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.

---

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.

"How did you find out?" Was the boy's first question as he stared expectantly at the brunette.

"I went to Paul's house after the dinner with my family," she hesitates, hoping he wouldn't be upset at her words. He stiffened, but motioned for her to continue, nonetheless. "He told me everything; the shape-shifters, the vampires, the blood-singers and imprints. Well, I didn't get too much information on the last part, but I get the gist of it."

"He didn't imprint on you," Emmett says lowly, his hands clenching into fists. "I would know if he had. But he didn't, and he had no right to tell you about everything."

"In a way, he did." Hayden states, placing a calm hand on his fist to help him relax. "And I'm glad he told me— it got the initial shock out of the way, even though I still have plenty of questions that you'll have no choice but to answer." She chuckles lightly, making him grin. "Besides, I told him that he shouldn't keep secrets from me anymore, and he listened. Did you ever plan on telling me in the first place?"

"I would've gotten to it eventually," he bites his lip with a shrug, staring down at their now intertwined fingers. "I guess I thought that by keeping it a secret, you wouldn't get hurt. I was protecting you."

Paul had said the same thing— Hayden smiles. They were more similar than they cared to admit, despite their most obvious difference.

"I don't need to be protected," the girl assures him. "And now, I want you to tell me everything about your family— about you, and how all of this happened. Oh— I forgot to ask, how old are you?"

"I was changed when I was twenty, but that was in 1935." He explains, giving her a sly grin. "I didn't know you were into older men, Hayden."

"Neither did I," Hayden scoffs, shoving his hand away from her. "There's no freaking way that you're over seventy years old."

"You wish you'd look this good at seventy," he winks, pulling her into his chest. "Don't you want to hear anything else."

"I already told you— I want to know everything about you." The girl snuggles closer to his chest, releasing a sigh of content as he wraps his strong arms around her; but not before pulling her comforter over top of them to make sure she didn't get to cold.

"My Real name was Emmett McCarty, and I was born in 1915. I grew up in Gatlinburg with a younger sister and two older brothers— I worked on the railroads sometimes, but outside of that I used to hunt. When I got older, I started to gamble, and never once had to worry about the consequences of my actions. I even womanized, if you can believe that."

Hayden snorts, furrowing farther into his chest. He laughs for a moment, before continuing on.

"I was hunting in the woods one day when I came across a bear— and I couldn't get away from it. It nearly killed me that day . . . and if it weren't for Rosalie, I wouldn't be here today. I was going to die, but somehow she came across me and carried me back to Carlisle. I was sure I wouldn't make it, but by miracle, I did. And I'm so glad I did. Because look where I am now."

He rubs his thumb against the girl's exposed arm, enjoying the feeling of her warmth. "I'm eternally grateful for her. If she hadn't have found me, I wouldn't be here with you. And I don't know how I survived all those years— and I'm sure that if I were to lose you now, I'd lose my mind. You're everything I've ever wanted, Hayden."

Glancing down at the girl in his arms, he finds that she's sleeping soundly now. He brushes a few stray locks of hair from her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I love you too, Hayden Marris."

---

Emmett was gone when she woke up the next morning; Hayden was tucked into her bed, and had slept soundly that night. Sitting up in her bed and running her fingers through her hair, Hayden wonders when she had fallen asleep, and how long he had stayed. But before she could comprehend any of it, there was a car horn blaring outside.

"Of course he's here already," the girl shakes her head with a chuckle, moving over to her window to see that Emmett was leaning on the hood of his jeep. His golden eyes meet hers as she peaks through the curtain, a smirk forming on his perfect lips. Hayden holds up a finger to him, hurriedly closing the curtains and pulling on a sweater and some leggings.

Without bothering to brush her hair, she pulls it up into a messy bun, puts on her socks and shoes, and places her bag on her shoulder. Hayden races down the stairs, hoping to not have any confrontation with her parents before she left. But wishful hoping never really worked out for her— and it was no exception now.

"Make sure you're home after school, honey," Amberley chimes from the kitchen. "I'll have dinner made so you can introduce us to Paul."

"I'm sorry Mom, but there's been a change of plans," Hayden pauses at the door, "I went to talk to Paul last night, and things aren't going to work out between us— he understands that.

"Why?" Her mother asks, concerned as she drops her spatula and walks into the living room to look at her daughter. "Jacob said he likes you, and I just assumed—"

"I . . . I'm in love with Emmett," Hayden swallows, "and I told Paul last night. He understands, and wants me to be happy."

"Oh," her mother clears her throat. "If it's that serious, I think you should bring Emmett over for dinner. Your father and I would love to meet him."

"Wait—really?" Hayden questions, the corners of her lips twitching upwards. "You don't have to meet him right away, I know you haven't been too fond of him since he's been my getaway when things get bad around here."

"If he makes you happy, I'm happy," Amberley assures her daughter. "I'm sure he's just as amazing as you are, Hayden."

"I have plans for after school today. Could I invite him over tomorrow? You and Dad could sleep in today." Hayden suggests, already feeling better than she ever could. Everything was falling into place.

"Of course, honey. Call me after school is over, and don't be home too late," her mother says, retreating back to the kitchen. "Damn— I think I might've burned the bacon. Have a good day at school sweetie, I love you!"

"I love you too," she exits the home, still quite surprised. Her parents were putting in the effort that she had always longed for, and she could feel the weight on her shoulders slowly lift.

"Good morning, beautiful," Emmett walks towards her and pulling her into an embrace. He picks her up off of her feet, taking the girl off guard as she laughs.

Hayden wraps her legs around his waist and presses butterfly kisses on his face— her eyes alight with more happiness than she'd ever experienced before.

Amberley watches from the kitchen window, leaning against the counter as she watches the two teenagers. And slowly but surely, a smile made its way into her lips.

And out in the woods just across from her home, a tan wolf also examines them from the sidelines. Paul Lahote was glad to find that Hayden really was happy with the vampire, and that Emmett had every intention to watch over the prized girl. And Paul, although his heart still yearned for her, had promised himself that he would forever be her protector.

The red jeep pulled out of the driveway, and out of view; it faded into the distance, just like the wolf who now knew that he made the right decision by letting Hayden Marris go.

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