DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.
Chapter 3
Bella's POV
I drove as fast as I could. I felt awful about how I'd been acting; and after what I said to Alice in the store, I couldn't really blame her if she hated me. I knew Alice would be able to see me coming. Would she agree to speak with me or I had really messed things up?
I pulled up to the Cullen house and saw Alice's car parked right next to Edward's. As I approached I noticed the two of them standing in front. Alice's arms flailing all over the place with Edward looking reproachful and brow-beaten. I guessed that Alice wouldn't be the only person I would be apologizing to.
I parked the car and carefully walked toward them. Alice turned to Edward with her back to me. "Tell her I don't want to speak to her right now Edward. I'm too angry."
"Alice, please. Just hear her out. You already know why she's here."
Edward moved to my side and took my hand. I felt dirty and undeserving of his affections. I smiled at him and gently released him making my way to Alice.
"Alice. I'm sorry. I should never have said those things to you. I have been behaving badly these last few days toward both of you. But I realized after our fight that I wasn't angry with you. I was angry with myself." I turned and motioned for Edward to come closer. I took his hand in mine and kissed it softly.
"I'd like to apologize to you as well. I have been a little on edge and I'm sorry. I came to the conclusion that I'd been acting this way because…" I hesitated and looked down at my feet. "I'm feeling left out of all this."
After a long pause, Alice finally turned to me exasperated. "Left out? Of what exactly? I've included you in every little detail Bella."
"No Alice, actually you haven't; I know that I left the planning to you. However, although you've been telling me about all the arrangements, you haven't actually asked my opinion on anything, nor have I actually seen any of the choices. I've literally been in the dark this whole time. Part of it is my fault because I didn't speak up. But I guess I realized I would at least like to have an idea of what I'm going to be wearing the day I marry the man of my dreams. Does that make sense?"
Alice hugged me. "I'm sorry Bella. Sure it does. I guess it was just so out of character for you to snap like that. I'd been feeling the tension coming off you for days, and I'm not even channeling Jasper! So I thought that by doing all that I was actually making things easier for you, not realizing that I was making it worse. I'm sorry for just taking over, but you know how I get when I'm planning. I lose track of everything else around me; including people. I guess I thought you that you trusted me with all of it."
"Oh Alice, I'm sorry for everything…but you did almost kill me you know?" She gave me a wry smile. "And for the record, I do trust you. That has never been in question. I trust you with my life for goodness sakes! It's just that I would like to make some of the decisions, or at the very least decide on my own undergarments."
"Alice! You didn't tell me you attacked her?"
"I only threw a book in her direction Edward. Don't get you panties in a wad. You know I have great aim; if I wanted to hit her I would have." She punched Edward in the arm and he swayed slightly; something I knew only a supernatural being could do.
"Well, ok, but you know she has a point Alice. I do feel sort of strange that you know what she'll be wearing on our wedding night but she doesn't. You can at least let her make that decision right?"
She and Edward began to laugh then I joined in. Ultimately, the crisis was averted but I still wasn't sure if Alice was thoroughly converted.
