A/N: Please tell me what you all think of this chapter, I've noticed a lot of favorite adds, but no comments. I like to hear what you guys think.. Comments or suggestions would be great either way. Thank you so much for supporting my stories and reading them, I hope you enjoy this next chapter.. It took me a few days to write but finally here it is!!
More Than Anything
And I'd give anything and everything
I have just to be with you
-More Than Anything - Hanson
Just as we finished making the soup a timer went off, I knew it was time to look. She shut the stove off and looked at me. I smelled the thick aroma of Chicken noodle soup, not store bought but homemade. I wanted so badly to say fuck the test, I want the soup. I knew it was impossible to avoid. I've kept myself quiet about this for a little too long. When I realized my period was missing, I just assumed maybe my pills were just acting funny, and being late was just my mistake. Emily looked at me with a loving smile.
"Should I come with you?" she questioned. I shook my head no, I was a big girl I could do this on my own. I felt my knees shaking as I walked towards her bathroom. I really didn't know the reaction I would get when Paul returned. I didn't think being in a relationship for about 4 months could have him and I prepared for what was to come. When I reached the bathroom door I took a huge gulp, I hesitated for a minute. When I finally got the courage to go inside and look, it was the scariest thing I have ever had to do. I flipped on the light switch to the bathroom, and carefully picked up the stick.
"Rachael are you okay in there?" I didn't realize how long I stood there staring at the pink plus sign on the stick. I wasn't sure weather to cry or be happy. I turned when I heard Emily directly behind me.
"I don't know what to do" I said to her. She looked at me.
"How am I going to tell him?" I questioned. I began to feel the lump in my throat.
"What if he doesn't want it, what if he leaves because he can't handle it. Can I handle it?" she looked worried as I rambled on. I placed the stick down on the counter and as I looked back up tears fell from my eyes. She walked to me and wrapped her arms around me. I cried in her arms for a few minutes and then regained myself. I looked at her. I knew I had to be strong.
"You can do this Rachael, your mature enough to handle it" she said to me.
"Why don't we go and have some soup, and I'll help you through this" she said with a caring smile. I smiled back at her, and pulled myself together. Of course both of us were pretty mature to handle this, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I was on the pill, and I was taking them constantly, how could this of slipped through my fingers.
The two of us headed back into the kitchen to enjoy our soup. I had to remember to get her recipe, because the soup was absolutely delicious.
"Why did you have those in there?" I questioned her. I knew it most likely was a personal question, but not many people just have pregnancy tests lying around their homes. She smiled slightly.
"Sam and I have been trying, we haven't told anyone though. We are hoping that it worked this time, I still have another few weeks before I know" my eyes grew wide, Emily and I would go through this together! That would take off so much pressure on Paul, if he knew his friend was going through it too, maybe it'd be easier.
"I'm so happy to hear that" I said with a smile. Her face was beaming and I could tell it was what she had been wanting for a while.
"Yeah, I think we got it this time, been feeling a little strange" she added. I smiled.
"Did I take your last.."
"Nope, I have another box" she smiled. I was so excited to hear that Emily and I would most likely be going through this together.
It was a long day, the two of us cleaned up after we ate and went back to watching some T.V. on her comfortable couch. We watched "chick flick" type movies all day. We were both trying to keep our minds off of what was going on out there. We wanted our boys to be safe, and we'd hoped the best, even for the Cullen's.
Night approached and we still hadn't heard anything. I was so tired that I didn't realize I had passed out. I heard voices very softly in the other room. I listened for footsteps and they were familiar ones. A warm hand brushed through my hair and rubbed the top of my forehead. Then I felt very warm and moist lips touch my head. It was Paul, they had come home. I opened my eyes slowly, he was looking down at me as if I were the only one in the room, and the only one that mattered.
"Your back" I reached out for him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled him close to breath in his scent. He smelled like he'd been running all day, I didn't care. I felt myself tear up a bit as I held him close. I could feel his breath on my ear. He must have heard the small sob that released from my chest, and pulled me back to look at me.
"Is Jake okay?" I asked. I had almost forgotten that he was in the battle too, with everything that had happened today.
"Yeah, everybody is fine" he said taking his thumb and wiping my cheek. He kept his thumb against my face and caressed my cheek slowly, we just sat there staring into each others eyes. He was searching for something, I wasn't sure what it was. My thoughts were slightly interrupted by the loud voices in the kitchen, and Emily's fine cooking.
"You look a little pale baby, you still feeling sick?" he questioned, his fingers making their way back to my hair. I narrowed my eyes and looked directly at his bare chest. I could barely look him in the eye. He lifted my face so that my eyes met his, tears fell as he did. I knew he was concerned, I only cried when I was really pissed or really upset. I wasn't really upset about this whole thing, just terrified.
"What is it? Please tell me" his soft brown eyes were so worried. I sat up slowly, feeling a bit sick, but sending it back down my throat.
"I'm not sick, Paul" I said in a whisper. He first looked confused, then I saw the light bulb go off in his head. He realized what I had meant, within only a few seconds of saying it. His eyes lit up a bit, and he let a smile appear.
"We're having a baby?" he questioned. I nodded my head slowly. He didn't look too concerned.
"Baby, that's amazing" my heart stopped pounding, and I suddenly felt all the fear I had felt all day disappear.
"You mean that?" I questioned taking a gulp. He nodded.
"Of course sweetie, I can't really be upset with it. I wanted it to happen someday, but if it has to be now, then so be it" he said. His smile never faded as he said it, I felt relief. I felt a smile appear across my face.
"I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle not screwing around for the next 9 months" he said. I laughed.
"Oh, but babe you are wrong, it's safe to do so" I said with a smile. Both of us laughed and his arms wrapped around my nervous body. I was shaking a little.
"So I guess we have to tell your Father and Jacob now" he said. I nodded.
"They'll have to deal" I said kissing his warm lips. He smiled and pressed himself up against me as well.
"Hey you two dinners ready" I heard Sam call. I heard a bunch of other voices but ignored pretty much all of them. My lips stayed pressed tight up against Paul's. I couldn't wait to be alone with him so the two of us could celebrate.
"Shall we tell everyone?" he questioned. I nodded. He pulled me up off my seat, and we both stood there for a few minutes. His eyes lingered again.
"Emily's food is great, we better get some before the pack devours it" I laughed. He looked at me and nodded.
"I agree, I always seem to miss getting the best food" he laughed. He took my hand and we walked into the kitchen together. It was a scene I wish I could have caught on camera, all of those big guys eating around a small kitchen table.
"Hey guys, good news" Paul had his arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders, and had a smile across his face that you could see for miles. The whole crew looked up, Emily was smiling, and I saw Sam with a smile, that was rare.
"My girl and I are having a baby" he said squeezing me, and then lightly kissed the top of my head. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and I heard a bunch of "Woohoo's, congratulations, and Go Paul!" it was quite amusing. We made sure that no one would break the news to Dad or Jake.
The next morning, I was standing in "our" kitchen, I loved saying that, in just an oversized t-shirt that Paul had lent me. I was leaning over the counter, chewing on a piece of toast, to settle my upset stomach. This kid was making me sick to no end, I'd wake up at 4am and be up the rest of the day. It sucked, I had a few phone calls to make today, first I'd call the doctors and find out when I could come in, and then I'd have to call Dad and Jake and ask them to come to dinner at our place. There it is, I said it again. It was really our place. I smiled at the thought, as I was about to reach for the phone I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.
"Good morning sexy" he whispered. The warmth of his skin felt soft and comfortable against mine.
"Hey Babe, I'm about to call Dad.. Invite him over for dinner" I said.
"And Jake" I sighed. He smiled at me and turned me around to face him.
"You know everything will be okay right?" he questioned taking my head in his hands. I nodded.
"I know, I'm just nervous. Hey.. Are we going to tell your folks?" I asked.
"They don't need to know" he said.
"But Paul they…"
"Don't bring it up okay" his tone got louder and he backed away from me. I let out a sigh and then turned back to my toast. I didn't mean to upset him, I just thought they should know. Where ever they may be. I sighed and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Dad it's Rach, I'd really like you and Jake to come over for dinner tonight" I said to him.
"Oh, yeah sure honey, that would be great. I'll tell Jake" he said happily.
"Wait, Jakes home?" I asked.
"Yeah, he came home last night after everything, hugged me and all. I think he's thankful now that everything is kind of settled between the Cullen's and the pack. There's a respect there that can't really be broken now. I think things will be okay. Jake says he'll be spending a lot of time with them, but he promised to live at home" Dad sounded happy. I was glad to see that at least someone would be living with Dad, even if they weren't always there.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet between Paul and I. I didn't bring up his Family again that day. It doesn't mean I wouldn't try again. I was taking out the rotisserie chicken, when the doorbell rang. Paul stood up from his recliner and walked over to the door. I was starting to feel nervous, I was about to tell my Father and Brother what was going on. I had called my Sister mid-day and made her promise not to tell. She was excited for me, maybe a little jealous. Her husband didn't want kids yet, and she was jealous because my relationship was still so young, yet I had something she wanted so badly. I watched as Jake walked in with Renesmee tightly wrapped around him, and Dad in front of them.
"Sorry guys, Edward and Bella wanted some alone time" he said in a funny voice. I smiled at him and placed the chicken on the counter, and shut off the veggies that were cooking on the stove.
"Hey that's okay, what does she eat, I'm sure we have something…" I watched as Nessie whispered into Jake's ear.
"No Nessie, they don't have that here.. We're going to have real food. Mommy said you should eat it too" Jake said. He really sounded like a parent and it scared me, he seemed more prepared then I was.
"Do you like chicken fingers?" I questioned her. She wiggled herself out of Jake's arms and came running to me. She wrapped her arms around my legs and looked up at my stomach. There wasn't anything sticking out, but she reached up and tried to place her tiny hands against my stomach. She smiled and looked up at me.
"Chicken fingers" she agreed. I glanced at her and then at Jake.
"Yeah, she may only be a few months old, but the girl knows how to talk" Jake laughed. I looked up at him and smiled. She followed me around like a lost puppy. She watched how I placed the nuggets into the microwave, as Paul helped with the chicken and setting the table.
Once everything was set we all sat down, Nessie sat between Jake and I. She seemed to like to play with the dinosaur shaped chicken fingers, they were Paul's. I laughed at the thought of him playing with them too. I shook my head and looked up at my Dad who was staring at me like he knew something was up. He smiled slightly and then cleared his throat.
"So, what made you invite us over?" Dad questioned. Jake was trying to yell at Nessie not to play with her food. I was distracted by her and how cute she was. I really hoped that maybe I'd have a girl, her and Nessie could play together, and Jake would be the perfect Uncle. Paul squeezed my hand, I didn't realize that I was day dreaming. I looked at Dad and smiled.
"Well um.." I scratched my head. Jake stopped yelling and Nessie and looked up at me. I started to feel nervous and began to twirl my hair, and run my hands through it.
"C'mon baby it's okay" Paul leaned over and whispered. Nessie had even stopped playing with her nuggets, I knew that because she stopped growling and pretending they were eating each other.
"What's up you two? Did you knock her up?" Jake spat out.
"JACOB!" Dad yelled.
"Is that any way to talk in front of Renesmee" he added. My face must have been beat red, I could feel it.
"So honey, what is it?" Dad looked back in my direction after an angry stare at Jake. I noticed a change in his face as he looked at both Paul and I.
"You did, didn't you?" Jake asked again.
"Rawrrrrrrrr" I heard Nessie growl.
"Yes Jake, I'm pregnant!" I shouted at him. I stood up causing my chair to fly backwards. I watched as Dad slapped him lightly on the back of the head.
"I could have said that a lot better!" I said storming my way out of the kitchen. On top of Dad and Paul yelling at Jake, I heard Nessie growling again. She was completely in her own little world, I wish I could have been. I stood in the hallway and waited to cool off.
"Rachael please come back here" I heard Dad call. I took in a deep breath and made my way back out.
"Are you mad Dad?" I asked. He chuckled slightly and then rolled himself over to me. I crossed my arms giving Jake the death stare. Dad looked up at me and smiled.
"I'm okay with it, I know you and Paul have only been dating a few months, but I know it's not just some fling. I don't need to worry about you. I don't know why you feel you have to put yourself down, you think I'm always going to be upset with what you do. Honey, I'm proud of you and will love you no matter what" he said with a smile.
"You know your Mother would have said the same thing" he said, I noticed a tear in his eye as he mentioned Mom. It still hurt him twice as much as it hurt us kids. I could tell.
"Rach, I'm sorry" Jake said looking up at me. He was now growling with Nessie as well, and Paul had joined in. I laughed.
"It's okay, just next time try not to be such an a-s-s-h-o-l-e" I said spelling it out, hoping Nessie wouldn't catch on.
"Do I get to have a kid like me?" Nessie asked. Jake chuckled and so did the rest of us.
"The baby won't grow as fast as you, but of course you can play and help the baby learn new things" I said to her. She smiled and looked satisfied.
"Like an older Sister?" she questioned.
"If you want to be" I smiled. She looked happy and then went back to playing with her food.
"I'm so sorry you cooked it, and she's not eating it" Jake apologized. I laughed.
"It's okay Jake, she's having fun" I told him.
The next few months were going to be rough, I knew that. I would be going through a lot, and Paul would have to deal with it all. We were both laying in bed, after they left quiet like usual. He was holding me so tight, I felt so safe and happy.
"I'm glad Dad was happy" I said turning to him.
"I knew he'd be okay with it, I can't wait to have this baby with you" he said touching my stomach.
"I hope it's just like you" he said.
"I hope it is too, because god help it, if it turns out like you" I laughed. He playfully pushed me lightly.
"Yeah we'd be in a pretty big pile of shit if it turned out like me huh?" he asked. I nodded.
"I can agree to that one" I smiled.
"You know I love you" he said taking my hair and placing it behind my ears.
"You know I love you more than anything" I said back. He smiled.
"You don't know what your getting yourself into do you?" he asked.
"No, not really, but I'll take my chances" I chuckled.
A/N: I don't normally do a note at the end, but I've been trying to research if there is any back story on Paul, and there really isn't. There isn't really any place that tells me about his parents, so I'm going to make this up as I go along, if you all don't mind.