Bella POV

"Bella," Emmett exclaimed running into my room and pulling me into his arms. He spun me around a few times. It was starting to make me dizzy.

"Easy Emmett," Alice scolded. Emmett released me and it was Alice's turn to hug me. She was far gentler than Emmett was.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked when Alice finally released me.

I watched them exchange looks, like they were trying to figure out what to say. "Edward's coming home tomorrow morning," Alice began.

I tensed up. I knew it was only a matter of time before he returned. I had been dreading it for the last two weeks. Ever since Edward had called Rosalie. It made everything more real. I told myself I would be ready to talk to him when he returned but now that it was happening, I was terrified.

"Where's Rosalie?" I muttered.

"Hunting," Alice answered. I hugged myself. "Don't be upset Bella." Alice hugged me. "Her eyes were getting black. I know you saw that. She needs to hunt. She will be back tonight. Until then Emmett and I will be with you. Actually, I wanted to see if you wanted to stay the weekend with us. I already saw Charlie agreeing but Rosalie said I had to ask you."

"How do you get Charlie to agree?" I questioned.

"He's worried you don't like being in Forks and will want to leave," Alice answered. "He's happy you made friends. He thinks you will want to stay if you have friends."

I frowned. I felt bad. I didn't like Forks when I first got here, but it was starting to grow on me. That was mainly because of Rosalie. I needed to work harder to show Charlie I was happy here. I didn't want him to worry about me leaving every other day, especially since I had no desire to leave.

"Alright, I'll go," I told Alice, even though she already knew my decision.

Alice grinned. "Great. Pack some things." She paused. "Emmett stay out of Bella's clothes."

The dresser drawer snapped shut. I whipped around to see Emmett trying to look innocent. I stared at him for a minute but he was frozen, like a statue. "Is that normal?" I asked resisting the urge to poke him and see if he did anything.

"Yes, we can sit still for years, like a statue," Alice explained. She rolled her eyes at Emmett. "Quit messing around Emmett."

Just as I tucked the last shirt into my bag, I heard the door open. Charlie was home. I glanced at Alice and Emmett, wondering how I was going to explain this. I mentally shrugged. Alice would have said something if them being here was a problem.

I rushed downstairs to greet Charlie. "Hey Bells, you seem to be in a good mood," Charlie noted.

"Hi Dad," I greeted, ignoring the comment about the good mood.

Alice and Emmett walked down the stairs. Charlie quickly hid his surprise at seeing them. "Alice, good to see you," Charlie said. "Sorry I don't know you."

"Emmett Cullen," Emmett introduced. "Nice to meet you Chief Swan."

"You too Emmett." Charlie frowned. "How old are you son?"

I tensed up slightly until Alice started laughing. "Eighteen Chief Swan," Emmett replied. "I started school a little late."

Charlie nodded. He seemed to think Emmett was older. It wasn't surprising considering how big Emmett was. Plus, Emmett actually was older than eighteen, in vampire and human years. Not that Charlie needs to know that. "What brings you kids here today?" Charlie questioned.

I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle. They were anything but kids.

"I was hoping Bella would be free for another sleepover," Alice told him. Charlie glanced at Emmett. "Oh, Emmett won't be there. The guys are going hiking but my sister Rosalie and I didn't want to go. We were hoping to hang out with Bella instead."

Charlie turned to me. "What do you think Bells?"

I shrugged, not wanting him to know how much I did want to go. "It sounds fun," I said. Assuming Alice didn't try to force me to go shopping.

"I don't see a problem with it. Just make sure you get your homework done," Charlie said in an attempt to sound stern.

"Sure Dad," I agreed, not bothering to tell him that it was already done. "I'll go pack."

"I'll help," Alice announced following me up the stairs.

"Is it a good idea to leave them alone?" I asked.

"They'll bond over football," Alice assured me. "After a quick talk where Emmett assures Charlie that he isn't dating you."

I blushed. "Does Charlie really think I'm dating Emmett?"

"Not really," Alice said leaning against the door to the bathroom. "It's more of Charlie reassuring himself that you're not dating him. Speaking of dating, are you going to tell Charlie about Rosalie?"

I paused my packing to look at Alice. "You know that better than me."

"Actually, I don't," Alice disagreed with a frown. "You haven't made up your mind so I can't see it. It doesn't have to be a conscious thought," she added seeing my confused face. "One decision about something small could affect that decision."

"Your gift is a lot more complicated than it should be," I grumbled.

Alice laughed. "Yeah, it is complicated. But it's worth it because I see a future where you're with Rosalie and you're both happy. Hurry and pack. We have things to do."

I looked to Emmett for help. I didn't want to know the things Alice had planned for us. He shook his head. He wasn't getting involved. "Do I want to know?" I dared to ask.

Alice shrugged. "Probably not. But hurry anyway. Esme is cooking dinner for you and I promised to go to Port Angeles for Jazz before we had home."

"Port Angeles?" I questioned as I shoved more clothes into my bag. The last time I went there it didn't end well.

"Breathe Bella," Alice said. "You will be safe there with Emmett and I." She stared at me. "Would you rather go to the house with Emmett?"

"I…"

"Rosalie will be back by the time we all get back from Port Angeles," Alice continued. "But if you would rather stay and wait…"

"I'll go," I said quickly. The sooner we got Jasper's stuff from Port Angeles, the sooner I would see Rosalie.

I quickly finished packing and Emmett and Alice followed me downstairs. "Bye Charlie," I called from the entryway.

I heard the TV pause. "Have fun Bella," he called.

"Whose car is this?" I asked when we got outside. The car in question was an expensive looking Mercedes. I couldn't tell the make of the car by looking at it. I wasn't an expert in cars after all.

"Carlisle's," Alice answered. "He is off today and offered to let me use it."

Emmett threw my bag into the back of the car and opened the passenger side door for me. Alice got in the driver's side. She glanced at me to see if I had my seat belt on, though I don't know why she bothered, before pulling out of the driveway.

"When is Edward coming home?" I questioned. I knew it was tomorrow but was hoping for a more specific time.

"I don't know," Alice answered. "He's still upset over what he did. He's scared to come home and he keeps changing his mind."

"Why would he be scared?" I asked confused. I knew he was upset by what he did but why would he be scared?

"He attacked you," Alice reminded me. "He attacked Rosalie's mate. Plus, he killed multiple humans."

"The humans deserved it," Emmett snorted. "Carlisle isn't mad about that. He's sad about the loss of human life but not mad."

"Edward should be scared," Alice continued. "I don't see anything bad happening. But he knew the risks when he got close to his singer. He should have been more careful."

"What are we picking up for Jasper?" I asked as we reached Port Angeles.

"He ordered some books," Alice answered. "We need to stop at the auction house. Jazz bought some Civil War memorabilia. Plus, we need to go to the mall and pick up the jeans I ordered for him." She studied me. "We could pick up some clothes for you as well."

I eyed Alice warily. I didn't like the thought of shopping with her. She always went overboard and would buy clothes I would never wear. "Fine, but I get to pick the clothes," I told her.

Alice pulled into a parking space. "Deal."

The three of us walked to the bookstore. The walk felt so familiar. Yet there was one big difference. This time I was safe. I had Alice and Emmett with me.

The chime rang as we entered the bookstore. Alice went up to the counter while Emmett and I wandered the aisles. Emmett went straight to the comic books. I pulled out a few books to look out. One was about different types of cars. Rosalie loved cars so it was something I was interested in learning. The other was about the Civil War.

"Do you want those?" Alice asked.

I jumped. I didn't hear her. "No, it's fine. I was just looking while you got Jasper's stuff."

Alice rolled her eyes and took the books from my hands. "You're a terrible liar Bella." She paid for my two books and Emmett's comic books and we left the store. "Why the Civil War?"

"I need it for a school project," I answered.

We headed back to the car. "You know Jasper is an expert on the Civil War. If you need help with a project you should talk to him."

"I'll talk to him," I promised. "I find the Civil War interesting anyway. That's why I chose it for my project."

"Oh, you and Jasper will have a lot to talk about," Alice said with a grin.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"Jasper was human during the Civil War," Alice explained. "He even fought as the youngest Major in the Confederate Army."

My eyes widened in surprise. I knew they were all old but I didn't really think they would be that old. "Is that when he turned?" I asked.

Alice pulled into the auction house parking lot. "That you need to talk to him about," Alice said. "The stories of how we were changed… they're rather personal for some."

"Is that why Rosalie hasn't told me about her?" I asked.

Alice turned off the car. "Yes. Her change… it was the hardest out of all of us. It's still painful to her." She turned to face me. "Talk to her Bella. She will tell you if you ask."

Emmett and I stayed in the car while Alice picked up Jasper's things. "Bella," Emmett called getting my attention. I undid my seatbelt and turned to face him. "How do you feel about Rosalie? I'm not trying to be nosy or anything. It's just… I care about Rosalie. I even loved her once. She's been through a lot and I don't want her to get hurt."

I glanced up and saw Alice waiting at the entrance, giving us some time to talk. "I don't want to hurt her Emmett. I care about her but I don't know if it's love. I believe I could love her, given time."

Emmett nodded. "I can live with that."

"Emmett, do you still love her?" I asked hesitantly. I wasn't sure I wanted the answer.

"A part of me does," he said honestly. "Part of me will always love her. But I know she doesn't love me. She never did. And she's found her mate. I never stood a chance."

I felt bad for Emmett. He lost the woman he loved to a human. He knew he would never be with Rosalie since they weren't mates but still, it must hurt him. I squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry Emmett."

"Don't be," he said with a small smile. "All I've ever wanted was for her to be happy." Alice took that moment to get back in the car. We drove off to the mall.

Two very long hours later we left the mall. Alice kept her word and let me pick out my own clothes. What she didn't say is that she was going to buy everything for me. She did offer some suggestions but did not force me to pick anything and I was grateful for that. Even Emmett had gotten some new shirts.

"Rosalie will be home when we get there," Alice said. I sighed in relief. I missed having her close by. I looked to Alice and found her eyes were glazed over. I started to get worried since she was driving. Before I could say anything, her eyes returned to normal. "Edward will be there as well."