Chapter Thirteen

Hazel POV

"Philophobia is the abnormal, persistent and unwarranted fear of falling in love or emotional attachment. The risk is usually when a person has confronted any emotional turmoil relating to love in the past but also can be chronic phobia. This affects the quality of life and pushes a person away from commitment."

My therapist's words were constantly running threw my brain. It has been two months since I woke up from my coma. Physical therapy was a bitch, but I made it. I had gotten a job in the pediatric unit as a urse and they were very accomidating to allowing Penny in the day care so quickly. I also found a small two bedroom house avilable for rent close to the hospital in case I was called in for an emergency. We were settling in nicely and I felt like things were finally falling into place. Of course, I was still in therapy and the court issue with Anthony was still unresolved. He apparently has fled the country and they were unable to preform an arrest, so everything was halted.

Paul has been more than patient with me. We've hung out a few times but never alone, we were always in a group with the guys and Bella. Penny has taken a big liking to him and now instead of sitting with me she's now sitting with him. Like right now, we were all gathered at the beach for a bonfire and Penny was sitting perched in Paul's lap eating a hamburger. I gazed over at them and let myself smile at the scene in front of me. Paul was good with kids, despite never being around any.

"Alright, girls. Time for me to leave. Haze, want me to take P home with me and you can come get her when you come home?" I looked up at my dad and nodded my head thankfully at him.

I wasn't sure how long I was planning on staying, but I knew if Penny stayed out much longer she would get sick.

"Thanks, dad. I shouldn't be out much longer." He smiled over at me before picking up Hazel and bringing her to me so I could say goodnight. She and I did our bunny face and she gave me a kiss on the cheek before going with my dad.

"Now that the adults and the children are gone, now the real fun can begin!" I rolled my eyes at Seth and Jared. Those two were trouble everytime they got together. They began talking about what to do and I heard Truth and Dare and my eyes widened. No way in hell was I playing T or D.

"Do you wanna come take a walk with me?" I looked up and gave Paul a small smile before standing up and agreeing with him.

We started walking along the shore and let the water brush against our feet. I had my boots and socks in one hand and I had previously rolled up my jeans so they wouldn't get wet. Paul had done the same. This was the first time Paul and I have been somewhat alone since I met him almost a year ago. It's so weird to think that this time last year everything was so different. I had my life in Georgia with Penny and my grandparents, I was happy but nowhere near as happy as I am now here in Forks. I felt myself smile. I was really starting to build something here for my daughter and along the way maybe something for me, too.

Paul and I continued to walk in silence, aside the cold water lapping up against my ankle causing me to squeal and run into Paul. He didn't seem to mind, he laughed at me before reaching down and looping his fingers threw mine. I felt my face grow red, but I didn't pull away. It was nice to hold his hand. It was significantly larger than mine, from him being a wolf and all, and it was warm. I haven't held anyone's hand that wasn't Penny's in a long time. I gribbed his hand a little bit tighter and felt myself leaning into him.

We walked further down the shore until we came across a piece of driftwood where we sat. He still hadn't let go of my hand. I still hadn't decidied on if I wanted him to or not.

"Y'know," I looked over at Paul and noticed a small smile grace his lips as he spoke. "This is the first time we've been alone together since we met." He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and I felt myself smile.

"I was just thinking the same thing. This time last year everything was so different and I had no idea my lfie would take such a drastic change." I paused and took a breath. "But, I'm glad it did because if it didn't then I never would have met you." I felt my cheeks grow red and I tried not to look at him. I was still afraid of being in a relationship, and even more so of it being with a man who can change into the one animal I feared most. I felt him let go of my hand. I looked over at him with my eyebrows knitted together in concern. But, when I looked at him I noticed he had a big grin on his face and he raised his hand to the back of my neck.

I felt my breath hitch and my face grow even redder. He looked back and forth between my eyes and my lips, silently asking me permission. I blinked a few times before closing the distance between us. I have no idea what came over me, but I knew I wanted him to kiss me and I wanted to kiss him. His lips were soft and gentle against mine. After a few seconds I felt him pull away and I couldn't help but pout. He laughed at me before leaning back on the log.

"Who said you could pull away?" As soon as the words left my mouth I felt my eyes widened. I didn't mean to say that out loud. He stopped laughing and his eyes darkened before he leaned in to kiss me again.

This time it wasn't as soft. And I liked it. He had one hand behind my neck and the other one rested on my waist. I raised both my hands and rested one on his shoulder and the other one to tangle in his hair. He pulled me closer to him and both his hands were on my waist, rubbing small circles with his thumbs. I wrapped both my arms around his neckand felt myself pull him even closer to me.

I knew I still had issues of my own to work out, and I wasn't ready for something serious. But at this point in time, all I could was to hell with it.