Chapter 9 - Apology Accepted

Adam pulled up to his house as he excited the Forks PD police car. He noticed the beat up blue pick-up in the drive way and even more noticed the huge figure sitting on the steps of the porch. Adam walked over to the steps as he cleared his throat and Paul's head shot up and looked at Antonia's father. Paul stood up as Adam held up his hand, "Stay seated you looked...sort of comfortable. I'm sure that wooden step is doing nothing for your butt. Should I ask why you're sitting out here and my daughter is in her room?"

Paul furrowed his eyes browed, "What are you talking about sir?" Adam quirked an index finger at Paul, who stood up and went over and stood next to him as Adam pointed up to his daughters window, sure enough Paul could see her sitting in her window seat. She wasn't looking down at them but staring out into the woods. Paul shoved his hands into his front pockets, "She's sort of pissed at me."

Adam chuckled, "Antonia is a bit of a stubborn ass. What happened?" Paul made a face and couldn't believe he was about to tell the truth about what happened, but he wasn't about to lie to the man, he trusted him with his daughter. He couldn't lie...There was no way. Paul sighed heavily, "Well ya see sir. I took Antonia to the cliffs were some of my friends and I cliff dive. Purely with the intentions of her getting to see the view and possibly the sunset. Quil and Embry started goofing around and started shoving each other around and Embry shoved Quil too hard and he bumped into Antonia and accidentally shoved her off the cliff."

Adam tensed a bit. Clearly she was okay otherwise he would've gotten a phone call. Paul cringed, "I jumped in directly after her and she was laughing...Like she enjoyed it. once I got her to shore I was checking her over and she got mad and said I was acting like you." Adam chuckled, "That sounds like my daughter. I'm not sure if I should be offended because she claimed you was acting like me. She's always been a bit of a rebel. She used to jump of my bed into a bean bag chair, then she started jumping off the bunk beds that were in her brothers room when he had company over and landing in the bean bag chair. She's scared to death of heights, but when forced into a situation she has a nervous laugh about her. Sometimes she laughs at inappropriate times. I think her having cancer at such a young age has matured her faster then she really wanted too. I imagine when she's healthier she would jump with you, she always says she'd try anything once."

Paul frowned, "I didn't mean to upset her. I just got the shit scared out of me and then I was pissed at the guys. Which I still haven't dealt with them yet. But I will before the night is up." Adam chuckled as he patted Paul on the back, "Don't be too hard on your friends. Accident's will happen. As long as she's still in one piece and an Emergency room visit wasn't needed then it wasn't anything that was too extreme. I know you probably thought I was an asshole today, but it was a knee jerk reaction. I hadn't smelt that wolf scent in a long time. Maybe it just woke up all my senses. A part of me was worried you was trying to get with her without her being your imprint and I wasn't going to allow that to happen."

Paul shook his head, "No sir. Hell if all I really wanted was a quick lay, I wouldn't be taking the time to get to know her. I feel the pull. It feels amazing. I look forward to telling her the truth soon. I want her to know she's my soul mate and if I'm worried it's for a good reason, not just because I'm trying to act like you or spoil her happiness."

Adam nodded in full understanding and agreement, "I've had her sheltered for the last seven months of her life. The cancer was a huge scare and a complete shock. Out of everyone in the family Antonia and Brady are the healthiest. So her getting so sick so fast was a big wake up call. I didn't let her go or do anything. I know it was probably too over protective so her getting pissed off at you is definitely my fault and I'll take the blame for that one. Hell I wouldn't even let her go to the movies. At one point I didn't even let her go to the going away party her friends planned and threw for her. Which at that point I realized there was such a thing as being too over protective. But I know you'll protect her with everything you have inside of you and you'll be able to know when to back off and let her smile reign free. Me letting her go with you is my part for acknowledging I can't protect her from everything and also knowing if I can't be there you will."

Adam held his hand out and Paul shook it, but was taken by surprise when the older man pulled him closer and gave him a one armed manly hug. "Safe and happy. That's all she needs right now. I trust you. You don't have to tell me every time something happens, that doesn't go according to plans." Paul smiled as he pulled back and nodded.

Adam walked inside as Paul took a seat on the steps again. Adam walked upstairs as he went to pass his daughter's bedroom door as it opened and she looked up at him, he smiled softly. Toni looked down, "He told you didn't he?" Adam nodded, "Yes he was very up front about it and told me the truth. Why are you so mad at him Toni?"

Antonia sighed heavy, "Because I'm stupid. I overreacted. I just...I just didn't want him thinking that he can protect me from everything...You know...Like you did. I really like him dad. He's nice and sweet and caring...He's completely perfect in every way. I realize he's going to protect me like you do." Adam chuckled, "From the second you step foot out the door until you come back in the house, he's never going to stop protecting you. And I know I over protected, but you've got to give him a chance. He has to get into the swing, he'll learn when to protect you and when to let you go on your own and make your own mistakes." Adam brushed his lips against her forehead.

Adam turned to go to his room for sleep, when he looked back at her. Antonia was chewing her lips, Adam smirked, "Don't make him wait much longer. You've punish him enough Antonia. Go talk to him." Toni nodded as she pulled on her zip up hoodie and walked down stairs and out the front door. She quietly pulled the front door closed behind her.

"I'm sorry Paul."

Paul jumped to his feet when he heard her voice. He spun around and looked up at her as she walked along the porch to the steps. Paul rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "I didn't mean to lose my temper." Antonia walked down the steps and stopped on the bottom one as she put her fingers over his lips to silence him.

Toni shook her head, "It's not your fault. I overreacted and I'm sorry. You was scared and worried and I snapped at you for no reason. I shouldn't punish you for the way dad reacted when I was first sick...But you have to know technically I'm not sick anymore. The cancer is in remission and I want to just live my life like it's not there...at least until or if it ever comes back. But I want to live my life with you in it. It wouldn't be any fun without you. And you are right about one thing. I would miss you too had I never met you."

Paul smiled softly, "Apology accepted."

Antonia smiled huge. Paul looked at her and knew she was grinning evilly for a reason, suddenly without warning, Antonia jumped into his arms as she wrapped her legs around his waist, he caught her with ease as her lips crashed down onto his. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he had one arm under her bottom and the other around her waist holding her tight against his body. Fully enjoying her lips against his.

Yea being with her was definitely going to be interesting...as he felt his heart beat race and his blood pressure rise.