Don't get used to two chapters in one day, but I'm feeling generous. :) Enjoy!
CHAPTER TWO
ROSALIE'S POINT OF VIEW
I drove home from the orphanage in high speeds, ready to see Emmett. It had been a hard day of work, and I was counting on him to take my mind off of things. Strolling into the door of the Cullen mansion, I found my husband waiting there for me.
I raised an eyebrow. "Eager, are we?"
"For you? Always, baby." He winked, and swept me up in his arms as I giggled. The short time it took us to get to our bedroom was only matched by the length of time we had each other stripped. Emmett knew when to be a passionate lover and a sweet lover, but he also knew when to be a fun lover. That was one of my favorite things about him- that laughter went right along with touching.
Thanks to our stamina, we were able to please each other for a while before finally taking a break a few hours later. He faced me with a grin as we collapsed in bed, still tangled up in each other's limbs. "So, not that I mind, but can I ask what had you so ready for some fun today?"
I sighed and looked down, upset.
He knew what that meant. "Bella again?"
I had been coming home and telling the family about Bella, particularly Emmett, since that first day on her birthday. They had all immediately cared almost as much about the sweet girl as I did, and they were endlessly entertained by her vampire-obsession. It saddened all of us to know she was so poorly neglected and out of place at that orphanage.
"She was in her room alone when I arrived, not at breakfast with the other kids. I went to check on her and she said she didn't want to leave. This weekend, those two mean girls Jessica and Lauren spread rumors to the rest of the group that Bella was in the orphanage because her dad went to the asylum, and that was why Bella was so crazy." My voice broke.
"Is that true?" Emmett asked, in concern for the little girl who had me wrapped around her pinky.
"I looked at her records, and her dad is at a mental-health facility in Seattle. He was declared insane after her mom was killed, and they took Bella away from him."
He hung his head. "Poor kid." I could tell his heart was hurting for her, and the story wasn't even over yet.
"So I tried to convince her that she couldn't let those girls win, and not to let them get her down. She said she had tried standing up for herself, but Mrs. Hannigan had told her to stop causing such a fuss." I said, rolling my eyes at my boss. I turned my face towards Emmett. "I wasn't there to help her. They don't let me work weekends." If I were human, I would have been crying by now. Not crying was just as bad.
He rubbed my back soothingly. "Listen, babe… I know you got this job so you could be around kids more, and I'm sorry we can't have them. You know I'd do anything in the world to be able to give you that… But are you sure this is-"
I cut him off. "I'm not quitting."
He was silent for a moment.
My gaze softened. "I can't quit, Emmett. I'm all she has."
He pulled me close to his chest and kissed the top of my head. "I know baby. I just hate seeing you so sad. I wish we could help her more."
I had my own idea of how we could help her more, but I knew I could never mention it. It just wouldn't be possible. Edward was the only one who knew about it, thanks to the whole mind-reading thing, and he had promised me not to tell anyone- not even Alice.
Bella would be happy here. I was convinced. We would eventually have to tell her our secret, but she loved vampires. She'd probably be thrilled. We could all take extra hunting trips to be sure we didn't hurt her, and she'd be more in her element. She was so bright it was ridiculous. I had no doubt she'd make herself at home in Carlisle's or Jasper's studies and spend her days reading their unlimited book collections. And Emmett and I could finally have a child. Of course, it was all a dream. I had to keep telling myself that.
"You know what she told me the other day?" I murmured, half to myself and half to my husband.
"Hmm?"
"She told me that she couldn't remember what her mom looked like, so when she thought about her… She thought of me."
"Rose… Baby…" He trailed off, unsure of how to respond.
"I'm fine, I'm okay." I said, getting out of bed and dressed. He came up and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"You sure?"
"Yes. I'm going to go talk to Carlisle. I think he can help me cheer her up." I said, and walked out of the room choking back the sobs. What could ever make this okay?
The sun was starting to rise, so I knew the couples of the house had all begun to wrap up their nightly activities. Good thing too, because I was about to go separate Edward and Alice myself. Superhuman hearing wasn't always a blessing.
I went to the kitchen, and waited for Carlisle to walk out of their bedroom. "I'm coming, Rosalie." I heard him say from their room.
About thirty seconds later, my honorary father appeared before me. "How can I help you?" He smiled brightly, all too chipper to be of service.
"Service with a smile. I like it." I teased, trying to make myself hurt less inside.
"It's the Cullen guarantee!" He winked as he flashed me an award winning smile, and we both laughed. It felt good.
"You know how Bella is vampire-crazy?" I asked, preparing him by reminding him of how much he cared about the little girl he had never met.
He smiled even bigger and laughed to himself. "Yes. What a peculiar little girl."
"Well, the first day we met I told her that I knew which book to get her because my father was also a vampire know it all."
"It's true. I do know it all."
"I was wondering if maybe you could take the afternoon off and come meet her today. She would love to meet the expert, and she's had a rough few days." I shuddered, remembering the way she cried into my lap yesterday.
"Of course. It's done. I will be there at lunchtime." He said, swinging around the counter to kiss my cheek before heading off to work.
"Thank you Carlisle!" I muttered, knowing perfectly well he would hear me.
"It's Dr. Know It All to you!" He smarted back, and I laughed. It wasn't the solution I wanted, but maybe it would brighten Bella's day. That was the goal.
As I finished getting ready, and kissed Emmett goodbye, I prepared myself mentally for whatever day Bella and I would have together. Sometimes the other caretakers got annoyed that I focused so much on her, but no one else paid the girl any attention. I didn't feel the least bit sorry. Besides, they were also sometimes grateful that I took her off their hands. I knew they had complained about me, but the board director was a middle-aged man unhappy in his marriage. My appearance worked in my favor.
"Bella!" I exclaimed when I saw her as soon as I walked into the orphanage. "I see we're feeling better today," I observed. She was sitting in the breakfast room, at our usual table, alone except for the empty chair next to her for me. And of course the book, always the book. I looked to see which one it was today, and was pleased to see she was reading the most recent one I had given her. Thanks to me, she had quite the growing collection of vampire books. I always gave her a new one as soon as she finished the previous one, and sometimes she still read Dracula in between. I could only guess the importance of that book was that her father gave it to her, she had never told me anything different.
She looked up at me and smiled. I was filled with joy, because her smile had very quickly become my life's purpose. "Yeah, they're still talking about me. But I read this in my book last night and it convinced me to come out today." She pointed eagerly to a small section of text on the new pages, and I read it out loud.
"While no one can know for certain that vampires exist, there is the definite possibility that they walk among us. In our everyday lives, these creatures could be right beside us. It is their secret to keep, and ours to only guess at." I read, chilled at the insight I had unknowingly provided her. "What part of that convinced you to come out today, sweetheart?"
"The part where it says it is their secret to keep and ours to only guess at. I realized that's how it is with me. My dad is my secret to keep, and theirs to only guess at."
I smiled, overwhelmed with pride for the sweet girl before me. "That's right. You go girl. And, I have something else that might cheer you up today!" I told her, remembering her visitor.
She perked right up at those words, and I continued talking while I unpacked the breakfast I had brought for her. We had to be sneaky, because I wasn't supposed to give one child in particular better food than the others had. But I just couldn't bear to watch her try to keep herself healthy with the stereotypical gruel they served here. Plus, it gave Esme and I excuses to go grocery shopping. That was a fun game for both of us, and it allowed us to keep up appearances in this dreary small town. "Remember when I told you that my dad was a vampire expert himself?"
She nodded happily, probably already guessing at where this was headed.
"He's going to come eat lunch with us today so you can meet him and show him how much you know!"
She beamed. "Really?"
"Really really."
I was awarded a picture-perfect grin. She always loved me to talk about my family. She wanted to know their names, what it was like to have brothers and sisters, etc. I chuckled, remembering her shock when I told her I was married. She couldn't possibly grasp how I could put up with a boy that much when "they were just so gross!"
It both saddened me and comforted me when I saw her hunger to hear about them. It broke my heart that she wanted it that badly, but I was glad I could provide that for her. If I could give her hope that it existed, maybe she wouldn't give up on getting it for herself someday. I would have to start asking the family to come visit more often. I was sure they would all love to meet her.
The day passed pretty quickly. Bella was happy, and we spent most of the morning sitting in the playroom talking about whether or not we thought vampires ate real food or just blood. It never failed to amuse me, the thoughts she had put together on my species while she consistently sat two feet away from one. What I knew would surprise Carlisle, however, was that she knew more than the average imaginative six-year-old. Most of her guesses weren't that far off, and I was secretly hoping he was impressed enough with her to at least consider giving her a home. I knew it was a stretch, but a girl could dream.
By the time lunch arrived, Bella was practically bouncing up and down in anticipation to meet Carlisle. And as if on cue, he stood waiting at our table as soon as we entered the cafeteria. He smiled at us, and she was suddenly overcome with shyness. I understood it completely. I was the only person she had contact with for quite some time, so naturally new people would feel threatening. I hoped she could give him a chance. She hid herself behind my leg, so I bent down to her level. "Look Bella, that's my dad over there. He's really excited to meet you. Why don't we go show him how smart you are?"
She gave me a shy grin. "Okay."
I gave her a high five and walked her over to Carlisle. He immediately turned on the charm, and that compassionate smile he was practically famous for. "Hi Bella, it's very nice to meet you. I hear you're a special girl. Rose never stops talking about you." She blushed a mighty shade of red.
"Hi." She offered.
He held out a bag to her. "Rose said you liked chicken, so I brought you a hot meal. They said it was okay in the office."
She blushed even more at his gift, and I too was touched by his kindness. "Thank you, sir."
"My pleasure." He said, and helped her into her chair. "So I hear you're quite the vampire fanatic, Bella."
That was all it took. Those seemed to be magic words, because her entire demeanor changed. Gone was the shy, demure girl. In her place was an intelligent and passionate young lady. It was adorable. She quickly began to rattle off all of her favorite things about vampires, her favorite books, her favorite stories. I watched Carlisle's expression carefully while she talked. His wide eyes made it clear that she was surpassing his expectations.
"… But I don't personally believe that vampires sleep at all. It just doesn't seem necessary. Speaking of things that vampires don't really have to do, well… This is a new idea I have, but I think it sounds okay. If vampires survive on blood, they don't really have to kill people, right?"
This was a new one for me, and I felt my jaw drop about 10 feet. This little genius sitting across from us had stumbled onto the foundation of Carlisle's livelihood, without realizing it for a second. One look at his face told me he was just as flabbergasted as I was. He, however, recovered quicker than I did. "That's an interesting theory Bella. What makes you say so?" I could tell he was trying to keep the intensity out of his tone.
"Well, people aren't the only ones with blood. Animals have it too, right?"
"Yes, I believe they do."
"So, what do you think?"
"Yeah Dad, what do you think?" I challenged him, raising an eyebrow with a smile.
He gave me a look of utter disbelief before answering Bella. "I think you're onto something very intelligent and honorable."
She glowed under his praise, and my heart soared. The rest of lunch continued much like this, her blowing him away and him trying to pick up the pieces and still sound intelligent. When the end of the time came, she looked genuinely upset.
"I'm afraid I have to go Bella, but I will come back and visit you soon. Thank you for having lunch with me." He reached down to give her a hug, and I was delighted when he hugged him back. "Keep my daughter in line for me, okay?" He winked at her.
She laughed and agreed, happy in the way a six-year-old girl should be. I told her to go ahead outside with the other kids, and that I would meet her there soon. I was going to walk Carlisle out first, because I wanted the chance to hear his thoughts on my little pride and joy. She didn't look thrilled to go without me, but she did. As she walked away, I noticed she was carrying Dracula again. She must have switched it out when I wasn't looking at some point.
Once Carlisle and I were outside of the orphanage's front door, I looked at him and smiled wickedly. "What did you think?"
He exhaled strongly and widened his eyes. "That is one very special little girl in there, Rose. Keep watching out for her. I don't want anything bad to happen to her."
"I know. I feel the same." I said with conviction. Everyone in the family knew how badly I wanted a child. I would give Bella my everything if this was the best I could get.
He pulled me in for a hug. "I know you do. I'm sorry you and Emmett can't be parents. And I'm sorry we can't take Bella in. It would just be too dangerous for her." He said sympathetically.
"How did you-?"
"I may not be your biological father, but I have been acting as one for 83 years. I know my children."
I lowered my head. "I know it would be dangerous. I know that. I just can't help myself from wanting it anyways."
"Sometimes, being a parent means letting go of your own wishes for the best interest of your child. Maybe right now, that's how you can be a parent for Bella. She needs you, I can see that. She needs you just as much as you need her. So just keep her best interest in mind, and she'll do well in life. She couldn't possibly screw up with a guardian angel as stubborn as you." We laughed together at his little joke, and I was starting to feel better. Until I heard my Bella scream.
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