Chapter 10
Alice's POV
'Mila that is absolutely final, now go and put a sweater on before I have a heart attack,' Jasper yelled at Mila. I laughed as I sipped my coffee and she stormed off.
'Jasper, she is just trying to express herself,' I tried. He glared at me.
'Alice, she can express herself without flaunting her breasts to the world,' he grumbled as he blushed slightly. I laughed again.
'I'm just saying, I used to wear clothes like that,' I attempted to argue. He screwed his face up.
'Yes Alice, I know that, but what did I want from you?' he asked winking. I sighed.
'To spend the rest of our lives together,' I said trying to make it so that we understood each other. He laughed.
'Yes, for the most part, however, I was a young boy once and I know what happens in their minds. That shirt is far to revealing and will get her into trouble. Just ask Emmet...or Edward....or your father....or Atticus, Neo or JJ' He said as he stood and made his way to the fridge.
'Fine,' I said giving in and walking up behind him and hugging him around the middle tightly. He spun around and wrapped his well kept arms around my petite body. He scooped down and kissed my lips passionately.
'Ewwwwwwww,' I heard Atticus complain from behind us. Jasper stopped kissing me and looked up.
'Yes?' he asked as he pulled me tighter to his body. I giggled.
'Oh Mom, Dad could you take it elsewhere, the idea that your parents still....' he complained as Jasper cut him off.
'Are still madly in love with each other and still have sexual relations?' he asked cocking his eyebrow. Atticus grimaced.
'Aww Dad, not cool!' he said as he grabbed his bag and swung it over his shoulder. 'The idea of parents having sex is gross,' he added. I laughed.
'Well, I hate to tell you Atty, but if it weren't for us having sex you wouldn't be here,' I joked. Atticus covered his ears and began humming loudly. He called out Mila's name and she rushed down the stairs. She looked at us all bewildered. She then shook her head, glared at Jasper and walked out the front door and hopped into Atticus's car. Atticus grimaced again and stormed out the door.
'We still got it,' Jasper commented as he kissed me again. I nodded.
'What's on your agenda today?' I asked as I cleared the breakfast dishes. Jasper sighed and ran his hands through his golden curls.
'Work, and a lot of it. You?' he asked as he cleared his papers up into a neat pile. I sighed and put the dishwasher on.
'I have to run through a few new lines with Riley and then I'm going to stop by the hospital to see Edward. Bella called last night and said he was doing better and wanted some visitors. Then I'm off to Port Angeles to see Rosalie,' I said in one big breath.
'Rosalie?' Jasper asked eyeing me carefully.
'Yep, she says that she wants to apologise and introduce me to someone who has changed her life,' I said, emphasising the end. Jasper rolled his eyes.
'So much so she would come and see her own children?' He asked piling his papers into his suitcase.
'Jasper, be nice, depression is a horrible thing,' I said. He slammed his case shut.
'I know, but she could at least try and spend time with them. She is just doing what our parents did to us!' he said furiously. I nodded.
'I know, she walked out on my brother remember?' I said rubbing his arm. He sighed and bent down to kiss me.
'I love you Alice,' he smiled.
'I love you too Jasper,' I said rubbing my nose against his. He walked toward the door and waved.
'Bye Bye Wifey!'
'Bye Bye Husband,' I whispered as he walked out the door. Jasper was the rock of the family, to everybody. Anytime anybody needed anything they turned to him. When Edward originally fell ill, Bella spent hours just talking and relating with Jasper. When Rosalie first left, he chased after her and helped her. He even convinced her to move closer to Forks just so she was an hour away from her children, so she didn't miss everything. Emmet also used him for support, crying on his shoulder when things got hard. Jasper never complained, nor did he ever seek help from anyone. He was perfect, my beautiful husband.
***
I stood by the door waiting impatiently for Rosalie to open up. I rang the doorbell again and let out a loud and annoyed sigh. I heard someone shuffle around behind the door and I folded my arms. I heard Rosalie giggle. I arched my eyebrow. Rosalie Cullen-Hale did not giggle. Finally the door swung open, bringing light to the dull and depressed hallway. Facing me was a tall dark haired man with freakishly piercing blue eyes. He examined me carefully and sniffed.
'You must be Alice?' he said, his words full of judgement.
'And you are?' I asked rudely examining his half naked body. He laughed and tossed his greasy head back.
'Royce, Royce King,' he said although he was the most important person in the world. I rolled my eyes.
'I'm here for Rosalie,' I said pointedly.
'I gathered,' he said now ushering me in. As I walked past he slapped my behind. I squeaked and jumped forward.
'Hey!?' I said turning around, hand raised ready to slap. He shrugged and walked over to the lounge. Fury built up inside of me as I searched for Rosalie. She came bounding out of her room and swept me up into a hug.
'Ali!!!' she screamed as she danced around. I could smell the liquor on her breath.
'Rose, how much have you had to drink?' I asked trying to hold her still. She smiled and gazed at me.
'Aww Ali don't be like that,' she said as she tried to patt my hair. I smacked her hand away.
'Rosalie! You promised me you wouldn't drink any more, you promised Jasper!' I said feeling my patience walk out the door. She looked at me innocently and laughed.
'Oh I only had a sip Ali Bear!!!' she sang as she skipped over to where Royce sat. She lowered herself onto his lap and began tonguing away at his face. I growled in disgust and started walking for the door.
'Aww where you going cutie?' I heard the man ask as he stood causing Rosalie to plop to the floor. I grimaced and subtly placed my hand into my handbag, shuffling around for pepper spray.
'I'm leaving, Rosalie wanted me here, i just didn't realise it was to witness her downfall,' I said eyeing his movements carefully. He stepped toward me and winked. I shivered.
'Aww Ali Bear please come back, I gotta tell ya something real exciting!' Rosalie yelled as she spun around like a 15 year old twinkie. I rolled my eyes.
'Tell me so I can leave Rose, I don't appreciate seeing you like this,' I said not removing my eyes from Royce. Rosalie skipped over, stumbling slightly as she went. Royce caught her as she fell into my line of view.
'We're getting married,' she slurred as she threw her hand forward to reveal a shiny rock on her left hand. I felt the anger burn my throat. At that very moment I wanted to reach forward and scratch at Rosalie's delicate face.
'But...' was the only genius word i could mutter before Royce released his grip on Rosalie's arm. She stumbled for a second and then fell to her knees.
'Rosey said you were her best friend and we want you at the wedding,' he said as he grabbed my arm a little too tight. I tried to subtly wrestle free to no avail.
'I couldn't betray Emmet like that,' I said eyeing Rosalie meaningfully. Rosalie huffed.
'Im sure Emmet as had stacks of sluts around the house, inflicting my children badly,' she slurred as she swayed on her knees.
'How can you say that?' I asked as I examined her once beautiful body. She let out a spit of laughter.
'Why don't you come and sit down,' Royce offered as he pushed me toward the living area. I resisted.
'Clean yourself up and realise what you are saying Rosalie,' I spat as I tried to back away to the door. Royce's grip was too strong on my little arm. I wriggled against him.
'What do you mean?' Rosalie said as she pulled herself to her feet. I finally gave into Royce and stepped forward toward Rosalie.
'First of all, you above all people know Emmet would never bring anyone home let alone 'sluts', second of all, how can you call yourself those kids mother! Their mother died long ago with your soul!' I spat, the venom seeping through. Rosalie took a step back and Royce's grip tightened. I struggled a little further, desperately now trying to get away.
'Let go of me!' I said pulling my arm, ignoring the pain. Rosalie watched on, her eyes hurt.
'How could you Alice?' she asked as she approached me carefully. I stopped struggling for a moment to look her in the eyes.
'Rosalie, look at yourself and I don't mean admire yourself in a mirror, i mean a serious evaluation of what your life has turned out to be. You were once happily married, you have 4 gorgeous kids who all love you unconditionally and now you're a dried up alcoholic who is marrying this freak of nature,' I said pulling my arm free of his clasp. Rosalie's mouth dropped open and in one swift movement I felt someone's hand connect with my jaw. I fell to the ground and let out a loud moan. I looked up to see Royce with his hand raised, ready for another hit. I quickly crawled along the dirty floor to the front door and clambered to the handle. I desperately grabbed at it in an effort to escape. I felt his hand pull my short hair back, throwing me against something hard. I let out a loud scream. I jumped up and ran to the door, swinging it open and not looking back as I threw myself at the grubby staircase. I sprinted down the stairs and hailed the first cab I saw demanding it take me to the hospital.
****
I walked into the emergency room and subtly sat down. A nurse dawdled over and handed me a clip board without glancing at me. I cleared my throat and she looked down.
'Mrs Hale?' she asked, her voice shocked to see the chief of medicines daughter in such a state. I nodded.
'Could you do me a huge favour and let me see someone other than my father, if he hears about this he will go beserk,' I asked subtly keeping my voice down. The nurse let out a hoarse laugh.
'Not a chance sweet pea,' she said, snatching the board away from me and forcing me into a standing position. I flinched as she grabbed my sore arm and she snatched her hand away.
'Sorry Mrs Hale,' she said now pushing my bruising back into the hospitals main desk area and then forcing me into an elevator. I grumbled in protest but she ignored me. We reached the top floor and she guided me, now more carefully, toward my Dad's office. I tried stopping, but her harsh hand pushed me further in. She knocked on the door that held my father behind it and I heard his voice welcome her in. She opened the door and pushed me in. Dad gasped and practically jumped over his desk to my side.
'What happened pumpkin?' he asked as he began examining me for extreme injuries. I looked to the nurse.
'Thanks alot,' I said sarcastically. She nodded and smiled.
'You'll thank me one day,' she said turning and walking out of the room. I rolled my eyes.
'Thankyou Ingrid,' Carlisle said as he pulled up the sleeve to my shirt.
'Alice?' Carlisle asked as he started to feel my ribs for cracks or breaks.
'I went to see Rosalie,' I said flinching as he poked me.
'She did this to you?' He asked bewildered. I shook my head.
'She has a new man in her life,' I said pulling away from him as he began poking again.
'Dad can someone else do this?' I asked feeling bad for rejecting my father's skill. He put his hand to his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully.
'That's probably a good idea,' he said as he now, guided me out of his office and onto the staff floor. He called over another doctor, who looked although he only just hit puberty.
'This is Doctor Watson,' Carlisle introduced. 'He'll take care of you; I have to go make a few calls. Do you want me to call Jasper?' he asked as he placed his warm hands on my shoulders. I nodded.
'Yes please Dad,' I said feeling venerable. I needed my Jasper here. Right now. Just to hug and to hold. To know what I hadn't given up like Rosalie.
***
Carlisle POV
I rushed back to my office, not bothering with my usual friendly attitude. I slammed the old door shut and ran to my desk. I picked up my phone and dialled a taxi. I could call Jasper from the cab, right now I needed to save a long lost family member. I ordered the cab, grabbed my coat and stormed down to the exit pulling out my mobile as I went. I speedily dialled my son-in-law and waited for him to answer.
'Jasper Hale,' he answered formally.
'Jasper, its Carlisle, you need to get to the hospital ASAP, Alice...' he cut me off before I had the chance to finish.
'Is she okay, I'm coming now, what happened?' he asked frantically.
'She is okay, a bit bruised and battered but she will explain when you get there, ill call Esme to arrange to organise the kids tonight,' I said knowing his train of thought.
'Carlisle, what happened to her? Has this got something to do with Rose?' he asked his voice calm as I heard the busy traffic in the background indicating he was looking for a taxi.
'Yes, but I'm dealing with it now. I think it's fair to say that this has gone on long enough, I'm admitting Rosalie to a psych ward where she can gain proper help,' I said, knowing that Jasper and I had this plan running through our minds for a while. The phone went silent.
'We should have done this sooner,' he said quietly. I nodded.
'I know son, but what's happened has happened and now we are doing something. Rosalie is going to get proper help and I will make sure of it,' I reassured him in an attempt to not dwell on the past. I heard him sigh.
'Thanks Carlisle, you've done so much for my family,' he said. I laughed.
'Jasper, I am your family, just as you are mine,' I said remembering how happy he made my daughter and once, how happy Rosalie had made Emmet. A few more exchanges were made when I pulled p outside the tattered building that was Rosalie's home. I thanked the cab driver and hopped out, slipping into my coat to protect me from the harsh winter. I examined the building carefully and without a second though walked in. I trundled up the tattered old staircase and examined the vulgar comments graffitied on the walls. I got to the top of the stairs when one particular statement, written in an oddly neat fashion, caught my eye. I stopped and tilted my head to the side so i could read it properly.
' Here lay the hopes and dreams of many Americans, crushed by alcohol, drugs and all round bad decisions, come on in, we're not exclusive,'
I sighed at the pessimism and continued on to Rosalie's door. I knocked and waited patiently for an answer. I heard quite shuffles and the angelic voice of my former daughter in law.
'Royce?' it asked, scared and alone. My heart skipped a few beats as I imagined the young woman hiding from this monster.
'It's Carlisle,' I said clearly. I heard a sob. I rattled the door knob to see that it was open. I opened the door slowly and let myself in. I gasped at the sight before me. I knew Rosalie wasn't a neat person, but it was obvious it wasn't just a lack of cleaning that had caused the apartment to be such a mess. I scanned the apartment for Rosalie, but saw she was no-where to be seen. I shuffled through the mess on the floor and walked toward an open door. The fluoro light was on, creating an angelic glow. I walked in to see Rosalie, delicate, innocent Rosalie, curled up into a ball. She was severely bruised and battered, obviously with broken bones. I rushed to her side and carefully lay her in a straight position, to prevent any spinal damage and flipped my phone out to call an ambulance. I called the number. I ordered, very frantically, the ambulance to the address and then snapped the phone shut. Rosalie's eyes filled with tears and I swept her blonde locks of her pale and battered face. She let out a loud sob and I soothed her gently.
'I let it all go,' she muttered. I smelt that she was severely intoxicated and prayed for the ambulance to hurry.
'I still love him,' she mumbled. My ears pricked and I studied her face carefully.
'Who?' I asked fearing the answer would be this Royce fellow. She made contact with my eyes and a single tear dropped from her soul.
'Emmet, I love him with all my heart, it just took some complete wanker to beat the crap out of me for me to realise it,' she said, straining to get her words out. I wiped her forehead again and sighed. I had known this, it was not new information. I was also aware of the fact that Emmet would still do anything to protect her.
'I'm sorry,' she finished. I shook my head and just as I was about to tell her that she shouldn't be sorry, her pulse stopped racing and her eyes fluttered closed.
'ROSALIE!?' I yelled as I began pumping at her chest. Her non-responsive body told me she had left us forever. I ducked down to her ear and whispered to her a simple truth and with that i felt her heart thump once more against her frail rib cage. Not tonight Rosalie. Not on my watch.
****
So i realise that I have lost few readers with my lacking updates and poor story line, but im liking where its going and hopefully i get a few new readers. This chappy is extra long cos i feel bad for my lack of updates..
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