(~BPOV~)
The room was freezing. I could never really be sure why doctors kept their offices freezing cold. I pulled the gown tighter to my chest as if it could protect me from the world. A gentle knock sounded at the door. "Come in." I called out.

A small woman with dark hair entered. "Can you confirm your name and birthdate for me?" I offered the requested information as she consulted her laptop. Instinctively, I raised my fingers to my mouth. I had picked up the nasty habit of biting at my nails and cuticles - biting at my lips no longer produced any comfort, only blood and dried skin. "What can I help you with today?" I frowned. When I made the appointment I told the receptionist. Moments ago, I had told the nurse. How many times would I be expected to repeat myself? I felt my cheeks flush and knew I was red.

"I don't think my antidepressant is working anymore." The doctor stared at me. "I think I need a new one?"

She exhaled and looked back to her computer. "I see," She muttered as she typed. "I'll give you a different one. A little stronger, and that should do the trick. Anything else I can help you with?"

I raised an eyebrow in surprise - was that it? No questions, talk therapy, or "how do you feel about that"? "Um, no, that was it." I bit at a sore cuticle on my right ring finger.

"Great. I'll send the nurse back in to get your pharmacy details. Let us know how that works out in a few weeks. If there are any issues, please give the office a call." She offered a smile and tapped several keys before closing her laptop and walked out the door.

I closed my eyes and bit down. A sharp pain pulsed through one of my fingers. I looked down to see a bloody cuticle. As the blood pooled and slipped around the curve of my nail, my stomach rolled. Another knock sounded at the door. I quickly wiped the blood on the back of the gown. "Come in."

I had the nurse send my prescription to a local pharmacy. When I arrived, it wasn't ready yet. I stepped back into the cool air outside and took in my surroundings. The small shopping strip hosted the pharmacy, a pet store, an empty storefront, and a coffee shop. The sun filtered through the changing leaves and left a warm glow. I slipped into the pet store, and a silver bell on the door rang. There weren't any cats or dogs, but there were several birds, lizards, and fish.

I walked towards the fish. They were kept in various tanks that lined the side wall, with a lonely table of beta fish in cups. I considered the idea of a pet. It would be nice to not be quite so lonely - but a large pet, like a cat or dog, seemed unmanageable to me. I gently rested my hand on the glass of one of the aquariums. I could barely manage myself. I tilted my head to the side and watched the small fish dart through the tank.

"Thinking about getting a fish?"

I jumped at the strange voice and quickly turned, withdrawing my hand from the glass. An older man kindly smiled, and continued. "They're great little pets. Those ones you were looking at are danios. You'd need a bigger tank, and they need buddies - can't take just one. Do you have a tank already?"

"Oh. No, I don't. Are they hard to take care of?"

"Not as hard as some others!" He laughed, "If you want something a little easier, you might try a smaller tank, maybe 20 gallons."

I walked down the wall, peering into the tanks. I hadn't considered a fish before. The man continued, discussing fish care - feeding, water temperatures and balance, benefits of different water types. I stopped at a tank that held neon bright fish in different shapes. "Let's do it."

"Wonderful! Let's get you set up. What's your name, by the way?" He reached out to shake my hand. I shook it and introduced myself. "Miss Bella, it's lovely to meet you. I'm Benny. I'll grab a cart."

Benny set me up with all of the necessary supplies, with one glaring exception - my fish. I was instructed to "cycle" my tank water before adding any fish, which was frustrating, but Benny assured me that this was the best course of action. I loaded up my car before picking up my prescription. A light breeze pulled at my hair, and a small peace settled over me. I could do this.

(~RPOV~)

Pretending to sleep with Emmett was one of my favorite activities. Nothing was too frivolous in my eyes - silk sheets, soft pajamas, eye masks, pillow spray. The ritual was the most essential piece, however unnecessary it was. We showered, brushed teeth and hair, donned our costumes, and closed our eyes to lay in each other's arms for the night.

With my eyes still closed, I squeezed Emmett's hand. I knew he was happier since the relocation - it wasn't the locale that pleased him, but simply being in the same house as Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, and Alice. He was a true family man. New York always made me maudlin; yet, this move was not about me, but about the survival of this family as a whole. I didn't trust Alice's motives for our current selection, but it was of no use to dissent.

Emmett shifted his weight beneath me. I kept my eyes closed, still hoping to hold the day at bay.

"Baby doll, what are you thinking about?" His voice was hoarse. It was a technique we had mastered so long ago - the raspy distortion of a human voice in the morning.

I offered a breathy reply, indicating no issue. I nestled into his chest and inhaled deeply. I truly could not create a more enticing and comforting scent if I owned a thousand fragrance laboratories. He slipped his hand down into the small of my back and drew me closer. "Don't lie, Rosie" he whispered as he slowly closed his lips over mine.

I heard her steps before I heard her voice.

"Rose, Em, it's time to wake up! I need your help today, Rosalie!"

"Alice." Emmett and I spat at the same time.

"I won't disturb just yet, but, Rosalie, I need your help this afternoon. When you're up for the day, come find me!"

Emmett chuckled and gave me a squeeze before dipping his hands a little lower on my body. I grabbed him back as we both closed our eyes and sank into each other.

I found Alice sitting in the garden. This home seemed to be Esme's apology for the last - reminiscent of our Forks home, all windows, light, open, and green, set on a few dozen private acres of forest. I knew who she was trying to tempt home with the wildflower garden and wrap-around porch. I lowered myself to the ground to sit near Alice. She gently ran her fingers through the grass. "Oh Rosalie, it's such a beautiful day, wouldn't you agree?"

I raised one eyebrow and shrugged. "You said you wanted my help this afternoon?"

She smiled and crossed her legs. "There's a shop in the next town - I have a special order I was hoping you would pick up. It's for Edward."

"Will he be back soon?" I leaned in closer to her. Alice kept a soft smile and mimed locking away her secrets and tossing the key. I shook my head at her. "Alice."

She jumped up. "I already know you'll help me! I sent the address to your phone, and the order should be ready after 5:00, but don't be late!" She blew a kiss and slipped into the trees.

(~BPOV~)
I knew the medicine was helping when I no longer felt an overwhelming oppression. I wouldn't say that I was necessarily excited or ready to face life. But, maybe, more so that life wasn't only a slow drag towards death.

Today was the day - I could pick out my fish. I had slowly become more comfortable with the process of checking the chemicals in my tank over the last few weeks. Taking care of something else (even if my fish weren't here yet) gave me a more tangible purpose to work towards.

I shook my head and attempted to refocus on the lecture. My laptop was open in front of me and I had been typing out sparse notes, but my focus was shot - this class was the only thing standing between me, Thanksgiving break, and my trip to the pet store. The class size was small, but I had not made friends with any of the other students; my quiet nature kept me sitting towards the back, cautiously disengaged from lively discussions.

It wasn't that I didn't care - I wanted to, truly. I just struggled to act like it. I wondered if that would change with time. As I picked at my nails, the students around me started to pack up their laptops and notepads. I took my cue and shoved my laptop into my backpack, not bothering to save the word document.

I walked out of the classroom with my peers and watched as they talked with excitement about their plans for our short break and made jokes about being stuck with their families. I opted to skip seeing Renee and Phil. Renee had seemed really happy lately. I couldn't bring myself to intrude; she didn't ask. I tossed my backpack into the backseat when I got into the car, and reached into the glovebox. I had started keeping an emergency pack of cigarettes inside - not for everyday use, but for especially stressful days. Or, exciting ones? I didn't feel stressed, but I was definitely amped. I wondered what Sawyer was doing for the holiday. I sent him a short text before driving away.

I pulled onto the main road as I flicked my lighter, and took in a deep drag. The focus of the drive helped temper my small nicotine buzz. The pet store was only ten minutes from campus. I flicked the growing ash out the window and watched it fly away in the side mirror before looking back at the road.

Much like every other shitty event in my life, nothing prepared me and my world came to a jarring stop.

It happened so quickly. Adrenaline flooded my system. I tried to play back the last few moments. My memory skipped - from moving quickly to the sudden crash. My hands shook as I did a mental inventory - all limbs attached and moveable. I looked up through the windshield to see a red convertible with a crumpled bumper. How fast had I been going? I knew I wasn't speeding - the speed limit on this road was only 35. I stumbled out of my car towards the other car.

"What the actual fuck is wrong with you?" A tall blond woman exited the car, slamming the driver's side door. The hair on the back of my neck stood as the heat of anxiety crept through my chest. A glimmer reflected off of her cheek as she stormed towards me. I knew it was impossible, but my heart seized and stuttered just the same.

"Rosalie."

She stopped in her tracks and her eyes narrowed. I stumbled backwards and scrambled to get back into my car. With a silent prayer that my car was drivable, I reversed to get around her, and sped away.

A/N: It's happened! When I decided to write this story, I always had this particular reunion in mind, and I'm excited to finally share it. I hope you enjoy!