Love poems (Leah Clearwater story)

Chapter 7 ~ Almost kiss

The next morning, Vivienne woke up to the gentle patter of rain on her window. The storm had passed, leaving a soft drizzle in its wake. She stretched and yawned, the events of the previous night still lingering in her mind. Determined to shake off the unease, she got dressed and headed downstairs, hoping a good breakfast might help her feel more grounded.

As she descended the stairs, she was greeted by an unusual sight. The kitchen, usually quiet and calm in the early morning, was bustling with activity. And there, standing around the kitchen island, were six shirtless men, all engaged in various tasks—cooking, chatting, and laughing.

Vivienne froze on the last step, her eyes widening in surprise. The men were all incredibly fit, their muscles rippling under their skin, and each of them bore the same distinctive tattoo she had noticed on Embry and Quil. They exuded a sense of camaraderie and ease, completely at home in her kitchen.

One of them, a tall guy with short, dark hair and a friendly smile, noticed her standing there and waved. "Hey, you must be Vivienne. I'm Paul," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.

Vivienne managed to nod, still trying to process the scene. "Hi, Paul. Nice to meet you."

Another one, who was flipping pancakes with practiced ease, looked up and grinned. "I'm Jared. We're just making breakfast. Hope you don't mind."

Vivienne shook her head, finding her voice. "No, it's fine. Just wasn't expecting...this."

Embry appeared from behind the refrigerator, holding a carton of eggs. He smiled when he saw her. "Morning, Viv! Sorry about the surprise guests. These are my friends. We thought we'd make breakfast for everyone."

Vivienne's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of the men who had so quickly filled the space with their presence. "It's...nice. Just a bit of a shock."

Quil, who was pouring coffee, chuckled. "Yeah, we tend to have that effect on people."

Another man, slightly older with a more serious demeanor, nodded at her. "I'm Sam. Welcome to La Push, Vivienne."

"Thanks," she replied, her curiosity piqued even more. She noticed the way they all seemed to move in sync, an unspoken understanding between them. It was clear they were more than just friends—they were a pack, in every sense of the word.

As she joined them in the kitchen, grabbing a plate and accepting a stack of pancakes from Jared, she couldn't help but feel a sense of acceptance and belonging. These men, with their easy smiles and strong bond, were part of the mystery that surrounded La Push. And while she didn't have all the answers yet, she felt she was slowly being let in on the secret.

"Sit down, eat up," Paul said, pulling out a chair for her at the kitchen table. "We've got plenty."

Vivienne took the seat, feeling the warmth of the group's energy envelop her. "Thanks, guys. This is really nice."

As they all settled down to eat, the conversation flowed naturally, filled with laughter and lighthearted banter. Vivienne found herself smiling and joining in, the previous night's fear and confusion slowly dissipating. She realized that, despite the many unanswered questions, she was starting to feel at home here.

And as she looked around the table at the faces of her new extended family, she knew that whatever secrets La Push held, she wasn't alone in facing them.

Just as Vivienne was beginning to feel at ease amidst the lively breakfast gathering, the kitchen door swung open, and in walked Leah. She had an air of confidence about her, despite the slight tension that seemed to follow her. Her short brown hair was slightly damp from the rain, and her eyes quickly scanned the room before settling on Vivienne.