Chapter 11

Alice

I just need time. B

I put my phone down and resigned to the fact Bella wasn't coming home anytime soon. Even though it hurt more than anything, I knew that I needed to give her space.

"She's a strong girl, Alice. I know you're worried, but she'll be okay. She's just overwhelmed right now."

I knew Jasper was right, but it still stung.

I put my arms around him, cherishing the feeling of being in his embrace. I'd have to let Bella go for now, otherwise it would consume me. I had to meet my buyer in Seattle tomorrow anyway, so I needed to get my designs in order.

"Can I help you in any way?" asked Jasper as we made our way to my office.

"You can help by keeping my mind of Bella. Tell me about your time in Spain – when you first met Edward."

Jasper chatted away, while I assembled my portfolio. I was happy with my designs, they brought back happy memories of a more innocent time, a time with my human family. I suppose that's why I was drawn towards fashion of that era – it was like a link to my past. I stopped to ask questions every now and then, and before long I had everything organised and ready for my presentation.

"There, I'm finished. Thanks Jas, I'm feeling a lot better."

"I'm glad to hear that ma'am."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips. Jasper pulled me in tighter, and brought his lips back to mine ever so tenderly.

"Alice Swan, you have made me the happiest immortal," he whispered against my lips.

"Then you know how I feel Jasper," I answered back, placing a kiss on his jawline.

"I'm not sure if I do," he teased. "Would you like to show me some more?"

"Haha! You're incorrigible Jasper Hale!"

Not that I minded. But I was getting thirsty – it had been some time since I last fed.

"I have another idea though…for now," I winked. "How about you educate me on the delights of elk blood?"

Jasper's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Sure. What's the worst that can happen? I puke up some wild animal blood?"

"Alice, I assure you that won't happen."

"We'll see! I told you I'd try, but I won't promise I'm not going to spit it back out."

We ran through the woods some way until we happened across a small herd of elk. I could hear the blood pumping through their body, it had a strange smell, but not totally unpleasant.

I'll take the big one on the left, are you happy to take the female?

I nodded.

I silently stalked the cow, waiting for the chance to strike. I flung myself in the air and gracefully landed on its back, pinning it to the ground. I sank my teeth into its neck and waited for the revulsion to take over. Surprisingly, it didn't. The blood had a wild, grassy flavour, different to human blood, but still enjoyable. I drank until I was full, and looked up to see Jasper watching me, nervously.

"Well?" he asked cautiously. "I noticed you didn't spit blood in my face."

"So perceptive!" I giggled. "Actually, I kinda liked it. Different to human blood, but in a good way."

"See? I'm not entirely crazy after all," he said, trying to convince himself more than me.

"I have told you Jas, I love your quirks. It makes you who you are. I don't ever want you to change."

"I love you Alice, with all my being. Never in all the years I've been vampire did I ever think it was possible to find someone like you. I just hope that one day you can love me back."

I walked up to Jasper, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt and pulled him towards me.

"Kiss me Jasper. I love you just as fiercely."

Jasper

We snuggled up on the couch until dawn, kissing, talking, reminiscing. My soulmate. My new reason for existing. My Alice. I was yet to hear from Edward, even after I warned him about Bella disappearing, so I thought I best give him a call.

Hello. You have reached Doctor Edward Cullen. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can. Beeep.

Great. Message bank.

"Hey Edward, it's Jas. Just checking in to see how you are doing. Hope you got my earlier message. Ring me back and let me know you're okay. See ya."

"No luck?"

I shook my head. "He'll touch base soon. He just needs to figure out this situation with Bella. As you can imagine, he's pretty determined and won't give her up so easily."

"Lucky we have each other, then, aren't we? With those two stubborn immortals, it might take a few decades!"

"I hope not. Edward has changed already since meeting Bella. He's softened. She is turning him into a giant marshmallow!"

Alice laughed. "Lucky you already were one before we met!"

"I'll have you know ma'am that I'm a vicious, mean, not-to-be-messed-with immortal!"

"Ooh, I'm sooo scared!"

"That's it! Now you've done it!"

I chased Alice through the house and tackled her onto the floor of the landing. Looking into her eyes, I could see into the depths of her soul. This beautiful vampire was so full of compassion and love for everyone she touched. The love she radiated for life was infectious. I lowered my head to hers and kissed her with all of the passion in my. She responded, biting my bottom lip and seductively dragging it through her teeth. I started to unbutton her shirt, but her hand shot up over mine.

"Jas, I would love nothing more than to spend the day exploring you. But sadly, I need to get to Seattle. This presentation isn't going to run itself!"

I pouted as best as I could, hoping she'd take pity on me.

"Haha. Poor Jassy. I promise, when I get back, you can lock me in your room for all of eternity and do as you please! But I really need to get going."

She flipped me on my back and kissed me again.

"Promise?" I teased.

"Cross my stone cold heart," she replied.

"I suppose then…" I pretended to sulk.

Another quick kiss, and then she was in the shower.

I helped her pack her bags and files into the car, then kissed her goodbye.

"Make sure you call me, so I know you're safe. And let me know how the presentation goes."

"I will. Love you Jas."

"And I you, my love."

I watched her drive away, knowing a piece of me had left in that car. She would be back late tonight, but I didn't like her being away from me. I offered to go with her, but I needed to stay in case Edward returned. I tried his cell again, but straight to voicemail. I decided I'd busy myself in town while I waited for Alice to call. I hated being around people, but I was determined to try. Forks was Alice's home, for now anyway, and I wanted to show her I was committed to making it our home.

Alice gave me a quick call to say she had arrived, and was setting up for her presentation to her potential buyer. I wished her luck and she promised to ring me when she'd finished.

A few hours had passed and I was starting to wonder what was keeping Alice from calling me. Maybe the presentation ran longer than she was expecting? I decided to give it another half hour, then I would ring. The time passed and I still hadn't heard from her, so I dialled her number.

"Jasper…" Alice whispered shakily.

"Alice?" My voice was tight with concern.

"It's Victoria. She's found me. And she's coming after Bella."