2 months later

I left Carlisle's office with a small shudder and ran straight into big, muscular, but gentle arms. Any tension or negatively seemed to leave me as soon as I came into contact with him.

Emmett pulled me close to his chest, those clear glass blue eyes swirling with emotion. "How did it go?" He reached up and cupped my chin, then tilted it up to kiss me.

I was dazzled for a few seconds before I frowned lightly. "It was okay, I guess."

"Did you talk about what's been bothering you?" He raised his eyebrows at me, knowing all to well that I was hiding a lot of things that were bothering me from him and everybody else.

"Uh…kind of?" I chewed my lip guiltily, wishing so badly therapy wasn't so hard. I was used to Carlisle and his family now, but it was still really hard for me to discuss what was wrong.

Emmett shook his head and rolled his eyes at me playfully before pulling me along the corridor and out into the parking lot of the hospital. I had been to Forks General plenty of times in the last few months, and the more I visited, the worse it seemed to be for me. There were so many memories there that really sent shivers down my back.

But if it wasn't for my rough times, I wouldn't have met my wonderful boyfriend, Emmett, and he really was wonderful.

He opened the passenger door to his car for me and I climbed in quietly, gathering my thoughts as he shut my door and got in himself. "Esme invited us over to dinner. Is that okay?"

I swallowed softly, debating what to do. Food really didn't bother me; I just didn't eat much and didn't feel like eating it. Everyone knew that – my family and Emmett's family. I guess this was a test from Esme. She was just worried for me. I nodded. It was the best thing I could do.

I was taking things hard. I had been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. After listening to the voices all my life, I was finding it difficult to follow Carlisle's instructions in ignoring them. Life for me was different to the others around me, and it was really starting to affect me, my life and my relationships with everyone.

Judson had refused to speak to me for 5 weeks – saying that I was a 'head case' and that he didn't want me anywhere near him. Jasper was trying so hard to keep our close relationship but whenever I was around him he was over-aware of everything and was nervous and edgy. My parents were the same, but more on top of me now. They constantly asked me if anything was wrong and if I felt normal.

I didn't know whether it was a good thing that I had a diagnosis or not. It was so overwhelming. Medication helped, but I didn't feel like myself.

The voices truly never went away. Especially not at night. They were as loud as ever.

Sometimes, it was really complicated for me to tell the difference between what was in my head and real life.

"Hey," Emmett's gentle voice broke through my thoughts and I slowly began to relax. "Don't think so much sweetie; it'll destroy you."

I looked over at him as he pulled up to the driveway of his house. He was looking over at me and I saw sparkles in the corner of his blue eyes – tears. "Don't cry, baby." I murmured, removing my seatbelt once we'd parked.

He smiled faintly, though it wasn't all in it. My heart ached for him. "I'm not crying." He got out of the car before I could insist he was and I joined him.

He came around to my side and pulled me into his muscular body, wrapping his arms around me and leading me up to the porch.

I'd only known him for a few weeks, but I already felt our relationship was strong. He knew most things about me and was still there by my side. I couldn't be more grateful. He was my everything, and I couldn't imagine life without him. He was so beautiful, so strong, so kind and caring, so gentle. He was my rock and I didn't know how to hold on without him. I loved having him around, but I constantly kept thinking that he was going to leave me for someone better.

Esme was waiting for us in the hallway when we got through the huge door. She was a wonderful mother to her three children. I envied Emmett's family in a way. There was Carlisle – the best doctor in Forks (and no doubt the whole world!). He was caring, polite, and considerate and tried to help out everyone that he could. Then there was Esme – a wonderful, strong, beautiful mother and wife who accepted you no matter what. Then the kids – Emmett, Edward, and Alice. They were all so amazing, so intelligent, brave, comforting and following in the footsteps of their parents.

To me, their family seemed perfect. But even the most perfect family had problems. I'd come to realize that no one could be perfect.

"Rosalie!" Esme screeched in delight. She had the same pale, beautiful features as the rest of her family, which was so perfect. Something about her heart-shaped face, her billows of soft, caramel colored hair reminded me of the ingénues of the silent-movie era. She was small, slender, yet less angular, more rounded than the others. She was that mother who was like a best friend to her kids and still able to be a good, strict mother at the same time. She eased me into a hug quickly and then let go. "It's so lovely to see you! Come right on through!"

She had that same hard-to-keep-up-with bubblyness that Alice had and I found that so amusing. The Cullen's knew how to brighten my day.

She led us into the grand dining room. It had a high ceiling and beautiful décor patterns. Emmett led me over to a chair next to Bella – Edward's soon-to-be-wife – and settled down next to me. He mouthed an apology to me softly whilst rolling his eyes.

I suppressed a giggle and watched Esme as she left the dining room into her comfort zone – the kitchen.

"Hello Rosalie." Bella said softly, smiling shyly. We had met only once, but she was a gentle soul, very awkward and shy.

"Hey Bella." I said back happily, reaching to take Emmett's hand as he reached over me to ruffle Bella's hair. He saw her as a little sister.

Waiting for Esme to serve up food was uneventful and quiet, or so it had been.

Just as I was starting to slip into a sleep, a sound erupted from the 2nd floor of the house.

A little scream of what sounded like "Rooooooseeeee!" carried along the staircase and right down to my ears in the dining room.

I opened my eyes, sighing a little. "Alice…"