Chapter 4: Come Back

As both Edward and I predicted, I was smashed with hundreds of questions from my anxious family. I had explained everything that had happened today with numb lips. I missed him already and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand walking out of this house until he came back. But I was strong, I had to be strong, for Jasper and the rest of my family. I was sitting in my room, staring out the window searching through unnecessary visions, trying to source my brothers future, when I came across a startling foresight. I saw myself standing with my arm wrapped around another vampire. I knew who this person was instantly.

Of course, it was Bella Swan. Her chocolate eyes had been replaced with liquid gold and her ivory skin had been plastered with a bone-white complexion which felt just as rock hard as my own skin. In this future, we had become friends. The only reason this future had appeared is because of what happened today. Edward might not know it yet, but someday, he would fall deeply in love with this innocent girl.

I knew what I had to do. I had to tell him soon. I would have to tell him this smoothly, whether he liked it or not. I knew what his reaction would be. Surprise and pure frustration. I was already excited at the prospect of Bella and I becoming friends but I was worried though about how soon this vision would convert into reality. Were we ready for another member of the Cullen clan? Obviously it was great that Edward had found his soul mate after waiting almost a century for it, but it was going to be different.

I would have to find a way to get to know Bella as soon as possible. Edward wasn't going to like it, but he would have to deal with it. A lifestyle change, not so much different than moving from one place to another. I would have to drill this into Edward as much as possible in the next few months.

I decided that I needed to hunt. Jasper had already come back. He couldn't wait until night to satiate his thirst and he desperately needed to get outdoors. I was feeling parched from today's onslaught so I thought now would be the best time to re-vitalise my system. I lightly sprung from my third story window, making a light thump as my feet touched the ground and then I hit the accelerator, bounding away from the house into the dense surroundings of the forest.

Making it almost to the state line, I found a small herd of elk passing through a small stream. I crouched into my attack position and lunged for the buck. I landed on top of him easily and sunk my teeth straight into his jugular. After I finished him off, I disposed of his carcass into the stream. I ran my fingers through my hair and brushed off some hair from my shirt and then prepared for my next attack.

After I'd finished my fourth elk, I decided that I'd had enough. I took one quick glance of my reflection in the stream to make sure my features were as perfect as I'd left them. I gave myself a proud smile and took off again, back towards the house. Esme was watching me from the window on the first story. I waved to her and gave her a warm smile. She nodded sadly, obviously weeping from what happened today. I jumped from the ground onto the branch of a small tree and flung myself back through my bedroom window. I changed my clothes quickly into something more suitable for 'around the house', which I classified as a baby pink silk singlet and a grey cashmere cardigan. Accompanied by a grey high waist skirt. My mood had Jasper back-tracking. He had a slight aversion to bad moods and I knew he preferred to keep his distance. I skipped lightly down the stairs and into the study. I knew Carlisle wasn't far away, so I decided that I should get some work done before I talked with him about the disappearance of my poor brother. I flicked on the monitor and tapped swiftly on the screen to bring up my latest task. Project wardrobe, I called it. I would make a short trip to Seattle tomorrow, but I would mostly buy the designer brands online. I had already cleaned out most of my clothes which took me most of last night, but it was easy for me. Easy for a vampire.

By the time Carlisle got home I already had half of my wardrobe bought online. I decided to make the conversation between Carlisle and myself very short. I would explain quickly and he would adhere quickly. I scanned through his thoughts and his future. He seemed calm. I sighed happily and pranced out of the study, leaving my project for a later time.

* * * *

As I had predicted, the conversation between me and Carlisle was over and done with, without hesitation from neither of us. I knew Edward and I knew he would find a way to overcome this obstruction to his life. He was strong and I didn't need a vision to prove that. I was sitting on the window, looking out over the mountains, wandering aimlessly through different futures. Six days had passed since he left. I wondered if Tanya had already interceded his solitude. Apparently she had. Not a moment ago, she made her grand appearance. Giving Edward some hard hitting questions and making his view on life that little bit better. Tanya encouraged him to stand up for himself, like he always does. He would come home. I jumped to my feet with unexpected haste and sprang off the window sill, onto the roof of the garage. Edward was coming. The excitement of this event was radiating off every part of me. I was bouncing up and down so quickly that I would have been seen as a blur. Jasper had recognised my mood and was standing on the porch, leaning against the wooden post with a wide grin. Emmett and Rosalie were hunting and Carlisle was in his office as usual. I called for Carlisle and Esme. They would enjoy this more than myself. I gave my family a broad smile and perched on the outcrop of rock, waiting for the sign of my brothers arrival.

A short hour later I could hear the faint purr of Carlisle's Mercedes turn off the highway. I couldn't resist. I raced towards the sound, zooming past him and making a sharp turn before jumping and landing onto the roof of the car. The sunroof was open and I could see the top of his head. His bronze hair shining exquisitely in the sunlight. He turned his head up to smile at me. I grinned widely back, exposing each row of teeth. He laughed in response to my exuberance. I slid through the sunroof easily and perched on the passenger seat. I had to stop myself from jumping on him and giving him a big hug. I settled to put my hand on his shoulder and kiss his cheek. "Hello stranger," I said politely, holding back my excitement. "Did you miss me?" Edward asked sarcastically. I laughed, "Do you honestly think I wouldn't?" I responded between giggles. "Well, I thought you would be happy I was gone. Give you some space." he snickered. I shot him an exasperated look. "Me? Happy? Okay, something has happened to you since you've been gone. What has Tanya done to you?" I said with a teasing tone. He smirked, but then his lips turned down at the corners "I couldn't stay away. I have to apologise to everyone. Especially Esme for abandoning her like that. I hate to think that this one situation has caused so much grief in my family," He said with a bitter tone. He was just the same as always, taking the blame for every minor misfortune and beating himself up for it.

I frowned, "Everything is fine Edward, don't make this seem a lot more difficult than it is. Everyone is handling it well. Quite well actually. Esme is itching to see you though. I have everything under control and I'm planning to keep it that way," I finalised happily. Edward scowled. "This is not your burden to bear Alice, I will do my best to lock away this mishap and return to our routine. Don't strain yourself," He pushed. I disagreed and he could see that through my thoughts. He nodded in encouragement and accelerated swiftly weaving through the scrub leaving his worries for another day.