(Thomas POV)
There were only a couple more weeks of school left, and I couldn't be happier. It was about time to decide where Edythe and I were going for our honeymoon. We had it narrowed down to South America, but we weren't settled on where just yet.
I'd read about a place in Colombia called Lloró, that was supposed to be one of the wettest, cloudiest places on the planet. It sounded like Forks with better scenery. Edythe, however, wanted something… cinematic. Even if that meant she was limited to being outside more at night than during the day.
She'd pulled up a couple of villas in Peru that she really liked. She'd also mentioned a trio of friends in the Amazon, and then added, with a look that made my pulse jump, that meeting them depended on whether she decided to let us leave the house long enough to actually go anywhere.
I smiled as my mind wandered for a few moments. My wife had become insatiable since our wedding night, and I loved every second of it.
"I have seen that look in too many anime to not know where your mind is."
I looked at Ben and smiled wider, "The look of jealousy on your face suits you."
We were coming back from watching the newest X-Men movie The Last Stand, and Ben was more interested in the graphics and actors than the story. Personally, I didn't enjoy the movie, I thought the chosen storyline was handled poorly. Wolverine killing Jean Grey in the end was good, but something just felt wrong with the movie as a whole. Maybe it was the gritty tone of the movie. Still, I got to spend some time with a friend while Edythe was hunting.
When I dropped Ben off at Angela's house, I noticed Bella was just leaving. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to follow her home. Interestingly enough, within a few blocks, I noticed Edward's car behind me. Weird, I thought he went hunting with Edythe.
As sunny as it was today, I wondered if he would actually get out at Charlie's once we arrived. I shook my head in wonder as he just continued past the house once Bella and I had pulled in. Bella had a worried look on her face as she followed the silver Volvo with her eyes.
"What's that all about? Something happen, sis?"
She let out a deep sigh, "I uh… Kinda snuck over to the reservation to visit Jacob before going to Angela's. My bet is that Alice lost track of me and called Edward to rat me out."
"Well with the worry about the strange vampire showing up in your room, he is obviously going to be overly cautious."
She unlocked the door and walked inside, "You think it's just about my safety? Angela pointed out that it could be he… doesn't want me around Jacob and not just because he is a Werewolf."
I thought about it for a minute, not wanting to dismiss it out of hand. "I can't be sure sis, but it is a possibility. Edward is just like Edythe, they have suppressed emotions that they didn't have an outlet for, and now they are coming back, and they have little experience in how to handle them. But that's just a guess, you should really have this conversation with him."
I walked into the kitchen like I still lived there and opened the fridge. Not seeing any leftovers, I pulled out some sandwich stuff and started to make myself one.
Bella shook her head, "Sure, go ahead and make yourself one. Not like you didn't just come back from the movies where I'm sure you had a large popcorn all to yourself."
"Thanks sis." I smiled at her sarcasm.
She plopped into a kitchen chair, "Jacob asked me to come back to the reservation Friday night for some sort of storytelling ceremony."
I started putting everything away, "That's weird, normally they don't invite outsiders to stuff like that."
"Yeah, Jacob was being all vague about just what it was. Just said it was something I needed to hear before making any permanent decisions."
"Hmm, sounds interesting, I guess. Seeing that worried look on your face I assume you want to go, but are worried about what Edward will say."
"At least I won't have to worry about random vampires while I'm there." She said rather petulantly.
I swallowed the bite of sandwich in my mouth, "Look, I know it's been kinda rough here lately. But he really thinks it's the best way to keep you safe."
"But having guards on me nearly 24/7 is driving me nuts. What happens if one of you get hurt trying to protect me?"
"Better one of us, than you sis. We are far more durable. You really need to have a long serious conversation with Edward about all this. But before that, you should work it out in your own head. If you want to go to the reservation, then that is on you. Edward has only the control you allow him. If he tries for more, then he and I will have words."
"He is not that controlling, he just…he hates when he can't protect me."
I held my empty hand out flat and started twisting it back and forth, "Ehh, its borderline, sis."
Bella let out a sigh, "If Edward pushes it, I'll talk to him," she said, like she was rehearsing it so she wouldn't back down later. "I can handle a conversation. I can… I can be firm without being combative."
Before I could say anything, her eyes narrowed at me, "Don't you go trying to fight my battles for me. If me and Edward are going to work, we have to figure these things out ourselves."
I raised both my hands up, half a sandwich still in one. "I won't interfere, so long as he continues to talk to you. But if he starts talking at you, then I reserve a brother's privilege to step in."
Her mouth twitched, almost a smile, then gone. Probably going over what she will say to Edward later this evening.
"I'll talk to him," she repeated, more sure. "I just… I need to do it my way."
"Good," I said, standing. "And if you decide you're going Friday, don't apologize for it."
Bella's eyes flicked away. "Jacob was being vague. Like he was afraid to say too much."
"Probably because he's Jacob," I muttered.
That got a real, small laugh out of her, brief, relieved.
I walked to where she was sitting and squeezed her shoulder gently. "Text me if it turns into a mess."
She nodded, then hesitated. "Thomas?"
"Yeah."
Her voice became softer. "Don't treat me like I'm breakable."
My throat tightened. "Sis, I will never change the way I treat you."
I left before we could both get weird about it.
(Leah POV)
Gods, how does he do this? I complained as I stumbled over a loose strap yet again. This time I nearly tumbled when I stepped on it, the backpack jerked, yanking my head down so fast my teeth clicked together on the strap. I tried to lift it higher, but that only made me stare at the treetops instead of the path.
Tell me again why I'm doing this, I asked myself for the hundredth time.
Because you want to look good when you ask him, I self-answered. It was too easy to do that once you were used to the packmind thing. I'd planned this for a time when no one else would be shifted, so I could keep as much of my dignity as possible. I'd become very good at keeping my thoughts controlled in the packmind so they only saw what I wanted them to see… but this would go up like a flare no matter how careful I tried to be.
Here I was, going to ask a married man to accompany me to an event that was usually only attended by Tribal Elders, the Pack, and their spouse or intended. This wasn't just me asking him to 'come along as a friend.'
This was me basically telling the whole tribe (and my mother) that I looked at Thomas that way… As a suitor.
I'd made sure to explain that to Edythe when we talked just before she left for her hunting trip. I didn't want any appearance that I was trying to deceive her or go behind her back. This would also be the opening gambit in telling Thomas that Edythe and I both wanted a relationship with him. Edythe was convinced it would be something he would accept easily, but I still had my doubts.
When I got close to their house, I stopped and found a place that looked good for my purpose, hidden enough that I wouldn't be seen from the road, but close enough that I could hear if someone came outside.
Shifting back to human, I opened the backpack and pulled out the skirt I'd chosen. It was dark, knee-length, and hugged my waist, cinched with a slightly darker belt. The buckle was a large round piece with turquoise inlay. Next was the shirt: a cream-colored blouse, off-the-shoulder, long sleeves, gathered under the bust to show a strip of midriff.
I knew it looked good because I'd spent hours today in front of my mirror trying to choose what I was going to wear.
I grabbed the brush and ran it through my hair. Sometimes I missed having it long, but this short cut style was just too practical, even if it made me look a little boyish. I pulled out a compact mirror and checked my work. No makeup. I didn't like it, and if I started, it would turn into another thing to worry about.
The last things I pulled out were my shoes. Then I shoved the compact back into the backpack and hid it where I could find it for the trip back.
I braced myself. "You can do this," I whispered. "Be brave instead of just acting brave."
I hated that Edyth's words worked so well to motivate me.
Then I started toward the house I could barely make out through the trees.
The closer I got, the more my thoughts tumbled.
What if he laughs?
Thomas doesn't laugh at people.
What if he thinks this is just another training deal?
He sets the schedule on those.
What if he looks at you like you're a problem?
He hasn't yet.
Back and forth went my mind, until one question had me stumped for an answer.
What if he says no?
My automatic answer was that I would run. Shift and disappear. Never to come back.
Who knew I could be so…cowardly?
Before I realized it, I had one foot on a step. The steps to their porch. Thomas and Edythe's home. I took a deep breath to calm myself. It had the opposite effect. I could smell Edythe and a faint trace of the forest mixed with the subtle smell of Thomas. Even in my wolf form, Thomas put out barely and scent.
My stomach did that stupid lurch it had been doing lately. Stop acting like this is a date. It's only me asking him on a date… Where the whole tribe will see that I am basically staking a claim on him… Why do I make things so difficult on myself?
I continued up the steps, my hand hovering over the door, and for a second, I just stood there, taking deep breaths one after another before I finally knocked on the door. Two firm raps and then I waited.
Nothing happened. I knocked again, three raps this time. Still nothing. Looking around I noticed the glow of a doorbell and laughed at myself before pressing it. After waiting a few more minutes, it finally dawned on me. He wasn't home.