What's Forever

Chapter 2

"What! No, I can't . . . grandma Morgan you really shouldn't . . . I can't accept this." I stammered.

"Yes you can and you will."

"It's too much, I can't . . ."

"You will, it's a gift from Chris." she softly informed me.

"What?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time, turning to look at her.

"Chris had this house made for you guys. It was supposed to be for the three of you but we both know that isn't an option anymore. He started when he found out that you were pregnant in the hopes that by the time he could convince you to move here it would be finished."

"He bought us a house?" I whispered, stepping away from grandma Morgan and the keys as if that would do anything.

"I know that his feelings ran a little deeper than he cared to admit and since he knew you didn't feel the same way he didn't want to pressure you." she admitted.

"I . . . I loved him . . . I really did but . . ."

"I know sweetie, I didn't mean anything by it. There are so many ways to love someone and sometimes people just aren't meant to be together. There's nothing wrong with that."

"We tried, I tried to love him because I could see it in his eyes. He was such an open book to me, I could see that he had more serious feelings for me but I just didn't feel the same way. I can't accept this." I sniffled.

"Valentina Rossi! My grandson knew that you weren't in love with him and he told me that while he had feelings for you that were more than friendly, he was aware that his feelings weren't strong enough to hold or maintain a relationship. He loved you but he wasn't in love with you so you don't have to feel guilty. He still wanted this house for the three of you, this was his gift to you. It will be your home, a new home for a new beginning. Take it." she insisted, holding out the key.

"Grandma . . ."

"Valentina, it's a lot, I know but this is for you. Chris had this made so that both of you could raise this little beauty somewhere safe and calm. We'll bring your boxes here when they arrive and I already stocked up the basics for you." she said.

"I just . . . I can't believe he did this."

"Come on, let's go inside." she said.

It really is a pretty house on the outside, simple, he knew me well. A two-car garage with a sunken back front door in navy blue, big window in a sort of statement outside wall done in a stacked stone in different tones of beige with white trim. The lights were on and it was all very open with a bedroom right off of the entryway by the stairs. There was hardwood all along what I could see of the first floor except for the guest bedroom.

It's a lot bigger than I expected, the kitchen, small dining room, breakfast nook, and a half bath take up the entire back half of the first floor with the living room taking the front half. Upstairs is the master bedroom and bathroom, nursery, spare bedroom, family type den area, the second bathroom, and a small closet that housed the washer and dryer.

Even though there was a full nursery, there was still a crib in the master bedroom which is freaking huge. For an extra touch of sweetness that just tugged at my heartstrings, there were pictures scattered all over the house. My family, his family, our little family, the two of us, the three of us, either one of us with Ava. There were also three poster-sized pictures in the nursery, above her crib that just broke the dam on the waterworks. One of Ava and I, the cutest picture of the three of us and my favorite picture of Chris and Ava from a newborn session where he's holding her in his big old hands and touching the tip of his nose to hers. The smile on his face was just radiant.

"Grandma . . ." I tearfully said.

"These are a housewarming gift from me. They're my favorite pictures but you can change them if you want." she said.

"I would never, they're my favorites too. He was an amazing man and father . . . he loved her so much." I sniffled.

"He was and he did." she sniffled also.

"Will you stay with us tonight?" I asked.

"Of course sweetie. There's a pack and play in the downstairs closet, let's set that up and start hauling your bags in."

"Sounds like a plan."

It didn't take long to bring the bags inside since I didn't bring much to begin with. Grandma Morgan called dibs on the room on the first floor, saying it was closer to the kitchen for her midnight snacks. She eats healthy but she likes her midnight snacks, healthy ones but she likes to snack. She took Ava to her room for some bonding time so I took advantage to walk around and unpacked our things.

I tracked my boxes and they should arrive tomorrow, then I can really get into unpacking and organizing things in my new house.

EMMETT'S POV

"Son, where are you now?" my father asked.

We haven't spoken in a while but my father, Carlisle Cullen, checks in on me every few months. He's a special kind of man, not pushy but he subtlely lets you know that he will be there for you no matter what. All of us rely on him and trust him with our lives and we would put down our lives for him. No questions asked.

"In school." I replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I finally decided to do it for the long haul and get a degree."

"What are you studying?" he chuckled.

"Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Real Estate Development."

"Well, those are definitely opposite ends of the spectrum."

"I googled and it looked interesting, so I decided to go for it. Hell, I might even decide to sell houses. God knows I can sell'em."

"Keeping busy then."

"I wish, I'm almost done though." I told him.

"How long do you have left?" he asked.

"A month, probably less. Why?"

"Esme's been asking me about when you were going to come home."

"She hasn't mentioned anything to me." I argued.

"She doesn't want you to feel like she's smothering you. The girls miss you too."

"How's Jared doing?" I asked.

Jared is the newest addition, the newest member of the Cullen clan, our coven, and he's Rosalie's mate. My brother Edward and I found him three years ago while we were hunting. We were racing through Angeles National Forest and I found him after he was attacked by a bear. I couldn't leave him there, not after I was attacked and saved from a bear. It was my turn to save someone and pay it forward. Karma had it that she would fall for him.

Rosalie and I were involved in a sexual relationship for decades, it had started to fizzle out a little right before I found Jared. As soon as she saw Jared I knew that it was completely over and so did she.

After a while, I decided to venture out on my own. Living around 3 couples, one in the honeymoon phase and a mind reader as a single man can get very uncomfortable very quickly and it did. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but it was a lot to be around. It's not like I can go on a date with just anyone. My self-control is good but not Carlisle good, sort of Edward good because I have slipped up in the past.

Our family diet makes socializing with others of our kind a little awkward during hunting times. We stray away from human blood consumption but there aren't many more who subscribe to our lifestyle. They don't see the point in it. On the rare occasion that I do encounter another vampire, I can hang for a while until they decide it's time to hunt. Like I said, my self-control is pretty good but I'd rather not test my luck.