Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own anything relating to Twilight.

Eternal Rose

By Princess454

One.

New York was beautiful, oh, especially in those times. There was still innocence left in the world and everything felt new. There wasn't anything to be disturbed by or frightened of. Socialites and well knowns walked around as if in their own house, for they were never harassed. Women had impeccable and extremely classy style, like walking paintings that must have taken hours to perfect. Children walked freely, not worried about being kidnapped. People still left their doors unlocked, even hoping, that a neighbor would come by for a quick brunch and chat. But oh, the fashion! The style! How I had loved to shop, or at least window shop.

But things of course weren't always perfect. The 20's died far too quickly, and all the glamour that accompanied that scandalously delicious time was also gone. The Depression ruined everything. How I hated it; I wasn't affected too harshly, but oh, the world just wasn't the same. Nobody felt the need to be glamorous and perfect; they were far too poor and worried. And that wretched World War; as if we needed another one. Fragile, fragile times. People weren't used to so much evil, oh, especially in New York. The world changed forever. How I missed it…

All these things were running, running, sprinting now through my mind as the cold streets echoed their complaints through the taps of my high heels. The night sky was a brilliant navy, but the lights of New York, though terribly bright if not inspiring, kept from us the glimpse of stars. A streetlight helped me see, but what I saw was not what I had wanted.

The poor bastard. Intoxicated to the brim of his being, not making sense, and having the nerve to insult me to his little friends. I realized I hated him, I realized I made a huge mistake…

I could barely see now, the wounds affecting me so, my face! How badly everything hurt, but what must surely have broken beyond repair had to be my heart. Strange man, catching me like this, so embarrassing. Don't help me, I'm fine, but really…I'm not. What are you doing? What are you saying? Stay back!

My thoughts were only heard within my head, because I never uttered them. He heard no protest as he bit me, sending violent flashes of burning within me, oh, the poison…

**

I hated day dreaming of those things…anything relating to the past, really. I never slept, but I'm sure if I did, my daydreams would have been nightmares. I sat on my long, exquisite sofa, longing for a distraction. But they were all out, hunting for our meal. I had decided not to go. I wanted to go shopping, but realized my huge closet just wasn't complying with me lately. I had to get rid of some stuff.

But it wasn't just stuff, I thought. They were works of art really, pieces of history. Nobody had authentic coats from Coach's and Burberry's starting days, nobody had the uncomfortable cotton, shift dresses receptionists were forced to wear during a time women hardly had jobs at all. My suede vest with the fringes, worn with my ripped Levi jeans, had seen far more than anyone else my age these days, including but not limited to Woodstock, Bob Marley, and even countless Dead Heads. My extremely large museum, as I liked to call it, could simply not just be thrown out. Sure, I joined the ranks of a million old ladies out there with all their stuff, but I didn't care. The whole thing must cost millions, if not billions.

I slid open a glass closet door. I came face to face with all the designer coats I owned, as before mentioned, but including so many others. I fingered an original Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, the sole thing that made her a household name, lightly with my pale fingers. Those were about the only things I wore in the 70's, how I had hated much of what was in style then. Those high-waisted bell bottoms did no one any favors, except for maybe the Charlie's Angels gals.

I must sound obsessed, but this is one the few things I have left in life. Or, non-existent life, really. Having been a vampire since the 1930's, one of the few things brought along with me in my new life was my love for fashion and all things glamorous. I was there for all the originals, and having nothing to do, I just shopped. They weren't classics at the time, but now they are, practically everything I own. The world ages around me while I remain the same. I have endless time to do whatever I want, so why the hell should I spend it doing something I don't love?

But then comes my closet problem. I can't keep adding, and adding, to it. I either have to let some things go, or make more room. Make more room, preferably.

"Babe! We're home!" Came my sweet's voice.

"Coming," I called back, trotting over to the nearest mirror. I looked okay, in my sweats and in a white, long sleeved Armani top I sometimes wore to be comfortable. But being the girl I am, I had to add a classy touch. I put on a few of my Tiffany's rings, and finished off with a darling antique Cartier necklace Emmett gave me for Christmas one year.

Walking downstairs everyone was milling about, but having already eaten. Probably while hunting. I neared the kitchen counter where Carlisle was facing a glass bowl filled with animal blood.

"Here you go," He handed me a coffee mug with blood inside. I thanked him and walked to the couch in the living room, snuggling against Emmett and gratefully taking my first few sips. How long ago was the last time I had actual coffee, anyway?

Emmett was watching football on the TV. "Woo!" He cried, when something happened. I paid no mind to such things, sports not really being my thing.

"Did you still want to go shopping today, Rosalie?" Alice chirped from where she was sitting with Jasper, twirling her fingers through his hair.

"I don't know," I sighed. "My closet is so full…"

"Babe, you don't need to go shopping, c'mon," Emmett put in his two cents, as always.

"Well what else am I going to do, Babe?" I grumbled. An ironic question. Vampires had forever to do whatever they wanted. Endless amount of time to do whatever they wished. But what? That is always the question, even with all our options.

"Romeo and Juliet is playing in a London theater tonight," Esme piped up from the kitchen. "Carlisle and I were thinking of going."

"I've seen that play so many times," I murmured, and only Emmett heard.

"Babe! Let's go! Stop whining," He put his strong arm around me, and pretended to snap my neck in half by one flex. "If you don't want to do any of those things, come up with something."

"I know, I know!" I laughed, pushing his arm away. "I just don't know yet. I'll get back to all of you."

"Well, I'm going bird watching with Jasper. I'll see you guys later," Alice told everyone cheerfully, opening a window and jumping onto a tree branch outside. Jasper followed suit.

"Sure you are!" Emmett called out at them with a mischievous smirk, flinging a pillow against the window they just left out of. I punched him on the shoulder, a reminder he shouldn't fling things around. More than seventy years alive, and yet men still acted the same. That wouldn't change anytime soon.

**

It turned out I couldn't think of anything else to do, so there us four were, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and I, walking down a dreary London street towards the theater.

Edward was cooped up at home like usual. Alice and Jasper decided to stay behind and keep him company. Emmett felt bad not going with Carlisle and Esme, so promptly forced me to go. I didn't mind London; it had excellent shopping, and was home to a lot of my favorite designers. But going to the theater…

Oh, it reminded me of old Broadway far too much. Young, lively Broadway, back when it was magical. Waiting in line, holding Daddy's hand and jumping up and down with my black Mary Jane shoes. It was all so glamorous, a beginner's option before being fancy and grown up enough to see the Opera…

"Here we are!" Carlisle exclaimed cheerfully. He was so happy, being back to the place of his birth. He always loved coming back and visiting.

We took our seats and waited for the play to begin. I looked over at Esme and Carlisle; they were so cute, holding hands, always affectionate. I looked up at Emmett who grinned back at me, and I rolled my eyes. He was probably hoping Romeo and Juliet would get me 'in the mood'.

I sighed, squirming in my seat in order to get comfortable. I couldn't be mad at Emmett though. If I had never met him, I probably would never have believed in love ever again. I wished things like Romeo and Juliet existed in real life, but I suppose it sometimes did. The play began and I started to relax, ignoring the growing aroma of human as the seats around us filled.

Moments later, the play had ended and we exited. "It was so splendid! Brings me to tears every time," Esme wiped her eyes with a monogrammed handkerchief older than the theater itself.

"Great story. Always, and forever, a classic," Carlisle agreed.

"There's nothing like true love! Right, Babe?" Emmett leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. He was so sure he was getting some tonight. Well, then again, maybe he was.

The love aspect of the play always jerked my heartstrings, making me yearn for him. But there were other things I noticed about the story that threw me into an emotional mood. I felt so sorry, so bad for Juliet. She had everything: beauty, class, love. Yet she was never going to grow up, grow old. She would never know what it's like to have children or a family. I saw me in her, and it made me sad. I began to cry at the end, along with Esme, but not because Romeo and Juliet died. But because I once again realized that what I've always wanted, I'll never achieve.

**

Ecstasy, everywhere, flooding through and seemingly never ending. The action of making love, almost as magical and satisfying as falling in love itself. The medicine of all ailments.

Emmett kissed me long and passionately before rolling over and sighing, throwing up his arms and stretching in obvious pleasure. I let out a breath, too, running my fingers through my hair, and resting my head on the pillow. For a moment a sensation scarily close to sleep was felt, but I knew I was mistaken. I could barely remember what sleeping even felt like. I enjoyed lying down with my eyes closed though, in a way of relaxation. That was my sleep.

I felt Emmett nuzzle his face into my hair, rubbing his cheek against mine. "I love you," He told me quietly. My eyes still closed, not facing him, a smile appeared on my lips. I loved hearing those words, anytime, all the time.

"I love you, too," I replied, finally rolling over and facing him. We lay there facing each other, looking into each other's eyes. "I wish I could sleep," I confessed.

"Am I that boring?" Emmett joked.

I couldn't help but laugh. My Emmett, always able to make me laugh, no matter what. "No, silly. You know, like sleep after sex. If I weren't a vampire, I know I'd be feeling pretty worn out about now," I said mischievously.

"Ooh," Emmett cooed, caressing my face.

"To wake up in your arms. To have dreams again. Wouldn't it be nice?" I continued, my eyes closing, hoping to no avail that could happen. Just once…

"It would. But sleeping means hours wasted…when you could be doing this," Emmett hovered over me, kissing my neck, presumably ready for more. I let him kiss me, but then held his face with my hands.

"I'm sure you've had enough for today," I said. "I don't want to spoil you."

Emmett groaned, falling back onto the bed, not facing me and pretending to be mad. I rolled my eyes and got up, whisking my clothes from the floor and starting to put them on.

"Where you goin'?" Emmett demanded, sitting up.

"I'm hungry," I replied, zipping up my jacket. "I'm going hunting. Want me to bring you back anything?"

"No, I'm going with you. There's nothing like hunting after wild sex! Woohoo!" Emmett yelped, now standing on the bed and waving his arm around like he was ready to lasso something.

I rolled my eyes again.