Dusk
Chapter 2
In the weeks following Bella's accident, Edward spent less and less time at home. He wanted to be away from us and our scrutinizing glares. Carlisle thought that leaving him be was the best plan of action. Esme wanted him to be happy. Emmett said to "live and let live". Alice said that nothing bad would happen until later on. Jasper had no comment on it but he found it was a good idea to try and sooth me in his own vampire way.
I couldn't shake the absolute hatred and distaste for her though. She was pushing in on our secret. I suppose I knew that I was jealous of her. Of course I was prettier and smarter, faster and stronger but she was human and that's what I desired. I wanted to be able to change, to grow. I wanted to be able to conceive, carry and bear a child. I wanted the things I could've had had Royce not done me so wrong.
Some would say I had it great. I wasn't aging. I had Emmett. I lived in a huge house. I had millions at my disposal. I lived in luxury. I would say that I had it bad. I was forever going to remember what led to this life. I'd never have my fair haired children. I'd never grow up. I'd always be stuck at my eighteen year old perfection. I'd never get to experience my fortieth birthday. I was stripped of a huge amount of human experiences that I wanted back.
"Edward." I stopped him before he left. It was a Saturday, around seven in the morning. "Where are you going?" I asked, knowing perfectly well where and who with he'd be spending his day.
"I'm going out," he sidestepped and I matched his move. "I just am." He said, catching my thought: where.
"Edward, just tell me where you're going." I said, figuring out where he was going without his help. He continued to maneuver around me, mumbling things about how I've already figured it out and such. He left then, without explanation.
I spent the day rolling around in bed with Emmett, trying desperately to shove the thought of what Edward might do to Bella to the back of my mind. When Alice came rushing in, talking about how 'she' was coming over, we all assembled to hear it all. "Bella, Edward's new pet, is coming over later tonight!" Alice squealed.
Emmett dropped his arm around my tense shoulders and exclaimed, "Well, this should be fun." He looked down and winked at me. "Benvenuto Bella, giusto?" He grinned and poked my ribs.
"She is welcome, Rose." Carlisle translated then sternly stared at me. "Whether you like it or not."
That afternoon, Edward walked Bella up to the door where Carlisle and Esme met them saying things about how Edward had told them so much about her and how nice it was to meet her. I stood at the top of the stairs, out of sight, with Emmett's arms wrapped around me. He was whispering sweet nothings in my ear while stroking my leg with his. After a while my mind left Edward and Bella at the piano and I gave into Emmett. We ran to our seclude house farther up the mountain. We spent a few hours fooling around on various flat surfaces that Emmett managed to break. We took a "breather" when Alice knocked on our door saying things about a baseball game. There was a storm coming and Jasper wanted to know if Emmett wanted to play some ball. always the sports fanatic, he jumped at the opportunity.
"Who else is coming?" I asked, knowing full well that Edward would be bring darling little Bella.
"All of them." Alice said, starting to run away, towards the main house. Emmett and I followed soon after, running through the drizzle holding hands. When we got there, Bella and Edward had dissapeared. Carlisle said something about informing Chief Swan. We all changed clothes to ready ourselves for the game. We all headed out running for the clearing. Soon after we arrived, I heard Emmett's Jeep in the distance. A few door slams. A chocking sound. Muffled voices. Running. Bella's voice. Edward's response. Finally they came into the clearing.
We played well. All of us did our best to impress or scare Bella. In the middle of the game, Alice lost focus. "What is it Alice?" Carlisle asked after her stuttering "I didn't see... I couldn't tell." As it happened, I stood apart, not concerned for Bella whatsoever. It was just minutes after this that they emerged from the forest, all thirsty, all ready.