Two months have gone by since the wolves killed Victoria. Life has been great without having to worry about her. With her being gone and Paul not having to work as much because of the colder weather, we've gotten to spend more time together and spend it focusing on us. We don't need to talk about what's going on with Victoria because she isn't an issue anymore. Paul and everyone else in the pack is so much calmer about everything. No more stress of vampires ever again, hopefully.
Emily invited Charlie and I to have Thanksgiving dinner with the whole pack. Surprisingly, Charlie decided to come. I pull up to the house and see all of the cars. How in the world are we all going to fit in this house? With the entire pack, plus Charlie, Billy, Nick, Harry and Sue, I have a feeling it's going to be a tight fit.
Charlie and I walk in and put our coats up. Charlie has only met Jake and Paul, so to say that he's a little intimidated by the size of the other boys and Leah might be a little bit of an understatement. He knew that Paul and Jake are big, but I don't think he anticipated the size of everyone else. Of course, there is a ton of food and he's even more surprised at how many times Leah and the boys get up to get food.
Charlie gets introduced to the whole pack not long after we get to the house. He seems to like everyone, but who knows with Charlie. He'll probably be watching everyone while we're here. I do think that he likes Emily, though, but who doesn't love Emily? Charlie meets Nick for the first time and I think it went well. That's a good thing. Charlie talks to him and the rest of the adults almost the entire time that we're at the house. It doesn't surprise me that he introduces himself to the pack and then just hangs with who he knows. I guess I'm like him in a way. I never was a social butterfly, and still now I'm not. The only ones that I really feel comfortable socializing with is the pack.
Charlie takes my car and leaves shortly after eating. With it being a holiday, he's taking a night shift. Charlie asks if I'm ready to go, but Paul offers to take me home. After dessert and talking for a couple hours, Paul and I decide to leave. Before he backs out of the driveway, I ask if he wants to stay at my house for the night since Charlie will be gone and he'll come home and go straight to bed in the morning. We stop by his house quickly so that he can get some clothes and then we go to mine.
Paul takes his stuff to my room before one of us forgets about it. We don't need Charlie to suspect something and get pissed off about it. Who knows what Charlie would say or think if he knew that Paul and I were sleeping in the same bed together. And we aren't even having sex, but I don't think that would matter to him. Charlie, I think, tends to overreact sometimes about things like this. I'm sure Edward still remembers when Charlie said something about him not wanting grandchildren anytime soon. That was over a year ago, but still, I think that still applies to Charlie. Goodness forbid I do anything scandalous like date mythical creatures. I know, I know. "You're still my little girl." he would say. But I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself.
"It's getting colder outside." I say and move away from the window.
"For you, it is. It's nice for me, though." Paul wraps his arms around me.
"Not all of us can run a temperature of 108, remember."
"All the more reason I get to cuddle with you." He smiles.
"True. When Charlie isn't around we can. I don't think either of us want to see what he'd do or say to you if he saw us cuddled on his couch, though. He's the one that scares me."
"Bella, he can't be that bad. I thought you said he likes me."
"I said he likes you more than he did Edward. I don't know that he actually likes you, though, it is Charlie and he is Chief of Police. Honestly, I think the only person that he would approve of is Jake, though he still kind of holds a grudge against him, I think, from when he joined the pack and basically just left me in my still semi-depressed state. Charlie still thinks I'm his little girl."
"You always will be. You're his only daughter. His only child. Of course, he's always going to want to hold onto you. He just wants the best."
"I know, I know. But I'm a big girl. I can do things for myself."
"Hm. Not quite. Keep yourself out of trouble with vampires and werewolves. Walk without tripping over air. There are somethings that I think you still need help with."
"Ok, maybe a few things. But for the most part, I can do things without getting hurt or almost killed."
"Exactly. You never cease to amaze me, Bella."
"Your hair is getting kind of long." I notice and pull from behind. "I kind of like it."
"It needs cut. It's a pain. The longer it gets, the longer the fur gets. And the more dirt, sticks, and tangles it gets."
"Oh. Is that why Jake cut his hair when he joined you guys?"
"Yeah, Embry, too."
"So, when you stop phasing, will you grow it out? I like it a little longer."
"Maybe a little. But not much. I hate long hair. Probably not any longer than what it is right now. But I guess I can, just for you." He looks at the clock and then back down at me. "I have to go run the perimeter. I'll be back in an hour." He leans down a little to kiss me. "I love you."
"I love you, too." I say and he runs out the front door and into his . I wait out on the porch and watch him drive off towards La Push to take his car back so Charlie doesn't know he's here.
I shiver at the cold and go inside. I change into some sweat pants and a t-shirt to sleep in. I go back downstairs to do the dishes while Paul is gone. I don't realize how fast the time has gone by until I see Paul coming out from the woods wearing only his cut off shorts. I still don't understand why their temperature is so high, even with them being werewolves.
He comes in as I finish putting the last plate away. "Are you cold?" he asks, looking at me. "You usually wear shorts when we're together."
"You were gone. I got cold. I'll probably change, though. You're my personal space heater, especially now that it's getting colder."
"Glad to be of service. I guess that just means that you'll have to stay at my place more often this winter."
"I'm ok with that." I smile and kiss him. The kiss lasts longer than usual, us just standing in the middle of the kitchen. His hands go around my waist and mine go his neck as we continue kissing.
Paul picks me up and sets me out the counter. I squeal a little at the unexpectedness as he does and he only lets out a small laugh. His lips move to my neck and he says, "I love you, Bella."
"I love you, too. Why don't you say we take this upstairs."
"Bella, are you sure?" He looks at me.
"Yes. Absolutely. I love you."
"I don't have a-."
"Shh." I say and put a finger on his lips. "It's ok. I'm on the pill."
"I don't want to if you're not ready."
"I am ready. Come on." I hop down from the counter and lead him upstairs.
