Nicole's POV
"Would it be cool with you guys if I invited Bella over for dinner?" Embry asks in the car.
"I don't mind but it's Paul's house I'm just a guess." I look over at Paul.
"Sure the more the merrier." He says sarcastically.
"Oh no is someone grumpy?" I ask smiling at him to let him know I'm teasing, he looks back at me and smiles.
"Sorry, it was a frustrating patrol, we caught sent of the red head but we lost her trail." He replies.
"Oh that's not good. I have good news from today. Emily asked me to be her maid of honor today and I bought her an outfit for the baby. I think she'll love it it has little wolf on the feet." I try to change the subject.
"Baby?" Embry and Paul ask.
"Oh shit, was I not supposed to say anything?" I stare back in shock.
"No, we already know but only because of the pack mind. But Sam said no one else outside of the pack is to know yet." Embry explains.
"Emily and him told me today. So Bella doesn't know? Wait pack mind?" I ask all confused.
"I don't think she knows yet." Embry answers.
"What he means by pack mind is when we're wolves we can hear each others thoughts. It helps with hunting and tracking but it also means there's no secrets." Paul answers my other question.
"Kind of an invasion of privacy. Well how can I plan a baby shower if no one else knows? I'll have to talk to Emily. Oh and Sam told me to ask you about the story between him and Emily's cousin. I guess she refused to be Emily's maid of honor." I mention as we pull into the driveway, Paul and Embry grab all my bags, not letting me carry anything as we walk in.
"Oh the love triangle and the trickiness of an imprint." Embry comments putting the bags on Paul's table.
"Love triangle between Sam, Emily, and her cousin?" I ask scandalized.
"Sam was dating Leah, Emily's cousin, for two years before he changed into a wolf. He ran away when he did change and when he came back he talk to the elders; Billy, Harry, and Old Quil. They told him to continue on as normal as possible. Sam continued to see Leah, never telling her about phasing into a wolf so a wall was built between them. One day Sam went over to Leah's when Emily was there and he imprinted on Emily. Broke Leah's heart, no matter how hard he tried to resist it but the power of the imprint was too much and he had to break up with her." Paul tells me the story as Embry nods.
"Oh my god, that's awful!" I gasp.
"Try living it through Sam's eyes, he still feels horrible." Embry tells me.
"Poor Emily and Leah. Does Leah know why now?" I ask and they shake their head.
"She's heard the legends but they're just legends to her. She can't know unless she phases, is an imprint, or becomes an elder." Paul explains.
"I can't believe the imprint is that strong, so if you reject it you really can die?" I ask.
"No one knows but it's tragic whatever happens." Paul looks at me sadly and takes my hand.
"Why don't you boys watch tv while I make some phone calls and make dinner for you." I suggest
"Do you need any help?" They both ask and I shake my head.
"Just tell Bella to come in a hour if she's eating with us." I smile at them as they go into the living room and they bring my bags upstairs for me.
I call my agent to make sure everything is okay between Liam and me. He reassures me that things will continue as usual, he'll be at my concert then I just have to make an appearance with him at the premiere of Catching Fire. My concert is all set for Saturday and all my costumes will be arriving to the house. I try to call my mom and end up leaving her a message. I start dinner to calm my thoughts and help me break everything down.
First, help Paul redecorate his mom's old room. Have an extra room for Embry to stay in, and me, or whatever Paul wants. Plan a wedding with Emily for her and Sam. Then plan the whole baby shower and when the wedding is going to be, before or after the baby. Decide how long I'm staying in Washington. Also see about having my puppy brought here cause I miss her.
I'm so deep in thought I don't realize Paul is leaning against the counter next to me. "Chicken Alfredo is my favorite." He says making me jump, "Sorry didn't realize you were so lost in thought." He smiles at me.
"Yeah, sorry I didn't know you were there. A little birdie told me you liked it." I wink at him.
"What were you thinking about?" He asks me tucking a lose hair out of my face.
"I was thinking about how long I was going to stay in Washington, and how much I miss my baby Scout." His eyes get wide at baby, "My dog, is my baby relax." I laugh.
"Oh you should bring her here." He suggests.
"Would that be okay?"
"Of course I am a dog person." He chuckles and I join in.
"I was also wondering if we could do some decorating. You need somewhere to sleep and so do I and Embry will too when he stays here. Maybe we could look into some remodeling, I mean it's up to you."
"Sam did go to school for architecture, and we have always talked about it. Jake could run the shop while Sam and I worked on the house. I'll build a room just for you if that means you'll stay here longer." I can't help but smile at that.
"I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Especially if my dog is here and there is this guy I kinda like." I elbow him.
"Oh yeah, he must really be something to convince you to stay." He elbows me back.
"Would you two stop flirting and just make out already!" Embry calls from the living room and I hear Bella giggle.
"You hush or else you don't get fed." I smile at Paul before turning back to the food. "You're in charge of the chicken." I tell him, after I finish the sauce and noddles, I combine everything and call, "Dinner's ready!" Bella and I go first taking plenty for us knowing there wont be left overs.
Dinner goes over smoothly, and end up cleaning up at 11:00p.m. Embry goes to walk Bella home and I head up stairs with Paul.
"That was fantastic Nicole thank you." He spins me around in his arms and gives me a kiss.
"Oh I see your game, you're trying to sneak into bed with me huh?" I laugh walking into the room.
"I promise to keep my hands to myself." He pouts.
"What kind of girl do you think I am?" I hold my hand to my heart and gasp grabbing heart.
"What if the nightmares come back? You don't want to wake up Embry in the night." I shrug and grab my pjs and head into the bathroom. I get ready for bed and head back into the room to find Paul 'asleep' on the bed.
"I know you're awake." I laugh as he gets up and waits for me to crawl into the bed. He tucks me in and kisses my forehead. "Goodnight Paul."
"Goodnight beautiful." With that he turns off the light and goes downstairs. I fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Paul's POV
As much as I want to crawl into my bed with her, I have to respect her wishes. Especially after the story she told me about her dad and knowing that's what the creep Liam did to her. Took advantage of her by getting her drunk and sleeping with her. Just thinking about it gets me mad. I sit on the couch watching TV waiting for Embry to get home. He walks in around 11:30 with a smile on his face.
"Hey man, Nicole go to sleep?" He whispers.
"Yeah right after Bella left, I figured I'd just wait for you." I shrug as he sits next to me.
"She was serious about you staying on the couch huh?" He chuckles to himself.
"I guess so although the other night I got away with being in my wolf form in the bed with her. I rather sleep in human form though."
"Yeah I hear you, you can't sleep in wolf form with everyone's thoughts in your head while you're trying to sleep." He agrees with me.
We end up staying up late watching TV and just being typical guys. I actual enjoy having Embry's company at my house and talking to him one on one. He tells me about Bella and how he has to tread lightly after what the leech did to her, but she's coming around. Around 2 is when we hear Nicole screaming. I race upstairs to get to her, not knowing if there's an intruder or she's having another nightmare.
"Nicole!" I yell out as I get to the last step, Embry right me.
"Paul, where are you?" She calls out from the room as I walk in.
"I'm right here what's wrong?" That's when I smell it or rather her, the red head. I see Nicole sitting up with tears in her eyes.
"I thought it was you looking at me when I open my eyes I saw her. Who the hell was that?" She cries out and I wrap her in my arms.
"Embry call Sam and tell him the bitch is back and she's crossed a line." I growl out. "She must have smelt Bella's scent and thought Nicole was her."
Embry runs out of the room to phase and tell the others and make sure Bella is safe I'm sure. I hold Nicole to me tight as she shakes in my arms.
"I'm so sorry Nicole. I should have realized she was here. What can I do?" I ask her.
"Don't leave me here alone." She whispers.
"I won't leave you I promise." I run my hand through her hair to relax her, I hear Sam come in the front door and he climbs upstairs.
"Did she hurt Nicole?" He asks walking in turning on the light.
"She freaked her out enough." I tell him.
"She was only here a second, she didn't touch me. I barely even realized she was here before she was gone. It was a blur but the coldness told me it was real." Nicole explains.
"Stay here with Nicole, Jared won't be far he's tracking where she came from. Jake and Quil are trying to follow her scent to see where she'll go and hopefully chase her out. I'll have Embry stay with Bella and Emily, but she's not going to get that close again ever." Sam tells me before he heads back out. "Feel better Nicole." He calls out after.
"Come Nicole you need your rest. I'll be right here. Do you want me to phase, if it makes you feel better." I offer.
She shakes her head and lays down in the bed. "Just come here." She signs as I shut off the light and crawl in. She leans her back right up against my chest tucking her head under my chin. I hold her in my arms, I kiss the top of her head and whisper "I love you," before I shut my eyes.