The past few days had been gruelling, each moment a struggle as I tried to come to terms with the inevitability of becoming a vampire. The weight of that reality pressed on me constantly, a suffocating thought I couldn't escape. Telling my Grams was the hardest part. The look on her face when I broke the news—heartbreak mixed with silent acceptance—nearly tore me apart. Her devastation was palpable, and every word felt like a blow to her spirit. Yet, despite her sorrow, she made it clear she'd rather see me turned into a vampire than watch me burn alive at the stake.

She also understood that I was doing this to protect the Cullens and everyone who had stood with us against the Volturi. Though it hurt her, she knew I couldn't let them suffer for my sake. I also told her about the Salem Thirteen, and how they hinted at a destiny. One that would ultimately harness fear, making people afraid of me. She didn't fully grasp what they were implying, as that wasn't who I was. I was kind and loving, not malicious or someone who wielded fear to achieve my goals.

Emmett guided me through the forest, our footsteps gentle on the soft earth as we strolled amidst nature. I could feel its essence in every hair on my body, a connection to the world around me.

I laughed as he persisted, clearly eager to reach our destination. There was no doubt in my mind that he was racing toward the meadow filled with flowers. Yet I was still being pulled along by him. As we neared our destination, he playfully covered my eyes with his large hands, guiding me forward. The sweet aroma of wildflowers filled the air, enveloping me in their essence.

Abruptly, we came to a stop, signalling that we had arrived. He had a surprise waiting for me. He gently lifted his hands from my eyes, and as my vision gradually adjusted, I was greeted by the sight of the meadow. A soft blanket was spread out on the grass, surrounded by candles whose flickering flames danced in the gentle breeze. Next to it sat a picnic basket, overflowing with an array of delicious food.

"Emmett," I said softly, a smile tugging at my lips as I glanced at him before moving toward the blanket. 

"I thought we could have a meal out here," he suggested, and my heart swelled with love for him at the thoughtful gesture. "I know it's not exactly warm out—" he began, but the cold didn't matter to me. I cut him off, spinning around and pressing my lips against his, letting the kiss speak for itself.

"It's perfect," I whispered, pulling back slightly from the kiss but letting my arms rest over his shoulders. "You're perfect."

"No, it's you who's perfect," he responded without hesitation, his tone firm, leaving no room for disagreement.

My heart swelled once more as he lowered his head, and our lips met. The familiar sparks, the fireworks, ignited between us like they always had. I knew they would still be there, even when I became one of them.

I didn't want the kiss to end, but eventually, it did. Emmett gently guided me the rest of the way to the blanket, his hand never leaving mine. As we sat down, the fabric beneath us felt impossibly soft, like touching a cloud. The cool air danced around us, but the atmosphere between us remained warm, and intimate.

"You didn't have to do all this," I said honestly, turning to look at him, fully aware of how much effort he put into this just for me. 

"I wanted to," Emmett replied softly. "I want to make this month special for you. Do all the things you've ever wanted." His words hit me hard, slicing through the moment, and striking my heart in a way that made it ache. Though he meant it out of love, I couldn't help but feel the heaviness behind them. My face must have betrayed me, because the second the words left his mouth, his eyes widened with realization, regret flashing across his expression.

The air between us fell heavy with silence as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I fought to keep them at bay, but it was harder than I expected. I'd had a few days to come to terms with everything, to accept the reality of what was to come, but knowing that each moment brought me closer to the end of my time as a witch... it shattered my heart. The weight of it all felt unbearable, creeping in like a shadow.

"Charlotte... I—" His words trailed off, unsure and heavy, as if he didn't know how to finish the sentence. And honestly, I didn't know how to respond either. We were both caught in the silence, overwhelmed by emotions we couldn't put into words.

"I don't regret it, you know," I finally whispered, my voice trembling as I lifted my gaze to meet his. "The only way to keep you and the rest safe is for me to become a vampire... and I understand what I'm going to lose." My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep it together. "One day, I'll be fine with that," I added softly, though the weight of those words crushed my heart. Tears threatened to spill, but I held them back, forcing a fragile smile that didn't reach my eyes.

It could take years, decades, or even centuries for me to come to terms with it, but I was ready to endure that journey for him and for all of them.

"It shouldn't be this way," Emmett replied, his voice strained as he clenched his fist in anger at the thought. It appeared across his face as well. "You shouldn't have to suffer because of who you are!" His voice rose, filled with fury.

I knelt before him, leaning in to wrap my arms around him in an attempt to soothe his anger. "It's not your fault," I whispered softly, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath my touch.

He remained rigid for a moment as if my words hadn't pierced through the storm of his emotions. But gradually, I felt him begin to relax, the tightness in his body easing just a fraction. I pressed my forehead against him, searching his eyes for the anger that was slowly being replaced by a deep sorrow.

"I just want you to be safe, Charlotte," he murmured, his voice thick with frustration and concern. "I can't stand the thought of you suffering—of losing everything you are. It's not right."

"I know," I replied, my heart aching for the pain he felt. "But this is the only way to protect you and the others. I won't let the Volturi take anyone else from us."

As I spoke, tears welled in my eyes again, not just for what I was losing, but for the fierce love that radiated from him. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that escaped. "You're so brave," he said, his voice softening. "But you don't have to do this alone. You have all of us."

A faint smile tugged at my lips as I considered the idea of them guiding me, teaching me how to manage my thirst and my newfound strength.

"I want you to do it," I whispered, locking my gaze on his. "I want you to turn me," I clarified, though I was certain he understood my intent. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a deep intensity as my words settled between us.

"Charlotte...," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I don't know if I'll have the strength," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. It was clear he wasn't talking about the physical act of transformation but the weight of what it meant to bite me, to inject me with his venom.

"Emmett, you're stronger than you realize," I said softly, my heart aching for him. "I trust you completely," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his once more as his hands slipped from my face. "There's no one else in the world I would want to turn me." 

"You'll be in agony for days," he replied quickly, his voice filled with concern. The thought of me suffering tormented him. "I... I can't bear to see you like that." 

"I'll create a potion," I promised softly, trying to soothe his concerns. "All you need to do is bite." I lifted my hands, tracing my fingers delicately across his cheeks, smoothing away the tension etched there.

"If you want me to do it... then I need you to do something for me," Emmett said, a serious tone threading through his voice. My brow furrowed momentarily, uncertainty flickering in my chest. But I knew him well enough to sense that this wasn't an unreasonable request. I would do anything for him, no matter the cost.

Suddenly, he shifted in his seat, prompting me to lean back slightly, settling onto my knees. I watched as he leaned over the picnic basket, his strong hands rummaging through the contents with purpose. The soft rustle of fabric and clinking of utensils filled the air as he searched intently, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration. It was like he was nervous all of a sudden.

I could feel my heart racing, the weight of the moment making the anticipation nearly tangible. What could he possibly be looking for? At that moment, he finally pulled something from the basket. Standing tall, he fixed his gaze on me, a mix of intensity and determination in his eyes.

For some reason, an overwhelming urge compelled me to rise to my feet, and I did so in one fluid motion, my eyes searching his expression for clues. If he were capable of sweating, I was certain he would have been.

"Charlotte," he began, his voice thick with emotion, "from the moment I met you, you changed everything. You brought light into my world that I didn't even know was dim. I've faced countless battles and fought off the strongest foes, and yet nothing terrifies me more than the thought of you in pain. You deserve so much more than a life filled with darkness and fear."

He stepped closer, his gaze never wavering from mine, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I want to be the one who stands beside you, to hold your hand through every challenge. I want to share not just the good moments but the bad ones too."

He paused, a playful smile breaking through the intensity. "And if I had a dollar for every time I realized I was hopelessly in love with you, I'd be rich enough to buy you a diamond the size of your head. Not that I'd ever want anything to distract from your beauty, but just imagine it—"

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing between us. "You'd definitely need a crane to carry that one around!"

He chuckled, the warmth of his laughter filling the space between us. "See? Even in the midst of all this, you still manage to bring joy into my life. That's how I know you're the one I want by my side, no matter what it takes."

Without my realizing it, he knelt down on one knee, and my breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened in shock, disbelief coursing through me as I struggled to process what was happening. 

"Will you, Charlotte Grace Matthews..." At that moment, every fibre of my being screamed 'yes!' But I held back, wanting to hear him finish his question completely. "Do me the honour of becoming my wife?" As he spoke those last words, he revealed a ring, gracefully pulling it from behind his back, and slowly opened the black velvet box, revealing the sparkling treasure inside.

My mouth fell open in astonishment as I gazed at the ring nestled within the black velvet box. At its centre sat a stunning ruby, deep and vibrant, radiating a rich red hue that seemed to capture the very essence of passion. Surrounding the ruby were smaller, sparkling stones that glimmered like stars. The band itself was crafted from a rose-gold metal, its warm tones beautifully complementing the red of the rubies. As I continued to absorb the beauty of the ring, a flicker of recognition stirred within me. I realized I had seen this ring before. 

"Where did you get this?" I asked, my gaze shifting from the exquisite jewellery back to his eyes, searching for answers.

"I asked your grandma for your hand," he began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "When she gave me her blessing, she offered me her mother's ring. She said it's been passed down through generations." As he spoke, tears welled in my eyes, recalling the moment my grandma had shown me the ring.

"Yes," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper. Then, with an overwhelming rush of emotion, I exclaimed, "YES! A million times, yes! Yes! Yes!" Emmett chuckled at my overwhelming joy as he carefully took the ring from the box. With gentle hands, he grasped my left hand, extending my fingers in anticipation. He slid the ring onto my ring finger, and it fit perfectly.

Unable to contain my excitement any longer, I lunged forward and wrapped my arms tightly around him, pressing my lips against his in a passionate kiss. The rush of love I felt for him was overwhelming, almost causing him to stumble back. Once he regained his balance, I settled onto his knee.

As our passionate kiss finally broke, I gazed lovingly into his eyes, feeling a rush of warmth and connection. But the moment was too beautiful to end, and our lips found each other once more, expressing the depth of my love for him in every tender touch.

As I perched on his knee, waves of joy and happiness washed over me, eclipsing all other emotions. The reality of my impending transformation loomed ahead, a challenge I would inevitably have to confront. Yet, in that moment, I felt an undeniable comfort—I wouldn't face it alone... not anymore.

Never alone again.

***********************

‎‧₊˚✧ [𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤] ✧˚₊‧

╰┈➤AHHH! OMG! OMG!
OUR CHARLOTTE IS GETTING MARRIED!
Ok, so from the very start, i knew i wanted her to marry Emmett, and as i developed the books, i knew how to do it, and when to do it! I LOVE them so much!
Please do not forget to read the next chapter which will be Author Notes, which may contain a surprise for you all...
Please don't forget to vote, and comment on the chapter :)