AN: Hi! I'm sorry for the delay, but life has been crazy around here. We had one of those weeks where the stars aligned and my hubby was off work the entire time my kids were out of school. That meant five people needed my undivided attention. Fair warning- it's going to happen again the week of Christmas, so there may be a long break then too.
Hope my American readers had a good Thanksgiving and everyone else had a nice week ;) On with the show...

Chapter 12

Paul POV
I followed Sam blindly from the station, not even noticing anyone around us as he led me toward the trees. He looked at me in speculation before he asked if I was okay to phase.

His question brought my wolf to the surface with a fierce growl, and my body turned back toward the station—toward my mate—without permission. Sam locked his hand around my upper arm and pulled me away again.

I stepped out of my boots when the tremors began. It had been a while since I last phased unexpectedly, and I didn't feel like making a run for my house in the nude tonight—not to mention how much my work boots cost to replace. Once my jeans were tied in a bulky heap to my leg, I gave in to the wolf.

What the fuck is your problem, Paul? I thought you liked the girl? Sam berated me as soon as I entered the pack mind. His words triggered my memories, and I couldn't stop a virtual movie of my life with Bella Swan.

I thought about the first time I saw her, twirling high in the air and laughing as Big Quil lifted her up. I pictured her soft blush and the fiery way she defended me to her closest friends. I skipped between winters and summers, rainy days watching movies and rainy days fishing with Charlie.

I put my head down and whined as I relived our first kiss, and the purity of the innocent love I felt for her back then. I wasn't that boy anymore—if I ever really had been—but some cosmic wolf spirit had decided to curse her along with me. She deserved so much better.

Paul! Sam's voice broke through my stream of constant Bella-vision, and I raised my head and looked at him in question. Suddenly, I saw myself in his memories. He showed me helping Bella across the sand at a summer bonfire, and the way we watched each other when the other person wasn't looking.

He showed me Charlie, watching the two of us together on a driftwood log, and the proud smile he was wearing as we laughed and talked together. Then he switched directions. He showed me standing up for the nerdy kids at school, and the ones that didn't have the best homes. He showed me sharing my meager lunch with a little boy who didn't have one.

My wolf pulled me back toward the police station when Bella's scent was carried over on a passing breeze. Charlie's family had walked outside, and my mate was tucked tightly against her father's side, with Embry and Tiffany walking along happily beside her.

Seeing Embry, Sam replayed the fight that he and his grandfather had interrupted years ago, where I had defended Embry from some neighborhood bullies. You've always been a Protector, Paul. It's in your nature.

I shot back an image of Embry's scornful look after he caught me fucking Rachel Black. I've always been a player too, Sam. What does it matter?

Sam sighed and sank down, resting his chin on his front paws. He normally kept his thoughts tied up pretty tight, but images of Leah and Emily floated through his mind in a strange combination. You've been given the one thing I wanted more than anything. You imprinted on the girl you've loved your whole life, he said quietly, and I could feel the envy in every word. Don't fuck this up, Paul.

Without another word, Sam turned and headed back to La Push, already thinking of the food Emily was preparing for their Christmas feast. I'd been invited, of course, but I wasn't sure I could drum up any Christmas spirit this year.

I let my wolf lead me as I ran through the woods, only a little surprised to see that I'd found my way to the Swan home. The happy family was inside, sitting around the living room and talking like a damn Hallmark card or something. They were even drinking hot cocoa.

My wolf calmed as soon as we laid eyes on our mate, but I was still wound up under the fur. The fight earlier had been a nice outlet, but being blindsided by the imprint had knocked me on my ass.

Sitting there watching Bella with her family, I ran through Sam's memories of his imprint. I knew there had to be some way around it. Bella deserved so much more than being stuck with a loser like me for the rest of her life.

~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~

Charlie POV
I woke up Christmas morning before the rest of my family began to stir. Tiffany had been up late wrapping a few last minute presents, and then she probably read by the fire for a few hours more. I kissed her gently and covered her up with the quilt before I slipped out of bed. I would start breakfast and let her sleep.

A quick peek into Embry's room showed him sleeping soundly, sprawled out over his twin-size bed that was probably going to need to be replaced soon. That boy was getting tall—just like his father.

I couldn't stop my smile as I opened the door to Bella's room. Christmas just wasn't the same without her here, and I was happy that she wasn't going to be leaving again in a week or so. She was curled up in her bed, a peaceful smile on her face. If she had been talking in her sleep, it must have been earlier.

The past few days had been busy, but I couldn't hide the fact that I was happier than I'd ever been. After seventeen years, I finally had my whole family together and Bella back home where she belonged. I had already filled out her school paperwork, and I was glad that Embry would be there to help her find her way around. For all the time she'd spent here over the years, she really didn't know any kids from Forks.

I was lost in thought when Bella's soft voice brought my attention to the kitchen door. "Need some help, Dad?"

She looked sleepy, but so beautiful. Despite her darker hair and eyes, she was looking more like Renee the older she got. Of course, she was much prettier than her mother had ever been. I waved her over and pulled her into a hug, laughing when she swiped at the flour I'd smeared on her cheek in the process. "Merry Christmas, Bells!"

We worked together quietly, scrambling eggs, rolling out biscuits, and frying up a mountain of bacon and sausage. Tiff would scold me for that later, but it was Christmas morning. Bran flakes could wait.

Tiffany stumbled down as we were plating everything up, and she had tears in her eyes as she watched my daughter dance between the table and the stove, completely at ease here in our home. I pulled my wife to me and hugged her tight, kissing her deeply until Bella's groans were echoed by Embry's from the hallway.

"Come on guys, we don't want to see that!" We all started laughing when they spoke in unison, and I swelled up with pride as my family sat down at the table together.

Embry was quiet, but he usually was in the mornings. Bella and Tiffany chatted about all the things they were making for our late Christmas dinner out in La Push. I was glad that Billy had called and invited us, saying he wanted to set aside our differences and celebrate the holiday together. Buying his truck probably helped as well. Hopefully things would be fine, as long as we kept to safe topics like fishing and sports.

Embry and I cleaned up the breakfast dishes so that Tiff could pull Bells aside to give her one of her gifts early. I listened as Bella opened the large box, and smiled when she squealed and gave Tiffany a big hug. "Well, I knew you would need more winter clothes, and I remembered how much you love shopping," Tiff teased her as they dug through the jeans, sweaters, and two new coats we'd bought her.

Bella came running in to give me a hug, then went straight back in there to my wife. "This is so great. Thank you! I had some money saved up to get some clothes, but maybe I can put that toward a car now!"

Embry nudged me with elbow and we exchanged a grin, knowing how much more excited Bella would be about the second part of her gift. Technically it would be for Embry too, but he wouldn't be sixteen for a few more months.

After everyone was showered and dressed, we loaded up the car and headed out to Billy's house. Bella was practically bouncing since it had been more than a year since she'd seen her friends out there. I thought she might be in for a shock with the way those boys were growing. She had definitely looked stunned when she saw Paul that first night.

She'd looked upset to find him there at the station, and I was pretty sure she was disappointed as well. I knew Embry kept her informed on Paul's shenanigans, but it was something different to see him actually leaving police custody.

We pulled up in front of that familiar red house and I was surprised to see Quil come running out right after Jacob. He ended up shoving Jake aside and reaching Bella's door first, pulling her out and swinging her around so fast that she let out an ear-piercing shriek of laughter. "Hey, Bells!" he boomed out, effectively announcing her arrival to everyone in La Push.

She giggled as she hugged him, and I was surprised to see her eyes fill up with tears when she turned back my way. I guess she had missed the boy more than I thought.

Jacob moved in as soon as Bella was back on her feet, but I reached for my gun out of habit when I heard a loud growl from the woods behind the house. I'd been hearing reports about large bears in the area, and Emily Young had even been attacked by one. I hoped they weren't coming closer to civilization.

Billy wheeled himself out on the porch and Bella ran up to give him a hug as well. He held on a bit longer than usual, but I knew he'd been missing his own daughters since they moved away. Bells just patted him and whispered something before she pulled away.

I called the boys over to help me bring the food and gifts inside, and once that was done Quil told us all goodbye and ran off toward his own house. He said his grandfather asked him to bring Bella by before we left for the day—he wanted to see her. I was only slightly surprised to see Embry and Bella both stiffen when they heard that, then exchange a glance before going back in the house. They both still held some hard feelings toward the man for keeping Embry's father a secret from him.

All hopes for a peaceful day were banished when Billy waved me over to the couch and started in on me immediately. "So, Charlie, have you given any more thought to moving out here?"

I sighed, wishing he had waited until after the food was eaten and gifts were exchanged. I really didn't want to argue with him on Christmas. "Look, Billy, I've told you. I can't just up and leave Forks. I have to live in the city to keep my job!" I took a deep breath and lowered my voice to continue. "Besides, I'm not stupid. No one is going to want me moving out here, no matter who is my friend and who is my uncle. I'm not Quileute!"

His eyes turned flinty as he stared at me with his Chief stare, but I gave him my own Chief stare right back. We needed to get past this and move on with our day. Billy finally sighed and looked away, giving me the small victory, and then he pulled up the last Seahawks game on the tv to break the awkward silence.

I had a feeling that wouldn't be the last I'd hear about it.