Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

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Chapter 20

Carrying Your Love With Me

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Previously: I went to my message inbox and found that the text was from Rose as well.

Got big news! Alice called. You'll never guess where those fuck faces were. They got fuckin' married!!! Call me now!!!

Rosalie

BELLA'S POV

"They did what?" I half shrieked to myself, hitting the speed dial and calling Rose.

"What is it?" Edward asked while he pulled on his pants.

I ignored him, and listened for her answer. It came before the first ring was done.

"Can you believe this shit?!" Rose yelled into the phone, without saying hello.

"They did what?" I repeated myself, but this time for her.

"She called me this morning, more chipper than usual, it was nauseating! She kept dropping little hints trying to get me to guess why she was so happy. I flat out told her I was way too hung over to play her games, but you know Alice, she had me guess at least once. I said 'You got married.' just playing around you know, trying to humor her. Then she screamed 'YES!' and I almost shit myself!"

By this time Edward was on his knees in front of me, trying to read my facial expressions, probably. I would have laughed at Rosalie's sense of humor, but I was still trying to get my mind around Alice and Jasper eloping.

"Anyways," Rose continued, "her and Jasper are down stairs now, talking with my parents. I'm on my way to the Cullens', you should tell lover boy what's going on and get his butt over there. I think Esme's gonna need her babies right now. I can't believe Alice did this!"

I looked at Edward's face, he was worried, and I'm not sure what he saw in my face. I smiled at him to show him all was good, and everything will be okay if Esme doesn't gut Alice.

His serious gaze relaxed some, and his mouth turned up in the corners. His eyes shifted down, and stayed there. It was then I realized I was still naked.

"Uh. . .okay Rose. We'll be there in a bit."

She sighed heavily, "Okay. Bye."

I closed my phone and threw it across my bed. "Come on. We got to go."

"And where, may I ask, are we going?" He said, running his cool fingers across my still bare stomach. His eyes just a little darker than their normal vibrant green. And cue the tug in my lower stomach.

"To your house." I said after a few much needed breaths, and push passed him to take a quick shower.

"My house? Okay, I'll bite. What was the phone call about?"

I grabbed some clothes, trying to fight the urge to cover my naked body with anything I could get my hands on. "Alice and Jasper, and where they've been."

"Where were they?"

I opened the door to my bedroom, I was sure Charlie was still out, we would have heard his heavy foot steps on the stairs if he had come home.

"They eloped." I said indifferently. Closing the door behind me, and sprinting to the bathroom, just in case we weren't as alone as I thought.

I could still hear his voice through both closed doors. "THEY DID WHAT?!"

-x-

ALICE'S POV

Mrs. Hale.

Mrs. Alice Hale.

Mary Alice Hale.

The day after our engagement, that was all that was running through my head. When I wasn't looking at my devastatingly handsome soon-to-be husband, that is. Amazing, the happiness a few words and actions can cause.

That night, we decided to drive to Vegas and marry the next night. I know, more than anyone else, that this is not something I was expected to do. But after Jasper asked me to be his for the rest of my life, I couldn't wait. Not after the news he told me.

Why wait?

I didn't stop to think about how upset my family would be. They would be happy if I was. And I was happy. Beyond normal person happy.

The wedding was small, very quick, and it was all I needed. Sure later on, we will have our big church wedding, with everyone important in my life there. But right now, this is about just Jasper and I. No one else.

It wasn't until the way home that I actually started to worry about what a shock this will be for everyone. We would tell Jasper's parents first. Save the hardest for last.

As suspected, Jasper's parents were surprised, but mostly happy for us.

The phone call with Rosalie this morning was my way of trying to give my two best bitches a heads up. She took it the way I knew she would. Very Rosalie-ish. I could not get a hold of Bella. Well I only tried once. I knew Rose would get that message to her for me.

The one person who took it differently than I had expected was my twin. My Edward. Him and Bella were there, sitting on the couch across form Emmett and Rose, when we walked into my parents house. I could see from the grin on Emmett's face that Rose had already broken the news to him. I knew they hadn't told my parents yet. It was too quiet.

Bella and Rose ran at me, hugging me at once. I could barely breath. In very hushed voices they flooded me with questions.

"Not now!" I replied. "Not until my parents know what the hell is going on!"

I looked over to the guys. They had Jasper cornered. His back against the wall with both my brothers leaning in on him. For a second I was worried, until I caught a glimpse of Jasper's smiling face and I knew all was well.

"Emmett, can you go get Mom and Dad?" I called over.

Both Emmett and Edward stepped away from Jasper. Edward's head dropped automatically, eyes down, avoiding my gaze.

"Are you sure your ready for that, little one?" Emmett asked as Jasper slid between them and went to hug Bella.

"I am."

Emmett's heavy feet stomped up the stairs. The room was filled with the soft voices of Bella, Jasper and Rose. Edward took a seat in an over sized chair, eyes still on the floor. Not looking at anyone.

I looked at Bella to see her looking back at me then at Edward.

"Aren't you gonna congratulate me, Twin?" My voice was as light hearted as I could get it. As if I hadn't noticed his very noticeable sour mood.

"Congratulations, Alice." He attempted at a normal nothing-is-wrong voice, but his eyes not meeting mine, gave him away.

I looked back at Bella, who had been silently watching the whole time, while Jasper and Rosalie fought playfully. She gave me an apologetic smile. She knows what's wrong with him! I thought to myself.

I studied Edward's face. Eyes sharp, jaw clenched. He's angry. Suddenly, anger filled me as well. He's my fucking twin! Why can't he just be happy for me!

The anger disappeared with the foot steps that were now flooding the living room.

"Alice, sweetie, Emmett says you have something to tell us." My mother said in her always sweet voice. In that moment, Jasper was at my side. Gripping my hand firmly in his.

My throat tightened. I was suddenly fearful of exactly how my parents would take this news. I was sure they would all be happy for me, but with Edward's current mood. . .I started to think I was mistaken.

I looked at Jasper, before I answered, and had to remind myself that I was an adult and that I made my own decision. There was nothing they could do about it. I had done nothing wrong.

"Carlisle, Esme, you may want to sit down." Jasper said, motioning to the empty couch.

"Oh okay." My mother said sweetly, making her way to the seat. Dad however, seemed to figure it out halfway there. His eyes widened and snapped to me, then to Jasper, then to my ring finger that now held one more ring than the last time he saw it.

I held my breath, not sure at all anymore of his reaction. A sort of strangled chuckle left him. He recovered himself and sat by my mom. A small smirk on his face.

"What is it, dear?"

Hear it goes.

I took a long much needed breath. I looked my loved ones in the face, one by one. Both Rosalie and Bella gave me smiles of encouragement. Emmett was leaning forward in his seat, an excited smile on his face. Then there was Edward. His eyes cast downward, he wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was upset anymore.

For a moment, I just stared at him. Willing with my eyes for him to look at me.

He didn't.

So without looking away from him I said, "I married Jasper." As soon as the words left my mouth, Edward's eyes closed.

"We drove to Vegas and had a very small and quick wedding."

I chose this time to look at my mom. And like I should have known she would, she was smiling ear to ear.

And for what seemed like forever, no one said anything. The room was horribly quiet and I felt my legs twitching, ready to run out of the room.

"Say something, please." I begged my parents.

"Alice, dear, you can't blame us for being a little shocked here." My dad said, " This is just so unlike you. Not the spontaneous act but. . .it's your wedding. I've always thought, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, that you would go all out for you wedding."

"And we will," Jasper cut in, "eventually. I will give her the wedding she deserves."

"Then why the sudden rush?" My mother's soft voice asked.

Suddenly, Edward stood and left the living room. Everyone exchanged worried glances. Except for Emmett who looked deep in thought.

"I'll go." I said to Jasper. "Will you. . .?" He knew what I meant.

Before I could move or Jasper could say anything, Emmett yelled, "YOU KNOCKED HER UP?"

I scoffed as I half ran out of the living room in search of Edward. I could here Jasper say, "No, you fucking idiot!" Then he was immediately scolded by my mother.

I didn't stay close enough to hear the rest of the conversation. I almost stopped and ran back in there, I didn't want them to think for a second that I was pregnant and this was how I was breaking the news. No. No baby growing inside me. It's just that the love of my life has a demanding job.

I found Edward sitting under a tree in the back yard, picking at blades of grass between his legs. I knew he heard me approach him, but he didn't look up. So I sat down next to him, close enough that our arms were touching.

I sighed, "Edward."

Nothing.

"I don't understand what the hell your problem is? You have no room to fucking judge me or my choices with the way you lived through most of college."

"I'm not judging you, Alice." He said lowly, still staring at the grass.

"Then tell me what is wrong." I half yelled and stood in front of him.

"It's nothing. Just go back inside and celebrate with everyone else. I don't know why you bothered coming out here."

"What do you mean, you don't know why I bothered? I love you Edward. I don't want you upset with me."

Again he sat silently, not even a change in his facial features.

"He's deploying." Just saying the words knotted up my stomach. The blade of grass that was being held between Edward's fingers fell to the ground.

"He's leaving for Afghanistan in three weeks. I know your mad, brother, but I'm not sorry that I did something that made me extremely fucking happy before consulting you about it first!"

Edward's eyes were piercing into my face. "Alice. . ." He started.

"Don't Edward." I said, sinking down next to him again.

He placed his arm around me, and pulled me closer to him. One hand held my face to his chest while the other stroked my arm in a calming way. I cried. I couldn't hold it in anymore. It was the first time I had showed any sort of emotion towards the coming deployment. I know Jasper can tell that I am terrified but hasn't pushed me on the subject yet, but I know he will soon. We sat in silence for a while, with just the sound of the wind and my weeping.

Then Edward spoke. "People deploy all the time, Ali. Just because he going. . ."

" I know. But you can't blame me for being scared."

"I know. I know." He said, soothingly, wiping away the tears that had rolled down my chin.

"So you married him now, because your scared he wont come back?" he asked.

"That's a very small part of it. But honestly, I just couldn't wait. After he told me that he was going, it made me think about how much I hate being away from him when I don't have to be. I want to be with him all the time. It physically hurts when he's not here. I'm meant to be with him Edward." I said with all the conviction I could muster.

Edward seemed to be thinking about what I said. His eyes roamed my face then seemed sad or guilty. He looked down and with one arm still around me, started picking at the grass again. "I'm sorry I was so mad at you, Alice. I should have known you had a good reason to do what you did." He paused, "You really didn't even need a reason at all. I should have just been happy for you."

He took a deep breath then continued. "You're my twin, the closest thing to me that anyone will ever be. I was so hurt that you would do something this big and leave me out of it."

Oh.

I was about to start my apology, but he stopped me short and placed his forehead against the side of my head. "I love you, and I want, more than anything, for you to be happy. I am sorry that I didn't give you the reception you deserved. Can we start over?"

He gave my head a playful nudge with his. I love my brother so much.

I sat up straight and shimmied out of his arms, while wiping my face. Easily putting my perky energy back into my movements. "Hey, Edward!"

"Yes, Alice?" He asked, a huge playful smile on his face.

"Guess what I did the other night."

"No I'll never guess right. Not with you. Just tell me."

"Ugh! Just guess once."

"You. . .maxed out you limitless credit card?"

"I married Jasper!" The enthusiasm in my voice was not fake. I was so happy to be married and to him especially. And now that everyone knows and is okay with it. . . Saying it out loud again was. . .indescribable.

Edward shot up from his seated position to stand in front of me. "You did what?!"

"I MARRIED JASPER!" I yelled up at him, bouncing on my butt.

He pulled me up and crushed me in a hug. "I'm so happy for you, twin." he whispered in my ear.

-x-

". . .don't you worry 'bout the way I pack. All I care about is getting back real soon. A goodbye kiss is all I need from you."

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ALICE POV

The past two weeks have been. . .heaven. Heaven is the most accurate word that I can come up with. Since the announcement of my marriage, Jasper and I have been living in a hotel room. Totally secluded to the outside world. Our short lived world of bliss was lived hardly clothed and in euphoria.

Now, my face pressed to Jasper's chest and with my tears staining his shirt, I would give anything to rewind the clock.

"Shh, shh, baby. It's okay." Jasper tried to calm me. His own words coming out choked with his emotions of having to leave pushing through. He's leaving today. You'd think that I would be used to saying bye to him, but it never seems to get easier. And now that we know for sure that he is going on his first deployment, it makes it just that much harder.

"Just please take care of yourself, Jasper." I tell him for the millionth time.

"You know I will. I'll come back for you as soon as I can."

Emmett's time to leave was yesterday. Rosalie is much stronger about it than I am. She knows that he only has a few months left in his enlistment and that soon he will be home for good. She is now standing with Edward and Bella on the porch, watching me cling desperately to my new husband in our last moments together.

His bags already packed in his car, ready to go. I know that I have to remove my arms around his waste soon, but for right now, they are set firmly and protectively around him. My mind silently willing them to somehow fuse his body to mine permanently. I would gladly go to the dessert with him if I was allowed. Sign me up. I will even wear that ugly camouflage uniform if needed.

"Alice."

"No! Not yet! Give me another minute." I moved my face up to his neck, kissing where I could reach. He sighed and laid his cheek against mine.

"I'm going to miss you so much, baby." He whispered.

My throat tightened even more. I wasn't sure how I was able to breath, but I responded. "I'm going to miss you more."

He chuckled in my ear, and his breath tickled my neck.

"I'll call you when I get to my apartment. Okay?"

I nodded, and my mind noted how he didn't refer to his apartment as home. He told me once that his home was wherever I was, and that home was where he always wanted to be. I shuddered at the thought of sleeping by myself tonight, in a big empty bed.

His arms tightened around me and I knew this meant that he was about to let me go.

He pulled my face up to his, and stared at me. He was crying now also, big tears rolling down his face. His thumbs wiped the tears from my cheeks and he said, "I love you so much, Alice. So much. And I know that you love me too, and that is the best thing that I could have ever wished for. So every time that I wish that I was back here with you, I will close my eyes and imagine you smiling at me. I will hear you tell me that you love me, and in that moment I will be okay and happy that I know I have you somewhere missing me just as much as I miss you. My wife."

"I love you too, Jasper." Was the only thing my sobs would allow me to say.

He pulled me in one more time and sang softly in my ear, "I'm forever yours, faithfully."

Then with one last hard kiss on my lips, he was gone.

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". . .every minute that I have to be gone, I'll have everything I'll ever need. I'm carrying you love with me."

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OMG! I know I took FOREVER to get this out. If you hate me now, I don't blame you.

This was incredibly hard for me to write. So if the scene where she is breaking the news to her family is a bit choppy. . .sorry.

I really horribly miss your reviews. Please show me that you still love me. And if your new, drop a line. Let me know what you think.

~Amanda