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Corrine

The following weekend I had another birthday party to work. That Saturday morning I woke with a massive headache which prevented me from getting out of bed for a whilez. I'd had a bad dream.

I felt as though I was in a box, trapped, and everything around me was blurry. There were people crowded all around, whose faces I could not see, whose voices I could not understand. But they were all yelling at me. it was like a huge argument taking place. I felt pain on my body, but I was unable to move, to escape it. I couldn't stop the angry mob from closing in, the box kept getting smaller and smaller.

As I placed my feet on the ground I tried to push it all out of my mind. I wished Paul was with me, but he was probably in his bed as he had patrol til late last night. Although I knew he was likely dead to the world I needed to hear his voice to sooth my dis-ease so I called him.

"Umm?" Came a grunt on the line.

"Hey it's me," I said with an involuntary smile.

"Corrie?" his voice was muffled.

"Yeah, sorry I woke you?"

"'S-okay, what's wrong?" he cleared his throat and I could tell he was more awake now.

"Nothing, I just had a bad dream. Needed to hear your voice," I admitted shyly.

"What happened? You need me to come over?"

I was touched by his immediate response but I knew it was already too late in the morning for him to hide in my room unfortunately.

"I'd love to see you but it's not an emergency, I gotta get up anyway…" I sighed. "I just miss you."

"I miss you more baby."

The sexy huskiness of his tone made my body weaken immediately. The urge to be with Paul in his bed was overwhelming. The funny part was that he was likely too sleepy to even guess at what he was doing to me on this phone call.

"Okay well, go back to sleep Paulie," I said regretfully, wishing we could be together now.

"'Kay, Love you babe," he replied in between yawns.

I grinned into the phone, all warm with mushy feelings that replaced my anxiety. "Love you too, bye."

When I hung up I felt better, my headache had receded to a buzz that I knew could cure with breakfast. I got up and went downstairs, ready to face another day.

That night, although I was dog tired from the party as were the twins, Dad insisted we go out to dinner at the local pizza joint. Luckily he preordered our food so we wouldn't have to wait long since it was packed - as expected on the weekend. Members of the basketball team were there and Connor pouted, as he hadn't been invited. But I reassured him that it wasn't the whole team, it was just Marlon and his closest buddies which were about five other guys. We sat at the biggest booth and I tried my best to ignore Marlon and his friends who called out to me when we came in.

"Aren't you gonna say hi?" Joey asked, his arm slung around my shoulder as we sipped on sodas. I was nervous that he'd rub my concealer off the neck bite.

"For what?" I wrinkled my face in disapproval. There was no way I was going to put myself through the torture of their rude comments.

"To be polite?"

"Fudge polite." I mumbled bitterly.

Joey grinned and rolled his eyes.

Forty minutes later, after lots of chat and laughs, I was feeling beyond exhausted, but I was happy to spend this time with my family. It had been a while since we got out together for dinner. The pizza was delicious, but I was too tired to eat much. I excused myself and went to the washroom to get my hands free of pizza grease, and to check on my neck cover-up. The bathrooms were down a hall to the side of the restaurant, so no one at the tables could see anything. There was an emergency exit door on the left opposite the bathrooms that led to the parking lot.

I was not really surprised when I saw Marlon there waiting for me when I came back out. He looked drunk, and I assumed that they'd brought in their own flasks of alcohol, because there was no way Mr. Dinsley would serve alcohol to high-schoolers.

"There she issssssss," he slurred and attempted to wrap his arms around me.

"Really Marlon? There're kids in this place, couldn't you leave the alcohol til after?"

He rolled his eyes at me. His breath stunk of pizza and booze.

"I wanted to talk to you, I miss you Corrie."

I sighed and removed his arm. "I'm sorry Marlon, but I just can't okay? I don't have those types of feelings for you. We made out a couple times yeah, but I don't want to anymore."

"You think you could just dump me like that? You know who I am?" his temper flared instantly.

I scoffed, "Yeah I do, so why don't you go find another girl who gives a flying fudge about that and leave me alone!"

I shoved him away from me and started to walk back to the table, but Marlon grabbed my arm hard and I cried out in pain as his nails pierced my skin. I tried to shake him off but he just pushed me against the wall, holding me there by pressing his weight into me. He was squeezing my arms way too tight as he tried to kiss me all over my face and neck. His kisses were sloppy and smelly so I gagged a little. I just couldn't shake his vice grip on my arms, I was beginning to feel like the blood circulation was being cut off.

"Marlon please! Stop! You're hurting me!"

This was the second time he was drunk and molesting me. that made me angry, and before i knew it i was kneeing him in the crotch.

"FUCK! You bitch!"

His hand raised above our heads, fixing to slap me but luckily Joey came around the corner just then, headed to the bathroom himself and saw the commotion.

"Get the fuck off my sister!" he yelled and shoved Marlon into the opposite wall hard.

Mr. Dinsley came just then, carrying a case of empty bottles, which he rested on the ground. "What the hell is going on here?"

"He attacked my sister that's what!" Joey pointed at Marlon.

"Do I need to call the chief, Corrine?"

I thought for a minute but said no.

"Marlon, pay your bill and get the hell outta my restaurant, I don't wanna see you in here for at least a month." Mr. Dinsley pointed the way and Marlon quickly scampered back to his friends.

Joey turned me around to look at me while Mr. Dinsley apologized and went back out front to check on Marlon I assumed.

"You've got bruises on your arms."

I looked down at myself and saw the red scratches and bruises forming where Marlon had squeezed me. I sighed, needing Paul to hold me instead of my brother. The cuts were stinging and my arms throbbed as they swelled.

"Come on let's go. Mom and Dad are going to freak."

My parents were standing with Mr. Dinsley, their faces in shock as they turned to me and saw the bruises on my arms.

"Marlon did this to you?" My father screamed.

"He was drunk, he didn't mean to." Why was I sticking up for this idiot? My dumping him for Paul really didn't excuse him putting his hands on me, and yet, I just didn't want any trouble.

"That little prick, wait til I talk to his father!" Dad roared.

"Come on Clark, let's take her home, people are watching," Mom begged.

"I don't care let them watch! Is that all you can think about Julia?"

My brothers and I winced, never witnessing Dad to speak to Mom like that, especially in public. I was thoroughly embarrassed.

"Come on boys," Joey wrangled me and my siblings together and we rushed out of the place, our heads hanging to the floor.

But the worst wasn't over, when I got outside I was just in time to see my Paul beating the crap out of Marlon, his friends unable to hold him back.

"What the fuck!" Joey exclaimed.

"PAUL!" I screamed, and ran over to him. Paul released Marlon, whose face was bloody and swollen already and turned on me.

"Where are you hurt?" he demanded, breathing heavily. He wore no shirt or shoes, only a pair of pants, and I knew that he'd probably been in wolf form when he heard what happened inside. His eyes were wild and violent and for a second I was scared of what he might do next.

"Why did you do this! You could get in trouble!" I screamed.

"He put his hands on you Corrie! He hurt you! And you expect me to just let him get away with it?"

"We're calling Chief Swan you fucking barbarian!" Mike yelled, his phone to his ear.

"Call him then! And then explain to Chief Swan what your friend did to MY GIRL!" Paul roared and we all shrank back.

"CORRINE! WHO IS THIS?" My father bellowed behind us. I jumped and grabbed on to Paul without thinking, he instantly wrapped his arms around my waist, anchoring me to his side. I felt him smell my hair and his shaking subsided to a tremor. He needed me close to keep calm, I understood this without him having to explain. Around us the team was busy helping Marlon get up, one ran inside and came back with napkins to wipe his face.

"You're dead, man!" Marlon pointed at Paul as he stuffed his nostrils.

Paul scoffed and laughed with a sinister glint in his eye. "Yeah, right."

"Who the hell are you and why are you holding my daughter!" Dad demanded, coming right up into our faces – well not really mine since he was at least 6' 2" and closer to Paul's 6'5" height than me.

"Paul Lahote sir, I'm Corrie's boyfriend." Paul said it so confidently that I almost smiled. He didn't care that he was barely dressed and dirty with blood and mud. He was standing up proudly beside me, he had defended my honor. I loved him so much I wanted to kiss him. Not to mention, I felt safe now that he was here. It was just what I had wished for moments ago. This imprint bond had its benefits.

My mother shrieked. "What! Corrie is this true?"

I simply nodded, taking a deep breath and looked my parents in the eyes.

"Whooaaah! Way to go Corr!" Joey chuckled and clapped sarcastically. My parents shot him glares that said "Shut up!"

"Take your brothers to the van now Joe," Dad ordered, throwing him the key to the minivan.

Just then, Chief Swan's car pulled up and he jumped out, slowly making his way over to us with his hands on his hips as he surveyed the scene. I liked the chief, he was a quiet man of little words, who wasn't one for trouble or getting all riled up. He had a big brown mustache and kind brown eyes. The whole town felt it was a pity his wife left him all those years ago, at least Bella had come back to him in the end.

"Good night folks, what seems to be the problem?" he looked at us all, his eyes resting on Paul. He grunted and shook his head, but said nothing. It seemed that they knew each other.

"Marlon Andrews attacked my daughter inside the restaurant while she went to the bathroom that's what! This feller here beat him up." Dad answered. I wasn't sure who he was more pissed at - Marlon, Paul or me.

Chief Swan walked over to Marlon and surveyed his injuries. "You need to get on down to the hospital, call your parents, I'll swing by and take your statement. But you should know better than to put your hands on a girl Marlon Andrews."

"I'm sorry sir. My parents are already on their way here."

"Oh drinking were you? Well, now, that just adds spice to the pot doesn't it." Charlie must have smelled the booze on his breath.

Paul grunted next to me.

"Will you be pressing charges?" Chief turned to look at me.

I shook my head. "I know he didn't mean it Chief, he was just drunk."

Paul grunted in disapproval but I ignored him. I knew he'd want Marlon in jail for what he'd done. But a part of me felt bad because I knew that I had hurt Marlon too.

"Well she's just a minor, so she doesn't really have much of a say," my father interceded.

"I don't want to make this worse than it has to be!" I shouted. "I'll be fine! Marlon just needs to stop drinking and accept that we're not together," I said a bit quieter, feeling embarrassed now.

"She's right Clark, we don't have to make things hard for the boy. He just needs some counselling," Mom said, earning a glare from my father.

Marlon's parents pulled up in their Mercedes Benz. His mother rushed over to him, screaming about his beautiful face. Paul rolled his eyes and I was tempted to as well.

"You alright?" he whispered in my ear. I nodded. "You in pain?" I nodded again. "I need to get you home."

"I don't think we can leave right now." I whispered. I leaned back into this chest, letting his warmth comfort me. I just wanted him to take me away.

My father, the chief and Mr. Andrews were going at it, while the entire population at the pizza place was now in the parking lot watching us.

"The point is, your son is a menace and you need to do something about it! He's seventeen, getting drunk and abusing girls!" I heard my father shout.

"He wouldn't do that unless he was provoked!" Mr. Andrews responded.

"Is that what you're teaching your boy, Jim?" Dad retorted.

"Do I need to call my lawyer? Cause I will!" Mr. Andrews threatened.

Finally Chief Swan told the parents that we should all take a break. Marlon and I needed to be treated and the Chief needed to get everyone's statement.

"I'm not going anywhere til you arrest this hooligan for beating up my son!" Mrs. Andrews persisted, pointing at Paul.

"He was defending ME!" I screamed, spreading my arms in front of Paul protectively as he tightened his grip on my waist. I was scared now that he would be arrested. "If anyone should be arrested it should be the person who did this to my arms!" I showed my arms then, and his parents blanched when they saw the mingling blue and red marks and scratches on my upper arms.

My mother wailed. "How could you do that to her!" she screamed at Marlon.

Mrs. Andrews looked over at her son and went ballistic. She started slapping him all over the place. The chief was forced to restrain her. Marlon weakly defended himself, claiming that he was drunk and that I'd pushed him first, but she slapped him in his swollen mouth and he instantly shut up. Paul giggled a little but I silenced him with a look.

"Listen, listen, listen! Corrine, tell me what happened," the chief asked. "I'm taking this statement now before I arrest the whole lot of yah!"

Paul squeezed my waist reassuringly and I started talking. "I came in with my family, Marlon and his friends called me over, but I ignored them, because I didn't want to talk to him. After I ate, I went to the bathroom, when I came back out Marlon was standing there waiting for me and I reminded him we were over and he grabbed me. I fought him but he kept grabbing me, kissing on me, holding my arms too tight." Paul tensed and growled next to me and I paused to silence him with my eyes. "My brother came and stopped it, and then Mr. Dinsley came and told Marlon to get out and banned him for a month. My family and I were leaving and when I got out here Paul was beating Marlon for what he did to me."

"Marlon is that true?" The chief asked Marlon now. Marlon obviously didn't want to answer, but with one look from his Mom he nodded his head that it was.

"Where did you get the alcohol?"

"I had a flask."

"Humph," the chief grunted as he continued to write on his notepad.

"But he wasn't even inside the place! Look at him! Frickin' Tarzan! He shouldn't be allowed to get away with this!" Marlon pointed at Paul as he now held his bandana against his bleeding nose. Paul growled and I held him back, begging him not to make any response that would get him in trouble.

"If you wanna press charges against him for defending someone you attacked, then I'll be sure the town presses charges against you for assault and underage drinking, capiche? If you want to ruin your life just say the word and I'll help yuh," Chief Swan said, and I was most shocked.

"That won't be necessary, Chief, I think my son's learned his lesson." Mr. Andrews said through clenched jaws. I could see that he really wanted to go after Paul, but was smart enough to see that it wouldn't be wise for his image. The Andrews family was really arrogant given that they owned a lot of properties in town. Marlon had a black eye, busted nose and lip and a couple bruises, clearly Paul had gone easy on him and I was grateful.

"Okay, well you'll be reporting to my office every day for counselling and I will put you on community service til I see that you've learned your lesson," the chief said sternly. Marlon nodded, humbled now.

"Thank you Chief Swan," my Dad said with relief.

"What about him?" Mrs. Andrews pointed at Paul.

"I will deal with Paul, don't you worry."

Paul and I looked at each other, and his grip tightened on me again.

"Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, take him and get him cleaned up."

"Thank you Chief," Mr. Andrews said, sliding back into his car while Mrs. Andrews drove Marlon's car out the lot.

"I don't think you need to press charges, Clark, just take your daughter home and clean those bruises up. You all can come see me anytime if she's having any trouble or If you decide that's what you wanna do. We'll go from there, I've got her statement."

"We will, thank you."

The Chief then turned to me and Paul. "I'll talk to Billy about this, and he'll decide what to do with you. If I catch you in any more trouble here in Forks, you'll be banned, is that understood?" he said, staring Paul dead in the eyes.

"Yes Chief, no problem."

"Alright Paul. Now you take care Corrie, and I'll be checking in with you to see how you're doing."

"Thanks Chief Swan."

"Alright, good night now."

We watched him disband Marlon's friends and all the other onlookers, then speak to Mr. Dinsley, taking his statement.

My Dad then turned on me, both he and Mom wearing unhappy faces. "Now I think we've caused enough trouble for Mr. Dinsley in one night, so it's time to get home. Paul, I expect to see you at my house first thing tomorrow to give me an explanation as to what you're doing with my daughter."

"Yes sir," Paul nodded, and I could feel his relief. But I knew better than to feel relieved yet.

"Corrie, get in the car please, it's time to go home."

My parents walked to the car and I turned to face Paul. I buried my face in his chest, not caring what anyone had to say about my Paulie. He was my hero, he came here for me because I needed him. He held me as close as possible, rubbing my back soothingly.

"I'll meet you in your room later okay?"

"But-"

"No buts Corrie, I need to be with you, I need to calm Bullet, cause he still wants Marlon's head, you understand?"

I nodded then, and just kissed his lips before walking to my family's waiting minivan.

Paul

When my girl told me she was going to dinner with her family I didn't think much of it, because with her parents she should be safe right?

Wrong.

I didn't intend to go check on her because I technically couldn't be on Cullen territory a.k.a. Forks in wolf form. I made it to the border and then turned around, when the panic stabbed my heart. Something was wrong with Corrie. I raced all the way to the pizza joint following the pull.

I heard what her brother was saying to her as I waited, hidden in the car park. Someone had hurt her arms. I wasn't so stupid as to go inside dressed how I was, I listened first and determined that she wasn't in any immediate danger. Like a true predator, I waited for him to show himself. I heard the proprietor throw Jock Boy out and as soon as he came to his car I wiped that smugness off his face.

He didn't stand a chance against me, neither did his cronies. I knew that Corrie would be upset, but she needed to know that I'd die for her. She was my life and my primary duty was to protect her. No matter the risks or the consequences. I couldn't believe that I had once thought that Jock Boy was a safer option for her than me.

Letting her go home without me after what he did to her was hard. I just wanted to grab her and run into the forests and take her to my house, tend to her wounds. It's what the wolf needed. But instead I'd have to settle for meeting her in her room when her family was asleep.

As soon as I phased and ran from Forks I was joined by a jumble of voices in my head.

We should have gotten that filthy bloodsucker! (Quil)

It will be back and we'll get it. (Sam)

It could have hurt Claire!

But it didn't! She's fine, you did a good job Quil. (Jared)

What the hell is going on? I shouted.

Paul where have you been? Sam demanded.

I had to go to Corrie, she was attacked.

What! Is she alright? Was it a leech?

Not it was her ex. Her arms are badly bruised. But she'll be okay, I'm waiting for her family to go to sleep so I can check on her properly.

Meet us at my house now. Jared get Collin and run patrol, Sam ordered.

I knew he couldn't expect me not to go back to Corrie!

This is pack business Paul.

I continued to run with a serious headache as the others continued to talk about the vampire attack. Apparently some rogue had gotten on to First Beach where Quil had taken Claire to see the sunset. Emily and Seth were there too. They chased it down but it got away. It was the same one Leah, Seth and I had chased a while back. Because Sam was Alpha I couldn't help but feed off of his anger and disgust with the leech for getting too close to his imprint and her niece. Plus after what had happened with Marlon I was already ready for blood. I wanted to kill something.

I went to Sam's and we organized patrol schedule. He wanted at least four of us on patrol at once so that every inch of the Rez was properly covered. He had a feeling that the leech would be back soon. Those creatures didn't like when people stopped their plans, it would want to come back and we needed to figure out why and what it wanted. He called the Cullens and a few of us went to the border to meet them.

"I'm sorry, we don't know this vampire," Edward said, having seen the picture of the leech in our heads. He grimaced and looked at the Doc.

"This vampire got close to our imprints, it was quite daring really. It would help if you could keep an eye out, explain to him not to ever step foot in La Push again or he's dead." Sam was the only one of us in human form.

"We'll check around and see what we can find but we can't guarantee that we'll find him." It was the cowboy speaking now.

"Please let us know if you find anything as soon as possible. It seems we can't catch a break, every time one of you shows up we have to boost our patrols. My pack spends too much time as wolves. We have lives to live." The pack growled in agreement with our Alpha. We all just wanted to live our lives and be teenagers again.

"And we are deeply sorry for that. We never meant to cause so much trouble to the Quileute by being here, please understand that this is our home, it's where we feel most comfortable." The Doc answered calmly.

"Well it's our home too, and we're tired of all the interference. This rogue could cause yet another young boy to phase, adding more to my plate."

"If there's anything we can ever do to ease your burden Sam, please don't hesitate to ask."

Sam just grunted and turned around to go phase again. We all followed except for Jacob who was busy glaring at Bella's fiancé. Just thinking about it made me shiver, that girl was strange. I trotted back and bit his tail.

Come on Jake, just leave it alone.

Hurt her, and you're dead. He said to Cullen.

"I can say the same to you." The vampire turned and ghosted away in a gush of sickly sweet air.

Jacob and I turned and ran in the opposite direction, deep into the forest.

With that whole mess I didn't get to visit Corrie until it was the wee hours of the morning. I climbed into her window to find her sprawled on her bed, heavy bags under her eyes and bandages on her arms. She looked as though she hadn't gotten any sleep. I crept to the door and locked it to be safe. I gently climbed on the bed beside her and she jumped up. I covered her mouth before she could scream loud enough to alert her parents.

"It's me! It's me baby! Don't scream! Shhh!" I whispered urgently in her ear.

She immediately broke down and nestled her face in my chest, sobbing the most heart-wrenching cries.

"I'm here, I love you so much. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, Birdie. I should have never let him put his hands on you." She had no idea how horrible I felt. I had promised her I'd never let anyone hurt her, and I had broken my vow.

She sniffled and looked up at me, in the dark I could see how bloodshot and red-rimmed her eyes were. "I-I couldn't sleep, I kept seeing his face."

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here earlier Corr, Sam wouldn't let me leave, we have a situation on the Rez."

"What's going on?"

"I don't want to tell you about that now, it's not as important as you getting some sleep. I'll explain it when you feel better." I knew she was tired of the secrets but I couldn't upset her any further.

"Paul, don't leave me…" she whimpered as I settled her onto my chest.

"I don't want to baby, if it was up to me, we'd be in my bed right now until you were okay. I just wanna take you away from here, so fuckin' bad. You're my whole world, I can't lose you Corrie. I can't do my job if you're so far away, you need to be in La Push." I held her close and kissed her head a hundred times. I loved her so much my chest was swollen with worry.

"I wanna go with you too, I don't want to be here, my parents are acting like fudgeholes."

I chuckled. "Fudgeholes?"

"Yeah - I don't swear."

"Okay, well, just try not to worry about them okay? I'm here to support you no matter what."

"I'm scared they won't let us be together."

"Can they stop us from being together baby? They can't stop us from loving one another. Soon you'll be eighteen, and we can be together whether or not they endorse it."

"I don't want them to be against us, I love my family."

"I know baby, but just know that I'm prepared to take care of you no matter what, I'll get my shit together and I'll provide for you, I promise."

Corrie nodded in my chest.

"But let's just hope it doesn't come to all of that, okay? Now get some sleep."

In a few minutes she was snoring softly and I allowed myself to sleep with her. It was almost daylight but I wouldn't leave until I heard someone knocking at her door.

That happened three hours later. I was beyond groggy but it was worth it, laying there with her. She'd finally gotten some sleep. I woke her and kissed her desperately before jumping out the window. When I got home Corrie called me and said her parents wanted me to come for Sunday lunch. I told her I'd be there, and I knew just who to bring with me as back-up.

I went to Mrs. Redbird's home as soon as I had some breakfast. Leanne's mom shot me a nasty look and I grimaced. I waited on the porch and Mrs. Redbird shuffled out to me.

"Morning Mrs. Redbird."

"Good morning, Paul."

"Um, I need to ask you a favor." She raised her eyebrows at me. "I have to go to your son's house for lunch to talk him. Last night this boy attacked Corrie, he grabbed her and bruised up her arms, and I kinda went crazy on him and beat him up. So now they know about us and want to talk to me."

"Is she okay?"

"Well, she had nightmares last night. But she isn't too injured otherwise, some bruises."

"So you want me to go with you then?"

"I'd be grateful. I feel like we need an adult on our side, someone who can help us get through to Mr. Redbird."

"Alright, just let me get ready then."

"I'll be by before midday."

She nodded and head back inside. I ran back home and got myself together, pulling out my best dress shirt and my cleanest pair of jeans and shoes. I didn't want them to remember me as a shirtless savage. I gave my clothes a quick ironing and then went out to wash my old truck

I picked up Mrs. Redbird at twenty minutes to twelve. Leanne huffed at me when she saw I was taking her grandmother somewhere.

"You got some nerve, Paul Lahote! How can you come around here acting like you don't even know me huh? Why are you taking my grandmother out?"

"Lee-anne! This is Council business, so mind your manners young lady," her grandmother answered as she came towards the truck. I closed the door behind Mrs. Redbird and hopped behind the wheel, trying not to let my nerves show.

"Where are you going Mom?" Leanne's mother called out to the truck, crossing her arms. She looked just as pissed, they really didn't like me.

"I've got to go to a meeting, I'll be back in a few hours, just relax Jody."

And with that we were off. I was surprised she didn't tell her family the truth. When I crossed the border Mrs. Redbird turned to me and asked, "So are you sure you're ready for this?"

I cleared my throat and tried not to be too nervous. "I have no choice but to be. It's now or never."

"Just make sure you don't lose your temper. No growling or any wolf behavior."

"I know. I'll control it."

"It won't be so easy."

"I know, but I don't care, she's worth it."

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear. Hopefully her father will believe you. I know you have good intentions towards her."

"Thank you." I didn't remember my grandparents, so I was happy to have Mrs. Redbird put her confidence in me like a grandmother would. I promised myself that I would help her out around the house if that was what she needed.

I pulled up to Corrie's house and she ran outside straight into my arms before she realized her grandmother was here. "I missed you Paul," she leaned into me. She couldn't raise her arms to hug me back so I had to be gentle with her.

"I missed you too sweetheart, but I'm here now, we can do this." She nodded against my shoulder as I stroked her hair lovingly.

"Well nice to see you too Corrine."

"Grammie!" Corrie's shocked smile was priceless as she left me and ran to her grandmother and allowed the old woman to embrace her. "Oh Grammie, I'm so happy you came, I had no idea!"

"You know I'd do anything for my Little Shadow. Now let me see your arms." Corrie and I both grimaced as she showed her the bruises and cuts which had scabbed over.

"I brought something for you to rub on them okay? Don't worry, it'll be alright." Mrs. Redbird kissed my imprint on her forehead and I took a breath of relief. I believed her. Corrie took my hand and led us forward to the door. We stepped inside the house and the whole family stood there waiting for us.

Mr. Redbird came forward with a pissed off face.

"Well, this is a surprise."