Here is another chapter, let's see what Bella decides to do about Aunt Finn. Most things look better after a good night's rest, right? I want to thank all my readers for their feedback: you have helped me develop 'H? V? B?' into what it is today.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer created the characters, but I think Bella needs something more fun!
Chapter 20
A POV
Jasper is getting annoyed with me, again. I have spent the last 8 and a half hours trying on all my dresses. I had a vision this evening that I might be needing one soon, and I need to see what look is going to be the best. I plan on calling my contact at Neiman Marcus to discuss what I want created. Jasper hates when I 'play dress up' because I make him be my fashion critic. He always says I look beautiful, stunning or sexy, but I've been trying to get him to be interested. He truly is the most patient man on earth. I know Emmett would never allow Rose to do such a thing, unless it ended in some ripping off of garments and destruction of furniture.
"Jasper, here is the grand finale, the last one, I promise!" I call to my husband as I swirl out of my walk in closet, wearing the dress I wore to my first prom at Forks. It was an electric blue mermaid style gown that I embellished with sequins and delicate lacework.
"You said it was the last one about 75 minutes ago." Jasper replies, winking at me.
"That was before I found the ones Esme hid when we moved into this mansion." I answer, grinning.
"Well, I'm glad you found this one, you look absolutely-." He pauses to feel the emotions I am giving off, "sexy, Alice. The sexiest yet tonight."
"Jasper, don't be sending me all that lust, I have more than enough to go around!" I giggle, nearly overcome with passion.
All of a sudden, I freeze, feeling a vision coming to me. I see: Bella crying angrily in her kitchen, livid. Edward moves close, and he attempts to console her, and she shouts, "NO Edward! This doesn't involve you. I need to fix this by myself." Edward looks not only hurt, but confused, but he backs away. Bella cries harder, throwing her cell into the sink.
"Ali, come back to me Alice!" Jasper shouts, shaking me from my vision.
"Jasper, something is up with Bella. I think it would be best if Edward were here. I need to talk to Bella by myself."
"Darling, what on Earth is it? You were shaking so bad. Are we in trouble?" My Jasper asks, concerned, worried and slightly scared.
"Jazz, I don't know, I didn't see much, but I do know that Edward isn't what Bella wants at that time. I didn't see any time frame in the vision, but it looked soon. I need to go to her."
"Okay, what can I do? Is there something you want me to do to distract Edward?"
"Yes. Tell him you want to compose something for our anniversary for me. Some special piano music, whatever. He'll buy it, even though he knows I won't be surprised. You do know our anniversary is next week, right?" I ask, seeing about a hundred flashes of potential anniversary "presents" Jasper considered.
"Uh, yes, darling, I do remember our anniversary, how could you even dare to suggest that I might have forgotten?"
"So you were planning ALL of what I just saw for this anniversary?" I taunt, Jasper always leaves those things to the last minute. "I don't know if I can take the entire Kama Sutra in one evening. But it sounds like fun!"
"Didn't you want to go fix things with Bella?" Jasper reminds me, sending waves of calm to try and battle my growing passion and excitement.
"Jasper, its 4 a.m. How many humans are awake right now? None. Especially not any teenagers."
"You were so nervous minutes ago, I just wanted to remind you, darling."
"I'm glad that you care, and I am really very delighted that you care so much about Bella, but there are priorities in life. And we have about an hour to kill…" I tease, going up on my toes to kiss his chin.
After Jasper demonstrates a preview of our anniversary present, a very intense preview I might add, I run over to Bella's house. As soon as I am sure Edward can hear my thoughts, I try to distract him from staring at his sleeping beauty. Edward, your services are needed at the house!
Shortly, I can see Bella's bedroom window and Edward's pale face looking at me. What? He mouths.
Jasper is going to try and surprise me this year…you need to go before I have a vision of what it is.
Edward looks confused, but I give nothing away in my thoughts. I remember the new move Jasper tried out minutes ago and Edward quickly leaves my mind. Fine, I'll go. Are you coming with me? He whispers way to quiet for humans to hear.
I'll stay with your girl. I know you worry about her. I assure my obsessed brother.
I walk into the house and sit by the bed. Edward leaves, still slightly puzzled. I watch the sun rise and feel thankful that I will be inside for a few of the hours of sunshine today.
Around seven Bella starts to stir. "Edward," She mutters, still asleep, longing in her voice. She rolls over and I can tell she is starting to wake up.
B POV
I wake up and can feel something is wrong, different.
"Good morning! Rise and shine." Alice calls, chipper as ever.
I growl, sooooo not a morning person. "Go away Alice. You might not remember it, but mornings are not good. Not for humans anyway."
"It's Sunday, aren't they supposed to be sunny and cheery?" Alice asks, tugging my blankets off. She moves to the window and throws open the curtain.
"Not in Forks," I joke, unwillingly waking up. I try to remember if Alice and I made plans for today, but my groggy mind is not helping. "Not to be rude Alice, but why the hell are you in my room?"
"That's no way to treat your best friend and soon to be sister! You had a human day, then a family day, now you have a girls day." Alice tells me, smiling as broad as ever.
"Girls day? I definitely didn't sign up for this!" I tell her, climbing out of bed and heading to my closet.
"Here, wear this," Alice tosses me a new blouse and jeans.
I grab some underwear and head to the bathroom to dress. As I take a minute and wash my face with cold water, hoping that will wake me up. I feel bad about being so grumpy to Alice, but I hate waking up. Let me clarify, I hate waking up when Edward's not around. I attempt to tame my long brunette mane and I hear Alice's foot tapping through the door.
"Edward never gets impatient when I get ready!" I call to her, teasing.
"Not relevant. I am so impatient because I already know what you'll look like when you do step out the door and …and…just hurry!" Alice whines, the tapping increases.
About a minute later, I open the bathroom door and get pounced on by Alice. She knocks me back into the door-frame. Alice may be tiny, but she is made of granite.
"Sheesh! What's this about? Where are you dragging me?" I ask, straightening up and hugging my petite friend. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
"I was actually thinking about just going for a walk." Alice says, it sounds like she is hiding something, though.
"A walk? What? That is not the Alice I know. Is something wrong?" I ask, going to the kitchen to find a quick breakfast.
"Well, there are things we need to talk about and I really don't want Edward to overhear. For now. Sometimes it's nice to have secrets." Alice answers, rolling her eyes.
I still cannot shake the feeling that she's hiding something. I momentarily wonder if she had a vision about Aunt Finn. Then I push that thought aside because I won't let it get that far. I pop half a bagel in the toaster and we chat about non-important things for a few minutes. Alice tries to convince me that Rosalie doesn't hate me and I should give her another shot at friendship.
The sun is shining weakly, for once. I head to the back door, assuming we will be walking through the woods. I turn to let Alice pass and she is nowhere to be found.
"Alice? Where are you?" I ask, nervous.
"Out here silly!" I hear her tinkling laugh. I turn back to the yard and see her in the shadows under the same fir tree Edward stood under. I lock the door and rush to Alice's side.
We walk for a bit in unusual silence. I don't remember a time when Alice was silent for more than a few seconds. It's not a bad thing, I enjoy just walking in her company. She dances around, swinging around trees, and I watch, smiling. We continue like this for a mile or two, going deep into the lush forest.
After about half an hour, I can tell she is waiting for me to start talking. But I don't have a clue what she wants to talk about. "Are you ever going to tell me what's up?" I ask, nerves starting to build.
"I had a vision." Alice solemnly tells me. We walk in silence for a few paces. Even the birds stopped chirping and singing.
"And?" I ask, scared. Maybe she did see Aunt Finn coming to Forks, confronting me. Or worse.
"I saw you. You were in your kitchen, with Edward. For some reason you were crying. Furiously, near hysterics. And when Edward tried to console you, you lashed out and yelled at him." Alice tells me.
Great. Aunt Finn probably calls me again, and Edward overhears the conversation. Can I tell Alice? Will it be safe? Or should I see what she thinks is going on first. She obviously thinks it's a big deal, but not sure of how to deal with it.
"Who knows about your vision?" I ask after a minute or so of contemplation.
"Jasper was with me when I had the vision so I told him a bit, just that you and need to talk. I sent—saw Edward briefly this morning. He doesn't know, but he suspects somethings up." Alice tells me, looking at me curiously.
"Alice. Was that all you saw? Me crying and yelling at Edward?" I ask, still nervous and my heart rate accelerating. Was Alice about to say sent Edward out of my room? Any other time I would ask, but there are more important things to talk about now.
"No. You pushed him away and when he left the house, you threw your phone into the sink, which was full of dishwater and pots. You were devastated."
"Was anyone else there?" I ask, trying to fish for details and buy myself time to decide if I can trust Alice with the truth.
"No. It was just you and Edward in your kitchen. Is there someone else you think I should have seen?" Alice asks, defensive. Her cheery face turns stoic, looking like the marble she's made of.
"No, I was wondering if you were there too."
"No." Alice states, looking impatient once again and she turns to face me. We finally stop walking.
"So what do you think it means?" I ask.
"I think you are hiding something. I thought we were best friends, Bella!" Alice insists.
"You are my best friend, of course! It's just that I have spent my whole life hiding so much of who I am that I don't know who I can trust. Even you and Edward." I admit, which is part of the truth. A very small part.
"Bella, you can trust me. I can keep a secret from anyone. Even Edward." She promises, taking my hand. I look around and find a log to sit on.
"Okay. This is going to be a long one." I tell her, straddling the log and leaning against the rest of the stump that was still sticking up from the ground.
"I have eternity," Alice quips, sitting down facing me on the log.
"You remember how I said all the women on Mother's family were special, gifted like me?" I ask, pausing to gain the courage I need to tell this story. Looking quickly between us, I feel humbled by how graceful Alice looks on the log. I must look like a blob, slumped against the stump.
"Of course," Alice answers simply, smiling. A bird is chirping softly somewhere above us and it gives me hope. This is the right thing to do, telling Alice.
"Did I tell you about my Aunt Finnovair?" I ask, not able to remember if I got that in depth.
"Yes, you said she could read others minds and influence you to make the decision she wants you to, or gives you her thoughts." Alice recites. "Perfect recall," she answers to my quizzical gaze, pointing to her temple.
"Right. That's going to be very handy." I reply before going into my story. "Anyway, I've always been afraid of Aunt Finn. She's nasty and hangs out with other women like us. Other 'witches' you might say. But these women fit the stereotype. They are nasty, scary and hate kids. Well, mostly they hate me. I don't know why, so don't even bother asking. They have a variety of gifts, but they don't use them in the same way as Mother and I do. Aunt Finn really is Mothers aunt, about 80 years old. She gets away with anything, making you believe she's doing the right thing. I don't even want to consider the number of people she's scammed out of all their savings." I shudder. "She was awarded legal custody of me, since I was a minor when Mother died. She is my closest living relative since I don't know who my father is. I was only a few months from 18, but still, the state said I needed to live with her, to have a gaurdian. I managed to dodge that and found the house up here. I didn't tell her where I was going. I don't want her in my life. She is awful and scares the shit out of me." I pause and my stomach grumbles the loudest I have ever heard it growl.
"Hungry?" Alice asks, laughing. She stands up and twirls once around the log we were sitting on.
"I suppose. Maybe I should have had the other half the bagel." I answer, blushing at the noises my stomach is making.
"I find it fascinating how often humans must feed." Alice comments tugging my hand up.
"Are we going back?" I ask, confused.
"Of course. I told Edward I'd take care of you and feeding you is part of that." Alice tells me. "Climb up. I know you hate it, but it's really the best. I hate walking so slow."
"Fine." I grumble and climb onto tiny Alice's back. "You know, I think I like Edward better for this. He has more shoulder to bury my face into." I mutter. I try to press my face into her delicate shoulder, but it isn't quite large enough.
"Close your eyes, silly!" Alice calls, and I fell her start moving. Again it feels like we are gliding on a cloud. I get the courage to look up and I see that Alice is leaping from a boulder across a small gully.
"Alice, no!" I shout, terrified.
"We're fine. Close your eyes again and we'll be back to your house in no time."
"Just don't do anything crazy like that again!" My heart is pounding through my chest from the fright.
"Calm down Bella, you are just as safe here as when you are on Edward's back."
"That's hardly a comfort!"
My head is swimming, it feels like I am slipping, falling down from a great height.
"We're home!" I hear Alice call, but it sounds foggy and far away. I feel her release my hold on her thin neck and gently place me on the ground.
"Bella! Wake up! Breathe!" Alice calls, her voice coming in sharper. I feel the soft moss under my bum. Opening my eyes, I see a frantic Alice looking down on me. She is crouching beside me, holding me in a sitting position.
"What happened?" I ask, focusing on her frantic features. I feel clammy and sweaty.
"You fainted." Alice answers, placing her cold hand on my forehead.
"Really? I'm so sorry Alice," I apologize, standing up slowly.
"Don't worry. Let's get you into the house before Edward shows up. He's on his way back right now." Alice runs ahead into my house, since the sun is still shining, although the clouds threaten to cover them any second.
I follow her into the house and sit at the kitchen table for a minute, still feeling shaken. I notice Alice is poking around the cupboards and in the fridge. "Don't worry about me Alice. I can fend for myself just fine!" I tell her.
"Okay, but let me get you a drink. Carlisle said something about orange juice…" Alice explains, getting a glass.
"Fine," I give in. "It is nice to have someone take care of me for once," I admit, sipping the juice.
"See!" Alice calls, her usual pep in her voice. "I believe you were about to explain why your Aunt scares you so much."
"Yes, I was. But I have to be certain no one else finds out about this."
"I already gave you my word, Bella. I will keep this from everyone, Edward included, until the end of time."
"Good. So, as I was explaining in the woods, Aunt Finn is pretty much your typical, evil witch. She does nasty things to complete strangers and manipulates family members to do her biding. I always feel so low around her. Like I am one of her minions. I feel like I don't have a choice but to do what she wants. That's how I discovered I can block her from my mind. I got fed up one day and whoosh, up it went and I had my conscience back. I could make all my own decisions."
"She sounds awful. No wonder you moved to Forks to hide out."
"Yep. Pretty much sums it up. But that's not all." I explain, getting ready to reveal all the truth. The fact that Aunt Finn might be visiting and all our truths being exposed.
"What?"
"I think you saw her calling me again. She called last night, after Edward left, and I think she knew. It sounded very suspicious. She asked me if I was changing and her tone of voice implied that she wasn't hinting at dying my hair or getting a new wardrobe. I was so shocked. She threatened to check up on me. Well, it was more of a promise. I know that if I don't convince her that all is perfectly normal here, she'll show up with her crazy friends, threatening to 'save' me."
"Bella, it won't be like that." Alice assures me, and she glances around, almost nervous. "I promise you that everything will work smoothly."
"What is going on here?" Edward demands, slamming the door open.
"Edward! This is a private conversation!" Alice demands, standing up and moving between Edward and me. I put the wall up, sealing my mind. Edward does not need to know about Aunt Finn.
"Alice! Stop singing Russian folk songs. Bella, tell me what is going on here!" Edward demands, pushing his sister aside so he can look at me. "You are so pale, your heart is racing Bella! Was she going to do something?" Edward accuses, glaring at Alice.
"No! Edward, calm down. Alice and I went for a walk. I didn't eat enough breakfast and got pretty hungry. When she was running me back, I passed out on her. It's not Alice's fault. I opened my eyes while she was running. Satisfied?"
"Not entirely. I am glad you are okay now. But what were you talking about?"
"A surprise, for you." I quickly lie. Thank goodness my heart was already racing. I hate lying.
"A surprise?"
"Yes, Edward. Remember in Carlisle's office when I told you about a vision I had? It was the surprise party I saw. You better be damned surprised June 20th when you walk in the door and everyone you've been 'friends' with at Forks High is there. Bella and I have been working very hard on this. You stubborn ass. Sometimes when people have secrets, its' a good thing!" Alice shouts to her brother and I see Edward shift on his feet uncomfortably.
"Bella, I should not have assumed that you were going to do anything and should not have shouted at you," Edward apologizes, walking over and touching my cheek. "I acted so rashly, please forgive me."
"You don't need to apolgise to me. It's your sister who needs to hear this." I instruct him, turning my face slightly to kiss his hand.
"You're right, again, Bella. Alice, I'm so sorry. I should realize by now that I can trust your word."
"That's alright, I understand how insanely overprotective you are of her. Just have a little faith in me sometime. I can see the future and what you have planned will work out. Bella and I just needed time to plan the party." Alice replies, giving me a look. Great. Now we really do need to plan a party. What did I get myself into? At least Edward didn't force the truth out of us. He can't worry about Aunt Finn.
"I suppose that is something I need to work on. Trusting the women in my life. Alice, you are a great friend to Bella, but she is my Bella. Please let me know if anything ever happens to her again." Edward says, stroking my cheek tenderly.
Alice glares at Edward and I suspect she's telling him something. They look at each other for a little while and my stomach breaks the silence with another loud growl.
"You need to eat something and finish that orange juice!" Alice says, "I think Edward is going to make sure you eat a good dinner. He just needs to remember Bella hasn't done finals week before, so she still needs to learn these things." Alice waves goodbye before dancing out of my house.
"Right, again Alice." Edward replies, leaning down to kiss me.
"Edward, the first item on my list is a late lunch! Not kissing you. As much as I want to, it's not my priority!" I say, pulling back first, for the first time.
I make myself a sandwich and empty the bag of baby carrots onto my plate. As I sit down at the table, Edward sits across from me. I eat slowly, taking in the sight of my beautiful, perfect god sitting there. He is watching me eat. Edward slowly grins, first his thin marble lips turn upward and then the joy spreads up to his golden eyes. They twinkle and I know that I need to ask something. I have been wondering about it for a while now.
"What is it like to be beautiful?"
"Don't you know?" Edward answers, confused.
"You know what I mean. When everyone thinks of me as you do," I explain.
"No one will ever think of you just the way I do," Edward corrects, looking jealous just thinking about the boys admiring me as much as he does. "We have a special connection. I was drawn to you, to your scent from the instant I met you. There is no way that anyone else can come near to the affection I hold for you." Edward leans across the table and kisses my cheek.
"I love you, Edward Cullen"
"As I do you, Isabella Swan," Edward answers in the old manner he sometimes uses.
I kiss him tenderly and then walk around the table to sit in his lap. "As wonderful and amazing as it is to kiss you, my love, I really do need to study for my finals. We have Physics tomorrow, and well, there's this guy in my class. He sits right next to me and he is so distracting. I haven't paid attention to an entire lecture the whole semester!"
"Maybe you should just tell that guy to butt out," Edward teases, kissing me again. His cool lips mold to mine in a tender, yet passion filled way.
"Like I could ever do that to you, my love." I answer. "But I do need to tell you good night. I have some studying to do and Alice took me away before I could get the chores done."
"I could do the chores while you study?" Edward offers, kissing my neck so softly, feeling like a cool breeze.
"The temptation to steal you away and pounce on you would be to great." I tease, standing up.
"Good night Bella, sleep well and sweet dreams my love." Edward tells me, kissing the top of my head and inhaling in the scent of my hair.
After Edward leaves I get the mop and bleach out to clean the kitchen floor tiles. I had noticed earlier in the week that they were getting quite nasty. The little jobs add up very quickly when you don't have any one else around to help. I really hate doing the floors and the bleach makes my head spin a bit and my nose burn. I struggle through the cleaning and then prop open the kitchen door to let some fresh air in. I notice that it looks like rain, again, and the sun from earlier has taken refuge behind the clouds once more. Sun is probably the thing I miss the most about Arizona.
I work on Physics for a few hours and when the phone rings around 7, I am happy for the distraction.
B: Hello?
AF: It's me, Aunt Finnovair, Bella. I really am sorry I alarmed you last night. And the happy feeling just flew out the door.
B: I am an independent young woman, Aunt Finn. I don't need anyone to take care of me. I practically raised myself, you know that. Plus Mother left me considerable money to live on. I sold a bunch of the things I don't need and also, I have a scholarship to college in the fall. It's all taken care of.
AF: I am worried about how a teenager could buy a house on her own. I know Mother didn't leave you that kind of money.
B: Mother was better with money than you might have thought, Aunt Finn. And I am renting this house from the Stanleys, and housing is cheap in the Pacific Northwest. I'll only need it for a few more months, before college starts. It is touching that you are more worried about the financial aspect than my actual well being.
AF: That is uncalled for, young lady! I will not take to be talked to in that manner. You are changing, Bella. More than you know it. You are becoming less and less like your Mother every day.
B: Well, I never was just like Mother. I don't have that kind of compassion.
AF: I am worried about your safety, Bella. If I have to, I will come out there and get some straight answers.
B: That won't be necessary. I know how particular you are about flying. Isn't your broom getting dry rot? Plus, its so rainy here, your knees will give you so much trouble.
AF: Isn't that what you are for? To heal my aches and pains?
B: I don't heal just anyone and I'm not as powerful as Mother. Isn't there someone in your clan that can take care of you? I assure you I am fine. After graduation I promise to come visit. It will be a visit only, though.
AF: Fine, I see that you are too stubborn to listen to anything. But if I hear of any changes you are about to make, I'll be on the next flight West. I will find out if you are hiding from me, Bella.
B: Goodnight Aunt Finn.
I hung up and growled. That witch! How does she ruin my life? I see that she is just looking for trouble, another soul to agonize and she doesn't really know anything, or else she'd be asking about my friends, or even point blank ask me who Edward is.
I make some quick noodles for dinner before I go back to studying. I hope Aunt Finn can just stay out of my life for a few more months. Lord only knows what that kind of conflict will look like and who will win. I go to bed shortly after midnight, figuring a good nights rest will definitely be better than no sleep but cramming all the facts into my brain.
I know this is a long chapter, but I think it's a good one. I love to hear from you, any advise, comments, praise or complaints is definitely helpful! Also, the more reviews I get the more motivated I am to finish the next chapter!