A week later Jake and Angela were sitting together on the front porch waiting for her parents to pull in. Most of the family was gone to school and work but Rebecca, Raquel, Bethany and Greg were home . Lane had been gone for weeks, but when Angela had seemed concerned, Jake had ensured her that that was perfectly normal for his younger brother, and that Lane was probably off at some casino losing all his money and getting into trouble.

Everyone that was at home had agreed to stay in the house until Angela was ready to introduce them all but Angela was still shaking all over and dreading this moment as much as she was looking forward to it. She was so nervous that her mother was going to insult someone and, although Jake's family members had much better tempers than he did, they were still wolves and prone to protective and defensive behavior. Unfortunately her mother had a way of pulling that nature out of everyone she met.

"I hear them coming." Jake said, interrupting the silence, and after a few moments Angela could hear them too. The broken exhaust on her father's beat up truck was signaling their approach.

Angela rushed off the porch to greet her father as the truck came to a stop in front of the house.

Max got out of the truck and hugged his daughter warmly. "Hello, my Angel."

"Hi daddy." she replied. Georgia had yet to get out of the truck. She was staring in slack jawed amazement at the three story log mansion.

Jake walked over and opened her door. "Allow me to help you, Mrs. Walker." he said holding out his hand. She took it and stepped out of the truck.

"Is this your home?" she asked.

Jake nodded. "One of them." he replied.

She blinked several times as if trying to comprehend what he was saying. "How many do you have, dear?" she asked putting her hand to her chest.

"A few." Jake answered.Angela was about to step in before her mother could question Jake further but her father beat her to it.

"Georgia, leave the boy alone" Max said walking over and shaking Jakes hand. "You'll have to excuse my wife, Jake. We're just poor folk and we're not used to seeing such extravagance." He gestured to the large house.

"Well sir we need the space. I don't live here alone. My mother lives here along with my 3 sisters and their husbands, my niece and nephew and my brother."

"Big family." Max said. Jake nodded.

"It's wonderful, dad." Angela cut in. "There is never a dull moment with so many people around."

"Come on in and we'll introduce you to everyone that's home." Jake said. "I'll come back out and get your suitcases later." Angela and Jake led them inside and Angela felt certain her mother was going to have a heart attack as she gaped at all the expensive artwork and decorations throughout the house. They led them to the large kitchen where everyone was sitting around the table.

"Mom, dad, this is Raquel, Bethany, Greg, and Jake's mom Rebecca." Angela said pointing to everyone in turn.

"Nice to meet you." Max said shaking everyone's hands.

Georgia shook their hands as well and then turned to Angela. "You must feel really out of place here."

Angela looked at her with confusion. "Why is that?"

"I mean being surrounded by all these beautiful people every day." Georgia replied and pointed at Bethany. "Especially that one."

Everyone at the table stared in shock at Georgia. Angela felt the sting of her mother's words deep, though they weren't anything new. Her mother had been putting down the way she looked her entire life. She felt Jake's tension and worked hard to close the link between them so he wouldn't sense just how badly her feelings were hurt. There was only so much her protective werewolf mate would be able to take.

"What can I say.. I'm just the ugly duckling around here." Angela replied lightly, hoping to make a joke and ease the tense mood that had taken over the supernatural half of her family.

"You're beautiful." Max said to his daughter. "I'm sorry everyone you'll have to excuse my wife. She's tired and her back has been giving her trouble so she's on a new pain medication and I'm afraid it makes her say things that she wouldn't say normally."

Angela felt shame fill her. Her father was constantly coming to her mother's defense when she was high on perscription pills and Angela could tell that right now was one of those times. Angela hated knowing that Jake and his family would no doubt be able to smell what was really wrong with her mother. It had been something that Angela had worked hard to hide from everyone in her life for as long as she could remember.

"Come on you two I'll show you up to your room while Jake and Greg bring your bags in." Angela said quickly, hoping to usher her parents out before her mother had the chance to embarass her further. On cue Greg stood and followed Jake out to the car while Angela showed her parents upstairs.

"I'll just keep your mother up here and let her get a nap until dinner time." Max whispered to his daughter. "She'll be much more agreeable after she's rested some." Angela knew it wasn't the truth but she loved her father too much to disagree with him.

"Ok daddy. I'm so glad that you could come visit." Max kissed his daughters forehead and then closed the bedroom door. Angela didn't need werewolf hearing to hear the argument that started between her parents as soon as the door was closed.

She walked into the kitchen somehow managing to feel more ashamed. She could no longer hear her mother and father but she had no doubt that her family of werewolves would still be able to hear every word.

She sat down feeling very self conscious. "I'm sorry about them." she mumbled.

Jake and Greg walked back into the kitchen moments later. "We just left their bags in the hall. Seems they were having a little disagreement and we didn't want to interrupt." Greg said.

"I'm sorry I didn't warn you all about my mother. I guess I just hoped she would behave herself here."

(Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me about her drug problem?) Jake demanded softly so only Angela could hear. She saw everyone looking at her and felt her eyes filling with tears.

(Because it's embarrassing. I love my dad or else I wouldn't even have a thing to do with the woman.) she replied to Jake alone.

"Who the hell is fighting upstairs and why is Angela crying?" Kent asked walking into the kitchen.

"That would be Angela's mother and father.. They arrived a few minutes ago and her mother wasn't feeling well so they went upstairs to rest." Rebecca replied quickly.

"And Angela's not crying she has allergies." Bethany added, tossing her long golden hair over her shoulder.

Kent nodded slowly, clearly not believing either one of them. "Well I'm gonna go out for a run." he said. "Who wants to join me?" Greg, Raquel and Bethany all stood up.

Angela could feel Jake's urge to go but he stayed where he was. "Go Jake. I can tell you want to."

He shook his head. "I won't leave you like this." he stated, wiping away a stray tear as it rolled down her cheek.

"I'm fine." She assured him, amazed that she shivered with pleasure at the feel of his calloused thumb on her cheek given everything that was going on upstairs.

(I cannot leave you so upset.) he whispered in her head.

"She'll be fine, Jake. I'm here with her and Jordan and the twins will be home soon from school." Rebecca urged.

"She's right." Angela said drying the last of her tears and wiping her hands on her pants with a brave sniffle. "Besides you know how your temper is, love. You need to go out and burn off some steam before you have to put up with her again at dinner."

This brought chuckles from everyone in the room except Jake who continued to stare at her with those golden eyes that could see straight into her soul. She knew no matter how brave a face she tried to put on he could feel the things that she was feeling and would always know the truth.

(Besides, I know all I have to do is call for you and you will be at my side in a heart beat.) she added silently. Jake kissed her then, obviously not caring that the room was full of onlookers.

Kent laughed loudly. "Oh my god! I didn't think we'd have to live through all this touchy feely lovey dovey crap again after Raquel and Evan finally settled down but here it is! And from Jake of all people!"

Jake growled and glared at Kent as he stood up. He could still hear Angela's parents arguing upstairs but it seemed to be winding down. He looked at his mom. "Take care of her." he ordered. Rebecca nodded and Jake followed everyone else out of the house.

"Come on, Angela." Rebecca said standing up. "Let's get some supper ready for this mob."

888

Supper that night went much more smoothly. Angela noticed that her mom seemed to be on her best behavior and made it through all the new introductions and the meal without offending anymore.

The next day was Saturday and the day dawned with bright sunlight. Angela jumped out of the bed with a scream when a loud gunshot boomed in the backyard.

"What the hell?" Jake growled as he too jumped out of bed and looked out the window.

"What's going on?" Angela asked.

"It's Kent, Evan, Greg and your dad. Apparently Kent, Greg and Evan are showing off my gun collection."

Angela smiled. Her father loved guns. The two of them dressed and walked outside. The whole family was out there and everyone except the men were sitting on the back porch.

"Good morning." Rebecca said as Angela and Jake walked outside. "Your mother was just telling us stories about you as a little girl." She added to Angela.

(She seems to be happier this morning.) Raquel added to Angela alone.

(It's still early.) Angela replied sitting down next to Bethany on a large chaise lounge.

"Jake, my boy!" Max said walking up to the porch with a rifle that even Angela could tell was an antique. "The boys have been showing me your gun collection.. It's pretty impressive."

Jake bent and kissed the top of Angela's head then walked off the porch. "I've been collecting for a long time." Jake replied proudly.

"Not as long as I have and I don't have near this kind of collection." Max replied. Jake smiled. "I'm real impressed with this one." Max said holding the rifle out to Jake who took it and looked it over.

"Yeah it's a nice one." Jake replied.

"That's a M1 Garand." Max said in awe. "And it looks like it's been used." Jake's eyes took on a faraway look and Angela knew he was seeing visions of the wars he had fought in.

"Yeah, it's been used." he said. The men wandered off further into the yard where Angela could see they had set up targets.

"So mom are you still feeling good this morning?" Angela asked .

Georgia smiled at her daughter but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yes. I needed to talk to you actually. Your father told me not to bring it up but I feel you should know."

Angela knew her mother was about to start some kind of trouble. She sighed. "Maybe if it's something bad we should go inside to talk about it."

"Don't be ridiculous." Bethany said running a hand over Angela's long dark hair. "We're all family here."

"Okay." Angela said. "What is it you want to tell me mom?"

"Abigail has been calling me non stop for the last month worried sick about you." Georgia said.

Angela shook her head. "Why is that important?"

"She is your best friend, Angela. It isn't right for you to have just taken off on her like that." Georgia scolded.

"Didn't she steal Angela's boyfriend?" Jordan piped up in her pixie voice.

Georgia barely spared her a glance. "They are not together anymore." Georgia assured them with a sniff. "Abigail realized that she had made a mistake and so did Tyler. He really loves you, Angela."

Everyone on the porch looked at Georgia in complete shock. The twins looked at Georgia and then back at Angela. "But uncle Jake loves Angela. He tells her so all the time. I guess he hasn't heard about cooties." Kaylee said sweetly, before going back to braiding her doll's hair. Kayleb nodded in agreement and went back to painting his model car.

"Perhaps we should leave the two of you alone to talk about this." Rebecca said standing up. "We'll just go down and watch the men." And with that Angela and Georgia were alone on the porch.

"Mom, what are you doing? I love Jake and I love this family and you need to understand that." Angela warned.

Georgia gave a wave of her hand. She reached into her purse and pulled out a prescription bottle and popped several pills into her mouth taking a sip of water to wash them down.

"I thought you were feeling better." Angela said looking at everyone in the backyard and hoping they hadn't seen her mother drugging herself.

"My back bothers me, Angela. I have to have medicine for it." Georgia said defensively. "Now back to Abigail and Tyler--I spoke to Tyler and he has found you a job. You know how he is friends with all the biggest stars in Hollywood? Well he knows that you wanted to work in the magazine industry and he got you a job with a magazine as an interviewer! You would be interviewing all the biggest stars!" Georgia said unable to hide her excitement.

Angela just sat there looking at her mother and shaking her head in disbelief. Had it really only been a few months ago when she had had those kind of dreams? It seemed a lifetime ago now. She was perfectly content right where she was.

"I'm not interested." she said. Georgia gave her daughter a look of complete disgust.

"Come now, Angela! How long do you really think that this Jake character will be satisfied with you? You are a sweet girl, but you are not a prize in the looks department, and Tyler has even said he is willing to pay for you to have weight loss surgery since none of the diets seemed to work for you."

Angela couldn't hold back her laughter. She laughed until tears were flowing from her eyes and her mother sat there staring at her as if she'd lost her mind.

"He loves you, Angela, please take him back." Georgia pleaded trying to be heard over Angela's laughter. Angela simply laughed harder.

"What did he do mom? Tell you that if you managed to get me to take him back he would buy you a house or a car or something?" Angela hiccupped and this just made her laugh harder still. Her sides were aching but she couldn't seem to stop. She finally managed to calm herself and wiped her face.

"Mom, I want you to listen to me very carefully, okay?" Angela said moving closer to Georgia and looking into her eyes.

Georgia glared at her but nodded.

"Tyler is an immature, egotistical prick who never did treat me like I was worth a damn..."

"He just wanted you to lose weight..."

"Shut-up, you're not listening." Angela snapped. She was growing angry now, though she wasn't sure if all the anger was hers or if Jake had been listening to the conversation and she was feeling his temper. Georgia's mouth snapped shut.

"I don't understand why you are not happy for me. The only reason I stayed with Tyler as long as I did was because you convinced me I could never do any better. Well guess what, mom, I found better. Jake is an amazing man and he loves me just the way I am.. I don't have to change for him.

"I figured you would be jumping for joy knowing what a gold digging conniving pain in the ass you are that Jake is rich. He has more money than Tyler could ever dream of having! And I finally have a family. I love daddy but he will always pick you over me no matter what kinds of hell you put me through. But here I have a family. I have sisters and brothers and you know what? I even have a mother who doesn't drown herself in pills and vodka. Who doesn't tell me that the only way I'll ever amount to anything is if I lose weight and get a nose job! I have a great niece and nephew that I love almost as if they were my own kids." Angela took a breath then.

She had never seen her mother look more confused, shocked or angry in her entire life. "I am your mother, little girl." Georgia hissed quietly. Angela shook her head.

"Then start acting like it. Be happy for me." Angela said.

"I can't! Not when I know you are making a mistake. Abigail told me what a freak Jake is. She told me what happened to Tyler that night." Georgia hissed. "Abigail said these people are monsters. That they are not human."

It was Angela's turn to look shocked. She glanced down into the yard but if anyone had heard her mother they gave no indication. "And why would Abigail think that?"

"She said Jake started to change right in front of her. I'm not sure I believe in werewolves or vampires or whatever she said he is but I have no doubt that he's dangerous. He scared poor Tyler and Abigail to death."

Angela saw that her mothers eyes were starting to glaze over and she was starting to weave back and forth in her seat. She knew the drugs were starting to fog her mind and she would pass out soon. That must be why Georgia was speaking so freely about Jake being unhuman.

"That's crazy talk, mom. Tyler said some rude things to me and Jake overreacted but no one started to change into anything. Let me help you up to bed so you can rest."

"I'm fine." Georgia said. She tried to stand but her legs wobbled and she would have fallen back down if two strong arms hadn't suddenly grabbed her. Angela managed a small smile at Jake who had caught her mother.

"Don't touch me, freak." Georgia mumbled through her drugged haze.

Jake carried her into the house and up to the room that she and Max had been using. Angela followed close behind. He laid her down in the bed and then left the room while Angela covered her mother up. Georgia was already asleep when Angela joined Jake back outside on the porch.

"You okay?" he asked wrapping his arms around her.

Angela nodded leaning into his chest and taking comfort in his strength and warmth. "She was high, Jake. She won't remember a single word of that conversation when she wakes up." Angela said.

Jake kissed the top of her head as he held her close. "I know. That's why I held my temper." he said. "What I really wanted to do was throw the bitch off my property and out onto her ass."

"You held your temper? That must be a first for you." Angela teased, pulling away and looking up at him.

He smiled back down at her. "I know how much your father means to you, love. I would never do anything to come between the two of you." he said. "Do you really think Tyler and Abigail are split up and he is begging for you back?"

"No." Angela replied. "But I don't think he wants me to be happy with you either. He would tell any story he had to, to get me to leave you and then he'd laugh once I was alone and lonely again."

(You will never be alone and lonely again.) Bethany's voice came to her.

(Nope you've got us now.) Jordan added.

(Welcome to the peanut gallery.) Kent added.

Angela smiled happily. (Thanks you guys. I love all of you so much,)

"Hey Angela!" Kent yelled from down in the yard.

"What?" she yelled back.

"Your dad here keeps telling us what a crack shot you are but I don't buy it!" Angela and Jake walked down into the yard to join everyone.

"Where is your mother?" Max asked.

"She wasn't feeling well so she went to lay down." Angela replied.

"Aunt Angela, can you really shoot as good as Mr. Walker says you can?" Kayleb asked in a voice full of doubt.

"I'm not sure." she answered crouching down to his level. "How good did he say I am?"

"Really good." Kayleb said.

"Can you really shoot a gun?" Jake asked looking just as doubtful as Kayleb had sounded.

Angela put her hands on her hips and smiled innocently. "Daddy, hand me that damn gun." she said. Max chuckled and handed the gun to his daughter. She grabbed it and put it to her shoulder.

"Jake's got other guns, Angela.. Ones that don't kick quite so hard." Evan said.

Angela ignored him and took aim at the targets. They had lined up cans on the old wooden fence about forty yards away. Angela grinned and emptied the gun so quickly that everyone barely had time to realize she was shooting.

"Well I'll be damned." Kent said. Every can had been knocked off the fence. Not a single shot had missed.

"I didn't think you could get any sexier...." Jake said staring at Angela who was holding the gun in one hand and looking very proud with her other hand on her hip. "I was wrong."

Max cleared his throat and Jake looked over at him."I'm sorry sir." he said quickly.

Max smiled. "That's' alright son." he said slapping Jake on the back.

"Wow." Kayleb said seeming awestruck. "You are good."

"Thank you." Angela said handing the gun back to her dad.

"Angela, Jake has invited me to go out four wheeling today." Max said taking his daughter aside. "The boy has guns, fourwheelers and he even knows all about military history."

Angela laughed at her father's enthusiasm knowing how big of a history buff he was. "Are you going with him?" she asked.

"Of course I am.. And let me tell you Angel you better marry that boy soon or I'll marry him myself! He's a dream come true." Angela laughed and hugged him tightly.

888

Jake smiled as he watched his mate bonding with her father and then Evan's voice was in his head. (I told you so. They all want marriage.)

(I've already got that planned out.) Jake replied.

"Well come on then, Mr. Walker. Let's head out on a ride." Jake said.

Max nodded. "Anybody else want to come?" he asked. Before anyone could say yes Jake cut in.

"No!" he exclaimed then looked around at everyone uncomfortably. "Everybody already has plans for the day."

(What are you up to?) Angela demanded.

(Don't worry about it.) Jake snapped.

(You've never lost your temper with me before.) she said softly and walked off toward the house. Jake didn't have a chance to follow her because Max had already put his arm around him in a fatherly way and was leading him toward the large garage.

(Angela's pissed at me.) Jake said to his mom. (Please remind her that I love her.) Rebecca nodded but didn't reply and then followed Angela into the house.

888

Angela didn't know what wrong with Jake but he hadn't spoken to her since returning from the ride with her father. Max kept whistling happily and would smile any time his eyes met Angela's.

Georgia still hadn't come out of her room and Angela was glad for that at least. She and Rebecca had been hard at work cooking a feast for dinner. They were just setting the roasted turkey on the table when Jake came into the kitchen.

"Dinner is ready!" Angela shouted out, ignoring his presence.

Jake wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. "I love you." he said.

"You've had a funny way of showing it all day." Angela replied but she could feel her anger melting away at his touch. Their conversation ended as everyone else came crowding into the kitchen.

"Should someone go get Mrs. Walker?" Greg asked as everyone began piling food onto their plates.

"Let her rest." Max replied.

The meal was just as loud as every other meal was in the mansion. Everyone talking all at once. Silverware and dishes clanging and banging. Everyone was finishing up when Jake stood and tapped his spoon against his glass several times. Everyone became silent and looked at him.

He turned and looked at Angela. She looked in his golden eyes and saw love, happiness but also nerves. She wondered what he could possibly be nervous about. Then he dropped to one knee beside her and she felt her heart pause for several long beats.

"Angela Walker, you are the most amazing woman that I have ever known. I have been all over the world and I have seen a lot of beautiful things but never anything that compares to you," He paused here and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.

"I want to spend every second for the rest of my life making you as happy as you've made me these past few months. I love, Angela. Will you marry me?" He opened the box and Angela nearly fell out of her chair. The ring was gorgeous. The white gold band had beautiful diamonds inlayed all around it and the center stone was a huge yellow diamond that was so dark it was golden and nearly matched the color of Jakes' eyes perfectly.

"Of course I will Jake" Angela said with a happy laugh. Jake slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her up into his arms and hugged her tight. He leaned down and kissed her softly as everyone at the table clapped and congratulated them.

"Oh my God my baby girl is getting married!" Georgia declared coming into the kitchen. Angela moaned and turned to look at her. "So when is the wedding going to be?"

"As soon as your daughter wants it to be." Jake replied. Georgia smiled happily at him and Angela knew then that she had no memory of their earlier conversation.

"I knew you'd snag you a rich one in the end! Let me see that ring!" Angela held her hand out as Georgia came around the table.

"I would marry Jake even without the ring. I happen to be very much in love with him."

"Of course you are, sweetie. But a beautiful ring never hurts!" Angela just sighed and kissed Jake happily.