A/N: Wow, I just got a whole bunch of favorites added for this story today. I'm so excited. Well here's another chapter it's 1:30am and I have work in the morning but I still couldn't help but post another chapter from the great response I've been getting. So here it is, enjoy let me know what you think of my little turn in the story!! ENJOY!
Surely As The Sun
As surely as the sun rises each day,
So my love will never change
And though the years, may come and go
My love will only grow and grow
Sometimes I wonder what you see in me
'cause I'm only a man flawed in so many ways you see
I want to share
Every moment of the day with you,
And I want to share every sunset and every sunrise
And every moonlit night
- Surely as the Sun- Hanson
I couldn't believe it was only a few days before Christmas. My ankle wasn't swollen anymore, and my cuts were now scabs. My heart was still broken, I hadn't seen nor heard from Paul since that day. I think he was afraid to come back and hurt me. I hated going to work and seeing all of the couples happily sitting down with each other. Kissing and holding hands, my Christmas spirit was low. The beautiful decorations seemed pointless, and things just didn't seem to mean anything.
I was on my 15 minute break, I only had about 3 hours left of work, but I needed the time to relax. I took of the cheap fake smile I'd give while I was helping customers. I sat down on the couch in the lounge and stared at the telephone sitting on a desk in the far corner. At this point, there was only one person I wanted to call. I walked over to the phone and dialed the number I had dialed only once, but somehow seemed to remember it.
"Hello?" a female voice answered, a lot nicer than the other voice.
"Hi, is Jacob there.. It's his Sister Rachael" I said.
"Hey Rachael, it's Bella, and sure I'll go get him for you" I thanked her and waited the few minutes it took for her to get Jake.
"Hey Sis" he said with a peppy voice. I heard Renesmee giggling in the background.
"Jake, can you come get me from work tonight? I had Dad drop me off, the Rabbit needs a check up, it's being weird" I said. I bit my lip.
"Yeah sure, when are you off?" he questioned.
"I'm off at 8, if you don't have a way to get here I understand, I just .. I really need someone to talk to" I said to him. His smile faded I could tell.
"Hey, why so glum?" he questioned.
"I'll tell you later.. So can you?" I questioned.
"I'll see if I can steal a Cullen car, but I'll be there no matter what" he said.
The next three hours dragged endlessly. I waited on tables with my fake smile, and got a lot of nice tips. When I walked out the door to leave Jacob stood there waiting for me. His arms were crossed and he looked worried. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him.
"Hey, I heard you crying what's going on?" he questioned. I hadn't spoken to him since I saw Nessie that night, and it didn't seem that Paul or anyone had mentioned to him what had happened. His arms tightened around me.
"I ran home and stole Dad's truck, took a look at the rabbit, she's purring like a kitten now. Now look at me and tell me what's wrong" he said as I pulled back and wiped my tears.
"Can we get into the truck first, it's a little cold out here" I chuckled slightly. He smiled, and placed his arm around me shoulder. He helped me into the truck and started it up, turning on the heater for me.
"Why is my Sister so damn upset? What did he do?" Jake knew, and because now that he and Paul weren't connected as a pack he really couldn't see anything Paul was thinking. Which is why he had no idea that we haven't spoken.
"A few weeks ago, we got into an argument about moving in with each other, I told him I wanted more time with Dad. He got pissed, and pushed me, he didn't phase or anything, luckily Jared had come to get him for a meeting with Sam, and he had calmed down. After Jared helped me clean up, Paul came over to sit next to me. My body made it's own reaction and when he went to touch me, I jumped. I knew he was hurt by it. I told him to go to Sam, and when I told him to go, he really went. I haven't heard from him in almost 3 weeks" I finished explaining without crying, up until the last word. He leaned over and grabbed me into a tight hug. I sobbed for a few minutes letting everything I had in me out.
"You want me to talk to him, I mean it's a little bit stressful right now, but I'm sure I can make time" he said.
"No, I don't want you to talk to him, I just needed someone to talk to" I told him.
"Your hurt beyond belief he has to know that your hurting" Jake said.
"I just want him to be happy" I said.
"He's not going to be happy unless he's with you, believe me I know exactly what that feels like. Rach he needs you, I know that! Let me talk to him" he said.
"Okay" I shrugged.
"Let's get you home" he said.
Jacob and I walked to the front door together, he said he'd stay for a few and relax. He couldn't stay long because he needed to get home just in case anything broke out. I found out that Alice and Jasper two of the Cullen's had gone away. He didn't say where, but he said it had something to do with the mess that they were in. I wondered where they were and hoped everyone was okay. I didn't realize how hectic everything was, I had no connections to what was going on, now that Paul seemed to be out of my life.
Jake opened the front door for me, and when I stepped inside I felt like I was staring at my own reflection. My jaw dropped, when I noticed some suitcases on the ground, and a tall surfer guy on the couch. Jake looked just as surprised. I looked back at him and he shrugged.
"Jeez, I thought I'd at least get some kind of hello from you two" Rebecca smirked at Jake and I. Our Sister had gotten here somehow. She had told us several times she didn't have the money to fly back and forth to see us, yet somehow she was here now. Jake and I ran to her and there was a group hug moment. I pulled back and looked at my twin Sister.
"We weren't expecting you, how did you…" I went to ask how she had gotten here, when I looked up and saw another guy standing up. I took another look and Paul stood there. His eyes were glassy and his posture was limp. I noticed he looked miserable. He looked and felt just has horrible as I did.
"You have a great boyfriend you know that, he paid for both of our tickets, you know so we could be home for the holidays. Being here upsets me, but I needed to see my Family" she said with a smile. Jake looked over at him, and nodded his head in a gesture that guy did often, instead of hugging. I felt my eyes stinging with tears.
"Come on boys, let's leave these two alone" Rebecca said grabbing her man and Jake out of the room. I looked at him, he smiled slightly, the same crooked sexy smile I had always loved.
"Hey Baby" he said in almost a whisper.
"Hey" I whispered back. The lump in my throat was preventing me from speaking.
"Merry Christmas" he said. It was a few days early, but it was by far the best gift I had ever received in all of my life.
"You did this for me?" I questioned.
"Of course I did, you mean the world to me Rach. The past 3 weeks have been torture you know that right? I couldn't touch you, couldn't breath in your beautiful scent. I was all alone, and I was scared to come back, I didn't want to hurt you. I want to make things right. I'm sorry that I get angry like that, real sorry. Please Rach" he got down on his knees.
"Please forgive me" he sobbed. I had never seen him sob so out of control. I practically slid to him on my knees and wrapped my arms around him. We held each other so tight, I could barely breath, but I didn't care.
"I missed you so much, it hurts so badly" I sobbed. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, just held me close.
"I love you" he whispered.
"Love you more" I said back to him.
I decided to let Rebecca and her husband take my room for the week that they were in town. Paul offered me his home, and I agreed to stay there. We were lying on his bed together in quiet. We had just finished what everyone likes to call "makeup sex". I couldn't believe it had been three weeks since we had seen each other. It felt like ages. He was afraid he'd hurt me, I knew that's why he hadn't been around, but I was scared that he wouldn't come back. His arms were tight around me, and I was enjoying every minute of our time together.
"Yes" I whispered. He looked at me with a confused look.
"What?" he asked.
"My answer is yes, I will move in with you. After Christmas. It's one of my gifts to you. I want to move in with you" I said to him. A smile crept across his face, one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. He put his lips to mine and pressed hard up against me. He kept doing that several times.
"Are you sure?" he questioned. I chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm sure" I said with a smile.
"How's right after New years sound?" he questioned.
"Sounds great, it gives me more time to be with my Sister, and then time to pack and tell Dad I'm leaving" I said to him. He smiled and was so thrilled that I would be moving in with him. Everything seemed almost perfect, I would be moving in with the man I love, my Sister had come to visit, and the 4 us of us, Dad, Jake, Becca and I were reunited.
On Christmas morning Becca and I visited Mom's grave, we both cried in each others arms, while our men comforted us. We laughed and joked about all of the good times we shared with her. Before Jake shared his Christmas with the Cullen's he came with us to see Mom. Dad was there too. It had been a while since we had all visited her together.
Becca left on New Years Eve, early in the afternoon, her and her husband needed to get back to the Island for work. Plus with everything going on, we needed to get them out of Washington without spilling our secrets. Saying goodbye was never this hard. Jake didn't show up, I was a little upset with him. I knew things were rough at the Cullen's but I didn't realize it was this bad that he had to miss saying goodbye to his own Sister. I watched as she boarded the plane, Dad and I both waved. He was definitely happy to see her. I was extremely happy.
"Paul did a great thing" Dad said to me as we drove home together. I nodded.
"He really did, it was the best Christmas gift I could ever ask for" I told Dad.
"Are you sure it's okay that I move out to live with Paul, I mean I'll stay since no one's really around. I feel…"
"Rach honey, it's fine. I can take care of myself. I have for years. You and Jake have been incredible, you've helped me out a lot the past few years. I really appreciate everything. Like I told you, it's time for you to move on, you're a grown woman. I'd like you to live your life, don't worry about your old man. I'll be fine" He smiled at me, and then watched my face. I began to feel sick to my stomach. I had never gotten sick while being in the front seat of the car before.
"Rachael, are you okay? I've never seen you so pale before" he questioned. I looked at him and shook my head. I started feeling miserable, so Dad pulled over and I puked on the side of the road, somewhere near the airport. He got me home quickly and I was greeted by Paul. He had promised a night of movies and popcorn for us this new years. I was excited to see him, as I helped Dad up the ramp, I felt sick again.
"Paul, can you take Dad?" I questioned covering my mouth. I ran up the ramp and into the bathroom. When I was finished I made my way out to the couch. Paul sat there staring at me with wide eyes. I plopped down next to him, and placed my head on his shoulder. He adjusted himself so that I could get more comfortable.
"Eat something that didn't agree?" he questioned handing me a cup full of ginger ale. I nodded.
"I think so" I said sipping it slowly. He watched me as I drank. I looked over at him with only my eyes and smiled.
"What's that look for?" I questioned.
"Nothing, just thinking about next week, and you moving in with me finally" he said with a smile.
"I hope you know, I'm going to be a total neat freak" I warned him. He smiled.
"That's okay, I'll make sure I leave messes so you can clean them up" he laughed. I smacked him hard.
"Don't you dare, or I'll hunt you down and hurt you" I threatened.
"I know where you sleep" I said pushing him. He looked at me and smiled, but his smile faded quickly.
"I can't stay all night tonight, I have to be somewhere really early in the morning" he said breaking our fun. I looked at him and sat up.
"We're fighting tomorrow, we're going to help the Cullen's. Sam thinks it's right that we do this. I think it's pure suicide going against Vampires that are a million years old. I have no say in it, I have to follow his lead. I'm sorry to bring this up on you, especially on New Years" he said looking at me. I grabbed his face and placed my lips close to his.
"Your going to fight, that means Jake is too?" I questioned taking a huge gulp. He nodded. I felt worried, I couldn't believe people I cared about so much were going to practically go to war. I looked at him, I felt my body tense.
"You know everything will be okay? You do know that right?" he now took my face in his hands. I nodded slowly causing tears to fall from my eyes.
"Baby, don't cry. Sam wouldn't do this if he knew something would happen to our pack. We are growing as a pack, so many new faces have joined us. You have no need to worry, the Cullen's have tons of Vampires on their side. It was like one big blood sucker fest over there. You have to believe me that everything will be okay" he said to me.
"I have no doubts that you guys will be okay, I just can't stand the fact that there is a chance that something could happen to you, and to Jake. Also to that cute little girl Renesmee, and her Family. I hate waiting around while people I care about are in trouble, you know that" I said to him.
"I know baby, I know. Look how about I drop you off at Sam's? Emily is going nuts, and I don't think she wants to be alone either at this time. I have to leave in about an hour. We are going to be lining up and getting in formation, very early" I nodded and realized that was the best thing I could do, I would sit and wait with her.
"I think I'd like that" I said. He smiled slightly and pressed his lips against mine.
"So are we going to christen every room in our house when you move in?" he questioned with a smirk, it was the one that I loved. The smirk that made me smile and feel good every time I saw it.
"First thing we get is your countertop" I said with a wink. He chuckled.
"Your so kinky" he said with a laugh. I shrugged my shoulders.
"You bring the animal out in me" I joked.
There we stood Emily and I, standing on the edge of her property. Both of us in the arms of the guys we loved. I heard her crying slightly and felt myself tense up and want to cry. They both pulled away and looked down at us. I heard Sam whispering something to her, and when I turned my attention back to Paul, his eyes were speaking to me. We spoke without words. Our lips met one last time before he left. When we pulled away from each other I whispered "Be careful" softly to him. He drew with his fingers the shape of a heart around where his heart was. I smiled slightly and did the same. Emily and I watched as the two of them ran off to find the others. She reached down and held my hand squeezing it tightly. It was still early morning around 1am, it was dark and cold. Both of us stood out there for a while, before heading into the house for a long night of no sleep and waiting for our boys to return home to us.
Both of us were sitting on her couch watching T.V. , it was around 3 or 4am, neither of us could sleep. I suddenly felt the urge to vomit again. I ran to the bathroom, hearing Emily call my name from behind me. A few minutes later I felt her soft touch pulling my hair back. She ran her hands gently through my hair. I looked up at her embarrassed after flushing. She smiled.
"You look pale hun, let me make you some soup" she said to me. I walked over to the sink with the help of Emily, and washed my face.
"You have a stomach virus?" she questioned. I looked up at her. I had been keeping something to myself, it was something I had been avoiding. I shook my head, and then narrowed my eyes towards the floor. I had checked the calendar days ago, something was missing, and I hadn't had the guts to do anything about it. Emily nodded and tugged on the medicine cabinet above me. She pulled out a pink box, and handed it to me.
"Here, it's been there for a few months now… you can use it" she said. I looked up at her.
"I'll be here for you, I'll go inside and make you something to eat, you can do what you have to do. When it's ready, I'll make sure we check it together" she said with a warming smile. She was almost like a Mother, she cared about others so much. She somewhat reminded me of my Mom, when she used to hold my hair back when I was sick and make me soup, and keep me company when I needed her. Emily was just like that, and now we both needed to be here for each other, with our boys off fighting Vampires and with the possibility that there was a miracle growing inside of me.