This was Alex's first night of freedom and she didn't know what to do with it. She decided to just stay home, take a shower and maybe read a book or watch a movie. And that's what she did, she took a shower and settled down on the couch with a new book that she had bought before she went to the hospital. As soon as she opened it to the first page Bella sat beside her, "Hey," She said, "What are you reading?"

Alex held it up to show her the title, "This."

"Oh." Bella nodded, "Is it any good?"

She shrugged, "Haven't read it yet. Only started now."

Bella nodded and moved closer to her big sister, "So, I was wondering, since you have nothing to do," Alex looked at her and then at her book before Bella started again, "all right, since you have nothing better to do, why don't you come to the Cullen's with me? They're throwing me a birthday party." She rolled her eyes.

"You hate your birthday. Especially when people acknowledge it." She commented.

"Exactly why I don't want to go without my big sister." She looked at her sister with her brown eyes, almost puppy dog like. But Alex rolled her eyes,

"What do I get out of coming with you?"

"You can get me a birthday present."

"Seriously?" She asked, "I haven't gotten you one of those since you were fourteen then you proceeded to shout at me because you hated them. And so then I told you you couldn't get me one since I couldn't give you one."

"Well, this time you can. Plus I think Carlisle is a little excited to see you again and see how you're doing."

"I'm only just out and what do you mean he's a 'little excited to see me'?" It then dawned on Alex, "You told them I was coming any way, didn't you?"

She shrugged and smiled cheekily, "Maybe."

Alex groaned, "I hate you, Bells. Now I have to go." She got up and dragged herself up the stairs to get dressed.

"You love me." Bella called up at her sister.

"In your dreams." She murmured and walked to her room that was across from Bella's to get dressed.

~~~~~~

When Alex was done she looked in the mirror and smiled at her dark blue dress. She hated wearing them but she always made herself look good when it was a special occasion. She applied lip gloss onto her lips and fixed the curls in her dark brown hair before putting on some small black heels then she walked downstairs to see her dad, Bella and Bella's boyfriend talking. Her dad was the first to look up and smile, "You look great, Alex." He walked to his daughter, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Alex nodded, "Of course, what could possibly go wrong?" She asked as she smiled at Bella then looked at her boyfriend, "Hello." She said, "I don't think we've met." She put out her hand, "I'm Alex."

He smiled at the sister, "Nice to finally meet you, Alex. Bella has told me a lot about you." He took her hand, to which Alex didn't flinch at the coolness of his hand.

"Likewise. But just a warning, all the things she tells you about me are probably true." She joked. He chuckled and she let go off his hand.

As they left, Bella and Alex waved goodbye to Charlie and they got into Bella's truck and drove up to Edward's house, "Whoa. This is amazing." She gasped aloud.

He chuckled, "Thank you. Carlisle spent a few years building it."

"Himself?" She asked.

"Yes. Well he also had some help from some architects and builders of course." He explained.

Alex nodded and admired the view of the house. Edward stopped the truck and got out as well as Bella to which Alex followed suit.

They walked up the steps, through the door and down a set of stairs. Alex followed after Bella and looked at the house, 'It's beautiful.' Alex thought. She then walked down and Edwards sister, she assumed, walked forward to hug Bella. She then went to Alex and hugged her by which she was a little surprised but hugged her back nonetheless. "It's good to finally meet you, Alex. I'm Alice." She said.

"It's nice to meet you too Alice."

~~~~~~~

Alex stood talking to Carlisle about a few things whilst Edward and Bella were upstairs as Alice decided to fix a few things. She then watched Alice go upstairs and come back down with Bella and Edward, Edward being behind them as Alice dragged Bella down. Carlisle stood forward and took Bella by the arms, "Sorry about Alice. I tried to rein her in."

Alex looked at Bella and smiled as Alice took a picture of the two sisters hugging, "Happy birthday, Bells." Alex smiled then they looked at Alice who smiled sheepishly,

"I found this in your bag. You mind?" When Bella shook her head she smiled, "You first Rosalie."

Rosalie then handed out a long box to her, "It's a necklace." She stated blandly, not even looking at her. "Alice picked it out."

Bella took it, "Thanks."

Alice then pulled Edward next to Bella and smiled, "Show me the love!" She smiled and took another picture then handed Bella a gift wrapped box. "This one is from Emmett."

Bella took it and shook it next to her hear, not hearing anything then looked at Emmett.

Emmett smirked, "Already installed it in your car. Finally a decent sound system for that piece of-"

"Hey, don't - don't hate the truck." Bella joked as everyone apart from Rosalie chuckled.

"This one is from me." Alex said as she handed her a small box, "It's not much. Just a ring." She shrugged.

"Thank you." Bella smiled at Alex, gratefully.

Alice handed her another gift, "This on is from Carlisle, Jasper and I."

"Just a little something to brighten your day." Carlisle smiled.

Bella smiled at him and Jasper and went to open it but she instead got a paper cut. "Oh. Paper cut."

That's when it went downhill.

~~~~

It all seemed to move slowly as Jasper twitched and Edward threw Bella back. Carlisle and Emmett had to hold Jasper back because he was just too strong for Emmett.

Alex didn't know what happened next but she could just remember Jasper looked at her and growling, fighting against his brother and his father. That was when a blurry image ran towards her and threw her back and a vase smashed against her forehead.

"Jas. Jas?" Alice tried, "Jas, it's okay. It's just a little... Blood."

Carlisle told Emmett to get Jasper out of the room the he moved inhumanly fast towards Bella and took a hold of her arm. Alex thought it was because she hit her head and she stood up, swaying slightly. Alice looked at Alex before moving back,

"I can't. I'm sorry." After she left Rosalie followed and then Edward.

Carlisle took the sisters up to his office and Bella turned to Alex, "Do you mind waiting out here?"

Alex nodded, slumping to the ground and rested her head against the wall.