AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to bluebaby3296 for betaing this chapter.

Chapter 20

When she arrived at home her father was going out of the house. He seemed surprised to see Paul exiting the truck with her but then he smiled warmly. "Bells, Paul, I see you're back on track."

She blushed and Paul put an arm around her waist. "You can bet on it. I'll never let her go; you'll have to share her with me forever."

Charlie grinned and her blush intensified but at the same time she felt her heart explode in joy. Her father chuckled. "I figured as much. Are you staying for dinner?"

Bella bit her lip. "Actually, I was just coming home to tell you that I was going to see Jake."

Her father looked at her and then at Paul. "Are you ok with that?"

Paul smiled. "I'll be there too, somehow Bella and Jacob together is a danger to my sanity."

Bella elbowed him. "Hey, me and Jake are just friends, you know that."

He laughed. "Sure, sure."

They said their goodbyes then and while Charlie left for the station they were headed to La Push.

"So what exactly is the problem between Jacob and Maria?" She asked.

Paul sighed. "Without taking into account that she kissed another guy while they were going out and that he turned into a giant wolf?"

Bella frowned. "I thought that I cleared the problem about the werewolf bit."

"You did, but I guess he's still pissed that she kissed another guy... to me it's a bit hypocritical seeing as he kissed you. They should be even." He growled out.

And Bella knew that he was still bothered about that. She put a hand on his thigh. "Paul... it was just an experiment and it was not pleasant... I'm sorry I did it because honestly if I knew you kissed another girl I would probably die of jealousy."

He laughed. "Little swan you're one of a kind... but don't worry I kissed enough girls before I met you to last me a lifetime."

She pouted and he smirked. "Come on babe, you should be happy to know that you'll be the last girl I'll ever kiss."

She growled a bit. "Don't have me thinking about how many girls I'll meet that have slept with you or I might change my mind again."

He smiled softly. "Babe, you're the one and only for me. I plan to spend the rest of my life making you happy, but nowyou need to think about what to say to Jacob because he's driving the pack nuts."

When they parked at the Black's house they were met with a scene from hell.

Maria and Jacob were shouting at each other.

Bella opened the door and she heard Jake said, "You behaved like a slut!"

And Maria retorted. "You were the one who always insisted with me going with my parents to the Makah res! I wanted to stay with you, but you wanted the freedom to be with Bella!"

Bella gulped. Uh-oh. She turned to look at Paul who was sporting an amused expression. He whispered to her. "They are all yours, babe. I'll go to Sam's for a bit, try to calm them down."

He kissed her quickly and ran for the forest.

"Coward." She whispered to him, he had left her to deal with a very sticky situation.

Maria turned just in time to see her walking towards them. She glared at her. "Thanks for keeping my secret!"

Bella put her hands up in surrender. "Hey, I didn't say anything to him."

"Maybe you didn't, but I know he spent the night with you." She shouted.

Bella turned to look at Jacob who was sporting a very guilty expression. The git! He had wanted to make her jealous and apparently he succeeded. She would clear the situation and then she'll have Paul murder him.

"Maria, he spent the night with me, but nothing happened. I love Paul and he loves you. Me and Jacob are like... siblings... really there's nothing between us but a deep family love. I swear..." She said trying to reassure the other girl.

Maria turned to look at him. "Is it true?"

Jacob sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to make you jealous... I wanted you to know how I felt when you told me that you kissed someone else."

Maria looked sad and ashamed. She walked towards him and put her hand on his arm. "Jacob, that kiss meant nothing to me... I feel ashamed about my behavior. This year with you has been amazing and I do love you... a lot...Will... will you forgive me?"

Jacob's eyes softened. "Yes... I'm sorry too about everything...there are some things that changed in my life and I need to tell you something..."

I cleared my throat. "Well if I'm not needed anymore I'll go to Sam's."

The couple nodded and she left in her truck. As soon as she parked at Sam and Emily's, Paul got out smirking. "So you survived."

She scowled. "No thanks to you... but yes. Jacob is probably telling her now about imprinting and phasing... "

Paul nodded. "Good. Finally Mr. Drama will let us have our sanity back."

Sam got out of the house and slapped Paul. "Not that you've been all sunshine and rainbows Paul." He then grinned and looked at Bella. "Please Bella don't go kissing other wolves or we'll have to deal with grumpy Paul."

Bella blushed and that caused Paul and Sam to laugh. "Don't worry Sam; I'll keep just this wolf, though I feel I should complain to Mother Nature for giving me him."

Paul smirked. "I'm sure you don't mean it babe, I'm the best of the best."

Bella and Sam rolled their eyes. Emily came out and smiled. "Hey Bella, are you here to help me out? Tonight we're having a bonfire and I would really be grateful for some help."

"Sure, I'll just need to tell my father that I'm staying at Paul's and then I can help you." She looked to Paul to see his stunned expression. "What? You wanted me to move in with you... so I thought it would be okay to stay at your place."

His eyes darkened. "I'm not sure I'll be able to let you go tomorrow morning."

She blushed and noticed that Emily blushed too. Sam was grinning like an idiot. "We'll cross that bridge when we reach it." She whispered.

Paul smiled. "I'll call Charlie, you go and help Emily okay?"

Bella smiled back. "Sure thanks." He walked down the stairs and pulled her to him. He entwined his hand in her hair and whispered in her ear. "I'll see you later my little swan." He gave her a kiss on her cheek and left.

Sam started to walk in the same direction in which Paul had disappeared. She was still puzzled as of why he hadn't kissed her mouth. Sam smirked. "I think he didn't kiss you because if he did you wouldn't be here now to help Emily."

Bella looked at Sam and his raised eyebrow and understood what he meant. She blushed fiercely and Sam laughed more. When she looked up at Emily she growled. "Men."

Emily laughed too. "I think you said it all."

They went in and started preparing the food for the bonfire.