EmPOV
The room looked like this. Carlisle and Esme sitting at either end of a long dining room table. To the right of Carlisle sat Edward, Charlie, and then myself. And to the right of Esme sat Bella, Peter, and Charlotte. Dinner had gone off smoothly despite the fact that Charlie and I were the only two eating. Esme sure did know how to keep a conversation going, much to Bella's chagrin. The plates had been cleared away and we were all sitting and chatting. Bella had been quite silent through out dinner, only answering when spoken to, although I could have sworn she had been having super speed conversations with Peter based off how Carlisle and Esme kept side glancing at her. I, myself, had been nonverbal throughout the dinner, choosing to observe everyone.
They all seemed quite comfortable around us humans, even Peter and Charlotte who we had been told were human drinkers with very picky tastes which help Charlie not feel guilty that he was fraternizing with murderers.
Carlisle was very soft spoken, seeming to think about everyones personalities when he responded to include everyone. Him and Charlie got along great, talking about the cases they had seen in both their preferred fields of work. The way Bella regarded Carlisle was very much different compared to how she did Edward and Esme. She always answered Carlisle at length, engaging the conversation. With Esme, she often gave short quick responses, anything to end the conversation, but always with respect. With Edward, they often spoke mentally, which appeared to frustrate all the vampires in the room, not just me. My observations noted that Esme was a very doting mother. She took everyone's emotions in play and was quick to calm anyone down. Charlotte also did this to a degree, but also wasn't scared to call anyone out on their attitude or answers, especially Peter. Peter was very different. He seemed to watch everyones body language as he continuously looked around the room. He paid specifically more attention to Bella's when her name was brought into conversation. While the other members of her family freely talked about past stories about her, he always seemed to wait for her imperceptible nods before bringing her up into conversation.
When Bella did join into the talk, I noticed she was open when speaking to my father, something that was confusing me more and more as time went on. Some of the things he would bring up, had not been talked about but Bella answered as if they were continuing a previous topic. As time had passed, and everyone got more use to one another's presence the conversations broke into full table debates, where some heated talk and laughing was becoming more common. At this particular moment, everyone was winding down from dying of laughter from a bad vampire joke Peter had tried to make when Esme turned her attention towards me.
"So Emmett, I understand you moved here a couple months ago? How has the transition been?"
"It's been quite smooth. Definitely smaller than where I was, but everyone here is kind and it was easy to make a good group of friends."
"That's lovely to hear. Edward and Bella had mentioned they had also been hanging out with a small group. Rosalie, Jasper and Alice was included along with your name," Carlisle joined in. "It's great that you all seem to get along, considering it can be hard with these two." He motioned at his pseudo-children.
"Edward and Bella were lots of help when my car broke down, and I'm glad that we all get along so great." I smiled at Carlisle before Charlie spoke up.
"I'm sure Alice would've hated arriving at the school in the cruiser, so I'm definitely thankful that we avoided that."
"Emmett, Edward had mentioned that you play football?"
"Yes, sir, Quarterback," Carlisle smiled warmly at my response. "The team is definitely better than my old team which was a nice surprise."
"Edward, Bella did you go to the games?" Esme, glanced between the two as Edward and Carlisle spoke at the same time.
"Yes, Esme."
"Dear, how did you know the answer to that?" Everyone was staring at a very guilty looking Carlisle all of a sudden, except for Bella who was looking anywhere but. The blatant avoidance of eye contact had me smirking at her.
"You came to the games, didn't you?" I was staring at her openly, the information settling at the forefront of my brain.
"I'm sorry Bella, I didn't even think about it."
"It's okay, Carlisle. Yes, Emmett, I was there."
"For all the games? Where? You never sat with Edward."
"I watched from the forest. Picked a tree and perched on a branch. The second to last game was the best. I quite enjoyed watching Mike get a broken nose." Bella's voice was low, but loud enough for us to hear. I was still in shock, how did I not know she was there. She was now only avoiding my stare, choosing a spot on the pristine table cloth to stare at.
"I'm sorry, Carlisle, how did you know about this, and I didn't?" Esme was clearly still confused about being left out, and Carlisle was quick to set the record straight.
"Well, dear, remember when Bella called about all those football books—"
"You learnt about football for the guy!" A loud crack echoed after Peter's exclamation, and he absentmindedly rubbed at his left shoulder while still staring at Bella. Bella was gone before our eyes in seconds, along with a second crack which had Peter rubbing his other arm.
"Peter, I swear you don't have a brain half the time." Charlotte went to stand and follow Bella but Edward stopped her.
"Char, Emmett's the only one that can probably calm her. That being said, she closed her mind off from me when she left so that could also be like sending an innocent man into the lion's den."
"More like vampire den," Charlie quipped before slapping a hand over his mouth. "I am so sorry, it just slipped out." The Cullen's and company started laughing, the mood easing up a bit before Carlisle inputted his opinion.
"If Emmett does feel comfortable, I do agree he's the best to deal with this. Seeing how Bella is acting around him, I think it would be good for them to talk. Especially since it appears Emmett is just as out of the loop as Esme." Esme glared at Carlisle before sighing and agreeing.
"I will admit, any one else going up there is counter productive. Emmett, word of advice, if she won't talk, sit in silence. It always works."
I sat still for a second before getting up, walking very slowly as I catalogued my thoughts. I knew she would hear me coming, but I still walked silently up the stairs. Before I reached the top, a gush of air blew passed me and stopped me in my tracks.
"She's not in her room, big guy, ran as soon as she heard our plan, but I do know where she went and how you can stop her from running," Peter had already started guiding us back downstairs and to Bella's car in the driveway. He threw me a set of keys from his pocket and got in the passenger side, making me wonder if me driving is such a good idea.
"Peter, won't me driving her car piss her off more?"
"Emmett, two things: One, she's not as mad as everyone thinks. Bella is young in both vampire and human standards. Both Edward and her were changed as teenagers which means they are still as emotional and high strung as they were when they were alive with a heart beat. Bella struggles the most, without getting too into it, her newborn years were intense and fast paced and she was non-stop the entire time. As vampires we can think things through exceptionally fast, but she's always struggled with her emotions, never really knows what she's feeling and is alway worried about the second party involved. Second, her talent helps her figure out people, and she can't read you. Sure, she could look at your mind through Edward's, but she's been making a conscious effort to not invade your privacy like that, so you have to tell her how you feel." He leant over and turn the car on for me before pointing down a side road that went behind the house. He waited for me to start driving down it before he continued. "Now, Esme was right about the silence thing, but Bella is hella stubborn and will continue to be silent with you. So, threaten to drive her car in the river. Manipulative? Yes, but I guarantee you she won't hurt you cause she can hear us and knows I'm the one that suggested it." He cut off then as I slowed to a stop at the river. He wished me lucked and pointed down a small trail to the left of the car.
"She's not gonna run?"
"No, she won't." He said forcefully, more to her than me I assume. "Just remember what I said. She's sitting in a tree so look up" With that he was gone and I was alone, having no idea what I was getting into.
BPOV
They all thought they knew what was best for me, never understanding that maybe I knew what was best for me. I didn't, but they didn't know that. I knew Peter would lead Emmett to me, and I had been conflicted if I was going to continue running from them or not. I chose against, mostly because I knew I'd have to face him sooner than later. I knew he was confused from dinner about many things. And I should have expected him to question the easy going relationship I had with his father. I had no doubts in my mind that the question would pop up within our conversation. For once I was ready to talk, the running was getting exhausting and if Carlisle's and Esme's minds had their way, Emmett would be welcomed into the family in a human heartbeat.
Peter's last word of advice irked me a bit, and I made a mental reminder to have a talk about how no one gets to threaten my cars. I could hear Emmett release a deep breath before making his way towards me with slow, deliberate steps, drawing a chuckle from my lips. He was looking up awkwardly into the trees, looking for any sign of myself. I dropped down silently and sat down on a log behind him, waiting for him to turn around.
"Bella, it's Emmett!" His steps faltered for a second as he whispered under his breath, "She knows that you idiot."
"Emmett—" he jumped and a hand flew up to his chest, his heart speeding up as he gathered his bearings. "Sorry."
"No, don't be. You didn't run. Was that because you are finally ready to talk, or because Peter told you not to?"
"A little bit of both truthfully," I took an unneeded breath and his scent wafted through me. My eyes fluttered closed and I savoured it before opening my topaz eyes and staring into his. "Before I explain myself, may I ask you a question?" He nodded his head, almost afraid to talk but still managing to uttered out a breathless statement.
"Okay."
"Why are you so determined to see if we work? Knowing what you do, why?"
"At first I'm sure it was pure attraction. Which I know you can't deny feeling the first time we meet? But then you left, and I was still immersed into your world by hanging with Edward. And he's pretty cool," I rolled my eyes at him, but a small smile graced my lips."And then you came back and we spent a day together, no expectations just friends hanging out and I was hooked. I felt like I was stuck in a gravitational pull, orbiting around you, wanting to protect you from anything and everyone. And as much as it is a shock that you're not human, I've never felt unsafe in any of the vampires I've met presences."
I nodded as I fully processed what he had said, staring at him from my spot on the log. I studied his posture, confident but faltering slightly if you look hard enough. I would suspect false confidence on the grounds of being scared, but if I took what he just said at face value, nerves would be a better guess. His hands were stuffed into the front pocket of his jeans, and his eyes attempting to make solid contact with my own as he frantically scanned my face for any type of reaction.
"For the last month or so, your dad and I have been spending time together. At first it was because I missed Carlisle and your dad has the same simple, gentle thought process of him. It was soothing. But soon I found myself asking more and more about you. I explained to your dad about my past and I think it's only fair I tell you as well." I paused and took an unneeded calming breath. "I don't remember much of my human life. I know I grew up in Arizona, and lived full time with my mom. From what I can piece together from looking into it, I had a fight with my mom the eve of my seventeenth birthday and hopped in a car with a group of friends for a nine hour car ride to Tijuana. We stayed and partied for a few days, sneaking our way into parties and clubs. Around day three of our adventure, I had gone off with some guy I had met on a spiritual hike, however I'm pretty sure I just went for the promised vodka. And that's where everything goes blank. I woke up 3 days later, Charlotte told me eventually, in the middle of nowhere.
"Charlotte found me on my second day of what I call My Awakening. The first day was rattling. All of a sudden I was able to hear things I couldn't see, my eyes could see vivid detail of objects too far away. I broke a tree in half when I tripped. At first, I thought cool. I'm a superhero! Must of gotten bit by a radioactive snake of something, and now I have powers. I walked around, a faint burn in my throat that I choked up to being irritation from no doubt a sore throat from being dehydrated. I could hear a stream in the distance so I headed in the direction I thought it would be. I found it but one quick glance of my reflection had me forgetting about my quest to quench my thirst. I had changed, and looked similar but not like myself. That sent me on a frenzy. I took down everything that crossed my path on a journey to a road I had no clue even existed." I paused, taking another unneeded breath before standing up and pacing.
"The smell was intoxicating. It flooded my brain with need, a red hot searing of intention settled in the forefront of my brain, leading me in an even more frantic journey to find the source. I ran, at a speed i thought impossible, jumping over large sections of land to cover more ground and before I knew it I was twenty feet away from a camp ground. A younger couple celebrating their love with one another, playing frisbee in the then setting sun. They froze as they noticed me. In which at the time I was frozen. Confused why this was where I was led. Thats when I heard the voices. I remember grabbing my head and screaming in frustration, unsure why there were voices I didn't recognize, images of myself flooding my mind from an outsider perspective. That's when I blacked out. In the blackout rage, I managed to kill the couple, spilling their blood all over the campsite. That's where Charlotte found me half a day later. Sitting in the middle of no where, covered with blood, the bodies of my two victims sitting in my lap as I tried to cry for the crime I committed." I hesitated and stared straight into Emmett's eyes.
"Did you know, newborn vampires have a bloodlust that is so bad, that nothing can stop them from killing their target and sucking them dry? Newborns could kill an entire community in one go if they aren't contained. It's why one of our main rules is never to leave a newborn alone. And here is the real kicker, I didn't drink from them. I killed them and never took a sip from the devil's cup. No one knows why I didn't drain them. Never understood how I went about my life for the last 10 years never drinking from a human. But just because I didn't drink from them, didn't mean I never killed, please remember that. It's what I remind myself everyday. Charlotte took me home and I met Peter. They started off as parental figures. Told me if I can't drink from humans, how to hunt animals as well as control my thirst near humans. But I had an uncountable amount of rage, which led to a large rebellion." I wrapped my arms around me in a self hug, dipping my chin as I prepared for the next part.
"It was my second year of Vampire life, Charlotte and Peter easily shifting into more of a sibling role. Life was good, I won't deny. However, I ended up running across James, who just happened to be the vampire that turned me. Without getting into detail, I killed him before I even thought about it. Peter had spent the last year or so, training me to defend myself. And the power the surged through me from that, created someone I hope I never have to become again. I went on a warpath, killing vampires as I travelled, dodging the help from Peter and Charlotte, instead traipsing around the world in a killing spree. Vampires were my main goal, I managed to clear a good amount off the Earth as I made my way towards Europe, planning on killing myself. But vampires don't go down without a fight, and humans got hurt in the process." I looked up, finding Emmett's eyes, afraid of the terror that would be shown. However, I found compassion instead. His fingers were tapping along the outside of his leg, anxious to reach for something it seemed. The smallest, read most scared, part of me hoped he wanted to reach out r me. I gave him a small sad smile, before finishing my story.
"I made many enemies on my way to Europe. The Volturi which is like the government of our world, was my end goal. I didn't want to kill them, no, but I wanted them to make me pay for my sins. What I didn't expect was for the kings to take a liking to me. My powers are strong, but my shield makes me one of a kind. They hadn't run into a shield that was both mental and physical, and when Aro wants something. He gets it." I openly smiled, thinking of my time with the kings.
"Aro, Marcus and Cauis, feared by most of the vampire world, trained me to be in guar, where i quickly raised ranks and was co-leading it with Felix. I'm not sure if it was my age, powers, overall demeanour at the time that broke them down, but I gladly hold the only title of having all three kings wrapped around my finger. I'm honoured truthfully, but I don't like to use that against them, however often Edward tries to convince me I should."
"Is that where you met the Cullens? With the Volturi?"
"Not quite. The Volturi feed from humans, which I refused to do while living there for the 6 months that I did. Around the 6-month mark, I yearned for a new adventure. I was told I could go on leave, but I knew i didn't want to be tied down. Which, they allowed and understood. Everyone often forgets that I'm still young in human and vampire standards. The fact I submerge myself into human life at barely ten years is a fact many don't like. Edward had been on Aro's radar for a while, his power another useful one to have. It was during a visit to the castle I ran into him, and he did not like me. I was the first mind he couldn't read, something that still annoys him to this day. It turns out, he wasn't as shocked by me when he learnt my name. Peter and Charlotte had hunted down the Cullens for help with me. Carlisle was similar in the regard of not hunting humans from his change, and they knew he could help me navigate the newborn years. But I left before they could introduce us. From there I ended up travelling with Edward to meet them. And to make an already long story not as long, things settled from there. I started attending school, took the last name Cullen and here we are."
Emmett nodded before stepping forward, lifting my chin so we were staring at one another.
"Thank you for trusting me with your story, but I don't think any less of you. I want to give us a try. We can go at a snail's pace, and we don't even have to go public, but I want to see if what we feel is going to be as amazing as it feels like it could be." He searched my eyes before reaching out a hand towards me, palm to the sky. Biting the inside of my cheek, I exhaled, placing my hand into his and lacing our fingers.
"Let the record show, I said this was gonna go wrong from the beginning."