Toxic Rose
Chapter 25: The Noose Tightens
A/N: Finally updated, right? I had a good chunk of this chapter sitting on my laptop since February. I know, seems like ages ago. I just had a hard time finding the will to write it. But I finally managed to do it. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long.
The alarm went off and Bella rolled over with a groan, slamming it off and looking at it with bleary eyes. Ugh, school. Who could even think of it right now. After all that happened Bella wanted to lie in bed and sleep until every last problem went away. But she couldn't do that. Today was the last Tuesday of school before it was winter break. Bella couldn't believe how quickly time had gone by. Already it had been four to five weeks of her and Rosalie dating. Did they get gifts for each other for Christmas? Would the blonde like that?
Bella pulled herself out of her bed and got dressed, going to the bathroom to wash up and get the grogginess out of her body. When she had finished and just gotten around to making and finish eating breakfast, there was a honk outside her door. She knew that the only one who could be honking their car at this hour was Rosalie. Bella quickly cleaned up her plates and grabbed her school stuff, opening up the door to see the blonde's red Mustang in her driveway. She crossed the snow covered ground to get to the car, opening up the passenger door and sliding in. "How come you're picking me up today?" Bella asked the blonde as she buckled up, the aforementioned blonde putting the car into reverse and backing out of the driveway.
"Not even a good morning?" Rosalie teased, shifting the car into forward gear and taking the snow covered road at a reasonable pace.
"Uh, sorry," Bella blushed at this. "I was just wondering...because I thought we were supposed to stay apart from one another so that Jake wouldn't..." Bella trailed off at this, not wanting to elaborate and bring back the maelstrom of emotions that thinking about her sick friend brought her.
Rosalie's hands tightened on the wheel but her voice was even. "I know that we aren't supposed to stick close together because of how he could hurt you as leverage to get to me. And although he is in the hospital and won't be leaving for a while...I still don't like the idea of not being able to pick you up to school and dropping you off. I want to make sure you're safe at least during these times because he could get it into his head to escape the hospital and come hurt you or something..." the blonde bit her lip as she worried at this idea. She didn't want to risk Bella getting hurt again, like she had last time. Rosalie would never forgive Jake for daring to touch her girlfriend. "And I also want to see you." Rosalie added at the end, noting the worried look on the brunette's face. Bella was probably worked up over all of this and Rosalie wasn't helping by saying such negative things and worrying her more.
Bella seemed to brighten up at Rosalie's comment and so the blonde wanted to say more to make the other happier. But what? An idea flashed in her head, half formed and before she could think more about it she blurted it out, suddenly wanting it become a reality. "Bella, why don't you come with me and the family to our winter resort."
"What?" Bella did a double take at this and Rosalie internally cringed at speaking without thinking things over. Was this a step too far for them in terms of their relationship? Did Bella not feel comfortable enough with staying Rosalie for a full three days? "You have a family resort?" Oh. Was that what had tripped Bella up? Rosalie scoffed at herself. Really, she was overthinking things regarding Bella. Again.
"Yes. It's up in the mountains here, not too far away. Every year the family goes up around Christmas to it. We stay there for a week or two before we have to head back home. We own all the land and there's some nice forests to hike in, some snow mobiles to drive around in. Snowboarding, skiing, any snow related sport, you can probably do it there." When Rosalie recalled that Bella wasn't much into sports she added, "it's also got a great view of nature from inside the log cabin. And if you don't want to go out we have a nice library there. You can read books all day and sit by the fireplace if you want."
"And you want me to come?" Bella was a little taken aback. "Isn't this something special for your family and you? Are you sure I should be intruding on this? I'm just a stranger-"
"Don't be ridiculous," Rosalie scoffed. "Everyone in the family knows you by now. And you're pretty close with Emmett and Carlisle. I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind you arriving and hanging out with us."
Bella was quiet as she thought this over. Should she go with Rosalie? The thought of the two girls being able to spend time together greatly appealed to her but there was Alice to regard once more. The two of them had been at odds since forever and she didn't know if the pixie wasn't going to try to antagonize Bella like she did last time.
"What's got you worried?" Rosalie asked, noting Bella's look of deep concentration. Bella opened her mouth to argue against this but Rosalie cut her off. "You're forehead is so wrinkled up that it looks like a wizened prune. So, out with it."
Bella didn't like the imagery of her forehead as a prune and she didn't want to tell Rosalie what had her distressed but she supposed it was best to do so otherwise she could risk the blonde thinking Bella didn't want to spend time with her. "It's Alice. I'm concerned that she'll want to bother us the whole time we're there. That she will make it unpleasant for us."
Rosalie let out an angry tch. "Don't worry. We won't have to see her around if we don't want to. The place is huge and Alice is rarely indoors as she's too excited to stay there because she's off running around doing this thing or that thing. And if she does bother you then just tell me and I'll stop her." When Bella shot a worried look at this Rosalie hastily added, "without brute force of course, just words."
The blonde's reassuring worked to soothe Bella's worries for a bit but another one rose. "And when do you guys leave for the vacation?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?" Bella squeaked out. "Charlie won't let me go on such short notice. And I have to pack too!"
"I'm sure Charlie will let you go. Just tell him it was Alice's idea. He can never say no to her. And if you want help packing I can come over later at night and do it. Bella, I want to spend time with you. Somewhere where our problems cannot find us. Like a romantic getaway."
Bella sighed and rubbed her forehead, which was wrinkling up again, as she thought about just how exactly she could convince her father to let her go on such short notice. She badly wanted to go on a getaway with Rosalie too. A secluded world from real life and from all the issues that weighed heavily upon the brunette's mind. "Alright. I'll talk to him."
"Good. Carlisle already made the arrangements for you to join in case you wanted to. He'll be glad to see you." Rosalie smiled to cover up her white lie, taking one hand off the wheel so she could hold Bella's in hers. And now Rosalie would convince her father to let Bella join as well, not feeling the urge to tell the other girl that Carlisle in no way had actually done that but wanting to guilt Bella into feeling the need to come on this trip even more.
By some miracle or another, Charlie agreed to let Bella join the Cullen's on their annual vacation but only for three days. After that she was to come down to Forks so as to spend Christmas Eve with him. Bella was overjoyed that her father said yes, and so easily. She chalked it up to an early Christmas miracle and perhaps the fact that so many stressful things had occurred that he simply wanted Bella to be able to relax from them. It also helped that Bella had lied and said Rosalie was going to some warm tropical country during her vacation, not wanting to be stuck on the trip if Bella was coming along with Alice.
So with her father's permission to leave, Bella began to pack up essentials for the trip. Rosalie swung by at two in the morning, coming to help the brunette pack up like she promised she would. "We're heading out early," the blonde informed the other as she folded up a pair of Bella's shirts. "So set your alarm for six in the morning and drive over to our house in your truck. From there you'll be driving in Emmett's jeep."
"Why with Emmett?" Bella asked as she picked up her makeup bag and placed it next to her bag of underwear and socks for the trip. Most of her suitcase space was going to be taken up by her winter clothing.
"Well you can't drive in my car- the other Cullen's would think it weird for us to be in the same space. Only Carlisle and Alice know of us dating. And since you don't get along well with Alice anymore, she'll be driving up in her Beetle with Jasper, whereas I'll be carpooling with Edward, and Esme and Carlisle will take the Honda civic. So that leaves you to take a ride with Emmett."
"I see," Bella murmured out. She liked the big guy but she would have preferred to drive with her girlfriend. Still, she supposed they would be able to hang out and do things at the resort. They would be required to maintain a level of secrecy but it was better than not being together.
Rosalie didn't stay over after she helped Bella pack up, because she needed to go pack her own things. But even then Bella couldn't sleep, feeling nervous for the upcoming trip. Should she pack some special underwear? Would they finally be able to do it on the trip? Was that why Rosalie had invited her for? Bella hoped so.
Morning arrived on a barely rested Bella and leaving a note on the counter for Charlie, she left with her suitcases in tow, taking her car to the Cullen's mansion. The families several cars were idling in the driveway as the members ran around placing last minute bags into the cars. Alice and Jasper were softly bickering over something and Bella was glad the pixie's attentions would be off of her. She didn't want to talk to her.
"Bella!" Emmett greeted loudly when he saw that Bella had arrived. He enveloped her in a big bear hug as soon as she stepped out the car. She returned the hug and he set her back down to her feet. Where she had been uncomfortable with his hugs before, she liked them now. No one else hugged like him-it made her feel like she was special; that he was overjoyed to see her, as if her appearance made some sort of improvement to his life.
"Are you excited for this trip?" he asked.
"You bet I am," she answered jovially, trying to catch a glimpse of her blonde girlfriend but only seeing Edward's idling car. She was probably already inside with Edward, waiting to leave. Bella would have to settle for being able to talk to her later.
"Let me help you with your bags," Emmett offered and Bella gave him her suitcase.
"Good morning doctor and Ms. Cullen," Bella gave a wave as she saw the married couple walking down the house steps after making sure they had locked everything up properly. Bella had never seen the Cullen kids mother before, but she was very pretty, with caramel colored hair and a heart shaped face that radiated warmth. "Good morning, Ms. Swan. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Carlisle."
Oh, had she? What exactly? Bella eyed the doctor's face for any clues as to what he could have said about her to his wife, but his kind and open face didn't belie anything. He wouldn't...tell her everything about me...surely. Doctor patient confidentiality, right?
"Good things I hope," Bella said shyly, fiddling with her jacket bottom.
Esme only smiled. "Why would there be anything bad to be said about you?"
Bella had hoped the woman would have been less vague than that, the statement leaving her scratching her head internally. She figured it was best to end this talk before it could get awkward, so she smiled and said, "I look forward to this trip." And then she marched over to Emmett's jeep where the big man was already behind the wheel.
"Don't take the back seat. Take the shotgun," Emmett patted the seat next to him when he saw Bella get into the back seat.
"Okay." She sat there instead and buckled up.
Then when everyone else had gotten into the car, the Cullen's cars drove off down the road like some sort of procession.
The drive took four hours but it didn't feel that long, with Emmett's jokes and chatter enrapturing all of Bella's attentions. When they got to the cabin, Bella was surprised how big it was. It lay on a road that was surrounded by snow, the nearest forest on the horizon. Everywhere was white, the snow clean looking and piled up high.
The house stuck out like a sore thumb, all dark and wooden and massive. When Bella had heard cabin in the woods, she had thought of a shack, but she should have know the Cullen's would have the wooden version of their mansion up here.
"Impressed?" Emmett asked in amusement and Bella realized she had ceased conversation with him as she had looked at the cabin. "Yea," she answered honestly.
He chuckled at her honesty. "Wait until you see the inside."
And the inside was just as grand if not grander inside, furnished with furniture of rich heavy brown colors and lit with old fashioned lanterns that paraded up and down the halls. The only thing that looked new was the kitchen, with stainless steel table tops and appliances.
Bella loved the place and especially the fact that the floors were heated, so when she walked on them, her feet were warm and toasty.
"Let me give you the tour of the place," Emmett suggested, grabbing Bella by the shoulders. "Mom, I'm gonna show Bella around," he called over his shoulder as his mother dragged a suitcase into the house.
"That's fine," she answered.
"Mom, that's not fair, he just wants to get out of having to bring the bags in!" Edward complained to which Emmett laughed. "You should have come up with the idea first, Eddy boy, then you wouldn't have to drag the bags in."
Then Emmett pushed Bella down the hall and gave her an enthusiastic tour. He showed Bella the kitchen, the dining room, which held a giant earthen table that reminded Bella of something straight out of medieval ages on which knights would feast on, and the private quarters. Each of the kids had their own bedroom and a bathroom to go with it. And there was a hot tub and sauna in the house as well, both of which were on the porch outside. "In case you get cold and we need to thaw you out," Emmett joked.
The next stop was the den, which was Emmett's favorite room mainly because it was a darkly lit room with a huge plasma screen TV and many gaming systems attached to it.
Lastly Emmett showed Bella to the guest room, which would be her room. It was big, with a four poster bed decked out in green. Not her favorite color but the room made up for it with the amazing view it had. It had three pane windows with a window seat for her to sit down on and enjoy the vast plain of white before her.
"This place is amazing," Bella breathed out at the end of the tour.
"I'm glad you like it," Emmett clapped her on her back. "Because we are going to be doing everything here. You're never going to sleep."
And Emmett held to his promise as much as he could. The first day he dragged Bella on everything he could. They went snow boarding, (that was a disaster, Bella could barely balance) snowmobiling, (another disaster, as she couldn't figure out how to work the turns for the longest time and would cause Emmett to be flung from where he sat on the backseat) and even roasted marshmallows in the cabin's fireplace (that she could do). And at around dinner time all the Cullen's got together and had a huge snowball fight. It was Bella, Emmett, Rosalie and Carlisle, against Alice, Jasper, Esme and Edward.
"Finally, even numbers this year!" Emmett cheered. "You need to come each year just for the snowball fights."
"Gee, thanks," Bella laughed. "You only want me here for that one thing. What about my friendship? Don't you value that?"
At this Alice let out an ugly bark. "Your friendship?"
Bella immediately felt ten degrees colder, her coat unable to block the chill of Alice's malice. Rosalie noticed, but she said nothing. She couldn't. She was in front of her family and it would be a bad choice to do so. In fact, she should have joined in on the insult, but she didn't want to do that, she didn't want to be that type of person anymore.
So she tightened her jaw and looked straight ahead.
Emmett didn't notice Alice's true intentions in that comment, so he merely drew Bella closer to his side, wrapping a big arm around her shoulders. "You can trash talk all you want Alice, but it won't save you from the imminent demise awaiting you at my hand. And ball." At this he wiggled his brows and bent down to scoop up some snow and form a ball with it.
She just narrowed her eyes at him and Bella wondered if the pixie would keep going with her comments but thankfully she didn't. She was focused on the fight now. "Bring it on, Emmett. I'm not scared of you."
And with a battle cry from Edward, the fight commenced. It was a whirl of snow and screams and laughter and Bella felt exhilarated. She scooped snow up and compacted it and threw it all as quickly as she could. Emmett was the main force to be reckoned with on their team, or so Bella thought, until she took a snowball to her face. It was hard and it really hurt, almost as if it had been thrown painfully on purpose. She looked to see who had throw it and saw Alice had. Her eyes were flickering with anger and she was targeting Bella.
She had a bunch of snowballs saved up in her coat pockets and she took them out, lobbing one after the other at Bella. The brunette took steps back to avoid the hits but her feet only slipped on the snow as blow after blow fell on her. She looked around to see if anyone could be called for back up but all were occupied.
Carlisle had hoisted Esme over his shoulder and was carting her around while she hit his back and protested gleefully, Emmett and Rosalie were tag teaming Jasper and Edward who had retreated behind a shed. Their laughs rang over the snow but suddenly they seemed to be in a different world from Bella.
A snowball bit into her jaw and she winced from pain. "Are you having fun, Bella?" Alice asked nastily.
"Why are you being like this?" Bella asked. "I don't understand."
"I already told you why. But. You. Don't. Listen!" Each word was punctuated with a snowball, the last one causing Bella to slip on the snow and fall onto her back. Bella lay there, breathing hard and wondering what she should do next. Should she strike back? But wouldn't that only make Alice angry? Bella had avoided throwing snow at her this whole fight because she was afraid to.
Alice's sudden animosity towards Bella was concerning. Alice had been so kind before, why was she so mean now? It was almost like she and Rosalie switched roles.
Suddenly there was a loud cry of "Alice!" and Alice's eyes opened wide as she got caught. "Shit," she breathed out. And then she ran off as snowballs pelted at her. Rosalie had saw what Alice had been doing and gone after her with a frightening ferocity. And for the rest of the battle, she hounded Alice relentlessly. Bella couldn't help but smile at this. Alice so deserved that. And Rosalie wouldn't relent on the smaller girl even if she was surrendering. Rosalie was the real menace on Bella's team.
The battle concluded shortly after and left everyone tired, wet, cold, and hungry. Luckily, Esme had some ready made food in the fridge and she whipped something up quickly. They ate together at the table, quiet due to their exhaustion and when done they went their separate ways. Bella immediately went to take a shower, letting the hot water work her muscles. She was so tired she didn't even contemplate while in the shower, as she usually did, instead scrubbing hastily and crawling into bed. Under the snug covers, she fell right asleep, wondering if tomorrow she would get a chance to spend some time with Rosalie without Emmett following her around and dragging her to do some activities.
The next day found Bella waking up at the leisurely hour of 12pm. She went down the stairs after dressing and helped herself to some breakfast that Esme had left out for anyone who wanted some. Bella found the cabin quiet. She guessed everyone had gone somewhere, except for her. She settled down to eat and then wandered her way into the library where she would grab a book to read and wait for the others in the living room. She wondered where Rosalie was and if she could get a chance to talk to the blonde anytime soon. She was halfway through the book when a voice startled her.
"Let's go on a walk in the woods," Rosalie suggested as she came into the living room Bella was in. The brunette looked up from the book she was reading. It was a classic tale of love and intrigue.
"A walk in the woods?" Bella echoed as the fire popped in the fireplace.
"Yea. Let's go while it's still light outside," Rosalie insisted as she finished buttoning up her winter jacket. The girl was already dressed and ready to go, excitement on her face. Bella wasn't as eager. Last time she and Rosalie had gone into the woods Bella had ended up with a broken phone, bruised wrist and nearly gotten frostbite.
"I um, I don't know," Bella muttered, sinking deeper into her couch and bringing her book up to her face.
Rosalie frowned. "And why not?"
Bella wondered if she should bring up the incident. But she didn't want to ruin the atmosphere by bringing something unpleasant up so she shook her head. "I'm just not super athletic. I already wiped out on the snowboard yesterday I'd rather not take another chance."
"Bella," Rosalie stepped over to where the girl was sitting and sat down next to her, lowering the book from her face as she peered at her face. The close proximity made Bella squirm. "There's something you're not telling me." The brunette was silent as she looked into the fire, avoiding the others gaze on her. "Bella." Rosalie let out a sigh and sat back, giving the other more personal space. "Is this about what happened last time we went into the woods."
Bella's shoulders tensed up at this and Rosalie knew she had hit the nail on the head. She buried her face into the girl's back. "Bella I promise that won't happen when we go into the woods this time. I want to overwrite your memory of that time, so please will you let me?"
Bella swallowed harshly. The blonde was trying to be a better person for her. So she should give her this chance to make it up to her. "Okay, we can go. But not for too long. I actually really am not athletic so I'll tire out quickly." Bella could feel Rosalie's smile through her back. "Thank you, Bella."
Bella went and got dressed, making sure she was warmly bundled up. The blonde was waiting for her at the door. She smiled when she saw Bella was ready and they set out wordlessly. They walked briskly to Rosalie's snowmobile. The other Cullen's still didn't know that Bella and Rosalie were dating much less on speaking terms, so they didn't want to raise any suspicions until the time was ready for them to tell the others. Bella wrapped her arms tightly around Rosalie's waist and they were off. I wonder how she's going to change my memories of the last time we went into the woods, Bella mussed to herself. She knew what her libido was hoping for but she put the thought out of her head. Rosalie had made it clear she was going to wait despite Bella practically throwing herself at her.
They zoomed smoothly over the snow until they reached a less walked part of the woods. They didn't want anyone to notice them. Not that it would matter if strangers did but Jasper and Alice had also gone hiking so they didn't want to run into them here. The mood would sour. Rosalie turned off the snowmobile and took Bella's gloved hand in hers. The two's fingers intertwined and Bella wished it was warm enough that they didn't have to wear gloves. She wanted to feel the others skin on her.
"We're going to a spot in the forest that I discovered two years ago when I first came here. It's really beautiful and I wanted to show it to you," Rosalie said, squeezing the others hand. "Just hold on tight, it might be a bit rocky getting there."
"Alright." The two held hands as the blonde lead the way. The ground underneath their feet was rocky like the blonde had warned and the trees were more crowded, making the two girls push their snow covered branches aside. Bella quickly lost all sense of direction and hoped that Rosalie knew how to get the two of them out. I def do not want to get stuck in the woods again.
"We're here," Rosalie announced after a half hour of walking or so, excitement in her voice. "Isn't it amazing?" Bella took in the surroundings around her and let out a low whistle. They were in a perfectly round clearing surrounded by spruce trees. In the middle of it was a small waterfall coming down from a rock formation. Except now it was frozen solid, along with the pond of water it dropped down to. It was frozen perfection.
"This is cool. I've never seen a completely frozen solid waterfall before." Bella craned her neck to look up. It was pretty tall.
"And that's not the best part." Rosalie had a wide grin on her face. She tugged on Bella's hand and they circled around the waterfall, going behind it.
"There's a cave behind here?" Bella asked in wonder, letting her fingers trace over the frozen water as they passed by it. This place was pretty neat, she had to admit.
"Yea, mind your head as you're going in," Rosalie warned and the two girls ducked their head, their jackets scrapping against the rocks at the tight entrance.
"Are there any animals in here? Should we be going in?"
"We'll be fine Bella. It's been abandoned for a while. And the only animal we should really be worried for is bears, which this mountain is free from."
They two girls straightened up as they entered a larger cavern. It was surprisingly bright in there and the cavern walls were sparkling. "Where is this light coming from?" Bella raised a hand up, shielding her eyes from the bright light.
"There's a hole at the top that lets the light in," Rosalie indicated with her pointer finger to the hole and now Bella was able to notice it. "That's why all the rocks are shinning right now."
"This place is awesome. Thank you for showing me it, I really like it," Bella said watching the others face light up in joy at this. She greatly appreciated the fact that the blonde had wanted to show her this. "This makes up for that time."
"I'm glad," Rosalie said with a relieved grin.
"How did you even find a place like this?" Bella asked as she pulled away from the blonde and took to touching the walls, examining the shining rock formations in them.
"I got upset one day at my parents and ran off into the forest. They went after me so I had to find a place to hide from them and I stumbled across this place. I like being here. It's relaxing. Takes my mind off of things." There was more to the story of course but Rosalie was going to spare the darker and nastier part of the details from her girlfriend.
"It is relaxing," Bella agreed. "I like this place."
"And I like you," Rosalie blurted out without thinking. Crap, what did I say, Rosalie scolded herself for speaking without thinking. It just had felt so natural to say this in this moment. Bella felt her ears flush red at this and she turned to face the blonde, a smile on her face. The smile encouraged the blonde to keep speaking; to roll with her verbal blunder.
"I really do," Rosalie affirmed, taking steps forward until she was in front of Bella. The brunette found her back pinned to the rocks but she didn't mind, enjoying the way the light in the cave lit up Rosalie's hair until it looked like a golden halo. The blonde cupped her chin in one hand and slowly brought her face closer to Bella's. The brunette's eyes fluttered shut at the touch of gentle lips on her own. Rosalie was kissing her but it was unlike any other kiss they shared. It was barely a kiss; like the ghost of a kiss and there was so much tender affection in it that it momentarily took away Bella's breath. She wanted to wrap her arms around the blonde but she didn't dare move to disrupt this moment.
At last Rosalie moved away and Bella's eyes opened at this. The blonde had a tender look in her eyes, and was blushing. Bella had never seen the other girl blush before and it was cute. So darn cute. It made Bella want to kiss away the redness on her cheeks and she did that, pulling the others face to her once more and gently kissing her on her warm cheeks.
"Rosalie," the brunette whispered as she tugged the girl into a hug. Were the girl's thorn barriers finally dying away? Would she be more open with Bella now? Rosalie's arms wrapped around Bella's back and the two stayed like that for a while, just reveling in the presence on each other, the light falling softly on them.
A/N: Next chapter's pretty much written out, so I should be able to update sooner this time.