The Man She Never Knew
AN: Okay, I know this is overdue, and I want to tell you that I am sorry. I had a problem with writing this chapter because I wasn't sure if I grasped Alice the way that I wanted to. I also want to say that this is also long overdue because I was made to feel as though I cannot write, but after thinking about this statement, I have found that if you don't like the story you wouldn't read it. So with that said here is chapter ten, and I am going to get chapter eleven out as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy it, and please let me know what y'all think!
Chapter Ten:
We walked out of the hospital with smiles upon our faces. I knew in my heart that Edward was going to love the keyboard and breakfast. I had wanted this day to be special for him. Being the Chief of staff at a major hospital was stressful to say the least. I had seen E.R. and from watching that show, even though I was sure not all hospitals were like that, I couldn't help but feel as though Edward was doing the American people a great favor. It took guts to be a doctor, having to deal with knowing that not every patient was going to make it, and still striving to do the best job with each life put in front of you. Personally, I thought he was a hero, or maybe more an angel for what it was that he did.
We were driving to the store so that I could buy some supplies for the dinner I was planning to make Edward when Alice glanced over at me. "Bella, can I ask you something?"
I stared at her for a minute. In the short time I had gotten to know Alice, she was mostly playful and happy, so when she looked serious I was just a little surprised. "Sure Alice, what would you like to know?"
It took her a moment to ask. Her face looked as though she were struggling through how to ask what it was that she had wanted to know. "Now Bella, don't take this the wrong way, but the suspense is killing me. What is going on with you and Edward?"
I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't even know what was going on between Edward and I, how was I supposed to explain this to Alice? I mean, sure it was obvious that there was an attraction between Edward and I, how could there not be? And the chemistry that radiated off of us happened to be so think that you could cut it with a knife, but that didn't mean that we were anything, and I wasn't the type of girl that was interested in a fling; and that was what this would end up being if I allowed it. Edward's home was the hospital here, and my home was in Washington. Even if there were intense feelings between us, I couldn't leave my home, I had worked so hard to make it a home instead of a house.
I sighed. "Alice, I don't know what is going on with Edward and myself, but I do know that your brother is a wonderful person, and yes I am attracted to him, but it won't work out."
"Why the hell not?" she said shocked. "Edward is a good catch."
"It's nothing like that Alice." I sighed knowing that this was going to be complicated. "I'm very independent. I don't ever want to feel as though I have to count on a man for anything ever. Edward is content here, and I am content where I am. I may live in a small town where nothing really goes on, but I love the hokey feel of it. I haven't lived in a big city before, and I don't want to. Edward loves it here, and anyone can see that. Even if we were to try something out, it wouldn't work. I couldn't allow him to move, and I sure as hell am not moving here."
We had reached the store, but hadn't moved from the car. Alice was staring at me as if she wanted to say something. She looked conflicted with what it was that she wanted to say. I wished she would just spit it out, and finally she did. "Bella, Edward is falling for you. I know you most likely don't want to hear that, but the truth is that he has never showed interest in any woman what so ever, and yet you came sweeping into his life like a force to be reckoned with and he is enjoying every second of this new feeling."
"How do you know that?" I gasped. Had Edward told her that he had feelings for me? I could feel the beginnings of a panic attack coming forth. This was not what I came here for. I didn't want a relationship; I didn't want to feel like I did for a man that I hardly knew. Oh God what I am getting myself into?!
My breathing started to become erratic, and Alice looked at me. "Bella, are you alright?" she asked.
I couldn't catch my breath. I violently shook my head no. "I- I'm ha- hav- having a… a… p- pa- pan… ic a- att-" I started.
"Panic attack! I don't know what to do! Open your door and put your head in between your legs! Take slow deep breaths!" Alice yelled getting out of the car and running to my door and opening it. I stared at her as I did what she said, I then heard her on the phone. "Edward quick! How do you stop a panic attack! No I'm not the one that is having it! Okay and what happens if that doesn't work? Bring her to the hospital?! Yes it's Bella!" I was starting to feel my heart begin to slow down. Though I didn't dare to lift my head above my knees, I tried to get Alice's attention.
"Alice." I knew I sounded breathy and weak, but that was the best I could do right now. She looked at me. "I'm going… to be… fine… calm… down."
She put her phone on the roof of the car and squatted down in front of me. "Don't ever scare me like that!" she said sternly. "Is it because I brought up Edward?" she asked me. I couldn't lie so I just nodded.
Alice grabbed her phone and told Edward that I was fine and hung up. "Look Bella, I didn't tell you this to make you have a panic attack, I told you because you need to know that you affect Edward just as much as he affects you."
I knew what Alice was saying, but I still didn't want to hear the truth that rang through her words. Edward was a wonderful person and if we would have met on different circumstances then everything may have been different, but this was my holiday, not everyday life, and I would be damned if I was going to ruin someone's life.
"Come on Alice, let's get the food for dinner." I said walking towards the grocery store.
We had been walking through the produce section looking for the veggies for the salad to go with my manicotti, when Alice sighed. "Bella, I know you don't want to talk about you and my brother, so I want to talk to you about something else. I need to tell someone so I can get through the first hurtle, and be able to tell my family."
I looked at her not understanding what it was that she was trying to say. "Alice, you aren't pregnant are you?" It was the only logical thought that went through my head.
Alice just laughed. "No Bella, I'm on the pill, there isn't any baby growing in me." I studied her for a moment and sighed when I couldn't figure out what she was going to tell me. "Look Bella, this is hard for me to say, only because in the couple of days that I have known you I have come to respect you and think of you as a member of the family. I mean you are Uncle Charlie's daughter, and that makes you family anyway, but what I need to say isn't going to go over well once my family finds out. I mean, I'm twenty-one years old and my parents still look at me as if I am a sixteen year old space case."
I started laughing. "Well whatever it is you are about to tell me Alice, can't be that bad. I wouldn't open with that though when you tell your family what it is though."
"Bella, I'm married. I married Jasper three months ago in Vegas. He went home to see his parents, while I came here to get my parents ready to meet him."
I looked at her. "Are you serious Alice? Your brothers are going to beat the hell out of him. Just think what Emmet is going to do to Jasper. Everyone already thinks that he's on steroids as it is!"
"I know! I know okay! I love him. I wouldn't have married him if I didn't love him, and he is everything to me. Bella he's my southern gentleman, and knight in shining armor all in one. I hate keeping it from my family, but the first thing they would say is that I am too young to be married, and that I don't know what I am getting myself into, but the truth is that I do know. I want to be a wife, and I want to be in the type of relationship that my parents have. How could I not knowing that they are perfect for one another, and that their relationship is what I based Jasper and I on. I know there will be no one that comes close to what Jasper is for me, and the same goes for what I am to him. I am his everything just as he is mine, and I don't ever want to let him go. I love him Bella, I love him like the flowers love the rain, like the children love a snow day. I love him."
I stared at the girl next to me as if this was the first time I had ever really seen her. Alice was so convicted in her feelings for this Jasper that I knew she was speaking the truth. She did love him, and this wasn't some short fling that was going to end badly for either party involved. Finally I sighed. "Alice if you're happy then your parents will be happy. Just tell them what you told me and everything will be well. I promise."
"Thank you." She said softly. I hugged her to me and smiled. "I'm looking forward to meeting the man that can keep you in check sweetie. Now come on, let's finish this up and get to Edward's house." We walked the store slowly, finished our shopping, and then made our way to Edward's so I could start making dinner.
Edward would be home in a couple of hours and I wanted this to be a good dinner. I didn't want him to have to stress about anything when he walked in the door, just to be calm and enjoy our night together. I had decided to ask about my father, and hope that he could shed some light on what made Charlie the way that he was.