Another Cullen Imprintee ~Paul Lahote love story~

~Chapter 7: Second guessing or what?~

BELLA
I sighed as I looked out the window cradling a crying Addison in my arms. It's been two weeks since Paul came but neither did Addison calm down nor did the weather. It's been raining cats and dogs for the past two weeks with the thunder and lightning package coming along with it, I'd like to believe that it's because of the loud noises scaring Addison that she's so cranky but somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew that her mood had something to do with Paul.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward asked leaning against the window sill as he took a look out of the window at the weather "I'd rather some solution to Addison's behaviour" I muttered, hugging her closer to my chest.
I looked over at Edward debating my next statement "I think this has something to do with her separation from Paul"
Edward's eyes snapped to mine as he let what I just said sink in "As much as I hate to admit it, I think you might be right" he mumbled clearly not pleased with the idea.
I sighed exhausted as Carlisle walked up to us "any idea what's going on with her?" I questioned hopefully, rocking Addison in my arms "yes, I have and we need to talk about it" he informed, his tone not giving anything away.
Edward and I exchanged glances before following Carlisle into his office where books and papers were scattered all over the place. He's been at this the moment he realised Addison wouldn't even consider calming down, maybe even he had a feeling this had to do with the imprint bond, hence, the research.
"She's dying"
Well that's a nice way to break the ice....and a mother's heart.

"What?" I choked out at a loss for words and I refused to believe that Carlisle just told me that my daughter is dying but something about his melancholy tone made it seem as if I had been slapped hard across the face, although that soon vanished and was replaced by anger.
"What do you mean she's dying?!" I spat out venomously as I stood up from my seat "she can't die, albeit she has human characteristics, she is still part vampire! She can't die!" I exclaimed frantically but all I was really doing, was trying to reassure myself.
Edward placed a hand on my shoulder which immediately had a calming effect and he squeezed gently as he started talking to Carlisle "what makes you say she's dying?"
I tilted my head up and studied Edward's expression, his eyes were showing vulnerability for the first time and even his voice was strained but I could understand what he was feeling. The fact that we have children is bewildering given that vampires can't have children but here we are with two beautiful daughters and after being told that our youngest gem is probably dying, I doubt either of us are being able to get a firm grip on reality.

"There's nothing medically wrong with her, the imprint bond is taking its toll on her. I'm afraid that if we don't do something soon, the imprint bond is going to kill Paul...and Addison" Carlisle explained keeping his eyes trained on the wailing baby in my hands "but Carlisle, it's wrong. Paul is what? 18 years older than her?" I tried reasoning but to no avail because I know what I'm saying is, in a less sophisticated way, utter bullshit.

Edward is more than 100 years older than me, so even trying to use the age factor is completely nonsensical and that would make me the biggest hypocrite out there.

"So is Jacob but that's not stopping you, is it? Listen Bella, Edward, you are her parents and it's your decision but remember, we all love Addison and if it comes down to it, we can rip Paul apart limb by limb. If you kept Renesmee and Jacob apart, even they would go through the same. Now it's up to you, we're all capable enough of protecting Addison but she needs Paul and we can't change that fact but if you still wish to keep them apart-" Carlisle paused looking pained and said the next few words as if swallowing the bitterest pill there is "if you wish to keep them apart, enjoy your last week with her".

My eyes widened in horror as Carlisle briskly walked out of the room leaving us frozen in shock, Edward and I walked over to our room and I placed Addison into her crib.

"There has to be another way out, we can figure it out" Edward said shakily, running his fingers through his hair "are you crazy?! You heard what Carlisle said! Addison will die if we keep her away from Paul! Are you really that thick-headed Edward? She's our daughter and I as sure as hell can take care of Paul if he even dares to hurt her" I growled defiantly facing him with red hot anger coursing through my veins "Bella-" he started but I cut him off by placing my hands on his cheek.
"I'm sorry Edward but you and I both know that this was going to happen someday, no matter how hard we try, Addison and Paul will find their way to each other sooner or later. Although, wouldn't it be nice to know that our little girl has a guy who will love her unconditionally?" I smiled softly trying to make him see this situation from my point of view "that last part doesn't sound too appealing" Edward snorted uncharacteristically making me roll my eyes "oh keep quiet, you know how much Jacob loves Renesmee and plus with the way the guys look at their imprints, only an idiot wouldn't be able to tell they're love sick puppies" I patted his cheek and he smirked.
"I beg to differ, I mean, no one can love more than me" he pecked my lips and I laughed pushing him back "Addison is in the room, behave yourself" I scolded.
Edward and I looked at each other and smiled, we knew what we had to do and there's no time to be second guessing. If we only try seeing what the future will be like, we'll ruin our present so we need to cross one bridge at a time but right now, we just need to cross into the next territory...
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"Stop hogging my daughter, we need to leave now" I grabbed a hold of Jacob's ear, pulling him away from Renesmee "ow ow" Jacob yelped in pain until I let his ear go "what was that for?" he whined, rubbing his red ear "stop whining, we need to get Paul".
Jacob straightened up at that, all traces of humour gone and replaced by none other than a brother's protective instinct "why do we need to get Paul?" he demanded noticing that I had bundled Addison up in warm clothes "Bella, what's going on?"
"Look, I just had to convince my husband to let me do this because it's the only way out if we don't want Addison to die" I snapped before looking over at Renesmee who was peacefully sleeping. I smiled and petted her hair before kissing her forehead "don't even ask me anything else because you know it's because of the imprint bond"

Edward came downstairs with Carlisle hot on his heels looking even more disheveled than he was fifteen minutes ago "wait you two, you can't just go over there in this rain. Addison will fall sick easily like that" Carlisle rushed out taking Addison from my arms after coming to a stop "don't always act on instinct, you're like two primitive people" he reprimanded.
"I still don't get why we need to get Paul" Jacob complained shoving his hands in his pockets "oh will you shut up" we spoke in unison before turning away from him "then what do we do? the sooner we get Addison to Paul, the sooner she stops crying her eyes out" I sighed exasperated.
It was as if though a light bulb lighted above our heads when we turned to face Jacob who gulped nervously at our preying gazes "w-what do you want?" he questioned, stepping back but Edward was behind him in a flash and he brought his hand down on Jacob's shoulder which made him tense up "get Paul".
I wanted to laugh at Jacob's expression when he heard what we had to say as he looked beyond terrified and he scooted away from Edward, frantically shaking his head and his hands "you know how Paul is, he's moping around but he's destroyed his whole house! Jared tried to get Paul but he only came back with a black eye and he was limping! Paul hates my guts because God knows I've told him some really effed up shit that he would happily slaughter me for" Jacob protested, trying to leave but Edward caught hold of his shoulder again and keeping him in place.
"I wish you luck because if you fail, you can bet your life that this is the last time you're seeing Renesmee" Edward warned, tightening his grip on Jacob's shoulder "get going".
Edward wrapped an arm around my waist as we watched Jacob trudge towards the door muttering incoherently to himself but he stopped and turned to face us with a deadpan expression, pointing his finger at the three of us one by one "if I die, I'm coming back to haunt your asses" he grumbled before running out and shifting in midair.

"He's a pain in the ass" I laughed shaking my head before I glanced down at Addison. I just hope that our effort to make her alright is going to work, there's no time to be second guessing our decision.

The sooner Paul gets here, the better.