Chapter 13
Disclaimer for all chapters: I do not own Twilight Saga. SM owns it. I do not intend to copy any of her ideas for my own. I only own the plot to this story. And I do not intend to copy any other author either. There are many stories out there and I have not been able to read all of them.
This story contains mention of physical and emotional abuse, strong language, etc. Do not read if you are uncomfortable with such topics. Enjoy and please review.
Also, a special note to my readers: thank you for reading!!!
Alice POV
I was nervous. My family was counting on me to get to know this girl, but I felt blind. No matter what I did, I couldn't see her in my visions of the future. Edward had just told me that he couldn't hear her and I couldn't see her; I wondered if Jasper would be able to sense her feelings.
I stood in front of the door and straightened my skirt. I stood up straight and pulled myself up as tall as I could and then I knocked softly on the door.
"Come in."
At human speed, I pushed the door open and walked in. Bella was sitting up on her bed smoothing the hospital blanket around her legs. She looked up at me, while she kept smoothing and tucking, and offered me a shy smile.
"Hi, I'm Alice," I said walking over to her bed and reaching out my hand for her to shake it.
Bella shook my hand back, and said, "Hi, I'm Bella."
"Okay if I sit down?"
"Sure".
I took a seat in the chair next to Bella's bed. I realized a few things: (1) she really didn't have a scent which was odd for a human; (2) her heartbeat sounded a lot softer and dimmer than most humans to my ears... Bella's heart and pulse were like that of a house cat; and (3) last and most unusual of all, she didn't flinch or pull back when she shook my hand. She must have felt the cold, but if she did, she didn't indicate at all.
"So," I started, "this is a little awkward, isn't it?"
Bella smiled her small smile again. "Yea, a little." She paused and then added earnestly, "You don't have to be here on my account. I totally get that you're here because you don't want to disappoint Carlisle, I mean, your dad, but don't worry. I can cut my own hair; I've been doing it for years. You probably have better places to be than here with me," she said rapidly.
Bella was trying to get rid of me, but not because she was frightened. She was nervous because she thought I didn't want to be here; she thought I was uncomfortable. I smiled at that thought. She didn't know I was a vampire. It was so refreshing to be treated like a normal teenage girl.
"I call him Carlisle too," I answered.
"Really?"
"Yea. Since we're adopted... he did tell you that, didn't he? I asked. Bella nodded. "Well since we're all adopted, he and Esme wanted to make clear that they weren't replacing our parents. Carlisle and Esme are great though - best parents anyone could have," I added.
I could tell by Bella's nodding that she thought highly of Carlisle too.
"So what do you think of Forks?" Bella asked.
And that started our conversation. I chatted about my impressions Forks compared to the town where we had lived in Alaska. This was all typical cover story that each of us knew by heart. I talked about the teachers I liked and didn't and my impression of my classmates. Bella didn't chime in much on school. I thought she might have made some comments like, "me too", or "yea, she's a pain," but she didn't. She just watched me and listened, absent-mindedly smoothing the blanket over and over on her legs.
"I've been talking non-stop for the last half hour. Tell me about you, Bella."
Bella looked out the window for a moment. I could tell she was thinking. I couldn't remember a time when I missed my gift more. The anticipation of what she was going to say was almost unbearable, and then I realized that I hadn't felt anticipation in decades. I smiled. I really liked being with Bella. Her calm reminded me of Jasper, and while it was strange, it was also kind of cool to have to work for it around her.
"Well," she said, "there really isn't much to tell. I was born and raised here in Forks. I'm an only child. I've never been to Alaska - that sounds really cool. The farthest I've ever been is Port Angeles. I know... don't look at me like that," she told me chuckling when she saw the shocked look on my face. "My mom died a few years ago, and I lived with my dad. And the rest, well, you probably know from talking to Carlisle," she concluded, fidgeting still with the blanket on her legs.
"Yes, Carlisle did tell me what happened Bella. I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say because I can't imagine what you are going through and don't want to insult with you a bunch of meaningless platitudes." I was looking right at Bella when I said this, and as I talked, I could see her looking back at me intensely. From experience, I could tell this was a big moment; she was deciding something.
She didn't rush to say anything when I finished talking. We sat in silence. She continued to look at me as if she were evaluating me, and I sat still just looking back at her. It was so hard not to act, but this moment was big, and I didn't want to blow it.
I felt relief flood through me when she said, "Thanks, Alice. "Sooo," she said dragging out the enunciation, "Carlisle says you're good at cutting hair?"
I was elated! It took all I had not to stand up, scream "Yes!", and do a fist pump at Bella's question. I wanted to be friends with Bella, and this was an important first step.
"Well, as a matter of act, I am, Ms. Dwyer," I responded in kind to her and then we both looked at each other and started giggling. After our giggles subsided, I reached into my bag and brought out several hair cut style magazines for short hair. As I laid them on Bella's lap on the bed, she asked, "What are these?"
"Haircut magazines. You can look through them and pick a style."
Bella lightly ran her fingers over the covers of the magazines but didn't pick any up. I looked at her face and saw that she was looking down at the magazines and was chewing on her bottom lip.
"Alice, this really isn't necessary. I just cut my hair short enough that someon..." she interrupted herself and continued, "so that it is too short for even me to grab. I've worn it like that for a long time. In fact, I can't remember when my hair was this long."
I assessed her hair thoughtfully, tapping my index finger on my lips. While I wanted her to grow her hair out, I recognized that Bella would have to make that choice when she was ready. As accustomed as I am to getting my way, I knew from talking to Carlisle that Bella getting to make her own decisions would be a big part of her physical recovery.
"You look really good in short hair, Bella. I can give you the cut you want. You should let me do it since you are still getting your strength back. If your arms tire out, then you may only be able to give yourself a half cut tonight, I told her smiling. You also have beautiful eyes. Have you ever had your eyebrows done?
In response, Bella arched one of her eyebrows, and said, "What?"
"Have you ever had your eyebrows waxed or tweezed?"
"No. Sounds painful."
"Well, it hurts a little bit, but not much and when done right, it can really flatter a girl's eyes. See mine?"
Bella stared at my face, taking in my eyebrows, eye makeup, and eye color.
"You do have beautiful eyes, Alice," she responded quietly.
Even though I knew I was beautiful because beauty was a characteristic of being a vampire, the way Bella said it made me feel genuinely pretty.
"Thank you! So, haircut and eyebrows in the bathroom?"
"Yes, but let me call the nurse because I can't get into my wheelchair on my own yet."
"No worries, Bella" I replied. You are so tiny, even I can lift you," I said. I really didn't want anyone coming in and disturbing the good vibe Bella and I had going now.
"Are you sure, Alice? You're like 3 inches shorter than me, Bella asked incredulous.
"Take my word for it. I'm stronger than I look."
I pulled Bella's wheel chair closer to her bed and then put my left arm under her knees and my right arm on her back. I lifted her up effortlessly and put her in her chair being cautious to go at human speed.
"See, no sweat," I said.
I wheeled Bella into the bathroom, and with my hair cutting scissors began cutting her hair.
"Alice, tell me about your family. Carlisle has told me everyone's names, that everyone is adopted, and that you, Jasper and Edward are juniors, and Emmet and Rosalie are seniors, but that is all."
"Well, let me start with Jasper," I said. "I doubt Carlisle told you this, but we're a couple." I was curious if Bella would be shocked or not.
Bella's body language didn't change; she just looked thoughtful. I added, "So are Rosalie and Emmet."
Bella, then asked, "So Edward is odd man out?" Surprised by the fact that she didn't seemed appalled by my family's unconventionality, I said, "no, he has a girlfriend, but she isn't part of our family. I mean she's not adopted. Her family lives in Denali, Alaska." I hope she didn't pick up my dislike for Tanya in my tone.
"Hmm... so when you say you and Jasper are a couple, are you just dating or is it something more? I was distracted by the thoughtfulness of Bella's question. "Well actually Bella, we're in love and we're married."
At this her eyebrows went up, but that was it as far as a physical reaction. "Really? Wow... that is kind of cool. How did you know for sure? I mean, you're my age Alice... don't you feel too young to make that kind of commitment?"
Now, I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. I sure wished Edward or Carlisle was here. They were much better at getting out of difficult conversations than I was. So, I went for a cop-out line that I hope would be enough to satisfy Bella for now..."well, I don't know what to say Bella, when you know you just know."
Bella nodded her head in understanding. I didn't know if she was doing that to make me feel comfortable or if she was doing that because she really agreed.
"So Carlisle and Esme let you get married?"
"Yes; we're not related, so there is nothing illegal about it." I didn't mean to sound defensive, but I realized that I did.
"Alice, I'm sorry. I hope my question didn't offend you," Bella cried out quickly. She turned her wheelchair to face me. "Really, I'm sorry. It's just so interesting to me, and to be honest, I like that fact that your family is so ... original, Alice. The little I know of Carlisle and now you Alice, I can't say I am surprised. You both seem so cosmopolitan. I think it is great that you found your .... I don't know what the right term is... your life partner, I guess." Bella stopped talking.
"Bella, you are very sweet. You didn't offend me. I was afraid that our, what term did you use, that our "originality" was making you uncomfortable. And, Jasper and I prefer the term "mates." So, let's get started on your eyebrows. No talking. I don't want to mess up," I stated firmly.
Bella looked at me nervously as I spun her chair back to face the bathroom mirror. "Just kidding, Bella, jeez."
She gave me a genuine smile which lit up her face when I said that. In about 5 minutes I was all done. I brushed the loose hairs of Bella's face and neck and said, "Voila!"
Bella examined her appearance in the mirror and smiled again. "Thanks Alice. Carlisle was right. You are an expert at hair-cutting."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, my dear," I jokingly replied. I wheeled Bella back to her bed, and quickly picked her up from her chair and settled her back in her bed. I looked at my watch and realized that I had been with Bella for almost two hours and from the sounds in the hallway, it sounded like the staff where coming through with dinner trays.
"Well, Bella, I better be going. I had a wonderful time today."
"I had a great time too, Alice. Thank you for coming and for the haircut and eyebrow... whatever," she said.
"Eyebrow care or eyebrow upkeep, Bella."
"Riighht," she said, slowly enunciating the word.
Laughing, I said, "Bella, how about I visit tomorrow and bring Jasper and Edward by to meet you?"
Bella stiffened and took a deep breath, and asked in an uncertain voice, "How about Rosalie first?" I looked at her bewildered by her request.
Bella quickly added, "Look Alice, Im sure Jasper is awesome. I mean how couldn't he be? You're married to him. But, even with the great haircut and eyebrow care, I'm not comfortable having guys see me right now, any guys. Crap, I don't even have my own clothes here." Bella sounded distraught and near tears when she said this.
I felt so stupid...of course Bella was shy about her appearance. She was practically covered in wounds from head to toe and all she had to wear were hospital gowns. I was so insensitive!
Thinking quickly and wanting to make this better, I said, "Bella, I'm sure I covered how much I love shopping when we talked earlier, right?"
Bella nodded.
"Well, how about I shop for you?"
Bella didn't hesitate a second before answering. "No."
"But Bella," I started to go into my Alice always gets her way voice, "I love to shop. It would be no problem..."
"Alice, I said no."
Startled by Bella's tone, I stopped speaking immediately. As I watched, Bella closed her eyes and took a deep breath again.
"I'm sorry Alice. I don't mean to snap at you. Let me finish," she said waving her arm at me as I started to protest. "I just would rather have my stuff. I know I'm not making much sense, but I woke up just a week ago in a strange place and learned that I had lost four months of my life. And if that is not bad enough, I learned that my life won't ever be the same. While it's not all bad news, it's a lot to take in, you know? I miss my stuff, my things. I don't want new things right now. I want my things." I couldn't tell if Bella was pleading with me or the universe, but I totally understood what Bella meant.
Every time we moved, I made sure that Jasper's and my bedroom suite always moved with us because it was "our" bedroom; the key symbol of our life together; on good days and on bad days, our bedroom was our haven.
"I understand Bella. How can I help?"
Bella looked out the window again, and her hands were again absent-mindedly smoothing the blanket over her legs. After a few minutes, she looked back at me and asked, "Would you mind going to my house and getting some of my things?"
