I stood on my yoga mat bidding farewell to the sun. Chelsea followed the poses beside me. I couldn't believe she'd been with us a whole year. I also couldn't believe how well the two of us got along.

I had been sure having a vampire besides Marcus in the house was going to be a new form of hell on earth. But it hadn't been. She tended to spend a lot of time outside, in the cafe, watching tours. All of which meant I had to babysit. I got to do most of it human though, so it wasn't so bad.

"It's interesting, the human ties. They are so fragile. They really do break and rebuild so quickly, so easily. That couple there," she pointed to a young Asian pair, "they are not going to survive their stay. But those two," she pointed now to two people not even at the same table, "are going to leave closer than they arrived. It's already forming. I don't know how they don't see it. They've only said a few words to each other, but already they are falling in love." She looked at me now, her golden eyes full of curiosity. "Do you have any idea how much havoc I could raise?" She gave a bright smile. "I won't. I'm just going to tighten the tie between that couple there. They should have a nice vacation after all. What happens when they get home is out of my hands."

I shook my head. What could I say to any of that? We continued our coursework together and I was travelling to Winnipeg with Chelsea, tomorrow as it happened, so that she could take her final exams at the university. She was taking six exams over two days. The proctor thought she was mad, but she had insisted and they had no reason to deny her. I was chaperone. I was, as always, chaperone. Chelsea hadn't had a near miss in the last three months, but Winnipeg was much more densely populated than Churchill. I wouldn't trust Marcus there and he hadn't had a near miss since the one I'd heard about second hand. He'd lost a few fingers temporarily for not telling me. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

I stood in prayer pose watching the light fade from the sky. Chelsea quietly left my side, knowing I would stay until the sky went dark. I hated this day. The beginning of the long night. At least this year I'd be going south. The sun would rise in Winnipeg, the day would just be short.

I drew one last breath and let out a long "Ohm" before bowing. When I turned, I started. Marcus was behind me.

"Sorry. I wouldn't disturb you, but I wanted to give you something."

"Give me something?" I asked. "What would you give me right now?"

"Well, since the sun won't make me sparkle for a few days, I wanted to give you something that would shine in any light."

He got down on one knee and I bit my lip. I wouldn't hate this day any longer.

"Leah, my life hasn't been the same since you came into it, and I wouldn't go back to that old one for anything. Please, stay in my life for the rest of forever. Please, promise you'll let me be in your life for all the days you have. Marry me?" He opened the little box and the ring did sparkle. I wasn't even sure where the light was coming from. My hand shook a little as he slid the ring onto my finger.

It was only then that I realized I hadn't said anything yet. "Yes. Oh yes, of course, Marcus." I threw my arms around his neck. The familiar bone chill went up my arms. I pressed my lips to his and let his almost piercing scent sting my senses.

He let his hands slide into my track pants and pulled them down as he kissed his way along my throat. I could imagine a trail of icy water where his lips passed. His thumbs ran the inside of my thighs as my lips came to his hair. Eventually I couldn't even kiss that as he slid his face lower. He cupped my ass and I sat in his palms while his nose lifted the edge of my shirt to kiss my belly. His thumbs pressed into my joints, urging me open for him. I didn't need much urging. My knees fell wide and he pulled me to him.

My hands tightened in his hair at the first icy kiss on my hot inner lips. "Marcus," I murmured. I'd never taken to calling him Mark. The 'us' was important. His tongue was as clever as ever and had me crying for him in no time.

He stood then and lifted my legs to his hips. He reached around me to unfasten himself, teasing my folds as he did. At the same time his lips and tongue were happily tangling with mine.

"Am I allowed to break you tonight?" he asked.

"Only what I can heal by morning," I murmured, nipping his ear.

He growled and pressed me into one of the walls, driving himself into me. My head thumped and I felt sorry for Chelsea. Not that it wasn't anything she hadn't had to listen to many many times. His hands moved from my back, now that I was pinned, and came to my sides. He held me to the wall as he thrust into me. His cold shaft pierced through me, and I thought steam should be rising from the contrast.

"You are so hot," he agreed as he continued to fuck me into the wall. My hips knocked with each stroke and I was groaning again.

"Yes, Marcus. God." I tightened my hands on his shoulders, feeling my nails snap. I could also feel the bruises forming on my ass, my pubic bone. I didn't care. He felt so good.

Apparently I felt pretty good, too, because I could feel him starting to throb in me. That just swept me further and I started to bear down on him as he bashed me into the wall over and over again.

"Come for me," I begged him.

"Your wish." He speared me to the wall. I was sure I heard dry wall crack. I know I felt bone protest. He opened his mouth in a silent cry as he erupted. He tipped his head toward me, and I quickly put the heel of my hand to his jaw.

"Good thing one of us wasn't completely lost in the moment," I taunted as his mouth closed with a click.

"A very good thing. But I think perhaps, it is your turn to be lost in the moment." He moved very quickly, but very little. My abused body didn't protest this. He wasn't thrusting me into the wall any longer, just holding me there while he moved faster than I could follow. The walls of me tried to catch him, tried to follow, but failed.

I twitched and I twisted. I gritted my teeth and waited for him to stop, to let me squeeze him. He knew how this teased me. He knew how hard it made me come, and he used that fact. I pulled his lip into my mouth and bit it.

He growled and speared me again. I gasped and groaned as the ripples ran through me. I clutched his shoulders and ducked my head, my whole body tensing. "Yes, Leah," he whispered. I came undone.

Chelsea and I rode the train in the dark, arriving in Winnipeg mid-morning. The sun had topped the horizon, but the buildings gave ample shadows for Chelsea to navigate. With the hood of her ski jacket up, someone would have to be looking right into her face to notice that she sparkled like the snow.

I walked with her into the arts' building and found where she was to write her exams. We both took one look at the south facing windows and turned back to the proctor.

"I have a skin condition that makes me sensitive to sunlight," Chelsea explained. "Is there another room I might use?"

"Of course," the proctor agreed and moved her to a grad student office that was unoccupied. It was also windowless. The proctor was thrilled because her cube was adjacent and she could work while administering the exam.

"I'll be back at four," I told Chelsea.

I walked to the government offices. I had arranged an interview while I was in town. I really wanted to work with addicts who weren't hooked on blood. Chelsea seemed to be doing really well, but both she and Marcus complained of discomfort among larger groups of humans. I tried to equate this to an alcoholic going to a bar with his friends. It wasn't something they ever needed to be comfortable doing. Obviously, their lives would be easier if I could help them through this part. Still, working with someone with a 'normal' problem, could be nice.

"Hello. I'm Leah Clearwater. I'm here to see Frank Lambert?" I asked at reception.

"Of course. He's the office at the end of the cubes." The woman rose and pointed down the corridor created by false walls. Ick. I would never be cut out to work in an office building. The town complex had open atrium for AA meetings and other such groups.

Frank Lambert's office had a nice view of the river. I looked at it through the windows separating us before knocking on the door.

"Come in," he called.

"Hello. Mr. Lambert. I'm Leah Clearwater. I asked you to meet with me today."

"Yes, Miss Clearwater."

"Mrs," I corrected. My engagement ring over the plain band I'd worn since arriving in Churchill sparkled as I noticed it.

"Mrs," he said with a smile. "Please sit. Tell me what brings you to see me."

"I have been hoping to put my education and skills to use in my new hometown of Churchill. I noticed the Province doesn't have many programs for addictions there and was hoping that I might be able to offer my services. On some sort of contracted basis, perhaps?" I had no idea how Canadian government agencies handled such things. I just knew there were never any postings for Churchill.

"You're living in Churchill?" he asked. "May I ask what brought you there?"

"The midnight sun?" I said with a smile. "In all honesty, the scenery and the people. I was travelling and found the community most welcoming, but I know the Dene do have some individuals who could use someone like me." I referred to the northern Indian band. "I've tried to help those I can, but an official capacity would certainly help me reach more."

"You have been working already?"

I nodded. "I have met with some elders who have guided me to a few I was able to consult with. They were all one-on-one though. I can't help very many people that way." I pulled a folder from my bag and slid it across Lambert's desk. "That's the numbers of some of the people I have worked with. Nathan Fox, Alex Cyrpien, George Lamoreaux. They've all agreed to answer any questions you might have regarding me." All three were alcoholics. All three were recovering.

The interview continued for another thirty minutes with me recounting my tactics, my successes, my failures. I even used a few of the experiences I had had with Chelsea and Marcus. He took them with the others and smiled. "I think you definitely have a calling to this type of work, Leah. You seem drawn to help people who are unable to help themselves. I will keep your information and talk with the department head. I'm sure we can arrange something."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." I rose and shook his hand again before leaving.

Chelsea wasn't finished when I returned so I headed for the library and read some journal articles while I waited. I photocopied a couple I thought would be useful. I grabbed food before returning to Chelsea. She had just finished.

"What would you like to do tonight?" she asked me.

"Something social," I admitted. "I'm starting to feel like recluse."

She laughed. "Fair enough. What would you suggest? A club?"

A club. I had never been one for clubbing, but it sounded like a good idea. "Sure. But we'll have to pick me up something to wear. I didn't pack anything to wear out."

Chelsea grinned broadly. "Oh, I'm sure we'll find something good." She led me to the nearest shopping center.

An hour later, I was dressed in an ivory halter top and hip-hugger leather pants, red. "Really?" I asked her when I tried them on.

"Really," Chelsea said with a nod. She had actually packed something for an evening out. It was a pink sequined dress. "Marcus is going to be so jealous he wasn't here for this."

"Why?"

"Didn't you look in the mirror? You are delicious looking, Leah." She smacked her lips and I smacked her. She laughed. "Let's go break some hearts." She hooked my arm and led me from our hotel.

The club was already bustling when we got in. I ordered a shot and slammed it quick so Chelsea wouldn't be waiting on me. There wasn't much point in me drinking either, but it would get me on the floor. Once there, I'd probably stay. I loved to dance, even if I was a bit self-conscious.

Chelsea chuckled. "Don't rush on my account."

"Just need the courage," I explained. "Outta my way," I growled and charged the dance floor.

We gathered a collection of boys very quickly, hardly surprising with Chelsea around. I left her at one point to get another shot. She was looking a little desperate when I came back. "Do you know what those boys want?"

"Do they want you to eat them?" I asked with a huge grin.

"I think they do. We should go before I consider granting their wishes."

"No problem," I agreed and we tailed it out of there. "You were really tempted?" I asked when we were back on the street.

"Not so much. But, the vampires in Denali, well not Kate anymore, they... they had relationships with humans. I... I was starting to be tempted to try, but I know I'm not ready for that. I'd kill them for sure."

I nodded and tried not to be grossed out of my mind. "But you'd like to try, someday?" I verified.

"Yeah. I think so. I mean, it's not like I'm going to be running into a lot of male vampires, is it?"

I chuckled. "I suppose not. Did they tell you much? In Denali?"

Chelsea shook her head. "Mostly they just told me they did. Tanya didn't 'bring anyone home' while I was there. She said it's a tricky thing to learn, though. She had some... near misses."

And I was getting grossed out. I needed to work past that. In my line of work I was going to hear things that were sickening. I took a breath of cold night air. "It was just a matter of practice," I assumed.

"Exactly. She still has the odd broken bone, I'm sure you understand that," she nudged me and I tried not to scowl. "But all of her lovers in the last decade were able to at least limp home."

I chuckled with her at that image. Some poor man beat up by the pretty lady. Of course he wouldn't know she could tear him limb from limb in less than ten seconds.

"You thought at all about the wedding? I know it's only been a day, but-"

"A little," I admitted. "Mostly just that I'd like to have it at home, y'know? With Mom and Seth and the pack. That would be nice."

"That sounds nice. Are you thinking sooner or later? Spring or fall?" Her gold eyes rested on me, and I shrugged.

"I hadn't gotten that far in the planning yet."

Chelsea suddenly bobbed up and down on her toes. "I'm so happy for you two," she squealed.

I laughed. "Did someone slip you something in there?" I looked over my shoulder back to the club several blocks away now.

She laughed too. "No. Just excited. I can't wait to help you plan." I cringed at the thought. On the other hand, I'd never thrown a party, I'd better take all the help I could get.

So I spent the next day, while Chelsea wrote more exams, looking at wedding shops because I'm a glutton for punishment. Everything was so... so girly. I couldn't stand any of it. All the shop keepers were very helpful, and I drilled them on everything surrounding a wedding. They gave me cards with addresses for bakers, invitations, DJs. I was completely overwhelmed. I decided to look at invitations. I could certainly get those from Winnipeg. When I saw the size of the sample book I almost ducked out again. How did women do this?

That was when I found the wedding planner. She was in the same shop and saw my look of terror. "What's the date?" she asked me. She put her pen down and pulled out her card from her black portfolio.

"I don't have one yet," I admitted bashfully.

"My name is Sonya," she said handing me the card with a pair of silver rings on it. "Many women find they either don't have the time or inclination to put together the wedding they want. Also, most have never had to throw a wedding. That's what we're for."

I nodded. "Well, I'm planning on getting married in Washington, so..."

She shook her head. "No problem, keep the card. You might want me for a day or two to help with little things. Give me a call, I'm happy to help."

"Thanks," I mumbled, pocketing her card.

She watched over my shoulder as I flipped through the gigantic book. She noticed which ones I stopped on. "Here," she said pulling a different book forward and flipping to a section. "You'll find what you want in here."

She was right. These were much less florid, simple, neat. They had class without being presumptuous. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"There's a reason this is my job," she said rolling her brown eyes.

"Right," I smiled. "What do you charge anyway?"

"Depends. For a whole wedding I'll usually do a commission. For you, I'd probably do an hourly, as you'd only need me once in a while, but I could save you a lot of time."

"I see that." I looked through another few pages. "I really like this one," I fingered an ivory invitation with dark blue lettering.

She looked with me, then flipped three pages and found another on the same paper in a different color and font. She flipped to a third that I also liked. "Either of those better?" she asked.

"No, and now you made the choice harder," I grumbled.

She laughed. "Well you should make an informed choice, shouldn't you? Do you know how many you're inviting?"

I shook my head. "An idea. Probably a hundred or so. Most of my reservation will show up whether they get an invite or not," I said with a snort. "But at least that many that I'd want to invite."

"What about the groom's side."

I nodded. "He probably has a few he'd want on the list too. He doesn't have a lot of family though."

"Well... I'm sorry, I never did catch your name."

"Leah."

"Well, Leah, be sure to give me a call or email when you have more details. I can help with websites and online bookings, too."

I smiled at Sonya, she was pushy, but in her line of work she probably had to be. "I'll remember."

When we got off the train the next day, I called my Mom. "Guess what."

"You're pregnant," she dead-panned.

"Well, there goes the surprise." I kept my voice as flat.

"Really?" She got excited now.

"No! Geez, Mom. I'm engaged though."

"Really?" It was only slightly less enthusiastic.

"Really. I'd like to have it on the res. Think you can help be my go-between?"

"Of course! Oh honey, I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Mom." I noticed the vampires being nosey in the doorway. I made a shooing motion and they at least went around the corner.

I made arrangements with Mom to start planning for a wedding in the spring. I thought holding it on Marcus' name day would be nice. It was a special day with him. We'd had a little celebration with Chelsea this year, polar bear and ptarmigan, fun times. Well, they enjoyed it, which was the point. The ptarmigan wasn't eaten, just chased. They suggested I take it home and roast it, but that was just silly. They were actually rather small birds. They told me stories all day about Volturi celebrations, ones that didn't involve human blood.

Plans moved ahead, and I asked Sonya to order the invitations and have them shipped to me. I was glad I hadn't done much more planning than that. In the middle of February, one month to the big day, we got a surprise.

Chelsea opened the door. "Hello? Suplicia! Renata!"

I closed my eyes and almost cried. Two new vampires in my home. It was going to stink to high heaven in here.

I heard Marcus greet and welcome them as well. I seriously considered running away.

"What is that smell?"

That did it. I pulled off my clothes and phased in the house. I snarled as I charged down the stairs. The brunette backed out into the night and ran. The blonde was trampled by my paws. The brunette stopped at the edge of the town and turned to me.

"No. You are one. You cannot hurt me." She closed her eyes though, she was still afraid.

I ran for her and was past her without realizing. She was the shifty one. I turned back and walked up to her slowly. She hadn't turned. I got within reach of her back and huffed. She flinched. I coughed a chuckle. I stuck my nose in her hair and exhaled, sending it over her shoulders.

"Ewww. That smell." She ran again, back to the house this time. I coughed another laugh and chased after her. I ran straight for her and was suddenly past her again, but this time I used it to get into the house and up the stairs. I phased back and dressed.

"Well, what has the wind blown our way today?" I asked with a smirk as I descended.

Suplicia was still trying to straighten herself out. She scowled at me. "You replaced Didyme with this? Your standards have fallen, Marcus." The blonde was trying to get all the hair out of her face.

I bared teeth at her.

Chelsea frowned at me now. "Leah, I know they didn't make the best impression..."

"Whatever," I grumbled. "Marcus. Start work on an outbuilding for us please? I don't want to share a house with this many vampires." I climbed the stairs once more.

Marcus followed me into our bedroom. "Leah?"

I was laying on my stomach reading a journal article. After photocopying three articles, I'd decided to subscribe to it. "Yeah?"

"I know we're imposing on you."

"Yeah." I really didn't want to talk about this. They were here; they were going to stay here, and I was going to make sure no one got killed. Nothing new.

He rubbed a hand down my back and the chill through my sweater made goosebumps rise. I closed my eyes and dropped the periodical. "It's going to reek of them in here. I don't know if I can take it." I shook my head on my arms.

His hand made circles on my spine, starting at my neck and working down. "I will buy supplies for a new building tomorrow, all right? I want you to be as comfortable as you can be."

The tears that had been threatening since I heard their voices broke through. "I'm sorry, Leah." His lips found the back of my neck as his hands moved on my shoulders, squeezing and smoothing, squeezing and smoothing.

I turned my head to him. "We're going to have to back up the wedding." Another fat tear rolled down my nose.

He kissed it. "We don't have to. They'll come with us."

I shook my head again. "I'm not going to be ready."

His hands stopped their gentle manipulations. They began again after a moment. "Is it something I can help with?"

"Yes and no." I rolled onto my side. "I just phased in our house and trampled two of your friends. Apparently I'm not as recovered as I like to think."

"Leah, no one holds-"

"I hold it against me, Marcus. I want to be a woman, not a bitch. Being antagonized is not an excuse." I rolled onto my back and put my palms to my eyes. "I want to be a woman."

"You are a woman," he whispered in my ear. He ran his hand over my collarbone, my chest, my belly, between my legs. "You are a beautiful woman. You are no bitch. It is our fault, Chelsea and I. We've made you be that again. I'm sorry." He kissed me as his hand slid into my pants. I hadn't put anything on under them when I redressed so quickly. I gasped at his freezing touch.

"Marcus." I closed my eyes as I pulled my hands down, one to his wrist. I pulled his hand out of my pants. "That's not going to make it better."

He nodded, his cold nose rubbing on mine. I opened my eyes and saw the concern and love in his. I felt tears coming again. "I'm trying so hard," I told him. "I was getting along really well with Chelsea. Why did I snap? I don't understand."

"I do." I flinched at the voice outside our door.

"Come in, Chelsea," I said with a sigh.

"It's Suplicia," she said as she entered. "You saw it, didn't you, Marcus? I'm trying to tweak it now, but I don't think I should. If we're going to live together, it would be better to have real bonds."

"What. What did you see?" I was curious now. I sat up.

"There's... a negative bond. I've never seen such a thing before." He shook his head. "It's like you naturally repel each other. I don't understand."

I nodded. It made sense. I had run after Renata, but I didn't have any real ill will toward her. Trampling Suplicia had been my goal. "Do you think it has to do with the pack watching her? Did they, I don't know, mark her somehow?"

Chelsea and Marcus looked at each other. They shrugged. "Maybe that's it." Chelsea came in and sat beside me. "Do you want me to try to erase it? At least in the short term? Would it make you feel better?"

I chuckled. "Well, I don't know that we need go that far. Let's see if it straightens itself out in a week. If it doesn't, I'll take you up on that offer."

Chelsea smiled and nodded. "With that, I'll leave you to what you were discussing before I rudely interrupted. I don't think you're a bitch, Leah." She rolled her eyes.

"I know you don't. Thank you, Chelsea."

She closed the door behind her. Marcus stroked my cheek. "Feeling better?"

I shrugged. "A little, I guess. I still think I should have better control. You know, there isn't a year on those invitations." I smiled now. "We could just do this another year."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "This isn't because you don't want to marry me is it?"

"What? Of course not!" I was shocked. Where could he have gotten that idea from?

"Or that you don't want to have a wedding? As you pointed out, to the people here we already are married."

I kissed him now, trying to stop the words. "I am looking forward to my mother walking me down the aisle." That was something we had worked out over the phone. "I want to see you waiting for me at the end of it. I love you, Marcus. But in that dream, I'm in complete control of myself. Wouldn't it ruin everything if the bitch shows up that day? It's all right, Marcus. Neither of us is getting older," I reminded him, smiling. "I can wait a little longer, if you can."

He kissed me again. "I've waited so long for you. I can wait a little longer."

I leaned back as he crawled over me. I put my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He resisted, slipping his hands under my sweater. He removed it and my pants easily. I was still working on his shirt. He continued to kiss me, making my fingers slip. I gave up on the shirt and reached down to his waist instead. He chuckled against my mouth and rested his forehead on mine. "I love you so much, Leah."

He finally helped me by removing the offending clothing. His icy body against mine soothed the burning under my skin. My blood rushing was calmed by his strong arms around me. "Never let me go," I begged him.

"Never," he agreed willingly. He was suddenly in me and I gasped. "I will hold you forever."

I sighed in pleasure that wasn't entirely physical. My heart felt full.

"Is the bitch in heat?" I heard from somewhere in the house.

Poor Marcus. He was suddenly kicked across the room by paws and I stormed down the stairs on four limbs. This time I didn't stop short of taking the blonde's arms.