This story is an AU beginning in New Moon when Edward calls to see if Bella is really dead. It is my take on what might have happened if Bella had answered the phone instead of Jacob. I know there are tons of these too, but I guess that's becoming a recurring theme in my writing. The story is inspired by the New Moon extra listed on Stephanie Meyer's website entitled "Rosalie's News." The italicized print at the beginning is taken directly from it. If you haven't read it, go read it now! In this version, instead of Jacob answering the phone himself, he picks it up and hands it to Bella. It is EPOV.
All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
If Bella Answered the Phone
I sat in the dusty darkness for a long, frozen space. It was like time had ended. Like the universe had stopped.
Slowly, moving like an old man, I turned my phone back on and dialed the one number I'd promise myself I'd never call again.
If it was her, I would hang up. If it was Charlie, I'd get the information I needed through subterfuge. I'd prove Rosalie's little sick joke wrong, and then go back to my nothingness.
The phone was picked up, and it took a long agonizing second before I heard the voice, the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard in my entire existence. "Hello?" My breath was knocked from my chest as I heard it. It was Bella. My beautiful Bella. She was alive. She was safe in her home. The painful relief washed over me. I could hang up now.
But I couldn't. Hearing her voice was like a healing balm. It was the most alive I had felt since I'd left her side. I couldn't give it up yet. This little bit of joy was so potent that it even overshadowed the anger I felt toward Rosalie for lying to me. I didn't care. She was already forgiven because her lie had led me to be able to hear Bella's voice.
"Hello?" She said again, sounding annoyed now. I imagined her confused face. Hang up. I told myself. Hang up, damn it. I couldn't do it. My fingers refused to obey. I wanted to answer. I wanted to tell her I loved her. I knew I couldn't, but I couldn't hang up either. I would wait. I would get as much out of this as I could, maybe she would talk a little more before hanging up. This was the last time I'd ever hear her voice. It was a gift. I was going to milk it for whatever I could.
"Who is it, Bella?" I didn't know the voice. It was a young man's voice, sounding like he was speaking right into the receiver, not in the background. Standing close to Bella.
"There's no one there. Jake—" I heard scuffling, like he took the phone out of her hand. Jake. It was Jacob Black, it must be.
"Who is this?" He sounded angry, protective. "What do you want?" I didn't answer, stunned, annoyed that I had to hear his voice now instead of Bella's. "Pretty stupid to prank call the Police Chief's house don't you think? Don't call here again, understand?" He said, emphasizing each word, then slammed the phone down.
I sat in stunned silence for a long time. I don't know how long. I tried to organize my thoughts. First and foremost, Bella wasn't dead. Despite my utter happiness, it will take some time to recover from the pain I'd felt in the few seconds that I thought she might be. Hearing her voice was such a mixture of joy and longing. I wanted so badly to be with her, to hold her in my arms, hear her heartbeat, breathe in her scent and know she was completely safe.
I suddenly thought of Tyler's van, skidding toward her at deadly speed. And the men in Port Angeles. I had called her a magnet for trouble. Why exactly did I think she would be safe just because the vampires left? Was she safe? What is to stop her from really jumping off a cliff?
Jacob Black was with her. He certainly sounded protective of her on the phone. Was he strong enough to look after her and keep her safe? Why would he want to do that? Were they together? Did she love him now? Had she forgotten me already and replaced me in her heart? That would mean she was over me. It would mean she was happy. It was what I had wanted. It was what was best for Bella. I couldn't stand it. What if…what if she was safe in his arms right now? What if he was kissing her…or…or touching her?
At that thought I felt my sanity slip away. I had to get to her, right now.