Rosalie

Emmett had been home for a month. We kept things pretty quiet at first but eventually settled into our routine. I also finally started working at the paper. That helped keep my mind off of things.

Emmett kept pretty busy. People would come and work with him. I'm pretty sure one was a psychologist. Dad probably insisted on that. Emmett was trying hard to keep his spirits up but it was clear he was struggling. It has to be hard to be optimistic when the chances of chronic pain are high.

"I feel so trapped. I know you all say I can go places but. How?" He was in his wheelchair. A chair he could barely operate with his wrist.

I placed a hand on his knee - his good knee. "How much longer?"

"Too long." He placed his hand on mine. "How's work? You a big famous writer now?"

He asked me about work all of the time. I guess it helped get his mind off things. "It's good. I'm doing a few small pieces, nothing big."

"If you're writing them I'm sure they're spectacular."

"I'm still working on that piece about the recent changes at the hospital. I convinced them that I was there long enough to know that story forward and back." I smiled, then noticed that he had drifted off.

He looked back, "What? I'm sorry. Which story?"

"The hospital one."

"Yes. Got it. The one you know really well. You convinced them to give it to you." He had a new habit of mind dumping, for lack of a better word. When he'd get lost and we finally get him back on track he starts almost dumping information out. Apparently it helped with his recall.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" I looked out the window. "It's actually not raining."

"Can I just go outside?" He started trying to push the wheels. I opened the door and walked around to help him.

A few minutes outside and he was passed out. I tried to wake him at first but he was out. Some days were more exhausting for him than others. He didn't look that comfortable in the chair but there wasn't much I could do alone, and I wasn't about to leave him alone out here.

I jumped slightly when I hear dad quietly whispering my name. "Rosalie, is everything OK?"

I nodded, still looking at Emmett. "Yes. Sorry. He was upset about not being able to go anywhere and wanted to come outside. I didn't have the heart to bring him back in."

Carlisle nodded, "I'm glad. He's turned everyone else down on this offer."

Emmett was snoring in his chair and again I felt it looked so uncomfortable."I think we should get him to his bed."

Carlisle nodded. "I'll help you. Get the door."

I opened the door and walked behind Carlisle as he pushed Emmett into the house. Trying to make sure his leg was immobile made it difficult to maneuver. It made it even more difficult to get a groggy Emmett from the wheelchair into the bed, but we managed.

Carlisle walked out as I fixed the blankets for Emmett. Once I was satisfied that he would be comfortable I started to leave. "Wait." His eyes opened slightly. "please." He added.

"Do you want another pillow?" I reached for the extra pillow on the nearby chair.

"No. Just. Please wait until I fall asleep again." He closed his eyes again for a few moments before opening them to look at me. I sat beside him. Taking his hand in mine. I waited until he was snoring softly to let go of his hand and then waited a few minutes more before leaving.