Thank you to everyone for the feedback. All of you make me one very happy girl. I hope your Christmas (if you celebrate it) was great, I spent loads of time with family but sadly didn't get the chance to upload the following chapters before Christmas. But come on, I don't want to have to wait a WHOLE year just to upload these holiday themed chapters... there's no way I'd be able to contain my excitement for that long. Anyways, enjoy!
"You pinky swore we could get our Christmas tree this weekend daddy, you can't just break a pinky promise!" Alice said dramatically.
I cast a glance at Rosalie, who is staring at her pancakes like they know the answers to all of her problems. Her eyes look sore from lack of sleep and like usual I can't help but think she looks sickly. It was hard to see a small child like Rosalie in such a state; but me and Esme knew when we agreed to look after her we'd have to deal with certain touchy situations. We were willing to do whatever it took in order to help her.
"It's true dad. Pinky promises can't just be broken." Jasper said seriously.
I smile at Jasper. He was living proof that love and affection could change someone's life. He'd lived with us for the shortest amount of time other then Rosalie; and he'd developed so much in a year it was hard to believe there was a time he wasn't part of our family.
"I wouldn't normally back out on a promise. But sometimes plans have to change; I think it'd be nice to have a quiet day at home. Rosalie is still figuring the place out, we don't want to overwhelm her on the first day. Mommy said she could take you one day this week." I explained.
"All the good trees will be gone by then." Alice complained, huffing in frustration.
"What happens if Santa doesn't leave us presents because our tree isn't nice?" Emmett pondered aloud.
Alice and Jasper's eyes both widened in fear. Edward rolled his.
"Christmas isn't about how nice your tree looks, it's about spending time with family." Esme said in a wise tone.
I stood up to get myself more coffee and kissed her on the head quickly as I walked by her; out of the corner of my eye I could see Rosalie squirming uncomfortably at the display of affection. I guessed her parents had always been very strict with rules and making sure they always behaved proper around others.
"Does Santa visit the poor?" Alice chirped.
"Of course he visits the poor. Santa visits everyone." Emmett scoffed.
For a moment everything is quiet as we all maul over the conversation. Emmett is fidgeting his hands and Jasper is staring at Edward (who is cutting his pancakes) and determinedly trying to copy the action on his own breakfast. Alice drowns her pancakes in syrup until some of it sops over her plate and Esme grabs a towel to dab at the spillage. This process goes on for a couple minutes until a very flustered Rosalie stands up and leaves the table. Pausing for only a second to mumble a quick excuse before leaving the room quickly, her head down. I clear my throat and it sounds unbearably loud in the suddenly silent room; so does the sound of my chair scraping on the kitchen tile when I stand up to find Rosalie. Esme hand brushes softly against my shoulders as I walk by, offering comfort.
At first I don't see Rosalie and I silently look for her while attempting to not freak out. It's not until I go in her room for the second time that I hear the sound of faint sniffling.
"Rose?" I call.
The sniffling comes to a halt. I get no response. Shuffling can be heard from within the closet.
Rosalie has this habit of hiding when she doesn't want to deal with things. Most of the time it's in a closet, but she'll hide anywhere tiny that she's sure adults aren't able to access easily. One time in the hospital I returned for my morning shift and found Rose hiding under her bed. It took me and two other nurses four hours to coax her out. She refused to explain anything when we finally did get her out. She wouldn't talk about what happened to her, wouldn't tell anyone who had hurt her so bad, or who she even was. The police were still desperately searching for leads on the case but it appeared that the only way it would be solved would be when Rosalie finally opened up.
"Do you want to talk about it sweetie? It might help." I say softly. Already knowing her answer.
"No! Just go away!" Rosalie's response is a muffled scream.
I let out a sigh. Everything with Rose was about highs and lows. Some days she was as happy as any other child her age. Other days she was so depressed she couldn't even function.
I leave the room, knowing space and time are the two best things I can give her at the moment.
Stupid stupid stupid.
You've completely overreacted and if Carlisle's kids didn't think you were a loser before, they definitely did now.
You wonder where your mom and dad are, do they miss you? Do they feel bad that Santa never visited you when you were little? Even when you tried your best to be good?
You miss your mom and dad. You miss your Mom's laugh, you miss her pretty smile and the time she once brought you home a cheeseburger on your birthday and said you could have it. With your dad it's different, you miss him for different reasons. You miss his height, the smell of him when he'd carry you around when guests came over. But most of all you miss the way he used to tell you stories, he stopped telling those when he got his promotion. He didn't have the time for you after that.
It's hard. You want to open up, but it hurts to much to even open your mouth. Right now the most you can manage is getting out of bed in the morning. Your heart aches for life to be as simple as it used to be. You think your parents would be embarrassed to call the bruised and scarred little girl you'd become their daughter. Carlisle and Esme too; it was only a matter of time until they realized they shouldn't waste their breath on a lost cause.
It's far to painful to think about what a disappointment you are to everyone around you. You put your hands around your head, wishing that you couldn't feel anything at all.
I've been sitting in my office across the hall from Rosalie's room for a good two hours; doing paperwork while still keeping a close eye on her.
It was hard to get things done when thinking about the poor little girl. I wanted to help; but I had no idea how at this point.
Half way through my monthly hospital report someone timidly knocks at my door. I break out in a grin when I see my visitor.
"Carlisle?" Rosalie asks.
"What is it sweetheart?" I question, beckoning for her to enter the room.
She pads over softly to me and I notice she's holding Carlisle the teddy bear protectively in one of her arms.
"I heard Alice and Jasper talking about Christmas trees, and I think that'd be really fun to get one." She said quietly.
"If you just want to relax at home today it's o-" I begin, but stop when she starts shaking her head.
"I could use a little fun." She explains.
Rosalie smiles despite everything; and because of that, I think she's the strongest person I know.
Review please. (Also P.S do you want me to do QOTD? I'll do one in this chapter but not so sure about doing it consistently.
QOTD: What's your favourite activity and why do you like it?
AOTD: Basketball, I like it because it never fails to make me happy! (I also love many other things!)
Review your answer and some feedback/what you think of the story so far for a mention at the top of next chapter. Have a great day, thank you for your time!