A/N: Ok, I am completely blown away by the reaction this story. Thank you everyone your reviews/follows/favorites. So excited you're giving our little story a chance.

Just a quick word, our other story, LARP and the Real Edward, is nominated for completed fic of Dec. Kris' story Dig is also nominated. So if you feel so inclined to vote for us / 2014 / 01 / 01 / vote-for-your-top-ten-completed-fics-december-2013 /

Now, on with the story!

"Oh, come on Rose. Why do you do this to me?"

I was trying to juggle two large boxes, a planter, and a phone to my ear. I had to then walk up the steps into the house and then to the other side of said house. My new room was in the back, which I didn't mind, but I would have liked to have carried a little less. But then I would have to come back out to get the other boxes in my car. Damn the unending Seattle rain.

Rose was going to help me move in until she got a last minute call for a shoot. I didn't mind of course, it was good for her, but I would have appreciated the help. Or was it support?

Needless to say, I had been surprised when Jasper called just an hour and a half after I left their house. I thought for sure that Edward would never let me move in. He had seemed pretty much against the idea. Jasper assured me that wasn't the case and they were looking forward to me moving in. To to say I was trepidatious about the idea was an understatement. I mean, I would share the floor with Edward, with Jasper and Emmett upstairs. I had no idea how this was going to work, but I was out of options, so of course, I said yes.

Now that I was back here though, my stomach was full of butterflies. Living with people I didn't know was completely new to me. It was one of the reasons I had called Rosalie. She was good at telling me what I needed to hear and not letting me ignore it.

"Don't whine, Bella." Rose's dry voice drifted to my ear as I struggled to get everything out of my car. "I'm sure you'll be fine. Just don't slouch."

"I don't slouch."

"You slouch. I've seen you do it. Stand up straight and hold your head back. You'll have them eating out of your hand in no time."

"I'm not hot like you , Rose."

"You are beautiful, Bella, and don't you forget it. You'll be fine. Just smile and be yourself."

"I'm weird."

"You're charming. Now go get them. I've got to go."

"No, wait, Rose!" I was on the doorstep, trying to unlock the door and I lost my grip on the phone. I reached out to catch it, and in the process, the boxes became unsteady. I could just see everything crashing to the ground and my phone bursting into a million pieces.

I gave a startled cry as the first box began to fall. It was too late to catch it as I already trying to grab my phone. Why did these things always happen to me? At the last second, something flashed out to steady my boxes while I only just managed to grab my phone. I looked back up to find Emmett smiling. "You okay there, Bella?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks." I felt myself blush, which only made me ramble. "Trust me, if that's the most clumsy thing you ever see me do, I'll count myself lucky."

"Aw, you're one of those that can't walk across a flat surface." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I'll make sure to pick up all the porn mags from the floor then. Can't have you tripping over them."

What was it Rose said? Stand up? "Porn mags? You still pay for porn?" Okay, not the best comeback ever.

Still, Emmett laughed. "I like you, Bella. Here let me help you with this stuff."

He took both boxes, and I opened the door. I was surprised to find the living room empty. I figured since it was the weekend, Jasper and Edward would be here playing video games or something. "Where is everyone?"

Emmett shrugged and carried my boxes toward the kitchen. "Jasper had to work this weekend. Something about Carmen and Eleazar having a date or whatever, so he's staying with the kids. Edward should be around here somewhere. You want something to drink?"

"Um, sure." I was not looking forward to unpacking, and this was only the first load. Any excuse to put it off would be used. I sat on the bar stool at the kitchen island and waited for Emmett to pull two bottles of water out of the refrigerator. "What does Jasper do anyway?"

"He's a nanny. Works with these two girls. It's kinda cute really. Jasper seems to enjoy it."

"That's awesome. He's a manny." I could easily picture calm, cool, collected Jasper as a nanny. "How did he start doing that? I mean, it wasn't what he planned on doing, was it?"

Emmett shrugged. "Yeah, it happened by accident. He went to an office party of mine where my boss brought her kid because she didn't have a babysitter. Jasper ended up with the kid and realized he was good it. Then he found Carmen and Eleazar and started working for them. Gets paid a good bit for it too."

"That's kinda awesome. So, what do you do?"

"Oh, a boring office job. Sales. Trust me, you don't want to hear about it."

That was strange. Admittedly, this was only the second time that I had talked to Emmett but I got the enthusiastic vibe from him about everything. Why then was he so flippant about his job? "Okay, then what you really like to do?"

His brown eyes twinkled. "In college I played a little ball, but I was never very good at it. It takes a lot to admit, Bella, and I would appreciate it if you didn't tell our roommates that I said that."

"My lips are sealed. Go on."

"Okay, well, in my senior year I started working with the coaching staff. That was fun, and I enjoyed it. It was too late to change my degree though."

"You could go back? I mean, if you really enjoyed it, why not?"

Emmett shrugged. "Eh, it's not a big deal. I've got a boring job, but it pays the bills. Could be worse."

I was going to ask him another question when Edward came around the corner. He was speaking softly into his phone, hissing almost. I wondered briefly who he was talking to, but then realized it was none of my business. I don't think he even knew we were in the kitchen until his green eyes flashed up and landed on me. I wanted to believe I imagined the annoyance that entered his face briefly before he turned on his heel and walked away.

I heard Emmett sigh and felt my face turn red again.

"Emmett, can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"Um, why does your brother not like me?"

Emmett sighed again and appeared to trying to choose his words. "Edward doesn't not like you. It's not my story to tell, but he's been through some shit. He doesn't like things changing. Just give him some time. He'll come around. I know it doesn't seem like it, but he really is a good guy."

I could believe him. Edward tried to hide it, but there was no disguising the sadness in his eyes. I knew better than anyone what sadness did a person.

"Okay, well, I've got two boxes to unpack, plus several more to come, so I should go get to work. Thanks for the drink."

"Anytime." Emmett smiled, the dimples in his cheeks becoming even more apparent. "If you need anything I'll be upstairs. Hollar."

"Thanks, Emmett." I grabbed my boxes and trudged off to my room. Work did a mind good, my father had always told me. Well, there was no time like the present.

Hum, how very interesting. I wonder what that could mean.

Have a wonderful New Year and enjoy your football or, if you are awesome like me, your hockey. Hehehe