Lazy Sunday Afternoon

(Carlisle POV)

"…and the last other one of my cousin Henries was named Henry after his father Henry, after his father Henry, after his father Henry, after his father Henry, after his father Henry, after his father Henry after his father Henry, after his father Henry, after his father Henry…" Emmett explained casually, until Rosalie covered his mouth with her hands.

"I get the point. There were a lot of Henries," she said, and sighed. Emmett nodded.

"But I'm pretty sure Emmett wasn't related to him, at least not closely," I added for Rosalie and Emmett's benefit. Rosalie sighed in disappointment, and slouched against Emmett. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and I was at home with my family, watching a college football game. Edward was playing classical music in the background, but he had long since been forgotten. Rosalie was curled up in Emmett's lap, who was sprawled across the couch. Alice was sitting at the other end of the couch with Jasper, trying to avoid being kicked by Emmett or Rosalie. Esme was perched on the arm of my chair, biting her lip as another bunch of college boys started a fight. Rosalie was trying to figure out whether or not Emmett was related to Vera's Henry, to no avail, as Emmett never paid much attention. Ever. Now Rosalie was playing with Emmett's hair, giggling.

"I love your hair," Rosalie sang, and Emmett raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Emmett's baby hair?" Alice teased, and Emmett rolled his eyes, poking her with his foot. Jasper laughed.

"Are you sure you didn't get your hair from your father's side?" Rosalie persisted. I sighed. Some people you could not get to at all.

"Nope, from my mother," Emmett replied again. I was surprised he did not get bored of this, as fast as he got bored of everything else. Love really was blind. I heard Edward's laughter interrupt his music. Smiling, I looked up at Esme. She was still watching the game. I could tell she was glad Emmett did not want to go to college. She was very overprotective of all of the children, but Emmett could not take care of himself so he worried her the most. I wondered how Emmett would fare over in colleges.

"Flunk out," Edward muttered. I smiled. We would never know, would we? Esme would not let Emmett play any sports, so he would probably never go on his own accord. Emmett playing sports with humans was like putting the entire Volteri, guard, and wives included, onto a Florida beach. Someone was bound to figure out the secret eventually. Emmett was aggressive to play with anyone who did not have superhuman strengths. Even with these rules in place, he still was still closely watched. Esme put her hand on my shoulder. I looked up at her and smiled. She was beaming about something, and indicated for me to look over to Rosalie and Emmett. Rosalie was pretended to be asleep, so Emmett was making soft snoring sound effects for her. Alice was giggling, with Jasper's hands over her mouth to shush her. I smiled at that. Trust Emmett. Another goal was scored, or point, or however they were scoring this game, and Emmett slowly lifted his arm up from the remote and spread his hand wide, still making the snoring noises for Rosalie. He put his huge hand under her head, and quickly covered her mouth and nose. He continued to make the snoring noises, getting louder and louder, until Rosalie finally sat up and punched him.

"Oh, ow!" Emmett said in fake pain, and then started to laugh in his deep, loud, booming laughter. Alice and Jasper joined in, quickly followed by Esme, Edward and I.

The next morning, Esme and I were sitting in our bed, talking quietly about the children. Suddenly, Emmett flew him, his eyes wide with adrenalin and mischief, and dived between Esme and I, crawling under the covers and looking out fearfully.

"Emmett!" Esme cried and he smiled up at us.

"Good morning?" he offered, looking guilty. Esme frowned and crossed her arms.

"Emmett…" she said warningly, "What did you do?"

"Well, I was just helping!" Emmett exclaimed, "I was getting up everyone-"

"How?" I asked and Emmett hid a little more under the covers.

"Well, I was jumping on their beds and stuff," he exclaimed, "But they got all mad and stuff, and threatened to kill me! So, I'm hiding out with you guys!"

"Emmett," I began and sighed, "Why won't Rosalie hide you?"

"Because she's busy," he replied automatically, obviously, it had been drilled in – do not annoy Rosalie when she is busy.

"Emmett, get out!" Esme cried, and he climbed out of our bed huffily, and walked over to the door, then turned to face us.

"Fine! But when your being chased by an angry mob of vampires, don't come crying to me!" he retorted, and left the room. Esme and I sighed, and got out of bed. Emmett had ruined the moment.

"Don't be mad at him. He doesn't understand," Esme said to me firmly after catching my expression.

"Of course, darling," I laughed and took her hand, leading her out of the room, and down the hall. Alice and Jasper were talking quietly, and Rosalie seemed to be explaining something to Emmett. Esme knocked on each of their doors, and we continued downstairs. Edward was rummaging though through his music papers at his piano.

"Good morning, Edward," I greeted him, and he looked up.

"Good morning, Carlisle," he nodded, and Esme and I walked over to stand behind Edward.

"Morning, Eddie," Esme teased him, and kissed him on the forehead, her signature greeting for all the kids. Edward sighed.

"Good morning, Mom," Edward said, and kissed her cheek obediently.

"What are you looking for, Edward?" I asked to save him from further embarrassment.

"Looking for my new Elgar," he replied, and we left him to his work. We went across into the living room, and sat down on the couch. Esme leant her head onto my shoulder, and tucked her feet up underneath herself. Alice bounded down the stairs, and flew into the living room, closely followed by Jasper.

"Good morning!" Alice chirped, and beamed at us. Jasper was laughing loudly.

"Good morning, Alice," I said grinning, "Morning, Jasper."

"Good morning," Jasper nodded, smiling.

"Good morning, Alice, Jasper!" Esme beckoned them to come forward and kissed them both on their foreheads.

"Good morning, Esme," Jasper laughed, and Emmett bounded down the stairs.

"Morning!" he declared from the bottom, and leapt over to Edward to rumple his hair. Edward tried to duck from Emmett's bear hand, but missed.
"Get off!" Edward protested. Emmett laughed. Alice and Jasper growled at Emmett.

"The idiot lives," Jasper snarled. Emmett shrugged modestly. Rosalie floated down the stairs then, and kissed both Esme and I on the cheek.

"Morning," she said dryly, and Esme smiled.

"Morning, Rose," we said together, and Esme laughed. As Alice and Jasper were about the pounce on Emmett, Rosalie pulled him over to her.

"Go to school!" Esme exclaimed, and they ran out the door, and climbed into Edward's car. I followed them, and went into mine.

"See you later darling. I'll be home early," I promised and she nodded. As I drove away, Esme returned inside.