The Sister
Chapter 15
"Sam?" Beth asked, looking across the table at him.
"Yeah?" He asked looking up from breakfast.
"Would it be okay if I invited dad down to watch the game here tonight, Billy as well?" Beth asked, not looking at him as she helped Juliet with her food.
"Of course," Sam said, having no issues with it.
"Thanks," Beth smiled at him. He noticed her shoulders soften, a glimpse of relief on her features.
"Lizzy you don't have to ask things like that, you can invite whoever you want over here. You live here now," Sam said, not taking his eyes off her.
"How about Isabella and her vampire boyfriend?" Beth asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I know you're joking about that one," Sam said before returning to his food.
"Yeah, that was an easy one." Beth agreed. Sam and Embry left not long after breakfast. It was Sam's last shift for the week while Paul and Jared were at school. Embry would join him today and Sam would get him use to the tracks they ran. Beth cleaned the mess from breakfast and got Juliet changed and ready for the day ahead. It wasn't raining today and the sun was trying to make an appearance. If the day stayed nice Beth planned to take Julie down to the beach. But first she had to call Charlie.
"Hey Bethie. How's everything going?" Charlie answered after the third ring.
"Really good dad," she said, smiling at the sound of his voice.
"Works good?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, I've actually cut back on hours," Beth said.
"Really?" Charlie asked, surprised. "That's good Beth, you were starting for wear out."
"Yeah, I'm not sure how I'm meant to handle three days off in a row, but I think I'll live," Beth laughed.
"How's Julie going? It's strange not having you to around," Charlie didn't want to pry in his daughter's life, he was worried things may not have been going well but she sounded happy.
"Her new word for the day is fruit. She's very pleased with herself. I was wondering if you didn't have other plans already, if you and Billy wanted to come here to watch the game tonight?" Beth asked.
"That sounds great, did you want me to bring anything?" Charlie asked, excitement clear in his voice.
"No just Billy, I'll deal with the food and drinks," Beth said.
"Sounds good sweetheart. Just send me through the address," Charlie said.
"Will do dad. Talk soon," Beth said a wide smile plastered across her face.
"Bye Bethie," Charlie said before hanging up the phone. He also wore a large smile, already calling Billy to tell him the change of planes. The pair arrived at Sam's house late that afternoon. Beth hugged her father then Billy, happy to see them both. Charlie grabbed Julie from her play pen complaining about how much she had grown.
"I told you to stop growing up, look how big you are getting." Charlie said sitting down on the couch with Julie on his knee. The little girl smiled brightly at the older man pulling at his hair.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop," she shouted happily.
"Beer?" Beth asked.
"Yes, please dear. Sam still at work?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, he shouldn't be too far away." Beth smiled, handing both Billy and her dad a cold beverage. "Dinner should be ready at half time; I can do snacks if you guys are hungry?"
"We're all good dear, especially with this screen. May have to make this a weekly thing," Billy said parking himself next to the lounge and admiring the large flatscreen on the wall. She already had it on the right channel, but it would be a little while before the game started.
"Yeah, it's not bad, beets your black box," Charlie said looking at the TV.
"Might be time for an upgrade," Billy agreed.
"Where is it that Sam works?" Charlie asked.
"He works with the council," Beth said her eyes flicking to Billy.
"He runs our traditional forest care program and helps keep the reservation and surrounding forest life safe." Billy said, not missing a beat.
"Well looks like you guys are paying pretty well for that," Charlie commented.
"He puts in lots of hours, hard worker," Billy said, nodding his head. Charlie dropped the subject and Beth tried not to over think on it. She was glad when Sam finally arrived and relieved he went to the effort of putting on a shirt and shoes. She was sure if he showed up in only cut off jeans Charlie would have a lot more questions about his job.
"Charlie, Billy," Sam nodded in greeting to the two older men.
"Sam, it's good to see you again," Charlie said.
"We were just admiring the TV, Charlie was a little worried we were paying you to well," Billy smiled. Sam laughed.
"Trust me when you are scraping a skunk off the side of the road it doesn't feel like enough," Sam smiled. Charlie cringed.
"Yeah you couldn't pay me enough to do that," Charlie agreed. Sam winked at Beth. If she hadn't been studying his face there was no way she would have seen it. He was a good lier, she had to give him that. She wondered if that was a planned story he had come up with in advance for when people ask about his job. She guessed he didn't really have the ability to tell anyone the truth about his work.
The night passed faster then Beth would have liked. Before she knew it the food was gone, and the game was over.
"Well, I guess us old farts better get going," Billy smiled, rolling to the door.
"I guess it's past the old fella's bedtime," Charlie smirked.
"Who are you calling old fella?" Billy asked. Charlie laughed and Sam helped him lift Billy down the front steps. Sam followed Billy to the car.
"Bye dad," Beth said, pulling Charlie into a hug. Charlie looked over his shoulder as he pulled away from Beth.
"I think you may have a good one there Beth," Charlie admitted, watching Sam talking with Billy.
"Yeah, I think so," Beth smiled her eyes flicking over to Sam. It had been a long time since Charlie had seen her look at peace, he hoped that wouldn't change. "Love you dad," she said looking back at her father. Charlie smiled, he loved when his daughters called him dad. He wasn't sure why Bella had stopped calling him that, but he was glad Beth hadn't stopped. He hoped she never would.
"Love you too sweetheart, see you again soon." He smiled walking towards the truck. "Night Sam," Charlie said as he climbed up into the car.
"Thank you both for coming over, we'll catch up again soon," Sam smiled, stepping back from the car as the engine started up. Beth waved as the car drove off. Sam wondered back to Beth, hooking an arm around her waist he lent in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"I've been waiting out here for like an hour for them to leave," Embry grumbled walking past them and into the house. Beth pulled back from Sam, smiling up at him.
"Looks like mr happy is home," she laughed, pulling away from him.
"I don't care what you call me as long as there is food," Embry called back. By the time everything was cleaned up and the kids, both Julie and Embry, were feed, showered and in bed, the couple of the house were exhausted.
"Night Sam," Beth said looking at him in the darkness of the bedroom. The slight moonlight from outside glinted off his features. Sam slipped an arm around her, pulling her closer. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she let her eyelids fall shut.
"Night Lizzy," he whispered. They were the last words she heard before she drifted off to sleep, and she hoped every night could be the same.
When the morning came Beth found herself watching the clock like a hawk. She had put off telling Sam about Leah coming to visit, she had hoped he would have re address the subject by now but seemingly he was avoiding the topic.
"You're going out," Beth said, as Sam slipped on his shoes by the front door. She knew the words sounded stupid as soon as they left her mouth.
"Yeah, just going to the hardware store, did you need anything?" Sam asked.
"No, I'm… good. Do you think you will be long?" Beth asked.
"Maybe an hour. Is that okay?" Sam paused, giving her a strange look.
"Of course, sorry just planning lunch," Beth smiled.
"Always food on your mind. I'll definitely be back by then." Sam smiled. "Bye Julie," he waved to the small girl who rested in her mother's arms.
"Be be be be bye," she smiled waving back at him. Beth smiled at the little girl kissing her cheek.
"You said the full word, bye," Beth repeated back to her.
"Bye," Julie smiled.
"I think you earned a cookie for that," Beth smiled going for the cookie jar. Julie clapped with excitement. She couldn't say cookie, but she sure knew what that word meant. Julie sat happily munching on her cookie while Beth began bringing the boxed-up baby clothes down stares.
When Beth heard the car pulling up the drive. She had momentarily thought it was Sam returning from his trip. But no, it was Leah. A smiling, happy Leah whose life she was about to turn upside down.
"Gosh it's cold out there today," Leah said, slipping off her wet coat.
"Tell me about it, I've been hiding in front of the oven all morning," Beth laughed.
"This place is lovely," Leah smiled looking around the room.
"Thanks," Beth said, swallowing a lump in her throat. She thought about how this could have been Leah's house, the idea playing in her mind. The what if's making her question if she was doing the right thing bringing Leah here.
"You weren't joking about the baby stuff," Leah said as her eyes landed on the pile of boxes.
"This isn't even all of it," Beth sighed. "There can be a whatever you want pile, a good will pile and a pile I just can't part with. Hopefully if it's a boy he is tough enough to ware pink," Beth laughed.
"Actually, it's a girl," Leah said, a smile fluttering on her lips.
"Really?" Beth grinned.
"Yeah, I had a scan yesterday." Leah said.
"That's lovely Leah. Well then, she has a full wardrobe already," Beth smiled opening the first box. They dived into the clothes and Beth relaxed a bit. That was until Leah froze mid way through her conversation about the idea of cloth diapers. Beth had zoned out a little on the conversation, so it took her a moment to realise Leah had stopped speaking. Beth looked at her friend, confused why the room was now silent.
"Sam?" Leah's face dropped as the words left her lips. Her disbelieving look actually matched Sam's perfectly. Beth would have laughed if she wasn't stuck between the two of them, both having no idea what was going on. "Beth, what is he doing here?" Leah asked turning her attention to Beth.
"I can explain," Beth said, standing up. Mentally trying to work out where to start.
"You have to be joking!" Leah said getting to her feet as quickly as she could. "Him! You moved in with Sam!"
"Beth why did you bring her here?" Sam asked.
"She had to know the truth," Beth said looking to Sam. He turned his attention to Leah.
"Leah, she has nothing to do with the reason we broke up. That happened before me, and Elizabeth even started talking." Sam tried to start from the beginning, but Leah wasn't interested in listening.
"It's been three months Sam. After four years of dating, we never even lived together!" Leah shouted at him.
"It's hard to explain," Sam said, trying to keep his cool.
"Oh well, sorry it's so hard for you. Do you really think now is the time to tell me this?" Leah asked.
"I don't think there was really a right time to tell you this. Would you prefer we kept it a secret?" Sam asked.
"I would prefer if it never happened!" Leah moved towards the door.
"Leah can we just talk some things over," Sam said, holding his hands up in a calming motion. It only made her angrier.
"I have enough on my plate right now, I don't want to deal with your shit Sam. I have three months to find somewhere to live, prepare for this baby and then try and work out what the hell I'm meant to do with it." Leah yelled, an arm protectively wrapped around her stomach.
"I do have a suggestion for that first problem," Beth said raising her hand in the air. Both turned to Beth with the same solid glare. She kept talking before they cut her off. "Sam's still got his old place; rent is paid until the end of the year. It's only a few minutes walk from your parents and it's got two bedrooms. It's cheap so you would also be able to cover the rent next year even if you only do two days at the diner a week, but Sam will help out with expenses as well." Sam's face softened at Beth's suggestion.
"That is actually a good idea," he admitted.
"Leah we want to help you with this, you are not alone. That child is going to be loved and well looked after. I know this is a lot to take in and definitely not what you expected to hear today but I didn't think keeping this secret would help." Beth said.
"I just need some time," Leah said quietly, grabbing her coat off the wall.
"That's okay Leah, it's a lot to take in. Nothing happened between us while you two were together. I only moved in here because I was having issues with Bella and Sam had a spare room for me and Julie to stay in. I'm sure you feel lied to, and I understand that. I hope one day you can forgive us," Beth said.
"I care about both of them a lot Leah," Sam continued. "I do want to be a part of this baby's life, just tell me what I have to do to make that happen."
"Move aside," Leah said looking up at him. She fought to hold back tears, emotions threatening to overflow. Sam let out a sign doing as told he moved away from the door letting Leah leave. If she needed time, he would give her time.
Authors Notes***
Sorry for the slow update it took me a while to peace this chapter together. Do you think Beth did the right thing bringing Leah to the house?