Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed and favorited the first chapter!

I'm so excited about this story and can't wait to share it.

Chapter 2

Emmett's POV

You got this, man, I reassured myself, just a few hours.

I watched through the window of my English class as Alice and Bella walked to the parking lot. My eyes lingered on the delicate curves of Bella's hips. I had to take a useless breath in an attempt to stop myself from imagining how she looked underneath her jeans.

Don't blow it. Focus. Don't blow it.

Constantly keeping my real thoughts hidden from Edward was exhausting. In the seventy plus years we'd been brothers, I'd never even tried it until last spring. Until the day I saw her walk into the cafeteria. Until I'd heard her voice and smelled her unbelievably sweet scent. Unlike Edward, I didn't ever want to bite her. All her scent did was awaken my body in other ways. Ways that I couldn't have imagined even after years with Rose.

Rose and I had been rocky for decades. I'd gone through the motions with her - the act of a relationship - but felt nothing. Whatever I had felt for her in the beginning of my vampire life had faded within the first few months - after my gratefulness for her saving me and the disbelief of her beauty had worn off. On some level, she knew I felt this way, but we had stayed together anyway. There was a mutual attraction to take the edge off of the loneliness of forever - or there had been until the moment I saw Bella.

Bella.

I refocused the angry, tired part of my brain that was projecting thoughts to Edward. The first few months I'd kept him out by running a replay of every baseball game I'd ever seen, then I moved onto football and now it was basketball. I was almost out of ideas to keep him out of my head, but I wouldn't need to for much longer.

He was getting pretty suspicious of it. Especially combined with the fact that I hadn't had sex with or even touched Rose in almost a year. I just couldn't do it anymore. The meaningless romps with her held no more appeal. He knew I was about to end it with her for good - she had even gone to Edward for advice on what was wrong with me, but he had no concrete answers to share with her.

The only people who knew that I was in love with Bella were me, Alice, and Carlisle. They knew how to block certain thoughts from Edward better than I did, having done it for years. I hoped that maybe Bella also had an idea about how I felt. All Alice would tell me was to trust my gut. Like that was any help.

"Mr. Cullen?"

"Huh?"

I was aware for the first time that Mr. Berty was looking at me, along with the rest of the class. Shit, I must have missed a question.

Mr. Berty sighed, "What novel did Hemingway say all modern American literature can be traced back to?"

I knew this one. "Huckleberry Finn."

"Correct. Now please stop staring out the window and pay attention."

I missed Bella. She always made playing a high school teenager so much more fun. On any other day, she would be sitting next to me and I would do whatever I could to try and make her smile. I always tried to make her smile at least once more than I had the day before. I wish I could smell her jasmine and strawberry scent. Edward said she smelled like freesia's to him, but I never got that.

The class eventually ended and I braced myself for the car ride home with Edward. It was so much harder to project the false thoughts when having a conversation with him. And then, when we got home, I'd have only an hour or two to deal with Rose before Bella came over for her party.

Man up. You got this.

Unfortunately, Edward was already annoyed at me when I got in the car.

His teeth were clenched when he spoke, "Did you really pick those earrings out for her?"

Shit. He had heard her thank me this morning after all.

I held my hands up in mock surrender, but I was silently laughing to myself in my private thoughts. As if I would ever actually surrender to him.

"It was nothing. Alice was having trouble finding the right kind and I'd seen her looking at them online."

"When?"

"Huh?"

"When did you see her looking at them?" He was nearly growling now.

"Uh…" I tried as hard as I could not to let the actual memory slip out. Not to outwardly think about how pretty she had looked laying on the couch watching some random movie with me and Alice. Not to think about how it felt to have her warm, soft flesh against my arm. Not to think about how badly I wanted to kiss her velvety pink lips. "Last Tuesday when you were hunting. We were just hanging around with Alice, man."

His eyes narrowed, "Why have you been working so hard to hide your thoughts?"

Uh oh.

"It just gets annoying as hell sometimes, bro." I feigned as much contempt as I could. "Can't I be allowed a little privacy after almost a century of you in my head?"

He didn't respond.

I thought I was in the clear - until we pulled into the garage. He parked in his usual spot next to my Jeep, but didn't get out. I was vaguely reminded of an old mafia movie where a guy got whacked right before he could open the door of his car.

Basketball, basketball, basketball. I desperately projected.

"She says your name, you know, in her sleep." His voice was more sad than angry. "Every single night."

My immediate reaction to his confession was pure joy. She does feel it. She wants me, too.

The next thing I felt was a crushing guilt. I felt bad for my brother, I did, but even he had to see that Bella wasn't meant for him. He looked at her like a delicate trophy that he somehow deserved. That he had somehow earned. I honestly doubt whether or not he even knows who Bella is as a person - or if he projects who he thinks she should be onto her.

Part of me wanted to just come out with it right now. To tell him the whole truth and let that be that. I felt horrible for how this was playing out, but one of the only useful things Alice had told me was not to tell him yet or things would end in the worst case scenario - whatever that meant. She warned me not to until after I had completely ended any pretense of a relationship with Rose. And most importantly, not until after Bella's birthday party.

I tried my best to sound indifferent. "We see each other basically every day. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything."

"Don't lie to me, brother. Please." He was getting angry again. "You obviously aren't going to tell me the truth - or let me hear it - but please don't lie."

I didn't say anything.

I decided to just get out of the car and run from this situation until I could come clean to him. Plus, I still needed to go find Rose. Today was shaping up to be a massive headache. Only four or so more hours until I could see Bella though. Until I could tell her everything I'd felt since I first saw her and everything that had grown in me over the last eight months.

I was so anxious thinking about what she might say in return that I slipped and let a real thought out.

I hope Bella knows I…

It was only for a half a second - it wasn't even a full sentence - but it was enough to be a problem.

He put a hand on my shoulder to stop me from leaving. He didn't use any strength, not really, but his intent was clear.

"Maybe I'm being paranoid, brother," he said the word like it was a curse, "but I want something to be clear to you. I will fight for her. She might feel something for you, but it cannot be whatever you hope for. She's human. It's only natural for her curiosity to get the best of her now and again."

I tried hard to repress my initial instincts. The ones telling me to fight. The ones that wanted to yank the hand he had on my shoulder off and throw him into the wall. To defend my claim to the woman I knew would be my future mate.

Don't do it. I warned myself. Don't antagonize him.

I couldn't hold it all in. Not completely.

"What if it's more than curiosity? What if it's what she wants? What if I can give her things you can't?"

This wasn't technically going against Alice's warnings. At least, I hoped it wasn't.

Edward's eyes became hostile and he growled. "All the same. I will fight for her."

He disappeared from the garage and I took a minute to steady myself. I probably shouldn't have done that. It was so close to the right time and I had been waiting for so long. I couldn't afford to screw this up now.

When I went inside, I made my way to the room that Rosalie and I were supposed to share for the first time in months. She was sitting at her vanity and jumped when she saw me in the mirror.

"Rose," it was even harder now to block my thoughts, I knew Edward was still trying to get in my head, "we need to talk. Come run with me."

She tried to take my hand as we ran out into the forest, but I pulled it away.

We ran to a small clearing that was far enough away to have privacy from everyone. Even though it was a long time coming, I didn't know how badly she might react.

"Alright, talk." She stubbornly crossed her arms.

"I… Fuck. Rose…" I needed to just come out with it already. I'd put off what I was about to say for decades. It was time. "I can't do it anymore, Rose. I can't. I'll always have love for you, but this thing between us needs to end. We've been playing pretend for years and I can't fake it for even another day."

I was filled with instant relief at having finally said it. I only hoped I didn't say it like too much of an ass.

I expected Rose to be angry. I thought she'd hit me - or try to kill me - but her face was blank, unreadable.

"Don't we have a good time together? I know that you've never been in love with me," her mask slipped and I saw a sadness in her eyes that made me wince, "but I need you, Emmett. I don't want to live this life alone. You wanted me before, can't you try to again?"

"There's no point in trying anymore. I need something more. Something real. I'm sorry, but this just isn't enough for me."

"Emmett, please. I can be enough for you. I'm all you need. I swear I am. Let me show you."

She started to unbutton her shirt.

Oh shit. I was going to have to really hurt her.

"No. Stop. Just stop. I don't want you, Rose." I hated to twist the knife this deep, but I knew it was the only way. "We both know I haven't really wanted you since I was a newborn. You're shallow and cruel and I hate the way I feel when I'm around you. I would rather die alone than spend another second trying to be with you. It's over. Forever. I'm done."

That did it. I could see in her eyes that I'd finally cut the cord that had held us together for so long.

"Okay," her voice was hollow, "okay."

I felt horrible.

"Rose, I'm sorry. I really am, but it has to be this way."

She wouldn't look me in the eyes, "I'm going to go up to Alaska for a while. Tell everyone goodbye for me."

She disappeared into the trees.

It's over. The relief was overwhelming, even tainted with guilt.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I had a text from Alice.

'She'll be okay, I promise. Go get changed. Wear the outfit I put on my dresser.'

I ran back home, ignoring the glare I got from Edward on the stairs, and into Alice's room. She had laid out black slacks, a light grey button up shirt, and an ice blue necktie. I hated ties, but I wasn't about to ignore any advice from Alice. Not today.

I got dressed and headed down to the living room where everyone was waiting. I could hear Bella's truck pull up to the house and I swear, if my heart could beat it would have broken out of my chest from all the anticipation I felt for tonight.

"Where's Rosalie?" Esme asked.

"She decided to go to Alaska for a bit. I'm sure she'll call you when she gets there."

Edward froze where he stood by the piano.

Esme opened her mouth to say something else, but right at that moment Alice was flinging the front door open.

"We're here!" Alice skipped inside, pulling Bella along behind her.

Damn.

I let that one word slip out. At least, I hope it was only that word. My reaction to seeing Bella was so strong I couldn't entirely control my thoughts. She was always gorgeous, but right now she looked sexier than I ever could have imagined. The dress she was wearing clung to all of her curves just right. It shimmered against her skin. I grinned when I saw she was wearing the earrings I picked. I had never seen her look so confident in herself and her appearance, it was incredible. I loved seeing her look this happy.

She locked eyes with me. In that one moment, I knew that she felt something, too. Her warm chocolate eyes held every bit of the desire mine did. I didn't know if she loved me or if it was lust, but right now I would take whatever I could get.

"Happy birthday, Bella!" We all said in a loud chorus.

She slowly unglued her eyes from mine and beamed at my family.

"Wow! Guys, you didn't have to do this!"

Alice and Esme had covered every flat surface with silver candles and dozens of crystal bowls filled with hundreds of white roses. There was a table with a white cloth draped over it next to Edward's grand piano - which I was pretty sure he had just broken a chunk off of - holding a white and silver birthday cake, more roses, a stack of glass plates, and a small pile of silver-wrapped presents.

Carlisle and Esme were the closest to the door. Esme gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. I knew my mom - she had been my mom for a lifetime - loved this girl just as much as I did. I'd wished I could share my feelings with her, but she would never agree to keep such a big secret from Edward. Carlisle pulled her in for an embrace next.

"I hope it's not too much, Bella," he stage-whispered. "We couldn't rein them in."

"Happy birthday." Jasper smiled and gave her a polite nod. He still struggled with her blood.

I was itching to go to her, to pick her up and spin her around in my arms and make her laugh. Cautiously, I looked at Edward. He was still frozen in place.

Your loss. I thought outwardly. After his hostility this afternoon, I couldn't resist the opportunity to get under his skin. Maybe it was childish, but it felt right. Here's to trusting my gut.

"You look absolutely amazing, Bells," I couldn't keep the huge smile off of my face as I walked toward her.

Blood rushed up to her cheeks. It didn't make me hungry - as it probably did everyone else in the room - it only made me want to kiss her more. Not yet. Only a little more patience.

With almost no effort, I lifted her into a giant hug and spun her around like I had this morning. Her laugh was the best, brightest sound I had ever heard. When I put her down, I couldn't stop myself from kissing the top of her head again. It was an innocent enough gesture. And, though I wanted so much more, it would have to do for now.

"Happy birthday." I whispered into her hair.

I felt a sudden wave of calm fall over the room. Jasper must be reacting to whatever Edward was feeling right now. I took a step away from Bella, loving the way she smiled up at me.

"Thanks Em," she let out another laugh and pointed to my tie, "we match."

I remembered what I was wearing and grinned. Nice one, Alice.

"It's time for you to open presents!" Alice grabbed Bella's hand and pulled her over to the table.

Edward suddenly seemed to remember himself and went to stand next to Bella.

"Happy birthday, love."

He leaned in to kiss her.

Her eyes were on mine as she artfully turned her face slightly away from him. Just enough so that he kissed her cheek instead of her lips. I knew from the look on her face that those were not the lips she wanted on her.

She wants me. She really wants me. I couldn't control my happiness. Soon.

"Here, open mine and Carlisle's first," Esme handed her a large box.

She struggled a little trying to tear off the wrapping paper. I couldn't help but laugh at her frustrated expression.

"Sorry the paper is so thick. Alice insisted we use this one."

Alice winked at Bella, "I wouldn't want you getting a paper cut."

"I'm not that fragile, Alice." She finished opening the present and gasped. "No way! It's exactly like the one my grandma had!"

She pulled out a black and gold music box that looked like it belonged back in my human life.

"Actually, it's the same one. Carlisle was able to track down the person who bought it at her estate sale and get him to sell it to us."

Bella gazed at the music box with total adoration. I stared at her with the exact same look.

"You guys… This is seriously amazing. I can't ever thank you enough."

Alice handed her a small rectangular gift next. She and Jasper had gotten her a necklace to match the earrings.

"Here, let me help you," Edward took the necklace from Bella.

She held her hair up while he secured it around her neck. Again, her eyes were on me. When he finished, he brushed his fingers down her neck. I fought back a growl.

"It's beautiful. Thank you both so much."

Edward picked up two packages. "These are from me, love."

She opened up the smaller one first.

"Plane tickets?"

"To visit your mother," he smiled at her, "I know you've missed her. We can go down to Jacksonville together."

She didn't meet his eyes, "Thank you, I can't wait to see her."

The next one was a CD.

"So you can listen to your lullaby at home." Edward glanced my way, "I think that was the last one. Unless Emmett has something not wrapped?"

I glared at him. Of course he was trying to make it look like I rudely didn't get her anything. He was following up on the promise to fight for her. I knew my brother well enough to know that he wasn't afraid of fighting dirty.

"My gift is still on it's way." Actually, it was in my pocket. I was waiting until later tonight to give it to her, but Edward didn't need to know that. "Sorry, Bells, I hope you don't mind waiting just a little."

She smiled at me, it was my favorite thing to see.

"No worries, Em. I can be patient."

We did her cake next. I belted out the birthday song so loudly and off key that I knew she would have to laugh. She gave me another knowing look as she blew out her candles. Edward scowled at me.

Alice volunteered to cut the cake as everyone took their seats around the table. Edward and I sat on either side of Bella.

"Uh… Alice ? I only need one piece."

"These are for us." She passed plates around to the whole family. I looked down at mine in disgust. "It's not a human birthday if we don't all eat cake."

Bella shook her head in horror, "Please, please don't think you need to eat this. I'm perfectly fine eating alone."

"No, we're doing this." I got what looked to be a decent sized bite on my fork and shoved it in my mouth. It was even worse than it looked. "Oh gross! Even for human food this is bad!"

She playfully elbowed my side, "Well, not everything can taste as good as an irritable grizzly."

"You sure are right about that," Jasper was struggling to get his slice down.

We all laughed and joked as we ate the cake.

It felt so nice to have Bella beside me. To feel the heat from her body. Maybe it was because I was finally free of Rose - or because I knew that the time I could tell Bella how I felt was almost here - but I had never felt so happy.

When we were done, Edward excused himself from the table. Probably to go throw up the horrible cake.

I leaned down to Bella's ear and whispered, "You really do look incredible. I can't keep my eyes off of you."

If anyone else at the table heard me, they ignored it.

Bella was blushing a deep crimson.

"Thanks," she whispered back, "Em, I c-"

Edward walked back in then, effectively stopping her from finishing whatever it was she was going to say.

Soon. I told myself once again. Another hour or so and it will be time.

"I have one more present for you, love." Edward flashed me a smirk as he kneeled down in front of Bella.

No fucking way.

Thoughts?

Love being inside Emmett's head or hate it?

Let me know in a review!