Bella sighed in relief as soon as Alice confirmed her vision and she took out a chair and sat down, trying to relax from all that happened earlier.
"I can't believe that you were able to get him to come back" Alice shook her head in disbelief and then she eyed her speculatively.
"Now, what's this about Victoria? I haven't been keeping tabs on her but I didn't see her make any decision to come here" Alice sounded irritated at the idea that she was caught surprise by this news. That was no surprise to Bella though. Alice may be able to see the future but her visions can be easily deflected if one was trying not to make a conscious decision about their path or if they try to alter their actions at just the last moment. It looked like this Victoria knows a thing or too on how Alice's visions work and how to work around it. If that was the case, she was not to be underestimated.
If she was still in her vampire body and in her future, Jasper and her would have enjoyed the challenge of catching her but then again, she was glad that in her reality, Victoria was already out of the picture.
"The pack has spotted her trying to break in their defenses. That's the reason why they are constantly on patrol right now and why they're so on edge when you arrived I guess" Alice nodded in understanding.
"I'll have to contact the others and see what they'd like to do. We're not going to let Victoria get away and hurt you Bella" she reassured her and Bella smiled at her sister.
"I know"
"It might be due for us to return to Forks then." She added and Bella remembered that they were still in Alaska and realized who was at the Denali's.
"Wait, could you hold it off for now? Coming back I mean…" Bella asked.
Now that Edward was returning, Bella can at least start looking into the idea of getting back to her own future and reality. The first step was to find someone who might have an idea about time travelling or alternate realities or any unusual vampire gifts that were related and Eleazar was just the right person. As a former member of the Volturi guard and with the ability of finding gifted vampires, he was the next best thing without going directly to the Volturi. She's consulted him several times in her lifetime and she hoped that with the Cullen's there, it would be easier for her to get his help since he doesn't know her yet.
"Why?" Alice looked confused.
Bella wasn't sure how to phrase it to her sister. Should she tell her first? Or should she wait until everyone was together? Bella decided that she could at least give her an idea on what she wanted.
"I was hoping… that the family can help me with something. I could use Eleazar's help as well" The vampire eyed her curiously.
"How do you know Eleazar? I know we've mentioned about our cousins but we haven't mentioned his name to you before"
"It's a little bit… complicated but… can you trust me? I'll tell you everything… what's going on… when every one's gathered. It'll save me the trouble of having to explain twice"
"Was this what you were trying to say to Edward over the phone? " Bella nodded and Alice thought it over.
"All right… but will Charlie allow you to go? " Alice asked tentatively.
"I'll worry about convincing him. I'm sure he won't oppose for me having a much needed vacation after all I went through" Bella just hoped Charlie wouldn't be too opposed that she was going to be with the Cullen's, the ones who caused her grief in the first place.
"Fine… I'll call the others and tell them to expect us. "Alice finally agreed and she took out her phone and was about to dial.
"Oh, and if you can find a way to call Edward and tell him to meet us there. I think it would be much better if we had our talk without having to worry about Charlie's wrath" Alice hummed in agreement.
Bella left Alice to start rummaging the kitchen. She held off doing some major cooking last time but now that she was getting the hang of her situation, she wanted to see if she could remember how to cook. There wasn't a need to use the skill when she changed because there was no one to cook to anymore but she was sure that the skill was innate and it would just come naturally so she started pulling out ingredients from the cupboard and the ref and started to whip up food that she can serve Charlie when he gets home. It was too early and Bella decided she'll just heat up the food later on.
Alice finally got off the phone looking a little annoyed.
"Did something happen?" Bella asked curiously.
Alice huffed.
"Rosalie was the one who reached out to Edward and told him about my vision. They knew my vision was infallible but they trusted on it too much…"
"So Edward called to confirm if I was… dead? " She asked in disbelief and Alice groaned.
"What was he going to do once he got the confirmation that I was dead?" Bella had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"I don't want to know and I believe, you answering the phone and talking to him prevented me from seeing a vision of what would have happened… "The pixie shuddered and Bella thought again about Caleb. Edward was no different than him. Would he have continued his existence in misery without a mate? Or would he find a way to follow right away?
"I'm glad that I did then." Bella may be disappointed… and frustrated at the actions of this Edward… but she didn't want anything to happen to him. As the mate of this version of her, she wanted him alive and she wanted his happiness as much as her own.
Alice sighed and changed the subject, not wanting to worry about it any longer since they have averted a possible crisis.
"Bella, will you be okay if I left you for a while? I'm going to head back to the house to get some things if you're going to Alaska with me. "She told her.
"Okay… ahmm Alice, do you think I could borrow some winter clothes? I don't think I have enough cover in my wardrobe" Alice's answering smile was as bright as a light bulb as if surprised at her request.
Bella had learned to compromise with Alice's exuberance when she was still Jaspers girlfriend. While she learned to accept and spend money the way the Cullens do, only if she needed to, she wasn't as comfortable with them spending money on her before she was a Cullen. So she resorted to a compromise by accepting hand-me-downs. Even though those hand-me-downs turn out to be something that they have never used before, it was at least something that they already had and not something they had to buy just for her.
"I've got it!"
"Just enough for at least a week please, nothing more" Bella warned Alice who only grinned enthusiastically at her. Bella was being optimistic by giving herself a week to sort out the issue with Edward and her own problem. It was a long shot but Bella was hoping that by the end of the time she gave herself, it would be this Bella who would be going home with Edward and she'll be happily back in her own future, with her own mate.
"Don't worry" Alice assured her as she kissed her cheek before saying goodbye. "I'll let you and Charlie talk and I'll be back before you know it"
"Do you think you could tell me the outcome? If Charlie will let me leave?" Bella hesitated.
Alice straightened and she was deep in thought. Bella knew that she was already trying to see the outcome.
"It's hard to say yet since you haven't decided on how to approach the topic to him… "Alice started and Bella thought hard about what she was going to say to Charlie. She knew that Charlie had been worried about Bella and she wanted to let Charlie see that she was doing better now and this was something that she needed to do for her own "healing". Alice finally looked at Bella in approval.
"You've got everything under control then"
Bella was glad with her response. Of course, the outcome may still change but knowing that Alice could already see a vision of Charlie agreeing or maybe a vision of her already in Alaska, that was a good thing.
When Alice left a few minutes later, Bella continued what she was doing in the kitchen and after almost an hour of relearning her cooking skills, she thought the outcome was not that bad.
Leaving the kitchen, she spent the rest of the day cleaning the house then. It was already late in the afternoon when she finished but she was very pleased with the outcome. The house looked different than when she first arrived. It was much more alive this time. Bella cleaned herself up and still had enough time before Charlie returns. She was in her room when she remembered the floorboard.
She went to it and let her hands feel the opening until she found a part where she could easily pry it open without the need for any tools.
She was surprised at what she saw. There were items that were still wrapped in birthday wrappers. The pictures that Bella thought was lacking in her room where all here. Everything that was related to Edward, we're hidden here.
Was it Bella that hid these items?
She held a picture of Edward and her together. She traced her face in the picture who wasn't looking at the Camera but at Edward. They were looking into each other's eyes and she saw happiness. She told herself that she couldn't see herself with Edward as more than her brother but here, seeing proof of a Bella Swan who looked at Edward with love and Edward looking at her like she's the only thing that mattered in the world made her strengthen her resolve that she was going to make sure that she wasn't leaving this past and reality without making sure that this Edward and this Bella gets back together.
Bella's musing was interrupted by the sound of her father's car pulling up into the driveway. Placing the things on top of the drawer, instead of back on the floorboard, she headed down towards the kitchen where she started to prepare her dinner with Charlie.
Bella had the food ready in the table when Charlie came in the kitchen after changing.
She reached out to him and gave him a hug which Charlie reciprocated.
She wanted to ask if he was going to be okay but she didn't think that was going to do any good.
Charlie heaved a sigh. "I'm going to miss him… "Bella held her father's hand. She was suddenly feeling guilty about leaving Charlie in this moment of grief. She was supposed to hold it off until everything gets back to normal but she realized that things will never be normal again and as much as she treasured this moment that she was here with her father, who was still alive, this Bella should be the one comforting Charlie and not her.
"I know… we all will" Bella agreed wistfully. She led her father to the table where Charlie finally noticed the food. He looked up at Bella who was already sitting down and handing him the food. He was at a loss for words. That was when he really looked at his surroundings.
"You cooked." Charlie said disbelievingly. Bella nodded.
"I didn't have anything else to do" she said nonchalantly.
Charlie looked at her like he wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Let's eat? " Bella gestured to the food. There was awkward silence while the two of them were having dinner. Bella focused on the taste of her food, savoring the feeling of each ingredient that she can taste in her mouth again after all those time that it had tasted like ash when she had those unfortunate moments that require her to eat human food to blend in.
Charlie, on the other hand was sneaking glances at her. Bella could see that he was confused and worried.
Bella could understand the worry in his eyes though. If she was going to make sure that Charlie would not be opposed to her going to Alaska to see the Cullen's and especially Edward, she needed to let him see that she was all right, that in any given moment, she was not going to break down and go back to her miserable self-isolation.
"Dad…" Bella started, when her plate was already empty. Charlie looked up from his plate and he was bracing himself from what she was probably going to say.
"There was something that I needed to ask you… well, not really ask but more of… I'm letting you know… "If she asked permission, it was highly likely that he wasn't going to agree so since she was already of legal age, she decided to just go with telling him of her plans directly.
"I've decided… I'd like to take a vacation" Charlie blinked and his brows wrinkled in confusion.
"You want to leave? "He asked, making sure that he heard it right.
"Vacation Dad. I'm still coming back. I have school remember? And this is my home. "Bella added. She didn't want him to worry that she wasn't coming back especially when Bella remembered what Alice told her about this Bella having to fake run away when she was being hunted. Which, she was pretty sure, had devastated Charlie.
"Oh… well… that's, I guess… that could be good for you. " Charlie rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Your mom would love that. I'm sure she's been worried about you" Uh-oh. Charlie assumed that she was going to visit her mom which was not going to be possible. Bella does miss Renee and this might be her only opportunity to see her again but she was afraid that Renee might have a hard time understanding what she's going through, unlike Charlie. She had wanted Renee to be part of her life as much as she can but with her mom's personality, it was hard to do that. Renee has never been good with dealing with weird and crazy and right now, Renee was going to see that if she sees her.
"I won't be going to Florida, Dad. I'd like to join Alice in Alaska with the rest of the Cullen's" she announced.
Charlie sat up straight, clearly not expecting her words.
"Wait… I don't understand… why are you going to see the Cullen's?"
"Alice and I were talking and she mentioned that the family was already talking about coming back to Forks. They preferred the quiet life here and hated how things were left with me... Especially with that happened to... Edward. Bella could almost feel Charlie's eyes turning to slits at the mention of his name.
"Why do you need to go to them? If they have something to say to you, shouldn't they be the one to initiate it, not you?" Charlie tried to keep the harshness of his voice from coming out. He was starting to get upset.
"I know... But I wanted a change of scenery, Dad...I want to leave everything that has happened to me behind." her words caused Charlie to pause.
"If you want to leave everything behind, why go to the same people who started it all in the first place?" Charlie couldn't help but ask.
"Isn't that one way to move forward? To face your problems, face those who have wronged you? That's exactly what I'm doing and besides, I could really use a vacation... Clear my mind before I go back and start new and strong..." she added.
"But Alaska... You hate the cold" Charlie was only able to respond.
"I dislike the wet" Bella clarified "but cold... Cold is okay... And besides... Living here, its kind 'a grown on me" she shrugged.
Her father was silent for a while before he continued.
"Is he going to be there?" he kept his tone neutral and he didn't need to say the name to let her know who he was referring to.
"He will be" Bella answered then added before Charlie could react.
"I know, you're angry at him for what he did to me... I am too Dad... And his family is also not happy at him right now so they have been trying to get him to come back so that we can sort it out"
"I'm not happy about this Bells… I can't just let you run back to him after all that's happened… after everything… "He didn't continue but Bella understood. She walked towards where her father sat and held his hand.
"I'm sorry Dad… that you have to see all of that… that you have to see me break like that. If only I could have changed things, I wouldn't have let you go through that… ever" Bella said wistfully and she couldn't help but think that if she had been transported back in time a little bit farther, she might have been able to do something about it because for all the years she's been living her life with her mate, she was definitely not going to let Edward run away from her like that, not if she can help it.
"It's not about me Bella… "Her father reminded her.
"I know but what happened to… me… and Edward… "Bella was trying to say and she almost said "this Bella"
"It was all messed up and for the wrong reasons as well too but I know Edward ran away not because he didn't love… me… but because he loved me too much" Bella couldn't believe she was justifying Edwards leaving to Charlie and to be honest, she didn't really know what was going on behind that head of his that made him rationalize his leaving was a way to protect this Bella. She didn't know this version of Edward yet but she did know someone who bared his heart out to her and told her every struggle, every reason, every thoughts that has gone through his mind when he left his own mate. Bella used Caleb's words and experience to explain to Charlie, Edwards's side.
"Well, he sure has a twisted way of showing his love for you. If that's how it's going to be, don't you think you deserve better? "
If only it were that simple. Bella had thought.
"I agree… but not from anyone else Dad… I do believe that Edward and I need to communicate better and sort out whatever struggles and fears we have with our relationship so we don't end up trying to hurt each other again unnecessarily." Bella wondered if Charlie would notice how grown up she sounded but she couldn't help it. She was technically a grown woman who's been married for more than three decades. This sort of things just kind of goes with the territory.
"I'm not the only one that's hurting… wherever he is, he's as miserable as me if I take Alice's word for it"
Charlie grunted. "He deserves it"
Bella sighed. "Whatever Edward and I have… it's more than just teenage romance. It's something that not even his leaving would be able to stop me or him from loving each other. "Bella could have just easily explained the mating bond and all that but she doubted that Charlie would be able to understand.
Her father was studying her intently. "You really love him don't you? " Charlie stated.
This Bella does. She thought. "Yes" was her reply.
"Dad… give me a chance to sort out whatever issue we have with our relationship and when we get back, I'll let you give him a piece of your mind. He does deserve it anyway. "
"I promise you, Dad. When I return, I'll be good as new and everything will be back to normal. Well, as normal as it can ever be after everything that's happened. I want you to see your little girl happy. "
She smiled fondly at her father and Charlie sighed.
Charlie could see the determination in her eyes and she was going to do it even if he didn't like it.
"How long will you be gone?" Charlie's tone was resigned while Bella kept her face neutral so her excitement at Charlie's words wouldn't show. She didn't want to get ahead of herself.
"It depends when he'll be back. Alice says that he's already on his way home. Probably a week. In the meantime, I'll be spending the rest of the time with rest of the Cullen's, give them a chance to sort out things with me when they left as well. "
Charlie was now looking at her in awe. She was taking control of the situation and not let her grief keep her from moving forward. He wasn't sure though if he was glad of the change in her or if he should be worried even more.
"How will you be travelling?" he asked. Bella wasn't sure yet. If they were going to travel by car, they were going to arrive their much longer. Bella has been through the scenic route multiple times in her life, the long way was no longer necessary.
"Alice should be making the arrangements now. We'll know when she returns." Bella explained. Now that Charlie was agreeable with her decision, she wants to make sure that she could get this over with as soon as she can because her future was waiting for her.