Heart of the Pack

Chapter 39 - Remembrance

The last couple weeks had been hard, it was hard to get used to life without Harry, thankfully the pack were always over at our house so there was never a quiet moment which I was thankful for. Today was Harry's birthday, the moment I woke up I headed to his room and sat on his bed cuddling his favorite wolf toy, the one who looked like Paul and wished him a happy birthday up there. I must have fallen asleep as I woke up to being dragged onto what felt like was someone's lap, opening my eyes I saw Paul lifting me onto his lap, he had come a laid on Harry's bed with me, I didn't say anything just pulled me close knowing I just needed to be held. Tomorrow would also be five years since my dad died, it felt like two minutes ago that Harry was born and dad was still here, they were both taken from us too soon but obviously they were needed up there, they would always be our guardian angles now.

"I've run you a bath baby, Jake will be coming round soon, do you want me to join you?" Paul asked sweetly, "join me please" I whispered quietly, I needed him close to me, I didn't want to be alone today. He lifted me up carrying me to the bathroom before placing me down so I could undress, he climbed in the bath first then allowed me to get in after. Nothing happened we just lay together letting the warm water soothe us, it was times like this when I really cherished Paul's soft side, he knew what I needed, he knew when I needed space or when I needed him close. We fought like cat and dog but it kept the fire going in our relationship, I will always wish he would never imprint because I never want to lose him, to me he is my perfect match but obviously our ancestors think otherwise, if we were perfect for one another he would have imprinted on me.

We stayed in the bath not speaking just enjoying the comfortable silence until the water was cold which caused us to climb out, we had to get dressed for the pack. I had chosen a green stripe long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of jeans with cuts at the knees wheras Paul had chosen to wear cut offs with a black tank. The moment we reached the bottom of the stairs there was a knock on the door, it would be Jake, Jade and the girls, Paul reached the door first opening it allowing everyone to enter, the minute I saw Jake the tears fell once more as he embraced me in a tight hug. We all made our way to the lounge and sat on the sofa, "girls, do you want to decorate a lantern with pretty pictures on so we can go and let it off for Harry so he can have it for his birthday in heaven?" I asked the girls who nodded, in a way they understood that he was gone and now he was in heaven up in the sky watching over them.

Once the pack was round we carried all the food we had all prepared to the beach where we spent the day as a family, playing football or sitting chatting, once the sun started going down we released the balloons first before lighting the lanterns allowing them to be released with our messages wrote on for Harry. Paul stayed by my side the whole night, kissing my forehead and holding my hand or cuddling me as we sat, he truly was perfect in every way. We had a fire lit as we all sat in a circle roasting marshmallows making s'mores, today had been the perfect way to remember Harry on his birthday, I was thankful for the family I had surrounding me, we all supported each other through this awful heartbreak nobody should have to experience.

The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed, I had a full night's sleep without waking from a nightmare, I could hear someone pacing beside the bed as I turned over I saw it was Paul, he was pacing whilst running his fingers through his hair, there was something bugging him, he never paced. "Paul, what's wrong?" I spoke making him jump slightly he was obviously stressed if he didn't hear me turn over. He looked at me before taking a seat on the bed facing me, "M, I have to tell you something, Jake, Sam, Seth and Leah have been bugging me about telling you for weeks" he said slightly stressed out, I was worried now, I didn't know what to say so he took my silence as a way to carry on "you know how I said there is a chance I could imprint, there isn't, I already did, the day after I phased, I should of told you back then instead of dragging out for five years but I didn't want to drag you into this world" he breathed out until he realized I was crying "M, what's the matter?" he asked. Was he stupid! "Paul. Are you stupid. You just told me you imprinted on someone five years ago and you expect me to be ok?" I half shouted, he smirked "I thought it was obvious when I said 'I didn't want to drag you into this world' M I imprinted on you, I didn't want to drag you into the world of wolves and vampires, then when you got with Jake and knew about the wolves, why did you think I never truly supported you being with Jake, because I was jealous, then I didn't want you to feel like you were forced to be with me all because of the imprint. I wanted you to fall in love with me naturally, just like I had fallen in love with you before I first shifted." He spoke with a smirk plastered to his face, I was speechless.

"So what you are saying is you imprinted on me over five years ago, but you didn't tell me because you wanted me to love you for you and not some bond?" I said, he simply nodded, "Paul. You idiot. I loved you before all of this, I always have, check my diaries if you don't believe me. Actually I'm not letting you check them, I don't want you reading half of what's in there" I smiled at him looking into his eyes. "So you accept the imprint?" he asked, his eyes full of hope, "of course I do Paul, you're mine forever, I'm never letting you go" I said before jumping on top of him kissing him. He suddenly pulled away before picking me up and carrying me outside towards the direction of the beach, it must be early as the sun was just starting to rise, the moment we got in the middle of the beach he placed me down and kissed me once more, "what was the point in bring me out here babe, I'm still in my babydoll" I said looking down at the lace night dress I was wearing which didn't leave much to the imagination, "since you accepted the imprint it just leaves me with this to do" he said before getting down onto one knee making me gasp. "Amelia Mae Clearwater, I have loved you since we were kids, it may have not always been romantic love but I have always loved you. You are beautiful and funny and kind and couldn't think of anyone else to spend my life with. I want to grow old with you, have kids with you and spend evenings on the sofa with you and a pizza. Would you do the honor of marrying me and becoming Mrs. Lahote?" he said whilst looking up at me, "YES PAUL, I'D LOVE TO BE YOUR WIFE" I shouted, as soon as I said yes he stood up kissing me twirling us both round before he pulled out the most amazing ring I had ever seen, which his slipped onto my finger before he carried me back to our home.