Alice POV (don't we all love Alice?!)
We normally preferred to play sports when we were having family time, but when Bella entered our lives Esme suggested we play cards or board games instead. The only person who protested was Rosalie, but the others eagerly agreed. Bella was rather clumsy and couldn't compete with us physically, but if we played Monopoly she had as good of a chance winning as anyone else.
Well, if Edward and I played fair, that is. My brother and I had an advantage with his mind reading and my ability to predict the future. Game night had become an almost weekly occurrence the summer after we met Bella. Edward didn't want to be tempted to cheat and he refused to play. He was consumed with Bella, anyway, so he much more preferred being able to devote all his attention to her. If I concentrated, I was able to block of the decisions of everyone around me and could play fairly. Our game nights with Bella were some of the happiest I'd ever had, with all the people I loved together, minus one. My precious love Jasper usually read a book on the opposite side of the room while we played, but sometimes he went hunting instead. He was getting stronger with his tolerance of humans in close proximity, yet it was still a challenge and at times he didn't feel like being strong. Therefore, he chose to not be around Bella. It wasn't personal and remarkably she seemed to understand that.
It was near the end of the summer, as we played Monopoly one night. My thoughts were filled with ideas of fun things Bella and I could do together while the boys were away on an extended hunting trip. Since we returned from Phoenix, Edward refused to spend more than 24 hours away from Bella. On her own initiative, Bella was forcing him to go to Canada with Jasper. My sister, as I had come to think of Bella, seemed to intutitively know what Edward needed. I didn't know why that surprised me because it was natural for mates to fully understand one another's need. But, since Bella was human, I hadn't expected it. It was a pleasant surprise. Edward was very, very stubborn and in some cases, the only person he would listen to was Bella. Her wish was his command. I was proud of her for forcing Edward to go. He needed to hunt something other than deer and Jasper missed his company.
Bella and I are going to have so much fun, I directed my thoughts to Edward. I'll take very good care of her, I promise.
Edward, playing with a strand of Bella's hair, raised an eyebrow as if say to say You better…or else!
I rolled my eyes. Edward was so overprotective of Bella. I understood his worry, she was human and much more fragile than any of us were. But, he was terrified of losing her. When she almost died in Phoenix, Jasper shared Edward's emotions with me. I had never known my brother to be so scared, so worried, so concerned. He was very caring and loving to his family, but with Bella care and concern was intensified to an undescribable level. I could identify with his emotions because it was how I felt about Jasper.
I had been so focused on not reading the future I was shocked at the image that overwhelmed my mind. Tanya, Irinia and Kate were coming to our house. I didn't know when, but it would be soon.
Edward gave me a look that I knew very well whenever Tanya's name was mentioned. He was annoyed.
Generally, we got along very well with our Denali "cousins," but Tanya had been relentlessly pursuing Edward for decades. He was not the least bit interested in her and yet she continued to try to seduce him.
I scanned the future to see if she would bother Edward. Other than playing footsie under the table and leaning in a little bit too close in conversation, Tanya wasn't going to make any moves, surprisingly. She was very well aware that Edward had found his mate. As soon as it became official, Esme was so ecstatic she called our cousins to tell them the good news.
Maybe Tanya will no longer treat you as a piece of meat since you're now spoken for?
Edward smiled faintly and looked down at Bella, whose heart was racing for some reason. He tensed up as we all heard Tanya, Irinia and Kate announce their arrival.
Hello cousins, we have come to visit you!
Carlisle stood up. "We have visitors….our Denali cousins…."
The trio greeted us and Esme invited them to play Monopoly. I was delighted when they agreed to play. Usually, they preferred being with human men above all else, and it made me happy they were visiting and seemed to sincerely want to spend time with us. I declared that I would play fair and focused on the moment instead of the future.
Both Edward and I were pleased to see Irinia and Kate be so nice to Bella, engaging her in conversation and making her feel welcome. Tanya seemed indifferent to Bella and I wished Jasper were with us to get a read of her true reaction to the one who finally captured Edward's heart.
When Bella went to the bathroom, Edward announced it was time to take a break from Monopoly.
"Bella is tired, let's not force her to continue to play."
I suspected that Edward didn't want to quit because Bella was tired, but because he wanted to spend some alone time with her before he went off for the weekend without her. When I saw Edward smile at me, I knew my thoughts were correct.
He walked towards the bookcase on the wall to undoubtedly find a book Bella would like to read in his absence, when I saw Tanya follow him. Earlier, when I had searched the future, I saw her leaning in close, but she would do no more than that.
I started packing up the Monopoly set, but soon Bella was by my side, looking ill.
"Alice, would you drive me home? I don't feel so good."
Why wasn't she asking Edward? "Sure," I replied, glancing at Bella suspiciously then over to Edward, but he had already joined us.
I looked over at Esme who was smiling with pride as Bella and Edward were talking. Our mother knew Edward better than any of us, other than Carlisle, and when he found love, she was relieved and overjoyed. After decades of seeing Edward stoic and reserved, so self-sufficient, it was endearing to see him so vulnerable and dependent on Bella. Whether she realized it or not, she had him wrapped around her finger.
When Edward announced they were leaving, Esme and I hugged Bella goodbye. As I embraced her, I felt something was wrong. I wasn't an empath, but Bella seemed sad. I imagined it was because Edward would be gone for a few days. I would miss Jasper, too.
My thoughts turned to my mate, my husband, and as if he could read my mind, Jasper appeared and put his arms around me.
"I think Edward and Bella have the right idea….if I have to spend a few days without you, I went to spend time alone with you before I leave…." he whispered in my ear, low enough so that our family couldn't hear.
I sighed. "I like how you think, Jazz."
We stood for a moment and I sent Jasper waves of my love for him and in return he sent his love for me. Suddenly, the tone changed to lust. I raised an eyebrow, amused at how quickly his emotions changed.
Jasper grinned, amused with him self. "It's not just me…Tanya over there is giving out some very strong vibes….I wonder if she's thinking of one of her human lovers?"
I glanced over at Tanya who seemed to be trembling with desire….at no one in particular. It was so over the top, I felt uncomfortable. I grabbed Jasper's hand.
"It looks like Tanya needs some alone time….and so do we.."
Jasper and I escaped to our bedroom and for the next several hours we made love. Tanya's strange arousal had apparently heavily influenced Jasper, but I wasn't about to complain.
When Edward returned from Bella's, we were still consumed with one another and not ready to part. I heard him complain that he could have spent these extra hours with Bella, but otherwise waited patiently by going on a walk with Carlisle. Esme and our Denali cousins were already hunting.
Reluctantly, Jasper and I untangled ourselves from each other when the entire family returned to the house near dawn. As Jasper buttoned his shirt, I stood on my tip toes to kiss him goodbye. He smiled.
"Do you know Edward already misses Bella? I'm going to miss you, darlin', but combined with Edward's emotions, three days away from you will feel like eternity."
Jasper wasn't usually this romantic, but since Edward and Bella had met, their intense love for one another was influencing all of us. I put my arms around his waste and walked with him downstairs.
Everyone was gathered in the living room, sitting in groups talking. Carlisle and Edward were in deep conversation, about Bella of course, Esme was talking to Irinia and Kate, and Tanya was sitting alone, reading a magazine.
"Are you finally ready?" Edward asked Jasper grumpily.
Jasper rolled his eyes and I felt his annoyance and hurt.
This is brother bonding time, I scolded Edward, knowing he would hear me. You'll see Bella in a few days. Relax, okay? I'll make sure she's safe.
Edward did relax, but reluctantly. "Sorry, Jasper."
My brother and my mate hugged everyone goodbye, although Edward carefully avoided touching Tanya and waved to her while still embracing Esme. Jasper sent a wave of love to me, then he and Edward disappeared as the sun was rising. Their plan was to run to Canada and spend a few days in the Yukon, returning Monday evening.
For an hour or so I chatted with Kate and I returned to my room to choose what to wear for the day when a vision of the future brought me to my knees.
Bella.
She was getting on an airplane and leaving Forks. Why? Something didn't seem right.
I ran to the garage, jumped in Carlisle's Mercedes, and raced to Bella's house. As I drove, I saw a vision of Bella, a bag in her hand, getting in Charlie's police cruiser. They were driving to Seattle, to the airport.
Where are you going, Bella? I wondered. Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? We had spent almost every day together during the summer. There were no secrets between us. Surely, she would have told me she was leaving or I would have seen it in a vision. And I knew Edward had no clue about Bella leaving, otherwise he would have been going with her. It must be a spontaneous decision, I realized. But, why?
When I arrived, surrounding Bella's house was the most foul odor I had ever smelled before. It was putrid. I crinkled my nose in disgust and listened to hear if Bella had left yet. My visions changed frequently and it was often hard to know the timing of the visions. The revolting smell was overwhelming my ability to pick up Bella's scent, but I did hear two heartbeats. One was beating quickly, the other slowly, as if still asleep. Charlie mumbled the word airport and I heard a set of keys nervously being jingled. I sighed in relief.
Bella was shocked when she saw me waiting for her outside. Clearly, she did not want to see me.
"Ready to go to the airport, Bella?" I asked, not going to allow her to leave without talking to me.
Charlie glanced at Bella. "Did you forget Alice was driving you to the airport?"
"I was planning to drive to Seattle today to go shopping and offered to go early to give Bella a ride to the airport," I explained to Charlie. "Didn't she tell you?"
I scanned the future clearly. If I kept talking, Bella would agree to allow me to drive her. Beyond that, Bella's future was unclear. As I opened my mouth to continue, Bella spoke.
"I forgot about your offer, Alice. Sorry to make you wake up so early, but my Dad is going to drive me to the airport." She grabbed Charlie's arm, and pulled him towards the car.
I followed, surprised that Bella didn't want me to drive her. "Bella, I would really, really like to drive you to the airport. Please?"
Charlie stopped walking. "Bella, if you want Alice to drive you, I don't mind…."
Stubbornly, Bella grabbed the keys from Charlie's hand and unlocked the driver's side door, opened it for him, then went to unlock and open the passenger side door. "No, Dad. I want you to drive me."
I supressed a gasp. Was Bella mad at me? What did I do? I walked to the passenger's side and tapped on the window. As I did, I saw a quick vision of Bella walking out of an airport terminal. There were palm trees in the background and a sign that said Jacksonville International Airport
"Will you call me when you get to Jacksonville?" I asked.
"Um, sure," she mumbled, refusing to look at me.
"Bella," I pleaded, feeling like I could cry. She had never been so cold to me before. Why was she acting this way? What was she hiding?
"Goodbye, Alice," she whispered, her eyes clouded with pain.
She turned to Charlie. "Let's go."
I watched my sister drive away, wondering what I was going to do without her.