Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

45. Chapter 45

Chapter 45

As they promised they would, the Cullens returned for a visit that summer, running the near 3000 miles from Denali to Forks as if it were nothing. They even brought the Denalis with them. It would be the first time they got to see Renesmee's and Caevia's children and the cousins were eager to meet their new family additions. A visit that was unacceptably overdue. When they arrived at the tribe, not bothering with Forks, Renesmee went right to her cousins and hugged them tightly. She remembered them so well and yet she hadn't seen them since she was a little girl. In fact, they'd never actually met Caevia officially. They only knew of her. But they greeted her as if they'd met numerous times before. Once Renesmee greeted them and introductions to all the several children were made, they went to Renesmee's and Jacob's house and all sat on the porch looking onto the sea while the children played.

"They're all beautiful," Tanya said. "I wish Irena could've seen them."

"Me too," Kate said sadly. "So, Caevia, you still plan to have more?"

"Yes, we'll have more. I'd just like to let Peta grow a little more before we do." Caevia looked at Peta, who was sound asleep again her chest, and patted his back. "He's still breast feeding at the moment, but we're introducing him to solid food. He really likes that applesauce you make," she said to Esme.

"How are you doing on those by the way?" Esme asked.

"We have about 8 more jars left at the moment. I think Peta might get through those before long."

"I'll make more in the fall when the apples are ripe," Esme said.

"I have some jars in our pantry if you need any more," Renesmee said.

"I may take those, thanks," Caevia said.

"So that's Embry, Aidetzi, Rae, Jae, Sharisa and Peta?" Garret asked, listing the children in order. "That's a lot of kids, Caevia."

"It is," she smiled. "But I'll gladly have more."

"Just try to stop before you create your own city," Garrett teased with a chuckle. "By the time you two are done, you may have singlehandedly made the best army this tribe has ever seen."

"It won't be that many," Caevia laughed.

"Do you have a number in mind where you might stop?" Kate asked.

"I haven't thought about it," Caevia shrugged. "We'll stop when we're ready to."

"We may have to stage an intervention, everyone," Tanya joked and they all shared a laugh. "Would you mind if I held him?"

"Sure," Caevia said and walked over to Tanya and handed over Peta, who was still sound asleep. When Tanya had Peta in her arms, he yawned and seemed to breathe in deep. He found the scent pleasant and made a little whimper of contentment. "He likes you."

"He's so precious," she smiled and rocked Peta back and forth.

"I saw that family picture," Kate said, referring to the family photo that Jacob and Renesmee had taken with the children some time ago. "Perhaps we should all take another one together."

"That would be a lovely idea," Esme agreed. "And we can make sure Sara, William and Sokajili are in the picture. It will be an extended family photo."

"I'll make arrangements for that," Edward spoke up.

"Do you have a family photo, Caevia?" Kate asked.

"No, not yet. I'd love one later, but after we're finished having children."

"Yes, of course," Kate agreed. "It will have to be a wide angle shot," she said and made everyone laugh again. The all remained for the entirety of June and July. Edward ensured that they all got their picture taken before the end of July. Sara, William, and Sokajili were also included in the family picture standing next to Jacob while the Cullens and Denalis stayed at Renesmee's side in assorted order to ensure everyone was visible.

The picture was sent to the General Store once completed, framed and all, and Leah brought it to Renesmee and Jacob once they had it. Renesmee rested it on the fireplace with all the other pictures. Renesmee looked at the large family photo and the previous one with just her, Jacob and their children. She couldn't believe how big they'd gotten. Nathan and Natalie had nearly doubled in size since the first picture and Kevin and Kyle were so much taller. Kevin was already nearly at Renesmee's shoulder, even at just 9 going on to 10. She breathed a sad sigh when the thought crossed her mind. Ten. Her eldest son was turning ten. Kyle would be turning 9 and the twins had just turned 3. Jacob stepped into the living room, having heard Renesmee's sad sigh.

"What's the matter?" Jacob asked.

"They're growing up too fast, Jacob," Renesmee said. "Kevin's turning 10."

"That's what kids do, Renesmee," Jacob smiled. "They grow up."

"I should have told them to stay babies," Renesmee turned and smiled back at Jacob. "I miss when Kevin was a baby. Do you remember when he was born? When we had his initiation party into the tribe."

"Of course I do," Jacob smiled. "He slept through the whole thing."

"He did, didn't he," Renesmee giggled at the memory. "All four of them did if I remember correctly."

"No, Natalie was awake. She cried the whole time, remember?"

"That was because Sharisa started crying and the domino effect played out," Renesmee joked. She sighed again and looked at the first picture when Kevin was still about six and the twins were just born. "They look so much like you," she said.

"The twins, maybe. Kevin and Kyle look like you," Jacob smiled.

"No, they look like you," Renesmee said. "They have your eyes and your ears. And Kevin's growing tall like you did. At least, the way your mother says you did." Renesmee motioned her hand for Jacob to come closer to her and started pointing at the newest picture. "Nathan looks just like you," Renesmee said. "In fact, I dare say the boy has nothing of me at all."

"That's not true," Jacob smiled and kissed Renesmee's neck. "Sure, he teases Natalie and is mischievous, but I'm sure you would have been too if you'd not been an only child."

"I was a perfect little angel, Jacob," Renesmee smiled.

"I'm sure you were plenty bad when you wanted to be," Jacob smiled and kissed her neck again. He remained at her neck and continued to kiss her while Renesmee smiled.

"You can ask Caevia yourself. I was a very well behaved little girl."

"Mhm," Jacob answered skeptically as he kissed her neck. "What is it that Shakespeare said? 'Me thinks the lady doth protest too much'?"

"It's from Hamlet," Renesmee corrected with a smile.

"Yeah, that," Jacob kissed again. "I'll bet when your family wasn't paying attention, you got in all sorts of trouble."

"They were always paying attention, Jacob. I couldn't get away with anything." Jacob chuckled against Renesmee's neck at the frustrated tone he heard start to develop.

"Poor Renesmee. You never got to be a real kid," he joked. Renesmee turned so she was looking at Jacob, forcing him to take his lips from her neck.

"Are you suggesting I should have been a little deviant like you?" Renesmee teased. "Oh I've heard all the trouble you've gotten into as a boy. Stealing pennies from Mitch's former assistant isn't the only thing I've heard about through the grapevine."

"I know," Jacob chuckled. "I know mom's told you all about all my trouble making. But I promise, there're plenty of things she doesn't know about."

"Such as?" Renesmee asked, raising an eyebrow. Still smiling, Jacob stepped away and started leaving the room. "Jacob, what else have you done?" Jacob stopped and continued to smile. He leaned against the arch of the living room and crossed his arms.

"When we were kids, Embry, Quil and I used to catch frogs."

"Well that sounds innocent enough."

"One time, when we were catching them, Mitch and his pet came to trade salmon. I put one of the frogs in Mitch's carry-on bag so that when he opened it, the frog would jump out at him. It was a big frog, too. After they left, we overheard Mitch yelling. I think he'd opened his bag and saw the frog."

"Well, that was mean, Jacob," Renesmee said. "I may just have to tell him you did that."

"What's he going to do? Spank me?" Jacob called Renesmee's teasing bluff.

"You never know, Jacob," she smiled.

"I'm shaking in my boots," Jacob joked and started walking to the kitchen to get something to eat. "Where are the kids by the way?"

"They're with Embry and Caevia," Renesmee said. "They're riding their bikes down the hill."

"Nathan and Natalie too?"

"Absolutely not," Renesmee said, giggling a little. "They're too young for that." Renesmee went to the kitchen with Jacob and hugged him. "I asked Caevia to let the kids spend the night with her tonight. We're taking all the kids tomorrow, but tonight it's just the two of us."

"You don't say," Jacob smiled wickedly and turned around to look at Renesmee. "Well, whatever will we do?"

Renesmee returned Jacob's smile in kind and grabbed his hand to pull him with her upstairs. But just as they reached the doors to their bedroom, they heard crying from downstairs coming into the house through the back patio. It was Natalie. Renesmee went downstairs right away. Upon first look, there didn't appear to be anything wrong. Natalie wasn't banged up or bruised. But she was certainly crying. She'd seen Kevin and Embry for an instant, but they ran off the moment they saw Renesmee. So she knew they must be responsible whatever the problem was.

"Natalie, honey, what's the matter?" Renesmee asked when she was kneeling in front of Natalie.

"Kevin," she hiccupped, "said that," she hiccupped again, "that if I kissed a frog, it would turn into a prince." Natalie sobbed a moment before continuing. "But it jumped on my face and bit my hair." Hearing that a frog had been on her face, Renesmee picked Natalie up to take her to the bathroom to very thoroughly wash her face.

"Find Kevin," Renesmee said to Jacob as she passed him. Jacob patted Natalie on the head and went to look for Kevin. He'd checked Embry's house first, but they weren't there. Just as he suspected.

"Kyle," Jacob commanded when he saw Kyle. "Where's Kevin?"

"I don't know," Kyle said.

"Yes you do," Jacob said, a little annoyed. Kyle finally gave in.

"They went cliff diving. Please don't tell Kevin I told you."

"Don't worry, you're secret safe with me," Jacob reassured and went to look for Kevin and Embry. It was safe to assume they were both guilty in this little scheme. Just as Kyle said, Embry and Kevin were at the cliff getting ready to dive. "Something you want to tell me, Kevin?" Jacob said when he saw them about to jump and the two turned around to look at him.

"Nothing in particular," Kevin answered. Jacob walked over with his arms crossed and just stared at the boys until he was towering above them.

"Natalie's saying you made her kiss a frog. Mind explaining that?"

"I didn't tell her to kiss a frog," Kevin said. "I told her that if the frog had been a prince once, then a kiss can break the spell. I never told her she had to do it." Kevin rested his hands on his hips confidently.

"And where did you hear that exactly?"

"It's an old fairytale Aunt Rosalie had told us once," Kevin answered.

"So you didn't pick up a frog and actively give it to Natalie?"

"No, sir, I did not," Kevin answered confidently. Jacob stared at Kevin a moment. In all honesty, he couldn't even be mad at the boy. He did the same nonsense to his own sister when he was a kid. He never told them to kiss a frog, but then he definitely would have had he known that was a thing.

"You're little sister's crying saying you made her do it."

"She's exaggerating," Kevin insisted just as confidently. Jacob stared at Kevin another moment and finally sighed.

"Fucking smartass," Jacob mumbled and Kevin's smile widened, confident he'd just won the argument. "Just don't do things like that to her. You know she can be gullible and you shouldn't take advantage of that."

"How else is she going to learn not to be so gullible?" Embry Jr. asked suddenly. The boys started snickering and Jacob raised an eyebrow at them.

"I suppose the same way you'll learn not to do that to your sister again." They both stopped snickering and looked at Jacob seriously. They didn't think they'd really be punished for this.

"I don't follow," Kevin said hesitantly.

"Don't worry, Kevin, you'll figure it out." Jacob grabbed Kevin and Embry and took them with him into the woods to the spot he, Embry Sr. and Quil used to catch frogs at. He sat both boys down on a rock and grabbed the biggest frog he could find in the pond. "Alright boys," Jacob said. "This is Princess Wart. She's been cursed and the only way for her to be beautiful again is a kiss from a prince."

"I'm not a prince," Embry blurted out.

"You're not, but Kevin is," Jacob said. "Your grandpa's a chief, I'm his heir, and you're my heir. Technically speaking, that makes you a prince. So Kevin," Jacob made Kevin hold out his hands and plopped the frog on his hands. "Go ahead and lay a big one on her."

"I don't want to," Kevin said. "It's gross."

"Really, Kevin? You'll never find a woman to love you with that attitude. You'll hurt Princess Wart's feelings."

"It's a frog, dad. I doubt it has feelings to hurt."

"Of course she has feelings," Jacob said and started petting the top of the frogs head. It released a guttural ribbit, making Kevin jump, which made the frog jump and it jumped right into his face, and then jumped off his face, back into the water. "Now look what you did, Kevin. She ran away." Embry started laughing and Kevin elbowed Embry's side to make him stop laughing.

"Fine, I won't tell Natalie kissing a frog will make him a prince again," Kevin said angrily. "Can we please go cliff diving now?"

"Not yet, Kevin. You'd better go apologize to Natalie."

"Oh, come on, dad," Kevin protested, but Jacob took Kevin by his arm and led him back to the house where Renesmee was still scrubbing Natalie's face to make sure it was clean. She wasn't crying anymore at least, but she was still a little angry.

"Go ahead and say you're sorry, Kevin," Jacob instructed. "And Renesmee, he'll need to wash his face too."

"Why?" Renesmee asked a little aggravated.

"He tried to make me kiss a frog," Kevin said bitterly. "It jumped on my face."

"Oh for God's sake," Renesmee sighed. "You apologize to your sister and we'll wash your face." Kevin took a deep and annoyed breath and walked closer to Natalie.

"I'm sorry I made you kiss a frog," Kevin said reluctantly.

"Like you mean it, Kevin," Jacob ordered sternly.

"I'm sorry I made you kiss a frog," Kevin repeated, but with more feeling.

"That's better," Renesmee replied. "Now start splashing this hot water on your face."

Since the boys were in trouble, they were separated and both were instructed they were to stay in their rooms. Embry Jr. claimed he shouldn't be punished because he didn't do anything, but Jacob and Embry Sr. both knew he was an accomplice and decided it was best he be disciplined too. When Jacob told Embry what he'd done with Kevin and the frog, he started laughing and told him it was, 'a terrible shame Kevin managed to ruin his first romance relationship so quickly'. Something interesting occurred that day, though. Renesmee had made sure there were no toys in the room with him so he wouldn't just be playing. So he was unbearably bored. However, in his boredom, he started daydreaming. In truth, Embry began to do something very similar. Kevin remembered that Jacob can turn into a wolf and it was a power he would later have as well. He contemplated whether it would be possible to become a vampire as well. If so, could he do that now? Or would it only be after he became a wolf? In Embry's case, he recalled his mother's people and what little she'd ever been willing to say about them. All she ever said was her people turned into birds and that her biological father was a Thunderbird. He wondered if, maybe, he could turn into a bird too.

Kevin spent the remainder of that afternoon essentially meditating. He tried his best to focus, but it was a little harder. It wasn't like when he would push his thoughts into someone's head. That was effortless for him. This was requiring a lot of concentration. But he kept trying and trying. He determined that if he hadn't accomplished what he wanted by the time it was dark, he'd stop and try again later. He concentrated so hard it started making his head hurt, but he was determined. He remembered something that Grandma Bella had told him once when he was younger. When she'd first changed into a vampire and discovered she was a shield, Kate had told her to, 'imagine it, what color is it, what does it look like' and things like that. So Kevin tried to imagine what he might look like if he were a vampire. Finally, when it was dark and long after he'd determined he'd stop, just as he was ready to give up, he felt very strange. He didn't need to breath, but he could smell everything. He could feel his skin was harder and when he opened his eyes, he saw his skin so much better and realized he was paler. He couldn't believe it. He'd done it! Just to be sure, he went to a mirror in the bedroom and what he saw was astonishing. He was paler, his hair was brighter and shinier and his eyes were crimson red. He couldn't believe it.

"I have to show Embry," was the first thing he muttered and he hopped out of the window and ran to Caevia's and Embry's house and climbed right up to Embry's room just as fast as he'd seen his grandparents do. Embry was in the room alone while the other kids were in the basement having their sleep over. Kevin tapped on the window gently, or so he thought. When he did, the window cracked and it startled Embry. Then he noticed Kevin and went to the window and opened it.

"What did you do?" Embry asked, noticing the red eyes.

"I made myself a vampire!" Kevin said as he stepped into the room. "I just thought about it really hard and I was able to do it! Let's go cliff diving! We didn't get to do that earlier."

"Yeah!" Embry agreed and Kevin put Embry on his back and jumped out the window and ran to the bluff in a matter of seconds. When he put Embry down, he wobbled a moment.

"I think you gave me motion sickness," Embry said. He took another second to recover and looked at Kevin once he was feeling better. "Do you think I could do it? Not turn into a vampire, but maybe a bird?"

"You mean like Aunt Caevia's people?"

"Yeah! Mom did say that when they changed, it was when they jumped off a platform. Maybe if I jump off this bluff and think really hard, I can do it too."

"Try it!" Kevin encouraged. So Embry got out of his clothes, backed up for a head start, and ran as fast as he could and jumped off the bluff. He held out his arms and thought as hard as he could about becoming a bird. But it didn't happen. Instead, he dived last minute into the water and came back up.

"It didn't work!" Embry yelled.

"Try again!" Kevin yelled back from atop the bluff. "It might take a couple of tries! Don't get discouraged!"

Embry nodded and started his climb up the rocks. The water was freezing, but thankfully the night air wasn't too cold. It was actually rather warm, so he was alright. When he reached the top, he tried again and had the same result, but he wasn't discouraged. Deeper in the woods, Jacob, Quil and Embry were on patrol for the night. Typically, they rarely ran into any trouble. Most of the time they were rotating on sleep throughout the night. But while they were out, Jacob smelled a sweet smell he didn't recognize and it burned his nose. He followed the scent with Quil and Embry following. The smell brought them to the bluff and, instantly, Jacob realized the smell was coming from his son. After an initial wave of confusion, his mind turned to panic. He shifted back to his human form and stepped out to the bluff.

"Kevin?!" Jacob yelled and Kevin turned around to look at Jacob as did Embry. Embry Sr. and Quil stepped out too. Embry changed back while Quil stayed a wolf. "What the hell happened?!"

"I learned I can shift into a vampire!" Kevin said excitedly. He closed his eyes and concentrated so he could turn back. When he did, his skin darkened, his hair darkened, and when he opened his eyes, they'd returned to their normal brown color. "See?!"

"How…." Jacob was too stunned to even get the question out. At the moment, he wasn't sure whether to be worried, proud, horrified, or all of the above.

"I was bored and I started thinking about whether it would be possible to turn into a vampire, so I tried it, and it worked!"

"Yeah, but….how did….you haven't even…does this mean you can turn into a wolf? At your age?"

"No, I don't think so," Kevin pondered a moment. "I thought that happened suddenly."

"It….yeah...it usually does," Jacob was still trying to wrap his mind around this. "Hold on, what the hell are you two doing out here? It's the middle of the night! You should be in bed!"

"We wanted to go cliff diving! And since I can become a vampire, Embry's trying to see if he can't turn into a bird!"

"What?" Embry Sr. asked, just as stunned by the prospect and of a similar mind as Jacob being unsure whether to be angry or proud.

"Mom said they used to jump and they would turn into birds, so I'm trying to do that," Embry pitched in.

"Not in the middle of the night, you're not," Jacob said, finally deciding what to focus on in the situation. "Both of you get home now and try to make sure your mothers don't catch you being gone. Do that and we'll never bring up the two of you being out when you're supposed to be in your rooms up again."

"But dad, Embry won't be able to turn into a bird if he doesn't practice!" Kevin protested and Embry voiced an affirmation.

"You can practice tomorrow," Jacob said and grabbed Kevin of the ground holding him like a bundle of wood and walking him back to the house. Embry tossed his son over his shoulder and shook him just a little bit the way his father had when he was a kid and they walked back to their houses. Jacob returned rather quickly, but when he didn't see Embry right away, he was a little concerned. He started walking to Embry's house when Jacob saw him marching out actually angry this time. "What's wrong?"

"There's a crack in the window of Embry's room and he said Kevin had done it when he'd tapped on the window," Embry Sr. said. Jacob stared a moment, not able to believe his ears.

"Are you fucking serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious," Embry replied and Jacob sighed heavily. "I'll ask Leah if there's any way we can fix it. You go back on patrol. I'll deal with Kevin."

Jacob returned home making sure he wasn't seen. He knew Renesmee would overhear, but he would prefer speaking with Kevin first and try to talk to Renesmee later and have a solution for her. Kevin was still in his room and looked rather grumpy. He seemed to change his expression when he saw Jacob, but that was more so to ensure he wasn't in any further trouble.

"Embry saw the crack," Jacob said, and Kevin signed.

"It was an accident," Kevin said. "I thought I'd tapped the glass gently."

"I take it you were a vampire when that happened?" Kevin nodded. A moment passed and curiosity got the better of Jacob. "Show me how you did that?" Kevin looked up, hopeful that maybe he wasn't in as much trouble as he thought. So he took a deep breath and closed his eyes to concentrate. A moment passed before Kevin's skin and hair lightened right before Jacob's eyes. Then when Kevin looked at him again, he saw the crimson eyes and he shuddered a little. "Well that's interesting," Jacob finally said.

"You're not mad are you?" Kevin asked.

"Not about this," Jacob said. "I'm a little mad you broke Embry's window, but not about this." Jacob walked over and sat down next to Kevin. "I suppose I should ask if you're craving blood or something."

"My throat burns a little, but it's nothing I can't ignore," Kevin asked.

"This could come in handy later, I'm sure," Jacob said. "But try not to do this too much. We have no way of knowing if there are any side effects and I'd rather not find out."

"I would think at worst it'll make me stop growing," Kevin answered.

"Let's not test it," Jacob said. "You'll stop growing at some point anyway. No point in making it happen too soon. Just be prepared for your Uncle Carlisle to study you when he gets back. I'm sure they'll all find this interesting too."

"So I'm not in trouble?" Kevin asked hopefully and Jacob just smiled, even if the eyes staring back at him were a haunting red.

"Change back, and I'll let you off the hook," Jacob answered. Kevin changed back right away and looked at Jacob again just as hopefully, this time his eyes brown like they were supposed to be. "That's better," Jacob smiled.

Jacob told Renesmee about Kevin's little trick the following morning. Unfortunately, the fact that Embry Jr. and Kevin snuck out eventually came up, but Kevin convinced Renesmee and Caevia to let it go. Renesmee was surprised to hear about what Kevin had done and even asked him to show her. When he did and she saw those red eyes, they were really chilling and she told him to turn back. Since Kevin was able to do it, Kyle, Nathan and Natalie were curious if they could do it and spent the rest of the day trying to. Kyle accomplished it within an hour while the twins took far longer. Though Renesmee demanded they change back right away. When the Cullens returned for the fall and winter season, Carlisle was stunned by the discovery and decided to look into the matter. However, there was only so much he was able to learn but it was fascinating all the same. Embry, on the other hand, spent a good part of the summer trying to turn into a bird with no success. Every day he and Kevin would go to the bluff and he'd jump off, trying to change as hard as he could, but he always landed in the water the same as when he'd been on the bluff. But he was determined and he didn't stop trying. At first, Caevia, begrudgingly, allowed him to do it. But by that fall with no success and Embry still trying, it started concerning her.

"Can you talk to Embry about what he's been doing?" Caevia asked Embry. Renesmee was watching the children, with the exception of Peta who she was holding, and she was eager to take advantage of the alone time.

"You mean trying to turn into a bird?" Embry asked.

"Yes. I can understand why he would want to try, but I want him to stop. For all I know, he might never be able to do it. My mother was a slave, and you have no connection to it, so I doubt he'd be able to."

"You think he'll just disappoint himself?"

"It's not just that. I remember when the Thunderbirds would try to become birds. They all went up to the platform when they reached a certain age. They were told to jump and if they accomplished becoming a bird they had their first flight and if they didn't, they plummeted to the ground to die. I remember how the Thunderbirds would always have a slew of young men every other year that were buried with little consideration. Their deaths were seen as a failure and not deserving of a proper burial." Caevia released a tear but wiped it away. "It's just bringing back horrible memories."

"I'll talk to him,"Embry reassured. "I know it was never his intent to upset you. I'm sure he's just curious."

"I know,"Caevia said and started cooing Peta. He started wiggling, wanting to be on the floor, so Caevia placed him on the floor of the living room so he could crawl around. After their talk, Embry went to look for Embry Jr. He was at the bluff as he usually was and he was climbing back up from his last failed attempt. Kevin, Kyle and Aidie were their encouraging him to try again.

"Embry," Embry called to his son.

"Yeah?" Embry Jr. asked.

"Come here for a second. I need to talk to you." Embry looked at Kyle as if he'd tell him what was going on, but stepped forward without a word as his father had told him to. When he was near, Embry Sr. kneeled down so they were at an even level.

"What's the matter?"

"It's about what you're doing. It's concerning your mother and it's starting to upset her."

"Why?" Embry Jr. asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"She just would prefer you stop trying to force it. There's a lot that happened when she was with her tribe. I realize we've never told any of you about it, and we would prefer to keep it that way. But having said that, this is bringing back bad memories for your mother and she would prefer that you stop."

"But dad, I've been working so hard!" Embry protested.

"I know you have and believe me, I admire your persistence. But if only to put your mother at ease, just stop. Maybe one day when you're older you can try again, but for the time being, just leave it be. Okay?"

"Let me try one more time," Embry Jr. insisted. Embry Sr. was about to say no, but he looked so determined.

"One more," Embry Sr. nodded and Embry Jr. turned around so he was facing the bluff. He took a deep breath, got a head start and ran as fast as he could before leaping off the ledge. He thought as hard as he could, but just as all the other times, he landed in the water the same as when he'd jumped off. Embry Sr. walked to the edge to make sure Embry Jr. was okay. He was alright, but he looked so defeated. He kept looking that way as he climbed back up. Embry Sr. wasn't sure what to say, especially since his son looked so disappointed. "Let's go back home," he finally said.

Embry Jr. just nodded with his head held down and they all walked back. Kevin brought Embry back to his house and they went upstairs to play. Normally, Kyle would play with them, but today he figured it was best he not. So he and Aidie found the twins and triplets to play with them on the beach. Kevin stayed quiet for a time allowing Embry to stew. He knew he needed it. But eventually, the silence was too much.

"Are you alright?" Kevin asked.

"No," Embry answered bluntly. "Why is it when you tried turning into a vampire it happened instantly and when I try to turn into a bird, it's taking forever?" he asked, extremely aggravated.

"I don't know," Kevin said a little defensively. "It wasn't instant. That took me all afternoon."

"Better all afternoon than all summer," Embry said. "And now dad says I can't do it anymore. It's stupid!" Kevin didn't answer initially. Instead he tried to think how they could get around this. Eventually, he had an idea.

"You know," Kevin finally said. "We don't have to tell our parents that's what we're doing."

"What?" Embry asked.

"Aunt Caevia got upset because she knows that you were trying to turn into a bird. Maybe we should say we're doing something else."

"We can't do that," Embry said. "You're stupid mind reading grandpa would tell on us."

"He can't if we're not around for him to read it," Kevin said. "He might be able to read your mind, but he can't read mine unless I specifically let him. So all you need to do is not be around grandpa while he's here. And Kyle won't say anything." Embry finally cheered up and looked just as thoughtful.

"You think we could get away with that?"

"I know we can," Kevin said. "All we're doing is testing the limits of what we can do. Nothing Aunt Caevia needs to worry herself about, right?"

"You're right," Embry said, finally feeling much better. "Do you think we could sneak out again?"

"I don't know," Kevin thought again. "We'd have to be really careful if we did."

"Could Kyle make sure we're not caught? I mean, he can hear our dad's coming, so as long as he's reading their minds, he can tell us if we need to leave right?"

"That definitely sounds like a plan," Kevin said thoughtfully. Kevin took a moment to concentrate so he could push a request into Kyle's head to come upstairs. That was always really hard for him, but he was glad to know how to do it. A few minutes later, Kyle stepped into the room the boys all shared and sat down next to Kevin.

"What's going on?" he asked, refusing to just read their minds. He knew they hated it when he did that.

"I want to keep trying to turn into a bird, but dad said that mom said I can't do it anymore. So we have to be secretive about it. I want to try again tonight, but we need someone with us that can warn us if our dads are getting too close."

"So you want to bring me with you as a 'look out'?"

"Exactly," Kevin said. "And I promise, we'll only be there two hours. No more. If it's a flop after two hours, we'll go straight home and keep it during the day."

"What do we do if I notice our dads getting close?"

"Just warn us and we'll run in whatever direction you say until we get home," Kevin said. "If you do us this favor, Kyle, I'll owe you one." Kyle looked hesitant a moment, but after he thought about it, he decided that he didn't want to be left out.

"Okay, I'll help," Kyle finally said and Kevin hugged Kyle.

"You're the best, Kyle," Kevin said.

They all agreed that when they were sure it was safe, they would sneak out and go to the bluff for Embry to jump off. They waited until it was the middle of the night before they made their move. Nathan was sound asleep, so Kevin crawled out of his bed and went to Kyle, poking him so he'd wake up. Then they snuck out through the window making sure not to make a noise and went to Embry's and Caevia's house. Kevin concentrated and pushed his thoughts into Embry Jr.'s mind letting him know they were outside. They waited for Embry to quietly open the recently fixed window and very gently worked his way out through the window and landed on the ground with a thud. After Embry recovered, the boys made a run for it to the bluff they usually used. Once they were there, Kyle kept his mind open to ensure he always knew where their dads were. At the moment, he couldn't hear them, meaning they were too far away for him to hear, meaning they were safe right now. Kyle affirmed they were safe, so without missing a beat, Embry got a head start and ran as fast as he could off the cliff. The result was the same as it had been several times before. When Embry came back up, Kevin stopped him.

"Embry, you keep just jumping and thinking really hard. Maybe you're just going too fast."

"That's what I'm supposed to do," Embry said. "I have to run off the cliff so I have momentum." Granted, Embry didn't know any of this for sure. He was just basing it on instinct that he couldn't even really be sure of. But without someone to show him, it was all he hand.

"Yeah, but maybe you need to give yourself a minute to breath first," Kevin suggested. "That's what I'd been doing. I just concentrated and took deep breaths to turn into a vampire. Maybe you need to let yourself clear your head and relax. I know it sounds weird, but give it a try and see if it helps."

Although reluctant, Embry agreed he would try it and returned to the spot he'd been starting at. But instead of running right away, he stood there and closed his eyes like Kevin said. He took deep breaths until he felt like he was relaxed. Or as relaxed as was possible. He had no idea what he would look like as a bird, so visualizing it was hard. Instead, he just imagined a bird. No one in particular. Just birds. He imagined all the birds in the woods that they saw all the time. Then he tried picturing what it might be like to fly. He decided he was tired of thinking and confident he'd been sufficient and started running. However, when he jumped, the exact same thing happened. He didn't change. But this time, he felt a strange jolt in his core that he couldn't explain. When he got back to the top, Kevin encouraged him more and Embry returned to his previous spot and did the same thing as before. This time, he was more diligent. He took more time to really relax. He almost fell asleep from the exercise. But Kevin waited patiently while Kyle continued to be mindful of ensuring their dads weren't coming. Embry tried to jump again: nothing happened. He went back up and returned to his spot and went right back to meditating. A whole half hour passed before Embry tried again. He nearly forgot to even try jumping in fact.

He took one more deep breath before opening his eyes. Then he got a head start and ran as fast as he could before jumping off the cliff. He landed in the water again, but this time, when he hit the water, he felt as though his hair was hitting the rocks at the tip of his fingers. Unsure what was happening, he tried to scream. What came out was a sound he couldn't say he'd heard before. It was a bird's call. In a panic and unable to stay above water the way he was, he forced himself to change back and he felt normal again. Kevin and Kyle looked over the edge of the cliff when they heard that bird call and, for a moment, they saw a bird in the water that looked bigger than an eagle. Then he changed back and was finally able to get to the side of the cliff to climb back up. When he was near, Kevin grabbed Embry's hand, pulled him up and hugged him.

"You did it!" Kevin yelled. "Embry, you did it!"

"Do it again, do it again!" Kyle encouraged. With renewed confidence, Embry returned to his previous spot.

He breathed and started running. This time when he jumped, there was a loud swooping sound, his eyesight improved drastically, he felt lighter and he had that feeling again of wind blowing in his hair all over his body. But what was most exciting is that he stopped falling once he started moving his arms. Arms he realized were wings now. He started flying forward and was able to glide when he didn't move his arms and he heard Kevin and Kyle cheering him on from the cliff. He lifted one wing up and was able to turn around. He lifted one wing more and turned around completely and flew back to the cliff. He flapped his wings to bring himself upright and landed. He looked at his feet and couldn't believe his eyes. They were talons, and his chest showed row after row of brown, spotted feathers. He changed back and just fell on his butt, unable to believe he'd finally did it.

"I did it," he said, almost trying to convince himself.

"You should have seen yourself, Embry! You looked like a giant hawk! You were two times taller and your wings are huge!" Kevin praised and hugged Embry again. Embry hugged him back and the two practically danced around together from pure adrenaline and excitement. Suddenly, Kyle looked serious.

"Kevin, Embry, our dads are coming. They overheard the commotion and they're coming to investigate. We have to go back."

"No way!" Embry said. "I have to show dad! He won't believe it!" Embry started hopping from foot to foot barely able to contain his excitement. He wasn't even backed down when Embry and Jacob stepped out, fuming it appeared about the boys being out this late.

"Embry, what are you doing out here? It's the middle of the night!" Embry Sr. yelled.

"I just wanted to try one more time!" Embry Jr. went to the previous spot. "Watch!" he commanded before getting a running start and jumping off the cliff again. He changed into a bird again, made his falcon call and flew back around. He brought himself higher into the air and flew in a circle, descending back to the bluff. He landed on the rock, remaining a bird, and flapped his wings proudly. Jacob and Embry just stared in awe. Quil, still a wolf, stepped out of the woods unable to believe his eyes.

"Dad, can you believe it?!" Kevin boasted with a big smile. "He did it, dad, he really did it! Embry turned into a Thunderbird!" Embry Jr. chirped with pride again and flapped his wings some more. He started trying to walk closer, but he couldn't do more than a waddle in his state and it was rather awkward. So he changed back so he could run over to his dad and hugged him. Embry Sr. was stunned. His son was so proud of himself. He would discipline him for being out so late, certainly. But not for trying as hard as he did. Frankly, he was proud of him and hugged him back.

"Good job, Embry," Embry Sr. said.

"Can we show mom?" Embry Jr. asked eagerly, but Embry Sr. was hesitant.

"Let me talk to your mom first," he said. "As far as you three being out here so late, consider yourselves stuck in your rooms after your lessons tomorrow."

"Whatever you say dad," Embry Jr. said proudly. He was so proud he would gladly take the punishment. Even Kevin and Kyle weren't mad. The next morning, Embry returned home and went right to bed and crawled up next to Caevia. He held her close and kissed her neck, waking her gently. She moaned and squirmed until she was awake and looked up at Embry.

"How was patrol?" Caevia asked. Embry smiled kindly and kissed her nose.

"We caught the boys out in the middle of the night,"he said. Caevia said up, less than pleased.

"Why were they out so late?"

"Embry was determined. He started trying again." Caevia sighed heavily and looked ready to get out of bed and reprimand Embry herself, but Embry Sr. gently put his hand on Caevia's shoulder to stop and calm her. "He did it,"he finally said.

"What?" Caevia asked, no longer looking angry, but rather stunned.

"He became a Thunderbird," Embry said again. "I don't know how, but he turned into a bird right before my eyes."

"He did?" To Embry's surprise, Caevia actually looked very proud.

"He'll be more than happy to show you, I'm sure."

Caevia eventually nodded and later that day, everyone, including the Cullens, went to that bluff and watched Embry Jr. jump off the side of the bluff and turn into a bird. Immediately, Caevia noticed he was half the size of the birds she remembered. But then, the birds she remembered never so much as considered trying to awaken their bird before they were young men. Embry, son to a half-blooded slave woman and a father that had no Thunderbird lineage, had managed it at the tender age of 11. He landed at the edge of the bluff and was nearly the same height as his dad in his current state, but his wing span already dwarfed his father. The bird would grow much, much larger Caevia knew. He had those human brown eyes, the curved sharpened beak and the dark brown back feathers with lighter feathers on his chest with spots of black. His tail feathers gradually darkened until the tips were pure black. He looked just like all the other Thunderbirds she remembered. And when he made his call, it was exactly as she remembered. Embry changed back and went to Caevia, who hugged him and told him she was very proud of him. The boys were, of course, ordered that they were never to sneak out in the middle of the night ever again. But they served no further punishment since Embry Jr. had done something that, as far as Caevia was concerned, was groundbreaking. Had Embry's father been a Thunderbird like her last three children before she was sold, he almost certainly would have been taken from her and thrown off the platform just like his half-sisters had been. This would have never been possible otherwise and she was elated that her son got to have a privilege such as this.

Embry Jr. made it his habit to practice flying and Kevin would always watch. The strangest thing happened to both of them, though. To Kyle as well in fact. They both started growing just a little faster. This had happened when Embry Sr., Jacob and Quil had become wolves in their teens. But within months, their 11 year olds looked to be young teens and Kyle at the age of ten started to look nearing his teens as well. And all three shot up an extra half foot in height, making them both as tall as their mothers, easily. Kyle was only a little shorter. Renesmee was relieved the same thing did not appear to be happening to the twins, but Carlisle was fascinated as to why that might be. He spent most of the fall and winter trying to figure it out, but there didn't appear to be a reasonable answer for it. His best guess was that they were simply too young and, since such drastic change was normal for children Kevin's, Embry's and Kyle's ages, perhaps it was merely a coincidence with an already occurring growth spurt pattern. In January, after the Cullens left to return to Alaska, Kevin decided he wanted to go to the General Store to get a newspaper. Realizing he'd not seen Hailey since their business transaction, Jae eagerly asked if he could go too. That also meant that Rae, Sharisa, Natalie and Nathan were going. Aidie remained at home, preferring to spend time with some other friends instead of going to the store. Hailey was sorting out some things in the back room while Mitch manned the counter momentarily. When they all stepped into the shop, Mitch looked up, then did a double take when he saw Kevin, Kyle, and Embry.

"Jesus, you three have grown," Mitch muttered in awe.

"Just a growth spurt," Kevin said. "You wouldn't mind if I grabbed a newspaper would you?"

"Sure," Mitch said slowly. "It's 5 cents." Kevin reached into the pocket of the pants his grandparents had given him for Christmas and pulled out a nickel and placed it on the counter. Mitch took the coin and Kevin took the paper and started glancing through.

"Where's mister?" Jae asked Mitch when he looked around and didn't see him.

"He's in the back at the moment," Mitch answered. Suddenly, Jae made his way to the back with Mitch following after suddenly trying to stop the boy. But he was too fast for Mitch's old bones to follow. Once in the back, Jae stayed just far enough away from Hailey that he wouldn't startle him and voiced a cheerful greeting.

"Hi, Mister!" Jae said to Hailey turned around and saw Jae. Then he pulled out the little pocket watch and held it up. "Mr. Edward said this watch is off. Do you know what he means?"

"Is that your watch?" Mitch asked when he saw it.

"I gave it to him in exchange for the candy," Hailey sighed.

"Mister said it was a business arrangement," Jae repeated excitedly.

"Did he now?" Mitch said.

"Hold on," Hailey said. "I'll show you how to fix the time." Hailey walked out of the large storage area and into the kitchen to the table. Jae followed him and sat next to him excitedly.

"Hurry up, Jae, we want to go back!" someone yelled from the front.

"Who the hell's that?" Hailey asked offhandedly, not recognizing the voice.

"That's Embry," Jae answered. Hailey looked at Jae strangely.

"Embry? You mean your dad?"

"No," Jae said. "That's my big brother." Hailey just stared at Jae a little shocked, placed down the watch, and walked up front to see three boys that looked as though they'd grown two years since the last he'd seen them over the summer during salmon trade.

"Holy shit," he mumbled. "You three certainly grew."

"Just at that age," Kyle answered. Hailey tried to remember how old Leah had said they were. He could've sworn it was no older than 11 or 12. He'd heard of growth spurts, but this seemed far too bizarre.

"I guess so," Hailey finally answered. Then Jae grabbed Hailey's hand and gently pulled.

"Come on, Uncle Hailey, we have to fix my watch." Hailey looked right at Jae.

"What did you just call me?"

"Uncle Hailey," Jae repeated. "Come on, Uncle Hailey, or Embry will yell at me again. He's being a big meany."

"I'm not being a 'meany', I'm just telling you to hurry up," Embry said. The voice stunned Hailey again. He swore that boy sounded at least about 13 but he knew that couldn't be right. Jae pulled on Hailey's hand again and they returned to the back to fix the time on the watch.

"How old are Jacob's and Embry's kids?" Hailey asked Leah later that night when they were eating dinner.

"They both just turned 11," Leah said. "Why?"

"Because those boys came into the shop today and they didn't look a day under 13," Hailey said.

"Yeah, they had a hell of a growth spurt," Leah said. "It's actually not terribly uncommon in our side of the family. Those boys just shoot up like weeds."

"I would fucking well say so," Hailey mumbled. Something about that didn't sound right to him. "Leah," he said.

"Yeah?"

"If I asked you to be completely and totally honest with me, would you?" Leah suddenly looked up at Hailey strangely.

"I guess," she finally answered. "I'm always honest with you."

"Most of the time," Hailey said. "But not when it comes to your family and those Cullen people. I know you know what's wrong with them. I shouldn't care so much, but something about all of them is just not rubbing me the right way and I know you know what it is."

"Hailey, it's really not my business to tell you 'what's wrong with them'. I fully acknowledge and will tell you that there is something different about the Cullens and part of my family, but outside of that, I'm really not at liberty to tell you. I know that's frustrating and I wish I could tell you more, but the honest truth is it's not my place to say." Hailey looked at Leah a moment before sighing heavily.

"I guess that's an honest answer," Hailey finally said. "So it's not that you don't want to, you're just not allowed to?"

"Correct," Leah replied. "But it's not something that applies to me. The things that make the Cullens and my cousin strange do not apply to me."

"Does it somehow have to do with some bizarre pagan religion or something?"

"No," Leah said. Then she sighed a little. "My people, at least long ago, used to have a gift that no other tribe had. It made us stronger than our enemies and a valuable asset to our allies."

"And what was that gift exactly?"

"We were able to separate our spirits from our bodies and it made it possible to influence nature," Leah answered. She'd expected the dumbfounded look on Hailey's face.

"Okay," he finally said. "And you're not able to do that?"

"We haven't had that gift since the reign of Chief Taha Aki."

"And why's that?"

"Chief Taha Aki had an enemy, Utlapa, that wanted to take over the chiefdom. So he took Taha Aki into the woods under false pretences and they left their bodies and just as Taha Aki realized he was being betrayed, Utlapa entered Taha Aki's body and sliced the throat of his own so Taha Aki would be without a body and took over the tribe acting as Taha Aki. In his sorrow, Taha Aki took the body of a wolf and came to the tribe so he might reveal what happened. After leaving his body and Taha Aki telling him what happened, an elderly man returned to his body to tell everyone what happened and Utlapa executed the man before he could reveal what happened. In a fit of rage, the body of the wolf became a man and Taha Aki retook his throne for lack of a better word and executed Utlapa and had his family exiled."

"Okay," Hailey said, raising an eyebrow. "And what does that have to do with your people being unable to remove yourselves from your bodies?"

"He outlawed the practice and we lost the ability to do so after years of not doing it. Taha Aki and his sons that awoke to the power are the only ones that are still able to perform this act. But now, it's with the spirit of the wolf."

"So you're telling me that your cousin is able to remove his soul from his body?"

"Not exactly," Leah answered and took a deep breath. "I realize this doesn't explain much, but that's really all the more I can say."

"So are the Cullens able to do this too, or something," Hailey asked.

"No, they're not. They're something different."

"And that's as much as you'll tell me?" Hailey asked after a moment of silence.

"I'm sorry, but yes," Leah answered. "But I have been honest with you."

"And I appreciate that," Hailey finally smiled.

"I know it's frustrating, but it really would be best to just drop it. Regardless of what's 'wrong' with the Cullens, you're not in any danger from them."

"I suppose that's what's important," Hailey sighed.

Following that, Kevin, Embry and Jae became frequent visitors to the General Store. Kevin had grown fond of reading the paper, as had Kyle, and Embry just came along while Jae wanted to see Hailey. It was early August 1914 when Kevin and Embry came into the General Store with Jae and Kyle. Jae had gone right to Hailey and started talking to him about nothing in particular. It was something that Hailey had grown used to by this point, so he continued working while Jae talked. He began to tell how he, his sisters, Natalie and Nathan were now joining the children in their lessons and learning all the same things the other children, including learning French. Hailey found that less than appealing.

"Do you know French, Uncle Hailey?" Jae asked when Hailey looked less than impressed.

"I speak German," Hailey answered bluntly.

"Are German and French a lot alike?"

"French is a feminine language and it's nothing impressive. German is a strong language that commands respect and authority."

"Really?" Jae asked, impressed.

"Of course," Hailey affirmed confidently. "French has nowhere near the power of German. And you can quote me on that."

"Quite the contrary, Mr. Dauer," Kevin spoke up, smiling, "I'd say French commands more respect. French is the language upper classman learn. It's a language of culture. The same can't be said of German."

"At its best, French is a pompous language meant to inflate the egos of rich people trying to impress their friends with their education. There's more to life than sounding pretty, boy. French's sole purpose is to sound pretty. German has higher priorities." Kevin chuckled a little and smiled kindly at Hailey.

"Si tu le dis, Herr Dauer," Kevin answered is, what even Hailey could tell, was a perfect accent even when he referred to Hailey appropriately with the German status.

"Can you teach me?" Jae asked suddenly and Hailey finally looked at Jae.

"Pardon?" Everyone in the room chuckled a little at Hailey's response.

"If you know German, I want to know too!" Jae yelled excitedly. "Please, Uncle Hailey? Please, please, please, please, please?!" Jae repeated as he jumped up and down with excitement and everyone started chuckling again.

"Why can't Leah teach you?" Hailey asked, annoyed.

"I don't want Leah to teach me," Jae complained. "I want you to teach me!"

"I don't have time to teach you," Hailey said dismissively and returned to his work.

"Well, Jae," Mitch stepped in, "Hailey words during the day, but I'm sure he can make time afterwards." Hailey looked right at Mitch suddenly stunned.

"Really? Could you, Uncle Hailey? Please!" Jae continued to plea, still jumping with excitement. Embry stepped forward and grabbed Jae's shoulder and pulled him back.

"We can ask Leah when we get back," Embry said. "I'm sure she can teach you a few things."

"But I want Uncle Hailey to teach me!" Jae continued to protest.

"We'll talk to Leah," Embry said again and looked at Kevin. "Let's go home." Embry stepped out and Kevin followed after him.

When they returned home, Embry went to Leah and told her about Jae wanting to learn German and the talk they'd had with Hailey. Even though Jae was not as happy, Leah confirmed she would teach Jae German. She even told him that, if he were diligent and did very well, it might impress Hailey and he may teach him or even speak to him in German. With that encouragement, Jae insisted they begin practicing that very day. Kevin and Embry went up the hill to Embry's house where the rest of the family was currently at. Peta was crawling around on the floor chewing on some toys while Nathan, Natalie, Rae and Sharisa were playing with him. When Jae didn't come in with Embry and Kevin, Rae asked where he was and left the house to find him and Leah when Embry said where they were.

"Jae decided he wants to learn German?" Renesmee asked once the boys were near the kitchen where Caevia, Renesmee, Jacob and Embry Sr. were talking.

"Yeah," Embry Jr. said. "I convinced him to let Leah teach him instead. I think Mr. Dauer would sooner hit the kid over the head than teach him German."

"Can you bring Peta over here, Embry?" Caevia asked and Embry Jr. picked up his little brother and walked him over to Caevia. Caevia took Peta and gave him a kiss on the head. Then he started grabbing for Leah's plate of apples and started eating a wedge. "Oh, and Embry, your father and I are having another baby."

"Have fun with that, mom," Embry joked.

"Did you get the paper, Kevin?" Renesmee asked Kevin.

"I've got it here. Germany declared war on Serbia and Russia," he said.

"Why? What happened?" Renesmee asked.

"According to the paper, the Archduke of Austria and his wife were assassinated June 28th in Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serbian terrorist group called the Black Hand."

"Are Austria and Germany the same country or something?" Jacob asked.

"No, they're different countries. You remember daddy's map, right? Germany's the really big country on the mainland near France. Austria-Hungary is a country that neighbors them. I imagine they're allies, so if a terrorist group assassinated the Archduke of one of their allies, then Germany would declare war on the country responsible," Renesmee asked.

"That's basically what the paper's saying," Kevin said. He continued to read and corrected himself. "France had war declared on them by Germany August 3rd. Apparently because they're allies to Russia. And after that, Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia and Germany's declared war on Belgium in order to get to France and because Germany did that, Britain declared war on Germany."

"Oh my God," Renesmee said quietly.

"Sounds like a giant cluster fuck," Jacob said.

"Jacob, please," Renesmee scolded. "Do not swear in front of the children."

"Sorry," Jacob said. "So does the paper say why that guy was assassinated?"

"Not specifically, but it probably has something to do with how the royal family treated the country," Kevin said.

"It doesn't say America's getting involved does it?" Renesmee asked.

"No, America's not getting involved," Kevin continued to read. "President Wilson is determined not to allow America to get involved according to this."

"Why would America get involved in the first place?"

"Because we have allies in Europe," Renesmee answered. "Although, as far as I'm aware, we don't have any treaties between us and any country in Europe that would legally bind us to go to war anyway."

"At least the paper was interesting for a change," Embry Jr. said.

The papers remained interesting following that first telling of the war in Europe. Yet there was a continued theme of absolute neutrality as determined by President Wilson. Leah continued teaching Jae German and even making sure he was learning to read at the same time. She taught Jae exactly the way Hailey had taught her. Every time Kevin would go to the General Store for the newspaper, Jae would always follow and say words he'd learned in German, trying to impress Hailey. Sometimes, Hailey would respond, but most of the time he seemed unimpressed. Though he'd always tell Leah about it when he got home.

"He said a full sentence to me," Hailey said to Leah over dinner. "It was even said properly."

"I'm glad to hear I've been a good teacher," Leah smiled.

"You learned from the best," Hailey chuckled and winked at Leah. She smiled at him, but her smile was teasing.

"Admit it: you're proud of him," Leah finally said.

"Kid's learning German instead of French," Hailey joked. "It's something any rational person would do."

"He's not learning German instead of French. He's learning both," Leah corrected.

"How disappointing," Hailey said, but he was chuckling.

"Well, Hailey, if you think you can teach him any better, maybe you should just let me bring him over. He'd rather have you teaching him anyway," Leah smiled.

"Oh, there's no need for that, Leah. I'm sure you're doing just fine." Although playfully, Leah just glared at Hailey and just rolled her eyes.

The following day, Leah returned to the tribe as she always did and later continued teaching Jae German after he, his sisters, and the twins played together for a while. Usually around dinner time was when Leah left. But today, she decided she would bring a guest. So she went to Caevia and Embry and asked if she might take him for the night promising that he would be returned the next morning. Caevia agreed and let Leah know that Embry would be staying close trough the night until Jae was returned and Leah just warned to make sure he remained out of sight so Hailey wouldn't see him. She had enough trouble getting Hailey to ignore the Cullens being weird. She wasn't sure she'd be able to adequately explain away seeing a giant wolf.

Jae was so excited when Leah told him she was taking him to her house for the night. Since the weather was still alright, Leah had ridden her bike to the tribe and that bike didn't have any sort of attachment making it possible for Jae to stand on the bike. So instead he held onto her back tightly while she rode her bike back to her house. Hailey wasn't back yet when they arrived, so Jae ran to the front of the house and found Hailey's desk and started looking at all the watches. He saw he watch with the Iron Cross before Leah pulled Jae away to stop playing with the watches. She told Jae after he was away from the desk a little about the Iron Cross clock and how Hailey's grandpa had received it as a reward for good service from the Kaiser during a war when the family still lived in Germany. Jae asked if there was a similar significance to the watch Hailey had given him, but Leah suggested he would need to ask Hailey about that directly. As far as she was aware, it was a watch he'd gotten when he was young. When Hailey returned home, Jae leaped off his chair at the table and ran over to hug him. Hailey jumped, startled by the unexpected welcome.

"Leah, what the hell's the boy doing here?" he asked with his hands up as if he were told to freeze and trying to sidestep his way away from Jae.

"Well, Jae was eager for some German lessons right from the master himself and I knew you wouldn't mind," Leah giggled and kept making dinner. "He saw that Iron Cross watch of yours, so maybe tonight when he goes to bed you can tell him all about how your grandfather got it from the Kaiser."

"Goes to bed? He's spending the night?"

"Well, of course, Hailey. I'll take him back in the morning. I can't ride him back in the middle of the night. It's not safe to be out at this hour."

"Leah said that you have a big fairy tale book we could ready too!" Jae said with excitement. "She said that's how you taught her German."

"Well, yes, but-"

"Please, Uncle Hailey?" Jae said with excited and pleading eyes. Hailey stared at the boy a moment unsure what to do. At the moment, he was essentially backed into a corner. So rather than argue, he finally brought his hands down and sighed.

"Fine," he said and Jae cheered.

Jae went right to the kitchen table and waited for Hailey to, begrudgingly, walk over and sit next to him. Jae had the little book of fairytales already opened to the story he wanted to read, Aschenputtel, and eagerly waited for them to start reading. As if to try and prolong it, Hailey glanced at the book, then he looked at Leah.

"Most of Europe's at war," Hailey said to Leah.

"Yes, I heard," Leah said. "Kevin showed it to me in the paper. An Archduke was assassinated, right?"

"Yeah, so the papers say. And President Wilson is determined not to let America get involved, or so they say."

"I can't imagine why America would get involved. What does the United States care about an Archduke's assassination?"

"It's more than that," Hailey said. "This was just a straw that broke the camel's back. The truth of the matter is Europe's been on the brink of war for years."

"Why?" Jae asked.

"Numerous reasons," Hailey said. "It's a rather complicated topic to try and explain."

"I guess as long as America isn't getting involved, it doesn't really matter," Leah said.

"No, the United States is getting involved," Hailey said. Leah looked at him strangely.

"The paper said the President was going to keep the United States neutral."

"That's what he said," Hailey emphasized. "If there's one thing I've learned about all politicians loud and clear is that they say one thing and think another. Just because he says we aren't going to war now doesn't mean we won't go to war later. One way or another, the United States is going to get involved. You mark my words. And if that happens, there will probably be a draft."

"What's a draft?" Jae said.

"A draft is when a bill is issued that recruits able bodied men to join the military. In other words, if you're of an appropriate age and there's nothing wrong with you, you're going to war whether you want to or not."

"So if the United states goes to war, then you would be drafted?" Leah asked, concerned.

"I wouldn't," Hailey said. "Last I checked the drafting age was between 19-30. So I'm too old. Seth, on the other hand, is within that range."

"Seth?!" Leah asked, alarmed.

"How old is he? About 26 now?"

"Around there," Leah said, getting concerned. "Let's just hope we don't go to war and let that be the end of it."

"Or at the very least, not go to war until he's 31," Hailey said. "Frankly, I don't think this will end any time soon."

"Do you think Germany will win?" Jae asked innocently. "Kevin said they were the ones that declared war."

"I wish I could say they'd come out victorious, but it's a foolish thing to assume. They've basically got all of Europe against them. The odds aren't exactly stacked in Germany's favor. And besides, when the United States does join the war, it'll be on the side of England since they're our allies."

"Jae," Leah said suddenly, desperate to change the subject, "didn't you want Hailey to teach you German?"

"Yeah!" he cheered and looked up at Hailey, pointing at the story.

"Okay, fine," Hailey sighed and they started going over the story.

Perhaps because he was aggravated to be blindsided, he was relentless. He only spoke in English to make an explanation, he corrected Jae's accent at every turn, and he would correct the boy with a loud alliteration every time he mispronounced something or didn't remember what a word meant. Leah stepped in from time to time asking Hailey to not be so hard on the boy, but no matter how Hailey yelled or corrected, Jae did not voice a word of complaint and only made the correction as he was told to do. By the time Leah had dinner ready, Hailey wasn't sure if he was still annoyed that Leah had tricked him into teaching the boy or if it was due to the fact that the boy was proving to be a diligent and determined student. They even practiced through dinner and another hour afterwards until Leah insisted Jae needed to go to sleep. Leah got a pillow and some blankets arranged on the couch in the room at the back of the house and when he was tucked in, he asked if Hailey might tell him about the Iron Cross watch like she'd promised Hailey would. So she returned to the front and went upstairs where Hailey had already retreated.

"Jae wanted you to tell him a story before he went to bed," Leah smiled.

"We spent the whole afternoon reading a story. He should be exhausted by now."

"He wants to hear about that watch with the Iron Cross on it," Leah clarified and suddenly, Hailey looked upset.

"Did he touch that?"

"No, Hailey, he didn't touch it," Leah reassured. "He just saw it and was curious about it. I told him that you would best know the story behind it and he wanted to hear it."

Hailey sighed heavily and put his shirt back on. "Fine," he said and returned downstairs where Jae was waiting eagerly tucked under the covers on the couch.

"Hi, Uncle Hailey," Jae smiled.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Hailey asked suddenly. "I never said you could."

"Because I didn't want to call you Mister," Jae answered. "Leah said that watch with the Iron Cross was your favorite," he continued.

"Yes," Hailey said awkwardly after a moment and remained standing. "That was a watch my father passed down to me. It used to be his until he passed away."

"Leah said your grandpa got it from a Kaiser. What's that?"

"A Kaiser is a king," Hailey said. "And yes, my grandpa saved the Kaiser's life during battle and as a thank you, the Kaiser gave my grandpa that watch."

"How did he save his life?" Jae asked eagerly.

"I'm actually not sure," Hailey said. "My dad didn't know the full story and neither do I."

"So that watch is really, really old?" Jae asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, Jae, it's very old," Hailey agreed. Hailey walked away to the front and grabbed the watch in question while Jae waited patiently. When Hailey returned, he finally sat down on the coffee table and showed it to Jae. "This thing's from all the way back to 1830 if I remember correctly. When my grandpa died, he left it to my father and then when my father died, he left it to me."

"Who will you give it to when you die?" Jae asked innocently. Hailey looked at Jae and realized he had no idea.

"I don't know," Hailey said. "I imagine I'll be buried with it. Either that or I can give it to one of my nephews I suppose." Jae sat up and held out his hands.

"Can I look at it?" he asked eagerly. Hailey was hesitant, but eventually pulled the coffee table closer from under him and made sure his hands remained close just in case.

"You can look, but be very careful." Jae accepted the watch and started looking at it. He admired the silver and black of the cover and when he opened it, he saw the eagle on the face of the watch.

"Did your grandpa like watches?" Jae asked.

"I don't know, but my father did. Watches and fishing. Those were my father's favorite things," Hailey smiled a little. "That man died fishing, you know. He was fishing one day, fell asleep, and then didn't wake up. He died happy."

"Do you miss him?" Jae asked innocently.

"I do," Hailey answered after a moment. "But he died a ripe old man doing what he loved. So I can't be too sad about it."

"Do you like fishing too?" Jae asked.

"Watches and fishing," Hailey smiled. "Those are two of my favorite things. My father and I used to do that together when he was alive."

"Will you do that with your son too?" Jae asked.

"No, I'm not having one," Hailey answered. "I don't like kids, I don't want kids, and I've said that so much, it sounds like a broken record."

"Oh," Jae said, then he smiled. "No wonder you're a big meany." Hailey raised an eyebrow at Jae and when the boy continued to smile, Hailey finally laughed and Jae started laughing too.

"It's not the worst thing I've been called," Hailey chuckled. Hailey took back the watch and closed it while Jae got back under the covers. "You go to sleep, boy."

"Okay, Uncle Hailey. Good night."

"Good night, boy," Hailey said and walked away. He put his watch back where it had been and went upstairs to Leah, who was already lying in bed. Hailey undressed and got into bed next to her assuming she was asleep.

"Jae asleep?" Leah asked in a hushed, tired voice.

"I assume so," Hailey said. He crawled closer to Leah and held her close kissing her neck. "That was a rather bitchy thing you did, Leah."

"What? Bringing Jae over?"

"Yeah," he confirmed. "Then making me tell him a bedtime story."

"From what I heard, it went rather well," Leah smiled. "You were even nice to him."

"Eh," Hailey grumbled.

"It's okay to admit you like the boy," Leah said. "He thinks of you like an uncle, so I don't see the harm in you seeing him as a nephew."

"I already have nephews," Hailey said.

"Ah, yes, and they do take up so much of your time," Leah teased sarcastically. Hailey smiled and kissed Leah's neck again.

"You know what's a little funny?" Hailey said.

"What's that?"

"Do you remember how when we first met, you just kept bugging me and bugging me while I was fishing and then one day, I realized I love you?"

"Yes," Leah asked.

"The damn kid's doing it now," Hailey smiled. "He keeps bugging me and bugging me and he's starting to grow on me."

"By that logic, you and your uncle and mother should be regular drinking buddies."

"That's different," Hailey said. "You made me laugh and the boy down there was….well, he was just blindly determined to make me like him I think."

"As far as I'm aware, you're the only one who didn't," Leah giggled.

"It's not just that, but it was a big part." Hailey took a deep breath of Leah's hair and hugged her. "I guess I just admire his spirit."

"He's a good kid," Leah agreed. "So if he wants to come here to learn German from the master himself, will it bother you?" Hailey chucked at Leah's teasing.

"I suppose I wouldn't mind from time to time," Hailey said.

"I'm glad to hear it," Leah said.

The following day, Jae was up bright and early and started rummaging through the pantry looking for food. The commotion woke Hailey and Leah and when they got downstairs, Jae was sitting at the table eating most of the bread and a few raisins with a glass of water. Leah made oats for herself and Hailey and while they were waiting for breakfast, Jae began asking to read another story. But Hailey insisted they didn't have the time, that he needed to go to work, and he left just as soon as he'd finished his breakfast. Hailey didn't mention Jae staying at his house to Mitch. The last thing he needed was the old man teasing him. When Leah returned to the village the next day, the war did come up as a topic of conversation once again. Even Seth was becoming intrigued by the matter. Leah didn't mention what Hailey had said, though. She didn't want Seth to ever be sent to Europe and, as far as she was concerned, unless the President announced that the United States was going to war, it was not worth discussing or worrying about.

It wasn't the last time Jae came over, however. It actually became rather frequent. So much so that sometimes he'd beg to bring his sisters, Nathan and Natalie with and they wound up playing more than learning German, though there was certainly plenty of that. However, after one sleep over with five kids in his house, Hailey put his foot down and said that Jae was the only one allowed to sleep over at his house. Shortly after Christmas that year when Kevin and Embry came to the shop to get the paper, Jae joined Kevin and Embry and walked right around the counter and started speaking to Hailey in German as best he could. He was far from perfect and half the time, he would have to double check what a word was in German, but it caught Mitch's attention all the same.

"Has Leah been teaching you German, young man?" Mitch asked Jae in an encouraging voice.

"A little, but Uncle Hailey's been teaching me the most."

"Oh really?" Mitch asked, raising an eyebrow at Hailey, who shrugged.

"The boy banged on my door demanding I teach him personally. It was either agree or lose my door." Jae laughed.

"Nah ah," Jae protested still laughing.

"He's still learning French too," Kevin said offhandedly while he made his initial skim through of the paper.

"Goodness, you're a busy young man," Mitch praised.

"I don't like French," Jae said. "It doesn't command authority." Hailey started laughing and patted Jae on the head.

"That's right, boy, it doesn't," Hailey said.

"I wonder who gave him that impression," Mitch said to Hailey sarcastically.

"So there was a truce?" Kevin asked, changing the topic.

"You mean at the Front?" Hailey asked and Kevin nodded. "That's what the paper's saying." Embry glanced over Kevin's shoulder at the paper.

"'On Christmas day, the sentiment of peace on Earth was so strong, that the front went quiet in observance of a most holy day: Christmas.'" Embry huffed a little laugh. "Merry Christmas I guess."

"Do you still think the United States is going to enter the war?" Kevin asked Hailey.

"I'm certain," Hailey said. "I don't know when, but I'm sure we will. I wouldn't worry about it, though. The two of you are still too young to be drafted."

"How old do you have to be?" Kevin asked.

"19 is the youngest a man can be at this time. The oldest one can be is 30."

"Has it always been that way?" Embry asked.

"Certainly not," Hailey said. "That age range has changed several times. I'm sure it'll end up changing again by the time the United States enters the war. How old are the two of you again?"

"12," they both answered. Hailey stared at them a moment.

"You don't look it," Hailey sighed heavily. "And don't worry about the nickel. That paper's on me."

"Thanks, Mr. Dauer," Kevin said and looked at Jae. "Let's get going Jae."

"No, I want to stay longer," Jae protested. "My watch is off again," Jae said to Hailey.

"Alright, hold on." Hailey reached down, picked up Jae and plopped him on the counter and took the watch when Jae offered it to him. He'd not properly shown Jae how to correct it. "Do you see this tiny knob here?" he said, pointing at the tiny screw on the side of the watch.

"Yes," Jae nodded.

"Now, look at that clock," Hailey pointed at the clock in the corner. "You need to match the time on this watch with the time on the clock. To do that, you very gently pull this little screw out," Hailey pulled the screw until it was further out, "and you turn it until all the hands are where they're supposed to be." Hailey turned the screw, causing the hands to move, and showed Jae.

"Can I try?" Jae asked and Hailey handed the watch back. Jae looked at the clock, then at the face of the watch and started turning, constantly looking at the clock until his watch matched the time accurately.

"Good. Now to make sure it starts ticking again, you need to lock it. And to do that, you just push the knob back in."

Jae pushed the screw until it was back in its original position. "Like that?" he asked.

"Just like that," Hailey said. "From now on, if your watch is off, just check the clock where you are and change it to match. Simple as that."

"Thanks, Uncle Hailey!" Jae said and jumped down from the counter and hugged Hailey. Hailey just patted him on the head.

"You're welcome. Now get going, kid." Jae went back around the counter and followed Kevin and Embry out of the store so they could go back. When they were alone again, Mitch looked at Hailey strangely.

"That kid's certainly taken a shine to you."

"I'm just teaching him German," Hailey said.

"And here I thought you didn't like kids," Mitch sighed.

"I don't," Hailey said. "I just happen to dislike Jae a little less."

"Oh, is that what it is?" Mitch chuckled.

"Yes, Mitch, that's what it is," Hailey said.

"Do you plan to take him fishing one day too?" Mitch teased.

"Of course not," Hailey said and returned to his work.

Then finally, 1915 came. Kevin and Embry frequently bought a paper from the General Store. With the war in Europe, 'the war to end all wars', as it had come to be known, proved to remain a rather interesting topic that was discussed. In the meantime, Jae continued learning German predominantly from Leah, but would often go home with her to learn from Hailey directly. And although Hailey had said he'd not take Jae fishing, he suggested that he and Leah go to the bluff together once it was summer and Jae begged he be able to go too. Leah suggested that, instead, next Hailey came to the tribe for the salmon trade, Jae could show off how good he was at finding Geoduck. Then, May 7 1915, A German U-boat shot and sank the Lusitania. It wasn't an American ship, but there were a number of civilians on board and of those people on the ship, 128 were Americans. The country was livid. It was all over the papers the very next day.

"Holy shit," Kevin said when he'd come into the General Store with Embry, Kyle and Jae and started reading the paper. "Have you seen this, Mr. Dauer?"

"Yes I have, and I told you so," Hailey said.

"It's not saying anything about the President declaring war," Embry said after skimming through the front page.

"Well, technically, it would be congress that approves that declaration, but I'm sure he won't have any trouble getting congress to agree. 128 dead Americans doesn't sit well with anyone." Then Hailey looked at Mitch. "Any ideas how we're going to keep Seth from being drafted?" Mitch's eyes widened and then he put his face in his hands.

"I didn't even think of that," Mitch said. "I didn't even realize he was that age."

"He's turning 27 this year," Hailey said. "He's in that range."

"Perhaps we can go to the Mayor," Mitch suggested halfheartedly. "Though I'm not confident that will work."

"Hell, play the bigot card if we need to," Hailey suggested. "Remind the mayor that Seth's half Indian."

"It's not really up to the mayor," Mitch said. "As far as the state is concerned, he's Seth Jagger. It's a perfectly white name in their minds."

"Would the army really turn possible soldiers away for being Native American?" Kevin asked.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. Blacks fought in the civil war, so they'll certainly be made to fight in Europe. I can't imagine they would turn their nose up at Indians under those circumstances," Mitch answered

"It's not a matter of whether they would accept him into the military. The problem is he'll be seen as less of a person. 3/5th of a person if I remember some laws correctly."

"That's blacks, Hailey," Mitch said. "Indians are lucky if they're seen as 1/5th a person," Mitch kept rubbing his face and looked nervous. "If Seth gets drafted, there's nothing we can do. And if he doesn't go, he's a wanted criminal."

"He can't refuse?" Embry asked.

"Absolutely not," Mitch said. "To refuse is an act of treason. Punishment for that is death. Better the boy die a hero than a traitor."

"Well, hey, maybe America won't go," Kyle spoke up and everyone looked at him. "President Wilson said he's keeping the United States neutral. I can't imagine he'd change that stance based on 128 dead Americans."

"128 is a lot," Hailey said. "I've said this before, but it bears repeating. Just because a politician says one thing does not mean he'll do it or that be means it."

"Do you think he's waiting for a proper catalyst?" Kevin asked.

"This isn't one?" Hailey asked, intrigued.

"No," Kevin said frankly. "Like Kyle said, it's 128 dead Americans. Sure, it's a tragedy, but it's not as though a significantly higher number of Americans don't die every day for a myriad of different reasons. If we went to war now, it would be the same as him jumping the gun. Sure, the people would be on his side now, but once the anger dies down, he'll have swarms of people claiming he acted too soon and we're involved in something that's not our business. I think you're right that we'll join the war, but it would be after either 'enough is enough' or the enemy did something in direct aggression towards the United States."

"Interesting," Hailey said, impressed. "So you don't think this is enough?"

"I wouldn't," Kevin answered. "Not for a country as big as ours. It also depends on who those people were. If they were soldiers, then death is an unfortunate thing one has to learn to accept and embrace as a possible inevitability."

"Perhaps you're right," Mitch said. "I hope so, anyway."

"I'm confident we'll be fine," Kevin said.

The sinking of the Lusitania remained fresh on people's minds. Some claimed war was the right thing to do while others claimed it was not America's fight and that the United States should remain neutral. That June, however, there was something more joyful to occur. Embry and Caevia gave birth to their 7th child. A little girl they named Gaeli. Just as Kevin had predicted would happen, Germany responded to American outrage by no longer sinking vessels without warning per encouragement of President Wilson and the United States was still not in the war.

"Kevin," Kyle said when they were all eating dinner together.

"What?" Kevin asked.

"You remember when you told Mr. Dauer that the President was looking for a bigger catalyst than 198 dead Americans?"

"What about it?" Kevin asked.

"What do you think would be that catalyst?"

"I don't know," Kevin said. "More dead Americans I would assume. Or a direct attach. That's my guess."

"Why did Germany sink that boat in the first place?" Jacob asked.

"Because it's an enemy ship," Renesmee said. "Or they thought it was an enemy ship. German U-boats would be sinking any ship going to England because that ship might have weapons that could be provided to allied forces. Hopefully, they won't be doing that anymore."

"I wouldn't count on it," Jacob said. "They say they'll stop now, but somehow I doubt that will last."

"Probably not," Kevin agreed. "Do you think Seth will get drafted?" Jacob and Renesmee looked at Kevin suddenly.

"Pardon?" Jacob asked.

"Seth," Kevin repeated. "He's an American citizen, so he's liable to be drafted if America goes to war before he reaches the age of 31 according to Mr. Dauer."

"By that time, you'd be liable to be drafted, right?" Kyle said.

"No one's getting drafted anywhere," Jacob interrupted. "How's the baby?" he asked Renesmee to change the subject.

Gaeli proved to be a very good baby. When she cried, she was a rather quiet crier. She could squeal when she needed to, but if Caevia was in the room with her, then she didn't cry very loud. The children were all curious about the baby. And at this point, Embry was old enough that he was helping with his siblings a lot more often. Sometimes, if Caevia needed a break, Embry Jr. would look after Gaeli and his other siblings with Kevin and his siblings. Embry would keep Gaeli on his lap and tickle her belly and toes, dangle shiny things above her head, or sometimes just let her sleep. That's what she would usually end up doing most of the time. Aidie would sometimes help take care of Gaeli too.

By now, Claire had turned 17 years of age. In the time, Claire would make advances at Quil, but he would always delicately keep their relationship platonic. He just didn't see her that way yet. At least, he hadn't seen her that way until one morning in November. He wasn't sure what had happened or what had changed. But one morning, he'd returned to the tribe after patrol and Claire was sitting at the shore practicing the violin. She was playing Nearer My God to Thee. Quil always loved it when she played that song. It was so relaxing. And when he saw her playing sitting at the shore, she looked so serene, as if she were a trickster figure meant to bewitch him. And bewitch him she did. Her eyes were closed for most of her private performance, but when her eyes did open, those black eyes looked as though she were in another world.

Quil watched her play and realized, it that moment, their relationship had changed. He wasn't looking at the little girl he'd looked after and had protected her whole life. He saw a young woman. He saw a woman with beautiful long black hair she always kept braided and in a bun. He saw deep black eyes that appeared filled with passion. He saw a woman so beautiful that she was all he saw and he felt passion build in his body. When Claire finished playing the song, she put her violin down and looked towards Quil and smiled at him. When she smiled at Quil, it quickly went from friendly to ravenous. She could tell his feelings had finally changed for her. She knew the moment she saw him looking at her. It was the moment she had been waiting for since she realized she was attracted to Quil in a physical way, no longer seeing him as her abused babysitter, but as a man that made her blood boil with need. And now, she finally saw that returned.