A/N: Here we have the two half of the barbeque. I'm not real thrilled with the chapter title, so if you can come up with something more fitting let me know. Song link on my profile. Enjoy!

Thanks to my wonderful betas, staceygirl aka jackbauer and bronzehairedgirl620. They are awesome ladies as well as awesome writers.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns any Twilight characters that may appear in this story. The remainder is my original work. Copyright 2009 by the author writing under the pen name, OliviaJane. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ch. 10 Passing the Test

RPOV

"You Can"
by David Archuleta

Take me where I've never been
Help me on my feet again
Show me that good things come to those who wait
Tell me I'm not on my own
Tell me I won't be alone
Tell me what I'm feeling isn't some mistake
'Cause if anyone can make me fall in love, you can

Save me from myself, you can
And it's you and no one else
If I could wish upon tomorrow tonight would never end
If you asked me I would follow
But for now I'll just pretend
'Cause if anyone can make me fall in love, you can

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Amazingly, Emma stayed awake for the ten minute drive back the house. She seemed enthralled by the scenery and continued to say, "Green, momma, green," as she patted the window and pointed at the looming forest of massive trees and the vibrant green moss that cloaked them.

My hand remained entwined with Emmett's on the center console, where he rested them soon after exiting the parking lot at the park.

We may have been run down and cornered by Cujo the goose, but all in all it couldn't have been a more perfect picnic. Our first official date was essentially a success.

Date. While the word thrilled me; it also scared me to death. Emmett had begun to thaw my cold heart with his sweet natured charm. When it had started, I can't really say, but I knew with all my heart, if it hadn't been for him, it would still be completely incased in the cold stuff.

He was everything I'd ever wanted it a guy. But now that I had him, I was shaking in my boots. I had my heart set on this working out, and the thought that it could possibly fail made my heart sick. I had vowed to myself to take things slow with him, baby steps. That way, when inevitable problems did arise, we could weather them together.

After helping me out of the car, Emmett unbuckled Emma from her car seat and set her on the ground. Emma was definitely a people person, so when she met new people, she tended to be overzealous in her need to be near them. She always wanted to share a story (even at nearly two, the girl could talk your ear off), her treasured teddy, and her beloved books. So seeing her instant love and acceptance of Emmett's parents did not come as a shocker.

Once her feet hit the ground she sprinted, as much as any toddler could sprint, toward the big house, only to catch her toe on the root of a large oak standing guard next to the driveway.

Within a matter of seconds, she was wailing as if her world was coming to an end. Honestly, I couldn't blame her. Gravel doesn't feel very good when it gets imbedded in your knees and palms no matter how old you are.

Faster than I could think, Emmett had her off the ground and cradled in his arms. "Oh baby girl, it'll be okay," he cooed reassuring words in her ear as his hands smoothed her fly away curls back from her tear streaked face.

She hugged herself tightly to her savior. I truly believed that she saw him this way.

"Sweetie," I sighed, gingerly brushing the remnants of grit and leaves off her scraped up knees, "let's go get this washed up and see what kind of boo-boo Band-Aids Ms. Esme has."

"Boo-boo Banaides?" Emma inquired through her little tear filled whimpers. Offer up a Band-aide, and you could make all things right in my little one's world. She loved them with a passion. Knowing this, I never let her have them unless absolutely necessary, or I'd have to buy stock in the company to off-set my losses from endless purchases.

I knew better than to try and take her away from her snuggle bear as Emmett carried her into the house. Esme came running out of the kitchen with a pained look in her eyes. I knew from stories I'd heard about her, that she had a heart for children and took all their tears, whether from joy or pain, to heart.

"Oh my, what happened?" Momma Esme asked immediately taking charge of the situation. She checked Emma over with a fine tooth comb assessing each and every one of the scrapes with the precision of a well trained doctor, or should I say mother?

"Not to worry little one. Gamma Esme will make it all better," Esme cooed soothingly as she leaned in and kissed Emma's cheek. Looking up at me she continued, "This way. I have everything we need to clean that up in the bathroom."

For a moment I couldn't move. I was instantly choked up at her calling herself Emma's gamma. Some might be put out that a mere stranger would just put them in that position, but I was touched. I wanted more than anything for Emmett's mother to be Emma Grace's grandmother. I once again found myself thanking God for placing these people on my path of life.

Shaking off the happy tears that threatened to fall, I quickly followed after them. Emmett caught my eye from his perch on the bathroom, counter as I entered the bathroom smiling brightly at me. He may be a clueless male at times, but instances like this, instances where family was involved, his ears were always on high alert. I was certain he'd heard Esme call herself Gamma.

I could tell he was having a hard time keeping his "I told you so" to himself. After getting me to agree to this little weekend getaway, he'd spent a great deal of time assuring me of my 'awesomeness,' and that Emma and I would be a shoe in with his parents. Esme had more than once proven this point, but as for Carlisle…well…the jury was still out on Poppa Cullen. I think he was going to take a bit more work. It appeared he was reserving judgment of me until after he'd spent the weekend assessing how I interacted with his precious son.

I was brought out of my reverie when I heard Emmett, with Emma nestled in his lap, singing Yankee Doodle Dandy in a silly voice along with Esme. It was all an attempt to distract my baby as Esme cleaned out the little cuts the gravel had caused. Her boo-boos really weren't as bad as they'd looked with dirt caked in them. They were mostly just surface scrapes with only one knee showing any signs of blood.

Emmett and his mother were quite a pair, and I could see just how much Emmett took after her. Bella and Alice's tales of Emmett's daycare days didn't seem so silly anymore. No, now the thought of them only added to the heat that was slowly melting the ice shield surrounding my heart.

Emma couldn't have been more delighted than when Esme pulled out the red, white, and blue Band-Aides. Leave it to a Cullen woman to coordinate bandages with the color scheme of the holiday. Spoiling my little darling Esme put Band-Aides where ever Emma pointed, even in places that the ground had never touched.

"Look momma," she said proudly. "Gamma put a boo-boo Banaide on Em's nose."

Her squeals of joy were drawing a crowd, and I couldn't help laugh at how silly he-man Emmett looked with the festive bandage across is nose.

"Sexy," Alice purred from the doorway, teasing her brother.

"Yeah, sexy," I said kissing the tip of his nose without a second thought. "You're Emma's dandy alright. Thank you for all your help."

The stunned look on his face and Alice's made my cheeks flame. Kissing was definitely not part of the equation yet, and that's a big yet.

Yes, I think about it, even dreamed about it. I am a hormonal teenage girl after all.

But I had vowed to take things slow. When I saw the look on Emmett's face, something told me that he wasn't going to be holding out much longer.

Hmm, those warm, soft, succulent lips could be mine sooner than I planned. Stop it Rose, remember the vow!

The silence in the air could be cut with a knife. Leave it to Emmett to be the first to speak. "Oh, so you think I'm all that, eh?"

Oh great, I'd be hearing about my little slip for the rest of the day. If it weren't Emmett reminding me, Alice would take every opportunity to do so. She was nearly buzzing with excitement when she heard my endearing compliment of her brother.

Good grief! I meant it to be silly…a joke. Sheesh! Even if every word I said was true.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

After the shock of my slip up wore off, we all cleared out of the cramped bathroom. Alice, Esme, and I headed to the kitchen to make the last minute food preparations for the late afternoon barbeque. Emmett had graciously volunteered to put Emma down for her nap.

Once we were in the kitchen, I flipped on the baby monitor I'd brought. I really didn't use it much at home anymore, unless I was going to be outside doing yard work or tinkering in the garage when Emma Grace was napping. But with us being in a strange place, I want to be there to get her up as soon as she woke, so she wouldn't be scared if she didn't recognize her surroundings.

As Alice stirred the sugar into a large pitcher of tea, I mixed together the ingredients to make baked beans. We were being entertained by Emmett as he read Emma Grace the story of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears. He was a master at voice inflexions when reading a story out loud and brought each character to life with their very own distinct voice. It was rather amusing to listen to.

"In some ways that boy will never grow up," Esme chuckled, shaking her head while she arranged sliced vegetable on a festive blue oblong platter.

"Shh, mom, you're going to miss the best part," Alice shushed her. The room fell quiet as we waited for the grand naptime finale.

"So, little lady, are you as snug as a bug in a rug?" Emmett asked Emma as he always did when he put her down for her nap. I could easily picture the cocoon he'd wrapped her up in using her favorite blanket.

She giggled like always. "Snug bug."

I smiled and bit down on my tongue knowing his parting words would make me teary eyed like they always did.

Good grief I am a blubbering mess around this silly man.

"I love you baby girl," he cooed giving her a resounding naptime kiss. Once again he reminded me just how perfect he was for my sweet little angel. He was made to order straight from God's catalog of amazing men.

I turned to find Esme standing next to me with her hand over her heart and tears in her eyes. Without hesitation, she engulfed me in her arms. Caught off guard, I tentatively slid my arms around her welcoming her embrace.

It was such a wonderful feeling. Other than Nana Hale, it had been along time since I'd felt the love of a mother. "Rose, if you'll let him…he's more than willing to be there for the two of you. He wants to be there for the two of you. If you only knew how he sings your praises every time he calls home, you wouldn't hesitate to let him in." She sighed, kissing my cheek as she drew back from me.

I nodded in understanding, too choked up to speak. I was willing to sing his praises too if I had someone to sing them to.

Wait, I did have someone I needed to tell about Emmet.

When I got home, the first thing I was going to do was call up Nana Hale and fill her in on this amazing man. I'd spoken of him on more than one occasion, describing him as the most annoying neighbor a person could ever dream of having, but I had never told her how amazing he was.

Knowing Nana, she had probably seen right through those ridiculous complaints and had figured out the real story…that I was hopelessly head over heels for my annoying neighbor. She was a smart lady and rarely did anything ever get past her. No doubt Jasper had already given her an ear full of my love-hate relationship with Emmett. Sometimes I just wanted to kick that boy for not keeping his mouth shut.

We both swiped at our tears quickly as Emmett bounded into the kitchen looking at his mother and me suspiciously.

"So what up?" he asked casually, trying to figure out if we were plotting something against him.

"Nothing much, big brother. We were hoping you could read us a story. How about something I choose? Maybe a chapter from one of my favorite Nora Roberts books," Alice giggled, wagging her eye brows at him.

Oh God, not Nora Roberts. It would seem Alice was completely addicted to this writer known for um…her love scenes. I could guess what kind of chapter she'd be asking to have read out loud. I'm sure she would do it just to try and ruffle Emmett's feathers, but from what I knew of him, he would totally immerse himself into the scene leaving me blushing like I had third degree burns.

"Love to sis, but I've got plans." He eyed me, causing me to shift uncomfortably on my feet.

"Son, before you get to those plans of yours, I need to you run up to the Thrifty Mart and pick me up a bottle of ketchup. I didn't realize we were almost out. While you're at it get some of those pickle spears from the refrigerator section your dad loves so much. Actually, you may as well pick up a couple of jars. You know the Blacks are coming, and Jacob can down a whole jar all by himself." She chuckled showing apparent amusement with one of the friends of the family.

"Sure thing, mom."He agreed leaning in to kiss her cheek. Without a second thought he moved in and planted a quick kiss on my lips. Winking at me, he turned to leave calling over his shoulder, "Be back in a jiffy."

My breath hitched as my hand instantly went to touch where his luscious lips had just been. I was already longing to feel them again.

I was in sooo much terrible.

I did my best to hold back the school girl giggles of joy and amusement that were itching to be set free. I turned quickly back to my task of prepping the beans in an effort to hide my thrilled expression from busy body Alice. It was a good thing Bella and Edward were spending the day at her parents, or they'd surely have been tag teaming me by then.

I had a feeling the if Emmett asked me for the moon, in my current state I wouldn't hesitate to give it to him, and she knew it.

Damn her! Since when I did I become such an open book? I thought that title was reserved for Bella. And where the hell is Jasper when I need him to distract his little menace. Seriously, fishing can't take that long can it? Shouldn't he and Carlisle be back by now?

I slowly peeked over my shoulder, and just like I predicted, I was met with two ecstatic and smiling lunatics. It was a wonder that Alice and Esme were able to contain their obvious joy at the progress being made in the blossoming relationship that Emmett and I had just begun.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The barbeque went off without a hitch. A storm loomed and threatened to drench us, but it held off for the time being. It didn't look as promising for the upcoming Cullen Fireworks Extravaganza. Hopefully it would pass on by quickly and not spoil the festivities. We still had a little over an hour until the sun went down, so anything was possible in the sporadic and unpredictable weather of our wonderful region.

The Cullens had invited a number of close friends over including the Billy and Jacob Black, Bella's parents Charlie and Renee, and the Clearwaters, Harry, Sue, Leah, and Seth. There were also a handful of other locals and a few colleagues of Carlisle's from the hospital.

Horse shoes were thrown, Frisbees were tossed, and food was downed in epic portions. It was a good thing that everyone had brought along their favorite dishes to share in addition to what Esme had prepared, or someone would have had to make a grocery run.

Suddenly the sky opened up, and the clouds dumped their load on the party. As fast as everyone moved, it was obvious they'd done this before. Luckily we had already moved all the leftovers into the house. The only foods remaining outside were the desserts.

There was no escaping the downpour. As fast as the rain came on, we were all completely drenched. Some of the adults even stopped what they were doing and began dancing around the deck with their respective partners in the rain. I watched in amusement and squealed when Emmett grabbed me around the waist, spun me around to face him, and began to sway to David Archuleta's You Can as he sang the hopeful words into my ear.

"What are you doing, you silly man?" I laughed, wrapping my arms around him.

"Dancing with my girl. Now shoosh, you're interrupting my musical interlude," he scolded and began singing again.

I sighed pulling him tighter to me, nuzzling my nose into his neck. Yes, if anyone could make me fall in love, it was definitely this amazing man I held in my arms.

As the song came to an end, Emma's delightful squeals distracted me from the overwhelming feelings of love and thoughts of what the future might hold for Emmett and me. I glanced over to see Jasper and Alice spinning around the deck holding Emma between them. She held her hand out trying to catch the raindrops.

Seeing me, she held out her arms to me obviously in need of some momma lovin'. "Momma all wet," she said looking at my shirt as I pulled away from Emmett.

"All wet indeed," Jasper coughed looking at me with a pained "oh shit" expression.

Glancing down at my very thin, very clingy white t-shirt I immediately pressed myself back into Emmett's chest in an attempt to avoid any further embarrassment.

He instantly growled nipping my ear and instantly awakening sensations in me that had long ago grown dormant.

Trouble, the man is definitely trouble.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Later, after we were all dried off and the patio furniture was wiped down, we all settled in for the legendary fireworks display. Apparently Edward and his best friend Jacob had been putting it on every year since they were kids.

Holding Emma, Emmett pulled the two of us down into his lap. For once in my life, feeling completely relaxed in the presence of a man, I lounged against him.

Emma Grace giggled as she tried to capture his lips with her tiny hands as he made fishy kisses at her. It was an amazing feeling to know how much he wanted us, and I would have been completely content to sit with him like that for hours.

My eyes lazily scanned the crowd, landing on both Esme and Carlisle who were sitting in a very similar fashion as I was with their son. A huge grin graced Esme's face as Carlisle tossed me a wink affirming his acceptance of me being in his son's life. It was a relief to know that he would not be standing in the way of me pursuing a relationship with his boy.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

We cleaned and put everything away as Esme graciously shooed the remaining guests out the door around ten thirty. Emma had fallen asleep a couple hours before and was tucked safe and warm in Alice's room.

"I had a great time today, Alice. I can't thank you guys enough for inviting us," I called from her bathroom having just finished washing my face and brushing my teeth. She laid sprawled flat on her stomach across her bed.

"Family Rose. You, Emma Grace, and Jasper are our family now." She smiled up at me, as I climbed into her incredibly soft bed.

Before we could continue our conversation, her bedroom door flew open and Jasper, with Emmett trailing not far behind him, came bounding into the room. Without a word, Jasper scooped a laughing Alice up and tossed her over his shoulder hauling her back out the door. I was thankful that she didn't let out her usual loud girly girl giggles and squeals. I wondered if they'd had the whole thing planned by the look of staged innocence on Emmett's face.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Emmett smirked, calling after them. Turning back to me, he strode across the room and threw himself playfully onto the bed next to me, climbing under the covers. Feeling his large protective arms snake around me from behind, it was all I could do not to squeal myself. My heart rated was pounding at a marathon rate now.

I bit my lip to keep myself quiet as he pulled my back flush up against his chest. All I needed was Emma Grace waking up now. I was lucky that she was a sound sleeper, or the slight commotion Jasper and Alice had caused would have done just that.

"Hey, no funny business mister," I scolded feeling his fingers ghosting over the waist band of my sleep pants.

He held up a hand giving me the Boy Scout salute. "I'll be good. Promise. Scouts honor."

"You know what those two are up to in your bed right?" I teased trying to distract him.

"Absolutely. I may pretend my baby sister doesn't do unspeakable things with boys, but I'm not stupid. As long as he keeps it in his pants, it's all good," he groaned, obviously not at all happy about his baby sister growing up. I really didn't get the hole baby sister thing. She was barely a year younger than him.

"Yeah, but them petting one another…um…heavily in your bed?" I pushed.

"Whatever, sheets can be washed," he said trying to sound nonchalant and failing miserably.

"Still…ah…ew." I just couldn't help myself. I had to take one more jab.

"Why are we discussing my sister and your brother? I'd rather be talking about us," he cooed as he nuzzled my neck with his nose.

"Emmett," I sighed a half hearted warning.

Resting his head against the side of mine in surrender he whispered, "You may have won this battle my lady, but most assuredly, I will win the war. Good night, Rose." He kissed my temple settling in for the night.

No truer words had ever been spoken. Emmett Cullen would surely be victorious. He had spent the whole day showing me where he came from…who he really was. I had definitely been conquered and was proud to hold up my white flag of surrender.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: Thoughts…comments. Loved to hear them. :)

Reminder: There are a lot of awards going on now. Several of my stories have been nominated. Some are still accepting nominations and on others voting has started. Go check them out and nominate, and then vote for your favorites.

OTHER NEWS: YAY! This I Swear broke the thousand review mark. I seriously did the happy dance. I thank all of you who read and reviewed and made that a possibility for me. More Than a Beautiful Mess is very close too, but still not there yet. :)