"I suddenly understand why Edward was so drawn to you. If I hadn't heard Charlie coming..." She trailed off, but I knew where that was headed. I looked at her then, her eyes were black now. I watched as she took an unnecessary breath and stood up. I'd never seen Alice so flustered before, I couldn't help but giggle a little. "This isn't funny!" She said pacing.

I burst into laughter, "It so totally is! I'm sorry, I can't find the downside to this!" I fell backwards still cracking up.

"Bella!" She started to giggle and it was the most amazing sound I'd ever heard. In fact, it stopped me in the middle of my laughing fit. Alice stopped too, and looked at me funny. "What?"

"Sorry, you just have such a beautiful voice." I covered my mouth with my hand. Had I said that out loud? I was pretty sure that if Alice had been able to blush, she would have.

"How did this happen? I mean I came back because I felt something for you. But it was minor compared to how I feel now." Alice sat back down on the bed.

"How do you feel now?" I asked curiously. Honestly, I was intoxicated, I saw Alice in a whole new light. All I wanted was for her to kiss me again.

"Mmm, a little shocked, awed, excited, maybe a little scared."

"Scared? You're scared of me?" I was surprised by that.

"I'm a little scared of how you make me feel. It's such an intense feeling. I almost can't keep my hands off of you." I couldn't help but smile, my feelings for Alice were out of control now, was I really that blinded by Edward?

"So, what do we do now?" I asked trying to be serious.

"Well, actually I have to go find Edward and calm him down. Carlisle's worried he might do something stupid."

"If he's that mad, I want you to stay away from him. What if he hurts you?" I put my hand on top of hers and relished the feeling of her soft, cold hand.

"I'll be fine, I'll take someone with me. It's my fault he's like this anyway. If I had just stayed away, he never would have come back here." She said sadly. I squeezed her hand gently.

"But then this never would have happened. I'm the one that really pissed Edward off anyway. If anything he should be mad at himself for leaving...jerk." Alice giggled at that.

"I wish I could just let him go be mad. But if he does something to bring the Volturi here, they won't let you live. You know way too much, they'd see you as a liability." Alice explained. I knew this should worry me, but I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. My eyes moved to her lips and she smiled.

"Bella, are you even listening? We have lots of time to focus on that later. Your killer ex is running around Forks." She said jokingly. My eyes shot up at that statement.

"You don't think he'd hurt anyone do you?" I asked worried.

"There's no telling, Edward has gone to humans before. I'm hoping he isn't that mad though. Last time I checked on him, he was in a bar drinking, even though we can't get drunk." This was news to me, I guess no blood means no alcohol intoxication.

"Where is he now?" I asked curiously.

"I'm not sure, he won't make his mind up. He must know I'm watching him." I heard Charlie climbing the stairs, Alice jumped over the bed and crouched low to the floor. I laid down facing away from the door and closed my eyes. I heard the door open and then close again. I sat up and Alice popped up on the other side of the bed.

"I really hope Edward doesn't do anything stupid." I said as she stood up.

"I've gotta go look for him, but I'll be back before you fall asleep tonight. I promise." She said and then leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. I wanted so bad to hold her there and kiss her more, but I held back.

"Okay, I won't sleep till you're back in this bed though." I said stubbornly.

"I'll hurry." And just like that she was gone. My room suddenly felt empty and cold. I shivered and grabbed my blanket, wrapping it around me. It hit me then that I still needed to go Christmas shopping. Thank god I had Alice, I'm sure with her I could get it done fast. My dad had put the tree up in November, but I had been too depressed to take any interest. I wandered downstairs still in my blanket. Charlie was on the couch watching tv and drinking a beer as usual. The Christmas tree sat next to the tv, lights twinkling brightly. He looked at me and smiled, I smiled back and sat down on the couch next to him.

APOV

"I owe all of you a huge apology." My entire family, except Edward, sat on the couches in the living room. They had all returned to Forks the moment they found out Edward had gone missing. "I should have waited for things to settle and Edward to move on before I came down. I also should have asked Edward first. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course we can, honey." Esme responded and came and gave me a hug. "You didn't do anything wrong, Bella needed a friend. What kind of family are we to abandon one of our own?" I could see the sadness in her eyes. I realized then that Bella was like a daughter to Esme.

"I've been watching for Edward. Last I saw he was out in the woods. I'm hoping that's a sign that he's still a vegetarian." I commented hoping that I was right, and Edward was nothing to worry about.

"We need to at least locate him and be sure. Then we can leave him be. On the other hand though, Victoria is still making appearances from time to time. The Quiluete wolves have kept her at bay. But I think we need to keep a closer eye on Bella." Carlisle added.

"I'm sure Alice can handle that." Emmett smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye. Esme gave me a strange look, but Carlisle was clueless.

"You're right Emmett." He said looking over at me. "Alice you need to be with Bella as often as possible and not far away when she has to be alone. The rest of us will continue to hunt down Victoria." Carlisle laid out the plan. Emmett couldn't help but giggle a little, Rose punched him in the shoulder and he quit. Carlisle just gave him a stern look. I thought for a moment about telling Carlisle and Esme how I felt about Bella. But decided now wasn't the time.

"Okay, I'm going to head back to Bella's house. I'll have my phone and you guys updated on Edward and Victoria's whereabouts." I said as I grabbed my jacket, which was just for looks, and went upstairs to pack a bag and call Bella.

I was neatly folding clothes and placing them in a small bag. I'd called Bella and made plans to stay the week with her. She'd told Charlie my family was going to a Caribbean island for Christmas and I'd opted out. She had invited me to spend Christmas with them. Of course Charlie had been concerned Edward would return but Bella reassured him that it was just me. I zipped up my bag as Esme entered my room. Jasper had been downstairs hanging out with Emmett.

"Alice, before you go, we need to talk." I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. She'd fully understood what Emmett's joke had meant.