CHAPTER SEVEN

THEY'RE COMING

"Did you find any leads?" Edward asked.

"No sign of the intruder," Jasper answered, "But Victoria continues to make appearances."

"She's just playing with us," I said, "Biding her time. Like a magician. We look her way while the trick is happening somewhere else."

"Like Seattle?" Emmett asked.

"Or the intruder?" Carlisle suggested, "Or something else."

"Or both," I said. Bella took that time to head to the deck where Rosalie was simmering.

"We've already covered the entire southern peninsula down to Quinault," Jasper sighed exasperated.

"We'll search the northern trail," Edward suggested.

"Why are you searching everywhere but Seattle?" I asked.

"We're trying to avoid a fight before we know what's going on," Carlisle explained.

"I get that but what is searching the entire globe sans Seattle going to do? If these are newborns, then don't they have their human memories?"

Jasper looked at me, wondering where I was going with this, "Yes..."

"Then we have to imagine that they must be scared and confused at something they don't understand. Human nature says that they'd try to surround themselves with as many familiar things as possible. Unless someone forces them to, they won't leave Seattle."

"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up..."

It was graduation day. I was the youngest senior graduating. We were all dressed in bright yellow caps and gowns. And we all paid attention to Jessica as she made her speech.

"Our answers were things like astronaut, president... or in my case, princess."

There were chuckles from the crowd, even I cracked a smile.

"When we were ten, they asked again and we answered – rock star, cowboy, or in my case, gold medalist. But now that we've grown up, they want a serious answer... Well, how 'bout this; who the hell knows?"

There were loud hoots and hollers from the audience. Jessica looked flushed at cursing in front of the school teachers and parents.

"This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions, it's the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot."

That hit me hard. I couldn't fall in love a lot. I was already in love. And I'd never find that somewhere else.

"Major in philosophy 'cause there's no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again, because nothing is permanent..."

I thought of Bella. Her decision would be permanent. There would be no going back. And then I thought of Jacob. I just knew that if I was with him, I'd never want to go back. Where was the change for us?

"... So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be... we won't have to guess. We'll know."

I already knew. I just needed to change my mind.

The graduation party that night was packed with teenagers. There was nothing but dancing and celebrating. Alice had transformed the place into a nightclub.

I was waiting by the stairs. Bella was talking to Angela and Jessica. Edward was talking to Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper. I wished they'd loosen up.

The girls tried to coax Bella onto the dance floor when some song came on, but she politely refused. They skipped off, laughing all the way. Bella saw something behind me and smiled somewhat awkwardly.

I turned around and lo and behold, Jacob was here. At least Embry and Quil were with him.

Embry smiled when he saw me and kissed my head, "Congratulations, smarty pants."

I smiled, "Thanks."

Quil messed up my hair, "Don't go leaving for college in somewhere like New York, okay?"

Jacob suddenly tensed as the question of my going away for college registered in his head.

I shook my head, "Don't worry. I start at UW in the fall."

Jacob relaxed quite a bit. Bella walked up to us, "Hey guys. Having fun?"

"Don't know," Quil said, "Just got here."

Bella looked between Jacob and me and there was something not right in her eye. She smiled at Embry and Quil, "Then why don't I introduce you to some of my girlfriends?"

Like the horny boys they were, they traipsed after her like lost puppies.

Jacob sighed, "Callie, I'm sorry..."

Suddenly a soft guitar song started playing. I instantly recognized it. I groaned as Jacob smiled at the memory. I was fighting a smile myself.

Here I go open mouth try not to let all the feelings out at once, try to save some.

"Will you please dance with me?" Jacob asked so sweetly. He held his hand out to me, nervous.

I looked down at his hand and looked back up into his eyes. My wolf's eyes. I guess this was the time to change my mind.

I took his hand and he started leading me to the dance floor.

Now here they come the 2 and 3 where 4 meets 1 with a bar between. It's crazy we express ourselves through such simplicity.

Jacob took me into his arms. I saw Angela grin at me from her place, dancing with Embry. What the hell?

Jacob brought my face up to look at him. I did so reluctantly.

So I'll get to the point and cut the suspense short.

"I'm sorry I put so much pressure on you." He whispered.

I smiled softly, "It's okay. I know I haven't been a very good imprint. I haven't been a very good friend."

"That's not true," Jacob whispered, looking deeply into my eyes.

It's you. You make it worth it.

"You're just scared," Jacob whispered.

Worth waking up in the morning.

"I think the word you're looking for is stubborn," I answered.

Jacob chuckled.

Your stubborn like your father right. You've got your mothers wild side with just enough affection to wrap me up tight

and you should know your all I see when eyelids close and I fight for sleep. Your pretty face is painted on inside my brain and I could never shake you.

The music slowed and the guitar strummed softly throughout the dance floor.

It's you. You make it worth it.

Worth waking up in the morning.

Jacob let go of my waist and grabbed my hand, just like at prom. He lifted our clasped hands and spun me in a slow circle. I smiled softly, feeling cared for more than ever. He twirled me slowly into his arms and dipped me half way, looking into my eyes the whole time.

The vocals stopped and the guitar strummed more intricately and intimately and it truly felt like a love song. The beats resonated into my being as Jacob lifted me back up, not letting go of my hand. He took my other hand and placed it on his shoulder, taking my waist with his right arm. He held our hands on his chest. "This heart beats for you."

No one knows what keeps our hearts beating on their own. Some say its gods control but my heart found its way back home.

I smiled, "I'm sorry that this is all I have to offer."

It's you. You make it worth it. Worth waking up in the morning.

He arm tightened and pulled me as closed as he could. We had stopped moving. Just standing there in each others arms.

You took my hand and restored me.

Jacob made me look at him, "Don't be sorry," his face was so close to mine, our lips almost touching. "You're perfect."

It's you.

His lips fell down to mine. I didn't get a chance to gasp. It was soft and chaste, but passionate as our lips moved together for the first time. But fear gripped my heart, this was too soon. I pulled away, "I can't."

I walked away from him. I found Bella talking to Alice on the stair case. Alice looked dazed. She had a vision.

"Alice, what is it? What did you see?" Bella asked.

Jacob appeared behind me, "Something's going on. Tell me."

"I..." Alice trailed, "need to talk to Jasper."

Jacob almost growled, I knew he hated secrets. "Why don't you talk to me?"

Suddenly Jasper was there snarling at him, "Why don't you back off?"

By instinct I stood in front of Jacob protectively, "Jasper, calm down... He's just trying to figure out what's going on. He's protective of me just like you are."

Jasper backed off, only slightly. We all looked at Alice, who looked worried, "The decision's been made."

"You're going to Seattle, aren't you?" Bella asked warily.

But Alice shook her head, "No... They're coming here."

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