Rosalie

"One more deer," Alice pleaded. "Come on Rose. You know you need it."

I glared at Alice before sprinting off in the direction of the herd of deer. I had allowed Alice to drag me hunting, along with Emmett and Jasper, while Bella got ready for our impromptu trip. Alice insisted Bella would be fine. After she finished, she would spend some time bonding with Esme. It was something both Bella and Esme needed. Bella never had a real mother to take care of her and Esme loved having a child to care for, especially a human child.

Despite knowing that Bella would be fine it still set me on edge being away from her. The anxiety I felt from the separation hadn't changed since the night I saved Bella in Port Angeles. Honestly, I wasn't sure if it would ever go away. At least not while she was still human.

I threw the second, and final, deer carcass away. I was done hunting whether Alice agreed or not. It was stupid. Even if I wasn't fully sated, I would never hurt Bella. It wasn't possible. The other humans would be safe simply because I had Bella with me. I would never put her at risk.

I smelled Alice long before I saw her. I wasn't sure if she was keeping tabs on me so I wouldn't sneak back to the house. It was pointless. She would see as soon as I made the decision to go back.

"You better not be here to try to convince me to hunt some more," I warned.

Alice laughed. "No. I wanted to see if you're ready to go back. The guys are on their way back already."

"Yes, I'm ready," I said standing. I dusted off my jeans. I was more than ready to see my mate. "Alice, how is she?"

"She'll be fine Rose. She's stronger than you think," Alice answered. Alice sighed. She knew that wasn't the answer I was looking for. "She's tired, more so then usual. Jasper said her emotions are all over the place. She's scared, mostly for you, even though she knows it's foolish."

We walked back to the house so we could continue our conversation. "Do you think I made a mistake telling her my story?" I asked. I was putting her through so much pain since I told her about me.

"No," Alice answered honestly. "I know she's struggling now but she'll be fine. She loves you. She worries about you, just as you worry about her. Give her some time."

I could hear Esme and Bella talking long before I saw the two. Bella was laughing at a story Esme was telling her about Emmett and Jasper wreaking havoc. I could feel the tension in my shoulders fade away the closer we got to the house.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Alice commented. I frowned at her. "How quickly all your troubles seem to fade away when you're near your mate."

"How…" I started. It seemed like Alice was channeling Jasper's power. I really hoped that wasn't true. Alice as an empath would be even more insufferable.

"I don't need Jasper's gift," Alice laughed. "I know you. I can see how much more relaxed you are now that you can hear her."

"Is it like that for you two?" I asked curious.

"In the beginning, for Jasper at least," Alice admitted. "He was so used to war that he feared anyone that approached me meant to harm me. I didn't have an issue because of my gift. I saw our future and never once has it changed." She looked at me. "Come on, let's go see your mate. We have shopping to do."

I sighed. Leave it to Alice to ruin a perfectly good bonding moment with mentions of shopping. I followed Alice inside. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Bella's eyes were on me. Bella tried to get up to come to me but before she could stand, I was by her side. I buried my nose into her hair, inhaling her scent. I know eventually the separation would get easier but right now it felt like torture.

I held Bella in my arms. The bowl of fruit she was eating was forgotten on the table. Esme seemed to realize the food would no longer hold her attention as she grabbed the bowl, wrapped it up and placed it back in the fridge.

Bella touched my face. "You look better," she noted. I cocked my head to the side in confusion. "Before, your eyes were dark and you were getting bruises under your eyes. Now your eyes are bright gold and the bruises are gone." She frowned. "Your hunting trip last night was cut short…it was my fault."

I cupped her cheek and wiped away the tears that fell. "It's never your fault," I assured her.

"Let's go, let's go," Alice exclaimed. Emmett, Jasper and Edward came into the kitchen at that moment.

Bella sighed. "I regret this already," she muttered.

I laughed and held her close. Alice glared at the both of us. Bella tensed up slightly but I rolled my eyes at Alice. She was always so dramatic, especially when it came to shopping. Edward laughed, hearing my thoughts.

"You kids have fun," Esme said. She turned her attention to Alice. "Bella is only human and her father is the Police Chief," she warned. "I better not get any calls about you all in jail. Do you understand?"

I rolled my eyes. Like I would ever let Bella get arrested, or jeopardize her in any way. Then again this was a good warning for Alice. Whether or not she listened was another story. "Yes Mom," Alice agreed. I frowned. She looked ready to argue but seemed to change her mind at the last minute.

"She had a vision of Emmett and Bella getting arrested," Edward muttered to me. "She's adjusting her plans now."

My eyes narrowed at Emmett. My arms tightened around Bella and I growled at Emmett. Emmett held up his hands. "I haven't done anything yet," he protested.

"What's going on?" Bella asked, having not heard what Edward had said about Alice's vision.

"Alice had a vision that you and Emmett got arrested," I explained. Bella's eyes widened. "I imagine it was something Emmett did."

Bella touched my cheek. "Stop glaring at him. Nothing has happened yet," she said.

I glanced at Edward and Jasper. They both nodded. "Yes, we'll keep Emmett out of trouble," Jasper said for Bella's benefit. "Not that it's needed. Alice will be able to tell if he's going to get in trouble."

"Emmett, I swear to god," I started.

Bella hit my arm. I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't felt her warm skin on my arm. "Stop trying to punish him for something that hasn't happened yet," she said with a small glare.

She was about as scary as a baby. Not that I would ever tell her that. She would probably hurt herself even more. Edward smiled slightly. I'm glad my thoughts were amusing. His smile widened. "Fine," I told her.

I led her out to my car, after glaring at Emmett one last time. Bella and Emmett were riding with me while Alice and Jasper were going with Edward. Alice had originally wanted Emmett to take his Jeep so we have more room for our things but Jasper managed to talk to her out of it.

"I won't do anything Rose," Emmett said as he climbed into the backseat.

"You better not," I warned.

The drive was quick thanks to me and Edward. Nothing beat a fast car. Especially in a small town like Forks. The mind reading brother and future seeing sister was also a perk. Because of them we never got speeding tickets. Well, except for Emmett. But he had a habit of not listening to Alice.

Bella squeezed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at her. "Are you okay?" I asked. Did she not want to go after all? If she changed her mind, it wouldn't bother me. I was more than willing to stay at the house with her.

"I'm fine," she said. "You got super quiet. I thought maybe something was wrong with you."

I shook my head. "No. I was just thinking about when Emmett got a speeding ticket because he was too stubborn to listen to Alice."

"Hey," Emmett protested while Bella laughed.

"It's your own fault," I told him. "You were so convinced it would be one time when Alice was wrong."

"Yeah, yeah. Stupid future seeing sister," he grumbled. It was so low I doubt Bella heard it.

A few minutes later Edward pulled into a parking lot. I quickly followed and pulled into the spot right next to him. Alice was bouncing up and down before Bella and I got out of the car. Nothing excited Alice like a shopping trip. I already felt bad for my mate.

I pulled Bella into my arms and rested my chin on the top of her head. "Are you ready for this?" I asked her.

"Not even close," she muttered. "I'm not going to get out buying clothes, am I?"

"Probably not," I laughed. I took her hand and we followed Alice to the first store.

"How am I going to explain this to Charlie?" she questioned. "Not to mention, I don't have room for the amount of clothes I'm sure Alice will buy me."

"Keep them at our house," I suggested. The idea of Bella having clothes at my house… in my room was more appealing than I expected. "This way you won't have to pack every time you visit."

"That would work," Bella admitted, though I could tell it pained her to do so. She must have assumed Alice would buy more clothes if she knew she would have the space.

"We have to stay in here for at least an hour," Alice declared as soon as we stepped inside the store. "The sun will be coming out in five minutes and will stay out for an hour. After that it will get cloudy for the rest of the day." She frowned. "We need to get Bella a jacket or she'll be too cold."

"Why don't you start picking out clothes and I'll take Bella to find a jacket?" I suggested. At least this way Bella would have one thing she actually wanted.

Alice silently debated my suggestion. "Fine. Twenty minutes. I'll meet you guys at the changing rooms."

"Twenty minutes to find a jacket," Bella muttered as I pulled her away from my siblings.

"Just be grateful she gave us that much time," I told her. I dragged her over to the jacket section and let her pick what she wanted.

Bella browsed through the many racks, trying to find something she liked. Once in a while she would pick something up, look at the price tag, and put it back. After the third time I rolled my eyes. Bella noticed. "What?" she asked.

"Stop checking the price tags," I told her. "You already know we're going to be spending outrageous amounts of money today. Find something you like, something you will wear."

I could see Bella wanted to argue. Her jaw was clenched and I was afraid Bella would end up hurting herself. Her jaw relaxed and shoulders slumped. "Fine," she said. She searched the racks again and pulled a few nice jackets off. They were all nice and rather expensive. "What do you think?" she asked me.

The three choices were similar. One was a wool coat, the other was a fake leather and the last was another wool coat that was longer than the other. I studied the choices. "That one," I said picking out the first wool coat she picked out. It would be nice and warm for her and it was a nicer than most of her coats so she could wear it in fancier settings, should she choose to attend.

Bella put the other two back. "Okay, let's go," Bella said. She turned and walked to the nearest cash register.

I grabbed her hand before she could go anywhere. "What's wrong?" I asked her. "Are you mad at me?"

Bella turned around to face me. She sighed. "No, I'm not mad," she said. "You know I hate using your money. I just realized there was no way to get around it."

I pulled her into my arms. "I know you hate taking our money and I know it will be hard, if not impossible to change." I paused. "I want you to be happy Bella and I want you to have everything you could possibly want. I'm sorry if I seem pushy."

Bella kissed my cheek. "Thanks Rose," she said gently.

I paid for Bella's coat and she carefully took off the tags and put it on. "Are you cold already?"

"A little," Bella admitted. "It's not bad though. I'll probably be too warm soon."

"We better go meet Alice before she tears apart the store looking for us," I told her.

Bella took my hand and we made our way through the many aisles of clothes. "Do you know where she is?" Bella questioned. I watched her look around as if she were trying to see Alice.

"Yes," I answered. "I can hear her. She's by the changing rooms, impatiently waiting for us to arrive."

Alice grumbled under her breath and I grinned. "Where's Emmett, Edward and Jasper?" Bella wondered. "Are they waiting for us too?"

I laughed. "No. They're doing their own shopping. They know better than to stay with Alice while she shops. Well except Jasper usually. He's the only one that tolerates her shopping trips."

"I like spending time with Alice. Not shopping," Jasper clarified from across the store.

I shook my head. "Jasper wants it mentioned that he likes spending time with Alice. He does not like shopping."

Bella was still laughing when we got to the changing room where Alice was waiting. Her arms were full clothes and she was glaring at the both of us. Bella looked a little nervous. I put my hard on her shoulder and ignored Alice. Alice thrust the pile of clothes into Bella's hands and pushed her toward the changing room. "Alice," I growled in warning.

"Sorry," Alice said softly. "I made sure to pick out things I knew Bella would like. And I'll let her decide which of these items she'll buy."

I sighed. I was being far to hard on Alice. As much as Bella hated shopping, she couldn't deny she needed new clothes. If Alice was willing to cater to Bella's style then there was no reason this trip couldn't be productive. I may need to remind Bella of that.

"It's starting to get cold outside," I muttered. I listened to Bella stumbling around in the changing room. I always had an ear out for her, no matter where she was. It wasn't about invading her privacy, I was careful to avoid that, it was about keeping her safe, even from herself.

"Different shop," Alice told her. "I don't like the selection here and other than the jacket you bought her, she won't either."

"And how are we explaining all of this to Charlie?" I asked raising an eyebrow at my sister. I already knew she had a plan. She didn't do anything without a plan. But I wanted to know the plan.

"The truth," Alice answered. "Well, mostly the truth. Not all of these clothes are going home with her. Just the winter stuff. Charlie will be grateful because he can't afford to supplement her wardrobe. He won't say it of course but he'll be grateful nevertheless. Which is why the rest of the clothes will stay at our house."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you Alice," I said gratefully.

"I know I go overboard," Alice started. "But I also know if I push too hard, I'll drive Bella away. I don't want to do that. So, I'm trying to calm down a bit. Even if it is difficult."

"I appreciate it," I told her. After half a century it was crazy to see her admitting things now. "But you really need to talk to Bella."

"I will, later," Alice promised.

"Hey Rose, I found something Bella might like," Edward called from across the store.

"What is it?" I asked. I glanced at Alice and she nodded. Whatever it was that Edward found, Bella would like.

"Back when Bella and I were… talking," Edward started. I frowned but didn't comment. "We learned we shared a love for Claire de Lune. I found a shirt I think she'll like. It's nothing fancy. Just a t-shirt that says Claire de Lune in a circle with an ocean and a moon."

I wasn't entirely sure if Bella would like it but I trusted Edward. It would be a good way for Bella and Edward to bond. "Get it," I told him.

"What size?" he asked. I could hear checking the different sizes of t-shirts.

"Small," I answered.

"She's coming out," Alice muttered.

Sure enough, less than a minute later Bella stepped out of the changing room with the pile of clothes in her hands. I was a little bummed I didn't get to see them on her but it wasn't a big deal. I would see them sooner or later.

Alice took the pile from her hands. Alice knew exactly what Bella wanted to do with them but I didn't. "Did you find anything?" I asked her.

"Yeah, all these," Bella said gesturing to the pile in Alice's hands. "I left the ones I didn't like in the changing room.

I was surprised Bella picked out an entire pile of clothes. It wasn't a whole lot compared to our normal shopping but to Bella it was a lot. "That's great," I told her. I hugged her. I saw her shirt tag sticking out and reached over to fix it.

"It's not too much is it?" Bella asked concerned.

"Not at all," Alice said. "This is perfect. Come on. We're meeting the boys at the register."

Bella frowned. "We're done already? You two didn't get anything."

Alice shrugged. "There are always more stores. This was about you. Besides, the boys found some clothes."

"You didn't mention Edward," I whispered so Bella wouldn't hear.

"You didn't say anything either," Alice pointed out. We walked toward the cash register where Edward, Jasper and Emmett were waiting. They had already paid for their things. "Edward wants to surprise her with the shirt."

I didn't comment. I knew, deep down, that this was a way for Edward to try and make up for what he'd done to Bella. And he deserved a chance to do that. They would never be anything more than friends but I think a friendship between them would be good for the both of them.

"Thanks Rose," Edward muttered as we approached the boys. I nodded at him.

While Alice paid for Bella's new clothes, Edward carefully approached Bella. "Bella," he said softly. Bella looked up at the sound of his voice. I felt her tense slightly beside me. "Sorry. I…uh… I found something for you."

I watched Edward walk over to Bella hand over one of his shopping bags. I'd never seen him so hesitant, afraid that his gift, no his offer of friendship, would be rejected. Because that's what this was to him. This was his attempt to re-establish their budding friendship. This time with no romance.

Edward glanced at me but didn't say anything. I could tell by the look in his eyes that I was right. Bella took the bag and carefully opened it. She pulled out the shirt Edward picked out for her. Her eyes widened the sight of the Claire de Lune shirt. "Edward," she breathed. "How… you remembered."

Edward laughed. "We have perfect memories Bella," he reminded her gently.

Bella gently stroked the fabric. "Thank you Edward," Bella said gratefully. She loved the shirt. I could tell by the look on her face.

"Come on," Alice said holding all of Bella's shopping bags. "Time for the next stop."