Chapter 2 : BELLA

It had been almost 2 weeks since the Volturi's departure and life in Forks seemed to slow down to a normal pace. I'm not entirely sure that I would call it normal, but no one was trying to annihilate us and so the sense of well-being that I felt was particularly blissful. I was at home with Alice and Jasper, and the rest of the family had gone to Alaska for the week to honor Irina and her family. It was difficult for me to let Edward and Renesmee out of my sight, but I surrendered when Charlie called to tell me that Renee had called and that she would be in town for a few days to visit us.

Phil had a game weekend close to Forks and then he had a few days off, so Renee thought it would be the perfect time to visit.

I hadn't seen her since my transformation and the idea of facing my mother for the first time was terrifying in its own right. At least she was coming to Forks so I wouldn't have to worry about the sun, and I had worked things out with Charlie and Sue so that there were many group activities planned over the two days.

I decided that that would be infinitely easier than one-on-one time alone with my mother. I loved her dearly, but she was far too intuitive and curious for me to spend too much time with her, as she was sure to pry and be left unsatisfied with my half-truth answers.

Alice and Jasper stayed at the Cullen residence while the others attended Irina's ceremony. They had spent so much time away from home before the Volturi's visit that Alice could not bear the idea of travelling again. She wanted to put the pieces of her life back together where they should be, and she explained that if she had to travel so soon after the encounter she couldn't really relax. All Alice wanted was to feel like things were the way they were meant to be, and to have a few days of peace in the Cullen home.

I imagine that she was emotionally and mentally exhausted, having pushed her gifts for so many weeks while trying to bend the future to her will. The burden of weighing the outcomes of her every action so carefully must have been taxing, and in the end it was her efforts that had saved my beautiful daughter from the Volturi. For that, I would be indebted to her forever.

I began to daydream about Edward and Renesmee. I was used to watching over them, as Renesmee experienced life each day. She was like a sponge, soaking up meaning and knowledge like I had never seen before. I was so proud of my little girl that it made me giddy when I thought of her. She looked so much like her father that I often watched them together in wonder. If DaVinci had titled a painting "The Perfection of Fatherhood", it would have certainly looked like Edward and Renesmee while they were together.

I smiled as my thoughts drifted to my perfect little cottage, with its quaint décor and cinnamon scented fireplace. The cinnamon potpourri was a touch that Edward had added later, while he explained that it reminded him of simpler times. Cinnamon had always reminded me of the holidays, and over a stone fireplace it was absolutely charming. My thoughts began to drift towards the bedroom as I recalled with perfect clarity the way that Edward's honey laced essence infused with the cinnamon in mere perfection.

"Bella!" Alice interrupted my daydream as she ran down the stairs and tossed a pair of white pants and a lavender cashmere sweater onto my lap. "We are going to be late! You need to get ready or we'll be late for your father's dinner party!"

I had almost forgotten. Almost. I didn't argue the clothing choice with Alice as it did seem to suit the occasion, and as we were running out the door Alice shoved a pair of dark chocolate contacts into my hands.
She had a special talent to remember the smallest of details and I smiled in appreciation. I knew that brown contacts would be easier for Renee to swallow than ochre. I thanked Alice as we got into Edward's silver Volvo. Alice and Jasper had objected my car choice briefly, but they gave in quickly because tonight was not about fast cars. The objective of this evening was to appear to be the same Ísabella Swan that I was the last time I spent an evening hanging out with my mother. We all knew that unostentatious was the best way to keep up this appearance.

At Charlie's things seemed to go smoother than I had thought possible. Renee looked shocked when I entered, and then she commented, "Bella, married life suits you more than I would have imagined. It's a shame that your wonderful hubby couldn't join us this evening."

Jasper looked over and winked at me and I relaxed into a chair in the living room. Things were going to be fine with Renee, and during dinner I noticed her happiness with Phil like I never had before. She was so enthralled by Phil's every word that perhaps it was Phil's presence that made this first encounter so flawless. I smiled and thanked the stars for my wonderful life.

Alice shifted uncomfortably in her seat and her eyes began to stare into space.

Her eyes opened wide and then they shut. I had never seen Alice react this way to her visions before. Scanning the room I noticed that Charlie had noticed Alice's strange behavior, but Renee was oblivious as she laughed with Sue and Phil. Alice began to moan and Jasper and I looked at each other with worry. A slow murmur rose from her lips and we watched in dismay as small Alice began to convulse at the table. She pushed her arms out in front of her as if she was forcing an invisible opponent away and then she fell to the ground beside her chair. Jasper and I hurried to her side as quickly as we could without appearing inhuman and Jasper picked her up in his arms.
"She hasn't had a seizure in years," he quickly fabricated, "Bella, let's get her to Carlisle at once."

"I thought Carlisle was away?" Renee asked, confused.

Damn. I thought quickly, "He just arrived as we were leaving and was too exhausted for dinner. Maybe you can see him tomorrow."

Alice moaned as we rushed her out to the silver Volvo parked in Charlie's driveway.

"What's happening to her Jasper?" I asked as soon as we were out of earshot.
His eyebrows knit together in worry for his partner, "I'm not sure."
He paused and I looked at him with fear, "What should we do Jasper?"
We both pushed back the anxiety as we struggled to find clear options. Carlisle was in Denali, and Alice clearly needed his help. Her moan increased as she arched her back into the seats of the car.

"Drive !" Jasper hissed as he jumped into the backseat to comfort Alice.

I raced towards the north, not sure what to do or where to go. As I watched Alice in the rearview mirror I saw her eyes fluttering open and shut, as if she were desperately fighting to regain consciousness. Her breath hissed out of her lungs and her eyes instantly flew open. She screamed as if she could not see us, and then she whispered, "Denali. I'm not strong enough." Jasper pulled Alice towards him and he pleaded with her, "Please Alice, I'm here. What's wrong, what can I do?"

Her eyes glazed over and I was sure that she hadn't heard him. She seemed to be somewhere else; somewhere distant.

She fell silent and her breathing quickened. Her amber eyes went black as her breathing raced. I watched in horror as my favorite sister Alice stared off into space, panicking in terror. Her eyes began to cloud, and her entire eyes turned to a dark grey. There was no pupil; no white area; and her expressionless trance left her looking lifeless. I was terrified and I looked over to Jasper as he watched her. I could tell by his expression that he had never seen anything like this either. Alice whimpered and fell into a heap on the seat. Her eyes were still murky, and her breathing slowed to a standstill. She remained in her trance and Jasper shook her gently to try and snap her out of it. Nothing he did seemed to work.

"Alice!" Jasper wailed, "What is it ?"

There was no response from Alice except for her glazed stare.

I speed dialed Carlisle's cell. Jasper begged with his eyes for an answer. Carlisle's answering machine kicked in and my eyes darted to Jasper a he moved swiftly. He was calling Alaska Air before I hung up my cell. "Go to the airport" he instructed. Jasper had switched into military mode. His breathing was calm, his eyes cool and his voice unwavering, "We need to get to Carlisle now."

I nodded and slammed my foot on the gas. If there were any police cars along the way we would be outrunning them tonight.

* * *
Before we boarded the plane I dialed Carlisle again. To my relief he answered this time, his voice warm and unaware, "Bella sweetheart ! You really should have come, we are having the most wonderful time at the party."

The party ? I pushed the thought out of my mind to quickly explain what had happened to Alice.
"So," I finished quietly, "We are on our way to Anchorage with Alice."

Carlisle paused and I heard him hum as if he was listening but not really interested.

I waited impatiently for him to offer his advice before I spoke, "Carlisle? Do you have any other ideas ?"

My throat tightened as I heard Carlisle joke to someone on the other end of the line about how wonderful the cocktails were and that they should really get together soon. He seemed so distant, and I couldn't understand why he wasn't planning our next moves carefully. It was painfully obvious to us that Alice needed to see Carlisle immediately, but somehow Carlisle was missing the point completely. His voice was strangely elated when he spoke to me again, "Bella darling, what was that you were saying again ?"

"A –Alice…."I stammered in disbelief, "Carlisle she needs your help."

"Oh right, that," Carlisle chimed as if we were talking about the news, "Well I'm sure she will be fine. That silly girl always gets herself into the strangest of predicaments."

I looked at the screen on my flip phone to make sure that I had the right number, and an uneasy feeling filled my mind because I was certain that the voice on the other end belonged to Carlisle. But this was not the always caring, always ready-to-offer-a-wise-alternative Carlisle that I had grown to love over the last few years. I heard a woman's laughter through the phone and a voice that I didn't recognize interrupted our silence, "Carlisle love, hurry now. You know how impatient I am when you are ignoring me."

Jasper listened to every word and we stared at each other in shock.
The alluring voice purred through the speaker again, "Really Carlisle, it can't be that important."

My jaw dropped and I asked, "Where's Esme, Carlisle?"

It was like he forgot I was on the phone and he answered the strange voice, "Kolfinna dear, don't even think about sneaking off without me."

Kolfinna ?

My mind raced and I couldn't comprehend what was going on. Carlisle was the backbone of the Cullen family. He was the one to bring clarity and reason to every situation, and the one to count on in times like these. I looked at poor Alice as she slumped over Jasper's shoulder. I thought about my family, and Esme's sure devastation if Carlisle was really there with this mystery woman. Was it even possible ? Esme and Carlisle were inseparable. They were matched long ago; mated for life. I shook my head in an effort to will my brain into clarity. I scrambled to put the strange puzzle pieces together. One thought flashed through my mind as the lump in my throat pressed upwards.
"Carlisle?" I asked quietly, "Where is Edward?"

"Bella, Bella," he sounded amused, "How you worry your inane little head to pieces. Edward is wonderful. He's never been happier. Kolfinna is so very hospitable."

"Where is Renesmee?" my voice broke as I could barely speak.

He continued, "Oh I almost forgot to tell you. We've decided to stay here for awhile longer. We are having the most wonderful time with the Denalis and their friends."

"Carlisle," my voice rose, "Where is my daughter?"

I heard only a giggle from the phone and Carlisle sounded slightly annoyed at me this time, "Bella I really have to go. You know I love you tons my sweet Bella. Get a good night's rest, I'm sure you will feel better in the morning."

Click.

My cell phone beeped to confirm that Carlisle had hung up on me.
My mind swooned as anxiety flooded my senses. What was going on ? Carlisle knows better than anyone that I don't need a good night's rest ! I let out a low growl and I wanted to run to Edward and Renesmee. I looked at Jasper's eyes as they stared back mirroring my own confusion and fear.

Think Bella, Think.

I quickly dialed Edward's cell phone and it rang twice. A soft, dreamlike voice answered, "Hello ?"

I was dumbfounded as this female's voice was certainly not my husband's. I couldn't find the words to ask where Edward was. Jasper pulled the phone from my hands in anger, "Who is this? Where is Edward Cullen?"

I listened from a distance as the pixie-like voice whispered through the wireless network, "Edward Cullen is with me." There was a pause, then a giggle, "and I am with him. He's very occupied right now."

I cringed at the mental image that her magnetic voice conjured and Jasper snarled into the phone, "Who is this? Where is Renesmee Cullen?"
Like a petal the voice drifted slowly into the receiver, "She is being taken care of. I must go now."

"Wait!" Jasper's voice was cut off as my cell phone beeped again as the line cut to silence. We stood in the terminal frozen for many long moments. An alarm sounded in my mind as I hopelessly tried to make sense of it all.

"Air Alaska now boarding," the voice cracked over the main speaker. Jasper pulled my arm to get me to move and we walked towards our plane to Alaska. I was shocked, speechless, and my brain processed faster than it ever had before. Who was the strange woman on Edward's phone ? Carlisle was with a woman named Kolfinna. Where were Esme, Rosalie and Emmett? What happened to my family? Where was my daughter?

I felt a weak wave of tranquility break through my racing mind and Jasper touched my shoulder softly.

"We need to calm down," Jasper said. His voice cracked as if he wasn't sure of his own words, "We will not be able to figure this out until we do."

I relaxed ever so slightly. I marveled at his ability to calm himself even though Alice was so desperately afflicted beside him. I looked up at Jasper and realized that there was more to him than I had seen before. I suddenly felt a deep sense of respect and awe for him that I had never had in the past. Somehow he regained his composure almost completely, and his calm exterior helped me to focus.

We boarded our flight and Jasper's cell began to ring.
He hesitated a minute before answering the unidentified caller.
"Jasper ?" the excited voice was strained, "It's Kate Denali. There's something wrong. Garrett and I just arrived and we found Esme here in our shop. She looks terrible Jasper. I don't know where Carlisle is, and it looks like Tanya hasn't been here for at least a few days."

"Put Esme on," Jasper requested, and he pulled his hand to his hair as he fidgeted nervously.

"That's the thing Jazz," Kate's voice drifted off. She's here, but it's as if she isn't. Her eyes are darker than they should be. She looks sick Jazz."

Jasper's eyes drifted to Alice and he understood Kate's description all too well.
"We're on our way Kate. We'll arrive in Anchorage at 6 tomorrow morning. Look after her until we get there."

"Please hurry," Kate murmured, "I've never seen anything like this and I don't have a good feeling about this at all."

"Tell me about it," Jasper agreed and we boarded our plane as the final boarding call sounded.

The hours passed like months on the flight. Everything human seemed slow to me now, but this airplane felt like it was standing still in mid air. I desperately wanted to arrive in Alaska and find my way to Kate and Esme. Maybe they would have answers when we arrived. I was conscious of my guttural breathing as we were on the plane. It was difficult to concentrate on anything but instinct when I was so distraught, but I knew that I had to keep up the façade while we were in such close proximity to so many mortals.

The thought of my daughter in the arms of a stranger had me queasy with dread. I couldn't imagine Edward leaving Renesmee's side for even a moment. I should have listened to Jake. He so fiercely wanted to accompany Renesmee to the north, but the fact that all the Denali clan's vampire acquaintances would be in the area during the week made the trip more than dangerous for him. As stubborn as Jacob Black was, he was not stupid. He knew that most of those vampires would not welcome his presence, and that he would be in danger if he were alone so far from the other wolves in his pack. Edward reassured him that it would only be 5 days, so Jake decided to spend some time in La Push with Seth this week. It was time to make amends with Sam and his old pack, and he wanted to spend some time with Billy. I wished that Jacob had gone with Renesmee, he never would have taken his eyes off of my daughter.

Carlisle's voice sounded repeatedly in my thoughts.
He's never been happier.

I knew that there was nothing stronger than the love that Edward and I felt for each other. My confused emotions denied the possibility that Edward was happy to be with the woman on the other end of the line and that he didn't want to speak with me. He would never leave me; I couldn't bear the thought of being alone. The very thought of being alone pierced my confidence as I remembered the soft wispy voice on the other end of his phone.

Edward Cullen is with me. And I am with him.

My blood began to boil and the jealousy knocked all the breath from my lungs. I felt a familiar shadow creep into my ear and make its way to my heart. I recognized the shadow of self-doubt instantly, like an old rival that was impossible to shake.
I knew that there was nothing stronger than the love that I felt for Edward. Could he truly be happy without us? Had I done something wrong? I felt the doubt eat away at my insides, and it left room for a deep sadness to move in. I began to sob uncontrollably; a tearless, breathless sob. I could no longer cry like I did when I was human, but the feelings of loss were as strong as they had ever been. I begged Jasper to put me under his spell and oppress my building anxiety.

"I'm already doing it Bella," he looked at me through his own suffering eyes, "I am so worried for them that it's hard for me to concentrate."

I understood completely as I glanced at Alice. She was still silent and her eyes were closed. An outsider might think that she was resting on Jasper's shoulder. We knew, however, that Alice never slept, and that whatever it was that induced this grey sleep was most likely the same force that caused Carlisle to act so indifferent when we spoke on the phone.

After endless hours our plane finally landed in Alaska, and I felt so lost when we spilled into the lobby of the airport. There was no resolution in landing, because we had no real plan to follow. Jasper voiced my concerns as he gingerly guided Alice through the lobby, "I feel blind here without Alice to guide us."