Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

AN: Sorry I haven't updated this in a while. I've been super busy, and when it comes to updating my stories, Regrets and Forgiveness is my main concern right now. I really want to get that done soon, so I can start on the sequel to it. But I'm hoping to get the next chapter up for this way sooner! So please Read and Review! Thanks.

Chapter Two

Conversation

"Can I just voice my very honest opinion here, and say that I don't think you should be doing this," Auden said as I held my cell-phone in my hands staring at it nervously.

I glared up at him, after he spoke. "I thought you said I have a right to see my own family," I growled, hugging the piece of paper that I had gotten out of my dad's home office closer to me. It had my aunt Emily's number on it.

"I never said you shouldn't be allowed to see them. I just think there might be a good reason why your parents are preventing it, don't you?" he asked, plopping down on my bed, folding his hands behind his head. "Their could be something wrong with your dad's side of the family. . .for all you know Emily could be half mental or something," he commented lightly.

"Funny," I said sarcastically, while perched on top my desk, tapping my fingers nervously on my phone screen. We had been sitting here for over an hour, while I tried to think of something normal to say when Emily answered the phone. I didn't know if it would be weird coming out sand saying, "Hi, I'm Claire, I don't really remember you, like at all, but I was wondering if you remember me?. . ."

Yeah. That would go so well.

"Do you think it would be better if I just showed up there?" I wondered aloud.

Auden's head snapped up, as he gave me a weird look. "Seriously? You want to leave New York, go all the freaking way to Washington, and just show up on their door step, suitcases in hand, pleading them to take you in like some homeless person?"

I scoffed. "I wouldn't plead, God."

Auden's eyes closed again. "Do whatever you want, it's not like you ever take my advice anyways," he commented sourly.

Obviously, he was no help. I stared at the paper a few more seconds before taking a deep breath and punching the numbers into my phone. I pressed it to my hear and listened to it as it rang a few times.

"Hello?" A kind feminine voice answered.

My eyes widen. Suddenly, I didn't know what to do, how to proceed. Some part of me had figure- or hoped- that it would go to voicemail, and I would hang up, too chicken to ever call back.

I heard Auden whisper encouragingly across the room, instructing me to, "Say something."

"Hello? Is anyone there?" The voice spoke once again.

"Hi," I squeaked, causing Auden to choke, and press his hands against his mouth, giving me a look that obviously said, "Nice going, dork."

I cleared my throat. "Um, hi, I found your number in my dad's office, and I decided to call it. This is Claire, I'm uh, your niece." I don't know why I had gone into that little detail of finding her number in dad's office.

There was a pregnant pause. Then, "Claire? . . Claire! Oh my God. I haven't seen you since you were a little girl. Where are you living now?" Her voice, though seemed to try to remain calm and collected, but there was an undertone of franticness to it.

"New York," I answered automatically, thinking back to when I was younger. I was pretty sure I would have remembered Emily, with those scars that had been on her face in that picture I was guessing she was a memorable person. But I just couldn't find her in any of my past memories.

"New York?" She breathed. "What in the world, possessed your parents to go that far?. ." There was another pause. "You said that you had to find my number in Daniel's office? For goodness sakes, was he hiding it?" I wasn't sure if the questions were rhetorical or not.

"Uhhh. . .well, I haven't heard of you until a few months ago. I was going through some old photo albums, and I passed by your picture. Mom and Dad were pretty weird about the whole thing, when I asked them about it. Did you guys have a fight or something?" I wasn't sure if that question was nosy or not.

"You could say it was something like that. . .So, you found my number and just decided to call?" She asked.

I bit my lip nervously. "Yeah, is that alright?"

Her laughter sounded loudly through the speaker. "Of course, dear, that's fine. I'd love to hear from you. You're going to be a Senior this coming September, right?"

"Yep, but I still have the whole entire summer to do whatever I want before then," I responded, hoping she'd take the hint.

"Really? And what do you plan on doing with all that free time of yours?"

"Um, well, I was wondering if I could come down there. You know to Washington. . .To La Push, for the summer, and hang out, visit, and see you. . ." I let my voice trail off, wanting her to jump in and agree.

"Well, how does your parents feel about this?" Her voice was laced with concern.

I didn't want to do what I had to next. Emily seemed like a really nice women, but I had to. I wanted to get away this summer, I wanted to go see the place where I was born. And I knew to do that I had to lie. "I bet they'd be fine with it. They don't really care all that much what I do, actually."

"Really?" Emily questioned.

"Yep. They'll give me the money and everything," I responded, keeping my voice cheerful, and doubt free.

There was some noise in the background, as I looked up, Auden was staring at me, holding his hands out, with a quizzical expression. I waved him off.

"Of course, then, you can come. My husband, your uncle Sam, and I live in a pretty roomy house with our daughter, Phoebe, your cousin. We have a spare room, you can stay in there."

I didn't know how to express my gratitude towards her. "Are you serious?. . .Can my uh, friend come too? We can both stay in the guest room. It's just that we had plans to spend the summer together, and I don't really want to break them."

"Sure, that sounds alright. When do you and your friend think you'll be coming?"

I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. I couldn't handle the busy city life anymore, or my nosy parents. "Would the day after tomorrow be alright with you?"

Another short pause. "That would be perfect."

La Push. Third Person

"What were you thinking, Emily?" Sam asked his wife as he paced the length of the kitchen floor.

"I was thinking that my niece- one that I haven't had any contact with in years was asking to come and see me, before she vergers onto adulthood. She wants to come back to the place where she was born for the summer, Sam. Is that such a crime?" Emily argued, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It is when so many other people's opinions are involved? Do you honestly believe that Daniel and Elaine are letting her come here, after all that time? After all they did to keep her away from here? Emily, tell me you don't believe that?"

Emily sighed, and stirred the eggs that were in the pan for breakfast. "I don't know what to believe. I just want to see Claire. I want to know my niece, Sam, I want her to have an open mind when she comes here. She could change things. Make things better again," she responded softly.

Sam couldn't help but look down at the ground. "I know you want that, Em, but what about Quil? How is he going to. . .take the news? You know what he's been through, what he did to himself. What do you think Claire coming here is going to fix? Fix him? Because I'm not sure if that's possible. . .Not anymore."

Emily looked up at her husband with a soft look in her eyes. "You don't know that. There's always still hope for him. For both of them. Once she gets here the pull will be too strong for either of them to stay away."

Sam kept quiet, and their fourteen year old daughter Phoebe came prancing into the kitchen, in her latest outfit. Short pink skirt, white cropped tank, heels, her hair was highlighted, her nails were done. "Ready for the day," She announced, looking around for Embry, her imprint, who was late for picking her up to go to the beach.

Sam internally groaned, wondering when his life was ever going to get easier. It was only ten in the morning, and already he was going to have to give orders out. One serious glance at his young daughter, and he barked out, "Go change."

Phoebe pouted. "But dad-"

"Now!"

The summer of disaster had only just begun.