Once again, you guys completely astound me. You are the greatest reviewers & readers...EVER! You guys completely rock my face off. (:

Sorry for the delay; blame it on the teacher who decided I didn't have a good enough grade, so she decided to give me like a stack of worksheets. :(

Anyway, I know it's a short chapter. Next one will be probably twice as long! & I know I told you some of you guys that they wouldn't be together until like 2 more chapters, but I couldn't help myself! Now, they aren't completely in a relationship, but it's close. They WILL be an official couple...soon!

Hm, oh yeah. This is probably the only chapter that will have a song reference...and it was only 'cause I thought the song related really well to Emmett's POV.

Soo, no more talking...and lets get more Em/Bella lovin'!

I love you guys! -A.M

Inspired By: With Arms Wide Open by Creed

" Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face.."

Emmett POV

My chest was tight and I was positive that I wasn't breathing. The burning in my lungs being the only indication. I needed to get my breathing in check, but it was impossible.

She's pregnant.

That's all that kept running through my head, nothing else mattered except for the fact that Bella was pregnant. With my child.

This was going to change things, I wasn't sure if for the good or the bad, but it definitely was going to change something. I really hoped it was for the better, this could be my one opportunity to show her that I cared about her, that I wanted her in my life.

"Emmett? Say something....please."

Taking a much needed breath, I snapped my eyes to Bella, and noticed that she was looking at me with concern in her eyes. The rim of her eyes were red and her cheeks were blotchy. I wanted to hug her and kiss her and just...be with her. "You're pregnant?" I managed to ask in a quiet whisper, still too much in shock to speak any louder.

She bit her lip and nodded, "yeah."

Suddenly, everything was spinning, my lungs couldn't get enough air. And then, everything went black. Even in my coma-like state, everything that kept running through my head was; She's pregnant.

I could hear my name being called, but my body didn't want to respond to me. I wanted to wake up, I wanted to tell Bella that everything was going to be okay. I needed her to know it was going to be alright.

"Emmett....Emmett."

Were those angels? It was a soft melodic voice and it kept calling my name. I struggled a little bit more, before I finally opened my eyes. I took in my surroundings, and immediately was confused when the first thing I saw was Bella's face, and...the sky?

What the hell?

"Oh thank god! You're awake. I was about to call the paramedics. You were out cold!" Bella said, helping me sit up.

So that's why I was starring at the sky. HM, well it was a nice view anyway. I stayed quiet, just starring ahead of me to the guest house out back that Rosalie and Edward had.

Wait, why had I passed out?

Oh, right. Bella...baby...dad....pregnant.

I let out a long breath, a small smile playing at my lips as I just stared at her. She didn't look away. "Do you hate me?" She finally asked, after a while of silence.

"What?" I asked breathlessly.

She then looked away, biting at that goddamn lip again. "I asked if you hate me? I know you're barely coming out of a marriage...and here I am, telling you I'm pregnant. I'd completely understand if you did."

I rubbed my face roughly. Why the hell would I hate her for that?Was she insane. Why in the world would I hate her for that, did I give the impression that I did hate her. "Bella," I said as calmly as I could. She didn't look at me, so I crouched in front of her and held her face by her chin until she looked at me. Her brown eyes pleading, for what, I didn't know. "I could never hate you, do you understand me? I don't hate you. You surprised me, that's all."

Tears spilled down her eyes, and I used the pad of my thumb to wipe them away. "I want this, Bella. I want to stick by you...not only for the baby, but for you too. Ever since the day we met, I can't seem to take you out of my head. I think about you constantly." I sighed, "do you think we can work something ou, between us?"

I held my breath as I saw her contemplate what I had just asked her. I wanted her to know that no matter what, I wanted to be there for her, for our child.

~#$%#%^&

Bella POV

He was here. He knew about the baby, and didn't run away. I didn't know if I should be happy or not. I was happy for the fact that he actually cared, that he didn't plan on denying it, saying it wasn't his kid. On the other hand, I had sort of wished he had run away, I didn't want him to think that I was trying to trap him into something, especially now that he was getting a divorce. I didn't need his pity, or anyone else's for that matter.

But, the fact that he wanted to try and work something between us was just...incredible. My mind was telling me to say 'yes, Emmett! I want to try something between us.'but I wasn't sure if that was the right decidsion.

I didn't even know him all that well, we just slept together and now I was pregnant. Nothing else to it. As I looked at him kneeling in front of me, I knew that I had to at least give him a chance. If things didn't work out, well then...we would cross that bridge when we came to it. I really hoped we could work though, our baby deserved that much. Or at the least we could try and be on good terms with each other.

My throat felt dry, I couldn't say what I wanted to so I just nodded and whispered a faint, "Yes."

The blinding smile that graced his features was enough to reassure me that I made the correct decision. And when he wrapped me up in a tight hug, I almost cried because I couldn't believe I almost didn't tell him about it. I was stupid enough to think that he would be one of those lousy guys who would of run away scared. Obviously, I was wrong to judge him so quickly.

Instead of over thinking too much, I slid my arms up over his chest and around his neck. Pulling him closer to me. It felt so right, like he was the missing piece to a puzzle. That's how perfect he felt in my arms. And I so desperately wished he felt the same about me. He nuzzled his face into my neck and whispered, "Thank you" before placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

The burning sensation left me wanting for him to kiss me somewhere else, but I quickly rid myself of those thoughts.

It was wrong, and I knew it.

----------------

Emmett, asked all kinds of question. He mostly wanted to know how was the baby and when was my last appointment. I answered him everything and I watched as his eyes brightened up when I told him I had to have another appointment next month. He asked if he could tag along, and I happily accepted. It would be nice to have him there with me in the exam room when they did another ultrasound.

When I shivered, Emmett noticed and suggested we go back inside. I wanted to decline, but it really was getting cold outside. He put the blanket back in its place and then linked his fingers through mine as he pulled me inside with him. "Is this okay?" He asked, looking at our joined hands.

I nodded, "Yeah."

He smirked and pulled me towards the kitchen where he grabbed a beer for him, and a water bottle for me. The house had gotten packed while we were outside, there was barely any room to walk in. There were people passed out on the floor, some on the bar stools and there was one girl passed out in the hallway. Shaking my head, I unscrewed my water and took a long drink. All the talking had made me thirsty.

"Come on," Emmett said, leading me towards an empty bar stool. I followed behind him willingly, wanting to spend as much time as I could with him. It was about to be midnight and I was exhausted, this pregnancy was really taking it's toll on me.

I sat on the barstool, as Emmett stood in front of me. A bottle of beer in one hand, the other wrapped around my waist. I set my water on the counter behind me, and played with his short hair, it was getting long, but I liked it either way. His eyes fluttered close, and he 'hmmd' as I scratched his scalp softly. I spotted, Alice across the room and she gave me a meaningful glance, I just smiled and nodded making her beam happily at me.

------------

"Emmett?" I asked, we were both swaying to a song I didn't quite recognized. It was beautiful though, and it made my hear flutter when Emmett would wrap his arms tighter around me.

Emmett looked down at me, since he was way taller, and cocked his head in question. "Yeah?"

"Can you give me a ride home? I'm getting tired, and I have to work early tomorrow."

I didn't want to whine, but I really was exhausted. These heels weren't helping anything either. I was lucky that I didn't have classes tomorrow, but I did have work which was way worse than having to sit in a lecture hall for almost two hours. I would much rather be doing that, but I could also use the extra money from the restaurant.

~#$%#%^&

Emmett POV

I walked behind Bella as she went looking for her roommate, Angela to tell her she was leaving already. I could tell she was exhausted, she had dark circles under her eyes and it looked like she couldn't walk anymore. Her feet were dragging on the soft plush carpet, and I kept an arm around her waist just in case she decided to pass out. Which hopefully she wouldn't.

Finally, we found Angela and Ben sitting out front on the patio drinking a beer. Angela was sitting on Ben's lap, and they were making out like horny teenagers, almost like how I wanted to kiss my Bella.

I cleared my throat, and watched as they both nearly jumped out of their skin and then blushed when they saw it was Bella and I. "Hey, sorry to interrupt," Bella said, "I just wanted to tell you Emmett's taking me home. Did you want a ride or will you catch one with Ben?"

Angela, slightly smirked. "Oh, I'm spending the night at Ben's place...so go ahead and get comfortable." I didn't miss the way she stressed the last word, and I couldn't help but chuckle as Bella blushed a deep tomato red, making her look even more beautiful.

She glared at Angela and then stomped away shouting a hard 'Good bye' at them. I shrugged, and ran after her, throwing my arm around her shoulders. "Bella, you okay?"

She just nodded, but didn't slow down her pace until we reached my truck, and I let go of her just long enough to unlock the door and help her into her seat. I didn't want her slipping of and hurting herself or the baby. The baby. I smiled just thinking that our child was growing in her belly and in just seven months we would be able to hold him.

"Emmett? Hello...you there?" Coming back to the present, I shook my head and kissed her forhead then shut the door and ran to my side.

-----

"Want to grab lunch tomorrow?" I asked Bella. We were standing outside her apartment, I was just trying to come up with an excuse to stay with her a little longer, but I knew I would have to let her go sooner or later.

Bella leaned her head against her door, a smile playing at her lips. "Sure, I'll take my lunch around noon or something. Here, let me see your phone."

I gave her my phone and she typed her number into it. I didn't see her with a purse so I assumed she had left her phone at home. A few seconds later, she handed my phone back to me and she pulled a key from the plant next to her door. I look at her in amusement and she blushed, "I forget my key all the time, I figured I might as well hide one outside."

A chuckle escaped my lips, and she glared at me as she unlocked her door. "Thank you for the ride...and for understanding...umm, I'll see you tomorrow?" And shy Bella was back with a vengeance. I couldn't help but smile as she bit on her lip nervously, fidgeting with her fingers as a deep blush spread over her chest, up her throat, and then to her cheeks.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow..." we both stood akwardly there, not knowing exactly what to do. I mean, I know what I wanted to do, but what she now officially my girlfriend? Or were we just friends...trying work a relationship? I had no idea, but I knew I would ask her tomorrow. I went the safe way, and I just wrapped her up in a tight hug.

I wanted to stand like that forever with her, she was my home. I didn't need to go back to my parents house, that's all it was. A house. Bella was my home. And though I would of gladly stayed -if she had asked- I knew it would be a bad idea. We had to take things a step at a time. Make things work and fall into place.

"Good night, Bella." I said, unwrapping my arms from her thin waist.

She clung to my neck, and before I could think of what was happening. Her lips touched mine softly, I was going to respond, when they were suddenly gone. "Good night, Emmett." She walked inside and shut the door, leaving me there stunned speechless.

~#$%#%^&

The Next Day.....

Bella POV

Mimi's had been packed all day, out of all days it seemed like everyone decided they wanted to eat there today. Thankfully, Emmett had text me last night so I had saved his number on my phone, because with the restaurant this busy, I had to call and cancel lunch with me. I was disappointed because I had really been looking forward to spending more time with him. Last night really had me craving his presence.

Instead of lunch, we decided on going out to the movies and maybe the fair that was in town. He wanted to pick me up at six so we could have enough time to choose a movie and buy snacks.

When my shift ended at four, I quickly clocked out, and practically sprinted to my car. If I hurried, I would have enough time to take a shower and style my hair nicely.

Whoa, where did that come from?

Yeah, it was official. Emmett McCarty was making me want to look pretty for him. Smiling, I turned off the engine when I arrived at my apartment building, I could see Angela's white beetle, so I knew she was home.

----

"Hey, Bella you home?"

I jumped as Angela's voice came floating through my bedroom door. I hadn't seen her when I came in, so I had gone straight to the shower. "Um, yeah " I called out, "come in."

The door opened and she went to sit on my bed as I brushed out my tangled wet hair. "With Emmett?"

What?! How did she know?

I bit my bottom lip, "yeah...how did you know?"

"Well, you two looked pretty comfortable last night," she shrugged, putting her arms behind her and leaning back. "I'm pretty observant when I want to be, I can tell you guys have some kind of...connection. I think you're pretty cute together."

I blushed. "Th-thanks?" It came out sounding more like a question.

----

By 5:57, I was ready to head out. Angela helped me choose my outfit. Knowing we were just going to the movies, she went with casual. A black pair of jeans, with my hot pink Ed Hardy tank and my pink converse was what I was going to wear tonight. Since it was a little cold, she paired it off with a my black Juicy hoodie --all compliments of Alice. Of course. I had left my hair down, with minimal make up. Just a bit of eyeliner and lip gloss. Blush wasn't necessary with me.

When the doorbell rang at exactly seven o'clock, I wasn't surprised. He had assured me he would be here at the exact time he told me, which made me just want to kiss him. He was dependable.

Angela pushed me out to open the door, taking a deep breath and brushing over my clothes making sure everything was perfect, I swung the door open only to have my breath hitch.

Emmett was standing there, looking as handsome as ever even though he was dressed casually also. He wore regular jeans, with a white and light blue striped polo and white tennis shoes. I may have been ogling him freely, but I could feel his eyes on me also, which made me feel a little bit better.

"Bella," he said, making my eyes snap to his.

He had a dimpled smile on his face, making me smile at him too. "Hi," I breathed out.

"You ready?"

Nodding my head, I grabbed my purse from the kitchen counter and said a quick good-bye to Angela who was smirking at me from her bedroom door. Emmett took my hand and led us out to his truck. I wondered if he was even cold since he didn't have a sweater or coat on him. We talked about our day and played 20 questions the whole ten minute drive to the theater. I learned that he was a contractor and worked for his dad, although he was soon going to inherit the company. That's why he was on his way home the day we met, he had gone to see about a new building they were working on in Canada. His favorite color was blue, Joseph and his birthday were only three days apart. At the moment he was living with his parents --he said so while blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. I learned he did that only when he was either uncomfortable or embarrassed. I found it cute.

He asked me about Charlie and Sue, since he already knew Sue was my step-mom. I told him they were okay, Charlie was working as a detective for LAPD and Sue was now teaching at a local elementary school. I told him about finding a new job because baby didn't like Mimi's, and he responded by chuckling and saying 'thats my boy!" why he thought it would be a boy, I had no idea, but I enjoyed watching his reaction.

"You could always work where I do, you wouldn't have to do many things, and you get to stay off your feet."

I laughed thinking he was playing around. "You think I'm playing? I'm not. Really, we need a new receptionist anyway...if you want...I know the boss and he could hook you up." He winked, letting me know he would give me the job if I wanted it.

It would be nice to see him everyday, but I knew that a work and personal relationship wouldn't really work out. "We'll see." I simply said.

Hate It....Love it? Either way let me know! It wasn't my best chapter....but nothing else really worked. :(

Next chapter: Bella & Emmetts Movie date...and a small surprise. :D

These are the most voted names... in no particular order! Lets get those votes a' comin'

7 months for baby McCarty to be here (NO IT WILL NOT TAKE ME 7 MONTHS TO WRITE IT OUT!)

Girl Names || Boy Names

Amy || Liam

Lexi || Matt

Arianna || Jason

Natasha || Peter

Hope || Caleb

Anna Claire || Emmett Jr.

Anna Rose || Zac

Isabel || Callum

Amy || Jayden

Noelle || Colton

Amelia || Wyatt

Mikayla || Bentley

Madison || Christopher

Kassidy || Aiden

Alyanna || Dakota

Adelyn || Leonardo

Crystal || Jaylen

Ashlynn || Xavier

Reviews make Emmett happy! (: