"My feet are killing me!" Chloe groaned as she flopped into the overstuffed chair, rubbing her eyes as she tried to fully wake up. "Alice really knows how to throw a party."

"Yeah she does," I agreed, tugging down my pajama shorts as I sprawled out across the couch. "I think the Cullens and their friends were still dancing when we left after Bella and Edward last night."

"Speaking of, did you see the Denali coven last night?" Chloe tilted her head to the side. "I heard from Emmett that Irina is upset at them for being friends with the wolves. Something about a guy named Laurent?"

"Oh crap. I completely forgot about that." I smacked my forehead. "You don't know about Laurent."

"What's the deal with Laurent?"

"Okay so after I moved here and Bella and Edward started dating, these three vampires were terrorizing Seattle. They interrupted the Cullens' baseball game and one of the vampires, James, caught her scent. He's a tracker, and when Edward jumped in front of Bella, it triggered something in him. There was this whole crazy chase, with James tracking Bella to Arizona and tricking her to ditch Alice and Jasper... he was going to kill her, but Edward and his family got there just in time." I paused to take a breath, watching Chloe's reaction.

"Edward killed James and he sucked the venom from James' bite out of Bella's wrist. It was traumatizing for Bella, and for Edward, but he won't admit that out loud. Anyways, Laurent went to Alaska and met the Denali coven, supposedly fell in love with Irina, and wanted to change to the vegetarian lifestyle. What Irina didn't know was Laurent was still working with Victoria and came back to Forks to kill Bella. The pack chased him off... and killed him. It was either him or Bella and obviously, the pack protects humans from vampires so... you know. Irina hasn't forgiven Bella or the Cullens for what happened."

"Wow..." Chloe trailed off, processing what I told her. "It almost makes me miss Michigan. Nothing ever happened there."

"You wouldn't have met Leah if you were still in Michigan though." I pointed out.

"That's why I said almost," Chloe threw a couch pillow at me, giggling. "So what's on the agenda today?"

"Well, the pack will be busy all day with tribe matters, so we're going to spend some time wedding planning. Mom will be over," I glanced at the wall clock across the room, "in half an hour with Sue and Alice, and hopefully some doughnuts because I'm starving."

A soft crying interrupted us from down the hall, letting us know that Casey was awake from her morning nap. Chloe grinned as she jumped to her feet.

"I'll be right back. Mom duty call."

"Of course, go get my niece. I want some baby snuggles!"

"She's going to be spoiled because of you!" Chloe called over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway towards Casey's bedroom.

"And your point is? An aunt is supposed to spoil her niece, within reason of course." I grinned as Chloe entered the room a few minutes later, carrying a giggling Casey in a fresh diaper and clean clothes. "Hi, my precious baby!"

"Gah!" Casey cooed, reaching for me. Chloe handed her over to me and I blew kisses on her stomach, her giggles increasing.

"Good morning, girls!" Margaret smiled brightly, walking through the front door with grocery bags in her hands. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Incredible, actually." Chloe admitted, kissing her mom on the cheek. "I'm so happy you guys are here in Forks."

"I know, baby. So am I." Margaret gave Chloe a one-armed hug before her gaze shifted to the large front window. "Oh, Autumn. Your mom's here!"

"Hm, she's early. I wonder if she got the cupcake order done before the diner's scheduled time." I set Casey on the floor with her toys as I got up from the couch and met her at the door. "Hey, Mom! Hi, Sue."

"Good morning, Leaf! I brought doughnuts," Mom held up a large pink box as Sue waved behind her. "I figured you'd be hungry for your favorite, a Boston cream."

"Have I told you that you're the best mom in the whole freaking world?" I smiled innocently as I took the box from her. She laughed and ruffled my hair as she walked inside.

"I know," was her only response before she hugged Margaret. "Maggie, thank you so much for letting us come over for wedding planning. You didn't have to."

"Nonsense! Of course, I'm going to help my best friend plan her daughter's wedding." Margaret beamed, turning to Sue and extending her hand. "You must be Sue Clearwater. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband."

"Thank you, Margaret. Congratulations on your granddaughter." Sue smiled, looking at Casey sitting on the floor. "She's beautiful."

"She is, isn't she? Well, come in. I was just about to make a pot of coffee and some tea. Girls, why don't you bring Casey to the kitchen and give her some fruit? Then we can get the table organized while we wait for Alice."

"Sure, Mom."

Chloe picked up her daughter and followed the older women into the kitchen, me trailing behind them as I observed. In that moment, I was grateful for the women I got to call family: my mother, who did everything for me without hesitation; Chloe, the sister I never had, and her mom an aunt-like figure; and Sue, who became another mother figure after I found out about my Quileute roots. Each woman helped shape me in some way, whether it was by years or merely months; the thought alone was enough to make me tear up - I was the person I was meant to be because of them.

"That must be Alice," Margaret said, breaking me out of my thoughts. She hurried down the hallway to answer the door as the last echo of the chime rang out, her voice carrying through the house. "Hello, Alice! Welcome to our home."

"Thank you, Margaret. It's so good to see you! How's Jameson?" Alice's voice chimed brightly, genuinely, as she drew nearer to the kitchen.

"He's well, just out fishing with Charlie for the day. I think it's his way to avoid all the women," Margaret laughed.

"Good morning, everyone!" Alice greeted the room, moving to give Mom a hug before turning to me. "How's the bride to be?"

"Exhausted. The reception wore us out," I replied, throwing a wink at Chloe. "I can expect the same for ours, I take it?"

"Well, duh!" Alice said, rolling her eyes in a teasing manner. "We agreed that the ceremony would be planned by your mom and I'd have the reception, with approval by you on all the ideas. And you know I plan the best parties, no matter the occasion."

"That we can agree on." I grinned. "Okay, so let's get started. Mom, you brought the binder?"

"Yep. Autumn and I began planning her dream wedding when she was twelve years old," Mom explained, pulling the pink binder out of her bag. "Of course, it's been added to over the years, but it was always clear that the ideas here were only meant to be used as a foundation."

"Until we needed them." I nodded. "I really liked how elegant Bella and Edward's wedding was, but obviously I don't want the same thing. Different colors are definitely a must, but any other ideas are welcomed."

Alice nodded before listening to the others throw out ideas. Mom and Margaret shifted through bridal magazines, Sue offering advice as she discussed Quileute traditions. Chloe and I shared a smile as she scribbled down each idea, her notebook a reference point in the discussions of rustic country versus magical fairytale.

"Let's call a lunch break," Mom suggested a couple of hours later. "I could use a bathroom break, anyways."

"Sounds good to me." Chloe agreed. "I think Casey needs a diaper change."

"I'll come with you," I said to Chloe, rising from the table at the same time she did.

"I'll order from the diner and we can go get it," Margaret looked to Mom and Sue, who both nodded.

"So, what are you doing for Casey's first birthday?" I asked once we were in Casey's bedroom.

"I was thinking of doing something small. Maybe a 'Little Mermaid' party? Or is that too much for a first birthday?"

"No, I think it's perfect for her. Why not give her a party with her favorite movie as the theme?" I smiled reassuringly as she glanced over her shoulder, her smile matching in excitement.

"It's a good thing Mom and I have been planning this for months, then. She has a whole moving box full of decorations and stuff we wanted to use."

"Well, you know I'd be happy to help decorate. It's kind of my thing, after all." I joked, thinking back to our joint birthday slumber party when we turned fourteen.

"Yeah, that slumber party was awesome," Chloe sighed happily. "The girls couldn't stop talking about it for months afterward."

"Until we got to high school and they decided we weren't cool enough anymore." I shook my head, laughing at the memory. "Anyways, I'll come over early Saturday morning and help set up. And Mom has the cakes covered... one sheet cake for the partygoers and one smash cake for the birthday girl!"

"It really means a lot to me that you guys are helping out." Chloe turned to me as she lifted Casey off the changing table. "I mean it. With everything that we've been through... Reed, you moving, us not talking, the pregnancy... having you here is everything to me."

"I know," I said as I wrapped an arm around her and made kissy faces at Casey. "And I wouldn't miss being here for anything in the world."

"Okay, let's get back before we start blubbering because we're being sappy," Chloe fanned her face, willing the tears to dry. "We're here to plan your big day!"

"It's going to be perfect either way because my best friend will be there as my maid of honor."

We grinned at each other before leaving the bedroom, jumping back into wedding details with Alice as we waited for our moms to bring lunch home.