Chapter 15 – Aftermath

Blurry indigo blue eyes opened slowly. Warmth was radiating through her whole left hand. The familiar face of Paul came into view. Antonia smiled weakly as Paul stood up, "Hey baby...How are you feeling?" Toni blinked a couple of times and she could feel a dull ache in the back of her head, "Sore." She started to touch the back of it when her free hand when Paul grabbed her hand, "Don't you've have stitches. They had to stitch you up, they couldn't get the bleeding to stop." She blinked a few more times as she tried to wake herself up more, "Wow what did they give me?"

Paul chuckled a bit, "They gave you some morphine to help with the pain, you tried fighting them when they made me leave and then when they tried to stitch you up. Billy called your dad. Sam and the other's finally got Brady calmed down. Emily is in the waiting room with Sam, Kim, Jared, Jake and Karen. Karen was so pissed off she started screaming at Brady at the top of her lungs."

Antonia frowned, "So it was Brady. The salt and pepper colored wolf that came after me...wasn't it?" Paul hated to nod and confirm it was, because next huge tears started rolling down her cheeks, "Why would he attack me...I don't understand. Why was he so mad Paul?" Paul sat next to her on the hospital bed as he carefully pulled her into his arms, as she buried her face in his t-shirt covered chest, he was careful not to touch the back of her head where the stitches were, "I don't know baby. I just don't know. Sam thinks it's because he has seen himself as your protector since you were sick and that in some way I'm encroaching on his territory."

Antonia nodded, "I know, but I didn't know he was supposed to phase with you guys...I wouldn't have yelled at him and upset him if I knew." Paul gripped her shoulders as he pushed her back far enough to look down in her eyes, "This was not your fault. I don't want to hear you blame yourself for it. The same thing happened to the rest of us. Something just pissed us off and we phased, I guess it's the way it's supposed to happen. But it's definitely not your fault. Sam yelled at him pretty good, he should've known to stay away from you after he phased, but instead he pursued you and it was wrong. We are designed to protect people who aren't bloodsuckers and he wasn't doing that."

Toni buried her face back into his chest, "God, dad is going to be so mad." Paul softly kissed the top of her head, "Don't even worry about it right now. You concentrate on feeling better, the hospital said they were going to release you in the morning, by then your dad should be here, Brady is definitely going to be grounded and you're head hopefully will feel better."

Antonia looked up at Paul with pleading eyes, "Are you staying with me?" Paul nodded, "I'm not going to leave my soul mate here by herself. Are you crazy? If I know you're not safe at home in bed or at my place, than I won't be able to relax. I'm staying here all night. You couldn't get rid of me even if an army of bloodsuckers stormed the hospital." Toni couldn't help but giggle into his chest.

Paul carefully lifted her into his arms as he moved himself into the middle of the bed as he gentle set her down between his legs, she laid on her side with her head resting on his chest right over his heart and the soft thumping lulled her to sleep. Her even breathing made his eye lids heavy as he too slipped into a peaceful slumber. A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders knowing she was okay. For a split second he was almost sure he was going to have to hurt Brady for doing that to his sister...Brady didn't understand the imprint bond. Sam would have to explain it as well as their father.

Paul wasn't going anywhere...Ever! He loved Antonia far too much to ever do anything to lose her.

The following morning, Antonia was released from the hospital. Paul drove her home in his truck and as predicted, she saw the Forks squad car sitting out front of her house, along with a couple of others. Paul parked as he got out and wrapped his arm around her waist keeping her steady, she was a little shaky and woozy from the mild concussion she had.

Before they got to the porch steps, Paul watched as she swayed a little, Paul shook his head, "Sorry but I'm not trying to dominate you, but I'm not about to let you get hurt worse." He gently lifted her into his arms, as her arms went around his neck, she rested her forehead against the side of his head, "Thanks big guy." As she placed a soft kiss on his temple as he smiled softly, "Anytime beautiful." She smiled again as she kissed his temple again.

Once they got into the house, Jake and Karen watched as Paul carefully set Toni on her feet, Karen and Emily were the first to get to her and hug her softly. Jake and Sam watched as the girls fussed over her as they led her over to the couch. Antonia heard the footsteps as she looked up and smiled when her dad walked into the living room. She stood up as he crossed the room in two long strides and pulled her into his arms and cradled her against his chest, minding the back of her head.

Adam frowned, "I'm so sorry baby girl. I should've warned you. I should've gotten permission from Sam and the counsel and told you what was going to happen so you could've avoided Brady." Antonia shook her head slowly, "It's okay dad...I'm alright. I promise." Adam's frown deepened, "Yea but you almost weren't alright. I swear I'm going to kill your brother." Antonia looked up at her dad as she shook her head, "No don't dad please. It wasn't Brady fault. He can't help it."

Footsteps jogged down the stairs, as Antonia's eyes went to the figure standing at the bottom of the stairs. Paul growled when he saw Brady standing there. Brady held up his hands. Paul scowled until he felt a hand on his forearm, he looked down and calmed himself immediately as his eyes locked onto his beautiful imprint, she smiled softly, "It's okay Paul. He's my baby brother. Accidents happen."

Antonia slowly walked over and stood staring her baby brother in the eyes. She almost couldn't believe how much he'd grown in a couple of days since he'd started phasing. Brady looked ashamed of himself, he suddenly blinked a huge tears slid down his russet colored cheeks, "I'm sorry Antonia. I didn't know I was supposed to phase...I swear to God I didn't know. I'm so sorry about all the hatful words and things I said to you. I didn't realize I'd phased until Sam calmed me down...I would've never...Not in a million years...I love you, you're my best friend T."

Antonia couldn't help but let her tears flow freely, as she touched his cheek as her smile was watered down, "It's okay Brady. I understand. I forgive you. I know you wouldn't have intentionally hurt me. You've been my best friend since you was born baby brother. I love you with all my heart."

Antonia pulled Brady down into a hug, as he wrapped his arms around her and slightly lifted her off the floor, Brady hugged her tighter but not so tight he'd hurt her, "I really am sorry about what I said Toni...I didn't know you was Paul's imprint. He seems like a really good dude. I completely deserved to get my ass kicked by him." Antonia couldn't help but giggle, "He is a good guy B...I love him...and I'm pretty sure he loves me too."

Paul super wolf hearing being what it was he smirked, "You bet your ass I do. More than my own life. And I'd kick his ass all over again if I had to." Brady placed Antonia on her feet as Paul walked up and carefully steadied her against his chest and body, he could tell she was getting tired. Paul looked over at Adam, "I'm gonna take her upstairs." Adam just nodded; he knew right then he'd never have to worry about Antonia's safety again. Sam had explained what Paul had done to safe Antonia from Brady.

Paul waited until Toni was asleep before he left her a note letting her know he had to patrol until 3 AM and then he'd be back to check on her and to call Sam and Emily's if she needed anything.

Paul walked down stairs and Adam was standing on the front porch when Paul walked out of the house. Adam put his hand out with his head held high, as Paul shook his hand firmly. Adam cleared his throat, "I wanted to personally thank you for saving Antonia. She is my only daughter. I'm proud of the way you handled the situation, Sam told me everything. I wanted to let you know, that when you're ready to ask Antonia to marry you...You will get no objections from me. I know she couldn't live the rest of her life without you. And I'll damn sure be proud to have you as a part of the family and even prouder to call you son."

For once in his life, Paul was completely speechless as he nodded and left to go on patrol.