Chapter Four:

Not the way you expect it

EmPOV:

Emerson, Emerson. My son. She didn't have to verbally confirm it, I knew by looking at him that he was mine, how could he not be. He was a fucking spitting image of me at two. No need for Jerry Springer to give me a DNA test. Besides, I couldn't stand drama. Rosalie Fucking Hale gave me enough drama to last a lifetime.

Fuck me sideways. Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't she let me be a part of his life? Surely she would know how important it was for a child to have two parents in their lives. Bella, herself, was a product of a broken home, and she was adamant on not having children if it wasn't with someone she was going to be with. I guess that changed because she had my son, and was raising him alone, or was she?

Hell fucking no is another man going to raise my son.

My son.

Isabella's son.

I continued to drive around Forks, and I pulled up to Swan's not realizing that I had subconsciously driven there. But I didn't really care, I needed something that only Jack, Jim, or Jose could provide for me right now. Walking into the bar, I sat down at my normal stool and plopped down. There was an entirely new staff, but I guess that was to be expected considering Swan's was underneath new management.

I tapped my keys on the bar top, a nervous habit, waiting for the bartender to notice me. Angela Weber. She was a year younger than us in school, and had always had a gentle soul.

"I never pegged you for a bartender," I told her as she came up.

"One of the best in town. Bella trained me herself, and she was trained by the master."

Just hearing her name made my stomach churn.

She poured me a shot of Jack and sat it down in front of me.

I knew I liked her for a reason.

"I guess she told you."

"She didn't have to tell me. Mini Me was standing right in front of me with identical dimples," I muttered, downing the shot. The shit burned, but I needed to feel it.

"Emerson does look a lot like you."

I tapped the glass and Angela filled another shot for me.

I downed it again, and looked up.

"Maybe you should slow down there . . . I'm sure you would still like to be standing in the morning."

"I'll take whatever you have on tap, and why don't you start a tab for me."

Angela shook her head, grabbing my credit card, placing it behind the bar. She poured me a Sam Adams and poured out two more shots.

"One more can't hurt you, you are a big guy." She raised her shot glass to mine and clinked it together. "Here is to lives changing in a moment and not being able to do a Goddamn thing about it."

I clinked her glass again and downed the shot with her.

"How long did you know?" Angela didn't say anything.

I sighed, tugging my hair, and throwing my hands in my hair. "What am I supposed to do, why didn't someone tell me? I had the right to know!"

"Emmett, it wasn't for me to tell, and no one really knew who Emerson's father was. Bella came home during her fall break one year and was noticeably pregnant. A lot of people in town assumed some person in Seattle was the father. She never has said anything about Emerson's paternity, but all you have to do is look at him and then you have a 1 in 3 chance in figuring it out." Angela told me, while wiping down the bar top. "It's really none of my business, but Emmett, what are you going to do now that you know?"

"I don't know."

And I really didn't know. I found out an hour ago that I was a father, to a little boy who looked just like me. Same eyes, same hair, same dimples. I picked up my beer and took a long pull from it. I ran my hands through my hair trying to gather my thoughts.

Why didn't she tell me?

Why hadn't she returned that night for dinner? Why the fuck did I still want her?

That night had broken my heart. I waited for her, refusing to eat until Bella came. It wasn't like her to not show up when she said she would. I went to call her and saw that my cell was dead, so I had decided to drive over to her house. When I pulled up, I saw her standing on the back porch in the arms of another man. I sped away, leaving for Chicago the next day.

The sound of the door opening brought me out of my reverie. Lauren "Loud Mouth" Mallory had walked in. I think I heard Angela groan and Waylin sigh.

"Emmett Cullen, I heard you were back."

"I guess word travels fast in Forks, considering I didn't even know I was going to be back until today . . ." I trailed off, not wanting any more gossip to get around town. I swear, this town gossips more than two women over a game of bridge. I took another pull of my beer, trying to recede in my thoughts. We needed to figure out what to do now.

"So what brought you back to Forks?"

"Mom and Dad are back from Oxford, Edward is doing his residency here, and Jazz is helping Mom out at the firm. I guess I just thought I visit would be warranted. Chicago has nothing for me right now anyway. I have to go back for practice soon though."

Well, maybe not, but Loud Mouth Mallory wouldn't need to know that juicy little nugget of information now, would she.

"I was so jealous when you moved out there with Rose. I have always wanted to see Chicago, go to a White Sox's game at Wrigley field . . ."

"I'm a Cubs fan personally, and the Cubs play at Wrigley."

There was an uncomfortable pause between us, and I prayed that she would take the hint and leave, but she didn't. God obviously wasn't listening to me today.

"Have you seen anyone else since you've been back?"

I quirked up an eyebrow. She was definitely fishing for information.

"Angela, obviously."

"That's it?"

"Cut to the chase Loud Mouth. I know you need some gossip to start spreading again . . ."

I heard Angela let out a loud laugh. Mike Newton, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the bar started chuckling as well.

"Damn Emmett, there is no need to be mean," she grumbled, ordering a fruity stupid drink.

"Well, it seems like everyone in this God forsaken town knew about my child!"

"Look Emmett, none of us really knew for sure. She came home for Thanksgiving, really knocked up, about three years ago. Everyone just assumed that she had gotten knocked up in Seattle. Then when he was born, he really didn't look like anyone, just like a baby with a bald head. But then when she came back a year later for Christmas, he really looked like a Cullen. Those blue eyes, that blonde hair with the curls . . . I figured he was either your kid or Jasper's with the way that Edward was with Tanya, but when Jasper got engaged to Alice, well, it had to be you. I didn't even figure, you had been with Rosalie for years. When did you guys get together?"

"We never got together!" I roared, angry about the entire situation.

"That's not what Rose said. She said she caught you guys before you left for Chicago. You should have seen her face when she saw Bella walking around the Safeway with Emerson right after he was born. She looked like she could murder someone . . ."

Rose knew for years, and never bothered telling me!

That fucking bitch!

"So, you and Bella?" I turned and looked at Mike Newton, who finally spoke.

I ran my hands through my hair, for the millionth time.

"So I was just wondering if you were finally going to take care of your kid . . ."

I spun around and threw my glass up against the wall, and it shattered into a million pieces, effectively shutting Mike Newton and Loud Mouth Mallory up.

"Emmett - calm down!"

I looked up and saw Chief Swan walking in through the door. His eyes were locked on mine.

"Look Son, I know that you just got the biggest shock of your life, but I'm not going to let you tear up Pops' place."

"I'll pay for the damages," I muttered, grabbing another beer from the bar. I didn't know whose beer it was, but damn if I didn't need the drink.

"That's not what I care about," Chief Swan muttered.

I set the glass down and stumbled outside, trying to get some fresh air, and to get away from the gossip. There was no way I could deal with it at the moment. I screamed, staring up at the sky, seeing the stars for the first time. That was a rarity in Forks with the cloud cover.

I fumbled around for my keys and finally dug them out of my pocket as I headed over to the rental. I needed to be back in Seattle to talk to Coach Rosenski at noon, and there was no way I was going to be able to go back to my parent's house right now.

"Emmett, don't drive." Chief Swan used his cop voice. "I don't want to have to arrest the father of my grandchild for a DWI. You won't be able to pass a breathalyzer with the five beers and three shots. I'll take you to wherever you need to go . . ."

"I doubt you want to use the cruiser to take me all the way to Seattle. I need to be there for something tomorrow morning . . ."

"So, I'll drop the cruiser up and grab the truck. I'll take you to Seattle."

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because, at one point, I did know what you were feeling like. Renee kept Bella from me for years," Charlie told me quietly as I got into the front seat of the cruiser.

I looked at him, waiting for him to explain. I wasn't expecting that from him.

"Bella's mother," I could hear the venom in his voice when he started talking about the elusive Renee Dwyer, "kept Bella's existence from me for almost six years. I had no clue I was a father until I came home from work and there was Pops sitting with Bella on the front porch. Apparently my one-night stand with a waitress in Seattle had turned into something a lot more. I was angry with Renee for a long time about it."

Chief Swan spoke a little about the whirlwind romance with this waitress as he drove to the house. He traded cars off and started the hour drive to Seattle.

We were situated and on the highway when I finally decided to talk with him again.

"If Bella knew what this did to you, how could she do this to me?"

"Emmett, I'm not going to pretend that I agreed with my daughter's decision not to tell you. I asked her time and again to tell you, but she said that she tried right when she found out she was pregnant and then again when Emerson was born. I don't know what happened, but she did make an attempt."

"She didn't try hard enough!"

Chief Swan nodded, drinking his coffee.

"The point is now Emmett, is that you know. What are you and Bella going to do?"

"I don't know. I have a child with a woman that I haven't spoken to in almost three years. I don't know what we are going to do . . ."

I trailed off, leaving it at that. We drove the rest of the way to Seattle in silence. He dropped me off at The M, one of the hotels in our families arsenals. I trudged my way up to the suite and collapsed on the bed, finally being able to be alone with my thoughts.

BPOV

I stared at the door, and collapsed where I stood. He was angry, and I knew he would be, but I at least thought that he would yell at me, but never did I think that he would just be silent and leave. I would have preferred screaming and yelling over the silence. Where the heck do we go from here?

Tears were streaming down my cheeks, and I tried to get my breathing under control. I didn't want for him to find out this way. I always wanted to tell him before he found out accidentally, but that is what happened anyway despite all my good intentions. I never wanted to keep Emerson a secret from his family, ever. It just didn't happen like they way you read in the books.

"Mommy?"

I looked up and saw Emerson standing with Esme. He ran over to me, and placed his hand on my cheek. His green eyes bored into mine as he wrapped his arms around my neck.

"I'm okay Emerson, really. Mommy is just sad," I whispered in his ear. I stood, holding Emerson in my arms, swaying both of us gently for some comfort. He kissed my cheek and squealed as I handed him over to Esme. "Can you watch him while I freshen up, I'm sure that I look like a frightful mess right now."

"Sure Bella," Esme replied, taking Emerson.

"Meme, Emson hungwy . . ."

I shook my head, by the time he was a teenager, he would be eating me out of house and home. He must be hitting another growth spurt. That would be great, considering that Emerson had always been small for his age. He barely was on the charts for height and weight, and actually had lost weight during his last checkup.

I made my way down the hall and ran into Jasper and Edward.

"We didn't hear any yelling," Edward stated quietly. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, taking in a shuddering breath. "There wasn't any time for yelling. He saw Emerson and immediately put two and two together. Emmett didn't have to say anything, and he just ran."

"That fucker . . ." Edward muttered. "He is doing what he is always doing, running. He needs to learn to deal with things more appropriately."

"I'm sure he is in shock. I mean, come on Edward, would you take too kindly if you just found out you had a child who was almost two?" Jasper reasoned out.

"Geez, thanks Jazz . . ."

"I'm not saying it to hurt you Bella but honestly, I think we all are in a little bit of shock, but Emmett more so because Emerson is part him. The hard part is done Bella, now all we can do is wait for Emmett to accept it. He just needs some time."

I nodded. It wasn't going to be easy, and I wanted to know what was going on inside his brain, but that just couldn't be an option unless there was a resident mind reader around. After washing my face and running my fingers through my hair, I decided to go check on Emerson.

"I'm sorry, really, maybe I should just take him home . . ."

"Please don't Bella. I just pulled the chicken out of the oven and Emerson keeps talking about how hungry he is," Carlisle said.

"He's Emmett's son, he is hungry 75% of the time," I grumbled, causing Carlisle to laugh. "He's probably going to hit another growth spurt, which is going to cause me an arm and a leg in new clothes."

"The triples always got really hungry and ate all the time whenever they were getting ready to grow," Esme said wistfully.

"You know Ma, I hate it when you group all of us together like that, we are completely different people," Edward protested as he set the table.

Esme smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "Yeah, I know, but it's true, and it is quicker than saying all your names. So, who is going after your brother?"

"He needs time Mom," Jasper told her. "I'll try calling him after dinner, but if I know my brother, and I do, he is at Swan's drowning his sorrows."

"I'll go after him after we eat. He needs time to cool down," Edward said.

Esme nodded. "Just give him time dear." She placed her arms around my shoulder. "He will come around."

We took our places around the dinner table. Carlisle was sitting at the head and Esme was next to him, and I was next to her with Emerson on my lap. Jasper and Edward were sitting across from us. Carlisle smiled.

"Can we all say grace? Heavenly father, I would like to thank you for providing us with a plentiful meal today. Thank you for giving us the precious gift of family, and expanding our family tenfold. Emerson and Isabella are welcomed additions, and regardless of how they became part of our family, I thank you for it."

Esme squeezed my hand as Carlisle's soft grace continued.

"Please allow Emmett the strength he needs to stay safe as his season begins, and allow him what he needs to accept his new role in life. We ask this in all your name, Amen."

A soft murmur of amen was heard, and Esme started passing around the food. I looked around and realized that this is what we were missing in our life. Emerson needed this in his life, he deserved to have his father's family in his life even if Emmett couldn't be a part of it. I already knew that Jasper and Edward would always be a part of Emerson's life, and I was okay with that.

I started cutting up Emerson's chicken and started cutting up his veggies. I picked up the fork and blew on it for him, and when I was satisfied with the temperature, I gave it to him. He chewed and hummed in appreciation.

"It's yummy."

Esme smiled and laughed. "All I made was smothered chicken and broccoli . . ."

Emerson shrugged. "It's yummy."

I continued to feed Emerson and sporadically ate my own food. When becoming a mother, eating your food second is norm. Unfortunately, my food is normally cold by the time I get to eat it, but I still wouldn't change it.

Soon, Emerson's head was dropping, and he snuggled into my arms. It had been awhile since he had done this, and I relished the feeling of having my baby in my arms again. I laid him down on the couch and walked back into the kitchen to help Esme with the dishes.

I rounded the corner and heard them talking softly.

"Carlisle, I know that Emmett is hurting right now . . ." Esme trailed off. "He shouldn't have stormed out of here, he should have stayed and talked to Bella. What if she takes off with him and keeps us out of his life?"

"I wouldn't do that to you," I told her walking into the kitchen. "I watched you guys play with him in the park saw how happy Emerson was at dinner with you guys, I would never take that away from him. I already kept him from you for twenty months, I'm not going to deprive him of his family. He needs you guys as much as he needs Charlie and Jake. I don't know what is going to happen with Emmett and I, but he will be as much a part of your life as you want."

Esme smiled. "I know that Emmett will come around . . ."

"I wish I had your faith Esme, and even if he did come around, he lives in Chicago . . . I live here. I have Swan's to run. I don't know how it will work."

"Have a little faith," Esme said smiling.

"I wish I had your optimism."

I yawned and looked at the time. It was way past my bedtime, and it had been a pretty exciting day overall. Not at all what I expected when I woke up in the morning.

But then again, life never turns out the way you expect it.

EmPOV:

I woke up in a strange bed, staring at the ceiling.

How the hell did I get here?

Looking around, I realized that I had landed at The M. I glanced over at the clock and realized that I had just under two hours to get ready for my meeting with the coach and my agent.

Closing my eyes, I sat up, trying to get ready and to get my day started. I padded around, calling the front desk for some forgotten toiletries.

Let's be honest, it was the last thing on my mind was grabbing my bags as I ran out of the house.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. Answering the door, my father was standing there, holding my bags.

"Chief swan called this morning and told me where I could find you. I thought maybe you could stand for a fresh change of clothes and a toothbrush. Emmett, what were you doing home?"

"Couldn't I just show up?" I growled, taking my stuff from him.

"Of course, it's your home too. We just weren't expecting you . . ."

"That was blatantly abundant, seeing that you had Bella there with my son. The son I didn't even know was out there. How long did you guys know?"

"Only a couple of hours . . ." My father sighed. "We actually saw them at the park playing, and well two and two were quickly put together. I remember the way you were with her the night of your concussion."

"Why did she keep him from me?" I grabbed my hair, pulling it at the roots.

"That is something you and Bella have to talk about," Carlisle sat down on one of the couches. "You can't run from this Emmett. You are a father now . . ."

"Don't you think I know that? God Dad, anyone with two eyes could see that Emerson was a Cullen!"

"Calm down Emmett. All I'm saying is that there are things that you and Bella have to discuss."

"We should have discussed this when she found out she was pregnant! I could have . . ."

"Could have what Emmett? You were so far stuck in a drug addiction that when we got you to the clinic in England, you didn't know which way was up. What would you have done? You may have blocked out some of the bad times, but your brothers, your mother, and I all remember some of the things that happened . . ."

"I didn't mean to get addicted to prescription pain killers, and I haven't touched that shit in 30 months Dad."

"But if she did tell you everything, you would have gone back to using . . ."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. I never want that to happen to me again. I'm on the straight and narrow away from that shit now." I had to defend myself. Yeah, I spent three months addicted, which in retrospect wasn't all that long, and luckily rehab hadn't been grueling and the coach for the Bears still allowed me to play.

I got that second chance, and I didn't want to screw it up.

"I don't know what to do. I don't know how to be a dad."

Dad chuckled. "None of us know how to be a dad, son. Imagine becoming a father to three boys simultaneously. I was scared shitless, especially when we brought you home. Jas and Edward came home first, and then you three week later. You were so little, and you had to sleep on that mat that monitored your breathing. I slept in the nursery for a month. Kids, family, and life don't come with instruction manuals son."

I plopped down on the bed, and buried my head in my hands. "I'm so confused."

"I know Em. But you and Bella now have someone else to think about first. It will figure itself out son."

I nodded, looking at the clock. "Dad, I have somewhere I have to be in an hour. Do you have a couple of hours to wait around for me?"

"Sure. There is some business I have to take care of here, and I should see your Grandfather Whitlock while I'm here. I'll meet you back here at three. Then we can go back to Forks together and then you can repair the wall at Swan's for Bella."

I nodded.

A few hours later, I walked out of the restaurant with a new contract in hand, and a new start in life again. I was now the starting QB for the Seattle Seahawks . . .

I never expected to be coming home and leaving Chicago.

But then, life never turns out the way you expect it.

AN: As always, review rock my socks.