hanging on a MOMENT*`Claire

[Quil Ateara]

Trees past by the large black is wolf as he raced for home, he was done with his part of patrol and he could finally go home and be with Claire something he’d been looking forward to since he’d left for patrol twelve hours ago. He’d taken that long shift so he could have an extra day off at home, or at least earn himself some extra hours at home. It wasn’t that he disliked the patrolling or being a wolf, no he actually enjoyed it a lot, it was just the being away from Claire that he disliked. The thudding of his paws were all that he could hear now since no one from Jake’s pack were in their wolf form. It just let him concentrate more on getting back faster. Before he knew it he was coming up to the woods that were conveniently located behind his house, a smile of some sort was apparent on his muzzle as he pushed himself harder, slowing down only when he came to the edge of his house. Another good thing for the woods around their house was he could transform and then just walk in through the back door, fool proof.

Transforming back to his human form, he walked into the house, quieter then usual. He figured Claire must be out doing some errands, probably getting more food seeing as he ate enough for five or more people. Not stopping for much of anything, he headed for the bathroom. He needed a shower, desperately. Not only was there the smell of the woods, dirt and well dog, but he’d stopped to visit Jake for a couple of minutes and he could still smell the vampire on his skin and well that smell had to go. turning the shower on, not really caring which amount of hot and cold he had since his body temperature kept him warm on the coldest winter night. Letting the water run over him for a few minutes before lathering his body and then rinsing himself off. Shutting the shower off and stepping out he towelled himself off draping his towel around his waist as he walked to his and Claire’s room. Shifting through his small amount of clothing he pulled out a pair of shorts replacing the towel with them. Stifling a yawn he wandered into the kitchen, his usual routine after getting home from a patrol.

Fixing himself a quick sandwich, enough to settle his hunger Quil moved into the living room, finishing the sandwich before taking a seat on the sofa. He stretched out a bit, causing his feet to hang off the other side a bit but that’s what happened when you were nearing six and a half feet in height. Settling onto the sofa his eyes closed just slightly. Catching a bit of a cat nap, so to speak, sounded good to him, even if he’d just rest until Claire returned. It would make him seem less drowsy. Sleeping on a piece of furniture like this one was always easier in his wolf form but after the last time that happened, and he didn’t clean off the fur he wasn’t permitted to do that any longer, which was fair when you looked at it from Claire’s point of view. And he could always just go and nap on the bed, since that was really the point of owning one. Even though he was in a bit of a comatose state his sensitive ears couldn’t miss the sound of someone approaching the house, though he’d wait until they actually came in and announced themselves before rousing himself from his slumber.

[Claire Ateara]

Since nearly the crack of dawn the young girl had been busy. Her husband had gone off to work doing his rounds, and naturally when he gets up, she wakes up. From that point forth she went to her Auntie Emily's house and helped prepare meals for the boys. After all, when you are cooking for growing boys, that all can eat a house each, you need all the help that you can get. It was nice how, even though the Packs still were separate, they all felt that brotherly bond still, and insisted on eating as a pack for most of their meals, that and it was just easier on the ones cooking the meals too.

So she arrived shortly before her husband and started with mixing three cartons of eggs up for scrambling. That would at least do for the first helping. Claire actually liked making meals, that was one thing Emily got her doing from a young age, after all Quil imprinted on Claire at a young age as well, so she had to know eventually how to feed the poor wolf boy.

Once the first two helpings were served, she and Emily ate their meals, a far smaller portion each than the rest, before starting on dishes. The Uley Pack then headed out to do their rounds, whilst the Black pack headed across the boundary line to do their own rounds. She quickly bid her love fair well for the day before watching him run off with the rest of the pack.

From that point on she went back home and cleaned the house spotless, she often did that every day, not really having much else that needed doing. She didn't have a job, Quil brought in enough money being a wolf that she didn't need to work really at all. That was a bonus that Quil's father told them about, the wolfs were basically working 24/7, so naturally the Elder's started paying them for it, even the ones who were working outside La Push.

By the time she had finished cleaning it was around noon, and she knew that he would be home in a couple of hours, so she went out and shopped for a bit, met up with her best friend Renesmee Cullen, and then went back to help her Aunt get ready for the next days big breakfast. Once all the arrangements were done, she stopped off at the local grocery store and picked up a few things to tide the Ateara's over for a few days of eating, before she had to go get more.

It was now late afternoon, nearly supper time and she knew Quil would be hungry. She pulled the car up in the driveway and parked. She pulled out a few loads of groceries and began making her way to the back door. "Hey Honey! I'm home!" she yelled to the house not really paying much attention as to where Quil was, she knew he would be home by now. If he wasn't he usually called her. She proceeded inward with the food and began unpacking everything, going about her daily routine. She glanced over to the couch seeing bare legs hanging off of it. "How was work? Find anything interesting?" she wasn't sure how much of an answer she would get out of him, after all he did tend to be rather tired after his long shifts, but she hoped he would at least be up for talking. She hadn't seen him since early this morning.

Claire was almost finished putting things away, just placing the last two cans of beans on the shelf when she actually thought she heard him speak. She just smiled contently to herself. That was Quil for you, her Quil.

[Quil Ateara]

Quil had actually fallen into more of a deeps sleep then what he usually did when he came home. Usually he’d have gotten up when he heard the car make its way onto the dirt road of their drive way and be out back to help with the groceries. Unlike most couples, the Ateara’s had to go shopping for food at least three times week. He felt bad for Emily, she must take daily trips since most of the time both packs ate one or two meals at her house. Something they’d been doing since Quil became a wolf. Breakfast was usually one, it was a place where Sam and Jacob could easily meet up and discuss their findings and such with patrols. He was glad that there wasn’t any animosity between the two packs any more it was a lot less stressful on everyone especially since they were all friends.

Quil was actually glad that Jacob had come back, it was nice to be under his control rather then Leah’s. Not that he really minded Leah, well not all that much, she was getting better with everything. Jacob was just a bit less demanding in orders when he gave them, and well it was great having his best friend back. It had also felt a bit odd patrolling the Forks area when there weren’t any vampires in the area, seemed a bit redundant. But nomadic vampires could always wander into the area and they’d have to sort that out. Luckily that hadn’t happened and things had been rather quiet.

Claire’s words reached his ears rather quickly and caused him to stir, fully registering what she had said but his body wanted to rest longer so he waited for more words to reach his ear before he would get up and go see his wife. He also felt it necessary for her to have the food unpacked and away before he stepped into the kitchen. He probably would have just ate a good amount of it before it was put away. If it was away by the time he entered the kitchen it had a better chance of lasting a couple of days. Yawning and rubbing his eyes he lifted his bulk of a frame in an upright position feeling more rested then what he did when he lied down, which meant that he’d gotten enough rest for a couple of hours. ”Pretty much the same as the other days.” Quil said through a yawn as he stood up and made his way into the kicten. ”No, nothing out of the ordinary.” He said walking up behind Claire and wrapping his arms around her placing a kiss on her cheek.

”How was your day?” He asked her keeping his arms around her though loose enough so that she could finish up with the final two canned food items. “Oh, Jake said since I picked up a couple of hours today I don’t have to go in again for thirty-six hours. So I’m all yours for a while.” Quil said with a smile. The idea of being off for a little while was good news enough, but the thought of spending that time completely with Claire was just icing on the cake.

[Claire Ateara]

Her smile only brightened when she saw the boy coming into the room, and when he put his arms around her, she heated up immediately. Quickly she placed the last two items on the shelf as she listened to him sleepily answer her questions, then she turned around, still keeping his arms around her, but this way, she could actually face her rather tall husband.

"Really, a whole thirty six hours of Quil," she said trying to imitate a shocked expression, though it just turned out looking like a pathetic puzzled look, "What ever will I do with myself? Thirty six hours…." She trailed off. Of course she had a few ideas, all of them involving them staying home for the thirty six hours. It was rare that she got to spend so much time with him, even on holidays they had to work shifts, not necessarily long, but still they were always going. Which meant she and Emily were always cooking and shopping.

She got herself rather comfortable with the idea as she wrapped her arms around him placing a light kiss on his warm lips. "I think I might like this idea." Her smile turned into a smirk as she kicked a plastic bag away from her feet, she could pick that up later.

This was amazing to her sometimes, how fresh their relationship seemed after all these years. They had known each other for so long, and he hadn't changed at all. His feelings for her were still the same, and his appearance was still just that, the looks of a twenty six year old. Claire just feared what would happen when she got older than twenty six.

She tried to push that thought from her mind as she stayed warm in his arms, with his hands wrapped around her waist, and hers around his thick neck. She pulled her head in and rested it on his chest for a moment trying to get over that idea that just passed through her mind. He was immortal, but that didn't matter right now, she would talk to Renesmee about immortality later. "I love you Quil." She nearly whispered, just wanting to hear him say it too. For so many years all she dreamed about what him, and then to actually find out that he was doing the same, it made her world. She just wished immortality would grace her somehow, so she didn’t have to feel guilty.

[Quil Ateara]

Quil almost gave a laughed in his sleepy state when he noticed the quickness in which she placed the last of the items on the shelf, but instead his smile just widened and became brighter. After she had herself turned around facing him he moved his body closer to hers, tightening his arms around her slightly. Though he stood many inches above her he could still rest his head nicely on top of hers, nuzzling it slightly in her hair. Quil laughed at her comment, along with the look on her face one he figured was suppose to be a shocked expression though didn’t turn out that way. He still thought it looked cute. When she trailed off he smiled down at her, ”I think we’ll be able to think up a few things to keep ourselves busy.” he said. it wasn’t very common for him, or any of the other’s to get time off to spend with their family or significant other. He was actually really looking forward to this, it was with that in mind he had volunteered for this long shift today.

He was engulfed with a smile as she placed her slightly cooler lips on his warm ones. ”I’m glad, I was hoping you’d like the idea.” Quil said with a chuckle. He was amazed at times with the way they were to each other. How their relationship never really changed all that much, only changing in the sense that they grew to love each other. Well he’d always loved her, just in different ways at different stages of her life. It was like waiting for her to find him, though he’d always been there. Of course he’d only aged physically to the age of twenty-six, which he’d stay forever even if his numerical age continued to climb. Claire though, he knew would continue to age in both ways, that didn’t matter to him, even as she grew older and looked her age he’d love her just as much as he did now, maybe more. The only thing that bothered him, something he tried to keep off his mind was that one day he might be without her. But he rarely let that thought intrude on his mind, only really thinking about it when he was alone since he didn’t want anyone else to know he was having these thoughts, especially not Claire.

Quil leaned his head down on hers when she put her own against his chest. She was just the right height for this to be comfortable for both of them. ”I love you too, Claire.” he said once he heard her almost whispered I love you. It would be a bit of an understatement to say that he was crazy over the girl that he held in his arms. You’d pretty much have to be if you allowed her at a young age to dress you up in a princess crown and her new acquired make-up. That memory made his seemingly permanent smile widen a little bit. He knew this day would come then, it just seemed that at times it was taking a very long time. Lifting his head off of hers for a moment and lifted her easily onto the counter top putting them at the same height now. He leaned in and placed his lips on hers again, for a longer kiss. He’d missed her, even if he was only gone for half the day. Day shifts were alright, though they only left him a little time in the evening to be with Claire.

[Claire Ateara]

She nodded in agreement when he in fact stated verbally what she was thinking mentally about what to do with those luxurious thirty six hours of peace and quiet. No wolves, no breakfasts, no shopping, no nothing, just her and him. They honestly needed it, she couldn't remember the last time they actually spent an entire night together in bed, starting in bed together and getting up together. Usually he was coming in late, or leaving really early, forcing her to be up early as well. She had a hard time sleeping without him around.

She nearly squealed as he lifted her up all to easily onto the counter top. "Mr. Ateara, I don't know if I like where this is going." She said as her smirk turned into a seductive little smile as she released her hands from each other, draping one on his shoulder whilst the other trailed down the opposite arm, flowing fluidly over each rippling muscle on the way down. But her liking it wasn't the question, the question was, how much would she love where this was going…. She felt deprived of him half the time it seemed, like that flame that can't be put out. Upon hearing those four important words her smile only brightened, it seemed smiles were infectious between the two lovers whenever they were together. They rarely fought, and when they did, they always worked it out, always ending with smiles.

As he leaned in to kiss her, she openly welcomed it just as feverishly deepening the kiss as he had. Her one hand trailed back to his neck from his shoulder whilst the other wound its way about his waist and intertwined her fingers with the belt loops on his shorts pulling him as close as she could. "Then again, maybe I love where this is going." She said barely audible as she pulled away from him resting her forehead on his.

She let out a small chuckle, her mind running over the same thought as he had, though she didn't know he was thinking about the Princess parties as well. "You have been amazing all these years you know. Waiting so patiently for me to figure it out, you know for the longest time, I had no idea you felt this way about me. I thought you were just like a big brother- a protector. Now, you are the most important man in my life." She smiled before adding sarcasm to the sap. "And the worst pet. I tell you, okay it might be good that you can let yourself in and out of the house, but I still have to feed you and look after you. Do you have any idea how strenuous that can be on a poor mortal girl?" She was joking but the thought still lingered- poor mortal girl… There was nothing she could do, nothing. And she would never ask Quil to give up his immortality for her, but it wasn't a question of asking, if she didn't act soon, he would just for fear of living without her, she knew that much.

"Quil" she questioned as she ran her fingers through his short black hair, "How long will you love me?"

[Quil Ateara]

Quil had been looking forward to alone time with Claire for some time now since it had been a while since they last got to spend so much time together. Don’t get him wrong though, he loved the pack and doing what he did, it’s just well he wanted time with Claire too. Well actually he needed time with her. None of the pack members would see him for those thirty-six hours, he’d stay in the house with Claire the entire time, meals as well. he probably wouldn’t eat as much either because he wouldn’t be worrying about getting his share with other wolves competing for food.

A healthy laugh passed through him as she made a small squeal as he placed her on top of the counter. His smile faded slightly into a smirk at her words. “Well I’d assure you my intentions were completely innocent, but I’m not sure they are anymore.” Quil said moving to rest his hands on her waist. this was what he needed, just simple alone time with her. though honestly he always wanted to have more time with her even if he’d get to stay home twenty-four seven, he’d still want more time. A bit selfish but she’d been a part of his life for so long that it was an odd feeling when he wasn’t around her. He didn’t know when the next time he’d get this much time in one span to be with her so he planned on making up the last couple of weeks to her in these up coming hours. It was the least he could do for her, but he couldn’t complain. She was very good about his being away, there could have been a lot more fights between them, but whatever fights did happen rarely lasted longer then an hour.

When she eagerly deepened the kiss, Quil responded just the same moving his from where they rested on her waist to her back. He pulled her a bit closer to him as she did the same using the loops on his shorts. He gave a soft chuckle, “I was hoping I’d be able to get you to see it my way.” he said softly using one of his hands to brush some of her hair away from her face, behind her ear and over her shoulder.

Quil blamed Emily for a lot of the things he was subjected to at the princess themed party. She had suggested it each time knowing he wouldn’t object, Embry though had gotten a nice laugh once or twice. He smiled as she talked about their past relationships together, “You were well worth the wait. I knew you would see it, feel it eventually” He told her. Her next comments made him give a playful scoff, “I’m not that bad, I’m sure you’ve gotten one of the best out of the pack” Quil said bragging himself up just a little bit laughing slightly. poor mortal girl did linger in his mind even though he had wanted to ignore the comment in any other sense then a joking one. It wasn’t that easy though, she was mortal and he wasn’t, well technically he could be if he wanted to. All he had to do was stop phasing, and they would both be mortals, but that wasn’t an easy choice to make.

“Mm?” Quil answered when she said his name, waiting for whatever would follow. He looked up at her when she asked her question, bringing a hand up to her face, cupping it softly, “As long as I live” He said without thinking, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

[Claire Ateara]

Her smile faded momentarily when he answered her question, how long would he love her? For as long as he lived, just like they promised when they got married, only back then she knew she was marrying an immortal, and he knew that she wouldn't survive as long as he did. Though she was so head strong in love that she didn’t care. Now the thought was starting to bug her.

If she were to have children with him, not that she was planning on having one any time soon, but there was a chance that the child would turn into a werewolf, with the vampires always being around. The threat was always near. And once an immortal werewolf, the chances of her child turning mortal again were slim to none. She felt horrible about the idea, she seemed so selfish, or at least she felt it, condemning herself to not wanting children so they didn’t have to suffer the same fate of immortality, especially when she was unable to live as long as Quil. Not only that but she felt selfish for even thinking of allowing him to become human again, of course he was still partially human, but not completely human. The thought had been plaguing her for many nights now, and she was sure if Quil had been home he would of noticed that she wasn't sleeping well, or that she was waking up screaming in the middle of the night for a vampire.

Yes, that thought had crossed her mind many a time, they were the only solution she could think of to her problem. Keep Quil immortal, be immortal with her children, and be a vampire herself. She wasn't so eager for eternal d**nation, but if it meant keeping Quil happy and young as she knew he was happiest being, then she was willing to sacrifice her life to do it. Yes she was literally willing to kill herself for Quil if it meant that they could be happy for the rest of eternity. She knew the sacrifices she would be making. Renesmee had told her all about her mother's story which seemed very similar in some regards to that of Claire and Quil.

Bella Cullen was once a human, and she fell in love with an immortal, who wanted nothing but the best and safest thing possible for her. But she wanted to be with him for all of time, and she knew one day she would age, and he would be forever young. She would die and then so would he. Bella didn't want Edward Cullen to sacrifice his way of being, himself for her, so she was willing to sacrifice herself, her life, her beating heart to save the one she loved and to be with him for eternity.

Claire knew that Bella's parents would die, her friends, everyone she knew would die one day and Bella would have to suffer through it, as would Claire if she chose that life. But she was willing to sacrifice anything for Quil's happiness, and he would be miserable when Claire died, she knew that without having to ask, and he probably wouldn't last long after her departure. Claire never wanted to think of her husband as one to suffer, but she knew the Cullen's wouldn't willingly kill her. Thus lay her dilemma.

She forced the smile back on her face realising it was gone for far too long. This was a happy carefree moment for the couple and they should enjoy it. "Yes, I think you are right, the best of the pack." She said quietly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself as close to him as she could possibly get trying to just absorb everything about him as she rested her chin on his shoulder, she closed her eyes and breathed in his beautiful smell. He was everything to her, and she never wanted to loose him for anything, death, would not stop her from being with him. Death was the only thing that would keep them together forever.

[Quil Ateara]

Quil didn’t miss the fading of her smile when he answered her question. Had they been two different people at that point in time his answer would have been more then enough to make the other smile. But for Claire and him it was a different story. He could live forever if he chooses while Claire would at some point stop living and he’d have to go on alone. Well that was the usual definition of an immortal being, but Quil wasn’t a normal immortal. Stopping immortality was easy for him, just never become a wolf again. Simple, right? Well not really.

There were more then enough factors for Quil to think about and frankly he’d been avoiding them for long enough. He didn’t want to think about it all honesty. To him it was just a choice between a life without Claire or not going on without Claire. Branching off from that came everyone else that factored into their lives, the ones that were already there and the ones that could be there potentially. Quil truly loved being a werewolf, it had meant a lot to him when he turned. Getting his friends back, knowing what was going on with those around him, he was really glad to finally be in the know. But the best thing about the immortality was the fact that it was that thing alone that brought him and Claire together like they were, they would never be this close if he hadn’t imprinted on her at a young age. Friends, best friends for most of her life first and then lovers, that was something he wouldn’t change for the world. Giving up Claire didn’t seem like an option for Quil, at least not a rational one.

Then there was the idea of children, a family together. Passing on the werewolf gene was always a possibility even without the vampires around. But with the vampires around it was even more of a chance that the children would go through the transformation and have a chance to be immortal. That would give him yet another choice to make. Stay immortal with the children that in fact inherited the trait or again age with Claire and die when she did. There was no way around it for Quil, it was a choice and one that he had to make and make it soon.

This little problem, or big problem, depending on who you were had plagued him for quite a while now, though only more recently was it affecting him. Of course he knew how the pack worked so he refused to let himself think about that while he was in his wolf form, he didn’t want to have everyone else thinking about his problems. He didn’t want that nor did he want them to sway him in any sort of direction. Though he figured, at some point he’d have to talk to someone about it. He just wasn’t sure who. Jacob didn’t have this problem, and Sam and Emily didn’t appear to be worrying about this, so he didn’t know who to turn to. He supposed he could talk it over with Claire but he figured they’d have two different opinions. Jacob would probably be his better choice for the time being, they were best friends after all.

He was snapped away from his thoughts when she spoke again, for a moment he had to remind himself what they were talking about before he could respond. He put his own smile back on his face wanting to enjoy the moment between them before he brought this subject up. “I knew you’d agree with me” He said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around her. He embraced her just like she did with him though he didn’t put that much force behind it. Quil placed a kiss on the side of her forehead when she rested her chin on his shoulder. He really didn’t even want to think about not having her with him.