Bella's POV:
Well I hadn't expected Charlie to show up. Paul and I were sitting quietly in the porch swing I had made my dad buy when I was out many a summer ago. We had spent the last little while just talking about anything and everything under the sun. I learned his favourite colour was blue, he loved sweets more than he did salty things, his favourite meal was steak and potatoes- just like dad- and that he was an only child. His dad had died when he was 7 and his mom had died just the year before. Her death was the reason he changed.
"Um Bella is there something you want to tell me?" Charlie asked the perplexed look he'd had since exiting the cruiser remained on his face. "Like maybe who this young man on my deck is and why he has his arm around you?"
"Dad this is Paul." I said quickly leaving Paul's hot embrace. I didn't want to but it was kind of awkward around Charlie. "He's from La Push. We just started seeing each other." I couldn't keep the grin off my face.
Paul stood and confidently took my dad's hand in his "Hello Chief Swan. It's great to meet you." I had thought there might be some hesitation but not even a little bit. That was Paul though. Sure he had a temper, which I had yet to actually see, but he was friendly if you just let him in.
"Paul, nice to meet you. I expect you are treating my daughter well?" Dad narrowed his eyes at Paul. It was entertaining my 5' 11" father trying to look intimidating to my 6' 11" boyfriend.
"Daddy be nice" I reprimanded softly "He's treating me like a princess." I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to look cross but I was still smiling. Today had been amazing. After our discussion about Victoria and Laurent that is.
"I'm being perfectly nice." Charlie insisted "Paul how old are you? Are you going to school? Working?" I sighed as the interrogation started.
"I'm 21 in the spring. I graduated almost 3 years ago and I am currently working as a mechanic on the reserve. I volunteer at our local fire department and help Sam Uley with anything the council needs." God I loved him. He had the perfect answers.
"Alright. Bella and I will have to have you over for dinner sometime soon so that I can get to know you better." Charlie said gruffly. I was honestly expecting more of an argument. Maybe a 'Bells you're moving too fast.' What he said next is what stunned me "If you keep the sparkle back in my baby's eyes I have no problem with you. If she loses that sparkle again because of you I will hunt you down and castrate you myself. Bella don't stay up too late you do work tomorrow morning." He moved to the door and shut it behind him after giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
I sat down but Paul remained standing staring after Charlie in shock. "Would he actually?" He trailed off but I knew what he was asking instantly. I burst out laughing at the look of worry.
"You heard him." I was able to get out between giggles "Break my heart he breaks your man parts."
I pulled him down next to me and curled again into his arms. "Bella I'm not going to hurt you I promise."
"I know you won't Paul. It's just he's my dad. I'm his only baby." I sighed "After what happened with Edward he's a little overprotective."
"It's understandable" Paul's tone had taken on a dark undertone "I want to kill him for what he did to you. What he put you through. Bella you didn't deserve that." He held onto me tighter as though if he let go I would disappear into thin air suddenly still in love with Edward. That wasn't going to happen.
Today had shown me just how much fun I had missed out on with Edward. He would never have wanted to go to the mall with me. I wouldn't have wanted to put him through that torture- so many hearts pumping in a small vicinity that would just make me sadistic. I had a feeling that even if Edward did eat he would never eat as much as my Paul. He was too put together to let loose. I liked that I could let loose and act a little crazy with Paul. He wouldn't look at me like I was crazy he would join in instead.
"Paul he hurt me ya. I will never try to deny that. I knew what he was, what he was capable of but I never thought he would break my heart. However, I never felt good enough for him, like I could totally be myself around him. With you I can. I can let my 'human' needs come to the surface- like the need to eat!" I laughed teasing him gently as his stomach growled quietly again. Man that guy could eat and eat and never gain an ounce. Renee would have said he had a hollow leg that's what she said Phil had. "I know you won't ever purposely hurt me. I know that my pain causes you pain."
"I'm glad you know that" Paul sighed, relief flooding his voice.
"Paul like I admitted earlier I love you. I'm not letting you go." I said firmly leaning up and pressing a kiss against his stubbly cheek.
"Good because you're stuck with me forever," He growled laughing as he rubbed his nose gently against mine. "Probably should head home" He said sadly as he glanced at his watch. It was close to 11. "Both of us have to work tomorrow."
"I know" I admitted sadly trying to stifle a yawn.
He stood and tugged me up wrapping me into a warm hug and kissing me softly "Good night my beautiful princess."
"Good night Paul." I smiled and watched him climb into his truck and pull into the night. I stayed on the porch until his taillights were swallowed by the darkness.
I headed into the house locking up behind me. It was already dark except for a light under Charlie's door. He was probably reading the paper he missed earlier before going to bed.
I changed quickly and climbed into my bed. It wasn't as comfortable as I'd once thought it was now that I knew what Paul's embrace was like. I shut my eyes and tried to drift off as I thought back to earlier in the day.
I had just been teasing him about the Coke but he had changed it to Diet just to make me happy. He had put up with my racing from one side of the fishing store to the other. He had asked questions that I couldn't think of when comparing two fish radars.
He had run with me when I dared him to race me to the theater even though I knew he was faster than I would ever be. He even let me win!
I was relieved that dad and Paul had seemed to hit it off and hoped that it would keep going like that. Paul was the only man I saw in my future now and I knew that wasn't going to change. Ya he'd imprinted which was what had brought us together in the first place but we really were perfect together.
Where I would normally keep quiet until something sent me over the edge, like with Jacob- I had let my anger over the loss of Edward and my vampire family build until I lost Jacob too and then I lost it, Paul was the type who let you know when he was angry.
I could build up his excitement about the most random of things and he could make me see reason. Today while shopping I wanted to buy Charlie the fish radar that went deeper but Paul pointed out that Charlie wasn't going to be fishing on the ocean just the lake and wouldn't need the deeper one. Plus why spend an extra hundred dollars for only 15 extra feet of radar.
We could both calm each other with just a touch. When some teen had bumped into me today as we left the fishing store and made me drop my dad's new gift I was close to tears but Paul was furious. I thought he was going to phase right there in the mall but my touch and the sight of me upset made him realize I needed him and that hurting some kid while it may make him feel better was not going to make me happy. He was able to help me check that nothing was ruined and joke about it making me laugh.
I hated that I worked the next day because I didn't want to work with Mike but after work Paul had said he would come over. That was when we were going to do the introduction to Charlie, it could now just be a get to know you better dinner.
I was restless without reason and sighed disappointed when I opened my eyes to see I had been tossing and turning for almost an hour.
I was just about to pick up my cell phone to call Paul when it started vibrating in my hand. "Hello?" I said quietly.
"Princess, I'm sorry if I woke you I just missed you." Paul said sounding very sheepish.
"It's ok. I couldn't sleep" I admitted.
"You sound tired though babe" His voice was soft and soothing and I felt myself starting to drift.
"Can you just keep talking to me Paul?" I asked shyly.
"Of course my princess." Paul said. I could hear the smile in his voice.
"I love you Paul" I sighed into the phone.
"I love you too." He said and then started to tell me a story about a princess that fell in love with a lowly peasant even though she was betrothed to some royal prince to join their two kingdoms. Listening to his voice I drifted into dreamland.