Paternal Love

(Carlisle POV)

Tomorrow was the trial. Nerves were sky-high.

"Got that right," Edward muttered. I smiled.

"Take care of Emmett, won't you Carlisle?" Esme asked. She was taking the others hunting.

"Of course, darling," I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Bye-bye, Em," Rosalie kissed Emmett's forehead.

"Bye-bye, Rosie," he said and Rosalie beamed at him.

"Now, Emmett, what did I talk to you about?" Esme took Emmett's hands in her own, looking at him seriously.

"Behave for Daddy," he chirped. I smiled. I was Daddy.

"Get a grip," Edward and Jasper said in unison, obviously annoyed with me. I smiled.

"Good boy, Emmett! Who's my baby boy?" Esme cooed, hugging Emmett tightly.

"Edward!" Emmett laughed as Esme released him, kissing him.

"Hey!" Edward frowned. Emmett shrugged.

"Bye!" Esme called as they left. I was alone with Emmett the child terrorist.

"Are they gone?" Emmett asked. We waited for a moment until Edward was out of 'hearing' range.

"Yes," I smiled at him.

"Good," he sat down on the bed, "Freedom of thinking!"

"What?" I was confused.

"Can I ask a question?" Emmett rolled over onto his stomach and stared at me.

"As always," I nodded and sat down across from him.

"Am I going to die?" Emmett asked, the most serious I had ever seen him.

"I hope not," I replied, with fake cheeriness.

"Be serious, Carlisle. I may look five, but I'm mostly the same," Emmett frowned.

"So, your kid stuff is an act?" I asked in surprise.

"Sure, I can't get away with that sort of stuff normally, Doc," Emmett laughed.

"You're a good person, Emmett," I said.

"Good people die too," he said unfalteringly.

"That's true," I allowed. Why was he unperceptive as an adult, but as a kid he noticed everything?

"Am I going to die?" he asked again.

"I don't know," I answered honestly.

"Do you think I am?" he asked. I knew he would trust my judgement.

"Only time will tell," I replied. He sighed.

"Will it hurt?" he asked.

"I won't let them hurt you," I answered automatically, before I even had a chance to think. I realised he had given up on himself. Poor Emmett. He had lost faith in his own chance of life, while the rest of us struggled to preserve it.

"You won't?" he asked.

"I promise," I smiled. What difference does it make? I had promised Esme the same thing.

"I don't want to die," Emmett said.

"They aren't going to kill you, Emmett. If they try, I will take everyone away, so they can never find us. We will cure whatever you have, I promise," I said blindly, speaking with my passion for his life, for all lives.

"What happens if they get me before you can?" he asked.

"What would you want to happen?" I asked. He considered this calmly. Here we were, discussing his death and he was so utterly composed and relaxed.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. I nodded.

"You won't go without a fight, Emmett," I said. He nodded.

"I'm just so sick of this, Carlisle. I do not want this to be happening. Every time Rose looks at me, I can tell she expects me to die! I know Alice is just waiting to see it coming. Jasper is setting off all these feelings of guilt and grieving, making me feel like I am already dead! Edward thinks I am going to die, and he knows I think I am! Esme is so sad now, as if she is going to die, not me. I do not want them to die too! I keep thinking about how painful it is going to be! I almost asked Jasper to numb me when they kill me, you know. But then I thought about how sad everyone would be when they found out I wasn't just some dumb kid who is on vacation, and they would have to stop bluffing everything is fine. I just want to go home, and be back to normal!" Emmett stopped to take a breath. Not breathing for a while was uncomfortable. Besides, he had made his point.
"I know, Emmett," I sighed. I could tell he was more afraid then he let on.

"And you know what sucks the most?" he said finally.

"What?" I asked. Might as well let him get it all out.

"I can't do anything," he shrugged his tiny shoulders in defeat. My poor son.

"Nothing is going to happen to you," I insisted. I had fully given up on not promising anything I could not deliver in hope of reassuring him. Emmett had always been my strongest son, physically and emotionally. Why was he giving in so easily?

"I'm so sick of this, Doc. If I'm going to die, can I at least be my right age?" Emmett apparently did not hear me. I sighed.
"I'll see what I can do," I agreed. He nodded wisely. Then he leapt up onto the bed.

"Come on!" he yelled, jumping up and down.
"Act your age, Emmett," I said sharply.

"Five? Sure thing!" he jumped higher.

"I meant twenty!" I smiled.

"You only live once, old man!" he yelled. I frowned.
"Who are you calling old?" I exclaimed.

"Now I'm young, you are old enough to be my father!" Emmett almost slipped, but remained composed.

"I am your father!" I leapt up onto the bed and chased him around. There was a beeping from my phone. Emmett and I leapt off the bed, looking sheepish as if the person could see us jumping around like idiots. I cheeked my phone.

1 New Message from: Esme

Huh. What was she up to? I opened it.

Darling, slight change of plans. Get Emmett ready and bring him to the Castle. The trial is beginning early! Dmitri found us when we were hunting. See you soon. Love Esme

"What's up, Doc?" Emmett asked.

"They changed the trial date. It's today," I sank down onto the floor. Emmett sat down next to me. A new message came in.

1 New Message from: Aro

I opened it, expecting the worst.

Hey, why weren't you hunting? Anyhow, come to the trial! We changed it because we are out tomorrow. See ya soon buddy! Aro

Stupid vampire royalty. Aro was a total lunatic, but he made the decisions. I could not believe it. Today, a maniac would decide if my son was going to live.

"Get dressed Emmett," I said softly. He ran to change. I stood up shakily. I was not ready for this. I was not ready to see my son's life be taken away from him. He had too much to live for. Emmett returned to the room, dressed for his own death. He looked terrified. He stood beside me, looking up at me as if it was the end of the world. It was the end of his world. I took his hand in my own.

"I promise nothing will happen to you, Son," I said quietly. He nodded. I grabbed the keys and left the room.