AN: I am updating chapters 1-3 on 4/15/18 before I continue. I am thinking about breaking the story in two. One will have Leah be Bella's mate, and the other is either Embry or Paul. Let me know in a comment or PM please!

Bella POV

"I should have made more pie." I mumbled as plates and forks scraped against each other.

Mr. Cameron and Billy were leaned back in there chairs rubbing their bellies as Sam admired the work done at the Apache tribe.

Mr. Littlesea was eyeing my box of binders in the corner, "What are those?" He gestures to the box and all eyes followers his movement.

"Those are the other plans." I blushed when they all turned toward me.

Sam's chair scraped back against the floor as he sprang to his feet. It looked like the dove for the box he was moving so quickly.

My eyes grew wide and my body stiffened until I saw Emily's binder in his hand. "Oh."

He started to shout out questions with excitement. The council members all started to sift through the box, and I tried to stop them. I couldn't answer the questions. "Stop." My breath was quick and I felt like the walls were closing in. "Just wait…"

Grandpa called everyone's attention with a loud whistle. "We called a meeting to discuss Sam's plan and Isabella's internship. Hand the binders to Isabella and Sam. We need to discuss these matters tonight. The other plans will be brought up at new business on Friday. Anything you need to add before we ask you to leave and we deliberate, Isabella? Sam?"

I started collecting the binders as Sam talked, "This could change the life of many of our young men and women. Our tribe deserves this. I would be honored to lead our tribe in this betterment." Sam bowed respectfully as he stood and made his way to the living room, still holding Emily's binder.

The council turned toward me, "I know I'm young. I turn 18 in September. But I'm passionate. I will be graduating with one Bachelor's in Native American Affairs in August, and with your help a Bachelor's in business, if you allow me this internship, next Spring. I don't work for the government, so I am unable to be an agent for this tribe on this, which means more outsiders will be coming with these changes. This is the first of many plans to help this tribe thrive the way it deserves, and I would be honored to help the members of this tribe reach their full potential. I know I'm asking a lot and change is hard, but please know, I will not be sacrificing the traditions of the Quileute nation, but bringing our culture to the forefront in this change." I figured from foot to foot, biting my lower lip wondering if I forgot anything as I shuffled to the door, "Oh, and thank you for the last minute meeting." I blushed red as they chuckled at me as I joined Sam and Quil V in the living room.

Taking a huge breath I slumped onto the couch where both men sat. I could feel there eyes on me as the voices in the dining room started. Sam opened Emily's binder again and I looked over at the pages smiling.

"This is Emily's dream." Quil spoke to me.

"I know," I smiled at them as both boys looked at me, because in that moment they really did look like boys. "Grandpa told me all about the tribe. It's members, their lives, their dreams. He talked about how sad he is that the tribe is decaying before his very eyes." My eyes started to water. "I saw what he means on the way over."

They looked at me confused. Quil's head was tilted and Sam looked almost offended. "Sue has one of the most updated homes. Quil, your mom's kitchen is great, but look at the walls in here, the foundation… something's wrong." I ran a hand through my hair. "Mrs. Thompson's steps don't have a railing and it looks like her roof is caving in. Mr. Nelson's siding looks like it's molded through. And the Wolfe's are 9 people to a two bedroom home." I felt my eyes well up as I trailed off.

"You sure you've only been here two days?" Quil tried to lighten the mood. I shrugged, thinking of the pictures I took earlier.

I smiled at him as Sam closed Emily's binder. I heard chairs moving as Sue came to the ingress of the living room. "We're ready for you two now." Sue looked to Quil, "Why don't you help your mom close up the store."

Quil quickly left giving me a thumbs up. I followed Sam's lead and stood before the council.

Billy commanded the room effortlessly from his chair, " Isabella Marie Swan, we accept your offer to become a tribal council intern, as your Grandfather is our official medicine man we have some requirements that you need to fulfill as your duty to your tribe." My face whipped up to look at Billy, "yes, your tribe." He answered my unasked question. "As a 1/8th Quileute you are a member of our tribe. As Quil III granddaughter you will need to learn our language and customs more carefully. Quil III has already agreed to this."

He turned this head just a fraction to face Sam, I tried to still my body from fidgeting, "Samuel Uley, as this matter pertained to your personal interests we asked you to sit out of the voting and discussion. The council has unanimously agreed to allow these plans to start immediately. As our tribe is suffering from high unemployment rates we are letting this go fourth with the promise from you to only employ members of the tribe and that all projects for the first year will take place on tribal land. Is that agreed?"

"Yes!" Sam blurred out before Billy's lips had a chance to meet.

"The council will now come to a close to reconvene on Friday with the intention to hear more of Bella's plans. These papers will be submitted tomorrow and Bella," All eyes returned to me and I fidgeted some more.

"Yes?" My voice came out as a squeak.

"Sue will have you fill out the necessary paperwork for tribal membership." He went back to address the room. He quickly ended the meeting just before Quil V and Joy came in the door.

They slowly filtered out as Grandpa Quil had to assure them they could ask me questions about my other plans on or after the meeting on Friday. I started for the kitchen and started the dishes when Joy came in and quietly joined.

"I left you some dinner and piece of pie in the fridge. Sorry for distorting your kitchen." I looked down in the soapy water, letting my hair become a curtain between me and Joy.

"Thank you, and you're welcome anytime. The old coot can't shut up about you. I'm glad you've finally come home." I looked through my hair to see Joy smiling at me.

I wanted to believe her, that this could be home, but I wasn't sure I knew what home was. What it even felt like to call some place home.

Joy was polite enough and made small talk with me, trying to ask about my life. I blushed repetitively and tried to divert her back onto herself. After a few tries I got her to talk about the store, and La Push from when she was younger while she helped me dry and put away the dishes.

I thanked her again, and she thanked me for the food, encouraging me to keep that a secret, my cooking, to myself as long as I could. I laughed as she has Quil V walk me back to Sue and Charlie's place as it was well past ten, he juggled my box of binders and my camera hung heavy on my neck, and I probably looked dead on my feet. Quil told me about his friends and everyone he wanted to introduce me too as he walked me back. It was nice, he held the door open for me, and followed me inside to talk to Seth. I waved at Leah who was watching a movie and made my way upstairs.

I don't remember getting ready for bed, but I woke up in my pajamas and sheets tangled around my feet. Looked for my phone so I could figure out the time was a challenge, as my legs felt like dead weights. I saw the mocking time of 8:42 AM stared me in the face. I quickly grabbed my necessities from my still unpacked bag and found myself getting ready in the bathroom again before the sound of a wolf's howl broke me out of my sleepy stupor. My head whipped towards the window in the bathroom looking for the wolf who sounded so close only to see dense forest surrounding the backyard.