Chapter 8 – Getting Closer

Carlisle's POV

I have abandoned my attempt to read the newspaper as I focus all of my attention on my beautiful mate. Who is sensually dancing around the kitchen to the music that is coming out of the house's Ipod speaker system while she is making an early dinner.

I haven't seen Esme this excited or content in a long time.

I'm completely mesmerized as I try and imprint this moment of my wife into my brain.

From my seat at the counter I am able to see Jasper and Alice on the back patio slow dancing to the music. I turn myself to look out into the living room as I hear Edward begin to softly sing to Bella as they share a slow intimate dance of their own.

The song is one that I recognize as a new one from one of the playlists that Amber made for Edward.

I close my eyes as I listen to Edward singing the chorus to Bexar's song "Be Good To Her."

"Be good to her. And treat her right. Be the love, don't be the fight. Give her all, she'll ever need. Gotta hold her tight. Gotta let her breath. Make sure she knows, she shines like 'Gold'. Be good to her and treat her right. Four little words, be good to her."

I was on my feet and pulling Esme's back into my chest before I even realized what I was doing. We slowly sway back while she continues to cook. I find my hands on her waist and my lips making soft trails along her neck and jaw.

We're all broken out of our intimate moments by the doorbell ringing. With all of the feelings and emotional projection of our love and contentment around the house we must have missed the sounds of anyone coming up the road leading to the house.

Esme kisses me on the lips and slips out of my grip to greet our newest addition to the family.

As I make my way to the front door I can see Esme and Amber hugging.

Amber hands one of the three small bouquets of flowers to Esme and says "I know that you told me not to bring anything, but I was raised to never arrive at someone's home empty handed when I'm invited over for dinner. Emse absolutely beams at Amber as she kisses her cheek and says "Thank you dear, that is very sweet of you."

Our attention is pulled to Alice and Jasper coming into the hallway as Alice launches herself at Amber for a hug, Amber chuckles and after spinning Alice around she hands Alice one of the flower arrangements and says "Here you go Ali-Cat". Alice wraps Amber into another hug and after kissing her cheek runs off while she gushes over how beautiful they are rushing off to put them into some water.

Rosalie takes that moment to descend the stairs. We all notice the exact moment when Amber sees Rosalie, because her breath seems to hitch at the sight of Rosalie.

Rosalie glides over to her mate who seems to have frozen in shock as she continues to stare, Amber snapped out of her stupor at the sight of Rosalie's smirk. Amber shakes her head a bit to regain her senses, then hands Rosalie the last bunch of flowers. Rosalie places her hand on Amber's upper chest as she slowly leans in and gives her mate a lingering kiss dangerously close to the corner of her mate's lips. Rosalie then saunters off into the kitchen to find a vase of her own for her flowers. Making an extra effort to give her mate a show, she gives an extra sway to her hips. Amber's eyes are practically glued to Rosalie until she disappears around the corner. It takes about 6 seconds for Amber to regain her senses and in that time I can hear my daughters giggling and whispering about how sweet and considerate Amber was in the kitchen. After the rest of the family greeted Amber, Jasper asks her if she wants to check out the upgrades that were done to his bike. Amber excitedly agrees and we all watch them head outside.

Amber's POV

"This is a beautiful bike" I lovingly say as I run my hands over the ducati scrambler.

"I use to have a Triumph." Jasper replies.

I excitedly say "Oh, those are great bikes. I always thought Tom DeLonge's bike was a great as well."

"You have a bike, right?" Jasper ask.

"Yeah, I have a Honda Shadow Phantom" I give a grin. "Though I don't get to ride as much as I'd like" I sadly add.

"Why is that?" Jasper curiously wonders.

"Well my bike can't carry my bags or equipment that I have to bring to work most days." I sadly reply.

"Well we should take a bike trip one of these days" Jasper suggest.

"That's a great idea" I excited replies as we highfive.

We talked and hung out back for a bit until Jasper cleared his throat. "So, you like staring at stuff huh?" At my puzzled expression Jasper gave me a pointed look and then proceeded to shake his hips. At the sudden realization and at my embarrassed stupor he began to laugh himself into his own stupor.

I covered my bright red face with my hands as I mumbled "It's not my fault, I mean come on".

Jasper slaps me on the back and said "I get it".

I was kind of stunned. Wasn't this supposed to be the 'Big Brother Speech'? Here Jasper was harassing me for basically ogling his sister?

As if he knew what I was feeling he said "I know that I'm suppose to give the big brother you hurt my sister and I hurt you speech, but I already know that you would never intentionally hurt anyone in the family."

Jasper's POV

I can feel how stunned Amber is by my words. I can also feel how touched she is about how convinced I am that she would always protect my family.

The only thing Amber says is "Always" as we both hug.

As Amber and I pull out of our hug Amber brings up my empathic ability. Truth be told I have been expecting this conversation for awhile. So I tell her the truth and as I suspected she confirmed my suspicions about her own empathic abilities.

As we talk about our abilities I'm fascinated to learn about her theories about being able to use my empathic ability to gather more information about a situation. Things like what someone is thinking, being able to predict where someone is by feeling out there energy or predict what someone will do based off of what they're feeling. My head seems to be going a million miles a minute with all the possibilities and all this new information. I will definitely have to think about and sort through all this at a later time.

Alice comes dancing out the back door and after sauntering up to me and giving me a soft kiss, she tells us that dinner is ready. The three of us head inside to wash up.

-Time Skip-

Amber's POV

"So there we were racing up this huge sand dune and everyone wants to be the winner, because the winner would get some brownies. So of course we're all trying to throw each other back down the dune, it's utter chaos. I somehow end up making it up the dune first with Mike close behind me. What we didn't expect was that the Cadre was at the top with this huge supply of volleyballs, ready to strike down anyone that got close to the top. So as I look up all I see is this ball being launched straight at my face. I fall backwards being completely caught off guard and go rolling back down the dune. Running right into Mike and we both go rolling and falling down the dune taking out I don't even know how many of our teammates."

Bella interrupts the story to ask "All of this over just a brownie?"

I chuckle as I try and explain "Well when you're in the pipeline you're living off the land for most of the time that we're out in the wilderness. Living on little sleep, low food and water in some of the environments, like the desert phase that we were in at the time. So a brownie would have been a huge luxury, not to mention it was a great win for our moral. You see, in the military we have a saying "Embrace The Suck" and that basically means that you consciously accept or appreciate something that is extremely unpleasant but unavoidable. A lot of times we have to do things that may seem pointless or completely horrible, but the point is that you have to do it so you might as well embrace it. It builds that strong camaraderie and that strong bond of friendship that is vital in our line of work. So you embrace the suck and make it fun. And that's exactly what we did. Mike, Clay, and I grabbed some of the balls that were at the bottom of the dune and raced back up the dune and proceeded to throw them back at the cadre. Knowing full well that the cadre would be completely ticked off and make us pay for it.

By the time that it was over we were covered in so much sand and countless bruises, laughing ourselves into a stupor, because our cadre was not amused. Apparently no candidate had ever thrown the balls back at the cadre, and turned the contest into a dodgeball game instead. So now we are in the leaning rest counting off our punishment push-ups while the cadre is eating the brownies and talking about how great they tasted taunting us for losing and not playing by the rules so no one wins. Though we all felt like winners that day. It is still one of our most fondest memories as a team."

"That is something that I've noticed in my short time of working at the school. Sere really has a unique way of doing things and they certainly have a way of making things entertaining." Carlisle fondly replies.

I smile as I shrug and say "What can I say? I make things fun."

Esme stands and grabs my plate while asking "Would you like some more dessert dear?"

"Oh no thank you ma'am, I think 2 pieces is plenty. It was delicious. Thank you. Do you need some help with the dishes?" I ask as I start to stand.

Esme places a hand on my shoulder and says "Oh, no sweetie. We have it covered, but thank you for the offer."

"If you would like to help Amber, you could be a dear and help the boys move the boxes from the garage into the library for me while we finish up the dishes. I have been asking them all week, but they keep forgetting."

Emmett, Jasper, and Edward roll their eyes and groan as I stand and quickly agree to help.

I was caught off guard when Rosalie walked pasted me, she stopped and softly cupped my jaw and placed an equally soft kiss on my other cheek. She whispers "Thank you, it's nice to finally get some help around the house."

I'm brought out of my daze by the whipping sound made by Emmett.

I slap him on the back and tell him that "I have no problem being whipped as long as I can get a kiss from a beautiful woman." As I chuckle and walk out to the garage.

It took us less than 15 minutes to get all of the boxes moved into the library. As I went to go back down stairs I turn around when I hear Edward calling my name. He leads me into a room farther down the hall. It's an amazing room filled with a variety of musical instruments.

Edward grabs two acoustic guitars and smiles as he hands one to Amber.

"Want to play a few songs out on the porch?" Edward asks.

Amber smiles and says "Lead the way."

After they get settled out on the porch steps Amber asks "So do you just want to take turns?" "Sounds like a good idea to me, I'll go first" Edward says as he begins to play 'Everything I'll Ever Need – By: Reid Haughton'.

Once he's done I strum my guitar as I settle on a song. I smile as I start to play 'Atlantic City – By: Bruce Springsteen'.

We go back and forth for a few more songs when

Edward asks me to play one of the military songs that I told him about a few weeks ago.

The first song that pops in my head is 'Die Tryin' – By: Chase Rice'. After I play the last note I jump as I hear applause from the rest of the Cullen family that must have wandered out onto the porch to watch the show.

I'm pretty embarrassed by all the attention. Thankfully Edward notices and begins to play 'Boyce Avenue's cover of Drops Of Jupiter'

After he's I glance at my watch and notice that it has gotten pretty late and that I should leave soon. After I make this announcement I hear complaints, that is until Esme reminds her children to behave themselves.

As I chuckle I suggest 2 more song. I decide to play 'Leaving Nashville – By: Charles Kelley' and 'Leader Of The Band – By: Dan Fogelberg'

After I'm done we all head back inside. Edward takes both guitars back upstairs, while the rest of us head back into the living room. After a round of hugs Esme hands Emmett a bag with some left overs and asks him to take them out to my truck for me. When he comes back inside we give eachother a big bear hug and make plans to hang out in a few days.

Rosalie offers to walk me to my truck. As we make our way down the steps of the porch I glance at Rosalie only to notice that she seems to stumble so I quickly grab her waist to steady her. We seem to stare into each other's eyes for what seems like hours. It almost seems like we're leaning in towards each other until we're broken out of our trance by my truck's alarm going off. After I regain my senses I realize that I had the keys in my hand and I must have closed my hand onto the panic/alarm button. I also realize that I am way to close to Rosalie's personal space, so after making sure that she is back on her feet I apologize and point back at my truck with my thumb over my shoulder and say "I should get going. I had a great time. Thanks again for having me over."

Rosalie seems to be a little sad to see me go, but I must be seeing things.

I softly say "Goodnight Rose, I hope that you have a goodnight." And walk to my truck and head home.

Alice's POV

After Amber's truck disappears down the road, I make my way to Rosalie's side.

"That's not how I saw my vision turning out, I'm sorry Rosalie." I sadly say.

"Was she really going to kiss me?" Rosalie hopefully asks.

That's what I saw. Jasper made you stumble on the step when he told Emmett that he could feel Amber's attraction to you from upstairs and then you both would end up sharing a kiss. What I didn't see was that Amber would accidently set off her truck alarm."

Rosalie softly smiles and chuckles as she says "My mate is adorable isn't she. We'll have our moment. I just hope that it's soon."

"You will, I've seen the future, remember?" I reassure her as we head back inside.

I can't wait until Amber and Rosalie finally get together. I know that they will be an adorably wonderful couple.

-Time Skip –

Amber's POV

I find myself back at the Cullen's house a little over a week later forCarlisle's birthday party.

The kids have already given Carlisle the pocket watch. That's when I decide it's time to go get my present. After I excuse myself I go back onto the porch to where I left his gift.

I hand the box to him and wish him a happy birthday.

I hold my breath as he opens it and holds up the hand carving.

It seems like everyone is speechless as I try to explain. "It's the United States Air Force Medical Service symbol. I thought that you should have it to represent your service."
"Did you hand carve this?" Esme asks in astonishment.

I smile bashfully and nod my head.

"It's beautiful." Alice states while touching the intricate carving.

Jasper noticing my embarrassment suggests Edward play some music on the piano.

I smile at Jasper in thanks.

Edward begins playing a lively waltz. Shortly into the tune I notice Esme swaying in her seat. I look over to see that Carlisle is talking with Jasper as they both look at the carving.

I walk over to Esme and stand in front of her with my back straight as I hold out my hand as I ask "May I have the honor of spinning you around on the dance floor ma'am?" I ask will all the Texas charm that I can muster.

I know that I've made the right decision when I see that her eyes light up as she takes my hand.

I lead her into the middle of the room as we begin our dance.

I can tell by the shocked look in her eyes that she wasn't expecting me to be this proficient at the waltz.

I give a smirk as I spin her around with a flourish as the song comes to an end.

We both look around the room at the applause that has broken out.

"Where did you ever learn to dance like that dear." Esme asks with a hint of wonder in her voice. I'm not surprised by her shock. Most people don't know how to dance, little on dance any classical or "old fashioned" type of dances.

"My Grandmother. She always said the way to communicate directly to someone's heart and she made sure that I was fully versed in all forms of that communication." I said with a fond smile filled with all of the memories that I shared with my Grandmother as she taught me everything she knew.

Alice with all of the excitement of a child on Christmas morning asked "Do you know how to swing dance? I love to swing dance! Edward play a big band swing number!"

The only thing that I can do is laugh as I catch Alice as she launches herself at me. So I do the only thing that I can do when you find yourself with an arm full of Alice. I smile and twirl her around as her feet never touch the ground.

As Edward begins to play Alice and I take our positions as start to spin around the makeshift dance floor.

Edward and I take turns playing different tunes on the piano when we decide to play one of our dancing mix playlists. Thankfully it had a wide song selection ranging from classical ballroom, swing, waltzs, even some club type of stuff.

It seems like hours pass as we all take turns dancing with one another.

I have to say that I don't think I will ever get tired of having Rosalie in my arms. I just wish that I could say that she was thinking the same about me. It seemed like a lifetime before she relaxed her tensed muscles when I put my hand on her waist the first time that we danced together. When we wound up partners again I made sure to keep my hand high on her shoulder blade. She didn't seem to be as tense which I was thankful for, but I could almost feel what felt regret whenever we locked eyes.

I knew that the awkwardness most likely was coming from our almost kiss last week.

Who am I kidding, I almost kissed her, but Rosalie obviously wasn't about to kiss me. I'm taken out of my thoughts when the latest song ends and Carlisle, who happened to be my partner at the time, gives me a smile that I can't help but reciprocate.

I glance at my watch and I realize that it's well past midnight.

When I voice my having to head home I'm met with groans and protests.

After a few more minutes of saying goodbye I find myself in my truck headed home.

I find my thoughts drifting back to Rosalie and the emotional whiplash that she always seems to give me.

At times I think that we are so in sync and others it seems like she's pushing me away.

No matter how much it may seem like she's giving me 'signals' I know that it's all in my head, because she's made it very clear through her actions that she wants to keep anything between us in a friend zone.

I can't say that I'm not disappointed, but I would never force her or heaven forbid have her pitty me, because I happened to catch feelings.

The only thing that I'm certain of is that I CAN NOT let my guard down with my emotions regarding Rosalie, because if I did I would lose her. And that can never happen.

I'll learn do deal with this crush, because I would rather have her in my life as a friend than not at all.