Hi there, pretty ladies.

And here's a little something for ya. This outtake is one of those things that I blocked you with, because it was best in a different POV. This takes place alongside Chapter 16: 'Introductions', with the meeting of a certain big ol' someone, well not ol' but big. ;)

Thanks to my beta Songster for her help and everything she does for these things.

I don't own Twilight, never have and never will… unless it forms a company and goes public, then it's oooon.

'Kay, let's stop the babbling…

O~o~O~LBO~O~o~O

'Opportunities'

"The end," I whisper softly and close the book.

Marie sleeps silently next to me on the couch at my parents' house. After all that sugar from the cupcakes and the sneaking of food she did with Edward in the kitchen earlier in the afternoon, I'm surprised that she didn't fall asleep before now.

I gently lay her so that she sleeps more comfortably. Usually I'd take her upstairs, but I'm heading to the solarium and I'll be able to check on her from there.

I move one of her soft blond curls from her forehead. She looks so peaceful there, nothing like the rambunctious little girl I see every day. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to have her in my life, and whatever failure I might think from time to time my life has been, it's all meaningless when I compare it to how happy this sweet baby is. My baby, my beautiful baby. I'd give my life for her, I almost did one time and I'd do it again.

I kiss her on the nose and rise from the couch.

I walk toward the solarium and see Mom and Edward sitting quietly. The look on their faces is one that I haven't seen on either one of them in a long time. Peace. They are completely at peace with each other. I don't know what they were talking about, but from Mom's glassy eyes, I can imagine they discussed Edward's history with them.

My dear brother, such a different man from a few weeks ago. I thought I had seen a change in him when he visited me with Bella. I knowI saw a change in him, but now that the weeks have passed, I notice that the change is even deeper.

His eyes are clearer and the green in them is intensified, much like when he was a little boy. He smiles often, not only when he talks about Bella, but even when he looks at simple things like macarons. I've even heard him humming a tune while he's playing in the yard with Marie.

I knew he was in love with Bella when they visited, but now I think he'sstarting to notice it as well.

I'm thrilled if that's the case, but also concerned. Will that scare him enough to run? Or will he full-on embrace it instead? It doesn't look like he'll run, but you never know with him.

I settle by them, sitting near Mom. I smile thinking of all the times we spent here playing and joking around. It's been two years since we've been here together. Moments later, when Dad comes in here as well, I feel nothing but bliss at seeing our family together again, like this.

We talk for a while, the room full of laughter and memories. Dad regales us with stories from the hospital and Mom with stories about her friends. They always try to get info from her about my next books, something to look cool before their own grandchildren. I laugh picturing their faces.

Nobody knows anything about my stories before they are finished… well, maybe Edward a little, but nothing specific. He only knows what inspires them.

Right in the middle of one of Dad's stories, a particular gruesome one, Edward's phone rings. He doesn't have to say anything, we all know who it is that's calling– Bella. The guy can't keep a poker face if his life depended on it.

He moves to the corner to take the call.

"Jesus, he's too cute." Mom gushes and takes Dad's hand in hers.

"I know, it's kind of disgusting. Nobody can be thatsweet. But then again, Bella does bring that out in people." That's true, even Marie is enamored with her.

"I know. Oh Carlisle, we must have her over, soon," Mom says but never takes her eyes off Edward, his back to us. Actually, we're all staring at this stranger in front of us.

It's pretty obvious we've been watching him when he turns and catches us all staring.

"What?" he asks, as if he doesn't know.

"Nothing," we all say at the same time. We're not a very subtle family it seems.

"I assume that was Bella?" Mom asks him.

"Yeah, she invited me to some club with her and her friends. You too Rose, if you want to go."

A night out? Being surrounded by strangers? Dancing and drinking?

Little by little I've been able to work with my fear of large crowds. I can work with the groups of people from my book tours, but I still don't feel comfortable around men. Usually during my book signings, there are parents and kids and no gawking men to make a move. But a club is a different matter.

However, seeing how happy Edward and Bella are, how good it can be when you simply open up yourself to new opportunities, I wish that for myself as well. I absolutely adore my brother, but since seeing him with Bella, sometimes I can't help but feel a little jealous of him.

I get so mad at myself for that.

And because my brother is trying to move on and Bella is a big part of his life now, I resolve to go, to try as well. I just hope my body agrees this time and doesn't close off.

So, with this invitation, I decide to try. Just like everyone around me is, I'll try as well.

"Mom, could Marie spend the night here? I don't know when we'll be back and I don't want to wake her up."

"Of course, honey. Don't worry about Marie; she can stay. You know she has clothes here," Mom offers and I'm glad she makes things easy for me.

I nod and turn to Edward.

"All right. Tell Bella I'll be there as well." I take a breath and decide.

After settling Marie in her room upstairs and saying good night to Mom and Dad, we leave for downtown.

O~o~O~LBO~O~o~O

As usual, the second we get to the club, La Lune, Edward and Bella are all over each other. I always tease them, especially Edward, but I love seeing them like that. Yes, them. Bella is now a big part of our family, so I consider her happiness as well and when she's with Edward, she's happy.

"Geez, would you stop that, it's embarrassing." I roll my eyes, but I can't keep my smile to myself.

They look so adorable when they blush after getting caught up in each other.

"Let's get inside. Alice is dying to meet you, Rose. And beware, she might ask you about your books. Ok, she will." Well, this is not new, people always ask. From what Bella has told me, her friend is Alice Whitlock, the owner of Mon Petit Paradis, so maybe Ican get some info from her instead.

"Good luck with that. Rose doesn't share information about them. Not even to me, her brother," Edward interjects.

"Shut up, why you would want to know about a children's book is beyond me." He knows more than most anyway.

We enter and I immediately start feeling like I want to turn around and go back home. So many people, all so close to each other, yet it's not so hard to walk between the tables. Most of them are couples and I thank God that no one takes notice of us.

We reach the table and Bella introduces us to Alice and Jasper.

She's nothing like I expected.

"So Bella tells me you have a daughter. Marie, is it?" She asks while taking her husband's hand after sitting down.

"Yes, she's four. Only child, but it seems like I have a dozen kids with all the trouble she gets herself into."

"I know, right? I have a four year old too, Aimée. My God, she really makes me consider whether I should have more children." She stops and taps her chin, in mock thinking. "No, maybe just this one." She giggles. I know what she means.

"She says that now, but every time she sees a baby, she wants me ready to make more of them," Jasper interrupts.

"But they're so cute!"

"Yes, but midnight feedings are not. As you often reminded me back then." They kiss sweetly, and I can't help but smile. They look like they love each other very much.

After a few pecks to Jasper's lips, she leans back and smiles in the direction of Edward and Bella, next to me.

"Couldn't keep it to yourselves for one second, guys?" She teases.

Both Jasper and I turn to look and we see Edward and Bella blushing with their hair all messy. They were clearly making out heavily.

"Sorry," they both say at the same time. Sorry, my ass.

After ordering some margaritas for us girls, we continue talking. I like Jasper, he loves kids, not only his daughter, but all kids. I don't know how he does it, seeing all those sick children. I know he's trained to do this, but simply seeing Marie sick breaks my heart, I just know I couldn't take being with kids in worse shape.

I still visit the occasional children's hospital and read to them when a new book comes out to hear what they think. I'm a crying mess by the time I get home.

Alice turns out to be a hard nut to crack. Like me, she doesn't give away her secrets just like that. I've been trying to her mille-feuillerecipe for the last hour and all she says is that 'it's a family secret' or that she might reconsider if she knows what will happen to Peter's Mom in the next book.

Not falling for that one.

Our conversation turns out to be the weirdest I've had in a long time, filled with half sentences, just trying to goad the other to spill.

I like her.

"I just want to be prepared when I read it to Aimée after it comes out. If there is death in it, I want to know if I need to make a batch of cinnamon cookies or not beforehand." She whines while taking a sip of her Margarita, her third I think.

"Cinnamon cookies?"

"Yes, it's Aimée's comfort food. It's for when she's sad." Wow, now she pouts and mentions her daughter. I invented that pout, woman.

"Those are delicious." And I say nothing else. Jasper just snickers.

"Ok, ok. We're clearly getting nowhere tonight. But be sure Rosalie Cullen, I will crack you someday." She points a finger at me.

"The same goes to you, Mrs. Whitlock." I nod.

"Ok, no more margaritas for you, Alice." Jasper tells her and tries to take the glass in front of her. Triesbeing the key word here.

"So, Rose, are you going to the Gala next month? Bella is going this year as well." For a second I freeze. I haven't been asked that in years, so it takes me by surprise. A night being surrounded by people isn't usually something I want to do.

Then again, here I am.

"Um, no. I don't attend the Gala. But I send my writing to be auctioned." Knowing that they will all be going to the Gala makes a little sad. If the night is anything like this one, it might be fun.

"Then I guess we'll be bidding on those, right Jasper? Tell me what they're about." Bless Alice for picking up on my moods; I silently thank her for changing the subject.

We engage in talk about my books and our favorite authors, what we read to our girls and how we pass the time. Somehow the idea of getting them together forms, and we are already setting a play-date for them in the near future.

I often look over at Bella and Edward, and as usual they look so happy. I'm pretty sure they are holding hands under the table. That's as far as I'll let my imagination go. He is my brother after all.

Right in the middle of a conversation, Bella spots someone she knows.

"Oh, there he is. Glad he could make it. Emmett!"

Seconds later, a man approaches our table.

I stiffen and this time, the urge to run like hell out of here is almost unbearable. So far, I've been sitting here at this table, surrounded by family and new friends, in a protective bubble of sorts. But now with this guy, I feel like the bubble might burst.

I'm the only one without a date at the table; will he expect us to interact more? Will he make a move? How do I tell him no without looking like a lunatic? I look at Edward and notice that he's worried about me. He always is and that pisses me off, more for myself than him.

"Hey, hey, hey, my lovely ladies. Sorry to be late, I almost didn't get out of the hospital." He hugs Bella and Alice.

He turns to both Edward and myself.

Bella introduces us and I see him greeting Edward. I smile a little when I see how protective of Bella this guy is. Fortunately, Edward doesn't back down and stands firmly in place. Now that he found Bella, he's willing to fight for her. I'm so proud of him at this moment.

Emmett seems to think the same, because a moment later, it appears that he's approving of Edward.

What we witness later is something that I'd never imagine just by looking at Emmett: the brotherly love and banter he and Bella engage in. It's teasing and so full of love, my eyes get glassy just remembering how Edward and I used to be. It's not that it changed so much in these past two years, but there was something missing in our moments, a spark that just wasn't there anymore.

Until Bella.

Now more and more, Edward acts like the brother I've been missing so much.

I look at Edward and we both smile just seeing Bella and Emmett interact. It's like a mirror to our own situation.

"And Rose, very nice to meet you," Emmett says and holds his hand for me to take. I look at it and the pull to just grab it, even for a single second is so great, like nothing I've ever felt before. Safety, it rolls off in waves from this guy and the second I take his hand, I feel it blanketing me, protecting me.

I can barely manage to utter words now.

"Nice to meet you too, Emmett is it?" I watch his eyes, beautiful turquoise pools that stare at me with curiosity and wonder. It's hard to pull away from them.

His hand is warm and firm, yet his hold on mine is soft and almost caring, like he's treating me delicately. Any other time, this would've bothered me a little, the way people seem to walk on eggshells around me. This time though, I embrace the action. For the first time in my life, I want to be taken care of.

Next thing I know, he's taking the seat right next to mine.

I feel so nervous with him right next to me, not bad nervous, but more expectant of what comes now. What do we talk about now? If I touch him again, will it feel the same as before?

Ugh, I'm a teenager.

We order more drinks– boy am I gonna be paying for those in the morning, and continue to talk. We all talk amongst each other, but I'm often more interested in what Emmett has to say. I mean, he was the last one to join in; it's only polite to get to know him.

So that's what I do, get to know him. I talk with everyone at the table, but more often than not, my eyes wander to him. Every single time they do, his eyes are on mine as well.

I can feel him close to me, not in a creepy kind of way, but more like I'm very aware of his movements. I feel his arm at the back of my chair and from the corner of my eyes, notice how his bare forearms flex when he lifts his beer. I think I might've blushed after that.

The denim of his jeans brushes often against my bare legs and every time, I feel a small shiver running up from that spot to the rest of my body. I find it a little addicting, so perhaps I lean from time to time to feel it again.

Perhaps.

Soon after, Edward and Bella move to the dance-floor, I see Edward hesitate for a moment. I'm grateful for his protective side, but it's time for me to take my own steps. A little later, Alice and Jasper leave as well. Alice gives my hand a small squeeze, and at that moment I realize that perhaps my nervousness has not been so subtle.

"Would you like to dance as well, Rose?" That voice has been taunting me for the last hour.

"Not really. I don't feel like dancing."

"Ok, then. So tell me Rosalie Cullen, what's it like to be a famous author? I feel like I should ask you for an autograph or something." He laughs.

I know he's teasing, but I like it when he calls me Rose much better.

"Not unless you read kids' stories."

"Well, I actually do. I work with kids all the time. So whenever I get free time at the hospital, I love to go and read to them. I rock at making character voices. Just sayin'."

"Really?" I smile inwardly at that fact. "I'll keep that in mind for my next book tour then." I take a sip of my margarita.

"And to answer your question, it's nice to be recognized by your work. I particularly love to hear what the kids think of my stories. Other than that, it's more of a hassle than anything. I find what you do more important,"

"Well thanks. I love what I do, taking care of kids, healing them when they're sick. It sucks when there is nothing you can do for them. I feel so helpless sometimes, but we do what we can, even when it's not enough sometimes." He sighs and his eyes look into the distance. He's probably remembering the little faces of those kids he's lost.

"But what you do it's equally important. You give the kids an escape, Rose. Whenever they are in pain or feel too weak to do anything, your books take that away. You have no idea how uplifting it is for them to close their eyes and leave that bed full of tubes and bags and just fly away into a world where they are strong and healthy." He turns his eyes to me now. God, he's beautiful.

"It's magical, Rose. You give them magic with your words. To me, that is equally as important as what I do."

"Emmett, " I whisper and choke a little. What do I say to that?

Through the years, I've had women come up to me to talk about their lives and how they relate to mine. I've had kids that tell me how they like my stories and how it inspired them to write their own. But this level of recognition? To have someone telling me that my words take away the pain from these little kids, even for a few moments? I shake my head.

"Hey, sorry if it was too much." I feel his arm around me. It's a half hug, but it still feels so warm and safe, I can't help but to lean in a little.

He smells of smoke and beer. I think we all do at this point in the night, but there are also the remnants of soap and cologne. He must've showered just before coming here.

"No, it's not that. It's just a little overwhelming thinking about sick kids, especially when I have a child of my own. But thank you for telling me this." I look up into his eyes and he's smiling down at me.

He looks so young like that; his eyes shine more brightly, even with the faint light of the club. His curly hair looks so cute on him, a little curl falling right above his left eyebrow. And up-close, I see a path of small freckles in his nose.

Adorable.

Of course, I don't say this out loud.

"Marie, is it? You've mentioned her a few times."

"Yes, she's four. She can be a lot to take in, but I love her wild spirit. I can't wait to see what she'll end up doing in the future. She sings and plays the piano and triesto bake." I chuckle just remembering Edward's face when he tried one of her cupcakes.

"She sounds pretty awesome." He laughs. "And I bet it is all because she has an awesome mother." I think I blush. I just hope he doesn't notice.

"Thank you." An image of Marie and Emmett playing flashes before my eyes for a second. Would they get along?

I shake my head slightly. It's too early to think about that.

I move forward to take my drink and clear my head of that brief image, and even though I'm no longer close to him, I can still feel his heat on my back. It's not unpleasant at all.

We continue to talk, and he tells me about his family and how he got to Paris in the first place. I laugh when he tells me he's part French; he doesn't look anything like a French guy, at least not the ones I've met.

The more he talks, the more I want to know about him. From simple tastes in music, to his plans for the future.

It's with these thoughts that I realize that I haven't flinched once while he's been sitting here. Quite the contrary, I seem to crave to be near him, to hear his voice.

With every accidental brush of our hands, the same comforting feeling washes over me. Every time, I feel more and more safe with him, as if my body knows that nothing bad could happen with him around.

It's the first time that my body is dropping its guard and letting someone in. For the first time, my brain and my body are getting along. It's scary, but very much welcomed.

From Edward and Bella, I know Emmett helped her in her rough moments. So maybe part of the reason I feel like this with him is that: the knowledge that he is a protector by nature. However, I feel there is much more to it than that, there is this electric pull towards him, something that goes beyond just feeling protected.

I think he feels it too, from the way he looks at me or to the spot where our hands brush. Every time, he smiles and looks at me, almost waiting for my reaction. I almost feel giddy with this, and it makes me want to go for it, with him, even if it will be little by little. Although if tonight is any indication of it, this might not be little by little.

Just when Emmett is telling me a story about his childhood dog, Edward and the rest come back to the table.

"Hey, what do you think about leaving? I have to go to work tomorrow," Edward asks me. I had almost forgotten that he actually has to get up early.

"Sure." I feel a little disappointed, but I can't keep him here all night.

We go outside, and Emmett and I have to go our separate ways.

"So, I'll give you my number; you can call me whenever you want. We can do something fun." He sounds so nervous when I hand him my phone so he can input his number. I have to smile and so does he when he sees my face.

"I'd like that." I call his number. "There, you have mine as well." I never give my number just like that, but I want to see him again.

From the way he smiles at his phone, I can't say I regret it.

"It was nice meeting you, Rose."

"And you too, Emmett." He leans forward and gives me a hug. I'm a little surprised by this, but I hug him back almost immediately. He's so warm.

"Good night."

"Good night."

From the corner of my eyes, I see Edward and Bella rolling theirs. I scoff, look who's talking, guys.

On our way back home, I get a text from Emmett.

Beautiful Rose, I hope we meet again very soon. I still want to have some of those amazing cinnamon rolls you bragged about. Have a good night. ~ E

Of course that would be what he remembers. I smile thinking about how he and Edward will be the death of my kitchen.

Once again, I think about Marie. How would she react to having someone else in her life? I know I just met the guy, but what if things move forward? I feel so much already. And even if it's not with Emmett, what will happen the day I start dating again? I'd always choose my daughter of course, but I also want her to have someone in her life. Edward and Dad do a wonderful job, but it's not the same as having her own father.

Up until this night, I haven't really noticed how alone we have been. Me, without someone to share my life with, a man that can be a partner and friend and a lover to me. And Marie, without all those father-daughter moments that she never should've missed.

As we pass the different buildings of Paris at night, I realize that moving forward is not only for me, but for my daughter as well. She'll always come first, but putting her first also means having a mother that is happy and not a shell of what she used to be.

Maybe I'm moving too fast, we just met. But the connection was there and it was strong. Maybe is because it's been too long?

I re-read the text and smile again. I'm not imagining things; he feels there's something there too.

Later that night, I lay awake next to Marie at my parents' house. I watch her and think of all the things that I want for her, all the things that I'm willing to do for her happiness. In every one of those images, I'm alone with her.

It feels incomplete.

I look up to the ceiling and suddenly feel so tired, so tired of being alone. I want someone to be there with me, to make me and my daughter happy, to share the burden and also the happy times.

Maybe giving Emmett a chance is the best thing I can do.

The smile I fall asleep with a little later pretty much seals the deal on that idea.


Well, we know how things turned out for these two. You might hear a little bit from him in the future. ;-)

Also, I have two more short outtakes that I sent my beta and I'm guessing there will be about 8 in total, 9 at the most.

And that's it, I hope you liked this one.

Have a great rest of the week and I'll see ya around.