Chapter 4 – Keeping Promises
Jared's eyebrows shot up as he witnessed everything unfolding with his best friend. He shot a look at Sam, "Did he just say please?" Jake looked over at Jared and nodded curtly, "I've been keeping tabs on him, he's actually said it three times so far." Sam chuckled hard as he shook his head, "You'd be amazed at the stuff that comes out of all your mouths when it comes to your imprints." Seth chortled, "Yea but Paul wouldn't say please if his life depended on it." Embry laughed, "Yea but Paul was the one who said he didn't want to imprint." Quil chuckled, "I think he might be changing his mind."
All the guys grew quiet as Paul sent them a warning glare clearly letting them know he could hear them talking about him. A hand on his shoulder, brought his soft eyes back to his imprint, "Are you okay Evie?" She liked how her name rolled off his tongue, she nodded, "Yea, can you help me down from here big guy?" She knew if she hopped off the table it could jar her foot and until she got to work to have it x-rayed she wasn't taking a chance on hurting it anymore.
Paul removed the ice and cringed when he saw her foot was a deep shade of purple now, "Does it hurt very much?" Evie looked at it and stifled a giggle, "I can't really tell, it's numb from the ice." Paul cringed as he moved around slowly and stood up so he wouldn't bump her foot. He carefully scooped her up off the table and leaned over and set her on her left foot. He backed away slightly until she wobbled and started to fall and Paul grabbed her hips and pulled her against his body. As her small hands gripped his biceps.
Paul looked down and chuckled when her cheeks flushed a nice crimson color and she couldn't help the giggles that escaped her mouth. Emily's eyes were wide as she watched the scene unfold as she folded her arms over her chest, "Paul Redson, don't you dare let her fall." Paul huffed as he looked over at Emily, "I'm not Em." Emily quirked an eyebrow at him, "Well see to it that you don't buddy." Paul looked down at Evie and rolled his eyes as she giggled, "I'm fine Emily. Paul's keeping up his end of the promise." Emily's eyebrows shot up, "Promise? What promise?" Evie smiled, "Well first he promised he wouldn't hurt me and then promised he wouldn't drop me. And he hasn't done either yet."
Paul gently sat Evie down on the metal chair he had just vacated as he slid the plastic ice chest over and lifted her right foot and set it down on the chest with ease, "Leave it elevated it will help with the swelling. I'm going to go have a conversation with Brady for a minute. And discuss why we watch what we're doing and how not to mow over innocent by standers." Paul started to walk away when he felt a hand grab his, he looked down and noticed the hand was attached to his imprint as she tugged on it a little, Paul squatted down next to her, "Is something wrong?" Evie bit her bottom lip a little and he was aware it was a signature move she did when she was nervous, she sighed softly, "If Brady is the one who hurt me, please don't be too upset with him. It really was an accident. You guys were having fun and just didn't see me. It's okay really."
A soft smile graced his lips, how could one person be so nice and caring? Her foot was practically all purple and getting ready to fall off and she was sitting here asking him to go easy on the guilty party. He couldn't deny her that one request. He had a feeling if she requested anything else from him he wouldn't be able to deny her that either. Damn imprint. He was suddenly gaining a soft spot in his heart for her. He couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not at this point. Either way he nodded and stood from his squatted position next to her as he walked over and joined the rest of the guys.
Emily giggled as she sat next to Evie, "So Paul has seemed to of decided he's going to be the one to take care of you." Evie smiled softly as she looked at Emily, "Yea he kind of did appoint the daunting task to himself. I think he feels guilty because they came after him for catching the ball. I wish he wouldn't feel guilty though. I'm fully aware that accidents happen every day."
Evie hadn't noticed until now the three barely there claw marks that marred the right side of Emily's face didn't really take away from her natural beauty. Evie felt self-conscious about her scars every day she woke up, even though hers were not visible. At least not through her clothing. After 3 reconstructive surgeries, a few blood transplants and four years of just moving on with her life, they weren't scars anymore just random dark lines on her stomach and sides. A couple of years of physical and psychological therapy and she was suddenly back to the bubbly human being she was before the incident. Rick was in her past and La Push was now her present and future.
Every once in a while, things that went bump in the night would push her into a panic attack but usually she could control them enough to not take over her whole body. When she first started having them during Rick's trial, they got so bad they would make her black out completely. She went to a few different hypnotists but they didn't really help much. She just decided it was mind over matter and eventually she just learned to control them. Not that that was an easy task in itself. Because it definitely wasn't. Every now and then one would fully control her and she'd wake up on the floor. But it had been a while since she'd had one that severe.
Once lunch was served, Paul sat next to her as she was introduced to everyone sitting at the table. They shot questions back and forth and she leaned that Sam owned his own fixer-upper business and they would travel to a lot of the surrounding cities and help re-store and renovate old houses, and they would also help by fixing problem areas in the older homes in La Push.
As much as she shot questions at them they asked her right back. In a short time Paul had learned she was a nurse at Forks hospital. She worked the night shift from 8pm to 8 am. She worked in the children's ward. Her passion was helping the patients but also photography. If patients requested pictures of surrounding scenery or whatever she'd go out and get it for them, developing her own pictures in a dark room in her house. She'd do whatever was necessary to help the patients stay be more comfortable and less sterile for them.
Once dinner was finished Paul looked at Evie, "How did you get here anyways?" Evie smiled, "I walked. I love walking all through the trees and along the road, everything around here is just beautiful. So I snap pictures while I enjoy it all." Paul nodded, "Are you ready to go home? I know you said you needed to get some sleep." Evie covered her mouth as she yawned, "Oh sorry! Yea that's my warning it's time to nap before work." Evie thanked everyone for letting her crash their picnic. Emily was sure to swap phone numbers and addresses and said she hoped to see her more often.
Paul helped her stand up but not for long as he swept her up into his arms, Evie waved bye to everyone as Paul carried her to his truck. He talked more to her as he drove to the address she had given him, she was only a few blocks from his place which he was grateful for. He carried her up the steps of her porch and carefully set her down as he unlocked her door and watched as she hobbled into the house. Before he left she turned and touched his forearm as she pushed up on the toes of her left foot and Paul leaned down so she wouldn't have to strain. She brushed her soft lips against his cheek, "Thank you for helping me today. I really appreciate all you did."
Paul stood there completely dumbfounded as he grinned slightly, "Anytime." He nodded slowly as he backed away from the front door, "Don't hesitate to call Emily if you need anything. She can get a hold of me. I only live a few blocks from here." He watched as Evie smiled and nodded in confirmation as she closed and locked the door.
She hobbled carefully to the bedroom, she set her alarm and climbed into bed, her lips still felt warm from when she kissed Paul's cheek. She smiled as she slipped into dream land. Maybe moving to La Push was a good idea after all.