No copyright infringement intended on Stephenie Meyer's work
This chapter is rated M
Paul
It was after six now, on a Thursday evening, and I was alone on the front porch thinking things over in my head while watching the night darken and drinking a beer. Jared was here up to a few moments ago when he went on patrol. He'd filled me in on everything I had been missing with the pack recently. I was making a conscious effort not to be around them because both Sam and Leanne were on my Pissed Me the Fuck Off list.
As it turns out, Bella and Edward somehow got pregnant on their honeymoon. She came back to Forks two days ago, sick to death because the little half-vamp creature was sucking the life out of her. Jacob found out and told Sam. It caused a huge rift in the pack because Sam wanted to attack and kill her before the vampire child could be born. The pack couldn't trust that thing not to kill at will, being so young and immature. No one would know what to expect. Sam believed it was better to eliminate the threat before it could happen. The pack was ready to head to Forks and attack not caring that they would kill Chief Swan's daughter.
Jacob of course hated the idea, and being Bella's sworn protector he opposed Sam and it triggered his Alpha powers to come out. In his defiance he became Alpha too but not of the pack. Jake apparently ran to the Cullens to warn them, taking Sam's element of surprise away. Seth of course followed him, being Baby Alpha's groupie and a Cullen lover, and Leah followed Seth to protect her brother from the Cullens. She hated those leeches as much as I did, maybe more. Sam withheld the order to attack as a result.
So Jakey boy was Alpha to his own pack, even though he swears he's not anyone's leader. We can't hear their thoughts anymore and I think that's what hurts Sam the most, the distance that has been created.
Now everything's a mess in the La Push pack and Sam is desperate to get the Black pack to come back to us. Sue and Billy are beside themselves with worry. Jacob and the others have been living in the forest guarding the Cullen territory – staying away from home. Jared and I know he won't admit it, but Sam is worried that Embry and Quil will follow Jake eventually. I wouldn't be surprised. I also knew that he'd relied on Leah to take care of Leanne as well, and was probably upset because the other wolves didn't want to do it. Leah was the best one to put up with Leanne's moods.
I was actually glad that I had to work and didn't have to be involved in this situation all day every day. I had my own shit to deal with. It had been about ten days since I saw Corrie at the mall. She wouldn't take my calls or let me see her. Emily promised that she was going to come back to me and I needed to give her time, but the waiting was literally killing me.
I knew she needed her space to work things out, but I wished she could work things out with me instead of on her own.
I had been fucking up at work. My temper was too volatile because the wolf missed her, craved her, just like I did. She had no idea what it was like to have two sets of emotions in one body. I kept snapping at people, growling at them and I threw a chair into the wall and broke it when I messed up the leg. Yeah, I was being a different person to the one Mr. Arnolds had hired and I hated the fact that he wasn't sure he liked me in his workshop anymore. At this point it's the baby keeping me employed.
After the chair incident I was so desperate that I called Sam over and begged him to forbid me from phasing so that the wolf would be forced to stop dominating my mind. Forcing me by Alpha order didn't exactly work though – probably because I was still pissed at him. I considered taking time off – which would result in less pay so it was a poor option - but over a week ago something happened to change my mind, thankfully.
There's this guy at my job, Laurence, who kick-boxes. He pulled me aside and asked if I'd start going with him as a way to destress. The guys at work actually liked me, and they didn't want to see me lose a good job because I couldn't control my temper. I'd already racked up two strikes against me and it was inevitable that I would screw myself over before October was done. They had actually started placing bets on how much longer I'd last before Arnolds gave me the boot. I had cringed when Laurence told me that.
He'd said, "The only solution is to show people that you're strong enough to get your shit together. Anyone can fuck up, it's getting shit right that shows real strength." And I found it relevant to everything that was happening in my life.
I owed Laurence my life.
Boxing worked wonders. It felt really good and I definitely felt less stressed. It didn't take the hurt away but it helped my wolf to cope without phasing or lashing out, which I really appreciated for the first time since I became a shifter. After the first two sessions I felt the results starting to kick in. It's a positive way to work off steam for me, I've had progressively better days at work and slept better at night since then.
I'd been going with Laurence to the gym every evening after work for the last week and I was definitely hooked for life. I was already thinking about setting up my own punching bag and getting some gloves for me and my brothers. I think it would be a good outlet for all of us, and it would be better for us to work out our issues this way instead of fighting as wolves. Just a week with Laurence and I somehow felt wiser and stronger – Sam never had this effect on me. Over dinner a few times Laurence had told me so much about himself and his life that I was inspired by him. I wanted to get my shit in control too, and make people proud of me rather than disappointed.
When he saw how natural I was – which was obviously due to my wolf senses and strength – he begged me to start doing competitions with him. He'd coach me. He said I could win a ton of money and I was interested. If he knew, I was sure Sam wouldn't think it was safe because I could easily kill someone with one punch, but I figured that with some practice at controlling myself, I would be able to compete with no problem. I needed that money, it would be my ticket to a better life – for me, the baby, Corrie, my Mom, even the pack. We were talking thousands and thousands of dollars here.
Again I was faced with the irony of how things worked out. If Corrie hadn't stayed away, I might not have ever been approached by Laurence. I actually felt really positive about my future and I really wanted to share my plans with my girl. It was hard being shut out of her life, not knowing if she was okay or in danger, if she had a good day or bad. But I was managing to get through each day without her, I was still alive. And in the end, this was all for her, so that I could be a better person, protector and provider for her.
I had to keep my shit together because the baby was soon going to be here.
Amy had called while I was still at work earlier today and said that the midwife at the clinic believed the baby would come earlier than the due date which was any day now. Naturally, I was feeling anxious. So much in my life would change because of that little person. So much had already changed, and I wondered how I would handle everything. Jared seemed to think that everything would work itself out. He and the rest of the pack were rooting for the kid not to be mine.
I didn't know how I felt about that, much to my surprise.
Regardless, I was on stand-by for her call from now on. At least her bag was packed and ready to go.
As my mood darkened along with the sky I was surprised to see headlights coming up the road slowly. They were coming this way, and I was scared to believe my eyes.
It was Corrie's mother's minivan.
It was her.
I looked up to the sky in thanksgiving. The pull in my chest awakened and I found myself standing in front of the house as the van came to a stop in front of me. This was a fucking dream come true.
She got out slowly and just stood there for a while, looking at me with hope and sadness.
"Corrie? What are you doing here so late?" I reached out and took her hand as she seemed unable to speak, her eyes filling with tears.
I pulled her into my chest and the dam broke loose. She started to sob into my chest, clawing at my back to hold me as close to her as possible. I picked her up and closed the car door, taking her to the porch and setting her on my lap. I just let Corrie get it all out, rubbing her back and shushing her softly. I'd hold her til tomorrow if it meant that she'd be right here with me.
God I had missed her so much.
I deeply inhaled her scent and sighed. It filled me up and renewed my wolf's broken spirit instantly. I felt as if a blockage had been removed from my chest allowing me to breathe freely.
"I'm sorry," Corrie croaked with her hoarse voice, her watery green eyes meeting my face bashfully.
"I'm sorry too baby," I kissed her lips eagerly but she pulled away.
"No Paul, wait. I need to say this first…" I nodded letting her continue. "You can't lie to me, it hurts too much to know that you're doing something that I don't know about with her. I'm upset about this baby but I know you can't change the past, I know you didn't mean to hurt me. And I shouldn't have shut you out because you needed me. I know I was wrong to do that, but it was hard getting over how angry you made me every time I found out you lied." Corrie took a deep breath then buried her face in my shirt. I stroked her hair and pulled my arms tighter.
"I didn't want to keep things from you but I knew that the baby alone was so painful so I didn't want to add to your hurt. I can't hurt you and still function Corr, it kills me. I was just trying to protect you from my fuck ups, but I was fucking up by doing that instead." I admitted remorsefully.
She sighed and nodded against my chest.
"Thank you for coming back to me. You are the perfect imprint - you don't take my shit, and I love you for it. Just because we imprinted doesn't mean that we're flawless. You keep me on my toes, I learned my lesson and I promise I'll never keep anything from you again, I swear on my life babe. I've never been with someone before and I want to get this right, I wanna make you happy forever."
"You always put me first and I didn't do that for you Paul. You knew you were wrong and you apologized and all I could think about was wanting you to suffer for being wrong – I'm not proud of myself for that. I really don't like being so angry at you. I'm sorry I couldn't forgive you sooner. But I really do forgive you."
"No, I deserved it. And I've seen you put me first Corrie. You have – you stood up to your parents for me. I know you love me so I respected your space. It was hard but I know you, and you needed to work through your issues so you could get to this point. I told you I'd always be waiting for you."
"I want to be here for you Paul. I really do. Just try to let me in and trust me to do what's right. We're partners, just because you want to protect me doesn't mean I have to be kept in the dark. I promise I'll try to be strong and handle whatever comes our way."
That space between her eyes scrunched up as she spoke with such passion, it was so adorable. She was right of course. She really wasn't like Claire, she was a young adult like me and I needed to respect her and always be honest.
"I love you too much to let things keep falling apart because you keep treating me like a child."
"I missed you," I declared, thinking of all of Corrie's little facial expressions I had missed out on for ten days as I cupped her perfect face and gazed into her eyes. "And I love you too sweetheart."
"I missed you too…" she practically slumped into my arms as our bond ignited, jolting us both like an electric shock.
I pulled back so I could see her better. "So are we Paul and Corrie again?"
"Yeah, we're Corrie and Paul again, I guess," her lips pulled up in the corners showing a hint of a smile.
"Ha, whatever you say Miss Redbird." I squeezed her tightly, feeling the happy tingles fill my body.
Her eyes met mine with "the look," so I pressed my lips against hers and wasted no time carrying her up to my room to show her just how much I missed her, just how much Corrie would always be mine no matter what she or I did.
We were a tangle of limbs and sheets an hour later. Our fingers were laced together as we both stared up at the ceiling.
"Feeling better?" I asked her.
"Much. You are the only cure for my madness Paul, as much as I hate to admit it."
"Admit what, that you're mad or I'm irresistible?"
"Oh whatever, wolf!" she said with a poke to my side.
"I was thinking earlier before you came…even though it's been fucked up, us being apart actually had its benefits."
"What? How?" she looked over at me clearly feeling skeptical about what I was going to say.
"Well, I started kickboxing – well regular boxing too."
"Really?" her eyes lit up and I already knew that she was thinking about coming with me and getting in on the action. "Can I come?"
Yeah, I knew her well.
I chuckled and held her tighter against me so her breasts rubbed my chest. I couldn't help but reach over and massage one gently before pulling her nipple as I responded. "Of course you can come baby, we can go on any Saturday when I'm done work." The idea of her learning to protect herself from scum like Marlon made me think it was a good idea, otherwise I wouldn't want to see her hurt.
She squealed and kissed me on my neck as I continued to fondle her, moving my hand down to squeeze her ass.
"So how did you start?" her breath quickened but she was determined to have this conversation. We hadn't talked in ages anyway. For me it was the best of both worlds.
I told her about my temper and Laurence. Of course she was upset, being the cause of my issues at work, but she was ultimately happy that I'd found an outlet that could actually make me money. She thought it would be a great idea to compete once I'd practiced enough. But she worried how I'd cover up the fact that my bruises disappeared almost immediately. That really would be a problem, I hadn't thought of that. The only solution would be never to get bruised, which meant that I really had to perfect my skills.
"Babe, you weren't the only reason why I've been messed up in the head okay? You know things aren't exactly great with Leanne and Amy lurking around, making shit miserable for me. I haven't been to Sam's or patrolling so I can avoid your cousin. Just the sight of her makes me mad."
"I'm sorry…I wish she never phased too."
"And the baby's due any day now. I'm relieved that it's coming so I can just take the test and get it over with. But …what if it's mine yah know? I guess I'm scared to fuck things up like my Dad."
I felt her stiffen but she took a deep breath and relaxed against me again.
"Oh Paul, I told you already and I meant it, you'll be the best dad. You're full of love for those who mean the world to you, whether or not you want to admit it. You'll love that baby and that means you'll be a good dad."
I looked down at my imprint and smiled. I knew it was hard for her to say it. "That means the world to me baby. All I want is you by my side. You're the only one who makes me feel like I can do anything."
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I'm trying to do this for you, I'll give it my all."
"And I honestly appreciate it." I leaned over and kissed her, which lead to me getting hard again. I knew it was late now, but I really wanted her to stay with me so I could worship her all night. "Shouldn't you be getting home though babe? It's almost eight now. Your father's gonna kill us both."
"Ugh, I don't care Paul. After not being with you for this long I really don't care about getting grounded. I need you and you need me." But there was a heaviness in her voice that I didn't like.
"Is everything okay at home?" I asked. She took a deep breath then shook her head. "What's wrong baby? Did someone hurt you?" My senses immediately went on high alert.
"Well, things have been a bit messed up, yeah. I went to see Emily last Saturday and we talked and I figured then that you know, I'd talk to you and fix us. But when I got home my Dad was there and he was pissed that I'd left without telling anyone what I was up to. I told him I went to talk to Emily and Grammie and it made him mad – of course. He grounded me. Then I had this make-up math test to study for or I was gonna get a fail, I really had to study for it." She sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. "So that's why I took an extra five days to actually talk to you. Dad took my phone and I am not allowed to drive – he hid the phone and keys from me. I'm so stupid, Val said I could use her phone to call you but I didn't know your number – never had a reason to learn it since it was on my phone and I never wrote it down. Couldn't remember Jake's or Emily's either." She crimsoned and hid her face and I laughed.
"It's okay I don't know anyone's number either – and I don't even have email that you could have written me. Fuck me if I don't have a phone and can't run somewhere…but that doesn't even matter anymore. Maybe it was good that I got some extra time to get my act together anyways." I was learning that everything happened for a reason.
"Yeah, I think so too…but i just really wanted to see you. I was going crazy thinking of all the stuff that could be happening because I wasn't around."
I chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Kickboxing and work, that's all that you missed, I promise. I'm the one that was worried about Marlon and all those pricks trying to hit on you."
"Marlon hasn't bothered me, he just stares sometimes…well a lot, in the cafeteria. But he's seeing this other girl now so hopefully she'll keep him distracted til graduation."
I smirked, poor girl whoever she was. "So how did you come tonight?" it only just clicked in my head that Corrie said she was banned from driving or coming to La Push again.
"Dad wasn't there and Mom told me to go since Dad's been out til late at night a lot. But I should have been back by now so I really have to get going. As usual I'm taking way more than an inch."
"I'm just glad you came baby, this was a perfect end to my day." I leaned over and kissed her rosy lips, ready to show Corrie how much I loved her one more time – in five minutes or less.
XXXXXX
Corrie
"I love you honey." With a quick slip of a condom over Little Paul my wolf rolled on top of me and arrested my lips. I wasted no time wrapping myself around him, squeezing our bodies together as he moved steadily in and out of me. I didn't want to leave him even though I was waist deep in trouble with my parents. I bet my phone had rung a few times, but I'd left it in the van outside. Hopefully they wouldn't send a search party for me or something. I was being so irresponsible in their eyes but I just couldn't help it. Being with Paul like this was a drug. If I had my way I'd stay in this bed for another two days to make up for the time we'd spent apart.
Paul made me feel so whole, so settled. I had truly missed him, more than could be put into words. My Dad had ruined everything for me in regards to my plan to make up with Paul. I didn't expect him to freak out on me like that when I got home from La Push last Saturday. But he was there, ready and waiting for me, drinking a scotch at the breakfast table when I came in. He said some pretty hurtful things to me about where my life was headed. He predicted alcoholism, poverty and over-breeding to be my fate with Paul. It crushed my heart to hear him say these things; but he was drunk, a mean drunk apparently.
It was the first time I'd ever seen Clark Redbird like that.
It made me realize that I was no longer Daddy's Girl, I wasn't the apple of his eye. I wasn't the one he took pride in. Not anymore. And you know what? I wasn't feeling very proud of him either these days. He had become so absent in our lives, none of us really knew how to process the sudden change. None of us knew where he was spending all his time now – it couldn't be work that kept him out so late at night? He was a manager at the megastore…he had set hours like everyone else.
It cut me deep, knowing that in following my heart, I would lose him forever one day – by his own actions. I knew that I wanted to be married to Paul soon, and it was obvious that I would not have my father's support in starting the next chapter of my life with my wolf.
That's why I disobeyed him and came to La Push tonight anyways. I needed to focus on my future. My father was quickly becoming the man of my past; but Paul was the man of my forever. So I put my Big Girl Pants on and then begged Mom like a little girl to let me go make up with him. I was so scared she'd say no too – not wanting to present a divided parental unit – but in the end she caved. Mom only gave in and let me come because she probably wanted to defy him too, I'm guessing – they still argued a lot.
And right now, here in my arms, Paul was behaving exactly as an imprinted wolf would, he had accepted me back with open arms, and lips and everything else. The making up part was the icing on the cake - being with him intimately just got better and better every time. I was still having day dreams about the last time in the forest – hence why I'd missed him sooooo much more.
Not even Amy and this maybe-baby could stifle what I felt for Paul Lahote, and I found myself over the last few days becoming less and less worried about Amy. He was right about us being apart for these extra days since I got grounded. I felt like I had really made progress in clearing my head rather than rushing back to him just because I couldn't take not being with him anymore. I knew what I wanted for my future and Amy and the baby really wouldn't take that away from me.
I was the only one who could take Paul away from me and I couldn't live with myself if it ever came to that. Emily was right about everything. I wanted to be the very best that I could be for him because no matter what mistakes he made, Paul was really trying to step up for us. He wanted to give me the world and more and I believed that he would. I wanted to give him everything right back.
He brought me to the point of orgasm and I collapsed beneath him, panting for my life.
Paul moaned and kissed me while his own orgasm subsided then slowly easily himself out of me. He took care of the condom and mess on both our bodies. I was thankful as I was too exhausted to protest him cleaning me. I was proud of myself for not being shy tonight. The way he touched me was so tender, I wanted him to take care of me.
Paul rolled to his side and pulled me into his chest and stomach, fusing his body to mine in a warm cocoon. I laced my fingers into his and pulled his arm around me with a deep sigh. I wanted to sleep so badly. I missed this. I burrowed my head into his pillow, drawing his scent into my body like if it was nourishment.
"I missed it too," his deep voice startled me and my eyes flew open.
I hadn't realized I'd said anything out loud.
"You didn't have to say it, your actions were enough." Paul chuckled and kissed the back of my head.
"I missed it so much," I murmured, feeling drunk with slumber.
"We can never be apart again babe, promise me," the pain in his voice sent a chill through my body.
"I promise," I whispered. I turned myself around so that I could press my lips to his, sealing it with a kiss. "I love you Paulie."
"I love you Coco."
I jerked my head back in shock causing Paul to laugh which almost deafened me.
"I told you I'd keep trying til I find the right name to call you," he reminded me with a nuzzle to my neck where he gently nipped my skin.
"You're so silly," I giggled, flattening my palms against his chest as it turned into a game of cat and mouse.
Five minutes later I fell out on the bed, naked, on my ass because I finally found Paul's weak spot – tweaking his nipples. He jumped so hard it knocked me backwards and off of his stomach where I had been perched.
"You okay?" he asked in between a fit of dog-like barking giggles.
I rolled my eyes and got up for myself then turned to walk to the shower, enjoying the feel of my long hair brushing against bare skin. I loved how happy and light my body felt after being with Paul. It was like being tightly swaddled in an emotion.
A loud cat-call whistle came after me and I couldn't help but smile as I got in the shower and turned the warm water on. I quickly tied my hair into a bun at the very top of my head waiting for Paul to join me which he immediately did. Paul probably soaped places on my body I'd overlooked all my life. He was so thorough and engrossed in my body that I could do nothing but enjoy it. I knew it was the time apart that had him like this, he hadn't had enough of me tonight either.
"I need chocolate," I suddenly announced while I dried my skin off quickly in the bedroom. Paul looked at me, confused. "Some people smoke or drink after sex, I'd like to devour a piece of chocolate, preferably with caramel."
Paul laughed and disappeared from the room, dressed only in boxers which made his taut ass say hello. A minute later he soundlessly slipped back in, brandishing a Snickers bar with the proudest smile in the world. I laughed and snatched it from him, ripping it open like a starved animal.
"Easy there wild woman," Paul sniggered as he patted my head and pulled me against his body so his dick could press against my lower back.
"Easy there Big Man," I said in between bites, earning myself a playful bite in the neck from him.
I moaned and closed my eyes, savoring the rush of sugar in my veins. Yes, what a perfect way to end my night – before being killed by angry parental units.
Paul helped me finished dressing since I could only focus on my chocolate bar (which allowed him to grope me some more of course) then led me by the hand down the stairs. I dumped the wrapper and grabbed some water with him in the kitchen before putting on my coat and boots.
At the car door Paul kissed me good night and thanked me for coming over like a perfect gentleman. I snuggled into his chest and inhaled deeply once more before he forced me to get into the car. He was tempted to take me upstairs to his bed again.
If only.
When I reached home it was going on nine. I came in through the kitchen door that connected to the garage and met Joey having a late dinner.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked, sounding like Dad. His hair had gotten more blonde streaks in it this summer and he sported a nice caramel tan like me. Somehow he looked older and more like our father, just not with the russet skin.
"I had to go do something in La Push."
"Are you crazy Corr? Mom's having a cow." He shook his head at me while shoveling spaghetti and meatballs into his mouth.
"Is there any of that left?" I asked, suddenly hungry.
"Yeah, a little."
I went to the fridge and popped the container into the microwave. I sat down in front of my brother and started to chow down too.
"What about Dad?"
"Dad went to bed. He argued with Mom when he came back and found you gone. He was pissed at her for letting you go but then it turned into an argument about something else and he went to bed like twenty minutes ago."
I looked up at him, the fork hovering outside of my mouth. That wasn't like him, Dad loved to create a scene with me.
"What do you think is their deal?" he asked me while taking a sip of beer.
"I dunno…but whatever it is, is bound to come out eventually."
"If he's cheating on her I swear to God, I'll - "
"You don't think it's that do you? Isn't it money?" I panicked, would Dad really do something so horrible? I'd been making a lot of effort to keep my thoughts from going there.
"I don't know. I just assumed because that's what normal people fight about. And he's never home."
I scowled at my brother. "Let's not think the worse okay?"
"I'm not naïve like you sis. Expect the worse, then if it's not what you expect, whatever it is will be easier to handle."
I rolled my eyes at his logic.
"You have to admit it makes sense."
"Sure," I mumbled.
"But anyways, I've got a race next month – ten thousand dollar prize – indoor tournament."
"Whoa! That's great."
"I'm gonna get my own place if I win."
"You should!" I really wished I could move out too.
"Don't you miss it?" he asked, a twinkle of nostalgia in his eyes as he threw me a crooked Joey smile. He had a small scar on his jawline from learning to pop a wheelie when he was fourteen.
"Nah, not really," I answered easily.
"Never thought you would give it up over a dude."
"I didn't. It just isn't important. It's not like I don't have Apollo anymore, Joe. Not a big deal."
"Whatever you say."
"But I might start boxing though," I added light-heartedly.
Joey's eyes rounded and he almost choked. "No you aren't! Dad would never allow that Corr, you know it! Boxers get hit too much in the head, they get really fucking dumb."
"I'm not going to do it professionally, stupid! I'm just gonna learn on the bag, Paul's doing it in Port Angeles and said I could come on Saturdays."
"You're nuts," he sniggered, carrying his plate to the sink.
"Well, I just wanna try it out, Paul thinks it's a good idea for me to learn some sort of self-defense…you know…since…" Since Marlon…
Joey turned to look at me then with a downcast look in his eye. "Yeah, I know…I guess when you look at it from that angle it makes sense."
"But anyways, it's nothing set in stone yet. At some point I'll go watch him first and then see if it's really something I'd like to try."
"Just be careful."
"You too and good luck with training."
I nodded and said goodnight as my brother went downstairs. I washed my own plate and went up to my room.
When I opened the door I found my mother on the bed reading the diary from great aunt Lucy.
"Mom! What are you doing?" I shrieked, rushing over to take it from her.
"Well, my daughter decided she is a rebel, and I was curious what was in this book. I thought maybe it had something to do with how you've been acting lately."
"How I've been acting?" I wondered how much she'd read so far as I secured it back inside the pouch. Did she know about the wolves? I wouldn't ask her unless she said something, and if she had reached that far in the diary she'd definitely want to talk about it.
"Like someone else's child? The moodiness one minute, the mopiness the next. You shut yourself in your room, I don't know whether you're up or down half the time!" She threw her hands up in frustration and let them drop to her lap loudly. Her brown hair was swept into a messy bun and she was swaddled in her robe. Her green eyes were sunken a little and I could see how weary she was.
"I told you I needed to work things out with Paul, we had some issues..."
"And I told you that you needed to back home within an hour and you blatantly disobeyed me! You know I didn't have to be so generous, I didn't have to take pity on you, why couldn't you just listen this once?"
"I'm sorry okay! It was hard to leave him after not seeing him for so long! We had a lot to talk about!"
"You didn't just talk Corrie, I'm not stupid. You've clearly just had sex with Paul!"
"MOM!" I cried in horror. I clutched my neck trying to hide the bruises he must have left on my skin. I expected my father to burst in the room any second now.
"'Mom' what? I wasn't born yesterday. You think I don't know what it looks like afterwards? I just hope that you were at least safe since you're being so damn reckless!"
Utterly horrified I stared at her for a moment then flopped myself down on the bed to sit beside her. What would be the use of denying it? She clearly had some mother's intuition or something because I'd had a shower and made myself presentable again – I showed no signs of just having orgasmed three times.
"Paul is always safe." I muttered dryly, immediately thinking about the maybe-baby even though I was reeling from the topic at hand.
"I just hate that we've grown so far apart that you wouldn't even tell me you were thinking about having sex in the first place! We should have discussed birth control."
I wished my mother would stop talking about this, it was too embarrassing, horrifying.
"Well, I wasn't thinking about it, it just sort of happened. We needed each other…"I mumbled the last few words thinking about the new born army and the waiting I did that day for my wolf. Today was the same, we needed each other, I couldn't leave him without having skin to skin contact. It was necessary for our bond. Once again I wanted to explain myself properly but couldn't. This was strictly a wolf and imprintee kind of thing. Only another couple like us could understand the strong, primal need we had for one another.
"You are being irresponsible. I know you love Paul but I'm scared that you're forgetting who you are in the process," she looked at me sympathetically and I cringed after the next words. "You are blinded by your emotions and if you're not careful you will get pregnant too early. You'll be forced to make decisions that may not serve you well in the long run."
"You're wrong though." I shook my head repeatedly as if trying to shake her words out of my brain. I didn't want to think of what happened to Amy nor did I want to hear doubts about my relationship with Paul.
"Am I? Really? Cause I know this story all too well, and you are even younger than I was when I had Joey! Is this what you want? To be a horrible Teen Mom like those girls on the TV?"
I scowled and snorted. "Mom, I told you! Paul is always careful, he doesn't take that lightly at all."
"There's always a moment of heated passion that leads to a reckless decision Corrine. It might not have happened yet but it will."
"It won't, I promise. I'm being responsible with Paul. I'm almost eighteen, I'm practically an adult and I have my own life to live, it doesn't mean I'm not still me. I can't not change or not grow up, it's just a part of life. I'm not going to be afraid of anything. The only thing that scares me is not being with him."
"You're seventeen and you shouldn't be talking like this Corrine! This is too much, you and Paul can't act like there aren't rules you need to follow. Couldn't you have waited?" her voice peaked in distress.
"We're not doing anything wrong, we're very careful and it doesn't happen often. This was just one time in a long time Mom, please don't freak out. I'm sure you know what it feels like? Needing to patch things up with someone you love? What about you and Dad?" I crossed my arms over my chest with challenge written all over my face as I flipped the script on her.
"That's our business, Corrine," she said sternly. The way she said my name stressing the two syllables "CO-RIN" threateningly, made it obvious that she was uncomfortable.
Well that makes two of us.
"What's going on with you two?" I probed, suddenly unable to take it anymore.
"It's not anything I want to discuss with you. Let's just say we are having a difference of opinion on something and we fight about it."
"Is it to do with me?"
She looked up at me and her face softened. "No honey, although sometimes like tonight it is."
"I'm sorry I made you argue. I didn't mean to, but I really had to go. I needed to see Paul and make things right between us."
She sighed deeply. "You really love him don't you?"
"More than anything. I pushed him away and it hurt us both, I couldn't take it."
"I know you can't see past the new feeling of being in love right now, but you need to be careful Corrie. Love can make you do crazy things when a relationship is brand new. Give it some time; make sensible decisions so that you can protect yourself later on down the road."
I nodded solemnly and sighed. "I will, promise."
I had already done quite a few "crazy things." Maybe she was right, I had changed.
She had no idea how relevant her little monologue was to the present.
"Now, you know you're grounded so expect Dad to be in a foul mood tomorrow. He was right, I shouldn't let you drive to La Push at night. It can't happen again."
"I know, I'm sorry, but it's really not a hard drive to make Mom. But thanks anyways for letting me go, I honestly appreciate it. And I really really am sorry for not coming right back."
"If Paul makes you happy I really don't want to take that away from you. A first love is a precious thing, cherish it – but don't disobey me and don't make me a grandmother now." She got up and hugged me briefly with a half-frown half-smile, then quietly left my room.
She had no idea how NOT funny that was.
I threw myself onto my bed, texting Paul to say goodnight then allowed myself to go mental until I finally fell asleep.
Just wanted to revisit Corrie's family for a bit since it's been a while. Yay they made up! I hope you understand that I'm trying to create levels of maturity for our imprinted pair. They're growing up together, trying to become better people for each other despite the odds.
Thanks for all the reviews I got for the last chapter! means a lot. I've got about four to five chapters to post and I'm done. But I don't intend to stop the story I want to post a few "in the future" chapters to show different points and events in Paul Corrine's life together which will also build up to the sequel I want to write on children of the pack, so follow me if you want in on that story too as it will be a while before I post it ( I like to write the bulk of the story and perfect it before I start posting anything)
Bless!