Disclaimer: I don't Twilight.

Take It Easy, Make It Last by kysouza3123

Chapter 3

EMPOV

I wasn't sure if it was just me, but Rose has been acting quite strange lately. I wondered if she was still upset about lashing out at me at our dinner celebration, but then decided that she would never ponder over that for more than a day. I forgave her.

It hurt me when she basically implied I wasn't as good as the other men, but I didn't think too much of it. That just told me I had to clean up my looks every now and then to look good because I knew how my wife was. She liked to look good, and while that wasn't bad, it was when she wanted me to change who I am.

"Hey, come to bed," Rose called from our bedroom. "It's late, and weren't you the one nagging me about wasting electricity when it wasn't needed? Turn off the light and come to bed. You can read the newspaper at breakfast."

I turned off the table lamp and walked into the bedroom. My wife lay on the bed with her hands behind her head. She had a small grin on her face.

"Did you like the dinner I made tonight?" I asked, crawling on the lumpy mattress.

She shrugged. "It was fine. Kind of lacked taste, but good overall. At least you didn't burn anything."

I looked down, and nodded. "I'll be sure to add more salt next time."

She leaned over and kissed me on the lips. After she pulled away, I licked my lips and tasted some fruity crap. I quickly wiped my lips on my hands when Rose reached to turn the bedside lamp off.

"Do you ever wish we didn't run away from home?" I asked her.

"No. I like having my freedom," Rose answered. "Why? Are you having second thoughts?"

I swallowed. "No, but I wonder what life could have been if we both stayed and went to college."

"Oh. Well, if we stayed, they wouldn't have let us be together, even if we were both legally adults." She snuggled up against my side.

I wrapped my arm around her, knowing she was right in every sense. Our parents were overly strict and didn't allow us to be near each other. The Hales didn't want Rose marrying me because they feared she wouldn't be able to live comfortably and get a nice education. My parents didn't want me having a girl holding me back from my future.

Either way, their plans for the both of us were butchered when we decided to pack our things and get married in Vegas. Rose knew some friends in New York City so we decided to make a new life for ourselves there. I contemplated buying a plane ticket, but decided that it was too pricey, and we needed to spend as little as possible. We drove in my car all the way to New York. It was an insane trip, and we both were exhausted by the time we reached her friend's apartment.

Vera and her husband allowed us to stay there for about two months until we found a place of our own and jobs to support us. We were really thankful.

I was glad that she forced me to work with her when we both turned sixteen. All the money saved was now very useful. Without it, I don't know how we would have lasted so long.

Every now and then, Rose would bake something for Vera and bring it over her apartment as a way of thanking her for letting us stay at her apartment the first two months we arrived in New York. Vera really was kind and sincere all wrapped into one package. She insisted we stay another month, but Rose and I didn't want to intrude anymore, so we got an apartment and moved out the next week.

"I know that. Do you think they'd still oppose to us being together if we stayed?" I asked, playing with a lock of her hair absentmindedly.

"I really don't know. They most likely couldn't have done anything about it, but they would have hated us being together," she replied quietly.

"Babe, they hated us being together from the very start," I told her, chuckling.

She laughed. "You're right, they did. My father thought you were a bad influence."

"My mother thought you were a bimbo," I told her.

She gasped. "Did she really say that about me?"

I nodded. "She did."

"Well, at least we're rid of them," she said, annoyed. "They put so much effort keeping us apart when we weren't eighteen that when we left, they didn't even try to stop us."

"I think they did try to stop us, but they didn't realize our plans in time until after we were gone," I added in.

"Oh, well, that doesn't matter now. We're far, far away from them, and there's nothing they can do about it now. We're both adults, and we're married." She kissed me on the cheek and rested her head on my chest.

"Are you playing with my hair, Emmett?" she asked.

I dropped the lock of hair. "No." I tried to sound innocent.

"Emmett!" she laughed, swatting my arm.

"Goodnight, Rose," I whispered, kissing the top of her head.

She yawned. "Night, Em."

**

"What's for breakfast?" I asked, stumbling out of the bedroom.

"Eggs," Rose answered snappily.

"Chill," I told her, sitting down at the table.

"Shut up, I don't feel like going to work today. My cramps are killing me." She gripped the pan and slid the eggs on a plate. She placed the pan back on the stove and placed the plate in front of me.

"No toast?" I asked, frowning.

"Just eat. The bread expired last week or so, and it was covered with splotches of mold. I didn't think you'd be too happy to eat that." Rose shut off the stove and settled in her seat with her own plate of breakfast.

"Pass the salt and pepper, please," I asked.

The pepper container slid across the table and I almost missed it, but caught it in time.

"Do we have some medicine?" I shook some salt and pepper on top of my eggs.

"No," Rose replied, stuffing egg in her mouth.

"I hope you feel better," I said sincerely.

She gave me a small smile and continued eating her eggs hungrily.

We were both done in five minutes. We stared at our plates, our stomachs grumbling for more nourishment.

"I'll get the lunches," Rose sighed as she stood up, grabbing our plates.

"Do you want my yogurt?" I questioned. I could give up my snack for her if needed. She was skinnier than me.

She shook her hand, refusing my offer. "I can't do that, Emmett. I already have my own snack. It's fine."

"You're sure?" I stood in the doorway.

She nodded. "I'll be fine. Bella brings some food in the morning for us anyway."

**

"Where is the aisle for golf clubs? My son needs some for a school sport." A short man came up to me as I was writing something down. His son stood beside him, staring at me with his mouth wide open.

"Aisle three," I pointed him toward the direction of the golf clubs.

"Thanks. Come on, Johnny," he called to his son.

"Do you work out a lot?" the boy asked.

I grimaced. A lot of people asked me this. "I played sports in high school and I'm allowed to use some of the machines here."

"Cool," Johnny said, smiling at me.

I smiled uncomfortably as he skipped away. I was taking notes of which items that needed to be restocked and ordered.

I actually loved my job at the athletic store. It was like play time for me. I was surrounded by people who were athletic, and did sports all day long. I got employee discounts and was able to use some of equipment.

"You ate all the donuts in the employee lounge, didn't you?" I heard the annoying voice of Jacob Black from behind me.

This guy was seriously a dick. I hated dealing with him, but we worked together, so it was unavoidable. He was the other assistant manager, hired a month after I was promoted.

He liked to put me down whenever the boss was around as much as possible. Too bad Mr. Newton actually liked me. His son, however, was a dick as well, and was the one who allowed Jacob to be hired.

When Mike was in charge, he turned a blind eye to all the pranks Jacob pulled on me. When his father was at the store, he immediately became a little puppy, and tucked his tail in between his legs. On those days, I was glad I was able to order Jacob around a little.

I decided that once Lauren Mallory, the current manager, left to have her baby, and I was promoted, I would assign Jacob horrible duties.

I grinned to myself, thinking of all the things I would have him do.

Mr. Newton had hinted that he was pleased with my work performance and would make me manager after Lauren left. She wasn't going to return to work. She decided to become a stay at home mother. Lauren was a pretty cool girl. She was neutral and carried out work duties professionally. Whenever Jacob pulled a prank on me, and she was there to witness it, she would make him stand outside the store with a basketball suit on, handing out flyers.

That only happened twice, but I was amused as hell. I remembered those memories the best.

"Jacob, stop blaming the problems on me. I didn't eat the stupid donuts," I told him, not looking up from my paper.

"Yes you did!"

"No I didn't." I rolled my eyes.

"Prove that you didn't do it," Jacob said, crossing his arms.

I wanted to punch him, but no, customers were around. He'd get what was coming for him later.

"I'm busy. I don't have time to play your stupid games," I mumbled, crossing out some things and checking another box.

We were out of tennis balls and mouth guards. I checked the boxes to order more of them.

"You're buying the next batch of donuts tomorrow," he said. "I'm telling Mike to dock your pay. He is going to convince his dad to make me manager when Lauren is gone."

Stupid, smug dog.

"Oh yeah? How about you stick this highlighter up your—" I stopped when I saw Lauren passing by with a raised eyebrow.

"Jacob, shut up and go do your work. Remember to get that toilet paper off your ass after you take a dump, dickhead." I gave him an evil grin before turning away.

"Asshole!" I heard him shout as I walked away.

**

"Bread, apples, pasta," I mumbled to myself as I pushed the small grocery cart around the store.

I got off work at the athletic store and drove to the grocery store for food. I had two crumpled up twenty-dollar bills in my pocket as I walked around.

I saw some chicken on sale and bought a pack. We could put it in the freezer.

I bought the bulk items – pasta, rice, and canned soup. I threw in a pack of hot dogs and canned ham. I mentally calculated that the total was around $21 dollars. I walked down the snack aisle and found some store-brand popcorn on sale and bought two bags of that.

Rose had mentioned how we were running low on plastic sandwich bags, so I got some more of it. I was trying to stick to store-brand items because they were typically cheaper than commercial brand items.

I also picked up a small box of medicine to relieve some menstrual symptoms like cramps.

I was uneasy as I checked the total again. I slowly put my items on the conveyor belt. I had enough to pay for everything. I breathed a sigh of relief as I loaded everything into the car and drove back to the apartment.

Rose still wasn't home, so I dropped off the items in the kitchen and put them in their places. I ate one of the canned soups to satisfy my growling stomach.

I took a short nap and my alarm clock woke me up at six. I rubbed my eyes. Rose should be home soon. She usually walked or took the subway.

I started preparing dinner. She would like this, not having to cook after coming home from a day at work again. I knew she didn't like the girls that worked with her, and they caused her some stress, so I wanted to take some weight off her shoulders and make food for the both of us tonight. I decided that I would make the food have more 'taste' tonight. Rose probably craved something salty.

This way, she wouldn't have to worry about feeding me on time before I left for the night club to bar tend until midnight. I got good tips and the cook and I were good friends. He would give me free food sometimes. Yes, the night club offered food.

It was nearly seven when Rose walked into the apartment.

She sighed loudly as she locked the door behind her. "I'm home!"

"Hey Rose," I said as she came up from behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"What are you making?" she asked.

"Pasta and hot dogs. Is that weird?"

"Not really. It's food. I'm hungry and I'm going to take a quick shower." She gave me a small peck on the cheek and walked out of the kitchen.

**

"This is pretty good," Rose said, nodding as she chewed the food.

"Thanks," I smiled at her.

"Yeah, I like this," she ate some more.

I watched her for a moment, just studying her face. She seemed relaxed and happy as she ate the dinner I made for the two of us.

I cleaned the plates and bowls when we were done eating. Rose disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door fifteen minutes ago.

When I opened the door, she quickly turned around as she shut the closet door.

"What are you up to?" I asked casually.

She gave me a small smile. "Nothing much. Are you leaving soon?"

I checked the clock. "In about five minutes."

"Oh, that's good. The earlier you get there, you get more tips, right?" Rose walked over to me.

"I don't get paid if I show up earlier than expected," I replied.

She trailed a finger down my chest. "That's too bad. But you'll come home after you're done working, right? I don't like you being out that late. They might rob you."

I laughed. "What do they have to rob? My paychecks get sent to our place, I don't receive it at work."

She pouted and pushed me out the door. "You'd better go. You don't want to be late."

I stopped smiling and grabbed my coat. "I'll see you later. Don't try to wait up for me. You need all the sleep you can get. Bye."

She didn't hug me, but waved from the bedroom. "Bye!"

I wondered what she was keeping from me. I definitely noticed her sneaking around the bedroom much more often. She didn't come out to the living room to sit on the couch with me and simply listen to the radio anymore. She remained in the bedroom.

I didn't want to accuse her of anything, so I decided to just keep an eye on her.

As soon as I walked out of the apartment building, another thought hit me and I mentally beat myself up. I completely forgot to tell her about the menstrual medicine I bought for her to help with the abdominal cramps. I sighed, shaking my head. I'd tell her tomorrow. I really wanted to show it to her tonight at dinner, but it slipped from my mind. I would have liked to see her happy that I thought of helping her with her 'lady problems'.

Sorry for the long wait! I have a huge research thesis paper to write :( It's been taking up a lot of my time... enjoy & review!

What could be the secret Rose is hiding from Emmett?