RPOV
After the intense day that we shared Emmett tried to insist that I stay at his place. I knew that he was worried about me. He had seen me at my lowest point, he knew my darkest secret. But I am not one to run. I stood my ground and Emmett drove me home.
He walked me up to the front steps and gave me one more hug. He stood and watched as I walked up the steps, onto the porch, and into my door. I felt like a fool once more as I shut the door behind me. What is so hard about saying "Hey Emmett, why don't you come in?" and letting the safest person I know join me for coffee in my own home?
I shuffled around my house cleaning up the small mess that I had been putting off. I was not ready to sleep. Part of me wishes I had stayed with Emmett. Not because of fear but because I enjoyed his company.
I never would have imagined Emmett to be the man that he is. His heart is so big. I thought about him on my porch this morning with his arms around my shoulders, rocking me and whispering into my ear. His words were burned into my mind.
I will never let you go.
Being in his arms, even under the circumstances, felt right. I felt like I belonged there. I felt safe. I felt cold now as I stood alone in my house. Deciding to take a shower before bed I walked to my bathroom. Before I opened the door my eyes stopped on the door at the end of the hallway.
My childhood room. I kept that room as my own even after my father moved out. It was my room until the night with Royce. After then I shut the door and never looked back. I cleaned it out and claimed the master bedroom as my own.
With a new resolve to overcome I walked down the hall to the door. I put my hand on the knob, half expecting it to burn in my palm. I turned the knob slowly. As my hand began to tremble I thought about Emmett. His words rang through my mind.
I was okay and he wasn't going to let me go.
I turned the knob and pushed the door open. I was met with the smell of stale air. I flipped on the light and looked around. It looked the same as I had left it. Bare. The bed sat in the middle of the floor. I had stripped the linens not long after Royce left and thrown them out. The frame and empty mattress seemed to mock me.
I narrowed my eyes with purpose and decided that I would not let this room make a fool of me anymore. I would ask Emmett to go with me to pick out a new guest bed. I would let him help me move it in. I would be okay.
EPOV
I opened the center with one thing on my mind. Rose. She was planning on coming by later to help with lunch. When I dropped her off at her house I told her that she didn't need to feel obligated but she smiled at me and told me again that she wanted to come. If friendship was all that she was offering I would gladly take it if it meant I could always see that smile.
I started my morning routine in the gym. As I used the free weights I recalled my day with Rose. She had been so broken. Yet at the end of the day she held her chin up and walked back into her house. Her resilience amazed me.
I thought of her in my arms. She fit perfectly against me. As thought that was where she was always supposed to be. And she would be, as long as I could help it. I would be there to take care of her and to watch over her.
Instead of running on the treadmill I took to the punching bag. As I let out my aggression towards the bastard that hurt Rose I felt anger flowing through my veins. I thought back to that smile of hers and talked myself down before I let myself go too far. Kids would be showing up soon.
I took a quick shower and began to unlock the equipment cabinets when Edward walked in. He didn't normally arrive so early on the weekend. He motioned for me to join him in his office. I followed him in and sat as he shut the door. He had a solemn look on his face as he took his own seat.
"There's been a threat made that affects the center. Apparently one of the older guys is getting mixed up with the wrong crowd. He broke ties with them and now they've threatened to come after him." I sat forward in my seat. A threat to the center, whether it was made directly or merely affected those who came to the center was serious.
We had children as young as four showing up here as a place of refuge. We had counselors who worked with the kids. There were too many people here for someone to come in and act foolish. I felt my blood pressure rise as Edward continued.
"I've spoken with the police department. They will increase how often they drive by but that is all they can offer. Without a direct threat to us their hands are tied. I called the boy involved and he told me that it was all a misunderstanding. Maybe I am worrying too much about it." Edward's voice drifted off as he ran his hand over the back of his neck. I had never seen him this distressed.
"You're not worrying too much. There are too many people here that count on this place. It's called the Haven for a reason. Maybe you should call him back and ask him not to come around for a while. I know it isn't our thing to turn people away but if keeping him away keeps all the others safe then it is our best bet." Edward visibly calmed as I spoke. He nodded his head.
"You're right. I will call him and tell him that until this is all straightened out he needs to stay away. I can't imagine anyone getting hurt on account of this." I stood to walk out as he reached for the phone.
"Hey Em, be sure and tell Rose thanks for helping out. Bella has been so worried about the kids getting lunch. Rose took a huge weight off her shoulders. The baby will be here soon and she doesn't need to stress about anything." I nodded and smiled at the mention of Rose as I told him that I would let her know.
**************
The weekend passed by in a blur. Rose helped with lunch both days. We worked our usual shifts at the restaurant. I noticed that Rose seemed more like herself with me when we were working. Her guard was slowly slipping and I was thankful. She didn't need to keep it up around me and I was glad to see that she was coming to that conclusion on her own.
With my truck running I didn't really need the job at the restaurant. I just couldn't see spending my evenings alone while Rose was at work. This way I was able to see her and have a little extra pocket change.
Halfway through the week Rose seemed to realize that I didn't have to continue to work there. While we sat on my couch after a shift she turned to look at me.
"Why are you still moonlighting?" I smiled at her term. With us working the night shift it was more of a literal term.
"I, um" I fumbled over my words as I thought of what to tell her. I didn't think it was appropriate to let her know that I was staying solely so that I could see her. "I'm saving the extra money. I've got the routine down, why change now?" I thought I saw her face fall briefly before she smiled at me again.
"Good point." We watched the late show in silence.
As the week continued I felt confidant that The Haven was safe from any incidents. It was business as usual. I helped with homework, played ball, and fixed random stuff. Rose had me asking Edward about Bella each day. Still no change. He told me that she was getting restless sitting at home.
I made a mental note to pass Rose's number to Edward. Bella could probably use the company and I enjoyed the fact that they had seemed to strike up a friendship. Rose needed friends. Real friends, not the sorry excuses that followed Royce.
I know that I would always be there for her but I was only one person and I was a guy. Didn't girls need other girls for girl talk and shopping? The only time we went shopping was when the groceries were running low. I sighed to myself. Even in our friendship I felt as though I wasn't what she needed.
RPOV
I sat down at a table while I helped a little girl cut up her spaghetti. I had noticed her from the kitchen. She was holding back tears and her tiny chin trembled. When I asked her what was wrong she told me that her "sketti" wouldn't stay on her fork. After cutting it up for her and offering her a spoon a smile crept across her face. I sat with her the remainder of lunch. The dishes could wait. There were more important things in life, like this little girl's eyes lighting up as she told me about her new puppy.
Once while she was talking I noticed Emmett standing off to the side with Edward. He was nodding at Edward's words but his eyes were trained on me. When our eyes met his face lit up in a smile before he turned and gave his total attention to Edward.
Edward seemed a lot calmer than he had been earlier in the week. Emmett had mentioned that they were concerned about the security of the center but told me later in the week that things were fine. I know that with the baby on the way Edward had enough on his plate.
Bella had called me a few nights earlier. At first I was surprised that she called me but as we began to talk I found myself glad that she had called. We fell into an easy conversation, much like the ones we had in the center's kitchen.
She told me all about the woes of being nine months pregnant. She asked about the kids at the center. And she asked about Emmett. I could tell that she was trying to be suave in her questioning and didn't have the heart to tell her she was far from it.
I told her that we had grown closer over the past few weeks, leaving out the reasons we had grown closer. I may have shared my secret with Emmett but that didn't mean I was ready to shout it from the roof top.
She told me again how glad she was that I was in his life. She would tell me stories of Emmett in high school. Sometimes it was like listening to stories about a stranger as she talked about his love for football and his carefree nature. Other times I heard my Emmett all through her stories. How he was caring and selfless.
Part of me wished that I had known Emmett back then, when I was so young and carefree myself. I was making strides, leaving the door to the guest room, as I had taken to calling it, open. I hadn't completely let go of my demons. Emmett still had not stepped foot in my house. He never pushed the issue and I was grateful. As much as I wanted to be normal and have him hang out at my place I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I told Emmett my intentions for the bedroom and he told me how proud he was of me. On our next day off we were going to pick out a new bed. Then I would bite the bullet and let him inside. As stubborn as I was I don't think I could haul an old bed set out and a new one in alone.
Emmett walked up beside me as I finished the dishes I was washing. I shook the conversation with Bella and the plan to let Emmett in my home from my mind.
"You were great with Angel. I saw that she was upset but she hasn't really taken to me and I didn't want to make it worse. Thanks." I shrugged my shoulders as I turned off the water.
"It was no biggie. I just wanted to make sure she was okay." He put his arm around my shoulders and walked with me to my car. I loved our casual friendship.
"What's your plan for this afternoon?" I told him about my plan to head to the mall for a new coat. I made gag noises as I mentioned the mall.
"Not a shopper?" I made a face and shook my head.
"Not at all."
"Well, I would tell you that I'm sorry I have to hang behind but I won't lie." I gave him a sarcastic laugh before hitting his arm. I unlocked my door and slid into the driver's seat.
We said our goodbyes and I told him that I would see him at the restaurant tonight. I headed to the mall, taking my time to enjoy some music. Reluctantly I parked in the main lot and forced myself inside.
I watched the people passing me. Couples, families, teenagers. They all looked so happy, thrilled to be walking aimlessly around the mall. I just didn't get it. I must have missed that gene when I was born. I preferred to get in and out.
I was headed towards my fourth store in search of a jacket when something in the store window caught my eye. I knew Emmett wasn't big on getting gifts but this screamed him. I walked into the store and asked a salesperson for assistance. She gladly helped me out and rang me up. As I walked through the mall with Emmett's bag in my hand I smiled.
EPOV
I finished up my shift at the center and was heading to my truck when I heard a crash. I turned around to see a light busted and a basketball bouncing away. I sighed and scolded the boys who were throwing the ball against the building before heading back inside to get a replacement bulb. I rummaged through the supply closet for the outdoor bulbs. I found what I needed and headed back towards the door.
As I got closer to the door I could hear a commotion coming from the parking lot. Voices were yelling at one another and they sounded serious. From the corner of my eye I saw Edward bolt from his office and head out a side door. A crowd of kids were gathering near the front door. I pulled one of the counselors to the side.
"Get them inside. Now." He went to work quickly on my request, pulling in the kids. I pushed through the crowd, telling them to go back inside as I passed. My eyes caught Lewis on the other side of the parking lot. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was arguing with a group of guys I had never seen before. I made my way to them unnoticed, watching their confrontation.
Edward was coming up from behind them, yelling for them to calm down. He reached the group first. I could hear him telling Lewis to leave. He turned to the unknown boys and told them that they needed to leave the property. One spat back at him and said that he would stay for as long as he pleased. Edward held up his hands to try and calm him down.
I watched in horror as the boy in front of him pulled his hand from his jacket. A glint of metal caught my eye. I took off in a sprint as my mind filled with images of a pregnant Bella. I would not let another family be torn apart.
RPOV
I looked at the clock again as I passed the bar. Emmett had not shown up for his shift. I tried calling him but he wasn't home. I wished that he and I had cell phones. There hadn't seemed to be a reason for needing one before. No one ever called me and when I asked Emmett about him having one he said basically the same. But now as my stomach churned in worry I wished that I had a way to reach him.
The minutes crept by before I could leave. When I was finally able to clock out I bolted to my car. I drove straight to his trailer only to find that it was as he had left it. All the lights were off and his truck was still gone.
On my entire drive home I tried to convince myself that he was fine. Maybe he decided he didn't need the server job after all. Maybe he went out to dinner with Edward. My mind filled with possibilities as I thought of the reasons that would keep Emmett from work. I entertained every reason except the one that was in the back of my mind. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise I knew that something was wrong.
I barely put my car in park before hurrying up the stairs and unlocking my door. In the darkness I could see the answering machine light blinking. I let out a sigh of relief. Emmett had tried to call me. He was fine and I was overreacting.
I flipped on the light and walked over to the machine. Before I could press the play button the phone beside me let out a shrill ring. I jumped before picking up the receiver.
"Hello?" I was surprised at how shaky my voice came out. The voice on the other end of the line sounded grim.
"Rose, it's Edward. Something has happened. It's Emmett."
