We meet again my lovely readers. I have a few things I want to say before you read on. First, I am SO sorry it has taken so long to update! I have been really busy! Second, this is to those who received a preview after they reviewed last time: this chapter has been split into two, so the preview I sent you won't be seen until the second part. I can only apologise for that. I will post the second half in a few hours.
Here are some things to remember: Mrs. Jackson is a woman who lost her son, Jamie, a few years ago. Since her loss she has been too caught up in grief to get on with her life, and as a result her home became pretty overrun. The accident that Bella foresaw, killed Mrs. Jackson's brother and sister-in-law – which also happened to be Emily's mom and dad. Emily, who shares the same gift as Bella and the only survivor of the accident, is now facing a custody battle with her Aunt and her mom's sister and brother-in-law in Seattle. Previously, Bella was sure that Emily understood her gift as well as her parent's death, but this chapter tells a different story...
Chapter Twenty-Four
Part One
Instincts
The look on Mrs. Jackson's face was priceless, but it gave me a warm feeling. She stood next to me, leaning against the fireplace as she watched Alice survey her cluttered living room. Once Alice got wind that Mrs. Jackson's house had somewhat over grown over the years due to neglect, Alice jumped at the chance to give the house a makeover.
Esme developed the same cleaning bug as Alice, and together they roped in Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper to spend their Saturday at Mrs. Jackson's run down house to give it a Cullen make-over.
Alice had a way with people, and Mrs. Jackson couldn't refuse Alice's offer even if she wanted to. Although, Edward told me that Mrs. Jackson had already begun the epic clean up to her house since she was asking for custody of her brother's only child, Emily. I could sense that she was glad of the help, but I couldn't wait to see her face once she saw the end result of what Alice and Esme had already planned.
"Mrs. Jackson," Alice said as she turned towards the wary woman. "I am sorry to kick you out your own home, but I think you, Bella and Emily should drive to Port Angeles or something. We will be finished by the time you get back."
"Call me Suzi," Mrs. Jackson said with half a smile. She glanced at me with her eyebrows raised. She was lost for words, but I couldn't blame her.
"I think we should do what Alice tells us to. There is no way to change Alice's mind once she gets going. Port Angeles sounds good to me anyway," I said. "Emily?"
Emily glanced up from her corner of the room where she had been drawing, sitting on old rags so she wasn't sitting on the dusty floor.
Emily's eyes showed that she had been listening, but they were distant. Suzi had took me to the side when I arrived, telling me that Emily was somewhat erratic the past few days. She fears that her niece hasn't really grasped the concept of her parent's death.
I knew it was likely to happen, because in Emily's eyes, with her gift, her mom and dad were still here, they were earth bound and she could see and speak to them when they appeared to her. There wasn't the emptiness that usually followed after a death for other people.
I had been afraid this would happen.
Emily stood up from the floor, patting herself down for creases in her dress as she took each of us into her gaze. Her rosy smile was bright, but it didn't touch her light brown eyes.
It was a smile I had forged many times.
It was a fake smile.
"Are we going out?" she asked Suzi and me, looking between us.
Her cheeriness was worse than if she was to break down. It was hard to watch such a little girl to put up a facade.
How long would it be until the grief spilled out?
Emily stood up from the floor and patted her dress down to get out the creases. Her long light brown hair was pulled back into a French braid all the way down her back. She was smiling, but it didn't touch her light brown eyes.
"Are we going out?" she asked Suzi and me, looking between us.
Part of me wished that Edward could read her mind, so he could understand what was going on inside her head, but like mine, Emily's mind was a complete blank to Edward. He figured it had something to do with our gift, but he couldn't be sure unless he met another person with the same gift as us.
"If you want to," I said. "What would you like to do?"
"Can we go swimming?" Emily sounded enthusiastic, but her face had faded into emptiness. Her eyes had hardened.
It was a bizarre contrast. Not even I could pull that off so well.
Suzi seemed to have noticed Emily's sudden change of emotion. She stiffened beside me, but forced a smile, hiding the worry in her eyes. "Of course we can do swimming, what a great idea!" Her strained smile slowly faded, panic searing across her face instead. "We'll...we'll...You need a bathing suit..."
Emily took a step back at her Aunt's words. Her eyes widened in fear.
I began to panic, too, until I realised what was wrong. Neither of them had been into the Coleman home since the accident. Carlisle told us earlier that a social worker fetched a suitcase full of clothes for Emily while she was staying with Suzi. But I doubted she thought to pack her bathing suit.
"Well, I don't have a bathing suit either, so I thought maybe we could go to the mall in Port Angeles to buy new ones. Do you want a new one, Emily?" I offered a smile for her, but she looked lost all of a sudden.
"I...I don't need a new one. I already have one," Emily said as she looked around the living room desperately.
Alice and Esme were pretending to be discussing plans in the opposite side of the room, while Edward was putting boxes together to the right of the door, watching silently. Suzi was fighting back tears as she watched her orphaned niece look around for her parents who were nowhere to be seen.
I hadn't seen Mr and Mrs. Coleman since the hospital after they disappeared to be with their daughter. But Emily discreetly told me that they came to see her when she was alone, but that had been all she had said to me since we had come over. I had a feeling that her parents knew it was going to be worse for Emily after they left, which was why they didn't hang around her all day since it would confuse her more.
"Well, I could go and get your old one if you want," I offered timidly. I was afraid to upset her.
When her eyes settled on mine she sighed heavily. "You don't see them either?"
I shook my head sadly. "I am afraid not, sweetie."
"They said they would come back soon. Maybe they will be here when we get back from the pool. Can I really get a new bathing suit?" Emily was back to being bright and cheerful again. This time it was genuine.
Emily skipped over to the sofa, her French braid swishing down her back as she went.
Suzi and I exchanged looks. Her expression was full of grief and worry. And I felt helpless. I dealt with grief more than I could put a number on, yet I had no idea what to say to Emily. I wasn't sure what the right thing to do was. Emily was different than the other people I helped. Others could only believe in what I told them about their loved one, but Emily could see and hear for herself that her parents were still earth bound.
"You sure can," Suzi said brightly matching her nieces tone. "I think I might just buy a new one as well. Wait just one second and I will go and pack some towels and things for us."
Suzi left the room hurriedly, leaving an uncomfortable silence in the air. I could feel Edward's eyes on me, but I was watching Emily as she swung her legs against the sofa back and forth, staring blankly at the fireplace behind me.
Esme and Alice hadn't uttered a word between them for a long time, but from the corner of my eye I could see them standing frozen in the corner of the room looking unsure what to do or say.
From various parts of the house I heard the others making a start on other rooms and outside I knew that Emmett was in the process of tackling the wild yard. I wasn't sure where Emily's other aunt and uncle were, but as far as I knew they weren't at the house and Suzi or Emily hadn't mentioned them so I hadn't asked.
Time seemed to slow down as we waited for Suzi to pack a bag for them both, but I suspected she left to cry in private.
When Suzi emerged, her smile was brighter than ever. "We're good to go. One thing, though, I haven't used my car in some time, so I was wondering if any of you are good with cars? Maybe give it a once over...just in case?" Suzi glanced mainly at Edward, but it was Rosalie who stepped forward.
"I am pretty good with cars," she said much to Suzi's surprise. "I can take a look if you like?"
Suzi blinked a few times, her eyes lingering on the beautiful blonde in wonder. From the boxes he was putting together, I noticed a smirk on Edward's face. Rosalie stiffened, regretting she had said anything.
"Sorry," Suzi apologised, realising she had offended Rosalie with just a look. "Sure, you can take a look if you like. It's just an old Prius. I will go and get it from the garage and you can take a look." Suzi turned back out the door, carrying the backpack, which I assumed was the towels and other swim stuff for her and Emily.
Emily darted off the sofa and went to join her Aunt.
"Why does everyone think that because I am blonde and pretty, that I don't know anything about cars? " Rosalie huffed as she followed the two out of the door.
"Well, I can't blame Suzi myself," Edward said as he dropped the box he had just finished putting together. "I mean, Rosalie does look like she couldn't tell one end of the car from another."
Alice chuckled but tried to cover it. "Hey, that's not fair," she said grinning. "Rosalie is much better at that sort of stuff than you are."
"It just goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover," I said lightly as I made to join the others outside.
"Well said, Bella," I heard Esme say approvingly as I opened the front door.
I stepped out onto the crooked, still broken porch and watched as Suzi parked her blue Prius outside the garage. Rosalie got to work straight away, and popped the hood just as Suzi got out. Emily wondered away, heading in the direction of Emmett who was fixing the broken tree swing that was hanging on a huge oak that towered taller than the house.
"Alice is confident that Suzi will get full custody of Emily," a voice said making me jump. I turned around to see Edward just inches from me.
I hated when he appeared out of thin air. I tried to cover my fright with a smile. "Good," I said heavily. "I think Emily will settle in here perfectly."
"I do, too," Edward said. "It was a brilliant idea for us to help with the house. It will make Suzi look better if she has a perfect house for Emily to stay in."
"I know," I said almost tearily. I had a good feeling about Emily and Suzi, and it would be sad if Emily had to live with her other Aunt and Uncle in Seattle. Although there was probably nothing wrong with them, I just had an instinct that it was better if Emily stayed here in Forks.
But first Emily needed help. She was all over the place. It was perfectly normal for people to act out of character after they lost someone. And it is especially hard for children. But I had a feeling it was different for Emily. Something told me her erratic behaviour was more than just grief. And Suzi felt it too, I could tell. I wanted to help her, but I didn't know how to handle her emotions.
But I knew someone that could.
"Where is Jasper?" I asked Edward.
Edward gave me a look that resembled Suzi's earlier, when Rosalie had volunteered to look at her car.
"The living room," he told me. "He is finishing up my job of making up boxes. "
"Do you mind if I speak to him...alone?"
Edward opened his mouth, then closed it again. He looked a little wary...hesitant. "Of course not. I will just be out here, okay?"
I smiled in answer before I turned back inside the house.
I found Jasper in the living room by himself. As Edward had said, he was continuing the job of making up the flat cardboard into boxes, except since was alone; he was doing it twice the speed that Edward had being doing in front of Suzi and Emily.
On hearing me enter, he slowed down and turned to greet me with a mischievous smile.
"I don't know how human's cope at their utterly slow pace at everything," Jasper said as I entered the living room.
"I'll say," I replied grinning. "Your way is much faster, don't mind me."
Jasper put down the readymade box and stood and learned against the door frame. It was the first time I had been alone with one of Edward's siblings, with the exception of Alice.
"You feel a little tense," Jasper commented. "Do I make you uncomfortable?"
I thought for a moment. His gift was the reason I had come to him, but it was weird having my emotions analysed. I looked at Jasper properly, as he watched me from the doorframe.
He resembled the others with his pale, perfectly angled features, but with honey blond hair to match his liquid eyes like the others. He was a fraction taller than Edward and built similarly too. Although, he had movie star looks about him, he possessed an intense stance that made me feel a little unsettled.
"You know my emotions better than I do," I told him. Jasper raised his eyebrows; I hadn't answered his question. "No, you don't make me uncomfortable. I guess I am trying to adjust knowing that you can feel everything I can."
"Try living with Edward hearing every single one of your thoughts," Jasper said bitterly. "You are lucky having your thoughts entirely to yourself."
"I am sure Edward disagrees."
Jasper chuckled. "True. You want to talk to me about something, Bella?"
"Yes," I said. "I was wondering if I can ask you a favour."
Jasper looked taken back but nodded. "Of course. What is it?"
"Emily," I said. Jasper looked knowing but I continued anyway. "She is going through so much. No one should have to face the pain of losing both parents at the same time, and she is only five years old. Her mood seems erratic, but I think it will just get worse. It's hard on her; she is confused because even though her parents are dead and she says she knows that, I don't think she fully understands because they are still here to her. She can see and hear them and..." I slowed down as I realised I was rambling too fast. "Sorry, I guess I am just worried about her. I wondered if you could speak to her. You would be a better help to her than I would since you can get a feel of her emotions. I will probably just say the wrong thing at the wrong time."
"You really think I would be better to help her than you?"
"Yes." I nodded.
Jasper titled his head slightly as he watched me. "Do you know what I think, Bella?"
"No," I whispered.
"I think you're scared of helping Emily. I believe you feel that by helping Emily in any way, while she is struggling to cope with the concept her parent's death, is going to drag up all the emotions that your subconscious has hidden away in relation to your own mother's death."
I narrowed my eyes, surprised of his answer. "I'm not scared," I insisted. "Why would I..."
Jasper shook his head to cut me off. "You're mother died a month ago, correct?" I nodded. I felt myself shake, my bottom lip trembled. "I think the moment you saw her walk into The Light, you began fighting your emotions towards how you really feel about her death. You haven't let yourself mourn, not properly anyway. You have jumped up and got on with life. Now you are faced with a little girl who resembles you in two ways; she has the same gift as you, and now she has lost her parents. This scares you, Bella. You feel utterly sad for her, but you never felt sad for yourself. This is the first person that has lost their mom since you lost yours."
I was still shaking inside, when a sudden warmth took over my body and I felt instantly relaxed.
"You think I am running away from helping Emily?" I asked in a monotone. Jasper's control over my true emotions was preventing me from sounding angry, but I was grateful.
"No, I think you are running away from helping yourself," Jasper said kindly. "Sure, I could talk to Emily over the next few weeks. I can talk to her about how she feels; I can ask questions that reflect her mood. It would be easy that way. But she doesn't know me. She trusts you. You both share more than one connection and she needs you, Bella. And you need her."
I heard a ring of truth in what Jasper was saying. I did feel helpless towards Emily. I didn't know what to say to her, how to comfort her. He was right; she was the first person I had come across who had just lost their mom. But it wasn't just that. It was her age. I didn't know how to communicate to her on her level, to make her understand what needed to happen. Her parents had to leave, she had to say goodbye.
It was brutal, yes, but in the end it would be better for everyone.
Suddenly the warmth that was keeping me content was lifted off me, and my real emotions flooded me like a cold bucket of water being thrown over me unexpectedly.
My chest tightened as I the pain crush it. A pain that I tried to hide from the rest of the world.
"See, this is what your really feel," Jasper said gently. "You can hide it for years, but it will come back to you, Bella, and it will hit you like a ton of bricks. You know better than most people that hiding grief is the worst way to get over death. And that's exactly what you are doing."
I shook my head as tears sprung to my eyes. This was why I was wary of Jasper. He saw through me, unlike the others.
"You may not feel it all the time consciously, but I felt it from you yesterday. Deep rooted heartbreak and anger. When you were watching Henry into The Light, I felt your emotions. They were so vivid. I felt a pain in my own chest. You're hurting deep inside, but you're fighting it. It's getting worse, isn't it? The more you throw yourself into helping other people, the worse it gets, but I don't think you realise it half the time."
My chest got tighter and tighter as Jasper spoke. I was swaying on my feet, with tears blurring my vision. I felt like I was suffocating. The air was evacuating my lungs, with no way to refill them.
I thought I was going to faint with the pain, the lack of oxygen, when Edward rushed to my side. The warm, relaxed feeling returned and oxygen filled my lungs easily.
"Thank you," I whispered as I hung onto Edward, while he supported me with his arm around my waist. He was watching me with blazing eyes. He was angry. "It's not Jasper's fault," I said quickly. "These are my emotions. He is right..." my voice cracked as I trailed off.
"Tell me," Edward whispered. "If I had known you were in such pain..." He glared at his brother.
I took a gulp of air. "No, don't be mad at Jasper. I am sure he was waiting for me to confront my own feelings. He shouldn't have to tell you about my every emotion."
"Then you tell me, Bella," Edward said softly as he gently caressed my back.
"Everything Jasper said is the truth," I croaked. I had known it all along, but I fought it so hard. "No one can prepare for death. Even those who have loved ones who have terminal illnesses cannot prepare for what will eventually happen. But I thought I could. I thought that dealing with death, other people's grief, all the time meant that I was prepared for it to come to me personally.
"When my mom was put in a coma to give her body time to heal after a pretty bad infection, I was sure that it was going to happen then. I spent my days watching her as she slept. I was waiting for her to stand before me in spirit form. But it never happened, and she woke up herself, whole. The relief was tremendous. I was so happy that I forgot about the cancer for a while. But then she got sick once more. Again, I told myself that if she died it would all be okay..." I held onto Edward tighter. Jasper still had control of my real emotions, but I was feeling them creep back.
Edward stroked my back in soothing motions for comfort while I gathered my thoughts.
"Because I had lied to myself about her dying, it was a shock when it actually happened," I continued in a small whisper. "When I saw her in spirit form my heart broke into a million pieces. But she looked so radiant, much like her old self. But that's what made it all the more harder; she was ready to go into The Light. But I wasn't. I wanted her to stay for purely selfish reasons.
"After we had said goodbye, she left. I was so angry. Why did she want to leave? Did she not love me enough to stay? I cried nonstop until the funeral. After that I locked up my emotions and just got on with packing. Charlie asked me every day if I was okay, but I reassured him I was fine. And I thought I was. Whenever I thought about my mom, I would force myself to think about something else and go for a walk to clear my head of her and my memories. I miss her so much that it hurts. Since moving here I have had to deal with one thing after another, that I barely get time to think about her. But when I do, I try to catch myself and think about something else."
"I am so sorry I never noticed the pain you were in," Edward said stiffly. "I should have realised that you dealing with all these spirits was going to be hard on you. But I will be there for you from now. And no more hiding how you really feel." He gave me a stern look. "I also think that you should be the one to help Emily through this time. She is hurting so much, but she is confused, too. She can see her parents, but she is being told they are dead. She might say she understands, but I hardly doubt it. She needs you and I think you should be the one to be there for her. But if it gets too much then we will all help."
"Where do I start?"
"Look for a way to connect with her on her level. Get her to open up, get inside her head. Find away to get Emily to express her feelings, you have good intuition, your gift doesn't just lie with seeing spirits, you naturally connect with people. You'll know what to say, just follow your instincts."
"I agree," Jasper said confidently. "You can do this, Bella. You have done this sort of thing for years, but this time you are scared for reasons I just mentioned. But take it one step at a time – you will know what to say."
"You both have a bond that not even I can understand," Edward said proudly. "You can be there for her, but she can also be there for you – even if she doesn't know it. You will be able to help each other. Are you ready? If you start feeling internal pain, I will be there; I will be there every step of the way." Edward stroked my cheek. "I don't ever want you to hurt again. I love you."
I lay my head onto Edward chest and breathed in. His closeness always calmed me down. "I love you, too," I whispered. "But I am ready, I want to do this; I think I can handle it. I can't run away from Emily or my own feelings. She needs proper guidance. She needs to learn what her gift means and the difference between life and death. I will help her."
I gathered my emotions as Edward and I held each other. He was almost better than Jasper at helping me calm down.
Edward's hand traced down my spine as he said, "If you are still up to it, then Rosalie has finished checking over the car and the girls are waiting." I looked up to meet his eyes. All my negative emotions flushed out of me in an instant. A shiver tingled my spine, as I gazed into Edward's liquid golden eyes.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" I smiled as I pictured him in his swimming shorts. I could feel the blush rise over my cheeks.
"I will be there, but not there with you," Edward said smiling crookedly.
I raised my eyebrow. "In English?"
"You'll see," Edward said as he dropped his hand from my back, clutching my hand instead. "I'll walk you out."
Jasper shifted aside to make room for both Edward and I to exit the living room, but I pulled on Edward's hand to slow him down. I turned to Jasper, mustering up all the gratitude I could feel within me.
Jasper nodded knowingly. "You're welcome," he said with a smile.
"I am sorta glad you know my emotions so well. You really helped me," I said honestly.
Jasper glanced at his brother. "She is a keeper, bro. No one ever says that about my gift." Edward playfully ran his fingers over my back, sparking unexpected feelings deep within me. Jasper met my eyes for a brief second. I blushed even deeper. "I bet you're kind of glad that her mind is closed off to you now." Jasper laughed at Edward's fading smile.
"Well, I am glad!" I said as I winked at Jasper before I pulled Edward away. I could hear Jasper's continued laugh as Edward and I walked hand in hand out onto the porch.
I felt oddly elated after my confession. I was much more relaxed now. And I was sure that was my own emotion, not an artificial version of Jasper's control.
"What did you mean then?" Edward looked down to me as we slowly took the old rickety steps of the porch.
I smirked at the same time as my face burned red. "I like my thoughts private." I left it at that as we reached the Prius.
"I packed a swimming bag for you earlier," Alice informed me from across the drive way where Rosalie and Emmett were standing. "Although you don't own a bathing suit." Alice shook her head if that was the most preposterous thing in the world.
"That's why I said I was buying one," I said. "But thank you!"
I gave them a wave and opened the passenger's door, when Edward grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him, almost making me smack my face off his chest.
His hands cupped my face, pulling my chin up a little. He smiled down at me radiantly.
"You're beautiful," he whispered before his lips met mine.
It was a deep, powerful kiss which left me breathless. His cool tongue seemed to dance with mine. I felt like fireworks were exploding in my brain. I was glad I had found the back of Edward's neck with my hands; otherwise I would have fallen over.
A wolf whistle broke us apart, but I was too dazed to be embarrassed.
"Get a room you two," Emmett's amused voice came from somewhere to our left.
We ignored him as we gazed into each other eyes. "Wow," I whispered. "What was that for?"
"You are beautiful," he told me simply again. "I will see you soon." Edward opened the car door wide and helped me side in since I was still shaky from his kiss.
He gave me a dazzling smile as he closed the door behind me and stood back as Suzi started the engine.
Just as we backed out of her drive, Suzi turned to me with a stunned look on her face.
"Where can I get me one of those?" she asked while Emily laughed her head off from the back seat.
I hoped Jasper couldn't feel my emotions as we pulled away from the drive...
-x-
After a few remarks and jokes between Suzi and Emily about my kiss with Edward, the car ride to Port Angeles was pretty subdued. Emily fell quite for most of the way, only answering questions with a simple answer, as she stared out the window watching the greenery as it went by. Initially I was afraid that driving would scare her because of the accident, but she didn't seem anxious at all which was a good start.
When we reached the small shopping complex in Port Angeles, the sun poked its head out from behind the darker clouds. Watching the bright yellow beams hit the dashboard, I realised that this was the reason for Edward not coming with us. At least not directly with us. I guess that was what he meant about being there, but not with me.
I supposed it was an automatic thing to check the weather if you had to live around the sun. I was sure that Alice was better at predicting the weather than any weatherman. I had only seen Edward in the sun once and it was shocking...in a beautiful way. I could only imagine what other people would think if he were to stroll around Port Angeles with his skin shimmering as the light touched it.
At least he didn't burst into flames.
The moment we parked the car, Emily hurried to get out of her booster seat and led the way towards the department store as she skipped.
Suzi and I walked side by side in silence, but something was telling me she had something on her mind. I was using my intuition like Edward had suggested to do, and I got the feeling that Suzi wanted to talk in relation to Emily's gift. But my instincts told me this wasn't the time for that; this was the time for Emily.
I wanted to help them both as much as possible. I didn't want them to feel alone like my parents and I did. We had no one to turn to. There wasn't a 'How to cope with your child who sees dead people' handbook. We had to make it up as we went along.
But it was a tough ride.
We hit the kid's part of the store first, and Emily's spirits were lifted at being allowed to choose one bathing suit and three new outfits complete with shoes. I usually hated shopping; it was what I would normally call a boring day. But it put a smile on the little girls' face, so I was happy to be there. Suzi perked up and she seemed to enjoy treating her niece to new clothes. While they disappeared in the changing room, I wandered about the kids section looking for something I could buy Emily from me.
The clothes were pretty limited compared to if it was a kid's clothes only store, and since she had already picked her three outfits, I drifted towards the stationery section.
I browsed the few shelves lined with stationery from everything to school books, pens and colouring equipment. I saw a few items that I would have bought for myself on any other day, but I wanted to spend my money of Emily.
My eye caught a large pink scrap book sitting on the shelves amongst colouring books and folders. I picked it up.
"Find a way to get Emily to express her feelings," Edward had said.
This was perfect.
I paid for the scrap book and a box of stationery utensils, which would help her fill the scrapbook, before I hurried back to the changing room in time for Emily's showing of the third outfit she had selected.
"Do you like it, Bella?" Emily asked me as she stared at herself in the floor to ceiling mirror at the back of the changing room.
It was a purple chiffon party dress, which floated just past her knees. It had a beaded sequences front and a dark purple empire line, which pulled to the back and tied into a big bow. She was wearing matching purple flats with the same sequences as the dress.
"It's very pretty," I told her. "You look beautiful."
Emily straightened the dress with her hands. She looked to be contemplating something.
"Can I wear it to mom and dad's funeral?" she asked in a small whisper.
I glanced at Suzi. This was her decision. She looked wide eyed as she thought about it.
"You mom would have loved it," Suzi told her niece. "Sure you can wear it to the funeral."
"I will show them both later," Emily whispered to herself. Her eye caught mine in the mirror before she turned back to the dressing room.
-x-
The pool was filled with families and teenagers. It was humid and the air was thick with chlorine. The line for the water slides were already backed up from the bottom step and the lazy river was filled all the way around.
As we stepped out into the main area my heart leapt when a probing feeling itched my ears. I could feel someone watching us.
I tensed up as I scanned the viewing chairs at the side, for people who were watching their children without getting wet, then up to the balcony where there were bleachers.
If I hadn't memorised every part of him, I might not have noticed him sitting behind a gang of teenagers, sitting in the middle row of the bleachers. They were all girls, their eyes set on the life guard sitting on his high chair by the side of the pool. Amazingly not even they had noticed him.
Edward's eyes met mine and I blushed. I felt self conscious in the dark blue tankini bathing suit that Suzi had made me buy. I was quite happy with the one piece, but she laughed, saying it was for old grannies. She shoved the two piece into my hands and dragged me off to the counter to pay. It was quite modest and I was grateful that it wasn't a bikini.
But Edward's stare was lust.
It sent shivers through me, making my insides burn with desire. I wished he would join us. We were inside, no sun to be seen. I told him so with my eyes, but he smirked, shaking his head.
I made a move to turn right around and find the stairs to me with him, when Suzi caught my attention.
"Do you think she will go on the slide if I take her?" she asked my anxiously nodding towards her niece, who was standing on the side of the pool looking lost. Emily had her arms wrapped around herself as if she was cold. She was staring blankly at the children queuing up at the stairs for the water slides.
"Emily? Do you want to have a go?" I asked as I stood beside her. She looked up at me and shook her head.
"Okay, well if you change your mind, you can. Do you want to paddle about here for a while?"
Emily walked over to the shallow end and sat on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet timidly in the water. Suzi and I shared a look and went to join her. Suzi stepped in the water and sat down where it was shallow enough.
"Oh, it's cold!" she said as she splashed about a bit. "Emily, want to come paddle with me here?"
Emily didn't even turn; she stared straight ahead in a world of her own.
I sighed. Suzi looked like she wanted to cry. I jumped in the pool where Emily was dangling her feet. It was a little cold, but after a few seconds of moving it wasn't so bad.
I stood in front of the little girl and held out my arms. "You can jump if you want?"
Emily blinked past me. I closed my eyes. I wasn't doing a very good job at getting through to her.
Just follow your instincts, Edward's voice came back to me again.
My instincts were asking me what I would do if I were Emily.
I thought back to when I was five. Renee and I would often go to the swimming baths together. I was five when we moved to Arizona, and I was distant like Emily was being. Mom used to try to get me to do things to take my mind off Charlie. Mostly it worked and I was so preoccupied with her activities that I forgot about the move and eventually I wasn't as sad anymore.
My favourite activity was swimming. It didn't require a lot of skill to splash about in the pool. Eventually I got lessons during a weekday, but at the weekend my mom and I would spend time splashing about together. My favourite part was the lazy river. I loved floating along with everyone else on a huge ring that I shared with my mom. We used to talk, share stories and giggle our way along the river.
It couldn't hurt to try.
"Oh well. Suzi? Do you want to get a ring and ride the lazy river with me?"
"Sounds like fun," Suzi answered loudly.
I walked out of the water after Suzi and together we slowly edged along the pool side. I glanced up to the balcony and met Edward's eyes. He nodded once. It was working.
I didn't turn around and kept walking with Suzi, when Emily called, "Can I come?"
We turned back. "If you want to," Suzi said with relief. She smiled at her niece and Emily hurried to join us. We walked by the pool side towards the big rubber rings, but there was only one left.
"Looks like everyone is on the lazy river," I said. "You two go on this one together."
"Actually," Suzi said slowly. "Do you mind if I disappear into the big pool for ten minutes? I think it's about time I started doing some exercise again."
"You're not fat, Aunt Suzi. You don't need exercise!" Emily said.
Suzi laughed. "That's the sweetest thing I have heard anyone say to me in ages. But I do. You and Bella go on ahead. Have fun!" She gave me a look. I nodded, understanding. Like everyone else, she wanted me to connect with Emily. Suzi walked back through the changing room for the main pool on the other side.
I picked up the bright yellow rubber ring and took Emily's hand towards the start of the river. The pool was just as big as the one in Phoenix, with the lazy river even having a bridge and waterfall.
I put the large ring in the water and jumped in the pool. It was colder than I had been expecting, and I hit the bottom of the pool before I pushed off. I hit the surface gasping in shock. "Holy crow, its cold!"
Emily laughed at me as she stood by the steps shivering. "I'm not going on my own! Get on!"
Emily carefully got onto the ring from the pull side. With her securely on, holding onto the side, I pulled the ring closer to me and ducked underneath. I realised it wasn't the best way to get on, but it would have been impossible doing it Emily's way since no one was holding the ring for me – I would have ended right back in the freezing water.
I pulled myself up and sat securely next Emily. It wasn't as tight as I was expecting and we fit perfectly on the rubbery float.
With my hand I paddled further towards the wall where the river was active with slight waves. I felt ridiculous, knowing Edward was watching every move, but Suzi had left me to speak to Emily. And after the talk with Jasper, I knew I was the one to do it.
But where did I begin?
"Emily, did you know that my mom died just over a month ago?" This was the deepest conversation anyone probably ever had in the lazy river, but to me it felt right.
Emily's eyes grew with surprise. "No," she said. "Did she have an accident, too?"
"No honey, she didn't have an accident. She was very sick though."
"Oh. Did you see her after she was gone?"
"I did. Straight after she passed away I saw her spirit. Just like you can see your parent's."
We floated around a corner, but very slowly. It was filled with other people on their rubber rings. However, it was easy to keep our conversation private as the noise in the pool was echoing around us, on top of the noise of the waterfall just ahead.
"So, is she still here?" Emily held on tight to her side of the ring, my body keeping her secure on the other side. She was staring straight ahead as we floated along slowly.
"Well, she stayed for a little while. We talked and said goodbye, but she went into The Light just like the rest of the ghosts I meet and help." I gave her a timid glance to make sure she wasn't going to get upset at my meaning behind my story.
"Do you miss her?" Emily asked before we were engulfed by freezing water. We floated underneath the water fall, the water drummed against the rubber ring steadily, the noise echoing against the arch of the bridge. The length of the bridge was bright, the whole rainbow reflected from the bottom of the pool. Colourful lights danced on the roof, illuminating the individual tiles of different sea creatures and mermaids.
"Pretty," Emily cooed, her neck craning up to the arch above us.
"Sure is," I whispered in agreement.
We sailed out the other end of the tunnel, the waterfall completely soaking us again, but we were already completely drenched. Emily shook her braid back and forth like a dog, the ends slapping her cheeks as well as spraying me in the eye.
"Hey, Miss Emily, I got soaked enough with the waterfall," I said as I rung out my own hair on her lap. Giggling, she leaned over the side of the ring in attempt to scoop up water, in no doubt to soak me again.
She almost managed, but instead, I slide across the ring as it tiled, my body squealing against the rubber, and crashed into her. Emily jolted forward, almost flying off the ring, but I caught her in time. My heart jolted in panic for a split second, before I managed to pull her back on the ring, tipping the whole thing so it was even.
"Are you okay?" I gave her a quick glance, but she looked shaken.
"Wow," she said as she took an uneven breath.
"Let's not lean out of the ring again," I said. I touched my chest, feeling my heart slow down. I glanced over to Emily again to double check she was really okay after nearly flying off the ring head first, but she was laughing silently to herself.
"What's funny?" I asked curiously.
Emily's giggles continued, louder, the sound echoing off the walls at each side of us. I felt a wave of relief, followed by the urge to start laughing, too. "What are you laughing about?" I asked trying not to crack up also.
But I failed. Her chuckles were making me laugh, even though I had no idea what had caused such a giggling fit.
Emily shook her head, actual tears of laughter streaming from the corner of her eyes. The laughter grew, pales of giggles filling the entire pool. People were turning back from their ring, watching us as we both chuckled away at what seemed to be nothing. My whole insides were like jelly, the laughing freeing everything inside me, making me feel like there was no other care in the world.
Every time Emily and I glanced at each other, more chuckles escaped us even harder. My insides were aching, my jaw was screaming in pain, but I couldn't stop – it was too contagious.
We continued to float down the lazy river, still laughing away like loons, until we finally reached the end. Our ring floated past everyone else's, towards the steps. I let the ring crash into the edge of the pool before I hung on the ladder to pull myself up.
I used both hands and yanked my body off the ring, but before I could get my balance, my hands slipped and I went rocking back onto the ring. The impact was hard, my bottom slipping almost through the hole, making a sliding noise as it went. The ring bounced off the side, pinging us through the water in the opposite direction.
I managed to steady myself on the ring before I completely fell through, but as I yanked myself into position, Emily was bent over with laughing so hard. The whole ring was vibrating; I could feel her chuckles through the rubber as the sound waves travelled through me.
"Emily," I chuckled. "Seriously, you are going to pass out with lack of oxygen!"
Emily's tear-filled brown eyes met my own. I tried to look serious, but it was impossible with her face filled with joy. I bit on my lip to hush the chuckles threatening to escape.
I waited for Emily to let it all out, all the while trying to keep my own composure. I paddled our ring to the edge again, but this time I deliberately slid off the ring through the hole in the middle, plunging into the pool. The water was intensely cold, making my breath catch, but I kicked to the surface and hung onto the ring while my body adjusted to the sudden drop in temperature.
"We could take the lazy river again if you wanted, but I was thinking we could have a go on the slide?"
Emily slowly sobered up, her chuckles leaving a huge grin in its place. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand as she nodded.
Emily slipped out of the ring and together we pushed it up onto the side of the pool. Emily climbed the steps first. As I took the first step after her, Emily turned back with a smirk.
"Watch you don't fall," she said trying to laugh again.
I burst out laughing as I pulled myself carefully to the side without so much as a wobble.
I wasn't going to live that down. And worse, Edward probably saw the whole thing. But I didn't care, I didn't even blush. Emily had helped me laugh out all my inner worries. Jasper and Edward were right; Emily was helping me, even though she had no idea what she was doing.
I was glad I was following my instincts.
"Come on then, Miss Perfect-Balance; let's join the queue for the slide!"
Emily took my hand and together we carefully walked around the edge of the pool toward the steps for the slides. "You didn't answer my question," Emily said quietly as she gazed up to me.
I squinted, trying to remember which question she had asked.
"Do you miss her?" Emily promoted. My heart sank; fun times over.
"I miss her very much," I said in an even tone. Jasper wasn't around to stop the pain in my chest. But I had to answer, and I had to be honest. "I miss her every day. Some days more so than others. I miss every part of her. I miss her smell, her smile...her laughter...even her terrible cooking. But most of all I miss not being able to see her every day. I loved...love my mom very much, but everything that I miss about her is still inside of me, and I will never forget her. Ever. She will always, always be in my heart."
"But she's gone," Emily said sadly. "You can never see her. I don't want to ever stop seeing my mommy and daddy every day. I don't want them to miss out on everything, and I don't want to miss having them here with me."
We stood at the bottom of the steps which led to the queue for the slide. I glanced around the busy pool, watching the children laugh as they splashed about, the adults entertaining their kids. Everyone was going about their day, seemingly care free.
I had a heavy conversation on my shoulders. I had so many similar ones many times, with other people that I met whom had lost someone close to them. No one ever wanted to say goodbye. It was hard, the hardest thing most people will go through.
I felt the familiar ache in my chest, the heaviness that weighed on my shoulders whenever I thought about the moment I realised my mom was ready to leave. I felt like everyone else I had met did, like Emily did now.
Emily looked up to meet my eyes, shivering in her bright pink swim suit, goose bumps scaling her arms. Her bright brown eyes were watching me intently, waiting for an answer that didn't want to leave my mouth. I badly wanted to tell Emily that she didn't ever have to say goodbye to her parents, I wanted to tell her that it would be okay if they stayed earthbound.
But it was wrong. It would be worse for all three of them in the long term. People were meant to move on, cross over to The Light, and the rest of us were meant to say goodbye until it was our turn.
It hurt so much to do it, but it had to be that way.
"No, I can't see her again," I said quietly. "But that's how it's supposed to be." I placed my hands on her frozen shoulders and rubbed them quickly to warm her up. "You have a gift, Emily...We have a gift. A very special gift. We can see those who have passed away. We can help people say goodbye to their loved ones. And when that happens, those who have to say goodbye feel much happier, much more at peace knowing that their loved ones are finally at rest and they can somewhat move on knowing that they are safe.
"In return, the person who has passed is happier, too. They feel that they can move on now they have said goodbye. I have seen it many times. It's such a rewarding feeling knowing that I am part of that. I know that sometimes it's hard to do something that we don't want to. I know it actually pains us at times when we have to do something that we know is going to hurt us inside, maybe even for a long time. But sometimes we have to do these things, because if we don't things would only get worse."
"Why?"
"If we don't say goodbye to those we have loved after they have passed on, they are no longer living life anymore, then the person, or people, left behind will never really feel that they have gone. If my mom was still here right now, still here but in spirit form, and she was with me every day, I wouldn't believe she was really gone. I would keep on going with my life, never really accepting that she was dead. It might sound okay to begin with, but after a few months, or years, things would change. I would grow up and she would still be stuck there, floating around earth with no purpose. She would change, she would become angry, tired of doing nothing.
"She may even hate me for it, because ultimately I would be the sole reason for her staying here on earth. She would never be at peace and that can be a very bad thing for a spirit. We all need a purpose, but spirits need peace, forgiveness, and they will usually only find their purpose when they leave Earth and walk into The Light. So, after you said goodbye to your mommy and daddy you won't see them again. But they will be at peace, they will be safe, and no matter what, they will always be with you, even if you can't see them."
Emily seemed to be taking in my speech calmly, following my words with interest. She didn't cry or even tear up at the thought of never seeing her parents again, but I still felt wicked that I was the one to tell her that they had to leave her.
"There are spirits that stay on earth, aren't there?" Emily asked as she huddled into herself. I was beginning to get cold myself. It was the most bizarre place to have such a conversation, but the timing was right and it would have ruined it if we moved onto to somewhere quieter.
"Yes, there are." Ryan for one, Julia for another and the many others I meet each year.
"They are the angry ones." Emily looked thoughtful.
I considered her words carefully. It was partially true, but I knew where she was going with her words. "Sometimes yes. Sometimes the spirits that stay behind become very angry. Those are the ones I help often. But some spirits stay because for some reason they are needed, like Ryan." Although I wasn't quite sure if that was true, but it seemed plausible that he had stayed behind for some reason or another, and it wasn't because he just didn't want to leave. But I would explore those theories later. "Others stay because they are too afraid to leave. But I believe that The Light is the best place for spirits. It's their home, like Earth is our home. We belong here, they belong there."
"Will I ever see them again? When I die, too, I mean?" Emily stared at me hard.
"Without a doubt," I promised sincerely. "You will meet up with them when it's time."
Emily dropped her gaze before she turned her back. She took one step before she turned back towards me. "Will they forget me?" Tears lingered in her eyes now, genuine fear edged through her at the thought.
"No matter how much times passes, they will never, ever forget you, Emily. Nor will you them. Trust me." My thoughts went to Henry. He was the same age as Emily, their minds almost thought alike. I didn't want what happened to Henry happen to Emily's parents because unlike Edward, I didn't want them to stay earthbound and watch Emily grow, like Henry did with Edward. Emily would witness the change in her parents and she would feel the guilt that Edward is only beginning to feel.
Emily nodded to herself. "Can we go slide now? I'm cold."
I smiled. "Sure we can, you lead the way." Emily turned back and climbed the stairs slowly, holding the rails since the steps were wet.
I watched she as she disappeared around a bend, her footsteps echoing as she went. I turned around, gazing towards the balcony above the pool.
The teenage girls had left, leaving the pale, but stunningly beautiful Edward alone in the middle of the bleachers. Without the girls around him, he stood out much more than usual. He looked like a model, or a cardboard cut out of one – since he was so still - that had been placed randomly on some bleachers at a small town swimming pool. He looked out of place in the middle of brightly coloured bleachers, but he was as a stunning as ever.
He gave me a reassuring crooked smile as I tried to reign in my emotions. "It's only the beginning," I said softly. Edward nodded once to assure me he had heard. "Watching Emily say goodbye to her parents will be the hardest. But there are so many other people that I need to help. It's going to be busy...stressful." I smiled gratefully. "I am so glad I have you here by my side. I couldn't do it otherwise!"
"Bella?" Emily called on me from someone above on the steps. "I thought you were coming to slide?"
"Just a second," I called back, staring up through the holes between the steps, where I saw two little legs standing alone on the second flight. "Be right there!"
When I turned back towards the balcony, Edward was gone. I sighed, then followed Emily up towards the slides.
-x-
I closed the locker firmly as I wrapped my towel around my dripping body. Just as I fixed the towel securely, a cool grip tightened around my waist. The familiar coolness made my heart do a back flip, it sped up as the pale arms clasped together at the front of my towel.
"You know, this is the ladies changing room, right?" I whispered as a body hugged me close from behind. I breathed in the new sent, which was more welcome than the chlorine which hung around me.
I felt his hair brush against my cheek as he pressed his head into my neck, his chin sitting on my shoulder.
"I don't care," he whispered back. "Only one lady will catch me here." Hands griped my waist lightly, before he spun me around to meet his firm chest.
I looked up, my hair still dripping, but I was no longer cold. His eyes were piercing through mine, a edge of desire flecked through the liquid yellow. "Did anyone ever tell you that blue is beautiful on you?"
I felt my cheeks burn, but a glowing feeling settled inside me. I wasn't used to compliments. I wasn't used to guys holding me this close, period. I wasn't sure how to reply, though. Should I compliment him back, or laugh it off?
There weren't enough words to give him compliments back. He was just too beautiful. But he did look extra beautiful in his tight grey t-shirt, his muscles pronounced underneath as he held me close to him. My brain scrambled into mush as my thoughts wondered to his perfect body, the compliment almost long forgotten.
"Tell me what you are thinking," Edward said gently as his finger swept my still crimson cheeks. "If blue clothes drape your body perfectly, then this colour," he kissed my cheek, "is just...sexy!"
Shivers sparked through me like jolts of electricity. This was a newer side to Edward. I liked it...although it seemed a little off.
Underneath the growing excitement that was building from Edward's intense touch; my instincts were ringing alarm bells.
Edward pulled my chin up to meet his eyes, something that I loved for him to do. "Why, out every other being on this planet, can I not read your mind? It frustrates me so much!"
I smiled rosily. "Well, no offence Edward, but I am glad to have my thoughts all to myself." I wouldn't be able to go near him if he knew how much I fawned over him like a love struck girl with a stupid crush when he thought I wasn't looking.
I placed my hands on his toned chest, my still damp hands printing on his shirt. "What about you, what are you thinking?"
Edward showed me what he was thinking about instead. His lips crushed into mine, barely leaving me time to breath. It was hard, fast...exciting. His hands held me from the back, supporting me so I wasn't pressed up against the lockers. I held my own hands tightly behind his neck, leaning up on my tip toes.
When he pulled away, he grinned at me, his eyes sparking with passion. "That answers your question," he whispered.
While my heart rocketed away in my chest, I slowly controlled my breathing. "You're thoughts are very pure, Mr. Cullen," I said sarcastically with a smirk.
Edward chuckled as he bent closer to me, his lips danced inches from my ear. "You do that to me, Miss. Swan."
He was turning me to mush, my internal alarm bells ringing unforgotten in my head. I knew there was something not right, but I didn't care as his cool lips found my weak spot just behind my ear. He kissed me gently, slowly, working his way down my neck.
And back up again.
I wanted it just as bad as he did, I wanted us to just give into each other completely, but my warning bells were growing annoyingly louder. This wasn't Edward. He was more cautious. I hated my rational thinking, but I knew that he wasn't himself.
This needed to stop, but I was too weak. It was too good.
His hands caressed my body gently as my breathing grew erratic.
Stop! This is not right.
His kisses became intense, a frenzy as he hit all my weak spots.
This is not the real Edward.
I tugged on his hair, pulling myself closer to him, pressing my body into his.
Fight it, Bella! Do what is right.
I hated my instincts.
I reluctantly pressed my hand against his chest firmly and pushed with what strength was left inside me. Edward's lips froze over my neck and he let go of me instantly. His eyes were hard when he straightened up, his hands dropped to his sides, fingers curled.
I bit my lip as I watched regret harden his face.
He cleared his throat and took a step back. Blinking once, he tried to cover his sudden change in mood with an easy smile. "I guess we should think about heading back. I am sure Alice has almost completed her version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
"I'll see if Suzi and Emily are just about done," I said quietly, my eyes dropping past Edward.
A cool finger picked up my chin again. I met Edward's eyes. They were full of many thoughts and emotions. "About that," he whispered. "You did an amazing job with Emily. I can't read her mind but she seems a bit better already." Edward moved a thick strand of wet hair off my face. "You do each other good. I'm proud." His hand drop and he took a step back towards the exit. "Although," he said in a low voice, grinning mischievously, "I thought I would have to pull on some red swim shorts and do a Mitch Buchannon impression."
I shook my head; narrowing my eyes, trying to look mad, but the image burned my brain too strongly that I burst out laughing. I turned away from Edward, pulling my towel tighter, as I wandered back to the pool side.
-x-
We gave the Cullen's another two hours, going for something to eat before heading home. But I had a feeling that they didn't need the extra time.
The reveal of the Cullen makeover was everything that I had imagined and more. Suzi was literally speechless as Alice and Esme showed her around her newly made over home. Pulling up to the drive way had set Suzi into shock.
The yard was no longer a jungle, now it was a welcoming yard where Emily could play without worrying what was lurking amongst the tall grass and weeds which used to arch the path leading up the front porch. Which in itself had a new lease of life. The once dirty brown porch, which used to belong in a horror film, was now sparkling white with a new set of stairs, replacing the old rickety ones.
We weren't greeted by the Extreme Home edition bus when we arrived, but the whole Cullen family, including Edward, were ready to greet us as we pulled up. Emily and Suzi were both in awe as they exited out of the car.
A quick tour of the down stairs showed each room looking brighter and better with a lick of paint; new furniture in some rooms and even new appliances. I could tell I wasn't the only one wondering where it all came from in just a few hours, but neither Suzi or I questioned it out loud.
We were led up stairs to Emily's room, where she would stay whether Suzi got custody or not.
The door had been painted baby pink, which Emily instantly loved. "Cool, I've never seen a pink door before," she gushed as she rushed over to the closed door.
"Careful, the paint is probably still wet," Esme warned lightly, her smile bright as she watched the little girl approach her new room cautiously.
We all stood in anticipation as Emily slowly opened the door, pushing it wide to reveal the room.
"Oh. My. God!" Emily gushed as she stepped into the room. Her eyes bugged out of her head as they darted to every corner of the room.
"It's beautiful," Suzi whispered. "A proper princess's room."
"I am so jealous," I said in amazement.
The largest wall drew the eye instantly. It hosted a floor to ceiling Disney Princess mural. Four Princesses took a corner each, with other themes from their movie surrounding them; Snow White and her dwarfs; Cinderella and her mice and glass slipper; and all the characters in Beauty and the Beast.
The mural was flawless; the themes rolled into one, but each corner had its own story, all of which centred around the castle in the background, the fairy princess castle with its flags on top with the name 'Emily' engraved in gold.
The rest of the walls were split into two colour schemes; pink on top, purple on the bottom. They blended well, with a thin wooden border separating them. On the west wall, Emily's white bed had been made up and giving the Disney Princess treatment too. The headboard had been carved into a castle which was identical to the one on the mural, with the flags even having Emily's name on them also. The foot of the bed had a beautiful carved Tinkerbelle cut out from the white wood, with even the details of her light carefully done.
It was simply amazing.
Emily explored her new room, taking her time as she took in each detail. She fingered her new stuffed animal friends who all sat in the middle of the room at the pink tea table. She picked up a grey rabbit with a tartan bow tie, and took him over to inspect the work station which was in place opposite the mural wall, next to the closet.
The work station was floral green with a bookcase around it. Emily gazed up at the books, her eyes flickering over the titles. I spied many of my childhood favourites, with lots of Beatrix Potter, Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl books.
"Is this room really mine?" Emily asked as she spun on her heal, the rabbit dangling in her hand.
"It is really yours, sweetheart," Esme said vibrantly. "Do you like it?"
Emily looked as if that was the stupidest question ever. "It's the best room in the world! Thank you so much!"
Esme and Alice laughed. "You're welcome," Alice said happily. "Thank Rosalie for the mural; she has been working on it all day."
Emily found Rosalie amongst the line of onlookers at the door way. "It's so pretty. Thank you!"
"You're welcome. It was fun to do!" Rosalie looked happier than I had ever seen her.
Suzi shook her head incredulity. "You guys did all this in just a few hours? I couldn't do this in a few months!"
"It was our pleasure," Alice said. "We all really enjoyed doing it."
"Is it time for bed yet?" Emily asked hopefully.
There was a murmur of laughter at the little girls' hopefulness. "Not yet," Rosalie said. Her eyes matched Esme's; satisfaction filled the golden irises, marvelling in Emily's happiness. "But when it's time to go to bed you will see the best bit."
Emily's face lit up in wonder. "There's more?"
"Just something else small," Rosalie told her with a smile. "Alice, close the curtains, please," she added to her sister.
Alice jumped up from one of the pink bean bags that lay against the mural wall, and closed the dark purple curtains, which matched the bottom half of the walls. As the curtains slide closed, the room brightened up from the ceiling.
I hadn't noticed the ceiling properly before. Now it was brightly lit, with hundreds...thousands of little stars littering the ceiling on dark panels across the roof. It gave an amazing effect, just like the night sky.
Everyone's head was titled up in wonder as the lights twinkled above us.
"Wow," I whispered. It was a whole new level to the stick on glow in the dark stars that I had as a kid in my own room. These were actual lights that gave it an outdoor effect.
"I think I may just move in here with you, Emily," Suzi said from the middle of the room. "I could look at these stars all night. It's better than counting sheep!"
"You have sheep on your ceiling, Aunt Suzi?" Emily asked as plopped herself on her new bed.
Suzi burst out laughing. "I sometimes think so," she answered. Suzi walked over to the bed and lay down with her niece. Together they absorbed the stars from the bed, laying side by side, cuddling into each other.
I smiled to myself as I walked back out the room. It was our cue to leave, to let the pair enjoy their new home in peace. I could tell that it was the beginning of a future for Emily and Suzi, but there were going to be difficult times ahead for them both.
I hope you guys keep reading. I really appreciate you coming back to read more. Sorry for the long A/N at the start, I just wanted to remind you who Suzi was in the story in case you had forgotten.
Also, is Edward's own feelings being bottled up? Is losing his brother again harder than he makes out?
The second half will be up later tonight, but a review would make me very happy!