Seth wiped his clammy hands on his jeans before knocking on the Cullens' door. Edward opened it immediately, stepping aside with his slightly crooked smile. "Seth! What a nice surprise!"
Edward led him into the cavernous living room, where Carlisle was seated on the couch with a huge reference book on his lap. He snapped it closed when he saw Seth and echoed Edward's greeting. "It's been too long, Seth. How are you holding up?" Carlisle asked, with his usual uncanny perception.
Seth cleared his throat. "I thought Edward was the mind reader in the family," he smiled. "But it looks like you've guessed why I'm here. I've been waiting for weeks, and I'm going out of my mind. Do you have any idea where Paris is?"
Carlisle gestured toward a white armchair, and Seth sat down. He folded his hands on top of the enormous book. "Yes, Seth, I do know, and I know that she's well. She misses you, of course, but she asked me not to tell anyone where she is. You know me well enough to understand I can't betray her confidence."
Seth nodded miserably. "I hated to bother you, Carlisle, but I'm at my wits' end. How could she make this decision without discussing it with me? It involves both of us, and it just doesn't seem fair."
Carlisle nodded sympathetically. "I can't speak to her reasons, but she seemed to feel very strongly that the relationship wasn't fair to you. I know how much she cares, so I can't help admiring her courage, Seth."
Seth's jaw tightened. "She seems to think that just because I help my mom with the baby I need to father one myself! That's ridiculous." He muttered.
Edward interrupted. "I'm sorry, Seth, but I think it's more than that. I've seen you with little Emeline, and there's obviously more of a bond than 'helping out.' She absolutely lights up your life."
Seth smiled automatically at the mention of his baby sister's name. "But that's just it, Edward! She's not going anywhere. She'll always be my sister, and I'll always be involved in her life. It's enough – really!"
Carlisle shook his head. "You'll have a hard time convincing Paris of that, I'm afraid," he said sadly. "I know she's planning to call you. I encouraged her to talk to you before she left, but she was afraid you'd talk her out of it. I'm sorry I can't help you. You're a good friend, and I hate to see you in pain."
The door swung open behind Seth, and a pair of human arms wrapped themselves around him. "Well, if it isn't my long lost brother!" Bella greeted him. She gave him a peck on the cheek, then went to perch on the arm of Edward's chair. She sobered quickly. "I'm sorry about Paris, Seth," she mumbled. "I heard about her leaving. I hate that it hurt you, but I have to admit I sort of understand."
"How can you say that?" Seth demanded incredulously. "Aren't you in the same situation? And I don't see you running for the border," he added glumly.
"Actually, it's not the same at all," Bella argued. "Edward knows that I plan to be changed some day, and that's not possible for you because you're not entirely human. Paris's venom is particularly poisonous to shifters, so that's not an option. I'm sorry, Seth." He detected a slight tightening of Edward's jaw, indicating that this plan still wasn't altogether mutual. Still, he admitted to himself, she made a valid point.
Seth sighed. "Thanks for the pep talk, guys. I guess I've been kidding myself. I hope she calls one of these days, though. I can't help missing her."
Finally, a few days later, Seth's phone rang. It was late, and Sue and Charlie were already in bed. He glanced at the display, and his breath quickened when he saw an unfamiliar number. "Hope springs eternal," he thought wryly. "Hello?"
"Seth." In that single word, choked with emotion, it all came rushing back – the love, the memories, the loneliness, the sleepless nights.
He exhaled her name. "Paris," he whispered. He was appalled to find his eyes filling with tears. "Where are you? I'm dying a little every day without you."
She was silent for a long minute, then spoke softly. "I promise it will get better, Seth. It was the right thing to do." His voice failed him, and she continued after a beat. "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I know you would have sacrificed your human happiness for me, but I can't let you do that. You deserve to have a full life, Seth, with a human companion who can give you what you want – what you need."
Seth's voice was hoarse. "You're all I want, Paris. All I'll ever need. Why won't you believe that?"
Her brief laughter warmed his heart, but then her words broke it once again. "I know you actually believe that, Seth, but it's simply not true. I just called to say good-bye. Please be happy." And she was gone. He frantically pushed the Redial button, but of course there was no answer.
Charlie found Seth's phone in the morning, several plastic pieces imbedded in the brick fireplace and the rest scattered among the ashes.
In spite of himself, Seth did get better. As the weeks wore on, his days were occupied with school and Emmy, but the nights still dragged endlessly. He tossed and turned, never sleeping more than a couple of hours in a row.
Summer finally arrived, and after graduation Seth started working in Jacob's auto repair shop. He was a quick learner and a hard worker, so the brothers-in-law got along fine. He went to bed utterly exhausted and was finally able to sleep. On a hot, sticky July day, they closed the shop early to try and escape the oppressive heat.
Sue and Charlie were going out, so Seth was on his own for dinner. He walked through the gravel lot to the diner next door, just on the edge of the reservation. It was early, and the place was nearly empty. The waitress appeared to be no older than Seth, and her hair fell like lustrous black satin to her waist. She turned to greet him, and he recognized her high cheekbones and chiseled features as Native American. Her exotic beauty barely registered as he took the menu she offered and began to study it.
When she returned to take his order, he noticed the name tag pinned to her uniform. "I think I'll just have a cheeseburger and fries…Christy."
Her smile was dazzling. She wondered briefly how he had lost his arm, and she decided it just added a touch of mystery to this handsome stranger. She extended her right hand. "Christy Youngblood. Nice to meet you."
He shook her hand. "Seth Clearwater. Are you new in town?" Seth asked, then chuckled. "Did that sound as lame to you as it did to me?"
She grinned. "Actually, it did, but I'll answer anyway. Yes, we just moved to LaPush a couple of weeks ago from Seattle. I have family in the area, and it seems like all of us end up here eventually. I'm assuming by your name that you're Quileute too."
Seth smiled. "Yeah, good guess. My mom is actually on the tribal council."
Christy raised an eyebrow. "Cool! My dad will be impressed. He's really fascinated with all that ancient mumbo jumbo." Seth raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
When he was finished, he paid his check and left with a wave at Christy, who was taking an order from a table at the far end of the counter. She watched him cross the parking lot and enter the garage by the side door. He didn't give her another thought, but she couldn't get him out of her mind.
Mike Youngblood heard the front door open just after 8:00. "Hey, Pumpkin – I'm in here!"
Christy set her purse down and sighed, following his voice into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, his checkbook and several bills strewn around him. "Dad, I've asked you not to call me that," she reminded him. "Just because I was born on Halloween doesn't make me a pumpkin," she complained for the umpteenth time.
He chuckled. "Old habits die hard, honey. I've been calling you that for 18 years now, and I really don't understand your sudden objection to it." He held up his hands. "Okay, I know you're a sophisticated young woman now, and I promise I'll try harder."
She grinned at him. "Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it, but I'm not very optimistic. Hey - I met an interesting guy at work today. His mom is on the tribal council here in LaPush. I think his name was Clearwater or something like that."
He looked up from his work. "Interesting. I knew a Harry Clearwater years ago, but I heard he died. I wonder if that's his son. What does he look like?" he asked innocently.
Christy smiled. "What difference does that make?" she asked, then chuckled. "As a matter of fact, he's pretty hot – even with one arm. And he's a typical Quileute guy – tall and muscular, dark hair, brown eyes. Not my type at all," she added with a smirk, "but I kinda hope I haven't seen the last of Seth Clearwater."
After two weeks, Christy was beginning to think Seth had changed jobs. Every day as she arrived at the diner she glanced in the direction of Jacob's shop, and each time she was disappointed not to catch a glimpse of him. Then one day Jake ran out the door ten minutes later than usual, leaving his lunch on the counter.
"Come on, Seth, I'll buy you lunch," he suggested at noon.
Seth looked up from the tire he was mounting on a rim. "Nah, that's okay, Jake. I brought my lunch."
"Well, put it in the refrigerator and come with me. I'm just going across the parking lot, and I hate eating alone. It's not an offer you get every day," he grinned.
Seth sighed. "Okay, just give me a minute to get cleaned up."
Christy's breath caught as the two of them walked into the diner and took seats at the counter. The second man, taller and sturdier than Seth, was obviously a little older. She wondered if they were brothers.
"Hello, Seth. Nice to see you again," Christie breathed as she handed each of them a menu.
Seth turned toward her. He recognized her but was drawing a complete blank on her name. And of course she wasn't wearing the name tag today. He blushed slightly as he introduced her, "Hi. This is my brother-in-law, Jacob Black. I work with him next door." He indicated the direction with a tilt of his head.
Jake extended his hand, and Christy shook it with a smile. "I'm Christy. Nice to meet you, Jacob." Seth gave himself a mental facepalm, but she seemed unaffected by his obvious memory lapse. She took their orders with a smile and flitted off to wait on another customer.
Jake looked at Seth and spoke softly. "When did you meet her, and why didn't you tell me?" he grinned. "She's gorgeous, and apparently quite taken with you."
Seth frowned at him. "What are you talking about?" he whispered back. "I think you're letting your imagination run away with you." Jacob chuckled quietly, shaking his head at Seth's naiveté.
Christy returned, bearing a pot of fresh coffee. "Anyone need a refill?" she asked, holding the pot aloft.
"Sure, you can warm mine up if you don't mind," Seth smiled at her. He pushed his cup toward her just as she began to pour, and the boiling hot coffee streamed over his hand and onto the counter. Jacob jumped back just in time to avoid the steaming liquid as it dripped off the counter.
The color drained from Christy's face. She whirled, running to the sink and returning with a bowl of ice water. "Oh my god, Seth, I'm so sorry!" she gasped. His hand had turned an alarming shade of red and his teeth were clenched in obvious pain. He plunged his hand into the ice water and his expression softened immediately.
"Don't worry, Christy. It was my own fault, and I'm really okay."
"How can you be okay?" she wailed. "That coffee was boiling!" She watched in alarm as he removed his hand from the bowl, expecting to see blisters forming. Instead, the red had already faded to a light pink. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"See? I'm tougher than I look," he joked as he dried his hand on a napkin. "Don't give it another thought. I'm fine."
Christy refused to give them a check, but on their way out Jake slipped a $20 bill under his plate, knowing it would cover the cost of the food as well as a generous tip.
While Christy related the story to her father that night, he nodded but was uncharacteristically silent. He finally observed, "I'd really like to meet those boys one of these days. It's been a long time since I've heard those names."