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Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Five

Paul's POV

Bounding over tree limps, I raced beside my pack mates as we celebrated the news of Bella's pregnancy. Kim and Emily had taken Bella back to Sam's place to talk baby plans while we ran. Sam kept pace beside me, his thoughts running through my mind as we ran.

You better find Rachel pretty damn quick, Sam growled at me.

What the hell do you think I've been trying to do? I snapped back.

I know you've been searching, but you've got to find her. Soon. Bella's not the kind of girl who wants to have a man's baby without having his last name. For God's sake, Paul, she doesn't even have your mark! Sam reminded me unnecessarily.

Damn it, I know, I snarled, lunging for him in anger.

He met me head on, easily bringing me to the ground. He stood over me, his teeth pressed against my neck in warning as he growled.

Don't, Sam bit out before letting me up.

I don't know what to do, Sam. I can't find her and, even if I did, how would I go about breaking the imprint? The only way it's ever worked is if the imprint breaks the bond, I sighed, dejectedly.

You'll find a way. If you want to keep Bella and your baby, you'll find a way, Sam assured me, rubbing his side against mine as a show of support.

You two pansies done with your little snuggle fest? Jared teased, dancing around us.

With a growl, Sam and I took off after him, howling to the moon and the stars as we raced each other through the trees.

Bella's POV

I sat between Emily and Kim on the sofa, the three of us flipping through baby books Emily had inherited from her mother when she moved in with Sam. Apparently, her mother was eager for a grandchild.

"Now, see, this one says morning sickness should let up after the first trimester," Emily pointed out, moving the book so I could see.

"But this one says it could last the entire pregnancy," Kim piped up, shoving her book over top Emily's.

"I guess it just depends," I shrugged, frowning between the two books.

"What did your doctor say?" Kim asked, taking the book back.

"They if it doesn't improve she'll give me something to help it when we go for my next visit. She gave me a bunch of vitamins I'm supposed to take, too. I never knew it was so much work just to have a baby," I laughed lightly.

"But think about the reward," Emily sighed happily, a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Personally, I don't think I want kids. Well, maybe one. Jared would make a great dad. I just don't think I can handle the pain," Kim admitted, flipping through her book.

"I hadn't thought about that," I murmured.

"Don't worry, Bella. They can give you something to help with the pain," Emily assured me, patting my shoulder.

"Not much they can do about the baby's looks though. Damn, Bells, but you better hope the baby comes out looking like you."

The three of us looked up to see Jacob leaning against the doorway, smirking at us. Emily immediately turned, blocking me partially from view.

"Get out of here, Jacob. We don't need you stressing out Bella," Emily ordered, indicating the door.

Jacob completely ignored her and walked forward, his eyes trained on me.

"The way I see it, Bells, you should just go ahead and get rid of it. I mean, it's not like the thing's gonna have it that great. Paul can't even afford to buy you a decent house. That little run down shack is likely to fall on top of you if a strong wind comes along," Jacob jeered.

"Stop it, Jacob," Kim snapped, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

I tried to ignore the way his words stung, but was unable to. Once upon a time, Jake and I had been best friends. Now, it was obvious he hated me, all because I was with Paul instead of him.

"Hell, Bells. The kid would probably have some sort of mental retardation with that fucked up shithead for a daddy. Hey, you know what? You could just take another dive off the cliffs. After all, it's not like Paul can actually stick around. I mean, what with Rachel being his imprint and all. His wolf won't accept a bastard baby," Jacob taunted me, playing on my biggest fear.

"That's it! Get out right now!" Emily demanded, rising from her seat and forcibly pushing Jacob towards the door.

Somehow, despite the fact that she was human and thereby weaker than him, she was able to force Jacob out the door.

"And Sam will be hearing about this!" Emily threatened as she slammed and locked the door behind him.

I sat on the couch, unable to move, my thoughts whirling around in my head. What if Jacob was right and Paul's wolf didn't accept our baby? Just because the wolf liked me more than Rachel didn't mean it would like our baby. Did that mean that if Rachel showed up again, Paul would leave me for her? Was that why he hadn't marked me?

"Bella, stop it," Emily snapped, gripping my arms and jarring me out of my depressing thoughts.

I blinked up at her, feeling the tears beginning to fill my eyes.

"Don't you dare. Stop doubting Paul. He loves you and he would never, not in a million years, leave you. You have such a special bond with him that far surpasses any imprint bond and you know it. Paul's wolf chose you over the imprint. He won't leave you or your baby," Emily soothed, pulling me into her arms as she sat beside me.

"He could. He could leave us both to be with her and I wouldn't be able to stop him. He can't break the imprint and he can't find Rachel to even begin trying to get her to break it," I sniffled, leaning my head against her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Bella. He'll find a way. Jared and Sam are going to help him, especially now with the baby on the way. We can look through tribal records and see if we can find anything that might help. Who knows? Maybe there's something buried in the archives," Kim evoked hopefully.

Sniffling loudly, I nodded against Emily's shoulder. They were right. I had to have faith in my bond with Paul.

"I know you're both right. I just… I always worry something might happen and he'll realize he doesn't really want me," I admitted tearfully.

"Well, don't. Paul loves you and that's all there is to it. When they get back from their run, we'll tell them about what Jacob said. They'll take care of him, don't you worry," Emily promised, squeezing my shoulders.

"And, if they don't, I can always borrow my brother's metal bat from his years playing baseball," Kim offered, giving us an evil grin.

It was enough to break the tension and I found myself laughing so hard, tears started spilling down my cheeks.

"What's going on in here?"

We looked up to see Sam, Jared, and Paul in the doorway, the three of them smiling down on us as we giggled on the couch.

"We were just discussing the benefits of metal bats when dealing with problemed wolves," Emily informed Sam.

"Ah. Frying pan works just as well," Sam said, rubbing the back of his head.

"And don't you forget it," Emily shot back, winking at Kim and I.

Of course, that sent us into another round of laughter and I fell into Kim, clutching my stomach against the muscle spasms.

"Ow! Ow! Oh, d-don't m-make me l-laugh-gh! It hu-hu-hurts!" I stuttered between giggles.

I squealed in surprised delight when I felt two arms lift me off the couch and against a strong chest. Paul grinned down at me, his brown eyes glittering down at me as he spun me around once.

"You are so beautiful," Paul murmured in my ear, his lips skimming along the skin beneath.

I took a shaky breath, trembling as he nibbled along my neck.

The girls were right. I didn't need to worry about Rachel coming back or Paul leaving me and our baby. He loved me and I loved him. Nothing was going to change that.

"Sam, we need to talk about Jacob."

Dun-dun-duuuuun!

Alright, I know it's a little short, but I'm tired and I really wanna go to bed. I'll try to make it up to you next chapter.

Next chapter will deal with Sam, Paul, and Jared dealing with the troublesome baby Alpha. Grrr… I really do not like Jake in these two stories. He's a total pain in the you-know-what. *sigh* But he's being stubborn and refuses to be a "good guy". Oh, well. Maybe Quil and Embry will help reform him by the end. Who knows? I sure as hell don't!

Well, darlings, I will try to give you another chapter tomorrow. If not tomorrow, definitely Sunday.

See you guys then!