They're still all Mrs. Meyer's property. I - sadly - own nothing.

Bella's POV. Carrying on.


Chapter 2 - Dance Lessons

This couldn't possibly end well. Alice had set up a little pseudo-dance studio in the living room by shoving the coffee table out of the way, rolling up the rug, and setting a portable CD player on top of the piano. Jasper just smiled sheepishly from the couch while his wife explained the basic waltz steps to me, and then she grabbed him to demonstrate. "One, two, three…one, two, three…" she counted off as they moved at what I'm sure was a painstakingly slow tempo for them so that I could watch their feet.

Thank goodness the rest of the family was out hunting. "Do you see what I'm doing here?" she asked. I nodded slowly, but was still skeptical. She wouldn't be deterred. "Good. Now get up and come stand behind me. Just put your hands on my shoulders, watch my feet, and follow along." About the fourth time my feet got tangled up in hers and nearly took us all down in spite of their vampire strength and coordination, she called a break. I plopped down on the couch and sulked, "I told you I couldn't dance."

"But you will. If it takes us practicing every single day until the wedding, so help me we will teach you to dance!" she huffed. Alice on a mission is an amazing thing to watch. She paces the room in thought while I sat and rubbed my bruised feet. After a couple of minutes, her face lit up and she exclaimed, "I've got it! Oh it's so simple, why didn't I think of it before?" She pulled Jasper back to the middle of the floor then grabbed my wrists and towed me over to face him. "You've seen 'Dirty Dancing' right?"

"Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with…" but she didn't let me finish.

"Remember when Penny and Johnny are teaching Baby to take Penny's place in their dance routine?"

"I think so."

"We're going to do the same thing."

"What?"

"You're going to dance with Jasper, and I'm going to dance behind you and make sure you are moving correctly." She stated this with such certainty and triumph that I was silent for a moment. Once the plan sunk in, however, even Jasper looked a bit uncertain about it.

"Alice, are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked tentatively.

"Yes." She snapped. Then she glared at Jasper, "You'll be fine." Her glare switched to me, "You'll both be just fine."

Jasper gave a small sigh and with a slight shake of his head he stepped forward into dance position. "Bella?" he asked in a soft voice. "Just take my hand and place your other one on my shoulder. Keep your arms firm and your eyes up."

This worked out a little better, and after about an hour I was hardly stepping on Jasper's feet at all anymore. Alice proudly declared me ready to try dancing with some music instead of just her incessant counting, and turned on the little CD player. She still counted over the music, but following the rhythm was definitely getting easier. The three of us swept around the living room until I made it through two entire songs without tripping up a single time, and we decided that was enough for one day.

While we were putting the room back in order Alice froze for a second, her eyes glazing over briefly, and then announced that everyone else would be home shortly. Suddenly inspired, I turned to her, "Alice, does Edward or anyone else know you two are teaching me to dance?"

"No, I don't think I've mentioned it or even thought about it much when he was around. Why?"

My plan was set almost instantly and when I smiled at her she realized what it was. Grinning wickedly she dropped her voice to a near whisper, "OK, but you do understand that it is very difficult to keep secrets in this family. Especially for two whole weeks! We'll have to practice on the sly somehow, and Jasper and I are going to have to be very careful with our thoughts when he's around. He is going to suspect something is up."

"I have faith in you."

Her grin got bigger. "Good. Then you won't object to the only two things left to do before the wedding."

Oh no. This couldn't be good. "Um, Alice, what could possibly top teaching me to dance?"

Eyes wide with false innocence, she relied, "Oh, not much. Just your bridal shower and bachelorette party."