Chapter Two

Author's Note: I tried to keep Alice in character – equal parts determined, scrupulous, but at the same time a total ditz. Any critique welcome.

Warnings: A bit of swearing. Just one word repeated, though.

APOV

I drummed my perfectly manicured fingers on the love seat in the living room I shared with Jazzy, who was sending me copious, excessive amounts of calm through his empathic gift. One reason we belong together number 65743: only he can calm my jitters and hyperactivity. And only he can tolerate it! I started giggling to myself, Jazzy nodding and smiling on my right, familiar after so many decades by my side of his wife bursting into hysteria.

I can't help it!! Bella was supposed to be here 12 minutes ago! This is beyond tolerable!!

It didn't take a clairvoyant to know silly Bella would struggle finding the turn off into our driveway in her dilapidated truck, but I wouldn't have been able to see if she would make the turn or not. It would either be a last second decision, or she would make the sudden decision to turn back. Either way: no premeditated planning.

Urgh! Humans!

Edward would have driven her, would have desperately desired to spend the 6 minutes alone to sniff her scent in an enclosed space, anyway, but took a rain check, saying he would be busy. Bella didn't care; She preferred her driving to his, I think. I don't get how she can stand to sit still for twenty minutes when we could do the drive in six! I started bouncing lightly up and down on the soft lounge cushions, my Jasper putting his head in his hand and taking unnecessary deep breaths.

Weirdo.

Edward, in truth, needed to hunt. He didn't want to tell Bella 'cause he had only been a week ago, and didn't want her to worry about his strange, unsated appetite. It didn't matter though; Bella's scent would be weak in her truck. Eddie had gone with Rosalie and Emmet, leaving just Jazzy, Carlisle, Esme, and ME! I started giggling again. I need to focus. Our kind are easily distracted. And by our kind I mean Alice's. If Edward were here he would be freaking. Out. He was a little prone to overreaction where Bella was concerned. Maybe Bella was taking her sweet time, but she wouldn't waste precious time with Edward, who was due home any second. I needed to start finding something to do to maintain the illusion of trying to help! She wouldn't be in too much trouble. Flat tire or something. I mean what could be out there that's dangerous?

Correction. What could be out there that is dangerous AND Bella hasn't already made friends with/has the capability of befriending.

Given Bella track record, if the Devil himself turned up for Bella, they'd end up laughing about it over tea and crumpets. Silly human. I was calmer, now. Jazzy was working his trippy magic. I felt real relaxed.

Three minute span...

"Oh my Jasper, where's BELLA!?" I growled in a high pitch, startling Jasper out of his reverie. "It's been fifteen minutes! Three minutes is bad in Bella time! Now we have to do something! I keep trying to find her but all I see are fast shapes. Nothing solid. Every thing's changing so fast, and her future shouldn't be changing so fast and dramatically just over finding a turnoff!" Jasper looked helpless and uneasy. As a (gorgeous) military man he was always thinking of worse-case scenarios in his mind, most of which involved an angry emo Edward, if not a hurt, injured human.

Jasper opened his mouth to propose plans for recovery missions when he was interrupted by a banging on the front door. It wasn't Bella. Bella's weak even for a human, and something smelled off. By off I mean we could smell one of us. The door continued to tremble slightly as our guest continued sporadically knocking on our door. I made to stand, but Jasper held out an arm to bar the movement, standing himself and walking straight and tall to the door, leaning forward in a predatory posture. I felt more than heard Esme and Carlisle move to the top of the stairs from Carlisle's office to see this unexpected guest for himself. I stood and walked closer. The knocking had ceased. The large house was silent, even quieter than before. Only the rain which was coming down hard now could be heard outside. With creatures with hearing as sensitive as ours it was eerie. I saw Carlisle share a look with Jasper from the top of the stairs as he stood slightly in front of Esme, who looked baffled, and Jasper slowly nod his head, reaching for the brass door handle. He grasped it firmly, and then in a movement too slow for human eyes wrenched it open ninety degrees to reveal our visitor.

Ghastly, sinister crimson eyes. Bright. Long, soft curls in an up-style untouched by the rain. But this was of no consequence to me. What I saw was her outfit. I knew that suit: black and white plaid skirt suit. Adorable and professional. Italian and worth tens of thousands. Straight off the runway. Bitch.

I didn't look at her shoes. I didn't need to see any more. This female was formidable. A woman with an eye was a woman to watch. I jumped suddenly as I noticed for the first time the bundle she held in her arms –

it was... -

"Bella!" Esme breathed softly from the second floor. Cradled in the style-savvy red head's arms was my human best friend, paler than normal, almost grey-faced. I noticed bite marks on her neck, but no blood. This normally would mean only one thing, but I could definitely hear Bella's soft heart beat, slowed in unconsciousness.

She's alive.

There was no doubt this vampire did not conform to our way of life, given her red eyes and their bright intensity. We clearly owed this woman our gratitude for resisting: a hard feat for one familiar with human blood. We were all stunned out of our assessments as the woman's smooth, confidant voice sang,

"Well, hello to you all. I hope you don't mind my visit, may I allow myself in?" This was a voice used to being obeyed. But the politeness and and high society of her tone was enough for my Jasper to open the door wider, almost subconsciously in his stupor, to admit the beauty. She had reddish-brown hair, and angular features, and looked to be in her late thirty's. She had cosmetics applied to her already flawless skin; red lipstick which one could have easily mistaken as blood, and then more simple, classical highlights. Her nails were as immaculate as Rosalie's, and she was dripping with jewellery.

More european.

My eyes narrowed. Very formidable. She caught my stare and met it with arrogance and confidance, and I was enraged as I was forced to look away first by Jazzy, who gently took my arm and led me back to the couch. She followed. She carefully lay Bella down on the lounge, as though she were glass.

Not far off.

And Carlisle and Esme, who the woman had not fully seen yet, slowly descended the stairs behind her. She turned to take them in.

"Elizabeth." Carlisle stated in a heavy voice. "It can't be you. Is it?" My adoptive father's brow was creased as he peered at her, Elizabeth, I corrected myself, with sadness, confusion, guilt and shock.

"Carlisle." 'Elizabeth's voice was different. It shook with respect, appreciation and relief. "I was hoping what they said was true. That Carlisle Cullen led a clan here in Forks. Leading a lifestyle so different from ours. And that you had others amongst you..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

For a long moment the only sounds to be heard were once again the rain outside and Bella's soft breathing. Esme's eyes were on Bella, assessing her health, ever the mother, whereas my Jasper's were on Elizabeth, assessing the threat. Carlisle spoke,

"I thank you for returning our Bella to us. She means a lot to us. More than we could communicate. We thank you, dearly; we understand how hard it would have been for you to stop, especially at the point at which you did," Carlisle added uncomfortably, noting the clean wounds on Bella's soft throat. Even I was admiring that. It took great strength for a vampire to resist when after giving over their senses. And I could only imagine the physical pain that would come from stopping after already tasting human blood, even a drop.

"I did not believe I could stop. I have never smelled a human so..." Elizabeth trailed off, frowning to herself. I couldn't stand this! Carlisle clearly knew this woman, she knew him, there was a whole big secret thing that I didn't know about and I wanted to know!!

Jasper groaned, feeling my impatience, and shared another look with Carlisle.

"Well Elizabeth, my dear, perhaps you should tell us all what happened. With Bella. And then I would like to hear how you came to be... as you are. What you have been doing." Carlisle suggested, sounding just about as curious and incredulous as I.

"It has been a long time." Elizabeth offered. "I have come here from quite a way away. In the east. Still here in the United States, that is," she smiled. "I had heard stories of you, Carlisle. You, the company you keep, your family, I mean," she amended. "I'm sure you understand what I mean." I was on my way and was hunting regularly when I found your darling little human, here," she surveyed my now sleeping best friend with longing eyes. "She smells... delectable. I could hardly have stopped if I so wished. So small and fragile, pale, weak, even for a human!" Elizabeth now looked at Bella in astonishment and admonishment. "She is so painfully uncoordinated and delicate. All alone in the woods in the dead of night! I could hardly believe it!" She crossed her legs gracefully in a human gesture. "I begged to hear her weak little voice, and baited her to talk. The pretty little thing told me she knew you; I was shocked she not only knew your secret but also seemed familiar with you. I was still going to taste her. There were so many explanations for this, and she smelled phenomenal. Then she started to beg, and cry," Elizabeth moaned now in pleasure and I began to growl. Stupid stylish wench! "Finally I asked for her name. I love knowing their names. What she said shocked me." She now turned to Carlisle with calculating and determined eyes. "She said her name was Mrs. Edward Anthony Masen Cullen."

Carlisle let out a human breath of relief.

"Smart girl, good girl," Esme praised Bella as she slept, running her cold fingers through Bella's hair.

"Well I am certainly more than glad that she said that and you relented," Carlisle exhaled, smiling victoriously as Esme began to sit Bella across her lap.

"That didn't make me stop," Elizabeth cooed nonchalantly. Carlisle looked at her in confusion. Bitch.

"The-... Wha-"

"-my ring." She interjected.

"I'm sorry?" Carlisle choked, needing elaboration as much as I did.

"Well, fine, her ring, I suppose." Elizabeth seemed to have mixed feelings towards this. When everyone in the room except she and I looked baffled, I took it upon myself to enter into the conversation.

"Her engagement ring!!" I hissed, hoping to speed up the dishing of answers. Am I the only one in this house familiar with jewellery? Doesn't everyone know Bella only ever wears one ring: Edward's ring.

No. Wait. It's not his. It's...

"My ring!" Elizabeth agreed with me, nodding and smiling in appreciation. My eyes widened. For the first time I fully took in her physical appearance, and not her chic attire. Reddish-brown hair; bronze. Upper class, stylish woman, dripping with jewels, confidence and nonchalance? Minus the jewels, it sounded familiar, and things were starting to become equal parts clearer and murkier.

"Alice," Carlisle began nervously, "well, everyone. Meet Elizabeth Masen."

Woah. Stylish bitch? No way. SHOPPING PARTNER!

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