After a long shift at the diner, the last thing you want to come home to is a house full loud wolves messing up your house, but here we are.

"Oh shit."

I scowl at all of them before shutting the door and kicking my boots off. "You've got to be kidding me," I ground out when I walk into the kitchen to find a sink full of dishes and the trash overflowing.

I stomped past Paul in the living room as he yanked me by my wrist and pulled me into his lap. I tugged on the bottom edge of my diner uniform to keep from letting it slide up too much further and showing my ass. "Tough day at the office?" he teased as he nuzzled my neck.

"Yeah," I replied stiffly. "Especially when I come home to the three little pigs in their pigsty."

Jared and Jacob snickered and Paul shot them a dirty look. They both cleared their throats and scrambled off the couch and headed for the kitchen. When the water began to run in the kitchen, Paul smiled. "The kitchen is getting cleaned. Happy?"

I sighed and tried to push away from him, but he held me tighter. "Will you talk to me?" he urged as he brushed his lips against my cheek.

Jared appeared with the trash and winked at me before breezing out the front door. I opened my mouth to say something but closed it quickly, feeling frustrated. "It's nothing," I lied.

Paul sighed as he ran his warm hands over my bare legs. "You're freezing, baby. Did you walk home?"

I nodded and he scowled. "You said Karen could give you a ride."

"She had to leave early. Her son was sick."

He squeezed me tighter and I felt his warmth radiate through my clothes. "You should have called me," Paul scolded as I pouted. "I don't want you walking in the snow."

"I'm surprised you care," I replied flippantly. I was pushing his buttons, wanting...no needing a reaction. And I got one.

Paul rolled his eyes and sighed. Jacob appeared from the kitchen with Jared, who had come back inside at some point. "Kitchen's clean!" they both announced proudly.

I glanced over at both of them and nodded. "Thank you."

"Should we vacuum and dust next?" Jared asked eagerly.

"Sure," I shrugged and climbed off of Paul's lap, much to his dismay.

He quickly followed me to the bedroom and grabbed the door before I could shut it in his face. He grabbed me around the waist with one hand, spinning me around to face him. I gasped at how quickly he drew my body to his. He held my lower back firmly and pulled me close. With his other hand, he cupped my jaw, forcing my gaze up to meet his.

"You think I don't care?"

I lifted my chin and shrugged. "I don't know."

Paul scoffed. And then he smiled. I was shocked that he wasn't more angry. Maybe I wanted him to be angry. Maybe I was still waiting for that reaction.

"You think I really want you walking home in the snow? You think I really wouldn't drop everything to come and get you if you needed a ride?"

I stared up at him and blinked. Always so damn intense. "I know you worry. I know you're concerned. I'm your imprint, so that's to be expected."

He raised his eyebrows in shock. I pulled away but he tightened his grip with both hands. "I don't give a fuck about the imprint bond. I loved you before the shift and I love you more now. Imprinting just made what we already had stronger. I don't worry about you because my imprint makes me. Don't you know that by now?"

I lowered my head, pressing it to his chest. "I'm just...so confused."

He used his hand to tuck my head into the crook of his neck and he held me close, lifting me right off my feet. He squeezed me fiercely and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He carried me the short distance to the bed, lying back with me on top. He ran his hands up and down my sides and shushed me as I started to cry.

"I'm sorry," he repeated over and over.

As my tears subsided, I raised my head and rested it on my hands, which were folded on Paul's chest. "I just don't know what's going on with us."

Paul sighed as he smoothed the hair away from my face. "Please talk to me. Tell me what I'm doing wrong."

"Nothing," I whispered. "I'm sad. I think it's the holidays."

"I thought you loved Christmas," he replied, smiling softly.

I swallowed thickly, not wanting to cry again. I pushed off from Paul and stood over him. "It doesn't feel like Christmas here. This doesn't even feel like my home. There's nothing of mine here, no pictures, nothing. I just...don't feel totally comfortable here." I sucked in a deep breath and exclaimed, "And we don't even have a Christmas tree!"

"Baby," Paul murmured as he reached for me. I twisted away from him and undressed in the corner.

"I need a shower. I smell like the diner."

Before I could slip my robe on, Paul crossed the room and grabbed me from behind. "I think you smell amazing."

I gasped when he gripped my hips and pressed into me. "Seriously?"

"What?" he whispered against my neck.

I jerked out of his arms and swung around to face him. "You haven't touched me since that first night we had sex and now you wanna do it? With your best friend and my brother in the house? Wow, you're unbelievable."

Paul cocked his head and smiled. "They left." When I continued to frown at him, he added, "Is that what you're really mad about?" His smile disappeared.

"I just didn't think you wanted me anymore..."

"Are you insane?" he gasped, sliding his hands under my thighs, lifting me swiftly and pressing me against the closet door. He lifted his hips and pressed into me. "Does that feel like I don't want you?"

He was so hard and ready. I wanted to give in and let him take me against the closet door, but my pride wouldn't let me.

"It's been five days. I thought after we waited so long, we'd be doing it every five minutes. But it's like the chase is over and you just don't care anymore."

Paul let go of me, letting my body slide down his. "That's not true. I don't know how you could say that."

"That's how you made me feel," I responded sadly.

Paul crossed his arms over his chest and huffed angrily. "You act like we both haven't been busy. Sam has been making us pull double patrol shifts until Quil phases. And Manny has been giving me more hours at the gym with school being on break." He took a deep breath and continued. "You've been working so much and stressing about Rebecca...I just thought..."

"What?" I asked defensively.

"I was just waiting for you to come to me," he sighed.

I stared at him for a moment, suddenly feeling stupid. I grabbed my robe from the floor and waited for him to say something else. When he didn't, I stalked off to the bathroom and took my shower.

I wasn't surprised when Paul didn't join me, but I was completely shocked when I realized he left.

~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~

I decided that I didn't want to sit in the house and mope. I found a note from Paul saying he had left me the keys to the Bronco in case I wanted to go somewhere. I grabbed them and drove to my dad's, feeling like a visit with Rebecca might make me feel better.

When I walked up to our bedroom door, I noticed that it was open a crack. I pushed it open to reveal Embry and Becca sitting on the bed in the middle of a kiss. I tried to sneak back out quietly but I kicked the door by accident and ran.

I made it outside and down the ramp before Embry came rushing out. I whirled around to face him when he touched my shoulder. "I'm sorry I interrupted you. I didn't mean to mess things up for you."

Embry cocked his head at me and smiled a little. "That's the nicest thing you've said to me in a long time. It's almost like..."

I smiled a little and nodded. "I decided not to get in your way with Rebecca. As long as you don't hurt her, then we're okay."

Embry's eyes twinkled. "I could never hurt her, Rach. I really love her. This imprint shit is so intense."

I nodded when I thought back to my fight with Paul. "I just wanted to ask you one thing..."

Embry chuckled and cut me off by raising his hand. "Yes, I'm totally over you. No, I don't think about you when I'm kissing her. And yes, I can tell the difference between you two."

I smiled and laughed. "Well I guess that covers it!"

Embry beamed back at me. "Did I pass the test? Am I good enough to date your sister?"

His eagerness made me remember why I liked him so much. That sweetness that he used to have was back. And I felt like everything bad between us was finally starting to fade away. I nodded and pulled him into a hug. I knew that all the pain couldn't be forgotten this easily, but it was getting more bearable.

"And what do we have here?"

Paul's voice sliced right through me. Embry stiffened and we both withdrew from the hug. Jacob stood nearby and glanced between the three of us. Embry held his hands up and shook his head. "I wasn't trying anything with her. It was an innocent hug."

Paul slid his hand behind my head and looked me over carefully. "Is that true? Are you okay?"

"Of course," I replied, leaning into him for a quick side hug. "We were just straightening some things out."

Paul wound his hand around my waist and pulled me close. "Okay."

Embry looked relieved. He glanced at Jacob hopefully and smiled a bit. "I'm gonna go talk to Becca."

We watched Embry scamper off happily and I turned to face Jacob. "If you're still mad at him for what he did to me, you don't have to be. Either one of you," I paused to look at Paul too. "I'm trying to get past it, for Becca's sake. And I don't think it would kill either one of you to make an effort to get along with him. It's better for the family and it's better for the pack."

Jacob sighed and nodded. "I know you're right. It's just hard to forget what he did."

"I'm not forgetting. And I don't expect you to either. But let's try to get along...for Rebecca, okay?"

Jacob nodded and Embry reappeared with Rebecca. They were holding hands and she looked happier than I had seen her on a long time. Paul squeezed me close to him and pressed a kiss to my temple.

"Did you come over here for something, sis?"

I nodded. "I wanted to see if you wanted to go Christmas shopping with me."

Rebecca nodded excitedly and hugged Embry quickly. "Let me grab my coat."

Embry glanced around at us and rocked back on the balls of his feet. "I guess I'll be going then."

When Embry began to retreat, Jacob called to him. "Do you wanna play some Call of Duty before you go?"

Embry looked so happy, I thought he was gonna burst. "Sure!"

Embry shot me a grateful look before running off with Jacob. I turned to look at Paul, who seemed amused and not angry. "You did a good thing," he admitted quietly.

I shifted around to face him as my hands snaked behind his back. "I'm surprised to hear you say that."

Paul peered down at me and smiled. "I can see how hurt Embry is about losing Jacob as a friend. And I guess..." he paused to playfully sneer. "That I could probably be nicer, if that's what you really want."

I beamed. "Yes, I would love that."

He leaned in and pressed his lips to my earlobe. "Then I'll do it for you. I'd do anything for my girl."

I held Paul's face in my hands and kissed him softly before Rebecca reappeared to ask if I was ready to go. Paul growled in frustration when I broke off the kiss. "Don't pout. I'll be home later."

"Promise?" he asked, his eyes desperate. "You promise you'll come home to me tonight?"

I nodded and kissed him softly. "I promise."

~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~

When I offered to drop Paul off at home, he said he wanted to stay and talk to my dad. I thanked Rebecca for tearing herself away from Embry and we gossiped about our guys all the way to Port Angeles.

Our shopping trip was successful and we had a great time. It was late by the time I took Rebecca back to Dad's. Embry was so excited to see her that he came bounding down the ramp before she even got out of the car. He wrapped her up in a huge hug and I felt a pang of jealousy when I realized I missed Paul just as much.

I pulled up to Paul's place and noticed there were very few lights on. I hoped that he wasn't asleep or had decided to leave. I really missed him.

I entered the house and I gasped. I couldn't believe what he had done. There was a real Christmas tree in the corner, adorned with twinkling white lights and lots of ornaments. I moved closer to inspect them, noticing that some were mine from when I was a child. The angel on top was what really got me. It was the same one my mom had made from an old quilt from when we were kids. I hadn't seen it since before my mom died.

All of a sudden the memories of my mom came flooding back and I remembered how much she loved the holidays and how she always insisted we spend them together as a family. I wrapped my arms around myself as I moved toward the roaring fire in the fireplace. I let the tears fall as I ran my hand over the mantle and noticed all the framed pictures of me now showcased there. I loved the one of my mom, me and Rebecca. I also saw the photo of me and Paul from the beach blown up into an 8x10 and prominently displayed in the center.

It was beautiful and just what I wanted to make this house feel like a home. Our home. I sighed when Paul slid up behind me, offering me a mug. I sniffed the warm beverage and smiled. "Is this spiced cider?" I asked happily as tears still streamed down my face.

"Your dad said it was your favorite. He gave me your mom's recipe. I just hope I made it right," he admitted nervously.

I smiled widely and took a sip. I squeezed my eyes shut as more memories flooded back. The crackling of the fire, the cinnamon in the cider, and the angel on the tree brought it all home for me. When more tears welled up in my eyes, Paul gently guided me over to the couch and urged me to sit with him.

I slipped my coat off and we snuggled together, just staring at the fire and talking about our memories. Paul was lying behind me, holding me closely and listening intently. I loved the way his arms felt around me and I knew how lucky I was to have him. He listened to me vent today and he cared enough to make my wishes come true. How lucky am I?

"My mom wanted me to go to Seattle for Christmas this year," he announced suddenly.

I turned in his arms and looked up at him. "Baby! Why didn't you tell me?"

He sighed and smiled down at me sadly. "I know how badly you want to be with your family for the holidays. I would never deny you that."

"But..." He silenced me by brushing his finger to my lips.

"I hope it's okay that I invited your family here for Christmas. We have more space here and since your dad let me borrow all these decorations, I thought you could enjoy them with your brother and sister."

"Paul," I gushed happily as I held him tightly. He sighed contentedly and I could feel my heart bursting with love for my Paul.

When we pulled away I held Paul's face in my hands. "That's so sweet of you. But you have to make me a deal, Paul."

"Okay?"

"I'll only agree to Christmas here with my family if we can spend a few days in Seattle with your family or see if they will come here. Your family connection is important too."

Paul smoothed his hands over my hair and held me again. "I'm so lucky to have you. I'm so lucky you're my girl, Rachel."

"I think we're both lucky," I whispered against his neck.

~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~

I woke up a few hours later on the couch, cold and alone. I squinted and blinked, adjusting my eyes to the twinkling lights in the room. I spied Paul near the fireplace, kneeling down and poking it around to spark up the flame. As the fire began to roar again, he slipped his t-shirt over his head and I was suddenly struck by how beautiful he was. There was a sheen of sweat covering his stomach and chest and his muscles flexed as he lifted another log onto the fire.

I slid off the couch and crawled toward him. Paul glanced my way and his eyes went dark with desire when he saw me stalking him on all fours. "Come here," he murmured. I got closer and he pulled me up on my knees as we faced each other.

"I missed you. You left me on the couch all alone," I playfully pouted.

Paul wound his hands behind my back and lowered them to my ass, squeezing roughly when they landed there. "I wanted to keep you warm."

I ran my hands over his well-defined chest and smiled. "But the fire is making you sweat."

Paul lifted me and set me down on the soft rug near the fireplace. As he descended upon me, he murmured, "I can make you sweat."

I hummed in delight when he pulled my sweater over my head and unhooked my bra. I laughed when he yanked my leggings off along with my panties. I sat up a little and went for the button and zipper on his jeans. I pulled Paul down on top of me as we worked together to wriggle him out of his jeans and boxer briefs.

We laughed together as we struggled and I gasped when he was free of the confines of his clothing, because he lowered himself and pushed into me in one fluid motion. I arched my back and let him fill me completely.

This was nothing like the first time we made love. It was slow and sensual and we took our time getting there. I loved the way he felt under my hands and I adored the way he worshipped my body. His chest was so slick sliding against mine as we rocked our hips together and pushed each other over the edge.

I never wanted to stop feeling this way...so warm...so tingly...so aroused. "I love you, Paul," I panted as my climax approached.

He drove himself deeper inside me, picking up his speed when he felt me clenching all around him. We tumbled together, quaking and holding each other so tightly. When he whispered my name over and over into my ear, I shuddered involuntarily.

"I love you, too," he gasped before pressing his lips to mine. And I lost myself in that kiss. I never wanted to stop feeling this way.

.....
A/N: I hit 4k views today! And this story is ranked no. 1 in #twilight, which is amazing as well!

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