Paul's POV
Sam is an idiot but who am I to judge? I'm the one that walked out on Bella and then tried to get her back on her wedding day. I love Bella, I never really stopped, and it just evolved from wanting to be with her to more like a deep friendship. I would do anything for her but I don't want her anymore. Luckily she feels the same and neither Sam nor Jessie mind it.
I know she's a wreck right now so I'm staying at Jake's for the night even though Leah is being a bitch about it. Nobody likes Leah, except for Jake.
About 3 in the morning Jake gets a call from the hospital saying his dad had a heart attack and he needs to come up right away. He asks me to let Bella know since Billy is like a father to her and a grandpa to Amelia. I'm not going to call her so I beg Leah to keep Sterling since he's asleep and go home to tell her.
She's crashed on the couch so I gently shake her away.
"Sam, I'm sorry. I need you." She tells me half asleep.
"Bella, its Paul not Sam. You're at my house remember?" I shake her harder.
"Paul! Crap. I'm sorry." She's all embarrassed now but I take this as a good sign she'll forgive him because honestly at this point none of us are sure. Sam was at Jake's earlier and he's convinced she won't.
"Don't worry about it but Bella, Billy is in the hospital. It doesn't look good. Do you want me to take you to see him? Jake is already on his way."
At this she jumps up saying yes take me. I wake Jessie up to tell her we are going and we head out.
"How is he Paul?" She asks and I'm not sure if she's talking about Billy or Sam. I look at her and she whispers Sam.
"He's upset Bella, really upset. He's sorry and he knows he screwed up. He's scared you won't forgive him. He needs you Bella." I'm trying to make her see without pissing her off. I mean I'm pissed at Sam and so is Jake but we both know they belong together. Bella is so different with him, not quite so flighty and dramatic. Sam is like her stability and she's like his… air. And now I feel like a girl.
"I'm just so hurt Paul. Why would he do this to me?" She's crying and I'm thinking this is not the time and I am not the person for this but maybe I'm their only hope. She won't listen to Jake on anything and Sam is usually the one being the voice of reason but she's probably going to think he's biased on this.
"I don't know Bella and I don't think he does either. It was obviously a messed up thing to do but how many times has he hurt you?" I ask her.
"Twice." She answers fast. "This time and the time he set us up. Other than that he's all about what I want. Seriously he told me on our wedding day he would understand if I left with you. But this is more than a bad choice. This is a lifelong screw up. 3 kids Paul. I already have 2 kids that consume my entire life. Where is there room for a third?" She looks so sad and I know this is not going to be easy.
We get to the hospital and we look for Jake. When we find him he's sitting with Billy and Bella walks in and I stay in the doorway.
"Thanks for coming Bella, I wanted to see you, say goodbye." Billy strains with every word.
"Dad, no," Jake starts but Billy stops him.
"I know it's my time. I love you both so much. Jake you have been the best son I could ask for and Bella I love you like my own daughter. Your parents would be proud of who you have become and what a good mom you are." They're crying and then machines start beeping and we have to leave.
The doctor comes out and says he's sorry; there was nothing they can do.
Jake and Bella are both crying and I don't know what to do. I cared about Billy but not like them. I don't know what to do or say.
Finally Jake says he's going home and I tell him no way is he driving so we all get in the car. After I drop Jake off and pick Sterling up I head back to my house but about half way there Bella asks me to take her home.
Once we get there I ask her if she needs me to come in but she says no.
"I'm mad at him, not the other way around, and now all this seems stupid anyways. Thanks Paul." She smiles sadly.
Life sucks so much sometimes.