The half remembered dream startled her awake. She'd had the same one since that first day of school, when she wasn't dreaming about Edward and the mystery surrounding him. Mystery solved and her relationship with the vampire sound, the mystery dream seemed to be taking over, though she could never quite remember it upon waking.
Tired, she gratefully poured the cup of coffee Charlie had left her when he'd gone to work and ignored the brief flirtation her mind had of eating any breakfast. A knock on her door startled her and mug of coffee left on the table she went to let Alice in, "I forgot." She told her new friend, "Sorry."
"Are you alright Bella? Only Jasper says you've been feeling a bit… down and we've been planning this trip to Seattle all week."
"No, no, I'm fine, just tired and um, I miss my mom, that's probably what he's feeling."
Alice observed her for a few minutes before nodding slowly in agreement, "OK, well why don't you get ready and you can nap in the car while I drive, unless you don't want to go any more. I'm sure I can just order a dress online."
"No, I want to go." Bella forced a smile, "Really, just give me a minute to get ready."
"Great." Alice beamed at her and Bella hurried up the steps to get dressed, she'd promised to go with Alice to Seattle for the weekend. Alice wanted to find the perfect dress for Prom since it would be on the anniversary of her meeting Jasper and since Bella was human, they were all planning to attend this year."
"Alice?" Bella asked in the car.
"Hm?"
"Did you and Jasper get married the same day or something, is that why it's such an important anniversary?"
"Jasper and I aren't married." Alice frowned at her.
"Oh, I just, I mean, I assumed, I'm sorry."
"It's ok." Alice sent her an almost sad smile, "I do love him, that's why this anniversary is important, we celebrate being together every decade and this is our fifth but we're," Alice sighed, "It's easier to let everyone believe we are what we aren't, I mean the family all knows of course and we are together but, well, Jasper and I aren't mates."
"What?" Bella practically jumped in her seat.
Alice chuckled, "Like I said, the family knows and he and I have never been married but we are companions so its just easier to let people believe we're a couple instead of best friends who sometimes take physical comfort in each other. I didn't mean to keep it secret from you or anything, actually I figured Edward would have told you when he told you about each of us."
"He didn't, well I mean he did but only very little, he said it was all your stories to tell. I've only ever heard about his and Carlisle's past."
"Oh." Alice seemed genuinely surprised, "How very… Edward of him." She sighed and sent a smile, "He can be very sensitive, really he's just so very private and doesn't like to talk about others because his insight into our thoughts can get muddled with what is said and he hates the idea he might betray someone's confidence, especially the ones he's got from our heads and not our mouths." Alice sent a smile to her, "I suppose that's a bit convoluted and confusing, needless to say, it was just very… Edward, of him not to say."
Bella nodded, unsure what to add, "I'm sure it's hard for him, knowing the things he does."
"It is." Alice agreed, "It can be hard for us both knowing some things even when we maybe shouldn't know them."
"I'm so sorry Alice." Bella had never thought too much on the burden of their gifts, "Jasper too, it must be so difficult."
Alice nodded and sent her a sad smile, "It's even harder for him sometimes, before we met, well we were both sort of alone in it, me especially, Jasper, he saved me, even before he knew me, he was my beacon, a rock I held onto. I owe him everything, he'd tell it different of course."
"What do you mean?"
"When I woke to this life, I remembered nothing, just darkness and the burning, my name and that there was no one, that I was alone, that I'd been alone a long time."
"Oh Alice." Bella wished she could hug the pixie vampire but she was still driving.
Alice sent her a sad smile before focusing back on the road and continuing, "I had a vision, it scared me so much, then I had another and another. I saw people approaching, I saw me killing them, I saw the Cullen's. It took me a long time to teach myself their ways but I worked so hard at it, all the time and I knew, I knew one day I'd find them and we'd be family because besides my name, I knew, without a doubt that my visions were real. I held the visions of the Cullen's and that hope very closely, knowing one day I'd be with them, but I never went looking for them. I was afraid, being alone, but the visions of Jasper, of meeting him, of loving him came too and I saw that in all the images of the Cullen's Jasper was with me and I knew I needed him first. I was still afraid, that my visions made me a freak, that I wouldn't be wanted, all I could do was have faith in those visions but I was so alone Bella, a freak even to my own kind. Then I met him. I was so excited in the diner, I didn't have time to be nervous or afraid he wouldn't like me because I saw that he would, that once I met him, I would never have to be alone again. I held onto that, even more than the Cullen's, for ninety years he's been my rock and from that day, fifty years ago, he's made sure I'm safe and happy and never ever alone, especially in the dark." She laughed, "A vampire who sees perfectly at night and I'm still afraid to be alone in the dark."
"Alice." Bella's eyes were brimming with tears as she reached over and took her friend's hand, squeezing it with all her strength.
"Like I said," Alice turned to smile at her, "I owe him everything. That day in the diner changed my life, he showed me friendship and even love and together we found the Cullen's. Sometimes I wish I loved him like that, in the forever way of Carlisle and Esme but I don't and he doesn't love me like that. He's my very best friend, over the years we have taken physical comfort in each other but its more… emotional than physical or even mental compatibility." She smirked at me, "Jasper and I don't have very much in common, I'm sure you noticed."
"I just, I thought, you seem, well so much in love."
"We are, it's just not that kind of love." Alice explained. "Jasper doesn't just know my every emotion Bella, he knows everything behind every emotion, I tell him everything and he tells me everything, even the things he doesn't like to talk about. I think we know each other better than we know ourselves and that kind of bond, its rare, especially between those who aren't mates, I suppose its why we come off as mates."
"So you aren't even a couple?"
Alice shrugged, "I guess we are, I mean, we're companions. We do everything together, share everything, we are even physical sometimes, I just mean we aren't mates, so we never married and one day, hopefully, we'll be so lucky to find our soul mates and then I'll get another sister and I just know, even if I haven't seen it, that I'll love her just as much as Rosalie and you and we'll be the best of friends, all of us, we'll be a family and take care of each other always."
"Family's really important to you." Bella whispered in thought.
"I never had one, not that I can remember. That's partly why it's hard to not be so… enthusiastic, about our friendship, it's so real to me, even though it's a bit new for you, like with Jasper at the diner, I just can't help it, knowing someone is going to be so important to me and finally meeting them, getting to know them in real life, its hard to give them the time to catch up. I was like that with the Cullen's too, they were my family long before I was theirs."
"You don't have to try with me Ali." Bella sent her a warm if still slightly sad smile, "I might be playing catch up on getting to know you but you're already the best friend I ever had."
Alice shot her a wide smile, venom glistening in her eyes, "You always seem to understand us Bella, to accept us, even at our strangest."
"Well its fair since you all accept me, even at my clumsiest." Bella tried to lighten the mood not used to the normally exuberant pixie being so somber.
"Yes well it does keep things interesting having to hold our breaths if you stumble just in case." She laughed.
"So where does the torture," Bella laughed, "I mean shopping begin."
Alice sent her a mock glare, "Just for that I'm making you try on a couple things I know you wont buy or look fantastic in."
"Oh no." Bella fake groaned, "You already make me try on too much."
Alice just laughed and pulled the car into a parking spot, "Come on, you'll have fun, I promise."
Despite herself, Bella did enjoy shopping with Alice. The clothes were usually way to expensive and not what she'd normally choose but they looked good, no they looked great and Bella always felt more confident in them.
True to her word Alice made her try on a few things she wouldn't look fabulous in and though it was difficult to make Alice look anything but adorable and gorgeous, she tried on some truly heinous dresses as well, making the two girls laughter ring through the dress shop as they pranced about and played.
The bags were mostly sent ahead to the hotel and Alice took Bella out to dinner at a diner. Shocked they weren't at a fancy place Bella turned to Alice as the girl slid into a booth.
Alice shrugged, "I have a fondness for old diners. It's a Jasper thing."
Bella laughed and nodded, "Sentimental from meeting him in one?"
"Yes." Alice nodded, "He also loves the smell of coffee and likes to people watch." Alice grinned, "Jasper comes up with the best stories about the people that go by, he knows their emotions of course and comes up with whole stories about them. Sometimes, when we're in the city, we'll spend Sundays walking around and find an old diner and spend hours people watching. They're some of my favorite memories from our decades together and I can't help but like the smell of coffee even though I sort of think it stinks and have a fondness for these old diners. It's like, cowboy boots, pickup trucks and thunderstorms, not things I care for at all but so very Jasper that I have a strange fondness for them too."
Bella nodded, "Well I'll have to thank Jasper then because I'm much more comfortable eating here than at the other places I can imagine you'd bring me."
"I know." Alice smiled, "That's why I picked this place."
Alice ordered a coffee and Bella a burger with fries and a coke. Alice smiled indulgently and sniffed at the coffee wrinkling her nose a little in distaste even as a small smile teased the corner of her mouth. After eating they went to a movie, a chick flick, but like shopping Bella had a surprisingly good time with Alice, laughing and even awing at the corny bits.
While Bella slept Alice opened all their bags and removed tags before packing everything up and then reading until morning. She showered and ordered room service before waking Bella and after checking out of the hotel she drove them back to Forks, a bit slower than she normally drove, enjoying the easy conversations as the two girls got to know each other better.
At the Cullen house, they found the family all gone out, Bella was a little disappointed but Alice pointed out that Edward probably thought they'd use both days to shop and not be back before night.
"Stay though." Alice insisted.
"Are you sure you aren't bored of me yet?" Bella half teased.
"Never." Alice grinned, "Besides you know I hate to be alone."
"I thought that was a dark thing."
"No, well yes, its worse in the dark but I hate being by myself any time. Please Bella."
"Of course." Bella hugged her friend and let her lead her up to her room.
"Besides," Alice laughed, "I need to show you how to wear a few of these outfits and make up, you have to let me do your make up." So it was Bella Barbie began and as usual, even the things she didn't usually enjoy were made fun with Alice and they played dress up for hours.
When the family came home, Bella was wearing ripped faded jeans and a cream corset top with cowboy inspired caramel colored ankle boots and Alice was wearing a mini skirt with sky high shoes and a shockingly demur white lace top.
"You ladies look lovely." Carlisle complimented them both.
He smiled indulgently at Alice as she squealed and grabbed Rosalie and Esme's hands, "You need to dress up too!"
Bella laughed after her, "Why?"
"We look to good to waste this!" Alice told her indignantly.
"So Esme and Rosalie dressing up will make your efforts on me less of a waste?"
"No," Alice laughed, "Them dressing up will make it a party silly!" Alice grabbed her arm and wrapped it with hers, "Come on we'll all make an entrance."
"I'm not changing again." Bella huffed, pretending exasperation.
"Of course not, you look stunning." Alice agreed, "We can still make an entrance."
"Didn't we technically just do that though?"
"No." Alice insisted tugging her up the steps.
Esme laughed as Alice tore through her closet and tossed clothes at her and then came out with boots, "Don't pick that Rosalie, please… oh yes much better and then come do Esme's hair, oh and Bella's too, I'm going to pick us all jewelry!" She clapped and disappeared. Rosalie shook her head after the pixie but disappeared before returning only a minute later in a black sweater dress with the most beautiful red shoes that had the tallest and thinnest heal Bella had ever seen, it made her legs look miles long in the short skirt of the dress and when she turned around Bella saw there was a cowl neck type back open to her waist leaving her perfect white back bare. It was Esme that really shocked Bella though, she looked… young, and hot in her dark jeans, healed black boots and the shirt, it was black and a halter and its neckline was cut almost to her belly button. Bella gaped at her mother figure seeing her at her true physical age of mid twenties for the first time.
Esme grinned at her, "You can borrow the top anytime, it would look wonderful on you."
Bella shook her head, "I don't think I could pull that off." Rosalie snorted and motioned to a chair, "Um you don't have to do my hair."
"Yes she does." Alice called from the hall, "Sit Bella."
Bella rolled her eyes and moved to the chair, "Thanks."
"I don't mind." Rosalie shrugged and began to run her fingers through Bella's hair before settling on a half up, half down pulled to the side look. It only took seconds and Bella would have been impressed if it had taken an hour.
Within ten minutes the four women were walking back down the stairs, Bella noticed all the men had changed and were wearing similar jeans and tee shirts outfits. Carlisle, looking his young age as much as Esme, was in dark jeans and a black tee with black boots, Emmett in black jeans and a charcoal gray shirt that was pulled up to his elbows. Jasper was in cowboy boots, making Bella fight a smirk from Alice's words the day before, his jeans were faded and worn comfortable looking and he wore a white long sleeved shirt. Edward, looked the most like himself, in dark jeans and a button down shirt rolled to his elbows.
Bella blushed as he bowed slightly and offered an arm, "Um, thanks." She took it and let him lead her into the family room, "Now what?" She asked turning to Alice.
"It's a party." Alice grinned at her, "We have fun."
"Oh kaaay?" Bella nodded still watching her friend.
Alice laughed, "Games Bella, we play games, we sing and dance and generally just have fun so relax, it's a party." She stressed the word making Bella laugh.
"So what game do we play that's semi fair for the human then?"
"Charades!" Emmett suggested bouncing and making Rosalie roll her eyes though Bella thought she saw the beautiful blonde hiding a smile and thought maybe she wasn't so uptight after all. Why then did she pretend to be a bitch?
"Girls against boys!" Alice shouted making Emmett groaned, "No fair, I wanted you on my team."
"You get Edward and Jasper." Alice rolled her eyes.
Emmett grinned, "Right, yup, ok girls against boys."
Alice rolled her eyes and turned to Bella, "Edward and I are never allowed on the same team in any game anyways."
Bella nodded in understanding, "Seems like you need three teams though since whoever gets Jasper gets an extra boost."
"I know." Alice agreed nodding, "I usually get him on my team of course."
Bella nodded biting back a laugh, "Of course you do."
"It does depend on the game though." Esme smiled warmly at her, "Charades is one of them so I hope you're good at it."
"Eh." Bella shrugged and blushed, "Not so much."
"Its ok Bella, we'll do great!" Alice reassured her making Emmett groan.
"Shall we then." Carlisle motioned to the coffee table and Bella was surprised to see a bowl with papers sitting in it already there.
"Who goes first?"
"Carlisle of course." Alice told her as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Right." Bella frowned nodding, maybe because he was the patriarch.
"Why me?" Her thought was interrupted by his question.
"So you can teach Bella, she's never played before, she's going to whisper it to Esme for pointers when we start." Alice shrugged.
Bella laughed blushing again, "Ok, so I've never played but I catch on quick."
"Yup." Alice nods in agreement.
True to her word the girls team did alright but the boys won by two points. After charades Alice insisted they play Honey I Love You and went about explaining the rules of the game she'd discovered on the Internet. "So one person goes in the middle and says 'honey I love you wont you please give me a smile' to one person and tries to make them smile and that person has to not smile and say 'honey I love you but I just can't smile' only I think we should make it laugh not smile.
Emmett volunteered to go first and turned to Bella, "honey I love you wont you please give me a laugh'."
Bella shook her head biting back the urge to laugh at his puppy dog face, "Honey I love you but I just can't laugh." On the word laugh he was fluttering his lashes and pouting and she couldn't help but laugh. With a victory shout Emmett thrust his fist in the air and danced around the circle.
Bella laughed again shaking her head, "Ok, my turn I guess." She said stepping into the circle and spinning around slowly looking at each of them. Deciding Emmett would be the easiest she walks towards him, "honey I love you wont you please give me a laugh?"
Emmett scoffed and shook his head, "honey I love you but I just can't laugh."
"You can," Bella nodded with a grin, "You see I fell down in Seattle and landed in the lap of an old man because Alice was distracted by his cowboy boots, smiling and licking her lips, they were remarkably like Jasper's." Emmett snickered, "You know I think she has a thing about riding cowboys or something." He let out a loud laugh at that or at the bright blush Bella was sporting as she flounced back to her spot.
Emmett shook his head as he walked into the middle and turned to his wife, "honey I love you wont you please give me a laugh?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes, "honey I love you but I just can't laugh, besides I've had plenty of practice, you should have picked someone else."
Emmett snorted, "I can get you to laugh, I know it. It's my gift, it's why you love me because I am your big cuddly snuggy bear." Snickers were heard around the room and they could see Rosalie fighting a smile. Emmett growled and lifted his arms, "Snuggy bear will make you laugh because you love him!" He pretend to charge her making her spit out a laugh and then bite her lip pretending to glare at him as he shouted in triumph.
"Alright, snuggy bear." Esme snickered, "Let your wife have a turn."
Emmett grinned at her, not embarrassed in the least as he danced his victory dance to his spot and Rosalie entered the circle. She turned on Esme, "Really Esme, you should know better than to pick on my husband, now honey I love you wont you please give me a laugh?"
Esme shook her head with a smile, "honey I love you but I just can't laugh and you my lovely daughter wont make me."
Rosalie snorted and rolled her eyes, "Do you remember that time I won a bet with Edward and he had to dress in your panties and wear them all day at school?"
Esme snickered but didn't laugh, "Funny at the time, true but you really shouldn't pick on your brother."
Rosalie fought a smile as she pretended to glare at her mother, "It was even funnier when it was Carlisle who had to do surgery in your lace thong and we caught him dancing in the hall trying to get it out of his butt."
Esme snickered and then laughed, perfect recall didn't help them with this game, not at all. She held up her hands, "Ok, ok, you win."
Rosalie smirked at her and spun flaunting back to her husbands side while Esme stepped in the middle still smiling widely and giggling a little. Carlisle looked a little embarrassed but was smiling good-naturedly. Esme followed in Bella's example and turned slowly eying each of them in the circle before choosing her victim and stepping up to Alice, "honey I love you wont you please laugh."
Alice ginned, "honey I love you but I just can't laugh."
"Really?" Esme mused, "That's a shame, we should have maybe taken photos for you when we pulled the same stunt on Jasper two decades ago and had him off hunting in your frilly pink satin nighty."
Alice snickered biting back a laugh, "I don't need a picture, I could wheedle him into wearing something similar in bed."
Bella choked back a laugh looking from Alice to Jasper and blushing brightly, "Now that just ain't true." Jasper spoke up with a frown.
"Oh hush baby, no one cares if you like to wear my panties." Alice fluttered her lashes at him and Esme burst into giggles. Alice rounded on her with a wide grin, "Give it up momma, I will not be broken."
"Maybe he's the one who likes riding cowboys." Emmett snickered.
Through her giggles Esme shook her head and tried one more time, "Maybe I picked the wrong person, then again, I recall you being unable not to laugh when…" She turned to Jasper, "My darling boy remember that time your principle thought Alice was the beard for your and Edwards secret relationship and had you sit down for a talk on morality before feeling you up and offering an ear to come to whenever you needed… release from your tensions and immoral thoughts?"
Alice snickered and then laughed, "Not fair, that's not fair, he's still all awkward about that proposition and who can't laugh at the major being all uncomfortable because some little human hit on him."
"She wasn't little and was oddly imposing and very inappropriate." Jasper huffed. "Her lust was powerful and terrifying and I couldn't seem to run away."
Alice laughed again shaking her head, "She was barely taller than me, weighed a buck ten at most, not to mention she was completely human and you refused to go back to school." Alice giggled.
"She licked my pencil." Jasper growled rolling his eyes, "it was… icky."
Bella snickered and fought the giggle, "Icky?" They were all chuckling now.
"Ok, ok, pixie, go." He rolled his eyes playing at being angry but amusement shone in his eyes and out through his gift, "I should have gotten points for not just eating her." He added grumbling, much to Emmett's infectious amusement.
Alice danced into the middle of the circle and spun around gracefully before settling on Edward, "honey I love you wont you please give me a laugh?"
"Honey I love you but I just can't laugh." Edward responded with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
Alice grinned mischievously at him, and he seemed to be fighting a laugh as he read her thoughts passing over one idea to another before finally speaking, "Jasper and Emmett naked in the pond."
Edward choked, sputtered and then laughed while both of his brothers looked confused.
"What did I miss?" Esme frowned.
"Yeah, share." Bella insisted.
"Nothing." Alice grinned, "It was just a fantasy some girl had in school about Jazzy and Emmett together." She danced back to her spot and sent Edward a gloating grin at having got him.
"Why I told you about that." He said shaking his head.
"Come on, pick someone." Esme urged enjoying herself.
"Well my father, I believe it's your turn." Edward turned to Carlisle, "Since I love you honey wont you please give me a laugh?"
"Honey I love you but I just can't laugh and you have nothing on me son."
"I have everything on you father you just know I wont use any of it…" he smirked, "except..." Edward turned slowly looking around the room before focusing back on Carlisle, "There is of course that time you and I came back early from a hunt and found Emmett singing Dancing Queen, complete with dance moves."
"Hey I was trying to get Rosalie to not be mad at me!" Emmett protested.
Carlisle smirked but didn't crack, "I remember."
"Or the time, before the rest of the family joined us, we were in Chicago and that nurse propositioned us… together."
Carlisle fought back a widening smile, "I'm not sure who was more appalled, you or my patient who overheard in the next room."
"You're good Carlisle." Edward smirked at him, "But can you not laugh when you remember Emmett, Jasper and I dressing up and singing YMCA to get Esme to forgive us for her garden."
Carlisle bit back the laugh but couldn't help the chuckle that broke his control and Edward laughed with him, "Hah!" He gloated heading back to his spot beside Bella. "You're up."
"I should get you back but no one seems ready to take the challenge here so Jasper my boy, its on." Carlisle laughed squaring off on his son, "Honey I love you, wont you please laugh?"
"With all the amusement in the room you might overestimate me but then again, I do hate to lose so honey I love you, I just can't laugh."
He projected calm and serenity into the room making Carlisle shake his head, "No cheating son."
"Just giving myself a fair chance." He smirked with a shrug, "Their laughter makes me giddy."
"I know." Carlisle smirked at him, "Do any of you recall the day I threw away the 'junk' collected, which happened to be samples Esme was using to decorate our house? She was so very angry, I do believe it is where the YMCA idea came from after all," They had all started snickering, "Of course I was in my bug costume at the time but it went something like this…" He smirked and winked at his wife before swaying his hips, moving his feet and starting to sing "Love Bug" Everyone was laughing at that point and Carlisle stopped, pointing at Jasper, "I am the master!" He laughs.
Jasper rolled his eyes, still laughing "Ok you win. I just wish I had been around for that one in person."
"He really was dressed like a love bug." Esme chuckled, "Antennae with hearts and everything." Carlisle chuckled and pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
"You're up Jazz." Alice shoved him towards the middle and he sent out a wave of amusement and giddy joy making them all giggle. "No gifts!" She giggled, shoving him towards the middle again.
"Hm," Jasper eyed all of them carefully, "Who Pixie?"
"Bella." She jumped clapping. "Make Bella laugh."
"I'm too easy." Bella fought a smile and blush.
"If that were true you wouldn't be a virgin." Emmett teased make her blush brilliant red.
Jasper lifted a surprised brow at her, "Nothing to be embarrassed about for bein a lady Bella it's a rare and special thing in this age."
Bella blushed deeper at the compliment, "You're supposed to make her laugh not blush." Emmett teased.
"Well in that case, all I really need darlin, is that pretty laugh." Bella blushed brighter at his words as he stepped closer and almost whispered, "Honey, I love you wont you give me a laugh."
Bella shook her head, fighting her heartbeat as she responded in a shaky voice, "Honey I love you but I just can't laugh."
"Oh but I think you can Darlin. I think you've a beautiful laugh, like warm whiskey used to taste, burning your throat and making your voice husky." Bella blushed deeper, "Ali's laughter is more like bells, it reminds me of happy bluebirds twittering about and playing." Bella smiled picturing Alice and nodded at him in agreement. "Everyone is laughing and merry and having fun but you won't laugh for me darlin so I'll tell you a secret to get back at you."
"Oh?" Bella looked up at him with a confused but intrigued smile.
Jasper leaned a little closer his voice low, "My fine upstanding brother here once laid one on my other brother, right on the lips." Bella snorted the laugh she was holding back. "Pete swears Eddie tried to slip him the tongue too." Bella let out a giggle and Jasper danced back with a wink as Bella turned to Edward with a raised eyebrow still giggling.
"There was no tongue and I lost a bet to Emmett."
"You lost a bet to Emmett and he made you kiss him." Bella giggled looking at Emmett in question.
Emmett through up his hands, "Not me, Peter, Jasper's brother from his life before us."
Bella nodded and turned back to Edward, "So how was it?"
Edward rolled his eyes at her, "There was no tongue."
"Uh huh." Bella nodded with a giggle.
"Ok, Bella, last round, make one of us laugh." Alice clapped.
"I already went."
"I went twice." Emmett shrugged, "Come on Bells! I was too easy."
"I'm sure Rosalie says that all the time." To her surprise Rosalie snorted and laughed making Bella smile at her, and even more surprisingly, the blonde smiled back at her.
"Come on Bella." Rosalie nodded to the center, "Last round and you can pick the next game."
"Ok, um." Bella stepped forward and looked to each of them carefully and then smirked, "Honey I love you, wont you please laugh?"
Alice giggled and nodded as Jasper smirked, "You want to take me on little girl?" Bella blushed and nodded, "Honey I love you but I just can't laugh."
Bella nodded and stepped close to him, "You know I think it's your laugh that sounds like you described, warm whiskey, low gravelly and so rare but it will be mine." She stepped back taking a deep breath and already turning red, she began to sing and dance, "I'm a little teapot short and stout, here is my handle here is my spout…" There was silence and then snickers and then laughter. Bella took an embarrassed bow as she finished and they all clapped still chuckling.
"So what's the game Bella?" Emmett asked, ready to keep playing.
"Oh I don't know." Bella blushed. "Alice you're better at this."
"How about Dance, Dance Revolution? I'm ready for some dancing." Rosalie suggested.
"Yeah!" Emmett bounced.
"No way." Bella laughed, "I fall just walking."
"Rock star?" Carlisle suggested.
"Yeah." Emmett agreed.
Rosalie did get up to dance and Alice even got Bella up for a bit as they all sang and took turns playing until Jasper brought out an actual guitar and Edward took place at his piano and it turned into dancing around like idiots for the rest of them, all just laughing and having fun until Bella's phone rang.
She jumped to answer it, out of breath and laughing. "Hello?"
"Bella?"
"Dad… oh its late, I'm so sorry! Alice and I came back early and have been hanging out at the Cullen house and I lost track of time, I'm so sorry!"
"As long as you're alright, I was just starting to get a bit worried."
"No, nothing to worry about, I'm good, great actually, we've just been playing some games."
"Ok, well if you want to spend the night there I'll be working the night shift, I just wanted to check on you before I left."
"I'm really sorry I didn't call dad."
"Ok Bells, just try not to forget next time, have fun and don't be late for school in the morning."
"I wont, I promise."
"Night then."
"Night dad."
"Yay!" Alice clapped, "Slumber party."
"Oh." Bella blushed, "I don't have to sleep over."
"Of course you do." Alice beamed bouncing and grabbing her hand, "come on, Rosalie, Esme, its slumber party time!" She was already rushing up the stairs.
"Um, Alice, what are we doing?"
"Changing into pjs of course and then we'll gossip and paint each others nails and then watch a scary movie with the boys and it's going to be so fun!"
Bella laughed as Alice tugged her into her bedroom with Rosalie and Esme following behind. "I think Rose's pajama's will fit you better than mine." Alice nodded after a minute and before the words were fully out Rosalie was tossing her a tank and cute boxers. Rosalie was wearing an almost identical pair of boxers and tank to the ones she'd given Bella only in another color and Bella was amused to find Esme and Alice in similar ones. Esme patted the ground and held out a nail polish bottle so Bella went to sit with her and let her paint her nails, usually Esme was a mother figure but tonight she seemed more like an older sister and Bella found she liked this version of Esme just as much as the other.
Alice rambled on about school, clothes, the boys and anything else she could think of, asking opinions and questions to Bella about her life before and reviewing trends in decades past. Finally, nails dried, Rosalie declared it was movie time. All the boys were again gathered and waiting, this time in sweats and tees. A movie was already in the machine as they all settled down to watch it. Bella, exhausted from all the fun, fell asleep only fifteen minutes in.
It didn't take long for the dream to overtake her, shifting with dark images and half remembered people. She woke up tired and grateful Esme had coffee, "Didn't sleep well honey?" Esme asked, back to her motherly role.
Bella shrugged, "Over tired maybe, did I talk in my sleep?"
"Not that I heard but Edward carried you to bed as soon as we noticed you were sleeping and we all watched movies until going for a quick hunt at dawn."
"Ok."
"Is everything alright?"
"Fine." Bella smiled at her, "Just tired. I should get ready for school."
"OK dear." Esme smiled at her and nodded.
Alice had picked out an outfit and Bella tugged on the skinny jeans and the ankle boots from the day before with the layered tops Alice had chosen. She thought she looked cute but was as comfortable as in clothes she normally wore and a lot more confident in how she looked.
Edward was waiting to drive her but Bella was surprised when Alice linked their arms and Rosalie led them to her red Audi, "We're driving my car today and the boys are taking Emmett's jeep." Bella just nodded and sent Edward an apologetic smile before getting in.
People stared as much as they had the first day Edward had given her a ride the week before and Bella shifted uncomfortably.
"Relax Bella." Alice sent her a reassuring smile but it was the wave of calm from Jasper that helped her square her shoulders, take Edward's arm and head for the school, making sure to send a quick smile in thanks at Jasper as they reached the spot they went separate ways for class.
Bella ate with them at lunch all week and the days Edward didn't come over after school, Alice did, she was quickly growing closer to all of them, even Rosalie who was still a bit cool to her but wasn't so cold Bella feared frost bite from one look.
She still couldn't shake the dreams though and wasn't getting much rest. It didn't help that Edward had asked her not to come near the house that weekend because Jasper's old coven was visiting and were human blood drinkers. She spent the weekend doing chores and homework and napping but the half remembered dreams haunted her more than ever.
It was the following Friday Alice cornered her after school, "Bella, are you alright?"
"I'm fine Alice." Bella smiled at her friend.
Alice shook her head, "You can talk to me Bella, we're best friends, you're supposed to."
"Really Alice, I'm fine, just a bit tired today is all."
"Jasper says you've been feeling off for weeks and this week he even seems worried. Jasper doesn't worry for nothing." Alice contradicted.
Bella shrugged, "I just, I haven't been sleeping well."
"We could talk to Carlisle, maybe he can give you something."
"No!" Bella half shouted, she wasn't sure why the dreams scared her but something told her she didn't want to remember them, not yet because whatever they were, they would bring change.
"Please talk to me Bella. Or to Edward, he says the few times he's been with you, you toss and turn in your sleep and the things you say make no sense."
"What do I say?" Bella asked her, face ghost white, even next to Alice's pale skin.
Alice shrugged, "I told you, he can't really make sense of it."
Bella reached out and took Alice's hand, "This is going to sound crazy."
"The girl says to her future seeing vampiric best friend?" Alice asks with a lifted eyebrow.
"Right." Bella nods, "Its just, these dreams, I don't remember them, just blurry faces really, and it scares me, something about them scares me but its… alluring too, like something is hiding in my dreams, something important, and I want to know but I'm scared to. I keep trying to hold onto Edward, like really seeing what's in those dreams will take me away from him so I'm sort of on the edges of the dream and I wake up almost as tired as when I went to sleep."
"Bella." Alice's voice was tentative and it made Bella even more nervous, "Dreams are really powerful, more than people realize, my visions, I think they started as dreams, when I was human."
"I don't see the future Alice."
"No, but people see the truth in dreams Bella, it can be confusing and abstract sometimes but dreams are important. Trust me."
"I do."
"Let's talk to Carlisle, whatever is in those dreams, you need rest and as for what's in them, you'll remember when you're ready to face whatever your subconscious is trying to tell you that you already know."
Bella shivered but smiled at her friend, grateful Alice called Charlie and put on a fake happy voice with a pleading tone. At the end of the call Alice had gotten permission to 'kidnap' Bella for the weekend.
Bella packed a bag and let Alice take her to see Carlisle at his office in the hospital. Carlisle left them with a mild sleeping pill and after a hot bath and a promise from Alice she'd be there, Bella laid down to sleep. It was only a little after suppertime but she was so tired and the sleeping pill was quick to work.
It was a small cabin, furnished in worn, comfortable looking and even a little battered furniture. She loved it, just to her left was a couple but she couldn't quite make out their features. Behind her Alice came bouncing in, laughing, "Bella Whitlock!" Alice hugged her tightly, "It's been forever, you look, well I knew you'd be a gorgeous vampire. Do you forgive me for not coming sooner only he insisted even as controlled as you were it was best not to overwhelm you in your first weeks, really it should be months but you are just so you and I did see you'd be fine if I came."
"Oh Alice." She hugged her best friend happy to see her but still in shock about the name and wanted to demand who the hell Whitlock was. Had Edward changed his name? Of course they couldn't always be Cullen or someone might catch on, Bella shrugged it off and flitted back so Alice could greet the other two in the room.
"Well where is he?" Alice asked looking around.
Before Bella could ask who a female voice, the woman she couldn't quite see, answered, "Hunting."
"Of course" Alice shrugged and turned back to Bella, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, of course, I just, it's nothing."
"Bella, I'm your best friend, you can always talk to me remember? Its what best friends do." Alice told her taking her hand and leading her to a couch.
"I think I'm dreaming." Bella told her honestly. "I'm supposed to see something but I don't see anything and I'm confused, have I been dreaming about being changed?"
"Maybe." Alice shrugged, "If this is a dream it's got to be telling you something important."
"Wait, you believe me? Shouldn't you protest and say you aren't a dream?"
"Dreams reveal things to us Bella, things we already know but maybe wont acknowledge or aren't ready to face." Alice told her with a sly smile, "If this is a dream what is it revealing?"
"I'm going to be a vampire?" Bella frowned, "A controlled newborn."
"What else? Why are you dreaming about me, sitting here, talking with you?"
Bella frowned, "Because you told me to."
"I told you to think about me?"
"You said I needed to rest and that you'd stay with me when I took the sleeping pill."
"Ok, so here I am, in your subconscious, put here because you wanted me here so you didn't face the dream alone, what's the dream about Bella?"
"Being a newborn?" Bella asked her but Alice remained unreadable. She turned to look at the two strangers she couldn't quite see, "Is it about them? Do I meet them? Are they dangerous?"
"Do you feel threatened?" Dream Alice asked her with a tilt to her head and a smile tugging her lips.
"No." Bella shook her head, "I feel safe but sad and well, a little scared of whatever this dream means, what is it hiding from me."
"The question is, what are you hiding from yourself that the dream is trying to make you see? Is it becoming a vampire?"
Bella shook her head; "I want to be part of your family, forever."
"So here you sit, a controlled new born, what about this life aren't you facing? What do you need to see here Bella?"
Bella looked down at her hands, softly sparkling in the fading sunlit room, "The Cullen's aren't here, maybe I'm afraid they wont be, that you all wont love me when I wake up and I'll be alone."
"You aren't alone." She reminded me, nodding to the strange couple still wrapped in shadows.
"Who are they?"
Alice shrugged, "I'm your imagination Bella, I know what you know, no more and no less, you tell me who they are."
"You do know them though, you were just talking to them!"
"Maybe your subconscious knows I'd know them because you'll always be my best friend and so I'll know the people important to you." She suggested and then shrugged, "I do seem to know them well." She nodded to the shadows with a slight frown, that must mean you know them too, so who are they Bella? Can you think of anyone in your life they might be?"
"Of course not, you're the only vampires I know."
"People from a photo or a painting in our house that maybe drew you?"
"I don't know." Bella frowned, "It's so confusing." She hesitated, "Maybe… a photo maybe… I don't know." Bella sighed and shook her head, she almost remembered a photo catching her attention when Edward showed her around but she'd wanted to examine them all closer, to see the family through the decades, but Edward had caught her attention and moved them along to see the paintings in Carlisle's office.
"You don't sit here and talk with me in the dream Bella, so let yourself dream, then you'll see whatever you're trying to tell yourself." Alice took her hand and squeezed it, "I'll be here with you as long as you want me to be."
Bella reach over and hugged her gratefully, "You feel the same as me now." She whispered.
"That's because in your dream, we are the same Bella." Alice giggled pulling back, "So what now? You had me come for a visit, what shall we do in this dream of yours?"
Bella frowned as she looked over at the shadowy people, "Hello?"
"Bella?" The woman's voice was warm and caring, "How are you feeling, should we hunt?" "I'm bettin we head into the city and he'll find us quick."
Bella felt a chill down her spine but wasn't sure if it was fear or excitement, maybe a bit of both. "Feel like playing sugar?" The woman asked, a laugh in her voice.
Bella nodded, "You don't think I'll hurt anyone do you?"
"Of course not." The man laughed, "Control better 'n that there Pixie I'd wager."
Bella let them lead her outside but the woodsy scene from the windows had become city streets and they were walking into a bar, all four of them dressed up, Alice and her in the outfits from a few weeks before and the two strangers whose faces she still couldn't see, were dressed similarly. It was a karaoke bar and they seemed to be having a good time when apprehension filled her and she turned to see another blurry figure, "Havin fun kitten?" He purred into her ear. He smelled like crisp autumn apples, new leather and honey. His familiar voice tingled at her mind as she shivered again, a feeling of joy and lust filling her but some sadness and betrayal as well, no not betrayal, guilt, she felt guilt at his voice and her knees trembled. She knew that voice, she didn't know from where, it was low and sexy but it wasn't Edward's voice.
She tried to step back and focus on his face to remember where she'd heard that voice, "Where are the Cullen's?"
"There darlin." He whispered turning her and they were in the Cullen living room, the two shadowy figures to the side, joined by others and then the Cullen's, all of them standing in a circle, beckoning Bella to join them to play the game. She turned but the man wasn't behind her anymore and she looked back to the perfect Cullen's.
Bella gasped as she sat up in bed, early morning light just beginning to chase the dark out of the room.
"Bella?" Alice asked, "Are you alright?"
"The Cullen's." Bella told her meeting her eyes, "I'm dreaming about all of you and becoming a vampire and there are others, three seem important but I can't see who they are and I only almost recognize the voice of one of them and a name, you call me a name when you first see me and I think that maybe the Cullen's have moved and are using a new name only I've never heard it before."
"What's the name Bella?" Alice asks gently taking her hand.
"Whitlock. You call me Bella Whitlock." Alice nods, hiding the flicker of surprise so fast Bella doesn't catch even a small trace.
Alice pulls her into a hug and searches out a vision of the Whitlocks, nothing overly important comes to her, not yet but she's sure it will. This dream of Bella's it means something and Alice is afraid she knows what that is.
"Don't tell the others ok." Alice whispers as they pull apart, "Just let me figure a few things out first?"
"Ok." Bella agrees tentatively.
Alice took her shopping and Bella almost fainted when she saw Rosalie behind the wheel, she was used to the blonde joining them at the Cullen house but besides lunch at school, those were the only times she saw the beautiful vampire.
They had a good time as they picked out a few things and tried them on but even Alice seemed a bit distracted so they didn't stay as long as Alice usually preferred and instead went back to the Cullen house to do manicures and pedicures with Esme.
Bella was expected with Charlie at Billy's that night so she hugged everyone goodbye and the next day she did homework and chores. Alice hadn't mentioned the dream and though the petite girl seemed distracted, the week seemed to pass normally and that Friday Edward invited her to play baseball with the family, do to the coming storm. She didn't understand until the game began why they'd needed the storm.
"Is everything alright Edward?" She asked as he grabbed a bat for his turn.
"Of course." He smiled at her but she didn't quite believe him.
It was only a few more rounds and Alice was yelling for the game to stop.