EMMETT

It's been two weeks since I've extended the invitation to the Cullens to have dinner with me. Dr. Carlisle called the next evening and accepted. I told him how excited I was for us to get together and that we'd have to coordinate our schedules to see when would be a good time.

These last two weeks have been the most torturous of my entire life. While I took Isabella's and Felix's advice and tried to maintain a level of professionalism while working with them both. The constant little touches from them, Isabella touching my arm here, Carlisle placing his hand on the small of my back while we go over orders and charts there. I've had to go to the men's room on quite a few occasions to rub one out, just to keep from dragging one or both of them into a storage room.

I remember showing the photos I was sneaking to take of one or the both of them to Felix.

"Holy fucking shit on a cracker! Who are these people, the Brad, and Angelina of the medical profession? How is that possible? They are not only gorgeous but smart too. You said she graduated Magna Cum Laude? And what's their interest in you, again?" Felix said as he continued to swipe back and forth through the pictures on my phone.

"Hey! I'm smart. You act like people have to be one or the other. I have you to know I maintained a 4.0 GPA in high school and managed to keep up that GPA while on a full-ride football scholarship to Vanderbilt," I told Felix, puffing out my chest.

"Really?" Felix asked skeptically.

"Yes, really. I was the third round draft pick for Jacksonville, and after a torn ACL during the first season, I decided to pursue a career in Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. I ended up enrolling at the University of Florida, but after my mom got sick and eventually passed away, I got into nursing and fell in love with it. I needed to be able to take care of her, pay her bills and work to pay off my student loan. Lucky for me with the nursing shortage, VUMC was offering student loan payback as a signing bonus."

"Wow, I never knew any of that. There so many more layers to you than I realized. It just seems sometimes you don't think things through, I just assumed…"

"Yeah, you just assumed I'm an airhead. When in reality, I'm extremely focused. When I know what I want I go for it. Sometimes I'm so focused on what I want, I don't think about the right way to go after it."

"And somehow that makes total sense to me," Felix said with a chuckle.

So today, the three of us are getting off work, on time and at a decent hour, when the Cullens catch up to me as I'm walking to my car.

"So, we're still on for tomorrow right?" Dr. Bella asks.

"Of course we are, Shortcake, why wouldn't we be?" I ask as I place my arm around her shoulder, her husband still clinging around her waist while looking on as we walk to the parking lot. I like this a Bella Shortcake sandwich.

"Well, I guess what Bella means is you've seemed sort of distant this last couple of weeks, and we hoped we haven't done something to offend you," Dr. Carlisle offered, looking over his wife's head as he spoke. I stopped in mid-stride. I let go of Dr. Bella's shoulder and stood facing both of them.

"Would you two like to go somewhere and have a drink with me? I usually go to the gym after work, but this is kind of a special moment for me. I sort of wanted to talk to you guys about it tomorrow, but since you've brought it up, I think now is a good time."

"Um…well, sure. Our dog sitter was expecting us, but I can call Alec and see if he can stay an extra hour," Bella said after seeming to have a silent conversation with her husband.

"You guys have a dog? I love animals. What kind?"

"Oh, Sassy is a miniature pinscher and a complete attention whore. That was one of the other reasons we were trying to catch you before you left. Would it be alright if we bring her tomorrow? It's just that she's with the sitter so much, we hate to leave her when it's our first weekend home together." Bella said with a huge grin. I could tell she really loves her dog.

"Yes, by all means, bring her. I think she may get along with my American Staffordshire Terrier, Baby. And trust me, despite his size, he is a big baby. Don't be surprised if while little Sassy is sitting in your lap he will want his turn there as well. She's not afraid of big dogs is she?"

"Please, they don't call Min Pins the king of toy dogs for nothing. They don't know they aren't big dogs. Don't be surprised if she doesn't start bossing Baby around." Bella added.

"So, I'll tell you what, I'll let you get home to little Sassy, and we'll leave our talk until tomorrow when we have the entire family together. Um…I mean…you know our little fur babies. Um…Shit! Yeah. Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Say around two?" I said as I swiped my hand on the back of my neck.

"And by the way, I have a few other guests coming, as well, I'd like you two to meet and hopefully help me explain why I've been acting the way I have. And to ease your mind. You two definitely have done nothing to offend me. But all will be explained tomorrow.

"Um…let me get the hell out of here before I make a further fool of myself." I turned to start walking to my car when Bella did something I never expected. She walked up to me, placed her hands on my chest and placed a kiss on my cheek. Before turning back, putting her arms around Carlisle's neck. He put one hand on her waist and the other at the space just above her ass.

"Tomorrow then," he said to me looking over her shoulder with a broad smile spread across his face.

~~oOo~~

The next morning I was up bright and early. I was at the gym for a couple of hours at 5 a.m. I then went home and gave my house a quick clean. Scrubbing the kitchen and bathrooms. Vacuuming the floors and couch for any stray dog hair. I then let Baby out of his kennel and took him for a walk.

Around one, I ran over to Pete's rib joint and picked up a massive tray of barbeque ribs, chicken, beef brisket and sausage. A little for everyone's taste. A tub of baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and a couple of gallons of sweet tea. It ain't a southern barbeque without sweet tea.

I then stop by the liquor store and got a case of beer and a couple of bottles of both red and white wine. By the time I made it back to the house, Felix, Heidi, and Demi were waiting for me.

"Hey, guys. Sorry, I hope you haven't been waiting long?"

"Hey, Big E. No, we just pulled up as a matter of fact," Dem said as he gave me a fist bump. My first impression of Demi was so off. He's just kind of quiet until you really get to know him. He has a great sense of humor and quite funny. He's a lawyer so he can be somewhat reserved.

"Great, so if you guys could help me get this stuff out of the car, we can start setting up the food, I'll get the coolers and ice for the drinks.

Heidi brought her famous hummingbird cake, and of course, a fruit salad for Felix and me. She knows we consider our bodies temples. So the only sugar I'll have today will be red wine.

As I was coming out of my detached garage with the cooler, Carlisle and Bella were pulling up in a Cobalt blue Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante Ultimate GT. My mouth dropped to the ground. I literally dropped the bag of ice I was holding. This is a fucking quarter of a million dollar car. I tried to recover quickly, as Bella didn't look exactly happy as she got out of the car. She put her little black and tan min pin down on the ground she had in her arms and quickly attached her leash. She looked like she was totally embarrassed. I promptly dropped the cooler and went over to her.

"Bella, Darlin' is everything okay?" I asked as I brought her in my arms for a hug. Carlisle walked up soon after carrying a covered dish and a bottle of wine.

"Bella, honey, I said, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I'm not going to apologize for enjoying my car. What sense does it make to have the car and never drive it?" Is this what this is about the stupid car?

"Carlisle, can we just please drop it. I knew who I married when I married you, but I'm still who I am. I'd rather not discuss this now." Bella looked and sounded defeated.

"Here, let me do this. I'm going to take this…" I grabbed the dish out of Carlisle's hands.

"Oh, it's green bean almondine," Bella said proudly. I take it she's the cook in the family.

"…but before you two go inside, I want you two to sit here on the deck while I take this in. I don't want there to be any embarrassment or harsh words. What I wanted to discuss with you is pretty serious, and I need you to have an open mind." I told them trying to settle what seemed to be turning into a rather heated discussion which was sure to put a damper on the day.

"Well, Emmett. We're both pretty sure we know what you want to discuss. It's been like the elephant in the room since we first stepped into the Emergency Department. And I think the reason for Bella's stress is that you will get the wrong impression of us. Am I right, sweetheart?" Bella only nodded her agreement, though she looked to be fighting back tears.

"Okay then, we'll start there when I get back. This feels pretty warm, does this need to be reheated?" I asked.

"Well, we shouldn't if we are going to eat soon. But maybe you could put it in a warming drawer," Bella said.

"Ummm, okay. You two sit tight, I'll be right back," I said before I dashed in through the patio door.

"Um, Heidi do I have a warming drawer? Bella said this would be warm enough if we were eating soon but maybe to place it in a warming drawer. Whatever the hell that is?" I was met by my three friends laughing at my lack of cooking knowledge.

"Don't worry I've got this," Heidi said as she took the dish from my hand. She took the top off and smelled it.

"Oh, my God. This smells delish, what is it?"

"Green bean something or other. I don't know, but its vegetables. A girl after my own heart."

"So where are they?" Felix asked.

"Umm, yeah. They seem to be having a little argument. I wanted them to cool down before I introduced them. But come with me for a moment." I walked Felix over to the window that overlooked my driveway.

"HOLY SHIT! Is that a Vanquish?" Heidi and Demitri ran over to look out as well.

"So, they're rich. That's a quarter of a million dollar car," said Dem.

"Yeah but I think that's the problem. I think he came from money, and Bella's not comfortable with him flaunting it. But please guys, don't say anything about the car. I want this day to go great." I told them.

"Well, is he a pretentious ass?" Heidi asked still peaking through the curtains.

"Not at all, at least that's not what I got from him at the hospital. I think the shock I had, seeing them drive up in such an ostentatious car is what set her off. But can one of you guys do me a favor? I sort of dropped the ice when I saw them drive up. Can one of you go out and get another bag. I left the cooler in the driveway.

"Yes, I'll take care of it. Go, before they think you do have a problem with them." Felix said before he left out of the front door. Heidi and Demi stayed in the kitchen setting everything up as I went back out on the deck carrying three beers. They were sitting under the umbrella at the outdoor dining table. Little Sassy was sitting in her mommy's lap licking at what seen to be tears streaming down her face. Carlisle had a chair pulled up next to her holding her hand and trying to soothe her. I grabbed one of the other chairs and pulled it up to the other side of her and grabbed her free hand.

"Hey, you're too beautiful for tears. Look, I don't know what's going on, but I have a pretty good idea. Without going into that, let me tell you about me.

"My dad was a Major in the Army, and we moved around a lot. So, I was always the new kid where ever we went. He was a tough man to live with. Eventually, my mom got tired of the moving and trying to live up to his standards and left him. So from the age of ten, it was just my mom and me. She was a single parent with a growing boy who was always too big for his age and ate her out of house and home. So feeding me and clothing me became an overwhelming task. She worked two and three jobs sometimes just to make ends meet. So I know what it's like to have to struggle and earn everything you get.

"Then I discovered football, and it was my life. I also knew it was my only way to get into college, so I focused all of my efforts and attention on school and football. When I finally made it to the pros, I thought here is my chance to finally give back to my mom everything she's done for me. But it didn't quite work out like that for me. During my first season, I was taken out due to injury. I decided to go back to school to be a Doctor of Sports medicine. But my mom took ill not long after I went back to college and passed away a short time after that," I decided to take a moment to reflect on what I'd said and where I was going with it. Both Carlisle and Bella were now comforting me.

"I'm so sorry Emmett," Bella let go of Carlisle's hand and placed it over my hand that was holding hers. Carlisle was now rubbing my shoulder that was closest to him.

"It's okay, really. The point being…" I said as I turned to Bella. "…I know what it's like to have to work for everything you get. And I know you did that. I've googled you," Bella looked shocked.

"But on the other hand, If I had a loving husband like Carlisle that was willing to give me the world. I would grab it with both hands." I told her letting go of Bella's hand and grabbing Carlisle's.

"Here's the thing. I think you two are a wonderful couple and great together and I want to be a part of that. I took a step back after the first day I met you. I know I was coming for you two pretty hard. And after our little talk, Bella, when you were going to the lounge, you hinted twice that we weren't being professional. After speaking about you two with a friend, he pretty much suggested the same thing. So I decided to take the hint. I'm glad I did. Because I got a chance to really observe you two, during work, and when you took breaks together. I see how in love you are. I want that, so badly. But I want it with the both of you if you'll have me in your lives.

They both just sat there staring at me for what seemed like an eternity, as if I'd lost my mind. I was starting to think I'd gone insane. Then finally they both, at the same time, as if they'd been doing synchronized breathing, let out the breath they'd apparently been holding and started laughing. Now it was my turn to look at them as if they'd lost their minds. Bella finally launched herself out of her seat and threw her arms around me. Carlisle got up and walked behind my chair placing his arms around both of us and kissed me on my neck.

"Oh my, God, Em. You don't know how happy you've just made us. I was so sure you were going to take one look at that car and think we were pretentious assholes and want nothing to do with us. I was so mad at Carlisle. I thought he'd cost us our chance with you." Bella said through a mixture of laughs and sob.

"So that's a yes?"

"Well, it's a yes, we're open to the idea," Carlisle added. We're not entirely clear on the logistics of it, but yes we know we would like you to be a part of our lives. Then suddenly we heard the cheering going on inside the house. Obviously, Heidi, Demi, and Felix had been eavesdropping. I just closed my eyes and shook my head.

"Wel,l I guess it's time for you to meet my friends. They knew what I was going to propose to you today and they were going to be here for me for moral support. It was then I also noticed Sassy on the deck floor, standing on her hind legs trying to reach her mama.

"Hey, there little princess. You must be Sassy. I'm your uncle Emmett, and I'm very pleased to meet you," I told her as I bent down and scooped her up into my lap.

"I've got a special friend for you to meet," I told her.

"Guys, I'm going to go and bring Baby out, and the two of them can get to know each other, while you get to know my friends, grab some food. Just make yourself at home." I told them as I stood up to go back to the house.

Just as I pulled the sliding glass door to the patio, the next thing I knew, Baby came bounding out of the house and suddenly had Bella pinned to her chair and giving her doggy kiss, while Sassy was growling and snarling at Baby. I immediately grabbed Baby by his collar and pulled him off Bella as she was still giggling at receiving wet slobbery kisses. She then reached down and picked up Sassy.

"It's okay, sweetie. I'm not hurt, I promise. He didn't hurt me," Bella said through kissing Sassy on her head. But Sassy was having none of that. She had stopped growling, but she was still showing her canines, letting Baby know he'd better get back. Bella was right, Sassy had promptly put Baby in his place because he was now hiding behind me, with his ears back and his tail between his legs, the same way he does when I scold him.

"Now look what you've done Baby. You've successfully pissed off your new little sister, and you haven't even met her yet. Bad dog!" Baby promptly laid down flat on his belly, giving me the whimper and puppy dog eyes.

"Aww, look at that Sassy. He says he's sorry. What do you say? Do ya think you can give him another chance? I asked, giving her a scratch under her chin. She looked up at Bella as if to ask, 'should I?' Bella nodded. Sassy then jumped down from Bella's lap and walked over to Baby and said hi, as dogs do, she started sniffing his butt. After a few seconds of them both sniffing each other, Sassy let out a little yap, and just like that they were friends, running off the deck together playing in the backyard. We laughed together as Sassy strutted around the yard, and Baby was bouncing around her like this big goofball.

I then turned and opened the patio door again. "Okay, you eavesdropping idiots. You can come out now." Heidi finally opened the vertical blinds revealing they'd been standing there the entire time. Felix waved with the stupidest grin on his face.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet Felix…" Felix stepped out and kissed Bella's hand and shook Carlisle's

"…his wife, Heidi…" Heidi then stepped out and hugged them both.

"… and Heidi's boyfriend, Demetri." Bella and Carlisle stood there with a stunned look on their faces. They looked back and forth between each other and the triad. Bella recovered first.

"It's very nice to meet you all. I'm Bella, and this is my husband, Carlisle.

"It's nice to finally meet you both, Bella. I've heard a lot about you both from this lug over here." Felix said ribbing me in the side with his elbow.

"All good things, I hope," Carlisle replied

"Of course, of course," Heidi said. There was a beat of awkward silence.

"Okay, well lets not all just stand here. Let's get something to eat. Come in, come in," I finally said breaking the silence.

"Can I get you guys anything, beer, wine, sweet tea?" Heidi offered.

"A sweet tea would be nice for me, but is it possible to use your facilities? I kinda want to get Baby's kisses off before we start eating."

"Yes, of course. Right, this way. Let's eat first then I can give you a tour of the house." I said showing her towards the downstairs bathroom.

"I think I'll come with you, Bella. I will need to use it next," Carlisle said as he caught up with us.

"I mean there's another bathroom upstairs, if …" He cut me off.

"No, No, this will be fine. We'll only be but a minute," he said

"Well, it's just here on the other side of the staircase. Second door on the left," I pointed. Carlisle nodded before placing a hand around Bella's waist as they walked to the bathroom together. Once they were out of earshot I went into the kitchen with the others.

"What the hell was that? Eavesdropping on our private conversation, REALLY?" I whispered as I began scolding the three. This was a bad idea. An even worse idea than bringing them to a meet-up. I started pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen island while biting on my fist.

"We're sorry, Emmett. You're right, we shouldn't have been eavesdropping," Heidi offered as she came over and tried to comfort me.

"And the dog! Who let Baby out of his kennel? Felix, you know how wild that dog can be when he meets new people. Hell, he knocked you to the floor the first time he met you. I was coming to get him and put him on a leash, just as Bella was polite enough to do with her dog."

"I'm sorry, Big E. I was just trying to be helpful. I went to get him when I heard you mention the dog and as soon as I opened the kennel, he was out like a flash before I could even grab the leash." Felix offered. Then the next catastrophy flashed in my mind.

"What if they think we're here to have an orgy or something? Is that why Carlisle wanted to go with his wife to the bathroom. Oh, God. OH, GOD!" It was the giggles from Bella coming around the corner that finally stopped me in my tracks.

"Em, you really need to calm down. We're not going anywhere. I will have to admit, though when you told us you'd googled us, I thought it was a little stalker-ish and creepy at first. But you really need to let your friends off the hook," Bella said with a smile. Carlisle nodded his head with a matching smile.

"Yes, you said they were here for you for moral support. I take it this is their version of a polyamorous relationship. We've been doing our research as well," Carlisle added.

"Do I hear a hint of a British accent? Essex?" Demetri asked. It was only then I caught Demetri's. He was usually so quiet.

"Berkshire, actually," Carlisle replied.

"Yes, I know the area. Then that explains the car. It's one of the posher areas of London." I facepalmed.

It's okay," Bella said as she took my hand from my face. She then grabbed my hand and lead me over to the island of food.

"I liked the explanation you gave. Don't get me wrong, I do thank heaven for my husband. I know he wants me to have the best. I just don't want people to think we are snobs because we have money and I worry that's exactly what people think when he insists on driving that overly priced car." We watched together as Demi and Carlisle walked over to the window to began discussing the car.

"Bella, I haven't told you just how beautiful you are. I can also tell you have a good heart. But Carlisle is a great guy. I really hope you will both consider a relationship with me," I told her as I looked into her pools of chocolate that were her eyes.

"I've wanted to do this since the first day I met you." She said as her eyes trained on my lips. She finally brought her lips to mine for a chaste kiss. I pulled her closer, this time deepening the kiss. I darted my tongue out across her lips and tasted her strawberry lipgloss. She opened her mouth and allowed my tongue in. I brought my hands up and tangled my fingers in her beautiful hair.

"Accosting my wife already?" Carlisle said with a chuckle as he walked up behind Bella. He moved the hair from her shoulder on one side and began to kiss her neck, as his hands began to massage her waist. We were stopped by throats clearing off to our side.

"Oh, the food. Maybe we'd better eat up. We wouldn't want all of this to go to waste," I told them, but before we broke apart, Carlisle reached up and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips as well.

"Honey, would you mind making me a plate. I'm going out to check on the dogs. A little of everything will be fine," Carlisle said as he strode over to the patio door.

"Yes, dear," Bella and I said simultaneously. We both looked at each other and began laughing as we started taking plastic wrap and foil off of dishes and grabbing plates and utensils.

OKAY, OKAY. We finally got the three together, and I know you are all waiting for the real nitty gritty. It's coming next chapter, I promise. Please continue to R&R