Chapter 35

Our flight was long and cramped. Because we wanted to go to the West of Africa first we had to fly with a private plane company which meant that all four of us were cramped into a small plane with our back packs. Unfortunately it was also hot, which meant the smell of all our body odour combined with fuel the smell of livestock (our plane previously flew livestock there) the stench was unbearable. Poor Esme spent most the flight with her head between her knees throwing up into a vomit bag. When we landed we practically kissed the ground. The air was dry and the heat was overwhelming. Both Carlisle and Edward had to continuously remind us to drink water and eat even if we weren't hungry. We had hired a jeep that would get us to our required location. We drove through rough terrain; even the towns had ridiculously bumpy roads. Esme and myself were overwhelmed by the amount of people who were starving and poor; children who had vultures waiting by their side for them to die. It was horrible. I could see how Emmet was so passionate about helping them. After 4 hours of driving we came to a stop outside a tent. It was the size of four large 2 car sheds. Carlisle beckoned for us to follow him.

'This is where we should find Emmet. This is the refugee camp we set up supplying basic first aid, immunisations, food and water supplies as well as safe places for mothers to give birth,' he said in a low whisper as we followed him.

'All that fits in here?' Esme asked her voice showing no hidden shock. He nodded and guided us through the tent flaps. It smelt terrible, worse than the plane. We tried to ignore it, but I couldn't help but notice Esme turn a lighter shade of white. Edward wrapped his arm around her shoulder while I stayed close to Carlisle. We walked into a section separated by a sheet and found a woman with long dishwater brown hair studying notes. She looked up and smiled.

'Dr. Cullen,' she greeted with a shocked it expression. He smiled and leaned forward to shake her hand.

'Dr. Aro,' he greeted in return. 'Unfortunately my visit will be short lived, I came to find Emmet,' he said still holding the woman's grubby hand. Her face was disappointed.

'That's a shame,' she said now eyeing us all over. 'You must be Esme,' she said reaching to shake my hand. I let out a nervous laugh and shook my head. Esme stepped forward.

'I'm flattered that my husband's description made you believe I was that young and beautiful,' Esme said stepping forward and winking at me. She extended her hand and the woman shook it.

'This is my son Edward and his fiancé Bella,' Carlisle said sweetly. Edward and I shook the woman's hand.

'I'm Jane Aro, Carlisle left me in charge here when he left,' she said giving as a small amount of background information.

'Jane, I don't mean to be rude but could you tell me where i could find Emmet?' he asked but Janes confused face told us she didn't know.

'Emmet hasn't been here since last year when you were here,' she said cautiously, afraid she was revealing a secret. Esme looked shocked while the rest of us displayed faces of confusion.

'Have you met Rosalie?' Carlisle asked and she shook her head.

'I have seen a million photos and heard so much about her but, no I never had the honour of meeting her,' she said now going back o her paper work.

'Have there been any more camps established in the area recently?' Edward asked stepping up next to Carlisle. I was still shocked at how similar they were. The only difference was their hair and the fact Carlisle was older. Jane nodded

'Two camps, one set up by a man name James Herringbone and the other by a gentleman names Tevy Hale,' she said reviewing a sheet of paper. Esme gasped and Edward smiled.

'Although the Tevy Hale centre is focused very much on children, it was set up less than a month ago. I think it was a young couple,' She said now completely bored as to where the conversation was heading. Carlisle smiled and thanked the woman after taking the map she marked for us. We practically ran to the vehicle and sped off in the direction of the centre. It was a four day trip.

***

When arrived at twilight to a tent that was much smaller than the previous we had visited, tiny in comparison. Out the front was a tattered sign that was obviously made up by young children. We all hopped down from the jeep and walked slowly, coming to a stop at the front of the centre. A small man, no bigger than Alice, sat out the front fast asleep leaning against a banjo.

'We're not in Kansas anymore,' Esme muttered under her breath. Carlisle stepped forward and shook the man gently. Esme pulled out Emmet and Rosalie's wedding photo ready to ask if he had seen them. He opened his eyes and lifted his hat to reveal his dark skin. He spoke in a language I failed to understand. Carlisle responded and Esme showed him the picture. A big grin lit up on his face and he jumped up. Esme took a step back, but was grinning wildly. The man jumped around yelling and Carlisle tried to calm him. I watched in amazed when I felt a tug at my arm. I looked down to see the most adorable little girl, no older than 5 tugging at my sleeve. Her dark black skin highlighted her beautiful and friendly grin. She was now pulling at my arm and I smiled and followed. I saw ahead of me that two little boys were tugging Edward along. I laughed. We got pulled into the tent were we found many children and what appeared to be parents all talking and drawing and learning. I was colourful and pretty, nothing like on the outside. I looked around and absorbed the atmosphere when the little girl let go and ran forward to a lady, who appeared to be her mother. She caught her and smiled, waving kindly to us. Almost although she new us; I looked to Edward and he shrugged. We all began looking around, people accepting us gladly. Many even came to shake our hands or speak to us (which were hard because of the language barrier). I was looking down at a girl's picture when I bumped into Edward who had stopped. I looked up and went to apologise when I saw a large photo blown up on the wall. My jaw dropped as I saw a photo of the whole lot of us at Rosalie and Emmet's wedding. The photo was not the reason Edward had halted. I peered around his body to see something that truly shocked me. Sitting on the floor was the old Rosalie and Emmet. Hair neat, healthy frames and smiling. Between them sat a boy, no older than three, rolling a ball backwards and forwards laughing hysterically. What shocked me most is when the three year old ran into Rosalie's arms and called her Mumma. I saw, in the corner of my eye, that Edward, Carlisle and Esme all wore the same expression. The little boy was adorable he had curly brown hair that had grown out into a little afro, his dark complexion highlighting his sweet dimples and deep chocolate brown eyes. It was hard not to smile when you saw him. Rosalie looked up and saw us and smiled, Emmet did to. He stood up, wiping his backside, causing dust to fall to the ground. His usual, goofy grin was plastered on his face once more.

'I was waiting for you guys to rock up! It's about time,' he joked.

'Who is you little friend?' Esme asked indicating to the little boy who now hid his face in Rosalie's chest.

'This is our son, Neo,' Emmet said smiling. Rosalie kissed the little boys afro as we all looked on shocked.

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Awww i just love this chapter so much, i think this is going to be my favourite......Welcoming Neo into our story, the child that brought our faves Emmet and Rosalie back together....

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