To the outside world, Rosalie Hale was apathetic, moody, hard as a brick wall. To her family, which she kept so close, she was simply misunderstood. But nobody understood her true feelings. The thoughts she kept inside. Not even Emmett, her best friend, husband, soul mate. He tried to listen carefully to her, and she tried to explain as best as she could, but he never truly got the grasp of her pain. Nobody ever would. And that's why Rosalie chose not to talk about her troubles.
But sometimes, on nights like this one, she couldn't bear her own mind any longer. She had to talk. She needed somebody to listen. Even if they didn't hear properly at all.
"Emmett." She said quietly.
Emmett, who had been watching a baseball game on the huge TV in the Cullen's living room, turned slowly to face his wife. "Yeah?" He said. They were sat together on the sofa, their legs comfortably entwined. The rest of the Cullen's had gone hunting.
"Do you love me?" She began, keeping her gaze trained to the floor.
Emmett sighed. He knew this scenario all too well. He reached over to switch off the TV, and shifted his position, giving his full attention to Rosalie. "You know I do." He said softly.
"Why?" Rosalie pressed, her eyes still burning into the carpet.
"Whats wrong?" Emmett asked. He knew that no amount of sweet words could convince her, and it was best to cut to the chase. Get straight to the point. Target the source of her pain.
"I'm useless." Rosalie said. The words seemed to echo around the room, words that nobody would have ever imagined Rosalie to say herself.
"And whys that?" Again, no use in trying to convince her.
"I can't give you a baby. I can't give you anything." Rosalie explained. Finally, she looked up, her golden eyes penetrating Emmett's.
"You give me everything I need. I want for nothing." Emmett said. He knew she wouldn't listen to him, take him seriously. But it broke his heart to see Rosalie this way, and sometimes he couldn't help giving out assurance, even if he did know it would do no good.
"I'm tainted." Rosalie went on, as though she hadn't heard him.
Emmett suddenly found himself angry. "Stop it, Rose. Don't even think it." He knew where this was going.
"I got my revenge." Rosalie laughed, the sound heartless. She shook her head. "But it doesn't help things, does it? Doesn't change them."
Emmett wished so badly that Royce was still alive. He flexed his arms now, imaging his muscles coming down on that piece of evil scum, crushing him, making him feel the pain he put Rosalie through. The pain she still felt now.
He reached out, and grabbed her, pulling her to his chest. Now all he could do was hold her, whisper in her ear, kiss her hair. Make her feel wanted, safe. Hold her broken body, sooth her twisted thoughts. Wash away her demons. Cherish this side of her, the soft side that nobody got to see. The side that was so rare that it made her beauty shine.
The Rosalie that was his.