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.

142. Chapter 142

Chapter 142

It was determined near immediately that Ivory and Anatoli would have a less traditional wedding, at least by the standards of their personal backgrounds. Ivory wanted to get married in Vegas, so a Quileute wedding was more or less off the table. There were no Orthodox churches in Vegas or in Washington, so even if Ivory were baptized as Catholic at least, they could not have an Orthodox wedding and, given neither were Jewish, they couldn't have a Jewish wedding either. For the rest of Christmas, Ivory focused on the only thing they really could and that was the dress. Nathan had made clear Ivory would be staying at home while she visited which left plenty of time for her and Jaedynn to spend time together.

"I'm warning you now: if you make me wear a hideous dress at the altar, I'm stepping down as your maid of honor."

"You will do no such thing," Ivory said as she stared at the pages of a wedding dress magazine. "You are right, though. I wouldn't make you wear these if a gun were being held to my head."

"Good; you can be reasoned with at least," Jaedynn said. "I would say I need to look pretty enough to land one of the groomsmen but I already know anyone he'd choose."

"Yeah, that's a no," Ivory said. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you all look presentable. You can't look prettier than me though!"

"Fine," Jaedynn grumbled and Ivory hit her with one of her pillows. Jaedynn laughed and hit her right back. "Just for that, I'll wear white on your wedding day."

"You wouldn't dare!" Ivory scolded and the two began squabbling playfully. "Only I'm allowed to wear white! I'm the bride."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. All hail her majesty, The Bride."

"That's more like it," Ivory said. "So what do you plan to do for my bachelorette party?"

"I don't know. You've been engaged for two days; I haven't had time to think about it."

"Start thinking up something good, Jaedynn; I'm counting on you to plan the best party of my life."

"Actually pick a date and I'll start planning your bachelorette party," Jaedynn said.

"I know I want the summer," Ivory said.

"Can't you at least do fall? If you're going to insist on having the wedding in Vegas, the least you can do is make sure it's in some more comfortable weather."

"Vegas isn't much cooler in the fall than it is in summer," Ivory said. "Besides, I don't want to get married in the fall. I want a summer wedding."

"Wouldn't it make more sense to have the wedding in early spring when Anatoli's job is less demanding?"

"It's not like Embry wouldn't give him the time off."

"That's not really the important thing," Jaedynn said. The two of them stared at one another until Ivory sighed heavily.

"I'll ask Anatoli what he'd rather do," Ivory said.

"Has he had a word in edgewise since he proposed?"

"Shut up," Ivory muttered and returned her attention to the wedding magazine. "Just for that, I'll make you wear this." Ivory showed the picture in the magazine. It was a dress with an absolutely hideous pattern of shapes and varying colors, long sleeves, and a giant silk flower on the color.

"You couldn't pay me to wear that," Jaedynn said.

"You couldn't pay me to stand next to someone in that dress," Ivory said. She continued going through the magazine and got frustrated. "God damn it, they're all long sleeve!"

"It's a winter wedding catalogue," Jaedynn said.

"Anyone that would have her wedding in the winter is crazy," Ivory said.

"Some women really like winter."

"Those women are crazy," Ivory persisted. She looked through more pages hating dress after dress and finally putting it down with an exasperated sigh. "I guess I can always ask Alice to make my dress. Lord knows she'd make me a better dress than anything I'll find in the magazines."

"She can make all our dresses while she's at it," Jaedynn agreed. "How many bridesmaids are you planning to have?"

"I haven't decided," Ivory said. "You and Scarlet are a given. Outside of the two of you, I'm not sure. I don't want to have more bridesmaids than Anatoli has groomsmen and I don't know who he's planning to ask. I think he plans to make Levi a groomsman but he hasn't confirmed. Truthfully you and Scarlet may remain my only bridesmaids."

"That'll make planning your bachelorette party super easy," Jaedynn said.

"Fewer people that need to come to Vegas," Ivory said.

"Oh no, your bachelorette party is going to be here and you will like it," Jaedynn said.

"No, it'll be in Vegas," Ivory argued.

"It'll be in Seattle."

"Jaedynn, you're jeopardizing your seat as my maid of honor," Ivory said.

"Make Scarlet your maid of honor – I promise she'll tell you the same thing."

"I'm not exactly feeling like I'm being treated special here," Ivory pouted.

"Good; you need a little humbling sometimes," Jaedynn teased. "We can have your bachelorette party next Christmas. Unless you're going to tell me you want to get married this coming year."

"No," Ivory huffed, "I'll be lucky if I can book something for '67. Anything short of those 24 hour wedding chapels takes reserving your spot well in advance. Besides, as much as I would love an outdoor wedding, there's no way we can do that."

"Not unless all the vampires in the family aren't allowed to come."

"I know," Ivory groaned and fell back on the bed. "There are plenty of nice places where we can have an outdoor wedding. We can even do it in a hotel so all anyone needs to do is come downstairs for the ceremony and dinner."

"I like that idea," Jaedynn agreed. "Just make sure wherever you have the wedding they can accommodate Aunt Natalie and cousin JJ."

"Ah, yes," Ivory groaned a little. "I'll need to make sure they don't use nuts in anything."

"To start," Jaedynn teased. "Maybe you should just ask Alice to plan the whole thing," Jaedynn suggested.

"You know what; I might just do that," Ivory said. "She might even be able to make a summer wedding happen after Christmas."

"I'd stick with '67 as the year," Jaedynn said. "It'll give people time to actually plan ahead."

"Fair enough," Ivory agreed.

About a week after Ivory had arrived, Tamara made it to Washington for Christmas. She'd already heard the news about Anatoli proposing but had not seen the ring yet and she'd also not seen the house so once she'd arrived and had a chance to relax a bit first, Ivory took Tamara into the city to show her the house. Anatoli was at work at the time, but he'd given her a key so she was able to show Tamara the house. Argo was with Leslie so after Ivory gave Tamara a tour, she brought her next door so she could introduce Tamara to Argo and then brought him back home to play with him. When Anatoli returned home, he took Ivory and Tamara out to dinner and, since Tamara was with them, she and Ivory stayed the night. Tamara slept in the guest room, Ivory slept in the master bedroom and Anatoli, out of respect for Tamara, slept downstairs on the couch with Argo sleeping on his legs.

As usual, there was a big party for Christmas at the Cullen house and later in the evening, the focus shifted to Jae Sun's birthday with his Ox Bone stew and birthday cake that he got every year. But this year was special since Jae Sun was turning 13. By Korean tradition, Jae Sun wouldn't be considered a man until he was 20, but Amber and her parents were happy to say he had gone from a boy to a man. He was given a lot of art supplies that he was happy to receive and spent all of the following day once they'd returned home enjoying his new supplies starting with making little comics for his little sisters that he wrote in Korean just for the sake of practice. Popo joined him outside while he was making his little comic and Jae Sun was briefly distracted by watching Popo trying to poke his nose and paws through the little holes of the enclosure trying to get at the chickens. Alas, he couldn't get to them. He watched and even laughed a little while Popo tried climbing into the enclosure but was stopped by the roof. He shifted his initial idea to that of a story about Popo trying in vain to get into the chicken coop implementing increasingly comically ridiculous means of getting into the coop only to fail time and time again. After hours and hours of work, he finally finished the first comic strips that he named 포포 대 닭장 (Popo Dae Dalgjang/Popo vs. The Chicken Coop). When he showed it to Eun Mi, she made sure the comics were laminated so they could remain as perfect as when he'd given them to her.

"You certainly know how to make that stupid cat funny," JJ said when Jae Sun showed the comics to him. "At least I assume it's funny. It looks like it is."

"It's very funny," Eun Mi praised and kissed Jae Sun's head. "Eun Mae and Mae Yon will love it, won't you?" she said to the twins both of whom were in her arms sucking on their thumbs.

"Don't let that fool you, Jae Sun. They love it; they just don't really know how to express it," JJ said and ruffled Jae Sun's hair after handing back the comic. When New Years came around, that was when Salem was able to call home. He talked to Natalie first, but was able to talk to JJ as well.

"He made a comic of that cat?" Salem asked, chuckling a little.

"Yeah, he did and they're damned good too," JJ bragged. "I don't think Walt Disney could do better."

"That's a bold statement. I can't wait to see them."

"Just one more year, Salem," JJ reassured Salem gently when his voice had faltered slightly.

"I know," Salem said. "It's starting to feel closer and closer."

"How's Alex feeling?"

"He's good as new," Salem said. "We haven't been off the sub since then but you won't hear any complaining from me. How's the monster doing?"

"You mean Emma Leigh?" JJ chuckled.

"That's what I said isn't it?" Salem joined.

"She's doing alright. Gabriel imprinted on her."

"No shit? Good for him," Salem said. "She'll be an adult a lot faster than Heather so at least he won't have to spend nearly 2 decades as a monk."

"Only 7 give or take," JJ said, "Although he's been asked by Grandpa Edward to keep this to himself for the time being."

"Why?"

"He said Emmett and Rosalie deserve for Emma Leigh to be 'just their daughter' right now. I think he's worried that Gabriel coming out and saying he imprinted on Emma Leigh would just upset them or make them feel like she didn't get to be their daughter before she was Gabriel's imprint."

"How's Gabriel doing with that?"

"Great," JJ said. "He visits pretty often to help out around the house. He gets to visit with Emma Leigh while he's at it. She'll tell him when he's due for a haircut and tried to volunteer her time towards that but luckily for Gabriel, Alice stepped in and did his hair for him. Didn't stop Emma Leigh from telling Alice it didn't look right."

"She's certainly pushy by the sound of it," Salem said. "Imagine the upset if Gabriel lost all that hair."

"There would be riots in the streets," JJ chuckled. "All the same, no one's any the wiser except grandpa and the pack of course."

"Good to hear," Salem said. "So….I should tell you something."

"You're not reenlisting, Salem. You promised," JJ assumed.

"No, no, Christ no, that's not what I was going to say," Salem said. "I'm saying after my retirement I'm going to go to Florida for a bit. I want Andy to do that tattoo I was talking about. Besides….I need to see someone."

"You aren't talking about Lilly are you?"

"I am," Salem said. "I don't know…I feel like I need someone; anyone at this point. Hell, I may change my mind by the time I actually go but I don't think I've ever felt this lonely before."

"I'd recommend changing your mind honestly. I doubt her dad will have softened up to you any since last you were in Florida."

"I know," Salem said, "I guess the loneliness is really getting to me. I certainly don't want to go back on land if it means stepping foot on Vietnamese soil again, but what I wouldn't give to be on the beaches of Florida sipping on a fresh squeezed glass of orange juice. I wouldn't mind a little sparkling wine in that orange juice."

"I'll enjoy that right along with you," JJ said. "Keep that picture it your head; it'll make the year go by faster."

"You bet," Salem answered. "Give the kids my love okay?"

"I will."

Shortly after New Years was when Ivory and her mom had to return to Las Vegas. "When Alice comes to Vegas will you come with her?" Ivory asked again while she and Anatoli hugged.

"I promise," Anatoli said reassuringly for the umpteenth time. "I will stay the month and we can go camping."

"We'll have deep fried rattle snake too," Ivory said.

"And you are sure everything is okay?" Anatoli asked regarding Ben.

"I promise. I told him I only want to be friends and he hasn't bothered me since. Just chatting here and there."

"I do not like him talking to you at all frankly," Anatoli muttered.

"I know, but I promise. Everything is going fine now. No further involvement with HR, no flowers at my door: nothing."

"Okay, if you are sure," Anatoli finally said. "Call me when you get home? You have the new number?"

"Yes I do and I will," Ivory said and kissed him. "I'll see you in March?"

"I will see you in March," Anatoli promised, gave her one more kiss and released her so she could say goodbye to Nathan and Anatoli said goodbye to Tamara. Once Ivory returned home and had to go back to work, she went straight to Joe with a big smile.

"You hit the jackpot or something, Kid?" Joe asked.

"I think so," she said and finally presented her ring. Joe took her hand to get a better look.

"That shlub couldn't give you a diamond?"

"I happen to love my opal ring more than any diamond ring I've seen. I think I deserve something more unique than a diamond."

"Being a bride to be is already getting to your head I see," Joe smiled. "Come here," he opened his arms so they could hug. "Congratulations, kid. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Joe," Ivory said. "That means after the wedding I will be moving to Washington, but we're having the wedding here in Vegas."

"Who in their right mind would have a wedding anywhere else?" Joe chuckled. "He'd better not be taking you to one of those shitty 24-hour wedding chapels."

"Not a chance. We'll be having a fancy wedding."

"You picked a date?"

"Anatoli and I agreed on April 15th, 1967," Ivory said.

"Well, a word of advice. Opinions are like assholes: everyone's got one. But it's yours and Ruski's wedding. All that matters is you two are happy and enjoy your special day."

"Thank you, Joe," Ivory said; choosing to ignore Joe's little jab just this once.

"And be prepared for 16 months of logistical hell," he added and Ivory giggled.

"We'll have help so I hope that'll help."

"It won't," Joe said with humor. "I've got you at Craps Table 3 tonight."

"Thanks Joe," Ivory said and got to her table.

When it was Ivory's break, she took her dinner at the bar so she could show off her ring to Drake and give him the good news. Some ladies overheard and crowded to see the ring then asked her questions about her wedding plans and about her fiancé. Ivory got giddy when they called Anatoli her fiancé and talked about the wedding as the she knew exactly what she wanted when really she'd not decided on anything decisively. Naturally, her other female coworkers heard and tracked her down so they could get some information. As could be expected, gossip spread and critiques flooded. My cousin had this at her wedding or when I got married, we had it in the desert - nothing will top my wedding, or I love her ring; it's so unique, or I can't believe she said yes; he didn't even give her a diamond! Regardless of what was being said, the central point - Ivory is getting married - eventually made its way to Ben and he was not happy at all.

"Is it true?"

"I'm sorry?" Joe asked. He was in the locker room getting his things to go home when Ben came in.

"Is Ivory actually getting married? She can't be, right? I mean, they only knew each other a year!"

"Love happens in its own time so I don't see why they can't get married," Joe said. "And yes, Ivory is getting married. Why are you getting so upset? I thought you were just friends."

"I said that but I still hoped-"

"Oh for fuck's sake, Ben!"

"Joe, there has to be something you can say to Ivory-"

"Ben, I'm not saying a God dam thing to her. And don't you dare try to start something. You need to let her be happy and move on with your life."

"But Joe, I love her."

"Well, tough shit. Love someone else. Someone that might appreciate your antics. You mark my words, Ben: you keep this shit up, you'll be well on the road to a thorough ass whooping either from her daddy or Anatoli or both."

"There has to be something I can do," Ben said.

"There isn't. Even if something happened between Ivory and Anatoli that caused them to break up, I can guarantee you will not be the shoulder she cries on." Joe slammed his locker door closed after he had his wallet and keys. "We're done talking about this Ben. Have the decency to be happy for her and get on with your own life. You can't get bent out of shape because your crush doesn't return your affections."

"It's not a 'crush', Joe."

"Yes it is, Ben. And if you have any sense in your head, you'll take a hint. Now go home and get some sleep. You need it."

Despite his assertion to go home, Ben stewed for several minutes in the locker room after Joe walked out. There had to be something, he reasoned; Anatoli wasn't that great.

Even though Alice and Anatoli wouldn't be in Vegas until March, Ivory took the initial steps of exploring for potential venues and a potential non-religious officiant that could perform the wedding. The suggestion was made that the ceremony and reception could be at the school gym. Then it would be free, Tamara reasoned. Though Ivory was far from a fan of the idea.

Back in Washington, sometime in January Kevin asked Embry to join him for drinks. They met at a place near the law firm they both liked and Kevin asked for more private, quiet seating which Embry found strange.

"Everything okay?" Embry asked once they had a little section to themselves.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just think we need the quiet but I don't want to do this at the office."

"You offering a business proposition or something?" Embry asked jokingly.

"Actually, yes I am," Kevin said. "You see, Alphonse has informed me he fully intends to retire in the next five years. He'll still have a share in our business, but he wants to enjoy his twilight years in peace and quiet."

"Fair, although I can't say I'm interested in his position, Kevin. I'm a humble contractor, not a lawyer."

"I'd never suggest selling your soul like that," Kevin smiled. "We would find a candidate in New York to fill the spot when the time comes. What I'm offering pertains to...let's say Alphonse getting a taste of being home away from home in the last years of his life." Saying out loud caused a moment of sadness to pass over Kevin's face, but he continued. "Right now he's searching for land to purchase in The Hamptons. I guess the houses that are already there aren't to his liking."

"Jesus Christ, he's spoiled," Embry said.

"I'll not dispute that," Kevin chuckled a little, "but that'll serve your purpose quite well if you accept. I suggested to him that he buy some land and have someone build his dream house. Specifically I referred you. He knows the work you've done in the past and says he'd be confident you can give him what he's looking for. Within reason of course."

"And what does he want? Versailles?"

Kevin snickered a little under his breath, "I had to talk him down from that. He actually wants a recreation of his family's winter lodge back in Austria. Some of his fondest childhood memories were in that home and he wants that here in America."

"Why not retire to Austria? Wouldn't that be a little more practical?"

"You know Alphonse and 'practical' don't go together. Besides, as I understand it, it was lost to them when his father lost his titles and had to flee to America. Worse yet, it was evidently destroyed in the war."

"I see," Embry said. "I can't say as I'm familiar with Austrian architecture. And if he wants to recreate that house specifically, I don't know what we could and couldn't do and how much everything would cost."

"He's not worried about the cost. He's more concerned about making sure it looks as he remembered. He has pictures for you to reference for sure, so that will help."

"I'm more concerned about materials. He's got to understand there may be some things we just won't be able to get."

"I did warn him of that," Kevin said. "I did tell him dad might be able to recreate any wood furniture that can't be located and dad already said he'd do what he could. Although that'll have to wait until there's a house to furnish."

"And when does he want this house built by?"

"By the time he retires," Kevin said. "It'll be one hell of a project I know, but five years should be enough time."

"I suppose once construction actually gets underway," Embry said. "He doesn't think I'd do this shit for free does he?"

"Of course not," Kevin said. "I wouldn't have brought it up if that were the case. You would be getting a good salary for your efforts. Anyone else that he enlisted would likely be for something specific and wouldn't be there long. Although he'll be relying on your expertise a lot on that."

"Did he discuss what this salary would be? If I take Alphonse up on this, it'll need to be worth me leaving my business in my little brother's hands until I get done."

"When I asked, he said he'd be willing to pay $65,000 a year," Kevin said and Embry gawked at him.

"Are you fucking serious?" Embry asked in a hushed stunned voice.

"I asked him the same thing, but yeah; he's willing to pay very handsomely for this favorite childhood home. He's already planning to sell the penthouse and the house here in Seattle. It'll be the house in Washington first and then the penthouse will be the last thing he sells."

"I can't believe he can afford to even pay me that much," Embry said.

"No, he can," Kevin said. "Our salaries from the business and money we earn from cases we win aside, Alphonse does a lot of investing in stocks. That makes him a pretty penny every year. According to him, he's wealthier than he was when he was still a baronet."

"Good for him," Embry said flippantly. "Will there be a contract?"

"Yeah, there will be," Kevin said, "and I'll be helping to write it up so you and Alphonse are both protected just in case anything happens."

"And when would he want me to start?"

"His words were 'right away'," Kevin said. "He's looking for a property and he's narrowed it down to two inland masses. One that he's really interested in is this 5 acre hillside property that he tells me is like stepping back into the countryside in Gaal. He's really gunning for that one."

"So as soon as he nabs that chunk of land, that's when he wants to start the construction process?"

"Yeah," Kevin said. "I told him to give you time to think about it, but I think it would be a great opportunity for you."

"When does he want my answer by?"

"I told him to give you to the beginning of February," Kevin said. "That'll give him enough time to put the money down for the land he wants for this project and then if you agree, it'll give you time to come up with a temporary arrangement where one of your brothers can run your construction business for you in your absence."

"I'll talk to Peta about it," Embry said. "I'll have an answer by the end of the week."

Once they'd had their talk, the remainder of the evening was spent talking as they normally would. Once Embry returned home, he laid in bed thinking about the offer Kevin had made on Alphonse's behalf. The salary alone made it a rather tempting offer and he was confident that Peta would be able to handle everything while Embry were away for an extended period. His thoughts went to Heather and what she would say if he decided to take the offer. He suspected she would be really upset, but the more he thought about it he realized some space might do them some good. Even though they'd talked about it – granted in a very round about sort of way – Embry had thought he'd expressed that his feelings were very much platonic and they still were. He suspected she didn't mean to, but there would be times when Heather would flirt with him and he noticed she was acting differently for lack of a better word. She was growing up but he wasn't ready for it.

Over the course of 2 days, Embry thought over Alphonse's offer in detail, but something was making him hesitant to accept. He knew what it was. Every time he was resolved he'd accept, his eyes would land on a picture of Heather. He'd see her baby picture, several Hanukkah and Christmas photos over the years, her Bat Mitzvah, the trip to France and anything else that was scattered around. When he'd see her pictures and, despite reasoning the time apart would do them good, he would feel a sadness over leaving. When he couldn't seem to come to a decision, he returned home and knocked on his parent's house.

"Embry," Caevia smiled and hugged him, "I'm getting dinner ready. There's plenty to go around. Is it just you?"

"Yeah, it's just me. I'm sorry to drop in unannounced but I wanted to talk to dad."

"It's no problem," Caevia said. "Do you only want to talk to your dad or both of us?"

"I need to talk to dad,"

Embry said.

"Sure. He's upstairs. I'll go get him for you," Caevia said and went upstairs to get Embry. Embry Jr. went to the living room and sat on the couch waiting for Embry Sr. to come downstairs. When he came downstairs, Embry Sr. sat down on the reclining chair near the couch.

"What's on your mind?" Embry Sr. asked once he was seated.

"I got a job offer from Kevin's business partner Alphonse to build his dream home."

"Another one?" Embry Sr. asked sarcastically and his son chuckled.

"The other two are being sold once the project is done. He wants to recreate his childhood lodge home in Austria. It was destroyed in the war and he wants to build it in a patch of woodland in the Hamptons."

"Sounds fancy. Are you accepting the offer?"

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. I want to accept but...I keep thinking about Heather and how she'll feel. I mean, for me nothing's changed but that doesn't mean I don't care about her or that I wouldn't miss her while I'm away."

"How long would you be gone? You'll be going to New York you said?"

"Yeah," Embry Jr. nodded. "He wants it done before he retires and he's want me to start as soon as he's purchased the land he wants it built on. He retires in five years."

"Well, that's plenty of time I would think."

"The man wants a house built from the ground up in a style I'm not familiar with, so we'll have to wait and see."

"You said he wanted a lodge?"

"He wants a lodge that looks like the one his family owned in Austria. I've never seen Austrian architecture but if it's anything like German architecture, there's a lot of wood and a lot of ornate detail. Kevin said he has pictures of the lodge for me to reference but I doubt there will be much. A lot of it will be trying to map out what he wants on a floor plan until its right. Knowing Alphonse, that may take longer than building the damn house."

"So long as he's paying you for your time."

"He's offering $65,000 a year," Embry Jr. said.

"Is that so?" Embry Sr. asked as he raised a brow, impressed. "That's one hell of an offer."

"It is."

"Sounds to me like it might be worth it," Embry Sr. said. "You said you're hesitant to accept because of Heather?"

Embry Jr. nodded and was quiet for a moment before finally speaking. "I don't like the idea of being so far away from her for so long. This is a fantastic opportunity for me but every time of decide I'm going to accept, Heather comes to my mind and I hesitate. Yet I feel like space is something the two of us need."

"You mean because her feelings for you are becoming romantic and yours still aren't?"

"Yeah," Embry Jr. nodded. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't be what she needs me to be."

"You're exactly what she needs you to be, Embry," Embry Sr. said. "She needs you to be the voice of reason at a point in her life where there really is no reason."

"I guess," Embry Jr. said. "Do you think I should take up Alphonse's offer?"

"I think you'd be crazy not to," Embry Sr. said. "I think the time apart will do the two of you a lot of good and this is one hell of a financial opportunity for you. If you can recreate someone's dream home successfully, I can only imagine how many people would be able and willing to pay handsomely for the same luxury. Who's going to run the business while you're gone?"

"I'd entrust everything to Peta while I'm gone," Embry Jr. answered.

"Would you bring any of your brothers with to help?"

"No, I wasn't planning to. I've never worked with Alphonse like this so I don't know what to expect. Besides, the offer was only extended to me."

"You're not planning to do this whole thing yourself are you?"

"I'll do as much of it myself as I can," Embry Jr. said. "The legalities of this salary need to be better mapped out once Kevin makes that contract but I would assume the salary I'm getting would be intended to cover additional labor. So really, it'd be in my best interest to handle as much of it myself as possible."

"I guess so," Embry Sr. said. "When does he want an answer by?"

"I told Kevin I'd let him know my decision by the end of the week. So I guess I have until Sunday."

"Not much time to make a decision," Embry Sr. said.

"I know," Embry Jr. said. "I want to accept. I really do."

"Then accept," Embry Sr. said. "Trust me, Embry: you'll regret this for the rest of your life if you don't take this opportunity."

"I know," Embry Jr. mumbled.

"Heather won't hate you for leaving. You're not leaving forever; just for a few years and it's a business trip and when you get back, you and Heather can have a fresh start with none of this awkwardness that's going on now."

"You act like I'd be gone all five of those years," Embry Jr. said. "He's retiring in five years. Doesn't mean that's how long it'll take….and I'd come home for Christmas. I wouldn't miss Levi's Bar Mitzvah or Anatoli's and Ivory's wedding for anything."

"Still," Embry Sr. said. "I say take the offer. Kevin got his yellow brick road; you deserve your own. Wouldn't you say?"

"I never thought of it that way."

"That's what I thought. I know Kevin wants you to accept because he wants the best for you."

"I know."

"Well," Embry Sr. said after a brief silence passed, "I've had my two cents on it. Give it some thought; you know you don't have to make a decision tonight."

"Embry," Caevia spoke up and both of them looked at her. "I mean our son," she clarified before continuing. "You've worked hard and you've earned this. I want you to take it. And don't worry about Heather. Remember absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Embry Jr. smiled a little and said, "Thanks mom."

Embry stayed at his parents' house and had dinner with them. A few of his siblings stopped by for dinner as well and he wound up staying for several hours before finally driving back up to the city. It was late in the night by the time Embry returned home, but when he got home he found he couldn't sleep. He wandered around his house remembering when he'd first bought and flipped it. Heather had been so young then. He remembered how she would walk over right after school and would help him with a project here or there with the house but only if she made sure her homework was done while she was over. Then there were her pictures taken through the years. He'd miss so much if he took this job offer and yet…..he knew they needed this time apart. Despite his father's words, Embry kept feeling like he wasn't being what Heather needed, but he couldn't be what she needed. Even if he felt romantically for her, doing so would be grossly inappropriate. But she was growing up. She was becoming a woman. How long before he did feel romantically for her? He wasn't so delusional to think that he'd feel nothing for her until the day she turned eighteen, like turning a switch from no attraction to sudden attraction. He got no sleep that night and when the sun was up, he called Kevin's house. Amber answered and Embry asked to speak with Kevin.

"Hey Embry," Kevin said once he had the phone.

"Hey, Kevin. Are you going into the office today or do you have time today to talk?"

"I'm working from home today," Kevin said. "Would you happen to be calling about what we talked about last week?"

"Yes, I am," Embry said, "If the offer's still on the table, I'd like to accept."

"I'm happy to hear it," Kevin said. "Come over later today and I'll start the contract for you and Alphonse to sign. I doubt he'll change it much when he gets a chance to read it, but after he has a copy, if there's anything he added or changed, we'll go over it. We can negotiate further if it's needed. He's still fighting for that 5 acre wooded area, so we have time."

"Sounds good," Embry said. "The offer's still $65,000 a year?"

"He's not told me otherwise. Don't worry; I'll make sure it stays that or higher."

"Thanks, Kevin," Embry said. "How should I tell Heather?" Embry finally asked.

"We'll talk about it," Kevin answered hesitantly.

"Will she be upset?"

"I'm not sure. It's best that you tell her, but if need be, Amber and I will calm her down; make sure she understands. Trust me, Embry. I want you to take this offer. It'll look really good for you and for your business. This won't be the only offer like this you'll get especially when you've finished this project for Alphonse. He'll brag endlessly about this house to anyone who'll listen; you mark my words. Won't be long before men green at the gills will want the same luxury."

"Yes, dad made the same point," Embry said. "I'll see you tonight to make a draft for a contract."

"Come early enough for dinner too," Kevin said and the two of them ended their call.

After speaking with Kevin, Embry called up Peta and asked him to come over to the office so they could talk. He arrived at the shop before Peta letting himself in and going straight to his office. Another fifteen minutes later, Peta arrived and came back to Embry's office.

"What did you need, Embry?" Peta asked.

"I need to talk to you about something," Embry said. "Kevin's friend Alphonse wants his dream house built and Kevin recommended me for the job. I'm going to accept the offer which means I'll be in New York for most of the next five years give or take. While I'm away, I need someone I trust to look after the shop, so I thought of you."

"Congratulations, Embry. That's great," Peta said. "I wouldn't be obviously, but are you planning to take the twins or Anatoli with?"

"No, it's just me," Embry said. "It's my hope this'll lead to more opportunities like this and if it does, we'll start expanding and you and the others will be involved with it."

"I see," Peta said. "So…what's the offer?"

"$65,000 a year," Embry said and Peta raised a brow.

"Keeping all that too yourself I see," Peta teased.

"It's not that," Embry said. "Honestly, I suspect part of the reason for that generous salary is to help pay for the materials needed, but Kevin and I are going to iron out those details a little more later."

"What does Alphonse want exactly?"

"He wants a recreation of his family's winter lodge back in Austria," Embry said.

"At least he's specific," Peta said. "Do you even know the first thing about Austrian architecture?"

"I'll have to learn real fast," Embry said. "He has old family photos that I can reference, but he'll need to walk me through the floor plan and give his stamp of approval before we start. Hell - that alone may take longer than actually building the house."

"Does this man just shit money or something?"

"It certainly seems that way," Embry chuckled a little. "I'm happy to let some of that fall my way especially if it means more prospects for the business."

"True," Peta said. "Well, I'll shadow you until you leave so I know everything I need to. You'll be a call away if I need help?"

"Absolutely," Embry said. "And I appreciate this, Peta."

"I'm honored to be so trusted," Peta smiled back. "You're still going to Vegas for the wedding right?"

"I wouldn't miss it," Embry said. "Come Monday, I'll review with you things that I'd usually do that you'll need to take over and so on. Following that, I'll have you take over my work load with me shadowing you and by the time I leave you'll be in full control."

"Sounds good," Peta agreed. "Unless there's anything else we needed to discuss, I'll see you on Monday."

"See you Monday, Peta," Embry responded and Peta left the office while Embry stayed behind to get a few things organized. He eventually returned home and relaxed until it was time to go to Kevin's house. Once he arrived, he let himself in as was usual.

"Afternoon, Embry," Amber said from the kitchen. "You're just in time for dinner."

"It smells amazing, Amber," Embry said. The kids were outside, so Embry went to Kevin's office where he was still working. "You going to Court on Monday?"

"I'm afraid so," Kevin said, closing his file. "I won't go into too much detail but let's just say my client will need a miracle. I told him to come to court with angels flying out of his ass."

"I take it he's guilty?"

"Of course he's guilty," Kevin said. "He won't go to prison or anything, but he's looking at facing a pretty hefty fine."

"Well, good luck Monday," Embry said. "So did you already tell Alphonse?"

"Yeah, I called him as soon as you and I got off the phone. He's informed me that he's put down a bid for that chunk of land and he's confident this'll be finalized by end of the month. As soon as we finish dinner, we'll sit down together and create a first draft for yours and Alphonse's contract."

"I agree dinner will have to come first," Embry smiled and patted Kevin's shoulder. Once dinner was on the table, Amber went to the back door to call the children inside. Anatoli carried the twins inside following Heather and Levi inside.

"Embry? When did you get here?" Heather asked, going straight to Embry but suddenly appearing self conscious, having not prepared for him being there in the form of doing her hair up in a special way.

"I just arrived," Embry said while he was taking his seat at the dinner table. Heather took a seat right beside him. "Bumming dinner off your parents, Anatoli?"

"I see no reason I cannot have dinner with my parents," Anatoli smiled.

"Well, good, you can know before the twins find out," Embry said.

"Is something wrong?" Anatoli asked while putting the twins in their high chairs. He took a seat near the twins once they were settled.

"No, nothing's wrong," Embry said. "Quite the contrary. Your dad's business partner wants to build his dream house and Kevin recommended me for the job."

"Does he not already have two houses?" Anatoli asked.

"He's selling his house here in Seattle and once the house I'm building, he's selling the penthouse in New York and he'll be retiring to that house."

"How long will that take?" Anatoli asked.

"Probably a long time," Embry said. He could feel Heather becoming upset.

"Are you taking any of us with?" Anatoli asked.

"No, it'll just be me and Peta will be in charge while I'm gone. I'll be back home for holidays and what not."

"You will be at the wedding right?"

"Don't worry, Anatoli, I'll be in Vegas for the wedding. Speaking of, anything new with that?"

"I am calling Ivory later to talk," Anatoli said. "Last we talk she narrowed down her choices for a venue. All that is left it for us to agree."

"She still want white and gold for her colors?" Kevin asked.

"She has not said otherwise," Anatoli answered. "Mama, will that be okay for our candle?"

"Absolutely," Amber said. "I may recommend different tones of white so the design is more interesting but Ivory and I can talk more when she's here for Christmas."

"Can't Anatoli just say if he likes it or not?" Levi asked.

"Levi, Anatoli's the groom. His taste doesn't matter," Kevin joked.

"Of course his taste matters," Amber protested. "You and I can worry about the design and color scheme for your unity candle, honey."

"I think is best to let Ivory take the reins on that," Anatoli answered and Embry and Kevin started chuckling.

"Wise decision, Anatoli," Kevin said. "But we got off topic. Congratulations Embry. I know you'll make Alphonse very happy."

"So dumb question," Embry said when a thought occurred to him, "wasn't his wife hell bent on moving to the Hamptons?"

"That or France," Kevin said. "She's still in France as far as I know. Alphonse hasn't really talked about her and I've got to say the man's gay as a lark for it."

"I bet. But this Mansion in the Hamptons: would this have anything to do with wanting to upset Ana?"

"Oh, of course," Kevin said bluntly and made Embry laugh. "I dare say he'll remind her every time he sends her alimony checks. Rub it in."

"She gets to live in Paris. She can't possibly be that upset," Amber said.

"You underestimate how petty those two can get," Kevin said.

"Believe me, I know," Amber said, remembering all too well her interactions with Ana when she'd been making the unity candle. "I won't say either of them are innocent but they shouldn't drag Anastasia into it. I've gotten plenty of Mrs. Heidelberg bad mouthing Alphonse in front of their daughter."

"Well, they're apart now," Kevin said. "The further apart, the better."

They continued talking through dinner, but Embry noticed Heather wasn't saying a word. He'd glance in her direction and see her visibly upset but no one pushed the subject. When they finished, Kevin and Embry retreated to Kevin's office to make a first draft while Amber had Heather and Levi do the dishes. Anatoli helped Amber get the twins cleaned up and ready for bed.

"What's the matter with you" Levi asked Heather while he scrubbed a glass.

"Nothing," Heather answered shortly.

"Then why are you pouting?"

"I'm not pouting."

"You're sulking at least," Levi said.

"No I'm not," Heather said. "And dry that. You've been scrubbing that glass long enough to break it. You need to work on another dish and actually help me."

"Fine," Levi muttered sourly and laid the glass on a rack to dry then grabbed a plate. "Sorry for caring what's bothering you."

"Nothing's bothering me," Heather insisted.

After the twins were tended to, Anatoli said goodnight to everyone and left to go home. By then, the dishes were done and Levi went back outside wanting to play with a science kit his grandpa had gotten him while Heather went to her room. After they'd finished a first draft, Kevin walked Embry to the door.

"Heather's not happy," Embry said when Heather didn't come downstairs.

"It'll be okay, Embry. Amber and I will talk to her."

"I appreciate it. Keep me posted?"

"I will," Kevin said and Embry left.

The next day, Heather was still clearly not happy about Embry leaving. Amber sat down with Heather for a heart to heart on the matter but Heather wasn't receptive. Eventually Amber decided it was for the best to give Heather some space and let her come around on her own. Kevin tried to talk to talk to Heather, but she wasn't very receptive to Kevin either and Amber encouraged him to give Heather some space. She would need a whole lot of space as it would turn out. By the end of February, Embry, Kevin and Alphonse were able to sit down together – in person no less – to finalize the contract. The salary was finalized, it was agreed Embry would effectively move to New York for the duration to the project and Alphonse would want as much control is as possible but he would also put his trust in Embry to give as close a replica to Alphonse's childhood home as was within his power and means.

It was determined that construction would wait until the spring at least since there wouldn't be much accomplished with several feet of snow on the ground. It also allowed plenty of time for Embry to properly train Peta so he could run things while Embry was away.

"You really are being ridiculous about this," Evalynn said bluntly to Heather while the two of them were doing homework together. More appropriately, Evalynn was studying for a state test while Heather pouted over Embry leaving.

"No I'm not," Heather said. "You're just getting the brunt of my frustration."

"Thank God for that. If you were behaving this way with anyone else, I promise they wouldn't be sitting patiently listening," Evalynn said. "He'll come back once the project's done. You're acting like he's leaving forever." Heather was about to argue, but she stopped and sighed heavily. Then she started crying putting her face in her hands. When she started doing that, Evalynn dropped her book and pencil with a firm, "Oh for shit's sake," before going to her and hugging her. "It's okay, Heather. He'll come back and when he does, maybe he'll finally see you in the light you want him to."

"But what's wrong with me now?" Heather cried.

"You're underage; that's what's wrong with you," Evalynn said. "Besides, it's not like he's leaving because of you. He's leaving for a job opportunity and is coming back once it's done. I really do think you're overreacting about this."

"Easy for you to say," Heather whimpered.

"Heather," Evalynn said and grabbed a hold of Heather's face so she was looking right at her, "you need to relax. I'm serious. You're letting this stew and you're doing yourself no favors. Honestly, if you stomped into the shop and started yelling at Embry like you're threatening, what good will that do? It'll just make him angry with you; that's what it'll do. I can promise he won't find it the least bit romantic like you seem to think it would be."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Be patient," Evalynn answered. "If you're really so sure Embry imprinted on you, then you can wait a while; he'll come around when the time is right okay?" Evalynn finally released Heather's face so Heather could take a moment to cool down. Her mood was not improved but she was forced to at least try to think things out rationally.

"You really think he'll come around so long as I'm patient?"

"Yes," Evalynn said firmly; perhaps more so than was necessary. "Just breathe a little. Embry going on a business trip is not the end of the world. He's coming back after this project is done and you'll see him when he comes to visit for Christmas." A silence fell while Heather continued to sit there sulking. "Can you try to relax a little now?"

"Fine, I'll try to relax," Heather said.

"Good," Evalynn said and went back to her book she'd been studying.

"Honestly, you may want to rethink being a doctor. Your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired."

"It's my patience for overreacting to nothing that leaves a lot to be desired," Evalynn said. "Besides, I'm thinking about malpractice."

"Pardon?"

"I want to become a malpractice attorney," Evalynn said. "There's a lot of success to be had in an industry like that. Sure, it's a hard road especially for a woman, but that's what I want."

"Can't just outdo your dad; you have to outdo mine too?" Heather managed to joke with a little smile.

"Uncle Kevin said if I can manage it, I can consider myself good as hired at his law firm," Evalynn said with a big grin on her face. "His practice has most types of attorney's but not a malpractice attorney and for how much work goes into becoming one, you can bet I'll be in low quantity and therefore very high demand. Whether I'm a woman or not."

"Well, good for you to have life all figured out," Heather said.

"Nothing's figured out until I pull it off," Evalynn said. "Daddy said if I apply to Yale, he and Uncle Kevin will gladly put in a good word for me. Evidently having alumni in your family helps your case for acceptation."

"Given daddy's and Uncle Kyle's track record while at school, I'd say it's very likely," Heather said. "Do you think you'll be able to get high enough scores to graduate early?"

"Grandma's pretty certain," Evalynn said, "But I still need to study which as I recall is what you'd said you were coming over for."

"I lied; so sue me," Heather said and the two of them laughed a little.

After their talk, Heather started to feel just a little better, but she still had that sinking feeling and the closer it came to when Embry was officially going to leave, the worse she felt, but she wouldn't talk to Embry about it. It started to really concern him when she'd spent the better part of February and half of March not saying a peep to him. Regardless, Amber insisted the best thing to do was to leave her be, so that's what Embry did. Shortly thereafter it was time for Anatoli to take the trip to Vegas to visit Ivory and contribute with anything wedding related that he could. He insisted, again, on driving there and promised he'd call every time he stopped somewhere for the night and of course once he arrived in Vegas to let Amber know he was alright. It was a two day drive for him as before and it was the middle of the day when Anatoli made it to Vegas.

His first stop was to Ivory's and Tamara's house so he could get settled and call Amber to let her know he'd arrived. As luck would have it, he'd arrived near immediately after Ivory left for work and just missed her. He figured Alice had already arrived given she'd preferred to fly but he knew she was staying at a hotel. He wouldn't be surprised if she'd already gotten a head start on him and Ivory. Of course, Anatoli wasn't really interested in wedding planning just yet; he wanted to see Ivory first. Once he'd called home to let them know he'd arrived, he got back in his truck and drove to the casino.

Anatoli made his way to the Wild West Room to look for Ivory and when he arrived, Joe saw him first. Joe whistled to catch Anatoli's attention and once he had it, Joe waved for Anatoli to come over. Once Anatoli came over, Joe offered him a cigarette that Anatoli took, allowed Joe to light and then kept to the side in his hand.

"If you don't plan to smoke the damn thing, you can decline," Joe said.

"It is a habit; I am sorry," Anatoli said.

"Did you smoke back in Russia?"

"Lithuania," Anatoli groaned.

"Sorry, sorry, Lithuania. Did you smoke?"

"Sometimes," Anatoli said. "What I can get in Germany and France were not the same so I never bothered after that."

"Was it laced with gunpowder or something?"

"I do not know – I never asked," Anatoli said flippantly and Joe answered with a humored smirk.

"I hear you proposed," Joe said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you for saying," Anatoli said.

"Couldn't get her a diamond?" Joe joked.

"A Diamond is not unique," Anatoli said, mildly irritated, and Joe chuckled a little.

"So when's the wedding?"

"April 15th, 1967," Anatoli answered. "One of her aunts is going to help us decide on a venue while I am visiting."

"Try to do cake tastings too," Joe said. "If you want any say in what flavor your wedding cake is, get that done now."

"I will run it by Ivory," Anatoli said.

"I personally prefer chocolate by the way," Joe said.

"I will keep that in mind." Anatoli brought the cigarette to his lips and took a breath of it and a moment passed, "No, is not the same."

"I'll only smoke Marlboros," Joe said. "Well, you're sick of talking to me. Ivory's at table nine. She'll be very happy to see you."

"Thank you."

Anatoli put out the cigarette and walked over to the table Joe had pointed out to see Ivory. She smiled at him and waved him over but they didn't kiss since Ivory was on the clock. He ordered himself a whiskey on the rocks and stayed close to her like a regular player. When one game had finished, just for fun, Anatoli tried his hand at the game of roulette and placed a small bet. He lost, but he could at least say he'd tried it. When her dinner hour finally came, the two of them went to the bar together so she could eat and they could talk.

"You and I are going to be busy the next two days," Ivory said after she ordered. "Alice has us going to four venues for a tour and prices so we can compare."

"Were there any your prefer right now?"

"Not really," Ivory said. "Truthfully, I would really love to have our wedding and reception in a garden, but you know. Alice said she'd at least look into it and explore our options."

"We cannot do outdoors," Anatoli said remorsefully. "Not unless we have the wedding at night."

"Or sunset," Ivory smiled. "I wouldn't mind doing that, but then it'll be too cold. Especially if I get the type of dress I want."

"What kind of dress do you want?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ivory teased and winked at him. "You'll just have to wait and see when we get married. So how's my baby doing?"

"You mean Argo?"

"Of course I mean Argo," Ivory smiled.

"He is doing alright. He is already….35 lbs. if I remember correctly. That was at his last vet visit. He is doing very well in training; very smart, responds well to commands and will do anything for chicken."

"How big do you think he will get?"

"Leslie told me his father was about 90 lbs. so that is what I would estimate."

Ivory gave him a sad smile, "He's not my little baby anymore?"

"No, he still thinks he is just 10 lbs. He sits on my lap when I am on the couch like it is nothing."

Ivory giggled, "Okay, good. I miss him. If daddy wasn't being such a grouch about it, I'd give my two weeks tomorrow and move to Washington."

"The least I can do is make an honest woman of you before we move in together," Anatoli smiled and leaned over to finally give her a kiss. "Since I am thinking about it, Joe told me we need to do cake tasting while I am here."

"That'll be next Monday," Ivory said. "We do need to go camping while you're here. I don't want to only do wedding planning."

"Same," Anatoli said.

Her food eventually arrived and they sat at the bar together to catch up and talk about Argo and any other wedding related matters that they thought of. Anatoli stayed at the Casino with her for the remainder of her shift and they drove home together in the middle of the night. When they arrived back at the house, though, Ivory got out of her car and let herself into Anatoli's truck and asked if they could drive off to the desert for some privacy and Anatoli was happy to comply. The two of them were in the desert for hours lying in the bed of his truck with the windows down, radio playing enjoying each other's company until Ivory was beginning to fall asleep. He carried her back to her room and got her under the covers before making himself comfortable on the couch. Then he woke to someone patting his chest and he opened his eyes to see Alice standing above him by the couch.

"Rise and shine, Anatoli."

"What time is it?"

"8," Alice smiled. "We're seeing venues today."

"Now?"

"Not this instant, but our first appointment's at 10," Alice said then left the couch about to try to get Ivory out of bed but she was finally leaving her room still wearing her uniform but it was disheveled. "I've got some coffee going so it'll be ready when you are." Ivory's only answer was a groan while she walked to her bathroom. Alice smiled and turned her attention back to Anatoli. "Use Tamara's bathroom while you're getting ready."

"Okay," Anatoli muttered while he rubbed his face and sat up from the couch.

Anatoli was ready about fifteen minutes later having finished a shower and gotten into a fresh pair of clothes. He had his coffee while they waited for Ivory to get through her shower and finish getting ready. Anatoli waited until the shower was off before making Ivory her coffee with honey just as she liked it and brought it to her just as she left the bathroom with a towel around her body and her hair. She was still groggy but she smiled and accepted the cup of coffee then placed a kiss to his lips. When Ivory was finally ready, Alice got herself adequately covered from the sun and they got into Anatoli's car making a run for the first venue, barely making it in time for the appointment. It was a hotel and casino that had an enormous banquet hall. The events coordinator that was giving them the tour expressed all the highlights of the venue, the number of guest rooms, any discounts that could be available depending on guest count and so on.

The coordinator also took them upstairs to see the rooms the guests would be staying in as well as the bridal suit Ivory could expect to get ready in and, finally, a honeymoon suit meant specifically for the bride and groom for their wedding night. Acting as their wedding planner, Alice asked most of the questions where it pertained to the decorations, vendors they could turn to, and recommendations for said vendors and so on. While they were searching the venue, Anatoli kept looking at Ivory and could tell she wasn't in love with the venue. It had plenty of perks and she was clearly very interested in the honeymoon suit, but everything else was clearly not grabbing her. After they finished the tour, they thanked the coordinator for his time and promised if they chose this location that he'd have an answer by the end of the week.

"I really liked the honeymoon suit," Ivory said once they'd left, "but otherwise I don't really like it."

"That's alright. We're seeing another venue in an hour and we have one more at five, then we're seeing three more tomorrow. There will be plenty to compare," Alice reassured.

"Did you like it?" Ivory asked Anatoli.

"It was too fancy I think," Anatoli said.

"Well Anatoli, all the hotels are going to be fancy," Alice said. "And with gold being the primary color, it'll only make the wedding that much fancier."

"Should we change the color scheme?" Ivory asked Alice but was looking at Anatoli.

"I like gold and white for the colors," Anatoli said to reassure Ivory. "We will find a place that works for us."

"It's just the first place, Ivory. Don't get discouraged," Alice smiled and they got back into Anatoli's truck to go to the next venue.

The next two venues they saw that day were much the same as the first: they were stunning with large banquet halls, but they weren't what Ivory had in mind. However, with the third venue they went to, the event coordinator while talking with Alice was making a point to keep an eye on Ivory and noticed right away during the tour that it wasn't grabbing her attention.

"Miss Black?" the coordinator said. "You don't seem thrilled with the banquet hall."

"oh, no, it's not that – it's gorgeous," Ivory said.

"But it's not what you're envisioning for your wedding," the coordinator said and Ivory could only offer a guilty smile. "Miss Cullen, you're lovely, but I think we've been speaking far too much. Miss Black, if you had no limitations in the world, what would be your dream wedding?"

"Truthfully?" Ivory said and the coordinator nodded with a smile. "If I had my way, the wedding would be outside in a garden with cactus and lots of flowers and the reception would be outside too."

"We have family that we need to take into consideration that we can't have outside especially for such a long time," Alice said. The coordinator looked at Alice and then looked at Ivory.

"I think I have a compromise that might interest you," the coordinator said and asked them to follow him away from the banquet hall and through the hotel to an outdoor space where the pool was. Alice made sure she was covered properly and they followed the coordinator to an area of the outdoor patio that looked out onto open desert. "What we can do is we can arrange for a cover for your guests so they're out of the sun while the bride and groom are facing the desert. Then," the coordinator walked to a pair of glass double doors and let them into a large, windowed area with tables set up, "after the ceremony, we can have dinner here. Then view of the desert is ever present and the guests can be kept out of the sun."

The coordinator kept his attention on Ivory and smiled when he saw her eyes light up. Anatoli and Alice were paying attention to Ivory's reaction as well. Anatoli could tell Ivory loved the space. It was the first time when looking at a venue that she had a sparkle in her eye. She could visualize having an afternoon ceremony just outside this open room and then an evening reception with a gorgeous view of the desert. It gave her the outdoor feel that she wanted while keeping everyone inside. The perfect compromise.

"That's the smile I like to see on a bride," the coordinator said. "The room will offer you all the freedom in the world to decorate it just as you like and it's large enough to accommodate 200 people. It's definitely one of our smaller rooms but based on your estimated party size, I think this room would be perfect for your reception."

"You said you can provide a tent to keep the guest out of the sun for the ceremony?" Alice asked.

"Absolutely," the coordinator said. "We can cover the majority of this back patio area and it'll be cut off from other guests that are using the pool so they aren't disrupting your ceremony. Then we can leave the door open so your guests can come outside to enjoy some fresh air. And of course, if your guests get tired, they can retire to their rooms upstairs."

"I love it," Ivory said with a big smile. "Anatoli, I think this would be perfect."

"As good as being right in the desert," Anatoli smiled back at her.

"That's what I like to hear," the coordinator said. "We can have the head table right here at the window and we can sit ten to a table. How many are in your wedding party?"

"No more than six," Ivory said. "Anatoli's still trying to decide on his groomsmen."

"Excellent; so you can have a small table right here for six overlooking all your guests and the dance floor. And if you wish, there's a section of the room that can be used for a buffet style; or we can give guests plated options."

Ivory was sold on this venue the moment she saw the outdoor space they had available. Alice took back over where it related to cost, trying to work out a good price for the space. When they had the chance to, the coordinator brought them back into the hotel to see the rooms and also to see the bridal suit and finally the honeymoon suit. Alice confirmed following the tour that if they decided on this venue they would hear from them before the end of the week with their deposit to secure the space, but Ivory's mind was already made up. She was in love and didn't want to see any other places. All the same, since they had the appointments the following day already set, they went to the remaining venues, but none of them had the same affect on Ivory. By the end of the day, her mind was still made up and Anatoli was in agreement. Since they'd made their decision, Ivory wrote the check for the deposit for Anatoli to take in the following day. Wanting to see the venue, Tamara asked Anatoli to wait until she returned from school before going to the venue. Tamara agreed it was perfect and made sure to call Nathan that evening to let him know the venue was picked and described it to him eagerly.

"I can't wait for you to see it," Ivory gushed to Drake during her lunch break after she'd described the venue in detail.

"So I'm invited?" Drake asked with a chuckle.

"Of course you're invited!"

"Am I allowed to bring a date?"

"I'll get back to you on that one," Ivory said. "Honestly, Anatoli and I still need to sit down and determine the number of family before we can focus on friends."

"Fair enough," Drake said. "So what's next on the agenda for wedding stuff since Anatoli's here?"

"We're doing cake testing next week."

"Any specific flavor in mind?"

"Vanilla," Ivory said, "and white icing. It's the closest to a white and gold cake I'll get."

"Well that's…..boring," Drake said.

"That just means the baker will need to find a way to make it interesting," Ivory smiled. "Maybe some fruity flavoring or something."

"I'll just hope Anatoli can convince you to do something more interesting," Drake said.

"It's not like the cake's all that'll be there for you to eat," Ivory giggled. "There will be other food."

"The cake is the highlight of the evening, Ivory. You should know this."

"Fine, I'll see what else the baker can offer," Ivory said. "Joe was right: no matter what I decide, everyone's going to have an opinion about it."

"Well yeah; it's a wedding," Drake said. "Everyone's always going to compare it to their wedding or what they would want to do. All that stuff."

"Well, when it's their wedding, they can do whatever they want," Ivory pouted. "Until then, I'll do it my way."

"That's the spirit," Drake chuckled.

After the end of her shift, Ivory went to the locker room where she kept her things and was about to leave for the night. She was walking to her car when she heard someone, specifically Ben, call her name and she stopped to look at him as he approached her.

"I didn't get a chance to say hi to you today," Ben said as he approached.

"It was a busy evening," Ivory said. "I'm surprised; we don't usually get this much of a swarm until summer."

"You should have seen the Arabian Night room," Ben said pleasantly. "I think I had to throw out at least three people for groping the waitresses."

"Sounds like a typical Wednesday," Ivory said and the two of them kept walking to their cars.

"So…how are things? With planning and what not?"

"Great," Ivory smiled, "We just found the perfect venue. It has this gorgeous view of the desert but it's indoors so our guests will be more comfortable. Next week we're doing the cake tasting."

"That's nice," Ben said. "So how's Anatoli handling the new work of an expensive wedding? Or are expensive weddings normal in Russia too?"

"Lithuania," Ivory corrected, "and he's a little baffled by it, but not surprised. I took care of the down payment."

"Wait, he's making you pay for this?" Ben asked, offended by the notion.

"He's not making me; I wanted to. He already paid for the house and he didn't tell me about it so I didn't get to send him something for the down payment."

"Well, yeah, that's his responsibility," Ben said.

"If he's the only one working, sure, but we're both working adults. I would like to take care of at least some facets of the wedding. Besides, he's already pushing to pay for the rest of the bill for the venue."

"At least he's doing that," Ben muttered. "So he's moving to Las Vegas?"

"No, I'm moving to Washington," Ivory said. She didn't pay attention to Ben so she did not see his brief moment of horror before regaining his composure.

"That'll be quite the shock," Ben said but Ivory shrugged.

"I've been there every Christmas since it was a child, so I'm used to it and it's not so bad in the summer. Just a little wet."

"Isn't Washington the wettest state in the continental US?"

"Oh yeah," Ivory smiled. "I may bring a cactus with me so I have a bit of home. Oh, and Anatoli and I have a dog now! A Pit Bull."

"That's quite a dog," Ben said.

"His name's Argo," Ivory said.

"Interesting name. My parents have a Chihuahua. Or more appropriately, my mom has a Chihuahua. That dog only loves my mom; the rest of us simply exist."

"Sounds like a tiny dog. So you don't have a dog?"

"Nah; it's too much energy for me. I don't have pets."

"To each their own," was all Ivory said before they finally made it to her car. "Have a good rest of your morning, alright Ben?"

"You too," Ben said and walked away.

Ivory drove herself home and Anatoli was asleep on the couch when she got into the house. She smiled, went to her bedroom to get into her pajamas and then came back out to the living room so she could sleep on the couch with him. She laid down on him and Anatoli unconsciously held her in his arms in his sleep. Tamara left them alone when she left for work and Anatoli didn't wake up until ten smiling at Ivory when he saw her on his chest.

"Ivory," Anatoli said and she grumbled, "Do you want coffee?"

"Not now," she said, "I'd rather sleep."

"Okay," he said and hugged her. He stayed on the couch with her for another two hours letting her sleep. Once Ivory was ready to get ready for the day, Anatoli got some coffee ready while Ivory showered. Since it was just them, she came out in just a towel to have her coffee. "How was work?"

"Same as always," Ivory said. "I told a few people we've picked our venue, so that was fun. You already gave them the deposit right?"

"Did it yesterday," Anatoli said as he finished making Ivory's coffee and then handed it to her. "Let me pay you back for that."

"Anatoli, it's our wedding, so I can help pay for it," Ivory said with a smile. "I didn't tell…well, okay, that's not true; I told one person. But I didn't tell most people I paid for the deposit. The way people would react, you'd think the end of the world was coming."

"So will Joe have a few words with me next I come to the casino?" Anatoli asked jokingly, assuming Joe was the person she'd told.

"Dear God, no. If Joe knew, he'd rip you a new asshole. He's a very old fashioned man."

"I gather. So who knows?"

Suddenly, Ivory was wishing she'd just gone along with Anatoli's assumption, but then decided to come clean. "Well….while I was walking to my car, Ben came up to me and we talked a little."

"Ben?" Anatoli asked. "Ben – the man that tried to tell me you were cheating on me – Ben?"

"I've made my feelings clear and he finally gets it. We're just friends."

"Bullshit," Anatoli muttered.

"Pardon?"

"I am sure he said he agreed to be friends, but trust me: he has not. He is trying to weasel his way into your good graces I would bet."

"Well, even if he is, it won't work. You know that."

"I do," Anatoli said, "but he is another matter. Hell, he probably tried to spin this whole deposit thing as me being a bad fiancé."

"I explained to him it was my decision," Ivory said. "I'm sorry, Anatoli. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, no, is fine," Anatoli groaned a little. "Just….do not trust him. That is all I am saying."

"Alright," Ivory said, but she could tell Anatoli was still irritable about it, so she went around the counter and hugged him. "I love you, Anatoli."

"I love you too," Anatoli said. "I do not mean to be an asshole, but I do not want him trying anything."

"I know," Ivory said and looked up at him. "You mark my words, if he does, you'll be the first to know."

"Thank you," Anatoli said, finally relaxing, and leaned down to give Ivory a kiss.

"You know," Ivory said when their lips parted, "we do have the house all to ourselves and I don't have to leave for work for another two hours. And mom's not home until three." Ivory took a step back and pulled herself up and backwards onto the counter so she was sitting atop it and brought her hands to the knot of her towel prepared to drop it. "I really could use a pick-me-up before I go to work and I think you'd like one too."

"Right here?" Anatoli asked but was already approaching her with a mischievous smile.

"No one's here to stop us," Ivory said and undid her towel. She started giggling when Anatoli came right to her and went straight for her neck.

By the time she'd left for work, she had a spring in her step and Anatoli told her to have a good day with a silly smile on his face. Although once Anatoli was alone, his thoughts kept turning to Ivory and the knowledge that Ben was evidently talking to her under the guise that they were just friends. Anatoli didn't believe that for a minute. He tried to reason that he was being ridiculous, but the sentiment never lasted. Despite his best efforts, once Tamara returned home Anatoli left to go to the casino. When he came in, he noticed Ben coming out of the Arabian Night room. Ben noticed Anatoli too and immediately Anatoli noticed Ben giving him a dirty look. He was tempted to flip him off, but Anatoli refrained and went to the Wild West Room. Anatoli looked around until he found Joe and approached the man just in time for him to notice Anatoli was there.

"Afternoon, Anatoli. Ivory's at Craps Table five today," Joe said.

"I appreciate it," Anatoli said and glanced in her direction. She was engrossed in a game and smiling sweetly to the patrons ensuring they were enjoying losing their money. "Do you suppose you and I could speak privately?"

"Something wrong?"

"Yes," Anatoli said. "It is about…well, I would rather talk outside if that is alright."

"Hold on," Joe said, searched the room and then yelled, "Jeff!" A young man approached Joe after hearing his name. "I need to take five minutes. Watch the floor until I get back."

"Yes, sir," Jeff answered and took over while Joe led Anatoli with him outside. Once they were outside, Joe pulled out his cigarettes and lit one for himself.

"You want one?"

"I might need one right now," Anatoli muttered and Joe let Anatoli take a cigarette and gave him the lighter.

"So what's the problem?"

After a brief silence, Anatoli said, "Ivory told me yesterday that Ben is apparently talking to her. She said she made clear they are only friends, but I do not believe Ben feels that way."

"Christ almighty," Joe sighed heavily.

"Look, if I am wrong then tell me and I will stop acting this way, but all things considered, I do not trust him. I do not want Ivory thinking I do not trust her; that is not it at all. Ben is the one on my shit list."

"No…no, you're right," Joe said. "He was none too happy when he found out you and Ivory got engaged. He came up to me saying that can't be it and you two haven't known each other long and so on. I told him he needs to get over it and move on."

"I do not think he listened," Anatoli said irritably. "I swear I am just short of punching him."

"Don't try being a tough guy, Anatoli. Last thing you need is him crying assault and you getting the shit end of the stick because of your accent. You can say you're not Russian all you want, but your accent doesn't help."

"So what do I do? I do not mind telling you I am sick of hearing you say, "I'll take care of it'. The stupid shit does not get it."

"Ben's been on his best behavior, so there really isn't much I can do."

"So what? I just sit back and wait for him to pull something stupid?"

"You have my word I've got Ben on a very tight leash and he's already been warned next I hear about him harassing Ivory, he's fired."

"Well, he is harassing her now."

"No, he's engaging in typical friendly conduct with a Coworker. And Ivory's doing what she can not to rock the boat. She's not in the best position either I'm afraid."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"That night that Ben told you that he and Ivory were a couple and she had to come after you? Ben had reported that and it was implied Ivory had engaged in prostitution. Remember?"

"Mother fucker," Anatoli hissed.

"Calm down, calm down," Joe said. "I already made clear to HR that isn't what happened. My point, though, is Ivory needs to stay out of trouble just as much as Ben does."

"Do not tell me to calm down! That son of a bitch could have gotten Ivory fired!"

"I'm telling you to calm down!" Joe yelled right back, took a very long drag of his cigarette to calm himself down and said, "Anatoli, I know you don't think it, but I am doing all that's within my power to keep this situation under control."

"I should kick his ass for that," Anatoli growled and breathed in the smoke, but it wasn't helping him.

"I appreciate you wanting to stand up for her. It's a good quality in a husband, but I need you to let me take care of this. Trust me; if Ben does anything out of line, that's it for him and it'll be done in a professional environment instead of you pummeling him in the street and just getting yourself in trouble."

"Fine," Anatoli growled again but still said, "This is bullshit."

"I agree; it is. Life is bullshit sometimes. All you can do is endure the stink until it passes."

"And if it does not?"

"You learn to love the smell of bullshit," Joe said and took another drag of his cigarette. "Just remember Ivory loves you. Believe me: the girl's head over heels for you. That's not about to change no matter what Ben does."

"That is not what concerns me," Anatoli said. "What concerns me is him continuing to harass her or worse hurting her."

"I know," Joe said. "Is there a reason she hasn't gone ahead and moved to Washington?"

"She wants to move in with me and Nathan does not want us living together until we are married," Anatoli said.

"Why can't she just live with her dad?"

"She is stubborn," Anatoli said and Joe finally chuckled.

"Fuck me, don't I know it," Joe said. "I hope you're ready for that."

"Stubborn or no, I still love her," Anatoli said.

"Good answer." Joe finished his cigarette and dropped it on the ground to put it out with his shoe and Anatoli did the same. "Just try to stay as calm as you can and if anything happens, let me know and I'll take care of it through the appropriate avenues. Ivory knows to report directly to HR in the event of a problem as well. I promise you Ben is on a very thin string. One complaint from Ivory and that's it. I've made sure of that."

"Thank you, Joe. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem," Joe answered. "Let' get back inside." Once inside, Anatoli went to Ivory's table and the rest of the evening went on as it usually did. Once they were back, Ivory took Anatoli with her to her room and began to undress and get comfortable while Anatoli was sitting on the edge of her bed.

"So what did you and Joe talk about?" Ivory asked. "Is everything okay?"

"I just wanted to talk to him about….well….you know it is not you I do not trust, right? It is Ben?"

"Ah," Ivory said and pulled a t-shirt over her head. "What did Joe say?"

"He said that Ben is apparently behaving himself and knows better than to do otherwise. I am not so sure," Anatoli said. "Then he reminded me about the thin ice Ben put you in. Little bastard."

"You and I have done what we've been instructed, so there haven't been any other issues," Ivory reassured. "Just one more year and I'll be moving to Washington so we can finally let this whole thing go."

"I look forward to it," Anatoli said. "I just do not want this whole thing making it hard for you to find work once we are moved in together."

"Joe and Drake are my references, so I'm sure I'll be fine," Ivory smiled and, having finished undressing for bed, went to Anatoli to sit on his lap. "Let's just enjoy our spring together, and then we'll have Christmas and after that? We'll be married and I can finally move in with you without daddy being a big sourpuss about it."

Anatoli smiled and hugged her. "Alright."

The rest of the week went as normally. Sometimes Anatoli would come to the casino to see Ivory and on the days he didn't, he was generally catching up on sleep. Ben would still come talk to Ivory on her way to her car on those nights Anatoli didn't come, but they remained innocent so Ivory wrote them off, but she made a point to talk about the wedding as little as possible. Come Monday and Tuesday, they had a consultation with a few bakeries to determine a cake flavor for their wedding cake. Ever reliant for her foresight, Alice requested several flavors for testing that would fit Ivory's gold and white motif. Vanilla cake and icing was on the table at each bakery as was a lemon option, but the bakery that caught their attention was a place that offered a passion fruit or mango filling. Sure, it wasn't quite yellow or 'gold', but were two interesting flavors and the baker was happy to show off the options they had for decorating the cake including an edible gold paint that they usually put over dark chocolate drizzles.

"Have you ever had passion fruit?" Ivory asked Anatoli once the baker had finished his description.

"No, I cannot say I have."

"It's the best sour candy nature ever made," Ivory smiled. "Whenever we'd go to Brazil, I always made sure I got some passion fruit. It's the best."

"You're Brazilian?" the baker asked.

"No, no, I'm Paiute and Quileute. My daddy's wife is from Brazil, so we would just visit really often. Are you Brazilian?"

"Argentinean," the baker smiled. "My personal favorite is the Tres Leches cake that we offer, but I suspect the Passion Fruit will be a little more to your liking."

"That is this one?" Anatoli asked, pointing at one of the slices.

"Yes, that's the tres leches," the baker nodded then Ivory and Anatoli both tried a bite.

"It's delicious, but I agree the passion fruit is my favorite," Ivory said.

"The sour is nice," Anatoli said. "If for some reason we cannot do the passion fruit, though, this would be my second choice."

"Same," Ivory agreed. "Honestly, my pick is for the vanilla with passion fruit filling," Ivory said to Alice.

"In that case, we can put that deposit down right now," Alice said.

"Absolutely, Mrs. Cullen," the baker smiled. This time, Anatoli insisting on paying for that deposit and Ivory would be for the last of the bill once it was due.

Before Alice was set to leave for Washington, she made sure to get Ivory's measurements and reassured the dress would be ready for her to try on come Christmas as would the bridesmaids' dresses. She affirmed to the two of them that they needed to sit down and determine the number of guests they were going to have, though they had at least until two weeks before the wedding to make any changes. Then, for the rest of Anatoli's time in Las Vegas, the two of them relaxed and enjoyed themselves just as they'd done before until it was time for Anatoli to return to Washington as well. For their last two days together, Anatoli and Ivory went camping in the desert together hunting rattle snakes to deep fry and laid down together staring up at the moon and stars.

"Call me when you get home?" Ivory said to Anatoli after he'd dropped her off home.

"First thing," Anatoli agreed and pressed a firm kiss to her lips that she reciprocated. They kissed outside her house for several minutes before reluctantly pulling away from one another. "I miss you already."

"I miss you too," Ivory whimpered a little. "I can't wait for Christmas."

"Me either," Anatoli said and kissed her again. "Then after April, we will be married and can see each other every day."

"Sounds like a dream come true," Ivory answered. They kissed one more time and then Ivory said, "I love you."

"I love you too," Anatoli replied. The two of them kissed one more time before Anatoli finally gathered his things and got into his truck to make the trip back.

That same day, Gabriel was at the Cullen house enjoying his day off. He'd not figured he'd be getting a haircut that day, but Emma Leigh had determined he needed a trim but was forced to put it off until she was done with her schooling for the day. He'd initially found doing this rather irritating, but his hair had gotten much, much thicker since he'd started getting regular trims, so he learned to like it. Emma Leigh was still not allowed to do it as she often insisted that she wanted to but Rosalie and Emmett had gotten her plenty of hair manikins for her to start practicing on with Alice's guidance. Once she'd finished, he left his hair damp so it could air dry the way he always did it seeing as it allowed for his natural wave to do its thing which he greatly preferred. While he was running his fingers through his short hair to help it dry faster and simultaneously style it, there was a disruption to the quiet.

"Emmett," Edward said, suddenly at full attention, "get Evalina as soon as possible."

"What's wrong?"

"We have visitors," Edward answered shortly and ran up to Carlisle's office where there was a store of human blood. Emmett finally did as Edward said and went to retrieve Evalina. Once Edward returned downstairs with the donated blood and gently warmed it, Alice got Jasper out of the house and Emma Leigh ran to Edward's side.

"Uncle Edward! Uncle Edward! I want some!" she said.

"Sorry, Emma Leigh; we need this," Edward said and got the warmed blood into a cup.

"Edward, what's going on?" Carlisle asked.

"We have a vampire driving to our house like a mad man and Dimitri and Heidi are with them. His wife is pregnant. Their thoughts are in Russian, so I can't really get much more information than the obvious. That's why I told Emmett to get Evalina." Edward was already approaching the door when the vampire in question was heard outside bringing the car to a screeching halt and running to the door. Edward opened the door just in time to stop the man from banging on it.

"Пожалуйста. Моя жена," (Pozhaluysta. Moya zhena/ Please. My wife) the man pleaded, not even concerning himself with the smell of the blood. Edward only could tell the man was distressed, so his answer was to nod and go outside where the wife was in the passenger's seat looking visibly ill. Dimitri and Heidi hopped down from the top of the car but stayed back to let Edward do what he needed to do.

"Drink this," Edward said to the woman.

"Он просит тебя выпить," (On prosit tebya vypit' / He is asking you to drink) Dimitri translated for her. She saw the cup and even smelled the blood but accepted it and began to drink. She guzzled it down as though it were water and, to Edwards and now Carlisle's relief, she already had some color back, but they weren't out of the woods yet. She looked as though she were six months pregnant and they knew they had a very, very limited amount of time left to get her back to peak health if she had any hope of surviving this as a human.

"I'm here," Evalina said as she came outside to the front. "Grandpa? Grandma? What's wrong?"

"We have a human pregnant with a half breed and they only speak Russian," Edward answered. "Carlisle needs a medical professional at his side that is able to speak Russian." From there, Evalina took over.

"Как тебя зовут?" (Kak tebya zovut? / What is your name?) Evalina asked the woman.

"Illyana Aleyevna," she managed to answer.

"и вы сэр?" (I vy ser? / And you sir?) she asked the man.

"Boris Aleyev," he answered frantically. "Достаточно любезностей. Ты можешь ей помочь?" (Dostatochno lyubeznostey. Ty mozhesh' yey pomoch'? / Enough pleasantries. Can you help her?)

"Я сказал вам: если кто-то может помочь вашей жене, это Каллены," (YA skazal vam: yesli kto-to mozhet pomoch' vashey zhene, eto Kalleny / I told you: if there's anyone that can help your wife, it's the Cullens) Dimitri defended.

"Все будет хорошо, господин Алеев. Мы позаботимся о вашей жене," (Vse budet khorosho, gospodin Aleyev. My pozabotimsya o vashey zhene. / Everything will be alright Mr. Aleyev. We will take good care of your wife.) That reassurance seemed to give Boris the slightest air of comfort, but he remained visibly distraught. Edward took Illyana in his arms to get her inside to Carlisle's office and Esme, realizing there were two young boys – one of whom couldn't be older than three and was being held protectively by the elder boy – helped the boys out of the car. Evalina asked for their names to which they answered Sergei and Anatoli.

"Пожалуйста," (Pozhaluysta / Please) Boris said in a shaking voice, "Пожалуйста, помогите ей. Я не могу снова ее потерять. Я не могу выдержать это." (Pozhaluysta, pomogite yey. Ya ne mogu snova yeye poteryat'. Ya ne mogu vyderzhat' eto / Please help her. I can't lose her again. I can't bare it).

"Мы позаботимся о ней. Я обещаю," (My pozabotimsya o ney. Ya obeshchayu / We will take good care of her. I promise) Evalina swore. "Grandpa, grandma, I'll be upstairs with Carlisle for now."

"Go on, Evalina. We have visit when things settle down," Dimitri reassured and Evalina ran into the house after Edward and Carlisle to attend to Illyana. Esme remained with the boys who still looked extremely ill at ease and she was desperate to help them call down.

"You two must be ravenous. Would you like me to make you something?" Esme asked the boys. The eldest, Sergei, realized she was talking to him but did not know what she said, so he looked right at Dimitri.

"Она спрашивает, голодны ли вы," (Ona sprashivayet, golodny li vy / She's asking if you're hungry) Dimitri translated.

"да," (Da / Yes) Sergei and Anatoli both said, looking up at Esme.

"Then come on inside and I'll make you two something hardy," Esme said to them with a gentle smile. Dimitri translated for them and then the boys followed her inside. Wanting to give them something to tide them over until their dinner was done so Esme made the boys some sandwiches.

"Почему хлеб белый?"(Pochemu khleb belyy? / Why is the bread white?) Anatoli wined a little.

"Не жалуйся," (Ne zhaluysya / Don't complain) Sergei said firmly to his little brother. He took a bite of his own sandwich and chewed a little before saying with his mouth full, "Это вкусно, Анатолий. Тебе понравится." (Eto vkusno, Anatoliy. Tebe ponravitsya / It tastes good, Anatoli. You will like it).

"Don't talk with your mouth full dear," Esme said gently to Sergei and Dimitri translated for her. Since his brother was eating it, Anatoli started nibbling on his sandwich and began to eagerly munch down on his food.

"Увидеть? Я сказал вам, что это было хорошо," (Uvidet'? YA skazal vam, chto eto bylo khorosho / See? I told you it was good) Sergei said to Anatoli. While the boys enjoyed their sandwich, Esme got to work on making them something more hardy so they would have food throughout the day. Back upstairs, Edward got Illyana on Carlisle's medical table and proceeded to check her vitals and her progress in pregnancy.

"Ask him when they realized she was pregnant," Carlisle said to Evalina who then translated the question to Illyana.

"Я начал чувствовать себя больным около полутора недель назад," (YA nachal chuvstvovat' sebya bol'nym okolo polutora nedel' nazad / I began to feel sick about one and a half weeks ago) Illyana answered. "Я поняла, что беременна, но скорость, с которой она развивалась, вызывала у нас обоих беспокойство. Когда мне становилось все хуже и ребенок рос слишком быстро, мы поняли, что нам нужна помощь." (YA ponyala, chto beremenna, no skorost', s kotoroy ona razvivalas', vyzyvala u nas oboikh bespokoystvo. Kogda mne stanovilos' vse khuzhe i rebenok ros slishkom bystro, my ponyali, chto nam nuzhna pomoshch' / I realized I was pregnant, but the speed it was progressing caused us both concern. When I kept getting worse and the baby was growing too fast, we realized we needed help).

"She said she began having symptoms a week and a half ago. She thought it was typical pregnancy symptoms but her condition quickly escalated and she's only gotten sicker and sicker."

"Edward, give her more blood," Carlisle instructed. Edward got the blood prepared and brought it up to Illyana. She accepted it and drank it down, feeling much better once again. "The baby already has a lot more energy," Carlisle said to Illyana and Evalina translated. Illyana smiled and rubbed her swollen belly getting a kick that made her wince.

"Ребенок тоже сильный," (Rebenok tozhe sil'nyy / The baby is strong too) Illyana said.

"Нам нужно будет очень внимательно следить за вами. Борис?" (Nam nuzhno budet ochen' vnimatel'no sledit' za vami. Boris? / We will need to monitor you very closely. Boris?) Evalina said and got Boris's attention. "Мы можем гарантировать, что с ребенком все будет в порядке, но Иллиана вполне может не пережить роды Вы должны быть готовы изменить ее, чтобы она могла выжить." (My mozhem garantirovat', chto s rebenkom vse budet v poryadke, no Illiana vpolne mozhet ne perezhit' rody Vy dolzhny byt' gotovy izmenit' yeye, chtoby ona mogla vyzhit' / We can guarantee the baby will be alright, but Illyana could very likely not survive the birth. You need to be prepared to change her so she can survive). The blunt reality crushed Illyana's moment of bliss over the baby and she looked at Boris who was of a similar mood. He was even shaking and began to pace.

"Boris?" Illyana said.

"Мне нужно ... ты ничего не можешь сделать?" (Mne nuzhno ... ty nichego ne mozhesh' sdelat'? / I need...there is nothing you can do?) Boris asked Evalina.

"Люди не способны справиться с такой беременностью. Вероятность того, что она выживет как человек, низка. Нам нужно, чтобы вы были готовы к худшему сценарию," (Lyudi ne sposobny spravit'sya s takoy beremennost'yu. Veroyatnost' togo, chto ona vyzhivet kak chelovek, nizka. Nam nuzhno, chtoby vy byli gotovy k khudshemu stsenariyu / Humans are not equipped to handle this kind of pregnancy. The likelihood of her surviving this as a human is low. We need you to be prepared for the worst case scenario) Evalina said. Boris looked at Illyana at a loss of what to do. He approached her and took a stool beside him so he could sit at her bedside. He looked at Illyana trying to think of what to say or do.

"Я так виноват," (YA tak vinovat / I'm so sorry) Boris finally said. "Это моя вина." (Eto moya vina / This is all my fault).

"Не говори так, Борис. Это не твоя вина, я все еще жажду прикосновения моего мужа," (Ne govori tak, Boris. Eto ne tvoya vina, ya vse yeshche zhazhdu prikosnoveniya moyego muzha / Don't say that, Boris. It is not your fault I still long for my husband's touch) Illyana said with a gentle and loving smile.

"Я должен был понять, что это может произойти," (YA dolzhen byl ponyat', chto eto mozhet proizoyti / I should have realized this could happen) Boris said.

"Я рад за ребенка, Борис. Пожалуйста, верьте этому," (YA rad za rebenka, Boris. Pozhaluysta, ver'te etomu / I'm happy about the baby, Boris. Please believe that) Illyana said as she took his hand in hers. Boris brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. "Я буду счастлив, если вы меняете меня. Анатолия отнимают от груди, и этот ребенок выживет на крови, как сказал Дмитрий. Если изменение меня - единственный способ выжить, тогда я приму эту судьбу. Особенно, если это означает, что мы можем остаться семьей," (YA budu schastliv, yesli vy menyayete menya. Anatoliya otnimayut ot grudi, i etot rebenok vyzhivet na krovi, kak skazal Dmitriy. Yesli izmeneniye menya - yedinstvennyy sposob vyzhit', togda ya primu etu sud'bu. Osobenno, yesli eto oznachayet, chto my mozhem ostat'sya sem'yey / I will be happy if you change me. Anatoli is weaned and this baby will survive on blood just as Dimitri said. If changing me is the only way I will survive, then I will accept that fate. Especially if it means we can stay a family).

"Это будет означать сильную боль. Боль хуже, чем я мог себе представить," (Eto budet oznachat' sil'nuyu bol'. Bol' khuzhe, chem ya mog sebe predstavit' / It will mean great pain. A pain worse than I could ever imagine) Boris warned in a trembling voice.

"Физическая боль временная. Результат того стоит," (Fizicheskaya bol' vremennaya. Rezul'tat togo stoit / Physical pain is temporary. The outcome will be well worth it) Illyana said as she placed her free hand on Boris's cheek. He leaned into her touch appearing thoughtful. Then he stared into Illyana's loving eyes.

"Я сделаю все, что мне нужно," (YA sdelayu vse, chto mne nuzhno / I will do whatever I need to) Boris finally said to Evalina who gave him a reassuring smile.

"Мы увидим вашу жену и ребенка через это. У тебя есть слово," (My uvidim vashu zhenu i rebenka cherez eto. U tebya yest' slovo / We will see your wife and baby through this. You have our word) Evalina said.

"Ты бы лучше," (Ty by luchshe / You had better) Boris said, but his demand remained weak as this fears for his wife remained a looming cloud in his mind.