It couldn't be possible. Edward wouldn't be so careless as to let Bella become pregnant, could he? My vision was probably going, or maybe it was my imagination running wild. Hopefully one of those two, because I couldn't imagine what it would be like if…
No. It wasn't happening, Bella wasn't pregnant.
"Hey, Alice, are you okay?" Esme said, as I sat in the kitchen chair, staring at my hands, which were intertwined. I realized then I was sweaty and nervous, as if the possibility was true.
"Yes, I'm fine. Do you know where Carlisle is?" I said, standing and turning to face her. She looked worried, but didn't question me.
"Yes, he's in his study."
I moved fluidly up the stairs and into Carlisle's study, halting in front of his desk. He looked up at me from his papers, a worried expression on his face.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
I took a deep breath. "I'm probably being ridiculous, or something, but I just had a vision…that Bella was pregnant," I said, rushing it as fast as I could. Carlisle stiffened, but calmly reached over for the phone and dialed.
"Are you calling them?" I asked. He ignored me and concentrated on the phone, his eyebrows drawn together, a worried expression on his face.
After a long time, someone answered. Carlisle began talking in a low voice, asking if Bella was alright, if she'd been nauseous, if there'd been any change in her sleeping patterns. He finally confirmed my vision, telling Edward (presumably) that he suspected Bella was pregnant.
He hung up, but left his hand on the phone.
"What…are they coming home?" I pressed, putting my palms on his desk and leaning forward to look into his face.
"Yes," he said shortly. I waited for a longer explanation, but none come, so I retreated to my bedroom. I tried to concentrate on a book, but I couldn't help but think what kind of child Bella was carrying. Finally, a knock came on my door.
"Yes?" I called, hoping it was Carlisle.
Jasper's head poked around the door.
"Oh," I said.
"What's wrong?" he said, crossing the room in two long strides and sitting next to me on the couch. I glanced over at him, wondering how he'd take it. But, I couldn't feel stressed out about it, or anything else, really, because he was calming me down. Typical Jasper.
"Bella's pregnant," I said, whispering it. I was almost afraid to say it out loud, as if that validated it further. He sat next to me in silence for awhile.
"Wow."
I nodded, glancing at his face. He was expressionless, a statue, but I could tell he was somewhat distressed.
"Do you think they're going to be okay? Both of them, not just Bella. I mean obviously Edward's going to be fine physically, although I can't say the same for Bella. But I mean, emotionally, mentally…how do you think they're doing?" I said, unable to contain all my questions to myself for any longer. Jasper threw me a quick smile and squeezed my hand.
"I think they're fine. I'm not sure how this will turn out for Bella, however…" he drifted off, staring into space.
I sighed. Everyone in this house over-thought everything. I mean, Bella would pull through! She had to. What would Edward's life be without her? What would any of our lives be without her? She was almost the glue that held us together.
In a way, I was grateful she came along. She provided Edward with unlimited happiness, gave all of us a bit of humanity, helped us all one way or another. But if she ever disappeared, or if something ever happened to her…what would become of Edward? What if he disappeared, again? Emmett would be depressed, which would cause Rosalie pain, also. I'd be bored, lonely, as well. And Jasper…I wouldn't pay much attention to him. And Esme would be distraught, and Carlisle, as well…
"I'm going to go speak with Carlisle," Jasper said suddenly, releasing my hand and exiting my room. I sighed and closed my door behind him.
After what seemed like eternity, Carlisle knocked on my door and told me we were going to the airport to pick up Bella and Edward.
"All of us?" I asked, following behind him in the hallway.
"Yes," he said shortly, and I didn't question him further.
When we finally got to the airport and found Bella and Edward, I held out my arms, expecting a hug. But Bella didn't come over to my right away; instead she fell into Rosalie's outstretched arms.
I threw a questioning glance at Edward, but he was staring at the two, puzzled, as well. Obviously he didn't know what was going on, either.
"Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, Edward, Alice, Emmett—Bella has decided to keep her baby," Rosalie said firmly, looking at all of us. Edward looked aghast.
"Keep…she can't possibly! It will destroy her!" he said, almost roaring. Passerby glanced at us; an unusually beautiful collection of people, all stressed, all staring at the most normal looking one out of us.
"It's her decision, Edward," Rosalie said in a formal, clipped tone. We all glanced at each other.
"Um…even if something does happen…I can become a…v—" Bella began, but Edward cut her off.
"No! You're going to become a vampire on your own terms, not because you have no other choices!" he said, as we began moving back to the parking lot.
"But, Edward, you never wanted to turn me into a vampire when I could live such a long life!" Bella protested. "Now it'll be because the only other choice is death!"
Edward's face was expressionless as we rode home in silence.
When we got home, we immediately set up an already very-pregnant-looking Bella on the couch and hovered around, not knowing what to do next. I tried to glance into Bella's future, see if she'd really have to turn into a vampire, or if she'd be alright on her own. But…I couldn't. Something was blocking my vision, as if I were surrounded by werewolves.
I gave a little gasp of shock at this new revelation, and all heads turned to me.
"What's wrong?" Jasper demanded, immediately at my side.
"Nothing, I…I can't see anything, that's all," I said, glaring at Bella's stomach. She put her hands protectively on it.
"Why are you looking at me?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Well, I mean…obviously that thing in you…it's blocking my vision."
She glared back at me, but said nothing.
"Alice, maybe you should stay upstairs," Carlisle said, his voice gentle but unswerving. I sighed, but didn't argue. This wasn't the time for it.
I retreated in my bedroom, lying on the floor, listening to the hushed voices discussing the possibilities, and Rosalie's sharp voice insisting on saving the baby. Not even caring about Bella, just selfishly wishing it was her baby.
I sighed, and stared at the ceiling. What was going to happen?