Sarah

After Sarah got used to the idea of Emmett being a vampire things went back to normal, well, as normal as things could be. Of course, she soon found that he'd been hiding quite a bit. He'd been holding back on tons of things, mostly his strength and speed. She couldn't help but be somewhat thrilled by him though. He was a fricking vampire!

When they climbed the mountains she'd simply hop on his back and they'd reach their destination in mere minutes. Though, riding on his back did take her breath away. It was like... the drop of a rollercoaster. It scared her but only enough to make her say "again!" She even got to see what he looks like in the sun. He sparkled, like glitter or diamonds...something shiny and beautiful. She touched him thinking that the sparkle would but off on her but all she felt was still the cold, smooth marble that was his skin.

After a day full of activities, mostly just enjoying nature, she and Emmett turned into the shabby tent that she'd put up. He'd offered, no, insisted that he do it but she was feeling a little insecure about her own abilities so she'd argued him down for the chance to put it up.

As they lay in the tent she snuggled down into her sleeping back and she rolled over to him. He was lying still, looking up at the clear part of the tent meant for stargazing.

"I can't believe you aren't asleep."She said.

"I don't sleep." He said calmly.

"Ever?"

"Nope. Not ever."

Sarah envied Emmett for a minute. She would give anything to have that ability. Sure, the dreams had been a little less violent the past couple days but she knew that was temporary and she was right. When she went to sleep the tossing and turning started... She whimpered and mumbled under her breath while tears streamed down her face and sweat drenched her.

She was twelve years old and staying with a plumber and his wife. He had a temper, a bad one and it seemed like it was always directed at her. His wife, Ms. Smith had been the one who'd wanted to get a foster child, for the money. He hadn't wanted one because it was like having an intruder in the home. He never failed to let Sarah know that, each and every time he saw her.

Sarah tried to stay out of the way as much as possible but the house was small and there wasn't much room for hiding. One day with Mrs. Smith was gone out for drinks with her friends she was left alone, alone with only Mr. Smith.

"Sarah! Come here!" He called to her.

"Yes sir?" She asked, making sure not to make eye contact.

"Take off your clothes."

"What?"

"I said take off your damn clothes you little bitch!"

She stood there motionless; eyes planted on the ground as tears fell from her face and stained her shirt. He got up from his recliner and he snatched her by the arm, dragging her roughly into the back room, not caring that he'd slammed her against walls, tables and doorframes to get her there. He smacked her and she fell down on the bed. She scrambled to get up but he'd pinned her down.

"No! I haven't done anything!" She cried.

"You're a little whore, parading around here with your ass stuck out! Let's see how much of a whore you really are!" He said, pulled her panties down.

"Help!" she screamed

Nobody came to her aid. He was about to stick his fat, grubby fingers inside of her but a sudden gasp from behind him stopped him. It was Mrs. Smith. She was standing there looking disgusted and shocked. Mr. Smith released Sarah and she scooted to the far edge of the bed while she held hugged herself. That was the only comfort she'd gotten. The next day Mr. Smith packed up and left and Mrs. Smith had Sarah taken back to the group home. That's when she'd learned that help never truly comes.

Sarah felt a sudden coolness engulf her body and she woke up. She knew it was Emmett was wrapped around her, rocking her. She didn't break down crying again, instead she held it in and she laid her face against Emmett's cool chest.

"I'll pay for a therapist." He said gently. "If you want Jasper could do it. He's a licensed psychologist and psychiatrist."

"No Emmett. I don't want therapy. I just... I never think about this stuff, honest. It only clouds my mind when I dream. You're lucky."

"Why's that?"

"You don't sleep...so you don't dream."

Emmett

Emmett didn't know what more he could say to Sarah to comfort her. Sarah had a lifetime's worth of abuse and try as he might, he just did not know how to deal. He found that holding her and rocking her soothed her but that was all he could do. It was apparent she didn't like talking about it and she didn't want professional help. Maybe the nightmares were just something she'd have to deal with the rest of her life.

The more he started to think about it, the more he knew he should probably tell Rosalie. Their stories weren't exactly the same but he knew that Sarah's aunt could probably do more to help her than he could. He just didn't want to have to call Rosalie. He didn't want her to visit and he definitely didn't want to have to ask her for help, after all, their relationship as divorcees was not on the up and up.

As soon as Sarah woke from a less frightening slumber she and Emmett hit to trails. Checking out wildlife. Of course, this was where he usually hunted so it was tempting for him to eat. He tried to focus on the beauty of the animals rather than their hot, soothing blood. He even managed not to kill a bear they'd seen feeding. Though, he did want to fight it, just to prove that he could, he was put off when Sarah asked him not to because of the fact that the bear had cubs. Her sympathy was the only thing to save that bear's life.

"So, how are you handling things?" He asked.

"You mean the vampire bomb?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah, that."

"I'm okay with it. Now that I know you don't want to kill me... I'm fine."

"Anymore questions or concerns?"

"Just one. Will I eventually have to...you know...choose?"

"No. you can stay human, just know that this is always an option."

"So, you'd still date me even if I was an old wrinkly woman with a saggy butt and boobs that sweep the floor?" she said with a devious grin.

"Well, soon I'll be one hundred so..."

"Wow. I'm dating a really old man."

"Hey! I'm not that old. In fact I was the youngest until Bella joined us."

"So... I'm assuming Carlisle is the oldest?"

"Yes. Carlisle is that oldest. He's the dad."

"Do you... ever wish you'd stayed human?"

Emmett couldn't answer the question immediately. Most of the time he hadn't thought about it. Of course, if he'd stayed human he would have died. But, if he hadn't been attacked by a bear what would his fate have been? Honestly, with the kind of lifestyle he was living it was highly likely that he would have gotten shot and killed by man because he'd been caught sleeping with his wife or daughter. Or he would have been shot after a fight or he would have drunk himself to death. Emmett knew that even if that bear hadn't attacked him, being human, his days were numbered.

"No. I mean… if I'd died then I woiuldnt have gotten to meet the people I've met and do the things I've done. I've climbed Everest twenty times…in fact I used to go there to think."

"Emmett…you are the coolest guy I know."

Emmett would have been blushing if he could have. Sarah laid her head on his massive arm and they watched birds fly from tree to tree. Ah… nature.