Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairings, etc.

Part 3/5

Part III

Rosalie & Emmett

"This was a good idea Bella had, don't you think?"

I looked up at Emmett out of the corner of my eye. I was still trying to decide if I liked the noise, the closely-packed human bodies, and most of all the smells. "Sure," I said.

"Aw, c'mon, Rose! When was the last time we did something like this? Don't you like shopping, or -- something?"

"This is a fair," I replied. "It's not a shopping mall."

Emmett rolled his eyes. "But there are things for sale here. It's like a shopping mall -- but better." He meaningfully eyed the rides in the distance.

I brushed my fingers through my long blonde hair. I hated the thought of going on those and getting it all messed up. "It is fun to be out and about," I admitted. "I love our family, but sometimes it's nice to be normal."

"Exactly," Emmett said, pleased that I agreed with him. He stopped suddenly, pulling me to a halt next to him. "Ooh," he said.

I followed his gaze. "Emmett--"

"I won't cheat, I promise," he said quickly.

I looked at his pleading features, then at the odd looking machine he was gazing longingly at. A tacky sign next to it proclaimed in gaudily-colored letters: Strength-o-meter. From what I gathered, one was to hit a small circle with a hammer (which was provided), and if the little dial registered a number high enough, a prize would be won. "Okay," I sighed. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind Emmett showing off just a little. He needed a little boost to his ego after all the times Bella beat him in arm wrestling in her first newborn year.

Emmett soundly kissed me atop my head. I stood back, watching as he grasped the hammer. He critically examined the little circle, hauled back the hammer, then hit it. It was wimpy for him, considering his vampire strength, but the little dial dinged, and a bright light flashed on and off. Strong for a human.

I grinned. "That's my strong man," I murmured, just loudly enough for Emmett's ears. He went to collect his prize, chuckling. I stayed put, examining the machine. It would be nice to hit it, just once, and prove that I, too, was strong. . .

. . .But I wouldn't. I didn't want to draw too much attention.

Emmett returned to me, hands behind his back. "Look what I won for you!" he said, smug.

"What?" I asked.

He thrust something big and fluffy into my arms. I stared, momentarily aghast, at the giant brown stuffed teddy bear he'd handed me. I immediately got the joke, and hugged the huge thing to my chest. "Thank you, Emmett," I said. Shifting the bear, I wrapped my free arm around my other teddy bear. "You're the best."

Emmett looked at the bear out of the corner of his eye speculatively. I turned my body slightly, hugging it to my chest. "My teddy," I warned. "Not to be eaten."

My husband grinned, teeth glistening in the light. "I know," he said. "I'm just trying to decide whether I should be jealous or not."

I leaned into him, snuggling my face against his strong chest. "No, Emmett," I told him. For the first time in a very long time, I was happy being a vampire, living this strange but wonderful life with him. "You'll always be my favorite bear."

-End Part III-

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