perfect times → EMMETT CULLEN ✓

t w e n t y - t w o

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
❝ solving our problems ❞

     HAYDEN HAD HER fair share of dreaming what being with the love of her life would feel like; how it would give her a fuzzy feeling, fireworks would explode in the background— but that wasn't what she was feeling right now. In fact, it was so much more than what her young mind could've comprehended. She could've never imagined the feeling of being whole again, and complete as if she had lost a few pieces of her heart somewhere along the way. In fact, this moment had felt the exact opposite than what she'd expected; the fuzzy feeling was actually like chills and shock waves sending shivers up her spine, and the fireworks would have been a distraction.

But here, in this moment, there were no distractions because it felt as if no one else in the world existed— like the world didn't even exist. It was only Emmett and Hayden standing there, lips moving in sync with her fingers gently tugging at his hair, and his hands pressed firmly on her waist. And the feeling was gone far too fast, as Hayden needed to take a breath. She giggles as he places his forehead on hers, planting a chaste kiss on her button nose.

She was so fragile in his grip, and he was aware that if he held her as tightly as he wanted to, she would break. Hayden wasn't his kind— and he aches to think about how short their time together would really be. But never would he ask immortality of her.

"I think you should drive me home," she says softly, pressing her thumb against his lips. "And you can park down the street after dropping me off. I'll leave my window open for you . . . we have a lot to talk about, and I don't want to wait until tomorrow."

"The doors to the jeep are unlocked," he informs her, nodding lightly but not moving from their position. "I'll go get my keys, you go ahead and get in."

Dropping her hands from him, she sighs, leaving the doorstep to take her spot in his jeep. She decided she would leave her car here for the night— she wouldn't need it anytime soon, anyway. Emmett had made a habit out of picking her up for school in the mornings anyway. And since Joseph wanted her to come over to the Cullen house tomorrow after school, she'd just get a ride with him, and drive herself home after the family's baseball game.

Now all she had to do was get her parents on board. But it would be hard, considering they wanted Paul over for dinner the next day . . .

Oh, how their plans would change.

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Laying against the headboard of her bed, Hayden watches as Emmett sits down on the spot across from her. He looked bright-eyed, and happier than usual. She understood why, and suddenly her cheeks tinged pink— their kiss had affected him as much as it had her.