CHAPTER 31

Embry POV:

Leah and I were sitting outside on the deck. We knew we had to talk, but neither of us knew where to start. Finally, she took my hand, gripped it tight and she said, "Embry, I am so sorry. I owe you an apology for jumping into this without talking to you first. I seem to have a habit of doing that," she said with a shy smile. I smiled back. I knew she was talking about the DNA tests. "But, you have to know, I did this with the best intentions. I really felt that deep down, if you had the chance, you would want to meet your father and get answers to all of the questions that have plagued you all your life! And, I have to say, Embry, I'm glad I met him. I'm glad I talked to him. I understand so much better now. But I am sorry. I should have asked you first. I never, never, meant to hurt you."

I squeezed her hand and said, "I know that, Leah. But, damnit! I just wish you would have told me! It was such a shock, you know? I mean, I always knew he could still be out there somewhere, but when my mom told me that she had talked to him and she was going to see him today . . . well, it was a lot to take in." I looked at her and said softly, "Why didn't you tell me, Leah? Why did you tell my mom, but not me?"

"I'm sorry, Embry. I should have. I was just . . . so afraid. I laid there in your bed last night, and I actually realized then what I had done. Your parents were talking on the phone because I had given your mom his phone number! I was terrified that you would never want to see me again. I just . . . I don't know." She hung her head and for a moment then she looked at me and said, "But Embry, you should have seen your mom after she hung up. Her eyes were shining and she was so excited. I know you're mad, but after I saw that, I knew I did the right thing for her. She needs to see him, and whether you want to know it or not, he needs to see her. I wonder how their meeting is going."

I had looked at the clock on the way outside, and I realized that they should be at the diner right now meeting for the first time in 18 years. I put my head down and really tried to wrap my head around that. My parents, BOTH of them, were meeting right now. I looked at Leah and said, "Yea, I get that. I hope it's OK. For her, you know? I just don't want her to get her hopes up that something can happen between them, and then have him dump her again. Then I would have to kill him."

Leah smiled and nodded. She squeezed my hand. "Do you want to meet him, Embry?"

I took a deep breath and looked out over the back yard. Did I want to meet him? "Part of me really does. That little boy inside that always wanted his dad to take him fishing and stuff wants to meet him. But, me, now? I don't know. I'm afraid I would smash my fist into his face and ask questions later." She still had a hold of my hand and she was rubbing her thumb back and forth. It was soothing, but distracting at the same time.

"I get that, Embry. Maybe you just need to wait a little to decide," she said. I looked over at her and said, "Yea, I guess there's no rush."

We were quiet for awhile and then she looked at me and asked, "What about Sam? I'm afraid he will hear it through the grapevine, or 'wolf network' or whatever. What if Jake lets it slip? I'm so scared, Embry. Sam will be furious, I know he will."

"I know, Leah. I was angry last night when my mom first told me. I couldn't help it – I had to phase and run. Quil and Jared were out and they know. I told them both to keep it from Sam. They're scared enough of him, they won't tell!" She smiled at that. "Sam is full of rage for the guy, and I can understand that, can't you?" She nodded. "But, you know, the night before his wedding, we talked about it. He decided that night we would both put this behind us and let go of it and not let it make us into bitter people. He said that if it wasn't for our dad, we wouldn't have each other. That made me pretty happy. He even told me he loved me," I said with a shy smile.

Her face lit up and she said, "You never told me that! Wow, Embry!"

"Yea, I know. Cool, huh? Anyway, he talked that night about his mom and how she was so hurt. That's not going to be easy for Sam to forgive, you know? I don't know, Leah. I guess we need to tell him, but don't expect him to be happy about it."

"I don't. I just . . . don't want him . . . to hate me," I said holding back tears. I closed my eyes tight to try and keep them in. I was sick of crying! "We finally got past all that imprinting shit, and I feel like we were becoming friends. Now I fucked that up, Embry!"

He squeezed my hand and said, "Leah! Sure he'll be pissed. You know that. But I think he'll come around and realize that you did it for a good reason, not just too cause him pain. He still cares about you Leah. I think, in a way, you will always be special to him, as much as it kills me to say that."

She wiped her face and smiled at me. "I like that you're a little jealous."

"You do, huh? Well, I hate it actually," I said with a smile. "He's my brother! It's just . . . weird, I guess. But I'm learning to live with it. You, Jake, my mom and Sam and Emily are the most important people in my life, Leah. I don't ever want to lose any of you. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen. I mean that."

"Thank you. Will you go with me to tell him? Will you protect me?" she asked with a hopeful smile.

I had to laugh. She looked so cute! "Yes, I will go with you, and I will TRY to protect you. Come here, baby." I held my arms open and she got up and moved over to sit on my lap. She laid her head on my shoulder and let me hold her. "It will be OK. Maybe not for awhile, but eventually, it will all work out."

We finally made it to the truck to drive over to Sam and Emily's. Before I could start the engine, my mom called. She sounded so excited!"Oh Embry, I can't tell you how good I feel. To see him again, and talk to him. Something I've been dreaming of every night for over 18 years. I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said that."

"No, Mom, it's OK. I get it. You loved the guy," I said. Leah had her head next to mine trying to listen, too.

"I'm on my way home right now. Where are you?" she asked.

"I'm at Leah's. We were just leaving to go and talk to Sam. We didn't want him to accidentally hear something from someone else," I told her.

"Oh, you told Leah?"

I laughed at that. "You can quit the acting job, Mom. I know that Jake took Leah to see him yesterday, and she was the one that gave you his phone number. Jake and Leah came clean today about it."

"Oh, good. She was so terrified when I took her home last night, honey. Please don't be mad at her. She loves you so much, and she was trying to do a good thing. It was a good thing for me. Are you two OK?"

I smiled at Leah and said, "Yea, Mom. We're good. Don't worry about that." Leah smiled at me and I leaned over and kissed her.

"Good. Now, hand her the phone. I want to talk to her." I held the phone out to Leah and she put it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hi, honey. I just wanted to thank you again for finding Josh. When I saw him today, it was like time stood still. I walked right into his arms and he held me, Leah. We sat and talked and he told me everything. He has led such a tortured life. I don't know if the boys will ever understand that, but I do. He told me he wants to see me again. He kissed me, too. It's still there, Leah. Whatever this imprinting thing is, it is strong. I felt the same as I did the first time he kissed me. It was amazing."

"I'm so glad it went well. I've been thinking about you all afternoon!" Leah said.

"Look, I'm driving, so I better go. Maybe we can talk after I get home, OK? You and Embry both."

"Yea, sure. We'll see you later tonight. Bye." She closed the phone and handed it to me. "What was all that about?" I asked.

"Girl talk," she said with smile. I rolled my eyes. "Things went well, Embry. She wants to talk later."

I nodded and started the truck and drove the short distance to Sam's. I parked and turned off the engine, and we both just sat there and looked at each other. It was like we were daring the other to go first. Finally I smiled at her and she smiled back. I pulled her over to me and kissed her. "It'll be OK, Leah. It might get ugly, but it will be OK."

"I hope so," she said.

"Come on, chicken little," I said to her as I opened the door to the truck and pulled her out my side. I closed the door and took her hand in mine and we walked up the steps onto the front porch. The door was closed as it was cool and rainy today. I looked at her and took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come on in!" we heard Emily call out. I opened the door and we walked in.

"Something smells good," I said to Emily as we walked into the kitchen. "What is it?"

"Apple pies," Emily answered. "We picked apples this morning, so I couldn't resist. What are you two up to today? Why aren't you in school, Embry? Playing hooky?"

I looked at Leah and she looked at me.

"Alright, what's up? This looks serious," Emily said as she washed her hands.

"Um, is Sam here? We kind of need to talk to him. It's pretty important," I said.

She nodded and dried her hands. "He's not here right now. We are going to paint the baby's room and he went to get some supplies. He should be home in a little bit. You want to wait?"

"Yea, sure," I answered. "And I'm not playing hooky. My mom actually called me in sick today, so there." I said with a smile.

"You don't look sick to me," she said with a grin. "But you do need a haircut. I'm getting my scissors." She turned and opened a drawer and took out her hair cutting scissors. "I'll go grab the spray bottle and comb. Be right back." I smiled. Leave it to Emily to know how to fill the time. She can tell I'm nervous about talking to Sam, and she's trying to help.

She came back and I carried a chair out to the porch. Leah followed us and took her place on the porch swing. Emily sprayed me down and started combing and cutting. "So, this is big, huh? What you need to see Sam about? You seem pretty nervous. Both of you." I didn't answer her.

Leah said, "Yea, it is. And we're pretty sure he won't be happy with what we have to tell him."

Emily quit cutting and she looked at Leah and said, "You're pregnant, aren't you?" Leah broke out laughing right away.

"What is it with everyone thinking I'm pregnant?" Leah asked. "I asked Jake for a ride to Forks and told him it was important, and he thinks he's taking me to the doctor to see if I'm pregnant!" Emily and I were laughing now.

"Well, baby, they know you can't keep your hands off of me. I mean, look at me?" I said teasingly. Emily squirted me in the face with the water bottle. "Thanks, Em," I said as I wiped my face. Of course she and Leah thought it was funny!

Emily finished my haircut and handed me the mirror. "OK, handsome, what do you think?"

"Looks great, as usual," I said as I handed her the mirror. I stood up and paid her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, sis," I said with a smile.

She looked at me and gave me a slow smile. "Sis, huh? I kind of like that," she said. I grabbed the broom and swept the hair off of the porch while she put her scissors and things away. I put the broom back against the wall and carried the chair back inside to the table while Leah followed. That's when Sam came in.

"Hey, bro! What's up? Getting all pretty, are you?" he called out as he walked in carrying a can of paint and a bag of supplies. "Hey, Leah!" He kept walking down the hall to put the things in the baby's room.

"Yep, you know me. Gotta stay looking good for my woman," I called to him as I put my arm around Leah's shoulder. I looked over at her and I thought she looked like she was going to puke at any minute! I pulled her to me and whispered, "Chill out, babe! Don't hurl on me, OK?" That made her smile.

"You need help carrying anything?" I asked him as he came back out into the kitchen.

"Nope, that was it. Might need help painting though. You up for it?" he asked me.

"Yea, sure. I can run a paint roller," I assured him.

He walked into the kitchen and pulled Emily to him for a kiss. Then another, and another. She smiled at him and asked, "How did you know to come home right when the pies were coming out of the oven?"

"I could smell them all the way from town! Man, I can't wait to take that first bite," he said. He let her go so she could open the oven door and take the pies out. He walked back over to us and said, "So, what's up with you two?" Then he gave me a look. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"Mom called in for me, it's OK. Um, we actually came here to talk to you about something. It's pretty important. Can we sit down?" I asked.

He shrugged and pulled out a chair and sat down. Leah and I did the same. Then we just sat there, saying nothing. Sam looked at us, back and forth and finally said, "So, talk!"

I started to say something just as Leah said, "Sam, I did something stupid and I don't want you to hate me, OK?"

He looked at her and said, "Oh God, Leah. You're pregnant aren't you?" Emily lost it and started laughing behind Sam. He looked back at her and said, "What's so funny?"

Leah and I were laughing, too, and she said, "Because you're the third person that's asked me that! NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT!"

"OK, so you're not pregnant. Then what did you do that you're terrified to tell me?" Sam asked.

Leah took a deep breath and grabbed my hand under the table. "I went to see Charlie and asked him if he could help me find . . . your dad."

"You what? Are you serious?" He looked at me and when he realized I wasn't joking, he got angry. "Why would do something so fucking stupid?" he yelled.

"Sam, please try really hard to listen first and yell later, OK?" I asked him. He glared at me then nodded. Emily had come over and sat down beside Sam.

"Charlie did a little digging and he found him, Sam. Joshua is alive and living in Port Angeles. Sam, please! Just let me talk!" she said as she could see the anger building. He had his hands curled into fists and I was afraid he might phase any minute.

"You know, Leah, maybe this isn't a good idea. He's not ready to hear this," I said quickly.

"Shut up, Embry! I'm sure you already know all about it, so I need to know too. Talk, Leah!" he said roughly.

"Jake took me there to see him. We went to his house and he told us what happened and why he left. But, I won't tell you that. You need to hear it from him. He wants to see you. He really misses you. He never stopped loving you, Sam. Never. "

He couldn't take it anymore. "Are you fucking kidding me with this shit? He never stopped loving me? What a fucking liar!" he screamed as he pushed the chair back so hard it fell over and he stalked out of the house. I looked at Leah and Emily and said, "I'll go after him." I got up and headed out the door. I thought maybe he had phased and run like I did. But he didn't. He was standing just off the front porch in the yard. He had his hands on his hips and his head down. I stood on the porch for a minute trying to decide if I should stay here and let him cool down, or if he needed me to talk. I heard him say, "Why, Embry? Why would she do this? What the hell was she thinking?"

I walked down the steps to stand beside him. There were tears on his face! Man, I'm not used to that. Sam was not only my big brother, he was the Alpha of our pack. We were used to seeing him be strong and invincible. Not showing emotion like this. "I don't know, I guess she did it for me. So I could meet him. And for you. Since she let go of the anger she had when you imprinted, she has been so happy. She is so glad that you and Emily are a part of her life. I suppose she thinks maybe you can do that with your dad. You know, make your peace or some shit. I don't know. All I know is that she didn't do it to hurt us. She was trying to help."

He looked at me and said, "Well, it hurts. It hurts like hell, Embry. To know he's been that close and he never . . . Damnit!" He squeezed his eyes shut and wiped them with his hand.

"They didn't tell me anything more than what they told you. But, my mom went to see him today. And, apparently, it went pretty well, according to her. I know that's probably hard for you to hear, you know, because of your mom . . ."

He looked at me then and said, "I know they had something, or you wouldn't be here, bro. Whatever."

"Look, Sam. My mom wants me to meet him. And, I'm thinking about it." I looked over at him. "Is that OK with you? I don't want you to be mad at me."

"Hey, that's up to you. That has nothing to do with me!" He faced me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Embry, I won't be mad at you for that. You have a right to know who your dad is. I'm just sorry he has to be a fucking asshole."

He dropped hi s arm and turned to go sit on the porch steps. I walked over and sat beside him. "I know you're hurt, Sam. This fucking sucks! I get that. But, maybe you should talk to him. I don't know. Jake and Leah both say that he had a really good reason why he did what he did, that we should see him and let him tell us. I trust them both, and if they tell me that, then I think I should at least listen to the guy then make up my mind. Maybe you should, too. I know this is painful for you. Geez, Sam, I'm hurting for you! You're my brother, dude. I would die for you! But, I guess, when I go through this, I would like to have you there with me. Just think about it, OK?"

He sat there quiet for awhile, staring out at the trees. I just waited. Finally he looked at me and said, "Look, I don't know what to do. I need some time to think about whether I want to see him or not. I'm still afraid I might smash his fucking face in. Give me some time, OK?" I nodded and said, "Fair enough. You got it."

He stood up and said, "Come on, let's go back in." I stood up and we looked at each other. He reached out and pulled me into a hug then pushed me away. "If I do decide to do this, we do it together. OK?"

"Yep. I'll be there." He smiled big and put his arm around my neck and dragged me in the house.

I could see surprise in Leah's eyes as we walked through the door smiling and laughing. Sam let me go as we got to the table where the girls were still sitting. Leah stood up and walked over to face Sam.

"Sam? Please tell me that you don't hate me. You can be mad at me, but don't hate me, OK?"

He smiled at her and said, "Oh, I'm pissed as hell, Leah. Can't help that. But I don't hate you. I could never hate you." He pulled her to him and hugged her. I had to look away. I knew there was nothing between them for me to feel threatened by, but I still had a hard time with it. He let her go and said, "Can you do me a favor, Leah? The next time you want to 'help' me, could you ask first?"

She smiled and said, "Yea. I'll do that."

Emily asked, "So, does anyone want to try this pie?"

"Hell, yes! Cut the pie, woman! I need some pie," Sam yelled with a grin. She smiled and said, "OK, OK, I'm going!" as she walked around the other side of the counter to get plates and a knife. Leah walked over to help. I looked at Sam and he winked at me. I smiled. Yea, everything would be OK.

Leah POV:

We had stayed with Sam and Emily for dinner. It was nice spending time just the four of us, and not the whole pack. We left there and drove to Embry's house. We got out and he took my hand and led me up the steps to his house. He opened the door and let me go in and he followed. Angie was sitting on the couch looking at a magazine. She looked up as we walked in. "Hey, kids! How did it go? I see you're all in one piece, and you got your hair cut! Looks good."

Embry smiled and said, "Yea, it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be." He plopped down in the chair and I sat down on the couch by his mom. "He's pretty upset, but he'll cool down. He said he needs some time to think about all of this. He doesn't know if he wants to see him or not."

Angie nodded. "Yea, I get that. What about you, son? Have you thought any more about meeting your dad?"

I looked over at Embry to see his expression. He was very calm, not angry at all. That was a good sign. He said, "I have thought about it. I think . . . I want to meet him. But I told Sam that I want him there with me. So, I might have to wait a little while for him to calm down."

Angie smiled so big and said, "I'm proud of you, Embry. I know this is tough, but I think you need to do it. And, he wants to see you, he really does. He showed me the pictures that Leah gave him. The one of you and Sam is awesome. He was very proud of his two handsome sons."

He rolled his eyes at that one. I smiled at him. "She called you handsome," I said and he laughed.

"Well, he is," Angie said with a smile. "I told Josh I would call him around eight. I'll tell him that you and Sam are thinking about meeting him. I think that will make him very happy."

"Yea, whatever." Embry got up to use the bathroom and after he left the room, I looked at Angie and said, "So, it went well today, didn't it? I told you he still cared about you. I could tell by the way he talked about you. And when I showed him your picture, wow!"

She practically giggled when she talked about him. She kept her voice down as she said, "It was just like the last 19 years didn't matter. Leah, when he kissed me, I thought I would melt right into the ground. It felt just the same as it did all those years ago. I told him today that I want to be with him in any way I can. He said he felt the same way."

I was so happy for her, I really was. I didn't know how Embry would deal with it, but I knew he would want her to be happy, too. Just then he came back out into the room so Angie picked up the phone and said, "I hope you two will excuse me. I have a phone call to make." She took the phone into her bedroom and closed the door.

I looked over at Embry and patted the couch. He sat down beside me and I snuggled up against him. I whispered in his ear, "How convenient. We have some time alone." Then I licked his earlobe.

He turned toward me and took me in his arms. "Are you saying you want to make out? I don't know, baby, I mean, I'm just not that kind of guy!" He smiled and I laughed. "Yes, you are," I said as I put my lips on his. We took advantage of the time alone, and made out. We tried very hard to keep it from getting out of hand, and we kept all of our clothes on, which wasn't easy. We finally broke apart and he got up and got us a can of pop and a bag of pretzels and came back to sit beside me. I turned on the TV just as his mom came out into the room.

"Really? Watching TV? You think I believe you were just watching TV?" she said with a grin.

"Oh please, Mom. You have to know that I can't keep Leah off me! She's an animal!" Embry said jokingly. I smacked his arm and said, "Look who's talking!" and he laughed.

Angie sat down and said to Embry. "Josh said he's really happy that you've decided to meet him. And that Sam is thinking about it. I hope Sam decides to do it. I think it would be really good for him."

Embry got real quiet then said, "Yea. But, I'll still support him even if he doesn't want to see him, Mom, and you have to be OK with that."

"I will. I understand. You and Sam are getting pretty close, aren't you?"

Embry smiled and said, "Yea, we are. It's pretty cool. I like having a big brother."

"I'm glad you have him," Angie said.

"Listen, you guys. I'm tired. I need to get home," I said. Embry nodded and stood up then put his hand out to help me up. I looked at Angie and told her I was glad she had a good day. Her face lit up as she replied, "Me, too!" I hugged her and then Embry and I walked outside to the truck.

We got in and Embry started it up and drove off toward my house. I was so happy that Sam and Embry didn't hate me for what I did. I knew Sam was upset, but I really felt like he would get past it and things would work out. "Hey, baby, you're pretty quiet over there."

I looked over at Embry and smiled. "Just glad that you and Sam don't hate me. I couldn't take that, you know."

He shook his head. "Leah, you kill me. You jump in and make trouble then hope that people don't hate you. Maybe you should try not jumping in next time, but taking some time to think about it first. Or maybe try asking that person if they would mind you doing something for them."

"I guess that would be a good idea, huh?" I said with a smile. "How did you get so smart?"

He pulled up to my house and shut off the truck. "Well, Sam asked me that the night before his wedding. I told him I had a smart girlfriend. Oh, and I said you were hot too!" He grinned at me.

"Hmmm, really?" I said as I slid across the seat toward him. "Well, I guess that answer deserves a reward." I smiled and then put my lips on his for a nice long, slow kiss. I pulled back and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby." I smiled and slid back toward the door to get out. I opened the door and Embry said, "Wait! Here." I looked back to see him take his t-shirt off and hold it out to me.

"What's this for?" I asked as I took it.

"Put it on to sleep in tonight. You said it made you feel like I had my arms around you," he explained with a smile.

"Awww, that's so sweet. Thank you, I will." I leaned forward and kissed him again. And again. And again. "OK, I have to stop or I will never get out of this truck!" I got out and shut the door. "See you tomorrow," I said.

"You better, baby!" He started the truck and I turned to walk to the door. I opened it and went in and he drove away. I leaned back against the door and held the shirt up to my face. I inhaled his scent and smiled. I went upstairs and into my room and closed the door. I stripped my shirt and shorts off and slipped Embry's t-shirt over my head and pulled it down. I sat down on the edge the bed and wrapped my arms around myself. I closed my eyes and could feel Embry's arms holding me.