Chapter Nine

Bella

When Jake dropped me off he told me to stop being stupid about the weekend. He warned me that I wasn't going even if he had to tell Charlie. I slammed the truck door and stamped into the house.

"Bella, Alice rang"

I groaned and grabbed the phone shutting the kitchen door for some privacy. She answered first ring,

"Bella, thank goodness. I need a favour."

"OK Alice, if I can"

"Would you be my alibi for the weekend? An old friend has contacted me and asked to meet. I can't tell Carlisle because she's not like us and he doesn't like Carrie."

"How am I supposed to do that Alice? Edward will be with me"

"No. I told him you and I had organised a weekend shopping expedition to Portland to get you a new wardrobe."

"And work? Charlie?"

"Mrs Newton was really nice about it as it's a birthday treat and Charlie is happy you'll be with me."

"Birthday treat?"

"I know its early or late or something but she didn't catch on to that."

"Edward fell for it?"

"Well he's got the chance to go hunting with Emmett and Garrett for a few days so yes he did."

"Well it looks like you've already organised me so its hardly a request. What do I do for the weekend Alice while you and Carrie are reminiscing?"

"But I saw...you have plans...was I wrong?"

I laughed,

"No you weren't wrong but I'm not sure I really want to go."

"I think you should. It will do you good Bella."

"Alice, why would you think my going away with the wolves for the weekend is a good idea?"

"They're your friends and Jake will protect you, anyway I want to hear all about it when you get back."

As I replaced the receiver Charlie came in still smiling,

"So, no Edward this weekend. Are things looking up?"

"Dad"

He put his hands up,

"Sorry. I just think it will do you good to get away from him for a while. Good to see you out with Jake tonight."

"Yeah about that Dad. Do you think we could keep it quiet?"

"You don't want Edward to know?"

I waited for the lecture about honesty and transparency but he just smiled,

"Sure. Our secret"

I shook my head and went upstairs making sure I had a shower and washed my hair then sprayed myself with a heavy body spray Renee had sent. If Edward could smell wolf over all this I'd be amazed!"

It was after midnight before he appeared, climbing through the bedroom window and joining me on the bed. It felt good to be in his arms despite my misgivings about his controlling ways.

"I hear Alice has talked you into a shopping trip this weekend"

Playing it cool I demurred,

"I don't have to go if you'd rather I didn't"

"No that's fine. Once she told me I made arrangements to go hunting with Emmett and Garrett, its been a long time since we went, just the three of us. I'm surprised you aren't taking Rose with you too"

I spluttered in mirth,

"Rose? Go with me? Edward you must be blind, Rosalie hates me. She'd choose sackcloth and ashes as an outfit!"

"No love she doesn't hate you. She just wishes you'd made better choices"

"What?"

"I think she envies you your possibilities as a human, something I'm always trying to point out to you. A family, children, a human life"

I'd heard this lecture before so I tuned it out and soon fell asleep cuddled up to Edward with a duvet wrapped around me to keep me away from his icy skin.

As the weekend crept ever closer I got cold feet but I didn't know how to get out of the trip to Seattle without leaving Alice in the lurch. Where else could I go? Edward noticed I was nervous but, bless him, he put it down to spending a weekend without him. I must admit I would miss him, after all I still loved him in a way but I hated having my life controlled for me, no one should be forced to do what someone else wanted all the time. I knew he thought he was doing this for me but I didn't want to be a caged bird and increasingly that's how I felt. By late Friday afternoon after he had said goodbye at least a dozen times I was relieved to see the Volvo drive away. Charlie was working late so I had until seven o'clock to come up with an excuse not to go to Seattle. I was just picking up the phone to ring Jake and cancel when it rang and I almost dropped it in my surprise.

"Bella, I'm just ringing to tell you Alice will be with you shortly she just left home. Have fun"

I thanked Esme as casually as I could and put the receiver back in its cradle cursing. Well that was it, if I didn't go they would find out from Charlie or someone. I had no choice but to go away for the weekend so I ran upstairs and threw a few things in my flight bag. Jeans, clean shirts, and a jumper, underwear, toilet bag, towel. I couldn't think of anything else but pushed Pride and Prejudice in, just in case. If I found the fights too violent I'd find a corner somewhere and read. It was going to be an interesting weekend if nothing else! It suddenly occurred to me that coming home with no new clothes might look suspicious but I had no money to buy any and I hoped Alice would cover me with a story about me being awkward or something. More and more I was wishing I'd never agreed to these plans.

At a quarter to seven Jake rang to say they were on their way and giving me an out if I wanted it, not knowing I was now stuck.

"I'm ready. I'll be waiting outside."

"You sure Bella? I could ask Emily if you can stay there if you want to get away for the weekend"

Yeah that was going to fly when Charlie spoke to Harry and found out my shipping trip to Portland had taken place on the Res! But it made me think.

"Jake, does Harry or your Dad know I'm going with you?"

"No. They'd kill me if they thought I was going myself, let alone taking you"

That was reassuring! How bad was this going to be?

"Good, lets keep it that way., I'll see you soon."

Billy's truck pulled up about ten minutes later and I saw half the male population of the Res crammed in the back. They had saved room for me in the cab along with Embry, Quil, and Leah Clearwater. So I wasn't the only female going thank God! Jake smiled sourly as I got in amid shouts of greeting from the back. I smiled at him and said hi to the others. Leah turned a sour face to me,

"Do you know what you're getting into Bella Swan?"

"No but I'm sure you'll enlighten me Leah."

She sniffed loudly and turned to look out the window.

"Nice talking to you too"

She ignored me but the others snickered.

"Bella if it gets too much for you one of us will take you back to the motel room"

"Motel room Quil?"

"Yeah, Jake insisted we get one for you"

"Heaven forbid Bella Swan should have to rough it like the rest of us"

"Cut it out Leah. She's different from us, you know that."

"Yes I do, I can smell it on her"

"Well, luckily I can't smell the wolf on you Leah, so it wont get too stinky in here."

Jake burst out laughing and Leah leaned across to whack him, causing the truck to swerve dangerously. The guys in the back shouted at her and she subsided into a sulk. It was just getting better and better!