Chapter 25

I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT

BPOV

Alice's complexion seemed to improve right before our eyes. It was surreal to watch her cheeks regain color and the dark circles to disappear. Her health was obviously improving and while we waited for her to wake I asked a few questions.

"So guys I'm curious as to why being separated from Jasper did so much damage to her. Does your kind spend every moment with their mate? It would be difficult to live like that. Wasn't Jasper a soldier or something? What if he had went to war or whatever?" My questions were endless because quite frankly this freaked me out.

"Well Bella a large part of our connections are mental as well as physical. Once a bond is established you are connected in every aspect. I think this is a side effect of the mental separation rather than the physical. Zatanya's gift interfered with their mental connection which is just as important as the physical." Ben answered for me. "Do not think that this will happen if you decide to go on a vacation or something. It normally takes our kind months of separation before this sets in."

I frowned at that. Edward and I had been separated for years. "Why didn't this happen to me and Edward then?"

"Ahhh" Ben nodded understanding my questioning. "Your bond was not fully established…..uhhh physically. It's not like some spell is cast over you at first sight. It still has to be nurtured and you do have free will. But once established it is permanent. Really as advanced as we were our bonding still confounded us as well Bella we understood it but explaining it was another matter."

Angela came through the door then before I could fire another question at Ben "Bree is here Bella we're gonna have to deal with her."

Shit. What time was her plane leaving? I got up and followed Angela out the door and met Bree before she got to the door. I plastered a smile on and greeted her. "Hey Bree." It sounded strained to my own ears and I cringed.

She looked at me and for a moment I saw a flash of hurt cross her features before being replaced with suspicion.

Angela stepped in and gave Bree a hug. "Hey girl Bella and I was just headed to lunch. We were gonna call you on the way to join us." Angela lied smoothly and I realized how much she'd had to lie to everyone in her life for the past few years. I only had Renee to keep at bay but Angie had a large family and full circle of friends.

Bree narrowed her eyes and turned on her heels and headed towards the sedan she had rented. Angie glanced at me for a moment making eye contact before heading towards the car.

"So where are we headed?" Bree asked I could hear the attitude in her voice and bristled at it. I felt bad I knew Bree had to feel alienated from us with so much going on but we could not tell her this. The more people who knew the more dangerous it was for us.

"I need some Mexican food." Angela said at that moment her stomach let out a ferocious growl. Making us all laugh.

We went to the nearest Mexican grill and got settled at a table. After a waitress took our order Bree started in. "I want to know what is going on with both of you. You two are all secretive and are avoiding me. I haven't been inside Angela's house in weeks. It's like you don't want me inside your home. And what is with Bella and that douche Edward huh?" Her eyes were blazing as she turned her gaze on me accusingly "You two hated each other and now you're in love. It's bullshit and you know it."

If it hadn't been for the waver in her voice and the watering of her eyes I would have gotten angry. Bree was hurt and confused. She thought we were shutting her out and we were even though it was for a justifiable reason.

I didn't know what to say and looked at Angie for direction she had more experience at this than me.

"Bree we cannot legally or safely tell you what is going on. My husband requires my silence even from my closest family and friends. What he is cannot be disclosed not even to you. I'm sorry Bree." Angela was a genius she gave her just enough info for Bree to come up with her own conclusions. The way she worded it made it seem as though he worked for the government or some sort of agency.

"Really then why does Bella know? She has been with Edward for 5 seconds not long enough for him to trust her with such a secret." Bree was unconvinced.

"Well Edward always had a thing for Bella he just handled it immaturely. He and Bella are moving in together he had to tell her." Angela reasoned.

"Moving in!" Bree practically screeched. "Are you insane Bella you barely know him."

"I know enough Bree I love him you don't have to understand but just accept it." I implored "I know you feel like we have been distant and lying but we don't have a choice." This was very true we didn't have a choice.

"Can you please just accept that we love you but this secret is not ours to tell and you have got to remain in the dark for us to stay safe." Angela begged. The irony is what she said was actually truth in a twisted way. It wasn't our secret and our safety was at risk. Angela was giving just enough truth for Bree to come to her own conclusions.

"They aren't on the wrong side of the law are they? Like the mob or drug smugglers." Bree asked cautiously.

Angela Laughed "No definitely not bad boys are not my thing. Really Bree I need you to drop this. We are safe we are loved and we aren't doing anything illegal. Please let this go."

She just studied us for a moment before dropping her shoulders in defeat. "If you guys ever need me you know I'm just a phone call away no matter what, right." It was her peace offering and we took it gratefully.

We finished our meal and actually laughed and joked. It felt good as we hadn't done that for a long time and it was way overdue. Bree inquired about my relationship with Edward and seemed satisfied when I told her all about it leaving out all from another planet information obviously.

After settling the tab Angela and I caught a cab home as Bree needed to get to the airport. I was happy that she was leaving on a good note. She was a very good friend and I would hate to lose her.

On the way home I got a text from Edward. Jasper was awake, great.