Nope, I don't own Twilight. Stephanie Myers does. I only own Patrick (Pat), Amber, Tori, and Pops for now. Ladies, Patrick is still single to this point. I'm taking bids. Not all Prince Charmings are vampires or shape shifters. Humans need love too!
CHAPTER 8-ALICE'S P.O.V.
Carlisle cleared me and he went back to work while the rest of us hid in his office. We need a plan. "Carlisle and I talked while you two were having your conversation," Edward told Bella and I, "and whatever needs to be done him and Esme are in." "What does Esme think?" I ask. He grins. "Remember how happy she was when I found Bella?" he asks. I nod. "There's your answer," he replies. That good, huh? Edward nods in agreement to my thought. "She is making plans for any outcome," Edward goes on, "even if he doesn't take the news well." I shudder at that. "Alice," he says softly as he places a hand on my shoulder, "you understand our existence. We have the utmost confidence this will work out…but if it doesn't, we'll need to disappear…quickly."
I nod. "My suggestion is he'll stay with us once he gets out of the hospital," Edward says, "Carlisle just wants to keep him overnight here and if everything goes well he could be discharged in the morning." "What about his family?" I ask. Edward gives me a thoughtful look. "Let's just say I know more than you do on this subject right now," he explains, "and him staying with us would be more beneficial than going home."
I'm NOT going to let that slide. "Explain…now," I say firmly. Edward sighs. "His grandfather works the night shift," he explains, "and his parents don't live with them. At home, either Amber would have to take care of him and Tori or he would have to take care of Tori alone…and both have school. Amber and her…family…could take care of Tori while Patrick recuperates with us." I ponder. Today was Wednesday. I take a deep breath and check my visions. I see that it's going to be rainy starting tonight. Also, I see if what I want to suggest is plausible. Yeah, that could work. "Let's shoot for keeping him till Sunday," I suggest, "three nights of observation sounds believable." Edward nods in agreement. "I'm sure Carlisle can handle Mr. Williamson," Edward says, "though Amber might be a problem." His jaw sets in a hard line. "She's not your biggest fan, Alice." "We can change that," Emmett says, "dazzle her as Bella use to say. We'll just tell her Alice was going through a hard time." Bella nods in agreement.
"Do we have food at the house?" I ask. Edward nods. "Esme's already shopping," he says with a smirk, "looking forward to having someone to mother for a little while." Everyone smile at this. "This is my idea," I say out loud, "I want to check on him tonight…just to kind of break the ice…he'll come home with us tomorrow and recoup…and I'm guessing Friday I'll tell him." Nods all around. "Good plan," Bella replies, "you'll probably have to take him somewhere to…demonstrate…that you're telling the truth." Emmett snorts. "She shouldn't have to sleep with him to prove she loves him," he says in a menacing voice. Bella smacks him on the arm. "Prove she's a vampire," Bella says with a roll of her eyes, "pervert." Edward chuckles.
"Relax Alice," Edward says softly, "I know you're nervous…without reading your mind." I give him a funny look. "I was nervous when I decided to tell Bella." Oh. "It's not that," I explain, "it's that…I have to tell him everything." I explain. I don't think it, so Edward doesn't know what I mean. Bella does. "She means Jasper," Bella explains to the group. I nod, a lump forming in my throat. "My suggestion," Emmett says softly, "tell him everything." "Don't hold anything back." I nod. That will be the hardest part.
Edward's cell phone rings and he answers it. "Carlisle," he says quickly, "are we ready?" I hear Carlisle say "yes" and Edward reply, "We're on our way." He snaps his phone shut. "Show time," he says, leading the way. He speaks quickly as he talks. "Alice, this will probably work better if you don't talk," he explains, "Amber will be in the room and we don't want to get her working against us." I sigh and nod. "Let Carlisle and I do the persuading," he goes on, "this will work." I nod again as we make it to room 212.
We enter the room to find Carlisle there along with Mr. Williamson, Amber, and Tori. Patrick is sleeping. Carlisle continues his conversation with the elder Williamson. "As I was saying Mr. Williamson," he goes in, "I don't think Patrick will have any permanent damage to his brain even with this being his second concussion." I visibly flinch at that. Pat's had a concussion before? Edward nods slowly out of the corner of my eye. "Thank you Doc," Mr. Williamson replies, shaking Carlisle's hand, "so when can my boy go home?"
"Well sir, I wanted to discuss that with you," Carlisle said, "which is why my children are here." He makes the introductions. "This is Emmett, Bella, Edward, and Alice. Alice is the one who's life Patrick saved today." A lie, but humans didn't know that. Or maybe it was the truth…he did save us from exposure. "I remember you," Mr. Williamson says with a twinkle in his eye, "you were at the football game." "Yes sir," I say shyly, going for the charm like I use to with Charlie. Carlisle goes on, "If everything goes well, Pat should be released tomorrow. I was hoping you would allow my family to take care of him through the weekend." "Why?" Mr. Williamson asks, surprised. "Mr. Williamson," Carlisle replies softly, "I understand you are raising Pat and Tori by yourself?" The old man nods. "I don't mean to pry into your personal business," Carlisle continues, "but if you're working, who will keep an eye on Pat? He needs to be woken up every two hours." Another lie…he really only needs to be woken up every two hours for the next day…next two days max. "That's very kind of you Doc," Mr. Williamson says slowly, "but I couldn't put you out like that. "Mr. Williamson," Carlisle says, just a touch of outrage in his voice, "your grandson saved my daughter's life. I assure you, it's the least we could do." "We?" Mr. Williamson asks. Carlisle nods. "My wife, Esme, is eternally grateful for your grandson's heroics." Wow, Carlisle's laying it on thick.
Mr. Williamson is pondering, but he's not completely sold yet. "I guess Amber and her…family…could take Tori," he wonders aloud, "if that's ok with you Amber?" She nods, not speaking. She doesn't look happy. He looks at my siblings. "You three ok with this?" he ask. "Anything for 'The Hitman'," Emmett says with a grin. Mr. Williamson chuckles. "Boy, why aren't you playing big as you are?" he ask. Emmett shrugs. "Blew out both my knees as a freshmen," he lies smoothly, "I'd be out there if I could." This answer appeases the old man. "So if he's released tomorrow…you'll keep him till Sunday?" he asks. "He'll be home in time to kiss Tori goodnight," Bella promises. "And you're sure it's not a problem?" he says, turning to Carlisle. "It would be our pleasure," Carlisle says, "we are truly grateful for what he did." "Alright," Mr. Williamson replies slowly, "if you think it's best." I fight the urge to pump my fist and hiss out "YES!"
We leave and head to the car. "You need to hunt Alice," Edward says as we're leaving, "we all do if there's going to be a human at home." Everyone nods in agreement. Edward starts chuckling. "What?" Bella ask. "Remember how Alice use to have Charlie wrapped around her little finger?" he asks. "Yeah," Bella replies, "could still have it if she'd visit more often." Edward continues to chuckle. "She's almost got Patrick's grandfather," he says with a smirk. Everyone chuckles at this.
"What else was being thought?" Emmett asks. Edward gets serious at this. "Amber wants to know what we're up to," he says seriously, "she's pretty perceptive." I sigh. That girl's going to take some work. "Tori was afraid of Emmett," he continues, "but she thinks Alice is pretty." He ponders for a moment. "The old man's wondering if his grandson is going to get a 'special reward' from Alice for saving her live." Emmett burst out laughing at this. Laughing like he hasn't laughed in years. "If he only knew," Emmett says between laughs. Bella's giggling too, but I don't know if it's from the thought or Emmett's laughter.
"I have a question," Bella ask when she gets over her giggling fit, "why did Pat's grandfather stumble when he said Amber's 'family'?" I think about that for a moment. "Yeah," I add, "Edward you did that too earlier…when you were talking about Tori staying with Amber." Edward gets quiet. "That is Patrick's story to tell," he says, "and you know I won't reveal anything like that."
I ponder only briefly as Edward speeds us home. Honestly, I've got more important things to worry about than Amber and her family situation. Once home, we immediately sprint for the woods, running until we're deep into the tip of Idaho. Emmett lets me have the first grizzly we encounter. Carnivores have better blood…more like humans than the plant eaters. I understand his thinking; he wants me to make sure I'm not thirsty. I also take down an elk also just to be sure. I haven't been this full in a long time. I hurry home and shower. I need to kill some time till I can sneak into Patrick's room. Besides, I want to look nice for him tonight. Once done, I wrap a towel around me and head back into my room.
I have a dirty little secret. I've never been comfortable with my appearance. I think that's why I use to be such a clothes hound. You know…making up for it. Believe it or not, my biggest concern was always my hair. See a vampire can grow hair…slowly. Very slowly. When I met Jasper, nearly twenty years after my transformation, my hair was as short as a boy's. They had shaved it off in the institution to control lice. Combine that with being short and petite, I could pass myself as an adolescent boy if I didn't wear a dress until the 1980's. By the time we met Bella, it was long enough I had the funky spikes that Bella remembers. It was my trademark for a dozen years. Now my hair, when combed flat, would reach my collar. One positive: we only have to shave our legs or wax every ten years or so. Which reminds me…I'm WAY overdue. I hurry to Esme's room and grab the stuff to do that. Another positive: it doesn't hurt, even if done at vampire speed. I wonder…what would Pat like? Should I go Brazilian? Au natural? Make a landing strip…or a little powder puff…BAD ALICE! Anyway, that done I go to my drawer of delicates, picking the first matching set I can find. Plain white. No big deal, nothing's happening tonight. I just want to feel pretty, if that makes sense.
I finish there and go back to my bathroom. I don't even realize what I'm doing, I just fix my hair. I gasp when I'm done; the stylish, funky look I use to have was back. Wow! I move to my closet. This is going to be tricky. I guess I need to shop. Too late for that, I'm going to have to come up with something. Well, I got plenty of jeans. I go with that. It'll work. Not only will it make it easier to sneak in; I won't stand out if I get caught. Now for a top. A red Moscow High School hoodie. It'll have to do. I put on a pair of socks and some hiking boots. Casual…but it'll do. No point in coming on too strong. I dig through my box of nail polish. Damn, most of it's dried out. I don't do this often enough. Where's that black I used the night of the football game? There, on the dresser. That'll match.
I check my watch. Almost time. I go downstairs. Emmett and Edward are watching a movie I don't recognize. Emmett sees me first. "Who are you and what have you done with Alice?" he asks, teasing. "Alice!" Esme exclaims, coming from the kitchen, "You look lovely." I'm wearing jeans and a hoodie…what's so lovely about that? "It's not your outfit Alice," Edward says, picking my brain, "or even your hair. It's the fact you're smiling." Oh…I am.
"Sit?" Edward asks, patting the couch beside him. I sit beside him and he reaches over and grabs a few items off the end table. "Phone," he explains, "in case something happens. Cash…in case Pat doesn't like hospital food. And the keys to Emmett's Jeep." "Why the Jeep?" I ask. Emmett shrugs and Edward answers. "It's less noticeable than any of our other cars," he explains, "since you'll be going in after hours." I look at the three items. I don't even know what happened to my cell phone or car." "We never found your cell," Edward replies for me, "and Nessie is driving your Porsche." Oh, that makes sense.
"Nervous?" Emmett asks. I nod. There's too much that could go wrong. I mean, I've been kind of a bitch since we met. Look at it from his perspective: I looked like I wanted to kill him…then I flirted with him to get him to sit beside me in class…then tried to get him to notice me…then when he did, I withdrew from everyone, including him. No wonder the boy's confused. "He still risked his life to save you," Edward replies again to what I'm thinking, "that should tell you something." I nod. Gods I'm nervous.
"The house is ready," Esme says, "I've got food for him. The guest room is made up…Carlisle has a supply of medicine for him…bandages for that head wound…and a list of instructions." "I hooked up a TV in the guest room," Emmett adds, "so you two can watch movies if you want." "Where's Bella?" I ask. "Emailing Nessie," Edward explains, "she'll be down before you leave." I nod. Did I mention I was nervous? "Alice," Bella says as she came down the stairs, "are you ready?" I shrug my shoulders. I don't know if I'm ready or not.
"Any idea what you're going to say?" she ask. "No," I say weakly, "I was just going to kind of play it by ear." Bella nods. "I'm open to suggestion," I say, my voice just as weak. "Be prepared to fall on your sword," Edward says. Bella nods in agreement. "You HAVE been acting strangely lately and he will be confused. Be prepared to apologize." I nod…that seems fair. "Alice, you're a beautiful, charming girl," Esme adds, "just be yourself." Of course my mother figure would say that. "Just be patient," Bella suggest, "his injury…combine with finding out both that you're a vampire AND you're in love with him…are going to be tough. I'm confident though." She smiles at me. "Don't put out on the first date," Emmett chimes in, "he won't respect you if you do." Esme smacks him in the back of the head and the rest of us laugh. Leave it to Emmett to crack a joke at a time like this.
"I hope he likes lasagna," Esme says hopefully. "I'm sure he will Esme," Bella replies, "I wouldn't eat it now…but when I was human, I remember being impressed with your cooking." Esme beams at her. I fidget slightly, my nerves getting the better of me. "You're going to do fine Alice," Bella says, coming over to hug me, "I just know it." "What if he sends me away?" I ask, my bottom lip quivering, "I have been…weird…to him." "He won't," Bella replies, "remember…I've been in his shoes. I know he'll be happy to see you. He may be defensive at first…but he will be happy to see you." I hug her back fiercely. "It's good to have you back Alice," she whispers in my ear. "I'm not back yet," I whisper back firmly. "She's right," Edward agrees, "she's not back yet." "She's really just learning how to heal…and I'm proud of her." He leans in to hug me. "You're on your way, Alice," he says softly in my ear. I hope so.
I don't really start to freak out until I'm driving to the hospital. Then I'm in full panic mode. My problem is my visions. I don't really trust them. I mean, yeah they're right most of the time. They're just too damn subjective. All it takes is one snap decision and my perfect world is turned upside down. Just like Jasper. I fight back my emotions. It's time to heal Alice, I think, it's time to heal. Can I? Yes, I think I can heal. As bad as it hurts to remember now, I still feel joy knowing I'm about to see Patrick. Do I want to heal though? I think long and hard about that as I drive. Hard to believe this is the first time I've driven in over twenty years. I don't necessary want to heal…I HAVE to heal. My memory goes back to me trying to burn myself at the stake. That's a low place for anyone to be…even a monster.
I park a block away from the hospital in the parking lot of a strip mall. The streets are quiet. I look at my watch, almost eleven. Visiting hours are over…for humans. I hit the tree line and stay in the shadows till I get to the hospital. I look around, seeing no one at the front desk. At vampire speed, I breeze through the lobby to the stairwell, then to the second floor. I peek out once I've made it to the door. Patrick's room is at the opposite end of the hall. I have to pass the nurse's station. I check my visions. Crap, there's a nurse in his room. I wait, forcing myself to be calm. The other two nurses at the desk are bent over, writing on charts. The nurse in Pat's room opens the door and walks out, her back to me. Quicker than a heartbeat, I breeze past the nurse's station and slide into the door before it can close. No one even looks up.
I pause in the dim light, sniffing the air. Patrick's scent burns me, but I ignore it. All other scents are less fresh. I stay frozen…making sure no one is there. I only hear one heartbeat. We're alone. Silently I ease my head around the corner, smiling as I see him. His eyes are closed, but his breathing tells me he's not asleep. "Who's there?" he ask without opening his eyes. I don't move. "No…really," he says, "I hear you breathing. Who's there?" "Hi Pat," I say shyly, coming around the corner. His eyes open at the sound of my voice, wide with surprise. "Alice?" he asks.
