Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does.

Flashback:

"I love you too, Emmett Cullen." She whispered lightly in my ear.

EMPOV

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did she really just tell me she loved me? So many times I had dreamed of hearing those words coming from her mouth, but was it really happening now? I was so scared of asking her to say it again, but I had to know if she was for real or not. I'd wait forever just to hear her say those words again, but I hoped I wouldn't have too.

"Isabella Swan, what did you just say?" I asked, fear laced in my voice as I turned my face toward hers.

She leaned across the seat, bringing her face mere inches from mine. She breathed in deeply before answering me. "I said, I love you Emmett Cullen. I don't know when it happened, but somewhere along the line it did." She sighed. "The question is, what do we do about this now? I mean I'm not exactly the ideal girlfriend right now Emmy. I really feel like half of a person. I can't do anything on my own, and won't be able too until my stupid arm heals and therapy starts. You'll hold yourself back with me Em." I could see the tears pooling in her deep brown eyes.

"I wouldn't be giving up anything for you Bells." I replied as I took her hand in mine.

"I'd be gaining."

She scoffed. "Gaining? Really Em? Think about it. We're seniors this year. I'm in no position for dancing with you at prom. I won't ever dance again. And what about graduation. I surely won't be walking across the stage with you, or anyone else for that matter. In a few months, while the rest of you are picking out colleges and deciding what to do with the rest of your lives, I'll still be here just trying to get by. Even if we did try this," she being fanning her hands between the two of us. "you'd learn to regret it. You'll be leaving Em, and I won't. I'll never walk down an aisle to a waiting husband. I'll never be able to run and play with my children. I'll never be whole again. I…I just can't do that to you Emmy."

The tears that were once swimming in her eyes were now making their way down her cheeks. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly as her tears turned to full out sobbing. I knew she was mourning for everything she'd lost in the last few weeks, and the truth was she deserved to.

I began rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Shh, babe. Let it out. I'm not going anywhere." I whispered. "I've got ya, nothings going to happen."

"Thank you, Em." She choked out between tears. After a few moments, her sobs died down, and she began to move away from me. I was reluctant to release her from my grip. Truthfully, I wanted to hold her in my arms forever. The tension in the Jeep could be cut with a knife. I waited for her to speak. She was furiously rubbing the tears from her cheeks. I knew she was embarrassed, before the accident Bella almost never cried. She turned away from me and began staring out the window. She was shutting down.

"Bella," my voice croaked. "don't do this."

"Do what Em?" She spat without so much as moving.

"Don't shut me out Bella. I meant what I said earlier. We will get through this. We'll go to your therapy and hopefully it will help. But Bella, even if nothing changes, and you never walk again, my feelings aren't going to change. I fell in love with what's on the inside, not the out. I only wish I had the guts to tell you sooner." I placed my hand on hers and gripped tightly.

"Em," She began.

"No Bella. Let me finish. The day we pulled up on your wreak was the worst day of my life. The only thing I could think of was that you we're gone, and I'd never get a chance to tell you how I felt. I thought I'd never see those beautiful brown eyes or hear that laugh that reaches down into my soul. I thought we'd never have another chance to just hang out and enjoy each others company. And in that moment Bella, I knew even if you didn't feel the same way, if you woke up I'd spend everyday making sure you knew somebody loves you, the way you deserve to be loved." I took a deep breath. "So Bella, what do we do from here?" I asked almost afraid of what her reply would be.

She slowly turned to face me. Her eyes were brimmed with red. I hated seeing her so sad and broken. Hopefully, she wouldn't be this way for long.

"Well, I think we should go home Em. It's been a really long day and I just want to go home." She begged. "As for us, I won't make you any promises, but we can try. I can't help but feel that I'd be holding you back. But I do love you, and if you want this, want us, then we'll try." I wrapped her in my arms and gently kissed her forehead.

"Thank you Bellsy." I whispered.

After a few moments in my arms, I felt her body begin to relax. Soon her breathing became even and I knew she had fallen asleep. I gently moved her back into her seat before starting back toward Forks. The drive to her house wasn't long, and by the time we'd arrived Charlie's cruiser was in the drive. He was staring out the window and seemed shocked to see me pulling into the drive. He rushed out of the house just as I was lifting Bella out of the Jeep.

"Why aren't you two in school?" He barked. "I told Jasper and Bella they couldn't skip today."

"Charlie, today was horrible on her. Some kids thought it would be cool to play pick on Bella. I found her crying and I don't know I just panicked. I took her and left the school. She said she was tired so I bought her here." I answered, leaving out all the parts that her dad didn't need to hear right now.

Charlie slowly patted me on the back. "You're a good man Emmett. Now get her to her room. I've got to head back down to the station so I trust you'll stay with her, until Jasper or I get back right?"

"Of course, Charlie. I'm not going anywhere."

"I never thought you were Emmett. I never thought you were." He mumbled as her climbed into the cruiser.

I continued with Bella into the house. I placed her gently into her unmade bed and took my place beside her and pulling the covers up over her. I held her tightly as I closed my eyes images of the future feeling my head. My future with Bella.