Chapter Twenty-one

The first time I woke I felt cold arms around me. I blinked up and looked in confusion at the moving sky. It took me a moment to realize it was me that was moving.

"Bella, you're awake," Edward said softly. He carefully set me down, making sure I could stay upright.

"Where are we?" I mumbled.

"At the airport," he replied. "Alice is buying our tickets."

I swayed unable to keep my eyes from closing. He wrapped an arm around my waist, keeping me upright. I didn't move away.

I didn't really take much in as we waited and then boarded the plane. Edward or Alice- I wasn't sure which- guided me through the airport and security. They kept an arm around my waist until I was safely in a seat on the plane.

As soon as my seatbelt was buckled, I was out again.

"Bella, Bella, you're going to want to wake up," Alice said softly. Bleary eyed I blinked and looked around the space.
"We're on an airplane, we've already landed."

I nodded giving her a weird look in return for the smile she was giving me.

I looked out the window; the sky was a dark blue, giving no indication of the time.

I stood up shakily, stumbling into Edward who caught me and steadied me.

He gave me a concerned look and wrapped an arm around my waist to help me again.

Again, I didn't move away I was grateful for the help, even if his arm wasn't the comfort it was before he left me.

They guided me into the airport, both smiling as the Cullens came into view.

Jasper rushed forward to Alice. They didn't embrace like most couples would, they just stared at each other and somehow that felt more intimate.

Carlisle and Esme stepped forward to me and Edward, smiling widely.

Esme pulled me into a hug, tutting at Edward.

"She looks dead on her feet!" She reprimanded.

"Thank you for saving him, Bella," she whispered in my ear. I smiled and pulled away from her.

She smiled softly at me. "They're waiting for you."

I frowned looking over her shoulder. Did she mean Emmett and Rosalie?

Esme smiled and nodded behind me.

I turned, my heart stopping when I took in the three wolf boys that were looking very uncomfortable, standing a few feet away from the Cullens.

Sam and Jake were standing behind Paul, flanking him, as he looked at me nervously.

My heart swelled as I whispered his name, "Paul."

And that was all he needed before he quickly closed the gap between us.

He wrapped his arms around me, with a deep sigh of relief. I felt a well of emotion I hadn't allowed myself to feel bubble over. Tears leaked from my eyes, landing in the crook of his neck.

He stroked the back of my head as I sobbed into his neck.

After a long moment he relaxed his grip. The heat coming off his body comforted me, in a way that words could not.

I heard the thwack as someone thumped Paul on the back. I pulled my face away from him, looking at Sam, who still had his hand on Paul's back.
"Let's get home," he said.

I nodded, sniffed and stepped back from Paul. He kept an arm around my waist and I leaned my head against his shoulder.

Carlisle smiled. "Shall we leave now?" He asked. Sam nodded.

We all filed out the airport, probably the strangest looking group they had seen in a while, I thought as I took in the tense forms of the Cullens, and the defensive stance of the wolves.

We stopped at Carlisle's car and I felt a surge of surprise. Had Paul, Sam and Jake rode with Carlisle here?

Paul opened the back door and climbed in. I moved in after him and he lifted me onto his lap as Jake and Sam squeezed into the back seat with us. I rested my head against his chest, letting his warmth lull me back to sleep.

I woke up again, feeling the warm arms around me with a cool air blowing on my face.

I opened my eyes slightly, seeing Paul's eyes roaming over my face. I smiled slightly, taking in the hard edges of his jaw, which was clenched.

"Bella," I heard Edward's velvety voice say.

I turned my head to see Edward. Guilt, sadness and grief played across his face.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I truly am. I hope you can forgive me for everything."

I snuggled deeper into Paul's chest and closed my eyes breathing in his smell. I didn't reply to Edward. How could I when I didn't know the answer? Part of me, the part that loved him, wanted me to say 'Yes of course I can forgive you' but a different part of me- the part that had moved on from him- wanted to hold a grudge. He almost took me away from everyone who truly cared about me. Three days ago could have been the last time I would see Paul again. I felt tears pool into my eyes for the second time tonight and slide down my cheeks.

"Leave now, leech," I heard Paul hiss furiously. I didn't open my eyes to see if Edward did leave. If he cared about me at all he would leave me alone to be happy with my life.

I felt Paul start to move.

"We'll see you later," Sam said. "It's good to have you back Bella," he said softly.

Paul shifted me and knocked on a door.

It opened quickly.

"Bells!"

I looked at Charlie, whose face dropped. He reached out before pulling his hands back. I wonder if I looked as bad as when Edward first left. I felt my lips tugging up into a small smile. If Charlie hated Edward before, he was going to absolutely despise him now... and for some strange reason that felt... right.

"I'll take her upstairs to her room. Could you get her bag?"

Charlie stepped out the way as Paul walked into the house, heading straight for the stairs.

"Do you hate me now?" I whispered, as he started up the stairs. I counted his even breaths until he replied with a sigh. "No."

I relaxed back against his chest as he carried me into my room. He set me down on my bed. He unzipped my jacket, and slipped it off my shoulders. He then bent down and took my shoes off. I laid back against the bed, exhaustion settling over me.

He stood up and turned to leave. I caught his fingers in mine. He turned.

"I'm sorry. For leaving here, for leaving you."

He nodded once, his shoulders tense.

"Get some sleep Bella."

~#~

I woke up, blinking the sun from my eyes. My throat felt like sandpaper and I swallowed instinctively. I sat up, sleep making me dizzy. I wobbled my way downstairs. I walked cautiously into the living room. Charlie immediately stood up.

"Bella, what are you doing up?" Charlie asked, his face pulled down into a frown.

My eyes landed on the body that was Paul sprawled out on the sofa in a deep sleep.

"He wouldn't leave," Charlie said, clearly not amused.

I tried to laugh but it wouldn't come out. My eyes stayed trained on Paul as I slowly walked forward. I knelt down by his side and slowly reached a trembling hand forward. I touched the side of his face, tears pooling in my eyes when I realized that I could have lost him forever. Why would I do that? How could I have hurt him like that?

"Bella, just so you know, you're grounded for lying to me and running off with Edward."

I smiled to myself expecting nothing less.