CHAPTER 21

Leah POV:

Embry and I spent the next week helping Sam and Emily get ready for their wedding. The ceremony would take place in their back yard and there would be a small party after. Embry helped Sam hang hundreds of tiny white lights in the trees and bushes. It was going to be beautiful!

We made food for the party, and I helped her with the cake, the flowers, and her dress. Her morning sickness was subsiding and she was feeling pretty good. She had a little baby bump that was starting to show. But the dress we picked out had an empire waistline, so we didn't think it would show for the wedding. She didn't want to wear traditional white, because she said she wasn't a traditional girl. I mean, she was marrying a werewolf! So her dress was a pale yellow, and it looked great against her dark skin tone and her black hair. She was going to be a beautiful bride. I was so glad that we were friends again and I could be here to share it with her.

I knew that Embry was very excited to be Sam's best man. He was taking his job very seriously. He was planning a bachelor party for Sam and the guys, which was just going to be a bonfire on the beach, but still, it was a party. They were going to do it tonight, the night before the wedding, as was customary.

We were at Emily's and Mom had taken a break from the kitchen to finish my dress. She had to take it in a little and I was trying it on to see how it fit. It was a light shade of green, kind of sage green. It was short, to the knee, and also had an empire waistline and spaghetti straps. It was a chiffon dress, like Emily's, so when I walked, the full skirt swayed. I really felt pretty in it! Claire had a pretty little pale pink dress to wear as the flower girl. She was so excited! Embry and Quil were outside with her now showing her how to gently toss the flower petals instead of throwing them. I could see them out the window and it was so funny! Embry was on his knees "walking" beside Claire and tossing leaves from a Cool Whip bowl. He would be a great daddy someday. Whoa! Daddy? Yea, not for a few years at least.

"So, is it OK? Or are you too busy watching out the window to notice?" Mom asked.

I turned and laughed. "Claire has all of these guys just eating out of her hand, you know. They all spoil her terribly! And, yes, the dress is fine. It feels good."

"You look beautiful. You should wear green more often. It suits you," she said.

"Thanks. Maybe I will." I twirled and watched in the mirror as the skirt spread out around me. I looked in the mirror and gave my mom a big smile. She came up behind me and hugged me. "It is good to see you so happy, honey."

I looked at our reflection and smiled. "Thanks. I like being happy. "

"Well, break's over. We need to get back down to the kitchen so the bride doesn't wear herself out before her own wedding! Get out of this dress, hang it up and we'll get back to work." Mom said as she put her sewing things back in the box. She stood up and came over and unzipped me. "See you downstairs." She picked up her sewing box and left the room.

I walked back over to the window and looked out. Quil and Embry were chasing Claire around the yard and growling at her and she was giggling. I couldn't help but smile.

Embry POV:

"You wore me out, little girl!" I looked at Quil and asked, "How do you do this every day?" He just laughed and shook his head and said he needed to use the bathroom. I was carrying Claire and I put a big wet kiss on her cheek.

"Gwoss, Embwey!" she said as she wiped it off. I carried her into the house and stopped in the living area.

"Gwoss? Gwoss?" I held her up and put my face under her little shirt and blew on her belly. She giggled and cried, "Do it again!" So I did. I loved to hear her giggle.

"What is going on down here?" Leah asked as she came down the stairs. "Is he blowing on your belly, Claire?"

"YES!" Claire yelled.

"Well, I want a turn!" Leah said. She pulled up Claire's shirt and blew on her belly. Claire giggled again and Leah laughed. "That's fun!" Claire held out her arms to Leah and Leah took her.

"You're pwetty," Claire said as she wrapped her arms around Leah's neck.

"Thank you, sweetie. You're pretty too. I saw the pretty dress you get to wear tomorrow at the wedding. Are you excited to be the flower girl?" Leah asked her.

Claire nodded and said, "Quil and Embwey showed me how to TOSS the flowers not FROW them."

"They did. I saw them through the window. They did a good job. You must be hungry from all that hard work. You want a cookie and some juice?"

"YES! PWEASE!" Claire said clapping her hands.

"OK, let's go see Emily," Leah said as she took her over to the kitchen. Quil came back and Claire told him Leah was getting her a cookie.

"Well, I want one too!" he said as he followed them.

I watched her walk away carrying Claire and thought about how she would be a good mom someday. It made me feel really happy for some reason.

Leah came back to me with a couple of cookies in her hand. "Here you go Embwey, for all your hard work."

I laughed and said, "Thanks. She sure is cute, but she wears me out!" I shoved a cookie in my mouth and Leah kissed me on the cheek.

"I had fun watching you and Quil with her. You're really good with her. You'll be a good uncle to Sam and Emily's baby."

I looked at her and smiled. "I have to get back to the kitchen. See ya later." She kissed me and walked away.

I ate another cookie and thought about how much I loved that girl.

"Come on guys! Burgers are ready!" Jake called out. We were on the beach for Sam's bachelor party. Jake had brought a grill along and was cooking burgers for us. Everyone came running and filled up their plates with burgers and chips. We sat around the fire and ate and told stories.

I was telling stories about me and Jake when we were kids. I told them the "blood brothers" story about us cutting our thumbs and holding them together. "Then there was the time that we decided since we were Indians, we should put on some war paint and go out hunting in the woods. Dumb asses that we were, we went out into the garage and found some red paint that was left over from painting the house. We painted up our faces and thought we looked pretty scary! Until later that night when we tried to wash it off. Billy had to scrub us with turpentine to get it off, and Jake here broke out in a horrible rash all over his face from the turpentine! It stayed like that for days!"Everyone laughed and Jake rolled his eyes at me.

Then Jake said, "Our favorite pastime was picking on my sisters." He launched into the story about how when we were in junior high, we stole their all of their underwear one time and took it to school to sell. Yea, that was a good one! While Jake was telling the story, I noticed Sam sitting off to the side, kind of staring into space. I got up and went over and sat down. "You OK, bro? It's your party, you know?"

He smiled and said, "Yea, I know. It's just . . . hearing you guys tell those stories. Made me think . . . that should have been us, you know? Me and you, growing up as brothers."

I nodded. "Yea. That would have been pretty sweet."

"At least you had Jake, man. I had nobody. Just a mom with a broken heart who cried all the time. I had to grow up way too fast to take care of her. All because of him. Because he left us."

"I didn't know that, Sam. I'm sorry," I said quietly.

He looked at me and said, "It's not your fault, bro! He did the same to you and your mom. Except he didn't even stick around long enough to know anything about you. That really sucks. What an asshole."

"I used to lay awake at night and wonder who my dad was," I began. "I would talk to him, you know? Tell him about school, and what stupid thing Jake and I did that day. I would wish he was here to take me fishing, or to a ballgame. I guess maybe it was better for me never knowing. I could make him up in my mind and he could be whoever I wanted him to be. It had to harder for you because you knew him and had to watch him walk away."

Sam's eyes were sad as he said, "Yea, I blamed myself a lot. I used this think he left because I did something bad. Then when I was older, I thought maybe he didn't want to take care of me or whatever. I don't know. I guess when you're a kid you don't understand so you make shit up. I was pretty little when he left, but I have some memories, you know? I remember one Christmas, I got a train set from Santa Claus. He spent all afternoon setting that thing up for me and we played with it until really late that night. That's my favorite memory. " I smiled and he went on, "And one time, he gave me a baseball mitt and we played catch in the front yard. That was right before he left." He put his head down and was quiet for a moment. "I guess since I was little, I just didn't see it coming. I mean, it's not like him and my mom fought a lot or anything. They didn't scream at each other like the neighbors did. He was pretty quiet. He didn't really talk much. But I really thought he loved me. I guess he had some demons he was dealing with or something. I don't know."

"After he left, Mom would just lay in bed and cry, so my grandma would come and take care of us. After a while, she finally got out of bed and tried to live her life and she did for awhile. But then, she got sick and . . . she died with I was 16." He looked out at the water and was quiet. I didn't know what to say, so I just stood there. He looked back at me and said, "I used to think about going and finding him and bringing him home just so my mom wouldn't cry. When I hit 18, I really thought about it, you know. Finding him. Only I didn't want to bring him home. I basically wanted to beat the shit out of him. But, I decided that I was better off staying here. And then I phased into a wolf, which blew my fucking mind! Another great thing good ole Dad left me with!'

"I know what it was like for me," I said. "I can't imagine going through that without help. I'm really glad you were there for me, bro."

He smiled and said, "Yea. It was pretty bad. I was fucking terrified! I had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was going crazy or something. It took me two weeks to calm down enough to phase back! Good thing I bumped into Old Quil and he shook my hand. He knew right away what was happening and he went to the elders and they helped me to understand what was happening."

I looked out at the water. It was a peaceful night. Wind was calm. I wondered yet again what happened to the bastard that was our father. "Do you think he knew about the wolf thing? Maybe that's why he left or something?"

Sam shook his head. "I don't know, Embry. Over the years, I've come up with hundreds of reasons why he left. After a while, you just don't give a damn."

I nodded. "Well, Sam. I know one thing: it's in the past. We have each other now and we can go on from here full of hate for the guy, or we can move on and be happy with the life we have. You are marrying a very beautiful woman tomorrow, bro, and someday soon, you will be a Dad! And I know that you will NOT be the kind of father that we had. I know that you'll stick around and love this kid and his mom no matter what."

Sam looked at me and smiled. A big smile! "Listen to you, little brother! How did you get so smart?"

"I have a smart girlfriend. Not to mention very hot! She's taught me a lot of things. Look how she's moved on, Sam. She was so full of hate and anger and pain. She could have stayed that way and lived a life alone. But she chose to dump it all and move on. And now she is happy! And so am I. I don't say this to make you feel bad, bro. It's just the facts. Leah is amazing."

"Yea, she is. I'm really proud of her. I guess I could learn a lesson from her, huh?" He stood up and faced me and said, "Let's dump all this shit right here and right now, Embry. Our father was who he was, but it will not make us angry and bitter, OK? If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have each other. I'm glad you're my brother, Embry. I'm really glad." Sam had tears in his eyes as he reached for me and pulled me into a big bear hug. I hung onto him trying to swallow my own tears.

"Thanks, Sam. I love you, man." I said, my voice shaking.

"I love you, too, little brother." He let me go and laughed. "God, look at us! Bawling like a couple of little girls! Come on. IS THIS A FUCKING PARTY OR WHAT?" he shouted. "I'M GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!"

All of the guys came over and picked Sam up and ran toward the water. I watched as they threw him in. I smiled and thought, "That's my big brother!" I took off toward the water and jumped in with the rest of them.

Leah POV:

Emily made a beautiful bride, just like I knew she would. We were upstairs in Emily's room and Emily's sister, Anna, Claire's mom, was putting a few spiral curls in her long, dark hair. She had her dress on and I was holding the clip for her hair that had two white flowers wired onto it. "There. How's that?" Anna asked.

Emily looked in the mirror and said, "I love it! Thanks, Anna!" I handed her the clip and she pulled one side of her hair back and put the clip in place. "Perfect," she said. She stood up and twirled around. "I think I'm ready!"

My mom came in and said, "Emily! Look at you! You're all grown up and getting married! I remember when you and Leah were little and you used to play dress up with some of my grandma's old dresses and hats. You look so happy, honey." Mom hugged her and said, "I love you."

She pulled back and Emily said, "Thanks, Sue. I love you too. And thank you so much for all you've done for the party. I couldn't have done it without you!"

"You're welcome. Your mom's on her way up. She stopped to see Sam. Leah? Can you come downstairs and help me with something?" I nodded.

I gave Emily a quick hug and said, "See you downstairs!"

Mom and I went down the stairs. The ceremony was supposed to start soon. "What do you need, Mom?" I asked her when we got to the kitchen.

"OK, now don't get upset, but Embry can't find the ring. He's a wreck! It's the one thing Sam told him not to do! He knows it's here somewhere because he remembers pulling it out and showing Sam when he first got here. Will you please help him find it?"

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "Yes. I know exactly where it is." I held out my hand. It was on my finger! Mom put her hand over her mouth and laughed. "Embry didn't trust himself, so he put it on my finger and told me to keep it safe for him. Where is he now?"

"I'm not sure. He was on the front porch last time I saw him. He thinks he dropped it out there somewhere," she told me. "Oh that poor boy!" She laughed again.

I put my bouquet down on the kitchen table and walked out onto the front porch. He looked so handsome today. He and Sam had gone shopping and bought black dress pants, shoes, belts and shirts. Sam's was a pale yellow to match Emily's dress, and Embry's was green to match mine. "Hey baby, what cha doin?" I asked him.

He looked up at me frantically and said, "Oh my God, Leah! I can't find the ring! Sam will kick my ass! I promised him I wouldn't lose it. What am I going to do?"

"Well, you are going to calm down right now, OK?" I walked over and stood right in front of him. "Think, Embry. Think real hard. Where did you put the ring to keep it safe?" I looked him in the eye. Come on, baby, think, think . . . oh! There it is - light bulb! He smiled and took a hold of my right hand and held it up to see the ring there, on my finger where he put it.

He closed his eyes and said, "Oh my God. What a fucking idiot I am!" He pulled me to him and said, "Thank you, Leah! Thank you! I was so afraid of disappointing Sam."

I pulled back and smiled. "You dork. You're not going to disappoint him. You are the best, best man ever! Now, here," I took the ring off of my finger and held it out to him, "take this. Put it in your pocket and leave it there until they ask for it, OK?"

He smiled and did exactly as I told him. "Thanks, baby. I don't know why I'm so nervous. You'd think it was me getting married!"

I smiled. I liked that idea. I put my arms around his waist and snuggled up to him. "Come here, I'll make it better," I said softly.

He smiled and leaned down and kissed me. As soon as our lips touched, I felt like melting. We stood there kissing until we heard someone clear their throat. "Uh, excuse me, but I would like to get married today, and I can't do that until you get your asses in the backyard! Stop sucking face and let's go!" Sam yelled at us with a grin.

I ran into the house and grabbed my bouquet. Emily was at the top of the stairs waiting for Sam and Embry to go to the backyard. They walked through and went out the back, and I signaled to her that it was clear to come down. She walked downstairs and we walked down the hall to the back together.

We had borrowed chairs from the rec center and set them in the backyard. All of the little white lights that Sam and Embry had put in the trees and on the bushes were lit up and iIt was beautiful! There were white flowers at the makeshift altar, and candles. There was a white runner to make the aisle down through the rows of chairs. It was a small gathering. Only the closest family and friends.

Claire was itching to get going, so Seth pushed play on the stereo system that Sam had set up and the music started playing. Emily picked "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" to walk down the aisle to. I bent down and whispered to Claire, "OK, honey, it's time. Go!" I gave her just a gentle push.

She walked down the aisle, very carefully taking the petals out of the basket and dropping them. She was adorable! She was wearing her little pink fluffy dress and Anna had put curls in her hair, and a pink bow. Quil was sitting toward the front with Claire's mom, and I could see his face. He was captivated. I always thought him imprinting on her was kind of creepy and gross. But it wasn't. It was very sweet. He loved her so much. He had a camera and snapped some pictures of her. Of course, she had to stop and pose! Everyone laughed.

"Your turn!" Emily whispered. I kissed her cheek and said, "Love you!" She smiled and said, "Love you, too. I'm so glad you are here with me!"

I was too. I really was! I took a step down the aisle and looked up and saw Sam standing there. It was surreal somehow. I had imagined this moment a hundred times when I was in love with Sam. Seeing him standing there, looking so handsome with a big smile on his face. But now, I knew that smile was for Emily, who was standing behind me. But that didn't make me sad or angry. I was surprised at how happy I was for both of them!

I looked over and saw Embry staring at me. We locked eyes and a slow smile spread over his face. I walked slowly to the music and smiled. I secretly wished I was walking to him and to be married. I knew we were nowhere near ready for that. But I was starting to think maybe . . . in the future.

I reached the front and everyone stood up as Emily came down the aisle. She was radiant! She glowed as she smiled at Sam. I looked over at him and saw his reaction was the same. They really were perfect together.

She handed me her bouquet, and the tribal elder started the ceremony. He spoke of our tribal traditions and of the sacred bond of marriage. I was watching Embry. I knew he was waiting for his moment to hand the ring to Sam. When the elder asked, he confidently put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the ring and placed it onto the elder's palm. I smiled and winked at him. He smiled and winked back.

The elder pronounced them married, and gave Sam permission to kiss his bride. Sam took Emily's face into his hands and kissed her. Then he picked her up and twirled her around. Everyone clapped. I handed her her bouquet, and they walked back down the aisle, husband and wife. Embry stepped forward and held out his arm for me to take. I put mine through his and we walked down the aisle to join Sam and Emily on the back porch.

I hugged Emily and told her again how happy I was for her. Then I went to Sam and hugged him. I whispered into his ear, "I am happy for both of you. I really am."

He whispered back, "Thanks, baby. I want you to be happy too."

I pulled back and wiped the tears from my eyes and smiled at him. Embry put his arms around me from behind and leaned down and kissed my cheek. "You look so beautiful today, baby. I love you," he whispered.

I closed my eyes and soaked in this moment. I couldn't believe that I almost missed it. If I had stayed angry and bitter, I would never have felt this! I would have lost Sam and Emily forever, and never felt Embry's arms around me. I was very, very thankful for this moment.

Embry POV:

I made it through this thing without really losing the ring! God I'm glad that's over! We posed for some pictures, and then everyone moved inside for the party. Sue and Emily's mom had all of the food out and people were helping themselves and some went back outside and some stayed in. It was very informal, and comfortable.

Leah and I got a plate of food and went out onto the front porch. No one had snagged the porch swing yet, so we took it. I was starving, as usual, so I dug right in. "Oh man, your mom's potato salad is so good! I love this stuff!" I said with my mouth full.

Leah laughed. "She made it just for you, you know. I think she kind of likes you," she said with a smile.

"Oh yea, I'm in with the mom. I got it made," I said.

Leah elbowed me and took a bite of my potato salad. "Hey! Get your own!" I yelled at her and she laughed.

We finished our food and went back in for more. It was good to see everyone having such a good time. Jake and Sam were laughing about something, and Paul and Rachel were making out in the corner, behind Jake's back. That made me smile!

I walked over to Sue and kissed her on the cheek. She looked very surprised and said, "Well, what was that for?"

"That is for making the best potato salad in the world!" I told her with a grin.

She laughed and said, "Well aren't you sweet? You're welcome, Embry."

My mom was here today, getting to know more of our little tribe. I was glad. She looked really pretty today! She had her hair up and she was wearing a new dress that she bought just for today. It was kind of a peach color and it looked really nice on her! She was sitting with Billy and she laughed at something he said. She looked so relaxed! I don't know if I had ever seen her like this before. I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me and said, "Hi, honey! Billy has been telling me some stories about you and Jake when you were little. I knew you two were pretty ornery, but I guess I didn't know how ornery!" She laughed again. What a great sound!

"Hey, Billy! Don't go getting me in trouble, now!" I said.

He laughed. "Naw. You and Jake were just being boys. It was actually kind of fun having you around."

"I had to work so much. I'm glad he had you keeping an eye on him," Mom told Billy.

Just then, Rachel came over and sat down by her dad. "Hey Dad." She turned to my mom and said, "Hi, Angie! You look great today, by the way! I love that dress!"

Mom beamed. "Thank you!" Then in typical chick fashion she went on to tell her where she got it and how it was on sale, and whatever. I looked over at Billy and he smiled at me.

I left Mom in good hands and went to find my own chick. She was in the kitchen getting plates and forks for the cake. I went up behind her and put my arms around her. She jumped and laughed. I whispered, "I missed you," then kissed her neck.

"Hey now! None of that in the kitchen!" her mom said with a smile as she swatted me on the shoulder. I smiled and let Leah go.

"You better watch it or no more potato salad!" Leah said to me.

I laughed and said, "OK! I'll be good, I promise!" She walked out to where the cake was set up and put the plates and forks there. Sam and Emily came over and cut the beautiful cake that she had made and posed for more pictures. Leah and her mom cut the rest for all of us to eat. It was delicious, just like my birthday cake was.

Jake hollered out that it was time to start the dancing. Jake and Jared had set up a small dance floor in the backyard. Seth and I had made some CD's with Sam and Emily's favorite songs, and some other fun dance stuff. Sam and Emily led the crowd outside and Jared started the sound system for their first dance. Sam took Emily in his arms and they danced around the floor. They looked right into each other's eyes, and it was like they were the only two people here. It was amazing. I had my arm around Leah and I pulled her close and kissed her on the head.

When the song was over, Emily called Leah and I out to join them on the dance floor. Another song came on, and I took Leah in my arms and we danced. I held her close and I could hear her humming along to the music. We moved like one person, and I could feel her heartbeat with mine. I loved this girl with everything I had. I felt like my heart would burst.

I looked down at her and she lifted her head and smiled at me. "I love you," she said. I smiled and said, "I love you." It was a perfect moment. The music ended and everyone was invited to dance. Jared put on "Let's Get This Party Started" and everyone came out and had fun.

I took Leah's hand and led her through the house to the front porch. I had unbuttoned my shirt and pulled it out of my pants. Man it was so hot! "What's up?" Leah asked.

"I just need some air. It's so hot wearing all these clothes!" I complained. I took off the green shirt and threw it on the porch swing and then pulled the white t-shirt I was wearing out of my pants to let it hang out.

She smiled a sexy smile and put her hand on my chest and said, "Yea, and you looked hot, too, baby."

"Really? You like me all dressed up, do you" I asked her.

"Mmm, hmm. You smell good, too," she said as she put her face to my chest and kissed me.

"Come here," I said as I and took her in my arms.

She laid her head on my chest. "I really liked dancing with you, Embry. Maybe we should do it more often, when we're alone."

"Mmmmm, I wouldn't mind." I started dancing us around in a circle on the porch, listening to the crickets and tree frogs as our music. "This is perfect. I wouldn't change a thing."

"Me either," she sighed.