Rosalie P.O.V
Be careful who you share your weaknesses with. Some people can't wait for the opportunity to use them against you.
When I returned to work on Monday I was extremely focused. I felt a little shitty about leaving Angela and Jessica to fend for themselves. However, some of the things Emmett had told me did make sense. I was an intern when I'd been thrown into fashion shows and magazine editing. There was nothing wrong with me pushing Jessica. She'd been hired to help me with my work load. Besides that, Emmett had promised to give the both of them a hefty bonus. Jessica had just graduated. There was a strong chance that she could use the money.
I edited the article and approved some pictures, but besides that the magazine didn't need me. It was a relaxing and humbling experience all wrapped in one. I knew that I could back off of the magazine a little. I didn't have to try to do everything on my own. Jessica and I came up with some budgets and spent most of the rest of the morning picking out color patterns and fabrics. It was actually a pretty relaxing day. When I left for lunch, someone handed Jessica some binders and it was funny the way she looked at them and then at me for confirmation. I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile and then headed quickly to the elevator. I'd been electronically away from the world for the entire weekend. When the plane had landed I'd called Bella almost as soon as Emmett and I had parted ways and we'd decided that we would meet for lunch at a small restaurant that was practically a five minute walk from my job.
I made the walk in my ballet flats and the hostess seated me at a small table outside on the patio. I'd just gotten my lemonade in front of me when my eyes landed on Bella. She was wearing a light blue maxi length sundress and black sandals. Her hair was flowing freely around her and she had a large pair of black rimmed sunglasses on. As she got closer I realized that she was actually getting a bump, a rather noticeable one. She collapsed across from me, sighed and pushed her shades back on her head.
"You're glowing," she commented, "Good weekend?"
"Great weekend," I grabbed three packets of sugar and shook them.
"Good. You're going to need some happiness for this rain I'm about to pour on your parade."
I poured the sugar into my glass.
"It's perfectly fine, Bells. How was your doctor's appointment Saturday?" I stirred my drink with my straw.
"It was like congrats! You're 3 months along and carrying a healthy baby."
I took a deep breath. I should have been prepared for this. She'd told me that she thought it was a possibility. We hadn't wanted to jump the gun and tell anyone or freak out, but it was real now. Bella had taken home pregnancy tests but she'd claimed that it was a possibility that she had read them wrong. She'd made an appointment and gotten an answer. We'd been in denial until then. I took a sip of my lemonade and then clasped my hands on the table.
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
Bella looked at me and took a deep breath and then looked at the table. She was carrying a life now. She was 26 and she owned a business. She could financially manage a child. But I wasn't so sure about the emotional aspect. And it wasn't like she could bring the kid with her to the bar.
"I don't want to be a single parent, Rose," she admitted, "I mean I've met someone and I know that this is as much my fault as it is Jaspers's, but why can't he take the baby? Didn't you say that Alice couldn't have children? Or at least he can sign over any rights he may feel he has to the baby in the future…" she paused and bit her bottom lips, "Do you think Emmett could possibly…"
I took another sip of my lemonade and cleared my throat.
"I knew you'd ask. He's home now with Jasper. Let's go," I pushed my lemonade away from me and reached into my wallet for money.
"We can't just show up to his place."
"Sure we can. Get up."
"Are you sure we even have to tell Jasper?" Bella asked.
"Yes," I took a deep breath, "I mean he is the father and you may need him if you decided to adopt."
"I can't talk to Jasper about this…"
Bella did not look like her normally strong, independent and fiery self. She looked deflated. It shook me to the core.
"I'll be there for you. I promise."
"Okay," Bella smiled at me, a small smile that obviously didn't come from her heart, "Let's get this over with."
I threw a ten dollar bill on the table and got out of my chair.
For someone who had known there was a chance that she was pregnant and with Jasper, Bella was obviously not ready to face him. I wasn't sure what to say to convince her. I called Jessica and told her that I would be taking a long lunch and then followed Bella to her car. I drove her to Emmett's place while she just looked out of the window and wiped her eyes every few seconds. She was crying and there was nothing that I could do to help her, except exactly what I was doing. Ignoring the problem would not help anything.
Emmett and Jasper had devoted their entire day to moving Bree out. She'd found a place somewhere in town. According to my texts from Emmett they'd already moved everything from the furniture stores and whatever else she may have gotten. He texted me that they were at his place now, helping her box up her things. That was why when I knocked on the door and Bree opened it in a shirt and leggings I didn't feel the need to roll my eyes. She'd smiled at me and opened the door wider before even realizing that Bella was beside me.
I brushed past her and into Emmett's place anyway and Bella followed. There were boxes everywhere. I didn't understand how someone who had lived here for only two months could have so much stuff. Jasper was writing on a box with a sharpie and Emmett sauntered into the living room carrying three boxes right on cue.
"Who was at the door?" he sat the boxes near the couch, turned around, and then laid eyes on me.
My head swam. He had on some shorts and a shirt that clung to him like a second skin. Jasper looked back too but instead of me his gaze landed somewhere behind me and his face fell. The door slammed shut. Emmett walked over to me and quickly planted a quick kiss on my forehead.
"What are you doing here?" he folded his arms over his chest and looked down at me.
"WE needed to talk to you," I gestured towards the general direction of the door.
Jasper started towards us and Emmett looked in the direction and then back at me.
"Okay?" he scratched the back of his neck, "Talk."
I caught Bree making her way into the kitchen section. Bella made a few more steps towards me.
"Bella's pregnant," I blurted.
We were here to tell them and if I thought about it too much I would back out.
"Congratulations," Emmett said evenly, "What does that have to do with me?"
Bree made a subtle come here gesture to Bella and she headed towards the kitchen area. Emmett watched her cross the room.
"Wellllll," I gestured towards Jasper.
Emmett chuckled. I didn't know what he found funny about this. It wasn't a funny situation. He looked at me and then Bella and then Jasper whose mouth was open. Emmett's laugh died on his lips. He reached out and hit Jasper on the arm.
"There's no way that baby can be yours, right?" he forced out a strained chuckle.
Jasper didn't respond, he just looked at Bella who Bree was helping on to one of Emmett's chairs. I was obviously going to have to be her spokesperson.
"Jazz?" Emmett nudged him again, his face somber, "Jasper?" Emmett pushed him a little harder.
Poor Jasper seemed to be stuck in time. I watched Emmett's face harden and he ran his tongue over his teeth. He closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. He cocked his arm back and punched Jasper so hard in the nose I could have sworn I was seeing red from the impact. Bella yelled. Jasper fell backwards on to some of Bree's boxes. I covered my mouth with both of my hands. Emmett shook his hand out and cracked his neck both ways. His eyes had done it again. They had clouded in the way they did when he wasn't the Emmett that he was with just me. He had changed into the Emmett he was when he was with my father or when he was training people at the gym. I should've probably reached for his arm or something, but I couldn't get my body to move.
Emmett cast a look at Bella and shook his head before kneeling over Jasper and punching him again and again and again. I was frozen in place. I wasn't even sure that I was breathing properly. It was Bree who grabbed Emmett's upper arm. I was sure that Emmett could have pushed her away if he wanted to. He didn't. He stood up and took another deep breath.
"Get the fuck up and clean yourself up," he yanked Jasper to his feet, "Clean that blood off of my fucking carpet," he growled to nobody in particular.
Jasper stood for a while with his hands covering his nose and mouth. Blood was seeping through his fingers. The sight was making me sick. I turned to look at Bella who was clutching her stomach and visibly on the verge of tears. I reached for Emmett's arm and he backed away. Jasper headed into the kitchen, taking the long way around to not pass by Bella on his way to the sink. Emmett glared at Bella outright and Bree patted the back of his shoulder before walking quickly after Jasper. Emmett didn't move while Jasper messed with his face over the kitchen sink and Bree dug around around in his cabinets. Bella and I didn't were torn in a state between fear and shock.
Bree hurried back to the carpet and kneeled beside it, spraying something on it and wiping at the mess. The smell must have taken Emmett out of his daze. He looked down at her.
"You don't wipe that shit," Emmett pulled out his pack of cigarettes from his pocket, "You dab at it."
"I am dabbing it!" she snapped.
Emmett put a cigarette in his mouth and threw the pack on to the couch.
"Spray some more of that shit on it!" he lit his cigarette and Bree began spraying again.
Emmett watched her as he took three slow drags before turning back to me.
"You knew?" he chuckled, "You've been knowing and you brought this bitch into my house?"
"Well we didn't exactly know what else to do," I defended the both of us.
"What the fuck did you want me to do?" Emmett half screamed, "Make Jasper be a father to her fucking bastard? Sorry. I can't."
I cringed at the word "bastard". Emmett took another hit of his cigarette and turned his attention to his kitchen. Jasper was leaned against the counter and Bella still sat on one of the chairs cradling her stomach.
"How do we even know the baby is his?" Emmett asked finally.
"I wasn't sleeping with anyone except Jasper," Bella said softly.
Emmett rolled his eyes.
"You sure about that?"
"Hey," I snapped, "Don't do that."
"It's not a secret that she's promiscuous, Rosalie."
"Jasper is the father," Bella said simply.
Emmett took another longer drag from his cigarette and put it out on his end table. Bree looked up at him and then quickly averted her eyes back to the stain. She didn't even want to be included in this. Emmett lit another cigarette.
"We want a paternity test."
"Fine," Bella agreed instantly.
Emmett sighed and took another puff.
"So what do you want to do? " he asked finally, "You have options."
I didn't like that word- "options".
"She doesn't want an abortion," I snapped.
Emmett's head went from looking at Bella to looking at me and I was sure I shrank under his gaze.
"I didn't use the word abortion. I said options," he turned back towards Bella and took a few steps in her direction, "There's adoption. Hell, I'll buy you out."
"Buy her out?" I followed after him.
"Yes. I'll buy her a place to stay. I'll take care of her and her fucking kid as long as they go away."
"You can't just throw money at her," I growled.
Emmett rolled his eyes at me.
"Are you the person I should be talking to? I thought Bella was the pregnant one."
He hadn't even cursed at me and his words had still cut.
"She was thinking of adoption," I continued, "but…"
"Jasper will sign over his rights. Get the paperwork," he took a drag.
"There aren't many people who want an open adoption," Bella explained, "They typically don't want the birth parents contacting their child and that may be a problem."
Emmett ran his hand over his face and took a drag from his cigarette. He walked over to his fridge and I followed closely behind. I could feel everybody's eyes on us. Emmett yanked the door open and pulled out a beer. He flipped the top off and let it fall to the floor.
"We don't care," he shot Jasper a look, "Jasper won't be trying to contact this kid."
"You can't make that decision for him!" I protested.
"Listen, Rosalie," Emmett took a sip out of his bottle and sat it on the counter before putting his cigarette out on it, "Jasper's signing over his rights to whatever the fuck she pushes out. After that there are a few ways this can go," he turned towards me and I tensed, "She can take her bastard child and retreat somewhere where Jasper and I will take care of them. Her child will be raised in the best neighborhoods and go to the best schools money can buy. She can give her baby up for a CLOSED adoption. We don't want this coming back up after it's done. OR she can keep her baby, suffer from postpartum and kill herself soon after. Of course that option leaves her child to go into the system. Foster care is no place for a child."
I was sure my mouth was on the ground now. Had he just threatened to kill my best friend and cover it up as a suicide? I looked at Bella who was visibly as shaken as me and then at Jasper over Emmett's shoulder who had his eyes fixed on the ground. My anger was bubbling.
"Did you just fucking threaten to KILL my best friend?"
"Yes," Emmett said simply, "I did and I promise you I will."
"Are you fucking crazy?!" I yelled, throwing my arms in the air.
"Rosalie, you might not like this, but my loyalty is with Alice. I will always choose Alice and Jasper having this baby is…" he took a drink from his bottle and then threw it towards the sink where it crashed loudly, "Alice won't survive this."
"Emmett-" Jasper started.
Emmett held out a hand towards Jasper successfully cutting him off.
"Shut the fuck up. This is your fault," he turned back towards me and took a deep breath when his gaze caused my eyes to well up a little.
I wasn't sure why I was so emotional over this. He'd yelled at me before.
"Rose," he started to put a hand on my shoulder and then stopped and took another step away from me, "I care about you. I do. With that being said, my loyalty lies with you and Alice. It doesn't extend into her bullshit fiancé or your pregnant friend," he gestured towards Bella.
"Do you think I can even look at you if you KILL HER?" I yelled.
"Do you think I can even look at myself if Alice KILLS HERSELF?!"
"You're being OVERLY dramatic."
"No! I'm not!"
We were yelling at each other now. The vein in Emmett's forehead looked like it might explode.
Bree cleared her throat from where she now stood beside Bella and both of our heads jerked towards her. She sat the towel and spray she had been carrying on to the counter. She looked from Emmett to Jasper to me and back to Emmett.
"Talk if you're going to talk, Bree."
"Okay. Well if she's a few months and you and Rosalie have been together a few months why don't you guys adopt the baby?"
"Stupidest shit you've ever told me," Emmett took a deep breath, "Anyone else want to piss me off?"
"Listen," Bree continued, "Neither of the parents want to raise the kid, but they want to watch it grow up. Why not have it raised by a family member?"
"Alice knows I never wanted kids," Emmett's voice calmed a little, "If I just tell her Rosalie and I are adopting she'll dig. She's good at it. She'll put this shit together before the kid is one."
"I didn't mention adopting," Bree made her way towards us, "It'll make everyone happy. Just hear me out. Let Bella carry her child to term far off somewhere with Rosalie. Then, Rosalie comes back with the child as if she had it. The two of you can take the child and claim the baby as yours. We both know we can get the paperwork. Rosalie just tells her parents she wants to carry her child to term somewhere else away from the city and work and stress. Her parents would adore a grandchild. They'll love it. You'll have an excuse to get out of this life with Carlisle if you want. Jasper and Bella will be able to visit the baby. Alice will never know."
"Why would I want to raise Jasper's bastard child?" Emmett scoffed, "God, it's the only thing Alice would love and can never have and she," he gestured towards Bella, "is giving it to him. Why should I have to raise a fucking child because Jasper can't properly use a fucking condom and this bitch," he waved his arm in the general direction of Bella, "didn't think to use birth control."
"Because I'm asking you to," I blurted.
Emmett pinched the bridge of his nose and then leaned over me.
"We've been dating for about 2 and a half months and you want to take on a child with me?"
"I've known you for 5 and a half and we still have 6 months to figure it out. Time isn't a measurement of feelings or intentions."
"You realize I've killed people and I'm sort of fucked up? I'm not about to be father of the fucking year here, Rose."
"Carlisle is an amazing father," I countered.
Bree was brilliant. Emmett chuckled and walked around the other side of the island, towards Jasper and kneeled briefly resurfacing with a bottle of brown liquor. He took off the top and took a long gulp before passing it to Jasper who followed suit.
"You're both fucking crazy," he gestured to Bree and me.
"Everyone will be happy," I groaned, "Just do this for everyone. It'll be great for you and me and my parents and Alice and Jasper and Bella. Everyone will be winning."
"Except for us," he took his bottle from Jasper's hand and took another drink.
"We'll be fine," I stomped my foot and he raised an eyebrow at my stupid tantrum like behavior, "Emmett, just do this for me. Do this with me," I turned to Bree, "I never once even thought about adopting the baby myself, but why not?" I turned back towards Emmett, "I'm doing this with or without you."
"Of course," Emmett took another gulp.
Bree hopped onto the island and stretched across. She snatched the bottle out of his hand and climbed down. Emmett closed his eyes and leaned against his counter. All of our eyes were fixed on him. I wasn't sure Bella was even still breathing.
"Fuck it," he shrugged, "We're going to have a baby."
I clapped happily and rushed around the island towards him. He stopped me before I could hug him.
"You're financing this shit," he pointed to Jasper, "and both of you are signing over every fucking thing. If I'm claiming this fucking kid you guys aren't going to have any parental rights. Ever. I want you to understand that."
"Okay," Jasper agreed readily.
We all turned to Bella who nodded slowly.
"Don't bring Bella to my place again," Emmett said to me dryly, "And you," he turned back to Jasper, "The only reason I didn't blow your fucking brains into Isabella's lap is out of the respect I hold for Rosalie. Thank her for your life."
Jasper's eyes fixed on the ground and I felt a little bad for him.
"We're having a baby," I repeated.
"Unless it looks like Jasper. Then we're giving a baby up for adoption and this shit better never leave this fucking room," he glared at each of us, one at a time.
I hadn't thought of that. Jasper didn't have a very distinguished look however. I wasn't too worried about it. The phone on the wall let out a few rings and Bree rushed over and answered it. She said a few words quietly and then covered the microphone with her hand.
"Alice is downstairs," she hissed.
Emmett banged his head on his island.
"This is just fucking great!" he growled.
He made his way towards his front door. He didn't utter a word to us. He just walked out and slammed the door behind him.
"I'm sorry, Isabella," Jasper said quietly.
Bella nodded.
"You're both fucking idiots," Bree snapped and took a deep breath before placing the phone back on the wall.
Bella looked down at her stomach. Jasper placed a hand on his swollen mouth. I looked between the two of them. They were two broken people. Bella needed me. Jasper needed someone. Unfortunately for him, Alice was the only someone in his corner right now and if she found out about this he would be a very dead man.
Emmett P.O.V
I could hear Alice bitching the second the elevator doors opened. I made my way quickly to the front desk. As soon as I spotted my precious little sister she looked even more pissed. Ever since she'd walked in on Rose and I that one time I had her privileges revoked. It was cheaper than changing the door.
"What's up?" I pulled her into a hug in hopes of softening her up and she tensed.
"I returned your key and now I can't even come up to knock on your door. What the fuck is that, Emmett? Next, you'll be moving and I won't have your address."
I rubbed my temples. I couldn't handle this right now. I had just broken Jasper's nose and agreed to raise his illegitimate child. I deserved a little peace.
"I just wanted privacy," I groaned.
Alice sulked. She let her shoulders fall in defeat and tears started to swell in her eyes. Oh. Fuck me.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked.
I looked around the lobby to make sure no one was paying attention to our exchange.
"What are you doing here, sweetheart?" I ask to change the subject.
"Before you left for the weekend, with my blessing I might add, you told me that since I was giving up our Friday for you to see Rosalie we would get lunch today. I sat at the restaurant and waited for you for TWO HOURS and you never showed up."
"Thank you for sharing me, but now isn't a good time. I have company."
"So just like that I don't mean anything anymore," she pouted, "I gave you up on Friday. Why can't we just get lunch? I used to see you every day. God, Emmett, I'm trying. I gave you your key back. I haven't slept over in two months. I just ask to see you for a few hours once a week. Why can't you do this for me," the tears were close to exploding now, "Now that you're in love you don't need me in your life."
I rolled my eyes. Alice always over exaggerating everything.
"You're my twin and I love you," enough to raise your fiancé's damn child secretly, "Stop being so fucking dramatic."
"I hate when you call me dramatic, Emmett!" she yelled my name and a few people looked at us.
I leaned in to her and grabbed her by the top of her arm.
"Then stop being so damn dramatic."
"Oh go fuck yourself!" she ground out.
"Well," I began and released her arm, "On that note it's time for me to go. I'll call you later. Everything is fine. I love you," I started to back up towards the elevator.
Alice glared at me and crossed her arms over her chest. Her breathing got a little shallow and the tears started to pool.
"I can't believe you. It's like you hate me now."
I resisted the urge to bang my head on the wall.
"Rosalie and I are having a baby," I blurted, "And she is upstairs and not feeling well and I have to go. I don't have time for this shit. I will call you. I'll take you to dinner. We can go anywhere you want to go. Okay? I love you," I said and continued to back away from Alice.
She wiped her eyes and I could have sworn they were glowing.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm serious. We're three months along," I backed into the elevator, "But it's a secret. Carlisle doesn't know, so mum's the word. I promise we'll all get together for dinner and I'll tell you everything. Bye." I pressed the number of my floor.
"I love you too!" Alice called.
My stomach knotted at how happy Alice looked when my eyes glanced over her right before the door shut. I was fucked. The women in my life owned me. I was always trying to protect Alice from the damn truth and Rosalie had me wrapped around her fucking finger.
A/N: Thank you to my beta, uppercasey. She's literally the best. Js. Also thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, favorites or follows. I appreciate it!
