The smile from my time with Emmett still lingers on my face. My Grams had likely noticed my smile during our brief conversation. I slipped into my room before my Grams could even ask a question, closing the door softly behind me. Leaning against it, I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. My heart swelled with the memories of the evening—the way we talked, the way we laughed together, and most of all, the way we kissed. Every detail felt vivid and perfect, each moment etched into my mind like a cherished keepsake.

I pushed myself away from the door and walked over to my bed. With a playful spin, I fell back onto the soft covers, feeling the mattress give beneath my weight. The sensation of sinking into the plush fabric and the memories that danced around my mind, made me let out a giggle, the sound filling the room. I stared up at the ceiling, my mind replaying the evening's events, the laughter bubbling up again as I recalled Emmett's smile, the warmth of his embrace, and the electric thrill of our kisses.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, and the door swiftly opened. I propped myself up on my elbows and saw my Grams standing there, a warm smile on her face.

"I take it you had a nice time?" she remarked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. I couldn't help but smile even wider at her comment. "If you keep smiling like that, it might just stick," she chuckled, earning a laugh from me as I sat up, now perched on the edge of the bed.

"I can't help it," I replied, smiling through the words. "Grams, I..." My voice faltered, unable to find the right words to express how incredibly happy I felt in that moment. "I really like him, but... is it possible?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting together in curiosity.

She chuckled softly, walking toward me. "Anything is possible," she said, stopping at the edge of my bed and gracefully sitting down beside me. "Just because he's a vampire and you're a witch doesn't change a thing," she continued, wrapping her arm around me and pulling me into her embrace. "Only you can decide if you want to nurture this flower and see if it blooms," she said, using a garden analogy to make it clearer to me. "But with all things come sacrifices. He will stay the same forever. You can never have children, never grow old together. He will watch you age," my Grams said, being realistic, her hand rubbing up and down my arm.

"I just want to live in the here and now," I responded, casting my gaze at her. "Every time I'm with him, he brings out a side of me I never knew I had. He's not afraid of what I can do. He embraces it, embraces me," I spoke with earnest passion. "I'll worry about the future when it comes," I declared, determined not to let it affect the present.

"It comes for us all," she declared, pulling me tighter into her embrace, her love palpable in the gesture. "I'm just glad you're happy," she continued, planting a soft, tender kiss on the top of my forehead. Before gently resting her chin on top of my head.

We sat at the end of the bed for what felt like hours. I absorbed her words, but they didn't sway me. I understood that this wouldn't be easy. Bella and Edward had faced challenges, and I anticipated the same for Emmett and me.

............................

Bella had filled me in on the events of earlier that day. Edward, Jasper, and Jacob had devised a plan to transport Bella to the campsite. They aimed to lure the newborns to a specific battlefield chosen by Jasper, where Bella's scent would lead them. From there, Jacob would carry her to the campsite.

Bella had also told me that she and Edward would have the house to themselves tonight, a prospect she seemed eager about. The rest of the Cullens were going out to hunt in preparation for the impending battle. Alice must have driven to hers once she had dropped me off that morning. It was hard to believe how quickly everything had approached.

I struggled to articulate the events of last night to her, the words caught in my throat as if hesitant to escape. "Emmett and I kissed!" I burst out, the words tumbling out in a flurry, interrupting Bella's packing. She froze, her gaze snapping at me, eyes widening in surprise before a smile crept onto her lips.

"I think I need to hear that one more time," Bella said with a smirk, fully focused on me now. I chuckled, meeting her gaze.

"You heard me," I affirmed, to which she laughed in response.

"About time," Bella remarked as if she had been expecting something to transpire between us. "I guess everyone was just waiting for one of you to make the first move," she chuckled, taking a seat on the edge of the bed while I remained standing at the foot of it. "Tell me everything," she urged, her curiosity evident in her tone.

"Well, I got there, he greeted me, we went inside," I started, my gaze fixed on her. "I asked him about his human life, what he was like," I continued, the memory of our conversation playing vividly in my mind. "And then... we just..." My voice trailed off, the sensation of our kiss still lingering on my lips, a tangible memory of the moment. "I asked him if I could kiss him, and he replied with 'I thought you'd never ask'," I recounted, attempting to mimic Emmett's deep voice. My attempt fell short, earning a laugh from Bella at my failed impression. "But it was magical," I continued, my voice returning to its usual tone, as it was the only way I could describe the moment.

"Charlotte, I'm so happy for you!" Bella exclaimed; her excitement evident. "I would hug you, but you're not actually here," she continued, tilting her head slightly. "But you look like you're here," she added with a tilt of her head, while she ran a hand through her hair and tucked it behind her ear, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"Astral projecting," I began, recalling that I had mentioned this when I first appeared in her room. "Don't think about it," I advised, chuckling softly. "I have to go. Have a great evening, Bella," I said with a warm smile, giving her a wave. She reciprocated the wave with a smile of her own. When I closed my eyes, I reopened them to find myself back on my bed, legs crossed, and my Grimoire open in front of me.

With my gaze fixed on the pages of the book, an idea began to take shape within my mind. Contemplating Bella's strategy of leading the newborns with her scent, I pondered if there was a method by which I could contribute to containing them. Maybe I could devise a plan to confine them within the same field Jasper had designated for the battle. And so began my dive into research.

As the hours slipped away, I meticulously pored over each page of the book, realising I hadn't even made a dent in its contents. The wealth of knowledge it held was staggering, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay within our family's grimoire if it was even more extensive than this.

Suddenly, there was a rough knock at the front door. It couldn't be my Grams; she was still out. I swiftly rose from my bed, made my way out of my room, and into the hallway. Descending the staircase, I noticed the front door as I stepped off the last step. Without hesitation, I gripped the doorknob, twisted it, and pulled the door open. Standing on the other side was Emmett. He wore loose-fitting clothes and a black hoodie, his eyes a vibrant golden hue. My heart skipped a beat when he flashed me that boyish smile.

"Emmett," I said, my smile lighting up my face. "I thought you were hunting?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I was," he admitted. "But I had to come see you," he confessed, his sincerity melting my heart.

"Just a big softie," I replied with a grin, acknowledging the tender unbeaten heart beneath his muscular exterior. "How's everyone else? Are they ready for tomorrow?" I inquired, shifting my weight as I leaned against the door, fixing my gaze on him.

"They are," Emmett replied promptly, his gaze momentarily drifting away from mine, hinting at an underlying concern. "I just..." His voice trailed off, faltering as if grappling with his thoughts.

"You can tell me anything," I offered, stepping closer, and crossing the threshold to stand just inches away from him.

He brought his gaze back to meet mine. "I don't want you to go," his voice was so soft, almost a whisper that it nearly slipped by unnoticed. But its tenderness filled the air, echoing his genuine concern for me. "I don't want you to get hurt, or even worse," his words trailed off, a raw vulnerability surfacing as he voiced his fears.

"You saw what I can do," I retorted, as he better than anyone knew I was capable of defending myself.

"It's different when it's us, people you know who wouldn't dream of harming you," Emmett responded, his voice carrying a hint of urgency. "But on that field, the newborns, they won't think twice, they will see you as nothing more than prey." He attempted to instil fear in me about the impending battle, but I remained unafraid.

"We have the numbers," I reassured, mindful of the wolves. "And you have me." I reached up, my fingertips tracing his right cheek gently. He leaned into my touch, finding comfort in the connection. "I won't lie, I'm scared," I confessed honestly, intertwining my fingers with his. "But I want to do my part. I want to protect the people I care about," my voice softened with determination. "And I can do it. I'm ready," I said, offering a reassuring smile.

"Bella is lucky to have you," Emmett replied swiftly. "I'm lucky to have you," his voice softened, his gaze drifting. Before his head could move any further, I leaned up and planted a kiss upon his lips. His head instantly tilted back, and he kissed me back with passion, sending sparks of electricity through me. I deepened the kiss, pressing my warming body against his cool one, and he responded by embracing me, intensifying the kiss further. His tongue explored my mouth, asserting dominance effortlessly. A soft, innocent moan escaped my lips, the sound seeming pure and sweet at the moment. But rather than cooling the moment, it seemed to ignite a fiercer passion between us.

Emmett skilfully manoeuvred us, shifting our position diagonally as he pressed us against the sturdy wooden frame of the door. Despite the impact, our lips remained locked in a passionate embrace. My hands naturally traced the contours of his muscular arms, gliding upwards until they reached the back of his neck, where my fingers intertwined with the strands of his hair. In response, his firm grip on my waist tightened, drawing me closer to him.

"Emmett," I whispered breathlessly against his lips, my heart racing as this kiss surpassed all others. His lips finally parted from mine, leaving me breathless as he stared at me with a longing that made my heart flutter. My legs felt weak, barely able to support me as the intensity of the moment washed over me. The warmth in my cheeks wasn't the only thing heating up.

"Am I interrupting?" My Grams' voice echoed from the porch, making me snap my head towards the steps where she stood. My eyes widened in surprise. I quickly pushed myself off the door frame, nudging Emmett back slightly. I smoothed down my wrinkled clothes and tucked the loose strands of hair behind my ears.

"No!" I replied hastily. "Emmett was just checking on me," I said, my eyes flickering between him and my Grams. She gave me a look that made me avert my gaze. As she walked forward, Emmett stepped back, creating enough space for her to pass between us and enter the house.

"Five minutes," she called out as she disappeared into the kitchen, placing the shopping bags on the table. I couldn't help but giggle as I turned my attention back to Emmett, who was just smiling at me.

"Thank you for checking on me," I said softly. "And please don't worry." I stepped forward, and he did the same; we were standing in front of each other within seconds. "I'll be fine," I added, trying to ease his concern, though I doubted I could fully do so.

"Promise me?" he asked. I chuckled softly, before leaning up to kiss him on the lips. The moment was tender and sweet, lasting only a few seconds before I pulled back.

"I promise," I replied. "Now go, before my Grams turns you into a chicken," I joked, laughter in my voice as I playfully urged him towards the porch steps.

He chuckled at my remark, then paused just before the steps, turning his head towards me. "I'll see you tomorrow," he declared, to which I nodded. With a lingering look exchanged between us, he vanished in a blur, gone before I could even blink.

"I would have turned him into a dog," my Grams' voice chimed from behind me. I chuckled at her response and turned around to see her leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest. "Emmett loves you," her announcement caught me off guard, evident from the surprise on my face. "Your father had the same look on his face when he was near your mother," she continued, drawing me closer. My arms instinctively wrapped around myself as I listened intently, intrigued by her words.

"He was so devoted to your mother, at first I thought she had cast a spell on him," she chuckled softly, reminiscing about the past, making me smile. "But he was just so in love with her that she could be anything, and he would stand by her," she spoke with a nostalgic sigh. "True love is rare, but they had it," she concluded.

"I wished I had known them," I murmured softly, my hand gently caressing my right arm as I spoke. "Would they be proud of what I'm doing?" I barely dared to ask, my gaze avoiding my Grams as the question hung in the air.

"Of course, they would," she replied, her voice carrying a tinge of hurt, as if the mere question pained her. "They would be immensely proud," she cautioned me, her tone filled with affection as I locked eyes with her. There was an undeniable truth reflected in her gaze. "I'm incredibly proud of what you're doing," she continued, unfolding her arms and stepping out onto the porch, enveloping me in a warm embrace.

"Thanks, Grams," I murmured softly, sinking into her embrace.

"Now, let's get something to eat," she declared, breaking the hug and ushering us inside. As the door closed behind us with a soft click, I couldn't help but marvel at the subtle magic my Grams used. Yet beneath my calmness, a current of fear coursed through me, a gnawing uncertainty about the battle that awaited us tomorrow. I knew I had to summon my courage, not just for myself, but for those I cared for. For Bella, for my Grams, for the Cullens. And most of all, for Emmett...

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