The Impossibility Of Sensibility, Chapter 6

"But Jilly.."

"No buts, you're not coming over tonight. Sasha and I are having a girls night and you'd be bored."

"Not if I was with you I wouldn't be." I roll my eyes.

"Doesn't matter. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" I hear Emmett groan through the line and laugh. "Don't worry, you'll see me tomorrow morning. It's not that far away."

"Easy for you to say. You actually have something to do. Hey... where are you going today anyway?"

"Smooth, Emmett. I'm not telling because you'll show up."

"Fine. Have fun without me." I smile.

"I will. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, love." I hang up the phone just as Sasha comes in the door.

"Ready?" I nod and link arms with her. Today we're going to see if I can find something for Emmett's birthday. I have something in mind, but need Sasha's opinion. I'd probably die of embarrassment if I asked my mother. And I have a feeling she wouldn't approve if she knew what my plan was anyway.

Instead of going directly to the store in question, we walk around the market, looking at all of the things everyone's selling. I see a stand with hair clips in it and one in particular catches my eye. The woman behind the table rushes over to me. "Something you like, miss?" I point down to the clip. It's a light blue that looks like the sky. It reminds me of the day that Emmett proposed.

"How much is that one?"

"25 cents, miss." I frown.

"I'll have to come back." As I'm walking away Sasha grabs my arm.

"Are you crazy?"

"I only have 5 dollars, and I don't know how much the thing is going to be."

"Well why don't we go find out then come back and I'll help you pay for the clip?" I feel a swell of gratitude toward my friend. I link my arm with her again and we walk to the store. As we come to it I can feel myself blush. "What's wrong, Jill?"

"What if he doesn't like it? I'd be making a fool out of myself for nothing." She rolls her eyes and drags me into the store.

"Oh please. He has a hard enough time keeping his hands off you when you're fully clothed, never mind when you've only got a small piece of fabric on. Now come on, let's find you something." Ah bless her. My plan is to surprise Emmett with some lingerie for his birthday. And maybe some other things, if it gets to that. I'm kind of nervous, but I've been thinking about it for days, and I know it's what I want to give him.

"Jill, this is the one!" I walk over to Sasha to see her holding up a sky blue, silky, lacy thing. It reminds me of the clip I wanted at the market. "Oh, you've got to get this one. If not then I'm buying it for you. It even matches that barrette." I sigh. There's no stopping Sasha once she gets started.

"Fine, as long as it's 5$ or lower. I'm not negotiating on that." She rolls her eyes and hands it to me.

"At least try it on, will you? There's rooms in the back."

"How would you know that?" I was just teasing, but a light blush covers her face. I turn to her. "You actually know that? Since when?"

"Oh, it's no big deal really. I've been here a couple times for some things." I raise my eyebrows.

"Things like what?" Her blush deepens.

"You know, things for myself... and Marc." I laugh.

"I can't believe this. Wait, does that mean you've.. you know?"

"Had sex? Yes, we have. It's not that unusual, you know. Only you seem to have such an aversion to it. Poor Emmett." I push her shoulder and blush. It's not like Emmett and I haven't been close, or haven't wanted to. I've just wanted to save it for something special. And after careful consideration, Emmett's birthday seems like the perfect time.

I find a changing room and strip out of my dress. I look down at my body. I've never really thought about how I look to anyone before. That's not all that important to me. I'm not painfully skinny, but I am on the thinner side. As a result my breasts aren't very big. I've never cared, they always seem to get in the way anyway, but I'm suddenly wondering if Emmett likes them, or if he prefers them bigger.

"Jill? You okay in there?" I snap out of my wonderings and slip on the little blue outfit. I don't look at myself before opening the door and facing Sasha. "Oh my gosh, it's like it was made for you." I make a face. "Seriously, Jill. Did you look at yourself?"

"Not really." She rolls her eyes and grabs my shoulders, thrusting me in front of a tall mirror. My first reaction is 'skin! skin everywhere!' but I make an effort to try to see myself like Emmett would. The hem rides along my thighs, accentuating what little curves I have. The neckline hugs closely to my breasts, making them seem bigger than they are.

"Well? What do you think?" I turn my body a little.

"You're right." Sasha smiles smugly.

"Of course I am. Now hurry and change back before someone tries to steal you away." I roll my eyes and change back into my dress. I set the small piece of silk in front of the woman running the shop. She smiles and sets down her book.

"Will that be all for today?" I'm too embarrassed to talk so all I can do is nod. "That will be 4.50$ please." I hand her the money and she wraps up my purchase and sticks it in a paper bag. I thank her, take my change and Sasha and I exit the little store.

"Okay, now to get that clip. Come on." We walk back to the woman and she greets me kindly, already pulling out the clip that I want. I pay for it and then Sasha and I head back in the direction of home.

Forever More, Chapter 8

I wake up, gasping for breath and sweating. Draco turns on the light. "Bell, you okay?" I can't help it, I break down into tears.

"No, I'm not okay." He takes me in his arms.

"Another dream?" I nod my head, tears leaking out. "Do you want to talk about it?" I shake my head.

"No. I'm just going to get a drink, clear my head a little."

"Want me to come with?" I shake my head again.

"No. I'll be back soon." Instead of turning off the light and laying back down he grabs a book and opens to a marked page. I give him an odd look.

"I'll wait up." I smile, but it fades as soon as I exit the bedroom. I look down the hall toward Keera's room. I just need to check and then I can go back to sleep. I'm just going to check. Everything's fine. I walk slowly down the hall and open Keera's door. I feel myself falling before someone catches me and walks me back to my bedroom. I'm set on my bed.

"Why.. Why is Jasmine here?" Draco sits beside me.

"She's spending the night remember?"

"So.. Gabe and Phoebe are okay?"

"Yeah, they're fine." I go to pick up the phone but Draco stops me. "I'm assuming that's what your dream was about." I nod. "But it's too early to call them, love." I look at the clock and it is indeed too early to call. "Why don't we just lay down, hmm?" I nod and soon I'm laying against Draco's chest, his arms wrapped securely around me. It doesn't take long for me to fall back to sleep.

**

"Jasmine, your mom's here!" I let Phoebe in and lead her to the kitchen. To everyone's surprise, her pregnancy has stuck and she's now almost 6 months pregnant. None of her other pregnancies made it this far, so I can only imagine how relieved she must feel.

"Oh, let the girl's play. They don't get together much these days." I nod and open the fridge, asking what she'd like. "Just water, please." She pats her belly. "Still can't keep much down." I grab two bottles of water and open hers, setting it in front of her.

"So how are you and baby doing?" She takes a sip of her water and sits on the kitchen stool.

"Well, I'll be 20 weeks on Wednesday and so far it's been terrific. The only downfall is the constant nausea, but if it means I'm still pregnant, then I really can't complain." I smile and sit on the other side of the kitchen island. "You look like crap, Bell."

"I feel like crap. Actually, I want to talk to you about something." Her teasing smile leaves her face, replaced with a worried frown. "You know those dreams I keep having?" She nods. "Well, I had one about you and Gabe last night." She immediately looks down at her belly, wrapping a hand around it.

"What happened?"

"Something happened with the pregnancy and on the way to the hospital you got into an accident. Both you and Gabe died."

"Jazz?"

"She was at your parents for the night." She sighs with relief.

"The baby?" I can only shake my head, but she understands. She reaches across the island and takes my hand, squeezing it. "We'll all be fine, you know that right?" I just stare at my water, which remains unopened. "Hey." She makes me look up at her. "We will be fine. You think I came all this way to die now?" I shake my head. "Well there you go. So stop worrying." A few minutes go by where nothing is said. "I'm curious. Do you know when?" I turn and look at the calendar.

"Uhh.. Draco's away for the weekend on business, so the end of the month."

"Well that makes sense. It's my parents' anniversary that weekend so that's why Jazz will be there. So, what do we do?" I turn back to her.

"I was kind of thinking about that. It, uh, the accident happens on Highway 23, just off that one intersection. From here, you can get to the hospital without having to go that way."

"So you want us to stay here for the whole weekend?" I shrug.

"I don't know what else to suggest."

"Okay, then that's what we'll do. My parents will be here until later on the Friday evening so we'll head over after?" I nod and give Phoeb's a small smile. "Think you could have one of these dreams for when Cambria is supposed to come?" I actually laugh at this and shake my head.

"You're nuts." Just then both girls come skidding into the kitchen.

"Mommy!" Jasmine gives her mom a hug and kisses her belly. I don't know who's more excited about the baby, Phoebe and Gabe or Jasmine.

"Mama, when am I going to have a little sister?" Phoeb and I both start cracking up.

"I don't think that's going to happen honey. I think mommy and daddy are done having babies." The look on Keera's face is priceless.

"But Jazz is having a baby sister! I want one too!" Jasmine takes Keera's hand.

"I know, we can share!" I smile.

"There see, you can share Cambria when she comes." Keera's face lights up and she nods.

"Well Jazz, you ready to go?" Instead of answering Phoebe the girls giggle then run from the room. Phoeb's laughs and gets up from the stool. I want to feel relieved that the dream let me save my best friend, but I can't help but feel terrified I intervened with fate and it will find another way to take them.

The Impossibility Of Sensibility, Chapter 5

I grip Emmett's hand tighter in my own, sure that I'm working my way to a full scale panic attack. "My father's going to shoot you, you know. He does have guns. And Greg's probably going to get a few hits in with a baseball bat. I wouldn't put it past my mother to get in a few swipes either. I can't believe I agreed to this." Emmett rubs his thumb on the back on my hand. Usually it calms me, but I'm too far anxious for it to have any effect now.

"Calm, love. Don't worry." I look up at him like he's crazy.

"Don't worry? Are you insane?" He just chuckles before opening the door to my house and leading me inside. It's been exactly one hour and 17 minutes since Emmett proposed, not that I'm counting, and I foolishly let him talk me into letting my parents and brother know. I can only imagine the types of horrible things they're going to do to him when I'm locked away in a tower somewhere, never to be seen again.

We stop in front of my father's study. Emmett goes to knock on the door but I stop him. "Do we really have to tell everyone? Can't we just run off and elope somewhere far away from guns and baseball bats?" He full out laughs at me now as he knocks on the door. I hear a mumbled 'come in' from my father. "Maybe we shouldn't bother him. He's probably busy.." I ramble on as Emmett opens the door, traitor that he is, and pulls me into the room.

"Hello, Mr Marion. Jillian and I have something we'd like to announce." I shoot a panicked look in Emmett's direction before looking at my father. He sets his glasses down and folds his hands over the book he was reading.

"And that would be?" I look down at my left hand, currently clutching Emmett's for dear life, and look back up at my father. He follows my eye line and then looks back at me. I look up at Emmett and he just smiles. He's going to make me say it. Damn him. I take in a shaky breath, Emmett squeezes my hand.

"Um, well, Emmett proposed this afternoon..." I trail off, bracing myself.

"Yes, and?" This I had not expected.

"And.. we're getting married?" My father smiles at me.

"I'm happy for you, Jillian. Emmett's turned into a fine young man." What?

"So you have no plans to take Emmett hunting?" Both men laugh at me.

"Jillian, what ever gave you that impression? Emmett's a good boy. I told him as much when he asked for your hand." I narrow my eyes up at Emmett, whose face is turning pink.

"He asked you? When?" My father glances at Emmett.

"I think perhaps that's something you two should discuss. Now if you'll excuse me, I have something I need to attend to." Not needing another word, I spin around and drag Emmett out of the study and down the hall to my room. I shove him in and close the door behind me.

"You already asked him? When?" Emmett sits on the arm of his favourite chair and smiles up at me sheepishly.

"A few weeks ago, give or take." I narrow my eyes. Nice try.

"Exactly how many weeks ago?"

"Uhm, five?"

"Five weeks! Are you kidding me?" He shakes his head and I sigh. "Well, how long have you had the ring?"

"Longer than that."

"Emmett McCarty, I swear. You better not have spent much on that."

"I didn't spend anything, honestly. My mother gave it to me before she passed." I look down at my hand. How had I not noticed it looks exactly like hers? I sit on the chair beside Emmett and he wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"Well, good. Better not have."

"Don't worry, love. Not a cent." I smile up at him and trace patterns on his knee.

"So who else did you tell?" He chuckles and leans so his arm is on the other armrest.

"My father knows, and so does Anthony. I'm pretty sure your brother and mother know."

"Not Robert?" He shakes his head and leans over to press his lips against my temple.

"No, not Robert." They're not exactly on the best of speaking terms. I confessed to Emmett that Robert had threatened me all those years ago and they haven't been the same since. Secretly I'm kind of grateful. Robert's not someone I want hanging around.

"Do we have to formally tell everyone? I assume Greg's okay with it since you're still alive." Emmett chuckles in my ear.

"He's the happiest one of the bunch. He said as long as I don't corrupt your innocent little mind, he's fine." I laugh. Typical Gregory.

"That can't be comfortable." He shrugs.

"Not really." I roll my eyes and get up.

"Sit." When he's sitting on the chair I sit on his lap and rest my head against his chest. He snakes his arms around my waist and presses his face to my head. I look up at him. "Emmett, were you just smelling my hair?" He smiles, embarrassed that I caught him.

"Maybe. You do smell good." I blush and lay my head back down.

"Well you don't smell so bad yourself." We lay like this for a few minutes when his stomach suddenly grumbles. "Hungry, are we?"

"Starving. I didn't eat breakfast."

"Why not?" He shrugs.

"Don't know. Can we go down and eat? I'm afraid I might waste away if I don't eat something." I laugh as I stand up and stretch. I pat his stomach once he's standing.

"We wouldn't want that to happen. Come on then." Emmett grins and takes my hand, leading me down to the kitchen.

Forever More, Chapter 7

"You sure you kids are going to be all right?"

"We'll be fine mom, now let us go already." I let them go and look at the 3 of them. It's the end of Christmas holidays and we're back at Platform 9 3/4.

"Promise to write me as soon as you have the time." All three kids roll their eyes.

"We gotta go mom, the train's gonna leave soon and we need to get good seats."

"All right, all right. One more hug each and you can go." After hugging me they all flee to the train, probably glad to get away from me. They don't need me anymore. The thought makes me sad. Draco puts his arm around my shoulders and I smile up at him.

Things have been much better between us since we've talked about everything. I'm still hiding the liquor key from him until I'm sure he's got enough self control. He's had trouble with alcohol abuse since his dad died, so it's very easy for him to relapse and go way overboard. Hopefully soon I can put it back and we won't have any more problems.

"What time are we picking Keera up?"

"She's staying the night, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Wait, does this mean a whole night to ourselves?" I roll my eyes.

"Yes, that's what it means."

"Hmm, that's interesting." I laugh as we make our way through the train station.

"Only you would be thinking about that." Draco grins as he gets in the passenger side of the car. He still doesn't drive very often, preferring to let me do it. I'd rather do it too as his driving frightens me a little.

"Come on Bella. We're hardly ever alone." I roll my eyes again.

"Keera sleeps like the dead. We get plenty of time alone."

"You know what I mean." He does have a point. Being entirely alone and with a child that sleeps 12 hours through is different, but not by much. Keera has always been my best sleeper. She slept straight through the night from 2 months on. I always had to wake her up to feed her. Quite a difference from my twins, who never slept more than two hours and always at different times. Cheyenne was just like the twins, except there was only one of her so when she slept for two hours at a time I also got to sleep along with her. I look down at my knee as Draco puts his hand on it.

"Please?"

"Begging now? Since when have you had to beg?" He chuckles and brings his lips over to my ear. "If you don't stop that you're gonna make me drive off the road. And I don't really feel like making a side trip to the ER today." He laughs again and sits back in his seat, although he keeps his hand on my knee. I have to work quite hard to keep my attention on the road.

**

I smile lazily and turn so I'm facing Draco, and am surprised to see he's not here. I sit up and glance at the clock, seeing that it's only 6 in the morning. I look around the room, not noticing anything out of the ordinary, but I have this peculiar feeling in my chest.

I stand up and slide my feet into my slippers, walking slowly to the door. I pause before opening it, somehow afraid that there's something I don't want to see on the other side. Before I can change my mind, I wrench it open, sighing with relief when I see that the hall is empty, save for a few of Keera's clothes that she needs to pick up. Instead of going back to bed I walk down the stairs and through the main floor of the house. Everything seems to be just as I left it.

As I walk into the kitchen I notice a note left on the counter. I pick it up and almost laugh out loud. Draco's away for the weekend on business, so of course he's not going to be home. I shake my head and ball up the paper, tossing it into the garbage can. I chuckle quietly to myself as I leave the kitchen, but stop when I hear a knock at the door.

My brows knit together as I walk toward the door, dread suddenly filling me up. I almost collapse right there when I open the door to see two police officers standing on the step. "Mrs Malfoy?" I can only nod. "May we come in?" I nod again and open the door to let them in. I shut the door and turn on a light, leading them to the living room.

"Would you like a drink? Tea, coffee?" I don't know why I'm offering them a drink when they're here to tell me something I don't want to hear.

"No, thank you." They glance at eachother before speaking. Suddenly I just can't take it anymore.

"Draco's dead, isn't he?"

"No, Mrs Malfoy, he's fine, so far as we know. No, it's about Phoebe and Gabriel Wyse." I'm caught between relief that Draco's fine and dread about Phoebe and Gabe.

"What about them?"

"Uhm, I'm sorry Mrs Malfoy, but they're dead."