Hello everyone! I hope you all had a safe and happy New Years Eve and I wish you all nothing but the best for 2012. Thank you all so much for your reviews and adds, and I'm sorry for not responding to everyone's reviews. Christmas was a little crazy for me (the last week really) and I barely had time to write, which is why I'm not so sure about this chapter. If you guys think it's awful, I'll take it down and rewrite it. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.

Chapter Six

Camilla sighed from where she sat in the kitchen of her aunt and uncle's home. She was sitting at the deserted kitchen table, resting her left hand on her stomach while she looked out the patio window and into the dark backyard. Her parents were in the living room with the rest of the family, chatting and laughing, after a hearty meal and the exchange of presents. Thankfully, Gretchen had kept any comments she wanted to say to Camilla to a minimum; and Camilla knew she had her aunt to thank for that. She may not have been particularly close to her mother's older sister, but the woman cared about Camilla and knew that the year had not exactly been an easy one for her only niece.

Even though Camilla and her family had gone to her aunt's house every Christmas Eve for as long as she could remember, Camilla found herself bored beyond belief and surprisingly missing Paul's company. She told herself it was because he had become a good friend, but a tiny voice in the back of her mind was whispering its differing opinion. However, Camilla would not let herself go down that road.

Paul was kind to her because he felt for her situation and had grown to like her as a friend, not because he was romantically interested in her. She could see no good in letting herself get too attached to him. If she let herself start to care for him more than she should, it would only lead to heartbreak. Paul was a twenty year old guy, and what twenty year old guy wanted to tie himself down to a girl who was severely pregnant with a baby that wasn't his?

However, she really liked Paul and after everything he had done for her the day before she only liked him all the more and she wasn't about to distance herself from one of the very few people she could call a friend lately. Sighing quietly to herself once again she glanced out into the living room before she opened her purse which sat on the table in front of her and pulled out her cell phone; and before she even realized she was doing it, she was calling a now familiar number.

"You okay?" was the first thing out of Paul's mouth when he answered the phone, and she couldn't stop the smile that filtered over her lips at the concern she heard in his voice.

"I'm fine," she said softly after glancing once more into the living room to see her family still engrossed in conversation. "Just bored out of my mind and possibly going crazy because of it," she said as she turned her eyes back to the window, and it was then that she heard him chuckle and sigh in relief. "I'm not bothering you, am I?" she asked.

"No," he said and she heard gentle rustling on the other end of the line. "I'm just lying on the sofa watching some Christmas show that I've seen a million times. What about you?"

"I'm hiding out in the kitchen right now," Camilla said as she brushed her bangs from her eyes with her free hand.

"Your cousin isn't giving you a hard time is she?" he asked and Camilla shook her head even though he couldn't see her.

"No," she said. "Surprisingly, she's being decent."

"Good," he said softly and Camilla smiled once more. "So, how come you're hiding out in the kitchen?"

"I'm not exactly sure," she found herself saying. "I guess I'm just not really in the partying mood today."

"How's your back?" he asked and she laughed lightly.

"Much better thanks to you," she said and it was his turn to chuckle.

"I'm glad I was able to help," he said and she smiled before the conversation became a comfortable banter she had become accustomed to when talking with Paul. They never had to search for topics to talk about, and the flow of their conversations was always easy. It wasn't hard to talk to Paul about anything, and though she thought it weird to feel so close to someone she hadn't known for very long, Camilla didn't question it because she felt that there really wasn't a need to.

Camilla didn't know how long she sat there on the phone with him, laughing at him when he said something funny, or teasing him when he told a terrible joke; but her attention was drawn away from what Paul was saying when a throat cleared. Camilla looked away from where her right hand rested on top of her stomach to the right only see her father standing in the kitchen, a small grin on his face as he looked at her.

"Camilla? You still there?" Paul asked and Camilla nodded even though he couldn't see her.

"Yeah, but I'm afraid I have to go," she said.

"Oh," Paul said softly.

"It was nice talking to you," she said as she looked away from her father and at the table top in front of her.

"Yeah, it was," he said and she swore she could hear the smile in his voice as he said the words softly. "Merry Christmas, Camilla."

"Merry Christmas, Paul," she said back.

"I'll talk to you soon," he said.

"Of course," she said. "Bye."

"Bye Camilla," Paul said and she waited a beat before she hung up her phone and looked at Peter with a small smile on her face.

"Hi Dad," she said as she tucked her phone back into her purse and Peter smiled as he walked over to the table and lowered his body onto the chair across from his daughter.

"So," Peter said as he rested his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together in front of him. "You seem pretty close to Paul."

"I guess," she said, a light blush gracing her cheeks as she looked at her father, "but we're just friends."

"Hmm," Peter hummed quietly as he smiled.

"What?" Camilla asked with a smile of her own on her lips as she brushed her bangs from her eyes and once again rested her hand on her stomach.

"Nothing," Peter said. "From what I know of him, he seems like a nice young man."

"He is," she said evenly.

"Are you sure the two of you are just friends?" he asked and Camilla nodded.

"Yeah, Dad, I'm sure," she said.

"Well, if that changes in the future-," he started but Camilla wouldn't let her father finish.

"It won't," she said as she shook her head and, with great effort, stood from her seat. Peter chuckled as he sat back in his seat. "I'm serious, Dad, it won't."

"Whatever you say, Millie; but I saw the way that that boy was looking at you yesterday," Peter said before he too stood. Camilla couldn't help but blush as her father threw his arm around her shoulders. "Come on and join the rest of the family. You're mother's wondering where you are." Camilla laughed quietly and nodded her head before she walked into the living room with her father, unable to think of anything but what Peter had said. Paul had been leaving when her father had gotten home from work, but Camilla hadn't noticed anything different about the way Paul had looked at her as they said their goodbyes. She didn't understand what her father saw, but whatever it was it was more than likely all in his imagination.

The holidays came and went, as did Sue and Charlie's wedding, and from what Teresa told Camilla, it had been a lovely simple affair. Sue had invited Camilla to attend, but Camilla hadn't felt up to it and politely declined. However, she was sure to send a present for Sue and Charlie along with Teresa when she delivered the cake. Over the last few weeks, Paul as well as Emily, Kim, Seth, and oddly enough even Jared had become new fixtures in Camilla's life and one day Camilla was thankful not to be alone.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" Kim asked as she, Emily, and Camilla were settled in Camilla's family's kitchen, Kim enjoying a cup of coffee that late morning while Emily and Camilla had opted for hot chocolate to have with the plate of pastries that Teresa had brought home from the bakery the night before. The dark circles that were under Camilla's eyes were more prominent in the brightly lit kitchen and they worried the pale young woman's friends.

"Not really," Camilla admitted with a small smile. "I couldn't get comfortable because the baby just wouldn't stop moving."

"You don't look so well," Emily said and Camilla looked at her. "Do you want us to go so you could get some rest?"

"No, not at all," Camilla said with a shake of her head as she did her best to ignore the tightening pain in her back that made yet another appearance. She was used to the days of back pain and aching muscles thanks to the last few weeks of her pregnancy, but they'd been pretty intense, more so than usual, that morning.

"Are you sure?" Kim asked and Camilla nodded.

"We planned on getting together today last week, and I'm glad you guys are here. I've been so bored the last few days and there are only so many times I can reorganize the things in the nursery without driving myself crazy." Kim and Emily laughed at that and Camilla smiled at them before she took a sip of her hot chocolate, savoring the warmth and hoping it would internally relieve her cramping muscles. "So, when are you planning on telling me that Jared asked you to marry him or are you going to leave me hanging?" Camilla asked, finally voicing the fact that she had noticed the modest diamond ring on Kim's left ring finger. Emily scoffed a laugh as she looked at her friend, and Kim blushed brightly as she looked down at her hand.

"He asked last night," Kim said as she looked back at Camilla with a small smile on her lips. "I'm still wrapping my head around the whole thing."

"You knew he was going to ask," Emily said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and Camilla smiled.

"Eventually, yeah," Kim said, "but he caught me off guard, especially the way he asked."

"How did he ask?" Camilla asked and Kim blushed once more.

"We were in bed," Kim said and Camilla's eyebrows rose as she glanced at a grinning Emily before she returned her eyes to Kim.

"Oh?" Camilla asked and Kim's face darkened.

"Fully clothed!" she quickly said causing Emily and Camilla to laugh. "We'd just crawled into bed and I was turning to turn off the light when he caught my arm. I looked at him and he was holding out the ring with a grin on his face. I didn't even say anything. I just threw my arms around him and kissed him before he slipped the ring on my finger."

"That's sweet," Emily said and Camilla turned her eyes to the happily married woman.

"How did Sam ask you, Emily?" she asked and Emily laughed lightly as she looked at Camilla.

"He took me out to dinner one night and asked me to marry him as the waiter walked away after taking out desert order," Emily said, a wistful smile coming to her face. "I wasn't expecting it at all, and for some reason, I couldn't stop crying."

"Did you say anything?" Camilla asked and Emily shook her head.

"I couldn't," she said with a light laugh. "I could only nod my head yes." The trio all shared another laugh, however, Camilla's laugh turned into a small scream as the pain she had been experiencing in her back all morning ripped across her stomach. Gripping onto her stomach she closed her eyes tight as the pain continued.

"Camilla!" Kim said before both she and Emily were quick from their seats, Kim getting up so quickly that she actually knocked her chair over.

"How long have you been have you been having pains, Camilla?" Emily asked when Camilla looked up at her friends who were hovering above her.

"My back's been bad since last night, but that's nothing new," Camilla said as she shook her head and blinked back the tears that had come unbidden as the pain ripped through her stomach. "This is new though," she said breathlessly as righted herself to catch her breath.

"Camilla, you're in labor," Emily said.

"I . . . I can't be," Camilla said. "I'm not due for another two weeks."

"Well, he or she has decided their tired of waiting," Emily said as she reached out for Camilla's arm. "We need to get you to the hospital."

"But-," Camilla started, however, Emily didn't let her finish.

"No buts, Camilla, we need to go," Emily said. "We'll call your mom on the way, okay?" she asked and Camilla nodded as they walked to the foyer where all three of them pulled on their shoes and tugged on their jackets. Emily had taken charge and grabbed Camilla's purse and keys and when they left the house, Emily was sure to lock the door behind them while Kim walked Camilla to Emily's car. Camilla had no idea why, but as she walked to the car with Kim telling her it was all going to be okay, her mind went straight to Paul and how badly she wanted him to be there.

Paul was on a job site with Jared, and the pair was taking a lunch break. They were settled on the front porch of the house, their lunch coolers at the ready when Paul's phone started ringing. He pulled it from the pocket of his jeans with a sigh until he saw 'Camilla' flashing on the screen. Jared looked over at Paul and when he saw the stupid grin that came to his friend's face he rolled his eyes.

"Dude, answer the phone, don't just stare at it," Jared said and Paul glared at him. "You'll miss her call." Paul hit the accept button with his glare still in place before he brought the phone to his ear while Jared chuckled and pulled out one of the two very large sandwiches Kim had made him, pausing to smile when he saw the post-it note she had put on the foil wrapped sandwich with 'I love you' written in her neat writing.

"Hey, I thought Emily and Kim were supposed to be visiting you today," Paul said as he looked away from Jared.

"We were," came a voice that definitely wasn't Camilla and Paul's posture stiffened.

"Emily? Why do you have Camilla's phone?" Paul asked and Jared stopped unwrapping his sandwich to look at Paul.

"Because I took it out of her purse before Kim walked her into the hospital while I parked the car," Emily said.

"What?" Paul shouted as he stood up, his cooler falling to the ground in a loud clatter.

"Camilla's in labor," Emily said. "Her parents are on their way, but I know you'd want to be here." Paul blinked a few times before he nodded.

"Yeah, thanks, Emily. I'll be there soon," he said and he hung up his phone without even waiting for Emily's reply.

"Paul, what's going on?" Jared asked and Paul looked down at his friend.

"Camilla's having her baby," Paul said and Jared's eyes widened.

"Go, man, I can finish the job on my own. We don't have much left to do," Jared said and Paul nodded.

"Thanks Jared," Paul said. "You can have my lunch." With that he jumped down the rest of the stairs and ran to his truck. He opened the door so hard and fast that he was pretty sure he almost tore it off the frame of the car and he had to slam it hard to make sure that it stayed shut as he peeled out of the driveway and started speeding down the road to Forks Hospital, his already rapidly beating heart increasing in speed as he did so.

"Isn't it too soon?" Camilla asked the nurse as she was prepped to go into the delivery room. Her parents hadn't arrived yet and Kim and Emily were waiting out in the hall to follow her into the room once the nurse had her ready to go. "I'm not supposed to be due for another two weeks."

"Well, the baby's decided to make his or her presence a little early, but if there are any complications, we'll be ready," the nurse, Greta, said with a kind reassuring smile. "Dr. Frey said that the baby's size was ahead of schedule during your last doctor's visit, so, don't worry too much. You'll only put more stress on you and the baby." Camilla nodded, knowing she was right. "All right, get in the chair here and we'll get you to your room." With Greta's help Camilla lowered herself into the wheelchair before she was wheeled out into the hallway.

"How are you?" Kim asked when they left the room and Camilla smiled.

"Nervous, but fine otherwise," she said honestly as they all started walking. They were quiet as they made their way to the delivery room and remained quiet even once they reached her room. Emily watched, seemingly taking everything in, as Greta hooked Camilla up to all the necessary monitors once she was settled on the bed. During the process, Camilla experienced a few contractions but thankfully she was able to handle them on her own. "Just wait. You'll be going through this soon enough," Camilla said as she looked at Emily and Greta moved to the nurse station and computer. Emily laughed and nodded.

"Which is exactly why I'm taking it all in right now," she said and Greta smiled as she looked over her shoulder at Emily.

"When's you're baby due?" Greta asked and Emily put her hand on the small pouch of the stomach.

"April twenty-third," Emily said with a smile and Greta nodded before she returned her attention to the computer.

"Thanks you guys for getting me here," Camilla said. "I'm not sure what I would have done if I would have been alone." Kim smiled and moved over to Camilla's beside before she took hold of Camilla's left hand.

"We're just glad we were there," she said and Camilla squeezed her hand as she smiled at her.

"Camilla?" came a deep voice from the door a few quiet minutes later and Camilla's heart jumped in her chest at the sound. Kim let go of Camilla's hand and stepped aside as Paul walked in through the slightly ajar door.

"Paul?" Camilla asked her eyes wide with a surprise as she looked at him.

"Emily called me," Paul said, answering her unspoken question as he moved to her side and took the hand that Kim had just let go of. Camilla wondered why Emily called Paul, but she could have cared less for the other woman's reasoning because she was just glad Paul was there. "You okay?" he asked and she nodded as her hold on his large warm hand tightened.

"Well, if your baby is anything like his or her father, than I can see why he or she is two weeks early," Greta said and both Emily and Kim stifled laughs while Camilla and Paul both looked at Greta, but surprisingly neither said anything to correct the woman's assumption. The phone at the desk Greta sat at rang and she was quick to answer it. However, Camilla's attention was drawn away from the nurse and back to Paul when he ran his thumb along the back of her hand.

"You got here so-," she started but gasped quietly and put her free right hand on her stomach as she closed her eyes. She gripped Paul's hand even tighter as she breathed through the contraction as best she could.

"That's it, Camilla," Paul whispered. "You're doing great." When the contraction passed Camilla sighed and opened her eyes only to see Paul's face first thing. He smiled at her and she let out a slow breath as she forced a small smile back up at him.

"You're parents are here, Camilla," Greta said, "and we've got a room limit of three guests at a time."

"We'll go," Emily said and Camilla looked at her. "Paul can call us and let us know how you're doing and we'll come see you and the baby once you've both had a chance to rest."

"Thanks Emily," Camilla said with a small smile and the other woman. Emily nodded and the two women were quick to say their goodbyes before they left. Teresa and Peter were quick to enter the room after the pair left, but both stopped short when they saw Paul standing at Camilla's bedside. "Hi guys," Camilla said and her parents looked at her.

"Are you okay?" Teresa was quick to ask.

"I'm fine, and if you don't believe me, you can ask Greta," Camilla said assuring her mother and Teresa sighed quietly before she looked at Paul.

"Thank you for coming, Paul, but Camilla's father and I can take things from here," Teresa said and Paul sighed as he looked down at Camilla, with a look on his face that clearly told her he was about to say 'goodbye' but she didn't want him to go.

"Mom," Camilla said and Teresa looked at her. "I want Paul to stay."

"Camilla," Teresa said but Camilla shook her head.

"He stays, Mom," Camilla said, putting her foot down. She knew her mother, for some unknown reason, didn't care too much for Paul, but she wanted Paul there with her. He was always a calming presence, and she believed she would fare better with him there.

"All right," Teresa said with a soft sigh. "All right." Teresa looked at the nurse and began peppering the poor woman with questions as soon as she moved away from the nurses' station to leave the room.

"She's only four centimeters at the moment, so, she's got a little ways to go yet," Greta said once Teresa finished spewing out her questions. "The baby's vitals are good and strong, his or her heartbeat is steady. As of right now, you have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks Greta," Camilla said and the woman winked at her before she left the room, leaving Camilla, Paul, and Camilla's anxious parents on their own for now.