Epilogue

After calling the lawyer's office, Bella called Robert, again going above Nathan's head, to turn in her resignation. He was sad to accept it. Upon learning she would move to Washington immediately, he could offer no argument for her to stay.

Robert apologized again for Nathan's behavior toward her, admitting he'd already questioned four women that morning, and three of them openly admitted to Nathan's many advances. As a result, Nathan was suspended until further investigation could be done.

Because Bella had been so meticulous about separating her home and work life, there was nothing personal aside from a few ink pens for her to retrieve from the office. Robert emailed her all the paperwork to sign electronically. Her last paycheck, remaining vacation hours, and 401k would arrive within the next two weeks.

Charlie dropped Leah off later, and she cackled inside the house before announcing Karrie's successful apprehension. She reiterated the colorful language the woman had used the entire way to the station, highly unbecoming of a so-called government employee. Leah had so much fun tagging along with Charlie that Leah began seriously contemplating joining the force. Despite her reluctance to admit it, she missed having a more hands-on involvement with their community. Sue, she claimed, was already talking to the lawyer that handled tribal affairs about Jack, inquiring about a position for her 'future son-in-law.' Leah looked happier than Bella had ever seen her.

On Tuesday, Bella visited Emily with Jamie in tow, only to find all three of Jacob and Sanna's children there while the couple worked. Emily cried upon hearing Bella would move home to be with Paul, and soon enough, Bella got a real taste of how chaotic parenting could be.

Jamie was happy to have all his friends to play with and remained easily excitable throughout the day. By the time they returned to Paul's, both were exhausted. Covered in dirt from Emily's sideyard and the ice cream he'd shared with his 'bess frens' that afternoon, Jamie took a bath. Afterward, he and Bella curled up on the couch together and fell asleep, where Paul found them a few hours later.

By Wednesday, Jamie called Bella 'Mama' for the first time, regardless of her permission. As usual, Paul was no help whatsoever and simply shrugged, letting her decide how to handle it herself. She knew then that she was in for a long future of being steamrolled by them both and, surprisingly, didn't seem to mind. After all, she was already his 'stedmother,' and Jamie reminded her at every opportunity.

The following Thursday, after a last-minute and stir-crazy suggestion, Paul, Bella, Jamie, and Leah skipped court, drove to Seattle, and returned Bella's rental car. Then, with nothing but carry-on bags, wallets, passports, and snacks for Jamie, they boarded a flight to Florida.

Bella called Jack once they landed and groggily demanded he 'get his ass out of bed to come and pick her up.' It surprised him to find her with everyone in tow, but he was happy she'd brought them along. Bella had to cover Jamie's eyes when he kissed Leah in front of them like he hadn't seen her in a year.

Bella spent the weekend packing with Paul's help while Jamie watched cartoons or went sightseeing with Jack and Leah, who were happy to take him along.

Bella called Renee and Phil, asking them to drive to her apartment to see them before she left. Bella's rash decision to move to Washington surprised Renee. It shocked her to learn her daughter was married with a stepchild, and she sounded hurt on the phone. She declined the offer to visit since Phil was at work with their only vehicle. Bella promised they could see them the following summer, possibly including a trip to Disney for Jamie. She gently reminded her mother that she could always visit her in Washington, knowing it was unlikely.

Jack had been correct about the U-hauls, more for his belongings than hers. With one trailer attached to each of their vehicles and Paul following behind them in a box truck, they arrived in Washington by the following Tuesday.

Jack was introduced to the rest of the pack as they showed up to welcome everyone back and helped unload the trailers at Paul and Leah's houses. Even Devon seemed happy to pitch in despite the warning growls from Paul any time he ventured too close to Bella's side.

As Paul and Bella climbed into bed on their first night home, Bella couldn't help but wonder at their whirlwind situation. She dreamed of Jared and Kim that night, smiling proudly at her as they watched Paul and Jamie playing together in the distance, running through the tide at First Beach as each turned toward them and grinned.

When Paul woke her in the night by trailing his fingertips across the scar on her inner thigh, Bella cried happy tears as she told him about the dream. Paul responded with eager kisses that soon swept her away, and they made love until the sunrise lit the morning sky.

Bella lay awake in his arms afterward, staring into the reddened sky, anticipating the rain that would surely follow. She couldn't predict what their future might hold. But as certainly as his warmth enveloped her now, she knew the next seven years had to be happier than the last, far better than the content existence she'd embraced less than a month before.

And perhaps with time and practice, she and Paul could paint an extraordinary life together, filled with family, laughter, and the occasional glass of Merlot.

Fin.

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