Brave This Storm

New Year’s Eve finally rolled around, and Mariana was finishing up getting ready to go to the bonfire. She looked down at her dark green v-neck sweater and black jeans before frowning. This definitely wouldn’t be warm enough. Her eyes landed on a black winter coat and she smiled as she pulled it on, along with a pair of black mock-biker boots. There, much better.

“Ana, are you ready to go?” Amelia called up the stairs.

“Yeah mommy, the hot choco is all ready!” Donovan said excitedly.

Mariana couldn’t help but laugh to herself at her son’s enthusiasm for the hot drink, and took one last look in the mirror before leaving her room.

“Mommy looks pretty,” Donovan said with a smile when she reached them.

Mariana blushed slightly, despite knowing all she’d done was blow-dried her hair straight instead of letting it dry naturally into waves, and put on a little lipgloss.

“Thanks Donny! Is he going to be warm enough?” Mariana asked, concerned for her son even though he had a thick coat on with a scarf, hat and gloves.

“He should be fine. If not, there is the bonfire he can warm up next to,” Amelia chuckled.

Mariana smiled and nodded, satisfied with that answer.

“Right, let’s go then! The beach isn’t that far from here and it’s a nice night out, so I thought we could walk?” Amelia suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Mariana said, excited to finally see some more of the Reservation.

The three of them left the house, Amelia and Mariana on either side of Donovan, each holding one of his hands while they walked. The journey was spent in a comfortable silence, Mariana taking in the scenery with a smile. This truly was a beautiful place. Soon enough they reached the parking lot leading to the beach. A Volkswagen Rabbit pulled into a space just in front of where they walked (Mariana hadn’t seen one of those in years, even while she worked at El’s shop), and Mariana grinned when Jacob got out the driver’s side.

“Mariana! Donovan!” Jacob said happily, opening the passenger door.

Mariana’s eyes widened a little as Jacob pulled a wheelchair out of the trunk, but smiled when he helped a man sit in it. That must be his dad.

“Amy, it’s been too long,” the man chuckled, wheeling himself over to the small family.

“I have two very good reasons,” Amelia said warmly, leaning down and hugging the man.

“Ah yes. You must be Mariana and Donovan, the boy and woman my Jake won’t stop talking about,” he grinned.

“Gee, thanks dad,” Jacob muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets in embarrassment.

“Just keeping it real, son. I’m Billy Black,” Jacob’s dad introduced.

“It’s great to finally meet you. Donny, where are your manners?” Mariana said.

“Hi,” Donovan said shyly, before ducking behind Mariana’s leg.

Mariana, Jacob, Billy and Amelia all laughed, Mariana stroking her son’s head affectionately. Donovan always did have a problem with meeting strangers.

“Do you want to come and meet my friends, Ana?” Jacob asked hopefully.

Mariana glanced at her Grandma, who smiled.

“We’ll see you at the campfire. You take care of her, Jake,” Amelia warned.

“Will do, Amy,” Jacob grinned.

Mariana scooped Donovan up in her arms, holding him tight to her side as she walked with Jacob onto the beach. She was a little shocked when she realised they were walking towards a lot of shirtless guys, but was even more alarmed when Jacob unzipped his hoodie, revealing his own bare torso. But she said nothing. It must be a Reservation thing.

“Guys! Look alive! We’ve got fresh meat,” Jacob called playfully.

Mariana swallowed heavily as 7 heads turned to face her; 5 boys and 2 girls. Mariana said nothing again when she noticed the prettier girl had scars disfiguring one side of her face, because that girl had the warmest smile she’d ever seen.

“Everyone, this is Mariana Ramirez, Amy Fisher’s granddaughter, and Mariana’s son Donovan. Ana, this is Sam, Emily, Jared, Embry, Quil, Seth and Leah,” Jacob introduced, placing his hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

“It’s great to meet the girl Jake won’t shut up about,” Sam smirked.

“I swear, I don’t really,” Jacob said to Mariana, blushing even more than he would’ve normally because his dad had already mentioned it.

Mariana couldn’t help but laugh along with the group, finding herself surprisingly at ease.

“Donny, say hello to Jake’s friends,” Mariana encouraged.

Donovan lifted his head from the crook of her neck and tentatively waved at everyone, receiving waves and smiles back.

“How old are you all?” Mariana asked curiously.

“I’m 24, as is Emily. Jared, Leah and our absent friend Paul are 22. Jake, Embry and Quil are 20 while little Seth has just turned 17,” Sam explained.

“Wow, quite a range!” Mariana mused, happy that she fit in easily with their ages.

“We’re like brothers really,” Jared grinned, nudging Quil with his shoulder.

“How old are you two?” Emily asked with a smile.

“I was 21 at the beginning of November and Donovan is nearly 4 and a half,” Mariana said.

She could see a few shocked faces as they figured out how young she must’ve been, but chose not to say anything. Luckily, Jacob broke the looming awkwardness quickly.

“Where is Paul?” he asked.

“With Forks girls,” Embry chuckled.

“Where else?” Quil added with a snort.

“What’s Forks?” Mariana frowned, not understanding.

“It’s a small town not far from here. We don’t usually mix with them though, not even on public nights like this,” Jacob explained.

“Forks girls love Rez boys,” Jared smirked.

“And Paul loves them all back,” Sam said disapprovingly.

“A player with borderline sex addiction?” Mariana asked, raising an eyebrow.

The whole group burst into laughter, even stony-faced Leah.

“You’ve pretty much just summed him up. Don’t forget a charming temper though,” Embry chuckled.

“Wonderful,” Mariana mused, rolling her eyes.

“Actually, that’s him over there,” Jacob said, pointing.

Mariana’s eyes followed that direction, landing on a half-naked guy surrounded by 5 scantily-dressed girls. The girls looked like they were hooked on his every word, and he looked like he was soaking up the attention. Sure, he was attractive. Jaw-droppingly, mind-numbingly, gut-achingly attractive. But Mariana didn’t have time for guys like that. She had enough problems of her own.

“Earth to Ana?”

She snapped out of her thoughts, blushing lightly at Jacob’s hand waving in front of her face.

“Sorry, totally zoned,” Mariana apologised.

“S’okay. We were just saying that the food is ready. Then Billy is gonna tell the legends around the campfire,” Sam smiled.

“The legends?” Donovan frowned.

Mariana was surprised at his interest, especially since it involved talking to someone he barely knew, but she didn’t dare stop him. The quicker he opened up to people, the better.

“The stories of our tribe. I think you’ll both like them,” Sam grinned.

Mariana didn’t notice the small smirk sent around the group.

“Sounds good! I need to find my Grandma anyway,” Mariana nodded.

She followed the Quilette natives to the campfire, but couldn’t help glancing over in Paul’s direction once more. She didn’t understand what intrigued her about him, but she prayed for nothing to happen. He seemed like nothing but trouble, and she didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.