Thought I would be nice and not make everyone wait like three months for this chapter like I did the last. So here you go!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything, just the story.

Bella thought she would break Jacob's hand.

Alice looked to Jacob, not understanding.

There was silence, then hushed whispers.

Jacob called for silence then turned to Alice.

"Alice, Bella told you about how she is my mate, correct?"

Alice nodded her head.

"Well, in case you didn't know, i think Bella likes me more than the other boys, don't you think?"

Alice again nodded. "She dosnt let any of the others sleep in her bed."

There were muffled laughs and Jacob couldn't hold in his own.

"Yeah there is that. Well, I think that maybe Embry might like you better than he does the other boys now too. Kind of like how your sister likes me better, Embry likes you more than the other girls and boys too."

Alice made her confusion known again. Jacob started to speak again but Bella cut in.

"He wants to be your friend."

Alice looked at her sister now.

Bella smiled. "Your best friend. And! " Bella spoke with enthusiasm then, whispered to Alice, though everyone heard, "he doesn't have cooties!"

Alice smiled a million watt smile. "I know he doesn't have cooties, silly. He would smell bad if he had germs!"

Alice then broke into a speel about how they had learned about germs in school, about how germs were microscopic and blah, blah. Bella wasn't really listening. She was looking back and forth between Embry and Alice. He was hanging onto every word that she said, even though it was mostly nonsense.

Although Bella wasn't really paying attention to Alice, she did catch the last thing she said. It was something about how Embry would smell bad if he had germs. And Embry didn't have germs. Because Embry smelled really good. Better than even that pretty perfume that Bella used when she knew Jacob was coming over. Bella blushed at that.

"He smells better than anything I've ever smelt before."

Alice finished strongly, her 10 year old ignorance of the fact that everyone was holding back smirk's and laughter.

Except for Paul.

"Embry man, I've smelt you after a patrol. And you don't smell like no perfume I've ever smelt."

Chuckles broke out across the room and Embry slapped Paul in the shoulder. Alice, not understanding, buried her face in her sisters shoulder, thinking she had upset everyone. Including Embry.

"Well its certainly not Embry that's making my house smell like wet dog right now, Paul."

There was dead silence and then Everyone broke into fits of laughter. Embry included. Bella poked Jacob ad then pointed in the direction in which she was pretty sure Embry was sitting.

Jake got his attention and motioned him to come stand by Bella on the couch.

He moved quickly and Bella put out a hand so he immediately placed his in her palm. Although Embry was at least triple her size she moved him like a book, pulling him to in front of the couch and motioning him to kneel.

Bella waited a moment but when he did nothing she leant forward and placed her lips next to his ear to whisper softly

"She thinks she offended you by saying you smell nice. She feels bad."

Embry immediately understood the point of him being pulled over there, and so did Jacob who had also heard, though Bella thought that she had spoken soft enough not to be heard.

Jacob got up and caught the attention of the other guys and they all followed him out the door to give the three some privacy.

Once the room was clear Bella lifted Alice's head off her shoulder and forced her hands off her face. This meant she was forced to face Embry, though Bella was just guessing that Alice had opened her eyes, it didn't occur to her that she hadn't until Embry spoke.

"Alice, open your eyes." His voice was soft in the room.

Then "Alice, please open your eyes for me. There. Thank you. I like it when you open your eyes, your eyes are such a pretty green color, so much like your sisters."

Alice sniffled. "Everyone says sissy's eyes are the prettiest ever. Grandma Esme says that the accident didn't change the color of her eyes, even though it should have."

Embry leaned foreward, as if to whisper a secret. "Your sisters eyes are pretty, but I think yours are the prettier."

Alice gasped. "Really?"

Embry smiled a million watt smile. His Mate was smiling at him. And he had caused it.

"Absolutly. And you wana know something else?"

Alice nodded eagerly.

"I think you smell nice too."

Bella grinned and very closely stifled a laugh.

"I don't use any perfume like Sissy does. She only lets me use perfume on Sunday's. And Halloween. And Christmas." Alice sounded disappointed.

"I think you smell nice without the perfume, really I do."

Embry had already won Alice's affections.

Alice asked him if he wanted to see her art project from school and Embry readily agreed. Bella got up off the couch, Alice no longer needing her to comfort her when she had her Imprint with her. Bella walked to the door and sensed what she needed on the other side. The door opened before she got there and warm arms enveloped her. She returned the embrace wholeheartedly.

Jacob put his lips against Bella's ear. "I'm sorry." He spoke softly.

Bella raised her head to try in vain to meet his eyes with her unseeing ones.

"Why are you sorry?"

Jacob sighed "Because Alice had to get dragged into this. I'm sorry that my pack brother just imprinted on your baby sister. I'm sorry that I wasn't here to explain things to you when you were confused because no one would tell you what was happening, and you worried. I'm sorry that it was under my order that no one tell you anything until I was here. I'm sorry-"

Bella silenced him with a kiss.

"I get it, your sorry. But you have no reason to be. Embry is an amazing guy. And although I don't fully understand the whole Mate thing in their situation, because she is 10 years old, I know that Embry would never do anything to hurt her. It's like you and me. Kinda. I know that you would never hurt me, or let anything hurt me, or push me into anything."

"Nothing will ever hurt you Bella. Never. Not while there is still life left in my body, or that of any of my brothers."

"Exactly! I know that nothing will ever hurt me. And now Alice has that same protection! Besides,'" She said offhandedly, "in this crazy world, everyone needs someone who will always have their back. In any way needed. I have that already" Kiss "And now does Alice."

Jacob picked her up and spun her around in his arms. She squealed against his lips which were pressing over hers.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." He repeated over and over. Bella would realize later that this was the first time Jacob had pronounced his love to her, though at the time she was just too caught up in the moment to realize.

Then a voice interrupted their moment.

"Soooooooooo are we allowed to come back inside yet?"

Jacob growled at Quil but Bella just giggled. "Yeah, tell everyone the coast is clear. Oh, and there's pie."

There were multiple voices from outside repeating 'pie? Pie?' and then the sound of several bodies trying to get through the door at the same time. Jacob barked out a command for everyone to calm down, that the door was not big enough for three freaks to get through. Bella scolded him for using the word freak and everyone smirked as Jacob was properly chastised.

Then he was forced to put Bella down so she could go begin to fix the said desert for the group of hungry boys that filled her house. Alice came skipping in the kitchen to help. Bella was on her tip toes trying to reach the extra plates that she knew were at the top of the cabinet when a hand replaced hers and pulled them down easily.

"Here" plates were placed carefully into her waiting hands.

Bella smiled. "Thankyou Paul."

He mumbled something that sounded like 'welcome' and then disappeared as quietly as he had come. Bella smiled as she took out the multiple pies and sliced them accordingly. Alice placed them on the table where she wanted everyone to sit but Bella informed her that not everyone would fit at the small table so they would eat in the living room.

Bella and Alice set aside plates for themselves and the rest on the table. Bella went to the enterance for the kitchen and called ready. She stood her ground as lots of feet ran toward the doorway and then came to a sudden halt when they saw she was not going to move.

"Paul may go first. AND! Everyone gets one plate, and you are not to fight over who has the bigger slice. All slices are almost exactly the same size. Once you get your plate, grab a fork and go into the living room to eat."

Bella moved out of the doorway but still no one moved. She smiled. "Go on, eat!" Only then did everyone enter the kitchen to get their plates. Paul got first pick.

Alice followed Embry into the living room and took his hand to skip next to him. Bella couldn't see it, but Jacob described exactly how everything looked to her later.

Bella followed suit once everyone was done and entered the living room. Here she came into her problem. She idnt know where anyone was sitting, and she didn't know where she would sit, or how to not trip over anyone, or-

A warm hand caught her wrist and led her easily to her favorite chair. Jacob sat down first then pulled Bella into his lap. Everyone ate in happy conversation, lots of talk of patrol shifts and scents in the forest.

Bella suggested a movie and then it became an argument over which movie to watch. Bella's selection wasn't vast, most of their movies were up at the big house. But at least the movies she did have weren't the gushy romantic movies most girls collected.

It was settled on Transformers and everyone sprawled out about the living room. Halfway through the movie Bella heard someone whisper something about popcorn before they were hurriedly hushed. Bella mentally smacked her forehead. She hadn't even thought about food. She had learned from Jacob that wolves were always hungry. It had been like…..an hour since they had ate the pie. Jacob didn't usually start complaining of hunger until at least two and half, sometimes three hours after a meal. But that didn't mean that the others were not already hungry.

Bella hopped up immediately but Jacob's arms caught her around the waist and she could feel all eyes turn towards them.

"Where are you going?"

"To the kitchen silly. A movie is not the same without popcorn!"

Jacob groaned. "Bella, sit back down. We're fine. Quil was being stupid. He doesn't need popcorn. Sit down and enjoy the movie."

"Yeah Bella don't get up on my account, I'm real sorry."

Bella ignored the comments and spoke to everyone since she didn't know exactly where her target was setting.

"Alice, would you like some popcorn sweetheart?"

She could hear the smile in Alice's voice. "Yes! Can I help you?"

Bella held out her hand and it took a moment longer than usual for Alice's to meet hers. She heard Embry mutter something to her, reassuring her he wasn't going anywhere before Alice would leave the room.

Bella used her brail measuring cups to measure out the amount of curnel's to put in the pot before turning it on and waiting to hear the signature "pop pop".

Alice loved to see the small pieces of corn turn into the fluffy white treat. She and Alice melted butter to put over it and added salt and other spices. They made a few different kinds. A sweet sauce, a spicy sauce, a cheesy sauce and of course plain butter. They liked variety and Bella thought the boys would appreciate the choice.

It took a long time to make enough popcorn for Bella to be satisfied there was enough for the rest of the movie to feed the guys. Alice and Bella made bowls of mixes for themselves before Alice took in a bowl to the guys and then came back out for another and then another. Bella followed Alice in with the last bowl and someone took it out of her hands before she could wonder where the table had been moved to. She noticed she had forgot bowls but before she could turn back to the kitchen a hand caught her wrist and pulled her down into it's lap.

"I forgot bowls" She whispered to Jacob.

He patted her knee and hollered to Quil to go get bowls and napkins out of the kitchen for everyone. She heard feet frantically crossing the floor and giggled, curling into Jacob's chest.

The movie ended soon and Bella realized how late it was. She got out of Jacob's embrace and ushered Alice to her room to get ready for bed.

Alice however, was not ready for bed. She begged to stay up. Bella heard the yawn that she had tried to stifle and knew that even if she stayed up that she would be asleep soon. And Bella couldn't deny her when she put up a fight about leaving Embry's sight. She understood how hard it was to be away from your mate, and wondered how exactly things were going to work out between her little sister and her second favorite wolf.

Bella got Alice changed into pajamas, and herself into sweatpants and a loose sweater before they rejoined the boys who were sitting in silence.

Bella wondered why the second movie was not playing yet and broke the silence as she entered the room. Alice stayed close to her and took her hand. Bella could tell from the way Alice squeezed her hand five times that she didn't understand what was going on. Part of their secret code.

Bella cleared her throat. "Uh, guys. Did you have trouble finding the second movie? I think it should be next to the same place where the first one came from, but if not I can run up to the big house and see if its there."

"No, Bella we found the movie. But it's late, don't you think it's time for everyone to go home?" Jacob was trying to give her an out. A way to rid her house of people without her being rude. He thought she would be overwhelmed by now.

Bella scoffed and pulled Alice with her, releasing her hand when she got close to Jacob's chair.

"Put the movie in. There's still the third one to watch after this one, although I have to say it's not the same without Megan Fox."

There were lots of laughs and affirmative's made and someone hit play and the movie started. Bella plopped down in Jacob's lap. Alice stood by the chair, unsure where to go. She didn't like going to sleep without her sister's hand in hers, but she wanted to go sit by Embry. Maybe even sit in his lap like her sister was doing with Jacob.

But…..Alice knew she was too tired to stay awake through thw movie, and really just wanted to go to sleep, despite her protests to stay awake. She had gone to sleep with her sister's hand in hers for as long as she could remember, and was now too spoiled to go to sleep without it. But Embry was sitting on the couch! And she couldn't sit with him if she wanted to sit with Bella. He had even saved her spot next to him on the sofa. Alice stood there, debating with herself.

Jacob noticed and nudged Bella, explaining that Alice was still standing there between the chair and the couch. Bella pulled Jacob out of the chair with her and instructed him to move the chair. She took Alice's hand and went to the linen closet in the hall to grab lots of blankets and the few extra pillows they had. Bella made a mental note to get more.

They dragged them into the living room and Bella threw them down, telling everyone to grab a blanket.

"I don't think I have enough pillows fir everyone, but there's plenty of blankets, so maybe some of them could be folded like pillows or something…"

"This is fine Bella, really. We sleep on the forest floor. Anything is better than that." Someone, she thought Jared, said.

"Bella if you keep giving them food and things to sleep with they're never gonna leave!" Jacob groaned.

Bella laughed. "Nothing wrong with that. I like having our family together."

She was forced into strong arms and Jacob's lips landed over hers.

There were groans in the background and Jacob's hand reached out and caught what Bella assumed was a pillow that had been thrown at them.

"Oh God, any more of that and I'll be running away."

"Me too. Bad enough I have to real all of your minds, if I have to see the Alpha doing the dirty with our Pack mother I might gorge my eyes out!"

Bella was sure she was the color of a cherry but Jacob smiled, seemingly happy with the reaction he was getting.

"That was exactly what I was counting on. One very easy way to get everyone to leave."

"Even me."

Jacob pulled away completely and bent down and Bella heard the signature sound of Alice giggling.

Her screams of laughter lasted forever.

"No, no, you're going to stay little Alice. We could never kick you out, your too sweet."

Alice squealed again in delight at Jacob's tickling hands. Eventually the laughter died down and Bella instructed everyone to set up beds on the floor. Jacob threw down a blanket and pillow for them and Bella placed another one down next to it, much to Jacob's confusion.

"Embry? Your bed can be here. Because of the lack of pillows and blankets you may have to share with Alice."

There was shocked silence in which Alice came up and hugged her sister, glad that she understood.

"You don't mind, do you Embry?"'

Bella jumped when his voice was much closer than she anticipated. "No I think I can manage with sharing. As long as Alice doesn't mind that is."

She took his hand in answer and sat down on the blanket that Bella had placed there.

Embry sat down next to her and lay down only after Alice had, back from her a few inches and making sure she was completely covered by the blanket. Although Embry tried to keep some space between them Alice had other ideas and snuggled into his warm chest, much to his surprise and delight. Jacob kept a watchful eye on the pair as he and Bella got snuggled together on their section of bed. Jacob leaned back against the chair sitting up and Bella rested her head in his lap, his hand running through her hair. Everyone else claimed a section of the room where the TV was still visible and got comfortable.

Before the second movie was over Jacob ordered Sam and Jared to go run Patrol for an hour or so and then everyone to take two hour running shifts after that in pairs.

That gave a little more room with two people gone and the guys groaned in appreciation.

Bella eventually turned and caught Alice's hand in hers, a sign that she was going to sleep. Bella hummed softly, thinking that only Alice was listening when really everyone left in the small room was being soothed by her soft melody.

Alice was fast asleep and after being sure she was deeply out, she let go of her hand and Embry took her place.

Bella smiled as Embry took her place.

She knew that Alice would always be her little sister, and she would always be in her life, but she feared that she had played her part in Alice's young life and now it was Embry's turn to take over. Though the thought made her want to cry, she knew that her sister was in good hands.

Jacob pulled her out of her thoughts. He moved from his position sitting up to lying down, his head on the pillow. He turned Bella toward him and she moved gratefully to him. She lay her head on his chest and Jacob wrapped his arms around her, making sure she was pulled tight against him. His hand that was holding her was also playing with her hair absentmindedly.

Jacob leaned down to whisper in her ear. "She's only 10. Embry still has eight years until he's allowed to think anything more about her than she's pretty. I promise I'll keep an eye out on his thoughts."

Bella slapped his chest softly "You'll do no such thing. At least not until she's older. I trust Embry."

Jacob laughed softly and kissed the top of her head. "Good. 'Cause I trust him too."

They talked about Jacob's day at the Rez quietly until the second movie was over and Quil got up sleepily to put in the third, saying that he could finally rest now that Meghan Fox was off the screen.

Bella ran her hand lazily over Jacob's bare chest. He still only had on his cutoffs, similar attire to what everyone else wore also. Her fingertips ran over his nipples and Jacob shivered much to Bella's delight.

He leaned down to place his mouth directly against her ear, his warm breath tickling. "Keep that up and you'll not be sleeping at all tonight." He growled.

Bella shivered, her body reacting to his threat.

Jacob groaned.

"Bells you've got to stop. There's too many people in the house. I don't want an audience."

Bella sighed, knowing he was right. But…..

"Fine, I'll stop. But I want a goodnight kiss first. A real one."

Jacob smirked and took a second, pretending to consider her offer. "Okay," he conceited, "I guess that can be arranged."

Bella turned her head up and Jacob's hand caught her chin and led her lips to his. He kissed her with usual passion and Bella moaned softly into his mouth, making Jacob's pants tighten, and it took all his energy to slow down. Jacob kissed her lips once, twice, three times, softly, just pecks.

Bella sighed, frustrated, knowing his kiss was over.

Jacob laughed at her pout. "Don't worry, I'll make it up to you. Now come on, I'm tired woman."

Bella laughed at his gruff tone but consented to sleep. It had been a long day after all. Alice and Imprinting and the secret…

Jacobs soothing hand stopped her train of thought before it could go any farther.

"There's plenty of time in the future to dwell on whatever it is you're worrying about. Right now, you are going to close your beautiful eyes and lay your head on my chest. Then, I'm going to pull the blanket up over us and wrap my arm around you. Then were going to go to sleep. You hear me?"

Bella nodded. She was already being lulled into sleep at the sound of his voice.

Jacob smiled and did as he promised, pulling the blanket up and wrapping Bella tightly in his arms. And then Bella followed in his plan, as they both gently drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the ones they loved.

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