Unexpected Romance

Chapter Fifteen

Catherine snuggled deeper into the warm cocoon of Emmett's strong arms. She smiled as he sighed and wrapped his arm tighter around her. Catherine opened her eyes and saw the bright sunlight pouring in through her bedroom window. Then she raised her head and saw Emmett's face sound asleep.

Emmett's face! Emmett should not be here! Emmett was dead! Last night had been a dream and this morning there should have been nothing but a pillow beneath her head. She raised her hand and pinched her arm wincing in pain…

This did not make any sense. How could he be here. Catherine let out a scream and jumped from the bed. Emmett jumped awake at the sound of her scream and started across the room toward her. She held up her hands.

"Don't come any closer!" she screamed. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded as she pulled on some underclothes and slipped into a cotton dress. Emmett pulled on his pants and shirt while she dressed and then looked at her questioningly.

"What do you mean who am I?" he asked. "You knew who I was last night when you made love to me." Catherine shook her head.

"Last night was a dream! You are dead." she exclaimed. "You've been dead for over eight months!" Emmett shook his head.

"Cat, let me explain…." Before he could say anything else the door to the room burst open and Edward came in holding a revolver aimed at Emmett.

"Emmett…." he said his voice full of disbelief. He lowered the gun and Emmett found his heart rate returning to something closer to normal.

"Hello Edward. I hear I need to congratulate you on your marriage." he said but his eyes stayed locked on Catherine's. Bianca pushed past Edward.

"What is going on in here!" she demanded and then her eyes widened and she gasped in shock when she saw Emmett.

"Emmett… You're alive." she said. Emmett nodded. Catherine felt her head start to spin and her legs getting weak. No matter how deep of breaths she took she felt like she could get no air in her lungs. She turned on her heel, pushed past Edward and Bianca and ran from the room. She ran down the stairs as quickly as she could and was about to run out the door to the outside when she collided with Richard's solid chest. She collapsed against him and let him hold her while she cried.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked gently.

"Emmett…." she didn't have time to finish before Emmett, Edward and Bianca came running down the stairs. Catherine noticed that Emmett was limping and wondered what had caused that.

"Who the hell are you?" Emmett demanded. Richard recognized Emmett from the picture in Catherine's locket. He looked dirtier than he had in the picture, his face more covered with stubble and his hair was a little longer but it was Emmett.

"That's Richard. The man who has been taking care of Catherine since you left and never came back." Bianca replied. Emmett whirled around to face her and that's when he noticed the baby in her arms. He looked from Edward to Bianca.

"Since when do you have a baby?" Emmett demanded. Bianca shrugged.

"Since I got pregnant." she replied. She was not going to be the one to tell Emmett that Sophia was his baby. That was Catherine's job and right now Catherine was barely holding herself up and looked pale as a ghost as she stared at Emmett.

Emmett glared at Bianca for another few seconds and then turned back to Catherine. He could tell she was confused and scared. She must have truly believed she was dreaming last night when he had come to her and his heart broke at the pain he saw on her face this morning.

"Cat, we need to talk." he said ignoring the man who was standing behind her. Catherine moved her mouth but no words came out. It was like her brain had just shut down.