A/N Some of you may not like this chapter, but it had to happen. Sorry.

Chapter 3

I obediently followed Alice back to our table. Edward stood as we approached, looking concerned.

"Are you okay, Bella?" He asked, assisting me back into my seat, as Alice bounced back into hers next to me.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You feel warm." He said, placing a hand to my forehead. I knew my face was bright red, but I pointedly ignored my family's curious looks and Alice's snicker beside me.

"I guess maybe I'm a little under the weather." I admitted, unsure how else to explain the mess I was sure to look.

"Oh. Well than I better find someone else to make the trip to Miami." Edward mumbled, but it caught my attention.

"Miami?" I asked. He grimaced, looking guilty.

"Yeah, I got an email when you were in the restroom. They're having a surge problem down there…"

"You should go Edward. I'm really fine." I said, glancing at Alice. Is it bad that my first thoughts, when my husband goes out of town, are of my young lover?

"Are you sure? Maybe mom can check on you?" He said glancing at his mother.

"Of course, dear." Esme replied smiling sweetly.

"Well, then I guess I better get home and pack…"

"What?! You're going tonight?! When were you going to tell me this?!" I snapped loudly, attracting some attention from the main dining room. I stood up and moved to the corner with Edward for a little privacy.

"I'm sorry, Bella, you know I would rather be here with you. It'll only be like this for the first few years, and then I'll be at home more, I promise." My husband pleaded, looking at me with those beautiful green eyes that made me want to melt.

"I know. I just wish I had some more notice. I mean, how are Alice and I going to get home? Esme and Carlisle are taking Em and Rose, so there won't be enough room. And what about the Red Cross event in two days? Will you be back or do I have to find another person for our table? I just wish you'd schedule your time a little better." I huffed, crossing my arms. I tried to be a good wife. I tried to

"I know, but what can I do? I can't predict when there's going to be a problem! We've discussed this." Edward sighed, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. "Look, I'll take a cab back to our house. You take the car and drop Alice at home." He watched me for a moment to see my reaction before pulling me into his chest, hugging me tightly. "I'm sorry, babe. I hate leaving you alone so much. Hey! Why don't you come with me? We could go to the beach and…"

"I can't." I hated wiping the excitement off Edward's face and I wouldn't mind going to Florida with him. "I committed to the Red Cross event and I have to arrange the book drop off for the library benefit. You know how important that is to me." I said. It was true. I had personally set up this annual event to raise money for the public libraries around our town, specifically in the lower socio-economic districts. It was important to me to make sure books were available to everyone and it wasn't easy to convince our ladies club to sponsor it. They like to do things on larger scales like world hunger and Aids. Not that those aren't important, but I tend to support the idea that you can make the world a better place by starting where you live and spreading out from there.

"Oh, right. I forgot." Edward frowned.

"I'm sorry I over-reacted Edward. I just miss you." I said, leaning back from his embrace so I could see his face. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"I miss you too, baby. Tell you what: As soon as things settle down a little, I'll take you on a vacation, your pick. Just the two of us."

"Lisbon?" I asked, excitedly. Edward laughed and kissed me again, this time on the lips.

"Anything you want, Bells."

A throat clearing caught our attention and I was reminded that we were still in front of the family. I blushed as I looked around. Esme and Carlisle were smiling happily at us, while Emmett was smirking. Oddly, Rose wasn't looking at us, but was looking across the table, concern etched on her face. I turned to see Alice frowning and staring down at her plate. I slipped out of Edward's arms and moved back to my seat silently, not daring to look at anyone.

Edward grabbed his jacket from his chair, draping it over his arm.

"I'll see you in a few days, love." He said, kissing the side of my head before standing and smiling at Alice, who had a forced smile on her face. "Great job tonight Alice. Thanks for inviting us." He said before he waved a quick goodbye to everyone else and left the room, already pulling out his Iphone.

The rest of the meal was filled with awkward silence and I rarely allowed my eyes to meet anyone else's, especially Alice's. I wasn't sure what her frown meant earlier, or the fake smile she shot at Edward, but it made me uneasy.

Eventually, we all bid each other goodnight and separated to our cars in the parking lot, Alice following me. The smile had returned to her face, but it was more like a predatory grin and sent shivers up my spine. We slid into the seat and I started the car. By the time I reached the street, Alice had slipped her hand into mine. It felt nice, so I didn't comment, but I glanced at her quickly when she sighed heavily.

"What's wrong?" I asked unthinking.

"You know, it's not a school night…" She trailed off suggestively, letting her fingers caress the back of my hand.

"Edward still may be at home." I stated, catching the small frown that creased Alice's face at being denied. She huffed pulling her hand away from mine and crossing her arms, staring out the window. What was going on with her? "How about tomorrow?" I asked, trying to placate her sudden mood swing.

"Fine. Just drop me off at school, okay. My car's still there." She said, her voice emotionless. I was torn between irritation at her behavior, and guilt because I somehow knew I was the cause.

"Look, Alice, you don't have to come over if you don't want to." I said. And she whipped around to look at me.

"Why wouldn't I?" She asked, eyes wide.

"Well, you seem to be kind of mad at me or something." I said, glancing in her direction as we turned into the school parking lot.

"I'm not mad at you, Bella." She said softly, but didn't elaborate. "I'll see you tomorrow." She said quickly, jumping out of the car as soon as it stopped.

I saw her climb into her Porsche and drive away while I remained seated in my parked car. What was going on here? She seemed so happy before, and chatted easily with Edward. In fact, I was worried for a while that they had both found someone more interesting in each other and I would be left out as the third wheel, but now I didn't think so. Edward seemed to like Alice well enough, in fact I thought I saw his eyes fall to her chest on occasion this evening, not that I could blame him. She did have beautiful breasts. I was more and more encouraged to tell him about Alice, and ask him to watch if he'd like. But then, when we'd had our argument about his leaving, Alice seemed unhappy, but I couldn't fathom why? Maybe she didn't normally see her lady lovers with their husbands, but Rose and Esme were there as well and she didn't seem bothered. An answer to my question lingered on the outskirts of my thoughts, but I ignored it. Truthfully, I'm not sure I really wanted to know the reason.

The next day I lay panting in my bed, chest heaving as I futilely tried to catch my breath after the fifth orgasm that afternoon. When Alice arrived, it was like yesterday never happened. She was just as perky and happy as usual, seemingly using her stockpiled energy to drive me insane with pleasure. I was like a faucet, cumming constantly under her skilled hands and tongue. Rather than five orgasms it felt like one that lasted for an hour.

"Alice, honey, no more." I begged, tugging on her hair as she continued to ravish me, brutally attacking my sensitive clit. My whole body was shaking uncontrollably, making my words come out garbled.

She didn't answer, but kissed her way up my body until she reached my lips, capturing them passionately. My thoughts returned to what Rose had said the week before and I pulled away, rolling so Alice and I were on our sides, looking at each other. She smiled and moved back in to kiss me again, but I leaned away.

"How come you kiss me?" I blurted out, causing Alice to look at me queerly.

"Uh, because I want to? Why? Don't you like it?" She asked actually looking a little upset. I let my finger draw lazy designs on her bare back and she sighed, relaxing a little.

"No, of course I like it. It's just, I heard that you don't really do that with anyone else. I guess I wondered why you do with me?" There. A straight forward question. Despite my fear of knowing the answer, it was one I needed to hear. I needed to know.

She shrugged, fiddling with our fingers that were twined together. Alice looked up at me, smiling shyly and snuggled closer. Somehow I didn't think I'd get an answer from her, so I tried another topic, one that had been on my mind constantly.

"Alice?" I whispered, stroking her short hair tenderly, while she nuzzled her head between my breasts.

"Hmm?"

"Do you mind if…I mean, would you …ugh! Why can't I just say this?!" I groaned, frustrated with myself. Alice stilled and looked up at me.

"What Bella?" She asked, watching me curiously. Steeling myself, I took a deep breath.

"How would you feel about Edward, um, being here, with us sometime?" I finally got it out. Alice frowned.

"No." She stated simply, returning her head to my breasts. I realized she might have thought I meant having him participate, so I quickly corrected myself.

"Oh, no, Alice, I meant, uh, like to watch." I finished lamely, sitting up against the head board and forcing Alice to sit up as well.

"No." She repeated just as quickly, seemingly dismissing the issue altogether.

"What?! Why?!" I asked, startled by the blunt rejection. "You let Rose and Emmett!" I said, my voice betraying my surprise and annoyance. Why was she being difficult all of the sudden? She was usually so easy going. She shrugged again and I felt myself losing my temper.

"That's not an answer Alice!" I fumed, crawling out of bed and reaching for my robe. Alice stood as well, on the opposite side of the bed from me, arms crossed.

"I don't want him to watch!" She said sharply, practically spitting at me. "There's your answer!"

"Why not?" I asked, voice rising. There was more to this and she was blocking me out. I knew it.

"Because I don't!" She responded, stomping her foot like a child. Alice had never thrown a temper tantrum before, and I was shocked by how young she looked right now. I felt like a scolding mother, and didn't feel particularly comfortable in the role having had the same girl smothered between my legs only a few moments before.

"Alice." I said in a low, calm voice, my eyes holding hers demandingly. "He's my husband."

I'm not sure where the words came from, but beneath my denial, I knew the real reason why she didn't want Edward to watch and I couldn't ignore it anymore. Things were getting out of hand.

"I know." She practically whispered, looking down at her feet.

"Alice." I said again softly.

"I know!" She said louder, glaring at me. In one swift movement she snatched up her clothes and darted into the bathroom, slamming the door. So, I was left alone, in the room I shared with my husband, but whose bed held Alice's scent.