Stephenie Meyer owns the Twilight Saga. I own twitchy fingers that enjoy writing for no profit.

Chapter 41: Imprints and Illuminations

Sam POV

My heart was pounding as I waited for Bella's eyes to finish glancing around to confirm where she was and meet my own gaze once again. Not knowing yet what had caused her to faint, what exactly she had felt as the imprint bond formed, or how much she understood about the whole imprint thing had my mind spinning in ever more confusing spirals and already I was yearning to feel that incredible centering feeling that I'd had from looking into her eyes. Before he eyes met mine, she looked up at my forehead, obviously checking the damage I'd done to myself on the cupboard and her eyebrows shot up in surprise at what I assumed was merely a pink line remaining from the injury. Probably looking for an explanation, her eyes met mine and there it was again, the center of my universe, everything that bound me to the world, the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen or felt. I knew that I was clearly displaying the astonishment, awe and adoration I was feeling clearly across my face, just like Jared and Paul always did when they looked at their imprints, and despite the fact that I'd done my share of teasing them for their moronic, lovesick expressions, I couldn't bring myself to care in the slightest now that I was the lovesick moron myself.

Bella's own expression wasn't far off of what I assumed my own to be and I felt my heart swell with the knowledge that whether or not it was as strong as what I was feeling, she was definitely experiencing something pretty powerful from her end too. I don't know how long we sat there, just staring at each other in awed silence, but finally she broke the spell with a clearing of her throat.

"It wasn't." Her voice croaked, obviously parched and she stopped and tried to swallow once more before beginning again.

"She's thirsty. Water. On it!" I barely had time to register the thoughts before my body sprang into action, needing to provide whatever my imprint needed. I could imagine the puppyish expression I was probably wearing and I hoped I'd be able to get this new reflex of mine under control before I was subject to too much teasing from the pack. Of course I was happy to provide whatever Bella needed, but surely I could do so without completely losing my man card. I saw a minute twitch to her lips as I handed Bella the glass, clearly she'd noticed my eager puppy face and was struggling not to smirk at me. "Really need to tone that shit down as quick as possible." I told myself as she took a few sips to ease her throat. I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering greedily over her face, soaking up the wonderful peace and love I felt at the sight of her, and every time our eyes caught each other, we were both sucked immediately into another bout of awed staring.

Bella's eyes drifted down to my lips and she unconsciously began to lean forward, for a kiss I hoped, before catching herself and sitting back up. I tried to hide my disappointment even as I acknowledged to myself that if we started kissing right now there was no telling how quickly it would get out of hand, and we were, after all, in my mom's living room and she could be back at any time. No one wants to be caught out getting busy by their mom, especially when said mom was more than capable of offering unwanted advice instead of just making a quick exit to prevent further embarrassment. It seemed that Bella was having a few naughty thoughts herself as I caught a quick waft of arousal from her and I fought back a groan as she took another gulp of water.

In an effort to drag things back to matters at hand, I made myself focus on what she'd said before I grabbed her the water. "What was it she said? Oh yeah 'it wasn't'. What does that mean? What wasn't? It wasn't what?" I figured I should probably just ask, rather than trying to puzzle through it myself.

"It wasn't what?" I asked as she sipped at her water, my forehead crinkling in confusion. Swallowing one last mouthful of water, she sat up fully and carefully put the glass on a nearby shelf.

"It wasn't Charlie that told me about the wolves." She told me calmly and firmly. "He told me that he'd made the wolves a promise not to reveal who they were, and Charlie's like me; we don't break our promises." The relief as I understood was extreme. I had so much respect for Charlie, the closet thing I had to a father figure, and someone I had considered completely trustworthy, even going so far as to assure the council of Elders of that trustworthiness, so knowing that he hadn't betrayed that trust and respect soothed the deep seated hurt I'd felt when I'd thought he'd broken his promise.

The question remained however, if not from Charlie, then where had she come by her knowledge about the pack's human forms? Not only was I burning to know for myself, but I would need to be able to explain her sudden knowledge to Old Quil when he inevitably blew up over Bella's sources of information.

"Then how could you know that I'm the Alpha?" I asked curiously, only realising a second later that I'd just confirmed what she'd told me she knew. "Shit. Come on, man, did all your brains just dribble out the back of your head he second you imprinted?" I berated myself. It was too late to try to cover my slip, so I just let it lie.

"Oh that bit was actually the most straightforward." She laughed. "I'm actually pretty pissed with myself that it's taken me so long to work out that you were one of the shifters." I cocked my head at that, curious of her use of the word shifters rather than werewolves. But then again she'd made a distinction between my pack and what she'd called 'true werewolves' who she'd stated were, in her words 'tied to the lunar cycle' that evening we'd killed the dread-locked dick. I mentally added the question to an ever growing mental list, but kept myself from interrupting as she continued.

"Once I'd realised that you have a different form sometimes, it was any easy step to work out that you were in charge. You're the new chief; that had to mean something, you're the oldest of your group of friends, and from what I've translated out of the little rants Jake and Quil had about you, the others seem to defer to you naturally." She shrugged at my surprised and impressed expression. "They certainly deferred to you in wolf form, that was very clear. I mean, yes you're bigger than them, but that isn't it. You exude a calm sense of authority around them, and they all move around you in a way that makes it obvious that you're very much in charge. That's how I knew that you're the black wolf. The similarities between how the other wolves treated their leader and how the guys behave around you are too strong to miss once you know to look for it." I shook my head in astonishment, respect for her amazing mind growing even more.

"You really are an incredibly perceptive person, Bella," I told her. "You and Charlie both worked out about the pack by putting little bits and pieces together that I don't think anyone else would've noticed," She snorted, clearly she still found it difficult to accept compliments. It was something she was just going to have to overcome. I had no intention of ever hiding my pride for my imprint, my Bella.

"I don't know about perceptive, Sam," She said, brushing away the praise as usual. "Not in this case anyway. Normally I'm fairly quick on the uptake, but it seems to me that there have been so many really obvious signs that I missed, or more like stubbornly overlooked, having decided that certain things were undeniable facts. I should've worked it out a long time ago, but I couldn't make myself look past what I thought I knew and so I kept right on fumbling around blindly in the dark." She gave me a self-depreciating smile as I continued shaking my head at her in admiration. "He must've really been wanting to beat me around the head with a shovel," She added under her breath, forgetting for a second that I would be able to hear her.

That last bit grabbed my attention immediately. "Someone else knows too? Who's this 'he' she's talking about, and what does he know?" I frantically wondered, before giving myself a mental slap and actually asking the question.

"Who must've been?" She shook her head with a gentle smile.

"I'll tell you later on, promise, but we've got a hell of a lot of other important stuff we need to talk about right now, wouldn't you say?" I would have pressed the issue further, but at that moment we accidentally made eye contact again and once again we became trapped in each other's gaze, everything else in the world slipping away.

I had no idea how long we'd been staring this time, but I was finally brought out of it by Bella's struggle to get the conversation re-started so I took pity on her and jumped right in myself.

"So, I don't know exactly how much of the bond is felt from your end, or how intense it might be, probably something we should talk about at some point, but I'm fairly sure you felt something pretty intense just now. Maybe I should begin by explaining it from the pack perspective." She smiled at me and patted the seat next to her and I realised I was still kneeling on the floor next to her. As happy as I was to be anywhere near her, in any capacity she wanted, I was pleased that she seemed to be uncomfortable with me almost literally grovelling at her feet. It seemed that she would rather not have a devoted lap dog, but rather an equal partner; something I was completely in agreement with – I just wasn't built for slavish devotion.

I smiled back at her and took the seat she offered, catching her hand in one of mine. With physical contact, the imprint bond had a new depth. My hand was still my own, but it feltlike it was a part of her too, as if both of us existed in our own bodies and each others' at the same time. Strange and unfamiliar, yet peaceful and right. Somehow the contact actually helped me to focus a little better, so I was glad when she shuffled a little closer in her seat, lifting my hand and arm, then turning herself so that she could nudge her shoulder under it and settle her head against my chest. Both of us relaxed into the contact and she gave a little sigh which I couldn't help answering with my own.

"Ok then that sounds sensible." She answered. "I know a little about this kind of bond from talking with Carlisle Cullen, but I'm pretty sure it's different for them than it will be for us, and I'd like to know what you've learned about it from your side."

I stiffened reflexively; hearing that she'd gotten information on something so personal and intrinsic to my wolfy nature from my natural enemy made mem very uncomfortable and edgy, but then the feeling of her soft skin as her hand began idly stroking my own pulled my attention away from thoughts of Dr Dead and back to her, melting my tension as I focused on the wonderful touch. I continued on with our discussion, not knowing just how much I should tell her without the imprint being confirmed by the pack, as I'd been forced to agree by Old Quil, but honestly not really caring in the long run. I'd unconsciously made a decision when it came to that old man; enough was enough, and it was time I took my authority as both Alpha and as the Chief and put him in his place. The council of Elders was there to advise and support the Chief, not to dictate and direct and I was no longer willing to accept his continued interference when it came to the pack.

With this decision in mind, I decided I could reasonably tell Bella what I knew of imprinting, and would save any other discussion of pack matters until I could get another pack member to confirm my imprint, which would be a simple matter of phasing and showing any other wolf present in the pack mind just what had happened, there would be no mistaking it, no matter how… unorthodox the process had been. The experience of an imprint bond forming was unlike anything else, so it should only take a matter of seconds before I would be able to phase back and continue with sharing all the details of my wolf side with my beautiful Bella. No more secrets.

"We call it imprinting." I plunged on with my explanation. "The wolfy part of us recognises his mate and sort of latches on. We've always been told that it happens in an instant when the wolf first makes eye contact with his imprint, but" I squeezed her hand, "clearly that's not entirely accurate. For us, once we make eye contact, the whole world, the whole universe shifts, and our imprint suddenly becomes the center of it all. Nothing is more important to me now than you and your safety, your happiness. Not myself, not my mom, not the pack, not the tribe, nothing. Once an imprint takes place, both our wolf and human sides become completely devoted to being exactly what our imprint needs us to be for them. Protector, supporter, lover, friend, brother, father. It doesn't matter; whatever you need from me, that's exactly what I'll be. What I want to be. For you."

I hugged her a little closer to myself on those last two words, wanting the extra contact to give her some sort of reassurance at my intense declaration. I didn't know if she was completely aware of it, although with her ability to make intuitive leaps I was willing to bet she'd grasped at least some of the implications; with her side of the imprint bond came a huge responsibility. In taking charge of hers, I was essentially handing my own safety and happiness over to her for safe keeping. I could only hope that she would be willing to put me first, above everything else as I now couldn't help but do for her in return. Something told me I had nothing to worry about.

"I can't explain either why we didn't imprint before, or why we have now." I went on, my confusion and frustration at my lack of understanding colouring my voice. "Something else we've always been told is that imprinting is for the purpose of creating a stronger pack, like picking the right stud dog to breed better puppies." I snorted derisively at that idea, I'd never really thought that that one held water. It had always seemed to me more like Old Quil grasping at straws to explain something he could never hope to understand, probably to make himself seem more wise and all-knowing.

"Yet unless there's a few skeletons hanging in the Swan family closet, I'm pretty sure you don't have any Quileute blood of any kind in you, let alone blood from one of the pack lines, so I'm guessing the breeding thing isn't right either." I paused for a moment in thought. "Actually I'm kind of relieved about that, for two reasons, the main one being that I really don't like the idea of being a stud dog. I'll tell you about the other reason another time." I didn't really feel that this was the right time to start bitching about Old Quil, it would bring what should be a happy discussion into a negative area.

Bella nodded her acceptance to tabling my second reason for now, her cheek rubbing lightly on my chest with a delicious friction, and I went on. "So that's about where we stand on the imprinting thing but, Bella, one thing you need to understand very clearly; wolves mate for life, we're completely monogamous, and even before now I've had moments when my wolf has been seriously pissed just because someone has touched you. Like today when Mom grabbed your arm. I had to really fight to keep my wolf's reaction down, he wanted me to run out here and pull you away from her."

She giggled a little and I turned my head, nudging at her forehead with my chin to get her to turn and look at me.

"What's so funny, Baby?" I asked with a little half smile, enjoying the fact that I was now completely justified in my use of the endearment.

"Oh nothing really." She told me with a little shrug. "It's just that I could've sworn I'd heard a growl or two coming from the kitchen when Alison grabbed my wrist, now I know why." I blushed a little and looked sheepish.

"Damn. I thought I'd managed to keep that quiet enough. I hope Mom didn't hear it." I had a sudden thought. "Oh shit yeah, that reminds me." I said quickly. "Mom doesn't know about the pack or about me, and I'm not allowed to tell her, so you can't either, ok?" She frowned but nodded in acceptance. I wondered what the frown was about, but decided I'd just add that question to the never ending list for the future. "At this rate it'll take us days to cover all the questions on this list." I thought to myself. "Hmm maybe the list would be best tackled lying curled up together in my bed." Both the wolf and man in me really liked that idea and I made a mental note to suggest it to Bella at some point in the very near future.

"That's the reason for Alison and you falling out, isn't it?" She asked, trying to sit up properly to look at me, the words bursting out of her with indignation at the injustice of it all. "You were having to take on all those pack duties, disappearing off at weird times and not able to give her answers when she asked you what was going on, and so she finally just got sick of it."

I stroked the back of her hand in soothing circles with my thumb, unconsciously acting to calm my imprint and delighted that the ability to do so came so naturally as she relaxed against me once more.

"You really are amazing, Baby." I said, my awe clear in my voice. "So quick to see what's going on." She blushed strongly at the compliment, ducking her head to try and hide it and making me chuckle a little. "So beautiful when you blush." I murmured into her hair, pressing a kiss against her temple. "That was a part of the problem, yes. But the worse crime in Mom's eyes was me breaking up with Leah for no good reason that either of them could see. That, combined with my suddenly weird and secretive behaviour had my Mom convinced I was beginning to turn out just like Joshua. My Father."

"I couldn't explain to either of them what was going on, so the rift between Mom and I became huge and I moved out of here and into my place." We both sat quietly for a few minutes. I was fighting against my familiar anger and sadness at the way the whole Leah and my mom situation had played out. Another reason to begrudge Old Quil's interference into pack matters as far as I was concerned, although neither Billy nor Harry had made matters any easier to be fair. None of them seemed to realise the massive strain it put on Jared, Embry, Paul and myself to have to keep our wolf status secret from our own families. Things were easier for Jake, Leah and Seth with Billy and Harry already being in the know, and would be nearly as straight forward for Quil when he phased, what with Old Quil being his grandfather, and so in a position to get his mom to back off a little.

It took a few moments for Bella to calm herself enough for her heart-rate to return to normal – another thing on the 'ask later' list, I could only assume she was filled with righteous indignation on my behalf, which I couldn't help but find… cute. "Do yourself a favour and keep that thought to yourself, Sam." I told myself. "I've got a feeling she wouldn't really appreciate that one at all."

Having calmed herself down, Bella spoke again.

"So you broke it off with Leah because you knew she wasn't your imprint, and you were trying to save both of you the grief of maybe being torn apart later on if you did imprint, am I right?" I shook my head in wonder, I could actually feel my face becoming filled with awe and adoration for her again.

"Amazing." I murmured, my kiss landing high up on her cheek this time. "It took you just seconds to work that one out, huh?" Right on schedule her face heated up again and I couldn't keep in my affectionate chuckle.

"It wasn't exactly a hard conclusion to come to." She protested. "The facts were pretty easy to see. Especially when I add in the things you said on our date in Port Angeles." I gave her a confused look. "When you were being so careful to make sure that I knew you weren't looking for anything serious or long-term." I explained. "Now I can see why you were being so cautious; you didn't want to see me ending up hurt, just like you tried to protect Leah. Adding those two things together only leaves one conclusion." She looked confused herself for a moment and then added "Although I can't really see why you bothered to run the risk with me of all people, I'm glad that you did." She stretched up to plant a kiss of her own on my cheek as internally reeled at the massive contradiction that was my Bella; with the possible exception of Charlie, I'd never come across anyone as perceptive and intuitive as she was, and yet when it cam to her own worth and perceiving other people's feeling for her she was seriously in need of attending special school. Was she really that blind when it came to seeing herself? I decided that now was the time to make it very clear just how impaired her ision was, in this subject at least. As she went to turn her cheek back against my chest, I grasped both her shoulders in a firm yet gentle hold. Bending my neck to bring my face closer and completely level with hers, I let my eyes bore into hers, reinforcing my next words with my absolute sincerity.

"You don't see yourself clearly, Bella. Not the way I do, and so many others too." I frowned. "Much as I'd wish they didn't." I added under his breath, thinking of Mike Newton, Colin and Brady, and any number of others I'd noticed giving her the eye as she remained oblivious

"You are, without question, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and the most beautiful person inside that I've ever known. You have these melted chocolate eyes that I wish I could swim in, perfect, creamy white skin that I want to lick all over every time I think about it." I gave her a decidedly wolfish look.

"You have an innocence and kindness about you that calls out to people, making them want to know you, your heart is so loving and loyal that those of us who earn a place in it should be forever grateful that we've been given such a privilege." By this point her entire face was burning, but still I didn't let up, it was far too important that she understood how I saw her to let her off the hook just yet.

"You're generous and giving to the people around you, whether it's your dad, or the kids at the drop-in centre, you're unselfish and fierce, and literally the bravest person I've ever met in my life; the way you threw yourself into danger to protect your mom and Charlie – you're a fucking warrior, Baby. So brave. Stupid, but brave." She looked so irritated at my last comment that I couldn't help grinning.

"You have an amazing sense of humour, a wicked tongue when provoked, a forgiving nature, a determination that is just beyond belief at times, you've got great taste in movies and music, you're an amazing cook, you laugh at yourself when you're embarrassed, and you're without doubt, hands down the best lover I've ever had." At that last, her face, which I hadn't thought could get any redder, proved me wrong and her blush extended down her neck ad below her collar. I absently wondered how far it went down right then and I let go of her shoulders and sat back, leaning into the corner of the couch, my eyes wandering all over my face to admire her blush with a warm smile.

Bella was clearly fighting her desire to hide her face in her hands in embarrassment at my compliments, but she finally managed to drag her eyes up to meet mine, and I took the opportunity to show her all the sincerity I knew she'd find there. I'd meant every single word I'd said and I wanted, needed her to see that.

Despite trying not to, I'd fallen in love with Bella almost before our first date, if I was honest with myself, and it was only through a phenomenally lucky turn of events that I'd been fortunate enough to imprint on her after all. Now that there was nothing holding me back, I had no intention of hiding that love from her or from myself any longer, and I just hoped that one day she'd come to feel the same way about me.

She started to lean in for a kiss and I couldn't keep myself from doing the same. "Mom will just have to deal with it if she walks in on something she'd rather not see." I thought to myself, and that thought nudged my mind into registering something I'd somehow missed a few minutes before.

Just before I'd starting setting Bella to rights on exactly how amazing she was, I'd heard the roar of Bella's truck pulling up. It was a testament to just how intense our conversation had been that I'd not given the sound any notice and had pretty much blanked it out in my desire to speak. I realised now however, that it was almost a certain thig that my mom was currently standing ont e other side of the door, listening to our private conversation and probably doing an internal happy dance at being right about Bella and I. "How to make her pay for being so nosey?" I wondered to myself before having a slightly evil idea. I hoped that Bella would prove my point about her sense of humour and find this funny, or I would be in the doghouse remarkably quickly.

I cocked my head a little and darted my gaze over to the door, hoping to give her a little clue, and before se complete her lean-in for a kiss, I sat back a little and, clearing my throat, I shrugged at Bella and with a cheeky grin I added "Besides. I hear you've got no gag reflex and I'm looking forward to the benefits." It took her a few seconds to puzzle through what benefits there could be to her lack of gag reflex, and the second she figured it out she burst into flame all over again, the heat pouring off her bushing face. At that second the front door burst open, revealing a livid Alison, and through my roaring laughter I could just make out her words as she berated me.

"Samuel Levi Uley! You can't end the most romantic thing I've ever heard one person say to another like that! It's a total travesty!" She ranted, driving my laughter higher as I crossed my arms across my stomach against the pain my hysterics were causing. A moment later, Bella's giggles joined my own as she realised I'd caught Mom out with her eavesdropping and the sudden easing of the tense atmosphere led to the pair of us howling in hysterics together as my mom simply stood there, looking back and forth between the two of us in confusion. Her irritated expression left her and a bemused smile replaced it as, shaking her head at our antics, she placed Bella's truck keys and cell charger on the coffee table and stalked off into the kitchen, muttering about crazy young people and inappropriate sons who ruined perfectly romantic speeches for no good reason.

It took several minutes for Bella and I to finally clam ourselves back down, but once we had, I reached over and lightly squeezed her knee. "You get your cell up and running and call Charlie, Bella, and I'll go calm my mom down. We'll have to finish this up later." She put her hand over mine and our fingers automatically laced together, her pale skin contrasting vividly with my russet tones.

"I guess you probably should." She agreed, so I gave her knee one final pat and stood up, still glancing at her over my shoulder even as I walked to the kitchen to talk to my mom, who was still grousing half-heartedly from the kitchen.

"So, Mom, it looks like you were right." I said as I gently pulled the filthy towel from her hand which I'd used to wipe my sink goop and blood covered face earlier; I didn't want her seeing the blood as I knew that by now I had no trace of an injury to explain it. Casually throwing the towel into the washing machine behind me and closing the door I looked back round to see her smug expression as she thought I was about to admit she'd been right about Bella and I all along. I had no intention of doing so. Ok she had been right, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction, not after her blatent nosey earwigging.

"Oh?" She feigned ignorance. "Right about what?" she asked, wanting to force me to say it. I leaned forward and whispered I her ear.

"Eavesdropping never pays off." I replied and quickly blew a raspberry on her cheek before dodging back out of the way of her half-hearted slap.

"Oooh you horrible boy!" she whisper yelled at me. "I was going to see if you and Bella wanted to stay for dinner, but just see if I offer now." She scolded. I chuckled, knowing that pretty much nothing would stop her from offering anyway, if for no other reason than her desire to watch Bella and I interact.

The pipe under your sink broke." I told her, changing the subject. "It's only a few minutes' work, but I'll have to pick up a replacement piece from the hardware store in the morning." I flashed her an apologetic look. "Sorry, but if you just use a large bowl in the sink for tonight and empty it out the back door, it's still useable til then."

She rubbed my upper arm and gave me a gentle smile. "It's no problem, Sam, don't put yourself behind on your paying jobs, just fit me in when you can and I'll manage til then."

I gave her a fake stern look. "I'll be by tomorrow morning to sort it." I assured her, then turned as I heard Bella asking Charlie over the phone in the other room if he'd pick up food for both of us.

"Sounds great, Dad." I heard her say. "But could you grab enough for three? I'm going to ask Sam to run me home in a few minutes and he's not eaten yet either." I poked my head around the kitchen door and looked at her, a little surprised. She raised a brow at me and I nodded. If she wanted to spend more time with me, even if it was with her dad, I certainly wasn't going to complain about it.

"You need someone to drive you? Are you sure you're ok, Bells? Are you hurt? Or has something hap…" I heard Charie on the other end of the phone, a slight edge of worry to his voice which Bella quickly interrupted to head off.

"No, no. I'm fine, Dad. Just incredibly tired after everything that's happened today. I figured it would be more sensible to have someone else drive me."

"Good idea, Bells. Ok then I'll see you at home in an hour or so?" He sounded pretty tired himself, but I could still hear his relief that Bella was really ok.

"Sure, Dad. I'll see you there. Say hello to Sue, Leah and Seth for me would you? And tell them I hope Harry's back on his feet soon."

"Will do, Bells. Though I'm guessing that the Clearwaters will be in touch with you themselves as soon as they're confident that Harry's on the mend. Even though I only had a few moments to talk with each of them, none of them could stop telling me what a wonderful thing you'd done and how grateful they were." Bella's blush sprang back up, but I was pretty sure that Charlie was completely correct in his guess. Giving a wry chuckle she asked

"Even Leah?" Charlie snorted, and I added a mental snort of my own.

"Even Leah. Right, I'm going to say bye to Billy and head out. Bye Bells. Tell Alison I said thanks for dragging you over to hers would you?" She rolled her eyes and I wandered over to sprawl comfortably on the couch, waiting for her to fill me in. For Allison's benefit mainly, as I'm sure that Bella knew I'd heard both sides of her conversation.

I chuckled under my breath as she said goodbye and hung up, and she looked over to me, rolling her eyes again and with a quick glance around to make sure my mom couldn't hear she murmured "So I guess you heard all of that?"

"Yeah." I confirmed. "So looks like we'll be able to fill Charlie in on our new development sooner rather than later then?" I couldn't help the hesitancy in my voice; whilst I was fairly sure what she wanted out of our relationship, I had laid pretty much everything on the line before Mom interrupted us, but I'd still not heard Bella tell me out-right what she wanted. A few nerves under the circumstances seemed only apt.

I saw as she searched my face until realisation hit her and she raised her gaze to stare directly into my eyes as she answered in a surprising calm and firm voice, with no sign of hesitance. "Yes." She said, setting my mind and heart soaring. "We'd better tell him as soon as possible or he'll be wondering why I'm hanging all over you and not able to stop myself from touching you all the time." She gave me a rueful smile which turned into a full grin as she read the relief that must have flashed across my face. "And we're lucky in that he'll actually understand exactly what it means so hopefully we won't be catching too much grief when I keep staying over at your place as often as I figure I'm going to." I burst out into a full grin on hearing that, and inside my wolf was dancing with delight at the idea, and then the look of what I was hoping I might dare call love which took over her expression had me staring back into her eyes with total adoration. Once again I had no idea how long that stare between us lasted before my mom's voice reached us.

"SAM!" Her voice was exasperated, and as Bella jolted back to reality, bringing me with her I briefly wondered how many times she'd called my name before we'd broken our trance. Feeling totally out of focus, I tore my eyes away from Bella's and looked over her head to Mom.

"Finally!" She scolded. An amused edge slipping into her voice under the irritation. "I was beginning to think I was going to have to set a bomb off beside you before I got you attention." I rolled my eyes at her, knowing she wasn't that annoyed and that she was actually enjoying the hell out of collecting ammunition for teasing me another time. Bella, predictably, burst into flames. As my mom continued. "I was asking if Bella and you wanted to stay here and eat with me?" I valiantly kept my smirk to myelf; I'd known she wouldn't be able to resist offering to have us stay, no matter what she'd threatened only a few moments earlier.

Clearing her slightly hoarse throat Bella spoke up. "Sorry, Alison, I just got off the phone with my dad and told him we'd both eat over there with him this evening." She glanced up at the clock. "In fact, we'd better be leaving any minute now if we're going to get back before he does so I can get changed." She ran her eyes over my appearance before adding "And if you're going to have time to clean up first we'd really better get moving." Both Mom and I chuckled at that and then Mom grimaced in mock revulsion as leaned leaned over to kiss her cheek.

A few goodbyes later and we were climbing into Bella's truck, her fatigue making the climb up into the passenger seat a real trial by the looks of it.

We stopped briefly at my place, while I ran in and grabbed some clean clothes to change into at Bella's and then we set off again, a warm and comfortable silence falling over us as we drove and before long, her head resting against the passenger side window, Bella drifted off to sleep.