I can change your life
Make it so new

Make you never wanna go back to the old you
Ciroc and lime, give it a lil time
And she gon' transform like Optimus Prime

"Transform Ya" - Lil Wayne

Sophia Lahote's heart was heavy. Each night, her son left to work. While she knew he was not entirely lying, she also did not know the whole truth. Every other night, Paul came home with massive amounts of cash, much more than a normal bartender would bring in with tips.. Even in New York.

When she asked how his night was, every other night the light would leave his eyes and he would answer with a simple "fine." He would take her out for breakfast and help her around the house. He would make sure she was settled with her medications and lunch before heading off to bed. He would only sleep a few hours before getting up to make sure she had dinner and spend a bit more time with her before leaving for work.

There was one morning when he came home and he seemed lost in thoughts. There was a look on his face she hadn't seen since his first school crush. She knew, however, not to push the issues. Paul would come to her when he was ready.

It seemed that the Lord was ready, even if Paul wasn't.

It was a Friday afternoon and she had an appointment at a new doctor's office. Perhaps they knew a method to help her that her other doctor did not, the man was a specialist after all. They ran a few tests and to cheer her up, Paul was taking her to her favorite restaurant for lunch.

Paul stiffened as soon as he walked in the establishment when the hostess' eyes lit up. She obviously knew who he was. He gave a quick head shake and a glance at his mother and she nodded understandingly. She politely led them to their table in a secluded back section and Paul let out a sigh of relief. He responded as his mother made small talk and he looked over the menu even though he knew he was going to have a meatball sub and a side salad.

"Good afternoon. My name is-"

He slapped his menu down, "Belladonna!"

Sophia raised an eyebrow at her son. He seemed to perk up upon seeing the beautiful waitress. "You know this girl, Pauly?"

She young woman blushed, "My name is Bella.. Paul helped me fix a flat a few days ago."

"Is that so? Pauly, you didn't tell me you met a new girl."

Paul smirked at Bella in a challenging way, settling back in the booth with his arms crossed, "Well Ma, that's because Belladonna didn't call me or make any indication she wanted to form a friendship."

Bella's eyes widened, "I uhm.. Jacob kinda ate your card.. I checked to see if you were in the parking lot again but I've not seen you.. I uh.. Yeah. I'm not trying to be rude but the manager really has it out for me so I've gotta take your order or I'm going to get in trouble."

Sophia watched a shadow pass through her son's eyes before determination sparkled in them, "Is that so?"

Before Bella could answer, a squat man with thinning hair marched up to Bella's side, "Miss Swan, you are being paid to be a waitress, not to gossip. Miss Jennings wanted me to come-"

"Excuse me. Could you tell Miss Jennings that I'd like to speak to her?"

The man's eyebrows raised but he nodded before scurrying away. Shortly after, he returned with a bottle blonde who was trying to hard to not look the thirty that she probably was. Paul hated women like that. As if there was anything wrong with thirty. His ma was in her fifties and she was beautiful.

Her eyes lit up upon seeing Paul and he knew this would be a cake-walk. "My name is Kayla Jennings. I was told you wanted to speak to me?"

Paul smirked and Sophia almost laughed at the glee in his eyes, "Yes. Bella is a close friend of ours and my mother here just had a doctor's appointment this morning. She hadn't gotten to see Bella in awhile so while she was taking our order- meatball sub – side salad – coke, my mother and I were informin' her about current events and the diet – turkey pot pie – mixed veggies – lemon water, that the doctor placed her on."

Bella had covertly been writing down their order and her eyes sparkled as she winked over her pad at Paul. Miss Jennings was gaping like a fish before she snapped herself out of it, "Oh. Well. Yes. I'm sorry, I seemed to be misinformed on her activites. I'm sorry, Bella. Carry on."

They watched Miss Jennings and her toad scurry away before they started laughing. Bella smiled, "Thanks Paul. I'll have this right out for you."

Sophia watched her son as he watched the beautiful brunette walk away and smirked, "She was a lovely young lady."

"Yeah, isn't she beautiful?- I mean! Shit."

"Language, Pauly. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean I can't still swat your behind."

Paul laughed and thought about how many women in the world would pay to be able to swat his behind.. In fact, some did. "Yes Ma. Sorry Ma."

Bella breezed by, sliding their drinks fluidly onto the table before seeming to flow over to another table and deliver their food. Paul had to wonder what a girl like that was doing.. She'd just moved to New York. Surely it wasn't to waitress.

She delivered their meal in much the same fashion and Paul winked at his mother as he slid his tip under the salt shaker before escorting his mother to the front. He paid the bill and noticed Bella clearing their table. Her speed was impressive, but his had to be better..

He had just gotten his ma in the car when he heard her.

"PAUL! HEY! PAUL!"

He turned casually and leaned against his hood, "Yeah?"

"I think you made a mistake. You gave me one hundred dollars instead of ten?"

He shook his head, lowering his sunglasses onto his face and casually opening the door, "It's no mistake, Belladonna. Check the note. See ya around."

He slid in his car and watched as Bella looked at the bill and back to him as he backed away.

Bella looked back down at the one hundred dollar bill he'd left her as a tip.. With his number written on it in bright blue ink.

She whipped out her cellphone and keyed his number in, wondering if she would have the guts to call it..

Paul vaulted over the bar and rubbed his hands together, "Pink night!"

Donnie laughed, "You've seen all the broads we got on stage. Why are you so happy?"

"Because after the day I've had, shakin' my ass for some handsy chicks would not be ideal."

"Oh yeah. How's ma?"

Paul sighed, chucking his shirt off and putting it under the bar, "We won't know for about a week. They did some tests. If they say what the last one said..."

Donnie laid a hand on Paul's shoulder, "It'll all be okay, Pretty Boy. You may get naked here, but we're also family."

Paul raised an eyebrow, "If we're all family, tell Janice to stop grabbin my ass!"

Bella bit her lip as she pressed the call button. The phone rang several times before going to his voicemail. Bella sighed and ended the call before tossing the phone on her bed and absent-mindedly stroking Jacob's fur..

"Maybe I shouldn't get so attached, Jake. I came here to get on Broadway and here I am.. Thirty minutes away and working in a diner."

Jacob let out a yowl and Bella stared out the window as it began to rain.