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Chapter 50: Facing the Music

"Oh no," Larissa gasped and her legs seemed to give way on her and she sank quickly onto the couch behind her.

"Rissa, it isn't definite," Jasper sighed as he watched her worriedly.

"Edward definitely has it?" Larissa whispered, her eyes locked on Alice.

"Yes," Alice nodded.

"Then it's definite," Larissa gasped.

"No Rissa, it's not," Jasper said firmly. "It has to have been passed from Edward to Alice, from Alice to me and from me to you and the baby. What are the chances it's gone that far?"

"You have forgotten something," Larissa murmured sadly.

"Oh, Rissa, I didn't think about that," Alice gasped and pushed past Jasper and walked over and sat down beside Larissa.

"What?" Jasper frowned.

"Edward raped me Jazz," Larissa reminded him. "Do you really think he bothered with protection? I have just as much chance as Alice that I contracted this."

"Oh, of course," Jasper groaned.

"So what do we do now then?" Rosalie whispered.

"You need to get tested," Gabriel said firmly. "Larissa and Alice at least. It isn't really necessary for the rest of you to unless they…."

"Unless our results are positive," Alice sighed.

"Yeah," Gabriel nodded.

"There's a clinic in Seattle," Rosalie pointed out. "I'll call and make appointments for you both."

Alice and Larissa both nodded their heads in agreement and Rosalie slipped from the room to make the call. While they were waiting Jasper walked over and sat down beside Larissa and Gabriel watched the three of them for a moment before he moved over and sat down beside Alice. Alice glanced at him nervously and he gave her a sad smile before he reached over and took her hand in his. She glanced down at their entwined hands and then lifted her eyes back to meet his but before she could say a word Rosalie rushed back into the room.

"I got you both appointments at ten tomorrow morning," Rosalie announced.

"We'll have to ditch school," Alice murmured.

"I'll cover for you both," Emmett offered.

"I can too," Rosalie added.

"I'll ditch too and drive them in," Jasper nodded.

"Actually Jasper?" Gabriel asked. "Can I crash here tonight?"

"Yeah but why?" Jasper frowned.

"Mom thinks I'm going back tonight," Gabriel explained. "But if it's okay with Allie, I want to take her tomorrow."

"You don't have to," Alice whispered. "You'll miss school."

"I want to," Gabriel said firmly.

"Okay," Alice agreed softly.

"I think we should take Rissa upstairs to lie down," Rosalie said abruptly. "All this stress can't be good for the baby."

"Oh of course," Jasper gasped and before Larissa could protest he had taken her arm and gently pulled her to her feet.

"And I think I need to rest too, Emmett you coming?" Rosalie added as Jasper led Larissa out of the room.

"Umm, yeah," Emmett frowned in confusion and Rosalie smiled at him as she took his hand and pulled him from the room too.

"That was strange," Gabriel murmured as he watched them go.

"No that was Rose," Alice smirked. "I guess she decided you and I needed some time alone."

"We do," Gabriel nodded solemnly. "You didn't need to push me away Allie, I can handle this."

"You shouldn't have to," Alice sighed.

"Neither should you," Gabriel argued. "But since you are that means I am. I'm not going to desert you just because you are having some problems."

"Not some problems," Alice corrected. "I could have AIDS."

"And then again you may not," Gabriel sighed. "And even if you do, that doesn't change the way I feel about you."

"We can never do anything," Alice warned him. "If I am I mean."

"Let's worry abut that if and when we have to," Gabriel murmured. "First things first. I'll take you to get the test tomorrow and we'll take it from there."

"Why are you so nice to me?" Alice whispered. "After everything I said and did today?"

"I love you Allie," Gabriel sighed. "Nothing is going to change that and you need to start believing that I'm here for the bad stuff as well as the good."

"I do believe that," Alice murmured. "And I love you too."

"We'll get through this together Allie," Gabriel promised and Alice smiled as she leaned over and snuggled into his arms, glad she had him in her life.

XXX

The next morning Emmett and Rosalie headed to school to cover for everyone else and once they were gone Jasper, Larissa, Gabriel and Alice got into Jasper's and Gabriel's cars and headed for Seattle. It didn't take them long at the clinic, the nurses merely drew blood from both Larissa and Alice and told them to come back the following week. After they left the clinic Gabriel and Alice shared a private goodbye in the parking lot and then Alice returned to Forks with Jasper and Larissa.

For the entire week as they waited for their results to come back Alice hung out with Jasper and Larissa, preferring Larissa's company since they were essentially going through the same thing. When Gabriel arrived back on Friday night he called past Jasper's place to pick Alice up and once they left Jasper and Larissa were alone for the first time all week. They sat down on the couch and snuggled together and Jasper was running his fingers lightly through Larissa's hair when the front door opened and closed.

"Who would that be?" Larissa frowned.

"Probably Rose and Emmett," Jasper shrugged.

"Damn, I was looking forward to a little time on our own," Larissa sighed.

"We can go up to my room," Jasper murmured as he pressed his lips lightly on her hair.

"Yeah," Larissa whispered but their plans were cut short when Sonia stepped through the doorway.

"There you are," she announced as she tossed her bag onto a table and then walked over and sat down on the edge of the couch opposite them.

"I didn't think you'd be back yet," Jasper sighed.

"I told you we'd talk on the weekend," Sonia frowned and glanced at Larissa. "How are you feeling? You look a little pale and stressed."

"I'm okay," Larissa shrugged, certain she wasn't going to tell Jasper's mother why she looked pale and stressed out.

"All right," Sonia sighed. "Well things kind of got left up in the air last weekend. Have you heard from your mother?"

"No," Larissa snapped. "And I'm never going to speak to her again. She disowned me, remember?"

"Yes I do," Sonia nodded. "I tried to talk to her but she wouldn't listen. This doesn't have to be the end of the world."

"Wasn't Jennifer with you?" Jasper frowned.

"No," Sonia sighed. "She spent the whole trip to the airport laying out the reasons why the two of you should murder my grandchild. We ended up fighting about it and so I fired her."

"You fired Jennifer?" Jasper smirked.

"Because of us?" Larissa added.

"Yes," Sonia nodded. "Jasper, I know I haven't been a good mother but I am hoping it isn't too late to change that. What have the two of you decided for your future?"

"We haven't really talked about it much," Jasper admitted as he reached over and took Larissa's hand. They had been so focused on her tests they hadn't discussed what they were planning on doing about the impending birth of their baby.

"You should," Sonia murmured. "The two of you have some decisions to make. I know it really isn't my business, you are both eighteen now and free to do what you want. But I would like to make a suggestion if I may?"

"Of course," Larissa nodded.

"You need a decent education to provide well for your baby," Sonia pointed out. "I would be more than happy for you both to live here while you finish school. We could even arrange a nanny so you could continue with your education after the baby is born Larissa."

"We can't ask you to do that," Larissa gasped.

"You aren't asking, I am offering," Sonia replied. "I am never here anyway. What I am suggesting is you would both live here, look after my house for me and I'll provide the money for you both to finish school. If you want to go to college that may be possible too."

"What's the catch?" Jasper frowned.

"No catch," Sonia assured him. "Just a chance to make things right. I should have looked after you better Jasper, this is my way of trying to fix that. Would you please accept the help I am offering, for the two of you and your baby?"

"We will," Larissa nodded. "Thank you Sonia."

"You're welcome," Sonia smiled.

XXX

On Monday morning Gabriel and Alice had breakfast with the rest of the McCarty family and then on the guise of Gabriel dropping Alice at school before returning to college they left the house. Instead of dropping Alice at school Gabriel drove straight to Seattle and when they reached the clinic Alice let out a sigh and looked over at him.

"Gabe, can you do me a favour?" Alice whispered.

"Anything," Gabriel replied instantly.

"Wait here," Alice asked. "I want to go in by myself."

"Are you sure?" Gabriel frowned.

"Yes," Alice nodded. "I need to do this, alone."

"Okay," Gabriel agreed reluctantly. "But I'll be right here."

"Thank you," Alice murmured and leaned over and kissed him before getting out of the car and heading into the clinic.

XXX

When Alice walked out of the clinic Gabriel watched her with a frown, not sure what to make of her mood. She was walking slowly and when she reached the car Gabriel jumped out quickly.

"Allie?" he gasped as he raced to her side.

"Gabe," Alice smiled, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. "I'm clear. He didn't pass it on. I don't have it!"

"You don't?" Gabriel echoed in shock. He had spent the last week preparing himself for the worst and as the realisation dawned on him his face broke into a huge grin.

"I don't," Alice giggled and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Oh thank God!" Gabriel murmured as he held her close.

"But Gabe, we have to keep it to ourselves for now," Alice said quickly and Gabriel pulled back and frowned at her.

"Why, it's great news?" Gabriel asked and then noticed her eyes were focused behind him and he turned and saw Jasper and Larissa walking across the car park towards them. "Oh, you don't want them to know yet?"

"No, just in case Rissa's news isn't the same," Alice whispered.

"Of course," Gabriel nodded. The two couples looked at each other as Jasper and Larissa reached them but without a word Jasper steered Larissa past them and into the clinic. Once they were gone Alice looked up at Gabriel and sighed.

"Can you take me home?" she asked softly.

"Of course," Gabriel nodded and quickly led Alice to the car.

XXX

After Gabriel left Alice he started to drive out of Forks and as he hit the open highway he finally let his thoughts invade him. Over the last few weeks Alice had been through hell and as he got further and further away from Forks it became clearer what he had to do to make her pain stop. Without making a conscious decision he changed the direction he was heading and a short time later he was re-entering the city of Seattle.

He reached his destination and quickly got out of the car and walked up to the front door, more determined than ever to do what he needed to do to finally help Alice move on. He walked into the building and through the dark corridors and moments later he stepped into a large room.

The man he was looking for was sitting near the window and he stormed across the room to tower over him as the man looked up at him, fear and recognition quickly passing across his face.

"Hello Edward," Gabriel growled as he dropped into the seat opposite him.