The Greatest of These…

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the authors. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks to my betas – sillybella, be my escape, and Cocoa – for all your help and patience as I tried to 'get it right'. Special thanks to sillybella, my biggest advocate on this story. Without your encouragement this may have never seen anything more than the bottom of the wastebasket.

Chapter 2: Hope

By bronzehairedgirl

Emmett and I sat at the edge of the tree line on the large, flat rock overlooking the river. The forest was thick and dark behind us. In front of us the river, with its lazy current, reflected the gray of the clouds overhead. It was so very quiet here. Our spot. This was where we came when we wanted to talk privately. We were far enough away from the house so the others couldn't overhear us and Edward couldn't hear Emmett's thoughts. We both knew our conversations here were private, but not a secret. I couldn't expect Emmett to keep his mind completely clear of everything we talked about here. Most of the time, I told Edward myself, if it was mine to tell. It still amazed me how quickly Emmett and I had become confidants. Maybe it was because of the bond we developed early on. Emmett understood my feelings for Edward. He had experienced the same human emotions for Rosalie. I could tell Emmett anything and he seemed to feel the same way. Emmett, the fun-loving, full of life, big bear of a guy, has a serious side, too. He has become a big brother to me in so many ways. This part of our relationship is what I cherish the most.

I looked at Emmett, worry written all over his face. "Talk to me, Bella. What's up? I know you're bothered by what happened to that little girl, but there seems to be more."

Man, he's gotten really good at reading me. I looked down, trying to decide where to start. Trying to decide how much to tell him, even though I knew I would end up telling him everything.

"Well," I started hesitantly, "I fell asleep the other night thinking about that little girl and how awful the whole situation was. And I also thought about Esme. How she would love to have a child. It's just not fair that there are couples that want a child and can't have one while others have them and shouldn't." I swallowed and took a deep breath, trying to work up the nerve to continue. Emmett waited patiently, watching my eyes, reading my face, knowing I had more to say. "I had expected to have nightmares, but instead I had a dream that…Edward and I had a baby." My quiet words came out in a flurry, but I knew he heard them. I couldn't believe I had actually said them out loud. I felt my checks flush, but for once he didn't comment on it. "I've been trying to figure out what it means." My voice sounded weak and confused, but I felt some relief to finally be sharing this with someone.

He sat up straight, surprised by what I had just said. "And I take it you haven't told Edward about your dream." It was a statement, not a question. He knew that this was the remainder of the puzzle of what had been causing my distress.

"Of course not. You know how he would react." Every part of me tensed. All my frustration from the past two days came flooding back. Edward would see this as a sign, a sign for me to stay human. "It would just give him more ammunition in his argument to keep me human." I closed my eyes and took another calming breath. I needed him to understand that there was more to the dream than just the obvious. "Emmett, I don't want a child. It's more than that. If I could have Edward's child…I don't know, maybe I would consider it." I closed my eyes to gather my thoughts and images of Edward's joyous face flooded my mind. I pictured him years later teaching our son to play ball. Or cheering from the stands as our daughter ran in her first race at a track meet. I even went so far as imagining him teaching them to drive. He would be a good father. I sighed and opened my eyes. "But that's not possible so it doesn't really matter. I know Edward would just see this as another reason for me to stay human, so that I can have the opportunity to have a child one day. He won't see past his own argument to understand my true feelings." I couldn't hide my irritation. Edward's views already had me on edge and I hadn't even talked to him yet.

Emmett watched me silently for a long moment before speaking. "You need to talk to him about this."

I knew he was right. I tilted my head with a small shrug. "First, I need to figure it out myself."

He stared out over the water, his eyes not really focusing on anything. I knew the look. He was remembering something. "You know, kids aren't so bad," he said with a smile.

I raised a questioning eyebrow waiting for more.

"I've told you that I had a big family." I nodded. "I was the youngest, and yes, Momma spoiled me." He grinned at some long ago memory. "My oldest siblings were married and were already having kids. I loved all my nieces and nephews. I loved spending time with them. I would play football and wrestle with the boys. And with the girls…" He pointed his finger and his tone turned playfully gruff. "If you breathe one word of this to anyone I will vehemently deny every word of it…I had more than my share of tea parties with the girls." He smiled as he remembered.

I tried to picture it. Emmett sitting among the other 'guests' – of both the human and doll varieties – and holding tiny toy tea cups in his huge, strong hands, sipping the 'tea' daintily. I shook my head, laughing at the scene in my head, "You're just a big ol' softy." I heard a low, playful growl. I turned to look at him and saw a brief twitch at the corners of his mouth. He was fighting to keep his face twisted into a snarl. "Cut it out." I said, giving his shoulder a shove. The fact that he swayed with it told me he was playing along. "You liked it and you know it."

The growl grew a little louder, but he was grinning now. "Maybe. But you'll never be able to make me admit it in front of anyone else." He gave me a menacing look and nudged my shoulder playfully. I don't care what he says, he loved those tea parties. I laughed. Emmett always knew how to lighten the mood, especially my mood.

"I bet you were their favorite uncle."

He chuckled softly, "At least I like to think so."

"So…have you ever wanted kids of your own?" I asked curiously. All the talk about his family made me wonder about his own desires.

Emmett stood and walked to the water's edge. Uh-oh, wrong question? He picked up some stones and began to skim them across the dark surface of the water. I got up and walked to his side. I watched him closely, patiently waiting for an answer. His face was like the water – a strong undercurrent of emotion hidden beneath the calm appearance of the surface. He looked down at me with a small thoughtful smile. "Well, we're back to the impossible, so it's another moot point." There was a hint of sadness in his voice. I simply nodded, letting it go for now.

He turned to face me, his expression serious. He placed his giant hands on each of my shoulders. I wasn't sure if it was to keep me from turning away or to stress what he was going to say. Either way, he had my full attention. The way he searched my eyes made me feel like he was taking a good long look inside my mind, inside my heart. "You said you've never wanted kids before, but you must really love him if it makes you consider changing your mind."

What he said triggered something in my mind. 'You must really love him.' Of course I loved Edward. That was never in question. But my subconscious began pushing something to the forefront. If I could give Edward a child, would it change my feelings about having kids? If it was something he truly wanted, then yes, even though it would be impossible, it would be my desire to give it to him. I knew that no matter what happened, no matter what Edward did or said, I would always love him with all my heart and soul.

Emmett's eyes still held me captive. I could see a certain level of understanding there. And he was waiting for me to grasp it. He continued, "My sisters always said that having a child was the greatest, purest love you could ever know."

As suddenly as a lightening strike I understood. My mind reeled trying to wrap itself around the realization of what the dream meant. The baby in my dream was a symbol of our love for one another. A life created from our love. It truly was the greatest, purest love…unconditional love.