Rosalie stood in front of the full length mirror in her room, preparing for Vera's wedding. Her long lilac silk bridesmaid dress contrasted nicely with the subtle tan she had accumulated over the past few months. The preparation for her closest friend's wedding had been simple, only taking the rest of the season to plan. Vera wanted to keep the wedding simple and small. Now, the day of Vera's wedding was here, arriving quicker than they could have ever anticipated, but it was here nonetheless. Though the spring months had come and gone, now early May, but they had passed in a warm bliss of Rosalie's budding relationship with Royce King II.
Their courtship was common knowledge, the talk of the town. There was gossip everywhere about the wedding of the century that would surely be taking place soon, despite no official engagement just yet. The pair had only been seeing each other for only a handful of months after all. Not that the shortness of their courtship would mean anything to either socialite- they were a perfect match.
Perhaps a perfect match in status alone. In times were Rosalie lost herself in thought, her mind couldn't help but drift to the undeniable and worrisome fact that she only knew her beloved at face value. She knew his likes and dislikes, his favorite places to go for dinners and dates, but she couldn't help but wonder about his passions and the deepest insecurities that made him who he was.
Royce paraded like he had none, but there had to be something deeper about him that would bear his heart to her; a man behind the façade. Rosalie was sure that these things took time and would eventually come. For now, she was content with the happy knowledge that the pair would undoubtedly wed and she would finally have everything she desired.
Rosalie inspected her hair in the mirror, her mouth drawn into a thin line of concentration. She fastened the brooch that Royce had given her before their first date carefully into her hair, atop the pinned golden curls. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, always satisfied with what she saw. Collecting her bouquet of white roses and lace, she headed downstairs to await Royce's arrival.
Her mother and father were standing by the front door, holding hands. They both looked smart in their formal wear; Lillian in a lovely coral chiffon dress, and George in a crisp tan suit.
"Why, don't you just look wonderful!" Her mother gushed. Lillian's white gloved hands reached for her daughter, which Rosalie took with a proud grin.
"An absolute vision," George agreed, beaming.
"Oh just wonderful!" Her brother, Anthony, called from the kitchen in mock praise through his guffaws.
"Didn't you hear, Anthony, Rosie's just an absolute vision!" Andrew peaked his blond head around the door frame. His face puckered in a faux frown, mocking their father's praise for their sister. "Why, I do say our Rosie's just an angel wouldn't you, brother dear?"
George coughed sharply to cover up a laugh, but their mother cut them off with a sharp, "Boys!"
Rosalie opened her mouth to speak, before she hesitated as she noticed Royce was not there. He had promised to walk with her family to the church. Royce might not be the most emotive or expressive beau, but he was a man of his word. Never once had he not been where he promised he would be. The fears of a man bathed in old money enraptured with the qualms of a reputation to uphold.
"Is Royce not coming with us?" Rosalie's question awkwardly hung in the air, as her parents shared a knowing look. She heard her brother's muffled laughter coming from the kitchen again.
"Royce will be there," her mother held Rosalie's hand with firm conviction. "He did ring your father earlier. He had to take care of something first."
Anthony sauntered into the living room, to stand with mock importance beside his father. Andrew, hanging back towards the kitchen door frame, mumbled something under his breath. It sounded awfully similar to 'should've done it long before today' which Anthony answered with a low, "are you implying that the great Royce isn't all he's cracked up to be?"
"He will make it to the reception, if nothing else." George said, cutting into the twins' comments, sharing another knowing look with his wife.
Rosalie's eyes narrowed in suspicion. She looked briefly between her parents before deciding that if it were something to worry about, they would keep her informed. Rosalie supposed it was probably something to do with the bank. He had been very busy as of late to solidify the paperwork that would make him a joint owner of the family business. Rosalie nodded, mainly to herself, and her mother kissed her on the cheek.
Her father opened the front door, gesturing in front of them with a curt bow as his wife and daughter headed to their family car.
.x.
The drive to the church was short, just five blocks away. Everyone was relatively quiet; the air with heavy with things that were clearly unsaid and Rosalie grew more and more suspicious. Any time Rosalie opened her mouth to speak, her mother or father would interject with inane small talk- comments on the weather or new clients at her father's work. Rosalie grew irritated at their obvious attempts to avoid speaking with her; she crossed her arms and glowered as she looked out the passenger side back seat window.
Andrew and Anthony, shoved into the remaining back seats, shoved playfully at each other- which tested Rosalie's nerves. Any time their play fight so much as touched Rosalie on the drive, she gave them a fierce glower that would shock the boys into stunned stillness for a moment before they resumed their banter.
They arrived at the church, her father letting Rosalie and her mother out at the front before finding a place to park, keeping the boys in the car with him. At the threshold of the church, Lillian paused to wait for her husband. Rosalie smiled, kissing her mother's cheek before she went inside the chapel to help Vera with her last minute things.
As she walked down the aisle of the mostly empty church, she spotted a family among the sparse guests that had arrived early. It was the family that she hadn't seen since her first date with Royce in the park.
The three of them, dressed in their Sunday best, looked unreal. The man and teenage son both were dressed in sharp black suits that contrasted starkly with their pale features. The woman, with her lovely caramel curls pinned back from her face, was dressed in a lovely green lace dress. Her matching hat hid her features as she turned to speak with her husband quietly.
"I take it you haven't seen the Cullens before, have you? I thought the Hales knew everyone. Dr. and Mrs. Cullen and their adopted son, Edward."
Rosalie jumped, unaware that there had been anyone behind her. She turned to see Vera's father in his handsome suit. He continued, as if she hadn't reacted. "Rumor has it that both his parents passed in that flu back in '18 that took my lovely wife. Left him an orphan as just a little toddler."
"How sad," I remarked, studying Edward's face. The frown on his face was odd, almost like he could hear them even though he was all the way at the back pew of the church. As soon as Rosalie had thought such a thing, though, he adjusted his face to be a mask of impassability. Rosalie frowned.
"Isn't it though?" Vera's father continued. "I know Helen would have given anything to be here today. Dr. Cullen did his best though."
"Dr. Cullen?" Rosalie asked surprised. The man looked no more than thirty, yet, here Vera's father claimed he had treated Vera's mother almost fifteen years prior.
"Strange, isn't it? We were still living back in Chicago. Vera was only three at the time. Dr. Cullen treated Helen, but he looks as though the past decade and a half have meant nothing to him. Hasn't aged a day. Guess doctors really do know what's best. "
"Odd. Impressive genes," Rosalie muttered in reply.
Just then, Edward frowned and whispered tersely to his father. Dr. Cullen nodded stiffly, murmuring something in reply before the three of them shared a nod and a look.
Edward turned with a deep frown to look at Rosalie with an unabashed look of judgmental contemplation. Rosalie returned his frown with equal vigor- what was he looking at her like that for?
Carlisle placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, whispering something low into his son's ear. Edward shook his head, maintaining eye contact with Rosalie, his brow still furrowed in disapproval. Rosalie couldn't help but narrow her eyes as irritation bubbled inside of her. Edward rolled his eyes, looking away as though already bored of anything Rosalie could possibly do or say. Rosalie's mouth dropped as anger started to fester inside her.
"Anyways, that's enough of that. It's good to see you Rosalie." They nodded at each other with bright smiles. Vera's father gently placed a hand on Rosalie's shoulder. "I think Vera could use your help, though. She's in the dressing room. Third door on the left."
Rosalie nodded again, uttering a soft thanks, before continuing on to her friend's bridal suite.
Vera was in her dressing room, standing in front of a large vanity, trimmed with bright lights. Always having been a plainly pretty girl, Vera looked understated yet stunning. Her brunette hair pinned up sleekly and away from her mousey features, which were still without makeup.
Her gown was a filmy form fitting waterfall, hugging her petite frame before the train spilled out behind her. The neckline draped just low enough to expose her collarbone, and the chiffon fabric at her shoulders draped over her sleeveless arms. The gauzy material was simple and elegant, highlighting her unpretentious beauty.
"Oh Rosalie!" Vera squealed, pulling up her dress and running towards her friend before pulling her into a tight hug. "You look gorgeous!"
"I could say the same thing about you Vera," Rosalie returned her hug with equal vigor. "You make a lovely bride."
Vera blushed, her bare face turning a deep red. "Thank you," she twisted her hands, thumbs wringing. "Actually, I was waiting for you. Would you mind putting just a touch of makeup on me? I don't normally use it and I didn't want to look silly by doing it myself."
Rosalie nodded, "Oh course," before the pair moved to sit back at the vanity where a small collection of rouge, powders, and pomades were waiting.
Rosalie carefully uncapped the liner, brushing softly at Vera's thin eyebrows. She reminded her to stay still multiple times, as Vera kept fidgeting in excitement multiple times. Once she applied the last touches of rouge to Vera's cheeks and mascara to her lashes, replaced the caps back on the products before turning Vera to look back at her reflection.
"My goodness," Vera gasped, she touched her blushing cheeks hesitantly, not wanting to smear her friend's handiwork. "I… wow... It's just enough. Thank you so much."
Rosalie's heart warmed at the genuine joy on her friend's face.
"What are best friends for?" she muttered softly, touching Vera's powdered face lovingly.
A sudden knock came from the door, as Vera's father peaked around the frame. "I hate to interrupt, but we are getting a bit short on time."
He looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with emotion. "You look absolutely beautiful darling."
Vera walked to him, giving her father an enormous hug. "Thank you," she whispered.
Rosalie gave them their distance, standing by the vanity and collected the makeup into a small bag she had found by Vera's things. The father and daughter shared teary, private words that Rosalie couldn't hear, nor did she want to. She saw Vera's father kiss Vera on her cheek before wiping at his eyes. He cleared his throat gruffly.
"Are you ready, Vera?" Rosalie asked, pretending as though she hadn't seen any of the exchange.
"Beyond so." Vera took her father's outstretched arm and laced her fingers just above his forearm. Rosalie, as the only bridesmaid, followed them out of the room.
The doors to the chapel that Rosalie had arrived through before were now closed. The soft melodic sounds of the pipe organ could be heard now, playing the ever familiar Ave Maria over the gentle swell of conversation from the congregation.
Vera, her father, and Rosalie walked the opposite direction down a long hallway and outside. As Vera clutched her father's arm in one hand and her bridal bouquet of white roses and lavender in the other, she took a deep steadying breath. They rounded the church building and stood outside the front door that would lead directly to the chapel. Rosalie could see her friend was practically bouncing with excitement.
Pachelbel's Canon in D minor echoed through the door. The church steward opened the door and the congregation rose, all looking back to the bright sunlight that streamed in from behind Rosalie, hiding the bride behind her.
Rosalie clutched her bouquet in a tight grip as she made her way down the aisle. Eyes followed her, as she met each of them with a smooth nod. She saw the Cullens still in their spot in the back row, her parents not sitting too far away from them. Royce, she noted as she met eyes with every person in the small crowd, was not there. She sighed in minor disappointment, but she trusted her father's judgement in that she would see her beau at the reception.
At the end of the aisle, at the altar, waited Benjamin and his best man along with the officiant. With no other bridesmaids or groomsmen, Rosalie shook her head to herself. This wasn't anything like the wedding she knew she would be having soon. The church wasn't even full; the decorations were sparse, the lilac and white satin sashes that adorned either side of the aisle were tasteful and modest. The epitome of her sweet best friend.
She heard the whispers of the congregation as the bride entered the room; everyone's gaze left Rosalie to fawn over Vera. Rosalie carefully lifted the hem of her dress to climb the double steps leading to the altar. She moved to stand opposite of the best man and watched her best friend walk down the aisle with such pride she thought her heart might burst. The security of her relationship with Royce made her nothing but happy for Vera. She breathed deeply, thankful for the perfection of her life.
Vera's father brought the pair to a stop in front of the alter. Benjamin, all freckles and nerves, subtly wiped his hands on his pants before reaching for his fiancée's hand. Vera giggled quietly in response, placing her hand in his as they turned to the officiant.
Benjamin and Vera positioned themselves so that they were facing forward, but they couldn't seem to look away from each other's eyes. The words of the minister mumbled on in a distant echo to the pair. Just as the rest of the ceremony had been, the kind words that were shared about the couple were short and sweet. Neither bride or groom were one for flashy displays of affection. Before long, they had already reached their traditional vows.
"Do you each have your rings?" the minister asked. Instead of opting for a ring bearer, Benjamin pulled both rings from a velveteen pouch in his pocket. He beamed lopsidedly, the creases on either side of his eyes scrunched as he chuckled nervously to himself. He gave his ring to Vera, almost dropping it in the process.
Vera grinned, holding in her own laughter. She slowly slid Benjamin's ring on his finger as she happily proclaimed, "With this ring, I thee wed." Benjamin nodded, clearing his throat in order to speak properly.
He slid Vera's ring onto her finger as he echoed her saying simply, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Rosalie couldn't help but stare, chin down to hide her gaze. Her eyes burned with tears as the pair continued their sweet vows. Their declarations of love burned into her heart as it twisted into a spark of jealousy once more. She hastily wiped a tear away before anyone could see. Mentally, she hummed her mantra of reassurance that Royce would give her all these things and more.
Losing herself in her numbness, she was shaken from her stupor when the minister loudly proclaimed the pair husband and wife.
"You may now kiss the bride!" His voice echoed through the building. Benjamin brought his hand tenderly under her chin, bringing his lips to Vera's with undemanding adoration. Vera returned his sweet kiss, holding him by the front of his suit to deepen it. They rested their foreheads against each other's and beamed with the sure happiness that only true love could provide.
.x.
The reception was in a smaller building to the side of the church.
Like the ceremony, the simple lilac and white decorations were here too. A dance floor graced the center of the room, on a platform above it was a grand piano. About two dozen round tables and each were decorated in the dim light with purple table cloth and pretty sliver center pieces. Tables of catering and potluck were in the corner at the front of the room. There, Benjamin and Vera's small private table stood. The pair was already seated, looking at everyone filing into the reception. Rosalie couldn't help but notice how odd it was that the pair did not want a grand entrance, but she supposed that knowing the bride and groom, it just made sense.
"Congratulations," Rosalie grinned, holding her hand out for Vera's over the table. Vera instead scurried around the table to envelop her in an deep hug.
"Thank you," Vera replied, and Rosalie returned her hug before letting go and stepping back. Looking at her, Rosalie frowned as she wiped away the mascara tracks on Vera's face. Rosalie gave her friend a tense look.
"You know you're not supposed to be crying on your wedding day," Rosalie shot a venomous look at Benjamin, to which his eyes bulged in fear. He rose his hands up in surrender.
"It doesn't count. It's only happy tears, I assure you!" Vera shook her head as she looked playfully between her best friend and her new husband.
"It better be," Rosalie pursed her lips, shooting one more threatening look at Benjamin. He only laughed again in response.
"Actually, Rosalie," Benjamin said casually, albeit awkwardly. He shifted uncomfortably as he stood to mirror his wife in front of their reception table. Rosalie raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. Benjamin took this as a sign to continue. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you. You know, you made Vera very happy by doing this for her- being her maid of honor. You are such a great friend to her; I really appreciate that."
"Oh it was really nothing. Of course I would be here for her," she replied, brushing off the sentiment. To avoid any other uncomfortable talk of sentimentality, Rosalie abruptly bade the two goodbye as she left in search of her parents.
Suddenly, she felt a sure and firm grip her waist.
"Why, hello," a deep voice, thick with a New York accent sent chills up Rosalie's spine, as he moved his possessive hand to her lower back.
She tensed for only a moment before she turned to come face to face with her beloved.
"Hello Royce," she flashed him a flirtatious glance, "I missed you." With that, she placed her hand behind his neck to bring him down for a short kiss. He returned it gruffly, with a little more eagerness than was perhaps permissible in public. Rosalie pulled away and he captured her lips in one more quick peck. Rosalie pushed his chest away softly. "You know your sudden disappearance worried me."
He smirked, very sure of himself. "I'm really very sorry. I'm here now though; am I forgiven?"
"As long as you promise not to it again," she responded jokingly, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him.
"Of course I promise," he scoffed. He took her hand to lead her to the table with her parents.
As the reception continued, everyone watched as Vera and Benjamin fed each other cake. Benjamin bashfully took Vera's garter off her thigh and flung it into the crowd of awaiting men, which the best man caught. Vera threw her bouquet in to the gathering of women, which landed dramatically into Rosalie's hands. She shared a knowing look with Vera before brandishing the bouquet proudly.
Rosalie watched as Benjamin led Vera to the dance floor. The grand piano tinkled out the first few notes to a classical piece Rosalie recognized. Of course, with no singer- although Rosalie had insisted upon hiring a jazz singer, but Vera vehemently refused- Vera would opt for a lovely classical piece such as this. Clair de Lune. She sighed as the lovely notes relaxed her.
As the couple's first dance came to a close, a gentle applause surrounded them. A wordless jazz piece began and Royce leaned over to kiss Rosalie on the shoulder.
"Would you care to join me for a dance?" Royce whispered into her ear, tilting his head to kiss her neck. She turned and he held out his hand for her. She nodded, placing her hand in his as he led Rosalie expertly onto the dance floor.
"Have I mentioned today how utterly exquisite you look?" His half-lidded eyes smouldered down at her and she shivered violently. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you," she replied politely, but looked away from his intense gaze.
"Hey," he murmured, begging her attention back to him. She couldn't help but look back to his bright eyes.
Time stopped for a moment as Royce King looked down at her. He smirked, staring at her with the same intensity that had made her look away before. Now, however, she maintained his gaze in a sort of challenge. She noticed something in his pale blue eyes, some emotion in them that she had never seen in them before. It looked like nervousness, maybe even some uncertainty. Rosalie was absolutely at a loss for words. Why on earth would he be nervous now?
Before Rosalie could make any conclusion, he took her hands from behind his neck, maintaining his grip on one of them. "Follow me," he said suddenly, practically dragging her to the stage beside the piano.
"Might I have the microphone for one quick moment, please?" Royce asked the pianist.
The man nodded, gesturing towards the microphone, sitting back and abruptly stopping the music. Everyone on the dance floor turned to stare- first at Royce, then at Rosalie, who's mouth had fallen open in shock. Her fists clenched; though she loved being the center of the room, she was sure now was not the time or the place. She watched her love cautiously, unsure of what he was planning.
Royce took the microphone off the stand, twirling it around pretentiously. He tapped the speaker twice before he spoke, "Good evening, everyone. I'm sorry to interrupt everything, but there's something I must do at this very moment. I couldn't think of a place to do this properly, but I figured what better place than in front of all my Rose's friends and family."
Rosalie cocked her head in confusion, her brow furrowed and her hands half raised as if to stop him. He turned to her, noting her confusion with a low chuckle into the microphone. Without another word, Royce King II knelt down onto one knee.
Rosalie's mouth popped open into a soft, shocked "Oh my."
He dug into his jacket pocket for just a moment before bestowing a red velvet ring box in his hand. He opened it, revealing a massive cluster of beautiful diamonds. Her eyes fell on the band poking out from the velvet cushion- even the band was made out of diamonds. It was easily the most ostentatious, most expensive thing she had ever seen, but she loved it.
Her wide blue eyes met his and he cleared his throat as he spoke into the microphone, "My loveliest Rose. My beautiful, lovely Rosalie. I'm sure you'd like a long declaration of my love, but honestly, let's cut to the chase, and not waste all these lovely people's time. At least half of them have been expecting this. So, that being said, Rosalie Hale, would you marry me?"
For on shining second, Rosalie saw her future in Royce's pale eyes. The two of them, living extravagant lives in the largest estate in Rochester. Their fair-haired children with their bright blue eyes playing on the lawn. Neither her, nor her future children, would want for anything for the rest of their lives. Her heart raced as the vision before her. This was her perfect, fairy-tale ending.
She felt nothing but happiness radiating throughout her entire being. Unable to form the right words, she leaned down to him and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. The crowd applauded and cheered.
He stood, not breaking the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist. He lifted her up, swinging her around in a circle.
Sitting her down, he placed the effervescent ring on her left ring finger. She smiled as she wiped away a happy tear that trickled down her cheek. Her life was perfect, the last piece was falling into place. She cupped her left hand to her chest as her tears flowed freely.