Chapter 14: SHE – Rebuilding Road

A weight was lifted off her shoulders.

Telling Edward about Jacob was her secret that was a make-it-or-break-it. She knew that Edward wouldn't be the type of guy that would run for the hills with that confession, although a part of her, the part that overthinks things, did have doubts. For a moment, she considered what would happen if he didn't take it as well as she hoped. If he didn't, she wouldn't have known what to do. Her fragile relationship with Jake felt as if she had a million broken hearts. With Edward, she believes that the day they break up is when her heart would be torn apart, left to shreds, and possibly never be put back together.

But things worked out. Unlike Jacob, she didn't run away. She confronted the situation. They took the time to talk it out. He told her how relieved he was that she told him her story. He listened and reassured her that her mistakes weren't wasted.

"He taught you what you needed in a boy," he told her. "You needed someone that could wait for you to love him."

Edward waited for her. He waited three years. He was patient. He cherished their moment. He didn't rush her when they began their relationship.

That's what true love is about. For them, timing was key. Yuanfen (she learned about the word from an image Rose showed her on Tumblr) was the answer. Destiny and fate.

What will happen to her and Jake? She doesn't know. But Edward does want her to do something.

"Talk to him on Facebook," he suggested. "He doesn't seem to mind if you message him. Maybe all you two need is a little push. Use social media to your advantage."

Facebook would be a solution. She and Jake are acquaintances. Someone has to break the awkwardness between them. Just like the messages they shared during the CTSO conference, there won't be progress if neither of them makes a move.

She'll get to it this weekend. She has something else to worry about.

Emmett.

"Kill me now and sacrifice me to the gods," Rose groans, leaning her head on her shoulder, her blonde hair ticking her shoulder blades. "I wait this long, and now this happens?"

It's the last Friday of September and the two of them are sitting on a bench outside of Starbucks (there are three Starbucks places in the mall, but this one is their favorite place). They are discussing a piece of news that the two of them anticipated for months, the news they thought may never come.

The McCarthys are back. They arrived yesterday and, according to Rose's uncle (he and Emmett are good friends), heard from Sarah (the mall's captain for the security guards), is dropping by to her house later today to talk and meet Rose face-to-face for the first time.

"Fate finally woke up," she says, leaning her head against her best friend.

"I'm not ready!"

"You don't have to be! I'd be freaking out just as much as you." If she was placed in Rose's shoes, she too would be having a meltdown.

"What do I do?" Rose lifts her head and takes a sip from her chai tea latte. "What if he doesn't like what he sees? What if I say something stupid? What if he tries to kiss me? I haven't had a proper first kiss (hers was stolen from a guy when she was 13, but she doesn't consider it a real first kiss since it was a peck on the lips and she didn't want it to happen). And oh god, what if he changed while he was in Wales? What if he's a jerk? What if-"

"Girl, calm down." She drapes an arm across Rose's shoulders. "Breathe. You're worrying too much. I was like that too when Edward and I first started going out. You remember how many skirts I tried on."

Rose laughs. "You went with leather because you said ' leather is better.'"

"Which is absolutely true."

"So what do I do?"

"Be yourself. If you're nervous, let him know that. He's probably gonna be just as nervous as you. Who wouldn't be? Like you said, he moped around most of the time while he was in the UK with nothing but that picture of you at the water park to keep him company. You caught his eye. Destiny brought you two together for a reason, and now fate has decided that now is your time."

"Wow, Peaches. Edward taught you well."

She giggles. "He wouldn't be my boyfriend if there wasn't something about him that made me want to keep him."

"You think Emmett will be a keeper?"

"I don't think. I know."

She does. She and Edward are meant to be.

So will Rose and Emmett.

Emmett will make a physical appearance in the story soon!

In real life, I still waiting for RL Emmett to come back. But me and RL Rose do know he'll be back sometime this year. We just don't know when.