Hey all, thanks for the patience with this story.. sorry to leave everyone hanging for so long lol.. I kind of had all these ideas in a row that I had to write out with my other story ( the darkened sun).. oh, and i'm not sure if I made it known in my story, but the Rosalie/Emmett kiss was suppose to be a few weeks after his transformation.. sorry for the confusion lol anyway, hope ya enjoy...

Chapter 38

Emmett had fit in with the rest of the Cullen family in just about every way. He was caring, and funny and liked by everyone. His demeanor was carefree and upbeat, which affected everyone else's outlook on life. The happy-go-lucky way he adapted to being changed into a 'monster' was inspiring to the rest of them, and they admired his need to do his part when it came to responsibilities within their coven. There was one part of Emmett, however, that didn't quite follow suit with the rest of him...

The lust for blood was Emmett's biggest weakness. Upon his initial mishap, he had had trouble rising above his natural instincts. Carlisle had many in depth talks with him, at Emmett's request, as he longed and strived for the ability to do as the rest of them did. While Esme and Edward, in particular, fell victim to their vampiric needs, they were able to quickly overcome the calling that human blood sang to them. Emmett had found the task to be more difficult, and it was primarily that reason why the Cullens were forced to relocate several times over the course of a year.

Carlisle had trouble establishing a permanent job, and Rosalie and Edward managed just a month or two of studying before they were forced to move again. Talks began throughout the towns then inhabited, reminding Carlisle greatly of his past life as a young man in London. He wanted no part of creating, or feeding into, the stories and so when Emmett lost control, they bid adieu to where ever they were.

Despite his lapses, Emmett's control had improved over the course of that first year and by the end of 1935, he asked Rosalie to marry him, sensing it was what she truly wanted. From the way he adored her, he knew there would never be another woman out there for him, and had no hesitations regarding his decision to make her his wife.

Esme helped Rosalie plan the intimate ceremony, that included just their family and the priest performing their exchange of vows. Though Edward often teased Emmett when the two of them were on their own, he was truly happy to see Rosalie finally flashing a genuine smile. Emmett completed her in the same way Esme had completed Carlisle, and their happiness radiated over everyone upon the official completion of their marriage.

While away on their honeymoon up in the mountains of Vancouver, Carlisle, Esme and Edward were instantly reminded of their days when it was just the three of them. Despite how complete things had felt then, they felt the opposite and almost lonely. Though Emmett had only been in their company for a year, it felt odd that they had ever existed without him. His booming personality was lacking in their home, and when the happy couple finally returned after almost a month on their own, things began to feel whole again.

Esme was the first to greet them, sensing their return for miles. She sat outside of the house they all shared, and recently bought, in the Hoquiam, Washington. The first sound she heard was of Rosalie's laughter. It was genuine and happy and deep from in her chest. Emmett was responsible for her turn around and Esme felt extremely grateful for his presence. As they finally came into view with their arms around each other, Esme waved and smiled.

Emmett waved back and whistled, then hurried a few feet ahead of Rosalie to scoop her up off the ground. Esme laughed as he twirled her around, as he did on occasion to both her and Rosalie, then gave him a big hug as he placed her feet back on the ground.

"Miss us?" he asked lightly, letting his dimples light up his expression.

"I missed you two more than you could imagine," Esme said, hugging Rosalie in the process. "I was almost scared that you weren't going to come back."

"Never," Emmett assured her, working his charm. He glanced down at Rosalie, who never let her smile fade from her face.

"He's right," she added, leaning up against him, "We'd never leave."

Carlisle and Edward quickly joined the three of them out in the yard. Carlisle greeted them with comparable enthusiasm as Esme had. Edward more casually gave Emmett a brotherly handshake a smile, while Rosalie and him pretended to glare at each other before finally exchanging a hug.

"Miss me brother?" Emmett asked, pushing Edward's shoulder back a little.

"You... yes," he said, then looked at Rosalie, "Rosalie... hmm..."

Rosalie would have normally shot something back, but shrugged and waved her hand at him, "Well, I missed you Edward." The blissful look on her face could not be mistaken and she clutched Emmett a little tighter.

"How was Vancouver?" Esme asked.

"Great," they both said at the same time, then Rosalie smirked to herself almost shyly.

"Killed some bears up there," Emmett said, "It was great. And we crossed paths with a few hunters. I didn't have the urge to attack them at all."

The thought made Carlisle tense, though he didn't want to kill the accomplished look on Emmett's face. "That's great, Emmett," he said, "You've grown a lot over the last year."

"Thanks," he said with a nod and a smile, "It's all cuz of you guys. I love ya for it."

Esme leaned into Carlisle, "We love you, too, Emmett."

"Aww, thanks Mama bear."

Esme began to laugh and Carlisle smiled wide then pulled her a little tighter against him.

"Well, I'm glad you're back," Edward said, "But I have some schooling to attend to." He raised his eyebrows and grinned at Rosalie.

"Have fun with that," she said in a teasingly snotty tone, before focusing her attention back on Emmett.

"Good to be back," Emmett said, raising his hand for Edward to high-five as he made his way back inside to grab some books before leaving.

"You guys are like brothers," Rosalie said with a smile.

"Pretty much," he agreed, then pulled her to him and kissed her cheek four or five times in a row before wrapping his arms around her. "Are we allowed back inside?"

Carlisle nodded and snickered, realizing they had all remained standing in the yard. He let the two of them by as Esme tugged discreetly on the front of his shirt. Carlisle turned and followed her a few feet away, sensing she wanted to talk to him privately.

"Let's go hunt," she whispered, "Give them some privacy. It looks like they might need it."

A smile formed on his face, sensing their closeness and the little looks they had been giving each other since arriving back home. Thoughts of their own honeymoon ran through his head, and he knew what it felt like to be happily in love and newly married. He nodded to Esme, still smiling as she went to call into them by the doorway. "Rosalie, Carlisle and I are going to hunt. Do you need anything?"

She appeared by the front door immediately with a big smile, "No. I think we're fine."

"Okay," she said with nod.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?"

Esme couldn't help but smile at her question, then laughed as Rosalie did the same, "An hour..." Esme told her.

"Alright," Rosalie said, going on with a nonchalant tone, "Just wondering."

Carlisle slowly made his way toward the woods line with his hands in his pockets, trying not to be invasive on their conversation. He wanted for another minute or two before Esme rejoined him and the front door to their house shut abruptly.

He linked his hand with hers and smiled, then gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "They're happy," he said.

"Very happy," Esme added, then smiled at him again. The life in their new love was contagious and she felt a little extra clingy to Carlisle as they roamed the woods together, neither looking overly alert when it came to hunting animals. They strolled hand in hand taking in the beauty of the northwestern winter.

"I like when Emmett calls me Mom, or Mama bear," she said with a laugh, "It kind of makes me feel like I am kind of their mom."

Carlisle smiled at her happiness, though there was a twinge of guilt he experienced at the same time, knowing there was no way to make her dream a reality.

"I know I've said this with Edward too," she went on, "But they're all I'm ever going to need. Biological or not, they fill that void in a way I can't describe."

He squeezed her hand, "I'm glad. I'm sorry that certain things can't happen..."

She shook her head, "I'm serious. I'm so happy, Carlisle."

Carlisle put his hand beneath her chin and guided her lips back to his, "Good. I love you."

"I love you too."

They shared a smile and Carlisle looked up toward the sky where stars and the moon were beginning to take over. "So, an hour huh?" he asked.

Esme nodded and looked at him.

"What can we possibly do for an hour?"

She recognized the flirty nature of his question and the playful look in his partially squinted eyes that matched his half smile. Esme chuckled and pulled him by the collar of his shirt, "We should really think of something..."

Carlisle leaned in and kissed her, then took her by the hand. He didn't know where they were going, but at that moment, he didn't care.