I don't own these characters. They are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer. I only borrow them. No humans are permanently harmed through my actions, though I do confess to harassing, annoying, torturing, and exasperating them – just because it's fun. I make no money from my little stories, sad day. I only play in the sandbox, I didn't build it.

Chapter 12: Declarations and Milestones

Emmett groaned as his mother kissed his cheek. "Mooommmmm," he said with a roll of his eyes.

Bella just shrugged. "What can I say? You're still my baby, even if you are twenty one years old now." She leaned into her husband's side. "You're making me feel old, you know."

Edward Cullen pulled Bella even closer and kissed her temple. "No way, you're still the hottest woman I know," he whispered, just loud enough for the boys to hear. They all moaned out their protest while Dani jumped up and down around them. At four years old, she was constantly on the go.

"Cut the cake, Emmie, cut the cake!" she ordered, hopping up on a chair and barely righting herself in time when she started jumping up and down where she stood.

"Watch it, short stuff," Emmett said.

Jake drawled, "Cut the cake already, before Dani pulls something and hurts herself."

Dani launched her little body at Jake, who caught her just in time. There were a lot of "just in time" incidences in the household where Dani was concerned. Emmett had forgotten just how active his little sister was while he was away at college. It seemed that Dani was determined to give him a refresher course.

Emmett enjoyed just watching his family. Being away had made him appreciate them more. He was only home for the weekend, but he had needed this time. His mom was still googly-eyed over her husband and Pops seemed just as gone over her. As he watched them, he remembered telling Edward Cullen that he didn't have to speak to him just because he was fucking his mother. They had all come a long way since then. A very, very long way – and both good and bad things had happened along the way because that was life.

Just then Dani squealed with laughter as Jake threw her over his shoulder and ran around the room. Jake had had a growth spurt while Emmett was away and was threatening to rival Emmett's size. At fourteen, Jake was well over six feet tall and showed no signs of slowing down. Seth and Sam were having a discussion in the corner. Seth's limp was much less pronounced now, and the scar on his face had faded from the angry red it had been before. It hadn't seemed to have turned off the girls and according to his mother, Seth was rarely home anymore. Sam was...well, he was Sam – an enigma wrapped inside a mystery. All Emmett knew was that a lot of girls seemed to call the house looking for Sam. Emmett knew he'd have to give Sam grief about that, just because he could and it was his sacred duty as a big brother.

His phone went off and Emmett grabbed it off the table before one of his brothers could get it. They'd answer it and give whoever was on the other end a load of bullshit. Brothers... "Hey, this is Em!" There was feminine laughter on the other end, but Emmett already knew it wasn't Rose.

"Hey, Emmett, happy birthday," Sonya said. Emmett couldn't help but smile. They hadn't hooked up since just after Seth's accident, but they had remained good friends.

"Thanks," he answered. "So...how're things with you?"

Sonya laughed. "Good, great in fact."

"Uh oh...do I detect a man in your life?" Emmett teased.

"Maybe," she answered. "Just maybe."

"Well now you have to reveal all," Emmett told her.

"Maybe later, when I know what the hell I'm going to reveal," Sonya said. "It's still the early stages."

"Sounds promising," he said.

"Maybe," she agreed tentatively. "Anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I won't keep you long so that Rose can get through."

Emmett sighed. Rose had been getting skittish again lately and he was at a loss. He and Devon had had many a whispered discussion about the problem. "Yeah, well, don't be so sure that she's gonna call."

"She'll call," Sonya promised. "Trust me."

"From your mouth to Rosie's ear," he joked. Sometimes being in love with Rosalie Hale was an exercise in frustration. It was always two steps forward, one step back. At least there was still progress, he admitted. Rose might be wary, but even she couldn't run forever.

"Good-bye now, Emmett," Sonya said pointedly. "And happy birthday, you big lug."

"Aw, you say the sweetest things," she said sarcastically.

"That's me, Prince Charming," Emmett replied.

~TAOP~

It was just before midnight when his phone rang. It was Rose and she sounded out of breath. "Shit, shit shit!" she was saying as he picked up.

"Rose?"

"Shit, Emmett, I'm so sorry it's so late," Rose huffed. "Damn...I almost missed it! Another five minutes and I would have."

"Slow down, Rose," Emmett said with a smile. She had called him. On his birthday. She hadn't forgotten.

"Fuck me," Rose muttered. "I fell asleep at the goddamned library and I had my mother fucking phone on silent, since I was at the library, and so of course I didn't hear the fucking alarm when it went off because it was fucking silent and I wasn't in my usual spot because some pimply-faced freshman had taken it, so Devon couldn't even find me and-"

"Rose?" Emmett interrupted with a grin.

"Yeah?"

"Take a deep breath." He waited for her to comply. "Okay, now...thank you. I'm very happy you called."

Rose laughed a little and he could hear her opening and closing a door. "Yeah, well, I'm not going to miss your twenty-first birthday, you know."

"Thanks."

"So...did you get what you wanted," she asked quietly.

"Yeah, just a few minutes before midnight."

~TAOP~

Emmett gave his family a triumphant grin as he held his diploma aloft and gave it a good wave. The good thing about being taller than every single one of his classmates was that his family never lost sight of him even as he made his way off stage. He could hear Jake giving an ear-piercing whistle. Or perhaps that was his Aunt Alyssa. She was pretty damned good – and very, very loud.

He had finally graduated from college and he had an interview lined up with the police force in Fayetteville next week. His grandpa Charlie had known some guys who knew some guys, of course, and some phone calls were made. Those connections had gotten him the interview but getting the job was going to be up to him. Emmett felt pretty confident of his chances. He had been at the top of his class in every single area. He ran faster, shot better, and had a knack for remembering laws and codes. He would also, as Sam put it, be intimidating as hell when he crawled out of a squad car.

Just as exciting as the interview was the fact that next week, Rose and Devon were both moving to Fayetteville. They had both lined up jobs and were going to share an apartment. Devon had kept him sane over the last few years, keeping an eye out for Rose and giving him a heads up when he just needed to touch base with her and remind her that he loved her and that he would wait for her.

It had been over two years since Seth's accident and since they had reconnected. Two long years in which Emmett James had had to practice more patience than he had ever suspected he had. Two years during which he had had to keep his mouth shut while Rose casually dated a few guys. If she had done anything else, she hadn't told him and neither had Devon. In fact, he had asked Devon not to share details. He had given Rose the same consideration in return.

There had been a few girls here and there over the past few years. Actually, just two – Sonya and a pretty little redhead named Cherie. He hadn't been serious about either one of them, and had managed to maintain a friendship with Sonya at least. Unfortunately, he couldn't say the same about Cherie. She had been convinced that she would be the one to make him forget Rosalie Hale. She had been wrong. Cherie had not taken defeat graciously, though in Emmett's defense he had never made any promises to her.

As Pops said, sometimes people heard what they wanted to hear. Emmett had steered clear of Cherie after she had pitched a very public fit at one of Jake's football games. Pops had been the one to take Emmett out for a few beers afterwards and set him straight on women and the different way they might view things. After their discussion, Pops had also advised Emmett to keep his dick tucked away until he was ready to use it with more permanent intentions. Pops still had a way with words.

Pushing aside thoughts of the past, Emmett could only grin as he contemplated his future. He had finished his degree; he had an interview lined up for his dream job; and his girl was – finally – moving home.

All bets were officially off. It was time for Rosalie Hale to admit that they were perfect for each other.

~TAOP~

"That's the last box," Devon said as she labeled it.

Rose heaved a tired sigh and collapsed on the bare mattress. "How the hell did we fit all of this into a tiny, little dorm room?"

Devon grinned. "Just talented I guess."

They both flopped back on the bed. "Hard to believe that this time tomorrow we'll be in our new apartment unpacking these boxes," Rose said.

"I can't wait," Devon moaned. "I want to come home from a hard day of work and soak away my troubles in a bath tub while sipping at a glass of wine."

"Ah yes, but who will be with you?" Rose teased.

"Some pretty little thing," Devon replied with a smirk. "And she'll think I'm the most ravishing creature on earth."

"And you aren't?"

"Oh, I am," Devon asserted. "But my pretty little thing will be the first one to recognize that fact."

"Oh. My. God," Rose breathed. "Do I detect a note of longing for an actual relationship from my slutty friend, Devon?"

"Shut up," Dev snapped tiredly.

"I guess it's true what they say," Rose murmured.

"And what's that?"

"Even sluts want to fall in love," Rose replied with a smirk and a little hum of satisfaction.

"I hate you, Hale," Devon sighed.

"Sure you do, sure you do."

~TAOP~

Emmett walked out of the police station, barely resisting the urge to give a little fist pump of triumph. He had walked in an unemployed recent college graduate. Now, he was walking out as the newest member of the Fayetteville police force. He flipped open his phone. "Hey, Pops?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm in," Emmett said, hardly able to contain his excitement.

"Well, this calls for a celebration," Pops said. "I'll tell your mom and we'll plan a little something for this weekend."

"Yeah, thanks," Emmett said. "I want to call Grandpa Charlie and tell him thanks."

"You do that," Pops said. "He's very proud of you, Emmett. And so are we."

"Thanks, Pops," Emmett said and then he hung up. For just a moment, he really missed his father and wished he was around to share in the excitement. There was just a pang of sorrow and loss and then it was gone.

Life was still pretty damned good.

~TAOP~

He ran into Sonya at the gas station. He hugged her closely before noticing the tall, slender young man still pumping their gas. Sonya tugged at his hand. "Come on, Em, there's someone I want you to meet."

The man held out his hand. "Hey, I'm Brandon Collier."

"Emmett James," Emmett said and recognition sparked in Brandon's eyes. "Pleased to meet you."

"Nice to meet you," Brandon said politely. Sonya slipped easily into Brandon's embrace.

"I brought Brandon home to meet my family," she admitted almost shyly.

Emmett looked at the two of them and was smart enough to recognize the look of a man in love when he saw it. He held out his hand again. "Congrats, man. Sonya's the best."

"Yeah," Brandon agreed easily, not even trying to play coy. Emmett liked him immediately. "She sure is."

Sonya gave a little laugh and stood on her toes to give Brandon's cheek a kiss. Then she shot a sly look Emmett's way. "I ran into Rosalie," she said.

"Yeah?" Emmett asked, playing it casual.

"Yeah," Sonya replied. "She said that your parents had invited her family over for a little celebration."

"Yeah, I heard that." Playing it cool, he assured himself.

Sonya just smirked and shook her head and then she looked up at Brandon. "You're looking at a brand new police officer, Brandon."

"That's great, man," Brandon said with a wide grin. "Congrats, that's great to get a job so soon after graduation."

"Well, come on, would you resist arrest if you saw this beast chasing after you?" Sonya teased.

"No way in hell," Brandon said.

"He's a natural," Sonya said. "He's wanted to be a cop ever since I can remember."

"It feels weird, knowing I start next week," Emmett admitted. "Sort of seems like I should feel grown up."

"And do you?" Sonya asked.

Emmett shrugged. "Not quite yet," he confessed. He knew what was missing – who was missing. But the time had come.

~TAOP~

The moment Emmett opened the door he was assailed by the noise. His family, he admitted, was loud. It wasn't just sheer numbers; they were just loud in general. Especially his siblings, with Dani leading the pack. She had seen him walk in and launched herself at him with single-minded determination and absolute trust that he would catch her.

He did.

He had had a lot of practice over the years. At almost six years of age, Dani Cullen was a fiery-headed ball of trouble, speed, and a general disregard for danger. Emmett wondered how often he would be stopping her for speeding over the coming years. He had a feeling she would be one of his most frequent customers if the way she rode a bike was any indication.

"Emmie Bear!" Dani said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a hug. Then she leaned back and batted her eye lashes. "Guess who's here, Em?"

"Darth Vader?" he guessed.

She rolled her green eyes at him. "Guess again."

"Uh...Yoda?"

"Emmie..." her voice was impatient.

"Uh...okay, I give up," he said as he tweaked her nose.

"Rose is here...with Devon," Dani said. She had fallen in love with Devon and followed her around constantly when Devon was in the vicinity.

"Ah..."

Dani wriggled to get out of his arms. "Come on, let's find 'em," she said.

Emmett wasn't sure he was ready to run into Rose just yet. He had hoped to have time to prepare himself mentally and physically. He hadn't been intimate with anyone for months now, and it had been years since he had made love to Rose after Seth's accident. His body tended to react in predictable ways when Rose was around.

Of course, now things were different. He had given her the time she said she needed. She had gotten her degree and started her career. He had done the same. By moving back to Fayetteville, Emmett figured she was telling him she was ready for him...for them.

Then she was there, coming to a halt just a few feet away from him. "Hey," Rose said lamely. Devon rolled her eyes at the two of them and then leaned down to pick up Dani.

"Come on, short stuff, let's leave these two idiots alone," Devon said.

Dani nodded so vigorously that her red curls shook. "Yeah, let's leave the idiots alone."

Emmett ignored them and kept his eyes on Rose.

"So...you're back in town," he said slowly.

Rose nodded warily. "Yeah, I start my new job on Monday."

Emmett shoved his hands in his pockets, mostly to keep from grabbing Rose and shoving her up against a wall and humping her like the horny dog he was. "That's great."

"And you're going to be a cop," Rose said somewhat breathlessly. "Just what you've always wanted."

"One of the things anyway," Emmett said softly and took a step closer.

Rose's eyes bounced to the right and the left, maybe looking for an escape route. "Is that right?"

He nodded slowly. "That's right," he agreed. He took another step closer and then he was so close that his lips were beside her ear and he felt the heat of her body. "And Rose?" he whispered.

"Yeah?"

He smiled and lightly touched her cheek. "Game on, baby."