"I don't think you can take all of your clothes to where we're going Alice. We still have three other people to think about and we need to fit most of our things between the two cars. Julian will need his truck to bring my motorcycle. You practically have a mall in your closet." Bella mused as Alice went through her clothes she had left at the Cullens.
Bella and Alice returned to the Cullens after their week-long time together after graduation to start getting the items Alice left behind. She was doing well with getting her degrees, laptop, and basic materials she needed to bring with her; but clothes was something Bella needed to rein her in on. She had already taken all the clothes she left at Cynthia and Julian's apartment but Alice insisted there were several more clothes, shoes, and jewelry she needed to take with her.
"Cynthia and I can manage to pack the rest of my clothes. Julian doesn't have much and you're not taking a lot either so I can pack a bit more." Alice stated cutely.
Bella chuckled and shook her head.
"Alice, you have a lot of nice clothes and I know you're going to shop a lot more in the malls when we get to our new home."
Alice chuckled lightly since they both would do a lot more shopping and it's part of the reason Bella was packing too much of her old clothes. They were careful not to state where they were going so none of the Cullens could hear and have that linger in their minds. Alice knew Edward was in between decisions to leave hence why they were moving up efforts to get things packed and leave. Bella was mostly ready to go and she would leave her truck behind. Out of all of their vehicles, Bella's rundown truck was the slowest and most beat up. Julian had told her they would get her a new one once she's turned into a vampire as a 'birthday' gift of sorts.
"I know but I still want to be sure I pack the ones that matter, like the vest and blouse combo I wore when we officially met, that cute yet sexy dress I wore on your 18th birthday, and my blue peacoat you say looks wonderfully on me. I know you love those on me so I'm just making sure I get them packed away." Alice mused as she packed those very items in a suitcase.
Bella smiled and reminisced on their relationship. It might have taken them awhile, but both women couldn't be happier being together. She lingered on Alice's petite frame as she went through her endless amount of clothes. It was for her to finally have someone she can love with all her heart and finally be rid of her doubts about herself. Alice could feel Bella's gaze on her which made her smile. She didn't think she would be Bella's type of woman, but they couldn't mistake the love they had for each other. Both women were strengthened by their love and were out of the shells they were in.
"Alice...I know I asked this but...How do I look as a vampire? You've seen me as a vampire in your visions right?"
Alice awed at Bella as she finished packing. She wrapped her arms above Bella's waist and smiled softly at her girlfriend.
"You'll look very much the same Bella I fell in love with with minor changes. Paler of course, red eyes that will shift to gold, lips might be redder and fuller, and..."
Bella chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
"I would lose some or all of the um...human features and be prettier all over?"
Alice scoffed playfully and shook her head.
"Bella, you are already the most beautiful and sexy woman in my life. Being a vampire isn't going to change that for me...though others might look at you like a drop dead gorgeous minx and I will have to be sure they know you're a taken woman." Alice professed sweetly.
Bella blushed but also grinned at Alice's words and embraced her tenderly. She could never have been so sweet and tender to Edward since he had a slight coldness to his displays of affection.
"No one would ever make me feel the way you Alice. I always loved your bubbly nature, how you get so excited when you do things, and really consider what I want."
"And I love your fighting spirit, your passion for life, your lovely heart, and you wanting to be strong for me. You're truly special and I'm glad we can spend our lives together forever."
Bella smiled and kissed Alice's lips. Alice smiled as she let Bella place her against the wall. She ran her fingers in Bella's long hair but pulled away since she could hear talking from downstairs. It sounded like Carlisle and Esme were talking to someone; someone that wasn't Jasper, Emmett, or Rosalie. Alice grew tense and looked at Bella.
"Stay up here. Someone is in the house talking to Esme and Carlisle."
"Don't you know who?" Bella questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Alice listened and her eyes widened a bit. She grew even tenser and looked at Bella.
"I do and you really need to stay upstairs. It's Laurent...you know, the vampire that was once with James and Victoria?"
Bella vaguely remembered him since she was in fear for her life with James after her. She soon remembered he was a rather calm vampire but he still drank the blood of humans. Still, if he was here it must be for a social call and not to hunt Bella. Both James and Victoria were dead so he knew the risks if he tried to go after her.
"I do and I know it's about me and Edward. Laurent did say he was going to live in Alaska right with 'cousins' of the Cullens so he must know if Edward has been...off hinged?"
Alice nodded and she had a vision of Edward deciding he was going to leave Alaska...and head to Forks. Fear slightly came across Alice's face as she ran down the stairs, Bella following behind and calling for her. When Alice got downstairs, she saw everyone was already downstairs; including Julian and Cynthia. She locked eyes with her sister and they both knew what was going on.
"Alice...what did you see?" Esme asked.
Alice didn't say anything and looked at Emmett and Jasper.
"Get my things and put them into my car...now!" Alice told them.
Jasper could sense Alice's panic and knew it had to do with Edward. He motioned Emmett to go up with him to quickly put her things into the car. Alice looked at Laurent and his eyes have changed to a golden color. Least he was taking in a new diet but she did see that he would change his mind about it in the coming months. She crossed her arms at him and spoke,
"I know, Edward is leaving to come to Forks as we speak."
Laurent raised his eyebrow and he looked to Carlisle.
"I was here to tell you that Edward has been plotting to retrieve his old mate. He thought she would be missing him and that he would strike soon...but when I left he was still in Alaska." Laurent expressed.
Carlisle sighed.
"Yes well Alice can see visions of the future so that's why she knows Edward is in fact coming now for Bella. Still, I do thank you for coming to warn us. You didn't have to do this considering what we did to your coven." Carlisle expressed.
Laurent shook his head with a stern face.
"It was never my coven, but rather James'. I simply joined because I was fascinated with his and Victoria's powers. They were able to get the finest of meals together and thankfully with them, I was never thirsty for more. Ah...I do miss it." Laurent lamented lightly.
Bella stood behind Alice and he locked eyes with her. Her blood called to him and started to make Laurent shudder slightly. Julian growled and grabbed Laurent by the neck.
"If you want to go off your wagon and attack a human; find someone else!" Julian hissed with bared fangs.
Laurent looked confused since he'd never seen Julian until that very point. He looked angrily at Julian and asked,
"What's this...you're not her mate yet you're very defensive! I'm just the messenger."
"Yeah well she's going to be a sister in my coven and no one will have that honor to bite her other than her mate. Like I said, get your relapse meal elsewhere!" Julian growled.
Cynthia went to his side and sighed.
"Laurent's not going to try anything...least with Bella. If he did, I would have already ripped him apart where he stood Jules. Let's not get angry at him and focus on getting Bella out of here." Cynthia expressed.
Julian sighed and reluctantly let go of Laurent, who was a bit shaken at Cynthia and Julian's protectiveness of the human. Bella seemed a bit panicked and looked to Esme.
"We will protect Charlie. Edward knows Charlie and Renee matter the most to you but also knows that hurting them will anger you. I hope when he gets here we can try and calm him down but...is he really coming here for Bella, to break his diet?" Esme looked to Carlisle.
Alice scoffed and expressed,
"He's been talking to Edward and told him he doesn't know where we are going. Good since I want Bella safe and the last thing we need is him giving Edward our location to harass or hurt Bella more."
Carlisle sighed and shook his head. He understood Bella was her mate and was very agitated, but he wouldn't put them in harm's way and hoped to save Edward once more.
"Don't see me as the enemy Alice. Yes I have been talking with Edward but he's my son, my first turn as a vampire. He's always going to be a part of my life and he's really hurting, confused, and angry. I will see if I can reason with him alone and so that he doesn't go on to do something that he will regret and endanger us all." Carlisle reasoned.
Emmett and Jasper meanwhile were racing from Alice's room to outside with vampiric speeds to get everything Alice needs into her car.
"Everything's packed sis. Now you just need to roll to Bella's and get her stuff." Emmett stated with a slight frown.
Alice nodded and went to hug Esme, Emmett, and Jasper. She stopped to Rosalie last and she couldn't help but feel angered still but also sad at how they drifted apart. Alice hugged Rosalie with such aplomb that it nearly startled Rose.
"Once Bella is a vampire and Edward is dealt with...I could use a sister day with you and Cynthia. You're always going to be my sister Rose and don't think you mean any less in my life now. Paths and lives change; you know that since you sometimes live apart with Emmett and not with the family. I promise, things will change only for the better once Bella is one of us...trust me. I know you worry about Bella's choice but it is her choice. Please Rose...I care for you so much and I don't want our sisterhood to end like this." Alice spoke quietly.
Rosalie looked to Cynthia and in actuality they weren't so different. They both care for Alice and Rose said,
"Do please take care of her, she's my sister too. I know you'll be back for Jasper but...do be a loving family to her."
Cynthia took this as a mutual truce and nodded.
"I will Rose...she's my sister as she is yours." Cynthia commented.
Rose nodded at the response and went to Emmett's side for comfort. Jasper was calming everyone down and he knew this was a sad moment for them all. He kept his spirits up and smiled at Alice.
"I'll see you soon Alice; you're going to need me." Jasper commented lightly.
Alice managed to smile since they would most definitely need him to train Bella. Julian looked to Bella, Alice, and Cynthia firmly and they all left the Cullens. Alice and Bella drove in Alice's Porsche Turbo while Cynthia and Julian followed behind. Alice was texting Cynthia as she drove, which worried Bella so she took the phone to continue their text conversation.
"Do you know what you will say to Charlie?" Alice asked.
Bella sighed. She wasn't going to be so stupid and cruel when James was on their tail since at least Charlie knew they would be going on a trip. He also knew that they were going to settle down in Cynthia's home state but only gave him a vague area of the U.S. to comfort him and to protect him.
"I will speak the truth mostly. Edward is coming after me and we need to leave for my protection. No matter what he says about arrest or restraining orders, they won't work because Edward is just that possessive and obsessed with me."
Alice could sense a sadness in Bella's voice since she knew how important her father was to her. She took Bella's hand softly and squeezed it.
"We will handle him Bella once you are turned. He's accelerating our timeline but this is what you want, yes?" Alice asked.
Bella nodded and focused on the events that would occur. She would get her things with Alice while Julian would get her motorcycle on his truck. She went over what she would say in her head and felt she was ready once they pulled into the driveway. Charlie was home so at least they would have a proper goodbye. She and Alice went upstairs to get Bella's belongings, which caught Charlie's attention as he was getting up for a beer.
"Bella whoa, where are you running off too. Thought you weren't leaving until August and July just started. "
Bella sighed and just hugged her father tightly.
"Edward's coming back to Forks and I would rather not be here when he does return. Dr. Cullen told me the news while I was over there and he suggested I leave as well." Bella explained as Alice took her bag from her.
Charlie's body stiffened a bit and he pulled his daughter away.
"We can get a restraining order Bella. He shouldn't have to drive you away so soon. If he breaks it, his ass will be in jail Bella. You don't have to worry about him and you can enjoy your last month."
Bella could tell Charlie wasn't ready for her to leave, but would he ever be ready. Edward wouldn't be found or caught for Charlie to arrest him and she didn't want to involve the Cullens in a manhunt of sorts.
"He's too good at eluding and manipulating people, dad. I don't want you to waste resources on him or have the Cullens deal with the stress of their son and brother dealing with cops. I don't love him at all and I am not protecting him, but I want the people I do care about not to suffer or worry about me." Bella defended.
Charlie sighed once more. His daughter was 18 so she could do whatever she wanted and didn't legally have to stay under his rook anymore. He didn't know where Bella was going with Alice, Julian, or Cynthia but he knew those three would protect and love Bella.
"You promise me you will call me when you get to wherever you are. I don't want it to be like when you left Forks because of Edward the last time. Last time I almost lost you and I don't want you to be on the run because of him. What kind of father would I be if I can't protect you Bella?"
Bella pulled him in and hugged him tighter.
"I'm going to live my life how I always wanted and that meant leaving Forks eventually. It's just sooner rather than later and I am ready. I'm going to stay in touch dad, I promise."
Bella felt her throat close up slightly since from this point on, her time with her father was on a clock. She would only have so many years left with him but she would visit him any chance she could. There was a hope he would see her married but she didn't want to make herself sadder than she was starting to feel.
"I love you dad...I'm always going to love you."
Charlie kissed his daughter's forehead and tightened the hug.
"I love you too Bella."
Alice came back in and Charlie looked at her with a smile.
"Get in on this hug too Alice." Charlie managed to say with a smile.
Alice hugged Charlie and said,
"We're all going to be fine and will look after her. We all love Bella too much for her to get hurt and I love her more than anyone else. I will make her happy Charlie and keep her safe, I promise"
"Keep each other safe, all of you...but yes thank you Alice for being with Bella and making her the woman she is today. I am proud of you both for being so strong and being so in love."
The women pulled away and got Bella's remaining items from her room. Bella was sad but this needed to happen, for everyone's sake. They put the items in Alice's trunk and both women got in the car. Bella looked back to see Charlie getting out and waving them all goodbye. Alice and Bella waved back to Charlie before Cynthia made her way off the property first, then Julian, and finally the couple. Bella got out her phone and saw that it would normally take them nearly 12 hours to go where they would be going, but with Alice's speed they may take half the time at least. Alice looked to Bella softly and asked,
"Should I have you go into the backseat Bella to get comfortable since it's going to be a long drive even with our speed."
Bella shook her head.
"Not yet, but we might need to also stop by to get food in a few hours just to warn you. Remember I'm still only human." Bella joked lightly.
Alice giggled and stroked Bella's hand tenderly.
"Not for so much longer my Bella. Soon Edward can't do anything to you and you'll be able to make him pay for all he's done to you...almost had done to us." Alice spoke in a loving tone.
Bella kissed Alice's hand as they started their journey to their new home and life in Montana. Thankfully no one but them knew where they were going so it would take Edward some time to find them. It would give plenty of time to settle down together and for Bella to become one of them. All will be well in time and it will start with their get away.
Carlisle was waiting in a diner, which was odd for him since he didn't need to eat. He got himself a coke to act human and checked his watch. He was waiting...waiting until he heard a familiar voice from behind him,
"Carlisle, I'm home at last. We have much to catch up on and to discuss."