Hey guys, here is my second chapter. It is a little bit longer than the first, but I'm not big on writing huge chapters and I'm struggling a little to write for long periods of time at the moment anyway. Please review, I would like to know what you think of it and if you want me to work on anything.

The school day went way too fast for Emmett's liking, normally, he couldn't wait to get out of there. But since he had to go to the hospital straight after school, rather than home with Rose, the hours just flew by.

'Try not to scare the kids.' Rosalie pleaded with him. 'It'll be over before you know it.'

Emmett just nodded his head glumly before getting into his Jeep and making the solitary drive to the hospital, Rose was going home with the others. He actually had previous plans with her that afternoon, but they were now cancelled, thanks to Carlisle.

The drive to the hospital was far too short, he sat in the stationary car for a moment, trying to gather himself.

'It's just an hour.' He told himself. 'It can't be worse than listening to Alice's commentary on the latest fashions.'

Oh, he was kidding himself. This would be Hell. Cursing under his breath, Emmett got out and headed into the building. Carlisle was waiting for him, Emmett tried not to glare at him as he headed over to him.

'Okay, Emmett, I'm glad you're here.' Carlisle said, getting straight down to business. 'You will be reading to one of our cancer patients. Her name is Isla Townsend and she is eight years old.'

Emmett groaned internally, a girl? He had to read to a girl? What if it was a fairy book? Or one about flowers of something? Jasper would never let him live it down. His emotions must have shown on his face because Carlisle's expression hardened slightly.

'You behave yourself.' Carlisle warned as he lead him through the corridors. 'Isla is a favourite with the nurses and doctors so don't you dare upset her. She is unable to read very well herself as she has missed a lot of school so you read whatever book she gives you. Understand?'

'Yes.' Emmett groaned.

They entered a corridor that was a lot brighter than the others, the walls were covered in cartoon animals. It was the children's wing. Carlisle stopped at a door, knocked on it briefly, and entered with Emmett close behind him.

The room actually looked nice, a bit like a bedroom but with medical equipment in it. The walls in here had drawings and photos taped to them. When Emmett finally saw Isla, he was rather taken aback.

He knew she would be sick, but hadn't really been prepared for how sick she actually was. Isla was tiny, her skin almost as pale as his own and she was rather thin. Her mousy brown hair was short, barely reaching her ears. There were IV lines in her arm and neck, a feeding tube up her nose and taped to her cheek.

Emmett felt incredibly guilty, he thought he had it bad by having to read a fairy book, this poor kid was very ill and he was complaining about spending an hour with her?

'Hi, Carlisle.' Isla said as they approached the bed, there was a homemade quilt over the hospital issue sheets and she was cuddling a big stuffed giraffe.

'Hello, Isla.' Carlisle replied. 'This is my son, Emmett, he is going to read to you today.'

'Really?' Isla squeaked, her big green eyes lit up with excitement.

'Yes, whatever book you want.' Carlisle told her, looking pointedly at Emmett. 'I'll leave you to it.'

Carlisle left, Emmett looked back at Isla who now had a book clutched in her hand. Where had that come from?

'Will you read me Harry Potter?' she asked shyly, holding the book up. It was the third one, The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Emmett grinned, he loved the series. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. The book was brand new, she hadn't even started the book yet.

'Harry Potter is awesome, who is your favourite character?' Emmett asked, sitting in the chair beside the bed.

'Hedwig.'

'Hedwig?' Emmett snorted. 'Hedwig doesn't count, she's an owl.'

'I know. But she's beautiful and brave and smart and…'

'Okay, okay, I get it.' He laughed. 'How about we start the story?'

Emmett was only supposed to stay for an hour, but he was there until 6pm, when it was time for dinner. He had been so enthralled in the story, mimicking the characters' voices to entertain Isla, he had lost track of time. Carlisle came in and told him it was time to go home. It was hard to tell who was more disappointed, Isla or Emmett.

'Will you come back?' Isla asked, looking at him pleadingly. Poor little kid, how could say no to her?

'I'll be back tomorrow, how does that sound?' he promised her and was rewarded with a big toothy grin, she was missing some of her baby teeth.

Emmett said goodbye before joining a smug-looking Carlisle in the corridor.

'I take it you enjoyed yourself?' he smirked.

'You're lucky she's cute and is a Harry Potter fan.' Emmett sniffed. 'What's her deal, anyway? How long is she here for?'

'She won't leave here, Emmett.' Carlisle replied softly, looking sad. 'Her condition is terminal, all treatments have failed. All we can do is manage her pain and keep her as comfortable as possible.'

'So, she lives in the hospital?'

'Yes, her family visit her every day though.' Carlisle explained. 'And she knows the nurses very well so they always try to spend time with her too.'

Carlisle still had a few hours before his shift finished, so he saw Emmett out before returning to work. Emmett drove home in a daze, he liked Isla, she was a cute little kid and just loved being read to. Maybe it made her forget her situation for a little while? He had seen the way Edward, Jasper and Esme would get absorbed in their books, they were the big readers in the house.

If he was honest with himself, he was looking forward to visiting her again.