No one had anticipated, Paul disappearing. It even puzzled Bella. She could not stop thinking about it as she was preparing dinner for Charlie. "Smells good, Bells."
"Thanks, Dad." She stated as she brought the vegetables to the table.
"What has you thinking so hard?" Charlie stated as he took his seat.
"Many things: Paul, this engagement and college." Bella sighed as she took her seat.
"You know how I feel about this engagement and marriage. What is this about Paul? You have never been concerned about him." Charlie stated before putting food in his mouth.
"It is not that I have never been concern for him. It is just that he was always there and so sure. I never thought I had to. He suddenly leaves. No warning. No nothing. I thought that I was building a friendship with him." She frowned as she moved her food across the plate.
"What happened before he left?" Charlie asked his police mind turning.
"The night before there was a bon fire. Jacob had a snit in front of everyone about me being engaged to Edward. It was bad and awful. The next day, he was gone. His truck and everything." Bella frowned.
"Hmmm. I could be wrong. I am only making assumptions. It could be that he did not want to be around to see you get married. He probably had more than friendly feelings for you. It hurt too much for him. He could not offer you more than Edward, so he left." Charlie stated as he sipped his beer.
"Now, what about college and the engagement?" Charlie stated.
"I do not think that I want to get married. I got several acceptances. Edward wants to go to a New England school. I think I want a little more sun. I am just not sure, dad. Everything is confusing for now."
"What is the first one that drew your attention?" Charlie asked.
"Kansas State." Bella stated without question.
"Why?" Charlie tried not grin.
"It can get pretty wet. They get a lot of sun. Wheat fields are beautiful. It is practically halfway between both you and mom." Bella stated.
"How about you and I arrange a little vacation just the two of us, and we can check this school out and a few others?"
"Really. Just me and you." Charlie's heart melted at Bella's shock and smiling eyes.
"Yes. I think it would be good for the both of us. Just give me two days to arrange everything." He could not help the smile or blush when Bella leaned over and kissed his cheek.
The next two days seemed to drag. There were many arguments with Edward and the pack. Bella was in her room. However, her door was open.
"What brings you here, Billy? I was just about to retire. Bella and I leave in the morning for a father and daughter vacation." Charlie asked.
"I was hoping that on this vacation that you could talk Bella into staying and leaving the Cullens." Billy stated as Jacob pushed the wheelchair.
"I will do no such thing. Bella can make up her own mind. If she wants to marry; then she does. If she doesn't; then she doesn't. I have made my feeling known. I will also support her decision. I will not try and make her stay if she doesn't want to. I want what is best for Bella and her happiness. She is the only person that can decide what is best for her happiness." Charlie stated rather forcefully.
"It is those Cullens. She wants to stay. I know it and know her." Jacob growled.
Charlie saw something and realization hit him. "I think you need to step back and ask yourself some serious questions, Jake. I think you only see what you want. You have built her up to this image. It is not her. It is just an ideal. I know for fact whether she marries Cullen or not, she does not want stay. Whether it is temporary or permanent, I know not. I do know come the fall; Bella will not be here. I fully support her. Now if you do not mind, I need to get some rest. Bella and I have an early flight tomorrow." Charlie stated before closing the front door.
Bella could not help but lay there with a huge smile on her face. Charlie understood and supported her. Regardless of her decision. She knew that it was a summer of choices.
It had been four years, since Charlie took her on a vacation that would change them. They had talked and dreamed. They grew much closer as he made the decision and choice to take her around several of her choice schools. She was finally graduating KSU. She would have two weeks with her mother; then a month with her father. Then she was going to Denver.
She was just about to enter Seattle airport. Her time with her mother was as she predicted. It annoyed her a little; however, Renee will always be Renee. Phil was good. He at least tried. She took a deep breath and exited the plane. She was back in Washington after four years.
She saw her father. He was all smiles. "Hey dad." She said as she gave him a hug.
"Hey Bells. How was Renee?" He asked as he took her bag.
"The same as always." She shrugged.
"I tried to keep your arrival quiet. However, you know small towns." Charlie blushed.
"Who is waiting for me?" Bella frowned.
"You have Jacob, Billy, Angela and Ben waiting at the house." Charlie stated.
"Let us get this over with this. I am here to see and spend time with you." Bella sighed.
It was three hours later, that they were pulling up in front of the house. The car had barely stopped when her door was being yanked open, she was pulled into a hug by Jacob. "I knew you would return."
Bella frowned and stepped closer to Charlie. Jacob frowned. "I am not staying, Jake. I am only here for a month. I have taken a job outside of, Denver. I am only here to visit my dad, La Push and Angela. I love you, Jake but not like that. I don't think I ever did. I am truly sorry if I ever gave that impression."
Bella felt Charlie squeeze her arm. She turned to the porch. "Ang!" She rushed to her friend.
Two weeks into her visit, Bella was at Emily's. "Any word on Paul." She sipped her tea.
"No." Emily frowned.
"Is he still phasing?" Bella looked at her friend.
"Sam says he is. He can feel him when he phases. However, they are unable to see his mind. He won't communicate with the pack." Emily took her seat.
"What do you mean they can't see his mind? I thought they shared everything." Bella frowned.
"From what I understand, they have been unable to see his mind, since shortly after you learned of the pack. I was only told this about a year after you left for school."
Bella frowned. Something clicked into place. "I have to leave. I will keep in touch."
Bella raced to the police station. "Dad, I need you to do a favor."
"If I can." Charlie looked surprise from his desk.
"You remember what I told you when you asked why accepted the job outside of Denver."
Charlie frowned. "You stated that something in the area was calling to you. You felt you needed to be there."
"Yes. I need you to do a property search in that area for Lahote or his mother's maiden name. I am only asking you to look for something that is public record. Please." Bella pleaded.
Charlie opened a few systems. The shock was in his eyes. "He actually owns the small property next to the one you bought. He also had a few minor charges."
"I am sorry, dad. I need to leave. I think you were right on why he left." She raced out the door. She jumped into her new SUV that Charlie and Phil had bought her.
She drove and only stopped when she could no longer stay awake. It took her three days to get to her new house. She ran to the back of the property. "Lahote, you better show yourself. I know you can hear me. You have some explaining to do especially on why you never told me about the imprint."
"What are you doing here? How did you find me? How did you learn about the imprint?" Paul stepped from the trees.
"First, I am standing on my property. I bought this land three months ago when I accepted a job that I begin in six weeks. I was confused at first at why I was being pulled to the area and felt that I needed to be here. Then after my graduation, I was visiting my dad. I stopped to see Emily. I asked about you like I did every time I spoke with her. I asked if you were still phasing. She said that Sam could feel you phase in; however, they could not see your mind, and you would not speak with them. She also stated that your mind has been closed to the pack since shortly after I learned of the pack. Everything clicked." Bella stated.
"I didn't want the imprint." Paul looked down at the ground. "You had willingly got involved with the creatures that activated the gene. I was pissed. I was before I phased, but it got worse afterwards. I started to see you differently. I am not sure if it was the imprint or being around you then disappearing. I had made up mind to tell you after the battle, but then Jake announced your engagement. Before I could do or say anything that I could not take back, I left."
"You knew where I was. You knew I did not get married. Why didn't you tell me then?" Bella's voice shook.
"I thought you wanted to forget everything and everyone. I couldn't face your rejection. I could offer you nothing. I got the property for a steal by only paying the back property taxes. I am a construction foreman with an anger problem. I would be no good for someone that could go places."
Bella stepped forward. She placed her hand against his cheek. "Once, I agreed to the engagement. I immediately began to question it. It did not feel right. I could not figure out why. When you disappeared, Forks and La Push never felt the same to me. I could not figure out why. My father suggested a vacation. I chose a school and broke the engagement."
She lifted his chin, so he was looking at her. "Why would I reject the strongest, smartest, and cutest member of the pack? You are always so strong, so sure, and so confident. I wanted that. It took me leaving and going to school to find it. We have lost so much time." She leaned upwards and touched her lips to his.
It triggered something in them. She was soon against a tree. He was yanking her hair and taking the kiss deeper. She moaned and he growled. They were gasping for breath. He began kissing her throat. She arched into him. "Paul, stop." She whispered.
It was like cold water hitting him. He jumped back as if was burned. She quickly reached for him. "Look at me." She stated firmly. She touched his cheek. "I am not rejecting you. I just don't want my first time to be against a tree, or the forest floor. I would prefer a softer surface."
Paul looked at her in shock. "You are still a virgin."
"Yes. I am untouched. I have never slept with anyone. When we first met, I will admit to thinking of you being my first time. I pushed those thoughts away because you seemed to hate me."
"Your place or mine." Paul growled.
"Which is the closest? You know the land better." Bella grinned.
She had no time to think. She was in his arms, and he ran. In a few minutes, he was running up a set of stairs. "I have dreamed many times of having you here. If this is not what you want; then you better speak now. I will not have the strength to stop, again. My wolf is too close to the surface."
Bella smiled up at him. "This is what I want. I want you and your wolf. Let go. Make me yours." Her words shattered his control.
It was just before sunrise. They were both exhausted and drifted off to sleep. Paul woke a few hours later. At first, he thought it was dream till he realized the pressure on his chest. He could not keep the smile off his face. She chose him, and now she was his.