Ahh, I hope you like this chapter. Reunion is always sweet I think. Or... most of the time anyway. Enjoy, guys :)

Chapter 6

It was oddly sunny when Bella made her way outside of SeaTac airport. She glanced around, smiling widely when she saw Charlie waiting for her, her Chevy parked against the curb.

"Hey, Dad!" she said, walking over to kiss his cheek. He embraced her tightly before holding her out at arm's length.

"You look great, Bells!"

She grinned, nodding. "I feel great."

Throwing her rucksack and suitcase into the back of the car, she held her hand out for the keys. Charlie grumbled good-naturedly but handed them over, walking around to the passenger side.

"How is everyone?" she asked, as she pulled out of the airport.

"They're good, looking forward to seeing you later," Charlie replied cheerfully. "Sam arranged the welcome home bonfire before I even got off the phone from telling him the date you were flying in."

She laughed. "I'm glad, I can't wait to see them!"

"Emily and Kim have been tearing their hair out," Charlie told her, smirking. "Apparently, they can't control the boys half as well as you do."

She rolled her eyes. "Leah is more than capable of sorting em out."

The two of them chatted about Bella's time in Europe for most of the rest of the trip. She told him of her adventures in Paris, of her fear that she was going to tumble down the many steps up the tower. She told him of the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum in Rome and the Leaning Tower in Pisa.

"I'll head up to La Push with you, Hun. I'm staying at Sue's tonight," Charlie told her when they neared Forks, a light blush staining his cheeks.

"Uh huh," she said, grinning wickedly at him.

"Hush," he told her, though he smiled.

"I'm just going to pop home first, dad, if you don't mind. I want to get changed and grab a jacket."

"Sure, sure. There's no rush."

"Bella!"

"Emily!"

The two girls embraced tightly, before Bella was passed off from wolf to wolf. Sam was the last, and he lifted her in a tight hug.

"I missed you, sweetheart," he told her, nuzzling her neck for a moment. Her scent was comforting to him, the wolf had missed his sister as much as Sam had missed Bella.

"How is he?" she asked when Sam set her back down. He didn't need to ask who she was talking about.

"Ahh… quiet, I guess. To be honest, except for patrols, I haven't seen much of him. He checks in every morning, but I have no idea what he's been doing."

Bella nodded. "Well, I'm sure I'll see him at some point," she replied brightly.

Sam chuckled. "Seems like the time away has done you good. You're happier."

"I am. It was good for me," she admitted. "I still feel slightly guilty for leaving Paul, but I'm not sorry I did it."

"Here you go, Miss Bella," Jared said, swooping in with a drink for her. "A Jared special."

"Do I want to know what's in this?" she asked, looking at the glass dubiously.

He winked at her. With a lowered voice, he murmured, "Yours in non-alcoholic. The rest of them… you're gonna see some drunk puppies tonight, hun."

Bella snorted. "Because that's different…"

"There's my girl!"

Bella turned around, and with a happy squeal, hugged Jacob tightly. "I missed you, Jake!"

"I missed you too," he replied, kissing her temple. "But you look good, Bells! Really good!"

She grinned, nodding.

"I only have one question," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Oh?"

"Yep. Didja fetch me a present back?"

She laughed, rolling her eyes as she poked his side. "Of course I did. But, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. I haven't even unpacked. I got home, got changed and come straight up here."

He chuckled. "That eager to see us, huh?"

"Obviously," she replied in a 'duh' tone.

She mingled with the wolves and the girls, listening and laughing while they told of their antics while she was away. Her attention, though, was drawn the moment Paul arrived. The imprint bond rose to the surface, seemingly rejoicing at their proximity.

She looked around, meeting his eyes instantly.

He looked good. Fantastic even. His eyes paced the entire length of her slowly, then retreated back up her body until he was looking at her face again. She walked over to him as though there was a rope pulling her.

"You're back then," he said, his hand reaching out to rest on her hip.

"Certainly looks like it, doesn't it?" she replied, raising her eyebrow.

"Three months, Bella," he whispered, leaning down to run his nose along her neck. She shivered at the touch but nodded.

"Yeah. Three months."

"The longest three months of my life," he admitted. He walked backwards, tugging her with him, until the backs of his legs hit a log. Sitting down so they were more or less eye to eye, he pulled her forward so she was standing between his legs. "Tell me that you won't leave me again."

"I'm home to stay, Paul. I've no intentions of leaving again."

"Have you… forgiven me? For the pain I put you through?"

Bella frowned. "Paul, this was never about punishing you. I forgave you before I left."

He sighed. "I know, I just… I read your letter every day, you know? I understand why you had to get away. I do. I just… I'm done with the hurting, Bella. I want us to be happy, no more games, no more other women, no more any of it. Just me and you, and that beautiful smile on your face."

"Did you… while I was away?"

"No. I told you when I kissed you in Port Angeles, you're it for me now. That didn't change because you were on the other side of the world."

She smiled. "I shouldn't be selfish, but I'm glad. I don't like the thought of you with another woman. You've brought out the jealous side of me."

He returned her smile. "I was always jealous of anyone that was near you, baby. I doubt that'll change anytime soon."

She shifted forward, pressing her lips to his. "I'm ready to try and make this work. You're right. No more stupidness; from either of us. I missed you, Paul."

"I missed you too," he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her jaw. "Every single second that you were away."

"So, what have you been doing?" she asked, leaning into his side. They'd joined the others around the bonfire, but the conversations had split off into smaller groups as the fire died down. "Sam said he hadn't seen much of you."

"I… uh… I'd rather just show you. I'll take you to see it tomorrow, okay?"

She nodded. She was curious, but she could be patient if necessary.

"Are you staying here tonight, Bells?" Sam asked, looking across the fire.

Bella shrugged. "Sure. Charlie is at Sue's."

Sam nodded then turned back to Embry. "Sorry dude, our spare room is taken."

"If you need the room, I can head home," Bella said, noticing the sad look on Embry's face. "What's goin' on, hun?"

"My mom… she's freaking about the random hours I'm keeping at the moment, what with Patrols and shit. She's been flipping her lid at me every time I go home, so I've been staying with Sam and Emily a few nights a week."

Bella shook her head. "That's… I'm sorry, hun. You take the spare room, it's really not a big deal. I haven't been drinking or anything, so I'm good to drive."

"You could always stay with me," Paul murmured, nudging her slightly. "I know you're probably not ready for anything physical, but… the idea of being able to wake up to you is pretty much my idea of heaven right now."

She smiled slightly, glancing at Sam before she nodded. "Okay. Embry, you take Sam's spare room, I'll stay with Paul."

Sam stared at Paul appraisingly for a moment, before he nodded. "It's a plan. And you'll join us for breakfast in the morning of course," he added, raising his eyebrow at Bella.

"Of course," she recited, smiling innocently at him when he eyed her. When she stuck her tongue out, he laughed, waving her off.

"Could you be anymore immature?" he asked, chuckling.

"Probably," she challenged. "You want me to try?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, before he shook his head. "Not a good idea, Bells. Someone will end up in the hospital if we let things get anymore immature around here."

"And we all know it'll likely be me that ends up there. I'm surprised Forks General hasn't called Charlie up to make sure I'm not dead it's been so long since I've been there."

Sam, Jake and Paul laughed while she rolled her eyes at herself. They continued to talk around the fire until Bella yawned.

"Are you ready to go?" Paul asked.

She was surprised to see he looked nervous, but she nodded anyway. He helped her up off the log, and after hugging Jake, Emily and Sam, he led her off the beach.

"Do you want to drive or walk?" he asked when they reached her truck. She'd parked it by Sam's and she shrugged.

"We can walk. We're heading back here in the morning anyway."

He nodded. Her hand grasped tightly in his, they walked for about ten minutes before he pulled her off onto a side path. She followed a step behind him as he led her to a small one floor house, set back slightly into the wood.

"It's gorgeous here," she breathed, taking in the way it seemed like it was only them in the middle of a forest, even though she knew it was on the very edge.

"It's prettier in the day time," he murmured, tugging her towards the door. "You asked what I'd been doing since you left. This is what I've been doing."

She frowned. He opened the door and gestured for her to proceed him inside. She could smell the very faint scent of paint, and as he guided her from room to room, she suddenly understood.

He'd decorated the house… for her.

It was light and airy, each room was filled with beautiful, handcrafted furniture.

"Paul… it's beautiful."

He embraced her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"I did it for you," he murmured. "I want, one day, for you to call this house home. You're my home, baby, but I want you to feel at home with me."

She turned in his arms, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you."

He kissed her cheek affectionately, smiling at her. "Come on, let's go to bed."

She nodded, and he led her into the bedroom. The sheets were a forest green, and looked very comfortable.

"Can I sleep in one of your shirts?" she asked, taking her jacket off and putting it on top of the dresser. He nodded, pulling one out of the draw. He nodded to a door.

"Bathroom's just through there."

She smiled. Taking the shirt, she kissed his cheek in thanks before she entered the bathroom. Changing quickly, she pulled his shirt over her head, taking a moment to inhale his scent. Even though it was freshly laundered, there was still a faint Paul smell to it.

She tied her hair up in a messy bun, and picking up her folded clothes, she returned to the bedroom. He was in bed waiting for her, and he'd pulled the sheet back. She climbed in, instinctively moving across the bed to lay against his warm skin.

His arm wrapped around her back as she lay her head on his shoulder, sure that he was far more comfortable than any pillow she'd ever slept on.

"G'night, baby."

She shifted slightly to press a kiss against his heated skin.

"G'night, Paul."

It was still dark outside when Paul woke up, and the only noise was the soft, even breathing of the woman beside him. She'd shifted in the night, turning her back to him. His arm was still under her head, and he'd cradled her into his side.

He turned carefully, spooning against her from behind, his other arm resting on her waist. She sighed in contentment.

As he felt sleep pulling him back into the darkness, he heard her whisper, "My Paul. I love you."

He smiled into her hair. "I love you too, baby."