Meredith
The days that followed the events of learning about Jack's involvement in my parents' death, I spent wallowing in self-pity. I mostly stayed in bed either crying or just thinking about everything that's happened lately. Amber said it was good for me to get some bed rest but not cry myself into a depression. I didn't want to be sad all of the time, constantly thinking about the night my parents died.
So on the fourth day of my hibernation, I decided to get out of bed and actually do something. I took a shower and actually got dressed in something that wasn't pyjamas. When I made it downstairs and into the kitchen, the familiar trio was hovering around the kitchen and was surprised to see me up and about.
"Mer, you're up." Emily says firstly and comes over to me in the doorway to hug me gently.
I hold onto her for a while, relaxing in her comforting embrace. Emily squeezes me gently before letting go. I look over at Chase who smiles and winks at me cheekily receiving a small smile from me in return. I catch Eliot's eye for a brief moment and all the stress and anxiety I've been feeling over the past few days just melts away.
"Can we go to lunch?" I ask Emily quietly as I focus back on her.
We usually go at least once a week and I enjoy our girl time together. After laying in bed for three days, I feel like I need to go out and get some fresh air, have a change of scenery from the four walls of my bedroom.
Emily looks surprised but she nods enthusiastically.
"Yes of course! Let me just get my purse and shoes."
I watch Emily speed out of the kitchen and then turn to face the two boys. They're both smiling at me, probably not sure what to do or say to me. I smile in reassurance for them. It's a little funny that they have no idea how to act around me like I'm about to have another breakdown or something. But it's sweet. I just don't want them to worry.
"I'm fine." I tell them.
Eliot doesn't look so convinced but Chase dramatically drops his hunched shoulders and slouches onto one of the kitchen chairs. I laugh shaking my head at him.
"You've been locked up in your bedroom for three days." Eliot states with a frown.
"I know. I just needed some time to process everything. But honestly, I'm better now."
I move over to Eliot who's leaning against the kitchen counter. He stands up straighter as I reach him and I wrap my arms around his waist to hug him gently. He's a little surprised at first but he soon wraps his arms around me to return the embrace.
"I'm good. I promise." I murmur softly to him.
"I'm sorry." He whispers back. The tone of his voice is guilty and remorseful. But he shouldn't be sorry for anything.
"You have nothing to be sorry for Eliot."
"But-" I pull away from him and give him a stern glare.
"No. But nothing. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm fine now. Just leave it there."
He holds my stare for a moment before nodding at me.
"Good."
"Ready to go Mer?" I spin around at the sound of Em's voice and see her standing in the kitchen doorway holding out my coat for me.
I smile and take it from her.
"Thank you. And yes I am."
I slip on my coat with a little help from Emily and then we say goodbye to the two boys before leaving the house.
It's a quiet ride into town with just the radio playing softly in the background. I watch the scenery pass me and feel myself relaxing more and more as we drive. Emily is always talking so she probably wants to break the silence but she doesn't. Maybe she knows I'm enjoying the silence. We have lunch to talk anyway. It'll be nice to spend some time with Emily outside of the house.
So much drama has been happening lately that I haven't really had the chance to talk to her properly. Too much of my life has been about Jack and my tragic past. I love my parents so much and I miss them all of the time but I can't live in the past. I can't be constantly thinking about their deaths and making myself depressed. They wouldn't want that. I need to think about my future now. A future that doesn't involve Jack.
Once we reach the town, Emily parks in the shopping centre and we exit the car.
"So, what do you want to do first? Shopping? Lunch? Maybe the salon?" She ask me with excitement.
I smile and shrug my shoulder slightly. I'm not really bothered how we start, just as long as we get to spend time together and enjoy it.
"I don't mind. You pick."
"Shopping it is." I laugh as she gently drags me out of the car park and into the shopping centre.
Before I know it, two hours have passed and a lot of clothes shopping has been done. Not only for Emily and I but also a few bits for the baby. Emily thought it would be a good idea to get some little things just to start out. We only brought unisex items as I don't know the baby's gender yet.
After I complain about aching feet and too many bags to carry, Emily finds a place to have lunch in the centre. On the third floor is a food court of sorts that has a few restaurant places and I spot a Chinese buffet. Without giving Emily a chance to decide a place to eat, I drag her over to the Chinese place as my stomach grumbles from the amazing smell wafting from it.
Emily laughs at me but comes with me willingly.
"Was the Chinese calling you?"
"Yes. It smells amazing!" I tell her as we queue up for the food.
"It does. But I think the Bubba wants it more than you do." She giggles as my stomach grumbles again. It doesn't sound human. She pats my belly smiling brightly.
"Probably. It smells so good. I'm starving."
"Calm your booty, we'll get you some food."
I nudge her with my elbow playfully laughing.
"Shush you."
We order some food and sit down to eat. We talk a lot about the baby and Emily tells me about her life back at the pack house. I'm still trying to get used to the whole werewolf thing but they've all been really patient and supportive about it. It's coming up to Christmas soon and I know they all want to be home for it. That's where their families are and their friends. I'm a little anxious about them leaving. Will I have to go back to Jack? I don't know if he's left the house and even if he has, it now belongs to Eliot.
"I haven't brought Chase a present yet. I have no idea what to get him!" Emily stresses as she takes a sip of her coke.
"What did you get him last year?" I ask curiously.
"A watch." She deadpans.
I giggle through a mouthful of noodles. Emily glares at me from across the table and then rolls her eyes and stuffs a chicken ball in her mouth.
"Well, I suggest something a little more personal this year." I grin once I swallow my mouthful.
"That's helpful." She grumbles.
"He's your boyfriend. What does he like?"
"Mate. He's my mate. I don't know. He has everything! This is so hard!"
"Right. You're mates. Like Eliot and I..."
Emily raises an eyebrow at my mumbled words and a sly grin makes its way onto her lips. I scowl in return.
"That's right. So what are you getting Eliot for Christmas?"
"Um, what?" He won't be here. What would be the point of getting him a present?
"What are you getting Eliot for Christmas Mer?"
"Nothing?"
At my answer, Emily's expression of happiness drops into one of confusion. She's not the only one confused.
"Nothing?" She echoes.
"Yep. What's the point? He won't be here to receive it." I point out with my fork at her.
"But you can give it to him on Christmas at the pack house." She explains in an obvious tone.
"The pack house?"
Emily frowns and puts down her fork before reaching over the table to take my free hand.
"Mer, you didn't think we were going to leave without you did you?"
"Well yeah, you have to go home for Christmas. You can't stay just because of me."
"We're not going to leave you here. Especially not with Jack. Eliot won't allow it. I won't allow it. You're coming home with us Mer." She smiles warmly and squeezes my hand.
"Come to your pack house? With loads of other wolves? But I'm human. Isn't that against the rules or something."
Emily shakes her head and pulls her hand away to continue eating.
"Not when you're a mate to a wolf. The rules don't apply."
"Eliot."
"Eliot. You're his mate. You can join our pack and live with us. You don't have to see Jack ever again."
I'm not sure how to feel about living with a lot of werewolves that I don't know but I'm also a little relieved to know I don't have to go back to Jack. I don't ever want to see that vile man again. On the other hand, I don't want to impose. I already have too much these past few months. I don't want to step in on their family Christmas as well.
"I know that look." Emily points her fork at me. "Don't start overthinking it. You're more than welcome to come home with us for Christmas as well as forever."
"But-"
"No buts. Talk to Eliot. It was his idea. Chase and I agreed. I think he's already spoken to his parents about it as well." My eyes widen. His parents?! He's told his parents about me?
Emily chuckles at my expression. She pushes her plate away and stands up.
"Come on. Let's get our hair and nails done."
I take her offered hand and we leave the food court to do exactly that.
[ I'd like to apologise for the looooong wait! I know it's been just over a month since I last posted a chapter so I'm sorry guys. Hope you enjoy this one. I'll try and update again soon, Uni is just a bit overwhelming and time-consuming at the moment :) ]