A/N: I have no clue what is going on. Chapter ONE isn't showing up, and I have no clue how to fix it unless I delete what is posted. UGH! WHY! They're showing up in the FFN app on my phone, though. Blah, Blah, Blah. This drives me batty.

I hope this one shows up. Someone, please PM me if you can't open anything.

Let's see what goes on with their trip to NEW YORK.

No copyright infringement is intended. All recognizable characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The plot and mistakes are my own.

ENJOY!

3/29/2025


Rear-view Town: Moving Forward

Chapter THREE


As soon as the waitress placed their orders on the table, Paul inhaled his food before he excused himself to use the restroom. On his way back, that's when he spotted Sarah and her friend Cassie. He made his way over to her. "Hey, Sarah, it's good to see you."

"Hey." Sarah tried to sound surprised. "It's good to see you, too. I haven't seen you around in a while." No one knew where Paul moved to or what truly happened to him.

Paul smiled down to her. "Yeah, I live in Washington state, now with my family."

"Family?" Sarah queried.

"It's a really long story, but hey, it's good to see you. I'm just in town till tomorrow. You take care." Paul wasn't about to get into his life with her. It wasn't any of her business.

"Yeah, you too," Sarah replied sadly as she turned to watch him walk back to his wife.

"Someone you know," Bella asked when Paul took his seat next to her.

"Yeah," he scooted closer to her and leaned in. "That's Sarah. The one with her back to us and the other is Cassie her best friend."

Bella's brows rose. "The Sarah?"

"The Sarah," Paul said assuredly. "I didn't want to be rude and just walk by."

"You don't need to explain," Bella said out loud then opened her mind to him. "It doesn't bother me. We're imprints, remember."

Paul smiled at his wife. "You're my Angel and that will never change."

"You're my big, bad wolf man." Bella smiled as she mentally talked to her husband. "And I'm really hoping that bed doesn't squeak."

The Lahote's finished their food and made sure to leave a very generous tip for the waitress and for the owners by the register. They were hoping to come back first the next morning to have breakfast.

They stopped just outside the diner to call the Realtor. They planned to meet her at the house so Paul could see what was so important that he had to be there in person. Bella was caught off guard when Sarah approached them and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Sarah. Paul and I used to go to school together."

"Hi." Bella extended her hand trying not to be rude. "I'm Bella. Paul's wife."

"Oh, wow. I never imagined Paul would get married. He didn't seem like the marrying type when we were together." Sarah gave her a cynical smile. "He always seemed very stand-offish towards people."

Bella knew what Sarah was trying to do and she wasn't about to fall for it. Then Paul stepped forward once he ended his call and heard the last bit of what Sarah said to Bella. "There isn't anything that my wife doesn't know about me. She knows everything." He gave her a cynical smile in return. "We need to finish our business so we can get home to your kids."

"Kids?" Sarah questioned. "You have more than one?"

"Three," Bella said proudly. "Triplets. Identical girls and one boy. It's awesome; his brother and his girlfriend just had quads. The whole family if full of multiple babies. Heck, Paul even has twin sisters." Bella wanted to keep going.

Paul put his hand up to stop her. "Angel, we don't need to tell everyone about our personal life."

"You have a brother and sister? You never..."

Paul interrupted her. "Like I said before, it's a long story that I'm not obligated to share with anyone. It was nice seeing you." He reached out for Bella's hand. "C'mon, Angel, we have somewhere to be."

Cassie shook her head. "Why do you even care? He doesn't live here anymore. You should focus on what you have now."

Sarah sneered at her friend. "Trent?" She rolled her eyes. "He's like having sex with a dead man who died with a boner. He just lays there when I'm on top, and forget about trying any other positions. He needs a guide for dummies on how to properly have sex."

Cassie chuckled and shook her head. "I'll never understand you."

"No one can ever be as good as Paul when it comes to having sex. He's the best I've ever had."

"I guess you would know." Cassie was getting very irritated with her friend. "You've slept with just about every single person in town."

Sarah backhanded Cassie across her arm. "Fuck off. I have not."

Paul zoned them out as he started the car before leaning over to Bella. "I'm sorry about that." He had heard what they were saying and wished he could forget just as quick.

"Don't be." Bella pressed her lips to his as she noticed Sarah was watching them. "I can handle a jealous ex."

Paul huffed a chuckle. "I doubt it's jealousy. We haven't been together in years. I broke up with her before she found out she was pregnant. We were 16; she can't be jealous."

"Maybe she's still bitter about you dumping her. Were you mean to her when you ended things?" Bella honestly didn't care why Sarah was trying to be spiteful.

"I don't think I was. I know I broke her heart. We were both virgins and after I started phasing, she told me I was hurting her during sex, so soon after that is when I broke up with her. I was afraid I would hurt her worse if I didn't end it." Paul slumped in his seat. "I don't even remember what I said to her. It definitely wasn't a legit reason."

"From my point of view, unless your split was amicable, then the other party is always bitter about something. Case in point; look what Edward did to me."

Paul sighed heavily. "Don't remind me." He looked up to see Sarah and Cassie looking at something on a phone. Sarah looked serious and Cassie was smiling. "I guess she could be bitter. I completely stopped talking to her until she told me she was pregnant. After our son died, I stayed focused on my mom." He put the car in reverse. "Regardless, I'm very happily married. She can be jealous or bitter or whatever you wanna call it. It's redundant to me."

Bella sighed. "You're so damn sexy when you're irritated. Your brows come together like you're seriously thinking about something." She reached over and put her hand on his thigh. "You're so damn sexy regardless of the situation."

"Angel," Paul warned. "Remove your hand from my thigh or these people we're about to communicate with will see just how excited you make me."

"I really do hope that bed doesn't squeak." Bella's mind wondered off into la la land as she thought about the night she hoped for with her husband.

"Angel," Paul warned again. "You're five seconds away from being dragged into the backseat. We're two left turns from the house and there's nowhere for me to pull off the road."

Bella slumped into her seat and placed her hands in her lap. "Fine, I'll stop." She began to imagine herself as an ugly duckling wearing glasses with braces, horrible acne, and about a hundred pounds heavier.

"Won't work. We're imprints, Angel. I'd still bend you over our bed and fuck the hell out of you."

Bella couldn't help the large, toothy grin that spread across her face. "Good to know."

Paul parked along the curb in front of the cute little cottage he had once lived in. Bella imagined Paul as a toddler running round in the front yard. "This is nice."

"It was perfect for us. This is where I grew up." He reached for the door handle and took a deep breath. "Let's get this over with."

Lisa, the Realtor that had called Paul, came walking from inside the house to meet the couple. Memories started flooding through Paul's head as his eyes roamed over the house, he once called home. "Hi! Mr. and Mrs. Lahote." She extended her hand to Bella first. "I'm Lisa." Two more people came walking out. "This is Taylor and Tyler Price."

Pleasantries were exchanged before they got to the main reason that Paul and Bella were there. "We had started doing some renovations in the master bedroom. First it was just painting before we moved to the closet to redo the entire layout." Tyler smiled then pointed towards the house. "Well, let's go inside so you can see for yourself."

Paul began to scan his memory of the layout of the closet when he last seen it. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary once he cleared it all out.

"We were curious about the hole or whatever it is in the back wall, and my wife stuck her head inside to see if there was anything in there." Taylor and Tyler walked over to their dining room table where Tyler picked up a large brown bag. It had been torn open where it had been taped shut. "This was pressed up against the front part of the wall, so it's not surprising why you wouldn't see it unless you stuck your head in."

Paul shook his head. "No, I just pulled the other stuff out." He shared a look with his wife. "I have no idea what it could be."

"We weren't going to open it," Taylor said. "Curiosity got the best of me."

Paul nodded then shook his head. "What is it?"

"Open it," Tyler said.

When Paul pulled the bag towards him and noticed the weight to it. "You said this was in that cubby hole?"

"Yeah," Taylor replied. "In that hole."

Paul shook his head. "Yeah, my mom had some stuff hidden in there." He sighed. "I never stuck my head inside." As soon as he opened the bag and looked, he glanced up at Bella. "I don't understand." He opened the bag wider before motioning for Bella to look inside. "I don't get it. Maybe this is the first bag she hid, but why not add it to the bigger bag I found?"

Bella reached into the bag and picked up a stack of pictures that were banded together with a ribbon. "Why would..." She started looking through them. "This is Billy." Then turned the picture over. "Billy and Paul 2 weeks old." Then she came upon a picture that made her heart swell. Staring back at her was her mom when she was a teenager along with her dad, Billy and Nina. "That's my mom; that's all of them together." She looked up at Paul. "Our moms were friends."

Paul took the picture that Bella was looking at. "You look just like her."

"Dad mentioned that they were friends, but they look like they could have been best friends." Bella smiled and looked up to her husband. "It's because of her that we're together."

"There's definitely more than one reason why we're together." He reached down into the bag to pull out another stack of papers. "Savings bonds? You know anything about Savings bonds?" Bella shook her head. "We can ask mom when we get home." He looked down into the bag, again, and picked up a stack of money and flipped through it. "It's all hundreds."

Bella looked down into the bag and pulled out two more stacks. "This is why the bag is so heavy."

"Did you ever ask Alice and Jasper about..."

Bella cut him off. "Let's talk about this later." She turned to Tyler and Taylor. "Thank you for contacting us about this. We're just as dumbfounded."

"Oh, no problem. We would've never called about the permits because that can be emailed but this is way too personal." Tyler explained. "If we find anything else we'll make sure to call you."

"We'll make sure the land deed is signed first thing in the morning."

"Thank you. That's greatly appreciated. We're going to add on another bedroom and bathroom." Tyler motioned towards the back of the house. "We're hoping to start a family soon."

Bella smiled. "We wish you luck. We have triplets at home. They're probably giving their grandparents and aunts a run for their money." She put the stack of pictures she was holding into the bag. "They're definitely a handful."

"Tell me about it," Paul said before picking up the bag. It's weight was nothing to him. "Well, it was great meeting you two and I hope everything works out with the house."

As soon as they were in the car Paul looked down at the bag. "I can't believe they found this." He started looking through the bag again only seeing the money, savings bonds and the pictures. "Where the hell did she get all this money?"

Bella chuckled. "Your guess is as good as mine. I mean, we can ask Alice and Jasper if you really want to. Who knows, maybe she was planning to split up the money and changed her mind. We'll never know."

Paul shrugged. "Yeah, who knows. Those pictures though." He took the bundle out of the bag and handed them to Bella before putting the bag of money on the back seat. "Let's go see my old hangout."

The Broken Bow bridge still looked the same expect the trees and bushes had over grown over the path to get to the bottom. "Watch your step. It's grown up a lot since the last time I was here."

Just as the last word left Paul's mouth, Bella lost her footing. "Oh, shit!" She screamed as she started going down and taking Paul with her.

They landed at the bottom with Bella on top of Paul. His arms were wrapped around her as he groaned. Pain shot through his back from the large rock he landed on. "That was fun."

They began to laugh hysterically as Bella proceeded to stand. She extended her hand to help Paul up. "We're covered in mud." She laughed more. "Are you hurt?"

"Have you forgotten that there isn't much that can hurt me physically?" He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Are you okay?"

"Other than my pride, I'm fine." Bella looked down at her pants and turned around for Paul to check her out. "Do I look okay?"

Paul reached down and cupped one of her ass cheeks. "Looks fine to me."

"Pervert," Bella said jokingly before twisting away from him then aimed her other ass cheek at him. "This side wants some."

"Who's the pervert now," Paul says as he reached out and smacked her other ass cheek.

"Ooo, that had a little sting to it." Bella rubbed her ass as she started looking around. "So, is this your infamous hang out?"

"If that's what you wanna call it then yes." He pointed to the very broken down, weather worn couch. "I slept on that thing a lot, and yes this is where I phased for the first time and killed my first vampire."

"Were you alone?" Bella scrunched up her face trying to imagine him all by himself as his life completely changed.

Paul nodded then walked over to the grown over fire pit. "Burned him here."

The grass and weeds were so overgrown that the rocks that surrounded the pit were hidden. No one would ever know it was there unless they were right on top of it. The whole area looked as if it had never been touched. "I can't imagine what you were feeling when it all happened."

"Definitely life changing." Bella walked up and wrapped her arms around him. "It all would've happened eventually. It's unfortunate that I was alone and very fortunate that it all led me to you." He dropped his head down and kissed the top of her head. "We should get going."

The ride back tot he bed and breakfast was short. Mrs. Meyer was sitting on the front porch with a book and a cup of tea. "Good evening you two." She inserted her book mark to save her place.

"Hi, Mrs. Meyer," Bella said. "Have you had a good evening?"

"Just checked in another couple. They're on their honeymoon and I put them upstairs. You have the downstairs all to yourselves for the night."

"Oh, well, thank you. We're just going to shower and get to bed. Are there towels in our room?"

Mrs. Meyer smiled. "Yes, dear. They're in the closet in your bathroom."

"Thank you. We'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, you two."

"You as well," Paul says as they walked through the door.

Unbeknownst to Mrs. Meyer the couple she had checked in just before Bella and Paul arrived, they aren't human, and Paul was about to inform his wife of the matter as soon as they got into their room.

As soon as their bedroom door was closed, Paul grabbed Bella and pulled her against him. In his mind, he spoke to her. "We can't talk out loud. Our upstairs neighbors are vamps."

"Is it anyone we know?"

"Not that I know of. They didn't smell familiar." Paul pressed his cheek against her head. "We're getting a hotel by the airport tomorrow night."

"I'd hate to check out early. We'll have to leave a very large tip for Mrs. Meyer." Bella pressed her face into Paul's chest. "Are we postponing our..." She shrugged her shoulders. "You know, hanky panky?"

"Let's shower," Paul suggested.

Paul walked over to make sure their bedroom door was locked before he kicked off his shoes. He noticed mud smeared down the side of his pants then looked up to Bella. He spoke out loud for this conversation. "We need to ask Mrs. Meyer for a couple of plastic bags. I'm not sticking these in my bag with clean clothes."

Bella giggled. "Look at mine."

Paul looked at her leggings and laughed. "How did you get more on you than me?"

"I attract messes, apparently."

They undressed in the bathroom and made sure to lay their clothes together. Bella would find a washing machine before they left because she hated the thought of taking muddy clothes home.

The hot water felt amazing as Bella let the water run over her chest. She was tired, too, and hoped she didn't have a problem falling asleep. As soon as she felt, warm, strong hands snake around her waist and up her stomach, a tingle shot through her entire body and stopped on her one needing spot. It made her desire for her husband begin to rise.

Paul lowered his head to her ear and pulled her lobe between his lips before kissing down her neck. He knew what he needed to do to get his wife to bend over just enough to allow him to slip in. "Can I have you in the shower?" He whispered in her ear. "And in the bed?"

Bella turned around and looked up to Paul. "Have I ever told you no without reason?" She reached down and took his hardened manhood into her hand. She moved up and down causing it to get harder.

Paul shook his head as he closed his eyes to savor the feeling of her hand on him. "It's been way too long." His knees nearly buckled underneath him when he felt Bella's mouth on him. "Oh, sweet Jesus, Angel. That feels so good." He was trying to keep his ears open to their surroundings, but it was becoming too hard to do.

She released him with a pop. "You want me to keep going?"

"No." He helped her stand up before he leaned down an pressed his lips to hers. They made out slow at first, but as soon as they got more into their frenzy, he released her mouth. "Turn around and place your hands on the wall."

Bella knew exactly what he was going to do and there wasn't a chance in hell that she would protest, and as soon as her hands touched the tiled wall, Paul slipped a finger inside of her to feel her heat. "Please don't tease me."

"Not a chance." He added another finger as he got her relaxed and ready. As soon as a deep moan sounded from her throat, he knew it was time. "Spread your legs open more."

Without hesitation, Bella bent over another two inches as she moved her feet further apart. She felt the large, bulbous head of his erection begin to penetrate her entrance. "Oh, mother of everything that is holy, this is gonna hurt."

"It won't." Paul promised. "I could never hurt you again this way." He pressed in until he was completely inside of her. "See, not pain," he said as Bella groaned. "Does that feel good?"

"Fuck yes."

Paul pounded into his wife trying to be quiet, but that wasn't going to happen. She felt so good that he could take her all night if he could get away with it. After he came deep inside her, they washed up, dried off the best they could and climbed into the bed naked. As soon as they were under the covers, Bella climbed over Paul's hips to straddle him. "More."

For the next two hours, Bella and Paul explored each other as if they hadn't touched one another in ages. Bella knew she would be sore the next day, but it would be a welcomed feeling. She hoped to have another night filled with sex at the hotel the next night. With Paul's plans to start looking for more property to build low income housing, Bella knew they would be like two ships passing in the night.

The next morning, just as Paul and Bella were getting ready to leave after their breakfast, the two vampires that had been staying in the room upstairs, came down. Right away, Bella knew one of them only from photos. In her mind, she spoke to Paul. "I know the blonde."

"A coincidence?" Paul asked in return.

"I'm not sure. I was never formally introduced to her. I've only seen her in pictures. She's a member of the Denali coven in Alaska. I'm pretty sure her name is Tanya." Bella remembered the time Edward told her about Tanya and how she longed for a relationship with him.

They were just getting ready to walk out of the door when they froze. "Bella? Is that you?"

Bella cringed before she turned around. "I'm sorry. I'm at a disadvantage."

"Oh, I thought you would recognize me."

Mrs. Meyer's head was going side to side as she listened to their conversation.

Bella shook her head slightly. "No, I'm sorry. Do I know you?" She was trying to play as stupid as she could so they could leave.

"Tanya. Tanya Denali. We're cousins to the Cullen's."

Bella made a surprised facial expression. "Ah. They had mentioned you before."

"We're on our honeymoon," Tanya said proudly as she flashed a large diamond ring in Bella's face. "This is Francois."

"Congratulations." Bella tried to sound sincere. "This is my husband Paul."

Tanya tried to keep a straight face the best she could. Vampires loathed wolves and their foul smell. "I think I heard that you got married and have a baby now."

"Three actually," Paul said with a huge smile on his face. He wanted to taunt her about it, but that wasn't the time or place.

"Awe..." Tanya said sarcastically; not really caring how she sounded. "You had a litter of puppies."

Bella had to put her arm in front of Paul. "You could say that." She then looked up to Paul then back to Tanya. "Um...we need to go. You take care." After grabbing Paul's hand, she pulled him out the door with a small wave to Mrs. Meyer. Paul had left a few extra hundred dollars laying on the dresser for her with a nice thank you note.

The Lahote's rushed to their rental car and pulled away as fast as they could. Paul needed to get as far away from the two vampires as fast as he could before he literally busted out into a giant, gray wolf and caused Mrs. Meyer to have a heart attack.

"There's no damn way that they chose to stay there out of pure coincidence. There's just no way." Paul was expressing his irritation with getting as close as they did to two vampires without him phasing and killing them. "Not only that, she fucking knows you!" He slammed his hand down on the steering wheel not really caring if he bent it or not.

Bella wasn't sure what to say, but she wholeheartedly agreed with her husband that seeing a vampire that she knows of, was definitely not a coincidence. She was trying to think of why the hell Tanya was showing up where she's staying, and how the hell did she know? She would call the Cullen's as soon as they were done at the city county building and on their way to the hotel.


Oh, hell, what's going on?

Thanks for reading.

RTB