A/N: As usual I don't own anything Twilight….sad for me.
Unexpected Family
-The Next Morning-
Sara wakes to a cold empty bed, guess she shouldn't be surprised by this as she rolls onto her back and stares up at the ceiling releasing a heavy sigh as tears begin to pool.
'It was only a matter of time I guess, should be used to being left alone by now' Sara mumbles to herself forgetting in her still groggy state that she can be heard throughout the house by the resident vampire family.
Unaware of the concern of said family down the hall and in the kitchen, Sara decides to just get up and get the day started. Sara grabs the outfit that Alice picked out for her to wear to the meeting with Chief Swan and the lawyer J. Jenks and heads into the bathroom to take a shower before getting the kids up and moving. Once dressed in a new pair of blue jeans and hunter green V-neck sweater, her hair pulled back in a low pony tail leaving some rouge curls free to frame her face, a very light application of make-up and her bracelet secured to her wrist was Sara ready to face the day, with her walls once again firmly in place.
When Sara opens the bedroom door it is to find Carlisle standing on the other side, fist raised to knock but is quickly lowered when he notices Sara's blank face.
"Good Morning Sara." Carlisle greats her with an open and gentle smile, hoping to hide his worry.
"Good Morning Carlisle" Sara mumbles out not looking at him but over his shoulder making Carlisle wonder about her mood and that maybe she is more traumatized by last night's events then she let on.
Sara sighs and starts to walk around Carlisle so she can walk down the hall to the kid's room when she is stopped by Carlisle asking, "Do you need any help getting the kids up and going this morning?"
Sara pauses with her hand on the door knob and turns to look over her shoulder at him, "Need and want are to different animals Dr. Cullen and I don't have the luxury of either, but thank you for asking. We'll be down in a bit for breakfast" Sara quietly answers him before heading into the kids room and quietly closing the door behind her, leaving Carlisle standing in the hallway confused and a little hurt that she is back to calling him Dr. Cullen and wondering what the hell happened.
Carlisle turns when he hears someone clear their throat and sees Alice standing at the end of the hall and slowly makes his way towards her. Once he's within reach, Alice wraps her arms tightly around Carlisle's waist giving him a tight and much needed hug.
"It's going to be alright Dad, promise. Last night scared her and then waking up alone…well…one step forward two step back as they say, her abandonment issues are not just going to disappear overnight" Alice tells Carlisle as they walk arm and arm down the stairs and into the kitchen to help Esme and Rosalie make breakfast before they head into town and the kids head out for their day trip.
Within twenty minutes the sound of sleepy children can be heard throughout the house and it makes the Cullen family smile. The sound of pounding feet coming down the stairs along with excited chatter from the two smaller children brings a sense of calm and believe it or not normalcy into the house. Sam and Emma rush into the kitchen dressed and hair combed or in Emma's case in two braided pigtails. Greetings of good morning are said as Sara helps Esme finish making breakfast and brings it out to the table for the kids.
When Carlisle sets the last plate down in front of Sara along with some silverware and glass of orange juice casuing Sara to pause in wiping Emma's mouth of grape jelly and looks up at Carlisle with a raised eye brow.
"Please" Is all Carlisle says knowing ordering her to eat would not work in her frame of mind right now, Sara nods her head once and reaches for the glass and takes a sip of juice and is rewarded with a warm smile from Carlisle. A small crack forms in her defensive wall.
While the children and Sara finish up their breakfast; Emmett, Jasper and Edward return home from their hunt, their eyes now a bright golden hue. All three boys stop at the foot of the steps to the front porch and all for different reasons. Jasper and Edward's gifts are being bombarded by the emotions and mental commentary going on in the house and Emmett stands so still except for the rubbing of his chest. His mate is destressed and calling out to him even though both Jasper and Edward inform him Sara's walls are back up and as solid as ever.
"We'll see about that" Emmett says in a huff before bounding up the stairs and entering the house quickly followed by Edward and Jasper. Their entrance is loud and boisterous as usual as they head straight into the kitchen where the kids can still be heard talking to Nana and Poppa about their trip to Port Angeles today and what they're going to do and see as Sara continues to slowly eat her way through her breakfast under the watchful eye of Carlisle.
As the boys enter the kitchen Edward and Jasper are met by their mates with kisses as Emmett approaches Sara and notices she is quite and sullen, but her bracelet is on and clearly visible, Emmett takes that as a positive at this point.
"Good Morning everyone" Emmett booms out causing the kids to giggle at him and Sara to flinch which everyone notices but make no comment about it.
"Are we all excited about our adventure today, hmm" Emmett asks the kids but kept Sara with in his sights.
"Uh huh" Sam says around a folk full of eggs bobbing his head up and down excitedly.
"Good…I'm sure you guys are going to have lots of fun and then a little birdie told me you are coming back here for a big movie marathon, have you pick out your movies?" Emmett asks.
"Not yet, but Aunt Alice said we can go through the movies before we leave that way it's all ready for when we get back, right Aunt Alice" Emma asked shyly noticing the swirling colors in the room coming from the adults some light and some dark.
"Of course sweet heart, you'll each get to pick 2 movies" Alice says with a smile from Jasper's chest already seeing what they will pick, "How about we do that now so we can mark it off the list hmm" Rosalie suggests.
"Yea!" Both kids cry as they hop up from the table and make a bee line to the living room followed by Alice and Rosalie while Esme begins clearing the table leaving Sara staring off into space and picking at her food.
Emmett moves to sit next to Sara and reach out for her hand but is pushed back a bit by her gift and is a little taken a back that he is unable to push through it to even touch her skin, this hasn't happened before and Emmett vampire lets out a whine as he begins rubbing his chest again. Sara couldn't handle Emmett being so close to her right now, not with how she was feeling and it's better to cut the strings now rather than later, Sara thinks to herself as she rises from the table to take her plate into the kitchen where Esme takes it from her.
"Thank you sweet heart" Esme whispers as Sara nods her head quietly, "Why don't you take a few minutes outside hmm, here take a jacket it's a bit damp out" Without telling her, Esme helps Sara into one of Emmett's old worn jackets that is saturated with his scent and watches as Sara takes a deep breath from the collar as she pulls it tightly around her and zips it up. Sara reaches out and squeezes Esme's hand before turning to head out the door and onto the back porch where she stands and stares at the swing, where morning all those morning cuddles and kisses took place and where she fell in love…
"Oh god" Sara sobs out as she quickly steps off the porch, down the steps and continues to walk into the woods bordering the house. The family watches through the kitchen window as Emmett slams out the back door after her with a mix of a whine and growl that could be heard by the family. Carlisle wraps his arms around Esme's waist as she leans back into his chest, "Do you think they'll be okay?" Esme asks concerned for her children.
"I think if anyone is going to get through to her it will be Emmett, have faith my love" Carlisle whispers to Esme as he tightens his arms around her giving her a tight squeeze as she lets out a sigh.
-In the woods-
Emmett was quick to catch up to Sara using his vampire speed and continued to quietly follow as Sara walked slowly through the trees and underbrush, till Emmett had had enough.
"You ever going to talk to me spitfire" Emmett asks now walking a few feet behind her but receives no answer as they continue walking.
"Okay, well I guess we'll keep doing this for a while but just so you know eventually you're going to hit the cliffs and will have nowhere to go" Emmett informs Sara as she continues to remain silently walking.
"Come on girl, talk to me…I can't fix it if I don't understand the problem" Emmett all but whines to Sara's back and this made Sara stop for a brief moment before continuing on causing Emmett to huff at his mates stubborness.
"Alright that's it, I've had enough" Emmett mumbles under his breath before reaching for Sara and hauling her up over his shoulder and begins running back to the house. Once Sara gets over the initial shock of being put over Emmett's shoulder like a sack of potatoes she begins kicking and punching, having no effect on Emmett's vampire skin of course. Emmett reaches up with his free hand and gives Sara two firm swats on her backside, "You're only hurting yourself missy, but you keep right on at it if it makes you feel better" Emmett growls as he now strolls into the back yard behind the house once again and swings Sara back down to her feet.
Sara didn't know if she was more mad or embarrassed as she rubbed her now sore bottom, but to add insult to injury mother nature decides to add her two cents in when the clouds open up and release a down pour of rain, both are now instantly soaked through to the skin and Sara has nothing left to lose so rears back on Emmett.
"How dare you treat me like a child" Sara screams over the storm as some of her power leaks out causing the wind to gust and the rain to fall in blinding sheets, mirroring her emotions strong and unable to see her way clear.
"If the shoe fits" Emmett replied folding his arms over his chest with a cocky grin, the rain having no effect on him.
Oh Sara wanted to wipe that grin off his face so bad and since….."Well if that's the case big hey I'll show you a real tantrum, the kids got nothing on me" Sara screams at Emmett before she jumps at him pounding her fists down on his chest, her legs kicking his thighs only to cause Emmett to laugh at his mate.
Emmett loves this, his spitfire in all her glory.
"That's right, get it all out…you want some more my mate" Emmett asks as he starts dodging her strikes watching as she is slowly running out of steam but keeps coming at him, keeps fighting. The family, including the kids' tightly buddled up in blankets of course, are all now standing out on the back porch watching the drama as another boom of thunder rolls making the kids jump. Sam reaches up for Carlisle and Emma for Jasper as they watch Sara and Emmett in the rain.
"Uncle Jasper is Emmett going to make sister better?" Emma asks before laying her head on Jasper's shoulder, Alice comes over to Jaspers other side wrapping her arm around his waist and his arm around her shoulder.
"Why do you ask little flower?" Jasper asks curiously.
Emma shrugs her shoulder, "her colors were really dark this morning, dark blue like the ocean, I don't like it" Emma answered quietly though she was clearly heard by everyone even over the din of the storm and the fight.
Edward and Rosalie, who stood next to Alice, watched on, "she's getting tired, her walls are coming down" Edward says at vampire speed when they see Sara sweep her leg out catching Emmett off guard bringing him down to the now muddy ground.
"HA" Sara calls out while Emmett just lies in the mud chuckling at Sara making her madder, "Why are you laughing you big lug" Sara huffs down at Emmett.
"Are you done yet" Emmett asks giving her one of his best grins again and Sara just hollers at him some more as she begins to pace back in forth. Emmett sits up and watches patiently, he knows he's close and she just need a little more of a push.
"You weren't there….I-I woke up and you were gone…" Sara yells at Emmett, "then the thing last night with your Dad….I mean, he could have been killed Emmett because of me…me…I can't…and then you were gone this morning….I thought…I-I" Sara had officially ran out of steam and collapsed down in front of Emmett, "and this thing today…I-I just…"
Jasper lets out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding, "Finally"
"It's getting a bit cold our here, why don't we all head in and get warmed up hmm." Carlisle recommends, wanting to give Sara and Emmett some privacy now that the crisis has passed. Everyone files back into the house and gathers in the living room, the kids stay cuddled up with Jasper and Carlisle while Edward and Rosalie make their way to Edward's piano where they sit down and begins to play a soothing melody that echoes throughout the house.
Emmett reaches for Sara but she pushes him away but it was like pushing a mountain, "No…I- I let you and your family in…I-I wasn't supposed to do that…it was against the rules Emmett…I wasn't..."
"What…wasn't supposed to let someone love you…huh…because I hate to break it to ya but that ship sailed some time ago" Emmett fires back trying to get through to her.
"So what, you're just going to give up and hide behind your little wall, well guess what sweat heart your looking at your own personal wrecking ball" Emmett says with a growl in his voice, "and just so you know I went to hunt this morning with my brothers so Jasper and I would be in good condition to help you today and I had every intention of being back before you woke up, but you have it all figured out don't ya…" Emmett gets up off the ground slinging mud off his pants, "well news flash spitfire, I don't give up on the people I love no matter how foolish and stubborn they are and while were talking about stubborn people just so you know, if I wasn't out here setting you straight you better believe your Uncle Jasper would be, closely followed by Dad"
Emmett just looks down at Sara as her breath hitches trying to rein in her emotions before she looks up at Emmett, her hair rain soaked and her clothes muddy, just how they met such a short time ago, the irony is not lost on either of them.
"Do you understand now…I love you, you crazy stubborn human and we figure things out together? I can't read your mind or your emotions like my brothers, but I have two ears no waiting and two broad shoulders to carry your worries and two really strong arms that can protect you and will hold on to you and the kids" Emmett tries one more time to get through to her as he starts flexing his muscles till he hears a quiet chuckle.
Sara reaches her hands out to Emmett to help her up, pulling her out of the mud and wrapping his arms around her holding her tight. Sara places her chin on Emmett's chest and looks up at him, "I'm sorry…please don't give up on me….I-I love you...I do...…but when I'm with you my walls are down and I feel vulnerable and it's scary as hell" Sara whispers out.
"I know my love…but we are stronger together" Emmett whispers back to her.
As the rain continues to fall like sheets from the heavens, Emmett remembers something he read a long time ago when he was looking up his ancestors for something to do, as he cups Sara's cheeks and brings their foreheads together, "Lord help us to remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide us. We ask for words both kind and loving and hearts always ready to ask forgiveness. Dear Lord we put this marriage into your hands" Emmett takes a deep unneeded breath, "Will you marry me Seraphina Katherine, my beautiful and stubborn spit fire?"
Sara pulls Emmett down till their lips meet in a gentle but passionate kiss and when they break apart it's to see the brightest smile Sara has ever blessed him with, "Yes…yes, yes, yes" Sara jumped into Emmett's waiting arms and wrapped hers around his neck as he began to swing them around in a wide circle, both laughing and kissing and then laughing some more.
Emmett finally puts Sara back down on her feet both still smiling and laughing like loons.
"Emmett"
"Yeah"
"Can we go inside now, I'm getting a little water logged here and I'm going to need to take another shower and have Alice help me pick out another outfit for today" Sara says wiping her hair out of her face, Emmett just chuckles as he swings Sara up into his arms bridal style this time and walks them back to the house but stops when he sees a little black box with a red bow and a note sitting on the top step. Once again Emmett places Sara back on her feet as he reaches for the note and reads it.
'A little something that Sara can wear till you can pick one out together. Love your family'
Emmett shows the note to Sara, her eyes pool over with tears that mix with the rain as Emmett reaches down to pick up the box and opens it, Sara gasps. Nestled inside is a cushion cabochon opal haloed by amber in a gold band, it was exquisite.
"It's perfect" Sara says out loud knowing the family can easily hear her as they smirk at each other.
Emmett pulls the ring from the box taking Sara's left hand and slides the ring on her finger.
Sara wraps her arms around Emmett again and whispers in his ear, "In good times or bad, sickness and health till death parts us, may he bless us and our family"
Emmett leans down and kisses Sara again before pulling back, grabbing the note and now empty box as he helps Sara up the stairs, "Come on your going to get moldy if I don't get your dried off soon" Emmett says with a laugh causing Sara to chuckle till they are met at the door my Esme.
"Congratulations my dear, but I'm afraid I can't let you in…not like that" Esme looks them up and down, both look like they've been rolling in the mud for hours, "Emmett take Sara out to the garage and use the shower out there, Alice will bring you both clean clothes" Esme stated firmly daring them to argue with her.
"Come on" Emmett says rolling his eyes at Esme as he walks Sara around the house to enter the garage and show her where the bathroom is stating she could go first knowing she needed to warm up so she doesn't get sick. Emmett was very tempted to join her but had no desire to be beaten to a pulp by his brothers or over Carlisle knee any time soon, besides he knew it was just a matter of time and his spitfire was worth the wait.
Once they were both showered and redressed, thanks to Alice dropping off some close for them with a wink and a chuckle, they entered the living room to warm smiles and tight hugs overwhelming Jasper with such good vibes he had to share them. Sam and Emma feeling suddenly happy and excited started jumping on the couch, whooping and hollering.
Sara came over quickly grabbing one in each arm, "Hey you little monkeys, no jumping on the furniture, you don't want to get into trouble before you leave today do ya….huh…do ya?" Sara swung them around a few times before depositing them into Edward and Rosalie's arms giving them both a tickle and a kiss.
"Okay, let's go over the rules" Sara states to the children but also for Edward, Rosalie and Alice.
"I want you both to have lots of fun today and run these three ragged, but you will stay close to them, hold hands, let them know if you need something and you will remember your manners at all times, yes?" Sara asks wanting the kids to have fun but also not to run off while surrounded by a bunch of strangers.
"Okay sister, we'll be good, promise" Emma says as she leans down in Rosalie's arms to give Sara a wet sloppy kiss while Sam just rolls his eyes and leans his head back on Edwards shoulder with a huff, "girls" causing all the men to chuckle. "Amen little brother" Edwards says giving Sam's stomach a tickle making him giggle.
"Alice I packed a bag for each of them for emergencies" Sara says as her nerves are starting to pick up again. Alice comes over and gives Sara a tight hug, "they will be fine, we got this now go take care of your business little sister as we have a wedding to plan" Alice whispers to Sara.
Sara takes a deep breath, "I can do this"
"Yes you can and you are not alone" Jasper reminds her as they watch Edward and Rosalie load Sam and Emma along with Alice in the back of his car, Rosalie gets into the passenger side and Edward behind the wheel. Sara waves to the kids as Edward pulls out and drives down the long driveway.
With the kids off on their adventure, the remaining family pile into Sara's station wagon with Sara driving and Emmett riding shot gun while Carlisle, Esme and Jasper are stuffed into the back seat.
-Time Skip-
When they arrive at the police station the family exit the car and enter the station as a united front and are met by Mr. J. Jenks who has been waiting for them while studying the case file for Ms. Richardson and the two young children. When the Cullen family enters Mr. Jenkins goes on high alert, especially around Mr. Jasper.
Carlisle approaches first with his hand out to shake, "Mr. Jenks, thank you for coming and seeing to this matter personally"
"Of course Dr. Cullen, when I got the call from Mr. Jasper, well let's just say I knew it was most urgent"
"Yes well, my son can be most convincing when he needs to be" Carlisle says with a smile showing all his sharp pearly white teeth before arching an eye brow at Jasper who just shrugs his shoulders and smirks.
Sara's nerves are punching her in the stomach now so takes the initiative and introduces herself, "Hello I'm Sara, Sam and Emma are on a bit of an outing, we didn't want to needlessly upset them till we have an idea of what we are dealing with" Sara gets out without stuttering… barely.
"Pleasure my dear"
Before anything else can be said, Chief Swan joins the group and moves them into a small conference room.
"I don't know if you're ready for this Sara but before you all arrived I had another visitor show up this morning with a lawyer, though I have my doubts he is legit" Charlie informs the group as he watches Emmett and Jasper crowd around Sara.
"Who?" Esme asks Chief Swan politely but her gut tells her she isn't going to like the answer.
"Your mother, Shelly Richardson, she's stating that she is here to take you three back home and made it quite clear that all three of you are still under age and her responsibility" Chief Swan informs everyone and did not like the tense silence that followed as everyone watches Sara sit heavily into a chair.
"Carlisle, I want to see her"
Carlisle comes over and squats down in front of Sara, "Are you sure baby girl? You don't have to."
Sara just leans forward and smiles, "I want this done Dad, I want the kids to not be afraid anymore and have to be looking over their shoulders and I want to marry your son" Sara whispers even though the vampire family hears every word, before she stands up to address the rest of the group.
"Chief Swan these rooms record yes? You can see and hear everything?" Sara asks.
"Yes of course" Charlie answers confidently not liking where this is going.
Then Sara turns to Mr. Jenks, "And how much more evidence do you need for a solid case, without a reasonable doubt?"
"With everything that Dr. Cullen has provided, along with your phone and text messages, not much but every little bit helps if we want to close any loop holes, you and the kids ages being a big one" Jenkins answers honestly.
Sara looks at Emmett and then Jasper receiving a quick nod and wink, "All right then, if you would Chief Swan I believe it's time I am reunited with my poor worried mother" Sara snarks out, confusing Charlie, scaring the hell out of Jenks and causing the Cullen's to chuckle, praying the police station will still be standing when everything is done.
"Spitfire" Emmett says as he smiles with love and pride and showing off his sharp teeth, causing Jenks to shiver and Jasper to chuckle at the mans reaction.
Charlie leads the way to the observation room where they can all get a good look at the woman and man sitting at the table fidgeting looking very annoyed and severely pissed off. Sara takes a good hard look at Shelly already knowing what she'll see, but the other man she didn't know so quickly drops into her second site and gasps out as her knee try to buckle before being caught by Emmett and Jasper.
"What did you see love" Emmett coos.
Sara is panting for breath and whispers for only the Cullen's to hear, "Dark black color, oily greasy and….and hands…small red hands around….the size of children's…oh god I'm going to be sick" Sara coughs as Carlisle grabs the trash can and places it under Sara as she heaves her stomach.
Charlie didn't like this at all, "I'm going to cancel this meeting right now and reschedule for another day"
"No Chief Swan please...I can do this…it was just the shock of seeing….of seeing her again…I'm alright" Sara says her voice shaky as Emmett helps her back up on to her feet.
Sara takes a few more deep breaths trying to center hers self and give Emmett and Jasper's hands a tight squeeze, "Stay close"
"Of course darlin' we'll be right here" Jasper lets her know giving her a slight nudge of confidence as Emmett drops a kiss on her temple before bringing her left hand up to kiss, reminding her of his promise.
"Alright let's do it" Sara stiffens her back and pushes up her wall as she is escorted into the next room by Chief Swan and takes a seat on the opposite side of the table from Shelly and her friend.
A/N: So this was longer than I expected, but wanted to get to this point…so much will come out, all recorded and witnessed…Stay tuned…Read and REVIEW…keeps me going.
A/N: The wedding vows Emmett tells Sara are an old Scottish wedding vows...I hope you like them...