Family of Secrets | Emmett Cullen

Chapter 20

"Ok," Jackie replied calmly, "So what's the problem?"

"Jackie," Emmett paused, exasperation oozing in his voice. "I don't think you totally understand."

"What's not to understand?" she asked. "Death or become a vampire," she stated. "I'm willing to change for you."

"Why do you have to say it like that?" he snarled.

"Say it like what?" Jackie asked scrunching her eyebrows in confusion.

"You said change for me," he frowned. "It's not for me," Emmett argued, "This isn't what I want."

"Well that's interesting," Jackie snipped, "if you didn't want me to change, then what did you think would eventually happen?" She asked.

Emmett clenched his jaw and looked away.

"I mean seriously," she continued. "What were you planning on doing when I turned forty? Or eighty?" she ranted. "Was all that 'spending the rest of eternity together' talk just bull shit then?"

"No," Emmett snapped angrily, narrowing his eyes at her. "I just think there's another option that we should consider," he said.

"Like what?"

"You could always run," he suggested.

"And are you going to run with me?" she questioned.

Emmett didn't answer.

"Oh," she said nodding her head. "I see."

Pushing herself up and off his lap, Jackie tried to hold in the flood of tears that was threatening to release.

"Well, I-I hope you have a nice life," Jackie mumbled, her voice faltering with heart break as she turned to walk away.

Suddenly Emmett appeared in front of her.

"Jackie, stop." He grabbed hold of both her arms tightly. "This isn't what I want either," he told her.

"You need to know," he continued before she could interrupt. "Transitioning, was the most excruciating pain I have ever endured," he explained. "I can't imagine myself having to helplessly watch you go through that kind of pain."

"But you survived..."

"Yes," Emmett replied, engulfing her in his arms, "and I'd rather me do it again, a thousand times over, than have to sit there and watch you go through it," he said.

Bending down, Emmett caressed the top of her head.

"I understand," Jackie replied softly, "but I'm not going to run," she told him.

"I had a feeling you'd say that," Emmett smirked. "But are you absolutely, positively, sure, that this is the life you want?" he asked.

"Of course," she exclaimed. "I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life without you," she beamed.

"One hundred percent?" he raised a quizzical eyebrow at her.

"One hundred percent," she smiled.

"Well then," Emmett began, nervously, as he pulled a black velveteen box out of his pocket and dropped down to one knee.

"Jacqueline Amelia Devereaux, I have never loved anyone as much as I love you. I love you more than a rose loves the sun on a cold winters night. When I'm with you, I feel complete and I couldn't imagine spending my life without you. You are my everything, my forever, my eternity. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?"

As he finished his speech, Emmett slowly opened the box and revealed one of the largest diamonds Jackie had ever seen.

Covering her mouth with her hands, Jackie gasped as Emmett slowly slid the ring on her finger.

"It's beautiful," she murmured looking down as the large square diamond caught the sun light and sparkled more brilliantly than Emmett's skin.

"I hope it's not too much," he said. "I just wanted to make sure everyone would see it and know that you're mine," he confessed.

Jackie looked down at the ring once again. In the middle, the large diamond was surrounded by two rows of smaller diamonds and was set atop three thin bands each encrusted with even more tiny diamonds.

"I think it's perfect," she whispered smiling up at him.

His powerful arms wrapped around her, crushing her body to his. She stood up on tip toe, as she let her hands slide up and over his shirtless abs before inner locking them together behind his neck. Grabbing her ass with one of his insanely large, strong hands, he pressed her against his impressively growing desire before effortlessly lifting her up. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his hips.

As he tugged on the hair at the base of her skull, his tongue caressed her lips, willing her to open up for him. He deepened the kiss, driving them further into a whirlwind of passion. Emmett suddenly pulled away with a groan leaving Jackie panting as she tried to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, "I just can't," he explained. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I just- I just want you while I'm still me," Jackie replied.

"It's just too dangerous," Emmett shook his head.

Jackie cupped his face in her hands. "I have faith in you," she told him. "Just try," she pleaded, "please, just try."

He rested his forehead against hers.

"When we're married," he smiled, "and not before then," he compromised.

Jackie sighed before playfully rolling her eyes, "I guess we better go tell the girls then."