Essence of You
by Momma2fan
Chapter 4
Bella walked into school Monday feeling like a new person. Her friend Angela commented on it after she saw her.
“There’s something different about you, Bella. Are you okay?”
She smiled, “I’ve never felt better, Ang. I’m so sorry for being a shit friend these last five and a half months.”
“Bella, you were going through something awful. You were allowed to grieve.”
“Well, that’s over now. Edward is gone and he can stay that way.” Bella smiled and headed toward her first class. She had just sat down, when her phone buzzed in her bag.
Morning, Iz. Have a good day and don’t worry about anything. We’ve got eyes on you. xP
Looking out the window, she could see him just in the tree line. He nodded his head in another direction and she saw Sam’s wolf.
Thanks. See you later? xB
Definitely. xP
Bella put her phone away and concentrated on her classes, knowing she was safe.
*****
Zombie Bella had taken a hike a couple weeks ago and new Bella was thrilled. During the time she wasn’t at school, she spent with her Dad making up for all the grief she’d caused. She also spent time with Paul, getting to know who he was when he wasn’t a wolf.
It was at the end of that second week when her patience was tested at school. As she was walking out of her last class at the end of the day, she heard her name and stopped.
“Bella!” Mike ran to catch up with her. She had to contain the eyeroll, since she knew what was coming. “So, I hear you’re over Cullen. That’s great.”
“What did you need, Mike?” She tried not to sound annoyed, but wasn’t very successful.
“Well...I just wondered if maybe you wanted to go out with me?”
Bella sighed, “Mike, we’ve been over this. I don’t see you like that. You’re a nice guy, but...”
“Come on, Bella. Just one date, please.” Mike practically begged.
“No, Mike.” Even after saying that, she could see it wasn’t going to be enough. “Look, I’ve kinda met someone. It’s still new, but I don’t think it would be fair to him for me to see someone else.”
Having heard the boy asking her out, Paul breathed a sigh of relief when she told him no and said something about him.
JB: Did you really think she would go out with that guy? He’s a tool.
Jacob showed him the image of the time he went to the movies with Bella and Mike. Paul barked a laugh.
P: Thanks for that. I’m gonna run a check and then head to her house.
JB: Are you phasing back?
P: Not until later. He took off running, smelled nothing and went to guard Bella at home.
Bella walked into her house, feeling lighter than she had in months. Throwing her bag down on the couch, she looked at the piano that sat against the wall; she hadn’t touched it since she met Edward. Her piano was the one place she’d always felt at peace. Pulling out the bench, she lifted the cover and caressed the ivory and black keys. She began playing slowly, but then as she relaxed, she remembered why she loved it. Music flowed from her fingertips as she lost all track of time.
P: Can you guys hear this? Where did she learn to play like this?
JB: She started taking lessons when she was four. I haven’t heard her play like that in years.
E: I recognize that song. I think she’s playing that for you, Paul.
S: I think you need to phase and go in there, bro. We’ve got this.
Paul phased and pulled on the shorts he had strapped to his ankle. He would have knocked, but he didn’t want to interrupt. He silently let himself in the back door and stood in the kitchen doorway watching her. The way she played, with so much heart warmed his. He fell in love with her in that moment. When she finally stopped, he cleared his throat.
Bella spun around and smiled when she saw him standing there. “Hey,” she said quietly.
“Hey,” he grinned at her. “You play beautifully. That’s a good song too.” He slowly walked toward her as she stood up from the bench.
“You recognized that?” He nodded as he reached her, placing his hands on her waist and pulling her to him. “Paul?”
Leaning down to her, he gently pressed his lips to hers. He kissed first her upper, then her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When he changed the tenor of the kiss, Bella was right there with him, opening her mouth to his seeking tongue. Their tongues wrestled for dominance, but he soon won out. When they both needed air, he broke away with a soft peck against her lips.
“Um...wow.” Bella said, blushing.
He chuckled, “Wow, indeed.” He brushed her hair back across her shoulder and leaned in to peck her lips one more time. “I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were okay.”
“I’m good. I think I’m gonna play some more, I’ve missed it. Maybe spend some time with dad when he gets home. Will I see you later?”
“I’ll text you when I’m done with patrol.”
“Okay.”
One last kiss and he’s out the door, heading into the woods to phase. Bella sat back down at the piano and continued to play. She was so engrossed in the music, she didn’t hear her dad come in.
Charlie took a second glance outside to make sure he walked into the right house. He hadn’t heard Bella play in over a year, not since that Edwin came into her life. He walked quietly across the floor and sat down to listen to his daughter play, closing his eyes at the beautiful sound. He sat there as she moved from one song to another, playing to her heart's content. He had missed it.
When she was finished, Charlie applauded causing Bella to laugh. “Did you enjoy that, Dad?”
“It’s been a long time, Bells. I’m glad you’re playing again.”
“Thanks.” The pair went about their evening, having dinner and watching some TV while Bella did her homework. When she finally turned in, she kissed his cheek. “Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, kid. Goodnight.” Charlie had never been so happy to have his daughter back. He needed to make sure he thanked Emily profusely for bringing her back to life.
*****
The days melted into weeks which in turn became months. Bella soon found herself on the cusp of her high school graduation. The pack still hadn’t been able to catch Victoria. Although her scent was lingering, they hadn’t found a fresh trail in weeks.
Sam could tell not only was the pack stressed out, but so were the imprints. He decided a day of fun was required, followed by a pack meeting and bonfire. There was going to be a ton of food, beach games and swimming, among other activities. Paul had asked Bella to come, so she was making a ton of food to take with her.
Charlie had left earlier to head to a conference and told Bella to have a good time, saying he’d be back late Sunday night. Getting up, she showered quickly, making sure she was smooth all over. After throwing on her brown bikini, she dried her hair halfway, leaving it to fall down her back in waves. Some short jean cutoffs and a white sleeveless, zip up hoodie completed her look. After packing her beach bag and grabbing her sandals, she walked downstairs to the kitchen. She turned on the stereo as she passed, smiling when Bruno Mars spilled from the speakers. She danced around the kitchen as she gathered everything she had made, completely unaware she had an audience.
Paul watched her hips move to the beat of the music playing and couldn’t remember ever seeing anything sexier. Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist, moving his hips in time with hers as they danced around the room. He flattened one palm against her stomach, while the other wrapped around her shoulders, leaving no space between them. As they moved, his lips were pressed to her neck, nibbling and sucking.
“Paul,” Bella moaned involuntarily as her arm wrapped around his neck, her hand gripping his hair. She could feel his excitement pressed against her and resisted pressing back into him.
Placing one last kiss to the space just below her ear, he stepped back. “Sorry,” he smirked, when he met Bella’s lustful gaze.
Shaking her head to clear the cobwebs, she stood on tip-toes and kissed his lips. “Sure you are.”
He chuckled, “You about ready?”
Nodding, “Yeah, I just need to put the last few things in the cooler. The other one can go in the truck.”
“What about your bag?” Paul was suddenly nervous. “I mean are you staying or am I bringing you back here later?”
Bella didn’t look at him as she answered, still putting the food in the cooler. “It’s by the door. I’m staying with you, right?”
“Yeah, if that’s what you want.”
This time she met his eyes, “Yeah. I think the only one who’ll have a problem with it is Jake.”
Jacob had been accepting at first, but as the days passed, he wasn’t as supportive. Especially when he found out Bella had accepted the imprint. There had been more than one argument between Paul and Jacob about it, Bella had even let him have it. Nothing had even happened between them, but Jacob didn’t care. His bitterness was ruining their friendship and she was sure there would be drama today.
“Iz, he’ll get over it.”
She sighed, “I know, I just hate it. I thought he was okay with it. What was I supposed to do? Reject it and hurt us both?”
Paul walked over to her, pulling her chin up to look at him. “When you accepted the imprint, you made me the happiest man alive. We’ve been taking this slow so we are both comfortable with and ready for what happens next. Jacob will be fine, Iz, and so will we.”
She nodded and closed her eyes when his lips met hers. “Finish up so we can get out of here.”
Bella walked into school Monday feeling like a new person. Her friend Angela commented on it after she saw her.
“There’s something different about you, Bella. Are you okay?”
She smiled, “I’ve never felt better, Ang. I’m so sorry for being a shit friend these last five and a half months.”
“Bella, you were going through something awful. You were allowed to grieve.”
“Well, that’s over now. Edward is gone and he can stay that way.” Bella smiled and headed toward her first class. She had just sat down, when her phone buzzed in her bag.
Morning, Iz. Have a good day and don’t worry about anything. We’ve got eyes on you. xP
Looking out the window, she could see him just in the tree line. He nodded his head in another direction and she saw Sam’s wolf.
Thanks. See you later? xB
Definitely. xP
Bella put her phone away and concentrated on her classes, knowing she was safe.
*****
Zombie Bella had taken a hike a couple weeks ago and new Bella was thrilled. During the time she wasn’t at school, she spent with her Dad making up for all the grief she’d caused. She also spent time with Paul, getting to know who he was when he wasn’t a wolf.
It was at the end of that second week when her patience was tested at school. As she was walking out of her last class at the end of the day, she heard her name and stopped.
“Bella!” Mike ran to catch up with her. She had to contain the eyeroll, since she knew what was coming. “So, I hear you’re over Cullen. That’s great.”
“What did you need, Mike?” She tried not to sound annoyed, but wasn’t very successful.
“Well...I just wondered if maybe you wanted to go out with me?”
Bella sighed, “Mike, we’ve been over this. I don’t see you like that. You’re a nice guy, but...”
“Come on, Bella. Just one date, please.” Mike practically begged.
“No, Mike.” Even after saying that, she could see it wasn’t going to be enough. “Look, I’ve kinda met someone. It’s still new, but I don’t think it would be fair to him for me to see someone else.”
Having heard the boy asking her out, Paul breathed a sigh of relief when she told him no and said something about him.
JB: Did you really think she would go out with that guy? He’s a tool.
Jacob showed him the image of the time he went to the movies with Bella and Mike. Paul barked a laugh.
P: Thanks for that. I’m gonna run a check and then head to her house.
JB: Are you phasing back?
P: Not until later. He took off running, smelled nothing and went to guard Bella at home.
Bella walked into her house, feeling lighter than she had in months. Throwing her bag down on the couch, she looked at the piano that sat against the wall; she hadn’t touched it since she met Edward. Her piano was the one place she’d always felt at peace. Pulling out the bench, she lifted the cover and caressed the ivory and black keys. She began playing slowly, but then as she relaxed, she remembered why she loved it. Music flowed from her fingertips as she lost all track of time.
P: Can you guys hear this? Where did she learn to play like this?
JB: She started taking lessons when she was four. I haven’t heard her play like that in years.
E: I recognize that song. I think she’s playing that for you, Paul.
S: I think you need to phase and go in there, bro. We’ve got this.
Paul phased and pulled on the shorts he had strapped to his ankle. He would have knocked, but he didn’t want to interrupt. He silently let himself in the back door and stood in the kitchen doorway watching her. The way she played, with so much heart warmed his. He fell in love with her in that moment. When she finally stopped, he cleared his throat.
Bella spun around and smiled when she saw him standing there. “Hey,” she said quietly.
“Hey,” he grinned at her. “You play beautifully. That’s a good song too.” He slowly walked toward her as she stood up from the bench.
“You recognized that?” He nodded as he reached her, placing his hands on her waist and pulling her to him. “Paul?”
Leaning down to her, he gently pressed his lips to hers. He kissed first her upper, then her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When he changed the tenor of the kiss, Bella was right there with him, opening her mouth to his seeking tongue. Their tongues wrestled for dominance, but he soon won out. When they both needed air, he broke away with a soft peck against her lips.
“Um...wow.” Bella said, blushing.
He chuckled, “Wow, indeed.” He brushed her hair back across her shoulder and leaned in to peck her lips one more time. “I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were okay.”
“I’m good. I think I’m gonna play some more, I’ve missed it. Maybe spend some time with dad when he gets home. Will I see you later?”
“I’ll text you when I’m done with patrol.”
“Okay.”
One last kiss and he’s out the door, heading into the woods to phase. Bella sat back down at the piano and continued to play. She was so engrossed in the music, she didn’t hear her dad come in.
Charlie took a second glance outside to make sure he walked into the right house. He hadn’t heard Bella play in over a year, not since that Edwin came into her life. He walked quietly across the floor and sat down to listen to his daughter play, closing his eyes at the beautiful sound. He sat there as she moved from one song to another, playing to her heart's content. He had missed it.
When she was finished, Charlie applauded causing Bella to laugh. “Did you enjoy that, Dad?”
“It’s been a long time, Bells. I’m glad you’re playing again.”
“Thanks.” The pair went about their evening, having dinner and watching some TV while Bella did her homework. When she finally turned in, she kissed his cheek. “Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, kid. Goodnight.” Charlie had never been so happy to have his daughter back. He needed to make sure he thanked Emily profusely for bringing her back to life.
*****
The days melted into weeks which in turn became months. Bella soon found herself on the cusp of her high school graduation. The pack still hadn’t been able to catch Victoria. Although her scent was lingering, they hadn’t found a fresh trail in weeks.
Sam could tell not only was the pack stressed out, but so were the imprints. He decided a day of fun was required, followed by a pack meeting and bonfire. There was going to be a ton of food, beach games and swimming, among other activities. Paul had asked Bella to come, so she was making a ton of food to take with her.
Charlie had left earlier to head to a conference and told Bella to have a good time, saying he’d be back late Sunday night. Getting up, she showered quickly, making sure she was smooth all over. After throwing on her brown bikini, she dried her hair halfway, leaving it to fall down her back in waves. Some short jean cutoffs and a white sleeveless, zip up hoodie completed her look. After packing her beach bag and grabbing her sandals, she walked downstairs to the kitchen. She turned on the stereo as she passed, smiling when Bruno Mars spilled from the speakers. She danced around the kitchen as she gathered everything she had made, completely unaware she had an audience.
Paul watched her hips move to the beat of the music playing and couldn’t remember ever seeing anything sexier. Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist, moving his hips in time with hers as they danced around the room. He flattened one palm against her stomach, while the other wrapped around her shoulders, leaving no space between them. As they moved, his lips were pressed to her neck, nibbling and sucking.
“Paul,” Bella moaned involuntarily as her arm wrapped around his neck, her hand gripping his hair. She could feel his excitement pressed against her and resisted pressing back into him.
Placing one last kiss to the space just below her ear, he stepped back. “Sorry,” he smirked, when he met Bella’s lustful gaze.
Shaking her head to clear the cobwebs, she stood on tip-toes and kissed his lips. “Sure you are.”
He chuckled, “You about ready?”
Nodding, “Yeah, I just need to put the last few things in the cooler. The other one can go in the truck.”
“What about your bag?” Paul was suddenly nervous. “I mean are you staying or am I bringing you back here later?”
Bella didn’t look at him as she answered, still putting the food in the cooler. “It’s by the door. I’m staying with you, right?”
“Yeah, if that’s what you want.”
This time she met his eyes, “Yeah. I think the only one who’ll have a problem with it is Jake.”
Jacob had been accepting at first, but as the days passed, he wasn’t as supportive. Especially when he found out Bella had accepted the imprint. There had been more than one argument between Paul and Jacob about it, Bella had even let him have it. Nothing had even happened between them, but Jacob didn’t care. His bitterness was ruining their friendship and she was sure there would be drama today.
“Iz, he’ll get over it.”
She sighed, “I know, I just hate it. I thought he was okay with it. What was I supposed to do? Reject it and hurt us both?”
Paul walked over to her, pulling her chin up to look at him. “When you accepted the imprint, you made me the happiest man alive. We’ve been taking this slow so we are both comfortable with and ready for what happens next. Jacob will be fine, Iz, and so will we.”
She nodded and closed her eyes when his lips met hers. “Finish up so we can get out of here.”