A/N: Bear with me as I try to get back into the swing of things here. My keyboard started acting up as I was writing this chapter and quotation marks stopped working. I'm going to eventually finish this baby. Thanks for hanging in there and putting up with the extremely long hiatus. I'm also moving on to AO3 for many reasons but for those who have been reading this since the beginning at this site I will continue posting this here until the finish. Thanks to everyone who left kind reviews & encouraged me to continue.

Chapter Twenty Two

Invitations and Proposals

Although Alice didn't plan on seeing Bella so soon after leaving her and Charlie to enjoy their dinner, hours later she was feeling anxious to see her again. A lot of that had to do with what was discussed during another family meeting at home.

Carlisle relayed what he had learned through the local hospital grapevine about the alarming nature of the most recent deaths of the two hikers found at Olympic National Park. Although he couldn't confirm much without seeing it with his own eyes, a few of the lesser known details he overheard did raise some alarms for the Cullens.

"We really don't know enough to confirm it to be the work of vampires", he attempted after seeing varying degrees of concern flicker across everyone's face.

"Do you really think it's a coincidence that the Denali's warned us about roamers just before the dead bodies were discovered?" Emmett asked.

Carlisle sighs, "No probably not. We just need to be more alert than usual. If it is other vampires than hopefully they've moved on far from here. It's not common for these types to stick around especially if they're just leaving bodies behind."

"What if whoever did this wasn't just roamers?"

Everyone's eyes shifts to look at the usually vivacious vampire whose voice took on an unusually somber tone.

"Well it's too soon to really know anything and I don't think we should jump to any conclu-"

"Alice is just saying what we really need to consider as a possibility" Rosalie interjects. "We still don't know where Edward is and we all know he how he went off his rocker. Worse than ever before."

Like everyone Rosalie is tired of the drama that Edward has caused. She's beginning to find it all irritating and is losing patience with Carlisle's diplomatic father figure routine. She knows she shouldn't find fault with him, but she wishes now more than ever that he never turned that overgrown man-child into a vampire in the first place.

Alice, Emmett and Rosalie are well aware that Edward has crossed a line and is capable of doing worse, yet Esme and Carlisle both seem to be clinging on to the hope that their worst fears for one of their own not be realized. While understandably reluctant to accept the possibility that Edward is behind the killings, its undeniable that the latest news is increasing apprehensions among all the Cullens. The blonde vampire muses that Esme and Carlisle, who have been with Edward the longest, will have the most difficult time accepting that they have lost their wayward son. Perhaps its a case of parental denial, but there comes a time when every parent, even vampires, need to just cut the cord and be done with a problem child. Particularly one who's been around for nearly a century. Like most vampires they have all lived long past the average human life span. Plenty of time for some wisdom and maturity to kick in. However there are inevitably some cases among vampires when a type of mental roadblock hits and a gradual regression happens instead.

In this case the roadblock appears to be in the form of a young human female. And while Rosalie is happy if Alice is happy, she can't help but wonder how long their relationship will last when everything seemed to start falling apart ever since the awkward girl first showed up in their lives.

The family meeting ends with the consensus that until they get more answers about rogue vampires and Edward's whereabouts there wasn't much they could do except to be more cautious. They would continue to keep up appearances as usual and be more aware of their surroundings whenever they were outside. It was mutually agreed that whatever involvement Edward may or may not have had with the recent deaths that he would not be returning as a regular household member of the family for a very long time. As far as Alice was concerned a very long time meant as long as Bella was alive.

Again Alice wishes in vain for a vision of some kind to provide some clues as to where Edward was and who is behind the killings.

Later, when everyone dispersed to go back to their own space and nightly routines Alice finds Carlisle alone in his office. She hopes that talking with him might bring more insight but doesn't seem able to provide definite answers.

"It's not unheard of for one with your abilities to occasionally go through a period of not receiving any visions. It may seem a little frustrating given what's happened recently, but they will come in time" Carlisle tries to reassure her.

Alice senses something more than a respite from her visions. She doesn't like the possibility that she was being blocked or hampered in some way, but she has to consider it.

"What if it's something more?"

"Like what? Carlisle asks.

"I don't know, it's just ever since that night when Edward ran off something feels a little off…" It sounds more like a question, but Alice isn't sure if the was using the right words to describe her thoughts. "Maybe not off…just different. "

"Has anything else unusual happened?" Carlisle's more clinical side surfaces and hopes his vast medical knowledge can provide some answers.

Alice inhales deeply while taking a seat in one of the luxurious leather chairs across from his oak wood desk and starts to think about it. Well aside from risking exposure by telling Bella…

Her thoughts scan over the past few weeks searching for an answer. As her memories flash over recent events some of the more peculiar moments suddenly start popping up. A moment here and then another one would play back in her mind's eye, and a common thread starts to become clear. Something starts to click as if a veil is slowly being lifted from her mind, yet it only brings more questions than answers.

With Alice's slightly dazed expression Carlisle starts to wonder if she is experiencing one of her elusive visions. Considering Alice's worry about her recent dry spell he waits a moment before softly speaking as to not break the spell, "Alice?"

"Bella…" the name gently falls from her lips while still looking lost in thought.

While Bella and Charlie are enjoying the dinner that Alice helped prepare they both seem a little lost in thought and aren't saying much. While they have grown accustomed to a level of comfortable silence between them the silence feels different than usual. Charlie is still processing all that he saw and heard during his trip to Olympic National Forest and Bella is playing back parts of her day spent with Alice. When the meal is winding down and their hunger is mostly sated Charlie brings himself back to the present moment.

"So you and Alice seem to be getting close" while it was meant as a statement there was also a slight questioning tone in her father's voice.

"Yeah, it seems like it", Bella replies, not really knowing how else to answer the almost question from Charlie.

"Do you think she'll ever actually stay long enough to join us for dinner? She always seems to be rushing off whenever I'm here. I'm beginning to wonder if she just doesn't want to hang around while the old man is around" he says with a gentle smile though his eyes convey a genuine curiosity about the beautiful girl his daughter has grown attached to.

"Oh no, its not like that. She actually likes you. Its just that we've spent a good part of the day together already and she already has plans with her family" Bella answers casually but is feeling a little nervous now that Charlie is asking questions about Alice. His comments seem casual enough but Charlie is not only her father, but a police sheriff with a more discerning eye than the average father figure. Now that Bella knows there are things about Alice that she can't disclose with anyone, even Charlie, she feels hesitant to say anything that would raise even more questions.

"She likes me?" is Charlie's unexpected immediate response.

Bella looks at him, taking in the small grin on his face and is warmed by how pleased this seems to make him. Her lips quirk up slightly before she makes a mindful effort to neutralize her expression.

She then shrugs and adds, "Sure. She said you seem pretty cool for an old guy."

Charlie's smile suddenly drops as he stares back, eyes blinking a few times as he processes this.

"Cool for an old guy…" Charlie repeats in a monotonous tone as he turns his head to take a sip from his beer bottle.

Although a part of Bella wishes she could talk more about Alice she decides to change the topic.

"So what happened when you went out to Olympic National Forest?"

Charlie isn't looking at her but his face darkens for a moment causing Bella to wonder if she shouldn't have brought the topic up. Its bad enough that he has a job that can be difficult and dangerous at times, why bring up work at the dinner table?

He quickly recovers and puts his drink down and passively answers, "Well Henry just thought there were some oddities about the case and wanted to show me the scene in person. Really wasn't anything he couldn't have told me over the phone or showed me in an email. Maybe he's just getting old and wanted the company." He doesn't sound too convincing Bella thinks.

"So a wasted trip then?"

"Well I wouldn't say that. It never hurts to add another pair of eyes on a case if its still unsolved. I'm sure some things will be uncovered eventually."

Bella gives a slight nod, replying "Yeah, I'm sure." She has the feeling that there is more about the case than he's letting on. She wonders if its just a case of not wanting to share any grisly details of an unpleasant subject. Whether he just doesn't want to dwell on it any more now that he's off work or it's a subject he thinks shouldn't be discussed with his daughter at the dinner table she decides not to press him on it.

Charlie looks at Bella and softens his expression.

"Nothing to worry about, but I'd feel better if you didn't go venturing off into the forests, at least until things settle down. And always be aware of your surroundings, and for the time being just don't go off anywhere on your own, okay?"

"Yeah, okay" Bella assures him, thinking of her earlier walk in the forest with Alice. Though it was a different forest than where the deaths occurred it never crossed her mind. She always felt safe with Alice, who was the primary focus the entire time out there.

"So do you want to know what we made for dessert?" she asks, wanting to lighten the mood that turned serious quickly.

A few hours later Bella's phone rings and she smiles in response when she sees Alice's name flash across the screen. Although she planned on calling Alice later she was pleased to see that apparently Alice couldn't wait to talk with her again.

"Hi Alice" Bella quickly answers.

"Hi Bella. How's your evening going so far?" Alice asks in a light voice.

"Not too bad. Charlie liked the dinner we made for him. He asked if you would ever join us. I didn't know what to say, other than to reassure him you weren't deliberately avoiding him", Bella replies.

"Oh, well I don't want him thinking that I'm avoiding him…" Alice pauses. "Does he really think that?"

"I think he was just kidding but he does seem interested in having you join us. I know its not really possible given how you're…well…you don't eat like we do…right?"

"Right…I'm afraid its not possible to ingest regular food. I could try, but it would likely end up all over the place and that would not exactly make a very good impression" Alice attempts to make light of her circumstances but a deeper part of her feels saddened that this was something that she couldn't share with Bella. To be able to have a meal with her and her father like normal people do.

"Perhaps I could hang out with you both some time doing something that doesn't involve eating", Alice suggests.

Bella agrees that it sounds like a great idea, though she can't think of anything specific at the moment. Other than sitting at home watching sports and occasionally going fishing it doesn't seem like Charlie has a whole lot of interests that she's aware of.

"So how are you spending the rest of the evening?" Alice continues.

"I thought I'd get a head start on homework. Actually I'm mostly done" Bella forced herself to get some work done earlier thinking she needed the distraction of school work to stop her thoughts from constantly straying to the beautiful vampire. Although not entirely successful she put forth the effort, hoping that it would free her to spend more time with Alice the next day.

"Well I'm impressed, doing homework on a Saturday night" Alice comments and Bella can hear the smile in her voice. "Well hon, I don't want to keep you from your homework so maybe I should –"

"No! No…you're not keeping me from anything that can't wait. You know I'd rather be talking with you" Bella blurts out, not wanting the conversation to end so soon.

"I'm glad to hear that, but I don't want to be too much of a distraction" In truth Alice would love to be a distraction for Bella, at least in certain ways and wonders why she sometimes says things like that. Maybe its just her old fashioned southern manners that get in the way at times.

"So what are you doing Alice? I suppose you don't really need to spend much time on homework."

"You're right about that. It's all pretty much rote by now. So I just decided to go for a stroll and give you a call"

"A stroll? At this time of night?" Bella instinctively worries about Alice's safety, then remembers that certain worries may not apply for a vampire. Weren't they creatures of the night after all? "So where do vampires go strolling at night?" she adds in a less serious tone.

Alice lets out a small giggle before answering, "Well this vampire just wanted to do a quick walk by at a certain cute brunette's house, just to make sure all was well."

Bella's eyebrows lift up In surprise. She gets up from her bed where her books lay strewn about and takes a few quick steps to her window. She looks though the glass pane expecting to see Alice standing on the ground below her window.

"You mean you're at my house?" She asks curiously when she sees no one outside.

"Well not directly in front of your house. Just behind the tree line, but I can see well enough in the distance."

"Well that's not creepy at all" Bella dryly replies, though she is secretly pleased to learn that Alice was so nearby.

"Hey, I just wanted to make sure you're safe. It's not like I'm here just to catch a glimpse of you prancing about in your nighties" Alice quips.

Bella chuckles before answering, "I'm not wearing nighties, unless an old t-shirt and sweat pants counts. I'm not exactly the sexy lingerie wearing type of girl…"

Alice lets out a soft hum, and then there is a moment of silence on the phone. Bella wonders what Alice is thinking. If perhaps she was imagining Bella wearing such an outfit during this pause as it continued to linger. She feels her body feel start to feel warmer than it did a moment ago. How can a shared moment of silence feel this intense?

Bella takes a deep breath before she continues. "Well instead of just watching me from the trees do you want to come up?" She can barely recognize her own voice as it suddenly sounds huskier than usual. Her face heats up as if a part of her is betraying her own barely kept desires.

Alice feels a kind of heat of her own stirring inside her when she hears the subtle strain of desire reverberate beneath a seemingly innocuous question. Her body involuntary quivers and she needs to take a moment before she can answer.

Did she want to come up? She almost didn't even mention being close by, wanting to just do a quick run by and scan of the area and see if she sensed anything or anyone out of place. When she jumped from her bedroom window her thoughts were only of Bella and she found herself being pulled closer until her house was within the vampire's keen eyesight in the dark. In the back of her mind she knew she shouldn't have ventured out alone given what the Cullen family meeting had been about, but she told herself that she just needed time alone and since she was out she would make sure all was well around the Swan residence.

'Mm..okay I'll stop in for just a bit. I'll come up through your window so we don't alarm Charlie with such a unexpected late night visit.'

'Okay' Bella breathes out and her pulse quickens in anticipation of seeing Alice again. She puts her phone down and begins to lift up her window which has been kept closed as of late. The older heavy wood frame feels almost glued shut. After a moment of struggling she lets out a small grunt as she finally manages to pull it up and open.

When she peers out again into the cool night air Alice is standing beneath with a grin on her face as she looks up at her. Bella thinks about how small and adorable she looks from there.

'Stand back just a bit', Alice whispers just loud enough for her to hear and when she takes a small step back she sees an inhuman display that is breathtakingly beautiful to watch. Seemingly without effort and with only a few quick motions - one hop followed by a single handed grab of a tree limb Alice is off the ground and now above Bella's eye line. The vampire takes a few nimble steps along the tree limb closest to her window with a growing smile on her face. Bella's eyes widen and she takes a step to the side as she watches her swiftly leap and catch hold of the window's topside as if flying through it with acrobatic finesse and deftly landing inside her room.

There's a momentary silence as Bella stands there looking in awe at Alice. Alice smiles back at her as if amused by her expression.

'Hi', says Alice.

Bella's lips quirk up and she replies, 'Hi.'

'Since I was in the neighborhood thought I'd just drop by', Alice adds.

Bella takes a step closer reaching for her and envelops her into a hug. Alice arms immediately wrap around her entire body melding against the taller girl. The hug lasts for a long time but the time doesn't seem to pass for either of them.

Finally they start to pull apart and Alice takes Bella's hands in her own. 'So did you miss me?' she jokingly asks as if its been much longer than a few hours since they were last together.

'Well it hasn't been that long since I last saw you.'

Alice looks up at her with a quirked eyebrow as if saying Yeah but….

Bella looks bemusedly at her while dropping one hand and leading her with the other to guide them both to sit down on her bed.

'So you missed me then I take it? Not that I'm not happy to see you but wasn't expecting it to be tonight…'

'Yeah well I wanted to make sure you're doing all right.'

'Any reason why I shouldn't be?' Bella asks when she detects a slightly more somber tone in Alice's voice.

'Well other than the vampire brother who seems to have taken a trip to crazy town and recently finding out that vampires are actually real…' Alice drifts off then lets out a small chuckle that doesn't sound genuinely happy.

Bella turns her body to fold her legs underneath sitting Indian style to face her fully, signaling Alice to get more comfortable for whatever discussion they're about to have.

She stands up and takes off the long white jacket she's wearing then turns to look at her while softly asking 'May I?'

'Of course, make yourself comfortable' Bella answers and watches as Alice places the jacket next to her and takes off her shoes before settling back down, taking a similar position in front of her.

'When I went back home there was some disturbing news about some deaths at a nearby national park. We had sort of a family meeting about it though there isn't much that we know at the moment' Alice began.

'The two hikers at Olympic National Park…yes Charlie mentioned it to me. That's why he was called out there today.'

Alice nods. 'That makes sense since he's the sheriff.'

'So there's something about it that's out of the ordinary?' Bella asks suddenly feeling uncomfortable with where this all may be going.

'We don't know but not long before that we were told to be aware of possible roaming vampires. There may be no connection but its got my family's attention and some of us are a bit concerned' Alice answers softly, not wanting to scare Bella too much, but still feeling the need to at least make sure she was aware of the situation.

''Roaming vampires? That doesn't sound good…'

'We don't know if they're anywhere near Forks. They could be long gone by now. And there's still Edward being missing..'

Bella's heart quickens and sickening feeling stirs in her stomach. 'There's a chance that he could be involved?' She couldn't help but voice her worst fears that Edward was even more dangerous than she thought.

Alice replies 'No one wants to believe so, at least not Esme and Carlisle, but we can't deny the possibility. Which is why I want to keep a closer eye on things, make sure you're safe. At least until we find out more.'

Bella took this in as she considered the meaning of all of this. While she trusted in her heart that Alice had her safety and well being in mind it didn't completely alleviate the anxiety she was starting to feel at the possible danger lurking nearby.

'I hope you find out more soon. I really don't like the sound of all of this'

'I will let you know as soon as we find out anything. Until we know more please try not to stress too much over it. I just wanted to tell you this so you at least have an idea of what may be involved. And we will be keeping a closer eye on things. For now if you don't mind I'd like to be able to spend more time with you, and my family would like a chance to get to know you better as well. If you're feeling up to it you're still invited to come to dinner tomorrow at my house' Alice spoke with a smile hoping to alleviate the tension she sensed their discussion was causing.

'I'd like to spend more time with you as well Alice', Bella gazes gently into amber eyes and starts to feel calmer knowing that Alice was seeking to be with her more often. At the same time she still feels nervous about going into a home of vampires, but she didn't want Alice to think she was still scared of them. The only vampire she was scared of is still mysteriously missing and that unknown quantity is what scares her the most.

Alice senses some conflicting emotions coming from her and wants to confirm the cause.

'I know its too soon to feel completely comfortable at the thought of being around my family. I won't push you into anything that you're not ready for, so please don't feel obligated to accept their invitation until it feels okay for you.'

Bella immediately feels a lot better hearing her say this. She's encouraged by her words.

'I really appreciate that Alice. I can come to your house for dinner tomorrow if you want. Though I'm still worried that it will seem strange if I'm the only one eating'

Alice smiles happily at her. 'Well instead of thinking of it as dinner than just think of it as hanging around my family while Esme polishes her unused culinary skills to try and make you feel more at home. Besides its not every day that I bring my…'

Bella's heart skips a beat at what Alice was starting to say, and she sucks in a breath as she waits for her to finish her sentence.

'I really should ask you…rather, I've been wanting to ask you…' Alice hesitates and Bella finds it endearing at how suddenly nervous the usually confident vampire seems to be.

'Yes…?

'How would you feel if I introduced you as my girlfriend?' Alice quietly asks.

Bella gazes softly at the vampire and as if she wasn't sure she heard her right asks, 'You're asking me to be your girlfriend?'

'Well I wouldn't introduce you as such unless you were' Alice slyly smiles.

Bella leans forward closing the distance between them bringing their lips together for a kiss. Its not the messy kind, rather a slow and gentle sort that Alice returns in equal measure taking it as a good sign but still wanting a verbal answer from her human love interest.

When the kiss ends deep chestnut colored eyes gets lost in beautiful golden amber as Bella softly replies. 'Yes, Alice.'