- Paul POV -
I walked down to the beach with Nina hanging off one arm and Liam walking more sedately beside me.
"Hey Em," I said to Emily who was setting out food.
"Hey Paul, Liam, Nina," Em said as she gave me a hug. She hugged my siblings and I looked over her head. I smiled when I noticed Hermione sitting by the fire with a soft smile on her face as she watched Harry, AND LEAH? Ok, Harry and Leah were talking softly much to the amusement of the pack.
"Neen, Lee, go play," I said. They walked off to where a group of younger kids were playing whilst I walked over to Mione.
"This seat taken?" I asked as I pointed to the spot next to her. She shook her head and I sat down. "Hey, what happened to your foot?"
Mione looked down at her bandaged foot and laughed.
"Oh, I twisted my ankle today while doing Mr. Richardson's boot camp," Mione said.
"It was incredible man, you should have seen her. Richardson had all the guys go through first and timed us. Harry recorded the fastest time by the way. He then asked if any of the girls wanted to try the guys' course and Mione said yes. It was amazing to watch, she beat Harry's time by almost a second!" Jake said with a large grin.
"What did you have to do?" I asked Mione.
"First was run through tyres carrying weights, followed by crawling under a low lying camo tarp thing. After that we had to do 30 suicide laps up and down the basketball court followed by 21 Down which is 21 pushups, then 21 crunches. Then 20 pushups, 20 crunches, all the way down to one but you couldn't rest in between the sets. She actually did proper pushups to, not those half assed ones most girls do! After that, he made us climb to the top of a rope and ring the bell then pull ourselves across the monkey bars and finally pick up weights and run to the finish line," Mione explained.
"At which point did you injure yourself?" I asked incredulously. Not many people could take that sort of punishment in their stride.
"Coming off the monkey bars. I would have beaten Harry by 2 seconds but my ankle hurt too much," Mione said with a grin.
"It was seriously epic. Josie's here, later," Jake cried before racing over to his imprint.
"That's pretty intense," I said.
"It was kinda fun," Mione said softly and I laughed.
"Oh, did you want a drink?" I asked her. When she nodded, I asked "what did you want?"
"Surprise me," she answered. I jumped up and grabbed us both a Coke and walked back to her with a smile.
"Were those kids your siblings?" Mione asked. Her voice was soft and angelic.
"Yea, Liam and Nina," I explained. Mione smiled at them softly.
"I love kids. I can't wait to have some of my own," Mione said. I couldn't help the smile that formed as I imagined Mione with a swollen belly, carrying our child. "What about you? Do you want kids?"
"Someday," I replied.
"Tell me about yourself. We haven't actually spoken much," Mione said.
"Well, my name is Paul Meraz. I'm 18 and graduating at the end of this year. I live with my mum, stepdad, brother and sister. Um, I'm a senior," I said as a start. "Your turn."
"Ok, my name is Hermione Black. I've just turned 17 and I'm a junior. I just moved from England with my adoptive father and my brother," Mione replied with a smile. "Ok, um favourite colour."
"Blue. You?" I asked. I didn't tell her that my favourite colour would be whatever colour she was wearing.
"Probably, purple," Mione replied. This line of questioning continued for a while before everyone else turned up and Em called us all for dinner. Mione and I walked over to the table and I watched as she put only a little bit of everything on her plate. I noticed Sirius watching her worriedly and then Harry as he did the same thing. Mione and I walked back over to our seats to eat and I smiled as she moved slightly closer because of the wind.
"Are you sure that's all you're going to eat?" I asked quietly.
"Yea, I'm not a very big eater," Mione replied softly. I frowned slightly but let it slide. As we ate, we kept talking about our favourite things. Once most of the boys and I had finished off our third plates, Billy rolled forward and started talking.
"These are the legends of our people," I whispered to Mione. She nodded and smiled but I noticed her shiver. "You cold?"
"I didn't think to grab a jacket. I thought I'd be ok sitting by a fire," Mione whispered back. Without thinking I lifted up my arm and wrapped it around her. I noticed her tense and I remembered that mum told me that people who had been abused usually hated contact. I was about to move my arm when she moved closer and cuddled into my side.
I smiled down at her and when I looked up, Sirius had a gentle smile on his face. He nodded at me and turned his head back to look at Billy. I tightened my grip on her shoulders and held her against me. She just fit.
Billy had finished one of the stories when Em piped in with "Billy, do you want a break? Dessert is ready anyway."
Billy nodded and people started to walk over to the table for dessert.
"Did you want any?" I asked Mione.
"No thanks. You go get some," Mione said. I didn't really want to move my arm but my stomach protested. I smiled at Mione and walked over to where the food was.
"Having fun?" Jared asked as he, Jake, Embry and Seth were getting food.
"She was cold," I answered with a smug smirk. Jared rolled his eyes and picked up the two plates he was carrying.
"You hurt her and I'll kill you. We clear?" Jake said harshly.
"I got it but I don't think she needs the help," I said. Jake nodded and sighed.
"I know that. She just seems so fragile. When I first saw her at Sirius', I had this urge to just protect her from everything. It wasn't imprinting as such, it was like a family thing," Jake explained.
"Look Jake, I know I'm a total dick and fuck knows I don't deserve her but I'll do anything and everything I can to keep her safe," I said. Jake clapped me on the back and grabbed his and Josie's plates.
"I never thought I'd see the day you actually cared about a girl and her feelings. One question, what are you going to do about your little fuck buddies?" Seth asked while Embry nodded in agreement.
"I told Marissa to fuck off when she messaged me yesterday and I'm going to assume she'll spread the word. If not, I'll make sure the word is spread," I explained. Seth and Embry nodded and we all walked back to our seats. I was shocked to see Nina sitting at Mione's feet while Mione braided her hair.
"Hey Pauly. Mione's doing my hair!" Nina said with a grin. Mione smiled softly at her and I looked at both my girls.
"I hope you are going to thank her," I said. Around my family, I was not the sarcastic fuck I usually was.
"I will. She's making it look pretty," Nina said. She handed Mione the hair band and Mione kissed her head to show she was done. "Thank you Mione."
"You're welcome sweetie," Mione said. Nina hugged her and Mione almost had tears in her eyes. Nina ran back over to her friends and Mione smiled as she left.
"You ok?" I asked as I ate.
"Yea. Seeing kids makes me miss my godson," Mione whispered.
"How old is he?" I asked.
"He's one and just learning to crawl. He is so adorable," Mione said. She pulled her wallet out of her handbag and passed me a photo of a small child with a brown haired man and a pink haired woman. "That's Teddy and his mum and dad."
"He's adorable. His mums got pretty awesome hair," I said. Mione laughed and took the photo back.
"She's pregnant again and I can't wait for the new baby to be born," Mione said.
I ate my dessert quickly once I noticed Mione's slightly trembling body. Once I was finished, I put my arm back around Mione and pulled her into my side again.
She cuddled into me as the ocean wind brushed past and I tightened my grip. Billy kept telling the stories and Mione seemed transfixed.
Billy finished talking and everyone clapped.
"The stories are very interesting," Mione said as we continued to sit by the fire.
"They are. I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing them," I answered.
"So, how long have you been friends with my cousin?" Mione asked me.
"Nearly 2 years," I said. I wasn't going to tell her I found the kid annoying before he phased. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and when I pulled it out, I groaned.
"Something wrong?" Mione asked worriedly.
I looked into the concerned eyes of my imprint and shook my head. I deleted the picture message sent to me by Kelsi and turned my full attention to my girl.
"I'm good. Just an ex who doesn't get the message," I explained.
"I know what that's like," Mione said. I growled low at the thought of someone harassing my girl.
"Your ex?" I asked.
"Is a total pig. We dated for maybe a month but we were friends for years before that. Both he and his mother got it through their heads that I was going to marry him but I only saw him as a friend," Mione explained and I was angry. Someone had tried to force my angel into a marriage she didn't want to be in. What is this? Last time I paid attention in history, the Victorian Era ended a long time ago.
"The good thing I guess is that they don't know where we are now," Mione explained.
"At least you could leave the country. I don't think I'm getting away from mine anytime soon," I said with a grin. Mione laughed and my heart swelled.
When the fuck did I turn into a girl?
"I'm sure she'll go away soon," Mione said as she rested her small hand on my forearm.
"Hopefully. So, what was your old school like?" I asked her.
We spent the next hour and a half swapping stories about our lives. I noticed Mione was very guarded about her home life before being adopted.
"Mione, I'm gunna head home, I've got some work to do. Did you want to come with me now or walk later with Harry?" Sirius asked when he was standing in front of us.
"If you want to stay, I can drop you both home," I said. Mione smiled and turned to Sirius.
"Do you mind if I stay a while longer dad?" She asked softly. Sirius shook his head and kissed the crown of her head.
"Of course not Snowflake. Be careful," Sirius said.
"I'll take care of her. Any particular time you want her back?" I asked.
"Nah. Whenever is fine. No school tomorrow remember?" Sirius said with a grin. Mione smiled and hugged him before he walked over to Harry.
"Thanks Paul," Mione said softly. "But, what about Liam and Nina?"
"Mum and dad are having a night out so they won't be home until late so the kids are with me until at least midnight. If they fall asleep, I'll just put them on a blanket by the fire here," I answered.
"You're a good brother," Mione whispered.
"Why thank you. Care to tell me where the name Snowflake came from?" I asked curiously. I noticed she seemed to be thinking very hard before she spoke.
"Well, you know how each snowflake is unique?" When I nodded, she continued. "Dad said I always was and always will be unique, just like a snowflake so the name just stuck."
"It's cute. Do you have any other nicknames?" I asked.
"Just Mione. I was called Mya once by Remus and Tonks," Mione explained.
"Mya's nice," I commented. It sounded possessive which is probably why I liked it.
"You can call me Mya if you'd like. It doesn't really bother me," Mya said and I smiled.
"Ok then," I said. I was about to say something else when Nina came over to us. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "You tired Princess?"
Nina nodded and Mya pulled her onto her lap. Nina nuzzled her head into Mya's neck and I smiled as Mya started rocking Nina back and forth gently. Mya started humming a song softly and soon, Nina was asleep in Mya's arms.
I spread out a blanket at our feet and Mya gently rested Nina down.
"She's adorable," Mya whispered.
"Yea. She got that from my mum," I said with a grin. Mya laughed softly and turned back to me.
"So, what do your mum and dad do?" Mya asked.
"Mum is a nurse at the hospital up in Forks and my step-dad works at the garage just in town," I answered.
"Your stepdad?" Mya asked hesitantly. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"No it's cool. Um my dad split when I was 5. Chris, my stepdad adopted me when I was 10 and he married my mum," I answered. I started to shake when I thought about my dad and I glared at the ground trying to hold in my anger. I didn't want to hurt my angel.
"I'm sorry about your dad," Mya whispered as her small hand rested on my clenched fist. Her hand looked so tiny and I couldn't help but let my fingers curl around it. Her fingers locked with mine and her thumb ran back and forth over the back of my hand.
"It's ok. It's probably better that if he wanted to bail, he did it when he did. I don't remember much of him," I answered.
"It's still horrible for a parent to willingly abandon their children. I don't understand how a person could do that," Mya said. It was then I fully realised the kind of person she was. She was passionate and caring and hot tempered. I knew she was perfect for me.
At around 11:30, Harry and Leah walked over to us and Harry smiled.
"Leah's gunna drive me home. Did you want to stay longer?" Harry asked his sister.
"If you don't mind. I wanna hang here a bit longer, only if Paul doesn't mind," Mya said as she looked at me.
"That's fine. I actually can't get into my house for another half hour so I was just going to stay," I explained.
"Be careful sis. See you at home," Harry said. He bent down and kissed Mya's head and walked away with Leah.
"You two seem really close," I commented.
"We've been through a lot together. He knows everything about me and has helped me through a lot," Mya explained.
"Is he your biological brother?" I asked.
"No. We have been best friends for years but neither of us have come from good homes so Dad adopted us," Mya explained. "He may as well be my brother. Whenever shit went down at home, he was always there for me like I was for him. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have survived the past few years without him."
"I'm glad you had him then," I said. The thought of never meeting Mya now that I had her hurt me beyond comparison.
We talked for a little while longer before Liam walked over to me half asleep.
"Ok, maybe we should head off," I said. I lifted my brother onto my back and when I bent to pick Nina up, Mya already had her resting on her hip.
"I've got her," she whispered. We said our goodbyes and I led Mya to my truck. I carefully placed Liam into the truck while Mya did the same with Nina. Once both kids were buckled up, I walked over to the passenger's side, ready to lend a hand if necessary. Mya opened the door and after shooting me a quick smile, pulled herself up and in.
"Very nice," I said once I had slipped into the driver's side.
"I'm very versatile," Mya said with a grin.
"Do you mind if we drop those two off first? It will be easier to get them inside then," I didn't tell her that I just wanted to keep spending time with her.
"That's fine," Mya said with a smile. We drove to my house with only the radio playing softly. The lights were on as I pulled in and Mya smiled at me. We jumped out and she lifted Nina up and I picked up Liam.
We walked inside and I noticed my parents sitting on the couch. I noticed mum smiling as I led Mya upstairs. I placed Liam in his bed before directing Mya to Nina's room.
Mya placed Nina down and tucked the covers around her. As she did that, my mind drifted to her doing that in the future to our own children. She kissed Nina's head and walked back over to me with a grin.
I held the door open and we walked back downstairs.
"Mum, Dad, this is Hermione Black, Billy's niece. Mya, this is my mum Jolene and my stepdad Chris," I said. Mya held her hand out to my parents and they shook hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Paul has told me so much about you," Mya said respectfully.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too. Billy has been pretty excited that you and your family were moving here," Mum said.
"My brother and I were pretty excited as well. It feels good to get away from some of the rubbish that has been happening at home for a while," Mya said. I rubbed her back comfortingly and looked at mum. Mum was smiling softly at us and I smiled back.
"I'd better get her home. I'll be back soon," I said to my parents. They both nodded and said goodbye to my girl before we walked outside. We got into my truck and I drove towards Mya's house.
"Your parents are awesome," Mya said as we drove. I rested my hand beside Mya's on the center console and before long, I had her small delicate hand resting in my much larger one. She smiled softly and entwined our fingers and I felt like my heart was going to explode.
"Yea, I'll keep them," I said with a grin. Mya let out a soft laugh and I realised just how whipped I was.
I pulled up out the front and noticed Mya seemed slightly apprehensive.
"You ok?" I asked. Mya shrugged and I tugged on her hand gently to get her attention. "What's wrong?"
"It's just, whenever I sleep, the nightmares come. I'm sick of it," Mya whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek. I jumped out of the car and raced around to her side. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly. She tensed for a moment before relaxing and wrapping her arms around my waist.
I smoothed down her curls and kissed her head as my imprint let out gut wrenching sobs that I never wanted to hear coming from her again.
"I can come up and stay until you fall asleep if you'd like," I said softly, expecting her to tell me off and walk away. Instead, she tightened her arms and looked up at me.
"Would you?" My angel asked. Her eyes were slightly red and there were tear tracks on her tanned cheeks. I pressed my lips to her forehead and noticed her skin tasted vaguely like honey.
"Of course. Let's go," I said. I locked the truck and wrapped my arm around her as we walked inside. We quietly slipped past both Sirius and Harry's room before walking into hers.
It was a gorgeous room with a large four-poster bed and four huge bookshelves. There was a small mahogany desk that had her school work already on it.
"I've got some of my friend's sweatpants if you want to get comfortable," my angel whispered. I nodded and took the pants. I quickly slipped my jeans off and slipped the pants on, expecting them to be short. Instead they were a perfect fit.
I turned to look at my imprint again and was shocked to see her in her pyjamas already. Her long flannelette pants were rolled slightly at the top and (ironically) had wolves on them while her top half was covered in a black tank. She slipped into the right side of the bed and I moved to the left. Once I was comfortable, I pulled her to me and rested her head on my chest. I started running my fingers through her curls and smiled as her breathing began to deepen.
I held her tighter as my eyes grew heavy and soon, I had dropped off to sleep alongside my imprint, the one place I wanted to be for the rest of my life.