There will be notes at the beginning of this chapter and at the end.
Beginning Note:
I understand it might seem a bit unusual for Robyn to be Rosalie and Emmett's bonded child given her age, but it actually makes sense when you consider the age gap. Even with Robyn's combined age of 47, whereas Rosalie and Emmett are 90 years old—a 43-year difference. Though they're physically stuck at 18 and 20, they've lived long enough to have developed a different perspective on maturity and age. Plus, with her petite height of 5'4", Robyn could easily pass as a younger teen, around 14 to 16, especially when compared to Emmett at 6'5" and Rosalie at 5'6", which visually reinforces their parental presence despite their youthful appearances. By the way, those are the heights that I found in the books by the way and Faye is 35 years old with both ages combined.
Chapter 30: Breakdown Over String and Colors
My eyes darted toward the door, and I felt the urge to get up and leave. As soon as I moved, Faye quickly sat up on my lap, her head level with mine as she gently pressed her body against me, keeping me in place. Her hold was firm enough to stop me, but not so much that I felt trapped. It wasn't about her strength—it was more the overwhelming need to escape, though I knew I could easily move her if I tried. But I didn't want to hurt her.
"Faye, please get off! I need to go! I have to get out of here!"
Faye shook her head, her hold on me becoming just a bit more secure. "It's okay calm down."
I started to panic.
Didn't she understand that couldn't stay here anymore?
I have to leave.
I am going to ruin everything!
Like I always did.
I don't know what would happen when they found out.
I could see Rosalie and Emmett's faces looking worried. I could feel my lungs start to hyperventilate. My eyes started to become blurry. Everything felt like it was spinning making me close my eyes. But that made it worse.
Faye grabbed my face making me look at her. "Robyn. It's okay, look at me. Focus on me. You're okay. Watch me. Follow my breathing. Breathe in and out. In and out." She made big exaggerated breaths. I leaned my forehead onto hers, trying to follow along with her breathing.
I slowly start to match her rhythm. I could feel the spinning start to slow down making me less dizzy. Even though it still felt like the walls were still closing in it became easier with Faye's calm, steady presence anchored me, her forehead pressed lightly against mine.
As I slowly began to match her rhythm, the dizziness started to fade, though my chest still felt tight. Every inhale I took felt shaky, but with each exhale, felt like it was becoming more stable.
Faye's calm, steady presence anchored me, her forehead pressed lightly against mine. "That's it," she whispered. "You're doing great, Robyn. Keep going. Just keep breathing with me. In and out. We are in this together, remember?"
I nodded slightly, unable to speak, focusing solely on the rhythm she set. Slowly, the room around us stopped spinning, and my vision cleared. Now, that I thought about it where would I even run to? Back into the woods? Into the street most likely getting hit by a car? I am kind of happy that Faye kept me sitting when I wasn't thinking straight. She's right, we are in this together. I felt exhaustion beginning to set in.
I sense the Cullens's eyes looking at me.
I could sense THEM looking at me but I couldn't look at them.
Not yet.
I tucked my head into Faye's shoulder, slightly trembling holding back a whimper as she played with my hair trying to keep me steady and calm.
"Is- is she okay? What happened?" I heard Esme whisper hesitantly. It seemed like she wasn't trying to break the moment or maybe she didn't want to set me off again.
Faye shook her head. "I'm not sure." she let out a sigh. "I'm sure, it has something to do with her string, though." I tighten my grip on her shirt, unknowingly confirming her theory. Feeling my grip tighten, she whispered soft, reassuring words making me relax a bit.
I guess, Carlisle perked up hearing about my string because he speaks next. "Interesting, if you don't mind, can you explain more about why is her string causing her so much distress?"
Faye hesitates to answer before giving him a noncommittal answer. "It's…. Complicated."
Faye mind links me making me flinch slightly. When she noticed, she rubbed my back in apology.
Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I wanted to ask for your permission.
"It's okay, it just caught me off guard. I'm okay. I'm guessing you wanted to ask for permission to talk about my string, right?"
Yeah, I did….
Robyn, what happened? I've never seen you so panicked.
"Remember, how I said my string that was connected to Emmett and Rosalie didn't have color?"
Yeah, I do. Did something change? Don't tell me it disappeared!
"No, nothing like that. I'm not sure that the string can disappear."
Then what happened that made you panic like that?
"Faye… " I let out a mental sigh. "My string has a color now."
That's great, isn't it?! You have been wishing to know what color it was! What color is it?
She tensed up.
Wait… is that why you got scared because it wasn't the color you were expecting? Please, don't tell me you're their mate or something. That would be very awkward you being my sister and mom at the same time.
I quickly shook my head. "No, thankfully not." She relaxed a bit. I closed my eyes feeling tears, deciding to rip it off like a bandage. "My string became the same color as yours." She grabs my face gently making me open my eyes to look at her. She didn't look mad more like happy and a bit confused.
I don't get it, that's great, right?
I shook my head rapidly.
"No, that's not great. You don't get it, Faye. I had parents. I don't get why Liam gave me more."
Faye hesitates before answering. Well, your parents weren't the best, Robyn. They neglected you growing up. I might have never had permanent parents but I know that they aren't supposed to do that. Maybe this time you might get to experience a real childhood. With parents who will show up to your recital or who will give you praises for your accomplishments.
I wanted to argue saying that they were good parents and that they were just too busy but I realized I was making excuses for them. I let out a sigh.
"Maybe, you're right. You don't mind sharing them?" I didn't want to cause conflict between us because of this. Faye is my sister above everything else. If she didn't want to, I would ignore the bond I had with Emmett and Rosalie.
No, I don't mind! You know what? I'm glad. Now I don't have to handle two overprotective parents on my own. They can split the worry between the two of us.
I sighed in relief that she didn't mind sharing, but shook my head at the overprotective bit.
"Faye, I don't think they would worry about me. I'm not as young as you." She raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly, giving me a look of pure disbelief.
"What?"
Are you serious? Robyn. When you were panicking they looked like they wanted to comfort you so badly. The only reason that they didn't was because they most likely didn't want to overwhelm you or make you uncomfortable. As for being protective, They are already protective over you. Remember when they found out about Edward and the window? They looked like they were ready to travel to Alaska to rip Edward apart and burn his pieces and they didn't even know about the bond, yet. Just a warning: Once you tell them, be prepared to not be let out of their sight anytime soon.
"What do you mean by be prepared to not be out of their sight anytime soon?"
Just as she was going to respond, she was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing making us both jump in surprise. We both turned our heads to see the Cullens staring at us with weird look on their faces. Carlisle spoke. "Sorry, you went silent for a while after I asked my question. I called your name a couple of times, but it didn't seem like you heard me. Are you alright?"
Faye's face turned pink when she realized that she forgot all about why we mind link in the first place. She cleared her throat trying to compose herself.
"Yeah, sorry I'm okay. I got lost in thought." He didn't look convinced but before he could ask, she continued. "What was the question again?"
"I asked if you were comfortable sharing more about why Robyn's string made her panic so much."
She looked back at me silently making sure I was still okay with it. I nodded my head and she turned around in my lap to face the Cullens. I wrapped my hands around her mid stomach and rested my head on the back of her head not wanting to see their reaction or them to see my face.
"Oh yeah." She gently rubbed my arms. Whether it was to give me comfort or something she did as a nervous tick. I gave her a slight squeeze making her let out a sigh. "Like I said, it's complicated. Robyn had a string but it was colorless for a while."
Carlisle look intrigued. "Colorless? I didn't think that bonds could lose color."
"It wasn't that her string lost its color—it never had any to begin with. You see, her string was connected to someone, but it remained colorless. Robyn explained that most people's strings start out that way; It takes time for the bond to fully form and reveal its color."
Carlisle nods. "I see. I assume that the reason that she freaked out was because she saw that her string gained color, yes?"
I felt Faye nod. I peeked my head a bit, keeping my hair covering my eyes to see their reaction. It was scary but I wanted to know.
I could see the intrigued look on Carlisle face. Esme looked worried. Alice was rubbing Jasper's back. Jasper's face looked like he was in pain. He must be feeling everyone's emotions which must be hard on him. I made a mental note to ask Faye if she could make an amulet or something for him to tone down his gift a bit.
Finally, I nervously peeked at Rosalie and Emmett, they looked devastated and disappointed. I quickly tucked my head back, thinking about what I saw. The world became silent as I went more in my head. My thoughts ran wild with anxiety.
Are they upset with me?
Did they hate me?
Why did they look devastated?
Are they disappointed in me?
Did I ruin everything like I always do?
I knew I would mess things up.
What if Faye tells them and they don't want me?
What if they only want Faye and keep me away from her?
Thinking those last two thoughts made my heart hurt. I could feel myself start to tremble, tears slide down my face, landing on Faye's back. Suddenly the world's sound came crashing back when I heard a muffled worried voice.
"Robyn?" Faye asks again in a slightly worried tone.
Suddenly Faye was pulled off my lap making me let out a whimper at the loss and I was pulled into a hug. Whoever it was pulled me onto their lap, holding me close as they gently stroked my hair and back, trying to comfort me. I buried my face into the crook of their neck, eyes still shut tight. My fingers gripped the fabric of their shirt, my body trembling uncontrollably.
The longer that they held me the more warmth I could feel in each touch even though their hand and body was cold and I could smell the scent of lavender and rose with a hit of spice calming me down a bit.
Wait
Rose?
I peeked up with my red eyes and nose as I confirmed that I was in fact sitting on Rosalie's lap. Before I could freak out, she wiped one of my eyes looking at me with concern.
"Are you okay, little bird?"
She looked surprised of what she said but didn't seem like she regretted it. I looked with tears still in my eyes. Once I comprehend what she said I felt more tears escaping.
Why…
Why was she doing this?
Why was she being so kind?
Doesn't she understand that I'm unwanted? Even my own parents didn't want me or spend unnecessary time on me.
"Little bird?" She said in a soft reassuring tone. "Talk to me. It's okay."
That's when the tears started again.
End Notes:
Even though Robyn is older, I felt she truly deserved the experience of parental love. She's been through so much, especially with neglectful parents who barely acknowledged her existence and never made her feel wanted. She doesn't believe she deserves family love. She missed out on the warmth and security that comes from being cared for, so Rosalie and Emmett felt like the perfect people to fill that role—they're protective, nurturing, and can offer her the unconditional love she's never had. Plus, both Faye and Robyn have always longed for a sibling, and even though they are already bond siblings this solidifies the fact for both of them.
