Him. (A Paul Zimmer Fan Fic.)

XXVIII. Paul

I was so nervous when I gave Erin that promise ring that I couldn't even look to see the reaction on her face. As I guessed she would, she loved it. I spent so much time trying to find someone who would do that for as cheap as possible. I already had the ring, I just needed the inscription. I finally found this little place who would take it, but it wasn't as cheap as I thought. I spent $250 engraving that. I would've been devastated if she didn't like it, it was the first promise ring I had ever given anyone. And I guess I was afraid it was too soon.

I planned to take Erin back to the hotel, but we passed this little bar that was close. Erin pulled on my arm

"Paul can we please go in?" She begged giving me her puppydog eyes again.

"I don't know Erin. I thought you were tired" I said lightly poking her stomach.

"I was. But now I wanna drink. Come on we're already out and we only have tonight" she pleaded.

"Oh alright. But not too much okay?" I said trying to be as stern as possible.

"Okay" she said dragging me through the door.

There was no bouncer, which surprised me, and they didn't ID. I guess that's lucky for us. We sat at the bar and I ordered 2 beers. I handed one to Erin, who gladly took it.

"Thank you" she said hitting hers against mine before putting it to her lips and tipping it back. Almost drinking the whole thing in one sip.

"Woah slow down there killer" I said when she finally set it down.

"Sorry. Its been forever since I've had a beer. I guess I just forgot how good it tasted" she said placing a wet, sloppy kiss on my lips.

I laugh "okay. We'll have a few more. Then we have to leave" I ordered 2 more beers. After about 10 minutes Erin called the bartender over and whispered something in her ear. She smiled, nodded, and went to do something.

"What was that about?" I asked giving her my most convincing smile.

"You'll see" she flashed me that devious grin that meant she was up to something. Just then the bartender came back and sat 6 shot glasses in front on us and filled them with some Jack Daniels. Erin looked at me grinning.

"Ready?" She asked picking up a glass.

"As I'll ever be" I said hitting our glasses together. I put the glass to my mouth and tilted my head back the same time she did. Even at the same time she finished all 3 before I finished one. She really knew how to drink. We had about 4 more rounds and 2 more beers each. For someone who knows how to drink, she doesn't know how to hold it well. By the time we left she was so drunk she couldn't even walk by herself. I practically carried her back to the hotel. Once we got in the room, she collapsed on the bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was asleep.

I picked up my phone and saw her dad called. I got her phone, her dad called her 7 times. I called him from her phone.
1 ring
2 rings
"Hello?"

"Hi sir. Its Paul"

"Paul? Why isn't Erin calling"

"Well she's asleep. I figured I would call and let you know she was okay"

"Then why are you on her phone?" He sure asked a lot of questions when I was just trying to be nice.

"I figured you'd be more likely to answer if it was her number"

"Okay. Keep my little girl safe y'hear?"

"Yes sir. Will do. Goodnight"

"Goodnight"

With that I hung up. I put her phone on the charge next to mine. I tried to wake Erin up so she could change to some PJs but she was out cold. So I just took her jeans and tank top off and let her sleep like that. I stripped down to my boxers and crawled in bed next to her  and turned the TV on. Erin rolled over and put her head on my chest. I kissed the top of her head.

"Goodnight babe. I love you" I practically whispered.

I watched TV for about half an hour before dozing off myself.

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Its bright. Too bright to see.  I wonder around trying to find something. I'm alone no one here just me. Then a shadowed figure appears. It starts forming a person. It's Erin. "Erin" I scream at the figure. "Paul leave. Never come back. I don't love you. Go away. Never come back!" She screamed pointing behind me angrily. I didn't move. I just stood there not knowing what to do. Should I fight to stay. Or just leave? All the sudden she lunges at me.

                     ~                ~                 ~  

I woke with a startle sitting straight up.

"Paul. What wrong?!" Erin asked seemingly concerned. I explained my dream to her.

"I had a dream too. Nothing like that. But it was about you not loving me. Laughing at me"

She told me her dream. Every detail.

"Oh baby. I would never in a million years do that to you. I love you so much you'll never know." I said pulling her head to my chest.

"I'll never hurt you Paul. Physically or emotionally." She said kissing my chest. I layed us down and within  10minutes we were both asleep again. This time peacefully.

                     ~                ~                 ~  

We woke up about 12:30. Erin had no recollection of what happened before she woke up the first time. I explained everything to her and she just sat there laughing. At herself.

"I actually drank that much" she said between laughs.

"Technically you didn't drink more than I did. I just handled it better."

"Oh shut up" she said playfully pushing my arm. I started tickling her, she started laughing hysterically. She layed back on the bed and I staddled myself on top of her pinning her arms to the bed. She fought me for a minute before giving up and just staring at me. I kissed her , passionately, deeply, sweetly, completely intoxicated my how much I loved her and how much I know she loves me.