Only the "Strong" Survive | Paul Lahote |

*chapter fourty-nine*

|PAUL|

When I was young and growing up on the reservation we were told the tribe history often. Taught it in school, my dad would use it as bedtime stories, we had bonfires often - I loved them. But never once did I think they would be real, I never imagined that one day I would be full grown with the ability to turn into a wolf and the duty to protect our land. Beyond that, I never believed in imprinting - hell even after I phased and saw Sam and Emily together I thought it was bullshit. It didn't make sense that two people could become so intertwined with each other because of a single look. But then Joni stumbled into my life, her beautiful, kind self. And I was over taken by the way she could fix my day just with a smile, how everyone loved her the moment they met her, the way that with just a look she could calm me down. She was the polar opposite of myself, in all the best ways, the missing piece in my life.

Hard to believe how much can change in just a year, the way we've grown and learned to love each other. I've loved getting to see how she's opened up more and more overtime, showing me every bit of personality, trauma, and the sweetness of her soul. To now, getting ready to have a baby together. A tiny human that is perfectly us, half her and me - although if it were up to me I'd prefer the baby to be more like her. I hope it laughs like her, thinks like her, is kind to the world and everyone around them. I hope the baby sings and dances as they do things around the house, that their eyes are full of the same wonder and hope. I remember a time when Joni didn't have that, any of that, but as she grew comfortable the real her shined through and she couldn't hide it. I hope our baby never has to hide it, that we give them the most loving and welcoming environment we possibly could provide. So that they know they can do whatever and be whoever they want.

"You ready for this?" Sam asked walking out onto the porch where I was.

Today was the day, the Volturi would be here in just a couple hours and either things would be fine or things would go to hell.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Packs near the field, most of them stayed overnight there. We'll head out in five."

I nodded and turned around heading back into the house with him. Emily and Joni sat at the table talking, neither of them were their usual giggly selves but at least they had each other to get through today. Kim was out of town, so she was free from most of the stress - or at least, as Jared hoped, completely distracted to even realize what day it was.

"Hey handsome," Joni mumbled as I kissed her cheek. I pulled her onto my lap, holding her tight and taking in the feeling of her body tucked into mine. The way she smelled, the sound of her heartbeat quickening at my touch.

"Pretty girl..." I whispered feeling the chills running down her spine, "I love you so much."

"I love you." She said with a crack in her voice. Joni looked up at me with the saddest eyes, she was trying to blink back tears as I was trying to take in her face. Every inch of it incase this was the last time I saw it.

She pressed her lips to my cheek, then my nose, and then my lips. It was a sweet kiss, longing for a lot more kisses after, the kind that leaves a tingle through your whole body and you hope it never ends. The kind of kiss that I hoped to have a lifetime more of.

Pulling away from me, Joni's tears were gone and a small smile formed on her face, "Come back safe to us Paul."

I nodded resting my hand on her belly, there wasn't a bump yet but I loved to touch it knowing our baby was in there. Hoping that even though it was early they could feel my touch and know their dad loved them so much. She got off my lap, standing to give me room to do so too. I leaned down and kissed her once more, placing a second kiss on her forehead too, then I kneeled down to her stomach. Kissing it too.