Enjoy & thanks for the feedback, you guys rock! :) A student at my school was murdered last week and although I wasn't really friends with him, it's just kind of freaky to think how easily something like that can happen. So basically everything's been hectic and my school has been really somber. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through, rip.❤️ All of you please remember to stay safe!
The days leading up to the new year are a blur. Rosalie became a part of our lives. She had her first family taco night, and even took place in our annual Cullen snowball fight. As much as I'd like to say it was like she had always been a part of the family- it wasn't like that at all. We hadn't earned her trust yet and one wrong move could send her hiding back under her bed or in the nearest closet.
She still hadn't opened up to us, and I feared if we didn't at least get some form of idea what had happened to her the police would have to resort to asking Rose questions themselves. (I can only imagine how well THAT would go over.)
The media had managed to learn about Rosalie and her case and they immediately published an article. Although Rosalie's name was not shared Esme and I were furious. The police said the article did not break any laws, and that unfortunately, we could not get it taken down. We'd decided that it was best not to share the news with Rosalie, as it'd most likely only lead to another break down. The little girl was so fragile anything could send her over the edge.
I had started considering taking her to therapy. I'd lined up appointments and everything. After only three weeks of Rosalie living with us it was clear her childhood had caused her severe mental and physical damage. Eventually I decided it was far to soon in her recovery for her to open up to a stranger and discuss her problems when we she hadn't even opened up to us yet. She hadn't even been anywhere since being released from the hospital besides the tree farm and our home. For the time being...therapy was not the best thing for Rose.
I hadn't expected the healing process to go by quickly. Whatever it was Rosalie had went through it was the type of thing that scarred you for life. Unfortunately the longer it took for the little girl to open up was another day the bastards who had caused her so much anguish walked free.
After lots of thought we decided to still host our annual New Years party. Of course we were not going overboard (seven new people was enough for Rosalie in one night!) but we decided that Rose would have to learn to be around people again somehow and it'd be best for her to try and do so in a place she was semi-comfortable.
"It's gonna be sooo great Rose! We're gonna have so much fun!" Alice said during breakfast with a tad too much enthusiasm to be healthy.
Rosalie simply nodded, her eyes not leaving her cereal bowl.
"The best part is moms cooking." Emmett told Rosalie truthfully.
Esme-who was already busy making food in the kitchen-smiled at the compliment.
"Have you ever been to a party before Rose?" Jasper asked curiously.
Rosalie stiffens. Uh-oh another trigger. From what I'd gathered from observation Rosalie's parents had been very wealthy, and I guessed Rose was sort of like their crowning jewel. Clearly they're image was very serious to then, Rosalie's over obsession of success and pleasing others.
"I've been to many parties." Rose answered; her voice not wavering despite her tense body language.
"Cool! Do you like 'em?" Alice asks, scooping up another large spoonful of fruit loops and stuffing it into her mouth eagerly.
"Alright enough with the interrogation. Which of you rascals is up for football?" Edward asks before I have the chance to intervene. His eyes shift to Rose-whose shaking has seemed to calm down-and my heart swells with pride; he's trying to protect her.
Emmett, Jasper and Alice shoot out of the room after Edward like rockets. Rosalie trails behind them, her face emotionless yet again.
"You think it's going to be okay tonight?" I ask Esme worriedly.
"It'll be fine" she reassures. "Now go keep the kids busy and keep out of my way while I clean the house."
I raise my hands in surrender. Declaring a war against a country is safer then getting in the way of Esme when she's cleaning.
"Look Rosalie, this one is nice." Esme says, her smile as bright and genuine as always. We're sitting in my room sorting through different options of clothes I could wear tonight.
One second I'm sitting on the edge of my bed in Carlisle and Esme's house, the next I'm somewhere else- somewhere I do not want to be at all.
"Miss Rosalie, I found this package for you on the front steps." Allie (or maybe it was Ellie?) had chirped, it was September, I remember this because it was exactly 2 and a half weeks until my birthday.
She'd set the carefully wrapped box down just outside the door to my room. Trying not to show my eagerness I gracefully picked up the box, and dismissed the maid (my mom would've been so proud of me!)
The ribbon was tied very neatly and it took me a couple tries to figure out how to untie it without using scissors. I didn't have my own pair of scissors, and I refused to ask my parents or a maid for help. I was a Hale, not some helpless little kid.
When I finally did open box I discovered the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
"What's that?" My mother questioned; standing in the doorway and staring critically into my room.
"It's a dress mom, someone gave it to me." I said, holding it up to show her.
"Who gave it to you?" She asked suspiciously.
"I'm not sure, there's no name. May I please wear it to Janice's party tonight?" I vaguely remember feeling excited about the dress, sure it wasn't one of the designer ones my mom ordered in from Europe. But it was my dress, nobody forced me into it, I just plain and simple liked it.
"You may not! I will not have you show up dressed like some simpleton!"
"But mom-" I pleaded.
"I said NO Rosalie, don't push me on this. You'll do as you're told, and wear what I say you can because I'm your mother and I'm in charge here."
I stared back at the dress Esme still held in front of me.
"Oh its gorgeous sweetie, you'd look amazing in it. Do you want to wear it to the party?"
Now Esme was not my mom. But I wasn't sure if all moms worked the same way mine did, and I was not about to take my chances and tell Esme that I liked red dresses better then grey ones, because grey dresses make me look even more pale then I already do. So I was more then a little baffled when she asked if I wanted to wear it to the party. Since when was my opinion important?
"I'll wear what you think I should wear," I replied. I shouldn't have hesitated, it was clearly a trick question.
So far the Cullen's had been nothing but kind to me. I'd experienced so many great things already in the short time I'd lived with them, and I'd never had so much fun in my whole life. The last thing I wanted was to push the wrong button and shatter all the good they'd brought into my world. I hadn't seen Esme or Carlisle angry yet, and I planned to keep it that way.
"Whatever you feel is most comfortable. You can try on the ones you like and then decide, anything you'd like to wear is fine Rosie." Esme said-this time I was sure I had heard correctly.
Then Esme left the room, just like that. Not seeming to be worried about what I would choose to wear at all. Like she actually was okay with me wearing whatever I wanted.
I stared at the outfits that had been laid out on my bed thoughtfully. Eventually I worked up the nerve to grab my favourite dress out of the options.
The dress was white with a ribbon tied around the waist. Simple, but there was something about it that I liked. Something that reminded me a little of the dress I'd gotten as a gift that my mom had not let me wear.
Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.
Esme's parents are the first guests to arrive, it's winter time so when they show up its already pitch black outside. Esme had made the house even more spotless then before, the house smells of burning candles and the heavenly aroma of food. Carlisle told me that only six people were coming, just close family friends...he'd reassured me many times that everything was going to be fine. Still his promises did nothing to ease the butterflies in my stomach. For someone who was so used to being around others I sure felt nervous about meeting new people.
Suddenly I regretted wearing the simple dress. First impressions were everything and the last thing I wanted was for people to think I was sloppy. My dad told me that people were most likely to judge you on the way you looked and dressed.
Edward answered the door and was immediately enveloped in a hug. Esme rushed forwards to hug her parents and I hovered a safe distance away with Carlisle; clutching nervously to his leg.
"You must be Rosalie, it's so nice to meet you." Esme's mother said softly, a small smile on her face.
"Hi," I said weakly. I internally groaned, that was pathetic.
The rest of the guests-Carlisle's co-worker Andy and his family, and Billy and Jacob- arrived shortly after.
We sat in the living room and talked for an hour. Or rather they talked...and I sat as close to Carlisle as possible and listened.
Esme's dad -Henry?- was a heavier set man who was always smiling. Her mom (Lina) was a gentle women, who liked to call everyone 'dear.'
Andy(who worked at the hospital with Carlisle) and his wife Melanie brought their daughter Samantha with them and a few different homemade Chinese dishes. They'd lived in Beijing until two years ago when they'd moved to Seattle. Melanie's English was a little choppy, but she laughed lots and told good stories, Andy had a permanent smile on his face but was more on the quiet side, their daughter was in the same grade as Edward and cracked lots of jokes.
Billy was as kind to me as he'd been the first time I'd met him. Jacob was as annoying as he'd been the first time I met him, but he went with Edward and Samantha upstairs and left us alone, so I didn't have to deal with him anyways
Alice began to fidget and bounce around in her seat after another half an hour and the adults all chuckled.
"How about you kids go play downstairs? We can call you up when it's time to eat." Carlisle suggested, his hand rubbing my back reassuringly.
Alice giddily grabbed my hand. I was half way down the stairs before I realized what was happening.
The food was delicious, both Esme's and Melanie's. Rosalie only poked at her food but her appetite at the best of times was finicky.
It was nice to have company over and to introduce Rose as part of the family. Andy had been one of the surgeons involved in the surgery to fix Rosalie's punctured lung and he was overjoyed to see her up and walking.
Like we did every new year we thought of resolutions and shared them right before midnight. Everyone had a different unique resolution. For example; Emmett's was to learn how to throw a curve ball, Jake's was to pass chemistry, and Billy's was to learn how to cook something other then pasta.
When it came to Rosalie's turn to share her resolution I immediately reassured her she didn't need to say anything. Although the whole 'new years resolution' thing appeared to be new to her, and after hearing everyone share she wanted to too.
Esme teared up a little when Rosalie's resolution was to be happy.
After all our little girl had been through she of all people deserved the best new year ever. I knew we'd only just barely started the long road to recovery and that many days of pain still lay ahead, but I also knew that we'd be with her through everything. Even on the days she felt overwhelmed. I couldn't say Rosalie would be without pain in the new year, but I could say she will never have to suffer through the pain by herself ever again.
When midnight finally approached all the kids were wiped out and whiny (besides Rosalie who seemed set on not showing how tired she was.) Even Alice was struggling to keep her eyes open and had stopped bouncing off the walls after 10:30.
We all toasted to the new year (the kids with grape juice, and the adults with champagne) and watched the ball drop on tv.
I noticed the kids were fading and took them upstairs for bed once they'd said good-bye to everyone, it was rare they made it to midnight and didn't fall asleep sooner.
Emmett and Jasper both walked to their bed and could be heard snoring only moments after they went into their rooms. I carried Alice upstairs and tucked her in; as she'd fallen asleep on the couch only seconds after we finished saying 'Happy New Year.'
Rosalie walked herself up the stairs and got silently in bed.
"Good night Carlisle." She whispered.
"Good night baby girl, happy new year."
I kissed her head before leaving her room. Tonight, I hoped, she would be too tired for nightmares.
I'm terribly sorry about the lateness of this but soooo much work was put into this chapter and I'd really appreciate some feedback. Have a nice day!