Chapter 7 – Rosalie – Innocence

"Thank you! It's lovely."

I admired the hand painted vase, which was really very beautiful, and then added it to the collection of gifts on the table. Eleanor, my mother in law to be, made a notation in a leather covered notebook so that I'd be able to write thank you notes to the correct people after the bridal shower.

Mrs Devereux, a friend of my mothers, came and sat beside me on the sofa and I forced my face back into a smile.

"Rosalie darling, we're all so happy for you," she said, patting me on the knee. "Marrying into the King family is quite the coup! I hope you're going to be very happy."

"I'm sure I will be," I said, with a genuine smile this time. I really did believe that I was marrying my very own handsome prince and our life together would be perfect.

Mrs Devereux gave me her gift, and once I'd unwrapped and exclaimed about a beautiful linen tablecloth, she beamed at me again and then wandered off towards the table laid with a selection of tea sandwiches and little cakes and pastries.

"Rose?"

It was my old friend Vera, hovering a little uneasily on the fringes of the group with her baby Henry on her hip.

"Vera!" I exclaimed happily, patting the sofa beside me before I held out my arms. "Come sit down, and let me say hello to the little man."

Vera handed me the baby, who sat on my lap looking around with the most adorable look of astonishment on his face.

"It's a bridal shower," I whispered in his ear. "And there are lots and lots of people here whom your Rosalie doesn't even know! I think it's the kind of party that's much more about the mommy of the bride and the mother in law to be…at least this one is!"

Henry wrinkled his nose up at me and Vera laughed. "It's a lovely party Rosalie."

I shrugged and smiled at her affectionately. "I'm glad you came."

"I've got a present," Vera said. Once again I caught that look of embarrassment on her face. "It's not much, I made it…"

"Oh, stop. I'm sure I'll love it." I knew Vera didn't have much money. Most of the women here were wearing jewellery that probably cost more than Vera's husband made in a year and the gifts I'd been receiving were extravagantly beautiful. But the idea of a present handmade just for me made me smile.

It was a wonderfully intricate crocheted lace doily. Vera had always been good at sewing and needlework – much better than I was! – but this must have taken her hours. "It's so pretty! I'm going to put it right on my dressing table at the new house." I flushed a little. "My house, I suppose I ought to say."

I dipped my face a little and kissed Henry's curls, thinking of the mansion that was going to be my home. I'd had nothing to do with the purchase; Royce's mother had chosen it and Royce's father had paid for it. It was stately and imposing and beautiful…of course I would learn to feel comfortable there, in time!

Anne and Kitty and Lacy came hurrying over, giggling over the store box they carried between them. "Congratulations Rosalie!" they chorused, and then held the box out towards me with a flourish.

Henry reached towards the ribbons, and Vera hastily took him onto her lap. I surrendered him a little reluctantly. He was so sweet, and it was amazing to watch him grow and learn so fast. But soon I'll be married, I reminded myself, and maybe soon after that… I didn't finish the thought.

I slid the ribbon off and gave it to Henry, who immediately shoved the bow into his mouth and began to chew.

I opened the box, and beneath the tissue paper I found layers of lace and nylon that was so soft and almost transparent that I could resist lifting it up just to feel it slide through my fingers. It was only when I was doing this that I realised that what I was holding was a nightgown, if the scandalous lingerie could even be given that name, and I dropped it back in the box like it was burning my fingers.

"It's for your wedding night," Kitty said with a wicked gleam in her eye.

I simply stared at her in blank astonishment. What was I supposed to do with that?

My friends were giggling, and even some of the older ladies had smiles on their faces. My mother looked mortified, and when I risked a glance at Eleanor, Royce's mother, she looked coldly disapproving. Hastily I repacked the box and replaced the lid, putting it on the table with the other gifts, but a little towards the back.

However the gift had raised the spectre of the wedding night for me, and anxiety began tying my stomach in knots. My mother's advice to just do what Royce told me and put up with it, whatever 'it' was, was seeming more and more inadequate the closer the event came. I couldn't help remembering the night of the charity ball, and the way Royce had touched me then, and now this nightgown that would leave me practically naked…

Vera beckoned me from over by the door. Henry was starting to fuss a little, and she was bouncing him in her arms. "I've got to go Rosalie, he needs his nap."

I bent forward and kissed his forehead. "Of course. Thank you so much for coming." A sudden thought struck me, and I looked at Vera. "I was wondering…can I ask you something."

"Of course." Vera looked surprised that I'd even ask.

"Not now." I looked away, playing with Henry's hands to hide my embarrassment. "It's a…a private thing. Perhaps I could come to your house in the next day or so and we can talk?"

Vera leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "Whenever you like Rosalie. I'll help you if I can," she said sincerely.

I walked to Vera's house the following afternoon, my anger making my steps quick. Once again my mother had lectured me about the 'suitability' of Vera as a friend for me, and said that I'd be far better off making a start on my thank you cards rather than spending the afternoon with her. We had argued about it until I had flung myself out of the house in a bad mood.

Although it was cold it was sunny outside, and it didn't take long for my irritation to dissipate. I walked through the park, feeling stylish and confident in my white wool coat and pink dress, pleasantly conscious of the admiring or envious glances of other people.

Vera's house was small and shabby. I pictured the large, luxurious house that would become my home in a little over a week and couldn't stop the sneaking thought that perhaps Mother was right, and Vera and I really wouldn't have very much in common as we moved on into our adult lives. But I pushed the thought firmly away, and knocked on the door with the bright brass knocker.

"Rosalie, come in!" Vera gave me a bright smile. "I've just put Henry down for a nap, so we can have a cup of tea and some cake in peace."

Vera's house may have been small and dark and full of mismatched furniture, but it was also full of her own handmade touches that made it seem warm and welcoming. Vera took me into the kitchen and we both sat down at the little round table with her best china cups and a delicious pound cake in front of us.

"I know you didn't come over just to chitchat," Vera said gently, after we'd been talking for some time about the bridal shower and the wedding plans and how much solid food Henry was eating now. "You had something specific in mind…"

"Were you scared?" I said abruptly. "Before your wedding?"

Vera paused. "Scared of what?"

I shrugged. "I don't know…the wedding itself, with so many people watching? Life afterwards, when all of a sudden I'll have my own house and be expected to manage it? And…well, the wedding night…" My voice drifted away as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. Vera and I had always been as close as sisters and talked about almost everything, but this?

"Oh, the wedding night," Vera said thoughtfully. "I was a bit scared of that, I admit. But I trusted Jim, and Mama had told me what to expect so it wasn't too frightening."

"My mother won't tell me anything," I said softly, hating feeling so ignorant and insecure.

"You mean…nothing?" Vera stared at me in surprise.

I hunched my shoulders a little, feeling the heat of embarrassment in my face. "Just that I ought to do what Royce wants and he'll give me a baby…and none of that is any actual use to me! You know that she doesn't talk about anything important. Even when I had my time of the month for the first time I had to go and talk to your mother! So that's why I thought…maybe you…"

"Of course, I can explain." Vera's cheeks went pink. "Men…what have you and Royce done together?"

I could have crawled under the table. "He kisses me. He touches, a little bit…"

"Do you touch him?" Vera's voice was very matter of fact, and I began to feel a little steadier.

"No. Not anywhere that I shouldn't."

"So you don't know what a man is like without his clothes on?"

"No!"

Vera frowned. "Rosalie, I'm going to draw you a picture. And then I'm going to talk to you and it's going to be horribly embarrassing, but the more you know the easier things will be for you."

Vera drew me a picture and after that she talked to me about sex, and what was going to happen to me on my wedding night. It might have been embarrassing if I had had the room for any emotion other than shock. As it was I simply stared at her in open-mouthed astonishment until Vera laughed and tossed her picture into the fire.

"Rosalie! You must have had some idea!"

Dazedly I shook my head, although the memories of Royce after the charity ball, rubbing against me and trying to put his hands down my dress and in my knickers kept creeping into my mind. I thought about the whispers and giggles from other girls over the years, and I frowned.

"Is this something everyone knows? And I'm just terribly stupid for not figuring it out?"

"Not at all," Vera shook her head. "Usually I guess girls have mothers or sisters to talk to, or else their husbands talk to them after they're married. Or they might ask friends, like you asked me."

"Is it…awful?" I asked hesitantly.

Vera blushed. "No. It's not awful, not at all. Remember Rosalie, Royce loves you and he will want to make you happy. He's not going to hurt you."

"Well, thank you for telling me, even if it was terribly awkward!" I said with a half laugh. "I wish my mother had been as open and honest as you. I really can't talk to her about anything at all."

"What about Royce's mother?" Vera asked, nibbling at her cake. "I don't mean sex, but I was thinking about what you said before about being nervous about taking on a household."

"I think she'll give me advice whether I want it or not," I sighed. "There are standards, Rosalie," I mimicked Eleanor's refined tones. "You're aware of our family's position in the community and it's part of your job to maintain it."

Vera giggled. "Well, at least she'll help you. I wouldn't know the first thing about managing a big house like that."

"There won't be that much for me to do," I admitted. "They've already hired all the people that I'll need. There's going to be a housekeeper that lives in, and a man to do the driving and garden who'll live out by the garage. Apart from that there will be women who come in to do the cleaning, and extra cooking when we have parties."

I smiled at Vera, knowing my eyes were sparkling. I loved the idea of being a hostess and having dinner parties and cocktail parties and music evenings where I would be able to dress up and bask in the admiration. Royce had many friends and business acquaintances, and he was keen to start entertaining together in our own house.

"It sounds fun." Vera's voice was a little wistful.

"I'll still come and visit," I promised her, knowing that that was all that it would be. Vera and her husband Jim, a carpenter, would be completely out of place and feel very uncomfortable in a party with Royce's wealthy and sophisticated friends. "And hopefully it won't be too long before…"

"You have a baby?" Vera filled in the gap.

I blushed but nodded. "You know I've always wanted that. And Royce and his family would be very happy if I have a baby right away, especially if it's a boy."

She's the wife you need, and you will marry her and get a baby on her and give me a grandson, damn you…

The words I had overheard at the charity ball flashed into my mind, but I pushed them firmly away. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered but that Royce and I got married, and then we'd be happy together.

Henry woke then, and Vera got him out of his crib. The two of us played with him, putting him on his belly on the rug and trying to encourage him to crawl. We were having so much fun that it wasn't until the front door banged and Jim came in that I realised that it was evening, and the sky outside was rapidly darkening.

"Jim, hello!" I said brightly, jumping to my feet and smoothing down my dress.

"Rosalie," Jim nodded, and gave Vera sweet kiss on her cheek. "Hello my love."

"Supper's ready," Vera said. "It's beef and vegetable soup…Rosalie, would you like to stay? There's plenty there."

For a moment I hesitated. Mother would be furious if I stayed out for supper without telling her first. But I'm an adult, I thought defensively. In just a week I'm going to be married and Mother won't have any say at all over what I do. "I'd love to stay," I said, a little defiantly.

Supper turned out to be fun. It was nice to get to know Jim a little better - apart from going to some dances with him and Vera and when they were courting, I didn't really know him very well. But he fed baby Henry with a tenderness that brought a lump to my throat, and told a few good jokes that made me laugh. Vera's soup and bread pudding were plain but delicious, and I was glad I'd stayed.

"Oh dear, it's rather late," I said, a little startled when I eventually glanced at the clock. "Mother is going to be so cross with me! I really have to run."

"Jim will walk you home," Vera offered.

"No, no, don't be silly…I'll be fine," I said, slipping into my coat and fastening the bright brass buttons. "You stay home where it's warm."

"I'm not going to take no for an answer," Jim said with a laugh. "Rosalie, it's far too late and too dark for a lady to be walking alone. I don't mind at all, and when I get back Vera will have the kettle boiled and a slice of cake waiting for me…if you two didn't eat it all this afternoon!"

I laughed and hugged Vera tight. "Thank you for everything," I whispered.

Jim shrugged into his worn coat with the darned patches on the elbows, and gallantly offered me his arm. I smiled at him, blew kisses to Vera and baby Henry, and then allowed him to walk me all the way home. Uneventfully.

A/N – And here we REALLY diverge from canon! Instead of walking home alone, Rosalie accepts Jim's offer to walk her home. Because of this she never met Royce and his friends that night, and was never assaulted, never left for dead, and never saved by Carlisle. So now we have AU!Rosalie about to get everything that canon!Rosalie wanted but that was taken from her…but maybe it's not going to be quite like she imagined it would be.