You Need To Calm Down

AN: Here's some cuteness for you!

Bella was up at five am after a long night of intense dreaming. The flood gates that carefully tucked her desires away had broken wide open after Rosalie had left her last night and she was having a hard time reeling in her emotions. Rosalie Hale liked her. As far as Bella was concerned there was no higher achievement to reach, well, maybe one was higher but she didn't dare dream to hope about that, at least not yet. This was definitely a step closer though.

Her mind was also adjusting extremely well to the fact that a family of Vampires live in her town and go to her high school, like what even is that? Did she suddenly fall into one of her books? And yet, it just made complete sense to Bella. The coldness, the lack of eating, the ethereal beauty…the animalistic way Rosalie looked at her sometimes. She knew it should have been a bigger shock but Rosalie being something other than human had always made sense to Bella, like she had expected nothing less.

Then there was the Cullens; Bella had never met a family like them, them being vampires had nothing to do with it. Their home was so warm and loud and more human than Bella's home had ever really been. Bella didn't feel alone with them, she felt like there was a place for her with them. God, that was almost too much for her brain to process. Did they actually like having her around? It seemed so, but who could really know?

Her dreams had been turbulent, one moment she was being seduced by long hair and smooth skin and then in the next she was left abandoned like she had imagined the whole thing. All of it accumulated to a high strung, stressed out Bella who hovered over her third cup of coffee as she sat at the kitchen table lost in thought; that's probably why she didn't hear the heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Oh! Good morn-"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Bella looked at Charlie, Charlie looked at Bella; her mouth was still wide open from her scream, the chair she'd been sitting in had toppled over and her ass was firmly planted on the dining room floor.

Charlie too looked to be in shock from the sudden turn of events and stared helplessly back at Bella, shame and embarrassment written on his face.

No one moved in the silence of a long stretched out minute in which Bella had started to analyze Charlie. He looked fresh and put together. His curly hair was still a bit wet but it looked healthy and clean. His face was less bloated and instead of being red from alcohol, he blushed in embarrassment. His uniform was ironed and pressed, he looked sharp and respectable. Charlie's brown eyes, the eyes he'd passed down to Bella, were clear, focused and for the first time Bella could detect a spark of life behind them. He looked warm and inviting, like a father should; Bella was so confused by Charlie that it extinguished the contempt she usually held when looking at him.

"Shit, Bella, I'm sorry." Charlie ran a hand through his hair until he reached the back of his neck and rubbed it, another gesture Bella recognized as something she often did. He stepped toward her suddenly, "Here, let me help you."

Bella was frozen as he came to stand over her, she wasn't afraid, Charlie had never directed his anger at her, but she couldn't help but to sit there and look like an idiot as he outstretched his hand. When was the last time she had actually held Charlie's hand? Bella couldn't remember as she had spent years avoiding the man. Her words failed her just as badly as her body, her mouth hadn't even shut yet.

Charlie frowned, his bushy eyebrows furrowed and his eyes looked sad as he sighed but he didn't give up.

Bella watched him carefully as he slowly crouched, took a moment to sit the chair upright and then carefully, he took Bella by both hands and gently lifted them both into a standing position.

Bella felt sick at his touch, like all the worry in the world had settled itself into her stomach and was fighting to get out. She didn't feel like she was in danger physically but she sure didn't feel safe emotionally. Charlie held her hands gently and it was such a stark contrast to the way he gripped at the neck of his beer bottles, she didn't know he'd been capable of being gentle.

Bella snatched her hands away and hid them behind her back as her body regained control of itself. "Um-thanks." Bella mumbled and then dropped her chin and stepped around Charlie to go get ready for school.

"Hey, Bella?" Charlie called out to her retreating form.

Bella paused at the landing of the stairs, she didn't turn her head to look at him and she didn't speak, but she waited, her mind endlessly curious to this stranger she'd been living with.

"I'm going to a meeting tonight in Port Angeles. I've been going there every night, they do this whole thirty meetings in thirty days for newcomers. Anyway, uh-I just wanted you to know that I'm going to get my thirty day chip soon, next week actually and there's no pressure or anything but I was wondering if maybe you'd come? You don't have to get up and speak or anything, you don't even have to acknowledge me, you could just sit in the back and listen if you want-"

"Charlie." Bella couldn't take it anymore and interrupted him. She sighed, closed her eyes so tight that she saw spots when she opened them again and retained her death grip on the banister so as to not fall over. "That's…great for you, but this has nothing to do with me. So, no thank you. Good luck though? I-I gotta get ready for school." Bella fled upstairs before the man could get over his shock and respond.

Bella had gotten ready on autopilot. She's here but she's not really here. Her mind raced and was so loud that everything else seemed muffled. Her vision blurred and unfocused at times as she saw invisible scenes play out. She had secluded herself into her own body so much so that it felt like she was moving through water and everything felt heavy. Breathing felt long and drawn out in between spaces of almost nonexistent, like she was breathing too deeply and yet not at all at the same time, like there were moments where she was unconsciously holding her breath. She couldn't feel her fingertips and her feet were lead lined.

She was still in a daze as she walked out of her front door and turned to lock it, it's why Bella was so shocked to see Rosalie in her driveway standing next to the passenger door of her red sports car. Seeing the blonde had an immediate effect on Bella, she could feel herself coming back to reality as her mind started to calm down. Rosalie smiled sweetly at Bella and it felt like Bella had been drenched in liquid sunlight.

Rosalie opened the passenger door, sweeping her arm toward Bella as she did so. "Your chariot awaits."

Bella couldn't stop her smile if she tried. "Rosalie Hale…"

Rosalie smirked, "Isabella Swan…"

Bella shook her head and approached Rosalie with a soft look on her face. Rosalie looked hotter than usual in her black leather jacket and matching black jeans, her heeled boots were tall and the white v neck she wore looked incredible on her. Bella was suddenly grateful that she looked halfway decent in her high rise tapered tan chinos, white sneakers, a regular white tee and Rosalie's freshly washed cashmere sweater which was really Bella's sweater at this point.

Bella paused, biting her bottom lip in thought as she noticed the calmness of her own heartbeat as she stood so close to Rosalie. Rosalie must have noticed because the next thing Bella knew she felt Rosalie's cold hand take purchase of hers and she was gently guided into the passenger seat. Then Rosalie kissed Bella's knuckles sweetly before closing the door and quickly walking to the driver side leaving Bella to swoon.

Bella didn't talk until they were pulling out of the driveway and heading for school. "Charlie has been going to AA meetings…he asked if I wanted to go see him get his thirty day chip next week."

Usually Bella avoided Charlie as a subject to talk about, but she knew she was safe with Rosalie, besides the blonde already knew about his drinking. Bella watched Rosalie's eyes, she didn't look surprised.

"I know." Rosalie said, "Alice saw it this morning."

Bella couldn't help the half smile she gave at the thought of the tiny vampire. "I thought you weren't gonna use your siblings powers to check up on him?" Bella was more amused than upset.

Rosalie smirked, "Once Alice tunes in on someone once it's more likely for her to have visions of them, especially since Charlie is connected to you and you're connected to me. She wasn't looking, it just happened." Bella nodded her head at the explanation but didn't speak, instead she seemed content in watching Rosalie drive effortlessly through the streets.

"Is that something you'd want to do? I could go with you if you wanted?" Rosalie offered as they finally pulled into a spot in the school parking lot. She didn't move to get out of the car and neither did Bella, but the blonde turned so that she was fully facing Bella and Bella copied her movements. She waited patiently for Bella to answer.

Is that something she wanted though? To go see Charlie's attempt to get sober? She knew what happened at those meetings, people got up and talked about all the shitty things they've done and they blame it on the drugs or alcohol. They promised they were changing for the good and apologized for everything only to relapse down the line and start the process all over again.

"I honestly don't know…" Bella sighed. "Though it's nice to know you'd sit in some rundown church basement full of humans whining about their lives just for me."

Rosalie smirked, "How is that any different than coming here everyday just to see you? The school is probably nicer than an AA meeting room though."

Bella chuckled and rolled her eyes, but Rosalie's comment made her feel warm. "I appreciate the offer, really, I do but I don't plan on going. I don't even know why he wants me there…it's not like he's ever wanted me before."

"I want you, Bella."

Bella's heart stopped as Rosalie looked at her so seriously, not a hint of playfulness was in her tone as she continued.

"I want your time. I want your memories. I want your thoughts. I want your dreams." Then Rosalie smiled softly, almost wistfully. "I want all your days, the good and the bad. I want your smiles and your laugh. I want your anger and your hurt. I want your mind and what's in your heart. I want all of your attention, I want to be the reason for all of it, and more. I want you, Bella."

Bella closed her eyes as Rosalie picked up the back of her hand and kissed it sweetly. "You can't just say things like that, Rosalie." Bella protested.

Rosalie smirked as Bella reopened her eyes. "Why can't I?"

Bella sighed, shook her head with a short, sharp laugh that was more condescending than joyful. "Because one of these days, I'm going to start believing you."

Rosalie glared at Bella then, obviously having been angered by Bella's words. "You're going to discover many things about me, Bella. First and foremost, I do not lie, especially to you. If you need me to be brutally honest in order for you to believe me, then I will."

Rosalie opened her car door, when Bella did the same, Rosalie's arm shot across Bella's lap and closed the door shut again. Bella looked at Rose in shock.

Rosalie's glare remained in place, her tone was softer but still had force behind it. "I will be opening your doors from now on. Don't even think about trying to do it yourself. I'm courting you, remember." A growl slipped through Rosalie's lips and it sent a shiver down Bella's spine and awakened a different body part.

Bella nodded in response and Rosalie disappeared from her seat as quickly as she could while still appearing to be human. Bella barely had time to think about Rosalie's ridiculousness before her door was open and Rosalie's hand was offered. Rosalie still looked pissed even as she held Bella's hand softly, it stayed that way even as she gently placed Bella's backpack over her shoulder and started to walk them over to Emmett's jeep, Bella's casted hand tapped her thigh nervously.

"There's my best friend!" Alice sang as soon as Bella was in earshot and proceeded to hug Bella around her waist, mindful of Bella's cast and to not break the current hand holding that was still taking place. "It's going to be quite an eventful day, and it's barely even started!" She whispered loudly in Bella's ear.

Alice's playfulness brought a smile and a lightheartedness to Bella's mood and she was feeling more steady when the small vampire danced away from her and back to her mate's side. Jasper kissed Alice on the forehead and the look they shared caused Bella to sigh. They looked impossibly in love.

Alice winked at Bella suddenly, then Edythe chuckled from underneath Emmett's arm. "Day one and you're already at odds? My, my Bella, you are brave." Emmett laughed but didn't comment, wisely.

"We're not at odds." They simultaneously answered.

Rosalie smirked cruelly at her sister as Bella blushed. "Bella has merely challenged my honor-"

"That is not-"

"At, at, Darling, please don't interrupt me." Rose spoke ever so sweetly to Bella. Bella shut up immediately as she caught that dangerous spark in Rosalie's eyes, the one that made Rosalie look hungry. Rose winked at her and turned back to her amused siblings. "Bella has unknowingly challenged my honor, now she must deal with the consequences of being proved wrong."

Edythe raised a questioning eyebrow at Bella, all laughter aside she looked to be burning with questions. "Bella, do you like Rosalie's method of courting? Is there something she's doing or not doing that could help progress things? I know most teen girls of this age like to be more intimate, is she too old fashioned, or perhaps you've been having the opposite problem?"

Bella's mouth had dropped open sometime around the word intimate and it took her a couple tries to close it so that she could respond. "Um, Edythe…that's a little personal."

If Vampires could blush Bella believed Edythe would have been blushing at this very moment. "Right, sorry, things would be so much easier if I could read your mind. It's easier to help that way."

Bella frowned, "There's nothing to help? Besides, I quite like not having someone in my head all the time, sometimes people have to figure things out for themselves, you know?"

Edythe nodded thoughtfully as the bell rang but didn't respond which was fine because Bella was already being pulled away by Rosalie.

"Come, Darling." The blonde purred into Bella's ear. Rosalie was officially trying to kill her, Bella was certain, why else would she whisper those words in that kind of tone? Alice was right, it is going to be an eventful day.

Rosalie walked Bella to every class, every time insisting on holding Bella's free hand and carrying her backpack. Every time she walked Bella into class and to her seat, and every interaction ended with Rosalie kissing the back of her hand and a salacious wink before the blonde literally strutted away to her own classes.

The whole school was in a frenzy, but none more so than Jessica and Angela. They had tried, and failed, to get details during class which ended up with the girls being separated, much to Bella's relief. By the time lunch rolled around Bella was all too thankful to be escorted away before the girls could get their claws into her. Though Bella didn't miss the smirk Rosalie had thrown the girls at their retreat.

"Do you really have to encourage them?" Bella sighed just as they reached the cafeteria. She leaned against the wall of the entrance making Rosalie step closer as she had taken up Bella's free hand once more.

Rosalie laughed and using her free hand, she played with a strand of hair that had fallen loose from Bella's ponytail. "All I did was smile? I'm nice, remember?"

This caused Bella to roll her eyes and bite back her own smile. "You are the devil."

Rosalie swooped in close so that her nose brushed against Bella's cheek, then Rosalie's lips were at Bella's ear. Rosalie's leg hand stepped in between Bella's and she had Bella all but pinned against the wall as she spoke. "You have no idea just how right you are, Darling."

Bella was so damn grateful for the wall as it was the only thing keeping her from dropping to her knees right there in front of Rosalie. She didn't need to give the blonde that kind of power over her, yet. A stunted sigh escaped her lips and she tilted her head back until she was looking at the ceiling, praying for strength.

Again Rosalie laughed and Bella slammed her eyes shut at the faintest touch of Rosalie's lips upon her neck. "This isn't even a tenth of my true instincts coming out to play, are you sure you can handle it? You could just give in, accept the fact that I want you and we could ease the pressure just a bit, but first-" Another faint pressure on Bella's neck and Bella was gripping onto Rosalie's hand with whatever strength she had left. "I would need an apology, or you can continue your play at being hard to get and see how much you can really handle, because Bella?"

Rosalie finally pulled back and Bella gasped for air as though she'd been drowning. Rose smirked as she caught Bella's desperate eyes.

"This is just me courting you. I haven't even begun to seduce you…yet."

That was it, Bella had had enough. In frustration she pulled her hand from Rosalie's and pushed the girl away, luckily Rosalie allowed this, though not without cackling.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Rose!" She whispered frustratingly as she grabbed the back of her neck and squeezed tightly, willing the blood to flow there instead of to the organ in her pants.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Rosalie didn't sound sorry at all. "Should we take a few moments before joining my family for lunch? Do you need to calm down?"

Bella glared. Rosalie smirked. Bella crossed her arms, turned on her heel and marched into the cafeteria, muttering as she did so. "You don't ask me if I need to calm down. You need to calm down. I'm just fine. Need to calm down, who, not me, that's who."

Bella was bound and determined not to lose, Rosalie wanted her to apologize. Apologize for what? For realizing that all of this might just be a little too good to be true? Yes, she liked Rosalie and flirted with her, and maybe she had even pursued her a little bit. Maybe Bella had even played around with the idea of being Rosalie's mate, but now, well now she was scared.

Between Rosalie all but coming out to fucking say the thing, the overwhelming welcome from Rosalie's family, learning about Vampires, and the changes with Charlie…Bella was downright fucking terrified of what was to happen next. So yeah, maybe she was playing hard to get, but maybe it was because she did need Rosalie to prove it, because Bella did not wholeheartedly believe that Rosalie Hale, the goddess-she devil that she is, could ever truly want Bella in a forever kind of way.

Bella stopped in line and gathered a tray and Rosalie was there at her side in an instant, but instead of taking the tray like Bella expected her to, Rosalie got as close as she could to Bella's side without hindering her movements and put her free hand into the back pocket of Bella's chinos. In a soft voice, Rosalie asked, "You still want me, don't you?"

Bella breathed deeply and let her defenses drop a bit as her body briefly swayed into Rosalie's. She looked Rosalie directly in the eyes. Rosalie smiled softly but did not look unsure, and it blew Bella back a little bit. Rosalie wanted her to say it, she wouldn't have asked if she didn't, but it seemed Rosalie didn't need the same assurance Bella did. Rosalie was confident in whatever this was.

"You know I can't deny that." Bella relented softly before bringing her attention back to the lunch line.

Rosalie bumped her hip suddenly, causing Bella to shoot her a quick glare as she almost dropped her orange. "Then you should just calm down and apologize."

Bella huffed and straightened her shoulders, once again having to hide her smile as she played indignant, she liked this a little too much. "I will not apologize, in fact, you now owe me the apology for expecting me to apologize about a perfectly rational thought."

Rosalie laughed brightly as she dutifully followed Bella through the cafeteria to the Cullens usual table. Her hand stayed in Bella's back pocket and Bella's backpack stayed securely on her shoulder the whole way through.

"That's fine with me. I'm perfectly okay with proving you wrong, and perfectly suited to do so." Then just as they were passing in-between Bella's friends' table and the Cullens, Rosalie continued much louder than before. "Oh Honey, I'm still free. Take a chance on me."

Bella turned and froze, completely shocked and afraid that at any moment Rosalie would start singing the lyrics instead of saying them. "No, don't you dare."

An evil sparkle lit up in those golden eyes and Bella fell just a little bit in love right then and there. Then she pulled Bella closer and whispered heatedly, "Gonna do my very best, and it aint no lie. If you put me to the test, if you let me try."

Goddammit! Bella was on fire. She was so mad she just wanted to grab Rosalie and kiss her just to prove how mad she was and what's worse is she knew, she just knew, that Rosalie knew exactly what Bella wanted to do because that evil, condescending smirk was painted across Rosalie's red lips and the same fire Bella felt was being reflected in Rosalie's eyes.

The whole cafeteria was silent with suspense of their little standoff, and Bella couldn't feel any of it, she was too enthralled with Rose. The only thing that made her come back to her senses was the sound of Alice suddenly clearing her throat.

Taking a breath Bella backed down and huffed. "You're fucking evil." She marched away, separating herself from the blonde before she did something she'd never live down, and planted herself down next to Alice and dropped her tray loudly.

Rosalie sat down much more elegantly, smiling charmingly at her family as she did so. "I've had a fabulous day, what about you?"

Bella groaned and dropped her head into her hands as Rosalie suddenly placed her hand on her upper knee. The woman was going to kill her.

Rosalie smirked to herself as she held Bella close to her from behind. Her beast was almost purring in self satisfaction of how the day had gone, and was perfectly content staying out of the conversation. Bella was doing such a marvelous job anyways, that Rosalie leaned her chin onto the girl's shoulder and hugged her closer. She could purr at the way Bella's breathing hitched and how her heart thunder loudly before calming again.

Bella wanted her, even if Bella had tried denying it, her body's response to Rosalie gave her away. Beyond that, Rosalie could feel the mate bond between them strengthening with every second they were together. Rosalie had all the confidence in the world that yes, Bella was her mate and it was quite clear to Rosalie, and her family, that Rosalie had already fallen down the rabbit hole.

Rosalie was absolutely in love with what was to come next, so it didn't matter to her that Bella needed more time. Bella didn't need to say it directly, but Rosalie knew she was scared. Her human's world had suddenly flipped upside-down and Bella needed something to ground her, Rosalie was determined to be exactly that.

"You guys should probably go, Jessica Stanley and Angela Webber just decided to come over and talk to Bella." Alice warned, kissing Bella's cheek as she did.

Rosalie could feel Bella start to move and held her firmly in place. "You guys go ahead." She nodded her siblings off, and watched as they loaded up and pulled off.

"Good luck, Bella Bear!" Emmett shouted over the roar of his engine.

Bella scoffed, "Why did he say that? Rosalie let's go before they get here!" Bella protested and tried to pull from Rosalie's hold once more, though it was a half-hearted attempt.

"It'd be rude of you to start ignoring your friends just because you started dating the hottest girl in school, Bella."

Bella sputtered against her and Rosalie laughed, she'd been doing that a lot lately in Bella's presence. She felt lucky to have been blessed with such a wonderful mate. She felt nothing but pride that Bella was hers. Now she just had to get Bella to believe that Rosalie was hers.

Bella didn't have time to respond to Rosalie's cheeky remark as the two girls stopped in front of them together.

"Okay, we're sorry for doing this-" Angela started.

"No we're not."

"-but we are dying here! Are you two together?" She finished completely ignoring Jessica's intrusion.

"Like together, together?" Jessica added to clear up any confusion.

"What the fuck guys?"

Rosalie laughed at Bella's response and couldn't help add fuel to the fire. "Oh yes, I too am dying to know, are we together, Darling?"

Rosalie could feel the growl in Bella's voice when she spoke next and she did everything she could to hold back a cackle.

"No, we are not together."

The girls shared a look then turned to Bella, of course they didn't believe her. "Really?" Angela asked, staring pointedly at Rosalie who was still wrapped around Bella's body.

Rosalie could feel the heat of Bella's blush against her cheek and decided to take pity on her mate. She sighed dramatically and batted her eyes at Angela. "It's true, no matter what I do, she keeps turning me down."

They gasped and Rosalie smirked when she felt Bella stomp on her foot subtly. She wasn't even mad that Bella had scuffed her heels.

"We're leaving now." Rosalie allowed Bella to pull away, but quickly caught her hand as she did so and followed Bella to the passenger side of the car.

"Oh, bye girls! Pray for me!" Rosalie called as she opened Bella's door and allowed the girl to get in.

"You're so dead." Bella whispered.

Rosalie winked, "But you make me feel so alive." Rosalie slammed Bella's door close before she could protest. She was having far too much fun, it was probably wrong that it excited her when Bella was mad, but God did she love it when they were in the midst of their battles. She'd happily spend forever getting under Bella's skin, she knew eventually she'd be able to reap the rewards, if only Bella would just give in.