"One of the best things about Charlie: he doesn't hover." ~Bella Swan, Twilight
Chapter 130- Charlie
"Damn it," I growled before hurrying up the stairs.
"Hey guys," Jacob greeted from downstairs. In addition to Jacob there were two more heartbeats. I was certain Seth and Leah were with him.
Hi there, Alice, Seth said, confirming my thoughts.
I didn't answer. I was too focused on digging through the closet to find my old bag while trying to assess the situation downstairs.
"Charlie'll be here soon. Just a heads-up. I assume Alice went to get you some sunglasses or a potion that'll cover up those eyes or something?"
"You assume way too much," Bella snapped. "Alice can't fix this! What. Have. You. Done?"
"Blondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and on about how all of you—minus Alice and Jasper—are moving across the country. Like I could let that happen. Well Charlie was the biggest issue there, right? Well now the problem is solved."
I turned my focus away from Jacob and groaned.
"Where did I put the damn thing," I growled.
I pulled my phone from my pocket, dialed Jasper's number, and hit send.
"Alice?" Jasper asked, worried, picking up on the third ring. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
"There's not a lot of time to explain," I said, closing my eyes and rubbing my forehead, "but do you know what I did with my old bag? The one from when we first met?"
"It should be on the shelf," Jasper said. "You asked me to put it up there when you changed bags."
"Of course!" I said, hopping off the floor. I held the phone to my ear with my shoulder as I pulled the chair from my desk to the shelf. When I got on top of the chair, the bag was the first thing I saw on the shelf.
"Did you find it?" Jasper asked.
"Yes," I said, sighing in relief. "Thanks, Jazz."
"Your welcome. Did you need anything else?"
"No, I think that's everything."
"Okay, well George and I are closing the store early. Business is slow and we were worried about you. We'll be at the Burrow."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Bye," Jasper said, then the line went dead.
I hopped off the chair, returned it to it's spot at the desk, and exited the closet.
What are you looking for? Edward asked as I dumped the contents of the bag onto the bed.
Back when I was first changed, Helen, Tobias, and I used colored contacts to hide the red eyes. I never got rid of them. Something in my gut told me I'd need them. So I put freshness charms on them to keep them from expiring then I hid them in a shrunken bag. When I stopped using this bag, I put them in here and hid this bag. To keep it safe.
I found the shrunken bag in the pile of stuff I'd been meaning to donate. I enlarged the bag and peered inside, making sure everything was still in there and unharmed.
I reclosed the bag, and started to head from the room. I paused at Jasper's desk and looked at the cuff for a minute.
"Might be helpful," I sighed before bounding down the stairs.
"I told Charlie that you and Jasper were on your way back from Los Angeles where you've been in quarantine away from Bella," Jacob said. "Is that okay?"
I nodded.
"I'll have to shrink down my Porsche then Apparate to the bottom of the driveway then drive up, just in case he's here when Jasper and I get back. How long ago did you say we left?"
"I said you left at about eight last night."
"Okay…For now, you, you, and you," I said, pointing to the three wolves. "I don't see you leaving anytime soon, so if you absolutely must stay here, then get in that corner and commit to benign there for awhile. I need to see. Bella you'd better give Renesmee to Jacob. I can't see."
Jacob grinned, took Renesmee, then waved Seth and Leah to the corner I pointed at.
"Am I allowed to leave?" Leah asked.
"Of course," Jacob said.
"Just stay to the East so that you avoid Charlie's path," I added.
Leah ducked out the door and I sighed.
"What are you going to do when I'm gone and can't clean up your messes anymore?" I asked in a half-joking and half-serious voice.
"Call you to come help," Edward grinned.
I snorted.
"Fat chance of that happening."
Bella was trembling and Edward took her hand.
"You can do this," he said. "I know you can. I'll help you. We all will. If I didn't believe that you could handle it, we'd disappear right this second. But you can do this, and I can guarantee you that you'll be happier with Charlie in your life."
"He's right," I said, with a small smile. "It's better having your family with you. And to ensure that you can do this, I brought this." I paused and held up the cuff. "You won't hurt him. Not this time."
Bella sighed in relief.
"See, Bells?" Jacob said as I snapped the cuff into place on Bella's arm. "I told you Alice could fix this."
Bella took a deep breath.
"Better?" Edward asked.
"Tons. Thanks, Alice."
"Sure. Now for these," I said, reaching into my bag, and pulling out a box of contacts. "Now you resemble a human, but you're still technically not a human. You still have venom in your eyes. These will irritate your eyes a bit. You've gotten used to sharp vision and these cloud your vision a bit on top of the already dulled vision that the cuff provides. They won't match the old color perfectly. They were meant to match my old color. Mud brown…but I guess that muddy brown is better than bright red, right?"
"When did you—"
"Helen and Tobias got them for me when I was changed. I had a feeling that I'd need them again in the future, so I put a freshness charm on them to keep them from expiring in case I needed them again."
I watched as she put them in.
"Why don't you use the spell you used to use on you and Jasper?" Rosalie asked. "You could get the exact color and it'd be more realistic."
"Because I won't be here to keep up with it in case it wears off."
"How do I look?" Bella asked, turning to Edward.
"Gorgeous," he grinned. "Of course—"
I rolled my eyes and cut him off.
"Yes, yes, we know. She always looks gorgeous. We know. Now those contacts won't last forever. The venom is still in your eyes and will dissolve them in a few hours. If Charlie stays longer than that, it's convenient. You can excuse yourself to go to the bathroom and replace them. Esme, give her some pointers on how to act human so I can go stock the bathroom with these."
"How long do we have?"
"Five minutes. That's when Charlie will knock on the door."
The second I left the room, I heard everyone begin to give Bella advice.
Typical, I thought to myself. They never listen.
"I said Esme," I said as I stepped back into the room. "You'll overwhelm her."
"No, no, I think I got it all," Bella reassured me. "Sit, look around, blink, and fidget."
I nodded, and turned my attention to the future.
"The benefit of the cuff," I said as I refocused my attention on the present, "for all intents and purposes you are human."
"I thought Jasper was the only one that could put it on and take it off," Jacob commented.
"When Jasper took it off Rosalie, I altered it. I figured it could come in handy. Now, if things go according to plan then Charlie should walk out of here without a scratch."
"Is there a chance the cuff will fail?" Bella asked, panic rising in her voice.
"No," I said, shaking my head. I turned to look at Jacob. "Renesmee might be another problem. I understand she has a biting problem?"
"I'll talk to her," Edward said.
"Kreacher!" I called.
Kreacher appeared with a crack.
"Yes, Little Miss?"
"A Muggle is coming," I told him. "Until I tell you otherwise, you are not allowed to be on this floor. Understand?"
"Yes, Little Miss," Kreacher said. "Perhaps Kreacher should go to Little Miss's house in London."
I nodded.
"That's okay if that's what you'd like to do. But if you come back here, you can't go below mine and Jasper's room."
Kreacher nodded.
"Of course, Little Miss."
"That's all. You may go."
I watched Bella carefully for a moment.
"Maybe we should have you already sitting on the couch…you've been sick after all."
I pulled Bella to the couch. Bella made a fake feeble appearance with her arms and legs. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"I see that the transformation hasn't improved your acting."
"Jacob, I need Renesmee," Bella said.
"No," I said, thankful for Jacob who hadn't moved. "I need to see to make sure I've thought of everything. When I leave, it's all up to you, and if I miss something now—"
"Please, Alice," she begged. "She helps keep me calm."
I watched her for a second then sighed.
"Hold her as still as you can and I'll try to see around her."
I glared at Jacob, Bella, and the child. The future went black, and when Jacob moved back into the corner, it went fuzzy. I felt a small throb in my head.
"Make the decision to take Renesmee out of the room when Charlie gets here," I told Bella. "I don't care if you do or not, I just need to see the outcome."
The future became increasingly clear, and as far as I could see, everything went according to plan.
"Right then," I said. "I think my work here is done. Jacob, Seth, you can sit now."
"Actually, I think you'd better leave, Jacob," Edward said.
"I told Charlie I'd be here," Jacob said. "He needs the moral support."
"Moral support," Edward scoffed. "As far as Charlie knows, you're the most repulsive monster of us all."
"Repulsive?" Jake protested, and then he laughed quietly to himself.
I heard wheels turn off the highway.
"I guess that's my cue," I murmured.
Carlisle appeared at my side with the oxygen tank in hand.
"In case he's still here," he said.
"Thanks," I said, before stowing it away in the bag that I had just picked up off the floor.
I grabbed the keys to the Porsche and headed to the back door.
Alice! Edward called.
"Hmm?" I asked, out loud, pausing with a hand on the door knob.
Thanks, he said. Thanks for doing all this.
I turned and looked at him for a second. He was staring right back at me. So was everyone else in the room.
I didn't have a choice. You know that.
I heard the car door shut, and made the decision to Disapparate to the garage. I tapped the hood of the Porsche with my wand, and put that in my bag too before Disapparating to the Burrow.
I landed outside the back door, and didn't hesitate before I stepped inside.
"Mama!" Teddy exclaimed the second I walked in the door.
I had barely taken a step forward before Teddy collided with me.
"Careful," I grinned. "You'll fall."
"Papa said you might not make it."
"I was always going to come," I frowned. "I just might not have made it on time."
"What was holding you up?" Jasper asked from the kitchen doorway.
"Jacob," I sighed. "He acted foolishly. Come, sit, and I'll tell you what happened."
We all sat down and I told them about what Jacob had done.
"So what does that mean for you?" George asked before anybody else had the chance to speak.
"Nothing," I said. "He didn't tell Charlie anything about us. Vampires, Wizardkind. He told him about his kind."
"Werewolves?" Teddy asked.
"Shape-shifters," I corrected. "Remember, werewolves only turn when the moon is full."
"What about evolution?" Jasper asked.
"What about it?"
"They could have evolved from actual werewolves."
I shook my head.
"No, Newt Scamander said it didn't match. Billy Black told Bella a story. A story about spirit guides…Some Native Americans possess magic. I read up on it when I was hiding out in the attic. The Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes were some of the earliest students at Ilvermorny. They taught Native American magic in exchange for the people of Ilvermorny to teach them wandwork."
"So the Quileutes are witches and wizards too?" Molly asked.
"No, I don't think so," I said, shaking my head. I paused for a second. "Jasper, you once told me that during the Civil War, the Native Americans were forced to move, right?"
"I guess technically it was before the war."
"Do you think there's any possibility that other tribes got mixed up in the process."
"It's possible."
"Then maybe it's possible that a tribe taught them animal magic…I wonder…"
I trailed off, and Jasper and George laughed. It snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry," I said. "I might have to see if the tribe elders would talk to me…maybe they know more. I'll ask Jacob when I get home."
"So nothing will happen to you guys as far as the Volturi are concerned?"
"Right."
"Good," George said. "So what does it mean for Jacob? Will he get in trouble?"
"I should think not considering Jacob is the rightful Alpha to the pack."
"And Charlie?"
"He will continue life just as he always has, except he'll see things much more clearly."
"So how are we going to Apparate home?" Jasper asked.
"We're not," I said, pulling my bag into my lap. "Well, we're not Apparating home."
I pulled the shrunken Porsche out of my bag and held it up for Jasper to see.
"Is that—"
"My Porsche. I shrunk it down so I could carry that."
"Will it affect it any?"
"None at all."
"What's that, Mama?" Teddy asked.
"It's my car," I smiled. "Papa and I use this to get around in the Muggle world."
"Do you have one, Papa?"
"A motorcycle," Jasper smiled. "It's like a bike but with a motor."
"Can I see it sometime?"
"Sometime," I said. "I think Papa is going to bring it when we come home."
Jasper nodded.
"It's the plan."
"Did you have time to talk to Emmett, Jacob, Seth, and Carlisle?" George asked.
"It didn't even cross my mind, but I'll ask when I go back home."
"When will that be?" Teddy asked.
I looked at Jasper.
"Jacob said we left at about eight last night."
Jasper was quiet.
"That'd put us getting there at about three-thirty."
"Which is about eleven-thirty here…"
"If you want you guys can stay down here until you leave," Molly offered.
"No, that's alright. Charlie knows that Jasper drives fast. Maybe we can cut it down a few hours…Leave here at about eight, then it's noon there…I can Apparate us to Port Angeles and we'd get there a little later."
Jasper nodded.
"That's what we'll do then."
"I'll let Edward know."
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Edward the plan.
"So how much longer can you stay?" Teddy asked, tugging on Jasper's sleeve.
"We have a few hours, darling," I murmured. "Don't worry. We're not leaving just yet. So, George, how was the store after I left? Jasper said it was slow?"
"Very," George said, shaking his head. "We had two people come in after you left."
"Well maybe we can keep the store closed tomorrow," I said. "We have to start getting things ready for testing, and we have that dinner with Dominic Maestro tomorrow."
George nodded.
"Okay, so why don't we meet up here tomorrow instead of the store?" George proposed. "It's a neutral location so no parties would be uncomfortable. We'll make a plan, then we can head to dinner."
"Sure," I agreed, and glanced at Jasper. "Is noon okay?"
"Sounds great. Just be sure to bring a dress. That place is kinda upscale."
I nodded.
"What color is your tie going to be?" Molly asked. "The two of you should match. Appear like a united front."
"Do you have any navy dresses?" George asked.
"One," I said. "I don't know if it's too upscale though."
"What's it look like?"
"I can show it to you or draw it for you," I offered.
"How can you show it if you're supposed to be on your way back from LA?"
I waved a hand, and the dress appeared.
"I've been practicing," I said.
"Fantastic!" George grinned, taking the dress from me.
"Is that too upscale?"
"No, no, this is just fine."
"Good," I smiled. "I've never gotten the chance to wear it."
"Where'd you get it?"
"Before we left Ithaca, Jasper was wanting to go to this event at Cornell…We left about a week before the event. I thought about wearing it to the wedding, but it didn't really match Bella's theme."
"So you'll wear this, and I'll wear a navy blue tie."
"Brilliant," I smiled. "So we have a plan then?"
"Seems like it."
"Is this just you and George or do I need to find my suit?" Jasper asked.
"Sorry, love, but I think it's just George and I."
"Then I think I'll come here and hang out with you, Teddy," Jasper grinned. "How's that?"
"Brilliant!" Teddy exclaimed.
"I think this will be good for the two of you," I grinned. "Maybe we could bring your motorcycle and you can show it to Teddy."
Jasper thought about it for a second.
"I think that's a great idea, Ali," Jasper said. "Do you think we can get a child's helmet on short notice?"
"I'm sure we can find one in Port Angeles. We'll stop somewhere on the way home."
"Why does he need a helmet?" Molly asked.
"So he doesn't get hurt."
"They're not dangerous, right?" George asked.
I turned to Jasper.
"No," Jasper said. "I'll have a hold of him, and we'll only be going around here. No highways or anything like that."
"But you can't drive fast," I said. "There are no seatbelts, and—"
"Ali, he'll be fine," Jasper said, soothingly.
"Yeah, Mama, I'll be fine."
"Okay, okay, but you have to listen to your Papa."
"I will, Mama."
"You'd better. I'll know if you don't."
"So when will you start practice again?" George asked, leaning back.
"I think I'll call Severus tonight," I said. "I need something to do at night when I'm not working, and I'm going to need something to do while Jasper's at Hogwarts."
"When's that starting?
"I'll be going to the castle on the first, but that's on a Sunday, so I won't actually start until that Monday."
"How are you getting there?"
"I'll drop him off that morning. Originally the plan was that I'd come get him, but it's on a Sunday so he'll just stay in the castle. We're still finalizing plans…Well he and Minerva are."
"I'm thinking of staying there that first week," Jasper said. "Get an understanding of the schedule, when I start, when I'm finished."
"Maybe you can come stay with me then," I murmured to Teddy.
"Can I?" he asked, excitedly.
"We'll talk to Grandma, and I'll talk to Carlisle. But don't get your hopes too high."
"I won't, Mama."
Couldn't you bring him to London? Jasper asked.
"I could," I murmured. "But with Charlie being involved in Bella's life now—"
"Right," Jasper murmured. "So how will you explain Teddy?"
"Hide out in our room or at Bella and Edward's cottage. I'll figure something out when I talk to Carlisle."
Not long after that, the others started to arrive. Molly had started getting dinner ready, and that finished right as Angelina, who came in last, came through the door. Angelina was grinning ear to ear.
"Hi there, Alice," she said. "Mind if I steal George for a moment?"
"By all means," I said, leaning back.
George looked at me questioningly, and I shrugged.
"Wonder what that's all about," I murmured to Jasper, too quiet for anybody else to hear.
I watched as the two stepped outside.
"I have no clue," Jasper said. "But I'm sure that George will tell you."
"I'm sure he will," I said, watching the window for a second before turning back to Teddy. "Come on, dearie. Let's go wash up for dinner, eh?"
When Teddy and I returned, George and Angelina were back. Angelina was still grinning happily. George looked happy too, but not nearly as happy as his wife.
"Hey, Al?" George said. "Can I talk to you?"
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, there's just a few things we need to work out."
"Can it wait?" I asked. "Don't you want to eat dinner first?"
"I think we need to work this out now. Before dinner tomorrow."
"Okay. Where should we go?"
"Why don't we go to mine and Fred's old room."
"Okay," I said slowly. "I guess we'll be right back."
George walked quickly ahead of me. I followed on his heels. When he made it to the room, he shut the door behind me.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked.
"You said that we have enough from the store's funds to cover the whole transaction for the new building, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. You've barely dug into the store's vaults since it opened, the building in Diagon Alley is paid off. The only money we really spend is in imports and what we'll be paying our testers."
"Alice, is there any way that we can get the downpayment money from the store's vaults before we go to dinner tomorrow?"
"Sure, if we go to Gringotts in the morning. Why? What's wrong?"
"Angelina's pregnant," George said, looking up at me.
"Oh, Georgie, that's great!"
"It is," he agreed. "Angelina was wondering if we could go back on the deal or if you could handle more of it. She wants to save up for the baby."
"I don't think it'll be a problem, George," I said. "Put that money back into your vault. I'll talk to Jasper tonight, see if we can swing a bit more so we don't have to dip so far into the store's vault."
"Thanks, Ali."
"I didn't know," I murmured. "I didn't see…"
"Angelina flipped on her decision to find out, then her decision to tell me. She wanted me to know before you knew. She says she's about three months along now."
"Well I think that this is great," I smiled.
"I wonder what it is," he murmured. "A boy or a girl."
"If it's a girl, are you still going to name her after me since I'm alive and well?"
"Maybe indirectly," George grinned.
"Indirectly?"
"Alison instead of Alice," he grinned.
I laughed and shook my head.
"Right then. We'd better get downstairs. I'll talk to Jasper and see what we can do. Put that money back into your account. I'll drop Jasper off here in the morning, then I'll go by Gringotts to switch some things around. And it seems I have another account to open."
George laughed.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. You've got two little ones now. The earlier I start it, the more interest will accumulate in it."
George nodded.
"If you're sure."
"I'll bring you the key first thing tomorrow."
George nodded.
"So is testing still going to go as planned?" I asked.
George nodded again.
"It's the plan. You're going to talk to Seth, Jacob, Emmett, and Carlisle when you get home, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "As soon as we get there I'm going to talk to Carlisle, then I'll talk to Jacob, Seth, and Emmett when Charlie leaves."
"Good. Good. Come on. Let's head back downstairs."
George and I moved through the house. Everyone had started eating but there was a plate saved, and an empty spot next to Jasper.
George and I took our spots, and everyone seemed to be looking at us.
"Is everything okay?" Molly asked, looking between the two of us. "You weren't fighting again, were you?"
"No!" George and I exclaimed together.
"Trust me, Mum, I'll tell you when the time is right, but not yet."
Molly pursed her lips and turned back to her plate.
"Okay," she murmured.
I leaned over to Jasper.
"I need to talk to you when we leave," I murmured against his ear.
Can we talk about it in the car or—
"That's fine," I murmured. "It just needs to be tonight."
Jasper nodded, and I leaned my head against his shoulder.
"So, Alice," Angelina said with a smile, "how are things in America?"
"Slightly better," I said. "We've moved Edward, Bella, and the child into a cottage nearby."
"So are things safer there now?" Hermione asked before taking a bite of the roast.
"Much," Jasper said. "The child is very—"
"Spoiled," I interrupted.
"Spoiled?" George questioned. "How so?"
"It's never been put down in it's life, it gets everything it wants as soon as it wails." I sighed and shook my head. "I guess it's not really my place to comment on their parenting style but I think it can safely be said that I don't agree with it."
"So you're not going to give Teddy everything he wants," Harry teased.
"Definitely not," Jasper and I said together.
Teddy looked between us, but said nothing.
"I want Teddy to grow up to be a respectable young man…how do I do that if I spoil him?"
"Alice, you don't have to justify yourself to us," Ron said. "We don't doubt that you and Jasper will do a fine job raising Teddy."
"What were your parents like, Jasper?" Angelina asked. "Did they spoil you?"
"Definitely not," Jasper laughed. "I'm almost certain that if I tried to get my way by wailing like that child does, I'd be over my father's knee in a heartbeat."
I watched him closely. He rarely mentioned his father. If he talked about his family, it was usually his mother.
"What?" he murmured to me. "Was corporal punishment not really a thing here?"
"Oh, no, no, that's not it at all," I said, shaking my head.
"Quite the opposite really," George said, shaking his head. "Mum used to wallop us with a broomstick if we misbehaved."
"A broomstick?" Jasper asked.
"Ah, it wasn't so bad," I shrugged. "No worse than a cane really."
Jasper watched me, clearly amused.
"Did you ever—"
"Once," I said. "I was very young, and Fred, George, and I were playing in Arthur's flying car…I didn't realize that Remus had given Molly the go ahead to punish me as she saw fit, so the three of us received the same punishment."
"Only once?" Jasper said.
"I never made the same mistake twice," I said, winking at Jasper.
I guess that there is still a lot we need to talk about parenting wise, Jasper said, running a hand through Teddy's hair. Like is corporal punishment something we're thinking about for punishment?
"We can talk about that later, darling," I murmured. "When Teddy's not nearby."
Jasper nodded.
"So what were your parents like, Jasper?" Ginny asked. "I've never heard you mention them."
"Well my parents were from Texas like me," he said. "They were very conservative. But then again, I think everybody was conservative at that time…"
"Were they soldiers too?" Harry asked.
"No, but my father is why I wanted to be a soldier. He died right before the war. He had pneumonia. I was all my Ma had left when I died."
Jasper went quiet very quickly.
"I hear that his mother was a good woman," I said. "He talks about her most often."
"We don't mean to pry, Jasper," George said. "We're just curious about the people who made you."
"I understand," Jasper said. "It's just hard to remember them…it's been so long since I was human, the memories are becoming more and more clouded as time passes."
"Will it be like that to Alice?" Angelina asked, "the older she gets the more clouded her memory of us becomes?"
"No, we don't think so. Alice's memories are more clear than I've ever seen in a vampire, and believe me I've met plenty."
"You won't forget me, will you Papa?"
"No," Jasper said resting his cheek on Teddy's head. "It's only my human life that I'm forgetting. But you, my son, I will remember you for the rest of my time on this Earth, and for an eternity after."
Teddy smiled, content with Jasper's answer.
After dinner, we all retreated back to the living room where everyone was getting ready to leave. George and Angelina were the last ones to leave.
"Remember to talk to Carlisle and the others," he said as he pulled me into a hug.
"I will," I smiled.
Angelina surprisingly pulled me into a hug when George let me go.
"Congratulations," I murmured in her ear. "George is really excited."
"Alice, I want to apologize. I haven't been fair to you. It's just that George was so hurt when you went back to America and—"
'Angelina, it's okay. I'm not mad."
It's a cheap excuse, but I think it might have been hormones, Angelina thought.
"If it's any consolation to you, you're more tolerable than Bella was," I grinned. "Although, thinking back on it, three months ago is about when you started acting differently towards me."
"Sorry about that," Angelina said sheepishly.
"No worries. I understand. Surge of hormones and all."
"So can we start again?" she asked.
"Sure," I said. "I don't see why not."
Angelina stood straight up and extended her hand to me.
"Hi, Alice, I'm Angelina, George's wife. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I laughed and took her hand, shaking it gently.
"Hello, Angelina. I'm Alice. George's best friend. The pleasure is mine."
Angelina and I giggled and George and Jasper watched us closely.
"I think they've gone mad," George whispered to Jasper.
George and Angelina left not long after. Jasper looked down at his watch. It was 8:15.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Do you have everything?"
"I think so," Jasper said, checking around the living room.
"Are you heading out, dears?" Molly asked.
"I think so," I said. "We'd better be getting back."
"And you all are meeting back here tomorrow morning, right?"
"Right," I nodded. "We'll be here around eight o'clock in the morning if that's alright."
"That's perfectly fine," Molly said, pulling me back into a tight hug. "Good luck at practice tonight."
"Thanks, Molly."
She hugged Jasper, and then Jasper took my hand.
"Ready when you are," Jasper said.
The Burrow disappeared behind us. We landed in a dark alley in Port Angeles.
"Right then," I smiled. "Ready to go see about a helmet?"
I pointed to the biking store across the alley from us.
"I'll go inside, you get the Porsche back to size, and I'll be back in a minute," Jasper said.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Jasper headed towards the bike shop, and I quickly pulled the Porsche, Porsche key, and my wand from my bag. I checked my surroundings, and in the next second the Porsche was back to its regular size.
I waited for Jasper inside the car. While I waited, I put on the cannula to the oxygen tank, which seemed to be getting easier and easier as time went on.
Jasper came back close to five minutes later with a small leather jacket and a helmet.
"Find everything okay?" I asked.
Jasper nodded.
"It was easy to navigate," he said. "Ready to head back to Forks?"
I nodded.
"Let's go."
"So," he said, drawing out the 'o'. "Are you going to tell me what that was back there?"
"What?" I questioned, watching him carefully.
"Back at the Burrow between you and Angelina."
"Ohhh, that."
"Yeah, that," he grinned.
"Well you see, Angelina and I have come to an…understanding. Which kinda ties into what I wanted to talk to you about," I said, shifting in my seat.
"Oh really," he said, glancing at me.
"Yes."
"Why are you nervous, Alice?"
"Because I'm scared you'll say no."
"Say no to what exactly? I can't say no if I don't know what you're asking me."
I sighed.
"I'm trying to figure out how to word this. Give me a second."
"This isn't about the parenting conversation, right?"
"No, not at all. It's about Georgie and Angelina." I sucked in a deep breath. "Angelina is pregnant, and she wants to save some money up for the baby. She and George were wondering if I could but in a little bit more so we don't have to dip too far into the store funds."
Jasper was frowning at the road.
"I don't really understand what you're asking my permission for, Alice."
"Can we put a little bit more into the downpayment of the building?"
"How much more?" he asked.
"Another thousand. Maybe two."
"Can we afford that?"
"I'll check my records when we get home but we should be able to. The house is paid off, we don't have any bills…the most that will be coming out is for food and renovations, but if I adjust the budget—"
"Alice, shhh," Jasper said, taking my hand. "I don't have an issue with it. As long as you're certain that we'll have enough money then I don't care."
"Thank you," I smiled.
"How long do you think it'll take us to earn back what we spend on this?"
"A month's worth of work at the store for me."
"And for me?"
"Probably about two weeks at the castle."
Jasper's eyes widened.
"You mean after I'm a teacher, right?"
"No, that's what I made while I shadowed at the castle...It might have gone up since then. Severus says when you become a teacher, the amount doubles."
"Do all teachers shadow?"
"Not all. We went through so many Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers they didn't have time…it's more about experience really."
"Then why is Neville shadowing?"
"Because Professor Sprout hasn't left yet. Typically if another person is chosen prior to the resignation of a teacher, they'll bring them in so they can shadow."
"So when you were shadowing for Severus—"
"I wasn't going to replace him. But we were bringing Igor Karkaroff, a former Death Eater, into the school. If his alliance changed, then I could see it."
"And you were paid for it?"
"Yes…I did some teaching."
Jasper smiled, and kissed the back of my hand.
"Do what you have to do, Al. We'll be fine." Jasper paused for a second. "Are you going to open up a new account for the new baby?"
"Yes," I smiled. "I plan on doing that while I'm at Gringotts tomorrow."
"What name will be on the vault?"
"Huh," I said, sitting back in my seat. "I hadn't thought about that. I guess I'll have to wait for the child to be born so I can have a name…"
Jasper laughed.
"I'm sorry, love. I don't mean to rain on your parade."
I shook my head.
"I got ahead of myself…"
"That's alright," Jasper smiled. "You're excited."
"Do you feel like I pay more attention to the other kids than I do Teddy?"
"No," Jasper frowned. "Where'd you get that idea?"
"I just wanted to be sure," I said, shaking my head. "I just wonder if there's more I could be doing for Teddy."
"Ali, Teddy is fine. We'd know if he wasn't."
I sighed.
"You're right."
"Of course I'm right."
He smiled over at me for a second then he kissed the back of my hand.
"So Angelina's disliking of you. What was that?"
"Pregnancy hormones," I said. "George said she's about three months along and three months ago is about the time that Angelina and I started having problems."
"Well Alice, this is a magnificent thing. You and George don't have to worry about doing the wrong thing anymore. You two can just be yourselves again."
"I'm hoping that things will go well with Angelina," I smiled. "She was very kind when we were in Hogwarts."
"Things are going to go just fine," he said.
Over the course of the ride, Jasper and I talked about Teddy, Angelina, George, and the new baby. I was excited for George and Angelina. I was excited that Angelina and I were on good terms again. That meant that I could see Fred more. And then on Sunday, Teddy would be here to spend the week with us. Things seemed to be going well."
When we made it home, Charlie's cruiser was still parked in front of the house. Jasper pulled the Porsche in behind it, and Jacob was standing at the door.
"Alice you'd better change your hair," Jasper said, picking up my braid. "You know that I love it long but—"
"No, you're definitely right."
I focused on the change in my hair. It was a little longer than the pixie cut had been, but not so long that Charlie would notice the hair.
"Hey, there, Pixie," he said, picking up the oxygen tank when I got out of the car. "When did you cut your hair?"
"I didn't cut my hair, per say. I just changed it so that Charlie wouldn't notice a difference in it."
"You're practically glowing, Alice. What's got you so happy?"
"Tons of things have me happy today, Jacob. I'll tell you about them later. Where's Carlisle?"
"Everyone is in the living room watching the game."
"Game?" I questioned. "What game?"
"Football," Jasper murmured.
"Do you know it by football?" Jacob asked, "or do you know it by soccer?"
"Truthfully, I didn't know what either was before coming here. Didn't have it in my world," I added quietly as we entered the living room.
"Hey, Alice!" Charlie greeted. "How are you?"
"Better now that I'm home," I smiled.
"Have you heard from your brothers?" Charlie asked, as I took a seat.
"Yes," I smiled. "I talked to George earlier today. He and his wife are having a baby."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Charlie smiled. "How far along are they?"
"Three months," I smiled.
Are George and Angelina really having a baby? Edward asked.
Yes, I said, glancing up at him. That's what caused the sudden change in her feelings towards me. Similar to Bella, her pregnancy included a nice mood swing in my direction. We've talked things over. Agreed to start over.
That's great, Alice.
"Are things any better?" Charlie asked.
I gave a weak smile.
"No," I murmured.
"Will you get to meet the baby?"
"Most likely not," I said. "But Jasper will. And he'll tell the baby all about me."
I patted Jasper's cheek. He sat on the arm of the chair that I sat in. He rested his cheek on the top of my head.
Were you looking for me? Carlisle asked.
"Yes," I whispered so Charlie couldn't hear. "I want to talk to you, Jacob, Seth, and Emmett."
"Well, we'd better go check your vitals, Alice," Carlisle said standing up. "Jasper, can you bring her to my office?"
"Sure," Jasper said standing up.
"Do you need help?" Charlie asked.
"No, we'll be alright, Charlie. Won't we, Al?" Jasper grinned, taking my hand and pulling me up.
"Don't worry, Charlie. Just spend time with Bella."
Charlie sat back down, and Jasper and I followed Carlisle to his office.
Carlisle sat behind his desk, looking uneasy. I could see that he was worried about the conversation at hand.
"It's nothing bad," I assured him. "Just a few questions."
"Okay," Carlisle said, slowly, motioning to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please. Sit."
I sat down, and smiled.
"I promise, you don't need to worry. It's a good thing. As you know, George and I are expanding our Skiving Snackboxes. This weekend we're holding our testing trials. Assuming that Emmett, Seth, and Jacob agree to help, we'll have eight people testing, and some of the kids are coming along. George and I were wondering if we could hold tests here this weekend."
"I don't see a problem with that," Carlisle said. "But would you be okay with your family around Bella and Renesmee?"
"Well Charlie is still alive," I murmured. "Renesmee seems to have an understanding for what we say to her…"
"Well if you're comfortable with it, then I don't see a problem with it. Did you talk to Andromeda about Teddy coming?"
'Yes," I nodded. "He's going to spend the week with us. Sunday to Sunday if that's alright."
"Again, I think that's up to you. If you're comfortable with it."
"I think it'll be okay," I said, "but Charlie can't be here during the testing. Charlie's a Muggle who won't be changed. He can't know about me. About my kind."
"Edward and Bella understand that, Alice. They'll go to him. When will the testing start?"
"George and I will be meeting at the Burrow tomorrow. We'll start making the sweets and the antidotes to them. The first testing will take place Saturday, then we'll take our findings back and do a new testing with the new recipes Sunday."
"Will they be staying here?"
"I'm pretty sure. To make sure there are no lasting effects that we need to eliminate."
"I'll need a list of things to get at the store," Esme smiled from the doorway. "Snacks, meals. Everything that they'll need."
"Can I get that for you tomorrow? I'll talk to them tomorrow, and figure out what they want."
"Sure. Can you make a separate list for Teddy?"
"I can, but he doesn't exactly know that he's coming. We're leaving it a surprise."
"You know what he likes though, don't you?"
"Yeah. Jasper and I will sit down here in a bit and get one together for you."
"Thank you," she smiled before she disappeared again.
"Right then," I smiled. "I think that was everything I needed to talk to you about."
"Well I am glad that you trust us enough to allow your family to come here," Carlisle said. "Does this mean that you feel differently about Renesmee?"
"No," I said quietly, shaking my head. "I still think that the child has the potential to bring danger, but she seems to listen to Edward."
"So you think she can be taught?"
"Maybe."
So you admit that you were wrong, Rosalie said smugly from downstairs.
"No," I said. "I don't think that I'm wrong. We don't know what dangers that child will bring. Later in life it could prove to be dangerous. But I think that for a little while, things will be okay."
Carlisle and Jasper looked at me questiongly.
"Rosalie," I sighed, shaking my head. I looked up to Carlisle, then shot my hand back to the door, casting a Silencing Charm on the room.
"Is there anyway that you could talk to her before I bring Teddy here?"
"Of course," Carlisle nodded. "Teddy shouldn't have to see that."
"No," I agreed.
"Don't worry, Alice. We'll take care of it," Carlisle assured. "I want your last few months with us to be better than the past few years have been."
"Thank you, Carlisle."
Jasper and I raised to our feet.
"Right then, I guess I'd better go talk to Emmett, Seth, and Jacob."
Carlisle nodded, and pulled the same notebook to him. In his head, I saw him date the page, and he began writing.
I waved my hand at the door, and Jasper and I made our way back downstairs. Everyone seemed to be in the exact way that I had left them moments ago. Emmett, Jacob, and Seth looked up at me.
"Later," I mouthed to the three of them.
Alice, Renesmee wants to talk to you, Edward said as Renesmee reached her hand up to press against Bella's face.
I watched the child closely as she extended her arms to me.
Okay, I said. Can you bring her here? I've got a story to play.
Edward nodded once before he took Renesmee from Bella.
"She agreed," Edward murmured in her ear.
You won't hurt her, right, Alice? Bella asked cautiously.
I shook my head as I reached up for the child. Edward handed her to me, and almost instantly she reached a tiny hand to my cheek.
I saw my face without the tubes and then with them.
"Is Alice still expected to—" Charlie had asked.
"Yes," Edward said. "The doctor's say it's not looking too good and when Bella came home sick we were careful to get her to L.A away from Bella...It's more about the quality of life now."
Are you dying? Renesmee asked.
"No, little one," I said, too quiet for Charlie to hear. "But in order for me to go home, I must die."
Renesmee thought about my answer for a moment before she patted my cheek, making sure she had my attention.
Is this not your home? She questioned.
"No," I said. "My home is in England with my family."
She thought for a moment before touching my cheek.
And we're not your family?
"I guess you are in a way…" I murmured, "but it's not the same. I think you all are more like extended family now."
Renesmee thought over this for a moment. I saw her make the mental note to ask Edward about it.
When will I meet Teddy?
"In the next few days. But you mustn't bite him."
Renesmee showed me her biting Jacob.
Is this okay? She questioned.
"Sure," I said. "Many people will be coming here, Renesmee. Many humans in my family. You must not harm them."
The child thought for a moment.
Will you like me if I don't hurt them? I want you to like me.
"Maybe," I said. "But that's not something we need to talk about now."
She reached up and showed me Bella holding her.
"She wants Bella," I murmured to Edward passing her back.
Thank you for making an effort.
We'll see how this weekend goes, I told him, watching as he handed Renesmee back to Bella. If things go well, I might reconsider my views on the child…just because she has the potential to bring danger doesn't mean that she's dangerous now.
Edward smiled. Jasper looked between us.
"Later," I murmured, laying my head on his leg.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
I shook my head and scooted over.
"Sit with me?"
Jasper smiled and picked me up, sitting me down on his lap. I curled up with him, and when I closed my eyes, I felt a blanket go over me.
"Is she alright?" Charlie asked.
"She's tired," Jasper said. "She's had a long car ride."
"Why don't you take her upstairs?"
"She's missed everybody," Jasper murmured.
Things were quiet for a while. The sounds of the football game and four heartbeats, three slightly faster than the rest, were heard. After a few moments, Jasper began to hum quietly.
You alright, Darlin'? He asked, running a hand through my hair.
"I'm fine," I murmured back.
"Good," he murmured. "What time are you going to go to practice?"
"After Charlie leaves, I think."
"Can I come?"
"Sure," I said, smiling up at him. "I'd love for you to come. You can hold the stone. It'll make things easier for me."
"Then I'll be there," Jasper smiled.
I sucked in a deep breath, and laid there in Jasper's arms. I listened to nothing but the sound of his breathing.
By four-thirty, Charlie rose to his feet. The game had ended, and I learned that Sue Clearwater was cooking dinner for Charlie and Billy. Seth was going with him.
"Seth!" I said, almost rolling out of Jasper's arms. "I wanted to talk to you before you left!"
"Easy there, Alice," Charlie said, catching my arm as Jasper caught me by the waist. "Why don't you let Seth come to you?"
Seth laughed and made his way to me while Charlie steadied me.
"You got her, Jasper?"
"Yeah, I think we'll be just fine."
Seth leaned down to my height, grinning.
"What's up, Alice?"
"I was wondering if you'd want to help George and I with the testing for the expansion of our Skiving Snackboxes. We'll pay you for the trouble."
"You know, I'd be more than willing to do it for free."
"Is that a yes?"
"Of course it's a yes. I've been waiting for you to ask since I heard you talking to Carlisle. Jake's already said that he'll help too."
I smiled up at Jacob.
"Thank you," I mouthed.
No problem, Pixie. I'd be glad to help you and George out.
"Does this mean I get to meet Teddy?" Seth asked.
I nodded.
"He's very excited to meet you."
"Well I'll be here bright and early on Saturday."
"Thanks, Seth," I smiled.
Seth smiled, and gave me a hug before he followed after Bella and Charlie.
"Can I help too?" Edward asked. "You don't have to pay me."
"Are you sure you want to help?"
Edward nodded.
"Me too," Emmett said. "I've already told you I would."
"Well then that makes nine," I grinned.
"I can help out too," Carlisle said from the staircase. "Make it an even ten."
"Brilliant!" I grinned. "I guess I'd better go check my records to figure out how much the store can afford to pay them for the testing."
"I won't accept any money from you," Edward said, shaking his head.
"Neither will I," Carlisle said.
"Seth isn't planning to either."
I huffed.
"Emmett will you?"
"Hell yeah!" Emmett grinned. "If you're offering, I won't turn it down."
"What are you going to spend it on?" Rosalie asked.
"Depends on the amount. Maybe I can get a gaming system to put in here."
"What would you get?"
"Well they've got that Playstation 3 coming out next month. Maybe I'll get that."
"Well the money will be yours to do with as you please."
"Just let us know what time to be here," Jacob said.
"Oh, please. You'll already be here."
"That's very true," Jacob grinned.
"You gonna stand Billy and my mom up, Charlie?" Seth asked from the door. "C'mon. Bella and Nessie'll be here tomorrow. Let's get some grub, eh?"
"Are you going to practice now?" Jacob asked.
I shook my head.
"No, I'm going to wait a couple minutes then go. I want to sit with Jasper a while longer."
"Well I think I'm going to find some food."
"Good luck," I grinned.
I let Jasper pull me to the stairs, and I laid across one of the stairs, the oxygen tank sitting on the one above me. Jasper sat on the stair below me, his head resting on my legs.
"Why the stairs?" I murmured.
"I want to see how she does with Charlie when it's just her," Jasper murmured. "I took her cuff off before she left the room."
I watched Jasper as he watched Bella. I sat up and slid down so that I was sitting on the stair next to him.
"Teddy will be safe, Jasper," I murmured against his ear. "You don't need to hover."
"If she hurts Charlie—"
"She won't hurt Charlie. I can see the future you know."
"I know, but—"
"Teddy is going to be safe, Jasper," I murmured, catching his sentence before he could finish it. "I promise you, nothing is going to happen to him or anybody else."
"I have to be sure."
I sighed.
"Are you still going to come with me to practice?" I asked. "Or is it going to be like the cottage where you come when you get tired of her self control."
Jasper groaned.
"Don't be like that, Al."
"Be like what?"
"You know what," he murmured, pulling me into his arms. He tore his eyes away from Bella, who had passed Renesmee to Charlie. "Of course I'm coming to practice with you. I'm just observing how she does."
I nuzzled my face in his neck and sighed.
"I'm sorry," I murmured.
I felt Jasper grin against my forehead.
"Are you jealous that my focus is on Bella?" he asked, his voice sounding smug.
"What? Jealous?" I spluttered. "No, don't be daft. Of course I'm not jealous."
"I think you are," he grinned, pulling back from me. "It's okay. I think it's adorable."
"Oh get off me," I snapped, pushing back on Jasper's chest.
He laughed and hugged me tighter.
"I love you, my jealous wife."
"I'm not jealous!" I growled.
Jasper laughed and leaned down to kiss me. I turned my face away from his.
"I'm not jealous," I grumbled.
"I'm sure you're not," he grinned.
I glared back at Jasper, and this only made him grin even more.
He kissed a line from my ear to the corner of my mouth.
"It's okay, Darlin', you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. As soon as I know she's safe for Teddy to be around, you'll be the only one with my attention."
I rolled my eyes, and pushed myself away from him. I looked up and Charlie was passing Renesmee back.
"See you tomorrow, Bella," Charlie was saying. He paused and then said, "I mean, it's not like you don't look… good. I'll get used to it."
"Thanks, Dad," Bella said.
I watched Charlie headed away from the house and Jasper grinned against my neck.
"Guess that means I'm all yours again, huh?" he grinned.
"Oh, shove off," I said, smiling.
He leaned down to kiss me, and this time I let him.
Hey guys!
So this is written prior to the completion of this chapter. I just wanted to give a location of where to find the dress that Alice will be wearing to the dinner with Dominic Maestro. It's on a website called Promfy and the dress is labeled as "Subtle Navy Blue Half Sleeve High Low Cocktail Gown". Then George's tie is a navy blue tie with constellations on it. The reference for that is from a site called Tie Bar and the name for that piece is "Constellation Space Navy Tie". That's all! I'll see you momentarily in the post-completion author's note!
Post Completion: Alright, so I decided about halfway through this chapter that I wanted to upload this chapter and the next chapter together. As it would happen somewhere in my plans I labeled things a chapter ahead, so I decided to add in the next chapter (131) to even it back out. So I'm sorry for the long wait, but I hope that it was worth it!
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