A/N: Yes...I posted two in a row! This is rare...don't start expecting it! Like always read and enjoy!

Chapter 14

Birth

As Paul ran, I heard howls echo around us in the forest. I wondered how they communicated without actually speaking to each other. Maybe it was something to do with smell. Kind of like how dogs pee on stuff to mark their territory...ewww.

I felt it when Paul began to slow down. My heart began to pound faster with the anticipation of seeing my adoptive father again.

I scrambled down Paul's back as he came to a complete stop. I saw Carlisle a good distance away and started to run towards him, but I wasn't able to get very far. Paul's hand clamped onto my arm, effectively holding me back. I turned and glared, trying to yank myself away from him

I saw two other wolves walk up behind Paul. They were crouched, as if they were ready for an attack. I heard a loud hiss and snarl. I jerked my head around. Carlisle was no longer alone.

Edward and Jasper had joined him. Jasper was holding Edward back. My eyes must have been huge.

Paul shoved me behind him, crouching like the others. He let out a growl. I was still too shocked to react.

"What is it?" Carlisle asked Edward calmly, surveying the werewolves and me, standing shell shocked behind them.

"He imprinted on her." Edward hissed. Jasper let out a low hiss of his own, but stayed in control, even though I could tell he wanted to rip the wolves to shreds. I felt myself go from panicky and anxious to calm and relaxed in an unnaturally short period of time. I recognized Jasper's talent immediately and looked over at him gratefully. Edward began to slowly relax too, as did the wolves.

There was no time for this. I tried to step around Paul, but he shifted to block my movement.

Edward hissed again. "We're not going to hurt her, you fool. She was with us first, in case you don't remember." Paul continued to stand his ground, blocking my every attempt to get around him.

"Would everyone just stop it!" I shouted. "Can we wait until after Emily delivers the baby safely to continue this stupid feud! Sam said that Carlisle could cross, so just back off." I threw up my arms to emphasize my words.

Jasper and Carlisle exchanged impressed glances. Edward had on a puzzled expression.

"Carlisle, it's safe for you to cross. They won't attack you when you are under the protection of the Alpha. We'll wait for your return." Edward said. I sighed in relief. Paul nudged me with his big black nose, signaling me to climb back onto his back. I waved sheepishly at Edward and Jasper as I took a running start and leaped, securing myself on Paul's back. I wanted to stay and be truly reunited with my family, but the situation demanded differently.

We ran all the way back. Paul's fur bristled as he ran next to Carlisle. I peeked, watching Carlisle. He turned and gave me a grim smile.

We were there at last. I jumped off and Paul ran into the woods to transform back. I ran up to the door and went through, to give Sam a heads up.

The situation had worsened. Emily's face was contorted in pain, and Sam looked lost. He looked up at me, helpless, and it terrified me. I turned and signaled Carlisle. Paul was directly behind him.

Carlisle went into action. "Sam I think it would be best if we moved her to the bed. Camryn, I need boiling water and plenty of rags." I nodded and ran into the kitchen.

Paul was at my heels the entire time, grabbing rags as I boiled the water.

We waited on the deck, staying out of the way. Paul sat on the top step, while I sat on one of the lower ones, tucked securely between his knees, my head resting on his chest. It was quiet outside, but every so often the air would be punctuated by Emily's screams.

The sun was setting when we heard the cry of a baby. I let out a sigh of relief and turned to kiss Paul. He froze, stiff as a board. It scared me at first, but when I turned to see what the problem was, I jumped up immediately. Carlisle had just emerged from the house.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, giving Carlisle a hug. Paul still hadn't moved. He was like a statue, only his eyes following my movements.

"Everything is fine. Emily and Sam are now the proud parents of a healthy baby girl." He replied with a satisfied grin. "I should probably get going now. No need to risk overstaying my welcome."

I nodded, glancing uneasily at Paul again. He looked about ready to rip Carlisle to shreds and I realized that I was still wrapped in his cold embrace. "Tell everyone I said hello and that I love them. And not to worry too much."

"Of course. We'll call you soon, to set up a meeting. We have a lot to talk about, it seems. We love you too." He said. I nodded and felt the prick of tears welling up in my eyes.

He was gone in less than a minute. I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand. Paul pulled me into his arms, having finally relaxed enough to get up.

"You stink." He mumbled in my hair.

"Thanks so much." I laughed.

"Camryn? Emily is asking for you." Sam's voice came from the doorway. "Paul can come too."

Paul took my hand and we followed Sam into the bedroom. Everything was cleaned up and Emily was propped up by pillows with a small bundle of blankets in her arms.

She smiled as we entered, motioning for me to come closer. I sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I want to thank you for what you did for me, Camryn." She whispered, so as not to wake the baby.

I blushed. "It was just the right people being in the right place at the right time."

"You're too modest. Would you like to hold her?" She held out her arms, to pass on the baby.

I must've looked as frightened and nervous as I felt, because she laughed at me. "It's easy, you'll be fine." I'll be fine! I was worried about the baby!

I sat down on the bed and reluctantly held my arms out, the way she showed me. She slid the warm bundle into my arms. "Remember to support her head."

I could see her face now, tiny and pink. Her hands, with all her little fingers, were sticking out too. I didn't know much about babies, but I did know that this one was about as close to perfect as anything in the world could get.

"She's beautiful." I breathed.

"What are you going to name her?" Paul whispered, looking at the baby in my arms. I watched as she slept.

Emily looked up at her husband before answering. Their smiles showed how immensely happy they were. "Hannah Mae."

My eyes were still on the baby. "Welcome to the world, Hannah Mae Uley." I whispered, touching her cheek with the tip of my finger. Paul sat next to me and slid his arm securely around my waist.

We left when Kim brought Ethan and Daniel home to see their new baby sister. Paul, having missed some of his patrol time, was due to finish it out in the next few hours. I was waiting for him on the couch when he finally came home.

"What?" I asked as I crawled up next to him. He had been looking at me in an unfamiliar way ever since we got home.

He just cocked his head so that he could get a better look at me and smiled. I smiled right back, still confused.

"It's just that, when I saw you holding Hannah, well it just got me thinking." He hedged.

"About what?" I asked cautiously, not sure where this was headed.

"The future mostly. You're going to make one hell of a mother." He replied.

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself." I blushed, accepting the compliment, mostly because I did like the idea of having a baby. Even with all the pain that Emily went through, I saw how all of that didn't really matter in the end. The Uley's glowing faces, and holding tiny little Hannah in my own arms, had really changed my perspective.

"Why not? Isn't this the kind of thing engaged couples talk about?" He teased, flipping so that he was hovering over me, his body in push up position.

I wrinkled my nose at him, teasing back. "Maybe, but mostly I just think they're a little preoccupied by what has to come before that. If you get my gist."

He laughed before bending his arms to lower himself down closer to me. His lips felt like there was an electric current running through them when they touched mine. The next thing I knew, my legs were wrapped around his waist, my hands twisted in his hair, and my body molded into his own.

"I have to go," He moaned. Roughly two hours had passedand he was due for another short round of patrols. I was laid out next to him.

"Do you have to?" I pouted, trying to secure him to me with my feeble human arms.

"Believe me, if I didn't have to, I wouldn't even mention leaving." He replied, starting to move off the bed.

"Don't do anything stupid, okay?" I told him. He turned and looked at me funny, grunted and turned to go out the door. I knew he knew to what I was referring.

"I love you." I whispered when I heard him start down the steps. I heard him hesitate, then continue, and I knew that he had heard me. It was the first time I had said it out loud. Before, it was just understood, implied. I knew he was worried and a little bit jealous of my love for the Cullens, envious perhaps that his presence in my life would always be dwarfed by theirs.

But now he didn't have to doubt.