Author's Note: Thanks for all of the reviews and everything! I'm sorry it's been such a long time between updates- I was away on vacation with no computer (GASP) And it may be a few days before the next update as well (Just warning you all), because I have 10 pages on democracy in Honduras due Monday. Apparently, procrastination is bad.

Thanks again for reading! As always, reviews make me smile!

I had a few visitors during my last 4 days there. Seth came in to see me a few times, and to bring some of my work in from class. I thanked him rather sarcastically for that. We were becoming good friends- he just seemed like such an easygoing, happy person. It was very hard not to get along with Seth.

Mary from school came in one day with Seth. She seemed really excited to see me, but I wondered if she wasn't also there to see Seth as well. The way she looked at him made me think that he probably had an admirer.

My father and my brother were in and out constantly over the days, but then that wasn't out of the ordinary. And Paul, of course, was always there, sitting beside me, holding my hand, stroking my face. We'd shared a few more kisses here and there too.

Kissing Paul was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before: one of the highlights of my life. Each kiss burned through me, a wildfire that engulfed me completely. It transformed us from individuals into a couple-it was truly wonderful. I became greedy, demanding them all of the time. He didn't seem to mind though.

At last, at last, right after Seth and Mary's visit, the doctor told me that it was time to leave. My father and Alex had already taken everything back with them, just leaving a simple change of clothes: sweatpants, a t-shirt and a jacket, and some shower stuff for me- I figured I might as well take advantage of the hospital's unlimited supply of hot water, since we were certainly paying for it anyway.

Paul, of course, stayed just outside the bathroom door. Alex had taken to teasing me that I only took a week in school to develop a secret boyfriend. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was much more than that.

It took me a while to shower, even though the hospital's shower was built for handicapped people, and I had a nurse handing me everything that I needed. Getting dressed was even more of an issue: I had the hardest time pulling my shirt on without disrupting my cast, or the bandages wrapped around my chest.

Still, it felt good to be out of the awful pale blue hospital gown and into my very own clothing, even if they were only sweats. And I was happy to feel clean again: a month's worth of sponge baths tend to get old.

After dressing, I sat myself in a wheelchair: the kind nurse brushed my wet blonde hair, trying to be gently about avoiding the bandage on my head. According to the doctor, my head was almost healed, but no need to push it: she still wanted me to change the bandages twice a day: once in the morning after I showered, and again before bed. It sounded kind of like a pain, but I didn't argue- at this point, all I cared about was getting out of the hospital.

When my hair was pulled into a long braid down my back, I was wheeled into the hallway. Paul stood behind me, carrying what was left of my shower stuff. I'd told him to just let it sit on my lap- it certainly wasn't any effort for me to keep it there- but he'd just rolled his eyes and taken it anyway.

As I left the hospital wing, all of the nurses waved- I'd gotten to know them all by name at this point. Dr. Jenkins actually hugged me, "Now, I don't want to see you back here again? You got that, Miss Smith?" I just laughed and hugged her back. I would actually miss Dr. Jenkins.

My father had pulled the car to the front of the hospital, and Alex had gotten out and opened the front door for me. I smiled at both of them- I felt so excited to see daylight again! It had been a long time- just over 2 weeks.

Paul scooped my up and brought me to the car- he whispered in my ear,

"Let's get out of here," sending a whole bunch of shivers down my spine. And then it hit me- I was actually going home! I hadn't really allowed myself to believe it until I was seated firmly next to Paul in the car, driving on the highway towards La Push.

To say that I was excited was putting it mildly. I was ecstatic. I hadn't been home in well over 2 weeks- when the accident happened, I was at the end of the 2nd week in January, and it was almost February. I couldn't believe it- it felt like time had flown by while I was sitting in that silly hospital bed. I wanted my two weeks back, but then, that would never happen.

Plus, I reminded myself, the fact that winter was going by so fast meant that summer would come sooner- and I couldn't wait for summer. Especially if summer involved Paul- and, since we were apparently soul mates or something like that, I assumed that it would.

"Soul mates" the very thought brought a smile to my face. How lucky was I? Most girls spent years searching for the person that they were meant to be with forever. Mine had just easily waltzed in midway through high school. It was almost too good to be true- but I wouldn't let myself think that. Surely, after being nearly killed by a car, I deserved some happiness.

When we arrived home, I was surprised to see that my father had built a wheelchair ramp winding up to the front door. I wondered why, since we didn't have a wheelchair. Then I heard Alex say, "I'll go get her chair." I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised- I mean, I couldn't exactly walk on my own yet- but I was anyway. My father and brother had actually thought ahead! Of course, Paul had most likely helped him, but still, it counted.

It was almost frustrating though- being expected to actually use a wheelchair. Knowing that I needed it was worse; harder to accept.

"No need," Paul's voice came from right next to me. "I can carry her in.

We'll get it to her once she's inside, out of the cold." It touched me that he worried, but I kind of wanted to learn how to get around by myself. After all, I had to learn how to be on my own eventually.

Paul scooped me up, "Nice job muscle man," I muttered. He winked at me and carried me easily up the ramp and into the house.

Never had I thought that my new house would feel so much like home- I was just so glad to be out of that silly hospital. I had Paul carry me straight into my room- as hideously girly as it was, I was thrilled to see it. He set me on my bed, then snuggled next to me. My father followed, "Lizzie, I'm cooking mashed potatoes and steak for dinner. It'll be ready in about a half hour. You and Paul can eat up here- I don't want you straining yourself by moving all around the house today."

"Ok, ok." I agreed- mostly because I wanted to stay in bed with Paul. And it wasn't as though I wasn't at all tired. I was. I hadn't had that much excitement, or movement, in my life since I'd been in the hospital. It was exhausting.

"All right then," he said, then added awkwardly, "it's really good to have you home sweetheart."

I blushed- my father had been surprisingly emotional during this week, "It's really good to be home, Daddy."

Good as it was to be home, I felt so lonely as I went to go to sleep that night- I missed having Paul next to me. I wanted him to lay down beside me, and cuddle up next to his arm. My room was too big, too quiet.

Paul had become hugely important in my life- whatever happened, I knew that I could never, ever stand to be away from him for more than a few hours. I was way too attached.

But that was normal, I reminded myself. The imprint phenomena pulled us together, connecting us in a way that was beyond my understanding. As excited as I was about it, the idea that I'd met my soulmate at 17 made my head spin, but then I remembered that it was Paul and calmed down instantly. It was really quite amazing.

Getting to sleep was not an easy task. I felt jumpy in the dark quiet of my bedroom. Every few minutes, I would hear footsteps outside my door, and sometimes Alex or my father would peak in and make sure that I was ok.

Touched as I was that they were so worried about me, it was kind of annoying: I was rather grateful when I heard my brother set his alarm and go to bed. My father followed shortly after.

Even after that, I couldn't sleep at all. I ached in ways that the medicine the hospital had given me couldn't help at all. I must have laid in bed for hours, just trying to relax myself enough to finally fall asleep. I couldn't even toss and turn: I tried it once and nearly screamed in pain as I twisted my chest. I had stopped moving after that: I didn't want to alert my father and Alex to the fact that I was still awake.

Finally, after laying in bed for several hours, I began to feel a bit sleepy. Gratefully, I let unconsciousness take over me.

Even after that, I couldn't sleep at all. I ached in ways that the medicine the hospital had given me couldn't help at all. I must have laid in bed for hours, just trying to relax myself enough to finally fall asleep. I couldn't even toss and turn: I tried it once and nearly screamed in pain as I twisted my chest. I had stopped moving after that: I didn't want to alert my father and Alex to the fact that I was still awake. Then I saw something in the corner...

"Paul?" I whispered. He emerged from the shadows.

"I had to check on you." He told me, putting a hand up against my face. "I've been worried sick all night. Sam let me go early because I couldn't concentrate on anything."

I laughed quietly, "I'm glad you're here," I told him, snuggling under his warm arm. I hadn't realized how cold I'd been until after I'd started to warm up, "I missed you. I couldn't sleep."

I'm sorry I woke you." He told me, looking slightly ashamed.

No, I'm very glad you did." I told him, though it seemed to come out in the form of a yawn. "I was getting kind of lonely and cold, and I didn't want to wake my father and Alex."

"I can fix that," he whispered, hugging me a little closer. He was so gentle with me- it didn't hurt in the slightest. "But right now you need to go to sleep."

"I'm not sleepy." I protested, but another huge yawn gave me away.

Paul kissed the top of my head, "Shhh…baby, go to sleep. I'll be right here, right next to you. Sleep." He whispered.

"I love you." I mumbled, the words sounding jumbled because I was so tired. That was the last thing I could get out before I fell into a very contented sleep.

So...posting chapters during my 4:30 am shift at work APPARENTLY will result in grammatical errors. Oops. :-P Should be fixed now though...And don't worry...I will be updating soon. I know I've been slacking...sorry :-(