D: Don't Own It

Chapter Twenty-Six: Epilogue

It felt so good to sleep without waking up in middle of the night. I might have actually slept longer if I could, but one of La Push's rare sunny days shun through the window and peaked through the curtains and onto my face. Still yawning, stretching before I got up, I realized Paul wasn't next to me anymore. The room was still a bit dark, but I did notice a piece of paper on the pillow, crumpled, probably from me moving around so much.

Embry,

I'll meet you at the Cullen's; Sam and Jake insisted I go with them to Port Angeles. Your mom Esme said she'd pick you up and we'd meet at the celebration tonight.

Love you babe,

Paul

I let out a big sigh of relief. Scanning the darkness of the room, realizing I was probably grinning foolishly as I kicked my legs over the edge of the bed, pulling on a pair of shorts. I let out a chuckle as I inhaled the scent of Paul on one of the shirts I pulled on. I knew then that I was seriously a fool in love. I found my sanctuary. I pulled the curtains open and found myself sitting on his bed, noticing the bareness of his walls. His closet was wide open with clothes on the floor next to the wire shelving hanging from the rail. The rest was stuffed with boxes, books, and random items. His dresser that sat by the door was even messy. I giggled at the thought of Paul rushing out, grabbing the first thing in reaching distant before racing out, leaving a couple shirts and his boxers hanging out the opened drawers. On top of the drawer sat a broken watch, a glass full of change, a couple cd's, books, and other random items that said everything about Paul.

To finally welcome the rest of the day, and seeing how noon would be closing in, in the next half hour or so, I figured I would get something to eat before Esme came to get me. Which by now, I began to think of the note Paul left. There was a celebration tonight, and I'm hoping the conflictions of both my families would be solved tonight, in hopes that some barriers might be lifted as well. I wanted to remain close to both of them.

Descending down the stairs, Esme was already standing by the door with her purse in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. Smiling she handed the cup to me and gave me a hug, explaining that she hadn't been waiting too long, but rushed me to grab my coat before we headed out and back to their house. I tried arguing that I wanted to at least have a shower and dress into something appropriate, but she won the debate by telling me that I could shower back at their place, explaining that Alice had bought me an outfit to wear at the celebration.

"What exactly are we celebrating?" I questioned, following the petite woman to the vehicle.

"Survival hon," She giggled and sat in the car as I followed in the passenger side. "We want to gather for a big feast at the beach tonight, invitation by the council here of course, we're just providing the meal."

"So I get to be with all of you tonight." I grinned widely, looking like a child excited to go to some amusement park.

"Of course Embry." Esme grasped my hand, rubbing it in comfort.

The remainder of the car ride was a comfortable silence. It still hadn't sunk in what happened just yesterday, and now today just seemed farfetched. I knew that it might not be the Volturi's last attempt to mingle in our business, but a part of me knew that they wouldn't try anytime soon. Seeing how we practically destroyed their strongest assets. So I knew then that we'd be even more prepared in the future, and they just might be to frightened to challenge us.

Finally arriving at the beautiful glass house, unable to wipe the smile off of my face, I followed Esme up the front entrance. Once again, Alice was nowhere to be found, as well as Jasper, Emmett and Edward. Carlisle welcomed me with a hug, asking me how I felt and continuing on how he was grateful everyone made it out safely.

Taking up on the warm shower as well as the unexplainable fancy attire Esme provided, and insisting I wear to the celebration, I felt relieved to finally be surged with the calming waters flowing down my body.

I kept thinking how strange but normal of a day it is today. It was only necessary to celebrate today, but seeing how everyone wasn't even around, kind of bothered me. Call me selfish, but I was actually hoping to spend the day with the family before I went back home.

Home.

At first, I would've been uncomfortable to call Paul's home my home, let alone anywhere near there, but now it sounded perfect. And now that I think of it, I couldn't see it any other way. In fact, I couldn't see my life where Paul Lahote didn't exist; it was like my world would shift to the worse scenarios, a lot worse than I have experienced.

"Are you almost ready?" Esme asked, softly knocking on the door and speaking low to the point I wouldn't have heard her if it wasn't for my supernatural abilities.

"Yeah." I replied.

I turned off the shower and quickly dried off. I still felt awkward overdressing for the occasion, there had to be a plausible reason why they wanted me to wear… this. The dress shirt was white with silver and black thin stripes; the black dress shoes matched the black dress pants. I was just glad that I didn't have to wear some boring tie to match. Though I must say, staring at myself in the mirror, I actually looked good, and that's giving myself credit. I let out a chuckle hearing Paul's voice in my head. 'You're beautiful even if you wear the dingiest of clothes.' Though I wouldn't lather on the word beautiful, but it sure boosts the confidence meter hearing it from him.

"We're ready to leave." It was Carlisle now knocking on the door.

Dropping my towel and clothes in the hamper, I raced down the stairs adjusting the collar of my shirt before Esme stopped my to make her adjustments. I soon realized that I wasn't the only one dressed up. Esme wore a beautiful white-laced picnic dress with her hair put up. Carlisle wore a suit as usual, nothing really out of the normal.

Watching the forest go by like a blur, reminded me of how fast everything just passed, of course in a good way. My reflection from the car window was evidence of it, a permanent smile etched across my face, the dark circles under my eyes were now faded, and I was beginning to see the change in my attitude over the past couple weeks. Negativity for me hasn't really been my options lately, I mean, sure I've slipped a couple times, but there was always someone there to remind me that I was no longer alone.

"Paul thanked us." I was pulled out of thought, barely hearing what Carlisle said.

" 'Scuse me?" I leaned forward to listen.

"Paul," he said, holding onto Esme's hand with a smile. "He came to us this morning before he went to Port Angeles and thanked us for being there for you. We hadn't expected it, but it meant a lot to us."

I sat back with a huge grin, staring back out the window at the scenery again. I really didn't expect Paul to do it. He said he would, but I didn't think he would make the effort, but I'm grateful that he had. I know I need to stop doubting the man; he in fact never fails to please me. I guess you can blame my stupidity.

We finally arrived at the crowded beach parking lot. The tiny space was filled with the family vehicles along with Sam and Jacob's trucks.

"Are we late?" I puzzled, still confused and wondering why I haven't seen a single soul yet today, or vampire excluding my parents.

"Wait here." Carlisle informed me, and for the first time seeing him disappear in a blur.

"What's going on?" I began to worry.

"Just be patient," Esme chortled holding her cold hand on my warm one.

I hated when everyone around me got secretive, it meant I would be definitely unprepared for anything coming my way. I am seriously beginning to despise anything that had to do with surprises. It made me impatient and nervous.

"I'll leave you two to talk." I shook my head out of my daze, noticing Paul approaching us dressed in a similar suit as me, except with a black and white dress shirt.

I cocked a brow, as he couldn't stop smiling. Carlisle ushered Esme down to the beach, disappearing behind the small hill going down the waters. Paul then wrapped his arms around me, burying his face into my neck, causing a shiver that made my entire body tingle. He let out a chuckle noticing I was still looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

"What are we doing here Paul?" I asked while he still held onto me.

He began acting strange, like our attitudes just switched. Now he was nervous and I was carefree. Whatever it was, it was making him jittery. So I did what I thought was best and held onto him to calm him, and thankfully it worked.

"Look Em," He sighed nervously, "everything we've been through, and especially facing what we had to yesterday, I began to think that it could have been the last time I would have ever got to spend with you, and it scared the hell out of me. I never want to go through that again, knowing that I hadn't done anything to make sure everyone in the world that this…" he grabbed my hand and held it to his chest, "my heart belongs to you."

"Paul, you know I already kn…"

"Yeah I know you know." He chuckled, moving my hair out of my eyes, "but there is something I had promised you, and I tend to keep that promise." He kept his gaze on me, and I knew he knew that I understood fully. "I realized, that giving you that ring only gave us hope, but not sanctuary. If something did happen to either of us, and thankfully nothing did, but if something did, I would be pissed at the world knowing that I hadn't had a chance to be your husband."

"So you're proposing?" I grinned foolishly.

To tell the truth, I actually wanted to surprise him soon, within the week and hopefully propose to him. But I guess he felt he needed to beat me to it. Either way, I can tell we were both eager to do it. So it would mean that I'd have to start planning.

"No." He said bluntly, and I could feel my smile fade at the words. "I wanted to propose today, I really did. But… it just wasn't enough."

"Well what are we doing then?" I asked somewhat annoyed. Yeah I was disappointed, but he kind of set me up for it.

"I spoke to Alice and Esme along with Emily today, and thankfully they were able to pull it off." I looked at him puzzled. He chuckled at my expression, "Down at the beach, it will be your choice. Today could be a wedding or a celebration."

"Really?"

"I couldn't wait, so if you'll marry me tonight, under the stars, you'd make me the happiest wolf ever." He chuckled. "But if you choose to wait, this will just be our victory celebration and we can get married anytime you want."

I felt guilty for not replying right away, but I was stunned for words. I hadn't expected this, and now he wanted to marry today. At this point, the moment felt so unreal, so foreign that this kind of stuff is only written in fairy tales, well my kind of fairy tales.

"Well…" He still held onto my hand.

All I could do was nod. It felt as if I swallowed my tongue. I practically lost my breath when Paul lifted me up and spun us around in joy. I hadn't seen this side of him, and he seemed ecstatic that we would be spending the rest of our lives together. Before letting me down, our lips connected and we probably wouldn't have let go if we didn't need to catch our breath.

"So are you ready to walk down that aisle?"

"Yeah."

Of course Alice watched from the side, eager to make sure that her planning was put to good use. So as the small crowd gathered, Paul and I walked down the aisle together. I was surprised how quickly this was planned. Everyone was dressed for the occasion; the council was here, as well as a priest that Billy knew. The guy had nothing against the bond, and he clearly explained that it wouldn't be legitimate through law, but neither of us cared. It was just the matter of everyone we cared about was witnessing our beginning.

Jacob held Seth close to his side, in which I found out from Paul that Jacob in fact imprinted on Seth the moment he regained consciousness after the battle. I guess the wolf realized that he was close to losing Seth, and it kind of awakened his senses as well as opened his eyes to who was really in front of him. Jared still held Kim in front of him as they both gave us a smile. Sam and Emily beside them as well as the rest hovered around.

Carlisle and the rest of the family, I guess seemed contempt with my happiness. Alice and Emse watched with eagerness, Jasper seemed satisfied with the emotions circulating. Edward, well he stood next to Bella while holding Michael. But it was Emmett and Rosalie that remained motionless as well as expressionless. That was until Emmett flashed a smile and gave Paul a nod

"We came to our understandings." Paul whispered. "He actually gave me his blessings, though I didn't think I needed it."

You know when they say go with what your heart says, go with what your gut tells you, well I am, and I know it for the fact that I am crazy about Paul. But I knew that Emmett -as strange as it sounds- would always have a part of me that Paul wouldn't. I'm not exactly sure what that is, but it would never be enough to leave Paul for it. I just knew that Emmett would kind of be like the one that got away, or maybe I was, but sometimes some people just end up with a broken heart. It's the reality of finding love, which is why I believe I'm now standing here next to Paul, I don't think he could ever break my heart, or I to him.

Our vows were clearly spoken from the heart. Paul thanking me for changing his life, for being a part of it as well as gridding out the future of our lives, whether we have the child we foresaw or not, he was ready for it. I, thanked him for letting me see the positive sides of life, for steering me in the right direction, as well as building my sanctuary and offering it to me for the rest of our lives. And whatever obstacles or life-changing predicaments we face, we promised to face together.

It all seemed surreal, how two groups have become acquainted because of me. Setting the majority amount of differences aside, just to make it more comfortable for me. I couldn't ask for more.

But that's exactly what I got.

"I hope it was everything you hoped for, and more." Paul whispered in my ear with his arms wrapped around me, my back against his warm body. "Because it was exactly that for me."

"It was far from what I had imagined." I giggled. "You're just full of surprises Paul, and I guess we have a life time to get used of it."

"Of course, anything to see the surprised look, and the rewards of it after that." He wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed.

"I get it, I get it, you just can't keep your hands off me." I teased, now turning over and sitting above him.

"Can you blame me?" He playfully smacked my ass. "I've been waiting for our wedding night the moment I promised to propose to you."

"You know from now on it's not only going to be our wedding night?" I teased, nipping at his neck now, earning a groan from him. "It could be once…" I kissed his neck, "twice…" moving to his jaw, "thrice…" then to his lips, "a week." Then I grinded my ass against his crotch, "or whenever you want it."

"You're going to regret giving me that option." He chuckled before lifting me up and staggering across the beach. "Time to lock the doors for the next month."

Being married to Paul was more than I had expected, each day better than the last. The Cullens eventually moved around again, promising to return for visits, including Emmett. As for the pack, its still standing strong, and we still patrol whenever necessary, which lately hasn't been really required.

Seth and Jacob eventually followed in our footsteps. They married and found a place in Forks and opened up a mechanic shop owned by Jacob as well as Seth writing a novel that familiarized with our lives. Of course the realism of the supernatural beings remained under a clueless society, but it being a bestseller, gave everyone an idea of just how crazy our lives were. And it actually triggered a pandemonium of other authors writing their own takes on the supernatural world such as werewolves and vampires. In my opinion, none have amounted to Seth's.

Sam and Emily have welcomed two sons and a daughter as well as Jared and Kim welcoming two sons. Quil still ventured out for his imprint, though he wasn't in a rush to meet her, he was still looking forward to it. As for the pups, they've been attending the community college in Forks, promising to move when they were done.

Paul and me, well… we received an unexpected call from Carlisle, informing us that a mother had passed giving birth to her daughter. His first suggestion was us, since the woman had no family to take on the responsibility. We've met with the social worker and were approved to bring the little girl back from Port Angeles. Of course everyone welcomed Claire Marie Lahote as part of the pack and the family.

So, we had our family, and Paul still full of surprises has been the best dad a little girl could ask for. And me, well… I've made it my attempt to make sure she grows up with benefits that I hadn't.

I have my families, the pack, and a future that looks bright ahead of me.

And I can't wait for every minute of it.

A/N: Wow, that took me longer than I had expected. I'm quite satisfied with the conclusion, as well as how the story had turned out. This has been my most successful on byfar, with the most reviews so far, I guess it only gets better.

But before I go, and before I give my shoutouts. I want to thank each and every reader for sticking with me through this; I appreciated all of your input. Seeing how I finally finished this one, I tend to give my full dedication to Pack Of Submissives. So a big thanks for the reviewers of the last chapter, Hank's Lady, SoundShield11, lette2001, sibaruneko, hopelessromantic5, Your Angel Matt, Jacob's Puppy, otaco and WolfPacFaan. Also everyone who has and will favorite this story.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03