Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I am merely borrowing them.
I am a huge fan of AngelRen here on FFN. Her story One Dozen Roses was an inspiration, and with permission, I referenced her story here. If you would like to read what exactly went on during the six weeks that Edward was trying to ignore Bella read her story! I took a little creative license and pretended that the Edward POV of the story didn't exist. Thank you Ren!
A/N: I am truly sorry for the amount of time that it took for this chapter to be posted. I could tell all of you all the reason, but that doesn't make it ok. I have already started ch18 and I am hoping that I will not have so many disturbances this time around.
Many, many thanks go out to Ava Sinclair for her consistent support, incessant nagging, and vested interest in Alice's side of the story. I think this little fanfic would probably have been finished if not for her. Also thanks to all of you readers who continued to review and add this as an alert or a favorite. That little twinge of guilt each time I got a message in my inbox was a real motivator!
Thanks also to Tnuccio and new cyber-pal Smellyia. Your encouragement helped immensely!
Amelioration
Normalcy, well at least as much as a family of vampires gets, had finally settled its mundane self back around our lives. Only Emmett had immediately put the fight behind him; the rest of us had walked on eggshells around each other for a fortnight. Rosalie had lowered her hackles once Edward seemed to lose interest in Bella. I knew better though. He was as transparent as glass to me; I could see Bella's mere existence tormented him. Jasper could undoubtedly feel his self-denial and attempts at indifference, and I'm sure he sensed Edward's utter failure at both as well. It wouldn't be long until my brother slipped up and the whole family would be thrown into chaos again.
Jazz's own brooding silences had taken an Edwardian turn. After "The Discussion", he had been pushed into acceptance through fear. My epiphany and subsequent collapse had scared him into agreeing with anything that would keep me calm. As time put a blink of distance between now and then, he had become a bit less conciliatory. He often turned to me as we lie under twisted silver silk and stared wordlessly into my eyes to search for unspoken answers he knew I had. I'd been fighting to return to my pre traumatic-vision mentality but I know that I'd been wearing an aura of melancholy that only my husband could see. Jasper only thought I didn't understand the gravity of the situation. He'd explained at length the workings of the Volturi: how they policed the vampiric population without clemency. Worse though, he had stated, was that I had known and that damned me double. He couldn't understand why I didn't just refuse Edward my help as any incriminating premonition arose. To be honest, I wasn't sure why I didn't refuse him either. Edward's obsession had brought out a part of me that I hadn't known existed.
No, it wasn't that I didn't grasp the serious threat that was the Volturi. It was this emptiness I'd discovered, a void that was driving me now, left unfilled by Jasper and Edward, by the rest of my family. Something was missing, something that seemed to be almost part of my subconscious. It was only after talking to Edward about what I wanted from him that It all clicked. A startling revelation when it leapt from my thoughts, Jasper knew nothing of my joking sibling request to Edward. I had contemplated telling him, but when I looked ahead, I'd seen his face smeared with incredulity. Worse, the taint of distrust - it was enough to justify my silence. Double-damned was now a double entendre, first by the Volturi and second by the love of my life. I couldn't help my longing though. Once I had seen her with him, their hands entwined, she became my sister. She was mine as well as his; he couldn't deny me her company forever. I argued with Edward about her often, but always out of earshot of the rest of the family. Just tell them she'll be one of us. They would understand. I need her, Edward. Despite my pleading, he always flatly refused. He didn't understand that I needed her; that she was the solution to my pain as well as his unhappiness.
There was a part of me that felt guilty for the surging, hopeful, brightness I felt whenever I saw crimson-eyed Bella smiling at me from her prone position. I had felt the isolation of what it is to be one of us. Did I really wish to bring another into my sudden emptiness, or Edward's self-loathing, or Rosalie's regrets, forever? I'd struggled with my feelings daily, but I'd since accepted my fate, and unlike Edward, I wasn't going to continue punish myself for being something that I hadn't chosen. I'd decided that the choices I made and the joy I brought to others justified this existence I called a life. It was a life of sorts. I had nothing else to remember so I would celebrate all that I knew..
Time flew by, unnoticed in the initial turmoil and following calm. January slipped away and love-fueled, pink February flitted in on cherub's wings. .
"I don't like it Jasper, so don't bother buying it." I lilted, words sing-song, from my perch atop my drafting stool. "I don't want jewelry this year. Get me something romantic."
"It would be romantic if you would just quit peeking and be surprised for once in our relationship." He muttered in mock exasperation from his study. He raised his voice to be sure the rest of the house heard his response, "I'm going to get you a Visa gift card, my love. How's that for romantic? You know what they say: It's everywhere you want to be."
I snorted at the obvious smirk coloring his retort. Gift card, ha! He wouldn't dare! Edward's quiet chuckle floated down from his third-floor haven. Quiet you! The chuckle exploded into laughter.
"That was in stereo." Edward guffawed. "I don't think you both could do that again if you tried."
"Great minds…" Jasper and I said again in unison, this time aloud.
"I know, I know." The volume on Edward's stereo jumped up to a thought-dampening level, drowning out his laughter and I turned back to my drawings.
The rough sketches looked promising, and even Rosalie had given the designs her approval. I'd completed several overcoats and decided I wanted the line to remain small. I didn't want to deal with the same requirements that the successful C.J. Rae line had put on me. I had far more important things to focus my energies on, now. Plus, small is exclusive. Who doesn't like to be a bit exclusive?
As I sketched some detailing on the cuffs of the last coat draft in front of me, a now-familiar melody wove itself into my mind. I let myself relax and was rewarded with a crystal clear vision of Edward buying a crimson rose. The blood-red bloom was amazing; perfectly symmetrical on its flawlessly straight deep-green stem. He was writing something on the card, but before I could read what it said, the scene drifted away on the wisps of melody.
Oh Edward, that is the most beautiful rose I've seen in ages! I'm sorry I peeked. I promise not to look and see where you'll hide it; then at least that'll be a surprise! Inspired by the strain of song and pleasure from my anticipated gift, the detailing flew from my pencil: a graceful and elegant play on the musical staff vining around the cuff. Maybe the song was a present too. I don't know how he had been composing it without me hearing. Jasper and I had only left twice to hunt in the past three weeks. My mind raced through all of the times when Edward may have had a moment to practice with me out of earshot. I didn't even notice that the music above had cut off, and that my favorite moody brother leaned against my doorframe with the devil's own grin. I smiled back, interest piqued by his silent arrival.
"I've often seen a cat without a grin, but a grin without a cat…?" I slipped nimbly from my seat and skipped across the floor to give Edward my best curtsy punctuated with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, with Rosalie's hair you'd be perfect in Wonderland. I think perhaps we should consider dressing up for Halloween this year."
"Who would you be?"
"Why, Mr. Cheshire himself, of course! We'd make quite the pair." His honey-colored eyes sparkled with an unspoken joke. My eyes narrowed in suspicion, and his grin grew.
"Speaking of cat, you look like the canary-eating kind. Do tell, mon frère."
"I told you one of these days all of your peeking was going to disappoint you. I hate to see you disappointed." His eyes nonchalantly dropped from mine to study his nails
His patronizing tone only increased my suspicions. Immediately I focused, flipping through random soon-to-be's in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his plan. Bits and pieces of people and places rose and burst in my mind: burning red hair and ruby eyes, broken mirrors and heavy purplish smoke, swaying flowers and emerald grass surrounded by forest, my own face in the review mirror of Carlisle's Mercedes. Nothing. Rien du tout! I thought-shouted in frustration. He was purposely keeping his intentions vague. His too-innocent eyes and self-satisfied grin just further aggravated me.
"Come now Alice, you exploit the weaknesses in my little parlor-trick talent all the time. In fact, I do recall you, quite frequently I might add, mentally singing that wretched song by that little poser-punk girl to drive me insane. I know you don't like her music, wee one, so my only reasoning for your motivation is to keep me distracted."
I felt the corners of my lips fighting to rise up in a smug smile; I struggled briefly before resigning myself to its damning presence. Why you have to go and make things so complicated? I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated. Life's like this you- He chuckled and cut me off with a slightly-less-than-gentle brotherly headlock.
"Hey! Stop it, Edward, you're messing up my hair." I struggled futilely and tried to pull from his grasp.
"Oh, I think I might be doing it an improvement, Spike." He chuckled again, this time at my answering growl, and proceeded to drag me, protesting, out of my room and down the hall. I heard Emmett's guffaw from the garage. Spike? You are in so much trouble Edward. My thoughts were answered with what could only be described as an affectionate yet aggressive hair-ruffling noogie.
"Jasper Whitlock! Do I not sound like a need rescuing?" I loudly groaned, desperately trying to slip my head from the crook of Edward's arm. He only hesitated a moment to tighten his grip before continuing doggedly towards the stairs. "Jasper…I know you can hear me."
"Edward, are you going to hurt her?" I gritted my teeth at the feigned concern coming from behind the thick oak door. I contemplated turning my head to bite the wrist that held me.
"Wasn't in the plan, but if she follows through on her thoughts I might have to." I rolled my eyes at his light tone, but I quit struggling.
"Carry on then, just see that you don't bring her back damaged." His voice took on a bored tone now, I heard him exaggerate a faux yawn. "Then I'd be forced to renounce my peaceful vows and go Confederate on you, Yank."
"What exactly does that mean? You'll try to secede from the family?" My intent was to sound scathing, but with Edward's arm around my neck it came out a bit more like a squeak. It was answered with a snicker from both of them. I tried one more time. "It wouldn't matter anyways…the South lost that war if you remember right."
Whistled Dixie floated out from behind the thick oak door, and I heard his chair creak as he settled himself back into it. So much for southern gentlemen. Edward chuckled yet again.
I sighed and turned so my feet were going the same direction I was being dragged and, in a last ditch effort, I tried lunging forward. Edward loosened his grip enough that I was able to slip my shoulders through but his arm encircled my waist now, and I was being hauled down the stairs, two at a time, like a rebellious plank tucked under his arm.
"Why don't you just see what will happen if you keep fighting me?" His voice stunk of smirk. I sighed again and went limp. He flung me over his shoulder and took off at a sprint. After several minutes of jostling he stopped and gently set me down. The little clearing we were in was flooded with the moonlight that streamed through the thin clouds. Bare tree branches and browned grass sparkled silver with hoarfrost. It was a strange oasis surrounded by glittering primordial forest.
In the silence I simply glared and waited. Was that really necessary? You know I would have come with you voluntarily if you had just asked. He met my glare with dancing eyes and my annoyance immediately melted away. I haven't seen this side of Edward in weeks. In fact, I hadn't seen this Edward since he'd foolishly bet me the moon. I immediately looked inward, skimming through possibilities until Edward's elegant script on heavy cream paper caught my attention.
Timeless perfection at its best
That naked Serenity hath undressed
A promise enfolded in velvet prose…
"I need your help , Alice." His whispered request cut through the vision, the verse now a mere echo in my mind.
"The rose isn't for me, is it?" I was surprised by the timidity of my voice. Even more surprising were the emotions battling for control of my mind; the familiar surging hope was fighting to contain something I hadn't felt in so long, I'd almost forgotten what it was. I was glad that Edward's talent was only the ability to read my mind, and not to sense the shameful twinge of jealousy leaving verdigris on my happiness.
"No wee one, it isn't. I'm sorry. If it's roses you want though, I'll fill your room with flawless blooms."
I sat on the frosted ground, wrapped my arms around my bent legs, and rested my chin on my knees. As I allowed myself to relax, his plan unfolded in my mind. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face, but my emotions were churning just beneath it. Logic warred with desire. Contact with Bella was forbidden, even on the sly, but this choice he has made brings her closer to us, and us to contentment and completion. Esme and Carlisle would forgive him anything. I could be underhanded and seduce Jasper into agreement. Rosalie was really the only stumbling block anymore, and Emmett would agree with her just to keep the peace. I closed my eyes, but I saw no fight. I would keep an eye out for him. We could do this together. .
"It's wonderful, it will work, and you won't need my help except for twice. I'll be there when you need me." I raised my head and met his eyes, trying to drown the tiny, green-eyed monster with bubbling enthusiasm.
"You're all I've got Alice. Thank you."
I rolled my eyes. Ever dramatic. This poor girl didn't know what she was in for. She'll have me for stability though…at least I hope she will. I stuffed the daydream into a dark corner of my mind before Edward saw it.
"Alice, I said I'd get you roses, not a new family member. I've promised you the moon and it's more likely you'll get that than a sister. She's not your gift. I just want to see her smile, to give her a little happiness. She won't even know it was me." I sighed. I needed to be quicker with the stuffing.
If I'd learned anything from immortality, it was patience. There were three images that remained burned into my mind. The first: the still, lifeless Swan girl, second: crimson-eyed Bella, and the best: my sister with her cool pale hands entwined in Edward's. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, Edward.
"If you won't help without antagonizing me, Alice, I'll just do it alone." There was an edge of annoyance in his voice…he'd been pushed enough for the day.
"Alright, I'm finished. I'm sorry. Let's go back." I took his hand and squeezed it. I'll be here when you need me.
He raised our clasped hands and chucked me on the chin. I offered him my brightest, most loving smile and he opened his mouth as if to speak, but then shook his head and led me back to the house. I carefully kept my mind blank but allowed the swirling torrent of emotions to engulf me. Hope, glorious fiery white hope, flooded my senses. We can do this, everything will be fine. Edward squeezed my hand in affirmation.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Alice, do you see how she stares at him? At us, for that matter?"
Between dead-Bella and changed-Bella, pictures in my head grew a bit static and dull. Day in and day out, week after week, nothing changed. Even Edward seemed desensitized to the once-disturbing sight. Part of me hoped it was like an ultraviolent commercial: if he saw her changed enough he might be willing to do it without much of a second thought. I'd stopped bringing her up in conversation because his denial was so frustrating. I'd let my visions do the talking from then on.
"What is he going to do about this?" Jasper's even tone belied his worry.
No one had known about the whole Valentine's Day rose escapade except for me and Jazz. I'd told Edward that I was done hiding things from Jazz, and that no amount of shopping time was worth the distance my inadmissions had created in our marriage. Jasper was often on edge after the prolonged contact. He had insisted that the flowers were a bad idea, but quit his protests when I told him that I didn't see anything new in my visions. The trust he had in me still wasn't enough to dispel all of the tension between us. I was torn again, constantly picking sides, but this time I was being drawn in three. Jasper's anxiety, Edward's denial, and my own desires to fill the mysterious void were my motivation. Jasper, however, only picked up on my frustrated attempts to keep everyone happy and the guilt when I could not. His disgruntlement then subtly infected the rest of the household. We were all uneasy, but only Jasper, Edward, and I really knew why.
"He's going to agonize about it Jazz, because that's what Edward does. I don't need you to worry too."
Jazz's lanky frame seemed casually sprawled on the twilight-purple sofa, but I could feel the anxiety pouring off of him. His opinion of the whole "Bella" situation ran hot and cold. One day he joked and laughed with Edward, the next his mistrust got the best of him and he alternatingly glowered and sulked. His disapproval of Edward's actions and my participation was mastering him today. I would just have to remedy that. He didn't turn to meet my gaze as I crossed the room and stood before him. I gently pushed one leg to the floor and settled myself on the now-empty space. His arms slid down around me as I leaned back and rested my cheek against his chest. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm and I closed my eyes hoping the calm I was forcing myself to feel was giving him some peace.
I tilted my face up to his and brushed my lips across his perfect chin. "Why don't we find something else to concentrate on?" I let my voice drop into a sultry whisper. His arms tightened, but the oppressive blanket of worry didn't lift.
I sighed internally. Do I have to do everything around here? I twisted in his embrace and brought my fingers up to trace along his high cheekbone and the dusky circle under his eye. He turned his head and nuzzled his face into my hand. I leaned forward to the exposed swath of skin between this neck and shoulder and pressed my lips to its cool softness. Encouraged by his held breath, I opened my lips slightly and let my tongue graze along the arch of his neck. I pulled back and smiled with satisfaction as I realized his eyes had drifted closed. I shifted further in his lap so that now we were facing each other, my knees on either side of his hips. His hands parted company; one slid downward to grip my waist and to pull me harder against him, the other ruffling the short hair at the base of my neck.
"Why did you stop?" His husky growl perfectly matched the smoldering fire in his hooded eyes. His hand clasped my waist, thumb rubbing a circular pattern on my hipbone. I bit my lip and dropped forward, forearms resting on his chest, and mimicked the circular movement of his thumb with my hips. At the contact, his eyes rolled back and closed and had I been able to bruise, four perfect fingers and a thumb would have been branded across my hip.
"So I could see that." I whispered, elbows resting on his chest. I cradled his head in my hands, tipping it back lightly and dusting kisses up the line of his throat to his chin. Sliding my fingers up and through his golden hair, I tipped his face forward and nipped his full bottom lip gently with my teeth. I felt the rope of control he clung to unraveling, the muscles in his arms jumping and tensing as each strand broke. I twisted my hips one last time before the hand palming the back of my head crushed our lips together. Hunger swirled in heavy tendrils around the room as his kisses devoured my soul. I moaned and felt the answering rumble in his chest as the last frayed cord of control snapped plunging us into the flames.
In a fluid motion I found myself flipped on my back and astride a muscular thigh. Jasper's forearms were on either side of my head, our foreheads gently touching. His eyes burned into mine, his breath came in hitching gasps. The power that I had to put him on the razor's edge was intoxicating. I arched against him and closed my eyes as his head angled to capture my lips.
"Open your eyes, darlin'."
His gravelly growl coaxed, sending a shiver through me. The backs of his fingers brushed along my cheek and I opened my eyes to find myself pinned to the sofa by his. His lips hovered a hairsbreadth from mine; his breath puffed cool against me. A car horn blared through crisp morning air shattering the intensity; I closed my eyes with a sigh. The answering chuckle was tight and frustrated.
"Never again…I'm done with high school. It's incredibly inconvenient."
Dear God, so am I. "You know," I raised my voice enough to be heard outside, "I really think we should just do the college thing next time we move and make Edward slog through high school again for us." I heard Edward's protesting groan from the car and he laid on the horn again.
I reached up and brushed an errant strand of hair from Jazz's face before raising up on one elbow and pecking him on the cheek regretfully. I sighed again after looking down at my now-wrinkled skirt and blouse.
"Go on down, I have to change." I pressed my finger to his lips and cut his protest short as I wiggled from under his kneeling form. "We have to go today Jazz, we'll have a few sunny days next week."
I heard his irritated grunt as he pushed himself from the couch and stalked downstairs to the waiting car. No time to coordinate anything spectacular today…a little warning might have been nice, brother of mine. I threw on one of the ensembles Edward had placated me with, shouted a farewell to Esme, and hopped down the stairs to the waiting Volvo. I squeezed in next to Emmett because Rose refused to sit in the backseat unless she had half the seat for herself, and got to sit next to him.
"Great, Rose thanks. Excellent start to the day. I don't know why I bothered changing out of the wrinkled stuff." I scrunched my nose at her and the humming irritation swirling in the car.
Jasper hadn't bothered trying to dampen his frustration, so the whole car was on edge.
"It's not like you have anyone to impress, Alice." She snapped back, her eyes never leaving her manicured nails. "Besides, if you look too good Tyler Crowley might try to convince you to ask him to that ridiculous Sadie Hawkins dance they're having."
Jasper snorted and the mood lightened considerably. Emmett scooped Rose onto his lap and buried his face into her neck.
"So, which gorgeous dress am I going to get to peel off of you after this dance?"
I was surprised the car didn't flip over with the force of our combined eye-rolling at his stage whisper. Rosalie looked aghast.
"What makes you think I'm asking you? You've been taking me for granted lately. I'm thinking about asking that little Asian fellow. I think we'd make a cute couple." Palms flat on his chest, she pushed herself back into her seat and adjusted her clothing as she mumbled. "As if I would be caught dead at a school functions anyway…"
I grinned and winked at Edward's eyes in the rearview mirror. I could see the sympathy for Jasper's soon-to-be predicament softening their darkened edges.
"Jazz?" I wheedled, making myself feel as plaintive as possible. "Will you go with me to the Sadie Hawkins dance? I want to be able to give Tyler a good reason for not going with him." I placed my hand lightly on his broad shoulder.
A pregnant pause followed; the others playing their parts without being asked. I fixed a pout to my face and let my hand drop from his arm. I heard the small sigh and before I could count to three, he came through.
"I would be honored, Alice. I hope Rosalie and her miniscule date will accompany us, I would hate to have to go to dinner alone." Emmett chuckled as Jasper continued. "Plus, I don't think it's called a Sadie Hawkins dance anymore ladies.
"Your age is showing, girls." Edward barely got the words out of his mouth before he had to dodge Rose's well-aimed smack.
The joking banter continued throughout the drive, across the parking lot until we reached our classes. Jasper and I parted with our usual kiss and invocation. I tip-toed off to class, sketchbook in hand, looking to put the finishing touches on my drawings. My line had been picked up by several small boutiques in Seattle, Olympia, and one little local shop in Port Angeles. I'd sewn a couple of individual pieces for Rose and Edward to model and the photos made Je Crée an instant hit.
As Varner droned on, I smiled a bit at the name Edward and Jasper had come-up with for me. They'd rearranged letters over and over, but nothing had fit. Edward had been harassing me all night about helping them and finally, at my wits end, I had shouted at them to leave me out of it. They took me literally, Jasper erased the A and Edward had the house's new name, en français, nonetheless. "I create". It was perfect.
"Alice?" I blinked and shifted, catching Mr. Varner's concerned gaze. "Are you with us?"
"Sorry sir, just lost track of my thoughts." He nodded and turned to Eric Yorkie and signaled him to continue.
The greasy-headed boy's voice droned on, a dull backdrop for the swirling image of an irritated Bella shaking her head at his cracked-voice request of her to ask him to the dance. I knew she had good taste. There's still hope for you, Edward. I could imagine his annoyed frown and fingers clasped at the bridge of his nose. Bella swirled into my mind once again, this time with Mike Newton stammering his interest in her company. Over her shoulder, Edward's jaw tightened and his eyes tried to burn holes through Newton's face. I choked back a giggle, and stared intently into my book. That little vision was enough to get me to lunch.
The cafeteria buzzed and hummed with excitement and sometimes- hesitant invitations. An occasional ecstatic shriek would split the air as one of the little human girl's biggest dream just came true. No one ask you yet, Edward? Rose and I would love if you would come. Emmett needs a date. He rolled his eyes without turning his head to meet mine. The hour was spent immersed in mundane visions of the upcoming week and trying to tune out Emmett as he played the role of spurned lover.
"Rose, come on." Emmett hadn't stopped trying to get Rosalie's attention since her Ben Cheney comment in the car. "You're not really considering going, are you?"
Rosalie feasted on his discomfited attentions. Her silence was more distressing to him than affirmation and she knew it. She rose from the table, and without even so much as a glance at Emmett, she walked out of the cafeteria.
"Rosie, please?" Like a lumbering puppy, Emmett pulled his bulk from the cafeteria chair and trailed after her. "You know I would go if you asked me."
"Alice, you weren't serious about that ridiculous dance, were you?" Jasper hissed in my direction, but his eyes followed Emmett's pathetic parade out of the lunchroom.
Edward's tense jaw loosened for a moment and he chuckled as I considered extending Jasper's agony. I couldn't do it anymore though. If I stretched this joke out any longer I might as well call myself Rosalie.
"Honestly Jasper. When was the last time we attended a school function?" I winked and stuck my tongue out at him. "Come on, let's get to class. Matthews is in a bad mood today, and I'm going to be late."
Edward collected Rose and Emmett's trays as well as his own. "If you knew you were going to be late, wee one, why didn't you leave earlier?" He dumped everything and walked with Jasper and I into the hall.
"I don't need to dignify that with a response. Go to class." Mike Newton is about to put the moves on Bella, you're going to love it. Krebs cycle, by the way. Would this moment of jealousy be his undoing? I would have to find a way to thank Newton if this all worked out in my favor. He looked slightly confused as he headed off to Bio and I moved on to the rest of my daily torment.
I spent Murphy's class writing a paper for Matthews. I'd been late and was only able to get out of a detention by promising an extra project. I'm sure that he didn't think I would be able to pull it off by the end of the day. I'd seen Bella's strategy for eliminating her seemingly endless line of suitors. Seattle? Really? Oh, I so doubt it. I knew he probably wasn't listening, but I couldn't help but mention it. It was such a lame excuse, very obviously made up on the spot to avoid going to the dance. Especially not in that truck.
Paper finished and Murphy's lecture finished I tapped my foot and waiting for the bell to ring. Boredom encouraged flipping through the future, so I let the visions fly. Hearing Edward's laughter caught my attention and I willed myself to pull the image into my mind. She's angry with him; it seems as if he's cut her off in the parking lot. Then the scene skips to his laughter. I focused on the empty spot to try to force the vision to appear, but my focus was rewarded only with the sound of his mirth. The scene jumps again forward. He sits, ironically, as silent as death, on the windowsill of her bedroom. His eyes are closed in concentration…What in the… Then I hear it, the breathless whisper that shocks me as much as it will shock him.
"Edward…"