Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 20

I thought about that word long after Jake and Nessie left and even after Paul brought Harry over. Harry the dog with the scarred face didn't seem to like me. He however did like the dog bed that I'd bought long ago. He was so happy and excited when Paul was here, but since he'd left Harry had just curled up like a tiny ball in the living room. Maybe I was so overwhelmingly depressed that even he could sense it.

"I'm sorry," I told him as a knock at the front door startled me.

A large man was standing on my porch, and as I got closer I could tell he was a vampire. Pale white skin. Handsome features. Eerily beautiful.

"Hello?" I greeted, half of me hidden behind the door.

"Hi, I'm Emmett Cullen. I know I can't stay long," he smiled, turning to look at the tree line. "We've met before a couple of times... You may know me as Thomas".

"Oh..." I frowned, my mental picture of an elderly picture shattered.

"I'm sorry about everything that's happened. Rose - she... she's never really had many friends. Even in her human life - she told you about her fiance - you can understand that she doesn't trust anyone... But she's opened up to you, so please keep that in mind and forgive her soon please?"

I nodded as he smiled again and turned for the tree line. I could make out a furry form, but couldn't really see anything. I wondered who it was.

...

I sat on the floor eating a grilled cheese, trying to talk to Harry. I'd just gotten off a long shift and wanted him to get used to me. He wasn't responsive or playful like Van Gogh had been. Harry just liked to sleep and chew on his nails. He didn't even try to beg like Van Gogh would have.

They were so different just like Paul and Doug were. Compared to Paul, Doug was just a small white guy who lost his way - or maybe he found a new one and wasn't the same as mine. Doug was a cheater and a liar - Paul had lied too but for good reason. But who says Paul won't be like that in fifteen years? Doug had been a good guy and we had the same values when we met, but we were also young. We were still kids and had no idea what we really wanted – we grew apart.

With Paul, there was a spark – one that I tried to ignore and masked with annoyance. It also made me think about his imprint…

Harry sat up and turned his head to the backdoor. I looked up to see Paul walking toward the house. I sat still watching him move gracefully up the steps and as an honest grin appeared on his face when he saw me. He paused at the door, resting his hands on the door jamb as I chewed on my sandwich, admiring his nice… physique.

Harry barked, stirring us from our thoughts, and Paul finally opened the door for him to go out. He wagged his tail and jumped up to greet Paul before taking off for the yard.

"Not's fair," I chewed. "He likes you."

"Yeah, everyone does," he smirked closing the door.

"Hmm, I had a visitor today," I changed the subject.

"Yeah, I heard," he huffed, sliding down to sit on the floor.

"Oh, so that wasn't you out there watching?"

"Leah…"

"Oh, when do I get to see you in your wolf form thing?"

"No."

"No?"

"Nooo," he said slowly, shaking his head.

"Why not?" I pouted.

"I can't decide if I want to or not…"

"Okay, what are the reasons for not wanting to show me?"

"I like you."

"What are the reasons for wanting to?"

"Because I like you," he groaned.

"Alright, that makes sense," I resisted rolling my eyes.

"I'm just not ready yet," he frowned, picking at his leg.

"Are the rest of the Cullens here too?" I asked, changing the subject again.

"No, it's just Rosalie and Emmett – they're mates so they usually travel together, but Emmett also wanted to see the house."

"What house?"

"Your house – he helped me with the plans…" I didn't which to be more shocked by – that he designed my house or that he was friends with a vampire…

"You and Emmett - friends?"

"Uh, more like acquaintances. There was a time when we tried to kill each other…"

"Before the newborn army battle?"

"Who told you about that?" he frowned.

"No one, so you design houses too?" A thought about dating construction workers and architects flitted through my mind.

"No, just adding on to the original house. He studied architecture a long time ago. You done asking questions?" he tried not to smile.

"No, do you have an imprint?" I smirked as his face fell.

"I am so going to kill Seth. What's he been telling you now?" he sighed.

"Nothing, my dad told me about them long ago," I shrugged. The only thing I knew was that an imprint was a warrior's soul mate. I couldn't remember much besides that.

Harry barked outside, startling me as Paul stood up to let him in.

"I might need to build him a fence. Make sure he's inside at night and that he doesn't go into the woods to far," he frowned. "Van Gogh liked to follow me when I was… out."

"Oh okay," I nodded as he left, closing the door behind him.

…

You: I need help

Carol45: you okay?

You: I just need some advice from a friend

Carol45: I'm here

You: well theres this guy…

Carol45: yeeeeess?

You: what do I do?

Carol45: tell him

You: he knows, I think

Carol45: you think? :(

You: unless he forgot

Carol45: he didn't

You: he didn't?

Carol45: no

You: well I don't know what to do now. There's still stuff we need to talk about

Carol45: it'll all work out – make sure you say yes

You: yes to waht? how do you know?

Carol45: I know a psychic

You: ha ha right

Carol45: no really, I do!

You: oh a relative of yours?

Carol45: my sister

You: I missed you

Carol45: me too

Carol45: thank you

You: yeah whatever :)

Carol45: is it too soon to tell you I TOLD YOU SO?

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AN: short chapter, but lots of dialogue

And don't worry, im trying to stick with cannon themes - Alice still cant see the wolves in her visions

Thanks for reading!

ps. my classic fluff is coming soon!