Chapter 29 – Heartbeat

Alice POV

I waited patiently in my car.

Well, perhaps not patiently… Esme was always telling me that patience was a virtue, but if that were the case it was certainly one I wasn't in possession of.

I recalled the last time Esme spoke the words to me, and Rosalie's response as she walked by;

"But to sin is so much more fun Alice…"

I smiled.

And then frowned.

Is that what I was doing with Bella? Sinning? She was, after-all, human… and I was… well, a vampire.

What if I lost control?

What if I got carried away with the moment?

What if I bit her?

That would be the biggest sin.

I took a deep breath, not that I needed one – but the action alone brought an unexplained calmness.

I would never lose control with Bella.

I peered through my dark sunglasses, watching various people walk to and from class in the distance.

People.

But none of them were Angela.

I'd had a vision that morning; I knew Angela would soon appear, because I had seen her.

I just wasn't certain when she would show.

I drummed by fingers on the steering wheel.

I had to speak to Angela, because I wanted to see Bella.

Bella.

My mind raced back to the previous evening events.

Chief Swan arriving home earlier than expected due to the picture of the missing girl that a fellow police officer had given to him.

The picture of a girl that strongly resembled his daughter.

The fear he had felt…

The fear I had felt when Carlise had called a family meeting to discuss the nomadic vampire that was causing upset in the next County.

I told him, then. Told him about my vision.

And I recalled the worried look on his face, and those words he had almost whispered…

"He or she is seemingly preying on young, teenage girls. Alice's vision and the rumours that are circulating around the hospital staff confirm this…."

Preying on teenage girls, like Bella…

I had decided then that I wouldn't be letting her out of my sight. And then I had awoken this morning…

Not only was I far from patient, but that morning when the sun had rose, I had become exceedingly frustrated.

I watched the golden ring, a fierary ball, rise steadily – gravitating without a care. As red and purple slashed across the sky, I felt deflated. The entire population of Forks high school would wake from slumber and see the amber sphere and immediately feel joy.

Personally, I couldn't wait for it to be engulfed by the darkness of the night. Oh, it may look florid and ornate to most, but to vampires the sun was no friend; one could almost call it an enemy – waiting to 'spill our secret' the first opportunity it got.

The sun meant hiding from human eyes.

The sun meant no high school today.

The sun meant not seeing Bella.

And then I had the vision of Angela, walking across the car park at lunch…

And I knew if I got her attention, she would get Bella for me.

My fingers started to drum on the steering wheel again. Two people were walking towards the school canteen, but neither were Angela.

My mobile phone stated to ring.

I glanced down and noticed it was Jasper who was calling.

"Hi Jasper"

"Hello Alice. I just wanted to let you know that we have it – Emmet is unpacking it now, and Edward has said he will help us put it together".

I smiled. My surprise for Bella.

"Thanks Jazz, you may want to rope in Rosalie too – I know what you boys are like when it comes to reading instructions…."

Jasper laughed.

"I won't tell Emmet you said that Alice; see you later".

I placed the phone back in my pocket and glanced up.

Angela.

Without a moment's hesitation, I waved my hand out of the window.

"Angela".

Angela stopped and turned, her eyes darting across the car park. She soon spotted me, frowned, and then walked across towards me.

I remained in the car; the sun was shining far too brightly for my liking.

"Alice?"

I smiled.

"Hi Angela".

Angela lent her head down, so she was peering in through the open window.

"Is everything okay?"

I had begun to realise almost immediately that Angela was not only genuine, but caring. I understood why Bella liked her so much,

"Yes thanks. I was just hoping you could do me a favour?"

Angela shifted slightly and shrugged her shoulders, "Sure…"

I smiled again. It was difficult not to in Angela's presence.

"I kinda skipped class this morning…."

My voice trailed off as Angela smiled.

I continued.

"And I was hoping you could find Bella for me…."

Angela continued for me.

"To see if she wants to skip class this afternoon, right?"

I nodded. Angela was almost as good as Edward at mind reading it would seem.

"Do you think Bella would?" I asked, a little hesitantly.

The truth was, I had only seen a vision of Angela, and not one image had entered my head of Bella. Perhaps skipping class wasn't her thing? Maybe she had a test to take this afternoon? What if…

Angela's words interrupted any further concerns I may have had.

"If it were anyone else asking me that question, Alice, I'd say probably no. But seen as it's you…. I'd say the chances were in your favour".

I laughed, "Thanks for the vote of confidence Angela".

Angela smiled, "you don't need it – Eric said she's been pretty quiet all morning, I suspect she misses you. I'll go get her for you, wait here".

And with that, she was gone.

I immediately felt the happiest I had felt all morning.

Bella had missed me.

Me.

Alice Cullen.

And then I saw her.

And I realised I had missed her too – more than I thought possible.

I wasn't completely settled until she was in the passenger seat, and we were speeding down the highway.

Now she was with me.

I knew where I was taking her, knew what she needed to see.

Bella sought the truth; I knew that. And I wanted to tell her everything about us, to show her what we were under the suns penetrating rays.

It didn't take long for us to arrive at Woodland Fathom.

This was my sanctuary.

And I wanted to share it with Bella.

I watched her expression as she got out of the car and looked all around us. Pure appreciation, the same look I gave when I looked at her.

Without thinking, I had taken her in my arms as I ran through the wood, the trees a silhouette so tall all around us. I felt her stiffen in my arms slightly at first, but she soon relaxed into me. Her form moulded perfectly into my own, and as I gathered speed, it felt as though we were one.

I inhaled deeply, and her scent engulfed me. When we arrived at the Meadow, I was reluctant to let her go.

But I knew it was time.

I could see the puzzled expression on her face when we arrived; she still wore it when I glanced back at her before walking out into the open meadow.

And then I removed my shirt, and looked up into the blue sky before turning to face her.

I was scared, for a moment.

Scared that she would fear what she saw.

Misunderstand what she saw.

Dislike what she saw.

But the look on her face sent a warm glow throughout my body, its heat more intense than the suns beams from far above.

And then she was by my side, and her words rang in my ears like a soft melody… "You take my breath away, Alice. You never have to avoid the sun with me. To you I am sincere".

I had existed for so many years, yet this was the first time I had felt such an influx of emotions rush around my head and throughout my entire body. I was so strong, normally. So in control. But those last five words Bella whispered literally wrapped themselves around me… to you I am sincere….

She took me in her arms then, and held me close. Somehow she knew I needed the contact, needed to be supported by her…

My hand was on her heart, and I could feel each beat caress my fingertips.

Bella's heart – the one that beat for the both of us… the one I treasured more than anything else…

The sun seemed to shift its stance from far above, as if needing to see what was happening on the ground below. And as the bright rays illuminated us both, Bella spoke three words that would be forever etched in my heart, giving it a new life it had never known as a Vampire…

"I love you"

Bella loves me.

And there I stood, although my legs felt weak.

Overcome with emotion, I smiled.

"My sweet, sweet Bella…"

I hardly recognised my own voice, it was so deep…

Bella loves me.

Me.

Bella shifted a little, a red slash appearing across her pallid cheekbones.

"Bella" I spoke again, this time more softly.

She looked at me, fear and worry in her eyes.

I took her hand in mine, and placed it on my heart.

"Bella – you make my old, weak heart feel young and strong again – if it could, it would beat only for you. My sweet Bella – I love you more than sonnets could convey".

And then she smiled, and before I could continue to tell her how much I loved her, her soft lips were on mine.