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

Author's Note:

Super sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, especially after the end of the previous chapter. But I was feeling a little off and blocked with what to do next with this story. I have a vague idea of what I wanted to do with this story. In fact it keeps changing, so by the time I'm done with this chapter my idea of the end may have changed.

I warn you not a lot happens here but it is important for both of them as they are picking up the pieces after the non-wedding.

Anyway, here it is finally, enjoy.

Chapter XVI - Stutter

Emmett POV

"She doesn't want t talk to you Emmett" said Carmen sourly, before firmly shutting the door in my face.

"Are you going to tell us what is going on?" asked Edward, as he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at me in confusion at the latest turn of events.

When Tanya left the church, I hesitated for only a moment before going back into the church to get the car keys from Jasper. Leaving behind my stunned and confused wedding guests, as I got in the car with Edward and Alice jumping in too, she had gone back to the hotel and I ran inside, Edward assuring the waitress that we were guests and catching up to us at the elevators.

She had the spare key to her sisters room and let herself in, not opening the door at all for me no matter how long I knocked on that door. Soon her sisters and mother arrived, letting themselves in and keeping me out despite my pleas to them.

"Tanya!" Alice put a hand on my shoulder, gently pulling me away when I was about to knock again, shaking her head as she gave me a sympathetic look.

"Leave or I will call security!" came Kate's voice from the other side of the door. My shoulders slumped and Alice kept her hand on my arm as she led me away from the door and towards the elevators.

"How about a drink, mate?" asked Edward, shooting me a sympathetic glance as the elevator doors closed. That glance would not be sympathetic for long, not when my rather redundant best man found out why my bride ran away.

~X~X~X~

"You had an affair?" Edward's eyebrows shot up in shock, I finished my drink and put down the empty glass, looking down and stalling as I glanced at Alice who was on the phone. While I explained the situation, Alice went into work mode, calling everyone and disbanding the wedding party, taking care of it all for me.

"I did, yes" I responded, finally looking back at him.

"Fucking hell Em" he ran a hand through his head, trying to process it.

What a mess, my mess, and I would have to deal with it sooner or later. Edward clearly felt sorry for Tanya, as he should, she was a brilliant and kind woman who I had hurt and humiliated by being such a damned fool. I wanted nothing, but to crawl into a hole with my guilt and self pity but I had to face the music and tell my family.

I had to tell them and see their looks of pity turn to disgust towards me for what I did.

A week later...

I was moving into a small flat of my own, Alice had helped me pack along with Jasper, although Edward had not turned up. Since my almost wedding, he had barely spoken to me at all.

If I asked when he was free to meet up there would be a ready excuse not to, after a few attempts I gave up and we didn't talk. He wasn't the only one either, the friends me and Tanya shared avoided me like the plague, my own family just tolerated me, my parents were disappointed and Alice was the only family member who didn't look like she's rather chew off her own arm than talk to me.

It was something that baffled me, she was best friends with my ex wife and had been almost friends with Tanya yet she didn't seem to be silently judging me. If the topic of my ex's ever came up she would be the first to change the subject, so I didn't question her. I was just glad she didn't hate me.

I cared what she thought even if we weren't always that close.

Even if she didn't hate my guts she was considerably less talkative and not as perky, as was Jasper. Though, I didn't quite know how he felt towards me before, he maintained a cool indifference towards everything and I wondered if anything ever bothered him.

There was relative silence in my new place as we unpacked my few belongings in the living room and kitchen.

"Thanks guys" I said as they left, turning down my offer of takeout as they had a plane back to New York to catch.

Shutting the door with a heavy sigh I went to the bedroom, starting to put away my clothes, stopping when I got to a light blue polo shirt. It was a Ralph Lauren polo shirt which meant nothing to me, but Tanya had given it to me last year for my birthday. I had worn it the next day to house warming we attended, she smiled so widely when she noticed. However I had only worn it a few more times after that before it was confined to back of my wardrobe, along with my old leather jacket I got when I was a teenager and the sole black suit I owned.

I hung it up and put it to one side.

Shortly after I came across a Muse concert tee, it was well worn and had a hole in one sleeve but I smiled when I picked it up. Rosalie and I had won the tickets in one of those radio competitions, we had been in New York for barely a couple of months and were so excited. She had bought me the t-shirt and gotten herself a matching one, we virtually lived in them for the next few weeks, washing them over and over till they got all faded.

I hung it up on the opposite side of the wardrobe and shut the doors.

Rosalie POV

Taking a deep breath, leaned back and dialled the number, waiting for the call to connect.

"Hello Rosalie, how are things?" my boss sounded like he was in a good mood, but as he spoke my nerves got the better of me so I stood and started to pace.

"Fine thank you Michael , but there is another why I called"

"Is this good news or bad?" he sounded anxious and it didn't help my own nerves.

"I want to hand in my notice" I blurted out when I could find any other suitable words.

"You want to quit? Why?" he sounded more concerned now and I stopped pacing by my couch, making myself sit down again.

"Ever since I knew I wanted to be chef, I dreamed of having my own place. I thought of every detail right down to the colour napkins I would have" we chuckled at that and I continued. "But I never thought I'd be able to do it, it was just a ridiculous fantasy, so I settled for working for someone else" stopping myself from fidgeting I took a shallow breath to calm myself down.

"I've worked for you for a couple of years now and being a manager has only proved that I can do it. So I want to try, even if I fall flat on my ass. It's time for me to leave" and move on with my life, there was a pause on the other end of the line which worried me.

"As much as I would love for you to stay, I can't say no to that"

"Thank you" I breathed out, unable to stop the grin on my face from spreading.

"I'll take this as your official two weeks notice. Good luck Rosalie"

Not long after Alice came home slamming down a bunch of files on the table as she shook her head.

"Sorry Rose, bad day at work"

"Anything I can help with?" she sighed and shook her head, toeing off her shoes and sitting next to me after shrugging off her coat.

"Don't worry, nothing I can't handle. This is why I get paid the big bucks" she commented drily as she switched her phone off.

"So...how 'bout you, tell me you had a better day than me"

"Yes, I told Michael and gave my notice. I have a few places to look at tomorrow and I need to find my replacement" she smiled widely and hugged me tightly.

"That is great, it's just what you need" keeping her hands on my shoulders she continued to smile and I nodded in agreement, she leaned back and dropped her hands the smile morphing into one of concern. "Are you alright?"

"Sure, I am" I responded shaking off her concern. "I...er...I got what I needed to hear and I can get on with my life" she nodded and not for the first time since getting back home, I felt a twinge of sadness in my chest as I thought of he-who-shall-not-be-named.

"I'm glad to hear that" we were both silent for a moment before she gave me another smile, albeit one that was a little forced.

"So in the spirit of moving on, how about I make some chicken Pad Thai? I think we have what we need to make it"

"You are seriously the best flat mate ever! How will I live without you?" I chuckled at her.

"You'll have to deal with your husband's cooking" she rolled her eyes, but smiled at the thought. "Speaking of, have you got a date in mind or will you forever be engaged to Jasper?"

"We have looked at a few places but nothing really speaks to us, we want to go for sometime next year in July or August"

"So you get to drive all of us mad with months of wedding planning"

"Hey! It is the most important day of every girls life you know!" I rolled my eyes.

"Alice, you do realise that it's Jasper's day too, right?"

"I know that...but Jasper says that as long as he can call me his wife, he'll be happy" she smiled goofily.

"Aww...that is...so sweet I think I might hurl" she laughed off my comment, knowing that I wasn't the tiniest bit serious.

"Let me get changed and I'll help you cook"

"You mean, let you pick at the food whilst I cook and pour yourself a generous measure of wine" I arched an eyebrow and we both sniggered as it was the truth, she shook her head and with a smile and headed to her room. I went over to my laptop, switching it on and flicking through the images of the properties I was going to look at.

There was a lot to do now and it wouldn't be easy, but it would definitely keep me busy. After I found a place, I would need to find the money to fund my restaurant. I had some savings but it wouldn't be nearly enough to put a dent in the costs of having my own place.

And at the same time I needed to find my replacement at Madison, I had to advertise the vacancy and interview the hopefuls. It was all worth it though or it would be. It would be a step closer to my dream and a step closer towards moving on from the disaster that had been mine and his relationship.

Alice had gotten back from Seattle recently having to deal with the aftermath of the non-wedding. When she got back she explained what happened and I was shocked and guilt ridden, hurt at what had happened because of what we did.

Tanya had been betrayed by the man she loved and I was als0 to blame, I was so disgusted with myself and angrier at him. Even though there was a part of me that ached for him, I buried that part of me and tried to get on with things though I couldn't help that twinge in my chest when either the subject was broached or I thought about him.

I still loved him, I couldn't deny that.

But it didn't change anything.

I slapped on a smile when Alice came back in, as we cooked she poured the wine and stealing bits of food as I cook. At first my smile and laughter was fake, but soon it was genuine and we were laughing and chattering easily like we always did. If nothing else I was glad I had a friend like Alice.

Emmett POV

My life was incredibly dull, my days consisted of meetings, pitches and paperwork at work, then back to my quiet and lonely apartment. It was the same thing every day, apart from my days off which were even more pathetic.

Apart from the monotony my life now had, there were the whispers that now seemed to follow me. It had gotten out about my disaster of a wedding day, at first when my colleagues found out I got sympathetic looks and free coffee, but it didn't take long for the truth to spread and the looks of disgust and pointing to follow me around the office.

I was now officially a social pariah.

Mike could just about stand to be around me, making various excuses not to meet out of a work. So I gave up. The only family I saw now was my parents and my social life was non-existent. I was almost in exile, not by my own choice.

Hell, I deserved a whole lot worse so I said nothing when my co-workers talked to as little as possible and when I got fewer and fewer phone calls from my friends. Even though my sister was still on talking terms with me, I couldn't help but think she sounded a little frosty. But as it was Alice she would never admit to it and so I never asked her. It would only make things awkward as she would try extra hard to be nice and to make me feel better.

Was there anyone I hadn't fucked up?

Despite the cold shoulders, I worked hard and took on longer hours as it mean less time in my depressing flat. So everything else was fucked up but I was doing better than I ever had at work.

Insert fake smile and sarcastic comment here.

God, I missed Rose.

It was terrible, but I thought about her a lot. Not that I could do anything, I had made my decision and even I had shot myself in the foot I owed it to her not to fuck things up for her even more. Despite the fact that I loved her, I was certain of it.

It didn't change anything.

Rosalie POV

"So as you see by my business plan I have written up, I think my restaurant could be successful in the long term" I looked at the bank manager and tried to gauge his reaction.

"Rather impressive Ms Hale" he said and I tried not to smile but stay relatively calm.

"Is that a yes?"

"Well, you have a very good credit rating and you have sufficient experience in managing..." he placed his hands together as he considered it. "That is a yes"

"Thank you so much for this!" he smiled at my inability to contain my pure joy.

"You're welcome and good luck" we shook hands and I held the business plan under my arm almost bounding out of the bank, deliriously happy. Getting my phone out I called the first person that came to my mind.

"Alice!" I said the moment the call connected.

"Hi, how did it go?" I could tell she was nervous for me and I smiled widely.

"I got it!" I burst out, a laugh of happiness escaping me and getting me odd looks from the crowds of people walking by me.

"That is amazing, I knew you'd get it!"

"Yes, now I can put in a bid for the location I saw!"

"Great, well then this is the perfect time for a celebration"

"Alice, I still have so much work to do, maybe once I have my place up and running..." I hesitated.

"Come on, Rose. Once you start working you'll be too busy to stand still plus on your opening you'll be just as busy" I still hesitated and she realised. "One night of sin and debauchery before you return to the world of adults" she had me there.

"Oh...okay then" I gave in too quickly, heading towards the subway. "I'm making my way home now"

"Cool, see you in a bit"

~X~X~X~

That evening I let Alice dress and tart me up like her life size Barbie doll. I was told to wear red stilettos with a black bustier dress and a thin red belt. Black nail polish and gold jewellery was added along with my hair half curled and pinned up.

The finishing touches were immaculate black eyeliner, fake lashes and red lipstick that complimented the red accents to my outfit. Spritzing a bit of hairspray she stepped back to survey her work and looked very pleased with herself, I glanced in the mirror and smiled.

"Why exactly did you go into PR?"

"You're welcome" I stood, only wavering a little in my ridiculously high heels.

"Thanks Al"

"Just give me ten and we can go" she was already changed into a crisp white chiffon shirt buttoned all the way up with the sleeves to her wrists, silver jewellery and a white leather skirt that ht her just above the knees and had the shirt tucked into it. Her nails were red and her white shoes rivalled mine in height though she walked easily as if wearing flats, her hair had started to grow out a bit and was now to her shoulders. She had if wavy and one side pinned back with her bangs falling across her forehead.

"Sure"

Getting into a cab a little while later, driver didn't head towards the club like I thought, but instead turned left, the opposite direction.

"Alice where are we going?"

"You'll see" was her cryptic reply.

Barely five minutes later and I got my answer, we pulled up outside the restaurant, the lights all out and it looked from the outside, to be empty. But Alice led me to the doubles doors which curiously were unlocked.

The instant the door shut behind us that the lights flicked on and my friends and soon to be ex-co-workers jumped out with a shout of "Surprise!" I was moved forward and I smiled at everyone.

There was a banner hung up on one wall that read: 'We will miss you!' and someone had put on some music. I was embraced by my friend's first then co-workers, all of them throwing comments at me as they hugged me tightly.

"...good luck Rose!"

"...it won't be the same without you!"

"...you better come back and see us once in a while!"

I smiled, laughed and a glass was given to me which didn't seem to stay empty for long, if at all.

"Hello Rose" greeted a familiar British man, I turned to face him and hugged him smiling all the while.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good, though much better for seeing you" I mentally sighed, I was so relieved he didn't want to run a mile. Scared he would no longer want to be my friend. I had tried to give him space even though I really could have used a friend. I had Alice but sometimes I felt I was a little bit of a moody bitch around her. Robert could always make me laugh and as selfish as it was, I needed that.

"Really?" he picked up on the uncertainty in my voice and warm smile at me he nodded at me, any earlier awkwardness forgotten.

"Yeah, of course" he nudged my arm playfully. "You're my mate and I'm really happy for you" he seemed genuine and got taken by surprise when I hugged him again and kissed his cheek.

"You have no idea what that means to me" releasing him, we smiled at each other. "I don't have many good friends" I said this part quieter and his smile faded a bit as he shook his head.

"I beg to differ"

"What?" he rolled his eyes.

"Rose, all of these people are your friends" he motioned at the whole place. "All of this is for you, you know that? All of your friends were so eager to celebrate because they care about you"

"They do?" I said in astonishment.

"For such a pretty girl, you are very insecure" I ignored that comment and took a small sip of my drink. "Danny over there..." he pointed out the recently promoted waiter, who was chatting to someone and laughing. "He told me about how many times you helped him out"

"His mom isn't well and he helps supports his younger siblings" I replied dismissively.

"Well how about Jackie, one of your chefs? You recommended her and got her the job after she lost everything in her divorce. She told me that you consoled her when you caught her crying in the freezer once"

"She was having a hard time"

"You don't see it do you?" we walked away from the crowd of people and went to the quieter side of the bar. "They all care about you because underneath that hard exterior you are a big softie"

"Don't be telling anyone that I have a reputation to maintain" I said smiling and taking a sip of my drink, he laughed and shook his head at me.

"If you say so" he commented, finishing his drink and putting it down before leaning forward and turning to look at me. "Care for a dance?" the song changed to a slower one and I shrugged.

"Okay" taking his hand and ignoring the look from Alice, we walked to the space that had been cleared as a dance floor. He spun me around and pulled me into his arms, letting out a giggle despite myself, I was a little tipsy and we swayed along to the music. One of his hands held one of mine and the other was on my waist, it was nice just enjoying the atmosphere and not have to over think any of it.

We danced for a while, not doing it seriously though, he would twirl me and then occasionally try to dip me. We ended up laughing and spinning around for more than just one song, after a while we stopped for a break and I got a glass of water, Jasper and Alice approaching me as Robert went to the men's restroom.

"Having fun?" asked Alice and I nodded.

"Yeah" I said and put down my glass with a smile. "Thanks Alice, this is brilliant"

"This wasn't me" she said, sounding a bit confused and I raised an eyebrow.

"It wasn't?"

"No, it was all Robert. The only I did was give a guest list"

"That's...sweet"

"Yep, he must really like you"

"We're just friends, Jasper" he didn't look like he bought it and neither did Alice, in fact they wore the exact same expression. Freaky.

"Rose, no guy goes to all this trouble for a friend" replied Jasper, pretty much spelling out for me. My smile started to fade and then Robert came back out, looking round and spotting me he inclined his head for me to join him and as I shot him a confused look he went to the front and took a glass of champagne in his hand. He raised it and motioned for the DJ to turn down the music, getting the attention of everyone.

"Hi everybody" he looked at me and I walked towards him, I tried to smile but it felt forced. "Thanks for coming, although I bet a lot of you were only tempted by the free booze" laughter came from the guests and he continued. "Well apart from you drunks...we are here for Rosalie Hale" I got to him and he handed me a glass.

"So, I propose a toast to her. Good luck and happiness to the woman that deserves it all. To Rosalie!"

"To Rosalie!" everyone echoed, raising their glasses in unison, as he glanced at me I did the same and tipped the glass back to take a sip.

"How about another dance?"

"Sure" the rest of the evening went by and I genuinely enjoyed myself, I danced with a few other friends, laughing freely and living in the moment, at least while it lasted.

Sooner than I would have liked the night started to come to a close, last congratulations going round as the guests started to leave many of them not quite able to walk straight. Alice was also a bit tipsy and was all over her fiancé, the normally stoic Jasper had a hard time not laughing at her whilst trying to get her to stop her getting too handsy in public.

"Do you want a lift Rose?" he asked turning to me after we got Alice in the front passenger seat. I spotted Robert inside collecting empty dishes and cups on his own, then I looked back at Jasper who smiled knowingly. "Unless you have other plans?" he raised an eyebrow and I glared at him.

"I'll call a cab, goodnight"

"Goodnight" he said in a sing song voice and that annoying smile, before getting in the car and waving to me out of the window as he drove off. Going back inside I picked up a plate and tapped Robert on the shoulder, handing it him when he turned around.

"Thanks...Rose, I thought you left?" we went to the kitchen where Danny was washing up, putting the dishes to the side we went to collect the rest.

"It looked like you needed help"

"You don't have to stay, I've got this"

"It's fine. It's the least I can do"

"Rose, go home" it wasn't said harshly, just bluntly and I stubbornly shook my head.

"Not a chance, mister" he sighed and then shrugged.

"I keep forgetting how stubborn you are" I gave him a smile and childishly stuck my tongue out at him.

"Deal with it" he sniggered but took the plates I handed him then going back to the kitchen.

When they were all cleared we went back to the kitchen and Danny was still washing plates, with Robert drying them. I pulled off the ridiculous heels that were killing my feet and put them to the side with a sigh of relief, before going over to Danny and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Danny, it's late. Why don't you go home?" he looked up as he passed a plate to Robert who looked at us with a raised eyebrow.

"But there is still a lot to do" he protested weakly and I smiled gently at him.

"Robert and I can handle the rest of it, it's okay. You should go home, I bet your brother and sister and waiting up for you" he looked a little conflicted and glanced at Robert who nodded in agreement with me.

"Go on lad, we're good here"

"Okay then" he squeaked out and left before we could change our minds.

"Goodnight" we chorused as I took up his place, we looked at each other at the same time and smirked when we looked gazes. Hearing the door shut I rinsed off a plate and passed it on, working in silence till the dishes were done.

"This was nice Rob" I said being the first to break the silence. "Thank you"

"So Alice told you?" I nodded. "Anytime Angel" I found I didn't mind the pet name he used.

"She told me, it was really sweet"

"I should do it more often if it means I get to see that gorgeous smile more often" it didn't sound cheesy or flirty, it sounded genuine, that wasn't Robert he wasn't anything but genuine. "You know...I heard about what happened...with Alice's brother"

"Yeah..." he didn't say his name but I still felt the dull clench in my chest at the thought of him, the smile slipped from my lips. "Well it was a mistake" I lowered my head.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up, that must have hurt" I put my hands on the edge of the sink, keeping my face hidden from him "but I want you to know that...I would never hurt you like that"

"You're a good friend" I replied but it sounded strained.

"In the interest of full disclosure, I like you more than as a friend Rose" I could see where this was going, but I let him continue. "Even despite our failed attempt, I still like you a lot. I wanted you to know that"

"I...I...Rob...I" I stutter trying to find the right words. Trying to find any words.

"But if you don't like me that way then I understand"

"Rob, I could really use a friend right now. Is it totally selfish of me to want to have you around as my friend?" I spoke slowly and I could see the disappointment clearly on his face and it killed me a little.

"Of course not, of course we can still be friends" I hugged him.

"Thank you"

~X~X~X~

When I got home Alice wasn't there and so keeping the lights off I went to room and flicked on the lamp by my bed sitting on the edge of it as I took off the shoes and jewellery.

Unzipping the dress and tossing it over the chair by my dresser, I went to the wardrobe to pull out a nightshirt. But I came across an old, worn and very faded Muse concert tee.

Remembering the memory behind it, I fell back onto my bed and clutched it to my chest, the tears starting to fall down my cheeks as the pain in my chest got worse.

Author's Note:

Well, next time we will take a few jumps in time, I may sneak in the first part of Alice and Jasper's wedding. Any ideas for how they should do it? Big and extravagant or simple and classy? This is a wedding that defiantly will be going ahead, even if the brother of the bride and the Maid of Honor clash! :P

Thanks for reading guys, see you next time.