I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Ch 19:

(RPOV)

The hospital hallway was quiet but busy as I crept down it. No one seemed to notice me as I quickly looked through the tiny windows of each room. In the room Edward was in, he was lying in a bed. Bella was on one side of him holding his hand. Their attention was on Jasper, who sat with his back to me. I ducked my head and quickly hurried by.

Down another wing, the rooms were darker and it seemed that these were the patients that were in more critical care.

Looking into the second room on the left, I saw him and I slipped in unnoticed, leaving the door open slightly. Most of the small room was taking up by machines. I glanced at them, wishing I knew what they are all were for, and if the readings were good. One machine seemed to be helping him breath.

I spotted a chair by his side, near his head, and sat in it tentatively.

"Hi, Emmett, I bet you're not too happy to have me here. The last words we said to each other were less then pleasant." A tear slipped down my cheek and I brushed it away.

"Can you hear me? I heard that sometimes people can hear in comas. I'm so sorry for the things I said that day. I wish I could take them all back. But I can't." I softly cried for a moment. "I wish I could've told you the truth then, but at the same time, I thought it would just cause more problems than helped."

I arrived home surprised to see that my father was home early, and another expensive car that I recognized as a Rolls-Royce. Slightly intrigued I entered the house and went to the living room where I heard talking; my father was sitting across from a well-dressed man. The stranger was handsome in a way, with slicked back black hair and cold blue eyes. Something about him struck me that the guy was a slime ball.

"Here's my daughter now. Rosalie, I would like you to meet Royce King. He is the son of my boss. Royce, my daughter Rosalie." My father looked nervous and gave me a look as if to tell me to be on my best behavior. Royce stood up and gave me a smile that made my skin crawl.

"You're even more beautiful than your father said. I'm charmed to meet you." He brought my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it.

I forced a smile on my face, since I knew my father would be upset if I was rude to him. "Like wise, Mr. King," I said as sweetly as I could manage. I pulled my hand away, and subtly wiped it on my pants.

"Please call me Royce." He smiled showing all his teeth. He reminded me of a used car salesman.

I nodded with a slight smile. "Royce. If you and my father could excuse me, I need to go make a phone call." I backed away.

"Rose, I was hoping you would join us. Please, take a seat." My father nodded to the couch where Royce sat moments ago.

I took the seat and waited.

"Rose, dear, Royce here has come to ask for your hand in marriage." My father smiled at me as if the was the best news he has ever heard.

My eyebrows raised in shock. I turned and plastered a fake smile on my face. "Well, I am afraid I will have to decline your surprising request. For a few reasons. First, we just met, and don't know each other. The second, I'm already seeing someone. But thank you for asking me." I glanced quickly at my father.

He frowned and shook his head at me. He can't be serious! He wanted to marry me off to a man that I've never met before today. "Rose, dear, you know how your mother and I feel about Emmett. He is not a suitable choice for you. Royce can take much better care of you then him."

I glared at my father about to tell him off. His own glare silenced me.

"Jim, maybe you can give me a chance to talk with Rose. Perhaps, if we talk and get to know one another, she will see for herself how I can take good care of her." Royce nodded his head to my father.

I was shocked when my father got up and left the room. I turned to Royce, who was still sitting on the couch with a smirk on his face that I wanted to wipe off. Or maybe I should have Emmett do it for me.

"Look, Royce, I'm not sure why you decided that you wanted to marry me without knowing me, but it's not going to happen in this lifetime," I stated firmly.

He ignored me and leaned forward, pouring us both a glass of wine. He pushed one towards me.

"I'm only eighteen," I stated, not touching the glass.

"I wouldn't tell." His condescending smirk bothered me. He snickered. "You really should reconsider. It would be beneficial for all." He slid a folder over to me.

Curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up. I looked at the paper, and read them trying to understand them. "I'm not sure what this is?" I admitted, not looking up from the papers on my lap.

"That is proof that your father has been stealing money from me and my family," he answered before taking a long sip.

"You're lying." I glared at him.

He calmly placed his glass down and shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I went to his office to confront him. That is when I saw your picture and knew you would be perfect." His grin was sinister. "I decided that if you married me then I won't press charges against your father. Your family won't lose everything, leaving your mother and yourself destitute."

"That's despicable," I hissed.

He widen his eyes and raised his hands trying to look innocent. "I'm not the bad guy here, Rosalie. Your father is. I'm just offering an alternative way out that helps more people than hurts. But it is up to you, my dear." He shrugged smiling. "It wouldn't be all that bad. Just listen for a moment."

When I didn't respond he continued. "All I need is a pretty girl like you on my arm for the public to see. Parties and business dinners, etc. A trophy wife as you will. That's all. With a society that still doesn't support gay marriage, all I need you for is image. In other words, a beard, though an ugly term for it, since you are far too pretty for that. If I was straight you would be perfect," he explained. "I can even make it worth your while. Not only will your father keep his job, but you can seek to benefit as well. I will give you one million dollars for every year we are married.

In the meantime, you can spend my money as you wish. My wife will need to look good. It will only be about five, maybe ten years at the most, until my boyfriend's father leaves this world, since he is our main obstacle for us being together. Once he is gone, we will divorce, and you can leave, never to hear from me again." He sat back and smiled at me.

"Emmett is not going to let me go that easily," I stated quietly.

"Then you must convince him too. It would be a shame if his grandmother gets kicked out of her house while he is overseas. I happen to know she is behind on her mortgage payments. Marry me and they disappear. Don't, she will be out on the streets by summer's end. I also think you should know that my boyfriend has connections inside the military, and it would be a shame if he was to have a fatal accident." I scowled at him, but he ignored me. "All you have to do is sign this. It's a contract for all that we discussed."

"Emmett will never agree to let me go," I repeated, looking at the contract blankly.
"Then tell him, if you think he can keep his mouth shut. Then in a few years both of you will be all the richer. I don't care if you share the wealth with him. Or if he can't keep his mouth shut, find another way. Your choice, Rosalie, I'm not going to force your hand." But he still was in a way. I didn't feel like I had a choice.

He pulled out a ring box, opened it and left it on the coffee table. "So what's it going to be? All of you friends and family will fall on hard times, or will you help them by marrying me?" He folded his hands on his lap.

"I'll do it. I'll marry you," I agreed in a small voice.

His mouth broke out into a wide grin and he grabbed the ring. I felt him slide it on my finger, but I didn't even look at it. It felt like a ball and chain attached to my hand. He handed me my glass, and then clinked his against mine.

"Cheers. Drink up, Rose. It's time for a celebration. You chose the best thing." He downed his wine, and I copied him, forcing a false smile on my face.

"I acted like a jealous fool afterwards. I knew you enough that you wouldn't be able to keep it quiet. I was so jealous that everyone else was getting their happy endings. I knew if I planted it in your head, what you would do if you thought they were going to get hurt. I should have left it alone. Perhaps, everyone wouldn't be in the shit that they are in now. This is all my fault too," I admitted as tears ran down my cheek.

"After finding out that Bella was pregnant and she received that 'return to sender' letter, I realized how big of a screw up I caused. I came home and Royce was there with Alec. I asked if he was serious I could spend his money however I wanted. I explained how I wanted to help Bella. Alec took an interest in her. They told me that they would give her the same deal as me. A million dollars for every year she was married to Alec. I thought she could use the money to take care of the baby. I had no idea how sordid Alec's background was. I figured it was two gay guys just needing beards for a while. I didn't know he would lie or he would manipulate her. I had no clue he would hit her. If I did, I would have spoken up sooner.

The night that Alec called freaked out that he hit her, was first night I almost overdosed because of the guilt. When I came around in the first rehab, they tried to convince me I was delusional. Royce had them well paid off to lie to me." I paused for a moment to take a deep breath.

It was unnerving that I was getting no response from him. I knew it wasn't possible giving his condition, but I never knew Emmett to ever be so quiet.

"I tried to get better; I swear, but it seemed every time I came close, I ended up slipping again. I knew I had to get better before I could help Bella, or I might be a danger to her and her little boy. I am so sorry about everything. I wish I could go back and change it all. I'm sorry that you're in that bed, when it should be me in that bed." I covered my face with my hands as I wept.

"Why are you crying?" a small voice spoke up.

I jumped slightly and removed my hands from my face.

A little boy was standing at the foot of the bed, holding a bowl of slightly melted ice cream. It took only a glance to know who he was. I glanced around surprised to see him alone.

"I'm sad for my friend that got hurt. I want him to get better." I explained.

He glanced at Emmett then back at me. "You know my Uncle Em?" he asked.

"I do. From a long time ago." I answered nodding.

He came closer and placed the ice cream on the small table. He grabbed Emmett's hand and seemed to be trying to curl his fingers.

"I don't think you should be doing that." I reached out a hand to stop him.

"I wanna give him a fist bump. I was upset when he left 'cause he did something bad and I didn't give him one." His lower lip trembled.

I gently took Emmett's hand and tried to curl his hand into a fist. Masen took his own hand and bumped against Emmett's.

"I hope you get better soon, Uncle Em. I miss you." Masen told him. "Wake up soon, 'kay. I wanna go fishing with you, like I did with Uncle Japer and Daddy. Oh, and you need to meet E.J., he's my frog." He turned to me with big green eyes. "When will he wake up?

"I don't know, sweetie. I'm not sure what is wrong with him." I shrugged. Tears slipped down my face and I wiped them away.

"He saved my mommy, and got shotted," he answered sadly, his eyes welled with some tears.

"I heard about that. Your Uncle Em was a very brave man." I gulped. I also knew he had killed Royce, and I was free of the bastard.

I heard over the speakers in the hall calling for a code Adam about a boy that fit Masen's description. Bella and Edward must be freaking out after everything that has happened. I knew I had to bring him to them. I guess I would have to face them sooner than later.

"Masen, do your parents now that you're visiting your Uncle Em?" I asked.

He gave me a sheepish, guilty look as he shook his head. "They said I couldn't see him yet. But I didn't want him to be lonely." He bit his lower lip. "Am I in trouble?"

"We better get you back to your parents, sweetie. I'm sure they are worried." I stood up just as the door flew open.

Bella was in the doorway with Jasper not far behind her. "Masen, you scared mommy," she cried as she fell to her knees, and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I sorry." The kid was red in the face now.

"You should never have disobeyed Auntie Alice like that." Bella pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "Do you understand that when we couldn't find you, we thought something bad happened to you? I know you wanted to see Uncle Em, but you should've waited."

"I sorry." Masen repeated tearfully. "I thought Uncle Em might be lonely, and I found this girl crying,'cause she's Uncle Em's friend," he answered looking at his feet.

Bella looked up and behind him straight at me. "Rose?" she exclaimed. She stood up and went around Masen, heading directly for me.

I gave her a timid smile, fully prepared for her to start yelling at me. She shocked me when her arms wrapped me in a big hug. My arms loosely hugged her back. I looked behind her at Jasper, whose face was expressionless as he looked at me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"I'm so glad that you're alright." Bella pulled back and smiled at me.

"Bells, I'm going to take Masen back to Edward, so that he knows that he's okay, and that we have found him. Will you be okay here?" he asked looking at me but talking to her. He didn't trust me it seemed.

"I'll be fine. I'll catch up in a moment. Don't let him out your sight." She glanced at Masen.

"I won't. Come on, Masen." Jasper grabbed his hand with one of his and the ice cream with the other.

"I'm glad that you're here safe and sound." Bella smiled at me and killed me, since she shouldn't be smiling at me.

I stepped away from her. "You wouldn't say that if you knew everything I have done."

"From what I understand, you were just as much as a victim as me." Bella frowned sympathetically.

I shook my head. "Royce never hit me." I responded.

"No, but he did have a hand in making sure you stayed addicted to drugs and alcohol. Alec admitted it when taunting Emmett." This explained some things, but it was still no excuse.

"This is still all my fault." I pressed.

She eyed for a minute before taking a seat, and gestured for me to do the same. "How do you figure?"

I sat next to her and the whole story came tumbling out. She sat patiently, and didn't interrupt me.

When I finished she glanced over at Emmett. "Did you know that it was Emmett that returned the first letter?" she asked, looking back at me.

"No. Last I saw and talked to Emmett was the day I broke up with him," I answered quietly.

"He thought he was saving Edward from getting a 'Dear John,' letter, even though we had already broken up." She sighed and shook her head.

"That might be my fault. I placed the idea in his head out of my jealously." I admitted.

"He didn't have to listen to you though. He made the choice, thinking he was saving someone from being hurt. Edward didn't have to listen to him, and break up with me. In a fool's notion, where he thought he was protecting me. I didn't have to say yes to Alec. The thing is Rose, we all made our own choices that ended up being mistakes. None of us were trying to intentionally hurt anyone, with exception of Alec and Royce.

This is far from all your fault. From how you explained things, it sounded like you were coerced into it," she calmly explained to me.

I was amazed be her response. I thought for sure she would kick me out, and tell to me to stay the hell away from her and her family.

"Perhaps, but there had to be another way." I answered dejectedly.

"Maybe, but you will only drive yourself crazy, with the should'ves and could'ves. The best thing to do is move on, and get better. I'm starting to learn that myself. I'm getting the help that I need. And you can do the same. I'll be there for you, so will the others." She smiled confidently.

"The others. I don't think they will be as forgiven as you." I scoffed.

She seemed to pause briefly before she spoke. "We all made mistakes. You need a support system, like any of us, to come out of this."

I looked back over at Emmett hooked up to all the machines. "If he comes out of this, he's going to hate me. The things I said to him." I shook my head; tears welling.

"You at least owe him the truth though." Bella reached over and took my hand and gave it a small squeeze.

I nodded, because she was right.

She stood and pulled me to my feet. "Come on, I know some others that have been wondering about you." She pulled me to the door. I followed her to the door of Edward's room and lingered by the door.

"He fell asleep not long after Jasper brought him back. Everything okay?" Edward's eyes were only for Bella. He reached out for Bella's hand while his other arm was curled around Masen, who was cuddled on the bed next to him asleep.

Bella took her seat and laced her fingers with Edward's. I guess they were back together. Judging how Alice sat on Jasper's lap, them too.

"Everything is fine. I was talking with Rose." Bella gave me an encouraging smile.

I gave a timid one back.

Alice slid off of Jasper's lap and skipped up to me and gave me a hug. "I missed you, Rose. We are going to have to go shopping together soon. Lord knows, Bella still hates it." She stepped back and grabbed my hand pulling me into the room the rest of the way.

"Sure." I agreed still feeling uncomfortable.

Jasper gave me a silent nodded and smile. But then he never talked much to begin with.
I glanced at Edward. He was the one I was most worried about, since I knew his temper rivaled my own, especially if I had put Bella in harm's way. He stared back at me at first with a hard look on his face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Bella squeeze his hand. He broke his stare at me and looked at her. They seemed to silently communicate something to each other. Edward let a big sigh and turned back to me.

"How are you, Rose?" he asked cautiously.
"Better than you, but honestly, not very good. I'm sorry that you got hurt. I'm sorry that my actions put everyone else in danger." I apologized and looked down at my feet. I was anxious and I wanted a drink, but I knew I had to fight it. I can't slip again.

There was silence for a moment.

"What's done is done. Let's just move forward, okay?" Edward offered.

I glanced back at him and noticed he was being sincere.
"Okay," I agreed.

"I was about to go get everyone something to drink. Get I get you one, Rose?" Jasper stood.

"I quit, I don't drink anymore." I shook my head furtively.

He paused in mid-stride and gave me an apprehensive look. "I was talk about something like soda, water, coffee, or tea," he explained.

Of course, he was. The hospital probably doesn't have a liquor license. What the hell was I thinking?

"Right. A … uh… soda is fine. Cherry Coke if they have it. Bottle or can though, not fountain, please. And please, leave, it for me to open. I don't mean to be picky, but…"

Jasper raised a hand to stop me. "I understand," he said quietly.

I sighed in relief that I didn't have to explain that I was now paranoid of things being slipped into my drink.

He gave me a quick side hug. "Glad to have you back, Rose. Edward and I were saying not too long ago, we need you back to reign in Emmett."

Edward scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"I don't think I'm going to be much help. I'm sure that he hates me for the things that I said to him." I swallowed and looked away.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked, looking back at Jasper.

He sighed and gave me a grim smile. "He's not out of the woods yet, but he shows promise. He's in a medically induced coma, and they had to repair a lung. Hopefully, we will know more soon." Jasper explained.

"Emmett is a fighter. He will pull through." Edward gave me a nod with a small hopeful smile.

A/N:

So there is Miss Rose's story. I'm sure it will be met with mixed reviews.

You also know that Masen only wandered off to find Emmett. How did he know how to find him? He noticed where the others went, when they said they were going to visit Emmett.

Check some great Christmas Stories: On Fanfiction by looking up Mistletoe Contest under author.

Thank You For All Reviews.

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Preview:

"I have to get that," I apologized as lifted my hips slightly so I could get my phone out of my pocket.

Bella nodded and stayed on my lap. She rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Hello," I called before kissing her forehead. She smiled lazily without opening her eyes.

"He's awake," dad's jubilant voice told me. I sat up straighter and smiled