! It's 9:00 Monday night and I just realized that the chapter I submitted is not the one I wanted you to read... :( There's not much difference, but I went through and changed a few things here and there, tweeking it. I hope everybody gets a chance to read the corrected version. I like it so much better. !
***This chapter is dedicate to all my Emmett lovers. I love your hearts and feelings for the big man.
***Words can never describe my feelings for the beautiful girls that help me with this story. Thank you RoryCullen, AnotherJen and JulieGirl. xxooxx
***These characters are loosely based on Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. Therefore I do not own them. Thank you.
Chapter 27- Betrayed
"You're leaving for good?" Emmett's distressed heart gave a jerk.
"Maybe… yes... most likely."
Emmett nodded, took one last look at her, and walked out the door.
Bella's words hung in the air around him, repeating in his head. She was leaving... leaving. Was she going back home to stay? Or moving to New York? So many questions that he had wanted to ask her, but hadn't. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answers, especially if it involved her being with someone else.
He headed for the highway, anxious to get home to Forks. He needed his family and the peace he hoped to find there. Everything was so messed up right now and he just couldn't deal anymore. Hopefully at home he could relax and think.
He pulled into the driveway with a long sigh, his body automatically sagging back against the car seat. He stared at the house for a while, unsure of how he was going to explain things to them. The front door opened and his mother came out. She walked to the car and opened his door.
"Are you going to sit out here all night?" she asked, bending to see him.
"Maybe…" His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he looked up at her. Taking a deep breath, he slowly got out of the car, retrieved his bag and followed her inside. There were already some Christmas decorations up, and the hall was hung with old photos of Christmas' past. He stopped for a minute to look them over. He, Alice, and Edward as children smiled back at him, reminding him of simpler times.
"Alice and Jasper are already here. They went out to get a few things from The Home Depot." She stood beside him, anxiously looking him over.
Emmett nodded. He scanned the living room as memories of time spent with Bella mixed with those of his family. "No tree?"
"We were waiting for everyone to get here. Are you hungry?"
Shaking his head, he said, "I think I'll just go up to my room. I'm beat, maybe I can get some sleep." This was harder than he thought. He had hoped to find some peace, but he was being assaulted with the past. He and Bella had spent a lot of time here together and he knew it would only be worse in his room.
His large frame filled the doorway, and he paused to adjust to the emptiness that consumed him. Sitting on the bed, he put his head in his hands and tried to breathe. Would he ever be able to relax? Would he always feel this lost?
A knock sounded on the door. "Come in."
His mother's solemn face peaked around his door. "Are you okay?"
"Honestly? No." He looked at his mother, sorrow etched across his face. "It's Bella. She's... uhhh… Well, I guess she's changed her mind about us." At her nod, he gave her a rueful smile. "Alice already told you."
"Yes, she wanted to make things easier for you. I'm glad she did." She took a step closer to him, her hand extended to offer comfort.
Emmett rose and moved away from her. If she touched him, he wouldn't make it through this talk. "I think I'll go for a walk."
"Honey, it's late. I thought you were tired?"
"I just need to breathe. I need some space." He stood and opened his suitcase, pulling out an old sweatshirt. He choked as Bella's perfume slammed into him and his grip tightened around the shirt. Damn it... She'd worn this shirt all the time. Alice must have unknowingly thrown it in his suitcase. Tears threatened to spill and his shoulders shook with the effort to not cry in front of his mother.
Esme walked to her son and took the offensive material away from him. She threw it in the hall and closed his door before wrapping her arms tightly around him. She hated seeing her big, grown son in so much pain.
"Mom..." his voice cracked as she rubbed his back softly.
"I know, baby. I know."
It was some time later before Emmett was ready for that walk. His mom brought in another sweatshirt for him to wear, and he gratefully slipped the clean shirt over his head before heading outside.
The cool, clean air felt good as it filled his lungs. He stayed on the porch for a bit, just looking around. He had missed this - the quiet, the fresh air, being able to see the stars. This was the only place where he felt like he could really think, where he could look at everything clearly without any distractions. Stepping down, he found some old trails leading into the woods. He followed them, taking his time and relishing the isolation. He didn't mind being alone when he was out here.
He'd only gone a short distance when he began to go over the events of the last year. Things hadn't been right with Bella for awhile. She was always busy with school, and she'd needed extra time to study. She had distanced herself from him, choosing to spend time with Angela instead. He hated that he'd been upset with her over it. College was extremely important to Bella. Emmett knew that. It was why he'd asked his brother to help her. Edward had been able to bring a smile to Bella's face that Emmett hadn't. When she got that A on her paper, she had been ecstatic. It had been the first time in months that he had seen her smile like that. It hadn't changed anything though. She still needed to study and hours were spent at the library with Edward. For the first time, Emmett realized that it had bothered him more than he wanted to admit. She'd spent more time with Edward than she had with him.
He thought things would get better after he got the promotion at work. He'd hoped it would help since he would be home more, but it didn't. When he was home, she was withdrawn and it seemed everything he tried failed. The only time she'd been happy was when he'd gotten the New York tickets, but even that hadn't lasted. So he'd spent more time at his job and Bella spent more time with Edward. Suddenly, they were having coffee together and she was going to the movies and eating dinner with him.
Emmett stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowing, a deep frown marring his features. "Fuck!" he yelled out in anger. She had been spending so much time with Edward. Could they… Could Edward and Bella… He pressed his fingers against his temples, trying to alleviate the sudden, sharp pain there. No... no, that wasn't possible. He couldn't even think like that. Edward wouldn't do that. Emmett felt disgusted with himself for even entertaining the thought. Yet, it continued to poke at him, leaving him doubting and confused. He mentally pushed it away, forcing himself to not dwell on it.
Maybe he and Bella had subconsciously avoided each other, because they were afraid to talk about the way things were changing. So much had gone wrong, too many arguments left unsolved, too much time spent apart. If he was honest, he could see why things fell apart. Was she that unhappy? If only she had come to him, maybe...
Sighing heavily, he kept walking, until finally he was so tired he couldn't think anymore. By the time he got back to the house, it was late and everyone was asleep. He was exhausted, and he fell asleep before his head even hit the pillow.
-xx-
Sunlight streamed into his room, beaming across his bed and hitting him in the face. At any other time, a sunny day in Forks would be a welcome sight, but not today... not for Emmett. He tried to shut the light out; to fall back to sleep, to avoid, a bit longer, to no avail. He stretched his tired muscles, feeling achy from his restless slumber. Squinting against the glare, he forced himself out of bed. He shuffed to the window and looked out at a blanket of snow. The sun was reflecting off of it and everything looked serene and peaceful. Emmett turned from the window, yawning and looking down at his stomach when it rumbled, reminding him that he needed to eat. A clean pile of clothes lay stacked on his dresser and he felt a little better upon seeing it; silently, he thanked his mother. He slipped on some jeans and a t-shirt before going downstairs to join his family.
Alice and Jasper were sitting at the table, while his mom was at the stove, the smell of fried batter filling the air. Emmett sniffed appreciatively as his stomach let out a loud growl, reminding him he had skipped dinner the night before. His mom turned, a plate full of pancakes balanced in her hand.
"Sit. Eat." She sat the stack on the table and Emmett situated himself in front of them. The first bite melted in his mouth and he moaned in gratitude. They were good, and he enjoyed just sitting quietly and eating. He looked around the table smiling, happy to see his family all together. Alice and Jasper also had their mouths full.
Two people were missing though. "Where's dad and when's Edward getting here?"
Everyone grew still, Alice with a bite halfway to her mouth. His mom seemed stiff as she stared out the window. Finally, Jasper spoke. "Your dad's at work. Early morning shift."
He went back to shoveling in his pancakes. Emmett looked between his sister and mother, wondering about the sudden tension in the air. "And Edward?"
Mom turned, a tight smile on her face. "I'm sure he will be here soon."
Alice scowled, rolled her eyes and slammed down her fork. "I'm not hungry anymore." She left the room quickly.
"What the hell was that?" Emmett cocked his eyebrow at Jasper, who just shrugged a wicked grin lighting his face.
"I don't know. PMS?"
Emmett sputtered, his face growing red. "Ugh, that's my sister you're talking about." He let the subject drop and went back to his breakfast. "Mike asked me to stop by for dinner. Did you know that he and Lauren had a baby?"
Esme nodded, a small smile forming. "Yes, I saw them at the grocers yesterday. A beautiful baby girl. It'll be nice for you to see them again."
-xx-
The house was green, with white shutters, and a swing on the front porch. He parked in the driveway behind an old red tow truck, with Captain's Auto Body written on the side.
He was greeted at the door by the smiling eyes of Lauren Newton. "Emmett!" She hugged him fiercely and ushered him inside. "It's been too long," she admonished him teasingly. "We had to have a baby just to get a visit from you?"
Emmett shook his head as he realized it had in fact been over a year since he last saw them. Rubbing the back of his neck, he hung his head sheepishly. "Yeah... Sorry."
Lauren just smiled and took his hand. "You're here now, that's what matters. Mike is anxious to see you. He's in the backyard. Our baby girl is asleep right now, but as soon as she wakes up, I'll introduce you."
"Do you always grill out in the snow?" Emmett asked, shaking his head and smiling broadly as he walked out the back door.
"Hell yeah… whenever I feel like a good steak, you bet your ass. About time you got down here to see me." Mike slapped him a good one on the back before turning again to the grill. "We missed you.'
Mike handed Emmett a beer, and after throwing some steaks on the fire sat down with him. They talked while the food cooked, filling each other in on what was happening in their lives.
"I'm really sorry about what's happened with you and Bella. I know you loved her. Hell, she's the only reason you moved to Seattle. Remember how you practically cried when you left?" Mike snickered, moving the meat around the grill.
"I think you were the one with the tears in your eyes."
"Yeah. Maybe I knew things wouldn't be the same around here with you gone." Mike's face grew serious. "I have something important to talk to you about - a business venture. I need your help. First though we need to take these steaks inside. It's time to eat."
The baby woke, just as Lauren was sitting down. "It always happens this way. Excuse me for a minute."
Emmett swallowed hard when she came out carrying the baby. He blinked rapidly, and cleared his throat. He could only think of the future he had hoped for - he and Bella, just like this, with a baby, a house. However, as he sat there staring at Lauren, he realized that Bella had never wanted this. She never spoke about getting married or having kids. He was always the one to bring it up and she would get uncomfortable and blow him off, making a comment about them being to young or that it was something they could figure out much later.
Lauren squatted next to Emmett to show him her baby. "This is Annemarie."
The rest of the night was spent discussing the trials of parenthood, and Mike's new venture. He wanted Emmett to open a place with him. "Cappy's planning on retiring. I could buy the garage from him for a steal. But I can't do it alone. I figured that maybe now you could come home."
Emmett looked down at his hands. He would love to say yes, but there was Bee. He still loved her and he wasn't sure if he was ready to completely give up on her yet.
"I'll think about it, Mike. There's a lot going on with me right now, plus I have a job already... and... I just… let me think on it."
Mike nodded and the conversation turned towards old times, playing football and hanging out at the lake. Of course, that made Em think of Bella.
He was still thinking of her while he lay in bed, trying to sleep. He tossed and turned, and before he knew it was morning.
He gave up trying to get any sleep. He just couldn't stop thinking about everything going on in his life right now. He had too many decisions too make, too many unanswered questions. He got up and went out for another walk.
He tried to relax, to enjoy the cold air and new fallen snow, but he couldn't. He only grew more confused and tired. He wanted Bella, but he knew that probably wasn't going to happen. He'd asked her to think about them, to be sure. Was she sure? Mike wanted him to move home, open a shop together. Emmet wanted that more than anything. But could he just throw in the towel and give up completely on the life he'd lived for the past three years? Could he start over? And most painful and confusing of all was the still present thought of Bella and Edward. No matter how hard he tried to push it away, it wouldn't leave.
He went back to the house with the intention of going to see Mike. His friend wanted to show him the garage and talk over some improvements he wanted to make. Plus, maybe Mike could help. He wasn't in the middle of all of it; he would be an unbiased ear with honest advice.
Walking inside the house, he shook the snow off and hung his coat in the closet. He could hear voices coming from the kitchen.
Alice's words stopped him in the hallway and he leaned against the wall, quietly listening. "I just think he should know. It's not right - him being so unaware. I love them both, but what's happening is wrong."
"What good would it do?" His mom's soft voice trembled and he was certain she was crying.
"What about when he sees them together?" Emmett's face paled and he took a step back. His sister continued, her voice growing louder. "I'm afraid she's going to destroy our family. He's going to be so hurt, they both are."
Emmett's heart pounded in his chest as the reality of his situation rushed in.
The way Edward looked at Bella, his eyes following her everywhere she went.
Edward leaning in to her whispering and her soft laughter that followed.
Bella's actions when Edward had been with that girl.
Bella's refusal to tell him who she was seeing.
Edward's recent absence and lack of calls.
Everything that he already knew clicked into place. Emmett's face reddened and his breathing accelerated. Entering the kitchen, he looked around at the shocked faces. "Emmett." His mother reached out to touch him, but he stepped away.
"Everyone knows but me? Dumb Emmett who is too stupid to see what is right in front of his face." Swallowing down the threatening tears, he scowled darkly. "Well, guess what. I did know. I just didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to believe that my own brother would do something like this."
Turning, he left the kitchen and ran upstairs. Once in his room he pulled out his phone, scrolled to her name, and hit send. He listened to the ring back, a favorite song of hers, and clenched his eyes shut tightly. There was no answer.
He was a kid again, hurt, and bleeding. He'd crashed his bike, and his hands and knees were scuffed up. Edward knelt beside him. "It's okay, let me help you." His hand encircled Emmett's arm and pulled him up. Emmett leaned hard against Edward as they hobbled up the sidewalk towards home.
Emmett's hands clasped over his eyes, trying to get rid of the things he was seeing.
Edward sat down next to him. "I got you something, too. Don't tell mom." It was wrapped in green paper, with the words happy birthday printed all over it. Emmett grinned and tore open the paper. It was a football. Emmett jumped up and yelled, giving a fist pump. He didn't think he was going to get one of these. Mom thought football was dangerous. "Let's go in the backyard and toss it around some," Edward said, standing and leading the way. Emmett grinned after him. He had the best brother in the world.
He tried Edward's number. It went directly to voicemail.
Emmett and Edward sat eating pizza, while Bella went to get them a beer. Edward's eyes followed her, his lips parted as he watched her walk away.
With a growl he swung his arm out across the dresser, knocking old trophies on the floor, and breaking a lamp.
Bella smiled at Edward, thanking him for the gift, and giving him a hug. She lingered with him a little and there was a slight blush on her cheeks when she pulled away.
Emmett could no longer hold back the anger and sorrow as he yelled loudly, dropping to his knees. His door opened and his mom came in.
"Emmett.." She rushed to him, but he turned away from her.
"Get out." A hand squeezed his shoulder. "Please, just leave me alone." He knelt on the floor, knowing they wouldn't leave him be. He needed to get out of here. Grabbing his keys he hurried outside, ignoring Alice who was anxiously waiting in the hallway.
-xx-
Emmett barely felt the cold, or the sting of the wind and salt water spray. He felt like a part of him was dying and he'd never be the same. He walked along the shore, feeling like he could just keep going. Going and never stopping, never coming back. Nothing had prepared him for this. Losing Bella hurt, but losing his brother was killing him.
"We'll stick together, you and me. Don't worry." Edward sat down next to Emmett on the porch. "I may be going off to college, but I'll be coming back all the time." Emmett sniffled and tried to hide from Edward. He didn't want his big brother to think he was a baby for crying. He was thirteen years old, he shouldn't cry anymore. "Emmett?" Sighing, Edward walked down the remaining steps. "I have to go now." Mom and dad came out ready to take Edward away. "I'll miss you, buddy." Emmett looked up at his brother, surprised to see tears on his face. He stood and hurried to him. They hugged, squeezing each other tightly. "I'll be home soon and we can have some ice cream while you fill me in on all I missed. Okay?" Emmett nodded and stepped back, crying a little more as he watched them drive away.
The sky was darkening as the sun began to set. Emmett hadn't realized he had been out there so long. His fingers were numb, and his face burned from the cold. He'd ignored his phone while walking, so he wasn't surprised at the missed calls and urgent messages from his family. There were even some from Mike. They must've called him.
He didn't want to go home, knowing they would bombard him with questions as soon as he walked in the door. He thought about getting a room at the hotel. Instead, he called his father.
"Come home." There was a worried edge to his dad's voice and Emmett felt bad for causing it.
"I don't know if I can. It's too much. I can't be around anyone right now."
"I'll tell them to leave you alone." His dad sighed, "Son, come home."
And he did. He went back home and just like his dad had promised, no one bothered him as he walked upstairs to his room.
He lay on his bed and thought of her. He missed her. Edward's betrayal burned deep and he wanted to talk to his best friend, but she was the reason for the betrayal. His heart ached and he turned on his side to gaze balefully out the window. A large gust of air pushed out from his lips, followed by a small moan of discomfort.
He couldn't sleep and he doubted that he would ever be able to again.
Giving up on the idea of getting any rest, he finally stood and went into the kitchen. Everyone was asleep and the house was quiet.
Bella should be at her dad's by now. She'd said she was going there. Why didn't she answer her phone when he called? Maybe he should try her parents' house, but it was late and he didn't want to wake anyone. Besides, maybe she was sleeping, or out with friends here in town.
He took his time drinking a glass of milk and eating a peanut butter sandwich. He grabbed a book from his dad's office and went back to his room. He sat and stared at it, but was unable to concentrate and after reading the same passage three times, he let it fall to the floor.
Dawn was breaking through his window and he stood, looking outside. He needed to talk to Bella again. He had to hear it from her that all this was true. He wanted to know why. After showering and dressing, he made his way over to her parent's place.
He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. It was early, but Bella's dad was usually up by now so someone should be there. He tried again, but still no answer.
She wasn't there.
Edward wasn't here yet either.
It was like a slap in the face and Emmett's head hung low as he grabbed at the sides of the door. That didn't take long, he thought angrily, slamming his fist into the door, before turning and walking quickly away.
He went back home and stood in the middle of his living room, his arms shaking as anger surged through him- anger and hurt. He didn't know what to do with himself.
He was lost.
**My heart is sick. Emmett... I hope this may give some insite to the few of you out there who seem not to care that this beautiful man is being hurt. All in the name of love. Sigh... *sobs*
***Thanks you all for reading and please review. Hugs.
