Okay, so I've managed the weekend by the skin of my teeth!
Thanks to Lisa89 and EvilPumpkin for a great beta job!
As usual, I'm nowhere near clever enough to own these guys, SM is.
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Chapter Four. Settling In.
Esme's POV
I had to feel a little sorry for Carlisle. He really hadn't stood a chance, but I understood why he had to try, and I was proud of him for giving in gracefully. As Carlisle and Jasper left to get the bed from the truck, the tension broke with whoops of joy from Emmett, quickly backed up by peals of laughter from Alice, Bella and Edward.
Emmett bounded over to me. Rosalie was back by her car, giving him the "look, but don't dare touch" glare. Emmett couldn't contain himself. Unable to celebrate with Rose, he hugged me with his free arm, lifting me off the ground and swinging me round, then dumping me on the counter with a kiss. Alice and Bella were doing a little dance that involved a lot of bouncing, and Edward gleefully crossed the room to "high-five" Emmett.
All the excitement gave me the chance to sit back on the counter, and observe my beautiful children. They never ceased to amaze me with their capacity to embrace new experiences and to grow.
Vivacious Alice. My little vixen had grown more wily, but her friendship with Bella had kept her heart in the right place and broadened her outlook.
Complex Edward. I had never seen anyone grow as swiftly as he had in the last few years, and in so many ways. Bella had opened his mind to whole new worlds of experiences, and he was coping admirably.
Darling Bella. Turning quickly into a confident young woman, in many ways wise beyond her years, tempered with a wonderfully naive streak.
Exuberant Emmett. The most childlike, the most accepting, the strongest, rowdiest, carefree...this attachment was quite out of character for him. He was showing such care and attention; he was being so gentle and thoughtful without even realising it. This was his time to mature.
Exotic Rosalie. My hothouse flower, sophisticated and high maintenance, slower to blossom. She was finding this new relationship of Emmett's hard to accept.
My eyes and thoughts turned to the small bundle Emmett was cradling so carefully. She was awfully cute. "Emmett, do you think we maybe need a name for her?" I asked.
"Jeez, I guess we do," he answered me, then turned away. "What do you think, Rose?"
Rosalie's POV
Well, I suppose I should have made more of an effort - at least he'd remembered I was even there - but I was upset how quickly things had turned around. I mean, less than five minutes ago we had been on our way to get rid of her. Oh, I could think of a few names, alright, but Emmett wouldn't like any of them. In fact, my favourite began with a "B". This is Emmett! Count to ten, Rose, and bite your tongue.
"Leave me out of this, Emmett." Preferably forever. "This one's down to you."
Grabbing a wrench, I pulled myself under the car and proceeded to hit every piece of metal in sight...clang...clang...CLANG…I'd shut them all out.
Emmett's POV
I could tell Rose was upset, so she wasn't going to stop clanking and banging for some time. It was beginning to sink in that we were actually going to keep her. I looked down into those soft brown eyes and felt such a rush of emotion I had to do something with it. I had to get out, needed to run, jump, fight - something. I stepped out of the garage; the day was still warm, and I reckoned we had about two hours of daylight left. Tucking her in the crook of my arm, and shielding her with the other arm, I ran. This felt so good. I'd barely moved last night and my muscles appreciated this, but I couldn't forget myself; I could so easily crush her. A sense of awe came over me as I had a sudden insight into Edward's care of Bella, when she'd been human.
I stopped in a secluded glade in the forest and laid her down on the grass in a little patch of sun. Her big brown eyes were still fixed on me, and I gently stroked her until they closed.
As I sat watching her sleep, I thought about the other love in my life - for I now realised I did love this tiny form - Rose. Beautiful, prickly Rose, I mused. . . . The sun beat down. . . . I listened to the beating of a tiny heart. . . . Rose, my passionate bloom. . . . The little tummy breathed in and out. . . . My eyes wandered, and the instant I clapped eyes on it, I knew her name. This other flower in my life, I would call Daisy.
As if she knew I had just named her, she gave a small shiver and opened her eyes, briefly registering panic until she caught sight of me. The way she trusted me made me feel like someone had given my heart an electric shock, but she was still shivering. Of course - she must have gotten too cold and I hadn't noticed the sun go. I peeled off my shirt and softly wrapped her in it to run home. She would be hungry, and I couldn't wait to tell everyone her name.
Rosalie's POV
I must admit, it took a while for me to calm down, and it was no big surprise that Emmett had left. If I carried on with the car I was going to do more damage than anything, so I went indoors for a bit of me time. I'll freshen up, then get Alice to come and do some hair and make-up with me. I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a fluffy white bathrobe. "Alice?"
"In here, Rosalie," she answered.
She was in a little-used room. In fact, I had never been in it before, as I'd always thought it was a cupboard. I glanced around at the tiny bed and the chest of drawers that Alice was sorting through. "Are you completely mad?" Alice didn't answer me, as she was too busy clucking over stuff for that little bitch. There was God alone knew what in those drawers and all of it quite unnecessary, if you ask me. I spoke a bit louder. "Alice." That got a reaction - her head swung round to me. "Come and have some girlie fun," I offered.
"I'd love to, Rose, how about tomorrow? You can help me with these, if you'd like. Look, this one lights up!"
"How common. Girlie night tomorrow, then. You may as well tell Bella too." I am a little embarrassed to say I almost stomped out, but to give her a room like that was all too much. I didn't need Alice, I'd get myself dressed up for Emmett, and I'd be so alluring he wouldn't be able to resist me. Feeling much better, I practically skipped into my room to hunt through my sexiest underwear and slinky dresses.
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AN. So how do you like the name? Maybe you hate it, maybe you have a better idea - so where were you when I needed you? Too late now, she's Daisy for ever. R & R to encourage me to post the next installment!