Judgment
It didn't take long for everyone to have a full plate in front of them. I was sitting between Quil and Edward. Amber was on the other side of Edward and Alice was next to Amber. Embry was beside Quil with Emmett on his other side. Carlisle and Sam sat at the ends of the huge table with Esme on Carlisle's right and Rosalie on his left. Jacob was to Sam's right and Paul was to his left with Jared next to Paul and Seth on the other side of him. Jasper was next to Seth.
"Why don't we take this time to say thank you for everything we've been given in the last year," suggests Carlisle. Then I had a thought and begin to laugh. Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy.
"Would you mind sharing your thoughts?" asks Edward.
"It's really bad," I chortle.
"Then you probably shouldn't have thought it," says Sam.
"It's just that a long time ago Native Americans were sharing a meal with the pilgrims who they didn't trust at first. We're having dinner with vampires who we don't exactly trust either," I giggle. Everyone was quiet for a moment as my words sink in and then everyone was laughing with me. Edward wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my temple.
"I love you," he whispers. I grin and soon everyone settles back down.
"Why don't we go around the table and say something we're thankful for," says Carlisle. Everyone nods and looks at Carlisle to begin. "Okay, I'll start. I'm thankful for my family and Bella who has brought something that we hadn't realized was missing." Carlisle turns to Esme.
"I agree. I'm also thankful that we were able to share this meal with your pack and I hope this can become the beginning of a friendship for us all," says Esme. Everyone looks at Jasper.
"I'm thankful for Bella. She's been good for our family. The mood has improved significantly since her arrival in Edward's life," says Jasper. I was almost in tears. I wasn't sure how Jasper felt about me.
"I'm thankful for my family and friends and this food," says Seth happily. Jared was chuckling at Seth's enthusiasm.
"I'm thankful for the pack as well as Kim," says Jared. I wondered who Kim was as Paul began to speak.
"I'm thankful for my family and the pack."
"I'm thankful for my pack, Emily, Jacob, and Bella's relationship with Edward. I see now that she's truly happy," says Sam. My eyes widen at his words.
"Does that mean-?" I trail off.
"Yes, you have my blessing to be with Edward Cullen, but that doesn't mean we're not going to be watching carefully for danger," says Sam. Jacob was scowling at his plate and not making any move to speak.
"Jacob?" says Sam.
"Pass," grumbles Jacob. Sam sighs heavily.
"I'm thankful for Bella. She's pretty funny. I'm also thankful for Rose and the rest of my family. Oh, and my strength and good looks," says Emmett with a grin. I giggle as Edward scowls at him. Apparently he didn't approve of Emmett's speech.
"I'm thankful for my brother and sister as well as my pack. I'm also thankful that Bella was able to find someone that loves her for her and makes her happy," says Embry.
"Ditto," says Quil.
"Quil you could say more," I say.
"Naw, Embry pretty much spoke my mind," says Quil. I had a feeling he just wanted it to be my turn.
"I'm thankful for the Cullens and the pack. It's been more than I could ever hope for. I'm mostly thankful for Edward though. He's been better than I deserve," I say.
"I disagree with that," murmurs Edward. "I'm thankful for my family and Bella. She's my other half. I was nothing before her."
"I'm thankful for my best friend Bella, my family, my pack, and the Cullens. They've been a second family to Bella," says Amber with a grin.
"I'm thankful for my designer clothes and the Armani jacket I bought yesterday. Oh and the cutest shoes I bought this morning. My family, Jazzy, and Bella. She's so fun to buy clothes for," says Alice. By this time I was laughing while Carlisle and Esme gave her disapproving looks.
"I'm thankful for Emmett and my family," says Rosalie.
"Very good everyone," says Carlisle happily. "You can eat now. The girls worked very hard all day." I blush as the pack looks at me.
"We've missed Bella's cooking. Mom's meals were always…imaginative to say the least so Bella took over," says Quil with a grin.
"After they passed away we've kind of relied on Bella a little more than what was probably fair since she was the little sister," says Embry.
"She'd probably be disappointed if she saw the house right now," says Quil with a grin.
"You two never were very tidy," I say.
"The whole pack has missed her," says Seth.
"Sam gives us orders and we all wait for Bella's comments," says Paul.
"Emily has missed her too. She usually comes down and helps her around the house," says Sam.
"Well if everyone can be supportive of me I'll come back home," I say.
"We will," says Sam.
"What about the treaty though?" I ask.
"We'll just have to make some adjustments," says Sam. I nod and go back to eating. Soon the food was gone and everyone was sitting around the living room watching a parade that was going on in New York.
"So how's school in Forks?" asks Quil.
"I like it," I say.
"Are you getting good grades?" asks Embry.
"Yeah," I say.
"She's third in the class behind Alice and myself," says Edward.
"She used to be top of the class," says Quil.
"Edward and Alice have been to high school and college so many times they have the text books memorized," I say.
"Edward's the smartest in the family besides Carlisle," says Alice.
"What's been going on in La Push?" I ask.
"Jared imprinted on Kim," says Sam.
"Congratulations. How's Claire doing?" I ask.
"She's growing up fast," says Quil happily. I smile.
"That's great," I say. "How's Emily?"
"Pregnant," says Sam simply.
"Jacob gets to be a big brother! Do you know what she's having?" I ask.
"Twins," says Sam.
"That'll be interesting. If there's anything I can do to help let me know," I say. Sam nods and I look at Edward who had been quiet for a while now. He was looking at me his eyes a warm liquid gold. He'd been hunting last night with the rest of the Cullens. I smile and Edward smiles my favorite crooked smile.
"Are you sure vampires can't imprint?" asks Seth.
"Vampires can't imprint," says Carlisle with a small chuckle. "We're just very constant creatures who rarely change our ways, but when we do it's difficult to go back to the way we were before. You could say we tend to mate for life in a way."
"Kind of like wolves," I say with a giggle. Even though werewolves weren't like real wolves. We could fall in and out of love many times until we imprint.
"I have waited a century for my Bella," says Edward. I smile and lay my head on Edward's chest.
"So what are we going to do about the treaty?" asks Quil.
"The Cullens can come onto our land to be with Bella, but they may not hunt or bite any humans," says Sam.
"Now I can show you first beach," I say excitedly.
"We can agree to that," says Carlisle. Alice skips in with a sheet of paper in her hands.
"Here's the new treaty," says Alice happily handing it to Sam. Sam reads over it before taking the pen Alice was holding and signing it. Carlisle also reads and signs it before it gets passed around the room for everyone else to sign.
"Let you all be witnesses to this important event," says Sam. Suddenly his voice was that of the tribal chief. Everyone cheers.
***
A couple of weeks later I was running my route around La Push to check for vampire trails when I catch Edward's scent. The urge to follow the trail was almost unbearable, but I resisted and kept running my track. Soon I reach the end of my track and find Edward standing against a large maple tree with my favorite crooked smile.
"Good morning, Love," says Edward. I walk over and lick his cheek causing him to chuckle before running back into the woods to transform and get dressed. When I get back Edward was waiting for me in the same spot.
"Good morning," I say with a grin. "I was just about to go over to Emily's to help her make lunch for the pack," I say.
"Do you mind if I join you?" asks Edward.
"Of course," I say happily. I grab his hand and we walk to Emily's house. When we walk in we find Alice pulling a pan from the oven while Emily sat at the table drinking a glass of water.
"When did you get here?" I ask. Alice looks at me and giggles.
"Just now. I wanted to help Emily and I figured you'd be back soon," says Alice.
"Alice jumped right in and began to help me without being asked," says Emily.
"I sort of figured as much," I say. That evening I was sitting at home in my room trying to concentrate on my homework. Edward was sitting on my bed trying not to distract me, but that was a lost cause.
"Edward…" I whine.
"What's the matter, Love?" asks Edward.
"I can't concentrate," I complain. Edward chuckles and was suddenly at my side.
"Then let me see if I can help you."
End Chapter
A/N: Thanks for reading…Sorry it took so long for me to finish. I was debating on whether or not to make this my last chapter. I would have figured it out sooner, but my friend wouldn't get her butt to my house and read the chapter for me and give me her opinion. She finally came over and we've decided it can't end yet because certain events haven't happened yet. Anyway, Sam has accepted Bella and Edward's relationship so this will change things a little. I'm not sure what's going to happen next, but I know what's supposed to happen eventually…so keep reading and reviewing and I'll keep writing! Sayonara. =]