Karma

"Hey guys," Alice bounded into the den, a smile of grand anticipation spread across her face. If I didn't know better I would've thought she'd just won a million dollars but knowing Alice her excitement was far more interesting than the prospect of being rich. Everyone turned toward her as she plopped down in Jasper's lap. "Full moon tonight and it's Halloween." It was obvious by the tone of her voice that she had designed a plan. This was not just an invitation; it was going to be more like a demand. "A celebration is required." She added rather bluntly.

"The last time we celebrated Halloween, we ended up in big trouble. The Volturi are sure to be watching for anything suspicious." Rose rolled her eyes as if just the idea had given her a stomach ache. Playing the angel of the family was not her strong suit and even I had to snicker at her attempt. She let out a heavy sigh and pointed one red nailed finger at me. "Bite off Edward, it's no joking matter! Carlisle will have our hides if our antics garner the attention of the Volturi again."

I hissed in response, "Has anyone said we were going out looking for trouble?" I crossed my arms across my chest and locked an intense, rather stubborn stare on her. "Well?"

For a moment, she merely scowled at me from where she was sitting on the couch across the room. She gave a huff, "Why do you have to be such an ass?" She pitched one of the throw pillows at me which she immediately got in return, the pillow smacking her in the forehead before falling into the floor.

"Come on guys, its Halloween, it's a holiday that calls for celebration." Alice insisted her voice interrupting the staring contest that had ensued between me and Rose. "I have the perfect place and we need a break from this house." She jumped up, pulling Jasper up behind her and let her gaze drift around the room. "No excuses, we're going out. Everyone be ready to leave in twenty minutes."

"Alice," Bella piped up as everyone filed out of the den and into the main part of the house. "Where exactly are we going, or do I want to know?" She followed as Alice practically drug her up the stairs.

"Stop worrying, it's going to be a blast." Alice insisted pulling Bella into her room and shutting the door. She rummaged through the closet and after a moment turned, "Here," She handed her a pair of stonewashed, tight fitting, rhinestone encrusted jeans and a midnight blue velvet peasant blouse with long, fall-away sleeves. "Wear this with your spike heeled boots." She shoved Bella into the dressing room to change as she finished her own outfit. "The boys had better be spiffy looking because you just don't go clubbing without the proper attire."

"What?!" Bella shrieked as it dawned on her what Alice had planned. "Alice, that's crazy, it's...I mean it's asking for trouble." She insisted stepping out of the dressing room clothed in the outfit that Alice had chosen. "Carlisle will kill us."

"Oh pffffttt, Carlisle needs to loosen up," Alice styled Bella's hair then her own, adding the jewelry last before taking Bella by the arm and dragging her back downstairs.

"Alice," Bella turned to face her as they waited in the living room for the boys. "This is Carlisle you're complaining about remember?"

Alice gave a nonchalant nod as if the gravity of her complaint about Carlisle was totally moot in the big scheme of things. She turned as Rose presented herself dressed in black jeans and a sherbet orange baby-doll top that was more lace than actual material. "Nice costume," she retorted with an over-eager grin.

"Stuff it Alice," Rose snorted rolling her eyes. Bella couldn't help but snicker once it dawned on her what Alice had been hinting at when she made the comment. Leave it to Rosalie to go out to a club looking like one of those upscale hookers that roamed the business district of Seattle.

The thundering of footsteps on the stairs marked the entrance of the Cullen boys all three of which were dressed in a way that to anyone of the female sex would be to die for. Emmett vaulted over the stair railing, nearly knocking an expensive Ming vase from its perch on one of the end tables. He gave Rose a pinch on the ass which landed him a swift elbow to the stomach in return. He turned to Alice, "So what's the plan and have you told Esme?"

"Not yet," Alice answered as Jasper put his arms around her middle from behind. She turned to inspect him briefly giving him a nod of approval while making a minor adjustment to his hair.

"Esme's going to freak," Bella insisted relaxing into my arms as I put them around her waist. "I now know for sure that Alice is crazy." She watched Alice gather her things, being sure to put in her purse extra makeup and such just in case it was needed.

"Of course," Alice merely smiled and there were horns showing beneath her pixie halo. "Thanks for the compliment."

I gave my wife a quizzical, half amused, look as final preparations were made and Alice left to go tell Esme that we were going out for a few hours. "No one ever said that Alice didn't possess a vivid imagination along with enough energy to power the whole of Seattle for a year." She didn't have to tell me what Alice was planning. I had not been gifted with the ability to read minds and thoughts for nothing. "Edward, if we find trouble because of this…" she adjusted the sleeves of her blouse nervously, "And what about Ness, whose going to watch over her while we're out?"

"I'm sure Esme won't mind," I insisted trying to listen in on the conversation that was going on between Alice and Esme in the dining room. "And if we find trouble, Esme will be the least of our problems." I muttered as Alice returned her expression one of excited pleasure. I raised my eyebrow at her not sure if I wanted the news.

She smiled, "Let's go, I told Esme we would be back exactly one hour before Carlisle gets home from work." She motioned us toward the door, pitching Emmett his keys as he passed in front of her.

"There had best be no trouble…" Esme warned as we filed out the door. "I expect you all back here by 2 a.m. Carlisle will be home at 3."