Chapter 6! Holy cow. I really have nothing to say in this note-thingy other than that I liked Seth in this chapter. And Embry. And Christa. And Walker. Woo hoo!

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Please Enjoy!

ChristaPOV

The next morning, I woke to something stroking my face. At first, I nearly panicked, thinking I was at home where nobody else should have been in my room. But then, out of the haze of sleep, I remembered last night, Walker's voice asking me to stay with him.

Slowly, I opened my eyes while his fingers stroked the bridge of my nose. He grinned down at me.

"Good morning, gorgeous."

I couldn't help but smile. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"Better. Much better. I think sleeping more helped. As well as being next to you."

Frowning, I leaned up on my elbow. "Walker, I don't understand. All of a sudden you're acting like you like me. As in, like me, like me."

He sighed and took my hand. "Christa, you remember when we were patrolling Forks looking for the other wolves?"

I nodded.

"When you came up with the idea to play a couple, and we...kissed in the grocery store. I didn't want to stop." His eyes met mine. "And I knew it was you in my arms. I did everything to push you away. I was rude and a total asshat. Tricia had been in my head for so long, and I'd convinced myself with the lie that I just couldn't handle what my body was feeling. I was drawn to you, in a way that I had never been drawn to Tricia. The word 'want' isn't near strong enough for how I felt toward you, and still do. I made a mistake, and I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you."

Air was hard to come by for a few heartbeats. When I finally got a full breath, I said, "What are you saying?"

His tan fingers laced with mine. "I'm saying that I want there to be an 'us'. I want to try. Embry said I'm your imprint. From what I've heard that means that I'm your match, right?" I nodded. "Ok, then. Let me prove to you I'm not the guy I showed you. I'd never acted like that before. I was just so angry that life was throwing me another curveball. I'd thought I'd gotten lucky, a break, when I figured out Tricia was adopted, and then I met you, and shit got weird. But now, after you thought I wanted to die to be away from you?" He shook his head. "I want nothing more than to be right here. Besides," he said with a smile, "Embry and my sister look too good together."

I laughed.

"But seriously, Christa. There is nothing I want more than to make things up to you. You didn't deserve what I did."

I stared at our laced hands. "So you thought a lot about this, huh?"

He shrugged. "Well, I had some time between beatings."

When I looked up at his face, he was smiling softly. "I'm sorry. I-"

He brought my hand up to kiss the back of it. "It's ok. I'm ok. Actually, I am kind of grateful. I thought about you every moment. That's how I got through it. I replayed our kiss over and over. Thought about your lips and how I'd wanted to run my tongue over them , to taste you. A life with you, making everything up to you. Christa, I know that I'm confusing you, but that whole time, I just really wanted you. I tried not to. But that's why I kissed you back. I just had to know."

I squeezed his hand, not ready to let myself fall for all this, but so ready to. "Ok. We'll go a day at a time. First, you need to heal. Are you hungry? I could get you something?"

He shook his head. "Nah, I think I can walk. Seriously, Christa, I feel good as new. I went to the bathroom on my own and everything worked fine."

Sitting up, I stared at him with panic coursing through me. "When?"

"Before you woke up. I'm a little tense like I need to stretch, but other than that everything feels great."

"Why didn't you wake me up just in case?"

"Because you looked comatose last night. I wasn't about to wake you up when you were actually sleeping. Besides, Edward was outside the room the whole time. I'm fine." He stroked my hair back and kissed my forehead. "Now, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

Sighing, I gave up on the whole wake me up thing. We took turns in the bathroom. Once we were both dressed and decent we went for the kitchen. Walker wrapped his hand around mine, smiling when I looked up at him.

"Is this ok?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It's ok."

The smile turned to a grin. "Good." His thumb stroked over my wrist. "How are you and Morgan?"

The question surprised me for a moment. " Uh...Good. We're good."

"So, what's been going on since I've been gone? What's happened?"

"Well," I said as we landed on the first floor. "Jacob and Nessie got married."

"Oh, wow."

"After Tristan went after Nessie again. Jacob got torn up pretty bad but Caden says he hurt Tristan in return. We also have ninety percent of Tristan's pack in our vampire-made prison. They've been given choices."

He made a face. "I'm so sick of all this shit. Why can't we get left alone?"

I gave him a look. "We?"

He nodded. "We. If they'll have me, I fully intend on being part of this pack. Jacob and Caden have done a lot for me. A lot that I haven't been appreciative of since they found me in that clearing."

Grinning, I squeezed his hand. "Good. I want you to stay. You belong here with us."

Again, he brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "Anything else going on?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but a baby's cry beat me to it.

"Shelby had her baby."

Walker met my eyes with shock. "What?"

I nodded. "Baby boy. His name is Brayden."

He looked toward the dining room where the sound had come from. "But she was barely pregnant when I left."

I shrugged. "It has something to do with your kind of wolf. Apparently, the gestation rapidly sped up. He's only about three weeks old, though. Born the last week of October."

"A Halloween baby. The best kind of treat."

When I laughed, the house went quiet. "Come on. They're curious."

Together, we walked into the dining room. Caden, Ethan, and Lucy were seated at one end while some of the others were seated on the other. Brayden was being passed around. He'd finally opened his eyes, and we'd all been shocked. We'd all thought he'd look like his father since Seth had the strongest genes, but nope. Those bright green eyes and black hair was very Harry Potter-esque. Since he'd been born before Halloween, Shelby thought it would be hilarious to dress him up that way. Pictures had been taken. I had one framed at my house.

"Oh, wow," Walker whispered beside me.

"Walker!"

Tricia got up from her chair next to Embry to run up to us. I threw out my arm so that she wouldn't fling herself onto him. Even though he was healing quickly, that didn't mean that he was ready for that much pressure on his body.

He glanced at me. "Thanks. Hey, little sister." Gently, he wrapped his arms around his now-crying sister. "It's ok, Trish. I'm fine."

"I missed you so much," she cried, gripping his shirt hard.

"I missed you, too."

For a few minutes, he just rocked her as she sobbed against him, his cheek resting on the top of her head. Nessie came up to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

She offered me a smile. "How is everything?"

Looking over at my imprint, I nodded. "Good. We're...good."

We looked back just in time to see Tricia lean back and smack Walker over the head.

"You stupid, freaking moron. What is wrong with you? Do you know how worried I was? How worried Christa was? Don't you ever do anything that stupid again. We were ready to come after you, but Caden wouldn't let us. What happened to you anyway? You lied about going to Jeremy's."

I saw Walker's eyes flick over Tricia's head to meet Embry's, a question floating from him to the other wolf. Embry shook his head. He hadn't told Tricia what had happened to her brother. No doubt he was trying to protect her from the horrors of our world that were changing with every second.

Walker looked back down at Tricia. "In all honesty, that's where I was heading."

"You never made it?"

He shook his head, but stroked a finger down the slope of her nose. "We'll talk about it later, ok? It's not really a happy topic and right now, I need some positivity. And I have something to say to everyone."

Immediately, everyone's attention came this way, eyes darting between me and Walker. Seth positioned Brayden against his chest, rubbing his son's back in big circles.

"What's up, Walker?" Jacob asked.

He cleared his throat and looked at me. "I've already apologized to Christa, and it will never be enough. But I was thinking about what you said the other day, Jacob. About how I put everyone in danger when I took off. And you're right. So, I want to say, to everyone who can hear me, that I am so, so sorry for what I did. It was stupid and selfish. And if it's possible, I would like to be a part of the pack. I want to help take Tristan down for everything he's done. I swear to you that I will follow any order you give me. Jacob, Seth, Ness, any of you. I want this family." Turning to me, he held his hand out to me. I went to him and he pulled me in against his body. "Christa and I are going to start over, and try the whole imprint thing. I have a lot to prove, but you guys are her family. What better way to encompass all of that? And, I mean, of course, I care about all of you. I just didn't want to. Not after what happened to me and my confusion about my feelings. It was all too much. And I know that's not an excuse, but it's the truth. And I just-,"

"Walker," Jacob interrupted.

Walker took a deep breath. "Yeah?"

"Welcome home."

RPOV

Once everyone had settled, Mom and Esme had put out breakfast. Walker had shaken hands with Embry before sitting across from him and Tricia. Christa sat next to him, her face glowing with joy. She'd been so worried about him. Barely eating or sleeping, Jacob had tried to cut down her patrol hours, but she'd refused, insisting that the patrols and running would give her a purpose rather than being bored and having to think. Jacob had agreed but had also told her that if she slipped he'd bench her.

Now, she'd slept all through last night curled up with Walker. They'd helped to heal each other. He looked as fresh and jock-like as he had before disappearing. Only his hair was longer. And Christa looked as if she'd slept for a week, the rest sinking into her. Her skin glowed healthily, eyes were clear and alert. She'd been quick to step between Walker and Tricia when the sister had almost thrown herself onto her brother.

I was done eating, Jacob wolfing down what was left on my plate, and I sat back to watch everyone as they laughed, told jokes, and filled Walker in on what had gone down while he'd been gone. During a quiet moment, Carlisle excused himself so he could go experiment with some things.

A moment later, a baby appeared in my field of vision. Brayden smiled and gurgled at me.

"Ness, you wanna take him? I gotta go for my patrol and Shelby needs to eat."

"Hey!" came from the other side of him. "I eat."

Smiling, I took Brayden. "Sure. I'd love to. Everybody's been hogging him."

Seth smiled at me, kissed his son's head, and kissed Shelby. On his way out, he turned back with an evil glint in his eyes. "Oh, and Ness? I think he might need to be changed."

We all laughed as he ducked out of the room.

Shelby held out her hands. "Here, I'll get it."

I shook my head and stood up. "Nah, it's ok. I can take care of it. Where'd you put his bag?"

"In the living room, next to the couch. Are you sure? I can get it."

I gave her a pointed look. "You eat. I'll take care of my nephew, thank you very much."

Chuckled followed me out of the room as Brayden's hands played in my hair. Locating the bag, I took him into the downstairs bathroom. I'd changed him a few times over the past couple weeks. It was messy this time, but we got through it. Though my eyes did water a bit. He grinned up at me as I blew raspberries on his chubby tummy. For a three week old, he was bigger than normal. Carlisle guessed that was because of his wolf parents, and the gene and disease lurking in his blood. Thankfully, though, he wouldn't be growing as fast as I had. Instead of looking like a three week old, Brayden looked more like five or six weeks old. At first, Shelby had panicked, but Carlisle and Caden had assured her that Brayden was perfectly healthy. She'd calmed only after Seth had showed his lack of freaking out. Sure he was worried, but Seth was the kind of guy to take a problem and ask how he should work it out. There was nothing they could do to stop the growth, so, Seth just spent a lot of time with his son since that's all he could do. I'd had to explain that to Shelby when she came to me, asking why Seth wasn't having a meltdown.

Of course, I'd have been freaking out, too, if it were my son. But seriously. Was something wrong with me? Was I broken on the inside?

And slowly, I looked up to ceiling, as if I could see my grandfather in his study.

Cleaning up all the baby-changing stuff, I picked Brayden up and walked out of the bathroom. Throwing the bag back on the floor next to the couch, I went for the dining room. I had to ask before I lost my nerve.

As I walked in, I caught Dad's frown. Throwing up my mental shield, his face took on an exasperated expression.

"Hey, Jacob, could you take him for a second? I gotta ask grampa a question."

He frowned as he took Brayden. "Charlie?"

And I realized my slip. "Uh, no. I meant Carlisle."

"Everything ok?"

I smiled as nonchalantly as I could. "Sure. Just some...girl problems." I tried to stick as close to the truth as I could since he could now smell a lie. And I believed it. If there was something wrong, it was my problem, a girl problem.

"Ah. Go for it."

I kissed his cheek and then went for the stairs. Shaking my hands out before I knocked on the door, I took a deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

"Come on in, Nessie," he said after I'd knocked.

He was bent over his notes. A microscope and several petri dishes of blood samples were laid out beside his elbow. He'd been studying all kinds of things. The differences between the two types of wolves, and the effect imprinting has on the blood were two of his main studies.

He looked up as the door shut behind me, closing the journal. Smiling, he motioned toward the chair in front of his desk.

"Have a seat, hun. What can I do for you?"

Sitting down, I sighed. "I need a favor actually."

His eyebrows rose. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"It might sound weird, but I need you to...to check me out."

Instantly, worry traced his features. "How so? Is everything ok?"

"Honestly? I don't know. I'm scared there might be something wrong with me. Reproductively speaking."

His eyebrows rose in understanding. "Ah." And then he frowned. "Nessie, it's perfectly natural for a woman to want a baby after a friend has had one."

I shook my head. "That's not it. I just want to make sure. I mean, Jacob and I have been...um, intimate...numerous times. And as you know we can't use protection. It just seems odd. Like I said, I just want to make sure."

Standing up, he came around the desk to kneel in front of me and took my hand. "Ok. I will take a look. But just know, it's not always the woman. Sometimes, it can be the man."

I shook my head. "It wouldn't be Jacob. He's the alpha. His genes have to carry on."

"Not necessarily. Generational glitches happen all the time, sweetie. But let's focus on you, ok? I have a feeling Walker won't be using the medical room so let me get that situated. When would you like to do this?"

That answer I'd known since before I walked in the room. "After Jacob goes on patrol tonight. Seth is only on a half patrol today just to get back in the swing of things, testing his ability to be away from Shelby and Brayden. Jacob's going to cover the rest of it."

For a long moment, he just studied me. "So, he's not to know about this?"

I shook my head. "If there's something wrong, I want him to hear it from me. If everything's ok, I'll tell him I suspected but that I'm fine." At the look he gave me, I said, "I'm not going to lie to him. I just...want this done alone. Between me and you, as my doctor."

He nodded. "Ok. I suppose I can understand. Let me get the room set up."

"Thank you, grampa."

His expression melted. "You're welcome, sweetheart."

JPOV

Something was up with Nessie, and I tried to hide that I knew that. As soon as she'd left, Caden had turned to me.

"Jacob. Jacob?"

I shook my head. "Yeah?" Looking down, I found Brayden fast asleep, his little fist in his mouth.

Everyone was staring at me when I looked back up.

"I was thinking that we may need to pay another visit."

"Visit?"

"To your cousins up north."

Brayden squirmed, his face scrunching up as if he were about to get fussy. Already, I knew that face, so I started rocking from side to side. In a matter of moments he calmed down.

"Why?"

Caden shared a look with Lucy and Ethan. "Tristan was holed up there with them. If the chief was still soft on them, they might be up there. Or the chief might know where he went."

I understood what he meant. If we could find Tristan while he was still injured, we could capture him. Though he still had some of his wolves around him, they weren't a match to my entire pack. And their leader was injured. They wouldn't leave him behind. If anything, they'd fight to protect him.

Finally, I nodded. "Yeah. Let's plan for that."

"Plan for what?"

Looking over, I found Nessie standing in the doorway. She looked a little more relaxed than she had when she'd left the room. She came over to sit next to me and stroked Brayden's head gently while he snoozed away. Studying her, I figured out what was bothering me. It was the look in her eyes. They were happy, but also sad, every time she looked at Brayden or Leila. Did she want a baby? Now?

Adjusting, I managed to stroke her cheek with my thumb. When she looked up at me, I gave her a questioning look.

"You ok?"

She smiled. "Yes, Jacob. I'm fine."

An acrid smell drifted from her. It wasn't strong, just a whiff, as if it wasn't quite a lie but definitely not the truth. I gave her another look, this one telling her that I knew she was lying. The smile vanished and her eyes dipped back down to Brayden. And then I realized that she was touching me, but I wasn't getting any flashes of her thoughts. She was blocking from me.

Opening my mouth to call bullshit, I didn't make it.

She looked up at me, eyes clear once more. "What are we planning for?"

For a moment I just stared at her. The wolf inside me didn't like that she was lying to us. He wanted to force a growl out and make her tell us the truth. She was our mate, my wife. The lie didn't feel right, but I pushed the wolf down, letting the lie go. Maybe she had a good reason, because after all we'd been through, she knew I couldn't stand the hiding or the thought-blocking.

"Well?" she prompted, giving me the look saying that she wasn't about to spill.

Looking at Caden, he nodded. "We're going to go back up to the Makah reservation."

"What? Why?"

"Because Tristan might be up there, or the chief might know where he is."

"Oh."

The wolf inside me was getting louder despite my efforts to contain him. I needed to get away from her before I did something I'd regret. I hadn't really realized how important the promise not to lie was even though by the scent it had been a little, white lie. The wolf still didn't like disobedience from her. Of all the wolves, it was worse coming from her. So because I knew she probably had a good reason, I handed Brayden to her and stood up.

"I'm gonna go relieve Seth. I'm in the mood for a run."

"Jake-"

"I'll see ya at home, Ness," I said over my shoulder as I walked out of the room.

Esme offered me a smile as I went for the kitchen door. Knowing I'd phase as soon as the door was closed behind me, I slid off my wedding band and handed it to Esme for safekeeping. She'd heard that I was running so she just took it with a nod.

As soon as the door closed behind me, I leaped and phased. Digging my paws into the ground, I took off, heading for the river on the other side of Edward and Bella's cottage. Various voices from all the patrol groups greeted me, but I was too preoccupied to reply.

Jake?

Hey, Seth. You can go home if you want.

Uh, I just got out here. You're not supposed to relieve me for a couple hours.

I know.

I could almost see his wolf expression, eyebrows popping up.

You wanna tell me what's going on? Everything ok at the house?

I couldn't help but smile. Your woman and son are fine. I just needed some air.

Uh huh, 'cause the house doesn't have that much oxygen.

Shut up, man.

Come on, Jake. Talk. Remember the last time we talked? You felt tons better. Now go.

Sighing, I stopped at the river, grabbing a drink. The woods were alive today. Though it was cold, the sun was out, filtering through the trees.

She's hiding something from me.

Like what?

I don't know. And then something flittered through my mind, something totally off track.

Seth snorted. She's not leaving you, idiot. She just married your dumb ass. Show me why you think she's hiding something.

Even though I knew that others could hear me, see what I was seeing in my head, I showed him. Mentally, his frown eased up.

Dude, she's worried. I ask Shelby all the time if she's ok, and though she says she's fine, I get the same scent from her. It's just worry, Jake. Of course, they're worried. Tristan is still out there, healing. And we haven't heard from or seen Jane in a year. Hell, they could be holed up together somewhere. Not to mention, there are now small children running around the pack. Henry, Leila, Claire, and now Brayden. That's cause enough to worry.

Something about what he said made a memory surface. Ness and I had been laying in bed, my hand stroking her smooth, flat stomach. She'd worried that she couldn't have kids. I'd told her we'd adopt if that was the case. And then today, she'd been holding Brayden before going up to see Carlisle.

Worried? Yes. About Tristan? No. She was the kind of woman to deal with stuff when it came at her. She wouldn't worry about him until he came back into the picture. Same went for Jane.

That would explain Carlisle, Jake. Maybe she's worried she can't give you kids. Women are like that, especially when their men want kids. Men who want kids are a rarity, or so I've heard. Don't stress. Let her deal with this. I can almost guarantee you that she'll come to you when she feels it's right. Remember, Jake. You have to let her deal with herself sometimes. Not everything needs to be done as a couple. Even if you are married. If it turns out she can't have kids, maybe she wants time to come to terms with it on her own.

How'd you get so damn smart?

He mentally grinned at me. I'm a father now, Jake. Apparently that job description comes with wisdom. But also, the two of you are my best friends. I pay attention when the two of you are blinded. But also, Shelby is really informative. When I woman wants to deal with something on her own and goes to certain lengths to make sure that happens, just let her be. Show that you support her by not demanding to know everything. She needs to keep her individuality.

Tossing it all around, I decided that he was right. She'd come to me. Though Nessie was strong, she'd need emotional support no matter the outcome of any exam or test.

All I needed to do was trust her.

RPOV

"Ness, sweetheart, Carlisle is ready."

Shaking myself out of my own head, I found Dad in the doorway, smiling gently.

"Ready?" Shelby asked looking between the two of us. "Ready for what?"

I handed Brayden back to her and smiled. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Ness-,"

"Shelby, I'm ok."

She tucked her son into her arms but gave me a serious look. "Do you want me to come with?"

I shook my head. I was tempted because I was scared that Carlisle would find something. But I needed to do this on my own. "Not this time, Shelbs. But thanks."

As I passed her, I kissed the top of her head. Dad gave me a curious look as I passed him. Apparently, Carlisle was trying hard not to think about what we were about to do. Otherwise, Dad would know about it.

Ascending the stairs, I left him in the doorway of the dining room. When I got to the door of the medical room, I took a deep breath. The bed looked like it had the night Shelby had given birth to Brayden. The stirrups were up, but the sheets were clean. No doubt everything had been sterilized a hundred times over. A gown was draped over the mattress. Closing the door, I took a deep breath and went for the bed.

I knew Jacob knew something was up. Especially after how he'd acted once I'd come back downstairs. My scent must not have been eau de truth, but I couldn't help it. Sure I was fine, but a part of me was scared and freaking out.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Carlisle ducked into the room. "Hey, sweetheart. You ready?"

I nodded.

"Ok, first I'm going to take some blood. Sometimes blood is more telling than the body parts. Hop up on the bed for me."

I did as he asked while he got the needle and tubes ready, as well as a blood pressure cuff. He went through the motions in silence, for which I was grateful. I was thinking about everything, trying not to jump to conclusions. I mean, Cricket had said that I would have a first born son. But what if she was wrong? She said she never was, but there was a first time for everything.

Thinking of that made me think of her. Where were she and Trey? What was she after? And had she had her vision yet?

"Ok, Ness. I've got what I need from that. If you'll lie down and place your legs in the stirrups, please."

I did so while he snapped on some gloves. It should have been weird doing this with my grandfather, but honestly, there was nobody else I would trust more.

I only hoped he had good news.

WalkerPOV

Christa, Embry, Tricia, and I were all gathered outside the front door to my parents' house. It was the same as I remembered, but now a part of my past. It didn't feel right being here, thinking of this as home. My home was with Christa. Before we'd left, Caden had explained the concept of true mates. He'd known that that's what Christa was to me from the very beginning. Looking up at the house, I knew I could never live here again.

"Walker? You don't have to knock," Tricia said. "No matter where you live, you'll always be welcome here."

On the way here, Christa had suggested that I go stay with her on the rez. It really didn't feel like "moving too fast". She just understood that my life was no longer here. I wasn't the old Walker. I was very different now, and needed to be around other people like me. Mom and Dad would never understand why I had to leave in the middle of the night to run patrols, or because something had happened and I was needed. They wouldn't understand my world, Tricia's world. Though I knew she wouldn't leave Mom and Dad yet. She'd wait to give them time to adjust to me being gone.

I laughed to myself.

"What?" Tricia asked.

"Mom and Dad were ready to see me off to college, but they won't understand why I'm leaving to move onto the rez. It's weird how that works."

Christa stroked my back. "It's because they won't know where you are. College is safer, in a way. They know where you're supposed to be, and what you're supposed to be doing. Living with me, being part of a pack of werewolves that they can't know anything about? That's totally different."

Reaching back, I took her hand and laced our fingers together. "Help me out?"

She squeezed my hand. "Always."

Before I could touch the doorknob, the door flew open.

"Walker!"

Mom flung herself onto me, and I grunted. My body was still tight and sore, but I'd stretched some earlier with Carlisle. Nevertheless, I wasn't ready for that kind of impact. But I wrapped my arms around her as the familiar scent of lavender filled my nose.

"Hey, Mom." Digging my face in her dark hair, I inhaled that scent until it would be burned into my memory. Once I left here today, I knew I'd rarely be back, if only to keep them safe. If they didn't know much about me, there wasn't much to tell. Tristan's wolves would be able to scent the truth on them. They'd be protected by the truth.

While she held tight to me, I felt her small body shudder as she cried into my shirt. Giving her and Dad up would kill a part of me, but I could watch over them. Maybe stop by every now and then. But until Tristan and that bloodsucker were taken down, I couldn't risk their lives. And neither could the rest of the pack even though Jacob had promised to keep the patrols around the house and Chief Swan's.

When she pulled away, she cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. "I'm so glad you're home."

Reaching back, I gripped Christa's fingers. "Actually, Mom, that's what I'm here about. I'm not coming to stay. This is just a visit."

Stepping back, she stared at me. "What? What are you talking about?" And then she finally noticed everybody gathered around us. "You're coming home, Walker. Right? You're better."

I started shaking my head when from in the house I heard, "June? What's going on?"

A moment later, the door opened further to reveal my dad. We just stared at each other before Mom moved out of the way so Dad could step forward. We hugged, the whole father/son backslap happening.

"Hey, son."

"Hey, Dad."

He pulled back, scrubbing his face. "What are you doing out here? Get in the house, it's cold."

Behind me, I heard Embry tell Tricia, "I'll just go for a run, ok? We can meet up later."

As he was about to take off, Dad looked at Tricia, sighed, and said, "Get in here, Call. Let's learn to be civil, shall we?"

Embry nodded and took Tricia's hand.

We all trooped into the house, sitting around the dining room table. The wall clock ticked as we all just sat there and stared at each other.

Finally, Mom broke the silence. "Walker says he's not coming home."

Dad's head whipped over in my direction. "Excuse me?"

I sighed. Christa squeezed my hand. "Sir, we've never met, but my name is Christa. I'm sure you've watched the news and read the papers. You know there's something weird going on. Now we can't give you details, but Walker is now a part of that weirdness, as are me and Embry, and it would be easier if Walker stayed closer to us. I offered him a room at my house on the rez. He'll be safe there and close to you if you need something."

He shook his head. "No. My son is staying here. He's been gone for too long."

"Dad-"

He pointed at me. "No."

"Dad," I said louder and with more force. "I'm not staying here. This is a visit."

"The hell it is." His face was turning red and his hands were starting to shake. Those sharp eyes went to my hand linked with Christa's. "This is just about a girl. You're eighteen."

I sat forward in my seat. "Exactly. I'm eighteen. And this isn't about Christa...ok, maybe it is a little. But it's not what you think. To put it in simple terms, I am still sick. I will always be sick. You can't keep me here. I can't tell you everything, but I'm leaving. I'm sorry."

Dad's eyes went to Christa. "This is your fault."

She glared at him. "Actually, it's not. You want someone to blame? His name is Tristan. And if there's anything left of him by the time we're done, you can have a piece of him. But don't you dare talk to me like that. Walker is leaving to keep you safe. That's all you need to know." She stood up. To my surprise, Embry followed her. I shared a look with Tricia who was staring at Dad with the "I told you so" look. Apparently something had gone down while I'd been out. Christa held her hand out to me. "Come on. Let's get the things you want or need."

Twenty minutes and a lot of arguing later, I walked out of the only home I'd ever known with a duffel over my shoulder. Mom and Dad followed. Everybody else was carrying a bag for me.

"Walker, son, you can't just walk out," Dad said angrily.

I turned on my heel in time to see Embry grab Dad's wrist. He'd been about to grab my arm, no doubt to spin me around. Dad glared up at Embry, but Embry didn't back down.

"Yes," he said, throwing Dad's arm away from him. "He can. He's eighteen, and has every right to leave."

"You stay away from my daughter," Dad growled.

Embry's grin was mostly evil. "Only if she sends me away. She's old enough to know what she wants."

"And I'll be eighteen in a month," Tricia piped up.

Dad turned his glare on her. "You stay out of this."

She crossed her arms over her stomach. "No. Not when it involves me."

"Enough."

We all turned to Mom.

"Walker, it's your life. And you can't stay here forever. If you feel that you have to leave, then you leave."

"June!"

"David, our boy is eighteen. He has to grow up sometime. And Tricia will see Embry as long as he stays a gentleman. He's given no reason for your aggression. I will not let this family be destroyed because we can't be understanding. Now, calm down, David. Let them go."

I stepped in close to my father. "Dad, it's not like I'm never coming back. I will, I swear it. There's just something really big going on, and I need room to move. Tricia is staying here, ok? She'll have contact with me. It's ok. This will work out. Just give me a chance."

We stared at each other before he pulled me into another hug. "I just got you back, son."

"I know, Dad. I know."

Pulling away, he clapped me on the neck. "You pick up the phone when I call, you hear me?"

I nodded. "I'll do what I can."

Mom shoved Dad out of the way so she could wrap me up in her arms again. "I love you, my baby boy." She stroked my neck. "And get your hair cut."

We all laughed.

"I will. I love you, Mom. I'll check on you and Dad when I can, ok?"

She nodded. Dad went over to Embry and stiffly held out his hand, which Embry took just as stiffly. Mom got a hold of Christa and made her promise to take care of me.

Ten more minutes later, we were walking away from the house. It was hard to let go of the normalcy that I'd always hated, but now kind of missed. Christa's hand in mine, though, reminded me that a whole new book was being written now, and as the main character of my life, I had to participate. As long as my parents, and my sister, stayed safe, I'd be ok. Shelby had been right.

I had two families to protect now.

Bwahahahaha! Walker has returned! And how do we feel about him? Let me know! Also...Nessie? Right or wrong to keep from Jake? I wanna hear what you have to say so please, pretty please, review! They make me happy! Love you! xoxoxoxo