CHAPTER TEN
ALICE'S POV
The sound of the phone ringing ricocheted through the dormant house. I heard Jasper groan next to me, as I rolled over to look at what time it was. Just after midnight. While considered still early to some, being a mother has certainly opened my eyes to the beauty of sleep. With a rambunctious four year old, Jasper and I crash not long after she does.
This better be important, I thought. I reached for the phone and tiredly ask, "Hello?"
"Alice, it's mom." And just like that, I was awake. I had been waiting for her to call me all night. Clearing the sleep from my throat, I sat up in bed for this life-altering conversation. Mom continued, "Sorry to call so late hun."
"No, mom it's all right. I was getting worried because I hadn't heard anything. How's Bella? What did the doctors say?"
"Alice I can't get into Bella's condition now. There's no time for chit-chat. I have like 2 minutes before Edward comes back. But I just had to tell you…" After a slight dramatic pause, she said, "We were right."
We were right? Well hello, I'm Alice; I'm usually always right. But about what, I had no clue. "Right about what mom?"
"Bella. Edward. Children. Everything."
"You mean I have a little niece or nephew?" Jasper rolled over upon hearing my question. I guess we've got his attention now too.
"Yes Alice. You have a nephew, Anthony Cullen. Tony for short. They're in the restroom right now, so I can't talk long. But I have a feeling that your presence will be required in Forks soon. I'm going to need back up if we're going to get these two back together."
A meddling partner in crime: we are so obviously related. "Ok, call me tomorrow when you get a moment alone. I need details Mom."
"Will do baby girl."
Knowing time was short, I just had to ask. "Quick, what's he like?" I needed to get a visual in mind for the plans to begin to form.
"He's practically Edward's twin. A mop of bronze hair, but with Bella's eyes. He's so precious. I've been around him not even 3 hours and he's won me over. I'm so glad we've met him."
"And Edward? What does he think?"
"He's being an insufferable ass." I was shocked to hear Mom curse since she was always reprimanding us growing up, but she didn't stop there. "You're father said he called him a bastard earlier."
"What?" I exclaimed. I can't believe Edward. Now that Tony's in our life, he better not ruin this for us.
"I know. If this is how he behaved around Bella, it's no wonder why she left. I mean, believe me I hurt for my son and all, but this behavior has got to stop, or I may have to switch teams.
Before I could respond mother quipped, "Alice, Tony's on his way back. We'll talk later. Give kisses all around. Bye."
I returned the phone back to its cradle and turned to stare into my husband's eyes.
"Did I hear you right? Our Edward is a father?" Jasper inquired.
"Ohh Jazzy, we have a little nephew. And according to mom, Bella was pregnant when she left. That means that if everything works out, Sophia might get a new playmate her age!"
Jasper reached out and pulled me closer to him. Wrapping his arms around me, he advised, "I wouldn't get my hopes up darlin'. After all, Bella lives in Washington, and we're in Illinois. Even if we get to be in their lives, visits would be few and far between."
"I know Jazzy. I just miss my best friend. When Bella left, she wasn't leaving behind only Edward. She left us all behind."
In the beginning I couldn't understand why Bella and Edward broke up. They were that sickeningly cute couple that couldn't keep their hands off one another. The family always thought they would get married first, but with Edward's medical training the time just never seemed right. Jazzy and I beat them to the altar, but we always figured they weren't far behind.
Not even a year later, little Sophia Lauren entered the picture, and Jazzy and I were thrilled. Our first try out, and we got a baby. People worried that us being pregnant too early in our marriage would taint things, but if anything I think it brought us closer together. Bella was dying to get to know Sophia, but hadn't been around the hospital that much due to time conflicts so we organized a day for the family to bond with its newest addition.
When I looked into Bella's eyes that day, I knew she was done for. Looking down at Sophia, you could tell that she'd caught it: baby fever. She was so happy, and I had to admit, Sophia looked like she belonged in her arms. I knew it wouldn't be long before these two started having kids. And their kids would surely be beautiful.
And yet the happy memory of that day was marred due to the fact that, by the next day, she was gone. Part of me wanted to hate her, but in my heart I couldn't. I loved her in spite of it all, even her leaving without saying goodbye. And now, it seems she's back in our lives, and I will welcome her with open arms. Or, well, I will…when she wakes up.
Tuning my inner dialogue off, I switched back to conversing with a live person: my Jazzy. "What does your schedule look like for the next couple of weeks?"
"Uhh ohh. Why do I get the feeling that you are getting involved in something you shouldn't?"
"I'm just asking. With the newest addition to our family, Mom, Dad, and especially Edward are going to need help. This is such a big change. I mean, you know Edward best. He has got to be freaking out about this."
"Oh I know Edward all right. And I'm pretty sure he is not freaking out, but rather royally pissed. Edward hates kids."
"Nobody hates kids," I countered.
"That's where you're wrong darlin'. He's like anti-kids entirely. One night after Bella left, Emmett and I got him really drunk, and he told us how he wanted to get snipped so they couldn't get pregnant."
"He's barely 30! That's way too young to make those kinds of decisions." I was completely outraged by this information. What was my brother thinking?
"He's 30 now Alice. Remember, they had this talk, what, 4-5 years ago. No wonder Bella ran." He was right. There was no way Bella was going to sacrifice her child to stay with him. She always put everyone before herself. A baby would be no different.
"That douche! He ruined one of the greatest things he ever had going for him. He's miserable without her. Four years later, and he hasn't exactly moved on." Jasper stopped me there, "You're preaching to the choir. I completely agree with you."
"Well, that's why we need to go and preach it to him. We need to help fix this. We can help Edward see that a son really isn't that bad." Jasper looked into my eyes. He could see there would be no way to stop me from taking on this mission. My brother's happiness, as well as my best friend's, was on the line.
"Like I could say no to you, darlin'. I'll look at my calendar tomorrow when I get to my desk. I'm sure we can figure something out."
I let out a little squeal before squeezing my husband in thanks. I rolled over out of bed, put on some slippers and my robe, heading out the door. Despite the late hour, I was wide awake now. My mind was going a mile a minute, and sleep was not the highest thing on my list anymore.
"Where are you going darlin'?" Jasper drawled out. I turned around and stated, "I'm a woman on a mission Jazz. I've got to plan out the next course of action." And with that, I was off to the kitchen, my home base, to plan and strategize for the journey that was to come.