A/N Last night I was digging through all my google docs to try to find a Jacob/Bella story called "Better Now" by Mera Naam Joker who I recently realized is no longer on FF :( (Thanks for making me think of it SamanthaAckles!) WHICH IS TRAGIC! Anyway, it was that story where I got the concussion/imprint idea. That's not quite how it goes in her story, but she sparked the idea. So props to her. But back to the digging. Because I was digging I discovered a scene I'd written for this story a couple of years ago off in it's own document. So I guess it's an outtake now? A deleted scene? So here's what I'm planning to do: This is the last chapter. Tomorrow I'll post the epilogue. Then links/titles of fav Bella/Paul stories, and VM stories. Finally, I'll post that scene I found. So there will be 16 "chapters" in all. FYI. Thanks so much for reading. 3

Chapter 13

Paul went with her back to Charlie's house. Neither one of them wanted to be apart and his leg had healed enough for him to walk without a limp. By the end of the night he'd be able to phase again. Bella was still sore, but all bruises were covered by a pair of leggings and one of Paul's pre-phase hoodies that she was never ever giving back to him.

They stopped and picked up pizza and a salad for dinner with Charlie. Bella insisted both males eat the salad, too, and glared at them until they'd each taken a token portion.

"So how did studying go, Bells?" Charlie asked.

"She whipped our butts into shape, Charlie," Paul offered, smiling.

Bella chuckled, and stood to clear her plate, then also cleared her throat and tried to casually say, "Also, Dad, Paul and I are dating now."

Both Charlie and Paul almost spit out their pizza, coughing in surprise at both the info and the non-sequitur.

"What the hell?!" Charlie kept coughing and thought she knew it wouldn't help, Bella brought him a glass of water.

"I didn't want to hide any part of this from you, Dad. Or be all sly and sneaky the way I was with Edward. That's not fair to you or Paul. You both deserve better. So, I wanted it out there. It just happened while I was up there these last couple days. Still brand new. Just so you know."

Charlie looked at Bella, then looked hard at Paul who looked so delighted while gazing at Bella that Charlie couldn't even be mad at him. He knew the kid cared for his daughter. He'd watched their relationship grow into this, hadn't he?

"No being in your room together with the door closed," Charlie grumped, then muttered something that Bella couldn't hear, but had Paul quietly snorting in mirth.

Bella kissed Charlie on the cheek, "Of course, Dad. Although, Paul has his own house, so-"

"Do NOT finish that sentence!" Charlie warned, turning a shade of red that made Bella concerned for his well-being. He glared at Paul again. "Since when are you so quiet?"

Paul looked at Charlie, "Chief, I didn't know this was going to be a conversation tonight, either, so I'm kinda shocked. But I'm also really, really honored that someone as wonderful as Bella wants to be with me." He paused, then added, "I'll protect her with my life."

Charlie stared another minute then nodded, "Lord knows she could use the protection. Speaking of protection-" Charlie went on again blushing beet red.

Paul looked like even he might die of embarrassment at the turn the conversation had just taken.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Nothing to worry about in that area yet, Dad. And when there is, I've been on the pill since I started college classes in the fall. I figured it was one more way to take better care of myself."

Both Paul and Charlie turned to look at her. "You have?" both men asked.

"Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?" Charlie looked bewildered..

Bella shrugged and smiled. "Let's just say I spent a lot of time thinking through some very scary scenarios this week and decided that I should just say the things that need to be said. I'm sure I won't be perfect at it, but I'm trying. Life might be too short to waste time."

Charlie looked at his daughter. His beautiful grown up daughter. He was so glad she'd come back to him those years ago even if had been rocky because of that Cullen kid for a bit.

"I should head out," Paul said. "School tomorrow."

"Sorry there's no leftovers tonight, kid," Charlie said.

Paul chuckled. "Thanks for having me, Chief." Paul reached a hand out to shake with Charlie and the look in the older man's eyes was wary, but also accepting.

"Any time, Paul," Charlie said. And Paul almost choked up because he felt like Charlie meant it. Family was the thought that came to him. He was part of his pack family, and now this family, too.

"I'll walk you out," Bella said, slipping her hand in Paul's.

When they got to the front porch, Paul pulled her to him and kissed her hungrily. Bella was surprised but delighted. Finally she broke the kiss long enough to ask, "What was that for?"

"One, I freaking love touching you. Two, you were awesome in there."

"Because I told my Dad we were together?"

Paul was quiet for a moment and looked the tiniest bit bashful. "Because it felt like you claimed me. Wanted me," he looked away as he said it.

"Paul. Look at me. Of course I want you. Even your ancestors decided your my wolf, right? It just so happens I agreed with them before I even knew I was agreeing with them."

And with that Paul was back at it. He leaned back into the wall of the house and pulled her up to his height. His leg was better, but not better enough that he wanted to stand with all his own weight and hers. But he wanted her on him as much as possible.

Bella giggled when the porch light came on. Charlie was getting impatient. Paul looked at her with a gleam in his eye.

"He should feel lucky. I mean, you could be out here with some pretty boy jerk just looking to get laid."

"Oooo! Logan's lines again. This is a good one! 'What are you saying? You aren't pretty?'" And then Bella got worried. Because she remembered the next line, too. Would Paul actually say it? Would he mean it if he did?

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm in love with you," Paul said with no hesitation.

She swallowed. "Are you just quoting a show, Paul?"

"Not just. I was quoting a show AND I'm in love with you. Me, Paul Lahote. You could do a hell of a lot better, but I'm for sure a better choice than Logan," he winked at her.

Bella chuckled. "I'm in love with you, too. For a while now. I was just too much of a scaredy cat to say anything."

"Look I know it's weird and possessive of me, and maybe it's just the wolf, but inside i'm practically chanting 'mine mine mine'".

The grin on Bella's face told him everything he needed to know.

"G'night, Bella Swan. I'll text you when I get home."

"'Night, you sexy beast of a man," she winked and he looked momentarily surprised, then delighted. And then he did the most adorable thing ever. Paul Lahote, THE Paul Lahote, bad-ass bad boy of LaPush, blew Bella Swan a kiss as he ran over to the tree line to phase and head home.