Chapter 43

Paul and Bella were outside enjoying sunny early June day. They were spread over the grass outside Bella's appartement building. Bella had one more exam left for this term, and she was studying for it. Paul was lying on his back on the blanket listening to music playing with the strand of Bella's hair. Paul was feeling relaxed and happy basking in the sunshine.

He was thinking about the past year. It was a year and two days exactly when he saw Bella for the first time on the beach. What a ride had it been. He couldn't be happier than he was in that moment. Even though it hadn't been all that easy all the time. But then it was life and his was perfect as long as he had Bella on his side.

The lady in question was sitting on the blanket writing something in her notebook. She had the look on her face when she was confused and getting pissed. She obviously wasn't as relaxed as he was.

"What is it baby?" Paul asked pausing the music on his phone.

"I just think that I won't ever learn this stuff," she said frustrated and threw her book to the ground.

Paul glanced at the cover of her book, Physics Across Oceanography: Fluid mechanics and Waves with Lab.

"It gives me a headache just to read the title of that book," Paul chuckled.

"Yeah, I would love to burn that sucker," Bella sighed and leaned down to kiss him. Paul cupped the back of her head with his hand and pulled her closer.

It was a sweet kiss that tasted of spearmint, chewing gum Bella had been grinding in her mouth. It was a nervous habit of hers, she always chewed it when she was studying and extra hard when she was frustrated, like now.

"Hey Bella!" Paul heard someone calling. They both glanced at the direction of the voice and saw a scrawny blond guy with specs walking towards them.

"Oh, hey Henry, what's up?" Bella said. "Henry and I did the labs together in April and May," she said to him squeezing his thigh.

Paul had to smile. Bella did this every time they met someone, squeezed him some place or the other. He wasn't sure if she even noticed it herself. Such a small gesture that made him feel so good. He got up from the ground and kissed her bare shoulder while giving the boy once-over.

"I-I w-was wondering if you wouldn't mind us going through the vector fields, I just can't figure them out," Henry said to Bella looking nervously at him.

"That would be great, sure could do some revising too," Bella said.

Noticing how happy Bella was about the prospect of studying with this Henry bloke Paul decided to use this moment to do the food shopping for the night. Megan was away for the weekend, praise the fucking Lord, and they were having a romantic dinner celebrating his birthday and their alone weekend together. First time in Bella's flat. Jesus, he couldn't wait the time they would be living together just the two of them.

"Hey what if I go to do the grocery shopping while you study, hmm?" Paul said brushing gently a lock of hair off her face tucking it behind her ear.

"Are you sure?" Bella asked and looked at him making sure he meant what he said.

"Sure baby. I'll take the food inside if you're not there I'll came back here," Paul said and kissed her on the lips lingering and flipping his tongue over her bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth. Bella melted against him and moaned into his mouth.

Paul smiled and pecked her on the lips and got up.

He put the music back on and left. There was a good grocery store just few blocks away. He was thinking about making Italian; some pasta maybe with prawns and rocket, bruschettas and antipasti to start with and something chocolaty for a dessert. Bella had bought some good white wine that would go well with what he was planning to make.

Paul was unable to contain his happiness. Bella had only one week left in Seattle and then she would come home to him. They were planning to do a little road trip down the coast in July. Jared was lending his campervan for them to use as much as they wanted. Kim had fallen pregnant again and they wanted to stay home to play safe. Paul was happy for them and hoped all would go well this time.

The road trip was going to be fucking awesome. Bella needed to visit one or two marine conservation areas to do some school stuff and she was thinking one on the border of Oregon and California. They would drive down to the Redwood National Park in California and back. Paul wanted them to stay on the road at least for two weeks so they didn't have to rush. Bella was all up for that plan. Just to think about spending all that time with her having her on his bed every fucking night made his blood run faster. It was going to be the best summer of his life; he was damn sure about it.

They hadn't had any luck finding them new home yet. The apartment building, Bella was living now, was in a high demand and there was nothing free. It was essential that the new home situated close to Bella's school and her workplace. She didn't have time to use for commuting. The area had lots of restaurants too so he would most likely find work around here as well. They had been quite surprised how little available and affordable flats there were around this area other than shared student flats. But he was sure they would find something. They must.

Situation with Megan had alleviated somewhat. She and Bella had talked what had happened and Megan had apologized her behavior. She hadn't offered any excuse for it, but they didn't need one as long as she would respect their relationship and gave them their privacy, but they would also be considerate towards her. Bella wanted it and Paul could do that especially now that Bella would be with him in La Push until September and knowing he didn't have to see Megan again until then and hopefully not even then.

He was putting spaghetti into the shopping cart, when he felt someone touching his shoulder. He turned quickly around and saw that blonde bitch from the Halloween party. For fucks sakes, what did she want. He took his air pod out of his ear.

"Hey, I haven't seen you around lately," the bitch said.

"Why the fuck you should have seen me around?" Paul asked. He really didn't want any of this shit.

"Hey, don't be rude gorgeous," the bitch said fluttering her eyelashes, "I was pretty impressed what you did to Cullen. Did you really knock him out with one punch?" She moved closer biting her bottom lip. Jesus what a bitch.

"None of your business," Paul said and turned to leave.

"Why are you such a dick? I just want to have a chat with you," the bitch tried to grab his arm. Was she for real?

"I just need you to fuck off," he said and left.

"I've seen that bitch of yours making out with one of her school friends, some blond guy," she shrieked after him.

Paul felt his heart to jump to his throat, but he kept his cool and didn't stop. He knew she was lying but fuck that it felt bad to hear someone saying shit like that.

He did the rest of his shopping with less enthusiasm.

"Oh fuck," he groaned out loud. Knowing himself he knew that the tiny spark of uncertainty had been lit and he didn't know how to extinguish it. Not even he knew for certain that Bella would never cheat on him. Never.

Paul walked back to the apartment and went in to put the groceries away. Bella wasn't back yet. He emptied the bags and sat by the kitchen island. He opened the coke can he had bought from the shop and took a swig.

The fucked-up thing was that after he had hit that Cullen prick some people had come to say to him, he did good showing that prick he didn't own the world. How they knew what had happened and made the connection it was he who had hit the fucker was beyond him and he didn't care, but Bella had also gotten some unwanted attention and that he hated. The ass-wipe in question had had enough sense not to show his face, but there had been few people coming to the bookshop asking her what had happened in the night club. But they had left her alone after she told them she didn't want to talk about it. Thank fuck for that.

He rubbed his face and groaned. Why did he let that bitch remark get into him? He knew it was a fricking lie. But this showed him yet again that he still got so much work to do with his irrational fear of being abandoned. He should go and see Kai next week.

Why the fuck didn't people just leave them alone. He was used to women coming on him like that and a bit over year ago he would probably have fucked that bitch at the alley behind the store never thinking her twice after. But all that shit was in the past now and all he wanted was to be left the fuck alone. But it just seemed to be too much to ask.

He got up and left the flat, he got urgent need to be with Bella right now. He jogged down the stairs being too restless to wait for the lift. He was just stepping outside when he saw that Henry bloke leaving. Bella sighed aloud and laid down on the blanket on her back. She threw her arm over her eyes, other hand reaching over the blanket edge and started to pull the grass with her fingers.

He watched her love filling his whole being once again. He decided to let it go. He would mention it to Bella at some point. He wanted her to know that there might be some rumors going around about her. But he wouldn't let that bitch ruin their perfect weekend together.

Paul went to Bella and laid down next to her on his stomach. He kissed her on the lips and smile spread on her lips.

Bella peeked from underneath her arm. "Hey," she whispered.

"Hey, baby. How did it all go?" Paul asked her.

"Ok, I guess. It helped to talk things through with Henry. He's very smart. But it will be a stretch for me. After Wednesday I don't want to think about physics ever again," Bella said.

"You'll do just fine baby, you're so fucking smart too." He said and kissed her again. She melted into the kiss and wound her arm around his neck other hand scraping his scull with her nails making him hiss. The kiss got very heated very fast.

They stayed in their own private bubble kissing and whispering, planning the night together not paying any attention what happened outside their world. When Bella turned on her side and wrapped her leg around his waist pulling his hard on tightly between her legs Paul decided it was time to get them inside and make the most of the empty apartment. They had had one round in the living room earlier today just after breakfast. It was perfect gift from Bella to get Megan out and to have the place just for them two. It was all he would ever want; to have her to himself and no-one else around.

Charlie parked his car outside Bella's apartment building and got out of the car. He had good news. His former colleague in the headquarters had called him that James's case would be in court this week. He was going to plead guilty, and it wouldn't take long to get him locked up.

Charlie had never met anyone like James. His psychological profile stated that he was unable to live without strict rules after being in the Marines since leaving high school where he was punished of hazing and cruel behavior and what was left of him was messed up by the war in Afghanistan.

Charlie was very happy that it would be over soon, he hadn't been able to rest before that monster was put behind bars. The women he had molested and raped would get their justice, including his very own daughter.

Charlie had been offered promotion due to the successful investigation and revelation of corruption related to James's case. He'd been working at the headquarters on James's case for few days per week for a month now. They were waiting him to give his response soon.

He was torn. He loved his home in Forks and fishing with his friends, Billy and Harry. All that had been the best part of his life for so long, but it was pretty much all he had in his life in Forks. If he moved to Seattle he could live with Paula, and he really loved that woman. Something he hadn't thought would ever happen to him again. After Renée left taking Bella with her, he though his heart had been broken beyond mending.

But here he was, on the brink of new relationship with an amazing woman. Paula had asked him to move in with her after hearing about the job offer. Bella would also be here, and so would Paul. They had kept up with their regular dinners and he would miss those a lot after Paul was gone.

In his heart, he knew he had decided to move, he would be stupid ass if he wouldn't, but he wasn't ready to admit that, not quite yet. Forks has been his home for his whole life, and the move would be a huge change for him, and he wasn't good with change.

With these thoughts he noticed that he was standing behind Bella's door and realized that he should have probably called before showing up like this. He knew Paul was there with Bella until Monday morning. He had even entered the building without noticing who let him in, he should have used intercom but instead here he was, behind the door. Odd, he normally wasn't this absent minded.

He knocked and waited. He knocked again with more force and waited. He heard voices behind the door and then Bella opened it. She looked like she had just woken up with red cheeks and messy hair. Charlie glanced at his watch, almost 2pm.

"Dad!? What are you doing here?" Bella asked visibly surprised.

"Erm, I should have called first, but I was leaving back to Forks and I got call from my former colleague and he told me about James's case, and I thought I could pop by."

"Oh, sure dad, come on in."

Charlie stepped in and saw Paul who came from Bella's room looking as disheveled as his daughter did.

"I'm sorry to intrude you like this, but I have good news."

"No worries dad. As long as you don't mind the mess. We've been kinda enjoying having the whole place to ourselves, Megan is away for the weekend, and we wanted to sleep in the living room. We watched some movies and stayed up all night.

Charlie looked at where Bella's hand pointed and there in the living room floor was Bella's mattress with pillows and blankets.

"Netflix and chill, eh?" Charlie asked. Isn't that what young people say nowadays when relaxing and watching tv?

Bella's cheeks flushed and Paul started to laugh.

"Yes, Netflix and chill." Paul chuckled.

Charlie cleared his throat, "where's Megan?"

"Um, she's staying with her friend. I asked her if she wouldn't mind being a way for the weekend. It's Paul's birthday and it felt right to have some alone time together."

"Oh yes Paul, happy birthday son. It's 23 now, isn't it?"

"Yes, thanks Chief. You want something? Coffee maybe?"

"If you don't mind coffee would be great."

"I can warm up some pasta from yesterday too. Would you want some baby?"

"Sure. I need to go to the bathroom and change. I'll be right back," Bella answered and gave Paul a light kiss on the cheek. She quickly tiptoed to the bathroom.

"So had a good birthday, eh?" Charlie asked.

"Oh, yeah," Paul answered not offering anything else. And Charlie didn't ask.

They went to kitchen. Charlies' detective eyes caught one half drunk wine bottle and one Guinnes bottle, at least these two weren't much for drinking. He was happy Paul had given up booze. His drinking had been pretty bad at some point, and he didn't even want to know what else he'd used. Paul swiftly picked up piece of clothing that were scattered around the kitchen floor and placed them on the ladder chair at the corner big grin on his face.

Damn, I really should have called before I came, Charlie thought.

"Erm... so, James is in court next week. He is pleading guilty, so it should be over soon," Charlie told Paul.

"Pleading guilty. Really? He sure is a crazy motherfucker."

"Sure is, it means that there is no risk Bella needing to testify."

"That is awesome. She has pulled through that shit very well, but she doesn't need any reminders."

"Yes, she's safe."

"I'm safe of what?" Bella asked when entering the kitchen. She had changed her dressing gown to a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and brushed her hair and put it into a ponytail. His daughter was very beautiful Charlie noticed yet again, and he loved to see her so happy.

"You don't have to testify against James. He will be in court this week and will most likely be put to jail in no time."

"Oh, that is such good news," Bella said as Paul wrapped his arms around her pulling her to his chest. He brushed his hand on her back and kissed the top of her head.

Charlie was so happy to see how loving Paul was toward his daughter. It was amazing to see him so domesticated after all that messing up after Holly had died. He was totally different person now.

"Do you want some pasta with prawns and rocket Chief?" Paul asked.

"Sure," Charlie answered. He would never say "no" to Paul's food.

"I'll need to visit the bathroom first." Charlie left for bathroom, as he walked through Bella's room, he gave it once-over, it was a habit of his, hard to shake off. But he hoped he hadn't done that. You didn't need detective skills to see what had been going on here.

Piece of metal chain was peaking from ajar drawer and Charlie recognized handcuffs when he saw one, and on the nightstand, there was a bottle of Hersey's chocolate syrup.

The chocolate he'd seen on his daughter's hair.

Well, guess this was all on him, he did come uninvited to see his adult daughter on a Sunday afternoon.

Charlie sighed and continued to the bathroom trying to unseen everything.

Paul and Bella were in a tight lip lock when he came back. He mentally rolled his eyes, were they really unable to keep their hands off each other. Not that they needed to, it was such a delight to see them happy. It was all any parent ever wanted for their children.

He cleared his throat, the couple detached and turned to see him.

"I've been offered position of a senior advisor in the Police Headquarters department here in Seattle," he told the lovebirds.

"Oh my God dad! That is great! It is great, isn't it?"

"It is great, but it is a big decision to leave Forks," Charlie said.

"Yeah, I get it, but here you got Paula. She must be over the moon," Bella said.

What have these women been talking about? Charlie knew they've become pretty close, but it unnerved him a bit to think that his daughter might know something about his love life.

His thoughts must have been visible in his face; Bella giggled, "don't worry dad, Paula hadn't given me any details. I wouldn't want to know any either. But she has told me she would love to have you living with her."

Charlie's cheeks flushed that was nice to hear. "Yes, she asked me to move in with her."

"Well, that's settled then, isn't it?" Bella said walking to him and giving him a hug.

"I guess it is. I just don't know what to do with the house in Forks. It has been my home for all my life." It was the home he was born into he had never lived elsewhere except for the year he was in police academy.

"You could rent it out, it is what I'm going to do," Paul offered his opinion. "In the Res there is a high demand for well-maintained houses and I'm pretty confident I'm able to choose the people I want as my tenants. I'm ever so grateful for mommy Holly for renovating the house after my poor excuse of the father died."

"Yes, that was very wisely done," Charlie agreed. "I have to think about what to do. I for sure don't want to sell the place, not right away anyway."

Paul placed steaming pasta bowl in front of Charlie, and he inhaled the delicious aroma.

For a while they ate in comfortable silence.

"So, no luck with finding place for you two?" Charlie asked.

"No," Bella and Paul sighed in unison. They glanced at each other and started to laugh.

"It's good to see you're not too upset about the situation," Charlie chuckled.

"It is a shitty situation alright," Bella said, "but we just have to keep up looking. I'm confident we find something soon enough."

"I'm sure you will kiddo."

"So how are your studies going Paul? I'm sure you can't wait to get it all done and move your ass up here."

"It's going good," Paul answered and shoveled pasta into his mouth, "um..." chewing his mouthful and after getting it down he continued, "I'll have my work practice between September and November in Port Ang and after I get the assessment and the references from the restaurant and my final exam done it's all finished. In the summer I have only one course in June. They are trying to get me to go to UW to study some culinary science shit, but I want to work. I'm not cut for studying."

"I'm starting to feel the same," Bella sighed.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"Ah. It's nothing really, I'm just so tired of struggling with the physics. It's killing me. I have an exam on Wednesday."

"You'll pull through kiddo, you always will."

"Yeah, I guess so," Bella answered and Paul leaned to kiss on her forehead. "You'll rock baby."

"Have you heard from you mother?" Charlie asked.

"Nah, she is still holding grudges against me for not moving back to Honolulu and for dumping Bane, and this time I'm not giving in. She has to be the one making the contact first," Bella huffed. "She's being an immature brat."

"It's her loss," Charlie said and finished his pasta. "Paul this was excellent as always. I'll leave you two now and start driving back to Forks."

Bella got up and saw him to the door.

"Bye dad, it was nice you popped by,"

"It was, next time I call in advance though," Charlie chuckled and made his leave.

AN:

Thank you for your comments.

Twin68 Hey don't stop your fiery comments. Give them as strong or as mild as you want, please tell what you feel. I love them, honestly, I do. I take it as a complement that you feel this strong about my story. They give me perspective and make me think about my characters. And I've gotten some ideas from you too. So, keep them coming. :)