Hi, everyone, so sorry for the delay, I had planned on posting this yesterday, but have been going through a lot. On another serious note, my beta that I will definitely miss, can no longer work on my story. She has explained to me that she is at present unable to assist, in correcting my story. This is unfortunate news as I have chapter four written, I just need someone to look it over for grammar, punctuation, tense, and plot points. This being said if anyone knows of a beta that would enjoy working on this story. Or they themselves would like the opportunity please message me. Your help is greatly appreciated, or I can't continue to this story. In this case if it takes a while to continue this story, let me all tell you all this loyal readers. Bella makes her first appearance in chapter four. This chapter's tentative name is Bella's Memory, and finally I begin to bring the Bella and Alice relationship into the foreground. I hope everyone had a wonderful week, TGIF *grins* and I hope you enjoy chapter 3.

Chapter 3 A Curious Destiny of Souls

The lies themselves, the secrets she had kept from her family. They would tear apart her life. Perhaps if she could just find out what the vision meant. Perhaps, then she might be able to move on. Or prove without a shadow of a doubt that she and Bella were destined to be. She had only one month.

Getting up from her place on the bed, Alice became determined to find all the answers to the riddles of the mind. Slowly, she followed the music, coming from the converted attic to the back stairs. She quickly took the steps, knowing that in the library she might be able to find some answers. Looking into the library, she saw Esme sitting comfortably on the sofa, engrossed in reading. Carlisle was in a recliner, a large book in hand and a serious look on his sensitive face. Ever so slowly she pushed the door open, not wanting to disturb either.

"Alice," Carlisle said, smiling, "what a pleasant surprise."

Esme put her book down and nodded.

"What brings you to the library at this hour?" Carlisle asked.

"Did you finish the book I gave you?" Esme wondered.

"Oh no," Alice said. "I barley started it. I'm actually here for research."

"Ah," Carlisle acknowledged. "Anything we can help you with?"

Alice bit her lip and considered if she should just ask them if there were any books on reincarnation in the shelves or just spend hours looking.

"Alice?" Esme said softly, "is anything wrong? Does this have to do with a vision? Jasper was up here a while ago. He seemed upset. Is everything ok?"

Alice shook her head; she could see the concern in Esme's eyes. She decided that maybe she should just ask. "Everything is fine," she said. Before anyone could say another word she continued. "I was thinking about past lives actually."

Carlisle closed his book with an interested smile. Leaning forward he said "well, that's a topic I haven't heard mentioned in a while. Is there any reason why you're thinking about reincarnation?"

"Um well," Alice said slowly, "I've been thinking, how do you know you're meant to be with someone?"

Carlisle and Esme watched as Alice rung her hands and tired to remain calm. She looked to the entire world like she was scared.

"Well…" Esme cautiously said it looked like she might have had more to say but Carlisle put up and hand.

"Alice, does this have to do with Bella and Edward's wedding and his resistance to turn her?"

Alice found herself saying, "Yes, I was just thinking about souls, and Edward thinks once he turns Bella. She will lose her…"

"Soul," Esme finished.

"Yes, exactly," Alice said, hating that once more she was lying.

"I see," Carlisle continued. "Well as to Bella and Edwards's destiny, I can't say. She is very young. As you know, we love Bella as our daughter. I do believe that if Edward would have agreed to her request without the wedding. She wouldn't have rushed into this wedding plan." He sighed. "Alice, you know better than both of us the future is changeable."

Esme looked to her husband and back to Alice, feeling there was an important piece of this puzzle Alice wasn't saying.

"I knew the moment I met Esme," Carlisle continued, "we were meant to be. I felt very strongly we had both a future and a past. I didn't hesitate for a moment. I did what I had to do to give her the chance to live. To give us a chance to live our destiny," he said, looking lovingly at Esme. "As far as reincarnation goes, we have a few books on it. Over here on this shelf," he indicated.

Alice smiled woodenly, trying not to think of Bella. Nodding, she said, "Thanks, Carlisle."

"If you need any more help, dear," Esme said, "just ask."

Alice nodded again and went over to the shelf Carlisle had indicated. In and among the books, she found one called Destiny of Souls by a one Michael Newton. Feeling this book might be fate she took it over to a comfy chair and turned on a reading lamp. She wasn't sure how long she sat there reading. Yet before she knew it, she was on the last page. Even more confused than before, more full of desire.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Carlisle asked.

"Well, maybe… I'm not sure," Alice said.

"Not to change the subject," Esme said, "but I just remembered that Rosalie and I were talking about a possible vacation. We thought it might be like a bachelorette party for Bella, Carlisle has already agreed to take the Edward, Jasper and Emmett camping. It would be just us, you, me, Rosalie and Bella.

Alice felt panic rushing through her veins, knowing before Esme said anything else what was coming next.

"We thought it might be fun to go to New Orleans," she said, smiling brightly. "It's so full of history; maybe you'd find the answers you're looking for there too."

Alice would say later, that fate and destiny were something beyond anyone's control. In that instant she knew Esme had given her a sign. She knew had she been human she would have blushed. Her heart would have been racing, knowing that although the future was subject to change. Perhaps, just perhaps one couldn't escape their destiny.

"New Orleans," she said slowly. Time had finally caught up with her. All the lies were going to be all for naught. If she chose to go to New Orleans could her future and Bella's be changed? What would it do to their family, to Jasper? If she refused, would she have denied the most precious gift? Was the act of loving Bella a risk worth taking, and without further thought, she realized. So saying, brightly and smiling perhaps truly for the first time in months. "Sounds fantastic, Esme what a wonderful idea; I'm sure Bella will love it!"

Esme went over and picked up her laptop from the table by the window. She typed something into and said, "Ok, this coming week looks overcast, storms coming. If we fly out of Seattle, say Friday, we would be back in time for Bella's graduation the following Friday." She was all excited with vacation plans. "You and Bella can go shopping tomorrow after school. It's the last day, of classes didn't you say?"

"Oh yes," Alice said. "Well I think I'm going to go down to my room and maybe watch some TV."

"Ok, dear," Esme said. "I am going to keep planning the trip. I can't tell you how exciting this all is. I can feel it's going to be a trip to remember."

"Oh I'm sure of it," Alice said.

As quickly as she had come she breezed out the door. Leaving Esme and Carlisle alone in the library, save the music.

"Carlisle," Esme hesitated, "do you think maybe there is something bothering Alice?"

Carlisle looked up from his book again. He sighed sadly. "I think there has been something on her mind for a while. Jasper is right; however, when she's ready she'll come to us. She always does."

Esme looked out the window at the lightening sky, and wondered why Alice always seemed so sad. Almost like she had a secret, a secret love?