AN--Ok.. I think some of you might have been waiting for this for a while now... **coughKatecough** But here it is... I have a new story called Just Smile, and if you havent read it yet, Go check it out. Also.... The Red updates are kind of slow because my revuew count is slow... More reviews... faster chapters...:D So please... review! Also thanks Mediate89 for betaing this and doing an awesome job. She actually is more like a co author most of the time. So.. you guys have her to thank also!

Chapter 21

I yawned as I walked down the beach line toward Sarah's house. It was early out, but there were a few other people out walking around regardless. Sam was letting me off of patrol a bit earlier than usual so that I could go home and see Bridget. I hadn't got to see her as much lately. Not since the big vampire fight with the newborns.

I'd loved it. Ripping those vampires to shreds. It was self-satisfying beyond belief. Now our only problem was Jacob. Jacob had left the pack, upset over stupid Bella Swan. I didn't see what was so great about her, personally. She was skinny and not extremely attractive. I much preferred Sarah's looks over hers. Sarah was still beautiful to me even though so much time had passed between us.

Nothing could ever match the beauty I saw in Bridget, though. She was eight months old now and growing. She could laugh and crawl, and walk around if she held onto something. She was the apple of my eye. I'd picked up even more hours at the garage so I could help Sarah out with everything. I wanted Bridget to have nothing but the best in life.

I kicked at the sand as I went further up the shore line, letting the spray of the sea hit my body. It felt cool against my warm skin and I was reveling in the sensation until I collided with a force that would have cause me to stumble had I been entirely human. I opened my eyes and glared, ready to snap at the idiot who'd gotten in my way.

"Why don't you watch where you're--" I stopped when I looked at the person I'd run into. She had long black hair, satiny copper skin, and the face of an angel. I don't know how long I stood staring into her bright black eyes before she spoke.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a melodic, velvety voice. God... her voice. It was enough to send tingles down my spine. She reached up to tuck a strand of her gorgeous hair behind her ear, sending a waft of her delicious scent toward me. Hyacinth. How I knew the name of that particular flower, or that it was even a flower, I had no idea and I didn't care.

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to speak. "I, uh... I... I'm sorry," I stuttered like an idiot. I was Paul. I knew how to talk to pretty girls. Hell, I even knew how to get them in bed, so what was my problem?

"I'm fine. Are you alright?" she asked, cocking her head curiously to one side. I swallowed hard. Was she really concerned about me? She continued to measure my reaction. No, from the looks of her expression she was probably wondering why I was staring at her like some sort of creeper.

The wind blew, making her hair fly haphazardly around her beautiful face and she reached up to grab it. She held it into a pony tail with her fist. "Well, I guess I'll um…. see you later or something," she said awkwardly. She gave me a small smile and started to walk away in the opposite direction.

I followed after her quickly. I had to know who she was. I had to know her name. As foggy as every other thought seemed to be at the moment, I knew I couldn't let her get away. "Wait!" I called out after her.

She turned around quickly, her expression curious.

"I'm sorry... I just... I'm Paul, by the way."

She smiled slightly. "I'm Rachel, and really... it's not a big deal. I should have been paying better attention."

Rachel. Ah… what a beautiful name. Rachel was the only thing I could see right now. "Rachel? You mean... Rachel Black?" I asked as realization dawned on me. Jacob's sister. Shit. This wouldn't be good.

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, actually. You must know my baby brother or something." She gestured to the papers in her hand. "I was actually just taking these down for my dad. He said we didn't need them."

I looked down at the flyers she was holding. They were asking for information on Jake. They'd never find him. "Yeah, we're good friends. Jake's not around here though," I told her without thinking. I quickly changed the subject before she could ask about anything because I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to deny her any answers if she did. "So, um... could I walk you back home?" I asked quickly. I wasn't used to this flirting thing anymore. I hadn't had to do it in so long.

Rachel shrugged. "Sure, I guess so." We started walking toward the Blacks' home. Rachel was the first to attempt conversation as we walked.

"It's really early. What's got you out?" I looked at her mouth when she spoke-- two perfectly shaped lips.

"Just going for a run. I do that a lot." Bridget and Sarah flashed through my mind at the mention of what I'd been doing, and although I felt like Rachel was the only person that really mattered anymore, I knew I would always have a duty to my daughter.

"I should start running. There's not much else to do around here. It's a major change from school."

I nodded. The more she talked the more I wanted to stay with her all day—every day, no matter what my duties were. And she seemed to like me well enough. I mean, at least she was talking to me.

"So how old are you, anyway? Just wondering."

Rachel looked down and smirked. "Older than you are, probably. You're my brother's age, right? I'm twenty."

Twenty. Only two years of age difference. "No, I'm a bit older. Eighteen. So how long are you here for?" We were nearing the Blacks' now. I could only hope that Billy was still asleep. I didn't want him to see me and rat me out. I needed time to think this over before I shared it with anyone else.

"Awhile. I'm hoping to find a job here in Port Angeles or somewhere close by. I don't really like to stay near La Push longer than I have to, but I don't have anywhere else to go. And I hate to leave Billy here alone…. especially with all the trouble he's been having with Jake disappearing and everything." Rachel was soft-hearted. She cared about her family. I liked that.

I stopped at the edge of the driveway, knowing I'd be toast if I got any closer. "So if you're going to be here for a while we should do something… hang out, if you want to of course." I gave her my dazzle smile, flashing my bright white teeth at her

Rachel paused, thinking it over. "Maybe. I don't know. Dad's friend invited me some sort of party at his house Saturday night. I figured he was the closest I'd get to a young crowd here. Do you know Sam Uley?"

Sam. Sam knew this beautiful creature and hadn't told me about her? "Yeah, I know Sam. We're friends. He must have invited you to the barbecue next Saturday. I'll be there after I get off work." I'd had plans of being there with my girlfriend and daughter. I doubted Sarah would be too happy if she saw me talking to another girl the entire time, but I needed this time to get to know Rachel. I began thinking of ways I could disinvite Sarah.

"Guess I'll see you there then. It starts at five, right?"

I nodded, trying to absorb all I could of her before I had to go. "Yeah, it's at five. If you need a ride or something I can stop by for you," I suggested hopefully.

Rachel shook her head. "Nah. I have a car. It was nice meeting you, though." She edged toward the house and waved as she walked to the porch. I moved back slowly, watching her as she went.

When she shut the door I turned and headed toward the woods. I had imprinted. I had imprinted and I wanted her more than anything. I could only hope that she'd feel the same way about me soon. I kept her image fresh in my memory as I walked toward Sam's house. He'd know what to do.

I knocked once on the door to the house before I pushed it open and let myself in. Sam was still upstairs. I shrugged and headed up the staircase, daring to go into his alpha territory for this. The pack usually stayed downstairs as a sign of respect. Like actual wolves, we thought of the upstairs as Sam's den, his resting place in private. I saw the door was cracked open to his room so I nudged it open the rest of the way.

My eyes drifted to the corner of the room where Sam was sleeping with his arms wrapped around his own imprint. I cleared my throat loudly, making them both jump awake. My face turned blood red. I turned around quickly.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I apologized.

Sam was growling lowly as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Paul, get the hell out of here. It's seven in the morning, and did it occur to you that maybe... just maybe... we aren't wearing anything under these sheets?"

As if that weren't already obvious. Oh well. I'd seen Sam naked plenty of times—not that that made it cool or anything, and Emily was eight months pregnant, anyway. I wouldn't want to see her like that even if I could think of anyone but Rachel.

"I'm sorry, okay? I… I just need to talk to you."

Sam sighed loudly and ran a hand through his cropped black hair. "Paul, get down stairs."

I took off quickly, noticing his voice was teetering on the edge of an order. I took the steps two at a time before I landed at the bottom and started pacing. I heard them shuffling around upstairs, probably looking for whatever they'd thrown off. I heard Sam coming down slowly, obviously still half asleep.

"Now what the hell's so important that you had to wake me up this damn early on my day off for?" I couldn't stop the grin I knew was coming. Sam gave me a funny look and sat down on the couch. "What happened?"

I smiled wider, picturing Rachel. "I imprinted. I think I did, anyway. I'm pretty sure actually. I wanted to hear what you had to say."

Sam rubbed his temples. "On who and when?"

"Rachel. Rachel Black. God she's amazing, Sam. She's beautiful. She's really friendly too. I met her an hour ago on the beach on my way to see Sar--" I stopped there. Sarah. Now that I wasn't with Rachel I could think about the situation objectively. This was not going to go over well. I'd promised Sarah that I would try to fight the imprint. But I knew now that I absolutely couldn't, that I didn't even want to, and that was going to make it worse.

Sam's eyes met mine understandingly. "Sarah?"

I nodded.

We sat there talking in hushed voices to each other while Emily slept upstairs. I stayed with Sam for two hours going over ideas. Finally, in the end it was decided that I'd tell Sarah her as soon as I could, and not lead her on any longer than I had to. Bridget would be another situation. I didn't know if Sarah would try to keep her from me out of spite. Sam assured me that if it came down to it, he would talk with the other council members and see what he could do.

I left Sam's feeling nervous. As thrilled as I was about Rachel, I didn't want to hurt Sarah. I headed down the path toward her house. I could hear Sarah inside playing with Bridget. At least they were alone. I didn't need an audience for this.

I knocked on the door twice before opening it up slowly. Sarah was crawling on the floor with Bridget, both of them laughing and smiling at each other. She looked up as I came in.

"Hi honey," she said cheerfully. I gave her a small smile and sat down on the couch. Bridget crawled over to me and I scooped her into my arms. It'd been two days since I'd held her. I squeezed her body against mine tightly and kissed her cheeks.

"Daddy missed you," I whispered against her ear. She pulled back and grunted her own little greeting. I sat her on my knee and started bouncing her up and down, marveling at the sound of her bell-like giggle. "I need to talk to you, Sarah." I kept my focus on Bridget so I wouldn't have to look Sarah in the eye. "Maybe we should put Bridget in her crib for a few minutes."

Sarah frowned down at me but obliged. She walked over to take Bridget and I followed her down the hall to Bridget's bedroom. I knew she could tell that something was up. Usually I would have hugged or kissed her by now. After Bridget was in her crib with a few toys we went to our bedroom and Sarah lowered herself down on the bed.

"Okay," she started in a small voice. "What's up?"

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding and sat down beside her. I'd never wanted to have this conversation, but a part of me couldn't regret finally having to. "I want to tell you something important. And I know you're going to hate me, but you have to realize that no matter what I'll always be here for you and Bridget." Sarah was already starting to look scared and confused and I had to look away before I could tell her the next part. "I… I imprinted today."

When Sarah didn't say anything I looked up from the floor. Her eyes were wide and she swallowed hard. "No." she said, scooting away from me. "No, you didn't. You didn't."

"Sarah, I--" As happy as I was about Rachel, it still hurt me to see Sarah cry. I reached out to her but she grabbed a pillow and shoved it against my chest.

"You didn't!" she yelled. When she was sure I wasn't joking she gasped and started to sob.

"Sarah, please…"

Sarah wiped at her cheeks and tugged on the blonde locks I used to admire. "This isn't fair, Paul!" Sarah got up and glared down at me. I stared back, feeling helpless. I didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry." Sorry that she was hurting from this, not sorry that it happened.

Sarah looked down the hall toward the nursery. "So is this it then? Are you over me and Bridget now?"

"What? No, it doesn't work like that. Don't bring Bridget into any part of this," I begged.

Sarah stood up and glared down at me. "Why don't you just go? Go and be with her, whoever she is and leave us alone," she snapped. She turned and stormed out into the hallway. I followed after her.

"Sarah, stop it. I'm never going to stop caring for you and Bridget. I'll always be here when you need me, I promised. Meeting Rachel"—Sarah scoffed—"doesn't have to change any of that."

"Are you going you live with her? Do you even know who she is?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

"It's really fucked up that you're willing to break apart your family for a fucking stranger, Paul."

"You and Bridget will always be my family."

"Get out."

"I want to take Bridget home with me. I haven't seen her in days."

"Take her home to meet your new girlfriend? I don't think so, Paul. Just leave."

Instead of heading toward the front door I made my way to the nursery where Bridget was still playing quietly with her toys. Sarah was right on my heels but I didn't care. When I walked through the door Bridget looked up at me, and then at Sarah with curious eyes.

"Dada!" Bridget abruptly dropped the little car she had been holding and reached out to me with her chubby little arms. I couldn't help but smile. I closed the distance between us in one easy stride and picked her up. I cuddled her against my chest and breathed in the sweet smell of her baby lotion. It was still one of my favorite scents in the world. Right next to hyacinth.

"Put her down, Paul." Sarah's voice was low behind me.

I ignored her and grabbed Bridget's diaper bag. I was able to grab a few changes of clothes and some extra diapers before Sarah stopped me.

"I'm not joking, Paul. You're not taking her with you." Sarah was crying again. "You don't deserve her. At least if you leave now she won't remember who you are."

I stopped short. I knew Sarah was probably just taking a stab at me. I didn't think she would really keep me away from Bridget, but the very idea angered me and I had to work to control my breathing before I could speak again.

"I don't know why you're acting like this, Sarah. We can still be friends, and I'll always be a father to Bridget. Nothing in the world could stop me from taking care of you two."

Sarah laughed bitterly through her tears. "If I wanted a friend I'd go find Embry."

"Embry?" Despite everything my hands started to shake and I had to sit Bridget down on the rug.

Sarah seemed satisfied with my reaction. "Embry would love to look after us."

Embry living and sleeping with Sarah. Embry taking my place in Bridget's life. They swore they were only friends. I could feel the heat running through my spine. Not Embry, anyone but Embry.

"That's not going to happen, Sarah." I said it before I could stop myself.

"Oh really?" Sarah raised an eyebrow. "So what, you think I'm going to agree to some sick polygamist relationship, or stay single for the rest of my life? You think you can have your cake and eat it too? Well I'll tell you something, Paul. I'm not your cake anymore."

I sat Bridget's diaper bag on top of the changing table. I knew I couldn't take her with me right now. My skin was still tingling and I wasn't going to risk hurting her. I needed to be alone for awhile, so I headed to the front door, empty-handed.

"Sarah, you're being ridiculous," I spat before I yanked the door open and stepped outside.

In all honesty though, she may have been right. I wasn't sure what I wanted anymore.

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