Chapter Two

Carlisle

I visited Charlie twice while he was still unconscious and met his wife and daughter. Renee was a very nice woman but very scatty, while his daughter Bella was much more sensible and it was she who asked the questions,

"Dr Cullen. Is Dad going to be OK? Will he be able to go back to work?"

"I see no reason why not in the long-term but he'll need to convalesce first."

"Does that mean going somewhere?"

"I don't think he'll be able to afford to go away but the people in Forks and his friends on the Reservation are all rallying round to help him when he's able to be discharged."

She turned to her mother,

"I think I'll still come to Forks to look after Dad once he's well enough to go home."

Her mother tried very hard to dissuade her but she was adamant about it. When her mother Renee tried to enlist my help in persuading Bella not to be silly I excused myself. I'd learned not to get involved in family squabbles, it only caused problems and I had no idea what Charlie might want.

Bella

I liked Dr Cullen, he didn't try to confuse us with medical terminology. I had to smile when he ran from Renee's entreaties, it was the best thing he could do with her, she never gave up! I would finish the term out in Phoenix and by that time Charlie would be ready to go home with luck. I just hoped he wouldn't put up any objections, he needed someone to look after him for a while. When I'd asked about the robbery where he was shot I was told they'd had an anonymous tip-off and hadn't been able to trace it. I was also told it was the first time these particular criminals had used guns. Just Charlie's luck!

When Dr Cullen came back on Sunday and found out we were getting a taxi back to the airport he offered us a ride. Even when we pointed out it was such a long way he wouldn't be put off so we got to ride to Seattle in style, new Mercedes saloon car with leather seats and tinted windows, I felt like a pop star! He even carried our bags and took our phone number promising to keep us informed about Charlie. Renee was impressed,

"Your Dad has some rich and very influential friends"

Although she waited until the Doctor had walked away I was sure I saw him smile slightly as if he'd heard her words.

Alice

The weekend had been a disaster and in all fairness it was totally my fault. Jazz had driven there and booked a suite at a very nice hotel but I couldn't settle knowing the little bitch was in Forks. I hated the show he got tickets for and complained about the stores. I couldn't find a dress I wanted to buy and when he quite fairly pointed out he'd been dragging round the stores for four hours I lost my temper. He tried to make it up to me that night with candles and a scented bubble bath followed by a full body massage, which he was brilliant at, but I still couldn't settle.

When he started to caress me I froze and he backed off confused.

"I'm just not in the mood Jazz."

"But I thought..."

"Well don't"

He disappeared after I snapped at him and was gone most of the night. I could have found him easily enough, I knew his favourite places in Seattle but I couldn't be bothered. The thought of traipsing round the monuments or going to the Cowen Park bridge where he would sit for hours, made me want to scream.

Instead I lay on the bed and tried to see the future. Had I done enough? No, fate had put things right again, the bitch would be coming to Forks to look after her Dad, which meant we had to get out. It wouldn't be easy to persuade Carlisle that I needed a change of scene but I knew Jazz would follow like a puppy, if a confused one! When he got back I tried my hardest to be nice to him but it was an effort. He wanted to know what was wrong and of course I couldn't tell him, that would have ruined everything so I lay the foundation for a move.

"Jazz I'm really not happy living with the others any longer. I'd like us to get a place of our own. What do you think?"

"It will upset Esme and Carlisle, or were you thinking of somewhere near them? Mind that would cause problems with school and the residents of Forks."

This wasn't going to be easy but I persevered,

"No, I meant away. Just the two of us. Like Rose and Emmett do sometimes"

"In the middle of a school year Alice darlin'?"

"Yes Jazz now. I need a change of environment."

"Alice what's wrong? Tell me and I'll help you"

I had to laugh inwardly at that one!

Carlisle

When I got back from the Airport Esme was waiting with her usual kisses and caresses, then wound her arm in mine and we walked through the trees in the moonlight.

"Carlisle I'm worried about Alice"

"Oh, you've noticed she's very distant these days"

"Yes. There's something on her mind but she won't talk about it. Jasper spoke to me, he's worried too."

"I'll try to talk to her when they get back Esme. By the way I took Bella and her mother to the airport this afternoon."

"What are they like?"

"Well, Renee is a little immature and hates the thought of Bella coming to look after her father but Bella is adamant and I doubt she'll change her mind."

"Well he's going to need help and its good that his daughter is offering."

"Yes. She's a very nice girl."

Alice

I was glad to be on our way home at last. When Jazz got back he was hurt I hadn't gone looking for him and I lost my temper again. I was doing all this to keep him but I was pushing him away at the same time. I couldn't lose him, I needed his stability, especially now when I was so close to finding my true mate. I couldn't afford to let his mate appear on the scene yet. I had to keep them apart even if it meant being extra nice to keep him sweet. As he drove he put his hand on my thigh and started rubbing it. I wanted to push it away and scream but I endured his touch all the way back. By the time we got to the house he was aroused and I knew later I would have to endure more of his caresses but for now I could escape into the family, hear the news and bitch about the shops in Seattle. I was sitting with Rose looking at fashion plates when he came in and slipped in beside me, running his hands up and down my arms. It was all I could do to suppress a shudder. I think Rose must have noticed something because she shot me a questioning look which I tried to ignore.