CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Serena found herself sitting in her room, her thoughts swirling as the night grew quiet around her. Earlier in the day, Paul had dropped her off at home, and as usual, they had spent some more time together. This time, they had simply gone to a cozy diner for a meal.

She reflected on the day's events as she settled into her bed, a mix of emotions filling her. The conversation she had with Paul at the diner still lingered in her mind.

As Serena's thoughts continued to wander, her conversation with Leah crept into her mind. The protective words of her friend echoed through her mind, reminding her of Leah's promise to avenge her if Paul were to hurt her again.

She felt grateful for Leah's protection, knowing that her friend only wanted the best for her. However, as she lay in bed, a part of her couldn't help but worry about what the future held for her and Paul.

...

Leah's words echoed in her mind: "You got lucky, Serena, but I think after all you did, you deserve it."

Serena found herself puzzled by Leah's statement, and she stared at her friend, bewildered.

"After all I did? What do you mean?" Serena questioned, her eyebrows furrowing.

Leah cocked an eyebrow in response, her tone incredulous, "Are you kidding me?" Her  eyes were fixed on Serena as she spoke, her tone filled with admiration and a hint of sadness.

"You've always been the big sister and peacemaker for all of us," she began. "You always prioritize taking care of everyone but yourself, even when you're in a relationship. Your focus is on what's best for everyone, even when you're hurting."

Serena continued to shower as she heard Leah's words, and she responded with a soft chuckle. "It was something I simply enjoyed doing, Leah," she said quietly.

Leah nodded, continuing her thoughts, "And even after you returned, you fell into the same pattern. You take care of Charlie because his daughter doesn't even bother to help. You've also been supporting Mom through the grief of Dad's death."

Serena smiled as she emerged from the shower, wrapping herself in a towel. "I do it because I love you all," she confessed.

Leah looked at her, her expression softening. "We love you too, but you don't have to feel obligated to ensure our happiness. We are able to move forward each day because of you."

Serena tried to object, "No, it's not-"

Leah interjected, her tone firm yet gentle. "It is. You don't even realize the impact you've had just by being there for us. I don't think you're being silly, Serena. You deserve to make this decision without anyone doubting you."

...

The door to Serena's bedroom gently creaked open, and Jacob and Rachel burst in, both sporting wide grins. "Hey," Rachel started, her voice carrying enthusiasm as she plopped down next to Serena on the bed. Jacob quickly followed suit, taking a seat on the other side of Serena, effectively sandwiching her between them.

"So, how did everything go?" Rachel inquired curiously, her eyes fixed on her older sister.

"We talked," Serena began hesitantly, carefully choosing her words due to Jacob's apparent tensing up. "And we decided to give it a shot."

Jacob, clearly not fully satisfied with the explanation, asked for clarification, "Define that for me, Serena."

Serena continued, her tone calm and measured, "Meaning we aren't diving headfirst into a relationship. We're taking things casually and slowly, getting to know each other all over again, considering we've both grown and changed over the years."

Rachel smiled," Well, I think that's a good thing"

Serena was taken by surprise as she suddenly heard Rebecca's excited voice through the phone in Rachel's hand. "GOOD THING?! THAT'S THE BEST THING EVER!!"

Rachel chuckled, holding up the phone with Rebecca on speaker mode, allowing everyone to hear her twin's enthusiastic reaction. A wide smile spread across Rachel's face at Rebecca's excitement.

"It's not a real conversation with family if we don't get Rebecca's input," Rebecca chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Jacob, looking protective, emitted a deep sigh and declared firmly, "If he hurts you again, I swear I will kill him."

Serena met Jacob's gaze, her voice steady as she implored, "Just remember, Jake, Paul isn't the only one capable of hurting me. Like him, I have the potential to inflict pain too. Please, just be the mediator in this situation. He is your pack brother, and he deserves the same treatment as I do."

Jake held her gaze, visibly displeased but knowing it was pointless to argue with her. Reluctantly, he nodded his agreement, albeit grudgingly.

There was a brief pause as the weight of the conversation settled in the room. Rachel, sitting beside Serena on the bed, gently squeezed her knee in a comforting gesture, supporting her decision. Jacob, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably, still not fully on board with the idea of forgiving Paul.

Rachel, sensitive to the undercurrents in the room, felt the need to ease the growing tension. She looked at Jacob, her eyes expressing empathy for his conflicted feelings.

"Jake," she started carefully, her voice laced with concern. "I know this is tough, and it's okay to be angry and protective. But sometimes people make mistakes, and they learn from them. Maybe Paul has too."

Jacob's face hardened as he caught Rachel's gaze, his emotions a mix of frustration and defensiveness. He bristled at her words, his protective instincts still on high alert.

"Mistakes?" he retorted, his voice sharper than intended. "He hurt Serena, Rachel. He hurt our sister. How do we trust he won't do it again?"

Rachel held Jacob's intense gaze for a moment, her voice firm but gentle. "I hear you, Jake. Truly, I do. But people can change, and it takes time to rebuild trust. Maybe Paul has grown and learned from his mistakes," she suggested, her words laced with a hint of hopefulness

Jacob sat up straight, his body language clearly expressing his skepticism. "Changed?" he echoed, his tone thick with disbelief. "How do we know that? How do we know he won't slip up again and hurt Serena all over again?"

Rachel's expression softened as she continued to address Jacob's concerns. "I understand your doubts, Jake, but sometimes people go through growth. They learn, they regret their actions, and they try to make amends," she explained patiently. "Maybe we should give Paul the benefit of the doubt."

Jacob's brows furrowed, his emotions a maelstrom of protectiveness, hurt, and caution. He crossed his arms, his shoulders tense. "I just don't know if I can trust him, Rach," he said, a hint of vulnerability slipping into his voice

Rachel recognized the vulnerability in his voice, and her expression softened further. She knew Jacob's protective instincts were rooted in love for their sister.

"I get it, Jake," she reassured him gently. "Trust is a fragile thing, and you're looking out for Serena. But sometimes, people deserve a second chance, especially if they're truly remorseful."

Serena chimed in, nodding in agreement. "Rachel makes a valid point, Jake," she said quietly. "Paul has shown remorse, and he's genuinely trying to make amends. I think we should give him a chance."

Jacob's body language remained guarded, his arms still crossed, but a hint of uncertainty crept into his expression. He looked at Serena, his eyes searching hers, as if seeking reassurance. His protective instincts kicked in, and with a grumble, he made a warning, "If he hurts you again, I'll hunt him down. Mark my words."

Serena chuckled softly at Jacob's fierce declaration, a mix of affection and amusement playing on her face. "I have no doubt you would, Jake," she replied, her voice laced with warmth.

Rachel's grin spread across her face as she suggested, "How about we spend some time together and watch a movie? Dad should be home soon, and it's been a while."

Serena nodded, appreciating the suggestion. "That sounds great," she agreed. "A little family time would be nice."

Jacob's frown softened at the mention of family time. He rolled his eyes, pretending to groan, but there was a hint of acceptance in his expression. "Fine, but no chick flicks, alright?"

Rachel's grin widened, clearly enjoying the banter between her siblings, "Oh, come on, Jake. Don't pretend you don't secretly love the sappy chick flicks," she teased, her voice filled with playful banter.

Jake tried to maintain his feigned annoyance, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I do not!" he protested, his voice tinged with mock indignation. "They're too mushy and cheesy."

Rachel burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, please, I've seen the way you get invested in those love stories," she countered, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "You're a total softie, admit it!"

Serena couldn't hold back a snort of laughter, joining in on the banter. "Don't deny it, Jake," she chimed in, a playful smile on her face. "We've caught you shedding a tear or two during those romantic scenes."

Jacob's cheeks flushed slightly as he realized they had caught on to his secret. "Shut up," he muttered, trying to keep a straight face, but his embarrassment was evident. "I just have allergies, that's all."

"Allergies?" Rachel teased, her grin widening. "Yeah, maybe you're allergic to admitting you enjoy a good rom-com now and then!"

Jake rolled his eyes dramatically, his cheeks still faintly red, and let out a long-suffering sigh. "Fine, maybe, just maybe, I might enjoy a good romance story occasionally. But only because they're heartwarming...not because they're sappy!"

Rachel and Serena's laughter filled the room as they saw through Jake's half-hearted denial. "Sure, sure, Jake," Rachel teased, her grin still wide. "We believe you, totally."