Precious things

{Bath}

Rosalie's PoV:

I Watch her face, how her expressions flitter through phases.

She's scared, but thankful.

Mostly confused.

"I- i don't know.. thank you- i - please- but-" she stutters, pulling away from Carlisle and turning to me, her face wrought with emotion.

I cup her cheek in my palm, shushing her softly.

"Shh.. shh love.. you don't need to say anything now.. let's just get you cleaned up yeah? Then we can talk." She leans into my palm, watching me talk intently, her eyes wide and full.

"We can't do anything whilst you're still in your uncomfy clothes now can we?" I shake my head slightly whist talking, holding her right hand in mine.

Carlisle smiles from behind her, making his way towards the door.

" I'll leave you two be." he hums, his voice soft and understanding as he walks out. I wait until i hear his footsteps upon the tiles of the downstairs corridor before i begin again.

"I'll run you a bath sweetheart, i shan't be long"

Yet as i leave for the en-suite, i feel her watch me, a gentle pout upon her lips as she once again sits alone in the guest bedroom.

—

Once the bath is run, i call Lila in, and soon i hear the hurried patter of feet upon the carpet and the dark-beamed wooden door swings open slowly.

"R-Rosalie?"

The poor darling.. my heart breaks every time she speaks.

"In here sweet girl, come on."

She creeps in sheepishly, her lips curving into a sleepy, lop-sided grin as she sees the bath.

The bath i laced with lavender bubbles.

A whole bottle of lavender bubbles.

I turn to her, crouching slightly to talk to her.

"I'll be just outside if you need me Lila ok? Try and wash your hair for me darling, I'll brush it after you're all finished for you. Sound good?"

She nods, a faint breath of a blush gracing her round little cheeks.

——-

"Rosalie? C-can i have a hand? Please?"

I stand up, making my way briskly across the floor to the dark oak door, but not pushing through.

" are you alright Lila? I'm just here lovely "

"I- i can't wash the conditioner out"

I chuckle.

"Ok Lila I'm coming in, i promise I'm only looking at your hair darling"

"Okay"

I open the door, step into the bathroom and turn to close it again.

When i turn to face the young girl, i can't help but smile.

She's huddled beneath a mountain of bubbles, her cheeks slightly flushed and her hair in a soapy , sudsy blob upon her head.

I pick up a cup off the counter, filling it with fresh warm water from the tap and making my way to Lila.

" ok Lila, can you lean your head back for me?" I ask, crouching by the side of the claw-footed tub.

She lets out a small 'uh huh' and tilts her head back, giggling slightly as i pour the water over her hair.

I repeat the action a few times, making sure it's all perfect for her.

By the time all the conditioner is washed out, the tips of Lila's fingers have turned slightly pruned and pale.

I sigh, stroking her hair and smiling as she leans into me ever so slightly.

"Ok Lila honey, come on let's get you up and out-" i say, tapping her shoulder gently and getting up to grab her a towel from the adjacent heated rack.

She shakily steps out , shielded by the fluffy white towel I'm holding.

I wrap her in it, smiling at how she snuggles into the fabric.

"Thank you.."

" no problem darling, now are you gonna let Rosalie do your hair?"

She nods, smiling before talking again.

"I like towels.. this one's really soft" she muses as we make our way to the birch vanity.

" well I'm glad you like it.. but we can't go see the others dressed like that now can we?"

She giggles and drops her gaze to the floor " Mabye.."

Cute.

I place a hand on her shoulder; " why don't you get dried off, and I'll go get some clothes for you and my hair tools yeah? "

She nods, looking up at me, her cloudy grey eyes a beacon of purity.

——

I knock on the door, entering when i hear the small voice of Lila

"Come in- wait that's Rosalie right?"

I chuckle slightly as i step into the room. " yeah it's me doll"

She smiles and waves.

" they may be a tad big on you honey, but i got a few pieces for you to fit to your taste " i say, handing her some shirts and trousers that i had previously collected from my own wardrobe

She practically beams as she takes the neatly folded clothes, examining them fondly.

"Thank you.. can i go put them on?"

No,there just there to look at...

"Of course, I'll stay just here sweetheart"

It only takes a few brief moments for her to emerge , a tad bashfully, from the bathroom. She's chosen a simple striped babydoll top and some brown 3/4 trousers, slightly long for her, but cute nevertheless. Yet even as she walks she fiddles nervously with her hands, rubbing the bridge of her thumb with her forefinger.

"Aah.. much better lovely.. look at you.. come sit-" i pat the plush vanity stool, beckoning her to the mirror.

She tots her way over to me, looking all the more energised as every minute passes.

I pretend not to notice as she watches me in the mirror as i comb her hair, chuckling as i manage to dislodge the odd stick here and there.

However, my hands are experienced, and it only takes a matter of minutes for her hair to be soft and smooth once more.

" you have lovely hair Lila.. it's very pretty "

"Th-thank you.. i like your hair too.. you look like someone called Rosalie"

I chuckle

"Why thank you.. and you look like a Lila.."

She blushes and smiles into the mirror, and it seems as if she's seeing herself for the first time in that moment.

I comb trough it for a short while, marvelling slightly on how well her hair has recovered beautifully in such a short amount of time.

" would you like me to braid it?" I ask, stiffing my movements and resting my hand on her shoulder deftly.

"You can?"

I smile, my lips curving at her wonder.

" why yes, i can little one."

She stills for a moment, blushing before nodding.