Alice stopped walking and looked at Bella with wide, horrified eyes. Before Alice could conjure up a response a vision swept through her mind and her eyes misted over in the tell tale sign of her receiving a vision.

oOoOoOo

Edward walked down a hallway in Forks High and smiled at Lilith. Lilith looked star struck and Edward chuckled as he took her hand. They talked to themselves as Edward walked Lilith to her next class and an amused smile rested on Edward's lips as once again the general population of girls in the hallway threw Lilith some menacing glares.

"They're staring at us again."

Lilith smiled up at Edward and a devilish smirk rested on her lips. Edward read her thought and raised an eyebrow at her. She raised an eyebrow in return and silent challenge. Not to be outclassed by a human Edward leaned down as she stood up on tiptoe and they had a wild kiss beside the door to Lilith's next class.

oOoOoOo

Alice shook her head as the vision ended and looked down at her hand to see Bella holding it in both of hers. Alice squeezed to let Bella know she was alright and Bella raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

"Bella do you know a Lilith Kerr?"

Bella smiled and nodded. She reached inside her bag and pulled out her art folder. Alice squirmed as Bella flipped through the different art pieces and handed Alice the sketch she drew of Miranda a couple days ago. She ignored Alice's pout and sigh as Bella hadn't let anyone see inside her folder and the Cullen's respected Bella too much to invade her requested privacy. Alice looked at the drawing and her mouth formed an "o" as the girl in Bella's sketch matched the girl she had seen in her vision.

"Once again I am amazed at your artistic abilities Bella. This is the exact replication of the girl I saw in my vision. She kissed Edward and it looked like they were dating."

Bella took back her sketch, slipped it back in her folder in her bag and scrunched her nose as she thought about Alice's new vision. After a moment she smiled and nodded. Alice looked at her like she had gone insane and raised her eyebrows.

"Edward's still hung up on you and he is not the type to go for a rebound."

"Well we all know that when Edward makes a decision his mind can't be changed and Lilith already likes him so why can't they be together?"

Alice looked at Bella like she had suggested Jacob and Rosalie going on a date and then having wild, passionate lovemaking under the full moon. Bella tilted her head to the side, stood her ground and waited for her answer. Alice snapped out of whatever daze she was stuck in and opened her mouth to close it with an audible pop. Bella didn't relent with her stare and Alice pursed her lips in thought.

"I guess it's not such a bad idea but Edward's so hung up on you right now it just doesn't seem feasible. Lilith is pretty that's for sure but even with your sickness you still look gorgeous."

Bella blushed, rolled her eyes and resumed her walk into Forks High. She tried to hide behind Alice when Mike Newton ran at her but Alice was too small and she straightened up when Mike stood in front of her. He took one of her hands and Bella forced herself not to pull away. Like Edward, Mike Newton had a remarkable stubborn streak and insisted on flirting with Bella every chance he got. Alice somehow managed to distract Mike and pull Bella's hand out of his at the same time.

"Bella I heard about your um, condition and I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I mean it."

Bella smiled, a little embarrassed and nodded at Mike as Alice dragged her by. Once clear Alice turned to Bella and a serious glint lit up her amber eyes. Bella sighed as she knew distracting Alice was only a temporary thing and she didn't want to talk about denying her chance at immortality.

"Bella I want to know why you all of a sudden don't want to be a vampire anymore and I don't want to hear any excuses. I know I have never demanded anything of you before but I need to know why as the thought of losing you forever is unacceptable and I can't let it happen."

Bella's eyes misted over in tears at the seriousness in Alice's tone and her tone of voice matched the expression on her face. She looked deeper into Alice's amber eyes and gasped at what she saw there. Alice's eyes held sadness, angst and…love. She knew that Alice and Jasper had been out of a romantic relationship for a couple decades now and she couldn't see how the two were not together anymore. Jasper had found a new love in Kate from the Denlai coven in Alaska but Alice had remained single and Bella had always wondered why…until now. The answer was as clear as day and Bella's heart went into a frenzy.

"Alice. You…you love me don't you?"

Alice's serious expression faded and one of confusion and embarrassment replaced it. Alice looked down at the ground and she pressed her two index fingers together. Bella lifted Alice's face back up with two fingers underneath her chin and locked her gaze with Alice's.

"How did you figure it out? I know no one said anything to you or I would have seen it."

Bella smiled and stroked Alice's cheek, her heart warming when Alice pressed into her palm. The vampire placed a soft kiss on the inside of Bella's palm and the two girls locked gazes again.

"It's as clear as crystal in your eyes. Am I the reason why you haven't dated anyone and turned down your old childhood boyfriend turned vampire last month?"

"Yes."

"Why Alice? He could have given you a new life and he won't die on you."

Angry tears misted in Alice's head and she shook her head so hard and fast her spikes flew around in disarray on her head.

"No he couldn't have. I'm sure if I wanted a boy toy or maybe a boyfriend I could have one but every time I think about it your face comes to the front of my mind. I can't just let you go as it feels like my heart is tearing in two."

The bell rang and Alice's confession fell short. Without a word Bella slipped inside her classroom and left Alice standing just out of sight beyond the doorway. Her mind reeling from information overload Bella pulled out her binder and stared without blinking at her teacher for the entire class.

oOoOoOo

Alice felt like screaming. Alice felt like punching a wall down. She wanted to run off a cliff, break apart and burn in a pile of flames. Anything to erase the agony of worrying what Bella was thinking about her impromptu confession of her unflinching attraction to her. How had Bella managed to figure out Alice's secret? She had been so careful not to let her gaze linger on Bella's perfect curves or let her lips linger too long on Bella's cheek when Alice kissed her to say hello or goodbye or just because. All Bella had done was try to dodge answering Alice's question about not wanting to be a vampire and then stare into Alice's eyes.

"It's clear as crystal in your eyes Alice."

Her eyes? Come on. There's no way Bella could read Alice just by looking at her eyes. Or maybe she could. After all it did make sense because their favorite human could read Edward through his facial expressions and eyes.

"Damn you Bella Swan…"

The final bell of the day rang and Alice dreaded meeting the rest of her siblings and Bella in the parking lot. She knew that she would drive Bella home, help her get situated for the night and then leave to go hunt only to come back and watch her sleep later that night. Alice almost leaped back through the door when Bella stepped right out from behind a row of lockers and stood in front of her.

"I don't think so Alice. You don't get to run away from me after dropping that kind of information bomb on me. Jasper has everyone else on the way home and is ready to come bring you to my house if you refuse."

Alice smiled in spite of herself and held up a finger when Bella tried to make another point. Bella huffed and Alice knew the retort was right there on the tip of her tongue but Bella pressed her thin lips into an even thinner line.

"I will answer all your questions if you answer all of mine."

Alice felt smug and was ready to skip out the door with Bella in tow at Bella's white face and shocked expression. She should have known that Bella would agree but Alice felt certain she had Bella in a bind and Alice felt relieved that she wouldn't have to spill her feelings on her love for Bella. The popular human phrase "If only…" should have never been created because Bella's face steeled into an expression of firm resolve and her eyes were on fire. Alice caught the expression and gulped because even without her physic visions she knew the next words out of Bella's mouth.

"Okay. It's a deal. I promise to answer all your questions and then you'll answer mine."

Lucky for Alice, Edward was nowhere nearby and couldn't hear the vulgar profanities that streamed at light speed through Alice's mind.

oOoOoOo

Bella sat cross legged on her bed with Alice in the same pose right across from her and they were so close their knees were touching. Alice had stalled the intimate and deep conversation by offering up any excuse possible but eventually she ran out of excuses. Bella wore green checkered black flannel pajama pants and an old t-shirt of Charlie's with a thick cotton blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Alice wore what she had worn for school and she chewed on her bottom lip, her one nervous habit.

"Alright Alice. I'll bite the bullet and go first. Ask away."

Bella closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable rapid fire questions to be shot at her but they never came. Bella chanced a peek by cracking open one eye and saw that Alice hadn't moved a muscle. The vampire looked to be debating something and Bella blushed. Alice never hesitated unless she wanted to do something out of character for her or what she would deem "very selfish of me". Bella felt bad because of all the stress she had placed on Alice's shoulders and she pulled the blanket closer around her as she gathered her courage.

"Go ahead Alice. Whatever it is that you want to do just…just go ahead and do it."

Alice's hesitation disappeared and she looked at Bella with hopeful eyes. Bella thought she looked adorable and she gave a tiny nod to encourage Alice. The next thing Bella knew she sat in Alice's lap with Alice's arms wrapped in a comforting way around her and they were much closer then they had ever been before. Alice leaned in and trailed her nose along the smooth, graceful column of Bella's neck as she sniffed in Bella's mouth watering scent. Bella's breath hitched and she tried to hold her breath as she knew how tempted Alice would be right now.

"Oh!"

Bella blushed as a squeak burst forth from her mouth when Alice kissed Bella's pulse point and grazed her razor sharp, venom coated teeth along the vein in Bella's neck. A flutter erupted in Bella's stomach, not an unpleasant one mind you but one she had never experienced before even when she had been dating Edward. Edward had done the same thing that Alice was doing now but Bella noticed the subtle differences. Edward had been breathing heavy even though he didn't need to and he would flash to the other side of her room after three minutes maximum. Alice on the other hand kept kissing and grazing Bella's neck and jaw for well over five minutes now and Bella almost giggled when she heard Alice purring. Alice and Edward both had told her that when a vampire purrs they are at their most content…or most aroused.

"A-Al-lice."

Bella's blush deepened when Alice ever so carefully bit into Bella's neck and sucked. Not hard or deep enough to draw blood but the sensation made Bella's heart race and her body feel like jelly. The next shock came when Alice looked at Bella for a millisecond and then closed her eyes as she drew closer to Bella's face. Warning bells went off in Bella's mind as through the pleasurable haze she knew what would happen in a second but when Alice's smooth, cool soft lips pressed against Bella's all thoughts flew out of Bella's head. She thought she had known kissing when she had kissed Edward for the brief snatches that he allowed but kissing Alice was so much better than kissing Edward.

"Alice…"

Bella took a deep breath and Alice pulled away with her eyes still closed. Bella touched her lips with her fingers and looked at Alice in a daze. Alice flashed over to the window and breathed in the forestry smells for several long minutes. After a time Alice turned back inwards and looked at Bella. Bella came out of her daze and stared at Alice. Neither girl knew what to say as Bella felt certain that Alice's feelings were much different then Bella's. Alice hopped up onto the window and looked over her shoulder.

"I'll leave you alone now Bella. I know I pushed my bounds and ruined our friendship but for what it's worth…thank you. Thank you so much."

"Where do you think you're adorable self is going? I gave you permission to do whatever you wanted Alice and even thought it was something I would have never expected you did nothing wrong."

Alice stood back in Bella's room and she wrung her hands. She worried her bottom lip again and Bella blushed as she felt her eyes drawn to it but she took a deep breath and exhaled. She patted the side of her bed where Alice had sat and raised an eyebrow.

"I'll admit I'm a little shocked right now but I am not mad at you Alice Cullen. Now, get back over here and sit down so you can ask me your questions. Then, I can ask mine."

Alice walked back over and sat on Bella's bed like the fabric would burn her. She looked uncomfortable and Bella knew she should be annoyed or pissed at the vampire's actions but she also knew that it wouldn't help.

"You're not mad at me? Or uncomfortable with what I did?"

Bella reached out and took Alice's hands in her own. She didn't let go when Alice flinched and stroked the back of Alice's cold hands.

"Alice you mean a lot to me and I've been around you all long enough to know that you wouldn't have kissed me without consulting your family about your feelings. I imagine Edward is not too happy with it but he has no say in what happens between us as he and I aren't dating anymore."

Alice sighed and refused to meet Bella's eyes still.

"You didn't answer my question."

Bella smiled and looked out her open window at the full moon. She had texted Nessie asking that the boys not patrol near her house tonight as she had a vampire protector for the evening and Nessie had texted back with an affirmative. There was no way Bella wanted one of the boys to overhear this conversation and then have it spread around the reservation.

"Since we both promised we would be honest to each other I cannot tell you how I feel about what just transpired between us. I need time to digest it and as soon as I come to a decision I will tell you."

Alice's demeanor didn't change and Bella knew that wasn't what the vampire wanted to hear but right now it was the best she could give Alice.

"Go ahead and ask your questions Alice. There is no sense in sulking over my indecision."

Alice looked up and although disappoint shone heavy in her eyes, anger shone there as well. She cupped Bella's cheek and Bella smiled.

"I am lucky you didn't kick me out Bella. You are in no way the bad guy in this situation. How come you don't want to be immortal anymore?"

Bella sighed and looked at Alice. How did she explain herself and put everything she felt into words? Charlie's death weighed like a ton of bricks on her frail shoulders but did it bother her enough that she would give up everything she had here right now? Or were there other things in her life that Bella wouldn't dwell on because they brought too much grief and pain into her heart?

"I-I don't know how to put it into words Alice. Charlie's death means I'm the last Swan from my family and don't argue because we both know that my mother married Phil and disowned me at the same time."

Alice hissed at the mention of Renee and Phil as did all the Cullen's and Quileute's whenever they were mentioned. Bella found their anger endearing and she knew if her mother ever chanced to call or visit that Bella would be well protected and cared for against her mother's accusations and griping.

"I'm also tired Alice. I know my sickness has much to do with it but I think my emotions and my spirit are exhausted as well. I've seen so much in my short stay here in Forks and it's way more than I should have. I know the childhood bedtime stories are true and I seem to have a giant target on my back when it concerns other immortal beings. First James, then Victoria and finally the Volturi. I don't know how much more I can take and I want to end it all on a happy, peaceful note if that makes any sense."

Bella fought to keep her gaze locked with Alice's as she felt vulnerable pouring her innermost thoughts and desires out. Her and Charlie had been introverted and never talked much about what went on inside their heads. This fascinated the Cullen's and they were all always eager to hear what Bella had to say on anything.

"I think…I think I've just seen and done enough for my lifetime. You, your family, Jake and everyone else has shown me so many things and I'm content with that. I've loved immensely and been loved just as fiercely in return. That's enough for me. I know it's selfish and cruel sounding to everyone else but I'm happy with how my life turned out."

At the end of her short speech Bella did break her gaze with Alice and blinked back the tears. To her, she was being one hundred percent selfish and she feared that everyone would leave her now that her desires and feelings were laid out bare in the open. Alice had remarkable patience and was almost as understanding as Carlisle and Esme but Bella knew this would push her friend over the edge. She gasped when Alice drew her into her arms and rocked back and forth.

"Ssssh. It's okay Bella. I understand and although it pains me, I can agree with everything you just said. I've never known what it's like to be human as all I can remember is being a vampire and experiencing everything from a vampire's perspective. You're a remarkable person Bella Swan and I love you for it."

The next fifteen minutes were spent in utter silence as Alice continued to hold Bella, rock her body in a gentle rhythm and run her fingers through Bella's long brown hair. Alice and Rosalie refused to let Bella cut it and now it went down to her shoulder blades. Alice would spend most days braiding it or doing something else with it and Bella put up with her antics as it made Alice happy.

"I think it's your turn to answer questions now Alice."

Alice stiffened but relaxed seconds later and Bella scooted back to her previous position. She smiled at Alice's pout and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders again.

"I can see your expressions better from here so I know if you're lying or holding something back."

Alice frowned but rested back against the mound of pillows against Bella's headboard. Bella's mouth went dry as she knew she had Alice's undivided attention and the weight of her questions made her tense.

"Breathe Bella. I find that helps most humans be able to concentrate."

Bella blinked and then blushed at Alice's smile as she had indeed stopped breathing. She took a deep breath, her lungs thanking her and glared at Alice. The vampire waved her hand and the serious atmosphere returned.

"Alice you know I love you and the rest of your family with all my heart. I know all of you love me too as you've all said it at some point or another since I've been here. However, you love me more in a romantic sense don't you?"

Alice's serene expression never faded or broke but Bella knew to look at Alice's eyes and lips. All the Cullen's had a tell and for Alice her eyes would change and the corners of her mouth would do different things depending on her mood. Right now Alice's eyes were a dark burning gold and her full, pouty lips were relaxed. This meant that Alice had slipped into a pleasant daydream or fond memory but Bella now recognized this expression as the one she had seen Alice give Jasper in her wedding photo. Alice's expression exuded utter love and contentment from every inch of herself.

"Yes Bella. I love you and desire for you to be mine. I've told you before, many times in fact that Jasper and I haven't been in a romantic relationship for three decades and we both knew the second after my first vision of you that I had fallen in love with you."

Bella blushed at the intensity of Alice's gaze and how sincere her words sounded. Alice had always been the most outgoing and intimate in the physical sense of all the Cullen's from the moment the two had met. Bella had learned to appreciate Alice's quirk and realized that she didn't mind it a single bit.

"How? To me it seems impossible to fall in love with a vision of someone through a vision. What if I hadn't been who the vision me looked or acted like? Would you love me still even then?"

"So it doesn't freak you out that I love you?"

Bella waved a hand and gave an exasperated sigh. She glared at Alice's adoring grin and for a second wished she could hit Alice without breaking her hand.

"Alice I've seen the impossible happen more times than I can count. My best friend is a werewolf, my ex-boyfriend is a vampire and my closest girlfriend is a future seeing vampire who for inexplicable reasons has fallen in love with plain, mortal, clumsy Bella Swan. If I'm to be freaked out about all that then I would've booked a flight back to Phoenix a long time ago."

"You have such astounding acceptance an understanding for a human. I know we've all told you that many times but anyone else would have screamed bloody murder and exposed us months ago."

Bella looked down at the space between the two of them and yawned as her body shut down for the night. Alice sat upright and in seconds had Bella underneath the covers. Bella fought to keep her eyes open and reached out for Alice.

"Don't go. You know I can't sleep without a vampire pillow."

Alice giggled at that and nodded. She slipped underneath the blanket but made sure to keep a sheet between their bodies to keep from getting Bella sick. Bella snuggled deep into Alice's side and hugged her tight around the waist. In under a minute her breathing had deepened and her body went limp as she passed out. Alice extracted herself from Bella's warm body with regret and jumped out the still open window before her resolve left her. She ran through the woods in the direction of her house and organized her thoughts as she needed to tell her family about what had transpired earlier this morning. If Alice was lucky then this family meeting would be short and to the point which would let Alice return to Bella's side in under an hour. In seven and a half minutes she reached her house and walked into the foyer.

"Can everyone meet in the living room please?"

oOoOoOo

"Let me get this straight. Bella, our freaky little sick human doesn't want to be a vampire anymore?"

Alice nodded at Emmett and ignored Edward. Twice she had chastised him for bolting in her visions to Bella's room and at a stern word from Carlisle he agreed to stay put. Everyone except Edward had been elated when Alice told them she had told Bella of her feelings and she hadn't freaked out although Alice had been careful to keep her thoughts of the event out of her mind because of Edward's mind reading.

"Did she tell you why?"

Carlisle looked saddened at this and Esme had put a hand over her mouth to stifle her sob. Alice gave them a sad smile as both had come to view Bella as a favorite daughter and although both loved their adopted children, Bella was the favorite. As Rose had stated almost a year ago, "Bella is the glue that holds our family together." Of course she had said this when Edward had decided all of them should leave after Jasper's almost attack on Bella. Edward winced at this and glared at Alice.

"Bella misses Charlie and has come to think that she has no family left. I know that's not true as we all consider her family but we must understand that Charlie's death and then Renee's continued…abandonment shook Bella to her core."

The vampires all hissed at the mention of Renee's name and Alice smiled as she had done the same when Bella mentioned her birth mother earlier.

"Bella also is drained and exhausted from all her experiences and memories with the supernatural immortals, vampires and werewolf's alike. She told me that we have all given her so much and have made her as happy as she ever could be. Before her body, mind and spirit give out she wants to leave with a happy memory of all of us."

Alice finished and profound stillness settled on an already quiet room. Bella had always joked that it was eerie how silent a room of vampires could be since they didn't need to breathe and they could stand like statues for hours and not be uncomfortable. Rosalie cleared her throat and everyone looked at her.

"I agree with her."

Alice and Edward started but Rosalie held up a hand to ward them off. Alice huffed and crossed her arms but remained in her seat. Edward ground his teeth with an audible snap but he too remained silent and leaned against the wall.

"You all know my past and how I envy her. I know I am lucky to have you all and Emmett but dying is a natural part to being human and although we may not like Bella's choice, deep down we all know she's making the right one."

Rosalie's words stilled any argument Alice had and from the look on Edward's face they did the same for him. Alice knew deep down that Rosalie and Bella were right but in her grief she couldn't agree right now. She loved Bella so much that Bella's pain hurt her and it seemed inconceivable for Alice's continued existence without Bella by her side.

Alice stood up and took two steps before Jasper grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going Alice?"

Alice smiled and patted his hand.

"I'm going back to Bella so I'll be there when she wakes up for school in two hours."

Jasper nodded and let go. Alice didn't hesitate and ran out of the house. She ran as fast as she could and crouched on the windowsill to Bella's room in under five minutes. Bella laid sprawled out on her stomach and hugged the pillow Alice had used tight to her chest. This made Alice smile and she pried the pillow out of Bella's arms. Bella's eyes fluttered open and she looked at Alice through sleep hazed eyes.

"Alice?"

Alice slipped back underneath the covers and hugged Bella to her. Bella sighed and snuggled back into Alice's side.

"Sssh. Go back to sleep Bella. I'm here."

oOoOoOo

Bella clung to Quil's back and gazed at the waves as they broke on the beach shore. Her, Quil, Jake and Nessie were on the beach and each werewolf carried a girl on their back. Bella had just finished telling them the story of what transpired last night with Alice and tried to keep from throwing up with nervousness as she waited for their responses. Jake and Quil were relieved that Bella chose not to become a vampire anymore but all three of them still looked devastated. At least for the Quileute's it was easier to comprehend as being a werewolf made one immortal only as long as the wolf resided in them. With Bella's death the Cullen's would no doubt leave Forks and the boys that were werewolves would be able to finish out their lives in peace.

"Do all the other Cullen's know about your decision?"

Bella nodded in response to Nessie's question and the Jake looked grim. Bella raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed.

"Has he come to talk to you about your decision yet?"

Bella held up a hand when Nessie went to smack Jake on the back of the head and the other girl lowered her hand. Nessie bit Jake's neck instead and he hissed. Truth be told Bella wondered why Edward hadn't been by her house to talk to her about her decision but she didn't mind. Today her sickness had taken a toll on her energy and her legs felt like rubber whenever she tried to walk which lead to the humorous decision that all the boys on the reservation would carry her around everywhere.

"No he hasn't Jake and to be honest I'm too tired to deal with what that particular conversation will entail. He has never wanted me to be a vampire but now that my death is closer than anyone could've imagined he might try to push for me to become one and revoke his decision."

Jake and Quil both trembled and Bella hugged Quil tighter. Nessie did the same and the boys stopped. Bella knew that they were worried for her and with how morose Edward had been as of late, he had become unpredictable around Bella.

"Anyway, that's not the point. If he wants to talk I'll have another Cullen or one of you nearby. The question I have is that you three don't seem shocked that Alice is in love with me. Why?"

Nessie giggled and Jake rolled his eyes. Bella felt Quil shake with laughter underneath her and she pinched his shoulder. Nessie looked at Bella and sighed.

"Bella, sweetheart, you have no idea how special you are. You know all about vampires and werewolves but you aren't scared and you haven't exposed us. You're not scared around vampires and you use a full fledged werewolf as a pillow when one of them is in wolf form. You've stared down a vampire twice without anyone else nearby, the first with James and the second with Laurent. Hell, if I didn't love this big puppy dog I might swing for the opposite team for you."

Jake reached around and tickled Nessie for her parting comment and she giggled. Bella blushed and rolled her eyes.

"Alice has always been so gentle but honest with you and she takes what you say to heart. That is love sweetheart. Through and through."

Bella smiled at the sweetness of Nessie's tone and how she hugged Jake tighter. A tickle burned the back of her throat and she tapped Quil on the shoulder.

"Can you set me down Quil?"

Quil did as Bella asked and Bella bent over double. With one hand she held her stomach, the other held her hair back and she coughed. Blood spittle flew out of her mouth and more of the crimson liquid came out as Bella continued to cough. Bella's vision blackened, her throat and chest burned and she clutched her stomach tighter.

"Bella! Quil run back to the house and call Carlisle. Take someone with you and meet him at the treaty line. Go!"

Through her dimming vision Bella saw Nessie and Jake held onto Bella's shoulders but her coughing didn't stop. This worried her because if Carlisle was coming to check on her even with his remarkable self control he couldn't control the bloodlust could he? Bella fainted though and she didn't need to worry about any of that anymore.

oOoOoOo

Bella opened her eyes and scanned the room she lay in. She recognized the cheerful yellow walls and bleach white silk curtains of Alice's room and smiled. Someone had tucked Bella in tight in Alice's bed and Bella let her gaze wander around Alice's room. Fabrics of half finished designs were sprawled out on one half of the room and pictures dominated the entirety of one wall. No one sat in the room with Bella though and she found this strange. Ever since everyone had found out how weak Bella had become someone, be they vampire or werewolf had always been at Bella's side. Bella wiggled out of the many covers on Alice's bed and snagged a large black sweatshirt to throw over her tank top. She recognized the sweatshirt to be Jasper's as she had seen him wear it to school on occasion and she wore white silk pajama pants with multi-colored stripes. Bella padded barefoot across the thick carpets on Alice's floor and opened the door. She heard voices float up the grand staircase and with a hand on the rail to steady her she walked down stairs into the foyer.

"I'm telling you Edward that you haven't seen her in her weak moments. This treatment could help her and maybe give us more time to spend with her."

"Alice there is no need to take Bella away from here when Carlisle can continue to treat her here."

Bella heard some low growls and recognized the rumblings to be Alice and Edward. What were they talking about? What treatment?

"Alice, Edward please stop. You're both high strung and a good hunt will calm you down. I agree with Alice though Edward. This new treatment could help Bella and any chance we get to spend more time with her I think we should take. The treatment center is not that far away and maybe the New York City setting will do Bella some good."

"Why don't you let me decide?"

Bella would have laughed at the sight of seven vampires beings shocked as she stepped into the room but anger boiled in her that all of them were making an important decision for her. Edward and Alice stood a foot apart and their stances were aggressive, Carlisle had a hand on each other their shoulders, Esme sat with Jasper on the couch and Rosalie sat in Emmett's lap on a single chair. Alice stepped in front of Bella and took her hand.

"Bella! You're awake. You came downstairs in the heat of the conversation and I assure you that we weren't going to make the decision for you. We were just throwing ideas around and one took form is all."

Bella raised an eyebrow at Alice but Alice's eyes held worry and truth. She chewed her bottom lip again and Bella sighed as she knew Alice was telling the whole truth. She walked over to where Esme and Jasper sat and sat down next to Esme. Esme wrapped an arm around Bella and gave her quick one armed hug and Alice sat at Bella's feet.

"What is this treatment you were all talking about?"

Carlisle knelt on the other side of Bella's legs and rested a hand on her knee. He looked into Bella's eyes and she saw worry on his handsome face.

"Bella there's a treatment center in New York City that has a radical, new procedure that can fight against cancer. There's three outcomes. One, this procedure will put your cancer into remission, two the procedure will give you more time or three the procedure will do nothing. I don't think the third will happen as although this procedure is new, so far every patient has always had a positive result."

Bella saw the strain in Carlisle's face and the worry in his eyes. She looked around the room and saw the same emotions on the rest of the Cullen's faces as well. With a sigh and a small pout Bella slumped further down on the couch and crossed her arms over her skinny frame.

"When do I leave, how long am I going to be gone and how much does it cost?"

A collective sigh of relief went around the room and Alice hugged her as she had wiggled her way in between the arm of the couch and Bella. Bella let her head fall against Alice's shoulder and Carlisle patted her knee as he stood up.

"The next procedure is scheduled in three days, you'll be gone for a month and it won't cost you anything."

Bella looked at Carlisle and shook her head as she knew what he was going to do. She tried to stand up but Alice and Esme wouldn't let her.

"No, no, no. There is no way I'll let you pay for my medical bills Carlisle and I know you've paid for both my hospital visits as the first bill disappeared and I never received a second one."

Carlisle chuckled and headed upstairs to his office no doubt after he pressed a gentle kiss to Bella's forehead. Esme did the same and followed him out. Jasper slid over and tugged on the fabric of his sweatshirt on Bella's arm. Bella smiled at him and giggled.

"It was just laying there and since you have no use for it I took it. Good luck getting it back as it's too soft and warm to give up. You'll just have to suffer through another shopping spree with Alice to replace the sweatshirt."

Alice kissed Bella's neck at the joke and everyone else laughed. The seriousness of Bella's condition and aforementioned treatment however could not be held at bay for too long and Bella sighed.

"Why did I cough up blood on the beach?"

Edward knelt down in front of Bella and Alice tightened her hold on her arm. Emmett's boyish face dimmed and even Rosalie's proud, haughty face broke.

"Bella you're sickness is accelerating much faster than the original projections depicted. The cells around your lungs have been attacked and blood has entered your lungs. Your coughing fit was your body's reaction to that and it was trying to get rid of the blood."

Bella nodded her head as Edward's explanation made sense and then she sat upright. She turned to Alice with wide eyes and grabbed her shoulders.

"Where's my phone? I have to tell everyone at the reservation I'm alright or they'll go do something stupid or foolish."

Jasper put a hand on her shoulder and sent her calming vibes. Bella relaxed and sat back against the couch again. Annoyance flashed across Edward's face but it was gone before Bella could draw attention to it. Alice ran upstairs and grabbed Bella's phone. She returned and handed the phone to Bella.

"I already told Nessie that you were alright and out of the danger but I imagine they would like to hear from you."

Bella knew it was hard for the Cullen children to fathom how Bella could be friends with the werewolves but then the werewolves didn't understand how Bella could be friends with the Cullen's. They tolerated each other for Bella's sake and kept the insulting down to a minimum when together in Bella's presence. Nessie picked up on the first ring and Bella smiled.

"Bella! Wait this is Bella this time and not a Cullen right?"

"Yes Nessie this is Bella. I just wanted to call and say that I'm up and at it again."

Bella heard Nessie running outside and yelling that she had Bella on the phone. Howls and cheers met this and Nessie told Bella she was going to put her on speakerphone so everyone could hear.

"Bella you sure did give us all a fright. Alice told us the reason behind your coughing fit and we're sorry we pushed you that hard. I knew you should have rested instead of going on that walk."

"I'm fine Nessie. Everything is going to be fine as Carlisle is taking me to New York City for a treatment or something."

Bella heard the boy's growl and she rolled her eyes.

"Boy's cut it out. You know Carlisle is looking out for me and since none of you are doctors you can't argue with his expertise. I'll be fine."

There was a slight argument and scuffle but they all quieted down when Emily yelled for quiet.

"I don't know the details of the procedure, you can talk to Carlisle or Alice for those but I'll be gone for a month. I leave in three days so you all better promise to behave or you'll face my wrath when I get back. If I hear that you gave anyone of the girls any trouble at all you all will have to answer to me. Is that understood?"

Bella turned away from the phone as tears coursed down her cheeks and her voice broke. She took a deep breath and held the phone away from Alice when she went to take it from her.

"You just get better Bella. We can handle everything around here."

"That's good to hear. I have to go. I fear Alice will explode if she has to wait any longer to help me pack for my stay in the city and if I let her pack by herself then I'll be wearing something scandalous. I love you all."

Choruses of "we love you too" and howls met this before Bella snapped her phone shut. Bella stood up and waved off a concerned Alice and Edward. She turned to Emmett and pointed to the XBOX.

"What was that new game you wanted to show me?"

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