The Unwanted Guest

(Carlisle POV)

As I drove home from work, I noticed something was wrong. Firstly, Esme was not outside yet, and I had told her to expect me early. Secondly, there was talking inside, when the kids had said they were going to go hunting after school for Jasper. So, whom was Esme talking to in there? I walked inside, and froze in shock. Sitting across from Esme on the couch was Aro.

"Aro?" I asked in shock. He looked up at me and grinned. Oh, yes. Definitely Aro. Rosalie was sitting on the floor by Esme, looking scared.

"Good afternoon, Carlisle," he said cheerily, and then turned back to Esme, "Rosalie and I will give you two a moment."

Esme smiled delicately, and lead me obediently up the stairs into my office.

"Why is Aro here?" I whispered, wrapping my arms around her. She was shaking heavily. She laid her head on my chest, and shivered in fear.

"He's going to take Emmett away!" Esme whispered her eyes filled with fear.

"Emmett? Why would he want Emmett? He doesn't have a power," I reminded her. She shook her head firmly.

"No, the Volteri want Emmett!" she whispered, and I shook my head firmly.

"Are you sure, Esme?" I asked, and she nodded, her eyes filled with distress.

"Aro is going to take little Emmett away!" she moaned quietly.

"I don't know about 'little', Esme," I corrected. She looked up at me. If she could cry, she would be doing just that.

"I don't want them to take him away from me! He will not make it out there! He's my baby," Esme whispered.

"I know, Esme. I know," I said soothingly.

"Promise me you won't let them take my little Emmett away," she pleaded. I sighed. How could I promise her that?

"Esme-" I started, but her face made me stop. She was in a lot of pain.

"Please," she begged me. I nodded slowly.

"I promise I won't let him take Emmett away from you," I murmured, rocking her slowly. Her breathing slowed down, and her shaking stopped gradually.

"Thank you, Carlisle," she smiled delicately, and I kissed her.

"Why isn't Rosalie in here pleading with me?" I asked.

"Aro would let them stay together, after all. But we're both scared," Esme replied softly.

"Don't worry, darling. I won't let anything happen to him," I promised. She nodded slowly.

"When do the kids get back?" I asked.

"Soon," she murmured. I nodded.

"How do you know he wants Emmett?" I asked, and she frowned.

"You'll see. We'd better go and make sure he doesn't break the house," she sighed. I took her hand and lead her down the stairs. Aro smiled at us from the couch.

"I was just talking to Esme about your lovely children," Aro beamed as we sat down. I smiled at him and nodded.

"Well, Jasper is concerning me lately, he's having trouble getting the hang of vegetarianism. I'm half-afraid-" I was sharply cut off by Aro.

"I see," he said brightly, "Let's talk about Emmett, shall we?"

Oh. That is how Esme figured he wanted Emmett.

"Well, he's going all right," I said, confused. Aro nodded.

"Has his, lets say, metal capability, increased lately?" Aro asked, too casually.

"No," I said, frowning. Aro nodded again, smiling harder.

"So, he's still the same as always?" he asked carefully. I nodded.

"Yes, he is," I said calmly. Aro beamed at me.

"What is his tolerance to human blood like?" Aro asked.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, confused.

"Would he react well to feeding only on human blood?" Aro asked. I considered this.

"As well as any other of us would," I said firmly. Aro nodded.

"I see… is he content with only animal blood?" Aro asked.

"Very much so," Esme interjected. Aro nodded.

"When will Emmett be home?" Aro asked.

"Soon. He and the others went hunting," Esme said. Aro nodded, smiling widely. Suddenly, there were footsteps outside.

"We're hoooome!" Emmett yelled. Aro grinned. The children ran into the house, and stopped when they saw Aro.

"Hey, Aro," said Edward quietly, and they drifted over to where Esme and I were. Emmett sat down next to Rosalie, totally oblivious of why Aro was here. Rosalie curled instinctively toward Emmett.

"Hello everyone. Hello Emmett," Aro turned to smile brightly at Emmett. Looking somewhat confused, Emmett raised his eyebrows and smiled back.

"Hi Aro," he said and laughed.

"I have a present for you," Aro continued. Emmett grinned.

"Really? That's… nice of you," Emmett was confused by Aro sudden interest in him. He was use to it always been Edward, Alice and Jasper. Nevertheless, it was obvious he enjoyed it. Aro produced a vial from inside his cloak and extended it toward Emmett. Before anyone had a chance to protest, Emmett had taken it, beaming at Aro.

"Thanks," he said cheerily.

"Drink it, Emmett," Aro gently pushed, and Emmett unscrewed the cork carefully with his big bear hands.

"Emmett," Rosalie said warningly. He unscrewed it and sighed.

"Come on, it's smells good!" Emmett protested, "It would make me go crazy like Jasper!"
"Hey!" Jasper argued, and Emmett drank the entire vial. We watched him expectantly.

"Tastes good. Got anymore?" Emmett asked Aro.

"No, just one for you," Aro smiled, "How do you feel?"

"Same as normal," Emmett answered, and Aro frowned. I felt Esme sigh with relief.

"Really? No changes?" Aro questioned.

"No, none at- oh! Ow!" Emmett clutched his stomach, and groaned in pain.