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.

87. Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Though it was with great reluctance, Marcelo was able to convince Ada María to get off the floor of Nathan's room if only so they could dispose of the officer's body. That was still a rather urgent matter that needed addressing. The two of them returned to her house and carefully tucked his body into a wooden barrel and carried it out like they were just carrying a case of wine. As far as any few pedestrians they happened upon were concerned, that's exactly what it was. They found a secluded place along the coast and worked meticulously to weigh down the barrel so it would sink and not return to the service. It turned out to be a challenge to say the least given the barrel's natural buoyancy and the body's impending buoyancy once rig a mortise and decay set in. By the time they'd sufficiently weighed down the barrel with rocks and any other heavy item they could find, Ada María and Marcelo nearly couldn't lift it even with their combined strength. But they managed it and sent the barrel into the ocean where no one would find it. Even if, or more appropriate when, the police and his wife came looking for him, even if they accused her, they had no body and no evidence she'd had anything to do with it. And, worst case scenario, she could always leave. Somehow, that didn't frighten her the way it used to. Perhaps Nathan's sudden departure was putting a few things into perspective.

They returned to her house and cleaned up what little blood had gotten on the tile of her stairway and burned the rags they'd used outside in a pile of garbage. While it burned, Ada María took out one of her frogs and started petting its head for comfort. The sound the frog made and the sounds of her other frogs in the aquarium were relaxing. She needed something relaxing. A bottle of wine sounded wonderful about that time, but Marcelo told her she was in no mental state to drink right now. Ada María reluctantly agreed and settled for petting her frogs while they watched the clothe burn. Now that they weren't hard at work, though, a deep sadness crept back onto Ada María and another tear fell.

"I should have done this years ago," she mumbled.

"Nothing you can do about it now," Marcelo reassured. "It's over with. Better late than never."

"No," Ada María mumbled. "I've procrastinated myself into losing the only man I've ever given a shit about let alone love. All because I was scared of change."

"Perhaps you just needed that hard lesson," Marcelo said. "Lord knows I certainly did."

"Laura eventually forgave you," Ada María mumbled bitterly.

"Only after I begged. And I mean begged, Ada María. I went on my knees and begged because it was the only thing I could do that adequately expressed how sorry I was. You'll probably have to beg."

"I don't beg for anything, Marcelo," Ada María said.

"Well, Ada María, I've got news for you. If you want Nathan to forgive you, then you'll probably have to. If you really want to be with him and he's worth anything to you, then you'll fucking beg if that's what it takes." Ada María was silent and brooding. "Really, Ada María, you may have to. I'd encourage it frankly. I like Nathan. I like how happy he makes you. He's brought out the best in you and that's worth a lot."

"How can I beg for forgiveness when he's not here? Even if I went to Washington, by the time I got there, he'd already be gone and shipped to war."

"Doesn't matter," Marcelo said. "Go anyway. Think of it this way: if you take the initiative and go after him, that'll speak volumes. It'll be the fact that you cared enough to go after him."

Ada María was silent as she looked at Marcelo with a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes. "Do you think so?" she finally asked.

"I do," Marcelo said. "Go. You don't have any time to waste. He's easily got a day on you. Maybe you'll be able to catch up to him."

Ada María smiled, finally feeling a glimmer of hope since that early morning. She looked at the bracelet Nathan had made her in all its glory and smiled. If he loved her enough to plan to propose and go through all the hard work and extra trouble to make her something of gold and jade with his own hands then she could fix this. She'd have a lot of explaining to do and she was prepared to do it.

"Look after the bar for me?" she finally asked and Marcelo grinned.

"You bet," Marcelo said. Ada María put her frog back in the aquarium and went into the house to grab a large travel bag from way back when she used to travel and stuffed it with fresh clothes and llama wool clothes for when she got far enough north to need them as well as her llama wool lined boots. She'd not worn those since she was still in Peru, but they still fit and the bright colors and designs had always made her smile. She returned down to the back yard with her stuffed travel bag in tow and hugged Marcelo.

"Wish me luck, big brother," Ada María said endearingly.

"Good luck, baby sister," he smiled and kissed the top of her head.

With a renewed optimism, Ada María set out for the open world and ran as fast as she could. She didn't have any time to waste, as Marcelo had pointed out. However, what had taken Nathan mere hours in his vampiric form, reaching the rainforests, had taken Ada María all day. Even when she ran as fast as she could. In some places, she would catch his lingering scent and would follow it as best she could, but most times it had already blown away or had been covered. It had taken her a moment to realize it was Nathan. The smell she caught was still him, but sweeter. She was momentarily discouraged when she realized he'd changed to a vampire to run. He'd easily be well out of her range by now. All the same, she pressed on and managed to get out of the rainforest within a day and night of running. Of course, eventually, she was too tired to continue and she needed to stop. So just before exiting the rainforest into Colombia, she found a cozy tree to sleep in and drifted to sleep.

It was hours before she woke. Far longer than she would have liked. When she did wake, it was to the feel of a violent illness and vomiting what little she still had in her stomach. She felt dizzy and needed to regain her senses before she continued on. It wasn't until late in the morning before she continued. She was losing ground quickly and she knew it. She needed to hurry if she had any hope of making it to Washington before Nathan left. When she reached Panama, she located a boat that was sailing for Tijuana, Mexico. Seeing as it had taken Ada María a week to run from Salvador to Panama and how tired she'd been, she was eager for all the help she could get. The boat was expected to get to Tijuana within 2 days. She got on the boat without delay and it set sail the following morning. It was a transport Ada María had determined she would never suffer again. With each movement of the boat, she felt light headed and sick, throwing up contents that just weren't there. By the time they finally landed in Tijuana, she could barely stand. Every bone in her body wanted desperately to rest but she didn't have time.

She fought through her ailing and found a train that would take her as far as Oregon. When she looked at a map, she determined that was adequate and found proper currency to buy a ticket and get on the train. It took forever for it to leave. A day and a half in fact. The longer it took to leave, the more irritable she became. She wasn't feeling sick anymore, but that was no consolation. So she tried to make herself sleep in her car, waiting for the train to finally leave. Eventually, late evening day after Ada María had got on and she slept through the night. When she finally woke up, she felt as though she'd not slept at all. She was groggy and her head hurt. She placed her hands mindlessly on her lap, but then found something and her eyes shot open. She looked down and saw the protrusion. She'd been so worried about running and going as fast as possible that she'd not even noticed anything changing, but there it was.

"How…." she started, but could barely get it out. She knew how. With Nathan she'd become rather negligent. She would often not put in her sponge or not make Nathan pull out. She never really cared when they were in the heat of the moment. The officer had been a different story. He didn't lay a hand on her unless she had it in. If she had any comfort in that moment, it was that.

She stood from her seat and lifted her dress until her stomach was in full view. There it was. More visible than before. That little protrusion that was firm to the touch when she placed her hand there. It was very hard. Like a vampire's skin. She almost cried, though she wasn't entirely sure why. Her head spun with the overwhelming realization that she was pregnant. She removed her dress entirely so she was naked and sat back down placing both her hands on her belly, rubbing it tenderly. For just an instant, even if the briefest, she feared Nathan wasn't the father, but the officer. Not possible. Couldn't be possible. She was too far along too quickly. She tried doing the math in her head. She was 2/3 vampire. Nathan was 1/3. If the officer were the father, she was certain her pregnancy would have progressed much slower. Normally in fact. Nathan was the father. She knew in her heart and she hugged her belly and nearly cried again. Never in a million years did she want children. She didn't like kids. She found them bothersome and demanding. Her experience with Scarlet had only reinforced that. Yet now, as she put her hands on the bump and looked down, she wasn't upset. Far from it.

She knew Nathan was the father. He had to be. He was the only possibility in her mind. That made this bearable. Even a happy moment for her. She'd thought this a lot she realized. For any man, never. For Nathan, she'd do anything. Even become a mother she realized. While she was thinking, she felt the gentlest little kick on her hand and it took her by surprise. She started to rub the bump again desperate to earn a repeat of the movement. When she finally did, she went teary eyed again.

"Nathan," she whispered his name, instantly thinking of him. He'd be happy. She hoped he would be. She'd always known, deep down, he wished to have more kids with her. He would never force it, but she knew he always wished it so. She couldn't deny it. Now she could give him that. "You'll be home soon, baby," she said affectionately. "Don't you worry."

When she spoke, there was another teeny tiny kick and it made her smile. She started singing little Inca folk songs her mother used to sing to her when she and Marcelo were little. The baby kicked a few more times but eventually stopped. Ada María assumed the baby must have fallen asleep. She liked to think the songs had made the baby sleepy. Despite the surprise and admitted bliss, she couldn't help but start to feel terror as she rubbed the little bump. What if she were a bad mother? Or…what if - Ada María shook her head. She wouldn't allow the thought to cross her mind again. Nathan was the father. She knew it with every beat of her heart….he had to be. She remained undressed for the remainder of the trip, keeping her hands on her belly and watching it grow almost before her eyes. By the time the train finally made it to Oregon, she felt like a beached whale. None of her dresses fit properly. They were all far too tight. She had to destroy one of her dresses, tearing it at the back so it would fit over the baby bump and she put on the llama wool poncho she brought with her to cover it and put on her llama wool boots. When she stepped off the train into the cold, she nearly leaped back in.

She put on gloves she had, a hat and wrapped a blanket around herself all made from the same wool material. By the time she was bundled up, she felt like a tent. She tried to run. Forced herself to. But it was so much harder. The baby made her top heavy and she would frequently lose her balance , grabbing onto a tree to steady herself. She pressed on, though. She kept running as fast as she could with the baby weighing her down. She found a train and thought to take it, but it wasn't set to leave for another three days. She didn't have time for that, so she kept running. As she pressed on, the bump had grown so large she couldn't believe it. She pushed on though. That is, until the pain started. By the time she reached the border of Oregon and Washington, she started to feel an intense pain. It would last a few minutes and then pass. When it passed, she would keep going only to be stopped again when the pain returned. All the same, she kept going. Kept running. By the time she found the coast and followed it, she was crying from the pain when it came. The rest periods were decreasing. She was in labor. When she realized it, she fought harder, running along the coast fighting to get to Forks. She couldn't have Nathan's child in the middle of nowhere. She needed to push forward.

Ada María continued to follow the coast even going so far as to run during a contraction. A task that proved to be the hardest thing she'd ever done in her life. She'd take any pain over this. She'd relive her roughest days with the circus when they pushed her and stretched her father than she could go. She'd take a beating from a disgruntled customer from her days as a prostitute. Anything was better than this pain. She started to feel strange the closer she got to Forks at long last. She started to feel a bizarre pressure, coupled with her contractions that now seemed to never rest. She finally reached the limits of Forks and was wobbling. She cried a little. She felt as though she couldn't go any further, but she had to. She started to run again, but it was a human pace. She couldn't handle her top speed. Not now. She was in too much pain. She wasn't entirely sure how she was managing not to scream. She ignored everyone as she passed, but they certainly didn't ignore her.

"Oh!" she heard a woman say. "Good Lord! Someone! Get a doctor!" the woman screamed. Ada María glanced down. It was only now that she realized she was bleeding and a terror gripped her in her chest.

"Hold on, baby," she whispered to the baby in Quechua. "You're almost home. Just wait for me a little longer." She ran until she happened upon a store. The General Store it was labeled. She stepped inside and was met by an older man and woman. One clearly Native American. "How do I get to the Quileute tribe?" she asked in English.

"They're to the-" the man started, but then was interrupted by the woman screaming.

"Hailey! Get a doctor! She's in labor!"

"What?" he said and then looked down. "Sweet Christ!" he yelled when he saw.

"I don't need a doctor, I need to get to Nathan's tribe! Now tell me how to get there!" Ada María screamed.

"They're just west of here but-"

Having what she needed, Ada María ran out of the store and headed west, ignoring the man, Hailey, yelling for her to come back. The whole town had gathered and she heard more people scream for a doctor and for someone to stop her. She ignored them. She didn't have time. The pain was too much. She needed to make it. She ran as fast as she could but the pain and pressure made it so difficult. She kept whispering endearments to the baby until she was suddenly intercepted by someone she'd never met. A man pale as any vampire with reddish brown hair and bright yellow eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" Ada María asked when she recovered from the jump in her pulse.

"Nathan's grandfather," the man answered. "Come here and I'll get you to Nathan's house. You're in labor. You can't be running like this."

Without a chance to protest, the man who introduced himself as Edward took Ada María in his arms and carried her swiftly into the tribe. He yelled for Renesmee to follow him and went up a hill to a house. He let himself in and went up the stairs to a bedroom and waited for the woman he'd called out to. Renesmee got covers on the bed to protect it and once it was ready, Edward placed Ada María down.

"Ada María," he said, "this is Renesmee. Nathan told you about her. She's going to help you deliver."

"We'll get to pleasantries later," Renesmee said and lifted Ada María's dress to look. The man left and near instantly returned with warm water and placed it beside the bed. "Okay, Ada María, this baby is coming. When I tell you to, I need you to start pushing."

"What the hell are you going here?!" Scarlet's voice came from the door. Ada María barely heard her.

"Scarlet, get behind Ada María and help her sit more upright," Renesmee instructed.

"Like hell I will," Scarlet said.

"Scarlet Willow! You get behind her now or so help me God I will smack you until you make a useful pillow! Now get behind her!" Renesmee yelled. The sudden outburst made Scarlet jump and she ran to the bed and got behind Ada María so she was arched up. "Okay Ada María," Renesmee continued. "When I count to three, I need you to push." When Ada María nodded, Renesmee counted down and when she reached 1, Ada María pushed with all her strength. She couldn't believe she had any left. "Alright, I see the head. Just one more and we'll have the baby." Ada María nodded and didn't even wait for prompting. She pushed one last time as hard as she could and a strange wave of relief washed over her followed by a torrent of blood and water and the crying of a baby. Renesmee smiled down and looked up at Ada María. "It's a boy," she said.

A boy. Ada María nearly cried. Nathan would have wanted a son. Renesmee cut the cord and got the baby in the warm water to clean him up while he cried. Instinctively, Ada María lifted herself up trying to see her baby, but it was hard to see. Edward left and returned with a little white blanket and helped Renesmee wrap the boy up. She was smiling so brightly at the baby and then looked at Ada María. She walked over and handed the boy over, placing him gently in Ada María's arms. He was still whimpering but calmed a little once he was in her arms. He looked just like Nathan. His skin held her tan glow even though he was still recovering from leaving the birth canal. His hair was black and straight just like Nathan's always was. Nathan's ears, his nose, her lips and when the baby opened his eyes to look at her, he had Nathan's black eyes.

"Ariel," she whispered. When the little boy heard her voice, he started to wiggle and squirm, reaching for her eagerly and smiling a toothless grin, yet already she could see the slightest indentations of little teeth already forming.

"That's his name?" Renesmee asked.

"Yes," Ada María smiled and brought Ariel up to her cheek to snuggle with him. He whimpered a little and nipped at her ear and she pulled away. "Do not bite me,"Ada María said firmly in Quechua before looking at Renesmee. "Is there a way to get him blood?"

"I'll find Carlisle and ask," Edward said before leaving the room. Scarlet got out from under Ada María who adjusted herself so she was sitting upright on her own. She felt much better but Renesmee still needed to help her along with the placenta. By the time that passed, Edward returned with a steel bottle they'd used when Renesmee was a baby filled with blood and handed it to Ada María. She accepted it and brought to it Ariel's lips and he grabbed at it eagerly, sucking the contents contentedly.

"How do we know he's dad's?" Scarlet asked.

"Look at him," Ada María said pointedly, glaring at Scarlet.

"Scarlet, stop it," Renesmee said sternly and then looked at Ada María. "Now that everything's finally calmed down. I'm Renesmee, Nathan's mother. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I can't say I imagined I'd meet you under these circumstances, but it's a pleasure all the same," she said, trying to be humorous and Ada María smiled.

"Nathan speaks fondly of all of you," she said. "Where is he?"

"They've already left for basic training," Renesmee answered and Ada María's heart sank. She looked down at Ariel. He'd finished his first meal and was sound asleep, snuggled up against her.

"When do you think we'll be able to tell him?" Ada María asked.

"It will depend," Renesmee said remorsefully. "We don't know where they are for basic training. Kevin promised to write when they get to Europe, but I don't know if they'll all be stationed together. I hope they are."

"How do we know Nathan's the father?" Scarlet asked again.

"Scarlet!" Renesmee said more firmly.

"Are you blind?" Ada María asked meanly.

"I saw through you, didn't I?" Scarlet bit back.

"Scarlet Willow!" Renesmee barked and grabbed Scarlet's attention. Only then did she finally back down a little. "I'm sorry, Ada María. She's just a little on edge."

"I take it Nathan told you what happened?" Renesmee only nodded to Ada María's question. "I won't make excuses for what happened. Nathan's the one I need to explain to. When he comes home, he and I will talk. Until then, I want to focus on Ariel."

"You have an affair behind my daddy's back and lie to his face and that's all you have to say for yourself?" Scarlet said.

"Alright, listen here, you little brat-" Ada María began.

"Both of you shut up!" Renesmee said and the two stopped. When they finally did, Renesmee looked at Ada María. "I won't ask for an explanation from you. You're correct. Nathan's the one you need to speak with about this, not us."

"And for the record, Nathan is Ariel's father," Ada María said sharply, glancing in Scarlet's direction.

"Prove it," Scarlet said.

"Ada María," Edward interrupted. "I hate to say this, but….under the circumstances-"

"Nathan is his father," Ada María spat back cruelly. "I'd bet my life on it."

"Can we get that in writing?" Scarlet said

"Scarlet, go downstairs!" Renesmee yelled, catching the young woman off guard and making her jump again. She wasn't sure Renesmee had yelled at her this much in her whole life. Finally, she walked out and when they were all alone, Edward continued.

"I know this isn't what you want to hear and I believe you," Edward said. "But you have to understand the position Nathan will be in. You have to understand what he's going to think when he finds out about this."

"And how, exactly, am I supposed to prove Ariel's his son except to tell him to look at the boy's fucking face?" Ada María practically hissed.

"Carlisle has all the boys' blood on hand," Edward said. "It can be used to determine paternal relations. It's a rather new science. If we can show there's a close enough match, then we can prove Nathan is the father."

"Fine," Ada María said. "Get on with it then."

Understanding her frustration, Edward didn't argue with her tone and, instead, returned to the Cullen house and retrieved the things he would need to extract a little blood from Ariel. He didn't appreciate the poking and prodding in the least and began to cry. When Edward was finally done, Ada María cooed to Ariel, singing the Inca folk songs she'd sang to him when she was pregnant and it seemed to calm him down a bit. Eventually, he was asleep again and Edward took the blood back to the Cullen house and gave it to Carlisle. It would take some time but he promised to have the results by the next day. This left Renesmee and Ada María alone together. Renesmee sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Ariel. He was Nathan's son. A blind man could see it. He looked so much like Nathan when he'd been a baby. It was the reason she'd beamed when she saw Ariel. He'd reminded her of his father and it warmed her heart.

"He's so beautiful," Renesmee said.

"You believe me, don't you?" Ada María asked suddenly. "You believe me that Nathan's his father? I know he is."

"I do," Renesmee smiled kindly. "When I saw that little boy, I knew too. He looks just like Nathan did when he was born. It almost made me cry. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and have all my children as they were when they were babies." She giggled a little. "I used to tell Nathan and Natalie they weren't allowed to grow anymore. They had to stay small forever. They didn't listen of course."

Ada María smiled, "Your son is rather stubborn."

"My sons you mean," Renesmee said and the two shared a light laugh. "If you don't mind me asking; how old are you?"

"I turn 72 this year," Ada María said.

"Oh wow," Renesmee said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't say that."

"No need to apologies. It's not as though I look my age. I'm told you're about five years my senior and you certainly don't look your age."

"I'm 7 years your senior more or less," Renesmee said. "I'm told your uncle is Nahuel? He was the one that spoke up on my behalf when the Volturi had accused my parents of creating an immortal child."

"Yes, I've heard that story," Ada María said. "I'm told it led to my grandfather's death. I suppose the Volturi thought he was getting a little overly productive with producing half breeds and they wanted to put an end to it."

"I'm sorry," Renesmee said. "I never intended for such a thing."

"It's not your fault," Ada María smiled reassuringly. "I never knew him, so I can't say I'm hurt by it. Uncle Nahuel would never admit it, but he misses grandpa sometimes. Even if he didn't like grandpa, deep down, he always loved him. My mother and aunts miss him the most. Mother always told me stories about my grandpa. How he was a great Inca warrior when he was human and how he would always have her and my aunts sit around a fire while he told them old stories."

"Nahuel had accused him of rapping his mother," Renesmee said.

"From what I'm told, my grandfather had been married when he was human. He'd loved his wife so I'm told, but she was killed by disease. He'd narrowly escaped death by a vampire's bite. He and his wife never had children, so he wondered if it were possible to have children as a vampire. So he experimented. He finally had my eldest aunt, Atzi. He was so happy I'm told that he had my aunt, Citclali, not long after that. I think he waited a few months before he found a woman to bear him another child. My mom, Yaretzi. My mother tells me that grandpa was the happiest he'd been having her and my aunts, but he always wanted a son. When he finally had Nahuel, though, his aunt Huilen took care of him and wasn't very keen on letting grandpa really be a part of my uncle's life."

"It sounds like your grandfather adored his children," Renesmee smiled.

"That's what I'm told," Ada María smiled. "I wish I could have known him. Marcelo knew him when he was little. Grandpa used to spoil him rotten I'm told. He hated my father because he was a white man. Grandpa had hard feelings, though that's understandable. But he loved my big brother. Mother says he would have loved me."

"I think he would have," Renesmee said. "And I'm sorry about Scarlet."

"Don't apologize for her," Ada María said. "Honestly, I'm not surprised. She's really never liked me. I'll never be her mother and that's reason enough for her it seems. I guess it doesn't help that I never really took interest in her."

"It was just her and Nathan for a long time," Renesmee defended. "I guess she felt like you were getting in the way."

"I know that's what it was," Ada María said. "It wouldn't have mattered what I did. She would never have liked me." Renesmee was silent a moment. "Right now I just want to make sure Nathan knows about Ariel." Ada María looked down at Ariel and smiled. "He'll be so happy about him, I know. He'll be so happy to have a son."

"He'll be happy to have had a child with you," Renesmee said. "He'd said you two would never have children. That always saddened him I admit."

"I never wanted kids," Ada María said. "I hate kids if you want the truth. Ariel's different, though. He's mine." Renesmee smiled at her and then at Ariel.

"Do you mind if I hold him?" she asked. Ada María nodded and Renesmee came over to take Ariel into her arms. He opened his eyes just a little from the disruption but closed them again once he was comfortable again. "He really does look like Nathan."

"He does," Ada María smiled. She was silent a moment, losing her smile. "Will he think Ariel isn't his?"

"I can't pretend he wouldn't have his reasons to think that," Renesmee answered honestly. "But regardless, Carlisle will prove he is."

"Nathan's the only possibility," Ada María said. "It went by too quickly for him not to be. If Officer Acosta were the father, my pregnancy would have progressed normally." Renesmee took a moment to do the math in her head and then nodded in agreement.

"He's clearly a half breed. That wouldn't have happened if a normal human were the father. All the same, he was in a very compromised emotional state when he came home. It wouldn't hurt to be sure."

"I am sure," Ada María said weakly.

"I am too," Renesmee reassured. "Now we'll just be extra sure."

Ada María smiled a little, "Thank you Renesmee." She looked down at the bracelet Nathan had made her. "Do you think he'll still want to marry me?"

"Yes," Renesmee said confidently. "He'll never stop loving you. I can guarantee you that. He might not be happy, he may be hurt with you and the two of you will absolutely need to work this out, but he still loves you." Renesmee finally looked at the bracelet for the first time and her breath was taken away. "He did a wonderful job with that."

"He did," Ada María smiled down at it. "When I saw it, it took my breath away. I'm rather proud of my Inca heritage and the fact that he'd made something that thoughtful and that reminiscent of my background made me feel special." She stopped a moment to take a deep breath. "I never meant to hurt him. I really do love him. I was just so scared."

"Of what?"

"I've lived my own life for over sixty years," Ada María answered. "I've never lived my life for anyone but myself and I like it that way. I didn't answer to anyone but me. Then Nathan swoops in and turns my life upside down. The more I was with him, the more I loved him, but he was still changing things. Changing me. Marcelo says Nathan's been good for me and has brought out the best in me, but I was so determined to hold onto any semblance of control and familiarity that I would make excuses to fight him one way or another. My relationship with the officer was purely business. He meant nothing to me. But I kept him around and tolerated him because he was the last remnants of my old life. Looking back on it, I don't know why I clutched onto it for so long."

"All that matters now is that you're willing to move forward," Renesmee said reassuringly. Ada María smiled again.

"Thank you," she answered.

The two of them shared a brief moment of understanding before Renesmee returned Ariel to Ada María and started cleaning up the room and bed. She left down the large mat that would stay down for a few days until Ada María was no longer bleeding. She was healing quickly, so Renesmee was confident she'd be back to normal by the next day. She went downstairs hoping to see Scarlet and talk to her, but Scarlet wasn't downstairs. Renesmee finished cleaning and then started looking for Scarlet. Jacob intercepted her during her search and asked her to go ahead and give Scarlet some space for now. She'd been in a sour mood since Ada María arrived. Reluctantly, Renesmee nodded and agreed to leave Scarlet be.

Scarlet had run off to the bluff where kids would usually cliff jump and just stared out into the ocean trying to clear her head. After the smoke had cleared with the panic of Ada María being in labor, she'd been certain Nathan wasn't the father. As far as Scarlet was concerned, Ada María must have realized how badly she'd screwed up and gotten herself pregnant to force her father to come back to her. It wouldn't have been the first time Ada María had manipulated him. Carlisle would find out the truth and when they found out for sure Nathan wasn't the father, they'd make her go back to Brazil and deal with her mistake herself. Scarlet certainly would. It was late by the time she finally returned to the tribe, but she didn't go back to her house. She didn't want to be around Ada María, so instead she went to Jae's and Natalie's house.

"Scarlet?" Natalie said when Scarlet walked into the house. "Are you alright? Where have you been?"

"I went to the cliffs to be alone," Scarlet said and looked at JJ, Salem and Nesia. JJ and Salem were playing with Nesia, enduring her desire to play with her dolls and the little house Jae had built for her. "How are they taking Uncle Jae being gone?"

"They're alright," Natalie said with a hint of sorrow. "They all miss him, but JJ's been wonderful. Jae told JJ that he was in charge until the war was over and he came back. He's taken on the role with a lot of pride."

Scarlet smiled, "I bet he has. JJ." JJ looked up at her. "I'm told you're in charge around here now?" JJ stood from the couch with a proud smile of a 11 year old boy with a joy of a new found responsibility.

"That's right," he grinned. "Dad said that I'm in charge until he gets back."

"Sounds like a lot of responsibility, JJ. Are you sure you're ready for it?" Scarlet teased and JJ nodded adamantly.

"I'll make dad proud, you watch!" he said eagerly and Scarlet giggled.

"I bet you will, JJ," Scarlet said and Natalie smiled a little. The boy turned more and more into his father every day. Scarlet walked over to the kitchen and stood beside Natalie while she was carving potatoes. "Did you want my help with anything?"

"I'm alright," Natalie said. "Did you need help with anything?"

"I was actually hoping I could spend the night here. I can sleep on the couch and I'll stay out of your hair."

"Why can't you stay home?"

"Ada María's there and I don't want to be under the same roof as that two timing whore," Scarlet said bitterly and grabbed a bell pepper that she started chopping without request.

"Ah, yes," Natalie said. "I heard it was a boy."

"Ariel," Scarlet said.

"Are you excited to have a little brother?"

"He's not my little brother," Scarlet said. "He's not daddy's."

"What do you mean he's not your father's?"

"Daddy caught her with another man. How can we be sure Ariel is my dad's kid? Carlisle's going to do a blood test and when he proves daddy isn't Ariel's father, Ada María can go back to Brazil and deal with her bastard herself."

"Watch your mouth, Scarlet," Natalie said sternly. "I understand your concern, but there's no excuse for your behavior. Don't blame Ariel for Ada María's mistake."

"I'm not blaming the kid. He's just not my little brother."

"It doesn't matter, Scarlet," Natalie said sternly. "I can't say I'm much happier with Ada María but there's no reason to be courteous."

"Courteous my ass," Scarlet said. "She doesn't deserve courtesy."

"Scarlet Willow, either you start behaving like a lady with dignity and grace, or you can just go back home and learn to." That shut Scarlet up really quick and she turned her focus back to the bell pepper. "You're welcome to spend the night, Scarlet, but you'll have to confront her eventually. And if that little boy is Nathan's, then you'd better love that boy like you would were he your mother's child."

"Daddy didn't want any more kids," Scarlet protested, though even in her mind it seemed like a pointless argument.

"Your father didn't want more kids with just anyone," Natalie corrected. "He'd wanted to have kids with Ada María but she didn't want to have kids, so he was willing to put that to the side if it made her happy. Obviously that's not going to happen. They have a child now."

"Assuming daddy's even the father," Scarlet said.

"Unless Carlisle proves otherwise, you assume he is Ariel's father and you treat that little boy like your brother. Is that clear?"

Again, feeling the stern tone in Natalie's voice, Scarlet calmed herself down and focused on helping Natalie cook and get the kids to the table for dinner. Nesia didn't fully understand what was going on unfortunately. The first few days since Jae and the others departed for war, she would ask when daddy was coming home from war. She seemed to think it was the same as his normal job. Natalie had broken it down to Jae being on a business trip and he would be gone until the war was over and they needed to be patient. She made sure to explain to Nesia that daddy would be very tired when he got home and would need a big hug from all of them welcoming him home. Nesia promised she'd give her daddy the biggest hug every and Natalie would pat Nesia's head tell her he would love that.

The next day, Ada María was near good as new. She was still sore especially after her mad dash and less than advisable travel while being in labor. All things considered, Ada María was damned lucky she wasn't in worse condition. By that next day, Ariel seemed to be wide awake and was taking in his surroundings. Ada María put him on his back on the bed and started to tickle his belly and talk to him to earn a little giggle from Ariel. She was surprised when he turned onto his belly but she cheered him on and watched him while he tried to crawl away, already able to hold his head up on his own. He was a little wiggler and restless. During the morning while she played with Ariel, also finally able to fit into her clothes, though she still wore her llama wool boots and jacket even inside - she was absolutely freezing – Renesmee came upstairs and asked Ada María to come downstairs with her. She followed and Scarlet was sitting downstairs. She thought perhaps Renesmee was going to force the two of them to talk and make nice. Nathan had attempted as much several times before and she was in no mood for it, even with Ariel lifting her mood. But then she realized Carlisle was there.

"I compared the samples I have," Carlisle said to Ada María when she was downstairs.

"And?" Ada María said, suddenly nervous, worried that, perhaps, she'd really been wrong.

"Nathan is the father," Carlisle answered and Ada María smiled genuinely and looked down at Ariel who was resting his head against Ada María's shoulder looking around the room.

"I knew he was," Ada María said.

"Good job," Scarlet said, "you dodged a bullet."

"Scarlet," Renesmee said firmly and Scarlet held her head down. Jacob sat beside her hoping he might be able to calm her down.

"Jacob, when do you think we'll be able to notify Nathan?" Ada María asked, completely ignoring Scarlet.

"It'll depend on when the boys will be able to change to wolves. I have no way to know when that'll be." Ada María looked disappointed. "Don't worry, Ada. We'll tell him."

"I know," she said. She looked down at Ariel and smiled at him. She lifted him up a little while bending her head so she was close to him. "Don't worry, Ariel. You'll meet your daddy soon." Frustrated, Scarlet stood from her spot on the couch and left the house to go do something, anything, else. Ada María didn't allow it to bother her and, rather, smiled kindly at Carlisle. "Thank you for confirming this."

"No need to thank me," Carlisle said. "If I'm being honest, a blind man could see that's Nathan's child. He looks just like Nathan when he was born."

"Renesmee was telling me about that," Ada María said. Then she glanced at Jacob. "Did you want to hold him?"

"I'd like that," Jacob said and stood to walk over and take Ariel. He went back to the couch to sit and bounced Ariel up and down in his arms the way he used to when his kids were babies. Renesmee went to the couch and sat down with him.

"Since you two are taking him, do you mind if I go upstairs and rest?" Ada María asked. Jacob and Renesmee nodded and Jacob waved for her to leave. With a light giggle, Ada María went up the stairs to get some rest.

"How does it feel to be a grandpa?" Renesmee teased Jacob with a smile.

"The same way it did the first three times," Jacob smiled back and kissed Renesmee. She giggled a little and snuggled up to him looking down at Ariel.

"Grandchildren are certainly easier than children," Renesmee smiled. "I'm not the one in labor, we get to play with them and snuggle them-"

"And when we're bored, we give them back to their parents," Jacob finished with a chuckle. Carlisle chuckled a little and finally left so the two could be alone.

"How do you think Nathan will react?" Renesmee asked, suddenly serious.

"It's hard to say," Jacob answered honestly. "I like to think he'll be happy, but given what happened, I don't know."

"It's not Ariel's fault," Renesmee said.

"I know it's not," Jacob said. "I don't think Nathan will blame Ariel. I just don't know if Ariel will help repair Nathan's and Ada's relationship. Kids don't fix everything."

"I know," Renesmee agreed and placed her hand on Ariel's little head, feeling his hair. It was thick and already a little longer today than it had been the day before. He'd also already grown a bit. "I just hope Nathan won't hold anything over Ariel's head."

"I don't think he will," Jacob said. "He'll love Ariel."

Renesmee smiled and kept looking down at Ariel. Sometimes he'd open his eyes and Renesmee would see those black eyes he'd gotten from Nathan and it would make her smile. At one point in the day, Ariel smiled at her and it made her melt. It was Nathan's little smile she remembered when he was a baby. After her nap, Ada María eventually came back down and asked for Ariel back. Feeling sentimental and wanting to get to know Ada María better, Renesmee asked her to join her at hers and Jacob's house so she could show Ada María some baby pictures. When they arrived, Ada María requested a pencil and paper so she could write to Marcelo. Aside from wanting him to know she'd made it, she had some interesting news to tell him to say the least. She made her letter quick.

Marcelo,

I made it to Washington and am safe. Nathan had already left by the time I arrived. I'll be staying here until he comes home. By the way, turns out I was pregnant. I just had the baby. His name is Ariel. Tell mother and father.

Love,

Ada María

She addressed it to her bar just to make sure Marcelo received it and Renesmee gave it to Jacob to drop off at the post office for her. They finally turned their attention to all the pictures from when Nathan and his siblings were babies. She gave Ada María fair warning that Ariel was doomed to suffer a similar fate as his father and cousins once Alice had collected a fair amount of clothes and gotten her camera ready and Ada María just laughed.

"He's hardly changed," Ada María said when she saw one of the many family photos. "He and Jacob look so much alike."

"They really do," Renesmee smiled reminiscently. She found a picture of when all the children had been baptized and pointed out Nathan's and Natalie's picture. "This was from their baptism."

"I remember Nathan mentioning he was Catholic."

"You are too correct?" Renesmee asked.

"I am," she said. "Now that you mention it, we need to make arrangements for Ariel to be baptized."

"I would love to have him baptized in Hoquiam," Renesmee said. "That's where all the children were baptized. We knew a man there named Mr. Locksley. He was such a kind man. Jacob and Cory had become good friends too. Cory was a man that worked at Mr. Locksley's bakery. Mr. Locksley had helped us convince the priest to perform the baptism. I wish we could do that for Ariel, but…..well, they haven't seen us in over thirty years now. And we haven't aged."

"Are there Catholic churches closer to here?"

"I know there's one in Port Angeles," Renesmee said. "I'll talk to daddy and we'll make arrangements."

"Thank you, Renesmee," Ada María smiled. "My father will already be livid about this when he finds out. I figure getting Ariel baptized will at least lesson the blow."

"We'll get that arranged right away then," Renesmee smiled and patted Ada María's back. They continued looking at pictures from Nathan's childhood, Renesmee told her stories of when he and his siblings were children and rather unexpectedly, Ada María found herself very fond of Renesmee. Renesmee could see what Nathan saw in Ada María and, despite the problems the two would face, she found herself very fond of Ada María as well.

That night, Ada María finally met Natalie and she was shocked when she saw her. She looked so much like Nathan and even had his smile. She almost fell in love all over again. Natalie was as pleasant as possible, trying her best to be an example for Scarlet and how she needed to behave. Ada María kept almost entirely to Natalie's company, staying away from JJ, Salem and Nesia. Unfortunately, some things just never changed. JJ was a very gracious host, though. He told Natalie to keep Ada María amused while he made them coffee. He'd recently learned how to do it and he was eager to show off how good he'd gotten at it.

"JJ must look a lot like his father," Ada María said after the little boy walked away.

"He's a copy of his father," Natalie smiled longingly. "He turns more into his father every day, that boy. Jae told him he was in charge until he got back so he's been stepping up to the plate."

"I can see that," Ada María smiled. "You must appreciate all the help."

"Scarlet will be helping too," Natalie said, glancing at Scarlet who was playing with Nesia. She didn't look up at them. She wasn't happy about Ada María being there and she was trying to ignore her. Fine, Ada María thought. Two could play that game.

"Did you want me to help you?" Ada María offered.

"Oh, no that's alright," Natalie said. "You've got a new baby to worry about. If anything, I should be offering you help."

"Your mother has been rather kind enough in that department," Ada María said.

Natalie and Ada María got to know one another rather well that day. She was beginning to finally feel more comfortable there and, despite being freezing even indoors, she began to wonder to herself why she'd been so adamant to not come here. As promised, Edward made arrangements with the church in Port Angeles for Ariel to be baptized. They simply explained the father was sent to war before the child was born, which wasn't a lie anyway, and the priest agreed he'd perform the baptism. Ada María asked Natalie to be the Godmother, knowing it would please Nathan if she did. She asked that her brother be named the Godfather even though he wasn't present. The priest assumed it was due to him being at war and readily agreed. No one corrected him and the baptism went on without an issue. Within days of his birth, Ariel was baptized as Ariel Marcelo Black. Scarlet had still not held Ariel once by that point.

A few weeks went by. Ada María grew more and more comfortable with Nathan's family. Scarlet remained the only hiccup, but she refused to let it bother her. They'd not spoken since Ariel's paternal test was revealed and that was just fine with her. In that time came another occurrence much further from home. One day in the weeks since Nathan had spent the night, Tamara asked Dan and Meg to come to her house. Mina and Lida came, but the two were focusing on school work in the living room while Tamara, Dan and Meg were in the kitchen. Tamara brought them coffee and sat at the table with them.

"Are you alright?" Meg asked Tamara.

Tamara looked at Meg and Dan a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "I'm pregnant." She saw Dan go rigid more so than Meg. He looked between them and looked back at Tamara trying to do math in his head. He couldn't remember the last he'd slept with Tamara. It had been a while. Too long, he thought, for him to be the father.

"Am I the father?" Dan asked, but Tamara shook her head and he released he breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Is Nathan the father?" Tamara nodded. There was another moment of silence. "Do you need me to claim to be the father?"

"No," Tamara said. "Daddy will be furious regardless of who the father is. I'd rather tell him the truth. I'm more concerned about how I'm going to tell Nathan. I thought about sending him a letter, but he's already left for the war." There was an awkward silence as a realization hit her. "I need to get to Washington before the baby's born. The baby needs to be born among the tribe."

"The baby would be born among the tribe here," Meg pointed out.

"I mean among his," Tamara said. "Their tribe believe the baby needs to be born among the tribe in the family home. It's a bad omen onto the child if the baby isn't born in the family home."

"Can that really apply in this case?" Dan asked.

"It doesn't matter," Tamara sighed. "It's what Nathan would want." She sighed and rubbed her face. "How are we going to make this work?"

"That's the question of the hour isn't it?" Dan said, trying to joke. Tamara finally smiled, but it faded quickly. "You don't have to worry about him being upset," he continued confidently. "He'll be a father to this baby."

"I never doubted it," Tamara said. "I'm more concerned about him making it home to meet his child." She choked up a little and Meg pulled her chair closer to Tamara and held her close and comfortingly.

"He'll come home," Meg said. "He's a tough cookie. You know he is. His family will help make sure he knows, I'm sure. As soon as he knows he has a baby to come home to, that man will go through hell and back to come home."

Tamara smiled a little and put her hand on her belly. "I hope so."

"I know so," Meg smiled and kissed Tamara's cheek. "He'll come home."

"Thank you," Tamara said and hugged Meg. "Now I just need to find a way to tell daddy." She was quiet a moment. "He's going to kill me."

"No he won't," Dan promised. "He'll be mad, sure, but he'll forgive you. You know he's been wanting grandkids from you. As soon as that baby is born and he holds it, he'll forget about being mad and just be happy."

Tamara smiled and looked down at her belly. It was showing just a little, but it was hard to see, especially through her dress. "I know he will. But after I tell him, I'll need to make arrangements to go to Washington. The sooner the better. His mother's name is Renesmee if I remember correctly. I'll address it to her to make sure she knows I'm coming."

"That's a great idea," Meg encouraged. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's enough I'll be gone for so long. You can't afford to be. But thank you for offering."

"Of course," Meg smiled and kissed Tamara's cheek again. "And think: if you had to be pregnant with any man's child, at least it was Nathan's."

They all smiled and Tamara nodded, sincerely believing the statement. That evening, she started her letter and made sure it was sent that morning. She addressed it to Nathan's home but put Renesmee Black as the recipient. She wasn't positive she'd spelled the woman's name right, but that wasn't an immediate point of concern. She was more concerned about telling her father and convincing him she needed to go to Washington right away. Even if he didn't agree, she was going. A few more weeks went by before a letter arrived addressed to a Renesme Black. Knowing who it was, one of the paperboys brought it to the General Store so it could be delivered to the required recipient. Leah agreed to bring it to Renesmee and had it to her by that evening.

"Who's Tamara Song," Leah asked Renesmee as she handed her the letter.

"I know the name Tamara," Renesmee said. "I think she's a young woman Nathan met in Vegas."

"Yeah, that's who she is," Jacob affirmed. "What's she writing to you for?"

"I don't know," Renesmee said, opening the envelope with her thumb and pulling out the letter.

Dear Mrs. Black,

I realize you might not know who I am, so please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tamara Song. Your son Nathan Black and I became very good friends during his time in Las Vegas and we'd given him shelter. Scarlet will know who I am.

The reason I am writing is to inform you that I will be making my way to Washington as soon as it is within my power. The reason for this is I've discovered I'm pregnant. Nathan is the father. I would ask your forgiveness in this being the way we meet, but I'm aware of the Quileute tradition that a child needs to be born within the family home. I know it's what Nathan would want. So I will make my way to Washington as soon as possible so our child can be born in his home.

I will send you another letter as soon as I've booked my ticket for the train so you can estimate when I will arrive. Once again, I apologize for how we are to meet, but it is my hope that we can move forward. Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Tamara Song

Renesmee gawked at the letter a moment, going rigid.

"What's the matter?" Leah asked. Renesmee was shaking now. Jacob took the letter and read through it.

"Fuck," was all Jacob could say.

"What's wrong?" Leah asked again.

"Let's just say Nathan's been busy," Jacob said.

"What the hell does that mean?" Leah asked.

"It means Nathan got another woman pregnant," Renesmee barely voiced, head still spinning. She was shocked, then angry, than shocked again and she couldn't stop from her thoughts rushing.

"What?" Leah went wide eyed. "I guess he really has been busy."

"She's on her way to Washington so the baby can be born here," Jacob said. "I guess all that's left is to tell Scarlet and Ada María."

"Oh God," Renesmee whimpered, dreading having to break the news to Ada María.

How was she going to react? Sure, her and Nathan weren't married, but he'd planned to ask her. Now here he was, father to another woman's child after he'd already fathered hers. There was no escaping it, though. So after calming down and collecting herself, she took Jacob with her to Nathan's house where Ada María was with Natalie. Scarlet was begrudgingly there, but only to be with Nesia, Salem and JJ.

"Hello mom," Natalie smiled, but lost it right away. "What's the matter?"

Renesmee took a deep breath and just said, "There's a woman by the name of Tamara Song-"

"Oh, yeah, Tamara," Scarlet smiled. "I liked her. What about her?"

"Well….I just got a letter from her. She's on her way here."

"Really?" Scarlet smiled. "What's the occasion?"

"She's pregnant," Renesmee said bluntly. Everyone was shocked, especially Ada María. Her blood was suddenly boiling, but it didn't last. In truth, she couldn't say she was surprised. Somehow, given he'd been so angry with her, it didn't shock her that he'd run to the arms of a woman that had comforted him before. Now she was a little more concerned about what this would mean for her and Ariel.

"When will she get here?" Scarlet asked.

"I'm not sure," Renesmee said. "She said she'd write to us again as soon as she bought the ticket. I would think within the next month." There was a moment of silence that past as everyone digested the news.

"Well," Scarlet finally said, "At least dad's having a child with someone worthwhile."

"You speak ill of me like that again, and I'll throw you over my knee and beat you as though you were mine!" Ada María snapped back and glared at Scarlet.

"Go ahead, bitch! I dare you!" Scarlet yelled.

"Scarlet, that's enough!" Natalie stepped in. "This isn't helping!"

"Go right ahead, Ada!" Scarlet yelled again, ignoring Natalie. "Do your worst. Then I'll tell daddy what you did and you can answer to him! You won't get away with it a second time, I can guaran-damn-tee you that!"

"Scarlet Willow!" Renesmee yelled. Even now, that grabbed Scarlet's attention and she looked at her grandmother. "Either you behave yourself and apologize to Ada María or she won't need to throw you over her knee and make an example of you because I'll do it myself." The threat made Scarlet shiver and after a moment, she finally looked at Ada María.

"I'm sorry," Scarlet said bitterly.

"Yeah, I'm sure you are," Ada María answered back just as bitterly. Then she left the room and retreated upstairs with Ariel in her arms. Scarlet did the same and retreated to Natalie's house, leaving the remainder in the room stuck in an air of uncomfortable tension that could be cut with a knife.

As promised, a few weeks later, Renesmee received a second letter from Tamara confirming she had purchased her ticket and the date she was scheduled to leave, so Renesmee and Jacob made sure they were prepared to go and pick her up from the train station once she arrived. As Tamara predicted, Delsin was furious. He was all the more so when she told him she was leaving for Washington. Her father kicked and screamed the whole time. Calling her careless, calling Nathan every insult he could think of, among those were ungrateful. 'I welcome this man into our tribe,' he had complained, 'and this is how he repays me? Impregnating my daughter and running away?' Tamara did he best to calm him, but it really was for naught. Eventually, he demanded he go with her and refused to take no for an answer. He'd not tolerate not being present for his grandchild's birth. With aggravation, Tamara reluctantly agreed, figuring it was the least she could do given how she was giving him this grandchild. She just hoped Renesmee would understand. She was still hoping she'd be there to get her when she arrived. Before they left, Tamara tasked Mina and Lida with taking care of her lizards, which they graciously agreed to and Meg confirmed she'd help as well.

"When I see that little bastard again, I'll give him a piece of my mind," Delsin grumbled when they got on the train and he saw Tamara rubbing the still tiny bump.

"Oh, stop it daddy," she said. "You'll do no such thing."

"Don't you tell me what I will and will not do, young lady," Delsin said. "How could you be so careless? Now you're pregnant out of wedlock with someone's child. How do you know he'll be responsible and help take care of this baby?"

"He'll be a father to his child, daddy," Tamara defended. "He'd never leave me out to dry. I doubt he'll marry me, but he'll take care of our child."

"How can he take care of his child if he doesn't intend to marry its mother?"

"We'll find a way, daddy," Tamara said. "We'll worry about that when he gets home."

"If he gets home," Delsin said and that made Tamara teary eyed. Delsin finally softened a little. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking."

"It's alright, daddy," Tamara said. "No matter how I wish it weren't true, there's a chance he won't come home. I have to accept that."

"I'll tell you what," Delsin said and went to sit beside Tamara. "Even if something happens to him, I'll bring the little bastard back to life myself. No way he's getting out of being a father to my grandchild."

Tamara laughed a little and leaned into her father's shoulder. "Thank you daddy. I knew I could rely on you."

"That's right you can," Delsin said and kissed his daughter's head. "So what's my grandchild's name?"

"I haven't gotten that far yet, daddy," Tamara giggled.

"Well, I'll help you," he said. "If it's a boy, you name him after me."

"Hmm," she mumbled. "Delsin Nathan sounds odd."

"No, not Delsin Nathan. Just Delsin."

Tamara giggled, "Alright daddy. If it's a boy, I'll name him after you."

"That's my girl. And if it's a girl, you name her after your mother."

"Dahlia?" Tamara thought of it. "Scarlet's full name is Scarlet Willow. I can put a color in front of that."

"Such as?"

Tamara thought a moment and then smiled. "Ivory. If it's a girl, we'll name her Ivory Dahlia." Delsin thought about it and grinned.

"I think that's beautiful."

"I do too," Tamara smiled. "So either Delsin or Ivory Dahlia. I'd say we're set."

"Good," Delsin smiled. "Your mother would have loved that name."

"I know," Tamara smiled reminiscently.

The train took a few days to reach Washington. When they finally arrived, Tamara and Delsin got off the train and she saw a couple waiting there. She saw the man and knew instantly they must be Nathan's parents. Nathan really did look like his father she realized. When she spotted them, feeling a great sense of relief to see them, she walked over to them with her father following. She begged him to be polite and smiled when she reached the couple. Renesmee smiled kindly at her and Tamara felt instantly at ease.

"You must be Renesmee and Jacob," Tamara smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Nathan's spoken endlessly of you both."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," Renesmee smiled. "I've heard quite a bit about you from Nathan and Scarlet. Scarlet is very fond of you."

"I'm fond of her too," Tamara said. "This is my father Delsin. Daddy, this is Jacob and Renesmee. They're Nathan's parents." Delsin didn't answer. He was gawking at them.

"Delsin," Renesmee smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Instead of speaking or accepting her hand that she offered, he just nodded awkwardly. Renesmee smiled and looked up at Jacob. "Let's get them back home. Tamara, you and your father can stay with us. We'll get you in Nathan's home once it's closer to the time to have the baby."

"Thank you," Tamara said. "I know this isn't exactly how you would have liked to meet me, but-"

"It's perfectly alright," Renesmee said. "I'm having another grandchild. I'll never turn my nose up to that." Tamara laughed a little, feeling more at ease, and they followed after her to make the trip back to the tribe. The trip took hours and it was evening by the time they arrived. When they reached Renesmee's and Jacob's house, Scarlet was there to greet them.

"Tamara!" Scarlet smiled and went to welcome Tamara.

"Oh my God, Scarlet, is that you?" Tamara asked and hugged Scarlet. "You've grown up so much!"

"I'm a woman now," she giggled and glanced down. "I see you're not very far along."

"Just a few months," Tamara said and pressed her hands to the tiny bump. "It's definitely there, but it's hard to see."

"I'm just so happy to see you," Scarlet smiled and then she looked at Delsin. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"It's a pleasure, Scarlet," Delsin smiled. "You really have grown so much since we last saw you." Delsin opened his arms to her and hugged her. "Now if only it were under better circumstances."

"Daddy," Tamara said firmly. She looked towards the living room and finally saw a woman there that she didn't recognize holding a child that appeared the later part of a year or so old. The woman looked her way.

"So you're Tamara," the woman said and stood from her spot on the couch carrying her son in her arms. She walked over and held out her hand. "I'm Ada María." Tamara accepted it and was a little flabbergasted at the woman's beauty.

"I see," Tamara said. She looked down at the baby and couldn't believe her eyes. "Who's this little guy?"

"His name is Ariel," Ada María said. "He's Nathan's son."

"How…" Tamara said. "He didn't say you two had a child together."

"He doesn't know," Ada María said. "As soon as we know where he is, we're sending him word. I imagine he'll be surprised to find out he has two children to meet when he returns home."

"Well," Delsin said, suddenly irritable again. "Isn't this just lovely?"

"Daddy," Tamara said sternly and looked at Ada María again. "I don't understand. He looks a year old. How can Nathan not know about him?"

"It's a long story," Renesmee stepped in. "I'm afraid we can only go into so much detail, but we know he's Nathan's son. We already had a paternity test done."

"I'm sure you'll demand the same of her," Ada María said, more at Scarlet but was looking at Renesmee.

"How dare you?" Delsin spoke up but Tamara put her hand on his shoulder to calm him.

"If you feel it necessary, I will allow it," Tamara said.

"That won't be necessary, Tamara," Scarlet said. "We trust you."

Ada María shook just a brief moment, feeling anger rush over her, but she said nothing. Regardless of Scarlet's reassurances that it wasn't necessary, Tamara agreed to a paternity test once the baby was born. She figured it couldn't hurt seeing as it was something Carlisle was able to do. By the time Delsin had been introduced to the whole family, his head spun with confusion over the fact that these people were supposed to be Nathan's parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents and they all appeared no older than Nathan himself. He decided he didn't care and just focused on Tamara. It would be better for his sanity not to ask questions.

After ten weeks of basic training that, already, was very different from what Embry and Kevin remembered, the men were finally given their assignments. Kyle was assigned to the fight in North Africa and Italy as part of the Medical Core. Nathan, Kevin, Embry, Jae, Peta and Travis were assigned to be shipped to England. They were all on the same train together on their way to the East coast. It was only when they arrived there that they would be going on different boats. Regardless, there was the danger of German U-boats to contend with. When it was time to part, Kyle hugged everyone goodbye, but saved Kevin for last.

"I'll look out for her," he promised Kevin. "I'll probably get into Europe first and I'll look for her. You have my word."

"Thank you," Kevin said and hugged Kyle one more time. An inescapable fear this might be the last time he saw him. He didn't want to even consider it, but he couldn't pretend it wasn't possible. "You take care of yourself, Kyle. I promised mom you would all come home alive."

"I'll keep safe, Kevin," Kyle promised. "You take care of yourself too. That goes for all of you. I love you all."

"We love you too," Kevin said. "Good luck, Kyle."

"Good luck, Kevin," Kyle smiled.

He finally had to leave and waved goodbye to them before he got onto his assigned boat. Eventually, Kevin and the others went to a bar together where a singer was wishing the soldiers good luck with a love song telling them to come back. She evidently gave a few of the men some other parting gift. Embry had managed to get a turn into that one, but he was the only one to indulge. Peta was too nervous to. It was starting to sink in that he was going to war. He looked at Jae, who was just as nervous it seemed. He'd started looking at the picture of him, Natalie and their children. They'd taken one more together before he left, wearing his uniform. It made him smile.

"Do you think we'll come home?" Peta asked Jae.

"I'm sure we will," Jae smiled and patted Peta's back. "Don't start getting cold feet now. We need to be strong."

"I know," Peta said. "It's just….I guess I didn't think this through before I agreed to come."

"Don't think about it so much," Jae said. "We can't have you getting scared before we get there. I know what'll make you feel better. We'll both write mom and dad a letter and ask them to wish us luck. I'll have to write Uncle Hailey too." Jae chuckled. "The way the man saw me off, you'd think I were his son."

"Yeah," Peta nodded. "We'll write them all a letter."

"We'll do the same," Kevin said to Nathan. "We'll write mom and dad and let them know we're departing. We'll write again once we're in England." Nathan just nodded. "Nathan," Kevin said. Nathan looked up at him appearing forlorn. "Remember what I said."

"I said I'll be fine," Nathan said, but it wasn't very convincing.

"Your imprint is safe, Nathan," Kevin said, a little more harshly than he'd intended. "Take comfort in that at least."

Nathan looked at Kevin a moment but said nothing and instead gulped down his beer. He wasn't nervous like he'd thought he'd be. In truth, he was still just depressed. He'd make himself get over it once they reached England. Right now, he was still home and had a right to mope a little no matter what Kevin said. When they returned to their rooms, Nathan and Kevin wrote their letters to their mother and father and let them know they would be departing, they missed them, and couldn't wait to see them again. The next morning, they were shipped off to England. Sadly, when they received their letters, Renesmee would still need to wait for them to land in England before they could hope to tell Nathan.

"Where are they going?" Ada María asked Renesmee after she'd read Kevin's and Nathan's letters.

"England," Renesmee said, but she was shaking. "Kyle's being sent to North Africa. Oh God, Jacob, they're being separated."

"It's alright, Renesmee," Jacob said, trying to comfort her. "Kyle's strong. He'll be alright. Besides, he won't be in the front lines. He's in the Medical Core, remember? He'll be nursing the wounded back to health."

"But he won't be with the others," Renesmee shook. Jacob held her close to comfort her. Seeing his grandma cry but not fully knowing why, Ariel got off Ada María's lap and crawled to her. When Renesmee saw him, she smiled a little and picked him up. He started patting her head and it made Renesmee giggle a little. "Thank you for making me feel better, Ariel," she said and kissed his cheek.

Tamara rubbed her growing belly, beginning to feel a little more nervous as Nathan got closer and closer to Europe. Ada María noticed but said nothing. Scarlet sat by Tamara's side and the two comforted one another. That was fine by her, Ada María told herself. She went to Renesmee's side and took Ariel into her arms, now needing his comfort too. She just needed to look at him. He was looking more and more like Nathan every day. She retreated upstairs with Ariel in her arms, feeling a need to be alone save for Ariel. She gave him one of Nathan's old toys and Ariel chewed on it excitedly while on his back. He was growing so much. Before she knew it, he'd appear an older toddler. He was already starting to talk a little, but given he was being pulled between learning English, Spanish, Quileute and Quechua depending on who was speaking to him and, in some cases, Ada María's mood, he would speak in all four languages and it was a strange thing to hear. Most didn't understand him, so he tended not to talk.

"Do you mind if I join you?" a voice came from the doorway. Ada María looked up and saw Tamara. She shrugged for an answer and returned her attention to Ariel. Tamara walked in and sat on the other end of the bed. "I don't think you and I have had a chance to speak since I got here."

"Was there something you wanted to discuss?" Ada María asked, looking at her strangely. Tamara looked at Ada María's wrist instead of answering, seeing the gold and jade bracelet Nathan had told her about.

"That bracelet is breathtaking," she said.

"Indeed it is," Ada María agreed.

"I assume you know that means he was going to propose?" Ada María nodded. "Nathan told me what happened."

"What about it?" Ada María looked at Tamara meanly. "I won't make excuses, but I don't owe you an explanation. The only one I need to speak to is Nathan and I'll have to wait until he comes home."

"I wasn't going to demand an explanation," Tamara said. "I did want to talk to you about Nathan though."

"Alright," Ada María said. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"

"I guess I'm just wondering how we'll make this work. Regardless of what happens, you've already had his son and I'm about to have his child too."

"If you're thinking he'll marry you, then you're insane," Ada María said. "He's mine."

"Rather possessive given you apparently had an affair behind his back," Tamara said.

"It was a business arrangement," Ada María growled. "That man meant nothing to me. I slept with him in exchange for him keeping some….unlawful activity under wraps. I fully intended to dispose of him the night Nathan happened upon us."

"You were going to kill him?" Tamara asked, alarmed.

"He wouldn't be the first to suffer such a fate under my fangs," Ada María said threateningly. "I don't suppose Nathan ever mentioned I'm a vampire did he?"

"I beg your pardon?" Tamara asked, a little unnerved. "I mean…..I knew Nathan and some men of his tribe can become wolves but….."

"My father is a vampire and my mother was half human half vampire," Ada María said. "I'm more vampire than human. I drink blood. It's how I live. The officer figured out I was behind these deaths in the city and agreed to keep his mouth shut if I slept with him. That's it. He meant nothing to me."

"Why didn't you just tell Nathan then?" Tamara asked.

"As I've said," Ada María said, "I don't owe anything but Nathan an explanation. I'll give it once he returns home."

"I'm rather certain if you'd just told him the truth, he would have understood," Tamara said.

"Don't speak to me as though you know him better than I do," Ada María said.

"All things considered, it would appear I do," Tamara replied. Ada María hissed at Tamara rather suddenly and it made her jump off the bed and back away. Ariel suddenly rolled onto his belly and crawled over to Ada María, plopping on top of her to make her stop. He even said 'mommy, no'. Ada María took a deep breath and lifted Ariel into her arms. Finally, she looked at Tamara again.

"I have my reasons for not telling Nathan," Ada María said. "It's none of your business what those reasons are. Not yours, not Scarlet's, no one's but Nathan's. I'll not stand in Nathan's way over him being a father to that child if that's what you're concerned about. So long as you back off."

"I was never planning to take Nathan from you," Tamara said, trying to salvage the situation and calm Ada María down. "Even when he was with me, it was only because he was hurt. You can't deny you hurt him."

"Of course I know," Ada María said. "That doesn't give you authority to assume you can swoop in and take him. You were a shoulder to cry in. No more. So long as you keep that in mind, we'll get along fine."

"Frankly, Ada, I'm not the one in hot water here," Tamara said. "You're the one that needs to win Nathan's forgiveness, not me. I was there for him after he caught you with another man." Ada María hissed at Tamara again, her eyes brightening and her nose flaring. It made Tamara take a step back and that's really all she'd wanted.

"Just stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. Are we clear?" After a moment, Tamara nodded and left the bedroom without another word.

When she was alone, she looked down at Ariel and was sad again. She knew what Tamara had said was true. Even if she'd intimidated the woman, it didn't change the truth of their situation. Ada María had hurt Nathan and Tamara had been the shoulder to cry on. It wasn't necessarily Tamara's fault and it hadn't been her intent to get pregnant. Ada María wasn't even mad at Nathan. If she were being honest with herself, she would have done something similar. Hell, she had when she'd slept with Hector. Another thing Nathan didn't know about. Another betrayal. It had felt good briefly to assert her dominance in the situation, but the feeling of superiority had passed rather quickly. She looked down at her son, looking into his eyes. Into Nathan's eyes.

"I love your father, Ariel. You believe me don't you?" Ariel smiled up at her and nodded eagerly and hugged her. She hugged him back. "You look so much like your father, Ariel."

"What daddy like?" Ariel asked, trying to use only English. Ada María giggled and patted Ariel on the head.

"Your father's an adventurer. Always has been from what I'm told. Your father was married once before. That's how he had your sister Scarlet." Ariel looked a little sad when she mentioned Scarlet. She still wasn't warming up to him and it made him sad. "After his first wife passed away, she'd made him promise to follow his dream and travel the world. So he did. He's a master thief too." Ada María smiled. "Your father got himself into lots of trouble throughout his life."

"How did….you and daddy meet?" Ariel managed in all English.

"Very good, Ariel," Ada María grinned and leaned down to kiss his head. "Your father and sister made it to Salvador, Brazil. I own a bar there. Your father came into the bar while I was dancing and we saw each other across the room. Your father loved me instantly. I'm afraid it wasn't love at first sight for me, but it wasn't long before your father won my heart, though."

"Will he like me?" Ariel asked.

"He'll adore you," Ada María said with a smile. "I promise your father will love you." That thought made Ariel smile and he hugged Ada María tighter and rested her head against her shoulder.

Tamara sighed, having overheard the whole thing while she leaned against the wall just outside the room. She couldn't stay mad at Ada María. Not after that. She was tempted to go into the room and try again with Ada María, but she had a feeling now wasn't a good time, so she walked away and went downstairs. By the time she got downstairs, Natalie had already left with the children, Renesmee and Jacob. Scarlet was still downstairs reading. When Tamara came downstairs, Scarlet looked up at her.

"I heard her yell at you," Scarlet said.

"She's just on edge," Tamara said. Scarlet plopped the open book on her lap and rolled her eyes.

"Oh God, don't tell me you're coming to her defense too now," Scarlet said. Tamara sighed and walked over to the couch, sitting beside her.

"Look, Scarlet," Tamara said in a calm voice. "I know you don't care for her, but the fact remains that your father loves her."

"She betrayed him," Scarlet said bitterly. "I don't care how much she says she loves my daddy. Actions speak louder than words."

"I guess that's true," Tamara said. "But she is right about one thing: what happened is between her and your father. It's something the two of them need to work out." Scarlet was quiet. "Can I ask you something? I want you to be honest with me."

"I guess," Scarlet said.

"Do you dislike her because of what happened between her and your father? Or is it something deeper than that?"

"I disliked her from the beginning," Scarlet answered honestly. "I always knew there was something off about her. Now I know what it was."

"Are you sure?" Tamara asked, earning a strange look from Scarlet.

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean did you dislike her because you weren't ready for your father to move on and fall in love again or were you not ready to share him with someone else?"

"I hate her because she betrayed my dad," Scarlet insisted in a quieted tone.

"Scarlet," Tamara said gently. "Please. I want you to be honest with me." Scarlet and Tamara looked at one another a moment before Scarlet shifted in her seat uncomfortably and looked away. "You can talk to me, Scarlet. Just tell me what you're feeling."

Scarlet sighed. "Honestly?" Tamara nodded. "It's a lot of things. When my mom died, it really hurt, you know?"

"I bet," Tamara said. "I lost my mother when I was in my late twenties. I can't imagine what it's like to lose a mother at as tender an age as you did."

"Well, when she died, daddy was all I had left. I still had the tribe and everything. They were supportive, but it was just me and daddy. When he and I started traveling, I started feeling better. So did daddy. We bonded. He taught me how to pickpocket, we went from place to place, we made friends together. I saw daddy at his best and worst. After we entered Mexico especially, it was usually just the two of us as we went from place to place. Daddy and I started becoming more and more like friends instead of father and daughter. By the time we'd gotten to Brazil, he was more than my father. He was my best friend." Scarlet stopped as she stared at the wall.

"Go on, Scarlet," Tamara said gently. Scarlet took a deep breath.

"I don't really want to talk about this anymore," Scarlet said.

"When Ada María came into the picture, did you start feeling like you were losing your best friend?"

"I guess so," she answered. "Just because she's daddy's imprint doesn't mean I have to like her. I still came first."

"I think you know more than anyone you'll always come first in your father's eyes, Scarlet," Tamara said.

"Apparently not," Scarlet mumbled bitterly. "When I decided I wanted to stay here, he still went back to Brazil. To Ada."

"So did you stay here because you really didn't want to go back or because you were hoping he'd choose you over her and stay here?" Scarlet glanced Tamara's way, but said nothing. After a brief silence and Scarlet still not answering, Tamara continued. "Scarlet, you know that's not fair to your father."

"It wasn't about being fair," Scarlet said. "It was about being sick and tired of being second fiddle to that cunt." Rather suddenly, Tamara smacked Scarlet's arm and it made her jump and yell a little.

"You watch your mouth," Tamara said sternly. Scarlet looked surprised and angry all at once. After recovering, she returned to her previous position and stared at the wall again. "Scarlet, look at me please." She didn't at first, but eventually Scarlet did look at Tamara. "Maybe while your father's away, you and Ada María can take some time to get to know one another. Bury the hatchet and learn to live with one another without your father in the way. He's not here to be in the middle, so learn to get along."

"I don't want to," Scarlet said bluntly. "I didn't then and I don't now."

"You're being immature about this, Scarlet," Tamara scolded gently.

"I don't care," Scarlet said stubbornly. "You can't make me like her."

"I didn't say 'like her'. I said learn to live with one another."

"I don't want to," Scarlet said. Tamara took a deep breath and sighed.

"Will you at least start spending time with Ariel? I think you're hurting that little boy's feelings not playing with him. He is your little brother." Scarlet was quiet.

"I never wanted a little brother," Scarlet said stubbornly.

"Well, young lady, wanted one or not, you have one and no matter how you feel about Ada María, he is still your little brother. Do you understand me?"

"You're not my mom, Tamara," Scarlet said.

"I don't need to be to tell you to behave like the grown woman I know you can be," Tamara said sternly. "Please, Scarlet. You can't enjoy being this bitter."

"I'd feel better if Ada just went away," Scarlet said.

"Well, honey, she's not," Tamara said. "Especially not now. So the way I see it, you've got two choices. You can either keep being a sourpuss and make yourself miserable or you can learn to coexist with Ada María, be a big sister to Ariel and be happier for it. Wouldn't you say?" When Scarlet didn't answer right away, Tamara started rubbing Scarlet's back. Then Scarlet started crying. "What's wrong, Scarlet?" She shook her head and put her hand over her eyes. "Come on, Scarlet. You can tell me."

"I don't want to," Scarlet said.

"You don't want to what, Scarlet," Tamara asked. Scarlet still didn't answer, so Tamara came the last bit closer on the couch and took Scarlet in her arms. She resisted at first, but eventually Scarlet finally consented and leaned on her, rubbing her eyes. "What don't you want to do, Scarlet?"

"I don't want to get along with her," Scarlet admitted.

"Why not?"

"Because," Scarlet said.

"Go on, Scarlet. Tell me why," Tamara encouraged. Scarlet was still quiet before she finally spoke.

"Our trip was supposed to be about remembering mom. It was supposed to be about healing together but honoring my mom's memory."

"Well, honey," Tamara said, "if I recall correctly, your mother told your father she wanted him to move on and to love again. That is what she told your father am I right?" Scarlet didn't answer, but Tamara knew it was the case. "If your father fell in love, then he has honored your mother's memory. Your mother wouldn't have wanted your father to be miserable and I think your mother wouldn't have wanted you to be miserable either. Don't you think?"

"I guess not," Scarlet finally whimpered.

"I don't think so either," Tamara smiled and kissed her head. "I'm not saying it'll happen overnight. But how about, starting tomorrow, you turn a new leaf with Ada María? You can start by being the big sister I know you can be. Treat Ariel the way you'll treat this baby."

"I actually like you," Scarlet argued.

"And I like you too, Scarlet," Tamara smiled, "but you still need to be a good big sister to Ariel. I'm sure it'll mean a lot to Ariel and I know it'll mean a lot to your father."

Scarlet rubbed the tears from her eyes and sighed. "I'll try."

"I know you can do it, Scarlet," Tamara smiled and kissed Scarlet's head again.

"Why couldn't daddy like you?" Scarlet said absently.

"There's no point in dwelling on that, honey. Your father loves Ada María. Besides, are you trying to say that if your father and I had started a relationship that you would have loved me? Or would you have the same feelings for me as you've shown Ada María?" Scarlet didn't answer. "I think you know you'd dislike me."

"Maybe," Scarlet answered hesitantly.

"Maybe nothing," Tamara giggled. "You'd have hated me. Admit it."

Scarlet managed a small smile. "I can't imagine hating you."

"Well, thank you for saying, Scarlet," Tamara said. "Now promise me you'll try to get along with Ada María."

"I'll start with Ariel," Scarlet said stubbornly. "That's all I'll promise right now."

"Alright, fair enough," Tamara said. "Now you be the best big sister ever."

"Okay, Tamara, I'm fifteen. You don't have to talk to me like the school kids," Scarlet said.

"You're right," Tamara giggled. "I'm sorry." As she promised she would, the next morning Scarlet waited until Ada María came downstairs with Ariel and went right up to her. Ada María tensed at first.

"What?" Ada María asked. Scarlet ignored her and instead looked at Ariel.

"How'd you sleep Ariel?"

"Okay," Ariel said shyly.

"So I had a fun idea," she said. "We got some fresh snow outside. How about you get yourself all bundled up nice and warm and we'll go outside and play. You haven't really gotten to play in the snow have you?" Ariel shook his head, starting to smile. "Would you like to go outside and play in the snow?" Ariel nodded eagerly. "Good, but first, you need to eat something. Or drink something. Up to you which you prefer. If you promise to have some breakfast, I'll take you outside to play in the snow."

"Okay," Ariel answered eagerly and pushed himself out of Ada María's arms until she finally put him down and he ran straight to the kitchen to go through the icebox. He found some apple juice, so he tried to pull that out, excited to get outside. Ada María went to him to help him with it. The boy could barely waddle let alone carry a glass bottle of apple juice. She poured Ariel a glass and handed it to him. The boy gulped it down eagerly even though he didn't like it much and then he started to hop up and down while holding onto Ada María's leg.

"Mama, mama," Ariel babbled, "Puedo ir a lado de fora?" he said, asking to go outside half in Spanish half in Portuguese.

"Ariel, quires hablar en Español o portugués? Solo hablas en uno a un tiempo."

"Mama," Ariel whined.

"Pick a language and I'll tell you my answer in the one you picked," Ada María said.

Ariel pouted but finally said, "Puedo ir a fuera con Scarlet?"

"Sí, puedes," Ada María answered with a smile and Ariel cheered and tried to go outside. "No, no, no," Ada María said as she grabbed Ariel. "Not until you're bundled up."

Ariel pouted again but let Ada María get Ariel in his little boots that used to be Salem's and a few other warm articles of clothing passed down to her from Natalie. She made Ariel wear her llama wool hat even though it was a little too big, but when she tied the tassels at the bottom, it made sure the hat would stay on. Once Ariel was dressed according to Ada María's standards, only then did she let him waddle to the door with Scarlet following behind, already dressed in her own warm clothes. When they were gone, Ada María glanced at Tamara. Tamara smiled a little at her.

"Thanks for that," Ada María said. "Whatever you did."

"I just made her do a little soul searching," Tamara said. There was a long silence. Ada María went to the window and looked outside and watched Scarlet play with Ariel. He looked so happy to finally have his sister's positive attention. It warmed her heart to see it. Then Ada María looked at Tamara after she'd come to the window to watch.

"I'm sorry about last night," Ada María said.

"It's alright," Tamara said. "I know this isn't really easy for you. I can't say I blame you for being defensive with me. If it's worth anything, Nathan never stopped thinking about you. He loves you more than he'd ever love me."

"He does love you, though," Ada María lamented.

"I guess," Tamara said. "I love him too, but I'll never be you. Having his child will never change that." Another silence passed between them. Ada María watched as Scarlet taught Ariel how to make a snow angel and couldn't believe how happy the boy was to play with his sister.

"I never wanted kids," Ada María admitted to Tamara. "I hate kids if I'm being honest."

"You're certainly wonderful with Ariel," Tamara reassured.

"There's a very good reason for that," Ada María said. "He's from Nathan. Any other man were that boy's father, I'd never love him. But since Nathan's his father, I adore him."

"That makes sense," Tamara said. "I'm a teacher, so I'm with kids every day. I like children."

"I love my son," Ada María said.

"I talked to Scarlet about trying to bury the hatchet with you," Tamara said. "This is her first step in doing that."

"She won't," Ada María said.

"She promised she'd try," Tamara said.

"She's promised that before," Ada María said. "Twice before. Both times, she stopped."

"Well, you two were fighting over Nathan," Tamara pointed out. "Now that he's away, maybe you two can actually get to know one another. I know it would mean a lot to Nathan."

"That doesn't mean she'll do it," Ada María said. "That bridge burned a long time ago."

"It's easy to burn a wooden bridge," Tamara said. "Maybe it's time you two built a stone one." Ada María huffed a laugh and looked at her a moment.

"Nathan used to say part of the reason he was drawn to you was because you reminded him of Tomoeh," Ada María said.

"Did he?" Tamara said, clearly flattered.

"He did," Ada María nodded. "If so, Tomoeh must have been a wonderful woman."

Tamara actually blushed a little, "That's very sweet of you."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Ada María teased. "I'd prefer to make up with Nathan before the two of us started discussing our relationship with you." Then Ada María winked and Tamara giggled.

"Are you always so flirtatious?"

"Only if I find someone worth my time," Ada María said. "Nathan's told me about the little adventures he's had with you and your friends."

"I' be shocked if he hadn't," Tamara said.

"And I admit you're a rather attractive woman. Sometimes, I can't help but flirt. My flirting never bothered Nathan...maybe you're right."

"About what?"

"If I'd just told him the truth, he wouldn't have been upset," Ada María said. "I just didn't want to tell him about Officer Acosta. As far as I was concerned, he wasn't worth mentioning because he wasn't worth wasting my breath on."

"He was worth making a deal with," Tamara said.

"That doesn't really count for much," Ada María said. "Not to me anyway. If you want the truth, I just didn't want him to think less of me. At first, I'd not told him because it never came up and I didn't think it was worth mentioning. By the time I started to have real worthwhile feelings for Nathan, I didn't want to jeopardize those feelings by telling him the truth. And…..part of it was I wasn't ready to give myself up to him."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't ready to just be his. I wasn't ready to live life his way. When Nathan came into my life, things changed and they changed quickly. He never forced or pressured me per se, but he always wanted more and more of me. I guess my affair with Officer Acosta was the last bit of my old life I had left. Even though I loved Nathan…I just couldn't be what he needed. Or what he wanted me to be. Now that I've lost him, I'm willing to be anything he needs for him to forgive me and love me again."

"You haven't lost him," Tamara reassured. "He loves you. He told me himself that he'll always love you no matter what. If you're willing to move forward with him and make a life with him, he'll forgive you."

"My brother said something very similar," Ada María said. "He and Nathan became fast friends."

"What's your brother's name?"

"Marcelo," Ada María said. "It's Ariel's middle name. I imagine before long my father will be here fire billowing out of his ears after Marcelo tells him he's a grandpa."

Tamara giggled, "Can't be any worse than how my father reacted."

"Your father's only human," Ada María pointed out and the two laughed. Then Ada María glanced down at Tamara's growing belly. "So what is the baby's name?"

"Delsin for a boy. After my father. For a girl, Dahlia after my mother. But to keep it true to what Nathan had done with Scarlet, if it's a girl, her name is Ivory Dahlia."

"He'd love that," Ada María smiled. "Is it odd of me to say I hope you give him a daughter?"

"Of course not," Tamara said. "After hearing the name selection, I tend to get that."

"It's not because of the names," Ada María said. "This may sound selfish, but I don't want anyone else to give Nathan a son. I want to be the only one to have that honor."

"I can't guarantee that," Tamara said. "I can't help if it's a boy."

"I know," Ada María said. "I'm just saying a little prayer every night that you're carrying a girl. For me, there's something special about giving Nathan a son."

"I know," Tamara said. "I can understand that. He'd never say it I don't think, but he'll consider it special that you gave him a son. You're the love of his life after all."

"Do you mean that?"

"You don't believe you are?" Tamara asked.

"He's the love of my life," Ada María said. "He's the only man I've ever loved. I'm an old woman, Tamara. 72 this year."

"Are you serious?" Tamara gawked.

"Dead serious," Ada María said. "I've never loved anyone but members of my family. The only men I've loved in my life are my father, my brother and my uncle. No one else. Nathan's the only man that ever made me love him and made me willing to change for him. I'd never love anyone else."

"That's how he feels about you," Tamara said. "When he came to my house…when we'd slept together, he'd been so upset that he asked why he couldn't have just imprinted on me." Ada María's head jerked to look at her.

"He said that?" Ada María said. Tamara regretted mentioning it when she saw how hurt Ada María looked.

"He was speaking in anger," Tamara hurried to say. "He didn't mean it. I shouldn't have even said it. I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright," Ada María said, her shoulders slumped. "I deserve it."

"No, Ada María, you don't," Tamara said. "I promise he didn't mean it. He loves you. He'll forgive you. I swear to you he'll forgive you. When he does, the two of you can put this whole thing behind you."

"I hope so," Ada María said, returning her attention to Scarlet and Ariel. He looked so happy and even Scarlet looked happy. If it had been a forced gesture, it certainly wasn't anymore. "Thank you again for talking to Scarlet. Ariel really was sad that she wasn't letting him play with her."

"I'm glad I was able to help," Tamara said. "Just give Scarlet time. She'll come around eventually."

"I've been hearing that for a while," Ada María said.

"She's never had me talk to her before," Tamara smiled and Ada María smiled back. "Just give her more time."

"If you say so," Ada María said skeptically.

She focused on Ariel, watching him run around with Scarlet now engaged in a snowball fight. She went easy on the boy. She was having such a hard time running through the snow with his short little legs. Renesmee, Jacob and Delsin came upon the two playing and Jacob joined in, helping Ariel fight Scarlet off. Ada María giggled when she saw Jacob lift Ariel onto his shoulders while he made snowballs for Ariel to throw. For just a moment, Ada María started to picture that it was Nathan carrying Ariel and she sighed contentedly. She was more eager than ever for Nathan to meet his son. She just hoped the war would be over soon.