Outtake: Emmett's Letter
Bella's POV
I sat on the edge of the couch, the letter he'd given to me in my hands. He told me it had all of his secrets, but weren't they all already exposed? But, I'd promised him I'd read the letter and I was going to keep that promise. I carefully opened the crinkled envelope and unfolded the paper, revealing the slightly smudged writing of Emmett's. I took a deep breath and began to read.
My Dearest Bella,
By the time you read this, I will be gone. Weather by death, or being a coward and running away. I hope that after reading this...you can come to forgive me for what I've done to you.
For the last five years, I've been deceiving you. Being dishonest with you. I will forever regret my choice to lie to you, to begin a relationship with you because I know that everyday I am with you, I am hurting you. But, it's time I start being honest with you Bella. It's time to face the consequences of my actions, and tell you the truth. I know that when you read the rest of this letter, you will want nothing to do with me and I don't blame you.
Let me start from the beginning.
My name is Emmett David McCarty. I am twenty-nine years old and was born on August 16. My parents, Max and Caroline died in a fire on the night of my graduation and I haven't been the same since. I have an aunt and uncle who have been carrying me through the last five years of my life and I am eternally grateful for them. And I am completely in love with you.
All of that, is the damn truth. You'd better believe that even though I haven't been making the best choice, that I love you and I will until I die. Weather that be tomorrow or fifty years from now. I will always love you.
But, I have one secret. One big secret I've been keeping from you. I've been telling you from the beginning that I am a lonely child. I would love if those words that came from my mouth were true, but they aren't. And although I have never met this half-brother, you have.
His name is Edward Anthony Masen...or Edward McCary on his birth certificate.
My father fell in love thirty one years ago, and had a son with a girl named Elizabeth Johnson. But, he never got to see his son grow up since she took him from him when he was two years old. My father was devestated, but he was able to move on, and meet my mother, Caroline. Again, my father managed to get my mother pregnant before they were married, but made if official, two weeks after I was born at a small ceremony in the park.
I grew up knowing I had a brother, but he never meant anything to me. My father would send child-support checks, and receive pictures of his son every year for school, but I never knew who Edward was. Never met him, never sent him a birthday card...never really wanted to.
Eighteen years went by and I had the perfect life. I had two wonderful parents who spoiled me since I was their only kid. A best friend who was right next door. Good grade. Captain of the football and baseball team. I was a fucking prince in Gatlinburg. But, none of that mattered the night of my graduation...the night of the fire. Since you already know the story, I won't bore you. But, that really was the day everything changed for me.
I ignored Carlisle's offers to come and stay with them. I pushed away Esme's kind hand reaching out towards me. I turned into a coward and ran. I ran for days before finally breaking down, and stopping in some cow field.
It wasn't until I was twenty-three that I met my worst nightmare. James. At first, he was a cool guy. He welcomed me into his..."group" with no hesitation and began taking advantage of my size. Although I didn't always agree with what they were doing, I ended up getting money for food and I wasn't complaining. I did what I had to to survive. That was that.
But, then James told us of his brilliant idea to rob a bunch of houses who's owners were away for Forth of July weekend. I reluctantly agreed, and followed what he did. However, I stopped agreeing with what he was doing when I heard the stomping of feet on the upper floor, signaling someone was home. I tried to pull them out, but James was there to play games, not run.
I tried stopping him, but James did what he wanted, and he wanted to kill the man. I would later realize that man was Edward. My brother. I looked up and saw the picture of him with a beautiful girl who looked to be pregnant, even if she wasn't far along. It was then I realized how bad the situation was and decided to leave James. He kicked me out of the truck and I willingly agreed.
I began making my way to Forks where the only family I had left were. It was there my life got back on track, and I began gaining weight again.
But, then I was asked a favor from Carlisle...help one of his friends unload a moving truck. A new girl was moving in with Jasper and Alice, a couple I'd grown close to in the short time I was there. While helping her unload the truck, I began looking at the distinct qualities on the girls face. Her beautiful eyes, the sliht bump in her nose, the paleness of her skin. She looked so familiar, but I had no clue of ever seeing her before.
As you can already guess, that beautiful girl was you, Bella.
It wasn't until Christmas time that I figured out who you were. That I figured out who Aiden was. I wanted to run. I wanted to turn myself in. But, I couldn't. I was selfish and didn't want to go to jail for the crime I didn't really commit. I was a coward.
It was James who killed Jasper and Rosalie's entire family. He killed them for revenge on me. To get me back to kill. Kill me for leaving and possibly selling him out.
I've lived in fear for five years, Bella. Fear of James. Fear of being killed. Fear of losing anyone else I loved. And...fear of losing you Bella.
But, as I write this letter, I know I've already lost you. I should have never lied to you, or began a relationship with you in the first place.
But, you have to know that I love you. More than anyone has ever loved you before. Nothing I've done can prove that wrong. You were it for me, Bella and you always will be.
Love,
Emmett
I finished reading the letter and let it fall to the ground. I'd already figured most of this out as time went on last week. But, to hear it in his words...to hear his voice as I read this made me feel terrible. Emmett was gone and although he'd kept so much from me, he still loved me. And I still loved him.