Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights are reserved to the appropriate parties, Mrs. Meyer and ITV. Chapter twen
Monica's pov
When I got back into the house my cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Monica?" Bella's frantic voice responded.
"Bella? Where are you?"
"In Phoenix, just outside the door."
"Okay," I said slowly. "Why were you calling?"
"I wanted to know if you are alright. I've been keeping track of the books, nut nothing is changing, so I'm guessing me stepping out isn't messing with them."
"Good. I was afraid it might, but Bella what are we going to do about it? Will we switch back? I miss my mom."
Bella sighed on the other end. "I don't want to leave, Monica. I like it here. I've made friends and I'm even dating someone."
My stomach dropped. "So I'll never see my mom again?"
"I'm sorry, Monica. I don't know. I miss my parents too, but I would've lost them anyway if I were to stay in Forks."
"But I wouldn't. At least not as far as I know."
Another sigh. "Can't you ask Alice to check what will happen if we swap back?"
"Just a sec."
I placed my hand over the mouth piece and looked over at Alice who was already off in her visions. "And?" I asked when her eyes focused back on me.
"I only see you disappearing and the real Bella coming back. Everything else is unclear. If you step out there, I lose all sight of you," she said sadly.
I forced back the tears that threatened to spill. "So I have to choose between this world with you all and my world with my family and non-existent friends."
I shook my head and put the phone back to my ear. "Bella?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you call me back in a week. I want to think about this."
"Sure thing, Mon."
"Thanks. Talk to you later."
"Yeah. Bye."
When the connection was cut off I took a few deep breaths and looked up to see the Cullens all looking at me apologetically.
I bit my lip in a desperate attempt to try to keep the tears at bay, but it didn't work. They slid down my cheeks and dripped down my chin onto my shirt. Edward was by my side in an instant and I allowed him to hug me while I cried.
Edward's pov
The conversation with Bella obviously tore Monica apart and the second her eyes started watering I felt my heart brake. She was away from her family and it obviously hurt her, so who was I to keep her from going back home. I truly wanted her to stay, but I would never tell her that so she could make her own decision about this.
Alice's pov
It was frustrating to not be able to see Monica if she decided to switch back. I wondered briefly if I would be able to see her if I would come with her to the other side of that infamous door. I got a few glimpses of Bella and some of us, but it was all murky. I really didn't like that.
Edward was still comforting Monica when I got an idea to cheer her up.
"Hey, Mon?'
"Yeah?" she asked, pulling away from Edward.
"Since we're having a slumber party, I want to give you a make-over."
She pursed her lips, crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at me. She was going to say no.
"No."
"Pleeeaaase?"
I pouted at her but it only seemed to strengthen her resolve. Strange. It usually worked.
"No."
"Just one itsy bitsy make-over? One night of Monica-barbie?"
"Monica-barbie? O, hells no!"
"Fine. I can see you won't relent. Can you at least grant me the pleasure of helping me with my new fashion designs?"
"That I can do."
I squealed and ran over to hug her. Edward shot me a warning glance, but I just told him to stop worrying so much. Silently of course.
I pulled Monica upstairs with me, ignoring Edward's low hissing. He'd have her all to himself long enough in the near future. At least that was what I was hoping for.
Monica's pov
I had resisted the Alice Cullen pout. I was so proud of myself. At least, I was until I got into her room and she showed how exactly I was going to be helping her. As her mannequin!
"Alice, come on. This is just a different version of Monica-Barbie!"
"That is so not true," she countered. "I'm not using make-up or hair products on you and you don't have to try on different outfits to find the perfect one. You just have to stand there while I make a dress for you."
"A dress? Alice why would I need one?"
"That is for me to know and for you to find out," she said, smirking.
"Stupid fortune telling pixie," I muttered.
"Hey! I resent that," she said, giving me a playful slap on my arm.
It was a little too hard so I winced and checked to see if I would bruise, but too my relief it looked okay.
"Next time, tone down the force on that, Ali."
She ducked her head and I guessed that if she still could she would be blushing.
We ended up having a blast with the designs, because Alice would tell me stories of their centuries of pranks and screw ups and when she started laughing really hard she would snort, which in turn made me laugh so hard that my stomach hurt and I would run out of breath. It was the best possible way to forget about the issue I had discussed with Bella earlier.
When we were finished, I was glad to see that Alice had made me a perfect dress. I wasn't sure yet as to where I would be wearing it, but I liked it anyway. It was a deep purple silk that was fitted on top and flared into a fifties style skirt, complete with a gauzy petticoat. The sleeves were made of black lace and the skirt was trimmed with the same lace. It looked absolutely adorable.
"Alice, I love it. But I still don't see why I would need it."
"Just trust me on this. You'll be glad you have this in your closet soon."
I shrugged. "If you say so. You would know, right?"
"Right."
"I think I'll go to sleep. I'm pretty tired."
"Okay, Bella. I will make up the guest room for you. You can change in here."
"Thanks Ali, for everything. I needed a little distraction."
"You're welcome," she said smiling.
Edward's pov
Alice had blocked her thoughts from me to keep the dress she was making for Monica a secret, but I was able to hear their conversations and I was relieved to hear that they seemed to have a lot of fun.
Carlisle broke me from my eavesdropping by asking me to join him for a quick hunt. I knew it wasn't so much a hunt as it was a chance to talk privately. So when we were out of earshot, we slowed to a human pace and Carlisle cleared his throat. "How is your bloodlust around her now?"
I thought about it for a moment. "It's not as bad anymore. It seems to lessen."
"Interesting."
"Yes. I'm not sure why though. Could it be that I'm getting used to it?"
"Maybe. I'll see what I can find out. I've been researching legends to see if I could find anything on other worlds or dimensions, but thus far I've only come across some vague references. Most of them turned out to be dead ends, but I have found one that is worth researching."
"Tell me." I urged.
"There is a legend that in the time of strong need, a portal opens up into a different universe or dimension. The one in need is the only one that is capable of opening this portal. The story is clouded in metaphors of course. But this is the basic idea. I am trying to find more sources on this to see if there are more dimensions that open up to ours, or if it's only the two we now know exist."
"Will you let me know if you find more?"
"Of course, Edward. Will you tell me about your feelings for her?"
"I don't know for sure Carlisle, but I think I'm in love with her."
He smiled brightly and threw his arm over my shoulder. "Well, that is something I've been wanting to hear for a long time, son. I hope you're right about this and you won't change your mind in case the real Bella shows up here."
I frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"According to Monica you were supposed to fall in love with Bella."
"Well, you heard Bella. The book hasn't changed one bit and I find it hard to believe that we are still on that story line at this point, so why would I fall in love with Bella if I were to meet her?"
"We'll just have to wait and see," Carlisle said before shifting his focus on a herd of deer in the distance.
A/N: Hello my dears. I hope you enjoy the developments, we will be seeing a little more of the Forks High gang next chapter.
What will Bella want? Does she want to come back to find out if she is really meant to be with Edward and what will Edward do if he finally meets her? Who knows?
Anyhoo, let me know what you think :) (Pretty please with an Edward on top?)