Hey everyone. Thank you all so much for being so patient with me. I'm still job hunting, but I finally managed to finish this chapter. I can't make any promises on when Chapter 26 will be posted, but hopefully it won't be two months wait. I'll do my best, but my life really sucks right now. Anyway, enough with the self pity because there is no point to it. I hope you guys like this chapter. Please let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.

Chapter 25

Later that night we had worked through three pizzas and one movie and were halfway through the second movie, and since I had already seen the movie I had excused myself to use the bathroom. After using the facilities and washing my hands, I paused a minute and looked at my reflection. I pulled my hair up and turned my face to the right allowing me to clearly see the scar that rested on my face. I didn't mind it so much anymore, not like I used to, but it still bothered me sometimes.

I lowered my hair and sighed quietly as I looked at my pale complexion and the light smattering of freckles that splashed across my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. They had made an appearance over the summer and hadn't faded, but they were barely noticeable unless someone stood extremely close to me. I made a mental note to trim my eyebrows soon and possibly get my hair trimmed before meeting Paul's parents, and then I found myself wondering how that day was going to go. I wondered what Paul's parents were going to think of me when they met me in three days. I wanted them to like me so much and even though I had talked to them over the phone, meeting them in person was a whole new ballgame. There was a gentle knock on the bathroom door before it opened slightly and Paul stuck his head in.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked and I smiled at him.

"You know it's rude to walk into a bathroom when it's occupied," I said and he rolled his eyes before he walked all the way in and closed the door behind him. He rested his back against the bathroom door and smiled down at me.

"I knocked," he said.

"And allowed not even a second to pass before you opened the door," I said. "For all you knew I could have still have been sitting on the toilet."

"Nothing I haven't seen before," he said with a shrug and I blushed deeply as I smacked at his chest, but he laughed lightly and caught my hand before he tugged and pulled me closer to him.

"Maybe, but I don't ever want you to see me sitting on the toilet," I said and he raised eyebrow.

"Why?" he asked.

"For the same reasons I don't ever want to see you sitting on the toilet," I said. "It's just something that doesn't need to be seen." He smiled before he leaned down and caught my lips in a chaste kiss, but when I didn't respond as quickly as we wanted he pulled his lips from mine.

"What's wrong?" he asked and I sighed before I rested my head on his chest.

"Nothing," I said softly as I closed my eyes and settled my hands on his waist. Paul laughed softly before he kissed the top of my head.

"You know you can't lie to me," Paul said and I raised my head, my eyes meeting his. "Tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

"I'm worried about Monday," I said and he frowned.

"Why?" he asked.

"I want your parents to like me," I said with a shrug.

"Harper, Mom is already crazy about you and Dad only wants me to be happy," he said with a small smile on his lips as he raised a hand to my face and pushed my hair aside. "Besides, they know that no matter what they think I'll be with you until the day I die."

"That's what has me worried," I said and the frown was back on his face. "What if when they finally meet me in person, they don't like me and then say something to you. I'm worried you'll get mad at them and then your relationship with your parents is ruined because of me."

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you that you have nothing to worry about," Paul said and I sighed again before I rested my forehead against his chest.

"Well, I won't stop worrying until the day has come and gone," I said dryly and he put a finger under my chin and pulled my head up so I was looking at him once more.

"Okay, you can worry but when you see that you've had nothing to worry about I get to say I told you so," he said and I smiled.

"Fair enough," I said and he smirked as he moved his hand to cup my face.

"We've got to seal the deal," he said gently and I smiled.

"Oh? How?" I asked and his smirk morphed into a smile before he winked and leaned down, capturing my lips with his. That time, I kissed him back immediately and gripped his t-shirt. Just when I felt his tongue glide across my lower lip there was a curt knock on the bathroom door.

"Okay, you two," came Trevor's amused sounding voice on the other side of the bathroom door. "I hate to break up the party, but I think you two should come out. I brush my teeth in there." I laughed as I pulled my lips from Paul's and Paul sighed as he gently pushed me away and then pushed himself off the bathroom door before he opened it to reveal a smirking Trevor. "Sorry, man," Trevor said as he looked at Paul and I rolled my eyes.

"We were only talking, Trevor," I said and he turned his smirk to me.

"Sure you were," Trevor said, "because you always push your shirt up your waist when carrying on a conversation." I frowned before I looked down only to blush deeply when I saw that my shirt was indeed pushed up my torso, revealing not only my flesh to Trevor's eyes but my scars as well. Hastily I pulled my shirt down and blushed crimson as I gave him a sheepish smile. He along with Anna knew of my past, so, I knew he wouldn't say anything, but it was still humiliating for him to see them.

"We should probably get going," Paul said and Trevor chuckled before he nodded his head. Paul smiled and took my hand before he walked me out of the bathroom and down the stairs. Anna was sitting on the sofa in the living room, but looking our way with a small smile on her face. I blushed again and shook my head at her, which made her smile only grow.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. I'll be to your place at ten," I told Anna when Paul let go of my hand to get my coat and my boots for me from the foyer.

"Okay," she said as she nodded her head. We were going into Port Angeles one more time in hopes of finding something for her to give Trevor and for a nice dress for her to where on Monday. If we couldn't find anything, I was debating on making the four our drive to Seattle to see what the bigger city had to offer. Trevor plopped down on the sofa next to her when Paul came back into the living room, already wearing his coat and boots, with my things in hand. I quickly put my things on and smiled at the couple sitting on the sofa.

"Now, don't you kids have too much fun," I said teasingly as Paul laced his fingers with mine. I got the blush I wanted from Anna and Trevor just smiled at me. "Bye guys," I said and they chorused their goodbyes while Paul waved and the two of us left the other couple alone. "So, are you ready to call it a night?" I asked him as we walked out into the darkness.

"Not really," he said. "It's barely nine, and your curfew isn't until midnight. Since I'm probably not going to see you tomorrow, we should make the most of the next three hours."

"What do you have in mind?" I asked as we came to a stop next to my truck. Paul moved so he was standing in front of me and looked down at me with a small smile on his lips. I know longer felt the cold of the night and my smile didn't waver as I met his gaze evenly.

"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure we can think of something," he said and I laughed before he leaned into me. He kissed me deeply as he pressed my back against the passenger door of my truck and I thought of several things we could do to kill the time.

"Anna, hold still or I'll end up burning you with the iron," I said with a smile as Anna and I stood in my cramped bathroom. I was being the best friend that I was by helping her get ready to spend Christmas Eve with Trevor's family.

"Sorry, Harper, I'm just nervous," she said softly as she looked at me through my reflection in the mirror.

"I know, and believe me I'm right there with you," I said as I let the loose curl go free and smiled at my handy work.

"Thanks for helping me," she said. "I probably would have made myself look like a clown with a rats nest for hair if I tried to do this myself."

"I'm pretty sure you would have managed fine on your own, but the way your hands are shaking your makeup may have been a little jagged." She laughed then and I chuckled as I unplugged the curling iron and handed Anna her glasses. "Take a look." She put on her glasses and smiled at her reflection. I had curled her hair in big loose curls and kept her makeup nice and light. On Saturday, we had ended up making the long drive to Seattle and found a simple emerald colored dress that fight her perfectly and fell neatly to her feet. She looked lovely and I knew she had nothing to worry about.

"Thank you, Harper," she said softly. "It's perfect."

"Okay, are you two done in here yet? I've got to shower and get ready to head over to Sue's," Jason said as he walked over to the open door and Anna and I looked at him. He smiled at Anna. Jason knew that Anna wasn't the most confident girl in the world, so, he always complimented her when I helped her get ready for a date or when she dressed up for an event. "You look great, Anna. I like your dress."

"Thanks," she said before she walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. I smiled at Jason and looked at him expectantly.

"Well, how do I look?" I asked and Jason laughed as he looked at me.

"You going to a barn raising or something?" he asked while taking in my plaid shirt and faded out jeans. I had yet to get myself ready for my evening with Paul and his parents, but I didn't have to dress up like Anna did. Paul told me a pair of jeans and a nice sweater would suffice and that's what I planned on wearing.

"Ha, ha," I said before I unplugged the curling iron and gathered my makeup and other things, but left the hot iron on the counter. I walked past Jason and he stopped me to kiss the top of my head before he let me pass and I laughed quietly and continued on to my room where Anna stood, slipping on her shoes.

"I'm going to fall in the snow in these things," Anna said. "Can't I wear my boots and then put these on before I go into his house?" She looked at me with hope shining in her eyes and I shook my head.

"No, you can't," I said firmly as I put my makeup bag on my dresser. "Think of it this way," I said as I grabbed her black pea coat that we had also picked up on our trip to Seattle. "Your shoes give you a reason to cling to Trevor's arm as he walks you to his car and into the house." Anna laughed and shook her head as she took her coat from my hands.

"You know, my gift to you was nothing compared to everything you gave me," she said quietly as she looked at me. The dress, shoes, and coat had been part of her present from me to go along with the leather bound journal I had gotten her. Jason had allotted me a generous amount of money to spend on Christmas presents for our friends, and I had gotten everyone something I knew they were going to love. However, I was a little on edge about Paul's gift. I wasn't sure if he was truly going to like it. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at Anna's words.

"Please, Anna, I love the bracelet," I said as I held up my left wrist showing her that I was still wearing the silver bracelet Anna had made herself using her aunt's equipment. Her aunt may not have been the nicest of people, but the jewelry she made was pretty, and Anna had acquired her talent. "Besides, you gave me the best present I could have asked for that first day of school. You're my best friend, and I haven't had one of those since middle school." Tears were in my eyes as I spoke and Anna sniffed. "Don't cry you're going to ruin your makeup!" I said quickly and Anna laughed before she tossed her coat on my bed and gave me a hug.

"You're my best friend too, Harper, and I love you like a sister," she said and I smiled as I hugged her a little tighter.

"Back at you," I said and she laughed lightly before we pulled apart and Anna carefully wiped at her eyes. "Don't worry, nothing smudged," I told her as she adjusted her glasses and smiled. Just then there was a knock on the door and we both knew it was Trevor. "I'll take your coat and you wait in here until I call your name. We got to give him the whole effect."

Anna rolled her eyes but nodded as she laughed. I smiled and grabbed her coat from the bed before I rushed out of my room and down the short hall. I walked over to the front door and smiled as I opened the door and saw Trevor in a black suit and I could see his dark green button up under his black coat. I had called him and told him the color of Anna's dress and that he needed to find a shirt that matched. He wasn't wearing a tie, but he looked great all the same.

"Hey, come in," I said excitedly and Trevor chuckled before he walked in and I closed the door behind him. "So, were your parents okay with you leaving to come and pick up Anna?"

"Yeah," Trevor said as he nodded. "My Aunt Muriel can't wait to meet her since Mom's talked her up so much. How is she?"

"Nervous, but fine," I whispered as I handed him her coat. "Here," I said and he frowned as he took Anna's coat from my hands and then looked at me curiously. "Don't drop it." His frown deepened before he smirked, but I ignored him and looked towards the hall. "Anna, Trevor's here!" I called and after a beat, Anna emerged into the living room practically glowing. I smiled and turned my eyes to Trevor to see him staring at Anna with an open mouth and her coat falling to the floor. I laughed and shook my head as I picked up her coat and tapped his shoulder. He tore his eyes away from her and looked at me. "I told you not to drop it," I said and he blushed lightly as he took her coat from me and looked back to Anna who had walked over to us.

"Hi," she said with a small smile and Trevor smiled brightly as he looked down at her.

"Hi," he said back. "You look . . . beautiful," he said before he moved closer to her and kissed her cheek gently.

"Thanks," Anna said and I smiled as I watched them. "Harper insisted on these high heels, so, you might have to give me a hand in walking through the snow and ice."

"I'll carry you if you want me to," Trevor said, meaning every word, as he held open her coat to her. Anna laughed quietly and shook her head.

"You don't have to go that far," she said. "You're arm will be just fine." Anna turned around and slid her arms into her coat while Trevor settled it on her shoulders. She turned back around and smiled at me before she laced her arm with Trevor's. "Thanks again, Harper," she said and I smiled before I hugged them both.

"Have fun, and let me know how it goes," I whispered to Anna and she nodded. The pair left and once I locked the door, I went into my room to get my clothes together so when Jason was finished in the bathroom, I could hop in the shower.

Two hours later, it was nearly six o'clock and Jason had already headed over to Sue's place to spend Christmas with Leah, Seth, Sue, and Charlie. I had walked out of my room, dressed and ready to go with my snow boots on and coat in hand. I just had to grab the bag of presents I was taking with me and my purse before I was going to leave and head over to Paul's. I was humming a Christmas song that I couldn't really remember the lyrics to as I pulled on my coat and gathered everything I needed.

After locking up the house, I was on my way and the nerves had made their presence known once more. I felt sick to my stomach, and had a strong desire to turn my truck around and head back home, but I continued on. Paul was right. I had spoken to his parents countless times on the phone, how was it going to be any different once I met them in person. By the time I had reached Paul's parents' house on the reservation, I had convinced myself that the night wasn't going to be disastrous and everything was going to be just fine. I parked my truck next to Paul's and climbed out of the cab. I was leaning in to the cab to grab the bag of presents and my purse from the seat when I felt a heated hand settled on my exposed backside.

"You know, I kind of like this view," came Paul's chuckle filled voice and I rolled my eyes as I latched onto the bags and pulled them out, righting myself in the process.

"Funny," I said tightly as I looked up at him. The moon was nearly full that night and I loved looking at him in the moonlight. He was so good looking and the gentle light only made him look even more amazing. I imagined it made me look decent, but Paul would probably say I was beautiful. "Merry Christmas," I said, losing my stern face and smiling up at him. He laughed then and leaned into me. He pressed his lips gently to mine before he pulled back with a soft sigh.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered back. "You ready?" he asked as he pulled his head from mine and I nodded.

"Yep," I said and he smiled before he closed my truck door, took the bag of presents from me, and then took my hand into his, lacing our fingers together as we walked towards the house. Paul's parents' house reminded me a bit of Sam and Emily's place, but since it was winter I wasn't sure what flowers Paul's mother may have had growing. We were no more in the door when I was blinded by a mass of black and dark gray and the scent of cinnamon washed over me as two arms held me tightly. My hand had been ripped from Paul's as I staggered back a bit and dropped my purse onto the floor.

"Mom!" came Paul's voice and suddenly I could see again as an older woman, who was around my height pulled back from me and raised her hands to my face before settling them on my shoulders.

"Hush, Paul, I want to look at this girl of yours," his mother said and I held her dark eyes with my light eyes once she had her fill. "Lovely," she said as she let go of my shoulders and I blushed as I looked at her. "Come in, come in," she said as she grabbed my hands and pulled me further into the small but very inviting home. Paul's mother was about my height, maybe an inch shorter, and aside from her smile Paul hadn't gotten much of his looks from his mother.

"Are you going to let her go anytime today, Mom?" Paul asked and she laughed as she pulled me into the living room where a tall, broad man stood smiling. She let go of my hands and moved to the man's side, settling herself under his arm. Paul was quick to my side and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, which made me smile because we were a mirror image of how his parents stood. "Now that Mom's unofficially welcomed you to the family, I'll introduce you," Paul said, with a pep in his voice. "Mom, Dad this is Harper; Harper these are my parents, Mary and Kevin."

"It's nice to finally meet you in person," I said and Mary laughed lightly before she nodded.

"I couldn't agree more, dear," Mary said before a loud 'ding' echoed from the kitchen. "Oh, I've got to check on dinner. Make yourself comfortable and I'll be back." She took off in a flourish that made me laugh, which in turn made the Paul and his father laugh as well. I looked at Kevin and my smile grew. For an older man, Kevin was still very handsome and it was easy to see where Paul got his looks.

"Don't mind Mary too much, Harper," Kevin said. "She's been anxious to meet you for the last two days and I have a feeling after dinner she's going to be falling asleep in her rocking chair."

"Sounds like Mom," Paul said and Kevin smiled at him before he looked back at me.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked and I nodded.

"Sure," I said.

"We've got soda, water, and coffee; what'll be your poison?" he asked and I laughed again, letting go of all the tension that had been knotted in my stomach for days.

"Soda is fine," I said and Kevin nodded as he looked at Paul.

"Same for me, Dad, thanks," he said and Kevin winked at Paul before he left us alone in the living room. "See. Not as bad as you thought it was going to be, huh?" he asked and I turned to wrap my arms around him as I looked up at him.

"So far so good, but the day is still young," I said and he rolled his eyes.

"They love you, just like I do," he said before he kissed me chastely and gently pushed my arms away from him. "Come on, let's hang up your coat and get the bag of presents from the hallway." I nodded and followed Paul, feeling infinitely better than I had that morning. I guess he had been right. I really had nothing to worry about when it came to his parents. It had barely been five minutes since I walked through the door, but I already felt like I belonged.