QUICKIE: A few things before you begin:
-A few of you noticed the amount of chapters went down, that's because I went back to the beginning and started to combine chapters and add some things 'cause I realized how short they were, and it was annoying me.
-I have only combined a few chapters so far, but I hope to get them all done soon. Go back and read them if you wish since there is a little new material in there now. (One thing I changed that affects this chapter, is Bella is from Florida, instead of Arizona)
-The response to the last chapter was really funny. I love you guys, your reviews crack me up sometimes! Lol.
-This chapter is the longest chapter I have written so far, so you better like it! Lol, enjoy.
-Bella's POV-
"That should do it." Carlisle said as he finished wrapping all three individually set fingers together with tape.
"Thanks, Carlisle. If it were anyone other than you doing this, it would be excruciatingly embarrassing to try and come up with an excuse as to what happened."
"No need to thank me, Bella. Just...be careful when being intimate for now on, yes?" He whispered the last part.
"You got it doc." I saluted him as he walked away, leaving me and Alice in his office.
She sighed as she came and sat on the small couch with me.
"I'm sorry, Bells. I had no idea that-"
"Ali, it's fine."
I would have continued, but I heard someone approach. I turned to find Emmett standing just outside the door, a grin plastered across his face.
"So, Edward won't tell us how it happened, care to enlighten me?"
"I think you already know...so why ask? I said.
"I just want to hear you say it, it will make it all the more funny!" He chuckled.
"Em! Leave them alone." Rose yelled from downstairs.
"Yeah, well it's more embarrassing than funny, to me."
"Oh, come on...we're all adults here."
Alice gave a laugh. "We're all adults...but you. Sorry Em, but you have the maturity level of a twelve year old."
"Say it and I'll leave you alone."
Might as well give him what he wants...I'm sure they all know anyway.
I stood up then, slowly walking over to him.
"Bella?" Alice asked, but I ignored her for the moment.
"If you must know, Emmett...I happened to be pleasuring your sister, and she came so hard, she broke my fingers."
His eyes widened just before I closed the door in his face, leaving him standing there.
I laughed to myself as I made my way back over to Alice, who was now covering her face with her hands. If she were human, I'm sure she would be as red as a cherry right now.
"Oh, God..." Alice said after a few seconds.
I stood in front of her for a minute or so, until she looked up. I pushed her back and sat down on her small lap. Still embarrassed, she pulled me close and buried her face in my neck, inhaling my scent.
"Sorry, I just wanted to see the look on his face..."
She giggled, pulling back a little.
"I guess it was a little funny."
"And we learned from this experience. Now I know not to do...that."
"Well, you know that are...other objects we could use next time."
Toys...now that's something I haven't done before.
I raised my eyebrow at her.
"Really? You don't strike me as the toy type."
"As long as it keeps you from getting hurt, I'll try anything at least once." She smiled seductively.
"You better not be teasing me, now that you've gone and got me excited."
"I wouldn't dare tease you."
"Good."
I leaned in, giving her a quick peck on the lips before I stood up again. For the first time, I looked around Carlisle's office. There was a whole all of books behind his big wooden desk, and the other three were covered in paintings. I took my time,really looking at each one before moving onto the next. On the far wall, the biggest painting hung. There were four people in it, looking over a balcony where hundreds of people seemed to be cheering.
"Who are they?"
Alice approached me, then hugged me from behind.
"The Volturi."
I stayed silent for a moment, surprised.
"That's the Volturi? Wow, they look really...old fashioned.
As I took a closer look, I realized something that peaked my interest.
"Is that...Carlisle?" I pointed the the right.
"Yes." She started. "He spent a few decades with them. Described them as very refined, respect for the arts and sciences, but no regard for human life whatsoever."
Seeing them made them...real to me. Before they went to Seattle, Alice had told me a little about the Volturi...but then they were just a name.
"Where do they live?"
"Volterra, Italy."
"Oh..."
"What is it? You sound disappointed."
"I've just always wanted to go to Italy...or travel in general, for that matter."
"Just because they are there, doesn't mean you can't go. But, it would be best if you were changed before making that trip."
We stood there in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes, Ali slowly rocking us back and forth in her arms. Later on, she showed me her room...which was very much her. Bedspread was her favorite color, green, along with a few other decorations. She had a whole wall dedicated to books and music...which when we started playing it, she made me dance with her. It was a cute gesture, but I'm definitely no a dancer.
It started to get late, so we said goodbye to her family before she ran me back to my place. She had me inside my room before I knew it and was like I was here the whole time. Charlie was sleeping in the next room, so I quietly used the bathroom and changed into my pj's before I crawled into bed. I looked at the clock one last time, it was eleven, so at least I'd get about seven hours of sleep. I had school tomorrow, for the first time in months, and I was a bit nervous about returning. I'm not sure why. I let out a small content sigh as Alice spooned me, letting all my worries wash away as I drifted to sleep.
I woke up a few minutes before my alarm clock, in the same position that I fell asleep in. Alice's frigid fingers softly rubbing my stomach, and her forehead resting on the back of my shoulder. I was so comfortable that I didn't want to move, but she realized that I had woken up and moved. I rolled over searching for her beautiful face, and when I did, it brought a smile to my lips.
"Morning." She said, smiled back down at me.
"Hey."
I tried to pull her back down to lay with me again, but she didn't budge.
"Charlie is coming...hide you hand."
And then she was gone. A few seconds later, Charlie knocked on my door, and I hid my hand under the comforter.
"Yeah?" I asked.
He opened the door slowly then leaned against the door frame.
"Ready to go back to school?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
He chuckled, stepping inside my room. "Your leg feel better today?"
"Yes. I think I'm good to go."
"Alright. I'm heading out, be safe."
"I will, dad."
"Bells, I'd feel better if you didn't drive for a little while..."
"Okay. I'll call Alice and she can pick me up."
"Good. Tell her I said 'hi'."
Aw, Charlie...
"Will do. I'll see you later."
Once he was gone, I looked around for my phone to tell Alice that I'd need her to drive. I got a text just as I picked up my phone, and it was from Alice. I opened it and read it quickly.
I KNOW, ON THE WAY TO YOUR HOUSE WITH THE PORSCHE. BE THERE IN A FEW MINUTES. -A
Oh, how I loved having a psychic girlfriend. I grabbed some clean clothes from my dressers and went to the bathroom to change. I was in the middle of brushing my teeth when I hear the honk of a horn, knowing that was Ali. I washed my mouth out, and grabbed my book bag before heading downstairs. I put on my jacket and locked up the house, before getting into the car. She greeted me with a kiss, before starting the car back up and heading to school.
The day went by rather slow. People welcoming me back left and right...and it was actually getting rather annoying, but I dealt with it. I was relieved when lunch time rolled around and I got to see Alice again. We sat together with Angela, Eric, Jessica, and Mike. I still wasn't talking to him, or even acknowledging him for that matter. It wouldn't bother me if I never spoke to him again, maybe then he'd get the hint. I could see that he looked upon and Alice with distaste, but he never said another aloud about us. Good move on his part, because I know Alice would say...or do something about it. And if he ever said anything about my Alice, I would be sure to do something also.
I scooted closer to her, putting my around around her back, resting it on the top of the seat and pulled her closer. She smiled at me before kissing me quickly on the cheek, and resting her small hand on my knee. The next thing I knew, there was a flash. I looked over at Angela, who had taken the photo. She was looking at the screen and smiling for a few seconds before she realized we were looking at her.
"I couldn't help it, you two are so cute together. Plus I needed a picture anyway, we're putting together a couples page for the yearbook."
I saw Mike roll his eyes out of the corner of my eye, and shift his position uncomfortably.
"Just make sure to give us a copy." Alice replied.
In Biology, I couldn't focus on much of anything. Alice and I were in our own little world, holding hands under the table, glancing at each other often. It wasn't until the teacher handed out a worksheet, that we buckled down for a few minutes at a time and got some work done. We finished just as the bell rang, and I groaned, not wanting to go through Gym. She walked me to the Gym doors, kissing me goodbye and wishing me luck.
God knows I need it.
"SWAN!"
I jumped at the loud voice from behind me.
"Yeah, coach?"
"Good to have you back...but it seems you'll have to sit out of the game." She said as she saw my hand.
Thank you God, for giving me a break!
"But, I'm not about to have you get lazy. You'll walk about the perimeter of the Gym while the others are playing basketball."
And once again, I spoke to soon...great.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now go change, hop to!" She said, smacking my ass as I turned around.
The period actually went by fast, thanks to my day dreaming skills. And I only ended up getting hit by the basketball once, so that was a plus. On a normal day I would have gotten hit at least three times. When the bell rang I practically ran out the doors to the parking lot, where Alice was already waiting by her car. I hugged her tightly, kissing all over her face, and eventually her lips.
"You should greet me like that more often."
/-/
Later that evening when Charlie came home, he noticed my fingers as I was fixing dinner.
Time to lie again...
"Bella, what happened to your hand!"
"Oh, it was an accident. I, uh, I was over at Alice's house and I was wrestling with Emmett...and he stepped on my fingers..."
"Emmett...the really big one?"
"Yeah."
"What are you doing wrestling with him? He's a bear compared to you."
"It's not his fault...we were playing around and I started it. But I'm fine, Carlisle fixed me up."
"Bells, you have got to be more careful. You are like a danger magnet, you know?"
"I will dad, no more wrestling for me, I promise."
"Good."
Overall it went well, though he did tell me to be more careful a few other times while we were eating.
The rest week went pretty much like Monday had. Everyday morning Alice would leave to get her car and take me to school, we'd spend every moment we could together before classes split us up. And in Gym, I got out of the sports and walked around the perimeter of the room. Each time when the day was over, I ran outside into Ali's arms and professing how much I had missed her. Life was good and getting back to normal.
Before I knew it, Friday had come and I quickly packed a duffel bag with a few outfits. Alice had already packed before I even woke up, so I was the one that held us up a bit, but we made it. As soon as we got in the air and the seat belt sign turned off, I unbuckled and laid my head in Alice's lap. I ended up falling asleep pretty fast, and eight hours later, at about one in the afternoon, we landed safely in Jacksonville. It didn't take long to find my mom...she was dressed in bright colors and had her floppy straw cowgirl hat on.
"Bella!" Mom yelled as she ran over to me, engulfing me in a hug that hurt my chest. "Oh my God, let me look at you."
She took my face in between her hands and smiled at me, looking like she was about to cry.
"Mom, it hasn't been that long since I saw you."
"I know, baby. It's just...after your car accident, I'm just so happy I'm able to see your face again."
"I'm fine mom." I hugged her again.
"Bells, what happened to your fingers?"
"That...was an accident. You know how danger prone I am..."
"You really have got to be more careful!"
"Yes, I know...dad already gave me that speech."
She chuckled, then noticed Alice, who was standing behind me.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, how rude of me...I'm Renée ."
She stuck her hand out, Alice's grasping hers a second later. Surprised that my mom didn't mention anything about her coldness, but at the same time glad.
"Alice Cullen. It's very nice to finally meet you, I've heard so much."
"All good things I hope?"
"Mostly." She teased.
"Hah! I like you already."
I couldn't help but smile to myself.
"Alright, let's get out of here."
I slung my book bag over my shoulder as headed to the car. I held Alice's hand the whole way, getting a few stares from people passing, but I didn't care. It was overcast outside, just like Alice had seen a few weeks ago, so she was safe for now.
As she drove us to the house, I held Alice close, my arm around her waist and her hand on my knee. Mom not seeming to mind our open affection, which made me even more happy. I knew she was supportive of our relationship, but I didn't really know how supportive exactly.
"Phil is still on the road, but he says 'hello'. And next time he sees you, he's gonna give you a great big hug."
"Can't wait..."
I still didn't know Phil that well, but I knew he was a good guy. He took care of my mom very well...better than I could I'm sure. I rolled down my window, taking in the warmer air that I had missed. We got home rather quickly, pulling into the familiar drive made me smile. I missed it here, and it looks like I had never even left. One thing was differently though; the space in front of the house that was usually bare, was growing with beautiful flowers of every color.
"You take up gardening, mom?"
"It's just a hobby. I thought the yard needed some color, so I went out and got every color I could find. Turns out I have a bit of a green thumb."
"It looks really nice, Mrs. Swan."
"Alice, please...call me Renée. And thank you."
She unlocked the door and let us in, turning on the lights I already noticed how a few things have changed since I left. The entryway and hall was now painted a deep purplish red, and it was lined with white wood, really bringing out the color.
"You like what we did? I picked the color out myself."
"Yeah, it looks really good."
I stood there for a few more moments, admiring the changes before mom spoke again.
"Alright, lets move." She nudged me with her elbow.
We reached the living room
"Here girls, I'll take your stuff upstairs." She said reached for my bag.
"I can do it." Alice interjected. "I have to use the bathroom anyway."
"Up the stairs, take a left, and Bella's bedroom is the second door on the left. And the bathroom is right across from it."
We both watched as Ali took both our bags and jogged up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, mom slapped me playfully on the shoulder.
"She's cute! You did good picking a nice girl like her."
"Thanks...?" I said as I ran my hand through my hair.
Mom had never been too fond of my previous girlfriends, which looking back now, I'd agree with her. I don't know what I was thinking back then.
"So, how long have you two be officially dating?"
"Um...I haven't really been counting..."
"Since before your car accident?"
"Yeah, a while before that."
Mom opened her mouth to say something else, but that's when Alice appeared again.
"It's early in the day, we should all go do something. But first, are you girls hungry? I can whip up some sandwiches real fast."
"We actually ate on the plane." I said quickly.
It was halfway true at least. I did eat.
"Great! No more lollygagging...it's girl time."
"Oh, God..." I mumbled.
"What?" Ali asked.
"She wants to take us shopping...that's what 'girl time' means in mom talk."
"Bells, you are still a drama queen when it comes to shopping? What about you Alice?"
"I actually happen to love shopping." She said, flashing an evil smile at me.
"Perfect! Let's go." She said, turning back the way we came.
"Thanks a lot..." I said as a smacked Alice's arm with my good hand.
Mom drug us both to the closest mall. Her and Alice were getting along like they had known each other for years, which made me happy...until they both a insisted that I needed to brighten up my wardrobe. Mom and Alice picked out a few shirts, and practically pushed me into the stall. In my rush to hurry up and get this over with, I ended up putting the shirt on wrong.
"Uh...I need help." I reluctantly called through the door.
I unlocked the door and Alice walked in, taking one look at me, then busted out laughing.
"How did you manage this, babe?"
"No idea, just help me out."
She quickly lifted the shirt off me with ease, straightening it back up and placing it back on the hanger. Fixing my bra for that little ordeal, familiar cold hands caressed the bare skin on my hips, turning me around to face her.
I was met with her lips instantly, my hands going to her hair, tangling themselves in her soft locks. I she smiled against my lips as I parted them, begging her to capture mine again. She did, deepening the kiss...making me forget where we were. My hands started to run up her sides as a voice interrupted.
"Hey, you two quit making out for a minute and try these on..." She laughed.
We parted as she flung a bright yellow shirt over the door first, then a pair or blue skinny jeans followed...and my eyes widened.
"That's a little too bright for my taste."
Alice giggled then grabbed them and slung it over my shoulder.
"Just be a good girl and try it on."
She patted my head before letting herself out.
"Now I know what she needed help with..." I heard my mom tease.
"Well, before that...she did get herself tangled in a shirt. It was rather funny."
"Haha! Well, that's Bella for you."
"Hey, I can hear you!"
But they just laughed at that. By this time, I had lost my sense of humor. Shopping did that to me...but apparently just made the both of the more goofy then usual. Mom ended up getting me the yellow shirt and skinny jeans, much to my protest. Alice bought a few cute shirts for herself, along with a sexy little piece of underwear that I couldn't wait to see her in. Or get her out of, for that matter.
By the time we were done, we had been through seven different stores, and it was already almost time for dinner. We headed back to the house, and mom quickly got started on dinner. I decided to take a shower, leaving them alone to, most likely, make fun of me some more while I was gone. As I stepped into the warm water, washing my stresses away, I couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about down there.
-Alice's POV-
I heard Bella let out a breath as she stepped into the shower. I recalled our little...finger fiasco a few days ago. Now, I can look back on it and laugh at the fact that I didn't know I could possibly hurt Bella...like that.
"Do she know...how much you love her?" Renée said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Well, I hope so. I tell her all the time."
"Are you worried she doesn't believe you?"
I thought about this for a few seconds, before I answered truthfully.
"I'm lucky to have her, and I just want to let her know that."
"I think she does..."
We continued to talk until Bella came back downstairs, hair damp and her clothes clinging to her body. I looked away to keep from staring, but Bella noticed what I was doing and giggled to herself.
"Alright, dinner is ready." She said, putting the lasagna on the table.
This should be interesting...
/-/
"Are you okay Alice? You only took a few bites of your food." Renée noticed.
"I haven't been feeling too good the past few days, and it's made my appetite go down. But it's delicious.
My stomach raged inside of me, rejecting the food.
"You don't look too good." Bella said, trying to save me. "Maybe you should go lay down for a while."
"Bella's right, hon. You go rest. If you get hungry later, Bella can always heat you up some."
"Thank you."
I got out of my chair, going upstairs to Bella's room quickly. I closed the door and grabbed a piece of paper, writing her a note in case she came to check on me. Quietly opening the window and closing it, before jumping to the ground and sprinting for the nearby woods. I needed to get the human food out of my body, and get some animal blood in me. After throwing up the lasagna, it took about ten minutes to find a deer. I filled up fast, and ran back to the house, their muffled voiced before clearer as I got closer. It sounded like they had moved from the dining room into the living room.
"What about colleges? I know it's early, but have you started thinking about your options?"
"It is early...but, I have been thinking about the University of Alaska."
"Alaska? Why there?"
"Uh, it has a great science program..."
"Or a great Alice program, eh?"
"Mom..."
"Bella." She chuckled. "You can't fool me, darling. I see all."
"Okay...you got me."
"Well you have another whole year to think about it. Just try and keep an open mind about other schools."
"I will."
A few moments of silence went by before Renée spoke up again.
"So..."
"Um...so what?"
"Tell me more about you and Alice."
"What do you want to know?" She asked cautiously.
"Are you in love with her?"
That's when I started to really pay attention. I climbed back through her bedroom window, and sat down on the bed, listening intently to the conversation taking place below me.
"Yeah, mom. I'm crazy about her."
"Aw, my baby's all grown up!"
"Okay, that's enough of that. I'm still your baby." She giggled.
"Not trying to push anything, but...have you ever thought about marriage?"
"In the future, I'd like to. But I'm a little young to be thinking about that now. Why?"
"Oh, just making sure your father and I didn't scar you for life by getting the divorce."
"No, mom...I'm perfectly fine."
Their conversation lasted a little longer than that before Bella came up for bed. She smiled and tackled me on the bed once she shut the door, kissing me hard on the mouth.
"I missed you." She said as she rolled us over so I was on top.
-Bella's POV-
She laughed, leaning down to kiss me, much softer than I had kiss her a few seconds ago.
"I missed you too."
"Have a good hunt?"
"As good as it can be, yes." I replied as my hands went into her hair, pulling her closer.
My lips parted, and waited for her lips to touch mine, but they didnt. I opened my eyes to find hers had glazed over, which meant she was having a vision. I patiently waited for her to come back, not moving so I wouldn't distract her. About ten seconds went by before she blinked and came back to reality.
"Alice? What did you see?" I whispered.
She sat up and looked at me with a worried face.
"Victoria..."
A/N: MUAHAHAHA, cliffy! I'm chomping at the bit to write the next chapter! Are you excited to see what's going to happen? Start your guessing as to what you think might be going down soon. AND...I'll only update again once I get to 15-20 reviews for this one, so, go tell me what you think.
DO IT.