I do not own Twilight, SM does but I love playing with the characters so enjoy!
8. Realization Hits
BPOV
"If…he…loves me…why…is…he hurting…me…like this?" I stuttered between sobs. My face was buried in Quil's chest as he tried to comfort me. Questions ran through my mind faster than I could process them. How did Jacob even know Emmett was here? Why did he call Emmett a leech? Could Jacob have found out what Emmett is? As my crying subsided Quil whispered in my ear.
"It's been a tough couple of days sweetie, why don't you go take a shower and try to get some sleep?" He said. I looked up and smiled at the warm eyes looking back at me. I knew he wouldn't leave me tonight. Quil helped me to my feet as I looked around for Emmett.
"He stepped outside for a minute. He'll be right back, don't worry. Now go take your shower and I'll be up in a little bit okay?" Quil said placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. His hand cupped the side of my face and I held it there feeling his warmth. My stomach ached slightly as I thought about a different hand on my cheek...a colder one. I turned and headed up the stairs to get ready for bed.
The hot shower relaxed my muscles, and helped to clear my head of the events of the past two days. There were still so many questions I had yet to find answers for….. What was Jacob's secret? What exactly had happened between Emmett and Rose that would make him leave the family? Where was Edward? Would Quil leave me like Jacob had? Would Emmett leave me like Edward had? My mind was spinning in all directions and I was quickly becoming overwhelmed. I shut off the water and quickly brushed my hair and teeth before slipping into my room to dress.
A soft knock sounded on my door as I pulled a tank top over my head. "Come in," I called softly, turning to see who it was. My body froze as images of Edward flashed through my mind. I shook my head to clear it and smiled as I really looked at Emmett for the first time. My stomach clenched as his eyes roamed back up my body to meet mine and he smiled back.
"Hey, I see you're ready for bed," Emmett said. I nodded and tried to speak but the words were stuck somewhere inside of me, and wouldn't come out. "Quil told me he'd be staying with you tonight," he began and I dropped my head. I could feel my face flush with embarrassment. I didn't want to look at him in case he was disappointed in me. Would he think I'd forgotten about Edward already and moved on with Quil?
"I should probably hunt anyway, so I told him I'd tuck you in and head out till morning. Is that okay with you Bells?" He asked as he tilted my chin to see my eyes. I could feel the blush coloring my cheeks as I tried to smile at him.
"Why are you embarrassed?" Emmett asked me curiously. Why was I embarrassed? Was he serious? My ex-boyfriends brother is standing before me with the knowledge that another man is staying the night with me, and he wants to know why I'm embarrassed. I shrugged my shoulders and tried to answer as honestly as I could. "I guess it's just sort of weird having you here and knowing that Quil is staying overnight with me. I don't want you to think badly of me," I finished in a whisper.
He stepped closer to me and wrapped me in an Emmett style bear hug. "Bells, I could never think badly of you. What you do is your business, not mine, but he better not hurt you, got it?" He said looking down into my eyes with a wide grin. He stepped back and motioned for me to get into bed so I did.
In true Emmett form he pulled the blankets all the way up to my chin and tucked them securely around my body. I felt like a mummy and was sure I wouldn't be able to move until Quil came in to release me. My breath caught in my throat when he leaned down and kissed my forehead. His cold lips on my skin sent a shiver through my body that I was sure had nothing to do with the temperature. Before I could even bring my mind back to focus on him I noticed he was taking something out of his wallet. "Sleep well Bella…" he laughed lightly before continuing. "…just in case," he said as he tossed some condoms on my nightstand.
The rush of blood to my face almost made me dizzy as I stared wide-eyed at the condoms. Emmett was laughing as he spoke, "That's my girl!" and turned towards the door. I found my voice just as he reached the door. "Emmett, I won't need those you big oaf!" I yelled at him. He turned around before speaking, "Better safe than sorry, lit" he cut off quickly, "…Bells." Before I could even think of a witty comeback he was out the door.
I wiggled around trying to loosen the comforter he'd tucked around me so I could remove the condoms from my nightstand. The last thing I needed was Quil noticing them there. I was finally able to free my hands as I heard Quil coming up the stairs. I quickly grabbed the condoms and tossed them in the drawer. Why in the world would he even have condoms? It's not like he needed them with Rose. Could he even get someone pregnant? My face flushed again at the thought of Emmett having sex. I shook my head trying to erase the images from my head. How could I even think about that? Wasn't Emmett like a brother to me? His lips were so gentle on my forehead though…STOP BELLA! I could not think about Emmett like that…he just reminded me of Edward, right? A soft knock on the door brought me out of my reverie.
"Come in Quil," I said praying Emmett had already left the house to go hunting. Quil opened the door slowly and came in. "Hey you doin' okay?" He asked quietly. I smiled and patted the bed next to me.
"Yea, I'm okay. I just can't figure out how things got so messed up," I whispered as he removed his shirt and climbed into bed next to me. I curled into his chest and while his warmth was a comfort to me I couldn't help the longing I felt in my chest for something different…someone different. I sighed as Quil stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head, "Good night sweetie," he whispered. "Good night Quil," I said as I closed my eyes and begged for sleep.
The same forest…always the same forest. I could see so clearly this time as I stepped into the clearing. Where was Edward? He was always here. I stepped further into the clearing when I heard the low growls and suddenly saw Emmett crouched in front of me. I tried to reach for him but froze when a flash of red caught my eye.
Her…I stared in horror as the tall, redhead stepped out of the trees in front of me. Victoria. What was she doing here? Her menacing smile sent chills through my body as I tried to find my voice. As she stalked closer to me Emmett's growls grew louder and more terrifying.
Suddenly the large, russet wolf from the clearing last week stepped out. He looked at me with the most innocent brown eyes I'd only ever seen on one person…Jacob. Victoria spit at him angrily as he lunged for her. In the same instant he was flying through the air hitting a large tree with a sickening crack that sounded like hundreds of sticks being broken at once. I looked on in horror as the wolf landed with a heavy thud at the base of the tree. Before I could even blink I saw the wolf transform into a man…not just any man but Jacob….my Jacob.
Emmett held me behind him as I screamed and struggled to get to Jacob's lifeless body. "NO-O-O-O NOT JACOB! NO-O-O-O PLEASE NOT JACOB! PLEASE HELP HIM!" I screamed over and over. Descended from wolves…the cold ones…natural enemies…werewolves…treaty…Cullen's.
"Bella, Bella wake up sweetie," I could hear Quil's voice but I couldn't escape the woods. Suddenly I felt cold hands cup my face. "Bells open your eyes it's only a dream," Emmett said quietly yet firmly. My breathing evened out as I fought to open my eyes. "Come on Bells…come back to me baby," Emmett whispered as I grabbed his hands and held them to my face. I opened my eyes to see the most beautiful golden eyes staring back at me.
"Emmett…" I threw myself into his arms and began sobbing desperately. I could feel him hesitate before he wrapped his arms around me and held me. "Quil, could you go get Bella a glass of water?" Emmett asked quietly. I didn't look up but I felt the bed shift and heard the door close. Emmett lifted me up and put me on his lap as he sat on the bed.
"Bells…" Emmett said softly. "What happened?" He asked. I took several deep breaths to help stop my crying as I clung to him. I heard Quil come back in and looked up as he handed me a glass of water. "Thank you," I whispered as I took a long sip out of the glass. I inhaled deeply and sighed before answering.
"It was a nightmare…you…Victoria…Jacob. I know Jacob's secret," I whispered as I looked from Quil to Emmett. My eyes locked with Emmett's and I could tell he already knew. "Bella maybe now is not the time to deal with this. You should try to get some more sleep and then in the morning we can talk," Emmett suggested anxiously.
"What do you think his secret is?" Quil asked eagerly from his spot on the floor in front of me. I stared at Emmett for another second before turning to Quil. I could tell by the look in his eyes he was hoping for an explanation that would bring his friend back to him. I looked back to Emmett and noticed the slight shake of his head as he closed his eyes.
"Maybe Emmett is right, I am still pretty tired. I'd like to go back to sleep and deal with this when I wake up." I said quietly looking back to Quil. He rubbed his hands over his face and stood up looking at me in Emmett's lap. I went to reach for him and he took my hand in his and smiled.
"I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back to sleep just yet so I'm gonna go down stairs and take the couch if you don't mind." Quil said dropping my hand and turning towards the door. I watched him walk to the door where he stopped and looked back at me for just a second before leaving. I recognized the look on his face before he walked out the door and my heart broke. He had the same look on his face that I had the day Edward left me in the woods. Unbelief, devastation, betrayal and hurt passed over his features in that moment when our eyes met.
I moved to get up from Emmett's lap but his arms wrapped gently around my waist holding me in place. "Let him go Bella," Emmett whispered in my ear. I sighed and fell back against Emmett's chest. "Why is everything so messed up? Why does everyone have to hurt like this? This isn't fair Em! It's like a chain reaction…Edward hurt me…Rose hurt you…I hurt Quil…Jacob hurt both of us…" I trailed off as I buried my face in his chest and began sobbing again.
Emmett stroked my hair and rubbed gentle circles along my spine. I cried until there were no tears left and my eyes drifted shut. As my mind began to drift into unconsciousness, I thought I heard Emmett whisper in my ear, "I won't ever hurt you Bells."
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