A/N: I decided not to have Leah phase and Harry is still alive for now.
Sam and Paul had just finished their morning patrol and were headed to Sam's house to have some breakfast.
"How are things going with you and Bella?" Sam asked
"Pretty good I guess."
"Have you two talked about where your relationship is going?"
"Not really. We tend to avoid that subject."
"Why?"
"I don't know really. I mean I'm lucky that she's even agreed to be friends with me so I don't want to push my luck."
"Paul I know I'm your Alpha but I'm also your friend and I know this imprint stuff isn't easy so if you need to talk I'm here."
"Thanks Sam. I appreciate that."
"No problem. Now let's go eat." He said slapping him on the back before running into the house
Paul followed at a more sedate pace; hoping that if he walked slow enough he'd miss out on Sam and Emily making out.
When he entered the kitchen the two of them were still wrapped in each other's arms. There was no kissing or groping, just two people holding each other. Sam and Emily's beginning had been difficult and tragic but it had lead to a love that was strong and unbreakable. Watching them together gave him hope for Bella and himself.
He decided to just let them have their moment and took his place at the table to devour the plate Emily had already set there.
By the time Emily and Sam emerged from their own little world, Paul had already finished his food and was getting ready to leave.
"You're leaving?" Emily asked
"Yea."
"Oh you don't have to."
"Don't worry about it; I'm gonna go and let you to have some time by yourselves. I know you don't get much of it." He shrugged before nodding to Sam and leaving the kitchen
Once they heard the front door shut, Emily turned to Sam,
"That was nice of him."
"Yea."
"He's seemed a lot calmer lately." She commented as she set about cleaning the kitchen while Sam ate
"I think we have Bella and the imprint to thank for that."
"I like Bella. I think she's good for Paul."
"Yea, she isn't afraid of him and she doesn't hesitate to put him in his place when necessary; she's exactly what Paul needs." Sam said as he finished off his food
After the kitchen was cleaned they moved to the living room to spend some time cuddling and enjoying each other's company.
"Sam, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Sam asked picking up on her nervousness
"Do you ever wish that the imprint had gone differently?"
"What do you mean?" He asked running his fingers through her hair
"Did you ever wish that you had imprinted on Leah?"
Sam's hands stilled; they had never really talked much about this subject and he didn't know why she was bringing it up now.
"Why would you ask that?"
"I don't know. I'm just curious I guess." She shrugged
Sam knew that Emily had her worries and insecurities when it came to his past relationship with Leah but he thought he'd done everything he could to dissolve those.
"I didn't necessarily want to imprint on her but I thought that if I did it might make things a lot easier. I loved her and it tore me apart to have to break her heart and not be able to give her the answers she needed."
"So you don't wish you had imprinted on her?"
"No."
"Do you wish you had imprinted on someone else instead of me?"
"Where is this coming from? How am I even supposed to answer something like that?"
"I don't know. It's just we never really talked about it and I always wondered if you wished things had gone differently."
Sam maneuvered Emily into his lap and gripped her face in his hands.
"I only wish things had gone differently because people got hurt. But I will never wish that another woman had been chosen as my imprint. I love you Emily Young." He caressed her cheek before pressing his lips to hers
They spent the next few hours wrapped in each others arms; each moment slow and gentle, trying to express through touch what words would never be enough to explain….their love for each other.
While Sam and Emily were wrapped up in each other, Paul was sitting in the woods behind Bella's house.
Sure it was a little creepy that he watched her that way, but he needed to be close to her. He supposed he could've just knocked on the door and actually spent time with her but there was still a part of him that was hesitant to show just how vulnerable he was to her.
As he sat there watching her house and listening to her movements he couldn't help but picture what the future would be like with her; he longed for the day when he could say that she was his in every possible way.
After a few hours he was no longer satisfied with just listening to her; he had to see her. He quickly phased and pulled on his cut-offs.
Bella was surprised when she heard a knock on the door; she hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Paul?" She asked when she opened the door and saw him standing there
"Hi. I hope you don't mind but I had to see you."
"Is everything ok?" She asked pulling him into the house
"Yea, everything's good." He smiled
"Oh, ok. Well I was just getting some cleaning done."
"Well carry on. I'll just watch some T.V. or something."
"Are you sure? I can always finishing cleaning later."
"Nah, go ahead."
Bella eyed him for a moment before nodding her head.
"Ok. If you get hungry there's some stuff in the fridge to make sandwiches."
"Thanks."
Bella nodded again before heading back upstairs to finish her cleaning.
"Do you mind if I turn some music on?" Bella called down the stairs
"It's your house, do what you want." He called back
Paul was flipping through the channels when he heard the music turn on. It wasn't very loud and he guessed Bella was trying not to disturb him or something.
"You know you can turn it up louder if you want! I promise I won't make fun of you for your taste in music!" He yelled out
"Are you sure!" She yelled back
"Turn it up!" Paul yelled back
As the music grew louder he turned his attention back to the T.V. but the sound of a soft voice caused him to mute it; Bella was singing along with the song and she wasn't half bad. It wasn't a song he recognized but as he listened he had to wonder if Bella had consciously chosen it. As quietly as he could he crept up the stairs and stood in her doorway watching her.
Bella sat on her bed, her back was to the door so she hadn't taken notice of Paul yet, singing along to the song and it was clear to Paul that she was in her own little world. He stood there quiet and motionless, not wanting to make his presence known until the song was over.
"I didn't know you could sing." He said when the music stopped
Bella jumped and made a noise that was like a cross between a squeal and scream; she would've fallen off the bed if Paul hadn't caught her in time.
"You alright?" He asked as he set her on her feet and tried not to laugh
"Don't you know it's not nice to sneak up on people?" She growled
"I've been standing in your doorway for the last five minutes or so; not my fault you didn't notice." He chuckled
"Make yourself useful." She grumbled shoving a laundry basket at him
"What do you want me to do with these?" He asked
"There's a closet right next to the bathroom, put them in there."
"Ok."
"And don't just throw them in there!"
"Yes Mother." He chuckled
After he'd done what Bella asked, he walked back into her room.
"So what was that song?"
"It's called Ready to Love Again. Lady Antebellum sings it."
"Pretty good song."
"Yea."
"So do you think you are?" He asked
"Huh?"
"Ready to love again."
"Not quite. But when I am, you'll be the first to know." She smiled
It wasn't the answer he'd been hoping for, but at least it hadn't been an outright no.
"The bonfire starts in an hour."
"It's that late already? Guess I better get ready." She said as she began shuffling through her drawers trying to find something to wear
"You want to just ride down with me?
"Sure." She smiled
Paul smiled in response and headed downstairs.
Bella didn't know why Paul was in such a good mood but she did know that his presence and his good mood had made her day even better.
After showering and throwing on her clothes, she headed downstairs so they could leave.
"Now how did I know I'd find you in here?" She laughed as she entered the kitchen
"Because I'm a wolf and we're always hungry?" He shrugged
"Yea but there will be food at the bonfire."
"And seven wolves too."
"Seven? I thought there were only six of you."
"There was but someone else phased."
"Who?"
"Seth Clearwater."
"Isn't that Harry's son?"
"Yep." He nodded
"But isn't he only like fourteen or something?" She frowned
"Fifteen."
"And how's he handling it?"
"He thinks it's cool." Paul laughed
Bella just shook her head; she felt sorry for the boy and she didn't understand why he had phased in the first place. The presence of vampires is what caused the boys to phase but the Cullen's were long gone and had been for a while; it just didn't make any sense.
"You ready?" Paul asked once he'd finished off his sandwiches
"Yep."
When they got to the bonfire, Paul headed straight for the food. Bella just looked after him and laughed.
"Hey Bella!"
She looked in the direction the voice had come from and saw Kim waving to her.
"Hey Kim, Emily."
"Hey Bella." Emily smiled
"Soooo…..you and Paul?" Kim asked
"What about me and Paul?"
"How on earth are you two not together yet? I mean the day after Jared told me about the imprint he I and were together."
"Well from what I hear you'd been in love with Jared for a while so of course you two got together quick. But it wasn't like that for me and Paul."
"I guess you're right." Kim sighed before getting up and running off to find Jared
"You'll have to excuse Kim; it was easy for her and Jared so she doesn't understand why it isn't for you and Paul." Emily told Bella
"I guess."
"I'm not gonna ask how things are between you two because it's none of my business but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
"Thanks Emily. I might just take you up on that." Bella smiled
"Hey, I got you some food." Paul said flopping down in the sand next to Bella
"Thanks." She smiled taking the plate from him
Emily scooted away from them a little bit, wanting to observe the way they interacted with each other without intruding.
As she watched them she wondered if either of them even noticed how they gravitated towards each other; she had a feeling that it wouldn't be much longer before Bella gave in completely.
Around ten o'clock everyone started leaving, till the only people that remained were the pack and their imprints along with Billy and Harry.
Bella snuggled into Paul as she listened to Billy and Harry tell the legends and whispered to Paul that she would never tire of hearing the stories of his tribe.
It surprised Paul that Bella had cuddled up to him but he said nothing, instead choosing to pull her closer to him and breathing in her scent. He'd give anything for a lifetime of moments like this.
A/N: Reviews are appreciated and make me very happy.
Link to 'Ready to Love Again' - .com/watch?v=0VjGKtMt-C8&feature=player_embedded