Chapter 44

Bella was on her last sift in Book Attic before she would leave to La Push for the summer. She had had her physics exam the day before and she felt it had gone better than she had cared to hope for. But she was SO done with studying for a while.

"Hey, Paula, if I quit studying would you make me a co-owner?"

Paula laughed. "Where's that coming from? You're doing so well."

"Barely and it really had been so hard work. I knew it would be, but I'm still struggling. And I've always dreaming about owning a bookshop."

"You'll be fine Bella, just rest over the summer and you'll be as good as new in September," Paula said.

"So, it's a no then?" Bella joked.

Paula laughed.

"Bella I've been thinking about you and Paul and how you are trying to find a good place for you two," Paula said to Bella.

"Yeah, it has been difficult to find anything suitable and so far, no luck," Bella sighed.

"Would you like to move into my flat above the bookshop?"

Bella's heart leaped into her throat, "WHAT?!" she asked not believing her own ears. "Did you just ask, if we would like to move into your flat?! Are you serious?" She could NOT be serious.

"Yes, I'm serious. As you know your dad is moving to Seattle and I started to look for an apartment for us. The stairs leading up to my home are way too steep for your dad, not that he's willing to admit that, and we need something where it would be easier for him to move around," Paula explained to her.

"So, he has said yes to the job offering and is moving here in Seattle then?"

"Yes, he called to the Police Chief today and accepted the offer," Paula said smiling happily. "So, we need a place that is good for us, and the upstairs is yours if you want it."

"IF we want it? It would be absolutely amazing if we could move there," Bella said still not believing Paula really meant what she had said. "But are you really serious like for real?"

"Yes, I am," Paula laughed, "but it wouldn't be before we've found suitable place for us."

The time wouldn't matter. She would be ready to wait that place forever. Paula's apartment was to die for. The building was built in the early 1900's so the apartment had all the beautiful features of an old building and some more: big windows, wooden floors, high ceiling and there was even one window at the ceiling above the big, open kitchen and living space.

It was so beautiful Bella had had her mouth hung open when she had first time visited there. It was absolutely the most beautiful home she had ever seen anywhere. And now Paula was offering it to them. Was she dreaming? She pinched herself. Ouch, she wasn't dreaming.

"I have to talk to Paul of course, but I'm certain he will be happy too to move there. We have been a bit desperate at times, everything is so expensive here or location is bad, and we don't want shared units anymore. How much you want we pay for rent?" It would probably be a stretch for them; it was amazing home and Paula could get a lot of money if she put it on the open market, there was a high demand on rental homes around this area.

"I don't want you to pay anything. You are Charlie's daughter, practically family. I'm just happy I don't have to rent it out to anybody I don't know," Paula said smiling.

"WHAT?!" For the second time she couldn't believe her ears. "You can't do that; you'll lose lot of money."

"Yes, I can, and I will. You'll pay the electricity and the water bills, there is enough payments for you already."

Bella couldn't contain her happiness. She rushed to her and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Go up to look around and start making plans," Paula winked and gave her the keys.

Bella left the shop and stood behind the front door that led to the steep stairs leading to the apartment. She looked around the neighborhood. It was beautiful area with huge maple and oak trees bordering the quiet street with park benches and huge park with children's play area, dog park and a little pond, just across the street. There was a bakery and small antique shop in the building and one law firm and a little dance studio.

Paula's apartment was the only residential unit in the building so they would have the total privacy they were hoping for but thought impossible to find in the city. Bella closed her eyes and thanked all the deities possible for letting this to happen. It was almost too good to be true.

She climbed the stairs and opened the door to the apartment. The door was beautifully patinated teal colored, almost same as Paul's ranger. It would probably fit here if Paula wasn't against them doing some modifications. Would they be able to get it in, was another matter. The stairs leading up to the flat were quite narrow. How had Paula got any furniture in she wondered.

She went in. All that light the big windows let in was mesmerizing. Widows that had deep windowsills where she could already see herself sitting and reading. From the windows you could see endless green of the trees on the street and on the park and far away in the horizon behind the city was Mount Rainier. She just stood there by the door and looked around. It was even more beautiful than she had remembered.

She pinched her again not believing she wasn't dreaming. Ouch, she would get another bruise now.

Paula's parents had renovated the former stock room into amazing home when they had bought the bookshop in the 1960's and Paula had made her own adjustments after her parents had passed away.

Bella looked around. Next to the front door there was another door. Bella opened it and peeked in, it was a tiny room with cleaning utensils and a vacuum cleaner, an ironing board. Perfect, just bloody perfect.

"Oh. My. God," Bella shouted out loud. She couldn't help feeling extremely giddy. This would be their home! She and Paul would be living HERE. Their HOME!

She took her phone and made a video call for Paul. She glanced at the time he should be home from work by now.

"Hey baby," Paul answered.

"Hey Paul, Paula is offering her home to us. We can move here!" Bella screamed in excitement.

"What?" Paul asked astonished.

"Yeah, she just asked if we would like to move here. She and my dad are moving somewhere else. Dad won't get up the stairs easily. Check this out, it is the most beautiful home I've ever seen anywhere," Bella told Paul and showed the place around.

"Fuck me. Are you serious? Is she serious?" Paul asked as he got up from the couch he had been sitting on.

"Yeah. I couldn't believe it myself at first. Do you want to see the kitchen? I hope your ranger fits here, you would like to bring it with you, wouldn't you?"

"Hell yeah, show me."

"Wow, is that window on the ceiling?" Paul asked.

"Yep, and, look at all those big windows. Here is the kitchen. I think if we remove this stove and move that counter a bit further to the corner, we might be able to get your ranger to fit. I'm not sure though if we can get it in, the stairs are quite steep and narrow."

"That looks awesome, baby. We can take the measurements of the stairs tomorrow when I'm there. It will be quite tricky since it is so heavy, but we'll get it in, we must."

"Yes, we must, I'll ask Paula if it is ok with her to bring it here."

"And look at this," Bella said and walked to the door that led to the terrace and opened it. Yep, Paula had a freaking terrace on the freaking roof.

"Holy shit! Is that for real?" Paul cried sounding like 12-year-old-boy.

"Yep, believe me it is. Look she even has a little garden here. We can grow our own herbs here."

Bella felt her heart was going to burst. This was so amazing.

"And check out the floor," Bella said stepping back inside and sitting down on the floor. "Paula told me that it's oak, old oak original flooring. It is so beautiful, every crack and pump on the surface has a story. Oh Paul, this is a dream come true. And you know what, she doesn't want any rent!"

"Are you shitting me?" Paul shrieked his voice cracking.

"No, she said we're practically family, so she doesn't want us to pay any rent. We pay electricity and water bills of course."

"That is fucking unbelievable. How come she is so generous?" Paul asked.

"I don't know. I told her she had to let us pay rent, but she refused."

"Damn, that is quite a lot of money we can save up."

"Yep. And at the lounge area there is a fireplace, because there just hast to be a fireplace in an apartment in a middle of Seattle." Balla walked to the other side of the huge room and showed Paul the wood-burning fireplace made of natural stones.

"Amazing. The couch looks cozy. We need to buy us a new couch. Now take me to our love nest," he said winking.

"What would you probably mean? Kitchen? Shower? Front door?" Bella giggled and walked to the master bedroom and opened the door. She actually hadn't seen the room before either.

"Wow!" they both gasped.

It was a big room with three big windows with similar windowsills as the others. All the windows in the apartment were the same sized reaching up to the ceiling. But the most striking feature was the big king-sized poster bed.

"That is awesome. So big," Paul said excitement in his voice. "Is she going to take that bed with her? I would definitely be happy if she leaves that behind."

"I don't know. I don't think she is able to take it with her, I mean I think it is built in here, to get it out it would have to be put into pieces. And it feels that it belongs here in this room," Bella said. And it really felt that way. It was made of oak as the floor was, and it looked very heavy.

"Did you see the mirror?" Bella asked blushing. "We can have one too." Bella showed Paul big self-standing mirror.

"Oh baby, we would definitely want to have a mirror in the bedroom."

"There is also another bedroom, a bit smaller than the master and check out this bathroom, it has a bathtub and a separate shower. There is another smaller bathroom with a shower, a toilet and a sink and a big window. So many windows."

"We'll spend quite a lot of time washing them windows," Paul chuckled. "Baby, that place is fucking amazing. I hope Paula wasn't shitting on us."

"She wasn't. It is true that my dad wouldn't cope the stairs, he had been struggling with the stairs at home too. So, we should actually thank him that this is happening. It is amazing home. You've seen the neighborhood with beautiful trees, the traffic is light and there aren't any other apartments in this building. So, when the shops and offices are closed, it is just us. And the trees block us from the other apartment buildings."

"That is fucking awesome baby. I don't think I can believe that this is really happening."

"I feel exactly the same, but now I know why we hadn't found anything we wanted. We were meant to have this," Bella said happily.

"Bella?" Paula came in looking for her, "Could you come down to the shop? Your father came and we are going to an open house if you don't mind staying a bit longer."

"I gotta go Paul. Talk to you later." And she hung up the phone.

"I'm coming!" she shouted back to Paula and came out from the bathroom.

"Paula, this place is absolutely a dream. We can't thank you enough for letting us move in here," Bella felt like crying. She did cry.

"Sush now," Paula said and hugged her, "I'm so happy that I can offer this to you. It is very dear place for me but being able to live with your father means so much more. And as I said, I don't want any strangers to come living in here. So, it is a perfect solution don't you think?"

"Yeah," Bella sniffed, "it really is. But you should let us pay rent."

"Well, that's another thing, I don't need you to pay me any rent. It makes me very happy that it is possible for me to give it to you and ask no rent, I know how important it is to young people to be able to save up money, so put the money you should pay for rent into a saving account and pay your kids college tuition with it or go for a world tour when you turn 40."

Bella was so moved by Paula's words that she wasn't able to say anything just nod.

They went downstairs to the bookshop to meet Charlie.

"What's the matter sweetheart?" Charlie asked worryingly.

She rushed to hug Charlie. "Oh dad, did you know Paula is offering her home to us?"

"I might have," Charlie chuckled mustaches twitching. "I wanted Paula to be the one to tell you the good news. And it wasn't until today I made my move official."

"I hope you find as beautiful home as that is," Bella said.

"Well, that won't be possible," Paula laughed. "But we'll find something nice."

Paul could still not quite believe the news Bella had told him. It was un-fucking-believable that they would get that kind of place and without paying any rent.

He hadn't had any other wishes about their new home than that it would be somewhere in easy distance for Bella do her things and Bella would be only one living with him. But Paula's apartment seemed to be everything they could ever wish for and so much more. There was even an extra bedroom for visitors and if they ever had a kid, they wouldn't need to move out to get more space.

What Bella had showed him looked like one of those apartments you could see on a cover of fancy magazine. Big, airy, lot of light, natural colors and lots of wood and partially exposed brick walls. But it still looked homey and cozy. He knew he would absolutely love that place, just like Bella already seemed to love. That terrace was a jaw-dropper, the only thing he had been sad to leave behind was his little veggie and herb patch, now he would get that too. It was fucking amazing.

His only worry was Miss S. He had been thinking about renting his house to people who wouldn't mind checking Miss S once and a while. He would ask less rent for them doing so. He and Bella would come to visit her as often as possible, but it would make him feel better if there was someone who would help her if she needed help.

Kai was here of course, and he would check on her when he had time, but he was very busy with his martial art's teaching and coaching. It had been quite a surprise to hear how many people trusted Kai to help with their shit. And still he always had had time for him. Yeah, he would miss Kai too.

He went to look for a measuring tape, he needed the measurements of his ranger. He hadn't believed it to be possible to take it with him when he would move to Seattle into an apartment, but now even that might be happening. Paula's apartment was for sure big enough for it, he was worried about getting it in though, and if Paula was against it. He hoped she wasn't. There were two things he needed the place to feel home; other was Bella and other was his ranger. If they were able to get his ranger in, he would never have the need to move out.

He had to ask Sam and Jared to come and help with the move, maybe some guys from work too, Matt would be ready to do anything for few beers, Jim, Nathan and Joe too.

"FUCK yeah!" he shouted out loud. Their summer together could not have gotten better start. All the sudden, out of the fucking blue they had a home they could move into together, just them two. Now all they needed was Paula and Charlie to find a place for themselves. He was certain they would find something before the end of the year.

Paul was just taking measurements of the ranger when someone knocked his front door. He thought about letting whoever was at the door leave but decided against it and went to the door. It was Jared.

"Hey man, are you busy?" Jared asked.

"Nah, just taking measurements of the ranger," Paul said and showed Jared to come in. "Bella called half an hour ago and told that we are getting her bosses apartment in Seattle. It is a fucking penthouse in a historic building in the University District and she doesn't even want us to pay any rent," Paul told Jared still not quite believing it was really happening.

"What the hell!? No rent?! That is awesome," Jared said. "When can you move?"

"Well, I'm not going anywhere until I finish in Port Ang which will be sometime in December. But Bella can move in as soon as her dad and her boss Paula find place for themselves. She's here with me till mid-September. Hopefully she'll move then."

"What? Is Chief with Bella's boss? Old dog has gotten his dick wet again," Jared chuckled.

"Yeah, they've seen each other since last Christmas. Chief got promotion and is transferring to the Headquarters beginning of August."

"So, what brings you here? Want a beer?"

"Thanks man," Jared said and followed Paul to the kitchen. "Kim's sister came for a visit, and I just wanted to get out of the house and leave them to talk all the baby stuff."

"Is everything ok with the pregnancy?"

"So far, yeah. It's past 12 weeks but as we know it doesn't necessarily mean anything."

The doorbell rang before Paul had time to answer. What the fuck, normally people called or texted before showing up.

He went to get the door. It was Sam and he looked terrible.

"What's the matter Sam?" Paul asked.

"I found Emily fucking another man," Sam said.

"What the hell? Your Emily? You can't be serious?"

"What the fuck Paul, who else?" Sam shouted.

"Sorry man, I just can't believe it." Paul was stunned.

"What's going on?" Jared asked.

"Emily was fucking another man in our fucking bedroom when I came home from the work," Sam told him.

"Fuck," Jared said. "That's cruel man. Why would she use your bed?"

Before Paul could realize what was happening, Sam had punched Jared. The dickhead deserved that he was fucking idiot sometimes.

"What the fuck man!? Are you nuts?" Jared asked holding his hand over his bleeding nose. "Why you hit me?"

Sam lunged towards poor Jared who didn't have a clue what was going on.

Paul grabbed furious Sam and pulled him away from Jared.

"Hey man, stop it. Jared is a fucking moron to say what he did, but it's not his fault Emily is fucking someone else."

Sam was trying to punch him too, but Paul caught his arm and turned it behind his back.

"FUCK Sam STOP!"

And then all the fight left Sam and he deflated. He would have collapsed to the floor if Paul hadn't had his arms around him.

"Sorry man," Sam said with broken voice.

Shit this wasn't happening.

"Go and get some ice for your face," Paul said to Jared and Paul helped Sam towards the couch in the living room.

"Come on man, let's go sit together. I'll get you a beer."

Sam sat down and Paul went to the fridge. He grabbed two beers and went to the couch and offered the beer for Sam, but he didn't take it. Paul placed it on the table in front of him.

Sam's head was hanging low, and he stared at the floor.

"We've been together since we were 15, why she would fuck someone else. I love her. I thought she loved me."

Paul felt terrible. The thing he feared the most in his life has happened to his best friend and he didn't have a fucking clue what to do or say.

"Shit I wish that I knew man. I mean I always thought Emily wasn't cut to be a cheater. And you've been going strong since the day one. Has something happened?"

"No... yes... I don't know... She has been a bit distant lately and she did ask me few weeks back what I would think if we took a break. It floored me but after I asked if she really was serious, she said she wasn't. Guess she was after all."

And Sam cried.

Paul was desperate to say something. He had never seen Sam cry he'd known him since he was 9 or 10 years old. He didn't know what the fuck he should say. So, he didn't say anything instead he just patted Sam on his shoulder few times feeling hopeless.

"Can you imagine how it feels to come home and hear your girlfriend screaming other man's name while he's fucking her brains out?"

Paul shivered. He could not and it was something he really didn't even want to think about, ever.

Jared came to sit with them. He had frozen pea bag on over his nose.

"I really don't know what to say," Paul said honestly.

"That's alright man," Sam sniffed and wiped the tears and snot off his face. "I just don't want to go home. Can I sleep here tonight?" Sam asked.

"Sure," Paul said. "I'm leaving for Seattle straight from work tomorrow and we'll come back either on Saturday or Sunday. So, if you want to cool down here for couple of days that's fine."

"Sam, sorry man I was a fucking idiot just now," Jared said. His other eye was swelling fast but bleeding from the nose had stopped.

"Yeah ... but I shouldn't have hit you. Sorry man."

"No hard feelings man. So, what happened after you found them?" Jared asked.

Sam grabbed the beer and opened it.

"I grabbed the fucker of Emily and threw him out. He was wimpy motherfucker with small dick. Jesus I can't understand what Emily sees in him. When I asked, she said she wanted man with brains, man with better future than life in run down reservation."

Damn, that's fucking mean.

"Has she said anything like that before? When had she become such an uptight bitch that life in the rez isn't good enough for her? There's nothing wrong in life in the rez. You have it good here."

"It's easy you to say, you're getting out from this shit hole. You'll become a chef in some fancy restaurant or some shit, but I'm stuck here. And you have an amazing woman who would ever do anything like this."

Paul couldn't deny that, but what he had was beside the point.

"You've been happy this far. Don't let Emily to tell you it's not good enough life one can have here. And if you're unhappy, do something." Paul said. It might be a bit harsh considering the man was suffering, but he hated self-pity. Sam was an able guy he didn't have to settle anything he didn't want to. But Paul knew Sam loved his life in the rez. Of them three he has always been the most content of his life here. And he liked his work too.

Sam sighed and rubbed his face and fell against the back of the couch. He groaned loudly.

"I need to get laid."

"I don't think it's a good idea man," Paul said.

"What has happened to Paul who fucks them all Lahote?"

"You know what has happened. But I'm serious, you don't want to go and find someone to fuck, it makes you feel shit. Trust me. I used to try to solve my problems fucking everything that moved, but it didn't help. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it because of Emily I'm saying don't do it because of yourself. Wait few days at least."

"Fuck Paul, when did you get so know it all?" Sam laughed bitterly.

Since I found the woman that made my life worth living. But he didn't say that out loud. It wouldn't bode well with this shit.

He just shrugged and took a long swig from his beer.

"Get your booze out. We're getting wasted," Sam said.

Shit this was going to be a long night. He wasn't going to get wasted but he could hardly turn his back on his friend in time of need. So, he got up and went to get Jack Daniels from the cupboard from the kitchen.

But before going back to his friends he stepped outside to call Bella. He needed to talk with her.

"Hey baby," Bella answered. She was still at Book Attic, and he heard people talking language he didn't understand. Chinese perhaps.

"Hey baby, are you busy?"

"Kinda. There is a group of Chinese tourists who want to buy picture books of the Olympic National Park. I've been showing them books and some amazing pictures Ailani took when we did few hikes there year ago."

"Ah, I won't keep you long," Paul said missing his woman. Seeing her smiling brightly eyes shining made his heart swell. He felt fucking bad for Sam, but he could not help the feeling of utter happiness knowing he didn't need to be afraid something like this happening to him. He had had a good session with Kai two days earlier and it had helped him to see behind his insecurities, yet again. But he had felt that something was changing permanently in his system this time. Kai's woodoo shit was damn potent stuff. He'd been throwing up whole night after his session but had never felt as good as he did after waking up next morning.

"We got a bit of an emergency here with Sam. He's alright but he needs a bit of man therapy. I'll tell you tomorrow. Jared is here too."

"Man therapy, eh?" Bella laughed. "Does it involve getting drunk and heading to a bar hitting on chicks?"

"First part yeah, but hell no we're not going to any bar. Hey, I took measurements of the ranger so we can see tomorrow if we can get it in through the stairs."

"Let's hope so. Paula said it is ok us making changes into the kitchen. She said she was expecting it really. God Paul, I still can't believe we're moving into Paula's home."

"But we are. And before that we have a hot and steamy summer here just two of us."