Disclaimer: The Characters and all recognisable situations belong to Stephenie Meyer. This is a work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 11
Sadie's POV
I have only just met Paul properly but if I can tell you one thing about him it's that he gives great hugs.
Trapped in his arms I don't want to move but we can't stay in the foyer forever and even though Leah is with my dad, I don't want to stay away for too long so I reluctantly peel myself off him and straighten up.
His arms relax and hang at his sides, he seems unsure of what to do now, that nervous look back on his face.
"Don't look so worried, I'm not the one who bite's" I say raising my brows and grinning.
He laughs heartily and the smile that lights up his face makes my heart stutter for a moment, I hope I see more of that smile, I hope I can be one that put's that smile on his face.
The thought alone makes my head spin, setting me off thinking, when did I decide that Paul and this imprint is what I want? am I rushing into this just because it has an imprint guarantee? Is it wrong to even let myself like Paul when my dad is dying? so many questions that confuse my already fragile mind.
I remember what Leah said a short while ago, 'Don't analyse the imprint, just get to know each other'
I can do that, take it slow and get to know him. I need a friend, why not him? what have I got to loose? I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
"Come on, I need to use the vending machine"
We walk over to the machines and I make my selections, getting extra just in case, reaching down to grab them Paul beats me too it and carries them easily in his big strong arms. He looks down at me, brows furrowed so I decide to throw him a lifeline.
"Would you like to come back with me to my dad's room? It will give us more time to talk"
Surprise flashes across his features for a brief moment and he nods "Only if your sure, I don't want to intrude"
"Your not, it's fine with me" I shrug "Stairs or elevator?"
"Stairs" he answers as I lead us in that direction.
Paul's POV
Following behind up the stairs I can't help but admire her ass, it's perfect, as if it was made with me in mind.
This is going better than I thought it would, I hadn't expected her to ask me back to her dad's room but I welcome the chance to be with her, get to know her better, hell just being this close is enough to calm the wolf for now.
Entering the room, Leah gives us both a smile and while Sadie's at the bed kissing her dad's forehead she sneakily winks and gives me the thumbs up.
I try not to laugh at her enthusiasm, who would of thought Leah Clearwater would be encouraging an imprint, let alone actually liking and helping her out.
Placing the snacks on the small coffee table, I turn to face Sadie and Leah who are quietly chatting. Sadie thanks her for staying with her dad and I think Leah surprises even herself when she gives Sadie a hug and pats her on the back.
Handing her a piece of paper, she informs her it's her cell number and to call anytime, day or night if she needs anything or just wants to talk.
Bending over the bed she gently rubs Sadie's dad's arm "Nice meeting you Scott, thanks for the chat" she whispers to my amazement.
Leah's full of surprises for me tonight, and she talked to him, should I be doing that? but what do I say to a man who can't answer back, can he even hear us? shit, I should of asked the doc for advice.
With a wave and a "See you later," she leaves to join Ryan in the forest.
Sadie yawns and stretches, it makes her tee rise up exposing her flat, toned stomach and I try not to drool as I imagine licking up her navel to her breasts. God, get a grip Lahote, now is not the time or place.
"I'm just going to use the bathroom, help yourself to the rest of the cake if you want" she says with a small smile.
I nod and smile back. Once she's gone I stand by her dad's bed looking down at him. His face has a yellowish waxy colour to it, his shoulder bones protruding through his pyjama top. I shake my head at the injustice of it, a man in his prime losing his life like this.
Touching his hand I try not to flinch at how clammy he is and withdraw my hand, resting it instead on his arm that is covered.
"I'm Paul, a friend of Sadie's" I say quietly, feeling like an idiot. "I'll keep her safe for you I promise, I'll do everything within my power to make her happy and give her the life she wants"
Unsure of what else to say, I pat his arm like I saw Leah do and turn and sit down reaching for the cake and digging in just as Sadie comes out of the bathroom.
She pulls the other chair closer and sits down next to me shuffling to get comfy, I gesture to the cake, "You want?"
"Nah I'm all caked out, you can finish it"
She yawns again and rubs her forehead with her eyes closed, I look at the clock to see it's coming up to ten pm, finishing the cake I place the empy box on the floor.
"Your tired, I can leave if you want to sleep"
Her eyes shoot open and she twists her body to face me "It's ok, you don't have to leave unless you want to, I probably wont sleep anyway"
"Ok but just kick me out whenever you want"
"Leah tells me you work in construction, do you have work tomorrow? I don't want you to be tired either" she says leaning over and appraising me with those big blue eyes.
Her concern for my well being makes me smile "I'm only working for a few hours tomorrow, got a staircase to finish off, I'll be fine, had a sleep earlier"
"Leah also said that you've been sleeping in the forest outside, making sure I'm safe' she questions, I nod in confirmation.
"Well, um, that's good, I like that your keeping me safe cos learning about vampires makes me nervous but I don't like the idea of you trying to sleep out there, in future if your going to do that then just stay here, if you want of course" she stutters off, her face flushing with embarrassment.
I can't help but grin, doing a happy dance in my mind, she wants me here, she wants me to stay.
"Can you tell me about your wolf, I'd like to hear more if that's ok?"
So for the next hour or so we talk about everything and anything. I tell her about phasing for the first time and everything since, she tells me about her life growing up, constantly moving and finding out about her dad's cancer.
I ask about her drawings and she show's me her sketch book, saying she'll show me her paintings one day, admitting she'd like to make a living out of it if she can. I tell her about my carpentry and how I built everything in my house myself and that Embry's mom who owns the gift shop in La Push sells some bits to the visiting tourists.
I learn that she likes to cook but hates baking cakes, preferring meats and pie's so I make her promise to cook my favourite apple pie for me one day, in return she makes me promise to make some frames for her paintings.
Eventually the talk comes around to imprinting.
"I'm worried that you get no choice, it seems wrong" she whispers looking me in the eyes.
"I don't want you to feel that you have to be with me in a romantic way, if you want to be friends and go and find someone you like for yourself, I won't stand in your way, I'll do whatever I can to make it easy for you"
I reach for her hand placing it in my own, it feels so right, perfect. I rub my thumb against her in reassurance trying to think of the right words to express myself.
"Your beautiful, funny, smart and can cook, I'm never ever letting you go" I laugh and she smiles in return as I continue.
"Your not scared easily, you stood up for yourself against Rachel and held your own when the Cullens arrived…I don't want anyone else, I want you" I say earnestly until she drops her gaze for a moment before looking back up.
"I like you too Paul, I'd like to get to know you more, it's just not the greatest time of my life right now" glancing at her dad and frowning.
"Yeah I know, I'm sorry but I'm here for you, I'll always be here for you"
She smiles and rubs her thumb against mine, our hands still pressed together, neither of us wanting to be the first to let go.
I want her in my arms so I stand pulling her up out of the chair, wrapping my arms around her waist bringing her closer. She nestles her head against my chest and I inhale her scent. I want to kiss her but I know it's too soon so I settle for rubbing my face in her hair, taking whatever I can get for now.
"Sit with me?" I ask before I can stop myself, she looks up in confusion not understanding what I mean.
I step back grabbing her hand then sit down gently pulling her on my lap, she's hesitant for just a moment and then relaxes snuggling into my embrace and lifting her legs over the arm of the chair.
We stay silent, lost in our own thoughts before her breathing settles and I realise she's fallen asleep, I kiss her forehead brushing hair from her face. A sense of calm washes over me, peace and serenity that I haven't felt since I phased, I hold her tighter, keeping my girl safe.
.
Sadie's POV
Jeez I'm hot, did I leave the heating on? forget to turn my heated mattress off? Ugh. Massaging my face as I come to I remember where I am and who's lap I'm still sat on.
I don't want to wake him so I shift extra carefully making myself more comfortable. I look up studying his features, he's so handsome, I want to touch his face to see what he feels like, run my fingers through his hair but I stop myself in case it wakes him, he looks so peaceful.
Resting my head back against his chest I think about everything that's happened. In less than twenty four hours I've learnt that vampires and werewolves exist and that I'm destined to be with Paul, if I want him of course. Do I want him? God yes, I know I'd want him without the imprint I just wouldn't of persued him because of everything going on with my dad.
And he wants me, he admitted that. Would he want me without the imprint? Do I even want to go there? Is it better to not know, after all he has imprinted so does it matter the if's and but's. I can see why Leah told me not to anaylse the imprint, it can really mess with your mind if you think about it too much.
Despite being eighteen I've never had a boyfriend, we didn't stay long enough in one place for that to have time to happen. I'm not a virgin though, I lost that card when I was seventeen in a one night stand with the son of one of the other production managers, although does it count if it wasn't very good and you regret it? I wish it hadn't of happened, a stolen bottle of vodka and horny teenage hormones are to blame for that night.
Jason. Jason Edney was his name and I've never seen him since thank goodness. It was over in minutes, I didn't come and spent ages afterwards wondering what all the fuss was about sex if it was like that.
I've always been able to talk to my dad about anything, no matter how awkward, after all he was the man who had to run out and buy me tampons when my period had first started and I'd told him about what happened with Jason and how awful it had been.
If he was disappointed in me he hadn't let it show, he'd sat me down and listened to my fears that something was wrong with me as I didn't enjoy it. He thought that the alcohol wouldn't of helped our performance and that we we're both too inexperienced to know what to do. He'd assured me that when I was with someone I loved and it was the right time it would be different. Of course he'd checked that we had used protection and made me promise that when I got a boyfriend I'd visit the clinic to discuss contraception.
I wonder how many girlfriends Paul has had? I'm damn sure he's very experienced, he oozes sex appeal and confidence, I'm sure sex with Paul wouldn't be a disappointment, umm.
He sighs in his sleep tightening his hold and nuzzling my neck, it feels nice so I cuddle back against him, keeping watch on both my men.
I look over at my dad wondering how much time left I have with him, he's been unconscious for five days now and I know from my research that soon his body will give up. He has been in this hospital for ten days and I've seen three other families come and then leave grief stricken some days later, it breaks my heart to know I will be leaving here without him, that I wont have him in my life.
Wondering about it, I think that he would like Paul, that they would of got on well. Both down to earth and 'outdoor' kinda people I can imagine them bonding over a shared interest of keeping me safe and happy. I hope he would be proud of the decisions I'm making, god I'm going to miss him so much.
Before I can get too upset, I stop myself from thinking that way. I have to be strong, there will be plenty of time for tears afterwards but for now I keep my emotions in check, it's the only way I can carry on without running screaming from this room.
Twisting my head slightly so I can see the clock, it's only three am. I snuggle deeper into Paul and try and get more sleep.
Paul's POV
I wake with a start and look up to see two nurses looking at myself and Sadie, cuddled together. They smile and one put's her fingers to her lips to indicate I should remain quiet.
They expertly roll Scott on his side facing us, placing a pillow under the sheet to keep him on his side. They give me a little wave and tiptoe out of the room, eyes twinkling in amusement. I'm sure hospital gossip will entail that shortly everyone will know about Sadie having me in the room with her, do I care? Not at all, she's my girl and I want the world to know.
Daylight encroaches the sky, tree's blowing in the wind. Sadie's fast asleep, her hand on my waist. I gently pick it up kissing her palm then entwining her fingers with mine, I could stay like this forever.
Half an hour later and she starts to stir, yawning and shifting. She opens her eyes looking straight at me, smiles shyly and then drops back against me.
"Morning" she mumbles against my chest.
"Morning sunshine" I laugh as I play with her hair.
"What's the time"
"Seven, still early"
"Ugh, I'm gonna have to start wearing less clothes if I'm gonna sleep with you" she slurs.
Realising what she's said, she bolts upright looking anxious, "Well, your so warm, that's what I mean't" she stutters, looking everywhere but at me.
Laughing I turn her face towards me, "Less clothes the better as far as I'm concerned" I say wiggling my brows.
Giggling, she slaps my chest lightly and sits up rubbing her face to wake herself up. She leans over the chair reaching for the bottle of water and takes huge gulps before passing it to me.
She stands, walks to the bed and kisses her dad's forehead, rubbing his hand but not saying anything. Turning she points at the sandwiches and snacks on the table "You hungry?"
I'm a wolf baby, I'm always hungry. I nod and she tells me to help myself and chooses a cheese sandwich for herself before sitting down on the other chair, still close to me.
"What time do you have work?"
"From eight onwards, I have to pop home and grab my tools but there's no rush"
Nodding she asks what work we're doing at the house and I explain about the extension and we talk work for a while.
"I should be finished by one and then I have to talk to the Chief about Rachel but can I come back after?"
"Sure you can, what do you think will happen to her?"
If it was up to me I'd shred her to bits but this is Billy's daughter and Jake's sister so I know that wouldn't be allowed. I sigh and shrug my shoulders.
"I really don't know. We've never had this happen before and it effects the Cullen's, not just us so I'm sure they will have their say as well. I'll know more later"
We chat for a while longer but before I know it it's time for me to leave. I stand and pull her into my arms for a hug before I go. I lean down and kiss her forehead.
"I wrote my number on your sketch pad, ring me if you want anything, anything at all"
"Sure, ok. Don't work too hard, I'll see you later sometime"
She squeezes me and then let's me go, giving a wave as I leave the room. For the first time in a long while, I begrudge going to work, wishing I could stay with her, hopefully time will go quick and I can soon have her back in my arms.
