A/N:

Well, well, well...Here we are. The last chapter. I received many kind words from you all, thank you. I hope you have enjoyed the first part of this series and that you come back for more when I start publishing the next work in the series! Please let me know what you think, let me know of unanswered questions you have, or wishes. I have written book two, but I am making edits now. Thank you for your continued support!

Chapter 17- Ain't No Sunshine

Tears fell behind her as she rode towards the Cullen house. Her legs burned from the strain she gave them. Her hair became disheveled from the wind and her cheeks red from the summer heat.

She hopped off her bike in one fluid motion as she hit the Cullen's lawn. Her bike came to a crashing halt behind her. Her body flew up the stairs and her fists beat against the door. She repeated her thunderous beating on the door until Esme answered.

Esme was still wearing the feelings of her shock. Bella had indeed been there. Rosalie pushed past Esme in an effort to get to her. She had to tell her that she wanted her. She had to tell her she was sorry for ever considering a life with him.

She busted in the door to Bella's room to find nothing. No clothes, no books, no pictures. No Bella.

"Bella? Bella?" She shouted desperately. She frantically opened each bedroom door in search of her. "Bella? I need to…" Esme followed her trying to calm her, trying to tell her. She collapsed to her knees at the top of the stairs; her hand clutched the banister as she sank. Tears flowed freely without shame. "I need to tell you..."

Esme laid a hand on her shoulder as she sank to the floor along with her. She rubbed circles into her shoulders and joined her in her sadness. After the blonde had caught her breath, when desperation became heartbreak, Esme spoke.

"Dear, she is gone. "

"I love her." Rosalie spoke through sorrow, through her tears.

"I'm so sorry. She loved you, I know she did."

"I have to find her…I have to go after her." She said lifting her eyes to meet gold.

"I do not know where she has gone. She was here and gone so fast. She does not want to be found right now."

"She needs to know. She needs to know that I want her."

-X-

As quickly as summer had come, it was gone. With fall almost all the evidence of summer faded. The leaves, the summer heat and the hope of Bella's return. Rosalie succumbed to the ever-growing pressure for her to pick a wedding date. Her mother had disagreed with her choice, but she had begun college in Rochester at the Eastman School of Music. Her fiancé was supportive of her choice but thought little of her education.

She had fallen into her own routine. Every day she would wake early and write a letter in her diary. Every morning she thought of her. She rode her bike to college as she did in high school. She kept her cello at the school and practiced for long hours after school had ended. Music could offer her the only escape.

Royce's presence had grown stronger. He had bought a house in town, one for them to live in once they had tied the knot. His lifestyle became clearer and clearer as he spent more time with her. He carried a small silver flask with brandy everywhere they went, taking sips on a regular basis.

He became unhappy with the move, missing his hometown just three cities over. He worked often but was not a hard worker. His father had entrusted him with very little responsibility but a large salary. He spent most of his working hours entertaining clients and partying. This part of his life was not shown to his bride to be, his life with her had become his alter ego.

She had almost broken off the marriage just after new year's when he had swung by her school one evening as she was leaving. His natural odor had become a mix of old spice and brandy. His smell invaded her nostrils as she greeted him. His hair was a mess and his eyes were lazy.

"My bride to be." He said as he sat in the driver's seat of his running car. He had pulled up to her grabbing her bike off the rack.

"Hello Royce, are you alright?" She questioned with concern.

"I'm better than alright! Get in!" He patted the seat on the passenger's side.

"I have my bicycle; I can ride it home." She said bundled up.

"It's freezing! Get in."

She thought for a moment. Her gut instinct told her not to get in, but her will was weak. She opened the door and got in. The smell of brandy was even stronger than before.

"Why don't you let me drive?" She said insistently.

"Hah, I assure you I can drive far better than any woman, no matter how much of this stuff I have." He scoffed and shook his flask.

"I think I should ride my bike home. I will see you tomorrow. Sober."

She reached for the handle; she would not be insulted by a drunk. He quickly reached over her and locked the door. She pushed his hand out of the way but he grabbed her wrist with one hand and pulled her neck towards him with the other. Her body involuntarily leaned towards his hot breath.

"Such a tease, my Rose. You have kept me waiting far too long." He said into her ear. She struggled against him.

"Royce!" She said as she used all of her strength to pull away. She managed to get the door handle to release. She pushed against him and escaped his flailing arms to run for her bike. He fumbled with his door but caught up to her as she made it to her bike.

He grabbed her shoulders and she shrieked. He shook her and bruised her arms under his grip. His greased hair fell into his sweaty face as his brow furrowed under his rage. He gritted his teeth and stared into her with black eyes.

"Rose!" He said as he shook her violently. His heavy breath made a fog in the air.

"Stop!"

"Let's see what you have waiting for me, huh?" He said as he turned her back to his chest. His right arm wrapped around her neck and chest as his left crept up her dress. She stomped on his foot and elbowed his side. Her head jammed into his lip as he reacted. He doubled over and she broke free. She grabbed her bike and began to run with her handlebars clasped.

"Rrrrose!" His voice barked out gruffly. He wiped blood from his lip and jumped at her, grabbing for her bike. She had swung her leg over the bike in the same instant and jolted forward. He missed her as she sped right out of his fingers. "Rose!" He shouted in rage.

She held up in her room for three days. Her mother pleaded with her to tell her what happened. When she did her mother was less sympathetic than she would have hoped for.

"These things happen when you take too long to fulfill a man's needs. I told you the wedding should have been this fall." She shook her head.

After her mom knew, the pressure to contact him or forgive him became unbearable. He had sent her three-dozen roses and an apology letter. He attributed his action to a bad day and over consumption of alcohol. She deliberated but once again crippled under the pressure of her family to marry him. They kept their spring date for their ceremony.

Despite her circumstances, it was a beautiful ceremony. Her father walked her down the aisle and her mother smiled brightly as she watched from the first pew. It seemed as if most of the town had shown up, the endeavor could not be outdone. She had invited the Cullen's, the ones who remained. Esme gave her a hug and a sad knowing smile, but wished her the best in her marriage.

The reception was similar to any other large wedding. There was music, dancing, cake and a decent meal. The Cullen's made an appearance but decided to leave before the toasts. Rosalie noticed the clan get up to leave. She let her new husband know of her need for fresh air and departed after them.

"Esme!" Rosalie called out as she broke free of the heavy reception door. The vampire turned, her husband's arm wrapped around her shoulder and Edward to her side. The blonde picked up her dress and rushed over to them in a half jog.

"I had hoped we would have more time. I needed to give you this. In case she comes back. I need her to know." She said as she handed the vampire an envelope. The white paper was stuffed and bowed out on the sides before it curved up to its seal.

"Thank you dear, I will give it to her when I see her." She turned to walk away.

"Have you?" She blurted her question out, stopping the vampire again.

The brunette did not turn to face her. She remained frozen in her place. Rosalie could see the expression on Carlisle's face and knew the answer. Edward did not look up from the ground below, his face sour.

"You have. I see." The blonde's shoulder sunk slightly. Esme turned to face her once more.

"She is strong in many ways. She is brilliant, funny and kind. She is many things, but she is not impenetrable. She does not care easily." She paused in thought. "I wish you the very best. I promise I will give her this the next time I see her."

In the blink of an eye they were gone. She was left standing there, alone. The breeze flowed through her hair; a single tear fell from her eye. One might say that she had everything she had ever wanted. The life she obtained was a shell, a lifeless impression of happiness.