Alice Replies

Chapter One – Always and Forever

APOV

The first letter came two months ago. I had kept it to myself, although, everyone knew something was wrong. I'd checked my old e-mail, just to see what was going on. There was only one non-junk letter; from my best friend in the whole world: Isabella Marie Swan.

Dear Alice,

I love you. Never forget that please. My memory fades every second of the day. Sometimes, I wonder if you're really real. I don't know anymore. I can't eat, it reminds me of him. School calls everyday and demands my presence. I tried to go one day; that lasted about until I got to the parking lot and he wasn't there.

Please do something. It feels like huge whole has been punched in my chest. How does time go on?

Always and Forever,

Isabella Swan

The first thing I realized that was wrong was that she signed her full name. I'd never seen her do that. Ever. Secondly, I knew she was sick. She might not notice it, but she was. She needs to eat. So, I'd decided to write back.

Dear Bella,

I love you too. I won't forget that. How could I? It's not physically possible. I can promise you, we're real. You wouldn't be getting this if it wasn't. You need to go back to school. I'll write more often, just go back. PLEASE eat. You know that he would want you to be healthy. You're not. As for the whole, it will slowly fill. I love with for all eternity. I wish I could come back.

Eternally,

Alice Cullen

I sent the message and closed my lap top just as Carlisle walked in.

"Hello Alice." He sighed. His voice wasn't the same as before. It was darker.

"Carlisle." I greeted him.

"You sound…lighter." He turned to face me. I felt lighter; finally some way to communicate with her.

"Maybe," I sighed.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," I lied. "Just, happy thoughts." My thoughts were anything but happy. We were killing a person, human, and not doing anything about it. Well, I was.

"I've got to go to work." He said. He'd been taking double shifts at the hospital. "Tell Esme I said hello and that I'll be back around five." They only saw each other in the evenings anymore since Esme had taken a job as an interior designer at a place in Eli (Minnesota) and had to leave at four thirty to be there by six, driving human speed.

"Have a nice day." I sighed. He nodded and left.

I sat on the couch and waited for Rosalie to come down stairs. She and Emmett had separate rooms here and only talked when they had to. Rosalie missed Edward- he'd run off to Rio and lived in a cellar somewhere- and Emmett missed Bella and Edward. Jasper couldn't stand the emotion, so he'd gone to Denali for a while. I didn't go because I knew he needed a break from the sadness, including mine, but I called him every day.

"Hi Ali." Rose said.

"Hey." She sat down by me.

"You okay?" She asked. She asked this everyday out of routine.

"No."

"Me neither."

"Rose?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." I said.

"I love you too Alice." She hugged me.

"You… you should go t…talk to Emmett." I choked out through the sadness.

"Why?"

"Because, he's your husband, you love him. Don't deny it." As soon as I finished, she disappeared and my computer beeped. I jumped. I'd gotten an e-mail. I opened it and read who it was from; Bella.

Dear Alice,

Oh! Thank you for writing back!!!!!!!! I love you so, so, so much! I'd have written sooner, but I was crying so hard at the thought of you actually caring, I couldn't think straight.

Charlie took me to the hospital yesterday. He said that I wasn't healthy and that he was going to permanently leave me there if I didn't go, so I went. Dr. Gerandy said that I have 'mental issues' but he doesn't understand. His reason for existing hasn't ever dumped him. The hospital was hard. Carlisle's replacement…well, let's just say not as good. I miss you Alice, so much. I miss him too. Please respond soon. I love you.

Always and Forever,

Isabella Swan