Bella's Point of View


It still felt strange being in Emmett's room. Knowing that at one point, this wasn't just his room. It was his and Rosalie's. It left me with a feeling of inadequacy. She was so beautiful, perfect, everything I wasn't. I couldn't for the life of me understand why Emmett would throw her away and settle for a nobody like me. It didn't make sense. Yet here I was, in a thin silk robe, sitting in his bed. Emmett was down at the bottom of the bed, rubbing my aching feet. His touch was heavenly. I let my eyes close as all my worries melted away with each tender touch.

"So, what did you think of that dinner party? It didn't go quite as planned. I don't think we ended up talking about the baby at all." Amusement was clear in his voice.

"That's true, I don't know, I guess now that my mom has decided to move here, it will be easier discussing the details."

"I'm not even sure if shortie saw that coming. When Rene mentioned it, you should have seen the look of surprise on her face." Emmett snickered.

"It is a bit surprising. I wish she would have thought this through, before making such a big decision like this. It doesn't just affect her anymore."

"But she is doing it for you, isn't she? So, she can support you and the baby?"

I sighed, my eyes flickering open to look at him. His light butterscotch eyes were brimming with curiosity. "Maybe that's part of the reason. But Ana thinks that Rene wants to try again with Charlie, deep down, she still has those feelings for him. And the fact that the two of them kissed… well I'm starting to think so myself."

"If that is true, how does that make you feel? Do you want your parents to get back together?"

"I don't know, it just kind of feels… unfair. They turned my life upside down because they couldn't manage to work through their differences. Rene took me and ran to Arizona, I only got to see Charlie once in a while. Maybe things would have been different for me, if they just would have stayed together. Not saying that I was unhappy… It's hard to explain."

Emmett lightly continued stroking my feet. "That's the beautiful thing about humans. They grow, change, adapt to new situations and environments. Rene had you at a young age, she married young, maybe she wasn't quite ready to settle down and live out a calm, quiet life with Charlie. They weren't on the same page. Maybe they are now?"

"I'm not sure if her age has anything to do with it. I think it comes down to personality. They aren't compatible. They never were. Sometimes love makes you blind to the flaws… Rene wasn't to be free to come and go as she pleases. She wants adventure and thrills. But Charlie wants peace, stability and the same rigid routine."

"It sounds more like they complement each other well. Maybe Rene can help Charlie loosen up. And Charlie can help Rene settle down. But that's just one possibility. It's worth a try, isn't it?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "If that's how you really feel… well how would you feel if Rosalie came walking through the door, wanting to try again. What if her time away has changed her? Would it be worth a try? Would you want to try being with her again?"

A frown came to Emmett's face. "Of course not. Our situation is completely different."

I swallowed hard, feeling overcome with emotion. Tears rolled down my cheeks. This was a conversation that I really didn't want to have. I was terrified of what his reply would be. Was he telling the truth? Or did he just not want to hurt my feelings?

He moved now to lay next to me, setting his head in my lap. Gently he left a trail of kisses around my stomach. "There is something you need to realize. I may look like a human in some ways, but I'm a vampire. Our emotions are on a level that human emotions could never reach."

"What does that mean?"

"When a human tells another human that they love them, it's a fleeting emotion. It comes with conditions. It's casual, a feeling that can be thrown to anyone that walks into their life. It's a statement of how that person feels at that moment." He continued, taking my hand in his. "When I tell you that I love you, it comes from the soul, every single part of me. It's unconditional, it's eternal and it's only for you. No one else. Vampires mate for life."

His words sent a warmth through my body. I felt a smile spread across my face, no matter how hard I fought against it. He was so honest and sincere; how could I not believe him? Even though it still didn't make sense, how I could have been so lucky.

"But those feelings, you've had them for Rosalie? And that ended… So why is our relationship any different?"

"I didn't realize it, until after I met you. What I felt for Rose was never love at all. It was a mixture of obligation and being complacent. As a human, I've always had problems with pretty women. It's something I'm not proud of. But it's what I grew up seeing, especially with my older brothers. Rose was just another pretty face. She saved me and offered me an escape from my problems. I lost the only family I had; she was there. I felt like I owed her everything. It wasn't easy, she is a very demanding woman. But I fooled myself into thinking I was content, and everything was normal. Until you came into my life."

There was a pinch of jealousy I felt as Emmett described his past. I didn't know that he was a womanizer. However, he was a very good-looking man, something like that would have been easy for him. And what guy wasn't a bit of a dog when they were younger. It didn't make the conversation any easier to hear. But overall, I felt a bit better. I was glad he was opening up to me and sharing a bit of his past. I felt that I had a better understanding of his feelings.

I wrapped my arms around him, letting my fingers run through his dark locks. "I'm just glad you're with me now. Even though things are crazy, and we haven't quite figured it all out yet… I'm really excited for what our future holds."

He smiled, something sounding close to a purr made its way past his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too,"

Emmett made his way up the bed to hold me in his arms. His hands lingered on my stomach. His lips were on my shoulders. I felt my eyes closing slowly, as I counted each cold kiss I felt against my skin. It didn't take long before my focus disappeared, and I finally fell asleep.


Emmett's Point of View

I hated to be apart from her, it was nearly impossible to leave the bed. She looked so peaceful. And so beautiful. I worried about her and the baby. It felt wrong to be more than a few steps away. It filled me with a sense of dread as I crept quickly out of the bedroom. But Edward just got home, and I could tell that he wanted to talk. I passed Alice in the hall; she gave me a knowing smile.

"I'll look after her, until you return," She said as she headed in the direction of my room.

"Thanks shortie," I muttered as I continued down the steps. Edward was waiting at the bottom, frantically pacing back and forth. I paused at the last step, just watching him. He didn't seem to notice I was there. He was wrapped deeply in his thoughts.

Edward, what the hell is wrong. I called out to him in my thoughts.

He froze and snapped his head in my direction. "Everything Emmett, I'm losing my mind here."

"What's the problem? That Ana chick get under your skin?" I snickered.

He glared at me, with an annoyed look, before pinching the bridge of his nose. "There is something very… compelling… about her. I feel these urges to be near her… protect her."

"Do I need to spell it out for you?" I rolled my eyes. "Love at first sight. You're falling in love with a human, you've joined the club. I'll make you a t-shirt."

"This isn't funny," He growled.

"I wasn't kidding, well, about the t-shirt I was kidding about that, but about the girl, yes… you got the hots for her. Admit it." I said with a taunting grin. I got immense enjoyment seeing Eddie squirm. It was always fun to watch him get worked up.

"That's not going to happen." He roughly turned away from me.

"What's so wrong with that? I'm in love with a human. Bella is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've never felt so… human." I admitted.

"You've found happiness and that's wonderful, but at what price? I mean… Do you really plan on turning her? Taking her innocence away? Condemning her?"

I frowned at him. "I've already taken her innocence, several times in fact. And it's what she wants. Who am I to deny her wishes?"

"Doesn't it make you feel… selfish?"

"Not at all. Because I've never asked her to turn for me. I didn't demand it, or even bring it up to her. This was a choice she made on her own. She is the mother of my child. She wants to be with both of us forever. And I want that same thing. There is nothing selfish about that."

"Even if somehow, she survives delivering the baby?"

"Well, we haven't really gotten into that conversation yet. Worst case scenario, she wants to be turned. But if all is well… she will have time to decide when or if she still wants to be a vampire." I said, shrugging my shoulders.

Edward sighed, now looking down at his feet. "I just don't think I could accept doing that to someone I cared about. How could she ever understand the price she would pay, or what she would lose?"

"If you find the right woman, none of that will matter. Whatever she ends up losing out on, none of it will matter. As long as she has you. You are enough. That's something Rose never seemed to feel. There was always something she wanted more. It wasn't me. Hell, she would have given up our relationship in a heartbeat, just to be human again. But Bella, she is willing to throw everything away… give up everything she is… and do so happily, just to stay by my side. That's what true love is Eddie."

Edward scanned over my expression; a hint of a smile came to his face. "You know, she has really changed you. You actually sound like you know what you're talking about Em."

I snorted. "I always know what I'm talking about. So, listen to what I'm saying, when I say to just relax. So, she's human. It makes things a little complicated. But if the feelings are real, everything will work out. You just need to be open-minded. And don't forget, if you're going to bang her, use protection. Unless you want momma drama."

Edward hissed at me; embarrassment clouded his face completely. "Get your mind out of the gutter, I'd never even consider…" His eyes wandered away from me, out towards the window. "Until after marriage."

I shook my head slightly. "Old fashioned as ever. I admire your self-control. When it comes to sex, I don't have much restraint. Get with the times Eddie, we are pursuing modern day women now. Keep up with the norm." I said turning my back to begin the ascent back up the stairs. I had the sense that Edward was getting less and less thrilled with our conversation. Best to end it short and get back to Bella.

"I'm not pursuing anyone," He muttered quietly, still sounding annoyed.

Yeah, I'm sure that's how he felt now. But I saw the look in his eyes when he saw that Ana chick. He was hooked. It was clear as day. Soon, she would be the only thing that mattered to him. I could relate to that. Edward and I have never really been on the same page. Our minds worked completely differently. And that's okay. But maybe this might help strengthen our bonds. I could see it now. Him running to me with advice and questions. It was actually exciting to think about. Someone else would understand. Dating a human was an experience.

Terrifying, just thinking of all the things that could hurt them. But so gratifying to be close to them, feel the warmth of their skin and the innocence in their eyes. The delicate sound of each breath and beat of their hearts. It was so foreign to me at first. But I've found myself getting so wrapped up in her world. I wasn't used to thinking about the simple things, like eating, sleeping, pausing for a moment to smell the flowers. My entire life seemed so gray and lifeless, for the longest time. But now, everything was in color. Time slowed down. Each day no longer blurred together, endlessly. Each and every moment with Bella was a cherished memory. I understood a little bit of what Rose meant now. Human life was beautiful. For once, I wished that I could experience it. With Bella. If I was human, would we have ended up having many children? What kind of job would I have had? Would I have been a morning person? All these thoughts came to me.

But reality was cruel. I'd never become human. That kind of life wasn't meant for us. But I made a promise. That when she became a vampire, I would spend each and every day making it special. We would have an eternity to create the lives we want to live.

Once I made it back to the bedroom, Alice was standing in front of the door, stiff and unmoving. Jasper was at her side, touching her shoulder. He looked at me as I approached. His expression appeared grim. He was always on edge when Alice was getting a vision. I think it was just the fact of seeing her in a state of complete vulnerability that bothered him.

"Alice, what are you seeing?" He asked quietly.

Alice's hollow stare brought on some anxiety in me as well. My thoughts instantly jumped to Bella and the baby's safety.

"Those nomads, they just entered Forks. They find Phil… he doesn't survive. We need to act quickly. They are already moving in his direction."


A/N: Thanks for reading! What do you all think of this story so far? It's been a lot of fun to write. Review, Favorite, Alert. Anything is appreciated.