a/n---Srry this took so long. I blame Mediate :P she did a great job betating this, so kudos to her. Thanks everyone who reviewed last chap for me. Check out yay4shanghai's story Geez calm down Paul for another chapter written by moi. Its a good story. Also, read liljenrocks story. Youll fall in love with David Uley, I swear. And last, but not least, dont forget shes a boozer..

Chapter 15

I glanced at my ever growing stomach. It was far from being just a bulge like it used to be. I was huge. I looked miserably as Paul's dad came around the corner. I was putting a box of wool and odds and ends up on the shelves. I paused, working as he came closer.

"That's enough for today, why don't you go sit down?" He said kindly. I knew he didn't like me getting up and moving around but I felt lazy if I just sat around all day.

"I'm fine. Just miserable." I stuffed more wools into the bin.

I sighed as I headed up to the front to sit down and take a short break. My feet hurt, my back hurt, my head hurt. I sat down on the stool, feeling instant relief. I looked out the window as people walked by. By now, everyone had noticed and heard about me. There was no more hiding the baby. Paul never really said if anyone talked about me at school to him. He only had three more weeks before he was out and could stay home with me unless he worked with Sam. I pressed my hand on my stomach as I sat there, the baby moved over away from it, making me smile.

Mrs. Wahall had said the baby was in great shape and progressing normally. I'd seen her only yesterday. Everything was going as planned for the baby. Except that the mothers still didn't get along very well. Paul's mom was as nice as she could be, my mom was a nightmare. I'd refused to get ultrasounds done; I wanted everything to be completely old fashioned. Tomorrow Emily was bringing her nieces down for me and Paul to practice on. Little Claire was as close as we could get to a baby at the moment. Then, on Saturday, I was having a baby shower. I wanted to groan out loud at that thought. Emily, Kim, and the mom's would be there, along with Paul's aunts and grandma.

I laid my head on my arms and the baby shifted around inside of me. Almost six months. I'd started thinking of names randomly, for boys or girls. Paul still swore he could sense I was having a boy but Sam had told me that it was all in his head. They couldn't sense anything other than I was pregnant. Emily had been wonderful, helping in any way she could. She was as happy as I was that I was getting closer and closer to my due date. I glanced at my watch. Ten more minutes and I could go home. Or over to Emily's like I wanted to.

The door jingled as Mrs. Gordon came in. I smiled at her and got up, moving slowly. She eyed me for a moment. "You don't look so well," she commented as I got my bag. I'd been doing school work here and there.

"I don't feel so well. I still have to walk home too."

She shook her head and started counting the money. "You shouldn't be walking all the way to the edge of the reservation when you're this far along."

I shrugged as I slung my bag over my shoulder. "I don't have a choice. No one has time to give me a ride home. Mom and dad are at work and Paul's at school til four today with make up work."

Mrs. Gordon frowned. "I'm sure Mr. Kimkirk would take you."

"No, I don't want to bug him. I'll be fine. I haven't got to walk in a couple of months, anyway." I smiled at her as I headed out. It felt good outside today. It was warming up, or as warm as it could get here. I didn't dare wear shorts though; my legs were pasty from not being able to get in the tanning bed for so long. I headed down the street humming to myself. I was halfway down when I saw Paul pulling up next to me. "Come on, get in," he called out as he stopped.

I opened up the door and crawled inside the cab of the truck. "I'm glad you came, I was starting to get kind of tired and I wasn't even close to being home yet." I shoved my bag on the floorboard. "I thought you had to stay late at school."

Paul grinned at me as we headed toward his house. I'd started staying with him on the weekends. It gave us time to be alone together, even though we weren't always technically alone. Ellie had warmed up to me and had started sleeping with us sometimes at night. It made any sort of intimate time hard for us. Neither of us would say anything about it, though. We went inside and hung out, watching Tv and talking. I leaned against him on the couch; I didn't even feel like taking advantage of being completely alone. Paul rubbed my back soothingly and I started to doze off. It felt nice to have the aches rubbed out of my muscles.

I woke up alone on the couch some time later. I could hear Paul laughing in the kitchen. I sat up slowly, yawning. I still felt tired. I pushed myself up slowly and walked slowly into the kitchen where his family was. Ellie was coloring at the table, Mr. Kimkirk was carving something, Mrs. Kimkirk was cooking, and Paul was leaning against the counter.

"Hey, honey," he drawled as I came in. I went to him, letting him hug me. "You look like you should have slept some more." he murmured as he kissed my cheek.

I shrugged, rubbing my eyes. They felt swollen and puffy. "I'll go to bed earlier tonight. I don't feel good."

He nodded and rubbed my arm as I leaned on him. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel right or something. Uncomfortable." I took one of his hands and placed it on the baby as it moved suddenly. Paul smiled broadly when it shifted some more. "She's still moving around, I just feel... tired."

Paul rubbed my stomach lightly as we stood there making the baby move. "You should eat something," he said softly. His mom turned around to look at us.

"Is she moving?" She asked excitedly. I nodded and motioned that it was okay for her to feel too.

Paul looked at me for a moment, frowning it seemed as his mom pressed her hands on my stomach. He watched her closely as she felt the baby, anxiously almost, until she took her hand back off. "Not much longer, Sarah and she'll be moving around in her crib."

Mr. Kimkirk was smiling happily too as he watched us. "You can feel too if you want," I offered. He shook his head quickly.

"No thanks. I'll just wait and hold her when she's born."

Paul rolled his eyes and shoved his hand back on me. "He. When HE is born. I'm having a boy, remember?" He smirked at me and leaned down to kiss my lips softly. "A boy and I'm naming him Christopher Paul Kimkirk Jr."

I laughed at him; he wasn't naming the baby after himself. "I don't think you are. I think you're having a girl and her name will be Bailee. Or maybe Bridget. I haven't decided yet." He made a face at me.

"I don't think so. I think it's definitely a boy. I can tell."

Mrs. Kimkirk shook her head at him as she moved past us and placed a bowl of some sort of stew at each place. "You two sit down and eat, okay?" She ordered. I let go of Paul and went slowly to the table and lowered myself down. I was tired just from that.

"Thank you," I told her as I started eating. I finished before Paul did and got up and carried my bowl back to the sink. "I guess I should go home." I yawned.

Paul waved me off. "Why? It's Thursday night. You could stay. You don't have to work. I'll take you home before I leave or something." He spooned more food into his mouth and swallowed. "You have clothes here still."

I sighed and I rested my head in my hands. "I guess I will. I'm going to get a shower, though. I'm ready to pass out." I headed off to his room to get my things from his dresser and grabbed his sweats instead. They'd be more comfortable, anyway. I went to the bathroom and turned on the shower and shut the door softly. I'd gotten used to staying here. It felt like a second home to me. I grabbed a washcloth and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water roll over me. It felt great but after a few minutes it was making me tired.

I was rinsing off when the pains started to shoot through me. I grabbed onto the side of the shower and held myself, taking in a deep breath. I opened my eyes up slowly, shaking as another came. I looked down at the floor of the shower and felt a jolt of horror. Blood. I didn't even bother to turn off the water as I started to climb out. I stopped and grabbed the towel rack beside the shower for support.

"Paul?!" I called out loudly, hoping he'd hear me over the shower. I winced as I started lifting one leg over at a time. "Paul!" I yelled louder. "Help me! Please!" I grabbed the counter next, whimpering. "Paul!" I shouted again just as the door opened. Paul immediately wrapped a towel around me.

"What happened, Sarah?" He asked worriedly. He took me into his arms and grabbed another towel to cover me with as he kicked the door open wider. I curled up against him.

"I'm bleeding. I hurt. I don't feel good." I tried not to cry as he took me to his room. Mrs. Kimkirk was rushing in

"What's wrong?" She asked, grabbing my hand. "Did you fall down?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. It just started and I don't know what to do." Paul was pulling a shirt over my head trying to dress me. He lifted me up, dressing me like a child.

"Come on," he said moving fast. Mrs. Kimkirk was following close behind him as he carried me out. His dad jumped up, realizing something was wrong.

"I'll stay with Ellie, you go with them," he told his wife as she grabbed her keys and purse. She waved to him as Paul put me in the backseat of her car, holding me. I knew without asking where we were headed.

"I don want to lose the baby," I whispered to Paul. He leaned over to brush the hair out of my face,

"You're not going to lose the baby." I buried my face into his shirt, wetting it with tears.

"I did everything right. I did everything I was supposed to. I didn't do anything wrong."

We made it to Forks fifteen minuets later. I started to stand up when Paul swooped me up and carried me off into hospital. I saw him wrinkle his nose as he went in. I zoned out everything as I was put into a bed and hooked up to monitors. I felt small shooting pains again and winced, clutching my stomach and curling up. The baby's heartbeat sounded across her monitor, sounding strong like it had before.

"I wish they'd hurry up." Paul sounded impatient while he hovered over me. Mrs. Kimkirk had stepped out and was calling my house for me. I shut my eyes, feeling another small gush of blood leave me when a doctor suddenly came in. He checked me over quickly, examining me as fast as he could. Paul looked like he was holding himself back every time I winced when the doctor touched me.

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly.

The doctor pulled the sheets down over me and he stood up. "The bleeding will stop as long as you stay completely off of your feet, Ms. Carter. My guess is you've been doing entirely too much. Too much stress and strain on yourself will lead to this again if you don't slow down, which is why I am putting you on complete bed rest. No activities. No working, no walking, no anything except taking a five minute shower with supervision and going to the bathroom."

I nodded, showing him I understood. "Is the baby okay? I don't want anything to happen to the baby." He shook his head.

"The baby is fine. It's you that needs the break. You let that boyfriend of yours do everything for you." He nodded at Paul as he wrote on the paper. "I'm going to keep you for a few hours, just to monitor the baby and make sure the bleeding does slow down. It's not a miscarriage yet, but it could be if you don't take it easy young lady."

I nodded again, feeling relieved. I leaned back onto the bed as Mrs. Kimkirk and my mom came in together, both looking worried. Paul's held my hand silently; I knew he didn't trust himself to say anything right now. My mom listened while I tiredly relayed everything that I'd learned so far. I closed my eyes.

"I still don't feel good."

Mrs. Kimkirk squeezed my free hand. "You kept saying you were tired, you've been trying to do too much by yourself. Your mom told me you've been going home and trying to move furniture and things."

I opened my eyes back up and looked at Paul who made an angry sound. "You did what? You're not supposed to do heavy work, Sarah. Dad says he keeps telling you at work to sit down and stop stocking, too."

My mom sighed as she sat down in the other chair in the room. "Thank you for calling me, Diane. You don't know how much I appreciate it."

I exchanged a surprised look with Paul. Were they starting to like each other? "Does it hurt still?" He asked softly. I shook my head and listened to the baby's heart thudding. I didn't want to move. I felt like I could sleep for days.

"I'm so tired. I'm tired from everything. I don't think I can do anything but sleep."

Paul smiled and kissed my hand. "That's all you'll be allowed to do. I'll get Emily to come sit with you during the day if your mom isn't home." I nodded, knowing Emily would be all too happy to come.

We sat there, waiting for hours until they came and told me it was okay to go home with restrictions. I was wheeled out to my mom's car. Paul helped me in, buckling me up. My mom was in the driver's side, her lips pulled tight as she watched him. Mrs. Kimkirk was off to the side, waiting for Paul. I'd decided it would be easier to just go home with my family. Paul could come get me during the weekend and help me. He leaned down and kissed me gently.

"Don't get up and move around. If you need something call me, okay?" He pressed his hand on my stomach for a moment, feeling the baby. My mom gave him a look.

"Sarah will be fine at home. I appreciate you and your mother rushing her over here and calling me but I'll take it from here."

Paul glanced at her. "I didn't do it for you. I did it for my girlfriend and my baby. I don't want to lose either of them."

I kissed him on the jaw. "I'll call you if anything happens. I love you." He nodded and shut the door.

"I love you too." He backed away, watching as we drove off. I knew it was killing him to stay behind. His protective instincts were starting to kick into overdrive like they had before when we first started dating, only in a different way. My mom looked over at me.

"I'll just use this as a way to prove that you should stay at home all the time instead of going over there on the weekends."

I sighed and I looked out the window. "I already told you, I like it over there and I like being able to spend time with Paul and I cant do that at our house." Paul still wasn't allowed over after all these months. It was ridiculous.

"I just don't like him. I don't think he really understands the responsibility he has to have with the baby." My mom looked agitated as we pulled into the driveway. I started to get out when she stopped me. "You sit right there while I get your dad to come get you."

I sat back and waited until my dad came out and lifted me up -nowhere as easily as Paul had- and carried me into my room. "If you need something sweetie, you call for me, okay? I'll be right here," he said trying to comfort me as he laid me down and covered me up after taking my flip flops off. I hadn't even noticed what Paul had put on me in his hurry. His sweats and one of my shirts with no bra, of course. I laid back into the pillows not even bothering to turn on the Tv. This was going to be horrible.

*******************************

I'd been on bed rest for a full day almost. It'd been terrible. I couldn't even walk myself to the bathroom without my mom hovering over me. I'd quit bleeding not long after we got home from the hospital. I'd spoken to Paul on the phone the night before but I was dying to see him. I felt if he was closer to me it'd be more bearable. I flipped through the channels, wondering if my mom would let me go stay at the Kimkirk's if they came and got me and I promised not to move. Paul would be there to do everything for me.

I grabbed the bag of chips I was eating from when I heard my mom raising her voice to someone. I hit mute and listened hard. "I don't care. You're not welcome in this house. You'll have to wait until Sarah's able to go to work and move on her own."

Paul's angry, strained voice cut through. "You can't keep me from seeing her. I want to check on her and my baby. It's not right what you're trying to do."

"I can keep you from her when she's inside my home. I suggest you leave Paul, my husband will be here soon."

Paul laughed bitterly. "I don't care. I'll leave as soon as I see her."

"Leave now before I call someone to come and get you," she snapped at him angrily.

"Either let me in and let me see her the nice way or I'll come in, anyway." His words cut through. "And then if she's willing, I'll take her home with me where I can see her as much as I want."

My mom scoffed and started arguing with him again. I pushed the blankets back and got up slowly from my bed, holding onto the wall as I walked toward the living room. "Stop it! Both of you!" I ordered them. They both quit talking as soon as they saw me walking toward the door where they were fighting. "Just stop," I said softer, feeling tears build up and threaten to spill over.

"Sarah, you shouldn't be up," Paul said, moving past my mom to grab me. "Come on, sit down." He guided me to the couch beside us. I sat down slowly "Mom, just let him stay please. Or I'm going with him. I don't want to be away from him." I looked at her through blurred eyes, wiping at my cheeks.

My mom shook her head. "Sarah... "

I started to get back up again, pushing down on the arm of the couch for balance. "I'm going to get a bag then. When you get over your grudge with Paul, call me and I'll come back."

Paul looked back and forth at us, not sure what to do. "Sarah, I don't want you to get up to pack."

My mom glared at him almost like she was mad that he'd said something that made sense. "She doesn't need a bag because she's staying here."

I shook my head at her. "No, I'm not. Paul go get my clothes. I have to have something to wear tomorrow to the shower." Paul nodded and glanced at my mom a moment before obediently going to my room to grab my stuff. "Mom, I'm sick and tired of this. I'm having a baby in three months that belongs to Paul and you can't even accept it." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I didn't need to get stressed out or I'd end up at the hospital again. "You're driving me crazy. Paul's Quileute, get over it already. Paul's not on drugs, he doesn't drink and he's not a gang member!" I was getting close to being hysterical now.

"Sarah, don't get yourself upset. You're going to make yourself sick again," my mom warned, not commenting on my outburst. Paul emerged from my room with my overnight bag and I nodded to him. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't handle this tense situation.

"You're the one making me sick. You're making me stressed out and worried," I told her as Paul carried me out of the house. My mom was chewing her nails nervously.

"Don't leave, please. Just stay, sweetie. We'll figure something out."

I shook my head; she wasn't saying what I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear her she was sorry to Paul. She'd been mean and hateful to him and his family long enough. "No," I said gravely, pulling the door shut and slamming it, deafening anything else she had to say. Paul backed out quickly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted to see you. I had to see you and feel the baby." I nodded; Paul had honestly meant no harm.

"I know you did. It's her being… close-minded. I'm sick of her trying to push you away all the time. I can't take it anymore. She's the one making me so stressed out that I start bleeding." I was calming down little by little, trying to stop it before I started to hurt again. "I hope your mom doesn't care that I'm coming."

Paul rolled his eyes. "Who do you think pushed me into coming over to your house and demanding to see you?" We pulled into his driveway. I could see both his parents' cars were there. Paul grabbed my bag and then me and carried me swiftly into the house, pausing only to open the door. "Where do you want to be?" He asked looking around. I shrugged.

"Kitchen chair for now." He turned and headed inside the warm, earthy colored kitchen and sat me down. Mrs. Kimkirk looked surprised.

"What happened?"

Paul relayed the events to her as I sat in comfortable silence next to his dad. Mr. Kimkirk never talked much. Ellie wasn't anywhere to be seen. I rested both hands on my stomach and sighed, leaning back into the chair. "I'm sorry to impose on you like this," I apologized to her as she leaned down to hug me. "She's just... driving me crazy."

Mrs. Kimkirk nodded at the stove. "Hungry?"

"No, far from it. I don't feel so good right now. I don't think I could eat a thing for the rest of the night," I told her with a small smile. "I'd like to go to bed soon if you guys don't think I'm being rude. I told everyone to keep the shower on for tomorrow. You guys have gone through too much trouble to cancel it."

Mrs. Kimkirk nodded understandingly. "We'll get you over there and back without you even walking to the car. All of Paul's aunts will be there, of course. And his grandmother." I heard Mr. Kimkirk make a choking sound in his throat and he gave me a look of pity. "Oh, you hush. I'm sure they'll like Sarah. They all adore Paul after all."

Paul smirked at his mom and stuffed chips into his mouth. "Of course they'll like her. I like her, so it's only natural that they like what I like." He flashed me a smile. "You ready for me to help you up yet?"

I nodded and held out my arms for him. "Take me to your bed." He winked at me and I punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Not funny." He laughed lightly as he picked me up and toted me off to this room and put me carefully in his bed. I wiggled around, pushing his pillows around until I dug out a hole to lie in. I stretched out; the only light on was coming from the Tv. I felt the baby shift to one side and grabbed Paul's hand so he could feel. "I'm tired of being pregnant already," I said softly.

His hand pushed up my shirt so he could feel my skin directly. The baby wiggled away when he lifted his hand up making him smile so brightly his eyes got a glint in them. I lifted my head and watched as he pressed the side of his face down on me, the baby stopped automatically. Paul rose back up and gave me an excited grin, the baby moved again. I shook my head, smiling at him as he played his game. The baby stopped whenever Paul was touching her, but if I did, she kept moving. Paul left his hands resting on her as he leaned up to whisper to my stomach.

"You already know who I am, don't you? I'm your dad."I let the word register. Paul was going to be a dad. "I'll bet you love me already. I'm sorry it's so hot in there for you but I can't help it. It's my genes overriding your mom's." He kissed my skin lightly. I felt a small flutter. "I'm sorry you have to listen to those grandmothers of yours bicker all the time too, they'll realize they're wrong soon enough." He rested his cheek on me again; I didn't even notice his warmth like I usually would. "Now, I'm going to let you go to sleep while I say goodnight to your beautiful mommy." He kissed my stomach yet again before sliding back up beside me.

"You know she doesn't actually know that it's you touching her, right?" I teased him. Paul kissed me suddenly, pressing his mouth against mine hungrily. I opened my mouth slightly, letting him push his tongue in. He was pressing himself against me as closely as he could. "Mmm... stop" I pushed on his chest as his mouth started down my neck, leaving hot kisses behind. "Stop," I said again before he finally did.

Paul gave me a quick peck on the lips and sat up. "I have to go out tonight. Don't try and get up though, okay? I'll run by the window every hour or two. Yell for mom if it's really important and just tell her I had an emergency with Jared or Sam."

I nodded, knowing he had to go. "Be careful." Paul scoffed at me as he got up and started stripping down so he could phase. "I don't need to be careful. I'm the scariest thing out there." He paused at the window. "Please don't get up while I'm gone." I waved him off and shifted in his bed.

"Just go. I need to rest up and be ready for the baby shower tomorrow."

"Bye. Love you," he said as he ducked out, not waiting for me to say it back.

I lost track of the time as I slept on and off waiting for Paul to slip back inside. I'd heard someone moving around the hallway a while ago and hoped they didn't peek in. I didn't want to even explain while he was gone. I tossed and turned, glancing at the clock. It was six. Where was he at? I sat up and started to get out of the bed little by little. I was getting stiff from sitting still for so long and I had to pee like crazy. I stood up and stretched and had just touched the doorknob when Paul dropped inside. I jumped at the thud he made.

"Where are you going?" He asked carefully.

I looked at him and felt a shiver of nervousness for a moment at his tone. It reminded me of a Paul I didn't want to think about. "No— nowhere," I said forcing a smile. He looked at me before reaching past me and opening the door.

"Go to the bathroom and come right back." I nodded and rushed out quickly.

I padded back to his room where he was standing at the mirror above his dresser, picking leaves out of his short hair. "Sorry about that. We had a few things to do that ran over." I didn't ask what. My stomach couldn't handle hearing about him tearing into vampires.

"I need to take a shower before ten," I told him as an afterthought. If it was between Paul or his mother sitting in there while I took a shower, I'd choose Paul. I held my stomach and laid back down into the warm sheets. No matter how long it'd been since Paul had dared to hurt me, I got nervous every time he used a certain tone when he spoke. Or when he moved too fast. Paul was observing me. I snuggled down into the blankets and stared back at him.

"What?" I finally asked. He shook his head and looked away.

"I wasn't going to do anything to you. You didn't have to flinch." I sat back up, rolling a bit.

"I know. I can't help it sometimes when I think you're mad, though." He nodded still not looking at me as he started getting some clothes.

"Go back to sleep, I'll wake you up in enough time, okay?" I nodded and curled up into a ball, feeling bad for thinking he'd hurt me right now. He was so in love with me and the baby he'd probably hurt himself trying to.

***************************

I frowned as I sat back in the recliner at Sam and Emily's; everyone around me was rushing to get everything in place and ready. There was pink everywhere. It looked like Emily had hosed the house down with Pepto Bismol or something. Paul had brought me over early; we only had a few minutes now until everyone started arriving. I placed a hand over my stomach as the baby fluttered inside of me.

"Is she moving?" Emily asked excitedly. I nodded and took her hand and pressed it to where the baby was fluttering. Kim was behind her waiting for a turn. I let them both feel, not bothered by the touching.

"What's so great about that?" I heard Embry say behind us. I turned my head to look at him and motioned for him to come closer. He gave us a suspicious look as he inched nearer. I got his hand and pushed it lower where the baby had moved to. "Cool," he muttered, pushing down to feel better. I jumped slightly when I saw Paul move to my side in a flash.

"Get your hand off," he snapped at Embry. Embry glanced at me before drawing back.

"I didn't do anything wrong," he protested.

"I don't care. Don't touch her or the baby," Paul snarled back, looking angry. I looked at Kim and Emily and shook my head at them. Embry glared back.

"I didn't hurt them. She said it was okay."

"I say it's not ok." Paul growled and started to vibrate. I felt a hint of panic watching them both start to shake. Emily gave them a shove out.

"Outside," she ordered backing up just as they both exploded and tore into each other wildly. My hand flew to my mouth as I watched them fight. "Don't cry," Emily whispered to me as she shut the door. "They'll be okay."

"They're going to hurt each other, though." I glimpsed at them through the window, watching as they shoved each other into the woods. I was worried as I sat there, trying not to let it show. Cars were pulling up now. Kim rubbed my shoulder.

"He'll be okay. Paul always fights." That was true. Paul was always arguing with the pack for a fight. I took a deep breath. A few minutes later Mrs. Kimkirk came in with three dark-haired ladies behind her. I sat up straighter and straightened my clothes out a bit. I'd put on a pink short sleeve shirt with a belt that cinched right above my stomach and a pair of khakis. I'd done my best to look girly like I preferred.

"Hi." I greeted them smiling. Mrs. Kimkirk smiled back while the ladies put their bags in the corner with the other presents that were piling up there. "Sarah, these are my sisters, Janet, Tori, and Simone." She pointed at each one as she introduced them to me. I smiled brightly at them and held out my hand.

"I'm Sarah," I said warmly. They looked at my hand like it was a piece of cardboard. I drew it back slowly, maybe they didn't shake hands. I glanced at the door, happy to see my mom had come after all. She brought several gift bags and sat them down before she came over and hugged me.

"Hey, sweetie." She sat down in the chair next to me. She looked at Paul's aunts and mom and gave them a smile, nodding. "Do you feel better today?"

I nodded and touched my stomach. "A lot better. I went to bed early last night."

Paul's aunt Tori's eyes flashed to me. "You don't live at home?" She asked in a surprisingly deep voice.

"She lives at home with us still," my mom said quickly, glancing at Mrs. Kimkirk. I shifted, feeling my cheeks flush. "Where else would she be?"

Aunt Simone laughed, the other two joining her before Mrs. Kimkirk shot them a look making them quiet down. Emily came into the room then, making me feel like I'd been saved from some sort of punishment and started passing out instructions to a game she wanted to play. I watched them as they all laughed and talked, glancing outside every few minutes. Paul's grandmother had made it in. She'd looked at me like a leper. I didn't understand why they didn't like me. They'd barely met me.

"So where is Paul at?" One of the aunts asked looking at his mom. Mrs. Kimkirk glanced at me.

"I honestly don't know. Sarah, is Paul coming back by?" I knew this was her way of getting us to talk friendly to each other. I nodded quickly.

"He's coming back in a bit. He went with Sam and Embry to check their traps and run to Makah."

My mom had walked off to help Emily get plates of snacks ready for everyone so I was alone with them. "Now that's where he could have found a nice girl," his grandmother said pointedly, giving me a hard look. I looked down at the wooden floorboards as Aunt Janet nodded in agreement.

"I'd always hoped he'd stay with that nice Holly Kory. She's such a sensible girl."

I felt a pang when they mentioned her. Holly had always been a sore spot between me and Paul for obvious reasons. "Paul still has time to find someone though," Aunt Simone said looking at me for a reaction. Mrs. Kimkirk cleared her throat.

"Paul's got a baby on the way that he needs to focus on," she said stiffly looking at them. "A baby from a very nice young lady that's still sitting here in front of you." I met her eyes and tried to show my thanks. She nodded and cut a hard look at the women beside her. "Sarah's doing everything our way. She's having a midwife deliver on the reservation. She's been on rest for a few days so forgive her if she doesn't speak much. I'm sure she doesn't feel well."

"At least she's doing things the right way. That baby is Quileute." They chattered now about midwives versus hospitals while I was brought present after present to open up-- sleepers, onesies, a bouncer, a highchair, tons of gift cards and numerous yellow items.

"Thank you," I said after each one. I was ready to get out of here. I didn't care what I got anymore. My mom and Emily collected the paper and tissue while Mrs. Kimkirk went to get the picture of the car seat she'd bought and didn't have room to haul in with everything else. I was left with the evil ones again.

"You know, Paul always has had strange taste in girls," Aunt Tori said in a stage whisper to Aunt Simone. I pretended like I didn't hear them as I read over cards. "I don't know what he wanted with this one. From the looks of her, its probably not even Paul's child she's carrying."

I pushed the cards back off of my lap and stood up for the first time all afternoon. I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks. I started walking to the door when I heard them laughing at me. "She thought we wouldn't know she was staying over with him." The grandmother clicked her tongue only making more tears fall as I went out the door, shutting it softly. What cruel women, I thought as I cried, trying not to sob. I walked partway to the woods near the house and stood there trying to get my bearings back.

I knew I only had a few minutes before Emily and my mom would come looking for me. I sniffled as I remembered what they'd said. Probably not even Paul's baby they'd whispered. I heard a snap of branches and Sam, Embry and Paul started emerging from the woods little by little. "What's wrong?" Paul asked, spotting me immediately. He came over to me. I shook my head and wiped my eyes.

"Nothing. I'm just being stupid is all."

He glanced toward the house "Come on," he said grabbing my hand. Sam and Embry lagged back pretending they'd forgotten something. I went inside first. The aunts were cackling some more.

"Paul will come to his senses," I heard one of them say. Paul looked at me and back at them. I grabbed his hand back in mine.

"Don't. I don't care." He pulled me past the couch in front of them, his eyes flashing.

"Paul!" they all exclaimed at once. "I wasn't expecting you to show up while we were here, honey." His grandma smiled brightly at him.

Paul glared at them. "I don't think you were. That's why you were treating Sarah so badly." None of them spoke for a moment. I was aware that mom, Emily, and Mrs. Kimkirk were standing in the doorway now.

"We were just playing around," Aunt Simone said quickly. Paul snorted at her.

"Doesn't look like it." He glanced at his mom before he continued. "Do you four realize that if you upset my girlfriend enough right now she'll lose my baby? Or that just by walking outside to get away from you, you could have stressed her enough to cause her to miscarry?"

They were all silent and still as statues as he spoke venomously to them. Mrs. Kimkirk just watched along with my mother. "It's your fault if something happens to my girlfriend or my baby tonight when she calms down. I hope you'll be able to live with that." His body shook for a moment. I squeezed his hand.

"Calm down, Paul. Please calm down," I whispered to him. He nodded at me and took a deep breath.

"I'm going back outside with the guys, and if you upset her again, you'll regret it," he warned. He leaned over and kissed my cheek before he headed out. They looked at me as Emily pushed me down into a chair.

"Don't get up again, you're going to make yourself upset." She handed me a plate with cake on it. I didn't even want the cake I'd been looking forward to anymore. I felt like a cry baby.

"I'm okay," I told her, wiping under my eyes again. I dropped one hand to feel the baby flutter. The aunts were looking at me curiously now.

"I didn't know there was anything wrong with the baby, Sarah. I'm so sorry I was so horrible to you." Aunt Janet apologized. I looked at her for a moment as Aunt Tori said kindly.

"I didn't know Paul was that protective over you." I bit my bottom lip, feeling tears well up again as they spoke to me. I brushed my cheeks as a few more fell down.

"Awe, Sarah don't cry," Mrs. Kimkirk said soothingly. She leaned down beside me and hugged me "It's okay. No one else is going to say a word to you." I nodded, feeling like a child as she pushed my cake at me. "Now eat some of your cake, okay? Mrs. Narata made it for you."

"I don't feel good," I whispered to her. "I want Paul." She nodded and Emily looked at me before going outside quickly. "Do you hurt, Sarah?" I nodded slowly. I hurt, just not bad. I'd say it though if it meant Paul would stay with me. My mom's cool hand felt my forehead.

"You've had a busy day."

Emily came in with Paul following behind her closely. She stood back and let him walk past her into the living room. "Sarah… what's wrong, honey?" He asked as he took his mom's spot beside me. I shook my head.

"I don't feel good. Finish opening the presents your family brought you." I wasn't touching them. Paul could take their presents home with him. He looked at me and opened the first present as I shoved a forkful of cake into my mouth and chewed it slowly. He ripped the paper off of a huge basket. It was filled up with baby items-- baby wash, shampoo, wipes, diapers, towels… everything that you could think of. It read from Aunt Janet. Paul thanked her and ripped open the next one. It was another basket filled with odds and ends.

The last one was a card. Paul opened it up slowly and read it to himself. Everyone was staring at him before he realized he was supposed to read it out loud. He passed it to me, letting me see what was taking him so long. It read From Grandma to by dearest grandson. Enclosed was five hundred dollars. "Um, thank you grandma," he said slowly as he got up and hugged her tightly. I didn't say anything, I just passed it back to him. I didn't want it. I was still upset by them.

Soon everyone started to trickle out little by little. I'd met more people on the reservation than I'd ever noticed before. They all knew Paul or his mom or my dad in some way. I waved good-bye to the ones that were leaving, Paul's family hung around until everyone had left. Paul's hand was resting on my stomach while he sat beside me, not leaving for a moment. I listened until they finally got the courage to ask exactly what was wrong with me and the baby. I looked at Paul and nodded as I sipped out of his glass of punch.

"Sarah tries to do too much on her own and doesn't let herself rest properly. She's under a lot of emotional stress right now from all of us. It just took its toll on her the other night and she had an accident while she was at the house with me. She can't get too upset or move around lot for a week or two. It'll make her lose the baby if it's bad enough next time."

They looked at each other for a moment, looks of worry. "We're all so sorry we were so terrible to you. We just didn't want Paul to end up with a... well... someone not Native American, honestly. And you just don't seem like you're going to be able to take care of a baby by yourself." I looked at the one who was speaking to me for the group. I swallowed hard before answering.

"No one has wanted us to be together since we laid eyes on each other. They're all learning to accept that we're together whether they like it or not. And I'm perfectly able to take care of a baby by myself. I'm not as stupid as I may look to you." I knew I could have been nicer, but I didn't want to be. Paul's grandmother nodded.

"I can see now that you must know what you're doing. You've got my grandson wrapped around your fingers." I couldn't help but smile at that. Paul was far from being tamed. He still had a lot to learn about taking care of babies on his own. I listened as he talked with the women before they finally left. I was ready to go home and relax.