Chapter 42 - Alliance
Alice's POV
As Jasper hit the ball, a loud detonation of thunder sounded in the distance.
My thoughts were immediately on Bella.
She didn't like storms; I recalled the last time… remembered seeing her in my vision as Charlie checked she was okay, how I had dashed over to make sure she was going to be alright, even in slumber.
How she had tossed and turned.
How I had wanted to take her in my arms…
Of course, I couldn't then…
But I could now…
"Alice"
It was Emmet, waiting for me to pitch the ball…
"I have to go" I heard myself respond, as I started to walk towards Edward.
"Alice, just one more…for me, please?"
I watched as Emmet lent his chin on the top of the baseball bat…
The things I did for my family!
"Okay, but you won't be hitting anything" I murmured, as Rosalie crouched down behind Emmet.
"Let's play ball" Emmet shouted, holding the bat in his strong hands, he waited for me to pitch...
And pitch I did.
The ball left my hand and shot forward in a blur…
Emmet swung…
And missed.
I smiled as Emmet groaned, "No way…."
Rosalie, standing behind, ball in her hand, laughed.
"You asked her to pitch Emmet, and that's exactly what she did…."
Emmet turned, "Yeah, well it was pure luck… come on Alice, pitch again…"
I shook my head, "I need to see Bella" I answered, as Jasper and Edward walked towards me,
"Is she okay" I heard Edward enquire, as his eyebrows furrowed.
Before I could answer, Emmet loomed from nowhere and had picked me up in his arms, swinging me around
"Alice, one more? Please one more? You know Rosalie can't pitch to save her life…"
As he placed me back on the ground, my mobile fell out of my pocket.
As I lent down to pick it up, I realised it was turned off. I quickly flicked it back on.
Rosalie was now beside me, poking her finger at Emmet her reply was crisp, "I'm a vampire, Emmet – I don't need to pitch to save my life…"
I watched as she then threw the ball into the distance…
Way into the distance.
"Oh hell Rosalie, you know I was just kidding…." Emmet whined, as he started to run to collect the ball.
"That's right, go fetch, like a dog…." Rosalie replied with a smile on her face.
My phone sounded, and I glanced at the screen.
It was a text from Bella; my eyes scanned the short message.
"I really have to go; Bella is meeting Jake…."
Rosalie raised an eyebrow, "and speaking of dogs" she murmured, as Edward frowned again.
"She knows what he is" he spoke gently.
I nodded, "Yes, which is why I need to go".
Rosalie nodded, "Go to her, we'll finish off here"
I watched as Rosalie turned and ran towards Emmet, no doubt to explain my sudden departure.
"Would you like us to come with you?" Jasper enquired, as he span his baseball bat around his fingers.
I'd often wished I could do that.
"No, I think it's best if I go alone, Jake is a little… apprehensive… of me"
Edward nodded in agreement, "He doesn't trust us; but I can't say I trust his kind either. Just be careful".
I smiled, "I always am" I replied, as I darted towards home.
It didn't take long to get to Bella's. I cursed myself for not having my mobile turned on. As I pulled into her drive, I spotted Jake's truck next to Bella's. There was no sign of Charlie's car.
The lightening forked and lit up the sky.
Was Bella okay?
I closed my eyes, but found myself completely blind of any vision.
Of course, he was with her… I couldn't see anything when he was around her…
I was inside the house, facing Bella and Jake almost immediately.
Bella looked… ashen.
Had Jake said or done something to her?
Outside, the lightening hit a tree as Bella swayed slightly.
It was the storm; it was having an effect on Bella. She looked… terrified.
She was in my arms before Jake could even blink, and as her cold and clammy finger graced my cheek, I heard her whisper...
"I've missed you" as she blacked out.
I placed her gently on the sofa, "its okay Bella… everything is going to be okay…" I whispered, as Jake snorted behind me.
I placed my cold hand on her forehead, as I shot a questioning look at Jake.
Jake shrugged his shoulders, "She's dating a vampire, she's just found out I'm a wolf, and there's a rogue vampire out there somewhere, killing innocent people, I don't think everything is okay, do you Alice?"
I felt a low growl escape my lips, "Now is not the time for this discussion" I replied sharply, adding "get me some water".
Jake raised his eyebrows, "I don't take instruction from vampires, sorry" he replied.
I glanced back down at Bella, whose breathing was now steady. Gently I lent forward, whispering in her ear "Wake up Bella, the storm is nearly over, please wake up…"
Jake edged forward, "You're too close to her neck Alice, and I'm watching you… don't get any ideas…."
My head shot up, "Jake, stop being a total jerk and go get me some water, NOW"
Jake flinched, as Bella started to come round.
"Jake…"
My voice was urgent.
"Okay, for Bella…"
I watched as he vanished into the kitchen.
"A-lice…"
My eyes were back on Bella, as she opened her lids and spoke my name.
"I'm here, I'm sorry I didn't get your message, but I am here now…."
Bella smiled, as her eyes gained focus.
"What happened"? She asked, as concern slashed across her face.
She started to move, but I placed a hand on her chest. I could feel hear heart beating fast beneath my fingers.
"Steady, you fainted…."
Bella blushed; it was nice to see some colour appear on her pallid cheeks.
"The storm" she finished, as I helped her sit up.
I nodded.
"What an idiot" she answered, as Jake entered the room with a glass of water.
"We all have our fears Bella" I replied, smiling as Bella blushed again.
"Yeah, but storms? I don't even know why they freak me out so much… I've never liked them, even as a kid…."
Jake lent over and handed Bella the glass of water.
"Drink up" he asked, adding "idiot".
Bella smiled, and I couldn't help but copy her.
I watched as she drank the water, handing the empty glass back to Jake.
"The storm is over now, you don't need to be scared anymore" I softy spoke.
Bella smiled, "My fears are nothing when you are here" she answered, as she lent forward and took my hand in hers.
I lent forward and winked, before I could reply, Jake coughed behind me.
"Err, ladies… I am still here you know".
Both Bella and I looked at Jake, who was standing with his arms folded, a look of intrigue on his face.
"Sorry" I heard Bella reply, as squeezed my hand and brought me down next to her.
Jake remained stood.
"Why don't you sit down" I heard myself say, as Jake frowned again.
"Maybe I don't want to sit down" he answered, as Bella sighed.
"Jake, just sit down" she muttered, as Jake made a 'humph' sound, before sitting on the sofa opposite.
Bella continued to hold my hand in hers as her glance moved from Jake to me.
Her chocolate eyes were almost shining as she looked into my own.
How I loved her….
"So, how do we find this vampire then?"
Jake's voice ruined the moment.
I wasn't surprised.
I looked at Jake, "I suggest we speak to Carlisle"
Jake snorted again.
It was getting tedious.
"I don't need help from you Cullen's. I can hunt him down myself; just make sure you keep off our territory"
Yes, he was definitely getting tedious.
Before I could reply, Bella's voice rang out.
"Jake, for once in your life, will you shut up and listen. This vampire is dangerous, if we're going to catch him, we'll need to all work together".
I listened intently to what Bella said.
We.
I didn't like the sound of 'we'… there was no way I was allowing Bella to get involved in any of this…
Jake's retort was laced with sarcasm. "Finally, you admit vampires are dangerous! Well here's a suggestion Bella, don't hand your heart over to one!"
I'd had enough.
"Bella's heart is perfectly safe with me. Back off Jake, before I show you exactly how dangerous I can be…"
Before I could stand, Bella's grip tightened on mine.
"Enough. This bickering isn't getting us anywhere. I watched my dad leave the house earlier because someone else has gone missing. I can't take watching my dad go through this any more. We work together, end of discussion"
Jake opened his mouth as if to reply, but thought better of it.
"Okay" I heard myself response.
I wasn't sure if the rest of my family would agree, but having Jake and his pack on our side would definitely help.
I felt myself smile as I imagined what Emmet and Rosalie's response would be…
"Jake?" I heard Bella ask, as she subconsciously rubbed a finger across my pale knuckles.
"I need to talk to Sam about this first" he answered, adding "But… I don't want Charlie to go through this anymore either Bella, so… I'll see what I can do".
Bella seemed to sink further back in her chair, as I immediately moved closer to her side. Without warning, Bella mimicked me, so she was now next to me, one hand still on mine, she rested her head on my shoulder.
Jake seemed to squirm.
I smiled.
I rather liked seeing him uncomfortable.
Jake stood, "I have to go… I need to speak to the others…."
Bella and I stood, still holding hands.
"Thank you Jake" she answered.
Jake nodded, "That's okay… I should be thanking you for being so… well…."
"Understanding" I interrupted, sweetly.
Jake shot a pointed look at me, "Yeah… okay, so you were right…."
Bella looked at us both, clearly wondering what we were talking about.
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it.
Jake coughed again, "Look… you're both going to have to learn to be discreet about… things… because… honestly, if your dad walked in Bella, he'd wonder what the hell was going on".
I hated to admit it, but Jake was probably right. I just couldn't help myself when she was near…
"Charlie knows"
Jake forehead creased, as my head shot round to look at Bella.
What did she just say…?
"Knows what?" Jake asked.
I looked once again into Bella's chocolate orbs as she looked back at me and smiled.
"Charlie knows I'm seeing Alice…"
Charlie knows…
She told him?
My breath caught in my throat as a warm feeling seemed to flood through my entire body…
Seeing Alice…
"…. Romantically…." She finished, before squeezing my hand again.
She told him.
Pain seemed to wash over Jake's face as he struggled to understand what it all meant.
Complete jubilation swept through mine…
She told him…
Jake muttered "see you later" and left, but every fibre of my being was focused on Bella, as hers seemed to be on mine.
"You told him?" I asked traces of hesitancy still in my voice…
"Yes, you mean the world to me Alice, and now my dad knows how much".
I immediately lent in and kissed her soft lips.
"I love you" I whispered as I soaked up Bella's scent, and taste…
And I'll love you for ever my mind sang, as Bella returned the kiss.