A/N: Please ignore any rumors about my sudden death. :P Sorry guys! The transition from vacation to normal life is tough, and I've had to face quite a lot of things recently. So, without further ado, I bring you Chapter 5! I promise I'll update faster seeing I won't be as busy! I hope it's worth the wait. ^^ Oh! Shout-out to my awesome beta, lipstickletter! She makes me seem like I'm a better author than I really am! Thanks, girl!

Disclaimer: My name is Emma and I kind of have a confession to make...um...I'm not Stephenie Meyer. There I said it.

Chapter Five: She Knows

Alice hopped into the front seat of Rosalie's car and I slid into the back. Rosalie walked into the garage and stopped, glaring at Alice.

"Why are you in my car?" she hissed, running straight up to Alice. Alice merely smiled and shrugged.

"Edward wanted us to," was all she said. Rosalie growled, but willingly took the wheel of her car. She loved to give it a ride around town and show it off to all the jealous humans. It made her feel better that she had something that they didn't have, much like how they had the ability to have children and she didn't.

Emmett quickly hopped right next to me and we sped off down the road. We got to school before Edward did and Alice had me escort her to her class before anyone could question his whereabouts. I quickly looked over my shoulder to see Edward with Isabella pull into the parking lot before Alice bid me goodbye. It was times like these that made me wonder what was going on in Edward's head.

Lunch came quickly and I decided to listen to Edward and Isabella's conversation, maybe get some clues as to what went down in Port Angeles last night. Alice was smiling widely as she played with her food.

"What are you doing?" Isabella hissed to Edward, who was carrying a heaping tray of food. "You're not getting all that for me?"

I pursed my lips and digested this comment. Why would Isabella assume that all of the food on Edward's tray was for her? Most humans ate during lunch. Surely, we acted well enough for everyone to suppose we ate food. Or were we slacking?

"Half is for me, of course," Edward replied, lying easily. The way he looked at her, though, made him appear to be joking. He paid for his food and sat them at the table where they had eaten at last week. "Take whatever you want." Isabella took an apple and toyed with it.

"I'm curious," she said at last. "What would you do if someone dared you to eat food?" I blinked in shock. Humans definitely didn't dare humans to eat food. It was like daring a vampire to hunt.

She knew. She knew. She knew. SHE. KNEW! I clenched onto the table so hard that I mangled the tabletop. I smoothed it out angrily; making it seem like some kid had used a knife to cut it. My jaw clenched tightly. Edward had gone too far this time. He had broken a rule. Not just any rule, but a our only rule. He had put everyone in danger: Rosalie, Emmett, Carlisle, Esme, and, most importantly, Alice. Oh, how I wish there were no witnesses in this cafeteria so I could throttle him! How could he just be so careless? He let his guard down and allowed the girl to find out.

"What?" Rosalie whispered fiercely and we all turned to Alice.

"Last night, Bella said that this kid over on the reservation told her a story about us and she figured out that we were vampires," Alice smiled warmly, not even caring that Rosalie was swearing in every language she knew. Her smile faltered when she looked at my shaking head. This wasn't supposed to happen. Edward was just supposed to kill this girl and keep her out of our lives; keep the Volturi at bay. If he went on with swapping secrets with Bella, the Volturi would come to us. Kill us. Kill Alice. And I would never allow that to happen.

"Does he know what this will do to us?" Rosalie hissed and she made to get up from the table.

"Easy, Rose," Emmett said and quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, restraining her.

Alice sighed and put her hand on top of mine.

"It's the way things are supposed to happen," she whispered, her eyes begging me to not be angry with my brother. I was okay with them falling in love—inevitable, as Alice had said—but not with him just opening his mouth and telling her that we were vampires.

"Not this way," I growled, glaring at a slice of pizza that was on my plate. Alice sighed and tried to reassure us that everything was going to be okay with the Swan girl knowing—easier, even. Rosalie and I were unconvinced, but Emmett accepted it easily. He was weak, too trusting, and wouldn't stand two minutes in war.

We rode in silence in Rosalie's convertible as we sped down the road. Alice was in the back seat next to me, holding and patting my hand, trying to calm me down. It didn't work. Rosalie was still swearing and Emmett was looking uncomfortably out the window. Every few seconds he and Alice would exchange worried glances. We got home and I stormed into the house, going straight to the dining room and standing behind a chair. This discussion was going to happen whether or not Edward wanted it to. Esme wandered into the room as I helped Alice into a seat. Rosalie and Emmett were already seated.

"What on Earth is going on?" she asked. Rosalie growled and Alice quickly explained about Swan's discovery. Esme blinked, letting the information sit in as we heard two cars pull up: Edward and Carlisle. Edward walked calmly into the dining room, not at all surprised that we were seated and Carlisle came in shortly after him.

"Edward has informed me of what has happened," he said calmly, giving each one of us a meaningful look. "And there's been a mention of some disagreements to what has transpired." He eyed Rosalie and me specifically. "Would you care to explain yourselves?"

"Of course, Carlisle," Rosalie said, smiling gravely. "Ed—"

"Let me just get this out here before anyone says anything," Edward interrupted. "I never told her anything and I had no intentions of her ever finding out."

"Well, then what were you going to do, Edward?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. Alice looked tormented by how we were both acting. I grimaced at her emotions, but remembered that this conversation had to happen. It was just about Edward and Swan anymore; it was about the whole family and Swan.

"I don't believe I planned on anything," Edward murmured, looking thoughtful. "But I do know how we all don't want our secret to be blown. Bella will never tell a soul—I know that. Actually, we know that. Right, Alice?"

"Yes," Alice nodded, looking straight at me pointedly. I shook my head.

"That still doesn't mean anything," I disagreed. "You have put our family in danger. Alice. Do you even think before your actions? Did you even think about the Volturi?"

"The Volturi are Carlisle's friends," Edward said calmly. "Surely, they can spare us." By the way he said it; I knew he wasn't sure of how the Volturi would treat this situation.

"You say the Swan girl learned this fact from a kid on the reservation," Rosalie asked and Edward snarled.

"Her name is Bella," he growled, glaring at both of us.

"And told you about her suspicions," Rosalie continued as if Edward had never spoken. "Why didn't you deny them?"

"She had all the facts, Rosalie," Edward said shaking his head.

"You could always have come up with excuses for everything she said."

"But it came from a Quileute."

"And?"

"My point is they know the truth!"

Rosalie and Edward had both stood up and were giving each other the death-stare.

"Rosalie has a point, Edward," I stated, causing Edward's anger to flare up more. I set my jaw. "You could've easily laughed it off and claimed that her suspicion was the stupidest thing you've heard. This was as much your fault as hers."

"It was the way it was supposed to happen," Alice argued, standing up as well. We made eye contact, both apologizing for taking different sides. "If Bella was going to become one of us, surely she would have to know what we are!" Edward was pleased, Rosalie was outraged, and I was resigned. Alice was always right. I jutted my chin forward and sat back down into my chair. Alice smiled slightly and sat down as well. Rosalie spun around and strutted out of the room, a worried Emmett following her. Edward sat down.

"She's going to be angry for a while, but she'll warm up to Bella," Alice reassured Carlisle, who was running agitated hands through his long blonde hair.

I sighed as Alice stroked my hair gently; we sat on the couch with my head in her lap. Rosalie and Emmett still hadn't shown up, neither had Edward. At least we knew where he was—watching Bella sleep, as always. I met eyes with Alice and she smiled.

"Emmett's trying to calm Rosalie down," she said. "She's really angry, which, as usual, makes him angry. They're having a tough time. Want to try to calm them down?"

"Do you want me to be eaten?" I joked, winking at Alice. She laughed and then her eyes glazed over.

"They're better," my wife announced when he eyes were brought back into the present. "Or, at most, Rosalie's decent." She laughed and twisted one of my curls around her finger. I frowned. It was very strange, even for Alice, to be taking this situation so lightly. She grew serious when she saw my look. "Everything's going to be fine. The Volturi will never bother us because I believe Bella will be a vampire by then. Problem solved. Now, come, my swain, and let's get dressed for the next day." I smiled at her as I sat up, allowing her to get up and tow me to our closet.

Alice sighed while we all played with our food.

"I wish you could come with me," Alice sighed again and I smiled.

"Darling, I'd just kill Edward's mood," I grimaced. Edward and I hadn't exactly been on proper terms lately ever since Bel—Isabella found out what we really were. Emmett sighed, too, and put his chin in his hands.

"Is it just me, or is it exceptionally boring today?" he asked. I shrugged.

"She's going to look this way in four seconds," Alice muttered absentmindedly.

"It's not like we really need to act like we're human anymore when she's looking, Alice," Emmett snickered and Rosalie hissed.

Everyone's mood darkened when I tried to stay away from her anger, pushing it away from me and to everyone else. I quickly caught my mistake and pulled the emotion back in. I studied the wall, feeling Isabella's fear ripple through the air. I quickly glanced around the table, seeing Rosalie glaring daggers at the poor girl. Edward's anger flared up as well and I clenched my hands into fists.

I needed to hunt again, and having to resist my thirst was harder than usual and I couldn't concentrate on putting up an emotional barrier…just in case. Edward hissed at Rosalie and she immediately looked away. I looked down at the table, listening to Edward explain to Bella about the situation our family was in. Alice smiled as she got up from the table and danced over to where Edward was.

"Goodbye, Jasper," she whispered too low for a human to hear. I winked at her halfheartedly before she walked out of the room. I felt the natural sadness I had when Alice left me, even if it was to go into a different room. Call me clingy, but I don't like to be away from her. She still gives me that hope each and every day ever since we met in the diner to continue with this new life I am leading.

"Jazz, hunting and a lil' wrestling tonight?" Emmett offered and I shrugged.

"Why not?" I agreed and Emmett pumped his fist.

Alice danced into our room and hopped on top of me. I smiled. She was back home, finally.

"How are you?" she asked and I shut my book, pushing it aside.

"Fine," I said. "Emmett and I hunted."

"I saw. I was thinking of dragging Edward over to join you two, but he all but snapped my head off." Alice laughed. "He's been very frantic lately about what I've been seeing him do tomorrow."

"What's important about tomorrow?" I questioned.

"He's taking Bella deep into the forest to talk…and show her what we do in the sun," she rushed the last part out, hoping I didn't get angry with her.

"Oh," I shrugged. I had finally come to the resolve that there was nothing I could truly do to stop Edward from falling in love with Bella and telling her everything about vampires, though I still wasn't comfortable with it. "How's Bella going to take it?"

Alice beamed and laughed as I stared at her, confused. I wasn't unhappy with her happiness; I just wanted to know the cause of it.

"You said her nickname!" Alice squealed and I smirked.

"I guess it's inevitable now, huh?" I questioned as Alice nodded.

"She's going to be just fine. If I'm not mistaken…and don't tell Edward this…but I believe that they're going to kiss." Alice smiled as if she was saying the world was free of conflict and war, but no, she was really talking about my brother…kissing a human girl whom he found highly appetizing.

I frowned. Part of me was worried about his and the girl's safety, and the other part was raging. How could he have just gone and done the impossible, leaving you sticking out like a sore thumb in the family? There's no way you could possibly be strong now.

Alice sighed, knowing just what I was thinking of. "Jazz, you're being insane. If you keep thinking like that, you'll just make yourself…feel even weaker and won't go through with the diet. I would know. I can see the future."

I looked away from her eyes, studying the pattern on the chair. Alice put her hand on my chin and forced my gaze to meet hers.

"I love you," she said seriously, looking into my eyes. "And nothing could ever change that."

"I know," I sighed and Alice kissed my forehead. "And I love you more than anything." She pulled away and still looked worried, but shook it off, looking as confident as she usually did.

Edward was waiting to go to Bella's house and watch her sleep. It was a rare moment for us—not only to have Edward home for once, but for us 'brothers' to do some bonding. Carlisle was working late tonight to cover for the Saturday that was going to be sunny and Esme had gone with Rosalie and Alice to do some shopping. We were all sitting in the living room: Edward at his piano, playing, Emmett on the couch, watching TV, and I was on the rocking chair, reading.

I sighed, ripping a page when Edward's irritation pounded upon me. Strange. He usually was more in control of his emotions lately and I had let my barrier down. I quickly built it back up, not really wanting to ruin the peaceful calm I had entered.

Much better. Edward wasn't, though and he pounded harder and harder on the keys; I was afraid he would break the poor thing if he wasn't careful. Anger and frustration crashed through my emotional barrier and the covers of my book snapped between my fingers.

"Edward, cool it!" Emmett exclaimed, glancing from him to me and back again. Edward seemed to have gone deaf, and threw his whole arms into the playing, cracking the piano. He'd need to take it to the shop now, or, if the damage was far too much, buy a new one. Alice would help him with that.

Emmett and I were instantly on out feet, holding our brother back from doing anymore destruction. What was going on? Edward was in some sort of meltdown, obviously, but the real question was, what, or who, was causing this emotional breakdown?

"Are you okay?" Emmett asked and I snorted halfheartedly. Clearly, Edward was not okay. He didn't answer.

"I believe, Emmett," I corrected, "the question truly is, 'what's wrong'?"

"Everything," Edward sighed eventually as we sat him down on the couch.

"'Everything' as in…" I pressed.

"Everything as in my whole life!" Edward exploded, running a distressed hand through his hair. "Just because of one girl entering center stage in my interests, my whole existence is turned upside down!"

I smiled sympathetically, nodding. Emmet and I exchanged a knowing glance. Our brother had finally fallen in love.

"Edward, we've both been in that position," I said, and Emmett nodded, clapping Edward's shoulder.

"Your whole view of the world is changed," Emmett agreed.

"But there's nothing to be afraid of," I said, holding back a grin. "It's just love."

"Our little Edward's all grown up," Emmett cooed before we both burst out laughing. Edward was not amused, and the angry little pout he had on only made us laugh harder. When we were done, Edward studied the floor, embarrassed.

"What was it like, to fall in love?" he asked and I elbowed Emmett in the ribs, feeling his amusement rise to the point he would burst into laughter. I sent a wave of calm to him as well, enforcing that the conversation was now going to be serious.

"Well, it's funny you should ask, because Rose and I would've had our first kiss by now. Get a move on, buddy," Emmett said honestly. Edward grimaced and I shook my head. Rosalie and Emmett had fallen in love fast unlike Edward and Bella and Alice and me.

"Maybe Emmett's not the best example." I grinned as Emmett socked my on the shoulder. "No offense. I was like you, Edward—though maybe a little worse. I didn't believe love was possible. You've lived your whole immortal life with compassionate vampires falling in love. You know it's possible. I didn't. But, you fell in love with a human. I didn't. So, we're even, I guess. I went through the same stages as you. Trust me; everything just gets easier right when you say 'I am in love'. Just a downhill coast from there."

"But you fell in love with someone of your own species!" Edward said. "You don't know how fragile Bella is! I can hurt her just by touching her!"

"You don't know how careful I am with Alice," I said calmly, though I put force and emotion into my words. "Don't you see the size difference? I'm nearly two feet taller. I know how you feel, and not just because of my power."

"But Alice doesn't smell as tantalizing as Bella!" Edward disputed. Boy, he was being stubborn today. "You don't understand, no matter how much you think you do. You don't know how—" he instantly silenced himself. I knew that he was going to say how scared he was of hurting Bella and that he shouldn't fall in love with her, and he was afraid to admit it because we always ribbed him a lot when he mentioned his feelings.

"Edward, look at me," I demanded quietly. He did as he was told. "I was scared as well. Strange emotions were erupting inside of me and it didn't help that I had been…abused in that area of emotions. Everything's going to be okay." I tried blocking my thoughts of how I still wanted to be the stronger one, and him the weaker, by thinking of Alice. Edward had heard, though. He nodded, understanding. Thankfully, he also knew I didn't want to discuss this topic.

"Have you guys ever…you know, found a human that smelt as good to you as Bella does to me?" Edward asked, changing the subject.

Thanks, I whispered to him in my mind. He made no move to show he'd heard me, but I knew he had.

"Yeah," Emmett said, eyeing me curiously. I put on my best innocent expression and gave him some distracted emotions. "Twice, I believe. One was stronger than the other…they didn't end well, of course." Edward nodded gravely and motioned for me to speak.

"I'm not sure…" I pursed my lips. "They all…kind of smell the same." I hung my head, ashamed of myself. "I may have come across some before 1948, but I was exactly, you know, civil then."

The girls arrived home then and Emmett left to help Rose out in the garage. Edward put his hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you," Edward said and I nodded, smiling at him.

"I got you some shirts," she announced and I rolled my eyes.

"Why am I not surprised?" I teased and Alice stuck her tongue out at me. I gasped in mock horror (the pride was still radiating from me from the discussion I had with Edward. It had made me feel . . . stronger . . . mightier). "How dare you stick your tongue out at your husband?" Alice smacked my shoulder, giggling. "That's it. I'm getting the divorce papers." I growled before slinging Alice over my shoulder and running upstairs.

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~Eclipse-Vamp :)