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Chapter 22: Let's Get Our Drink On!

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Claire's POV

I watched Quil being dragged away by Embry and my knees got weak, I felt as if I were going to faint or possibly puke, I leaned forward trying to catch my breath. After more than half an hour Kim's strong hands wrapped around my waist, planting a warm kiss on my cheek and pulling me back towards the house.

I struggled with her trying to watch the empty road, just in case he decided to return. She huffed and let go, calling out to Jared, "JARED! Get this girl in the house before she passes out or something, will ya?"

Large warm hands, just like Quil's pulled me up and I snuggled into his chest closing my eyes. It felt so familiar, so good, but the smell was wrong, it was too lemony, too piney and I sobbed so hard my body jerked in his arms.

"Let's take her home, babe," Kim whispered to Jared and I tried to protest, tried to fight, I wanted to be here when he returned, but I was dead. I couldn't do anything but cry.

Kim sat in the back of Quil's truck, pulling me in. I placed my head into her lap where silent tears streamed down my face, as I inhaled the lingering scent of Quil.

"Shhh. It'll be okay," she said as she stroked my hair. It didn't feel right, it wasn't like patrol, my heart felt as if it were exploding, what if this was my imprint telling me something?

"And if it's not? And if Quil dies, then what will happen to me?" I demanded, sitting up. Saying the word die and Quil in the same sentence was almost unbearable.

"We would take care of you kiddo, promise," Jared called back from the front of the cabin. They didn't understand, they had no idea… there would be nothing left of me to take care of, because I wouldn't exist, I couldn't be, he was 90% of my being and I couldn't live without Quil.

"If he dies, I want to go with him," Kim examined me for a moment and then nodded as if she knew exactly what I meant.

"I'm going to stay with her tonight, Jared," she called to the front, pulling me closer to her and I snuggled my face into her shoulder blade. She was not warm like Jared, but she was soft and it felt nice.

"Are you sure, honey?" He asked turning back to look at her.

"Yeah, pick up the kids from Billy's let them eat all the junk in the fridge and then take them to Emily's. The rest of the girls are camping out there for the night, stay with them, okay?" He nodded as we drove into my driveway. She helped me out of the car and Jared, opened the front door for us, kissing Kim so passionately I whimpered. He kissed my forehead and whispered some reassurances before he headed back out the front door. My mother met us as we entered the living room and helped place me on the couch, where I curled into the fetal position.

"What happened? Where have you been?" My mom demanded as she sat next to me, rubbing my shoulders. I had not been home for over twenty four hours, but I didn't feel the need to explain myself. Kim did.

"The boys, they had to go into battle," Kim said looking at her meaningfully.

"Battle?" my mom dropped all anger.

"Yeah."

"Is it serious?" My mom asked as he played with my hair.

"Yeah. It's um, the Volturi again. The Great Renesme War part deux!" Kim answered playfully, but I could see the pain in her eyes.

"And Jared?"

"Stayed behind," Kim said looking down.

"And why couldn't Quil? How could he leave me like that?" I demanded.

"Because it's his duty, it's his life, honey," my mom said adding, "you should be proud."

Kim rolled her eyes, and forced me to look at her, "He's lived through two of these epic battles before, he had to leave you both times, and he's always come back for you."

"What?" I was seriously confused.

"First the Newborns Wanna Eat Bella skirmish, and then the Great Renesme War, those girls are serious bad luck," Kim said smiling. "You don't remember them, but I do. When they left for the first one I was terrified, I couldn't even breathe, I was hysterical and the way Quil looked at you when he had to leave, I was sure they were goners," Kim said smirking.

"Oh God, he made us leave the state when they had that mutant baby war," my mom added nodding.

"Yeah, had you drive them down to California right?" Kim asked.

"Yup, and there wasn't even a fight," my mom rolled her eyes.

"But it's different this time!" I screamed, angry at their dismissive attitude.

"Yes, it is. I know it is, but you have to know that Quil will do everything in his power to get back to you, you are the center of his world, shit, you are his world. So you can't go around talking about dying, cuz your life is his," Kim said looking at me seriously. I couldn't meet her eyes. She was right, I knew she was, but I still couldn't imagine being without him.

"This is the hardest part of loving a werewolf, the constant danger, not to you, but to them. You asked me how you officially become a wolf-girl, well, you gotta grow a pair!" I stared at her, my eyes wide with shock and she shrugged as if to say, that's life!

"Let's drink! That always helps pass the time," my mother said standing up and heading towards the kitchen.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Kim winked at me, "Come on Princess Claire, lighten up, he'll be back in the morning," and she helped me stand, pulling me towards the kitchen. "Your mom doesn't drink like this all the time does she?" she asked suddenly serious. I shook my head and she smiled sweetly, "well, good. Let's get our drink on!"

Drinking with your mom is bizarre, and also hilarious. Kim, a fan of tequila, had a large variety of drinking games to keep us occupied and near three in the morning (after Kim passed out on my couch), I stumbled hazily to my room and stripped down, heading to the shower.

The warm water made me feel safe and a little more alert, I went back in my room putting on my favorite pair of lucky underwear and a tank top, burrowing under the sheets and trying to stay alert. I was determined to stay up until Quil returned to my side.

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P.S: Before you tell me Kim shouldn't be drinking because she is pregnant I should tell you to keep reading...