Petrichor ~ P.L.

Chapter Twelve

The air was practically buzzing in excitement in the Uley household.  The boy's tired eyes were put on hold, and for a day they were back to their playful and talkative selves.  From the upstairs window of Emily's house, I could see them all playfully shoving each other and laughing while setting up for the quickly approaching wedding in two hours.  Currently, I was putting Emily's long brown hair up in pin curls, so when we took them out before the ceremony she would have long flowing waves.  

We had become quite close over the weeks.  Sharing a love of baking, and laughing at the rowdy boy's antics.  I was honored when she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, as she hadn't been close to her Makah tribe friends in a long time.  Kim and Sue also joined me as her bridesmaids and her young niece Claire as the flower girl.  

"There," I stated as I put the last curler in place, "All done!" 

She smiled up at me from her seat in the bathroom, "Thank you, Addy, I don't know what I would have done without you." She softly spoke, hugging me in thanks. 

I smiled at her, hugging her tightly back, "Please, you could walk down the aisle in nothing but a leaf and crazy hair and still be beautiful," She blushed, "besides I don't think Sam would mind at all." 

She blushed harder and lightly slapped my shoulder, rolling her eyes at me. 

I laughed and sat her back down on the wooden stool, "Alright, time for my favorite part!" I held up my oversized makeup kit, her brown eyes widening. 

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Down in the yard, Paul was helping the rest of the pack to set up for the ceremony.  Quill, Embry, and Seth were helping Sue with the decorations, while all the other boys set up the aisle and seating. 

Paul approached Sam, whose usually calm and stoic demeanor was pacing and sweating in front of the arch of white flowers they were going to get married under. 

"You alright there Sam?" Paul questioned his alpha, having never seen him in such a state. 

"Oh, me?" His head shot towards Paul, sweat dripping off his brow, "Oh yeah I'm fine." 

"Yeah?" Paul smirked at him, "Looks like it." 

Sam sat down on one of the white folding chairs they had set up and sighed, "I just," he ran tan hands over his face in anxiety, wiping away the nervous sweat, "I just need everything to go perfect." 

Paul scoffed, "Emily would marry you in a hurricane and still be the happiest woman on the planet.  She's your imprint," Paul took a seat next to him, placing a brotherly hand on his warm shoulder, "but even without some divine force telling you you are meant to be together, she would love you unconditionally." 

Sam looked over to his third in command, relaxing his shoulders at the words he knew were true, "Thanks, man.  You're truly a brother." 

Paul leaned back, crossing his arms and nodding to him, "Don't mention it." 

"And," Sam shoved him playfully, standing from his seat, "You're going soft." 

Paul dropped his jaw in mock offense, "I am NOT going soft." 

Sam chuckled, at Paul, joining him in standing up, shoving his shoulder playfully, and walking away. 

"Paul!" Sam called to Paul's retreating figure, Paul turning around expectantly, "You can love someone without the imprint, you said it yourself." Sam gestured to the upstairs window, where the girls could be seen getting ready. 

Paul's face fell to an almost yearning and disappointed expression, "I know," He looked back to his alpha, "I know all too well." 

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