All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.
This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do.
The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.
AN: My weekly update! I do hope to get lots and lots of reviews for this one. Oh, I sort of apologize ahead of time for the lemony part...I haven't indulged in a good steamy lemon pie in a couple of chapters or so and it just flowed so easily. Hope you enjoy it!
Gaby -love you darling! So looking forward to your review...this one should have you crying but not tears of anger.
Ses -I miss you.
Chelsea, Brazilian (updated the GONE Family Tree chapter if you still want to know their ages), moani, lette, all you dear loved reviewers -thank you for letting me know you enjoy the chapter...please continue to do so.
As always, enjoy what you read and remember to review!
Chapter Eighteen
April 12th
"Wow," Seth's mouth dropped open as Rose walked into the living room, his eyes moving over the criss-crossed pewter gray silk wrapped tight around her torso, the silk hugging every curve while the skirt draped over her hips and fell to her knees, matching stiletto heels giving her four extra inches in height, "You look amazing."
Rose grinned at him, turning a full circle to give him a full view, "Alice sent it last week –told me to wear it tonight."
"Very nice," Seth's eyes followed the fabric, unable to tell how exactly it went on…or off, "I don't see a zipper."
"Tell me about it," Rose chuckled as she took the black peacock coat from the hook beside the door, Seth reaching around her to open the door, "I had a difficult time putting this thing one…Alice designed it herself."
"Uh," Seth took his leather jacket before closing the door behind him, following after her as she made her way towards his dark blue Mustang, "How exactly does it work without a zipper?"
"It wraps around," Rose reached the passenger seat, turning to give him a smile as he opened the door for her, "Multiple times. Now, if you pull on this end here…the whole thing will come right off."
Seth's mouth went dry as he looked down at the neat bow at her left hip, the physics of it tripping through his brain as she got into the car, "Do we, uh…maybe we can stay?"
Rose looked up at him, her eyes dancing as she fought back a laugh, "I don't think so. I've been looking forward to this dinner –I've never been to the space needle, remember?"
"Right," Seth nodded as he drummed his fingers against the window, "No, you're right…I shouldn't…"
He saw her fight back laughter, his eyebrows lowering as he realized she had purposely teased him, her fingers still playing with the long piece of fabric resting on her thigh.
Leaning down, he nudged her chin up and covered her mouth with his, stroking her neck with his fingers before sliding them into her hair, the heavy silk of it held up into some sort of up-do.
Reaching up to grab a fistful of his button down shirt, she moaned as he deepened the kiss.
Pulling back, he smiled at the hum that escaped her, watching her eyes flutter open, her pupils swallowing up the hazel color of her eyes as he murmured against her lips, "You're a tease."
Rose's lips spread into a grin as she smoothed her hand over his chest before reaching up to wipe a finger over his lips to remove the peach tinted lip gloss, "Something I've learned from you."
"Me, uh," Seth grinned as he placed a hand on her knee, his fingers stroking up her inner thigh, the fabric of her dress liquid silk against his skin as he moved his hand under it, "Just remember…I can out-tease you."
"Seth," Rose blushed as she stopped his hand from going any further, her fingers wrapped around his wrist, "We're going to miss our reservations."
"Right," Seth grinned as he kissed her mouth, his hand squeezing her thigh before he took the seatbelt and stretched it across her body to click it into place, "No better way to celebrate our one year anniversary than dinner at the space needle."
Their conversation flowed with easy comfort as they made their way to Seattle, Seth's hand on her thigh as he drove up the highway, the sky growing darker as stars came out to join the waning moon.
Pulling up to the front of the Seattle Space Needle, he turned the engine off, stepping out of the car and handing the keys to the valet before moving around the back to open Rose's door. Her small hand slipped into his as she stepped out of the car, the skirt of her dress hiking up her slim thighs before she straightened up, her body pressed up against his.
"Who's being the tease now," she whispered, smiling up at him as he let go of her hand to slip his arm around her small waist, able to feel him against her flat stomach, her cheeks rosy as he leaned to whisper into her ear, "Just thinking about the mechanics of that dress."
Rose giggled as they stepped away from the car, his arm staying where it was as he walked beside her into the building.
Once at the top floor, the hostess greeted them, smiling as she showed them to the private dining room he had reserved, Rose's breath escaping her as soon as they stepped in.
Window panes made up the outside wall, the blinking lights of Seattle stretched out below them, three thick candles in the middle of a round table, flames reflecting off the crystal glasses as soft music played.
"Seth," Rose touched trembling fingers to her lips, eyes welling up with tears as he led her to the table, her eyes roving over the pink roses all along the four walls, "How many roses are there?"
"One for every day I've called you my wife," he said with a smile, reaching up to cup her face in his large hand, "It's been the best year of my life and I'm so looking forward to the next ninety-nine years or so."
They sat down at the table, their joined hands resting on the surface as the waitress took their orders, the hostess opening a bottle of pink champagne.
Rubbing his thumb over her wedding band, he gave her a smile as the champagne was poured into their glasses, "I've got a date this weekend."
The hostess' eyebrows arched but she didn't say anything, taking her time to return the bottle to the ice bucket as Rose picked up her glass, a smile on her full lips, "Anyone I know?"
"Emmie," Seth caught the look of shock on the hostess' face, swallowing back a laugh, "I'm thinking of asking Vivi to come along too."
"I see," Rose took a sip of her champagne, the bubbles tickling the back of her throat, "I thought Embry spent the weekends with Emmie."
"Well, see, that's the thing," Seth lifted her hand to press a kiss on her knuckles, knowing the hostess' rearranging the roses was a delay tactic to continue eavesdropping on their conversation, "He's going down to Louisiana for his sister's wedding this weekend so that means two weeks without seeing Emmie, which is why he called and said I was to cheer her up or else."
"And that means taking Vivi along," Rose set her glass on the table, crossing one leg over the other, her foot bumping his knee under the small table.
"Emmie adores Vivi," Seth moved his free hand under the table, snagging her ankle and slipping her shoe off before placing her foot on his lap, her toes curling into his thigh, "Besides, if anyone can cheer her up and keep her from missing Embry, it's Vivi."
"Well, then…I guess I can't argue with that," Rose bit her lip to keep from giggling as Seth dragged his thumb down the sole of her foot, "Why is the wedding going to be in Louisiana? I thought the bride's family usually took care of all that."
"Usually, yes," Seth trapped her foot between his knees, picking up his glass to take a drink of the champagne, "But it's just Embry, Sadie and their mom –not only that but Ryan's family is quite large and all of them live down south."
Rose nodded, almost biting her tongue when Seth slid his hand up her calve to tickle the back of her knee, "Seth!"
"Mhm," he gave her an innocent smile as he moved his hand down towards her foot, her silk stocking smooth against his hand.
Blushing as the waitress walked in with their meal, Rose tried to pull her foot away but Seth clamped his hand down on her ankle, completely unperturbed at the glare she gave him.
"Is there anything else I can get you," the waitress asked, having placed everything on the table with the hostess' help.
"Thank you, no," Seth smiled, not once looking away from Rose as he rubbed his thumb against the inside of her small ankle, enjoying the way her face was flushing.
"We'll leave you to your meal, then," the waitress gave them a smile before walking out of the room, the hostess behind her.
As soon as the door closed, Rose tried harder to pull her foot out of his hand without success, "What is it with you and my feet?"
Seth's chuckle escalated to a laugh as she gave him a narrow-eyed look, "Do you have a foot fetish?"
"Baby," he grinned as he gently pulled at her foot, "If I had a foot fetish, I'd be doing this."
Rose eyes nearly popped out as he pressed her foot against his hard crotch, her toes curling as a flash of hot desire washed over her, "Seth."
"Yes Rosie," he cocked an eyebrow, a small groan escaping him when she flexed her foot against him, voice husky as she stared into his eyes, her own dark with wild lust.
"Take me home."
Seth pulled her hard into him, his fingers slipping over the silk fabric of her dress as he moved his hands over her back and down her bottom, his lips leaving a trail of kisses up her neck before he whispered into her mouth, "I want you…naked…now."
"Just pull," Rose panted, her fingers gripping his hair as she pressed herself against him, the fire inside her getting hotter with every touch and kiss.
Setting her away from him, he reached up to pull her hands out of his hair, placing them on her sides before reaching for the long sash trailing down her left thigh, wanting to see it unravel.
Her chest rose and fell with every breath she took, body shaking slightly as desire coursed through her veins, eyes on his face as he slowly pulled at the fabric in his hand.
The weight of the skirt pulled at the loosen straps, the silk fabric sliding off her shoulders and torso to pool into a puddle at her feet.
Seth forgot to breathe as his eyes raked over her, the current hard situation he was in getting harder at the way the silver and black strapless corset she wore hugged her body, matching panties with a garter belt holding up thigh-high silk stockings, "You're so…fucking sexy."
Rose let out a gasp of surprise as he yanked her into his arms, lips crashing into hers, her fingers digging into his biceps as he ravished her mouth, a large hand moving down to squeeze her ass.
Rose walked backwards at Seth's urging her knees buckling when they hit the edge, a surprised gasp escaping her as Seth fell on her, his weight heavy but so wonderful she wrapped her arms and legs around him to keep him there.
Seth moved his mouth down her throat, sucking and biting at the soft flesh, his fingers working the laces down the back of the corset as his hips bucked forward without thought or permission, Rose's small hands yanking at his shirt, pulling it over his shoulders and head.
Pulling back to kneel between her legs, he yanked at the cuff links, tossing the shirt aside before gripping her knees, curving his fingers around the firm muscle then sliding his hands up the back of her thighs, the garters coming undone under his fingers.
Moving into a sitting position, she curled her fingers into the waistband of his black slacks, pushing her mouth against his, her teeth tugging at his bottom lip as she undid his belt.
Seth groaned at the feel of her small hands against his hot skin, his fingers digging into her waist as he moved, maneuvering their tangled bodies until he was on his back, Rose sitting astride him.
Looking up at her with hooded eyes, he twisted his fingers on either side of her panties and garter belt, his words a nearly discernible growl as he avidly watched the way her breasts heaved with every breath she took, "Take that fucking thing off."
Keeping her eyes on him, she reached back to work at the tangled laces, her fingers trembling as the knot deep in her belly twisted and tightened, her hips rocking forward, a moan escaping her at the feel of him hard against her hot core.
Undoing the tangled mess he had made, she yanked the corset off as the elastic of her garter belt snapped, the sound of rendering fabric causing a shiver to run down her back as she lifted her bottom, Seth tossing aside what had been her panties.
As soon as she threw the corset aside, big hands covered her breasts, the rough calluses against her soft skin tearing a groan from her throat, a moan following soon after as he pinched her hard nipples between his thumb and fingers.
Shoving his hands off her breasts, she leaned down, her mouth moving over his hot skin, her teeth tugging at one hard nipple as he dug his fingers into her thighs, her thigh-high stockings still in place.
"I want inside you…now," he panted, reaching between her legs to push at his pants, her hands joining his, her mouth on his skin as she made her way down his body.
As soon as his pants were off and on the floor, she moved up his naked body, her small hands holding on to his muscled thighs, eyes unwavering as she stared at his hard-on –he knew what she was thinking but now was not the time for that lesson…not when he was certain death was imminent if he didn't get inside her tight little body in the next five seconds, "Not tonight, baby."
Biting her lip, she hesitated briefly before moving to straddle him, a small scream escaping her as he grabbed her waist and pulled her down as he thrust hard into her.
She was so hot and wet, he slid completely into her in that one move, her inner muscles clamping and rippling around him, "Fuck, baby! You feel so fucking good."
Rose leaned forward, her small hands on his hard stomach as she lifted herself off him then sank back down, his hands sliding over her hips to grip her round bottom, urging her to move faster.
It didn't take long before they were both breathing hard, their bodies slick with sweat as they moved together, Rose's entire body trembling as she drew closer and closer to her release.
The edge of that cliff was quickly rushing up on Seth but he refused to fall over by himself, wanting his Rosie with him when he toppled over the edge.
Sliding a hand between their merged bodies, he slipped his thumb into her folds, rubbing small circles around the little bundle of nerves hidden there, his eyes locked on her face as she arched her back, head falling back as Spanish words tumbled out of her mouth.
Gripping her hips, he pushed into her twice –three –four times before exploding, a guttural growl from deep inside him making its way out as a tilt of her hips somehow had him coming again.
Collapsing into his arms, Rose struggled to get her breathing under control, his arms around her holding her soul in place as it pulsated with contentment and all encompassing love.
Sliding his hand into her hair, he began to pull out the hairpins lodged in the thick tresses, a chuckle escaping him as he kissed her forehead.
"What are you laughing about," Rose asked, her voice tired as she let her eyes close in exhaustion.
"Just thinking if that's the reaction I get for playing with your feet, I'll have to do it more often."
Rose's swollen lips spread into a smile as she tilted her head back to look at him, her hair finally spilling onto the pillow and over his arm, her giggle making his body leap to attention, "Maybe I'm the one with the foot fetish."
Laughing, he wrapped his arms around her, rolling over until he was on top of her, their mouths sealing in a heated kiss.
Time for round two.
April 14th
9:23AM
Leah let out a groan as her abdomen tightened, the fierce pain gripping her as she squeezed Rick's hands.
"Okay, Leah," Dr. Lodhi looked up from between her knees, giving her an encouraging smile, "This one's it –give me one big push."
"Oh God," Leah gritted her teeth as she leaned forward, her sweaty hair sticking to her face and neck as she held on tight to Rick, her elbows digging into his biceps as she pushed, seconds ticking by before the doctor exclaimed in excitement, "The head is out!"
Leah panted, exhausted as she fell back into Rick's arms, feeling his lips against her temple, his whisper in her ear making her smile tiredly, "You're amazing, agape mou."
Dr. Lodhi finished clearing the baby's nose and mouth, giving Leah and Rick a smile as a cry rendered the charged air, "Last one, Leah, and we can find out if it's a boy or girl."
"I can't do it…"
"Yes, you can baby," Rick kissed her cheek, his thumbs rubbing the back of her hands, "Dig deep –"
"Shut up before I dig a hole deep enough to throw you in," Leah growled, Dr. Lodhi unable to hold back the chuckle –being she too was Quileute, she had understood every word as she kept the baby's head in one hand while supporting the perineum with the other to prevent any tearing, "One push to get the shoulders out, Leah, and I'll take care of the rest."
Leah let out a groan, the weak contractions growing in intensity. Squeezing Rick's hands hard enough to cut off circulation, she bared down, holding her breath until she felt the rest of her baby's body slide out.
"It's a girl," Dr. Lodhi grinned as she held the baby up, her small red face scrunched up as she screamed, little fists waving in agitation.
Falling back into Rick's arms, she blinked tears away, letting go of his hands to reach out for the newborn, a nurse wrapping her in a blanket before laying her on Leah's chest as the doctor worked on the aftercare.
"She's beautiful," Leah touched her finger to a small fist, miniscule fingers instantly opening to hold on tight, "Isn't she, Rick?"
He nodded, staring at the little red face scrunched up as she continued to cry, his hand touching the matted hair on her head, "She's…covered in that cheese crap so I can't really tell."
Leah's laugh was tired but satisfied, her head resting on his shoulder as she gently bounced the small bundle in her arms, her cries dying down as she turned her head to root against her breast.
"This little girl likes to get right down to business," Dr. Lodhi smiled as she handed a pair of surgical scissors to Rick, "Want to cut the cord?"
"Yes."
Cutting through the spongy cord a couple of inches above the clamp, he handed the scissors back to the doctor, turning his attention back to his wife and daughter, her eyes still closed as she continued to eat.
"Do you have a name for her? I mean, if you don't, that's fine since you two decided to wait until now to find out if it was a boy or girl," Dr. Lodhi stood up, the nurses cleaning up while she removed her surgical gown and gloves, tossing them into the assigned trash can.
"Tyresse Kiannah Laskaris," Leah smoothed a finger over her wrinkled forehead, watching her small face relax into sleep, "Tyra for short."
Dr. Lodhi smiled as she watched Rick kiss the top of Leah's head, one arm around her shoulders, his other hand gently cupping the top of their baby's head, "I'll leave you three to bond for a bit. Rick, Teri will be taking the baby to nursery whenever you two are ready. You're welcomed to go with her."
"Thank you," Rick gave her a grateful smile before turning his attention to his wife and the newest member of their growing family.
2:45PM
He let out a tired sigh, rubbing his hands over his face before he looked at his watch.
They had been moved to the post-partum wing two hours ago, the nurse letting them know she would be bringing the baby in a bit.
Sliding down to slouch in the armchair, he stretched out his legs as he watched Leah sleep, her freshly washed hair spread across the pillow, the dim light over the bed pooling like a halo around her head.
The contentment inside him grew with every passing minute, his eyes studying every small detail of her beautiful face.
A soft knock broke his concentration as the door swung open, the nurse walking in with a rolling bassinet at her side, her round face lighting up with a smile.
Raising his finger to his mouth, he pushed himself to his feet, eager to see his little girl again as the nurse checked both the ID band on the baby then the ones on his and Leah's wrists, careful not to wake her patient up.
"Congratulations," she grinned as she wrapped up the baby again, "She's beautiful –all the nurses in the unit fell in love with her."
He grinned as he reached in for her, the little beanie covering her head falling into the bassinet.
"Excuse me," Rick called out to the nurse before she stepped out of the room, his eyes locked on the big eyes staring up at him.
"Yes?"
"Uhm," he looked over his shoulder at Leah to make sure she was asleep before looking down at the baby in his arms again, "Are you sure this is our baby?"
Her eyebrows lowered in surprise, "All identification matches. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that…" he reached up to stroke his hand over the silky clean hair covering the top of her small head, "Our other kids look like my wife's brother –dark hair, dark skin with my blue eyes."
She chuckled softly as she watched him gently playing with the sandy blond hair that covered the little head, "Well, looks like this time around, your genes won out."
Rick's mouth slowly spread into a smile as he touched the small nose, her dark eyes blinking as they crossed, "Looks like it."
Chuckling softly to herself, she closed the door, leaving father and daughter to bond while mama continued to sleep.
Next Day
Wiping his hands on the dish towel, he made sure the timer was on before heading to the back bedroom, smiling at the sight of his sleeping wife, their newborn beside her, tiny fists waving as she kicked out her legs, big dark eyes looking around before arching her neck to look up towards Leah's face.
In the twenty four hours she's been theirs, they've discovered she hardly ever cried while awake –it seemed her temperament was very much in line with Zakery and Andrey…although he could easily be persuaded by Alyx to act out.
"Hey korisaki," he whispered as he picked her up, mindful of her head, "How about we go out into the living room to wait for your brothers and sister? Mama needs to sleep a little more, don't you think?"
She gurgled, tucking her knees into her round tummy as he placed her on his chest, one hand on her diapered bottom, the other supporting her back.
Heading to the living room, he gently bounced her, smiling as she turned her head, the silky blond hair on it brushing against his jaw, a tiny fist pressed against his throat.
Sitting on the couch, he lowered her to lay on his forearms, watching her wave and kick, the flower printed sleeper she wore a little too long for her eighteen inches.
Cradling her tiny head in his big hands, he watched her blink up at him with dark eyes that had a tinge of green in them –he was more than certain she had inherited her mother's eyes.
A car pulled into the driveway, letting him know Sue was arriving with their kids –due to flu season, they hadn't been able to visit at the hospital and were getting to meet their baby sister today.
Sue opened the front door, hand on the doorknob as she called out to the boys still outside, Emmie running into the house with her usual exuberance.
Stopping several feet away, she stared at him with big eyes before looking at the tiny moving baby in his arms, "Is that my dolly?"
Rick chuckled, remembering Leah telling him Emmie had answered dolly when asked if she wanted a brother or sister, "This is your baby sister, Emerie. Come meet her."
Emmie took a tentative few steps towards him, stopping when Tyra let out a soft mewl, her little fist finding its way into her small mouth, eyes still opened wide.
He smiled at Emmie, Tyra's head in one hand as he stretched out his arm to his daughter, pulling her into his lap as soon as she came to him.
Emmie looked down at the baby, her eyebrows lowering into a vee as Rick kissed her temple, telling her with a smile, "This is your baby sister Tyresse."
"Na-ah," Emmie shook her head, her soft hair brushing her jaw line as she looked up at him, "Her hair's the wrong color."
Rick chuckled, snuggling her close to his side as Tyra's small foot connected with Emmie's knee, "She got my hair color."
Emmie gave him a quizzical look, "Why?"
"It's the way genetics work," he smiled at her as Sue came into the house, the twins on either hip while Zaky and Gabriel followed behind her.
"Her eyes are wrong too," Emmie pointed out with a pout, her lip poking out further as Rick said with a smile, "That's because she got your mama's eyes."
Emmie's blue eyes widened in dismay, "You love mama's eyes."
He was surprised to hear his daughter had paid attention to the many times he'd told that to his wife, "I do…I love your eyes too."
Emmie turned her pout back to her sister as Gabriel moved to his other side, his finger tightly clasped in his baby sister's hand, Zaky moving to stand between his knees as Tyra turned big eyes towards him.
He watched as Zaky's serious little face lit up with a smile, touching her blond hair with his small fingers, "Pretty."
Tyra's mouth spread into a smile around her little fist before she reached out, Zaky giggling as she bumped it against his nose.
Rick chuckled, able to see the instant connection between them, turning in surprise when Emmie slid off his leg, "Where are you going, moro mou?"
"To see mama," Emmie didn't wait for him to say anything, skirting around the twins who were stacking blocks in the middle of the living room floor, her sneakers leaving faint dirt prints on the rug as she ran down the hall to the back bedroom.
"That didn't go as well as I had hoped," Rick looked up at his mother-in-law, wondering if he had done something wrong.
"She's used to being the only girl among boys," Sue watched as Gabe moved around the twins to head down the hall –probably to see his mother as well, "And she wasn't prepared for a little sister –just a baby."
Rick let out a sigh, smiling when the twins toddled over to him, their little hands tugging at his pants' leg, obvious curiosity on their identical faces, "She'll learn –same way she learned with Zaky and the twins."
A week and a half later
Emmie hummed to herself, happy with her patch of dirt as she picked up the garden fork to drag it across the dirt in a criss-cross pattern until there were diamonds everywhere.
Setting it beside her, she picked up the me-sized shovel, wiggling to her knees, liking the way the dirt felt under her hand as she dug a hole –she was going to plant a pine-cone to grow a Christmas tree –they were her favorite.
Then, when it was big, she was gonna put lights on it…and flowers all over so it would be pretty with so many colors.
Emmie liked colors…and she liked flowers too because they were so many different colors –and they smelled pretty too!
Humming as she finished digging her hole, she set the me-sized shovel aside, pushing herself up to her feet to look around the backyard before running to the edge where the grass went into the forest –mama said she couldn't go in there by herself.
Looking around the ground, she let out a happy squeal, trotting to the base of a large pine tree, picking up the biggest cone she could find.
Holding it in both hands, she ran back to her hole, dropping to her knees to drop it in, using both hands to cover it up with dirt.
Giving it a few pats, her head snapped up at the sound of a familiar laugh, turning to look towards the open kitchen door before scrambling onto her feet.
Mou was home!
Running across the backyard, she jumped over the doorstep, unknowingly tracking dirt across the kitchen floor as she ran into the living room.
Stopping as soon as everyone in the living room came into view, she felt her heart do a funny flip as her blue eyes landed on Mou sitting on the couch, smiling down at the baby in his arms.
Biting her bottom lip to keep it from quivering, she felt her tummy start to hurt and she knew it was because he was looking at her.
She didn't like it –not one bit.
Mou was hers and she didn't want to have to share him with her funny-looking baby sister.
Unable to hold back anymore, she stomped her foot, hands balled up into fists as tears ran down her face, "No!"
They turned to look at her –Daddy, mama, Granma Sue and Mou –and she knew they thought her a bad girl for not sharing.
Nice girls always shared, it's what mama said all the time –but she didn't want to share Mou!
Unable to keep the sob from escaping, she whirled around, running back outside and heading straight to Gabe's tree house, the edge of the wooden steps hurting her hands as she climbed up and up.
Reaching the floor of the house, she crawled to the back, finally collapsing onto her tummy and burying her face into her arms as she let herself really cry.
He was supposed to be hers…
His heart gave a lurch as she ran out of sight, the pain in his chest almost unbearable and the knowledge she was feeling this way had his world spinning off its axis.
"No," he shook his head to stop Rick from following after her, knowing only he could right his world –which was hers as well, "I need to take care of this."
Rick took his baby from him, cuddling her into his chest as he gave him one of those looks, letting him know it was understood –this was something only he, as Emmie's imprint, could fix.
Walking outside, he closed the back door, somehow not surprised to find the backyard empty –his Princess had found a hiding place.
Rubbing a hand over his chest, he let out a heavy sigh as a faint sobbing sound led him to the large tree several feet to the side of the large sandbox.
Rick had built a tree house several feet off the ground in between the thick branches of the tree which were sprawled out in such a way it held the entire structure within its heart.
Grabbing the opened edge –there were three sides to the rectangular box with a floor and ceiling, a big opening for a window on the west wall –he hauled himself up without much difficulty.
The sight of Emmie stretched stomach down at the far end, sobs muffled into the crook of her elbow, nearly tore a black hole into the fabric of his universe.
Moving to sit up against the east wall, he drew up a knee, tucking the other leg in since there was no room to stretch.
"Princess…" he reached out to stroke her silky dark hair, "Please stop crying."
Emmie's muffled voice broke his heart, her small shoulders shaking, "I c-can't…I-I don't w-want t-to share."
Embry felt his heart slam against his ribcage as he realized what was bothering her, "You don't have too, Emmie."
"B-but you…you smiled at h-her," Emmie sniffed, turning her head on her arms to look at him, her usually bright eyes dull and rimmed in red as she hiccupped, "And now y-you're hers too."
Embry gave her a soft smile as he brushed back tendrils of hair from her wet cheek, "That's not how it works, Princess."
"It does with d-duckies," Emmie rubbed a fist under her runny nose before scrambling to her knees, her small chest moving with the shuddering breaths she took, "W-when a baby d-ducky is born, it im-imprints on its mama…he b-belongs to her."
"That's right," he nodded, wondering why Leah had used this particular analogy to explain the connection between him and his Princess, "The baby ducky will follow his mama everywhere."
"But then," Emmie took a shuddering breath that nearly broke him, the sadness in her eyes so overwhelming he had to fight back his own tears, "Then t-the duck-ducky grows up…and h-he finds an-another ducky to h-have baby duckies and l-leaves his mama alone."
"Ah, Princess," Embry couldn't take it anymore.
Reaching across the small space, he pulled her into his lap, her small arms wrapping around his neck as she cried into it, a big hand rubbing soothing circles against her back as he rocked her, "That's not how it works with us, Emerie."
"M-mama s-said y-you were m-mine," Emmie's shoulders jumped with her hiccups as the hot tears soaked the neck of his shirt, "I d-don't w-want you to im-imprint on Ty-Tyra."
"I didn't," Embry pressed a kiss at the top of her head, tugging at her arms gently to pull her back so he could see into her eyes, "I can be standing by a pond filled with hundreds of duckies…and you'll still be the only ducky I see…the only one I follow…the only one I love…forever and ever."
A soft sniff, then a hiccup before she gave him a watery smile, "Truly?"
"Truly…cross my heart. There's no other ducky but you, Princess."
Emmie's giggle came out in a shudder but it was all he needed for his universe to light up again as it returned to its natural course of motion.
"When did it happen," she asked with a shuddering breath as she moved to lean against him, the top of her head barely reaching the middle of his chest.
Smiling as he wrapped his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head, "The first time I heard your heartbeat."
She tilted her head back to look at him, quietly waiting for him to continue their story, "Your mama wasn't showing yet…you were still the size of a pea."
"That's really small," Emmie lifted her hand as she curled her fingers around her thumb to make a small circle, "A heart can't fit in there."
"Sure it can," he stuck his finger into the small space, wiggling it around, his smile growing when she giggled, "Because when a baby is that small, it's all heart…that's the first thing that starts forming."
"What was it like," Emmie wrapped her hand around his finger, "To hear a heartbeat?"
"I've heard heartbeats before," Embry reached up to fix the lopsided bow that held her hair at the top of her head and away from her face, "But hearing yours…I was really listening for the first time…it was the most beautiful sound ever…it still is."
"What did it sound like," Emmie tucked her knees into her chest, her small feet on Embry's thigh leaving dirt prints on the denim.
Embry smiled as he watched her play with his hand, her small fingers tracing the lines on his palm, "It was fast, like hummingbird wings…and deep, the way the ocean is…as beautiful as a flower blooming open."
Emmie looked up at him, her eyes bright as she wiggled to turn and face him, "I want to hear your heartbeat."
Embry grinned, patting the left side of his chest, "Put your ear right here and you'll hear it."
Laying against his torso, she pressed her ear against his chest, her blue eyes closing as she let out a soft sigh, the steady sound of his heart bringing a sense of peace and comfort into her heart, soft and tender like the spreading wings of an emerging butterfly.
Comfortable minutes passed before she moved back to look at him, her small face bright with awe and contentment, "It sounds like a drum."
Chuckling, he reached up to tap a finger against her nose, "And it beats just for you."
Emmie's smile spread, her small hands framing his squared jaw, "Mine too –just for you."
He smiled down at her, leaning forward to press a kiss against her forehead before lifting her up to stand by his side, "How about we go back inside? I think your Daddy and mama might be a bit worried about you."
Emmie nodded, staying where she was as he got out of the house, running to jump off the side as soon as he turned to her.
Catching her midair, he swung her around, her laughter the sound that gave life to his soul ringing across the backyard as he settled her on his arm.
Moving towards the house, he couldn't hold back the chuckle when she reached out to turn his head towards her, "Do you think she's pretty?"
"Not as pretty as you."
Emmie giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pressed her cheek to his, "She's funny-looking, isn't she?"
Embry couldn't hold back the laughter, her giggles a tinkling melody perfectly balancing their world.
