AN: I just returned from vacation and so I wrote this as quickly as possible so it may seem a bit rushed and rough but I figured you all deserved it for all your patience. THANK YOU! I don't say that nearly enough. From now on it might feel like I am lacking in the Rosalie/Emmett scenes because I have noticed that people really want to see their perspective on Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and (yes!) Breaking Dawn. If anyone thinks I'm focusing too much on Edward and Bella then I will throw in more chapters of just Rose and Emmett. (NO EDITING WAS DONE TO THIS CHAPTER, sorry)
P.S: I LOVED LOVED LOVED Breaking Dawn. I know quite a few didn't, but that's not the case for me. It was definitely my favourite and I still can't get over on how awesome it was. Even though all my predictions about it were dead wrong.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Stephenie Meyer's world.
Chapter 21: This Is Anger As Beauty
I glared at my husband as he spun a penny on the dining room table in the early afternoon on Sunday. I couldn't conceal at my annoyance at him as he sighed and watched the penny spin insanely fast for the human eyes and never falter it's turns on the sturdy table. When the penny began losing it's speed and began flopping on the table noisely he would pick it up and spin it once again. His face rested in his left hand which was on top of the dark wood. Esme sat at the end sewing something and was just as reserved and sad.
"It's not the same," Emmett remarked. I tried really hard not to let out a scoff.
"Emmett, please stop," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. My eyes widened when I realized my reaction was similar to an absent Edward and quickly moved my hand to tapping absently on the table.
"It isn't Rose," Emmett continued. "You can feel it too, don't try and deny it."
"It's only different because you are making it different! Edward is a big boy and he'll come home when he's ready," I very nearly snapped at my upset husband. Unbelievable! Edward's been gone for a week and this family is practically falling apart. I find it very hard to believe that he is the glue holding us all together. They are all overreacting. I glanced at the watch on my wrist and wondered how much longer they would stay somber. Edward was just up at Denali for God sake. He called once a day too and they were all acting as if he were dead.
Emmett slammed his hand on the table. Esme tutted and Emmett as she looked up from her sewing to find that Emmett's frustration had led to the dining room table breaking in half.
"Oops, sorry," Emmett mumbled and grabbed the remaining pieces and tossing them out into the back yard. I followed him outside with my hands on my waist. A loud grumble of thunder shook the town of Forks as the sky threatened to rain at any given moment. Emmett kicked a leg of the table on the ground as it flew into the trees with no effort on his part. "I want Edward home."
"I know," I said, feeling more annoyed when the rain fell on me. My hair. I really wanted to hurt Emmett right now for acting like such a little girl. My. Hair. I considered entering the dryness of the house but came to the conclusion that Emmett deserved to hear me bitch after this past week of his moping.
I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind when the familiar driving skills that belonged to our single brother began heading towards our house. Emmett's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he raced through the house whipping the door open in his haste. Esme was already opening the front door and waiting anxiously for Edward to steer his way up the drive.
Alice was bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement. I eyed her suspiciously and knew for a fact that she had known all along that Edward would be arriving back home today. I felt cross with her for keeping us in the dark of her supernatural knowledge of things to come. Edward drove Carlisle's Mercedes up and pulled to a halt in the garage that was held open due to Jasper. Esme skipped off the porch and rushed to the garage.
"Edward, Edward! Edward, I missed you," Esme threw her arms around Edward's waist, he chuckled and hugged her back. Alice bounded to his side and stared at him, grinning.
"It took you long enough," she said, irritation quite clear. Edward nodded to Jasper who replied back with a shake of the head in acknowledgment. But none of these welcoming gestures compared to that of my husbands.
Emmett pushed Esme and Alice away and lifted Edward into his arms in a human-bone-crushing hug. Edward laughed loudly as Emmett placed him back onto the ground.
"I'm so going to beat you for leaving us. Right here, right now. Let's go!" Emmett insisted with narrowed eyes directed at his returned brother.
"Not now, Emmett," Esme scolded, grabbing Edward's hand and leading him inside to the living room where we could all receive his answers to the questions that were running through our heads a mile a minute. Although I could care less as to why he returned and more as to why he left.
"You know why I left," Edward responded, being pulled to Esme's side. Emmett sat on his other side staring up at his big brother in an inexplicable awe. Oh for crying out loud! I growled slightly, and Emmett finally gave notice to my presence as he gave me a confused look. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest in agitation at his incompetence.
"For the human girl," I said skeptically. It still made little to no sense to me.
"Yes," Edward said slightly testily.
"She's just a child, Edward," I said. Edward said nothing but I saw in his eyes that I had offended him. I tried to push down my smug smile at his response. He was acting completely absurd and I wanted this whole Isabella Swan situation to go away just as quickly as it came.
"Yes, I realize that. I will continue with school again tomorrow. She will not be a problem for me anymore," Edward said.
Esme touched his arm. "Edward, are you sure?"
He nodded quickly before standing up abruptly, and heading up the stairs to his room, no doubt to mope around. I rolled my eyes again and looked at my husband who was now back to being his regular self. Seriously, how come Edward had such an effect on how my family interacted with daily schedules that we have kept up for decades?
"I can't believe you, Edward!" I snapped as we drove on our way to school. I was just given the information of Edward speaking to that Isabella girl yesterday in his stupid Biology class.
"It's Bella," Edward murmured. All of us quieted at what he had just said. Jasper stiffened beside me, my jaw hung open and Emmett stared at him in disbelief. Bella?
"Edward," Jasper started, his voice stern. "Are you thinking straight?"
Edward growled as he read our racing thoughts. Bella? Was he becoming attached to this insignificant human child? "Do you like her?" His silence shocked the rest of us into more silence.
"Okay, everyone, stop it," Alice said, firmly. Edward's grip on the steering wheel was tightening by the second. "Edward," Alice said, trying to calm Edward down. Alice's glance flashed to Jasper who sent a wave of calm throughout the car. I tried to shake it off, but it proved difficult.
"Edward," I said. My harsh tone that I had intended to convey was weak with Jasper's ability. "You have to stay away from her. It will only end in disastrously. I - we - shouldn't have to move and change our whole lives just because of this human girl! Don't just think about yourself. You have a family to consider as well," I said.
"I know that, Rosalie!" Edward snapped. "I am not attached to her, either." His voice was firm as he attempted to convince us that he wasn't interested in the Swan girl.
"You're only paying attention to her because she's new and different. Just because you can't hear her mind doesn't make her any more of a brainless teen aged kid." I stared at him sharply through the rear view mirror as he pulled up into the parking lot at school. I opened my mouth to continue my little rant, but Emmett placed his hand in mine and pulled me out of the car.
"Emmett! Stop!" I said.
"Rose, let's just go to class," Emmett said. He pulled me further away from Edward who was standing by his car, searching for the human girl. I hissed at Edward. "Rosalie, stop it!" Emmett pulled at my hand and brought me closer to him. His expression was hard as he stared down at me. "You are being incredibly selfish and immature. Calm down. Relax," Emmett's voice was gentle as he stared into my eyes with meaning. He wanted me to stop. I sighed in exasperation and looked to my left.
A car was sliding out of control and students were rushing out of the way and screaming in horror as the car moved unsteadily on the ice. Emmett let go of me and edged closer toward Edward who I saw staring in horror at Isabella Swan - the target the car seemed to be aiming for.
"Rose, if her blood spills," Emmett whispered. Alice was rushing to Edward, while Jasper stayed back unsure of what could happen. Too fast for humans, Edward strode to the girl and grabbed her, pulling her away from the car as it neared her. To my horror, Edward stopped the van from touching her, leaving a dent in two cars along the way.
"No!" I cried and grabbed Emmett's arm in shock. Edward was staring at the girl and muttering to her, fretting over her condition and begging for her to respond to him. His entire focus was on this foolish child. He forgot about his strength, his facade that he had to keep up at school and he forgot about us - his family. Right now his entire being was concerned for this girl. This girl!
"No. Way." Emmett said his voice low and stunned. Jasper and Alice came to our side as the humans children realized what just happened and rushed to the Swan girl's aid to see if she lived, still. None of them had any idea that Edward had raced across the parking lot, stopped the van, and was cradling the girl like she was precious. The screams of the children were a distant echo as the four of us watched our brother stare at this girl and worry about her safety.
"He just saved her," Jasper commented. None of us spoke, but we moved closer to the scene as the ambulance and police arrived. Edward was insisting on riding with her to the hospital as he got in the front seat of the ambulance. We stared at the girl who returned our gaze hesitantly.
The fury rising in me was uncontrollable as she sat there with her neck brace. I knew Jasper was sharing my fury as he wasn't trying to calm me down. Emmett and Alice were just staring in disbelief as we watched one of the paramedic's close the door and blocking our view of the Isabella and drive away taking our brother to the hospital.
Students were getting in their cars and following the ambulance to the hospital and some students were talking as they headed to their class. Alice reacted first by pulling out her cell phone and dialing our father's number.
"Carlisle!" she hissed. "Edward's coming to the hospital with Isabella Swan." She was speaking far too fast for any of the humans who gave us odd looks at our flabbergasted states. Emmett shook his head as he was no doubt replaying the events that just took place in his head.
"He saved her!" He repeated Jasper's comment in just as much disbelief.
"He stopped the van with his own two hands!" Alice continued in near hysteria. "No, I didn't see this!" She wandered off as she talked into the phone. Jasper's brows were furrowed in anger as he watched his wife. I could tell he was deciding if he should just grab Alice and take her far away before the girl got a chance to blab to the world about what she had just witnessed. We heard her! She was just as curious about Edward's reaction and speed and strength as we were!
"I can't believe this," I said as Alice closed her phone.
"We're going home, Carlisle and Edward will meet us there. A family meeting will take place," she said as she grabbed Jasper's hand and we raced to the Volvo.
Emmett and I sat in the back seat as Alice started the engine and we drove off toward our house.
"What did Carlisle say?" Emmett asked.
"He'll leave as soon as he sees Bella and Edward."
"Bella and Edward," Emmett repeated in astonishment. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" he joked. I punched him as hard as I could in the shoulder. He was pressed against the door as the car shook at my force.
"Rosalie, not now," Alice said and pulled the car up our drive.
"Edward is such an idiot," I fumed and tore out of the car just as fast as Alice, who opened the door and called out for Esme.
"What's going on?" Esme asked, the anxiousness in her voice already apparent.
"What's going on is Edward just ruing our lives! And the lives of every person at Forks High School," I answered, angrily.
"The lives of the students? Someone explain this properly to me!" Esme insisted, staring at us with fear in her eyes.
"The Volturi?" Emmett asked me.
"Yes," Jasper said. "If they hear about Edward's little selfish stunt, then not only will our lives be ended sooner rather than later, but so will everyone who could have possibly witnessed it."
"But nobody noticed!" Emmett defended.
"That doesn't matter," Jasper's voice was in monotone. "And you don't know that, Emmett! Some may very well be trying to suppress their viewing of an inexplicable thing. The Volturi don't care if they might have not seen. Edward was reckless."
"Somebody please tell me what's going on!" Esme shouted. We all froze and observed our mother who was near hysterical. Alice told her everything softly and Esme's eyes grew wide with each passing revelation. When Esme heard it all we all got into an argument on what Edward did and why he did it. "Why would he do that?"
"Because he's psycho!" I offered.
"Because he loooves her," Emmett laughed.
"Emmett, this is not a time for jokes," Carlisle said as he appeared at the front door with Edward closely behind him. Carlisle entered the house and sat in the arm chair and ran a hand through his hair, something that was similar to what Edward often did. Edward looked at us all hesitantly obviously reading our minds. In all honestly he looked freaked out beyond anything I had ever seen. What he did seemed to be only just registering with him right now.
"She promised she wouldn't tell anyone," he said quietly.
"You can't believe her, Edward! She's a human child!" Jasper snapped, right away. I nodded along in agreement.
"Who can say that she won't just go blabbing to everyone she knows as soon as you left her side! You don't know her Edward! You have no way of knowing what is going on through her head! Since thats an impossibility to you! Did you try reading her thoughts?" I wondered.
"I read her expression," he amended after a few beats of silence.
"Her expression!" I scoffed. "That's great, Edward. But, what was going on through her head?!"
"Rosalie," Emmett warned as he put a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off and Jasper and I took a few steps toward our off-balanced brother. It felt good having Jasper on my side, something that hardly ever happened.
"Alice," Carlisle interrupted. "What do you see happening?"
Alice seemed unnerved by this question as she looked at us nervously. A low growl erupted into the tense atmosphere emenating from Edward as he stared murderously at Alice. Jasper moved in front of Alice in a defensive pose, his teeth bared staring at Edward just as threateningly.
"Boys, stop it!" Esme said coming inbetween them. "What did you see Alice?" she asked kindly. Alice stared at Edward and touched Jasper, who moved out of the way.
"No, Alice. That won't happen," Edward said with such surety that I really wondered what she had seen that caused Edward to react so violently.
"What did you see Alice?" Emmett wonderd impatiently.
Alice sighed and closed her eyes tightly, Jasper held her hand and sent out a wave of calm. I felt my body relax significantly.
"Bella turning into a vampire," she replied finally, opening her eyes and staring at Edward. We all turned our attention to him as well.
"Well?" Emmett pressed.
"No." Edward glared at Emmett in hatred. I felt a surge of anger toward my brother as he stared at Emmett who in my opinion was completely innocent in this situation compared to some of us.
"Hey!" I snapped, stepping in front of him. "This isn't his fault! It's yours! Don't try and take the blame out on Emmett who has been nothing but kind with this situation. Unlike me who would more than happily accept your glare!"
"She won't become one of us!" Edward roared. He was breathing heavily as he stared at us with such venom that it threw us all off guard. We stared at him, stunned. He seemed to control himself as he said much more quietly, "I will not burden her with this existence, that is final. I apologize for my actions today, but I do not regret them."
"You should," I muttered. Emmett pinched me and I closed my mouth.
"I think," Carlisle started as he rubbed his chin. "I think it would be best if you avoided Isabella, Edward."
"Bella," he muttered, but realized the insanity of his correction and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Edward, I'm sorry. But it's for the families best interest. If you believe that she won't tell anyone about us, then I trust your opinion. But - I don't think it would be wise if you continued any type of relationship with her. Do you agree?" Carlisle asked. He was staring at Edward hesitantly. He obviously didn't want to tell Edward what to do, but it had to be said. We all stared at Edward expectantly.
"I agree," he said eventually and looked at us all quickly. He leaped up the stairs into his room and slammed the door shut.
We all stood there in silence for a while as we went over today's events in our heads. I couldn't wrap my head around the situation because it just seemed so unreal. Edward was developing these deep feelings for a human girl and he had no idea.
R/R!