A/N Thank you so much to my reviewers! It warms my heart to hear from you. Twin68 your life story would make an excellent book!Congratulations on such a wonderful success. What you have is true wealth.
Now is the moment of truth for our Paulie! I hope you enjoy it. I didn't want to take it overboard with his reaction to the whole baby situation so I hope it is good enough. I see Paul's emotions as being borderline throughout, he wants to let it all out but he wants to maintain a level head and be responsible.
No copyright infringement intended on Stephenie Meyer's work.
Paul
A few nights later, as I was driving back from the gym in Port Angeles – having stayed all evening to learn new techniques - Amy called to tell me she was in labor.
I didn't know how to feel. On the one hand I was relieved that the baby would finally be born and I could move on with my life, knowing if it was mine or not. On the other hand I felt like running to the forest and never coming back.
I picked up the witch and Amy at their house and was shocked to see how much pain she was in. It reminded me of when I had started to go through the change. She was an angry beast and for a moment I didn't doubt that it was a pup in her womb. Suddenly I was overcome with the need to protect my pup and make sure he was safely brought into this world.
My mind was racing with possibilities and future plans even as I drove and tried to calm the screaming woman behind me. I had no clue if Amy would be a good mother or not. Judging from what I knew about her and her mother, it was questionable. They were selfish, manipulative women, although Amy had her pleasant moments. I would have to play a bigger role in my pup's life, I just wasn't sure how I could while working in Port Angeles too. I didn't want to give up my job, especially since I was no longer working on probation, the job was mine since Arnolds saw that Laurence had taken me under his wing.
Driving carefully through the dark roads, we got to the hospital in Forks and I tried not to growl openly when I saw Dr. Cullen run to meet us. Why did Doctor Fang have to be on call now?
"Don't worry, we'll take good care of them," he said kindly to me, and I could only nod humbly and release her into his care. He was the only vampire in existence that would withstand the appeal of so much blood and he was said to be the best doctor. He certainly had a few centuries of practice under his belt. I trusted him for the time being, maybe because it was better to trust than to cause a scene. I had to think about the baby and nothing else.
I sighed, wishing Corrie was here to hold my hand. It was already after ten and I knew she was probably asleep. It wasn't like her parents would let her come out so late at night – on a school night at that. Plus, I didn't want to put her on the spot if she didn't want to be here. These days she wanted to do any and everything for me to make up for her 'bad behavior' as she called it but I wouldn't take advantage of that.
Jared and Emily made it to the waiting room instead and Emily kept my mind occupied while we waited. Amy had her mother with her, I preferred not to be in there, even though a part of me wanted to be. Being around a vampire, no matter the circumstances, was hard for a wolf and I didn't want to make the labor any worse than it needed to be.
Emily left us to go get some coffee after an hour or so. I was sitting there, dying to know what was going on in the delivery room. "This could be it Jare, the baby could be mine. Like, really really be mine." I looked over at my best friend, feeling scared and restless.
Jared shook his head in a sympathetic manner. "Yeah but Paul, we went over this a thousand times… I remember when you were with her. It was longer than nine months. At least, I honestly think so."
I nodded, knowing that he was right. We weren't a hundred percent certain but Jared was convinced I was in the clear. Jared never supported me helping Amy out like this. He was here for me, sure, no question; but he didn't agree with me spending money on the kid before a confirmed paternity result. I think every sane person in the pack agrees with him, none of them understand why I am doing this, especially since Corrie was so upset by it all.
But this was just something I had to do. I just had to. Yes I had risked everything with Corrie, yes it was still upsetting to know that I hurt her and she shut me out because of my decision; but I believed in our bond. I never thought she'd stay away for good.
"I just hope that if it isn't yours that you had a good reason for stupidly putting your imprint through hell these last couple weeks," Jared said with a snarky grin. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him with no other reply.
After three more hours a nurse finally came out and informed us that Amy had given birth to a baby boy rather quickly and easily for a first timer. I laughed with relief and took a huge gulp of air as Emily clapped and Jared nudged me on the back.
A boy? I might have a son?
"Did you take the blood for the paternity test?" I asked, getting a fast grip on reality.
"Yes, and if you come this way I can take yours now."
"Okay." I turned to Jared and Emily. "Thanks for being here guys, I guess you can go now."
"You're more than welcome Paul. If you need us just call." Emily nodded and squeezed my arm. I knew I had given her hell over the years but I was grateful that she never stopped being a good friend to me. Jared clapped me on the back with a look that said "not until we know it's yours bro," and I was grateful, I needed the reminder. Congratulations were NOT in order at the moment. I followed the nurse to a small room and she set me up. But before she could leave Dr. Cullen came in and assured her that he would take the blood and get it tested. She left the room, dazed by the vampire charm.
"If they test your blood they might notice it's not quite right, I suspect that the wolf gene has altered your DNA. So I'll do the test and write up the results myself to keep your secret."
"Thank you," I choked out. My nose burned from his vampire scent.
"The child is beautiful; I hope you receive the results you desire." The golden haired doctor held the vial up to me and nodded, quietly leaving the room.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes vigorously. "Me too," I whispered to the four walls around me.
It was time to face the music. I made my way to Amy's room. It had another bed but the other woman had apparently left for the delivery room. Amy was there with her mother, waiting on the baby to come from the nursery. I stood against the wall listening to them recount the delivery. I couldn't allow myself to get sucked into the moment. I couldn't give my heart completely until I knew for sure that the baby was mine, I had to protect my heart from further damage.
Still a part of me was so anxious.
"So Paul, do you have a name picked out?" her mother asked. But there was something malicious about the way she asked the question that I didn't understand, as if the child's name really had nothing to do with me.
I shook my head in response. I really hadn't thought of it, but I had always liked the name Adam.
"Well I'm going to name him Benjamin," Amy said confidently.
"Cool," I muttered.
"Did you get your blood test done?" Her mother asked, her smug smile still in place as she watched me with squinting black eyes.
"Yes I did."
She chuckled and shook her head.
"Why do you mock me?" I demanded, feeling the anger building. I didn't appreciate her attitude one bit. She stood straight ready to come at me but before we could get into it, the door opened and the nurse wheeled in a plastic cart with a little bundle secured in a white blanket.
"Benjamin!" Amy gasped excitedly as the nurse handed him over. Amy secured him in her arms and started to coo all over him, barely letting me see. Her mother took him next and I felt the tension burning my neck. I just needed to see his face. A part of me believed that looking at the child would help me to know if he was mine before the test was done. There must be some kind of parental imprint or something, right?
"Can I hold him?" I asked, my voice hoarse and pained. This was it, the time had finally come. Now Benjamin was here, I didn't know what to believe anymore.
Was he really mine or really not mine like I had believed all along?
How should I feel in this moment?
Amy and the witch exchanged a look that confused me. Why would they hesitate to let me see the child that they'd been telling me was mine for the last month? My wolf clawed anxiously.
"What's going on?" I asked impatiently. My wolf senses told me something was definitely wrong.
"Nothing. Mom give him the baby, and then give us a minute, will you?" Amy said sternly to the witch.
"What? Amy you know he's - "
"MOM! Just give him Ben and leave us for a little while please."
Her mother shot me a nasty glare then handed over the bundle to me. I quickly but carefully sat in the chair next to Amy so that I wouldn't feel as though I'd drop him. I'd never held an infant before. I heard the door close, grateful it was just us alone now.
The little guy squirmed in my arms and my heart melted. I set him on my lap so that I could see him better. I pulled away the blanket and he made a little noise. I immediately worried that I'd hurt him.
"Is this okay? I just wanna see him," I asked Amy, who was looking at us with tears in her eyes.
She nodded, grabbing a tissue from the side-table. I was curious as to why she was so emotional but said nothing. It was likely a number of reasons – namely the whole pushing out a person from your hoo-ha type of issue.
Right now I just wanted to look at my…at Benjamin.
He was a tiny little thing. His legs were curled up against his diaper and his arms were fisted and clutched against his chest.
"Hey bud," I whispered, stroking the jet black hair on his little Quileute head. His hair was so soft there were no words to describe it. He looked like a little reddish brown monkey to be truthful, so it was obvious that I'd have to wait a while before I could tell if he looked like me – if he was mine after all.
But I knew that I would know the answer to that long before then anyway.
He yawned suddenly as his little hand opened to clutch my finger. He had a strong grip which made me grin.
"He's strong, he'll be a strong boy," I heard myself whisper in awe.
What the fuck are you doing Lahote? I was getting way ahead of myself.
I wrapped him back in the blanket, with Amy's instructions on how to swaddle (she'd been reading the books I got her), and passed him over to her so she could feed him.
I knew for sure that if he was mine I'd do everything in my power to be there for him. I'd raise him to be a good man, and a strong wolf. The thought of that actually made me excited.
And I was excited for the day that I'd stand next to Corrie Lahote and hold her hand as she brought our own sons into this world. But I'd never leave Benji out of the equation.
Fuck. Why was I giving him a name already? I didn't want to feel too much without results first. I needed to keep reminding myself until Dr. Cullen called.
"So, I was thinking, maybe Adam could be his middle name," I said, clearing my throat. Yes, I was getting even further ahead.
Amy looked up at me surprised, but with sadness in her eyes.
"You sure you wanna do that Paul?"
"Yeah, why not? What do you mean?"
She shook her head and looked down at the suckling child again. "I don't want you to get hurt, Paul."
"You mean, in case he isn't…mine?" My eye twitched a little and I felt my wolf stir within.
She nodded and my heart flopped. But then Benji made a noise as he squirmed and suddenly a little farting sound filled the room. I couldn't help but laugh and our attention shifted to him rather than each other.
"Baby's first diaper change," Amy mumbled with adoration. "Can you pass me that bag?"
I handed her the diaper bag and she handed me the baby while she got everything organized on the bed. She winced a little and closed her eyes for a few moments before continuing.
"So how are you feeling?" I asked awkwardly as I rearranged Benji in my arms. Amy stopped and looked at me for a moment, as if wishing I hadn't asked. "What?" I wondered out loud.
"I just wish you weren't being so nice to me."
"Why? Isn't this the best way for the baby?" I looked down at him. He was sucking loudly on his thumb, barely getting it into his mouth. I helped him out by pushing it in further. Hungry kid, we already have something in common.
"It could be if you were really his father," she stated matter-of-factly as I laid the baby on the changing mat she pointed to on the bed. Amy had shifted out of the covers to sit on the side of the mattress and I tried not to cringe at the strong combined odor of her blood and the baby's icky black poop.
Plus this conversation had just taken an unexpected turn. Anything else that was unpleasant, was secondary at this point.
"I thought you were convinced that he was Amy? You said so all this time that he was! You need to tell me what the fuck is going on!"
Tears fell steadily from her tired eyes as I started to panic.
"I know what I said…but honestly…Paul…I'm sorry…it's not…p-possible." She was full on sobbing by the end of that statement.
I felt a sudden heat rush through me and stood abruptly, pacing the room. My wolf was awakened and I needed to get out of here within the next few seconds.
"What are you saying? That you knew he wasn't mine?" my voice had risen now, causing Benji to whimper.
"Yes," she whispered, but I still heard her loud and clear. "You were right, we'd last been together two months before I got pregnant."
COCKSUCKER! I yanked my hand through my hair as I cursed repeatedly in my head.
"So why did you do this Amy! Why did you lie to me and drag me into this whole fucking thing when you knew he wasn't MY son!" I yelled. To have it finally confirmed now that he wasn't mine, really really hurt.
Her mother came bursting into the room, "Just get out of here you barbarian!" she yelled back as she watched me start to shake.
"Not until I get an answer!"
"Talk to Leanne okay? Just talk to her and she'll explain everything!" Amy pleaded as she cried. She looked down at her son with worry and I knew that she was telling the truth.
"So this was all really just some sick game?" I asked, my voice more controlled but every bit threatening. I didn't want to scare the child again.
"I'm sorry Paul, I should never have listened to Leanne. I didn't want to do this to you, I have no issue with you - but I needed help! His father isn't around and I just wanted someone to take care of him. I didn't think you would buy it honestly. Please believe me when I say that I'm really thankful for all that you did."
HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID! As usual Jared was right; I shouldn't have spent so much money until I knew for certain. This whole idea of me making a difference in some little boy's life was starting to feel more stupid by the second.
Without another word I turned and left the room. It took every ounce of strength in me not to phase and rip the hospital to shreds.
Two psychotic girls had just made me the biggest dumbass of La Push now. If word got out about the stunt they'd pulled, I'd never hear the end of it.
Leanne was about to be very sorry.
I drove straight to Sam's place. Not caring if it was the wee hours of the morning. I could only hope that Leanne was still sleeping there, as she had been since she'd phased. She'd made herself quite comfortable now that she was Sam's little sister. She had practically moved in, going to school with Embry or Quil and the younger pups each day. She had begged Sam to let her start back classes in fear of failing.
I slammed the door of my truck and walked up to the door, flinging it wide open, breaking the lock in the process. Sam met me on the stairs looking murderous as he sought the intruder. I think he realized the same look on my face and it stunned him.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Leanne." I growled.
"What? What did she do? What's going on, is the baby okay? Fuck Paul you broke my door!" Sam barked at me as he inspected the damage.
"The child is not mine," I spat through clenched teeth. It was taking all my will power to remain human.
Sam stopped checking the door frame and turned to me, his eyes searching mine. He said nothing more as he went back up to Leanne's room and brought her down, leading us all outside so we wouldn't disturb Emily.
Leanne looked at me expectantly. She knew why I was here, I'd bet Amy had already called her.
"So Amy says you have something to tell me?" I said casually but inside I was a raging bull. I was sure she could see the beast in my eyes.
She sighed heavily and looked at Sam first then me. I was glad she realized there was no way out of this one.
"The child was never yours, okay?" she rolled her eyes and huffed, folding her arms against her chest. Was that attitude supposed to scare me?
"WHAT!" Sam shouted, but we ignored him.
"I gathered that, whose is it?" I demanded.
"Jordan, from the Makah Rez. He's a deadbeat, God knows what Amy saw in him. But deadbeats seem to be her type," she smirked at me then.
I snarled, baring my teeth, but held off the phase. I wouldn't be able to hold off for long though.
"How do you know this - how long did you know this Annie? Why didn't you tell us!" Sam asked, getting antsy now. I rolled my eyes at the new nickname he had for his sister. He could see that I was intending to fight his sister and I hoped he knew he couldn't stop me this time.
I grunted and shook my head, looking out into the trees. "She knew this because she had orchestrated the entire thing!" I moved backwards a ways, breathing heavily as I fought back the wolf. I focused on clenching my fists so that I wouldn't do something extremely dangerous before I heard the truth. The urge to attack Leanne was strong. My wolf was demanding justice.
"What? She wouldn't do that!" Sam was saying in protest. I found it kind of amusing that he was as upset as I was.
She took a deep breath and looked at Sam with puppy eyes, as if that shit was going to work.
"I did set it up." Leanne confessed, looking at her brother for compassion I figured.
"NO! You wouldn't Annie!" Sam cried. I was getting pissed off now. This was not some soap opera drama shit!
"How, why did you do that?" he badgered again.
"When I found out about him and Corrie I kinda went crazy – that's when I started getting the symptoms actually. And it made me so mad and I couldn't stop being angry all the time. It made me want to get back at them both. I wanted to destroy them, I felt like it was the only way I could feel better – get all the rage to go away. I didn't know it was just because of the wolf! I saw Amy in the diner one night on my shift and she spilled her problems and I offered her my help if she lied to Paul. I told her you would buy her what she needed if you thought the baby was yours."
"Good God!" Sam declared, shaking his head. "How could you Leanne?" he yelled.
Leanne seemed downtrodden, watching his reaction nervously. I realized then that she really cared about what Sam thought about her. His opinion was most important.
"So did it work? Has all the rage gone away now?" I asked coldly, cracking my neck to release the tension for a few moments.
"NO, actually," she shot back venomously, staring at me as if she thought I'd combust and end her worries.
Pssh. As if.
Sam stood between us and yelled at his sister. "You knew that they were imprinted! You know they can't help how they feel about one another and still you didn't stop this madness! I can't believe you would do that Leanne! You're not just hurting them, it affects the entire pack!"
"Sam I didn't mean to hurt you! But I couldn't help it! I just had to do it." She was practically groveling at his feet. One minute she was cold and heartless with me, the next she was all humble and innocent to her brother. Who was she fooling?
"You just HAD to do it? You just HAD to destroy my life? Are you fucking kidding me?" I shouted now, my anger reignited. I had reached my limit.
"Everyone around here acts like the imprint is soooo holy and no one cares about the people that get hurt in this pack! I wanted to prove that it could be broken, that it wasn't strong like everyone seems to think it is! It's pathetic!" she spat, the wolf appearing in her eyes as she growled.
Sam and I were both snarling at her now.
"Did Leah put you up to this?" I demanded.
"What? No! She didn't know."
Sam was clearly relieved. "So that's how you think of me and Emily? After we opened up our home to you?" he asked, his shoulders rising as his fingers trembled at his sides. "So you think I should be with Leah and make Emily sick by rejecting our imprint? You want Corrie to be sick?"
Leanne turned her eyes on him now, pleading for understanding. "I really love you and Emily, Sam. This was never meant to hurt YOU. I just couldn't help myself, I just needed to make them hurt as much as I do. I'm sorry! I promise I won't do it again! I won't trouble anyone's imprint!"
"NO YOU'RE NOT SORRY! You're just sorry your plan didn't work! You're such a bitch!" I spat, getting all up in her face, having shoved Sam out of my way.
She snarled and phased then, striking a blow at my face. I felt her claw marks warp my skin and I phased in response, triggering Sam to as well. Now we were three wolves snapping at each other in the backyard.
Do you have any idea how much I don't care? It was time somebody taught you a lesson! You think you could do whatever you want to girls and never pay for your actions? Just because you've imprinted doesn't erase your record! You're scum Paul! (Leanne) She struck my front leg with her claws.
If I'm scum then why do you want me so bad! Huh? I snapped back with my teeth, biting into her shoulder. (Paul)
Cause I'm stupid enough to think I actually loved you!
What you did was inexcusable, how am I supposed to handle this situation? Do you realize how hard you're making this for me? Do you really want me to punish you? How can I do that to my own baby sister?! (Sam)
I was annoyed with Sam's interrupting thoughts, I didn't have time to worry about his big brother issues right now – although I really wanted him to punish her for what she did to me and Corrie.
Sam snapped at me, biting into my lower back. Well I'm sorry to inconvenience you Paul but I'm pissed to fuck off just as much as you! She didn't do this to you only, it was to all of us trying to help her out!
I bit him back and knocked him to the ground. Leanne paced and whined as she watched Sam and I go at it.
Unless she threatened your imprint you have no idea how this feels!
Of course I know how it feels!
She is NOTHING like Leah - you cared about Leah, you had a relationship with her. This girl just won't get over shit that never even happened! We were never in a relationship I never left you for Corrie. It was just a matter of timing.
Timing AND familial bonds! She's my cousin!
I finally pushed Sam off and faced her, as did he.
Deal with HER Alpha, she's the one fucking shit up,NOT ME!
This bickering between us was a waste of my time. Sam snarled at me once more but I ignored him. His mind filled with regret and hesitation. He really didn't want to punish her and was angry that she had put him in this position. Sam loved Leanne but he hated what she'd done. I growled impatiently.
I said I'm sorry Sam! And I meant it, this was between me and Paul from before I knew about the pack, I couldn't just make my feelings disappear because of pack law or imprinting! It doesn't work like that!
Oh it doesn't work like that? Yes it does when it comes to family! All this time you were here with us you were secretly plotting against them and that makes you disloyal and untrustworthy! You knowingly broke a law. Do you know how uncomfortable you make the pack with your black thoughts? All this time you blocked us so we wouldn't know what you were up to! How could you be so cruel to us? How could you have no respect for the pack or the feelings of the very people who've been helping you adjust to this new life?
Exactly! You don't deserve to be here, no one can trust you! I know I did shit in the past and I'm not proud of it. But that doesn't excuse pure wickedness! I swiped at her with one paw sending her skidding a few feet towards the tree line. Putting a child on me was NOT cool, it was NOT a sane adult response to any situation!
You made me do it, you deserved it!
She ran back to me and we hit each other head on. I brought her down easily, sinking my teeth into her shoulder and pinning her to the ground with my paws. She started to whine in pain and I pressed harder in response. All I saw was red, all I saw was her never being able to hurt me again.
Quit it Paul! Sam ordered. But his command didn't come fast enough to stop the sound of bones crushing beneath my weight. Leanne howled loudly, bring me back to reality. I had lost it for a minute there, seeing only wolf and not the human girl inside. I stepped away just as Sam rushed at me and knocked me off of his sister.
Are you trying to fucking KILL HER! He screamed in our heads.
I didn't think that I needed to answer so he sank his teeth into my back again to send me a message. I fought off the urge to whine in pain. I turned to the source of all my troubles then, not feeling an ounce of remorse as I watched the tears flowing from her dark eyes.
Are you okay? Sam asked her.
She could only wail in her mind as she remained lying on the ground. Her thoughts were filled of murky colors showing how much pain she was in. She managed to look up at me and I took the opportunity to say one more thing.
The imprint bond IS the most sacred thing in this pack, so if you don't like it, then you can just get the hell out of our lives.
That's enough Paul!
I submitted to the Alpha order with no problem. It had been expected.
I howled the call that was special for Emily. Sam was clearly too upset to think about calling for help, even though it had only been a couple minutes or so since I hurt her. He growled at me then went back to his sister. Emily raced out of the house clutching the phone, ready for whatever emergency she was already sure was taking place. Her role was always to call Jared first then me in an emergency. She saw Leanne lying on the ground and cried out as if in pain too.
"Who do I call?" she cried, "Carlisle?"
Sam nodded his big black head and licked Emily's face to calm her.
Without warning Leanne's thoughts flooded our heads. It was like every memory was coated in pain, and the feelings were so intense that I sunk to the cold damp ground as the air was knocked out of me. She thought of herself as a girl with a younger Mr. Redbird and an older man I assumed was her grandfather because he looked like Clark. And then she thought of another man I didn't know. She thought of her grandfather dying, the man leaving and Clark arguing with her mother. Then she thought of me, and how it felt when I rejected her and called her a bitch at the grocery. She thought of how it felt to see me with Corrie for the first time, how in love we seemed to be. She brought up Corrie being greeted happily by the pack, with her thoughts focusing on Emily and Sam and Embry with Corrie. She was jealous, immensely. I shook my head in pity. She had a serious issue with Corrie that I believed would never be repaired.
STOP! I couldn't stand to see anymore, none of it made up for her actions.
Sam edged closer to her and licked her face.
The doctor will be here soon, just hold on. And my relationship with any imprint doesn't affect what I feel for you Leanne. I promise you would never lose me or Embry or Emily. We're your family and we will be for a long time. You and I can be together as long as you need me by your side, so will Embry.
How can you even trust her to be in your family after she did this?
She's my sister. I know I have to punish her for breaking pack law, but I'll never abandon her like he did.
I grunted, not wanting to be caught up in any pity talk where she was concerned.
Leanne's wolf exhaled loudly and whined, but her thoughts went back to nothing but murky colors of pain again. I was amazed at how well she could do that –Leanne was clearly an enemy that no one should have.
Sam and Leanne both growled at me.
It's true though! She's been hiding this all along, right in front of us! Good luck with this one. Watch your fuckin back Sam.
I turned away and phased back to my human form. "Stay the fuck away from me Leanne!" I shouted to her.
"What happened to her Paul?" Emily asked while she avoided looking in my naked direction.
"You don't really wanna know. Let's just say she and Jake will have something in common." I didn't want to admit I had crushed the girl. Sam would fill her in on everything anyways. I wasn't in the mood to be scolded for what I did. I would say something to Emily I'd definitely regret.
"Sam we have to get her to phase back so he can fix her," Emily said.
Sam growled threateningly as I turned and I walked to my truck, butt naked. To rub salt in her wounds, Leanne would get a good glimpse of what she'd never have.
I didn't want to be a part of their conversation or be there when the doc came. It was up to Sam what he did with her, I really didn't care anymore, I was not available to help with any of this.
The damage was done, I was not a father and I had been repaid for hurting people.
A bitter bitch wanted me dead and I had to walk away because Leanne was not worth me spending the rest of my life in jail, away from Corrie.
I just HAD to walk away or I'd do something soooo terrible that the pack would literally kill me, Sam leading in the bloodlust. Fuck I had come so close! it scared me how the vengeance had taken control over my mind and body as I crushed Leanne's shoulder with my paws.
How could I do that? I had really hurt her. She was a pack member and we did these things all the time to each other, yeah, but she was a female. I was as bad as my father for what I'd done and because a huge part of me didn't regret it.
Life was just soooo fucking wonderful…
I pulled on a pair of shorts from my truck's backseat. As I drove home, I realized that the only good thing about this whole FUCKED UP, despicable situation, was that Corrie and I were still together.
Leanne didn't fucking win, she didn't break us.
She had set us back and brought us down, but she never broke us.
And no one ever would no matter how hard they tried.