Disclaimer: The Twilight Series is the exclusive creative property of Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any rights to it. This is a fan-based creation.
Author's Note: This chapter took far too long to write. I have been working at a camp for the last three weeks and haven't had regular computer access. I'm back now and chapters should be up more often. I hope you like this. Review and leave your thoughts!
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"We say we love flowers, yet we pluck them. We say we love trees, yet we cut them down. And people still wonder why some are afraid when told they are loved."
-Author Unknown
"Emmett!" Rosalie said loudly. "Stop that right now!"
Emmett, who looked bigger than he had lying broken on the forest floor, froze for a moment and turned towards her, his dark, red eyes curious.
Carlisle took advantage of the moment to take a step forward, "Emmett, you are stronger than you remember. And faster. You must try to slow yourself down."
Emmett considered this only for a moment before barreling across the hall towards Rosalie, his arms stretched toward her.
Rosalie felt herself tense instinctively for the impact before Edward was there, crouching in front of her, his sharp teeth bared dangerously.
The newborn stopped in his tracks, seeming almost confused by this new threat. "Angel?" he murmured uncertainly and the red of his eyes and the snarl in his throat could not disguise the new, musical quality of his voice.
"It's alright," Rosalie said.
Edward stepped to the side, his eyes full of warning as he stared up at Emmett.
"Slowly," Carlisle reminded the giant.
Emmett nodded and tried again, his steps hesitant, his concentration wavering. His dark crimson eyes met Rosalie's golden ones and his strained expression melted into another broad smile.
"Emmett, this is my daughter, Rosalie," Carlisle said, his voice formal. "She is the one who…"
"Saved me from the grizzly!" Emmett interrupted, not taking his eyes off Rosalie. He stopped right in front of her and reached out an impossibly large hand, "Emmett McCarty, ma'am. It's very nice to meet you."
Rosalie shook his hand, marveling at the whiteness of his skin…as white as hers. She looked up into his sweet, boyish face, where even the purple shadows below his eyes looked like laugh lines, and found herself smiling back…a shy, bewildered smile.
Emmett looked like he wanted to say more but a feeling of pain and terror had crept over his face and he let go of Rosalie to claw at his throat. He growled, loudly.
Edward tensed again.
"He should hunt," Carlisle said, looking towards his son.
"I'll take him," Rosalie said.
The rest of the Cullens turned to stare at her.
"Oh, you will, will you?" Edward's voice held traces of a deep sarcastic amusement.
"Rosalie, not alone," Carlisle said gently. "A newborn this…size will be hard to overpower, even by a large vampire. It is vital that we protect Emmett from himself."
"Myself?" Emmett repeated, still clutching his throat.
"Fine," Rosalie snapped. "I'll lead." She stormed past Edward and out into the open air.
Edward rolled his eyes and tugging Emmett by the sleeve, followed his sister.
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"It's quite simple," Edward murmured in hushed tones, his topaz eyes darting quickly to follow the movements of the deer. "It's a matter of precision. If you jump cleanly and quietly, you can easily overtake and… he's gone…"
Emmett was already tearing through the thick forest overgrowth, charging after the animal.
Edward caught Rosalie's gaze.
She pursed her lips tightly, a wobbly sound in her throat. She fought to stifle the giggle creeping its way up and failed. Tossing her golden head once, teeth glinting as she smiled, Rosalie leapt to her feet and followed Emmett deeper into the trees.
Edward sighed, "I think I liked her better when she didn't smile."
In the next half hour, Emmett caught and drained fifteen deer.
Rosalie stood nearby, unable to tear her eyes away as he sank his teeth into a small doe.
When Emmett finally lifted his head from the fallen animal, he licked his lips, grinning. "Angel," he nodded cordially to her, as if he were reading the newspaper at the breakfast table.
Rosalie felt a small pang of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. This was much too easy for him.
"Rosalie," she corrected, her voice hard.
"Hmmm?" he asked, lazily.
"My name is Rosalie," she said, punctuating each word with a sharper glare.
Emmett looked surprised, "Of course it is, ma'am. My apologies."
Rosalie clenched her hands into small white fists. "Just…just see that you remember it," she said. Unable to say more, she strode off, her shoulder blades clenched tight under her white blouse.
Edward stood at a distance, watching the exchange, hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets. He frowned, hearing not only what she had said, but what she hadn't.
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The next two days passed in similar fashion. Emmett spent most of his hours hunting and the remaining few following Rosalie around like a kicked puppy hoping to be patted.
Rosalie did everything in her power to avoid Emmett, listening on the stair for his approach, exiting a room when he entered, and hunting in the few hours he stayed inside. Emmett's easy-goingness irked her. His wide smile and husky voice and big shoulders twisted her in uncomfortable knots. The vampire issue seemed to neither confuse nor upset him. In fact, he seemed…happy. Rosalie was not sure why.
It was an especially sunny afternoon and the Cullens had mostly gathered in the parlor where Edward was playing a waltz by Grieg, one of Carlisle's favorite pieces.
Rosalie sat in the far corner, nearest the window, feeling lonelier than she had in years.
The rest of the group stood near the piano, laughing and talking.
Emmett was slapping Edward on the back and the sound was like faint thunder.
Edward was laughing at the older boy, his starkly white pale face breaking into streaks of boyish smiles.
Emmett ruffled his hair and tried to shove him off the piano bench.
Esme scolded them both, her face still smiling. Carlisle put an arm around her and she looked lovingly up into his face.
Rosalie felt shriveled and angry at the sun that kept her indoors, excluded by her family all smiles and joy, annoyed by Emmett and his utter inability to be less than cheerful.
She was shaken from her litany by a whiskey-throated question.
"Miss Rosalie, what's your favorite song?" Emmett's scarlet eyes were gentle with interest.
Rosalie wished she didn't feel so stirred by his voice.
"I…" she broke off, uncertainly.
"Rosalie doesn't like music," Edward said, sounding bored. His golden eyes bore into Rosalie's. "It reminds her too much of being human."
Rosalie felt the familiar ache of crystallized tears behind her lids, a vague reminder of her more mortal days. Edward's words stung, mostly because they were true. Unspoken…but true.
"Edward," Esme admonished, disappointed.
Edward was still looking at his sister.
She looked back at him, betrayal washing over her head and settling in her shoulders.
"Excuse me," Edward muttered as he stood and left the room.
Carlisle ushered Esme out, his face apologetic.
The parlor was silent for a long moment.
Rosalie started for the door, her head held high, red mouth pursed in a frown.
A hand caught her elbow.
She turned back to see Emmett, his expression unreadable.
"Let go of me," she told him, half-heartedly.
Emmett looked at her carefully, "No, ma'am. I think it would be better if you stayed here."
Reluctantly, she allowed herself to be pulled back towards him.
"You really don't like music?" he asked.
"No. I don't."
Emmett's face scrunched up as though he were trying to solve a very complicated problem. "Well, I guess we can dance without any."
Without another word, he slipped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her close. His other hand grasped hers and pulled her in a circle.
"What are you doing?" Rosalie demanded, feeling silly.
"I'm dancing with you," Emmett said, surprised.
"You can't dance without…music."
"I agree," Emmett grinned. "But you don't want any so…I guess this will have to do." He spun her out and caught her, pulling her even closer than before.
"Hmm," Rosalie said, looking up at him uncertainly.
There was silence for a moment as they completed another circle.
"Have I done something to offend you, Ang- I mean, Rosalie?"
Rosalie opened her mouth and shut it again.
"Because, if I have, I apologize. Sincerely," Emmett looked worried.
Rosalie considered this and shook her head, blond hair falling in her face.
Emmett let go of her hand and wound some stray curls around his forefinger. His thumb brushed the apple of her cheek. "You are…" he began, "The most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
He bent his head down, his lips quite close to her mouth.
Rosalie's head shot back, as she tried to pull away.
Emmett stopped, his eyes turning worried, "Well, there now, ma'am. I meant no offense." He let her go.
Rosalie stood still for a moment. Her mouth struggled to form the words. No sound came out. Her eyes stared helplessly at him before she turned, darting from the room.
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Author's Note: Review and give me your impressions, comments, questions, and predictions! Thanks for reading!
