Wrong Turn, Right Path

Chapter 20 - Nate's POV

As the small caravan of SUVs cleared the tree line and we could see the pack house in the distance I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as Jemma let out a small gasp of appreciation. I guess growing up here I became blind to its beauty. If you were to take a mountain log cabin with river rock accents then make it big enough to house about 150 werewolves and you get the idea of what our home looks like. The sweeping driveway that curves up to the front door before going around to the garages was where we're now parked.

"It's so pretty." Maddie says from her carseat behind me.

I was driving with Jemma seated beside me and Nick behind her next to Maddie. The trip went better than what I'd expected. I half expected Maddie to throw a fit about leaving Seth, although she did cry a little when they hugged goodbye. Jemma did get tense driving some of the mountain curves. I needed to keep my hands on the wheel so Nick reached around her seat and stroked her arms or rubbed her shoulders and that seemed to help her. When the roads were easy I would reach over and hold her hand. 

With all the ups and downs it feels like I haven't been home in forever not just shy of a couple of weeks. As we pulled up to the front of the house the doors flew open and our Mom rushed out to meet us. Well to meet Jemma and Maddie. Her smile filled up her face. Our Dad followed at a slower pace being the calmer of the two which is a bit of a role reversal from the typical werewolf Alpha/Luna relationship. Looking at him I can see what we'll look like in 20 or so more years.

Right after I put the car in park and before I even turned it off Mom had Jemma's door open and she was reaching in to give her a hug. Her platinum blonde curly hair all but hiding Jemma from view. "I'm so glad you're okay and that you're here. You've no idea how excited we are to finally get to meet you."

Jemma's arms hesitantly circle around and cautiously return the hug. "Mom, can you at least let us get out of the car first?" I say as I unbuckle my belt before reaching over and releasing Jemma's buckle. I look in the backseat and see Nick helping Maddie out of her seat.

"Oh sorry sweetie, I'm just so excited I couldn't help myself." She said as she stood up at the side of the car holding out a hand to help Jemma out. "Hi Sweetie, I'm Valerie Harris but you can call me Val, or Mom if you'd like." She said to Jemma while practically jumping in place out of excitement.

"Mom, give Jemma some space to breathe sheesh." Nick said as he and Maddie climbed out of the backseat.

"It's okay Nick." Jemma said with a smile "Nice to meet you Val, you have a beautiful home." she said looking up at the pack-house.

"Oh Honey, that's not my house anymore I live in a much smaller place just east of here. This is where my boys live. Well I guess you'll live here too now." She said with an even bigger smile on her face.

Judging by the way Jemma's smile slipped she didn't know how to respond to her, thankfully Maddie came to the rescue. After being strapped in the car all day she was a bundle of energy running around. "Your house is so big. I love these rocks. Was it made from real trees? How long did it take to make it? How many rooms does it have? Will I have my own room? Do you have any toys? What're we having for dinner?" She is talking so fast as she runs up to the house and touches the rocks then jumps down the stairs and runs up to Nick first and then me talking so fast and firing off questions back to back before we can answer any of them until Jemma knelt down in front of her.

"Maddie!" she called her name while our little girl continued to run around. "Madeline Grace!" This got her attention and she ran back and stood in front of Jemma but continued to bounce on her toes" I know you're excited about being in a new place but I need you to calm down."