A/N Just one more chapter after this and then an epilogue. (Toying with one more epilogue after that to accommodate the new VM season. We'll see.) Also, do any of you have any favorite Bella/Paul stories? Please share if you do! I'll post a couple of mine at the end of the story. AND, what's your favorite VM pairing? I'd love to know that, too. Thanks!

Chapter 12

"Told ya you missed all the good stuff," Leah quipped to Bella afterwards."I'm heading out finally!"

As she bounded out the door, Bella called out to Leah, "Send pics of your outfit!"

She looked at the rest of the assembled crowd. "I didn't really miss anything. I mean, yes, the details, but I had faith in all of you- ALL of you," she looked around the room at every wolf and vampire, "-that together you'd win. I'm so amazed by all of you. On behalf of regular humans everywhere, thank you so much for protecting us. You're all heroes in my book."

"Bella, I say this with all the love in my heart," Jacob snickered, "But that was the corniest thing you've ever said!"

Bella blushed scarlet, but Paul was pleased to see she chuckled along with everyone else.

"Seth, Quil, and Embry, please escort our guests to the treaty line and then do your patrol," Sam's no-nonsense voice let them all know it was time to be done.

Bella squeezed Paul's hand then stood to hug each of the Cullens and thank them for their part in the day's battle. "What are your plans now?" Bella asked Alice.

Esme answered, "Carlisle and I will stay as long as it takes for you to get well and to close up the house for a generation or two or until we decide to sell it."

"Thank you for taking care of me," Bella said.

"Bella, you know it was the least we could do considering we got you into this mess in the first place," Alice insisted.

Bella chuckled, but also felt her eyes misting up. "Yeah, it kinda was. But can we please keep in touch this time? I really missed all of you. I think emails and calls would be okay, don't you?"

Edward glanced at Paul who gave him a shit-eating grin. He said only loud enough for the supernatural creatures in the room to hear, "You won, dog. If you hurt her, I'll kill you."

Paul rolled his eyes, "Get in line, man."

Edward smiled at that. He could feel the love in the room, too, but he was also privy to everyone's thoughts. This pack all cared fiercely for one another. Bella wasn't just protected by her own wolf (who still seemed too dangerous for Edward's liking) but she and the other mates were protected by the entire pack. And the other mates were already thinking about how excited they were to have her officially with them. He sighed. If he had to leave her, he supposed this was the best way. He glared at Rosalie who was enjoying the sight of the shirtless wolves just a little too much. Rosalie cocked an eyebrow at him and thought some very choice words in his direction mostly involving the words 'Puritanical Prick'. Sisters were really the worst sometimes.

Hugs and handshakes and goodbyes and numbers were exchanged and then just like that, the Cullens were gone again. Half the pack was gone, too, and it was amazing how quiet it suddenly seemed.

Emily went around opening all the windows and front door while Kim grabbed a bundle of sage to smudge. Bella wondered at them for a moment. Were they doing it because they thought the Cullens were bad spirits? Just as she was about to be a little offended on the vampire family's behalf, she realized. "Oh! The smell! I didn't even think what that would be like for the pack and especially you to have them in the house, Sam!"

"Today we were allies. And it was right to let them in. But, Bella, I need to remind you that they're not allowed on our land without permission, even for a friendly visit."

Bella nodded. "I promise to follow the treaty when I'm here."

Sam put a hand on her shoulder, gently. "Welcome to the pack, Bella. Keeping Paul in line for the last few months has made you our biggest asset," he said gravely, then chuckled when Paul scowled at him.

"Be nice, Sammy," Bella teased, "Or I'll teach Emily all my tricks."

Sam pretended to look horrified then reached a hand out to Paul. "Seriously, man. Congrats. I'm really happy for you both."

"Thanks, Sam," Paul said, unable to keep himself from smiling. "We'll get out of your hair now."

"Your leg okay, man?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Paul tried it out and winced a little.

"We'll walk you over to your house. You can't limp and carry Bella."

"I can walk!" Bella exclaimed. But then she stood up and groaned. "Oh my goodness. Everything hurts. How is it possible for everything to hurt?"

"I've got you, brother," Jared said, helping Paul up and slinging an arm around him to help support the injured wolf's weight.

"I really can walk," Bella insisted. "Moving might help a little."

"I'll walk with you, Bells," Jacob offered and held out his hand.

"Thanks, Jake," she smiled.

As the group hobbled out the door, Emily went to Sam and hugged him tight. "You okay, Alpha?"

He nodded and looked at the retreating group. "I never would have put them together, but it works weirdly well. I guess the spirits know what they're doing. And now, I need a nap. Come sleep with me?"

Emily kissed her wolf and the two of them went to their room for a well-deserved rest.

Bella was quietly snuggled up Paul in his bed, enjoying the proximity, when she felt a wave of sad. She couldn't figure out why she was suddenly sad until she saw Paul's expression.

"Paul? What's wrong?"

He didn't say anything at first. Tempted to play it off, but he could feel her worry.

"Are you upset?" he asked. "About the imprint? About me?"

Bella laughed, but stopped when she realized how serious he was. "Paul, no! Absolutely not!"

He appreciated that she didn't ask him why he would think that. She knew his insecurities. And he knew hers. He supposed that actually getting to know each other over the last months as people and then friends was pretty great. He'd never have to wonder if she was just with him because of an imprint. Ok, he'd probably wonder sometimes, but deep down he thought it might all actually be true.

She wrapped herself around him again. "Paul?"

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Thanks for not being dead."

He burst out laughing. "You're such a weirdo, Swan."

"Ah, but I'm apparently YOUR weirdo, Lahote," she said, then leaned up to kiss him.