A/N - thanks for all the great feedback!!! I was terrifed you would all stone me for what happened to poor Charlie!

Many thanks to my wonderful beta, ChangedbyEdward for trudging through this so quickly after her much-needed vacation...much love and plenty of chocolate to you BB!

Big thanks as always to the owner of all things Twilight, Ms. Stephenie Meyer....thanks for letting us use your wonderful characters!

Please watch for an upcoming outtake to this story....will be a bit on the darkside so will leave it to y'all to figure out who's POV it will be written from!! Now on to...

Chapter 9!


(Bella's POV)

I sat on the bed and dangled my feet above the floor, staring at the sparkling blue shoelaces that Esme had bought for my tennis shoes. They weren't something I would ever have picked out for myself, but truth be told, I rather liked the idea of sparkling just a little bit.

I chewed at my bottom lip and glanced at the clock for what seemed the millionth time. I was making my escape, albeit only for a weekend, but it was the first step to regaining my freedom and I was anxious to get going. Carlisle and Esme had promised to come to the hospital as early as possible, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear in my stomach that they would change their minds.

I jumped off the bed and looked through the duffel bag that Esme had brought me the day before, ensuring I had everything I thought I would need for the weekend. Esme had assured me that there was plenty waiting in my closet at the house as well, but I had become quite attached to the clothing she had brought to the hospital. I guess the simple fact that I was able to discard the horrid green gown was enough for me to fall in love with a wardrobe.

Satisfied that everything was packed, I paced the room, stopping to glance out the tiny window that gave me a view of the parking lot. I spied a dark luxurious car making its way up the drive far too quickly and my heart jumped for joy. I grabbed the jacket that hung over the chair and slipped it on before tossing the duffel bag over my shoulder.

"Come in!" I yelled a little more loudly than I needed to when I heard the light rap at the door. Carlisle entered the room and glanced around, smiling a bit when he realized I was already on my way towards the door, bag in hand. I stopped and looked behind him, surprised to find him on his own. "Esme didn't come with you?"

"No Bella, she said she would see you at the house shortly. She just had a few things left to do so I came ahead. I hope that is ok?" Carlisle held the door for me as I grinned up at him.

"Everything is alright this morning, Carlisle! I 'm outta here – even if it's only for the weekend!" Carlisle smiled again but didn't say anything as he took the duffel bag from my hands and led me down the hall. We stopped briefly at the nurses' station so he could sign the required paperwork to spring me and then we headed for the parking lot.

The morning was crisp and cloudy and I pulled my jacket around me tightly as Carlisle dropped my bag into the trunk. "Ready to go, Bella?" he asked and I nodded, the grin spreading across my face. He smiled back at me and opened the car door, closing it carefully after he was sure I was settled in. He strode quickly, but at human speed, around the vehicle and soon we were on our way. I watched the passing scenery, being careful not to glance at the speedometer, for fear of losing the sense of calm that had come over me in leaving the hospital. I really did not understand the love of excessive speed that all vampires seem to have but the one piece of comfort I could take was that of all the vampires I had ridden with, Carlisle, being the oldest, had the most experience!

Soon the car slowed and we turned up a private lane. I felt my breath tighten in my chest as I took in the beauty of the massive mansion that spread across the substantial lawn we were approaching. It was exactly how Esme had described it and I truly felt swept back in time, waiting for Scarlett to rush out of the doors to greet us. "Welcome home, Bella," Carlisle said softly as he brought the Mercedes to a stop in the circular drive at the bottom of the steps.

"We have a bit of a surprise…" Carlisle's words were cut off as I heard my name being yelled out gleefully. Carlisle's face lit up as my eyes widened in surprise and the door of the car was yanked open with such force, I feared it would come off in the tiny pixie hands pulling on it.

"Bella – oh, Bella it's so good to see you!" Alice's crystal-like voice tinkled as she pulled me into a hug, lifting me out of the car as she did so. Her hug was bone-crushingly tight, but felt so good that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Alice, you're gonna break her." Jasper's deep southern drawl oozed with warmth and I looked up to meet his eyes staring at me, anxious, yet full of affection.

"Hello Jasper!" I smiled warmly at him and felt the same feeling spread over me ten-fold as the worry washed away from his face. I knew that he felt responsible for all that had happened, but I had never blamed him. Bloodlust was a constant battle for Jasper, and one that he had fought to conquer on a daily basis when I was with them. How could I blame him for following his instincts? It had been an accident and it was one that I realized we had all paid for dearly.

Alice linked arms with me and led the way into the house, Carlisle and Jasper bringing up the rear, my duffel bag swung casually over Carlisle's shoulder. Esme was waiting for us just inside the door and pulled me into her icy embrace. "Welcome home, Bella. We're so happy to have you with us again."

"Thank you." I turned to look at Carlisle as well. "Thank you both, so much, for everything. I can't even begin…" I stuttered as I felt the tears welling in my eyes.

"Isabella," Carlisle wrapped one arm around my shoulders as he clasped Esme's hand tightly. "You have nothing to thank us for. You know that we already consider you part of this family and you are welcome to stay with us for as long as you wish to."

I caught an undertone of urgency in Carlisle's voice, but before I could ask anything, Alice was pulling me towards the stairs, anxious to show me my room and see how Esme had filled my closet. Esme followed close behind and I looked back towards Jasper and Carlisle only to find that they had already disappeared to another part of the house. With no rescue in sight, I laughingly gave in to Alice and allowed her to lead me away.


(Carlisle's POV)

I watched closely as Alice and Esme took Bella upstairs to show her the rest of the house and motioned for Jasper to follow me into the study. Closing the door behind him, he came and stood beside me, staring out into the evergreens.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Jasper. I have no doubt that this news is going to be detrimental to Bella's recovery efforts and I didn't want to have to medicate her again. They kept her in such a fog at that wretched facility and I know that's why she was catatonic for so long."

"Carlisle, Alice was packed and ready to leave before you even called. She's had a vision about Edward. It appears he's made the decision to come home and is on his way to Ithaca." Jasper glanced at his watch. "Actually, he was due to arrive in New York at 10 pm tonight, so I would imagine that when he reaches the empty house, we'll be hearing from him."

"Well, that will most definitely complicate things, but in the same regard, it won't hurt to have him here as extra protection for Bella."

Jasper nodded. "Yes, but we aren't even sure if she wants to see him again." He moved towards the leather couch and dropped into it. "When do you want to tell her about Charlie?"

I sat down at the desk, facing him and thought for a moment before answering. "We need to tell her soon. I asked Esme to put all the televisions in storage until we had found the appropriate time to tell her." Jasper nodded and I continued. "You may not agree with what else I plan to do, Jasper."

"You're going to offer to turn her."

"I see that Alice has been looking at things from all angles." I smiled sadly at the thought of what she might have envisioned. "And do I dare ask what the outcome is?"

Jasper was silent for a moment and I felt a small surge of hope come over me. I smiled at him gratefully and he watched me carefully. "This is going to be a difficult time, Carlisle, there's no way around it. I can try to ease her pain as much as possible, but her father is very important to her and his loss is going to affect her greatly. Are you sure we should consider the change so soon after such horrid news?"

"No…I'm not sure. But I also know that she stands a far greater chance of surviving if she is one of us!" I stood to look out the glass doors again. "There is no doubt in my mind that Victoria is coming for her. I know that Edward would not agree, but I refuse to lose this girl because of his irrational fears."

"I think we need to tell her tonight then. Have you told her she won't be going back to the hospital?"

"No, but that really is the least of our worries. Bella didn't understand why she was only coming for the weekend in the first place, so I'm sure that she will be quite happy to find out that she won't be returning. If only I could keep her that happy."

"The one solace we can take is that her human memories will dim with the change. Perhaps she will even be able to let go of the melancholy surrounding Edward's departure." Jasper glanced at the mantel, eying the photograph of Rosalie and Emmett. "When are they due in?" he asked, nodding towards the picture.

"They should arrive sometime late tomorrow. I asked them to come by way of Florida so that they can check in on Renee and Phil. Bella hasn't heard from them at all since she woke up and I'm afraid of what they will find."

"You don't think that Victoria has been there as well?"

"How can I not think it? We both know how vindictive a wronged vampire can be. What would stop her from destroying anything and everything that Bella loved before destroying her? That way not only does she destroy Edward, but she has had the pleasure of torturing the human first."

Jasper nodded in agreement and we both turned towards the door as we heard the pleasant sounds of the girls' laughter as they returned downstairs. The door opened and the three of them wandered inside. I watched Bella closely as she stared in wonder at the walls of books lining the room.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever seen so many books in a private residence before!" She turned and took in the room with clear appreciation of everything that surrounded her. "Unbelievable."

"Please feel free to spend as much time in here as you want then, Bella. I know how much you love your books." I moved towards her to lead her over closer to the shelves, not wanting her to witness the look of sheer terror that had crossed Alice's face. Esme and Jasper moved to Alice quickly and shielded her from Bella's view. I listened carefully and her recovery was quick, but as Jasper sent waves of calm over the room, I knew that whatever she had witnessed was quite distressing.

Bella turned quickly towards the others, realizing something was amiss. "What's wrong? Alice, are you alright?" She moved towards her quickly, her foot catching against the overstuffed chair and lurching her forward. Jasper moved quickly to catch her and Bella laughed, shaking her head. "Some things never change!"

We all chuckled and the tension in the room was forgotten. Alice moved towards the door, a smile lighting her face as if the previous moments were a distant memory. "Come on, Bella, let me show you some of the designs I've been looking at for your fall wardrobe."

"Alice, it's only April…" Bella shook her head in disbelief at Alice. "I've missed you!"

"April is actually quite late to be looking, you know!" Bella's arm was once again locked in Alice's and she was leading her towards the main hall. "I know you missed me, Bella! I'm sure you haven't been shopping in ages!" Alice slapped her hand across her mouth the instant she uttered the words.

Bella just smiled, shaking her head lightly. "Don't worry about it, Alice. I can fill you in on the lovely shades of green that I've been wearing over the past few months." They left the room laughing with Esme following, closing the door silently behind her.

"What did she see, Jasper?" I turned to face him and realized that the situation had just become much worse.


End of Chapter - please review or else I may have to send you all shopping with Alice!