Rosalie ran upstairs to check on her mate. To her surprise she found Bella sitting with Jasper giggling at something Jasper had told her. Jasper looked up when she got to the doorway and nudged Bella. The human girl looked up. She waved at Rosalie.
"Do you want something else to eat?" Rosalie questioned. Bella thought about it for a minute before nodding. "Is there anything in particular you want?"
"Spaghetti?" Bella asked unsure.
"Sure," Rosalie said, walking over to her closet and grabbing her sweatshirt for Bella.
"One minute Rosalie," Alice yelled.
"One minute for what?" Bella asked, pulling on the sweatshirt.
"Edward, Carlisle and Esme will be back," Rosalie replied. "We have some things to discuss and then we can see about getting you something to eat."
"Okay," Bella agreed.
"Can you walk downstairs or do you want me to carry you?" Rosalie questioned.
Bella bit her lip. "Carry her," Jasper muttered low enough that Bella couldn't hear him. "She's in pain but won't ask you to do anything for her. She already think you've done too much."
Rosalie nodded and slowly walked over to Bella. "I'm going to touch you," Rosalie warned softly, before reaching over and lifting Bella off the bed.
"I can walk," Bella protested weakly.
Rosalie ignored her and carried her downstairs to the couch. Emmett sat on the chair across from the couch. Jasper sat on the couch beside Bella, close enough to calm Bella if necessary but far enough away so he wouldn't scare her.
"They're coming," Alice announced. She looked at Bella. "Hi Bella, I'm Alice. I know we are going to be great friends."
Bella glanced at Rosalie and then at Jasper. "She's been looking forward to meeting you for a while," Jasper told her.
Bella nodded as the back slider opened. Bella jumped at the sound and Rosalie stroked her arm. "It's okay Bella," Rosalie muttered. "You're okay."
"What's going on?" Carlisle demanded walking into the living room. He noticed Bella sitting near Jasper and frowned. "Hello Bella."
"Bella," Edward exclaimed stepping toward her. Rosalie growled as Bella flinched. She pulled the sweater tighter against her body.
"Rosalie, what is going on?" Carlisle repeated.
"I have a few questions for your Golden Boy," Rosalie said. Carlisle frowned again.
Edward pulled his attention away from Bella. "What is it?" he asked. He wanted to get this discussion, whatever it was as he couldn't read their thoughts, over with so he could go back to wooing Bella.
The way he saw it what happened to Bella was unfortunate and something he wouldn't wish on anyone, but it was merely a bump in the road. He didn't believe Rosalie's claim that Bella was her mate. It was obvious Bella was his mate. After all he couldn't read her mind, and she was his singer. It was Fate and Edward couldn't be convinced otherwise.
He would allow Rosalie to help her heal because Rosalie was her best bet but Edward had a plan to woo Bella away from his unstable sister. There was no way he would allow Rosalie, who had fed on humans, to spend too much time with his mate.
"Were you in Port Angeles?" Rosalie asked though she knew the answer. She was giving him the chance to come clean. If he was honest then his punishment wouldn't be so bad.
"Rosalie what are you…" Rosalie cut Carlisle off. This was between her and Edward. Carlisle needed to learn to keep his mouth shut.
"Answer the question Edward," Rosalie snapped.
"Yes I was in Port Angeles," Edward confessed. Honesty was the best policy in this case. It would help him earn Bella's trust. "But it's not what you think."
"What I think," Rosalie said glaring at her 'brother.' "What I think is you went to Port Angeles to spy on Bella and then allowed her to be raped." Bella winced.
"No," Edward protested. He turned to Bella. "That's not what happened. I went to make sure she was safe. I wasn't keeping a close eye on her so I didn't notice she wasn't with Jessica and Angela until she was already at the bookstore. I went to follow her and I saw the men approach her."
Rosalie's fingers dug into the arm of the couch. "Why didn't you help her?" Emmett asked frowning.
"I tried," Edward said. "I wanted to come in at the right moment…" he trailed off, worried he said too much. "The blood," he said changing tactics. "I couldn't handle it and I was afraid of hurting her."
"Come in at the right moment," Rosalie repeated angrily. She walked over and smacked him sending him flying into the wall. "You allowed my mate to get hurt so you could try and play hero."
"Rosalie Lilian Hale," Esme scolded.
"No," Rosalie screamed. "No, I am sick of you two choosing his side for everything. He tried to play God with my mate's life and I won't let him get away with it."
Rosalie grabbed Edward's throat and squeezed. She was acting purely on instinct which meant Edward couldn't read her thoughts to try and fight back. It was a well-known fact that Edward couldn't fight without the aid of his gift.
Tiny fissures started to form at Edward's throat where Rosalie was squeezing. He was seconds away from being decapitated. "Rosalie," Jasper called. His voice was soft yet Rosalie could hear a hint of the military man coming out.
"No, Jasper," Rosalie said squeezing harder.
"Rosalie Hale," Jasper said in a hard voice. He didn't like when someone refused to listen to him. "You will listen to me. I get your desire for revenge, trust me. But right now your mate is terrified and you need to deal with it. She comes before revenge."
Rosalie released Edward and whipped around. "Bella," she said softly.
Bella wrapped her arms around her legs and rocked back and forth. Jasper calmed her a bit but he didn't want Rosalie or Bella relying on his gift whenever she was upset. Not that he wouldn't help her if needed. But he felt Bella needed to learn to deal with this without outside influence. Otherwise she would never truly heal.
"Bella," Edward yelled seeing the distressed human. He ran toward her but was stopped by Jasper, who felt Bella's fear. The military vampire wrapped his hand around Edward's throat.
"Stay away from Bella," Jasper growled throwing Edward through the wall and outside of the house.
"Bella," Rosalie said walking closer to Bella.
Jasper sensed Bella's fear. "Bella," Jasper said softly. Bella looked up. "Rosalie won't hurt you. She physically can't."
"She…" Bella began but shook her head.
"She's trying to protect you," Jasper told her. "She will explain everything, just give her a chance."
Bella nodded. "Will you be there?" she asked Jasper hesitantly.
"Sure," Jasper agreed.
"I'm going to go hunt," Emmett announced. "Alice?"
"Yes," Alice said following Emmett to the slider. "I suggest you two go as well," Alice told Carlisle and Esme before running off with Emmett. Edward had ran after being thrown out of the house. He needed a new plan.
"I will not be forced out of my own home," Carlisle snapped. He didn't like his children taking over when he was the father and coven leader.
"Come on Carlisle," Esme said pulling her mate to the garage. "I need to go to the hardware store to repair this wall." She glared at Jasper letting him know he would be helping. Carlisle sighed but allowed Esme to drag him away.
"You better start explaining," Jasper told Rosalie. He turned to Bella. "I will be in the kitchen to make you something to eat. If you need me call my name. If your emotions get too out of control I will be here instantly," he promised. He glanced at his sister who was now perfectly calm. "You can trust her Bella, no matter what."
Rosalie sat down on the couch next to Bella, making sure to leave some space so she didn't make her mate uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Bella," Rosalie said, mentally kicking herself for being so stupid. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just got so angry at him for sitting back and doing nothing and then Carlisle and Esme…" She sighed. "It's no excuse. I'm sorry."
"What did you mean by mate?" Bella asked curious.
"Do you believe in soul mates?" Rosalie countered.
Bella was confused at the question but nodded. "I do," Bella said.
"For vampires our mate is our world," Rosalie began. "We would do anything for them. We do anything to be with them, anything to make them happy. A vampire mates for life. If our mate dies we lose the will to live."
"I'm your mate," Bella whispered.
Rosalie nodded. "You are," she confirmed.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Bella asked. "Why did you let me pine after Edward? Why did you look like you wanted to kill me after he saved me from the van?"
"I didn't want to kill you," Rosalie said. "I wanted to strangle Edward for almost exposing us. I didn't tell you sooner because I didn't know until I found you in Port Angeles. I've always been drawn to you but I didn't know what it meant. I don't like not knowing things so I fought against the pull and it made me less than happy with your presence but I never wanted you dead."
"How do you find your mate?" Bella asked. She had easily accepted they were vampires because there was really no other explanation, especially after watching Rosalie drain those men, but finding out you were mated to one was different. It was strange hearing Rosalie describe mates and how they would do anything for their mate. That kind of devotion just didn't seem possible.
"There's no one way for someone to find their mate," Rosalie said, doing her best to explain. "But we have to be open to the possibility of mating. We have to open our hearts. Edward had already claimed you so I had no reason to believe there was a possibility you were mine, until I found you."
"You make it sound so…" Bella paused. "I don't know, complicated."
Rosalie laughed. "It was a lot more complicated than it needed to be," she admitted.
"Why were you all so convinced I was Edward's mate?" Bella asked curious.
Rosalie winced. "Honestly I'm not entirely sure," she confessed. "He was intrigued by you and the fact that he can't read your mind and your blood calls to him. We didn't really pay attention enough to notice there was no way he could be your mate."
"Why is that?" Bella asked. She found she was comfortable around Rosalie again and now she wanted to know more. She scooted closer to the blonde vampire and laid her head on Rosalie's shoulder.
"It's very hard for us to leave our mate once we find them," Rosalie explained. "Edward ran to Alaska after finding out you were his singer. If you were his mate, his true mate, he would have never been able to do that. It would hurt too much. Even now, I'm close to you and I'm still anxious."
"What about Jasper and Alice?" Bella asked. "They are apart right now."
"I can explain that," Jasper said coming out of the kitchen. "Pasta is cooking now, I hope." Bella chuckled. "Alice and I have been mated for decades. The longer a mated couple has been together the better they manage being apart. It doesn't help that you are still human and was attacked not long ago. Rosalie's vampire side is still on edge from that. She will be extremely protective for a while. We have no idea how long but this certainly wasn't the first, or last time she will go off on someone."
Rosalie nodded in agreement. "Charlie," Bella gasped after Jasper went back to the kitchen. "He doesn't know where I am. He's probably so worried. I need to call him or…"
Rosalie gently covered Bella's mouth with her hand. "Charlie knows you're here," Rosalie told her. Bella looked confused. "Alice called him, told him she bumped into you in Port Angeles and invited you over. Charlie is fine with you staying here for the weekend."
Bella sighed in relief. She loved her father but she wasn't too sure she wanted to be near him right now and she definitely didn't want him to know what happened.
Jasper brought out a plate of spaghetti. "Let me know how it is," he said. "This is my first time cooking."
Bella took a bite of the pasta. The sauce was delicious but the noodles weren't cooked all the way which made it very crunchy. "It's great," Bella lied.
Jasper chuckled. "Bella you can't lie to an empath," he said. "What did I do wrong, so I can fix it in the future?"
Bella blushed in embarrassment. She didn't want to hurt Jasper's feelings but it seemed he didn't really care. "The pasta's not cooked all the way," Bella told him. "When I cook I like to check it by taking a fork and trying to cut it. If it easily cuts its usually done, if not, let it cook longer."
Jasper nodded. "My apologize ma'am," he said with a bow. "I will go get you something to eat. I remember seeing places open late." Jasper left before Bella could stop him.
"That accent…" Bella said.
Rosalie laughed. "Human girls have a hard time resisting his accent," she said. "Actually he has to hide his accent because of it. If it comes through it means he's comfortable around you."
"Where is he from?" Bella asked curious.
"He was born in Texas," Rosalie replied. "If you want to know anything else then ask him. I'm sure he wouldn't mind tell you his story."
"What about your story?" Bella questioned.
Rosalie sighed. That question was to be expected. "I was born in 1915 in New York," Rosalie began. "I was 18 when I was changed. I was engaged to a man named Royce. Our engagement wasn't perfect and I knew it wouldn't be the fairytale romance I had hoped for but still I was getting everything I wanted: a husband, a future and eventually a child. One night I was walking home from a friend's house and I found Royce out drinking with some friends. I walked over to him and he…"
"He hurt you," Bella said before Rosalie could finish.
Rosalie nodded. "They took turns with me," Rosalie continued. "After they were finished his friends joked that he would need to find a new bride."
Bella grabbed a fistful of Rosalie's shirt and clutched it tightly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Did you… did you kill them too?"
"I killed them in the slowest and most painful way I could," Rosalie elaborated. "I saved Royce for last. I wanted him to know I was coming for him. But I never spilled their blood."
"Are you going to keep drinking human blood?" Bella wondered.
Rosalie glanced at Bella. She wasn't sure if this was a trick question or not. "Would it bother you if I did?" If Bella didn't want her drinking human blood then she wouldn't.
"No," Bella said. "If human blood is better for you then you should drink it, as long as you're not killing innocent people. I… I don't want you to get hurt."
"Then I will feed from humans," Rosalie said, happy that it didn't bother Bella. She had no problem promising not to kill innocent people. She didn't want to kill innocent people. She wanted to punish the rapists and murderers, those she felt truly deserved death.
"Will it always be like this?" Bella whispered after it grew quiet. "Will I always be afraid?"
"I don't know," Rosalie admitted. "I was changed right after. I never really had a chance to heal. I do know talking helped me. Without Emmett I don't know what would have happened to me." She paused and looked at Bella. "I will never force you to do anything but I think you would feel better if you talked. When you're ready I will be here."
"Thank you," Bella said gratefully. "I'm sorry you are stuck me with as your mate."
Rosalie growled. "Why would you say that?" she demanded.
Bella was surprised at Rosalie's reaction. "You're beautiful," Bella confessed blushing. "I'm ordinary."
Rosalie sighed. She should have seen this coming. She got off the couch and crouched down on the floor in front of Bella. "Bella you are beautiful," Rosalie said. "I can see it in your eyes you don't believe me but it is true and one day you will see what I see. Don't you ever apologize for being mated to me or think you're not good enough. You're perfect Bella. You always will be perfect to me." Bella still didn't believe her, Rosalie knew, but she was determined to make Bella believe it.
Rosalie turned at the sound of Jasper's truck. "What's wrong?" Bella asked worried.
"Nothing," Rosalie assured her. "Jasper is back with your food." She wrinkled her nose in disgust as he opened the garage door. "Does that really smell appealing to you?"
The smell of burgers and fries assaulted Bella's senses and her eyes lit up. "It does," Bella confirmed. "What does it smell like to you?"
"Dirt," Jasper answered placing the bag of greasy food and a chocolate shake on the coffee table.
"Thank you Jasper," Bella said grateful that he went out to get her some food.
"Anytime Darlin'," Jasper said sitting in the chair across from the couch. Bella munched on a few French fries before pulling out her burger. "I noticed you like to read," Jasper said when Bella dropped the burger to take a sip of her shake.
"I do," Bella confirmed. "I love getting lost in a story."
Jasper nodded. He felt the same way. "We have quite a few books here if you're interested," he offered. "Carlisle has mostly medical books. Esme has home repair books. Alice and Rosalie love those romance novels. Edward prefers music books. Emmett loves comic books, when Alice and I first moved here I thought that's all he could read." Rosalie snorted. "I prefer history books and novels set during the Civil War."
"I've never read a comic book before," Bella admitted.
Jasper felt her curiosity. "I'm sure Emmett would be more than happy to share if you asked," Jasper assured her.
"Can I read some of your history novels?" Bella asked hesitantly.
"Of course," Jasper said standing up. "Is there anything in particular you would like to read?"
"Anything is fine," Bella said. Jasper nodded and headed upstairs.
"Now you've done it," Rosalie chuckled. Bella stared at Rosalie in fear. The blonde vampire stroked the back of Bella's hand. "It's not a bad thing. Jasper's just excited to find someone who shares his love of history."
"I do like history," Bella admitted. "It's my favorite subject."
Jasper came back downstairs a few minutes later with a small stack of books. "Here you go," he said handing them off to Bella. "Be careful with the one on top. It was written during the Civil War. It's real accounts of life during the war."
"Wow," Bella said setting the stack down She didn't pick up the small book on top because her hands were greasy. "This is bound to be fascinating." Jasper beamed at Bella.
After Bella finished eating Jasper threw her trash away. Bella climbed off the couch and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. When she got back Rosalie helped her back upstairs. "Where's Jasper?"
"He went to go see Alice," Rosalie said.
Bella nodded. She had almost forgot about Alice and felt guilty for keeping the mated couple apart. "What happens now?" Bella wanted to know.
Rosalie climbed next to Bella on the bed. "Whatever you want to happen," Rosalie said.
"I don't know," Bella admitted. "I like it here. I feel safe but at the same time…"
"You're scared," Rosalie finished. Bella nodded. "It's okay to be scared. It's to be expected. You will always be safe here, with me."
"It's not just what happened that scares me. It's… Edward and Dr. Cullen, I mean Carlisle, and even Esme and honestly Emmett and Alice too. I feel safe with you and with Jasper and I don't understand why."
"I'm your mate," Rosalie reminded her. "Our mate's presence comforts us. Our mate is the only thing that can calm us when we are angry or scared. Jasper has that effect on people. He's calm and quiet, a lot like you, and I think you are drawn to that. That's probably why Alice and Emmett scare you. I can understand Edward scaring you but why are you afraid of Carlisle and Esme?" Rosalie rubbed the back of her hand.
"Carlisle… I don't know," Bella said. "He… just… he sits back and lets Edward do what he want. I feel like he doesn't care. I don't feel safe around him, especially if Edward is involved. Esme is nice but honestly she's the same way, although she made Carlisle leave."
"Edward was the first person Carlisle changed," Rosalie said. "Carlisle has a soft spot when it comes to him and yes he lets Edward get away with a lot. But Edward is gone for now and you are safe." Bella yawned. "Sleep my Bella. I will be right here when you wake."
Bella moved closer to Rosalie and closed her eyes. In a matter of seconds she was fast asleep.