Disclaimer: Not mine!
Sorry for not updating sooner-I know i'm usually super fast. But not that summer is here, I've just been working more.
I hate to keep reminding everyone, but this story is winding down. On the up side, I'll be working on One Final Taste starting today! So if you don't have it on alert, you should get on it, because If I were you I'd expect a chapter sometime later today! Keep in mind that I might do some tweaking to the first one-maybe-but I'll let you know if I do.
Esme still had her arms wrapped around Bella when I walked in. She was looking a little better, and her emotions were in check. She was feeling sad, but not overly so. "Are you feeling better?" I asked her. Emmett trailed in behind me, having taken care of things rather quickly.
"A little. I just can't believe I did that! It's like I lost myself, and all I cared about was blood. I mean, I knew that would happen, but it's different experiencing it. I do not like it." I sat down on her other side and took her hand in mine.
"Don't feel bad, little sis, I've eaten a few people in my day," Emmett said, slapping me on the shoulder while grinning at Bella. She frowned.
"None of us do. But it's natural for us, remember that. And it's partly my fault anyway. I should have been paying closer attention. I won't let it happen again, and soon enough you'll be in better control." She nodded, curling her body into mine. I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead lightly. Everyone was here, so I figured it was the best time to tell them about Alice.
"I got a phone call while I was outside," I said, trying to be nonchalant. All eyes in the room turned on me. Bella peaked up at me curiously. "Alice will be coming home tomorrow." I waited, tasting the emotional climate. Happily I found that generally everyone was pleased. Everyone but Bella. She was nervous-and scared. "There's nothing to worry about, love. She's very excited to see you."
She surprised me. "It's not Alice I'm worried about. I can't wait to see her again! But…is…Edward…coming with her?" Of course. The last time they'd seen each other had been rather teary and sad. And I couldn't help but worry about how Edward was going to handle Bella as a vampire. He was always so vehemently against it.
"No, he's not coming with her. He's not quite ready to see everyone yet. But Alice assures me that soon enough he'll find his way back home." Bella's fears eased for the time being, knowing that she had a little more time left. Esme's glee was the strongest emotion in the room. Having all her children in a row again is all she wants. I turned to Bella. "Would you like to go upstairs and talk?" I asked, thinking she might want some alone time. Her mood said otherwise. She was feeling…mischievous?
"Not right now, Jasper. Actually, there's something I want to do." She turned to Emmett. "Hey, Emmett," she called. Emmett looked at her, and noticing the look in her eyes, he grinned.
"Yes, Bella?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Bella stood up, trying to look tall.
"Wanna wrestle?" she said, a huge grin breaking out across her face. Apparently she had decided it would be fun to test her strength.
"Let's do it." He replied, serious. The two of them walked out the back door and into the opening, Emmett crouching as soon as he had room. A small growl ripped from him as he turned to Bella and grinned. "Bring it." The rest of us filed out to watch. Emmett had never had to deal with a newborn before. Bella crouched as well, and seeing her like that…it was the hottest thing I'd ever seen. She growled back at Emmett and sprang. He caught her mid-flight and took her down to the ground, but Bella was stronger than he gave her credit for. She flipped him over and had an arm around his neck before he even registered what was happening. "What the—" he hissed, trying to break her hold. Rosalie walked forward.
"Looks like your down for the count," she laughed as Emmett continued to struggle. Bella flipped around and pinned him to the ground.
"I win!" she cried, finally letting him up. "Jasper said I'd be strong, but I wanted to know how strong. And I'm stronger than Emmett!" She was dancing a little celebration dance around the yard as Emmett glared at her from the ground. He hadn't yet found the dignity to get up.
"I'll get you back," he muttered, but she didn't pay any attention. She was too busy dancing. She danced her way to me, and I couldn't stop the surge of lust I felt at the way she moved. So fluid…she threw her arms around me, but immediately jumped back. I frowned.
"What's wrong?" I asked, and I could tell by the look on her face that she'd be blushing if she still could.
"When I hugged you, all of the sudden I felt very…naughty." She looked and felt puzzled, and so did I. And then I remembered-the wave of lust that hit me while she danced. But is that possible? Isn't that my job? There's only one way to find out. And by now, everyone had noticed my curious expression and had gathered around.
"Bella, I want to try something. Put your hands on me again," I asked. She looked concerned but didn't say anything as she placed her hands on my face. I concentrated on feeling very sad. Her face puckered and she pulled away again.
"What's wrong?" she asked me.
"Did you feel that, then?" I replied.
"Feel what? I felt sad. Did you do that?"
"Yes, but I didn't project it onto you. It was my own personal feeling. When you hugged me and you said you felt naughty, I was feeling very lustful at the time. Again, I was keeping that to myself. But just to be safe, why don't we try it with someone else? Carlisle?" I volunteered. He walked forward, and I could see the eagerness in his eyes. He loved new information. "Concentrate on an emotion-any emotion. I won't influence you at all, and then let's see if Bella can tell what you're feeling." Carlisle closed his eyes and Bella reached out and touched him. She thought for a moment.
"Nervous?" she said as she pulled away. Carlisle smiled and nodded. "Oh! So does that mean…I'm kind of an empath? Like Jasper?"
"Similar, yes, but not the same. We'll have to experiment and see if you can control emotions or just feel them. And then see if you can feel them from a distance or if you have to have physical contact. Jasper? Explain to Bella how you reach out and feel peoples emotions. Maybe she could try it."
"Generally, I focus on them and let my guard down, I guess. It's not something I can explain, per say. It's like I reach out and touch them with my eyes." Well that clears things up, Jasper! Bella's eyes moved around the yard, focusing on everyone individually. Once she had looked at all of us, she shrugged.
"Either I'm not doing it right, or I can't do it. I don't feel anything but what I'm feeling." Carlisle nodded.
"Alright. Then why don't you try to make us feel what you're feeling?" Again, Bella focused on each one of us, and the concentration was etched on her face.
"I was trying to make you all feel happy. Did it work?" We all shook our heads.
"It was just a thought. At least you know what you can do now, and that's something," Carlisle said, trying to sooth the angry look off her face. The sun was starting to rise-I hadn't realized we'd been out here all night!
"Geez, Bella! I thought you'd be happier to see me than that!" The voice didn't come from any of us, but from the small vampire behind us.
"Alice!" Bella squealed. Before she knew what she was doing, she was standing by her. "Boy, that speed sure is…speedy." She said, shaking her head as she flung her arms around her lost sister. Alice responded as equally enthusiastic as the rest of the family came forward to greet her as well.
"I've missed you all so much!" She cried, breaking from Bella and hugging the rest of the family. She came to me last. "I've missed you too, soldier." She winked. All I could feel from her was pure happiness.
"I'm glad you came home." I replied. She gave me one more fleeting grin before turning back to Bella. Her eyes raked her figure as she tsk'd and shook her finger.
"I can't believe they let you wake up in that. She said, waving her hand at Bella's outfit." Bella's face scrunched up.
"It was comfortable." She said, feebly attempting to protect her outfit.
"Well, it's a disaster. Come on, let's go in the house. We can do some online shopping for you." She grabbed Bella's hand and dragged her towards the house. Bella was cringing, but she let Alice go. She could have easily broken her grip if she wanted to.
I smiled. Alice stopped before they got to the house and turned around.
"Oh-I forgot to tell you. Edward will be coming home in 2 weeks." And then she continued to pull the brunette into the house and towards the computer.
I heard Esme turn to Carlisle-they were both behind me. "Just think! The whole family together in 2 weeks." Esme's joy was catastrophic.