Disclaimer: I own only the plot of the story. The names of the characters belong to S.M.

CHAPTER 4 – New start

APOV

Ever since I began hanging out with Bella, I never expected my life would change so much. Long gone where the infinite days I spent drowning into anger and despair. Her sweet kind soul was a beacon of light in the bitter hell that had been my life since the day I met her, always looking out for me, without making feel useless. She was smart enough to let me be independent and helped me only when I ask her to. And let me tell you, it was something that was happening rarely now.

There was nothing I couldn't do when I was with Bella. We saw each other every day, either through classes or during our free time. We had lunch together every day, chatting and laughing non stop about everything. I discovered that we had a lot in common; books, music, movies, even fashion. Although her family was filthy rich, she preferred being "simple but tasteful".

She was not a fan of expensive things, allowing herself only one indulgence; her car. It was a brand new Vanquish, fast and comfortable, a birthday present from Edward Masen, her boyfriend of two years. Yes, one of the first things she did when we went out for lunch that first day, was to introduce me to him. And I must admit; they were perfect for each other, true soul mates.

Edward was also a medical student, a year older than Bella and me, a future Surgeon. He also came from a wealthy family, with a strong line of prominent doctors in its ranks. He was tall, at least six feet two, handsome and agile. He had coppery hair, that tended to be in disarray, and bright green eyes that sparkled with love and joy whenever he looked at Bella.

When Bella first introduced us, I must admit I let my prejudices take over. I couldn't believe that a man so perfect, even if he was the one dating Bella Cullen, would be "nice" to me. But, to my astonishment, he was a true gentleman. He treated me as a human being and not as a helpless little pet. And, just like Bella, he made me feel like a normal girl. We talked, we laughed, we argued. I really felt accepted by them, no, I felt…loved.

Tears filled my eyes at the memory of that lunch meeting. It was the first of many to come.

I was still amazed by the fact that both Bella and Edward made sure to include me in their life as much as possible. No matter what their plans were, they tagged me along. They had given me the chance to experience many things for the first time in my life.

I knew now what "having a good time" really meant. They had taken me at many outings with them, always making it easy for me without smothering. I even went to a karaoke bar, and, let me tell you, it was a blast, and I am practically begging Bella to take me there again, to try my singing!

She beamed at me when I told her that. "That's my girl," she said. "You are slowly coming out of your cocoon, my little butterfly."

I scoffed at her comment. "Yeah, say that again when you will be helping me get on stage…" She rolled her eyes at me.

"Alice, always remember; you can do everything you want! All I ever do is giving you a helping hand. Isn't that what friends do for one another?" she said pouting her lips. It was my turn to roll my eyes at her. No one, and I really mean no one, is able to resist Bella and her pouting.

She grinned at me, knowing she had won. I groaned, because, deep inside, I knew she is right. I just have a hard time embracing the whole concept of "Alice-can-do-anything" thing.

"Hey, Alice, I forgot to tell you. Edward and I are planning on going out for dinner later with some friends. You are coming," she said. "Be ready by seven."

This new invitation reminded of what I wanted to talk to Bella about.

"Bella," I called at her to get her attention, and it worked. She stopped her reading and looked up at me.

"Why do you keep inviting me out so often? Not that I don't enjoy it thoroughly, but…don't you want some alone time for you and Edward? It seems I am hanging out with you too often, and you always exert yourselves to make me comfortable.

"You drive me around, you help me in and out of my wheelchair, you open doors for me, you help me make my way through crowded places…the list is endless. You have no couple time, I am constantly there not letting you breath.

"I love you both. I value your friendship infinitesimally and I appreciate everything you have done for me. I think it is my turn to do something in return, and that is to allow you to be alone without me, and be the young carefree couple in love that everybody in this university knows and envies. So, I have to decline on your offer this time," I stopped, choking at my guilt.

BPOV

I was speechless, listening to Alice, watching her crumble under her guilt. Silly, selfless girl! Why did she have to think so little of herself? I guess living your whole life been told you are nothing but a burden and a duty makes you believe it is the truth, I scolded myself. Except her parents, no one had ever showed her kindness or affection.

I put my book away and moved to sit at the kitchen table, our "discussion spot" in the apartment. She followed me close and took her place there, her eyes forlorn. I reached out my hand to her. She hesitated a bit, but then reached out her hand, too, and took hold of mine.

"Alice," I said, "I have known Edward since we both were in diapers, our parents being old friends themselves. I have been in love with Edward since high school, and we became officially a couple almost two years ago. I love him and he loves me, we know it, but we are not the "lovey-dovey" kind of couple. We don't have to cling on each other to know we are together."

"Thank God for that," she muttered under her breath. I chuckled inwardly at her comment, but became serious again.

"Sometimes, it takes a simple thing to show your feelings. This is how it is for me and Edward. We may be in a crowded room, away from each other, but just a look into his beautiful eyes can tell me what a million words can not.

"We don't want to suffocate in our relationship, we don't have to. We are not each other's property, but my heart belongs to him and vice versa. So, I don't spend every single minute of my life keeping Edward on a leash, I don't have to. We are soul mates, and we have time to do everything at its own time; study, have fun with friends, spend quality time as a couple.

"Trust me, Alice, if and when we might need alone time, we won't be shy to tell you so. After all, you are a sister to us both."

As soon as I stopped talking, Alice was in tears. I was startled by her reaction; it was not what I expected.

"Alice, I am sorry. I didn't want to make you cry, I..." I started apologizing to her, but she put her hand up to stop me. Composing herself, and wiping her tears away, she came close to me and hugged me as tight as she could.

"Thank you, Bella. You are truly a gem. I wish I had met you years ago. Maybe…maybe I would have become a better person," she mumbled on my shoulder.

I rubbed her back in reassurance. "You are the best friend…no, you are the best sister I could ask for. Never ever doubt how much Edward and I love you."

"I know you do," she sniffed, "and may you always be happy and in love. I wish," she paused, "I wish I could be half as lucky as you are in love. But, who am I kidding?" she said, her voice tired. I pulled a bit from her, my hands pressed on her face, as I spoke.

"Sister, there is a man out there for you, I swear. He is your missing half, your perfect match, your soul mate. And, no matter how hard things may seem to you now, you will find him. He is waiting for you, just be patient. Have I ever been wrong?" I told her sincerely.

I wasn't lying to Alice to make her feel better. Call me a psychic, but, for some time now, I had a "feeling" that Alice would find happiness at last. And those "feelings" of mine were never wrong.

"Yeah, sure," was her only response. I knew she didn't believe me. She knew all about my strange "ability", but she was afraid to get her hopes up. Time, only time….

A few days later

APOV

Bella had all her attention at the book she was reading, lost in the main characters' struggle, so I moved to her desk and switched her laptop on, to check my e-mails, maybe shop online a bit. The whole procedure took no more than ten minutes, and then I turned it off, satisfied with myself. I had just purchased a nice designer dress, a bit pricey, but it would fit her like a glove and accentuate her beauty. Edward will thank me for it, I grinned at myself. It was the perfect present for Bella's birthday.

Now I had nothing more to do, not until Edward would come over to take me to my dorm. Now wanting to disturb Bella from her book, I let my eyes wander around the room.

Not having to live in the small dorm rooms was one of the many advantages of being a Cullen. Instead, she and Edward were living together in their own apartment near campus, with more space and light available than necessary.

It was the penthouse of a modern building with a breathtaking view of the area and the surrounding forest. No matter how stressed I might be, when I came out in this balcony, all my worries slipped away and I felt at peace; with life, with God, with myself.

The apartment itself was spacious, with four bedrooms and separate bathrooms, a large kitchen and an even larger living room. It had so much room to spare that they had a music room with a baby grand piano in it, for Edward, who, apart from his many skills, was also a music genius. I had listened to him playing many times, and every time I was in tears from the emotions emanated from his performance.

He had even composed some music of his own, and both Bella and I loved to hear him play our favorite; Bella's Lullaby. It was a sweet little piece, that helped us calm down or fall asleep, a lullaby indeed. It reminded me of my parents, lulling me to sleep as a little girl, tired and carefree.

On the countless times I stayed overnight, when it would be too late for me to return to my dorm room, he would always play it for us. I loved being here, at this house with Bella and Edward, not for the space or the luxury of the apartment, but because here I felt at home.

We had become very close since we first met. As I was an only child, and due to my disability, had always been lonely, Bella and Edward became the siblings I wanted. They both loved and cared for me dearly. Their kindness was overwhelming some times; I just couldn't believe that such incredible people really existed. I couldn't find ways to thank them enough, and when I tried to express my gratitude, they both would hug me and tell me "Love you, little sister." They wouldn't even let me buy gifts for them easily, unless I would sneak around and shop online, a feat very difficult to achieve.

I turned around and Bella was standing behind me, gazing at the forest below.

"What's up, girl?" she asked me, a little frown on her face. "Are you alright?"

I smiled at her sisterly concern. "I am fine, Bella, really, just enjoying the view." I checked my watch. "Hey, what time is Edward coming by? I have to go back to my dorm to finish a paper."

Bella didn't answer me, her mind lost in thought. I knew better not to disrupt her when she was in think-mode. So I was startled when she suddenly spoke to me.

"Alice, I want to talk to you about something," she said. Oh, oh, this is not good, I thought.

She felt my anxiety because she quickly added "No, Alice, it's nothing bad, I can assure you. In fact, I think it is something very good," she grinned at me. I watched her waiting for her to continue.

"Well, I've been thinking…You know how much Edward and I love you and consider you as a sister to us?" I nodded. "I hate it every time you have to leave and go back to that crammed box that is your dorm room, and having that horrible Jessica Stanley as a roommate," she added horrified.

I chuckled at her tone. Truly, Jessica was an awful girl, always treating me like dirt at her shoe. I had often wished to change roommates or get a room by myself, but, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get it. No free single rooms, they told me.

"I agree, but you know I have tried everything to get out of it" I answered.

"I think I might have found a solution to your problem," she said again, smiling her "I-know-something-you-don't-know" smile. I raised an eyebrow.

"What is it, Bells? I have thought of every possibility."

"No, no, you haven't," she was beaming now.

"Well?"

She smiled at me. "Move in here with us." My jaw dropped in surprise.

"Are you serious?" I asked, not believing what I had just heard.

"I always am, you know that. We have thought about it for a long time. Thank God, we have so much room available, we can accommodate a whole football team if we wanted to," she said, satisfied as a well-fed cat.

I was speechless from their thoughtfulness. I could feel the tears filling my eyes, ready to come thundering down. I gazed at my best friend, no, my sister in awe.

"You really love me that much to be willing to burden yourself with me?" I managed to choke out.

BPOV

I sincerely meant what I had said, but I could see she wasn't fully convinced.

Oh, Alice, after all this time, you are still doubting me!

"We have been friends for how long? Six months? Have either me or Edward ever hidden our true feelings?" I wasn't really angry at Alice, even if I sounded like I was. After all, she had, painfully and slowly, confided the story of her life to me.

After everything she had been through all those years, I understood why it was so difficult for her to trust anyone. She couldn't help it, it was ingrained in her. And I knew how hard it was for her to let her guard down for us. She might seem strong and fearless, but deep inside, her soul was brittle, ready to crumble under fear. She was terrified to trust, she was betrayed over and over again that expected nothing more. It was brave and risky on her part to let us closer.

I could remember clearly how clammed up she used to be, in the beginning of our friendship. She would come along whenever we invited her, but she was mostly an observer to our group. It took a great deal of effort from us to make her feel more at ease and become a more active participant. Her disability made her self-conscious, feeling unequal to us and our peers. It was only a little time ago that she seemed to be thinking better of herself.

Edward and I did our best not to baby her, letting her be independent and pushing her to overcome her disability and live her life to the fullest. We loved her too much to treat her like an invalid, and she never proved us wrong.

We now knew her well and were in sync with each other. Everything we did for her came naturally, it was never an obligation but always a loving gesture to her tortured soul.

I had thought about Alice moving in with me for some time now. My parents knew everything about her and agreed wholeheartedly with my decision.

"We trust you, sweetheart," my father told me when I discussed my idea with him. "You are a clever young woman, and a good judge of character. If you truly have faith in her, then go ahead and ask her," he smiled at me.

"Dad, gee, thanks for the vote of confidence! I really believe in her, she is like a sister for me, and for Edward too."

"You talk about her so much, your mother and I feel we already know her. So, please, feel free to invite her here whenever you think best. Your mother will love having another daughter to dot," my father chuckled.

I grinned to think about my parents, and then turned my attention to Alice again. She was still going over my proposal, visibly in internal conflict. She really wanted to accept, but her fear of being pitied and a burden held her back.

I kneeled in front of her and took her hand in mine.

"Ali, stop doubting us and yourself. I truly want you here. You are the sister I never had. My parents know how important you are to me, and they can't wait to meet you, "their youngest daughter". Oh, you will love Esme! She already adores you and is dying to spoil you rotten.

"So, will you please move in with us?" I finally asked her.

She had listened to me quietly, never interrupting me. But, as soon as I finished my little speech, her face changed in an instant. It was like she was having an epiphany. She stared at me with tears running down her face and nodded happily.

"Yes, Bella, I will move in with you guys. Thank you for wanting me here."

I squealed happily and she joined me soon after. And that was how Edward found us, planning in detail the best and fastest way to move her things in. He immediately understood and, approaching Alice, kissed the top of her head.

"Welcome home, sister," he simply said, and I couldn't agree more.

Welcome home, indeed….