To Tell The Truth
Rosalie stepped through the Cullen house door, the faint scent of pine still clinging to her. She had barely shut the door before Alice appeared in front of her, arms crossed and a knowing grin plastered on her face.
“Well?” Alice asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Well, what?” Rosalie replied, brushing past her, her tone clipped.
“Oh, don’t act like I don’t know what happened,” Alice said, falling into step beside her. “You went to see Bella. How did it go? Did she smile? Did you smile? Did you sweep her off her feet?”
Rosalie rolled her eyes. “I dropped off a casserole and made sure her dad was okay. That’s it.”
Alice wasn’t buying it. “You’re avoiding the question, which means it wasn’t just that. Did you talk? Did she look at you like you’re the most fascinating thing she’s ever seen?”
“Alice, enough,” Rosalie said, her voice sharp.
Alice smirked, undeterred. “You know if you won't give me the details I think I should just go get them from Bella myself. Tomorrow sounds like a great day for introductions.” Alice turns to look at Emmett with a devilish grin on her face. "You will give me her address won't you dear big brother?"
Emmett freezes and holds his hands up in the air to indicate he's staying out of it. He's already pushed Rosalie's boundaries enough for one day. Rosalie also stopped abruptly, turning to face Alice with a glare that could freeze water. “Stay away from her, Alice.”
Alice raised her eyebrows, clearly not expecting the intensity of Rosalie’s reaction. “Why? She’s not going anywhere, is she? You might as well let me meet her now. I can't see her at all and it's driving me crazy. What harm will it be for her to spend time with the rest of the family?”
“She’s mine,” Rosalie snarls, her voice low and possessive.
The room fell into a stunned silence. Jasper appeared in the doorway, his expression cautious as he took in the charged atmosphere. He immediately sent a wave of calm through the room, his voice gentle. “Let’s not escalate this, Rosalie.”
Rosalie’s shoulders relaxed slightly under Jasper’s influence, but her jaw remained tight.
Edward sighed from the couch, his brows furrowing as he caught Rosalie’s thoughts. “She’s your mate,” he said flatly, his voice tinged with surprise.
The words hung heavy in the air as the rest of the family gathered, drawn by the tension.
“Her mate?” Esme asked, her voice soft but surprised. She stepped forward, her maternal concern evident. “Rosalie, are you certain?”
“Yes, I am now,” Rosalie sighed, her golden eyes blazing with conviction. “I wasn't sure at first, like maybe her being human was making it murky and I was just drawn to her for some other reason. But after spending time alone with her tonight I'm positive.”
Carlisle, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the room, finally spoke, his voice measured. “Rosalie, I understand how strong this bond can feel, but we need to navigate this carefully if that's true. We need to agree how to go forward with this as a family.”
Rosalie turned to him, her expression fierce. “Carlisle, I know she is meant for me. I've never felt anything like this before. This isn’t something I can, or will, ignore. I want her to know who I am. I want to be with her constantly. It's as infuriating as it is addictive. But here we are, and I don't know how long I have her for... if she will leave after Charlie heals if I don't try.”
Carlisle’s expression remained calm but concerned. “I’m not asking you to ignore it. I’m asking you to consider how this could affect Bella. She’s human, Rosalie. Her world is fragile, and knowing who you are means introducing her our world. That puts us all at risk.”
Edward nodded, his voice cold. “He’s right. Bella is human. Telling her the truth about what we are could backfire spectacularly.”
“I don’t care,” Rosalie said sharply, her gaze cutting to Edward. “Bella has been nothing but open and honest with me. I won’t start our relationship on a foundation of lies.”
“Rosalie, think about what you’re saying,” Carlisle urged. “Revealing the truth to her could put her at risk, of exposure, of danger from others who aren’t as restrained as we are. It’s not just about us. It’s about what’s best for her.”
Rosalie crossed her arms, her jaw set. “What’s best for her is knowing the truth. Bella is so much more than you're giving her credit for, and I won’t treat her like she’s incapable of making her own decisions. I've had enough of mine taken from me. I won't do that to my mate.”
Jasper, who had remained silent until now, spoke softly. “You’re right that she deserves honesty, but you need to consider how and when you tell her. Rushing this could overwhelm her.”
Esme stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Rosalie’s arm. “We’re not trying to stop you, Rosalie. We just want you to think carefully about how you approach this. Bella’s life will change in ways she can’t imagine, and that’s a lot for anyone to handle.”
Rosalie nodded, her tone softening slightly. “I understand. But I won’t let fear keep me from being honest with her. Bella is mine, I feel it deep in my bones, and I trust her to accept me for who I am.”
A long silence stetched out before them. Edward broke it first, his voice low and edged with frustration. “You’re not thinking clearly, Rosalie. You're being reckless!” he insisted.
Rosalie whirled to face him, her eyes blazing. “You have no idea how clearly I’m thinking, Edward. Bella is my mate. I can’t - no, I won’t lie to her.”
“She doesn’t need to know,” Edward countered sharply. “Not yet. You’ve known her for, what, a few days? You can’t risk our family over this! Why am I the only one against this?” he practically shouts.
“She deserves the truth!” Rosalie snaped, her voice cutting through the room.
Carlisle stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Rosalie, I understand what you’re feeling. The bond of a mate is powerful, but Edward isn’t entirely wrong.”
Rosalie crossed her arms, her stance unyielding. “Bella has been honest with me about everything. About what she wants, how she feels, and who she is. I won’t start our relationship with deceit and I'm offended that you are all asking me to after all that I have been through.”
Esme stepped closer, her expression kind but concerned. “Sweetheart, we’re not saying you shouldn’t tell her. We’re saying you need to think carefully about when and how. If Bella truly is your mate, she’ll be a part of your life. You don’t have to rush this.”
“She’s right, Rose,” Jasper added softly. “Mates are for eternity. You have time to build trust, to let her acclimate to being a part of your world.”
"Not if she goes back to Phoenix before I can show her I'm a worthy mate," Rosalie confesses honestly.
The room settled into a tense silence as the family exchanged glances. Edward still looked troubled, but he said nothing more. Carlisle sighed, his expression resigned but understanding.
“If this is truly what you believe is right, Rosalie, then we’ll support you,” Carlisle said gently. “But please, be careful. Bella’s safety must come first.”
“It always will,” Rosalie said firmly, her gaze steady.
As the family began to disperse, Alice lingered for a moment, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement. “I’ll back off for now. But you’d better introduce me to her soon. I’m dying to meet my future best friend.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes but didn’t respond, her thoughts already focused on Bella. When Rosalie reached her room, she slammed the door behind her, frustration bubbling under her cool facade. Her family’s constant badgering echoed in her mind, but their doubts did nothing to shake her resolve. Bella was hers, and she would tell her the truth.
She threw her phone onto the bed with a huff, but it buzzed the moment it landed. Frowning, she picked it up, her annoyance fading as she saw Bella’s name on the screen.
Bella: Hey, just wanted to check if you made it home okay. I don’t know why, but I can't seem to stop thinking about you.
Rosalie’s lips twitched into a small smile as she read the message. She leaned back against the door, her irritation fading as she typed her reply.
Rosalie: I’m home. Thanks for asking. Thinking about me, huh?
The response came quickly.
Bella: Maybe. You’re kind of hard to forget, Rosalie Hale.
Rosalie felt her chest warm, her earlier frustration melting away entirely.
Rosalie: The feeling is mutual.
As the conversation continued, Rosalie allowed herself to relax for the first time that evening. Rosalie sat on the edge of her bed, her phone resting in her lap as her thoughts whirled. Her family’s words replayed in her mind, their concerns cutting through her usual unshakable confidence. They weren’t entirely wrong, she had to admit that. Bella's world would be shaken in the face of Rosalie’s immortal existence. Dropping the full weight of her truth on Bella all at once could overwhelm her, maybe even scare her away. But even as Rosalie acknowledged the risks, her resolve didn’t waver. Bella was her mate, and keeping her at arm’s length wasn’t an option. If she was going to have Bella, and if Bella wanted her, it had to be real.
The question wasn’t if she would let Bella into her world, it was how. For someone who prided herself on knowing the right moves to make this felt like uncharted territory. Bella had already proven herself to be unlike anyone Rosalie had ever met. Her openness, her wit, her warmth—it all demanded the same in return. But how much was too much? Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and felt her irritation soften immediately.
Bella: So, doing laundry is officially the most boring chore on the planet. Can you save me from dying of boredom with a distraction?
Rosalie smirked, her fingers moving quickly to reply.
Rosalie: Laundry? How very domestic of you. Should I expect you in an apron next?
Bella: Only if you promise to show up in leather and sweep me off my feet.
Rosalie: That’s tempting. Though I’m not sure you’re ready for that.
Bella: Oh, I’m ready.
Rosalie laughed softly to herself, the tension from earlier melting away with each playful exchange. Bella seemed to have a way of cutting through her frustrations, grounding her in the moment.
Rosalie: Careful, Bella. Flirting with me might become a full-time job for you if you let me get used to it.
Bella: I’m okay with that. You’re pretty good at it, though. I think I’m outmatched.
Rosalie: Nonsense. You’re holding your own just fine.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, the hours slipping by as their texts shifted from playful banter to something deeper.
Bella: Okay, serious question: What’s your guilty pleasure? Like, something you love but wouldn’t admit to just anyone?
Rosalie hesitated, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she typed.
Rosalie: Fixing cars doesn’t count, right?
Bella: Not if it’s not embarrassing. Come on, spill!
Rosalie: Fine. I like vintage romance movies. The dramatic ones where everything is in black and white.
Bella: Seriously? That’s amazing. I wouldn’t have guessed that about you, though you are awfully soft with me.
Rosalie bit her lip, wondering which direction to steer the conversation after that.
Rosalie: What were you expecting?
Bella: I thought you’d be into fast cars and expensive fashion not dramatic love stories.
Rosalie: I can like both.
Bella: Fair point. There are a lot of facets to you, it seems. I hope I can get to know them all.
Rosalie: You will.
Rosalie could swear she felt the phantom racing of her undead heart at the confession. Everything in her ached to be at Bella's side once more, memorizing everything about her. She wondered if Bella was feeling the same and that's why she keeps texting even the most mundane details of her night.
Bella: You know, you’ve got me talking so much I forgot I still have socks to fold.
Rosalie: That’s tragic. Maybe I should come over and rescue you from your laundry prison.
Bella: I wouldn’t say no to that. Though you’d probably just laugh at how mismatched my socks are.
Rosalie: I might. But I’d still help.
Bella: You’re full of surprises, Rosalie Hale.
Rosalie: You haven’t seen anything yet.
As the night stretched on, Bella’s replies grew slower, amd Rosalie wondered if she was getting tired..
Bella: Do you ever wonder why boring chores like laundry make you think about everything? I swear I’ve had like five existential crises tonight.
Rosalie: Maybe your laundry is just magical.
Bella: Magical socks? Sounds about right.
Rosalie: Maybe you should leave it and get some rest.
Instead of a reply text, she saw an incoming call from Bella. After swiping to answer she heard Bella's voice. "Trying to get rid of me Hale?" And then a whispered confession. "I like talking to you too much to stop."
Rosalie hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by Bella’s effortless honesty once more. She felt breathless that this pure, sweet girl could be hers.
Rosalie finally found her voice. "I like talking to you too. But you need sleep, Bella. It's late."
Bella let out a sleepy chuckle, the sound low and insanely endearing to Rosalie. "Bossy. But I suppose you need your beauty sleep for school tomorrow too."
Rosalie, sticking to her guns about not wanting to lie to her lie to her mate, ignored the school comment completely. Instead, she found her own courage before responding confidently. "I'll see you tomorrow? I can come by, if you'd like."
There was a long pause before Bella replied sleepily. "I can't wait."
Rosalie smiled softly, imagining Bella curled up somewhere, her phone still clutched in her hand as sleep begins to take over. "Goodnight, Bella."
The reply again didn’t come immediately, but when it did, it was short and sweet. "Night, beautiful."
Rosalie set her phone down, her smile fading slightly as the weight of her earlier conversation with her family returned. Bella’s trust in her was so easy, so unguarded. The thought of betraying that trust by withholding the truth gnawed at her. Her family’s concerns were valid, but Rosalie couldn’t ignore the pull she felt toward Bella, the sense that they were meant for each other. For now, she decided to take it one step at a time, letting Bella into her world little by little. And as she lay back against her bed, staring at the ceiling, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe the years of her lonely existence were coming to an end.