It was two months ago I had found him, but it seemed like a lifetime. Just as my human life and my life as a vampire were two very separate things, my life before Emmett was another time entirely. Edward, of course, chose now to start acting like the overprotective older brother. He actually seemed concerned when Emmett and I went off alone all those times. He needn't be. That night, it was rainy out, but we decided to go for a walk anyways. Back to the clearing in Tennessee. One hundred miles, or so. When we got there, we just sat for a long time staring at the ground. Emmett's hunting gear was still there, and blood could still be detected on the ground. Obviously, people didn't come through here often. Emmett than asked me something I was surprised he hadn't already asked.

"Rose…how did you become this…what happened" I should've told him then. He actually cared. But it was such a longs and painful story. I couldn't let tonight be about that. He couldn't pity me.

"I tell you later" I whispered as I leaned into him, letting the rain trickle over my cold skin. I would tell him later, just not right now, on such a perfect night. Thankfully, he didn't respond, or question further. He just let it be, and I drifted into bliss. The babbling creek on the other side of the clearing was the only noise, and the moon was the only light.

"Let's go swimming…" I sang, looking at the stream. Swimming in the moonlight, totally peaceful, nothing to disturb me. And with somebody I truly love. Before I even got up, Emmett was half way across the field of moss and grass, running with the eagerness of a child. Pulling off his new sweater, and plunging into the water with a splash. It was November, but I couldn't feel the chill, so I jumped in after him. I had never seen a man shirtless before, but I wondered if they were all so chiseled and perfect. We made our way over to the cascading waterfall. Standing under it, we splashed each other in the moonlight. I hadn't been happier in two years, since that last night at Vera's. I no longer felt like a monster. Although I wasn't happy about what I was, I would've traded the humanity I so desired for Emmett. All things happen for a reason, I believe. Maybe I was meant to become immortal. After all, if I hadn't, the perfect man would be dead, and I would be married to a man who didn't love me. Something with meaning, something to hold onto, was what I had wanted for those few, long years. Everything was right in front of me. It was overwhelming, in a way.

"You never told me about your life." I was curious. Here I was, feeling as if I had known him my whole life, and I didn't know where he had lived prior to a couple of months ago.

"Not much to tell…I grew up in a small town, which oddly enough, I forget the name of…my parents were farmers. I was simple. When I got older, I wanted to get married and take over the farm. Like I said, just a simple country boy…not too special. I was the strongest in town, probably in the county. I was the youngest of six, all sisters. But, I liked my life enough. We certainly weren't rich, but I had fun…I was a great hunter, because my dad wanted me to be mostly, and I was good at anything physical…that day I was hunting alone…" even though he was right, there wasn't much to tell, I found it interesting, I wanted to know.

"Did you…have a girlfriend?"

"No…I had one a few years back, but I didn't feel much…my parents desperately wanted us to be together…Martha"

"Oh…" I nodded. There was still one question on my mind, but I was afraid to ask it. Oh well…I had to know.

"Did you ever…um, you know…" I trailed off

"Simple answer—yes. But it wasn't really because I wanted to. I hate to blame it on my parents, they really were good people. It was after a town party. I wanted something to work out…" for some reason, his answer didn't bother me. It didn't seem to matter anymore, because I was certain he loved me.

"Can I ask some questions?" he asked uncertainly

"I guess…" I hoped he wouldn't ask about Royce

"Did you have a boyfriend? Probably…you're so beautiful…" he sighed, staring shyly into the water.

"Um…yes. I was engaged, actually…but, it…er…didn't work out." Luckily he didn't probe that issue any further.

"And did you…" he seemed as afraid to ask as I was. I didn't no what to say. Yes? No? Not willingly…

"We'll talk about it later…" he never mentioned it again. Until I chose that he know, we never spoke of it.

"Okay. Later" we kissed under the waterfall, the moon seeming to enlarge, making our alabaster skin practically sparkle. I felt a sudden rush. Feeling so light, so happy, was unusual for me. Nothing but the two of us, the moon, and the pouring rain. When we finally returned home, he carried me back.