I'm alive! Hey everyone. First, I want to say thank you so much for your patience and I really hope that I haven't lost any of you because of the long wait for new chapters. Due to my jobless status I actually had to cut costs and disconnected my internet connection and a few other luxeries. I can happily report that my life is back on track and I finally have a job. It's part time and a little less money than what I was making at the job I lost, but it's a job and it's an income and I really like it so far. As you can see I once again have the internet hooked up (which was done today by the way) and I hope this extra long chapter makes up for my long absence. The next chapter (which I think shall be the last) should be up within a week. Thank you all so much for your reviews of encouragment during my hiatus, and I really should stop babbling now. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.

Chapter 26

For the days leading up to Christmas dinner with Paul's family, I had expected dinner to be awkward and quiet but it turned out to be anything but. Paul's mother was like a ball of energy that night and I had never heard someone talk as fast as she was. When dinner was over, she got up to clear the table and do the dishes, but I stopped her. "Mary, Paul and I can clean up. You and Kevin go and relax," I said and Mary smiled.

"Nonsense, Harper, you're out guest and Paul hates to do dishes," Mary said, which made me smile as I turned my head and looked at the young man in question.

"You don't mind helping me with the dishes, do you Paul?" I asked softly as I batted my eyes and a goofy grin appeared on his face before he shook his head negatively.

"No, I don't mind," he said before he stood and started clearing the table. Kevin was chuckling quietly while Paul carried a small stack of plates into the kitchen and Mary looked at me surprised.

"See, no worries. You and Kevin go and relax and we'll get this cleaned up," I said and Mary smiled again before she reached over to me and brought her hands to my face. She pulled me close and kissed my cheek warmly and then pulled back.

"You're such a sweet girl," she said. "I'm glad our Paul found you."

"Me too," I whispered, surprised by the motherly gesture before Kevin linked his arm with his wife's and led her out of the small dining room and into the living room. I grabbed a couple of the serving bowls and started towards the kitchen only to bump into Paul as he was coming out.

"You owe me," he said and I raised an eyebrow. "For tricking me into helping with the dishes." I laughed, which earned me a mock scowl from the man in front of me.

"I didn't trick you," I said calmly after my laughter subsided. "I asked."

"Mhmm," he said as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

"Okay, since you're so convinced that I tricked you, I'll make it up to you later tonight," I said in a whisper so his parents wouldn't hear and it was his turn to raise an eyebrow as he uncrossed his arms from his chest and looked at me curiously.

"How?" he asked and I could feel my cheeks flushing slightly before I smiled coyly at him.

"I picked up a few things for myself during my trip to Seattle with Anna," I said softly, "and since Jason is planning on staying the night with Leah I think tonight would be a good night to show you some of the things I bought." Excitement flashed in Paul's eyes as he licked his lips and smiled.

"Really? What kind of things?" he asked and I laughed lightly as I rolled my eyes.

"If you have to ask that question, then maybe you shouldn't get to see them," I said as I started to head into the kitchen only to have Paul catch me by the waist. I looked up at him just as his lips descended on mine. I nearly dropped the bowls in my hands at the passion behind his kiss, but I managed to keep a hold of the bowls and they remained firmly in my grasp as my lips eagerly returned the kiss Paul had decided to grace me with. I whimpered in protest as he pulled his lips from mine, earning a chuckle from my shape shifter boyfriend.

"Does that make up for my stupidity?" he asked, his deep voice quiet, and I opened my eyes to look up at him.

"Maybe. You might have to do a little more convincing later though," I said and he grinned before his hands slipped from my waist. His hands had left me just in time because Kevin suddenly walked into the dining room and I blushed deeply when I remembered that we were in his parents' house.

"It was really quiet in here," Kevin said as he looked between the two of us. "I just wanted to make sure you two were okay."

"We're fine, Dad," Paul said as he stepped away from me and went over to the table to gather a few more dishes. "I was just talking to Harper about the plans for tomorrow. We're going to be spending the day with her brother and Leah and I just needed to make sure what time I'm to be there." Kevin looked at me and I smiled and nodded, agreeing with Paul's fib. I certainly didn't want his father to know what we were really talking about.

"You're mother's fussing with the gifts, so, hurry up," Kevin said as he looked at Paul, who nodded and followed me into the kitchen while Kevin went back out into the living room. Paul sent a grin my way and winked, which made me roll my eyes yet again. The jerk actually liked that his father almost caught us. I was so going to make him pay later.

"You sure you don't want to stay at my place?" Paul asked as he drove my truck to my house and I smiled as I rested my head against the headrest and turned so I was looking at him.

"Jason will have a fit if he comes home in the morning and I'm not there," I said, "and I plan on getting up early to make sure you're up and moving so Jason doesn't know that you stayed the night."

"He's going to know anyway, Harper," he said and I looked at him.

"How?" I asked and he laughed.

"My car won't be parked outside for one, and he'll know I drove you home in your truck. Plus, he's not stupid," Paul said. "I'm pretty sure he knows we've had sleepovers."

"Oh," I said as I raised my head and looked out the windshield, mortified.

"Relax, Harper," he said as he reached over and took my hand. "You really don't think Leah and Jason keep their nights together PG, do you?"

"Thank you, now I'm thinking of Jason and Leah having sex," I said as I looked at him with a frown and he laughed loudly after he glanced at me.

"Don't worry," he said as he turned into my driveway and parked the truck in front of the still house. "I'll help erase those images from your mind. Come on," he said and we climbed out of the truck. Paul was quick to my side and helped me through the slippery snow and ice before we walked up the porch steps. Once inside, I sighed as the warmth of the house washed over me and it wasn't long before Paul and I were lost in each other.

Six Months Later

"Leah, you look beautiful," I said with a smile as I fixed the veil into her chin length hair which was styled beautifully in gentle curls thanks to Kim's sure hands. Leah smiled brightly as she looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"Thanks Harper," she said warmly before she looked down and smoothed out the strapless white dress she wore. Leah's strong frame looked perfect in the dress that had only taken her mere minutes to find when she had gone to Seattle with Emily and Kim in tow. I hadn't been able to go because they had gone while I was still in school, but I didn't mind. I got to see Leah in the dress when we all had gone to our fittings. Leah had asked me to be a bridesmaid along with Kim while Emily served as her matron of honor. After Leah had imprinted on Jason, the old relationship between the cousins had been pieced back together and they were once again the best of friends.

"Jason's not going to know what hit him when he sees you walking towards him," I said and she along with Emily and Kim laughed. "I bet he's going to pass out cold."

"He won't," Leah said with a gentle smile. I smiled and nodded before I stepped away from Leah, raising the moderately full skirt of the royal blue strapless dress I wore. Throughout the whole planning of their small wedding, I had seen sides to Leah that I hadn't been expecting and according to Paul the new sides to Leah had somewhat disturbed her fellow pack members since they had never seen her so happy or so, for the lack of a better word, girly. There was a gentle knock on the closed door and I looked to the girls.

"I got it," I said before I made my way over to the door and opened it slightly only to see Jared standing on the other side. "What's up?" I asked in a whisper and Jared chuckled.

"Could you come give me a hand with your brother?" he asked. "He's about ready to throw up." I sighed quietly and looked to the others.

"I'll be right back," I said and they all nodded too engrossed in making Leah perfect for the ceremony which was due to start in minutes. "What's wrong with him?" I asked after I closed the door behind me and Jared laughed again.

"He's forgotten his vows and he's like having a panic attack or something," Jared said. "Sam's trying to calm him down, but it's not really working which is only making Sam want to smack some sense into him."

"Jason get's nervous easily. He's probably worried he's going to screw up and ruin the day for Leah," I said as I followed him down the stairs of Leah's mother's house and to the living room where the men of the wedding party were congregated. The wedding was taking place in the backyard and I could hear the murmurs of the guests as they waited for the ceremony to start. "Jason," I said as I walked over to my older brother and he turned around and looked at me with a heavy sigh. "Breathe," I said as I raised my hands and straightened his tie.

"Harp, I've forgotten everything," he said. "I'm going to look like an idiot up there."

"Jason, you're going to be fine," I said. "You'll remember the words the second you see her, and let me tell you, she looks beautiful. Now, take a deep breath through your nose and let it out through your mouth," I ordered and Jason did as I said. "Everything's going to be fine," I assured him once more. "Now, get it together so I can finish helping Leah get ready." Jason nodded and I turned away from him, catching Paul's eye. I smiled at him and as I went back into the hall, I could feel his eyes on me. I made it to the stairs, but before I could placed one high heeled covered foot on the first step a warm hand grabbed my wrist while an arm wrapped around my waist before I was pulled into the coat closet. "What the hell?" I asked quietly and I heard a click and light filled the coat closet. Standing in front of me, with his arms on my waist was Paul. "What are you doing?" I asked quietly as I brushed away a stray auburn curl that had escaped the pinned up hairdo Kim had created and looked up at him.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly before he leaned in to kiss me chastely but I pulled my face away from his. He looked at me with a frown, but I smiled at him all the same.

"First, I'd kiss you but I don't want to have to redo my make up, and second thank you, but you couldn't have waited to tell me that before we walked down the aisle together?" I asked and Paul grinned as he shrugged his shoulders and his grip tightened on my waist.

"Couldn't wait," he said quietly before his left hand left my waist and took hold my left hand. "So," he said as he fingered the white gold band that held a modestly sized diamond, "when are you going to start wearing this on the right finger?" he asked and I smiled softly.

"When I get the nerve to tell Jason that we're engage," I said back and Paul rolled his eyes at me, which was a habit I was pretty sure he picked up from me.

"Harper, I officially asked you to marry me months ago. You should probably tell him that you're engaged before you give him the invitation to the wedding and ask him to walk you down the aisle," Paul said and I sighed quietly.

"I know," I said, "but he's been busy trying to get everything ready for today. I didn't want him to take his focus off of Leah. When they come back from their week long cruise, I'll tell him." Paul smirked and shook his head.

"Has he even asked you about this?" he asked still fingering my ring and I shook my head no.

"I don't think he even noticed it. Hell, I could have probably dressed in neon colors for the last three months and he wouldn't have really noticed anything different." Paul chuckled before he leaned into me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Tell him today, or I will," he whispered in my ear, his breath making me shiver as it washed over my skin, before he left me standing in the closet with the door opened. Jared was standing in the foyer and frowned as he watched Paul walk away and then looked at me and my flushed face which only darkened when I saw his grin.

"What?" I hissed as I turned off the light, walked out, and closed the door behind me while my dress rustled and swooshed.

"What were you two doing in the closet?" Jared asked and I cleared my throat as I glanced into the living room to see a still smirking Paul standing with Sam and Jason before I looked back at Jared.

"Talking," I said defensively and he raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" he asked and I scowled at him.

"Yes, really," I said. "Now shut up or I'll tell Kim you were being mean," I said before I raised my skirt slightly and raced up the stairs. His only response was a loud laugh before he called out to me.

"Tell them they've got five minutes before the show starts," Jared said and I rolled my eyes. Men. When I had returned to the room, Sue had joined the girls at some point and I smiled at the older woman whose dark eyes were bright with happy tears.

"Hey, Sue, how you doing?" I asked her and she smiled as she fawned over the back of Leah's dress.

"Wonderful," she said.

"Everything okay?" Leah asked looking over her shoulder and I nodded as I turned my smile to her.

"Everything is fine and Jared said for me to tell you the ceremony starts in five minutes," I said. The words were no more out of my lips when a soft knock sounded on the door.

"That's probably Seth," Sue said before she stepped away from Leah and walked to the door. I walked around so I was standing in front of Leah while Emily handed her the bouquet of white and blue carnations. Leah looked at me and the smile that had been on her face all morning had yet to disappear.

"So, you ready to be my sister?" I asked and she laughed before she moved her flowers to her right hand. She wrapped her left arm around me and pulled me close to her. She didn't say anything as she hugged me, but the hug held her answer and I smiled as I returned her embrace.

"Okay, come on, we've got to get moving," Kim said as she pulled me away from Leah with a smile on her face as she handed me my own small bouquet of white carnations. I laughed lightly and shook my head before I smiled at Seth who stood there confined in the suit that matched the ones the boys had been wearing downstairs. He grinned at me before he winked and walked over to his sister while Sue, Kim, Emily, and I left the room and went downstairs. The guys and Charlie were waiting downstairs and the eight of us made our way towards the back of the house and the yard where the guests were waiting.

"So, how does it feel to be a married man?" I asked Jason as we danced across the dance floor the guys had built solely for the purpose that no one would fall in a dip in the grass as everyone danced. Leah was dancing with Seth not far from where I danced with Jason and my brother smiled at me.

"No different," Jason said, "just a little more official." I laughed quietly as I adjusted my right hand in his left and he glanced at our joined hands before he smirked and looked at me. "When exactly are you planning on telling me that Paul asked you to marry him?" he asked and I stopped swaying.

"What?" I asked and he chuckled.

"You've been wearing this ring off and on for the last few months," he said, "and it doesn't exactly look like a casual ring you wear on occasion."

"I was going to wait until you and Leah got back from your honeymoon," I said, my face flaming red as I started swaying to the music with him once more. "However, Paul said I needed to tell you today or he was going to, but obviously you knew. How long have you known?"

"Since you walked through the door after your date with Paul on his birthday," he said. "That was pretty smooth of him, proposing to you on his birthday."

"How did you know?" I asked and Jason chuckled.

"Harp, you were glowing and practically waltzing into the house," he said. "It was kind of obvious."

"Oh," I said and he kissed my forehead before he sighed gently and smiled down at me.

"Can you believe our lives now, Harper?" he asked.

"Not really," I admitted with a smile of my own on my lips.

"A year ago, I was worried that you weren't ever going to have a normal healthy life and you know if we would have moved anywhere else, you probably wouldn't be where you are now," he said and I nodded. "I'm proud of you, Harp, and I'm so happy to have my sister back."

"And I'm happy to have my brother back," I said and Jason's smile grew before he glanced over my shoulder. His grip loosened on me before a felt a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Mind if I cut in?" Paul asked and Jason let go of me and shook his head as Paul spun me into his arms.

"Not at all," Jason said. "I'm going to go steal my wife away from her brother anyway." Paul and I laughed as we looked at each other and he started to lead me over the dance floor. However, I pulled my hands from his shoulders and brought them to my chest.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a frown and I smiled as I pulled my engagement ring from my right ring finger and held it out to him. His frown only deepened and he stopped swaying. I laughed and rolled my eyes as I held my left hand out to him.

"I'm not giving it back, stupid, I want you to put it on the hand it's supposed to be on," I said and his frown disappeared as his blinding smile took over his face before he took the ring from my right hand and slid the ring onto my left ring finger. I giggled and he bent down slightly as he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist before he lifted me from the built dance floor and spun me around while he kissed me. I could feel several pairs of eyes on us, but I didn't care and the wolf calls from the guys made me blush but I didn't pull away from Paul's kiss.

For the first time in a very long time, I was truly happy and life was perfect. Nothing was ever going to change that.

Night had fallen and after helping Sue clean up after the reception, Paul was driving me home. Jason and Leah had driven to Seattle to spend the night before their flight to Florida the following morning for the Caribbean cruise they were going on for their honeymoon. We were silent as Paul drove, me just holding his hand and watching the scenery pass by in a slow blur. He was in no rush to get me home, and I wasn't really in one either.

"So, did Jason and Leah make a final decision on where they're going to live when they get back?" Paul asked casually and I turned to look at him, the dashboard lights illuminating his face. He had taken off his suit jacket and tie and the white button up he wore was open exposing the white undershirt he wore that clung to his muscles nicely.

"They're going to live on the reservation, in Leah's house," I said slowly and I watched his left hand tightening on the steering wheel. "I'll be staying in the house."

"Alone? How long have you known about this?" he asked and I bit my lip.

"A while," I said and he glanced at me.

"I don't want you staying there alone," he said tightly and I rolled my eyes.

"Paul, I've been staying alone in the house for a while," I said. "Jason spent most of his nights with Leah over the last couple of months. It's not that big of a deal. The house is always locked up tight and I'm not afraid anymore."

"I know," he said, "but I don't want you staying alone."

"Well, you can't exactly move in with me. Don't you have to stay on the reservation?"

"Not necessarily," he said and for some reason my heart started pounding in my chest and my breath started quickening.

"You mean, you would move in with me?" I asked and he chuckled as he glanced at me once more.

"Of course," Paul said and I smiled. "Did you think I wouldn't?"

"No, it's just . . . I didn't think you could live off the reservation, you know, because of the pack," I said and Paul sighed as his thumb ran over the back of my hand.

"I have to talk to Sam, but you don't really live that far from the line," he said, "and once we're married we'll have a house on the reservation. A nice one, not the crappy one I've been renting."

"The crappy one you've been renting would be fine so long as I'm with you," I said and he glanced at me, a small smile on his face, but he shook his head negatively.

"No, we're going to have a nice place; Harper; I promise you that," he said. "It'll be a house that's ours and one we can raise a family in and be proud of. I've already got something in mind."

"Oh you do?" I asked and his smile grew slightly as he kept his eyes on the road.

"I do," he said. I didn't pry anymore because Paul looked lost in thought as he drove and a comfortable silence settled between us. "You know, I can't wait until I get to say those words in front of our families and friends," he said suddenly and I looked at him.

"What words?" I asked.

"I do," he said and I smiled when he glanced at me as he turned into my driveway. He put his truck in park and we climbed out of the truck and walked hand in hand to the house. Once inside, I turned on the light, slipped off my high heels, and walked over to couch before flopping down onto the couch with a huff. Paul smiled at me before he sank down onto the couch next to me, put his left arm around my shoulders and reached over his lap to take my right hand into his.

"When do you want to get married?" I asked him suddenly as I turned my head so I was looking at him. Since he asked me to marry him, we hadn't talked about it; mostly because I was still trying to wrap my head around everything.

"October," he said and I frowned.

"This October?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yeah," he said with a smile and my eyes widened.

"Paul, that's only a couple of months away. There's no way we could put it together in a couple of months," I said.

"Sure we could."

"It took Leah and Jason eight months to plan everything," I said. "We've got three."

"We can do it," he said, his smile bright on his face, and I found myself smiling back. I was only eighteen and fresh out of high school, but I was almost nineteen and I knew what I wanted. Paul was mine forever and we could wait to get married and start a family, but I didn't want to wait. I wanted what Sam and Emily had; I wanted what Jared and Kim had; and I wanted what my brother and Leah now had. I wanted that life with Paul, and there was no doubt in my mind or my heart about that.

"Okay," I whispered and if it was even possible, his smile grew. "Okay," I said a little firmer, my own smile growing. "Let's get married in October." He pulled me closer so I was practically lying in his lap before he leaned down and kissed me. Yes, my life was definitely perfect. Finally.