A/N: WOW you all know how to make a girl cry!! All the reviews were awesome, thank you so much. I now have a Beta and I want to thank her for helping me with this chapter and all future chapters. Thank you FaithInSnape. Hope that you all enjoy this long chapter. Please remember to R&R!
Oh, for all of those that have asked if there really is a place called Hell, yes there is and it is on the main island of the Cayman's, if you have time go Google. Also this chapter talks about Stingray city, which is also a real place. Been to both 2x on tow different cruises!
Hell of a Day
Emmett's POV:
Hell, Grand Cayman Island. When I first heard that Cruise Director mention the town, I knew I had to go. Come on, how many times can you actually say that you have visited Hell? And not just in passing. The next time someone tells me to go to Hell, I can say "as a matter of fact, been there done that! I highly recommend that you go some time." I knew that Rose really wanted to go as well. Even though she says that she is living a personal Hell, I wonder if her hell can compare to the actual Hell? Boy, now I wonder how many times I can actually say Hell?
Rose, Macy and I followed Jasper out of the Turtle Farm and made a quick drive over to our next destination: Hell. When we parked our bikes, all I could do was just stand and look around. This was not my first impression of what Hell would be like. There were plenty of trees, and you could smell the salty sea in the air. We walked a short distance and came to a bright red shack of sorts. Definitely not the Love Shack. The sign said: Welcome to Hell's Post Office. Hmm, who would have thought that the devil needed his own zip code?
The girls began to fish through the mounds of postcards. Trying to find the perfect one to send back home to who ever they think would get a kick out of us going to Hell. I began to move around to another batch of cards when...
"What the Hell are you looking at?" a man's voice said, rather rough. I turned around my arms ready to deck the guy. That is until I took in his get up: All red! Red tights, red shoes, red devil costume, complete with a tail and horns.
"We are looking at the cards, what the hell does it look like?" I boomed back.
"Well, good," Satan said, "Welcome to Hell, be sure to send some to your friends and family. Not every day you can go to Hell and back."
"So, Jasper," I started, "You're the history person, what can you tell us about this place?"
Jasper walked over to the bulletin board and picked up a brochure and began to just read everything that it said: "Hell, Grand Cayman is a group of short, black limestone formations in the northwest Grand Cayman town of West Bay. It is roughly the size of half a soccer field, and people are not allowed in amongst the limestone formations; two viewing platforms exist for tourists. There are numerous versions of how Hell received its name, but they are generally variations on a local official exclaimed, 'This is what Hell must look like.'
"They also say that if you throw a pebble into the vastness, it bounces and echoes like it is were being dropped down into the pits of Hell.
The rest of the group began to wander around. I stood back and looked at the devil.
"So," I started, "does it get as hot as hell here?"
The
devil smiled, "You betcha, welcome to my house. Want a
personal
tour?"
I put my hands in the air, surrendering and began to back away, "Hell no."
As much fun as this little town could be, I really did not want to stick around. I noticed that everyone else already began to move to one of the outlooks. I went to the gift shop. I know that no one would believe me that I have been to Hell, so I wanted to get a souvenir to prove that I, in fact, was not crazy.
I started to rummage through all the shirts in a giant bin. The sign above it said they were three for ten dollars. I shrugged my shoulders thinking it was a great deal. I kept holding them up reading all the goofy sayings and taking in the art work. Until I picked up the perfect one. It was a man standing with a beer can in his hand, a SheDevil rubbing up next to him and the saying 'Been to Hell, Lived to Tell.' I found two more just like it and paid for them. On the way out I took off my current shirt and threw on the new one. I plastered a smile on my face, feeling all proud of making a good purchase.
Now to go find the gang. Shouldn't be too hard, this Hell place is not nearly as big as I thought it would be. And where is all the fire? The closer I got to the group, the more stares I received. Thinking I must have dropped something or was showing something, I looked down. Then shrugged my shoulders. Nothing out of the ordinary. But that is when I heard Jasper's laughter.
"What?" I asked.
"God, Emmett, do not tell me you spent money on that thing?" Alice asked.
"Yea, it was three for ten dollars, I bought one for Jasper and Edward, too," I threw a shirt to each of my best friends, "What the Hell is wrong with it anyways?"
"Em, you really did not have to do this," Jasper said, holding up the shirt and looking at it again.
I just smiled, "Go ahead and put it on." Pulling down on my shirt. I bought them all a tad smaller, knowing that the white cotton material would show off my broad chest. Which must have worked because Rose came over and gently put her hand over my pecs.
My smile grew even bigger as she leaned over and began to whisper in my ear, "I think I have a costume like that from last Halloween. If you're good, maybe I will show you some pictures."
Pictures. Red SheDevil outfit. Naughty or nice. Good, be good, Emmett. With any luck I will be able to see some pictures of a naughty Rose.
"I need to go to the bathroom," Macy said. Boy, talk about ruining a moment.
"Ok, come on," Rose said reaching down to take Macy's hand, "Alice, Bella, we're going to find a bathroom."
We all began to follow the girls back to the gift shop, the guys and I just stood by the motorcycle wannabe's. I already undid the padlock and was starting to put my helmet on when the beautiful women began to make their way back to us. I handed Macy and Rose their helmets and helped Macy into her side car. Rose climbed onto the back and wrapped her arms tights around my waist. I let out a low growl as I started the bike.
"What's next Jasper?" I asked over to him.
"Stingray City," he yelled back and then began to lead the pack toward our next destination.
We were cruising along nicely, taking it slow. Then Rose grabbed onto my waist and moved closer to my ear so I could hear her.
"Pull over, at the bank," she pointed to the one that she wanted and I moved out of the caravan of bikes. She took her helmet off and then started to get off the bike. I cut the engine, "What's wrong?"
"I need to go in here and take care of some business. I'll be right back."
As she began to walk away, I looked over to Macy. She was watching Rose like a lost puppy, wondering if her owner was going to come back or just leave her. I walked over to Macy and knelt down to look her in the eye.
"She is coming right back," I told Macy. She just nodded her head, but not once did she take her eyes off of the front door.
I heard the noise of the other mopeds turning into the bank's parking lot. The gang came over to me and Macy.
"Is everything alright?" Alice asked looking around, "Where's Rose?"
I moved my head toward the direction of the bank, "She said that she needed to take care of some business. I'm going to go check on her." I got up and Macy went to grab my hand. She had that same look in her eyes when Rose left, "I'm going to get Rose. Bella and Alice are here."
When Macy tightened her grip, I looked over to Alice and Bella, they came to Macy and started to talk to her quietly. Macy began to relax and let go. I walked into the bank and made my way over to Rose, who was standing in line at the customer service counter. I snaked my arms around her waist and lowered my head onto her shoulder.
"Whatcha doing?" I asked quietly.
"I am hoping to send a fax to my lawyer back in New York. That way she can get going on this mess that my mother created."
"You know, Macy is missing you," that got her attention, she turned to look at me, "She was following you with her eyes. Intent on looking only at the door. It's like she's afraid that you won't be coming back."
"Macy has every right to feel that way," Rose stated back.
"Did you tell her that the two of you are sisters?"
She cast her eyes downward, "No, not yet. I want her to read the letter first. See what my mother had to say. Then I will fill in the gaps."
"I think that you and she should talk soon," Rose just nodded and began to move to the counter.
"Yes, I need to send a fax to the United States," Rose said and began to dig around in her bag. She pulled out her wallet, "Here is my account number, please just take the fax fees out of this account."
I looked over at Rose, amused at the fact that she had an account at a bank in the middle of nowhere. She must have caught on with my stares.
"When my grandparents died, they left me everything. I had a good financial advisor who recommended off shore accounts. Who would have thought that I would actually get to visit one!"
"So, are you rich or something?"
"No, I'm not rich. Just smart. And besides, this RBCentura, they have these banks all over the States."
"Ms. Hale," a gentleman came and walked over to us, "My name is Gavin Francis, I am the bank manager. If you come with me, I will help you with your transaction."
We followed the man to a very well decorated office. I took a seat next to Rose holding her hand. I did not like the stares that this guy was giving her by any means.
"So, what brings you to the islands?" Gavin asked, with a pen and paper ready to take notes.
"My friends and I are on a cruise. I stopped by the bank for personal reasons," Rose stated.
"When I saw your name come up on my monitor, I thought that I was going to pass out. We have been waiting a long time for you to finally show up."
I looked at Gavin and back to Rose, "You two know each other?" I asked.
"No," Gavin said, "But I did know your grandmother, she came down here often for vacations. She said that when you came I was to give you this," Gavin reached under his desk and pulled out a rather large box, "She said that you would be coming, when it was time. I was actually beginning to wonder if you even knew anything about this."
Rose was shocked, "I came here to send some faxes; some information to my lawyer. I have no idea what's in the box."
Gavin reached his hand across the desk, "I will be happy to take care of the faxes for you." Rose dug into her bag and pulled out all the papers, "I will go make copies of everything and be right back. Go ahead and look into the box."
Rose moved a hand over to the lid and began to lift it up, then halted. Her hands just hovering, like she was taking in a power or a presence.
"I can't," Rose quickly moved her hands back to her lap, casting her eyes downward.
I reached over and took her hand in mine, rubbing small circles with my thumb, "Would you like for me to get Alice and Bella?" She just moved her head no, "Do you want me to open it?"
She nodded and I let her hand down, and moved to stand up to bring the box closer to me. Taking the lid off slowly, I could not help but feel like I was going to be sucked in. Into a world of truths that I did not know I could handle. I looked again at Rose and could not help but sense the fear in her eyes. She was scared. That much I knew
I placed the lid on the table and took out an envelope that was addressed to Rosalie. I reached in and pulled it out, placing it on her lap. She picked it up and then brought it to her chest, hugging on to it for dear life. Then she brought it up to her nose and breathed in deeply.
"Still smells like her," she said quietly.
"Who?"
"My grandmother," she very cautiously moved her finger under the seal and opened up the letter. Then she gave it to me, "Here, I'm not sure I can read it."
I took the letter and moved to sit down next to her and went to take her hand again. I cleared my throat and began to read. Read something that brought me to my knees.
I cleared my throat and started,
"Dear Rosalie,
If you are reading this, then I know that you have begun a search that will lead you to someone special. Or you may already know who she is. Your mother was wrong in keeping something like Macy away from you. I have tried on numerous occasions to get her to confess to you. But you know your mother. I'm just glad that you have found each other. Knowing our family, it was probably the least expected way to find a long lost sister. But she was never lost, nor was she ever far from you.
In the box you will find your answers: the truths, the lies. Most importantly, you will find the strength to help Macy. She will need you now. Take care of her, just like I have taken care of both of my angels.
Love,
Your Mimi"
I squeezed Rose's hand and saw that she was wiping away a tear from her eye.
"She knew. All this time and she already knew," she said quietly, but I could her a voice of anger or hate mixed in as well.
I did not know what to say, so I folded the letter back up and put it away. I began to look into the box again, but her hand stopped me, "Not now, I'll go through it later. We need to get back to the group."
I nodded and placed the lid back on the box, just as the door opened and Gavin walked back in.
"Here you go, Ms. Hale. Is there anything else that you will need?"
Rose went to stand and placed her hands on the box, "No, but thank you so much. I will probably be in touch with you in the future."
Gavin reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, "Please take my card and if you need anything, please call."
With that, we made our way back outside. I kept Rose close to me, afraid that she may actually blow away. But I was stunned at how much she changed while walking outside and coming up to her friends and to Macy. She put on her mask. Her mask to cover up all the hurt and pain. Her mask to protect Macy.
Rose's POV
Rose's POV:
I knew that once I stepped into the office of this Gavin Francis that something was wrong, or maybe right. At first Emmett sneaking up on me did not seem to be right, but now I am glad that I am facing this doom with him. I felt safe. He kept his hand in mine, giving me little reassuring squeezes ever so often.
We walked into a very well decorated office. You could feel the essence of the islands in this one room. The atmosphere warm and inviting. Emmett and I each took a seat, his hand still in mine. Which was good, the eyes that this guy was sending me seemed to be borderline crossing it, just a bit. I couldn't help but feel though, that Emmett seemed to be a little possessive of me. I could just see him getting up and peeing on the near by plant, just to mark his territory.
"So, what brings you to the islands?" Gavin asked, with a pen and paper ready to take notes.
At first I thought that the question seemed to be inappropriate, but then again I am the stranger to the island, asking to use their fax machine.
"My friends and I are on a cruise. I stopped by the bank for personal reasons," I stated matter of factly.
"When I saw your name come up on my monitor, I thought that I was going to pass out. We have been waiting a long time for you to finally show up."
I was taken aback. He was expecting me? He most definitely has me confused with some one else. I went to open my mouth, but then Emmett beat me to it.
I could see Emmett look at Gavin and then back to me. "You two know each other?" he asked. Good, Emmett, start with the same one that I almost asked. Well sort of.
"No," Gavin said, "But I did know your grandmother, she came down here often for vacations. She said that when you came I was to give you this," Gavin reached under his desk and pulled out a rather large box, "She said that you would be coming, when it was time. I was actually beginning to wonder if you even knew anything about this."
I was shocked, I knew that my grandmother enjoyed to travel, but there is no way it could be for me. She had never mentioned having anything in the islands, neither has the lawyers.
"I came here to send some faxes; some information to my lawyer. I have no idea what's in the box."
Gavin reached his hand across the desk, "I will be happy to take care of the faxes for you." I dug into my bag and pulled out all the papers that my mother had given to me, "I will go make copies of everything and be right back. Go ahead and look into the box."
I went to stand up and placed my hands on the box. I felt her presence. But something stopped me. I was scared to look into that box. I was scared that maybe all my demons that I have been hiding from for so long would come out. I was scared that I might be opening Pandora's Box. I sat back down, placing my hands onto my lap.
"I can't," I said very quietly, my eyes cast downward.
Emmett reached over and took my hand, rubbing small circles with my thumb, "Would you like for me to get Alice and Bella?" I just moved my head no. Going out to get Bella and Alice would only bring suspicions and questions.
"Do you want me to open it?" He asked. I nodded my head yes.
Emmett stood up and them moved the box so that it was right in front of us. He very carefully moved the lid and laid it on the desk. He made no sound, next thing I felt was an envelope being placed into my lap. Great another letter. But this one was different. It had aged and changed color. But that is not what it made it different, it was the hand writing on it. It was her graceful, careful handwriting that I had learned to memorize, practiced forging. I brought the letter up to my chest and hugged it,not wanting to let go. Thinking that this was some kind of gift from God. I ran it under my nose and took in the scent. Even after all this time...
"Still smells like her," I said quietly.
"Who?"
"My grandmother," I very cautiously moved my finger under the seal and opened up the letter. But that is where it stopped, I couldn't do it. I handed it over to Emmett, "Here, I'm not sure I can read it."
Emmet took the letter and moved to sit down next to next and then I felt his hand in mine. I could hear him clear his throat before he started to read.
"Dear Rosalie,
If you are reading this, then I know that you have begun a search that will lead you to someone special. Or you may already know who she is. Your mother was wrong in keeping something like Macy away from you. I have tried on numerous occasions to get her to confess to you. But you know your mother. I'm just glad that you have found each other. Knowing our family, it was probably the least expected way to find a long lost sister. But she was never lost, nor was she ever far from you.
In the box you will find your answers: the truths, the lies. Most importantly, you will find the strength to help Macy. She will need you now. Take care of her, just like I have taken care of both of my angels.
Love,
Your Mimi"
Emmett squeezed my hand as my other was wiping away a single tear. I couldn't believe this. All this time. My mind began to filter through every memory I had in the past ten years or so, trying hard to remember something. Some time in which has Macy has been with me and nothing. A blank.
"She knew. All this time and she already knew," I said quietly, I knew that my voice was laced with hate, anger, hurt.
I could hear the paper being folded and slid back into its home. Emmett stood up and then reached a hand into the box. I placed my hand on top of his to stop him. "Not now, I'll go through it later. We need to get back to the group."
H just nodded and placed the lid back on the box, just as the door opened and Gavin walked back in.
"Here you go Ms. Hale. Is there anything else that you will need?"
I went to stand, realizing for the first time at how week my knees felt. I placed my hands on the box, "No, thank you so much. I will probably be in touch with you in the future."
Gavin reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, "Please take my card and if you need anything, please call."
Then Emmett and I made our way outside to rejoin the rest of the group. I cast my eyes at the clock on the far wall and realized that what felt like hours inside the bank was actually no more than twenty minutes. I took a deep breath, trying to get myself ready. I knew that I would not be able to mask my feelings or emotions for long. That Bella and Alice would see through me; they always have. But I began to wonder if Macy would be able to as well.
We walked over to the mopeds, actually wishing I could drive. I placed the box into the compartment that was behind Macy and took my helmet. Macy looked relieved that I actually came back.
"You ready to go swimming with stingrays?" I asked her with my best smile in place.
A huge smile spread across her face, "Yes!"
I made sure she was buckled in all tight and went to walk over to the other side to climb back on. Bella and Alice began to ask questions with their eyes, but I just shook my head, letting them know not now.
I held tight to Emmett as we made our way over to Stingray City. This was going to be a party boat snorkeling adventure and I was actually looking forward to it. Not the rays per say, but a drink. Yeah, a drink sounded really good right about now.
We all already made sure to have our bathing suits on, so all we would need to do is just walk right onto the boat. The open bar was already in full swing and the guys left us alone to go grab some beers. My best friends were circling me, while we watched Macy looking out over the water as the boat moved across the bay.
"You want to talk?" Bella asked quietly, so not to disturb Macy.
A small smile crossed my lips, but they could see the mist in my eyes, "She knew. My own grandmother knew all along."
"How could she hide something like that?" Alice asked, with obvious surprise in her voice.
I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm not sure. The letter almost made it sound like I already knew," I looked over hearing the guys coming back, "I did not go through the box. Wanted to wait until later and have Macy go through with it with me."
"Here you go, girls," Edward came back and handed me and Bella each a beer. Emmett walked over to Macy to hand her a Sprite. Then he just stayed there.
"You excited to go swim with the rays?" Emmett asked loudly.
The rest of us made our way over to them. I took a sip of my beer. Not the drink that I favor, but it did the job. Right now I could have gone for a strong tequila. Maybe when it was time for the next round, I would go grab some real drinks for us girls.
"Yes, I am excited, but," Macy turned to look at Emmett and then turned to the rest of us, "But I am also scared. What if they sting me or bite me or something."
"Oh, don't worry," Emmett said, "I can give you my biggest and bestest promise in the whole world. Nothing will happen to you. Plus, they will have to get past all of us first."
Confusion crossed Macy's face, "Bestest isn't a word."
"Sure it is, I use it all the time," Emmett smiled down at her.
Macy put on a huge smile and then reached for my hand. She began to tug on it slightly. I brought my head down to hers and she cupped her hands over my ear, "I think he likes me."
I smiled, a true smile that reached my eyes, and put my hands toward her ear, "I think he does, too."
"Ok, ladies and gentlemen, we are here. Welcome to Stingray City. You will find snorkels, masks and fins along all the sets. Please find some gear and get ready to go in. Just a few rules though. Always enter and exit the water from the steps. Do not dive in. We are on a sand bar, so it is shallow here.
"Please shuffle your feet along the sand, do not just take steps. The shuffling will wake up and move any rays out of the way. You will also find frozen brine in which to feed the rays if you would like. They will come up and put their mouth over your hand, it feels similar to the sucking power of a vacuum.
"For children, please keep an extra eye on them. The water may be only three feet deep, but the currents and waves can move them quickly. Please enjoy and have fun."
"Yo, Emmett," Jasper yelled over to him, "Watch where you put your hand!"
I couldn't help but laugh along with the rest of my friends. I finished getting Macy all set up and then grabbed my gear. I followed everyone to the back of the boat and saw that Bella was already in the water. She reached her hands up to Macy to help her in. I took the underwater camera out and snapped some pictures of everyone before climbing in myself.
"Oh my God! Something just hit my leg!," I squirmed as I saw a huge black cloud fly away under the water.
Emmett came over and wrapped his arms around me, "Don't worry they won't bite, but I might." He brought his face down toward my neck and began to suck right under my ear. A chill ran up my spine despite the warm Atlantic waters.
I could not help but to think that I was in love and that he might already love my ready made family.
