to my room.

"Sure..." He says not meeting my eyes. Suddenly why he is so worried is starting to make sense. I'm not sure what to do about everything that is going on, but hopefully it comes to me soon because I have others to think about right now...

I try not to think too much as I change. When I come out I'm surprised to see that almost everyone has left leaving only Paul, Jared, Kim, Sam and Emily.

"Are you okay?" questions Kim as she comes and sits down beside me.

"I will be..." I have never felt so fragile before, like at any moment something is going to come rushing through my door and demolish me and everything around me. I knew that there is a reason why the wolves exist, I guess I just never really thought that it was actually real.

That there are real threats, real danger.

They seem so...invincible...

"I'm staying here tonight," announces Paul in his 'no arguments' voice, clearly he doesn't know me very well.

"No you're not." I say seriously as I look up at him.

"Why do you always tell me 'no' when all I'm trying to do is keep you safe?!" he rounds on me frustration in his voice.

"Because I don't know if Carry's family has hired a Private Investigator to spy on me or whatever and I'm not going to have anything ruin our chances of keeping her. Not only would she be miserable in Texas but she would be in danger, apparently, as well."

Paul frowns and turns away from me.

"We'll stay," volunteers Kim and Emily as they stand up, "We were planning on it anyway, figured you could use the girl talk and moral support."

Of course at this both Jared and Sam look annoyed, "I would rather you not..." starts Sam.

"Well we are," Finishes Emily with a note of finality.

The three wolves just stand there and look at their Imprints in annoyance and wonder, already knowing they have lost.

I have to admit the girls did make me feel better. We stayed up all night watching romantic comedies, complaining about the guys and eating junk food. The next morning, which is thankfully Saturday, I wake up to the sound of the news. I look up toI see Emily sitting on the couch eyes wide at the breaking story. Groggily I look over toward the TV and see that a girl was murdered last night in a very brutal way. Not a whole lot of details are being released by Police, but apparently things are bad...

That's when her picture is shown on the screen and my blood runs cold. There is a picture of the girl whom I saw talking to Calvin the other day.

"-if you have any information that may be helpful to this case, the police urge you to come forward."

Suddenly it all made sense.

Hey all! I know it's been forever and a day since I updated this, but that shouldn't be the case anymore! I'm not sure what happened (other than graduating from college and now having actual time to do things other than work and go to school) but I'm brimming with ideas! I hope that all of you will review and let me know what you think.

*Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.*