Sam's Soul Bonded
AN: I am not done with this story yet, this chapter is the midway point for this story. I will start progressing things faster from here on out. I will try to progress after every two or three chapters.
Part 10
BPOV
I hugged Embry and Sam goodbye as they were headed to meet with the council to get an order from the council to do a paternity test. I had enough time to organize our notes and have a bowl of cereal before the girls and I had to meet with Jessica Hayes. To say I was nervous would be a gross understatement, this meeting will determine our future as Restaurateurs.
I quickly ate my bowl of Cereal and patted down my black pant suit nervously. Sue let me buy it off of her when she learned what we were planning on today. It truly warmed my heart that we had the support of the reservation behind us. I put the notes in the briefcase Sam gave me and waited as my dad came in.
"You look very professional Bells. I am very proud of you." Dad said in his gruff voice. I impulsively hugged him, I don't think I will ever tire of hearing that I made my dad proud of me. Though stunned my dad hugged me back, I then stepped back and picked up my briefcase in my left hand.
"Thank you dad, it means a lot to hear it." I said with a blush as we headed out to my beast.
We had decided to all meet up at the diner, I rehearsed in my head every fact and sales pitch we all went over last night. When we got there I noticed that I wasn't the only one nervous. As soon as we got there a petite middle aged woman stepped outside to greet us. She had wavy Chestnut colored hair with barely a hint of gray, and crystal blue eyes. She had very few lines on her face and looked like she smiled often. I saw the way my dad and her were eying each other.
"Jessie, I want you to meet my daughter Bella, and her Business partners Emily Young" here dad pointed to Emily. "Kim Redfeather" here he pointed to Kim. "And Leah Clearwater." Here he pointed to Leah.
"Pleasure to meet you four, come inside and I will show you around." Jessica said after she shook all of our hands.
We went inside and she showed us the diner as it was before it was open for business. She then introduced us to the cooks who were preparing today's specials. I smiled and waved at Cora, the always friendly server, who smiled back. Then she led us to the back office, she waved us into the mismatched chairs she barely managed to fit in.
"After careful thought and consideration I have decided to sell the diner to you four. I will stay on for a year to show you girls the ropes and for the regulars to get used to you. Any questions?" She asked getting right to the point.
"Any other stipulations like us having to keep certain items or staff?" I asked. Jessie smiled at me.
"I already spoke with the staff and although some like Tim the morning Kitchen Manager, and some of the servers decided to retire. Most of the staff wish to remain if you want them. As far as menu items, that is up to you, I have highlighted the most popular items and best sellers here for you." Jessie said as she opened a drawer and pulled out her master copy of the menu.
We looked over the menus and decided to keep the highlighted items and slowly phase out the least popular ones. After we all signed the contract I noticed my dad was subtly flirting with Jessie and it was reciprocated. I know most other girls would have problems with their father moving on with a new woman, but I was glad my dad was moving on from mom.
I staid behind when my dad and the others went out front to get something to eat. I noticed very subtle hints that Jessie wasn't entirely human.
"Your a Shape Shifter aren't you?" I asked causing Jessie to jump and smile at me with a nod.
"Yep I am a panther! How did you guess?" she asked curiously.
"You don't look like you are older than 20 and yet you would have to be at least closer to 50." I said with a blush.
"I am 150 years old child. I was old friends with the previous La Push pack and a certain major." Jessie said with a wink, I smiled at her, if Jazz approved of her it is fine by me.
"Is my dad your mate?" I asked she blushed as she nodded.
"Have you told him yet?" I asked.
"No I want to its just he has been through so much because of Renee, I shouldn't speak ill of her in front of you, but she tore him apart so much emotionally before she left. Then she took you and he felt that he was not fit to be your father." Jessie said sadly.
"I wish you would have told me sooner Jess." Dad said and I headed out to the diner part and let the two talk alone.
General POV
Charlie was stunned he didn't realize the woman he had had a crush on for close to five years was his mate. He like his daughter figured out that Jessie was a shape shifter. Harry and Billy always teased him about his crush on her, but he didn't want to upset his daughter by dating anyone but her mother.
"And what would you have done Charlie, I am old enough to be your Great, Great Grandmother. I also saw how hurt you were after Renee left and took Bella with her. I didn't want you to reject me or worse feel that you were obligated to be with me." Jessie said as she looked into Charlie's Cinnamon eyes.
"Jess, there is a reason I kept coming here all the time and it wasn't for the cobbler. I don't care that your older than me, I love you sweetheart." Charlie said then pulled Jessie into his arms and kissed her passionately.
BPOV
"Its about time!" Cora whispered to us as she got us all the Lunch Special.
"What do you mean?" I asked. We all looked intrigued.
"Those two have been dancing around each other for years! We even had a pool going about when they would get together, looks like I won the pool!" Cora said.
"She seems really nice." I said.
"She is actually, she is actually quite the matchmaker, she hooked my parents up and Jake's parents as well." Leah said and I couldn't help humming that old matchmaker song.
SPOV
I could tell Embry was nervous as we walked over to the Tribal Center. I am an elder for two reasons, I am the oldest of the Uley bloodline, and I am temporary Alpha. I am pretty sure I could get the council order for the DNA test, and to become his guardian.
"Don't worry, since you have proven to be able to phase you are now a full member of this tribe." I said trying to ease his nerves.
"What if my mom actually decides to fight you on this? Will she be able to win?" Embry asked.
"Honestly I don't know, the fact that she was less than forthcoming on who your father was from the beginning could go against her. Not to mention how often she has left you alone for long periods of time without supervision throughout your childhood." I said as we entered the center.
One hour later we headed over to his house with the needed order. It helps that the elders wanted to help Embry out as much as I did. When we got to the door, we saw legal papers with what looked like a short note taped to the door. Embry grabbed the papers and read them over before sinking down to the steps with tears in his eyes.
Wordlessly he handed me the note.
Embry,
I finally found someone who was rich and wanted to take care of me. But the catch was he didn't want a 16 year old around so you will find attached emancipation papers with my signature. Best of luck,
Kay Call
I sat down and pulled him into my arms, I thought I was messed up when Joshua ditched me. But I at least had mom to be there for me.
"Hey it makes it easier to get the DNA test. You still have the me, Bella, and the pack, we are your family. I know it isn't the same, but we will help you through it." I said.
Embry pulled back and we walked over to the clinic with the papers in hand. Two hours later and it was official Embry is my kid brother, he also signed the emancipation papers.
"Do you still want to stay at mine?" I asked. Now he could legally live on his own if he wanted.
"I will way you rent when I can find a job." Embry said.
"You can start work for me at my company tomorrow, it will be part time until you is $300 a month and that includes everything." I said.
I didn't want to charge him rent, but I didn't want him to object to what he would view as charity. I pulled out my cell when we reached the house, he went in and up to his room. I saw that it was close to lunch time so I dialed my Bella.
"How did everything go?" Bella asked by way of greeting.
"The good news is he is my brother, the bad news is his bitch of a mom abandoned him for a rich guy and left nothing but a note and emancipation papers." I said with a little growl in my voice.
"Ooh she is lucky I can't go and give her a piece of my mind! Well Jessie decided to sell the business to us. Did you know she is an S.S too? Apparently my dad is her partner." Bella said using codewords so that people wouldn't find out our secret.
"Yeah I did know she is an S.S, are you bothered by her and your dad being partners?" I asked amused as I used her codewords.
"Actually I am glad he moved on from my mom. I love my mom but she left a lot to be desired as a wife and mother. Apparently they are working on their partnership in the backroom. I am about ready to head home and ask Cora to tell Jessie to give him a ride to Jake's" Bella said.
"Alright just thought I would catch up with my smarter half." I said then hung up.
I went in the kitchen and started preparing meatloves for dinner. I got two pounds of ground chuck, and two pounds of ground pork and set them in the microwave to thaw out. I turned the radio on as I continued preparing dinner. Mom taught me how to cook from an early age, she confided in me that women love a man who cooks.
BPOV
After waiting two hours for my dad to come back out, we decided to head back to the rez.
"Cora can you ask Jessie to give dad a ride Billy's please!?" I asked wondering if I should get some brain bleach on my way home.
On my way home I thought of Embry, I have only known him for a little while but he already felt like a little brother to me. How the hell can people like Kay and my mom be allowed to have children let alone keep them? Don't look at me like that! I love my mom but facts are facts, if it wasn't for neighbors checking in on me constantly when Renee would be gone for days on end, I would have died of starvation.
I hated having to sacrifice having a normal childhood just to survive living with Renee. When I entered the house I could smell the wonderful aroma of meatloaf being prepared. I smiled at my mate singing along to the random songs as he peeled and diced potatoes.
"Is Em upstairs?" I ask getting his attention.
"Yeah, are you going to go talk to him?" he asked.
"Yeah, let me know when dinner is ready." I said then headed up to the spare room, where I knocked on the door.
"It's Bella, may I come in?" I asked.
"Yes." I heard his subdued voice and I had to fight back my growl at what that bitch did to him. I opened the door and he was sitting on the bed with his head in his hands.
I sat down next to him and he allowed me to pull him in my arms.
"I know what you are going through, because Renee did much the same to me..." I then spent the next hour and a half talking about my childhood in Phoenix, including how I was the only eight year old who went to Culinary school instead of middle school in order to survive.
He told me of his childhood, how he met Quil and Jake at school and how they became his family. How Billy and Sarah, and the Ateara's would have him stay with them for days on end. I could feel the sisterly bond with him solidifying.
"Well now you have all of us now!" I said just as Sam called us down for dinner.
After dinner a pissed looking Ange came in along with a teary eyed Jessica Stanley. Embry got a look of wonder on his face when he laid eyes on Jessica.
"Embry Call meet Jessica Stanley." I said introducing Embry to Jess who gasped when she looked into his eyes.
"Jess what is wrong?" I asked her bringing her attention to me.
"That slut Lauren didn't think it was enough to steal Ben from me, she had to steal Mike from Jess!" Ange growled before setting our homework down and running outside to phase.
"What just happened earlier?" Jess asked and I knew she was referring to Embry imprinting on her.
"Sam go outside and show her it will be easier." I said as we all headed out back.
Sam stripped down before phasing Jess just blinked and shrugged.
"So they turn into giant wolves?" She asked.
I just shook my head and we spent the next hour explaining everything including the imprint connection. Jess just took it in stride, I guess she was stronger than I thought.
"So you are basically my soul mate?" She asked Embry with a tentative smile, which he returned with a nod.
"Can we start slow, I can't handle another relationship right now?" Jess asked.
"I know that is what the bond is telling me, I never had a girlfriend before so this is all new to me." Embry confessed with a blush.
"I'm surprised no one has already claimed you. You seem to be really sweet?" Jess said.
Sam and I left them to it, and we sat at the table as I did my homework, and he was doing paperwork before he had to go patrol.
"I am glad she realized what a loser Mike was. I mean he never made it a secret his crush on me, Jess deserved better." I said as I tried to figure out the annoyance that was calculus.
"It is a good thing you won't be seeing Lauren anytime soon, otherwise you will wind up kicked out of school." he said with humor evident in his tone.
"Edward did me a favor in a way, I had forgotten the girl I was before I met him. I was really naïve when it came to boys, and didn't realize that it was wrong to let him make all the decisions for me." I said.
I was just now remembering the strong and self-sufficient girl I was before Edward. Sam grabbed my injured hand and placed a kiss on the cast.
"I might not know who the girl before Edward was, but I love the girl you are now. I love taking care of you, that was how my mom raised me. But I don't want you to lose your separate identity either." Sam said as he left to go patrol.
Jess came and sat down with her own homework, we worked together in silence, before Jess sighed.
"Bella did I deserve what Mike and Lauren did to me?" Jess asked sadly.
"No Jess, what they did was wrong. No one deserves to be cheated on, just like I didn't deserve to be led out into the woods and dumped like yesterday's garbage. Why do you ask?" I asked as I looked up.
"Because I was so shallow and only really cared about how things affected me. I befriended you for my own selfish reasons, and I am so sorry about that." Jess said as tears started falling from her eyes.
"Hey I was really selfish when I ditched you all in favor of The Cullens. You are forgiven." I said and she smiled shyly, and that was the new beginning of my friendship with Jessica Stanley.
An hour later Ange came back in and we took turns helping each other out with homework before Ange and Jess had to go home. Embry shyly hugged Jess goodbye, before he went up to bed. I noticed it was 9:00 and decided to go on up to bed.
The rest of the week passed by really quickly, Jess decided to just hang out with us after school. She and the other Wolf Girls hit it off. My partners and I agreed to let her work for us as a server. Jessie was an easy going boss, she was also strict when it was needed.
Embry was currently working to control his phasing with Sam. I can already see a strong relationship forming between those two, which I was glad for. Sam and I were progressing as well, he is showing nothing but unconditional love and support for me and the girls.
Emily it seems is going into her second trimester. She is always glowing and happy, in a way I kind of envy her, but neither Sam and I are quite ready for that yet. Paul is showing signs of being an overprotective dad.
Ange decided to get a job at the General Store Quil's family owns. Those two are so sweet together, Ange's calm spirit and personality is already showing signs of affecting Quil. And Quil's sense of humor always gets a smile out of her.
Jake, Quil, and Embry are thinking of asking the council if they can graduate early. They are all smart enough so they can handle the challenge, and it does give them more time to attend their duties.
Leah is still working at the clinic part time until the end of the year, then she will work with us full time.