"Did you really break up with him?" Paul asked, his words pulling my attention from the movie.
My body tensed slightly. "Yes," I said with no elaboration.
"Are you okay with that?"
"I want to be," I answered.
"Bella, I know you love him."
This wasn't something I wanted to talk about, especially with him.
"Hey, I got an idea," I interrupted, rolling quickly off the couch onto my knees. "Since you're here, you can help me with my tree."
"Bella."
"I was going to put it up tomorrow…"
"Bella." He sat up.
"…but this will be better. Like old times. What do you say?"
"Bella!"
"What?" I finally acknowledged his obvious concern.
"You can tell me anything, Bella. You know that."
"There's nothing to tell."
"I know you, Bella. I know how much this is hurting you. Just talk to me."
"No." I dropped my eyes. "There are some things even you can't fix."
"I can try." He touched a finger under my chin, lifting my eyes to his. "Let me help."
I reached up, taking his head in my hands, and leaned in to brush my lips across his. Resting my forehead against his, I exhaled loudly.
"I love you, Paul. I always have and in so many ways, I don't deserve you. But this is my problem to fix." I leaned back, holding his eyes with mine. "I refuse to let anything between Edward and I hurt you ever again."
I kissed him again and hugged him tight. His arms circled my waist and drew me closer.
"Just know I'm here for you, okay." I nodded and he pushed me back and smiled. "Now let's get to that tree."
~oOo~
Two and a half hours later, I pulled the last ornament out of the box. Smiling, I remembered the first time I put it on the tree. Holding it up, I turned to Paul.
"Remember this?"
His whole face lit up. "I can't believe you still have that."
"Are you kidding? I get a hand-made ornament from the woman who hated me with every fiber of her being and you expect me to throw it away." I feigned shock. "I would never."
I stepped up to the tree and placed the ornament right in the center where one of the white lights could illuminate the crystal.
"Its own place of honor," I said mockingly. "Now, this tree is perfect."
Paul laughed and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"She never hated you, you know." I felt him shrug. "So you had a few minor disagreements. No big deal."
I turned in his arms and patted his cheek. "Your mother had you so fooled."
"She was my mother," he said as if that explained everything.
"You lost her too soon," I told him, running my hands over his arms comfortingly.
We took some time to put the boxes back in the basement and relaxed on the couch with a glass of wine.
"It's late. You want to stay?"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Taking my last drink, I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to be alone tonight," I admitted.
He leaned his head over onto mine. "You're never alone, Bella."