Authors Note:
Hello everyone! It has been another long break but I am back with another chapter. I really wanted to put out another chapter before the start of the holidays. Again, I want to thank you for all of the support I have s been receiving for this story. All of you are awesome! :)
Alright, on with the story!
Stephenie Meyer own Twilight and all of the characters from the books.
I apologize in advance for any errors and/or mistakes.
Reviews, criticism, and suggestions are always welcomed. I hope you all enjoy this chapter :)
*All thought in italics
Rosaile's POV
I sat in the living room, perfectly still. Unlike my outside posture, my insides and outsides shaking furiously, as if I was the most fragile thing in the world. A few minutes after Emma and I had our little conversation, a woman came frantically running towards us. This woman was obviously her mother, Emma looked very much like her. A part of me wanted to hate her. To blame her for making me feel like my life just fell apart. But I couldn't. Because it wasn't her fault that Emmett chose to lie to me. So I kept my feeling to myself and tried to be as polite as I could, for Emma's sake. The woman thanked me profusely for finding her daughter. Emma had apparently went door to door around the immediate neighborhood looking for her dad. The woman told me that her name was Katlyn. Katlyn said that as soon as she told Emma her father might not be coming, Emma ran off. Katlyn had told Emma a couple of months ago that the park they always made met daddy at was not far from where daddy lived. That makes perfect sense. We have a park down the street the house. I didn't want them to know my involvement with Emmett, not yet. So to not sound suspicious, I asked Katlyn if she and Emma's father were married or together. She said no, they were both single and not together. Hearing this, made me absolutely, positively livid. He didn't mention me, at all. Katlyn and Emma left soon after the conversation. I came inside and told Bella and Alice that I wanted them to move the sleepover to Bella's and I would not be joining them. Of course, both of them questioned me and asked me "whats wrong rose" and "who was at the door". I told them I just needed some time to myself. I needed time to process, because all of this seemed so surreal. And having Bella around wouldn't help anything either. She intensifies things for me so much, it might make me feel weak and I need to be strong right now. Bella looked hurt, it made me twinge with guilt. But I just couldnt have her here. I couldn't end up kissing her again, or worse fucking her again. Not when I am emotionally all over the place. Soon after they left I sent Emmett a text that said: come home. After that, I sat on the couch and waited. And here I am, just sitting here waiting for him to come, my face a blank slate, but my mind at war. A couple minutes later I hear the engine rev and headlights shine into the window. Emmett's home.
Here we go. `
I wait until the front door opens, then I stand up as he walks into the living room.
"Hey babe," he greets me before he puts an arm around my waist and moves to kiss my lips but I turn away. He scrunches up his face and rolls his eyes.
"What is it now Rose?" he asks his hand still on my waist but his eyes elsewhere and nostrils flaring. I wanted to get angry. I wanted to scream and holler, and punch him in the throat for keeping something as important as a child from me. But I can't bring myself to speak, so I just look him. I look and think. Think of all the good times we had, how he was there for me, how happy I felt on the day that I married him. I think about all the bad times too. All the fights that we had, all the times I cheated on him, and the couple of times that he cheated on me. I look at him and I see an overall good man. He isn't perfect, but sometimes he seems so damn close.
Are you still in love with him?
The deep sinking feeling in my stomach that followed gave me my answer right away.
I will always love him. He has been my protector, one of my best friends and confidants. But I'm not in love with him. I can't give him true soul mate love that he deserves.
I am still looking at him, and by this time he is looking me in the eye. I can see him searching, trying to figure out what I am thinking and feeling. He is so worried for me, I can see it.
Fuck, he is so sweet.
I can't hold it in anymore. I don't look away, but start to spring from my eyes.
"Fuck, no no no Rosie. Don't cry! I got you, I'm here" he whispers to me as bundles me up in a warm embrace. After a couple of minutes of sobbing into his shoulder, I step away from him, wipe my eyes, and take a deep breath.
C'mon Hale, get it together. Stay strong.
I look Emmett in the eyes again.
"I know about Emma" I tell him. His eyes bulge out and he covers his face over his mouth then runs his fingers through his hair and closes his eyes tightly.
"Shit" he whispers. I shake me had and look away. My right foot is shaking vigorously and my anger is threating to surface.
"She came looking for you when you didn't meet her and her mother at the park. She ran from the park and was ringing doorbells looking for you" I say monotonous, trying not to get too worked up. By the time I looked at Emmett, he was sitting in the couch with his head in his hands.
"How could you not tell me Emmett? You have a fucking child! And you couldn't tell me?! And you didn't even tell them about me. Katlyn thinks you're single! What the fuck Emmett!?" I yell down at him, completely losing my temper. He pops up from his seat, as if my words have set him off.
"I WAS TRYING TO FUCKING PROTECT YOU ROSE!" he booms at me. "I know how much not being have to have a child hurt you. And it just didn't seem fair that I got to have one and you couldn't. Katlyn was a drunk one night stand that happened about a year before we were married. And I didn't tell her that I was in a relationship and didn't tell her when I got married because I didn't want her to come and attack you. I was just trying to protect you damn it!" he yells back.
"God Emmett!" I yell out in frustration, not to scold him, but more to myself. We both stay still in dour positions, bot looking at each other but just silently fuming and trying to figure out what to do and say next. The words come to me first.
"We can't keep doing this Emmett. I can't keep lying to each other, we can't keep cheating on each other. We just can't. We should get divorced" I say, tears threatening to spill out again.
"NO!" he yells out and storms over to me and intertwines his hands with mine.
"Rosalie we can make this work! We have in the past we can do it again! We can go to counseling, spend more time together, just anything! I don't want to lose you! I fucking love you Rose!" he confesses to me desperately. I smile slightly through the tears falling and I stroke his cheek in reverence.
"I know you do Emmy bear" I whisper out to him. "But I can't give you the love you deserve to have. I have cheated on you so many times. I haven't treated you the way you deserve to be treated. I have even experienced possible feelings of love with other people" I force myself to say the last part of that as gently as I can. I see the hopeful look leave his face and his hands slide out of mine and hang at his shoulders. I start to sob openly and my hands shake.
"I'm so sorry Emmett" I manage to say through my sobs. Emmett doesn't look at me or utter another word. He turns around and walks slowly out of the house. His engine revs up and he drives away. I am left in the house. Alone. My body gives out and I fall to the floor, now weeping uncontrollably. Mourning the loss of my marriage and my protector.
Two Weeks Later
Bella's POV
I mindlessly top the lemon sugar cookies that came out of the oven about 15 minutes ago with lemon crème frosting. They all come out easily in the same design I intended even though I am not focusing so much on the task. It is finally the end of lunch rush hour so I am not so much in a hurry. At least my body isn't. My mind on the other hand is buzzing away as normal.
Geez, my back is killing me. Maybe I should look into that massage chair that Alice suggested. But it is so freaking expensive…Hmmm I hope that I remembered to lock the door before I left…Edward won't be coming back until late, thank goodness. Some time alone will be nice…I can't wait for my little girl to get here already. I have so many things I want to do with her and so many outfits planned!...I hope she is okay…Rose…I don't even know what is going on with her she seemed so upset when Alice and I left…Maybe I should have insisted on staying…Fuck I wish that I could see her, I don't know maybe I-
I hand on my shoulder shocked me out of my head and I jumped.
"I'm so sorry Bella. I didn't mean to startle you" Sue says behind me after she lets out a small chuckle. I laugh a bit too and give her a smile.
"It's totally fine. I was kind of zoned out anyways. Frosting things always puts me in a thinking trance" I joke as I clean up what I am working on. It is time for me to take my break. Sue laughs in response.
"I can definitely relate to that" she says smiling. "I was wondering if I could speak to you privately in my office for a second. Don't worry! It's nothing bad. These look amazing" she says as she swipes one of the frosted cookies off the tray. I smile at her action, I always tend to do that to other people's cookies in the bakery too.
"Sure thing Sue, just need to clean up bit more" I answer. She nods and smiles and heads to her office. I keep clean up as quick as I can, anxious for the meeting.
I wonder what all of this is about. She said it was nothing bad. But maybe she means it's something bad for someone else. Hmm maybe not. Sue is a sweet lady. I don't think she would want to sabotage or let anyone go like that.
I take off my apron and set it on the side table then head to Sue's office.
"Have a seat Bella" she tells me when I enter. I sit down on the chair facing her desk and sigh an involuntary sigh of relief and comfort. She chuckles at the sigh. My face heats up and my cheek hue pink.
"I didn't mean for that to come out" I say giggling and shaking my head.
"No need to be embarrassed Bella. I know exactly how you feel. Every woman who has been pregnant has sighed that type of sigh. I know I had so many of them when I was pregnant" she says and we laugh together.
"So how is everything else with the baby? Have you thought of a name yet?" she asks conversationally.
"Everything is good. The baby is perfectly healthy and fine, no problems thanks goodness. And I have a few names floating around in my head. But I haven't decided one yet" I say.
"Well, when the time is right I'm sure it will come to you" she says encouragingly and that causes me to break another smile.
"Now let me get too what I really want to talk about. I know you have your break and I don't want to keep up your time" she says politely and I sit up straighter to focus on her words.
"I am getting old Bella" she says chuckling. "I really am not getting any younger. I think it's about time for old Sue to retire" she tells me. I raise my eyebrows in surprise then shale my head.
"Oh Sue, you aren't old" I try to persuade her and she just smiles in response.
"I want to spend my time traveling and spend time with my children and grandkids while I still can. I think it's just time for me to relinquish my grip on the bakery and let you younger ones who are up and coming shine as brightly as I know you can" she continues. "But before I do that, I want to ensure the bakery is in good hands, staff and management wise" she explains. I nod my agreement.
"Bella, you have been working here for such a long time, and have been so dedicated to this bakery. And I can tell that you have a true passion for baking. And you are darn good at it!" she praises me. I smile and duck my head in an effort to hide my flushing cheeks.
"Thank you so much Sue" I say in appreciation.
"Just telling it like I see it. And I hope you can believe in yourself enough to accept this proposal" she says leaning forward in her chair slightly. I raise my eyes brows even higher this time and lean forward in my seat as well.
"I want you to take my job. When I leave, I want you to run the bakery. You will have full control of the place and can do what you see fit. Of course I will still own it and appreciate you running it by me" she says bluntly. My mouth completely unhinges and I am left speechless. I overcome my initial shock after a couple of moments.
"Sue…oh my god…why me?" I sputter out. She grins at me and clasps her hands.
"My children, they don't really have a passion for the craft of baking. They would run it just to make me happy, but I know there heart would not be in it. And those that work here, it is just a job to them. But I know that it more than that for you. I know it is an escape for you and you have a fondness for it. I want this bakery to run and thrive on passion and love and warmth. And I feel like you can make that happen. Now I know that right now it would be too much to handle with the baby coming. But in a year, I would like for you to take control of the place. This should give you some time with the baby and time for me to show you the ropes" she says encouragingly. I shake my head and bite my lip and try my hardest not to tackle Sue letting out embarrassing sobs.
Holy shit. This is amazing!
"Thank you so much Sue! I won't let you down" I say getting up quickly to move and hug her. She meets me half way and hugs ne back tight.
"You are so welcome Bella. And I know you won't. I believe in you" she says while we are in our embrace.
"Now, go take your break" she says when we let go and we both chuckle. I walk out of the office with the hugest smile plastered on my face. I head back to storage to find Tia. She usually is checking inventory at this time. I finally find her staring at the bread shelf counting to loaves.
"T!" I exclaim and poke her in the back. She jumps and lets out a scream. Then she sees it's me and smiles and swats me playfully.
"Bella Geez! Almost gave me a fucking heart attack!" she shakes her head disapprovingly but still grins. I laugh and link my arm with hers.
"Sorry, but I have something I reaaaaaaaaally want to tell you" I say, squeezing her arm. Her smile falters and she sighs deeply. She moves her arm out of mine and sets down her paperwork on the table behind us.
"I have something I want to tell you too. But let me go first" she tells me. Her whole body has seemed to deflate and a forlorn look paints her face. I nod to prompt her to speak.
"Bells, I don't know how to say this. But I slept with Rosalie. More than once. I'm so sorry Bella. I really am" she whispers. I instantly start shaking my head and my lips start to tremble. I don't give Tia a second look before I run out of the room.
A Week Later
Alice's POV
I walk into the height of the buzz of the office. Phones ringing and journalists typing away happily at their battered down laptops. I finally reach my desk and set my bag down. I sigh and smile.
I can't believe I am admitting this, but I missed this place.
I take out my laptop and set it on my desk. Then rearrange my desk slightly to change up the look. So many things have changed in my life lately. I am no longer with Jasper and our divorce is on its way to being final. I am about to move into my own place. I like it. All this change. I have become addicted to change. I used to hate it, but now I need it.
"Aliceeeeee!" Stella yells down the hall then tackles me from behind. I giggle and swiftly turn to embrace her in a hug.
"Stella, you are acting like I was gone for years. I saw you yesterday" I say shaking my head and chuckling at her antics.
"I know, but it's good to have you back. We all missed your cheery face around here Al" she says letting go and bumping her hips with mine.
"Well it is good to be back and get back to work" I say smiling and we both sit down at our desks to get to start the day. By lunch time, I am gazing at Leah's number in my phone.
I can't get her out of my head. I hope she is okay. I should leave her alone. I don't want to. Darn it! Maybe I should text her, one text won't hurt. She is already mad at me anyways.
I limit my texting to her to one text only. And I make it sincere as I can.
Alice: I miss you Leah
Bella's POV
I snort almost all of my coke now as Seth cracks another joke about the movie we just saw.
"Seth stop it! You are going to make me choke" I say trying to calm my laughter down. I kick him under the table for good measure.
"Hey! It's not my fault I am hilarious" he says smirking them takes another bite out his burger. I sigh and shake my head looking at him smiling.
"You are such a goofball. But I am so glad I could hang out today. Things have been weird at home, weird at work, weird with family. I feel normal when we hang out" I tell him.
"Ah shit Bells. Don't say that, you are way too good to me man" he shakes his head and leans back.
"No Seth, I really mean it" I say sincerely and take his hand. I squeeze and smile up at him.
"Fuck, I can't do this anymore. You are too good for this" he says and he lets go of my hand and sets down his food.
"What are you talking about" I stop my movements and look at him totally confused.
"I wanted to get back at him. I wanted to be friend you and rub it in his face to hurt him. I loved him. I did. But I never should have brought you into this or did this to you. You are too good of a person. You deserve to know" Seth says solemnly.
"Seth I don't understand, what is going on!" I say starting to get anxious and scared.
"Remember how I told you I had an affair with a married man?" he asks me, looking straight into my eyes. I nod, looking back at him.
"That married man was Edward" she confesses.
My heart stops.