Chapter 62 - Avowal
"So, how was the ball" Edward enquired with a quizzical eyebrow.
Before I could answer, he smiled.
"Oh, it was like that was it?" he answered, his smile widening.
"Okay, stop reading Alice's mind Edward" I replied, as Alice shrugged her shoulders, also smiling.
"She may see things differently to how they actually were…" I continued, as Edward raised an eyebrow again.
"Oh, I can safely say this is something you are both very much in agreement with Bella…."
Now I raised my eyebrow as Edward lent forward, his breath catching the side of my face.
"So, you aim to please?"
And then he winked, before leaving me alone in the living room with Alice.
"He…" my voice faltered slightly as memories of the night before came flooding back.
Nice memories.
Lovely memories.
Deliciously nice and lovely memories…
I felt my cheeks redden.
"He read your mind about… about… that…" I stammered, as Alice slowly nodded her head.
"Sorry Bella, but it was such an amazing evening, I simply can't stop thinking about it…"
I watched as she edged closer, holding out her hand.
"I'm sorry… friends?" she asked, as her eyes flashed.
I took her hand and pulled her into me, "Friends" I answered, as I placed my hands around her waist.
"And you're right, it was amazing…" I continued, as Alice lent forward and kissed my neck.
"Incredible" she continued
"Wonderful" I replied as I heard a movement behind me.
It was Rosalie.
"Oh, sorry… forget I was here" she quickly spoke as Alice pulled back.
"That's okay Rosalie" I replied, as Rose turned.
I continued, "Besides, I want to thank you again for helping me get ready yesterday, I really appreciate it"
Rose smiled, "It was my pleasure Bella… besides, you looked a little…vulnerable… and this one…" she motioned to Alice… "Was too busy preening herself to help, it was the least I could do"
I laughed as Alice clapped her hands together, a smile appearing across her face.
"I'm so glad you two are getting on, you have no idea how happy it makes me" she squealed as she quickly reached out for both me and Rosalie, pulling us into a group hug.
"Hey, is this a woman thing? Or can anyone join in?"
Before anybody could answer, Emmet appeared above us and pulled us all into him.
Who would have thought vampires could be so… loving? And crazy!
"Hey, I kinda like this… we should do it more often" he continued, as Alice started to giggle.
"Err, as much as I appreciate the gesture Emmet, could you maybe loosen your hold just a little? I'm having trouble breathing here" I managed to whisper, as Emmet let go and we all stood back.
"Sorry Bells, keep forgetting your need for air and all that" he replied, a goofy grin appearing on his face.
Rosalie glanced at me…
And I immediately knew what she was thinking.
Have you spoken to Alice yet? Spoken to her about what it is you want?
I shook my head slightly as Rosalie nodded.
"Come on Emmet"
Emmet frowned.
"But I've just got here" he almost whined, as Rosalie linked her arm through his.
"And now we're leaving" she finished, before turning to me and Alice.
"I hope you enjoyed the ball" she continued, before turning to leave us.
Emmet remained where he stood.
"So how was it? You both looked smoking hot when you left, did you have…"
Rosalie tugged at his arm.
"We can ask questions later, Emmet. Come on; let's give the girls some privacy…"
Emmet snorted, "Privacy? Hell Rosalie, they spent all night together, I want to know more…"
I smiled, "And I promise you will Emmet, but Alice and I need to talk"
Emmet sighed, "Okay… but I'll hold you to that Bella. I want to know everything…"
I watched as he winked.
Everything? I don't think so…
"Bella is everything okay" Alice questioned, as Rosalie and Emmet left. Her brows were slightly scrunched, as she tilted her head.
She looked… concerned.
Okay Bella, take a breath, and just say it…
Just say it.
Alice, I want you to bite me.
I smiled, "Everything is fine Alice, really…." I answered, as I took a small gulp.
Alice, I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I've decided… I want you to turn me into a vampire… like you…
"Really? Because you look worried?" she continued, as she took a step closer to me.
Yeah, worried you'll push me away when I tell you what I want.
Worried you'll refuse to bite me.
Worried you'll hate me for even contemplating it, and asking you…
I smiled again, although I knew it was a far from convincing one.
Slowly I started, "No, I'm not worried, really. There's just something I'd like to speak to you about"
Alice took my hand and pulled me down onto the sofa next to her.
"You can talk to me about anything Bella" she whispered, a look of concern still on her face.
If she's concerned now, Bella, imagine how she'll be when you ask her… do you really have that right?
I tried to block out my worries, my thoughts…
I shifted on the sofa, this was a lot harder than I had imagined, and I had imagined it plenty of times…
"Well, firstly, I want you to know how happy I am that I met you Alice"
Alice beamed as she laced her fingers through mine.
"The feeling is mutual" she responded, another beam on her face.
Smiling, she's smiling now… but will she still be when you tell her what you want?
I squeezed at her fingers.
"And I am so happy I moved to Forks, because if I hadn't, I would never have met you…"
Alice edged in closer to me, "I hate that thought" she whispered, as I quickly placed a kiss on her cheek.
"As do I" I murmured.
But if you never moved here, you would never have contemplated asking her to change you… and you would never have placed her in this situation… do you have the right to ask her? The right to ask her to take away your humanity…
Yes.
Yes, I have that right because I love her, and I can't live without her.
Ever.
I took a deep breath as Alice cocked her head to one side again.
"Bella, what is it?" she asked, concern now laced in her words.
I smiled.
Yes.
Yes, I could do this because this was Alice.
My Alice.
The love of my life…
"I love you so much" I continued, as Alice placed her hand to the side of my cheek.
"And I love you" she answered, as she lent forward and kissed the other side of my face.
Yes.
Yes, I was going to do this because Alice knew me, understood me, and loved me.
She would do it for me.
"Alice, I can't hold this back any longer, I want you…."
To change me…
"Bella? Your fathers outside" Esme's voice floated into the room.
I felt a small bubble of annoyance creep up my spine at the interruption.
Charlie… your timing sucks. Really, really sucks…
"You want me?" Alice questioned, as a smile appeared across her face.
She leaned in closer, "Your dad is rather good at interrupting the moment isn't he" she continued, as she stood and pulled me up beside her.
Good? He was a bloody professional…
"Alice, I want…"
"Alice, Bella?" Esme called again, as she then appeared into the room.
Parents…
"Oh, there you both are" Esme smiled as she walked across the room.
"Your father has arrived to collect you Bella; he's just outside speaking to Carlisle"
I merely nodded.
I felt… exasperated.
Alice picked up my bag, "Come one, we don't want to keep Chief Swan waiting" she answered as I followed her outside.
Just before we approached Charlie and Carlisle, who seemed to be deep in conversation on the driveway, I caught hold of Alice's arm and pulled at it.
Alice immediately stopped and turned.
"Bella?" she questioned as I then took several breaths.
"Alice, I…."
"There you girls are"
Charlie…
Dad, can you just shut up and leave me alone for one minute?
"How was the ball? I still can't believe you managed to persuade Bella here to go… not normally her type of evening is it Bells?"
I shrugged my shoulder as Alice handed Charlie my bag.
"We had a… wonderful… evening, thank you Charlie. And Bella looked beautiful" Alice replied, as she turned to wink at me.
Charlie threw my bag into the car.
"Well, that's great to hear" he responded, as he turned to Carlisle.
"Thanks for letting Bella stay over Carlisle… I hope she wasn't any bother" he continued, as he turned and winked at me.
What was it with all the winking?
"She was no bother at all Charlie; it was our pleasure to have her stay"
I smiled then, "Thanks Carlisle" I replied, as Charlie opened the car door and got inside.
I walked towards Alice.
"Can we do something this afternoon?" I asked, as she nodded immediately.
"Of course! I'll come over in a few hours" she replied, as Carlisle waved and walked back inside.
"Good" I responded, as I lent in and kissed her on the cheek.
What I really wanted to do was drag her back indoors and finish what I had started… but that conversation could wait until this afternoon.
"Bye Charlie" she shouted, as Charlie pulled down the window and waved.
"Bye Alice, sure I'll be seeing you again this weekend" he responded with a slight laugh.
I got in the passenger side and waved at Alice too.
I love you I mouthed, as Alice flashed me her usual smile, mouthing the same words back.
As we pulled from the drive, Charlie turned.
"I'm really glad you went to that ball Bella, Alice is a good influence on you"
I nodded again.
"Now, before we head home for lunch, I need to stop by and see Billy Black – there's been some kind of trouble at the reservation"
My head shot round, "Trouble?" I questioned, as Charlie picked up the pace.
"Oh, nothing too serious I'm sure, a member of the tribe called me just before I set off to collect you, animal attack I think…"
Animal attack…
Or Reuben…
"I could drop you off home first if you prefer?" Charlie continued.
I shook my head, "No, I'll come too, it'll give me the chance to say hi to Jake" I responded.
It would also give me the chance to find out if he had found anything during that week.
"Well, be prepared for some teasing Bells, Jake nearly fell off his motor bike when I told him you were going to a ball, wearing a dress…."
I smiled.
Jake's teasing I could handle.
Reuben's possible presence?
That was another matter entirely…