Holding the door open for Bella as they entered the Lodge, Rosalie looked around making a face. Bella's father had told them more than once how great Fork's only diner was but looking around Rosalie questioned the cleanliness. She only had experience going to restaurants with Bella, so she didn't have much to compare it to but she was pretty sure the fast food places they had gotten take out from were of better quality than this place. "Are you sure you want to eat here?"
"It's a diner it's supposed to be like this." Bella reassured her.
Rosalie was dubious but she would follow Bella anywhere even if that place was a gross diner located on Main Street in Forks. "If you think it's fine that's all that matters."
A collage aged woman wearing a waitress uniform approached them, going wide eyed when her eyes rested on Bella. "Wait, aren't you that Shurlong girl everyone is talking about?"
"Yes, I am." Bella told her. "Table for two please."
Fumbling the menus the girl nodded. "Ok, Yeah, follow me.I'll sit you at the best table."
"Does that mean it's not located in the bathroom." Rosalie whispered earning an elbow to the side making her grunt.
Stopping at a booth next to the window the waitress laid the menus down across from each other. "I hope this is alright."
Bella slid into her seat first. "It's perfect thank you."
'Great, yeah that's great." The girl stuttered out. "Maria will be your waitress tonight can I get you anything to start off to drink?"
"We'll have two waters please." Bella said eyes on the menu.
Rosalie watched the girl walk away shooting a look back at Bella as she made her way through a swinging door. "50 bucks says she is getting the manager to come talk to you."
"Since my money is your money, does that mean I would be paying myself if I win?" Bella asked thoughtfully.
Rosalie laughed. "No my dear, I would pay you from my personal account,but it looks like I'm going to win."
A pudgy balding man wearing a tight dress shirt and obvious clip on tie made his way towards the table. "Hello ladies. I just to wanted to come out and introduce myself and welcome you to our establishment."
"Nice to meet you…." Bella paused only to continue when the man didn't say his name. "I'm Bella, this is Rosalie and you are?"
"What?" The man asked confused. "Oh my name. You want to know my name of course I'm Jim, Jim Thomas the manager here."
"You have a nice place here." Bella ignored Rosalie's snort of amusement. "You should be very proud."
Jim stood up straighter and smoothed down his tie."Thank you Ms. Shurlong and might I say I have always admired your family."
"That's very kind of you ." Bella said.
As the waitress with the name tag Maria walked up to the table and placed the waters in front of Rosalie and Bella, Jim took a step back to make room. "Well I'll let you enjoy your dinner and if anything isn't to your liking please let me know right away."
Bella just nodded in reply as Maria pulled out her note pad. "Do you know what you would like?"
"I'll have the Bacon burger rare with fries and she will have the T-Bone rare with the twice baked potato and mixed vegetables. We will both have salads with French dressing on the side." Bella said handing the menus to the woman.
Rosalie smiled at Bella after the waitress walked away. "What do you think they are saying about you ordering for me?"
"Probably that I'm controlling and a bitch." Bella said.
"I have to admit, this is kind of fun. I haven't had much interaction with humans in my lifetime but seeing them make bumbling idiots of themselves because of my mate is quite amusing." Rosalie told her.
Bella chuckled."They aren't idiots. They are just a little starstruck."
"What is it?" Rosalie asked noticing Bella expression turn serious.
"I love seeing you like this." At Rosalie's confused look Bella explained. "Carefree, happy. It feels like we have had to few of these moments since we have been together. It's makes me happy to see you so happy."
Reaching across the table Rosalie took Bella's hand in her own intertwining their fingers. "You make me happy."
"What a coincidence, you also make me happy." Bella told her.
The waitress placed the salads in front of each of them and left without saying a word or making eye contact, causing Rosalie to laugh again. "Seriously who intimidates her more, you or me?"
Bella rolled her eyes as she began eating her salad. As she was halfway through Rosalie's a girl about 12yrs old approached their table. The girl smiled shyly at Bella. "Hello there,how are you doing today?"
The girl looked back to what Bella assumed was her mother,who gave her an encouraging nod. "Hi, I just wanted to to tell you that I really admire you and what your family have done for our country."
"You do? That's so kind of you to say." Bella said to her. "I'm Bella what's your name."
"I'm Becky. We learned all about your family in school." Becky told them. "Is it true that your family is royalty from England?"
"Yes is it." Bella confirmed. "One of my ancestors was made a duke in the 12th century."
Rosalie's heart melted watching Bella interact with the girl. "Did you know she actually still owns that castle and even a village in England?"
Becky looked at Rosalie with wides eyes. "No way! A whole village."
Bella nodded. "Yes I do. It's the village of Shurlong that the king granted my ancestor for his help in the war."
"Becky, you should let Ms. Shurlong and her friend eat." The woman who Bella thought was Becky's mother told her as the waitress set their dinner plates down.
"OK, well it was nice to meet you." Becky hesitated for a second before asking. "Do you think maybe I could get a selfie? My friends are never going to believe I actually met you."
"How about you give me your phone and I'll take it for you." Rosalie volunteered taking the girl's phone and snapping a pic of Becky with Bella.
Bella began eating her burger once Becky walked away with her mother both smiling as they looked at Becky's phone. "Sorry that happened."
"What of you mean?" Rosalie asked.
Bella motioned to the door. "That our night got interrupted. I promised you a date so we could have some alone time."
"Bella, I don't mind stuff like that." Rosalie assured her. "It's people hitting on you or trying to get something from you that pisses me off. People who want to talk to you about your family and have a genuine interest in your history don't bother me. I know how proud you are of your family."
"Our family." Bella told her.
Rosalie switched her plate with Bella's empty one. "You're right. Our family."
"You became a Shurlong the moment you accepted the bond, it's to late to take it back now." Bella reminded her.
Rosalie smiled. "I wasn't trying to. You know that I am more than proud to stand by your side as a Shurlong."
"We have so many things in common. I am also proud to stand at your side as a Shurlong." Bella looked around the dinning room and noticed the stares they were getting."We better hurry up. I have a feeling young Becky there opened up the floodgates for people approaching us."
Rosalie stood up and pulled out her wallet. "I'll go pay the check while you finish so we can leave right away."
Rosalie watched as the manager stumbled over a chair rushing to get to the register. "Was everything to your liking?"
"Everything was prefect thank you." Rosalie told him with a smirk as she handed him her credit card.
Not wanting to deal with Mr. Thomas, Bella walked outside to wait for Rosalie. When she joined her Bella held out her hand. "It's beautiful out tonight."
"It most certainly is." Rosalie said taking Bella's hand and pulling her into a hug.
Bella stumbled as they tried to walk like that. "I think one of us is going to get hurt if you insist we walk like this."
"I doubt we would get hurt."Rosalie said breaking her hold on Bella. "More like whatever we run into would get hurt."
"You are unbelievable indestructible. It's quite an attractive trait." Bella told her.
Rosalie put Bella's arm around her shoulder and snuggle into Bella's side. "So are you, my love."
"Do you think we should tell Charlie before or after we leave for vacation?" Bella asked.
Rosalie weighed the possibilities in her mind. "On one hand it would be good to do it before because then we wouldn't have to worry about him saying you can't go. On the other hand not telling him would probably keep him safer as he wouldn't be a part of the supernatural world."
"So basically we should tell him before."Bella said.
Rosalie nodded. "If we didn't tell him, in theory he would be safe, but it would probably be better that he be aware of the dangers of being the father of the White Tiger.
Before Bella could respond she stopped short. They had reached the corner of the street near the back of the town grocery store near the park,when Bella heard a sound. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Rosalie asked looking around for whatever threat Bella had sensed.
A soft meow caught Bella's attention. "It's a cat."
"I heard it that time." Rosalie said following Bella towards the dumpsters by the loading dock to search for the cat.
Bella saw a cardboard box behind the dumpster. "Help me move this dumpster I think I found it."
"You just love me for my muscles." Rosalie teased.
"More like I don't want to get caught on camera using my strength."Pushing the dumpster away, Bella made her way over to the box with Rosalie. As she opened it two small heads popped out. "They are just kittens."
"Oh, Bella,I think someone dumped them here." Rosalie said sadly as she looked at the two small kittens. One was mostly black with a big white spot on it's chest and the other was grey with tiger stripes down it's back. Bella handed her the black and white one and Rosalie held it to her chest, smiling as it began to purr.
Bella held the other up too her face and nuzzled her nose against the little kitten laughing when it sneezed. "We can't leave the here."
"No, way." Rosalie agreed, already deciding that they were keeping the kittens. "Do you want to take them to your house?"
Bella shook her head. "We could but we are going to be redo most of the house including my room so it won't be a peaceful environment for them.
"If we take them to my house would they be ok with the others?" Rosalie asked. "Animals don't like our kind."
Watching the kitten nuzzle into Rosalie's chest Bella made her decision. "They should be fine as long as you or I introduce them."
"That would also give them company during the day. We have school tomorrow and I don't want to leave these little guys all alone." Rosalie said.
Bella looked around making sure there weren't any others left there. "You are already in love with them aren't you?"
"What can I say? I like cats." Rosalie told her with a wink.
"It looks like that cat likes you back." Bella said.
"Let's get them home so we can get them settled for the night."Rosalie held the kitten extra carefully as they made their way to her BMW.
Bella reached for the kitten Rosalie was holding after she got into the passage side.When she didn't hand it to Bella right away Bella sighed. "I am only taking her while you drive. It's not safe for either of you if you are the one holding her. I promise I will give her back when we get to your house."
"Fine but only because of safety reasons." Rosalie said carefully putting the kitten in Bella's arms.
Bella smiled as Rosalie drove under the speed limit the entire drive to the Cullen's. When they pulled in Rosalie ran to her side of the car and reached for the kitten as soon as Bella opened the passenger door. "She's fine, see.I didn't brake her."
"Do we need to send someone out for supplies?" Rosalie asked ignoring Bella's smirk as she cuddled the kitten back to her chest.
" Only if you want to."Bella told her "They are young enough that they will be just fine with some milk and we can use sand for litter."
"After school tomorrow we can go to that pet store you told me about before and get them proper stuff." Rosalie said.
"Hey guys what did you bring home?" Alice asked as soon as they walked through the front door.
Rosalie made her way into the living room seeing Emmett, Jasper, Peter and Charlotte sitting around watching tv. "Alice keep your voice down, you are going to scare the kittens."
"Kittens?" Alice whispered excitedly. "You guys got kittens? Can I hold one?"
Bella sat on the couch and motioned for Alice to sit next to her."You can hold this one if you put a blanket on your legs first. I don't want him to get cold."
"Got it." Alice grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over her legs. Bella carefully set the kitten down on her lap. "Oh my god he's so cute. What's his name? Where did you guys get him?"
Rosalie sat on the couch next to Bella. "They don't have names yet. We found them abandoned behind a dumpster in a card board box."
"Oh my god that's horrible." Charlotte said leaning over Alice to look at the kitten. "Can I pet him?"
"Yes you can pet him. Just make sure you are extra careful." Bella told them.
Alice began to run her hand over the kitten's back."He's so soft. How come he isn't afraid of us."
"My scent is soothing to them." Bella explained. "I can feel they are anxious and am putting them at ease."
Charlotte laughed as the kitten swatted her fingers. "Is it similar to the way you speak to the mountain lion in your tiger form?"
"Yes, it's exactly the same." Bella confirmed.
Rosalie looked around. "Where is Esme and Carlisle?"
"Carlisle is at work again and Esme should be back any minute. She baked a bunch of cookies for his coworkers and was dropping them off." Emmett said.
Alice looked over at Jasper. "You want to pet him Jazz?"
"No that's alright. Maybe later." Jasper said with a sweet smile on his face as he watch his wife play with the kitten.
"What are we going to name them?" Emmett asked. He put his hands up and backed away from Rosalie when she growled at him for trying to pet the kitten she was holding. "Jeez, I'm not going to hurt it. I just wanted to pet it."
Rosalie cooed at the kitten to help it settle down. "Shh it's ok little one. I didn't mean to scare you, I just didn't want that big oaf to squish you with his big hands."
"I wasn't going to squish it." Emmett said defensively. "Bella can I pet the kitten?"
"Why don't you pet this one? Rosalie has taken quite a shine to that one and I think it feels more comfortable with her." Bella suggested after getting a warning look from Rosalie.
"Thanks Bella." Emmett said as he carefully reached out and stroked the kitten with his finger."So what are we going to name this guy?I think because he looks like a tiger we should call him Bella jr."
"We aren't naming him Bella Jr." Alice told him. "He needs a sweet name. How about Sunshine?"
Emmett scoffed."We aren't naming him sunshine. He needs a tough name, because he's a tough cat. Something like Axel."
"No way are we naming him Axel." Alice lifted the cat up and looked at his face. "He's too cute to be an Axel. He's more of a Pippin."
"What the fuck's a Pippin?"
"Emmett language." Esme scolded him as she walked through the door.
"Esme come look, Bella and Rosalie brought us kittens." Alice called out.
Esme looked towards Alice her expression softening as she laid eyes on the kitten. "Oh my, look at him. He's so cute."
"Come pet him. Bella made it so they aren't afraid of us." Alice told her.
"What's his name?" Esme asked.
"Axel." Emmett said at the same time Alice said. "Pippin."
"I see" Esme said as she petted the kitten deciding not to get involved in their argument. "Well I'm sure whatever you two pick out will be perfect."
"Esme I was wondering if you could call my dad and ask him if I could spend the night tonight?" Bella asked.
"Of course dear."Esme said as her attention stayed on the kitten. "What would you like me to tell him the reason is?"
Rosalie rested her head on Bella's shoulder. "You're staying here tonight?"
"I don't want the kittens to be alone with all of you until they are completely comfortable." Bella explained.
Rosalie kissed the kitten she was holding on the head. "I don't want to be away from them anyway."
"You can tell him that we are going to be up late working on a project." Bella told Esme. "I'm sure he won't mind but he will want you to assure him I won't be spending the night with Rosalie."
"Now that that's settled,Bella you pick." Emmett said. "Is he going to be named Axel or Pippin?"
"You know what seeing as Rosalie is the one who is adopted the kittens how about she pick their names?" Bella suggested earning a groan from Emmett and a smile from Rosalie.
"Let's see. Ones a boy and ones a girl so how about."Rosalie took a moment to think about it. "Joe and Anne."
"Joe and Anne? How did you come up with those?" Alice asked.
"They are the names of the two main characters in the movie Roman Holiday." Rosalie said smiling at Bella.
Bella leaned in to kiss Rosalie gently as to not crush the kitten. "The movie we saw on our first official date."
"Aww. That is so romantic."Alice glared at Jasper. "Not only did Bella get Rosalie two kittens but Rosalie turned naming them into a grand romantic gesture. We have been mated for almost 100 yrs and you have never named anything in honor of our relationship."
"What would I name?" Jasper asked confused.
"I don't know Jasper. I'm sure after 100 yrs you could have thought of something."Alice told him. "You call yourself a southern gentleman but you don't even get the door for me. Rosalie gets the door for Bella anytime there is one to be opened. Why am I not worth opening a door for? And when was the last time you took me to a romantic restaurant?"
Jasper threw his hands up helplessly. "We don't eat human food, why would we go to a restaurant?"
"Neither does Rosalie but she still goes." Alice told him.
"That's because her mate is a shifter." Jasper said.
Alice stood, kissed the kitten on the head and handed him to Bella. "I can't be in the same room as you right now."
Charlotte followed after her,sending a glare over her shoulder at Peter causing him to avert his eyes. "We will talk about this later." She told him.
Hearing Alice's bedroom door slam closed, Emmett laughed. "Oh man I'm glad I'm not either of you guys right now."
"Ugh." Jasper groaned. "Rosalie, Bella, can I ask you to have pity on me and allow me to take Alice on a double date with you two."
"What?" Rosalie asked him.
"It's just Alice has been on my case about not being romantic and I think if I asked her to get dressed up and take her to a fancy restaurant it would ease some of the pressure off me. If you guys came with us then Bella could eat the food and it wouldn't look weird having us just sitting there by ourselves not eating.I will literally beg you if I have to."
Rosalie look to Bella who just shrugged. "Uh, I guess we could do a double date. Maybe we could go out on Saturday. If you guys aren't busy."
"Thank you." Jasper said jumping up from his chair and giving a surprised Rosalie a hug. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
Peter cleared his throat. "If you guys are willing to do a double date with Jasper and Alice could I convince you to maybe go out with myself and Charlotte one night? She really wants to go dancing after she saw the post on the internet of you guys at the club. I don't know anything about dancing or clubs so I could really use the help."
Rosalie laughed at the two men's predicaments. Not to long ago she would never believed two mated pairs would come to her for help in the romance department. Her life had really changed, she thought, remembering a time when she was convinced she would never find a mate who would accept her fully. Now she was part of a bonded couple who others looked to for inspiration in their own love lives. "I think we could do a trip to the club with you guys. We will have to find a club to go to but you leave that to us."
"Thank you so much. If Charlotte found out that Jasper and Alice were going to diner and I wasn't taking her anywhere then I wouldn't hear the end of it." Peter told them as he visibly relaxed in his seat.
"What about me guys?' Emmett asked.
"We won't leave you out Emmett." Rosalie promised. Emmett may be annoying but she didn't truly want him to fell left out. Rosalie knew what it felt like to not have a mate. The loneliness could be unbearable at times and she didn't want Emmett to feel like he wasn't a part of the group just because he was single."Where would you like us to take you?"
"Promise?" Emmett asked suspicious of Rosalie's quick agreement to take him somewhere with her and Bella.
"Yes, Emmett I promise. Where would you like to go?" Rosalie asked him again.
Emmett gave her a big smile. "I don't know. I mean dinner would be boring and clubs are loud and it's hard to dance with humans, so that would be lame. Can you guys pick something?"
"You know what Emmett I think I have the perfect place to take you." Bella said. "I just need to do a little research and make a couple calls. Once I do I'll tell you all about it."
"Sweet." Emmett thrust his fist in the air. "Thanks Bella, thanks Rosalie."
"With that said I think we are going to go to our room and settle these little ones down for the night. We still have school tomorrow and Bella actually needs sleep to function properly." Rosalie said as she stood slowly making sure she didn't jostle the sleeping kitten snuggled on her chest.
"Night guys." Bella called out as she made her way up the stairs receiving a chorus of goodnights in reply.