Anala stood under the hot spray of the shower. The room was filled with steam and the smell of her body wash and shampoo filled her nose. The hot water eased her sore body. Anala could feel her body's natural healing process at work, slowly but surely easing the aches and pains. She was exhausted but felt light and refreshed at the same time. Cool, large hands enfolded her hips and lips touched her shoulder.
"Do we have to?"
She quivered at the low, rough voice in her ear. "Yes, we were supposed to be at school almost two hours ago."
And they would've been on time if Emmett hadn't let her sleep in then not let her out of bed and then interrupted the first shower she'd tried to take. Javan was off who-knew-where and Nolan had been spending most nights with Jasper, so no one but Emmett had been there to wake her for school, which he obviously overlooked. Emmett's hand trailed around and slid up her torso to cup her breast.
"But I don't want to go to school. I think I'm coming down with something."
Anala breathed deeply. Don't lose focus.
"Sure you are Emmett."
"I am babe! I've got a lot of tension in my lower belly. And I just can't seem to want to get out of bed for too long."
A familiar hardness was rising against her lower back and Emmett's fingers gently stroked her now pert nipple.
Stay focused. She wasn't going to give in. Not again.
"We need to get to school then see Carlisle."
"Carlisle?" Emmett asked absently, other hand moving around her hip and over her thigh. His lips traveled up the curve of her neck as water pounded down on them. Anala pushed his wandering hands away before she really did end up right back in bed, entangled naked in the sheets with Emmett and—
Focus.
She turned. "You've practically been running a fever. Vampires don't get fevers."
Emmett shrugged. Anala watched as water dripped off his matted hair and down his face, over his lips, chin, neck, over his broad chest and down his rippling abdomen all the way—
Focus!
Anala turned off the shower and stepped out, cheeks heating as she wrapped a towel around herself. Emmett followed suit, running a towel roughly over his head. "But I feel fine."
Emmett had a very simple logic. Problem: fix it and it goes away. If it doesn't bother him, then there's no need to turn it into an issue. Anala usually loved that about him. But not right now.
"You should go anyway."
"No."
She looked at him. "Please Em? I'll just worry if you don't."
"Nothing is wrong. I feel just fine. Promise."
"Fine." Anala walked into her room and pulled on her underwear. Emmett followed.
"That's it? No argument?"
Anala pulled on a pair of white-wash skinny jeans and slipped on a black corset top and a pair of pumps. She checked the time on her phone and quickly pinned her wet hair up into a neat bun.
"Yes, Em. That's it. We're adults, I'm not going to pester you."
Emmett was dressed in a flash. "I don't trust it."
Anala shrugged. She pulled on her jacket and headed towards the stairs before she stopped. "Shit!"
"What?" Emmett asked from behind her.
"Nolan as the car."
Emmett dangled a pair of keys I front of her. "Alice brought the jeep over this morning while you were sleeping."
Anala's mood brightened. "Great! Let's go."
Emmett took her hand, stopping her from continuing her descent. "Not until you tell me what you're planning."
"I'm not planning anything."
"Bullshit!"
"I'm not!"
"I don't believe you."
"Emmett we're late!"
"So?"
"Ugh! You're impossible!"
"You know, you're hot when you're annoyed."
"You're terrible."
Emmett's eyes were on her chest. "Are you sure we have to go?"
Anala sighed and Emmett gave her a boyish grin. "Okay, okay. Let's go."
Emmett swooped down and gave her a mind-numbing kiss before pulling her downstairs and out the door. After assisting her into the jeep they were off. Third period was nearly halfway through when they arrived and Anala was about to exit the large vehicle when Emmett grabbed her, pulling her across the car and into his lap. He pushed his seat back and held her close. He skimmed his nose along her cheekbone, growling softly in content.
"You smell like me now." He murmured, running his hands up her back.
"I do?"
Emmett's hair tickled her jaw as he moved to her neck. "Mmhmm."
Emmett slowly pushed opened her jacket, softly kissing her chest and pulled her closer. Anala touched his arms, feeling the large muscles shifting beneath his shirt, and slid them up to his shoulders.
"E-Em,"
"I know," he murmured. "Just give me a minute longer."
Emmett's lips slid up to hers and Anala wrapped her arms around his neck. She was addicted to Emmett's kisses. She thought that if there was nothing aside from them in the world, she'd spend all her time like this, with Emmett. Kissing him, touching him, being with him. Emmett pulled away.
"Okay. Now we can go."
Anala bit her lip. Now she was the one who didn't want to go. How the hell did he do that? Anala jumped out the driver side door, Emmett followed suit and handed her backpack over before slinging his own over his shoulder. He took her hand and guided her towards Forks High.
Anala sat at their usual lunch table with Rosalie. They were early today and none of the others were there yet. Anala took a sip of her water as Rosalie kept giving her an oddly soft look.
"Rose, you've been looking at me like that ever since you saw me today. What is it?"
The blonde woman shook he head. "It's just, I'm happy." She said. "You and Em are perfect together. After the divorce, I had doubts, and I worried. But you're good for him. You make him happier than I could've ever hoped to." She winked. "Congratulations by the way. That man is good, isn't he?"
Anala stared at Rosalie in horror. Divorce? She and Emmett were married? Rosalie was her best friend and Anala had stolen her husband away. She was a horrible friend. "Rose, I am so sorry! If I had known—I wouldn't—why didn't you tell me?"
Rosalie just laughed. "If I had done that would would've avoided him like the plague!"
"But—"
"Anala listen to me." Rosalie's voice had gone stern and she cupped her chin, staring straight into her eyes. "Emmett and I love each other, always will. But he belongs with you. I've seen how you are with each other. You make him happy and that's all I want for him. We both know we aren't meant for each other but you Anala, you're his mate and I couldn't be happier for that. Got it?"
Anala nodded, though guilt ate at her. "Okay."
She stared into Rosalie's warm, butterscotch eyes and saw the honesty in them. She wished someone had told her but Rosalie was right, if she knew before today the two had been married she would've never let herself fall for Emmett. Realization made her suddenly flush. Somewhere along the way she had fallen for Emmett and didn't even know it. Coming to the realization now was both heartwarming and completely terrifying. She was suddenly nervous at the thought.
"You two gonna kiss?"
Anala jumped and looked to see Emmett standing in front of the table, lunch tray in hand and math book in the other. His dark gold eyes glinted amusedly. Rosalie released her chin and smirked at her ex-husband.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?"
"Very much."
Emmett came around the table and sat next to her. "You look kind of pale. Are you okay?"
Anala nodded. "I'm fine."
The others arrived a few minutes later and Nolan almost suffocated her in a hug. "I haven't seen my little sister in so long! It's been nearly thirty years! How the hell are ya?"
Anala struggled in his hold. "Nolan! You're so weird."
"But I missed you."
"You saw me yesterday!"
"And your point would be?"
Anala laughed against his shoulder. "I missed you too. Now let go, my ribs are breaking."
Edward and Bella approached, the latter looking upset. One of the chairs at the table was missing and Emmett pulled her down onto his lap, letting Edward take it, Bella sitting next to him.
"What's wrong?" Anala asked.
"Jake's pissed off at me."
Edward scowled.
"How is he?" she asked, remembering the young native.
"He's okay. He mentioned you. I didn't know you two knew each other."
Anala could see that Bella was angry at that. She wondered what was going on between her and the shifter. Jacob obviously had feelings for her but what about her? And what of Edward?
"We've met. He's very nice. I can see how you became friends."
"I've known Jake since we were kids."
Alice's face went blank for a moment and Edward suddenly laughed.
"What did you see?" Jasper asked. His arm was slung casually over Nolan's shoulder and Anala had to appreciate the contrast between them. Where her brother was dark, Jasper was light. Jasper was usually quiet, preferring to observe and Nolan could be just as quiet or pull the vampire out of his bubble of quiet solitude. Anala knew Jasper struggled with his thirst. Anala guessed that since he could feel the thirst of his siblings as well, it merely mounted on top of his own. Nolan seemed to balance him, letting him become more relaxed in environments such as this one. And Jasper kept Nolan mellow, less angry. They fit like puzzle pieces.
Alice shook her head. "Oh, nothing really Jazzy."
The small, exuberant vampire winked at her.
Anala spent the rest of school waiting impatiently for the final bell. It seemed that time had slowed to a crawl, leaving Anala wanting nothing more than to leave, not caring that she sat in the middle of class. Part of her almost wished she had listened to Emmett and skipped school all together. Once the sweet, grating ring filled her ears, Anala was practically sobbing in relief. She made her way through the crowded halls and to the student parking lot. Nolan stood with Jasper and Edward, the three men talking casually to each other. She watched as Emmett approached them with Rosalie at his side. It was hard for her to completely come to terms with what she had learned that day. Guilt still swirled in her chest despite Rosalie's reassurances.
Anala made a beeline towards the group and approached her brother. "Nolan, can I get the keys? I need the car."
"Sure." Nolan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the car keys.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm stopping by the hospital to see Carlisle."
"Carlisle?" he asked.
Emmett stepped forward. "I knew it!" he boomed. "I already told you I won't go."
"You can do whatever you want. I'm perfectly capable of going by myself."
Anala turned and headed across the parking lot towards the Camaro.
"Damn it!"
Anala grinned. She was almost to the car when a large hand wrapped around her wrist and began tugging her back the way she came. Emmett glared straight ahead.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"We'll take the jeep." He muttered.
"I thought you didn't want to go."
Emmett's eyes narrowed as they approached the jeep. He released her wrist and climbed into the huge vehicle. It roared to life a moment later and Anala turned to Nolan with a smile, handing him the car keys.
"Never mind."
Nolan looked confused but he laughed. Anala got into the jeep and Emmett pulled out of the lot. He was quiet as he drove, staring moodily out the windshield. His full bottom lip protruded just slightly and Anala's lips pulled into a grin.
"Emmett," she asked slowly. "Are you pouting?"
"Yes!" he snapped. "You fucking tricked me!"
Anala had never seen Emmett look so adorable. Despite his large intimidating frame he looked like a young boy, put-off by the fact he wasn't getting his way. He really lived up to the 'Teddy Bear' nickname. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I didn't trick you! You said you didn't want to go see your father at the hospital and I said fine. I never said I wouldn't go."
"I don't know who's worse. You, or Alice."
Emmett pouted till they reached the hospital. Anala shut the jeep door and tugged on Emmett's hand to stop him.
"I'm sorry you're mad at me."
He looked at her. "I'm not mad at you. I just wish I was that devious. I wasn't going to come here and you got me here willingly and I wasn't even aware of it! You're an evil mastermind."
"I'm just worried."
Emmett sighed and tightened his hold on her hand. "I know. But still, you've got the mind of a great supervilian."
They entered the hospital and headed towards the elevator. Once they reached the third floor Emmett headed straight to the nurses station. "Hi Mary!"
The nurse behind the desk was a beautiful young woman with long dark curly hair and smooth lovely skin the color of rich mahogany. Her eyes were a warm hazel-brown and her full lips pulled into a large smile as she looked up.
"Emmett! How are you? Have you grown since the last time I saw you?"
Emmett shrugged and smiled at her. "Not sure. I've been great. You?"
"You know how it is, busy as always." Mary's eyes met Anala's and she smiled. "And who is this beautiful young thing? Your girlfriend?"
Emmett nodded and Anala smiled at the woman's warm countenance. "I'm Anala."
"Anala, what a beautiful name." she looked to Emmett. "Now, how can I help you?"
"We're here to see my dad."
Mary looked at one of the many files on the desk then at her watch. "He should be finishing up in surgery soon. You can go ahead and wait for him. I'll page him once he's done. You can wait in his office if you'd like, I got to do my rounds."
"Okay thanks Mary."
Emmett led her down a hall and Anala found herself slowing as they passed room after room Emmett turned onto another hallway with fewer doors.
"Wait," Anala said. Emmett stopped and looked at her in curiosity. Anala turned around and began to walk. She didn't have a particular destination in mind, but she let her senses guide her. Anala didn't usually like hospitals. They were filled with the dead. There was a constant flow of life and death in places like this that always left her with a pounding headache and an ache in her heart. Anala passed the nurses station and saw Mary gone. She continued down the hall, hearing coughs and televisions and snippets of conversations over the thrum and beeping of hospital equipment. Anala found herself walking into a room labeled 318. There was a curtain dividing the room in half. The bed nearest the door was empty, stripped of bedding and left with only a fresh sheet. Anala made her way around the curtain.
In the bed was an old woman. Her pale skin was wrinkled with age and her hair fell around her shoulders like fresh fallen snow. She was propped up by a few pillows and was looking at the old man in the armchair next to her bed. The man was sitting silently, hands folded in his lap. He wore the green hospital robe but wasn't attached to any IV or machinery like the woman. His dark eyes met Anala's, expression patient, peaceful, though mildly curious. The woman's head turned and Anala was met with clear cerulean eyes set above dark bags. Age and illness had not dimmed the brightness of the woman's eyes and she looked at them in confusion. Instead of asking who she was or inquiring as to why she was there, the woman smiled.
"Hello."
Anala smiled at the woman. The air carried the presence of Death.
"Hello ma'am."
The old woman beckoned her forward with a bony, wrinkled hand. Anala stepped to the woman's bedside. She stared up at her for a long moment.
"You're a pretty one." She commented. "I bet all the boys are after you, huh?" She laughed, the sound light and airy, like breeze passing through a window.
The old man's thin lips pulled into a smile.
The woman looked at the old man. "My Robby passed this morning," she murmured, sighing.
"I'm sorry." Anala said honestly.
Those blue eyes met hers and the woman leaned forward. "Aah, but you can see him too, can't you?" her voice was a whisper, like she was sharing a secret with Anala.
Anala smiled faintly. "Yes, I can see him."
"What's your name girl?"
"Anala Cathari."
The woman coughed roughly and looked to Emmett. "Young man, would you mind getting me some water?"
"Of course." Emmett crossed the room to where a pitcher and a few cups sat on a small cart.
"You got yourself a good one there. Very handsome." The woman said quietly, unaware that Emmett could hear her. He gave her the water and the elderly woman took it gratefully.
Anala looked at the old man-Robby-who still sat I silence. His dark eyes met her own again. They were brown, almost black and seemed bottomless. He didn't move nor speak, but Anala could feel him as he stared unblinkingly at her.
"He's waiting for me, you know."
Anala looked to the old woman. "Ma'am don't—"
"It's true. I'm a tired old woman, sick in hospital. I know I don't have to keep him waiting much longer." She nodded sagely. "Yes, seventy-five happy years of dealing with my insanity and even in death that man stubbornly puts up with me."
The old woman suddenly pierced Anala with a hard stare. "You be careful now Anala Cathari. These are dark times we're in." Anala nodded and the woman looked over her shoulder to Emmett. "You take care of her, young man. I'm trusting you with her." She pointed a finger at him sternly, looking much like an admonishing grandmother.
"I will ma'am." Emmett replied earnestly.
"Oh, there you two are."
Anala turned to see Carlisle breeze into the room. He truly looked angelic in his blue scrubs. His pale skin was radiant under the florescent light and golden eyes glowed. His perfect blonde hair glowed in the light, resembling a halo. He looked to the old woman in the bed who brightened significantly at his arrival.
"Oh, Doctor Cullen, do you know these two?"
"I do. Emmett is my son and Anala is his girlfriend."
The woman tsked. "Take them away! A hospital is no place for a young couple unless they're popping out pretty little babies. You two should be enjoying the day, dreary weather and all!"
Anala smiled at the woman as a sharp pang of sadness pierced her heart. "Goodbye."
The woman smiled. "Goodbye dears."
Anala followed Carlisle and Emmett out into the hall. A few tears rolled down her cheeks and Anala wiped them away. She hated hospitals. Emmett was looking at her strangely.
"What?" she asked.
"You knew she was dying, didn't you?"
Anala nodded. "The moment I walked through the door and saw her." Anala looked to the floor. "I didn't even get her name."
Carlisle led them to his office. There was a large desk in the center of the room with a large bookshelf against the wall behind it. The desk had a neat pile of files and paperwork next to a sleek silver laptop and a phone. The patriarch sat behind the desk and Anala sank into one of the comfortable brown chairs.
"Her name is Elena Morgan. Her husband Robert—"
"Died this morning." Anala finished. "We know."
The blonde man leaned forward curiously. "Was Robert really there with her?"
"Yes. He was in the armchair."
"Fascinating," he murmured. "Why have you come to visit me? Has something happened?"
Anala explained how Emmett's body had warmed to near human temperature. He asked if there had been anything else as he took his son's temperature. Anala found it odd since as a vampire, he was naturally cold and it was such a human thing to see Carlisle taking Emmett's temperature.
"Emmett's always ran a bit warmer than the rest of us by a few degrees at the most but he hasn't been warm like you descried since receiving the Bite."
"I feel just fine." Emmett said moodily, shifting in exasperation.
"Well, you don't seem to be having any discomfort."
"I told you!" Emmett said to her.
"But I need to know if anything else happens. I mean it Emmett, don't just write it off as nothing."
"Yeah, fine, okay."
Anala rolled her eyes. So impatient. She felt better now, knowing that she didn't need to worry about Emmett, at least not about this. They left and Anala silently prayed that Elena's passing to the next world with her husband was peaceful.
Emmett stopped her in front of the jeep. "Is Elena going to be okay?"
Anala smiled. "I think so. Her husband is with her."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
Anala looked at him curiously. "Does it bother you?"
Emmett lifted her into the jeep and blurred around to the driver seat. "Not exactly," he said. "I think it's incredible that you can see the things you see. It's a very rare gift. But I've seen the burden it's put on you and Nolan, the pain something like that can cause. I know you're in pain but there's nothing I can do to stop it, and that's a scary thought. All I want is to keep you safe."
Anala watched him as he spoke. Emmett's words were touching, but he spoke them so casually, as if it simply made sense for him to say them. A part of her wished she had never met him. Emmett was kind and joyful and so full of life and she would destroy that in him. But she loved him. She couldn't imagine being without him now. She was selfish. Anala reached over and took his hand, pressing a soft kiss to the granite skin.
"Thank you, Em."
He stared at her for a long moment, looking at her in silence. His eyes became somewhat pained.
"Please don't." he whispered.
"Don't what?" she asked, confused.
"I can see it in your eyes. That doubt again."
"Emmett,"
"Why?" he asked suddenly. He looked back at the road, free hand clenching around the steering wheel.
Anala couldn't find any words to say other than, "I'm sorry."
"I don't want your apology, Anala. Tell me what I'm doing to make you do this."
"Nothing! You haven't done anything Em."
Droplets of rain began hitting the windshield, slowly at first then harder. "Then what is it?"
Anala began to release Emmett's hand but his larger one tightened around hers. "Don't pull away from me now."
The jeep lurched to a stop and he gave her a hard stare, waiting.
"I'm scared," Anala finally murmured.
Emmett's gaze softened. "Why?"
"I don't want to lose you."
"You won't."
"But how do you know?"
His head tilted and laughed. "Isn't it obvious?"
Anala just looked at him.
Emmett shook his head lightly. "Anala, you're so clueless sometimes." He suddenly smiled at her, eyes so warm and open that Anala couldn't look away. "I love you."
Anala didn't expect to hear that. She had come to that same realization less than eight hours ago herself, she hadn't been prepared for it, but her heart soared in her chest and she found herself halfway across the car, taking hold of Emmett and kissing him, trying to put everything she felt into it.
"I love you too."
She hoped that one day she could tell him. She hoped that he would understand why she was afraid; afraid of losing him, afraid of loving him. She hoped that if she ever needed to resort to drastic measures that he would forgive her. But most of all she hoped he wouldn't hate her for the pain she'd ever cause him.
Mike lifted the hood of his jacket and ran out into the rain and towards the dumpsters behind his parent's store. He set down the three bags and began tossing them in. He turned, ready to hurry inside again when he saw something move from behind the trees. Mike stepped forward, cursing as he stepped in a rather large puddle, getting his shoe and sock wet. He squinted through the rain, trying to get a better look. Maybe it was a deer. The closest he'd ever been to one was when he stood on his porch steps as a kid and saw a doe investigating a shrub at the very edge of his backyard.
He could hear something, over the fall of rain. It sounded like a hiss, but the blonde teen couldn't place it. "Hello?" he called.
Mike stepped closer, standing just inside the tree line. "Hello . . ."
His voice trailed off and his eyes widened in panicked horror. He didn't get a chance to move or scream or even think before the world suddenly blurred and he felt everything explode in pain.
