Hi everyone! Thank you all so very much for your reviews and responses to the last chapter. I'm sorry I didn't reply to your reviews, I had a busy weekend and my time on the computer the last couple of days had been focused on writing this chapter. I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think, and thank you all again so much for reading.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.

Chapter Twelve

Paul was sitting rather uncomfortably on the wooden chair at the small Forks police station next to Charlie's desk as he waited for the older man to make his way back over to him. His mind was in a million different places as he replayed the day in his head. Charlie had gotten there surprisingly fast with one of the four other officers in tow. Camilla had been off to the hospital with Seth assuring her that he'd take care of Avery until she got back home. Travis had been taken to the hospital as well, but he was also arrested for assault; and after receiving a cast on his hand for the five broken bones he sustained after punching Paul in the face he was charged and booked at the very police station Paul was sitting in.

The other 'man' was a wall away from Paul, and locked up in one of the two cells the police station had. It would take very little effort on Paul's part to go in there and do what he really wanted to do to Camilla's ex. However, it would solve nothing and it would only serve to get him into trouble and take him away from Camilla and from Avery when they both needed him more than ever.

Camilla had suffered a pretty nasty bump to her head along with the cut that required six stitches to seal on her forehead and she was all right for the most part; but that didn't mean he wasn't still worried. He was beyond worried about her and he wanted to be with her and not sitting in that damn police station. However, Teresa was with her and so was Peter, so, Paul knew she was in good hands with her parents.

Teresa had reverted to the mother bear protecting her cub when she had shown up at the hospital, but thankfully her anger wasn't directed at Paul, not in the least. It was all on Travis, but the worst part was that she didn't know everything yet and since Paul left the hospital with Charlie shortly after Camilla's parents got there Paul didn't know if Camilla had filled them in on everything. At that moment, he could only hope she did because it would only be more fuel to be sure that Travis had nothing to do with Avery.

"So," came Charlie's voice, breaking Paul from his thoughts as the older man moved around him and settled himself in his more comfortable looking chair and looked at Paul, "tell me what happened."

Paul sighed as he ran his large hand through his short hair before his hand fell back into his lap and laid everything out for Charlie. Paul knew that Charlie had already talked to Camilla as she had been being stitched up and he also knew that Charlie probably believed Camilla. So, Paul didn't lie or stretch the truth out in anyway. He had no reason to and the way Charlie was nodding as he finished his story, Paul figured that Charlie also believed him.

"Can I go?" Paul asked, anxious to get back to Camilla and make sure she was okay.

"In a minute," Charlie said as he leaned forward, resting his forearms against his desk as he laced his fingers together in front of him. Paul sighed and slumped a little more in the chair. "I've talked to Peter and Teresa, and I told them that Camilla needs to get a TRO against Travis character," Charlie said quietly and Paul raised an eyebrow, his interest suddenly peeked as he sat up in his chair. "Devon ran his name and it turns out he's got a warrant for his arrest in New York City for another assault case where he put a guy into a two week coma a few months back at a fight in some bar."

"Are you serious?" Paul asked.

"It was your typical bar fight until Travis grabbed a stool and started beating the guy over the head with it," Charlie said. "They have it all on tape thank to the bar's closed circuit security system."

"How is he not in jail already?" Paul asked, his hands trembling at the thought of the bastard laying hands on Camilla in the past and him not know about it.

"He jumped his bond two weeks ago," Charlie said.

"So, he probably had no real intentions of trying to see Avery or work anything out with Camilla as far as custody." Paul paused and Charlie shook his head negatively before Paul scoffed and shook his head as he looked away from Charlie for a beat and then turned his dark eyes back to Charlie's. "What is he doing here then?" Paul asked and Charlie sighed quietly once more.

"My guess is he was looking for a place to hide out for a while and hoped that Camilla would offer that to him. He probably thought he could lay on whatever charm he thinks he has and get in her good graces again," Charlie said. "You screwed up that plan."

"I don't believe this," Paul said as he scoffed once more and sat back in the too small chair before he stared off into space. "What would he have done had Seth and I not showed up when I did and she told him no?" he asked after several quiet beats and looked back at Charlie.

"I think it's best not to think about that right now, son," he said seriously and Paul roughly ran both of his hands through his hair once more before he ran his left hand down his face with a heavy sigh. "I also suggested to Peter that Camilla petition to the Court for sole custody of Avery, and to restrict Travis' rights to the little girl; if the bastard gets any at all after everything. However, I think they were already planning on it given what happened today and after . . . well, after they found out about what happened." Paul knew then that Charlie had also been made aware of the fact that Travis had raped Camilla at least once during their relationship.

"Is there anything you can do about . . .you know? Added charges or anything?" Paul asked, his hands trembling once more.

"I wish I could," Charlie said and Paul nodded before he took a deep breath through his nose and slowly let it out of his mouth.

"Right," he said quietly.

"You can go," Charlie said and Paul didn't need to be told twice before he stood. He paused for a minute and turned to face Charlie. The police chief looked up at him and Paul held out his right hand to the older man. Charlie looked at it and then unclasped his hands before he put his hand into Paul's.

"Thanks, Charlie," Paul said, "for everything."

"Just take care of Camilla, Paul," Charlie said. "She's a sweet girl and doesn't deserve half of the mess she found herself in."

"You can count on me to do just that, Charlie," he said as they let go of each other's hands.

"I know," Charlie said with a small smile and Paul smiled in return before he turned away from Charlie and left the police station. The smile left his face the second he stepped outside and started for his truck. It was already dark out and his labored breath was forming a large mist cloud in front of him. He was doing his best to try and not focus on what might have happened to Camilla, or even Avery, had he and Seth not gotten there when they did or if Travis would have happened to show up on a day that they weren't supposed to come over.

All he wanted was get to back to Camilla, and so he started up his truck and left the station parking lot, speeding the whole way to her house.

Thanks to the fact that Camilla had been pumping her milk over the last few days, Seth had been able to feed Avery in the afternoon and early evening before Teresa, Peter, and Camilla had returned home. Camilla had thanked him a million times, tears lining her green eyes as she did so, but her friend had simply hugged her and told her that it was no problem. He'd gone home only a short time ago and Camilla was taking comfort by holding her daughter, who was clean and ready for bed after the bath that Seth had given her, and sitting on the sofa.

Seth had also been kind enough to clean up the mess that had been made of the living room, and had kept the stew warm for the Monroe's to have for dinner that night along with the biscuits he had thrown in the oven. Peter and Teresa were sitting in the living room with Camilla, both looking at each other and then back at her daughter who, other than thanking Seth, had remained silent since they left the hospital.

"Millie," Teresa said and Camilla turned her eyes away from her giggling daughter, who was once again playing with the gray and pink elephant Seth had given her, and looked at her mother. "Sweetheart, why didn't you tell us?" Teresa asked.

"Why didn't you report him to the police when it happened?" Peter asked, his voice tight, and Camilla sighed quietly as she looked at her father. She knew he wasn't angry with her; he, like Paul and Seth, wanted to kill Travis and she understood completely.

"Can we talk about it after I put Avery to bed?" Camilla asked quietly as she looked between her parents and Peter sighed quietly while Teresa nodded. Camilla stood, adjusting Avery in her arms.

"Do you want some help?" Teresa asked and Camilla smiled weakly at her mother before she shook her head negatively.

"No thanks," she said. "I've got her." Teresa nodded before she and Peter silently watched Camilla go upstairs, both practically holding their breath until they heard the nursery door close.

"I'm going to kill him," Peter said, his eyes cold as he looked at his wife and Teresa sighed quietly.

"From the look Paul had on his face before he left the hospital, I'm surprised that he already hadn't," Teresa said and Peter nodded in agreement, knowing that his wife was right. Just then, a knock sounded on the front door and Peter stood before he walked to the front door. He opened it and found himself smiling slightly when he saw Paul standing on the other side.

"Hi, Mr. Monroe," Paul said. "Is it all right if I come in?"

"Of course, Paul," Peter said as he stepped aside to yet the young man into the house. Teresa stood from her chair upon hearing Paul's voice and Paul looked at her as he stepped out of his shoes. He'd left the jacket he didn't need to wear in his truck a long time ago and much like Camilla did when he walked around without his jacket on Teresa eyed him wearily, which made him smile.

"Mrs. Monroe," he said with a small nod of his head and Teresa smiled at her daughter's boyfriend in greeting. Paul glanced around, but didn't see Camilla; however, his ears caught her quiet shuffling upstairs and he figured, given the time, that she was putting Avery to bed. "How's Camilla?" he asked as he walked further into the living room.

"Quiet," Teresa said as she looked up at him. "She's putting Avery to bed, but she should be down in a minute." Paul nodded, but looked at the stairs.

"Is it okay if I go up?" he asked as he returned his eyes to Teresa and Peter as the man settled at his wife's side.

"Sure," Teresa said with a nod and Paul gave her a tight lipped smile in thanks before he walked around them and stealthily made his way upstairs. He didn't bother to knock on the nursery door; he simply turned the knob and opened the door.

Camilla was just settling Avery into the crib, kissing the little girl's forehead before lying her down and covering her with a blanket. After turning on the musical mobile above the bed, Camilla quietly wished her little girl good night before she turned on the baby monitor that rested on the changing table not far from the crib and turned around. He hadn't seen her since they had taken her into a room at the hospital to get the stitches that were required to patch up her head, and the bandage that rested on her forehead was raised slightly thanks to the swollen bump that was still there. She looked like she was in pain and Paul only wanted to make it go away.

"Paul," she breathed softly when she saw him standing in the doorway before she raced over to him and threw herself into his arms. Paul was quick to respond as he wrapped his arms around her and held her trembling body close to his as he leaned down to kiss the side of her head. Camilla buried her face in his neck and not a second later he felt the wetness of her tears as she started to cry.

"It's all right," he whispered as his right hand made its way into her hair. "It's okay." His words only made her cling to him more and he sighed softly as he closed his eyes. He just held her as she wept against him and after a minute more, when he tears quieted, he gathered her into his arms, carrying her fireman style into the hallway. "Your room or downstairs?" he asked her in a whisper.

"My room," she whispered and Paul carried her into the room that rested beside Avery's. He had never been in her room, but he knew which on was hers thanks to his nights keeping watch when he had first imprinted on her and the countless times he had helped Camilla tend to Avery. Without another word shared between the two of them, Paul carried her over to her bed in the dark room; not needing the light to help him find his way; before he sat down on her double bed, his back resting against the pillows and headboard of the neatly made bed while he kept Camilla on his lap.

With her legs now settled and hanging slightly over the side of the bed, he reached for the bedside lamp and flicked it on before he turned his eyes to her face. Her cheeks were flushed and her green eyes seemed to glow jade thanks to the color they changed to when she cried. She looked up at him and sniffed quietly, which made him smile sadly as he looked at her and broth his left hand from the lamp to her face and gently pushed her hair back behind her ear before he slowly lowered his hand and took hold of her right hand that rested on his chest.

"Are you okay?" he asked her softly and she nodded her head as she sniffed again.

"I don't think I've ever been so happy to see someone. I was so worried that Charlie was going to arrest you too," she said as she looked up at him and Paul shook his head.

"I didn't do anything to get arrested for," Paul said and Camilla nodded.

"I know, but I still worried," she said quietly and Paul ran his thumb along the back of her hand before he sighed softly and leaned into her, kissing her forehead as he closed her eyes. They were silent for a few beats, Paul's lips still pressed softly against her skin, before she spoke again. "Did . . . did Charlie tell you about Travis?" she asked in a whisper and he pulled away from her and nodded his head as he looked down at her. She sighed and closed her eyes as she shook her head and then rested her head on his shoulder. "I should have known he didn't come here for Avery's benefit," she whispered and Paul's right arm wrapped around her a little more as his left hand left hers and moved to cup the side of her face, where he ran his thumb along her cheek.

"Knowing you, Camilla, you were probably giving him the benefit of the doubt," he said and Camilla internally rolled her eyes because that was exactly what she did.

"I did," she whispered. "I did when I should have known better. After everything . . .," she trailed off and sighed before.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, voicing the same question Teresa had posed to her downstairs. She knew her parents were waiting for an answer and were probably growing impatient, but they could wait. She needed that moment with Paul and she needed to feel the calm he always brought her. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and Paul's hand slipped from her face and moved to rest over her hand on his chest once again.

"I didn't tell anyone," she said as she gathered her courage and met his gaze. "And I didn't go to the police because we were in a relationship. I doubted that they would have taken me very seriously, especially since we had had sex before."

"What happened?" he asked, his heart hammering in his chest and Camilla licked her dry lips and cleared her throat.

"Are you sure you want to know?" she asked and he gave her a curt nod as he encased her hand in his and held onto it tight as his brown eyes held her green. "Okay," she said weakly before she looked down at their hands, not sure she would make it through her story if she looked him in the eye. "I was spending the night with Travis at his apartment like I had done a few times before, so, it was nothing new. We were sitting on the couch watching a movie when Travis started running his hand along my thigh.

"It was a surprisingly warm late April day, so, I had worn a dress that I had bought during a shopping trip with my dorm mate. At first, he was just making small circles on my thigh by my knee and then his hand started to slid up my leg and under the skirt of my dress. I pushed his hand away and told him to stop and watch the movie. He huffed and returned his attention to the movie, but a second later he was doing it again.

"I pushed his hand away again and told him to knock it off before I stood for some reason. I don't really remember where I was going or what I was going to do, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down on the couch. He started yelling at me, calling me a cock tease and a bunch of other names as he groped at me. I tried to fight him off, but you saw him. He may not be as big as you, but he's bigger than me and I was no match for him." Paul closed his eyes at the pain and fear in her voice and he did his best to control his trembling body.

"It happened then. On the couch in his apartment and when he was done, he told me to shut up, quit crying, and clean up the mess I made before he went into the bathroom. I didn't talk to him for almost a week after that. He was constantly calling and texting me trying to apologize but I ignored him. I was ready to end things when he showed up at my dorm room, on his knees, begging me to forgive him. Like an idiot I did because, pathetically, I thought I loved him. Six weeks later, I found out I was pregnant and . . . you know the rest."

Camilla could feel her body literally start to vibrate as she sat on his lap and she turned her eyes to his face. He was staring straight ahead at the window opposite her bed, his eyes hard and the left corner of his upper lip was actually curled in anger, and she swore he was starting to growl as he held onto her hand. Worried that he was mad at her, she tried to pull her hand away from him and move off his lap, but her movement snapped his eyes to hers and she gasped quietly and let out a small squeak at how quickly he moved his head. However, as she held his gaze she watched his anger melt away.

Slowly, his body stopped shaking while his eyes softened and she swore she saw tears in his eyes before he brought both of his hands to her face and he kissed her. Paul, for the most part, had always been gentle with her; but he had never been as gentle as he was at that very moment. His kiss was slow, deliberate, and the longer his lips massaged hers the faster the painful memories of that night went away and replaced with the seemingly unconditional love that Paul had for her. Sadly, the kiss had to end and as he pulled back he opened his eyes just as Camilla did.

"I promise, on my life, that nothing like that will happen to you again, Camilla. I won't let it, and I won't let anything happen to Avery. She's more mine than she is his anyway. I'll do anything to protect the both of you," he said as he continued to hold her face in his hands. She smiled through the tears that had lined her eyes during the kiss they had shared and that only intensified at his words regarding Avery. It warmed her heart to know that he cared for her daughter as if she was his, and if she hadn't already known it, she would have realized then and there that she had found herself the perfect man.

"I know, Paul," she said softly. "I know." He kissed her chastely before he pressed his forehead against hers, careful of the bandage that rested there, as he continued to hold her face in his hands. "My parents are probably wondering what we're doing," she whispered and despite all the emotions rolling through his body and his mind he smiled as he lifted his head from hers. He opened his eyes and saw that she was still smiling slightly at him.

"Probably," he said as he wiped away a fallen tear from her left cheek with his thumb. "We should head down before they come up and find us like this," he said and she nodded before she climbed from his lap. Paul stood then and watched as Camilla adjusted her clothes and wiped at her face, basically putting herself back together before she faced her parents. She started to leave her room, but he caught her arm and she turned her head to look up at him. "I love you, Camilla," he said.

"I love you too," she said back easily and he slid his hand down her arm before he took her hand into his, lacing their fingers together before they made their way downstairs where Camilla would tell her story once more. However, with Paul already knowing and there to support her she knew it would be easier to tell the second time around.