I have a cold, and I'm feeling quite miserable...meh. BUT I was looking at some pics of our boys (well mainly Jas) but still, inspiration hit home. :)
As usual I don't own them

Chapter Twenty-Five

BPOV

The next week and a half was sheer chaos.

Emmett had banished anyone from visiting, even James.

"I don't want Bella anymore upset than she is," I over heard him on the phone.

I almost cried.

Here I was having the most horrible time and this man, was being beyond sweet.

The man who I couldn't stand.

Dammit.

Edward and Patricia were almost never there, out shopping for things for us.

He was in heaven, his inner queen finally getting a chance to shine.

I made myself busy, making lunch, tidying Emmett's cottage.

"You don't have to do that," he said one evening after work, he had come home and I was cooking.

I gave him a look, before turning back to the stove. "I want to."

He didn't say anything about it again, honestly we hadn't had any run-ins. It was almost surreal.

Where was the dick-head I had met months ago?

"We have to get you a dress for the party," Edward told me on Wednesday afternoon.

I looked at him as though he were crazy, "What party?"

Edward gawked at me, "The party that we're throwing so everyone can do a meet and greet," he said, "Did you really forget?"

Oh wait. That party.

They were still going through with that?

"I've had other important things on my mind," I told him, rolling my eyes.

"This is important," he said returning my eye roll. "Alice and Rosalie have been going insane not being able to see you."

"They can just come over," I said with as shrug.

"Emmett wants to meet them," he replied, "Properly. How you planned it."

There was a strange look on his face when he said that.

Hmm.

"Fine," I said. "Let's go shopping."

This was the first time I'd ever heard Edward do a squeal that rivaled Alice's.

"Did she agree?" a smiling Patricia asked coming into the room.

"I swear I usually have to bribe her to get her to do this," Edward said clapping his hands gleefully.

"Dude, you look like a seal," I said getting up and throwing on my coat.

"I don't care," he said. "Patty's gonna take us to one of her favorite dress haunts."

Patty?

I watched as the older woman giggled and patted his cheek gently as Edward put her coat over her shoulders.

Wow.

Edward had a new mom.

The dress hunt was not as bad as I had pictured it being. I just let Edward and Patricia do their thing. I trusted their judgement.

When they had found 'the absolutely most perfect' dress, we went to get accessories and then lunch.

Patricia was actually very nice and always made Edward and myself feel as though we were part of the family.

When we got back home, the house had been taken over by decorators, caterers and whole set of people who had the place seem like a circus.

"I'm gonna go take a walk," I said.

Patricia and Edward were already caught up in the mêlée and just waved distractedly.

I shook my head and smiled, before heading through the door. I pulled my coat around me as a crisp wind blew over the ridge.

I hadn't been around the grounds as yet, even though I had been there for over a week. Now seemed like a perfectly good time to get out and explore.

Somehow I made my way to the stables, always enthralled with horses, but never lucky enough to actually see on up close and personal.

The smell hit me first, and my nose crinkled a bit and I paused, waiting for the ever-present rolling of my stomach. I was pleasantly surprised when it didn't come.

A smile on my face, I continued in, the horses whinnied and nickered softly and I felt so warm.

These creatures were magnificent and beautiful in every way, I was in awe at the size and beauty of them.

It wasn't until I had come to a complete stop in front of a gorgeous midnight black horse, did she hear it.

Someone else was in there with me.

"Hello?" I called as I walked towards the back.

"Isabella," Bernard McCarty's voice sounded behind me.

"I didn't know you were here," I said starting to back up.

He and I still weren't chums. Not by a long shot.

"Stay," he said quietly.

I stopped moving, wrapping my arms around me, not saying a word. Not knowing what to say.

"You like horses?" he asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.

I nodded, "This is the first time I've seen one...so close."

"Really?" he said coming forward, a bit closer to me. "That's Emmett's baby," he said pointing to the black horse.

"Oh," I said foolishly.

"Her name is Bunny," he said with a smirk.

"Bunny?" I asked, thinking that it was an odd name for a horse.

"You'll have to get Emmett tell you the story sometime," he said with a chuckle.

That's a story I definitely needed to hear.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said, "Thank you."

"Everything with the baby...is alright?" he said.

I was surprised at the concerned tone.

"The baby is fine," I said with a smile.

"Well, if you need anything..." he trailed off.

I was in shock, I mean I literally had no words.

My mouth was hanging open as I stared at him, an amused grin on his face.

"I'm not an ogre Isabella," he said.

"I think I always knew that," I told him, returning the grin with one of my own.

"Would you like to help me brush Bunny's mane?" he asked holding up a brush.

Me? Brush the horse? Wow.

I nodded, "Sure."

"Come over here," he said opening the stall door.

I watched as the large beast stomped its hoofs and flared its nostrils, her head coming up to butt Bernard's gently.

"Hey girl," he said softly, almost as if he were singing to her. "I have someone for you to meet."

He waved his hand and motioned me forward.

I was scared shitless.

This animal was ten times my size.

The horse turned her brown eyes on to me, and cocked her head, regarding me curiously.

Yeah, sweetheart, I thought, I feel the same way.

"This is Isabella," Bernard crooned, rubbing his hand along her forehead.

"H-hi," I whispered moving closer to Bernard.

The horse raised its head and moved forward, smelling me.

I froze as her hot breath washed over my face. She was freaking gigantic.

Then again, she would have to be to handle Emmett.

She bent her head low, until she was on a level with my stomach. She gave me a gentle nudge with her head before raising it again to push against my hand.

I laughed softly, as my hand met her warm body.

"She knows you're pregnant," Bernard said quietly, a smile in his voice.

My eyes flew over to him, "How?"

He shrugged, "Animals know these things."

I spent the next half hour in the stables with Bernard and the horses, laughing and getting to know the animals as well as the man better.

The horses were lovely, but my heart had a special spot for Bunny.

And of course it had nothing to do with her being Emmett's horse.

Yeah, the voice in my head taunted, keep telling yourself that.

Nosy bitch.

-TA-

EmPOV

I couldn't wait for this party to be over.

My home had been transformed into a circus over the past two days.

Edward and my mother had gone crazy with getting everything perfect.

Edward was quite the metro sexual.

He understood things that my mother said, that sounded like a whole other language to me.

He wasn't really a bad guy, when you got to know him.

Not that I had gotten to know him, or even made an effort. It was as if we had come to some silent agreement to keep out of the other's way.

Everyone was happy.

Bella was coming around, for the first two days she had been in a zombified state, that had everyone around her worried.

By the third day, she had snapped out of it and was back to her usual snarky self.

She just wasn't as mean.

Was kind of refreshing actually.

She cooked for us almost everyday, and she actually seemed to enjoy it.

I couldn't complain.

James was getting on my last nerve, he was acting like Bella was his rib or something.

"Dude, you're gonna make me punch you," I snapped at him earlier.

"I just want to come see her for myself," my idiot best friend had moaned.

"She's fine!" I snapped, "And you'll see her tonight."

"Did you see the dress she picked out?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"No, I didn't see the dress she picked out," I said, "My mother and her friend picked it out."

"Your mother?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Yes," I nodded, "She's adopted the two of them. They're her new project."

Now don't take that the wrong way, it wasn't that my mother was thinking of Edward and Bella as charity cases, God knows how Bella would freak out of she ever thought that, it was that she hadn't had anyone to take care of in such a long time.

I felt guilty about that one, I had stopped letting my mom, 'mother' me.

"She knows you love her Em," James said softly.

You know that one person, who knows everything about you, down to what you're thinking?

Well James is that for me.

He was truly my best friend.

Just right now, he was getting on my last freaking nerve.

He changed topics so quickly, that I thought I would get whiplash. He was currently rambling about suits and entrances.

Jesus, you would think it's a debutante ball or something.

"You have to look perfect," he said coming to stand in front of me.

"I always look perfect," I smirked.

He faked a yawn, "Anyways, as I was saying. You need a haircut and a shave."

I rubbed my hand over my face, I was rocking the beard for a few days now. I liked it.

"I'm not shaving my beard," I told him.

"At least have it professionally styled," James begged.

Sometimes I wonder, how I never noticed he was gay.

I groaned, knowing that I had to give in to something or he'd bug me the entire day.

"Yay," he said. "I have your suit already picked out for you," he went on. "Someone's going to drop it off for you. I still can't believe I can't get ready over there."

"You'll live," I told him.

"I hate you," he said. "I'm going to get ready, see you later."

"You love me and you know it," I said throwing him a wink as he left.

I got through the rest of the day without any major incidents.

I got my secretary to double-check the invitations and those coming, didn't want to ruffle any feather unintentionally and I really wanted Bella to be comfortable around my friends, the way she wanted me comfortable around hers.

It made sense. Our lives were now joined, regardless of if we wanted it or not.

I finished up the day's work and started for home, telling Lynz I'd see her later at the party.

Now as I was getting ready for the party, my memory flashed back to two days earlier when I had come home for lunch, not that I had gotten used to coming home to have a little time with Bella.

Anyways, I had just pulled up when I spotted my father and Bella coming from the stables, laughing.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

I got out of the car and had watched them head into the house, not even noticing me.

The man who never smiled or joked around, was laughing, a real, full belly laugh.

I was convinced.

Isabella Swan was a witch or voodoo priestess. She had to be.

A knock on my door broke me out of my thoughts, it was Marie one of the co-ordinators.

"Is something wrong Marie?" I asked.

"No, Mr. Witherdale has arrived," she said with a smile.

I shook my head, I knew he couldn't resist turning up early.

I sighed dramatically, making her giggle, "Send him in. He can help me with this stupid suit."

"I'll have you know that suit is anything but stupid," James said coming into the room. "You look almost as good as I do."

I scoffed at him, "You wish you looked as good I do in this suit."

"Whatever," he said. "People are starting to arrive. You don't want to be in here when Bella's friends arrive."

I finally gave up on the tie, and just left the first few buttons of my shirt open. This is who I am, and I wasn't going to be uncomfortable for anyone.

"God," James muttered, "I just can't train you."

"Fuck you dude," I said with a laugh, "Am I a dog?"

He ducked out of arm's reach, "The jury is still out on that verdict."

We walked into the main room of my family's mansion, the dj was playing some soft melodies over the speaker system.

My father and mother were there, but I couldn't see Bella or Edward.

There were other people there, people I didn't know.

Must be friends of my parents, I thought.

Where was Bella?

"Oh darling," my mother said coming over and kissing my cheek with a smack. "You look so handsome."

"Thanks Mom," I said grinning down at her. I turned and shook my father's hand, "Sir."

"It wouldn't kill you to call me dad," my father said, nearly knocking the air out of me.

"You're looking sharp, Dad," I said.

"You don't look so bad yourself," he said with a tiny smile. I looked over at James, whose eyes were wide as he shrugged.

That was so weird.

I was still trying to come to grips with my father trying to be...well my dad, when I heard a gasp from my mother. I turned to see what was wrong, when I noticed her.

Bella was standing at the top of the stairs in a flowing emerald-green dress, that hugged her body closely. My eyes moved down to her stomach, it was barely beginning to rise, giving her a rounded middle. That did not take anything away from her, in fact it made her more alluring.

There was nothing plain about her now. Nothing at all.

Foot in mouth disease ran rampant through my body. It occurred often, trust me.

James was next to me gushing.

I could swear he had tears in his eyes.

He turned to me and whispered, "Now get your ass over there and woo her."

Woo her, he said, as though it was such an easy feat.

When I reached Bella, she and Edward were busy laughing at something.

Edward stopped and nodded as I came to a halt in front of them.

"Emmett," she said, a soft blush on her face, her eyes roving over my body.

At least she wasn't as immune to me as she liked to lead on.

I smirked, "Bella. You look quite lovely."

"Edward did it," she said touching her hair self-consciously.

I wanted to reach out and touch it myself, the usually straight hair was full of curls and looked like a pile of downy soft feathers.

"I didn't do anything babe," Edward said kissing her cheek, "You're beautiful."

She blushed again, and then peered behind me, a frown on her face.

"What?" I asked, following her gaze to James.

"Why is he over there?" she asked.

I laughed and motioned for James to join us.

Edward leaned over and whispered something in Bella's ears, that made her eyes widen and then she chuckled with glee.

"James you witch, why didn't you come and do my make-up or something?" she asked hugging my friend close.

"You didn't do a bad job," he said kissing her cheek and spinning her around.

"I didn't do it," she said reaching behind her to pull on Edward's hand. "Edward did."

Edward blushed as James turned to him, fucking blushed like a girl.

Wait a minute...no...

"It's nice to meet you Edward," James said taking Edward's hand in his.

There was that blush again, my eyes flashed to Bella's amused ones.

"Nice to meet you too James," Edward said softly. "Bella won't stop talking about you."

"I hope she said good things," James replied flashing Edward a smile.

"Yeah," the other man replied.

My eyes moved between the two of them, trying to understand what I was missing.

Bella moved between the two of them, a smile on her face as she looked at me, "Now that my two favorite 'Queens' have met, let's get this party started."

Two...queens?

Edward was gay?

Oh my God. He was!

Look at him smiling at James all shy and shit.

I was jealous over a gay man.

Twice.

God I was such an ass.

Bella looked over at me and started laughing. She realized I had figured it out, and sent me a wink.

"Bella," I said. I was gonna get her back.

The little demon led me to believe that she and Edward were a couple.

"Yes Emmett?" she said saccharine sweet.

"I..." I didn't get to finish the sentence when two loud squeals were heard from at the top of the stairs.

Bella's grin widened as she rose her hand to wave at the owners of the squeals. She turned back to me, "Brace yourself for Hurricane Alice and Ice-Storm Rosalie."

I looked up at the two women who had just entered, they looked harmless enough.

Famous last words.

A/N: So finally our clueless little Emmett has figured out Eddie is gay *snorts* he's so slow at times. All of you asking if James and Edward will be together...perhaps. *sly smile*

The fire issue will be addressed. Muhahaaha

The party is about to get a bit more interesting. *rubs hands together gleefully*

Bella and Emmett do not hate each other, not even a little bit lol.

Go read Picture Perfect my Peter/Bella baby. :)

And check out my WordPress page (find it on my profile page) and check out my Leah/Edward untitled story...feel free to give me input. Also there's a Rose/Jake one on there too (The Phoenix). Haven't decided if I'm going to post them on here yet :D

Until next time lovelies. I'm going to bed now...*coughing fit* and Jasper's gonna make me some tea and sing to me...sigh. I would give u all kisses, but I don't wanna spread my germs.