A/N: Only one more Chapter after this one me thinks xx Alexis
"Wow, the Makah certainly know how to celebrate. That was awesome, I'm stuffed" Bella said patting her stomach after a sumptuous meal,
"Yeah me too. They've taken to Embry that's for sure and are honouring him and his wolf! The complete opposite of the Quileutes anyway.
I was gobsmacked when they asked to see Silver, and so were the others. We've spent so long hiding what we were in La Push and a sister tribe revels in it, rather than our own original tribe!" Paul bemoaned as Bella rubbed his back,
"I know Leah's face as they gave her all those gifts was quite the picture! Emily was almost bursting with pride in her people's acceptance of you all. Plus I know the Wasco will do us proud too, when our time comes" she told him and he was smiling as he leant in to kiss her,
It would be fair to say everyone was shocked at the reception they had received on arriving in Neah Bay. The Chief and the Shaman were there to greet them officially and asked to meet their wolves too. But unlike the Quileutes they had an enclosed area for each to change individually. There was no embarrassment for Leah as she was given the respect an Alpha female deserved. All in all the Makah treated her better and more respectfully than her own tribe had done. They knew about everyone and even Bella was treated well and not just as an extension of Paul. They had surprised her with the respect they had for her father as well. He had nothing to do with them way up there in Neah Bay, but they knew about him and all his good deeds.
"I did suggest he save you next Embry, but you did it yourself before he could!" Bella had mentioned when they were alone,
He was clearly moved by that and hugged Bella. Embry knew if anyone saw his plight it was her she was very observant.
"Thanks, Bella, I just reached breaking point first that's all" he explained,
Before they all left Neah Bay phone numbers were exchanged, so they could warn each other of any Cold-Ones in the area. Bella started to laugh and all the wolves stared at her as she whispered to Emily,
It's a barking chain! They've got themselves a barking chain" she gasped to a giggling Emily, unable to help themselves,
Seth and Embry also laughed as they had seen the movie and Leah shook her head at Bella's foolishness. She refused to admit it was one of her favourite childhood movies. Sam and Paul were a little lost; neither had had time for Disney films in their youth. One because he was too busy working, and helping his mother and the other due to lack of both money and parental guidance. Bella was horrified for Paul and decided to make it her mission to have him see them all if she could. She was annoyed with his family, hell her mother managed to let her see Disney films and she was a total ditz! Yeah, granted Renee picked them up in thrift stores, but at least she did. Emily was thinking along the same lines and was annoyed with Alison; she had friends with kids, surely she could have managed somehow!
They all promised to keep in touch and for once they were all looking at Paul, he had become the unofficial leader of those who had left La Push. Even though they were all in different places with different tribes, except Leah for now. Even Sam seemed to realise Paul was a better leader, even if he was reluctant. Why? Because he listened to them and advised them by saying what he had done, but not at any point instructing or ordering them. They had all roared with laughter when he told Seth he never had to chase off any would-be suitors, that Bella did it herself. A couple of pretentious assholes asked her why she was slumming it with the natives. Her answer was said loudly in a crowded cafeteria and packed one hell of a punch.
"Well, for one he isn't an asshole like you two are! Secondly, he works hard and isn't failing his classes like you two are! But lastly, unlike you both, he's hung like a horse! Any more stupid questions?"
Paul explained that to all of them as Bella blushed bright red and they all whooped in delight. But what they all took from this was how well he and Bella were matched. She seemed to have calmed the savage beast he once was and he had given her much more confidence to speak her mind. They seemed to always be aware of where each other were but didn't feel the need to hover or be the centre of their attention. Theirs was a true partnership and nobody else stood a chance in hell, with either of them. Leah was a little jealous, but she knew in her heart one day she too would have that and it was worth the wait. Watching Sam and Emily showed her that he was never right for her, just who was available back then when they were trapped in La Push. So as they parted ways all had a stronger bond and appreciation for each other.
HADDD
"Are you ready babe? Only three days left to Christmas so what do you need me to do?" Paul asked for the umpteenth time,
"I need you to relax Paul! Everything is done; all the food is ready to cook. You've sorted out all the living arrangements too. Dad's staying with Grammie, and Mom and Phil with Zack, it's all perfect honey. Now go take care of the animals and then let's hit the sack" Bella told him again,
This was a big deal for both of them, but Paul was way more stressed than Bella. She had to stop him redecorating everywhere, telling him this was how she liked it and that's all that mattered. The thing was Paul had never had a proper family before and with all of them coming, his side and hers he was just plain panicking. Convincing himself that they would find everything lacking, Bella spent the whole night soothing and loving him until about dawn when he broke down in her arms and sobbed, this was a big turning point for him, showing her his most vulnerable side. He eventually opened up and told her he was scared, scared of losing her, losing his family and scared he wasn't good enough. Bella just held him tight and said,
"Baby, I don't care where we live. I don't care who calls us family or not. I only care about you and our future together. No matter what, it's you and me against the world okay?"
"I was worrying about nothing wasn't I?" he asked kissing her and she nodded,
"Remember this please, you, me and Silver are a team and no matter who comes and goes in our lives, we three will always be a team," Bella said snuggling into him and finally giving into the sleep that was demanding to be heard,
Paul sighed deeply more in relief than anything else and Silver was also relieved, he just couldn't get through to Paul at all. But both knew all they really needed was Bella, nothing else was important enough to them. Once more she had hit the nail on the head by including Silver as an important part of their demographic; they were three and not two. Waking up the next morning Paul was totally refreshed and felt so guilty for keeping Bella up most of the night. So he spent the whole day spoiling her and making sure she caught up with her sleep before Charlie arrived. The Chief drove himself down and Paul smirked seeing the Police Cruiser pulling up outside his door. In the past, this had been a common occurrence, whether dropping him off or there to question the then, angry young man.
"Hey Chief, I hope this isn't an official visit?" Paul asked smiling at his future father-in-law,
"I sure hope not son. Help me unload this stuff and then we can drop the cruiser off at your grandparents with my case" Charlie said smiling as he looked up and saw his daughter in the doorway,
"Hey Dad, good journey? Did Leah go to Seth's place? Have you had lunch?" Bella rattled off and Charlie laughed,
"Whoa there Bells, one question at a time! Yes, yes and no by the way" he quipped as he hugged his daughter,
"Great, Paul made lunch and as usual it's enough for five people so sit down. Honey, do you want seconds? Why am I asking, of course you do!" Bella said bustling about the kitchen as the two men just shook their heads,
Paul was going to pick up Renee and Phil tomorrow in Zack's truck, while Bella used his to show her dad where they both worked. He would have to go to Portland so that gave them a couple of hours before her mother descended on them all. Bella was prepared because even though Renee couldn't cook to save herself she tended to interfere a lot. Bella always put up with it in the past because those were Renee's homes but this was hers, hers and Paul's. Grammie was supplying a couple of sides and one of the desserts, if Renee brought anything it would be bought last minute and not suitable for Christmas dinner. Bella and Paul had gone to Charlie's for Thanksgiving and Leah had made a great spread, asking Bella to make all the desserts since baking was her thing and she was happy to do that.
Paul's grandparents were taking Charlie to a tribal event that night so Paul and Bella were making the most of their last night of peace because her mother always needed much more entertaining. It was crazy how totally opposite her parents were. Bella thanked her lucky stars she was more like her Dad than her Mom. Because if it had been the other way around she had no idea how her life would have turned out. She sure as hell would never have come to Forks, but then she would not have been destined for Paul if she had been different so it was a moot point. Normally she would never wonder about the what if's it was not normally her style. But for some reason, these things were crossing her mind and she thought it was triggered by Paul's panic yesterday. All she knew was they were destined to be together.
Charlie was really enjoying his visit, everyone was being so nice and kind to him and it was obvious they really cared for his daughter. The older couple at the bakery were teaching her everything they knew and even showcasing some of her recipes. He had the feeling she would have no trouble with a place to work after she finished college. He had the feeling they were considering training her up to take over one day as they had no children themselves who wanted to take over the place. Bella always seemed to land on her feet somehow or maybe it wasn't as surprising as she was always helping others. He wasn't looking forward to his ex-wife arriving, she wouldn't recognise appropriate behaviour if it jumped up and bit her. The constant trying to be Bella's friend, rather than her mother bugged him no end.
Both father and daughter had made the decision independently to call her out on her shit this time around. After all, Bella was no longer a child, hell with the way things were going she'd be a wife herself soon enough. With both she and Paul having such long-term plans, they saw it as a given they would achieve them as man and wife. Charlie could see what a good match Paul was for her, unlike both Edward and Jacob. They would both have wanted her to give up all her dreams to be the little woman in their lives and that was not who she was ever meant to be. Whereas Paul was pushing her to be all she could be and that was what she needed. He, it was apparent saw her as a partner, his equal and his rock in this life they were creating together.
"Oh Charlie, looks like you've put on some weight old man!" Renee said as she exited Zack's truck,
Charlie patted his belly and agreed, before firing the first salvo by saying,
"Hell yeah, Leah is as good a cook as Bella. I'm trying to work off Thanksgiving here and aren't you eighteen months older than me Renee?"
That stopped her in her tracks, in less than two hours two different people had called her out for saying something. Paul was the first when he explained his sex life with her daughter, was none of her business. She had been teasing him about his prowess in the bedroom and he had shut her down immediately. Phil had apologized as he shook Paul's hand telling him,
"Sorry Paul, Nee has no filter at all and forgets she's not a hip young thing anymore!"
"No worries man, there are just some things that I refused to talk about, especially with Bella's mother!" Paul had replied and Phil understood completely,
So it was a slightly more subdued Renee who sat with them for lunch before Paul took them to Zack's place to unpack and relax. Dinner that night, Christmas Eve was to be in Salem at Amadeus' on Liberty Street. Zack was staying with his girlfriend and had given Renee and Phil his place and truck while they were there. They were all going to see the lights and look at the Holiday Market before dinner and Bella was excited, she loved these kinds of things. Charlie was footing the bill for this one as he didn't think it was fair for the kids or Paul's grandparents to have to feed them all. Phil offered to split it with him and Charlie laughed,
"It's okay Phil, you keep your money, it looks like Renee's expensive tastes haven't diminished any!"
"Tell me about it!" was all he said shaking his head,
Charlie knew Phil loved his ex-wife, but damn she was still a handful and for once he was glad she wasn't his problem. They were all meeting here at Paul's before heading into Salem. Charlie was riding with Grammie and Pops; yep he was calling them that too. Zack and Zia were coming in her car and Phil was driving Zack's truck. That left Bella and Paul coming in his truck by themselves. Charlie had a feeling he filled a void for Paul and Zack's grandparents. Paul's mother had died and Zack's father had left the reservation years ago when his wife died having Zack. He didn't mind as it was nice to be fussed over now and then. Zack's father rarely came home, but he did see his son and was paying for his education. Charlie knew what that felt like and at least the boy had grandparents that loved him.
At dinner, Charlie told them a story he had recently remembered from when Bella was eight.
"Everyone had been sitting on the beach at a bonfire when we all heard one boy say, "When we grow up I'm going to marry you Bella" he had told her, "Okay, that would be nice! She had replied smiling at him. We had all grinned due to their innocence and then Jake had to spoil it by saying Bells belonged to him and he would marry her! I should have seen his possessiveness then, but he was six! He attacked the boy, who didn't fight back and got his ass handed to him by Bella, she could wield a mean ladle even then. She then rushed to the boy's side and said, 'Don't worry Paul, I won't marry him, I want to marry you when I grow up" Charlie finished his story to the stunned looks around the table,
"Damn!" Phil said,
"Fate!" Renee gushed,
"Preordained!" Zia sighed wishfully,
"Geez Paul, that's taking one-upmanship to a whole new level bro!" Zack said in exasperation,
Everyone burst out laughing as Paul and Bella just stared into each other's eyes. They didn't remember any of that, but wow just wow!
"Honey that sure makes our engagement a pretty long one!" Bella finally said kissing Paul's cheek,
He was stunned by this revelation, she was eight and he was seven. But he told her he was going to marry her when they grew up and now they were going to do just that!
"I love you" was all he replied choked by his own emotions,
Christmas came and went without much fuss. Everyone complimented Bella on her cooking and especially her baking. For once Renee had actually toned down her behaviour after both Paul and Charlie had stood up to her and Bella was thankful. Now it was just the two of them alone celebrating being together for a whole year as a couple. Paul had plans to have 'I've loved you all my life' inscribed in Bella's wedding ring when they finally tied the knot. That one little story had changed him more than they realised, now he knew he deserved Bella and this life, he always had! Bella saw the new confidence he projected and it made her love both him and her father more. As far as she was concerned life couldn't get much better than this, Bella Swan was truly happy and felt right in her own skin at long last.
HADDD
Time as it always does just marched along steadily and the two young lovers buckled down to the workload they had set themselves. Before they knew it her third year and his second came to a close and the summer was once again upon them. The Eagle bakery had told Bella once she finished college they wanted her to go for pastry classes, which they would pay for if she worked for them full-time. She was elated, this was more than she'd hoped for and they would give her all the training she'd need for the future. A future where she didn't have to go far from where she now thought of as home. Even Bella couldn't miss the hints they were dropping about them maybe retiring in five years or so and her taking over the business one day.
First as their manager and then later as their partner and maybe one day she could afford to buy them out. They wanted the business to keep going and promised the day she could afford to become a partner they would change the name of the business to the 'Eagle & Swan Bakery'. She was so excited when she told everyone, that Phil decided to call Charlie,
"How about when the time comes we go halves and lend her the money so she doesn't have a bank loan dragging her down. Then she can pay us back over time without all that interest. What do you think Charlie?" he asked cautiously not wanting to tread on Charlie's toes,
"Damn, that's a great idea, Phil. I've already got a separate account in my name for her but it's a slow builder, if you know what I mean. So if we both do that she won't need it for at least five years, giving us both time to accrue some interest as we keep topping it up. You're a good man Phil. I don't know how you put up with Ren, but you're a good man!" Charlie told him honestly,
It was funny how Charlie called her Ren, while Phil called her Nee. But both knew any help Bella got would have to be from them because her mother was useless with money and always has been.