AN: I could make a lot of excuses for not updating, but I'm not going to. Disclaimer for the entire story in the first chapter. On with the story!

Chapter 11

Walking into the house I quickly took off my shoes and put them neatly beside the door. Last time I walked through the house with mud on my shoes Esme gave me a lecture then made me clean up the mud. One thing about staying in a town that rain an ungodly amount is the mud; it's everywhere and a hassle to clean.

"You seem very happy today, Emmett. Did something happen at school?" Esme asked. She cast an a proud look at the muddy shoes at the door before handing me a towel. Taking it from her I started to clean mud from my hair.

"Bella turned down Newton's prom offer at school today. She also turned down Eric, and she turned down Tyler. I'm not sure which was funnier: her reaction, or theirs." I could still see the disbelief in all of their faces, but I have to admit that Bella won hands down. Her face became more incredulous each time.

Esme must have not found this as funny as I did, because she lightly smacked me in the head with the muddy towel before looking at me disapprovingly. Alice chose that moment to skip in with a mischievous look on her face.

"How's Lillian, Emmet? You did get her number right?" Alice demanded. Esme looked puzzled for a moment before smiling at me.

"Lillian? This wouldn't happen to be the same girl Cameron was telling me about the other day?" Esme asked teasingly.

"Cameron? What the hell? Why was he talking to you about her?" I looked from her to Alice, who looked moments away from laughing in my face. Esme, however, didn't look amused. She actually looked kind of hurt. Which wasn't good at all.

"Your brother was telling me about his new friend at school and let slip that she had your full attention," she said before coming up to me to wipe some leftover mud from my face. "The question that should be asked is why you didn't come tell me about her yourself."

"In my defense I just got her number not too long ago. Not to mention we only just started talking last week. You'll love her Esme, she likes to read and has a nice smile. Not to mention she's really smart. She's in this class for nursing so-" I started to say before I felt a pinch in my side causing me to jump away.

Alice stood there looking unimpressed with her hands on her hip. "Please don't get him started Esme, he'll never shut up. 'She's so smart you guys and not to mention pretty. Is that new book today? She already finished the one from yesterday? Wow, she must be so smart to read that fast.' 'Do you think she'd agree to go on a date with me? Should I-,'" cutting off Alice's speech by covering her mouth with my hand probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I was desperate so sue me.

Esme looked fondly between the two of us before smiling at me. "I'm sure she's wonderful Emmett. I can't wait to meet her." She said before smiling teasingly at us. "While on the subject of secret girlfriends, what can you tell me abou the girl who had Edward playing again?"

A groan came from upstairs before Edward showed up looking resigned. "Her name is Isabella, but she prefers Bella," he sighed. Esme giggled before patting both Edward and my cheeks.

"My boys are growing up so fast."

"Mom…" both Edward and I groaned.

"We're not little boys anymore.." said Edward, who then glared a Alice who was smirking at him.

"Not to mention that we're both over fifty years old." I said while pouting teasingly at a still giggling Esme. She patted me on the cheek again before heading out to her garden.

Leaving Alice and Edward to their many wordless talks I ran up to my room for a shower. Jumping onto my couch I picked up my phone and opened a new text.

What's your favorite book?

-Emmett

I didn't have to wait long for her to respond, which is good since I hate slow texters.

I don't have a favorite book, but I do have a favorite author.

-Lillian

Raising one eyebrow I hit the call button on my phone. It rang for so long I started to wonder if she was going to pick up but before I could hang up and try again she answered.

"Hello?" she said in a high voice that was both shy and confused that I let out a small chuckle.

"No need to sound so weary, Lilz. I only want to talk to you." I said while putting an arm under my head to stare at the ceiling. I wanted to be comfy for this conversation.

"Weariness is an automatic response to you, Em." she said in her deep voice. I loved that voice so much already it was ridiculous. If only she knew. A laugh escaped at the thought, it'd probably scare her away for good if she knew.

"Is that so, Lilz?" I asked in a deep voice. If she was going to play this game then I could too.

A hum vibrated through that vibrated through the phone was the only response she gave. A comfortable silence fell over the phone that was only broke when I asked her about the question that started our conversation. After a quick exchange of idle banter she finally told me.

"Cassandra Clare."

My brain searched for the name, but nothing came up. I couldn't for the life of me figure out who that person was supposed to be.

"Author of the Mortal Instruments Series?"

Nope. Still a whole lot of nothing.

"Oh my God. You uncultured swine.."

I had to laugh, somehow I expected that but it still surprised me she'd actually say it. "I'm sorry I don't know the works of your favorite author, Lillian." I said while running a hand through my hair marvelling at how my life had somehow ended up at this point. Maybe Alice was right; I've gone soft.

"Excuses, excuses Cullen." she sang teasingly making me smile more.

"Why is she your favorite?"

The phone was silent for a second before she broke it. "I've always wanted to be a writer."

I sat up slowly while my mind searched for something to say. I knew this was important to her since she was a very private person. I didn't want to screw this up, so I just said the only thing I could think about. "You want to write books?"

"Books, poems, it doesn't matter. I just wanted to write."

'Wanted?' As in past tense? What happened? That doesn't seem like a dream that could easily be given up.

"And then?"

A quick laugh made me lose my smile. "I grew up. Lost my inspiration. Gained some sense. Pick your poison, they're all correct." Lillian said sadly. I didn't like it. I could just picture a little girl sitting outside with a book and pen in hand smiling at the world that was only ishe knew existed. It was a beautiful scene.

A knock made me look over at my own door, thinking it was one of my family members. Over the phone I could hear Bella telling Lillian dinner was ready.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but dinner's ready." She said.

Before she could hang up I had to ask one last thing. "You never answered my question. Why is she your favorite?"

"I like the way she words things. Bye, Em." That was still a little vague, but was better than nothing.

"Bye, Lilz." I said before the dial tone sounded. Quickly hitting end I sat lost in my thoughts for a while.

A smile flitted over my face. An author. She could do it. She could probably write a million books and poems and never run out of material with the way she thinks.

Opening up internet explorer I typed in a The Mortal Instruments.

I had some books to read.

-E&L-

The roads were iced over the next day for school, but with my jeep there were no worries or accidents for my siblings and I. The same could not be said for Bella and Lillian.

"- help Bella, she needs to get laid."

Edward's face was so hilarious that I couldn't help but to laugh. If he wasn't such a prude- sorry, sorry, gentlemen- he might actually be able to help Bella with that.

"Oh my God. Lillian, please.."

"Amen."

I watched her step out the car and almost fall on her face and felt another laugh rumble through me. She was so adorable and I never even stood a chance.

Her sister was walking away and I was just contemplating over whether I should walk over to her when I heard it. Tires were squealing.

A van had skidded on some ice and was heading straight for Bella's truck. Straight to Lillian. Hands were in me before I had even realised that I had began to move. Jasper and Edward were holding me back and Rosalie was doing the same for Cameron. It felt like everything was going in slow motion and I couldn't do anything but to sit and watch. WHen it hit her I felt like it had hit me as well.

Not even Jasper and Edward combined could keep me away from her now.

Blood was everywhere. On the van, the truck, and especially on Lillian. It soaked her shirt and pants specifically. I couldn't breath, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to at that moment.

Bella was trying to talk to her, but all I could do was stare. Distantly I could hear Alice speaking to Carlisle but I couldn't focus on the specifics. I saw a hand lying not too far from me and I picked it up. Flipping over the hand so it was palm up I put two fingers over her pulse point. For a very long second there was nothing, then I could feel a very faint pulse flutter under my fingertips. Thanking every deity I could think of I hurriedly took off my jacket and used it stop the bleeding in her leg.

Lillian had passed out after watching Bella for a moment, but then the ambulance and police car was there to get her on a stretcher. I felt a small hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Alice standing behind me. Wordlessly I got up and followed along behind her. Watching the ambulance that contained Lillian race out from the school was hard. I knew she was going straight to Carlisle, but I couldn't help the feeling of unease at being away from her right now.

Rosalie wordlessly crunk the jeep up after making sure that Cameron and I had got in. The drive to the hospital was silent, and my only thought was how could the day possibly go this wrong.

AN- And so the story continues. I'm actually really proud of this chapter. Who knew I had it in me. Don't forget to leave a review and to favorite. Next chapter will be the hell Emmett goes through for the three days Lillian was comatose. Bye, bye now! (P.s. when I say hell. I mean literal hell. You'll see. I have very vicious ideas.)