Chapter 34: You Owe Me

Alice's POV

"So how was it?" I asked at Edward and Leah made it home. Night had become day and they both seemed lighter and carefree.

"How was what?" Leah asked and gave a guilty look that made me believe some naughtiness might've occurred in the woods last night. I rolled my eyes; she was delusional if she thought they were the only ones to get busy in the forest. It was almost like a rite of passage really.

"She means the hunting Leah?" My brother answered her thoughts while invading mine. Leah sat beside me within a blink of a second. The funny part is that I think she thought she was moving slowly.

"It was comical and a little sad," Leah mused. "I just I can't kill a deer. It just seems wrong to kill something so innocent looking. "So I went after something a little more dangerous and it wasn't so bad."

"I wish I could've been there. You always said the hunting part was the worst thing about being a vampire and now you have to do it." I teased and Leah gave it some thought.

"I still think it may be the worst thing about being a vampire. You Cullen's make the lifestyle seem so darned appealing you made me want to up and switch teams!" Leah teased and Edward shook his head. He lifted Leah, sat in her seat, and situated her in his lap.

"I wish that was the real reason you were the way you are now," he murmured.

"Oh brother you do know how to somber up a good mood," I heaved a sigh. "So what do you have planned for the day Leah?"

"Nothing really, if it were up to me I'd probably try to go and get my job back, but I think that someone my frown upon that notion."

"You'd be correct," Edward spoke bluntly. "I'm not so opposed to going back to your apartment though." He kissed her neck and she leaned into him.

"I won't be able to afford it without a job and I don't take handouts well," she stated as she left his lap. "I think I'd rather stay here until I figure everything out though. Carlisle said that it should take about a week to figure out my strength and stuff. After that I'll worry about my next move."

"Plus you need to learn how to move as slow as a human," I commented and Edward smirked.

"What are you talking about I move perfectly fine?" Leah stood indignant with her hands on her hips. "Edward?"

"It needs a little bit of work." Edward held up his finger and his thumb to indicate a little bit of space and I stretched my arms out wide.

"You what might work for you at like you're walking in slow motion," I offered and Leah tried it. It was almost perfect minus the weird robot thing she was doing with her arms.

"Put your arms down Leah," I coached and she walked back and forth. My Jasper came in with Emmet and Rose.

"How's that?" Leah asked in a huff. Edward laughed at something it must've been something going through Leah's head.

"Jas, what do you think." Leah walked back and forth across the living room.

"About what?" Jasper arched he eyebrow before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"How Leah is walking?"

"Did something else happen?" My poor man was all sorts of confused.

"She looks human enough," Rose said as she sat down. "She could change her clothes though you're bound to be tired of wearing Emmet's shirt."

"Don't mind her Leah, you look amazing in my clothes," Emmett chuckled as he sat down beside his wife.

"The pants are Edward's I think," Leah commented and she adjusted her clothes. Everyone was staring at her and I could imagine that she thought it was a bit strange.

"I could use a shower and stuff. Rose, can I borrow something of yours to change into?" Rose nodded and walked upstairs with Leah. Edward's eyes followed her as she left. It only took Emmett a few minutes to start ragging on Edward for being out all night with Leah.

"I never realized it took you so long to hunt," Emmett chuckled.

"It's not what you're suggesting," Edward said dryly.

"Yeah, we both believe that," Jasper added fuel to Edward's fire. He never really agreed with Emmett he just like the irk Edward's nerves. My hubby was such a stinker and I couldn't help but smirk at their antics. As the guys bickered between themselves I received a text.

Bella: Hey we still can hang out can't we?

Alice: Of course? I was gonna call u

Bella: Can you come over?

I looked at Edward and I guess he could tell I was worried. I knew my brother and I knew he still felt guilty about the way things had turned about between Bella and him. I felt guilty too. We were all here enjoying the normalcy and happiness. Our family now felt kind of complete, but Bella was suffering. We really owed her a lot, without her help we wouldn't have had this feeling.

"I couldn't agree with you more. You should invite her over here," Edward offered. "I don't want her to feel that we don't want her here." The other's nodded so I extended the invite.

Bella's POV

Why the hell was I back over here? I should've known that no good could come of it. I just wanted some alone time with my alleged best friend but here I was about to brought face to face with Edward. It was like he wanted to throw his new relationship in my face. I saw both of their cars so I knew they were inside. Maybe I could convince Alice to go shopping I think it would be the lesser of two evils. I entered the house and Emmett, Jasper, and Alice were sitting in the living room talking when I walked it.

"It's Bells!" Emmett hopped up and wrapped me in a bear hug.

"Our living breathing shero," Jasper murmured and I was shocked. "I know we all wanted the opportunity to tell you how amazing what you did for Leah was. I've never seen something so selfless." I was truly shocked at the admiration that seemed to be in their eyes. I was actually a little embarrassed by all of the praise.

"It was nothing. Edward had done the same for me. He saved my life and now I feel like I returned the favor." I shrugged and tried to ignore the heavy dull ache in my chest. I shoved my hands into my pockets and lowered my sights to my blue sneakers.

"I wanted you know that regardless of the changes, we all still consider you family," Alice cooed before she wrapped me in her arms. I closed my eyes for a moment and when I opened them I saw Edward and Leah descending downstairs. She was gorgeous and hated her for it. She was wearing black leggings and an oversized grey sweatshirt. She walked in front of Edward and they both gave me a friendly enough smile. I was still hurting so I was sure I wasn't responding properly. Leah looked over her shoulder and Edward nodded. She headed outside and he took a seat in the living room. Alice grabbed my hand and led me into the living room with the rest of her family. I felt really touched by the effort they were making to make me fell included.

"You all know that you don't have to do this." I stated just because I felt like the only reason they were doing this was because they pitied me. They all stared at me wide eyed. I couldn't meet any of their stares my eyes focused on outside. I noticed that Leah was pacing around the house. It looked like she was trying to run or jog or something.

"Why is she outside?" I asked even though I was sure I already knew the answer.

"She didn't think that you'd want to be around her and we wanted you to know that you are welcome here." I rolled my eyes.

"You don't have to do me any favors. I get it, this life; this family is all hers now. I just wish you'd all leave me alone so I could process everything. I was just hoping that you, Alice, that we could still be friends. I really just need my friend," I croaked and then tears threatened to run down my cheeks. I exited the house forcefully and told them not to follow me. My plan was to storm past Leah, but something inside of me caused me to stop. I stopped in front of her and she took her ear buds out and waited for me to say something.

"You're still torn and you're hurt," Leah murmured. "I read you yesterday. I didn't want to, but I don't know how to control … it doesn't matter. You told Edward that you realized you loved Jacob, when you and I both know that's not true. You never made a decision, you could never put your finger on who you wanted, but once you saw Edward with me it made it clear to you that you wanted Edward."

"How can you read my mind when Edward can't?" I thought she was full of shit. I loved Jacob and I was just jealous of Leah because she now had something that I considered mine.

"I'm not reading your mind. It's just something I saw in your spirit. I'm sure I'm not your favorite person right now, but I want to give you some advice. I think that when you love someone you know without a doubt that you're making the right decision. I do think that out of the two you loved Edward more. I don't think you've met the person you're meant to be with forever … not yet anyway." I snorted and crossed my arms.

"I think that you're full of shit Leah Clearwater. Just because you're all different now doesn't mean that you know anything about me!" Leah nodded.

"You're right," she sighed and looked up at the sky.

"If you really want to help me you can help me get with the man I'm truly in love with," I spouted. "After all you do kind of owe me your life."

"You want me to break up with Edward?" Leah could barely form the words and tears started to form in her eyes, but from what I knew about vampires they were supposed to be able to cry.

"No, I was talking about Jacob," I corrected her.

"But you don't …," Leah sighed.

"You've said it yourself Leah. You owe me and I know you're pretty close to Jake. Just help me have the happiness that you have that's all I want."

"You're sure that's what you want?" Leah asked and I simply nodded. There's was nothing more that I wanted. "I'll talk to him and see what I can do, but I promise nothing. You should head back in the house and make up with the Cullen family because they love you like crazy, especially Alice. I'm going for a run." I watched as Leah disappeared almost within a blink of an eye. I took her advice and went back inside to the family that had accepted me even though they shouldn't have and loved me unconditionally.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Tell me which story you'd like updated next.