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CHAPTER 25
When Paul and Skyla got to Sam's they rushed inside and immediately sensed something was wrong. None of the guys were joking around and Claire was next to Quil asleep on the couch.
"Sam," Paul said and Sam motioned for them to follow him.
"Sam what's going on?" Skyla asked worried.
"Claire's parents were in a car accident this morning," Sam began and Skyla immediately found her eyes filling with tears. "They didn't make it," he said.
"Oh no," Skyla whispered as tears fell down her cheeks. "Poor Claire."
"I don't know what's going to happen to her, her grandmother passed away not to long ago," Sam explained. "I'm afraid they'll try to take her away from us." He went on. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen, I'm going to try and adopt her, me and Emily." He said as Emily stuck her head in the kitchen and Sam turned to look at her. "I'll be right back."
"Paul I…" she said.
"I know Skyla," he said and Skyla shook her head and walked outside, Paul followed her.
"Skyla, what is it?"
"You know I love Sam and Emily right and that I think them adopting her would be great."
"I know baby but a judge won't let it happen."
"I know and Sam and Emily would be the best parents but a judge…."
"Skyla what are you thinking."
"I'm going to try to adopt Claire if they won't let Sam and Emily have her, we can't let Claire leave us," she told him. "It will destroy her and Quil," she said and Paul wrapped his arms around her.
"I know and if you want to adopt her you know I'll do whatever I can to help."
"I know Paul," she said and he leaned down and kissed her lips.
"Let's get back inside," Paul said as he took her hand in his and led her back inside. When they walked back inside they saw Emily trying to cook in the kitchen but she wasn't holding it together well so Skyla walked over to her.
"Emily." Skyla said. "Let me do that," she said and Emily looked over at her. "I don't mind," she told her and Emily nodded and went and sat down at the kitchen table and Skyla started cooking what Emily had laid out. Paul walked over to her and laid his hand on her hip.
"You want some help?" he asked and Skyla looked around and saw Emily had a lot of potatoes on the counter.
"Peel the potatoes," she told him and he nodded and grabbed a knife and went to work as Skyla started fixing everything else. Not much later Paul and Skyla had dinner on the table and they told everyone it was time to eat and everyone silently fixed plates and found places to eat.
Once dinner was over everyone helped do the dishes and then left to go home or on patrol until Sam, Emily, Paul, Skyla, Quil and Claire were the only ones left.
"We should probably get going to," Skyla said and Sam looked over at them.
"I'll walk you out," Sam told them and walked over to the door with them. Once they got outside and a few feet away from the house Sam stopped.
"You don't think there's a chance Emily and I can adopt Claire?" he asked.
"Sam I know you and Emily would be great parents and love Claire and take good care of her but the courts are going to look at so many other things." Skyla told him and he nodded.
"I know but there's always a chance and I have to give it a try."
"I know Sam," she said softly. "Do you know when you're going?"
"Next week sometime," he said and she nodded.
"I can go with you Sam," she said.
"That sounds ok with me, I'm going to get things started on Monday," he told her and she nodded and felt Paul slide his arms around her.
"Ok Sam," she said softly.
When Skyla and Paul got back to his house, Skyla sat down on the couch, Paul walked over and sat beside her.
"Talk to me Skyla."
"I'm just worried about Claire and what's going to happen to her if they don't let Sam and Emily adopt her."
"I thought you wanted to try as well."
"I do Paul but not if they'll let Sam and Emily have her."
"Skyla…"
"They may not let Sam and Emily have her but they might let us," she told him. "We just can't let Claire be taken away from us."
"I know we can't," Paul said as he wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest. "You said us," Paul said. "You want both of us to try to adopt Claire?"
"Yes," she said. "She'll have her own bedroom here," she added and Paul smiled.
"Do you know how amazing you are Skyla," he said and leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
"I just want everything to work out for Claire," she told him.
"Me to," he said. "And if adopting Claire together will help make sure she stays here I say we do it."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes Skyla and if there is anything I need to do to help let me know," he told her.
"You really are best boyfriend ever Paul," she told him. "And I love you."
"I love you to Skyla."
Monday finally arrived and Skyla dressed in a nice knee length black skirt paired with a white blouse. She fixed her hair leaving it down and pulling some back away from her face. She went with simple make up and just a pair of small earrings in her ears. After slipping on a pair of black low heels she walked out to wear Paul was sitting on the couch. He whistled when she came out.
"Paul!" she exclaimed.
"You look beautiful," he said and she smiled.
"I'm headed over to Sam's want to go with me and keep Emily company while we're gone."
"Ok," he said. "Lets go," he said and Skyla grabbed her purse and a folder she had with her.
Not much later Skyla and Paul walked in Sam's house and saw Sam sitting at the kitchen table. He was dressed in a suit and tie. He looked up at them when they walked in.
"Hey," he said quietly and Skyla walked over to him.
"You look nice Sam," Skyla said. "You ready to do this?"
"Yeah, lets go."
"I'll be here with Emily," Paul told him. "Don't worry. You and Skyla go on."
The ride to the courthouse was quiet between Sam and Skyla until they got out of La Push.
"You don't think they're going to let me and Emily have Claire do you?" Sam asked. "Its why you wanted to go with me."
"Sam no one knows what a judge will do until he makes that decision, I hope you and Emily do get Claire."
"But you don't believe it will happen," he sighed. "I'm not stupid Skye I know Emily and I have very little hope but I had to try."
"Sam, I've never thought you were stupid but I just want to make sure Claire stays with us and Paul and I are prepared to adopt her if they won't let you have her."
"You and Paul?" he asked. "But what if you decide you and Paul want to have kids one day."
"It won't be a big issue because I may never have a child of my own," she told him.
"Skye I…."
"Its ok Sam," she told him. "Paul knows, the two of us have talked about it." She said. "And no one else knows about that but you and Paul."
"I won't tell anyone Skye." He promised.
"Paul and I, if we never had a child of our own we would have eventually adopted anyway and later we still may try to adopt another child."
"I had no idea you and Paul even talked about that kind of stuff," he said and she nodded.
"We do, Paul and I have talked about a lot of things, some really awful things happened before I moved here, its actually what caused me to move here anyway things are better now and Paul has a lot to do with it."
"Yeah I can see a difference in you from the first time we met you and now," Sam told her and she smiled. "But my childhood wasn't the best, my dad ran off when I was a kid, I barely remember him except that he was really mean to my mom." Sam told her. "My mom raised me by herself."
"Well it seems like she did a good job," she told Sam and he smiled.
"I'm glad you think so," he said quietly.
"I was married before I moved here," she told him and he looked over at her shocked. "His name was Bryce and we were married a year."
"Skye what happened?" Sam asked.
"He was a fireman and one day he ran in a building and never came back out," she said her voice breaking.
"Skye I…." he said.
"Its fine Sam and me and Paul have talked about it and although there may be a part of me that will always love Bryce, I'm so in love with Paul."
"I can see that Skye," Sam said as she pulled into the parking lot and parked the car.
"You ready for this Sam?" she asked and he nodded and the two of them got out of her car and made their way inside.
Once they got inside Sam went in talk with the judge. Skyla waited for him outside the courtroom.
Sam sat in the room with the judge and listened to him talk and basically point out all the reasons him and Emily couldn't raise Claire. Starting with their financial stability and ending with the fact he didn't have a steady job, he just worked for the council in La push. When he walked out Skyla saw it on his face.
"Sam," she whispered. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"I knew it was a long shot," he said sadly.
"Its ok Sam, I'm going to talk to this judge now," she told him and stood up and went inside.
"Hello Judge Robertson."
"Yes," he said.
"My name is Skyla Spencer and I'm here to talk about adopting Claire Young." She told him and walked over and sat down.
"Ok Miss. Spencer." The judge said and Skyla began to talk proving that she was first financially able to take care of Claire.
"You live in La Push Miss. Spencer?"
"Yes me and my boyfriend Paul Lahote live in La Push."
"And what does do for a living?"
"He's a fireman," she told him. "Claire has a home and family in La Push and my opinion is that removing her from that will cause more damage to her than any good you can possibly think would come from removing her from it."
"I understand that," he said. "You and Mr. Lahote, have you considered the fact that you may want kids of your own one day and what that would mean for Claire."
"Actually we have," she told him. "It may not be possible for me to have children so we had discussed adopting at some point."
"Oh," the judge said. "You're going to have to let me look over everything but I will get back to you at the end of the day."
"Thank you," she said and stood up and walked out of the room.
Skyla walked over to Sam and sat down by him.
"Hey, lets get home," she said and Sam looked over at her.
"What did he say?"
"He is going to get back to me by the end of the day after he looks over everything."
"Well at least it wasn't a no," Sam sighed and he stood up.
"Come on Sam I'll take you to lunch," she told him and the two of them walked out of the courthouse and to her car.
Sam and Skyla had a quiet lunch together and the two of them were soon on their way back to La Push. Just as Skyla turned off the road into La Push her cell phone rang. She grabbed it from the holder and answered it.
"Hello."
"Skyla Spencer please."
"This is Skyla," she said.
"Miss. Spencer, this is Dana, Judge Robertson would like to speak with you."
"That was quick," she said.
"When can you be here?" she asked.
"I'm on my way," she told her and turned the car around and headed back to the courthouse.
"Skye what's going on?" Sam asked.
"The judge wants to see me," she told him. "Hopefully its good news."
Skyla found herself sitting with the judge not much later as Sam anxiously waited outside.
"Ok Miss. Spencer I have looked over your records and made a few calls about you and Mr. Lahote. I also took into consideration what you said to me. I know Claire would be happier in her home and if there is a way for me to keep her there I'd like to do it. So we can start on the paper work so Claire can be placed with you and Mr. Lahote.
"Really?" she asked smiling.
"Yes, if Claire can stay in her home and we can disrupt her life as little as possible that's what I want for her."
"Thank you," Skyla said and she began the paperwork.
"We'll need Paul to come by with you as well."
"I'll call him and he can be here in a few minutes." She told him.
"Go on and do that," the judge said and Skyla took her cell phone from her purse and called Paul.
Paul was sitting with Emily watching a movie, neither one of them had said anything. Paul's cell phone rang breaking their silence.
"Its Skyla," he said and answered.
"Skyla," he answered.
"Paul, I need you to get down to the courthouse as quick as you can."
"What's wrong?"
"You need to fill out some paper work with me."
"We're going to get Claire!"
"Yeah," she smiled.
"I'll go change clothes and be there." He said and hung the phone up and looked over at Emily.
"Claire's going to stay here with us."
"You and Skye?" Emily asked.
"Yeah," he said. "We'll be back as soon as we can Emily." He told her and ran out.
Paul arrived at the courthouse and saw Sam sitting outside.
"Paul!' he said. "What are you doing here?"
"Skyla called and said she needed my help with paperwork."
"Does that mean you and Skyla are adopting Claire?"
"Yeah." Paul smiled. "I don't know how long we'll be Sam so you can take my truck and go home if you want." He told him.
"Thanks Paul," he said as he took his keys.
"Skyla and I will be by as soon as we're done," he promised.
"Thanks Paul." Sam said.
Paul walked in not much later and went to meet the judge and start filling out the paperwork with Skyla. It was a few hours later before the two of them walked out. The paperwork was going to be filed first thing in the morning and then Claire would be officially placed with them as soon as it was finalized.
"I'm glad Claire doesn't have to leave La Push," Skyla said as they drove home.
"I am to," Paul said.
"Once she gets settled in we should take her shopping and let her pick out what she wants for her new room."
"I think that sounds like a great idea," Paul told her.
"You think Claire will like living with us?" Skyla asked.
"I think she will," Paul assured her.
At school Seth was about to take Skyla's advice and talk to Elizabeth. He saw her at her locker getting her books out and he made his way over to her.
"Elizabeth," he said and she turned around and smiled up at him.
"Hey Seth," she said.
"So that biology test was tough," he said.
"Definitely," she agreed and they fell silent.
"Can I walk you to class?" Seth asked.
"Yes," she nodded and the two of them fell instep beside each other.
When they got to her class they stopped outside the door.
"Well thanks for walking me to class Seth," she said and looked up at him.
"Anytime Elizabeth," he smiled as he looked down at her and their eyes met and Seth felt it, he felt his whole word center around the girl in front of him, he had just imprinted.
"I have to go," he said quickly.
"Bye Seth," she sighed and turned to go inside her classroom.
"Elizabeth," he said and she turned around. "Can I call you sometime?"
"Yes!" she said happily and walked over and he two of them exchanged numbers.
A few weeks later Claire was moved in with Paul and Skyla and settling into her new room. They had took her shopping and bought her new furniture that she picked out for her room. She had also picked out a princess comforter for her canopy bed. Things seemed to be going well for everyone, Quil was over a lot spending time with Claire, he even helped Paul move all her furniture around in her room and get it just like she wanted.
Paul and Skyla seemed only to grow closer since adopting Claire. There was no doubt how much they loved each other and that the two of them were going to be together for the rest of their lives. Paul wanted to make it official though. He wanted her as his wife, he wanted to marry her and he hoped she wanted to marry him as well.
About a week later Skyla was at work and Paul was taking Claire shopping to pick out something for Skyla.
"What are you getting for Skye?" Claire asked as Paul took her hand in his and led her into a jewelry store.
"A ring," Paul told her.
"A ring."
"Yeah I'm going to ask Skyla to marry me." He said and Claire smiled.
"yea!" she said.
"I need you to help me find the most beautiful ring in the world for Skyla ok."
"Ok Paulie," she said happily and the two of them walked into the store.
Paul and Claire looked at the engagement rings.
"You see something you like Claire bear?" Paul asked her.
"Uh-huh," she smiled. "You see something you like?" she asked.
"Yeah I do," he smiled. "Which one do you like?" Paul asked her.
"The one that looks like a flower," Claire said and Paul smiled and nodded. "Which one do you like Paulie?"
A lady finally walked over to assist them.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Yes, Paul said. We would like to see this ring he said pointing to one where the diamond was flower shaped and that one as well he said pointing to another.
Paul looked at the ring Claire picked out it was really pretty and simple, the band was white gold and the flower shaped diamond sparkled.
"Its so pretty," Claire said happily.
"I know it is Claire bear," Paul said. Then he picked the box up that held the ring he picked out.
It had a princess cut diamond on a white gold band there was a row of diamond on each side.
"What do you think?" Paul asked.
"I think Skye will like that one," she said and Paul smiled.
"I think so to Claire bear." Paul said. "We'll get this one."
"Alright I'll get it sized for you and you can pick it up on Friday," she told him as Paul wrote down all the information she needed.
"Alright," she said. "We'll see you on Friday Mr. Lahote." She said.
"Thank you." He said and he walked with Claire out to his truck.
"So you can keep a secret right?"
"Yes, I won't say anything to Skye I promise."
Friday finally arrived and Paul dropped Claire off at Sam and Emily's for the night so he could have a nice night alone with Skyla. When Skyla got home that night Paul wasn't there but he had left a note in their bedroom for her.
Be back soon, shower and relax I have a surprise for you. I love you.
Paul
Skyla smiled and went to take a shower and changed into jeans and green sweater. When she walked into the living room Paul was standing there. She stopped when she saw him. He was wearing a pair of dress pants and a white button down shirt, he looked incredibly sexy.
"Skyla," he said as he walked over to her. He stopped in front of her and leaned down and kissed her lips. Skyla slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck.
"Where's Claire?"
"Staying with Sam and Emily tonight, I wanted to be alone with you." He told her and she smiled. "I love you."
"I love you to Paul."
"Come on I have dinner," he said and took her hand in his and led her to the kitchen. When she got in there she was surprised at what she saw. There was a single candle lit in the center of the table with a red rose lying beside it. There was a plate of chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes on their plates, with a bottle of wine waiting to be opened.
"Oh wow Paul," she whispered and he led her over to the table and pulled her chair out from the table and then pushed her up to the table before taking his seat across from her.
"Did you cook?" she asked.
"Yes," he said and she smiled. "So how was work?" Paul asked as they ate dinner.
"It was good, no big problems."
"Good."
"What did you do today?" she asked.
"Nothing much Claire and I went out and went shopping for this dinner and picked up something else as well."
"Are you going to tell me what it is?"
"After dinner I am," he told her.
Once they finished dinner and put the dishes in the dishwasher Paul led her to the living room and they sat on the couch.
"Skyla I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. You are everything I've ever wanted and I know I can be happy with you for the rest of our lives," he told her and she smiled. "You are beautiful and smart and the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life and there is never going to be anyone for me but you not because of the imprint but because I do love you and would do anything for you," he said and he turned and grabbed a small box from behind him. "Skyla Faith Spencer," he said as he slid off the couch and got on one knee. "Will you Marry me?"
I know things with Adoption don't happen that quickly i just sped it up for the purpose of the story. Please review.