A/N: Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!
REVISED 6/2/13
Previously:
"Way to ruin the moment Em." She said smirking. "And I think you're suffocating Bella."
"Right, sorry Bella. It's just hard to remember that she's only human unless she's tripping." Emmett said laughing as I blushed. "Or doing that."
"Ha ha. Good to know you find my humanity amusing." I pouted.
"Okay, okay enough laughing at Bella's expense." Rosalie said saving me from further embarrassment. "I'll stay here with her while you two go hunting."
"Rematch from last time?" Emmett asked Jasper a grin on his face.
"You're on!" Jasper called before flying out the door.
"Hey! No head starts!" Emmett whined following after him quickly.
Rosalie and I both rolled our eyes in sync. "Boys."
After Emmett and Jasper left, the house felt emptier than ever. The sudden quiet that Emmett's absence caused was expected; he was absurdly childish and loud at times. Jasper was another matter entirely. Even though I didn't know him that well, probably the least out of all the Cullen's, it was surprisingly easy to carry on a conversation with him. Our newly formed camaraderie left me feeling out of sorts. Usually Edward kept me to himself when I visited, with the occasional non-optional shopping trip with Alice. But now that the two of them were nowhere in sight, the chance to interact with everyone else without Edward watching my every move was undeniably refreshing…Even if Rosalie was intimidating as hell.
"How long are they going to be gone?" I asked tentatively. I was a little anxious about being here alone with Rosalie.
We had become closer after she told me the story of her human life and being changed into a vampire. Despite this, I was waiting for the old Rosalie to make her appearance. After she told me what happened to her, I understood the open hostility she showed me. Her own fiancé had beat and raped her, leaving her behind to die. The cold, tough exterior that Rosalie put forth made sense if one knew all the troubles that she faced in life. There was definitely more to her than being probably the prettiest vampire I had ever seen.
"Why? Think you could have more fun with them than with me?"
"What? Of course not Rosalie!" I protested immediately.
"I'm just kidding Bella." She said, rolling her eyes. "Come on, let's go do something fun. Just the two of us."
"Like what?"
"Well...I'm not sure.'' She said sheepishly.
"You're making it too easy for them to be more fun." I said teasingly, prompting her to narrow her eyes.
Then her eyes lit up and a devious smirk settled on her face. Oh no.
"I just had the perfect idea...But first you have to change." She wrinkled her nose, observing my jeans and t-shirt.
Usually it annoyed me to no end when someone, usually Alice, acted as if wearing ripped jeans and a t-shirt was a heinous crime. But, in this instance I couldn't help but agree with the blonde. The band shirt I was wearing was horribly wrinkled, and was in desperate need of a wash.
"I don't have any extra clothes here." I shrugged. How was I supposed to know my honeymoon would end disastrously and leave me without anything to wear?
"What happened to that huge suitcase full of new clothes you took with you?" She demanded. "You didn't throw them into the Atlantic Ocean or anything did you?"
Damn, that would have been a great idea.
"No." I answered, trying to make light of what I was about to say. "But I did conveniently forget them on the island."
Her eyes saddened and she quickly changed the subject. "You can borrow something of mine."
"Oh. Are you sure? I think I'm fine going like this." I said dubiously, not wanting to borrow her clothes. What if they didn't fit or something? That would be beyond mortifying.
"Relax, Bella. You'll be surprised at how good you'll look with some decent clothes on." She said scathingly, "Any requests?"
"No pink." I replied immediately, snorting at the offended look on her face as she disappeared upstairs.
Hoping to god that she wouldn't try and force me into anything too girly, I turned and stared out of the window into the forest. I wonder where Edward and Alice were now. A thought occurred to me, but I immediately shoved it away. Edward wouldn't go to the Volturi again would he? I mean, I may be unbearably hurt and angry with him, but I didn't want him to die. He wouldn't do that to his family again, would he? I mean he swore he wouldn't. Then again, he didn't seem that opposed to lying lately.
"Okay so I picked the least girly outfit possible." Rosalie said re-entering the room.
I snapped out of my morbid thoughts in time to see the clothes she picked out. They actually were not as bad as I had expected. Dark blue skinny jeans and a grey v-neck shirt…she definitely could have picked something worse.
Seeing the look of surprised approval on my face, she snickered. "What? Did you expect me to pull out a giant pink cupcake dress for you? Please, I'm not that evil."
"Honestly, I expected you to bring something I normally wouldn't be caught dead wearing." I admitted sheepishly, blushing slightly.
"Well it's a good thing you're not, yet at least." She amended, making me look at her in surprise. She would be okay with me being changed? I thought for sure that if I ever did become a vampire that our slowly developing friendship would immediately dissipate.
"Why do you look so shocked?" She asked, amusement in her tone.
"No offense…but you weren't exactly the most welcoming person at first. So I just assumed it was because you didn't think someone should want to be a vampire." I explained truthfully. "But you should know that I do want this. I can't explain it, but with you guys, it feels like home."
Now it was her turn to be taken aback.
"Yeah, I was kind of a bitch wasn't I?" She said, laughing slightly. "I guess since I wasn't given a choice, watching you choose to give up something as precious and fragile as your humanity is just incomprehensible to me. You don't have to be a vampire for me to consider you my sister. But, it is your life; I want us to be friends, no matter if it's until the end of your human life, or forever."
I blinked back tears that threatened to fall. "Thanks Rosalie."
"I think that since I call you Bella, and not Isabella, that it's only fair that you call me Rose." She said, smiling with her teeth. Despite myself, I had to repress a shiver. Even though she hadn't meant to she could be very intimidating at times.
She smirked knowingly, noticing my very human reaction. "Go get changed so we can go already."
I shut the first floor bathroom door and changed into the clothes Rosalie-...Rose picked out for me. Sighing internally I slipped on the dark colored skinny jeans, and to my relief they slipped on me without trouble, even though they fit snugly like a second skin. I pulled on the grey shirt and tucked the jeans into my black boots. This wasn't so bad.
"Better." Rose said approvingly when I re-entered the living room. "Now let's go."
"We should probably be getting back soon." I called to Rose, who was in the dressing room at Victoria's Secret.
Rose didn't need to try it on since she'd been buying the same size for years, but she claimed that it had to look absolutely perfect. Personally, I just think she liked to have an excuse to admire herself in the mirror.
"Hold on a second!" She called, so I turned and sat on one of the fancy sofas outside the changing room.
Honestly, I don't understand why women make such a big deal out of undergarments. Do I want to spend forty dollars on a damn bra? No thanks, can someone point me to the nearest Barnes and Noble?
I sat there contemplating the past two hours. It actually hadn't been as bad as I had feared. Don't get me wrong, shopping still will never be on my list of favorite things to do. But it was nice getting to know Rose, and it was just a bit different going with her than with Alice. Alice was always in a rush to get to every store and proceed to shove me into every frilly, floral outfit that I hated. While Rose was okay going at a human pace to only her favorite stores, not the whole mall. Not to mention she didn't comment on the abnormal amount of black t-shirts in my closet.
"Bella?" I heard a familiar voice gasp.
I froze and plastered a fake smile on my face turning to greet him. "Mike! What are you doing here?"
"Just picking up a few things." He said regaining his composure.
"…here?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow. Well I mean we are in a lingerie store.
"Well yeah, I mean why would I be here if it wasn't to buy something." He said before finally seeming to realize what I meant. "Oh you mean why was I in this store...I mean of course I'm not here for me. I mean this is an...um girls store and I would never want anything here." He rambled, his face turning red in his mortification.
"So then why are you here?" I asked, wary of the answer.
"I um...I saw you when I was walking by the store and thought I'd say hello." He said smoothly, shooting a grin at me.
"Michael Newton! Where are you? I'm done checking out now!" An older woman announced, coming up to Mike.
"Mom!" He hissed to the woman, whom I now knew was his mother. "I'll meet you outside the store!"
"Don't speak to me in that tone. Oh Bella! I didn't see you there! How are you doing sweetie?" The red-haired woman pulled me into a hug and Mike groaned.
"I'm fine, thanks." I coughed out as best as I could while being assaulted by the strong smell of perfume.
Pulling back from the hug, I smiled tightly and glanced at the changing room Rose was in. Hurry up Rose.
"You haven't been down to the store lately dear." She said disapprovingly.
I had picked up a part-time job down at the Newton's outdoor equipment store over the summer, hoping to get a little money so I could leave Charlie with some retirement funds. But after getting engaged, Edward had made it clear that I didn't need to work there since we would be married and the whole 'what's yours is mine' thing would come into play. But now I wasn't sure what would end up happening to me. And frankly I was relieved to not have to go there every weekend, wear a bright orange vest, and deal with Mike's persistent attempts as flirting. But I couldn't say that.
"I know, but I'm going to be going to college soon and so I don't have much spare time anymore." I explained, trying not to mention Edward. Because if I did Mike was bound to remember that I was supposed to be on my honeymoon right now.
"Mom didn't you want to check out furniture for the house?" Mike interrupted quickly.
"Oh that's right I'd almost forgotten." She said laughingly. " Well maybe you and Mike can get together sometime and play board games, or go bird watching, or whatever it is you kids do nowadays."
Did she just try to-?
"Let's go!" Mike interrupted suddenly, grabbing his mother's arm.
"Nice seeing you again Bella!" She called as her son lead her towards the exit practically running out of the store.
What just happened?
Rose chose then to emerge from the changing room. "Have fun catching up Bella?"
"You heard all that and didn't feel the need to-oh I don't know- save me?" I exclaimed, shooting her a glare.
"Please, you were fine. And I was enjoying listening too much to want to interfere." She said, smirking at me.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Are we done here?"
"Most definitely...But I was thinking about going to look at furniture for the house." She said teasingly.
I continued to glare at her in silence.
"Okay maybe it's too soon for jokes." She said finally, after seeing my response. "Come on, you're probably ready to go back now."
I nodded quickly in agreement, and spent the drive back home lost in my thoughts.
My mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact that Edward and I weren't together anymore. He had been a huge and seemingly constant part of my life up until the day before yesterday. Before two nights ago, I had naively believed that he was my life and my future…that we would have eternity to spend together. For so long now I had been dependent on Edward; therefore, as much as I hated it, it would take awhile to adjust to the huge changes that occurred in the last couple of days. My whole future had been altered in just a moment. From that second when I discovered the truth, my life had changed; and it was my job to make sure it was for the better.
But there was one thing that confused me. Jasper had been taking the situation better that I expected him to. I was anticipating yelling and fighting, but so far the house, and its inhabitants, remained intact.
"Rose? Can I ask you something?" I started tentatively.
"Does this have something to do with why you were so quiet most of the car ride back?" She asked wryly, and I took that as an invitation to go ahead and ask.
"I don't want to...pry into something that is none of my business but why- I mean, how is Jasper taking this so well? I don't know how he feels, but I know that I am a wreck. And I am completely distraught...and broken."
Rose started to interrupt sympathetically, but I continued. "But they were married for years. Years, Rose. I just- I just don't understand."
Rose sat in stoic silence for a couple of seconds before she hesitantly responded. "I'm not Jasper, so if you want a better explanation you should go to him. But, people all deal with pain and suffering in their own way. You remember my story don't you?"
I nodded.
"Well in order to move on, and keep my sanity, I had to make sure he never did that to anyone again. To put it delicately, I had to…distribute my own penance." She said, a proud smirk upon her face.
"That's a way to put it lightly." I commented, making her shrug.
"Do you want to hear it the way it really happened? With all the gruesome, morbid details included?" She asked skeptically.
I shook my head frantically. "No thanks, I'm good."
She snickered, amused at my adamant refusal, and we pulled into the driveway. My heart leapt into my throat, rendering me incapable of speech. I felt my heart rate increase, and was sure every vampire within the vicinity could hear the blood rushing madly through my veins. And suddenly, I felt closed in, trapped with no way out. Everyone was in there, and we were going to talk about me. My future, whether it was immortality with the Cullen family or a regular human life, was about to be determined. The thing I was dreading the most was having everyone there to talk about it. Last time we attempted to have this conversation we didn't get anywhere. No decisions were made since everyone had different views and input on the subject. When we last had a family meeting about this everyone except Edward and Rosalie had said 'yes' to me becoming a vampire. Now, I wasn't sure what everyone's reaction would be to my request. After all that had happened because of me would they still welcome me with open arms?
"Don't even think about second guessing your choice to talk to the family about this now." Rose said sternly, guessing my train of thoughts.
I looked at her, shocked by that statement, but she wasn't finished.
"After all that Edward's put you through, are you just going to give in to what he wants? No, what he demanded? It's time you stood up for yourself and stopped letting him think for you! It's bad enough that it took your relationship with him ending for you to realize what a tight leash he had you on, but don't let him have any say in your life anymore. If you're going to be a part of this family Bella, then being around Edward is inevitable. And for you to be truly happy you have to break free. You have to sever those tight bonds he kept on you." Rose finished, sincerity and passion ringing out in her voice.
My throat was so choked up I was left speechless again. I nodded and took a deep calming breath, somehow controlling my emotions. Everyone had heard what she said. She had most definitely gotten herself out of Edward's good graces with that speech. Biting my lip nervously, I opened the car door and stepped out rather ungracefully, even for me. Rose's speech had both empowered and frightened me. But she was absolutely right, Edward no longer had any say in my life. If I wanted to become a witch then go elope with a crazy werewolf then goddamn it I would! The thought of werewolves reminded me of Jacob, and brought a wave of sadness into my heart. God, I missed my best friend so much right now. Compartmentalizing yet another depressing thought, I focused on the present.
Rose and I entered the house and she ascended the stairs to put her bags away. I turned and faced the rest of the family who were all in the living room.
Esme and Carlisle sat on one end of the sofa, Carlisle's hand on her shoulder, comforting her no doubt. Emmett was sitting in one of the two loveseats and Rosalie quickly joined him, sitting in his lap. Edward was sitting in a chair right next to the sofa, his gold eyes glued to me. I saw Alice sitting in the other loveseat by herself, looking dejected and slightly frustrated.
What was wrong with her? She got what she wanted didn't she?I blinked those thoughts away when I noticed Jasper standing by himself and leaning against the wall, his face looking pained. Probably because of everyone's unstable emotions. I felt a pang of sadness for him; he had to feel his own emotions along with everyone else's.
Esme extended her hand towards me and, smiling at her display of affection, I took a seat on the sofa by her. She smiled contented with my choice to sit by her and put her arm around my shoulder, hugging me to her. No words were necessary; I understood that she was trying to offer me some support without upsetting any of her family.
"Well you all know why we are here." Carlisle started, and seven sets of eyes turned to look at me. "And I know we are all going through a rough patch right now, some more than others, but we still are a family and need to act accordingly." He eyed Edward warily for a second before he continued.
"We all know of Alice and Edward's infidelity, and I'm going to give them time to speak and explain themselves before we move onto other matters." Carlisle said sternly, ignoring Emmett's snarls and Rosalie's hiss.
"Thank you Carlisle." Edward murmured and Carlisle nodded tightly. Oh. It looks like Carlisle isn't as unaffected by Edward and Alice's actions as I originally thought.
Edward nodded to Alice and she started her tale of what happened between my former best-friend and soon to be ex-husband.
A/N: Sorry for ending it here but this chapter would have taken a few more days to complete and I wanted it to be up as soon as possible. Review if you want a sneak peak at the next chapter! Thanks so much for reading!