Chapter 8, Jacob Black
I stopped the car about 50 feet from the beach where the council meeting was going to be held. Amber's heartbeat was uneven as I opened her door and took her hand. She sighed shakily, and I tilted my head.
''You okay?'' I squeezed her hand gently. She smiled and nodded slowly.
''Just nervous. I mean, there are a lot of huge dudes down there that probably won't like me.'' She sighed.
''Of course they'll love you, sweetheart. How could anyone not like you?'' She looked at her boots and shrugged, but didn't say anything. ''This is another one if those ex husband things, huh?'' She nodded sheepishly and sighed again. I could tell Amber had been beaten down hard by her ex, and it made me want to rip his throat out. It was already clear he had hit her, and it made my jaw clench just thinking about anyone hurting her. I sighed and pulled her to my chest and kissed the top of her head.
''Amber, listen to me. You never have to worry about any of that ever again. I won't let anyone ever hurt you again. I promise.'' I pulled her back a little and looked into her eyes. A tear slid down her cheek, but she smiled.
''I know, sugar cube. It's not your fault. Just reflexes, I suppose. I'm fine.'' She gave me a huge smile, and I couldn't help but smile back at her. Her eyes twinkled and she took my hand and patted it. I sighed and nodded. She was definitely going to take done work, but the tingling I felt just being next to her, and the tugging in my soul I felt when she was away told me she was well worth it. How anyone could not look at her and see the most beautiful, perfect woman on the planet was beyond me. Quil met us halfway down the beach, little Claire on his shoulders.
''Jakey, Jakey, who is the pretty lady you brought?'' Claire squealed from above us. Amber chuckled and looked around.
''I don't see a pretty lady, darlin'.'' Claire squealed.
''You ARE pretty lady, siwwy. You talk pretty too. I like pretty lady!'' Claire slapped her hands down on Quil's head in excitement, bit he just winced.
''Claire bear, why don't you help Amber find Emily? She made cookies just for you!'' I asked, and Quil set her on the ground. She clapped and took Amber by the finger.
''Auntie over here, pretty lady. Cookies from pretty lady. Cookies from pretty lady.'' Claire started to sing as she led Amber away. Amber looked back at me worried, but I gave her a reassuring smile.
''I guess Claire approves.'' Quil said with a laugh. ''Does she know what's going down tonight? All the tribal legend stuff?'' I shook my head.
''We had kind of a rough evening. The leech showed up at her place. I still don't know why. Apparently they know each other from before, but I didn't get to ask her how. I did, however, find out why she got divorced.'' I told Quil the shortened version of the earlier events, and he nodded.
''Wow. You'd never be able to tell with how happy she seems.'' He motioned toward Amber, and I saw her laughing with Emily and Sue. She was the life of the party no matter who she's with. She could make anyone feel right at home. But beneath the smile, there was so much. I sighed and Quil patted my shoulder.
''You'll be fine. She just needs time. After going through a trauma like that, she is bound to be afraid. You just need to be there for her. She's your imprint. That's what you are here for. Whatever she needs you to be. And right now, I think she just needs you to support her.''
''Geez, Quil. When did you go all deep on me?'' I said with a laugh. Quil just smiled and bent down, Claire running to him covered in chocolate. Amber and Emily were in hysterics behind her.
''I don't know how she did it, but that child coerced the cookies out of me. Talk about me joining the CIA, she's a dang cookie ninja.'' Amber said, her accent thicker than usual. It made me smile. Jared and Kim walked over, Kim laughing from behind her hand as Claire rubbed cookie bits into Quil's hair.
''Cookie for you too, Quil!'' Quil sighed and muttered a thank you before walking back toward the group by the fire. Amber was introducing herself to Kim and Jared when my dad joined us.
''Jacob, who is your friend?'' he asked in his low, gravelly tone. Amber looked up at me, then at my father.
''Dad, this is my friend, Amber. She just moved to Forks.'' I pulled Amber closer to me, and she extended her hand.
''Hello, Mr. Black. My name is Amber Bauer. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your son has told me so much about you.'' She sounded like a perfect lady, polite and soft spoken. It made me think back to the parade of swear words on the porch and I stifled a laugh. Dad took her hand in both of his and laughed appreciably.
''Well aren't you just a perfect polite young lady. Careful around this one, he'll ruin you. Ooh, who brought macaroons? Those are my favorite!'' Dad turned to the food table and I laughed.
''Amber made them.'' I said, pulling her to my side into a hug. Dad laughed again and I pulled her away before he could suck her back in.
''So you seem to be doing just fine on your own. What were you so worried about?'' I kissed her temple quickly as we walked away from the crowd.
''Gatherings like this always used to make me nervous. Matt's family never did approve of me, I think the age difference had a lot to do with it. I was only 17 when we started seeing each other, he was 24. So I think, like I said before, it's just a reflex. I'm sorry, honey. I feel like I overburden you with all my messedupedness. I know that's not a word. Hush.'' I couldn't help but laugh a little at her knowing me so well already. We clicked like two puzzle pieces. Even holding her hand felt like it was made to fit. I kissed her cheek gently and smiled at her.
''I know you have...problems. But I want to help you. I want to rebuild what he broke.''
''I think that might be a little pricey, darling.'' She said, looking at our hands together.
''It's well worth it. Now, let's get back before Quil and Jared eat all the food.'' I picked her up then, and ran across the sand back toward the crowd, Amber squealing the whole way.
