Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tippy, tap, tap. The noise broke me from my nightmare. That's all I seemed to have these days were beautifully horrid nightmares. I grumbled but pushed myself up to go check on Jace. He was fast asleep in the crib Esme had purchased for me. I kissed his cheek and was about to get back into the warm silky sheets of my bed, when the tapping noise returned.

I turned to the direction of the sound and it clearly was coming from the two story window of the Cullens' luxurious home. I moved to the window and gasped in surprise. A dark tan hand was tapping on my window. Who could it be? I sucked in a shaky breath and was afraid it might be a burglar. Nah, it couldn't be though. Vampires, well the Cullen type vampires, do not sleep a wee bit. They would have stopped this burglar, I mean if it is one. So it definitely had to be someone from the reservation. I wasn't trying to be racist or stereotypical, but they were the only ones I knew with this type of russet skin tone.

I yanked open the window and grabbed the closest thing to throw, just in case it might be someone bad.

Paul jumped in and I let out a blood curling scream. His hand instantly covered mine and I tried to push back at him.

"Shh, baby it's just me." He said trying to shush me.

I moved back quickly from him. I had already begun my training with my father. Crow stopped by the other day and gave me some tips when it came to fighting. It's been a few days since I've started living with the Cullens. "Well since you're here, happy late birthday." His birthday was a few days ago. I felt guilty for not being able to give him my gift. I felt even more terrible for almost draining him dry just around his birthday. I almost killed him and I was having a hard time forgiving myself. It was different from when he's hurt me and I was beginning to understand the consequences of being a Halfling. Or so what my father says the term that most "special" people like me use when it came to explaining what they are in the fantasy world. It's what half-bloods used. God, this is starting to sound like Harry Potter.

He sighed and stepped closer to me. "Ariella, I know you're mad. I'm sorry about Sam."

"Yeah, well it doesn't matter. I'm not going back. I do not break my deals." I replied persistently. I crossed the room and went over to Jace. I need to keep my distance from Paul.

"Ariella, I left too."

I gaped at him in surprised. "Why? I thought you hate blood sucking leeches."

He smirked. "Yeah, those little annelids really get on my nerves." He replied mimicking me now.

I rolled my eyes. "That's what you call my kind. Besides I almost killed you. You better go Paul, before I do it again." I was trying my best to get Paul to leave. It's what is best for us; for him to stay away so I couldn't hurt him again. I need to gain control and Jace would be protected by the Cullens. My Dad told me that even with the vial it takes about a few more full moons until I would have complete control. I would not take any chances.

Paul backed me up against a wall so I couldn't scatter away from him. "Ariella Lillian Worthington, I meant what I said."

I glared slightly. "How do you know my middle name?"

"Your mom told me. I called her the other day and explained what was happening. She says she already knows and wanted me to tell you that she loves you a lot. She also begged for you to go to Heather's funeral."

I didn't want to attend that. "Well my real last name is Larson and I don't want to go. Heather never liked me so she wouldn't want me there."

Paul nodded in agreement. He knew this and didn't push it. "Alright then, and your right I guess now it is."

I could feel heat radiating off his torso. "Why are you here?"

"Because, just like you, I can't abandon the people I love. I meant what I said Ariella. I want to marry you and help raise our son." Paul's hand gently stroked my cheek and his hand lingered there. His eyes met mine and I let out a ragged breath.

"Just go already. Your Alpha probably wants to strangle you."

"Maybe or maybe not, but I guess I will never find out." He whispered into my ear. "Marry me."

"I can't take you away from your friends and family. You need to go back to La Push, now." I whispered to him, even if I wanted to be selfish and keep Paul by my side for eternity.

"No. I care about the pack but not enough. You're my imprint Ariella, and that has nothing to do with this decision. It has to do with something called love. Both Jace and you are my family."

I sighed and just hugged him to me tightly in surrender. He could be so damn stubborn, but in this current situation that actually works to my advantage. I pressed my lips to his lightly before pulling away to look back into those dark orbs. "I love you and I only left—" He silenced my excuse with a deep kiss.

He pulled back from me and let me catch my breath before speaking. "Don't care why because I already know. You love me and I love you. Ariella, I was born to love you."

I smiled happily, which was an understatement to my ridiculous smile that now slipped onto my lips. "Forever then?"

"Forever baby." Paul wrapped his arms around me tightly.

I heard a familiar fussing. Jace just woke up. I bet he knows his Daddy is in the room. "See, he's got ultra senses like you."

I could feel Paul's familiar smirk. "Like us and I got him." He picked Jace up gingerly after he let me go. I watched as Paul cuddle little Jace to him to soothe his cries. "Hey, little buddy. Daddy's missed you." He kissed Jace's forehead and rocked him gently.

"Only during full moon and I'll go get him his bottle." I retreated out the door and down the looming stairwell of the Cullen Mansion. Esme must have been casually listening. She was beginning to become like a second mother to me. I don't care if I've only known her a few days; she was just super nice and reminded me a bit like Emily.

"Already made one."

I smiled at her and took the bottle. "Can he stay for a little while? I mean until we find a place."

"No worries, you can move in if you want Ariella. I already told you, your Dad and Carlisle go way back."

I nodded. "Yeah, but I really don't want to be a free loader. Plus I technically am living here." I said referring to the guest bedroom they gave to me to use during my stay.

"Hey none of that type of talk. Little Jace could never be a free loader, he's much too cute."

I smiled and thanked her for fixing up Jace's bottle. Back in the room Paul was catching up with Jace. Jace giggled as Paul blew gently on his tummy. He was so good with our son, a natural born father in my opinion. I gave him the bottle.

"That was quick."

"Yeah, well Esme insists on helping out. She loves children." I explained. "Well they all seem to do."

Paul smirked. "As long as they don't hurt you, though I bet you could take them. Crow explained to us about what you are. So you don't sparkle?"

"No I burn, that's why it's only during the full moon. The rest of the time I'm pretty much human. I just keep the appearance." I gestured to how my hair color had more natural highlights of red and orange that added a shine to my typically brunette hair. It's a lot longer too, but that wasn't from the change. It had more waves and curls as well.

"Oh okay. Well then that's good."

"Besides Paul, I doubt they would want to put me in danger. Dr. Cullen is really nice and so is his family. Bella isn't as bad as you described either."

"That's because you weren't there when she wrecked Jake." Paul retorted and fed Jace the bottle.

Jace fussed. We were trying to wean him since my milk was now gone. It was all part of being a teen mom. "Here, let me."

Paul moved the bottle toward his chest. He was tricking Jace. "Alright, that works too."

He smiled. I sat down next to him. It seemed like things could get better now. I had Paul back and I felt real good that the deal with Sam wouldn't break us apart. Paul is definitely a deal breaker but not really, since that wasn't part of the deal. It was more betrayal to the pack. He wasn't a part of it anymore so it shouldn't matter. I just simply couldn't be in La Push. Also according to Crow's updates I could return once I could prove my control to the pack. I wasn't going to return though. Crow also said that Lindsey left La push in protest to Sam's decision and Embry being the good imprint left with her. I could picture him with his tail between his legs as he quit the pack too. Jacob and Jared were also going to quit since they didn't want to outage their imprints.

"Oh, I have some more good news. Alice made me go shopping in Seattle." I said breaking away from my thoughts. I actually got offered a shot at acting!

Paul gave me a look. "Who could make you go shopping? You love it."

"Yeah, but not overprice boutiques." I replied quickly. "Anyway I met someone. He's a movie director and asked me to audition for a main role. He says "I have potential" apparently and I kind of want to give it a shot. It's not dancing per say, but close enough. He did say the movie was a musical type thing. They are doing remake of Grease but making it modern." (I'm making that up by the way. I don't even know if they would ever remake it. They did it for Footloose.) I explained. I hope Paul would be okay with this.

"Alright, so when do we leave?" He asked me.

"Really? Thanks so much Paul! But how do you even know I will get the part."

"He picked you out himself, so it's obvious he wants you in it. Trust me you will get the part." He assured and burped Jace gently.

I smiled to myself. I wonder how I would pull of Sandy. I hadn't thought much of the idea until now. Alice told me it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. "The auditions are in L.A. We can use some institution money."

"No I got it. That's Jace's college fund." He replied. "Also I'm so sorry for what I did to you Ariella."

Here was the talk that I've been dreading. "Oh, well its fine. It was a long time ago and I'm over it."

"You're not and I can tell. I love you Ariella and I'm sorry that I did that. I lost my control and I will never forgive myself. I just never wanted to bring it up because I thought maybe you were trying to forget it."

His face gave away everything. Paul has been hurting more than me. "I'm not sorry. It gave us Jace and I would never give him up." I kissed his cheek. "Besides, I'm sorry. I guess I understand now what's it's like to lose control."

Maybe he would never forgive himself, but I have. Ever since what I did to him I now was able to let go of everything painful. He gave me a weak smile. We had our whole lives to make up the pain we've caused one another. I would start too by letting him back into my life. This time I would never let him go.

For better or for worse, we are each other's destiny. I knew that was hard to find, especially at the age of seventeen. Also imprinting was another proof of this but I didn't even consider it. Love had nothing to do with the imprint bond. I would have eventually ended up with Paul without it. I was that confident of our love for each other. I was even more prepared for any other further obstacles that would hit us. I would be strong and a fighter. It's what I need too. I would not break my promise to Jace. I would be there for him and always hold him dear to my heart. No one loves you better than your own mother.

Okay so maybe I don't know much about being a mother but that's what my mom always says. "You know your mother loves you best!" would be the precise quote she says to me. See, they made up like usual. All couples have their ups and downs. Ariella and Paul are finally letting go of their guilt for the pain each of them have inflicted onto each other. Thanks for the review Insane Zula! Also a special thanks to my Beta Readers: Allyson aka Jade she's my blood sister, Sal my bf for helping with the plot, and my current Beta Reader from Fanfiction, loverofgoodstories27. Also another special thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. This story wouldn't have been continued if it weren't for the fans. Thanks for reading and I'll update soon I hope. School starts back up tomorrow, bleh. Thank god I'm now a senior. I can't wait to start college. :D