/BPOV/
When I woke up Sunday morning, I was still a little sore so I decided to give Sue a text. She let me know that what I was feeling was normal, and it even had a name because of how common it was. Round Ligament Pain. She said if I wanted that she would be home all day but could run over to the clinic with me.
I declined. I figured it was something minor and I had no bleeding or anything so I would just be more careful next time Jake tried to bend me in half. Plus Seth and Colin were having a double birthday thing today at the paintball place and I didn't want to miss out on the fun for being a worry wart.
When Jake and I arrived at the field, everyone was already gearing up. Seth, Colin, Brady, Mark and Drew were the youngest in the group, they were also the ones I knew the least, except for Seth. I knew everyone that changed after the battle with Victoria but the youngest especially never really got sucked into the group like the older ones did, and for the most part stuck to their own little circle. It was nice though, because they were able to keep being kids longer.
"You good to do this?" Jake asked quietly, stirring me from my thoughts. I tilted my head and lifted an eyebrow at him.
"I wouldn't be here if it was a bad idea."
It was fun, just like when it was just with Jake but in some ways it was better. There was so much going on and everyone was covered in paint. Paul looked at me with a smirk and shot off a ball before I could respond, and fear hit me. It was like slow motion, the ball coming toward my belly but my body too slow to react when out of nowhere, Quil dives in taking the shot in his chest like some superhero. It was amazing, and hilarious. Quil stood up, mud on his clothes while I giggled.
"My night in… muddy armor. Thank you."
There was something on his face, some hidden pain that made me regret my words, could I be anymore dense, calling him my knight when he had feelings for me…
"Princess" He tipped his head as a knight would before I heard pop pop pop on his back. His eyes closed and I couldn't help but laugh. Quil turned and chased after his attacker, Jake.
The next day was back to the usual. Jake had stayed the night again, hating to be away from me but was gone before I was even awake. I don't think his dad knew he was coming over every night and he was going home to get ready for school before Billy got suspicious.
When I was ready, I walked out the door, unlocked the truck door and opened it.
"Hey!"
"Holy crap Quil!" I yelled as Quil sat up from the bed of my truck, scaring me half to death.
"Sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you. Just, my math teacher, Mrs. Willoughby is sick and they weren't able to get a sub in time so I have some free time to spare before my next class because after my math class, I have Chem and she's also the teacher for that. So I came here. Mind if I tag along?"
"Um, not at all. You're extra talkative today."
"Nothing like a brisk Pacifica Northwest morning to wake you up, ya know?"
I laughed at Quil then got in, leaned over to unlock his door, and I noticed that pulling feeling again in my belly.
When we were on that same stretch of road that Victoria attacked me on, Quil finally gave me a clue as to why he was with me.
"So we were heading back to the car when this group of girls walks by. One of them gives Sky this look like… please come take me."
"Oh my God Quil!"
"Well if you saw her eyes, you'd agree. Anyways I nudge Sky because at first he was too busy playing some game on his phone and he looks up and BAM! Imprint. Like… what the fuck universe. I'm right here. Ready, willing and able as far as I know."
"You're an amazing guy Quil. There is no doubt about that, but maybe it isn't you that has the problem but maybe the world just can't find someone that can match the amazing that is you?" I could see a small smile appear before he turned his head to look out the window
"Ya know, things were easier before…"
"Before joining the pack?"
"Before the battle…" And there we had it, the reason he was here with me.
I sighed. "Quil, I…" Did I really want to do this? What if it ruined things? "I know what you mean but… well I wouldn't change anything for the world. I think this is exactly where everyone is meant to be."
"What do you mean, you know?" he glanced over at me and I gave him a sympathetic look. "Oh… Did Jake tell you?"
"No. I figured it out on my own. Before Jake found out… before he was even back in the picture." I fixed my hair nervously, waiting for things to get awkward.
"Fuck, Bella. Why didn't you say something? The way we danced, God… that must have been so weird for you. Why didn't you tell me to take a hike or something? I was so worried this whole time that you'd find out and I'd lose my best friend forever."
I started to cry. "Quil, you'll never lose me."
"Shit. I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry."
"Quil…" I took a deep breath. "You meant so much to me, and you still do. And these?" I waved my hand over my face, "Not your fault. I didn't want to make things weird between us and if I can be honest here, after Jake stopped coming around, I… well I liked the attention. I know that's selfish of me and I'm sorry."
Quil laughed, but I didn't see the humor. "Selfish of you? I was practically humping you while we danced. I don't think you were the selfish one. It isn't like I ever thought I had a chance, or would try even if I did. I was a glutton for punishment but it was nice. Feeling wanted by you, even just a little. And I know, no matter what, that would never happen. Not even if something happened to Jake. Your souls are connected and… well… fucking Christ…"
"What is it?" I glanced over at Quil and he looked to be in a battle within himself.
"I… well… to make things worse, I came by to see you on Saturday and I heard…"
"Oh God!" I'd cover my face in embarrassment if I didn't have to see the road. "You heard us having sex?"
"Yeah… so now I have the sound of you moaning forever in my brain but what I meant was… you said…" he sighed and I could feel the seat vibrating under me. Was he upset? "You're pregnant."
I didn't speak. I couldn't speak. What the hell could I say to that? He knew. Nobody except who was immediately affected by it were supposed to know, and here I was in the truck with a man who was in love with me and he knew. The pain he must be feeling and there was nothing anyone could do to help take it away.
"Please say something." He begged, and I could hear the hurt in his voice. Why did it feel like I was cheating on him all of a sudden? It made no sense but I felt horrible for him finding out that way, like I owed him more than that.
"I'm sorry. We were going to tell everyone soon but we haven't yet and I didn't want you to find out like that."
"I figured you wouldn't. Still hurts though. So, was it… I mean did you… try?"
"Oh hell no. While we are very happy with the route life is taking us, it was completely one hundred thousand percent unplanned. With Jake gone I just sort of forgot to get my last birth control shot, because it wasn't needed and then he was back and I never remembered that I didn't get it."
"Ohh. Oh wow. So surprises all around."
"Yeah I mean… I'm 9 weeks and I just found out a week ago. This is NOT something I was expecting. But like I said, we're happy. I'm in love with this little gummy bear inside me."
"Gummy bear?"
"Jake started saying it. When we went to Sue to confirm that I was and all was well, the baby was so small that he or she looked like a gummy bear. Oh wait, one second." I drove another block then parked the car outside of the bakery then reached into my wallet to pull out the mini photo that Sue printed off. "Here's my baby."
Quil looked and I pointed to each part that was hard to see on such a tiny undeveloped baby. "Wow. This little thing is growing inside of you." Quil looked into my eyes and smiled.
"Wait, is this why you took that paintball for me? It was coming straight at my belly."
"Yeah, I saw that and it kinda freaked me out so I just went for it. I'm sure you would have been fine, and this little peanut too but I didn't want to take the chance."
"Thank you Quil. Listen, we need to talk more but I really have to start work. Did you plan on running back or did you want my keys?" I asked as I opened the truck door
"Keys, please. What time are you off? I'll come pick you up." I hopped out of the truck, leaving the keys in the ignition and smiled at his suggestion.
"I'll be done at 6." Quil nodded then slid into the drivers side. I closed the door behind me then walked into the bakery as he drove away.
"Bella!"
"What? Am I late?" I glanced at my watch and noticed I was 5 minutes early.
"Are you cheating on Jake?"
"What?"
"Who was that delicious man you just were with? Why do you have such sexy friends? I'm gonna hafta ask Jeff if he minds a third person in the relationship because damn girl!"
I couldn't help but blush at her accusation that I was cheating on Jake with Quil. I would never but that doesn't mean I haven't had a dream or two, where Quil joined us in the bedroom but that would stay between me and my brain. I'd been having lots of strange dreams lately and my best guess was the hormones from pregnancy. They were all so vivid and at times I even woke up moaning. I just hoped I never moaned his name. That would be so awkward and hard to explain.
"You have no idea. All the men down there look like that, no joke."
The rest of the day was playful banter about who's the better baker while we filled an order for cupcakes for a woman's 30th birthday party, and here I thought birthday parties stopped when you became an adult.
The day grew longer and the shadow from the pine trees made the parking lot into a backgammon board. I went out back to grab an order when another customer came in. I loved the rush but when it slowed, I got a chance to really enjoy the baking.
"What can I get you?" I heard Ashley say from the other room as I grabbed the box of pastries that was ordered this morning for my customer.
"Uh. Yeah." I heard Quil say from the other room, then glanced at the time. 5:30. He just have gotten impatient. "I honestly want… some of everything but uh, maybe one of these? And ooh, one of these. And that."
I laughed to myself though I knew he would hear me. I walked through the swinging doors and handed the box over.
"Thank you, dear." The elderly lady said then dropped a $20 bill on the counter. "Keep the change. You girls work so hard."
I rang her through and tossed the leftovers in the tip jar on the counter, my customer was somehow already long gone. I stretched, noticing that there was nobody else in the store then turned toward Quil.
"Is it any good?" I asked as I walked past the table Quil was sitting at to lock the door but his eyes looked past me at Ashley. She flicked the radio on to start the nightly cleanup and danced from one side of the store to the other. The store closes every day at 5:30 then we take the next thirty minutes cleaning.
"Yup, real good." Quil replied, his head tilted while watching her. I gave him a little squeeze on the arm and shook my head.
"I meant the donut."
"Hmm?" He took his eyes away from her then looked at me.
"I'm glad you seem to be moving on so fast," I winked at him, teasing about his feelings in a way I knew he'd be okay with. "but she's taken."
"Shit." He mumbled through the food.
"Yup. But we have another girl who works here on weekends you can go for. She's free as can be."
"Bella, I…"
"Damnit. See I knew things would get awkward which is why I wasn't sure if I should tell you that I knew. Please don't, I want things to stay fun and happy between us."
"They'll stay the same. Guaranteed." Quil said when he swallowed his bite. "That's not what I was saying." He glanced at Ashley again. "I found my imprint."
"Oh my god. And like the oblivious person that I am all wrapped up in the drama that is us I completely missed it and broke your heart saying she has a boyfriend. I'm so sorry. Hey if you want I can break them up. Make a move on him, let her catch us." Quil looked at me in horror. "Joking definitely joking but I need to help clean up."
God what was wrong with me?
When Ashley and I were done cleaning, Quil escorted us out of the store and Ashley locked up.
"It was nice to meet you, Quil. I'll see you tomorrow Bella." We waved to each other as Quil hopped in the driver seat.
"What are you doing?"
"Well you've been working all day. Give your feet a rest. I'll drive."
"Thanks. Want to talk about it?" I asked, giving his shoulder an enthusiastic rub.
"Ya know, it wasn't how I imagined. I figured that when I met my imprint, I'd stop having feelings for you. It didn't happen that way. They're still there and there's nothing I can do about it. I think I'll always love you."
A tear fell from my eye at his words. While I knew about his feelings and we talked about it earlier that day, it was the first time I heard him say those words. It made my heart break a little because he was such an amazing man and the two people who he loved, one by circumstance and one by fate were both happily in relationships with other men.
"I'm sorry." I didn't know what else to say.
