Chapter 46 - Danger
Alice's POV
As I pulled into the drive, I realised my mood was far better than it had been the last time I had driven onto the gravel. Jasper wasn't here to greet me this time, but I noticed Rosalie sitting on the wall, her face was turned away from me, as if she was looking out into the thick woodland area.
I jumped from the car, and approached her.
"Rosalie" I enquired softly, as she turned and patted the space next to her on the wall.
I immediately sat down.
"How is Bella" Rose asked, with genuine concern.
Somehow, Bella made me feel human… and somehow that feeling seemed to be rubbing off on Rosalie too. I had never seen her… like this… before. It made me even happier.
"She's okay, she doesn't like storms…" my voice trailed off as I recalled her stricken face.
"A phobia?" Rose asked gently.
I found myself shrugging, "I'm not really sure, I never got the chance to ask her about it… Jake was there…."
Rosalie chuckled, "Of course he was, he's almost as bad as you when it comes to Bella" she responded, finishing with a wink. The 'old' Rosalie would have said that, but her retort would have been laced with venom. Now, well… now Rosalie was smiling.
"Yeah" I replied, "I guess I am a little addicted to Bella".
Rosalie laughed again, "A little? Alice, you're verging on obsessed! But… well, I won't criticise; she makes you happy, and seeing you that way makes me happy"
I lent my head against Rosalie's arm.
"How come you're out here anyway?" I asked, as Rosalie glanced down at me.
"The boys are out there, looking for… him…"
"Does Carlisle know?" I asked, as Rose nodded, "Yes, he thinks the vampire has moved on as he couldn't detect any traces of him, but you know what the boys are like, they wanted to double check. I just hope Emmet is being careful"
I laughed then, "Emmet and careful don't really mix Rose".
Rosalie raised her perfect eyebrow, "I think you're right, perhaps I should exchange careful for careless?"
We both stood and started to make our way back inside. Rosalie turned and looked at me, "I guess I wouldn't want him any other way though" she said with a smile.
"Rosalie… when you…" my voice trailed off as I contemplated how I should ask my question.
I swallowed hard, and looked up into her amber eyes.
Rose waited.
"When you… found Emmet, and he was hurt… was it…"
Rosalie continued, "Was it a difficult decision to make, turning him into what we are?" she guessed.
I nodded.
Rosalie took my hand in hers and placed her free hand on top.
"Alice, when you fall in love, you are blinded by it, or at least, I was. I had been alone for so very long, when our paths crossed and I saw him for the very first time, I couldn't comprehend an existence if it didn't include him".
Rosalie had never opened up like this to me before. I found myself squeezing her hand.
Rosalie continued.
"Perhaps I was selfish, asking Carlisle to turn Emmet… but I could see the pain he was in after the bear attack… I wanted that pain to stop… I didn't think…"
Rosalie sighed.
"I loved Emmet the moment I found him, and he was hurt… If Carlisle hadn't changed him, he would have died".
Rosalie shuddered.
I nodded. I understood that love all too well.
"What if Emmet hadn't been injured, Rose? What then?"
Rosalie squeezed my hand now, "Honestly? I don't know Alice. I really don't know. I would never have chosen this life for myself so I'd like to think I would have simply walked on by and left Emmet to live his life as a human…but the pull… the pull is so very strong between us…."
She tilted her head then, and looked deep into my eyes.
"I understand, now. Understand how very difficult this must be for you, Alice. You feel that pull towards Bella…."
Her voice trailed off as she pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Whatever you decide Alice" she whispered in my ear, "I'm with you".
I returned the embrace as someone whistled behind us.
"Hey, hands off Alice, isn't one female enough for you?"
It was Emmet.
I giggled, "Maybe I prefer having two"
Emmet grinned and swooped Rosalie up into his strong arms.
"Find anything" I asked, as Jasper and Edward appeared from the shadows.
"Nothing" Edward replied as Jasper placed an arm around me.
Together we all walked back inside.
Carlisle was waiting in the living room, next to Esme.
"I have something to tell you all" I spoke softly, as Emmet grinned again.
"Let me guess… you've decided to leave and take Bella to… Alaska?"
I smiled sweetly, "Not yet" I replied as Emmet laughed and threw himself down on the sofa, pulling Rosalie down next to him.
I turned to face Carlisle, "I've just left Bella. She's going to see Jake tomorrow, at the reservation. Jake is going to speak to his…"
"Wolf friends" Emmet interrupted as Rosalie elbowed him in the ribs.
"Yes" I carried on, adding "Bella thinks we need to form an alliance… and I agree".
Carlisle nodded as Esme sat down beside me.
"I agree, if we work together, we can find him…" she continued, looking up at Carlisle.
Emmet spoke, "Hang on… an alliance? With the wolf boy? I don't think…."
Edward interrupted, "Is this a good idea, Carlisle?"
I had expected some reservation from Emmet, but not Edward.
Edward looked from Carlisle, to me.
"Alice, we don't know a lot about them…"
Jasper walked towards me and sat down. His voice was gentle.
"We will never know anything about them unless we work together"
Jasper turned to face me.
"We do need this alliance; when I was out looking before, I could sense traces of anger, deep rooted anger and hatred… so strong an emotion, it was left to linger. We need all the help we can get in finding him"
Carlisle nodded, "We all need to agree to this alliance. If Bella and Jake can convince the others, so much the better"
Later that evening I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed in my room. Slowly I picked up a pillow and inhaled deeply; Bella. My Bella. Her scent was so strong; it was almost as though she was in the room with me now. Of course, she wasn't. She was in her own room, tucked up in bed, sleeping…
My mind played over the evenings events. I still couldn't believe Charlie knew about us. He was so… nice. I smiled to myself as I recalled how nervous he had seemed when he first switched on the TV when Bella had wandered into the kitchen.
"So, you really like baseball" he had asked, as he glanced up at me.
"I sure do" I had replied, smiling.
"And you… well, you like my daughter" he had continued, glancing at me again as he took a sip from his beer.
"I sure do" I had repeated, my smile even more wide.
"That's… well… That's…"
I had taken pity on him, "probably unexpected, and will take some getting used to" I finished for him, as he nodded and smiled.
"Do your folks know?" he has asked then, his attention now firmly on me and not the game.
"Yes… they love Bella" I had replied.
Charlie had smiled, "Wait till she plays baseball… they may change their minds then"
I laughed at that. Yes, I definitely liked Charlie.
The urge to go and see her was overwhelming, but my brain reasoned it wouldn't be such a good idea. Bella needed her rest if she was going to go head to head with the wolf pack tomorrow. I shuddered. I still didn't like the thought…
And I still didn't like it as morning approached. Moving swiftly from my room, I was soon outside Bella's house. The window was open, which sent a warm glow throughout my entire being.
And there she was, sound asleep.
I simply couldn't wake her, but I found myself lying next to her as I inhaled her scent again. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, make love to her…
But I couldn't wake her. She looked so… at peace. Instead I had placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
So now, here I was, back at home.
"Alice, will you please stop pacing around the room".
Emmet looked exasperated with me.
"Sorry, I'm just…."
I was worried, about Bella.
Emmet ran a hand on top of my head and tousled my locks.
"I know, I know" he murmured.
Edward was standing behind us both, he took looked worried, and I understood why. He was reading my thoughts, and they were laced with concern, fear, anxiety…
And then it hit me, a vision so intense and sharp it knocked me to my knees.
Bella.
In the wood near the reservation…
Walking alone.
Why was she alone? Where was Jake? What was happening?
"Alice?" Edward was by my side immediately.
I could hear the breeze…
I could feel it…
And then I saw him…
"Bella…" my voice broke as both my hand gripped around my side.
"Alice?" Jasper was now beside me, his arms enveloped around my shoulders.
Carlisle and Esme rushed into the room, followed by Rosalie.
She was in danger… Bella was in danger…
Edward stood, "Its Bella, she's in danger"
Danger.