A/N: Here little kiddies, on my lap, guess who's back with a brand new rap. Not Jassy, and not even Eminem, but I am back with a brand new chapter! Alright, not nearly as exciting - or funny - as a new rap, but I can't write music (believe me, I've tried) so we've both got to just deal with this. I know, it sucks, but I'm hoping that the content of this next chapter makes up for it.

Paul: I think it does.
Jassy: Of course you do, but your opinion doesn't count.
Paul: Why not?
Jassy: Cause you're biased, obviously.

And also, as my opening suggests, I've been listening to a lot of Eminem, so I'm sorry if my writing is a little more vulgar in terms of language, but I acclimate to whatever I'm listening to, so... yeah. But I'll try to keep it clean-ish. Well, as clean as I usually do, which, admittedly, is not very clean, but I try. Anyway, on with the story.

Songs:

American Idiot - Green Day
Clocks - Coldplay
Cry Me a River - Justin Timberlake
Don't Trust Me - 3OH!3
Don't Want to Think About You - Simple Plan
Follow Me Down - 3OH!3 (feat. Neon Hitch)
Here I am - Bryan Adams
Just Lose it - Eminem
Love Like Woe - The Ready Set
The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
Tired of Being Sorry - Enrique Iglesias

Chapter 6

Not Quite Alone

I wasn't ticked, that was for sure. I was relieved to have them back, were I to be honest, but I was still trying to keep up a facade of being angry at Paul, at least. They all left me alone without a word; I should at least be able to pretend I was mad at them. But... why was is so hard to actually be mad. If I was really mad about anything, it was the fact that I couldn't be mad. Which really makes no sense, but since when is sense relevant to me?

So I sat back in my seat, and didn't follow through on my threat, just as Paul had predicted I wouldn't. Besides, was it really kidnapping if you weren't totally unwilling? I had to admit, him calling my aunt had been a surprising, sneaky, underhanded way of getting me to do what he wanted, but it still didn't make me not want to go with him. I still wanted to see everyone.

He pulled the truck up outside Sam and Em's, and without even waiting for Paul to turn the ignition, my door was open and I was out of the car, heading towards their front door. I was only a couple steps from the front porch when the door opened, revealing a sight for sore eyes; Embry, shirtless, as always, and grinning at me broadly. "Sydney!" he exclaimed, snatching me up into his arms. I sputtered a little bit at the quick constriction around me, but my smile didn't falter once. "Hot damn, girl, I haven't seen you in a week!"

He set me on the ground, grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. I literally didn't even have time to be mad at him, or tell him that it was his fault that he hadn't seen me in a week. Before I could say anything, I was standing in the kitchen where Collin was currently blocking off the back door in an attempt to keep everyone from leaving, which was quite brave considering the very pissed looking Leah that was standing directly in front of him, demanding to be let out. He stared at her, stoic, and probably trying to hide the hint of fear that was bound to pop up whenever you were facing down Leah Clearwater. No one seemed to have noticed my entrance yet; they were all focused on the show before them. "Hey, Leah," I greeted, causing several people to look over in my direction.

"Hey, Sydney," she replied, sounding flippant and uncaring, not even turning to glance at me. "Now you better move your sorry ass, Collin Parish, or I'm gonna..." She trailed off, turning to me, looking stunned. Collin looked overly smug as her expression switched from stunned to understanding, and she muttered a dejected, "Oh."

Only then did I notice that everyone was there, but that was because they all rushed me. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone; all eight of the guys - since I'm not including Paul, at the moment - Emily, Claire, Kim and Leah. I was kinda surprised that Sam and Em's place didn't explode from the sheer amount of people crammed inside it. Everyone greeted me, hugging me until I was sure I had about ten thousand bruises, and it was like... this last week had never happened. Claire talked to me like she hadn't been avoiding me in school for the last week, and the boys acted like they hadn't missed a single day.

I was more confused than ever.

I was about to ask what was going on, but my train of thought was interrupted by a certain voice. "Syd," he said, and I turned to face him. Paul looked tired; he had circles under his eyes that I hadn't noticed before, his hair was ruffled and he just looked... worn. More worn than any twenty year old should. And the way he was staring at me with those eyes - I felt my anger break even further, to my annoyance. "I think you should tell them."

You know, if it had been anyone else or if I had been any angrier, I would have been furious at this statement. I would have said, 'Who the hell are you to tell me how to live my life? You have no idea what it's like to be so different; to be under the pressure of keeping a part of yourself from the ones you love most.' But it was Paul, and my anger was slowly chipping away.

I sighed, and everyone looked at me expectantly, though what they were expecting, I couldn't really tell you. I hated this part, telling everyone that I was a freak. I hated my gift as much as I loved it. I'd never met anyone else like me and very few were accepting once they knew that you could talk to their goldfish. I was feeling the pressure, and tried to start, but when my mouth opened, I couldn't make anything come out; silent as the grave. I don't know what would have happened next were it not for the fact that the moment I started feeling it the most, I also felt another hand grab my own and squeeze it lightly. I turned to see Emily there, next to me, her pregnant belly poking out like it was nobody's business. "It's okay, Sydney, you can tell us. I can promise you that it won't affect the way we think of you."

You say that now, I thought somewhat bitterly, but her reassurance had given me that little shove I needed, and damn had I needed it. Taking a deep breath, I decided quick and painless was in my best interest, and so, in a short jumble of words, I blurted, "I can talk to animals." I don't know why, but once I'd gotten it out, I closed my eyes, wincing, waiting for the condescending remarks about my sanity and degrading tests.

There was a short, stunned silence. I expected a lot of things. What I didn't expect was, "That is so cool!" and a thousand sounds of agreement. I slowly opened my eyes to see everyone grinning and looking kind of amazed. But it was Claire that bounced up to me and hugged me around the waist. "I can't believe it. That is sooo awesome."

I sat down next to Paul on one of the many seats they had throughout the house, and answered questions about my ability, but never once did the question if I really had it; if I said I did, I did to them, and that was probably the best part. Kim asked me for some help with her birds because it seemed something was wrong with one of them, and she figured someone talking to it would be a lot easier than the poor little bird getting probed and stuck, even if it were by her own parents.

A little while later - actually, about 2:30 in the morning - Emily announced that we'd be having a pack sleepover tonight, and that they'd be drawing for spots. I looked over to Paul for explanation. He smiled at me, looking more tired and worn than he had earlier, but happy anyway. "Sam and Em host a couple of these pack sleepovers a month, and since their house is so small, they don't have enough room for everyone to get some sort of bed, or even really for everyone to get a space on the floor unless they want to get stepped on, so we came up with a system for splitting up the sleeping areas; floor and bedded area. We have everyone's name in a jar, and we draw for the beds."

He gave me a smile and we both got up and walked to where everyone was gathered around Emily and her jar. I couldn't see a thing, and even though there was really nothing to see, I jumped to anyway. That is, until Paul picked me up and lifted me above the other guys heads so that I could see; good thing the ceilings in this place were so high.

Emily stuck her hand into an old looking pottery jar, kinda like the ones you would put cookies in, and pulled out a small, folded retangular piece of paper. She unfolded it and said, "And the winner of the guest room for tonight is Kim. Pick your roommate Kim." She rolled her eyes, most likely already knowing who it was going to be. Well, we all did, so it was no surprise when she grabbed Jared's hand and started leading him back to the hallway that led to the four bedrooms and one of the two bathrooms this house had.

Sam grinned and started to draw for another name. "And tonight's winner of the lonely love seat is... Quil." The caused everyone to start laughing, and not really knowing why, I joined in, not wanting to look like an idiot at my first pack sleepover. Same threw something that was bundled up at his head, and Quil barely caught it, glaring at Sam, and grumbling as he went to settle in on the shorter couch.

"Recliner," Em announced as she reached her hand in yet again and pulled out another little white sheet of paper. "And the recliner goes to Paul." Paul pumped one of his fists in the air, still holding me up with the other arm, and then readily caught the blue bundle that Sam sent flying in his direction. But he stayed there, still raising me up instead of setting me down and going to settle in on the recliner like I knew he probably wanted to. "And last but not least, the fold out couch goes to... Sydney." There were a couple sounds of disappointment as people waited for Sam to throw them their sleeping bag. "Syd, you can pick a bunk-mate if you want." Emily reminded me, causing Paul to tense.

I absently tried to soothe him, rubbing my hand over his clothed, rock hard chest and smiling. "Claire," I said, and Paul relaxed. Claire immediately started doing a dorky victory dance and went straight up to Brady and sung a made up 'in your face,' song; it was really, really entertaining.

We all made our way into the living room while Sam and Emily made their way to their bedroom, and after the assorted goodnights had been exchanged, we all started settling into our designated areas for the night. I heard Seth and Leah fighting for a certain spot, and after losing, Seth, still glaring in the general direction of his sister, came and settled on the ground next to my side of the fold away couch. Which happened to be right between the recliner where Paul was sleeping, and me.

Paul was under a thin, navy blue blanket and was reclined all the way back, and I knew he wanted to fall right asleep, but he still looked at me through tired eyes. "Goodnight, Sydney." he said, bringing the blanket even closer to his neck and struggling to keep his eyes open.

I giggled. "Good Night Paul."

-Forever His-

My eyes flew open, and I sat up quickly. The fold away made a loud creak sound, but I didn't hear anything besides Seth snoring to my right, as well as Paul for that matter. There was a little bit of moonlight streaming in through the window, and, careful to dodge Seth, I walked over to it. The moon was resting just behind the treeline, only the top of it showing its face, and I knew none of us had been asleep very long. So what had woken me up so suddenly?

I was still staring at the window when I heard it; a slight moaning whimper coming from down the hall. I turned back to stare at the hallway, the moonlight giving my skin an eerie and other-worldly glow. I slowly made my way around Brady's unconscious form and down the hallway. My sleeping patterns were a little odd. Sometimes, it would take a train to wake me up, and others, alls it would take is a brush of a feather. The sound wasn't loud, but it had woken me, so now I had to know what it was.

I heard it again, and swiftly stepped over Seth's legs, which were tangled in his sleeping bag; he was going to have fun getting up in the morning. I brushed right past Paul in his recliner, and because his hand was hanging off the edge, walked a little closer than was smart. His fingers brushed my waist and I shivered as sparks ran up my spine.

I was about to step over Leah, when I distinctly felt something wrap around my ankle. My first and only though? 'Oh holy shit.' But when I looked down to see what it was, I saw Leah, leaning on one arm, looking up at me, her other arm outstretched so that her fingers could clamp around my ankle. I could not even describe the relief I felt when I saw Leah shake her bangs out of her eyes. Slowly, her fingers unwrapped themselves, and she pushed herself up so that she stood directly in front of me, her 5'11" towering over my 5'4". "You heard that?" Leah asked me with a raised eyebrow, as it she couldn't believe it. Not this crap again. Yes, my hearing is freakishly good; can we get over it now? I knew it was a little harsh for a simple question, but a tired Sydney is not a pleasant Sydney.

But instead of voicing my internal rant, I gave a simple nod. "Yeah," I confirmed, not particularly feeling like pissing anyone off so late at night, particularly Leah. "It came from down there." I gestured down the pitch black hallway, and Leah nodded.

She and I slowly crept down the hall. The door to the room Jared and Kim were sleeping in was shut tight, locked too. There was a short pause between the noises; seven to eight minutes, actually. But then it sounded again, and we found the source - Sam and Emily's bedroom. The sound was distinctly female, and I was overwhelmed with worry for Emily, for some odd reason. I knew she would be fine with Sam right next to her. He'd never let anything happen to her.

Which is why I was so shocked when Sam came barreling out of the room, looking panicked, and only in a pair of pajama pants, though that shouldn't have surprised me. None of the guys around here liked to wear shirts for some odd reason. I don't think he saw Leah and I because he raced right past us, mumbling to himself quietly.

I turned to Leah as Sam disappeared behind the corner of the hall. "Do you think he's finally gone off his rocker?" She shrugged in response, and we both turned back to face the wall that Sam had just rounded.

He came back around, and I was seriously wondering how he hadn't woken anyone else up. He had a little tote slung over his shoulder and a list and his hands. He was looking over the list, still mumbling, and he came to a stop, directly in front of us, and looked up. "How long have you two been up?" Leah and I looked at each other with wide eyes, while Sam stood there, looking tired, disoriented and doe-eyed.

"SAM!"

Before I could even register, he was back inside his room, and when I peaked inside, he was picking Em up. Em was sweaty, breathing heavily and had one hand on her pregnant belly, wincing. Oh, shit. I grabbed Leah, and moved her away from the door as Sam came through, Emily in his arms and heading for the door. "The babies are coming," I breathed, and Leah looked at me, even more wide eyed than before. I could feel the massive smile taking over my face. "The babies are coming!" I repeated excitedly, jumping up and down a little bit in the process, and as Leah registered what I was saying - what was happening - a smile split her face too. She stuttered for a second, and then let out a high-pitched, excited scream that I didn't know she was capable of, but I shrieked with her.

That woke Claire and Seth up. Claire sat up, wide-eyed, "What? What is it? Is someone trying to break in?" She looked all around, seeming extremely confused. Seth on the other hand, sleepily opened his eyes, and stretched, happening to kick Collin in the head, though he didn't seem to feel too sorry about it at all.

Collin jerked up in his sleeping bag, clutching his head. "Dude, what the hell?"

A pillow flew through the air, hitting Collin straight in the back of the neck, and he jerked in the direction of the projectile, which had come from where Brady was lying on the floor. "You know, some of us are still trying to sleep." I wasn't even sure when someone had switched the light on. Things were starting to move faster and faster.

Collin grabbed the pillow and threw it back at Brady, but missed by a mile and hit Embry, who was up on his feet before I could blink. And I did blink, several times, to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Collin stood up too, and started apologizing, but Embry didn't seem to care too much for apologies. He charged Collin, slamming into him with a force I thought no teenage boy would be capable of, and pushed him back - in my direction. Collin was just about to slam into me when someone grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the way. I landed against something that was both soft and hard, and since I'd felt the sensation many times before, I didn't even have to look up to know that Paul had just saved me.

I looked up to see him smiling down at me, him still in the recliner and me curled up against his warm chest, on top of him. He seemed to find this whole ordeal rather funny because I could feel his chest rumbling with laughter beneath me. He put one finger up in front of his lips - the classic 'shhhh' sign - and pointed. I looked over to where he was pointing and almost busted a gut.

Quil was still sleeping on the lonely loveseat, as Sam had called it, but that wasn't the funny part. The funny part was that Quil's torso rested comfortably on the couch, and his but ended right where the other edge of the seat ended, meaning that his legs hung off in an odd fashion. And despite this and the noise, Quil was still sound asleep, not even looking sort of disturbed. His girlfriend seemed to find this rather funny too, cause I saw her nearly rolling on the ground with laughter.

I shifted in my most comfortable spot so that I could face everyone. Collin and Embry were fighting and Brady was watching, looking ready to jump in and break it up if necessary. "Guys!" I yelled, getting most everyone's attention, aside from the still sleeping Quil. "Em's in labor; the babies are coming." I could feel a smile take over my face just saying that.

Leah had already left, I suppose, because as everyone else was scrambling to get to a car, I didn't see hers. Sam's was gone too, though that came as no surprise. Just as I was about to walk out the door, Paul grabbed my wrist, and when I turned, he was motioning at Quil. Ah, so he has a devious side too. I love him.

My face went stone blank at this thought. I love him? Where had that come from. And what was more... it was true, to an extent. Love was definitely what I felt for him. I just wasn't sure what kind of love yet, I guess. I couldn't believe it. But I followed Paul's lead, trying not to let on the little life-changing revelation that had just taken place. I stood next to him behind the couch, putting both hands on the back. "On three, push," he told me, and I nodded, smiling; nothing like a good prank to get you back in the right mind-set. "One, two... three!" We both shoved on the back of the seat, pushing it forward and making Quil sprawl onto the floor.

He didn't give much of a reaction, much to my disappointment. He just got up, rubbing his eyes. "Where are the tacos?" he asked in a groggy, sleep-ridden voice. He stumbled over to the bathroom, and I laughed as Claire sighed dramatically, clearly put out by being held up because of her sleepy boyfriend.

I don't even know what happened to Jake, or when he left.

Paul, on the other hand, was fully awake, and offered me his hand. I gave him an amused look, but took it anyhow, and he started running - slower than was his usual, cause damn, he can run - leading me toward the truck. He opened the door for me, and actually boosted me inside, making me shriek a little in surprise, and before I knew it, he was sitting next time, putting my seat belt on and then his own, giving me a sheepish grin. I'm thinking he was way more excited than I'd ever thought he was. He jammed the keys into the ignition, and floored it.

The drive that was supposed to take approximately twenty-five minutes? We made it in less than fifteen. And it would have been even less if Embry and his taco-mobile hadn't swerved in from around a corner and cut us off, causing us to be caught behind the one and only stop light in all of Forks, just as it turned red. And because it was the only one, of course it took forever to turn green. I was going to kill Embry.

We pulled into the lot, and I had just enough time to click off my seat belt before I was out of the car and dashing across the lot, which was freaking freezing by the way. I almost thought the sliding doors weren't going to open in time, but the parted about a half second before I ran into them, and I dashed through, stopping only when I made it to the waiting room where over half the pack was waiting. I deflated when I saw Embry was not among them, but went and sat down next to Leah who'd already been promised god-mother to little Nicholas Leon with Seth as god-father. Apparently, they chose Seth because he'd helped take care of a little girl that everyone referred to as 'Nessie.' Of course, when I'd heard that, I'd thought, 'Lochness Monster?' When I'd voiced that, Seth had laughed and told me never to tell Bella that, who ever the hell she was.

On the other hand, they hadn't named god-mother to their other little boy, who was, decidedly, Michael Jacob. Michael after Emily's grandfather and Jacob after his god-father, Jake. Sam and Emily hadn't been able to decide on who was god-mother; Claire or Kim. As far as I knew, they were still at ends trying to figure that bit out. I hugged Leah, knowing she was biting her nails - nearly literally - in suspense. She'd been so happy to know they'd chosen her as god-mother. I didn't learn why until I found out Leah was infertile; doctors told her she couldn't have children of her own.

"Hey, Sydney, what'd you do with Paul?" Seth asked as he came to sit on the other side me. I'd learned from a past experience never to let yourself get surrounded by Clearwaters, and squirmed uncomfortably in my seat, almost expecting Sue to pop up somewhere. But he was right, I realized. Paul had never made it to the waiting room, though I could have sworn...

I never got to finish the thought as Paul came strolling down the hall, looking lax, and dragging a reluctant Embry behind him who seemed to trying his damn best to get out of Paul's seemingly loose grip on his shirt, but it was actually probably really strong. Paul wasn't even really trying to pull him along, and the height gave him only a small advantage; this was pure strength. Paul suddenly pulled him forward and flung him into a chair. "Hey, Syd," Paul said with a devious grin, "I found him."

I grinned and catapulted myself out of the chair - the perfect excuse to get out of the Clearwater death-trap. Haha, score one for LeHaye! I came to a halt directly next to Paul who hadn't had to do anything to keep Embry in place. Even Embry knew that trying to escape my wrath was futile. That and it would just get him thrown out of the hospital. "Hey, Embry," I greeted lowly, stroking Paul's bicep with one hand to show my appreciation. He seemed to get my point as he grinned again, shook his head at Embry in pity, and then backed out. I stepped forward to assure that Embry wouldn't try to make a break for it. I leaned down over him and he gulped. "Embry," I sung, "you've been a bad, bad boy." I shook my head, pouting at him. I laid one hand against his strong chest. "You cut us off; nearly caused us to have an accident." I tsked him, and moved my hand up, loosely picking at his collar. "Do you know what I do to bad boys?" I asked him. "Huh?" I fisted my fingers around the material of his collar, making his eyes go wide. I leaned down even further so that my lips rested just next to his ear. "I punish them; I get even." I said it slowly, deliberately - seriously. "Are we understood?" I asked innocently, and I felt him nod slowly, knowing the weight of the situation he was in.

I let go of his collar. "Good, glad that's all cleared up." But when I looked behind me, Leah looked proud, and Claire, who had just arrived, looked at me admiringly with Quil hiding behind her, using her as some sort of human shield. "What?" I asked, laying on the innocence, causing Seth and Paul to laugh.

Leah came up next to me, feighning tears. "I've never been so proud." she said, and then pretended to break down sobbing, leaning on my shoulder, and I laughed. We often played those little games since my big production on the first day. But she soon joined in on the laughter. I was so busy laughing that I nearly missed Sam's entrance into the room, wearing what can only be decribed as a plastic dress, which made me burst into laughter all over again. He even had the matching cap.

"Sam, you realize you don't have to wear that until you're in the actual delivery room, right?" a familiar voice asked, and my earlier fears were confirmed as Sue Clearwater appeared from virtually nowhere, towing her fiance, Charlie Swan, behind her. I'd talked to Charlie very briefly the last time they'd had a bonfire, and found out that he'd been friends with Sue's first husband, Harry, and when Harry died, Charlie kind of started taking care of them, even though his own daughter had kind of been the one taking care of him. As far as I knew, they'd officially gotten together last year, and he'd proposed to her a couple months ago.

Sam, apparently, had not been aware of that, as he ripped the pastel green dress off himself, as well as the cap. "Umm, Em's all settled, and the doctors say people can come in and see her now, but only five at a time. So, since you two probably won't be here long, Sue, Charlie?" They nodded, and walked past him, down the hall to where Emily was. "Sydney, Seth, Leah?" I was shocked that he chose me to be one of the first to see her instead of Jake or even Paul. I nodded mutely and followed him, Seth and Leah down the hall.

Emily looked tired and sweaty, but happy enough to see us. She was having a light conversation with Sue and Charlie - about their wedding, from what I could tell. Leah went over and sat in the chair that was next to her head. Sue and Charlie talked to Sam for a moment, but after that, they left. Upon their departure, Seth and Paul entered the room.

For some reason, I felt oddly out of place. Both Leah and Seth were talking to Emily, trying to make her feel better, talking her through her contractions. Sam, being the good husband he is, held her hand while he talked to Paul and Jake, but whenever he would feel her hand constrict around his, he'd halt the conversation and try and help her through it. I, on the other hand, was pressed to the wall and taking up space. So I left the room and made the walk back down the hall to the waiting room, where Claire waited. At the sight of me, she squealed and sprinted off down the hall.

I sat in a waiting room chair, wondering what the hell I was doing here anymore.

My phone rang, cutting off my train of thought. Kim's ringtone, "Heaven" by DJ Sammy, blasted at my leg, and I silently pulled it out and flipped it open, confused as to why she was calling me. "Hello?" I answered uncertainly.

"Hey, Sydney," she responded, sounding relieved, and staticy, but I'm thinking that was the phone's fault. "Where are you guys? And why is nobody answering their phone?" And then it dawned on me. Jared and Kim had been in the guest bedroom, and no one had bothered to go wake them up. In fact, everyone had probably forgotten they were there. I had to clamp my lips shut to stop the giggles I was dying to emit. "Hello? Earth to Sydney; you still there?"

I swallowed my laughter and sobered up. "Yeah, I'm still here, Kim," I said, attempting to sound normal and non-chalant. "We're actually all at the hospital right now; Em went into labor." I closed my eyes and held the phone away from my ear, waiting for the explosion.

"WHAT!"

She sure as hell didn't disappoint. He voice came through so clear, it was almost like she was standing right in front of me. I rubbed my ear as the speaker in my phone squealed, sounding like it was dying, and the poor thing probably was. "Yeah, sorry, bye Kim!" I scrambled to say, hurrying to shut my phone. I caught the beginning of what was surely going to be a threat on my life, but was satisfied not knowing.

My phone went off again a second later, not that I hadn't expected that, but the sound was slow and sluggish and softer than it had been before. I picked up my phone and looked at it sadly. "She killed it." Shit, now I had to buy a new phone. I kissed the screen of my now fried phone and stuffed it in my pocket.

I sat there for a while; people came in and out of Emily's room, switching places. I noticed Leah never came out, but I supposed that was understandable. I even found out that they'd asked her to be in the room for the delivery. The vision of Leah in one of those pastel colored plastic dresses was slightly less humorous than the vision of Sam, but they both certainly had comedic value and blackmail written all over them. I swore I'd get a picture of at least one of them before I left.

But I got bored of just sitting there, waiting for something to happen. Sometimes, labor could take over twenty-four hourse, and I was starting to get stiff, so I got up and decided to wander around the hospital. I must have passed three vending machines, but resisted the urge for Em's sake; the only thing she was allowed to have were those damnable ice chips.

I ended up looking into a room through a big glass window. It was the room where the high risk babies were taken care of; the NICU, otherwise known as the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. No one ever remembers being in there themselves, if they ever were, but when I was a little girl, my dad told me that if you ever stare into that room, you will never ever be able to forget what you see, and looking into there now, I knew he was right. I had been there, once, I knew. I had been two months too early. And looking into this room now, I don't know how my dad could even stand to see his only daughter like this. I didn't know the people those babies belonged to, and yet, even still, I could barely stand to look at it myself, feel a small fraction of the pain that the parents of these infants were feeling.

One of the baby's moniters started beeping, and I saw one of the numbers on the screen start going down. A doctor yelled, and two other doctors in the room came running, surrounding the baby, covering her from sight. I backed up, horrified at the image before me, and felt one of the most familiar sensations in the world. I turned, hiding my face in Paul's chest, crying a little bit. It was irrational, but I did. I felt his strong arms wrap around me, and he held me there, staying quiet while I cried for this small person that I didn't even know.

"Syd," he whispered softly into my ear, "look." I didn't want to, but something in his tone compelled me to. And when I did, I saw that the baby's heart rate was back up, and whatever that number on the moniter had meant, it was back up. And what was more, the baby was awake, crying and flailing in its little bed. And this time, the tears were happy ones. He hugged me again and I could almost feel the smile radiating off of him.

He led me back to the waiting room where Quil and Embry had taken to playing a very intense game of rock-paper-scissors, Claire had fallen asleep, Jake watched some infomercial, looking extremely beat, and Collin and Brady were both also asleep in their respective chairs. Jared and Kim were, no doubt, with Emily, as were Leah and Seth.

Paul and I sat in a pair of the chairs, talking to each other for several hours. I nodded off for a little while a couple times - his voice just made me feel so warm and safe and comfortable - and every time I did, he would rest my head against his chest until I woke up again, far too stubborn to stay asleep for long. I found out Paul had a little sister, Kate, and he learned that I might soon be getting two new brothers. I also learned that he used to be a baseball star. Which, coincidentally, is my favorite sport. I even told him about my mom leaving me and my dad's death. He, in turn, told me that his dad had left them too.

It seemed forever until Sam came out of the hallway looking more panicked than I'd ever seen him. But I'd been prepared, because he was wearing the dress, so I took out my camera and snapped a quick picture, then hid the camera behind my back, feighning innocence. "She's fully dilated, they're rolling her down to delivery." That was all he said before he turned around and darted back through the door, bearing the semblance of a frightened animal.

Embry seemed to be thinking along the same lines - as always. I've officially decided he is my long lost twin. We have yet to decide which one of us is the evil one, but I'm thinking at this point, he's leaning more toward me. But he looked at Sam had just been standing, the door still swinging in his panicked wake. "Did any of you catch that? I don't speak freaked out Sam. Sydney?" He looked at me with an innocent grin. Go ahead, bury yourself in a deeper hole. It'll make it that much more fun to get back at you.

But I shrugged anyway. But after that, it seemed no one could focus anymore. Seth, Jared and Kim all joined us back in the waiting room, and there was always at least one person staring at the door.

It appears that Emily's got more a set of lungs on her than I ever thought, because, at one point, though it sounded a little distant, I could actually hear her yelling at Sam, and I'd never known Emily to cuss, but today, she sure as hell did. And then, the screaming stopped. Sam came through the doors, looking excited. "Nicholas Leon Uley. Seven pounds, eight ounces and healthy as a horse." I doubt the waiting room had even been as loud as it was when the pack broke out cheering. Sam smiled and went back through the doors to witness the birth of his second son. And again, Emily proved that she had some good lungs and a really extensive vocabulary.

This time, when the doors opened, and Sam came through, he looked absolutely... shocked. There was no other word to describe him. "Michael Jacob is... a girl."

Yeah, I could so see why he would be shocked.

-Forever His-

The recovery room was much nicer than the one Emily had spent her labor in. And a lot more spacious too. Which made no sense to me, quite honestly, but hey, who cares? We all gathered around Emily as she, sweaty and tired as hell, held the two little things that made it all worth it. Sam sat directly next to her, and when he got fussy took Nick in his arms and rocked him back and forth trying to calm them.

Leah stood next to Sam, leaning over him and gently stroking Nick's cheek with one of her fingers, smiling a watery smile. She sniffed deeply and stood all the way up, grabbing a tissue from Emily's bedside table and dabbing at her eyes. Yeah, like we all didn't look crappy anyway. "So, now that Michael Jacob is a girl, what are you going to name her?" she asked, obviously trying not to cry as Sam offered to let her hold little Nick. I could visibly see the stony Leah melt away as he was set in her arms.

"I don't know," Emily said. "We always planned for two boys; we didn't even discuss girl's names." She offered the little girl her finger, and I saw Emily fall in love with her little girl all over again as her tiny fingers wrapped around Emily's. I grinned. "You want to hold her, Sydney?" Em asked, looking up at me.

I was standing closest to Emily's head on the opposite side of Sam. But I was still kinda surprised. But nonetheless, I nodded, leaning down and staying very steady as Emily transferred her into my arms. Once I felt she was safe, I stood up to my full height and looked down at her. She was beautiful; absolutely gorgeous. I smiled down at her as she squirmed a bit in my arms, but didn't make a sound. "How about Michaela Jacob?" I asked, and Jake, who was at the foot of Em's bed, looked up immediately in response, a skeptical look on his and several of the other guys' faces. "I'm serious," I said with a laugh. "I don't tell many people this, but I might as well now. My middle name isn't Christina; in reality, its Christopher. I tell everyone its Christina because that's what they want to hear, but I love my real middle name." I shrugged a little bit, and continued to stare down at the wonderful baby girl in my arms.

"You know, I like it," I heard Emily say, and when I looked down, she was looking at Sam, who nodded his approval. "It'll fit her, no doubt, with all you boys and Syd and Leah running around," she said, rolling her eyes. "Michaela Jacob Uley, meet your god-mother."

It took me a minute to register what she was saying, but when I looked down at Emily, she just beamed back up at me. My mouth dropped open, trembling slightly in my surprise. "You guys mean... I-I'm?" I couldn't even finish the question, but Emily's smile just grew, even the marred side of her face turning up in her joy, both her eyes sparkling with utter happiness. She nodded up and down vigorously.

"That's right," Sam said, and I turned to look at him. "If you want to be, we'd love you to be her god-mother, Sydney." He was smiling like a fool too.

I smiled, and for the second time tonight, tears rolled down my face. I nodded, pulling a Leah, and trying to hide my tears, but I wasn't nearly so successful, and as it turned out, neither was Leah. As I looked down at her, I choked back a little sob. "Hey, little one. I'm your Aunt Sydney." I rocked her back and forth in my arms, and I saw Sam and Em smile at each other out of the corner of my eye.

"Hey, Syd?" I looked up to see Seth looking at me. He looked far too innocent. "Do you speak baby?"

I looked down at little Michaela Jacob, and smiled again. "And you know what? When you're old enough, Aunt Sydney's going to teach you how to beat up all the smart-ass boys." I grinned and Seth's eyes widened in fear. Haha. Score two, LeHaye.

I stayed in the room with Emily and Sam for a long time. Leah stayed for a long time too, but, regrettably, she had work, and had to leave. And slowly, people filtered out, going home to shower, and go to work, or maybe come back here if they had nothing holding them back. But I stayed. Eventually, Em fell asleep and Sam drove home for a quick shower himself and to pick up some new clothes for himself and a baby toy or two for his new infants; Sam in dad mode was adorable. I was left holding both of the infants, one in each arm, and I couldn't help but thinking I wanted this one day. I wanted a family, like Sam and Emily had now.

When Sam got back, he urged me to go home and get some sleep. I'd been there over twenty-four hours, and it was almost dusk again already. I'd hardly even noticed. But I agreed; I was beyond exhausted, and I was set on coming to see Em and the twins in the hospital again tomorrow, so I figured going home and getting cleaned up could only do me good.

I walked to the parking lot, and just as I was about to exit the hospital, I realized that I'd been driven here by Paul and that I now had no ride - and no cell phone to call for one. With a frustrated sigh, I stomped to the automatic glass doors, and as they opened, I was surprised to find Paul, here, cleaned up and leaning against his truck, waiting for me, apparently. He grinned when he saw me, and waved. I gave him and incredulous look and raced across the lot for the second time, but this time, when I reached my destination, I latched my arms around Paul's neck. I was actually getting pretty good at those projectile hugs. "Need a ride?" he asked me, hugging me back.

I rolled my eyes and smacked his arm lightly, walking around to the other side and jumping in. He was already in the driver's seat, starting the car. More Linkin Park blasted through the speakers, and I sighed happily. Paul shook his head at me. "Sydney LeHaye, you are one of the oddest, funniest, most awesome girls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing."

I masked the blush his words caused by looking out the window, but I don't think I did a good job because I could hear him chuckling softly to himself anyway. "Thanks, but you know, you aren't so bad yourself," I said, getting a bit more confident with each word. "You're funny, you're cool, you're ripped, you have a great sense of humor, and great taste in music, obviously." And you're drop-dead sexy. But I didn't add in that last part in. Well, at least, I didn't think I had.

"Drop-dead sexy, am I?" He laughed, and I turned red. I hated it when I said stuff like that outloud. "Well, you beat me in that category. You're beautfiul."

I didn't know how to respond to that. He sounded so sincere, unlike any other compliment I'd had from a guy. And when I looked at him and saw him looking at me, I knew it was the truth; he thought I was beautiful. I could physically feel my happiness bubbling directly beneath my skin, but it came out as heat in my cheeks. "Thank you," I repeated because it was all I could say.

He pulled up in front of my house, and, reluctantly, I got out of the car and started walking towards my front door. I heard his door shut behind him, too. So he was going to walk me to the door? Awwww. I tried not squeal as he came up next to me and grinned. The walk to my front door had never been so great. I turned to him, sad, when we did reach the front door. He stood one step down from the porch, just staring at me, those eyes piercing me in the most pleasant way possible. "Thanks for the ride." I said shyly and turned to open the door.

"Sydney." he said, and I turned around again. He walked up the final step, and stood very close to me.

He leaned down; I closed my eyes.

And he kissed me.

A/N: 12:01 and I am finally finished! Gah! Less than a week! Are you proud of me? Cause I'm proud of me. *self-satisfied*

No, but seriously, I, like, couldn't stop writing this chapter. I even dialed down the vulgarity! OMGz. Which, of course, stands for Oh my Godfrey! Cause, you know, Sydney's agnostic. And holy hell, I was aiming for around 5,800 words and landed with over 8,300. Yep, I was shocked too. The sucky thing is, I will probably never do any better. :(

Anyhow, lets get to the part where Jassy asks you a rediculous amount of questions because she's so wiped.

Did you like it? Did you really, really like it? Did you hate it? Did you despise it? Do you hate me? If the answer is yes, to any of the aforementioned, why? What was your favorite line? Favorite scene? Favorite color? Favorite couple? Favorite character? Favorite friendship? Favorite ice cream? Favorite sleeping place? Favorite awakening of the pack members? Are you getting annoyed at all these questions? So am I!

Until we next meet.

Madly Yours,
Jassabella