Thank you everyone for reading. I really hope you are enjoying it. Once again, thank you to jkane180 for her wonderfulness *smiley face*

One thing most of my readers know about me is that I like to change little things with character appearances; such as Emmett having blonde hair and Alice having long hair. It's just how I like them, I'm aware of what they're like in Twilight. Don't be bothered by stuff like that, this isn't really Twilight anyway, I'm free to change what I wish, as is everyone with their own stories. Thanks for listening/reading.

Oh, also, we all know this is rated MA and SM owns her characters, right? No need to mention it again, you know it, I know it, we all know it. Good. On with the story. Enough of my notes.


Chapter One

A mere two days after moving out, I received a text message from Emmett. It informed me that he'd be away on business for the next three days, and I was free to come and move myself out if I had the time.

I decided that I might as well get it over and done with now while he was away. I'd told Emmett that I thought it was a good idea we see each other as little as possible, and I still believed that. Seeing him would only make it hurt more. This—being without him—made it real. I needed to force this new reality on myself so that I could accept no longer having him in my life.

Jasper told me he'd help move me out. Since he had a truck, it would be much more helpful than my small Honda.

Thankfully, he was already waiting in front of the house when I arrived shortly after leaving work for the day. I was afraid to have time in the house alone if I had to wait for him.

He stepped out of his truck and gave me a sad smile, opening his arms as I got closer. I tried my hardest not to cry and simply enjoy the comfort he provided. Yet, a few tears still escaped and soaped into his flannel shirt.

"How you doin', Rosie?"

I returned his smile as I looked up from his chest, his arms still around me tightly. "I'm doing okay," I lied.

He nodded and kissed my forehead. "Okay, let's do this. I'm dying to go through your clothes," he laughed. He obviously saw right through me, but he knew to play into my lies when I needed him to.

"You're a perv," I stated, trying to join in on the joke.

"I, my lady, am a gentleman." He changed his tone, stepping aside so I could get to the front door.

"Sure, sure," I agreed while unlocking the door with my keys. Once I was done here, they'd no longer be mine. I'd leave them on the hook for Emmett to do with as he wished. This wasn't my home anymore so the keys were useless to me.

We stepped into the house, and I took a deep breath while looking around. Mine and Emmett's wedding photos still sat on top of the fireplace; a bunch of my photography equipment was still on the dining room table. It was as though everything was still the same—no real sign of the drastic change our lives were taking.

"Did you bring boxes?" Jasper asked in a gentle tone.

"Emmett said he'd put a bunch in the garage for me," I answered, pulling my eyes away from everything that was so familiar. How was I supposed to just pack up my life and start over? It felt impossible.

"I'll go get them. We should start there anyway." I swallowed the lump in my throat that seemed like it had found its permanent home there. I hated the damn thing.

Jasper followed me into the garage. Emmett had turned it into a studio for me years ago, but I guess it was still considered a garage. Well, as least as soon as all my things were out of it, it would become one again. Emmett never did like leaving his car in the driveway anyway.

I pushed the button by the door, and it opened up to reveal Jasper's truck and my car in the driveway where we could easily begin loading my things.

"Does Maria know you're here?" I asked as I began folding up a box.

Jasper gave me an all-too-familiar look and smiled. "No, she thinks I'm working late."

Jasper's girlfriend Maria had been jealous of our friendship since they first began dating two years ago. She didn't believe a man and woman could be friends the way Jasper and I were.

In reality, Jasper was more of a brother than anything—we even looked like siblings. We'd grown up together throughout school and had always been there for each other. He was my best and closest friend; there was no way I'd screw that up by fucking him.

Besides, as good-looking as he may be, the thought of him in any sexual act grossed me out. Maria honestly had nothing to worry about.

The two of them had been living together for almost a year now. I hardly ever went over because I knew it made her uncomfortable. If Jasper was with anyone other than her, I'm sure he'd have offered for me to stay with them, but alas, he was with her.

He was my best friend, and I believed he deserved better than an evil, jealous bitch with tacky fake nails and big, overdone hair styles. Perhaps, to me, no one would ever be good enough for him. He was a saint, in my opinion, after all.

I didn't let him know any of this, of course—he didn't need to go getting full of himself, and more importantly, he didn't need to know that I didn't approve of his choice of women.

"Well, I really do appreciate the help, even if it's causing you to lie to your girlfriend."

He shrugged. "It's no problem. We don't spend enough time together anyway."

I agreed, and the two of us continued to pack. There really wasn't that much stuff—just all my personal belongings. It was long and hurt even worse than I expected it to, but Jasper being with me insured I didn't break down.

Between my car and Jasper's truck, it only took one go to get everything over to my father's garage.

"Can I buy you dinner?" I asked Jasper as we were putting the last of the boxes down.

He wiped his hands against his jeans and spoke with regret. "I wish I could, I want to, but Maria's expecting me home soon. You know how she hates me being late."

I tried my best not to roll my eyes. "Yes, I do." Now that Emmett and I were no longer together, it only gave Maria more reason to be paranoid over Jasper and I hanging out. "Thanks for everything."

"You know it's no problem. I wish I was there for you more," he said sadly.

I shook my head. "It's okay, really; I need time alone now anyway. To rebuild and all." I shrugged—again trying to be believable.

"You'll see; things will be better for you with time. Promise. And that idiot will realize how stupid he was for letting you go."

"Maybe." I doubted it, but I loved him for saying that.

"Come here," Jasper grabbed my arm and pulled me into his chest even though I would have gone willingly.

I clung to him but held the tears back—held the pain back in my chest where it burned and boiled and made me want to collapse.

What if I wasn't strong enough for this? What if time didn't make things better like Jasper promised it would?

I would never be able to offer Emmett what he wanted, so how could he possibly miss me in the future? He'd soon find someone else, and the two of them would create a big, happy family together. He'd never think of me again.

I felt like I would never be good enough for anyone—because I wasn't.

When Jasper finally pulled away, he cupped my face and kissed my forehead again. "Bye, Rosie. I'll see you soon. We'll have lunch. I'll call you tomorrow, and we'll set something up."

I could only thank him once more before he got into his truck and headed home.

This gave me a chance to stare at the boxes filled with my belongings. This is all I'd ever have now; myself and my belongings. I guess it would have to be good enough.

I forced myself to be brave again and stop all this self-pitying. This wasn't me. It never had been.

I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket and called up Dad's favorite restaurant to place a takeout order. I didn't really know how to cook, so this was probably a better idea than making something myself.

I locked up the garage and headed to the restaurant to pick up the food. I only had to wait a couple of minutes before paying, and it was handed to me in bags.

As I returned back to Dad's place, he was pulling into the driveway ahead of me.

"Hey," I greeted him as we both got out of our cars. "I got dinner. Your favorite."

He raised his eyebrows then nodded in approval. "I'll set the table then. You want some wine?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I answered, following him inside with the bags of food.

"How did today go?" he asked as he pulled silverware out of the drawer.

I shrugged. "Jazz and I got everything. It's all in the garage now."

He nodded. "Good, good."

I watched him while he set the table and smiled to myself. I really loved my dad. I knew he was only distant because of how Mom had hurt him when she left. I didn't hold it against him, although I did miss those days when affection was so easily expressed—way back when I was around seven.

He was still young. I hoped he'd find someone else to let in and be happy with.

Of course, it wasn't only Mom's fault he was this way. I was such a bitch in my teenage years after she left. I blamed him for everything. Now that I realize it wasn't his fault, I deeply regret resenting him back then. He wasn't the one that chose to leave—Mom was.

When I realized he was already pouring us the wine, I quickly pulled some plates out and transferred the food from the boxes onto them.

We ate in silence. He ate much faster than me and was finished long before I was done with even half, but he still sat there with me and drank more wine.

I liked the company and hoped from now on I'd see my dad more than I had over the years since I moved out.

"You know... I know what you're going through... in a way." He seemed a little uncomfortable as he spoke. He'd never been the best person at expressing himself.

I frowned as his voice sounded louder than it should have due to the intense silence. I wasn't hungry to begin with, so I pushed the rest of my tasteless food away and gave my attention to my father.

"I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you've always been a strong and independent person." He smiled to himself about something, and it was almost enough to make me smile too. He so rarely smiled anymore. "You'll get past this, and you'll be okay... There are plenty of people out there; someone else will be the right fit."

I looked down into my wine and fought the urge to question him on why he never bothered looking for another person himself.

"Emmett was the right fit." I'd always love him. I couldn't hate him for what had broken us up. I could only hate myself for the reasons behind the split. After all, he'd always given me the things I wanted. I couldn't say the same about myself though.

Emmett had been pulling away from me for a year now. This was what he wanted. I simply wasn't enough anymore.

I remember when we were nineteen and believed we were all the other needed to be happy, but not even seven years later, we realized more was needed—at least for him.

"There'll be other men, Rosalie. Focus on yourself for now, and your work."

I nodded. "Thanks, Dad. I plan on it." I had no interest in looking for another man anyway.

He gave my back a gentle rub—the first sign of contact in a long time—and began to stand.

"Dad." I stopped him.

He sat back down and looked at me.

"I'm not sorry for being with Emmett, but I am sorry for not listening to you. I was a bad daughter. I wish I'd been better."

Dad nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't a better father too. Maybe you wouldn't have been so quick to marry him back then."

I didn't have the heart to tell him he was wrong. Even if he was a "better" father back then, it wouldn't have changed how badly I loved and wanted to be with Emmett.

We were crazy about each other, and I'd give anything to have that with him again. I wished for the times when things were simpler.

"Maybe," I falsely answered, allowing him to leave the table this time.

Perhaps he thought he was right, but I knew he wasn't.

I may only be twenty-seven, and there may be plenty of men out there that would be good for me, but I wasn't good for them—I'd never be.

Besides, right now, I couldn't even imagine being with anyone other than Emmett.

After clearing the table, I wished Dad an early goodnight. I didn't have the energy for anything lately. I felt tired and just wanted to sleep all the time.

I grabbed some clean underwear and pajamas and headed to the bathroom for a shower. Looking at myself in the mirror wasn't easy.

I used to see bright blue eyes, vibrant blonde hair—myself. Now there were still blue eyes and blonde hair, but I was no longer behind it.

Plus, I looked horrible with dark circles under my eyes from oversleeping and crying every chance I got. My hair looked like I didn't give a shit—which I didn't—and I'd lost far too much weight. I really only ate when I remembered I needed it to live.

With a sigh, I looked away and undressed, stepping into the shower and getting under the water with my eyes closed.

My scream echoed against the tiles as Emmett grabbed me from behind. No matter the amount of times he crept into the shower when I was in it, it still startled me every time.

I pulled away, slapping his arm as I turned. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I wondered.

He only responded with a dimpled, childish grin. I loved that smile.

I shook my head and ran my hands over my face. "You scare me when you do that."

Emmett pouted and moved in closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and causing our naked bodies to press against each other. I couldn't help but be turned on by the contact.

"You know me, baby, I'm all pro environment and shit... Save water; shower with a friend." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

I rolled my eyes and gave another scream when he reached down to grab my ass and lift me up.

"I'm trying to shower here," I informed, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders.

"And I'm trying to get a little action here," he returned.

I couldn't help but laugh; he knew I was always up for the action too. I leaned down for a kiss, moving my fingers into his soft, blonde hair to hold him closer.

The water washed my tears away as they came.

I knew it hadn't been long, but I felt like it would never stop hurting. I didn't know how to be without him.