Chapter 9: Winner

EmPOV


With fire in her eyes, Rosalie was more stunning then ever.

"Tell me!" She demanded but no way was I giving in. I don't understand why she wants to pay me back. I wanted to buy him those picture books. The longing in his eyes convinced me to get them for him and his blinding smile made it completely worth it.

"It. Was. A. Present." I said through clenched teeth.

Rosalie huffed, stepping back. "Listen, just please, let me pay you back."

She just wouldn't give up.

Edward walked in, smudges of coal on his face. He stopped, glancing at us. "Hey Rose."

Her eyes didn't leave leave me as she said, "Edward."

"What are you two talking about?" He asked, hesitantly.

"Emmett here won't let me pay him back for the books he bought Lucas." Rosalie cocked an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes. This girl, man.

Edward sighed. "Rose, it was a present. You don't have to pay everyone who buys him something just so you-."

Rosalie shot him a look that made him shut his mouth.

With her attention away from me, I slipped out of the room and back to the living room where Bells and Alice were huddled on the couch, whispering. They didn't hear me come in.

"Alice, this isn't the time." Bella told Alice softly. She brushed back her short locks that had covered her cheek when she leaned her head against the back of the couch.

"Then when?" Alice closed her bright blue eyes, sighing. "He doesn't go to our school. He works late. He's barely in town. How am I going to get him alone so we can talk?"

I shook my head, glad that I didn't have to deal with emotional shit like this. Although I did feel bad for Jasper. The poor dude won't know what hits him when Alice gets ahold of his ass. I chuckled, imagining him carrying all her shopping bag and trailing behind her like a dog. "Ladies." I jumped between them, ending their conversation. Bella gave me a shy smile while Alice moved away from him, huddling again in the corner of the couch. "'Are we staying for dinner?" I asked Bells. I didn't want to interrupt their dinner as we had last time.

Bella shook her head. "No, Charlie wants us home. Billy is coming to visit."

Rebecca and Rachael. I sighed dreamily...twin fun. "Great."

Bells muttered something about me being a pig but I ignored her. I was on a love high. Nothing could bring me down...

"You aren't stayin'!" Lucas shot out from the kitchen, a bundle of panic.

Except that.

The hurt in Lucas' deep blue eyes and the pouty lips were too much for me so I looked away, nudging Bella to take control of the situation.

Bells slid off the couch, getting on her knees in front of Lucas. He stared at her, his eyes watering up. Oh crap.

"Sweetie, we have to go home. I'm sorry." Bella ran her fingers over his cheek and he melted into her touch.

"Don't go, Belly." Lucas threw his arms around her neck and sobbed.

Bella shot me a look that meant help.

I stood up and crossed the room to my coat. Lucas watched me from his pot on Bella's lap. his eyes twinkling as I walked back with the bag of his books. I slumped down on the capreted floor, taking out both books and turning them over in my hands.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked, leaning closer to see better.

Alice chuckled. "He's taking off the price stickers."

I smiled in satisfaction. Ha. Take that Rosalie Hale. Now you'll never know how much I paid for them.

"Here." I hand them over to Lucas. "Edward told me your birthday is close so happy early birthday."

He grinned widely at me. "Thank you so much Mr. Emmett!"

I laughed, catching him as he launched into me. The kid was strong, I'll give him that.

"Don't mention it." He scurried out of my arms and into the kicthen, calling Jasper to come check out his new books.

Edward and Rosalie came into the room looking disappointed. Well, Edward did. Rosalie looked annoyed.

"You aren't staying?" Edward looked at Bella. She blushed under his stare and I rolled my eyes, along with Alice. Bella blushed even more than she usually did when Edward was around.

She shook her head, not looking back at Edward as she said, "I'm sorry."

I stood up and held a hand out for Bella's to grab and stand.

"Charlie wants us home. Bella's been holding out on her cooking back at the Swan household." I smirked at my cousin, throwing my arm around her shoulder and squeezing her to my side.

Rosalie nodded while Edward frowned.

i felt bad. He was being deprived of his Bella time. They only had an hour together each day and since Friday, those two have been joined at the hip. And if they weren't, they were texting or on the phone. I knew Charlie was taking the night shift tomorrow and Bella and I would be alone. Without really thinking it through, I blurted out, "You guys should come to dinner tomorrow at our house. Bella makes awesome lasagna."

"OKAY!" Lucas screamed as he came into view again, this time in the arms of Jasper. I noticed Alice sit up straighter, running a hand through her hair.

Jasper glanced her way and gave her a weak smile. Rosalie sighed, taking Lucas from her brother.

Edward walked to us, grabbing Bella's hand. "Yeah! We'd love that!"

Again, Bella blushed. Jasper and I chuckled. Rosalie smiled. Alice stood up from the couch and stood behind me, clearly hiding from Jasper.

'Well, it's settled. We expect you guys around six. You too, Jasper."

It would be perfect for Alice to talk to Jasper there. He couldn't run away. I smiled internally. I was smart.

"Alright, I'll be there." Jasper said, after a glare from Rosalie.

Alice stiffened, grabbing my hand. She gave it a tug and I knew she wanted to leave. Now. "Okay, so we'll see you guys tomorrow." I smiled.

Lucas practically jumped drown from his mother's arms and ran to me, hugging me. "Thank you for my birthday present." He kissed my cheek before returning to his mother's side, hugging her legs. She looked down at him, grinning.

"Where are these books, baby?" She asked him sweetly as Edward led us to the door.

Lucas ran back to the kitchen to grab his books and skipped back into the room, holding them. "Here Momma."

Once Rosalie had them in her hands, she sent me a winning smile. Ha. Yeah right. She turned them over, her eyes going to the corners of the books.

"What the fuck?" She growled out and glared at me.

"I'm the winner!" I sang, doing a Lucas and skipping out the door while laughing.


Alright so I think I won't do a weekly update considering I hate deadlines. lol. hope you like this short chapter.

review.

:)