Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all.
This outtake is dedicated to starla1979 who wanted a glimpse at Rosalie and Emmett's reaction to Henry wearing Anna down & Melinda the Proud Bookworm for wanting to hear a little of Sam's voice on Leah's imprinting.
In-law outtakes set to occur in conjunction with Chapter 49 and 50 of Harvest Moon.
Rosalie POV – Seattle (Fall of 2010)
I felt the soft vibrations of Emmett's footsteps as he entered the garage. Esme had made sure to enhance this particular room for me, designing it wider and taller so that I could utilize the lift she'd installed, and giving it a solid concrete flooring to support it all. The back wall was a mechanic's dream of toolboxes and equipment, and Esme had insisted on additional lighting. Why I didn't know, I could have done the work in the dark, but I still reveled in the attention she'd given to this room for me.
Esme expressed her love for us in so many ways, but it was like a competition between the siblings when we moved to another location, to see exactly how it would manifest itself. We would later compare the adaptations she would make and determine which one of us had been on her good list at the moment. This time, Edward had his shower and piano, Jasper his additional bookcases and a small sitting area. I had my tools, and I couldn't have been more pleased.
Alice, Emmett, and the newly enlightened Bella had grumbled until Jasper and I pointed out that the gifts given actually benefited the mates as well. Bella had grinned and mouthed the word 'shower' to me in appreciation, causing me to smile.
Alice had raised her eyebrows as Jasper drawled, "Darlin' why do you think we have a reinforced leather couch with extremely sturdy metal legs in my retreat. It's for when you get frisky."
What had made it funny was him holding his hands out toward her as if they were handcuffed.
It was a good thing I'd 'earned' a good working mechanical garage, considering the detailed work Henry and I were doing to the Super Snake. In addition to the frame damage, we were replacing all the wiring and hoses with the best the market had to offer. The physical appearance of the Snake would be a perfect restoration, but underneath she was going to be a different baby all together. Even more powerful than Mr. Shelby could have imagined years ago when he had her built. I'd begun to think of this car as female because of the nature in which she was going to wrap herself around my son and perform for him when we were done.
Today I hadn't bothered with lifting the car too far, just enough to get underneath with the creeper. I felt Emmett's hands wrap around my ankles just a second before he pulled me out from underneath the car and pressed his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around him instinctually returning the kiss, quickly turning it passionate.
"Ah, Rosalie…the last time we tried anything on a creeper, it got interesting real quick. Esme still points to the wall we damaged in Forks when she's mad at me."
"Hence the reinforced walls and extra creepers Esme gave us as your part of this present."
He grinned then snatched me up and put me on the floor. "The floor…well, that's another thing entirely."
As I laid my face against his chest just a little while later, I grinned. "Cars, sex, cars, sex. It's difficult to decide. Right now, though, I think you're winning. Another performance like that one, and you might be able to talk me into giving you a precision lube job. After all, we can't let the rest of the time that Nessie and Henry are gone with Jacob go to waste."
He began bellowing in laughter, and I pushed up to look down at his smiling face. I straddled him and ran my hands softly down his chest, feathering my fingertips across the broad muscle ridges of his body.
"Did you just come in here to distract me?" I finally asked.
"Actually, Anna asked us to come to the main house and I was coming to get you, but when I saw the streak of grease across your nose, I just couldn't help myself. It's like my own personal aphrodisiac to see you all grimy like that."
I swatted his side for letting us dawdle, no matter how pleasurable it'd been. "Emmett! They are all up there waiting on us…"
"…and they know exactly what has delayed us, so don't worry. It's not like we haven't all had to wait on someone at one time or the other," he finished my sentence.
I snickered in agreement, but quickly dashed inside to wash my face and put on some clothes. Within moments, Emmett and I were holding hands and walking across the grassy area toward the main house. We'd been here two years and it was beginning to feel like home. It was humid, the summer temperatures making even the birds lazy.
We heard the laughter of the others as we approached. Esme had turned the main lodge into a masterpiece, tearing out several walls to make a huge living room. In her traditional style, the whole back wall was composed of glass and overlooked the yard. She'd created a bird sanctuary in the area, which had caused considerable laughter. We teased that no self-respecting bird would get within a hundred feet of our scent, but she quickly reminded us that birds couldn't smell. She loaded the area with every conceivable treat a bird could desire, hoping to win them over. Within a week, the avian population of Seattle realized that they'd struck a gold mine, and braved the instinctual reactions they must have felt anyway. The squirrels…well, they could smell us just fine, and avoided the area like the plague.
Fang would sit at the wall and whine for hours, wanting to chase them. He'd made it to the back just once and was immediately attacked by a veritable swarm of Blue Jays. It was the only time I'd seen him run from anything.
Carlisle and Esme were snuggled into one of the oversized arm chairs, while the rest of my siblings were seated with their mates on the other various couches. Anna sat alone in the companion chair just to Esme and Carlisle's side.
"So nice of the two of you to join us," Jasper teased, clearly sensing my good mood. They all started laughing again as Emmett and I sat down. I grinned back at the group, too mellow from "Emmett-loving" to care.
Anna looked around the room, and I could tell she was nervous. I panicked for a moment, wondering what was wrong, and worried that possibly she might have rethought our living arrangement. I sat up straight, as a vise clutched around my stomach. Henry would be devastated, and so would I. I felt a wave of calm hit me and realized that Jasper had sensed my struggle and was helping. Edward looked over and shook his head just slightly. He grinned letting me know it was okay, and clearly not what I was thinking.
Am I going to be happy? I asked him.
He nodded only slightly, but it was enough for me. Sometimes having a freak for a brother was convenient. He chuckled softly at hearing my thoughts, and to cover his blunder, he leaned into Bella's hair placing a kiss to her head. He winked at me over the top. I settled back, snuggling under Emmett's arm.
"Okay, Anna you have the floor," Esme prodded her gently.
I read the concern on my mother's face. She'd grown close to Anna and was picking up on the stress our newest member was emanating.
"I'm not good at saying things delicately ..."
"Just say it, Anna. You aren't going to hurt anyone's feelings," Emmett boomed from beside me, startling her. I suckered punched him to get him to shut up.
She grinned slightly at me and then put her face down. She didn't speak for a minute, but we were good at being quiet. Finally she took a deep breath.
"I have something to say that might upset you, and I want you to know that I'll respect your wishes. If I need to leave and live somewhere else, I'll understand."
I glared at Edward, furious that he'd lied to me. He shook his head in amusement, and smirked.
"Henry has finally won her over, and she is feeling awkward because she is afraid we'll be upset. She's realized she can't battle her feelings for him any longer," Edward announced.
We all froze, wondering if she would be insulted by his interference, but she released the breath she'd been holding and whispered out, "Thank God for you Edward…I'd never have gotten it out."
Emmett leaped into the air in an exultant war hoop. "YES!" he yelled before dashing over to grab her into his arms and spin around with her.
Then he froze in spot. "Wait, just what did he do to win you over? Do he and I need to have a talk?"
Edward burst out laughing at the images that must have been floating through my husband's mind. Henry was already tall, and physically fit. He and Nessie both looked like fourteen or fifteen year olds…well, really mature fourteen or fifteen year olds; Henry was almost six feet tall. Emmett was probably imagining something particularly naughty. Anna's eyes looked as large as saucers.
"No…" she barely breathed out.
Emmett looked perplexed, clearly torn between feeling relief, and a certain amount of disappointment that Henry hadn't acted naughty.
Jasper laughed at him. "Emmett, make your choice, man. Either be happy with the fact that he's acted a gentleman, or be upset with it."
Emmett raised his lip at Jasper quickly.
"So you aren't upset?" she looked over at me questioningly, ignoring the male hormones.
I leapt to my feet and placed my arms around her, sandwiching her between us.
"Are you kidding? I've been hoping that this would occur. You've been a part of this family from the moment Esme realized you'd be alone. And you'll never be that way again, whether you chose my son or not. But it makes me incredibly happy to know you'll make his dreams come true."
"So…we can move him in with you this weekend," Emmett suggested, and before I could even backhand him, she took care of it for me knocking him hard in the stomach.
I knew then that she was going to make it just fine with Henry. He was going to need someone that he couldn't run over easy. He was too much like Emmett in that respect.
"I'm serious," Emmett attempted to pull off a solemn look, but didn't quite succeed.
"Emmett, he's still just a boy. I'm not ready to move in with him…yet," she teased back.
"Obviously not too much of a boy anymore if you're lusting over him," Emmett countered back mercilessly, raising his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
To her credit, she ignored him.
"But with those two," she said pointing over toward Edward and Jasper, "it's impossible to hide anything and I didn't want you to think I was being devious."
"Anna," Carlisle's cultured voice, interrupted for the first time. "I'm curious. What finally tipped the scale in Henry's favor?"
I didn't have to be Edward to know that she would have blushed blood red if she could have.
"It's silly, really," she murmured.
We waited again patiently.
"I'm not going to help you this time, Anna," Edward informed her.
She huffed at him and then said, "It was the rose bush he bought me for the Valentine's Day before we left Forks. It hasn't been looking healthy, and I found him pruning it."
Emmett and Jasper rolled their eyes at the girls' 'ohs' and 'ahs', while Edward and Carlisle smiled at each other. I had to give it to my brother and father; at least they could appreciate romance. Emmett and Jasper were lost. Emmett turned to look at me.
"Rose, enlighten me please."
Emmett could be so obtuse.
"He took the time to prune a rose bush for her, Emmett," I said, believing that should be explanation enough.
"Wouldn't it have been easier to just buy some roses?"
I slapped my hand to my forehead in frustration. Esme, Bella, Alice, and Anna all groaned in sign of feminine support.
"It's okay, Emmett. I have forever; sooner or later I'll get you there," I patted the top of his hand, causing everyone to break out laughing.
Edward cut his eyes to Emmett making me wonder what really was going through his mind.
Later that night, I walked into the cabin after visiting with Anna. I'd stayed to reassure her that we were ecstatic with the possibility of her and Henry. I heard the water slowly churning in the tub and Emmett's soft movements in the room. I began walking toward the bedroom, and grinned when I saw the rose petals from the doorway, leading into the bathroom. The faint fragrance filled the air. I stepped to the doorway to find him sitting on the edge of the tub waiting on me. He'd leaned his head against the wall and had his hand resting on his knee. Red petals swirled softly in the water, and he smiled slowly at me.
I shook my head slightly at him. "Em, you didn't have to come and fix a bath to make up for being a schmuck earlier."
He chuckled, and rose slowly. As he began unbuttoning my shirt, he kissed my forehead softly. Edward's face ran through my mind and I was struck by something.
"Emmett, you were distracting us, weren't you?"
He knelt, continuing to undress me with the little boy smile that I loved so much plastered on his face. When I realized he was going to avoid the question, I put my finger under his chin and pulled his face up so that I could look into his eyes. We gazed softly at each other for a long moment before he finally acquiesced to my question.
"Rosie, every family has to have someone who helps to make the tense or awkward moments smoother. Anna was having a hard time, admitting that she was finally caving in. I thought she was going to bolt, and I wasn't going to let that happen. She's ours now," he shrugged his shoulders in a self deprecating manner.
I grabbed his head bringing his cheek into my stomach, and then I leaned down to press my lips into his thick dark hair.
"I love you, Emmett. I don't know how I was so lucky to have found you, but thank you for loving me back."
Sam POV (Christmas 2010 – after Leah's party)
When we arrived home, I carried Gabriel to his room and tucked him into bed. giving Emily time to take another long hot shower, or just to brush her hair without interference.
"Luf u, dada," he groggily said to me, just before turning over onto his side to close his eyes.
"I love you, too, Gabriel. Sweet dreams, my son."
His breathing evened out within just a minute. I watched the small twitches of his face and eyelids as he settled, and envied him the ability to fall asleep almost immediately. He had no clue as to the significance of this day on his life…Leah. I rested my forehead against the edge of the bed and fell into the familiar cadence of thanks and petition to calm my emotions.
Responsibility for the pack never weighed as heavy as the pull of the individuals in this home. It was easier to be the Alpha. The pack could always walk away; go back to their homes. Mistakes or embarrassments didn't look you in the face every moment of the day with the pack, as it did with a family. I'd sensed Emily's satisfaction with the situation on the trip home, it had all but radiated from her. She and Leah had been as close as sisters all their lives. My transformation and subsequent imprinting on Emily had ruined it all.
It would seem I was being handed an opportunity to right my wrongs. How many others were handed such a priceless gift?
I tucked the blankets around his tiny body, and leaned down to kiss his forehead before turning on the night light and leaving the room. I could hear that Emily was still in the shower, so I went outside to stand on the front porch. I looked up into the sky and saw the moon. In that moment of peace and quiet, I realized that honesty with my soul was absolutely necessary. Deep in those hidden recesses I had to question why I felt reservation about Leah and Gabriel. Honesty wasn't always pretty, and this case was no exception.
It made me uncomfortable because I had loved her so much. It was nothing in comparison to what I felt for Emily, but still potent; we'd shared every intimacy of a couple in love. Was I jealous that my son would share this with her as well? Or was I worried that he would see her as second rate because she was impure, a status whose blame lay solely at my feet? My thoughts were convoluted, twisted, and unfair.
Leah had made us all uncomfortable with her derision during the time she'd belong to my pack, but could I blame her? She'd had to experience my joy with Emily. I'd felt her pain, like alcohol poured over an open wound.
Before my betrayal, Leah's spirit had been one of joy and peace. I could still see the teasing tilt of her eyes as she would pester me sweetly, and hear the full bodied laughter that seemed to come from her very soul. Just as clearly, I could see her dead eyes and persistently scowling expression. I'd sucked the life out of her, as clearly as if I'd been one of the Cullens' friends.
I had been truthful with Edward; you couldn't find a more honest, loyal, and open person as Leah before the supernatural events of our lives began. My son deserved happiness, loyalty and love, and so did she. I knew the imprinting instinct and its pull. No one would love Gabriel more, and I was going to assume that he would love her with the same intensity. I was being egocentric, and I needed to get over it.
I felt Emily's hands slide around my waist, and she pressed her cheek to the muscles of my back.
"Have you figured out the woes of the world yet?" she asked.
I huffed out a laugh. "Not quite."
"Well, did you at least figure out our problem?"
I could tell that she smiled into my back. I could feel our child between us, safe and secure in her womb, surrounded by love…as Gabriel would be. I turned to fold her into my embrace, bringing her face against my beating heart. My hands automatically went to the small of her back to begin rubbing the stressed muscles there, and she moaned slightly from the pleasurable feeling.
"I don't believe there's anything to figure out. The reality is that our son has met his match…literally. Any opposition I have to that is solely within me and without merit. I can either support it and make others happy, or fight it and lose. In reality, I can't deny either of them happiness based upon my own feelings. I'm aggravated at myself that I even had a moment of doubt."
Her pealing laughter surprised me.
"You may be a wolf, but you're still human. I was insanely jealous when you and Leah spent time together as wolves. I can only imagine the level of closeness that brought to you and her. I'm honest enough to tell you that I was immensely grateful when she broke away from the pack and joined Jacob and Seth. In spite of all that, I still loved her the whole time. I understand your feelings more than you know."
I peered down into her face, which still bore the scars I had inflicted so long ago. "I guess you do."
We heard the howl of the wolves at that moment, a chorus of timbres intermixing to create a symphony. I heard the unmistakable sound of Jacob, Seth, and Leah mixed in with the others, and a grin broke across my face realizing the significance. The whole pack was together again, even if it was just for fun. I felt Emily softly pat my stomach with her hand.
"You're missing the action."
"Hmmph," was my reaction.
Within moments they came running into the yard, bodies crashing into one another in play. Nessie jumped off Jacob's back and began walking over toward us. Paul utilized the opportunity and snagged Jacob's back leg with his teeth, attempting to bring him down. My eyes immediately looked for the gray wolf, and I found her standing beside Seth. Even I could see the pleasure in her wolfish grin. Jacob snapped at Paul and then yipped at me, clearly begging me to join in.
I felt Emily begin to unbutton my shirt as she softly said, "It would be a shame to waste an opportunity to be with them all, and I'm thinking that possibly you and Leah will be able to enjoy this time together. It will be a good beginning."
Nessie grinned as she stepped up on the porch and turned away for my privacy. "Paul and Embry are up to no good…"
Her statement was interrupted by several rounds of barks and growls from said individuals, but she continued. "…watch out for them tonight, they are full of mischief."
When my paws hit the ground, I spun around to look at Emily. She and Nessie were already entering the house for the night, but she turned slightly to blow me a kiss. "Good night boys…and lady," she added for Leah's benefit.
Nessie's giggles joined hers, and I wondered what they would talk about before sleep claimed them both.
My attention was directed to the pack, though, when Embry had the audacity to bite the end of my tail. Mischief, indeed… If I thought we could get by with it, this would be the perfect evening to mess with the Cullens, but I knew Esme would glare at me if I ruined her Christmas planning. Of all the Cullens, I truly feared her wrath the most. So instead, I launched myself into the woods. Jacob joined me in the lead and together we ran toward the forest.
We stopped in a clearing several miles from the reservation, and immediately the roughhousing began. We funneled our aggression into playful practice until Paul, being Paul, became a little too enthusiastic and I thought we might have to take him and Jared back to Carlisle for treatment if they didn't part.
Instead, when Leah and Jacob placed themselves between them, Paul stretched his head back toward the fat moon above and let out a soulful howl. He was immediately joined by the others, and as the ancient rhythm of our ancestors settled into the group; I was reminded by the book that Nessie had been reading. The Call of the Wild.
The others had teased Jacob mercilessly that she was going to train him to be a sled dog, but she had explained to me that she enjoyed the book because it was about being true to our nature. As I looked around the two packs, I realized that, for once, we were all at peace with ourselves. As my voice joined the others, a line from the book that she had shown me, ran through my head.
"He was sounding the deeps of his nature, and of the parts of his nature that were deeper than he, going back into the womb of Time."
To two of the best Betas in the world:
CullenFest – For her help and patience with my writing. I don't know why she puts up with me.
Crmcneill - for his mighty red pen! If you haven't read his story Downward Spiral please go over and read it. AND …. again - I claim no credit for Henry's incredible car. I was going to go with a simple mustang. All credit to Charles for his finding of the Super Snake! If you would like to look at the car – visit the following site:
http:// www dot youtube dot com/ watch? v=I9nh-UcZq VE&feature= related
