Chapter 7
(I don't own anything) R&R please thank you
Emmettpov
She stumbles back a bit looking pale even for her and shaky.
"How'd I not recognize it myself?"
"Guess it's been too long?"
"I suppose…"
Then she gives me a certain look.
"Em baby I think I messed up and big time."
I tilt my head in wonder and take notice of the thorn in her palm. Gently I work to remove it and clean off the drop of blood with my shirt. Then kiss the wound.
"How could you mess up Bells?"
"I thought I saw him the other day when I was buying that prom dress. But I thought it was my imagination."
"Saw him where?"
"Through the window at the store, he was there one second then gone."
I close my eyes in thought.
"And the window not too long ago when we thought it was one of us? Shit Bells how long has he been trailing you?"
I stop talking as the poor girl is shaking all over.
"I should have been keeping a better eye out. I wanted to give you your privacy and I put you in danger."
"Wait you think I'm in danger? You think Edward could hurt me?"
The way the letter was crumpled and the rose was a good indication that my brother was pissed. But I didn't want to worry her and I honestly didn't see him hurting her but I did see him wanting me dead now. Which is fine but if he touches one hair on her head brother or not he's six feet under.
"I'm staying with you tonight. Hell to be honest until I see what the hell he wants I'm not leaving your side." But I feared I already knew what he wanted. He'd come back for Bella. I think on this and look to her. Well he can't have her I think as I hold her close and continue to keep a sharp eye out.
I hear Charlie come home and tuck Bella in. I make my way in the tree not far from her house. I will go back to being her full time guardian the way I should've been doing the entire time whether we're together or not. I'm so pissed at myself I wish I could kick my own ass. If there was one thing though and one thing I knew for sure without a shadow of a doubt is that Bella loved me I did not concern myself with worry that she would rather be with Edward but I did concern myself with him trying to guilt her into going back to him.
After a few more hours Bella comes out and I can see she's looking for me.
"Hey…" I say dropping down.
She still looks pretty shaken up and her eyes are swollen with lack of sleep. She tossed and turned all night in my arms. Bitterly all I keep thinking is hasn't he caused her enough pain? What the hell did he think he was doing?
"I don't smell anything." I hint so she'll calm down a bit.
She sighs in relief and instantly wraps herself around me.
"It'll be ok." I say hoping I was right.
"Let's go for a walk."
After a few moments she stops and turns to me.
"Em what if he came back for you? What if he wanted to make amends?"
I shake my head on her wishful thinking.
"Bella hun he didn't come back for me. That's loud and clear."
Bella backs up against a tree and slides down sitting against it. I look around first then sit next to her. I lean over and kiss her lips. I wasn't about to stop touching her or being myself around her. If anything that was the last thing she needed. That would only make us both feel worse. I felt no shame in my feelings for Bella not anymore he had his chance he turned his back. I did not and will not. I will give her my 110 percent always.
"I love you." I say and she leans into me.
"I love you too Em Bear." She says and crawls into my lap leaning against my chest proving to me she feels the same.
"Em Bear huh?"
"Yes you're my Em Bear. Vicious when you need to be but cuddly when I want."
Damn… I think and realize that just made me love her even more.
"Well I'm honored to be your Em Bear."
I think about last night and find myself kissing along her neck and running my hands along her. She smiles and reaches up wrapping an arm around my neck.
"I'll have to buy a new bed…"
"Poor you…"
"I know it's terrible."
She laughs making me feel somewhat better that even through this I can still make her laugh.
My also find myself throbbing against her. I put my hands down her shirt and feel around as she arches her back against me. If I had my way I'd be locked up with Bella Swan on a private island where she's not allowed to wear a stitch of clothing and we spend all day… well to be frank fucking. Something tells me she wouldn't argue this as she moans out against me.
"Damn you're making me all kinds of frisky." I mutter in her ear wanting to take her right here right now.
I lay her down and crawl over her kissing her and running my hands along every part of her. I freeze as a gust of wind passes and I pick up the scent. I immediately look to Bella. "Don't move." Is all I can say before I'm picked up and tossed into a tree. Bella shrieks.
He stares upon me his eyes wild and full of hate. I shake my head knowing he's already in my mind and knows everything. He sneers and looks back to Bella as she's got her mouth covered and is scooting back against a tree. Edward looks back to me.
"What have you done?!" He shouts.
"What do you want Edward?"
He turns his back to me and heads towards Bella. He just made a huge mistake… Edward reaches for her and I appear before him and grab him by the throat.
"You won't touch her."
He looks to me wide eyed.
"I'm not fucking around!" I squeeze.
I look to Bella and see can barely catch her breath she's totally freaking out which only further angers me as I look upon Edward.
"What do you want?" I hiss and drop him where we stand.
He shakes his head.
"Why her!" He snaps.
"Why Bella?"
"It just happened bro nothing can be done about it now. You had plenty of time you chose to stay away for freaking 2 years now all a sudden you come back? You actually think you have some sort of rights to her? You actually think she'd even want you? So what Alice had a vision? Is that what this is? You saw Bella and I together and you just couldn't stand it could you!?"
I hear Bella whimper out and she rises looking confused on what to do.
"Stay put Bells hun." I may be angry but by no means want to take it out on her.
She nods but shakes.
"Bella…" Edward says and turns back towards her.
She shakes her head wide eyed.
"Come here." He says and my knuckles pop.
"Em…" Is all she has to say and I rush to her side.
Edward shakes his head and honestly looks broken but he made his choice. This was the path he chose.
"Bella baby…" He says and I want to puke at the nerve he has.
"Please… Just talk to me. Can't we just talk about this Bella?"
I wanted to beat him to a pulp but I knew I needed to give Bella the choice. But that also wasn't going to stop me from watching every move he made and if he touches her that's it.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"That can't be true."
She shrugs and leans into me.
"Try reading my mind for once." She says and turns away from him.
"Bella!" He says urgently and sure enough makes the mistake of grabbing her wrist.
I slam him into the earth and punch him in the face. He hisses out and uses his legs to shove me off him.
"PLEASE!" Bella screams desperately.
I've no time to react to her cries as he drives me through the woods. I put my feet out they dig into the ground as I balance and eventually they plant and my body comes to a stop.
"STOP IT EDWARD!" She yells behind tears.
He drops his hands and turns slowly he starts towards her.
"Edward I'm warning you." I say and he keeps going.
"Bella please just hear me out. Let's talk just you and I. Tell Emmett you want to be alone just you and I."
"Why?" She says looking honestly confused.
"Think it's time you left. Go back where you came from."
"Not without Bella!"
"You're an idiot!"
"What was this Emmett did you have your eyes on her all this time? Had you lusted for her when she was mine?! Was that why you were so gun hole about staying? You wanted her for yourself? You were even willing to give up on Rose so you could have Bella to your own?"
"Watch what you say you're looking mighty senseless."
I purposely think of the two years I spent alone watching over her and all the times Bella's life was in danger. How I was the one that took care of her how she didn't even know about it during those times. I wanted to make him feel stupid and choke on his own words. He shakes his head and stumbles back. I cruelly even think about the time I asked her how she felt about him. He swallows and looks to Bella.
"Washed your hands of me?"
"Yes Edward just the way you did of me." She says looking him in the eyes.
He grabs at his chest and laughs.
"You've no idea Bella. You've no idea what I went through."
"Don't you even try that shit on her! What you went through? YOU PRICK! How can you say that shit to her?! What YOU WENT THROUGH!" I grab him by the collar and think about every single time I watched her break down. About the very day he left her and how I moved her so the wolves would find her, about Renee' dying and everything else in-between.
"What you went through…" I mutter and throw him down.
"I can't believe you're my brother…" I say and take Bella's hand and begin walking off.
"I'm not giving up on you Bella." He calls out.
"Please don't." Bella says as I start to turn back around ready to kill him.
"Just don't Em. Let's just go. Leave him alone the way he left us." She says with certain coldness about her one I've never detected from Bella before but one I ironically understood and didn't question.
Bella calls her father so he won't worry but spends the rest of the day with me at the cabin.
I find myself watching each window and the door expecting anything any moment. Bella's heart hasn't stopped racing and she's on edge at each little noise.
"Let's go."
"Go?"
"Yep."
"Go where?"
I think of something and look to the bed.
"Well I do need a new bed. Let's go get one."
"But…"
I sigh shaking my head.
"I dare him, and he won't expose himself in public I know that much."
I drive into town in hawk mode and pull into a furniture store. We step inside and she leans into my arm and we begin to look around. Mainly I just wanted to get her mind off everything.
"Can I help you?" A woman that looks to be in her early 40's comes up to us and asks.
"UM yeah we need a bed."
Bella blushes and buries her face into my shoulder. I laugh at this the woman smiles and nods.
"Well follow me I'm sure I can find you something."
"Looking for anything in particular?"
"Yes perhaps something durable? Metal even?"
"I believe I have just the bed."
She walks us to a copper looking metal framed bed. I lean into Bella and whisper.
"We can still use handcuffs with this one."
She elbows me but laughs.
"Well what do you think?" The woman asks.
I shrug and look to Bella.
"What do you think Bells?"
"It's your bed Em you pick."
"I want you to pick."
Bella gets a mischief look about her and points to a pink metal day bed with a heart shaped post.
"Very well we'll take it."
"Emmett…" She laughs.
"What? I told you to pick what you wanted."
The woman looks to us both with anticipation.
"So that one?" The woman says confused.
"Ugh…" Bella says and starts looking around.
"Fine how about that one?"
I look and see she's pointing to a black metal post bed that I actually don't find too bad. It's got a bit of a medieval look to it. I run my hands along it making sure it feels sturdy.
"Cool you really want it?"
"Sure."
"Think you got yourself a sell." I say to the woman and she smiles.
I follow the woman over to get started on the paperwork and delivery date. Bella continues to look around. There was a cool sort of comfort about looking at furniture with Bella normally this sort of crap bores me to no end but with Bella it was rather fun essentially. In fact I find myself thinking maybe I should get some more stuff for the cabin. I never thought much on it considering I live there alone and am a vampire but if Bella's going to be over more maybe I should invest a bit more into it so she feels more at home. I keep in mind even to get a fridge and put something's in it she may like to eat or drink. But as I think on this it occurs to me as well. What if Bella doesn't wish to stay in Forks? I begin to realize now that she's graduated we really did need to talk about what she wanted to do. I didn't care I just hoped she'd let me tag along. Heck I'd even go to college with her if that's what she wanted.
Once I'm done I take Bella's hand and head out of the store.
"It'll be delivered tomorrow morning."
"Cool." Bella said and I heard her tummy rumble.
"Hungry Bells?"
"A little."
"You got to tell me these things… Vampire remember?"
She smiles but I can see her mind is still here and there. Not that I blamed her it was a lot to take in. "What would you like to eat?"
"I don't know maybe I should get home to Charlie he's not ate either and I usually try to fix some dinner around this time for him."
"It's whatever you wish."
However, I wished at this point I could read her mind and that's when she turns to me.
"Em?"
I look to her.
"Do you think you may resent me one day?"
My jaw drops as I never expected that to come from her lips.
"How in the world Bells baby would you come up with that?"
"Look at what I've done to you…"
I was furious now and shook my head clinching my jaw.
"Jesus Bella."
She lowers her head looking to the ground.
"What you've done? I don't get you I'm afraid… I'm happy Bella. Can't you see that?"
She smiles nodding her head.
"Yes I do but I meant about your family. About what you could have had…"
"You are my family you are what I have. There is no could have. I didn't walk out on them neither did you… Do you not see that they did this to you as much as they did to me? You're so concerned about me and my feelings you don't consider what they've done to you. There's not an ounce of resentment and there never could be. Now no more talk of that. You wouldn't even think like that if it freaking Edward hadn't come back and on his high horse."
"You used to be so close." She says sadly.
I pick her up and place her on the hood of my jeep.
"Please. Please stop that. You can't feel guilt on this you mustn't none of this is your fault. NONE OF THIS!" I shake my head and lean into her stomach with my forehead. I feel her hands going through my hair. I rise and put my arms around her waist pulling her towards me. I feel her legs wrap around me and kiss her whilst slightly pulling at her hair.
I pull back after too long and laugh.
"Sorry…" She giggles seeing my eyes.
"Oh I'm not."
I help her back down and open the door for her.
"Where to?"
"I better get home to Charlie."
I nod and we head that way.
Bellapov
I start the burgers but can barely focus on what I'm doing as the day replays over in my mind. He says not to feel guilt but part of me can't help but to. I feel as though I destroyed a brotherhood hell not just that but an entire family. What would have happened if they simply never met me? I think on this and that pang of sadness hits on the idea of never getting to know Emmett. I couldn't imagine anything else now as he literally was my world now. I couldn't think about anything else without him being somewhere there in the picture.
"Can you grab me a beer?"
"Sure." I call out and stuff a fry in my mouth as I flip the patties.
I bring Charlie his beer then return to finish cooking. I blush within myself as I think about Emmett and his hands about me. At one point I grip the counter as that strange heart sinking feeling came about me. I smile and bite my lip knowing I'd want to see him again tonight.
I place the burger down in front of Charlie.
"Ketchup?"
"Already on the plate dad try actually looking away from the TV it helps."
"Smartalic."
I shrug.
"Thanks for the grub Bella."
"Sure…"
Charlie takes a bite of his burger and I see the gears going in that head of his. He swallows and looks to me.
"So you've graduated now…"
I sigh knowing what's coming.
"Yeah?"
"I notice you never signed up for any colleges."
"Dad…"
"Just saying Bella you're smart as they come you could get into any college you wanted."
"Not really dad."
"Yes you are kid. It's a waste if you do nothing with that mind of yours."
"I didn't say I wasn't going it just won't be right away. Besides it's too late for any registration right now. This way I have another year to decide and I can get a job for now."
Charlie shakes his head.
"If you want I can get my own place even dad."
"You know I don't care if you stay here till you're like 40 or something. That's not what this is about. It's simply to do with the fact that I feel you're wasting your talent."
"Dad I don't have any talent."
"Yes you do."
"Book smart is not really considered a talent. Besides a lot of people are book smart it's not a rarity."
"You'd be surprised Bella."
"Look dad I promise I'm going to figure this out I just need more time to think on it."
"You had an entire year."
"Yeah and a lot has happened during that time dad."
"Hmmm." He grumbles an sips his beer.
"This doesn't have anything to do with that Emmett guy now does it?"
"No, not really even before we started dating dad I didn't have any real plans."
"What's he doing?"
"He's actually in the same boat. We're both just taking things as they come."
"Charming."
"Ugh dad."
He shrugs.
"Just sayin kid I think you're making a big mistake."
"Dad no offense but it's my life. I think I should be able to decide for myself."
"No one's deciding anything for you anyway have you decided when you're going to take that trip?"
"What trip?"
"My dad looks confused. The trip Renee and I planned for you. Please tell me you didn't lose the envelope." I look towards my room.
"It's in my desk."
"Well if you would have opened it Bella you'd have sent that it's tickets for you and a friend to Italy."
"Dad?! Italy?"
"Your mother remembered you saying once when you were little that you always wanted to go to Italy. We both know how hard these things are to do once you get older. So we figured you'd want to go during the summer. Your mother wanted you to be able to say you've been out of the country at least once and it be something you've always wanted to do."
"Wow dad. I don't even know what to say."
I wrap my arm around his shoulder and give him a hug.
"It's nothing Bella really it was more her idea than mine if I'm being honest."
"Still dad I know a lot of thought went into it."
"It's nothing really. You earned it you're a good kid Bella always have been."
Once we're done I do the dishes and head on to bed. I go to my desk and pull out the envelopes I got for graduation. I open the one Renee' and Charlie gave me.
My heart sinks as I recognize my mother's handwriting.
Isabella,
I know you're not one for big presents or big deals at least but I couldn't resist. You remember when you were about 12 and we were watching that documentary on TV about Italy and all the museums and art places? Well I do and I remember seeing your face you were amazed merely by the buildings themselves and you were engrossed in the art itself and everything about it. You never took your eyes off the screen and I heard you mutter under your breath that you'd like to go there one day. Well I wanted to make that come true. See there were things like that I always wanted to do but life rather got in the way and things get crazy like that. Well the more I thought about it the more I decided I don't want that for you. I want you to experience life. Hell have an adventure sweetheart. All I want for you and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. To enjoy life to its fullest and don't care what others think. This is your life no one else's no one can tell you what to do or how to feel. You my girl are extraordinary, brave and you can do anything you put your mind to.
There are two tickets. You chose who you want to join you on your adventure. You might have a special boy in your life by now you want to take. Your dad will throw a fit and say HELL NO. Well no I say Hell yes baby you do what you want with these tickets take who you want and go out and live a little. I love you Bella and you'll always be my little girl no matter how old you are. Congratulations!
Love always,
Renee Dwyer
I hold the letter to my heart and the tear works come. I grab my coat and head to my mother's grave site. I fall to my knees.
"I love you so much mom and thank you."
I have myself a good cry and lean against the tombstone wishing it was her physically.
"I miss you so much. I wish you could meet Em Bear mom. He makes me feel things I never thought I could. I love him. I never thought I could love again. But I do." I smile at this thought.
"He makes me happy and I feel so much more myself when he's around."
I feel a hand upon my shoulder and turn.
"Edward!" I snap and wipe my eyes.
"Easy…" He raises his hands in the air.
Emmettpov
I enter the cabin and throw my keys down on the counter. Immediately the scent hits and I turn.
I pinch the bridge of my nose in disbelief and step back against the counter. I fold my arms and glare upon her.
"What the hell?" I say and wait for an answer.
