Hmm this chapter ended up longer than I expected. Sorry it took me so long to post another chapter, I've been focusing on school lately. Hope you enjoy! Please comment, I love reading them!!

Chapter 55 – Leah's POV

We didn't get that far that night, we just went around in circles. It seemed the only advantage we had was numbers, they even had surprise on their side. Kaase was surprisingly stronger than he thought, he made it through the whole meeting. He told me afterwards that the only reason he did was because I was there but I don't know if I believe him.

Wednesday after work Kaase and I left to return to his parents' house. I was then informed that it wasn't his birthday.

"It's not your birthday?" I asked, very confused.

"No it was last month. We have a small party with the immediate family on the actual day then a large conjoined party every couple months. We're celebrating November, December and January today." I was sitting in the middle seat in the front of his truck. He had one arm around me and the other on top of the steering wheel, driving it with his wrist.

"I've never heard of that." I brought my eyebrows together. "I didn't get anyone anything, is that ok?" All I needed was another reason for everyone to hate me.

"I signed your name to my presents," He chuckled, "hope you don't mind."

I let out a grateful sigh. "No, I don't mind at all." Then I laughed, "what are we getting them all?"

He reached under the seat and produced several envelops. With a grin on his face he replied, "Gift cards. The ultimate Dutch gift."

I stored this notion away in my head. "Is there anything else I need to know? Any crazy relatives I need to watch out for?"

He laughed, a faraway look on his face. "Crazy as in always spinning off weird and lame jokes or crazy as in runs around with a butcher knife and threatens all the women?"

I paused. "You don't have any uncles that run around with butcher knives do you?"

"No but I have a couple aunts that do." He replied simply, as if it was no big deal.

"Oh." I felt even more nervous now.

He laughed. "I'm just kidding, Leah."

I felt really stupid. "I knew that," I lied.

He nodded. "Yeah, that's why your eyes got as wide as golf balls." He snorted, then continued. "Just watch out for my aunts and some of my older girl cousins." He didn't explain why, but if they were anything like his sister Deborah I already knew.

"Ok." I loosened a bit. That will be easy, just stay by Kaase all night. Unless they had some weird custom where guys sit on one side and girls on the other. . . I wouldn't be that surprised.

"Oh and my grandparents don't speak English. Come to me for translations, don't trust my cousins." He frowned. "They like to joke around."

I poked his side. "Oh and like you don't. How many cousins do you have?"

He paused for a moment, calculating. "I have fourteen first cousins on this side and five second cousins."

Sounded like back in Sam's pack, crowded. "Sounds like fun."

"Yeah it can be."

We neared his house then but instead of pulling into the driveway he pulled onto their front lawn. Three other trucks were parked there even though the driveway was empty except for a couple SUVs. "We let the aunts and uncles park on the driveway." He explained.

"Does everyone in your family have big vehicles?" I asked. From the looks of it they weren't worried about Global Warming.

He chuckled as if he read my mind. "Yeah, either trucks, vans or SUV's. We like big cars."

Little kids were already running around. I recognized one of the girls as Michelle, the little red haired musketeer. They disappeared behind the back of the house, chasing some kind of animal.

"My uncle Kent brought his dog, I hope you don't mind." Kaase muttered in my ear, wrapping an arm around my waist as we made our way for the door.

"Gosh I hate dogs." I stuck out my tongue in fake disgust, and then laughed.

"I'll protect you." He replied in a joking manor, although he sounded rather serious.

Inside I was greeted by a wide variety of men and women, all wanting to shake my hand, tell me their names, how their related to Kaase, and how happy they are that I'm here. Majority of them shared the sparkling blue eyes but a couple had soft green or deep brown eyes. The last people for me to meet were his grandparents, oma and opa in Dutch. Opa sat in a Lazy Boy recliner, head tilted back but when he saw me he stood with shaky legs and extended a weathered hand. He greeted me in Dutch.

"He says he's so happy to meet you, and. . ." Kaase paused mid-translation. "he says you are very beautiful."

I blushed violently and replied rustily with one of the only words I knew. "Bedankt." Meaning thank you.

Opa smiled widely, showing aged teeth. Oma sat beside him in a tiny wheel chair. She looked extremely delicate, looking up at me with big blue eyes, a sky blue afghan draped over her shoulders. She frowned and spoke to me in Dutch.

Kaase replied sternly to her without translating then pulled me away. A couple cousins laughed. "What'd she say?" I pleaded.

He shook his head. "You don't want to know."

I frowned, so much for them liking me. At least all the men seemed open to my nationality.

The dog, which was named Rory, ran up to me panting with a large red tongue. He was a black lab, and actually quite large. If I wasn't a dog myself I might have been intimidated. Kaase rubbed his head affectionately as we passed by but I ignored him. Rory then grabbed a hold of my sleeve, tugging it playfully. I, without any warning, turned sharply and let out a sharp growl, baring my teeth like a savage wolf.

Rory dropped my wet sleeve and whimpered, tucking his tail. He piddled on the floor then scampered off, crying like a baby. It was then I realized that the whole house was silent.

One of Kaase's cousins, whose name I believe was Melissa, asked me. "Did you just . . . snarl at him?" Her eyes were wide.

"Umm." Kaase stuttered, trying to save my hide.

"My mom is a dog trainer," I impromptued. "she taught me some basic stuff. Sorry it was just kinda natural to me." I laughed nervously.

The tension in the air seemed to drop and everyone relaxed. "Oh." Melissa replied, turning to talk to another cousin in Dutch.

Kaase laughed, "Nice." He whispered.

The rest of the party went smoothly besides the random glares I got from all the women. It was just like any other birthday party, except we celebrated four birthdays. Presents were exchanged, majority of them were in fact gift cards, then we ate cake and socialized. During the socializing, which seemed like it would go on for another couple hours, Kaase excused us.

"We need to be getting home, Leah has a test tomorrow morning she has to study for." He lied. I squeezed his hand in a silent thank you.

We said our goodbyes then left. Kaase was seemingly stiff and upset. "I'm sorry my family treats you so badly." He muttered sadly as we were driving down the highway.

I leaned into him. "You know I don't really mind." I sighed. "As long as you're there it's not that bad."

Kaase's mouth twisted, he was about to say something then didn't. "Hey my family is pretty tough on you too." I laughed.

"Do I get to meet your mother soon?" He wondered.

I gasped, I had totally forgotten about her. "How 'bout this weekend we head down to the rez?" I asked, putting a note in the back of my mind to call her so she knows we're heading down.

"Sounds great." He smiled, "I can't wait." He relaxed a bit as we drove, slouching into me. I lay my head on his shoulder, inhaling his musky scent. It sent shivers through me, I had to fight the urge to reach up and kiss his face. Instead I kissed his shoulder.

"I love you." I whispered.

He sighed contently. "I love you more than my life, Leah."

Reaching his apartment door after we made it back I paused. I was nowhere near ready to leave him, and it made it even worse that my room was right down the hallway. "Wanna come in?" Kaase asked in his deep voice.

I nodded. "I'd like that." I replied.

I followed him in. We ended up resting on the couch, laying side by side, my back pressed against his stomach. Some fake reality show was playing but we were paying no attention to it. I had my head resting on his bicep, his arm was propping his head up. He played absentmindedly with a piece of my lengthening hair.

He pressed his lips to my cheek, whispering, "I love you." Again to me.

I rolled over so that I was facing him, his lips caught mine then and held me there. He put a large hand at the small of my back pressing me into him. I automatically reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing back. My mouth moved urgently with his, wanting more. My hands ran through his honey locks.

His lips parted breathing into my mouth. His breath was sweet and sent shivers through me. His tongue traced my bottom lip, hand moving down my leg to my knee.

I caught his lips in a fervent kiss again as he pulled my leg around him. I realized where this was going and I didn't want it to stop. I wanted him, my imprint.

"Shall we move to the bedroom?" He whispered passionately in my ear. I nodded shakily, and in response his quickly rose to his feet. I held onto him, arms and legs wrapped around him.

He lay me down on the bed, pressing himself on top of me. His mouth moved to my neck. "I'm stronger than you." I gasped, warning him. "if I hurt you. . ."

I didn't get to finish, he grabbed my face and clasped his lips to mine. I lost all thought. I tried to keep every movement light but I was losing myself. I was at the edge of a cliff, falling, and not caring, for my angel had me in his wings.

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