Genesis [Emmett Cullen] (2)

[09- Yosemite]

He eyed my clean, white t shirt. "Weren't you able to track down that bear, then?"

"Of course I was. I'm just a much better fighter than you are," I said with a grin.

Emmett laughed his booming laugh. "I wish they were stronger. It would be more fun."

Apart from hunting everyday, for the rest of our trip, we did all the touristy things you're suppose to do when you come to Yosemite; see the waterfalls and hike.

At night, we went swimming in Yosemite Falls, a waterfall with a drop of over 700 feet. It took me back to when we went to Victoria Falls in Africa with the tranquil surroundings.

We saved the best activity for our last day, a hike to the Half Dome, perhaps the most iconic site in Yosemite. The sky was overcast and dreary, just like Alice predicted.

Since we were early, I managed to secure a car spot right in front of the visitors center. Emmett hopped out and went to pay for a ticket. Being out in public did get marginally easier after a while. At first, I was paranoid that someone I knew would see me but after a while, the likelihood of that happening decreased.

I could feel the stares on me as I rested against the side of my car.

I smelt the guy's cologne before I saw him.

"Excuse me. I saw you from across the parking lot and had to say something. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I'm Morgan by the way," he said, his voice confident. He had short, blond hair, blue eyes, and tan skin. Definitely from California and most likely a surfer by his build.

"Umm—." And with impeccable timing, Emmett came over. The guy suddenly looked very small, I could almost see his confidence vanish as Emmett wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Hey, I'm the husband. Get lost," Emmett ordered, his eyes blazing intensely and the guy scampered off.

He turned his gaze to me and shook his head, "I leave you for two minutes and the admirers descend."

"That one was better looking than most," he added with a sigh.

"Well I'm only into 6'5" guys with dark brown, curly hair," I said as I stood on my tiptoes and ran my hand through his curls. He groaned.

"As much as I want this, right now, I'd rather show you the Half Dome," he wistfully replied.

I gave an over exaggerated huff and started walking towards the trail start. Emmett chuckled and quickly caught up.

The uninterrupted view was incredible. It was almost incomprehensible that spectacular wonder like this even existed. I made a mental note to give a sizeable, anonymous donation to the park conservation when we got home.

We hiked to the top at human pace but on the way back, I lost my patience so we sprinted at vampire speed well off the path. When we neared the end of the trail, we slowed down and inconspicuously rejoined the path of hikers.

Suddenly, a familiar scent drifted through the air. In an instant, my eyes scanned the car park to determine its origin, widening disbelief when I located it. They were here. And I was confident I wasn't hallucinating. I grabbed Emmett's shoulder and yanked him behind a tree.

"What is it?" Emmett asked, his expression bemused.

"My parents. They're ... here, sitting the bench near my car," I stuttered. He poked his head out.

At that moment, my phone rang and I quickly fished it out of my pocket.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see it. They made a last minute decision to go to the Half Dome. They weren't even planning on stopping at Yosemite," Alice spoke so quickly, her words slurred together.

I was so shocked, I didn't reply. Emmett carefully took my phone and replied.

"What should we do?" He asked.

"It should be fine as long as they don't see you or El. Remember, they think she's been dead for over ten years. If they saw either one of you-"

"Yeah, I understand," Emmett said hastily, "Thanks Alice." And he ended the call.

"What do you want to do?" He asked.

"Wait," I managed to say. He nodded.

It had only been about ten years but they had changed so much. Both of them had deeper creases around their eyes and forehead. Their hair was beyond salt and pepper but not quite white. They were sitting on the bench applying sunscreen. My dad was a stickler for sun protection, even on a cloudy day like today.

"The UV index is still high," I remembered him insisting.

I suppose this trip for them was one filled with milestones; both were turning 65 and celebrating their 35th anniversary. And human years, I was almost 30. Holy crap!

"Are you ok, El?"

"I'm going to miss them. I wish we could have spent more time together. I wish I could have told them one more time that I love them." Seeing them aged put things into perspective. Time was only for humans. The expression was true; time really does fly, as cliché as it was.

"They know that." I sighed and Emmett wrapped his arms around me protectively. "You know I'm always here for you." I smiled up at him.

And eventually they finished putting on their sunscreen and walked towards the start of the hike.

"Do you want to follow them?" He asked. It was one of the most conflicting decisions I've ever experienced. As much as I wanted to watch them all day, it wasn't healthy. I couldn't be in limbo between my two families; the one I was related to by blood and my new family. I'll always remember my parents and the guilt of leaving them would always be a part of me but I needed to move on.

I shook my head, "I'm ready to go."