After every breakup, I managed to find myself in scenarios that would've made the younger me blush and very likely judge. The entire idea of my life was some sort of joke and even as my Saturn return had entered and destroyed every idea I had ever had, I still found myself unaware of what I wanted.

No amount of journaling meditating or even talking could make me admit what I truly wanted. Maybe I was just afraid of the what-ifs and the unknowns that were out there. And as I got older, I found that the best decisions I had ever made were the ones where I didn't think and acted on instinct. A lot of times they did bring questionable people and very concerned parents. It also brought in scary anxiety and gossiping family members but most importantly it brought me. Even with the green hair, the big car, and the sudden move to follow the rest of my friends, I had found a pocket of peace as most influencers would say.

The small town was a haven and as much as my parents cried about my move, they loved visiting. My dad found the peace in the greenery, my mother loved the outdoors vibe, and many times during their visits they would sit outside on the porch drinking coffee and relaxing. It was a great life to have before i entered my thirties, but it was also very sad to think, younger me would've been in shock at the hurt it took to find this peace.

"You ever come down here, Noelle?" Matt asked from the back seat. His eyes trailed on the wet road as Zane drove. It was the three of them once again and it felt like old times with Zane running late because he forgot to pack something. Matt is overly cautious with time and Noelle just takes in the two boys fighting playfully.

"Sometimes to pick up the kids."

Noelle wasn't a mom, and she didn't know if that was in her cards, but she did know she liked her godkids. Eli and Lily were bestowed upon her, and she never would forget that.

"So, we like Embry?" Zane asked unsure what to think of Aileen's new man. The girl didn't have a great reputation with guys. But Embry was different according to Noelle, she found him to be above all expectations she had for her best friend in a boyfriend. When they met, Noelle knew this was the guy for her friend and she deeply rooted for the guy. Despite Aileen being unsure of Embry's nice guy persona it pulled through and the two were happily together for a few months before Aileen showed up at her doorstep crying that she had gotten pregnant. And Noelle didn't know what to say because this had happened twice before. What did change was the father of her unborn child was happy and wanted to stay. And it was different for them all, Eli and Lilah included because at that point they had only met Embry for a few weeks and now he was living with them in their apartment.

"He's perfect for her. "and she knew that was the truth. Her friend was just like her, sensitive and over-emotional, and Embry was able to handle it. He was calm and collected, laid back, and willing to listen. And boy did he listen to Aileen's drunken rambles and her fits of rage. She thanked the tall man for being a great human being.

Noelle hopped out, dress falling at her ankles as she smoothed the black satin over to help any wrinkles.

Zane wore his salmon pink shirt to represent the fact that he had called it many months ago that Aileen would have a girl. Matt and Noelle disagreed and felt the baby was for sure a boy, hence Matt's powder blue shirt and Noelle's nail polish. She wore mainly black on special occasions because it was easy, and you could never go wrong with black. And something in her felt to look at this new crowd of people as a positive thing. She was nervous to be in a house filled with people she didn't know and something inside of her made her still come. She felt like she needed to, after so many months of isolation she felt like she needed a night out. A way to refresh her social life, even if it meant combing her hair and dragging her friends from out of town with her.

Jacob didn't mind patrolling tonight, but Embry insisted. He insisted so much that Billy had even urged him to go. Bugging him every chance he got and reminding him to pick up a gift. So, now here he was, holding a giant diaper genie for the birth of Embry's first baby.

"Look who decided to show up!" Embry ran up and hugged Jacob like never before. Even though he was moody, Jacob found himself grinning just as much. Embry had been on cloud nine since the news came out of Aileen's pregnancy. No one was really surprised that the two moved quickly through their relationship since they were never apart. Even with no imprint in place, Embry showed just as much devotion to Aileen as any other imprinted member of the pack.

"I wouldn't have missed it…" The reality had set in; Jacob was happy for his friend and knew his bummy attitude shouldn't be affecting this type of day or moment. But even then, his wolf pack knew him too well. Jared scoffed while Paul merely smirked knowing Jacob didn't want to show up at all. But it was merely written in Jacob's own avoidance of life moments that tended to change various parts of his life. He hated them with a passion because everything seemed to remove something from his life. He felt stagnant with his and all his friends were growing up and having whole families.

Jacob had his business of auto repair, lived with his dad, and went out with the younger kids when he could but overall, his life was just normal. He tried school again and had a girlfriend here and there but nothing worth really changing the course of his life.

"Everyone here? "Jacob asked taking a bite out of the potato salad. Looking around to the filled backyard.

Embry shook his head while he looked around himself. The tables were packed except the one he knew he needed the most. And Jared could see the worry on Embry's face and understood.

"Aileen's friends are coming?" he asked hoping for the most positive outcome.

"Aileen has friends?" Paul joked knowing the girl spent most of her time with her kids and Embry.

"They're all very anti-social, it's weird. I hope they do come." He explained.

"Her parents aren't coming?" Jacob asked in curiosity as he watched Embry gaze over at Aileen who rubbed her belly as she spoke to Sue and Emily.

It was a testy subject for Aileen and later became one from Embry. Her parents weren't exactly accepting of her relationship with Embry or the move to a whole other state.

"Nah, but Noelle is and that's all she really wants," Embry said.

"Her best friend?" Jared asked.

Embry nodded despite the teasing. He had gotten used to Aileen proclaiming Noelle as her soulmate. Said it was romantic and it didn't have anything to do with her relationship with Embry. The girl was Aileen's best friend and had been the one to help Aileen raise her children when her first husband couldn't be there. And when meeting her, Embry understood why Aileen had an attachment. Noelle was comforting enough that it wasn't smothering, and she really was able to help Aileen with her emotions. Being able to talk her out of the bad ones and comfort her when she needed it the most. Noelle and Embry have been friends since that first meeting, she helped him a lot with Aileen and even more with the kids.

"Yeah, Noelle is bringing everyone with her. We had this scheduled long before she could pull out from it."

Jacob listened in but genuinely didn't care. He was too busy wondering how else he could convince Emily to give him another plate of food. The rule was to space out the food and let the non-wolfy guests eat and then he and the guys can ravage through the rest. And he had been starving for a while and was really considering just sneaking one away. And then they heard the shriek and all eyes darted to them.

Aileen's eyes beamed when she watched her friends walk in, the tall white guy held a present while the man in front in pink kissed Aileen's cheek while holding the bigger bag in his hands.

Jacob could see Embry's grin grow as the party of 3 walked in, he handed his plate over to Jacob who happily took it as he took off to greet them. He took the spoon and began shoving the chicken in his mouth while Paul shook his head.

"you're an animal, man. "

Jacob shrugged and went back to eating. He went back to thinking about his garage, wondering if he locked it up correctly and did he order the parts he needed to get before they closed for the weekend. Jacob was in full thought when Embry was in front of him. Aileen's two male friends were laughing at something Paul had said and Embry had blushed as he introduced his friends to Aileen. Jacob could hear Embry say his name and Jacob nodded tilting his chin in a hello to the guys.

"And this is Noelle. "

It was Paul who rolled his eyes and kicked Jacob's shin. Jacob glared at him before looking down at the girl. His dark eyes met hers and suddenly he felt his world shift. It was everything he had heard of, like every tie to the world wasn't enough and not one thing could come close to how he started feeling his chest ache for her. She was shorter than him, with pale and dark green hair that made its way down her back nicely waved out. Black frames in front of the dark brown eyes and a cute dimple on her left cheek that made him melt into the ground. She smelled like cinnamon and coffee, her lips a deep red that only would stand out if it wasn't for how red her cheeks got as she sank back into a twitching Embry. Paul looked between the two and could tell with Jacobs's dumb face what had just happened, and he didn't know what to do besides let it happen. Jared was cracking up into the chicken and turned around to avoid making any type of uncomfortable vibe.

"You have mayo on your chin. " and that's when Jacob knew he had messed up his first impression with his imprint.

it has been a long long time since I've written anything but I do hope there's still someone reading. review and let me know if this fandom is still alive and well. lets talk ! thank you