Chapter Fourteen

I Do

Paul took a deep breath as he looked in the full-length mirror Bella had brought to Sam's. He wasn't nervous, how could he be? He was about to marry his best friend. They had waited a year after Jared's impromptu proposal, wanting things to be settled and calm, though Paul wasn't sure that such a time would ever exist around a pack of wolves. As crazy as the years prior to the proposal had been, everything truly seemed to fall into place in the last twelve months. Paul fell into a routine with the council, working alongside them to instate a program on the rez for the LGBTQ community. Granted, there weren't that many with such a small population, but they had been able to help a girl who had been struggling with her sexuality since middle school. She even admitted to Jared and Paul that she had tried to take her life in the tenth grade. Even helping one person was enough to make it all worth it. They also saw to it that same-sex marriages were officially acknowledged and protected under tribal law.

Jared finally managed to finish his online college courses, and had started teaching at the high school. It was rough at first, because people still talked when they thought they were out of earshot, but it gave Jared an outlet, and gave the youngest pack members, Collin, Brady, and Seth someone on the inside. Sam and Leah had unofficially gotten back together. That was to say, they were sleeping together, but she was still making him grovel. Paul could tell from her thoughts and the way she looked at Sam that she still very much loved him. It was just hard for her to open that door again.

The Cullen's had left soon after the fight, vowing to not return in their lifetime or their children's lifetime to give the next generation a chance to live a normal life without the fear of phasing. Bella was happy to see them go, and Jacob was planning on proposing next week – not wanting to step on Paul and Jared's big day. Kim, for the same reason, had not yet announced that she was expecting. It had been a shock to her, and a bigger shock to Embry who instantly began to list the reasons he would be a terrible father. Once he realized that they had the whole pack to help out, he calmed down. They were young, but they planned on taking it all in stride.

Emily did eventually return to get her things, and although Sam would always have a soft spot for her, he didn't ask her to stay. They were better off apart, and after all, the imprint was about what was best for the imprintee. Despite proof that the imprint wasn't an indication of soulmates, Quil had decided to just focus on being a good big brother to Claire right now. The council had eventually found proof of same-sex couples during the time of the first pack. Apparently, they were hugely undocumented because the original council worried that it would lead to the wolf gene being completely wiped out.

But it didn't matter anymore. Not the imprints, not the council, not the legends. They were on the cusp of a new age for the rez, and Paul was happy to be part of it. "We're going to be late if you don't stop staring at yourself." Jared's voice broke Paul out of his deep thoughts. Catching the other wolf's eyes in the mirror, Paul smiled softly. They were dressed in simple suits, forgoing anything too formal. It wasn't them to dress in a tux and make a big deal out of everything. "But I can't blame you, I like staring at you too." Paul chuckled as he turned to wrap his arms around Jared's narrow waist.

"I was just thinking about everything that's happened over the last year." Paul admitted, ducking his head to brush his lips against Jared's. It was crazy how far they had come from that drunken night full of denial nearly five years ago.

"Paul, we're twenty-three. We have a whole lifetime of crazy ahead of us. Don't worry about one year." Jared smirked as he reached down to grab Paul's hand and tug him towards the door. "Now, let's go get married."

They decided to have the wedding on First Beach, well, Leah and Kim decided for them after designating themselves the wedding planners. They soon dragged Bella into it, and the boys had no choice but to agree. The women did well, though. They kept things minimal and classic, only inviting friends and family. Luck was on their side too, because they didn't even need the tents they had rented. The ever-scarce sun decided to grace them with its presence, make the water behind them sparkle and shine as warm winds blanketed the entire event. True to his word, Sam agreed to officiate, and Bella had put herself in charge of food. With the whole pack chipping in, the wedding hardly cost the boys a dime, which was good for them. They hadn't told the others yet, but in a year or so, they were going to look into surrogates. They wanted to have a child – to have a direct impact on the next generation… they wanted a family.

"Paul and Jared have decided to write their own vows…" Sam declared, but Paul hardly heard any of the ceremony. He was too busy watching the way Jared's eyes crinkled with joy as their hands stayed locked together between them. "Jared."

"I always thought I would get married, but I didn't think it would be to my best friend." Jared began with a small smile. "Paul, you were always there for me – since day one. Our mothers brought us home from the hospital only a week apart, and we've been inseparable ever since. You were there when I lost my first tooth – you were the one that knocked it out," he smiled as the guests shared a laugh. "You were there when I had my first date and gave me some terrible advice that got me a lap full of fruit punch. You were there when I stressed about finals and stupid video game achievements... You were there when I found out that my dad had left… You were there for everything Paul. Every high or low point in my life, you were the one constant – my lighthouse. When I realized I was in love with you, I tried to pin point the minute it happened, but I think that it was always there, under the surface. I'm not sure of the exact minute I started loving you, but I know for a fact that I will never stop. I want you to be there for the rest of the highs and lows. I want my best friend beside me through whatever comes our way. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, Paul Lahote."

There was a sniffle from Quil's direction that Paul had a feeling didn't come from Claire. Ignoring the fact that his own eyes were tearing up, Paul gave a short, breathy laugh. "How am I supposed to follow that?" He joked lightly, causing a few laughs from the teary-eyed onlookers. "Jare, you know I'm no good with words. I always say the wrong thing, and usually in anger. But you understand me anyway. You know the things I'm thinking without me having to say it." It wasn't even just as a wolf, but Paul couldn't say so out loud since there were a few human guests in the crowd. "In the beginning, I tried to find reasons to stay away from you. I tried to tell myself over and over again that we would never work out…" He squeezed Jared's hands tighter. "But we do work, Jare. We work in a way that I never thought was possible in real life. I might not always say the right things, and I might get angry sometimes, but I can't ever imagine a life in which I don't love you, and I promise to spend the rest of our lives working on finding those words."

"It is my honor as the acting chief of the tribe to declare you both officially wed under tribal law." Sam smiled as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but Paul hardly heard any of it over the steady pounding of Jared's heart as he pulled him into a searing kiss. Finally, Paul felt like his life could truly begin.

Three Years Later

"Damn it, Paul! Where did you put the keys!" Jared growled out as he shuffled through the unopened mail and flyers that sat on their counter top. "I left them right here!"

"Jared…" Paul's voice was calm as he grabbed Jared's face, stilling his frantic movements. "Breathe. She just went into labor. We have plenty of time to get to the hospital." As Jared frowned, Paul kissed him. "The keys are by the door."

They had waited nine long months for this day, and now that it was here, both men felt extremely under-prepared. When they had begun looking for their surrogate nearly a year ago, they expected a long, grueling process, since it would have to be a native woman from the tribe. They searched for all of a week before Kim approached them and offered to carry their baby – their little girl as it turned out. Since Kim already had a two-year-old of her own, she was more than happy to help Paul and Jared start their own family. Paul was worried that Embry would be apprehensive about it, but he was just as supportive as Kim was.

"I'll drive." Paul declared as Jared grabbed the bag full of baby stuff they had planned on bringing to the hospital. Jared was far too rattled to operate a vehicle. Kim had only called a few minutes ago to tell them that it was time and that she was on her way to the hospital, but Jared was terrified they would miss the birth.

Over the last few years things had mellowed out for the pack. Embry had stopped phasing when his son was born to age alongside Kim. They tied the knot a week before little Daniel Call was born. As of six months ago, Jacob had officially taken over the pack. His hand was nearly forced when soon after Sam and Leah's engagment, she found out she was pregnant. They still weren't married, but they weren't in a rush. They were happy to just be together. Jacob and Bella had gotten married a little over a year after Jared and Paul, but they were waiting to have kids until Bella got her degree. Quil, Seth, Collin, and Brady were all that was left of the original pack. They had one more phase since then when a rogue leech passed by, but other than that, it had turned into a very quiet life.

Six months ago, Jared and Paul had gone on a final run with the pack before finally shutting their wolves away forever. It was bittersweet. They had hated the phasing at first, and Paul wasn't a big fan of the others hearing his thoughts, but part of him worried he would lose that bond that had been formed within the pack. But with their baby girl entering the world, it was best for everyone. When they had first found out that they were having a girl, Paul had freaked out. He knew nothing about taking care of a little girl, and either did Jared. Luckily, the pack came through again. Leah, Bella, Kim, and even Quil spent time with them to explain how to handle different situations. He was still worried, but they would figure it out. For their little girl, they would do anything.

They spent the next six hours at the hospital, taking turns comforting and thanking Kim and updating the pack who took up most of the waiting room. Finally, six minutes past midnight, the shrill cries of Naomi Cameron-Lahote filled the room. "You're amazing…" Jared breathed a watery laugh as he kissed Kim's forehead in thanks. On her other side, Embry smoothed her hair back and told her what a good job she had did. Paul wasn't sure how they would ever repay them, but making them godparents was a start.

After measurements were taken, and she was cleaned off, the nurse put the tiny pink bundle in Paul's arms. Paul and Jared had both donated sperm, so they weren't sure which one was her biological father, and they wanted to keep it that way. They both were her fathers, and nothing would ever change that. "Hey, baby girl…" Paul whispered, unashamed as his eyes filled with tears. She was perfect. "I'm your daddy…"

"And I'm your fun daddy." Jared laughed over Paul's shoulder, quickly wiping away the tears that had managed to fall. "We've waited a long time to meet you."

Paul's face softened as Naomi began to cry again, her tiny fists screwing shut. "I know, it's been a long day." He smiled as he brushed a kiss across her forehead. "But it gets better from here, baby girl. We'll make sure nothing ever hurts you again."

As the pack entered slowly to greet the newest member with hushes whispers and coos, Paul rested his head against Jared's and took everything in. This was just the beginning of Naomi's story, and Paul didn't want to forget a single moment.

The End