Family of Secrets | Emmett Cullen

Chapter 17

"When we were five they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, our answers were things like, astronaut, president or in my case a princess."

Jessica, Bella's friend and class valedictorian, had just started giving her graduation speech. Closer to the back row, Emmett and Jackie sat with Esme and Carlisle as they watched the rest of Emmett's family graduate. Sofia was sitting with Carlisle and Maddie with Esme. Both girls looked so peaceful and content. It had been a long time since Jackie had seen them like that.

Beside her, the large restless Emmett squirmed and began to fidget. He bounced his leg up and down out of pure boredom and refused to sit still.

"You're worse than the girls," Jackie hissed as she gave his thigh a small squeeze. "Your making everyone around you bounce with that leg," she scolded.

Emmett just huffed and rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. Both girls looked at him and giggled, but we're quickly hushed by Esme and Jackie.

It was nice to have a family, Jackie thought, but she wondered if they would still be as accepting once they knew all of her secrets.

As the principal finally gave the closing statements, the class cheered as did Emmett who could no longer sit still. Jackie congratulated Alice, Jasper, Bella and Edward before leaving to take the girls to a slumber party with a few of their friends from LaPush.

While Jackie was gone, Emmett decided it might be a good idea to take Jasper on a quick hunt before all those humans would be arriving at their house for Alice's graduation party. Both men caught their food and dragged the dead animals over to a log so they could sit down and talk while they fed. To a human, it probably looked like some sort of demented dinner party.

"So, have you talked to Jackie yet?" Jasper started the conversation.

"No."

Jasper shook his head in disapproval. "Brother, what are you waiting for?"

"Hey, I'm not the only one keeping secrets!" Emmett defensively growled. "Besides, have you ever actually said the whole thing out loud before?" Emmett challenged. "She's gonna think I'm a lunatic!" he yelled.

"She loves you," Jasper calmly answered. "It might be hard for her to grasp at first, but I think she'll come around."

"What if she doesn't?" Emmett questioned.

"Don't think like that," Jasper stated.

Shaking his head, Emmett insisted. "But what if she doesn't?"

"She will."

***
A little later that day, Jackie pulled up to the Cullen's house. She struggled to make her way to the garage as Alice's party was a huge hit and cars were literally parked everywhere. Of course, Emmett had heard her pull up in his jeep and came running down to greet her.

With a huge grin on his face, he opened the door and greeted her with a kiss that left her panting. He loved doing that to her.

"This jeep looks good on you," he teased as he watched her catch her breath.

Jackie rolled her eyes as she stood up and jumped into his arms. Emmett didn't even stumble, catching her in his strong arms with ease. She mumbled against his lips as she kissed him.

"I love you."

Emmett didn't answer, instead crushing his lips to hers again as he held her body tightly to him. He carried her over to the door and set her down in the kitchen.

As Jackie walked around, quite a few students greeted her and she wished them well on their endeavors. Emmett suddenly excused himself, and Mike took notice, quickly coming up to her.