We were left in the reception area where the woman named Gianna still worked and music was playing and Dementri told us:
"Do not leave until dark"
It was more like a warning.
Edward gave him a nod of the head and Demetri went back to wherever and I noticed that Gianna did not seem surprised by the quick words but more at Bella. That a human would leave here with her heart still beating.
"Are you all right?"
I heard Edward ask Bella with tension in his voice. Then I heard Alice say:
"You'd better make her sit before she falls, she's going to pieces"
Bella was shaking, 'shaking like a leaf' the humans say. "Shh, Bella, shhh"
Edward pulled Bella closer to him while Alice said:
"I think she's having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her"
Edward threw a glance at Alice and I wanted to say:
"It was only a suggestion!'
Edward would never hit Bella under any situation:
"It's all right, you're safe, it's all right"
Edward kept telling her over and over again in a soft, calming tone and in the meantime, I turned to Alice, took her hand and held it and looked into her eyes with the silent promise that I would NEVER leave again. I was so stupid, I felt like the gum on people's shoes. I heard Bella say:
"All those people" "I know" Edward whispered back. It kept flashing to my mind:
'I've seen much more than that'
And then I heard the secretary's voice, she asked:
"Is there anything I can get you?"
There was no fright or anything in her voice, just concern mixed with curiosity...
"No"
She nodded, looked at all of us then left.
Bella kept looking after her then she asked:
"Does she know what's going on here?"
Bella's voice sounded more sure of herself and Edward told her:
"Yes. She knows everything" "Does she know they're going to kill her someday?" Bella asked. "She knows it's a possibility" Edward told her and I could see Bella's face with surprise on it and Edward says:
"She's hoping they'll decide to keep her" "She wants to be one of them?"
Edward nodded, watching Bella's face then Bella said:
"How can she want that?" Bella was whispering but we could all hear her:
"How can she watch those people file through to that hideous room and want to be a part of that?"
I watched Edward's expression and I thought:
'Bella, do you know how that sounds? You say you want to be us…but we are different, the Cullens are different'
'Oh, Edward" Bella started crying again and Edward asked her what's wrong?"
'Is it really sick for me to be happy right now?" She just told him as she hugged herself closer, if that's possible. Edward said:
"I know what you mean, but we have lots of reasons to be happy. For one, we're alive" "Yes, that's a good one"
We all looked at each other and we all said at the same time:
"And together"
Edward then said:
"And with any luck, we'll still be alive tomorrow" "Hopefully"
Was all Bella said and Alice said:
"The outlook is quite good, we'll all be home in less than twenty-four hours"
Bella couldn't take her eyes off Edward, Emmett would puke if he could. Hmpf,…then Edward told Bella:
"You look so tired" "And you look thirsty"
Edward just shrugged his shoulders:
"Are you sure? I could sit with Alice and Jasper"
All I could feel was honesty and peace from Bella:
"Don't be ridiculous…I've never been in better control of that side of my nature than right now"
I kept wondering if he was saying that because of me…did he not want her to sit with me? Alice just grabbed my hand and he looked at me and said:
"Jasper, stop being stupid"
Bella looked around at all of us and laughed, a nervous laugh but she still laughed!
At first we all just relaxed in each other's company but then Edward & Alice discussed how to get home. And Alice asked:
"What was all that talk about singers?"
"La tua cantante" Was all Edward said. 'Yes, that" Alice said and Bella and I exchanged glances. "They have a name for someone who smells the way Bella does to me. They call her my singer, because her blood sings for me"
Alice laughed. God, how I love that laugh! Edward and Alice just continued to talk with Edward quickly kissing the top of Bella's head. Everything was going smoothly then I saw Edward's arms tighten around Bella and I saw Alice and Edward look in the back of the room. Alec was coming, his eyes red and he gave us the news:
"You're free to leave now, we ask that you don't linger long in the city"
Edward's voice was icy cold as he answered:
"That won't be a problem"
Alec only gave us a 'friendly' smile then quickly left and Gianna said:
"Follow the right hallway around the corner to the first set of elevators, the lobby is two floors down and exits to the streets. Goodbye, now"
Would she still be alive if I ever came here again? I saw Alice shoot her a look. We all left the lobby. Bella glanced back at the medieval castle that held horror stories. There was still a celebration in the streets and the feeling of the festivities held a darker story, and stupid vampire 'fangs' were on the adults and Edward muttered:
"Ridiculous"
It was. If these people only knew.
Alice was gone from beside me. I heard Bella ask:
"Where's Alice?" "She went to retrieve your bags from where we put them this morning"
Bella asked:
"How does she?..."
Bella stopped then blushed as she remembered. Alice read your mind:
"She's stealing a car too isn't she?"
Edward grinned:
"Not til we're outside"
We walked calmly though the city looking at everything. I briefly thought about Bella's thoughts and we went to a car that had its engine running. Edward slid into the backseat with Bella and Alice said:
"I'm sorry…there wasn't much to choose from"
Edward ginned and said:
"It's fine Alice, they can't all be 911 Turbos"
She just sighed and Edward and I exchanged glances and she said:
"I may have to acquire one of those legally. It was fabulous" "I'll get you one for neChristmas" Edward promised.
Alice just beamed like a child and she started the car off fast and told Edward:
"Yellow"
Edward smiled, turned to Bella falling asleep in his arms and he said:
"You can sleep now Bella, it's over"
We all knew he meant the immediate danger was over and Bella just complained like a little child:
"I don't want to sleep. I'm not tired."
Right.
"Try" Edward told her. Then I heard him tell her:
"You're still just as stubborn"
Alice of coarse made us all change into clean clothes, I could feel Bella's relief at that but she was being stubborn as not to sleep. The plane trip to Rome was short and then we went from Rome to Atlanta and on the plane Bella asked the attendant for a Coke to drink, Edward just said to Bella:
"Bella"
He knew she was going to drink it just to stay awake. Alice and I sat behind them laughing, holding hands and kissing like it would all go away soon. I still didn't speak much, what could I say? There was nothing I could say to excuse my actions tho Edward could see them, I think he could state my words more than I could. Alice put her head on my shoulder and looked out the window, she acted like she was going to sleep, for the benefit of the passengers, I loved to watch her. Bella stayed awake for the flight to Atlanta and even to Seattle, she seemed determined not to lose a minute with Edward.
None of us were surprised by our reception at the airport. Carlisle and Esme waited for us in a corner far away, Esme reached for all of us in a gigantic hug and she told Bella:
"Thank you"
And then she threw her arms around Alice and Edward and she looked as if she would cry:
"You will never put me through that again do you hear me Alice Cullen?"
Alice just grinned at Edward, back at Jasper and said:
"Sorry, Mom"
Carlisle told Bella, Edward and myself:
"Thank you all, we owe you"
Big brother Emmett walked up to me and asked:
"I'm glad to see you Jasper, are you all right?"
I looked at Alice and said:
"I am now" "Good"
I saw Rose and Alice take a big step back and thought 'Why?' I found out. Emmett took his fist and with all his vampire strength, knocked me on the ground. Emmett just turned and left, Esme looked after him and she looked back at Carlisle who just shrugged his shoulders, Rosealie went after Emmett then I looked up at Alice and said:
"Didn't you see that?"
Alice shook her head then said:
"Yes"
I shook my head then said:
"Why didn't you say something?"
She just lightly says:
"It wasn't anything you didn't deserve"
Everybody who was still standing there just laughed. I guess I did deserve it.
