31. Secrets, Promises, Goodbyes
The next day was nerve-racking. A family meeting was called and everyone bar Rosalie knew what it was about; Alice's pregnancy. We all knew we were taking a risk in telling Rosalie, but we also knew we couldn't put it off any longer.
Rosalie was smiling as she sat down in the living room next to Emmett, but her smile was uncertain, confused.
Alice took Jasper's hand and he squeezed it reassuringly. Emmett put his arm around Rosalie. It was Carlisle who spoke, "We called this meeting because Alice and Jasper have some news."
I watch as Rosalie turned to look at my parents. Alice looked up at Jasper and then at Rosalie. I knew that she was worried about losing Rosalie, but she couldn't help a smile slipping onto her face as she spoke, "I'm pregnant."
A look of suprise crossed her face and there were a few moments of silence before she spoke, "Again?" Alice nodded, "Wow...how far?"
"10 weeks!" Alice said.
Rosalie looked around the room, "Did everyone else already know? Why didn't you tell me?"
Alice looked at Jasper, who answered Rosalie's question, "We weren't sure how you'd take it. We didn't want to upset you when you'd just come home."
"We didn't want to lose you again, Rosie." Emmett said.
"So..." Alice said when Rosalie didn't speak, "How do you feel about it?"
Rosalie looked across at me and we exchanged a look and I knew that she was going to stay. "I think it's amazing, Alice. Congratulations."
I could tell that everyone was breathing a sigh of relief, myself included. Rosalie was okay with it; Rosalie was going to stay.
~o.O.o~
The house was busy for the next week. Alice had finally convinced Jasper to let her start buying things for the baby and so she was flitting around the house creating piles of baby clothes and toys, cribs and strollers, blankets and teddy bears whilst Jasper chased after her trying to return all the unneccesary items. Carlisle had been called away with the hospital and so Esme had entered a "busy phase" in which she always had to be baking or cleaning or decorating to keep herself occupied. Edward and Bella had managed to flood their cottage, so they and Renesmee were staying up with us at the main house. Emmett followed Rosalie around everywhere like a puppy, so all in all there was very little opportunity to be alone with Rosalie.
However, eight days after I'd originally made my promise to Rosalie, we were alone in the house.
I sit down beside her on the couch, where she's sat watching America's Next Top Model. She looked across at me and smiled. I grinned back, "So, you wanna tell Emmett first or are you going for a surprise?"
She looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"Well you'll have to tell him at some point." I told her, "I know he's not the brightest but give him some credit, Rosalie." She still looked confused. I laughed, "Don't tell me you've forgotten that I promised to give you what you've been wanting your whole life?"
Her eyes lit up and she giggled, "Perhaps we'll wait just a little while to tell him."
I nodded, "I'll put the kettle on..."
~o.O.o~
The next day, Rosalie was convinced that she was pregnant. I told her that it was too soon to tell, and that there was a good chance we'd have to try again in five weeks, but she was certain it had worked.
"A woman knows." Rosalie told me.
I shrugged, hoping she was right.
She still didn't tell Emmett just yet though, and instead went about her normal day. She drove me to school then spent the morning helping Alice look for baby stuff, then she took me out for lunch at the local pizza place, before picking up Emmett from home and spending the afternoon in the movie theatre watching the latest chick flick. She was out when I got home, so I spent some time baking with Alice. She hadn't quite got to the stage of her pregnancy where she craved food yet, but she said she needed some cooking practice for when she did.
Max came round and we ate the cupcakes Alice and I had baked, which turned out to actually be quite good. Jasper gave Max a "stern look" when he saw him, but he didn't say anything, which I took as a good sign.
Weeks passed of general excitement; of Max and our dates, of Alice and her pregnancy, of Rosalie and her maybe-pregnancy. I still wasn't certain, but then I never had been confident in my gift. Rosalie was still 100% sure that in 8 months she was going to have a baby.
Five weeks after I'd tried my gift on Rosalie, she came into my bedroom with a huge grin on her face. "What's up, Rose?"
She passed me a piece of paper and I took it, then realising that it was an ultrasound. "It worked?! That's fantastic! Congratulations, Rosalie!"
She couldn't stop smiling, "I'm so happy."
I frown at the picture, "Where did you get this? Did you go to the hospital?" She nodded, "Why didn't you get Grandad to do it?"
Rosalie shrugged, "I didn't want anyone to know..."
"Oh...but now that you're definitely pregnant, you're going to tell them all, right?" I asked.
"Maybe...maybe I'll wait a while." Rosalie said, avoiding my gaze. I frown, wondering why she'd want to keep it a secret from her family - and her husband! I don't press her, because if she doesn't want to tell me I know I won't be able to get it out of her.
"You must be pretty excited." I say, diverting the conversation.
Rosalie nodded, her eyes lighting up, "I can't wait. This is what I've always wanted, Daisy, ever since I was a little girl. I've been waiting so long and now...well, it feels so surreal. It feels amazing though, and I know that I'm going to love this baby forever."
"Wanna place a bet on the gender?" I asked.
"Hmmm...I've always wanted a boy, but helping to bring up Renesmee made me realise I'd love a little girl too." Rosalie said, "I don't mind which I have, I guess."
"I'm going to guess boy, because we've already had two baby girls in the family and another might be too much of a coincidence." I said.
Rosalie nodded, "Or it might be an ongoing trend."
"I guess we'll have to wait eight months and see." I said with a shrug. Rosalie squealed in a very non-Rosalie-like manner and kissed my cheek.
"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Daisy-May, and don't you forget it."
~o.O.o~
A few days passed and Rosalie started acting...strange. Not in the same pregnancy-brain way Alice acted strangely. It was different...she still hadn't told the others about her being pregnant, and her initial excitement seemed to have faded. She wouldn't even really talk to me about the baby, trying to change the subject when I brought it up. She avoided Emmett when she could, and wouldn't even look at my parents.
On the fourth day of her weird behaviour, I cornered her and demanded to know what was happening. She laughed a little nervously, "Nothing, silly."
"You seem...I dunno." I tried to think of a word to describe it, "Off?" I finished lamely, "And why haven't you told the others about the baby?"
"Shhh." Rosalie hissed, looking around to check if anyone was nearby.
"Rosalie! They have to know sooner or later!" I said, "I don't get it...they'll be happy. Emmett will be so so happy. Why won't you tell them?"
"I don't...look, just forget it, Daisy." She said.
"No, I can't!" I said, "Why are you keeping it a secret?"
Rosalie sighed, "I just don't want to upset anyone."
"Who would you be upsetting?" I asked.
"The family...they might...this is going to sound stupid to you." She said.
"Try me." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
"They might think I'm not deserving of it." She said. I frowned.
"They all know you'll make an amazing mom, Rose." I said, "They know how much it means to you."
"That's not what I'm saying." She said, "This gift you've given me...after what I've done..."
"What have you done?" I asked, frowning. Did she mean how she left when Alice was pregnant with me? Doesn't she realise that everyone's forgiven her for that and moved on?
"I-" Rosalie began, but stopped when the door clattered open.
"Look!" Alice said, throwing a giant blue teddy bear towards me, "I got it for the baby! I just know it's going to be a boy this time!"
Jazz followed Alice with an exhasperated look on his face, "I guess we'll be throwing out all that pink baby stuff you bought, then?"
"Oh no!" Alice said, "We'll just keep it for the next one!"
"Next one?!" Jazz asked, wide eyed, "Something you're not telling me, darlin'?"
Alice tutted, "You're such a stupid boy. How could I be pregnant again when I haven't even had this one yet?! I meant like, way in the future!"
I look at Rosalie pointedly but she glares at me.
"Rosalie, I need your advice." Alice said. Rosalie tried to smile at her, "I like the name Frankie, and it can be used for a boy or a girl, right? So can I decide on Frankie right now and then it won't matter which gender the baby turns out to be?! Jasper said no..."
"I only said that you'd change your mind after two days anyway." Jasper said, rolling his eyes.
Alice looked expectantly at Rosalie. She smiled, "Frankie is a nice name."
"See, Jasper?!" Alice said, sticking her tongue out.
"I don't know why I bother." Jasper said, throwing his hands up, "Name him or her whatever you like, darlin'."
"I'll remember you said that..." Alice said, grinning. She puts a hand on her stomach, "Here that, Phillis Joan?"
"Don't." Jazz grunted at his least favourite names from the ones Alice had suggested. I had to agree with him, it wasn't great.
"I'm still pushing Emmett, if it's a boy." Emmett said, appearing in the doorway.
Alice groaned, "Em, when you have a baby, you can call it whatever you want."
Rosalie flinched under my meaningful stare.
Emmett grinned at Rosalie, unaware of her discomfort, "I wouldn't be so sure with this one around. She's probably had names picked out since she was four." Emmett looked at me, "You can work your voodoo magic on Rosie, right?"
I smiled, "Of course. In fact-"
Rosalie stood up, "Daisy, stop."
I narrowed my eyes at her, "Rosalie, please. What are you so afraid of?!"
Emmett frowned, "Rosie? Is everything okay?"
Rosalie is still locking gazes with me, "I can't do this, Daisy."
"It's a little late now!" I said, staring at her. What did she mean she couldn't do this?! Wasn't this what she'd always wanted?
Then Rosalie takes off in a run, out of the house. We all follow her. Emmett calls after her, "Rosalie!"
"Please, just leave me alone!" She yelled back.
The commotion had drawn the others outside, and Rosalie is blocked off by Edward, Bella, and Renesmee stood at the end of the drive. Carlisle and Esme flank her other side, and we block the entrance to the house.
"What's going on, Rosie?" Emmett asked, taking a step towards her. She flinched back.
"Don't." She said.
Emmett looked so hurt... "I don't understand, Rose."
"Just tell them, Rosalie!" I pleaded.
She shook her head, "I can't. Please, Daisy, never tell them." She looks back at the rest of the family, "I'm so sorry. I put you through hell and you welcomed me back with open arms, you were so kind, so loving, and I didn't deserve any of it. I'm such a monster. I'm so, so sorry."
"Whatever you've done, Rosalie, you can tell us. We're your family." Esme said.
Alice and Jazz look at me for explanation, but I'm starting to think that Rosalie's not talking about being pregnant anymore...and I have no idea what is bothering her.
"I'm so sorry. You...you're not safe. The volturi aren't happy with you having children, they're trying to find a way to bring you all down." She said. Tears are bubbling in her eyes, "I'm so sorry."
"Rosalie, how do you know all of this?" Edward asked.
"I didn't...I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. I've ruined everything." She said, "They promised me...I couldn't say no...I was so desperate and angry...I'm so sorry. I wish...I wish I hadn't..."
"Rosalie, what did you do?" Jazz says through gritted teeth, his anger bubbling.
"The reason I came back...they sent me." She said quietly.
"The volturi?!" Alice said with a gasp.
Rosalie nodded, "They wanted someone you'd trust..."
"To what?! Spy on us?!" Jasper asked, his voice rising, "How could you do that? To your own family?!"
"I was angry!" Rosalie said, "And they promised me...they promised that I could have my own baby."
"So you did it out of spite and selfishness?!" Jazz demanded, "You risked all our lives for your own selfish benefit?!"
"I was so angry I didn't care!" Rosalie said, "Then I came back, and you all forgave me. And seeing Daisy...I realised how stupid I'd been to be angry and jealous, and what I monster I was for trying to help the volturi. I know what I've done is inexcusable. That's why I'm leaving."
No one says anything. No one yells at her, but no one begs her to stay either.
"I really am sorry." Rosalie whispered. She looks at Emmett but he looks away. I see her heart breaking as she turns to leave.
Edward and Bella move out of the way and let her pass out of the gate. I stand, shocked, until I can't see her anymore. Then my body zips into action.
"Rosalie!" I scream and run after her. We're a good way into the woods before I catch up with her, "Rosalie, please, wait!"
"Please, Daisy, don't." She said, "I can't...I feel too quilty being around you. I hated you your whole life, I sold you out to the volturi, and then you were so amazing and kind and loving and I let you give me this amazing gift and that was wrong. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you."
I take her hand and look up into her eyes, "Rosalie, I forgive you."
She shook her head, "I don't deserve your forgiveness."
I pull her down to sit on the floor, "I know how desperate you were to have a baby, and I know how much it hurt when Alice was pregnant with me. I can't blame you for acting our of desperation. The fact that you came clean shows you regret what you did, and so I forgive you."
"I don't want you to forgive me." Rosalie said, "I want you to hate me and scream at me."
"I'm not going to do that." I told her, "I want you in my life, Rosalie."
"I can't stay." She said.
"But I forgive you, really I do!" I said.
She took both my hands in her own, "I know. I think you're crazy, but I believe you. But can't you see the pain I caused everyone? They'll never forgive me."
"I'll talk to them!" I protested, "Please, Rosalie, don't leave me again."
"I'm sorry, Daisy." She said softly, "But you have to understand. It would never work. They'll never forgive me and I don't expect them to, either. I have to leave."
I can feel tears streaming down my cheeks, "I love you."
"I love you too, Daisy." She said, "I'll stay in touch with you, I promise, and you can always come and visit me. Always."
"What about the baby?" I asked.
Rosalie looked down at her flat stomach, "Please don't tell them...they're angry enough at me. If they know, they'll think I took advantage of your gift.
"I know you didn't." I told her.
She smiled, "They won't all see it that way."
"What about Emmett? Doesn't he deserve to know?" I asked.
Rosalie looked at the ground, "Did you see the way he looked at me? He hates me...my own husband hates me. He doesn't want anything to do with me."
"I'm sure-" I began.
Her face snapped up to look at me, "He didn't even ask me to stay, Daisy. He doesn't want me."
I don't know what to say. Emmett loves Rosalie, I know he does. But she betrayed him - betrayed all of us, and Emmett was loyal to him family.
"He's upset. He's protective of me." I offered.
Rosalie shook her head, "He mustn't know about the baby. Promise me, Daisy."
I nodded, "I promise, but only if you promise to come back one day."
Rosalie smiled sadly, "One day."
I hug her and she gives me a new mobile number. Then she leaves and I have no idea when I'll see her again.
A/N: I'm soooooo sorry that it's been so long! I didn't do sneak peaks this time so that I could just get this chapter up as soon as I finished writing it...hopefully it's dramatic enough to make up for the long wait?!
Updates are slow at the moment cause I've got exams and work and stuff that's keeping me really busy, so please be patient with me! I'm not giving up with the story and I WILL finish it, it just won't be updates every week...but yeah, please stick with me!
Thanks for all the reviews, they're always appreciated! :) I've now got over 300 reviews on this story so that's AMAZING! Love all of you guys ;)