I was sitting on the comfortably padded stool in front of my mirror when my Mother came bustling into my room. "Rosalie, darling, your father forgot his lunch, would you run it over to the bank for him?" I glanced up at her in the mirror, eyes reluctant to lose sight of their glass twins. "All right, let me just find my shoes, I think the tan leather pumps would be perfect for this shade of yellow," I said, indicating my blouse. To my surprise Mother immediately began shaking her head. "Well the boots would be simply atrocious!" I exclaimed, not seeing how she could possibly disagree with what I had deemed a perfectly suitable wardrobe choice. She did not even answer, just slid open the door to my closet; but instead of examining the carefully organized shoes she was rifling through the dresses, right to the back where the nicest ones remained until the most special of occasions. When she pulled out the white organza gown, and it was certainly a gown rather than a dress, I was shocked.

"Oh, Mother!" I gasped, "That was my birthday present from Father, can I really wear it just to go to the bank?" I gently took the dress from her fingers, holding it to my shoulders and spinning a quick pirouette just to watch the fabric swirl. When my eyes came back to Mother's, her mouth was pressed tight.

"Sit down." She said brusquely, opening a drawer and pulling out a handful of hairpins. I dutifully sat on the stool in front of the mirror as Mother began rolling and tucking my golden curls, and when I was sure she wasn't looking I evaluated the effect of different facial expressions. When I tired of that, for I had already contemplated the allure of each expression hundreds of times, I asked Mother "Why am I getting so dressed up just to take Father his lunch?"

I might have imagined it, but I would have sworn a dull blush accompanied the pause before she responded. "It will be such a nice surprise for him to see you looking so lovely, dear. You know how he likes to show you off to his friends." She was absolutely right, how could I not have guessed myself. I was always on display, a triumph for my parents because of my beauty. That suited me just fine.

When Mother finally finished the painful process of confining all of my hair I slipped on my lightest white slippers and skipped out the door with Father's lunch.

The walk to the bank was short, sunny, and pleasant. I tilted up my face to the Tiffany's-box blue sky, just enjoying the warmth of the sun and people's stares, and people were definitely staring, they always did. I soaked it up like a sponge as I hurried on my way. Inside the bank was little different, the men in the bank paired greetings with their appraisals, but I could almost feel the weight of eyes lingering on my retreating back as I made my way to Father's desk and deposited his lunch. It was a quick visit, and as I departed I waved charmingly at my father's friends and smiled broadly, already making plans for my next stop.

My best friend Vera's house was a mere six blocks down the road from the house, but those six blocks made a world of difference. Vera's new house was little more than a cottage, though she herself simply said it was "snug". When I saw the whitewashed façade and bright yellow trim I felt a familiar cocktail of feelings: pity, pride in my own lovely home, and some tiny stirring that I have never been able to really identify, something that for some reason made me think of something deep and unknown. I quickly brushed aside the unnecessary ponderings and knocked smartly on the door. It opened with in seconds.

"Rose! You look marvelous! More beautiful even then usual!" Vera bubbled as she took in my dress. This is why I love Vera, the exact ratio of admiration and envy she always provides; and the fact that she is happy enough with her own life not to be too bitter. Also we have a balance, as I remembered when we went into her dollhouse sized sitting room and her adorable little boy Gerald toddled in, all dark curls and smiles. My heart literally gave a painful lurch as I watched Vera snag him under her arm and cover him in kisses. I waited impatiently for her to set him just so I could snatch him up again and cuddle him in my lap, listening to his gurgles with awe.

"Oh Vera, he is the most darling thing I have ever seen, I wish I could just take him home with me!" The words were said in jest, but at the same time we both knew I was sincere. Vera laughed lightly, "He's the joy of my life, but if you don't watch out he is going to just ruin that pretty dress. Why don't you just let him run around, he does so love to walk now that he's learned." As much as I hated to admit it Vera was right, and after one final extra-tight squeeze I left little Gerald to his own devices.

"So what brings me the joy of your company today Rose?" Asked Vera pleasantly.

"Well, Mother wanted me to drop of Daddy's lunch at the bank and since I was already out and about I thought I would drop in on my favorite person." I didn't mention that I felt that this dress deserved to go somewhere where it would actually be appreciated.

Vera let out a sigh before she responded, "Oh I wish I could where dresses like that just to go about my everyday business, instead I am stuck in old things like this. This silhouette is practically ancient too." As I took in Vera's deep blue blouse and unfashionably full skirt I had to agree, but of course it was not my place to say so.

"So the skirt is a little on the passé, but that color is fantastic on you Vera. It looks so good with your dark hair." I mentally congratulated myself on pairing my criticism with such a nice truth.

Vera quickly did me one better, "Thank you, Rose. And I suppose it is more practical, I mean nice dresses are all well and good when you are just running around having fun, but I have to take care of Gerald and Tom."

Oh, she was good. To anyone else it would have sounded like she envied me, which of course she did, but she also managed to take a dig at the fact that I didn't have the baby I so desperately wanted. I loved talking to Vera; it was like mental exercise.

Formalities aside we chatted amiably for a while about general gossip and time passed more rapidly than I thought, before I knew it I heard the door opening and Tom's booming voice came into the room like a physical presence. "Daddy's home! Where's my little man?"

I watched Gerald teeter toward the front door as fast as his chubby little legs would carry him and saw Vera's face light up like a lamp.

"I hadn't realized it had gotten so late! I had better get home Vera, thanks for letting me come by, I'll see you soon!" My words came out in a rush as I hurriedly stood and headed for the door. I had a foot out the door when I heard Vera, "Rose," she began, but the rest of her sentence was drowned out by a throaty giggle at something Tom had murmured, I quickly shut the door and hurried down the darkening street, fleeing the tangible happiness of the snug little house and drowning in my own oppressive loneliness.

When I got there the flowers were waiting, a dozen red roses. The card read: "To the prettiest Rose of all. Royce King Jr."

Hope had returned, everything was about to change. My dreams were coming true.

Author's Note:

Obviously I am not Stephanie Meyer and don't own anything you recognize from Twilight, you know the drill. Anyway, this is just my take on Rosalie's back-story, which we get a glimpse of in Eclipse. Thanks so much for reading, please review!!