MY SAVING GRACE


Bella's POV

I woke up to the sound of a baby crying. My baby. Paul was cradling him to his chest soothing him back to sleep. I smiled at the sight, my heart melting. Paul looked up and our eyes met. His face broke out in a watery grin.

"Good morning mommy," he said leaning forward to kiss my forehead.

"You're okay," I said, looking him over.

"Of course I am baby girl. I promised you I'd return," he replied.

"I love you Paul," I cried.

"I love you more. Hey, beautiful. No need to cry. Everything is going to be okay from now on," he cooed.

I took a deep settling breath, calming myself.

"He's beautiful, baby. Absolutely perfect," he said looking at our son lovingly.

"He looks just like his father," I whispered. Paul gently placed him in my arms to nurse.

"And eats like me too," he smirked. I giggled at that. He's so terrible.

"You're incorrigible," I smiled.

"You still love me," he smiled widely.

"I do," I chuckled.

His face got serious for a moment before he finally spoke again.

"Marry me," he said. I was speechless. "Please. Marry me Isabella," he said again.

"Yes," I replied, my eyes smarting with tears.

There was a loud applause coming from the hallway.

"The pack is here," he grinned.

I shook my head and chuckled. A knock sounded at the door and Jacob peeked his head through.

"Can we come in and meet the little tyke," he asked with a huge grin. I looked up at Paul and nodded.

"Yeah, what the hell. Why not," he replied carefully taking little Charlie.

The first person through the door was my father.

"Step aside Jake, that's my grandson in there. I have rights," Charlie said, pushing past the crowd and Jake. I chuckled. Charlie leaned in and gave me a hug and kissed my forehead. "You did good Bells," he whispered.

"Thanks. Dad, are you crying," I asked.

"No. I got dust in my eyes," he choked.

"I love you dad," I whispered.

"Love you too kiddo," he replied.

Everyone gathered around and congratulated Paul and I. The last three to come up where Leah, Jake, and Embry.

"You did it B. I knew you could. Especially if you can stand that asshat," she motioned to Paul. I chuckled.

"Hey," Paul complained.

"Yeah, who'd have thought that Paul Lahote could be tamed," Jake chuckled.

I laughed, shaking my head and rolling my eyes.

"He's not so bad," I replied, smiling at Paul holding our son.

"He's good for you. You're different with him," Embry observed.

"He lets me be myself," I replied sheepishly.

"I'm happy for you Bella," he whispered and taking his leave before I could reply.

"He's just hurting right now. Give him time," Jake whispered.

"I understand. I hope everything works out for him," I replied.

"Well I think his imprint is a gold digger. Her husband is sick and doesn't have long left. Thank goodness he doesn't have extended family or kids," Leah quipped.

"Leah, it's not our place," Jake chastised.

"Whatever," she replied. "I'll catch you later B," she hugged me tightly before leaving.

"Congratulations Bella. Aren't you glad to be part of the pack now," he said winking at me.

"I'm happy to have a family," I replied smiling.

"Get some rest honey. We'll stop by to see you later," he said hugging me before heading out the door.

"You've always been considered part of the pack babe," Paul whispered in my ear.

Little CJ was sleeping peacefully in the bassinet.

"I know. But now it feels like a family. I don't feel like an outsider anymore," I replied.

"You'll never have to feel like that again. Did I tell you that I love you today," he asked kissing my cheek.

"Yes, you have but I still love hearing it," I grinned.

"Then I'll be sure to remind you everyday," he said turning my face to kiss my lips.

"I...Love...You," he said between kisses. "So much."

"I love you too Paul,"I replied, tears starting to fall down my cheeks.

I settled down and got comfortable. Paul and I laid together in the small bed as I fell asleep.


After another day in the hospital we finally got to go home. Home sweet home.

Paul drove very slowly on our way home.

"Paul, people are honking. Go faster," I urged.

"Let'em honk. We have a baby in the car," he replied continuing his leisurely pace.

It took us a half hour to get home. When we got inside we took CJ upstairs to his crib. We watched him sleep for a moment as Paul hugged me to his chest from behind.

"We made a good looking baby," he said kissing my temple.

"Yeah, we did," I whispered.

"So, are you up for round two," he asked. I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Sue said at least four weeks before we can do anything. But there's other things we can do," I said seductively, turning to face him.

"Like what beautiful," he asked in a husky tone.

"How about we head downstairs and find out," I smirked.

He growled low, lifting me by the waist. I wrapped my legs around him as he walked us to our room. He unceremoniously tossed me in the center of the bed.

"Now that you're not so fragile anymore we can have all kinds of fun baby," he whispered crawling on the bed up my body.

"What kind of fun," I squeaked.

"Depends on how flexible you are baby," he lick along his mark making me shiver.

"I'm pretty flexible. I did yoga for three years," I gasped.

"Then expect to use that ability in the near future," he growled.

I pushed on his shoulders and he rolled us over so I straddled his hips.

"First there's something I want to try," I removed my shirt and shimmied down his body.

"Babe, you don't have to do that," he gritted out.

I ignored him as I leaned forward to undo his jeans. His erection springing free. I wrapped my hand around it causing him to groan. I looked up at him as I lowered my head and licked the tip. He let out a hissing noise and his eyes closed tightly. I stroked him again and then took him into my mouth and sucked gently.

"Holy shit Isabella," he moaned.

I swirled my tongue around the head before taking him farther and sucking harder. His hips bucked at that. I repeated the same motion. It created a pattern. Stroke, suck, swirl. Stroke. Suck. Swirl.

"Isabella I'm going to come. If you don't want me to come in your mouth let me know," he growled.

I took him in further till I felt him at the back of my throat.

"Fuck," he groaned loudly, releasing into my mouth. I shoved him in further. It was odd tasting but I let it slide down my throat as he pulsed in my mouth. When he finished, I licked him clean. I sat up smiling at him. "That was fucking hot babe," he growled pulling me down and kissing me roughly.

"I did okay," I asked.

"You were incredible," he breathed. I laid on his chest.

"I love you," I whispered, exhausted.

"I love you more Isabella," he replied kissing my forehead as I fell asleep.


When little Charlie was old enough, Paul and I took him to visit the Cullens. Quil and Jared coming as a precaution.

Rose was cooing sitting on the sofa with Emmett standing behind her.

"Thank goodness he doesn't smell like his father," Emmett chortled.

"Emmett," Esme chastised. "He's absolutely precious Bella," she smiled.

"Thank you Esme," I returned the smile.

"Bella," Edward called. "May I have a word with you," he asked.

I looked over at Paul sitting with Jared. He nodded his head and motioned for me to go. I smiled sheepishly.

"What is it you want to talk about Edward," I asked as soon as we were out of hearing range from the house.

"I wanted to apologize for how I behaved. And to explain why I did what I did," he looked like he was in pain.

"Okay. Continue," I prompted.

"I've always wanted you to live a normal human life and have things I know I could not give you. When Alice foresaw Sue Swan disposing of the original donors sperm and replacing it with Paul's, I saw an opportunity," he said.

"Wait! You knew this whole time? Before it happened," I asked incredulously.

"Bella, you have to understand something. I've seen his mind. I know how he thinks, and I know what he feels for you. He's had feelings for you for a very long time. He's never told anyone because he was in denial," he said, his face a thoughtful expression.

"Why didn't he tell me this himself," I demanded.

"Because you were happy baby," Paul's voice said from behind me.

"So, you just saw that I would be happy forever," I asked.

"I knew eventually you'd outgrow your leech. No offense," he said to Edward.

"None taken. I knew it as well but didn't want to admit it," Edward said.

"So you both decided to interfere? You're lucky I love you Paul Lahote. As for you Edward, how could you? You should've let things go it's course. I would have figured it out," I replied.

"I know that, but Alice saw you become miserable. We decided to give you a nudge in the right direction," Edward said.

I was thoughtful for a moment before I spoke again.

"Thank you. For everything," I replied to Edward.

"You deserve happiness in every way Isabella. And I can finally breathe easy knowing the Volturi are gone for good. You're safe," Edward said.

"I'll still think of you as a friend Edward," I replied.

"Thank you Bella. It's more than I can ask for," he smiled.

"Edward, it's time for you to go and find your happiness," I told him.

"I think I will. Goodbye Isabella," he said

"Goodbye Edward," and then he was gone.

I turned to look at Paul.

"When," I asked.

"The moment you slapped me across the face behind Jacob's," he replied.

"And you never said anything," I whispered.

"I didn't know how to. You started getting close to Embry fooling around. Then you took the leech back and I knew that if I truly loved you, I had to let you go. But then I remembered he's a leech and you're a human. I knew you'd outgrow him eventually, because he doesn't grow old and your life wasn't fulfilled," he said pulling me into a hug.

"So it was a hopeful opportunity when you eavesdropped on my conversation about how I wanted a baby," I asked.

"It was like Taha Aki was answering my prayers and your ex husband practically gift wrapped you for me," he smiled.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm glad for this whole interference. I wouldn't have you without it," I replied reaching up on my toes to kiss him.

"So now we can live happily ever after," he asked lifting me.

"Happily ever after, forever and ever," I replied kissing him long and hard.

"Always," he smiled.