AN – I do not own any of the characters o Twilight. They belong to Stephanie Meyers.

Ch 23

Tia POV

"Alice is coming"

Upon hearing my statement, everyone stopped and stared at me. Sam, Emily and Jacob were shocked but Bella blanched in fear. Feeling her tension, Jake immediately tightened his grip on her waist, whispering calmly into her ear to ease her anxiety.

Blinking as I leave the dream, I turn to look at Sam. "Who is Alice?"

Sam and Emily come into the living room to join us. Emily sits down beside Bella as Sam takes the seat next to me asking "What did you see Tia?"

I explain my dream of the pack meeting with the perfect people in the field and the one that stuck out the most, Alice. They looked perfect, too perfect, with pale skin and strange eyes. From my dream, I knew that they were coming to this meeting in peace but the pack was seething in hostility.

"Who are these people and why do you hate them so much?" I ask.

Bella answers. "They are vampires T. They are my ex-boyfriend Edward's family." She is still pale and starts to tremble. She explains that the anger from the pack is due to their break up and how it impacted her. Emily rubs her shoulders to soothe her as she talks through this painful part of her recent past.

"So…they are vampires like Edward?" I ask, letting that fact sink in and seeing Sam's nod answering my question. "And what's so special about Alice that she stood out in my dream?"

Breathing deeply trying to calm down, Bella answers "Alice is their version of you Tia. She can see the future but her ability is limited. She only sees the future as it stands at the moment of her vision. Once there is a change in plan, her vision is no longer valid, but you see the final outcome regardless of current plans."

Jake stands up in frustration "Why do they need to meet us? Why now?" He begins to shake and paces back and forth through the living room.

Sam watches Jake for a moment before answering. "My guess is that it's tied to the recent killings in the Seattle area. I bet they have a good idea who is responsible. In your dream, did you see any indicators as to when this meeting takes place?"

Thinking back, I found that it wasn't easy to determine a time. "The only thing that I remember is that there was no snow on the ground so it could be as early as this snow thaw." As I analyze the dream, I found my perspective to be different than before. I'll have to think about this some more when I have the opportunity.

"Then, this could be as early as the end of this week." Sam continues, going into Alpha mode, and stands. "Ok, looks like the vamp activity is about to step up again. We'll need to keep an eye open for new phases in our tribe. Jake, we need to call a meeting and talk about this further." Turning, they both head for the back door. Before walking out the door, Sam turned to say "Thank you Tia." before shutting the door behind him.

Watching them walk out the door, unspoken questions are hanging over us. Unable to control myself, I had to ask "There have been more killings? Why didn't Sam ask me to look into the flames earlier? I could have helped." I feel my anxiety grow at the thought of innocent people dying when I could have possibly helped them.

Emily stands to look out the window. "Given everything that you've just gone through, he wasn't sure that you were ready Tia. He didn't want to push you into dreaming again. He knew that you would start dreaming again when you were ready."

I walk over to Emily by the window. "Well, I am. I will do what I can to help."

Then, Bella speaks up but in a whisper. "Tia, did you see Edward? Was he in your dream?"

"No, he wasn't Bella. I'm sorry that I didn't mention it earlier. Why does that matter though?"

Bella wraps her arms around herself as she looks up at me with tear filled eyes. "If he wasn't with them, then there's a chance that he's no longer one of their group which would explain why he was in your earlier dreams."

"What do you mean no longer part of their group?"

"His family, the Cullens, is considered vegetarians among their kind, which means that they only feed on animal blood." She hesitates "You remember his face, right?" I nod. "Then you need to pay attention to his eyes should he show up again. If they are red, then he has left them and returned to his old ways."

"So, that would mean that he is dangerous, right Bella?"

She nods. "It would mean that he is very dangerous and that I could be in some very real trouble. He never could accept my relationship with Jacob or his imprint. There's a very real possibility that I'm his target for whatever reason."

Emily pulls Bella back into a hug. "Don't you let him worry you. He doesn't stand a chance against the pack. We'll all do whatever we need to protect you Bella."

Straightening her shoulders, she says, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Yes, I know, but seeing him again will not be easy for me. He really messed with my head."

"You're not alone Bella. We'll be with you every step of the way." I say to her.

Quil POV

My excitement grows as I head up the hill to see Uma. While I'm not overly worried about the conversation that I need to have with her, I feel that it is very important that she knows that I have every intention of making sure Tia is taken care of properly. She has had enough hardship in her life. I wouldn't want anything else happen to her that could be avoided.

After I knock on the door, Uma open the door with a smile. "Hello Quil, how are you? Is Tia well today?"

Smiling, I answer her and ask "Uma, can we talk for a moment?"

She leads me over to the couch and sits down beside me. Now realizing that I'm about to ask for something big, I find that I'm having a hard time sitting still, between my nerves and my excitement. I fidget with my hands rubbing them together, back and forth.

I breathe in and decide to get straight to the point. "Uma, I would like to ask your blessing on something important for Tia and me. Now Tia that has recovered, she could move back in with you, but we've discussed our future together and would like very much to continue living together in my cabin. I have come to ask your permission as neither of us want to disrespect you or my grandfather." I look up at her to see that her face is now guarded. "We've also talked about getting married." Her face doesn't change, making me get really nervous. Is she going to tell us that this is too soon? That we are too young? I force myself to sit still to hear her reply.

Uma sighs and stands up. "In some ways, I feel like I just got my granddaughter back, after she had lived away from me for so long. We've developed a close bond and I don't want that jeopardized."

"Uma, I wouldn't dream of interfering in any way between you two…" I start to say.

"Yes, I know that Quil, but I also know just how obsessive a wolf can be over his imprint. You have to make sure that you share her with us, regardless of whether you live with her or not." She walks over to the pictures on the wall, specifically the one of Tia with her mother and father. "Tia was not allowed the opportunity to know the love of family as she should have growing up. She will need us in her life just as much she needs you." Uma gives me a searching look.

"I understand Uma. Tia will have that. I'm hoping that one day we will have our own family too." I say still wary that I haven't heard the words from Tia that I need to hear. "Does this mean that you are ok with us living there and one day getting married?"

Uma spends a couple of seconds looking at that same picture as if she is hoping that Tia's parents will reach through to give her their approval. Reverently, she touches the frame and then, she turns to look at me. "Yes, Quil, I'm ok with it. You have my blessing." She smiles.

Jumping up off of the couch, I say "Thank you Uma. Please know that I will always love her and take care of her." I can no longer contain my excitement and I pull her into a hug.

She laughs at my antics. "Have you spoken to your grandfather yet Quil? He needs to know as well."

"No I haven't. I'm going to head over there now if you don't mind." My smile is from ear to ear. I'm one step closer to being a very happy young man.

"No, I can't see any reason why you shouldn't go." She walks into the kitchen. "Since you are headed over there, you can take some of these muffins over for Old Quil. He loves them and I have plenty to share." She hands me a box filled with muffins as I head out the door. I give my soon to be grandmother-in-law a kiss on the cheek before I head out the door.

I walk out to the tree line and decide to phase to make the trip to the house quicker. My wolf is jumping in excitement and needs to run if only for a couple of minutes. I strip down in the snow, tie my clothes to my ankle, phase and then pick up the box from Uma. It took me only a minute or so to get there. I phase back and dress. I walk up to the door feeling refreshed and giddy. I know that Grandfather will not stand in the way of my relationship with Tia. I open the door to find him watching television.

"Quil, how are you doing grandson?" He immediately walks over to hug me.

"I'm well grandfather." I smile. Just being in his presence has always had a calming effect on me. "Uma sent you some of her muffins." I place the box on the kitchen counter.

"How is your Tia?" He asks as I take a seat in the living room with him.

"She's well. Actually, I came here to talk to you about her grandfather. You don't mind do you?" I look up at him. I learned long ago that talking to him about something important required patience. He was a man of few words as a general rule so lengthy conversations took longer because he would consider his every answer at length before sharing them.

He walks into the kitchen and takes a muffin out of the box. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he returns to his chair, setting his muffin and coffee on the side table. "What would you like to discuss?" he sips his coffee.

"Grandfather, I have come to ask your permission and blessing." I pull myself to lean forward with my elbows on my knees and both of my hands grasped in front of me. I'm a picture of nerves and sincerity. I'm laying everything that I've dreamed of for the past couple of months on the line.

His eyebrows rise at my statement. "Well, this must be important."

"It is for both me and Tia." I straighten my shoulders. "Tia and I would like to continue living together in the cabin. She has made a full recovery and could go back to Uma's but neither of us wants to be separated again. We've also talked about getting married."

I see a small smile growing on his face. He thinks for a moment. "I remember the day when I asked this very thing of my Adela's father. Oh the nerves I had…" He loses himself in the memory for a moment. "Have you spoken to Uma already?"

"Yes, I have and she has given her blessing." I reply.

He looks at me for a couple of moments to consider the gravity of my request. "Grandson, you realize as a descendant of Taha Aki, you have a great responsibility to our tribe, both as a protector and a future council member. Your mother and I have raised you to the best of our abilities so that when the day came that you would assume these roles, you would be prepared. I'd like to think that you are ready." He nods his head as he continues. "You now also have the responsibility of your imprint. Tia is a fine young lady. She will make a strong and caring mother some day." He nods as if in agreement with his own words.

"The world today makes marriage look like something that is easy; as if all you have to do is say I do. However, such is not the case. It is a constant struggle day to day to make the right decisions for you both as well as to provide for the family, but in your case, you also have to consider your responsibilities to the pack. As much as you are bound to this tribe, you are also bound to your Tia. You will have to find a balance among all of this and it never comes easily. I know that in my day as a protector, it wasn't for me." He reflects on his time as a wolf. Happy and sad memories pass through his mind, leaving him wishing for his youth.

I nod in understanding. After I phased, he told me many stories of his days as a wolf protector, of his battles and his imprint, my grandmother. I hope that one day I can tell these types of stories to my own grandchildren, to see the same respect and admiration in their eyes that I had for my grandfather.

"However, in your case, you also need to keep in mind that Tia has her own responsibilities as the Fire Dreamer. Her role is just as important to the welfare of this tribe as yours. You need to be mindful of her dreams and always listen to her advice because she will see what is to come. You understand?"

"Yes grandfather." I look up at him solemnly. "Then, you give us your blessing?"

Grandfather smiles warmly. "I would like very much to have Tia as my granddaughter. You have my blessing."

I leap off of the couch unable to control myself. "Thank you grandfather, you have just made us very happy. Thank you!"

Grandfather smiled wider as he watched me bounce out the door. I have cleared the way to truly living the life that I had thought not too long ago was only a dream. I would have my love by my side till death do us part.

I walk towards Sam's place when I hear the howl calling the Pack. I phase and make my way to the clearing behind his house where we normally meet. Most of the pack had arrived, only Seth and Leah had yet to arrive. I sit down under a tree to wait.

When the last pack members finally arrive, Sam shares what happened earlier at his house while I was out. I wish I had been there for Tia when she had dreamed. I've been worried about whether or not she would handle her next dream well given that her last dream was so hard on her. I couldn't bear to have her deal with something so traumatic again.

Sam explained that this meeting is coming soon, possibly as early as this snow thaw. Paul and Leah become anxious at the mere thought of having to be that close to those leeches again. I don't blame them. We all remember all too well that they almost killed Bella when they left. Their presence means that more of young people in our tribe might be phasing soon which means our patrols will be stretched to the limit because we'll have to watch the borders as well as anyone that we think could phase just to be on the safe side. This week was going to be rough at best. Sam and Jared will be reworking the patrol routes and schedules tonight so that we can cover as much ground as possible.

When the meeting was finished, I head straight to Sam's house to check on Tia. I need to know that she is ok, even though that I am sure that she handled it well. Sam would have let me know if she hadn't. Regardless, I needed her.

I walk in the back door to find Tia in the kitchen with Emily and Bella as they prepare lunch. I walk quietly up behind her and kiss her on the neck. She was washing some dishes and jumped out of her skin when she felt my lips. She actually squeaked! Her reaction was just too much. I laughed as I turned her around to kiss her on the lips, listening to Bella and Emily giggle at our antics.

"Can I borrow your kitchen help for a few minutes Em? I promise to bring her back." I smile up at her with puppy eyes, knowing that she can't resist.

She nods her head "Ok, but don't keep her too long. We fell behind in here and need to get things going if we are going to feed you boys in time."

"Yes, mam." I grin and take her hand. "Can I talk to you for a minute Tia?"

She follows me into the living room and stops in front of the couch thinking that we were going to sit down. I shake my head and lead her up the stairs to the guest bedroom. I wanted a private moment with my imprint; well, as private as one can get given that the pack hears every blasted thing. Sometimes privacy becomes a luxury.

I lead her inside the room and close the door behind us. Tia raises an eyebrow seeing the shut door. I can only guess what thoughts are going through her head at the moment. I pull her into my arms and hug her closely.

"So you dreamed again? Everything go ok for you? I've been worried about this." I lean my forehead on hers, tightening my hands around her waist.

"Actually, this was my second dream since my recovery." She confesses with smile. "And yes, this one went fine. I didn't have the panic or fear associated with the…my…" She tears up and her heart beat starts to speed up. "It was ok." She finishes with a whisper.

I tuck her head in under my chin and rock her gently back and forth to comfort her. "I know it's still hard to think about your mom." I caress her back until I feel her calm down.

"Wait, your second? When was your first?" I ask trying to keep my tone light.

She pulls her head up and smiles at me. "Just yesterday, while Emily was with me at the cabin. She thought that looking into the flames again would give me some confidence. I saw something that was amazing and beautiful."

The light that I saw in her eyes as she spoke of that dream brought with it a feeling of great happiness. Her eyes had taken a softer look as if her dream was truly a memorable one. "Well, do I get to know what you saw?"

She tilts her head as if considering whether or not to share and then sits down on the bed with a smirk. "Well, I guess I can. It won't be a secret for very long and Sam already knows." She bites her bottom lip in excitement of having a secret.

My curiosity is now peaked. I sit down next to her to pull her close and give her a peck of a kiss on the lips. "Tell me." She giggles and shakes her head. "Tell me please?" I continue to give her teasing kisses, but she won't share. "Ok, I'm going to play dirty now!" I throw her down on the bed and start to tickle her. She's laughing non-stop as I go for her ribs, under arms and her belly.

"OK, OK, OK!" She squeals, flailing about. I stop tickling her and wait for her to catch her breath. I put my arm under my head and pull her closer to me.

Tia turns to lay on her side to face me on the bed. She reaches up to touch my cheek lightly. "That dream was a very happy one." Her eyes shine brightly. "Emily is going to have a baby soon."

"Really?! How cool is that?!" I smile widely. If she's this excited over Sam and Emily's baby, what will she be like when she is expecting ours? My mind wanders off…

She lightly punches me in the shoulder. "Hey, so why did you bring me up here? Did you just want to hide me away to ravish me?" She says with a mischievous grin.

Unable to help myself, I pull myself up and prop my elbow underneath me so that I can look down at her. I growl quietly and bury my nose in her hair. Her scent is like a heady perfume that takes over my senses. I'll never be able to get enough of her. Pulling away to look down in to her beautiful face, I trace her chin with a finger. "I spoke to Uma and my grandfather today."

"Really? About what?" She turns back over onto her back to be able to see me better. Her hand goes up to play with my hair.

Sighing at the feel of her touch, I melt and say in a husky voice."They both have given us permission to continue living together in the cabin." I smile again and kiss her on the end of her nose. "You're mine woman."

With a throaty laugh, she pulls my lips to hers and kisses me thoroughly. This kiss holds the heat of the promised passion that is slowly building between us. As our lips brush, time seems to stand still; all that matters at this moment is us. Our kiss deepens and I moan at how wonderful it feels to lose myself in her. My hands stroke down her side to her hip as her fingers run through my hair; these new sensations are maddening.

There's a sudden knock at the door and we pull apart just in time to see Sam stick his head in the room. "Lunch is almost ready so you two need to stop making out and get your butts downstairs." He wiggles his eyebrows. "Emily says that you have clean up duty for stealing Tia away like you did Quil."

Tia and I hop up. She fixes her sweater and then heads out the door. Sam steps between me and the door. He waits until she has made it to the bottom of the stairs before he tells me why he kept me in the room. "Remember what I said earlier, that's my little sister. Don't push her." He gives me a stern look.

"No worries there Sam, we've decided to wait until we're married. Besides, I heard that you'll have other things to worry about other than us….Mr. Daddy-to-be." I duck at the playful swat that he throws at me.

"Waiting, huh?" He chuckles. "Yeah, good luck with that." Shaking his head, he heads out the door leaving me to wonder exactly what he meant.