Chapter 56: Stand By Me

Alice POV:

A Couple Months Later

The past several weeks have been super busy here. Bella has been drowning in a pile of paperwork on a daily basis. While the victory over the Volturi was needed, it brought on a lot of extra work. I decided that Bella needed a well-deserved vacation and scheduled our Biloxi trip for the very next day. This poor trip has been put off so many times for so many reasons, it was nice to finally be going.

"Alright Liam, I took care of almost all my reports so you don't need to worry about any extra work." Bella said as she was carrying our bags to the car. "And we'll only be gone for a long weekend."

"No worries Bella. Just have fun you two. But not too much fun." He winked our way before leaving us in the garage alone.

"Come on Bells. Time to take a load off and relax with me." I said softly to her. She was obviously having some issues in letting go.

"You're right. I'm sorry Alice. I know these past few weeks have been hard on you as well. Thank you for getting me to relax." She smiled and took my hand briefly before letting it go to open the car door for me.

The trip to the local airport was brief, and the plane ride itself was pretty short as well. It was now June, so the American south greeted us with that lovely humidity. Luckily the sky was muggy so there was no need for an umbrella to shy away from the sun. Bella led me to the rent-a-car, a nice convertible we could have some fun in later. She was always so thoughtful.

"Hotel first and then exploring?" She asked once we got into the vehicle.

"Yes that sounds like a plan." I was suddenly nervous. What if I found out something that I didn't like? Sensing my unrest, Bella took my hand on the drive and gave it a comforting squeeze.

We checked in rather quickly and set our stuff down before heading out again. I wanted to start where my new life had begun. Where I had woken up in that forest so many years ago. For some reason I still remembered exactly where it was. Like it was calling me there.

Bella followed me quietly deep into the forest. Finally I stopped, reaching the spot. I kneeled down and touched the Earth, a strange emotion flowing through me. It wasn't sorrow, but it most definitely wasn't anywhere near joy. Bella kept a distance, unsure of how or if she should comfort me.

"Alice?" She asked tentatively from her spot.

"I'm fine." I got up and dusted the dirt from my jeans. My eyes had filled with tears without me even noticing. "Just taking a moment." She slowly made her way towards me, watching for any signs not to. "You know you were the first vision I ever had. Before Carlisle or anything, it was you. It's always been you." I whispered, finally looking up into her eyes. Bella reached her hand out to cup my face gently, obviously bothered by my pain but touched by my words. "I love you Bella."

"I love you too Al." She kissed me tenderly before stepping back again. "Are you sure you want to-?"

"Yes." I interrupted her before she could finish. "Yes I do. Which way did you say was the old asylum?" Bella pointed southward and followed me as I led. We eventually reached a decrepit building covered in various plant life and graffiti.

It was run down, probably hadn't seen use in about fifty years or so. All the windows were gone and half the roof had caved in, causing bricks to be scattered around the ground every which way. It appeared to be about three stories and included a basement, obviously a large institution in its prime. I hesitated at the entrance, still unsure of my decision.

"Here goes right?" I asked nervously out loud. Bella took my hand again and tugged it forward as encouragement.

We wandered around in complete silence. If I were human I probably would have been terrified of this place. It had this stale stillness that just made you know there were horrible acts committed here. I've never been so happy that I couldn't remember my human life.

Dirt and mud covered the ground along with empty beer cans and bottles littering the place. The bathrooms had cracked tiles and fake blood graffiti all along the tubs and shower stalls. The main dorms had ancient mattresses strewn across the room, only old wire remained from the bedframes. Electric outlets and light appliances hung lowly, ready to fall any given second. The further we went upstairs, the less vandalism there was. Obviously drunk college kids couldn't handle all the obstacles in the way. Bella and I had to hop over piles of bricks and several missing steps a few times. At last we reached what appeared to be an office with multiple banged up filing cabinets, all with old school hefty locks on them.

"May I?" Bella asked, her hand over one of the many locks. I nodded to give her the go ahead. She tore it off as if it were made of rubber and not metal. Bella did this a few times, looking for any sign of my presence, until finally she paused at one drawer.

"Well?" I asked, biting my lip in anticipation.

"I-I think this is you." She carefully removed a manila folder and handed it to me. On top there was a handwritten name, Brandon, Mary Alice. I put a trembling hand over my mouth, this was me. This was my past, not the future I've come so used to knowing. "Alice you don't have to do this. We can leave right now if you want."

"No. No I want to know." I took a deep breath and opened it up.

Name: Mary Alice Brandon

Age: 19

Sex: Female

Height: 5'2

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Green

Skin Color: White

Reason for Stay: Delusions of future, night terrors, and lack of social skills

Suggested Treatment: Exclusion from other patients and electroshock therapy

*Disappeared from facility December 8, 1920. Presumed dead*

The last part was scribbled down in a rush. I had apparently started to cry, so Bella wrapped her warm arms around me and nuzzled into my neck from behind. It was all so much to take. This was why I had no memory of my human life? They shocked it out of me?

"I would kill every last one of them for you if they were still alive." Bella whispered into my hair and kissed my ear lightly. I turned and buried my face in her chest. She always made me feel safe, and I needed it in a bad way right now. I cried for a little bit and then regained my composure.

"I'm fine. Thank you. It's just hard to see it you know? But I'm glad I did this. It gives me closure." She smiled sadly as I led her back out of the building.

We drove back to the hotel in silence. I was busy thinking about what my life was like way back when. I wonder if I saw Bella even when I was human. But I would never know now.

"Come on. I'm going to cheer you up." Bella turned the car around abruptly.

"What? Where are you taking me?" She grinned a little deviously.

"You'll see." She drove us deep into the heart of the city, until we finally stopped outside a shabby looking club. Why on earth was she taking me here? "After you." Bella opened the door for me and I walked inside.

I could not have been more surprised. This ancient place looked like an old prohibition era dancing club inside. There was a jazz band, full bar, couples seated at tables, and several people dancing happily in the center.

"Oh my god. Bella! You-you are amazing!" I breathed out in disbelief. I may have not remembered my human years, but it felt so familiar. Her eyes twinkled and she took my hand, leading me to the dance floor.

"May I have this dance?" She asked while kissing my hand.

"I couldn't imagine dancing with anyone else." She smiled and suddenly spun me expertly. When the hell did Bella become a swing dance expert? I was already taken aback by her surprise, and now this? The need in me to just marry her right then and there was growing exponentially. "When did you get so good at dancing?"

"It helps to have coordination now. After that it just becomes natural." She shrugged nonchalantly. We danced jubilantly for a while, until Bella excused herself for a moment to speak to the band.

"Did you get me an autograph?" I laughed out when she came back. But the music had abruptly changed and my face went into complete shock.

"You told me this was your favorite song some time back. I know it doesn't exactly fit with the time theme, but…" Her voice was drowned out by my favorite song in the whole wide world, Ben E. King's Stand By Me.

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Bella pulled me close to her body as she led us in a slow dance. I pressed my cheek against her chest, never wanting this night to end.

If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

And the mountains should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

I was beginning to purr contently as Bella hummed along with her chin resting on my head. She made dancing seem so effortless with her movements. Not too long ago she couldn't even walk with this much ease.

I'd been thinking a lot about where I belonged lately, where I was from and where I called home. But being here, safe and warm in Bella's arms, just made me know exactly where I belonged. Bella was my home and it didn't matter where I started, just where I was and would be for the rest of my life.

I looked up into my mate's eyes and she smiled down at me sweetly. She was absolutely perfect, and I had a sudden idea which caused me to beam. I'm so glad we finally got to do this trip.

Bella POV:

The jazz club was a good idea. Alice relaxed immensely, and even looked elated after we left. But she was quiet when we got to the hotel and excused herself to check in on her family and fill them in on the news. I lay back in bed and thought of what human Alice would have looked like with long hair and green eyes. She was beautiful no matter what, but honestly I think I liked her more as a vampire. Not that I really knew what she was like before, but she was always so confident and chirpy in this life, and I think the vampirism helped with her cute cockiness. But I might be a little bias, I fell in love with her as she was now.

A while later Alice came back with her grin still in place. She jumped onto the bed and climbed up my body like my own personal cat.

"Well, what's got you so chipper?" I asked once she finally settled down on my chest and began to purr again.

"Everything is all good back there. Emmett says hi and Esme told me to tell you to eat more." I chuckled and played with her hair.

"Ah of course. How does she know? Did she put a bug on you?" She giggled and shook her head.

"I don't think so. I think she just has a sixth sense with your health."

"Mmmmm." I closed my eyes, it had been a long day.

"Go to sleep Bella. Before Esme calls about that." I let out a very weak laugh before fading into a comfortable slumber.

"Alright what's the plan today love?" I asked over breakfast the next morning while Alice was changing.

"I was thinking that we could go to that beach you mentioned. It sounds really beautiful." She came over to me wearing a stunning sun dress.

"Speaking of beautiful things, you look absolutely gorgeous today." She smiled and fluttered her eyes at me in that sexy innocent way. I licked my lips and went to make a move.

"Nah ah ah. We have things to do today. I can't have you delaying our plans." Alice had moved away just in time to avoid my touch. She waggled her finger at me and skipped towards the door, waiting for me to follow.

"Spoilsport." I mumbled grumpily, taking her awaiting hand and following her into the lobby.

I let Alice drive, she seemed to know exactly where she wanted to go. I also enjoyed just sitting back and watching my pixie's hair fly every which way in the wind.

"We're here!" She sang, jumping out of the car and not bothering with the door. Seriously what has got her in such a great mood? I mean yeah she's usually hyper and shit, but today seemed extra for some reason. She took my hand and dragged me along the beach, running every once in a while to make me chase after her. When I finally caught up with her, I suddenly realized we weren't alone.

"Liam? Wh-what are you doing here?" He just smiled at me and Alice squeezed my hand.

"Hey love, how would you feel about getting married today?"

"I-what?" My mouth was hanging open and my brain had stopped working momentarily. Oh my god was this why she was so cheerful today? When did she get Liam over here? How long had she been planning this? "I-Alice I'm in jeans and a tee!" I said, looking down at my attire for emphasis. She just giggled and nodded.

"I know. And I don't care. So?" I continued to gape at her and Liam for a good two minutes before finally speaking again.

"Are you sure about this? What made you want to do this today?"

"You of course. Last night I realized there was nowhere else I wanted to be. Bella I want to be with you for the rest of my life. And I don't want to wait anymore." Well when she put it like that.

"Yes. Yes I think I do want to marry you today." She positively beamed and jumped on her tip toes to give me a peck on the cheek. "Ok but that still doesn't answer my question. Why is Liam here?"

"Ahem." Liam cleared his throat behind me. "Alice asked me if I could officiate and of course my answer was a yes. Your girl made me get ordained the second you two got engaged." My brain went back to not working again.

"He's our family Bella. And I want him to be a part of this, of us." Alice said softly, unsure of if I was happy about this surprise.

"You're amazing." I whispered to her. "The both of you are." I turned back to Liam again.

"Alright then. Shall we begin?" He asked in an official voice. Alice looked back up at me and we both nodded.

The ceremony was relatively short, and I had a mini heart attack near the end when he asked for the rings. I hadn't picked anything out yet. But of course Alice had the wedding bands on her, I wondered if she got those the moment we got engaged as well. I smiled at the thought.

The most wonderful feeling flowed through my body when she slid that ring on my finger. I was hers forever, and she was mine. When Liam told us we could finally kiss, I dipped her down in a classic bridal move. Alice laughed and I picked her up after.

"Hey! Bella put me down!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that my dear. That dress is just too clean, I think it needs a little dip in the ocean."

"Bella no!" She squealed when I ran us into the surf. I didn't drop her in like I said I would. She continued to clutch onto my body for dear life until I carried her away from the waves. Liam was laughing at my shenanigans when I brought her back over. "I swear if you had dropped me I wouldn't have told you where we're going next."

"What? How many surprises do you have stored in that back pocket of yours for today?"

"Just one more. Our flight leaves in two hours."

"Flight? What flight? Where are we going?" I really wasn't liking all these secrets. Alice just giggled even more at my dumbfounded face.

"Our honeymoon of course! I believe I promised you three weeks of Isle Esme." My mouth immediately watered in hunger, but not for food.

"But what about work?"

"Already cleared." Liam said amusedly. "Now get out of here. I gotta get back, and you have a plane to catch." He winked and walked away from us.

"How did-how did you plan all of this so fast?"

"What can I say, I'm a smooth talker. Now come on my sweet confused wife." I purred loudly from her words. This little sneak was my wife. Forever.

A/N: So I did my research for this chapter. There is an abandoned insane asylum near where I live and this is the exact description. There were even the chairs they used for shock therapy still there. Also a separate building with some sketchy big furnaces. I'm shivering just thinking about what those were used for. Yeah it's a scary place, but honestly really intriguing to explore.

I honestly love this song as well and when I listened to it the other day it just reminded me of these two lovebirds. Two more chapters folks. Two! Obviously the honeymoon is next, and then *grins wickedly* you'll just have to wait and see. Hope you all have fantastic days!