Chapter 14 Royalty

After Alice, Rosalie and Renesmee retreated upstairs to play dress up, I sat unsatisfied, wondering what Alice could have possibly seen. A decision must have been made between either myself or Edward to cause Alice to have a glimpse at Edward.

I did not have to ask if it involved our marriage, or at least—he and I as a couple. Why else would she have gone directly to him and not me?

I had to refute the unnerving thoughts of betrayal for Alice not to confide in me. My conclusion was that she thought it more appropriate for him to be the one to speak to me about the vision.

"We can depart after the celebration. It will benefit us for the conspicuous image driving in the night, instead of the sunlight," implied Carlisle.

Esme agreed with a conforming nod. "Of course. That way, Nessie can sleep on the way."

"That would be best for her," I agreed.

"That way she won't get bored," said Jacob dully. Then he smiled with an afterthought, almost looking like that little boy I first met down on La Push beach. "I can keep her entertained." He bobbed his head, agreeing with himself.

"You're welcome to ride with us, it's no question," I said to Jacob vacantly, barely hearing myself. My attention was still on my husband beside me.

Edward nodded his head and listened to the conversation, though internally he was also in tune to me. His arm weaved underneath mine and draped around it, hugging my wrist against his.

Jacob huffed. "You'd better Bells," he taunted. "Gotta keep the kids together for the ride." He added buoyantly, still grinning his Jacob-Black trademark smile, and then it faded when he looked at Edward, who looked like he was concentrating on something very far away.

I studied Edward remorsefully. You can tell me, I'm not going to judge you.

His features lightened up a bit.

Emmett was evaluating Edward and me with a sly grin. I could already see an attack in the making with this one. I sighed softly, preparing myself and bracing my shoulders.

"You know, if you two still want to be alone, now's your chance." Apparently Emmett had not learned his lesson yet.

Edward did not say anything, and neither did I, though I wanted to. I pressed my lips together and smirked sarcastically.

Esme shot Emmett a subtle 'be-nice' look. He nodded his head back at her with mock innocence.

Jacob snorted and shook his head, staring off in the opposite direction and I realized with mal humor that it was a laugh.

I glanced at Edward, who still impersonated disinterest in what his irritating brother was assuming. Everyone all knew why we had disappeared. How humiliating.

"Edward," Carlisle deflected Emmett's immature behavior. "What did Alice see?" He asked rationally, examining Edward's stale expression.

Quietly, Edward's fist clenched around mine. He was uncomfortable, as if sitting in an electric chair at a death sentence.

Of course, all pairs of golden eyes rested on us.

Jacob was suddenly alert on edge, turning his head to look at Edward. He seemed intent on figuring out what was causing Edward to be so sensitive as of late.

Edward deliberated, his eyes crossing with Carlisle's discerning ones.

"Look, bro, we all know you're protective over your wife," Emmett gestured his head in my direction while arching an eyebrow, wide grin still intact. "But you know I'm just being me." He paused pointing to himself. He hunched over his knees. "You just gotta tell us. Does this vision have to do with you and Bella?"

Jacob's eyes tightened at Edward warily, just like the good old days when he did not trust him with me, and now, he had an even more imperative reason to be reluctant to Edward. Renesmee.

Edward breathed out what sounded like a chuckle, as if Carlisle's question was absurd.

Emmett had taken such a quantum leap by probing Edward. It caught me off guard, though I had no room for annoyance for Emmett. There would be plenty of time for getting even with him. Edward and Alice's private interlude was more of an imperative predicament.

Alice's visions were always top priority, although it was evident that she was not reacting hastily at all.

Perhaps Alice had sighted Edward in the near future as losing his mind, or much worse—not being able to triumph over his personal abhorrence that he was dwelling on.

Next to my side, Edward stiffened, though not regarding Carlisle or Emmett, because his eyes touched my expectant stare. He was hearing me think about him.

We all waited for him to speak.

I was so keyed up to learn what this new vision was of Alice's, that I could hardly stand it the uneasiness that drenched me to the core.

I could not help it but feel antsy.

I was fed up. I rationalized what I was about to say, carefully evaluating my tone before I spoke.

"Please, you guys." I ventured, almost sounding like a plea for them to stop grilling him. "He is just coping with a lot, and I'm sure he'll tell us if it's that important." I stuck up for him. I could tell that Edward was caught off guard by me, for he tenderly stroked my ring finger with his thumb and forefinger.

Emmett drew his head back with a low snicker. Though he brushed off my comment with a leer, I could tell he took the hint to stop with the nonsense sexual banter.

Carlisle and Esme traded a rather amused glance.

"Alright. I see, it is personal." Carlisle caught on, nodding his chin at me and then looking back at Edward.

A beat. Esme, of course, the heart of the Cullen family, supplemented, "It's alright, Edward. As long as none of us are in any immediate danger, then you should not have to divulge to us something sacred."

"Yeah, but it effects Nessie." Jacob said, distraught. "I mean, you're her parents."

I felt Edward nod. His muscles were as taught as guitar strings. I felt better after defending him, although I had some grueling to do myself. Although, it had annoyed me that everyone had put him on the hot plate. I sank closer into him.

"What's up with you?" Asked Jacob, eyeing Edward. He was a cross between concern and frustration.

"Don't worry about me," answered Edward tensely.

Jacob pressed his lips together, his eyes still slanted. "I don't know if I trust you around Nessie. Deal with it, whatever it is." He turned his head the other way to deflect the daggers that Edward may possibly glare at him.

Edward grimaced, though said nothing.

My head snapped around to look at Jacob, more in shock than anything.

"Jake," I warned. "We are."

Jacob opened up his hands as if to motion to us 'then do it'.

"Let me ask you this, son." Carlisle spoke with deliberation to express to Edward that he was not interrogating him in the least. "Is the vision at all precarious, and do we need to help you in any way?"

My eyes found their way wandering up to Edward. His expression was composed, though his gaze was remote. As if he was thinking about something entirely apart from what was going on inside of the room.

I felt such sympathy for him. Poor Edward, he was trying with immense effort to maintain his dignity, as well as keep the vision a secret. So much for that idea.

I felt tense. I was entitled to know what this vision entailed, and I had a right. I did not wish to embarrass him by demanding him to let me in on it, though I was so close to slipping off the edge of that chivalry. I needed to find out now.

Edward's lips pulled upward to display triviality of the matter. His expression was indifferent as he spoke very casually. "No." He said with certainty. "It is not a critical issue concerning the family. Alice merely saw something concerning Bella and myself." His voice was convincing, though I knew it was more than that.

I share everything I am with you, Edward. Please tell me what is going on? I begged him. Now I knew how he must have felt to be an outsider from my mind long ago.

My fingers contracted against his, nudging him to react somehow. A sign, a shrug, even a clue—anything.

Edward was contemplative. He seemed to be frozen in his own thoughts, which was not always a good thing. His face was as if he were caught doing something wrong and he was being scolded.

I felt so sorry for him. I slid my other palm to his chest as if to stabilize him. I'm here, it's okay, I sent my calming thoughts to him.

Jasper analyzed Edward and then his eyes wavered over to me.

"If you two wish to discuss this matter now amongst yourselves, please. By all means, please, do take a moment." Carlisle offered with a brief gesture of his hand. I could see how relevant he treated Edward's condition and the vision.

I took a shallow breath, searching Edward's eyes. He consented with a blink of his eyes, slightly lowering his chin. He was a bit hesitant.

Upstairs, the girls Rose, Alice and Renesmee chirped in delight about my daughter's ensemble. I could not wait to see her in her darling new gown.

"Perfection achieved! I did not foresee you looking this ravishing," Alice said, marveling over Renesmee.

"Why, you are quite the pretty princess," Rosalie commented. Renesmee squealed and I heard someone clap their palms together in appreciation.

"Isn't she though?" Said Alice.

"Now her hair," Rose added.

We all paused to eavesdrop. Esme was snickering kindly, holding her fist to her nose.

"Just wait until your mother sees you," Alice bubbled over. "I think that we should open up our own boutique! Isn't that not right, Rose?"

"Mmmm-hmmm," she responded.

"And I will be the model," volunteered Renesmee. There was distinct laughter in her tone, that it made me sneak a smile.

Jacob beamed to himself at Renesmee's unmistakable voice.

Edward's lips curved upward, though his eyes still dwelled on me intently. Now's as good a time as any, I prompted him.

"Bella," Edward said formally. "Why don't we step outside for a moment." He stood, helping me rise to my feet.

"Good idea," I answered aloud, bolting up.

He excused us and he took me out the front door, opening the glass door for me, allowing me to exit first and then following me. We shuffled through the layers of icing from the fallen snow, heading towards the same pathway in between two Christmas trees. Their branches welcomed us into the wintry trail.

When I was convinced that it was safe to use my words, I dropped my patient mode. "What is it?" I exhaled and turned to him, halting in my tracks. He followed my lead, nearly looking embarrassed.

I lightly touched my fingers to his cheek to soothe his nerves. He was wound so tight.

Edward lingered, staring at me thoughtfully. He stepped in, and I had to tilt my head upward to see him. "I'm not quite sure how to tell you this."

I braced my shoulders. "Just say it." I shook my head as if it were the simplest thing, though I could see he struggled. My voice softened. "I'm a big girl, I can take it." I urged him, reaching out to hold his elbows. I had to admit it to myself that I was afraid he would run away from me to escape divulging the truth.

His brows pulled together earnestly. "Alright." He whispered in a tight voice, "Alice saw me dwelling on the past." He inched closer and nodded. "Because of what you endured, she said that she had a vision of me having a...fit in front of you. We were alone at the time." He waited a beat, anguish visible in his empty eyes, as if it hurt him to talk about it.

I mulled over his words in disbelief. I placed my free hand in his and steadily looked him in the eyes.

I considered the fact that he could not get over his guilt. "How bad was it?"

His gaze plummeted. "Let's put it this way." I could see him swallow. "Alice told me that if I didn't get my act together and move on, that I would hurt you even more."

My heart leapt at the meaning. My mouth about dropped open. I thought you said the vision didn't mean any immediate danger for us. My mind raced before my words could find voice.

"Emotionally, I mean," Edward added, shaking his head quickly. His face scrunched at the ache of the notion. He reminded me of the look in his eye when we were first split apart when we had first started dating.

I sighed. "I see." I gulped. I meditated on the vision for a few seconds and then drew him closer. "Like I said though. That's why I married you. I'm here to help you." I forced a smile, but I was still seriously worried about him.

We were both silent for a minute. He put his arms around me and leaned his chin on my shoulder.

"She also said she doesn't want any more disturbing visions of me going mental," he said, followed by a low chuckle. Then he was earnest. "It wouldn't be fair to any of you." His finger traced my spine.

"You have to make the decision to get better," I said in his hair, inhaling him in. My arms wound around his neck.

Another laugh escaped him. "That's what Alice said. That it is up to me." He was playing with my hair now. "Of course, she was using much more colorful language than that."

I could not help but allow myself to let out a small giggle. "Yeah, I don't need you to go crazy on me."

I felt him tremble with a silent laugh himself.

"She said, 'Dammit Edward if you don't control yourself, than I will do it for you so help me.' Yeah, I think I may have crossed her."

"What would we do without her?" I mused.

Edward held me tighter, a strong hug. "She was not as sweet as you are with me, but I must admit. What she described to me was all that I needed."

With all humor gone, I pulled back to look into his eyes. I kissed him on the lips and then said, "I know what happened really bothered you." I looked at him sternly, heated passion smoldering in my gaze. "But. You're the only one who can forgive yourself, you know."

His stare on me clouded over for a moment. "I know." Then his mouth curled upward.

I simply stared at him.

"I am sorry. Do you forgive me?" he asked me fervently.

"You've done nothing wrong."

He exhaled, and his body relaxed. I felt him unwind.

I dropped my hands to lock with his. "But I'm holding you personally accountable to let it go." I took two steps backward, tugging him along. "

"I will." He promised.

We gazed at one another for a few seconds and then I thought about Renesmee. "Come on. I want to see Nessie's dress." His smile reached his eyes. I felt such a tangible lift off of my shoulders and my mind. "Knowing Alice, she probably had a gown made by a professional designer." I blew out a laugh, as we crunched through the snow.

I made air quoted with one hand as I mimicked her trill, "Heaven forbid she would wear something off of the rack."

Edward's arm wound around my waist as he joked, "She is really dangerous isn't she?" We made our way up the stone steps and onto the veranda near the glass doors.

Before I could make my own personal comment on that one, both of us heard Alice's childlike voice, as if on cue. "I heard that!"

"Alice? She can be when she wants to," said Edward, stifling a chuckle.

"Mmmm." I nodded.

"Oh, Bella?" Alice bubbled. "It's your turn. Get thee up here! "

I halted dead in my tracks, clinging onto Edward. We traded doomed looks as we cautiously entered the house.

"Don't worry, I will protect you," he said in my ear.

Edward led me to the peak of the living area and we faced our family with much relief.

Rosalie looked puffed up, and very proud of herself. She was adorned in a baby pink tight fitting dress. Of course, Emmett was holding her, his hands on her thighs. Rose's eyes were on me, waiting for my reaction.

Jacob was sitting on the edge of the sofa, with Renesmee standing next to him. He lifted his eyes up to me, then Edward, then back to me, perceiving our expressions. As always, his teeth were showing in a gallant smile.

Alice's face was incandescent as well. She made the sun look like a moon. She was smiling so brightly at me that I almost turned around and escaped out the door.

My foot obeyed me, and I turned to go back the way I had come.

"Don't even think about it," she advanced a step closer to me, as if to corner me.

Edward glanced down at me protectively, his arm constricting around me. I must have looked frightened because Renesmee shrieked "Momma!" She danced up to me and Edward.

Jacob rose to his feet and stood next to me, his focus on Renesmee.

He gaped at her as if he could look nowhere else. Nothing else held enough interest for him other than my daughter.

My eyes popped wide at the site of her when I realized what she was adorned in. The most beautiful dress. It was no wonder that Jacob was gazing dotingly at Renesmee. She lit up the entire room.

Renesmee was wearing a gold gown that looked like satin. It reached down to her ankles. The gown had a V-neck with a matching satin lace bodice. Her hair was in ringlets of course, pulled up and spilling down her shoulders and back. The glittering dress made her appear like she was going to the Academy Awards Red Carpet. I gasped loudly.

Edward marveled at her. "Nessie, you are gorgeous." He said in utmost reverence, awe saturating his voice.

I swore my little girl blushed, titling her cheek to her left shoulder. She held her dress with her fingertips as if to curtsey.

Esme said, "You are so darling, Nessie. Why don't you twirl around for us?"

Her eyes were squinted up, and her little teeth showed. She twirled around for us. "See? I'm a princess."

"Yes you are," Edward agreed. "You're so beautiful I don't fancy letting you out of the house."

Everyone laughed lightly.

Edward scooped her up before I could, with his free arm.

"You're our little princess Renesmee." I said, touching her ringlets. She looked at me in wonder.

"Now I look as pretty as you momma?"

My eyes would have watered, but I smiled at her tenderly. "Even prettier."

Edward side-glanced at me, and winked but said nothing.

Alice nodded. "Princess Nessie. Hmmm, that fits, you know," her tiny finger tapped her chin, as if she were deep in thought. She looked upward for a second and then shook her thoughts away.

"Of course it does," I had to say.

"She's always been a princess, what are you talking about?" interjected Jacob with a scoff. Oh yeah, those two still didn't get along.

Edward laughed to himself at my thoughts.

Renesmee rewarded his complement with a breathtaking smirk. "I have?"

"Yep," answered Jacob gently.

I planted two kisses on my daughter's cheek, having to practically jump up to reach.

"All she needs is the crown," remarked Rosalie, speaking with such adoration that I had to remind myself that I was Renesmee's mother. "In fact, Alice did purchase one."

"What a shock," said Edward coolly.

Alice nodded slowly, her chin raised. "I thought that she may need it, that's all."

"Did you hear that Nessie? You have a crown too." Edward said in Renesmee's ear, with audible enthusiasm. In reaction, she sucked in a deep breath, her eyes wide.

Alice tsked, and then stretched her arm out to receive me.

I retracted back, horrified. Rosalie chuckled politely, and then muffled it with a dainty touch of her finger to her mouth. I must have looked hilarious. I had to admit I did ham it up theatrically, just to crack Renesmee up.

Renesmee giggled, like trickling water. A baby's irresistible laugh. "Aw, go ahead mommy, I want to see you in a pretty dress. You'll be queen momma!"

Alice raised her eyebrows. "She just may be."

Carlisle and everyone else focused on little bitty Alice, who was having her fun. She shrugged, blasé as ever.

I scowled.

Alice shrugged, but she looked all too inconspicuous to me.

"Of what?" Asked Edward, He shrugged dramatically and looked at Renesmee, and then back down at me. "She's already my queen." His words were fervent. I clutched onto him.

Renesmee sang, "Mine too,"

Edward cuddled her to his cheek. "Aren't I such a lucky daddy."

"Sure sure!" Renesmee sat comfortably on his hip while resting her palm outspread on my shoulder.

Now my daughter was sounding more and more like Jake. Wonderful.

"Oh, don't you worry, I'll get to you too, Edward," Alice promised, pointing at him.

Edward's eyes expanded. Alice cantered over to me and took my hand before I could leap away.

"Well, here I go, into the wild," I teased Alice, who pursed her lips back at me.

"I can't wait to see you," said Edward in a whisper.

"Me too!" Nessie cried exuberantly.

"Come Bella!" She yanked me with such excitable speed. "It'll be fun!"

"Mmm, just what do you mean by fun?"

I tried to hold onto Edward reluctant to leave them. Alice managed to break our strong handhold. I shot him a pleading glance over my shoulder.

"Save me," I mouthed.

He just stared at me apologetically, his eyes glistening.

Everyone else laughed at my own expense.

Being practically dragged by my radiant step-sister, we arrived in her quarters. The room was about the same square footage as Edward and my suite, except hers had three times the bathroom, and five times the walk-in closet. It was one whole house inside of the mansion. I took a moment to look left and then right.

Hanging up there near her vanity was my short, silver dress. It seemed tight-fitting. I eyed it angrily. The neckline plunged downward. I was afraid to even try it on.

"Okay Alice, I didn't know we were going to a ball. Isn't it just a party?" I said squeamishly.

She put her arms around me and inched me towards it. I felt like this was an execution.

I rolled my eyes.

"A special occasion," she replied in a carefree tone. Let's see how it looks on you, and ooh, look at the shoes." She pointed her manicured nail down to the matching silver pumps. I gulped.

"Matching mousetraps?"

"Now, Bella, the least you can do is try them on, make me happy." Alice flitted over to the dress and assisted me in the gown fitting. As I turned to undress, slip the dress on, well, yank it on with her help, I faced her and she inhaled sharply.

"Grrr." I sighed.

"Yes." She nodded in self satisfaction, tugging at the shoulder straps and then bending down to pull at the hems that did not even reach my knees. "This will cure Edward," she laughed lightly.

"Why oh why?" I asked her.

She smiled smugly to herself and then gestured for me to sit down in the vanity chair. "You can thank me later." She trilled.

As she pulled and prodded, which made me want to cower and run, I decided to make the most of our sisterly bonding time. "Edward told me about the vision," I started.

"Ah." She nodded in approval. "It did him good to get a dose of that, here put your chin down." She scraped a few strands back with her fingernails. I pretended to wince. Alice continued casually. "It was not as a disturbing vision as you may have all imagined, though Edward needed a slap in the face, figuratively speaking."

I sighed, trying to relax my shoulders. I stared down at my bare legs, and my eyes got bigger. I was hardly wearing anything, the dress was so dang short. "Was he really that close to you know, slipping?"

Alice considered that for a moment, as she pinned some of my hair back. "Marginally yes, though I think that once the vision that I saw would have come to pass, he would have straightened up his act." She turned on the curling iron, and then separated my hair, and then began to curl. "On a lighter note, no, he was not going crazy. He just was boiling in his own shame, and that was hurting you too. I had to tell him, in private. That was all it took."

I did not know what to say. "Thanks. That's all he needed I guess." I felt the silky fabric between my fingers.

"Hmmm, well, when he sees you, in this dress…" she trailed off, laughing to herself faintly.

"Alice," I scolded her, my head whirling around to look at her. She looked positively angelic.

"No really." Alice let ringlets fall down my neck and back, and then she was finished. "Turn your head around. I'm not through with you yet."

I decided to change the subject. "So, you're making a huge deal out of this extravaganza." I fidgeted with my hair, and Alice slapped my hand lightly. I placed my hands in my lap, scowling. "What's really up?" I had seen the secretive expression on her face when she had spoke about Renesmee being a princess and for some reason, I wanted to call her on it.

"That's what the party is all about. You'll see, now you're all perfect. Stand up," she walked in front of me, her eyes sparkling.

"What?" I was barely able to stand in the shoes. Good thing for my new fluent grace or else I would not be able to walk down the stairs.

"Never you mind. Me to know. You can find out when everyone else does. Oh my!" She exclaimed, covering her mouth. "Shall we get Edward up here now?"

"You're really not as innocent as you seem, Alice," I smirked. She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh well. Up to you." She gloated, "You look so fancy. Almost better than your wedding day." She jumped in the air and landing softly. She fished for her pink lip gloss, unscrewing it and ready to aim it at me.

I blinked once. "Why do you egg him on, you know we're in someone else's home." I asked in a hush.

Alice slowly looked at me, arching an eyebrow. I knew that she knew. Shoot.

Alice coughed down a laugh. "Uh huh. And that would stop you how? " She paused to force me to look in the tall, full length mirror. My gown looked like a T-shirt. I felt the need to cover my thighs.

"Say it Bella. You look hot!" Alice admired me for a long moment. I glowered at the mirror. I had to admit though, I did look embarrassingly pretty.

She turned her head, moving on. "Alright, let's get you down there and then it's my turn."

Full of ecstatic energy, she took my hand in hers, leaving me speechless. As we descended down the spiral stairwell, I caught a glimpse of Edward.

Jacob rolled his eyes, diving forward to catch her if need be. He planted himself next to Edward and watched me. The corner of his mouth twitched in a faint smile.

Edward's mouth fell open when he saw me and he nearly dropped Nessie. As for Renesmee, she stared at me as if I were her idol, a celebrity.

"Oooh, look at momma!" She pointed at me energetically, deeply overwhelmed. Renesmee gasped again.

As we arrived down at the landing, all eyes fixed on me, which I hated, I murmured to Alice out of the corner of my mouth, "You know way too much, you know that?"