AN: thanks for the reviews, this is the next chapter, there aren't so many left to finish it. Thank you all for the good reception of If you ever, it always amazes me how nice you all are. So without further words, here it is.

Chapter 16

Paul woke up and found Bella in his arms still sleeping; he smiled softly at his mate. Now he could really say that, he frowned then when he saw the bruises on her body and the mark on her shoulder that was becoming purple. He moved her so that he didn't wake her and went to search into his bag for a bandage and disinfectant. For as much as his animal side enjoyed seeing her body marked, his human side was quite concerned. Knowing Bella it could become infected.

Slowly he walked to the bed where Bella was now lying on her stomach, he watched her sleeping for a little longer, she was so beautiful and relaxed and his. Gently he moved her hair away and started disinfecting her shoulder; she opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Stay still Swan, I'll be as quick as possible." He growled and she nodded.

After finishing that, he helped her get up. Both declined a shower, he wanted to keep her scent on him for the day, as for her he didn't know and didn't ask.

They were back on the road after a huge satisfying breakfast, he could sense that she was quite upset about going to meet the leech and he let her brood for a while.

Finally he had enough. "Honestly Bella what's the matter?"

She sighed. "I'm sorry I guess it's really dawning on me that I'll be seeing him again. And I guess we won't be able to avoid meeting the pack after that. Last night was one of the best of my life and I hate that I have to ruin it with these days ahead."

Paul knew that probably she was more worried about Jacob than anything else, he was worried too. From Jacob's point of view they would be seen as traitors, him more than her, because in his little Alpha's eyes she could do no wrong. "You don't have to get into a snitch over Cullen, I'll be there and we'll resolve the problem quickly. You being marked put you in the 'do not touch' category. He won't be able to stand your scent because it's now mixed with mine."

She sighed again, looking a little less worried. "Do you think he'll get angry? I mean… I faked my death and now I'm marked as yours."

Paul shrugged his shoulders. "You tell me, you got married with the thing."

Bella grimaced and shuddered. "Don't remind me, now that I'm used to your warmth I don't know how I could have been with him. And I don't have any clue about what he'll do, he's so unpredictable."

"What about Jacob?" He asked then, because he couldn't keep his mouth shut and he was jealous as hell too.

Bella's heartbeat quickened and he hated that his name had still that effect on her. He knew deep down that she was totally over Edward but about Jacob he still wondered. "Jacob will always hold a little bit of my heart, I choose to be with you Paul, knowing very well what I was giving up when I decided that I wanted to be marked. I know you worry, but you shouldn't, nothing he will say will make me change my mind or regret choosing you."

"Why Swan? I'm not such a good catch like him. He's kind, charming, romantic and he'll be Chief of our tribe. I'm a perfect no one." He said, knowing full well Jacob's worth and his unworthiness.

She turned to look at him with fire burning in her eyes. "I chose you, I know Jacob's worth but I know yours as well. You don't treat me like a breakable doll, you see me, really see me, and for as much as my puppy love for Jacob will always be something that I'll cherish, our love is the grown up one. We're building something serious here, and I want you to be the father of my children so stop your pity-party. I should be the one feeling unworthy. I got married with a vampire, disappointed my father and broke the heart of my best friend."

"Swan, let's make a deal, we won't talk about this anymore. You're right, I was stupid at doubting your feelings and you would be as well to doubt mine. We'll meet Cullen and then we'll take our life from there. Agreed?" He nodded and he went on driving.

...

They arrived in Phoenix in the evening; he didn't like the idea of meeting that disgusting corpse but at least Bella would put that thing behind and will probably be able to feel safer.

Bella texted Rosalie from his phone and she received a text back. "Rose says that they are here as well and if we want we could meet with them tonight out in the desert."

"Fine with me, the sooner the better for us." Paul agreed and then he studied the directions on how to get where Rosalie had proposed their meeting to happen. "If we have to meet them at midnight we can have dinner and then drive there. I'll be able to study the place and feel better."

They ate a silent meal, both of them lost in their thoughts. He was focusing his energy in planning an escape in case Cullen pulled some stunts, and at the same time he wanted to protect his Bella. He was ready to kill the leech for good, because for him it was the only way that Bella would ever be safe.

The time had come to reach the secluded place in the desert, they parked the car and Paul let the truck on so there was the light of the headlights illuminating a slip of the desert around them. He could see reasonably well in the dark but Bella couldn't. "Breath Swan."

She took a deep breath and then placed her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry if today I've been a bit distant. I want you to know that I love you Paul, no matter what will happen next."

"I love you too Swan, and I'll protect you now and forever." Paul said, and then he heard them coming. "Let's get out of the car they are here."

Bella squeezed his arm tightly and then let him take her outside to meet the man she once thought was the love of her life.

"Love." Edward whispered and Paul felt Bella stiffening at his side.

Paul looked at the leech that had not changed a bit and then noticed that a bit behind him there were Rosalie and Emmett.

"Cullen, Rosalie, Emmett." He growled. "We're here because Bella wants you to stop pursuing her, and I would like that too. So let's the fuck agree on you leaving her the hell alone and we're done."

Edward glared at him. "And who the hell are you? Just another mutt, you think that Bella will actually want to stay with you? You're delusional, she loves Jacob and no one else, don't you Bella?"

Bella took a deep breath and then glared at Edward. "I think you are the delusional one. I love Paul and I'm happy with him, Edward I faked my death to be away from you and your manipulation. I left my life behind and sacrificed everyone I loved. Why can't you let me go?"

Edward looked sad. "Because I love you Bella and I'm ready to forgive you if you come back with me. You're still my wife, love."

She straightened her shoulders. "In my heart and soul I'm not. I choose to leave you and I won't come back not now, not ever."

Paul took that moment to speak as well. "Listen leech, she is beginning to be happy again. I marked her and she's my mate. We're just asking you to accept that she'll stay human and get on with your immortal life without her."

"Your thoughts are interesting mutt, she might have agreed to let you mark her but you still suspect that she loves Jacob more." Edward said, knowing full well how to play on his insecurities.

"I'll get over my fears eventually, and she's mine now and I won't ever let you take her away from me." He snarled.

Edward seemed thoughtful for a moment and then turned his butterscotch eyes on Bella. "I see that I cannot convince you to go back with me, so I'm going to make a deal with you. You leave this mutt behind, go back to Forks and to Jacob and I'll protect your secret from the Volturi. You stay with Paul and I'll unleash them onto the Quileute tribe."

Bella looked stunned and in pain, but Paul's mind was working and thinking quickly. "You want her to go back because you know that she wants to stay with me. You want her to be miserable, and when she'll be back home the Volturi will know and they will get there. You want them to find her and turn her for you." He growled angrily, noticing that Edward had been caught back by his fast mind.

Edward studied him, appraising probably for the first time his opponent. "I've underestimated you."

Paul turned to look at Bella. "He will never let you go Bella. It has to end here; I'll be the one to end it here. He needs to die in order to save your life."

Bella clutched at his arm. "No Paul, please don't fight with him. If you die I don't think I'll be able to live."

Paul took her chin in his hand and pulled it up. When their eyes met he said softly, "I've got no intentions to die tonight. I plan to be the father of your kids, now Swan, you'll leave with Rosalie and Emmett and I'll come to get you as soon as this is over." Then he turned to look at the vampire couple. "You do understand that this is the only way."

Emmett looked pained, but Rosalie took her husband's hand and nodded. "Do what you need to do, we'll keep Bella safe and… if you won't be back you have my word that I'll protect her from my brother." She then turned to look at Edward. "You brought this to yourself, now you either live or die but it's your entire fault."

Rosalie walked to where Paul was standing with Bella; she took Bella in her arms while Bella was struggling to keep holding onto him. "Paul no, please Paul…"

He kissed her quickly. "I love you Swan. I'll be back at your side soon."

Paul watched Bella being taken away by Emmett and Rosalie, his heart was suffering at the loss of her proximity but he knew that he needed to kill Cullen. "Here we're bloodsucker."