Author's Note:
Here is the final chapter, so without further delay...ta dah!
Enjoy!
Epilogue – Stay Open
"Maya! Emmett! Zachary! Lunch is ready!" Emilia was sitting by her mother and Emmett came into the dining room through the patio door a moment later; Zachary clinging onto one leg and Maya on his back. He walked in despite the kids clinging on to him and giggling as he stopped by the table, grinning at me.
"Alright kids this is the last stop on Emmett Cullen express, so off you get" they got off, Zachary releasing his uncles leg and May sliding down onto the floor and landing on her feet, before they took their seats at the table. Jasper and Robert had set the table on the patio just by the open doors, but it was looking lie it might rain so we moved indoors once the food had been cooked on the grill by the men.
Zachary made faces at Emilia who giggled at him and Alice smiled warmly at both of them as she put her daughter in the high chair. She usually hated it and kicked up a fuss but Zachary made her laugh so much she barely paid any attention to her mother putting her in the chair.
Maria crept up to Robert, surprising him with a kiss on the cheek, startled at first he then laughed and turned his head to give her a kiss. Maya sat next to Zachary grinning at me as I handed her a plate, Emmett put a hand on my waist and kissed my cheek once I sat down, I smiled back at him and placed a hand on his when everyone else sat down.
We all laughed and ate as was our tradition, but this wouldn't happen for another month and a half as Robert had to go to London for a month and Maria had a job in Istanbul booked for around the same time. Jasper had a book tour, starting tomorrow and he would be travelling for a couple of months around the country, so it was a short farewell to some of our friends.
The afternoon was by no means downcast despite any of this, we were celebrating Robert and Maria recent engagement and the success of Jasper's book.
And before anyone else had arrived Emmett had asked me to move in with him and Maya, I already had a key, plus he reasoned that I already spent so much time at the house. My toiletries in the bathroom and a drawer of my clothes in the bedroom, he complained that he was also forever finding bobby pins everywhere.
"What do you say?"
"What about Maya?" she had appeared at the door and walked over, hugging me by the waist.
"Please move in with us, you're our family" for some reason I found my cheeks wet, bending down I scooped her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek.
"You're my family"
"Is that a yes?" I nodded and Maya hugged me again, and Emmett hugged us both.
I told Alice as we made a salad in the kitchen and she had practically squealed with happiness and given me a hug tight enough to almost cut off my breathing. Once she released me, everyone else knew barely a minute later, she never could keep anything to herself for long.
~X~X~X~
"Ready to go?" I nodded and picked up my purse, putting the strap over one shoulder and taking my suitcase to the door.
"Maya?" I called out and she came out of her room, wheeling her suitcase behind her.
"I'm ready"
"Good, we don't want to miss our flight do we? Mom would have my head, if I missed Dad's birthday" I tossed him the car keys which he snatched out of the air easily.
"Let's get going then"
We got to the airport on time and made our flight without a mad dash across the airport. She stared out of the window excitedly when we took off and when we landed, excited to be travelling.
Arriving in Washington it was a couple of hours drive to Forks and picking up the rental car, dismissing Esme's offer to send a car, and we began the drive. Emmett drove and I took the front seat as Maya sat in the back and stared out of the window, the city left behind as trees bean to appear on both side of the road.
"It's so green" she said and Emmett and I shared a smile and a low laugh. She made the same comment on her first trip to the house a year and a half ago, shortly after her adoption was legalized according to Emmett.
Carlisle and Esme had visited us plenty of times in New York, and Emmett had taken Maya to Forks a few times too but this would be the first time I had been back to Forks since I was eighteen, over twelve years ago. Emmett placed a hand over mine and casting me a glance out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm here babe" he could tell I was anxious, I gave him a small smile and kissed the palm of his hand.
"I know, it's been a while. I honestly never really thought I'd ever come back"
"Let me know, if you need a moment to yourself, okay?" what he meant was don't run away again, talk to me.
"I will" I replied and with a small nod he released my hand to change gears and soon we crossed the border into Forks. "Maya, we're nearly there"
"We are?"
"Look to the right" she turned her head to look out the other window, we passed the town sign and then a small road that led to the Cullen mansion. Emmett brought the car to a stop by the front door for now and we got our suitcases out of the trunk, the door burst open and Esme came out, descending on us hugging each of us.
"Emmett! Maya! Rosalie! I'm so glad to see all of you!" she bent down to give Maya another hug, and pointing to her cheek she gave Esme a kiss on the cheek. "Hello darling"
"Hello Nana"
"Emmett dear you remember which room to take the bags too, I want to show the girl around the house, we redecorated the rooms and Maya has her own. Would you like to see your room sweetheart?" she nodded.
"I have my own room?"
"Of course you do!" she took Maya's hand and smiled at her. "Such a big house, we have to have rooms for our grandchildren, come on I'll show you everything" Emmett grumbled but Esme was already leading us inside, I smirked at my partner and gave him a little wave before leaving him to cart the luggage inside.
After the tour around the house, Esme let us get ready for dinner with the family for Carlisle's birthday. It had been agreed we would have a simple birthday weekend, with just family and significant others at the mansion to celebrate.
Alice, Jasper and the kids had arrived the previous day and we all got ready for dinner, gathering the kids and making them presentable for the evening.
Carlisle greeted us dressed in a light grey suit, without a tie, this being as close to casual as Carlisle got, even with family and friends. It made me glad I hadn't packed any sweats or jeans for the weekend.
"Rosalie" he enveloped me in a paternal hug. "So wonderful to welcome you into our home again"
"Happy to be here" he smiled warmly and nodded before giving his son a pat on the back and a one armed hug and then turning his attention to his grandchildren.
The food was brought out and the exquisite fare was eaten without delay on the part of the children, then shortly after Esme brought out a cake. He blew out the candles and with the help of the grandchildren it was cut and doled out to everyone, after which the cards and gifts were given.
"Hey" I had offered to clean up, and closing the dishwasher after assuring Esme she could got relax with everyone else, I heard Emmett's voice from behind me.
"Hey yourself, did you come to help me?"
"Of course I did" he said and I didn't believe him for a second.
"Then you can start by putting the rest of the cake away" Esme came in with a few more dishes, giving me a sheepish grin despite my urging her to relax.
"Here's the last of it Rose"
"Thank you, we've got this" she passed me the plates with a grin and a nod.
"You don't need my help?"
"We're fine mom, go chill and we'll be back in a few minutes this won't take long"
"Okay dear" she said patting his shoulder before turning around and heading out of the kitchen, it did only take a few minutes to put everything away.
"All done" Emmett proclaimed as he closed the fridge door.
"Good, let's go ba-" when I turned around, he pulled me towards him and pressed his lips to mine and cut me off. "What, was that for?"
"No reason" he smirked and I chuckled at him, then I grabbed him and kissed him again. "What was that for?"
"I don't need a reason" I stepped back and slapped his bum, smirking at him. "Let's go back, before your mom walks in again" he shuddered at the thought and we went back in.
~X~X~X~
The next day, the kids were playing in the garden on a rare day where Forks had sunshine, Carlisle and Esme were watching the children so the rest of us got a bit of a lie in. I woke up with Emmett's arm around my waist, my body against his, giving him a slow kiss when he opened his eyes, he pulled me closer, his hand sliding up my back.
"Good morning"
"Mmmm, good morning" he kissed me again, moving his hand further up my back, the hem of my camisole rising a bit. We didn't get out of bed for another half an hour, when we did I went to take a shower and change before going in search of breakfast.
Later on we joined everyone outside and I sat on the grass with Emmett, he sat behind me with my back to his chest and he put his arms around me. Tilting my head back to look at him, he leaned down and kissed me softly and I smiled against his mouth.
We watched Maya, Zachary and Emilia play until it was time for lunch, which was brought outside for all of us. After we ate Emmett was dragged away by the kids as they had conjured up water guns from somewhere, they took a shot at him which hit him right in the face. As he ran around with Maya and his 'nibbling's' as he liked to call them, I went over to Carlisle and Esme.
"Rosalie, are you enjoying yourself?" asked Esme as she looked up.
"I am... was wondering if I could have a word with the two of you?"
"Of course dear" Esme answered for both of them and the three of them stood up.
"How about we gather in my study?" suggested Carlisle agreeing with a nod we headed inside the house.
~X~X~X~
Getting off the phone after talking to Felix, I went to the bedroom as Emmett walked out of the bathroom, in dry clothes but his hair was still damp.
"Everything okay?" I put my cell phone away and nodded.
"Felix assures me that so far everything is going well at the restaurant the Higgs retirement party and the James 21st birthday both went without any issues and he'll keep me posted. There a tad short staffed but Rob should be on the plane from Barcelona and should be back in New York tonight"
"So you'll wait until he's back at the restaurant before calling again?"
"Only because I can tell if Rob's lying to me" he shook his head and went to the dresser, taking his watch off of the top of it and putting it back on. "I'm just going to pop out for a bit, I'll be back for dinner"
"Where are you going?"
"To the church" he nodded in understanding and came over to give a brief kiss.
"Do you want me to come with you? Alice and Jazz can watch Maya for a bit" I shook my head and kissed his cheek, giving him a tight smile, knowing that he meant well.
"I'm fine, if you don't mind I'd rather go alone" he nodded. "Mind if I borrow the car?"
"Sure" he turned and picked up the car keys, dropping them into my palm. I left and headed to the rental car, sliding in and driving to the main part of town, where the only shops, café and bar were located as well as the church.
I pulled into a space behind the café and hopped out heading to a shop that had a stand with flowers for sale outside, I picked a bunch of pale pink flowers. Going inside I paid for them along with big bottle of water, I walked out and across the road to the church.
I stopped a few feet away from the large door and looked up at the building, it was a tall but modest building, painted white bricks giving it a robust but unpretentious look. Affixed to the side of the church was a cemetery, with high fences around the patch of land to keep out who knew what.
When I was young we had come to this church every Sunday, my mother had been raised catholic and had a small gold cross that had been her mother's. she had promised it to me when I was ten, tucking it away in a small jewelry box for safekeeping, but a few weeks later the electricity and gas was going to get cut off so she had taken it out and pawned it to pay the bills.
Shortly after that my father lost another job and he took his anger out on my mother so on Sundays either he was too hung over or my mother was recovering herself. On the other Sundays she got tired of having to hide her bruises and so we stopped going altogether, yet at night when she tucked me in we said our prayers together.
I pushed the door open, the door creaking loudly and breaking the silence of the church, once the door swung close behind me the church was silent and still again, darker inside. The inside was the same as it had been thirteen years ago, the wooden pews, the altar with a few candle lit, I slid into a pew.
I remembered what it was like when all of the pews were filled with the familiar faces of Forks townsfolk, all those voice singing hymns that echoed round the building and sounding like one.
Putting my hands together, I tried to remember one of the prayers my mother used to say.
Bless me, heavenly Father,
forgive my erring ways.
Grant me strength to serve Thee,
put purpose in my days.
Give me understanding,
enough to make me kind,
so I may judge all people
with my heart not my mind.
Teach me to be patient
in everything I do,
content to trust Your wisdom
and to follow after You.
Help me when I falter
and hear me when I pray,
and receive me in Thy kingdom
to dwell with Thee someday.
"Amen" I whispered to myself then rising I went back out and headed to the cemetery, I headed down the small rough path and soon came upon the headstone I had been looking for.
It was unkempt with weeds covering the lower part of the stone, I only recognized it for the stone angel two stones over. I kneeled down and pulled out a pair of gardening gloves and shears, borrowed from Esme, I took out a plastic bag as well and got to work. It was a good twenty minutes later before I had cleared the weeds and hacked away at the overgrown grass, chucking it in the bag, I opened the bottle of water and washed away some of the dirt that concealed the lower part of the headstone.
Then the engraved words were readable and I knew I had the right grave.
Vivian Mary Hayles
9th May 1964 – 3rd December 2001
There was the original spelling of my father's name, the first thing he had given her that was tainted by him. When I had enrolled in school when we got to New York, my surname had been misspelled but I preferred the new spelling giving me a slightly different name to the one my father had given me, one I made my own.
There was a quote underneath that I had forgotten entirely, it was smaller and there was still some dirt covering it, rising it off I read the words that appeared beneath a small cross.
But go thou thy way till the end: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
"Hi Mom" I said touching the engraved name. "I've been gone a while, but I'm back now" I tried to remember her smile, not the fake one most other people had seen but the warm, tender one she had given me when saying our prayers and hugging me.
"I miss you...I don't know if you can hear me but I do. I wish you could have been there when I got married; I was so nervous Alice had to calm me down. Or when I miscarried for the first time, I needed you then but I was so alone and I didn't know how to talk to Emmett...It wasn't his fault, I was just so angry, that I wanted to blame someone that was there...someone who could yell back at me" I bit my lip as the tears spilling down my cheeks. "I was mad at him...at myself too and you weren't there...for any of it.
I needed you to be strong for me...to be my mother but you abandoned me and I had to live with...him. For so long I've been furious at you for taking the coward's way out and...and sometimes I was mad at myself, because back then I almost did the same thing.
If anything it proved I am stronger than you, because I did what you should have done, I got out. Or maybe Emmett just saved me.
I'm doing better now" I breathed out and dried my cheeks, thinking about Emmett and Maya, my new family.
"I forgive you, mom. I forgive you for giving up and I love you and...and I still miss you, so much" putting the flowers down, I ran my fingers along the name carved in the stone, feeling lighter and not as angry as I had been. "If you don't already know, he's gone too. I can stop running away from him and I hope you found some peace...wherever you are, I love you mom. Bye" I left and went back to the car, thankfully I didn't run into anyone on the way.
I glanced in my compact mirror and wiped away the last of my tears and breathed out slowly, before starting the engine and heading back to the house. When I parked the car and went inside, I headed to the bathroom before I saw anyone, to splash some cold water on my face and put on a little makeup, then going to the living room. The sun had gone and at four in the evening it had started to drizzle, so everyone reconvened in the living room a board game set up as I walked in.
When he saw me Emmett shot me a concerned look, I smiled at him and went to sit next to him on the couch, he wrapped an arm around me and I rested my head against his chest.
"Are you okay?" he said in my ear.
"I am now" I replied, lifting my head to kiss his cheek.
"Good"
~X~X~X~
"Emmett?" he turned his head as his mother talked to Carlisle about an upcoming charity event, he nodded at his wife like he was paying attention. I caught Alice's eye who then nodded and called the kids over to her, while I took Emmett's hand and Alice gave us a small smile, all of which didn't go unnoticed by Emmett.
"What's going on Rose?" he asked the moment his family went silent and looked at us. I gave him a soft kiss, still holding his hand when I moved back with a smile which served to make him look even more baffled.
"It's been hard for me tell you that I love you, but I do. I love you and I want you always remember that, even if I don't tell you as often as I should. We've been cruel to each other at times, but we've both grown up and I know that I don't want anybody else in my life like you" I got down onto one knee and Emmett's eyes widened almost comically. "Emmett Joseph Cullen...will you marry me...again?"
"What no ring?" he said once he had gathered his wits, smirking at me and a let out a low laugh.
"I'm afraid so"
"Babe...that might be a deal beaker for me, I mean no bling?...oh, I don't know" he sighed over dramatically and I heard the snickers from our audience.
"Emmett, just answer the bloody question"
"Such a temper, I just don't know" he sighed again, but then a smile threatened to appear on his lips. "But I almost feel sorry for you, I'll just have to marry you now, won't I? Just to save you from embarrassment"
"Don't do me any favors" I muttered sarcastically and he gave me a look of mock shock, turning to his family, most of whom were trying to stifle their laughter.
"Ha! Hear how she mocks me, I almost took pity on her and hear how she scorns me!" he was really hamming it up, he wouldn't be out of place in one of those Indian dramas he had taken to watching with Maya.
"I take it back" I got to my feet and stepped away from him. "Who want to marry you anyway?" with a booming laugh, he grabbed my hand to stop me walking away moving closer to press his lips to mine. I wanted to be angry at him but when he held me and kissed me like that, I forgot quite why I wanted to walk away in the first place.
"If you still want to marry me that was a yes, you still want me?"
"Only always" I said with a smile, putting my arms around his neck to kiss him again, slower this time. "He said yes!" I announced when we broke off the kiss to cat calls and whistles form Alice and Jasper, their kids looking embarrassed for their parents as Carlisle and Esme laughed at them.
Then they all ran towards us, a flurry of hugs and kisses enveloping both of us.
~X~X~X~
Alice fixed the veil for me and I glanced in the mirror to take it all in, this time I had an actual wedding dress, a simple ivory lace and chiffon dress that hugged my curves and flared at the hips. Maya handed me my bouquet, a white and purple arrangement that matched the dresses of my bridesmaids.
Alice was my maid of honor, Maya and Maria were my bridesmaids while Emilia was my flower girl. Emmett had chosen Jasper as his best man, with Robert and Zachary as his groomsmen.
"Tuma sundara laga rahi ho" complimented Maya as I took the flowers from her and I smiled at her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Apa sundara bhī priya haim" she returned my smile and I straightened up. Alice came back over, placing a hand on Maya's shoulder and smiling t both of us.
"It's time" I breathed out and motioned for Maya to go to the door. "Nervous?" I nodded.
"Very"
"Ready?"
"Yes"
We went to the door, Alice going out first, followed by Maria and then Maya to be joined at the back of the church by the groomsmen. Carlisle was waiting for me and with a fatherly smile he offered his arm to me, he had offered to walk me down the aisle not long after the engagement, he had said that he already considered me his daughter and would be honored to walk me down the aisle.
I took his arm, returning his smile as he placed a hand on mine in a way that was reassuring even though he hadn't said a word.
"You look radiant Rosalie"
"Thank you" the music changed and that was our cue, Alice and Jasper walked down first then Maria and Robert, subsequently Maya and Zachary before it was our turn.
Carlisle kept his hand on mine as we walked, a few steps forwards and the rest of the church came into few, our handful of guests and Emmett standing at the altar. He was handsome in his grey suit, hands in front of him as he looked at me and caught my eye, when he smiled it was like he only saw me and the last of my nerves melted away.
When we reached him, Carlisle took my hand in his and placed it in Emmett's who kept smiling widely at me. I glanced at Carlisle and when he let go of our hands he kissed my cheek, glancing at his son before moving back.
The priest cleared his throat delicately and we looked to him as the bridal march came to its end.
"Emmett Joseph Cullen and Rosalie Lillian Hale, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"
"Yes" we answered at the same time.
"Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"
"I will" we answered.
"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church" he motioned for Emmett to begin his vows.
"I, Emmett Joseph Cullen, take you, Rosalie Lillian Hale, to be my wife" he didn't look away for a moment and he didn't falter as he spoke either. "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life"
"I, Rosalie Lillian Hale, take you, Emmett Joseph Cullen, to be my husband" I remembered the words easily and I meant every word. "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life" the priest acknowledged our declaration of consent to be married and then prayed for a blessing on both of us.
"What God had joined, man must not divide" he declared before we moved onto the exchanging of wedding rings, Alice handed over the rings to both of us.
Emmett took my left hand with the ring in his other hand, placing the ring on my finger as he spoke.
"Rosalie Hale, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" I took the ring and did the same.
"Emmett Cullen, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"
And we were husband and wife. Again.
When we got in the car to go to the reception, my phone rang, answering it when both of us recognized the number and Emmett nodded for to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Miss Rosalie Hale?" said the very formal voice of a man, on the other end of the line.
"Speaking"
~X~X~X~
My heels were killing me, but I smiled as I danced with my father in law and Emmett danced with his mother, a few feet away.
"I wish the three of you a happy and long life, you deserve that"
"Thank you Carlisle, for also welcoming me into your family"
"You've always been our family dear" he replied, as the song ended I gave him a hug, this man that was so unlike the father I grew up with. I saw Alice re-enter and with a glance Carlisle I excused myself, kissing his cheek before walked away.
"Did you get it?" she nodded and presented me with an envelope, I ripped it open and scanned the papers smiling widely as Emmett came over. "Alice, do you have a pen?" she pulled one out of her purse, smiling at me.
"Congratulations"
"Thanks Alice" replied Emmett, he got Maya and we went and sat at our table, Emmett putting an arm around her as they leaned in to look at the papers.
"What are they?" she asked.
"Adoption papers, you remember how your dad adopted you?" she nodded, looking less confused. "How would you like it if I adopted you as well?"
"You want to adopt me?"
"If you want me to, yes"
"So would you be my mom, you'd both be my parents?"
"Yes, would you like that?" I asked and she looked from the papers to me and a smile grew on her face as she nodded.
"You're already like my mom" she hugged me and I hugged her back kissing her head and keeping an arm around her. "You're our family, please adopt me"
"Okay sweetie" freeing my arm, I signed the papers and then hugged her again, Emmett wiped away a tear and kissed me. "It's almost official, they just need to be sent off"
"What time is it?" he pushed back the sleeve of his shirt to glance down at his watch.
"Two forty one" with a nod, I got out my cell phone.
"I can get a courier to pick this up in half an hour" I got up when I found the number, picking up the papers and giving both of them a kiss and a smile. "I'll just be a minute, save me a dance Maya" she nodded and Emmett stood up, swinging her around and then heading back to the dance floor with her.
Once the letter was in the hand of the courier, I headed back in to dance with my husband and daughter, kicking off my heels and picking up the bottom of my dress.
We danced and laughed, Emmett and I twirling and swinging Maya around the dance floor, spinning around with Robert and Jasper, swaying with Alice and Maria. I was barely alone for a second, surrounded by my friends and family.
It was a beautiful day, which nothing could mar, it would be a day that I would always cherish, along with more to come.
~X~X~X~
A few months later when Maya turned ten, we all went to India, Emmett took us to Delhi and we visited the hospital where Maya's birth father had worked.
He never kept anything from her about her birth parents, he told her about how many people her father had helped and the lives he had saved before he lost his life. We went to a Hindu temple, where we covered our heads and received blessings in honor of Maya's birthday.
We spent three weeks in India, taking our time to travel and take in everything, the culture and history of Maya's native country. The Hindi we had learnt over the past two years at times was useful, but there were so many different dialects used that at times it was more convenient to speak English.
A year later and we were considering adopting another child when we met Hikaro Udagawa, a half Japanese three year old boy. He had been taken away from his mother, we met him when we went to one of the homes. Emmett had gone to go over some paperwork and I had walked around the garden as the kids played in the afternoon. He had been running away from an older kid who was chasing him with a worm, when he bumped into my leg.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there" when I bent down to help him got back on his feet I saw a small scar on his wrist. It was a small burn, nearly the twin of the scar I had on my shoulder and I couldn't fail to understand. "I'm sorry"
"My fault" he dropped his shoulders and didn't meet my eyes, staring at his feet instead. He was so young, how could anybody do that to a child?
"No it's not" he risked a glance at me and I gave him a smile. "It's okay, my name is Rosalie, what's yours?" he looked at me, cautiously assessing me.
"Hikaro" he said to his feet.
"It's nice to meet you" he nodded and looked up at me again.
When Emmett came back, I hugged him and a little surprised he hugged me back, kissing my cheek.
"What is it babe?"
"I want to adopt a boy"
"Did you have someone in mind?" I directed his gaze to the small boy sitting by himself.
"Him, his name is Hikaro"
"Okay" he said without argument, I loved him all the most for his trust in me. He turned to the director of the home and asked about the boy, he told us about the boy's mother and Emmett nodded not questioning my motives but asking about possibly fostering the boy.
A few weeks later and he came home with us, with one small suitcase that Emmett brought in for him; Maya had been at school when we brought him home, so it was just the three of us. He had been quiet the entire time, looking out the window and then looking around the house when I opened the door.
"It's big" was his first words, I showed him to the room he would be staying in and all he did was nod.
He was not just quiet he mostly choose to sit by himself, but he was always looking around, missing nothing as he observed. When Maya met him for the first time he had blinked a few times and said hello, but had remained quiet and still. He shied away from any sort of physical contact, which at first offended Maya until Emmett explained he was shy and probably intimidated by this new place.
After a week he didn't sit so far away from us and he would listen more although his responses were still minimal, one evening as I tucked him in bed I looked at that scar on his wrist.
"Hikaro, will you tell me how you got that scar? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to" he touched the car with his other hand and half turned away from me.
"My fault" he said and I wanted to hug him and tell him it wasn't true, but I didn't think he would find that comforting at all, we were still strangers to him.
"Hikaro, let me show you something" he turned his head, I pushed down the strap of my top to show him the scar on my shoulder, the one similar to his own and his eyes widened as he realized that. "You aren't alone sweetie, if you want we are here" he didn't say anything but I wished him goodnight and went to the door.
A few nights later I was looking over the accounts for the restaurant as Robert and I were considering another restaurant, Emmett was on the phone to his mom when I heard footsteps. Looking up, I saw Hikaro, in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes with one hand and looking upset, he looked to me and walked over quickly.
"Hey, someone not sleeping so well?" he held his arms up and startled at first, I bend down to pick him up and he wrapped his arms around me, surprisingly quite tight, putting his head on my shoulder.
"Bad dream" he almost whimpered, Emmett looked at us as the call ended and I nodded at him, rubbing Hikaro's back.
"It's okay, it was just a dream, it's okay" his grip loosened and I took that to mean he was less frightened, continuing to rub his back I walked into his room and sat on the bed, still holding him. "I'm here"
"Don't leave me" he whimpered and I nodded, moving to lie on the bed, and pull the blanket over both of us.
"I'll stay with you, I'm not going anywhere alright?" he nodded and looked up at me and my heart broke for him. "I won't let anything hurt you" I promised.
"Okay"
Eight years later...
"Mom!" turning away from the cookies I had put in the oven, I turned around as Maya walked in the kitchen. At eighteen she was only a couple of inches shorter than me, her dark hair was mid-way down her back and currently in a loose ponytail. She wore one of Emmett's old Muse t-shirts, it was worn and the print had faded but she loved it and wore it with her staple skinny jeans, and a bit too much black eyeliner for my liking.
"Yes, dear. Why are you screaming the house down?" she waved an envelope at me, it had an official looking stamp on one side and she looked very pleased with herself.
"It that from Julliard?" she nodded and handed the letter to me, I pulled it out and scanned the first paragraph.
"You got accepted!" I practically screamed in delight, throwing my arms around her in a tight hug. "I knew you'd get it! Oh, I'm so happy for you!"
"Mom! You're smothering me!"
"Mother is in smother" I joked as I released her, kissing her cheek. "Oh! I am so proud of you darling, wait until your dad hears about this!"
As if on cue the front door opened and we went to the hallway, all but jumping on Emmett as he hung up his jacket.
"Whoa, can I get through the door before the women attack me?"
"Maya got into Julliard!" I blurted out, not giving him a second before I showed him the letter.
"I got accepted!"
"You got accepted!" he boomed as he saw the proof and he gathered her into a hug, nearly swinging her around with a happy whoop.
"Why is everyone shouting, I was trying to read" Hikaro gave us a disgruntled look, crossing his arms as Emmett put down Maya who went over and showed him the letter. "Julliard? You got accepted?"
"I did, I'm going to college!" he gave his sister a smile, which made her smile even wider.
"Congratulations Maya"
"Thanks" she turned back to us. "I got in to college!" the whoops continued and Hikaro rolled his eyes, returning to his room to read as Emmett got out his cell phone to call his family.
After all of the calls were made and I proclaimed I would make Maya's favorite dish for dinner, Hikaro went with me to get the ingredients for butter chicken and daal.
"So when will Maya be going to college?" asked Hikaro as he tossed lentils into the shopping basket.
"In September"
"She'll be really busy wont she?"
"Yes, more than at school"
"I won't see her as often" I heard what he meant and I turned to look at him.
"She'll always come home sweetie, in a few years' time you might be going off to college if that what you want?"
"Did you go to college?"
"No, I didn't. When I finished school I went straight to work but when I did things were a bit different"
"How?" he was always asking questions, preferring I think to hear other people talk. "Well when I got my first job I was just working in a restaurant kitchen and all you really needed was a high school diploma, but now most jobs want a college degree or higher. But we can tackle that in a few years, okay?" he nodded and we went to the checkout.
On the way back home, I turned to look at him.
"Hikaro?"
"Yes?" he smiled at me and I smiled back, this little boy having opened up to us so much since we brought him home the first time.
"I love you and if you want to go to college or not, it doesn't matter to me, I just want you to be happy doing whatever it is you want to do, or whoever you want to be with"
"I love you too mom"
Eleven years later...
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you" I placed the cake in front of Hikaro, happy 21st birthday written in icing on the top, he smiled at me as I stepped back to take Emmett's hand. "Happy birthday Hikaro, happy birthday to you!" he blew out the candles as everyone stopped singing.
He cut the first slice so Maya and I could feed him some of the cake, when it was Emmett's turn, his son looked tense as he grinned widely.
"Son, why are you moving away?" he smirked. "Don't you want some of this cake your mom made for you?" he shook his head.
"I've tried it, it's delicious mom"
"Thank you darling"
"Come on, let your old man give you some cake, your twenty one how many more times will I get to do this for you?" he shook his head, but Emmett stepped closer and Hikaro could move any further away from him.
"Dad"
"Just a small bite" Maya let out a snigger and Hikaro gave in.
"Fine, just a little"
"Of course son" he said seriously and offering the cake to him, Hikaro went to take a smile bite, but Emmett shoved it in his face.
"Still got it"
"You're such a child" I said as I handed my son a napkin as Zachary, Emilia and Maya fell about laughing along with Emmett, she had certainly gotten his humor.
"You're only as young as you feel"
"Say that again when you bust a hip chasing you son with cake"
"I will" he said and I shook my head, getting another napkin and wiping away a bit of frosting on Hikaro's nose that he missed.
"Thank you mom" I smiled and briefly patted his shoulder, before cutting the rest of the cake and handing it out to the rest of the guests. It was small at his insistence, with just family and a few of his friends from college.
He was reserved at most times but he shared my love of food and applied for culinary school, it was there that he came out of his shell a bit more when he met people who had similar interests.
As I handed Alice her second slice of cake, Hikaro was taken aside by his 'friend' Olivia, who handed him a gift and birthday card. We had first met Olivia half a year ago she was a confident Spanish girl who shared classes with Hikaro, she was also transitioning.
He had told us before we met her and admittedly I had first not fully understood what that meant, he explained as best as he could but when we met Olivia she clarified the situation. She had been born Oliver Asturias, but had never been happy as a boy and so now she was transitioning as she identified as a girl, she was friendly and witty and we took to her right away.
My son was such a serious boy that for her to make him smile so often and occasionally laugh, made me love her and I didn't want Hikaro to lose that. We all saw the way he smiled just when he saw her and how she tended to look for him, brightening up when she saw him, but unfortunately neither of them seemed to realize it.
Olivia was Hikaro height, with a curvy body and long dark brown hair with highlights and styled in big curls most of the time. She always wore heels that made her taller than Hikaro and her hair also added some height to her.
She loved color and you very rarely caught her in t-shirts or sweats, she was always put together with red lipstick and a similar shade on her nails, being her signature look. Today she wore leather trousers with a hot pink blouse and nude heels that rivaled anything Alice would have dared to wear, even with her smaller stature.
He opened the card she gave him and reading it, he cracked a smile at her and gave her an awkward one armed hug and I could swear he went a little red, when she just gathered him into a big hug.
Emmett came up to me, kissing my cheek and looking over at the odd pair as they chatted. Alice also came over a moment later, on her second helping of cake and smiling at Hikaro and Olivia.
"Someone needs to talk to that boy"
"Alice don't say anything to him" I warned and Emmett looked like he agreed with his sister. "You either! Don't meddle, let them figure it out for themselves"
"If they ever do" muttered Alice. "I was only going to drop a hint" I gave her a stern look and shook my head.
"No hints, not a word okay? Either of you" they both nodded.
"We won't say anything" nodding I went to put the crumbs that had been the cake away, stupidly leaving the siblings alone to plot.
When I came back I saw Alice and Emmett go up to the couple, before I go over and intervene, they tripped up Olivia and Hikaro so they bumped into each other. Hikaro caught Olivia before she could face plant, giving her an embarrassed grin as he got her back on her feet, she chuckled and neither of them let go of each other right away.
The Cullen siblings walked away as Olivia made Hikaro laugh and crossing my arms I glared at my husband, who smirked and shrugged at me.
"Emmett"
"Technically we didn't say anything" was his defense and I didn't have a comeback.
A few weeks later and Hikaro admitted to thinking that he might like Olivia, but he didn't know what to do about it. The decision was taken out of his hands when she asked him out a few days later, soon after he knew he was in love.
They moved in together shortly after he took on a low level job at the restaurant, both of us agreeing it was good for him to work his way up. We bought another restaurant near Buffalo, which went well and within a year it was profitable as our reputation had spread.
Maya did well at Julliard and her career as a musician took off, she met her husband Jerry and they had twins, giving us our first grandchildren; Verity and Vince. The twins were paternal with their thick black hair in common and brown eyes, both were loud and a lot of trouble the pair of them always devising new ways to trick everyone.
Alice and Jasper's children remained friends with Maya and Hikaro, even as they grew up. We still regularly saw Alice and Jasper without fail, even when Jasper busted a hip and got around a bit slower with a cane.
Zachary found a love of science and went onto study biology, later getting a position as professor at the New York University and then becoming the head of the department. He met his future partner at the University, a chemistry professor during his second year, Lana Kimmel.
Emilia studied art and after a few years in San Francisco, she turned to New York and took a job at an art gallery, making her way up to curator. She met an artist form Miami called Tessa Caplan shortly after and they moved in together, adopting a baby boy a few years later. Alice and Jasper adored Tessa and their grandchild Jackson, whom Alice spoiled rotten.
Olivia and Hikaro, fostered a few kids but never adopted any claiming they were happy as they were, so Emmett and I didn't push it. A few years later when Robert and I were considering a restaurant in Miami, when Olivia suggested she and Hikaro oversee the new restaurant. Hikaro had been managing Rose Garden for the past three years and this would be a good opportunity for him, I agreed quickly and they made plans to move.
We had their leaving party at the restaurant, a small gathering that turned into a big bash, when they arrived they were bombarded by family and friends. Once everyone had wished them luck Maya went up to her brother, her husband holding her hand. She let go of his hand to throw her arms around her brother who patter her back, he let her kiss his cheek only because she looked so sad.
"I'm going to miss you" she admitted and his gaze softened and he nodded at her.
"I'll miss you too, Maya"
"You better keep in contact, I'm expected regular calls okay?"
"I'll call you all the time"
"You better" she nodded giving his a steely look before he held out his arms and after a second she threw her arms around him again, he patted her back. When they let go Emmett handed her a handkerchief, which she accepted to dab her eyes with a small smile at her father.
"Hi mom" said Hikaro with a smile, I smiled at him and Olivia.
"Hello dear, are you all ready for your flight tomorrow?" he nodded and Olivia's father entered the restaurant and waved at his daughter.
"I'll let you talk" she said kissing Hikaro on the cheek and smiling at me before going to see her father. He looked at her as she walked away and then turned his head back to look at me, smiling still.
"Hikaro, I want you to know something" he gave me his full attention. "I'm so proud of you, both of you" I took Maya's hand and squeezed it gently. "What you've accomplished in your careers and that you have both found people to share your lives with, we love both of you so much. Don't ever forget that you can always come home, because you two will always be our baby's okay?" my voice was thick and my eyes prickled, they both hugged me and I kissed their heads, silently asking my mother to keep an eye on them.
"We love you too mom" Hikaro said as Maya wiped away a few more tears, before Emmett gathered them both into a hug, then placed an arm around me.
My family would be alright, in fact they were happy and doing well which was the important thing.
As Emmett placed a kiss on my cheek, I smiled and turned to look at him, he had new lines around his eyes and mouth as did I. We had had some good years and many happy memories to go with them, we had our family and I couldn't say that I was ever alone and I knew I wouldn't be not with the man I loved beside me.
"Are you okay?" I nodded and gave him a soft kiss.
"I am...I love you Emmett"
"I love you too, always" I hugged him tightly and kissed him again.
All was well.
Author's note:
Thank you for reading and staying with me till the end, adios amigos!