"All of a sudden it's not gravity holding you to the planet. It's her. You would do anything; be anything, for her." ~Jacob Black, Eclipse


Chapter 128- Imprint

Jasper showed up at the cottage close to an hour after I had gotten started.

"Are they back already?" I asked, as I put the final panel in place.

"No, but they'll be heading back this way soon. This place looks great, Al."

I hopped off the roof and looked at the cottage from where he stood.

"Does it look great?"

"Definitely."

"I guess at this rate, I'll have it done tonight."

"I don't doubt that," Jasper smiled.

He kissed the top of my head and smiled as he laid his cheek on the top of my head.

"Come on, Ali. Let's head back."

"Will you come back later to help me?"

"Of course," he smiled. "If that's what you want then I promise that I'll be there."

"I'm sorry I left you behind," I said, watching him carefully. "I just wanted to be alone for a bit."

"Alice, you are completely fine."

"Jazz?"
"Hmm?"

"Why did Carlisle give Edward credit for my idea?"

"I don't know, love. But if it makes you feel better, once you left I pointed it out to him."

I smiled.

"Thanks, Jazz."

"Of course. Now, should we Apparate back or should I carry you back?"

He swept me off of my feet and held me close to his chest.

"This is nice," I smiled.

"Yes," he agreed. "It is. I think I'll carry you back."

He began running, and he slowed down as we approached the house. He sat me down and smiled. He took my hand and guided me into the living room.
Jacob was the one holding the child when we stepped into the living room. Rosalie was sitting in front of the coffee table.

"Hey, Pixie," Jacob greeted with a smile.

"Hi there."

"Alice, can you help me?" Rosalie asked as Jasper took a seat on the couch. "I'm trying to make a scrapbook for Bella, but I can't get the pictures to move, and overall I just can't get it to look good."

"Well they won't move without the developing potion."

"Then can you put that on?"

"No."

"Why?" she demanded.

"Five reasons. One, I am freshly out. Two the potion takes a long time to make. Three, George and I are starting the expansion testing this weekend so I'll need both of my cauldrons. Four, that potion has to go on during the developing stage and all of these are far too developed. And lastly, five, my favorite reason, when I'm gone nobody will be able to stop the picture from moving. A nosy Muggle is bound to pick it up, thus exposing Wizardkind."

I sat back against Jasper's legs and watched as the room processed what I said.

"What happens if we expose Wizardkind?" Carlisle asked, watching me carefully.

"Three possibilities," I said, holding up three fingers. "First, you'll all be Obliviated. Me, Jasper, and the Wizarding world will cease to exist in your memory. It'd be like we never existed. Two, because you were fully aware of the International Statute of Secrecy and you still exposed Wizardkind, you could face a one to five year sentence in Azkaban."

"And the last?"

"I asked Kingsley when I went home. The Volturi can not formally execute me without the consultation of the Ministry because they are my primary government, and even more so now that I've made an Unbreakable Vow with Aro. The same thing applies to all of you. They could, and most likely would turn you over to the Volturi who could then do as they see fit."

"Could you do anything for us?" Esme asked.

"No, I'm not a governing body."

They're all getting worried, Jasper warned, and he ran a hand through my hair.

"Of course you should have nothing to worry about," I continued. "Not unless it's something that you're currently planning on doing. At that point, you could be charged for a conspiracy to overthrow Wizardkind."

"Oh, don't be stupid, Alice," Carlisle scoffed.

"I'm not being stupid. You started fidgeting. It gave me the idea that you got a little nervous."

Carlisle scoffed again.

"Do you honestly think that I'd do that to you, Alice?"

"I think anything is possible. More and more things that I always thought were impossible happened."

"You're impossible."

"Maybe," I agreed. "But at least I'm honest with myself."

Carlisle stayed quiet. In his mind, he compared who I am now to who I was when I showed up on his doorstep all those years ago.

What happened to her? Carlisle asked himself. Did we do this to her?

"Yes," I said, quietly. "In a way. But it's not necessarily a bad thing. Thanks to you guys, I've learned how to defend myself. I'm not weak anymore."

I helped Rosalie quietly after that. When we were finished, I retreated to the bedroom. Jasper followed and pulled me into his arms.

"Only five more months, my love," he murmured into my hair. "They'll go quickly."

"I hope so," I sighed.

When we heard Edward and Bella, Jasper and I returned downstairs. Jacob met them outside, and I sat furthest away from the others. When Bella, Jacob, and Edward came inside, Edward gave me an apologetic look.

I'm so sorry about the dress, he thought.

Nothing can be done now. But you and her owe me four hundred dollars.

Understood.

"I was just out for two days?" Bella asked in surprise.

Bella watched the child and Renesmee watched her too. After a minute, Renesmee reached back to Rosalie and pressed a hand against Bella's neck.

In Rosalie's mind, I saw Bella. Human and dying.

"Yes," Rosalie smiled. "That's her."

When Bella took a step forward, everyone seemed to react. Jasper and Emmett were shoulder to shoulder in front of Bella while Edward held her from behind. Jacob moved protectively in front of Rosalie, while Esme and Carlisle flanked Rosalie's sides.

I rolled my eyes and hopped off the banister.

"Merlin, you all are over her some credit. She wasn't going to do anything. You'd want a closer look, too. I remember wanting to get a closer look at Teddy when I first met him. Then again when I first came home."

Thank you, Alice.

"Sure," I smiled. "Now, Jasper, if you could kindly move to the side so that Bella could see her daughter."

"Alice—" Jasper started.

I shook my head.

"Don't, Jazz. She wants to see. So let her see. Stand at her side instead of blocking the way."

"And if she attacks?"

"She won't."

"I'm okay," Bella promised, patting Edward's hand, "Keep close, though, just in case."

Jasper stayed frozen in place.

"Jazz, Em, let us through. Bella's got this."

"Edward, the risk—," Jasper said.

"Minimal. Listen, Jasper—on the hunt she caught the scent of some hikers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . ."

I had seen this. Bella had made the decision to leave the man be just as soon as she had made the decision to attack. I watched Jasper closely.

"Edward! How could you be so irresponsible?"

"I know, Carlisle, I know. I was just plain stupid. I should have taken the time to make sure we were in a safe zone before I set her loose."

"Edward,"Bella mumbled. I watched as the others searched for a change in her eyes.

"He's absolutely right to rebuke me, Bella, I made a huge mistake. The fact that you are stronger than anyone I've ever known doesn't change that."

I rolled my eyes.

"Tasteful joke, Edward."

"I wasn't making a joke. I was explaining to Jasper why I know Bella can handle this. It's not my fault everyone jumped to conclusions."

"Wait," Jasper gasped. "She didn't hunt the humans?"

"She started to," Edward said, clearly enjoying himself. "She was entirely focused on the hunt." "What happened?"

"She heard me behind her and reacted defensively. As soon as my pursuit broke into her concentration, she snapped right out of it. I've never seen anything to equal her. She realized at once what was happening, and then… she held her breath and ran away."

"Whoa," Emmett murmured. "Seriously?"

"He's not telling it right," Bella said, looking to the floor. "He left out the part where I growled at him."

"Did ya get in a couple of good swipes?" Emmett asked, leaning forward.

"No! Of course not."

"No, not really? You really didn't attack him?"

"Emmett!" Bella hissed.

"Aw, what a waste," Emmett groaned. "And here you and Alice are the only ones who can take him without him cheating, and you had a perfect excuse, too. I've been dying to see how he'd do without that advantage."

"I would never," Bella growled.

"You see what I mean?"

"It's not natural," Jasper muttered

I chuckled, and made my way to him.

"Come here, you," I smiled. I put my arms around his neck and pulled him to me.

Jasper glared at me.

"Edward," Bella said, looking around "Please."

"Jazz, please," I murmured, pulling his face to mine. "This isn't like what you've seen before. You trust me, right?"
Jasper's eyes searched mine, and after a moment he sighed.

"Fine. But Alice, stay behind me. Please."

"Fine."

Jasper placed my hand on his side, and he placed his hand on Bella's shoulder. We slowly moved towards the child, and it suddenly became very impatient and let out a wail.

Everyone except for Bella, Jasper, and I ran towards the child.

"What's the matter? Is she hurt? What happened?" Jacob asked.

"No, she's fine," Rosalie reassured.

"Why is Rosalie reassuring Jacob?" Bella asked me.

"Well," I said slowly, turning to Jasper.

"No," Jasper interrupted before I could continue. "Not your place, Alice."

"Alice?" Bella asked.

"I'm sorry, I can't."

"See?" Rosalie was saying. "She just wants Bella."

"She wants me?" Bella asked in surprise.

"She's been waiting for you for almost three days," Jasper said.

We were almost with the others, and Bella seemed to be growing increasingly nervous. Jacob help Renesmee tightly, seeming almost reluctant to pass Renesmee over.

"Jake—I'm fine," Bella said in a shaky voice.

I watched as Renesmee reached for Bella again. Jacob stretched his arms out, but didn't let her go.

This isn't going to turn out well, I told Edward.

No, definitely not.

"What… was… that?" Bella said after a moment.

"What did you see?" Rosalie asked. "What did she show you?"

"She showed me that?"

"I told you it was hard to explain," Edward told Bella. "But effective."

"What was it?" Jacob asked.

"Um. Me. I think. But I looked terrible."

"It was the only memory she had of you," I said, as I caught the memory in Bella's head. "She's letting you know that she's made the connection, that she knows who you are."

"But how did she do that?"

"How do I hear thoughts?" Edward asked. "How does Jasper feel our emotions? She's gifted."

"It's an interesting twist," Carlisle said to Edward. "Like she's doing the exact opposite of what you can."

"Interesting," Edward agreed. "I wonder. . . ."

Carlisle and Edward began to question something but I didn't focus on it. I focused on Jasper instead.

He watched the way that Bella interacted with the child. I knew he wasn't looking out for Renesmee's sake, but rather to test how dangerous Bella would be.

"She's fine," I murmured in his ear, running a hand through his hair. "Everything is just fine."

"Haven't we experimented enough for one day?" Jacob asked, looking between Jasper and I. His voice was rather high. "Okay, Bella's doing great, but let's not push it."

Oh, here it is.

Alice, please step back, Jasper thought. Please, I don't want you getting caught in this.

I didn't fight Jasper. I stepped back and hopped back over the banister, watching the scene unfold in front of me.

Bella connected the pieces and suddenly I was met with a loud: "No!"
"Rose," Bella said, fighting to keep control of herself. "Take Renesmee."

Rosalie took the child, and then she stepped back, protecting the child.

"Edward, I don't want to hurt you, so please let go of me."

Edward glanced at me, and hesitated.

"Go stand in front of Renesmee," Bella said.

This was enough. He let her go and went to go stand with Rosalie.

"Jazz," I whispered.

"I'm fine, Ali," Jasper said.

"You didn't," Bella snarled.

"You know it's not something I can control."

"You stupid mutt! How could you? My baby!"

"It wasn't my idea, Bella!" Jacob said as he slowly backed out the door.

Jasper held his hand out to me, and I hurried to him.

"I've held her all of one time," Bella said from outside, "and already you think you have some moronic wolfy claim to her? She's mine."

"I can share," Jacob said as we all hurried outside.

"Pay up," Emmett said.

"Emmett, now is not the time," I hissed, watching carefully.

"How dare you imprint on my baby?" Bella snapped. "Have you lost your mind?"

"It was involuntary!"

Seth and Leah appeared from the trees. Leah snapped at Bella, and Bella snarled back.

"Bella, would you try to listen for just a second? Please?" Jacob begged. "Leah, back

off," he added.

"Why should I listen?"

"Because you're the one who told me this. Do you remember? You said we belonged in each other's lives, right? That we were family. You said that was how you and I were supposed to be. So… now we are. It's what you wanted."

"You think you'll be part of my family as my son-in-law!" Bella screamed.

Emmett laughed, and I reached around Jasper sending a sharp spark to his bottom.

"Ouch!" he hissed at me.

"Stop her, Edward," Esme murmured. "She'll be unhappy if she hurts him."

Nobody moved.

"Alice is there anything you can do?" Esme asked.

"No," Jasper said for me. "Alice is not getting involved and having Bella redirect her anger at her."

"You know I don't think of her that way!" Jacob said, still trying to attempt to reason with Bella. He held his hands out in front of him. "Do you think Edward would have let me live this long if I did? All I want is for her to be safe and happy—is that so bad? So different from what you want?"

Bella growled at Jacob.

"Amazing, isn't she?" Edward murmured.

"She hasn't gone for his throat even once." .

"Fine, you win this one," Emmett said.

"You're going to stay away from her," Bella said.

"I can't do that!"

"Try. Starting now."

"It's not possible. Do you remember how much you wanted me around three days ago? How hard it was to be apart from each other? That's gone for you now, isn't it? That was her. From the very beginning. We had to be together, even then."

"Run away while you still can."

"C'mon, Bells! Nessie likes me, too," he insisted.

"There it is," I groaned, making an attempt to step forward. Jasper caught my arm.

"What… did you call her?"

"Well," he mumbled, "that name you came up with is kind of a mouthful and—"

"You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?"

Bella lunged at his throat, and right as I went to throw my hands up to stop her, Seth intervened.

"Seth, don't!" I hollered.

It was too late. In a second, Bella threw Seth at a tree and I heard a sharp crack.

That seemed to be enough to snap Bella back into reality.

Carlisle and I hurried to Seth who had yet to shift back.

"Alice is there something that you can do to help him shift back?" Jacob asked. "He can't shift in that much pain."

"It might hurt a bit."

Do it, Seth said.

"Seth, are you sure?" I asked.

Yes! Just do it!"

I sighed and took my wand from its holster and pointed it at Seth. There was a loud howl followed by Seth's screams. With one more flick of his body, I numbed the pain, and the screaming halted.

"Okay, Seth, I'm going to lift you in the air, but you're perfectly safe."

"Bring him to the couch," Carlisle said, hurrying ahead.

I lifted Seth into the air and Jasper hurried to my side as I passed Bella.

Upon getting Seth inside, I sat him down gently on the couch.

"Do I get to witness the great and magical healing powers of Mary Alice Whitlock?" Seth asked, grinning.

"Wouldn't you rather Carlisle did it?"

Seth shook his head.

"I want you to."

"Alright then," I smiled. "I'll be right back."

Seth smiled, and I headed into the room to get what I needed. From downstairs, Edward rushed in and began apologizing to Seth.

"Don't worry," Seth said. "Alice is going to fix me right up."

"Seth, I—"

"Don't worry about it, Bella. Really I'm fine. Alice is upstairs getting supplies now."

I finished grabbing everything and began to head back downstairs.
"Alright, Seth," I smiled. "We should have you back up and going in no time."

"Need any help, Alice?" Carlisle asked.

"No," I said. "I think I'll be fine."

Carlisle watched me closely as I worked, and Edward kept apologizing over and over again.

"I'm so sorry, Seth. I should have been closer."

"Seth, I—"

"Don't worry about it, Bella, I'm totally fine," Seth said at the same time that Edward said, "Bella, love, no one is judging you. You're doing so well."

"Seth, I'm going to have to take this charm off," I said. "It's going to hurt a bit, but I need to figure out how much Skele-Gro you need."

"Do what you have to do, Alice."

I tapped my wand against his arm and Seth winced.

"Sorry, sorry!" Bella mumbled.

"Don't freak, Bella. I'm fine, right, Alice?"

I studied his scan.

"A broken arm, a few ribs. I don't doubt you'll be fine in about an hour's time."

"Anyone would have done the same, what with Jake and Ness—" He broke off mid-word and changed the subject quickly. "I mean, at least you didn't bite me or anything. That would've sucked."

"You're doing just fine, Bella," I said.

"Were you like this?"

"Sorta," I laughed. "I think at this time I was faking my death. The rage came later when we were with Peter and Charlotte. I threw Jasper into a tree."

"So see?" Seth said. "You're not really a newborn if you don't throw somebody into a tree."

I laughed.

"Exactly. Jazz, how many did you throw into a tree?"

"More than I can count," he smiled.

"See, Bella? You're doing just fine."

"If I'm doing fine then why is Jasper hovering?"

I sighed and looked up at her.

"Jasper worries. We're talking about bringing Teddy up here some, and he wants to make sure that Teddy isn't in danger."

"You trust me?"

"In a sense."

I turned and picked up the Skele-gro.
"Here, Seth. Drink this."
He took the cup from me and drank it. He wrinkled his nose.
"It's definitely not great. Let me go get some Gillywater. It takes the taste out."

As soon as I stood up, Carlisle took my place and began checking over Seth.

Are you going to work on the cottage? Jasper asked.

"Yes. As soon as I finish up here. Are you still coming with me?"

Jasper sucked a breath in between his teeth.

Al, I—

"I'll go ahead and take that as a no," I said, coming back in and handing the Gillywater to Seth.

"Al, I really want to go with you, but—"

"No, it's fine."

"What?" Bella asked, looking between us.

"Nothing. It's not about you. It's something else."

I took my stuff back upstairs and headed for the door.

"Alice, can we talk about this?" Jasper asked from the living room.

"Are you coming with me?"

"No."

"Then no. We can talk later. Esme, Emmett, want to come with me?"

"Sure," Esme smiled.

"Emmett?"

"Sure."

"Where are you going?" Bella asked.
"Hunting."

I headed out of the door and into the trees, not stopping until we got to the cottage.

"It looks great so far, Alice," Esme grinned.

"If you guys want to start on the floors while I expand a few things I would really appreciate it."

We all worked quietly for many hours. Everything came together quite well. Some time later while I was painting the walls of Renesmee's room, Jasper stepped through the door.

"Hey, Al," he said, quietly.

"Jasper," I greeted stiffly.

"I'm sorry," he said, sheepishly.

"For what?"

"For not coming with you."

I shrugged.

"Well I'm glad you could tear yourself away to be here now."

"Is that meant to be sarcastic?"

"No," I said, continuing to paint the wall.

"Are you going to look at me?"

"Not planning on it."

"Why not?"

"Because if I look at you I'm going to forgive you and I'm trying to be mad at you right now."

"Oh really," Jasper murmured, wrapping an arm around my waist from behind me.

"Not funny," I grumbled.

"Not trying to be, my love."

I sighed and turned to face him.

"Why didn't you come?" I asked, looking up at him from under my eyelashes.

"I wanted to," he whispered. "But I had to make sure she was going to be okay without me there. I had to make sure she would be safe to bring Teddy around."

"And her super self control is annoying you?" I guessed. "Or would that be me?"

Jasper laughed.

"No, it's definitely not you."

"Well if you're going to be here you might as well help me. Pick up a paintbrush and get to work, Major."

"Yes ma'am," he smiled before he leaned down to kiss me.

Jasper told me about his annoyance with Bella's self control.

"That means only I am struggling."
"No, love,' I said, shaking my head. "You're not struggling. You're doing much, much better. You made it through the wedding without any thoughts of killing the guests."

"True but I was with you the whole time."

"Not the whole time. You danced with other people."

"I guess I did," he said.

"I guess my funeral will be the final tell about how much you're struggling, huh?"

"Well Carlisle wanted me to talk to you about that."

"What about?"

"He and Edward are starting to talk about leaving Forks. He knows that you and I can't leave any earlier than February. So he was wondering if you wanted to just stay here until then and then the two of us would just disappear in the night."

"Huh," I said, putting the paintbrush down. "I thought that we'd stay with them until we left. I mean surely they know MACUSA said I can't leave Forks."

"They know," Jasper said. "But they don't want to stay here for much longer and risk Bella being seen."
"Right," I said, looking at the ground. "Well if that's what they want, then that's what will happen. You and I will stay here and then disappear in the night."

I stayed relatively quiet as we finished up. I hung up Bella and Edward's clothes, and smiled.

"Well I guess all else fails you and I can stay here," I said.

"They're still working out where to go. Edward says that hopefully they'll be gone by the end of next month."

"Great, so at least this won't be for nothing."

"No," Jasper smiled. "Not for nothing."

"Well I think that we're done here," I said, tucking my wand away.

"Are you going to show it to her before work?"

I nodded.

"It's the plan."

"Ready to go?" Esme asked, poking her head through the door.

"Yeah," I said, nodding as I hung up the last shirt.

"Let's go then."

Emmett, Esme, Jasper, and I headed back to the house. Instead of running and jumping across the river, I swung from the trees. Jasper watched me before he too came across the river.

"Finally," Edward said from inside the house. I've got to talk to you he added silently.

"Later," I said, when I got in the house.

"When?"
"When I get back from work. For now, happy birthday, Bella!"


Hey guys! I know it was a short chapter but I think that the next few should be longer. It'll take me a bit to get the next chapter up. I've finished the first book of The Potter Twins so I've got a bit of planning to do and then the first two chapters for that. In addition to that, school started back up for me on the fifth, so I'm trying to get readapted to that. It's strange going to school in a time like this. Everything feels strange. So I do hope that all of you stay safe. One last note, chapters 1-15 is revised and like some of the earlier chapters some things have been reworded/added.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and the chapters to come.

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