There were certain things I missed with my new job.

Like when Rikki saved Elliot and he developed a crush.

Well I did see when he asked her to be his girlfriend when she was visiting and her immediate smack down. But this time instead of him running away he had Emma, me and his parents to comfort him. He was wary around Rikki for a bit after that, but he got over it when a new girl caught his interest in his class. A girl who liked the same comics he did.

Then there was the first full moon. In canon it was Emma who got under its thrall but this time it was different.

Emma saw me closing the blinds as she got things ready for the party for her father.

"What are you doing Berrie?"

The nickname had unfortunately stuck except Elliot who liked the name he chose best.

"I think its better safe than sorry and prepare for the full moon."

"You can't be serious?" Rikki walked in.

Cleo looked at me, "I think Ember is right."

I mouthed a 'thank you' towards her which she answered with a nod.

"Sometimes we can't ever be too careful. Plus this is an important night, we don't want anything unexpected to happen." The girls looked at each other before looking back at me, "So everyone agrees? Stay away from windows and reflections the best that you can?"

A chorus of oks came after my question and I let out a sigh of relief. Maybe this party would go without a hitch after all.

When the guests arrived Emma and I were there to welcome them.

"You are family now, Ember." Emma told me when I wasn't sure.

Most people that were coming were aware or had met me in passing, but when Aunt Thea and Grandma Gilbert came I got a mixed reaction.

Grandma Gilbert gave me a welcoming smile, "It's nice to finally meet the new addition to the Gilbert family. Welcome, my dear."

"Thank you, ma'am." I shook her hand but she held it tight.

"Call me Grandma."

My smile was slightly wobbly, "Thank you, Grandma."

There was a scoff as Grandma Gilbert was wheeled away by Aunt Thea, who looked down her nose at me. "Don't get too comfortable, girl."

I stepped back and let them pass and Emma grabbed my hand. She obviously hadn't heard her aunt's words but had seen how my smile dropped.

"Everything ok?"

I nodded, even if it wasn't ok. I didn't want anything to ruin this night for Emma and her family.

I went to help Emma's mother, Lisa, in the kitchen. She was taking a platter out to the main room, "I can do that Lisa."

When I set the hors d'oeuvres on the table in the living room, I came back to Lisa to see if there was anything else to set out.

She bent and whispered in my ear, "I saw that look. Thea said something, didn't she?"

I pursed my lips not wishing to spread discord.

"She was like that when I got married to Liam too. She's just a shrively old hag that has lived a lonely life and would like to make everyone else miserable."

I blushed and whispered, "Lisa." I couldn't believe she would say something like that but when she caught my eye we began giggling.

"But in all seriousness if you ever need to take a break from being beneath her eye. I'll cover for you."

I couldn't help myself. I hugged her, and Lisa hugged me back.

"You are family and family sticks together."

It was at this moment that I thought Lisa wouldn't be the wrong person to tell the secret too. But I would have to first convince Emma. Keeping secrets in this family would only bring unwanted tension. Plus having them on our side during the events to come would be a great help indeed.

And so when later, lost in my thoughts I caught sight of the moon, the fallout wasn't too bad.

I just left and went to Mako. I think I might have healed some reefs? I vaguely remembered something like that.

When I came back in the morning Liam sat me down to talk.

"Lisa told me why you weren't here. I'm sorry my family made you feel unwelcome."

I shifted in my seat slightly uncomfortable. "Grandma Gilbert was wonderful but..."

"It was Thea again?"

I nodded.

"Ember, you will never be a burden to us." He sighed, "You are so loving toward Elliot. Emma views you as her sister and you even got yourself a job...which you didn't need to do..." He raised his hand to stop my retort, "But we are proud of you either way." He reached out for my hands, "This is important though: never think we'll throw you out as soon as you are 18. You are ours now and we'll do everything we'd do for Elliot and Emma to make sure you are all firmly on your feet."

This time my tears spilled over, "Thank you..."

I wanted to call him Dad at that moment and he knew it too.

He patted my shoulder, "Only when you are ready, Ember."