Hey ladies! Sorry… Just know that I've been dealing with some personal issues and that I'm feeling better! So I really hope that I haven't lost all of my support! Because it's all of you guys that I'm doing this for! So I ask that you review your little hearts out! And blow me away like last time! 16 reviews guys! I can't believe it! I've already decided that I'm going to do something special for my 100th reviewer! I don't know what yet, but please note that I've never gotten this many reviews for a story before so this means a lot to me! ^.^ without further ado please enjoy!

Chapter 14: Fourteen Cheers for Forgiveness!

A soft sigh escapes my lips; Paul has decided to start construction on the breezeway and extra 'building.' I'm still not sure how we are going to do this and get a down payment on the house.

On second thought… how has he started construction if we don't already own the house?

"PAUL?" I yell as I come running through the house dropping the paint samples on the counter nearest to me.

"Yeah babe?" Paul yells as he comes running into the house toward me and may I add that a sweaty shirtless Paul, regardless of how he smelled, is a very nice sight."

"We… don't own this house!" I get out after, I admit, ogling him, "how have you already started on the construction?"

"I wasn't really honest with you Meg…" he says as he scratches the back of his head sheepishly.

"About what?"

"This was my parents' house…"

"What?"

"My parents are giving it to us, because they found something smaller."

"…So you're telling me… you already own this house?"

"…Yeah… They offered it to me a couple of weeks ago, that's when I decided to take in Johnny, he's staying with Sam and Emily but they are trying to have a baby and move into a bigger place too. It's just hard for them you know? With everyone always there, so I decided since I've got all this space and well everyone loves you… It would be perfect…"

"Why didn't you just talk about this with me Paul? Why did you lie to me?"

"Would you have agreed to this if I didn't though?"

"I don't know… maybe… my reasoning might have been different, but it's still possible… I just can't believe that you didn't tell me!"

"I knew if I did, you wouldn't move in with me!"

"Well Paul… Now I might not anyway! And maybe next time that you want to lie to me, you'll think twice!"

I turn and stomp away; I stop in the kitchen and look on the counter where the paint samples are lying. I snatch them off the counter and continue on my way to the car. I've already decided on a pale yellow for the kitchen, but Paul doesn't need to know that…

When I get home the boys and now two girls (yay) are lounging about in the living room. Carry stills looks a little uncomfortable, but I can tell that Seth is being extra sweet to her. Pleased by the oddly quiet atmosphere I am about to continue into my room to change when Tommy gets up and steps in front of me.

"Why did you tell Paul we aren't moving in with him?"

"Because honesty is very important to me Tommy, Paul lied to me; he needs to understand that I won't stand for that."

"He's really upset," Tommy says with a glare.

I sigh heavily, "I just can't make you happy can I?" I question tiredly as I turn to leave.

"Go easy on him Meg," says Seth from his position on the couch, "He just wants to make you happy…"

I frown as guilt stings me; I'm still trying to figure out how he can make me feel bad about being independent.

I shake away the feelings and continue to my room where I change into comfortable clothes and pick up my current book. It isn't long before there is a knock on my bedroom door, I give the ok for the person to come and I'm surprised when it's Tommy. I don't think that he's ever walked into my room or sought me out in this apartment.

"Yes Tommy, everything ok?" I question alarmed as I get out of my favorite chair.

"Yeah… everything's fine… I just wanted to say sorry for snapping at you earlier. You're right, I never show I'm grateful to you for everything that you've done for me, I only ever act like a spoiled brat… and I'm sorry…"

I smile, "I know you're grateful Tommy, I can tell because you really are trying… Yeah sometimes you get short with me, but you're doing better in school, you don't run off anymore and you're not getting into trouble. You're a great kid, I just wish that when you get upset with me that you would talk to me, not lash out at me… I'm doing the best I can… I promise you I am… but this is new for me too…"

"I know…" he whispers.

"I know that you look up to Paul, and I'm glad that you do, but I don't want a war Tommy… I'm not picking sides and I don't want you or Paul to either."

He just nods in understanding.

I frown in annoyance at the interruption to my 'me time' which doesn't seem to happen anymore. I stomp out into the living room where I had just heard Tommy yell at me from. Standing in the doorway is no one other than Paul. I heave a sigh and we just stand there and avoid looking at one another for a moment.

"Can we talk?" Is all that he says when he meets my eyes.

"Sure…." I whisper.

We walk out onto the balcony and shut the sliding glass door behind us.

"Look Meg… I'm sorry for lying to you… I just…"

"I know why you did it… but that doesn't make it okay Paul."

"Would you let me finish?"

"Sorry! Go ahead…"

"I just want to help you, ok? You never let anyone help you. Ever. And you should because you have a lot of people here for you."

"Do I now?"

"Me for one… the Pa- I mean guys…"

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"Saying what?"

"You always start to say something else and then you change it."

"I don't know what you mean…"

"Paul, you say that you're here for me and yet… you can't tell me the truth. I know that you and everyone else is hiding something from me."

"What makes you think that?" he asks calmly, but I can tell that he is uncomfortable.

"You guys vanish for weeks at a time, anytime that you get a random phone call from Sam, you're gone! You all are over six feet tall, muscular, with the same tattoo and you eat like you're starving every day! Don't you tell me something isn't up!"

"You're right… Something is up…" he says in exasperation.

"Are you going to tell me what it is?" I ask sternly.

"Yeah… I will… but you have to wait until Friday."

"Why Friday?"

"There's a bon fire…"

"A bon fire? What does that have to do with the price of rice in China?"

"Nothing? Why are we talking about China? Are you making that awesome chicken and rice with the mushroom gravy for dinner? I've missed that…"

"Paul we haven't talked for a day and I made that two days ago… Seriously! Anyway! This has nothing to do with rice!"

"But you said!"

"It's a figure of speech!"

"Not one I've ever heard…"

"Paul…

"What?"

"Damn good thing you're cute…" I mutter as I turn to go into the house.

"You think I'm cute?" he says with a smirk.

You know what… Sometimes I regret opening my mouth… this would just happen to be one of them…

That's right! I think we all know what is going to happen next and it's something that several of you have been waiting for! So review! You just might convince me to write the next chapter… tomorrow?