"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it's only by this meeting that a new world is born." ~Anais Nin


Chapter 54-Jasper's Visitors

Peter and Charlotte didn't visit often, but when they did, I didn't know my place. Jasper saw me everyday, and he saw Peter and Charlotte a few times a year. Less than that even. They talk on the mirrors I gave them all those years ago, but even that isn't often. So when Peter and Charlotte did come around, is this something he would want me to be around for, or should I keep my distance for the time that Peter and Charlotte were here? This was something I had never voiced to Jasper, although Edward knew. Of course Edward knew.

"Do you actually feel that way?" Edward asked me in the early hours before Peter and Charlotte were due to arrive. He was getting ready to go back to Bella's. He had come by to change his clothes, seeing as Bella would no doubt be waking up soon. He had only meant to stay for a few minutes, but then he caught my thoughts, and pulled me outside to talk.

I nodded.

"He sees me everyday," I said, looking at the ground. "What if he just wants to be with Peter and Charlotte?"

"I don't think he wants that. He always feels better whenever your around."

"Yes but the bond that Jaz and Peter have—"

"Is the same bond you and I have. The bond he has with you, it's stronger. So much stronger. You're the one thing he constantly thinks about. I think that maybe," Edward said, ruffling my hair, "you should talk to your husband. But I have to go now. You'll work it out. You always do."

I knew deep down that he was right, but Jasper was excited. I couldn't ruin that for him.

"What was that about?" Jasper asked when I returned to the bedroom. He pulled me into his arms, and I closed my eyes.

I almost told him. But when I started to feel the strong waves of excitement fade slightly, I shook my head.

"Nothing," I lied. "He was just asking where he should hideout to avoid getting caught by Bella or by Chief Swan."

He accepted this answer, and pulled me close to him. We waited, but I still couldn't push mine and Edward's conversation from my head.

Jasper and I had went downstairs about a half an hour before Peter and Charlotte were due to arrive.

"How much longer?" Jasper asked me. We were sitting on the floor of the living room.

I closed my eyes and focused on the clock in Peter and Charlotte's car.

"It won't be long now. I'd say about ten more minutes," I said, opening my eyes. I pressed a hand against his cheek. "Patience, love."

He smiled, and kissed the rings that I had left on my hand.

When the knock on the door came from the floor below, Jasper jumped to his feet, pulling me with him.

"Come on," he said, tugging my hand.

I laughed at his eagerness, but allowed him to pull me down the stairs to the door.

When Jasper opened the door, he smiled and hugged Peter, while Charlotte hugged me.

"Alice," she said with a smile.

"Hello, Charlotte," I said, as Peter pulled me into a hug. "Peter."

"How are you?" Peter asked.

"I'm doing well," Jasper said.

"And you, Alice?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm well. What about you two?"

"We just spent some time in Virginia."

"What part?" Jasper asked.

"Salem," Charlotte said. Memories of Helen, Tobias, and I flashed through my mind and I smiled.

"I like it Salem. It's a cute town."

"Please," Jasper said, pulling me to him as he stepped to the side. "Come in."

The two stepped in the door, looking around as they always did.

"This isn't much different from the other houses." Jasper said. "Just five new graduation caps."

"What year are the two of you this time around?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm a senior. Alice is a junior. But we have French together, so I have something to look forward to at the end of the day."

He turned and smiled at me.

"What about next year?" Charlotte asked. "Are you going back to college?"

Jasper shook his head. "The public story will be that I went to college. However I'm staying here until Alice graduates. We've talked about maybe traveling a little bit."

We went upstairs to the living room, where Carlisle and Esme sat. Carlisle called the next two days out of work due to the sun.

"Peter, Charlotte," Carlisle said, rising to his feet and extending a hand. "How great it is to see you."

"Hello Carlisle," Charlotte said, as she took his hand.

"If there's anything we can do for you, let us know."

"Thank you," Peter said.

"Peter," Jasper said, calling his attention. Peter turned his head, and Jasper continued. "I know you won't. But I do have to ask you to keep from hunting in Forks. Edward has asked me to remind you of that."

"Of course not, Jasper," Peter said before turning to Carlisle. "It will never be our intent to bring trouble to your family."

"Thank you, Peter."

Jasper led the two through the house to the back, where they dropped into the yard, heading for the trees. I smiled at him, and turned to my computer.

"Will you not be joining them?" Carlisle asked. I poked my head around the wall, and shook my head.

"I could see that Jasper wanted to spend some time alone with Peter. He'll come for me soon."

I pulled up my project for Rosalie, and set to work.

Esme stood beside me quietly.

After some time, Esme stood beside me quietly.

"Alice?" she asked, as she sat next to me. I turned to her.

"Yes?"

"Edward," she said. "Is he okay?"

I nodded. "He'll come home soon. But he won't stay for very long. He doesn't trust that Peter and Charlotte won't harm Bella, although they'd never do anything that would put Jasper in any danger."

"What about you? Do you trust them?"

"I trust Jasper, and he trusts them. Therefore, I do too."

Esme smiled and squeezed my shoulder.

"When will they come to get you?"

"Jasper will come in at noon. I will go with them, and chances are, we'll be gone for a good amount of the day."

She nodded, and watched as I created the cocktail dress for Rosalie.

"That is beautiful, Alice," she said, as I was adding on some of the final touches. "You've become so good at this."

"Thank you, Esme," I said, as I saved my work, and shut down the computer. "Jasper will be coming in a few moments. Edward will come home in about two hours. Tell him that we've already talked to Peter and Charlotte, and they won't hunt in the area."

I almost mentioned mine and his earlier conversation, but decided against it.

"He knows that already," Carlisle said,pulling me from my train of thought. He was pursing his lips. "I understand, he's protective over the girl. But he should know well enough by now that Peter and Charlotte would never harm Jasper."

"Just please tell him that we talked to them about it," I said, as Jasper walked up the stairs leading to the back, Peter and Charlotte following closely.

"Alice?" Jasper said, coming through the door.

"In the living room," I said. He came through the dining room doorway, and pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, do you want to get out of the house and go for a walk?" he asked, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Of course," I said. "I already saw you guys coming. So I was just telling Esme and Carlisle to fill in Edward that we've talked to Peter and Charlotte about hunting in the area."

Carlisle turned to Peter and Charlotte.

"We do apologize for Edward."

"It's no problem, Carlisle," Peter said kindly. "He's looking out for his family."

"Yes, but he should trust you by now," I said. "I know you guys would never do anything that puts Jasper at risk."

Peter shook his head.

"Definitely not."

Jasper wrapped his arm around me, and guided me to the door.

We walked to the forest, where the four of us jumped within a second of each other.

"Where to?" I asked.

"Let's just walk," Peter said. He has his arm tightly around Charlotte, much like Jasper with me.

So we walked further and further away from the river.

"Emmett's going to want to play football tonight," I said.

"Will Edward play?" Jasper asked. I shook my head.

"He'll be too busy watching Bella."

"How about it?" Jasper asked, turning to Peter and Charlotte. Up for a game of football?"

"Sounds like fun," Charlotte said.

"When?" Peter asked me. I closed my eyes, and let Jasper lead me. The sun was almost finished setting. I opened my eyes, and looked for the sun, then closed my eyes again.

"We'll have to head home at around 4:45 so I can change, and start heading to the field at around 5:30," I said. "We won't start until 6:00."

"Will you play?" Jasper asked me. I shook my head. We had come to a stop. Peter and Charlotte had stepped to the side. They muttered something about giving us a moment of alone time.

"Probably. But I haven't decided fully."

Jasper smiled against my ear.

"I think you should."

I twisted his his arms to where I was facing him.

"Jaz?" I asked, my thoughts of earlier ringing in my ears.

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure that you want to go play?" I asked. "I can go, and you can spend time with Peter and Charlotte before they leave."

"No, it's okay. It'll be fun," he said.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," he said. He kissed me, and turned, not letting go of me. "Come on. Peter and Charlotte are waiting."

We joined back up with them about half a mile away.

"Why'd you guys go so far out?" I asked, when we stopped in front of them.

"Charlotte felt bad that Jasper wasn't spending time with you today, so she figured we should give you two a few minutes of privacy."

"Thank you," I said. "But you didn't have to do that. He sees me everyday. It's rare that you guys are in town." They smiled as I looked to the sky. "You've come here on such a beautiful day."

Jasper chuckled. "Come on Al. Let's go to a place where you can see it better."

"Do you think we can see the stars tonight?" I asked, as the four of us walked to a clearing in the woods.

"I think so," he said.

I smiled.

"I think I'll stay out and watch them. But I'll have to get my astronomy books after the game."

"It's not often she gets to see the stars in Forks," Jasper said to Peter and Charlotte. "But on the days she can see them, She doesn't come home until they disappear again."

"I remembered that she loved the stars," Peter said, smiling at me. "She watched them every night while we were in Texas. When we were teaching her to fight."

I smiled.

When we got to the clearing, we all sat in the middle. I laid with my head in Jasper's lap watching the sky. There were some fluffy clouds in the sky, but none came close to the sun.

The sun beamed off Jasper's face, making him shine like a thousand diamonds. It made him look more like an angel.

My fingers lightly brushed one of the scars on his neck. He looked down at me and smiled.

I pulled his face to mine, forgetting for a single second that Peter and Charlotte were there. He kissed me gently before Peter cleared his throat.

"Sorry," I murmured, hiding my face.

Jasper chuckled, and leaned down to kiss my temple.

I closed my eyes, and I listened. I heard the sounds of Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte's quiet conversation. I could hear the wind whistling in the trees. I felt Jasper run a hand up and down my arm, and the heat of the sun beating down on my icy skin.

I felt peaceful. My mind was blank. It felt like I could sleep. I stayed completely still.

After some time, I felt Jasper shift.

"Alice," he murmured in my ear. "Come on, Darlin'. If you want to change your clothes before the game, we have to go."

I opened my eyes.

The sun had lowered in the sky. Peter and Charlotte were standing now, and Jasper was grinning.

"You looked peaceful," he said. "I almost didn't want you to open your eyes."

"It felt like I was sleeping," I said.

"Well now," he said, pulling me up to where I was sitting in his lap, "it is time to go."

He showed me his watch. It was 4:30. It wouldn't take us that long to get home, but it definitely gave me time to get dressed.
"I suppose it is time to go, isn't it?"

We stood up, and the four of us began to make our way back to the house.

"Which field are we going to, Al?" Jasper asked, as we ran.

"Rainer, I think."

"Will Emmett be there when we get back?"

I nodded.

We made it back to the house in five minutes.

"Alice! Jasper!" Emmett said when we got inside. "Football in Rainer field?"

"You're more than welcome to join us," Carlisle said to Peter and Charlotte.

"Alice and Jasper already extended the invitation," Peter said, with a small smile.

Carlisle smiled too. "Excellent," he said.

"So the four of them can be a team," Emmett said pointing at Jasper, Peter, Charlotte, and I. "Then the four of us can be the other team," he finished, pointing at himself, Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie.

"What if Edward decides to join us?" Esme asked. Emmett grinned.

"I've already thought about this. They have Alice, so no matter what play we make, she'll see it the second we decide on it. So we get Edward. He'll be able to hear what they're thinking. Then we'll be even."

"Who's to say I'll tell your plays?" I asked.

Emmett shrugged. "Because you tell Jasper everything. All he has to do is ask."

Emmett wasn't wrong. I did tell Jasper everything. Maybe that was because he was one of the first people to make me feel like I belonged in this world. But maybe, it was because I felt like I owed him in a way. He's done nothing but protect me, he gave up his life for me. However, I hadn't told him about the thoughts I had been having the last few days while waiting for Peter and Charlotte to come. I'm sure I would talk to him, but not now. Not when he was excited.

My silence was enough for Emmett to grin from ear to ear.

"I'm right aren't I?" he asked.

I didn't answer. No so much because Emmett was right, but because I was upset with myself.

"I'm going to go change," I said, turning away from my brother.

"We can always meet you at the field," Carlisle said. "It'll give us enough time to set everything up."

"Sounds like a good idea," I said as I darted out of the room and up to mine and Jasper's room.

"I think we'll go with Carlisle and the others," Peter said to Jasper on the floor below me.

"The most we can do is help set things up," Charlotte said.

"That's very kind of you," Esme said.

I could hear the wind of people going out the door, and the wind of Jasper coming up the stairs.

"Al?"

"I'm in here."

He was next to me in an instant. As he stepped inside, I was pulling on a pair of athletic pants.

"Everyone left," Jasper said, stepping closer to me as I pulled off the shirt I had been wearing.

"I know," I said, pulling on a half sleeved, stone grey, button up shirt.

"Are you okay?"

I paused again, before nodding.

"Yeah. I'm okay. I'm fine."

Jasper frowned.

"No you're not. You've been feeling uncertain all day. Even now you're acting….different."

I shook my head.

"It's nothing."

Jasper stepped closer, taking my face in his hands, making me look at him.
"Talk to me," he said. "When have you ever been able to not talk to me?"

I closed my eyes.

"I don't know my place," I whispered.

"You're place? Ali, Darlin', what are you talking about?"

"You see them a few times in a year. You see me everyday. So when Peter and Charlotte are here, do I come with you, or do I leave you to your time alone with them?"

Jasper was quiet. When I opened my eyes, he was watching me. His eyes were sad, and his hands dropped from my face.

He was upset now. I could see it.

"Never mind," I said, pulling on my shoes. "I shouldn't have said anything. We should go. They're waiting on us."

"They can wait," Jasper said. "Please, Al. Talk to me."

I sighed.

"It's just that when they come, you're so excited, and I'm so glad. But sometimes, I can't help but wonder whether you want me around when Peter is here….I don't know how to say it Jazz."

He pulled me into a tight hug.

"Mary Alice Black Whitlock, I will always want you around. When Peter and Charlotte come around, I am excited that they're here because I get to spend time with three people that I really, really care about. The person I care about most, is my wife. And if she's feeling upset, or angry, or anything along that sort, I want to know, because I want to make it better. I only want for you to be happy!"

I smiled, and buried my face into his chest.

"I'm sorry," I said, shaking my head.

"Don't be sorry," he said, "just come to me next time."

"Edward said I should come talk to you."

"Ah, so that's what earlier was about."

I nodded.

"Yeah. That's what it was about."

Jasper shook his head.

"Next time, come to me. Promise me you'll talk to me, Al."

"I promise."

He leaned down and kissed me.

I peered around his elbow.

"Jazz, we better go."

He turned and looked at the clock. We only had about ten minutes before the game starts.

"Do we have to?"

I nodded.

I grinned.

"Yes we do. You know our brother as well as I. If we do not leave now, Emmett is going to start making jokes about our sex lives to Peter."

Jasper frowned. "Perhaps it's better if we leave now. Like right now."

I shrieked as he picked me up and moved quickly through the house.

"You're not leaving your wand?" he asked, looking at the wand holster on my arm.

"Nope. Do I ever?"

"When we're at school."

"Okay that's true. But that's only because I don't see a need for it there."

We made it to the field about five minutes after the game was supposed to start."

"About time you got here," Emmett called. "What were you two doing?"

Jasper hissed quietly, which caused Emmett to laugh.

"Relax, Jasper," he said, throwing his hands up in defence. "I'm only joking.

"Well looks like it was bound to happen," I said, smiling at Jasper's irritated expression. I pulled his face to mine and he relaxed. His eyes softened, and I smiled again. "There, now. That's better."

I patted his face and turned back to Emmett.

"As for your question, Jasper and I had something we needed to talk about."

Jasper, Peter, Charlotte, and I won the game. Edward didn't turn up, and we had the advantage. However, we tried to rely mostly on playing it fairly to please Emmett. When we got back to the house, we saw that Edward had been there, but didn't stick around.

"He's watching the Swan girl again isn't he," Jasper asked as I grabbed my astronomy books and star charts.

"Her name is Bella, Jasper," I said, frowning at him.

He didn't say anything. Just walked quietly down the stairs at my side. Peter and Charlotte stood by the door.

"Ready to go?" Jasper asked them. Emmett's head snapped up.

"Leaving again?" he asked.

"Alice wants to see the stars," Jasper said, the irritation clear in his tone.

"You don't have to go," I said, coldly. "You three can stay here, and I'll go on my own."

Jasper's annoyance disappeared then. "I always go with you."

"It's all up to you," I said, heading for the door. "Who knows, Jasper, maybe this time you'll change your mind."

Nobody moved in the living room for a moment, and I was already in the trees before Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte followed. We ran quietly to the clearing where we had been before. Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte ran in a cluster while I ran ahead.

When we got to the field, I sat everything down. Jasper sat down at my side, and looked at the charts that I had laid out in front of me, but stayed quiet.

I looked up to the sky, and watched the thousands of twinkling stars. I smiled, and laid back. Living in Forks, this was rare. I remember being able to go outside during my human life and just watch the stars. Even during the war. While I liked Forks, I didn't like how little I got to see the stars.

"Alice?" Jasper asked as he sat cross legged beside me.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry, " he said. "I know she'll be your friend one day."

I smiled at him. "I know you're sorry."

"You're not mad anymore," he said.

"No. Like I've told you Jasper. It's hard for me to stay mad at you."

"I know the feeling," he said.

He held his arms out. I smiled, sat up, and moved into his lap. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and left the other hand resting on my knee.

I pulled my star chart onto my lap and started pointing out stars to Jasper. Peter and Charlotte watched the two of us from across the field.

"There's Sirius," I said, pointing at a star north of us. "The dog star. Then there's Orion's belt."

Jasper looked where I pointed, and looked back down at my charts.

"How long did it take you to be able to read one of these?" he asked me.

"About two months," I said, turning back to him. "I learned before going to Hogwarts."

"You learned how to read these things at 10?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yeah. I saw them in Charlie's notes during one of my stays at the Weasley's house during Remus's transformations."

"Who taught you?"

"Remus. He taught me a lot. When I was in my fifth year, he taught me how to do a Patronus, and when I turned 16, he and McGonagall started teaching me how to become an Animagus."

Jasper looked at me in amazement. He always did whenever I spoke of my past. Even if it was something I'd told him before.

"You'll never fail to amaze me," he whispered into my ear.

"We'll see about that," I said grinning, as I buried my face in his hair.

We stayed there until a few hours after sunrise. Peter and Charlotte came and sat with us, and we talked about the places they've been.

"When we leave here, we plan on going to Canada," Charlotte had said.

We hadn't lived in Canada since Maria came for Jasper. We left only two days after her visit.

"I think you'll like it there."

"I'm sure we will."

When we got back to the house, Emmett and Rosalie sat flipping through the channels, not pausing on one.

"Welcome back," Emmett said, as I went to walk up the stairs. "How were the stars?"

"Bright and beautiful as always," I said.

"I never understand how she gets so fascinated by the stars," Emmett said to someone downstairs.

"Lay off, Emmett," Rosalie said. "They make her happy. Besides, she took classes dedicated to Astronomy during her time in Hogwarts. It's what she was used to."

I smiled as I went into the room, returning everything to it's place. Once I finished, I returned downstairs, where everyone remained where I had left them. I moved to the couch, on Emmett's other side, where Jasper joined me. Peter and Charlotte set up one of the chess boards, and sat down for a game.

I closed my eyes, and leaned my head back against Jasper's shoulder. I didn't search for any future in particular. I flipped from Jasper, to the weather, to Edward. I saw Edward coming home for a while, then going to Port Angeles to follow Bella. I then watched Peter and Charlotte, and saw that they wouldn't be going near Port Angeles. But they were going to be leaving today.

When I opened my eyes again, a baseball game was playing. Peter and Charlotte moved away from the chess board, and were sitting on Jasper's other side. Charlotte was tucked under Peter's arm, much like I was to Jasper. Sometime during me flipping through the future, Jasper wrapped one arm around my shoulders and one around my waist.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Just after 1:30," Jasper said. His chin was resting on my shoulder, and he was watching the game. "They're leaving today?"

He didn't have to ask.

"They decided that they'd leave about an hour or so ago."

"They'll be leaving when Edward comes home. Or around that time anyways."

I poked my head around Jasper, and addressed Peter and Charlotte.

"Have you enjoyed your stay?"

Charlotte smiled and nodded.

"You and Jasper have been excellent hosts, as always." She turned to Esme, who was just entering the room, and took a seat next to Rosalie. "Thank you for letting us stay here."

"Of course!" Esme exclaimed. "You two know you are welcome at any time."

"Alice will see us coming when we decide," Peter said, with a smile at Jasper and I. I smiled, back, and turned to the clock on the wall.

It was nearing 1:45. Edward would be home in about an hour and ten minutes, considering school let out at around 3:00, but sometimes teachers let classes out early. Today, Coach Clapp would do just that. He already decided on that. After that, Edward would come home to get his car, then follow Bella, Jessica, and Angela to Port Angeles, where they were looked at dresses for the dance. Jasper and I had agreed not to go to this dance, as did Rosalie and Emmett.

We sat and watched the game, while Jasper, Peter, Charlotte, and I talked quietly.

The time passed quickly. Before we know it, Peter and Charlotte stood, as did Jasper and I. We walked to the staircase, where Jasper wrapped an arm around me.

"We had a great time," Peter said to Jasper.

"We're glad," Jasper said, grinning widely. "You'll have to come visit us again soon."

"Of course," Charlotte said. "Perhaps we'll visit again when you guys settle in a new place."

Edward came through the door then, half acknowledging the greeting from Emmett and Esme, and heading straight for the piano.

Have fun in Port Angeles tonight, I thought. Let me know when I can talk to Bella. Oh, and thanks for suggesting that I talk to Jasper. It helped.

He didn't answer, and began playing an impatient tone. Peter and Charlotte noticed this tone, and eyed Edward curiously. Jasper and I glanced in his direction as well, before all four of us turned our attention back to each other.

"If you see Maria again," Jasper said, holding me a little bit tighter to him, "tell her I wish her well."

I had never gotten over what happened in Calgary. Deep down, I would never forgive Maria for trying to take my angel from me.

"I don't think that will happen," Peter said with a laugh. "But should it certainly happen, I will."

He extended his hand which Jasper took. Charlotte pulled me into a hug, and then hugged Jasper while Peter hugged me.

"Take care of him, Alice," he said quietly in my ear.

"I always do," I said.

He smiled, as I stepped back next to Jasper, who placed a hand on the small of my back.

The song Edward was playing came to an end, and suddenly he was behind me.

"Peter, Charlotte," he greeted.

"It was nice to see you again, Edward," Charlotte said. Peter simply nodded in Edward's direction.

They're going east, to Seattle. No where near Port Angeles, I chided, before showing him Peter's decision to go to Seattle.

He ignored me, and pulled out of the garage. I sighed and turned back to Peter and Charlotte.

"We'll call soon," Peter promised Jasper.

Jasper smiled. "Here, I'll show you out."

His hand slipped from my back, as he guided Peter and Charlotte through the house.

I walked up the stairs, and to mine and Jasper's room, where I jumped onto the bed.

I tried focusing on Jasper. I had already gotten his anniversary present, even though it wasn't for another four months. I could see that Jasper was trying to not decide on a gift, although there was a golden locket that kept appearing in my visions. It was small, and simple, yet I loved it. On the inside, it was engraved with resta con me per sempre which meant Stay With Me Forever in Italian.

Jasper didn't join me. But I could tell the time passed. He thought more of our anniversary. I could tell because he was flipping between the golden locket, and a new ring. Between the two, I would prefer the locket. I already knew that Jasper knew this.

Suddenly, after a good amount of time passed, my visions shifted away from Jasper completely. I hadn't been looking for Bella, although I had become tuned to her, after looking for any danger in her future.

Bella's terrified face filled my vision. A group of men surrounded her. They closed her in, leaving her nowhere to go. While I didn't see what would happen, his path was clear. Alonzo Wallace, who was wanted in both Texas and Oklahoma, for rape and murder, was the leader of the group. He went to grab Bella, then everything went black.

My eyes shot open, and I was on my feet in a flash. My phone was downstairs on the coffee table, where I had left it last night. I darted out of the room, and down the stairs, and through the living room.

Edward was on speed dial, so I hit his number and put the phone to my ear.

"Answer the damn phone, Edward!" I shrieked into the phone.

Jasper, Esme, and Emmett looked at me bewildered.

The phone went to voicemail and I threw it onto the couch.

"Alice?" Jasper asked cautiously. "What is it?"

"Shhh," I said, as I closed my eyes, and focused on Edward. His car was hurtling to where Bella was. I sighed and opened my eyes again.

"Carlisle came home, right?" I asked Esme. She nodded. "Is he in his study?" She nodded again, and I went to turn. Jasper caught me arm.

"Alice, what is it? What did you see?"

"Bella was in trouble. But I need to talk to Carlisle. It's okay, I promise."

He let go of my arm, and I darted through the house to Carlisle's study.

"Come in Alice," he said before I had the chance.

I quickly filled Carlisle in on everything. He thought for a moment.

"The man, he's still alive right?"

I nodded. "Edward decided not to kill him."

"Thank you Alice," he said.

"He'll come up to see you when he gets home," I said.

"How long?"

I closed my eyes. He was going to take Bella to dinner, to keep him from going back to kill the man. Then he would bring her home.

"An hour and a half. Give or take fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Alice."

I nodded, and left his study. I went back downstairs and out the door. I sat on the stairs, looking up into the starry sky, partially blocked by trees.

The door opened, and Jasper sat down on the stair above me.

"Al? Are you okay?"

I nodded, and laid my head in his lap. "She's safe. Edward got to her in time."

"What happened, Alice?"

"There's a man, his name is Alonzo Wallace. He's wanted in Texas and Oklahoma for rape and murder. He found Bella, and she became his next target."

Jasper's eyes softened.

"Al," he said quietly.

"I wouldn't of even got the chance to meet her," I said, my voice cracking.

"It's okay, Al." He began rubbing my back. "Edward got to her. She's safe. You'll get the chance to meet her."

"I know," I said. He leaned down and kissed my temple. "Maybe I can introduce myself tomorrow."

"Alice," Jasper said warningly. "You know you have to wait for Edward to give you the okay."

I sighed. "I know that too. But he doesn't get it. I love her too."

Jasper sighed this time. "I know, Al. But it's different for him. He loves her like I love you."

"I know," I said, taking his hand, but never lifting my head.

"Do you want me to stay out here with you?" he asked quietly, his lips brushing against my ear.

"For a little while."

He stayed with me for over an hour, before he leaned down again.

"Alice, I think I'm going to go back inside," he said.

"Okay," I said, sitting up.

He leaned forward as gave me a kiss before standing up.

"I'm going to go read," he said. "So I'll probably be in the room when you come inside."

"Hey, Jazz," I said. He turned. "Thank you for staying with me."

"Anytime, Darlin'."

He smiled as he turned and headed inside of the house.

"Hey, Jasper," Emmett called as soon as the door opened. "How about a game of chess?"

"I just want to read for a while," Jasper groaned. I laughed as he head up the stairs.

The smile faltered sometime later, when I saw the Volvo coming up the driveway.

"Carlisle's in his study," I said, before he could speak.

"Thank you," he said, tousling my hair as he passed.

Thank you for returning my call, I thought bitterly.

"Oh," Edward said, stopping at the door. He pulled out his phone, and flipping it open. "Sorry. I didn't even check to see who it was. I was….busy."

"I know," I said. "I'm sorry too. By the time I saw what was happening, you were already on your way. But I didn't know that until after I called."

"It was very close," he murmured to me.

I put my face in my hands. Sorry. I repeated, ashamed.

"Don't be," Edward said. "I know you can't catch everything. No one expects you to be omniscient, Alice."

"Thanks," I said, although I was sure that he would have felt differently if Bella wasn't safe.

"I almost asked you out to dinner tonight—did you catch that before I changed my mind?"

I grinned up at him. "No I missed that one too. Wish I'd known. I would have come."

"What were you concentrating on, that you missed so much."

Jasper's thinking of our anniversary. I laughed. He's trying to not to make a decision on my gift. Although I have a pretty good idea….I showed him the locket. Isn't it beautiful?

"You're shameless."

"Yep."

I pursed my lips. I paid better attention later. Are you going to tell them she knows?

He sighed. "Yes, later."

I won't say anything, to Jazz or the others. But do me a favor, and tell Rosalie when I'm not around, okay?

He flinched.

Bella took it pretty well, I continued.

"Too well."

I grinned up at him. Don't underestimate Bella.

He sighed heavily. He was growing impatient. I didn't need Jasper to know this. "Alice…." he started. I knew what he was planning to ask.

She'll be fine tonight. I'm keeping a better watch now. She sort of need twenty four hour supervision, doesn't she?

"At least."

"Anyway, you'll be with her soon enough."

"Go on—get this done so you can be where you want to be."

He nodded and flew through the house.

I closed my eyes, and looked ahead.

Everything would go smoothly. No complications.

I opened my eyes and smiled. Carlisle and Edward came back then, and I showed Edward as he and Carlisle headed for the Volvo.

I smiled and waved at both of them as they pulled out. Carlisle gave a wave from the driver's side window. Once they were far enough away from the house, I turned to go inside.


Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the chapters! I figured since last chapter I showed more of a meaner side of Edward, I would show his nice side in this one. Like I said, they are close, and I haven't gotten the chance to show much of that. So with that being said, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Follow, favorite, and review! :)