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This story is winding down...I am not exactly sure how many more chapters there will be but the ending is near!

Emmett's POV

My talk with Bella went surprising well and I attribute that to the fact that she was so upset with Esme being injured that what happened to Rosalie after that was justice. I was just glad that she cried it out and then let the pain medication take her back into a hopefully restful sleep.

Now that I was sure that she was going to be fine I let Carlisle convince me into going out to hunt and clean up a bit. I insisted on hunting alone so that I could think through the new plan that I had going around in my head. I was so deep into my thoughts that time flew by and before I knew it I was fed, showered, and my decisions made.

I was back at Bella's side just before dawn and a moment later Alice came in with a breakfast tray of scrambled eggs, toast and a glass of milk for Bella. She informed me that Bella was going to wake in a couple of minutes and Carlisle wanted her to try to eat something, but not to let her over do it. Alice winked at me and walked out. She must have had a vision about what I was about to do, because I had mad sure to leave that door in my mind open. I didn't want her to get too suspicious with all the holes in her visions so I started to make sure that I let some things through. It was not as big a deal now that our secret relationship was out in the open.

My nerves picked up as I waited for her to wake up, but I was happy that she would be in my arms again soon.

She woke up quickly and it was evident that she felt better. She yawned and gave me a sheepish grin as she stretched her good arm up into the air.

As soon as I saw what she was going to do I reached out to her and put my hands gently on her shoulders stopping her mid-stretch. "You need to be careful because of your ribs."

"Oh, right. I guess I forgot. I feel so renewed this morning." Bella looked at the window and saw that it was still dark outside. "Well, I guess it is not morning yet. What time is it?"

"It is just before dawn so the sky should be lighting up soon." I leaned over and kissed her trying to be quick about it, but I needed to feel her so I deepened the kiss. She hesitated at first, but then she opened her mouth for me and I sank into her, feeling her, smelling her, listening to her vibrant heart beat and I closed my eyes as I reveled in the sensations she created. She broke the kiss before I was ready to release her and nudged me in the chest.

Fear engulfed me as I pulled away, "Why are you pushing me away? Did I hurt you?"

Bella laughed and blushed, "I just, I really want to take a shower and brush my teeth."

I laughed, "You scared me for a second there, kitten."

"Oh come on Emmett, don't you know how much I love you?" Bella rolled her eyes at me with exasperation.

"Sorry, insecure dweeb moment…okay it is over. Let's say that you let me make it up to you." I got up and gently put my arms under her, lifted and scooted her over on the bed. I climbed up onto the bed and turned towards her with my side smile that I know that she adores on my face. "Let me feed you your breakfast and then it would be my honor to shower you."

"You are going to make it up to me by bathing me?"

"Oh yeah. I'm really good you know…when I am done with you babe you are going to be so squeaky clean." I wiggled my eyebrows at her and continued, "And if you are good with following instructions I will even let you wash my back in return."

Bella giggled and blushed yet again, "Well I would hate to inconvenience you, but if you must you must."

"Alright then let us get this ball rolling," I grabbed the breakfast tray and fed my little minx.

When we were finished I helped her to the bathroom and gave her a few human moments. While she was in there I spoke to Carlisle about how to make sure she did not get hurt in the shower.

The shower was pleasant and made her feel refreshed. She was too sore to handle more that a good washing, a few nibbles and kisses, but it felt divine to get to hold her body against mine.

I got her back into the bed, which Alice changed for us while we were in the bathroom and I sat next to her.

Bella leaned her head back onto the bed that was up into a lazy sitting position and sighed. "Wow, I am tired again. It is irritating that a shower can drain me of all my energy." She laced her fingers with mine. "Thank you for helping me get squeaky clean."

"No need to thank me, it was definitely my pleasure," I said chuckling.

Bella looked at me with a big smile, "I am sure it was very exciting helping an invalid."

"I will do anything that involves you naked sweetheart!"

Bella smacked me playfully on the arm.

"I love you Bella."

"I love you, too."

I watched her expression change and I did not have to wait long to find out was bothering her.

"Things are going to be weird now aren't they?" Bella asked me in barely a whisper.

"Yes, for awhile. I think it will be a relatively easy transition for everyone but Edward."

"I need to talk to him, but I am frightened to."

I shook my head at her as I said, "He will not hurt you. He wouldn't dare to, besides I have already talked to him and he seems to be dealing with it in stride. It is not easy for him, but he seems to be determined to come to terms with it if it will make you happy."

"I was not afraid of him hurting me. I am frightened because I am a coward, but I know that it is time to reap what I sew. I just hate hurting him."

"I know you do and so does he."

Time to lay it all on the line Emmett boy, take a deep breath and try to convince her to come on board with the plan. I turned my body towards her so that we were facing each other and I caressed her cheek with my hand. I left it there for a moment feeling her warmth seep into me and I garnered strength from it.

"What would you say if I suggested that after you heal up we go away somewhere on a trip? It would give us some time to be alone and be a real couple without interruptions. Plus, it will help others to deal with certain things if we were gone for awhile. In the end it works both ways, for us and for them."

I watched her with bated breath, waiting for her reaction.

She smiled and my heart soared until she shook her head no causing it to halt twisting into a downward spiral.

"Don't shake your head no. Please? It is an awesome plan."

Bella laughed and asked, "So there is more to this than just a trip…is it another co-op master Emmett plan? Except this time I am the subject, right?"

"Well, yeah," I scoffed. "I have to put it out there in stages and get you to agree to it bit by bit. It really is an excellent way to go about it Bella."

She laughed at me, brought her hand up to her face placing it over mine and brought my hand to her mouth so that she could kiss it.

"You have such a good heart. I mean how kind of you to think about not overwhelming me with your plan all at once." Bella spoke with sarcasm but with love as well, as her smile stayed in place making her eyes shine at me.

"Yeah, of course!" I rolled my eyes at her. "Plus I am more likely to get what I want in return by dropping it into your lap slowly. See honey it is all good, Emmett has his thinking cap on."

Bella continued to chuckle at me, which was nice to hear considering the whirlwind ride she has been on. She was going to heal physically and emotionally. Knowing that she was going to be alright made my world brighter.

"It sounds great," she spoke with clear reservations written all over her now creased forehead.

My face fell as I saw the change in her expressions.

"Really, it does sound great." She sighed.

"But…?" I asked her.

"What about Charlie? What about school? I can not miss much school, I mean it is almost graduation plus Charlie will never agree to it. He doesn't even know that we are together. Oh my God my dad is going to think I am a tramp." Bella cringed at that thought as she continued speaking sounding on the verge of tears, "How am I going to tell him?"

"You do not need to cry because I have answers to all of your questions. I figured it all out while I was hunting and it is going to be fine." I pointed to my temple and winked at her.

She huffed out a breath, wiped her eyes and her beautiful full lips smiled at me again.

"Tell me your plan because I got nothing."

"Okay, but I like my idea better. Telling you in stages just seems so much…safer!" He lifted an eyebrow at me looking at me warily, but with guarded humor.

"Spill it Emmett," Bella demanded.

I held my hands up, "Sure, okay whatever you say. Are you positive that you are ready for this?"

She didn't say anything and she didn't need to; she just gave me that look that means business. You know that look they must teach girls in junior high because all women have it mastered, well at least from my experience.

I cleared my throat, kissed her cheek and began outlining my thoughts to her. "So first we need to wait for you to heal and Carlisle said that you could travel and…um…exert yourself physically in two to three weeks."

I paused and smiled devilishly at her, waiting for her to blush, sputter or something equally adorable. She gave me nothing, absolutely nothing and just stared at me.

A minute passed and she said, "Please, give me some credit. I do know you and your antics are starting to lose their shock value, so please continue." She gave me a grin finally and pushed her body into my side to tell me without words to get on with my explanation.

I stuck my tongue out at her and continued, "Of course you are going to stay here while you are getting better and Charlie is coming tonight to have dinner with you. Esme already talked to him and told him about your 'accident'. She will fill us in on that later, but Charlie agreed that you should stay here so that Carlisle could keep an eye on you. Once you are back to your healthy and vital self I want to take you to our cabin in Sitka, Alaska for the summer."

Bella gasped when I mentioned the length of our trip and I held up my finger at her stopping her from speaking. "Just let me finish, it will all make more sense when I am done."

She pursed her lips for a moment and then nodded her head. I place my hand on her thigh and squeezed it affectionately.

"You will love the cabin it is very secluded and pretty there. There is even a man made lake named Swan Lake. It is the perfect place for us to begin our out of hiding and legitimate relationship. As for school, you are 18 Bella we could arrange for something there are ways around that, but we will make sure that you graduate. I will talk to Carlisle and see if he has any ideas or we can wait until you graduate and leave right after. It is only another week or two, I guess I can be patient or try to be at least. Then about your dad…I will go with you and we will tell him together. Now let me reiterate that you are legally an adult Bella so you do not really need his permission. We could even say…I don't know stop in Vegas and elope in our jeans, then head up to Alaska. Only thing about Las Vegas is that I can only go out at night, but I would not want to stay long just long enough to enjoy, um consummating things. So anyway that about sums it up the 'plan' and planning can go into effect as soon as you give me the go ahead."

I stopped my rambling reluctantly afraid of the words that were going to fall from her mouth. I did not even realize that I was staring down at my lap until her hand gently grasped my chin and brought my face up to hers.

When my eyes met her face I was surprised to see that she seemed happy, peaceful and serene. My chest filled back up with wary hope and I smiled at her.

"Did you just ask me to marry you, tiger?" She whispered huskily as she looked directly into my eyes.

I brought my face down to hers until my cheek rested against hers and whispered into her ear, "Yes kitten, I sure did." I kissed her beneath her ear and reveled in the shiver that it coursed through her. I brought my lips back up and asked, "Would you like me to do it more proper for you Bella?"

"No. You did it perfect. It was so you and it was beautiful." She sniffled a little and her eyes got glassy with tears.

I brought my forehead to hers and my hands up to cup her face. "So…what do say? Do you want to get hitched by Elvis and make an honest vampire out of me…be my ball and chain? Nothing would make me happier."

"You know I have always thought that I would not want to do the whole marriage thing, but with you doing the asking, it doesn't seem so scary. So, Emmett I would love to be your ball and chain because nothing would make me happier."

I breathed out in a rush from holding in a breath that did not technically need to be held and relief swarmed through me. I kissed her nose and very quietly said, "Thank you."