Love You To Death

Rosalie sat in her room, the quiet hum of the house around her a stark contrast to the noise in her mind. She had spent the last hour aimlessly flipping through a car magazine, unable to focus. Her thoughts kept drifting to Bella—the awkward yet charming way she had asked for help in the hardware store, the way her smile lit up when Rosalie offered her number, and the warm, earnest gratitude in her eyes.

She sighed, placing the magazine down. What was she doing? Bella was a human. She was temporary, fleeting. A few years from now, Bella would be gone, and Rosalie would remain exactly as she was—unchanging, eternal, and alone.

Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, breaking her train of thought. She glanced at it, expecting another message from Emmett about some ridiculous hunting plan, but instead saw an unknown number lighting up her screen.

Unknown: I managed to fix the leak without flooding the house thanks to you. Thanks again for the tips and helping me get all the right stuff.

Before she could react, another message came through.

Unknown: This is Bella by the way.

Rosalie stared at the screen, her perfectly still body betraying none of the sudden whirl of emotions inside her. She didn’t know what to make of this girl who seemed so utterly unfazed by the walls Rosalie had spent decades building. Bella was human, yes but she was different from the rest of the people in this town.

“What’s got you so broody?”

Rosalie didn’t have to turn around to know it was Alice. The door had barely made a sound as it opened, but Alice’s presence was unmistakable, a bundle of energy wrapped in mischief.

“It’s nothing,” Rosalie said coolly, setting her phone down face-down on the nightstand.

Alice perched on the edge of Rosalie’s bed, her eyes twinkling. “It’s not nothing. You’ve been distracted since you got home. And now you’re staring at your phone like it’s going to explode.”

Rosalie shot her a glare, but Alice only smirked.

“Who is it?” Alice asked, leaning forward.

“No one,” Rosalie replied sharply, thankful the heat rising in her cheeks couldn't betray her any longer.

Alice’s smirk widened, but her brow furrowed slightly. “It’s someone. But weirdly, I can’t see anything about it. No visions, no glimpses, no nothing.” She crossed her arms. “Who are you talking to that has me blocked out?”

Rosalie hesitated. She hadn’t considered that Alice’s ability wouldn’t work on Bella. Was it because Bella had only just come into her life, or was it something else entirely?

“It’s no one you’d know,” Rosalie said carefully.

Alice tilted her head, her curiosity clearly piqued. “Now I really need to know. You’re all secretive, and I can’t see anything about it? This is officially the most interesting thing you’ve done in decades.”

Rosalie groaned, leaning back against the headboard. “You’re insufferable.”

Alice grinned. “And you’re deflecting. Spill it, Rose. Who’s the mystery texter?”

When Rosalie didn’t respond, Alice’s eyes narrowed slightly, a playful challenge lighting them. “Wait a second... is it a human?”

Rosalie’s sharp look was all the confirmation Alice needed.

“Oh my God, it is!” Alice exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and delight. “Rosalie Hale, queen of disdain, is texting a human. This is amazing.”

“It’s nothing,” Rosalie snapped, trying to cut Alice off before she could get carried away.

Alice wasn’t deterred. “It’s something. You wouldn’t give a human the time of day unless they were... special.” Her teasing tone softened slightly as she leaned closer. “Who are they, Rose?”

Rosalie sighed, rubbing her temples. “She’s no one you need to worry about. Just someone I met in town.”

“She?” Alice’s grin widened. “Now this is even better. What’s her name?”

Rosalie hesitated, torn between annoyance and resignation. Finally, she muttered, “Bella.”

“Bella,” Alice repeated, her voice lilting with curiosity. “And how did you meet this Bella?”

“At the hardware store,” Rosalie said begrudgingly, skipping over their encounter in the woods. “She needed help finding parts for a leaky faucet.”

Alice’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “A damsel in distress? How cliché. Did you sweep in and save the day?”

Rosalie glared at her. “If you’re done, I’d like to get back to my evening.”

Alice laughed but stood up, her grin never wavering. “Fine, I’ll leave you alone—for now. But don’t think I’m not going to keep an eye on this, Rose. A human texting you? This is officially my new favorite thing.”

When the door closed behind her, Rosalie sighed and picked up her phone again. She stared at Bella’s message, her thumb hovering over the keyboard.

Finally, she typed a reply.

Rosalie: You’re welcome. Glad to hear your house isn’t underwater. Did you fix it perfectly, or should I expect another call for help?

She hit send before she could overthink it and placed the phone down, her nerves coiled tightly. A minute later, it buzzed again.

Bella: Let’s call it functional, not perfect. But if it leaks again, you’ll be the first person I call.

Rosalie couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

Rosalie: I’ll hold you to that.

For the first time in a long while, Rosalie felt... light. It wasn’t much—just a few texts exchanged between her and a human girl. But it was something.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.

The next day started quietly, with Bella helping Charlie through breakfast and settling him into his recliner. She’d just finished tidying up the kitchen when a loud thud echoed from the living room, followed by a sharp intake of breath.

“Dad!” Bella rushed in, her heart pounding. She found Charlie sprawled on the floor, his crutches lying nearby.

“Bella,” Charlie said through gritted teeth, clutching his ribs. “I’m fine. Just slipped trying to get up.”

“You don’t look fine,” Bella said, kneeling beside him. “Can you move? Does anything feel worse?”

Charlie shook his head, though his face was tight with pain. “Don’t think I’ve broken anything new, but I’m not exactly getting up on my own.”

Bella tried to lift him, looping her arms under his shoulders, but it was no use. Charlie grimaced, and she quickly stopped.

“You’re too heavy for me to do this alone,” Bella admitted, her frustration growing. “I need to call someone.”

Charlie sighed. “Call Jacob won't you. Or is Mike Newton still around?”

Bella ignored him and grabbed her phone. The last thing she wanted was one of the boys that crushed on her in high school here making things awkward after not talking to them for years. She scrolled to Rosalie’s number, hesitating for only a second before typing.

Bella: Hey, Rosalie. My dad had a fall, and I can’t get him back on his feet. I know this is really random and weird but do you know someone who can come help? He's okay, just too heavy for me to lift on my own.

The reply came quickly.

Rosalie: I’ll bring my brother Emmett. We’ll be there soon. Address?

Bella: 1846 Rainier Street.

“Help’s coming, Dad,” Bella said, tucking her phone into her pocket.

Charlie grunted. “Who’d you call?”

“A friend,” Bella replied vaguely.

---

About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Bella opened it to find Rosalie standing there with Emmett, a towering, broad-shouldered man who looked both intimidating and friendly.

“Thank you both for coming,” Bella said, stepping aside to let them in.

Rosalie nodded, her expression calm and composed. “Of course. Bella, this is my brother, Emmett.”

Emmett offered his hand, his grin wide and warm. “Nice to meet you, Bella.”

Bella shook his hand, her nerves easing slightly under his easygoing demeanor. "I can see how your brothers might be rough on the house now. Dude you're beefy" Bella said before she could think about it.

Emmett only laughed in response, puffing up his chest before flexing his arm mucles. "Happy to be at your service," he said with an easy grin towards Bella.

Rosalie ignored his preening and turned her gaze to Charlie, who was still on the floor. “Chief Swan,” she greeted politely.

Charlie squinted at her. “You look familiar.”

Rosalie gave a polite smile. “I’m a friend of Bella’s. This is my brother, Emmett.”

Charlie grunted, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but too proud to complain.

Emmett crouched beside Charlie, his grin softening into a more serious expression. “Let’s get you up, sir. Rosalie and I will take it slow, make sure we don’t hurt you further.”

“Appreciate it,” Charlie muttered.

Working together, Rosalie and Emmett carefully lifted Charlie, Emmett taking his upper body while Rosalie supported his legs. They moved him back to his recliner with practiced ease, adjusting his pillows and ice pack once he was settled.

“Better?” Emmett asked, stepping back.

Charlie sighed. “Better. Thanks.”

Rosalie stood nearby, her expression thoughtful. “Would you like us to call a doctor? My father, Carlisle, is a physician. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind checking you over.”

Charlie’s brows furrowed. “Carlisle Cullen? He’s your dad?”

Rosalie nodded. “He is. If you’re worried, I can ask him to stop by.”

Charlie hesitated, clearly torn between his pride and his concern. Finally, he shook his head. “I think I’m fine. Just need to be more careful.”

Rosalie didn’t push the issue but gave a small nod. “If that changes, let us know.”

---

As they headed for the door, Rosalie glanced at Bella. “We should probably get back to school.”

Bella blinked, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over her. School. Of course. Rosalie was still in high school. She should have realized that, but somehow it kept slipping her mind. The realization left Bella feeling self-conscious, the age gap suddenly looming in her mind.

Emmett, who had been watching the exchange with an amused grin, stepped in. “Don’t sweat it, Bella. We’re seniors—18 and graduating this year. Skipping a class or two to help out isn’t a big deal.”

Bella relaxed slightly, though the awkwardness lingered. “Well, thank you for coming. Both of you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“No problem,” Emmett said, clapping a hand on her shoulder. “Call us anytime. You’ve got Rosalie’s number, right? She’s always looking for excuses to ditch calculus.”

Rosalie shot him a sharp look, but Bella couldn’t help laughing.

“Good to know,” Bella said, her smile returning.

Rosalie’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before she nodded. “Take care of your dad. And let me know if you need anything else.”

With that, she and Emmett stepped out into the misty afternoon, leaving Bella standing in the doorway with a fluttering heart and a growing sense that Rosalie was quickly becoming someone she wanted more of in her life.

---

As Rosalie and Emmett walked back to their car, the drizzle painting a faint sheen on the pavement, Emmett cast a sidelong glance at his sister. She was uncharacteristically quiet, her usual air of cool confidence tempered by something more thoughtful.

“You good?” Emmett asked as he opened the driver’s side door of their Jeep.

“I’m fine,” Rosalie said, her tone clipped.

Emmett climbed in, watching her as she settled into the passenger seat. “You’re not fine. I know you, Rose. You’re thinking too much, and when you start thinking too much, it usually means there’s something you don’t want to admit.”

Rosalie shot him a glare. “I said I’m fine.”

Emmett raised his hands in mock surrender but couldn’t suppress the grin tugging at his lips. “Sure, sure. Fine. Totally fine. Except for the part where you bolted out of class the second Bella texted you.”

Rosalie stiffened, her jaw tightening. “She needed help. What was I supposed to do? Leave her to struggle with her father?”

“Not saying you shouldn’t have helped,” Emmett replied easily, starting the engine. “But it’s... surprising. That’s all. You don’t usually get this involved with humans. Or anyone, really.”

Rosalie crossed her arms, staring out the window. “She’s just different. That’s all.”

“Different how?” Emmett pressed, his tone curious rather than teasing.

Rosalie hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. Finally, she said, “She doesn’t have any preconceived notions about me. She doesn’t look at me like everyone else does—with jealousy or awe or judgment. She just... sees me.”

Emmett whistled low. “Wow. That’s a lot for someone you just met.”

Rosalie didn’t respond, and the silence that stretched between them spoke volumes. Emmett glanced at her again, his expression thoughtful.

“You think she might be your mate?” he asked bluntly.

Rosalie’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide. “What? No. That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Emmett said, arching an eyebrow. “You’ve never reacted to anyone like this before. Not even close. And I’ve known you for, what, 80 years now?”

Rosalie shook her head, her voice firm. “She’s human, Emmett. Even if I thought—” She cut herself off, frustration flashing in her eyes. “It doesn’t matter. She’s human. It’s impossible.”

Emmett leaned back, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Nothing’s impossible, Rose. You’ve said it yourself—she’s different. Maybe she’s different for a reason.”

Rosalie looked away, her gaze fixed on the trees lining the road as they drove. She didn’t want to admit it, but a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that Emmett might be right. Bella was different, and the pull Rosalie felt toward her was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

Emmett broke the silence again as they approached the turn for Forks High School. “Forget school today. Let’s go for a hunt. You need to clear your head.”

Rosalie sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “Fine. But only because calculus is a waste of time.”

Emmett laughed. “Now that’s the Rosalie I know.”

---

They veered off toward the woods, leaving the town behind. Once they were deep enough into the forest, Rosalie stepped out of the car, her sharp senses scanning the area.

Emmett followed, leaning casually against a tree. “So, are we gonna talk about this?”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Rosalie said, her voice cool.

Emmett snorted. “Right. You don’t immediately respond to just anyone. And you sure as hell don’t give out your number to humans. But yeah, nothing to talk about.”

Rosalie shot him a glare but didn’t respond, her silence speaking volumes.

“Look,” Emmett said, his tone softening. “I’m not trying to push you into anything. But you don’t have to be so afraid of it either. If she’s your mate, if there’s even a chance she might be, you owe it to yourself to figure it out. You deserve that, Rose.”

Rosalie stared at him, her expression wavering between anger and vulnerability. “And what if she is? What then, Emmett? She’s human. She’s temporary. I would lose her, just like I’ve lost everything else.”

Emmett stepped closer, his gaze steady. “You don’t know that. And you don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just... let yourself see where it goes. You’ve spent so long keeping people at arm’s length. Maybe it’s time to stop.”

Rosalie’s gaze dropped, her walls cracking under the weight of his words. She hated how much sense he made, how much she wanted to believe him.

“I don’t know if I can,” she admitted softly.

Emmett smiled, his tone lighter now. “You don’t have to do it alone. You’ve got us. And hey, if she’s willing to put up with you, I already like her.”

Rosalie huffed a laugh despite herself. “You’re impossible.”

“That’s why you love me,” Emmett said with a wink.

Rosalie shook her head, but a small smile crept onto her lips. Maybe Emmett was right. Maybe it was time to stop running from what she felt.

And maybe, just maybe, Bella Swan was worth the risk.