AN: My sincerest apologies for the lack of update till now, I honestly just got busy with life, no excuse, I am committed to finishing this story. I will do my best to try and be more consistent with posting chapters from here on out.
Hope everyone had a nice easter and enjoys this chapter! Let me know what you think x
Disclaimer – as always Stephanie Meyer has rights.
BPOV
I feel like I am having an out of body experience, I can't process the events quickly enough. My emotions flip from one to another in milliseconds and I can't focus. Paul's gaze is as piercing as it always was, he always had the ability to see right through me – or more correctly right into my soul. That apparently hadn't changed. With one look he could communicate a million different things, that too hadn't changed, it was always like we spoke our own language. It is our own. Was our own. I feel like I am eleven all over again and all I want to do is scream and cry like the day we were torn apart. I can't control as my eyes close and my face scrunches in pain at the memory, the loss. Paul always knew what I needed as he touches is forehead to mine, I can't help the tears that slip out and the gasped sob that escapes. I can't hear anything else that is going on around us, we exist in our own bubble. I can feel the warmth that radiates off Paul and the soothing sounds he is making. His firm hold, not easing till he knows I can stand on my own.
Slowly I become aware of noise as it filters through our bubble. Sam's concern and it sounds like my friends from school have wandered over to see what is going on. It must all look so strange to them. But despite all this I can't bring myself to open my eyes, the comfort is too addictive, and I am afraid that when I open my eyes none of it will be real and I will be sitting in my room, lost in despair, and trapped in my own mind. Paul's voice sends a vibration right through me and my eyes open instinctively.
"Isa," his gaze holds mine and I know that now that I have seen him again, felt him, I can't live without his presence again. When Edward left, I thought I couldn't exist without him, but this is so much more, the mere thought of losing Paul again has my very soul shattering. I would have him in my life in any capacity possible. It wasn't an addiction, Paul was my other half, even at eleven we knew that he was my person and I his. That kind of ferocity at eleven was adorable but also kind of terrifying, it is what lead to us being torn apart.
"I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere" the conviction in his voice reassures me on a deep level and an understanding that tearing us apart now would be impossible and if they tried Paul would find me every time.
"Hey" is all I can muster. He smiles in response, and I can't help by smile back a giggle escapes at the sheer joy I feel. Paul must have felt it too because he follows with a chuckle of his own and the next thing, he has swept me up into a hug that warms every fibre of my being.
We our reunion is interrupted by Jared "ah, guys what …" the confusion leaks into his voice. It was clear from his comment when Paul said his nickname for me that he knows some of our history, but clearly not all. Sam looks equally as confused. And I now realise that Eric and Angela are the ones who had wandered over to see what was going on. And they are all expecting some sort of explanation for what just transpired but I am too absorbed by the warmth coursing through me and fixing every cold spot to give a proper response.
"We're good, just an unexpected reunion, that's all" Paul tries to abate the questions, but even I know that won't do.
"Bella, you alright there?" Sam's concern means more than he can know.
"I'm good, perfect. I was just shocked and overwhelmed but all good now." I find my words and for the first time in months I don't have to lie, I feel good, happy, strong.
"Bella, ah we were thinking of heading out. Jess has to be home for dinner. So, we need to get going soon…" Angela draws my attention and I remember that I should go with my school friends. Pauls grip on my hand tightens, we might have parted yet we remained joined. The thought of our reunion being cut short makes me feel cheated, I have so many questions and I want to know everything I have missed about Paul since I saw him last.
"Ah, I …" I start to respond but I don't know what to say or to do. Paul steps in.
"That's alright I can drop her home later, I know the way" his response has me smiling, but my friends don't know him so I can sense their concern and me staying behind by myself with these boys – men – who look like pure muscle, which not going to lie while very impressive is also intimidating as fuck would obviously have them worried for my safety.
"Bella you sure you want to stay?" Eric's concern is touching, and I am glad in that moment that I reconnected with my first friends in Forks. I quickly reassure them.
"Yeah, all good, don't worry, my dad knows Sam, and he knew Paul when we were younger, Jared's a wild card" throwing in that Charlie knows them would ease their concerns. "Let me just come and grab my stuff and help you pack up". I could feel the momentary panic and separation from both Paul and I "I will be right back" giving him an easy smile.
With my meagre belongings in my hands, I make my way back across the beach to the Quileute boys. They appear to be in discussion amongst themselves, and while they seem very aware of my approach they continue their conversation. I imagine Same and Jared have questions much like my friends did while we packed up.
"Bella are you sure you want to stay with those … boys?" Angela's concern leaks into her words and I am deeply grateful to have her as my friend.
"Yes, I know you probably are really confused, but I wasn't lying about my dad knowing them. I met Sam recently and he is a good guy, and Paul, honestly I haven't seen him in years, but he isn't as intimidating as he looks I swear… trust me please" I try to reassure her that I will be fine.
"Okay, but I want you to message me when you get home, okay? And if I haven't heard from you by 8pm I will be calling your house phone" I give Angela a hug and promise her I will message.
Jared breaks up their group hushed chat "well you certainly know how to spice up an afternoon Bella" his comment makes me smile. With their conversation disbanded Paul turns fully towards me. And despite how confident I am in my decision to stay, Idon't know what happens now. Paul throws his arm over my shoulder and takes my bag from my other and puts it over his opposite shoulder, he gives me an easy smile.
"Bella, you hungry? We were going to head back to mine for some food, do you want to join?" Sam asks the question and I find myself looking at Paul to see what the next step is.
"We can talk at Sam's, plus I am kinda hungry" with that comment his tummy growls, and I laugh. The decision is made, and I nod to Sam, grabbing their stuff, we head off to Sam's which isn't far. We don't say much on the walk the company is enough to make everything feel like it would be alright. Paul's arm slung over my shoulders I fiddle with his hand hanging over my shoulder, it was always like this before, the comfort, the ease, the familiarity. No words were needed, we simply basked in the warmth of our joined presence. We knew when we got to Sam's questions would need to be answered both theirs and our own. But for this moment we are comfortable to soak up the joy of our reunion.