Sorry this chapter's a little short, but I wanted to get you guys an update! Hope to have the next chapter up really soon! Like, tomorrow soon.

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Chapter 40 – Her Decision

Alice's POV

I slipped in through the garage just as I had earlier that day. A glance at the clock told me it was nearly 4 in the morning. I went straight to my room to find Jasper sitting on the bed, staring at the door. I smiled a little as he looked up at me and he gave a small nod. Apparently, gratitude that I was alive was an emotion that could only be expressed once in a 24 hour period.

He reached out his hands and I went to him, placing mine within his. He pulled me between his legs and looked up at me before resting his head on my chest. I untangled one of my hands from his so I could run it through his hair.

I glanced around the room, staying silent and just letting Jaz clear my mind of emotions. I didn't want to do what I had to. But I had to protect my family, and Bella. This would all work out. Somehow. I let out a soft breath, enough to make Jasper pull away and look up at me.

"It's time," I said, pulling my hand away. He reached for it and pulled it towards him. He kissed the top of my hand and then stood up, making me take a small step back. I went to the door to our room, pulling Jasper behind me.

I left Jasper in the living room and went straight to Carlisle's study. I stopped outside it and sighed, closing my eyes. It had to be done, it had to be done...

"Come in," Carlisle said, as I rapped my knuckles on the door, just barely. He looked up from some ancient looking book on his desk and smiled slightly at me. It was that half curved smile, the one that lifted the corner of his mouth and no more. He knew something was going on.

"We need to talk. The whole family. I've some news," I said, nodding my head in a short bow. He nodded his head in return and I left the room, knowing he was right behind me. He would go for Rosalie and Emmett. He knew we were still at odd terms. I went upstairs to find Esme.

I knocked on their bedroom door and heard her soft, melodious voice inside.

"Come in, dear," she said. I smiled a little. Did she know it was me? Or did she just say dear because it was a neutral term that could stand for any one of us? I opened the door.

"Carlisle's getting Rose and Emmett. Jasper's waiting downstairs in the living room. I have some new for us all," I said, trying to smile still. It was hard as Esme set aside a book and got to her feet, a worried expression coming over her face.

"Is everything all right?" she asked. I mentally kicked myself.

"We'll talk about it downstairs," I said softly. She gave a short nod and followed me out of the room. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Carlisle was already leaning against the fireplace, his hand on the mantle. Jasper was sitting on the couch. Esme took the spot on the love seat, closest to where Carlisle was standing.

It was understood in the silence that Rose and Emmett would be a minute. I went over to Jasper and he took my hand, moving to the end of the couch so I could stand on the side of it. He looked up and gave me a sweet smile, and I felt his emotions flow straight into me. Love, compassion, devotion... He made my heart soar. Even as I know it would be dragged back down in a moment's time.

Rose stepped into the room and I swallowed. Jasper's emotions began to dissipate, leaving behind sorrow, remorse and regret in its wake. Emmett came in behind her, looking straight at me. It was as if he was trying to tell what was going on before I said it. I looked away from him as they came into the living room and took their seats beside Jasper on the couch.

He let go of my hand and I stepped into the center of them all. Carlisle wouldn't move. He would contemplate into the fireplace. I cleared my throat, afraid it wouldn't come through clearly. I felt like my whole body was shaking. It's what lying did to me.

"We need to leave town," I said, knowing it would be the hardest topic to discuss. A silence flitted through the air. Who would be the first to break it? How long would it take?

"Why?" Emmett asked, less than five seconds later. I let out a breath and tried to keep my hands away from my face, only a sign to indicate I was anxious.

"I can't tell you," I said, looking at him. I know that didn't sit well with him, or Rose, so I turned my attention to Carlisle. "If we don't leave, terrible things will happen. I need you to trust me. We need to go."

I caught a swirl of different emotions through Carlisle's face in the mirror above the fireplace. He lowered his head after a moment, closing his eyes. Would he listen to me? Please, I need someone to help me sway everyone else...

He turned to face me, leaving his hand on the mantle. He gave a short nod.

"By when?" he asked. I let out a mini breath I had been holding. The newborns would attack in two more nights... We had to be out of here by that morning. We needed to be far enough away...

"Obviously not this morning... But by tomorrow morning, we need to be gone, with no trace left behind," I said, looking into Carlisle's eyes. He blinked, obviously not expecting that soon.

"What about Edward?" he asked, his brow furrowing. I needed to get them out of here. But they deserved some truth. Carlisle would never leave if he thought there was still a chance Edward would see reason and come back to us with enough time.

"His eyes are red as roses, Carlisle," I said, knowing it would kill him. He looked away, closing his eyes again. I'm sure he had known it was a possibility... But being confronted and slapped in the face with the truth... I wish there'd been another way. "He's been drinking from humans. There's nothing can be done about him."

A silence so thick a knife could cut through it hovered in the air. So many emotions were flittering around, I'm sure Jasper was having a hard time managing them all. Was he focusing most on Rose? Was that why I hadn't heard from her yet?

Carlisle looked up, his eyes burning straight into mine.

"I won't leave. Not with Edward in this state. I won't leave Bella to slaughter, and the whole wolf pack to be destroyed," he said. I made a mini glance at Jasper, hoping he would follow me... Hoping he would agree with my choices.

"Carlisle, I've seen the future, as clear as Edward's decisions... If we leave and don't disrupt anything, if we don't stay, the damage to the wolf pack will be minimal. Bella and Jacob will be fine. Edward will die, but it's what has to happen to protect them all," I said, looking at him, willing him to believe me. He didn't look satisfied with my reasoning.

"If we stay, we'll all get involved... You know any one of us would jump in front of Edward to save Bella," I said, taking a step towards him. I glanced around at everyone, and then looked to Carlisle again. "But will any of us kill him? Do any of us have the heart to kill someone who's been with you the longest?" I asked. I saw comprehension dawn on his face.

He glanced around at his family, taking in each of their expressions, and in turn, their answers to that question. No one would kill him. He looked back to me and then gave a small nod, turning away. I stepped away.

Esme got to her feet and went to Carlisle, touching his arm gently. She looked up at the rest of us and then glanced around the house.

"We'd better start packing if we're going to be out of here by your deadline," she said. I gave a short nod and turned to go to Jasper. Carlisle's voice rang crisp and clear through the house.

"I want to warn the wolves we're leaving," he said. I turned around to see him facing me, looking at me. Was he expecting me to see something? Was he waiting for my approval? I stayed quiet. He went on. "If they know we're leaving, that will set them on edge. They'll double protection and that will help them against Edward. Just to make sure," he said.

I thought about it a moment. It couldn't hurt. We wouldn't really be interfering, just upping the chances for the wolves. I nodded my agreement.

"I don't see it as being a problem..." I said. With that, the family dispersed. Jasper followed me to our room without a sound. Until we shut the door.

"Alice, what are you thinking? You're leading us all away and giving Carlisle false information-"

"It has to be this way, Jaz. It has to. Everything will fall to pieces and collapse if we all stay. We will all die, and nothing will be accomplished except those who survive will carry the guilt on their shoulders for the rest of eternity," I said, keeping my voice just at a whisper that he could hear. He turned and ran a hand through his hair.

"That should be their decision, Alice. Not ours-"

"Jaz, please, I'm looking out for us all-"

"What's going to happen? What's the outcome of this? You said it was horrible, but you haven't told me yet," he said. I looked at him, kept his gaze. I felt the dread and fear wash over me. I tried to tie it back. Jasper felt it and turned away again.

I went to our bed and sat down, closing my eyes and putting my head in my hands.

"This isn't going to end well, is it?" he asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I could lie to my family, but not to my beloved. He needed to know everything I did.

"No... It isn't. But it will end worse if we all stay," I said, pulling my hands away to look up at him. After another moment of thought, he gave a short nod and came to sit beside me on the bed.

"I'll go with your decision. But only because you've already made it. I never would have let you do this if I'd known what you were going to tell them tonight," he said. I gave a small nod. I didn't need to know about the past. All I needed to know was that he was here with me, for the future.