Paul's POV
I was happy.
I was at peace.
That was a new one for me but of course it happened when I got Nellie by my side. That girl was a miracle I needed so much.
If someone had told me one year ago this would happen I'd call him a liar and you could count on me landing a few punches for even suggesting that I'd, of all people, fall for a vampire.
It happened.
And I was so fucking happy that it did.
Nell was everything anyone could ever want and then more. And she wanted me. She chose me. My heart ached with the love that I felt for her.
It was almost unbeliveable so when I saw Embry looking at Monica with that same pain written all over him I knew it was time for us to leave. And when Monica took his hand it was time to act on the decision to leave. Nell was like a worried mum that wanted to make sure her kid was fine but Monica was in good hands. There was no place safer for her than next to Embry.
Their bond was strong.
It wasn't imprinting. No. But it was just as strong and we couldn't explain it. It was just love, Seth said, and I was starting to believe him.
I hoped whatever happened between them was enough to make them permanent. They both deserved it. Monica and Embry were people I liked and respected the most and to see them together would make me so fucking happy I couldn't even explain it.
I spent hours with Nell and just as I was about to leave Monica showed up. She was pale but her eyes had that light in them that all people in love wore. She said her goodbyes and went on her way.
I kissed Nellie one more time before phasing and going on a patrol. It was becoming a habit of mine.
Embry joined me about an hour later when he was calm enough to do it. I felt him phasing and was grateful that it was just the two of us now. Ever since he joined Jake's pack the whole mind hearing thing became different. We couldn't hear each other all the time like with the guys still officially in Sam's pack but you could choose to share with the guys from Jake's pack. At first it was confusing but later on we got used to it. Embry was a calm and collected kind of guy, his mind was as quiet as he was because he never wanted to burden the rest of us with his problems so the fact that he had trouble keeping his thoughts on mute told me everything I needed to know.
Flashes would break into my mind before Embry made sure to protect them in his own and to keep them for himself. What he couldn't keep for himself was pain that was there too. His mind was plagued with insecurity and pain and worry and loneliness. That's when I saw the reason for it.
I could see a memory that was so loud in his mind and I understood his feelings because they started forming in me as well.
In his memory Monica was there. He could feel her in his arms. She was his and he was hers. But then the cold replaced the warm feeling of having her as she got up. He got up as well feeling that something was wrong but she wouldn't tell him what was bothering her. Instead she gave him a kiss. Only it wasn't a kiss, it was a goodbye in it's rawest form. She hugged him and kissed him again before leaving him alone. The feeling of complete loneliness took over him again and he howled.
We ran for hours and during the entire time I just knew that something was wrong. He was feeling it. I was feeling it.
Then out of nowhere the air got filled with howls from the both packs and they were taking us in the direction of the Cullen house.
We ran as fast as we could. Panic was making Embry run so fucking fast it was impossible to catch up with him. I couldn't even tell him to calm down because the memory of the last kiss he shared with Monica was so loud in my head that it paralyzed me just as it did to him. If I couldn't calm down how could I ask that of him.
I got to the house at the same time as the rest of the guys. Leah was standing in front of Embry who was pacing in circles waiting for someone to come out.
Edward walked out and came towards us. If he was here and not in his own house then something must have happened. But what?
Fucking panic washed over me again as I felt it crawling up Embry's spine. That's when I heard Nell crying from inside.
Oh god. Oh no. No. No. I'm here Nellie. Nell. I'm here. Please. No.
''Jenks just called Jasper. Monica had an accident. She was taken to a hospital with her brother. They're both in bad condition.''
Embry's pain was palpable. It stopped me from breathing. I couldn't think.
''Car accident.'' – I had no idea who asked the question that got that answer from Edward.
''But how?'' – it was Jake that asked this time.
''They ran into a concrete wall in Port Angeles. They are trying to retrieve data from the camera in the car to see what happened. The police think she probably tried to avoid someone on the road but reacted too late as it was already very dark and there's not much light there. That's why Jenks called. Rose is going to try and get the info from the camera. He thinks that maybe someone tampered with the car. Monica was in contact with the suspect of Nell's attack so Jenks thinks maybe she told him something that made him react right away.''
''How is she?'' – Jake again. Thank you. Embry was still having trouble breathing. The flashes of only a couple of hours earlier were there again and this time he couldn't control it. We respected his pain enough to tune ourselves out from his memories. They were too intimate and painful for him. For Monica. She was like a sister to me. It fucking hurt.
''Critical. Carlisle went there as soon as we heard. Dylan has a couple of broken bones and a concussion but he'll wake up soon enough. I hope he'll remember what happened. What bothers me is the fact that this seems suspicious. Alice had a vision of Monica just disappearing. She made a decision and just disappeared. I think whoever attacked Nell, did this to Monica as well.''
We were quiet. There was nothing to be said.
This fucking guy.
Nell just wasn't enough. He really was out to get Monica. And just… fuck me.
Was it her decision to go and face him? Did her brother tried to stop her? At least he didn't let her go alone. The idiot.
The more memories Embry had of her the more it made me sure that she really did plan to confront the guy. The way she let herself go and gave herself to him. The way she craved his presence. The way she kissed him. Monica was ready for what was coming.
But then, that meant she fucking got the psycho. I was impressed and pissed off at the same time. How could she be so stupid to go after him alone? I got it. I got her. But why? Why? This could only end in her own suffering.
Nell ran out and threw her hands around me. She buried herself in my neck and I wanted to phase right there to be able to hug her. I wanted to hold her in my hands to show just how much I was sorry and how much I loved her. I wanted to make her believe everything will be alright with Monica because I needed to believe it.
''I'm going to see her.'' – Embry finally pulled himself together. There was no disputing it. He would rip apart the person that dared stand in front of him now.
As soon as Embry announced he wanted to go to Port Angeles hospital to see Monica Nell let go of me and nodded furiously. She wanted to see her best friend too. I knew there was no stopping her this time as did the rest of her family. Emmett and Rose agreed to take us there. Nell took the contacts Alice gave her, put them in her eyes and we were on our way.
What happened to Monica affected us all. There were so many emotions in me it was getting hard to keep track of them all.
I was angry. I was fucking pissed off at her for doing this to us. I was horrified by the idea that maybe she won't make it. I tried to get rid of that thought but it was a possibility I had to take into account. I was sad. So fucking sad that I wanted to cry but now wasn't the time. We had to be strong for Monica. I was also proud of her. There she was, Monica. A human with no special power nor strength and she played us all. She outsmarted us even though we knew she was about to do something. It was incredible knowing that fucking mythical creatures had nothing on this girl. That was Monica for you but that also led me to the last feeling I was able to identify. I was disturbed. There was no other way of putting it. This guy, whoever he was, was onto her for almost two years. He wanted to kill her even though she was this innocent and kind girl. She had a loud mouth but it was never mean. She never did anything to hurt others, so why did he want to hurt her? My head was spinning.
Nell was sitting next to me. She was staring at a distant spot that only she could see. She would blink every now and then because the contacts were irritating her eyes and those were the only times when she would show a sign of being alive.
Embry...the poor bastard. This fucked him up beyond belief. He was shaking and the look in his eyes could only be described as primal fear. If I were him, I was sure I'd already be on my way to rip apart the bastard that did this. Not him though. The only thing on Embry's mind was Monica. That fucking psycho may as well just walk up to him right now and it wouldn't matter to Call. It was all Monica for him now.
As we got closer to the hospital we noticed lights and sirens ripping through the night. Emmett decided to go after them which led us to the place where Monica's accident happened. There were no marks on the road, nothing that would indicate she tried to stop. Her car was a couple of meters away from the wall which it hit. The front was nonexistent. We could smell the blood from the car and Nell looked like she was about to get sick. Embry was biting his lips as he tried to control himself.
''Damn.'' – we shared Emmett's sentiment. There were no words.
I was honestly fucking scared to walk into that hospital. Meanwhile Embry just went right in. He had no time to lose. Nell took my hand looking for comfort and we went in together with Rosalie and Emmett close behind.
''She's gonna be fine.'' – I told Nell but I wasn't sure it sounded convincing. I was struggling to believe it. Nell nodded but it was one of those absentminded nods where she's not even actually paying attention to what was being said.
I felt Nell freeze when we walked into the hallway where Monica and Dylan's room was. Rose and Emmett immiedieatly came to stand by our side and I knew why as soon as I saw them. Standing next to Monica's dad and stepmother were Nell's parents. They were dressed in black, still mourning their own daughter.
''Mommy.'' – I heard Nell whisper. It broke my heart.
''Nellie.'' – Rose warned her. – ''Calm down.'' – Nell took a deep breath forcing herself to calm down.
Emmett was the first to approach them. He had that natual feel around him which made it easy to gain trust from other to him. He was a likeable guy and both families felt like he was one of them.
''We heard what happened. Liliana here wanted to come and see Monica. She's like a sister to her.'' – Monica's dad accepted that. He knew of tha famous mexican cousin Lily already so he wasn't shocked when he saw Nell walk in. Her parents on the other hand, they were pale as they looked at her. They could feel the natural pull towards her but the fact that Lily was known among them as the cousin that looks so much like Nell was stopping them. They didn't want to cause a scene but the tender look in their eyes told all we needed to know.
''Of course. Thank you, Lily. Thank you.'' – Monica's dad had to look away to stop himself from crying. Dylan's mum was sitting down next to the door that led into the room where their children were and the poor lady looked defeated. Tears kept streaming down her face but she didn't let out a sound. Nell's mum then went to sit beside her and hold her hand. Nell's family were there for Monica's just like almost two years ago Monica's were there for the Williams family.
''How is she?'' – Nell managed to croak out and her dad looked at her when he heard her. He voice was the same but still different and I could see him trying to make himself believe that this girl isn't his dead daughter. If only he knew. The whole situation was driving me up the fucking wall.
''She's still in surgery. We're waiting but they weren't very happy. One of her ribs pierced her lung. She hit her head pretty hard too. We can only wait.'' – it was Nell's mum that answered since neither of Monica's parents could speak. They held each other in silence.
''And Dylan?''
''Has a concussion, his arm is broken as well. They said he's gonna be up and about soon enough though. Both of them will. Monica is…this is nothing for her. She'll be fine. She'll pull through.'' – the way Nell's mother said it made me really believe it. Monica was going to be alright. She had to be.
It was at this point that Monica's dad finally managed to take us all in. He was thankful his daughter wasn't alone in this situation be he didn't really know who any of us were…well, apart of Nell and he thought she was another person.
He was looking at us with a small smile on his face. He liked us. Good. And then, he stopped when he noticed Embry. He took a long time just observing this tall and handsome young man. At first he looked strict as he was taking Call in but his face softened.
''You must be Embry.'' – Monica's dad got up and came to where Embry was standing. Call nodded. His eyes were glued to the door as he expected Monica's doctor to come with news.
''Yes, sir.''
''Monica told me about you. I am so happy she's got you.'' – this got Embry's attention. Whatever Monica told her dad about him was enough for the man to accept this boy he'd never seen before. Embry was moved by the whole situation. He outstretched his hand and Monica's dad took it. It felt like with that they became family. No words were needed as the two of them hugged each other.
We spent who knows how much time there. We were all anxious to get news of Monica. I didn't really care about her brother but I knew how sad she'd be if anything happened to him so I just wanted them both to wake up already and to be fine.
When the doors finally opened I was relieved. The doctor in charge of Monica and Dylan approached us with the usual doctorly strictness but obvious concern.
''You must be the family.'' – fuck yeah we were.
''Please. They are our children. How are they?'' – Dylan's mum asked and doc smiled.
''Thankfully, they're fine. We had help from one of the best, if not the best, surgeons here and it's safe to say that the worst is behind us.'' – I knew who he was talking about. Carlisle was there. Of course he wasn't going to let them suffer.
''What does that mean?'' – it was hard for Monica's dad to believe this. He was scared of hope. He was scared that everything would change but doc smiled again reassuring him.
''It's better than anyone could hope for. They have to rest now but soon enough you'll be allowed in. One by one, though. At least for now. We want them to recover as fast as possible.''
Thank God.
I wanted to jump up and down from joy but I had to control myself so I just hugged Nell who ws laughing a laugh of relief. She was still looking at her parents with such tenderness it was hard to describe it. I could only imagine how hard this situation was for her.
''You okay?'' – I asked her.
''Fine. Fine.'' - She was brave for putting up with it. Having them so close without being able to tell them anything. I held her tighter and kissed her. I could feel her relax a little in my arms. She wasn't alone and we were going to weather it together.
In the upcoming days we spent every day in Port Angeles. The recovery was slow but it was on it's way. Embry decided to skip his turn to see Monica so that her dad could go in for which the older man was grateful. I was sure Monica was too. She was scared of facing him and Embry didn't want to upset her. Especially since she had trouble remembering what happened the day of her accident. Doctors said that was temporary and as she gets better her memory would return. In her world she still hadn't talked with Embry and he didn't want to push what happened between them on her. He preferred staying away if it meant she'll get better sooner.
Rosalie was still working on the camera and the black boy from the car. She was getting close but the whole thing was badly damaged in the crash. Nobody had any explanation of how the whole accident happened. The car wasn't tampered with so that meant there was probably something on the road that got them to pull such a move with the car. The whole wthing made blonide so fucking mad that she just decided to lock herself up with the shit from the car until she figured it out.
And she did.
She fucking did.
There were no words for what she showed us when she finally got the video from the car camera.