Hi,

Gosh, sorry that it has been months. I've had a terrible case of writer's block, and I am not totally happy with this chapter; however, I still like it. Family is important; however, sometimes it is not always blood family. Also, you guys should watch Prey on Hulu, which was very good. Anyway, I hope you like the update.

Always and Forever,

Ari.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety, parental arguing, silent treatment, bullying, emotional abuse, implied sexual relationships, manipulation, panic attack, abandonment, stress, abandonment.

Disclaimer: I only own my OCs and parts of the plot you do not recognize from the Twilight Saga.

Chapter 24: Welcome to the Family

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."

― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

5:56 p.m. Chiago House, La Push, Washington

I pursed my lips, staring at John's crestfallen face. We had been arguing for the past hour and a half, and it was clear that neither one of us would give in. I rubbed my temples, "What more do you want from me?"

John huffed, setting his palms on the table like the world's weight was on his shoulders. I hated fighting with him, but he was being stupid. "I just want you to stop dating him." If I could, I would've banged my head against the counter to get out of this loop. He was giving no sound reasoning behind his demands.

"Why should she?" I turned around to see Jayden casually sitting on the back of the couch, his eyebrows scrunched together. He took a loud sip of his green monster. I shoved down the irritation that he was drinking something he said he would quit. John coughed, crossing his arms, opening his mouth to speak, but Jay beat him to it. "Why is it any of your business?"

"Jay—" I started, rubbing my temples to soothe the oncoming headache, and I didn't want to mediate an argument.

"No, seriously. It's none of your business," Jay shrugged, eyes downcast. "Just like it's none of my business. We have to respect her and the choices she makes." My anger diminished, and I felt pride swell in my chest.

"What do you know?" John snapped at him, and Jay bit his lip, his nose wrinkling. "I'm trying to protect her."

"That's controlling her...in misogynistic form of protection," Jay sighed, crushing his can. He stepped towards John, and I intervened, cupping his face. I stroked his cheek, silently urging him to stop, "I know... I know you got it."

I smiled at him, feeling my heart swell at my little brother. I squeezed his shoulder, "I love you and am so proud of you."

"Don't be gross," He rolled his eyes, and I felt his face warm under my hands. I quirked an eyebrow at him, and he faltered. "Yeah, I love you too." I held my laugh at his embarrassment, knowing it would enrage him.

"Can you give us some privacy?" He glanced at John before nodding. Jay got off the couch and tossed his can in the trash, glaring at John before walking to his room. I listened to the door click shut before I turned back to John. "What is going on?"

"Well, for starters you—"

"Not with me. With you. You're drinking... You're here when you should be in school. Snapping at Jay. Is something else going on," I propped myself on the back of the couch, watching him roll his eyes. He shook his head, starting to pace. I took a few seconds to study him, realizing he looked different. His hair was dry and unkempt, he had purple bags underneath his eyes, his skin wasn't glowy like the last time I'd seen him, and he looked thinner. He almost looked sickly. I got off the couch and walked toward him, taking his hand, interrupting his pacing, and forcing him to look at me. "John, what is going on?"

John's brown eyes stared down at me, and I froze when I realized how watery they were getting. He blinked rapidly, staring down at the floor. "Shit." He sniffed, and I watched a few tears leak from his eyes. He took his hand, pushing his fingers into his eyes.

"Come here." He shuffled closer, and I pulled him down, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders. His arms wrapped around me, and I heard his sniffles. "Whatever it is, you can talk to me about it."

He pulled back, wiping his face. "How can you tell?"

"You're different," I gave him a simple answer. "Tea?" He nodded, moving to sit on the counter. "No matter how pissed I am at you, John, always remember I love you. You are my brother, and all arguments are on hold if something happens."

John huffed out a laugh. "Even if I am trying to pull you away from your lover."

I laughed, pulling down the cups. "I may curse at you, but you can try with all your might to get me to break up with Paul, but it will not happen." He sniffed again, picking at his shirt. "John, I will always love you. Our family is forever, but just so you know, Paul is my family too. Being with him is my choice and mine alone. You don't have to agree, but it will always be up to me."

"Okay..." He murmured, looking out the window at the rain. "I love you too, Rys." I grabbed his hand, squeezing it.

"Whenever you are ready," I listened to the kettle whistle. I let go of John's hand, focusing on making his favorite raspberry tea. I hummed to myself, thinking about how well this morning went.

"When did our roles reverse," He inquired, tapping his fingers against the counter. I set his cup beside him. I raised an eyebrow at him, "I mean, the last thing I want to do is burden you."

"You're not a burden, you have one, but you're not," I murmured, tapping my fingers against the mug. "So why not let someone you trust help you shoulder the burden?"

"Rys... I'm failing all of my classes," John whispered, his eyes gaining a faraway look. "My parents were right, and I am nothing but a failure, and I—"

"No." I set my mug to the side, taking his hands. "Don't you dare... They aren't right, and you are not a failure. John, your grades don't define who you are." He sniffed again, not daring to look up at me. I squeezed his hands, hating that he was listening to those people. I wouldn't have given them another chance with him if I had a say. I prayed to dad, hoping that there were no bruises on his body. I let go of one of his hands, reaching into my pocket. I hated what I had to do next, but it wasn't about me. It was about him and what he needed. "Do you trust me?" John nodded, using his free hand to wipe his face. I unblocked Grace's number, clicking on her name to call her.

I held my phone to my ear, feeling slightly relieved when the line clicked over. "Marie—"

I cut off her relieved voice. "I have John here with me, and he needs you," My stomach twisted while John's head shot up to stare at me. I sent him a smile, "he needs his mom."

"Okay, Marie, put him on the phone," She whispered, and I handed him the phone. John shook his head, and I clicked on the speaker phone. "John... son, can you hear me?" Tears went down John's cheeks, and he refused to answer. "John, talk to me." Grace's voice was soothing and seemed to break John's resolve.

"Mom," He sucked in a breath, squeezing my hand tightly. I wrapped my arm around him, "they were right... I'm a failure, and I'm failing out of school." I felt him shudder against me, and I tried to hold him tight.

"No, my little novelist, you aren't a failure. You are trying, and that is someone who is not a failure. You may be failing at something, but failing isn't bad; remember, it's how we grow and learn. I know it hurts, but take heart, my little one. It is a lesson you must learn and will help you be who you are meant to be," John sniffed, sagging against my shoulder. I rubbed his hand, trying to give him as much comfort as I could. "They aren't right. They are wrong, John; you have become much more than them. They have tried to diminish your light, but you have prevailed each time. Sweetheart, they are scared of what you will be without them. Don't you believe them for a second, do you hear me?"

"Yeah," He inhaled sharply, and I saw Jay peek around the corner. His eyes widened at John, and he rushed into the kitchen, gluing himself to John's other side. John froze, wrapping his arm around Jay and pressing his face into his hair.

"I know it's hard, John... but you have no idea how proud I am of you. Just keep trying," Grace murmured, and I saw Jay eye the phone wearily. "Don't let them try to bring you down."

"Thanks, mom," John let go of my hand, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"I have to go... call me if you need me," Grace sighed, sounding exhausted.

"Bye, mom," John and Jay chimed in, moving closer to the phone.

"Bye," She hummed when she heard them both. I felt the word get caught in my throat, and I couldn't force it. I hit the red button, setting my phone back in my pocket.

I let him go, moving to the sink. I wet a paper towel, wringing it out, and moved towards John; he looked at me with his reddened puffy eyes. I gently wiped his face, and Jay detached himself from John, moving to sit beside him. Jay frowned, resting his head on John's shoulder. "Feel better?"

"Yeah," He let out a deep breath, patting Jay's knee. "Sorry for being an ass, Jay."

"Thanks... don't listen to those people. I know they are your biological parents, but you're different when you return from them," Jay whispered, wrapping his arms around John. "You are ours, not theirs. Our family..."

John stared down at Jay, his eyes starting to tear up again. John maneuvered him, so he was hugging him tightly. John glanced at me, holding up his arm. I moved toward them, wrapping my arms around them, holding them close. "You are right... I'll be better. Thank you for being there for me."

"We are family," Jay's voice was muffled, and I couldn't help but smile. "It's what we do."

"You are stuck with us," I said, pulling back slightly. "We support each other, no matter what."

9:36 p.m. Chiago House, La Push, Washington

I walked around the house, checking the doors and picking up what didn't belong. "Hey..." I smiled at John, looking better than he did this morning, and he held up his comb and hair ties. The towel rested on his shoulders, making him look young.

"Sit. Let me finish my routine, and I'll braid it," I said, picking up Jay's discarded coat and earphones. I checked the door again, making sure it was locked. I hummed to myself, hoping that Paul was happy spending time with his dad. I walked to Jay's room, seeing him passed out on his bed. I tossed his jacket on his chair and set his headphones on his dresser. I stepped closer to his bed, pulling the blanket up to cover him. I sighed, seeing his messy room, and I felt the irritation building, and I pursed my lips, leaving his room. I closed his door, closing my eyes and waving my hands over his door. "Bad dreams, go away. Good dreams, here to stay." I whispered the mantra three more times before touching his door, drawing a heart on the white door.

I walked back to the living room, seeing John fiddle with his phone on the floor, leaning lazily against the couch. I sat behind him, combing his hair, "Do you really like this guy?" He tapped his fingernails against the screen. "Paul..." he corrected when I gently tugged on his ear.

I frowned, realizing his hair was still dripping. I picked up his towel and squeezed the excess water out of his hair. I rubbed it gently against his scalp, setting the towel back on his shoulders once his hair stopped dripping. "I love him."

John's fingers paused his anxious tapping, "Love?" John turned to look up at me, and I nodded, turning his head back. "But you're so young..."

I couldn't help the snort that escaped. I wrapped my arms around John's neck in a quick hug. "I know, me... falling in love... astonishing."

I started combing out his hair, "that's not what I meant." John pinched my leg, and I smacked the top of his head with the comb. "It's just falling in love sounds scary to me now, and you don't seem scared."

I stopped combing his hair, thinking about it for a moment. "I'm not..." I started combing his hair again, wincing at the several tangles in his hair. "I don't know how to explain it. I just feel calm when I am around him."

"Jay seems like he approves," John asked, sagging against my knees. "I've never seen him get upset at me." I started splitting his hair, and I began to braid one side. "Can you tell me how you met?"

I couldn't help but let the smile cross my face and felt the warmth build in my chest. "Some other kid bumped into me at school, and I had my art binder. All of my art ended up on the floor, and he stepped on one of them, but he didn't apologize. So I called him an ass and demanded an apology." I finished one braid, and John turned to face me. "What?"

"You did that?" John sounded skeptical, and I rolled my eyes at him turning his head. I started on his other braid. "Good job." I laughed, hearing his proud tone. "I'm sorry about what I said to you."

"Apology accepted," I finished his last braid, pinching his cheek. "From my end... What you said was uncalled for." John slumped, tossing his head back in my lap. "Before you whine about it, think about the weight of your words. Think about how many others have looked down on us and belittled us. Then you do the same thing. How would you feel if I called your girlfriend filthy or—"

"I get it..." He closed his eyes, letting out a small huff. I felt my heart drop at his automatic shut down. "I will apologize to him for you... I promise."

"Don't do it for me... do it because you truly recognize what you did as something wrong and hurtful, and you want to acknowledge it to be better," I lifted his head up, dropping it back on the couch. "No bruises, right?" He opened his eyes, shaking his head, and I felt a heavy weight shift off of me. "Good, I thought I was gonna have to kick some ass." He grinned, his eyes leaking. I leaned over, wiping underneath his eye, "I'm going to sleep... bunk with your brother or use Grace's room." I stretched, feeling my back pop. "Night..." I pressed a kiss to his forehead.

I turned on my heel heading to my room. I shut the door, tossing myself on my bed. I laid on Paul's side, grinning when I smelt his shampoo on the pillow. I rolled over, bringing Paul's pillow with me. I held the pillow closer to my chest, trying to imagine that it was emanating Paul's warmth. I sat up, hearing a tapping sound. I got up, walked to the window, and gently pulled the curtains to the side. My eyes widened seeing Paul staring at me. I took in his drenched form and quickly opened the window. "I didn't know where else to go."

"C'mere," I urged, holding my hand under the window so he didn't bump his head. He climbed in, and I quickly shut the window, yanking my towel off the chair. I guided him into the chair, kneeling at eye level, but he refused to meet my gaze. I gently wiped his face, moving to dry his hair as I tried to figure out what was happening. I could feel the steam coming off his skin. Once his hair stopped dripping, I set the towel to the side, rubbing his arms, trying to let him know that I was there whenever he was ready.

Paul took a deep breath and looked at me with deep brown eyes. "He left... He fucking left..." He scoffed, and I could see tears in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "Big talk about him staying... what was the point of even coming for a few hours," Paul growled out, clenching his jaw so hard I could see the veins pop out. "I..." He stopped, inhaling deeply, closing his eyes abruptly. I watched the tears leak from his eyes and his jaw clench and unclench.

I reached out, cupping his chin, rubbing his cheek, catching the warm tears. "Don't hold it in... I've got you." He leaned toward me, sliding off the chair, resting his head in the crook of my neck, and I pulled him tightly against me. His arms wrapped around me, and I hated that I couldn't do more for him. I rubbed his neck, feeling the warm tears hit my neck. "I've got you."

10:55 p.m. Chiago House, La Push, Washington

I leaned against the chair, taking in Paul sprawled on the floor, his head resting on my thigh. I rubbed his shoulder, humming lowly, listening to his breathing, and I could see how young he looked when he slept. I felt the stiffness in my joints, yet I couldn't bring myself to move.

I rested my head against my shoulder, trying to relax by listening to the rainfall and his breathing. I winced when the door creaked open, and I let out a relieved sigh when Paul stayed asleep. Jay peered in, frowning when he took in Paul's form. "Something going around?"

I shrugged, sending him a tired smile. "Maybe we need to smudge..." I winced, feeling how achy I felt "tomorrow." Jay moved to come into the room. "You okay?"

Jay nodded, squatting by Paul's legs and setting his hand on his leg. Paul shifted closer to me but stayed asleep. "Smudging is good. Is he okay?"

"I'm okay," Paul murmured, squeezing my thigh. He sat up, rolling his neck, and I moved, trying to get the blood to flow back. He sent a fake smile to Jay, and I could see that Jay saw past his lie.

"Bullshit," Jay rolled his eyes, moving to sit beside Paul's legs. "Respectfully," He added as an afterthought. Paul smirked, rubbing his face.

Paul glanced at me, his smirk started to drop, and I reached over, squeezing his hand. "Jay, give us a minute."

Jay sighed, "couldn't have said anything before I sat down?" I smirked, rolling my eyes playfully at him. Jay stood up, glancing down at Paul as he towered over him. He held out his hand to Paul, looking at him expectedly. Paul frowned, his brows furrowing together. He reached up, taking Jay's hand. "I understand you may not be ready to share feelings. But, we don't lie in this family about not being okay. It's okay to have bad days, and we don't judge."

Paul stared up at him, swallowing hard, "Family?"

Jay looked taken back, "Yes, family." Jay's worried eyes flashed to mine. "Sound like someone needs an induction to the Chiago family. I'll get everything ready." I grinned at him, sending him a nod. "Come to the living room when you are ready." Jay turned, closing the door and shouting for John to gather the mattresses.

I studied Paul, watching him roll his shoulders. He glanced at me with his big brown eyes, and I held my arms open. He faltered, rubbing his face quickly, maneuvering himself, so he was resting against me. I wrapped my arms around him, dragging my nails lightly against his skin. He caught my fingers, intertwining them with his and resting our hands over his heart. "Do you want to try calling him?"

He shook his head, "It's better to just let everything cool down." Paul closed his eyes, and I could feel the small tremors. "It's always the same argument, and he just ups and leaves every time."

"What happened?" I asked, tightening my hand against his.

"We got into an argument. He got after me for being out so late and then accused me of following in her footsteps. It was a bad argument. He said he would kick me out if he found out I was being stupid and trying to be like the other lowlifes. He didn't even give me the benefit of the doubt. He always fucking assumes. Then he leaves his dumbass letter and disappears. In a few weeks, he's gonna come back and act if nothing is wrong, and I'm fucking tired of it," He let out a shuttered breath, sinking further into my embrace. I held him tightly, hating that I couldn't fix it for him. "I'm sick of the accusations. The worst thing is that he doesn't even care that it hurts. It's like he punishes me for being related to her. I'm a fucking protector... that is the highest honor. Why am I not worthy enough for him?"

"You are worthy, regardless of what anyone believes," I said, feeling his hand tighten against mine. "You can't help who your parents are, and you did not have a choice in choosing. It seems like he still has a lot to process with her, and his way of dealing with it is projecting his fear onto you. It's unfair because he doesn't see all the great things you do. It's his loss." I moved, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his forehead. "There may come a time when he will finally see it, or there may not. It's something you don't have any control over. Just always know that you are worthy."

Paul sat up, letting go of my hand. He turned around to stare at me, and I took him in, seeing the dark circles more prominent under his eyes. I could hear the rumbling from his stomach and the rain pelting against the window. "I wish I could believe it."

"You know, there will come a day where you feel worthy. It takes time and patience. But it will come, I know it will, and I will be beside you and believe it for you. Until you are ready. " I scooted closer to him, "You are mine to protect. I love you, Paul. Always." He closed his eyes, and I moved forward, unsure if touching him was a good idea. Paul leaned towards me, resting his head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him, protecting him as he let down his walls.

11:43 p.m. Chiago House, La Push, Washington

A soft knock sounded, breaking the comfortable silence. We leaned against the bed, Paul's head resting on my shoulder. I glanced at Paul, silently asking if he was okay with me letting whoever was at the door come in. He nodded. "Come in," I called, offering him the granola bar I had stashed, and he took it, fiddling with it in his hands.

John poked his head in the door, "So are we not doing the induction?" Paul tensed, lifting his head up, and Jay took the opportunity to barge in. "Jayden!"

Jay shrugged, getting on his knees next to Paul. "You can't say no."

I reached over, flicking Jay, "What my darling idiotic brother means is, he would be very grateful if you did not say no, but he understands if you are not feeling up for it."

Paul laughed, messing up Jay's hair. "I don't think I could ever say no to the Chiago siblings."

"Chiago's in general," John murmured, sitting by my feet. "But, they can't say no once you've been inducted. Once they've chosen you, it is for life."

"There's no one else I would rather I would have as a family," Paul said, squishing Jay's cheek and wrapping his free arm around me. "All of you."

John shifted, reaching over to put his hand on Paul's leg. "I'm sorry... for what I did to you and accused you of doing. I'll be a better brother to you. All of you." John promised, looking at all of us. "Well, once you are inducted." I rolled my eyes, kicking his side, hearing him murmur curses underneath his breath. "Be kind to your elders," He wheezed, holding my ankle.

"I always am. But I don't see any here in the room," I grinned, settling closer to Paul, knowing he would protect me. I tugged my ankle away, but he held fast. "You little punk," He tightened his hand, yanking my sock off, digging his fingers into my foot. "No!" I kicked at him, trying to yank my foot back. I heard Paul grunt, and his arm disappeared from my shoulder. "You demon!" John dragged me towards him, and he straddled my, pinning my arms down. He smirked down at me, "Don't you dare." He pursed his lips, letting his saliva start to exit his mouth. "John!"

"Sorry, Paul, we can't intervene," I could faintly hear Jay start to explain that if we caught someone's foot and they had a sock, we could start a play fight if we pulled the sock off.

I used my legs to tighten them around his torso, flipping him so that he hit the floor. "You had to follow Dad's rules." I fought against his death grip on my hands, "Did you have to try and spit on me, you disgusting buttface." John snickered at me, "Yield."

"Of course, I followed his rules. You called me a punk and a demon." I narrowed my eyes at his response. "Either you do it, or I will."

"You are gross," I yanked one of my hands from his grip. I glanced at Paul, seeing him grin at me. John used my distraction to flip us, so I was pinned. I stopped wiggling, "Please, John, don't do this."

John rolled his eyes, "It will be quick and painless. Puppy eyes won't help." I pushed myself closer to the floor, eyeing the spit getting closer to my face.

"John!" I whined, turning my head, meeting Paul's gaze. Jay held onto his shoulder, preventing him from moving. I closed my eyes, accepting my fate. I heard Jay yelp and something warm on my face. I opened my eyes, seeing a tan arm in front of my face. I turned my head, seeing Paul's hand catching the spit. I started laughing at the pinched look on John's face. I used his shock to pull myself into a sitting position and saw Jay clinging to Paul's back. "Initiation complete," I grinned at Paul, "you saved me from them."

"You are so weird," Paul grinned, glancing between the three of us. Jay started laughing, burying his face in Paul's shoulder. Paul eyed John, rubbing his spit-covered hand on his shirt. "Interesting test, but I would do anything for her and her...well, our family."

"Good," John smiled, shoving Paul's hand away. "Dad... would've loved you. This was his initiation, and he did the same with me, and Rys and Jay went against mom. He had an odd way of thinking, but somehow, he brought us all closer. I know I wasn't the easiest when I first came in, but his initiation made me feel like I belonged and was one of them." I felt my heart jump to my throat when I realized how true John's words were. Dad would've loved Paul, and I hated that he couldn't meet him.

"You were supposed to hold him down, and I was supposed to be held back by Jay," I stood up, shoving down the sadness, taking my sock back.

"You're kidding, right? No offense," He gestured to Paul, "but he's built like a linebacker, and how the hell am I supposed to keep him down by myself?" I shrugged, grinning at Paul, winking at him. "You were the next best thing... no offense Rys, I know I can keep you down."

"Better watch out... I have a linebacker now," I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to Paul's cheek. "Now that the initiation is complete let's eat and relax."

"The new predator movie is out!" Jay jumped up, pulling on John and Paul's arms. "Everything is already set up. Hurry before Rys gets the remote." John and Jay glanced at me, and I smirked, rushing towards the door. I skidded into the wall, hearing them shout at me. I rushed into the living room, seeing the remote perched on the couch. Just as I was about to reach the remote, warm arms wrapped around my stomach, preventing me from going further. "Score!" Jay cried out, holding the remote up like a trophy. He threw himself on the couch, searching for the movie.

I glared up at Paul, "Et Tu?"

Paul pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Id est quod id est." I snickered, rubbing his arms, and he rested his head against my shoulder, "I love you."

"I love you too," I rested my head against his. "Always." He squeezed me quickly before letting me go. Paul trailed to the kitchen, peering down the hallway seeing John stop at the picture of us, and I moved to stand next to him. "I miss him." John tossed an arm over my shoulder.

"Me too. I wasn't lying. Dad would've loved him..." I touched the picture, trailing my finger over dad's grinning face. "I didn't hear anything, but is he okay? Jay mentioned we needed to do the induction as soon as possible and that he needed to know he was ours."

"The only other person that Jay has done that to is-"

"Me..." John stared down at me. I let my hand drop from the frame. "Is he okay?"

I knew John was asking if he was being abused, and I could see the fear in his eyes. "It's not what you are thinking, I promise. I know he will be okay. But Jay was right. Paul needs to know where we all stand and has us as a family to rely on."

"He has us," John affirmed, squeezing me tightly.

"Hurry up, you two. Paul and I are waiting. Enough with the mush. Let's watch some gore!" I sighed at his impatience. I stepped out of John's embrace.

"Coming!" I tugged on Jay's ear in passing, catching the popcorn he tossed at me. I took in Paul's lounging on one of the mattresses on the floor. I stepped over him and settled beside him, taking the popcorn from Jay. "I can get you something hearty to eat if you want?" He shook his head, wrapping his arm around me as I settled into his side. Paul took a handful of popcorn, shoving it into his mouth. John turned off the lights, throwing himself down on the other mattress. I focused on Jay shifting behind me on the couch, John curling into the pillows, and the warmth and crunch of the popcorn from Paul. My little family was going through their own hurt, but it gave me some peace that they knew we were all together. I glanced up at Paul, "Welcome to the family," I whispered under my breath, knowing he could hear me. Paul glanced down at me, brushing his nose against mine. We shared a smile, ignoring the groan from Jay.