Chapter 28

Preparations

Paul

Kelsey's there, along with Kim and Emily, when we have our first pack training session. It was Kelsey's idea that we should actually practice, even if it isn't with the vamps. After all, we may be awesome but we're not insensible. Emily and Kim agreed with her, so.

I'm standing in wolf form, waiting for Sam to try to attack me while in his human form. He runs at me and I dodge, doing my best to recall the tips that Jasper gave. I finally land a good hit on Sam, winning the practice fight. I faze back into human form and sit next to Kelsey, tucking her into my side to keep her warm.

Seth and Leah join us after their turn. Seth informs us of the plan, which Jacob picked up from Edward and broadcast during his shift. The plan basically involves leaving Bella's scent everywhere as bait and carrying her up into the mountains. One of wolves or the vamps would stay with her at all times. The only problem? There's nothing about protecting Kelsey.

"Why would we need to protect Kelsey?" Jacob asks when I point out the flaw in this plan.

"She's Bella's sister. They may try to hurt her to get to Bella." Leah says. I want to punch her for how casually she mentions Kelsey getting hurt.

"Take her up, too." Sam decides. I turn to Kelsey.

"Would you be okay with that? we can work something else out if you'd rather."

"No, it's fine. I like camping." Kelsey smiles.

"Okay." I kiss her temple.

"Paul?" she asks on the way home.

"Yes?"

"You will be careful, right?" Her eyes are full of concern. I pull the car to the side of the road and gather her into my arms.

"I can't promise anything. I'm not going to make promises I may not be able to keep. But I can tell you this: I'll do my best to come back to you. I'll always do my best to come back to you." I kiss her softly.

"If you get yourself killed, I'll bring you back just to kill you myself." Kelsey informs me.

"Wouldn't expect anything less."

We have nightly training sessions, with a different pack member being the attacker at each one. We figure rotating is the best option, since it will give us all equal practice. Kelsey comes to every one of them, even though it means sacrificing a lot of sleep.

It's hard to find time with her outside training right now. Between her shifts at the Coffee Bean; my patrol shifts, of which Sam has us doing extra; and the diabetes education class I've finally started taking. It's a class for significant others of type 1s up in Seattle. Right now, we're learning about blood sugars and why they are so important.

"Can you show me how to use your glucose meter?" I ask Kelsey during one of our rare days off together.

"Sure." She smiles softly at me before rummaging through her bag for it. "You know, you're the only person, besides Dad, who asked to learn how to use it? Not even Renee and Bella know how." She kisses my cheek as she opens the little case the meter is in.

She makes me test my own blood sugar. And ouch! The needle jabbing my finger is painful. She smiles slightly when she sees my reaction.

"You get used to it. I hardly feel it anymore. That's how I got all the calluses on my fingers." I lift her fingers to my lips and kiss each one. She's the strongest person I know, my Kelsey.

I watch as she packs for our camping trip. She has a backpack, in which she stuffs pajamas, a hoodie and a change of clothes for the next day, along with a box of granola bars, bottle of water, magazine for her gun, and a bag of sugarfree marshmallows. She then grabs another bag just for medical supplies, of which there are many. So many that I can't even imagine how she keeps up with all of it. Pump cartridges, sites, needles, syringes, insulin, sensors, meters, batteries, chargers, inhalers, epipen, lancets, extra pricker, glucagon kit, glucose tabs, and a long-acting insulin pen.

"Wow. That's a lot." I muse, wrapping my arms around her from behind.

"Yeah." she sighs as she leans into my embrace. "I probably won't use half of it, but it's better to be over prepared than under prepared."

I kiss the top of her head. "We'll be sharing a tent. That okay?"

She smiles up at me. "That's fine. You can help keep me warm." she jokes. "The forecast is calling for a storm."

Charlie is willing to let Kelsey go, since Bella, Leah, Alice and Rosalie will be there. He probably wouldn't be so willing if he found out the sleeping arrangements, but that's besides the point.

Kelsey goes to Emily's with me for a major pack and imprint dinner. She's learned since that first pack breakfast, and doesn't dose herself until the food is safely on her plate. It's kind of become an unspoken rule that, while we may steal food from anyone else, Kelsey is off limits. Unfortunately for him, Quil seems to have forgotten.

"Mm. Chicken strips." He tries to snag ;one off Kelsey's plate. She smacks his hand away. Hard.

"She already dosed for that, Quil. Steal from Jake." I say.

"Hey! Don't steal from me!" Jacob says around a mouthful of food.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth, Jake." Emily reprimands. Kelsey rolls her eyes towards the ceiling.

"You have work tomorrow, right?" I ask, kissing Kelsey's cheek.

"Yeah. I get off at four."

"Okay. I'll pick you up and take you up there."

"Uh-huh." I can see the worry eating away at her.

"Hey. It'll work out. I don't plan on going anywhere. It'll be okay." I kiss her gently.

"I'm just... I don't want anything to happen to you is all."

"I know, babe. I know." I rub her shoulders.

"Am I being stupid?"

"No. No you're not. It's okay. It's okay to be afraid." I dig my fingers into the spot at the base of her neck where she carries her tension. "You're never stupid, Kelsey. Think of it this way: it'll all be over in 48 hours. Then we can go on more dates and have movie nights and just be normal teenagers for awhile. Okay?"

"Okay." She kisses my cheek.

"Try to get some sleep. I know it'll be hard, but you need to try."

"Okay. Good night, Paul." She reaches for my car door handle.

"Good night, Kelsey. Sleep well."

"I'll try."

"That's all I ask." I lean across to kiss her. "See you tomorrow."

I watch as she makes her way into the house. I'm not sure how I got so lucky as to be dating Kelsey Swan. But right now, I feel like the luckiest man alive.

A/n: Hi, guys. We're only four off from one hundred reviews! That's FUCKING AMAZING! So, if we can get to 100 by Wednesday, I'll update AND post the chapter of my new story! On a sadder note, I'm 99.9 percent sure I have COVID. I've coughed so much I've pulled a muscle in my side. Lucky me. So, each review is a prayer for your girl. LOL. Later!

Lauren.

Replies to Reviews

LuanaMariaSwan: I wanted to break out the hairspray and lighter if he'd said that to me. I love writing Paulsey scenes. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

Guest: Agreed 100 percent. I hope you had a good New Year, too. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

Twilightfanjm: That scene was so fun to write. LOL. Sadly, an extended family member doesn't believe in mental illness. She is a big proponent of mind over matter. I had an awesome Christmas. I'm sorry your friend has COVID. I have it too and I can tell you that it SUCKS. Glad you tested negative, though.

Sparkle15: I'm glad you love this. I'm honored that you read all 27 chapters in one day. I HATE Bella, in case you couldn't tell. I love writing Kelsey. I hope you liked this chapter too; please review and let me know.