40
"Bella," I call, and she appears before me in an instant.
"Are you sure?" she asks, searching my face.
"She's asking for you. She needs you." My voice cracks.
Bella nods, enters the room, and shuts the door softly in my face.
I'm stuck standing there, trying to listen even though I shouldn't. I don't know what to do with myself. I stumble down the hall and collapse on the end of my bed facing the door. Alice's heartbreaking sobs are the only thing I can hear coming from the room, but slowly, they come to a stop.
It takes hours. Literally.
Hours later, Bella finds me sitting here with my head in my hands. She knocks on the open door and offers me a sad smile.
"I'm going to warm up dinner while Alice takes a shower and Rabbit has a minute to herself."
I nod.
"They're going to be fine, Edward." She disappears, and I catch Alice as she crosses the hall to the bathroom.
I rush to her, and she lets me pull her into my arms. I cradle her face in my hands, and it kills me to see her like this—eyes swollen and cheeks covered in dried tears.
"Baby."
"I'm okay," she croaks.
"You're sure?"
Alice nods. "I'm glad she's gone. If I never see her again, I'll be happy." She sniffs. "Bella helped a lot. Thanks for sending her in."
"I'd do anything for you."
I kiss her forehead and let her go.