Summary: Months after the rest of the Cullens' return, and during the her senior year, Bella finds herself content but wary. With her future to think about and Victoria out to get her- tension is no stranger. And what happens when Edward finally returns- but his presence only complicates things?
" We'll get through this Bella, because we have each other."
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Stephanie Meyer is the respective owner, I'm just fooling around with the characters.
" Well look who the fuck it is."
Bella couldn't believe her eyes at the vampire just ten feet away from her. Just minutes ago, she had been feeling sorry for Esme.
It had been months since his family saw him last in Alaska.
And it had been nearly a year since he left her in that forest with a broken heart.
She didn't think he would ever come back.
No, not after what he said to her.
And yet, there he was.
His stood there with his eyes narrowed into slits, particularly at the burly vampire that was seemingly shielding her from him. His hands that were now at his sides, clenched every other second into fists, and his eyes grew even darker as Emmett practically introduced him to the household.
Alice blinked in shock, opening her mouth to speak, but closed it just as fast. Jasper stood rigid beside her, with Rosalie on the other side of her. The blonde's eyes were also narrowed as she glared at the bronze-haired vampire in front of her- but he didn't seem to notice, or not even care at the moment. His attention had been solely on Emmett since his unanticipated return.
But then, his gaze averted to hers, and she felt herself grow frozen with fear on the spot. His eyes were black and extremely cold as they glared into hers now, and it made her feel extremely uneasy. Right then, she wanted nothing more than to jump out of her chair and leave, but it was those cold eyes that held her there.
A growl from Emmett though, turned his attention over to him again- and almost immediately, he took a step forward.
Finally snapping out of her shocked state, Alice approached him slowly, her hand out to her side in complete frustration.
" Edward I don't understand... I-I couldn't see you. How in the world did you get here without-"
" That's none of your business, is it Alice?" He snapped, and not even a second later, Jasper was in front of him. He grabbed the front of his shirt to force him to look into his eyes, and Edward growled, grabbing his other arm to try and pry him off. He released his arm from him just seconds later, and pushed him back. Jasper bared his fangs at him then, standing protectively in front of Alice.
" She was fucking worried about you Edward! How could you say that to her?" He growled, and Rosalie stepped forward.
" Yeah just who the hell do you think you are? Walking in here like you don't have to explain yourself."
" I don't." He stated simply, earning a growl from Rosalie. His gaze flickered to Bella's once more, and she flinched. " But I'm here now, aren't I?"
Emmett approached him now, with his fangs bared. " You don't get to make that fucking excuse-" He started. A swift second later, he was on the floor with a loud thud, and Bella gasped in surprise with her eyes wide.
His lips pulled into a dark smirk as he stared down at him, and he flexed his fingers slowly.
Emmett was a blur as he got back to his feet, and he held his jaw for a brief second before dropping a clenched fist to his side. He smirked a little, cracking his neck- and Bella stared horrified at the side of his face.
It was completely cracked- like glass.
But then slowly, as Emmett's lips pulled into a grimace, and his fangs were bared- it started to fade into his skin- smoothing to nothing just as quickly as it appeared.
And he took that moment to strike.
" Emmett!" Bella didn't realize it at first, but it had been her that had called out to him.
He landed one near his eye, but Edward all but stumbled back at the blow. There was a small dent on his cheek, but nothing more- and the sound of her voice, only seemed to make him angrier. By now, the others were alert and ready to pounce, but cautious all at the same time. Edward chuckled darkly, though his expression was anything but amused- ready to strike again.
" Shit." Jasper cursed, blurring towards him to try and stop him.
" Edward?" Came a voice from shocked but quiet voice from the entry way into the patio downstairs, stopped everyone immediately. His eyes flickered over slowly, and though they held a hard gaze- they seemed to have softened a little. He stood there rigid then as she approached him- both shocked, but filled with worry as she took in the scene before her.
"Esme." He muttered stiffly. She ran towards him then and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying almost instantly.
" Oh Edward, we were so worried about you! Me and Carlisle- we searched everywhere. We thought we had lost you- where on earth have you been?"
He didn't embrace her back, just stared into her eyes when she pulled away. " Away." He said vaguely.
Emmett was about to say something, but Bella found the strength place a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Edward's eyes flickered towards her at this for a few seconds before turning to Esme- who just seemed to be at ease knowing he had returned. Her hand reached to brush against his cheek though, and she stared deep into his eyes, a sharp gasp from her lips at his state.
" Edward honey- y-your eyes. They're black." She exclaimed worriedly. " Have you not been feeding?"
He stiffly but gently removed her hand from his face. " I've been managing." She embraced him again.
" Oh I'm just so glad you're alright dear." She pulled away then, smiling, though it seemed sad more than anything.
He was pushing her away.
"Carlisle should know about this." Rosalie spat. She reached into her jean pocket and pulled out her cell phone, and began walking into another room- even though no matter where she was in the house, or even a few miles from here- everyone except Bella would hear the conversation. There was a faint chatter in the living room, and then it was gone.
" I'm taking Bella home." Emmett announced, and held his hand out for Bella to take it. She did so, without making contact with Edward, and her feet fell to the floor with a soft thud. As he led her out of the kitchen, she could feel his eyes watching her, and she shivered. She heard him growl, but didn't hear much after that, as Emmett had shut the front door, and they were now approaching his truck.
He opened the door for her and she jumped inside, immediately strapping on her seat belt. He appeared on side of the truck less than a second later and was now starting the engine. He pulled out of the driveway, and drove onto the road, his eyes narrowed to slits as he let out a frustrated growl. Bella swallowed, wanting to place a hand on his shoulder, but he seemed extremely upset for words.
" Emmett.. are you okay?" It was a stupid question to ask, but it was all she could think to say after what just happened.
And it had all happened so fast.
His large hands gripped the steering wheel, and he sighed- after a few beats more of silence. "I'm sorry.. you had to see all of that." His voice was low and strained as he said that, and Bella blinked in her seat.
" Don't apologize Emmett. You couldn't have controlled... any of that." She replied, exhaling a shaky breath. He looked over.
" Are you alright?" He asked, and she swallowed- squeezing her eyes shut. " His eyes- they were so dark.. and cold. Emmett he was so bitter."
She paused, inhaling a deep breath. She wanted to cry.
She didn't realize it before, why he was like this- but he must have figured it out.
The way his eyes had fleeted from Emmett's to hers so bleakly-
-How long had he been there exactly?
With what Alice had said before- he could have been circling the house hours ago and no one would have noticed.
Even when she and Emmett were-
She shivered and gasped at the same time.
Emmett pulled the car over at the side of the road then, just as she started to hiccup- and he released his seat belt. He exited the truck, slamming the door shut, and seconds later the car door swung open on her right. Her eyes watered, and soon enough the tears came streaming down her face. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him, and she returned his embrace- biting her bottom lip to keep from sobbing.
Her body shook uncontrollably, and he let her bury her face into his neck, muttering to her. " Bella..."
"I-I" She cried, not even capable of really saying anything else.
This Edward that had come back... he was completely different.
She couldn't even say what he was capable of doing now.
She pulled away from him to examine his face, sniffing, her hand held the side of his jaw that had been damaged earlier.
His eyes softened. " It doesn't hurt. And I heal quickly remember?" He said. She nodded stiffly and swallowed- starting to wipe her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt, but it didn't rid away the ache she felt in her fast-beating heart.
" Hey." He muttered softly. " The most we can do right now is wait for Carlisle to get back and try to get things settled from there."
" Whatever's going on with him... it'll wear off eventually. Maybe even after he's fed." He said with a slight chuckle.
She didn't believe that.
Not even for a second.
Things were never going to be like they used to be.
No.
That changed the day he abandoned her.
The day Emmett came back for her, and filled the empty void in her heart that Edward had left.
And by the sound of his voice, she knew... that with everything that had happened in that past year... he didn't even believe himself.
Author's Note: I have to say, I am also curious as to how all of this will go from here.
And just to make things clear- so that this confusion can end, this is STILL an Emmett/Bella story- meaning they will still be together. I repeat, this is an Emmett and Bella story, and even though Edward has returned- that doesn't necessarily mean that Bella's going to fall in love with him all over again.
I mean come on, I wouldn't lead you guys on like this for this long IF that was the case. I'm not criminal. :)
And Emmett and Bella have kissed quite a few times in "Let Me In" so I think it's safe to say that they are together, but haven't really come out to the public, or their family yet- even though the rest of the Cullens already know what's going on, but they never discuss it. ( and this is perfectly normal if you observe some relationships)
So with that being said, I hope you enjoy the story.
Next chapter is Emmett's point of view.
Did I ever tell you before? Reviews make me happy.