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Ch. 9 Reassurance Rock

"So there are how many werewolves in La Push?" I asked bewildered. Two weeks had gone by since my confession. We hadn't figured out much more but the Cullen's were helping with any sources they could for information about my mother and hopefully me. "And my friend Angela…her boyfriend Jacob is one? Does she know this?"

"We aren't sure on the exact number but at least four. And yes, I believe your friend would know, especially if he has imprinted on her which seems likely given their close nature. Obviously they aren't aware of your…uniqueness." Carlisle walked around his desk and sat on the edge looking at me sincerely, "As you now know of our treaty with the Quileutes we do help each other out from time to time with a rogue vampire but we stay very strict on our boundaries and rules. We only wish to live in peace with them."

"And you're positive they aren't the same men…" I trailed off as I knew Carlisle understood my questions. They weren't the same men that had chased after me and had known what I had done that fateful night I left Forks. "Imprinted?" I asked suddenly not understanding the term.

"Not the same, no. But as each generation of wolves arise, the memories of the past are passed down to the sons. So they would know of your history here. It's possible they already do if any of them have seen you about. And to answer your second question, the werewolves do what is called imprinting on their future mates; or soulmates if you will. For humans you might see it as a love at first sight or just…a trigger. The wolves feel that intense heat in a slightly different manner but it effectively binds the two together. Therefore there would be no secrets between them." He studied me, waiting for my reaction. I kept still, soaking it all in. "She cares about you, you know." He stated simply.

"Who?" I asked although I had a pretty good idea of whom he was referring to. Alice.

"Alice." He smiled sincerely, "I know you two have become good friends and of course she is trying to help you as much as she can with her own gift but more than that…she seems happier."

I stared at him for a moment, almost feeling child like in the face of my best friends' father, "I too am happier. I just hope she doesn't think odd of me…of the situation. I'm sure making a new friend is great she seems very people oriented," I smiled thinking of the bubbly young woman, "but it has to be…strange knowing that I feel something towards her, perhaps even to make her uncomfortable or feel forced into a friendship she may or may not have wanted."

Carlisle tilted his head slightly, "Does she seem uncomfortable around you or like fate is dealing her a hand she didn't ask for?"

I thought sincerely about his question. Alice had never seemed put off or acted any different around me. In fact, we had spoken about what I had confided to them during our first meeting. The pull I felt. Alice had admitted that she too felt it towards me. Surely if it was something she wanted nothing to do with or felt obligated with she would say so and distance herself from me. Right? "No, she doesn't."

Carlisle stood and glanced at the door briefly before smiling and clasping his hands. I too glanced briefly as I heard soft footsteps approaching. "Rest assured Bella; Alice is very strong willed and strong minded. She won't do anything she doesn't want to do."

I nodded and smiled back as Alice peeked her head inside after knocking softly. "Sorry to interrupt but Karen called asking if you would be home for dinner. I hope you don't mind, Bella, but I asked her if you could spend the weekend with me." She bit her lip slightly, "I told her I was making you go shopping with me!"

I couldn't help but laugh and nod my head, "That's fine Alice, but do you really plan to make me shop?"

She smiled brightly and her laugh sounded like soft musical bells drifting around me. I was quickly falling in love with the soft tinkling laugh that so often fell from her lips.

Alice's smile beamed as her eyes widened slightly and she cast a quick glance to Carlisle. I looked back to the doctor only to see him looking at Alice curiously. "Alice?" He asked as she turned back to me shaking her head.

"Nothing sorry, uh, no we don't have to. I just thought that maybe being here we could do some more brain-storming and have some best friend time if that's alright with you." She uncharacteristically cleared her throat and seemed a bit nervous.

"Of course. I'd love to spend the weekend with you." I smiled at her upon seeing her face light up at my response. Oh Alice, whatever are you doing to me? I thought as my heart picked up it's pace seeing the light shine in her golden eyes. Looking at her she seemed to almost smirk at me with a look of understanding.

"Come on Bella, I think we have lots to talk about. See you later Carlisle." She called out as she grabbed my hand and we made our way to the open office window.

Did I mention we were on the second floor? "Alice?"

"Oh come on Bella," she giggled and tapped on my hardened skin, "Live a little." She laughed out loud before stepping off the ledge with me right next to her. After 85 years of drifting by how could I argue with that?

We ran to where should have taken us a few hours by car in less than twenty minutes. The speed was exhilarating as we ran, hand in hand through the trees, jumping over creeks and laughing all the while. We finally slowed once we reached a small cliff over-looking the ocean. The waves crashing upon the rocks were beautiful and the evening was quiet and still. It was easy to tell this was a place Alice must come to often as there were no trails or camp areas in sight for humans. "Thinking rock?" I asked as we sat down on a small rock ledge where we could slightly feel the mist of the ocean as it crashed below us.

"Yeah." She smiled and pulled me down to sit beside her, "I come here quite often to think, try to force a vision, or just to be. There's no brother prodding into my head, no one trying to settle my emotions if they are worried, scared or angry. I'm just me here."

I smiled and nodded in understanding. "That's what the strawberry patch meadow was for me and Elizabeth." I whispered softly, looking just out from under the vale of my hair. "Alice can I ask you something and answer me honestly please?"

"Of course, Bella. I don't feel that I could ever lie to you, even if I had to." She answered and turned slightly to show I had her full attention.

I licked my lips and took a slow deep breath, "When I compare certain things in my past…with Elizabeth to now, in relation to you or our friendship, does it bother you in any way at all?"

Alice was quiet for a moment before speaking, "No. If you want me to be completely honest, I'd have to say it makes me feel like I've never felt before…and it scares me."

She raised her finger to my lips to silence me before I had a chance to ask her what she meant and continued, "Bella, I had visions of a lost young woman coming to Forks. My family would befriend her and help her on her journey to find herself. I never actually saw you; or rather I never saw your face. But I know in my heart it was you. I know you worry that what you feel…what we feel will be questioned by if it's our choice or something forcing our hands but don't. As Carlisle said I won't do or be anything to anyone that I don't want to be, and I know you wouldn't either."

I nodded and smiled softly, "And it scares you?" I asked as I played with her pinkie finger.

She laced her fingers with mine before speaking, "It scares me, because despite knowing how great we could and would be together…" my breath hitched at her words, "I know you're still in pain over Elizabeth and I would never dream of trying to replace her in your heart."

"She will always be there and no one could take her place." I replied truthfully and Alice nodded her head, "However, I have a big heart and a lot of space in it that needs filling," I whispered. "Do you have room for me too?"

Alice's eyes shined with unshed tears, "More than you can imagine." She squeezed my hand softly as I leaned towards her cupping her snow white cheek. "Isabella," she whispered as our lips met in a tentative and soft kiss. Despite both of our bodies cool temperatures our lips felt like fire pressed together. We didn't deepen it, just simply allowed our lips to dance across each other before pulling back slowly.

Resting my forehead against hers I smiled and leaned back just far enough to look into her darkened golden eyes, "Bet you didn't see that one coming did you Seer?"

She smirked at me and pulled me closer by the back of my neck, "No but I'm anticipating this one, Drifter," she grinned and captured my willing lips once again.

I may not yet have found out any meaning to my existence in this world, but with Alice Cullen at my side I was ready to make a place for myself in it.