Author Note: I hope that everyone is enjoying Rosalie's story as much as I am having fun writing it.

If you are in the mood for a good Emse/Carlisle fiction in your near future, XxXRoseVixenXxX has a lovely piece called My Rock, My Sanctuary.

Disclaimer: I owe Stephanie Meyer for the wonderful characters involved in this story.

Simply Perfect

I sat in the King's sitting room sipping tea and listening to my mother drone on and on with various wedding plans with Mrs. King. For five days I had been trapped in this overly stuffed chair listening to them discuss my wedding. One would think the bride would have more say in her wedding plans. One would be wrong. I had no say in my wedding. If I suffered one moment longer with these two women carrying on like they were marrying each other, I would surely burst.

The maid entered the room and cleared her throat to capture the attention of the two muttering women. I pondered for a moment what it would be like to have to clear your throat to mark that you entered a room. I could not fathom walking into a room without being noticed, so I gave up and stared once again out on the lush lawns of the King estate. I was paying no attention to the maid, so I was caught off guard when Vera entered the room.

I felt a genuine smile break across my face as I realized that she was my way out of this endless afternoon of sitting and staring. "Vera! How wonderful to see you. Where is Richard?"

Vera smiled, a little taken aback by my enthusiasm, "Richie is with my mother. We are starting our dress shopping today, remember?"

"Of course, I remember. Let us not delay; there are hundreds of designers ready to make my wedding gown," I crossed the room and wrapped my arm in hers and lead her out of the room and to the Bugatti Type 43A that Royce bought for me. He taught me how to drive briefly on the way to the Murphy's Ball. I've been driving it out on my afternoon trips to evening gown shops and to visit with Vera. I found the clutch difficult to manage at first; however, after driving it around for a while I could drive without much thought. If people stared when I walked down the street, they gawked when I drove. It was not customary for a woman to drive. I liked the gawking more than the stares. The shocked expression on the men's faces made me feel more alive. Thusly, I drove whenever I could.

Vera and I chatted as I drove into town. I no longer felt a pang of jealousy when she spoke of her son and her husband. In place of the odd tension of jealousy was a warm feeling that I was well acquainted with; pity. No matter how much she accomplished in her life, Vera would never be remembered like I would, nor would she ever have the most beautiful family and home that I would. She would never be as good as me and I felt bad for her; because, she thought she owned the world with her little boy and her husband.

She told me about her husband, saying he was sweet and caring because he would speak with her about anything and everything. I scoffed; she thought caring about each other meant talking to and sacrificing for each other. I knew the true meaning; pretty cars, new necklaces, and fancy dresses. Care paired with money, not with actions and words. I felt like I should have told Vera such; however, her illusion of happiness seemed so important to her that I would feel terrible if I shattered it. I let her continue her ramblings until we stopped on the curb in front of the first dress boutique.

I stepped into the store and nearly walked out due to the small, cramped room. I needed a variety and some space in order for me to properly shop for a new dress. Vera stopped me from leaving as she looked eagerly at the dresses as if she had never seen anything as beautiful as the simple red satin gown. Watching her stare in wonder at the plain dresses in front of her caused me to bitterly hate her husband. Even with the pitiful excuse for a salary that a carpenter makes, he could afford to give her a nice gown.

"Vera, I don't like anything here. Can we walk up to Paula Campbell's store?" I walked out of the store and a few moments later, I could hear Vera next to me.

"You really didn't like anything at the last place? There were some beautiful dresses," Vera smiled wistfully.

I shrugged off her comment as we turned into the Mrs. Campbell's beautiful store. The marble floors echoed my footfalls as I entered; on one wall a giant mirror reflected my dark blue dress and the other was lined with different dress patterns and the thousands of fabric choices for your dress. Mrs. Campbell had provided me with many of my ball gowns over the length of my courtship with Royce. Her quality was unmatched and her dresses were awe-inspiring when worn, at least on me. One of her many seamstresses rushed into the gallery to greet me. "Welcome, Ms. Hale. Can I help you today?"

"I would like to talk to Paula." I threw her a threatening smile, a nice way of saying if you don't do what I say, you will be fired. She rushed off like a dog with her tail tucked between her legs and moments later Paula walked out flowing in one of her own creations. She smiled widely when she saw me.

"Ms. Hale, you keep scaring off my help. I am happy to see you here. Wedding gown shopping, I presume?" Paula spoke with a soothing, yet firm, voice.

"Yes. I need a slender and tight fitting gown that will stun and quiet the cathedral when I walk down the aisle." I responded. Paula nodded and quickly walked off, beckoning me to follow her. She smiled as she shifted a few patterns and dug deeper into her pile of designs. She muttered to herself and looked me up and down a few times before letting out an approving sound. She showed me the drawing and smiled with accomplishment as I studied the picture. The dress was slender and long as I asked, but had a scandalous cut in the mid section that I had only seen in a few silent movies. The back was cut into the v of the halter neck style. I looked up at her dazzling smile, "This is based off the Hollywood style, is it not?"

"It is. It fits snuggly and no bra is needed, just as Hollywood demands. It is the perfect dress for a Mrs. Rosalie King."

"I love it." I stated. Paula had begun to pull out fabrics, when Vera approached my side. She nudged me and nodded her head towards the glass wall. I walked with her through the rows of dress patterns before she had decided we were out of hearing range. She whispered to me, "Rose, I think that dress might be a little… revealing. I know it is your choice, but I don't really think it is appropriate for your wedding."

I laughed at my silly friend, "Vera, this dress is perfect." Vera sighed and let me walk off to pick my fabric. Her concerned annoyed me, why did she have to be so jealous of my wedding that she would try to make me get an ugly, cheap dress. I hid my anger as I began to fish through white satin. The satin came in different thicknesses, while most people preferred the thick and smooth feel; I always preferred my satin thin and almost see through, like a thin midst of fabric hugging me softly. I finally found the perfect while satin and handed it to Paula. She already had my measurements memorized, so I paid for the dress and returned to Vera.

Vera looked a little upset, but she spoke enthusiastically about the dress she was… sewing for my wedding. If she wasn't my closest friend, I might not have let her into the cathedral for my wedding, a homemade dress? How embarrassing. I altered the conversation to the extravagant wedding plans that the mother's had made. By the time we were in the car headed towards Vera's home, we were discussing the flowers I would have chosen in contrast to the mother's choices. I dropped Vera off at her home and headed to my own.

I made it into my drive way when the engine cut off with a huff of exhaustion. I twisted the key, and yet again, there was no luck. "Bloody piece of technology," I murmured as I walked inside.

Royce was waiting for me in the great room, "Let's go to Swing Dance with Duke Ellington tonight." He grabbed my arm and whisked me away for another perfect night.