Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns the characters of the Twilight Saga, don't we know...oh well! We'll play with them anyway.
WARNING: Annoying Edward/Bella crap in this. I know, I know, it's getting old, believe me I KNOW. I'm getting sick of it too, please don't complain about it. We shall get past it in time. Remember: "Patients is a virtue."
There are more A/B hints here as well, some subtle, others...not so much. So I hope you'll take the E/B in trade for the A/B.
It's a pretty long chapter and I hope you like it.
OH! A big thanks to lilbit1016 and 71prowler who have gifted me with ideas for future chapters! The latter also offering to make a Moondance "Trailer" so we can all look forward to that in the future. I have decided I will make the Youtube and Tumblr accounts (though it may not be right away). Remember any ideas you may want to throw my way feel free! I'll always take them into consideration.
Cheers,
Lemon
I was stumbling around somewhere dark and unfamiliar trying to find someone or something I recognized. I tripped on something sticking out of the ground, only to look down and see the tree root that had caught my foot. I dislodged myself and continued wandering around. I couldn't see much, only what the moon allowed.
Then I spotted a clearing in the trees up ahead of me. I thought I could see someone kneeling on the ground. The person stood and turned to face me, only I was too far to see who it was. I quickened my pace to meet them, but when I got to the edge of the clearing, they took off in the other direction, at a run. I chased after. Something told me to follow, so I obeyed.
I made it through more trees and could see the back of the person in front of me. Never once stopping, or looking back. They just continued to run. Then I saw another break in the trees. The person I was following took a sharp right and I continued to the clearing. I skidded to a halt. The moon shone silver shimmering lightly off pale skin.
My eyes met bright red ones; it was Victoria, of course. I would run into her. Fear coursed through me until I realized she wasn't looking at me. She was looking through me. I looked from her to over my shoulder. A tiny girl stood behind me frozen in fear; her dark blue green eyes wide, as she took in the feral sight before her. She looked familiar, but not entirely. I felt like I knew her from somewhere.
I turned around to see Victoria gliding forward towards the girl only to stop right before me. I stepped back out of the way, nearly tripping as I walked backwards. She didn't notice me, I could run, but I couldn't leave the girl. Something told me I had to protect her.
"Run!" I shouted, but neither the beautiful girl nor the vampire paid attention to me. "Run!" I shouted again, hoping to gain one of their attentions. If I couldn't get her to listen then maybe I could distract Victoria, but it didn't work.
"You'll be fun to play with." Victoria said in a snarl and the girls' eyes went wider as Victoria lunged for her then took off into the trees, with the girl in her arms. I chased after them at a much slower pace, pushing myself to stay upright; I would not let myself fall. A few minutes passed and I continued pushing past trees and bushes, then I finally lost my balance and fell to my knees.
I heard a scream come from my left and I got up and took off running. In a small patch of moonlight, I saw Victoria run away, my eyes followed after her. Then I heard another scream and my attentions were ripped back to the small black haired girl writhing in pain on the forest floor. She was clawing at her neck where blood spilled from what I knew was a bite mark.
I ran to her and knelt besides her pulling her head into my lap, trying my best to calm her. She continued to thrash around and scream. A few moments passed as I frantically called for help, she stopped moving, and I felt her grow cold. I looked down back to her face. Her dark aqua eyes closed.
I didn't know what to do. I just sat there for a moment, and then I noticed her skin shimmered similarly to Victoria's. She felt hard as stone. My eyes raked over her body, it was whiter then it had just been. When my eyes met her face again her eyes snapped open. She was up in a flash looking around fear still evident in them, along with severe confusion. Crimson red eyes looked right through me and my mouth dropped open. I knew who this was.
"Alice?" I asked, she didn't seem to hear me, or know that I was even there. "Alice! Please, it's me, it's Bella. Calm down! I promise everything will be fine!" she still didn't respond. Instead she looked at her hands and balled them into fists, she screamed into the sky, and then took off in the direction I had just come from. I got up and followed quickly after her, not falling this time.
As I ran after her, I noticed that though I had just come from this direction, there was nothing here I recognized. I stopped as the trees broke and I saw Alice standing beside a cliff pacing back and forth, red eyes staring at the ground, her hands knotted in her hair. I noticed there was a person lying lifeless on the ground near a large boulder, I got closer. It was Charlie drained completely of his life's blood.
I gasped and looked back at my friend. She didn't look familiar to me; her eyes were crazed and shadowed with deep pain and sorrow. She screamed again, her voice laced with agony. I felt the need to comfort her, my father was dead, but I wanted to comfort her. I made my move to walk towards her as she took a step towards the cliff.
"Alice! NO!" I shouted, this time she looked at me, but it was too late, she stepped off the cliff. I ran to the end and looked down; there was nothing down there, an abyss. She was gone. My Alice was gone.
"Alice!"
I shot up in bed as my alarm went off. I was breathing heavily; my heart was pounding wildly within my chest. I knew I had been dreaming, but it felt real. I could still feel the pain of watching Alice disappear before my eyes.
"Bella?" came a deep concerned voice. I jumped a little, and my already pounding heart raced faster. Strong cold arms wrapped around me. It didn't help me relax; I felt the need to stand up and pace.
"Bella, are you alright? Why is your heart beating so quickly? Please try and calm down." Edward said, I scoffed, and shrugged his arms off of me and got up. I ran a hand through my hair and slammed off my alarm clock. I paced back and forth taking deep breaths to calm myself down. I knew my agitation wasn't his fault so I felt bad for taking it out on him.
"Bella?" he said again, I held my hand out to him asking for just a moment. He complied and quieted down. My heart slowed down and my breathing became more even. I sat down on the edge of my bed again and put my head in my hands.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I just get irritated from waking up like that. It's happened the last three days. I just don't feel well rested." I said and lifted my head when he knelt in front of me.
"That's alright, love." He said and took my hands in his. "What happened? Did you have another nightmare about Victoria?" I just nodded; I wasn't going to go into detail about this one. It was just as terrible as the last few nightmares I'd had and I didn't feel like reliving it.
"Ssh, ssh, it's alright, sweetheart." He cooed and sat next to me pulling me into his chest. He wiped my cheek; I hadn't even noticed the hot tears pouring down my face. I heaved a deep breath. It was fine; it was just another damned nightmare. Alice was fine. I tried to convince my self, but I didn't feel completely at ease. I was calmer though.
I pulled back from him and he looked into my eyes concern swirling in his gold ones. I ran my hand across his cheek.
"I'm sorry, I'm fine. Don't worry silly humans and their nightmares." I said with a half hearted laugh. He just pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. Then he relaxed a little and leaned forward to kiss me. I pulled back before he could though.
"Err, sorry, I need to take care of my human business." I said sheepishly. He smiled and kissed my cheek.
"That's fine; Charlie's not here, so I'll wait. Alice will be by to pick us up for school in an hour." He stated. I nodded and kissed his forehead as I got up to grab clothes. I walked into the bathroom and checked my self over in the mirror, I looked how I felt: like complete shit. Wonderful.
I took a long hot shower, letting the water do it's hardest to relax my tense muscles. It didn't work as well as I'd hoped. Why was I so frazzled over this dream? It was just another nightmare, nothing I hadn't been through before. I just couldn't seem to shake the image of Alice disappearing. I sighed and turned the water off, and got out. I changed quickly and I dried my hair.
When I left the bathroom I went to my room to fetch my shoes, once on, I headed towards the stairs. I heard laughter. Edward's and Alice's voices floated up the stairs. My heart picked up it's pace and I ran down the stairs nearly eating it on the last step, only Alice was there to grab me before I fell. I looked her over. Immediately all the tension that I had been holding left my body. I threw my arms around her neck. She laughed and held me tightly against her.
"Well, good morning, Bells." She said adopting my fathers nick name. I just smiled not even bothered by it.
"Good morning." She walked towards the kitchen and I followed. Edward stood at the stove making me breakfast. I smiled elated for some unknown reason and walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"Feeling better after you've had a shower?" he asked with a chuckle. I nodded into his back. He turned around and bent down to kiss me. I kissed him back, but when we pulled back I glanced at Alice and she looked away quickly. Edward took no notice and turned around to finish making my food.
"What are you making?" I asked hopping up on the counter next to the stove. He smiled at me.
"Well, I figured since you were going to take your time, I'd make you that meal I'd promised. Better than Alice." He said with a smirk at his sister. She rolled her eyes.
"So you think. We'll let her be the judge of that, Eddie boy." She joked. He chuckled and flipped the pancake over. It smelled great. I was about to hop off the counter, when Alice flashed to me, and reached past me to open the cupboard to my left. Her arm brushed my shoulder, and I felt a shock rush through me. I jumped a little at the feeling and Edward looked at me.
"Are you alright?" I nodded, not sure what that was. Alice simply continued her task and went to the fridge to pour my milk. I beamed as she handed it to me.
"Thanks, Alice." I said and took a swig.
"You don't need coffee today too do you?" she asked, remembering the nightmare I'd had yesterday and how it had left me drained. I felt the same way, but I didn't want to drink any coffee today. I would just crash harder. I shook my head.
"Good." She said and hopped on the counter next to me. Edward continued flipping my pancakes. When he finished Alice handed him a plate, she got off the counter and pulled me down with her, and lead me to the table. Edward brought me my food and syrup and set it in front of me. He sat beside me and Alice across from me. They both watched me expectantly.
"Err… why are you staring at me?" I said the blood rushing to my face as I picked up my fork.
"We want to know what you think." Alice said.
"I can just tell you, when I eat it." I said rolling my eyes.
"You could lie. We want to see your reaction." She giggled and Edward laughed. I sighed and poured the syrup over my pancakes. Then I cut a piece off and popped it in my mouth. It was delicious…though in truth, the wonderful breakfast Alice had made me the other day was better.
"Well?" she inquired. I continued eating until it was done before I answered. I blushed again as I spoke.
"It's really, really good." I said not looking at them. Alice laughed.
"Hah! She liked mine better." I felt my face heat up even more. Edward chuckled.
"Don't worry, Bella. I don't mind. I don't cook as much as she and Esme do. But, I'm glad you like it anyway. I would have felt awful if it made you sick. It all smells like dirt to us."
"That's true." Alice chimed. "But, we did have a bet, brother dearest." Edward rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket, tossing a wad of cash her way.
"When did you guys make that bet?" I said gesturing to the money she was shoving in her bag.
"The day I cooked you breakfast, remember?" I looked at her.
"You wanted to see who would make better food; you never put money on it." I pointed. Her face screwed up in confusion, and then a light bulb went off.
"Oh! I guess that part was silent." She said with a wink at her brother. He laughed and stood grabbing my plate. He cleaned it off as Alice grabbed something off the back of her chair. She handed it to me. It was Edward's Dartmouth sweatshirt.
"Thanks." I said she just smiled a small smile and grabbed our bags.
"Alright, we don't want to be late for yet another educational filled day at the glorious Forks High School." She said sarcastically. I laughed and nodded.
Edward finished and walked to the door, holding it open for me and his little sister. We drove to school quickly and parked. The bell rang soon after we got there; I had apparently taken more time eating than I thought. Oh well. We headed off to our classes.
The rest of the school day passed by without incident, Lauren didn't say anything again, and she just kind of ignored us. Angela chatted happily away with Alice, Edward, and me, Ben reading his comic book beside her. When the day was over Edward and Alice both accompanied me home.
We spent a little bit of time together; they helped me with my homework, and finished theirs in a minute. Then we finished the movie Alice and I had started the day before. While we were watching it, we sat on the couch together. I leaned against Edward his arms wrapped around my body and my feet up on Alice's lap. We laughed at something in the movie and Alice stopped suddenly. I looked at Edward who smiled back and kissed me. Then I looked at Alice she blinked and smiled at me.
"Charlie will be home soon, perhaps Edward and I should leave." She said. We all sighed at the same time, which caused us all to laugh at the same time. Finally we controlled ourselves.
"Alright well, I guess that's probably a good idea. He might not be so excited to see you." I said to Edward with a sad smile. He chuckled.
"That's true, he might not react so well when the bullet shattered at contact, either." He and Alice laughed again and we all stood up. I walked them to the door.
"I'll stick around until Esme comes to watch over you and Charlie. Edward will send her." Alice said as she kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly.
"I'll be back tonight." Edward said as he leaned down to capture my lips. He looked me in the eyes with a tender smolder in them when he pulled away. "I love you." I smiled at him and kissed him again.
"I'll see you tonight." He smiled at me and then turned to leave behind Alice. She looked over her shoulder and winked at me then darted for the trees. Edward took off in his Volvo as soon as I looked back to him. I closed the door and smiled to myself.
The night passed as uneventfully as the day, though I did wake to a nightmare Friday morning, as I had done every other morning. Only this time I didn't remember it exactly. Charlie was still home when I was getting ready to leave for school, so Alice picked me up. When we got to school Edward was waiting by his car and we headed off to class. My English and Spanish classes both had tests. Luckily for me, I had the two best tutors in the world, so I knew I'd done pretty well in both subjects.
At lunch time we took our spaces at the table, Edward carried a tray of food for me and him, though I would be the only one eating any of it. I still wasn't sure how people never noticed that the Cullens never ate. I ate my mushy green beans and hard spaghetti, Forks High cafeteria was no five star restaurant. They were lucky they weren't shut down. Angela and Alice were chatting away about a possible trip to Port Angeles for some shopping. I hated shopping, but if they wanted me to go, I wouldn't even try and fight it.
"What'd you think, Bella? Shopping tomorrow?" Angela asked me sweetly. I eyed Alice who had an angelic smile on her face. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, sure that sounds fine, I need to hit up a book store anyways." Alice squealed and clapped her hands together.
"Yay! Girls day out! We can go see a movie afterward if you'd like. My treat." She said to Angela and me.
"Thanks, Alice, but you don't have to do that." Angela said politely.
"Nonsense, it'll be nice. It's no problem." Angela just nodded and replied with a thank you. I shrugged. I hated her spending money on me as much as I hated shopping, but I knew there was no way to talk your way out of anything Alice already decided.
Edward laughed beside me, I shot him a glare.
"You shouldn't be laughing, Edward Anthony Cullen, your clothes are looking rather drab, don't make me drag you along." Alice growled at him. He shut up fast and started playing with my hair. It was my turn to laugh.
The bell rang soon after and the school day flew by.
Though when I was in P.E. I almost knocked out two kids when we were playing basketball. We had moved to playing on teams, after that, the coach let me sit out and I just watched Alice easily glide across her court. Her team won of course. After class we dressed and shuffled off to Esme's car. Edward waited for us as usual to say goodbye to me.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him tightly. He leaned down and kissed me with force. I had not been expecting this. He let his tongue dart out of his mouth and I gasped, he let it slide into my mouth and swirl around gently. I kissed him back, but I felt my face get hot. I soon needed air and he pulled back, my head was spinning a little from the lack of oxygen, he had a silly grin on his face.
I blushed deeply and noticed Alice slam the car door behind her. I looked towards the Lexus confused, and then looked up at Edward. He looked like he was listening for a moment then he told me what she was thinking.
"She's just annoyed at a vision she had." He said and his face looked annoyed as well.
"What was it about?" I asked. He looked at me wearily before answering.
"Nothing important really, just flickers of images. She's not sure what they mean." He looked a little concerned, but quickly covered it up. He kissed me again.
"I'll see you tonight, Bella." He walked me to my side of the Lexus and opened my door, shutting it when I was inside. He and his Volvo pulled out of the parking lot swiftly. I buckled my seatbelt then looked over at Alice. She was just staring out the window, her hands tight on the wheel.
"Alice?" I said gently. She shook her head and looked at me. "Are you alright? Is it about your vision?"
"My vision?" she cocked her head to the side. "Oh, yeah, my vision." I looked at her curiously. She wasn't telling me something.
"Alice, what's wrong? Are you worried you're missing something?" she just looked at me and I saw sadness flash in her eyes, but only for half a second before she smiled at me.
"Yeah, I guess. I mean, I don't want Victoria to get anywhere near you, and I'm worried these visions are going to throw me off. I just don't know what they're of. It's like someone is constantly changing their mind."
I nodded my head and Alice pulled out of the parking lot, still not entirely back to her chipper self. When we got to my house she swiftly got to my side and opened the door, extending her hand to me as she did, I took it and she helped me out. Only she didn't drop my hand when I was out of the car, instead she held it firmly in her own. I looked at her and she had a wide smile on her face, it reached her eyes. That made me happy, so I didn't say anything, not like it bothered me any way.
I led her to the door and opened it, still holding onto her hand. I set my back pack down on the table and turned to her. I was about to ask her if she would stay to hang out for a while, when the phone rang. She dropped my hand and I turned to pick it up. I answered on the third ring.
"Hello?" I said into the receiver.
"Bella?" my eyes bulged.
"Jacob? Jacob!" the gruff voice on the other end of the phone heaved a sigh of relief. I looked at Alice who was sitting on the counter staring at the ground. I leaned against the wall.
"Yeah, Bella it's me. I was just calling…to see if you're alright. You haven't called or come to the reservation. It's been nearly a week. I was starting to think you were dead." I flinched at his words. He was right though, I hadn't spoken with him since I got back. I had wanted to, but I didn't know if he would actually talk to me.
"No, Jacob, I'm fine. Really. I'm so sorry I didn't call you. I wanted to, you have to believe me, I just"- he cut me off.
"What they wouldn't let you?" Alice scoffed. I looked up at her, but she was still staring at the floor.
"No Jacob, I didn't think you'd want to talk to me. I was scared you'd hate me."
"I could never hate you, Bella. I hate them, not you. But, there is something I have to ask. Is he back now?" he spit out the 'he' in that sentence. I paused for a second.
"Yes, Jacob, they're all back…" he didn't say anything, a few moments passed and I started getting worried. "Jacob?"
"Are you… are you with him?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, he's not here." I said trying to avoid what he really asked.
"You know what I mean, Bella!" he snapped. I sighed.
"Jacob…" I trailed off. I heard him growl.
"Wonderful, whatever. Can you come to the reservation, I'd like to talk to you?" he questioned, I could hear his voice shaking with the strain of his control.
"I can't tonight. I've got homework…" I answered lamely. I wanted to see Jacob, just not tonight, when he sounded so…angry.
"Well how about tomorrow?"
"Actually, Angela, me and…and Alice are going shopping in Port Angeles tomorrow." I said I wouldn't lie to him. Another pause.
"Okay. Then do you even want to come here? I could just leave you alone. I don't care." The last sentence stung me a bit. I thought I heard Alice growl.
"Jacob! Of course I want to see you. I've been worried sick about you. I'm sorry I haven't called. A lot happened last weekend and I've still been trying to recover! I should've gotten in contact with you, you're right, and I'm sorry, but that's no reason for you to be such and ass." I snapped.
"Is the fact that those bloodsuckers are back a good enough reason for me to be an ass? The fact that you just welcomed them back into your life without a second thought, of what they did to you? Of how they left you? What makes you so sure they won't do it again?" he was shouting now. This time Alice growled louder, and I looked up to see her staring at the phone, eyes lit with fury. I didn't want to go over this, not now.
"Jacob, I will come to see you Sunday. I promise. I will be there. We can talk about this then."
"Whatever. Bye." He hung up. I just stared at the phone, I felt the sting in my eyes and the tears slide down my cheeks. I hung up the phone and put my face in my hands. I felt cold arms wrap around my waist. I leaned into Alice and let myself cry.
"Bella, it's alright. Ssh, calm down sweetheart." I actually did feel myself begin to calm down as she spoke those words. She started rubbing circles on my back. We stood like this for a few more moments while I tried to stop the tears. I was finally able to see, though I could still feel tears spill from my eyes, every now and then. I pulled back and looked at Alice.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern swam through her features.
"I'm fine," I wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my sweat shirt. "I'll be fine." She looked over my face for another moment, she leaned in. She gently kissed my temple. I could feel that shock again, and I flinched slightly. She pulled away
"Bella, we don't have to go shopping tomorrow, we can put it off. I'm sure Angela won't mind." She said sweetly. I shook my head.
"No, its fine, I don't want to see him tomorrow now, any way. Plus, maybe just doing something normal could help get my mind off things. Actually I was going to ask you if maybe you'd stay tonight, with me. We could just go pick Angela up tomorrow morning…" I looked at her face she was smiling.
"What about my brother? Don't you want him to stay?" she asked. I hadn't thought about that.
"Well, yes, but I'd like for you both to be there, unless you don't want to." I said quietly. She beamed and hugged me tighter.
"Of course, Bells! I'd love to, though, you need to ask Charlie. Since I will be here all afternoon." She giggled. I smiled, and she loosened her grip on me as I reached back for the phone, but she didn't let me go. I dialed Charlie's number, he answered on the first ring.
"Hey, Bells. What's up?" he said obviously knowing the number on caller I.D. I smiled and so did Alice.
"Hey, Dad, I was just wondering if Alice could stay over, I mean I know I'm grounded so if that's not okay, I understand. She wanted to go shopping tomorrow, as well. Like I said though, it's up to you." I bit my lip. He didn't take long to reply.
"Sure, Bells, she can stay over, and you can go tomorrow. But, behave, and I don't want to find out that Edward was with you." Alice giggled at this and I smiled.
"Don't worry, dad. Just us girls."
"Alright then, I won't be home until late tonight. There's more going on in Seattle. You aren't planning on going there for your shopping trip are you?" he asked suddenly a little more apprehensive.
"No, we were planning on just going to Port Angeles. Is everything alright?" I asked him and glanced at Alice who looked pensive. I raised an eyebrow at her and she shook her head.
"Yes and no. Just more of the same, that city is dangerous. They're quickly climbing up the crime rate latter." He heaved a sigh. "Well, I gotta run kiddo. Tell Alice I said hello, I might not be home until after you girls are in bed, so don't worry about dinner for me."
"Alright, dad. Love you." I replied.
"Love you too." I hung up the phone and turned back around in Alice's arms to look at her.
"What's wrong?" I asked. She just smiled at me.
"Nothing, my family has just been noticing the things going on in Seattle as well. Nothing major." She said and shrugged letting her hands drop. "Well, since I will be 'sleeping over' perhaps you'd like to accompany me back to my house, so I can grab a few things?" she asked.
"Sure, sure." I said, and then flinched, Jacob. I sighed and turned towards the front door.
She of course opened my door for me, and was beside me in the same second. She turned the engine over and reversed swiftly.
"Esme will be glad to see you." She said with a large smile. I smiled back, I'd be happy to see her too. The forest sped by in a swirl of different shades of green. I looked at the speedometer, we were going well over a hundred miles an hour, but for some reason I wasn't afraid or holding on to my seat for dear life. I guess I'd just gotten used to it.
"You know you can't drive this fast with Angela tomorrow. You'll give her a heart attack." I pointed out. Alice looked at me with a laugh.
"I happen to know Angela won't have a heart attack thank you, but I won't be driving this fast. Just a little over the speed limit." She said with a wink. We made it to her house in less than five minutes. Of course. As we pulled up, Edward and Jasper came up to the car.
Edward opened my door and pulled me into a hug. I swore I saw Alice and Jasper look at me before Edward's shoulder blocked my view. When he pulled back I saw Jasper kiss Alice quickly on the lips. I looked back to Edward and his crooked smile.
"What are you doing here?" he asked me. I looked to Alice who was now walking around the car followed by Jasper.
"Alice had to pick some things up." I said. Jasper gave me a large smile. I couldn't help but smile back.
"What for?" he asked, and then had that look like he was listening again. He nodded. "I see. Wait what was that?" Alice looked at me.
"Maybe you should ask, Bella." She said. He looked at me, I was lost, and so I gave him a questioning look.
"Jacob Black called you?" he asked and his eyes narrowed. I nodded.
"Yes, he called." Why did it matter?
"What for?" he asked his eyes hardening. Alice stood behind me now I looked over my shoulder at her.
"He just wanted to see if she was alright, Edward." She said simply. Edward's eyes traveled to his sister, his head cocked to the side.
"No!" he snapped his eyes back to my face. "No, you may not go to the reservation. There are far too many young werewolves there. It's far too dangerous." My eyes widened in shock for a second before they narrowed.
"Excuse me? Come again." I demanded. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and closed his eyes.
"Bella, I told you I wouldn't kill the dog, but if he hurt you, or any of them did, I couldn't very well keep that promise. It's too dangerous for you to go to the reservation." He said. I scoffed. Now I was pissed, was he really forbidding me from seeing Jacob?
"Well, then it's a good thing that I know they would never hurt me." He opened his eyes and removed his hand, to look at me.
"You don't know that, Bella, and Alice can't see them. So we wouldn't know if something happened, right?" he said shifting his gaze to his sister. She took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I don't see the problem with it. While you're right, and they are young wolves, they haven't hurt her. Jacob is the one who took care of her when-when we didn't. I would never tell her not to go see him. We're dangerous too, you know." He growled menacingly and took a step towards his much smaller sibling. She just remained still, unfazed, but Jasper shifted uncomfortably behind her.
"Edward, calm down." Jasper said.
"She's right, Edward. They haven't hurt me. They would never. I spent all my time with Jacob when you weren't here. How is it in anyway fair for you to tell me not to be his friend now?" Edward shrunk back and threw his hands in the air.
"Don't you think there is enough danger surrounding her? You want to increase it by trusting the dogs?" he pointed at Alice. I was getting more pissed the more he used the derogatory words describing the wolves. I was used to Jacob calling them names, it was just how he was, but when Edward did it, it got under my skin.
"Edward, it's not your decision. I'm sorry, I'm going to see Jacob on Sunday. You have no right to tell me I can't." his eyes softened.
"Then I'll have to stop you." He looked upset, but I believed his words.
"I'm sure you will." I crossed my arms. I turned swiftly on my heel and walked towards their house. Alice right beside me, I heard Jasper start talking to Edward, but ignored it for the most part. Though I didn't miss when Edward growled.
When we reached the front door Esme was there in a flash and had her arms wrapped around me.
"Hello, Bella dear." She smiled at me when she released me, then looked to her 'youngest' daughter. "What happened." She nodded to Edward and Jasper still talking, though Edward looked to have simmered down some. Alice sighed and gestured for us to go inside.
"Well I'm sure you heard that Bella wants to go see her friend Jacob. Edward's not very thrilled about the idea." Alice said, Esme shook her head and looked at me apologetically.
"I did hear, yes. Sorry about that." She said, I just shrugged "I must admit I am concerned about you going to the reservation, to see this Jacob, but it's your choice Bella. It would be unfair of any of us to tell you otherwise." I smiled at her. At least she could understand my decision. I chose them, when Jacob told me not to, why couldn't Edward allow me to see my best friend?
"Well I did not hear the reason for your wonderful unexpected visit." She said and glanced at Alice.
"Well, Bella has kindly asked me for a sleep over, Charlie agreed. So I had to come back and grab some clothes." Esme smiled warmly. Edward walked in then and wrapped his arms around me. I tensed for a moment, still a little annoyed with him. Jasper gave me a curious look, no one else seemed to notice including Edward.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I shouldn't have acted like such a child. While I do not want you to go, you're right; it's not my decision to make." He released me and I looked at him.
"Thank you, Edward. Though I'm not the only one you should be apologizing to." I finished and he looked at me confused, then I nodded to Alice. He understood.
"I'm sorry for my reaction to you as well, Alice. That was uncalled for." She smiled up at her brother.
"That's okay. Well, I'm just going to grab some things and we'll be off again." She chirped. Esme and Jasper nodded and disappeared into the living room. Edward and I waited for Alice.
"I truly am sorry for my outburst, Bella." He began; when I looked up at him his eyes were downcast at the floor. "I'm just worried."
"I understand that Edward. I just wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from you. I mean Jacob acts like that all the time, but you have over 90 years on him." I said and laughed a little, he seemed to brighten at my banter. His eyes met mine.
"Do you still want me to come tonight? I mean if not that's alright, you'll be with Alice. I could use a evening to hunt." He said a pensive look crossing his face.
"Well if you need to hunt, Edward that's fine. Like you said I'll be with Alice." I replied welcoming the thought of an evening with Alice. Not that I didn't enjoy Edward's company, I did, I just missed being around her so much. We hadn't had a sleep over, a normal sleep over, since before they left.
"Are you certain?" he asked. I nodded. "Alright. I love you." He looked into my eyes for a moment before leaning down to capture my lips in a deep embrace like the one earlier. His tongue asked for entrance and I allowed it. His lips were hard as ever, but they moved fluidly, in time with my own. Or rather mine moved with his as he was in full control. I decided since he was letting up some of his wall, I'd try and take it a step further.
I pulled myself closer to him, and locked my fingers in his hair, doing my best to pull him further into my lips. He only allowed it for a moment when he easily pushed me away. His eyes were nearly black.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I can't lose control." He looked to his right towards the stairs where Alice was standing. She was staring at nothing. She looked sad. "Alice?" he asked. Her head snapped up.
"What? Sorry?" she said thinking she'd missed a question. Did she have a vision? Jasper walked in then capturing Alice's attention.
"Alice, are you alright?" he asked with a knowing look to his mate. I looked at Edward, he looked confused, and then he shrugged.
"Don't worry about those visions, Alice. We'll figure it out eventually if it's important. Just try and focus on Victoria." Alice was still locked in eye contact with Jasper. Then she turned to Edward and I, he still holding me to him, and half smiled.
"Yes, I know. Thanks." Edward looked back at me a kissed me chastely.
"I'll see you tomorrow night." He said to me. I smiled at him.
"Alright." I turned to Jasper who was still looking at Alice; he had a worried look on his face. "See you later, Jasper." He looked at me and smiled and nodded.
"Bye, Bella." He said and returned his attention to Alice who walked down the stairs towards him. She hesitated for a moment then kissed him gently. I turned around towards the door and opened it, feeling stuffy all of a sudden. I stepped out on to the deck to wait for Alice. I took a deep breath and leaned against the railing surrounding the porch.
I always loved coming to their home. The way it was placed so deep in the forest, away from the highway, away from the town, it was peaceful out here. Secluded and peaceful. The fog always caught in the trees, and the gray clouds made the light from the sun glow silver in some areas, where they were not as thick. I supposed the weather had definitely grown on me. I was finding it soothing. I noticed it had started drizzling since we got here.
My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a small cool hand on my shoulder. I turned my head and saw Alice looking at me. I smiled warmly at her; she returned it slightly, though it didn't light up her amber eyes.
"Are you okay, Alice?" I asked turning around as she dropped her hand. She was holding a small duffel bag in her other hand. She looked out over the scene I was just contemplating.
"It's beautiful out here isn't it?" she asked me not looking away from it. I frowned. "I missed this place so much when we were away. I mean Denali is great, but there was more to miss here, more beauty…" she trailed off her eyes meeting mine again.
"It is gorgeous; I think it's grown on me." I said as I took a step towards the stairs that led off the porch, I gestured for her hand. She took it, but when they made contact I felt that same surge I'd felt before, only stronger. I dropped her hand. She looked at me curiously.
"Sorry. You shocked me. Static." I said. She just smiled and took my hand again, when she did I still felt a slight prickling in my hand, but brushed it off as the jolt from the shock.
She led me to the car for the ride home.
