Keeping Up With The Cullens 1

“I told you mom I am not going to try to sneak a camera in.”Rosalie repeated for the thousandth time on her way to the kitchen to get a drink. Esme was trailing behind her trying once again to get Rosalie to bring a camera with her on the trip her advanced robotics class was taking to the Swan Compound. The Swan Compound being the home of the reclusive Isabella Swan. A woman little was known about but who was responsible for most modern technological advancements in many different fields. Rosalie was currently wearing a smart watch the inventor made and carrying one of her cell phones. Both were the best on the market. The reason Esme was pushing so hard for Rosalie to bring a camera is because Isabella didn’t allow people on her property. It being where she created all her inventions by herself with no help. Rosalie had been shocked when their teacher Irina Denali had announced at the beginning of the semester that Isabella was allowing the top ten people in the class the opportunity to visit. When asked why Irina wouldn’t give an answer but Rosalie got the feeling that Irina knew Isabella personally. Luckily for Rosalie she finished at the top of her class so she was one of the few who got to go.

“Do you know how big this would be for us if we got footage inside the Swan Compound?”Esme asked.

“Probably huge. It would also ruin my reputation and likely get me blacklisted from the industry.”Rosalie already had an uphill battle trying to get a job being the pretty Cullen sister. It would be impossible if she leaked secrets to the public.

“You don’t need to work for anyone. You have what you need in the garage to work on your projects.”Esme was still hopeful Rosalie would forget about her fantasies of being an inventor and step back into modeling like she did as a child into her late teens.

“I need to work in a bigger lab that I can get my hands on better equipment and materials. I don’t have the kind of money to do that.”Rosalie wished that Esme would stop seeing her as a commodity and more like a person with real hopes and dreams.

“How are you going to maintain your current job if you are busy tinkering around?”Esme meant the reality show the Cullens had been on for over 15 years. As it was Rosalie spent the minimum hours she was obligated to be on camera and the network and fans wanted more of her. Rosalie was the most popular person on the show and the public couldn’t get enough of her. Even when she was fixing cars or working on some project. The problem was a lot of the things Rosalie did weren’t allowed to be on camera.

“I don’t have that long left on my contract. I figure I finish it out and get a job then.”Rosalie had been thinking about leaving for a long time.

“Rosalie you can’t leave the show.”Esme wouldn’t allow it.

“What do you mean Rosalie is leaving the show?”Edward asked when he joined them in the kitchen.

“I was thinking of not renewing my contract when it runs out.”Rosalie told him as she grabbed a Red Bull out of the fridge.

Edward scrunched his nose at the can.”How can you drink that stuff?”

“It’s mandatory for people in my field.”Rosalie actually enjoyed the drink. Which was good because she hated coffee and that was the only alternative to get caffeine around school that wasn’t soda.

“Back to you thinking you are leaving. The network was actually wanting you to be on camera more and would like to renegotiate your contract. Before you say no you will be getting a lot more money. Money you just said you needed.”Esme reminded her.

“They can’t offer me the kind of money I need.”Rosalie was not going to renew her contract let alone renegotiate to add more hours to her schedule.

“Rosalie you can’t leave the show. If you do we will likely get canceled.”Edward may not like it but even he knew that people tuned in just to see Rosalie. That was why he tried to have as many scenes with her as he could.”Also think of Alice. There is no way your twin’s girlfriend wants the show to end.”

Rosalie grimaced thinking of Alice. The girl lived to be famous.”Maybe they can do a spinoff with Jasper and Alice. Focus on their wedding.”

"I already talked to the network and they will only do a wedding special if you are a part of the wedding planning and the wedding. They don’t want them for a spinoff.”Esme had been hoping for the pair to get a spinoff. She had tried to get spinoffs for all her children and herself and her husband. The network didn’t want them they wanted Rosalie.

“Are you saying the only way Alice gets her wedding special is if I’m involved?”Rosalie did not like the sound of that.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. They didn’t even want to do a spin off about Emmett’s journey to the NFL without you tagging along helping him train and cheering him on. I pitched a show about me and your father traveling to third world countries so he can treat sick people and they passed on that as well. They said they would give Edward a spinoff about his band if you joined it. The network wants you.”Esme hated that they didn’t want one of the other children because they were more than happy to have their lives filmed.

Rosalie sighed.”So basically our tv dynasty hinges on me.”

“Not basically. It does hinge on you.”Edward corrected.

“Don’t you guys all have other stuff going on though? The show isn’t really that important is it?”Rosalie was sure the family had other interests.

“My band just got dropped from our record company for such poor sales on our last album.”Edward admitted.

“Edward why didn’t you say something?”Rosalie would have helped him if she could.

“I’m saying something now.”Edward didn’t like having to tell Rosalie of all people that he had failed but it needed to be said. The reason he hated telling Rosalie was because he looked up to her and desperately wanted to make her proud of him.

“It hasn’t been released to the public yet but a big malpractice lawsuit against your father has been filed. A lawsuit he isn’t likely to win. He needs the show for his public image and to have an income after his medical license gets taken away.”Esme also needed the show to keep her high standing in society but she wasn’t going to mention that.

“I can’t do more hours. I still have a semester left of school and I need to have time to study and do homework.”Rosalie would put off leaving the show for now while she came up with a solution to her family’s money troubles.

“It really would help if you could get footage of inside the Swan Compound.”Esme said.

“I’m not bringing in any kind of recording equipment. I was given a list of things that are prohibited and all electronics except for medical devices are not allowed. I am expecting us each to be checked before we gain access and I’m not going to jeopardize my chance to get access to the most secure property in the world. Nothing is worth missing out on that.”Rosalie didn’t care what she was offered she wasn’t going to risk not getting into the compound.

“What are you missing out on?”Alice asked when she and Jasper along with Carlisle entered the kitchen.

“Mom was once again trying to get me to sneak camera equipment into the Swan Compound. I was telling her no.”Rosalie explained.

“You would be even more famous if you got footage of it.”Carlisle was more than happy with his family getting more respect and influence.

“I’m not doing it.”Rosalie would never steal secrets.

“It would be interesting to see what it’s like.”Jasper said.

“I am predicting I am going to be shocked and amazed by everything I see.”Rosalie was going to bring handkerchiefs just incase she drooled over all the inventions she was shown.

“I hate that I can’t go with you. I mean I’m not as interested in technology as you are but Isabella Swan and the Swan Compound are such a mystery. There is literally no records of anyone helping her build the compound. Meaning that likely no one but Isabella has been inside it.”Alice always loved a good mystery and there was no bigger mystery than Isabella Swan.

“I’m surprised you are actually getting an invitation to go.”Carlisle had tried everything he could to get an audience with Isabella because he wanted to talk to her about her medical breakthroughs. Especially the ones she made with fake limbs. He wanted to partner with her so that he could be the face of such advancements. That would get him more respect from the world and make him even richer.

“I think my teacher has some type of personal relationship with her because when we asked how she was able to arrange it she refused to tell us. I’m hoping we will find out about Isabella’s personal life when we are there tomorrow.”Rosalie desperately wanted to know the woman behind all of Isabella’s achievements.

“Not much is known about her except she went to MIT and graduated when she was 10. She put out her first product that same year and has never made a public appearance. It’s rumored her parents are dead but that hasn’t been confirmed. There are only pictures from her time at MIT. No one can even claim they talked to her.”Edward and the entire rest of the world knew about Isabella Swan. She was more famous than any other person on the planet.

“I wonder why she is giving your class a tour. I mean no offense to you Rosalie but your school isn’t the top one in the field of robotics.”Jasper didn’t get why Isabella picked Rosalie’s class.

“Like I said I think she has some kind of relationship with my teacher. What that relationship is I don’t know. I am hoping to find out tomorrow.”Rosalie thought that she would figure out their relationship when she observed the pair in person.

“If that is true then you need to befriend your teacher to get closer to Isabella.”Esme wanted Rosalie to make friends with Isabella because of how much prestige having a connection to the woman would bring.

“I’m not going to manipulate my teacher to get close to Isabella.”Rosalie wasn’t going trick anyone into hanging out with her.

“Rosalie think of how good it would be for the family if we could claim a relationship with Isabella. I personally could use the extra help with my reputation. Isabella could be my ticket to getting my license back.”Carlisle knew that Isabella was the key to making him finally be successful like he always wanted. He was only popular currently because he was Rosalie’s father.

“I don’t even know the woman nor do I think I would get a chance to have a conversation with her. Even if I did I’m not going to ask her for favors. She has lived on her compound out of the public eye for years. Which means she has a good reason for not wanting to be exposed to the public. I doubt that she would want to be linked to the most famous family in the world whose entire life is broadcast all over the world.”Rosalie wouldn’t want to befriend herself if she was Isabella. Not that Rosalie didn’t want to be friends with the woman. Rosalie would only admit to herself that Isabella was her personal hero. Rosalie had closely followed her career since she first heard of Isabella when she was 12 years old. She also bought all of Isabella’s products that she could afford that were available to the public. She even had one of the first artificial arms Isabella designed that she bought from a man who upgraded and didn’t want it anymore.

“That may be true but think of the ratings we could get if we got her to appear on our show.”Esme knew they would have sponsors lining up paying top dollar if they could get Isabella on the show.

“Maybe she would let me dress her.”Alice bet if Isabella used her for a personal designer it would bring in more interest in her fashion line.

“How is it going with trying to get a spot in New York fashion week?”Edward asked.

“I got a call back from my agent and they said the only way I’m getting a spot is if Rosalie not only is the main model for the show but that she would have to promise to speak to the press and show up at certain events. Which I know she would have no problem with so I told him that she would do it.”Alice knew Rosalie wouldn’t let her down.

“Alice I have class that entire week that I can’t miss.”Rosalie wasn’t going to skip school to give Alice publicity.

“Rosalie it’s the only way I get to show at New York fashion week. You understand how important this is and besides it’s not like you need to go to school. You are wealthier than any of us.”Alice said.

”Alice I want you to succeed in your fashion career but I don’t model anymore. Also it may not make sense to any of you but school is important to me. I need to do well so I can get a job in the robotics field when I graduate. It’s not about the money it’s about doing what I love.”Rosalie didn’t get why her family was so obsessed with fame and fortune. It always felt shallow and unfulfilling to her and was the reason she stopped modeling even though she was the top paid model in the industry when she quit.

“Rosalie it’s New York fashion week!!”Alice told her.

“I can’t do it I’m sorry. You should have asked me before you promised I would.”Rosalie didn’t like that her family volunteered her for things without asking her. It had been a running theme since her mother signed her up for modeling classes when she was a child. Her family had been riding her coattails into being famous since then.

Alice huffed and looked to Esme.”Esme talk to her.”

“Rosalie it wouldn’t hurt to much if you skipped school for a week. This is very important to Alice. It could be just the thing she needs for her line to take off.”Esme wanted Rosalie to not only help Alice but to get back into modeling. She just knew if Rosalie got a taste of it again she would forget about her robot hobby and return to a better career.

“I’m not doing it. I have repeatedly told you I don’t model and am not going to be involved with your fashion line. You may not like the answer but I’m not changing my mind. Find someone else.”Rosalie wasn’t going to be ganged up on to be forced to agree.

“Why are you being like this?”Alice asked.

“No why are you being like this? I have given you tons of support and in return you sign me up for things that I didn’t agree to that I have said many times I’m not going to do. So the question is why do you not respect me?”Rosalie asked.

“No why don’t you respect me? Are you still mad about me taking Jasper from you? Is that why you are saying no?”Alice knew Rosalie was just jealous of her success.

“You not seeing my side of this is proof of you not respecting me.”Rosalie took Alice turning herself into the victim as the perfect example of Alice not respecting her.

“Babe Rosalie said no let’s not fight about it.”Jasper would speak to Rosalie later after she had some time to think about it. He figured he could help her rearrange her schedule.

“You’re taking her side?”Alice couldn’t believe Jasper was taking Rosalie’s side over hers.

“I’m not taking anyone’s side. I just don’t want us fighting.”Jasper said.

“Fine.”Alice would get the family to back her up and then bring it to Rosalie again.”How is it going with getting us the spin off?”

“They aren’t interested in giving anyone a spin off.”Esme told her.

“Did you pitch the idea for a whole series about the lead up to the wedding and then us settling in as a newly married couple?”Alice wanted her own show. That way she could step out of Rosalie’s shadow.

“They are willing to do a wedding special if Rosalie is involved in not only planning the wedding but is in the wedding itself.”Esme winced when Alice started yelling.

“It’s my wedding!! It has nothing to do with Rosalie!!”Alice didn’t get why everyone loved Rosalie so much.

”I tried to pitch it over a dozen different ways and they will only do it if Rosalie is involved.”Esme would prefer that everyone get their own spinoffs but the network just wanted Rosalie.

“I don’t have time to plan a wedding.”Rosalie had considered it when her mother told her originally but after Alice’s outburst she wasn’t inclined to help the small woman.

“I see how it is. You can’t help me fulfill my dream and you refuse to help me with my wedding. I don’t know what I ever did to make you hate me but get over yourself already Rosalie.”Alice couldn’t stand the fact that her future depended on Rosalie the very person she wanted to be better than.

“Rosalie it’s your twin brother’s wedding. Surely you can help them out with this.”Carlisle thought the public seeing him as a proud father during a wedding would do wonders for his image.

“I can’t dedicate the amount of time the network would want to the show. I barely have time to fulfill the current contract.”Rosalie wasn’t going to rearrange her life for Alice to get more famous.

“We can have the wedding during the off season so it will be like you are just doing a normal shooting schedule.”Esme suggested.

“I don’t want to be on camera anymore. That’s why I don’t want to renew my contract. I am going to be starting my career and I won’t be taken seriously if I’m on realty tv.”Rosalie wanted to be one of the leaders in her field and that wouldn’t happen if she had to be on camera doing stupid shit all the time.

“If they aren’t willing to give us spinoffs then you can’t quit the show.”Carlisle didn’t want to lose his fame like he would if the show ended.

“We have been doing it for over a decade and a half. It’s time to move on and start living our lives for real.”Rosalie didn’t want to be bothered anymore.

“We are just starting to live our lives and you want to pull the plug?”Alice wasn’t surprised that Rosalie was selfish enough to walk away from a good thing.

“It’s about wanting to finally live my own life. You all don’t take me serious about wanting to work in the robotics industry but that’s what I want to do. I’ve got the grades to get myself a decent job when I graduate but I need to have a better public image. The one I currently have now is not one that fits that role.”Rosalie was done with being such a public face.

“Rosalie I know that school and a career are important but you can do it from home like you have done all this time. You said you need better equipment so we can look for sponsorships to get that and anything else you need to be able to do your hobby. The sponsorships and extra money you will get from doing our show plus the other spinoffs will cover all your costs.”Esme thought that was the perfect solution.

“That’s the thing. It’s not a hobby. It’s what I want to dedicate my life to. If anything the show is a hobby.”Rosalie didn’t know how to get through to her family. She was just happy Emmet wasn’t there because he would be the loudest voice in trying to convince her to quit school and focus on the shows.

“Seriously Rosalie think about how it will affect all of us if you quit the show. I know your mother told you about my legal trouble. Not only will I be losing my license but I will be paying out a lot of money. I need the income the show provides to maintain our current lifestyle.”Carlisle told her.

“I told you my band is done so I have nothing right now.”Edward said.

“I haven’t gotten my fashion line off the ground yet and the show is the only way to do that.”Alice hated that Rosalie was the key to Alice being famous and successful.

“I haven’t got anything going on right now except for helping Alice.”Jasper dedicated his life to his fiancé.

“And I manage all of our careers so if the show ended I would have nothing.”Esme tried to get new clients to manage but no one would sign on with her. Even Alice had an agent for her fashion business because Esme didn’t know anything about the industry.

“It’s time for everyone to think of an exit strategy then because I’m not going to do the show for the rest of my life. I have always supported every one of you and it’s time I get that support back.”Rosalie would not be guilted into staying on the show.

“How have you ever supported us?”Alice couldn’t think of any way that Rosalie supported her.

“I have supported you specifically by going to your fashion shows and wearing your clothing in public making sure that everyone knew you were the designer of the outfit. I even threw your engagement party and made sure that big named celebrities and media were there. I have done plenty for you Alice.”Rosalie was not a huge fan of Alice but loved her twin so she supported Alice for Jasper.

Jasper cut in before Alice could upset Rosalie anymore.”And we thank you for that help.”

“Regardless of that Rosalie think of your family’s livelihood. We won’t survive without the income from the show.”Carlisle had no other prospects to earn money from other than the show. He could no longer practice as a doctor and without the show to rebuild his image he had no chance of appealing the decision to get his license back.

“That’s why I said it’s time for everyone to look into other ways to make money. I have put our family first since I was a child and mom put me in modeling classes. I have more than paid my dues. It’s time for you all to step up.”Rosalie had done more than enough to help her family over the years. It was time for them to take care of themselves.

“Rosalie be reasonable. The best way for all of us to make money is for the show to continue. It gives us a way to get free advertisement for our various ventures.”Esme had plans to put out a line of kitchen products to go along with the cookbook she was writing. She was hoping the homemaker role she was going to start playing would sell the products. The public didn’t need to know she was a horrible cook and the book was being written by someone else. It was her new angle now that Carlisle was no longer a doctor.

“I’m not changing my mind. I won’t be on the show forever. I will consider renewing my contract for another season after this one is over but that’s it. I’m not signing on for more hours however. After that I’m done.”Rosalie thought giving them two seasons was reasonable.

“Then you need to be more involved in my fashion line.”Alice was sure that the family could figure out a way to get Rosalie to sign on to longer than two seasons.

“I’m not being involved in your fashion line anymore than to wear your clothing places. I don’t model anymore nor will I ever again.”Rosalie wouldn’t even think about modeling. Unless it was to sell a product she personally invented.

“You are so selfish Rosalie.”Alice knew she could get Rosalie to help her she just needed to brainstorm.

“You saying things like that makes me want to help you even less.”Rosalie put up with a lot of abuse from Alice and it just made it easier to tell her no.

“You don’t want to help me because you are afraid that once I make it big you will be forgotten about.”Alice knew that Rosalie couldn’t stand that Alice was more talented than her.

Rosalie rolled her eyes.“Sure Alice that’s exactly it. You have me all figured out.”

“I’m glad you can finally admit it. Now I will send you the schedule for fashion week.”Alice was happy that Rosalie was seeing things her way.

“I have told you numerous times in this conversation that I will not be involved in fashion week. If you try to sign me up for anything I will put out a public statement that I never agreed to help you at all and you went behind my back to promise I would do things without my permission.”Rosalie had a feeling that she was going to have to do it no matter what.

“Sure Rosalie.”Alice didn’t take Rosalie seriously. She wouldn’t do anything to embarrass the family and doing that would embarrass Alice. Alice being Jasper’s fiancé would have Rosalie being extra careful to treat her well because Rosalie loved her twin so much.

“I mean it Alice. I won’t put up with you speaking for me. That goes for all of you. I have put up with all of you volunteering me for various things without my permission but no more. I am trying to be a respected professional and that won’t happen if I am doing reality tv and having a modeling career. The only publicity I want is any for my inventions and breakthroughs in robotics. The other stuff doesn’t matter to me anymore.”Rosalie didn’t think it would matter to her ever again.

“Maybe you can do a spinoff show where you focus on your projects like the network has been trying to get you to do.”Esme had been pushing Rosalie to do the show because the network was offering big money for it and Esme would get a nice commission for being Rosalie’s manager. That and the family would get paid for cameos on the show.

Rosalie sighed.”I not only don’t want to be on camera anymore the things I work on can’t be made public. It would allow people to steal the designs.”

“It’s not like you are going to be designing anything sensitive.”Carlisle was hoping Rosalie focused on the medical field so that he could be credited with helping her invent things.

“Everything dealing with technology is considered sensitive because someone else could steal the design and patent it before you do.”Rosalie wasn’t willing to risk it.

“What about the idea they had for you to have a show about you restoring old cars?”Edward liked that idea because he had planned to help Rosalie find the cars and look for parts. It would make him a permanent feature on the show.

“I don’t want to be on camera.”Rosalie didn’t know how to get through to these people.

“We could work the car show to film with your current schedule so that it wouldn’t cut into your other commitments.”Esme knew that the network would do anything to get Rosalie to star in her own show. The car show was one of their top ideas because the world went crazy for Rosalie fixing anything.

“The show in no way benefits me or any of you in any way.”Rosalie didn’t see how the show would help the family.

“The network is offering to pay us for cameos on the show so if we each could be somehow involved in the projects then we would get paid. That way you get to do something you like doing anyway while helping out the family.”Esme thought it was the perfect solution to helping the family.

Rosalie thought about how feasible that would be. She didn’t want to do it but if she did then she could use it as a way to get her family off her back while helping them set up their futures so she didn’t have to continue the other show.”How much money are they offering everyone?”

“For you they are offering 8 million dollars an episode.”Esme had been shocked by the offer but it made sense.

“Rosalie you have to say yes.”Edward didn’t think even Rosalie could say no to that.

“If they are offering Rosalie that much I can’t imagine what they are offering us.”Carlisle was expecting a nice payday.

Esme winced thinking about their expected salary.”They are only offering us 100 thousand dollars an episode and we have to be on it in a meaningful way.”

“What does that mean?”Alice was insulted that Rosalie was being offered so much more than they were.

“I mean that we can’t just come on the show and talk about random things. We have to be involved in the car project that Rosalie is working on. So no going on the show and plugging our current projects.”Esme was still going to plug whatever the family was doing she just was going to be subtle about it.

“What do you think Rosalie?”Jasper wouldn’t have a hard time talking about cars with Rosalie because he enjoyed cars a lot. It was something he bonded with his twin about. Even though Rosalie was much more knowledgeable about the subject Jasper still could keep up with most of what Rosalie talked about.

“Let me look over the contract and my schedule.”Rosalie had long ago learned not to just sign whatever her mother gave her. Rosalie had her own lawyer that looked over all her contracts and dealt with all her other legal issues. A lawyer that didn’t work for anyone else in the family.

“I will have the network draw up the contract.”Esme hated that Rosalie didn’t just let her deal with her contracts because it made it hard to get Rosalie to agree to the terms Esme would prefer.

“With that said I’m going to my garage. I want to work on the list of questions I am going to try asking Isabella if I get the chance.”Rosalie grabbed another two red bulls out of the fridge.

“Please reconsider bringing in a camera or even recording equipment so that you can get Isabella’s voice on tape.”Carlisle knew even hearing the woman’s voice would be of interest to the public.

“That or a camera to get a picture of her.”Edward thought that the press would pay a lot of money for a picture of Isabella.

“It’s not happening.”Rosalie wasn’t going to jeopardize her chance to meet Isabella just so she could make a few bucks.

“Just think about it.”Esme had already talked to the network about Rosalie getting camera equipment into the compound and was planning on rigging Rosalie’s stuff with some of it without Rosalie knowing.

“Sure.”Rosalie didn’t want to fight about it anymore.

“I will stop by later to see you.”Jasper wanted to talk to Rosalie about Alice’s fashion show.

“That’s fine.”Rosalie wouldn’t mind seeing her brother even though she knew that he likely was going to try and convince her to help Alice.

“I have some things I want you to give to Isabella for me that I’ll have prepared before you leave.”Carlisle had written a letter and a proposal for Isabella to look over in hopes of her working with him. Since she refused to meet with him Carlisle would take the opportunity of Rosalie getting the chance to pass on his information.

“I will get it before I leave.”Rosalie wasn’t giving Isabella anything but knew that just like with everything concerning her trip it would just start a fight if she said no.”I’m going to order out for dinner so I will see you in the morning.”

“Alright.”Esme would use the opportunity to place the cameras and recording devices. She was just happy that Rosalie liked to plan the week ahead when it came to clothing.

“See you.”Rosalie made her way out of the kitchen and walked towards the garage. It was actually more than just a garage. It had a large office and a living room set up as well as four bays for fixing cars with all the best equipment needed to fix all different types of vehicles. To include top of the line tools and machinery. Rosalie had designed it herself against the wishes of her mother who didn’t want Rosalie doing such a manly hobby. Rosalie hadn’t cared. She loved anything to do with machines and technology. Thinking about the next day Rosalie was excited to go to the Swan Compound and hopefully meet Isabella. Rosalie would be extremely disappointed if she didn’t get to at least see the woman. It would be a dream to put a face with the person Rosalie had put on a pedestal. Isabella was godlike in Rosalie’s eyes and Rosalie would hate if all they saw was the compound and not the person responsible for it. Rosalie was hoping that not only would she see Isabella but that she would get to ask Isabella some questions. It would be hard not asking personal questions but Rosalie would refrain as to not be rude. That didn’t mean she didn’t have hundreds if not thousands of questions about Isabella’s many inventions. Rosalie also wanted to know about what Isabella was currently working on. Rosalie was sure it was something groundbreaking and amazing. Just like everything else Isabella invented.