So sorry! I am absolutely MORTIFIED... I made a HUMONGOUS mistake.

The sister that came home for teh summer, and was imprinted on by

Paul was Rachael, not Rebecca. I am beyond embarassed, and working to fix my error.

An.. Another for you! I've been "in the zone" writing for

for the last 14 hours, with a few short reading breaks.

Just a quick, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been

Reading, reviewing, and Alerting. I read every review

that is written, and reply to queries… I love you all!

*air kisses*

Disclaimer: SM owns everything, I play games with the characters.

~UUaAP~

Chapter 16

A Happy Gathering

Bella POV

Sue Clearwater called the house around four thirty. I was just getting ready to start dinner. Jake answered the phone. His side of the conversation was interesting.

"Hey."

"No, she just started pulling stuff out the fridge."

"Uh-huh." Grunt.

"Really? That's kind of surprising."

"You know me, I'm always hungry."

"He's supposed to be out at regular time, I guess."

"Uh, I don't think I should be the one to pass that on…" nervous chuckle.

"Long story… I don't think I am his favorite person these days." Laugh.

"Sure, sure."

"What time you want us there?"

"See ya Sue."

Jake hung up the phone, and started putting everything I had taken out back into the fridge, and grinned at me like a Cheshire cat.

"What was that all about?"

"Interesting development. Sue and Emily are cooking a feast."

"What's the occasion?"

"The council decided to hold a meeting tonight to tell the histories again…"

"Wasn't I just at one of those? Did someone new join the pack?"

"Yeah, that's the thing. They are welcoming the Cullens."

My eyes were bugging out of my head, and my jaw was practically dislocated as it dropped so far open.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. We take this whole imprint thing seriously. We can't keep secrets from Edward, and we know that their family is close. Sam and the council have decided that it is in everyone's best interest to bring the Cullens into the fold, so-to-speak." I sat down on the nearest chair, shaking my head in awe at the whole scenario.

"She has decided to invite your dad for the dinner. She wanted me to make the call, but after his reaction the other morning when I hadn't defiled his daughter... I don't think I could bring myself to talk to him today when I have." I broke out into a fit of giggles.

"Seems to me I did my share of the defiling. Unless you are telling me that I wasn't your first?" I teased.

The next thing I knew, Jacob had me over his shoulder in a fireman's carry, and was headed for the stairs. I was shrieking and laughing, and flailing my arms and legs to no avail. I reached up and pinched his ass right at it's most sensitive spot, down low by the thigh where his cheeks meet. He knees buckled as he yelped, and almost dropped me. I laughed hysterically as he made it to my room, and flopped me onto my bed. He threw himself onto the bed beside me, and we laughed together until our sides ached.

"You know, that actually hurt." He complained at me through his laughter, and he got up to drop his pants to make me check it out.

I looked, and was shocked to see a rather small fading bruise. With his accelerated healing, and having seen a cut heal on him in a matter of moments, I felt truly horrible.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I knew I had pinched you hard, but I didn't mean to do that much damage." I said as I the meaty part of his butt cheek.

"You know, if you really wanted to show me how sorry you are, you could place your somewhere much more interesting." He teased.

"Again?" I grinned.

"What? I'm almost seventeen years old, and I have a really hot girlfriend who has sexy legs, perfect breasts, and an amazing mouth and hands. Forgive me if I want to put them to use!"

"Well, maybe you should go over to her house, and tell her that!" I said as I pinched the other side, (not as hard) and elicited another yelp.

"Damn, Bella!" he spun around, lifted me up, and put me back down on my bed again, then he lifted my shirt, and blew raspberries on my stomach. We laughed, and tickled and teased and kissed each other for the next forty-five minutes. By the time we had gotten serious about making out, we had run out of time to do anything else.

We straightened out clothes, and I took a few minutes to tame my hair and make myself presentable. Jacob carried me piggy-back to the truck. We had fun joking around as we made our way to La Push, and the fifteen minute drive seemed much shorter than usual. Before we knew it, we were pulling up in the Clearwater driveway.

Edward's car pulled in just behind the truck. Leah stepped out, and my jaw about dislocated itself again. It was apparent that Alice and Rose had gotten their hands on her. She looked like a model. Jacob was even at a loss for words. I saw his mouth drop open, and his eyes go wide for just the briefest of moments before he pulled me against his side, and smiled down at me. I think he was afraid that I would be upset that he had noticed how great Leah looked. I was not jealous, as a matter of fact, if he hadn't noticed, I would have been offended for her. After all the times that she had been over looked, and even kicked in the teeth as it were by the pack, she was due her day in the sun.

I was pleasantly surprised, and very pleased to see Edward wrap his arms around her waist as he greeted up with his crooked grin. I was so glad to see that he was accepting Leah. I could see the bond between them was growing, and it warmed my heart. I was afraid that it was going to be difficult for Edward to let go of his attachment to me. He had once explained to me that vampires don't change easily, and that it had been a big deal that he had been able to open his heart to fall in love with me. He had been able to accept this change. I felt relieved because I had obviously moved on.

"Hi guys. How's it going?" I greeted them.

"Everything is wonderful." Leah beamed. I couldn't wait to get her alone later so that we could trade stories. After our long conversation yesterday evening, Leah had become a fast friend, and I knew that she was someone I could confide in, and trust.

The four of us walked through the gate and into the back yard together, turning all heads, and abruptly bringing most conversations to a pause. It was kind of comical to see the expressions of the faces of the pack members as Leah walked by. The make-over that Alice and Rose had done was a sight to behold, but far lovelier than that was the proud stance, and happy glow that had grown in Leah's countenance.

As we walked past everyone, we greeted them with smiles and nods. I laughed aloud as Paul walked out of the house with a can of soda that he was lifting to his lips, when he caught sight of Leah, his mouth fell open, and he lost all coordination, spilling the contents of the can on the front of his shirt.

Sam was following her movement with his eyes, and standing very rigidly. I noticed his Adam's apple bobbing convulsively as he swallowed. The tension was mounting as everyone took in the scene, and I could see concern begin to settle in on Leah's previously serene face. Edward noticed it too, and pressed his lips against her temple, whispering into her ear. She dropped her eyes and smiled, blushing at whatever he said to her.

I saw the flash of another set of headlights pulling up to the house. The rest of the family had arrived, and were quietly entering the gate. Esme, Carlisle, and Rosalie were all carrying large dishes of food over to add to the spread. I smiled, knowing that Esme was an amazing cook, which I was sure was going to shock everyone there who was "in the know".

As Jake and I stepped up onto the patio, I caught sight of Charlie and Billy. Charlie was leaning against the rail, sipping on a beer and laughing at whatever Billy was talking animatedly about. When he spied me, he nodded, then jerked his head in a "get over here" motion. I walked up to him, and gave him a quick hug. He wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head.

"What did you do today, kiddo?"

"Eh, you know… I hung out with Jake." I shrugged, feeling a little bit guilty.

"You treating my girl right?" Charlie stared at Jake over my head.

"Always do." Jake smirked.

I looked up, and saw Edward's shocked expression. He was watching Jacob whose mind had undoubtedly gone back to this morning under the questioning of my father. He shook his head slightly, as disapproval lined his features.

I sighed deeply. I had no doubt that there would be a heated exchange in the field tonight. I gave my father another quick squeeze, and kissed Billy on the cheek before taking Jake's hand and leading him towards the food. When we were out of Charlie's hearing, I pulled on him so that I could whisper in his ear.

"I think we need to meet with Edward and Leah alone before tonight's session."

He shot me a puzzled expression, but shrugged. "If you say so."

Sue came out of the house to greet Carlisle and Esme. She hugged each one of the vampire family as they were introduced, and welcomed them to the family. Charlie was pushing Billy's chair over to the group with a guarded expression. I could tell that he was still struggling to forgive not just Edward, but the whole family, with the exception of Alice whom he had always adored.

As soon as both Sue and Billy had greeted Carlisle, shaking his hand warmly, everyone else seemed to drift over to make introductions. It was amazing to watch as my vampire, and werewolf families came together at last. It kind of broke my heart that my father seemed so standoff-ish still, especially when he had spent so much time trying to convince the Quileuttes to accept the Cullens in the first place.

Considering all of this led me to wonder what the plan was with regards to Charlie during the sharing of the histories tonight. Were they planning on including him? My heart began to race at the thought, and I made a beeline to Alice.

"Alice, I need to you try to look ahead. Is Charlie going to know the truth after tonight?"

Alice smiled sweetly at me, and placed a reassuring arm around my shoulders. I could tell that she was working up the words to tell me something significant, and I felt a little bit panicky about it.

"Shh. Relax Bella!" she whispered to me. "Charlie is going to hear the histories, but he isn't going to believe them fully, but it is going to get him thinking about it. I see two possible futures. Neither of them are anything to worry about. I can tell you, though that tonight will be the deciding factor. Tell me, are you afraid of a little scandal?"

My eyes grew wide as I considered her question. I wasn't sure what kind of scandal she might mean, and it made me uncomfortable. Did she mean a scandal involving me? If she did, I could think of only one truly scandalous thing that I had done lately, and I was most definitely afraid of that scandal.

She looked at my face, reading the expressions that I know danced across it, and sighed in irritation.

"Bella, don't worry, your scandalous morning with Jacob is not going to spread for more than a week, so you have time to prepare for that. I meant a scandal involving your family."

I was unaware that there was a scandal involving my family, and since it was just Renee, and Charlie, and me, and Renee wasn't there, that meant the scandal involved my father. The Chief of Police! I groaned inwardly.

"How bad?" I pleaded.

"Well, it will be a little bit uncomfortable for a while, but it will blow over, and when it does, your father will have a whole new life, and an expanded family. And he will know everything."

I considered what she was telling me, and could not imagine anything that he could have done that would be shocking to anyone.

"And if the scandal doesn't come out?"

"Well, then your dad will continue to be lonely for another year and a half before he works up the courage to…" she stopped and obviously decided she was going to give too much away. "Well, at any rate, by the time he makes up his mind, he will not be told certain truths that would lead to a much fuller life in the long run, and he will never acknowledge the truth even though he will know."

I sat down on the ground, and rubbed small circles on my temples which were throbbing with the weight of the scenario.

"And there is something I can do to influence the outcome?"

"Yes."

"What should I do?"

"If you think you and your dad can deal with a little scandal in order to come to the full truth, then be bold and speak your mind. If you are too afraid to face what the truth might be, then walk away."

"Alice, I have no idea what the hell you are talking about."

"I know you don't right now, but you will. When the moment comes, you will know. Trust me."

I wasn't sure what to make of everything that Alice had told me, and I didn't have time to dwell on it too much, as Jacob had come over with a large plate of food, and was waiting rather impatiently to reclaim my attention. I gave Alice a hug, and moved to walk away, but she grabbed my hand, and put her mouth to my ear before I left her.

"Bella, you know I'm expecting you to talk to me about this morning, right?" she gave me a pointed look and raised an eyebrow wickedly. I grinned and blushed, and told her that I would find the time soon.

"I'll hold you to that!" she promised.

Jake led me to sit with him beneath a tree, and shoved the plate of food towards me.

"Here, take what you want." He offered around a sloppy mouthful.

"Gross, Jake! Didn't anyone teach you not to talk with your mouth full of food?" I whined.

"The attempt was made, but wolves are hard to housebreak!" he laughed.

"Clearly." I rolled my eyes, and took a piece of corn on the cob and started munching on it.

Jake was shoveling food in his mouth at a disgustingly rapid rate, and I was glad that I hadn't been too hungry, because I would have lost my appetite. I looked around at everyone gathered, and could not help but notice how easily everyone seemed to be getting along. It made my heart swell, and my eyes water. This was the very thing I had been hoping for all along. My magnets had finally flipped, and were cooperating. I felt like my family was finally complete.

Seth loped over to where Jake and I were setting, and struck up a conversation with us. I smiled at the youngest member of the pack. He was such a sweet boy. He looked a lot like Leah in his features, but his eyes and complexion were lighter. He had beautiful chocolate colored eyes, and he was tanned, but the copper of his skin was somehow not as deep as Leah's or Sue's. He had a sturdy shin, and his smile reminded me of someone. I figured it had to be Harry. I had met him a few times, but had not spent very much time around him, as he and Billy were Charlie's fishing buddies, and I hadn't been fishing with them in eons. Seth was such an outgoing, and likeable boy, I couldn't help but tussle his hair as he was getting up to leave us. He smiled.

As the food vanished, and some of the crowd began to dissipate, I got up to help clear the food up, and wash the dishes with Emily, Leah, and Rachael who had just gotten home from college. Alice and Rose pitched in too. The six of us made quick work of it, laughing and teasing along the way.

As we exited the house, we stopped and drank in the sight of our men. They had all stripped off their shirts, and were playing football in the yard. We stared and laughed as they trash talked, and one-upped each other. The one-upsmanship only got worse once they realized they were being watched. I looked towards the hill behind the yard where the "adults" were building a fire for the council meeting. They had paused to watch the camaraderie and laugh. Billy cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled out.

"Those of you coming to the council meeting, it is time to start. Those who are not staying should call it a night."

Rachael hugged Leah and I, and shook Rose and Alice's hands as she left with Emily. I was surprised that Emily was not staying.

"You're not coming?" Leah asked. (funny how we were so often on the same wavelength)

"No, Rebecca and I have a lot of catching up to do. Plus, I get tired to easily these days." Her eyes darted to Leah's face, and then to her own feet.

"Are you pregnant?" Leah gasped.

"Yeah, I just found out last week. We've been keeping it quiet."

"I'll say!" Leah chuckled, and her eyes darkened a little. So did Rosalie's. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Well, congratulations wolf-girl!" I hugged her excitedly.

"I guess I should call you the same now?" she raised an eyebrow. I blushed and nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so."

Racheal looked puzzled, and knew she was missing out on some inside joke.

"Don't worry, hon!" Emily patted her hand. "Paul will explain our little inside jokes soon enough." Rachael blushed as she walked away with Emily.

"Paul imprinted on her tonight." Leah explained.

"Well, I guess she's going to be at the next council meeting, isn't she?" I laughed.

Our perspective men were waiting for us in the yard, and the whole group of us walked towards the fire together, hand-in-hand.

~UUaAP~

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