Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight! Stephanie Meyer does!

Chapter Seven

Jasper's POV

I was still trying to wrap my mind around the events that had rather rapidly unfolded. Of course, Edward had pleaded shock and surprise when Carlisle confronted him in regards to his violent outburst; but the feelings weren't sincere. He was lying about why he had reacted in such a way, but I was not really in a position to ask questions of why. Perhaps he was feeling jealous and put out about not being informed, much like Alice had been feeling. Luckily, her reaction was a common one, something we have all become used to as a result of things not going her way.

I do know that she would not have said anything about Keyria's future if I had not been there; she would have continued running and the night would have ended much worse.

I didn't expect Emmett to find his mate in Keyria, since finding a mate while one was still human was a rare thing. I doubt Edward would have gotten too close to Keyria with Emmett claiming her, but with Edward you never know. It was strange though, the difference in emotion I felt from Bella and Edward to Keyria and Emmett; it wasn't the same. Keyria was completely herself with Emmetts; comfortable and relaxed.

Bella always felt on edge, like she had to watch everything she did. She was never relaxed around him, and I could feel that there were things about her that no one had ever seen because of it. Why, though? Was it because she knew Edward was a vampire and she was human? I don't really think that was it though, since every time we were all together for lunch she wasn't like that. She was more relaxed in classes she had without him; classes that would have one of us in it instead.

I took a deep breath, letting my eyes close for a while. The emotions in the house were light, it was only myself, Emmett, Esme, and Keyria inside. I was assuming Keyria was asleep, Emmett's contented and even emotions clued me in on that one. Esme was in the library, her mind content while she awaited her husbands return. My mind, however, was churning and twisting in a million directions. I didn't know what to do, my life was becoming more complicated by the day.

I used to think Alice was my mate, but from the day Keyria arrived I knew she wasn't. I thought I might know who it was, but I wasn't certain. I hadn't had any time to myself with her yet, and it would certainly cause many issues with others in the house if I brought this realization to light.

I just felt complete, finally, when she was around. My focus always shifted to her, my instinct to protect her threatening the secrecy I needed. I wanted to whisk her away, take her from the cold, false arms she had around her and show her what love should really be like. It wasn't something I could do though, I would have to wait for her to see it too.

I would bide my time and watch from afar, maybe we could have a moment to ourselves so she could see the truth. I was having a hard time admitting this even to myself, especially since she was supposed to be someone else's mate already.

I stood quickly from the bed and moved to the window, I needed something to get my mind off her. A good run should do it, and it would only be better if I ran into a little snack on the way.

Emmett's POV

My whole world had just gotten a million times better. It was like winning every single video game at the same time with the highest score possible. I was completely in love with the human nuzzled into my chest, her heart beating smoothly and the cute flush on her cheeks.

Maybe she was dreaming about me; I know if I could sleep it would be her alone in my dreams. I still wanted to rip every limb from Eddie's body, but Carlisle spoke with him and told me everything would be fine. I didn't like just leaving it like it was, but I trusted Carlisle's word. After all, it was him who made me realise that Ria was my one true mate.

I smiled as Ria wriggled in my arms, her lithe body stretching against mine. Her knee cracked off my thigh, her face scrunched in pain as her eyes shot open.

"Son of a biscuit eating hooker! Aaagggg...ooohhh damn!" She rolled away from me and sat up, holding her knee to her chest.

I couldn't help but laugh though, not that she was hurt but at her amazing way of wording certain things. I brought myself close to her, easing my arms around her as I kissed her temple.

"Sorry, baby. Is it really bad?" I whispered in her ear, sighing with relief as she shook her head.

"No, it's alright. I'll have a bruise for sure, but I think I was more shocked by the hit than anything." She turned to me, her face nuzzling into my neck.

My god, I was lost in her. Her smell, her touch, the way she sounded when she kissed me. Her lips trailed along my neck, her tongue flicking lightly here and there. It was intoxicating, my body reacting to every moment her skin was against mine. I pulled her closer, twisting us around so she was beneath me. I knew I had to be careful, but I had to taste her. I let my tongue graze over her heated skin, a growl rising from my stomach.

Her hands went to my hair, legs wrapping around my hips as she brought my mouth to hers. The kiss was hot and heavy, broken all too soon by myself.

"Ria...mmmm... we have to chill out. I don't want to, but we have to." I looked into those bright sapphire eyes, wishing on everything to have one day to do as we wanted.

"What if I don't care? I want you, Em. I don't care about anything else." She was whispering, that chiming voice making me dizzy.

I shook my head and sat up, my fingers brushing against her hands.

"Babe, we can't. You might say you don't care, but I do. I can't lose control and hurt you, Ria. I just can't. What would I do if I hurt you, babe?" I looked down at her, my eyes were no doubt darkened with both lust and sadness.

Her face went slack a little as she looked up at me shocked, her head tipping to the side?' You would help me, that's what. If you really hurt me that badly, or I just get hurt bad at all, I would want you to change me. You know that, right? I want you to change me, if I ever get hurt that bad. Promise me that, and we can go as slow as you want." Her face was serious, her tone even more so.

She wanted me to be the one to change her if she ever got hurt? Could I do that without draining her? I looked down at her, her eyes searching my face for an answer.

"Alright, I can make that promise. But have you thought about just changing? Like, not needing an accident, just making the choice?" I was curious, she hadn't really said anything about it until just now really.

"I have thought about it, actually. I don't know when, but I would at least want to be out of high school. And even if I manage to get lucky enough to not get hurt too bad, I would still want you to do it." She had sat up, leaning against the head of her bed as she looked at her lap.

She was shy about telling me, that cute blush creeping up her cheeks again.

"Well then, let's hope I don't have to bite you cause of Murphy's Law." She laughed at that, her eyes twinkling with her voice.

I kissed her again, a quickish peck this time as I jumped off the bed.

"We have to get to school, babe. Only a couple more days, then we'll have the weekend." I held out my hand to her, pulling her against me quickly.

"We won't get anywhere if you keep this up. And we don't really have the weekend. I'm, um, spending the weekend at Bella's; we're working on our history project." She bit her lip again and smiled sheepishly, giggling as I poked her side. "Thank's for the heads up then. Maybe I'll go hunting, catch up on some fuel then. I'll need it to keep up with you, I'll be worried sick the whole time you're gone." I put a fake terrified look on my face and clutched at my still heart, taking a step back.

She laughed and shook her head, turning to her closet. I might have joked about it, but I really would be worried about her. I didn't like thinking about her being gone for two whole days, I didn't like it at all. I would call her though, like a million times a day.

I turned around and looked at the wall while she got dressed; I peeked long enough to see her creamy skin contrasted against the lacy red and black bra and panty set she wore.

Boy short undies; nice!

ooo000ooo000ooo

Keyria's POV

It had been a long week, filled with tense moments at school when guys would awkwardly approach me and girls would shoot me down with death rays because I was with Emmett. And for some reason, they all still thought I was going to be adopted and become the 'new Cullen'.

I went off. I let them all know, on no uncertain terms, that I would never be a Cullen. I told them all I was a Platt and I was staying that way. There would only ever be one was my last name would change, and it wouldn't be from being adopted.

I know that had to have gotten to Emmett, since he had become a little down and slightly withdrawn after that. I didn't know why though, it wasn't like it was him I had gone off on. Besides, he should know better than anyone that the name 'Cullen' is simply a cover for most of them, giving the illusion that Carlisle and Esme had adopted the children.

We had finally made it home and I still had to pack some stuff for the sleep over; but the first thing I did was follow Emmett to his room. I had to find out what was bothering him so much, I hadn't seen him like this before. So quiet and serious.

"Wanna tell me what's eating you before I go? Or do I have to cancel my plans and force it out of you?" I smiled at my own little joke, maybe it would help break the tension. After all, I knew that was really no way I could force a vampire to do shit, no matter what I said.

He smiled softly then turned toward the window, his forehead pressing against the glass.

"Did you really mean what you said? That you would never be a Cullen?" He spoke low, his eyes still staring out the window.

Had that really gotten to him that badly? I figured he would have understood what I was saying, but it seems he missed the mark.

"Well I'm not being adopted, so my name will not change. If it ever did change, it would be only once and because I got married. And Cullen wouldn't be it." I leaned against the wall, trying to smile when he looked at me confused.

"What do you mean it wouldn't be Cullen? Don't you think I might wanna marry you someday?" He stepped closer, a flash of pain across his face.

Of course I would want him to marry me, but with his real name, not the adopted one. I stepped to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I hope you do, but Cullen isn't your real name. I want to marry the real you eventually, not the you the public eye sees everyday." I smiled up at him, his body relaxing as I explained my reasoning.

It wasn't that I had anything against the Cullen's, but I didn't want a fake name when I got married. Yeah, I might take it on in later years if I changed, but only for the public. In private and at home I would be myself; whether it was a Platt or whatever Emmett's last name was.

"Wow. I didn't really thing of it like that. I haven't used my real name in like, a few decades. I just thought you were against the whole idea; I didn't think it was just the name thing. And it's McCarty, by the way. My last name is McCarty." He smiled at me, returning my hold with his bulky arms around mine.

"McCarty; I like it. Keyria McCarty. Nice little ring to it. And I'll have good choices for later if I decide to make the change. They all sound logical and legit." I thought for a minute, wondering why I would care if they sounded legit.

"Now that we've got that out of the way, feel like helping me pack, Mac?" I laughed a little, his look of shock was funny as hell.

"Mac?" He nodded as he questioned the name, turning to move us toward the door.

"Yeah, Mac. I like McCarty, so I thought I'd call you Mac. No one else does, so it's kinda special. Like how you call me Ria." I winked at him, his sheepish smile warming my heart.

"You caught that, huh? Yeah, I like it. And I kinda hate it when someone else uses it too, like really hate it." He laughed, pulling me through my door and plopped on my bed.

"Well then, you call me Ria and I call you Mac. No one else can, just us. Deal?" I leaned over him, keeping my lips barely above his.

"Deal." The response was a low, gravelly rumble as he lifted his lips to mine.

It was going to take me forever to pack at this rate, but I'm sure Bella would understand.

A/N: Finally got it up.. Sorry it took so long guys! It's a fluff chapter, I know, but the next ones are going to be long.. like really long... Please read and review! Thanks!