WARNING: If you shoot the author for what she wrote in this chapter, you'll never find out what happens... So please don't hurt me!
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~~~Bella~~~

There was no denying that it had been a very long weekend. Edward was helping Renee drag the last of my parents' bags into his small silver Volvo. Within a few minutes, I would kiss the cheeks of my parents, assure my mother that I was fine, and have an awkward goodbye with my father. Then, Edward would tote the abrasive pair to the airport and, finally, this dreadful weekend would be over. Thank god.

"Can I come in, Bells?"

My dad's voice pulled me from my revere. When I turned around, I saw Charlie standing in the doorframe leading to the bedroom. He had been quiet, even for Charlie, for the time he spent with us. From the point of our engagement being revealed, my father had become disconcertingly silent. I had a feeling I knew the reason behind his unpleasant mood. Apprehensive of the upcoming discussion, I attempted a grin, trying to ignore the worried scowl on his face. As my smile lit my face, his grimace lessened slightly.

"Sure, Dad."

I perched on the edge of the bed and patted the spot beside me. Charlie seated himself and placed one hand firmly over mine. I flipped my hand over and interlocked our hands.

"Bells… I'm worried about you," He murmured.

I sighed.

"Dad…"

"I'm being honest, Bella. You have never acted like this before. You are pulling away from Renee and I, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I love him, Dad."

"I know that, Bells, but that doesn't mean that you let go of the rest of your life."

"I'm not letting go of anything!"

"According to Jacob, you are. You let go of him mighty fast once you met Edward."

I had a retort on the tip of my tongue, but the mention of Jacob forcibly froze me. I took a breath before continuing.

"Whatever Jacob told you – "

"So you and Edward didn't have a huge fight? You didn't appear on Jacob's doorstep, soaking wet and sobbing? You didn't have nightmares and scream in your sleep? You didn't think your relationship was over? Edward didn't hurt you? Tell me those things aren't true, and I will believe you. Tell me they aren't, and I will let it go."

My silence was answer enough. The moments trickled by. Finally, Charlie began to speak again.

"So, Jacob was right." I could hear the accusing tone in his voice. I nodded in silence.

"What happened to you, Bells? I never thought you were the type of girl to just lie down and take it."

"I'm not…" I murmured.

"Is that so? Then why are you still here? Renee told me about the accident with Edward. Whether or not that's true, it's no reason to marry the bastard!"

"Dad…"

"I mean this, Bells! I'm serious! Where the hell did things go wrong with you? Are you really that self-conscious that you will marry the first man to get down on his knee?"

"No, Dad, it's-"

"Because if that's the case, you should still be in Forks! You should be with Jacob! He loves you, Isabella! He always has!"

"Is this about me, or is it about Jacob?" My voice was rising in sync with his.

"It's about both of you!" My father heaved himself to his feet, angry color flooding his face. "It's you, and Jacob, and Edward and this whole damn, screwed up life you are leading!"

I leapt to my feet as well.

"It's my life, Dad! Mine! Not yours, not mom's, not Jacob's! I can live it however I want! Stop telling me what to do! Stop treating me like I am five years old! I'M NOT YOUR LITTLE GIRL ANYMORE, CHARLIE!"

I hadn't realized how high my voice had gone until it cracked on his name. Charlie stood before me, gazing silently; the color sunk away from his face.

"You're right," He murmured. His voice was shaking even at its low volume. "I guess you really aren't my little girl anymore."

Without another look, Charlie turned away from me and stalked from the room. I heard the door to the apartment slam shut behind him as I sank onto my bed.

~~~Alice~~~

"I'll be home in a tonight," Jasper murmured.

He pressed his lips to mine. I could taste the alcohol on his breath. Oh well… He deserved one last day of freedom.

I couldn't believe it… It all seemed to happen at an incredible rate. One minute, we were lounging in the thick Texas air and the next thing I knew, we were mere days away from our official marriage. Marriage… how did that happen so quickly? I don't know, but this was it. The next day, Denise and Richard would be in town, staying with us. The day after, the Cullen-Hale clan (plus Bella, of course) would march on down to City Hall. A few simple words would be said, a few lines signed on a piece of paper, and that would be that. Married. I was about to become a Mrs. A very large Mrs.

Hence Jasper's one last night of freedom. As I had grown steadily larger, especially since our return from Texas a few weeks back, Jasper had become incessantly attentive. Not that I minded. The constant offer of food, drink and foot rubs was nothing to turn my nose up at.

All the same, I could see the strain on him, the way he would rub at his too-stiff shoulders, the circles beneath his eyes from too little sleep – and it was entirely my fault. Let's face it – Juno was right. Being pregnant makes a person pee like Seabiscut and my continual entrances and exits from the bedroom during the night had, of course, woken Jasper. I had, on multiple occasions, attempted to relocate to the living room. I had no problem with sleeping on the couch, as long as I had a pillow and blanket. Jasper, however, threw a royal fit anytime I tried.

He needed this. He needed the impromptu bachelor party the boys had planned. He needed the release. So I smiled against his lips as he brushed his fingers against the nape of my neck.

For a moment, he pulled me closer, until I heard Emmett bellow across the room.

"Hey! Cut that out! Just because you knocked her up, doesn't mean I want to see my sister screwing around with you!"

I laughed and pulled away from Jasper, instinctively placing a hand on my protruding belly. I peered around Jasper's body towards Emmett and Edward.

"No strip clubs, okay boys?" I sternly teased. Emmett merely rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, Alice," My dad laughed. "I'll keep them in line."

I grinned and chuckled. Rosalie rolled her eyes and crossed the room towards me, her purse slung over her shoulder. She took my hand.

"Come on, girly," She said with a half-hearted smile. "Bella is already waiting in the car downstairs for us. It's time for some baby shopping."

"What do you think about this one?" Bella called to me over the racks.

I stood on my toes xo I could get a clear view of the item she was dangling in the air. I dropped back onto the balls of my feet and cocked my head to the side, pretending to contemplate the trio of onesies clinging to the hangers clutched in her hand. Bella's eyebrows pulled together in the middle, a look of sincere hope flashing across her face. Truth be told, they weren't the most pleasant set we had seen that day…

"No way," Rosalie cut across, saving me from saying it myself.

She snatched it from Bella's hand and shoved it back onto the rack. I couldn't help but giggle at Bella's disgruntled look of disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Alice," she grumbled, shoving by the racks towards me. "I'm useless with this stuff."

I laughed and placed my arm tightly around her waist. I gave her a quick hug.

"It's fine, Bells. You're trying. Plus, it's kind of fun to watch you try to pick something good," I gave her a wink as I twisted a pair of soft-yellow baby socks through my fingers. I handed them to Bella to hold onto.

"By the way," I started as I handed Bella a small, fleece blanket. She draped it over her arm, waiting for me to continue. "How are things with you dad? Any better?"

She grimaced. It had been a few weeks since Charlie and Renee had left. Bella had explained the explosive fight that occurred before they left and, as far as I knew, there hadn't been reconciliation.

"Nothing," She sighed. "Not a single word."

"I'm sorry," I murmured, peering at her face. She ducked her head down and leaned past me to a shelf. Her hair fell between us, blocking her face from view.

When she drew back, she had a pair of cream-colored onesies with various Whinnie the Pooh characters emblazed on them in her hand. She raised her eyebrows expectantly and I grinned.

"Perfect," I stated. She returned my smile.

"It will clear up with you guys," Rose stated confidently. Her arms were quickly becoming filled various pieces of fabrics in soft pastels.

"And what about you, Rose? Any luck on the baby front?"

I immediately regretted asking as I watched the smile drop from her face. She shook her head and dropped her violet eyes.

"No. Nothing."

"Rose, I-"

"It's fine. I'm going to take another test soon. Hopefully, this will be the one." She tried to force a smile. Neither Bella nor I were deceived. "Seventeenth times the charm, right?"

Bella crossed to her silently, embracing her for a moment before pulling some of Rosalie's heavy load into her own arms.

"It's going to happen for you, Rose. I know it will eventually. And when it does, you will be an amazing mother."

I followed them as we worked our way to the registrar. It was a good thing this was all for the baby, or else Jasper would have been royally pissed that I was buying so much.

"I hope so, Bella," Rosalie murmured. "It's getting to Emmett… It's getting to both of us. He tries to hide it, but I can see it in his eyes. When he thinks I'm not looking and lets his guard down… I'm so tired of hurting him. Of being a failure."

"Rosalie," I snapped, my voice reproachful. "You are not a failure! Don't you dare think that for a moment you are. And Emmett loves you. Don't forget that."

Rosalie gave a slight smile as she piled the items onto the counter. Bella and I followed suit. I avoided meeting the employee's disdainful eye as she rung up our items. She was clearly not paid on commission.

The words I said to Rosalie replayed in my head. I hoped, so badly, that they were true.

~~~Rosalie~~~

"Rose… Can I come in?"

Emmett's voice carried through the door.

No, I thought to myself in a growl. Hence the closed door. Hence me having turned off the lights. Hence the note I left that said, "Leave me alone."

"Fine," I murmured, despite the fact that I wanted to scream for him to go away.

The door creaked open, a shaft of light falling across the floor. It disappeared as the door shut behind him. I rolled over without a word so my face was pressed into the pillows.

"I'm guessing it's a negative, then?" He asked.

No, you idiot. I thought to myself. I am lying in a dark room, buried in blankets and pillows because I am filled with joy. Of course it's a 'negative.'

I tilted my head just slightly so I could see his reaction as I spoke.

"Three tests. They all were negative."

I watched as his face fell with disappointment… another failure on my body's behalf.

"Emm… I'm – "

"It's fine, Rose." His voice was short and clipped. I gulped slightly and turned my face back into the pillows.

"Look, I tried," I snarled into the down feathers. "I tried, and-"

"We both tried. I know." His voice retained a controlled anger.

I flipped over and yanked the blankets up further. They brushed the bottom of my chin as I glowered at him.

"What the hell do you have to be mad about? I tried, ok? What more do you want me to do?"

"I'm not mad," He muttered.

"Bullshit."

I could feel the air tense as Emmett stared at me. In one sudden, harsh movement, he grabbed hold of the covers and tore them back. I recoiled from the turmoil brewing in his eyes.

"Look," He growled. "I know this is hard. I know you want a baby… You think I don't? You think this doesn't affect me? Well you're wrong!"

"It's not the same! It's not the same damn thing for you!"

I pushed myself up to my knees, my body quivering as our eyes met.

"Damn it, Rosalie! You know, it's not all about you! Not everything in this whole damn world," He threw his arms wide as he approached me, his generally gentle face contorting with anger. "IS ABOUT YOU!"

I stood, my quivering legs threatening to give out as I pushed myself up on the bed.

"I NEVER SAID IT WAS! THIS IS HARD FOR ME TOO! EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS, EVERY TIME I LOSE A BABY! IT'S KILLING ME, EMMETT!"

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO BRING DOWN EVERYONE WITH YOU, DAMN IT! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE HURT! YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUIN MY LIFE TOO!"

I froze. My knees gave a final quiver and buckled. The anger seemed to drain from Emmett as he watched me crumble, watched the tears begin to pool in my eyes.

"Rose, baby, I didn't mean that…"

"Ruining your life…?" My voice was a chocked murmur.

"I… No, you're not… Rose, I love-"

"Just go."

"Rose…"

"JUST GO!"

My voice cracked as I screamed. Emmett's eyes faded, the life in them disappearing as he turned from me.

I waited for the door to click shut before curling in upon myself. The tears flowed freely across the bridge of my nose, down my cheeks, into the roots of my hair.

You don't have to ruin my life too… You don't have to ruin my life too…

The words flooded my brain, overpowering me. He was right.

I knew what I had to do. I wouldn't ruin his life anymore.

You don't have to ruin my life too…

~~~Emmett~~~

I wasn't exactly looking forward to returning home after that. I drove slowly, letting the seconds trickle by. After our fight the night before, Rosalie and I hadn't spoken. Not once. I slept on the couch that night and only saw her momentarily when she stalked by me in the morning. When she had, I noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes. She clearly hadn't slept well. A twinge of guilt flooded me as I remembered the deathly pain etched on her face the night before.

I never should have said that. I don't… I don't know what I was thinking. It just came out…

All the anger, all the pain and frustration with our entire situation just came bursting out. I never meant to take it out on her.

I sighed and glanced at the seat beside me. The bouquet of red roses on the seat beside me seemed somewhat trivial as a way to undo what I had said, but it was better than nothing. With a grumble, I pressed my foot slightly more heavily into the gas pedal.

When I arrived home, the first thing I noticed was her car. The glossy convertible was parked haphazardly in the driveway. This seemed odd; she typically was compulsively careful with it.

The front door was open as well, although all the lights were off. I felt my stomach twist… a deepening sense of foreboding began to set in as I made my way to the bedroom. I turned on the lights as I went.

"Rose?"

There wasn't any response. I called again, only to be met by silence.

My hands had begun to shake by the time I reached the bedroom door. I turned the handle and pushed. The door opened with some resistance… something thick and heavy slid along the floor as I pushed harder.

I could feel my heart hammering in my throat. My body was shaking, palms sweating, terrified of what I would see when I stepped around the door.

Blond hair. That's the first thing I saw. A long trail of long, golden hair spilling across the wooden floor, leading to her… her head, her unmoving body, face down against the ground… no movement visible.

"Rose? Rosalie! NO!"

The flowers fell from my hands as launched myself to the floor beside her.

She wouldn't… it must have been an accident! Just fell and hit her head… But there was no visible damage… No, it couldn't be!

"Please! Please, oh God, PLEASE! PLEASE!"

I hadn't realized I was screaming aloud as I grasped her arms, dragging her into my lap, shaking her loose, limp body. As I did, I heard a click of plastic falling to the floor. I grasped at the small bottle… sleeping pills… empty…

"Oh God... Please! Rosalie! I didn't mean it… ROSALIE! OH GOD, PLEASE!"

I held her face to mine, straining to feel a breath… I pressed my ear to her chest… the slightest pumping met my ears…

I jammed my fist against the three numbers, never releasing her limp, cool form.

I spat out my address, explaining the situation to the soothing voice on the other end of the emergency line. How could they be so calm? Did they not realize the importance of the situation?

"Please, Rosalie, please…" I sobbed, pressing her still form into my tear-covered face. "Please… Just stay with me… Stay with me… Not you… Please… Rose…"

I heard the sirens approaching, then feet pounding down the hall. Lights, voices, sounds. My arms were suddenly empty and I was on the floor, my fist clutching the little bottle of hell that she had used.

"I love you Rose… Please… Rosalie, please…" I begged to the empty floor where she had lain.

She couldn't be gone… She just couldn't…


There we have it. I'm going to go hide in a dark corner somewhere now... And hopefully no bombshells will fall on my head! Leave me some love?

xoxo