Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I'm just an uninvited guest swimming in her pool.

Warning: This chapter contains discussion of a controversial matter. It is not meant to offend or to sway any beliefs. It's just Emmett--he can't help it.


The Path We Chose

Chapter 22: Neptune's Tide

"Do you want to go to Prom?" Edward was looking at me through the mirror, dragging a razor over his creamy white lathered face. I wondered how many girls had been asked to Junior Prom by their sexy, half-dressed boyfriend while he shaved before school. Only the lucky ones.

"No, thank you."

"I didn't think so, but I had to ask. I'm taking you out, though."

"Are we going to see The Cliffs like on Homecoming night?" I was seated sideways on the lidded toilet watching him--just being with him. He would leave for school soon and I wouldn't see him again until 3:00. No more lunch. No more Health. No more rides to and from school. And on the days he worked, it could be 7:00 before I saw him again. Nearly twelve anti-Edward hours. This was not an adjustment I was looking forward to making.

"No," he laughed. "I won't be subjecting you to that on prom night. I think you should wear a dress, though. You can bring a change of clothes if you want."

"Can I wear flats?"

"What are those?"

"Dress shoes without heels."

"Oh, yeah. Yes, that's a good idea. Definitely wear flats." He rinsed his razor and then it raked the other side of his face leaving a trail of smooth skin in it's wake.

"What shirt do you want to wear today? I'll get it for you."

"The gray T-shirt."

"My favorite!" I went to his closet to grab it for him.

"You say that about all my T-shirts."

"That's because they all fit you just so."I came back with his shirt slung over my arm. "No putting it on until you're ready to walk out the door, mister" I said, holding it tight to me. He turned and kissed the tip of my nose, blotting my mouth with shaving cream from his chin. I pressed my lips to his shoulder and rubbed the cream right off.

"Mmmm," he said. "I like it when you're in here with me in the morning."

"Me too."

7:15 came too quickly. I walked him to the door. "Remember that you promised to stay out of trouble. You're going to talk to Jessica calmly and non-threateningly, right?"

"Yes, mother."

I put my tongue in his mouth, kissing him goodbye, reminding him that I wasn't his mother. Then I rubbed my cheek against his clean shaven one. The next time I'd feel it, hours upon hours later, it wouldn't be near as smooth. I handed him the gray shirt but before he could put it on, I ran my hands over his chest and up to his neck. His eyes closed and he let out a sigh. "The things you do to me in the morning. You're better than caffeine."

He pulled his shirt on and I smiled, turning away. I wanted the Shirtless-Edward image savored in my head.

I waited until Edward left to shower and dress. Shortly after, the doorbell rang and I answered it with wet hair. It was Emmett. "Why aren't you at school?" I asked

"Hello, to you too, B. I need to talk to you but you never answer your phone or call me back."

"Sorry, I didn't get your messages. I broke my phone. What's so important? Come in." I moved aside to let him in, but instead he picked me up like I was a doll and spun me around. "We may have found Edward a scholarship," he said, setting me down.

"Seriously?! How?"

"My dad knows of this local group of old, rich, Stanford Alumni who offer a small number of full scholarships per year."

"How small?"

"Three."

"Just three? That's not very promising."

"No, but my dad thinks Edward has a good chance because he is local, he has the GPA, and his, uh special circumstances." He pointed to my stomach. "This group, they're trying to grow and they need more notoriety. Awarding someone in Edward's circumstance could give them what they're looking for. Especially if he is successful with it, which he will be. Wait, don't hug me yet. The main Alumnus who founded the scholarship, Aro something or other, has agreed to meet with us at his house in Port Angeles. My dad is sending along a letter recommending Edward for the scholarship and he thinks it would be a good idea to get your dad to write one, too. You know, being the Chief of police and all. Okay, now hug me."

So I did. I jumped on him because he was fun to jump on. He was strong and quick to catch me and didn't stumble or even take a step. He laughed and set me back on my feet for the second time in a matter of minutes.

"I'll get a letter from my dad right away. When do we meet this Aro guy?"

"Saturday at two. Can you get away from your ever-present protector?"

"Yes! I need a non-prom dress, anyway."

Edward would be working on Saturday so I wouldn't even need to make up a lie to get away. I'd purely use the power of omission. That's what I'd told Emmett, but due to my bones nearly bursting from my skin in anxious excitement, lie-avoidance was easier said than done.

"What's up with you?" Edward said when he arrived home from school. I'd been waiting outside for him and pulled him out of the car and into a kiss before he'd had a chance to turn off the ignition. It turned off anyway, stalling, as soon as his foot came off the clutch.

"I'm happy to see you. How was school?"

"Awful and tedious without you. I never realized how many couples there are at school until you weren't there. Everything reminded me of you and I even thought I saw you a few times."

"And Jessica?"

"She's taken care of. Don't worry about her. But I am no longer Edward, I am now Daddy to one and all. They think it bothers me but they're wrong and not a little disappointed when all it does is make me laugh. Jessica is not the one who directly spread the news, though. It seems she told Lauren who made sure everyone else was well-filled in, but Jessica acted in complete surprise as though she hadn't known before she shoved you."

"Come here, Daddy," I said pulling his neck into a hug and hopping up and down a few times.

"This is because you're happy to see me? You're bouncing. What else is going on?"

My mind was never one to work quickly in moments like these so I just looked at him for a minute waiting for something acceptable to come to mind. When nothing did, I smiled and shrugged.

"Seems your day was better than mine." He kissed me. "I'm glad."

The morning Edward had told me I'd need a dress, Emmett was the last person I thought would end up dress shopping with me. I didn't tell him until we were on the road that I needed a new bra, too. Emmett turned the stereo down shortly after he pulled out of the Cullens' driveway.

"Let's mind-wrestle." He said it all mischievously like a kid might say, let's get into trouble. Emmett is the only teenager I've ever known who would rather argue over controversial subjects in the car than listen to music. I was near positive he didn't listen to music when he was driving alone, either. I was convinced he listened to talk radio.

"No way."

"Come on. I'm having withdrawals. I've got the shakes; I'm jonesin'. Save me with a fix, B. Besides you owe me this. I am going into a lingerie shop for you today."

"Emmett, you and I both know you're going to enjoy the hell out of that."

"Okay, but I also have to go to a dress shop, and until today the phrase 'dress shop' wasn't a part of my vocabulary. Gay marriage."

"What?"

"Yea or Nay?"

I knew it would never be that simple. No way would he leave it at a yes or no answer. "I don't believe it's my business who one person decides to marry."

"Come on, B." He frowned at me. "You have to have an opinion. When I say 'wedding,' what immediately comes to mind, a bride and groom, or a groom and groom, or what?"

I sighed and looked out the window. All forest, we still had a ways to go. "Bride and groom, but that's only because it's more common." I knew I would regret stepping onto his game board but I also knew he wouldn't put it away until I did. And I was stuck in his car with no escape.

"Well, what about the future repercussions that some people argue may follow the national legalization of gay marriage? You know, the effect on children, the changing views of the traditional family, polygamy--"

"Polygamy?" I turned from the window to look at him. I was his pawn now and he knew it. I saw his knightly smile--strong and assured and ready to draw his sword for battle. "What does Polygamy have to do with it?"

"Some people seem to fear that legalized gay marriage is a gateway, if you will, to legalizing polygamy and other such subjects--subjects I won't even mention in front you and your blush. These people like to paint a scary Pandora's-box-picture. Fear. But fear is a distinct issue in its own right."

"No, no, no, Emmett. I've taken a dip in your 'fear' issue already. One issue today and that's it. How can you even argue polygamy, anyway? Marriage is between two people, not three or four."

"Sure, B, just as some people would say marriage is an institution solely involving a man and a woman. How can you define marriage one way to serve your purpose and not expect someone else to re-define marriage to serve a similar purpose?"

"I don't see a similarity between homosexuality and polygamy, but if you're saying the similarity is marriage in general, I guess it's kind of like stealing. If I steal a pack of gum or a book, nothing will really happen to me. Maybe I'll have to pay a fine. But if I steel a car, then that's a felony. It's two different matters with unique outcomes, and thievery being the one similarity."

"Well, now you're talking about perspective. Depending on a person's perspective, someone could use your same analogy to argue against gay marriage."

"All I know is I don't want anyone telling me I can't marry the man I love, and I won't do that to anybody else, either." I rested my head against the window, hoping I was done.

"Isn't that what you're doing when you discredit polygamy? How do you know they are not in love as well?"

"Emmett! What is wrong with you? Do you believe all this? Where do you stand on gay marriage?"

"Equality, baby."

"Then why do you do that? Why put me through all this?"

"It's fun." He laughed. "No, seriously, I like to examine the thought process. The way the mind works fascinates me. All those hidden ideas that come to the forefront of your mind when something you believe in is being pushed up against a wall. It's amazing how many different avenues people take in arguing their points. Some are desperate and go to extremes to get their point across, using volume or anger. But a lot of the time, people completely filter what they say out loud. You, for instance."

"Me?"

"Clearly you're a people pleaser, which is why you never directly took a stance. Either that, or you really can't stand losing." I just looked at him with wide eyes because he was exactly right on both counts. He caught me eying him and stopped laughing. "Okay, so what would you have said if someone raised the polygamy argument with you?" I asked.

"I already dropped that hint. You shot it down."

"What was it?"

"Fear. I would say that homosexuality and polygamy are two completely separate issues and should be handled accordingly. I would also call the person out on using an assumption or hypothetical situation as a scare tactic to win an argument. Nobody is going to make me question my convictions using fear. That is a manipulative low blow. I would ask said person to make a far more intelligent point that would be worthy of my consideration. False fear is never going to do it."

I put my head in my hands. Ah, why didn't I think of that? Mind-wrestling 101, straight from Edward: Question Emmett's intelligence for the win.

"Don't worry, B. You got a lot further on this subject than Alice did."

"What did she say?"

"She said, 'gay is gay, straight is straight, leave me alone'." He made his voice all squeaky, sounding nothing at all like Alice. But I could hear her say those words, anyway.

I laughed.

"Oh, well, clearly between Alice and me, she is the smarter one. And what did Rosalie say? " I assumed he'd given this conversation the whole circle.

"She said if she was a man she'd marry me, and then she kissed me. She won that round. She was right. I didn't give a shit what gender she was. I just wanted her tongue in my mouth."

We knocked on Aro's door at 1:59. We'd arrived early and waited on the street until the Jeep's green numbers read exactly 1:59. I held my stomach while waiting, overtaken by queasiness. I couldn't be sure if it was due to the pregnancy or the anticipation of meeting someone who held such a high card in Edward's education. How out of reach would he hold that card, and would he hand it over?

"Bella? Are you feeling okay?"

"Well, I might vomit, but other than that I'm perfect."

"Did you eat something disagreeable?"

"Emmett, these days all food is disagreeable. Just…you have to stop talking about it for a minute." I leaned my head on the dashboard and shut my eyes.

"Here," Emmett nudged my arm and offered me his bottled water. I took a long sip--I drank all that was left.

"Thanks." I rested my head back against the seat now, waiting and praying that my nausea would dissipate.

"B? You look like a ghost. What else can I do?"

"Just wait. I think it will go away."

He lowered the window and instantly I knew that was exactly what I needed. I tilted toward the open air and took in a deep breath of jasmine, pine and fresh-cut lawn.

"It's time. Are you any better?"

"I think so." This was not a predictable science. The waves of nausea could come and go at any given moment. They were not ruled by the moon or any other logical force. Most frustrating was that I was now in the early stages of my second trimester. This morning sickness was supposed to have subsided by now. I opened the door and stepped out anyway.

The house was massive, towering over the old ash trees out front. It made the Cullen's house look like a shack, and it was reminiscent of a Victorian-style hotel more so than a house. Aro met us at the door. I was surprised he didn't have a doorman, Lurch or Gieves or something. He shook our hands and invited us in. We followed him the distance to his study where we sat in plaid chairs facing his desk. Since his study resided in the middle of the house, there were no windows. Everything was dark--walls, furniture, carpet. Even the desk-light he turned on was dim. It was a stained-glass Tiffany-style lamp that gave off a quiet yellow-orange glow. I noticed he had an overhead light with a ceiling fan but he didn't turn that on. I told the man with the gray hair and the generous scholarship up his sleeve about Edward's potential, his daddy situation, and just how much he deserved this opportunity. And then I swallowed hard the saliva that filled my mouth.

Emmett gave him the letter from his dad and I gave him the letter from mine. Just like my dad, Aro played with his mustache corners while he read the letters under the dim light. He grabbed for his glasses. I thought maybe he should grab for the light switch. He looked very ominous reading the letters under the golden glow, the light illuminating only one side of his face. I could see the reflection of the light in his glasses. It reminded me of fire.

"Impressive," he said. "It's rare that others come for a scholarship on behalf of someone else. I've never experienced this. Why isn't Mr. Cullen here?" He took his glasses off again.

I had no idea what to say to that. I couldn't tell him Edward was reluctant to go to Stanford because of the baby or that he would give it up in an instant for me so I'd come here on his behalf. Luckily for me and Edward, Emmett spoke up.

"Edward Cullen is the type of person who is always doing for other people. He is generous at heart and we wanted to show him our appreciation." He was sitting up straight and confident, not slumped down in the chair like me. His arms rested on the armrests and his fingers did not fidget at the edges like mine. I sat up straight and stopped my fingers, listening to Emmett continue. "He planned on applying for the scholarship through Stanford, but that opportunity is a narrow one and we weren't sure how much further those walls would close due to his fatherhood situation. We have yet to tell him about your scholarship. We want to surprise him with this opportunity. His birthday is next month. If he is a candidate, it would be the perfect present." I just gaped at Emmett. He had never ceased to astonish me ever since I'd first met him. I would be hard-pressed to find anyone more unpredictable than him.

Aro reached for something in a desk drawer--a thick manila envelope. He handed it to me. "Here is his application and instructional forms. He will have to submit two essays, and he will have to prove his commitment more so than anyone else because of his situation. You've provided his transcripts but I will need his file, as well, listing his extra-curricular activities and an illustration of his dedication and commitment. We cannot offer this Scholarship to a liability. We will not waste anyone's time or money, nor will we bump anyone else out of the way for a 'maybe'. There are three others on the council, as we call it, who take part in the decision process. Of course, we will have to meet him for an interview, but I will tell you, if he interviews well and proves he is all that I have heard and read of him today, I believe he has a strong chance here."

I wanted to scream and hug him but I didn't. I just shook his hand, thanked him, and waited to celebrate with Emmett when we were out of earshot.

"Emmett! I can't believe you, you crazy mind-wrestling weirdo! Edward is going to owe you big time!"

"Don't jump around so much--the baby." He laughed. "And, no, he doesn't owe me. You better not tell him that. You know how he gets when he thinks he owes someone. I did this as much for me as I did for him. This was mine and Edward's plan and now it is back in action." He lifted me up and gave me a big bear hug, as if he hadn't just warned me of my own behavior regarding baby. "B, you're the little sister I never knew I always wanted."

"Damn, Emmett, are you this gentle with Rosalie, too?" I asked once my feet were steady on Earth.

"Oh, you'd be surprised what Rosalie can handle."

"Please, I don't want to hear about it." I opened my car door. "Now, take me to the shops, I need a dress and a bra."

Emmett in a lingerie shop greatly rivals the image of a kid in a candy store. I laughed every time I looked at him with his wide-eyed grin. I saw him sneak touches of the silkies and the lacies hanging on chrome racks. We both made a purchase. At the counter I gave him an eyebrow-raise. He raised his right back, "Blonds in red," was all he said. In the dress shop, however, he was different. He just plopped himself down in a chair, bored already, the minute we walked in. Luckily for him, I wasn't much of a shopper and bought the first dress that fit me. It was a long, blue, silk, strapless, slip of a dress, really. It looked more like a nightgown than a dress--something I may have been able to find back at the lingerie shop. But it flowed nicely over the stomach and didn't make me look pregnant. I paid more money than I'm sure it was worth, feeling guilty that I still hadn't replaced the phone I broke.

When Emmett dropped me off at the Cullens' I told him I would surprise Edward with our Stanford news next weekend on our non-prom date.

"What is it with you two? Why can't you just go to school functions like regular people?"

"Edward and I are not regular."

"So you're going to bail on us like you did Valentine's Day?"

"We didn't bail. That was the day." I glanced at my stomach. Amazing how much is beheld in a simple glance. I opened my door, then turned to look at him. "How was V-day, anyway?" My smile showed him I already knew.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on. You brought it up. Did you skate? Did you fall? Did you wobble? I bet you wobbled." I was laughing now. He got out of the car and carried me under his arm like a football.

"Thanks for all you do, B. Bye, now."

I was still laughing at embarrassed Emmett when he drove away.


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