After seven painfully long hours Alice was finally finished with her shopping and despite Bella's protest Esmé was treating the four girls to a late lunch. They were eating at a restaurant that Bella had never heard of called Cornerhouse, just on the outskirts of Port Angeles.
Angela and Esmé are seated on one side of the booth, while on the opposite side Bella's in the corner of booth. Rosalie is next to Bella with Alice attached to her other hand, Esmé in front of her. Everyone was discussing the trip and Bella sat quietly reflecting on a certain detail. Throughout the entire trip, Bella noticed, Alice's hand remained attached to the soundless girl; and Bella wondered if it was because they were in a public area and the blonde needed comfort. Then again it could be more for Alice than Rosalie Bella mused glancing to her left her hand is always attached to someone.
"We should probably drop off Angela first and then head home, her parents want her back before dinner" Esmé nods along to Alice's words as she finishes her food.
"Okay well if everyone is ready, we better get going"
%%%%
Once Angela was at her house and all the bags were put away at the Cullen's; Alice, Rosalie, and Bella sit in Alice's room listening to music. Exhausted from the day's events the girls rest in a comfortable silence, until a knock on the door frame alerts them to Esme's presence; she shows a tiny smile when her eyes roam over the girls on the bed before they lock onto Bella.
"Bella?" Bella gazes up at Esmé finding a hesitant expression on her face.
"Yeah?"
"I was hoping that I would be able to speak with you in my office for a moment" Esmé states.
"Oh um" Bella stands up looking at Alice and Rosalie briefly. "Yeah sure"
She quickly follows after Esmé as they begin to walk down the hallway towards another pair of steps that Bella has never seen before. When they arrive at the door to Esmé office, Bella stops the older woman from opening the door as she voices her concerns.
"Um Esmé?" the caramel-haired woman stops and turns to give Bella her full attention.
"Yes?"
"Does the reason you want to see me alone have something to do with Rosalie? Have I done something wrong, because if so I never-"
"No, no Bella it's nothing like that" Esmé shakes her head placing a comforting hand on Bella's shoulder. "I would just like to speak with you about some information that Alice has told me, okay?"
Esmé gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and Bella shows a tiny smile in thanks.
"Now please, come in" Esmé opens the door to her office, walking inside with Bella trailing behind her.
The room is nothing like Bella expected it to be; it seemed to be more of a sitting area than an office. Two of the four walls were solid black and the other two were solid white; the floors are hardwood with a bluish-gray carpet in the center of the room. A small television rests on a stand in between two bookshelves in the far right corner adjacent to the massive open view window; three cushion chairs surround the large rectangular table on top of the rug forming a circle. The only thing alerting Bella that the room may be an office would be the black filing cabinet in left corner and the papers spread out onto the table.
"You can have a seat anywhere you'd like" Esmé gestures to the chairs before walking to the filing cabinet. Tentatively Bella moves to the chair closet to the window running her fingers through her hair waiting for Esmé.
"You don't have to be nervous Bella, I actually need your assistance" the brunette looks up at Esmé in disbelief.
"My help?" Esmé nods taking a seat across from Bella.
"Alice says that Rosalie had a minor episode last night" she glances up at Bella who nods in response. "And you consoled her?"
"Yeah, I didn't really do anything though" Esmé shakes her head giving Bella a polite smile.
"But see that's where you're wrong, usually when Rosalie has a nightmare her whole house knows about it" Bella stares at Esmé in shock. "The reactions are ordinarily much more violent and it takes Anne close to 20 minutes to get Rosalie to respond. From what I've heard it only took you seconds."
"Now I can see that you didn't survive without a few marks but it's a huge improvement." She looks to Bella's hand at the minor scratches that lie there. Bella also glances down rubbing her hand over the marks. She had hidden the marks from Rosalie throughout the day not wanting the blonde to feel any pain upon seeing them.
"She didn't mean to" Bella speaks somewhat defensively, wanting to take the blame away from her silent friend.
"Oh I know dear, I'm not saying it as a bad thing. I am just stating that Rosalie has improved" Bella nods moving her eyes to stare out of the window. "This is slightly unprofessional of me but I've spoken with Anne and I need your help with getting through to Rosalie." Bella focuses back on Esmé, showing her that she has her full attention.
"Do you know the reason that the Hales moved here Bella?" after a shake of her head Esmé continues. "When Rosalie was 15 she went through...some things, they all did, but what Rosalie went through was very-" Esmé pauses searching for the correct word "tormenting. After the incident Rosalie refused to speak or have contact with anyone, including her mother" Esmé takes a deep breath.
"They tried many diverse therapist and psychiatrist before she was assigned to me. I was contacted and informed of the situation as well as Rosalie's reaction to it all; Anne was given the choice to move here and place Rosalie under my care or place her in medical care"
"You mean rehab?" Bella whispers staring at Esmé, who nods sadly returning the gaze.
"Yes, at first I didn't understand why but once they arrived and I observed Rosalie's behavior, it made sense. She was inconsolable Bella, it honestly broke my heart."
"Was what happened to her really that bad?"
"What happened to Rosalie was a terrible thing Bella one that nobody should have to go through, but I believe it was the effects of the situation that pushed her over the edge."
"What- I mean, could you, I- never mind" Bella shakes her head leaning forward in her seat bringing her head to her hands.
"I wish I could Bella, however that is something Rosalie herself has to tell you"
"But she doesn't talk" Bella mumbles through her fingers.
"And that is what I need your help with, she doesn't speak to me either."
"What can I do?"
"How do you feel about her Bella?" Esmé enquiries softly and Bella yanks her head up startled at the question.
"What do you mean?"
"I've seen you two interact with each other; the way you look at her with such affection. I want to know what is it that you feel for her." Bella takes a deep breath willing her heart to slow down.
"I don't really understand it myself Esmé; since the very first day I've felt a strong pull to her and I just want to be there for her. She has changed my life so much, I couldn't imagine it without her."
"Is this feeling romantic?" Esmé asks her voice remaining soft and reassuring.
"It um, I don't think that- me and her are-" Bella stops her faced flushed as she tries to collect her thoughts.
"It's okay, you don't have to answer, I must warn you however." Esmé sits forward connecting her olive eyes to Bella. "If you were to ever choose that path, it will not be an easy one. You understand that don't you?"
"I do." Bella meets her gaze head on showing Esmé her understanding.
"Good." Esmé nods standing up.
"Wait what do you need my help with?"
"Nothing Bella" she gives a kind smile at Bella's confusion.
"But I thought-"
"This is all that I needed"
A/n
How was it?
