Chapter 6: Meet Again

*Emmett*

Holy shit. She could feel me outside her house. How in the hell is that possible? I mean, really? She's human. I'm vampire. That don't just happen.

When she talked for that minute at the edge of the woods, I couldn't help but laugh. She heard me, I knew it, but shook it off.

I stayed outside her house the rest of the evening. If I had a living beating heart, it would have leapt out of my chest at the mention of my name. She asked about me. Gave me hope for one day we could become closer.

When the sun went down and I could hear movement in her room, I made my way around to where her windows were. I watched as she moved around the room, turning my head when she changed. Hey, I do have some respect, despite what some may say.

Only did I know she was done was when she opened the window and spoke.

"Goodnight. Dont stay too long. Just let me sleep first."

She said it in a whisper, but I could hear her perfectly. I climbed the tree outside her window and watched as she fell asleep. She was most beautiful when she slept. Peaceful.

When I knew she was asleep, I left my spot and headed home. A school boy grin on my face. Oh yeah, I would definately try and see her more and more.

*Bella*

I woke up this morning feeling wonderful. I didn't have one nightmare about her. I got out of bed and dressed and headed downstairs.

"Morning, dad."

"Mornin, Bells. You're in a good mood this morning."

"I slept great. What you got planned today?" I sat at the table with my bowl of cereal and began eating.

"I've got the day off, so I thought me and you could hang out back and I would barbeque this evening."

"Sounds great." I smiled. I finished eating and placed my bowl in the sink. "I'm going to get my phone and laptop and I'll meet you outside."

I walked back upstairs and put my earpiece in. I pushed the button to turn it on.

"You have one new text message."

"Read message."

"Hey, Bella. It's Emmett. I got your number from your dad. Just wanted to know what you was up to today."

I smiled. "Save number under Emmett."

"Number saved."

I picked up my laptop and headed back downstairs. I decided to send a message back to Emmett.

"Text Emmett. Hey. I'm just hanging out with dad today. We going to barbeque later. Maybe you could drop by. Send message."

"How does all that work?" Dad asked me as I sat down at the back patio table.

"Come here and I'll show you." I could feel him over my shoulder. I took out my phone so he could see.

"Text dad. Hey dad. Send message."

"That's neat. What about the laptop?"

I opened the small laptop and turned it around so he could see.

"Hello, Bella. Welcome to your home screen."

"Open email."

"You have one new email from Harding."

"Open message."

"Hey, Swan! Hope all is well. Us guys are back together again. We are in training for a few weeks then going over seas to Uganda. Just a trip to help civilians. I have Franklin and Jenkins here. They want to say somethin.

Hey, Bella! Long time no see girl! Sure do miss you here with us. Hope things with your dad are good. Here's Jenkins. Ass won't let me talk any longer.

Hey sweetness! How the hell are ya? I'd be better if I wasn't stuck with these two. Haha. Wish you could be with us. Can't talk much longer. It's almost chow time. Just wanted to check on you.

Love you lil sis!"

I couldn't help but smile at the three. They were my best friends since the beginning.

"Some nice guys you got there, Bells."

"Yeah. Want to see how I reply?"

"Sure."

"Reply to Harding. Hey guys. Great hearing from you! Things are great with dad. We just hangin out today. Wish I could be with you guys, too. Remember to keep in touch. Love you big brothers! Send message."

"Message sent. No more messages."

"Pretty neat stuff you got there. Glad to see you have a way to keep in touch."

"Me, too."

"New text from Emmett."

"Open message."

"Hey. I can come. Mind if I bring my sister, Alice? She's here for a visit."

"Reply. I don't mind. Send message."

"So, mind tellin me about your time in the Marines?"

"Nope. I enlisted on my eighteenth birthday. Made mom furious but I had to get away. I left for North Carolina the next week. Done training and that's where I met Harding, Jenkins and Franklin. We became friends right off. Harding requested me to be in his platoon when we would go on missions. I was a photographer."

"What did you take pictures of?"

"The guys, the scenery, what scenery we did have. The war. Everything."

"Do you have any?"

I nodded. I knew the guys put them on my computer. "Open pictures. Open Bella's War Shots"

I slid the laptop near dad. I could hear him move around. I sat and waited for him to look. I closed my eyes and listened to everything around me. I missed it here.

"Wow, Bells. These are great. Who knew you had this kind of talent."

"Thanks, dad." I paused before I asked him what had been on my mind.

"Dad, why did you agree to let me come here when I was released from the hospital?"

He sighed. "Because I missed you. They told me what happened and I hurt. My baby girl wouldn't be able to see anymore. I knew I needed to help, seeing as how I wasn't able to be around while you was growin up. I don't see you as a burden to me. I see it as a way to reconnect with you."

I could hear the smile in his voice. I smiled, too.

"Thank you. For taking me in. I'm glad you did. I missed you." I stood up and walked to him and wrapped my arms around his neck from behind.

"Same here, Bells."

"Love you, dad."

"To the stars."

"You remembered." I laughed.

"Of course. You loved sayin it when you was little."

We laughed together awhile before we heard a vehicle pull up. We heard two car doors shut and footsteps walk around the house.

"Hey Emmett. Didn't know you was coming."

Dad stood up and walked towards the edge of the patio.

"Hey Chief. Bella told me you were barbequeing this evenin. Thought I'd stop by. You remember my sister, Alice?"

"Yes. How are you, Alice?"

"Just fine, thanks."

"Hey, Bella."

"Hey, Emmett. Nice to see you again." I smirked.

"You, too. Lookin good."

"I thought you said she was blind?" I could hear Alice whisper.

"I am. I make jokes about myself."

"Oh. Sorry."

I laughed. "It's okay. I'm Bella. Your brother forgot his manners I guess." I held my hand out. I felt her smaller one in mine.

"Alice McCarthy. Nice to meet you."

"Do you mind, if I feel your face? Weird I know, but I gives me a sense of who I'm talkin to."

"Of course."

I reached out and felt Alice. She had beautiful features. A petite nose, beautifully sculpted eyes and a wonderful smile.

"You're beautiful."

"Thanks. So are you."

"Thanks."

"So, I got to run to the store for supplies. Bells, you stayin to keep company occupied?"

"Yeah, dad."

"Mind if I ride Cheif Swan? I need to pick up a few things." Alice asked.

"Sure thing, Alice. Bells, anything?"

"More DP please."

"Sure thing."

Dad and Alice left, which left Emmett and I alone. It was comfortable with him.

"Want to take a walk in the woods?"

"Sure."

I felt Emmett's massive hand on mine as he led me down the steps. We walked to the edge and I breathed in the scent.

"You okay?"

I nodded. "Just taking in the smell. I missed this growin up. Wish I could have grown up here."

"Why didn't you?" He asked as we began walking.

"Mom took off when I was five. I came back two weeks a summer for three years, then she met Phil. He was always moving us, playin baseball. I never got to come back. I wished I could have lived with dad. Then I joined the Marines. I was free, fighting for our freedom. I thought about this place. I'm glad I had the accident. I may have lost my sight, but I've gained my life with dad."

"Wow. I bet you had a crazy life."

"Always."

"So, how come you never asked to feel my face to see what I look like?"

I laughed. "I don't know. How about I do it now."

"Okay. Go for it."

He took my hand and placed it on his face. His skin was cool, smooth, perfect. He had a strong jawline and high cheeks. His nose was a perfect shape, evenly placed between his eyes. His brow was high and strong. His lips. Oh, his lips. Perfect. Smooth. He was absolutely beautiful.

"What you think?"

"You are amazingly beautiful."

He boomed a laugh. "I've never heard that before."

"Well, now you have."

I felt his hand on my cheek, his thumb moving across my eye. "You're the beautiful one."

I felt my cheeks flush. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

The longer we stood together, the more I realized something.

"You were in these woods, outside my window. Last night. Wasn't you?"

He lightly chuckled. He moved his lips to my ear. "Stay close, but not stalker like."

I gasped. "It was you!"

"Guilty."

"I can't believe it. You know, I slept better than I ever have. I didn't have one single nightmare."

"I take that as good?"

"Very."

"Good. We better get back. Chief and Alice will he back in a few minutes."

He took my hand and led me back to the house. I couldn't help how I felt being next to him, like I needed to be there. I couldn't explain it, but I kind of liked it.

**A/N: Here it is. Sorry for the delay. I started a new job and I suddenly lost my mom so I've been busy. Hope you forgive me! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. :) Please review!**