A/N: Looong time, no update. I'm in the middle of my "exams", sorta'. I only have left so soon I'll be able to write without fear of flunking anything. I hope you'll like this chapter and maybe you'll leave a little review behind ^^ Free muffins. Emily baked them ;D
One minute Paul was staring at me as if I were an alien from outer space, the next he was laughing. He sounded relieved. I visibly relaxed when I realised he wasn't going to throttle me. "Dang! And here I was thinking that I was mister smooth. How did you figure it out?" For a minute I couldn't speak. He'd imprinted on me and I felt so happy I could burst! "I guessed mostly but I also followed my feelings. They-." This time it was Paul who interrupted me. "Your feelings? What did they tell you?" "They told me... there was something special about you, and not in the wolfy sense. I can't really explain it. I suck at explaining things and especially myself." Paul smiled broadly, his eyes full of goodhearted laughter. "Why don't you give it a try?" He leaned in closer, close enough so that if I wanted to I could kiss him, and my heart accelerated. I knew how to make him understand. I took his huge, warm hand in mine and placed it over my heart. "Something like this. This is what my feelings told me."
My breathing hitched when Paul leaned in close. Our noses touched and I couldn't hear much besides my heart's frantic beating, and Paul and mine's irregular breathing. I distinctly heard him murmur something about me being his imprint but the most of my focus was on how close he was. His lips were suddenly on mine and everything around us disappeared. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the wonderful moment. Paul was my world and mine only. The kiss was soft and tender, and I melted into it. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in his arms staring out of a huge window. Outside the moon was full, huge and glowing a beautiful white. I didn't know how long we sat there; I only knew that this was a moment I wasn't going to forget.
***
The next morning I woke up to a feeling of pure joy even though I was insanely tired. I'd gotten home around four in the morning and fallen asleep almost instantly. The clothes I'd slept in where still damp from last night's rain – I'd managed to forget my coat at Paul's – yet my mood was at its best. I danced around the room with an idiotic smile on my face and didn't feel the slightest bit silly. I waltzed out into the kitchen to a pair of bemused parents. My dad laughed at me and my mother shook her head. Everything was perfect. I grabbed a muffin before I swirled back into my room to get ready for a day with Quil. I hadn't been with him for a while and was looking forward to it. I was in a good mood and nothing could go wrong. Nothing at all.
Quil met me with a huge smile. "What are you so happy about today?" I smiled back. "How could you tell I was happy?" I knew it was a stupid question but what the heck. Quil pretended to think hard. "Firstly it could be because of great big smile, or it could be that you're walking on your tip toes. After years of careful study I have observed that you always walk on your tippy toes when you're happy." I doubled over laughing. What was I? A science experiment? The rest of day was spent goofing about and making fun of each other, but when the sun was setting I had an irresistible urge to call Paul. I excused myself to the bathroom where I could talk in private. However Paul didn't answer. My mood dulled a bit. I really wanted to talk to him; to hear his voice. If I couldn't get a hold of Paul myself, I'd get Sam to do it. I called him and he answered on the first ring. ""Phoebe? What is it?" "Eh... Do you know where Paul is?" In the background I could hear someone groan. It had to be one of the guys because they were the only ones who could have heard me. "Paul is with Jacob. Bella left to Italy a two days ago to go save her precious Edward." I felt an unexpected rush of anger towards Sam. If Paul had been in trouble I wouldn't have hesitated to rush to his rescue. I also knew that Sam would do the same if Emily had been in trouble, so who was he to speak? "Is Paul close by?" "He's at Jake's if you want to speak to him. Listen, Phoebe, I have to go now. Patrol you know." We said goodbye and I hung up. Quil was probably wondering where I was or what was wrong with me. I didn't usually spend a good deal of time in bathrooms.
I jogged back to Quil's bedroom where we had been watching some random movie, and screamed when I opened the door. Quil was on the floor in obvious agony. He thrashed around, yelling, and I stood there stunned. What was I supposed to do? I had to do something. What would Sam do?
A light bulb turned on. Sam! I dialled his number as fast as I could and prayed to every deity close by that he hadn't gone patrolling yet. I jumped up and down impatiently, wanting Sam to pick up the phone pronto. After half a minute of anxious waiting and soothing words to Quil, Sam answered. He seemed very annoyed. "Phoebe! What is it now?" "It's-Quil-he's-hurting-really-bad-and-I," I drew a deep breath and continued. "Have-no-idea-what-to-do-and-he-looks-scared-and-I'm-scared-and-." "PHOEBE! You're not helping Quil this way. Where are you? Calm down Phoebe. Everything will be ok. Trust me."
***
I closed the door silently as I tip-toed out of the spare room in Sam and Emily's house. Sam, Jared and Embry had arrived in a matter of minutes, and had taken Quil here because it would be easier to keep an eye on him. I went inside onto the porch and was happy to find a mild breeze. It erased some of my stress which was fantastic. Even more so was when Paul came back from patrolling and found me. He put his arms around my waist and looked at up the sky with me. It felt normal; as if we'd been doing it for months or years.
I huddled closer to Paul when Quil's cries of pain echoed through the wall. "How long is he going to be like this?" I asked. I felt Paul tense, as if he knew I wouldn't like the answer. "A week give or take." I closed my eyes in silent horror and felt sorry for Quil, but I reminded myself that now, at least, he could be with his friends again. That had to count for something, right?
The night was quiet except for the occasional car driving by and the small rustles coming from nocturnal animals. I tilted my head backwards trying to see into Paul's eyes. Instead I banged my forehead into his chin. He chuckled and kissed me where I'd hit him. I felt peaceful in Paul's arms; calm. Unfortunately a grumpy Jake came lumbering out of the woods. "Break out the confetti," he said in a somewhat sarcastic tone. "The Cullens are back." Calm and quiet when out the window in an instant; everyone freaked out. Paul tightened his grip as if he could protect me. Sam, Jared, Seth and Embry filed out onto the porch, and took up all the space. Somehow they were still growing!
Everyone talked at the same time and it took Sam several minutes to get us to shut up. The Cullens were back! How could we not flip out? Jack was put in the centre of the haphazard circle and asked to share the story.
Charlie had called Billy as soon as precious Bella had come home from Italy (only he didn't know she'd been to Italy), and Jake with his supersensitive hearing had overheard. He'd asked if he could speak to Bella, but instead he got Edward. Edward had told Jake that Bella was fine, and he told Jake how grateful he was because he'd taken care of his girl. Edward had also mentioned they were coming back to Forks. This time for good. To say the people on the reservation would be disappointed was an understatement. It also meant that more werewolves were to be expected.
The chaos that erupted after Jake had finished telling his story made my head ache, so I went inside. I opened the door to where Quil was, slowly. Emily sat by his side and held his hand. Poor Quil looked pale and tired. Even though he had finally fallen asleep he still looked exhausted. I mentally thanked my parents for not having any wolfy genes. I'd checked my family tree.
***
I was in a good mood today and it showed. I skipped around the room waiting for Quil to get dressed. His week was up and today he was joining the world of the living. My sources told me that Quil was eager to turn wolf. He thought it was super cool. I'd figured that out on my own before Jake told me; Quil had always been a fan of superheroes and such, especially Superman. Finally the door was flung open and out came a dishevelled and muscular Quil. His smile was as big as ever and he hugged everyone in sight. It was good to see that he was fine. He turned just in time too. The mysterious and terrible murders in Seattle were increasing fast and Sam had his theories. Unfortunately Edward called later that day and confirmed them.