Chapter Four: Part One;

"Brady."

"Brady."

"Brady, man. You've got to get up."

There was a gentle shake to his right shoulder and then a sharp blow to his arm. He recoiled slightly but, squeezed his eyes shut and ignored the slight pain. It was a thousand times more minuscule when compared to his fractured heart.

"Collin don't hit him!" Lisa cried reproachfully.

"He can't stay in bed all day Lissy! We start work in an hour!'

"Well don't hit him at least," Lisa said softly.

"I'm up okay?" Brady grumbled into his pillow.

"Well get out of bed," Collin said, "I can't stand here all day."

"The lumber yard can do without me."

"Maybe, but, you need the cash for college, so get up."

"Brady please, we're worried about you," Lisa pleaded softly.

Brady had been lying in bed for a day and half, nearly two. "Well, at least he's home and not running around the forest like a savage." Allie had said. Lisa was a bit more concerned than that. She thought that maybe he needed a hand to not feel so lonely. Collin believed that Brady just needed space and he was more than happy to give him whatever he needed.

Lisa gently nudged him awake and smiled softly when Brady opened his blood shot eyes to look at her. She kept up the same smile when he rolled his eyes at her and rolled onto his back to look up at them properly.

"Time to wake up sunshine," Lisa grinned.

"Has anyone ever told you that you should be a nurse?" Brady asked.

Lisa blinked, "How did you know?"

"You have impeccable bedside manner," he grumbled with the closest thing to a smile as he had in about two weeks.


"Anna? Where are you? Don't make me have to sniff you out!" Allie hollered from somewhere within the house.

Anna sat at the bottom of her closet with Allie's car keys clutched in her hands. Allie was preparing to go drive the pair of them to Port Angeles so that they could shop for Cam's birthday present. Every year it was the same routine. Allie would go on a rampage looking for the perfect gift for Cam. Then she would send it off to whatever island Cam was on for the week and receive her own gift. Anna expected that this was the most important source of communication between the twins, material objects. Each July, Allie poured over catalogs, brochures, and boutiques. She transformed into a true wolf then, with a temper to rival Paul. She snapped at people for ludicrous things and once, smashed her way through a small shop leaving it a pile of ruins. (The owners were reimbursed of course). It was around this time that Anna and Seth hid from Allie as if death were inviting them over for tea(and it was) but, regardless Allie always found them and they would end up spending hours on their feet hunting for a sufficient present. That was why Anna was hiding now. Allie was starting to get the fever.

The door to Anna's bedroom swung open with a loud slap. Allie marched into it and immediately went to peer under the bed and in the bathroom for Anna. Carefully, Anna double checked that the pile of clothes on top of her was perfectly messy and seemed casual. There was a sharp clack of Allie's heels on the floor and Anna could see Allie's shadow getting closer to the closet. The door swung open and Allie shoved the clothes on the rack above her apart to look for her. Holding her breath, Anna squeezed the keys tightly in her hands. She could vaguely hear the car alarm going off and Allie paused to hear it. She made her way quickly out of the room and down the stairs. Anna breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Is it safe?" Seth whispered poking his head into the bedroom.

"She's not through here yet but, the car went off." Anna said carefully pulling herself from the pile and arranging it to look the same as a moment ago.

"Well what are you still doing in here?" Seth demanded of her wild eyed. "Run!"

They ran from the room and out into the hall. The front door swung shut heavily and Allie's footsteps sounded on the stairs. Seth shoved Anna through the door to their bedroom and they scrambled to hide in the bathroom. Anna crammed herself into the linen closet and Seth threw himself into the cabinet beneath the sink.

"I know you're in here!" Allie screamed and they could hear the bedroom door open followed by the bathroom door. Seth was the first to go.

"Hey honey bell," He gasped and fell onto the floor at her feet.

"You don't want to shop with me?" Allie sniffled.

"No, no, no," Seth reassured her quickly scrambling to his feet, "You know how bad I am at shopping. Maybe you should just drag- I mean- take, Anna with you. Make it a girl thing."

"Well, that's true," Allie sniffled, "You are style impaired."

"Yes I am," Seth admitted proudly, "Why don't you two girls just go ahead. She's in the linen closet. Have fun."

With that he was gone leaving Allie to open the door and have Anna tumble out. Anna cursed loudly and looked up at Allie's triumphant face. She rolled her eyes and stood up.

"You're too good at that," Anna told her.

"Tons of practice angel," Allie snickered, "Get in the car."


'Just wait two minutes!" Allie snapped at her.

Huffing, Anna crossed her arms moodily. Allie rolled her eyes and grabbed the crisp manila envelope and threw open her door, exposing herself to the lightly misting rain. Her black heeled boots sank slightly into the muddy ground outside the lumber yard but, she ignored it. Allie walked into the yard and her hawk-like eyes picked out Collin and Brady in no time. The men at the lumber yard definitely picked out the voluptuous, raven haired beauty that was strolling confidently to the pair of boys carrying heavy logs.

"Brady, Collin," Allie called to them with a smile.

"Sup' Al?" Collin nodded while Brady merely shook his head indifferently.

"I'm about to go shopping but, I got a letter for you Brady," Allie responded appraising Brady, "How've you been?"

"No better, no worse," He shrugged, "You said a letter for me?"

"Yep," She smiled slightly and handed him the envelope, "It's from your mother but she mailed it to my house."

"How did you know it was from my mother?"

"Return address is on the back smarty," Allie rolled her eyes.

He flipped it over in his hands and sure enough there was a return address written in neat print. The envelope itself was rather heavy but, gave no clue as to what it's contents may be. Tucking it softly in the breast pocket of his overalls, he looked back up at Allie and thanked her. Allie nodded, said her goodbyes and again the entire Forks lumber yard looked up to see the beautiful woman strut away. If only Seth was there...


"Allie can we go now?" Anna whined.

Allie shot her a venomous look and continued to speak with the boutique owner about a specific shade of blue. The shopkeeper was readily attempting to pacify Allie, who's irritation was growing with each second. Rolling her eyes Anna plopped back into the plush chair in the front of the shop. An hour into shopping Anna was calm. Two hours had been a little less placid. By the third hour, Anna had succumb to boredom and managed to break a tiny crystal key tree. At the forth hour Anna had actually started counting the ceiling tiles. Now it was the fifth hour and Anna really just wanted to leave. She was ready to give Allie her arm so that this day would end.

Anna sighed again. Then again a bit louder. The third time she got up and sighed loudly in Allie's ear but in an attempt to make it extremely loud it sounded more like a deformed choking sound. Allie shoved her hand into her pocket and handed Anna a wad of cash, directing Anna to go buy herself something. Smiling triumphantly, Anna slipped out into the light rain and began walking down the somewhat quiet road. The few people that were on the streets were bustling by as the rain began to steadily increase. Anna shivered in spite of herself and drew up the collar of her jacket. She slipped into a small cafe a few blocks from where she had left Allie and welcomed the sweet smell of roasted coffee beans accompanied by the quiet chatter of the patrons. Anna ordered a herself and Allie a coffee and two decadent looking chocolate chip muffins. Smiling at the overly perky teen managing the cash register, she turned and walked back down the road in a slow walk. To a normal person it would have been faster to ride snail back.

Upon reentering the shop Anna was less than surprised to see Allie sitting down on the plush couch surrounded by a hundred boxes of sparkling items and the terrified shopkeeper, practically shaking, at her side. Behind him was another girl about Anna's age who was prepared to spring no doubt to fetch whatever it was Allie requested. Allie herself, glanced up at Anna briefly and then looked up again when she recognized the second coffee was for her.

"Thanks Hun," Allie smiled and took the coffee gratefully.

"No problem," Anna smiled, "Find anything yet?"

"I'm caught between this floor length gown, or a short halter dress. Both in Cam's favorite baby blue of course," Allie said forlorn.

"I like the sparklyness of the floor length," Anna noted sipping her coffee.

"I noticed that too," Allie smiled at her, "It even has a beautiful train."

"Have you tried it on?" Anna asked.

"Why would I do that?" Allie asked confused.

"You're twins, which ever one you look best in Cam will too," Anna shrugged.

"That actually makes sense," Allie gaped.

"Why so surprised," Anna smirked.

"Ready the dressing rooms," Allie snapped, "and when I have the first one on I want the color swatches ready."

The pair sprang into action. The man ran off with the dresses to what Anna assumed was the dressing room in the back. The girl ran around the counter and reached for the binders on the shelf. Allie stood up and threw her a wink. Allie made her way shouting as she went to the dressing room. A full ten minutes later Allie emerged in the shorter halter top. Anna scrunched her nose and gave it a thumbs down. The floor length gown was much better with its sweetheart neckline and short train. As she moved the light dusting of glitter caught the light and made her shine. Allie spent another hour fighting with the shopkeepers about the exact shade of blue to be found. Finally, Anna and Allie exited the shop run down and three thousand dollars lighter.

"Next year," Allie huffed, "I'm just going to buy her an island and have done with it."

Anna couldn't have agreed more. They had dinner at an Italian restaurant and then Allie treated Anna to three new dresses and two bathing suits that Anna didn't even want. Regardless, Anna thanked her profusely and let Allie smile happily.

When they got home, Seth was asleep in front of the television but, he bolted awake when Allie slammed the door noisily behind them. He flew up from the couch and opened his arms for a hug. Allie grinned and handed him all of the bags in her hands.

"How'd it go?" Seth eyed them grumpily adjusting the bags.

"Great! I found Cam's gift!" Allie bubbled joyously.

"And I survived!" Anna mimicked Allie's tone sarcastically.

"Excellent," Seth smirked amusedly.

"Why do you say it like that?" Allie narrowed her eyes at him.

"It's just that Anna-" Seth began.

"You don't like shopping with me!"

Rolling her eyes Anna left the two of them to have their lover's quarrel. She slipped into the dark kitchen with a tiny smile playing on her lips. She looked over to the open refrigerator but, there was someone blocking the light. Hearing her enter he stood and turned to face her. She reached for the light switch and it flickered on. Standing before her with a roll stuffed into his mouth was Brady.

Breathing heavily Anna stood rooted to the ground where she stood. Gulping hastily, Brady's eyes became transfixed on her own. A slight shudder of guilt washed over her and Anna was more nervous than before. Brady was just as wonderful to behold as she remembered or tried not to let herself remember. His eyes were still the same stunning shade of light brown that glinted gold when he smiled. He still held the strong chiseled jaw and somewhat lanky build for a shifter. Their time apart seemed to have hardly made a dent in his good looks, or at least it appeared that way to her. She hardly noticed the pronounced bags under his eyes and the definite frown that had been pressed into a hard line from days of straight sadness. She still saw the amazing bright eyes and lingering grin from that fateful day that appeared so long ago.

Brady was just as stunned to see her as she was him. He was conflicted to stand there when Allie had clearly instructed him not to come within her line of vision. But when he saw her, there was no way that he could move. He stood rigidly as her eyes grew round and her jaw slackened. Her beautiful eyes were a perfect shade of light brown swirled with coffee colored browns. Her almond shaped eyes always held all of her emotions when her smile wouldn't. Brady relied on those gorgeous eyes to tell him everything.

"Why are you here?" Anna asked colder than she had meant.

Taken aback, Brady hesitated before answering, "I have every right to be here."

"I told you to stay away from me," Anna shook her head worriedly.

"So that means I can't come to my friend's house?" Brady asked angrily.

"That's not what I said," Anna told him quickly.

"But it's what you meant," Brady snapped.

"Fine! If you're going to ignore my attempts at an apology!" Anna threw her hands up in frustration.

"That was a pretty crappy apology!"

"Why am I even doing all the apologizing? This is all your fault!" Anna shouted.

"My fault? I'm not the one who told the other to fuck off and then expected them to ditch town!" Brady hollered.

"I never told you to fuck off!"

"You should have! It would have been less painful!"

"What the hell is going on in here?" Allie shouted as she and Seth came to investigate the noises.

"I was just leaving!" Brady announced and stomped through the door.

"Brady! Wait!" Allie called in exasperation and hurried after him.

"Annie what just happened?" Seth sighed tiredly and sank down into a chair.

."Absolutely nothing!" Anna snapped and retreated up to her room huffily.


The next day Anna awoke to the slamming of doors and random shouting. Pulling her pillow over her head she waited it for it to end and it did sooner than she had expected. She shuffled uncomfortably, trying to fall back into her uneasy sleep. After a few minutes in vain she gave up and threw off her covers. She hopped in the shower and got dressed in a nice yellow sundress that Allie had given her. She dried her shoulder length hair and then went downstairs for the wonderful breakfast that Allie had made. Walking into the kitchen Anna was shocked by what greeted her.

Seated at the table was Brady. He was drumming his fingers on the table irately and barely glanced at her when she walked in. He opened his mouth to speak but Anna beat him to it.

"What are you doing here? Where are Seth and Allie?" She snapped.

"Allie left. Seth's running," Brady answered shortly.

"What?" Anna exclaimed, "She left! How could she just leave! Where the hell did she go? Is Seth okay? Is he angry? I can't believe she left him! Is the world ending?"

"Anna-" Brady began.

"He didn't do anything to deserve this!" Anna ranted as she paced the floor, "How could she just forget all the love they had? They were a perfect couple! I can't even get my head around this!"

"Anna" Brady began again and stood up.

"How the fuck could Allie leave Seth? He's the perfect guy for her! He's so sweet and kind and-"

"ANNA!" Brady shouted at her and shook her roughly by the shoulders.

"Allie didn't break up with Seth," He explained in a much more calm manner, "Her Aunt Carrie passed away last night and she's been at the hospital most of the night. She asked Seth to meet Leah and Embry at the border because they're running down to help her with the funeral. The only reason I'm here is because no one wanted to wake you after our argument last night and someone had to tell you what was going on. And before you ask why no one else could have done it was because everyone else is trying to contact Camilla."

Anna stood in a shocked and somewhat guilty silence. Brady dropped his hands and took a step back. Both of their eyes were down to the ground and Anna finally looked at him. He met her eyes and noticed the remorse and sadness. He sighed and threw his eyes to heaven in exasperation. He opened his arms to her and let her hug him as tight as she needed to.

"Allie said that I'm supposed to take you back to my place until she can sort everything but, I can see that you've got to go somewhere else. Probably to see Derek right?" He muttered into her hair.

"Actually, I was going to your house to properly apologize to you," She smiled, "For everything."

"Really? and Derek?"

"He's gay," Anna stated unemotionally.

"Excuse me?"

"Yep, he came out to me the other day. I figured that if you were still dating Angie..."

"I never dated Angie!" He said quickly, "She was drunk and I couldn't get her to leave me alone."

"So you thought if you kissed her it would make her leave?" Anna asked skeptically.

"She was practically begging me and there were a bunch of people around. I didn't want to embarrass her," He shrugged.

"You're probably the sweetest man I've ever met in my life." Anna smiled proudly, "And you're all mine."

"Really?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

'Yep, whether you want to be or not," She grinned wickedly.

"Something tells me that won't be too bad of a deal," He teased.

"One way to find out," She said pushing up on her tip toes.

Lowering his lips softly to hers, Brady carefully pressed his lips to hers. Moving slightly Anna sucked on his bottom lip. Groaning, Brady picked her up impatiently and set her down on the table.

"Well, it's about damn time," A sharp voice said from the door.

A sound like a plunger being pulled from a sink filled the room and Anna flushed scarlet. Brady began to laugh uncontrollably and let his head fall onto her shoulder. Almost fearfully, Anna peaked behind her. Standing in the door way was Leah and Seth. Leah was grinning viciously and Seth was glowering at them. He didn't say a word to them and instead walked around to the cabinet above the stove. He shuffled around until he found a bottle of Jack Daniel's. It was only after his first two shots that he seemed to take any real recognition of the pair of hormonal teenagers on his kitchen table.

He pointed to Brady, "I thought I told you that the table was off limits to you and Anna?"

"You never specified which table," Brady smirked.

Leah chuckled and shut the door behind her. Anna slid off the table and stood in front of Brady nervously. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Brady pulled her close and savored this new affection that she was showing him. Seth poured Leah a shot and took his third. Leah peered over the rim of her glass at the two of them skeptically before tossing hers back. She smacked her lips with an appreciative sigh.

"I've been away too long if these two finally got together," Leah smirked.

"Where's Embry?" Anna rolled her eyes at Leah.

"He went to the hospital to get Allie," Leah reported bitterly.

"Get her?" Brady asked in a concerned voice.

"She hasn't stopped crying for at least an hour straight and she ordered me to stay away," Seth shook his head as he looked sourly at his empty glass.

"Poor girl," Leah sympathized, "She just doesn't want to seem weak to anyone."

"And Embry? How's he been?" Anna asked.

"He's coping," Leah shrugged slightly and poured herself another shot, "He's just as cut up as Allie."

"So who's making the funeral arrangements?" Anna asked.

Leah and Seth gave each other a sidelong glance and then glanced down guiltily at the half empty bottle.

"Well," Seth said slowly, "We were kind of supposed to call Billy and have him perform the rights but, we're suffering from heartache."

"Heartache?" Anna demanded furiously, "Allie's bawling her eyes out and you two are using up all the good liquor?"


Anna carefully placed the lamp in the box. It was defiantly a unique lamp; everything in this house was...unique. The lamp was shaped into a C and decorated with hand painted flowers and trees. All of the rooms had specific themes to them. The one Anna had been assigned to happened to be the 'Jungle Room'. The walls were painted in varying shades of greens and long tapestries had been draped across the ceiling making it look like exotic vines. Alluring flowers of various colors were intertwined in them, each holding it's own scent.

Caroline Call's home was amazing to say the least but, staying in it for too long could leave a person with a massive headache. The 'Jungle Room' wasn't even the most bizarre of rooms. There was the 'River Room', complete with a running river; the 'Beach' sanded floor and all; and even a volcano themed kitchen. It may have been small, but the house was packed with interesting quirks. She could understand why Allie avoided coming here and instead invited Ms. Call to their house.

Allie herself had only spent a few hours crying and then launched herself into battle mode. She had commandeered the arrangements for a funeral and emptying of her aunt's house. She tackled every task possible. Leah said that was Allie's way of grieving and Anna couldn't help but agree with her. Allie was in charge of everything except the hunt for Camilla. That she left to everyone else. Allie claimed she had enough to do and that may have been true but, Anna thought she was just afraid to bring up family issues with Camilla again.

The hunt for Cam had gone from bad to worse as no one seemed to know where they were. The last time anyone had heard from them was about two weeks ago but, that didn't worry anyone because they often went months to years without hearing from Cam and Quil. In the end, Allie and Embry decided that if Cam and Quil couldn't be found in time for the funeral on Saturday, they would be left out.

"Annie? Got any boxes for me?" Brady asked from the door. He had been assigned to the 'Castle Room' and the proof was in the drawbridge door.

"Yep," Anna stood up and handed him the last couple of boxes by the door.

"Kim said that lunch should be ready in about an hour," Brady informed her with a slight smile.

"Perfect, I'll just finish up the last boxes and then I can meet you there," She smiled at him sweetly.

"Great," He smiled happily, "I'll run these downstairs. "

With a quick kiss he was gone and Anna gathered the last of the things inside. Leaving only the few pieces of furniture that Allie and Embry had designated to remain, the room had been entirely cleared. She had to admit, even if it was a crowded room, it had it's perks. The soft fragrant flowers and smooth velvety chairs provided an oasis. Anna could understand why Ms. Call had enjoyed it. Anna envisioned the kind older woman lounging in it as she had done for a few moments on her arrival. When Ms. Call tired of the lush greenery she could always move to the river room or castle room. It seemed hectic but, provided easy relaxation.

Quietly, Anna closed the door and turned down the darkened hall way. She easily navigated down the stairs and into "Mount Lavalicious" It was aptly named for Carrie's temper, as Allie and Embry had told them. Paul had added that it must have been a family trait, earning him two punches(one from Allie and the other from Embry) The room itself was painted in shades of dark browns to look tike the earth of a volcano. The stove was encased with a mold of a small volcano and the top was dusted with red powder to look like lava. On the slope of the mini mountain were two popsicle people whom Embry had proudly announced were replicas of himself and his mother that he had made when the kitchen was remodeled.

Standing at the counter (made of 'lava rocks') was Kim assembling numerous sandwiches. Already seated at the table were Paul, Jared , and Brady. They each looked up at her when she entered and nodded before returning to their conversations. Kim turned and smiled at her. Kim's stomach was protruding noticeably as she was expecting hers and Jared's first child. Anna could help but notice the way that Jared wasn't entirely focused on his conversation with Paul and seemed tensed as if to spring into action. Anna hugged Kim very gently and shooed her away to rest. Kim took her seat beside Jared and he was quickly at her full attention. Anna carefully retrieved the pitcher of lemonade from the fridge and set it down beside the platter.

The backdoor was suddenly slammed open and in strolled Allie and Seth with Embry and Leah in tow. Each face was set in hard grim lines. Allie collapsed into a chair and rested her head on the table with Embry not far behind. Seth stood behind Allie and gently rubbed her shoulders and whispered softly into her ears. Leah kissed Embry's exposed cheek softly and ran her fingers through his hair.

"We just went through hell," Embry reported with a sigh.

"What happened? I thought you were just supposed to get the flowers for the ceremony?" Kim asked.

"We did but then we decided to stop by Billy's house on the way. We were going to confirm all the plans we had made with him," Embry explain tiredly, "but then Emily called and told us that there was no way we could find Cam by tomorrow."

"I thought Allie spoke to her about two weeks ago?" Jared asked.

"She did," Seth answered, "but, Cam and Quil have moved since then."

"Then, we'll just have to go on without her," Paul said.

"It looks that way but, I'm concerned about their wellbeing," Embry frowned.

"Does it really matter if their here or not? After Cam said all those things about your mom?" Brady asked glumly.

"It would have been nice to see Cam make amends but..." Embry trailed off.

"It doesn't matter," Allie finished finally raising her head to look up at them.

"She's right," Embry said boldly and taking Allie's hand.

"The ceremony will go on as planned, with or without Camilla and Quil," Allie announced strongly.