Well, we've reached the end of the story. Thank you to everyone who has accompanied me on the journey, I hope this final chapter doesn't disappoint.

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A huge 'thank you' to my personal, ahem! permanent betas EvilPumpkin and Angel Eyes1 uk, for holding my hand and pushing me to the best of my capability.

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As always, SM rocks! Thanks for the loan, can I keep them a bit longer?

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Chapter Eighteen. Aftermath.

Edward's POV

Whoa, Carlisle was in a hurry. I put my arm around Bella.

"Let's go in. Emmett should quieten Daisy down soon." But she didn't calm down at all; she changed pitch, and if anything, got louder. We sped in to find Daisy in Emmett's arms. Poor Emmett looked as close to tears as we were likely to see.

"What's the matter with her, Mom? Why is she doing this?" he was asking Esme.

"I'm not sure, Dear." Esme looked puzzled. In her mind, she was running through articles and books that she'd read, trying to work out Daisy's problem.

"Is it her leg?" Emmett wondered, vexed.

I was trying to make sense of Daisy's thoughts, but they were confused. I looked around for Jasper and listened for his thoughts too; he was nowhere near.

Esme put her hand on Emmett's arm. "I expect she's angry with you. Just talk to her, Emmett. Stay calm and reassure her."

"Can we do anything?" I asked.

"Yes, Edward. You can go and help Alice—she's taken Jasper out to the ridge."

"Do you want Bella to stay and help here?" I offered.

"No, I think having too many people around is confusing the poor mite," Esme appraised.

Bella and I ran off to the ridge and soon traced Alice and Jasper.

"Daisy's fine, Jasper—you did a great job," I told him. "Time to worry about you now."

We all stayed with Jasper supporting him and hopefully calming him for once. By the early hours of morning, he was weak but more himself. Alice took him off hunting and I took Bella home.

Emmett's POV

This time Daisy didn't calm down for me. It scared me for a moment, and I thought I must have hurt her.

I guess it made sense that she was angry with me. Esme was right though; I calmed myself and talked quietly to Daisy. At last she seemed to be listening. With a big sigh she nuzzled into my neck, and I could feel her chest heaving less dramatically. By the time Rose got back from the airport, Daisy was quiet again.

Rosalie's POV

I guessed that Carlisle had a point, I mean it wasn't like Emmett hadn't ask me to go with him. I could be stubborn. Sometimes I was my own worst enemy. Emmett might have come back for Jasper's sake, but Jasper would have been okay if it hadn't been for her. We pulled into the garage.

Carlisle switched off the engine then turned to me. "Go and find him, Rose. Talk to him."

I found Emmett in the lounge with Daisy on his lap. "Can I talk to you?" I asked contritely.

"Yeah." Emmett patted the seat next to him. "I'm sorry I had to run off."

"I should have come with you," I admitted, sitting down.

Emmett pulled me closer with his free arm and kissed my cheek. "I'd have preferred that," he said.

"Can't you put her down somewhere?" I sighed.

"I don't think so," he answered softly. "She only just stopped crying."

"Well, can't someone else hold her?" I griped, pulling away to sit up and look around for someone to take Daisy.

Emmett put his hand on my shoulder, and I leaned in momentarily. Until I heard him say, "I can't help it if she likes me best."

"We should never have kept her—we should have taken her into town when we had the chance," I muttered walking away to stare out of the window. "If only Alice had got home five minutes later."

Emmett followed me. "I'm glad she didn't—Daisy's amazing." He rubbed at my neck and shoulder, trying to calm me. That might have worked with two hands. "If you just tried to get to know her…"

"Why would I do that?" I spun sharply to face him. "Why are we even arguing about her? It's not like she matters."

"Of course she matters!" Emmett turned away slightly, protecting her. "Why would you say that?"

I nearly laughed out loud that he thought I would hurt her—and then I just felt sick. "Oh come on, Emmett. You act like she's your baby or something."

"Well she is just a baby. She can't feed herself or fend for herself at all," Emmett growled. He was actually getting angry about this, putting his body between me and Daisy.

I stared in disbelief, before cocking my head to one side, reflecting. When I thought about it, it was rather sweet. Daddy Emmett, I mused, the Great Protector. Emmett misunderstood my silence.

"I thought that out of all of us, you would understand, Rose," he pleaded.

I gave him my best smile, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "I really wouldn't mind so much, Emmett, but…

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...she is just a dog."

AN. So, what do you think? Were you expecting that?

BeccySparkles - I take my hat off to you. You knew Daisy was a dog by chapter 2! Well done, I'm glad you enjoyed the story anyway.

Next Friday I hope to begin my new story Electricity. I look forward to conversing with some of you again.