Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Laughter is a curious thing.

It can be infectious, healing, and joyous. 

But for them, it was fatal.

It started with a giggle—sharp and sudden, unexpected even to themself. A small, absurd thought had crossed their mind, one of those ridiculous notions that have no place in the grand design of the universe. It was harmless, fleeting, the kind of thought one would usually dismiss with a shake of the head.

But they didn’t.

The giggle turned into a chuckle, which turned into a laugh, which escalated into a manic fit of hysterics. It clawed its way up their throat, bubbling like a shaken soda bottle ready to burst.

They had lived twenty-five lives before this one, across time, space, and entire realities. They had been warriors and peasants, gods and monsters, kings and criminals. They had wielded magic, technology, and raw, untamed power beyond mortal comprehension. They had suffered, triumphed, died, and begun again.

Yet, out of all the ways to go, this was by far the most ridiculous.

Their ribs ached. Their lungs burned. Their heart, strained beyond its limits, pounded erratically. The world blurred, darkening at the edges. Still, they couldn’t stop laughing.

Twenty-five minutes.

That was how long they had been laughing—gasping for breath, choking on their own mirth—until their heart clenched, seized, and finally gave out. The last thing they remembered was the sensation of weightlessness, as if their soul was being yanked out of existence, and then… nothing.

Nothing.

Then, everything.

They woke to the feeling of warmth pressed against them. Their body was small, impossibly small. Their limbs felt like twigs, weak and barely responsive. Sleepiness clung to them, heavy and inescapable, but something—or rather, someone—was beside them.

A baby.

A twin?

That was new.

They barely had time to process this revelation before the sound of soft footsteps approached. A woman, dark-haired and warm-eyed, peered over them. Her gaze was tender, filled with an emotion they had seen before across many lifetimes: love.

“Oh, you’re awake,” she whispered, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the moment.

They stared.

She was young—probably in her early twenties or younger, with tired lines on her face that didn’t belong to someone that age. Her hands trembled as she reached out, her fingers brushing against their cheek with a gentleness that made something in them stir.

“My little Takwashblu,” the woman cooed. "Hi, chewas nesaya, I'm your momma, Tiffany Call."

They felt something lurch in their chest. Their name. That was their name in this life. Takwashblu.

The woman, Tiffany, smiled and continued, “My beautiful little Tak. I was getting worried.”

Tak’s mind raced, their thoughts sluggish but rapidly trying to piece together what was happening. They weren’t new to this whole ‘being reborn’ thing. They had done it twenty-five times before, each with different rules and circumstances. Some universes had magic, some had advanced science, some had neither. Some let them retain their memories immediately, while others kept them locked away until they reached a certain age.

Right now, their memories were intact, which meant they could think. They could analyze. They could recognize the name Tiffany.

Yet… nothing clicked.

Tiffany lifted them effortlessly, cradling them with practiced care. “You scared me,” she murmured. “But you’re okay now, aren’t you?”

Tak blinked. They had no idea where they were, but the woman was treating them as if they understood everything she was saying. That, too, was interesting.

A small cry came from beside them. The twin.

Tiffany turned her attention to the other infant, shifting Tak slightly to make room for the second baby in her arms. “Embry, uukw, hush,” she said softly, rocking the two of them.

Tak frowned internally. Embry. That name… sounded familiar.

Too familiar.

And then it hit them.

Embry.

Embry.

Embry Call.

Tak didn’t move—mostly because their tiny newborn body refused to cooperate—but their mind reeled. Embry Call. That was a name from a universe they recognized. A universe they had read about once, a long time ago.

Twilight.

Tak had been reborn into the Twilight universe.

A strange mixture of relief and irritation settled in their gut. Of all the places they could have ended up, it had to be here? A world filled with sparkling vampires and temperamental shape-shifters bound by an unfortunate, supernatural imprinting system?

Well. It could’ve been worse.

(Yeah, they could’ve been reborn into something like Attack on Titan. Ehehehe…)

Tak sighed—not physically, because babies didn’t sigh, but mentally, deeply. This was going to be an interesting life.

Tiffany hummed, her voice soothing. “I know it’s going to be hard, but we’ll be okay. We don’t need anyone else.”

Tak didn’t miss the bitterness in her tone. There was no father here, then. That wasn’t surprising. The man had clearly abandoned them, leaving Tiffany to raise the twins on her own.

They stored the information away for later. 

For now, all they could do was play the part of a newborn, listen, and wait.

(Wait, they could do that.)

Time passed in an odd haze.

Being a baby was tedious. There was nothing to do except eat, sleep, and stare at things. Tiffany spoke to them often, talking as if they were adults despite their tiny forms.

“Embry, Tak, you’re my whole world,” she would whisper, voice raw with emotion. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Tak had seen this kind of devotion before. In their past lives, they had met mothers, fathers, siblings, and lovers who would go to the ends of the earth for their family. It was… comforting, in a way.

They were in La Push, they realized, a Quileute reservation. That meant they were surrounded by future shape-shifters, not werewolves, some of whom would end up entangled with the supernatural drama of Bella Swan and the Cullens.

Tak had no intention of getting involved in that mess.

But life had a funny way of dragging them into things they wanted no part of.

As the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, they watched, listened, and learned.

Tiffany never spoke of their father, and Tak never found any clues. No photographs, no letters, nothing. Whoever he was, he was a ghost in their lives.

Embry, for his part, was a surprisingly quiet baby. He was curious, always looking around with wide, dark eyes, but he never fussed too much. Tak could already tell that he would grow up to be the same easygoing person they had read about.

The more they observed, the more they realized how different this world was from the one they had just left.

This was a universe where myths weren’t just stories. Where vampires and shape-shifters were real. Where fate had a way of twisting people’s lives in ways they never expected.

Tak wasn’t sure what kind of story they were about to live.

But one thing was certain.

This was life number twenty-six.

And she was going to make the most of it.

The wind carried the scent of salt and driftwood through the air, the waves of First Beach crashing rhythmically against the shore. The sky above was a deep, cloudless blue, a rarity in La Push, where rain often painted the world in hues of gray. But today was different. Today, the sun peeked through the towering pines, warming the sand beneath the bare feet of two children sitting quietly in front of the souvenir shop.

Tak and Embry, now five years old, were playing with smooth pebbles they had gathered earlier, arranging them into odd shapes in the sand. The souvenir shop, where their chichma worked, stood behind them, its rustic wooden exterior blending into the natural beauty of the coastline.

Tiffany, their chichma, was inside, busy with customers, but she had an eye on them. She always did. She was careful, watchful, like a mother wolf guarding her pups.

Tak had learned a lot in the past five years. She knew that her mother worked hard, selling handmade jewelry and carved trinkets to tourists who came to admire the untamed beauty of La Push. She knew that Embry was her best friend in the world, that he was a little quieter than her, a little softer, but stubborn when he wanted to be. She knew that she was alive—again—and that she was in Twilight.

She didn’t know what to do about that last part.

For now, she was content just living.

Embry, focused on arranging the pebbles in a spiral, nudged her arm and pointed ahead. “Tak, look.”

Tak followed his gaze. Two kids, boys about their age, were playing a few feet away, kicking a small rubber ball back and forth in the sand. One of them had messy black hair, darker than the wet sand near the water, and he was laughing as he tried to dodge the other boy’s attempt to snatch the ball. The second boy had wild curls and a mischievous grin that reminded Tak of a fox about to cause trouble.

Tak and Embry exchanged a glance.

“Chichma,” Embry called out without turning around.

Tiffany’s voice drifted from inside the shop. “What is it, uukw?”

“Can we go play with them?”

A short pause. Then, “Stay where I can see you!”

That was all the permission they needed.

The twins bolted across the sand, kicking up tiny grains behind them. Tak felt the familiar rush of excitement that came with childhood, her small legs pumping as she kept up with Embry. It was a simple joy, one she hadn’t appreciated in many of her past lives.

The two boys noticed them before they reached them, pausing their game.

Embry, ever the polite one, came to a stop just in front of them and introduced himself. “Hi! I’m Embry.” He gestured to his sister. “This is my twin, Takwashblu.”

Tak immediately squinted at him. “If any of you call me anything other than ‘Tak,’ I will go for your kneecaps. ”

Embry sighed dramatically, as if he already regretted giving her full name, while the other two boys blinked at her in disbelief.

Then the curly-haired one—Quil, Tak realized Quil Ateara —burst into laughter. “You’re kinda scary. I'm Quil.”

Jacob Black, the other boy, smirked. “I like her. Name's Jake.”

Tak rolled her eyes. “You’ll like me even more if we start playing.”

That was all it took. Children were simple like that. Names and threats to kneecaps aside, all that mattered was having someone to run with, someone to laugh with. They started kicking the ball back and forth, their young voices ringing through the salty air.

Tak could feel it—the beginning of something. A thread of fate weaving itself around them, pulling her closer to these people she had once only known through ink on a page.

But as she ran and laughed, something prickled at the back of her mind. A feeling —the kind she had learned to trust over many lifetimes.

She glanced toward the souvenir shop.

Two men stood nearby, watching them.

And it would be weirder if they weren't Billy Black and Quil Ateara III.

Jacob and Quil’s fathers—well, father and grandfather.

Tak pretended not to notice, but she knew they were observing carefully. Not in a bad way, but in the way elders often did when seeing something that might be important in the future.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

But right now, she was a five-year-old girl, playing on the beach with her brother and two new friends.

The future could wait.

Chapter Text

Apparently, the future didn’t wait.

Because when she least expected it, Tak and Embry were getting ready for school.

Tak stood in front of the small mirror in their bathroom, scowling at the reflection of her mother fussing with her hair. Tiffany was attempting to braid it, and Tak, despite having lived through twenty-five previous lives, still lacked the patience to sit still for more than a minute.

“Chichma,” she grumbled. “It’s just school.”

Tiffany, her warm brown eyes full of amusement, smirked. “And you’re just my daughter.”

Tak huffed but didn’t protest further. She knew from experience that Tiffany was stubborn when it came to these things. Despite being a single mother with a full-time job, she always made time to take care of them, to make sure they never felt like they were missing something.

Which, honestly, Tak appreciated.

It was different from some of her past lives. She had been royalty before, raised by people who only cared about bloodlines and politics. She had been born in poverty, abandoned, left to fend for herself. She had been raised by warriors, pirates, gangsters, and sometimes, not raised at all.

This life, though?

It was… cozy.

Which made it all the more unsettling.

Because Tak knew the kind of world she had been reborn into. The peace was temporary. The quiet was fleeting.

One day, the supernatural chaos of Twilight would come crashing down on La Push, and she—along with Embry—would be standing in the middle of it.

And that wasn’t even mentioning the possibility of Embry being a shape-shifter.

She wasn’t sure if that part of the story was fixed. After all, the Twilight universe wasn’t exactly known for its clear supernatural rules. But whether or not her brother had wolf blood strong enough to shift, the fact remained that they were growing up in the epicenter of things to come.

Tiffany, completely unaware of her daughter’s existential crisis, finished the braid and tied it off with a small blue band.

“There,” she said with satisfaction. “Now you’re ready.”

Tak stared at herself.

A five-year-old girl with dark brown eyes, her complexion kissed by the sun, her black hair now woven neatly down her back.

A normal kid.

Right.

Normal.

She stepped down from the stool and went to find Embry, who was sitting on the couch with his tiny backpack already on, playing with the hem of his sleeve.

“You look nervous,” Tak observed, plopping down next to him.

Embry frowned slightly. “I just… don’t know if I’m ready.”

Tak blinked. “Embry, it’s kindergarten. Not battle.”

He gave her a flat look. “We’re going to be around new people. A lot of them.”

Tak thought about it for a second, then shrugged. “Fair. But we already know some of them, right?”

Embry hesitated. “…Yeah.”

Jacob and Quil, for starters. Over the past year, the two boys had become their closest friends, their little group often playing on First Beach or running around the village. Quil was the loudest, always getting them into trouble, while Jacob was more level-headed but had an adventurous streak that could rival Tak’s.

Knowing they wouldn’t be alone on the first day made things easier.

Tiffany appeared, grabbing her keys. “Alright, let’s go! You don’t want to be late for your first day of school, do you?”

Tak and Embry exchanged looks.

No, they did not want to be late.

But were they excited about this?

…Debatable.

Still, they followed their mother out the door.

The school was small, just like the rest of La Push. It sat near the forest’s edge, its playground surrounded by towering evergreens, as if nature itself was keeping watch over the children.

As soon as they arrived, Tak spotted Jacob and Quil in the middle of the playground, already messing around. Jacob had a stick and was using it like a sword, while Quil dramatically “dodged” his attacks.

Tak grinned.

“Embry, we’re going to be fine.”

Before Embry could reply, Jacob noticed them and waved. “Hey! You guys are finally here!”

Quil grinned. “Took you long enough.”

Tak grabbed Embry’s wrist and pulled him forward. “Come on,” she said.

The moment they reached their friends, Quil wasted no time in giving them a dramatic recap of everything that had happened before they arrived, which mostly involved him almost falling off the swings. Jacob, meanwhile, was explaining their made-up game, which sounded like a mix of tag and pretend sword fighting.

And just like that, the nerves melted away.

Because at the end of the day, they were still just kids.

Sure, Tak had lived twenty-five lives before this one.

Sure, she was aware of the supernatural undercurrents running beneath this seemingly peaceful place.

But for now, she reminded herself, she was just Tak.

(And she had a game to win.)

As the children ran and played, unaware of the world beyond their tiny schoolyard, a pair of eyes watched from a distance.

Billy Black sat near the entrance of the school, his wheelchair positioned under the shade of an old tree. Beside him, Old Quil leaned against the fence, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

The two men had been watching the twins for a while now.

Billy, despite his easygoing nature, had always been observant. And there was something about those two—about Tak, especially—that caught his attention.

“She’s different,” he murmured.

Old Quil hummed in agreement. “She feels… older than she should be.”

Billy’s grip tightened on his wheels. He wasn’t a superstitious man, but he knew when something wasn’t normal. And Takwashblu Call?

She was not normal.

Not in a dangerous way, necessarily.

But in a way that made him wary.

The elders knew things were changing. The world was shifting.

And if they weren’t careful, Tak might just end up at the center of it all.

Tak quickly realized that kindergarten was not designed for someone who had lived twenty-five lifetimes.

Sitting crisscross on the colorful carpet, she rested her chin on her hand as the teacher enthusiastically talked about the alphabet, her voice full of exaggerated cheerfulness. Around her, the other kids were either staring with fascination or trying very hard not to get distracted.

Tak?

She was doing everything in her power not to yawn.

She already knew how to read. Hell, she had read ancient texts in some of her past lives, deciphered cryptic languages, even studied the mechanics of advanced futuristic technology in one particularly interesting reincarnation.

So sitting here, listening to how "B" was for "bear" and "C" was for "cat," felt like an agonizing test of patience.

Jacob, sitting to her left, was clearly bored too, tapping his fingers against his knee as if counting down the minutes to recess. Quil, on the other hand, was completely enthralled by the lesson, his little face scrunched in concentration.

Tak tried not to judge.

Embry, sitting to her right, was the picture of a well-behaved student, paying close attention. He always took things more seriously than she did. He actually cared about the lesson, and while Tak admired his dedication, she couldn’t bring herself to match it.

So, instead, she let her eyes wander.

That was when she noticed them.

Two boys sitting toward the back of the room, both with messy dark hair and a wildness about them that reminded Tak of wolves. One of them had sharper features, like he was constantly judging the world around him, while the other had a more laid-back, amused expression.

Paul Lahote and Jared Cameron.

Tak tilted her head slightly. They were in the same class as her? That was… interesting.

Before she could think too much about it, the teacher clapped her hands.

“Alright, little ones! It’s time for recess!”

Tak barely held back a relieved sigh.

The moment they were let outside, the children scattered across the playground like a flock of restless birds. Tak stretched her arms above her head, breathing in the salty air from the nearby ocean.

Freedom.

Finally.

Embry stuck close to her, as he always did, while Jacob and Quil ran ahead, already daring each other to climb the tallest part of the jungle gym.

That was when she noticed the two unfamiliar boys from class, standing near the swings and sizing everyone up like they were evaluating a battlefield.

Tak nudged Embry. “Let’s go say hi.”

Embry followed her gaze, then hesitated. “They don’t look very friendly.”

Tak smirked. “Neither do I.”

Embry sighed, but he followed her anyway.

As they approached, Paul’s sharp eyes locked onto them. “What do you want?”

Jared elbowed him. “Dude, don’t be rude.” Then he looked at them, tilting his head. “You’re the twins, right? The new kids?”

Tak exchanged a glance with Embry before nodding. “Yeah. I’m Tak. He’s Embry.”

Jared grinned. “I’m Jared. That grumpy guy is Paul.”

Paul rolled his eyes but didn’t deny it.

Tak crossed her arms. “You two looked bored in class.”

Jared chuckled. “You noticed that?”

“Hard not to,” she replied. “That lesson was for babies.”

Paul snorted. “Finally, someone gets it.”

And just like that, an unspoken agreement was made: They were friends now.

Recess had barely begun, and Tak had already taken over the kindergarten.

It all started as a joke.

Tak was lounging at the top of the jungle gym like a conqueror, watching as the boys roughhoused below her. 

Quil was dramatically “defeated” by Jacob, while Jared cheered on the sidelines. Paul, ever the competitive one, was already planning his revenge match.

Paul and Jared had quickly joined their group, fitting in like they had always been there.

Embry, sitting beside her on the jungle gym, nudged her with his shoulder. “See? I told you school wouldn’t be so bad.”

Tak smirked. “I never said it would be bad. Just that it would be boring .”

Embry swinged his legs idly. “You look like you own this place.”

Tak smirked. “Maybe I do.”

Paul, overhearing, scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

Tak raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Are you challenging me?”

Paul crossed his arms. “What, you gonna fight me for it?”

Tak hummed, tapping her chin. “Nah. I have a better idea.” She stood up, balancing on the bars of the jungle gym, and declared in a royal voice, “From this day forward, I declare myself Tiixali Taxwanich!”

The boys stared at her for a beat.

Then Jacob grinned. “Oh, this I gotta see.”

Quil shot up from where he was dramatically slain. “A queen? Then does that mean we’re your knights?”

Tak gave him an approving nod. “The captain knights of my royal court.”

Paul blinked. “Wait, what?”

Jared caught on immediately. “Oh, I’m so in.”

Paul hesitated, glancing at the others before sighing. “Fine. But only because I don’t wanna deal with some wannabe king later.”

Tak grinned. “Good, because I don’t need a king. I’m worth two.”

Embry, the second most sensible of the group (the first would be always Quil), sighed but smiled fondly. “I guess that makes me the prince?”

Tak smirked. “Obviously.”

Word spread quickly.

Before long, nearly the entire kindergarten class was involved in Tak’s “kingdom.” Some kids wanted to be knights, others wanted to be messengers, and a few even wanted to be spies (a role Tak found very entertaining).

But every queen needed a crown.

That’s when Lena Prime, a quiet girl with a talent for making flower crowns, stepped forward.

“I can make you one,” she said shyly, holding a handful of daisies she had picked from the field nearby.

Tak grinned. “Then I shall dub you Royal Florist.”

Lena beamed and immediately got to work.

While she weaved the tiny flowers together, Tak turned to her “knights,” who stood before her in a very unorganized yet enthusiastic line.

She pointed at each of them dramatically.

“Jacob Black, my loyal first knight!”

Jacob puffed out his chest proudly. “I will defend the kingdom with honor!”

“Quil Ateara, my fearless warrior!”

Quil, ever the theatrical one, knelt. “I shall protect the queen with my life!”

“Jared Cameron, my strategist and battle master!”

Jared gave a playful salute. “No enemy shall outsmart us!”

“And Paul Lahote, my strongest fighter!”

Paul crossed his arms but smirked. “If anyone challenges the queen, they’re done.”

Finally, Tak turned to Embry. “And of course, my beloved Tiaxas, second only to me in power.”

Embry sighed but played along. “It’s an honor, Iisaak Tayii.”

By the time Lena finished the flower crown, nearly the entire class had gathered around. She carefully placed it on Tak’s head, the white and yellow flowers contrasting beautifully against her dark hair.

Tak straightened her posture, lifting her chin.

Then, in the most dramatic voice she could muster, she commanded, “Bow before me, my dear kingdom! You shall serve me for the rest of your lives!”

Without hesitation, all of them dropped to their knees.

Even Paul.

Tak smirked. “Good. Now rise, my court! We have much to do!”

And thus, the reign of Tiixali Tak began.

From the sidelines, the teachers watched the spectacle unfold.

One of them, Mrs. Hallow, squinted at the mass gathering of children now treating Tak like she was actual royalty.

“…What exactly is happening?” she murmured.

Miss Greene, another teacher, sipped her coffee. “I think we just witnessed a hostile kindergarten takeover.”

Mrs. Hallow frowned. “Should we… stop it?”

Miss Greene shrugged. “They’re not fighting. And honestly? This is the calmest recess we’ve had in weeks.”

Mrs. Hallow considered this and sighed. “Fair point.”

Meanwhile, another group of teachers sat further away, whispering about something else entirely.

Namely, the mystery of Tiffany Call’s children.

One of them, Mrs. Porter, spoke in hushed tones. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How she just showed up here one day?”

Miss Clarke nodded. “And no one knows who the twins’ father is?”

“Not even the elders will say,” Mrs. Porter whispered. “And you know that means something.”

There was silence.

(Because in La Push, secrets never stayed buried forever.)

Tak was thriving.

She was seated on the jungle gym, which now acted as her royal throne, with Embry sitting in a little lower level. Kids were gathered around, waiting for commands.

She pointed at Jacob. “Loyal One! Take your warriors and patrol the sandbox! Fearless One, follow him!”

Jacob saluted. “At once, my queen!” He grabbed Quil and a few other kids and ran off.

She turned to Jared. “Battle Master! Prepare the defenses!”

Jared nodded, leading a group of “guards” to set up a perimeter around the swings.

Finally, she looked at Paul. “And you! My strongest knight! Challenge the bravest in the kingdom!”

Paul’s smirk widened. “You just want me to start a wrestling match, don’t you?”

Tak shrugged. “You said you were the strongest. Prove it.”

“As you wish, Hisho Tiixali.” Paul immediately took off, challenging kids left and right (under strict no-punching rules).

Embry sighed beside her. “You’ve created chaos.”

Tak grinned. “I know.”

The playground was hers. 

The children were hers.

(And Tak promised herself that she was going to protect all of them with her life.)

Chapter Text

The end of kindergarten arrived sooner than Tak expected.

It felt like it had been just a few days ago that she and Embry were being carried by Tiffany into this new world—new faces, new names, new rules. But now, here they were, standing at the edge of the school playground, waiting for their mother to pick them up. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the school yard.

Tak couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet tug in her chest.

She had ruled her kindergarten kingdom for what felt like an eternity. She had been Queen. She had been powerful. Loved. Respected. Her reign had been peaceful, filled with laughter and adventure. But like all good things, it was coming to an end.

And yet, despite the short time, the legacy she was leaving behind was one that no one—least of all her—would ever forget.

Embry, standing beside her, glanced up at her. “You okay, Tak?”

Tak nodded, though she couldn’t help but smile as the children started lining up, their parents waiting in the background. It was a quiet moment, but there was a certain gravitas in the air, something that spoke of finality.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by the procession of her loyal subjects—her classmates. One by one, they approached her, their faces filled with a reverence that she had never expected in her short life.

First, it was little Lena, the quiet girl who had woven her the flower crown. She stepped forward, her hands folded in front of her chest like she was standing before royalty.

“May your reign in our hearts never fade, and your grace be a legacy time cannot erase.”

Tak straightened, feeling the weight of the words more deeply than she expected. She placed her hands gently on Lena’s shoulders, looking into her eyes with a warmth that she had come to cherish.

“Though my time here ends, my spirit remains in the echoes of our laughter and the weight of our memories.”

Lena smiled brightly, a look of peace in her eyes as she moved aside.

Then came a few others, one after the other. Tak’s eyes shone with emotion as the words were whispered to her, each child with a different farewell, each farewell carrying the mark of something deeper, something sacred.

“We depart, but your light remains, an eternal ember in the hearts you’ve touched.”

Tak smiled softly and nodded, touched by the sentiment. “You have been more than a subject; you have been my heart’s most trusted companion.”

“To bow in your presence has been an honor, and to walk in your shadow a privilege.”

Tak’s voice carried as she placed her hand gently on the child’s head. “I take with me every kindness you have given me, and I leave behind a love that will never fade.”

“Your presence has been a gift, and I will cherish every moment we shared.”

Tak’s reply was simple yet heartfelt: “This is not an end, only a change in the way we stand together.”

“My queen, my guide, my friend, this is not goodbye, only a new chapter.”

Tak placed her hand on this child’s cheek, offering a quiet but sincere smile. “The weight of a crown is nothing compared to the weight of a heart full of love. Thank you for carrying mine.”

It was a surreal experience. The little ones, who had once been so small and innocent, now stood before her like adults in miniature, speaking words that no one—least of all a six-year-old—should be able to comprehend, much less speak with such conviction.

One by one, each child left with a bow, a kiss on the hand, or a quiet gesture of reverence, each bidding their Queen farewell in their own way.

Jared walked up to Tak, his usual grin softened, replaced by something more sincere. He bowed low, not just a casual nod of the head but a full-on respectful gesture.

Tak was taken aback for a moment, before she raised an eyebrow.

Jared lowered his head just a little more, then lifted it, meeting her eyes with an intensity that caught her off guard. And then, without warning, he kissed her hand.

“Hisho Tiixali, it has been an honor as always. Until we meet again.”

Tak stood tall, her heart swelling with emotion. She placed her other hand on Jared’s shoulder and, with all the drama she could muster, said, “A queen does not truly leave her people; she lives in their stories, their strength, and their love, my Battle Master.”

Jared’s expression softened, and he gave her a last respectful nod before turning to join the other children.

Paul didn’t say anything—he didn’t need to. His face was set in its usual determined expression, a look that made it clear that he was serious, but there was something softer in his eyes. He walked up to her, raised his fist to his heart in the most formal of salutes.

Tak met his gaze with a steely look, then straightened herself. She looked him dead in the eye, matching his intensity.

“A queen is only as strong as those who stand beside her. You are my strength, my Strongest.”

Paul didn’t say a word, but his determined face softened slightly. He nodded once, then turned to walk away.

Quil, always the dramatic one, performed a perfect knight’s bow. He didn’t lower his head too far, but he did it just enough to show respect while maintaining his dignity.

Tak nodded her approval. “This is not an end, only a change in the way we stand together, Fearless One.”

Quil’s face brightened, and he gave a little salute before walking to join his friends.

Jacob, of course, kissed her hand too. But unlike the others, there was something more in the way he did it. Something that felt more like a promise than just a gesture.

“Wherever you go, my loyalty follows, whether in spirit or in service.”

Tak placed her other hand gently on his head, her voice calm but firm. “Loyal hearts need no farewells, only the promise that our paths shall cross again, Loyal One.”

And then, after all the others had said their goodbyes, Tak stood there, watching her classmates run toward their parents, the playground slowly emptying out. It was only a matter of time before Tiffany would arrive to pick them up.

But before that moment came, Tak climbed to the doorframe of the school, standing tall as she faced all the children, her kingdom, and her subjects for the last time.

There was no fanfare, no dramatic music, but in that moment, she felt like she was standing at the edge of something vast, something important.

She raised her arms, her voice loud and proud as she addressed them all.

“I cannot promise you will see me again, but I can promise you that my love for you will never fade. Farewell, my people. You will forever be part of me!”

From the distance, Tiffany’s eyes widened. The parents, too, had stopped in their tracks, watching the spectacle with a stunned silence.

The teachers, who had been quietly observing, exchanged confused looks.

“They’re—what? They’re six? Seven?” one of them whispered.

But Tak didn’t care.

At that moment, she was more than just a little girl. She was Queen Tak, and her kingdom—her reign—would forever be remembered.

The summer sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the wild, untamed beauty of La Push. The school year had ended, and the twins—Tak and Embry—were about to experience their first real summer in the small coastal town. The air was salty and fresh, and the ever-present sounds of waves crashing against the shore filled the air.

For the past few months, Tak had been feeling like she was part of something bigger than herself. But now, with school out and no more kingdom to rule, there was a stillness to the air that allowed her to focus on the quiet joys of simply being with her family.

Tiffany, Tak’s mother, had been an enigma to her. In all their conversations, Tak had never quite understood the woman who had raised her, but now, during these slow summer days, she was beginning to see her more clearly. Tiffany was strong—physically, mentally, emotionally—and she loved them with a fierceness that was almost protective.

Embry, ever the easygoing brother, spent most of his days either playing with his twin or exploring the town with his friends. He didn’t seem to have the same sense of responsibility Tak sometimes felt. But then again, maybe that was the beauty of being a child.

For Tak, though, the idea of a "summer holiday" was just as much a chance to reignite her imagination as it was a time to bond with her family.

The twins were in the living room, playing a game with some of their childhood toys—dolls, action figures, and even some carved wooden animals that Tiffany had made for them. The sun streamed through the windows, catching the dust motes in its light as they scattered across the floor.

Tak was lounging on the couch, one leg slung over the back and her feet dangling lazily over the edge. She was staring out the window, contemplating what to do next. Embry was building a tower with some blocks and chatting animatedly with her, but she was only half-listening, her mind elsewhere.

“Chichma said we could go to First Beach today,” Embry said, breaking her thoughts.

Tak shifted her gaze back to him. “Really? She promised?”

He nodded, still stacking the blocks. “Yep, she said we could play in the sand and maybe have a picnic. I’m going to build the biggest sandcastle ever.”

Tak grinned at her brother’s enthusiasm. “Well, I guess I’ll be the queen of the sandcastle.”

Embry rolled his eyes. “Of course, you’re the queen. Who else would be?”

Tak gave a dramatic sigh, flicking her hair back with one hand. “Exactly. Now, let’s make sure the castle has enough towers to be worthy of my royal presence.”

At that, Embry laughed, reaching for the last of the blocks. “Fine, but only if I get to build the moat.”

Just then, Tiffany entered the room, her hands full of a basket packed with sandwiches and snacks for their picnic. She smiled at her twins, and Tak immediately sat up, sensing her mother’s approach.

“Ready for a day at the beach, li xwu cawti?” Tiffany asked, using the Makah word for "my little queen" with a playful tone.

Tak grinned. “Of course, Chichma. I was born ready.”

Tiffany chuckled, placing the basket down on the table. “You’re quite the handful, my little queen,” she said, ruffling Tak’s hair affectionately. Tak swatted her hand away, but it was clear she enjoyed the attention.

“You’re making it sound like a chore, Chichma. I am a joy to have around,” Tak said dramatically, twirling her hair as if she were performing for a stage.

Embry snorted. “You’re a joy alright.”

Tiffany smiled warmly at them both, her eyes softening. “Alright, alright. Let’s go before the tide comes in.”

First Beach was quiet that afternoon. The crowds were sparse, and the waves gently lapped at the shore. It was the kind of place that felt timeless, a place where families could gather and feel connected to the earth in a way that the busy world didn’t allow. Tak loved the feeling here.

The trio—Tiffany and the twins—settled down on a patch of soft sand beneath a towering tree. The shade provided a cool refuge from the sun’s warmth, and the air smelled of saltwater and pine. Tiffany unpacked the basket, revealing sandwiches, fruit, and a thermos of lemonade.

“Who’s going to make the biggest splash in the water?” Tak asked, raising an eyebrow at Embry, who was already eyeing the waves.

Embry stood up, dusting sand off his pants. “I’m going in first!”

“Not so fast,” Tak said, jumping to her feet. “I’m the queen of this beach, remember? I go first!”

Tiffany laughed, sitting back and watching the playful back-and-forth between her children. “You two can fight about it, but remember— no one gets to be in the water alone.” She gave them a stern look, though her smile betrayed the lightness of her tone.

“We know, Chichma!” Tak and Embry called in unison.

With that, the twins raced toward the water, their laughter ringing in the air. Tiffany stayed behind, enjoying the peaceful moment to herself, watching as the waves gently kissed the shore.

For a while, Tak and Embry splashed each other, chasing the retreating waves and throwing handfuls of sand at one another. Tak felt a certain freedom in those moments, like the entire world was just her and Embry, playing together without the weight of responsibility or anything else to worry about. It was a freedom she had never truly felt before, but now, it felt like home.

As they sat down to enjoy their lunch, Tak leaned against her mother, feeling the cool breeze blow through her hair. Tiffany wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close in a gesture of affection.

“You’ve really grown into yourself, li xwu cawti,” Tiffany said, her voice soft, almost contemplative.

Tak looked up at her mother, her face scrunching in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Tiffany smiled, her eyes distant as she gazed out at the ocean. “You’ve always been special, but now you carry something more.” She looked down at Tak. “You remind me of my own mother sometimes.”

Tak’s expression softened, and she nudged her mother with her elbow. “You’re going to get all mushy on me now?”

Tiffany laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair from Tak’s face. “Just remember, little queen, you’re always going to have a family who loves you, no matter where you go.”

Tak nodded, a hint of something deeper in her gaze. She wasn’t sure if she fully understood what Tiffany meant, but she knew one thing for certain: family wasn’t just about blood. It was about connection, about the people who chose to stay in your life and love you no matter what.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, waves crashing, and salty air. When the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and purple, the trio packed up their things and headed home.

As they walked back through the woods toward the cabin, Tak slowed her pace, gazing at the towering trees that surrounded them.

“Chichma, do you think I’ll always be a queen?” Tak asked quietly, her voice filled with an unusual sense of wonder.

Tiffany glanced down at her daughter, her eyes soft. “You’re always going to be my little queen, Tak. And if you choose to be a queen in other places, with other people, well, that’s your choice.” She stopped and knelt beside Tak, looking her in the eyes. “Just remember that being a queen isn’t about the title or the crown—it’s about who you are and how you love those around you.”

Tak’s heart swelled with something she couldn’t name, but it felt right. She nodded slowly, a quiet smile on her lips. “I think I’m starting to understand, Chichma.”

Tiffany kissed the top of her head. “Good. Because you’ve always had everything inside you to be a queen—whether with a crown or without.”

And with that, the family continued their walk back home, as the world around them continued to whisper secrets only the sea and the wind could understand.

The warm scent of salt and wood filled the air as the day in La Push stretched lazily into the afternoon. The sun, still bright but beginning to dip, cast a soft, golden hue over the quaint streets, making everything feel serene and peaceful. The cool sea breeze rustled through the trees, blending with the sound of distant waves crashing on the shore.

In the heart of town, Tiffany was working at the small souvenir shop that had become a beloved part of La Push’s charm. It was a cozy little place that sold handmade crafts, dreamcatchers, woven blankets, and the kind of trinkets that tourists often sought out to remember their visit to this special coastal town. Tiffany, who had a natural grace with her hands, worked with a focus that allowed her to create intricate beadwork and carvings in addition to running the shop.

The twins were both restless, eager to play with their friends. They knew the small shop where their mom worked well, having spent many hours there in the past, whether it was during the quiet mornings when they would help Tiffany arrange the shelves or on busier days when they played outside or explored the nearby forests. Today, however, they were in the mood for something different—something more lively.

Embry was sitting on the small stoop outside the store, kicking his feet in the air. Tak stood beside him, her eyes scanning the area, both of them wondering when they could break free from the stillness of the shop. Tak turned to her brother, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“You think they’re coming today?” Tak asked.

Embry gave a dramatic sigh, leaning back against the doorframe. “They better, or I might have to go hunt them down.” His voice was light, but there was a spark of determination behind his words. Tak snickered.

They didn’t have to wait long.

A group of familiar figures approached from the direction of the town center, walking with a sense of purpose, as if they were on some mission. Tak’s heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was: Jacob, Quil, Paul, and Jared, her loyal knights. They were striding toward the store, looking much taller and a little older than she remembered. Their broad smiles made Tak’s eyes widen in excitement.

“Oh, they’re here!” she exclaimed with a big grin, leaping to her feet. Without a second thought, she ran toward them.

Before anyone could say a word, Tak threw herself at them with all the energy of a seven-year-old with a very vivid sense of drama. She tackled all of them in a whirlwind of limbs and laughter. The boys stumbled under her weight, but they were used to her antics by now and took the brunt of the tackle with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

“My knights!” Tak shouted gleefully, giggling as they all fell to the ground in a pile. “You came to see your queen, yes?” she added, looking at them with playful mischief.

Jared laughed as he gently pushed her off him, and Quil groaned from beneath her. “Of course, we came to see you, Tak. How could we not? Our queen has summoned us,” he said, teasing her.

“Uh, yeah, sure, Tiixali,” Jacob said with a smirk as he stood up, brushing sand off his clothes. “But you do realize you’re a little crazy, right?”

Tak stuck her tongue out at him, her eyes twinkling. “Crazy for my people! And you love it.”

Paul, who had already managed to untangle himself from the pile, stood up and gave Tak a salute. “We’re at your service, Hisho Tiixali.”

Embry, who had been standing to the side with a bemused grin, noticed something that made his eyes widen. “Hey—wait a minute,” he said, stepping up to the group, looking closely at his friends. “You guys got taller!”

The other boys exchanged looks. “What?” Quil asked, confused. “No, we didn’t.”

“You did! I swear!” Embry exclaimed, standing on his tiptoes and raising his hands to measure their height. “You’re all an inch taller than last month, and so am I!” He glanced at Tak, who, too, was standing a little straighter, now almost eye-to-eye with Quil.

Tak, never one to miss out on the details, looked herself over. “Wait, I think you’re right,” she said, stepping closer to Quil and Jared. “I’ve grown an inch too! How did that happen so fast?”

“It’s probably because we’ve been so busy growing up,” Jacob teased, looking down at her. “You can’t always stay the queen of the playground, you know.”

Tak huffed dramatically, pushing her hair behind her ear. “I will always be the queen. Even if I grow taller than all of you!” she added with a mischievous smile.

“You’re definitely going to have to keep being queen now that you’re getting so tall,” Paul said, looking her over with a thoughtful expression. “This is getting serious.”

With everyone standing, laughing, and teasing one another, Tiffany appeared from the shop. She smiled warmly at the group of children, shaking her head as she watched them. “Well, I see you’ve found your playmates,” she said in her calm, gentle voice. “It looks like you’re all ready for some fun.”

“Yeah!” Tak said, bouncing on her feet. “Can we go play outside, Chichma?” she asked, looking up at Tiffany. Her voice was full of excitement and energy.

Tiffany considered this for a moment, then nodded with a small, knowing smile. “Alright, I guess you’ve earned it. But make sure you don’t get into too much trouble.” Her eyes flickered to Jacob, Quil, Paul, and Jared. “You’ll be responsible for them, won’t you?”

The boys nodded, agreeing to Tiffany’s unspoken request. They knew exactly what she meant.

“Of course, Mrs. Tiff!” Jacob said with a grin. “We’ve got it under control.”

The group of children, now excited and full of energy, quickly made their way toward Jacob’s house, where the rest of the day would unfold.

Jacob’s house was situated just off the main road, nestled among the trees and the sprawling forest that bordered La Push. It was a small, rustic home with a porch and a yard large enough for them to run around in. As the kids entered the yard, the familiar scent of wood smoke and fresh-cut grass filled the air, and they immediately began their games.

Tak was, of course, the leader of their activities, her imagination running wild as always. Today, she decided that they would play “royal knights” once again, and everyone had their roles. Jacob was her most loyal knight, while Quil, Paul, and Jared were all her captains. Embry, of course, was her prince, standing by her side as always.

As they played, the laughter from the children echoed through the trees. It wasn’t long before the sound of footsteps approached the porch, and Jacob’s father, Billy, and his mother, Sarah, appeared.

Billy watched them for a moment, his face thoughtful. He saw how Tak led the group with such confidence, how the kids gravitated toward her. She wasn’t just a queen in their eyes; she was a leader. Even at their young age, Billy could see the strength she carried—the way she brought the community of children together.

“You know,” Billy said quietly to Sarah, “I’ve never seen the kids like this before. Tak’s really something special. She’s got a hold on them, more than we expected.”

Sarah smiled, watching the children as they ran around the yard, completely absorbed in their game. “She’s a natural leader,” she said softly. “And she does it with such love. Even without a crown, she rules their hearts.”

Billy chuckled, shaking his head in wonder. “She’s going to make a big impact on this town one day, that girl. You can see it already.”

Sarah nodded, her eyes twinkling as she watched Tak order around the others with her usual dramatic flair. “She already has.”