Italics – thoughts

Italics – dreams or visions

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its fantastic characters. I've never owned it in the past and I will never own it in the future - Stephanie Meyer has this honour. I do own my mistakes though, and I'm sure there will be many

AN: Sorry I wasn't as quick uploading this chapter. I had a busy weekend. I saw Hairspray in London on Saturday. Great show and great cast. Try and catch it while it's still there if you can. Also, I'm watching Grey's Anatomy while doing this – "You can't pray away the gay" – great line lol.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. You don't care about my weekend; you're here for Alice and Bella. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I'm so glad you are still with me on this. Keep reviewing, they really make my day. Big thanks to Ebony-Rosez for helping me out with this, you're a godsend :-)

Usual warning - this is a femslash story. Don't like? Don't read – Simples!

Chapter Nine

The sleepover had arrived. Thanks to Alice's NASCAR driving, they arrived at the Cullen house within minutes. Bella felt a little alarmed when they pulled up outside the garage, only to see the whole family waiting for them outside the front door. "Alice. Why are they all waiting?"

"They're excited Bella. This is the first time anyone, let alone a human, has ever stayed over before."

"Wow, I'm honoured." Bella smiled. She undid her seatbelt, her lifeline when Alice drove. She went to let herself out the car but before she knew Alice had even moved, Alice was holding the door open for her. "Gonna take me a while to get used to that." Bella whispered. "You were right when you told Charlie you'd be the perfect girlfriend."

"I don't lie Bella." Alice replied, taking Bella's hand in hers and walking to the waiting Cullens.

"BELLA!" Emmett roared, picking her up off the ground and spinning around.

"Oh for… Emmett, do you think Bella's deaf? She's not so stop yelling at her." Alice scolded "And please stop flinging her in the air. She had a car accident recently remember?"

"Oops, I'm sorry Bella." Emmett had the sense to look sheepish "I'm just happy that you're here. I have someone else to tease now" he grinned. Before Bella could retort he spoke again. "Let me take your bag for you. I'll put it in yourroom. You know, the one with the bed resembling a small island." He laughed and rushed away before anyone could say anything back.

Rosalie just rolled her eyes "I apologise for my husband. I swear you'd think he was five years old sometimes. He's a perpetual child."

"It's ok Rosalie, I really don't mind. I'm just relieved he treats me normally you know?" Bella really was glad: she didn't want the Cullen's to act differently around her. Their home was the one place they could truly be themselves.

"Well good. I'm glad you're here Bella, really." Rosalie smiled and walked back into the house, settling down in front of what looked like an 80" TV.

Alice looked a little stunned and whispered quietly to her girlfriend. "That's really amazing Bella. For Rosalie to say that means she is accepting you. Don't blow it!" Alice teased.

"I'll try not to." She teased back.

As they walked into the house together Bella felt very touched. But, as usual, whenever she felt good, her insecurities started kicking in again. 'Why do these people like me so much? They've accepted me without question. They're immortal. Out of all the people in the entire world, why me?' She was interrupted from her musings by Edward.

"Bella? I'm sorry. I know I said I would cease the mind-reading around you but you have to know. The reason we like you so much, the reason we have accepted you into our family, is because you make Alice incredibly happy. In turn, that makes us happy. She has been alone for a long, long time. You think you feel lucky to have us? We feel equally as lucky to have you." He frowned, reflecting on what he had just said. "And I am never this corny, I can assure you." He laughed.

Bella felt tears welling up in her eyes but blinked them back furiously. "Thank you Edward." She leaned in hesitantly, not sure if he would accept a hug from her. He did and she hugged him tightly. "But this doesn't mean you can use your mind-meld power thingy on me all the time." She teased the vampire.

"Bella, I'm a vampire, not a Vulcan." He laughed and let her go. Alice was stood over by Jasper, whispering too quietly and too fast for Bella to pick anything out. Jasper turned to Bella and smiled.

"Bella, welcome. I hope you have a very pleasant weekend here. Alice has certainly been looking forward to trying out the bed." He said, nudging Alice at the same time.

"JASPER!" Alice punched him with an indignant look on her perfect features "Bella, I really haven't, he's just teasing us."

Bella looked sad, forcing a tear to her eye. "So you don't want to try the bed out with me?" Alice looked totally stuck. She had not expected Bella to say that and didn't know what to say back. As Alice tried to think of a response, Bella smiled at her saying "Gotcha." She reached over to high five Jasper. As the two of them laughed together Alice just scowled. "Aw you look so cute when you scowl. C'mere." Bella pulled Alice to her kissing her gently. There was no interruption from anyone. No warnings against PDA's. Just total acceptance of a vampire and her human girlfriend. "So, I'm obviously sharing your room and the new bed with you. Are you going to be ok with that? We've had a close call already." She asked caringly.

Alice gazed into Bella's eyes, gripping her shirt slightly. "I will be alright. You can't have a sleepover and make the guest sleep in a separate room on their own. I always want to be with you Bella. Even if I can't quite 'be' with you yet. Besides, the bed is huge. We'll be fine."

Esme and Carlisle walked into the lounge. "Bella, I'm so pleased you're here. Tell me, do you like Indian food?" Esme asked.

"I do actually."

"Perfect. I've been trying out a recipe and I'm just dying to know what you think. Please come and eat."

"Wait a second; you really didn't have to cook for me. I know you guys don't eat."

"Nonsense Bella." Carlisle spoke up. "You are our guest and we never have a reason to cook or use the kitchen. Or food shop. That was… interesting." He and Esme laughed. Bella laughed along with them, getting an amusing visual of the Cullen family wandering the aisles of the local Walmart, confusedly trying to decide what to buy.

Bella's senses were hit with the sublime aroma emanating from the kitchen and her stomach growled very loudly, causing all the vampires to look at her. 'Oh no. Shut up stomach!'

Alice giggled. "Come on. Eat up and then we can start the movies."

*****

Bella leaned back in her chair, groaning and rubbing her stomach. She had stuffed herself with lamb madras and rice, bombay potatoes, garlic naan bread and onion bhajees. She groaned again.

"Bella are you alright?" Esme looked concerned. "Did I do it wrong? Oh my goodness, I haven't poisoned you have I? "

"Esme, you killed me tonight but in a very, very good way. That meal was truly amazing."

Esme sighed in relief and beamed proudly. "Why thank you Bella. I'm so happy it turned out ok."

"Oh, it was more than ok, it was sublime. You should open an Indian restaurant."

"Yeah. Suck the meat dry and then serve it." Emmett laughed.

"Oh, that's just gross Emmett!" Alice threw a leftover onion bhajee at him, hitting him square in the face.

"Oh, that stinks." He moaned and ran to sit next to Rosalie on the couch.

"Come on Bella, it's time to start the movies." Alice helped Bella up and led her into the warm, inviting lounge.

"Hold on a second Al; I should help Esme clean up. She cooked."

"Bella I wouldn't dream of it. Carlisle will help me and then we are going out for a while: leave you kids alone." Esme smiled, dragging Carlisle into the kitchen.

"OK, movie it is. What are watching?"

"We're going to have a musical marathon. I love them." Alice started humming as she ran off upstairs to pick out some DVD's from her room.

"Musicals? Is she serious?" Bella asked no-one in particular. Emmett and Rosalie were snuggled together on one couch; Jasper and Edward were on the bean bags, leaving the larger couch for Bella and Alice.

"Deadly serious, she loves them. I normally leave when she watches them but I'm staying tonight in honour of you Bella." Emmett spoke up.

Rosalie hit him round the head "Oh please, you love them as much as Alice does. I caught you watching High School Musical for god's sake!"

"ROSE!" He rubbed his head where she had hit him "Bella she's kidding, don't listen to her."

Bella laughed along with Edward, Rosalie and Jasper and caught Jasper mouthing to her "She's not kidding."

Emmett glared at them "Quit it. Honestly, I'm an action guy myself. Give me Die Hard any day."

"OK Emmett, I believe you." Bella placated the huge vampire.

With perfect timing Alice practically danced back into the room, with a stack of DVD's in her hands. "OK, ready to start?"

Edward jumped up to put a DVD in the player while Alice and Bella settled together on the couch. They sat side by side as Edward dimmed the lights and the movie started up on the 80" High Definition TV. The movie marathon had begun.

About Twelve hours later

"No day but todaaaaaaaaaaay" The last line of Rent sung out. The marathon had consisted of six musicals: Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls, Little Shop Of Horrors, Hairspray, Oklahoma and Rent.

It was now early on Saturday morning. During the night Bella had ended up lying across the couch with her head in Alice's lap, sighing peacefully as Alice played with her hair. She had no idea how she had managed to stay awake all night. "Those films were actually pretty good Alice." Bella admitted. "I've never seen a musical before, not what I was expecting at all."

"Who knew that Wolverine dude could sing?" Emmett wondered.

"Hmm, he can sing to me any day." Rosalie whispered, laughing at Emmett as he looked crushed. "Aw don't worry baby, you're my Wolverine." She kissed him passionately and straddled his lap.

"Oh please Rose, not this early." Edward pleaded. Rose just flipped him the finger as she and Emmett ran upstairs. "Well they're gone for the day," Edward muttered. "It's Saturday and I'm going out. I'm sure you two would like some alone time." He smiled at Alice and Bella as he left. The two girls had still not moved from their positions on the couch.

"Bella, you must be exhausted." Alice had concern in her voice, worrying that her human girlfriend needed some sleep.

"I should be but I'm not, honestly. Maybe vampire life suits me." Bella joked. Alice stiffened slightly as the vision of Bella as a vampire flashed through her mind. Suddenly Bella's stomach growled loudly, making Emmett laugh, even though he was all the way upstairs.

"Alice, feed your human!" he yelled, followed by an "Ow, dammit Rose" as Rosalie obviously hit him.

"Come on Bella; let's get some breakfast in you before we start the makeover." Alice smiled evilly.

"Damn, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that part." Bella laughed as Alice dragged her into the kitchen. They stopped in front of a huge cupboard. When Alice opened it Bella's eyes widened. "Jesus Alice, how much cereal do vampires need?" The cupboard had what looked like every cereal known to the USA inside.

"Don't laugh, but when we were in the store we had no idea what to get. Honestly Bella how do you humans ever get any shopping done? There are too many choices!"

"Who knew? There's something I can teach a vampire: food shopping. You have choice as well right? O Pos, A Neg and so on. Hold on, do animals have blood types?" Bella laughed, so did Alice. "Honestly Alice, your family really didn't have to go through all this trouble just for me."

"Bella, for you, nothing is too much trouble." Alice leaned in and kissed Bella softly. It would have lasted longer if it weren't for the insistent rumbling of Bella's stomach. Alice pulled back "Ok, really, you need to eat."

Bella ate her cereal quietly, while Alice watched with complete fascination as the Rice Krispies snapped, crackled, and popped. When Bella was done she washed her bowl up and leaned against the kitchen unit with her arms crossed. "Right: ground rules. I will submit to a makeover BUT…" Bella held her finger up on the 'but' as Alice was about to interrupt. "There will be no dresses, no heels and under no circumstances, the colour pink. Do we have a deal?"

"But you'll look so pretty in a… ok fine. If that's the only way you'll let me have my way with you then I agree to your rules."

Bella blushed at the "have my way with you" line as her mind immediately dropped into the gutter. She cleared her throat and shook her head. "OK. Then let the torture begin."

They headed up into Alice's room. Bella insisted on a quick shower first after being up all night. When she was done she put her clothes back on and took her place at Alice's dresser. Alice started on her hair first, drying it and then curling it. Make-up was next. She refused to let Bella look into a mirror; she wanted it to be a surprise when she was done. Bella took the opportunity to get to know Alice some more. "How old are you Alice?"

"In human years I am eighteen years old. Vampire years, I'm not fully sure. Over a hundred though."

"Wow. Do you ever meet other vampires? Hang out?"

"Not really. We come across others from time to time but they never stay long. We don't allow them to hunt humans within a hundred mile radius of Forks. The vegetarian lifestyle is not for everyone. We are unique in that respect. We are very much a family, not a coven. Some vampires just can't deal with that. Hold still a second."

Bella held still as Alice applied some make-up to her eyes. Alice giggled "Why do humans hold their mouth open when applying mascara? It's so weird."

Bella laughed at the random question "I have no idea, we just do. One of the quirks of being a human girl I guess."

"Ok, you can move now. Hair and make-up are done. Now for the clothes."

Alice disappeared into her huge closet, which was twice the size of Bella's bedroom. While she was in there Bella asked about the other Cullen's. Alice answered from inside the closet.

"Edward was turned when he was seventeen. He was dying from Spanish Flu and Carlisle was alone. He was the first human he ever turned; it killed him to do it. Jasper was turned during the Civil War, he was nineteen. Emmett was twenty. He was mauled by a bear and Rose found him. She brought him to Carlisle and ever since his change he and Rose have been together. Rosalie and Esme, their stories aren't mine to tell. I'm sure they'll tell you one day." Alice came back out with a black slim-fit trouser set, with a low cut white sleeveless top. "Here, put this on and I'll find some shoes."

Bella did as she was told. She knew by now that arguing with Alice when it came to clothes was completely pointless. She took her top and jeans off, standing only in her underwear. Alice chose that precise moment to come out of the closet, freezing in place. 'My god, she is stunning.' Alice could feel the arousal well up within her and she threw herself at Bella. She planted kisses all over Bella's face, gradually moving down her neck. She paused at Bella's pulse point. 'Oh my god. She smells delicious; she must taste exquisite'. She growled and made her way down to Bella's chest. When she felt the venom dripping in her mouth she somehow managed to stop herself. 'No, not yet. I need to hunt more for this.' Alice stopped what she was doing and looked at Bella. Bella was barely standing. Her eyes were closed and her face flushed. Alice could smell Bella's arousal and felt guilty for stopping. She had done this to the poor girl twice now. "Bella please open your eyes."

Bella opened her eyes slowly. "Oh Alice, not again. Why did you stop?" she whispered.

"Bella, I'm not quite ready for this yet. I've never slept with a human before. I need to hunt more. I have to be so careful with you; I don't want to hurt you. I'm so, so sorry. Are you mad at me?"

"Yes." Bella complained, her arms crossed. She looked away as Alice pouted; she couldn't resist the pout. She snuck a glance at Alice out the side of her eyes and gave up. "Ok, no, I'm not mad. How can I be mad at you?" Bella became serious for a moment "Alice I do want this though. I want to be with you completely. I understand it's hard for you but I'm ready. You can't hurt me. I'm your mate remember? I love you."

"Oh Bella, I want to be with you too, so much it hurts. I will be ready very soon I promise. And I love you too. In the meantime, please put the outfit on. I've seen you in it already but I want to see it for real."

Bella kissed Alice on the nose and looked at the outfit. "OH MY GOD! Alice… this is Calvin Klein!" Something caught Bella's eye and she checked a label hanging off the collar. "You left the tag on. Please tell me this is an error. The decimal point is in the wrong place right?"

Alice shook her head no, clearly amused at Bella's theatrics.

"I can't wear this!" Bella thrust her hand out, passing the suit back to Alice.

Alice refused to take it. "Bella. Its last seasons fashion and I won't wear it again. I left the tag on so I could take it back but it turned out to be perfect for you. Trust me." She smiled and winked.

Bella grudgingly put the suit on, trying in her clumsy way to avoid ruining her hair and make-up. When she was done Alice finally allowed her to look into a mirror. Bella was stunned "Is that me?" Her hair had been curled and was flowing around her shoulders and down her back; her make up was natural but brought out all the features of her face, the mascara and eyeliner highlighting Bella's beautiful eyes. "I have cheekbones." Lastly Bella looked at the outfit, it was totally her. "Alice, I love it, really. You are an evil genius." Bella threw her arms around Alice and hugged her.

Rosalie chose that moment to enter Alice's room. Both girls turned towards her. "Bella you look… good." Rosalie admitted grudgingly. "That outfit is way too good to waste. Do you fancy hitting a club tonight?"

"Yay, clubbing! Bella we HAVE to go. Rosie's right, the makeover cannot go to waste. We'll go the club in Port Angeles?" she asked Rosalie.

"Sure, it's a decent club. I'll let Emmett and Jasper know and tell Edward when he comes back. We'll go after dark."

Bella had remained quiet during this exchange but decided to speak up. She tapped her girlfriend on the shoulder. "Um Alice? I really don't think this is a good idea. Hello, you're taking the girl who trips over nothing clubbing? I can barely walk let alone dance!"

Alice held her arms around Bella's waist and whispered quietly "Don't worry, the dancing I have in mind will hold you up. I'll never let you go." Bella just nodded her head; the images in her brain had rendered her speechless. Alice giggled "You really do look stunning Bella. The people in the club will fall in love with you instantly. But you're mine." Alice nibbled Bella's earlobe gently and pulled away. Bella was now motionless and mute.

"Alice? I think you broke her." Rosalie waved her hand in front of Bella's face. "BELLA? You in there?" Bella collapsed on the edge of the bed and blushed "And she's back." Rosalie laughed. "We are going to have fun."

AN2: The lemon is coming. I apologise for the teasing but it's definitely coming. The end is also in sight, I think it will be 16 chapters total. I have an idea for a sequel but that will depend on whether people want it or not. Thanks for reading.