Chapter 41

Bella, Ailani and Sarah were getting ready for their night out. Ailani and Sarah had flown to Seattle five days earlier. Bella wasn't working during the spring break; Paula had told her she would manage fine few days without her. So, she was able to spend all the time with her friends.

Yesterday they had spent their Christmas gift in a day spa. Whole body massage, salt scrub and relaxing in a spa was just what doctor had ordered. It had been busy winter for all of them. The day had been absolutely divine, and girls had been feeling all sorts of euphoria when walking out of the spa.

Tonight, they would dance their brains out. Bella had missed dancing with her friends the most. They would go to the dance club that had the best dj:s in the city, Megan had recommended Trinity for them when Bella had asked. She didn't have any experience of the night clubs in Seattle other than the one in the Uni Village.

"Do we take a taxi?" Ailani asked.

"Nah, we can take metro bus and taxi when we come back," Bella answered.

"Next time you two had to come to New York," Sarah said.

"Definitely. Maybe in the summer?" Bella said. "And I miss Honolulu, I would love to take Paul there sometimes. We should Sarah go same time to catch up with everybody."

"Sounds like a great plan. When is Paul coming? I want to meet that hunk of yours again." Sarah asked.

"Tomorrow. His sift ends at two and he leaves for Seattle straight from work."

"So, are we ready?" Bella asked.

"Let's go bitches?" Sarah shouted.

Edward Cullen couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Isabella coming to the same night club, he was with Jasper and Emmett. He was just stepping out from the bathroom when he saw her.

Isabella was on the phone and her friends were waiting her to finish the call. He presumed they were her friends visiting her over the spring break. She didn't notice him, and he didn't make his presence known to her. He wanted to watch her.

He felt his heart rate spike and jeans tightening when looking at her. She was stunning. She had her long hair on a sleek ponytail, and she wore tight low-rise jeans and green tube top that left her shoulders and waist bare. He saw her tattoos on the shoulder and part of that was on her hip. They drove him mad with lust and want. He closed his eyes and tried to even his breathing.

He couldn't but be crazy in love with her. She was the most amazing woman he had ever know, inside and out.

The fact that she was now married to that native boyfriend of hers had broken his heart, but it couldn't erase his feelings for her. He had been able to establish some sort of friendship with her and if that was all he would have from her, he would take it. One never knew about life, there might be something more for him in the future. He knew it was pretty much hopeless, he was wasting his life pining after her, but he could not help himself, he was unable to give up, it was against his very nature.

He had made Book Attic his regular coffee spot and he bought all his books there, so he saw her often. She had been very reserved at first, after the Halloween party she hadn't even talked to him, but bit by bit she had let her true nature show, she was open and friendly. She smiled at him and told him things when he asked. That's why he knew who the girls with her were, she had told him that her friends were coming to spend the Spring break with her. He had kept it very casual, so she wouldn't withdraw again. Had taken some of his hook-ups to have coffee with him hoping to make her jealous but there was no such luck. Isabella was head over heels in love with her man.

Isabella's boss Paula offered Edward a good excuse to hang around longer than just to have coffee and buy books. She was into law, and they have had quite a few long and interesting discussions about various famous law cases. She was very intellectual woman. He really like to hang around in Book Attic, it was warm and inviting place to spend time in.

"Who was that on the phone?" He heard one of her friends asking.

"It was Jake, he asked if he could drive up here to meet you guys. I said of course," Bella answered

"That's great. So, it wasn't Paul telling he's coming tonight?"

"No, he's coming tomorrow. Don't worry, you will meet him before you'll leave," Isabella laughed at her friend.

Jasper and Emmett were drinking their beers when Edward went back to them. Night was still early, and people were just starting to show up to the club.

Emmett whistled, "hey guys, check out those chicks."

Edward looked where Emmett was looking, and of course, there were Isabella and her friends by the bar ordering drinks.

"Haven't seen them here before. Damn they're hot, that black haired is a native chick. What a trio: a blond, a brunette and a raven. Would love to get those into my bed. M'm M'm mmm," Emmett said and slugged down his beer.

"We have to ask them to come to the after-party tonight. Things can easily lead to another from there," Emmett continued licking his lips.

"Good luck with that, the brunette is Isabella Swan," Edward snorted.

"No shit. Is that the chick you've been pining after? The one you said would be yours by Christmas? Fuck, she's hot," Jasper almost choked into his beer.

Edward didn't say anything. He leaned back to his chair and took a swig of his beer and stared at Isabella. Yeah, he had lost that bet miserably.

The girls got their drinks, which seemed was bottles of water. So much for her getting drunk and opening up for some fun time. Damnit. Was he really this pathetic: thinking about getting woman drunk to get her? He was a fucking looser.

Then the girls went dancing.

"Holy fuck," Emmett uttered, "have you seen asses like that before?"

"Drop it Emmett, you're wasting your time," Edward said.

"Speak for yourself. That brunette may be taken, but those two are free for taking as long as someone tells me differently," Emmett said.

Isabella and her friends were dancing like they were the only ones on the dancefloor having their own private party. Fuck it was a sight to behold. She was a dancer he could tell that. He was mesmerized. This was fucking torture but ever the masochist he couldn't not watch her.

"Hey Eddie," Edward heard someone saying behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the blond he fucked few weeks back. The squirter. It'd been a hot fuck, but woman was total airhead and he had lost his interest and he wasn't going to fuck her again. He nodded at her and turned back to look at Isabella just to see that she said something to her friends and left the dancefloor.

He waited few minutes but then he couldn't just sit and wait for her to come back. He went to look for her. Maybe if he saw her alone, he could have a chat with her, ask if she and her friends would like to come to their after-party. And then he saw her. She was kissing passionately with some guy with a black beanie on his head.

What. The. Actual. Fuck?!

She wasn't interested in him but here she was sucking face of some random guy. He saw red. Without thinking he walked to the kissing couple and said with loud enough voice that Isabella would hear him,

"Hey Isabella, wouldn't you give me a kiss too since you're not exclusive anymore," Edward sneered with anger. He was so fucking pissed that she chose to hook-up someone else than him.

"What the fuck did you just say?!"

To Edward's utter horror it wasn't some random guy, it was her fucking husband. Where the hell had he showed up? Hadn't he heard right when she said to her friends that he would be coming tomorrow.

"I asked you a fucking question!" Paul was now standing only a foot away from him. His face was vivid with rage. Isabella was pleading him to let it go, but Paul wasn't listening to her.

Edward gulped. He wasn't stupid, this man before him was a bad ass and he would be beaten up badly if he decided to do so. But he could use that, make him do something he would regret. He knew he had a record he didn't need much to get the fucker locked up.

"Did you just asked my wife to kiss you?" Paul's chest was almost touching his. He was staring him down.

Just a tiny nudge over the edge.

"You never know about these bitches, do you?" Edward said but winced inwardly. He would never think like that about Isabella, not in a million years, but he was so blinded by the jealousy and frustration not having any chance with her.

He could only slash out and getting Paul into trouble was something he could make happen.

"She might be tempted."

"You son of a bitch! Don't talk about my wife like that!" And the punch game.

Next thing he knew was that some bar worker was slapping his face to wake him up and Bella was crying against Paul's chest his arms wrapped protectively around her.

Paul was looking at him with an arrogant loathing and not an inch of fear that he should be feeling.

Edward's blood boiled.

"Where are the police? I want that fucker arrested!" Edward said loudly.

"You want police involved?" the bar worker asked warily.

"Of course, I want. That brute broke my jaw without any reason," he said. His jaw wasn't broken, but they didn't know that.

Paul just stared at him with the same look. And then he smirked tightening his grip around Isabella. He stared at him as he kissed the top of her head and whispered something to her. Isabella nodded.

That moment Edward hated that fucker more than he had hated anybody in his life.

"Ok, I'll call the police," bar worker took a phone from his apron's pocket and called the police.

"The police will be here in ten minutes."

The satisfaction seeing him handcuffed was partly wiped away by Isabella's teary eyes and words:

"You are pathetic excuse of a human being. I didn't believe when Paul told me what kind of person you are. I should have. I hate you! I don't want to see you ever again."

She turned away from him and took her phone. She was crying again.

"Dad? oh daddy," was the last he heard when she walked away from him.

"Are you all right sir?" other police asked.

"NO, I'm not fucking all right!"

FUCK! Was this really, what he had wanted to happen? He had just lost Isabella's friendship too.

"What's wrong Bella?" Charlie asked his heart in his throat. He had just picked the phone seeing Bella was calling him and heard she was crying.

"Paul got arrested. He hit Edward Cullen at the night club. Edward wants to press charges against him. Oh, daddy what can we do?" Bella sobbed on the phone. There was loud music on the background.

"Sweetheart there are lot that we can do. Can you go somewhere with less loud music and tell me exactly what happened," Charlie said.

Damn, it had finally happened; Paul had got himself in trouble with that temper of his. What had he been thinking about hitting Edward Cullen of all people, future lawyer, Golden Boy of Seattle? He had looked up the boy last summer after he had seen that he hold interest towards his little girl. The boy got influence.

"Edward came to us and asked me to kiss him. He obviously thought Paul was someone else, that I would cheat on him, and Edward was mad because I wasn't kissing him. Paul had told me that Edward wants me and then he said I was a bitch and Paul got mad and hit him. Oh daddy," Bella's sobs got louder.

"Whoa whoa slow down a little sweetheart," Charlie said. But what he got from Bella's babbling he could easily see and kind of understand why Paul had hit that boy. But it was very wrong of him to do so. Hopefully they were able to get him out of the trouble. A lot depended on what that Cullen boy was going to do. What was the damages other than pride and a broken heart? Although those were often causing more serious consequences than broken jaw or fractured rib. Hurt pride was a bitch. Lost love even more so. Would they be able to persuade him not to press charges? Should he call Dr. Carlise Cullen? He seemed to be a sensible man.

"Bella, please don't cry, we'll get this sorted. Tell me where they took him. I make few phone calls and leave for Seattle after that."

Charlie called to the police station and asked the name of the police officer who had made the arrest. Then he looked up the phone number to his former colleague who was working in Seattle Police Headquarters. Just in case, he needed his help.

Charlie was worried. He couldn't deny that. Paul had a record, and that could affect the outcome of this situation. The worst-case scenario would be that Paul would go to jail and it could be anything from month to several years, be released to a surveillance of a probation officer for another few years, had to pay damages, fines and court costs. And not to mention what damage this could do to his career as a chef; meaning he wouldn't have one.

"Oh, you stupid boy!" Charlie mumbled frustrated and slammed the driving wheel. He was hour and half from Seattle.

He had called Paula and told her about what had happened. She was shocked and worried about Bella. She promised to go to her and see, if she needed anything. She had her friends over, but some adult company wouldn't hurt. Charlie had instructed Bella to go home. There was nothing she could do at the police station. They wouldn't let her see Paul. Paul had called Bella and told her he was ok. That was all they could do for the time being.

Charlie was so happy Paula wanted to be involved. He had grown very attached to that woman. Love might be too big of a word now, but he sure hoped she would be there for the long haul.

Paul was detained overnight. He was released without a bail because Charlie guaranteed that he would show up in the court if the case would go that far. It most likely would.

They went to pick him up just before midday. Seeing her little girl break down in the arms of his hot-headed son-in-law was heartbreaking. But seeing how Paul was able to sooth her and making her soon feel good enough to smile told him that Bella had definitely married the right man for her. Now he just hoped they could get him out of this mess without him losing his future.

After they got back to Bella's apartment Charlie called to the officer who had made the arrest. He told him that the victim has dropped all the charges.

Well, that was a relief, but Paul wasn't out of the woods yet.

Charlie finished the phone call and his phone buzzed. It was Dr. Cullen. He listened what he had to say and thanked him. He would contact him after talking to Paul.

He looked at his daughter and then his son-in-law. He knew he would be stubbornly proud, but Paul couldn't play that card now.

"Edward has contacted the prosecuting attorney and told that he drops all the charges against Paul and won't testify against him. Dr. Cullen had asked their family friend to help Paul in court to get the charges dropped and his arrest removed from his record," he told them.

"Oh, that's decent of him," Bella said looking surprised. She looked at Paul probably knowing he wouldn't be as grateful.

"I don't want those assholes to help me," Paul grunted.

Charlie sighed.

"Now son, listen to me. You will be in serious trouble if you don't accept the help. It will affect not only your future but Bella's as well. Even Edward won't be testifying against you, you might still end up in jail, depending on the judge and even without going to jail you might not be able to find work in good restaurants with this assault on your record. You already have some minor there, you seriously don't want this. Believe me. Swallow your pride, there is time and place for everything, now is time to bow."

Paul huffed and paced around the kitchen.

"Baby, you made your point. Edward won't ever come close to me again. He is arrogant bastard, but you are too good to waste all your talent. You will be an awesome chef. Don't let your pride ruin your future," Bella said to him.

Paul continued to walk back and forth in the kitchen breathing loudly in and out. This must be something that Kai had taught him to do when angry.

"Listen to your wife, Paul. And remember this isn't only about your future, it's about Bella's as well."

Charlie saw the contradiction in Paul's eyes, but he was a smart kid he wouldn't choose wrong.

"What the hell, I can't compete you two. OK, let daddy Cullen call his friend and let's get this shit over with," Paul said and went to Bella grabbing her into his arms.

"I'm sorry baby. I ruined your time with your friends," he said to her.

"I can live with that, but I could not have lived with you ruining your future. Thank you, baby for letting it go." Bella hugged Paul.

Charlie sighed in relief. He was quite optimistic that Paul would get out of this clean. But unfortunately, there was some arrogance in his beloved son-in-law too and he would get in more trouble if he didn't keep that in check.

Charlie called Dr. Cullen and told him that Paul would accept their help. Dr. Cullen was pleased and apologized on behalf of his son. He knew what he was like and didn't have any doubt that Edward was as much to blame what happened at the night club than Paul. Edward sent message to Isabella saying he was sorry and hoped she would be able to forgive him someday. Charlie decided against to tell that to Bella, at least not when Paul was listening. It wouldn't go down well with him.

Charlie sighed. He was happy that Paul's case would not take much of his time after all. James's case was still under investigation, and he was overburdened but wanted it over with as soon as possible. Thigs were looking good and if all went well, which they seldom did, they would have conviction before or soon after summer.

James hadn't pressed any charges against Paul giving him a beating of lifetime. Which had surprised Charlie quite a bit. James had actually said in interrogation that he was very proud of Paul, which he considered as his friend, being such a tough fighter. Sick bastard.

James's wife was ready to testify against her husband, she knew what he had done, and they had been able to persuade three women that James has assaulted to press charges and testify in court. If they were lucky, they wouldn't need Bella's testimony at all. Her case was one with least damage. He shuddered thinking what might have happened and had happened to many women James had assaulted.

Their investigation had also found that there was a judge that had helped James to get all the charges abandoned and stopped them going into court. Big heads would be going down. It seemed that James being some kind of a war hero had blinded the justice system. It made Charlie's blood boil.

Paul was lying on his bed at his home. He had a mind-numbing headache, have had it on and off whole week. It had been fucking nightmare. Last two months had been fucking nightmare. He had been on a loose rope since the end of March. Now it was end of May and he was fucking tired of this shit. They had first promised things would be handled quickly, but it hadn't been the case. And since he was a beggar, he couldn't complain.

Finally, today he had gone to Seattle on to have a discussion with a judge. He got off clean and the arrest and charges were removed from his record. Well, thank fuck for that, they certainly did take their time. Charlie had kept him sane through these two months telling him, that things would be good, sometimes they just took time.

And now he was in debit to this fucking prick for saving his ass. And he hadn't been able to see Bella at all, she had been on a field trip of some kind for the whole week.

He didn't regret what he did. Fuck no. He would do that again. That fucker was after his wife and had insulted her. In that moment he had wanted to mash his nose into his brains, but it seemed that Bella was always there on his mind first, and even when fucking mad he knew that he shouldn't use his strength unless he wanted to go to jail. And as always it hadn't needed much to put that fucker down. If that little piece of shit had been hurt, he probably wouldn't have gotten out so easily.

His phone rang. Caller ID unknow. He thought for a moment not answering he was feeling shit, but he picked up the phone, it might be something important.

"Lahote."

"This is Edward Cullen," the voice on the phone said.

Paul shot up from the bed.

"Why the fuck you are calling me?" he spat.

"I just wanted to tell you that if you ever hurt her in anyway, I'll make sure you're locked up for the rest of your life. I've got connections and means to do that.

"You..."

"No! You listen to me now, you fucking indian. I love Isabella and it is the only reason I let this thing go and made sure that you are off the hook. I want her to be happy and it seems that you are the only one that makes her so."

"Your threats are fucking null. I won't ever hurt Bella in anyway. And that it's what eats you, huh, you fucking prick, you can see that we are for life. I'm all she wants you won't ever get her."

"We'll see."

And the fucker hang-up.

"FUCK!" Paul shouted. His brains were crawling out of his head. He had to get out. He changed to his running gear and took off. His head was pounding, and he felt like vomiting any second, but he kept going.

He ran to the beach, ran it to one edge to the other who knows how many times and after he felt there was nothing left in him, he ran to the cemetery where mommy Holly was buried. He went to Holly's grave and flopped down and laid down on the ground. It was soaked but so was he. His headache was miraculously vanished. He closed his eyes and let his breathing to even. He laid on the ground feeling the water on the ground soaking into his already wet clothes. He didn't care.

He came here fairly often. Just to sit by the grave, remembering mommy Holly. It used to hurt the way he missed her and wanted her back, but ever since finding Bella, he had felt more in peace.

"Paul? Is that you Paul?" Paul heard a shaky voice behind him. He turned to see miss S. coming towards him with her rollator. He got up quickly and went to her.

"Yep, it's me. Came to say hi to the old lady."

"You are all wet my dear boy, what happened?"

"Nothing happened. I went for a run, got sweaty and came here before going back home."

"You shouldn't lay on the cold and wet ground you catch yourself death of cold. Come on I'll make you some tea. I think there are some of your clothes I've washed for you after you helped to renovate my bathroom.

"I can fix us something to eat," Paul said.

"That sounds lovely, my dear. When are you bringing Bella to visit me again?"

AN:

Yeah, I don't know nothing about American legal system. I did some googling to find some right terms to use but other than that, all made up.