ps i love you more Chapter 18, a twilight fanfic

xA/N: see? ih toldd youu ih had it readyy, ih just had to finish typing it upp :Dx

xEighteenxPaul POVx

I roll slightly to my left, looking at the clock on my bedside table.

Seven Forty, it reads. Almost eight is an oohk time to wake up, right? I get quietly out of bed and go take a shower.

Not ten minutes later I hear the bathroom door open before Vanessa suddenly climbs into the shower with me.

"Hey, babe," I greet her.

"Mm, hey Paul," she scrubs some coconut smelling shampoo into her hair.

"Babe, you're up early," I observe.

"Couldn't sleep," she murmurs back.

"I know what you mean," I smile.

"Ready for today?" she asks.

"Yeah, of course; the choice is hers, though. If she wants to stay there, she can." I say.

"I'm nervous; what if she doesn't like me?" she asks.

"She'll love you; it might take her a bit to come around, but don't worry. Ooh, and if she's anything like she used to be, she asks so many questions." I smile at the memory.

"Great," she laughs. "Just kidding, it'll be fine."

"So, what do we do until noon?" she asks.

"Besides showering together?" I ask impishly.

"Yes, Paul, besides shower fucking," she kisses my jaw suggestively and grins up at me.

"Hey Paul?" I hear Vanessa ask from the closet. I go and stand next to her bra and pantie clad form.

"Yeah, babe?" I ask.

"I need to go maternity shopping soon," her face lights up at the thought of shopping.

"How about we go after we hit the Makah rez to see Mel?" I suggest.

"Sure, we can bring her," she smiles. "We'll have girl time."

"What about me?" I ask.

"You, Paul Meraz, need more clothing, too. You're a big boy, you can shop for yourself." She raises her eyebrows as it she doubts that I can.

"Fine," I grumble. "I guess I can."

She laughs before pulling on some grey skinny jeans, making my wolf howl in contentment with my imprint wearing my color.

She pulls on a white tanktop and a tight grey sweater dress that went down only to higher on her sexy thighs.

She pulls out her grey flip flops and turns to me. "Ready," she smiles.

"Sweatshirt please," I ask.

She makes a face up at me before snatching my grey and black plaid flannel type jacket that I haven't used since way before I was a wolf and does it up.

"Better?" she asks sarcastically.

"Yup," I pop the 'p' and head out towards her truck.

"Paul, it's only eight-thirty." She tells me.

"I know," I say. "I'm bringing you to breakfast," I grab her around the waist.

"Oohk," she smiles.

"Keys?" I ask, holding out my hand.

"Nope, I'm driving," she smiles.

"Keys," I repeat myself, inching closer to her.

"No," she says defiantly.

I raise an eyebrow and crush my lips to hers, sneaking a hand down to her pocket. I snag the keys and pull back triumphantly. "I win, thanks babe," I grin.

"Paul Meraz, give me my keys back!" she shouts.

"Please? You can drive to and from the mall after we go to the Makah," I offer.

"Fine," she grumbles.

"Thank you," I smile and kiss her before getting in the driers seat.

We ride to the diner in a comfortable silence and I lead her in.

"This place is cute," she smiles as we sit at the couples table in the corner.

"Yeah, I like it here," I say as Sue approaches us.

"Hey Sue!" Vanessa exclaims.

"Hey Ness, Paul," she greets us. "Paul, the usual?" she asks.

"Yes ma'am," I smile up at her.

"And what would you like, Vanessa?" she asks.

"Um…orange juice with two pieces of French toast and home fries," she says. "Please," she tacks on after a few seconds.

Sue walks away before I turn to Vanessa. "Hey, babe?" I ask.

"Mm?" she looks up and meets my eyes.

"I know you and your dad speak French and all, but your mom speaks Hungarian. Do you speak Hungarian?" I ask.

"I know Korean, too. And Russian," she smiles.

"Really?" I ask.

"I trained for a few years in Korea and Russia each, ergo, learning their language," she picks at her napkin.

"I see," I say as Sue brings out the food to our table, balanced skillfully on her arms.

"Paul," she hands me my food stacked on three plates, "And Vanessa," she smiles kindly and retreats back to the kitchen.

"Thanks, Sue!" Nessa calls out to her before beginning to eat. It's silent until we're both done.

"Nessa?" I ask.

"Paul," she mimics me.

"Its ten, should we get going?"

"Yeah…how far is the Makah rez from here?" she asks.

"Around an hour or so," I recall.

"We've got time," she says.

"Yeah, but why don't we get going anyways, just in case," I say.

"You worry too much," she tells me as she stands up. I grab the bill quickly before she can as Sue places it down and smiles.

"Fine, but I leave the tip," she says as she throws down a twenty.

"That's fine," I smile and laugh. I place the book back down on the table with the money for the bill in it and take Vanessa's hand as we go out to the car.

"Why don't we go window shopping for a little while because we'll be getting there early," I suggest as I start her truck.

"That sounds fun," she smiles as we pull out of the parking lot.

"Window shopping still oohk?" I ask.

"Yeah, of course," she smiles up at me and hops out of the truck.

"If you find anything that you like, let me know, and it's yours," I tell her.

"Babe, you don't have to buy me things." She tells me.

"Its oohk, I want to," I tell her. She merely shrugs so I slide my arm around her waist as we walk next to each other.

"You know, I'm really not as high of a maintenance type of girl as you seem to think I am," she looks up at me.

"Oh are you, now?" I ask teasingly.

"Mhm," she raises her eyebrows at me just as teasingly.

"We'll see," I kiss her lightly and lead her into a cute looking antique shop.

She slips silently away from me and I lose her below the shelves.

I look around for a few minutes and don't find her and begin to panic.

"Vanessa?" I call out.

"Yeah," she appears next to me with a shopping bag in her hand.

Thank god, I sigh mentally. "Where were you?" I ask.

"Looking around," she replies innocently.

"What's in the bag?" I ask.

"What bag?" she asks.

"The one in your hand," I tell her.

"What are you talking about?" she asks innocently.

I shake my head and smile before taking her hand and leading her out of the shop. "By the time we get back to the car and then find the place, it'll be twelve," I explain to her as we get into the truck and I start it.

"Yeah, it's already eleven thirty," she says and buckles her seatbelt.

xAt the foster placexVanessa POVx

"Ready?" I twine my fingers through his and loom up at his face. "Babe, its oohk, I'm nervous too," I whisper to him.

He swallows and nods before opening the drivers' side door and sliding out. I get out and walk around the truck to stand next to him. I twine my fingers through his and begin towards the front door.

I listen quietly and hear many voices talking and laughter from inside.

I knock timidly on the door and step back to wait.

The door opens to reveal a teen with an infant on her hip. "Mrs. Wilson's foster care home, can I help you?"

"We'd like to speak with Mrs. Wilson," Paul rumbles quietly.

"Of…of course; come right in and I'll go and get her," she turns and hurries down the hall.

"You're Paul Meraz?" an older, kind looking woman walks towards us.

"And my fiancée, Vanessa." He tells her in his amazingly sexy deep bass voice.

"Nice to meet you," she shakes both of our hands.

"They're having lunch right now, so why don't we go into my office and chat," she suggests.

"That's fine," I say and follow her in.

"Hey, Melanie!" I hear a small child's voice call. "Isn't that-" then the door shuts and I don't get to hear anything more.

"So, you're here to take Melanie home, correct?" she asks us.

"Only if she wants to come with us," Paul rumbles his response.

"Well that's nice; giving her the choice; the chance to be happy." She tells us both. "This is the paperwork that needs to be filled out in order for you two to take her home." She pushes the papers towards us.

"We should fill them out now, so that if she does choose to come home with us, it's already done," I suggest quietly.

"Yeah," Paul says. "That's a good idea," he mumbles, picking up a pen. "Ness?"

"Yeah?" I ask.

"You'll be a legal guardian, too, right?" he asks in an unusually small voice.

"If that's what you'd like, or course I will," I say, elated. He wants me to be her mother figure. Me. I grin so tightly that I think I'm about to cry from happiness. Damn fucking hormones, I mentally curse estrogen.

"Here," he hands over the paper and a pen as he continues to skim through and sign or mark places occasionally.

I sign the few places deeded for guardianship of Melanie and wait as he slowly passes over the following three papers.

I finally sign the last of the spots and slide them all back to Mrs. Wilson.

"Here you go, Mrs. Wilson," I say as she hands over a signed form of guardianship to the both of us.

"Please, call me Jaime; now you both need to sign all three of these copies, one for myself, and one for each of the two of you, showing that you are aware and willing to take full responsibility for Melanie from now on, letting me know that you will, and letting anybody know that I gave permission to give back custody." She smiles.

We both sign them quickly before handing one back to her and each keeping one. "Would you like to see her now?" she asks.

"Please," Paul says.

"Alone, or around the other kids?"

"Which ever she'd like," he responds, rising.

"Alright, we'll just go out and see if she recognizes you; we'll go from there," Jaime opens the door and heads down the hall towards the playing children.

We stand there, hand-in-hand and silent for a whole thirty-two seconds before a little tan skinned, dark haired girl suddenly looks up and asks, "Paulie?"

"Mel-mel?' he responds sweetly.

"PAULIE!" she screams, launching herself at him. He releases my hand and catches her in mid air before crushing her to his body in a loving embrace.

"Hi, Mel, how've you been?" he asks her.

"Good. Mrs. Wilson is really nice," she smiles.

"That's good," Paul smiles happily.

"Paulie," Melanie asks. "Who's she?" Mel reaches for me.

"Hi Melanie," I take her from Paul. "I'm Vanessa," I hug her.

"Are you Paulie's girlfriend?" she asks sweetly.

"Absolutely," I smile at her.

"What's in here?" she asks, pressing a small hand to my stomach.

"A baby," I reply. Her face brightens up as she smiles.

"Really?" she asks.

"Mhm," I smile.

"Is it a girl baby? Or a boy baby?"

"I don't know yet," I answer honestly.

"Have I seen you on the TV?" she asks.

"Did you watch ice skating at the Olympics?" I ask as she nods a quick bob. "Then, yes," I say.

"What were you wearing?"

"A black dress with blue sparkles," I smile.

"Ooh, I think I remember you. Didn't you fall?" she asks triumphantly.

Damn, I think. "Yeah."

"What happened? You didn't get up," she reminds me.

"I broke my leg." I tell her.

"Oww, where?"

I put her down so I can show her. "Here," I point to the front bone in my calf. "Here," the back one, "And here," my thigh. "And I almost broke here," I point to my knee.

"Oww," she scrunches her face. "That had to hurt," she says.

"Yeah," I laugh quietly.

"You're pretty, you were a really good skater," she says quietly.

"Thanks," I crouch down and give her a hug.

"So, Melanie," Paul calls her attention back to him. "Vanessa and I were wondering if you wanted to come and live with us back in La Push." He says to her.

"Really?" she squeals. "Will I be able to see Claire again?" she asks.

"Of course, and you'll be the babies auntie when it's born," he smiles.

Her eyes get big and doe like with excitement before squealing.

"Yay! I'm going home with Paulie and Vanessa and the baby!" she yells.

I smile and wince as a I feel like I've been punched in the gut, putting one hand on my lower back, and one on the underside of my stomach. What was that? I wonder, thinking hard for a moment.

My first kick, I realize. The baby kicked. I was four months pregnant now, so it did make sense. Melanie's screech must have startled him.

Paul takes my hand and walks behind Mel to the room that the girls all shared here. "You oohk, babe?" he whispers into my ear.

"Mel's screech startled him, that's all. He kicked," I smile, wincing and rubbing my belly and back as he kicks again.

"Why don't I give you a backrub when we get home?" he offers.

"Mm, I'd love you forever," I smile and hug him before grabbing his hand and placing it on my stomach just in time for him to feel the third kick.

"Was that her?" he asks, wide eyed. I smile and nod as Melanie comes back over with a small bag on her back and a pillow.

"Ready?" Paul asks her.

She nods and smiles before taking my free hand and leading us down the hall.

Jaime meets us at the end by the door and kneels down to Melanie's height. She gives her a loving hug before standing back up and turning to us.

"Call me with any questions or problems you may have," she smiles and shakes both of our hands before opening the door. "Good luck to you all, bye Melanie," she sings and watches us drive away.

"Melanie?" Paul asks from the passenger seat. "Do you want to go shopping with Vanessa and I?" he asks.

"Do I get a new skirt?" she asks.

"Of course," he smiles.

"Oohk," she smiles and stares contentedly out the window. I grab my phone and put it next to me before snagging my iPod and setting it to my playlist.

"Babe, I'll do that, just pay attention to the road," he goes to snag it.

"It's good, I'm set," I place it down as 'Stolen,' by Dashboard Confesionals comes on. "Car concert!" I smile wide.

We watched the season pull up its own stage

And catch the last weekend of the last week

Before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced

Another sun soaked season fades away

You have stolen my heart

Invitation only grant farewells

Crash the best one of the best ones

Clear liquor and cloudy eyed, too early to say goodnight

You have stolen my heart

And from the ballroom floor we are a celebration

One good stretch before our hibernation

Our dreams assured and we all; we'll sleep well

Sleep well

I look into my rear view mirror and see Mel dancing in her seat and smile, continuing to sing along to the lyrics, having a car concert in my own little world.

You have stolen [my heart]

You have stolen my…heart!

And watch you spin around

In your highest heels

You are the best one

Of the best ones

We all look like we…feel!

You have stolen my [heart]

You have stolen my…heart!

"I like that song," Melanie observes out loud as the final drum beat ends.

"Well that's good, I do too," I smile and pull into the parking lot of the mall.

"What are we buying today?" she asks as she hops out of my truck.

"Well, Paul needs some clothes, I need some clothes, you want some clothes, and we need to buy furniture for your room and the baby's room." I tell her. "So we're going clothes shopping today, and maybe furniture tomorrow or next weekend." I say.

"And then I'm buying us all some dinner." Paul adds.

"That's fair," I smile.

"Where?" Melanie perks up.

"We'll see," he leads us through the malls crowded halls until we find the maternity store.

"So, do I get to shop with you, or do I have to go shop for me?" he asks, trying to look innocent. "Go on, big boy. Mel and I are going to have some big girl time shopping together; oohkay?" I look at Mel and she's got a million dollar smile plastered on her face.

"Fine," Paul grumbles, sulking off down the mall, looking for his own store to shop in.

"Ready, Mel? You and I are going shopping for me here, and then we'll go somewhere else for you, sound good?" I ask.

She nods happily and takes my hand as we head over to the everyday clothes.

"Vanessa, look what I found!" she smiles proudly and holds up a pink tanktop with sparkles on the chest and straps.

"That's cute Mel, should I try it on?" I smile, taking it from her.

She nods and goes back to looking. I smile and begin to look through the rack next to her; keeping and eye on her all the while.

A cartful of clothes picked out by Mel and I later, I find us in the dressing room, her sitting on the bench, and myself in front of the mirror.

"Pretty," she comments from the opposite wall.

"You think so?" I ask, turning this way and that.

"Mhm," she giggles.

I pull the last piece of clothing over my head and pull my won clothes back on before leading her out to the front desk with me to pay.

"Woah," Melanie comments as the cashier manages to fit everything into four giant bags. "Can I carry one?" she asks.

"Sure," I hand her the lighter of the bunch.

"Me shopping now?" she asks excitedly.

"Yes, we'll go shop for you now," I smile at the huge grin on her face as we head towards the Old Navy and Children's Place.

Hey, where are you guys? xP I check my phone and receive from Paul.

At Claire's; help, Mel wants her ears pierced. xVMaix I send back.

So let her, I don't see why not, xP he responds.

Oohk, thx xVMaix I send back and turn to Mel.

"Paul said its oohk. Did you pick out the earrings you want?" I ask her.

"Yay!" she squeals. "These ones," she points to the pink flowers.

"Alright," I turn to the woman behind the counter. "Pink flowers for the piercing for Miss Melanie here," I inform her.

"Alright, pink flowers it is," she smiles. "It might hurt a little," she warns Melanie.

"Oohk," she smiles and climbs up onto the seat by the counter.

"Ready, one…two…three," she shoots one earring through her right ear. Mel jumps but doesn't cry or react in any other way. "One…two…three!" she gets the left one in and is all done.

"Thank you," Mel smiles as she hops down. I smile and go to the counter to pay. "Thanks Vanessa," she hugs my leg. I pat her head and smile.

"How are my two favorite girls doing?" Paul's arms appear around my swelling stomach from behind. I twist and look up at him.

"Good," I smile. "We had fun."

"Good, good," she smiles. "I'll take these," he snags the bags away from me.

"Paul, why don't you go wait in the truck, Mel and I will be right out." I smile at him. "We have a few more girlie stops to make," I smile down at her as she grins brightly back up at me.

"Alright…" he says unsurely. "Text me if you need anything," he smiles. I kiss him chastely before turning and starting through the mall with Mel's hand in my own.

"Vanessa, what are we doing?" Mel asks innocently.

"You'll see," I smile. "But I'm going to need you to hold my hand while we do this, oohk?"

She nods eagerly as we approach the Pagoda jewelry stand.

"Hi, how can I help you two?" the guy asks as we stop. He seems kind of…flamboyant.

"I'm getting my third holes and cartilage pierced today, please," I smile kindly.

"Sounds good," he says. "Just pick out the earrings you want and we'll be set to go." He says. Yep, I think to myself. Definitely flamboyant…and gay. I almost giggle.

I quickly settle on the gold with black diamond studs for my third holes and a gold hoop encrusted with black diamonds throughout the entire thing for my left cartilage piercing.

"Pretty earrings," he smiles as I take a seat with Mel's hand in my own.

"Ready Mel," I ask her.

"What's a cartilage?" she asks curiously.

"This part of your ear," I point to the cartilage of my right ear while he cleans the spots on my ears for my third holes.

"Ooh," she says.

"One…two…three," he shoots an earring through my right ear before backing it and moving to my left.

"Mel, come hold my other hand," I smile as she reappears on my other side.

"One…two…three," he says as my left ear suddenly has three holes in it; soon to be four.

"Don't count for the cartilage, just do it," I tell him. He nods and positions the earring gun in my perphial vision. I wince slightly as he shoots the hoop into my cartilage and backs it before allowing me to stand.

I hand him my credit card and get the ear cleaner before taking my receipt and heading for the Victoria's Secret right down the hall.

"Pretzel?" Melanie asks innocently as we walk past the pretzel guy.

"On the way out, oohk?' I tell her. She nods happily as we enter Victoria's Secret. I walk straight over to the bras section and pick out a few new bras. Damn pregnancy pushed me from a double D up to barely being able to squeeze into those quad D's. Stupid bodily functions…I buy my new bras and a few new pairs of booty cut underwear along with some cute new thongs before grabbing the set of perfume, body wash, and lotion of coconut passion before cashing out.

Legitimately two hundred dollars blown in Victoria's Secret later, we head out to the pretzel guy to buy five cinnamon-y pretzel bags from the vendor.

Five minutes later Mel and I arrive back at my truck to see Paul lounging in the driver's seat.

"Hey," I say as I arrange my bags in the back with Mel.

"Hey, what were you girls doing?" he asks, starting my truck.

"We got Mel's ears pierced," I start before he stops me.

"And your ears pierced…again," he raises an eyebrow at me.

"Do you like them?" I ask, showing him the studs and cartilage hoop.

"And I got to hold her hand," Mel says proudly.

"Yes, she did great." I smile. "Then we went to Victoria's Secret, and then got some pretzels," I pause and hand Mel a bag of cinnamon pretzel bits with some napkins before giving Paul his two, placing one in the cup holder, and keeping one for myself.

"Did you get anything for me?" he asks impishly.

"Nope," I pop the 'p,' laughing at his pout "You'll live," I smile. "Poor Paulie, I think you'll live."

"I guess I'll have to," he drawls out. I shake my head and laugh as we pulls into another parking lot and Paul leads us inside the Italian restaurant.

xArriving homex

I go into the backseat and unbuckle a sleeping Mel from her booster seat. I pick her up carefully as not to wake her, and begin to carry her inside.

"I've got her," Paul appears in front of me and takes her.

"I was fine, Paul. I'm not as fragile as you seem to think," I hiss at him, turning on my heel and grabbing a many bags as I can; mostly just to piss him off.

"Ness, I'm sorry; please just be careful, don't over do it," he pleads, appearing next to me. I remain silent and drop all of my stuff in the bedroom before going back out to get more. I carry the rest into the room before turning to head towards the kitchen.

Ouch, fuck, I scream in my mind as I double over suddenly.

"Ness?" Paul appears by my side in instant, hands on my back, rubbing softly.

"Damn you, Braxton Hicks," I mumble angrily before continuing on to the kitchen, rubbing my belly on the way.

"Babe, are you coming to bed?" he asks as I make my tea and search for a box of microwave popcorn.

"I'm hungry, you go ahead and sleep." I snap, still feeling quite pissed from earlier.

"You sure?" he wraps his arms around me, stopping my searching process.

"Yes, Paul, I'm sure," I shake out of his embrace. I hear him sigh before kissing the top of my head lightly before retreating to the bedroom.

I pop some popcorn and melt extra butter for it before grabbing a huge plastic cup of Pepsi and heading into the living room and settling into the couch.

I flip the channels thoughtlessly until stopping on the opening music to an NCIS episode. I drop the remote and munch on the popcorn before taking a sip or four of Pepsi and placing it all on the coffee table in front of me and fall asleep.

xPaul POVx

I listened as Vanessa munched on some popcorn and rank some soda while watching NCIS for a bit before falling asleep.

I waited a few minutes before going in to see her sleeping while sitting up.

Not good, babe, not good for your back, I think as I merely cover her in a blanket, knowing if I moved her she'd know and only get all pissed off at me, which, trust me, I didn't want.

I trudge back into our room unwillingly and fall into an uneasy sleep.

God dammit, I mentally curse myself as I wake up for the fourth time with in the last six hours due to the lack of my imprint in my bed. She was still angry at me and even though she's woken up twice from what I've heard while I'm awake, she still hasn't come back into me.

I fall back to sleep, still angry with myself and am left to my angry dreams.

What feels like merely minutes later, I wake back up.

"Ungh," I groan, and go to roll but stop instantaneously when I feel something near my stomach.

I look down and see Vanessa curled up as small as she can, despite her growing belly, sleeping.

I smile to myself and curl around her before allowing myself to finally fall into a sound sleep.