Chapter Nine Bella
Though this meeting hadn't gone that long at all, I was already tired of it. Yes, I missed Alice and Jasper and the rest, (even Edward), it was just hard. Jasper didn't lie; I knew that. He was straight forward and said what he thought. Alice was a little manipulative, but she wasn't going to get anything out of lying. There wasn't anything to gain. Not to mention, if you consider her surprise at me being a vampire, she doesn't know anything that's been happening, so she'd be expecting me ten years older... Which I do look like at the moment. I never take the glamour off unless I'm in a safe place on the Res, Dad's or home with the kids.
Today the kids still have their ten-year-old looks on as a 'just in case.' There seems to be a lot of these 'Just in Case' situations since I knew The Cullens had returned. Anyway, the glamour is the major thing that is helping me believe the two; as I'd been a vampire for so long with no contact, as they made no mention of my looks, as they were shocked at me being a vampire and then there was their happiness at me being alive: there is no way they were searching for me because of my gifts or the kids.
"Okay," I said, "So Edward lied to us all. But why didn't you check yourselves? And if we go slightly off topic, if I wanted nothing to do with you, why did you leave Victoria hanging around and out for revenge? Why didn't you see anything that was happening here? There was an army of vampires descending on Forks and it's a miracle that everyone survived!"
"Hmm," Jake said, "And one of those miracles was that Bella'd been changed and was taking part in the battle, which infuriated Vicky into being stupid and we finally caught her. She was painful and so many are dead because of her."
Jasper looked worried, "A newborn army?" he said, "She was definitely crazy. I'm sorry you had to go through that, and you're right, it is a miracle that you survived. Newborn armies are ruthless. I was changed to fight in one of those armies... That doesn't matter, you're right... but Edward was dealing with her. We followed her when we caught her scent, but Edward wanted revenge. Despite everything, I'm sure he loves you in a way; we know he does. We allowed him Victoria so he could deal with her and hopefully get his mind off what he told us you said. That was stupid. Due to my experiences I should have known to just finish her off."
Alice put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It wasn't your fault. We all should have done more than we did." She looked at me, "We should have checked on you, should have wrapped things up. We shouldn't have just believed family wouldn't want to say goodbye. Even when any of us need to leave for a break there is always a goodbye."
"I'm sorry about not seeing anything either," She continued, "though that isn't my fault. I should have told you though, then maybe you would have known all these horrible things were going to happen. Or at least know that something would happen. I should have guessed, even though it makes no sense!"
"You're not making sense now, "Jake said.
Alice glared at him and gave a humph while rolling her eyes, "I couldn't see you. About, I don't know, two weeks, three weeks perhaps... You stopped showing up in my visions. It made no sense! I would've seen if you were going to die to stop it. When we left I assumed that's why I didn't see anything. Not the best explanation, but Edward couldn't read your mind and we didn't know why that was. I thought maybe you wanting nothing to do with us did it. ...At least that's what I told myself. It's so stupid looking back at it."
"Convenient." Said Jake.
"No," I said, "Edward was worried, before. He kept looking at her," I explained to Jake, then, turning to Alice, "I thought it that something that was going to happen again. You were worried too." I broke off as a thought came to me.
Two or three weeks before they left. That was... I looked at Jake, then the other two who were looking at me worried. "I think I have a very good explanation for why you couldn't see me. Or anything that's happened."
I sighed. It seemed like I was going to believe them. I did, I just wanted to be able to blame them more than I did. Really, the only solution to the problem appeared to be dealing with it as problems arose. Jake, dad, Sue and Billy were going to think I was a fool; I thought I was. But I felt they were telling the truth, so they were going to get the truth from me.
"Bella..." Jake started. He knew, I could tell, but this was my choice. I'm the one who knew them. I was the best judge of character out of all of us. They were my friends. They were my children.
They were each others family.
I gave Jake a small smile, trying to show him that I was certain. Jake looked worried and then nodded. He didn't fully agree, he didn't like them. But, I think a small part of him believed them too.
"Alice, Jasper," I said. I took a deep breath.
"Would you come back to Charlie's with us. I think that will help explain things. ...And probably make other things worse. For Edward though. Not you."
They nodded, hesitantly.
"Great," I said, falsely enthusiastic.
"Oh, and just so you know, the pack is family. They know where we are and despite Jake being the only one still shifting, they'll shift if anyone's in trouble and I won't do anything to stop them," I gave them a grin and got back in the car.
What on earth was I doing?
Note 1: A bit short again, but I didn't want to put the two together and have a extra long chapter. I'm trying to lengthen the chapters but not have them all over the place. Shorter chapters are also easier for me.
Note 2: Alice and Jasper are the only two here, the others won't come for a while, so hoping that such and such will meet the kids isn't coming for a few chapters.
Note 3: Someone mentioned something about Edward, which made me think: while he isn't going to be loved when he comes back, due to what he's done, he will be allowed to see the kids. So don't expect him banished or something. While his fate is still being decided, he is family.
