Hi guys! I am so, so sorry for the long wait. I hope this makes up for it!

Four Years Later

Paul's POV: December 1st

I set a mug of steaming, hot coffee on the side-table next to Scarlett's side of the bed and then sit down on the edge of it. I pull the covers down and lift my tee-shirt, which just so happens to be her sleep-shirt, to trail my fingertips down her spine.

I shouldn't wake her, but last night wasn't the kind of night that I enjoy having with her. She stirs and rolls onto her back. She rubs her delicate, soft hands against her red and swollen eyes and I immediately feel terrible. The fight last night was the same one that we have been having for weeks now. We spent years building up to this point; and now with me finally being able to live my dream as a head, college coach, and with her secure in a career as an interior designer, it is just time, not that Scarlett agrees with me.

I'm ready. I'm ready for kids. And that freaks Scarlett out so much it has resulted in multiple emotional breakdowns and panic attacks. Even realizing that I am the one to give them to her breaks my heart, but it frustrates me beyond my belief; how on earth could Scarlett think that she wouldn't be a good mother?

It wasn't like we never talked about it. We always mentioned our hypothetical children, and she seemed absolutely fine with it. It wasn't until the actual idea of trying began, however, that she truly flipped a switch. It was as if even the mention of it sends her into a full-blown panic and suddenly she is hysterical and screaming that I am yelling at her though I swear I am just putting out her fire.

I hadn't even held her last night when we'd went to bed; I had been that frustrated, but now I feel absolutely, positively like the worst husband in the world. It's hard to be frustrated with Scarlett when she is so damn beautiful, and especially when I think back to what she looked like in the hospital all those years ago.

I pull her into my lap and begin rocking her back and forth gently. Scarlett bats her long eyelashes open and then stunning, bright blue is staring me right in my unworthy eyes.

"Hi beautiful," I whisper to her as I run my finger down the side of her face.

"Paul," Scarlett mumbles and then rubs at her eyes. Her voice is rough and scratchy. "I feel terrible. Do I look as bad as I feel?"

I chuckle. "Not at all."

"Mmm," She takes a deep breath and then pushes out of my arms. I swallow down the sting of her pushing me away and let her re-adjust herself underneath the covers. I drop off of the bed and then kneel down next to her.

"Please don't be mad at me," I tell her softly, stroking my hand along the side of her cheek.

"I'm not mad at you," She answers quietly. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," I answer immediately. "Not even a little bit."

"Than would you please just… stop? I hate fighting with you. And you keep bringing it up. You- you- it's just- when you married me you said that you liked me just the way that I am. And I can't help but feel like you don't anymore."

"What?" I breathe, complete disbelief overtaking me. How on earth could she ever think that? "Baby, how could you think that? I love you just the way that you are."

"Than why are you trying to change me?"

"I'm not! I-," I sigh and let my argument pass. Fighting my point hasn't been working lately, so why would it change now. "Scarlett?" I whisper to her gently as I strum my fingers along her hair. "Why would you ever think that? You're my girl. I love you always. Fuck the universe, remember?"

Her lips pull up at the corners and I can't help but smile. Much better.

"I just," She moans and then sits up in bed. Scarlett pulls the covers up to her chest and sighs loudly. "I know that you say that you want me. But you want a baby too."

I shake my head. "I want your babies. I have never been too much of a fan of babies in general."

"Babies?" Her eyes pop. "Plural? Now you want more than one? Jesus Christ, Paul!"

I giggle.

"There is nothing funny about this!" Her eyebrows furrow in the middle. "You can't accept a no and I can't give you a yes so just stop using a condom. It's not like I'll ever say no."

I frown. "No. Scarlett. I would never do that to you."

She rolls her eyes. "It's not like you'd be raping me."

I cringe. "Please don't ever mention us having sex and rape in the same sentence ever again."

Scarlett giggles easily. "I was kidding, Pauley."

I sigh. "Am I failing at this marriage thing?"

Scarlett rolls her eyes again, more dramatically this time. "You're the best husband. Honestly, I'd never be able to live with another human and not kill them and actually want to hangout with them every day except for you."

"Reassuring," I laugh. "I like you too. And for the record, I think you're a great wife."

"Really?"

I nod. "The best, actually."

"Even though I don't want a baby?" She frowns rather adorably.

I ponder this for a moment. "Never?"

Scarlett takes a second to bite the inside of her cheek and surely internally panic for a moment. "Not now. Just- could you give me some… time? I promise I'll work on it, okay? I'll come around. I always do. I just need to, like, figure out how to, like, not freak out about it. Okay?"

My lips pull up at the corners. "I can do that. I love you."

"Yeah, yeah, old news Lahote." She lays down in bed and pulls the covers protectively overtop of her. "Now go to work and let me sleep. Jeesh."

I crawl on top of her and laugh against her neck. "I was thinking of calling in sick."

"No," She moans. "Leave me alone you creepy, horny man."

I burst out laughing. "Wow. Okay." I go to pull away but she tugs on my arm and I drop down next to her.

"Stay," Scarlett says sweetly. "Just let me sleep," She sighs against my shoulder. "You know I can't think clearly under eleven hours."

"You are incredible," I shake my head.

"Shhh," She kisses my shoulder. "Paul?"

"Hm?" I kiss her forehead.

"If I ever did want a baby, it would be with you. I just- I hope that you know that it's not you."

I hug her tighter to me. "Yes, I do. Now sleep, beautiful; we won't talk about this again until you're ready."

"Can I have some sort of time frame?" She mumbles. "I am afraid that I would just put it off until we were 70 and then decide I wanted a child."

I chuckle. "One year?"

She smiles. "One year. Okay. Okay- I can do one year."

"Go to sleep, baby girl."

"Yes sir," She sighs. "After all of that serious talk I am feeling slightly stressed, though."

I lean up to see her closed eyes and even breath. Is the asking for what I think she is asking for?

"Scarlett?"

"Hm?"

I shake my head at her and lower myself underneath the sheets. "Is this what you want?" I kiss down her stomach and then gently down the insides of her thighs.

"Mmm," Scarlett breathes.

"This?" I breathe into her sensitive spot and hear her gasp. "Yeah, baby; this is what you want." I only manage to pleasure her for a minute or so before she has had enough.

"Ugh!" Scarlett moans loudly. "Fine- Lahote! You win! Just have sex with me already!"

I laugh as I pull myself up and then find her awaiting arms. She wraps her skinny, little arms around my neck and kisses me sweetly.

"I'm sorry," I tell her honestly.

"No," She sighs. "I'm sorry."

"Makeup sex?" I ask excitedly.

Scarlett rolls her eyes. "Yes please," She moans.

And in about 5.4 minutes, all is forgiven.

Scarlett's POV: December 24th

Christmas shopping is going much better than expected. Of course I waited until the last few hours, literally, to finish my Christmas shopping.

As of now, I have everyone's presents picked out, except for Paul's of course, but he always seems to be the most difficult for me.

The only issue, is that I have been sick practically all day.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and pull it out. I pull my hat tighter down on my ears and pull off my glove to wipe a layer of snow from my screen.

How u feeling?

I smile to myself. Paul and I spent the morning together and then went our separate ways to get some private Christmas shopping done in the afternoon, and of course he still found time to text me. Awful

He sends back two frowns. I've got Christmas Eve dinner tonight- go home and sleep!

I nearly laugh to myself; of course he has dinner tonight. It has become tradition that we spend Christmas Eve together completely alone; Paul makes dinner and then we add ornaments to the already decorated tree, make Christmas cookies until we can't think straight, sip on so much hot chocolate our stomach's hurt, and then dance around our apartment to Christmas music.

I still have to get someone's Christmas present…

Go home and sleep naked. I'll even act surprised! Best Christmas ever!

I giggle. You are disturbing.

;) Don't be late for Christmas Eve festivities! Love you Scarlett Lahote.

I roll my eyes. I love you too, OG Lahote!

I drop my phone back into my pocket and sigh to myself. The present ideas that I currently am deciding upon go from tickets to the Florida State football game, in Florida of course, all the way to a coupon to get me drunk in the city and then to a hotel room after. We have been married for four years and I have never drank before, so I am leaning heavily towards that option because it is just weird enough to be a totally original gift, yet I know we would have a lot of fun.

I finally decide on that gift, slip my gloves back on, and bundle up the rest of the gifts in my hands and trudge out through the thick layer of snow beneath my feet to head back to my car. As soon as I take my first step, though, I nearly throw up right then and there.

I moan and place my hand to my stomach and take a deep breath. Jesus Christ. I have been nauseous a lot lately, but I have been trying to shield it from Paul. Honestly, I'm nervous that something is really wrong. I have been nauseous almost every morning, and some evenings, too. I'm more hungry than normal, yet certain foods that I eat make me throw it right up. I'm tired… all the time. And I have been getting a lot of headaches recently.

I stand up when the wave of nausea passes and pat my stomach. It is Christmas Eve. I can't be sick now; this is our holiday! I buckle over when I nearly throw up my lunch.

With a sigh, I finally give into the inevitable and pull Renesmee's grandfather's number up on my phone. It is only three o'clock- I've still got an hour before Paul and I decided that we would be home; it is more than enough time to stop by on my way back.

He tells me on the phone that it would be a pleasure to see me and that it wasn't an inconvenience at all, which is a very normal response from all of Nessie's family; I guess having been alive for so long makes them ridiculously polite. So, I drive right to there house from the mall.

Mr. Cullen is the one who opens the door for me. "Scarlett. How are you?"

"I'm good!" I say happily as I pull my hat off and let him take my coat. I ruffle my definitely staticky hair and then hug Mrs. Cullen. "How are you guys?"

"Great! It's been too long. How is Paul?" Mrs. Cullen holds my shoulders as she talks to me.

"Amazing!" I giggle, "We're so busy! It sounds like a cop-out but seriously! Since Paul got that job as head coach he is practically in a football coma! And I started working for a company that does the interior decorating for super rich people. Oh! Did Nessie tell you I met Oprah?"

"Yes!" Mr. Cullen laughs. "She did! That's amazing! Was she as modest as she appears on screen?"

"More so," I laugh. "I think my boss was a bit much for her."

"You shouldn't have a boss," Mrs. Cullen rolls her eyes. "You're better than her. I can't believe Oprah would want a place in Washington, though."

I blush and then laugh. Though my career has definitely taken off, I don't like to make it known. "Apparently she has family down here," I tell her.

"Explains enough," Mrs. Cullen sighs.

"Perhaps we'll meet her before we leave," Mr. Cullen ponders.

"If you guys leave I'm killing myself, did Nessie tell you that?"

Mr. Cullen chuckles. "She mentioned something about self-harm. Scarlett, our daughter is here; we will be back every month until they come to join us."

I huff. "Antartica is way too far! And you do realize that Nessie and Jake aren't going anywhere until I'm good and dead, right?"

"And they say vampires are morbid," Rosalie says with a small smile as she comes into the room.

"Rose!" I squeal and run to her. She hugs me gently and I pull away with an excited smile.

"Hi honey." Rose smiles back at me. My relationship with the Cullen's is odd because though they are technically my same age, they have been alive for years and years, so they view me more of a daughter or niece than as a friend. "Are you sick, Scarlett?" Her expression is suddenly concerned.

"I'm sure I"m fine," I quickly reassure her. "I just had some time before I had to be home so I thought I'd get it figured out before the holiday and then not have to worry about it."

Rosalie nods. "I'll take you to Carlisle."

"Great." She leads me to Carlisle's office and then he immediately begins by taking my vitals. I tell him my symptoms and somewhere along the way he got this slightly amused but professional smirk and that never went away throughout the entire check up. He takes a little bit of blood from me and then only "examines it" for a few minutes before he has a verdict.

"Well, Scarlett. I think I may want to have Jasper in the vicinity before I tell you this," He pats my shoulder.

"Excuse me?"

In less than a second I feel a wave of calm pass overtop of me like a heavy blanket. "Jasper," I moan. "You know I hate when you do that!"

I hear a small chuckle.

"Scarlett," Carlisle is suddenly in front of me.

"Yes?"

"How pregnant do you want to be?"

My eyes pop. "What?" I exclaim.

"Because you are very pregnant."

I gasp. "P-p-p-p-p-pregnant?"

"Yes."

I want to panic. I really, really, really do, but I just can't. I am suddenly so grateful for Jasper's gift that I want to run up and hug him. "I'm pregnant?" I whisper.

He nods. "You are."

"But… how?"

"Were you using protection."

"Ye-," I begin to say, but then stop myself. "Well, sometimes."

Carlisle smiles. "Accidents can happen. This wasn't planned, was it?"

I shake my head slowly.

"Are you okay?"

I nod my head slowly.

"Do you have any questions?"

I nod again.

"Like?"

"H-H-How l-long?" I suddenly shiver and hug myself tightly.

"About a month."

"A month?" I exclaim. I think back to the last fight that Paul and I had and almost laugh at the irony; I was probably already pregnant at the time.

"So far you are perfectly healthy. The baby is in good health as well."

"The b-b-baby."

"You are white."

"Jesus," I mumble. "Pregnant."

"Scarlett?" His hands are on my shoulders. "Are you going to pass out?"

"I-I-I-I-I don't know."

"Were Paul and you planning on starting a family?" He asks gently.

I nod. "But- I mean- not now! In like a year. This is-this is- I- I'm pregnant. Pregnant. Me!" I lift up my shirt and then look down at my stomach. Certainly it has looked a little rounder than usual, but I had chalked that up to hormones and being bloated and sick.

"Wow," I whisper as I place my palm on top of my stomach. I feel a kick back, something small and timid and weak, but I still feel it. I gasp. My mouth drops at my stomach. I blink a few times to be sure that I am not dreaming. "Oh my God." Tears condense in the corners of my eyes. "That's my… that's my- that's Paul's baby. That's Paul's baby! That's my baby!"

He laughs and squeezes my shoulder. "You're going to be a mother."

I suddenly understand why Paul had been so frustrated with me. What had I been so worried about? I have a human, a little tiny human with a little bit of Paul and a little bit of me in my stomach and he or she is just in there, growing and learning and listening. I rub my hand in soft circles around my stomach and smile just a little bit to myself. "I am a mother." And I suddenly realize how much that is true; I am a mother, but a real one. A good one.

Once I leave the Cullen's I am more content than I ever thought possible. The thought of having a baby never scared me; of course I wanted a little Paul running around- it was the idea of being a mother. Would I be any good at it? What if she hated me? What if I couldn't love him like my mom never loved me? But now… now I realize that I was so off-base it isn't even funny. I haven't even met him, and yet I already love him so much. I am careful to place the seatbelt above my stomach and hold my hand protectively to my baby. Our baby. My baby. Paul and I's baby.

I fight a wide smile and giggle to myself.

One year?

More like one month.

I stop to get Paul's new present and am about twenty minutes late to get home. I am smiling so widely I have to give myself a pep-talk in the car; don't spoil it, Scarlett! I step through the front door and quickly take off all of my snow-gear (as Paul calls it).

"Scarlett Lahote."

Paul steps into the family room with a spatula in hand and crosses his arms. "You are late, young lady."

My eyes pop. "I'm sorry!" I hold my hands up. "Don't shoot!"

He shakes his head glaringly at me. "Not shoot you. I'm going to spank you though." Paul smacks the spatula against his palm and I roll my eyes.

"Alright Christian Grey. Chill out over there."

He laughs. "Hurry up. Get in here. Dinner's almost done and then we've got cookie making. Jeesh, skimping on your wifey duties."

"Sorry!" I jump up and then skip over to him. I hug him tightly and then giggle into his shoulder.

"Hey honey," He laughs and pats my back. "You seem happy."

"Of course I'm happy," I giggle. "How could I not be? I'm so lucky."

He kisses the side of my head. "No. I'm lucky, baby girl. You want some hot chocolate?"

"Before dinner?" I scoff.

He laughs and taps my bottom with the spatula. "Bad girl," He whispers into my ear. His lips drop to my neck and I can't help but close my eyes and fall into him. I have no chance of denying him or doing anything productive when he is like this.

Paul sucks on the curve of my jaw and I gasp. His hands stroke down my sides and I press myself closer to him.

His lips trail down my chest. I tangle my fingers in his hair and he smiles against my skin. "Oh, baby," He murmurs.

I wrap my arms around his neck and sigh. "Paul. You're amazing. I'm so happy."

He pulls his face up to look at me. He is looking at me a little funny. "That's my job, Scarlett. Is everything okay, honey?" He sweeps my hair behind my ears.

I bite my lip to keep from smiling too widely and nod my head. Paul. The sweetest man that I have ever met. The one who protects me and holds me when I fall asleep and rocks me when I have a nightmare. He is going to be such an incredible dad. I can just imagine him doing the same for our child, and it makes me feel content in a way I've never quite felt before.

I giggle again and jump into his arms. "Ugh! Paul Lahote!"

"Ugh, Scarlett!" Paul laughs. "Dinner time?"

"Dinner time!"

At dinner, I make sure that I eat everything. Even the vegetables. This isn't about me anymore, and I want to do this pregnancy thing right. Cookie making follows, accompanied with some Christmas tree decorating, or course. I just finish my second cup of hot chocolate when I suddenly hear Santa Baby blaring through the surround sound, and Paul offers me his hand.

We dance around the kitchen like two little kids, stuffing our face with cookies as we pass by the countless racks, and throwing some ornaments on the tree as we pass by. At midnight we find ourselves beneath the sheets on the floor in front of the fireplace. The heat of the fire and Paul's smooth, skin overtakes me and sends me into a pleasure-filled dream land where touches are hurricanes and kisses are tornadoes. We go slow. Slow and passionate and entirely overwhelmingly amazing. I don't try to make it harder or faster or try to take control; I let Paul take care of me, and I let him be gentle with me because we need to be gentle for someone else.

In the morning Paul wakes me up much like we fell asleep. I can tell that he can tell that something is off; not bad off, just different off. He looks looking at me funny and then beginning to say something but then stopping and laughing to himself. It's not that I haven't always been ridiculously happy with Paul Lahote, it's just that I am ridiculously happy- like, insanely happy- over-happy to a ridiculously insane extent.

We take a shower and then I get dressed in a long, grey sweater dress and some black tights and black, heeled booties. I almost feel bad for Paul having to stuff the car to the brink with so many presents but then again it's Christmas and so I really don't feel that bad.

We arrive at Jake and Nessie's just after everyone else got there. The first one to hug me is Mrs. Lahote, who takes the giant tray of Christmas cookies from me and kisses both of my cheeks.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie!"

"Merry Christmas mom," I laugh. Almost as soon as Paul and I got married, Mrs. Lahote begin insisting that I call her mom; it took about a year, but eventually it just stuck, and now it feels weird to call her anything else.

Paul places his hand on the top of my back and then follows me into the family room with everyone else. After the greetings, we all enjoy breakfast cooked by Nessie and Jake, of course, and then presents. Nessie and Jake have a joint rest of the holiday with Jacob's family and Nessie's family over at her grandpa Charlie's house, while the rest of the pack has a giant party over at Sam and Emily's.

"Here, Scarlett," Kim hobbles over to me. I laugh as I take the present from her. "You look like you're about to pop."

She rolls her eyes. "Seriously. Help me. This is from Jared and I."

"Me too!" I hear a tiny voice call over.

"And Cali, too."

"Cali," I laugh. "Come here!"

"Arlet!" Cali calls and then reaches her hands out and begins to whine in frustration when she has to wait.

I laugh and pull her onto my lap. "This is from you?" I kiss the side of her head.

"Me!" She squeals.

"You want to open it with me?"

"Yee!"

I chuckle and pick at the corner. "Here, you help me!" I tell her once I rip a piece large enough for her to begin pulling.

"Hey ladies," Paul comes up to us and pats Cali's knee. "Hi Cal! You don't give me a hug when I come in?"

"Oo! I- I wrap! My pwesent!"

"She picked this out for me! Didn't you Cali?" I bounce her in my lap.

"Me!" She squeals.

Paul laughs. "You did? All by yourself?"

Cali smiles proudly. "Want to come here so Scarlett can open it?" He holds his hands out. "Come on!" He smiles widely, his voice high and sweet.

I bite my lip and smile, imagining him doing the same thing for our child.

He lifts her onto his lap and then tickles her sides and has a conversation with her while I open up the rest of the gift. It is a white sweater, some heels and a book.

"You picked this out?" I ask Cali.

She smiles proudly.

"It is beautiful!" I hug her tightly on Paul's lap and feel his hand trail his fingers down my spine. "Thank you pretty!"

She giggles and runs off towards her dad. Jared notices her and lifts her onto his lap easily.

"Alright you two; this is from me." Mrs. Lahote hands us a large, rectangularly wrapped present.

"Ooooo! What is it?"

"Open it and find out!"

"You know I hate surprises," I sigh.

"Bullshit. Remember when you wanted to have a secret wedding?" Paul slides in next to me.

"Shut up," I giggle.

We peel back the wrapping paper together to reveal a large, black and white, framed picture from our wedding day. We're dancing on the beach and I'm smiling up at him as Paul is laughing about something that I said. He has one hand on my back while the other is on my cheek, and my arms are wrapped around his neck.

"Awe," I chuckle. "I've never seen this one before!"

"Me neither," Paul kisses my cheek. "I love it."

"I've kept it until now! I knew that I wanted to do something beautiful with it so I saved it," Mrs. Lahote explains.

"Thank you so much!" I stand and hug her. "I love it! Really! I can already imagine where we're going to put it!"

"Open ours!" Paul hands his mom her present from us and I clasp my hands excitedly. She unwraps the Nutri-Bullet, personal smoothie maker, that we got her and is just as ecstatic as we thought. Over the past year Mrs. Lahote has gotten into drinking smoothies every morning instead of coffee as part of her health kick; Paul and I have been giving her grief for the ancient, and I mean ancient blender that she was using, that is so large that it took up the entire dish-wash just to clean it.

"Hey Clairey!" I call over to her spot by Quil. She's twelve now, almost a teenager and maturing right before all of our eyes. I think everyone from here to Nantucket can tell that Quil is freaking out about that. "Here!" I hand her a small wrapped box and she pops up excitedly and tries to show restraint while she opens it up.

"Oh! I love it!" She pops up excitedly.

"Yeah?" I giggle.

"Yes!" She jumps up and hugs me and I hug her tightly back. "It's from Paul, too."

"Thanks Paul!" Claire rushes over and hugs him quickly.

Paul pats her back. "Of course, honey."

"Quil, look!" She says when she gets back to the couch. She holds the small, light pink Pandora bead in front of Quil.

"Awe, that's nice, Claire-bear," He tells her happily. "Want me to put it on your bracelet for you?"

"No I can do it." Claire immediately takes off the bracelet that Quil got her for her birthday about a year ago and begins working on putting the bead on.

I feel a tug on my hand and then am suddenly pulled into Paul's lap.

"Oh!" I laugh and blush, looking around to see if we have drawn any attention. "Lahote," I scold underneath my breath.

"Baby," He kisses my jaw. Paul latches his hands around my thighs and pulls me closer to him. "You want your present?"

I feel heat rise on my cheeks. "I'm afraid!"

Paul laughs loudly. "Not inappropriate. Promise." He pulls out a tiny, terribly wrapped box from his pocket and my mouth drops.

"Paul!" I complain. "You didn't."

"I might have," He smiles proudly.

"I told you not to!"

"I didn't listen. Open it."

I roll my eyes and unwrap the obvious piece of jewelry. I flip the black, velvet box open and then almost gasp. It is a thin, beautiful necklace with a small, familiar, blue wave in the center.

"Paul," I breathe.

"Do you like it?" He asks, his voice actually nervous. "You can take it back and exchange it for something else if you want."

My mouth drops. "What? No! Paul, of course not! I love it!"

"Yeah?" His eyes are nervous.

"Yes," I say definitively, and then kiss him sweetly, a little too long for public, but I don't care. I always knew that Paul knew what happened to the ring that he gave to me that night that my step father attacked me; he never asked about it, though. It is obvious that he is worried about it bringing back any memories, but honestly, I missed that piece of jewelry more than I would ever admit, and I wasn't about to ask him for another one!

"Put it on, put it on!" I speak excitedly, sitting up.

"Okay!" He laughs. It takes him a while with the tiny clasp and his big fingers, but eventually he gets it, and once he does, he brushes the back of his fingers along my neck and then helps me drop my hair.

I turn back towards him and look down at the necklace.

"Beautiful," He brushes his finger across my cheek.

I look up at him and smile. How did I get so lucky? Seriously. I sigh and stand up.

I pull his present from its very private hiding spot behind the tree and slowly walk over to him.

"Oh, is that mine?" Paul breaks from a conversation with Quil to tease me.

I roll my eyes. "Maybe."

I hold it out to him but suddenly find myself extremely nervous. It is one thing telling Paul, but telling everyone all at once like this? I suddenly wonder if this was a terrible, terrible idea. He tries to grab it but I hold on tight.

Paul raises his eyebrows at me. "Scarlett?"

I clear my throat and let go.

I'm not quite sure what to do with my hands or my body as he opens it, so I just stand in front of him nervously picking at my dress and twiddling with my feet and fingers and hair, and I can tell that people are beginning to notice.

Paul pulls the top of the box open and then brushes the tissue paper aside. He seems confused at first, but then I notice him lean forward and read, and then he freezes. Paul's eyes flicker up to mine, disbelief all over his face. He looks from me back down to the present and then to me again, doing that a few more times before his mouth drops.

"Really?" He breathes, his lips finally pulling up into a wide smile.

I bite the center of my lip and nod my head.

He pushes the present off of his lap and then stands. Paul is shaking his head as he warps his arms tightly around me. I take deep, greedy breaths of his scent and grab a tight fistful of the back of his shirt.

"Oh I love you," He is suddenly laughing. "I love you. I love you. I love you," Paul whispers into my ear.

I giggle against his chest and then close my eyes as he begins rocking me back and forth. I just want to stay like this, in my little home, forever. Until…

"Oh my God!" I hear a screech that is so familiar and obviously Paul's mom's that I have to laugh with my face pressed tightly into Paul's chest.

"Oh my God!" I hear again, followed by a chorus of screams as everyone sees the present that I gave to Paul. It was a box with some baby clothes, a Binki, and then a bib that said "I love my Daddy," across the center.

"You're pregnant!" I hear Nessie screech.

I force myself to pull away from Paul and nod, a blush coming to my cheeks as I smile due to all the attention.

"Oh my God! You're pregnant! This is amazing!" She hugs me tightly and I laugh and hug her back, though the truth is I just want to be hugging Paul.

"We're going to be pregnant together!" Kim says excitedly and then hugs me tightly.

"Perfect!" Jared adds, "Paul and I will just herd you two into a room together and take shifts on who has to deal with the pregnant women!"

"Shut up," I laugh and roll my eyes.

Paul's mom comes next, and she is sobbing. And I mean sobbing.

"Mom," Paul laughs and rubs her shoulder. "Are you okay?" He is laughing so hard but covering his mouth, trying to hide it.

She tries to speak but can't. She comes up to me and keeps opening her mouth but then shaking her head and closing it again. Finally, Mrs. Lahote places her hand on my stomach and then covers her face with her hands and sobs loudly.

"Oh!" I laugh and pat her arm, not quite sure how to comfort her; crying humans have never been my strong suit.

Oddly enough, the last person to congratulate me about my pregnancy, just so happens to be Embry. Over the last year I really haven't seen that much of him. He moved away about a year ago to open up a few branches of Jake's AutoRepair Shop. He brought a steady stream of girls home with him, though none seemed to stick. I miss him; I miss him so much some days I actually feel like crying about it, but I know that it isn't fair of me to miss him like I do

"Well," Embry sighs and shakes his head at me. He came without a girlfriend this time, which is surprising and amazing at the same time; most haven't been my biggest fans. "You're knocked up, Princess."

I roll my eyes. "You're an idiot."

He laughs and holds his arm open for me. I try to push down the obvious relief that flows through my entire body with his offer. I press myself into his chest and then feel him hug me tightly.

"You're going to be an amazing mom, Scarlett," He says into my ear. "The absolute best." And it's the way he says it, the way that he isn't sarcastic, which he always is, and he is serious and kind and sincere, that makes me lose it. It is as if the reaction that I always thought would happen but never came, suddenly explodes out of me.

And I am sobbing.

"Oh!" Embry stiffens beneath me before quickly rubbing my shoulders. "Ugh, please stop that," He tells me and then clears his throat. "Scarlett!" His voice is quieter and more frantic this time. "Please stop crying! Everyone is looking at me like I just beat you up!"

I can't even begin to laugh at his terrible joke.

"Alright," I hear a laugh and then a familiar voice and thank God when I feel that soft, warm hand against my back and I am pulled into the safety net that is Pafety. Paul lets out a long moan and then wraps his arms tightly around my neck. "I was expecting this," He kisses the top of my head.

"I d-d-d-o-on't kn-n-now why I a-a-a-am c-c-crying," I gasp.

"It's okay," Paul rocks me back and forth.

"I'm h-h-happy I s-s-w-swear!"

Paul laughs. "I know, baby."

"Hey, Scarlett," I feel someone poke my arm. "When you say you're really happy but then you're sobbing like someone just killed your kitten, it is kind of confusing for the rest of us. I mean, are we supposed to celebrate or what?"

Jared.

I laugh through the tears.

"Yeah really, Princess," Embry says. "You're doing that emotional turmoil thing again. It's been too long, none of us are prepared."

"Oh, Scarlett!" Mrs. Lahote is behind me, rubbing my back. "I'm supposed to be the emotional one, remember?"

I laugh weakly and then pull away from Paul. I suck in the tears that I threatening to spill over and continuously swipe my fingers underneath my eye to catch stray tears.

"Is she okay?" I hear Claire ask.

"Shhh," Quil shakes his head at her.

"I-I-I," I hiccup. "I'm f-fine. They're h-h-happy tears."

Claire cocks her head at me. "They don't look like happy tears."

I burst out laughing. "Ugh!" I shake my head at myself and rub at my eyes. "No I am! I really am! It's normal for me to react opposite how I feel. I think I have a few wires mixed up."

"A few?" Embry flashes me his goofy grin and I feel Nessie hug my side.

I finally have control of myself and look for Paul. I am worried that I hurt him, that I upset him and ruined this incredible moment with a mundane, ridiculous one of my own, which is why I am so surprised when he is beaming. I don't think I have ever seen Paul look so happy before, and suddenly, I need to hug him again.

I hug him gently and then feel his hands begging to run up and down my back.

"Alright, guys," Seth comes in from the kitchen and lets out a long, deep breath. "I'm back! I finally found the matches for the fire-place. What did I miss?"

The entire room is suddenly hysterical.

Paul and I decide to go home for a while after the big announcement to have some time for ourselves before going straight to Sam and Emily's. The entire car ride home Paul is giggling like a little boy. He keeps reaching for my hand and kissing it and then laughing and shaking his hand and pressing it to his forehead.

"Are you okay?" I finally ask once we get into the apartment, a laugh in my voice.

Paul doesn't answer. Instead, he latches his arm around my back and pulls me to him and kisses me off my feet. Like, really, the guy kisses me off my feet. Jeesh, I am a lucky girl. Paul catches me and kisses me deeply, and suddenly every thought I have ever had practically sprints away from me at high speed.

Paul grabs my face in his hands and then kisses me once more. He drops to his knees and pushes my dress up.

"Paul," I giggle, but he just shushes me. He kisses my stomach gently, and then lifts his eyes up to me and smiles sweetly. "Baby," He murmurs.

"Hm?" I bite the corner of my lip.

"We're having a baby, baby."

I giggle. "Yeah, I guess we are," I whisper, and suddenly I am narrowing my eyes at him. I point right at him. "But I'm still your baby girl."

Paul laughs. "Of course! What kind of monster do you think I am?"

"Good," I giggle. "Are we going back to the party?"

"Oh no," Paul suddenly seems serious. He lifts me up and then lowers me onto the bed. "I'm making love to you."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." He lifts my dress off of me and then throws it across the room. He kisses a trail from my stomach all the way up to my neck and then breathes into my skin there.

"How are you feeling about this? Really?"

I close my eyes and smile. "Amazing."

"Really?" He runs his hands overtop of my chest. I moan softly.

"Yes," I sigh. "I thought I was going to freak out, and then I just… didn't. It was weird. I'm a mom," I giggle. "Like, that's insane. And amazing. And… crazy. But I'm happy. Really, really happy. It's little Pauley."

Paul gasps. "It's a boy?"

My mouth drops. "N-no! Well, I don't know! Maybe! Probably! Hopefully!"

He laughs. "Oh, well- no. I want a little Scarlett."

I roll my eyes. "No thank you. Isn't one enough?'

"Never," He kisses my temple.

"We're having a baby," I giggle. "A hot baby! A super hot baby!"

Paul bursts out laughing. "I take it back! No girls! I don't think I'd be able to handle it!"

I giggle. "See! Little, less slutty Paul Lahote."

"Oh yeah." Paul rubs his hand in small circles on my stomach and then smiles widely at me.

"I love you, Scarlett. I love you so much."

I wrap my arms around his neck. "I know. I love you, too. I do. I really, really do."

"Really?" He teases me.

"Really. Take your shirt off."

He laughs. "Horniest parents alive."

"Paul!" I gasp as heat rises to my cheeks. "My God!"

But it's not like he's lying…

"Oo!" I gasp up and arch my back on the bed.

Yeah.

Not lying at all.

Hope you enjoyed this! I'll update much sooner- I promise! Please let me know how you like the jumping ahead, and of course I need to hear how you all feel about a Lahote pregnancy! Wooo!