Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.

A/N: so sorry for the very very very very very late update of the new chapter, but my computer with all of my documents crashed and I lost pretty much everything, including a nearly completed chapter which I had to completely rewrite.

Chapter XII - What Is and What Should Never Be

Rosalie POV

"You know?" I think my voice squeaked a bit at the end.

"I found the papers"

"Wait, what papers?" that didn't make any sense, I started to pace in front of the desk holding the phone one ear and rubbing my temples with my other hand.

"I saw the divorce papers for you and Emmett" there was an intake of breath on her end and I stopped pacing, dropping my head and not knowing what to say to her.

"Oh"

"How were you separated? I'd really appreciate it if you just told me the truth" the truth, sounded easy didn't it.

"We were separated for two years, I moved away and we didn't stay in contact"

"Until recently" I got the feeling she knew more or guessed at it, either way bad as I felt for what I did, if she found out it would only hurt her more, especially so close to her wedding. Her wedding, the one to my now ex husband who I was still...who I had been having an affair with, it was disgusting but I couldn't do that to this woman I barely knew.

"Yes, we signed the papers and that was it" there was a little voice in the back of my head, a niggling nagging voice that kept going liar liar, over and over again.

"Rosalie...is there any other reason this was kept from me?"

"No, I know Emmett and he did it because it was before you even met we are most definitely over we just had to do the paperwork. I think he just didn't want you worrying about it" I shrugged to myself, hearing it again: liar liar.

"Okay, thanks" the line went dead and I sighed, putting down the phone and leaning against the side of the desk, wrapping my arms around me and closing my eyes for a moment before there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" the door opened and Robert came in, with a smile.

"Hey sexy" he said with a cheerfulness that perked me up a bit.

"Hi Rob, what are you doing here?"

"Got a minute?" I nodded and he closed the door behind him and took a few steps closer, still smiling and I made myself smile back at him as I stood up.

"Sure, I'll give you several"

"I feel special" he said mockingly as he put a hand over his heart.

"You should, I don't waste my lunch break on anyone you know"

"Well, I'll make sure I'm worth it" my smile was now genuine, or at least it felt that way. I went over to the small couch and he joined me, I crossed my legs and turned to face him, raising my eyebrows in a gesture for him to continue. "There is an event, a sort of charity gala I've been invited to. Will you be my date?"

"A 'date' like as a friend or a 'date'?" I dropped my voice on the word 'date' to see where he was getting at.

"Like as a date, my date"

"But I thought we...agreed to stay friends?" I leaned back a bit and he nodded, looking down at his hands in his lap.

"Well, that night we got so drunk that we never really gave it a proper go, it could be different"

"It could?" he looked up and smirked.

"You don't have to go at all if you don't want to Rose, I'm sure Alice can set me up with some leggy page three girl" I swatted his shoulder and chuckled, making a choice.

"Okay" I shrugged my shoulders and he looked uncertain and a bit confused as well.

"Okay what?" I rolled my eyes at how dense he was being.

"I'll be your date, if it's totally terrible at least I can dress up for a black tie event"

"That's makes me feel better" he said under his breath but I heard it, on impulse I hugged him and he hugged me back, kissing my cheek when I pulled away.

"When is it?"

"This Friday, it starts at seven"

"You can pick me up at six then" uncrossing my legs I leaned forward slightly, smiling at Robert before standing up as the phone rang. "I should get that"

"I'll go then, see you"

"Bye" with a brief nod and smile he walked out, closing the door as I walked round the desk and took the call.

~X~X~X~

Getting back to the apartment, I checked my voicemail listening to the messages as I took off my jacket and flicked the kettle on.

There was a beep and the first message played: "Rose, it's Alice. There is an emergency with a client so I will be working late doing damage control. See you later" there was a click and the message ended, getting a mug out I made a cup of tea as the next message started to play.

"Rose, it's me..." I froze just as I lifted the mug to my lips. "I don't really know why I'm calling, you haven't answered any of my other messages or calls. I guess, I wanted to say that I'm sorry" I almost dropped the cup, closing my eyes I lowered my head just standing there as I listened to Emmett's message. "I'm sorry I lied to you...but you should know that I did miss you, I still miss you and it's no excuse but being with you was...amazing" I put my hands on the counter top, keeping my eyes closed and pressing my lips together.

"I'm sorry, I really am" the machine clicked and that was the end of the message. The next couple of messages were from a sales company and Jasper. Saving Jasper's message for Alice, I wiped the rest of them going on to made dinner for one.

Emmett POV

It was ten days, ten damn days until Tanya and I were supposed to be getting married.

Getting back from my meeting, I was surprised to find Tanya at the apartment. She was sat in an armchair half facing away from the door and by the window so I spotted her right after I locked the door. She looked up with an unreadable expression, her legs crossed with one arm crossed over her torso and the other leaning against her arm so that her hand was supporting her chin.

"Tanya?"

"Hi Emmett" she greeted me coolly, as I put down my keys and went to sit on the couch next the armchair, leaning into her as I shrugged off my suit jacket and threw it over the back of the couch.

"Are you coming back home?"

"I don't know" the facade of her cool indifference cracked a bit and she looked almost scared. "Emmett, I love you"

"I do too" I leaned in closer but she pursed her lips, sensing shad more to say I shut up and slid back in my seat.

"I love you, but you hid something so big from me. You were married and I can't help but think you were never going to tell me"

"That's not fair" she shook her head angrily and got to her feet, going to the window and standing with her back to me.

"What's not fair is being lied to like that!" her voice rose and I stayed quiet. "That's over though right?" she turned round to look at me, her voice breaking a little towards the end.

"We are divorced, I hardly had any contact with her after we separated and now that it's official I can be with you"

"With me?" she paused for a moment and started to pace. "Be honest with me Emmett, no fucking lies or I swear I will walk out that door right now, and I won't come back this time!" she was deadly serious and I did not doubt her for a single second.

"I will be" I clasped my hands in front of me and kept my eyes on her to show her I was trying.

"Why did you hide it from me?"

"I couldn't think of a way to bring it up, how could I?" she looked unimpressed, but I continued. "We were separated in every sense but legally, we had no contact since the day we split up, I could only contact her through Alice and when I went to visit I never saw Rosalie. Even if we don't get married the next and only time I'll ever see her is when Alice get's married" she stopped pacing and looked at me long and hard, narrowing her eyes at me.

"You are sure that's all there is?"

"I love you. You" her eyes glazed over and she glanced up, blinking rapidly and lifting a hand to her mouth. "I proposed to you for that reason, it's as simple as that" After a few moments she dropped her hand and slowly walked back, but instead of sitting on the armchair she had previously occupied, she sat next to me on the sofa.

"I do believe you" she put her hand on mine, squeezing lightly and giving me a sad look. "I do and I trust you not to lie to me" leaning in she put a hand on my cheek and softly kissed me on my other cheek, resting her forehead on mine when she pulled her lips away.

"So will there be a wedding in ten days?"

"Yes" she spoke it quietly, just loud enough for me to hear her. I closed my eyes and breathed out, putting a hand on the back of her neck and pulling her in close to hold her. She leaned her head on my shoulder and wrapped her arms around me whilst I kissed the top of her head, sighing heavily and holding her a little tighter.

Rosalie POV

Getting back home that evening, Alice was just hanging up the home phone glancing up at me and smiling way too brightly when I closed the door, glancing at her suspiciously she toned back the smile but bounded over to me still acting very happy for some reason.

"What is it Alice?" the smile faded a bit as she shook her head.

"Nothing" she spoke too quickly, and dropped her eyes.

"You are such a shit liar, tell me what is wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong as such, I just talked to Emmett that's all" shaking my head, I hung up my coat taking my time as I moved so she couldn't see my face.

"Alice, he is your brother you don't have to hide the fact that you talk to him from me"

"Okay" she sighed sounding relived and I turned back around to face her, giving her a small smile before heading to my room to change.

Later as I opened my bedroom and stood at it, I overheard Alice on the phone, for some reason she sounded worried.

"No, it's back on apparently...he says it's okay so it seems a will need a date for the wedding" it sounded like she was talking about Emmett. "I don't know, there is something Emmett's not telling me, but whatever it is he won't say...yes...I love you too, bye" I walked back in as she put the phone down, doing the same creepy smile from before, this time I let it go, shaking my head and going to the kitchen.

"Hey Al, do think you can boil some water without burning it?" she shook her head and stuck out her tongue at me.

"I think I can manage that delicate task" she replied hopping up and following me. "What is on the menu tonight, chef?"

"Spinach and ricotta tortellini"

"Nice" he said with approval, getting out the pans and largely watching at I cooked, chatting all the while, regaling me with stories from work, divulge no names of course, she could trust me but she liked to act a little bit like a professional.

Soon we were laughing in near hysterics over our dinner, as she told me about an actress who had gotten an unfortunately crude tattoo on the side of her neck after a weekend long bender, the press had a field day over that one and as part of her job, Alice had to deal with the tantrum of the actress when she saw the keepsake from her weekend.

"She screamed and threw a vase at her manager, she sounded like a banshee I have absolutely no idea how much time they spent auto tuning her new debut album"

This was part of the reason why we were such good friends, although I could be self absorbed and moody she always managed to make me laugh, she also reined me in when I was being too bitchy.

We told each other everything and we stopped laughing to clear the plates, we fell quiet and I remembered how I seemed to hide a lot from her when a lot of the time she was totally straight with me, even when no one else would.

"Alice?" she tuned round after closing the dishwasher, raising an eyebrow as she caught the tone of my voice.

"What is it Rose?" wasn't bad enough she knew I had an affair? Would it make any difference if she knew it was Emmett, I cared what she thought about me and I knew it would be so different if she knew the whole truth.

So shaking my head, I looked down and scooped out the leftover tortellini into a plastic container, she was still looking at me with curiosity.

"It's nothing, I am going to an event with Rob" she raised her eyebrows in surprise, which was a rare thing for Alice.

"Really? But I thought you didn't like him that way?" I put away the container, straightening up and turning round, leaning against the counter.

"He is a really nice guy, not like anyone else I've dated, he is genuine and that accent is pretty damn cute" she grinned at the last part, nodding as I continued. "Maybe I was too quick to judge him"

"Rosalie Hale wrong about someone, shocker!" I shook my head at her overly sarcastic tone.

"What I was trying to say is instead of going for guys who are unavailable I should grow up" tell yourself that, a small voice in the back of my mind chimed, you only want who you can't have.

"That sounds great" she seemed truly happy for me. "So what is the event?"

"Some charity gala thingy on Friday"

"That is a huge black tie event, Rose" the grin turned ecstatic. "You know what this means, right?" I groaned loudly and slumped my shoulders.

"Please, dear god do not say it"

"We have only two days to go shopping and find you the perfect dress" I groaned again, but she was abuzz with excitement.

"Do we have to?"

"You can take a couple of hours off tomorrow can't you?" she ignored my comment and ploughed on. "I know this amazing place that has the best dresses, a lot of my clients shop there so I could probably get you a really good deal! Oh this is brilliant!"

"Shoot me now"

~X~X~X~

"Whoa" was the first word Robert said when I answered the door.

"Do you like it?" he nodded mutely taking it the dress that Alice had all but forced me to buy after hours of shopping, after trying on countless dresses I probably would have agreed to go in a potato sack if she told me it was nice.

The dress was definitely gorgeous though I initially thought it was very over the top for a charity gala, but Alice argued that I wouldn't get many chance's to get so dolled up for a black tie event, so I went for it. It was a full length dress that skimmed the floor a bit, made of luxuriant burgundy velvet it fitted my body flaring out at the thighs. The dress had a high neck but a low back along with embellished cap sleeves and a split in the front going pretty high, but it wasn't too revealing due to the high neck and cap sleeves.

I had my hair in a sleek up do, winged black eyeliner and a subtle lipstick as well as strappy silver shoes and a matching clutch with a cuff bracelet and simple studs

"You look gorgeous, I'm gonna have beat off the other guys" I smiled and grabbed my coat turning my head to look at Alice and Jasper who were curled up on couch together. Alice looked up and smiled widely, probably admiring her own taste and seeing the reaction I got from Robert.

"Have a nice night, guys" Rob nodded and turned away, whilst she winked at me the moment he did so and I smiled as I shook my head.

"You too, see you"

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" I ignored that comment and shut the door, still smiling as I took Robert's arm and let him lead me to the car.

I knew when we were at the place when I saw all of the press with their camera snapping it at all of the guests that entered the event, screaming out questions at the same time. I was somewhat grateful for the privacy the tinted windows afforded us, Robert looked just as grateful as he turned to me and gently gave my hand a squeeze.

"You ready?"

"Yes" h e got out first smiling as the flashed went off and he went to my door opening it for me and taking my hand as I got out of the car, even more flashing going off, it was mad. Slapping on a smile like him, we made our way inside where it wasn't as bright from the camera, but the image was burnt on to my retinas for a few seconds as I blinked a few times, Robert still holding my hand only letting go when we went to the cloakroom and gave our coats to the attendant.

"How about a drink?" I nodded and as we walked into the main room, he got two flutes of champagne from a passing server holding a tray of drinks, passing me one and clinking the side of his glass with mine. "Cheers" we both took a sip and looked round.

"So do you know anyone here?" he scanned the room and then turned to glance at me with a smile.

"Nope" we laughed and took another sip, his hand ending up in my mine again after we finished our drinks.

"Nor do I, although I think I just saw some actress I've seen somewhere earlier"

"That's great" we laughed again and I shook my head.

"At least we have each other"

"And there the free booze" he got another drink, raising his glass almost like as if doing a toast.

"There is that too" put down his half drunk glass, he turned to face me properly.

"How about a dance?"

"I don't know"

"Come on, we both got dressed up, let's show off a bit" flashing a cute smile at me I smiled back and nodded, keeping my hand in his and let him lead me towards the space where some other where dancing whilst what looked like an orchestra played.

He put a hand on my waist and I placed my other hand on his shoulder as a new song started to play, we twirled around the dance floor and I was a little impressed by how well he danced.

"You dance well"

"I'm full of surprises, Rose"

"Really?" he held me closer and dipped me with ease, when he pulled me back up we were even closer and he smiled again.

"Did you take ball room dance classes?"

"My mother was a dance teacher" I raised an eyebrow at him but kept dancing, starting to actually enjoy myself.

Emmett POV

Sifting through the pile of wedding and gossip magazines that seemed to just appear everywhere over the apartment, I looked for my keys and work file. Knocking over a few magazines, I couldn't help but notice the fact that a load of them had Rosalie and Robert plastered all over them. I had been seeing their faces every time Tanya picked up of one those stupid things or flicked onto the gossip channels.

Tomorrow was the rehearsal dinner and I was getting pretty stressed out, I had a load of work to finish before I could get my vacation days for the honeymoon plus every moment not occupied with work was spent on last minute wedding preparations, it was all Tanya ever talked about. So now I also had to deal with seeing Rosalie and Robert's faces everywhere, they were the new 'it' couple or something else equally daft sounding.

So when she flicked the channels I went over my work or went to another room and I think Tanya was starting to notice but I assumed she thought it was just because she knew I hated all of the celebrity gossip.

"Hey, what are you looking for, babe?" asked my fiancé as she walked in, tying up her hair and smiling at me.

"I was looking for my files and keys, but I can't find anything underneath all of this shit!" I scooped up the magazine that had fallen on the floor, slapping them back on the table forcefully and straightening up.

"Are you alright?" I shook my head and went to the kitchen and then seeing my keys on the counter top by the coffee maker.

"No, I'm late and I need my files for work!" she shook her head going into the dining room, to where my laptop was on the table, she picked up the file by my laptop, walking back over to me and handing it to me a little forcefully.

"Those files?" she shook her head and walked away, leaving me feeling like an utter dick head. I was about to go after her and apologize when my phone rang, she went to the bathroom and shut the door behind her so taking the call I went to the door.

"Hello?" I barked down the phone.

"Emmett, dude where the fuck are you?"

"Don't get your panties in a twist, I'm on my way"

"Hurry the fuck up then!" he hung up and I turned to the bathroom door, which remained locked.

"Fucking hell" I said to myself, before leaving the apartment.

"Emmett, please tell me why I have a cheap gold ring in the shape of a dice on my left hand?" she pushed her hair off of her face and pulled her herself up into a sitting position on the bed beside me, staring at me in shock.

"Because we got married?" she groaned and covered her face with her hands then stopping and glancing at the ugly ring with a look of shock and dismay.

"Oh gosh, that's it I am never drinking again" she got to her feet and grabbed the shirt of mine that had been thrown on a nearby chair, pulling it on and buttoning it up as she started to pace by the end of the bed.

"Is it really that bad being married to me?" she gave me a glare which shut me up pretty quickly.

"Since when did we get drunk and then elope?"

"I wasn't drunk" I stated and she stopped in her tracks, turning round to face me.

"What?" oops.

"You had quite a bit to drink after the restaurant and the birthday cake, but I only had a couple. After shots at the club you asked me to marry you" she gave another glare.

"And you just agreed? Like that, when I was clearly out of my mind" I hesitated and she caught it, walking back to the bed she sat on the end and narrowed her eyes at me. "What happened Emmett?"

"You started to sing..." her face fell. "Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You', you said you wouldn't stop till I said yes" she covered her face with her hands, groaning and shaking her head, mortified at her behaviour. I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh at her but when she finally uncovered her face and looked at me I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into a fit of laughter. "What the fuck is so funny?"

"You...just...so gullible"

"Emmett" her voice had that warning tone so I tried to stop laughing, failing when I saw her stern look. I eventually stopped and she looked less than pleased with me, I had a feeling I she would get me back for this.

"We aren't married"

"But you said..."

"I was joking I got the ring from a vending machine, you did ask me to marry you" she looked confused and still very pissed off.

"Tell me what happened, you fucker!" she swatted my shoulder, with a final chuckle I nodded and continued.

"You passed out in the cab" she looked only slightly less angry. "We never made it to the chapel, because after that I brought you back here" she breathed out a sigh of relief, looking down at the ring.

"So you just decided to fuck around with me?"

"Yep" I grinned at her and glanced at the clock before looking back at her, when she pulled off the ring and stood up throwing the ring at me which landed in my lap, spinning round she flounced off to the bathroom muttering under her breath. Still smirking I picked up the ring and placed in on the bedside table, getting off the bed myself and following her."Hey" I stood by the door and she turned her head frowning at me.

"Piss off"

"I'll take that to mean you are upset with me?" she turned away and got out her makeup wipes, getting rid of the smudged remains of her eye liner and mascara. "Rose" she still didn't talk to me, stubbornly refusing to look at me.

Going over to her as she threw away the wipe, I stood behind her and put my hands on her waist, kissing the side of her neck, knowing I had her when she didn't pull away immediately. "I'm sorry Rose" she closed her eyes and leaned back against me.

"You are such a dick"

"But you love me"

"I guess" turning around and pulling away she hit my shoulder none too gently. "Fucking try that shit again and your dead"

"Sure" then the anger faded and she kissed my cheek.

"Great, now get out so I can shower, we are still having breakfast with the others, right?"

"Yeah" I smiled and then went to the door, stopping I turned back around and went back over to her pulling her close with one had one her hip giving her a deep kiss, she kissed me back. When we pulled away she smiled at me and I caressed her cheek. "That's better, you are sexy when you're angry but I love that smile" in response she shook her head, still smiling as she playfully pushed me away.

Turning her back to me she stripped off my shirt then her underwear and hopped into the shower, with a smirk at me.

Rosalie POV

"That was great, I didn't even know you could cook so well" Robert smiled as he started to clear away the plates.

"Glad you liked it" I stood and took the stack of plates from him and taking then to the sink as he dealt with the rest of the food.

"I did" he put the leftovers on the counter top by the sink and turned me around so I was facing him, putting one hand on either side of me on the counter and leaning in closer. I stayed where I was effectively trapped by him, he grinned at me before kissing me and I kissed him back.

It was nice, it was much less awkward than our first encounter, but then we had been fairly drunk at the time, which did not seem to help matters. Continuing to kiss, his hands went to my waist and the kiss became a little more intense and I pulled away first sensing where this was going. I leaned my forehead against his and he sighed.

"Sorry, I know we talked about taking it slow"

"It's okay"

"Shall I take you home?" I remembered that Alice had left yesterday to go to Seattle, as tomorrow was the rehearsal dinner before Emmett and Tanya's wedding. So, I would be going home to a cold and lonely flat, no thank you.

"No, I have a late start at work tomorrow, so I could always stay a little longer?" he smiled again and I returned it, he leaned back a bit after kissing my cheek.

"How about a coffee then?"

"Sounds good" he went to switch on the coffee maker when my phone rang, it was at the table so going over to it I expected to see Alice's name flash on the screen but it wasn't. I looked at the screen for a while, looking at the name, Robert turned to look at me curiously.

"You know I don't mind if you get that"

"Are you sure?" he nodded.

"Oh yeah, I may be a while as I'm still not too sure if I know how to work this damn thing" he put his hand on the side of it then it hissed and steam spurted out causing him to jump back a bit.

"I can see that" I said with a chuckle. "I'll...er, keep this quick" he nodded and I took the phone into his bathroom, accepting the call.

"Rosalie?" he said as I put the phone to my ear.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I just wanted to talk" we both fell silent and I rolled my eyes.

"Well can you get on with it, I am in the middle of something here"

"Sorry, I just...I've been having second thoughts about marrying Tanya"

A/N: another cliff hanger in a similar style you guys must really hate me at the moment. Anyhow, the wedding will definitely be in the next chapter, any ideas/thoughts on how it all should go down?

Will try and get the next instalment out quicker!

Bye guys.