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 20: Those Four Important Words

Rose stood back with satisfaction as she stared at the sage green walls. Emmett wrapped his arms around her and she settled back against him with a tired sigh. "We finished," she said.

"Looks great, babe," Emmett murmured, placing a tender kiss on her ear. "Any kid will be lucky to have this room." He smiled tenderly. "Do you realize that our kid could already be born? He or she could just be waiting for us to find them," he added in a tone of wonder. "Our son or daughter could already exist..."

She turned in his embrace and he smiled when he saw the smudge of green paint on her cheek. "We'll have a good life, don't you think?"

"Nah," he shook his head.

She looked indignant and he laughed. Then he kissed the tip of her nose. "We'll have a great life," he corrected. "God, you're so easy..."

"Are you trying to pick a fight a week before our wedding?" she asked as she began tugging at the button on his jeans.

"God no," he moaned as her hand slipped down into his boxers. "I'm not stupid."

"All evidence to the contrary, of course," Rose pointed out dryly.

"Hey, I was smart...enough...to love...you," he panted.

"True," Rose allowed, pushing his jeans and boxers down his hips. She sank to her knees and his legs started shaking when her tongue ran up his suddenly hard length. "Hmmm...I think you're the one who's easy," she mocked. And gave him another lick for good measure.

"Rose?" Emmett asked. "Here?"

"I've heard you should...you know...initiate every room of a new house," Rose said before cupping his balls.

"I'm totally on board with that plan," Emmett said as he fell to the floor and took her completely down with him.

Rose laughed when he couldn't quite get her bra undone. Emmett grunted when she ripped his tee-shirt as she tugged it off his shoulders. They both moaned when he thrust up into her as she straddled him right there on the floor. He would have embarrassed at how quickly he had come if Rose hadn't already yelled. Twice.

When she finally collapsed beside him, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. They stared up at the soothing green walls. He brushed his hands over her arm and breathed deeply, taking in her scent mingled with that of the fresh paint. It was the smell of home – their home.

"Babe?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah?" she murmured sleepily.

"Not to break the mood...but I think I have a paint brush up my ass."

~~TAOP~~

Emmett adjusted the tie. Again. He tugged at his collar. Again. He shrugged his huge shoulders in the tuxedo jacket. Again. Seth came to stand beside him. "Gotta get a hold of your nerves, buddy," Seth advised quietly.

"I'm not nervous," Emmett muttered as he tugged at his collar.

"Okay," Seth said amiably. "Sure you aren't."

Jake snorted from behind them. "Maybe someone should have the birds and bees talk with Em so he's not all nervous about doing the dirty deed tonight."

Emmett whipped around and was prepared to knock Jake upside his head when Pops walked in and stepped between them. "Jake," he said with a warning look.

Jake snorted again. "Not my fault that Emmett's about to pee himself," he said with a grin.

"You're not helping matters," Pops chided.

"Not my job to help," Jake replied. "I'm the little brother. It's my job to be a pain in the ass. I'm just doing my job."

"Your mother wouldn't like to hear you swearing so much," Pops reminded him.

Jake pretended indifference but he looked a little worried. It was Emmett's turn to snort. "Now who's ready to pee their pants?" he mocked.

"Shut up," Jake shot back.

Seth shook his head and put his hands up. "Now boys, let's play nice," he asked.

"He started it," Emmett and Jake said together.

Pops laughed and Seth just sighed.

At that moment, Bella opened the door to the small room and she looked at the handsome males assembled there. At her side was Sam, who had been helping her with Dani. Dani was now safely being watched over by her Aunt Alyssa, with Alice running back up. With Dani, there always needed to be a back up. "Oh my," Bella breathed, tears springing to her eyes. "You all look so..." She sighed and put her hand over her heart. "It's too much handsomeness for one room," she teased with a little smile.

"Aw, Mom," Emmett said, turning bright red.

"Mom, Em needs you to tell him all about S-E-X and what he should expect tonight. He's a little nervous and he-"

"That's enough," Bella said softly, but that was all it took. Jake shut his mouth and sat down on the small sofa, his ears flushing darkly.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Bella gave Jake's hair a ruffle on her way to Emmett, just to let him know that all was forgiven. She came to a halt in front of her oldest son and tilted her head to study him. "Well now, don't you look...like your father," she finished quietly. She brushed at his jacket, smoothing her hands over his broad shoulders. "He would have been very happy to see you so happy," she said with a shaky smile. "I can't believe you're getting married. It seems just yesterday you were biting your little brother on the foot." Emmett groaned at that reference, but Bella just smiled more widely. She turned to her husband and reached for him as she reached for Emmett's hand as well, linking the past and the present and the future with her touch. "What do you think, Edward? Will they be as happy as we've been?"

"Don't see how that's possible," Edward replied in a choked voice. "But I think they'll give us a run for the money."

"You guys aren't gonna cry, are you?" Jake asked in disbelief.

"Oh hush," Bella said with a little sniff. "My oldest son is getting married. I'm allowed to cry a few ladylike tears."

"Yeah, but Pops is a man," Jake said, hero worship evident in his voice.

"You'll understand one day," Edward promised Jake.

"Nope," Jake answered with a definitive shake of his head. "I'm never gonna cry."

"Okay, Jake," Bella said with a little wink. "I'll remind of you that boast one day."

Seth stepped up and glanced at his watch. "It's time," he announced quietly. He gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "They'll be waiting to seat you and Aunt Alice."

Bella nodded and pressed her lips together. "All right," she said, and she turned. But then she stopped and turned back to Emmett. She kissed his cheek. "You're a good man, Emmett James," she said. "You'll be a good husband to Rose and a wonderful father to any children you might have. You've had two very good examples of the best of both those roles. I have faith in you. I love you, Emmett, and I'm so very proud of the man you've become."

Then she hugged him close one more time and hurried out of the room.

The rest of them were silent for a long moment. "Wow," Sam said. "Mom sure knows how to make an exit."

They all laughed, and the tension was broken.

~~TAOP~~

Emmett leaned down to kiss his wife, daring to slip her a little bit of tongue even though everyone they knew and loved was watching them. He felt Rose return the favor and then close her lips to place a chaste, bride appropriate kiss on his mouth. He laughed against her lips, conceding defeat. They turned to their guests, each of them grinning widely.

What started out as hesitant applause as the chaplain introduced them soon turned to a raucous, rowdy show of approval. Emmett gave a fist pump as he escorted his new wife back down the aisle. Bella leaned into Edward's side as he offered her his arm and sighed happily, wiping away her tears. He leaned in close and whispered, "You've raised a very fine son, Mrs. Cullen."

"I couldn't have done it without you, you know," she replied, which might have been why Edward's eyes were suspiciously shiny as he walked with his wife behind the newly married couple.

~~TAOP~~

Emmett stood up and lightly tapped his glass. Every guest fell silent and all eyes turned toward the groom. He smiled broadly. "First, I'd like to thank Mom and Pops for...well, for everything." Edward and Bella nodded and then she kissed her husband's cheek and whispered something in his ear that had him swallowing hard.

Emmett turned to his brothers. "To Seth, who kept me sane while I tried to keep my siblings in line." Seth raised his glass in acknowledgement. "To Sam, who's the only bona fide genius I'll ever meet in my life." Sam rolled his eyes. "And to Jakey...excuse me, Jake, who's always been there to make me grateful that I'm the oldest and therefore his boss." Seth and Sam hooted with laughter. The crowd joined in and Jake's innate good humor allowed him to appreciate Emmett's jest. Emmett then looked at Dani, who was wearing quite a bit of frosting on her face. And her dress. And in her hair. She grinned at her brother. "And of course, I have to say I love you to my own little speed demon."

Dani just beamed and returned to eating her cake.

Finally, Emmett turned to Rose and raised his glass. "But most of all, I want to thank my beautiful, beautiful wife for finally making me the happiest guy in the world. It took us a long time, baby, but it was worth every second." He leaned down and kissed her and the crowd "Ahh-ed" at his gesture. Then he straightened. "Before I forget, I want to tell her the four most important words in the world on this most momentous of days." He saw bewilderment flash across her beautiful face. "Remember when you told me it would never happen? That you and me would never be you and me? And I said we would?" Rose blushed and laughed. He kissed her again.

Emmett took a sip of champagne and shrugged. "I just want to remind you..." Rose looked at him curiously. Emmett grinned. "I told you so."