AN- So close yet so far! 99 reviews! Ok so as promised here are the goodbyes and memories ... Any flashbacks are in italics. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer- I do not own Twilight.
Bella's POV
I'd been in this family just under two years and I'd always known Alice was missing something. When we first met, Edward would speak the world of her, I knew then that they had a very close bond. The first time I met Alice however she wasn't what I expected.
I'd seen Alice around school countless times, she acted just as all the Cullen's did mysterious and unapproachable, but the same couldn't be said for when she was at home.
My human memories were foggy but I don't think I'd ever forget my first time at the Cullen's house. Esme and Carlisle were there to greet me at the door, and Emmett and Rose were out since she still didn't like me.
Alice, at first, was no where in sight, so I'd assumed that she was out with Rosalie and Emmett, but when Edward called for her it made me take a closer look.
"Alice, come on out" Edward said. I turned in the direction he'd spoken in and found the small girl hidden behind the door frame. It looked like she took a deep breath to ready herself before stepping away from her hiding place. I didn't understand why she was so wary, she was a vampire. "Bella, this is my sister Alice" Edward introduced.
She didn't offer any greeting, I noticed that the other three were watching her with a question in their eyes. "Hello" I said, hoping to ease the silence.
She swallowed thickly "Hello Bella" she said quietly with what seemed to be a forced smile. Her eyes kept flicking between Edward and myself and she pulled a hand though her short hair.
She began to lower her hand and I noticed she was shaking. Her eyes caught mine and she quickly clasped her hands behind her back. She closed her eyes briefly, her breaths shaken. "Alice what's wrong?" Edward asked in concern.
She spun on her heel and headed back upstairs "I'm fine, I've got something to do for school." She said quickly and stopped on the landing "There's gonna be a storm tonight why don't you go play baseball." With that she was gone as quickly as she came.
Now I hugged her close to me as her small frame racked with sobs. Rosalie had just walked away from her without looking back, without even saying goodbye. I'd be having words with her later but right now I needed to concentrate on Alice. Who knows when I'd see her next?
"I'm sorry I can't stay for your birthday" she mumbled into my shoulder
I rolled my eyes "I wasn't that ecstatic about turning twenty anyway."
She laughed shakily, but her shoulders were still tense. "I hid your present in your wardrobe. It's underneath your dresses. " she murmured
I laughed and squeezed her tighter. "I love you" I told her
We had grown a lot closer since that first day, she'd helped me when I broke my leg and couldn't wash myself, things had been awkward at first, but I soon came to realise that she was a women of very few words.
It was my 18th Birthday, around about when her visions took a turn for the worse. She was out of school at least once a week with pounding headaches. She'd pulled herself out of her room, despite my protests, to see me open my presents. Her eyes had still been dazed when I cut my finger, the blood had taken her by surprise.
That was the only time I ever saw Edward be anything but loving towards Alice.
I should have noticed the similarities between her and the way I acted when Edward left, I should have realised that she'd lost a mate.
"Look after my brother" she whispered in my ear. I nodded, she'd said the same thing on our wedding day. I'd always admired her bond with my husband.
Renesmee skipped over and jumped up into Alice's arms, "Don't worry Auntie Alice, Uncle Jaspers gonna make you feel better" she quipped. Alice hugged her and kissed her cheek
Emmett's POV
I wasn't exactly thrilled that my little sister was going off alone with a boy...but if it made her feel better then who was I to complain? I'd tried numerous times to get a smile out of her, but failed. Finally, I just assumed she'd lost her sense of humour during her transformation along with her memory.
Alice had always been quiet, but I'd never worried about it. Just like Esme was loving, Bella was shy and Rosalie was moody, not that I'd ever tell her to her face. Alice was the quiet one.
Well, there'd been a few limited exceptions...
Like when we fought the newborns, The killings in Seattle were increasing, and it wasn't long before the Volturi would intervene. Bella and Edward had skipped school, and we were trying to figure out the best course of action. I was all for going out there and sorting the vampire out right there and then.
"Let's go now" what was the point in wait for the problem to escalate? Besides I needed the challenge, wrestling Eddie was pointless anyway "I'm dead bored"
I heard my Rosie hiss at me from upstairs and rolled my eyes "She's such a pessimist" I muttered. She descended the stairs then, expressionless but I knew she wasn't happy with me. I watched her eyes flick to Alice and followed her gaze.
She was sat on the stairs clutching the bannister, I could hear the wood creaking beneath her grip. Edward's head spun towards her just seconds before it snapped in two between her fingers "Newborns!" She gasped and stood in a panic. Edward darted over and held her still "Edward it's an army!" She cried.
Bella had gathered her wolf pack so we could discuss some sort of strategy for when the newborn army arrived. They were men after my own heart, like me they thought we should go to them before they got to us. Alice however had other ideas.
"You can't fight a newborn army" she sneered, all eyes turned to her, no one had expected her to speak especially in that tone. "They're created to take on groups like us." She looked around "None of you would stand a chance." Her breaths shook and she screwed her eyes shut "I can train you, show you how to destroy them, but I'll need time"
I scoffed "What do you know about newborn armies?"
"A hell of a lot more than you!" She shouted. Then whimpered and clutched her head. She swayed slightly on her feet "Two most important rules" her voice trembled "don't let them get there arms around you" she looked up, seeming to be holding back invisible tears "and don't go for the obvious kill."
After that Alice wasn't Alice while she was training us. The anxiety disappeared, but it was like she put up a barrier between herself and us, a hard cold mask. She was there to train and nothing else. She disappeared for hours after each session before stumbling into the house clutching her head. Carlisle had tried to talk to her about it but all she did was push him away.
She was true to her word. Her knowledge on the armies was amazing. I'd never expected someone as small and reserved as Alice to be able to knock everyone but me flat on their backs, I was wrong. I guess I was just too big for her to overpower.
I finally built up the nerve to ask her where she'd leant such awesome things, Edward said her mind was too busy for him to read.
I ran up to her. "Hey Alice!" She stopped but didn't turn around "where'd you learn that?" I asked "who taught you?"
Her shoulders went ridged and her breathing laboured "No one" she said though gritted teeth. "Just visions" I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
"Visions of who?." I pressed, but she grabbed my hand and pushed it away.
"It doesn't matter as long as it works" she snapped but the mask slipped, her voice broke at the end and she whimpered before sprinting off into the forest.
I guess now I know where she learnt all her moves, Jasper, the kid had obviously been in a few good fights in his time and won every single one. Alice walked over to me and I picked her up so I could hug her "I'll miss you, shorty"
She grumbled at me, the girl never had liked me picking on her height "Listen, if he tries anything" I turned her around and pointed a finger at Jasper
"Emmett!" she whined "Jasper's not like that."
I shook my head "Trust me, all guys are like that. Got to admit I thought Eddie boy was an exception but then he started to watch Bella sleep ..." I trailed off
Right then the unthinkable happened, Alice giggled. I looked down in surprise "If I can put you flat on your ass in a matter of seconds, believe me I can handle Jasper." She smirked and hugged me again
Ok, I might of twisted the truth slightly, but what kind of man would I be if I admitted that during training she managed to pin me to the ground faster than I could shout 'midget?'
Esme's POV
My little girl was about to leave, and I didn't even know how long she'd be gone, or if she'd come back. I watched as Emmett placed her back on the ground and she made her way towards me.
I wrapped my arms around her, I'd had to let children go before and it never got any easier. It had been 87 years since I had to hand over the cold, lifeless body of my baby boy, and I'd experienced the same crushing feeling both times Edward left us, but the blind terror still consumed me as I thought about letting Alice go.
I couldn't protect my child if she wasn't here with me, I couldn't comfort her when she was upset , I couldn't reassure her when she doubted herself.
I pulled away, straightening the collar of her coat and zipping it up to her throat. "Have you got everything." I checked, scolding myself when my voice shook.
"Yes" she breathed. I continued to mother her for as long as possible. She let me, staying still as I brushed her hair behind her ears and listening as I lectured her on staying safe.
I could remember a time when she had been less excepting of my motherly gestures. It had taken me a while to get her to properly relax around the house.
I watched Carlisle's car disappear out of the drive way before walking into the living room. Alice was curled up on the couch with her knees brought up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs.
Her eyes were dazed in what I assumed was a vision. I watched her carefully, I didn't want her slipping into the future and not being able to get back like when she found us.
Alice had been here just over a week, she hadn't really interacted with any of us since her first day. She was skittish, seemed to be observing us before making any attempt at conversation.
I'd found her quite unnerving at first, but a couple of days ago, when Emmett caught her by surprise, she'd run to me for protection. She was just a frightened young girl.
I walked closer to her, slowly so as not to startle her. She was whimpering quietly under her breath and her body was quivering slightly. "Alice" I said softly.
When I got no response I touched my fingers lightly to hers. She went ridged and a growl ripped from her throat. I cowered away, It wasn't the first time she'd growled at me, I knew it was a vampire thing, but it wasn't common in our house
The growl died down and turned into more audible whimpers. I sat down slowly by her side "Your alright" I reassured her quietly. "Come here" I held out my arms for her but she shied away from me.
It took weeks for me to gain enough trust for her to allow me to rest an arm across her shoulder. It became a daily routine, slowly pushing her a little more out of her comfort zone each day. However, every time someone else came into the house she'd pull away and run to her room. I don't think she really understood the concept of being held, the poor girl didn't have much experience with people at all
I stroked her hair and back lightly, trying to comfort her. She'd just come out of her visions in a panic She pulled away from me "what are you doing?" She asked nervously.
I sighed and broke all contact with her "Alice" I said carefully "Did you live with anyone in Mississippi? A Friend? Creator?"
She shook her head "I woke up alone" she mumbled "I've always been alone."
It explained her awkwardness around people, why she didn't take part in conversation. She just didn't know how to. However, there was one thing that confused me. "Sweetheart, Why didn't you come to us sooner?"
She whimpered, gritting her teeth "I couldn't." She cried. "I couldn't." The sobbing continued. I realised there was a whole life behind this girl that I didn't know. I wondered if she'd ever trust me enough to confide in me.
I moved closer to her and tried a different approach. I recalled the way that some of the Denali acted, after all they were traditional vampires once and still acted like them at times
I pressed my face against the side of hers, nuzzling her cheek. I was relieved when she finally responded, with a strangled cry she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pulled herself closer. I cradled her, whispering reassurances in her ears
She nestled herself against my shoulder and I lay back with her on the sofa. I pulled her against my side and tucked her head beneath my chin. She hid her face against my neck, her breaths becoming faster.
I'd noticed it before Alice's breathing always seemed to be slightly faster than the rest of us, her muscles tenser and she was always more alert. She never seemed to relax.
But even when she'd cried herself out she didn't pull away. I felt her hand curl around my collar, holding me close.
Carlisle came home about an hour later to find us in the same position. I put a finger slowly to my lips to keep him quiet. He looked down at her, he was worried about Alice, we all were.
"I love you, Sweetheart" I whispered and kissed her hair. If going away is what helped her then I'd let her go without question.
Edward's POV
"Come here, Freak." I joked. She ran over to hug me tightly.
"I'll miss you, Edward." And I'd miss her, immensely.
When Alice arrived she was edgy and alert. She was so confused and upset that, at times her mind was just too painful to read. There were times when I felt like a babysitter, since there were two couples in the house I was usually left with Alice. The slightest thing would set her off, but she'd always hide the cause of it.
Her mind would overwhelm itself with visions and she'd try desperately to suppress something, I just didn't know what. It was like she was trying to protecting herself.
She began to calm down after a couple of months with us, but I still got the impression that her visions scared her.
I used to find her hidden beside my piano. Music seemed to relax her, take her mind off things, so while she sat there I'd play for her. Gradually she'd move closer to me until we were both sat on the bench.
She'd watch my fingers closely, studying the music and the movement of my fingers until one day...
I walked in to find Alice sat on the piano bench. Her fingers were resting on the keys lightly. I watched her from a distance for a few moments to see if she would play something.
When her fingers didn't move I walked up behind her, reaching around to put my fingers on top of hers. She started to panic slightly, having my arms around her "shhh" I whispered and waited for her to calm down.
When she did I moved her hands to the right position and pressed a finger down. "A" I said softly before pressing down the next one "B" Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
It was then that Carlisle walked in. He smiled, he liked to see Alice interacting with us. He often worried about her. Her story reminded him a lot of his own and looking back now she acted the same way he did when I first met him.
Co workers, acquaintances, any fleeting relationship was easy, it was when things got personal that it got difficult for them, they just didn't know how to cope with it. It wasn't until Carlisle changed Esme that he finally began to open up.
"Alice" he said softly. We were all careful around her, unsure wether or not we would upset her. "I was hoping to get your opinion on something" he said "how would you feel about going to school with the others?"
She stood up and moved away from me. She started to panic again, so I tried to search for the cause. "I can't... " she trailed off and shook her head, heading for the door. "I want to" she said, without turning around and sighed resting her head against the door frame "but I can't
I finally found what I was looking for "she's illiterate" I explained to Carlisle.
"Edward!" She cried and ran from the room, she was embarrassed.
Carlisle sighed pinching the bridge of his nose "I should of realised, there's a chance she was never taught." He turned to go after her but I stopped him
"Let me" I said. I probably had some apologising to do anyway.
I knocked on her door and waited. "Alice I'm sorry" I said though the door
"Go away" she mumbled after a second. I rolled my eyes and pushed open the door. She growled at me but as soon as I growled back the sound died in her throat. She looked taken aback so I backed away to show her I wasn't a threat.
I pulled a notebook and piece of graphite from my pocket and slowly got closer. "I'm going to have to teach you to read and write before I can teach you to play music." I said softly
She looked between me and the book "you'll teach me?" She checked.
I smiled at her "of course I will" her arms wrapped around me in a hug. It was very unlike Alice, she usually didn't initiate contact with anyone. She seemed to realise what she was doing and pulled away awkwardly.
"I can write" she said quietly "I just don't know what it says" she explained.
I frowned in confusion. "How does that work? She took the notebook and graphite from e my hand. I watched her eyes daze slightly as she got a vision of what she wanted write before 'drawing' it on the paper.
She turned it towards me. It read "Hello Edward, thank you for teaching me to read and write" while she was writing there hadn't been any sounding out of letters like there should of been, it was literally a drawing of what she'd seen in her mind
"This shouldn't be hard" I told her "I just need to teach you the sounds" she looked away, embarrassed again. I crouched to meet her eyes "it's nothing to worry about"
It didn't take long to teach her, our faultless memory made it almost instantaneous. She liked to learn so we moved on to math and other subjects and soon she was good enough to join school with the rest of us.
That was the start of an unbreakable bond. It helped ease the years of loneliness, having someone to talk with when the others were acting all loved up as well as another gifted vampire to relate to.
She supported me though the hectic start of my relationship with Bella, there'd been times where I'd returned home doubting myself but she'd always been there to talk some sense into me.
But there was one time when I wasn't expecting her reaction It was the only time loose her temper.
I walked into the new house in Ithaca, numb after leaving the girl that had changed me so much. I couldn't think her name, it hurt too much. It was for her own good, if I kept reminding myself that I'd be able to cope.
I was pushed violently to the floor, the floorboards cracked under the force. "You inconsiderate, heartless son of a bitch!" Alice screamed. I had been running at top speed for days without stopping to feed so I didn't have the strength to push her away "what the hell have you done!?" She screeched.
Carlisle ran in to find out what was going on. He grabbed her waist and pulled her off me. Her time with our family had helped her become more sociable but she still didn't like being touched unless it was for comfort. She pushed at his hands until he put her down and moved them to her arms. "Alice, calm down" he told her.
"You left her in the forest, alone?!" She sneered "She went unconscious, Edward! She woke up alone!" Her breathing went ragged. "I've told you what that's like" she whispered "How could you do that to her, your mate." Her voice broke and she wrapped her arms around herself.
Carlisle let go of her and she walked away "you don't know what you've got till it's gone, Edward." She mumbled.
"I'll write to you." She promised "you won't be able to write back and I might not be able to find a post box." she rambled
I shook my head and kissed her forehead "look after yourself" I told her "I love you"
Carlisle's POV
As Alice was saying goodbye to the family. I took the opportunity to pull Jasper aside. I'd spent decades keeping a watchful eye on Alice. Monitoring her headaches and her reactions around other people.
She always been isolated from the rest of us, living on the edges of the family she found any relationship with us difficult and as a result we found it hard to really get to know her. I always got the impression that she was only here because she was to scared to be alone
I needed to know that Jasper could take care of her, and the way Alice could overpower his gift might mean that he wouldn't be able to "you don't need to worry" he reassured me, feeling my anxiety.
I nodded "I'd like you to keep checking her eyes as well as the venom glands I showed you, and make sure she hunts" I told him. "But don't let her influence you, check for those signs in yourself. If it gets too much for you explain to her and take an hour or two away to calm yourself down. Your no good to her stressed"
I felt him send a wave of calm my way "I understand" he said quietly. We both looked over to her, she was hugging Edward tightly.
She never really been one for hugs, not liking people touching her, she was improving already "Look after my little girl" I told him.
He nodded and held out his hand which surprised me since he'd never willingly touched anyone other than Alice and Ness. I shook his hand "I promise" he said.
Alice began to walk over, watching us closely. She was fiddling with her wrist as she came to a stop.
She pulled the silver bracelet off her wrist and held it out to me. It was the same one I'd given her a year after she joined us, it was engraved with the Cullen crest, marking her as a member of the family. "Alice, just because your moving away, doesn't mean your no longer a part of our family"
She pushed the band further into my palm "The bracelet was given to this Alice" she said quietly "I've told you before, if...when I come back I won't be this Alice anymore."
She wanted a fresh start, right down to becoming a member of the family, I understood and took the bracelet from her. I held out my arms so she had a choice to hug me, and she walked closer to embrace me. "Your always welcome here" I told her kissing her head. I looked up at Jasper who was watching us closely "You both are"
Rosalie's POV
I watched them both disappear into the forest through my bedroom window, Jasper had both bags slung over his shoulders and Alice kept glancing back at the door. Just before they were swallowed by the tree line I saw Jasper take her hand in his. I pulled my curtains shut sharply and turned away.
I was fed up with things changing all the time. Just when I thought things were starting to settle down Bella turns up or Edward runs away or we're face to face with the Volturi. I thought that would be the end of it, finally we'd found some peace, but then Alice's long lost mate pushes his way into the picture and everything starts up again
Jasper was terrifying, his entire being screamed danger and I wasn't naive enough to think I was capable of defending myself against him. I didn't feel safe with him In the house.
I'd seen his kind before, the perfect gentleman on the outside. Sweet and charming, but behind closed doors they got nasty. How else would you explain the scarring.
I'd never really gotten along with Alice. We were cut from two very different pieces of cloth, but she was still my sister and I didn't want to see her hurt like I was with Royce. Love blinded us and at the moment she was too blind to see what was right in front of her
Jasper was dangerous.
Alice herself was unpredictable, and that's what made me wary, you never knew what would set her off. One minute she was fine, the next not so much.
I walked into garden to find Esme so I could show her what i'd found in the antique shop while I was out. Esme loved vintage and antique things so I knew she'd like this. Unlike the boys who were unable to find any beauty in old or delicate things.
I found Alice stood by an old pasting table, putting soil into plant pots. Esme must have put her to work "Where's Esme?" I asked. There was no point in showing Alice my find, she hadn't shown an interest in anything as far as I knew.
Alice looked up "in the shed" she said quietly glancing at the shed door before turning back to the job at hand. Alice had been with us for nearly three decades, but still I could probably count on one hand the amount of full conversations we'd had in the last five years. She didn't speak to me so I didn't speak to her, and that was that.
I waited rather than trying to make my way towards that dirt shack in this dress. Alice and myself just stood in awkward silence until Esme made her way out. "Take those gloves off and come and look at this." I told her, resting my bag on the small stone wall beside me
She did as instructed and placed the gloves on the pasting table. I opened the box to show her the necklace I'd found. It was a silver art deco pendant with a beautiful red stone set in the centre "isn't it beautiful!" Esme gushed picking it up gently to inspect it closer "Where did you find it?" I continued my story, telling her all about the shop I'd found and how much I thought she'd like it as well as the other things I'd seen there. "What stone do you think it is?" She questioned.
"Jasper" I said confidently.
There was a whimper and a crash from behind us, we turned to find Alice toppling to the floor with her head between her hands. As she fell she'd taken the table with her, so the fragments of plant pot and soil were scattered around her.
Esme ran to her side but she cowered away "Make it stop!" Alice cried, her hands clawing at her hair "No, stop it!" she was shaking, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. I backed away from her.
"Carlisle" Esme called trying to hold her still
The outburst seemed to be out if the blue, and I didn't like being out of control, I liked to know what was going on and why. All these years Alice had been lying to us, all this time even if we weren't best of friends, I'd trusted her. I didn't know who who I could trust any more.
I guess we finally knew the reason for that out burst. Jasper
AN- The adventure begins next time! right now I need to get to bed before I pass out, I'll correct any mistakes when I wake up properly.
Please Review!
-B x