Luscious, sparkling blood

"Hey, Bella!" Alice opens the door and hugs me tightly.

"I bet you saw me coming, didn't you?" I chuckle. Alice looks at me all happy and then pulls me inside. "Of course I saw you coming. That's what I do." We both chuckle and walk through the house, straight to the kitchen where the rest of the family is waiting for us.

"Bella. How lovely to see you again!" Esme smiles while hugging me tightly. "Alice told us you were on your way, so we prepared you something to eat. Lunch?" I feel my face turn all red and smile at Alice. "Yes, thank you, Esme." I sit down at the breakfast bar and look at Rosalie. "Everything okay?" Alice sits down next to me and speaks to me before Rosalie gets a chance. "Emmett and Rosalie are in a fight," Alice chuckles.

"That is not funny, Alice!"

I could have sworn that Rosalie's face turned a little red, even though that's impossible. I chuckle softly, carefully, seeing her burning eyes looking at me. Esme quickly puts a plate in front of me on the bar and I look at it. It really looks delicious and I start eating straight away. After a few bites I turn to Alice and start talking again.

"Where is Edward?"

"He's not here today," Alice answers. "He, Emmett and Jasper are out on a hunting trip. They left this morning, and I think they will be back later tonight." Alice looks at me and sees my worried eyes. "They will be fine, of course. Nothing to worry about, at all." I nod at her and have difficulty with eating any more food. "Bella, they are fine. You know they always return and nothing ever happens to them. Believe me, if something would happen, I'd know before them." She winks at me and then I start to smile again. Of course, Alice always knows those things. I have nothing to worry about. I just don't understand why Edward didn't tell me he would be gone today.

"Edward left you something in his room. You can go see what it is now if you like. I already know, because I helped him," Alice chuckles. I smile back at her and thank Esme for the perfect lunch. "It was my pleasure, Bella," Esme nods and I turn around to head for the big staircase. How can it be that they are always so nice to me? I smile and walk upstairs, reaching Edwards room in just a few seconds. On his bed lies a big gift box with a smaller one on the top. "Oh, no. What did they get me this time? When it comes to gifts, Alice and Edward are the most generous givers. I start with opening the smallest box and find inside a wristband with my name and address on it. The band is bright orange, it almost hurts my eyes looking at it. Is this a joke? I start opening the second box and then I suddenly understand. Inside the box is a bikini, nicely wrapped in see-through foil. I take it out and admire the beautiful fabric. It is a black and brown bikini, with lace around the edges. It is absolutely the prettiest bikini I've ever seen. Quickly I start to undress myself and put on the new clothes. It looks amazing, even on me. My skin is pale and my body isn't the most curved one, but I just can't deny it. This bikini really flatters my figure. When I turn around I see Alice standing in the doorway.

"Isn't it pretty? I knew you would love it!"

I smile and nod. "This is gorgeous, Alice, thank you."

She walks in the room and stops next to me. "Turn, turn, let me see!" She's almost cheering with happiness. I turn a few times and laugh out loud. "Alice, I'm get dizzy. Tell me you've seen it all now." We both smile. "You can keep it on, since you and me are going to the beach, today!" I can hear in her voice that she can barely wait to get going. "Here," she adds, while handing me a brown dress. "This can go on top. Much more.. sunny!" I hold the dress in front of me and smile at Alice again. "Thank you."I put on the dress over my bikini and shiver. The fabric of the dress is soft and cold, it feels so good. As if Edward is standing against me, bare chest pressed to me..

"Are you ready? We should go if we want to have enough time to actually have our feet in the sand." Alice pulls me out of my daydream and I blink.

"Yes. Let's go!" As we walk down the stairs I realize I never thought of Alice with her feet in the sand. I thought of her as a person who never did things like that, especially since she can't be in the sun with other people close by. Thinking of that..

"Hey, Alice. How can we go to the beach if people can not see you in the sun?" "Easy, private beach, of course," Alice smiles. "Just us there today. Normally the whole family goes there for private amusement." I nod and follow her outside to her car. Edward finally gave her the yellow Porsche she asked for a long time ago. We both get in the car and get on our way to the Cullen private beach.

"We're here!" Alice cheers and I wake up from a daydream about Edward. I was thinking of how he was hunting dangerous animals at this very moment. Such a scary thing to think about..
"Edward is fine, Bella," Alice smiled warmly. "I know you're always right, Alice, thank you." She nods and together we walk to the white sand beach close by. "Do you actually swim, Alice?" I should know the answer already since vampires are good at almost everything. "Sure," She answers. "I just don't do it a lot. Why get my hair wet if there's no good reason?" I chuckle and Alice to. "Good point." We get undressed and walk in our swimwear to the waterline. Quickly I dip my toe in the water and pull back even quicker. "Oh no, it's way too cold today to swim!" I moan loudly. Alice laughs out loud and walks into the water. Of course she's not cold. It wouldn't surprise me if Alice thought the water was warm, compared to her body warmth. I walk back to our clothes and sit down on a soft towel. Alice is still in the water, somewhere. I can't see her from here and wait a little for her to come back up. If only I could hold my breath that long.. I keep looking at the water but still no Alice to be found. Why is she taking so long? Is she stuck somewhere? I begin to worry, really bad, and pace close to the waterline. Ok, I'm going in.

I try to block out how cold the water actually is and think of Alice, maybe needing my help. I walk faster and deeper into the water, until it is deep enough to dive. I take a deep breath and let myself sink under water. The water is more clear that I would have expected. Sadly enough, I can't see Alice. Where is she. My heart is pounding in my throat while I get more nervous every second. I have to go back up to get air. The wind is cold in my hair. Before I can sink down again I feel two hands around my ankles.

"Damn it, Alice!" I shout.

I sink under water again and see her face right in front of me. Wow. I wish I looked like her. Her hair flows lightly with the movement of the water and her eyes are a perfect golden colour, even brighter now. She swims away from me and then comes back, showing me a beautiful seashell. Her lips are even more red now. They look so warm, instead of ice cold. As if for this moment she is a human like me.. Her smile makes me smile to and for a second I forget to breathe. I almost choke on a breath filled with water, and quickly Alice lifts me up out of the water.

"Are you okay!? Bella, say something." Alice looks worried above my face. I see the water on her face, making her sparkle even more than the sun.

"Yes, I'm fine, I think."

We walk back through the water to the beach and sit down on the towel. Alice hands me a bottle of water, to make the salty seawater leave my mouth. "Thanks." Alice nods and I quickly take a sip. Much better. I feel weird but I look up at her face. What happened under water? The water has dried from her face, and the sun is now touching Alice's skin. I can barely make my eyes look somewhere else. And her lips, so cold, but deep red, like under water..

"How is the water?"

I hear his voice and look up behind me.

"Edward.." I sigh.