If You Give a Vampire a Cookie

The sun snuck back into the lavender sky, darkening Alice's room. She still hadn't woken up but Carlisle had determined that she was stable and going to be fine. He still wasn't sure exactly what had happened, but all that mattered was that she was safe. The others were long gone. I rested next to her on the bed, stroking her raven hair gently. I'd changed into one of her hundreds of outfits because the dress under my graduation robes was uncomfortable to put it mildly. Still, I made sure I looked reasonably fashionable in case that might help cheer her up when she woke. Not that anything could be called ugly in her wardrobe. It was like she had an entire department store right at home, accessories included.

"Wake up?" I asked for the twentieth time. "Just think happy thoughts," I took her hand. "Are you dreaming, Alice? What would someone so perfect dream about I wonder."

I switched on a lamp as the sky went black, taking with it any hope for a normal day. I knew I should call Charlie and explain what had happened. I should probably apologize to Edward too if he was anywhere to be found. It turned out Rosalie was right and there were no signs of attack. Whatever had made her pass out was an unheard of fluke. She was not only the strongest person but the most capable vampire I knew. This was so out of the blue I still hadn't quite wrapped my head around it.

There was a knock on the door and I let Emmett in. He had his usual smile on and carried a large plate of freshly baked cookies.

"We thought you might be hungry."

I sat up on the bed. "That's sweet of you, Emmett. Thanks, but I don't think I'm really in the mood for chocolate."

"You should try to celebrate a little. It is your graduation day after all."

"Only after she wakes up."

"I figured," he set the plate down on the nightstand and touched Alice's forehead lightly. "You know... I don't think anyone's tried shaking her yet." He looked at me slyly. He began to reach out with his massive hands. "I could just..."

"No!" I lunged to swipe his hands away and he gave a hearty laugh.

"Just joking. Hey, it could work." He shrugged, smiling playfully. "You certainly wouldn't have slept through that heimlich maneuver I gave you at dinner."

I had to smile a little at that.

"I'll try not to choke on a cookie."

He grinned and swiped one before leaving. Vampires couldn't eat food like humans, but they could still appreciate aromas, especially as mouth watering as those plump chocolate chips smelled. I selected a smaller one and took a bite, realizing how hungry I was. I guess I hadn't eaten all day.

"You know, you go right ahead and sleep, Al. Emmett just brought in these amazing cookies and I get them all to myself." I brought one down to her nose. "I'd share with you, but obviously your beauty sleep is much more-"

With a jolt that sent me and the plate flying, Alice screamed and bolted upright, screaming as I'd never heard her before. In less than a minute everyone was back in the room, eyes wide.

Esme helped me up as we all stared at a very frazzled looking Alice. She blinked around at us confused, moving her mouth without speaking. Carlisle studied her some more as we all tried to hold back our questions.

"How do you feel, Alice?" he asked.

In a high voice she answered, looking like a perplexed child. "I just had the strangest dream."

"Dream?" Rosalie scoffed.

"Do you mean a vision?" Esme asked calmly.

"Yes... and no... I don't know for sure... It was so real, but I know it couldn't have been."

"What's the last thing you remember about today?" Carlisle asked attentively.

"Driving to graduation-oh my gosh, I missed it didn't I?"

"Don't worry about that now."

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I wanted to be there."

I sat back down next to her. "That's the last thing on my mind right now, Alice."

"Bella found you in the parking lot, dear." Esme put a supportive hand on my shoulder. "Do you remember how you got that way?"

"I was starting to get a vision about the day, nothing out of the ordinary... then it changed." She seemed to doubt herself. "I was getting ready to go inside the school when it hit me again but like I've never experienced before. A very strong vision, one that actually affected me physically."

"Were you in pain?" I asked anxiously.

"Yes, that was the weirdest part. It felt like my whole body was being electrocuted or something. After that it went dark. I dreamed about the past, some of my human days."

"Are you in pain now?" Carlisle asked.

She shook her head, clearly growing aware at how concerned we all were. She shrugged and gave a little laugh.

"But it doesn't matter. I'm fine. After all, it was just a dream."

Except vampires didn't sleep. We all knew that. But we also knew that if Alice didn't want to share something we wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise. She assured everyone some more that she was fine and would be fabulous again once she hunted. Maybe I was wrong and I was the only one who suspected Alice was keeping a secret, but they all wished her well and went on their way, understanding her independence. I however needed more than that. If she wasn't feeling good how could I? If she was hurt... the idea gave me goosebumps.

"Alice..."

"I can't believe I missed your graduation. I'm appalled!"

"I told you it's really okay. But-"

"I'll make it up to you. Oh! We could go shopping for your college wardrobe. What do you think?"

"Hmm. Maybe. But I was wondering..."

"Oh don't worry, I'll take care of everything-"

"Alice, please stop. I'm trying to ask you something."

"Well, I guess it is a ways off, we should go bathing suit shopping first. I bet they're having a sale right now. We should-"

With a frustrated sigh I leaned down and kissed her firmly on the mouth.

"Alice," I commanded. "Shush."

She blinked. "Oh."

I smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I want to know what's really going on with you."

"Nothing-"

"If you lie to me I'll never forgive you for missing graduation."

She bowed her head. "Bella, that's not fair."

"Al, I need to know." I took her hands in mine. "You really scared me today. I had no idea if you'd been hurt by someone or what was going on. Not that anyone did. You owe us some sort of explanation don't you think?"

Her features darkened a little more. "I can't do that."

"Why? You can tell me anything."

"I know. It's just... I haven't really worked it out for myself yet."

I waited for more, trying to control the knot in my stomach.

"If there were someone I would talk to about it with it would be you. It's just... frightening. I'm not sure I can face it yet."

Wishing I knew what 'it' was so I could fight it off for her, wanting to support her, and trying to control my own fears at the moment was proving difficult. But I needed to be there for her in the way she wanted me to be. She wasn't going to go through this alone, even if I was half in the dark.

"No matter what you need," I repositioned myself so that I was behind her, holding her closely to me. "I'm here."

She leaned in closer with a sight and hugged me back. In a whisper, "Thank you."

We stayed that way for a while, enjoying being close. When she shut her eyes I almost wondered if she were having the same dream type of vision, but she soon opened them again.

"Charlie will be calling soon," she said. "I've already stolen enough of your day."

"Then steal the night too."

She shifted too look up at me oddly. "Well that was awfully suggestive."

I shrugged. "Was it?"

She grinned, leaning in for another kiss. My breath caught and I swore I had never felt anything so sweet, and so real.

"By the way," she took my hand and began to get out of bed. I blindly followed. "Were those cookies I smelled?" She almost stepped on one but then did a light arabesque out of the way. She spun me around with her and I couldn't keep from smiling as we started dancing, kicking the fallen cookies away with our bare feet. All the darkness from the day, the tears and anguish began to disappear as we put on some upbeat music and let the awful day unfold into nighttime.

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