A/N- Figure I owe you guys this as well since youse are that amazing and plus we have some new readers.
Chap 6.
After my seventh beer, Leah and I crawled into the tent that I had Jacob set up and went to sleep, that was about two or three am. It was now seven and I was wide awake, conscious of the small headache throbbing in my mind, the hangover was enough to make you not drink but this one was barely classified as one since it was lacking of pain. I crawled out into the bright morning, wrapped in the blanket I'd bought with me. Leah knew what I'd done to Paul and I got a pat on the back for it. Was I worried, no, Paul didn't scare me, I should keep moving forward like I'd plan and Paul was a good step, even if it was just for shits and giggles. It was pretty silent out, just the sound of waves and the faint sound of people snoring. The sun was just coming up so it was pretty cold, the weak sun only warming you light as the rest of it hid behind the horizon. Cindy I knew had left last night, I felt kind of bad actually, I mean Paul was pissed at me and told her to get lost since she was hanging on him like a bad smell. I shouldn't have done what I did, not that I regret it, it's just I should have waited till there wasn't a girl under his arm or someone in the picture, he had no right to take his anger out on her but I influenced it. I sighed as I crawled back inside and tried my best to get changed and look half decent before showing my face to Paul. I was getting a lift back to the house with him and I wasn't sure if it would be awkward or he'd still be angry. I grabbed my bag, kicked Leah enough to wake her up and tell her I was leaving and I'd call her later before making my way to Paul's truck where he'd slept the night. I peered in and he was spread across the back seat, his arm thrown over the top of his head and the other resting on his stomach. He actually looked pretty comfortable. I tapped on the window and he frowned but his eyes stayed closed. I grunted and opened the door only to have him throw the keys at me.
"Your drive, I sleep" He murmured, his eyes still closed. I shut the door and climbed into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirror so I could see him and the road before chucking the truck in reverse. As I drove along I tried to miss all the potholes, he looked tired and when he was sleeping he couldn't be angry. I turned the radio on low and sung along as I drove through the small town and waved to people who waved at me. Seeing his truck was low on gas I pulled into the servo and turned around to him still sleeping peacefully. I rolled my eyes and pulled the wallet that was peeking out of his pocket out and jumped out to fill the car before heading inside. The guy behind the counter was at least in his sixties with white hair and a wrinkled face. He'd been here since I was just a little girl, manning his spot, it was weird seeing a lady in her late twenties next to him, chewing bubblegum and packing stuff in a box.
"That's twenty bucks pretty lady" He said as I opened Paul's wallet.
"Paul Foster's car, you sharing his bed" The bubblegum girl asked as I pulled out a twenty.
"Nope" I replied, carelessly as if she'd asked me was I doing anything today.
"Looks like you got his wallet to, if you're not sharing his bed you can't be far off unless you killed him" She shrugged as I waited for the all clear from the old man. Slower at the computer than he used to be.
"I don't see how it's any of your business either way" I said, getting annoyed.
"I'd say it is since my sister came home from a date at the beach with him, most pissed off with the girl that fits your description" She said, hate in her eyes.
"Cindy's sister I'm guessing, make sure you tell her I said hello" I said as I shoved the receipt in Paul's wallet and thanked the old guy.
"Watch your back Black" She called as I walked out the door and I made sure I smiled as I got in the car. I chucked Paul's wallet onto his stomach, which made his eyes open as I drove off.
"What're you doing" He demanded, his voice heavy with sleep.
"Filling up your truck, looks like Cindy's forming an army against me, her sister's first in the line up" I said as he sat up and rubbed his face.
"What the fuck are you talking about" He said blankly and I met his eyes in the mirror.
"Your girl from last night hates me" I said, speaking each word slow and individually.
"She saw you and me, what did you expect, best friend material" He said as he stretched.
"She saw us, but how, we were alone" I said and he smirked.
"Sorry baby, not this time" He said smugly and I glared at him before looking out the windshield. I pulled up in the driveway, behind my baby, before jumping out. I was about to head into the house when Paul grabbed me by the waist band and pulled me back flush against him. "By the way, since you cost me a date, you have to make up for it, I'll see you tonight" He said before letting me go and walking ahead.
"Sorry Paulie, I'm working tonight" I said and he smirked.
"I don't mind if the kids are there babe, your happier when they're there, let's me see the nice side of you, see you at 6" He said over his shoulder before walking inside. I growled curses under my breath before grabbing my bag and heading inside. If he thought I would go on even a 'pretend' date with him, he's crazy.
Sarah left at 11 and she was working a twelve hour shift since she has tomorrow off so she won't be home till about 11.30. I cleaned the house, not that it wasn't already clean but the kids were napping and Paul was who knows where so I was pretty bored. When the kids woke up I packed them in the car and headed out to the shops before taking them to the park for a play. Amy was babbling away to me when my phone rang. Seeing it was dad I answered it instantly.
"Hey dad is everything okay" I asked, worried instantly.
"I'm fine, just calling to find out when I'll see my daughter again" He said and a smile fell on my face.
"How about ten minutes and three kids" I said and he laughed.
"I'd love you, all of you, I'll see you soon Rach" He said before hanging up. I rounded the kids up and headed to my childhood home. Approaching I got the grief I always got, knowing I wouldn't be greeted by a mother's warm hugs but that soon left me as I saw my dad, sitting in his wheelchair, a huge smile on his crinkled face. I jumped out and unbuckled the boys, both of them racing towards my dad.
"Ah my boys, not being too much trouble are we" I heard him say as I reached in to get Amy out. The boy's laughter filled the air as he ruffled their hair. It was weird seeing my dad with little kids, a good weird, I'd always pictured him surrounded by his grandkids, a huge smile on his face. It was exactly pictured how he is now and I felt the warmth fill me as he looked up and smiled at me.
"Rach and little Amy, look how big you've gotten" He said as he touched the babies hand gently. Amy beamed at him and held out her arms. He took her gladly and set her on his lap, keeping a grip on her as I leant down and kissed his cheek while he gave me a one armed hug. "Let's get inside and maybe if we're lucky enough Rachel will whip us up some hot chocolates" Dad said as the boys cheered and rushed inside.
"I suppose I could do that" I said as I followed him and Amy inside.
"You woulda done it anyway, weird you know, that Riley and Alex remind me of you and Jacob, the twin part you and Rebecca but the crazy type you and Jake" He smiled and I laughed.
"Thanks, I always wanted to be called a boy by my own father" I said and he shook with laughter.
"You know what I mean, now tell me how everything's been going over those hot chocolates" He beamed and I got started. I stayed at dad for about two, three hours before Amy got tired and the boys were whining for their dinner and movies. It was just after five thirty so I kissed dad goodbye and loaded in the exhausted and hungry kids.
"I promise to not be a stranger if you come over and have dinner with me and Sarah one night this week" I said as I gave him one last hug.
"Promise and call anytime, Rebecca plans on coming in about a week" He said and I nodded.
"Bye dad, I love you" I called as I slid in the car.
"Love you more kiddo, love you more" He said as I blew him a kiss and drove off. On the drive home Amy fell asleep and the boys sang along to the music I had on. I was pretty exhausted myself and was looking forward to having whatever I could find to eat and sliding into bed to read a nice book or something after I got the kids settled. Walking to the door the boys waited as I got Amy out before I turned the key and let them in. They headed straight for the lounge room to watch TV and when I heard them gasp I came running.
"What, what is it" I said as I rushed to them and then I blinked in shock. There was Paul, surrounded by sheets he had hung up as a fort with pillows and plates of pizza sitting inside, waiting to be eaten. He had the lights dimmed low and was beaming as he caught our faces.
"Paul, did you make this for us" Riley gasped, excitement in his voice. His eyes were on me as he smiled.
"Something like that" He said as they raced over and sat on one of the four pillows. "There's room for one more, why don't you join us Rachel" He asked as the boys called out encouragements.
"Uh okay, I'll um just put Amy to bed" I said as I carried her upstairs and changed her silently and quickly before I put her in bed and gave her a made up bottle. Before I went downstairs I went into the bathroom and changed into pyjama pants and an old high school t-shirt and chucked my hair up in a ponytail. When I got down Paul was listening to the boys replay their day and I took a seat next to him but left distance between us.
"Finally she's here, can we eat now" Alex said eagerly and I nudged his arm.
"Hey I was quick, I could have had a nice soak in the bath or a shower" I said and he rolled his eyes.
"Then we'd starve" Paul said before digging in. I grabbed a slice of the cheese pizza and noticed Paul watch with amusement as I took a bite. I raised an eyebrow as he continued to watch me as in question and he just shook his head before eating his own. The boys chatted away about how cool the fort was and that they should have dinner in here every night. We talked about how they were going to big school soon and that they'd make heaps of new friends. We sat and ate ice cream and talked in there for almost two hours before Paul told the boys to go get changed into their pyjamas. I was still eating the chocolate cake and ice cream we were eating for dessert as they raced off.
"Quite the charmer aren't you Paul" I said as I heard the boys laughing upstairs.
"You haven't seen the half of it" He grinned and I frowned.
"Not every girl falls for charm, there's brains and talent and music and" I began before he cut me off with his lips. It was short and sweet, just like the other night but with a bit more confidence. It caught me off guard and by the look of it him as well. He pulled back and before I could stop it I was biting my bottom lip and looking at the bowl in my lap.
"Uh sorry, anyway you were saying" He said as he leant back and gathered plates.
"That there's more to a guy than" I began again but he cut me off again, this time he deepened the kiss and didn't have any intention of pulling back instantly. His hand was at the back of my neck as the other supported his body where it leant against the ground next to my leg. His tongue ran across my lip and asked for entrance which I did, willingly. I had no idea what ran over me to do that, I was supposed to be playing a game, not getting played. Without my minds consent my hands trailed across his shoulders, up his neck and to his cheeks where they stopped a moment before sliding into his hair and gripping it. What was innocent turned to hunger in seconds and I screamed at myself to pull back before things got to hot and heated. I pulled back when I heard the boys racing back down the stairs.
"I'd say sorry for that but I'm not" He grinned and I grabbed the plates and stood up.
"You call that a kiss, cute" I said in the best casual voice as I could as I walked away; hiding the feeling of warmth it had washed over me. I heard him get up and follow me in.
"Wait, what, that kiss was awesome" He said defensively as I stacked up the dishes.
"Well yeah, if you're like fifteen" I said and his eyes lit with fury. The boys entered the kitchen, freshly dressed in their pyjamas as I gave Paul a warning glance before leaning down for goodnight hugs and kisses.
"Night Rach" They said in sync before they walked past Paul, punching him in the sides before continuing on. Boys and their affection for each other. I headed back into the lounge room and began taking down the sheets and folding them. Paul soon joined in to help after he got over his wounded ego.
"Okay so first you tease me, then you challenge me and now you insult my kissing skills, what's next" He asked curiously as we met corner to corner.
"Well I was thinking of a wet t-shirt competition followed by some pole dancing, what do ya think" I smiled and he shook his head.
"Stop teasing, is that your life goal, to drive men crazy" He questioned and I laughed.
"Just you Paulie" I responded as a distant howl sounded. My eyes shot to Paul as he looked towards the direction the howl came.
"Vampire, duty calls" He said, dropping the sheet.
"Whoa wait, what is it" I asked as I grabbed his arm when he went to walk out.
"Emergency howl, there's a vampire in our territory, stay inside, you'll be fine" He said, patting my hand before going to pull away. My grip just tightened and his eyes met mine that were no doubt full of worry. "Don't worry babe, I'll be fine" He said in a soothing voice. "But on the off chance, maybe I should get one more kiss" He winked and I scoffed, shoving him away.
"Be careful and watch out for my little brother" I said and he put his hand up and saluted me.
"Yes maim" He said before running off.
"Idiot" I muttered under my breath as I pushed away the worry. They did this all the time, it was their job, they knew what they were doing but I understood where Emily came from, the worry you wouldn't see them again or that one of them would get hurt.
A/N- Boring compared to the last one but it's not a disaster. I don't know if youse like it or not besides the ones that review and the ones of youse who do are really the only reason this story keeps going so thank you :-) My inspiration.