I Am Without A Voice

by Anni12

And suddenly I just knew. I was falling for him. I was falling hard for him. No—no… that didn't cover the feelings that sprouted in my chest as we stood there together. And as I thought about it, the more I was certain. I loved him. And he could never love me back.

35. Chapter 22

So I wrote like over half of this in the past two days... for real... huh. Anyways, sorry for the wait guys!

Enjoy and don't forget to review!

Chapter 22

Danny

"Anny! Anny!" Hanna barreled into the hospital room, her two braided pigtails flying behind her.

"Hi sweetie," I said softly, laughing to myself as she tried to climb onto the hospital bed. Her tongue poked out of her lips in concentration and she tried to swing her legs up onto the mattress.

"Up!" She insisted. "I go up! Up!"

The door opened again, but this time those familiar, beautiful bright blue eyes smiled down at me. "Hey, darlin'."

"Joshywa!" Hanna yelled. "Up! I want up!"

He smiled, chuckling as he picked up the toddler and sat her on the edge of my bed.

I held back an irritated sigh; I had been here for three days, and yet still no talk of leaving. Hanna beamed at me, tucking her legs underneath her and bouncing. Josh pulled her pigtails. "Why don't cha tell her the good news, Picnic?"

"Home!" Hanna clamped, squealing. "Home!"

I sat up, gasping even as the blood rushed from my head, making my vision spin. "I get to go home?!"

"Yes, darlin'." Josh replied, leaning down to kiss me softly.

"Yucky!" Hanna screamed, scrambling off the bed.

Josh laughed, glancing over his shoulder to watch the little one bolt out of the room, no doubt back to her family. He turned back to me, a smile in his eyes and on his lips. "How are ya feelin'?"

"Better now that I'm getting outta here!" I replied excitedly.

Josh smiled before sighing and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Honey… yer father… Grant tried to visit."

Horror flashed through me. "Wh-what?"

His hand curled around mine. "I didn't know what he wanted, but I refused ta let him in."

I sat back in the bed, sighing and closing my eyes in relief.

The door suddenly swung open again, making me flinch harshly. But it was only Hanna again, coming to tug on Josh's hand. "Let's gwo, Joshywa!"

Josh ruffled her hair, making her squeal. "Imma stay with Danny, Picnic."

"Otay…" she sighed. "See ywou soon?"

"'Course, Picnic." Josh said, turning her towards the door, and she happily scampered out.

"Hanna talks really well," I observed, "for a two year old at least."

Josh turned back to me, smiling as a chuckle escaped his lips. "She ain't quite two yet, actually."

My eyes widened. "But one year olds can't talk yet!"

He shrugged. "It's a wolf thing. In our early years, we develop faster than normal kids. In school, we're normally smarter. We grow up faster, and then eventually slow down to normal. It's the wolf's way to protect itself."

"Wow…" I whispered.

Josh turned serious, glancing down at our hands. "Danny… We, uh, we need ta talk."

I shifted uncomfortably in the bed, suddenly wishing I could stand and walk. "I'd rather not, Josh…"

"Alright," he nodded, stilling frowning. "Not now, I understand, but we've gotta talk."

I bit my lip nervously. "O-Okay…"

Standing, he turned to brush a piece of hair behind my ear. Instinctively, I wanted to recoil from the touch, but my body wouldn't allow me to. I was too attached to Josh to stay away from him for very long. I physically couldn't do it. I closed my eyes, breathing out a sigh as soon as his lips folded over mine. I would never tire of his kisses or the sparks when we touched. Pulling away, he whispered, "I love you, Danny."

A week ago I had been so, so mad at him for those words. Now… I couldn't imagine life without them. Opening my eyes, I welcomed the sight of those beautiful blue eyes. "I love you too, Josh."

"I'm so glad yer alright," he sighed. "I-I thought I'd lost ya ferever."

"You can't get rid of me that easily." I smiled.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Why would I wanna?"

Half an hour later, I was dressed in the normal clothes Josh had sneaked from my room and was officially checked out. My hair was braided behind my back and Josh's baseball sweatshirt hung on my shoulders. My hand clasped Josh's tightly as he led me down the hallway towards the waiting room.

"Ya sure yer ready, darlin'?" Josh asked softly, concern swirling in his eyes.

I was terrified, but I knew it was irrational. The Millers were like family to me, and I couldn't imagine them being anything but welcoming. I turned to him, smiling. "They're family, Josh."

"Good," he smiled, kissing my temple. "They've been here almost as long as I have."

As we stepped out into the waiting room, a young voice yelled, "Anny!"

"Danny!" Levi called, and before I knew it, I was being stampeded by the younger pack members. Hanna wrapped her tiny frame around my leg, Kyler hugged my left side, and Levi attacked my right. I had never been extremely close to any of the Millers except for Josh, and yet here they all were. Waiting for me, worrying about me.

There was a rush of words, a flurry of arms, but each and every one of them greeted me with a tight hug, squeezing me gently. And then Josh embraced me from behind, pulling me to his chest and kissing my temple. Gail came again, wrapping her arms around my neck before taking my face in her hands. "Oh, honey," she said, smiling and moving my hair away from my face in that motherly way, "We're all so glad yer home and safe."

"Thanks," I smiled, tears coming to my eyes as my gaze travelled across the beaming faces of Josh's pack and family. "I'm glad I'm home too."

"But…" Josh said, dragging the word out. "I know we would all really love ta get outta here, so…"

"Yes!" Cormac yelled, throwing his arms up. "Let's go home!"

"I wanna run!" Levi agreed, his eyes shining with newfound pride in his ability to shift on his own.

"We'll run, bud," Peter said, ruffing up his son's hair.

Levi smiled up at him, shifting to stand closer to the alpha.

"Yes," Gail nodded, slipping her arm through mine and Josh took the other. "Let's go home."

We split up when we reached the parking lot, Josh and I heading to the other end towards his truck. His hands intertwined with mine and he pulled me closer. "How do ya feel?"

I frowned, brushing my bangs behind my ear. "Which… which home do you mean?"

Josh faltered, his steps hesitating. "Whichever one, darlin'. Yer choice."

"Good," I sighed, laying my head on his shoulder momentarily.

He opened the door and helped me in before making his way to the driver's seat. Images flashed through me of the last time I had gotten into a car and my grip tightened on the edge of the seat. Josh slid in beside me, and just his presence calmed my nerves. "Hey," Josh breathed, his hand sliding over my wrist and gently prying my hand from the seat. "You sure yer alright?"

"Nervous," I hissed through clenched teeth, though that was a total lie.

"Danny," Josh said forcefully enough to make me look at him. "Ya don't have ta be scared. I'm right here beside you."

I glanced down at his hand that held mine tenderly. My heart was pounding in my ears, and my mind was raging with tainted memories. "I—I… I know… but…"

"We're mates," he replied, bringing my hand to his mouth and placing a soft kiss on my knuckles, "and I can't live without ya. I'll do anythin' ta protect you and keep ya with me, no matter how selfish that may be."

"Selfish?" I laughed humorlessly. "If you say so."

"It is selfish," he admitted, his eyes darkening by the second. "I can't let ya go… and if I do…"

He shook his head, a frown drawing at his lips as he pulled away to start the truck. A question came to mind as he drove away from the hospital. "What—what would happen if I were to leave you…?"

His hands tightened around the wheel so much that his skin turned white. "I—I don't k-know. I—I… truthfully… I… I don't want ta think about it."

"So you're saying…" I paused, drawing my eyebrows together as I turned towards him, "that there's no way to… refuse a mate or something?"

He flinched harshly, his face twisting in pain. "Y-yes."

"And?" I pushed.

"You… you can reject yer mate…" he answered reluctantly, his jaw clenched harshly. "But, it's very rare. It happens mostly with… with human mates."

I didn't understand the expression on his face or the tremor in his voice. "Why?"

"Humans… they… don't always understand us." He replied, trying to draw himself together. "They become frightened; by the way we act, by our temper, by our… passion. Sometimes we come on too strong, and it terrifies them."

I scoffed. "Too strong?"

He laughed nervously. "Definitely determined."

"How does that work?" I asked, finding that this conversation kept my mind from wondering.

"It's all very precise," he said slowly. "There's a certain phrase ya have ta recite."

"What is that?"

He sucked in a deep breath, and a flash of fear crossed his face. That was when I realized the way he was acting; he was afraid I would reject him. I smiled to myself. "It's…" he sighed. "I, your name, formally reject you, mate's name, as my forever mate."

Smirking to myself, I decided to play with him. "So it would be I, Danny Kimble, reject—"

"Don't actually say it!" He said quickly, loudly, glancing at me with wide eyes. "Even if ya say it as a joke, the bond still breaks."

"I love you, Josh," I sighed. "I'm not going to reject you."

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but his expression eased. "I know," he tried to say confidently, but the relief in his voice was too great.

I chuckled at him. "What do you mean the bond breaks?"

"We're connected by a bond that connects as soon as ya spot each other, and when ya reject yer mate, that bond is broken." He explained.

"And… that can't be reconnected?" I asked, playing with the end of my braid.

"It's never the same," he replied. "A kiss can relink, but it's never truly right."

"Huh…" I hummed. A moment of silence made my mind wonder and I flinched at the thought. "Did… did they give you the results of all those tests?"

He glanced at me, his eyebrows furrowed. "No, why?"

"They—did they run a…a pregnancy test?" I whispered, half hoping he couldn't hear me.

A loud growl rumbled in his chest, his hands tightened on the wheel and he slammed on brakes. I gasped as the momentum carried me forward and slammed me back into the seat. "Pregnancy test?" he snarled, his lip pulling back over his teeth.

"It's possible," I replied softly.

"It ain't possible!" He roared. "I won't let it be possible!"

"Josh," I mumbled trying to calm him down. His shoulders were shaking and his voice was a pure growl. In all honesty, he was beginning to scare me and I shied away from him. "It is a possibility. He…he didn't use pro—"

Joshua growled, cutting me off and nearly snapping the wheel in half. "I'll kill him!" he snarled. He mumbled under his breath angrily and I only caught that last part; "…with my mate!"

"I'm pretty sure they would've said something…" I said more to myself, hugging my torso.

"They would've said somethin'…" he repeated, clothing his eyes, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "I'll still kill 'em."

"Josh, he's in custody," I assured him, but his face twisted in disbelief.

"Danny…" he said slowly. "I… I didn't want ta tell ya but…"

My breath hitched as I imagined the worse. "B-but what?"

"Jake's gone. He escaped when yer father tried ta arrest him."

I stiffened, and fear pulsed though my veins. "E-escaped?" I squeaked. "M-my father let him escape…"

"I didn't say that." He said quickly.

"It's true," I stated meekly, staring straight ahead. I realized with a jolt, "He had something to do with this."

Josh frowned. "Danny, ya don't know that—"

"It makes sense!" I said, my voice rising in octave. "He's hated me since the day I was born! Why wouldn't he want to get rid of me?!"

"Danny!" Josh's voice was desperate. "Don't worry. I ain't gonna let him hurt ya again. You'll stay with us 'til we find another way."

"You know that ain't gonna happen…" I sighed, frowning as I gazed out the window. "Grant'll want me back."

Josh growled, "Well, I ain't gonna let him."

"You have no control over me, Joshua!" I exclaimed. "And you especially have no control over my father."

His jaw clenched, but he said no more.

"I love you, Josh," I whispered. "And you have no idea how much I want to get out of that place, but I can't. Not now. Not any time soon."

"Darlin'," Josh glanced at me. "I don't want ya hurt."

"You have no control, Josh," I repeated slowly. "You may be all mighty soon-to-be-alpha, and maybe you have control over your pack and maybe even over me, but you have nothing over my father. You can't always protect me, Josh."

Just like I'd expected, his eyes hardened and his fists tightened around the wheel. "I can try," he snarled.

I wanted to change the subject. No, I needed to. I couldn't stand talking about this. "Why didn't you answer me?" I whispered, the thought hitting me like a brick. "W-why didn't you ever talk to me?"

"What?" Josh breathed. "I-I never heard you. I tried speakin' ta you all the time, Danny! I thought you were dead."

I glanced up at him, my mouth falling open. "You never heard me?"

He shook his head gently. "If I had heard you…"

"Why didn't you hear me…?" I asked lowly, mostly to myself.

"They found a lot a… a lot a drugs in yer system." Josh replied, his face twisting in an unreadable expression.

I looked up to him, remembering that fuzzy, dizzy feeling. "That makes sense…"

The rest of the drive was in silence, mostly because I was still mad, and he could sense it. He thought he could control me, when he couldn't. I was too stubborn to forgive him until he admitted his wrong, and he was too stubborn to recognize that. We pulled into the pack driveway before everyone else, and it was oddly empty. I unbuckled as fast as I could, but the door still opened before I reached it. I sighed irritably to myself as I stared down at him.

"Yer adorable when yer mad," he stated, his eyes sparkling in amusement as he took my hand.

"I don't need your help," I muttered, pulling away from his grasp, but he was still smiling. I jumped down, flinching as pain shot up my legs. Josh wrapped his arms around my waist to steady me. I pushed him away, knowing that if those sparks continued, I'd break under them and forgive him.

I hoped to see him frowning when I glanced up, but all I saw was him chuckle and shake his head. And he was still smiling. I was beginning to be annoyed. "I'm mad at you!" I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why are you smiling?!"

"Because," he said, lifting his hand to brush my cheek gently. I closed my eyes at the tender touch and shivered. "A couple weeks ago, ya would hardly look at me. You were the sweetest, most skittish, frightened thing I'd ever seen."

"You just call me a thing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I opened my eyes to glare at him.

He continued as if I hadn't spoken. "Ya woulda never stood up fer yerself, let alone be mad at someone fer anythin'. Now look at ya. Yer adorably furious with me."

"Adorably furious…?" I blinked.

He laughed and shrugged. "So I ain't good with words; sue me."

"Adorably… furious…?" I repeated slowly, shaking my head.

"Yer really cute when yer mad, darlin'." He said, laughing awkwardly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to soften me with ridiculous compliments?"

"Only if it's workin'." He grinned lopsidedly, and all breath left my lungs at the sight.

I shook my head at him, pushing around him as I mumbled, "I'm goin' ta bed."

"I'll go with ya!" Josh offered immediately.

Fear and memories coursed through me. "Joshua!" I shrieked, turning around with wide eyes.

His face fell and he glanced away. "Sorry, darlin'. I—I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Go get some rest," he murmured, playing in the dirt with the toe of his shoe. "I'm here if ya need me, just like always."

"Don't tell me what to do," I grumbled, but turned around and headed towards the house. I still heard his soft laugh behind me, and all my anger evaporated at that sound.

He's lucky I love him.

:::::

I woke in the middle of the night to a loud growl, and I nearly leapt out of my skin. I glanced around Josh's dark room for the source of the sound, but only found a lump on the floor. As it thrashed around, I realized it was my boyfriend, dreaming and growling in his sleep. I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the pillow and hurled it at him.

He sat up abruptly when it hit him smack in the head, growling deeply and blinking out the sleep in his eyes. He looked up at me confusedly, running a hand through his hair. "Uhhmmm…" he mumbled sleepily.

"What are you doin' on the floor, ya bozo?" I hissed at him.

"Wh-what?" he yawned. "Why'd ya wake me up, darlin'?"

"You woke me up, darlin'." I mocked, earning a dangerous glance from him. "You, like, growled in your sleep."

His expression darkened and he growled again. "A dream."

"Come up here, you idiot!" I told him, preparing to throw another pillow.

"Did you just—" he stood slowly, running another hand through his hair, and making a white hot ache flash through me. "Did you just call me an idiot?"

"Yes," I replied. "Yes I did."

"Oh…" he smiled devilishly. "That wasn't very nice, princess."

I raised an eyebrow and glared at him. "You just call me a princess?"

"Yes," he mocked me, snickering. "Yes I did."

I just scowled. "Don't call me that."

He came up to the edge of the bed, leaning forward so he hovered over me. In the dark, his eyes still shined greedily down at me as he smiled evilly. "What're ya gonna do about it?"

I mimicked his smile. "This," I replied, watching as confusion flashed across his flawless feature before I lashed out at his waist. He let out a cry of shock as my fingers danced over his skin. He twisted away from me with deep, echoing laughs emitting from his throat that made a shiver run down my back. I followed him, continuing to tickle him as he had once done to me. I was shocked when he collapsed to the floor, and I smiled to myself as I straddled his waist. Now who was the controlling one?

He made to grab my wrists, but I avoided him and continued to attack him. "Surrender, Joshua."

"Pr-princess!" he laughed softly, still trying to get away from me. I very well knew that he was way stronger than me and could push me off of him in moments, but he never did. He didn't want to hurt me.

He grabbed my wrists as I was lost in my thoughts and stopped to catch his breath. I froze at the look in his eyes. "Darlin'…" he breathed, and suddenly he was on top of me with strands of hair casting dark shadows across his face. "I like this position better."

"Josh…" I warned, my breath hitching in my throat, but no fear lingered in me. Josh wouldn't hurt me.

"Danny…" He leaned forward until his breath cascaded over my lips and I let out a shaky breath. I closed my eyes, awaiting his kiss. "Payback's a jerk."

My eyes shot open as he tickled my waist and I let out a shriek. He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening and he clamped a hand over my mouth. Only then did fear shot through me and I stared at him with wide eyes. That's when I heard it.

Angry footsteps sounded outside the room, getting louder and closer until they stopped. Josh rolled off of me in one, swift, faultless movement, and ended sitting next to me on the floor. The door was thrown open, revealing a very pissed off teenage girl in pajamas. Coffeeblue trained her eyes on Josh as she scowled. "Shut. Up." She growled lowly, menacingly. "Go ta sleep before I rip out yer throat, cut ya inta little pieces, grind ya inta little bloody oats and feed ya ta the horses."

Josh's mouth dropped open and he nodded quickly. Coffeeblue glanced at me and then disappeared.

"That was terrifyin'…" Josh whispered.

"I'll never be the same again," I agreed, still staring at the spot where she had been.

"I think we'd better go back ta sleep," he suggested slowly.

I jumped up into the bed and hide underneath the covers. "Good idea! I'll sleep up here, and you sleep by the door in case she ever comes back."

The bed shifted next to me and I reached out blindly to push him off. "So I'll be the first victim?"

"Of course," I said, still trying to find his muscular body. "She loves me. She'd be much happier killing you, anyways."

The covers were ripped off of me and I turned to find Josh smiling down at me again. Once again, my breath caught in my throat. "Ya want Coffeeblue ta kill me?" he breathed, leaning in closer. His eyes dipped down to my lips.

"No," I squeaked without thinking. "But you'd be protecting me."

He smiled wider. "True. But you'd be sad, wouldn't ya?"

I sucked in a deep breath and couldn't help myself to stare at his smirking lips. "Devastated."

"Good," he breathed. "Now let's get some sleep."

He flopped down next to me without even a peck. I breathed a sigh of disappointment, pouting to myself. I turned on my side to see him already grinning down at me. "You didn't kiss me." I frowned. I bit my lip, and sure enough, his eyes drifted downwards and his eyes darkened.

At least I had learned something from all those interrupted sentences.

"I thought ya were mad at me," he breathed, his eyes never leaving their subject.

"Maybe," I agreed, although I knew it was a complete lie. "But that doesn't mean I don't love—"

His lips folded over mine in less than a second and his fingers knotted in my hair aggressively. I gasped against him, still unused to his unusual way of shutting me up. I gripped his shirt in my fingers, surprising myself as I brought him closer. He pulled away before it could get anywhere and laid his head next to mine. "I love ya, darlin'."

I sighed, curling up to him. I pressed my face into his neck and took his shirt in my fists. "I love you too, Josh." He slid an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, his breath weaving through my hair.

:::::

"No." Josh growled simply, his voice muffled through the walls. I groaned to myself and pressed my face in the pillow, bringing the covers up and over my head.

"Josh…" Peter warned. "Ya can't stay home all day."

"I can," Josh hissed, "and I will."

"Joshua, go get ready fer school." Alpha said, his voice deeper and more… powerful.

Josh growled again. "Fine."

The door opened and closed, and Josh began to mutter to himself under his breath. The dresser opened and closed, and I peeked just in time to see him take his shirt off. He dug around before putting another shirt back on. I pulled the covers up again as heat shot through me, pretending I hadn't just been checking him out.

"Darlin'," his husky voice was suddenly right next to my ear and I squeaked, turning away from him. He laughed and tore the covers from my hands and came into my line of vision. "Alpha's makin' me go ta school, darlin'."

I gasped suddenly. "School! I-I need clothes, a toothbrush, a pillow—"

"Yer stayin here darlin'," he said, interrupting me. He furrowed his eyebrows at me and asked, "…a pillow?"

I shrugged.

He rolled his eyes and suddenly reached under the mattress. I eyed him strangely as he brought out a notebook, scratched up, dirtied, and torn, just like I remembered it. "You jerk!" I screamed, taking it as he offered it to me. "You've had this for how long?!"

He smiled crookedly. "Don't worry, babe. I didn't read nothin'."

I glared at him disbelievingly.

He blushed. "Okay, maybe a little. Yer a pretty good writer."

I groaned audibly and smacked his shoulder with it. He grabbed my wrist before I could slap him again and returned it to my waist. Without a pause, he leaned forward to press his lips to mine.

"What did you mean, I'm staying here?" I asked when he pulled away.

He frowned and straightened. "The doctor's ordered rest for a couple more days. No one's expectin' ya ta go ta school, darlin'."

I mimicked his expression. "Good…" I mumbled. "But… what am I going to do here without you?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. There are some movies around here somewhere, I'm sure you can find a pen. Umm… anythin', darlin'. What's mine is yours."

"What time do you think you'll get back?" I asked, glancing up at him and pouting.

"Late," he scowled. "I've got practice, and then a couple hours at the General Store. I'm sorry ta leave ya like this, darlin'."

I shrugged, but I already didn't like the idea of staying at his house without him. "It's fine."

He leaned down and trapped me in between his arms. I looked up to see his face inches from mine, and his musky scent engulfed me. "Ya ain't gonna miss me?"

I shook my head.

He came even closer, and my breathing hitched. "Not even a lil' bit?"

Again, I shook my head.

Closer. "What about now?"

"I don't know," I whispered. "Hearing you scream like a little girl last night was pretty rewarding."

He scoffed and pulled away, shaking his head in disbelief. "I wasn't expectin' it…"

"Expect the unexpected!" I screamed, jumping on his back as he turned away. "Alpha's must be ready for everything!"

I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist and clung to him for dear life. He gasped sharply and his hands appeared on my arms. "Danny, what are ya doin'?" he groaned, and I could almost hear his eye roll.

My arms tightened, but I knew I wasn't nearly hurting him. "Attacking you."

He sighed. "Why…?"

"Because I can," I smiled. "And because you alphas need to be ready at all times, in all things, and in all places!"

"Don't do this princess," he growled lowly, nonthreateningly. "I don't wanna hurt you."

I rolled my eyes as he turned towards the bed. "Josh, you wouldn't—oof!"

He flipped me over his back so I landed on my back on the bed. All the air in my lungs rushed out and I stared up at him, breathless. Once I was able to take a deep breath, I pouted. It hadn't hurt that much, though. "What was that for?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Ya jumped on my back like a starvin' monkey. What was I supposed to do?"

I frowned. "A starving monkey…?"

"It was the best I could think of," he shrugged. "Besides, I already told you I won't good with words."

"At least you're a good kisser…" I mumbled to myself.

His lips were on mine in the next second, and I knew he had heard me even though I hadn't meant him to. "Yer gonna make it difficult ta leave, sweetheart…" he mumbled against my mouth softly.

"I could get Coffeeblue in here to feed you to the horses…" I suggested, swallowing a chuckle.

He pulled back and glared at me harshly. "That never happened, ya understand? We will never speak a that again."

"What?" I rolled over on my stomach and smiled up at him. "Ya don't wanna be reminded of the time you were terrified of your big cousin?"

He scowled before turning and heading towards the bathroom, muttering, "I need ta comb my hair."

I curled back under the blankets and was asleep before he came back out.

:::::

I slept in late before finally getting up to have breakfast. After that, I locked myself in Josh's room with a bunch of movies and put them on. I had gone through The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and had just started The Notebook when Iya and Coffeeblue walked in and joined me. Currently, my eyes were stinging with tears as the characters yelled at each other in the rain. Iya and Coffeeblue were already broken down and tears were streaming down their faces.

"Hey—" The door opened. "Oh no…" Josh stared at me with wide, stunned eyes before rushing over. He took my face in his hands, wiping the tears that spilt over away with his thumb. "Danny, darin' what's wrong?"

I sobbed even harder as they kissed, and Josh's beautiful blue eyes grew wider. "Th-they—ad-ora-b-ble!" I choked, hardly able to get out a sentence. "Tr-true lo…" Hiccup. "love!"

I cried again and Josh sighed as he glanced over his shoulder towards the TV. He rolled his eyes and made for the remote. The screen went black and Iya and Coffeeblue were the first to start screaming.

"JOSHUA KEVIN MILLER, TURN THAT BACK ON THIS INSTANT!" Coffeeblue screamed loud enough for everyone to hear, and Josh to jump.

"Josh!" Iya yelled. "What are you doin'?! Turn that back on!"

"Josh!" I sobbed/screamed, gripping his arm and shaking him silly. "It wasn't over yet! Turn it back on! Now! Now! Now!"

The screen clicked back on and the three of us resumed crying silently. Josh stood to leave, but he was blocking my view so I pulled him back down next to me and curled into him. He sighed and sat back, but draped his arm around my shoulders. As the movie progressed, I resorted to using his t-shirt as a tissue instead of a real one.

I was literally weeping by the time the last seen appeared, but I caught sight of a sad, wistful smile upon my boyfriend's face as he held me closer to his chest. As soon as the credits appeared, the TV was turned off and Josh stood. "Alright, alright," he muttered. "I've gone through enough torture today. The movie's over, so out, out, out."

He shooed the sisters off of the bed as they tried to tame their tears. "Go cry somewhere else," he muttered. "Like your boyfriend, Coffeeblue. Ya have one a those now, why don't ya go—ouch!"

I held back a laugh as both the sisters punched him in each shoulder before slamming the door on their way out. Josh rolled his shoulders back, frowning at the door and muttering, "Ouch…"

He turned back to me and raised an eyebrow. I noticed with a flash of heat that the tips of his dark hair were even darker and stuck to his skin. For some odd reason, I found that highly attractive, and I suddenly wanted to run my fingers through his hair. I held myself back, blinking at him. "You gonna be okay while I go take a quick shower?" he asked, looking at me as though I were the one that belonged in the mental hospital.

"Yes," I lied.

"Ya sure ya won't like tear somethin' up in yer hormonal state, er—"

I flung a pillow at him, but he dodged him and made a beeline to the bathroom. "Jerk," I grumbled under my breath, wiping my face clear of the tears.

I had completely calmed down, but when he walked out with nothing but a towel, my heart kick started and I couldn't help but stare. After being stuck with Jake, literally, it was a relief to see Josh's bare chest and not his. I shuddered at the memory, but at the sight of him, a shiver ran down my spine. His hair was dripping wet, and was not helping my self-control. He raised an eyebrow at my expression as he made his way around the bed towards the dresser. God help me, I prayed silently, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

He glanced over his shoulder as he pulled something out with a smirk evident on his lips. "Turn around, close yer eyes, and count ta ten darlin'."

I stared at him for a second, terror coursing through me, but I did as he said. I heard the towel drop, but I had little desire to actually turn around to 'sneak a peek'. I counted to ten as he said, but kept going. I jumped out of my skin as warm lips pressed against my neck. His breath felt hot, and his wet hair brushing my skin made my heart go haywire. "Come with me," he whispered, his fingers dancing lightly at my waist.

I blinked, trying to calm my pulse. "G-go where?"

His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me across the bed only to set me unsteadily on my feet on the other side. "Outside," he replied. "I want ta show ya somethin'."

"It's cold," I complained, frowning.

His lips appeared right behind my ear and I bit back a moan. "I'll keep ya warm."

"Okay," I answered thoughtlessly, but, grabbed his sweatshirt off the dresser as he lead me out. We made our way downstairs, and I was relieved to see him fully dressed, even with a jacket that I hadn't seen before. I pulled on the sweatshirt before we went outside, but he lead me to his truck and opened the passenger's door for me. He got in and started the car, the headlights showing our way through the darkness of the setting sun.

"Where are we going?" I asked, turning towards him.

"Somewhere calmin'," he replied, and for the first time I realized his voice was a half growl.

I furrowed my eyebrows and leaned closer to him. "What happened? Is something wrong?"

He pressed his lips together in a firm line. "Dad and I argued."

"About what?" I pushed.

He glanced at me and his jaw clenched. "He wanted me ta take ya home."

I sucked in a deep breath, but he kept going. "He said somethin' about legal trouble if we kept ya, but he don't understand about Grant. I refused, even when he used the Voice. I ain't takin' ya home until you order me to."

"Not yet," I whispered. I looked up and noticed we were on a dirt path, racing through the forest. He suddenly turned and threw the truck in reverse. He back up and straightened the truck out before shutting it off.

"C'mon," he nodded, slipping out of the door. I did the same, but he opened the back door to dig through the mess in there. Finally, he pulled out a couple blankets and closed the door. I followed him, confused as he stood on the back tire and jumped into the bed of the truck. He let down the tailgate and spread the blankets out.

He looked down on me, and in the light of the setting sun, his eyes glowed brighter than I had ever seen them before. In that moment, the breath was pulled straight from my lungs, and I realized, not for the first time, how lucky I was to have him. "Get up here," he said, holding his hands out for me. "We can at least enjoy the sunset, right?"

"Right…" I breathed, taking hold of him. He pulled me up easily and collapsed on the blankets. I joined him, but underneath one of them, and leaned into him for support. The bed of the truck was surprisingly comfortable. At least more comfortable than I had originally thought. I laid my head on his shoulder and we stared at the scene in silence. "Beautiful…"

I felt his lips at my temple. "Gorgeous."

I had a feeling he wasn't talking about the landscape, and heat rushed to my cheeks.

We were in a little clearing, where a small creek ran right through it. The clearing opened up into a dead farm field, where they had planted winter wheat. It was sprouting up nicely, even with snow clung to it, but was not tall enough to block the view. The sun setting behind it looked like a picture only captured in a beautiful painting.

"What do ya want ta do after ya graduate, Danny?" Josh asked in a whisper, keeping the beauty of the moment.

"Umm…" The moment my voice entered the picture, the beauty and magic was shattered, but Josh didn't seem to mind or notice. "I haven't really thought that far…"

I felt him stiffen beside me. He said lowly, "Think about it now."

"I-I want to go to college, but…" I shrugged simply. "It's probably not gonna happen."

"It will if ya have the right mindset."

I ignored him, feeling uncomfortable talking about my nonexistent future. "What about you? What do you want after you graduate?"

"You," he answered immediately, without a second thought.

My heart stopped and I couldn't find my voice. M-me? H-he wants me? Even after high school? My chest warmed at the thought—the thought of us together, even after this phase.

"Danny," Josh breathed uncomfortably, as if he had insulted me in some way. "I'm sorry. I-I… that was stupid. I'm sorry. I-It's just that I've been waitin' fer ya all my life, ya know? I just can't imagine me—my life without ya."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "That's a lot to live up to…"

He sighed in relief and he pressed his lips to my temple again, whispering in my ear, "Yer makin' it look easy, babe."

"Jerk," I replied, exhaling uneasily as he took my breath away again.

Josh only laughed, but his lips never left my skin.

"But I'm serious Josh," I tried again. "What do you want after you graduate?"

He pulled away, eyes me weirdly. "I was serious, Danny. I want you and only you. As long as yer by my side everythin' else don't matter."

I turned and gazed up at him, studying the way the dimming light darkened his features, yet brightened his eyes. The contrast between his eyes and his skin was… stunning. "You're such a jerk…"

He smiled and rolled his eyes. "Why am I a jerk fer lovin' you?"

"Because I can't compare to that," I shook my head and returned my gaze across the field. "I guess you are good with words, in a way."

He laughed and pulled me closer to him.

"What do you mean you've been waiting all your life for me?" I asked suddenly, glancing at him.

"We're brought up knowin' we have mates, and that it's just a matter a time until we find them." He answered slowly. "I always knew you were out there, and I built the image of my life around you."

"Me?" I asked breathlessly.

"You," he confirmed, laughing quietly. "A course I didn't know exactly what ya looked like, er what yer name was, but I always knew you'd be beautiful, strong, and confident. Which, ya are. I just never realized my mate'd cause me this much trouble."

I couldn't help but smile as he nuzzled my neck. I giggled quietly, "Sorry."

"Don't apalagize," he growled. "I'd do everythin' again and more fer you, darlin'."

"I know," I sighed. "I love you."

He suddenly laid back and closed his eyes, a content smile dancing on his lips. I lay next to him, bringing the blankets up to my chin and curling into him. The sun finally set, and the cold of the night nipped at my skin. Just as I closed my eyes, I felt Josh's chest rumble with the words, "I love you, too, darlin'."

They're so cute! Gah, I'm just dying of adorableness. So, I've got a ton of favorites in this chapter. Mine's got to be Coffeeblue's threat, starving monkey, or adorably furious. They're all kinda tied. My absolute favorite for cuteness though is "You." I almost died when I wrote that haha. What's your favorite part in this chapter? Or, better yet, what's your favorite part in the whole story so far? Review and tell me your answers! I'm anxious to know! ^.^

Love y'all and your patience
(;

Review pwetty pwease!~Hanna

~Anni12