Author Note: Thanks for all the support and love! And also I appreciate that everyone was understanding of the situation with Tuesday's chapter and only four updates this week. I was happy no one sent a nasty pm or anything like that.
CHAPTER 15
BPOV
I was feeling better this morning. Edward had showed me the picture of Demetri and I immediately recognized him and it caused a spiral of emotions. It was like I was brought back to that night and I never wanted to replay those feelings. But in order for Edward to get these guys and bring them to their knees, things like identifying them were essential. I would gladly accept some emotional pain and relive memories so that Demetri and the guard would endure the pain Edward would inflict on them. I am not a violent person by any means, but I do believe in justice. Who knows if they did that to any other girls? They are also apart of the Mafia world so it's not like the legal system would do any good. They are in the Mafia world so Mafia justice would be served.
I was still nervous about today though. It was a mix between everything that was happening with the Demetri situation and meeting Rosalie. From what Edward told me, Rosalie took some time to warm up too. I'm pretty sure he even referred to her as a bitch under his breath. The calmness that I was once engulfed in was beginning to wash away. It could be because Edward was gone or because I had to face today. The women of the family didn't know everything about my past and how I was raped or just the Demetri situation at all. Edward had told his brothers because they needed to know in order to help. I wasn't sure how I was going to tell their wives and Esme and when I would be ready to tell them. If Demetri wasn't taken care of soon then he could potentially be at the introduction to the families. The thought of that made my stomach roll..
While I was near the point of falling into a state of panic, I heard a knock at the front door. It was Esme and she was here early. Her, Alice, and Rosalie weren't suppose to be here for another hour and I hadn't gotten ready yet.
"Hey Esme, excuse the pajamas I was just about to get in the shower." I said blushing,
"Well I have perfect timing then. I came up early to help with Liam so that you could ready." She said with a smile.
I really liked Esme. She was thoughtful and always tried to help, and it wasn't because she thought I couldn't handle it. She did kind things for people, and honestly seemed to enjoy it.
"Thanks." I said and then went to shower.
The shower helped to calm me down some, but as soon as I was out I could feel the anxiety start to creep back up. I have to get a handle on myself! I quickly got ready and looked presentable for company. As soon as I was in living room with Esme and Liam, Alice arrived with her two children. Liam was happy about the playdate and so was Alice's kids. A few minutes later there was another knock. Rosalie. I took a deep breath and went to get the door. When I opened it, Rosalie didn't have a pleasant expression, but she still look inhumanly beautiful.
"Hello." I said with forced smile.
"Hi." She said with a lifeless voice. Great….this day was going to be long.
Once inside and situated, Alice asked Rosalie where her son was.
"I left him with the nanny that helps out every now and then." Rosalie replied.
"You should have brought him to meet Bella and Liam." Alice said in a stern voice. What was that about?
"I didn't want him around strangers." Rosalie replied coldly. Great she didn't like me before she even meet me.
"Rosalie, that is enough. Bella and Liam are family and will be treated as so." Esme said firmly. I had never seen her stern before.
"Let's just get this over with." Rosalie huffed.
I stayed quiet the entire time of their exchange, and especially didn't know what to say now. My initial impression of Rosalie wasn't helping my anxiety and I still had several hours to endure with her.
A few hours into planning, the kids went down for a nap and the dress designer and her team came. Normally we would go the store, but Alice thought it would be safer if they did a house call. Alice had already given them my measurements and we selected a design previously. So today was a fitting. The seamstress said only minimal changes would be needed. When Alice brought a mirror so I could see my reflection, I nearly gasped. The dress was beautiful and made me full beautiful. Alice was squealing at my reaction. I swear Rosalie was glaring and was icier then before. My face then fell. Why did she hate me so much? Alice said something that made Rosalie snap her head in Alice's direction. I just tuned it out. The seamstress's assistant helped me out of the dress. By then I couldn't hold it in anymore. I ran to the bathroom and the waterworks began. I was under so much stress and my anxiety had kept going up all day. Rosalie's dislike and just overall bitchy-ness to me set me over. How the hell was I going to get through the introduction to the families if my own future sister-in-law didn't like me? And didn't even know me! Between the sobs, I heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Please just go away." I said with sob in my chest.
"Bella?" it was Esme.
"Esme, please just give me a minute. I'll be out in a minute."
"Okay sweetheart." She said through the door.
I took a few more minutes to compose myself. I splashed my face with some cold water and I could feel myself calming down. I took a few deep breaths, and tried to relax.
I was in my wedding undergarments and slip. So I changed before going back out.
The seamstress and her team were gone and I found Alice ripping Rosalie a new one.
"Could you try to be welcoming! Bitch is like your auto-pilot!" I heard Alice practically yelling.
Rosalie was about to respond when I walked in. All eyes turned to me. God that was uncomfortable. I diverted my eyes to floor.
"How about we confirm flower arrangements?" Esme suggested.
"Okay." I said.
Alice stared daggers at Rosalie the entire time.
Soon we moved on to talking about the introduction to the families. Esme and Alice noticed my mood change.
"Are you alright?" Alice asked.
"I'm just nervous about the introduction." I said weakly.
Rosalie rolled her eyes. That's when I lost it.
"Rosalie could you please tell me what I did to offend you? You barely know me and have been basically ice queen towards me. Glaring daggers at me, making rude remarks, and just being a complete bitch!"
Rosalie actually looked a little surprised at my outburst. She does have other emotions!
"Well to be honest, I hate how Edward handled bringing you into our lives. He has put all of us on the Volturi's radar because of his fascination with you. Because of you, me and my son are in even more danger. Emmett has been away more then usual because Edward is trying to be a normal family for you, but I guess me and my son aren't that important for us have a normal family time." She practically yelled.
"First of all, you don't know a damn thing about me and Edward. It is more than a fascination. You have no clue what has been going ton with the Volturi. And if you have problems with your husband not being home when you want to be, take that up with him because I have no say in that." I said sternly with my eyes locked with hers.
"You act like you have this grand past. You don't know the first thing about a hard life. And now you're nervous about meeting the family? How do you expect to handle this life if you get so worked up with just meeting the other players?" She scoffed.
"You are dead wrong bitch. And the reason I'm so nervous is because the man who tried to rape me will be there and also man who did rape me could be there also. So excuse me if I don't want a reunion " And that's when the tears came. I broke down crying. I was glad the kids were asleep because I didn't want Liam to see me all worked up.
I then felt an arm around me and them trying to comfort. I was pretty sure it was Esme, but I couldn't stop crying to see. I heard shouting and screaming. Alice I think.
I continued to cry until I wrecked all the sobs from my body. I didn't want to tell them like this, but Rosalie wouldn't stop. I didn't want to break down like this again.
Then I thought I heard the entrance door open. But who would be coming by?
That's when I heard his voice.
"What the fuck is going on?" Edward.
I looked up to meet his eyes. He looked worried but also angry, His attention turned to Rosalie, who he assumed was the culprit.
"What the fuck did you do to my wife." He said through gritted teeth to Rosalie.
"There was a misunderstanding." She said softly. Did Rosalie look remorseful?
"What kind of misunderstanding causes my fiancé to be upset as she is?" Edward growled.
"I didn't realize….I didn't understand…"She said calmly. Was the bitch thing a façade? She looked sad and almost looked scared. I was so confused.
"Rosalie, I really don't want to hear your bullshit just fucking leave."
Rosalie gathered her things and leaved as told. Holy shit Edward was really mad at her.
I had stopped crying, but my face was puffy. Esme was trying to calm Edward and I think explaining what happened, I tried to compose myself. Alice`s kids then came walking in having woken up from all the noise. Liam was probably awake also. As if she knew what I was about to do, Alice said she would get Liam while I give myself a few minutes. I went to the bathroom and washed my face and blew my nose which was runny due to crying. I was calming down and started to feel okay. When I walked out, I was meet with Edward.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly, but I could detect there was still a hint of anger in his eyes. I found comfort that the anger wasn't towards me.
"Yeah." I managed to say. I felt better that Edward was here.. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he held me for a moment. Once enough time surpassed, we unlocked our embrace.
"Bella I don't want to upset you again, but I would feel better if I heard what happened from you.'
I then ran through everything that happened sparing no detail. I saw his expression at times and was sure it was growing angrier towards Rosalie. Once I was done, I felt drained telling everything. I was emotionally spent.
"Why did you come home so early?" I asked.
Edward`s jaw tightened, that wasn't good.
"Edward?" I asked cautiously.
"Bella, you have had an emotional day and I don't want to add to it."
"Edward, please just tell me if not I'm just going to assume the worst."
"Bella, I think we know who raped you."
