Chapter Thirty-Eight

'Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire..But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice'

My thoughts were broken back to a book I was reading a poem by Robert Frost for the hundredth time... I've already read this many times but every time I loved it. Paul laid down beside me as I sat on my bed hunched over many books and a few loose papers scattered.

It was a pretty quiet afternoon; Charlie was working, and Bella was out with Edward, I managed to persuade my uncle to let her have at least a few hours with him.

Anyway... Paul was spending the day with me before he had to patrol tonight, he's been spending the night nearly every night... with Charlie's permission of course. It was almost like Paul had moved in and Charlie didn't bat an eye. He even gave him a key. It had only been a week or two since we did the deed and since then we haven't been able to keep hands off of each other... We didn't tell anyone about it, except for the pack and probably Edward only because of the whole inter monolog thing.... Edward hasn't said anything just like I haven't said anything about his idea to propose to my cousin. As for the pack they made a few jokes which resulted in Paul exploding.... So yeah it's been an eventful few months.

Anyway I told Charlie about Paul and his dad and how he was couch surfing between Sam's and Jacob's so.... Charlie basically let him move in. He liked Paul more than Edward.

I was studying for my final or attempting to study.

Paul was making it really hard for me to concentrate as his large hand ran up and down my spine, sending butterflies and a million tiny sparks through my body, he kissed my cheek pulling my book away and moved to kiss me. I pulled back instantly before he could and gave him an annoyed look.

"You know I have an English final... I gotta focus." I muttered trying to stop myself from smiling. He just smirked tilting his head at me.

"You've been saying that since last week when you found out about the final." He retorted playfully. "It's Friday...you got no witchly duties... I don't have patrol until tomorrow morning.... we have the house to ourselves..." He moved closer, pushing me to lay back on the bed, sliding on top of me...his lips descended on mine until they latched on.

I melted into the kiss within seconds, moving my arms up and around his neck, pulling him deeper.

His hands moved down resting on my hips, I could feel his warm fingers brush against the bare skin under my shirt and felt a tingle in my stomach... the make out got heavy as our lips danced together.

Pulling back, I let out a heavy breath making him grin, my head rested on my pillow. He pulled my shirt up and over my head.. Stopping for a second to stare at me, realizing what he was doing. Reading his mind I already knew  he was asking for permission and gave him a light smile. Slowly he leaned down, keeping his eyes locked on mine and kissed me, letting out a soft contented sigh as our  lips meshed together...He lowered his body over mine.

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Waking up a few minutes later, my eyes opened to see him already awake, staring at me. His eyes stared directly into mine.

"Okay... in future no studying in my room." I muttered making him laugh.

He kissed my cheek, making me smile, cuddling up to him.

We laid around with each other for a while longer until I caught sight of the time and eventually had to get up and go take a quick shower.

I had gotten dressed in my black skinny jeans, purple sparkly crop top with a black tank underneath and my black boots, and brushed my hair, trying to fix myself.

Paul waited a few minutes then took a shower of his own.

Walking downstairs into the kitchen, getting started on making Charlie's favorite spaghetti dinner. I had the noodles, meat and sauce simmering... I had a single pot of meatless sauce for myself.  There was garlic bread in the oven.

Arms wrapped around me from behind, I knew who it was and smiled glancing over my shoulder at my imprint. He kissed my cheek softly making me sigh in content. We were going to be mature about our fun times... and keep it as behind closed doors as we could. I liked that we could do things like that but still..... every time made my body go into overdrive with butterflies, almost like he was a drug I couldn't stop.

A cough broke us apart, I turned seeing uncle Charlie walking in, with his uniform on...he had a slight smirk on his face.

"Am I interrupting?"

I stared at him blinking a few times...thinking of what he was going to say if I told him what we did...I didn't feel ashamed so why was I suddenly overthinking... I shook my head clear.

"Nope... just starting on dinner..." I told him clearing my throat, turning to check the bread.

He nodded, he turned opening the fridge and pulled out a beer and a coke, turning to hand Paul the soda.

Paul smiled in thanks. They sat down at the table together, Charlie unfolded his newspaper and started reading, making small talk.

Glancing over at them I noticed Charlie's face fill with concern as he trailed off.

"You okay?" I asked but was cut off as the front door opened. Bella entered throwing her book bag down, Charlie looked at his watch.

"Four o' clock on the dot." Charlie said rolling his eyes. "Does he have a stopwatch or something?"

Bella paused seeing Paul sitting there for a second before brushing it off.

"He has a name... and now he's too punctual for you?"

Bella turned to the stairs.

"Wait a sec will you?" Charlie asked setting his paper down. "Sit down."

Bella glanced at me, I shrugged, as much as I understand Bella's reasons, being that I was the one who told her to go...I understood Charlie's too.

Paul noticed the tension and stood up, coming over to my side, I handed him a bowl to get started on the salad.. We both tried to stay out of whatever this was and got busy.

"You understand why you're being punished right?" Charlie asked facing Bella.

"I know... I put you through hell.."

"Yes you did..." Charlie said nodding. "But I have other reasons for grounding you... Like... I just want you to get some separation from him."

"Dad, there is nothing you can say. Edward is in my life." Bella retorted.

I had to hold myself back from smiling and focused on what I was doing.

"Yeah, I'm gathering that.." Charlie said sighing. "How about this? I'll make you a deal.. You're not grounded anymore, if... you use your new found freedom...to hang out with your cousin, see some of your other friends...Like... Like Jacob."

I turned my head at that, looking over at them. Bella's face was darkened, she silently met my eye, it drew Charlie's attention. I could feel Paul's eyes on me too as Bella and I were stuck in a staring contest... I didn't want Bella anywhere near my friends especially not Jacob... He's taking this thing with Bella the hardest, because of Bella's decision... Jacob has distance himself from her, after I told them all what had gone down during the vote, I was told Jacob went after Edward and there was a fight... Bella was my cousin and Jacob was one of my best friends... I wasn't going to take a side...but I didn't like being put in the middle or seeing them hurt...especially Jacob.

"Look I don't know what's going on between you two.." Charlie said glancing between us. "But Billy's really worried about him.... he's going through a really rough time right now..."

I noticed Bella's face fall more at that, making me roll my eyes. What did she expect was going to happen.

"Jake doesn't really feel like seeing Bella right now... but I'm taking care of it this weekend before I sleep over at Leah's." I said firmly giving my uncle a gentle look.

Charlie nodded.

"good... That's good."

Bella turned to go upstairs, this time she didn't stop and just left while I pulled the bread from the oven and set the table.

Paul and I shared a look going unnoticed as Charlie opened his can of beer and took a drink, relaxing.

Before long I had dinner on the table, the three of us sat down together having an amazing meal while Bella sulked in her room.

----

The next morning I woke up early and did my usual routine, mediation... made breakfast for Charlie and Paul both before Charlie went to work and Paul had to head back to the rez..

Since it was Thursday there was school, I missed two days so I knew I had to go today, but I wasn't sure about what it was going to be like.

After breakfast I made my way out of the house, parting ways with my man.

I just hoped Carlisle and the family wouldn't be angry that I told them. While I won't take sides, I couldn't exactly keep this a secret.  I had to tell Jasmine and Quinn too, they were my sister-witches after all.

I walked into the cafeteria with a brown bag, looking for a place to sit... I saw Bella sitting at the usual table with Jessica and the gang, looking uncomfortable due to Jessica asking questions. I bit my lip reading their minds and sensing all of their auras...  Jasmine and Quinn were sitting with them, beside Jazz was Dillion Merrick... Bella and Edward were on the edge, slightly apart making me curious on what happened.

Reading Edward's mind, Bella tried to go see Jacob last night but Edward stopped her.. there was an argument, or in my understanding Edward was worrying and Bella was being a big baby.

Sitting down I smiled at the gang ignoring Bella's looks. I really haven't spoken to her since yesterday so I'm pretty sure she thought I was mad or something, I wasn't but I wasn't going to get involved either.

Anyway Angela was addresing a pile of note card envelopes while Mike wrote on on a legal pad.

"My fellow students.. Cool right?" Mike said grinning big. "Wow.. okey, right, cute... We are the future. Anything is possible... if you just believe."

"Nice." Angela said kindly.

"Blah blah blah.. Perfect and you got yourself a speech." Mike said ripping the page off, handing it to Jessica.

"No, this will be my speech when I want everyone to throw diplomas at my head." Jessica retorted crumbling the paper and threw it at him. "So... thank you."

"Ya gotta embrace the cliches Jess..."

"They have the bread and butter of all valedictorians." Eric commented.

"And that is why you are not valedictorian." Quinn told him smirking. "And Jess doesn't need cliches... Speech is gonna be epic."

She gave me a hidden look, making me grin.

"Epic?" Jessica repeated looking at us. "It'll change lives."

Alice and Jasper showed up abruptly carrying trays of food they won't eat...

"I decided to throw a party." Alice said sitting down.

"After all, how many times are gonna graduate high school?" Jasper joked making me glance at him, holding back a laugh.

Edward stifled a smile.

"A party?" Jessica asked tilting her head. "At your place?"

"I've never seen your house."

"No one's ever seen their house.." Eric said rambling.

"Another party?" I asked sharing a look with the girls, then Edward and Bella..

"It'll be fun..." Alice told me.

"Yeah, that's what you said last time." Bella remarked making me nod in agreement.

Suddenly Alice froze, her eyes glazed over... I looked over at her reading her mind, seeing she was having a vision as the gang started talking.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

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After school, I headed to my jeep, sending Paul a message, knowing he would be eating or sleeping, getting ready to patrol tonight. Seeing Alice's vision, I knew they were all going to be out. I would have to tell them about the vision just in case.

Getting into the jeep, I pulled out of the parking lot and drove the few minutes to the station. I hopped out just in time for Edward and Bella to pull up beside me. They got out.

We didn't really say anything as we walked into the station together, spotting Charlie behind a counter talking with a middle age couple, they looked worried. Reading their minds their son had gone missing.

"So....what was that at school?" Bella asked glancing between Edward and I.

"What do you mean?" I asked quietly.

"What did Alice see?" She asked pointedly.

Edward and I shared a look.

"Nothing." Edward said shrugging. "Something about Jasper.. It was innocuous."

"I know what she saw..." Bella told us firmly. "Tell me..."

"It was nothing Bells." I told her trying to be gentle.

"You looked worried." Bella added frowning at us. "Lena... please."

"Just thinking about Paul out there tonight." I told her shrugging.

"Everyone would notice how strange Alice is." Edward said at the same time.

"I think that ship sailed long ago." Bella said glancing at Edward and then me. "I'm sure Paul is fine."

Biting my lip, I could feel Edward's eyes on me as I looked at Charlie. He subtly gesutred for us to keep our distance.

"I wonder what's wrong" Edward said.

"There's someone missing in Seattle, over a year ago." Bella told him. "Charlie is doing what he can but...." She trailed off looking at Edward and I. "Do you know something about this?"

"We've been tracking the situation in Seattle for a while." I told her nodding. "The girls and I, unexplained disappearances, killings... anything that might be linked to..."

"Victoria?" Bella asked glancing at me.

I nodded.

"If the situation gets anymore conspicuous, the volturi will step in." Edward added drawing Bella's attention.

She frowned deeply.

"If they go to Seattle, they can come here." Bella said clearly in pre-panic mode. "They can see I'm still human."

"We won't get that far." Edward told her calmly. "But we'll go to Seattle if we have to."

Charlie came over to us making us stop our conversation, I glanced at the Bier's walking out, reading their minds and honestly I felt bad for them.

There is a number of reasons why their son would be missing...sadly I had a strange feeling it had to do with Victoria.

"Hey..."

"You okay uncle?" I asked seeing his sad face and hugged him.

"I'm fine..." He told me making me pull back.

He gave me a fatherly smile.

"You ready for dinner?"

Bella and I nodded. Charlie put a picture into his case as we walked out flanked by the two men.

"It is still just... us three right?" Charlie asked glancing between Edward and Bella. There was a huge palpable tension between them.

"No, I'm just dropping her off." Edward said smiling at Bella. "See you later."

"Bye."

Edward started to leave.

'Uh Edward, are you forgetting something?' I asked through our mind link.

Edward turned back around and gave me a nod as if he did forget.

"Oh... Bella. My parents wanted to remind you about the.... airline ticket you got for your birthday."

Bella eyed him with suspicion, but Edward appeared clueless. Bella glanced at me making me look over at her, I nodded.

"What airline ticket?" Charlie asked.

"A round trip ticket to see mom in Florida..." Bella trailed off looking over at him.

"Wow that was generous."

"And it expires soon." I added giving Bella a lightened expression. "You should think about using it this weekend."

"Well I can't just drop everything and go." Bella said.

"It might be your last change to see her before you graduate." I retorted feeling my emotions change. "Don't waste getting to see your mom while you can... I'd trade you in a heartbeat."

At least Bella had a mother to go see, I wish I could see mine every day, especially now.

Bella saw my face and wrapped her arm around me in a tiny hug. Charlie's eyes softened at the mention of mum.

"Welll...." Charlie trailed off. "It might not be a bad idea, like Elena said.. Get out of town for a couple of days, get some distance."

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing mom." Bella said rubbing my back, lifting her eyes to Edward. "As long as you use the companion ticket."

"Wait just two tickets?" Charlie asked making us look over at him. "Super.... that makes me really happy."

After that we parted ways with Edward and headed for the diner, for dinner.. in separate vehicles.

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New Chapter!

12/5/2024

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