Unsuspecting

Chapter Sixty-Six

Alex's POV.

Embry came home from patrolling and flopped down on the sofa next to me. "You shouldn't be up still." He mumbled, his speech muffled by my legs as he put his face in my lap.

"Neither should you." I said, playing with his hair. "You're working way too hard lately."

"There's no other way." He said through a loud yawn. I sighed as he turned over to face me and I saw how tired he looked.

"I'm going to shoot Sam."

"Okay, baby." He mumbled sleepily. I stroked his face as I stared down at him. Embry truly was the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my life. And he was mine, not some supermodel, who he would deserve. I will never get used to this, get used to having him as mine.

"It's your birthday tomorrow." I said, as his breathing got deeper.

"That's great, my love." He said through another yawn, grabbing my hand and pulling it to his chest as he turned onto his side.

"You realise I'm still waiting for you to tell me what you want for your birthday. I really don't think you'll like what I've got you."

"Yeah." He said sleepily, his breathing loud and deep.

I looked over to Aaron, who was lying, fast asleep, on the sofa on the other side of me where Embry wasn't lying.

Aaron is six months old. I smile just thinking that. Time has flown so quickly. I couldn't be any happier. I can't help but feel incredibly guilty when I think of Embry, he barely even gets a moment rest.

He's either at work, patrolling, trying to cram in time to spend with Aaron – he laughs and everything now, it's the most wonderful thing ever, to hear Aaron giggle – he's trying to get a little bit of sleep in. He's determined to not be 'one of those fathers who doesn't spend time with their child', so he won't ever take a nap or something. It's insane, really. He often moans that he doesn't have as much 'Alex sleep-watching time' that he needs to survive. For that, I'm a little grateful. But not particularly. Embry is a wonderful father. But I really wish he would get some more sleep.

"Come on, you. It's Friday, so you can go to sleep and not have work tomorrow. And you're going to bed now." I said, taping his back and standing up.

He groaned and tried to pull me back down but I flicked him on the forehead and grabbed his hands and hauled him off the couch.

He slumped and wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I picked Aaron up and I walked them up the stairs. Embry really was so freaking tired.

I pushed him onto our bed and he mumbled something but flopped out sleepily as I put Aaron in hit cot and made sure he was okay. I pulled off Embry's shoes and jeans and he smirked up at me sleepily.

"Oh, that's why you wanted me in bed so quickly." He said and I rolled my eyes before I got ready for bed.

I noticed Embry was watching me get undressed. "Arg!" I hopped outside the room, having been taking my jeans off, and Embry groaned. "Go to sleep!" I called.

"And miss the show?"

"Embry!" I groaned, blushing.

"Plus I can't sleep without you, you know that."

"Try."

"No point." He said in a singsong voice.

I rolled my eyes and went to brush my teeth and wash my face but when I got back he was still laying there awake. I glared at him as I slipped into bed with him.

He kissed me on the lips. "There. Now I can sleep." He said and he nestled down, pulling me tightly against him.

I rolled my eyes but snuggled down against him, kissing his forehead with a smile on my face.

I woke up when Aaron started crying and I quickly got him up and fed before he could wake Embry up.

A couple hours later, I sat on the sofa, holding Aaron up underneath the arms, and his feet on my legs.

I blew a raspberry on his stomach and he giggled loudly. That really is the most heart-warming sound I have ever heard in my life.

"Okay, I don't have to have super enhanced smelling to know that you need changing." I said unhappily as I put him down on the floor. He laughed in delight and I couldn't help but smile as I got the changing mat and everything out.

Halfway through changing him I turned to grab a clean nappy and he started to roll over.

This is one of his favourite things to do. Roll away and move about when I'm in the middle of changing him. It appears to be highly amusing to him every time. And because he has such a ridiculously cute laughter I can't not laugh at him.

Eventually, though, I managed to get another nappy on him and I headed to the kitchen with him. He started jabbering and babbling random sounds. I grinned as I made Embry some food.

We have one of those four slice toasters, but to be honest I need at least three of them. I remember when the whole pack turned up for breakfast… we went through four loaves of bread, two milk cartons and three boxes of cereal.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a tad, but they do eat a lot for breakfast.

Anyway, I made Embry shit loads of toast and took it upstairs, along with Aaron and the card we made him.

"Shhh, we have to be quiet not to wake daddy up." I whispered and Aaron tried copying the sound of the 'shhh' but failed. He was always trying to make new sounds. It was unbelievably adorable.

I pushed the door open the rest of the way with my butt and turned to find Embry rubbing his eyes.

"You weren't quiet enough." He said in an amused tone through a yawn then opened his eyes to see me and tutted.

"What are you doing, trying to carry that?" he said and I grinned and he rushed forward, taking Aaron out of arm and then he realised and sighed.

"You made me breakfast in bed?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and I looked up at him, trying to hold down my grin.

"Sure did, birthday boy."

He rolled his eyes looking at Aaron, who was making gurgling noises, with a smile on his face. I placed the tray down and wrapped my arms round his stomach.

"Happy birthday, Emb." I mumbled against his skin and he stroked my hair with one hand and kissed the top of my head.

"Mmm, why thank you, my love." I looked up at him and he kissed me.

"Now, back in bed!" I said and moved over to the bed. He grinned and complied, sitting down where he was. I sat beside him so that I was facing him and he sat Aaron in front of him so he was leaning against him. Aaron could sit up by himself now, but we still made sure there was softness surrounding him in case he did happen to fall.

I gave him the card and he raised an eyebrow as he opened it and then laughed.

"What? Why are you laughing? We worked hard on that!"

He turned the card with a handprint on the front – Aaron's handprint – and he laughed.

"That's what you were doing the other day, then?"

I grinned. He leant over and kissed me on the lips. "Thank you, baby." He murmured and I kissed him harder before he leant back to thank Aaron and began eating toast.

I took a bit of toast off the plate and he glared at me. "Don't steal my toast, you," he looked down at Aaron, then back at me and mouthed 'bitch' with a disgusted look on his face.

I laughed loudly at him and he grinned at me.

"You know Jo?" I asked and he laughed.

"Yes, I do know Jo."

"They made her cousin the god parents of Evie. And guess who her cousins parents are?"

Evie was Joe and Steve's newest born child. She was born two months after Aaron was.

He raised an eyebrow. "Dave and Sarah." I said and his eyes widened and he let out a little laugh as he let Aaron play with his fingers.

"You're kidding!"

I shook my head, grinning. "Small world." He said and I snorted as he finished of the toast. Then he tilted his head to the side, raising an eyebrow. "Is anyone coming round?"

"Actually, yes."

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought they were all coming at, like, one?"

I shrugged, biting my lip. "Oh god, Lex. What've you done?"

I shook my head. "Nothing." He looked at me. "Nothing!" I laughed and raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't even want anyone to come round in the first place." He muttered and I slapped his leg, grinning as I swayed from side to side.

"You little hypocrite!"

He rolled his eyes but laughed as he played with Aaron.

The doorbell went and I hopped up. "No you stay, I'll go." He said and I shook my head at him.

"It's your birthday!" I said, exasperated, and pushed him down when he started to move.

He pouted and I smiled as I stroked the side of his face and leaned down to kiss him.

"I love you. Thank you for the toast, my love." He said and I kissed his nose before walking away. He caught my hand and kissed my palm. I smiled at him as I walked out and hopped down the stairs to the front door.

I opened the door and grinned at Effie and Lucy standing at the door and they smiled. "We're here to pick Aaron up." Effie said.

"The guys say you need to have 'alone time'." Lucy said, impersonating one of the guys' voice.

I laughed at her and let them in. "Okay, umm, yeah. Come in. I'll get you some stuff for him."

They grinned as the bounded up the stairs. "Embry, baby!" Lucy shouted as she burst through our bedroom. He held Aaron to him, as if trying to shield him away from her.

"You scare me." He whispered and they laughed.

"Happy birthday."

He grinned and thanked them.

Embry has such a beautiful grin. So, so, so beautiful. His teeth always show when he smiles or grins properly. I love that. I love that he really shows when he's happy. His smiles always make me happy.

"Bag?" Effie prompted me, smiling her little knowing smile and I pulled a face at her.

She stood next to me and followed me around as I grabbed everything that they would need for Aaron. She bumped my hip with hers and I looked up at her. "You're really happy." She stated with a grin, I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "I've noticed since I've been here. You're so happy. There were times, Alex," she said, lowering her voice even though we both knew Embry could hear us anyway. "There were times when I thought you would never let yourself be happy."

I nodded, biting my lip as I sneaked a glance at Embry. "You weren't the only one."

She smiled then sighed. "Zara's still adamant that you're gonna go back there and have him christened so that she can be godmother." I laughed.

"I know. That girl won't let anything drop." I said and Effie grinned. "How are they all, anyway? I haven't been able to call anyone for, like, a week."

She nodded. "They're all okay. Josh is still upset he wasn't there for the birth." I laughed loudly.

"I know! He wouldn't talk to be for a week. Okay, this has -"

"Everything." Effie finished. "I know. I just watched you pack it."

"If you need anything else-"

"I'll call you. Gotcha."

"If he-"

"Alex," she said, taking me by the shoulders, "calm it. We'll be back by one. Ready, Luce?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Lucy said, ending her conversation with Embry.

Emb reluctantly gave over Aaron and I said goodbye and kissed him on the forehead before they left with him.

It feels so weird not having Aaron here. I'd gotten so used to revolving everything around him, that now, I feel like I'm forgetting something. I feel really empty. Well, the mass of worry is slightly filling up the emptiness.

They called their goodbyes over their shoulders and as soon as I heard the front door shut, I turned to Embry.

He walked over to me with his sexy little smirk on and I gulped as I felt my heart beating faster. We have a child and yet he still has this effect on me.

His smirk grew as I'm pretty sure he heard my heart's frantic beating and he put his hands on my waist, pulling me close so our bodies were pressed against each other's. Electricity sparks felt like they were going off on my skin and I looked up at him as he bent down to kiss me.

My hands instinctively went to his neck and the hair at the nape of his neck as he ran his tongue against my lower lip.

I pulled away; practically panting and he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me tighter against him and he buried his face against my hair.

"I have something to show you." I mumbled, not wanting to let go of him.

"Mmm?" he didn't move either, breathing deeply.

"Are you-"

"Sniffing your hair again? Yes."

"What is it with everyone and finishing my sentences today?" I grumbled and he squeezed me and then loosened his hold to pull back and look at my face.

"That is because you, my dear, are predictable." He said, tapping my nose with his finger and I gasped.

He grinned and kissed me again. I groaned and pulled away, pushing him backwards. He raised an eyebrow as I pushed him to sit at the edge of the bed.

I rolled my eyes at the smug look on his face and I pulled my top off.

He smirked and licked his lips. "This is what you wanted to show me? Now that is a pleasant surprise." He said as he put his hands on my waist again, pulling me in between his legs and I slapped the side of his head. "Hey! What was that for?" he moaned.

"Oh, stop it." I groaned and he smirked as he stared at me. I shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze. "Okay, umm, I think this is a shitty present but all the girls seem to think you'd really like it, so…" I winced and turned around slowly, pulling my hair up so it wouldn't obscure my back.

Embry's POV.

Her back.

Her lovely, tan back.

Her lovely, tan back, which I loved to touch.

Her lovely, tan back, which I loved to touch, had my fucking name on it.

I reached out to tentatively touch it and I stroked her soft skin, tracing my name.

"Wh-wh-what?" I stuttered quietly.

"It's a tattoo, Emb." She said and I could practically feel her eyes rolling.

It was in between the clasp of her bra and her neck. It had little hearts trailing up and down from the black letters spelling 'Embry' on her back.

She got my name tattooed on her fucking back!

I pulled her closer and pressed my lips against it. I wrapped my arms around her and I pulled her onto my lap, leaning my forehead against her head as I smiled like a fool. "Do – do you like it?" She whispered and I rolled my eyes at her nervousness.

"I fucking love it, Alex."

I pressed kisses all the way up her back and neck and shoulder and she turned to look at me, biting her lip. I held her face in one hand and kissed her lips hard, trying to get through how much it meant to me.

"It's meant to, umm, show how much I love and trust you." She said and I kissed her. "You can't remove it and you know they say having a tattoo is a big commitment… I wouldn't have ever have been able to have gotten a tattoo before I met you and I wanted it to represent my love for you. Because it will stay forever." I kissed her again, my heart swelling at her words and I pressed my forehead against hers. "I love you. Forever." She said and I couldn't stop smiling brightly.

I pulled her backwards on to the bed and laid on top of her, kissing every part of her I could. "I love you." I mumbled against her face. "So, so, so, so, so much."

She looked up at me through her lashes, wrinkling her nose. Oh hell. "Are you sure it's okay – I really thought it was a terrible present for you – and I didn't-"

I kissed her hungrily. Eventually I had to pull back to let her breathe. Sometimes I envy those bloodsuckers. They don't have to breathe.

"You have no idea what that means to me." I breathed into her face and she shivered. I flipped her other and she squeaked at the sudden movement and I kissed the black ink on her skin over and over again.

"You will stay with me… forever?" I murmured and she nodded.

"You realise if we don't have sex soon I'm going to explode, right?" She muttered and I grinned, tracing the tattoo.

The tattoo showed that she believed that she truly would be with me forever. She couldn't exactly get it removed. Well, she could but that would cost a lot of money and that's money we don't have. But that's not the point. She trusts me and believes that I'll stay with her forever. She doesn't doubt that we'll be together for the rest of our lives.

And it also means that every other man can see that she belongs to me. That she is mine. My freaking name is on her.

"This is the best present you could have got me." I hugged her tightly from behind, spooning her and she put her hands on my arms, which were on her stomach. I really kind of miss her being pregnant. I loved her stomach being huge with my child inside.

"You'd say that no matter what I got you. You're not gonna turn round and say 'oh, that's what you got me? Pretty shit present, if you ask me', are you?"

"Err, yeah I would, Lex. Do you not know me at all?" I asked and she laughed as she turned her head.

"Holy fuck!" She cried and I started proper panicking. "A sarcastic American? I never thought I'd see the day!" she said enthusiastically before laying back down as if nothing happened.

"You always have to do one extra, don't you?" I muttered and she grinned and turned her head to kiss me.

My beautiful, sarcastic Alex.

I kissed her back again, smiling. My name. She got my name put on her back permanently.

"What's the matter?" Alex asked worriedly and tried to turn to face me when I groaned. I shook my head, keeping her in the position that she was in.

"How do you do it?" I asked, pressing my face against the silk like skin of her back.

"Eh?"

"Every time I think that I can't possibly love you any more than I already do, you do something that has me falling even deeper in love with you."

It was insane how much I missed Aaron after only a few hours. All I could think about was something happening to him. So when they came back with him I was proper happy.

"You look positively dishevelled." Laura noted to Alex as she came in with the others and Alex took Aaron from Effie.

"Hello, baby, have you been a good boy for aunt Effie?" she said to him. I noticed that all the guys look at her kind of jealously. They've looked at her like that ever since she got pregnant. At first I got all angry but then I realised that it was because they wanted to have children of their own with their imprints, not with Alex. Seeing Alex pregnant really was the most beautiful thing, and all the guys wanted that. Well, not all of them, mostly just the ones who had imprinted.

"And a little too happy, if you know what I mean." Paul said, winking over exaggeratedly at me and I laughed as Alex looked at me with an amused raised eyebrow and I grinned and wrapped my arms around her from behind, kissing her neck.

"Yes, we did have quite a nice nap, didn't we, Emb?" she said and I laughed and nodded.

The guys paused, looking confused. "Wait, are you being serious? Because you don't sound sarcastic." Jacob said and I nodded again.

"Time well spent, eh, babe?" I said and she laughed and rolled her eyes but turned around to kiss me and then moved on through to another room with the girls, giving me Aaron. I grinned down at him. I really loved me son so much.

"It's your birthday and you didn't even use that as leverage to get laid? Embry – what the fuck?" Paul said, genuine confusion on his face. Leah slapped him on the back of the head on her way passed. He growled at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Stop being a pig, Paul."

He pulled a face at her but Rachel stomped on his foot and walked through with Leah. He sighed but shrugged it off.

"Happy birthday, but seriously, man, what is up with that?" Quil said as we all flopped down on the sofas.

I shrugged. "I've been getting roughly two hours sleep." I said. "Per week." Sam seemed to get a little uncomfortable at this but I didn't care anymore. "And that's about the same amount as Alex gets. Some things are just more important than sex, you guys." I said and they scoffed.

"You don't believe that." Paul said confidently.

"Nah." I said, playing with Aaron and they all laughed. "But Alex would probably pass out from exhaustion and I'd feel a little weird carrying on."

"Oh." They all grumbled.

"Yup." I said, nodding. We definitely weren't having as much sex as we used to, considering how hectic things are. I severely hope that it isn't going to be like this for the rest of our lives… I think I'd die.

After a little while the girls came back in, having put food in the kitchen. I told them all that I really didn't want anyone coming over, as we didn't really have time to cook for all of them so they decided to just bring their own food. As soon as the girls sat down they started giving me presents.

It's not like I wasn't incredibly grateful for every single thing they got me, because I wasn't. I loved everything I got, and I was very thankful. But it's just nothing could ever seem as perfect as what Alex did for me.

She leaned into me and I rubbed her back as they all joked and messed around.

Paul's stomach growled loudly after a couple of hours and he sprang up. "That's the sign. Lunch time!"

I couldn't help but smile as we all sat around our table, talking and eating – how everyone managed to fit, I'll never know. But anyway, I couldn't stop smiling. Everyone was so in sync, you know? We were all so close. They were like my extended family. We all cared for each other and trusted each other on a level that most people our age didn't. When I first phased I'd hated being a werewolf. I'd become a monster and my carefree world was changing. But now, looking around at the people that I loved, I couldn't be happier. Being a wolf had changed my outlook on life, but it gave me a wonderful woman, a child, and a pack of brothers and sisters who I wouldn't trade for the world.

Well, apart from the little blip with Sam. But even if he is doing this, I still love him as a brother. We'd been through a lot together and I know he thinks of the child he lost every day, so I could never hold a grudge against him.

Aaron started crying loudly and I winced. I know it's more than completely normal for babies to cry, but the sound still makes me want to curl up into a ball and die.

Paul and Jared had been arguing animatedly over something and had been practically shouting at each other. Aaron didn't like it when people shouted. He didn't like it at all.

"Aw, come on, baby." Alex said, standing up and taking him from me. "Lets get away from mean uncle Paul and uncle Jared." She said in a soft voice and playfully glared at them as Aaron made this adorable whimpering sound that broke my heart.

Eventually Alex came back in, after walking around the house for a while, holding Aaron in one arm as he slept soundly, his face against her chest. I pulled her tightly to me. She was such a fantastic mother.

"Sorry, Alex." Paul and Jared chorused, guilty looks on their faces and she laughed.

"No worries, boys. It was time for his nap, anyway." She said as she leaned into me, her eyes heavy with sleep.

I kissed her temple and leant my head against hers. As Rory and Collin started goofing around, which sent the whole table off in a huge burst of laughter.

"You wouldn't fucking dare!" Lucy shouted at James, who grinned devilishly. What they were talking about, I didn't care. "Alex! Get him not to," she moaned in a pathetic voice, which had Seth glaring at him.

Alex picked up a ladle and pointed it threateningly at him. James put his hands up in surrender.

"Scared of the ladle, are we, James?" Jacob mocked and James nodded furiously.

"Did you see the massive fucking mark she gave Paul with it once?" he said, exasperated and shook his head as Alex laughed. "I aint messing with her. She's mental."

She straightened her arm out at him, the ladle in his face. "Say that one more time." she said in a murderous tone, which really turned me on.

He stood up and ran around to the other side of the table. Everyone was laughing.

"You pussy, James." Sam said with a shake of the head and Alex turned the ladle to him and his eyes widened. He let out a breath, his hands up in surrender like James had.

"The Tale of the Evil Alexandra, and Her Frightening Ladle." Quil said, starting off in a mysterious voice, but then fading out into a bored tone. They all laughed as Alex put down the ladle, raising an eyebrow at him. "Yeah. Someone should base a movie on it." he looked at her as if totally bored and she tried to glare at him but her lips pulled upwards.

I pushed my face against the side of hers, kissing and then grinning against her skin. I looked at Quil and Jacob and they grinned, which set us all off laughing. It was reminding us of one of those 'you had to be there' moments.

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head at us, a laugh slipping from her lips.

"Are you two okay? Do you want us all to leave?" Kim asked and Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Rachel said as they frowned at us. Alex and I shared a confused look at each other, shrugged, and then turned back to them. "You have, like, the biggest bags under your eyes ever."

"Oooh." I said and Alex shook her head, waving them off.

"We're fine." She said, smiling genuinely at them as she stroked Aaron's head.

I pulled her closer to me and kissed her and leaned my head against her shoulder. I loved having her sitting on my lap. It was so much better than just sitting next to her. I could properly feel her. She was in my arms. Her body was just so… warm. Like, not temperature wise – I always beat her on that – but she's just so loving, she has this warm feeling about her. And when I hug her too me, I feel like squeezing her in half. And when she was holding Aaron, that was so much better. I had my family with me, completely safe. I loved the smell of them both. I couldn't explain it, it's just a soothing feeling, having them so close.

"Okay!" Lewis said, stretching as he stood up. "To the lounge!" he called putting his arm out as if he were superman, before he, and the rest of the guys ran through to the lounge, pushing and shoving at each other.

"Boys." Emily said, rolling her eyes.

"Embry, can I – have a word?" Sam asked, standing awkwardly and I nodded, kissing Alex's lips and then Aaron's head and she smiled at me and left the room with the other girls. When she was past Sam she turned, pulling a shocked face behind his back and I held down a loud laugh – which was difficult.

"Erm," he said, scratching the side of his head. "I'm sorry, man."

I just stared at him blankly, quite surprised.

"I know I've been acting like an absolute dick and I'm sorry. It's just, with everything that's happened… but I shouldn't have taken it out on you – and consequently Alex. I'm really sorry."

I shook my head, shrugging. "It's okay, bro."

"It's not, Embry. I'm so- I'll change your hours. I know it's been hard… you don't have to patrol as much. None of the others will mind covering your shifts."

I stared at him, confused but then nodded. "Thanks, Sam." I said, trying to show that I actually was incredibly grateful and he smiled back and nodded, clapping my back awkwardly before walking out.

I followed him out, slipping down next to Alex. She smiled, raising an eyebrow and I just kissed her and pulled her closer, snuggling my face into her neck.

And so, the rest of the afternoon was spent about the same, talking, laughing, playing with Aaron and holding Alex as close to me as humanly possible.

Alex's POV

"Well, that was… unsuspected." I said and Embry snorted. Everyone had left and he'd just told me all about Sam letting him have time off patrolling.

"My love, of course it was. Everything to do with us is unsuspected."

I raised an eyebrow at him and crawled over to him. "And how, pray tell, is that?"

He grinned. "Think about it, baby." He said, pulling me closer and stroking my face with his fingertips. "I have been totally unsuspecting to every little thing that has happened with you. Think about everything we've been through. I can't even begin to list everything!" he said, moving his hand around near his head. "It's mind-blowing, the amount of things that we've been through, all the while me being totally unsuspecting. You'd think I'd get used to all of this. But I'm not. I'm always totally unsuspecting of the next thing. Nothing with you is suspected. It's always a surprise.

"I mean," he carried on, staring at me with a grin. "The day we met. Not once did I suspect that someone so breathtakingly beautiful would step out of that car – or what a handful they would come to be."

I grinned at him. "Yeah. I didn't realise I'd be meeting my soul mate that day, either." I said and he smiled.

"Exactly. Finding out what a brilliant and sarcastic personality you had – that was a total shock." He said and I rolled my eyes. He laughed. "Point. Proven."

"Running into you at the hardware store, that was a surprise." I said and he laughed and kissed my forehead.

"When you made out with me at that girls party – that was a proper fucking surprise."

I blushed. "I wasn't in the right state of mind, be quite."

He laughed and kissed me. "Who knew it would have been the start of so many?"

I smiled and kissed his chin. "Hmm, what happened next? Oh yes, you and Theo exploded into wolves right in front of me."

"I'll never get over your reaction. That was the fucking surprise." I rolled my eyes as he ran his hands through my hair. "And then you found out about imprinting, but didn't realise that I'd imprinted on you."

"Arg." I groaned and slapped his head. "That was your fault."

"I remember when you told me you couldn't have children." He said softly after a moment and I instinctively looked towards Aaron, who was sleeping peacefully next to us. "That was a terrible surprise." Embry said, stroking Aaron's small, soft hand. "I was so… heartbroken. Ever since I'd met you I'd imagined having children with you and then to think I wasn't ever going to… it really hurt. But then when I found out you were pregnant," he grinned madly, "that was the best feeling ever."

I put my hand on the side of his face. "Just having you was a surprise. I never once thought I'd find someone as perfect as you." I whispered, as I looked deep into those brown eyes that continuously take my breath away. "You're so genuinely kind… you've helped me through so much, Embry. You've made me learn to trust again, you've sorted most of the messed up stuff in my head… and that was totally unsuspected. You've made me so happy when I didn't even think I deserved to be happy. I was so, so fucked up before. But that didn't stop you – even though I thought it would. I love you so much. Thank you for not giving up on me."

Embry's POV.

I smiled brightly at her, running my fingers over her face. I love her face. She's so beautiful. When my fingers stopped at the side of her face I leaned forward and kissed her hard. "You mean the world to me, Alexandra. You don't have to thank me."

I leaned back on the bed, pulling her with me. I sighed and shook my head. "Jesus. Just thinking back to everything… it seems unreal that we've been through so much."

She nodded. "Some of this seems too good to be true." She murmured, trailing kisses down my neck.

I fingered the scars on her arm. "Some of it breaks my heart. I wish I could go back and do so many things differently."

She smiled at me, shaking her head, which made her hair swing about. I smiled, taking a deep breath so her intoxicating smell would fill my senses. The moon was shining in through the window, illuminating her features which made her look even more gorgeous than usual. My heart beat faster at the sight of her.

"But then things may have turned out completely differently. And right now, everything is perfect for me, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I wouldn't change a thing." She said and I pulled her tightly against me, so her body was flush against mine and I pressed my lips to her head.

"You've changed my life around." I said and she looked up at me. "Before I met you… I was just some naïve little boy who had grown up with a wonderful life. I had the best, most caring and loving mother. I had true friends, who I could rely on and trust to be there for me, always. I was surrounded by people who would stick with me through the up and downs of life. And I'd never truly experienced the downs of life. I never realised how cruel life can be for someone. Sure, I knew everything wasn't as good as that for everyone but I never truly saw first hand what things can be like. Sure, Jacob lost his mother and I grew up without a father, but I never realised that things could be so much worse. But then you came to me… a totally unsuspecting naïve person and I saw what had happened to you. Your life had been so hard. You hadn't got the things that I took so for granted. You couldn't have had a worse life if you'd have tried – nothing had gone right for you. You were so absolutely broken by how evil and cruel life is, and you proper shook me awake to life. You were the complete opposite of me. You were so wise and mature and sagacious. And yet after everything you'd gone through… you're still so nice. Surely someone who'd been scorned by the world would resent everyone? But you don't. You don't wish that people could feel your pain, at least so that the world was fair. Things are so unjust in this world. If it were me, I'd want everyone to go through exactly the same things, at least so they can understand what you've gone through. Because they don't. They really don't see all of the bad that's happened to you, and how much it affects you. It seems that some people mosey on in life, happily ignorant, and then others, like you, get the brunt of it all. And yet you survived it. You are the strongest person I have ever met in my life and I'm proud as hell to call you mine. Even after I met you I was unsuspecting to the harsh reality – I couldn't tell that you had had such a tragic tale, that you had been so badly damaged by so many people, because you acted strong for those around you. That, to me, makes you undeniably the most selfless person I have ever met.

"I know you think I'm much too protective of you, but it's hard for me. It's hard to know you've been in pain and I wasn't there for you. You've been through so much; I couldn't handle you going through anything else. Even since we've met you've been hurt so badly – so I can't imagine the many things that have happened to you during the years I didn't know you. And that hurts me – knowing that a few years ago, I didn't know you. I wish so badly that your parents would have never moved to England. We would have grown up together. I would have been there for you – through everything in your life. But that didn't happen and I can't keep wishing that people hadn't hurt you because it's not possible. But after everything," I trailed the tattoo on her, "you learn to trust again? To me, that's phenomenal. You trust me even though I've hurt you. You are a beautiful person, inside as well as out. There are people who after the hurt you've been through, would have simply shut me down – not that you didn't try at first, but you let me break down your walls. I know that after the hurt, not trusting anyone was like a defence mechanism, but you changed, you let me change you. You've showed me who you really are and I couldn't be happier, because I know that it's only me who you're like that too. And that means more to me than anything.

"One of the guys once asked me if I would have preferred to have imprinted on a normal girl, a naïvely happy and unbroken girl. And the thought to me sounded revolting. They would have loved and trusted me at the first glance, but it wouldn't have meant anything. It wouldn't truly mean what it means to me when you tell me you love me. I would have taken it for granted when they told me they trusted me. But with you, I really appreciate everything. Because our love is so much stronger. After everything we've gone through, we've come back fighting stronger and stronger every time. We've been through so much, and yet we're here, side by side.

"I love everything about you. I love your quirks, I love your beauty and kindness, I love what you're like with Aaron – I just love every little thing you do. You've changed my life around because before I met you, I wouldn't have understood what it was like to truly love and trust a person, and I wouldn't have understood what it meant. You changed my life for the better. I met you; an unsuspecting naïve little adolescent and you changed me into a father. The guys all thought I'd meet some big-assed, pretty, little sweet girl, without any flaws, who was completely open and unbroken – they knew how I loved a big ass." Her lips twitched and she held down a laugh. "I got the big-assed, pretty, sweet girl. But everything that comes with you, it was hard to get you to love and trust me, but then in the end, when you do… it makes everything worthwhile. I get to appreciate it and feel the satisfaction of knowing what I'm so lucky to have, what I fought for. You are the most welcomed surprise of my life, and I thank the gods that gave me you every single day – and I will continue to for the rest of my life."

Her eyes were welled with tears but she defiantly kept them down. I stroked her cheek, smiling. "My defiant little girl. I love you more than words can explain…well, imprinting explains, really. It's a word to explain the intensity of my love for you. You are my soul mate, Alexandra, because you are one hundred and fifty percent perfect for me and I love you just the way you are."

She gulped and I could see the emotions swimming in her eyes. She opened her mouth a couple of times but nothing came out and I kissed her. I knew she understood what I said and I knew she loved me too. I didn't need her to say anything.

"I see you bought cherry shampoo." She said softly, her voice croaking slightly from everything I just said. She just didn't want to say anything else with emotion to keep her from crying. I pulled my lips from her to laugh loudly.

Typical Alex.

I pulled her face tightly against mine and she sighed contently. "I love you so much, Embry. I just keep waiting for something terrible to happen. I'm never this happy without something shitty happening."

"I'm not going to let anything shitty happen." I said, holding her tightly with one arm and rubbing Aaron's small head with my spare hand. "I love you, Alex. Always and forever."

"Pinky promise?" she murmured, sticking her little finger out and I grinned, linking mine with hers.

"I pinky promise." I said and she kissed my hand.

"If you break the promise I get to break your finger." She said and I laughed.

"You're perfect for me, Alex. I'm never going to loose you. Even if you want to loose me, I'm not going anywhere."

She stared down at Aaron. "Things aren't always going to be easy, though, are they?"

I shrugged. "We'll get through it together, my love. Us against the world."

She looked up at me. "Us against the world? Isn't that a Westlife song?"

I smirked. "I stole your iPod. You listen to, like, proper rock music, then you have boy bands."

She grinned. "Oh, don't act like that. You can't deny they have beautiful lyrics."

I shrugged. "I seem to like any band you say you like." She raised an eyebrow and I kissed her.

"That's 'cause we're perfect for each other." She said in a cocky voice and I laughed. "Seriously, though? You like boy bands? Now that, that I was unsuspecting of."

The End

I can't believe that this is the end. Well, not the end. There is sequel to come. But seriously, I can't believe this story has come so far. When I first posted it, I expected at least five reviews (I'm not exaggerating, the fic I posted before this got 3), so to have this massive and fantastic response has been mind blowing. All of your reviews have really developed my writing, so thank you so much, everyone ;) I've been writing this story for the past 6 months – although it feels like it's been much longer – and it's become a part of me :L as sad as that sounds. I was once asked if I had a story that I thought of as 'my baby' and this truly is it. I've put them through a hell of a ride, but I have fallen in love with writing their cuteness. This last chapter was me trying to show you why I think they are perfect for each other. I really planned out their characters and I made so many discrete reasons why I thought that they went together but I've forgotten most of them while writing this. It's been 66 chapters and it's felt like a roller coaster ride of sublime happiness and sadness. It's so surreal to me that you guys actually liked this, and I really can't get through to you how much I appreciate every single review you guys have graced me with. Thanks so much to everyone who has stayed with me from the very beginning – no matter how many terrible errors there is my writing.

So, here is the ending of the first sector of their lives. It ended on a lovely note, I'm thinking. As I have told many of you, I physically can't deal with sad endings, so shall never have to worry about that. Especially with Alex and Embry. I could never be truly horrible to them.

I can't even tell you how sad I am to be ending this. A part of me REALLY doesn't want to do this. Well, most of me doesn't. I don't know why I actually am doing this. But I know deep down I can't just carry on with this forever. Okay, I take that back. I will keep this going for the rest of my life. I can't give up Embry and Alex, they're too cute.

URG! Please, guys, give me one more review to tell me what you thought of this! Did you like the ending? Was it okay? Was it how you think it should end? What bits did you like, not like? Was the last bit explaining the title okay? Urg! Please, I'm so nervous about this. I'm writing a big ass AN to put off posting this and changing it to a 'complete' story. I don't want to do it. If you get this tonight, I shall be very surprised. It's been sitting there on the edit/preview document page for about 2 hours. This is so hard. Embry and Alex have been so amazing to write and I hope that you've liked it at least a fraction of the amount that I've loved writing this story.

I want to thank you all so much for reading, adding this story to favs or alerts, as well as reviewing. They all mean to much to me. I mean, to know I have nearly 40 000 hits, that's just phenomenal, considering how terrible my writing really is :L You guys are far too nice for me!

When the sequel is up I will post a little preview and then the link in the next chapter, so don't fret if you want to read it and I'm not on author alert :)

Again, thank you all! And PLEASE, I beg of every single one of you, please give me one last review! If you do, the sequel will be up quicker? ;D

Kimmmz :D

xxx

Song's of the Chapter:

Us Against The World - Westlife

Makes Me Wonder – Maroon 5

Walls - All Time Low

She Falls Asleep, Down Goes Another One, Memory Lane, The Heart Never Lies, Corrupted - all by McFly (they're my all time fave band. Their music is truly the most beautiful thing I've ever heard)

All That I Wanted Was You – Erik Hassle

Just Another One - A Rocket To The Moon

Sacrifice - Theory of a Deadman