A/N: Hi guys! I tried to address a few loose ends in this chapter regarding the time travel magic. I decided not to focus too heavily on this because it's time travel...the paradoxes are never ending and trying to resolve everything is just a freakin' nightmare. Instead, I just wanted to put most of the emphasis on the real reason Bella and Jasper ended up in 1935 to begin with...
Also, I'm moving Bella and Emmett's relationship along, that means things are getting very juicy between these two.
Regarding errors, I'm sure this chapter is probably loaded with them. I've been swamped at work and home, so when I do find a few minutes to write, I'm just eager to get it all down as best as I can, then get it out to you guys :-) Please pardon any glaring typos and grammatical mistakes, all sorts of things start to make it past your eyes when your exhausted.
As always, a giant thank you to each and every one of you. I get positively giddy when I see a review...and don't think that I don't appreciate them just because I don't reply to each of them (between work and chaos at home, I'm rarely on line...when I am on the computer it's usually spreadsheets or writing). The truth is, I love them, and I am very thankful to you for taking the time to express your opinions to me.
Now, on with the show!
Legal: Don't own Twilight, but I do so love to play with SM's characters.
Monday came all too quickly, but at least I was able to spend time with Emmett before classes resumed. I was more than a little apprehensive about school. After all, I'd been away for nearly a year, and I had no clue what to expect regarding my classes in this new time line. Blessedly, I grew more comfortable as the day dragged on, finding that I could follow each class with no problem. Heck, even Chemistry turned out better than I'd expected, and I was confident that I'd aced the exam.
It became apparent that I'd maintained the same circle of friends in the new Forks as the old Forks. Jessica, Mike, Ben, Angela…the gang's all here I found myself saying by lunch. Given that we were friends, they were less than surprised that I broke my wrist over spring break. New time line, same ol' Bella.
"It's spring break, Bella," Mike chimed jokingly as he, Alice, Jasper, Edward, Jessica, and I all made our way toward the parking lot at the end of the day. "You didn't literally have to break anything."
Jessica laughed loudly, obviously still gunning for Mike's attention in this time line as well. I offered him a weak hardy-har-har type of laugh, wishing everyone would just drop the damn cast issue.
"I hate to see what she breaks over the summer!" Mike roared as we rounded Tyler's van, tapping me lightly on the shoulder with his fist, cueing another round of overdone laughter from Jessica and an obligatory chuckle from myself.
"You hittin' on my girl again, Newton," Emmett said from the other side of Tyler's van, hidden from our view until we fully rounded the vehicle. He reached out to take my bag and I eagerly gave him the heavy canvas. Despite its weight, Emmett maneuvered the bag with ease.
Mike went positively ashen when he looked into Emmett's honey colored eyes. He stumbled closer to Jessica, who also appeared to be trying to walk backward. "N-n-no," Mike stuttered and I bit my lip to stop my laughter from bubbling to the surface. "I…she, I-I, I'm with Jess—and Bella broke her wrist, so—"
I'd watched Mike suffer enough for one afternoon. I patted Emmett's large chest, smiling when he dropped his eyes to mine. He wore a hint of a smile, but he still looked menacing. "Oh, Mike was just giving me a hard time about being so clumsy."
Emmett's eyes remained fixed on mine. "Mmm-hmm," he hummed while looking at me before turning his attention back to Mike, addressing him again. "So…we're good? We don't need to…talk again, right?"
Talk? My mind raced back to Alice's words and her explanation that Emmett let everyone know that I was pretty much off limits. I briefly wondered if that's what Emmett was eluding to Mike, and if so, I felt tremendous pity for the poor little mortal. It would be intimidating enough for any human to face a vampire. Emmett, though, would be terrifying.
"Oh! No—Jess, I'm with Jessica," Mike said quickly, nodding with his brows raised high on his forehead as he held up Jessica's hand in his own. "We're good." Jessica nodded too, eyes still glued to Emmett.
Emmett turned his attention away from the pair, pulling me to him as he leaned against his Jeep. "I missed you today," he said, his free arm wrapping around my waist to draw me fully against his body.
"I missed you too," I said, a little breathless at his proximity. I'd forgotten the impact vampires have on us mere humans, especially when said vampire is tryingto be a panty-melter. I placed my hands on either side of his shoulders, loving the way the bulky cord of muscle pulled tight at my touch. Emmett's sexy smirk let me know that he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
He lowered his head, kissing my neck seductively, instantly causing me to arch my neck toward him. I knew instinctively that the kiss was more than a greeting or a way to show me just how much he missed me. This kiss was a brand; a searing visual for everyone watching…and believe me, everyone was watching. Emmett was leaving no doubt that I belonged to him. At the moment, I was more than willing to comply with that possessiveness.
The kiss was short, but Emmett achieved his intended goal. When I finally peeled my eyes away from his, I turned to see Alice and Jasper smirking at us from Edward's Volvo while Mike, Jessica, and seemingly the entire student body of Forks High School looked on. I felt my cheeks heat before turning back to Em.
"Let's get you home," Emmett said, hoisting my bag up on his shoulder as he playfully slapped my bottom.
I shook my head at his display, smiling softly to myself as he opened my door. I knew vampires were possessive, and I realized that he probably felt the need to reclaim me in front of…well, everyone apparently, but still. I really hated being the center of attention. Even when Em made it feel so very good.
I spent a few hours at the Cullen home before Emmett took me to Charlie's. He needed to hunt, and Charlie would likely be less than eager to allow me to spend the night given I had classes the next day.
Dinner went well, with Charlie being as talkative as ever. That, of course, meant we spent most of the evening in companionable silence. When he fell asleep in the recliner, I decided to finish studying upstairs so I covered him with a blanket and headed to my room.
I lasted about one hour before I decided I would need a little nap of my own, opting to lay my head on the desk for just a few minutes. When I woke up, I was tucked in bed, pajamas in place, snuggled next to Emmett.
"Hey," I managed, registering my surroundings. For one, brief, second, I had a flash of Emmett and I back in Tennessee, lying in my too small bed in the room across from his apartment.
"Hey," he replied before placing a soft kiss on my nose. "Go back to sleep, sweetheart," he whispered softly as he pulled me against him.
I nodded sleepily before complying, unable to keep my eyes open.
I woke up the next morning still in Emmett's arms. "My clothes…I'm in my pajamas," I said in lieu of a morning greeting.
He smiled warmly anyway. "And good morning to you too," he laughed.
I froze when Emmett laughed, listening for Charlie.
"He's gone…left for the station early this morning."
"Ugh," I said, diving deeper under the covers as I snuggled closer to his frame, "let's stay here all day then."
Emmett dipped his head to kiss me, but just as he deepened the kiss, he broke away. "No can do. Alice would kill me…especially this close to graduation."
"But I'm eighteen, I can write my own excuse," I whined, knowing I had little to no chance of winning this one. When Emmett just propped himself up on his elbow to smile down at my poutyface, I changed my tactic. "I could, uh, make it worth your while, Mr. Cullen." I tried to sound sexy despite my audible pause. Oh please, please, let that have been sexy.
Emmett's eyes darkened marginally and I took that as a good sign. I pulled him to me, kissing his lips softly at first before finding myself in a heat-searing scorcher of a kiss. His tongue pushed against my own and I reveled in the flood of warmth that spread in my abdomen as his hands raked across my backside, grasping my ass and pulling me roughly to him. I felt his erection straining against his sweats and I reached out to caress him.
Just then, my phone chirped, alerting me to a new text message.
"Alice," Emmett and I both said aloud, our breath coming quickly despite his lack of need to breathe. We laughed softly…not the kind of laugh that implies humor, but instead the type of laugh that says I'm going to go crazy soon.
I rolled over to check my text, lying on my stomach as I read Alice's message requesting that I reign in my hormones…at least until after school. I was just about to text her back when I felt Emmett's large hand rub my behind. His touch was different, and I couldn't help but get the feeling that he had something on his mind. I peered over my shoulder, finding him thoroughly engrossed in the task at hand, his eyes glued to my boy shorts since the shirt I'd slept in had ridden up on my body.
"That feels nice," I said, smiling. His eyes never moved.
"You're so…soft," Emmett finally said, his voice sounding distant.
"Thanks?" I responded, unsure if it was a compliment or not. He didn't clarify his statement and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was just off. "Is there…anything wrong? Did I do something?"
"No," Emmett responded quickly, his eyes finally returning to my own. "You didn't do anything, sweetheart. It's just…," he exhaled, lowering his eyes to gather his thoughts. "I hurt you."
"What?" I asked, unsure I'd heard him correctly. Seriously, when would he let this damn cast thing go? "Emmett," I said, turning on my side so that I could rub his cheek, "you didn't mean to hurt me. You were a newborn. The fact that I'm even here wearing a cast speaks volumes about your self control."
His eyes darted back to my own again. "No, I mean, I hurt you…the other night." He raked his eyes down my body again, this time dragging my hand with his own until he stopped at my hip, hooking his thumb on the elastic band to pull the material down a bit. I realized I had four finger-shaped bruises and one larger, darker bruise to the side. He placed his thumb over the larger bruise, aligning his fingers with the other marks. Clearly, the bruise matched Emmett's hand. I instantly remembered when it happened…I'd been riding him, grinding myself wantonly on his body. When he responded by grabbing me and pulling me tighter against his body, I'd been thankful for his response, eager even to see the bruise that I just knew he would leave behind. It was Emmett's mark, and I would wear it proudly. Even seeing it now evoked the same flooding warmth, and I pressed my thighs tightly together, trying to stay on task and comfort Emmett despite my desire for him to do it again and again.
"Emmett, I—"
"Bella, why do you…" Emmett closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he dipped his head to lathe my neck with open mouth kisses. "Do you have any idea how wonderful you smell?"
"I like the bruise, Em," I managed between kisses.
"So I gathered," he said, pressing his hardness against me again before harshly breaking our kiss. "You are one unusual girl, Miss Bella," he smirked, reminding me very much of the adorable human man who greeted me at the manor.
I shivered as he rubbed his cool hand across the bruise once more. "It's your mark on me, Em. I love that," I shrugged, realizing it wasn't the politically correct thing to say but saying it anyway.
A low growl grew in Emmett's throat. It wasn't a threatening sound; rather it was primal, raw sexuality. "Do you have any idea what you are sayin'? Everything you just said…it doesn't get any better than that for a vampire," he said as he made his way down to my hip before putting the flat of his tongue against my darkest bruise, then kissing my hip before rocking back on his heels.
"What the hell is wrong with you two?" Alice said from the window, managing to both scare the crap out of me and make me furiously frustrated in the same breath.
"Go away Alice," Emmett said, sounding serious but smirking just the same as his eyes remained locked on my own, his back to his sister. He knew he wouldn't win this one.
Alice just rolled her eyes. "Bella, shower…now. I'll pick out your clothes." When Emmett started to follow me to the bathroom, Alice diverted him to the stairs. "You," she said, placing one delicate looking finger against Emmett's chest, "go downstairs and wait. We're taking Edward's car today. You drive," she said as she placed the keys in his hand.
"What? Where are—" Emmett's query died on his lips.
"Home. Carlisle wanted to go over more of the time travel stuff with Jasper…and Edward's going to read Jasper again." She shrugged before adding, "They're still looking for answers."
Alice looked sad for just a bit and I stopped my trek to the shower, instead moving to stand beside Emmett. "Hey, is everything okay?" I asked.
"No," Alice barely let me finish my question before answering. "Jasper is leaving with Carlisle this weekend to take him to the shaman who prepped the spell. I'll be lonely," she pouted.
Awe, heck. Why do I have such a soft spot for vampires again? "Hey," I offered in my best cheer up voice, "maybe we can do something special this weekend…just us. If I can talk Charlie into—"
Alice instantly smiled, a mega watt, vampire teeth displaying, blindingly bright smile…and I knew I'd just been played. "Great! I'll handle Charlie," she said, pushing me toward the shower again. "You can stay in my room," she said, purposely glaring at Emmett and causing him to cut off his own little chuckle. "It'll be fun, I can do your hair, and we can paint each other's nails, and talk about boyfriends…."
"Hey, wait—" Emmett and I both started to interject.
"My first sleep over…this is going to be so much fun," Alice said as she shut the door, leaving me standing in the bathroom wondering how in the world I'd gotten myself into that one.
Alice's chatter dominated the entire ride to school. She was eager to have this experience, and I decided it might be good for all of us. I'd been pushing Emmett's buttons lately, and I certainly didn't want him to think he was out of control. Maybe a weekend of being together at the Cullen house, but not together-together, would be helpful for him.
Emmett dropped us off near the main entrance and we made our way to class. I enjoyed a wonderfully easy day. And, as an added bonus, it seemed that Mike Newton now felt the need to maintain a three foot distance around me given Emmett's discussion with him yesterday. Life was definitely good. Fortunately, the rest of the week seemed to be following suit, plus I managed to squeak out an "A" on my chemistry exam.
Well, at least it seemed good until Thursday rolled around. Emmett was excited to take Charlie to the lake; he even seemed a little giddy before dropping me off for class in the morning. When he picked me up, though, his mood was obviously different. He seemed agitated, frustrated, and generally bummed.
"So," I tried to break the funk in the air by smiling brightly, "how did the fishing trip go?"
Emmett gave me a do you really want to know look.
"That bad, huh?" I offered, taking his hand. "Charlie can be…" I trailed off, thinking about what I wanted to say. Charlie could be a lot of things, so this could take a while.
"Stubborn. He's a stubborn man, Bella." Emmett said not looking at me.
"Yes, he is." I watched as Emmett sat beside me, his eyes never leaving the road despite the fact that he only marginally focused on the highway. Granted, marginal focus was all any Cullen needed to drive cross-country, but still, I hated seeing Emmett stressed like this. "What happened?"
"I—he…," Emmett stopped and started to speak several times, finally exhaling loudly as he pressed his lips tightly together. "Can we not talk about it right now?" Emmett asked, his eyes finally turning to my own as he softly kissed my knuckles. I inhaled sharply when I noticed his eyes were nearly black.
"Emmett, when did you last hunt?" I reached up to touch his cheek, searching his dark eyes.
"What? Um, this morning…just before I picked you up for school. Why?"
I breathed a sigh of relief, "Your eyes…they're dark. I thought maybe you were edgy from not feeding." I bit my lip, resisting the urge to shake my head. I sounded as if I were talking to a diabetic who had blood sugar issues.
"Sorry babe, I'm just…frustrated I guess," he finished, rolling his eyes as he took the turn ahead…the turn that lead away from the Cullen home and to my own instead.
"Where are we going? What, exactly, happened today?" I asked my unease growing to epic proportions.
"Charlie's," Emmett answered in a clipped tone. "He wants you home after class today."
"What happened, Em?"
Emmett inhaled deeply before speaking. "He says you're too young to be in a serious relationship with me, Bella. Too young," he repeated the words in a near whisper, his frustration growing more evident. I wondered how much more the steering wheel on his Jeep could handle, his knuckles were already white… he'd undoubtedly already left his mark on the wheel.
I swallowed nervously, racking my brain to come up with something to make Emmett feel better. "Em, don't take it personal. Charlie's been on a kick lately about me being his little girl no matter how old I am. I don't know, it's like he's making up for lost time or something ever since—"
"It's me," Emmett interjected. "He thinks you're too young to be in a relationship with me."
"Emmett," I said, earning his full attention after we stopped near Charlie's cruiser, "it's not you." I placed my hands on each side of his face, "How would you feel if you had a daughter and she was madly in love with a man?"
Emmett smirked, "I'm not a man, Bella…I'm a vampire."
I huffed, "Fine, how would you feel if you had a daughter and she were madly in love with a vampire?"
Emmett closed his eyes, holding my hands to his face. When he opened his eyes, he looked a bit less frustrated. "I'd kill him," he replied, smirking a bit, as he nodded his head.
"Charlie's just being Charlie," I said, matching Emmett's small smile with one of my own. I noticed the front door opening and I turned my face to watch, expecting Charlie to stand menacingly at the door while I said my goodbyes to Emmett. Instead, I was greeted with the sight of Alice's spiky hair bouncing out of the doorway, arm in arm with…Charlie?
Granted, my dad did not look as exuberant as Alice did, but still…the fact that he was even allowing her to lead him out here was something. I imagine that until Alice had spoken to Charlie, he was just as disgruntled as Em, probably more so.
"Bella!" Alice's voice sounded like bells and I knew she was in full vamp mode herself. "Help me make a list of everything we'll need for our sleep over this weekend, okay?" She asked, leading Charlie to Emmett's door, and then reaching her hand toward me as she made her way to the passenger side, opening my door.
"Emmett, I was wondering if maybe we could…talk…again." I heard Charlie say as Alice dragged me from the car. It sounded forced, and he still looked too authoritative in his law enforcement uniform, but at least he was making an effort to make this right…whatever this was.
I squeezed Emmett's hand quickly as Alice dragged me out of the car, catching his eyes in time to see his quick but stifled smile.
Please, Charlie, I thought to myself, fix this.
"Alice," I spoke quietly as we made our way into the house, "I don't think we should—"
"Oh, p'shhh, don't worry about those two," Alice said as she absently waved her hand toward the door. "What color nail polish do you like…red?"
I stared at her blankly for several seconds. Really? Was I really supposed to answer that question?
"Ooh, I know…French manicures!" Honestly, it was like she'd solved the nation's oil crisis. "Now, what about junk food? What do you like?"
Um, I like the idea of my boyfriend not killing my dad, which might be happening while we calmly discuss Doritos and pretzels in here!
"Bella, relax…they're fine," she cooed, and I believed her. Whether it was becauseit was true or because of her vampire mojo, I couldn't be sure.
"Doritos are good," I said finally, cocking my hip against the kitchen table while Alice silently added things to her list of sleep over essentials. I heard a vehicle leave and I sighed, missing Emmett already.
"Well, you can't have Doritos for dinner," Emmett said from behind me.
I turned to find him standing there, smiling fully. I engulfed him in a hug, leaping so that I could wrap my arms around his neck. He stooped to pick me up, returning my hug in earnest.
"I love you," he said against my ear, "and I'm sorry about my attitude." He put me down after one small spin in the kitchen and made his way to Alice.
He stopped in front of her and looked at her for several seconds. For a moment, I thought they might be having some vampire-quiet conversation, but both of them stood there smiling like idiots in front of each other. "Thanks, little sister," Emmett finally said as he stooped to engulf Alice in a hug. "I don't know what I'd do without you." He placed her back on the floor, but not before giving her a quick kiss on top of her head.
"You're welcome, big brother. Just remember, you owe me."
"Anything, you name it."
I smiled at their exchange, thankful to Alice for whatever she'd managed to do to smooth things over between Charlie and Emmett. Speaking of—
"Um, Emmett, where's Charlie?"
"Oh, right, he had to go to the station, but he wanted me to make sure you eat dinner. But…I'm pretty sure Doritos aren't on the menu," his smile never faltered as he pulled me closer.
"Dinner, huh?" I said, silently urging him to tell me about his fishing trip with Charlie. When I realized that he wasn't offering so much as a peep, I changed tactics.
"Alice," I pried, trying to sound sweet, "are you going to tell me what the heck is going on or not?"
Alice glanced from me to Emmett and back again, "Nope." She popped the "p" and smiled.
"What if I agree to a no holds barred shopping spree…anywhere you want." Her golden eyes sparkled, clearly I'd piqued her interest.
"Anywhere?"
I nodded. This was certainly going well.
She glanced at Em again, revealing a little more resolve by the time her eyes found mine less than a second later.
Damn.
"And," I spoke up before she could flat deny me, feeling Emmett tense beside me, "I'll owe you one too. Anything."
I'd gotten her with that one…I could tell she was on my side now.
"Alice," Emmett lightly warned.
"Anything?" She confirmed with me once more.
"Anytime," I added for good measure.
"Well—" she started speaking before Emmett interrupted her.
"Alice—"
"Oh Emmett, hush," she chided, looking at him sternly and pulling me away from Emmett's side and to the table. "Charlie realized just how serious your relationship with Emmett is, and…he got a little nervous."
"I knew that much," I interrupted.
"Yeah, well, Charlie was more than eager for you two to spend some considerable time apart."
I glanced toward Emmett. I couldn't lose Emmett. Not again.
"Not happenin', babe," he spoke from the counter as he crossed his arms. He looked fiercely determined and I felt a little better.
Well, as good as I could feel given that my father wanted me to spend less time with my boyfriend, anyway.
Alice sighed dramatically before continuing, "I thought I would give you a cover for this weekend so we could have our fabulous sleep over and smooth things over with Charlie while I was at it."
"What—how did you…," I couldn't finish my question, I was just too frustrated.
"Well, I just had to convince Charlie that Emmett was a good guy for his wittle gurl. Easy-peasy," she finished, thankfully, with no more baby talk.
I quirked my brow at her display. "Thanks Alice," I said, shaking my head. "I owe you and your vampire charms a debt, that's for sure."
I exhaled harshly, looking toward Emmett. "What happened today, anyway?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.
Emmett shrugged his broad shoulders before stepping away from the counter. "Pretty much what Alice said…I guess Charlie realized we were a little more of an item than he thought."
I rolled my shoulders, suddenly fatigued beyond belief. Alice and Emmett were talking in circles and I knew that I'd be getting no additional information from the two of them. I decided the best course of action was dinner. An apple and a breath mint do not make a filling lunch and I was officially starving.
I made a quick spaghetti dinner as Alice and Emmett settled in the living room. We talked for several hours before they left, with Alice filling me in on more school junk before they headed out, barely making it out of sight before Charlie's cruiser pulled in. Emmett, of course, returned shortly after dropping his Jeep off at the Cullen home, as per usual.
The weekend arrived and went remarkably well. I missed sleeping in Emmett's room, but sleep over rules are sleep over rules. Alice and I talked and giggled like school girls. I even talked about human Emmett, earning more than a few chuckles from the other Cullens…including Emmett himself. Everyone seemed to be getting along well and having a great time.
Well, except Rosalie. Much to Esme and Carlisle's dismay, she decided to spend the weekend in Alaska. Things were unbearably tense with Rosalie lately, and as far as I was concerned, it was good riddance and all that.
And, speaking of tension, I'd made a maximum effort to subdue my own sexual tension…at least for Emmett's sake. The last thing I wanted was a repeat of Edward's control issues. I'd give Em the time he needed, but I also wanted him to know that I was still very interested in moving our relationship along.
After two weeks of some seriously heavy petting, however, I was beginning to wear thin. The following Monday, I decided to amp things up a bit with one of Alice's more provocative outfits. The short tan canvas skirt and fitted red polo were by no means a taboo choice, but they also showed much more skin than my 1935 counterpart ever dared.
Monday morning, week three…Operation Seduce Emmett is all systems go.
I laughed quietly at my mental lingo as I put the finishing touches on my hair before leaving the bathroom. Normally, I would have cared less, but not today. Today was special. Operation Seduce Emmett was back on, after all.
"What's so—" Emmett said as he hovered in the doorway.
"Argh!" I screamed, startled that he was even here already. Sheesh, school doesn't start for an hour.
"…Funny?" Emmett finished his earlier question, making no effort to hide his leering stare.
"What?" I asked breathless and clutching my chest, sounding slightly irritated, and certain that he could hear my poor heart pounding to the brink of exploding.
"What's so funny?" He asked again, though his tone had changed. I watched as his eyes darkened, becoming black with desire.
"Wha—I have no idea," I lied. I couldn't very well tell him about Operation Seduce Emmett. "Good Lord, Emmett, you scared me to death!" I chided, smacking his shoulder hard enough to sting my own hand as I made my way back to my bedroom.
"Hmm," he hummed skeptically, grabbing me from behind and pulling my body against his large frame just after I cleared the door. "To death, huh? I don't think so, but let me check," he spoke seductively as he moved his hands to unfasten the buttons on the polo shirt, lowering his ear to my exposed skin as he spun me around to face him. "I still hear your heart beating…but I'd better check that pulse," he purred as he moved his lips across my neck, lathing my pulse point and causing me to clench my thighs together as he backed me farther into the bedroom. "Pulse feels good," he breathed into my ear. "Plenty of body heat," he said as he slipped his hand under my shirt.
I moaned as his hand found my breast, his thumb hooking the material down so that he could rub the newly exposed skin in a torturous movement. His other hand ghosted under my skirt, pulling the hem up as his hand traveled higher toward my panties. He pinched my nipple as he dipped his finger under the elastic of my panties, causing me to moan into our kiss.
"Mmm, my girl is always so wet for me," Emmett whispered against my lips as he continued to glide his finger between my soaking folds.
"Always," I whispered back, seeking his mouth again.
I whimpered when he pulled his hands away, feeling him smile against my lips. "Easy, baby, I just wanna try to take these off without rippin' 'em."
His hands quickly released the buttons on my skirt. He made fast work of removing my skirt before doing the same with my shirt, leaving me leaning breathless against him in my red silk bra and panties.
Emmett stared at me, each second feeling like minutes. I felt my skin heat at his gaze and I barely resisted the urge to cover myself. I fidgeted nervously, finally causing his eyes to meet my own.
"Don't," he said softly, running his hands down my arms to settle my nerves. "You're beautiful…I just like lookin' at you sometimes," he whispered, his southern accent thick.
I smiled up at him and he lowered his mouth to mine. Our kiss started soft and easy, however, it soon became fiery. Emmett's lips moved with the skill of a master lover, his mouth alternating between gently sucking my lower lip to sweeping his tongue across mine. He continued walking me backward until my legs hit the edge of the mattress before urging me to sit.
"I'd like to have a little more time," he said hurriedly as he yanked his shirt over his head, "but your classes start soon, I think I owe my girl one…or two," he smirked before lowering himself over me and capturing my mouth with his.
I ground my core against his jean clad lower half, earning a hiss from Emmett as he moved his lips down my jaw line and neck, pausing to unhook my front clasp bra before he squeezed and fondled my breasts until I thought would orgasm from this touch alone.
"Emmett, please," I begged, though I didn't know exactly what I was begging for.
"Please what, baby," he breathed against my sensitive nipple before licking the pebbled tip with the flat of his tongue. "Tell me what you want, Bella…tell me."
I whimpered , writhing against him for a fraction of a second before he would pull himself away from me. Damn it, he was teasing me just like I'd teased him weeks ago.
"I want," I breathed, feeling my face flush as I considered saying exactly what I wanted. I felt Emmett's lips tug on my nipple as he rolled the other between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to lose all coherent thought. "Oh, God, I want you Emmett…I want you inside me, baby."
"Soon, babe, soon…I can't wait to make you mine in every way," he said as he moved to slide my panties off, ripping them away from body at the last second in a frustrated move. We both laughed as they fell away from the bed. "For now, though, I'll have to take care of you in other ways," the seductive glint in his eyes told me his plans, and I followed his shirtless body down until he positioned his head between my legs.
I held my breath, anticipating his actions.
He slipped one finger inside me as he kissed my inner thigh, then abruptly added another finger as well. "Bella, you are so wet, baby…so tight. Watch me."
I exhaled as he lowered his mouth to me, the flat of his tongue finding my clit immediately. I bucked against him, surprised by the sensation despite the fact that I watched his every move. He raised his lust-black eyes to mine as he began a slow rhythm with his fingers. "I love the way you taste," he said before lapping once again at my slick core, "the way you feel around me. Mmm, I can't wait to feel you around my cock. So tight…so wet."
I flung my head back briefly, Emmett's voice nearly sending me over the edge. I writhed against him wantonly, clutching at the sheets in frustration as I sought friction against his body. Emmett's talented tongue, however, once again found my throbbing clit. I pinched my own nipples as I bit my lower lip, reveling in the sensations that Emmett created. When I felt his mouth suck my aching flesh between his lips, I came with an incredible intensity, shaking and clutching his head to me as I rode out my orgasm, his fingers buried deep inside me.
Emmett slowly removed his fingers from me, placing several open mouth kisses on my hip and across my belly as he moved up my body. "How many more weeks 'til that cast comes off?" He asked, his expression passionate but barely restrained.
I loved it.
"Five," I managed, still sounding breathless. "You're wearing too many clothes," I said, sliding my hand down to the waistband of his low riding jeans, fumbling the first two buttons open before he rolled off me, holding my wrist gently with one of his large hands.
He chuckled softly before speaking. "I, uh, I don't know if that's such a good idea, Bells," his breath absently blew across my face, causing me to nearly fall under his vampire spell. "I'm barely hangin' on here, babe."
"But it's my turn," I said, slowly removing my hands from his, urging him to roll onto his back so that I had easier access to his jeans. I rubbed my hand across his erection, stroking him through the material.
"Bella, I, ungh—" he swallowed hard when I pulled the button fly open and palmed his boxer brief clad cock in my hand as I licked across his nipple. "I need to stay in control sweetheart," he breathed. "I really want to wait until you get that damned cast off before we—"
"I know," I interjected, cutting him off as I kissed my way down his abs. "I just want to return the favor…that's all."
"Bells, there's no favor…you don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
I smiled…well, smirked really. Could he seriously not tell that I very much wanted to do this?
"Emmett, I want this. Please?" I asked in my sweetest voice, trying to look both seductive and innocent at the same time. Which, by the way, is a very difficult thing to do when you're naked and licking a guy's anatomy through his underwear.
I watched as Emmett's eyes locked on my mouth, snaking my tongue across the grey cotton boxer briefs. His jaw flexed and he gave a slow nod of his head before helping me slide off his remaining clothing. Seeing Emmett completely naked in my bed flooded my belly with a new heat. I felt moisture pool again between my thighs as my eyes raked across his large muscular frame. Yes, vampire Emmett was indeed bigger…everywhere. And he wasn't exactly lacking in any feature of his male anatomy to begin with.
I repositioned myself and slowly reached for Emmett's cock, loving the velvety texture of the cool skin. I didn't exactly have much experience with the male anatomy, but from what I'd seen in books and on the 'net, Emmett was only marginally longer than most. It was the girth that both filled me with a bit of fear and longing. I actually felt myself getting wetter as I began to lick the head of his cock.
Emmett swallowed audibly, hissing as he inhaled. "Bella, sweetheart…I gotta warn you…I won't last long," he laughed a little, sounding embarrassed and I turned my eyes to his dark orbs.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing," I said before I licked and sucked the head in my mouth, earning another hiss from Emmett. "Actually," I said as I finished running my tongue from base to tip, "I think it's a compliment."
I resumed my motions, remembering to keep Emmett's cock moist so I could use my hand to pump what I couldn't fit into my mouth. Just like riding a bike, I thought to myself, getting even more turned on as I thought about riding Em. My mind flashed back to that night a couple of weeks ago when I'd been straddling Em, how he felt between my legs and against my core. Stopping had been difficult, but it had been even more difficult to halt the images of Emmett masturbating in the shower later from flooding my brain and unleashing a torrent of moisture between my thighs, every single time that particular vision entered my train of thought…, which was often. Just knowing that he was fantasizing about this very thing filled me with awe, making me feel sexy and powerful.
"God, Bella," Emmett's voice brought me out of my fantasy world, his hips bucking slightly. "Your mouth feels so good, baby…so good."
I watched as he closed his eyes tightly, his hands immediately wrapping in my sheets, shredding them inadvertently. "Bella, I'm gonna come, baby…fuck," he whispered the expletive, probably completely unaware of his sexy outburst, his jaw flexing as he bit into his lower lip. His hips bucked against me as I continued to hold him to my mouth, determined to taste him.
After his release, I licked and kissed my way back up Emmett's abs, pausing to kiss his neck and jaw line. When I looked into his face, I gasped. He'd bitten his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. His eyes flew open to meet my startled expression.
"What? What's wrong?" He asked hurriedly.
"I…you bit your lip. Are you okay?" But, even as I asked I watched in amazement as the mark continued to heal before fading completely.
"Yeah—sorry," Emmett spoke, exhaling as he brought my body down on his. "It's just…I didn't expect the overwhelming urge to bite, is all. Guess it's a claimin' thing or somethin'."
"You wanted to drain me?" I asked, not really scared…just curious.
I guess I really do have zero sense of self-preservation.
"No," he answered quickly. "I didn't want to kill you or turn you," he continued. "It's just…I wanted to mark you."
"But if you bit me, it would either kill me or turn me," and you didn't want to do either of those, I silently added to myself, hoping that he'd reconsider the latter part of that statement.
He looked at me questioningly before speaking again. "And I thought you knew so much about vampires," he laughed, kissing my head. "We don't produce venom all the time, Bells. Killing and changing. Otherwise, it's just…blood play."
"Blood what?"
He shrugged, "Blood play…guess it's kinda like vampire foreplay."
"So, no venom?" I asked.
He flashed his teeth, which should have probably raised every red flag in my body but instead made me smile at him. "See, no venom."
"Not that I can ever see the venom," I chided.
"I know, but I can taste it, and it's not there…I have no desire to hurt you."
Or change me, I thought.
"So, if you bit me right now," I started to say.
"It would scar, if it were deep enough," he finished.
I arched my eyebrow. How…interesting. Why had Edward never revealed this bit of information to me? I mulled it over for a few seconds, finally realizing that Edward could likely never risk biting me. I was his singer. The venom was probably always on and always in constant supply.
"Hey, you okay?" Emmett asked, tilting my chin up so he could look at me. Clearly, he'd mistaken my quietness for some sort of hesitation.
I nodded, "I'm fine, honest." I leaned into him, kissing his lips briefly before pulling away so I could speak again. "And, for future reference, I'm not at all opposed to biting," I said, capturing his lower lip in a quick kiss, sucking it abruptly between my lips as I bit down softly on the kiss-swollen flesh. "I'd love to wear your mark."
Emmett growled, quickly pinning me beneath his naked body on my bed. "How long 'til this thing comes off again?"He asked as he tapped the cast with a single finger. His voice sounded strained and I almost asked him to cut the damn cast off right there.
Carlisle would just have to understand. Three weeks had to be plenty long enough for a couple of tiny, infinitesimal cracks to heal.
"Five weeks," I whispered, "but I'm thinking it's just a suggestion." I gasped, feeling Emmett's erection fully against me as he settled himself between my legs.
"Damn it, woman," he nearly growled, grinding his erection against me, "do you have any idea how difficult you're makin' this?"
I gasped at the sensations he created. Was he serious? "You know what I think…what I want," I managed, pulling his neck down to me so I could kiss him, hoping to drive my point home.
My phone vibrated, the sound cutting through our heavy breathing like a hot knife through butter.
"Alice" Emmett hissed, grabbing my phone in frustration. He glanced at the display before locking eyes with me. "She getting a little ridiculous," he said, looking both crazed and sensual at the same time.
"Just…press the button, send her to voicemail," I hurriedly instructed. Or, throw the phone out the window…whatever works.
Emmett pressed the small button on the side of my phone, attempting to send Alice to voicemail. Instead, my phone gave a sad chirp just before the distinct sound of cracking plastic filled the room.
My mouth dropped slightly open.
"Oops," Emmett said, cringing just a little. "I think I broke your phone." He loosened his grip, allowing the face to fall forward, hanging askew from the rest of the device.
"Yeah…I'm thinking that too," I said, faux pouting. "Poor phone."
"I'll get you a new one," he said just before kissing my pouting lip. "I never liked that one anyway."
"Whatever," I breathed against his lips. "I'm pretty much over it," I said, urging him to continue his previous agenda.
He tossed the phone to the floor, the damaged device quickly forgotten as we resumed our heated make out session. Emmett continued to move against me creating the most delicious friction I'd ever experienced. He placed open mouth kisses down my neck, lightly nipping at the flesh between my neck and shoulder, never actually biting me but making his intent clear just the same. Emmett wanted this, the blood play…so much, in fact, that he'd clearly nixed his own plan to wait until the cast was removed before we finally had sex.
When I'd accepted the reality of the situation, that the time was here at last and we were indeed going to have the chance to experience each other in every way…I heard Emmett's phone chirp in his pants pocket.
Emmett never stopped his assault on my flesh and I breathed a sigh of relief.
The phone continued to chirp, however, and I shifted nervously. We both knew it was Alice, but what if it was important? Emmett paused, slowly lifting his desire blackened eyes to mine. His expression was a mix of unfulfilled need, a want that bordered on obsession, and rage. His eyes remained locked on my own as he slowly reached for his pants, fishing out his phone and answering via the speaker.
"What Alice? We're busy…but I'm sure you already knew that," his words were nearly venomous and I cringed a little, feeling a tiny bit sorry for Alice.
"Easy Em," came Alice's soothing response, apparently not the least bit flustered by her brother's tone. "Jasper has news about the whole time line issue, and he's not talking until you and Bella get here."
My eyes widened. Did Jazz know what went wrong, why we ended up in the wrong year…in the wrong place? Why we separated when we returned here…and why neither of us have any memory of any events in this new Forks?
Emmett's eyes narrowed, his predatory gaze focusing so completely on me that I felt almost vulnerable. "Like I said, Alice, we're busy," he repeated, "we're gonna be a while."
"Emmett," Alice growled, "you get her over here or I will. You have thirty minutes, and then—"
Emmett ended the phone call before turning his phone off completely and tossing it next to my now defunct one.
His eyes continued to hold my gaze as he pulled the sheet down my body. Only then did his attention wander as he exposed my naked flesh. "Where were we?" He asked, his voice husky and filled with promise.
"W-we're not," I stuttered, my concentration faltering as he kissed a blazing trail between my breasts. "We're not going…to see what Jasper found out?"
"No." His tone left no room for debate.
"Don't you think we should?"
"No," he forced himself to look up at me as he said it this time. His expression was clear, lustful. Emmett had a single purpose at that moment, and that purpose was centered around our joining.
He hovered over me momentarily before lowering his face to me, his lips barely grazing mine. "Bella," he nearly whispered, his breath and proximity making my head spin and my body burn, "I'm not the same any longer …I'm not a man anymore, sweetheart." He licked his tongue across my lower lip, eliciting a whimper from me as I struggled to focus on his words. "I'm a vampire. A vampire who very much wants to be inside you right now, feeling you wrapped around my cock," he rocked his hips, rubbing his erection against my clit to illustrate his desires. "I know you want this," he continued rocking against me, causing my whimpers to turn to breathless moans. "I can smell you're arousal…you're so fuckin' wet, baby."
His breath came raggedly and I lifted my hips, willing him to push into me, to break my barrier and make me his in every way possible. He dipped his head, nipping again at the sensitive flesh where my shoulder met my neck. I felt Emmett stiffen and I braced myself, half expecting him to plunge into me at that very moment.
He remained frozen for several seconds, causing a multitude of bells and alarms to go off inside my head. "Emmett?" I finally asked.
No response.
"Em?"
I tried to maneuver myself away from him, tried to reposition my body so that I could see his face, but it was no use. He was too big and too heavy. He finally turned his head to face me, though I could tell he wasn't breathing.
"Venom," he barely whispered. I noticed how his muscles strained; the chords and tendons stretched tight near the surface of his skin. Emmett was suddenly struggling to maintain control.
"Emmett, what can I do, how can I—" I tried to shift, tried to put a little space between his hulking form and my body.
"Don't. Don't move, Bella," he warned. "You'll never make it out of this room." He looked away when he spoke to me, obviously warring with himself.
I sunk further into my pillow, fear taking root in my stomach for just a moment as my brain searched for a solution. He was right…I would never be able to get away from him. I was pinned, naked, beneath a very strong, very large male vampire. I was as good as done.
I stayed still for as long as I could, my lack of self-preservation ultimately getting the better of me. I finally shook my head from side to side, drawing Emmett's full attention back to me again.
Oh well, I thought to myself, here goes.
"Don't. Move. Bella." Emmett ground out, his teeth clenched together as he fought the urge to sink his teeth into me.
"This is crazy," I said, hoping my voice sounded even. Emmett's ink black eyes bored into mine and I was struck by the intensity of his expression.
"This is part of what I am, Bella. I thought you knew that," he said angrily, though it was obvious he was most angry with himself, not me.
Good…anger. I could work with an angry Emmett. "I do know that," I said, surprised at the conviction in my voice. "What I'm saying is…I trust you."
He searched my eyes, his expression taking in my own. I thought I felt him relax against me, though just marginally.
"I trust you, Em," I repeated, this time I reached up with my hand to cup his face. Thankfully, he allowed the movement.
"You're not afraid of me." It wasn't a question; he was just making an observation.
"I. Trust. You." I repeated the phrase again, punctuating each word.
Emmett closed his eyes tightly, finally dropping his chin to his chest, inhaling deeply. "Thank you." The words were strained, and I couldn't help but think that if he could cry, he would be doing it right now. "I'm sorry," he said when he lifted his head to meet my eyes. "I'm so sorry," he said again, brushing a rogue shock of hair away from my face as he spoke.
I shook my head slightly, "It's okay," I offered weakly, not wanting to draw out the situation.
"Bella—"
"Well, that worked out well," Alice chimed from the window.
I jumped to cover myself, feeling vulnerable in my state of undress with Emmett situated between my legs. Only a thin sheet covered our lower bodies from her eyes.
"I'll say," came Jasper's response.
Holy. Hell.
"What the—" Emmett started to speak, a tiny smirk forming on his face as he used his body to shield me. "Don't you guys ever knock? Or call?" Emmett asked.
"We tried calling, but someone'sphone is off," Alice stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh yes," Jasper drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "knocking…we should have tried that." I heard him move back to the window, but I couldn't see anything over Emmett's hulking frame. "Knock, knock," Jasper joked, pecking on the glass with his finger. "Oh Emmett, could you please let us in before you sink your teeth into Bella—"
"Okay guys," I said laughing softly to hide my embarrassment. "Enough. Do you think we could have a moment here…for dressing and stuff, please?" I asked. "I'm more than slightly mortified."
"Fine," Alice huffed. "We'll be waiting outside with Carlisle and Edward."
Merciful Zeus. This cannot get any more uncomfortable.
"Well, at least Esme and Rosalie aren't here," I muttered softly, catching Emmett's chagrinned expression.
"They're in the car," Alice said before slipping out the window. "Hurry up, you two," she yelled once outside.
My face flamed. "That was…"
"Awkward," Emmett finished.
"Awkward doesn't begin to cover it. That was… humiliating." I shivered, seeking comfort in Emmett's embrace. "We were naked," I whispered.
"We were naked? With everything that just happened, that's your concern…being caught naked?" Emmett chuckled softly as he pulled me against him.
"What if we were having sex? We almost got caught having sex!" I whispered loudly. The realization hit me, very nearly sending me into hysterics.
"Easy, babe. Settle down," Emmett ran his fingers through my hair, smoothing the waves. "They didn't show up because we were going to have sex…they showed up because I lost control."
"But you didn't," I said, turning so I could face him.
"Almost…" he said again.
"But you didn't," I repeated, kissing him when I'd finished.
"Bella, I—"
"Enough. We are finished talking about this," I said hurriedly, stealing the sheet from the bed as I made my way to my closet. "Let's get dressed...I'm dying to know what Jazz found out."
I purposely refused to let my eyes wander back to Emmett's naked form. Instead, I focused all my attention to the clothing in my closet knowing full well that I would just throw on a pair of jeans and a comfortable shirt.
I glanced over just in time to see Emmett slip his shirt back on over his head before making his way to me.
"I don't deserve you," he said smiling, softly kissing the tip of my nose.
"Stop," I said, making a half-hearted effort to push him away.
"I'm serious," he moved to embrace me, squeezing me softly before pulling me away from him. "I love you, Bells…always."
"I love you too, Em."
He kissed me quickly before moving to the window to join his family below, leaving me to dress alone.
The ride to the Cullen home was tense. Emmett and I rode in his Jeep with Edward, Jasper, and Carlisle, while Alice and Rosalie rode in Carlisle'scar with Esme. It was pretty obvious that they intended to keep an eye on us given the close call, and who could blame them? Everyone seemed a little spooked.
"So," Jasper said once we crossed the threshold into the Cullen estate, "dining room?"
Carlislenodded his response and we all gradually made our way to the area. I moved to slip my jacket off and Emmett reached to take the garment, draping it on the back of the chair. Carlisle froze in front of me, his eyes scanning my neck before turning his attention to Emmett, his expression hard and accusing.
"Oh my God, Emmett," Rosalie hissed. "What did you do? You bit her?"
"Emmett, you didn't," Esme said, making her way to stand next to Carlisle. "Blood play with humans…it's too dangerous."
What? I reached up, touching the exposed skin. Immediately I felt the raised flesh, tender and raw under my searching fingers.
What happened next was a little unexpected…well, for nearly everyone in the room, at least. When I touched Emmett's marks my abdomen flooded with warmth. I felt moisture pool between my legs moments before Emmett's large hand squeezed my shoulder, pulling me flush against him.
No way, Bella…not here, not now, I mentally berated myself. Think about baseball statistics, think about your dad, anything other than Emmett pinning you against the mattress and having his way with you.
Jasper cleared his throat, "Bella?"
I knew what he wanted, poor Jasper. I doubted you needed to be an empath to feel the waves of lust rolling off me. "I'm trying Jazz," I said without turning to face him.
I heard him swallow, hard. "Just…" he exhaled slowly, "just stop touching them. That should help," he finished.
Once I pulled my hand away from the marks, which took a maximum effort, I felt slightly more in control. Just slightly. I screwed my eyes shut, willing more restraint...or, heck, a greater knowledge of baseball statistics. "I'm sorry," I said to no one in particular.
Carlisle's look softened as he met my eyes. "It's a type of neurotransmitter…it lingers in the tissue around the marks until they heal. Touch will evoke certain…responses," he looked embarrassed for me and I felt my face flame again.
Esme spoke up from the other end of the table, "Let's sit."
Emmett pulled my chair out for me, forcing me to sit when the seat met the backs of my knees. He took his seat beside me, reaching under the table to squeeze my leg reassuringly. "So, what did you find out, Jazz," he boomed, his voice sounding casual.
I envied his composure. I could practically feel Rosalie's gaze boring into me, even Alice seemed obsessed with staring at my marks. Edward remained silent on the other side of Emmett, and Carlisle thankfully kept his attention focused on Jasper.
"Well," Jasper spoke, his voice sounding much less edgy than before, "I found out that magic can be a might…confusin'." His southern accent was thick, making him sound quirky yet absolutely adorable. I lifted my eyes to meet his and he smiled at me. It was his way of saying everything would be okay and telling me not to be embarrassed.
I smiled back at Jasper as I placed my hand on top of Emmett's. I felt better, especially now that everyone seemed focused on what Jasper had to say.
"What does that mean?" Rosalie asked, rolling her eyes at Jasper.
"It means that when you ask magic to help you solve a problem, you need to realize that you may not even know what the problem is, exactly."
"Jasper, cut the riddles," Rosalie seemed uber-bitchy today. Great.
Jasper huffed, clearly miffed by Rosalie's attitude, but he kept talking anyway. "When the family left, in the old Forks," Jasper clarified, "Alice's visions became problematic…she started goin' downhill fast." He took her hand in his, still obviously bothered by the event. "We were still reelin' from James' death, strugglin' to find Victoria despite the fact that we'd basically abandoned Bella in Forks."
Emmett squeezed my leg a little, not liking the scenario Jasper described.
"Well, when Alice went a little crazy and started obsessin' about 'righin' the wrong', I assumed she meant James and Victoria. I thought if I could go back, maybe stop James before he ever had a real chance to hurt her…things would be better."
"You did stop him," I chimed in finally. "James is dead, he's not in this time line, and as far as we know, Victoria is a non-issue."
"Right. You're right," Jasper stated. "The thing is…James was never really the issue."
"Huh?" Ugh, when Rose asked for clarification, she sounded bitchy. When I ask for clarification, I sound like a mouth-breathing knuckle-dragger. Niiiice.
"When the coven cast the magic, I asked to right Alice's 'wrong,'" Jasper explained. "It wasn't James, darlin', it was you."
"Me?" I asked, my voice squeaking.
Jasper shrugged, nodding.
Edward leaned forward preparing to speak. "Jasper and I have come at this from every angle, Bella. He's right. From what I've seen of the old Forks time line, Alice's visions and other events, things were off…when we left, Alice fell apart."
"But I still don't understand what that has to do with Bella," Rosalie stated, perched on the edge of her seat.
For once, I had to agree with Rosalie.
"When we left," Jasper continued, "Bella was alone. She was never supposed to be alone."
I settled back against my chair realizing Jasper was referring to my relationship status. "Guys, you weren't in the old Forks…there was no way Edward and I would have made it. None. He was right to go."
"I wasn't the one who was supposed to stay," Edward said. His gaze fell on Emmett and his crooked grin grew at Emmett's dawning awareness.
"What the—" Emmett started.
"You were supposed to be with Emmett all along!" Alice sighed, making everything sound very dreamy and romantic. "How…" she paused, momentarily speechless. "How perfect!"
"But Emmett was with Rosalie in the old Forks," I said. Yuck, I could still taste bile when I thought about Rosalie with Emmett in the old Forks time line.
Emmett shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Babe, if you and Edward had no chance in old Forks, what chance do you think Ro' and I would have? Hmm?"
Rosalie crossed her arms, looking indignant at Emmett's words.
"I think if we had stayed in old Forks, Emmett and Rose would have still split," Jasper offered. "Eventually, I suspect that the two of you would have…well, you know," his words trailed off and he gestured between us.
I absently reached up, touching the marks near my neck. Heat flooded my body again, releasing another wave of wantonness.
"Bella. Stop. Touchin'. Them." Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose when he spoke the last word. "Good Lord, this is worse than the first day at the Manor," he whispered, though to no one in particular.
I cringed. I'd subconsciously touched the marks, not seeking them out per se…. I'd need to be extra careful for a few days until they healed. At least I'd need to be careful whenever I was in the room with a vampire.
Emmett chucked softly beside me, though his hand did slide between my knees and farther up my inner thigh.
He was so not helping.
"Awe, I think it's sweet," Esme smiled. "Bella and Emmett were clearly meant to be together." Her expression was pure love, and Emmett and I both eagerly returned her warm smile.
"So, the spell did correct the problem after all," Carlisle finally chimed in. "But you killing James and finding Alice early had nothing to do with it? Bella and Emmett had to fall in love…that's why you two ended up in 1935, and in Gatlinburg."
"Right," Jasper responded. "I assumed the coven messed up the spell, but…" he shrugged to finish.
"Alice," Carlisle turned his attention to the pixy. "You were a vampire then. Did you have any visions about this back in 1935?"
"I knew a few things…. I knew Jasper was trying to find me, but I also knew I had to drag out the encounter even though I knew he wouldn't hurt me. In hindsight, I guess I was supposed to give Bella and Emmett time for their relationship to grow."
"What I find very interesting is the fact that neither of you have any memory of your time in this new Forks," Carlisle stated. "It's like we were living with your…doppelgangers." He furrowed his brow at the word, indicating the same thing the rest of us felt. It was more than a little creepy to think that we were eerily similar yet remarkably different from the two people who sat with this group a few short weeks ago. We looked the same, but Jasper and I had memories from a time line that no longer existed.
"It's a paradox," Jasper finally offered, shaking his head at the phenomenon.
"It's definitely weird…I don't even know what my first day of school was like here. Or remember moving here, in this Forks…weird," I said again. "When we came back from 1935, it's like we just appeared wherever our doppelgangers existed." A hint of a memory flashed back to me. "Where were you?" I asked Jasper. "We were together one second, then you were…gone. I appeared in the living room, almost in the exact same spot where we left, but you…."
"I was with Alice. We were—" he paused, considering his words, "we were in the forest."
Nice save, I thought to myself. I knew that was Jasper-speak for "we were getting ready to go at it like bunnies."
"What was I doing here?" I wondered out loud.
"You were here all the time, Bella," Alice interjected.
"We were getting ready to watch a movie…I left to grab you some popcorn. When I came back to ask you what you wanted to drink, you were—" Emmett wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "you were back."
"But it was like they never left," Rosalie spoke, turning to Carlisle. "They said they were gone for months, but they couldn't have been…," she shook her head, her blonde hair falling in perfect waves past her shoulders.
"I think that's just the way the spell works. It's a sort of safetymechanism for the traveler," Carlisle shook his head. "It is a paradox," he said, smiling at Jasper as he borrowed his words.
We sat in silence for a while, each of us absorbing the reality of the situation. This whole thing unfolded because Emmett and I were meant to be together. That was a head-trip, but I knew in my heart it was true. I loved him, and by some miracle, he loved me too…even if he did want to kill me earlier.
"Well," Carlisle spoke up first, "I think we've pretty much covered everything here." He smiled at Emmett and me. "I am very happy that the two of you found each other. True love is indeed a powerful force."
It would have sounded sappy coming from anyone else under any other circumstance, but Carlisle was right.
"Emmett," Carlisle said, "could I speak with you, alone, for a minute?"
I winced for Emmett. I knew Carlisle wanted to talk to him about the marks. Emmett squeezed my shoulder lightly, kissing me on top of the head. "I'll be back in a bit," he said before following Carlisle to his study.
I watched them walk away, my hand absently brushing against the marks again.
"Bella," Jasper warned.
"Sorry Jazz," I said quickly, moving to sit on my hand in an effort to still the motion. "Sorry."
Rosalie and Alice both watched me with rapt attention. Even Esme and Edward were clearly interested in my marks. Alice, of course, pounced first.
"Did it hurt?" She asked, gesturing to my neckline.
I shook my head, ignoring the blood rushing to my face. "No…I didn't even know until just a little while ago."
"You didn't feel it whilehe was doing it?" Rosalie asked her expression intense.
"No."
"I don't understand how he was able to do that without producing venom," Edward said as he stared at my neck in awe.
"He wasn't," I said dryly.
"He did for a little while at least," Esme spoke up. Her eyes told me that what Emmett and I had shared was very rare; he'd given me a truly wonderful experience, an experience that brought him to the limits of his own self-control, but still….
We sat at the table for over an hour, the conversation finally moving from my marks to our time in 1935 and eventually to the old Forks timeline. "You know Bella," Jasper spoke up, "it occurs to me that you owe me a trip to the grocery store."
"What?" Edward asked, certainly wondering why Jasper would want to set foot in a grocery store.
"The grocery store?" Emmett asked from behind me, startling me a bit with his sudden proximity.
I stood to hug him, and he kissed me quickly on the forehead smiling at my nervous display. I'd wanted to ask him what happened with Carlisle, but figured it would best to wait until we were alone.
"Yeah, that's a funny story actually," I said, turning to face the table again. "Though Alice and Emmett are supposed to go with us too," I said to Jazz.
Jasper nodded, meeting Emmett's eyes over my shoulder.
"Me?" Emmett asked. "From the old Forks? You wanted me to tag along, even back then?"
"Sure, you were newly single…I was single. I thought we could lick our wounds together while those two reacquainted themselves with each other."
Emmett's sultry smirk and arched eyebrow told me exactly how he'd hoped we would have 'licked our wounds' together in that time line…given the opportunity.
"You know, that sounded much less pornographic inside my head," I offered to everyone seated at the table.
"Don't worry, I think Emmett's the only one picking up the porno channel right now," Rosalie said as she stood to leave.
"Speakin' of things we were supposed to do once we came back," Jasper said, standing as well, "have you given any thought to my offer?"
"What…you gonna cook for her too?" Emmett commented sarcastically. Clearly, his talk with Carlisle had been nothing to worry about since his mood was as upbeat as ever.
"I'm talkin' about changin' her, smartass," Jasper rolled his eyes, smiling at Emmett.
Emmett's posture changed immediately and he abruptly pulled me beside him, shielding my body with his large frame. "Like hell," he said, his simple sentence carrying more than just a veiled threat.
"Jasper," Alice started to speak, worry tainting her voice.
"Emmett," Jasper continued in a serious tone this time, "I offered to change Bella once we returned. She wants this—"
"Bullshit," Emmett said, ready to fight.
"I promised her," Jasper replied.
"I don't care. That's. Not. Happenin'." Emmett and Jasper faced each other for several seconds, both of them looking deadly and dangerous.
I threw my hands in the air as my frustration finally grew too much to bear. "This is great, just perfect."
Emmett's dark eyes flashed to me. "What, you want this?"
My eyes filled with unshed tears as I shook my head, "What difference does it make? It doesn't matter what I want."
"Unbelievable, Bella. That's just—"
"Enough!" Carlisle's raised voice cut off Emmett's argument. "It's been a stressful day, why don't we all just take a break here."
Emmett shook his head, looking like a strange mixture of emotion. His dark eyes locked on me for a moment, and I had to look away from the hurt and anger boiling behind those orbs. "I'm out of here," he said just seconds before slamming the front door.
"Bella," Esme started to speak, but I held up my hand to stop her.
"No, don't. I just want to go home," I said, swallowing my sobs. I wouldn't cry here, damn it. Not anymore. First Edward didn't want me to become one of them, now Emmett. It was too much for my puny human brain to process.
I wiped away a single tear that spilled free…I had hoped that Emmett would be different.
I quickly grabbed my jacket and made a beeline for the door, slipping the hood over my head once outside. A steady rain fell on the driveway, casting everything in shades of gray. I continued my trek down the drive, fully intent on walking home in the early afternoon rain, when a flash of red blocked my path.
"Need a ride?" Rosalie offered.
I stood there staring at her for more than a few seconds.
"Bella, I'm trying to be nice here. Don't make it any more difficult than it already is," a soft smile graced her features. She rolled her eyes at my display, "Just get in."
I finally climbed into her car, hyperaware of two things. One, I was getting water all over her luxurious leather interior. Rosalie did not strike me as the type to allow such things, and I thought she was likely internally fuming at my guffaw. Two, I was in a car with Rosalie, sitting not more than two feet from her. It was more than a little unnerving to be in such close proximity with a deadly creature…especially when said deadly creature detests you.
We drove in silence to Charlie's, and I was thankful for the reprieve. I didn't feel like talking about my feelings now, and I had no desire to listen to Rosalie tell me how lucky I am, how I can live my life like a good little human girl now and go on my merry way.
We pulled in the driveway and I noticed Charlie's cruiser was still gone. He wouldn't expect me home from school this early anyway.
"You know, you guys just blindsided him with that one," Rose finally spoke after turning off the car.
I remained silent. Maybe she would realize that I had no desire listen to the virtues of humanity right now.
"Okay, I get it…you don't want to talk to me," she glanced to her nails before looking back at me. "Just…don't shut him out. He'll cool down then you guys need to talk."
I exhaled loudly. "What do you care, Rosalie? From what I can gather, you should be thrilled…more than willing to take my place, even."
Yup, I was looking to pick a fight with a vampire. No one ever accused me of being the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.
Rosalie's eyes narrowed, "What is your malfunction? I just heard, quite possibly, the most romantic story ever about you two…I mean, Shakespeare couldn't write that crap. A love that crosses time? Bella, he loves you. You love him. Work this out."
All anger disappeared from Rosalie's eyes as she talked, until finally she looked vulnerable and almost sad.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Am I okay?"
I nodded, a little embarrassed. "Well, yeah..you're being kinda—nice."
Rosalie laughed softly before casting her eyes down. "I just don't want to see true love suffer. Despite what everyone thinks, I really am a romantic at heart."
I looked down too, "Have you ever been in love Rosalie?"
"Rose," she corrected.
I looked up at her.
"Call me Rose."
I nodded, "Okay…thanks." Such an exchange may seem small to an outsider, but I sensed the importance of her request. She was inviting me into her inner circle. A place where few people were ever allowed. It was both an honor and utterly terrifying all at the same time.
"Have you ever been in love, Rose?" I continued.
She nodded, dropping her eyes again.
I furrowed my brow, perplexed by her submissive display. It was very un-Rose like.
"Oh my God," I whispered. "You're in love right now…of course."
She nodded again.
"Please don't tell me it's—" I couldn't finish. I didn't want to hear her confess her undying love for Emmett.
"Oh God, no!" She piped up, her eyes darting to mine. "Not Emmett."
If not Emmett, then who? My mind reeled until one face settled in my brain. "Edward." I didn't need to ask her, and her downcast eyes served as my confirmation.
"But, he doesn't feel the same way," she said, finally looking up at me.
It was my turn to look away.
"I thought, when Emmett came into the picture…I thought I could use him to make Edward jealous."
I clenched my teeth together.
"It didn't work though. In fact, it made things worse. Emmett blew me off, repeatedly, and I think Edward was disgusted by my display."
I swallowed audibly. Wow, this was Rose trying to be nice?
"I'm sorry, Bella. I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable." Rose looked out the car window before speaking again. "Anyway, now I guess I'm just…damaged goods."
I watched her for a while, taking in this side of her. "Rose, I don't think he thinks that at all. Maybe he's just…confused."
She turned her amber eyes to mine, quirking her brow at my words. "Confused?"
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "Maybe if you let him know, subtly, that you are interested…."
"Sure, then he could reject me, again."
"Love is hard, Rose."
"So does that mean you're going to talk to Em?"
I sighed. "Of course I will. I love him," I said, even presenting a small smile.
She smiled too, "I'll think about it, Bella."
"Good…and thanks Rose."
I left the car feeling oddly at ease given the circumstances. Rose and I were apparently building the foundations for a friendship, and it felt good to have her support. I knew I would talk to Emmett as soon as he cooled off, and I'd hoped we could come to some sort of equally positive resolution. Maybe I could convince Emmett to change his mind even.
I dropped my jacket in the hamper before making my way to my bedroom. Before I could plop myself on my bed, I was engulfed in a soaking wet bear hug.
"I'm sorry," Emmett said, his voice muffled by my hair.
"I'm sorry too," I said, blinking fast so I wouldn't cry.
"If you want Jasper to do this," he said, pulling me away from him so he could look into my eyes, "then I won't stand in the way. I love you."
"I love you too. I just wish that you wanted this for me."
"Babe, it's not my first choice, but—"
"Yeah, I know. Let me guess, you want me to live my human life, have all my human experiences so I can grow old and die."
"What?" Emmett asked looking at me as though I were a raving lunatic, barely blinking as rainwater from his hair dripped off his eyelashes.
"Isn't that what you want for me?"
"Hell no," he said with such vehemence that I thought I'd offended him somehow. "Why would you think that?"
"You obviously don't want Jasper to change me," I stated before taking a deep breath. I didn't want to fight with Emmett, but I wasn't sure how this conversation was going to play out either.
Emmett shook his head, his smile growing larger and larger. "Babe, you're right…I don't want Jasper to change you."
And cue Captain Obvious.
"I want to change you."
Alright, I know it makes me sound like a mouth-breathing knuckle-dragger, but I'm saying it anyway. "Huh?"
"Yeah, me. I want to change you. We've talked about this…all of us, but I just realized that you and Jazz wouldn't remember any of those conversations," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"How can you change me if you want to kill me?" I asked.
"What the—why do you think I want to kill you?"
I glanced at my still rumpled bed sheets, our earlier encounter coming back with ferocious intensity. "Earlier…this morning, when you tried to—"
"I had no desire to kill you, Bella. I was just strongly leanin' toward speedin' up your transformation." He pulled me close to him again, snuggling my head beneath his chin. "I would never hurt you sweetheart. And I never want to see you cry again."
"So," I craned my neck so I could look up at him, "you just wanted to change me earlier?"
He nodded, smirking seductively, "Well, that and other things."
"Was it because of the blood play?" I asked, barely resisting the urge to run my hand across my new marks.
"No, I don't think so. Carlisle and I talked about it. I don't think you realize just how ready I am for you to become one of us."
I smiled up at him, "I don't think you realize just how ready I am either."
"Really? We could always change the plan," he said smiling.
"What is 'the plan,' exactly?"
"One year of college in Alaska, then the change next summer…Carlisle says that way you can finish up your classes online to help take your mind off everything."
"That seems like a long time to wait," I said, absently chewing my lower lip.
"Hey, anytime you're ready, say the word sweetheart." Emmett pulled me to him again before kissing me softly on the lips.
"How about after graduation?"
"College?" Emmett nearly squeaked.
"No, I was thinking next month, not next summer."
"Even better as far as I'm concerned."
"Hey," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck so I could kiss him. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
He smiled against my lips. "You know, I'm more of a visual kinda guy. Why don't you just show me instead?"
A/N: Alright everyone, that chapter was full of some pretty close calls...hmm, I wonder what Charlie and Emmett talked about during that fishing trip that got Charlie's knickers in such a twist (hint, hint). Thankfully, Bella and Emmett worked out their issues with her transformation. Funny how these two just keep getting their wires crossed. Poor Bella, she should have know that Emmett wanted her to become a vampire. I guess Edward's constant rejection of her wishes in the old time line really scarred her.
Speaking of scars, I had to introduce the concept of blood play into this story line. I cannot fathom having a hunky vampire boyfriend who cannot bite me. That would completely tick me off to no end. So, I thought I would make it something sensual and fulfilling for both parties involved. Plus, it can really make things interesting when they finally consummate their relationship [insert dreamy sigh here]. Oh, and yes, they will have sex...I'm thinking it's about dang time and that I will write that in the next chapter (go easy on me though...this is my first fan fiction, after all, and I am REALLY nervous about writing that!).
By the way, I think we may have one...maybe two more chapters tops before this story concludes. Can you believe we've made it this far? Thanks again, and I am going to work really hard to get the conclusion out as quickly as possible!