"Vera?"

I was sleeping but the tone in my husband's voice set me instantly on edge. There was a twinge to it. My name was merely two syllables, but his voice hitched, as if he were holding back overwhelming emotions -- sadness. Something horrible had happened. I squeezed my eyes tightly and braced myself.

"Vera," He repeated. "Rosalie is missing she never came home. Her father just called. They think she was abducted."

My world came crashing down around me. Without a word I sprang from my bed, donning my housecoat and slippers.

Robert caught up with me by the time I reached the front door. He wrapped one arm around my waist, grabbing the hand that reached for the doorknob, and whirled me around to face him. He wrapped me tightly in a warm embrace. Tears flooded my eyes and stained my cheeks.

"I have to find her" I sobbed; struggling, determined to free myself.

"Not in your housecoat and slippers," He urged. "It's snowing."

"Stay here with Henry," he insisted. "The Kings are putting together a search party. I'm on my way to join them."

"Oh! Robert!" I sobbed; clinging to his chest, soaking his shirt with my tears. "It's absolutely terrible, I'm so afraid for Rose!" I was trembling.

My husband, my rock, my companion, held me tightly to him. He rested his cheek on top of my head. I could feel him tremble. He was crying with me.

"I am too," his voice shook.

My thoughts reeled. I pleaded with my conscience to show me a path in which Rosalie could be safe and happy, no ill having befallen her. What was the best case scenario? The possible outcomes looked bleak.

We stood in the foyer, for what seemed like an eternity, as I wrestled with my thoughts and fears. Robert pulled away from me slowly. He kissed me passionately and embraced me once more, then turned to grab his hat and coat.

"Robert?" I asked, and he turned to me. "Bring her home. Bring Rose home safely and happily." If only my will were enough to make it possible.

Without a word he turned from me; opened the door and stepped out into the snow and the darkness. I stood in the foyer for more than an hour, before Henry began to stir from his slumber.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

After nursing my son, I clutched him to me, feeling the rise and fall of his tiny chest against mine. He was snoring gently and I absent-mindedly ran my fingers through his black curls. I sat near the window and watched the sun rise on the horizon, reflecting all of the colors of dawn on the snow blanketing everything in sight.

Warm tears spilled silently from my eyes. Occasionally I allowed myself to consider the possible outcomes. Was there any hope of a happy ending for my Rose?

Could Rose have run away?

Rosalie was the happiest person I'd ever known. There was only a week until her wedding to the richest bachelor in town, the handsome Royce King, son and namesake of the bank owner. There was nothing in this world Rosalie Hale wanted more, than to be married to a rich and handsome man and to have his children. I knew Rose would not have run away.

Had she been kidnapped?
Rose was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. She was the envy of every man and woman in Rochester. Had some nefarious man taken her? It wasn't difficult to imagine. Was he holding her hostage in a dark basement somewhere? What terrible things might he have done to her?

I shuddered to think of what this wicked stranger might have done to my sweet Rose, and was overcome with renewed fear and grief for my closest friend. I sobbed uncontrollably as I imagined Rosalie cold, scared, alone. What terrible visions appeared before her eyes? I shivered to imagine the eyes of a rapist staring into those beautiful violet eyes I loved so dearly. It sickened me to imagine his strong rough hands touching her pale delicate cheek; stroking her beautiful golden hair.

I became angry. Every muscle tensed. I wanted to kill that man. I wanted to hunt him down and make him pay for what he had done to my friend, my confidante, my Rosalie.

Was Rose alive?

Was she living in fear this very moment? Did she feel the weight of her fear crushing her as it was crushing me now? Once more, I was overwhelmed with grief for my closest friend.

I wished it were me instead. I wished I could take her place so this burden could be lifted from her. I would take this horror on myself to save Rose. I couldn't bear to think of her scared, alone, in pain.

Would she fight back? Would she scream? Would she bite him and claw at him with her hands? Could she break free? Suddenly, I found a ray of hope and I clung to the thought with desperation. Could she escape?

I so desperately wanted this to be true. I pictured Rosalie stumbling in the snow; her beautiful clothes sullied, her angelic face dirty. She clutched at her waist with both arms as she ran. In my thoughts, I pictured Rose feeling ill for the things the wicked man had done to her, but she was safe. Could these horrors ever be undone? Would my happy, sweet Rose, forever, be tainted by the experience she had with the cruel man she had escaped? Would the memory of it haunt her dreams? Would I see the pain in her violet eyes for years to come?

Would it be better if this despicable man killed her instantly? Would it be better for her to not suffer long, than it would to escape to be haunted by these hideous and terrifying memories forever?

I sobbed hysterically. Tears assaulted my cheeks, falling like heavy rain from my eyes, dripping from my chin.

"My Rose! My sweet friend!" I cried out.

Henry was startled by the noise. He woke and pulled his cherub face away from my shoulder to look at me. He reached his chubby hand out to touch my face; curious by the warm tears streaming from my eyes. My body shook with sobbing as I cried. Henry laughed.

I smiled at my sweet son through my sorrow and tears. My poor sweet innocent child did not understand sorrow. He had never seen an adult cry. For all my little Henry knew I was laughing and he laughed with me.

I peppered little Henry's face with kisses. Henry. Oh my sweet darling son.

Rosalie loved him nearly as much as I did. She had always been like an aunt to him.

From the very moment I had learned of my pregnancy, Rosalie was always there enjoying every moment with me. I sobbed as I remembered how desperately she had wanted to be a mother herself.

Tears rolled down my nose as I recalled the feel of Rose's warm hand on my bloated abdomen. I remember the surprised smile she gave me when she first felt the little nudge from within me. When she would come to call she always kissed my belly goodbye as she parted.

"A kiss for the baby," she would say pressing her lips gently to my round belly. "And then a kiss for my dearest Vera," she would add as she kissed my cheek.

"I love you, my dearest friend," She would say to me.

"I love you too, my beautiful Rose," I would reply.

Would Rose live to have a child of her own? It seemed unfair to imagine her life might be taken from her, before she would know the joy of a mother's love. Would my dearest friend ever have the opportunity to feel her own child move within her womb? Why should I be blessed with the love of a child yet Rose denied the same pleasure?

What kind of monster could take my friend from me?

Rosalie was the kindest sweetest and most decent person I had ever known. Her smile lit up a room. Her laughter was the very essence of happiness. Rosalie was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Such happiness and contentment filled her that it spilled forth from her, affecting everyone around her.

Rosalie was a wonderful philanthropist. She gave generously of her time, dedicating herself whole heartedly to the less fortunate souls at the local orphanage. Who could take such a beautiful creature away from us? It was such a terrible waste.

I wept for Rosalie. I wept for my loss and for hers. I missed my friend. Rosalie kidnapped? Rosalie murdered? How could it be? 'Abducted,' the mere thought of the word made my stomach wretch. I was sick with worry for my lost friend. Would she ever return home? I forced my eyes closed, but the tears welling in my eyes sprung forth to join their companions on my already saturated cheeks.

I pleaded with God. "Father, I know not what outcome would be the most humane for my dearest friend, but please stay with her through this time and comfort her. And if she has already departed from this mortal existence may she have done so peacefully and hastily."

"My dearest Rose, whatever would I do without you?"

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Note: Stephenie Meyer owns the Twilight Series from which this story is inspired and from which the characters and basic storyline for this composition have been derived.

Reference: Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse