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Overwhelmed
Rosalie only comes back to Forks — a place that only holds bad memories — once a year. This year she finds herself with an unlikely companion, facing a truth she thought she had buried years ago.
•••
Bella was pregnant.
It seemed so unfathomable to Rosalie how Bella had become who she was. Her face was flushed and glowing pleasantly, her hair tossed up on her head, and her stomach expanding under her shirt. She looked like she had the life every girl wanted to have when they were twelve years old.
Rosalie had never thought Bella would have that life. It had never even occurred to her that Bella would want that life. It certainly wasn't what Rosalie would get in life, and she didn't want it. She liked living by herself, liked the freedom it gave her. And Rosalie as a mother? Please.
But Rosalie smiled and nodded as Bella told stories about the pregnancy while Edward added in his two cents now and then. She only came back to Forks once a year, and she had to admit she would much rather spend a night eating dinner with Bella than another night with her parents and brother.
Of course, this dinner was a little awkward considering Emmett had also been invited. The last time Rosalie had seen him, she was leaving him sleeping soundly in his bed. He said nothing to her and she wondered if he even remembered. She certainly hoped not.
She got the distinct impression as Bella chatted with Emmett that this wasn't the first time he had eaten dinner with Edward and Bella. If she had to guess, she'd say Emmett probably spent more time in their home than his apartment across town.
Bella was putting leftover pierogi into a disposable container for Rosalie when she finally said something. "Do you think you're going to go see him?" Bella asked. She wasn't looking at Rosalie.
"Probably," Rosalie admitted, staring at the potted plant on the kitchen windowsill.
Bella pushed the container into Rosalie's hands. She smiled kindly. She said nothing but the disagreement was written in her face. Bella never said the things that would bother Rosalie. She didn't ask about Marcus, she didn't mention how little Rosalie visited her family or friends, and she wasn't going to give Rosalie her thoughts on the Cullen family.
But it was all on her face, just waiting for Rosalie to signal that Bella was free to give her blunt advice. Rosalie made no such signal, however. She disappeared into the bitter winter air of Forks with her leftovers in hand and a silent Bella watching her go.
She drove home, but didn't get out of the car.
She drove to the hospital, but didn't get out of the car.
She drove to that same little bar. She was three sheets to the wind when Emmett walked through the doors. He greeted her with a brief nod. "I'm a regular," he offered in explanation as he sat beside her.
"For the remainder of my stay in Forks," Rosalie told him sullenly, "I am, too."
He clinked his glass with hers. "Cheers."
She left before falling asleep this time, but he didn't try and stop her. She also remembered most of it this time. It didn't make a difference.
•••
A/N: Thanks for reading!