Gifted

Chapter 21: Fire

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer, please don't sue me.

Author's note I: Ok, apparently there's some confusion regarding the relationships in this story. I realize that the problem may be that we all have different definitions of "three way" and "open relationship" and things like that, so I'm going to make it very clear. Rosalie and Emmett have a strong, loving relationship. My plan for this story is for Bella and Rosalie to have a similar strong and loving relationship...at the same time. Bella and Emmett will never be more than best friends. As Bella's relationship with Rosalie becomes physical, there will never be any physical relations between Bella and Emmett. I understand that this is unconventional of course. I'll repeat what I said to several of you in replies to your reviews: My Rosalie and Emmett have built a very strong marriage. It would be incredibly wrong for this Rosalie to end her relationship with Emmett just because she develops feelings for someone else. Rosalie and Emmett love each other far more deeply than we ever saw in the books. It is my strong belief that it is possible to love more than one person just as strongly. It is possible, though rare, for a vampire to have more than one mate. Loving someone else doesn't diminish or "cheapen" the first relationship. Emmett can see that Rosalie has fallen for Bella, and to deny her that would cause her great pain...something that in theory, a vampire cannot do to his mate. I suppose it would be really easy to find a way to take Emmett out of the picture but I'm not going to do that. The writing may very well evolve to that point though-I'm not saying I wouldn't do it if it made sense for the story. But I'm going to try very hard not to do that. I want and believe this odd relationship can work. If it truly bothers you then you can stop reading right now. That's your prerogative...but this is my story :P

Author's note II: I believe you've all been waiting for this chapter :)

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Bella slowly opened her eyes the next morning, but refrained from leaving her bed. Everything was going to be all right, she told herself. The stirring within her was not a bad sign. She was not seconds away from a meltdown. She was not struggling to keep her emotions in check. And she was definitely not falling for Rosalie. But it was not all right. The coils within her were tightening painfully, and she had to count backwards from a 1000 to maintain a semblance of control. Because Bella's emotions at that moment were in upheaval. And it was all because of Rosalie.

Bella wasn't so foolish as to think she'd been in love with Rosalie from the moment she saw her. But the girl had intrigued her that night they first met at the grocery store, enough for Bella to feel a twinge of disappointment when she found out she was taken the next day. It was a very small twinge though, and it was quickly covered up with confusion at the girl's hostile behavior towards her, then with relief and cautious optimism when Rosalie suddenly didn't act like she wanted to skin her alive. Her relationships with all of the Cullens, save for Edward of course, had blossomed over the weeks. But lately, something had changed when it came to Rosalie. Bella found herself starting to respond to Rosalie's soft voice and smiles in a manner that befuddled and highly embarrassed her.

What Bella knew about attraction and relationships, much like everything else having to do with people, came mostly from books and distant memories. She knew what the lingering looks and physical contact from Rosalie did to her body, but she had no idea if these things actually meant somebody has feelings for you. Rosalie's behavior could very well be perfectly normal, and not have any significance attached to it.

But there was one thing she knew without a doubt, and that was Rosalie was crazy about Emmett, and Emmett was crazy about Rosalie. Just thinking Emmett's name brought about a fresh wave of pain, but as terrible as it felt, the guilt quickly surpassed it. Emmett was her best friend. Of all the Cullens, he had been the quickest to welcome her into their family. He was the reason she loosened up so fast and accepted, then returned their love. He was her most vocal defender in school. He was so many things...and she was in love with his girlfriend.