Rosalie POV

The house is quiet.

"Where has everyone gone?" I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure."

I watched her face and noticed that she wore the diamond earrings that I help Carlisle picked out for her last birthday that we spent together.

"Potatoes." She says.

I furrowed my brow. "Pardon?"

"We should be peeling potatoes for lunch." She replies.

"I don't want to let go of your hand."

Esme chuckles. "Honey, let's go do the potatoes so Evelyn doesn't have much to do. She, not the best chef. We can hold hands again afterward."

I followed her outside to the garden. The backyard was lovely and roses had been planted in circular beds. It was like a miniature woodland of holly trees and native shrubs, each of them trimmed as if they were green flames. I spotted the grandchildren running around the trees, screaming and chasing each other. Just like we did when I was little.

"Animals," Esme muttered.

"I think you said that about us," I told her.

"Well, you wouldn't leave those poor hens alone!"

I laughed. "How many potatoes shall I bring?"

"Lots!" She exclaims. "The boys constantly eat!"

I sighed. "My how hungry those boys always were."

"You were all hungry."

I don't think I would of mind the hunger if I could have stayed here. Lived with Esme forever. I picked up the potatoes, feeling her eyes on me.

"Such a pretty little thing. Scarlett showed me your collection."

I felt relieved for a moment. "It's my pride and joy besides my children."

"How many do you have?" She wondered.

"Five."

"And the husband?"

"Dead," I told her.

She looked surprised. "What a shame."

"I thought Carlisle was dead. I saw the grave." I explained.

Esme sighed a little. "He was ill for some time. He wasn't supposed to make it, but somehow he pulled through and we're very lucky to have him here."

"I'm very glad to hear that," I spoke.

"Esme where do you want the carrots?"

He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. His curls were midnight black and his eyes were dark brown. He had prominent cheekbones and a well-defined chin. His perfect lips were made for kissing. His strong hands, slightly rough from working, reach out to me as he stared deep into my eyes.

I couldn't help but blush.

His body was warm and toned as he hugged me. "Rose! You're back!"

"Emmett! I've missed you!" I felt my heart begin to race.

His smile etched its way back into his face. "I've missed you more!"

Esme coughed. "You can put those by the stove, dear. Evelyn will take care of it."

"Yes, ma'am." Emmett pulled back and rubbed my cheek. "Maybe we can catch up later?"

I was speechless. "Y-yeah. I would like that."

He kissed the top of my head and then left. My head felt like it was spinning and I had butterflies in my stomach. I've never felt this way before especially with a man. What was it?

Esme laughed. "Men. They'll do that to you. Now come child."

We went back inside and washed the potatoes. I put the wet potatoes on the chopping board and Esme pared it with a knife. I started to peel the others and for a while, we remain quiet. We finish the potatoes a few minutes later and put them in the boil. I set the peelings in a dish for the hens before looking out of the window at the patch of garden.

"You said there you would be hens in New York," I spoke.

"Did I? When?" Esme asked.

I looked away. "The day before I left. I wanted to take a hen with me and you said there would be hens in America. But there weren't any. Aunt Gloria didn't like chickens."

I felt the tears dripping from my chin. She took my hand and lead me to the kitchen table. We were back to where we started. Sitting down. Hand in hand. I started to think of all those times she hugged me in bed. She would kneel by my bedside at night and whisper.

My sweet girl. My darling child.

It was difficult when I moved to New York. My cousins would tramp up the stairs and tell my aunt "goodnight Ma" and that was it. There were no kisses or cuddles. At times, I thought I would die without some type of affection.

"You know," I said to her. "I tried to tell myself that you loved me. But then sometimes I wish I never known you."

She nods her head. "You were so light. And precious. So precious. I remember trying to run off the bus but for some reason, you were hard to carry. You were dead asleep and that added a few extra pounds. I thought you were dead at first. But that was the day you came. When I found you at the back of the bus. Oh, Rose. I know exactly what you're talking about. There have been times when I wish I hadn't found you."

I sighed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It isn't why I came…"

"It's nothing." Her voice was dry. "Not compared to what I did to you."

I bit my bottom lip. "Do you remember Buttercup?"

"Oh, heavens." She started to smile. "I do."

I laugh unsteadily. "That poor rabbit. I dragged him all over the yard and dressed him up in my doll clothes."

"You wanted to feed him one last time," Esme said.

"I did but you told me nonsense. He would be fine."

"Would you like to feed them now?"

I frowned. "I do beg your pardon?"

"The rabbits." She pointed to the barn. "We have a dozen. After you left, Carlisle insisted that we needed to have rabbits around."

I shook my head. "Maybe later."

"Of course. How foolish of me."

"I would like to hear you about your life though."

Esme patted my hand. "There will be time for that later, dear. Please tell me about your father and the life you had once you left us."

I began to explain to her how daddy lost his money and regain it (thanks to the help from Royce's father). I also told her how they tricked me into marrying Royce and my life with him. But I also shared some of the happy memories. I pulled out pictures of me skiing in Colorado and swimming in the Pacific. I also had photographs taken at school. Prom. Graduation. I was top of my class and I was awarded a full ride to university. Esme had enjoyed the photo of me and daddy fishing in Michigan. I remember how cold it was that day. Nora refused to leave the lodge so I offered to go with daddy. I didn't want him to feel alone.

Esme grinned. "I'm glad that you were happy sometimes."

And maybe I was and I just didn't realize it.

"My darling, if I could have done anything-"

"You were so young Esme." I interrupted her. "Just a child raising a child."

She chuckled. "I was grown up. I had been grown up for so many years. I was married to the old man after all."

"Old man!" I burst into laughter. "My how in love you two were!"

"Still are." Esme corrected me. "You have to seize love. I did that with you. I love you so much and I never stop loving you."

I felt myself shake. "Why did you never write?"

"I didn't have a choice."

I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

"Your Aunt Gloria wrote to us one time and asked that we stop writing to you after you tried to run away." Esme sighed. "It wasn't easy Rose. Carlisle tried to call your father and when that failed he almost got on a ship and sailed to New York. However, I found out that I was pregnant with Evelyn and he couldn't leave me alone."

"That witch!" I growled.

Esme shook her head. "I shouldn't have listened. I read all the letters you sent me and it pained me to see you so unhappy. I just wanted to be there for you."

"It's not your fault!" I hissed. "That woman was nothing but an old hag! I kicked her many of times!"

"You haven't changed." Esme giggled.

"Renee taught me well."

"Renee taught you too much."

I couldn't believe it. Aunt Gloria had lied to me! And for what? I didn't feel any relief to have Esme out of my life. It was hell! She tore me away from the one person who cared about me! She better be glad that she died!

"I never stop loving you, Rosalie," Esme spoke. "Carlisle and I celebrated your birthday every year. We saved you a spot at the dinner table and left presents underneath the tree for you. Just in case you came back. We never wanted you to feel forgotten. You mean so much to us."

My eyes swelled up with tears. "And I never forgot about you. I love you both so dearly."

"And we love you."

She pulled me into her arms and held me while I cried. All those years lost. I could have stayed here! My childhood would have been perfect! But my father was so selfish! He wanted me for his own and for what? He wasn't a terrible parent. He just came and go as he pleased. He didn't need to have me in his life. And Aunt Gloria didn't either. They were nothing but selfish!

"There, there." Esme rubbed my back. "Its alright child. You're here now and I'm never letting you go ever again."

And I believed her this time.

Once I calmed down, I help Evelyn with dinner and I enjoyed getting to know my new sister. Alice and Bella help the set the dinner table and everyone crowded around. It was a little snug, but we made it work. We ate and shared stories. There was laughter and even a small food fight that Esme called off. It was perfect!

"It's really nice having you," Jasper said.

Emmett beam. "I hope you come back."

"Or stay forever." Carlisle teased.

I smiled. "As long as I'm welcome."

Renee dropped her fork. "Well of course!"

"This is your family, Rose," Esme told me. "You will always be welcome in our home."

I looked around the table and realized that Nora was right. I had been missing something but now I've found it.

My family.

And I was never letting go of them again…

Author Note: Thank you to everyone for reading! I know I've taken some time to finish this story, but I hope you enjoy! :) I'm hoping to write some more

while I have the time! Your welcome to give any suggestions as well! Stay safe out there!