Disclaimer : I am not Stephenie Meyer. I just love her characters and am playing with them a bit purely for my own (and hopefully other's) amusement. No disrespect or copyright infringement is intended
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX THE BIG DAY
"I can't do this!" Willow panicked
"Yes, You can." Emily assured her.
"He is going to take one look at me and run in the other direction." She whined.
Emily laughed, "After what I walked in on this morning I highly doubt it."
Willow flushed bright red but smiled. The pack had tried to keep them apart last night but Paul crawled through the bedroom window at Billy's. When Emily arrived this morning to help her get ready, she found them tangled up in each other in post-coital bliss. Emily chased Paul out, yelling at him about bad luck.
"I just needed her one more time before she's a married lady." He teased.
"She is marrying you the original horn dog, I am sure the sex won't taper off that much." Emily retorted pushing him out the door where the pack waited, laughing at his antics. Paul just smirked and finished buttoning his shorts.
"Now get. And do not be late." She scolded.
"Never, it seems like I've been waiting my whole life to marry her." he grinned. He planted a kiss on Emily's cheek and followed his brothers into the trees for a quick run.
"That man loves you so much." Kim assured her as he finished fixing Willow's hair. "There, perfect."
Willow looked in the mirror. He hair hung in loose curls down her back the way Paul liked. Kim had made several intricate braids in the front and pinned them back keeping her hair out of her face. Emily had done her make-up keeping the foundation light. She had a natural glow about her still. Her eyes were accentuated with peachy brown shadow and a dark brown liner. Her lashes were coated with waterproof mascara and a light peachy pink lip stain completed her look.
"Thank you, Ladies." Willow murmured
Leah came in with a garment bag. "Come on Little Mama, time to get you dressed.
They had decided on a non-denominational wedding with native elements. They had a minister and as well as Old Quil performing different parts of the ceremony. One thing Willow insisted on was comfortable weddings attire. No stuffy suits or formal gowns. Leah pulled it out of the garment bag and Willow teared up. The ivory chiffon skirt flowed form the empire waist leaving plenty of room for her large belly. The beading around the waist was hand sewn on by Emil and Leah. The beads and pearls were taken from her mother's dress. This was the first time she was seeing it with the personal touches.
"It's gorgeous, thank you so much." She whispered trying not to cry.
"No ruining the make-up, Murphy." Leah teased.
Leah helped her into her dress while Emily and Kim quickly changed. Leah was already in her dress.
"Ok Cinderella, shoe time." Leah teased again, kneeling on the floor.
"Ha, ha! Pick on the lady who can't see her feet." She grumped as he let Leah help her slide on her flats.
"Oh, hush. You got 2 strong healthy pups. It's worth not seeing your feet for a few weeks." Leah got solemn.
"Oh, Lee." Willow murmured.
Leah had confided in her that she didn't think she would bear children. When she started phasing her cycle stopped. She was quite heartbroken over it. Leah just smiled and shook her head. She turned Willow back to the mirror.
"You are going to take his breath away." Leah said, squeezing her shoulders. Willow met her eyes in the mirror and smiled
"Let's get you hitched!" Kim squealed as she danced back into the room.
The ceremony was on First beach. They day was sunny and warm. Willow opted to walk. The members of the pack each escorted her part of the way, switching off with a kiss to her cheek and trotting head to the ceremony site. Billy escorted her the last bit until they reached the sand. Jake then took over while Sam and Jared carried Billy across the sand where Paul waited for her with Old Quil and the minister.
"Not too late to run for it, Cuz" Jake whispered in her ear.
Willow ran her free hand over her swollen midsection "I am so not in the condition to run anywhere." She quipped.
"Guess not, I guess you're stuck with him." He smiled. Willow caught sight of Paul. She drank in the details of him in his khaki slacks and crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. The top two buttons left open showing his caramel skin. Her breath caught in her throat when she met his eyes. They were full of his love for her and tears threatened to spill over.
She couldn't even hear the music as Jake walked her down the makeshift aisle between the pack and the few close friends that were invited including Charlie and the Clearwaters. Jake placed her hand in Paul's and kissed her cheek.
"You are breathtaking." Paul whispered, squeezing her hand.
"I love you." She mouthed.
"Love you too." He mouthed back
Willow couldn't tell you what was said during the ceremony. Her focus was on Paul. When it came time for their vows they had written their own. Paul went first when prompted.
"Willow, the day you arrived on the Rez, you changed my life. The first time I looked at you it awakened feelings in me I had never experienced before. It scared me to my core but excited me too. You were so fragile and scared. All I wanted was to care for you and protect you. Over time I got to know you as you began to heal and I was done for. I fell head over heels in love with you and was forever changed. By some blessing of the spirits you came to love me too. That was the one of the happiest days of my life, the day you accepted me and loved me. With that love we created these two." He ran his hand over her belly. "You gave me the one thing I had longed for my entire life, a family, a real family of my own. Willow Marie Murphy, I vow to protect, care for and cherish you and our children for every moment of my existence. I promise to love you, honor you and be faithful to only you for the rest of my life. You are everything that is good and pure in my life and I love you."
Willow and many others in attendance all had tears flowing down their cheeks at his words. Paul tenderly wiped her tears away and gently kissed both cheeks, earning a scolding from the minister. A chuckle ran through the crowd assembled for the nuptials. Willow took a deep breath and looked in Paul's eyes before starting.
"Paul, I met you at the darkest time of my life. I was battered, broken and bruised emotionally and physically. You saw past all of that and saw me. You were gentle, patient and kind. You never pushed but you were always there. You made me feel safe again. You made me feel special and cherished and beautiful. You instilled confidence in me I never had before. I never thought I would recover my trauma and loss but you and our family saved me and pulled me back into the light. With your gentle hands, you put me back together and I fell in love with you. You have loved me with an intensity that at times is scary and at times is all consuming. You have given me back what I lost, family. Paul Joseph Lahote, I vow to protect, care for and cherish you and our children for every moment of my existence. I promise to love you, honor you and be faithful to only you for the rest of my life. I love you so much."
They exchanged rings, Old Quil stepped forward and blessed them in Quileute. He pronounced them husband and wife. With the biggest smile anyone had ever seen on his face, Paul gathered his bride in his arms and kissed her until they were both breathless to the cheers and whistles of their pack and friends.
He leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you so much, Mrs. Lahote." He whispered
"I love you too, Mr. Lahote." She whispered through her happy tears.
Paul swept her up in his arm and carried her back down the aisle to the laughs of her friends. He carried her up the path leading to the cliff where thy had their wedding pictures. Jake joined them after picking up the SUV he had helped Willow pick up the week before.
After pictures, Paul helped Willow in the back of the truck and Jake drove them back to Billy's where the pack had set up a tent and all the food for their small receptions. Everyone insisted Willow sit and stay off her feet. Being 34 weeks pregnant, being on her feet too long was painful with weight of the twins.
Paul fixed her a plate and brought it to where she sat next to Billy. He joined her with his over filled plate. The food was delicious and everyone was enjoying the evening. Once dinner was done, Seth took over DJ duties and Paul pulled Willow out on the floor. She had no idea what song they would be dancing to, it was his surprise. As the music started, he kissed her gently and started them swaying.
"If I could find assurance to leave you behind
I know my better half would fade
And all my doubts is a staircase for you
Up and out of this place
The first step is the one you believe in
The second one might be profound…."
"This was the song that was playing the moment I imprinted on you." He murmured in her ear.
"I remember." She smiled.
"I'll never forget that moment as long as I live."
"Me either, babe." She kissed him softly.
They swayed together and he softly sang in her ear as she rested her head on his chest. After their dance, he whisked her back to her seat.
The party lasted well into the night. The pack relaxing and cutting loose in a way that had not been able to do before. It was nearing 11 pm. Willow was sitting with her feet up, watching her husband joke and mess around with his pack mates. For the first time, he seemed carefree. He could feel her eyes on him. He turned and met her eyes. He smiled softly when she yawned and ran her hands over her belly.
"Guys I think it's time I took the wifey home." He said turning back to the guys.
"I'm surprised you lasted this late." Embry teased. Paul smirked and punched his shoulder.
Congratulations were offered, hugs and kissed given and Paul helped his new wife into the truck. They drove away to a chorus of howls. At home Paul carried her from the car and over the threshold. He set her down once they reached the bedroom.
"Are you sorry we can't take a honeymoon?" he asked, kissing the back of her neck as he unzipped her dress.
"I don't care where we are as long as I'm with you." She answered. "Besides I am too big and too easily tired to enjoy it."
"I promise to make it up to you." He whispered against her skin as he slid the dress from her body.
He led her to the bed and made love to her as slowly and gently as he could. He worshipped her body, with his hands and his tongue, bringing her to orgasm 3 times before he reached his own inside her. He pulled her to him, spooning around her back. His hand running soothing circles on her firm belly.
"Mmm, Mrs. Lahote, I don't think we are going to be able to do this much more before these pups come." He sighed kissing her head.
"I know." She pouted.
"Well we better make it count then." He said, lifting her leg and draping it over his as he entered her from behind. He rocked into her slowly as he placed hot open mouth kisses on the side of her neck.
"Paul." She moaned as her eyes rolled back he in her head. She reached back around his neck and thread her fingers through his hair.
His hot hand slid up from where he was holding her thigh until he was making lazy circles on her sensitive nub.
'Baby, I'm getting close." She panted.
"Just a little more." He whispered in her ear. He quickened his pace, moving his hand back up to hold her leg up and open.
"God Paul!" she screamed as she hit her climax. He followed growling a couple strokes later. He placed hit kisses on her shoulders as they came down from their highs.
"You okay, my wife?" Paul murmured against her skin
"Better than okay, my husband." She murmured as her eyes drifted closed.
"I love you Willow Lahote." he whispered in her ear as she drifted to sleep. He wrapped his warm body around his wife and drifted to sleep himself.
A few hours later a noise woke him. He listened with his eye closed, waiting to see if it repeated. Just as he was drifting it came again. A pained moan from his bride. He rubbed his large hand over her belly and noticed it was rock hard.
"Baby Girl, are you alright?" he asked shaking her awake.
"Cramps." She muttered sleepily turning to face him. He rubbed his hands over her back in a soothing motion. She sighed loudly. "Damn, now I gotta pee. Help me up?"
"Of course." Paul chuckled and got out of bed, walking around to her side while she struggled into a sitting position. pulled her to her feet and kissed her forehead affectionately before helping her into her robe. He watched her waddle into the bathroom with a smile. His desire for her never waned even as she grew. Seeing round with his pups turned him on more than he thought possible.
He sat on the edge of the bed waiting for her to finish. He heard the sink turn off and the door opened.
"I guess we should get used to not sleeping through the night." She sighed clicking the light off.
"Guess so, beautiful." He smiled as she approached.
"I'm huge." She pouted
"You're pregnant with twins, baby. And you are still the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." He murmured as he reached out and pulled her to him until she was standing between his knee.
"You have to say that because it's your fault I'm huge." She grumbled.
"Yes, but it also happens to be true." He grinned at her and smoothed her hair back from her face.
She grimaced making him laugh. She slapped his shoulder. "Not you, another cramp." She explained. He rubbed his hands over her belly.
"Babe, your belly is rock hard, are you sure they aren't contractions?" he asked, concerned furrowing his brow.
"I don't…" she started to day then she felt a gush between her legs. She looked down, eyes wide in shock and looked back up at Paul whose face mirrored hers.
"Guess that answers that question." He exhaled with a shaky breath. He stood swiftly and scooped her up, headed out of the bedroom.
"Paul, where are you going?" she shrieked.
"Clinic." He growled.
She put her hand on his cheek and guided his face to look at her. "Babe, I don't want to have to throat punch nurses ogling my naked husband while I'm in labor."
He looked down and gave her a sheepish grin. She pointed to the bathroom and he carried her over depositing her in front of the sink
"Grab me some panties, and a dress. Put on some clothes and call Jake and Sam." She instructed.
"Right Clothes." He took a deep breath before turning on his heel and heading to the closet. Willow quickly gathered her hair into a messy bun and got in the shower figuring it would be easier to clean up that way. She has another strong cramp in the shower and had to lean against the wall.
"Baby, you okay.?' Paul asked as he shut off the water.
"Contraction" she answered as he wrapped her in a towel and lifted her out of the tub. He helped her quickly dry and dress.
"Did you call Jake and Sam?" she asked
"Do it in the car." He answered and scooped her up bridal style and started to carry her out of the room
"Bag!" she exclaimed, He hurried to the closet and grabbed the back that Sue had helped her back last week.
In the care, Willow called Jake and told him her water broke and they were headed to the clinic. Jake told her he would call Sam. Embry was already on his cell with Sue.
"Damn forgot to call Sue." Paul muttered as he drove.
"Embry called her. She was already at the clinic." Willow felt another gush of fluid between her legs. "Damn, I thought it only gushed once." She muttered.
Paul inhaled sharply and slammed his foot down on the gas. "That's not your waters, Babe. I smell blood." He growled out.
Willow fought the panic rising in her chest as Paul slid to a stop at the entrance of the clinic. He was at her door pulling her out in seconds. He ran into the clinic with her in his arm. Her eyes were rolling back in her head as she struggled to remain conscious.
"My wife, She's pregnant, she's bleeding." He yelled as he held her in his tremoring hands. Sue came running through the door followed by nurses with a gurney
"Paul, what happened." Sue demanded as he lay his limp wife on the mattress. Sue turned to one of the nurses. "Call Dr. Cullen Now. He has special privileges for this case."
"Sue, you got to help her. Her water broke at home and we were nearly here when there was another gush but of blood. Please, I can't lose them." He choked on his tears.
Embry and Sam crashed through the doors, with Jake wheeling Billy in behind them
"Paul, we are going to do everything we can. Dr. Cullen is on his way." She squeezed his forearm where she had placed her hand. "Jacob Black I need your blood I know you have the same type as your cousin. Sandy, take him to donate blood. Sam, you go too, yours is also the same and I have no idea how much we may need.
Embry grabbed his brother as he made to follow, his wife. "Bro, keep your cool. Stay here. Stay with us. She needs you here." He said lowly in his ear seeing that Paul was on the verge of phasing.
Dr. Cullen strode through the door at a fast human speed. "Where?" he asked.
"We only have one procedure room, as close as we get to an OR." Sue barked as she rushed in the direction the gurney had disappeared.
Carlisle paused long enough to place his cold hand on Paul's shoulder and squeezing before jogging after Sue.
Billy rolled over to Paul. "They will take care of them." He murmured, "They have to take care of them, I lost Joanie, I can't lose her daughter."
"They are my whole world.' Paul whispered as tears rolled unabashedly down his face. Embry caught him as he collapsed to his knees and held him as he sobbed.
The rest of the pack filtered in as Paul sat in a plastic chair with his head in his hands, a slight tremor shook his body. Embry sat next to him and kept a hand on his shoulder, acting as an anchor. Even with enhanced hearing he couldn't hear what was going on down the hall. Sam and Jacob returned after donating blood and join the silent vigil.
30 minutes that felt like a lifetime later, Sue emerged holding 2 swaddled bundles in her arms. Paul's head snapped up at the sound of the door opening.
"Come meet your children, Paul." She said softly.
Paul quickly got to his feet and strode over to her. She carefully placed an infant in each arm. Their pink and blue hats letting him know who was who. He was awestruck at the beauty that was his pups. They both had creamy tan skin. Inky black hair peeked under a blue hat and a dark brown from under a pink hat.
"I said Willow was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, until now." He whispered. He placed gentle kisses on each tiny forehead and inhaled their scent.
"They are both gorgeous and healthy. We delivered him first, he was blocking his sister. She came immediately after. Her placenta had started to detach. She was a little blue when we pulled her out but she pinked up immediately and her APGARs were perfect. No lasting effect." She assured him.
"Willow?" He asked finally tearing his eyes from his children.
"She lost a lot of blood. We transfused her with Sam and Jacob's blood. Their wolf DNA seems to have helped her heal and stop bleeding." Carlisle answered as he joined the group. "I was afraid we would have to do a hysterectomy but she is going to be fine. We had to put her under to get the babies out. She is in recovery. Sue can bring you to her."
"Thank you." Paul breathed.
"Are you going to let us see them now or are you going to keep being a baby hog?" Jake teased. Paull turned and faced his pack. They all wore large relieved smiles.
"Everyone meet Declan William and Sarah Rose Lahote." Paul beamed as they all swarmed to see the newest pack members. He wasn't ready to relinquish his hold on them just yet.
"Sarah Rose?" Jake asked.
"Joanie's middle name." Billy answered as Paul leaned down to give Billy a good look at his niece and nephew.
"And after Rosalie, to honor the Cullens and all they did to make sure that we got here today." Paul explained as he stood and looked the vampire doctor in the eye.
Venom tears were pooled in golden eyes. "Thank you, Paul. We are honored and Rose will be ecstatic. You have no idea what a gift this is to her."
"Willow knew. Those 2 have a bond and as much as your kind is my enemy, your family is not. You fought and suffered injuries to protect my family. Rose was tenacious in protecting my mate and my pups. I hope my daughter is as brave, loving, loyal and fierce as the women she was named for."
Carlisle nodded as did Paul. He then turned and followed Sue to his wife.
"We are even more indebted to you." Billy said offer his hand to the vampire for the first time. Carlisle shook it
"No debt. No repayment. You and your ancestors trusted us enough to make a treaty instead of destroying us as is the pack's purpose. In this world, where our secrets need to be protected, I like to think we are allies. Whenever your people need us, we will be there."
Carlisle shook the hand of each pack member and excused himself to check on his patient before returning to advise his family everything is alright.
As Paul approached the room they had Willow in, he could hear her panicked voice.
"Where is Sue? Where is my husband? Where are my babies?" she was crying as the nurse tried to calm her.
Sue pushed open the door allowing Paul to enter first.
"We're right here Baby Girl, and they can't wait to meet their Mama."
Willow's head whipped around at the sound of his voice where she was upright in the bed.
"They are okay?" she asked through her sob.
"They are perfect but their Mama needs to calm down before she hurts herself." He answered as Sue rushed over and eased her back down as she used the controls to raise the head of the bed.
"They are really okay?" she asked again, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
"Would I lie to you?" he smirked at her then looked down at his pups resting contently in his arms. "Well I did lie, well not exactly. I said you were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And that was true until Sue brought me them." He smiled at her. "You cooked two gorgeous pups."
She smiled and held her arms out. Sue gently took Declan from him and placed him in his mother's arms. Paul perched on the bed next to his wife as she drank in the details of their son. She looked over to study her daughter's face. Sarah yawned as wide as her little mouth would let her and her eyes fluttered open.
"She has her daddy's eyes." She whispered as she stroked a finger down her daughter's face.
"She's a troublemaker like her Mama already. She was the one causing all the problem, weren't you my princess." He cooed to the infant in his arms.
"Troublemaking she gets from her daddy." Willow said looking back down to their son who was smacking his lips and opened his eyes. The familiar hazel she saw in the mirror looked back at her.
He chuckled softly. They were quiet for a moment studying their children. Paul's wolf was revealing in the scents of his family. Even the clinic stench couldn't dull it washing over his senses. The smell of vampire hit his nose as a tap sounded on the door.
"Just wanted to check on the patient one last time before I leave." Carlisle said poking his head in. Willow reluctantly surrendered her son to his father. Paul sat in the chair focusing on his pups while the doctor carried out a quick examination.
"Everything looks good. No abnormal bleeding. I want you to rest as much as possible. No lifting anything heavier than the babies and only one at a time until that incision heals." He instructed.
"Yes, and thank you, for saving my babies again."
"My absolute pleasure." Carlisle assured her and squeezed her hand. "Thank you for Sarah's name. Now I will go and let the family know before they break the treaty to check in themselves.
Willow took her daughter into her arms freeing up Paul's right hand so he could shake the doctor's finally.
"Thank you." He said, voice full of emotion. Carlisle nodded and briskly left the room. He never touched either of the babies other than to pull them from Willow's womb. He knew Paul was a volatile wolf and no amount of appreciation would over-ride his instinct to protect his pups if he smelled vampire on them.
Paul sat on the edge of then bed, facing his girls. His girls, he really loved the sound of that.
"How are you doing, wife?" he asked. He reached over and gently swept a loose lock of hair from her face.
"Sore, exhausted, relieved, happy." She answered, smiling up at him.
"You do love to scare me." He teased.
"This one is on our princess. And you, horny wolf." She teased.
Paul growled playfully as he leaned over and kissed her soundly. "Never do that to me again. Either of you." He said as he kissed his daughter's head. After nursing, the nurse took them to the nursery for the rest of their newborn screenings and to allow the new parent's rest. Paul carefully climbed onto the bed with her and curled around her. Soon they were both asleep.
***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
THE BABIES ARE HERE!
I also can't count and posted the next chapter out of order and had to pull it down. OOPS! Sorry for the confusion, faithful followers.
Story is wrapping up.