An: Sorry this isn't very long. My muse disappeared on me for a while without a goodbye, and this was all I could really put in this chapter because it's not quite time for the talk yet. But stick with me, should be in the next chapter or so. As always; thanks for reading& please leave a review.

Chapter 5:

Patience is a virtue … to bad Paul isn't very virtuous.

Bella woke up and found that for the first time in a long time she was comfortable. She went to snuggle into her blankets when she noticed the hand on her stomach. A hand that was not hers. A very male hand. Bella sat up and sighed as she saw Paul's sleeping face.

She should have known he wouldn't forget about the rope ladder that was hidden in the bushes for when he wanted to see her when she was grounded. She shook him awake and waited for him to realize where he was before she spoke.

"I'm going to take a shower Paul. Don't be here when I get back."

Paul grabbed her wrist lightly and turned her to face him. The look on his face alone made Bella want to cry. It was one of pure anguish. Bella spoke before he had the chance to,

"What do you want me to say Paul? You told me to leave, to go away. You crushed me that day, with the words you spoke so carelessly. Why can't you understand why I'm treating you so harshly? Did you think that I would just forget about what you said? That now that your acting all lovey-dovey I'll forget about it? You are insane. I'm going to take a shower now Paul, don't be here when I get back."

With that Bella walked into her bathroom. She waited until she heard his footsteps clear the steps that she broke down crying.

She should have waited until she heard the front door close. Paul bounded back up the stairs at the sounds of his imprints sobs, and had her in his arms in a second. Bella weakly tried to push him away before she gave up and just sunk into his chest.

She felt at home. Bella opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Paul's fingers.

"You don't have to say, or feel, anything right now. Just accept?" Paul meant to sound firm but it came out as more of a question.

Bella just nodded her head and weakly put her hand on his shoulder. Her emotions were going hay-wire and she was worn out. Paul picked her up and gently placed her on the bed.

The second time Bella woke up it was to quite whispers of, "Daddy's here now, and he loves you baby."

She had silent tears running down her face when Paul looked up. He shakily smiled at her, waiting for her reaction. He got one word.

"Why?" Bella looked at him, trying to decipher the look on his face. Even knowing the legends were true didn't prepare her for what he said.

"The legends are real Bella; I am a protector of the tribe."

He looked down at her stomach, and she realized he was still drawing patterns on it.

"Things can't go back to the way they were. I'm going to live with Charlie for a while. Don't plan on us being together in any way, shape, or form before we sit down and discuss this; preferably without tears, vulgarity, and profanity."

Bella looked up at him waiting to see if he accepted her terms.

"I agree Bella, but I am a part of our baby's life. I want to go to all of your appointments, no matter how little. The Elders will probably want the baby born on the reservation, and I want to be there for that as well. I also want the lil guy and his momma coming to my house when they get discharged."

Bella didn't know what to say to that. For months she thought Paul wanted nothing to do with her and her child, now things were changing and she didn't know how to handle them.

"Let's just take this a day at a time Paul; we'll see how things go. Okay?"

Paul nodded at this and resumed drawing swirls around her belly button. He sighed and looked up at her.

"You need to know that I love you Bella; and that I never wanted you to leave."

Bella sighed and rolled across the bed, standing up on the floor.

"You never did know the meaning of wait Paul. Come on, blueberry pancakes still your favorite?"

Paul grinned from ear to ear, "Only when you make them."

This made Bella laugh as she made her way down the stairs to start repairing her life with the father of her child. She knew it would be bumpy, and that it would be hard; and though she would never admit it to Paul, she couldn't wait.