First Imprint Sam's Story.

Chapter 12: Choice

Chapter 12 - Choice

Emily's POV

The first thing I did when I got back to the main section of the reservation was head straight to the supply store. I knew as it was a Saturday morning that my uncle would be working, and I wouldn't have to face the other Clearwaters right away. As soon as I opened the door, my uncle greeted me.

"Hey there Em, how'd it go?" My uncle inquired. I walked over to him smiling.

"Well, thanks for the head's up, Uncle Harry. I really appreciate the warning," I joked, thinking about everything Sam had told me.

"Come on now, you know I couldn't say anything. So how was Sam?" He asked and I instantly sobered up.

"He was pretty bad, but I got him eating at least. He's out with Jared and Paul right now."

My uncle started to chuckle. "I knew if anyone could snap him out of it, it'd be you."

I went around the store with one of the small shopping carts and loaded the cart up with food. There wasn't a lot to offer in means of fresh food, but I was able to get some boxed foods, milk, orange juice, eggs, and some other items. Sam and I would be able to eat well for a few days, but I definitely had to make a trip to the grocery store in Forks soon. I wasn't looking forward to it as I thought about the reactions to my scars I had already received from strangers.

"This should be good for now." I said as I started to put the items on the counter, careful of my right side which was causing me slight discomfort.

My uncle was bagging up the groceries when Seth came in through the main entrance. His eyes were round as he stared from the truck that was just outside the door, to me, before he started scanning the store looking for Sam.

"Seth, take these bags out to Sam's truck for your cousin," my uncle said. Seth looked confused and looked at me with shock in his eyes but did as he was told. My uncle sighed and I looked up at him. He had dark circles under his eyes.

"Uncle Harry, are you feeling well?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. You have bigger problems to think about. What about you and Sam?"

"Well, he asked me to move in with him...just until I'm healed. He said he'd give me the bedroom and he'd take the couch, but he wanted to keep an eye on me."

"Probably wants to reassure himself that his imprint is nearby," my uncle mumbled thoughtfully. "Well, you're 18-years-old, I'm not going to stop you, but you're going to have to tell your parents. I'll do what I can for you, let them know that Sam is our acting chief and is a respectable guy, but you may want to take Sam to Makah to meet your family.

"Ugh, I don't want Ronnie to meet Sam, he'll give him such a hard time," I muttered thinking of my obnoxious but lovable older brother as my uncle laughed. Maybe I'd call my sister-in-law Stacy in advance and tell her to bring Cora and Claire along. Ronnie wouldn't be so bad with his daughters there. I sighed as I got my money out to pay for my groceries.

"I'm insulted. You think I'm going to let you pay after what you did for the tribe," my uncle scoffed.

"I can't let you do that Uncle Harry."

"It's done. Now scoot."

"Thank you Uncle Harry...for everything." I went around the counter and hugged him with my left arm, before heading for the entrance.

"Oh and Em, I'll see what I can do about my family, you know, try to convince them that you and Sam haven't done anything wrong," he told me. I nodded sadly and walked out of the supply store.

I slowly walked over to the Clearwater house. Seth was no where to be seen. When I walked in the house, my Aunt Sue was waiting for me in the hall, a cup of coffee in her hand. Before she could say anything, I blurted out the truth.

"I'm going to stay at Sam Uley's for awhile. He's feeling responsible for what happened and wants to help me with my recovery."

"And you don't think that I can't help you, being a registered nurse and everything?" My aunt asked sarcastically.

"Well...Sam hasn't been doing so well since the accident. We're going to help each other. But we're going to have separate sleeping corridors and everything." I rambled nervously as the frown on my aunt's face became more pronounced.

"What will your parents think of you moving in with a guy who you haven't dated? At least I assume you haven't dated," my aunt added scathingly before moving on, "a guy more importantly that you have only known for a month and who was once involved with your cousin? I mean, have you really thought this through Emily?"

"I know you don't understand, but I need to do what I think is best." I answered, my face flaming with embarrassment even as my eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry I've disappointed you."

And with that I walked upstairs and quickly grabbed my items out of the bathroom before going to my room. The bag I had in the hospital was on my bed. My uncle must have brought it in for me. I opened it up with a jerk and threw my bathroom items in it. Next I took my suitcase out of the closet and started packing the rest of my clothes.

I knew my aunt was upset for her daughter, but it killed me to have her treat me like that. We had always been a close family but my love for Sam was tearing it apart. But I wouldn't leave him. Even now, with the world crashing around me I wanted nothing more than to be in Sam's arms. I heard a noise and looked up. Leah was in my doorway, watching me pack.

"So I saw Sam's truck outside. Is that what you came in?" Leah asked, watching my movements as I packed my bag.

"Yes."

"You spent the night at his house, right? That's where you were last night."

"It's not what you think Leah, he was sick. He hadn't been eating so I stayed to make sure he was okay. He's my friend."

"But you're in love with him," she said so calmly that at first I didn't think she even cared. I didn't respond to her, but the guilt was written all over my face. When she saw it, she blew up.

"I can't believe you did this to me, you of all people. You're my family, Emily. Why? Why would you do this to me?"

"I didn't have a choice Leah," I looked at her, tears flowing again. I knew that the betrayal on her face would stay with me for the rest of my life. I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around her and hug her like we used to when we were little. I wanted to tell her everything if it meant I could erase the pain off her face. But I knew that I couldn't.

"We all have a choice Emily," Leah said bitterly. "You chose wrong. Don't speak to me like we're family again."

And with that Leah stormed from the room and I heard her bedroom door slam. I grabbed my two bags, grimacing in pain from my injuries, and walked out into the hall. I looked down the hall towards Leah's room where I could hear her crying.

"I'm sorry, Leah," I whispered, knowing she wouldn't hear me.

I walked out the front door and opened the truck door, setting my bags on the passenger seat. I was about to get in when someone grabbed my hand. I looked up to see my Uncle Harry looking back at me with sad eyes.

"Do you think you should drive right now, Em?" He asked, reaching up to wipe away some of the tears pouring out of my eyes. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

"I don't think she'll ever forgive me." I whispered, looking at the house.

"She'll come around." My uncle said, pulling me in for a hug while running a soothing hand over my head. "Who knows, maybe one of the future wolves will imprint on her and then she'll understand."

I gave him a watery smile and shook my head sadly. After taking a deep breath, I got in Sam's truck and went back home.

A/N - This is the last chapter from Emily's POV for a while. Hope you liked it. Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.