The night that Paul proposed to Jake, I was ecstatic for both of them. Even though later on that night as we returned home, I noticed a hint of jealousy at the thought they had agreed to stand in front of everyone and promise forever to each other. Granted we both had been marked by our significant others but I wish it was a public statement that we were together always and that Sam is mine as I am his. Right now I am sitting in my office trying to figure out why I can't be open about how I am feeling about things with Sam not proposing to have a ceremony as well. However, I as am finishing up transcribing my info for my patients to go into their records, I have an epiphany. I'm a man! I don't need to wait for Sam to propose or offer the option about a ceremony and building a new home together. It's my choice to propose as well. I think I am gonna do it. After my last patient of the day is entered into my software, I send my nurses home.

"Hey can you get away to Seattle for a couple days? I need to do some things that require me to go outside of the area where nosy people will go and tell others."

"What are you up to in conniving little head, Seth?"

"Who says I'm up to something?"

"You're not gonna tell me 'til I am right in front of you, huh?"

I don't reply because I know that the person on the phone will realize my lack of response is an answer in itself.

"Fair enough, I won't ask until we're in Seattle. I'm free this weekend anyway. I was thinking of going around shopping for some furniture for the house anyway. So how about we meet up tomorrow morning. After we do everything we need to for you, then we will go around shopping for living and dining room furniture to earmark as suggestions for Paul and I to discuss later. Maybe even ask the kids to join us. They're leaving for college soon and we won't have these little moments anymore."

"Good idea. I will mention it to the kids when they come for dinner tonight. If not all then a few hopefully can make it."

"Hopefully…" Before Jake can continue to respond, I hear Paul in the background walking into Jake's bedroom. Knowing I don't want Paul to overhear my plans for Seattle this weekend, I know I need to get off before Jake or I slip up.

"Hey I'm gonna get off the phone and start to head home to make dinner. So I'll call you tomorrow when I have finished breakfast and send everyone off for the day. Then we can go ahead and do that thing."

Hoping Jake realizes I'm not trying to mention Seattle and the trip in front of Paul, I wait for his response.

"Sure, sure. I'll see you in the morning after breakfast."

"After breakfast?" Paul asks in the background as I press the end button.

Walking to the elevator, I wait to ride it down to the garage. Once there, I enter my car and head to my temporary home. Entering my house, I smell EJ in the kitchen, and so I head towards him.

"Hiya daddy. How are you?"

"""w are youI'm fine son. How are you?"

"Good. Seems like you have something on your mind is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just gonna miss you guys and was thinking that tomorrow you and your siblings could join your cousins and Jake and I in Seattle."

"Sounds like a plan. Don't be sad though daddy, we will always come back to visit and then when school is over we will move right back home. Maybe build a home near you and pops. I can't not be near you daddy, love you too much."

Hearing that, I tear up a little and grab EJ into a hug.

"I love you, son."

After the heart to heart, we separate. I head to my room to shower and change for cooking. EJ heads out to meet his siblings and imprint for a game. Hearing a knock at the door, I open it and see Jake and mom.

"Came over to see you and saw Jake and Paul talking in the driveway and decided why not have dinner together with everyone tonight. So I grabbed Jake after inviting Paul and headed over here to grab you, baby boy."

We make a plan of action on who's gonna cook what and then we all start doing our share while we chat about trivial things until I realize I want to discuss Leah and seeing her before I propose to Sam.

"I want to see Leah."

Silence engulfs the kitchen as both mom and Jake stop cooking and turn to look at me.

"Why now, son?"

"Does this have something to do with us heading to Seattle?"

Mom and Jake ask at the same time.

"Closure, mom. I want to know that I can move on from her destructive hatred and forgive her. Not for her sake but for mine. I can't move forward with my life happily and not let go of the resentment I feel towards her. Part of me still hates her and wishes it was her and not Rachel we buried. At least she was apologetic and asked for forgiveness. Leah still has never said sorry or that she regretted her choices and what her actions led to."

"Oh, son. I am sorry you have been holding onto these feelings. I understand that you need closure. I just wish it didn't require seeing her. However, Charlie and I were talking about the mistakes we felt we made as parents the other day and how we felt like failures because our daughters were unhappy with their families and sought out harmful ways to get new families. Not saying that the Cullens aren't good people, mind you, but how Bella and Leah went about pursuing what they wanted without thought of consequences or how others would be affected is what hurts us both. Maybe going with you, I can speak with Leah and clear the air because Charlie and I have considered children."

My mouth dropped open at the thought of my mom having a baby now. Not that I have anything against Charlie but the thought that she's older and complications could arise during pregnancy. But then I turn off my doctor part of my brain and think about the joyous occasion a new sibling would be and I reach over and hug my mother.

Jake hasn't really said anything since his original question, so I turn to him.

"Sort of, Jake. I can't move forward with those plans until I sort out how I feel about the past few years and the events that have impacted our lives. So I am asking you as alpha to take me and as my friend to support me."

"I understand, Seth. I agree it will be beneficial to both of you to speak with her. However, I must prepare you that since her exile she has become more resentful towards not only you Seth but the tribe overall. She is angry that they didn't take her side in the situation or exile you for ruining her marriage. Sue, are you sure you can handle her hatred towards you and the fact that she no longer wants to be considered a Clearwater?"

"It needs to be done, Jake. I know you're only trying to protect my heart but as long as I have you both there, I should be okay."

"Okay, then I will arrange the meeting. How soon would you all like to go?"

"I would prefer to go as soon as possible."

Nodding his head, Jake leaves the room to begin preparation for our meeting with Leah. As important as meeting her is, I am nervous and anxious all the same. Not that I won't continue with my plans to propose and have a happy fulfilling life with Sam and our children, but I worry that her vitriol will hurt not only me but my mother and she won't continue with her plans to have a child or children with Charlie. So hopefully, Charlie and Sam can go with us for moral support. I know that Sam may not understand why, but hopefully he will go not only for support but his own closure as well. Mom and I return to preparing dinner while we wait for Jake to return to do his part. As I am taking the pork out to put in the oven, Jake returns and says that everything is in order. They are allowing us to meet with her this weekend. Mom steps out to call Charlie and explain what her weekend plans are.

Jake gives me a hug and we stand there absorbed in our own thoughts. Distracted by the possibilities of the many outcomes of our visit, I don't notice my other half enter until he clears his throat.

"Everything okay in here?"

Jake gives me a glance before returning to the boiling potatoes and water for tea on the stove.

"Yeah. Can we go and talk upstairs? Jake can you keep an eye on the oven please?"

"Sure, sure."

Sam takes my offered hand and we head up to my room.

"Talk to me, Seth what's going on? I've given you space to sort through your head but now I am a little worried you may be having regrets or second thoughts about our moving in together. That you're afraid to tell me and so you've been hesitant about talking to me or being around me for too long."

He had noticed my recent change of behavior then. Okay I need to fix this because I don't want him to doubt my readiness.

"That's not it at all, Sammy. In fact, I am more than ready to move in together. I've been struggling with some unresolved emotions in regards to the negative parts of the past few years and I was coming to terms that before I can truly be happy in life, I need closure."

"You want to see her, don't you?"

The way he said her shows me that he hates her as much as he did the day she was exiled and that he needs this as much as I do.

"Yes, we need to forgive her. Not for her sake but our own. We can't allow the hatred we have for her to fester in our hearts, baby."

Sam sits down on the bed with his head in his hands, I sit down next to him and place a reassuring hand on his lap and lay my head on his shoulder. As we allow the silence to permeate the room, I feel a calmness take over me and I know that Sam has come to the same conclusion as I and will be joining me on this trip to our sister tribe.

"Okay. Let's do it. I'm guessing you mentioned it to Jake already and that's what I walked in on earlier when you both didn't notice I was in the room."

"Yes. Mom wants to join us. So, Jake made some calls and it's been arranged for us to arrive this Friday and we will meet with her Saturday. Since we will meet her Saturday, it means that it gives us the following day, Sunday, to have a positive day and to refocus on our happiness. I was thinking that we could have a bonfire with the whole pack and their families. Make a day of it."

"Sounds good. Mention it to Jake at dinner."

Placing a kiss on my forehead, Sam begins to strip and head to the shower and all thought of anything else left my head as I contemplated following. My perverted mate made my mind up for me when he glanced over his shoulder.

"You coming?"

Jumping up, I follow him and proceed to take the stress of the day away.

After our delicious shower, where we spent the time reacquainting our bodies to each other's mouths, I return the kitchen to see that Jake has finished dinner. Wow guess we took longer than I thought. Noticing his scent has dwindled, I figure he was at his house getting ready for our discussion with the kids about tomorrow's trip and informing Paul about this weekend. Knowing him, he's not gonna want to go without Paul there to help keep the peace.