Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 67 Taken

Alice POV

"It has to be the wolves, Jasper. I couldn't see her at all when she was off in Canada living with Jake. Now that she is here with us I get glimpses of her, but only when Jake is off doing something else. Sue and Emily distort things somewhat and Sam blurs her just like when Jake is with her. This is so frustrating!"

"Calm down, darlin'. No one expects you to see everything you know. It's not like turning on the TV," Jasper said as he lay with his hands folded behind his head, propped up on pillows on our bed. I continued to pace back and forth across the room.

Something had changed, something with Victoria but it was impossible to put my finger on it. I had only met her that once in the ball field and not even for very long then. I had chased her through town and we had cornered her by the lake, giving me the most insight into her mind, but visions that involved her were few and far between. She seemed to be able to avoid my scrutiny.

The only link between she and I was that friend of hers, Laurent. He had spent some time with our family in Denali. Irina had supposedly mated with him and was devastated when the wolves killed him last fall. That was my only clue. Irina knew how my gift worked and I wondered if Laurent had found out and explained it to Victoria. She had certainly been avoiding making decisions, at least firm ones that I could see.

"Let's go down to Edward's and see if they are up yet, darlin'. Maybe you and Edward together can figure out what's bothering you so badly," he suggested.

"We can in a few minutes, baby. Edward slept with Bella last night, and they are not awake yet," I told him.

"Honey, Edward sleeps with Bella every night. In fact, he's rarely more than a foot or two away from her and you know it. I still don't know how he gets close enough to have sex with her and still doesn't bite her," Jasper chuckled as he spoke.

"I don't mean that they are having sex, Jasper! Edward slept with her all night last night. Emmett and Rose stayed with Carlisle to guard the house since I knew that Edward was out," I explained.

Jasper sat up cross legged on our bed, "He slept? All night?"

"Yes. Jasper, it seems that Masen has some powers that we have not fully realized. I've seen glimpses of it. Masen has the power to make whatever you want the most, something you strongly desire . . . happen. Something that you yourself are capable of, but haven't attained on your own. Edward really missed being able to sleep . . . now he can do it almost at will. Think about that, Jasper. He hadn't slept for 90 years and all of a sudden, with her he sleeps? Bella wanted Edward to be able to continue to be gentle making love to her and for her to be enough for him and look what's happened. The first few times they made love were extremely tense and difficult for him, but Bella became pregnant right away, Jasper. As the baby grew and matured, so has Edward's ability to be himself with her . . . yet not hurt her. I don't think that the control and restraint that our brother shows towards her comes only from him. I think he has had some help making that happen. He hasn't even destroyed any furniture since we got back from Rio!" I pointed out.

"That's a hell of a power, darlin'. Why hasn't it had any effect on the rest of us? Is it just Edward and Bella?" he asked looking puzzled.

"I think so. I think Masen is with Bella always and almost always close to Edward. Edward spends every night talking to Masen and teaching him to communicate. The child can place thoughts into Edward's mind now even before he is born," I said.

"Explain, please," Jasper asked, intently interested in what I was trying to tell him.

"Edward can read Masen's mind, you know that much. Edward speaks to him verbally and Masen answers in his mind, just like the rest of us do with Edward. The part that is different is that Masen has not only begun to be able to read Edward's mind, but he seems to be able to put thoughts there. I can't explain it much better. Edward is just figuring it out, but the child seems to be quite powerful and extremely intelligent," I mused.

"Well, we had no idea what to expect. Who thought a vampire could actually mate with a human and conceive anyway," Jasper exclaimed, laughing to himself as we headed down the path towards the house.

It was Monday morning and we passed Carlisle heading back home to get ready to go into the hospital. He liked to be there by seven normally, but today he seemed reluctant to leave Edward's house.

"What's wrong, Carlisle?" Jasper asked, noticing the tension in his face.

"Bella. I'm wondering if I shouldn't schedule the Cesarean section for today or tomorrow and take the baby. All indications are that he is ready, perfectly capable of surviving without her. I just have to be sure and there is no way of predicting it exactly," he said staring off into the forest. His eyes met mine, "I just want everything to go well, Alice. We can't loose her. Edward would not survive it . . . and neither would our family. Have you seen anything, Alice?"

"Nothing. I still see us all out on the lawn playing together, Edward and the little boy as well . . . and Edward is smiling. I just have no vision of Bella. I'm uneasy today as well, as though there is something I should be seeing that I'm not," I told him, my voice riddled with anxiety and concern.

"Well, Edward was just starting to wake up, so I felt okay about leaving the house. I'm glad you're headed down there, though. Esme is in the kitchen starting breakfast. Keep in touch today, I have my phone on me," he said as he continued up the path to our house. He had to get ready and get to the hospital.

"It's going to be a long day, darlin'," Jasper sighed as his arm went back around me and we continued to walk towards Edward's house.

"Long day here . . . but a good day with the stocks! At least I am seeing some things clearly, Jasper. As soon as the market opens, I have a great one day gainer for Edward to buy that is going to go ballistic before noon, then fizzle. I love it when it's a quick gain and then the opportunity is gone, makes my gift so fun to use," I giggled as we opened the front door.

"Morning dear," Esme called from the kitchen, "What's so funny this early in the morning?"

I literally danced into the kitchen, exclaiming my news about the investment I had seen.

It wasn't long before Esme had the kitchen filled with disgusting smells. I knew that coffee was something that humans loved to smell in the mornings but really, could it be more disgusting?

"Jasper, does any of this smell good to you?" I asked as he walked over to the stove with me.

"Nope. Smells like sour dirt. Not tempting at all," he agreed with me, watching the steam rise from the plate of scrambled eggs that Esme had just cooked with his nose scrunched up to avoid the smell.

"Morning everyone!" Bella called as Edward set her on her feet in the kitchen. They were both still in their pajamas, well, Edward had on pajama pants and Bella was wearing those nasty sweats that I had tried to throw away time and time again. Sweats and one of Edwards t shirts seemed to be standard to grab when she got up in the mornings, though I had personally bought her several beautiful maternity gowns and robes!

"Bella! Honestly, I don't even know how you managed to get pregnant wearing things like that," I said, gesturing to her outfit.

"Silly Alice, she wasn't wearing anything when she got pregnant," Edward teased, moving swiftly to one side to avoid the slap from Bella that he knew was coming.

"Edward!" Bella exclaimed as she turned beet red and looked at the floor, embarrassed.

"Clothing is overrated," Emmett said, walking in from the patio.

"What! Emmett Cullen, you just wait. It'll be a long time before I restock your wardrobe," I informed him curtly.

I turned to my brother,"Edward, I have some ideas for stocks, when the market opens today. It will be a short sale, over with by noon or so if you want to do it."

"I'm always willing to make more money for the family, Alice. Meet me in the library at quarter till, okay?" I asked.

"Will do. You could even call Phil on this one if you want to, it will be such a quickie! By the way, be sure to check the front porch before lunch, there's a delivery coming from your Mom, Bella, and they will wilt in the cold," I told them.

The mutt came into the room, following Sue and Emily, dutifully.

"Ready for some breakfast?" Esme asked, gesturing for them to sit down.

"Smells wonderful, Esme. It woke me up this morning and there are few ways better to wake up to than the smell of coffee and bacon," Sue told her as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Coffee, Emily?" Sue asked, "Sam?"

Emily replied happily that she would love some, answering that Sam would love some as well as she nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.

The conversation between the humans was warm and Edward and I joined in along with Esme, while Emmett and Jasper went to do what Emmett did best . . . play video games on the flat screen.

Edward went in to play the piano, undoubtedly feeling like Bella was safe from Sam with Esme and I in the room. Rose had gone back to the house rather than coming in as the big reveal on the two nurseries was today and she had some finishing touches she wanted to do to the one at her house.

"Sam, how is Jacob doing?" Esme asked as she put away the cookware. Sam glared at her, apparently not wanting to speak to any of us, but a look from Emily stopped him short from continuing to behave that way.

"He's doing just fine. It won't take him long to be able to control himself, once it clicks for him," Sam said, pushing at the food on his plate with his fork.

"Well, after we take care of a little business this morning and go see the nurseries, let's make a trek into town to pick up those items I ordered for you, Bella," I suggested.

"Alice. The baby is probably coming this week, why on earth would I need any more maternity clothes?" she asked.

"Bella . . . you need nursing gowns just in case and it isn't like your figure will just come back completely once the baby is delivered! Honestly. You'd think I was trying to scald you in hot water every time I try to get you to shop or buy clothes," I scowled.

"You know I love you, Alice," Bella said as she stood and gave me a hug, rinsing her plate and putting it in the dishwasher. "Thank you for breakfast, Esme. It was delicious. You have to stop me from eating so much or I am actually going to be too big to get through the door," she laughed and looked at me, "Of course then I would need all those larger sized clothes!"

"I just don't see that happening any time soon, dear. Besides, Edward would just put in extra doors!" Esme laughed.

"Am I being made fun of in here?" Edward asked as he put his arms around Bella and stood behind her, nuzzling her neck in front of all of us.

"No, sweetheart. Your Mom was just commenting on how thoughtful you are," Bella said, knowing full well that Edward had heard every word that had been said.

"Well love, Alice has some purchases we need to discuss in the market this morning. Do you want to make the buys?" Edward asked her.

"Of course yes. Let's go," she said looking at the time.

I filed into the office with Edward and Bella leaving Esme with Sam, Sue and Emily in the kitchen to finish their food.

"See, I said, typing in the codes and showing Edward and Bella the news releases on the company I was interested in. These shares of penny stock should go from thirty four cents a share to around three dollars before noon. We should make about a few hundred percent profit, if you want to call Phil in on this one," I told them. Bella started the transactions, deciding I guess for the first time how much we would be investing in a given stock. Edward nodded his approval as he waited for Phil to answer his phone. Edward keyed in the information for the family account and put in the buy order there as well. Luckily we had quite a bit of cash just sitting that could be used to buy.

"Phil," I heard him answer the phone, "Yes. Good morning. No, no we haven't but I appreciate the thought and I'm sure Bella will be thrilled. Yes, well there is a stock this morning if you have cash available right now in the account to use. Good. Yes. This one will need to be sold around noon today, but it should go to a few hundred percent increase by then. Yes, it's . . ."

I stopped paying attention. Bella had completed the transactions and I was more interested in the nurseries. "Bella, are you excited to see the nurseries?" I asked her.

"Of course, Alice, but I know they are going to be magnificent with you, Rose and Esme having done them. You need to not go overboard on clothing for Masen, Alice. I like tattered jeans on kids, as well as sweat pants and tennis shoes. You need to remember that," she scolded.

"Bella, you should be proud of me! I have not bought a single Armani, Gucci or Louis Vuitton anything for Masen . . . yet," I informed her, much to my dismay.

"Alice! There will absolutely be no five hundred dollar booties or outfits for my son. Period," she insisted, seeming to turn a shade more red than she had been.

Rosalie walked in the front door, signaling that everything was ready and we headed upstairs. I stuck my head in the kitchen to see if Emily and Sue wanted to come and see. Sam was just leaving with Jacob, who was sticking his shaggy head in the door, so the timing was perfect for them. We all headed upstairs, Edward insisting on carrying Bella, as usual.

I held my hands over Bella's eyes as Esme walked on one side of her holding her hand and Rosalie on the other. When we were in the middle of the nursery, I took my hands away and told her to open her eyes. There was not a single sound in the room except for the gasp of breath that Bella took in. Her hands flew to her mouth and she didn't move. Edward moved to stand behind her and wrap his arms around her waist, whispering in her ear.

"Bella, we're having a baby," he said to her.

She started crying . . . really crying with tears everywhere.

"Bella, we can change it," Rosalie offered, trying to comfort her. "Anything you don't like can go, right now. I can have it redone in no time at all, I promise!" Rose almost panicked.

Esme just smiled. It was one of those knowing kind of Mom smiles as she stood by the crib, waiting.

"It's just the most beautiful, perfect nursery any child has ever had. You guys are wonderful! Thank you so much, Rosalie. Esme. It feels just like I imagined it would feel . . . like a soft comfortable haven in the woods, the soft warm browns in the furniture combined with the fresh greens like ferns and moss and leaves and the soft blue color of the evening sky. It absolutely belongs in a fairy tale, just like the rest of you do!" Bella told us with tears in her eyes.

If Esme and Rose could cry, they would have been covered in tears as well as they all hugged each other, including me.

"Alice, are all these clothes for just one little boy?" Bella asked as she opened the closet.

"Yes, all for Masen. Not to worry, Bella, we have more clothes at the other house as well," I told her.

She soon saw that for herself as we ooed and ahhed over the various pieces in each of the two nurseries. We had walked up the path to Esme's house . . . well of course, Edward carried Bella. Apparently she wasn't allowed to walk on her own two feet if there was any incline or stairs involved at all. I quit counting the number of times that she hugged me or Esme or Rose. Edward seemed pleased as well but really, he would like anything that made Bella happy.

We walked back down the trail towards Edward's house with him insisting on carrying her, as if that surprised anyone! There were flowers on the porch, delivered while we had been at Esme's house. Bella picked up the card to read,

Edward and Bella

There is nothing that we can buy for you that you can't buy for yourselves-

But we wanted you to know that we appreciate both of you and love you very much.

Thank you for including us in your investments and in your lives.

Hope all is well with little Masen.

Hugs and Kisses till we see you,

Mom and Phil

"How sweet was that! We have to remember to thank them when we call them to sell the stock," Bella told us. We went in to check on the stocks and see if anyone wanted lunch before we ran into town or if they wanted to wait till we came back.

"Let's go to Sweet Treats and have dessert first, then we can go get the clothes that Alice insists I need and come back here for lunch this afternoon. That okay with everyone?" Bella asked.

"Sounds like a plan, love," Edward said while he waited for the stock market to come on the computer screen he just turned on in the library. Bella got to do the transactions. She loved learning about the stocks and any fool could see that it thrilled Edward that she had taken an interest in finances. My brother and I actually had a lot of fun investing and I looked forward to including Bella in that. I was sure I could come up with an investment in France that required us to go to Paris to checkout!

"Well, thank you again for the flowers, Mom. I love them. Okay. Bye now," Bella said as she snapped her phone shut.

"Well Phil might recover eventually from the shock of making that much money that effortlessly, but I doubt Mom will. She had to go sit down!" Bella laughed, "That's what happens when you involve yourself in the world of Cullens!"

"Jasper, Emmett, do you guys want to go into town with us?" I asked, going over to the sofa to kiss my husband and check in with him.

"Darlin' if it's all the same to you, Emmett and I can just stay here and hold down the fort," Jasper answered.

"You mean play Call of Duty, don't you?" I asked playfully, ruffling his hair with my hand as he sat on the sofa and stared intently at the game on the big screen.

"Come on, sis. Let the man concentrate or he'll use you as an excuse for loosing his ass!" Emmett scolded, just as intent on his game.

"Just leave them, Alice. I'll go with you. Sue, you and Emily coming as well?" Rosalie asked.

"Come on . . . we can get ice cream . . .!" Bella acted like she was dangling the juiciest carrot in the world in front of starving rabbits.

"You are too cute," Edward said, grabbing her face and kissing her as he picked her up again.

"Edward, what's with the always picking her up? Honestly, you'd think she had no use of her legs the way you act," Esme fussed.

"Leave him alone! My husband likes picking me up. It's okay with me," Bella said as she tightened her arms around his neck and kissed him again, "Anyway, I like the extra benefits of being this close to him."

"Yes, we all see the results of being that close to my brother," Rosalie teased, gesturing to Bella's belly. Again she turned so red that I just wasn't sure it was healthy for a human!

Edward, Bella, Rosalie and I got into the Volvo and Esme drove Sue and Emily in her Jaguar as we headed into town finding parking spaces right in front of the ice cream shop. I guess there wasn't that much demand for ice cream in the winter!

Sue, Emily and Bella had great fun deciding on flavors, each one getting a different flavor so that they could taste each other's ice cream. Esme, Rosalie and I just sat on the veranda and watched the huge trout swim in the stream below the shop, not needing to fake eating anything. It was sensational!

Edward, of course, stayed an arms length from Bella the entire time, though I was sure he was glad to drop the pretense of having to lick the cones. When we finished, we got back in the cars and drove the few blocks to Main Street and were lucky enough to find two parking spaces in front of the cluster of shops that included the maternity store

My brother opened the car door and helped Bella out of the car and we all walked toward the row of shops, tensing at the ongoing smell of Victoria. It was always here, always on all the sidewalks and shop doors. It was as if she was purposefully trying to drive us crazy by having to smell her everywhere. Unfortunately, I had observed and discussed with the rest of my family, it also made tracking her movements in town nearly impossible as everything smelled of her. If we could just end her and put a stop to all this nonsense. The sales girl greeted me, ending my musing and drawing me back to the business of clothing my little sister.

"Here, Bella," I said handing her the pants and comfy shirt that I had ordered, "Please try these on for me - I want the pants to be a little tight around the middle since you will be loosing that girth soon but the shirt should fit well in the shoulders," I explained.

"Wow, you had to have known that you could suck me in with how soft this shirt is, Alice. You know there is no other way you would ever get me in a pink sweater!" Bella laughed, heading to the dressing room. "Emily, can you come and help me with the buttons on the back of this shirt?" Bella asked.

"Sure," she said and headed towards the dressing room at the rear of the store.

Edward had already walked to the rear of the store making sure everything was alright, having returned to stand with me. Sue was looking at some of the racks of shirts and sale items near the rear of the store and Rose and Esme had found some picture frames that they wanted for the baby's room.

Our attention was immediately drawn to the loud crash in front of the row of shops we were in. From all the yelling and screaming along with the crushing sound of metal on metal, we ran out the front door to see that a black SUV had crashed into the rear and side of Edward's silver Volvo. Edward moved at vampire speed, the humans unable to see his movements as he made his way to the black car and back to stand beside me.

"Alice, Riley's scent is all in that car. They crashed a car once before trying to hit Bella and I, at the Pizza Parlor in Forks," he told Esme. Sue shook her head, seeming to remember the scene.

"Bella!" Edward exclaimed.

He moved like lightening to the rear of the store and the dressing room. We heard the rear door of the store tear off its hinges as he yelled for us.

We ran to the rear exit to find Edward frantic. He was moving with no effort, wasting no time in calling his brothers and father. If vampires could have heart attacks, Edward would have been a dead man at this point.

I looked into the dressing room and saw Emily on the floor and the clothing that Bella had worn in here today draped over the chair, or it had been before the chair had been knocked over.

Edward said, "Emily has been knocked out, but she should be fine. Sue, take care of her. I didn't see the car, but there had to have been one because the scent ends just there on the road, he said pointing to a spot in the alley just beyond the door." The alley had direct and easy access to the main highway beside us that went through town. Shit. No wonder they got away from here so fast!

"Edward . . . silver Volvo. They are in a silver Volvo . . . ," I exclaimed as a vision became clear in my head, "Victoria and Riley, they're both with her!"

"Rose you and Alice head toward Franklin and cut across the switchbacks, go a few miles then look at every single car that passes, just down by Mirror lake should be far enough. Victoria could be in one of them. I called Jasper already but call him back and tell him what you saw. He and Emmett can get to the Wallhalla Highway before anyone can possibly drive from here to there. Esme, let's cover the Horseshoe Cove Road. I'll call Carlisle to cover the Cashier's Road by the hospital. If they keep her hidden in a car to keep her scent and theirs from us, then those are the only ways out of town. They'll have to pass one of us and there is no mistaking Victoria."

"Hurry! . . . she has Bella . . . "