Like clockwork

Chapter 2 'holiday'

Esme, hand on hips, sighed and looked at me with those big round concerned eyes. "Are you sure Bella?" She asked me for the twentieth time, her motherly instincts taking over her actual needs. I almost sighed in exasperation, "Of course Esme, We'll all be fine, Its not like your going away forever, Just a small vacation" I reminded her, "We all know you and Carlisle deserve one so much, especially since you have to live with us" She laughed and nodded slowly "Alright, but we wont be gone longer that two months, I promise" she said. "We wont destroy the house, promise" I winked, grinning.

2 hours later and we were all gathered outside, Esme bidding her watery goodbye to us all, hugging us fiercely. "Sheesh Esme, you'll be back before you've even blinked, calm down" Said Emmett, as he was hugged by Esme extra hard, she surprisingly seeming to crush his enormous form easily.

Carlisle acting formal and composed as always gave us each a swift Hug and departed into the car quickly. They drove off soon after, Carlisle having to almost drag Esme back into the car.

"Ireland, What's it like there?" I asked, curious as we watched them drive away.

"I've never been" Edward replied. I stared at him, shocked, Edward Cullen, the man who had apparently travelled the world had never been to Ireland, I wondered where else he hadn't been, places we go together, places we could share.

Emmett spoke up now "Oh, Bella its so cool, the people have such funny accents and there's leprechauns and lots of green and gold"

"Oh don't be such an idiot Emmett, We all know you just finished the fourth Harry Potter book, there's no need to celebrate any longer with your new found knowledge of literature" Alice scoffed. Emmett mocked hurt and put his hand over his heart, "Alice" he choked " I didn't know you felt that way, I for one am disappointed, Maybe you should read It too . . ." At this point I tuned out of his nonsense rambling about the books he clearly didn't understand and dragged Edward into the house.

Edwards hand danced lightly up my arm and down again, causing me to shiver involuntarily. "So" he murmured, "what shall we do now?" His tone was so suggestive and silky it made me shudder in delight.

"You shall get a room! Came Jasper's remark suddenly from the door, "Preferably far away from me" He added. Edward groaned and I giggled quietly, kissing Edwards jaw, then moving to his lips with deliberate slowness. Now Jasper groaned, "Stupid lusty idiots" he muttered, dragging Alice away.

Edward chuckled and pulled me over to the piano, sitting me on the bench with him like usual; I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, listening to music flow around me.

I was at peace with myself, watching images and words dance in front of my eyes, Things I knew but did not know.

Then the calm was disrupted.

Blood, human blood.

It did not bother me as much as it used to, I could be around humans if I were cautious and had been hunting before, only ever a few humans though, more than 20 and I would have to stop breathing. It made it hard for Alice to take me shopping in the crowded malls; I knew I'd pay for it later, when I was more in control. The scent was like nothing I could describe, bittersweet and so delicious, warming my whole existence. I should not know how it tastes, but I do.

The man at the door was breathing hard as he knocked, heart pumping unnecessarily fast. Edward was at the door Just as Rose appeared also. "Hello" He said in his silky tone. The man's breath hitched as he caught sight of Rose hovering behind Edward who was now frowning slightly, I could only imagine the poor man's thoughts, filled with lust and desire as he stared upon her beauty.

The man shook his head and coughed lightly, "Package for Miss Alice Cullen and a few letters for other members of this household" His voice was low as he spoke, Muffled, as if staring at his feet, wishing Rose was 'Miss Alice Cullen'.

At her name Alice had appeared at the door also, smile gleaming. The Man's heart sped up, his breath now coming in small gasps, if anyone else was to appear he would surely pass out in shock.

Alice took the parcel from his sweating hands, Saying a melodic thanks and came to sit by me on the piano bench, away from the open doors view.

It was a large rectangular box, and she made light work of ripping of the cardboard packaging. It appeared to be a laptop, covered in polystyrene, which she tore off quickly as well. It was smooth and black; incredibly small too, it was a new laptop for herself. I wondered why she would need one as she fiddled with the power cables to charge it up, when I remembered. Just last week Rosalie and Alice had had a large argument about, no surprises here, shopping. Alice had broken one of Rose's best mirrors as they tore at each others throats, (Metaphorically speaking) and Rose in a rage had retaliated and thrown Alice's laptop, which was lying on the coffee table on the floor, and then crushed it with her foot. They would have destroyed much more If Emmett and japer hadn't stepped in to calm them both down. It was disturbing to witness them argue and fight, for they never do.

Edward has said it was a petty argument to begin with, just like the ones we all have, bickering about nonsense and differences in opinions, but this had escalated because Rose was already in a bad mood for some unknown reason, and Alice not one to back down on anything hadn't let the matter drop until Rose snapped.

"Oh, this is so much better than my old one Bella, look how fast it is" she breathed, staring doe eyed at her new possession.

Edward and Rose had closed the door and were walking over to us, Rose has a letter in her hands, and so did Edward. It surprised me, hardly anyone sent letters anymore. Email was the way it was done now.

"Its for Carlisle" said Edward as he came to stand by me, I nodded and took his hand, standing up. Playing the piano was not going to continue, Alice wasn't going to move.

We wandered aimlessly hand in hand around the house, who knew eternity could sometimes be so boring, I couldn't wait to be strong enough to go to school with everyone. They had already been twice without me, Edward had stayed home the first time, but I forced him the second time so he wouldn't be left out, I didn't want to be a burden keeping him from the rest of his family.

I stayed home with Esme, Redecorating the house, talking, gardening and just passing the time hunting. She had been such a help to me, supporting and loving when I needed it, I had felt lost and angry for a few months when I was first changed, and I was grieving the loss of Charlie and Renee and all my friends who thought I was gone. I was guilty for choosing the life I did, abandoning them all for my personal needs.

"What are you thinking" Edward whispered as we walked along the hall to our room, "Human memories" I Replied slowly. Most had faded, and I held onto those I had left desperately. Good and bad alike.

Edward in the meadow, Joyful school days, My birthday and my Wedding day. 48 years old, technically, and I was only just getting used to the whole fact that I got married when I was eighteen and I'm still eighteen.

We lay on the bed reading peacefully; I was Leaning against Edward's shoulder as I read.

When I gasped, an overwhelming sense of worry and helplessness surrounded me suddenly along with Rage and desperation. I closed my eyes and watched the scene play before me, shuddering.

AN: Bella Does not see the future.