Author's Note:

Thank you so much for the reviews, it means a lot. Please keep doing it! I hope you like this one ;) next couple of chapters is Rosella development time. Stay tuned!

Chapter 38- Maybe We Could Go Out Sometime?

(Rosalie's POV)

After Bella Pounded us with a rock storm that looked like something out of an Anime film and almost crushed us with a boulder, we called it a day on the training. Kate ran inside to tell the others of our success while I stayed back with Bella. I was more concerned with her and how she was feeling. She seemed a bit in shock, so I took a chance and reached for her hand. To my surprise, I felt her grip tighten around mine. If I had a working heart, it would have been beating out of my chest.

"You don't ever have to do that again if you don't want to. I'm sorry I started attacking her like that. She knocked you out cold and I didn't know how to control myself." I looked away, worried that I was being too…too…clingy. I was ashamed of the way I reacted, it wasn't the side of me I wanted her seeing. Also, I didn't know how to show her I cared and also give her space. At least her hand was still gripping mine.

"Well, it got me to that state of mind again, so I guess you helped out a lot. Seeing you being attacked is what sent me into that frenzy, so you don't have anything to worry about." She said reassuringly.

We walked back to the house in a comfortable silence. When we were coming out of the trees she dropped my hand and just walked beside me. I understood that she was self-conscious about how that would look. I understood, but it still stung my pride a little.

I figured I better give her some space, and it would be impossible to do that if I hung around her. So, I made up an excuse to go talk to Alice. When we got into the house she went straight up to her room. I walked into the living room and immediately caught eye contact with Emmett. Things with him were slightly awkward since our talk. He gave me a small smile and a nod, I did the same back. I walked quickly through to the kitchen, I knew Alice was in there talking to Esme.

Emmett followed me in there and got my attention before I could speak to them.

"Hey Rose, can we talk?" He seemed a bit sheepish.

"Erm, sure." I said turning back around and following him. He led me just outside the front door. He sat down on the porch step and patted for me to sit with him. I joined him sitting there.

"What's up?" I tried to sound casual, but I felt like I sounded like a jackass.

"I just wanted to clear the air, I know it's been odd since you have been back." He said looking straight ahead of us at the trees. "I love you, and I always will. This whole thing hurts me, but I just want you to be happy."

"I want that for you too, em." I agreed.

"That's why I think it would be best for me to get a little space. I going to go backpacking for a bit, I think I want to see the world. I've been pretty sheltered since my transformation and I'd like to change that." He said smiling.

"You don't have to leave, Emmett. I like having you here." I said touching his arm. Hoping he would understand its platonic nature.

"I know, I love being around here too. It's a big world though, I wanna see all that I can. Maybe I'll get to hunt some different types of animals. I'm planning to hit Europe and Asia first. Maybe I'll go through Africa. I'll come back, but I need to do this for me." He patted my hand.

"So, when do you leave?" I asked.

"I think I will be ready to go by the day after next. I just want to go buy the outdoor store tomorrow and get some stuff." He said.

"What kind of stuff could you possibly need?" I inquired.

"New boots, some shirts, a backpack and some odd and ends. I think I might grow my beard out. We'll see though." He said rubbing his chin.

"Well, I am happy for you, I hope you find what you are looking for." I said earnestly.

"I will. I am looking for new experiences, and I know I will find those." He smiled and looked down. "Hey Rose?"

"Yes?"

"You should go after your heart. I know you and I see you with her. Don't let anything stop you. You deserve happiness." He said looking back up and into my eyes. He was truly the best friend I could ever ask for. I bit my lip and looked away.

"What if I fucked it up? She seems different now. I might have ruined my chances."

"You didn't. Figure out a way to show her you care. You don't do anything half ass, this should be no different." He said.

"Thanks, Em. I'm not sure it's acceptable for my ex to be so understanding and sweet." I teased.

"I'm one of a kind baby." He cocked his eye brow and smirked.

"You really are. Promise me you'll write me?"

"Of course." He answered.

After a hug, we both went back inside. I went to find Alice who had ventured up to her room. She was sewing a dress together with her sewing machine. Her room was unusually cluttered. The walls had tacked up sketches of outfits with measurements. Fabric cuts were on the floor. She must have left her room like this earlier, because there was no way she had done this in the ten minutes I was talking to Emmett.

"Hey Alice, mind if I hang out for a bit?" I asked peeking in the door.

"Oh, sure, my room is becoming a hot spot for everyone these days. I love it." She said cheerfully.

"Alice, I don't know what to do." I said dramatically as I came in and plopped down on her bed.

"What is it now?" She said as she pulled the dress off the machine. She put it on the sewing mannequin and adjusted it. She didn't seem happy with the way it looked. She took it off quickly and scribbled some notes on a paper at her desk.

"I don't know what to do about Bella." I said looking up at the ceiling.

"I told you to give her space. How hard is that?" She said not looking up from her work.

"Emmett thinks I should pursue her." I said. She looked up from her work with curiosity.

"Emmett encouraged you to? You actually brought it up to him? Isn't that a little insensitive, even for you?" She said lightly scolding.

"No! God no. He brought it up to me. I guess he "see's something there." I don't know what to do now." I said in anguish.

"Well…" she said pursing her lips after. "I think you should start off slow. You don't want to ambush her with feelings, what was supposed to be giving her space, you're suffocating her. Maybe take her out for a casual date." She said shrugging.

"I'm not sure how to be casual." I said sitting up. I had never had to plan a date. I didn't know what was casual and what was coming on too strong. I had real feelings for this girl and I wanted her to want me.

"So, would going to a movie suffice for casual? Or is that too casual? I could plan us a trip to Mexico, we could stay on the beach? That should be a nice in between. It's not like its Paris or Rome. I feel like those places say "Stay with me forever" and I just want her to know I care. I think a movie might say "I wanna be buddies." Don't you think?" I rambled on like a middle school aged girl. After I was done, Alice just stared at me with a blank expression.

"Erm, yeah, you are totally casual about all this." She raised her brows and rolled her eyes. Her sarcasm was no help to me. I crossed my arms a little upset.

"I need help Alice! If you won't help me with that gift of your then I don't know what I'll do." I complained.

"Oh, so now you want me to use my gift on you? 'Cause for the last forty years you have scolded me when I do." She teased.

"Ugh! Fine! I'll just figure it out myself." I got up to leave the room.

"Rosalie…" She called after me as I was moving through her doorway.

"What?"

"Just think about what would mean the most to her. I'm sure anything will be great. Just go slow, ok?" She said as I stood in the doorway.

"Ok, Thanks." I said giving her a small eye roll. She definitely could have been more help.

What she said did help me, whether or not I wanted to admit it. I laid on my bed and started thinking about what would mean the most to her. I figured she would like having normal teenage experiences. So, a movie would be a part of the plan for sure. She loves her family and Charlie means a lot to her. Maybe I could have dinner with them one night and then take her out to a movie? How do I make that less casual? Maybe I drive us and play the part. Open the doors, pay for the tickets and take her some place afterwards to talk. I thought of a great place that I could take her, it was on the water at the beach.

I figured I could pack a blanket and fix up some snacks for us. Should be relatively simple since our diet is pretty straight forward. We could lay and watch the stars, talk and connect. It would be perfect. I just hoped that she would want to go and that if she did, that she would like it.

I wanted to go ask her right away if she would go out with me on the date. I got up off my bed and quietly made my way for her room. When I got there, I heard her laughing and talking to Kate. For a minute, I wondered if Kate had been sincere when she said she didn't mean to pursue her. Jealousy began to burn inside me. I silently cursed myself for reacting like that so quickly. I told myself to calm down.

I stood there, like an idiot for probably five minutes before I worked up the courage to knock on the door. My nerves were going crazy. The confident woman everyone knew had gone and this new coward was left in her place. Finally, I knocked.

"Yeah?" Kate answered. How dare she answer for her. Stop Rose, its fine. You are casual, remember?

"Hey, erm, Its Rose…Rosalie. Can I come in?" I said sounding dumb.

"Sure." Bella answered.

They were both sitting on her bed laughing. I was a little jealous still but I was trying to control it. I moved into the room but stood near the door awkwardly.

"Hey I was wondering if you might like to go out with me sometime?" I asked trying to seem confident.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"You know, like to a movie, maybe we could have dinner with your dad first." I said sounding casual. I think I might have even shrugged my shoulder when I said 'maybe.'

"Like on a date?" Kate said smiling.

"It was just an idea…"

"Sure." Bella Interrupted. "I head back to Charlies from my 'trip with the Cullen's' tomorrow. Maybe the day after that?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll leave you two alone now." I said a bit awkwardly. Trying to still remain casual and not smile ear to ear like I had the instinct to do.

"You can hang out with us if you want to." Kate offered.

"Yeah, come chill on the bed, Kate is just telling me funny stories about her family and stuff. I mean, you don't have to." Bella said.

"Ok, sounds fun." I said making my way to the bed. I was beyond happy that she said yes. I was even more excited to be around her. We spent the rest of the night sharing embarrassing stories about people we knew and about people from our past. Kate was full of them. Despite my best efforts, I was starting to come around to her.

The next day I couldn't stop thinking about our date. Bella spent the day back at her place with her dad. I spent some of the day getting ready for our date. I went to the store and bought all new picnic stuff, a cute wicker basket, some wine glasses and a checker blanket. I wanted it to be perfect, so I figured I would make sure of it by buying all new things.

I bribed Kate to let me buy a bottle of aged Zebra blood and a small bottle of Octopus blood. Octopus blood was different from other animals in that it is blue. The difference in the qualities gave it a distinct flavor that I figured would be interesting for Bella to try. I planned on making a soup with it. I would have to ask Esme about what to do with the Zebra blood. Maybe we could just enjoy it as is. No picnic would be completed without a little bit of alcohol. So, I stopped by and got a bottle of red wine, I figured that should complement our dinner nicely.

I had Alice help me with the outfit. She settled on a tight gray V neck shirt, black jeans, cropped high heeled boots and a black leather jacket. She also told me to do my hair in loose curls to give me a volumized look. I was much happier with her choice, over my initial idea.

I had everything ready to go, I just had to wait it out and finish our food the next day. If only I could settle my nerves.