Chapter 55

Days had passed and the hope Rosalie had had dwindled down to a point where it was nearly burnt out. There was no indication that she was carrying a child, and she was doing her best to come to terms with it.

Emmett tried to keep the mood positive, being a little extra loving around Rose, and playing with Masen to pass the time. They had played catch so many times and even bought a basketball hoop for the two of them to have dunk contests on.

Masen's contagious laughter and naievity to the situation were things that helped Rosalie through the last two days. She made it a point to be around him as much as possible, knowing he wasn't looking at her with a look of guilt or sorrow like the rest of her family. She couldn't blame them, and knew that it was because of the love they all had for her, but she couldn't take the unhappy faces anymore. Worst of all, she was taking all of those frustrations out on Emmett, and she knew he didn't deserve it.

Jasper was constantly attempting to control her moods, and though it worked at times, she still didn't want his version of sympathy.

The sun was actually out and the skies were mix of blue and white. It was a nice break from the rain they'd had on and off for the last week. Rosalie looked appreciatively to the rays of sun that streamed through the trees onto the driveway where Emmett and Masen were shooting hoops. She had sensed the wolves were close, and within a few minutes Jacob and Seth appeared through the trees and joined the two of them in a little game.

Jacob played on Masen's team, and Emmett joined Seth. Their seriousness at times made Rosalie laugh, as she sat besides the asphault court basking in the sun.

Renesme appeared out of the house, and Rosalie smiled, knowing it was because she'd seen Jacob arrive. Nonetheless, she was glad for the company as her neice sat down beside her.

"Finally some sun," Renesme said. She replicated Rosalie's pose and enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight, "Who's winning?"

"We are," Emmett said, overhearing the question. He jumped up and stuffed Masen, sending the ball flying into the woods.

"Come on!" Masen said with a hint of frustration in his voice.

Rosalie and Renesme looked at each other and laughed. Seth grabbed the ball and the game started up again.

Renesme's eyes rarely left Jacob, as he moved around their court that had been drawn in with chalk.

Rosalie nudged her and mouthed the words, "You love him." She put her hands together over her heart in a teasing kind of way.

Renesme scrunched her face and was going to try to deny it, but knew Rosalie was right on point.

They sat watching in silence for a minute before Rose took out her phone and texted Renesme. She loved how today's technology allowed them to be at least a little bit secretive, unlike the decades past where every whisper could be heard. Texting made it possible to have some girl talk without boys' ears listening.

The text went through and Renesme's phone buzzed. She looked down and read the message: u love jakey poo. u going 2 tell him?

She shook her head with a chuckle and wrote back: no... esme told me to wait..

Rosalie made a face and responded: how long?

she said she waited years before she kissed carlisle.

years? u have 2 tell him soon!

do u think he feels the same way?

Rosalie nodded as she responded: yes!

"Stop texting about us!" Emmett called from the court. Masen slapped it out of his hands as he quickly glanced toward the girls. "Oh, you're done little man!"

Masen laughed and tried to pass the ball off to Jacob, but Emmett took it back before he could and went in for a dunk.

"Damn it! You suck, Emmett!" Masen said.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stood in silence before they all burst out laughing. Emmett was curled over on the ground, holding his side in a complete giggle fit.

Esme burst through the front door, "Masen!"

"Oh you're in trouble now, Mase," Renesme said.

They all looked up toward Esme, unsure of whether to laugh or be quiet. Emmett couldn't control his laughter, but the rest of them exchanged glances with the tiniest of smiles.

Esme stood staring at her son. Carlisle had joined her at the door, but stayed out of everyone's sight, because he, too, was trying to hold back a laugh. The last thing he wanted was for Masen to see him and think it was okay, or to undermine Esme's authority and leave her angry with him.

"I'm sorry," Masen called up, "I didn't mean it. It just came out."

"Get up here," she ordered.

Emmett continued to laugh.

"Emmett!" Esme called again, "You'll be next."

"Sorry, sorry," he said, attempting to control himself.

Masen moped his way up to the house and Esme closed the door behind him.

"Where'd you hear that?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. TV."

"Well, which is it?" Esme asked, "You don't know, or the TV?"

"Are you still going to let me watch TV if I say the TV?" he asked innocently.

She looked down at him, "Just be honest, and we'll see."

He sighed, "Yeah. The TV."

"None of them taught you that, huh?" Carlisle asked suspiciously.

Masen quickly shook his head, "No."

"Well, me and mom don't want to hear that," he told him, "Or you won't be able to play ball with your brothers anymore. You'll have to stay inside and help your mom clean the house instead."

His face twisted with disapproval, "I won't say it anymore."

"Even if you get mad, you can't say it."

"Okay," Masen agreed, "I won't." Esme gave him a look that made him feel more guilty. He wasn't going to ask, but he couldn't help himself, "Can I go back outside?"

Carlisle shook his head, "Mom's tired. Take over and start cleaning up the house. I'll do it with you."

He made it known that he wasn't happy through his body language, but didn't put up a fight. Carlisle handed him some paper towels and glass cleaner and he began to wash the windows.

Carlisle looked with a smile at Esme, who smiled back despite trying to still look angry. He winked and went along with Masen. Esme decided to have some time to herself and went to take a bath.