Chapter 13: Life is a Beautiful Complication
By: courthale
POV: Emmett
"Aiden!" I yelled with a laugh as I chased him through the yard. He giggled and ran faster. I wasn't really going full speed. It was just fun to have him thinking he could get away from me.
I caught up with him and picked him up, throwing him over my shoulder. He giggled louder and pounded my back. I let out a loud laugh as he smacked me harder.
I looked over at the lounge chairs and saw Bella with Evan in her lap, watching us with a smile. Evan seemed to be looking through a book while she watched Aiden and me play. I smiled at her and she smiled back brightly.
God, she's so beautiful.
I shook my head at that thought. It was the last thing I should be thinking about. It was almost like a timer would go off in my head to remind me of that fact. I would always have to shake off the feelings because it wasn't right for me to think about those things. She was Bella. I was Emmett. We were partners in something bigger than us.
It had been two months since I had found out I was a father.
It was hard to adjust at first. I just always wanted to make them happy and smile no matter what. Every time I heard one of them laugh or giggle, my chest would swell and I would feel content. This led to some interesting situations; I came over with a ton of toys just so I could see them smile. It was one of my first lessons as a parent.
Don't spoil the kids.
My problem was, I wanted to give them the world, the moon and the stars, wishing I really could. Things just revolved around making them happy. I was a billionaire with unlimited resources who could give them plenty. I slowed down though. Even buying them things that were more practical.
It became a regular event for me to have dinner over here. We even went to my apartment a few times. The boys adjusted really well to my presence and I was thankful. Evan was apprehensive at first, but that was just who he was. When he did open up to me, it was that much sweeter. He would give me hugs and small kisses when they would go to bed every night. I was here as often as possible, and when I couldn't be, I missed them more than I could have ever thought possible.
In those few months things were blissful and perfect. I had a reason to wake up in the morning and something to dream about at night. I finally felt whole. My life would always revolve around my sons.
"Daddy!" I turned and saw Evan smiling brightly. He waved and then pointed. I turned and saw Bella grabbing the garden hose. My brow furrowed and she just smirked.
"What…?" I started to ask, but then she sprayed me with the hose on full blast. Aiden squealed and ran out of the way. I stood still, stunned by her actions, and turned to Evan, seeing that Aiden had taken a seat next to him. They were both smiling and clapping, clearly entertained by what mommy had done to daddy.
I looked over at Bella, who seemed to know exactly what I was thinking. I ran towards them, soaking wet, and charged. They both squealed and then Bella sprayed the hose at us all.
They were giggling and she was laughing as we all played. I grabbed one in each arm and sat them on their feet. We were all wet from head to toe; the blonde hair that stuck to their foreheads was a bit darker from the wetness. I brushed some out of Evan's eyes and he smiled up at me.
"Let's get mommy," I whispered and they both nodded with big smiles. I looked over at Bella and smiled. She shook her head no and dropped the hose, "Get her!" I shouted.
They screamed and charged after her and she squealed. She ran to the corner of the yard, but I got to her faster, wrapping my arms around her. She gasped as her back collided with my chest and I groaned.
I held her to me tightly, not realizing what I was doing. She sighed and gripped my forearms. I buried my face into her neck and breathed in deeply. My hair dripped down onto her and her chest. I watched the droplet disappear into her shirt, knowing that the path would be even better followed by my tongue.
Suddenly two small forms collided into us and we snapped out of our haze. I let my arms drop and she stepped away from me.
She looked up at me then averted her eyes, and looked down at the boys. I stood there as the boys just jumped up and down, trying to get her soaked too. She laughed lightly and picked Aiden up. He hugged her tight and got her almost as wet as he was.
I saw Evan and picked him up as well. He smiled and put his arms around my neck, laying his head on my shoulder. He seemed to be exhausted all the sudden. I looked down at my watch, thankful it was waterproof, and saw that it was just about naptime.
We laid them down after all four of us got changed into some dry clothes. I got my clothes from my gym bag that I always kept in the car, thankful they were clean. The boys were pretty much zombies, so it didn't take long at all. Aiden fell asleep in my arms and I laid him down.
We both walked out of their room quietly and to the kitchen. We worked in silence, getting supper ready for later. I had been here so often that I knew where everything was and helped whenever I could. Tonight, it was an easy task of peeling potatoes on my part.
"How's work?" She asked while cutting up some chicken. I shrugged and kept on task.
"Same old, same old," I said and smiled at her. She bit her lip and nodded. "How's your photography going?" She smiled at the question.
"I've had some really great buyers lately. I was even interviewed for an article," She said, while giving me her heart-melting smile.
"That's fantastic." I nodded.
Later that night, I laid in my lonely "baby proofed to the max" apartment. I got this one great company that did the whole place for me. It was really nice and gave me peace of mind, considering the boys loved to get into everything.
I thought about everything and nothing all at once. I drifted off to dreams of my sons as they grew, learning everything they could.
I woke up with a big fucking smile on my face, it seemed that the day would be perfect...
Then, my phone rang.
I groaned when I saw who it was, "Good morning, Garrett," I greeted my publicist.
"Not really, I'm fucking swamped because of you," He said sharply into the phone. I frowned and was about to ask him what he meant when he beat me to it, "Your little love child fiasco is out. People know. TMZ broke the news. Apparently, the person who installed all your little gadgets for baby proofing blabbed to anyone who would listen and pay a buck."
I felt dread spread through me and got up quickly, "How much do they know?" I asked and threw on my jeans that were lying next to my bed.
He sighed, "Everything; Names. Addresses. Birth dates. They have it all, Emmett. I don't know how, but they got all of it," He said in a tired voice.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed, "Call me when you get more. I have to go make sure it's all…." I began to say, but then my phone beeped. I looked down and saw Bella was calling me, "She's calling me now. Call me," I hung up on Garrett and greeted Bella, "Hey," I said, grabbing a shirt from over my head in the closet. I put her on speakerphone and pulled the shirt on.
"Emmett," She said in a tense voice, "They're everywhere outside."
"Shit! I'll be there soon," I said and held the phone back up to my ear. I grabbed my wallet and keys, and then slipped on the shoes that were at the front door.
"Hurry," She replied.
I hung up my phone and put it in my pocket, along with my wallet. I rushed out of my apartment and made it down to the garage, getting into my car in no time. I didn't spot any reporters outside the building. It seemed they were harassing only Bella this morning, and that made me even more fucking pissed off. She didn't need this. I would take anything for them not to be put into this.
Take my fucking picture, assholes. Just leave my family alone.
It was after rush hour, but still kind of busy on the freeway. I sat impatiently at all the red lights and even sped way too much.
I pulled into Bella's street and all the anxiety flared even more. They were all parked and waiting for her to show them something, anything. I guess all the time out of the spotlight made them grab a hold of the first thing they could. I slowly paced up to the house and parked. They hadn't noticed me yet, but they would soon. I had not missed this shit one bit in my quiet time.
I took a deep breath and opened my door. It was like Pandora's box was opened. They all turned and saw me, rushing towards me. I started to walk faster, till I was jogging. I dodged the cameras and questions as best I could. This was not what I wanted to deal with.
"Emmett, how long have you known of these children?"
"Have you been keeping it a secret all this time?"
"Who is this Isabella Swan?"
"How long have you known her?"
"Mr. McCarty!"
"Emmett!"
I ran to the door and tested the knob to see if it would open. I was part glad and part upset that it was locked; Glad because it meant she was keeping them out, and mad because I just wanted to get the fuck away from these people.
I knocked loudly and fiercely. They were on the lawn and right behind me. I didn't even process how much this was upsetting me, all I could think about was them. I needed my sons to be okay.
Today is not a good day. You were so wrong.
The door swung open and I ran inside, shutting it quickly.
"They're everywhere," I said, looking at Bella. She stared at me wide eyed and nodded.
"I know," she whispered, "I'm trying to get the boys to calm down, but Evan is getting anxious, and Aiden is going stir crazy, and I don't know what to do," Her voice cracked as she turned and headed to the living room. I followed behind her quickly, "They were ringing the door bell earlier," She informed, "Are they even allowed to do that?"
No fucking way!
I wanted to kill everyone of those mother fuckers out there for upsetting my family this way. But right now I couldn't show this rage in front of Bella and the boys, it would not be helpful to the situation.
"I'm so sorry. It was those baby proofers. They didn't understand the meaning of the word 'discreet' apparently," I said, running a hand over my face, trying to calm myself down.
Evan sat on the couch with a look on his face that I knew all too well.
"He's having an attack," I felt panic as I rushed over to him. It was like everything else was suddenly forgotten. The only thing that mattered was my son.
"Oh, god," Bella sounded the way I felt inside; my heart was being squeezed and tugged at. This was not happening. How could this be happening now?
She disappeared into the bathroom, while I sat by Evan and pulled him to me.
"Breathe. Breathe with me." I put his back to my chest and tried to calm him down.
Bella came running back in with his inhaler, but with the way he was breathing, I knew it was too late for that. She shook it and put it to his lips, "Puff puff," She whispered kindly. He opened his mouth and took a puff.
Aiden walked into the room, carrying his favorite Hot Wheel and sat by me timidly. He could sense that things were not right.
"Ev be okay," He said and patted his brother's leg.
"Mummy," Evan whimpered. He was getting worked up and his breathing was even shallower. He was getting anxious, so he wasn't calming down any.
"I know, baby. Just calm down," There was a begging to her voice as she put his inhaler down. She looked up at me, and I could see the fear in her eyes, just as clearly as I could hear it in her voice, "It's never been this bad before."
"Let's get him in the car. We're taking him to the hospital," I told her and stood with him in my arms. I turned him around and he put his arms around my neck, "Just breathe with me, okay buddy?" He nodded his head against me, but his breathes were the same.
I needed to be strong. I needed to make this better. But inside, I was so fucking scared.
"My car is in the garage. It'll be easier to get to mine than yours." She ran out of the room and I could hear her picking things up, "Let's go!" She yelled. I walked briskly with Evan in my arms and Aiden holding my hand.
"Come on, guys," I said, keeping a quick pace. Bella opened the door to the garage and turned around to look at us. I could see the fear in her eyes and knew I most likely looked the same. I tried to mask it because if Evan felt it from me, he would only get worse.
She picked up Aiden from my side and went into the garage. She opened the left side back door and began to strap him in. I looked at the other car seat and debated what was best. He needed to be in it, but he also needed the controlled breathing to help keep him as calm as possible.
I groaned and began to hook him in. I would just sit beside him to keep him calm. I buckled him in just as Bella sat in the driver's seat and started the car. I climbed inside the car and slammed the door closed. She opened the garage door and quickly backed up.
The photographers and reporters all rushed to the car as we got to the end of the driveway. I looked to my side, Evan had his hands over his ears with his eyes shut tightly. I could see his eyes moisten and could tell instantly that he was crying. I held his face in my hands and had him look at me.
"Move!" I heard Bella shout at them from the front seat. She quickly stopped, keeping calm for Evan I assumed, only losing control for a split second.
I looked over at Aiden and he looked up at me, "Keep calm, buddy," I told him.
I turned back to his brother, my son, "Look at me," I whispered. He opened his blue eyes and stared into mine, "It'll be okay. I'm so sorry," I said brokenly. He had no idea why I was sorry, but he just nodded and closed his eyes again. I put my cheek against his and hummed what I knew to be his favorite song. I had heard Bella singing it to him numerous times.
"You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine."
Bella finally got past the crowd and drove away from the house. I caught her eyes in the rear view mirror and she nodded.
"You make me happy,
When skies are gray."
She began singing with me to help ease the tension. Evan finally opened his eyes and looked up at me.
"Daddy," Aiden whispered. I turned my body back over to my other son and his eyes were fixed on his brother. He knew something was wrong. Something was not right with his other half.
"He's going to be okay," I said. He nodded, but never moved his eyes from his brother.
"We're almost there," Bella said and sped through the streets.
We parked outside the hospital a few minutes later. We rushed inside quickly. Bella was holding Evan, needing to be close to her son. I carried Aiden and he clung to me tightly. We went to the counter and I spoke first, "I need to speak with Dr. Volturi," I said and glanced around. The girl looked at me confused for a second, "Now!" I commanded.
She picked up the phone quickly and dialed a number, "Dr. Volturi has someone asking for him," She said, then paused. She looked over at me and then at the frazzled Bella holding Evan. She frowned at Evan and finally seemed to grasp why we were here, "Name?" She asked me.
"Emmett McCarty," I said in a quiet voice. Her eyes sparked with recognition and she nodded.
"Mr. McCarty is here," She informed, before giving a quick goodbye.
"He's on his way down right now, Mr. McCarty," She smiled. I nodded and ushered Bella over to a few chairs where we could see when he came in.
Not a minute later, he stepped out of the elevator in his white lab coat, his suit pants and button up underneath; It was a light blue shirt with a navy blue pinstriped tie. He was pretty much the picture of importance, which was exactly why I wanted him to treat my son. I wanted the best.
"Emmett, what's going on?" He asked as he approached us.
"It's our son," Bella cut in, "He's having an attack, and we can't get him calm."
"Come on," He said, ushering us to walk with him.
Fifteen minutes later, I walked out of the room where Aro and a nurse were treating my son. I paced back and forth as I thought about what could have happened today. All the scenarios that I had been pushing to the back of my mind came rushing towards me like a wave crashing onto shore.
Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My knees gave out and I slid down against the wall of the hospital hallway. In the back of my mind, I knew the outcome of today could've been bad, but I didn't acknowledge it. Now that all was safe and sound, it was all I could think about.
The thoughts swirled in my head as I sat there with my head in my hands. Silent tears ran down my cheeks as I thought about my boy, my sweet, shy, precious boy. He was so scared.
He's okay now. He's okay.
I had to tell myself over and over. The worst was through. He'd be okay now. I finally sucked in a deep breath of air, calming myself so there wouldn't be two attacks today.
I felt her presence instantly and then her small hand reached out to me. Her arms went around me and I let go even more. I could feel her shaking with me. We both leaned on each other. Our worst fear had almost come to light and we had both been so scared.
"I was so scared," I whispered as she held me tighter.
"Me too," She said and let out a small sob. I held her closer to me to where she was sitting in my lap. I breathed in her scent and let it calm me fractionally. She was so soft and perfect. I let all things of the last few months of my life flood my brain to keep me grounded.
My sons.
Their smiles.
Their giggles.
Their innocence.
Bella's eyes.
Her hair.
Her scent.
All of it came to me and I felt myself relax completely. I held her as she cried and rubbed her back soothingly. Eventually, she quieted, but stayed in her position.
"Where's Aiden?" I asked her quietly.
"The nurse is watching him," She responded and buried her face into my neck, breathing in deep.
I don't think she even noticed her actions. It just all felt so natural being like this; being the support for each other.
"You were so great with them," She whispered, "You did everything perfectly."
"I was so lost," I said into her neck. She shivered and pulled back from me. I thought she was getting out of our embrace, but she was only pulling back to look into my eyes. We continued to sit on the hospital floor like that.
She put my face in her hands and looked straight at me. Her thumbs brushed over my cheeks and under my eyes. She studied my face as if it held all the secrets. She leaned forward, as if to kiss me and rested her forehead on mine.
"I don't know what I would've done without you," She whispered and looked straight into my eyes. I stared back as my hands rested on her hips.
"You are a such a great mother to those two, you would've been perfect," I told her, letting one hand trail up her back and held the back of her neck. She sighed and closed her eyes.
"I don't know what I'm doing most of the time. It's all just flying by the seat of my pants and hoping for the best. I'm surprised…" I stopped her quickly, the only way I could think of. I didn't want her to think like that, and my only resolution seemed to have silenced her perfectly. The only problem was, I didn't think my methods through.
I kissed her.
And not just one of those pecks on the lips, I actually fucking kissed her. Tongue in mouth assault kiss. I let my brain catch up to my actions, but my brain was hazy and I didn't want to stop.
Then, she moaned.
She moaned and pulled me closer. I was just about to put my hands on her ass when I heard a throat clear.
I pulled away from her and looked up to see Aro. But no, not just Aro, our sons were holding onto both his hands and giggling. I looked over to Bella who blushed and looked down. She was smiling though, so I took that as reassurance. I pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek.
"Let's take our sons home," I whispered. She nodded and smiled.
We both stood and held out our arms. Aiden ran to his mother while Evan made his way to me. They were giggling as we picked them up.
God, I love hearing those happy sounds.
"These are some amazing kids you have, Em," Aro said with a loud laugh.
"I know," I brushed my fingers over Evan's cheek and he smiled at me.
Aro walked with us as we made our way out of the hospital.
"Are you coming to the gala next month?" He asked as we stopped at the front doors.
"I guess we'll see," I said, gesturing towards the boys. He laughed while shaking his head.
"I remember those days. Demetri and Alec were little hellions," He said and tickled Aiden who shrieked and giggled, trying to squirm away. "But in all seriousness, we would love for you to be there. It is the McCarty Wing that's being showcased, in your grandfather's memory. It would be great of you to be there," He told me and I nodded.
"I'll be there. For Pops," I smiled. He gave me a smirk and then nodded.
"I'll let you guys go," He turned to Evan, "And you, mister, need to slow down. I gave momma something for you, so hopefully the next time I see you, you'll be happier." He spoke to him with a smile.
Evan held out his arms and gave him a quick hug, "Such a big boy," Aro chuckled. Evan blushed and burrowed his face into my neck.
"Let's go," I said after our goodbyes.