26

Conversations

Paul

When Jacob, Quil and Embry decide to go to the Cullens' party, I tag along. It was on the off chance that Kelsey would be there, which Jacob told me she would. Apparently, he'd texted Bella to confirm.

So that's how I find myself standing in the Cullens' giant living room, surrounded by tons of drunk (or high) teenagers. I search for Kelsey, but I can't see, smell or hear her through the crowd. I may have enhanced senses, but even I can't filter through all the leech smell and the others here.

She appears through the crowd, her eyes flicking between the four of us, confusion evident. She stops in front of me, stretching up to kiss my cheek.

"Hey. What's going on?"

"Bella invited us." Jacob answers. Kelsey just gives him a bemused glance.

Speak of the devil. Bella appears in front of Jacob, in all her leech-loving glory. Kelsey rolls her eyes at me and extends a hand. "Wanna dance?"

We dance for two songs. It's perfection: her arms around me, head leaning on my shoulder, moving to the beat. She's perfect.

We stop dancing after two songs because I see Jacob and the blond male vampire about to get into it. By the time we walk over there, however, they are having a tense discussion.

"What's going on?" I ask, grabbing Kelsey's hand. She squeezes.

"An army of vampires is coming to Forks." Jacob says. Damn; my suspicions have been confirmed. I pull Kelsey into my side as Jacob and the vamps continue to plan for the battle. I'm wondering how to keep Kelsey safe. We'll have to talk about this; I don't to be one of those controlling boyfriends. She needs to make her own choices.

Kelsey calls Charlie and tells him she's sleeping over at Emily's. Then she drives to her house to pack a bag while we make our way back to the Res. She meets us there about thirty minutes later.

I kiss her in greeting before gently pulling her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her waist. She smiles slightly, leaning her head against mine.

"So there's a newborn army coming to Forks for the express purpose of hunting Bella?" Jared asks. "And we're fighting with them?"

"Yeah, basically." I make a face. Kelsey smirks at my expression.

"We're meeting for training ten miles off Hoh forest ranger station." Quil pipes up.

"I'm coming with." Kelsey says firmly. "Whether I like or not, Bella is my sister."

I don't try to talk her out of it; Kelsey can be really fucking stubborn when she wants to be. Instead, Kelsey agrees to stay a couple yards back, with her rifle, just in case. Apparently, she's a good shot; she got it for hunting, and was according to Charlie, was a natural.

Kelsey and I walk down to the beach together. She kicks her shoes off and sinks her toes into the sand. She wears an easy smile, her dark hair fanning around her face, her eyes the color of the ocean. Beautiful. I wrap my arms around her from behind and she relaxes into the embrace.

"How are you feeling?" I ask. Kelsey's not a fan of large crowds, and she's had a anxious look in her eyes since we left. I've done a little research on OCD, but like all mental illnesses, each case is different. Kelsey hasn't gone into specifics with me yet, which is fine. We're in no hurry.

"Anxious." She rests her hands over mine on her stomach. Her fingers tap out a rhythm against my hand.

"About what?" I rest my chin against her shoulder, comforting her as best I can.

"I don't want anything to happen to you guys. Well, with the exception of Jacob." He's the outlier of the pack; we tolerate him, no more no less. Even Quil and Embry ditched him after being able to hear his thoughts.

"It'll be okay. We're tough. Besides, we have good incentive to survive." I kiss the top of her head.

I reluctantly pull back, take her hand and lead her to one of the logs. I pull her into my lap again, holding her as close as physically possible. She leans her cheek against mine, and we sit in silence just enjoying each other's presence.

"We'll be fine." I whisper, kissing her cheek. "We'll off some leeches and be back in time for dinner."

Kelsey's laugh is slightly hysterical. "You make it sound so simple. You guys may be awesome, but you're not insensible. I just... worry, that's all."

"Shhhh. You don't have to justify yourself, Kelsey. Your emotions are valid. Your anxieties are valid. You don't have to explain them." I rub a hand up and down her arm, my fingers skimming over her Dexcom sensor.

"Thanks. You know your the only one who's ever told me that?" Kelsey smiles. "Well, the only person besides my psychiatrist, but I only check in with him a few times a year."

"It's true, though. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone. What you feel is valid."

She tilts her head in order to kiss me. I lean my forehead against hers, deepening the kiss. Beautiful.

"Um, guys?" We quickly pull apart to see Colin giving us a shit eating grin. "Emily made hot chocolate. She even made some sugar free."

Kelsey smiles and stands, reaching for my hand. "Come on. Em's hot chocolate's to die for. And even though I know the guys don't like the sugar free, I'd rather get a cup before they drink all the regular and move on to it anyways."

We sit on the couch, side by side, watching some thriller Brady picked out. "Get us in the mood." I'm holding my hot chocolate in one hand, my other arm wrapped around Kelsey's shoulder.

She's watching the movie intently, before turning to me with a smirk. "Bet you five bucks I know who the killer is."

"I'm not taking that bet." I say with a small chuckle. Kelsey's great at figuring out the endings to these things.

"Fair enough. You have whipped cream on your nose, by the way."

She passes me a napkin with a smile. I wipe the whipped cream off my nose and lean in to kiss her forehead.

"Told you!" she murmurs once the movie is over.

"That you did." I mutter back.

"Okay, guys. It's time." Sam says, instantly ruining the relaxed atmosphere the of the room.

A/n: Hi, guys! Merry Christmas! As my gift to you, I'm posting. As your gift to me, please leave a review. We're up at 90 y'all! If we get to 100 by December 30, I'll post the first chapter of my new story on New Year's Day. That's just ten more reviews to go! Later!

Lauren.

Replies to Reviews

Kagz419: I'm so glad you're loving this story! I hope you like this chapter too, please review and let me know.

Loves to read books: The diabetes class is just a random idea I thought up. I don't think those classes are offered in real life, although it would be a good idea. If they are, it's probably through JDRF. Merry Christmas! I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

twilightfanjm: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

Marigold19: I'm trying to write healthy relationships. I have issues with a lot of YA novels because of toxic relationships. I hope that in my writing, there are realistic and healthy relationships. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

LuanaMariaSwan: Thanks! I've got a few more ideas bouncing around in my head, so I'll probably be in this fandom for awhile. If I get to 100 reviews on this, I'll post the first chapter on New Year's Day. I hope you like this chapter; please review and let me know.