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KISS PROTOCOL
Chapter 11: interlude
"Don't worry about Edward. He won't be causing you any more trouble."
There was something in Alice's tone and expression that hinted to something more than what her words were saying. Bella observed her attentively as she spoke to Jacob and the other wolves, relaying some techniques from Jasper.
As far as Alice knew, Victoria was working alone. Laurent had been her sidekick, but he was long gone. Nonetheless, it didn't hurt to have some pointers just in case. Jasper was going to be delivering some extra information on vampires the next day, information that the wolves were keen to remember in order to convey it to the elders to add to the stories. Even if vampires were the wolves' natural enemy, some were trustworthy in a temporary cease of hostilities.
Once Alice was done, Bella approached her, making sure to speak when all the wolves were gone. Jacob only trusted Alice. So, he had no problem in leaving Bella alone with the vampire. He waited far enough to give them the privacy they wanted.
"Is everything alright?" Bella asked once Jake was out of sight.
Alice smiled softly at Bella, though she was not fooling her. She was still very shaken about what had happened at the house. "Don't worry. Everything's ok."
"Why did you say Edward was not going to cause any more trouble like that?" Of course, she had caught the intonation.
Alice sighed. But she didn't want to relieve the stressful days. She wanted to protect Bella, and that protection extended to protecting her from knowing things that could upset her unnecessarily.
"No offense, Bella, but it's a family matter." Alice hated to say those words.
But wasn't it Bella's choice to decide whether to worry about Edward's momentarily streak of stubbornness? Or was it her responsibility to keep it between themselves? It concerned Bella, but at the same time, Edward had promised (and she had made sure to see it was true with her and Jazz's gift) that he had said goodbye, and had given up. So, what should she do? Tell her, despite knowing that it was going to worry her about things that were beyond her control? Beyond even her business, such as the existence of the Volturi and all that they were capable of?
Bella's heart sank at Alice's words. But she spoke the truth. She was no longer part of the Cullen family. And it hurt to hear those words. But it gave her some sort of peace, of closure. She would always consider them family, but their troubles were no longer hers to worry about. If they had family trouble, as sad as the thought made her, they were no longer her business.
Bella hugged Alice impulsively, taking her by surprise. Alice giggled softly and returned the affectionate gesture. "You'll always be my best friend, Alice."
When they broke the embrace, Bella had unshed tears in her eyes. It was a bittersweet moment.
"And we'll always be one call away. You can always count on Jazz and me, no matter what." Alice cleaned Bella's tears. "Emm and Rose might be more difficult to reach at times, but they feel the same way."
Bella wasn't sure if this was going to be the last time she sees Alice. This moment felt too much like a goodbye. "We'll come and say goodbye for sure once the business with Victoria is over. I'm sure Carlisle and Esme will want to talk to you."
Bella nodded and with one last short hug, they both parted ways.
…
…
…
Jake was waiting for Bella at the car. He was leaning against it, playing with his phone. He pocketed it when he saw her and smiled at her. He noticed she had red eyes, signing that she had cried.
He imagined it would be hard having a heart-to-heart talk like the one they probably had. He had focused on his phone and the music coming from it. He hadn't been out of earshot, but he had put some music to drown the words of the conversation.
"Let's go home."
Home, to La Push, to the pack and the imprints.
…
…
…
Bella's phone rang with an incoming call from Emily. It was not rare for them to speak often on the phone.
"Hey, Em."
But the sounds from the other end of the phone alerted Bella that something was wrong. "Bella, I'm scared. Can you come?"
It was such a cryptic thing to say in such a time when anything cryptic worry her to death. "Why are you scared? Em, are you ok? Is something wrong?"
Emily began sobbing on the phone, saying things like test, and wolf, and babies. Bella promised her that she would be arriving in twenty minutes or half an hour, and to stay put.
…
"I'm pregnant, and I'm worried." Emily finally said, once Bella managed to get some tea into her, and once she managed to calm her enough.
Bella caressed her back in a soothing way, relief that all that was wrong was that everything was right, Emily and Sam were going to start a family. She felt like laughing or crying of relief. Also, she was very much honored that Emily had thought of her first after knowing that she was going to become a mom. She needed a friend to talk to her, to put her at ease, and Bella was very glad to see that she was that friend to Emily. It made this whole transition from the Cullen's to the wolves so much easier and greater.
"Em, I'm sure Sam will be thrilled that he's going to be a dad. He loves you so much."
Sam and Emily reminded her of Carlisle and Esme in terms of how well they complimented each other, how they shared the responsibility of leading a pack. It wasn't easy leading with more than five teenagers, some of whom might not get along very well, but who would still die for each other. And dealing with some hormonal teenagers was no easy task either. Paul alone was a handful, mischievous, hot-headed, and with the reputation of a womanizer (despite having only slept with three girls).
"I know he will be thrilled. That's not what worries me, Bella." She took a deep breath. "Is this business with the vampire. It scares me. What if…" She couldn't finish the phrase.
Bella understood where her worries lied. "I understand how you feel but have some faith in the guys. They know what they're doing, and Jasper has more experience in his pinky toe than you can imagine. Or so Alice told me once. And, I know, even if they haven't said anything, that the Cullen's will help the guys to get rid of Victoria and any mess she might bring with her."
Emily nodded. Of course, she knew that her boyfriend and their pack were more than able to get rid of any threat to their land and their people. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but worry about it. She had to think of her baby, a baby that was no bigger than a dot right now.
"Everything will be alright, don't worry, Em." She smiled. She allowed herself to happy for her friend. "This is wonderful news, you know. The first baby of the pack. I'm excited to see everyone's reaction. Your baby will have an army of uncles and aunts to spoil him or her rotten."
Emily smiled widely but tearfully at Bella's words. She put her hands on her flat belly and daydreamed. "So, it's ok if I'm scared about everything?" She wondered softly.
Bella smiled amusedly. "Well, I have zero experience in having a baby or practicing having one." Emily smiled bigger at that. "But, I guess, feeling nervous and scared is a normal reaction for a first mom. But you'll be great at it. You and Sam are going to be wonderful parents of a beautiful baby. It's normal to feel scared, and despite the fact that the guys can certainly handle Victoria, I admit I'm nervous about that too. But I trust them, and the Cullen's to get rid of her for good."
Emily nodded. Bella's words calmed her buzzing mind, even if she had not relieved her worries. She knew only the death of the red-headed bitch would provide her peace of mind.
