-1Not Leaving

Edward POV

"Alice, I have told you a hundred times already, I am not leaving Bella. Not even for just a couple of weeks. You will be just fine without me. If anyone asks any questions tell them that our father got a better job offer and he took it. That's my final word.", I argued with my sister.

"Grrr! I know she is your mate, Edward and I realize that and I am thrilled for you. I know you have duties to your mate, we all do but you can't let your duties to the family go either. You are next in charge under Carlisle and you know it. You are going and that is MY final word. That's how it plays out in my visions, so there.", she argued back.

"I am not trying to get out of my duties to this family, Alice but you know as well as I do that a mate comes first. Is there something you aren't telling me? There must be because you have been singing to keep me out of your head for days.", I said.

It's a rarity that Alice and I argue about anything but when we do it's usually a worthy argument.

Usually there is nothing I will not do for the family but this is one time I refuse to budge. I am not leaving my mate. She needs me and that's final.

Alice POV

I am not surprised to find Edward being so stubborn. That's just him and the fanily is used to it but he doesn't know it would serve him well to listen. Bella needs that couple of weeks to realize she as in love with Edward as he is with her.

It's been a couple of weeks since we came here and they have spent every waking minute together almost. Bella is not sure how she feels and is confused so if Edward would just listen to me and go back to Forks with us she would realize that she feels the same for him.

I had no choice but to go over his head to the one person he will not be able to say no to, Esme.

"Mom, you have to convince Edward to go with us back to Forks. If he doesn't Bella won't realize how she feels about him for a really long time. They will both wind up being miserable.", I told her while we were out hunting.

"Alice, sweety, I will talk to him but I can't and will not force him to go if he doesn't want to. Your father and I have never forced any of you to do anything and we won't start now.", she replied.

"I know mom, that's all I'm asking is that you talk to him about it. He can never say no to you. I know if you promise him that you will see to it that Bella will be taken care of personally he will go. It will save us all a lot of headache.", I explained.

Esme POV

After Alice and I came back from out hunt, I did what I told her I would do. I went in search of Edward. I found him with Bella in the library reading.

It was such a sweet sight that at first I just stood and watched them. There was a chaise lounge in front of the balcony doors. Light was shining in from the windows in the door. Edward was sitting with Bella between his legs, her back resting on his chest. I could hear his sweet velvet tone as he read some of his favorite poems to her. As he read, he was stroking her hair, she was so relaxed I could hear her purring. I couldn't find it within me to disturb them.

I left them alone I would talk to him later. I know Alice said Bella was confused but we don't purr like that until we have found our mates. I think Alice is just simply not used to having to share Edward with anyone else outside the family. It's an adjustment for her.

She and Edward have always been the closest of all the children over the years. If I didn't know better I would have sworn they were twins.