perennial - rosalie hale of twilight

Chapter 4

Two days after Edythe's arrival, Carlisle realized it would be best to inform our extended family from Denali about the new addition to our coven. We considered Tanya, Kate, Irina, Eleazar, and Carmen our cousins. They've also been living a vegetarian lifestyle and are bonded by love rather than convenience—much like our family. We have stayed with them in Denali a couple of times.

   Carlisle gave Tanya a call to share the news.

   Esme then announced that she was planning to send Kate a gift for her birthday, and she wanted to insert a photo of our new complete family. I recalled Kate mentioning she was born sometime in 1000 AD and that she had decided to pick a date to celebrate annually—September 10th. Just five days from today.

   Alice insisted on making an event out of it and arranging a formal photoshoot in the living room.

   I was always willing to have my picture taken, so I was elated at the idea. No one complained. Except, of course, Edward.

   "Do we have to, Alice?" Edward whined. "Can't we just take one right now," he waved his cell phone at her face, "and be done with it?"

   Alice scowled at him. "No! Our last official family photo was taken almost a decade ago. We need new pictures."

   "Alice, we all look the same a decade ago," Edward reasoned.

   "Yes, but we didn't have Edythe with us back then. Besides, we need new pictures with modern fashion," Alice said matter-of-factly. "Stop whining." She disappeared upstairs and was back in three seconds with an outfit. "Put these on," she frowned at him. "And fix your hair!"

   "My current clothes are fine," he said dismissively. "And there's nothing wrong with my hair."

   Emmett skipped to Edward's side. "Come on, bro," he said, playfully nudging him. "Tanya will see the photo."

   Edward opened his mouth to argue but Alice threw the clothes at him and pushed him to go change.

   "What are you complaining about anyway?" Emmett asked. "It'll be fun!"

   I smiled at Emmett being the big ray of sunshine that he is.

   Edward sighed in defeat and dragged his feet lazily upstairs, carrying the clothes over his shoulder as if the weight slowed him down. He always did know how to be dramatic.

   "Shut up, Rose," he grumbled without turning.

   I stuck my tongue out at his back.

   Alice proceeded to rummage through the rest of our walk-in closets. I followed her as she bounced from room to room. She'd mutter to herself and occasionally ask one of us where an accessory or article of clothing was, but she would find it before we could answer. Of course, she had already seen the outfits we'd wear.

   "Jasper, please get the camera and tripod ready in the living room," Alice spoke as if Jasper was in the room with us. He was somewhere downstairs, but he'd heard Alice's request loud and clear.

   Everyone was ready within five minutes. We were all wearing light colors that matched the furniture perfectly. Alice directed everyone while making a few modifications to our outfits. I stood between Emmett and Edward, Edythe was on Emmett's left side, Carlisle and Esme sat together, and Alice and Jasper stood next to each other. Edward stood between Alice and me.

   Alice kept trying to fix Edward's messy hair, but he kept swatting her hand away.

   Why must he always feel the need to ruin the fun?

   He glowered at me and I pretended not to notice.

   "All right, everyone, give your best smiles," Alice said cheerfully. "Emmett, please press the shutter. The timer's already set."