CHAPTER 14
I didn't get to speak to Edward that night. He turned up just as the first movie began, and left just as the last movie had finished. He got real use out of his vampire speed that night. It has been three weeks since then, and he is still holed up in his room, brooding and avoiding everyone. I made a decision from that night onwards: I would not push Edward anymore. He needed his space and time to heal. I can accept that. I do feel bad about how things turned out, but I can't help the fact that Edward and I were not meant to be. Our relationship was just a stepping stone to finding our true mates. I realise that this is hard for him, and if it was me in the same position, I wouldn't hang around. I was surprised he was still here. I couldn't bare to watch him brood and hide away anymore. He deserved happiness just as much as we all did. I decided to consult my own personal crystal ball; Alice.
I just had a lesson with Garrett using a sword. We started about a week ago. Not only was the sword heavy, but it was much more tedious and Exhausting than all the other training I had had to date, but I was determined to learn. You can run out of bullets, but a sword would never fail.
I lit a cigarette as I made my way back to the house. In the couple of minutes it took to walk back to the house, I had time to figure out exactly what I was going to ask Alice. Sure enough, she was already waiting on the front porch for me when the house came into view.
"What did you want to talk about, Bella?" She asked.
"Well, if you're already sitting and waiting for me, then surely you would already know." I said, sitting down next to her.
"You're still deciding what to ask. I only saw that you wanted to speak to me." Alice answered. I nodded my head.
"Take a walk with me? I don't want to be over heard." I asked. Alice smiled and jumped to her feet.
"Sure. Lead the way." Alice gestured to me. We walked back into the tree line and walked about 100 feet.
"Here is good. We are out if ear shot." Alice said, sitting on a large log and patting the spot beside her, silently asking me to sit. I walked the few feet and plonked ungracefully down beside her, taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly.
"What's on your mind?" Alice prodded, turning to face me with a gentle smile.
"Edward," I started. "I can't stand him being like this anymore; all the brooding and hiding away he does. I can understand, really, I do, but, does he... Will he be happy again?" I asked, raising my head to look at Alice. She pursed her lips, and her eyes glazed over for a few seconds before she gave me a large smile.
"Yes, he will. And soon, too." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Does he find his mate?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes." Alice said. I smiled.
"When?"
"It change's, but it could be anywhere between two weeks time to two months. But, even then it's still hazy. The only thing I know for sure is she is already a vampire and they will meet before the year is out." Alice said, flashing back into a vision that didn't last long.
"Can you tell me about her, Alice?" I asked, feeling happy that Edward's suffering would end soon.
"Well, she has brown hair, tall, and her name is Ana. She was born and turned in the same era as Edward, I believe. I can't see her eyes, though. In all my visions, I can't see her eyes. I can't tell you what her diet is. But, knowing Edward, I believe she will end up following the animal diet." Alice said, still smiling. I smiled too, not being able to contain my joy for Edward.
"Does he know? Has he seen any of your visions of her?" I asked.
"Not one. If I search his future, I run a few miles from the house so he doesn't know." Alice answered, her smile getting wider.
"Carlisle and Esme will be over the moon! But, we can't tell anyone. Let's just leave this as our little secret." I said, grabbing Alice's hand.
"I agree. It will be better this way." We both stood, and I pulled her into an embrace. We pulled apart and headed back to the house, talking about my training sessions and Garrett. Alice was intrigued by Garrett. Come to think of it, I noticed the way they would stare at each other when they thought no one was watching. Could they be..?
"Garrett's your mate." It wasn't a question.
"Yes, I believe so. I feel the pull, but I think he is ignoring it. He is very loyal to Jasper, Peter and Charlotte. He won't approach me on his own. I think it's because he doesn't know or understand the pull or the feelings he is experiencing. He has been alone for many years. In fact, I'm sure it's been since he awoke to this life." Alice rambled.
"It's ok Alice. I understand." I said, and before she could stop me, I called out Garrett's name. He was in front if me in a flash.
"Is there something you need, Bella?" He asked, looking perplexed.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. I need you to take a walk with Alice and accompany her on her hunt." I said with a mischievous smile plastered on my face. Alice stood with her mouth agape, and Garrett looked at me, completely confused and at a loss as to why I would request such a thing.
"Trust me, you won't regret it." I said, taking Garrett's hand and placing it in Alice's. With one last look at them, I turned on my heel and headed back inside. Jasper was beside me as soon as I closed the front door.
"You have been meddling." Jasper said, pulling me into his arms.
"Yes, but it needed to be done. They both needed a nudge and I was more than happy to help." I said with a wink. Jasper chuckled.
"I made you a bath. Would you like to join me?" Jasper asked, grabbing my hand.
"Do I need to answer that?" I said, rolling my eyes.
"No, I guess not, but I still like to ask." Jasper said, pulling me up the stairs. After our relaxing bath, we opted to spend some quiet time in our room, each of us reading a book. It only lasted an hour before Emmett burst in the room, challenging Jasper to play some warfare game on the xbox. I told him to go, that I would still be here when he got back. He kissed my temple and followed Emmett down the hall. I didn't mind, this gave me some time to reflect on everything uninterrupted. I ran through all my training sessions, pin pointing when I would be able to put it all in action. My solitude didn't last long, maybe another hour before Alice came bounding into my room and scooped me up in her arms.
"Thank you!" She squealed into my shoulder. I smiled, I could almost feel her glee.
"That's ok, Alice. Any time. I take it he finally saw the light and realised you are his mate?" I asked, pulling away from Alice.
"Yes, and he is everything I've ever dreamed of." Alice gushed.
"I'm happy for you." I said sincerely.
"Well, I didn't just come here to thank you, I came in here to talk about your birthday that's fast approaching." I groaned. Damn vampires and their perfect memory!
"Come on, Bella! It's in a week! I want to throw you another party! But this time, we won't wrap any presents." Alice said, suppressing a giggle.
"Fine, Alice." I said, rolling my eyes. "What have you got planned?" Alice smiled even wider, and took a seat on the bed.
"Well, I was thinking about inviting Charlie and the pack, of course. Nothing too big. Some cake, I'll use your iPod for music, and I will keep the presents to a minimum. And, we have some very old, very delicious champagne in the cellar." Alice said, her smile never faltering.
"Ok, I suppose it doesn't sound too bad, I think I can handle that."
"Good, because you are going to invite Charlie and the pack. Just tell them to turn up at six o'clock, and everything is provided." Alice said, jumping up from the bed.
"Oh, and the whether looks clear for the night, and surprisingly, not too cold. So, we shall have it outside." Alice said with one last smile, exiting my room and closing the door. I let out a sigh. This shouldn't be too bad. I'm sure Alice will use plastic plates and cups. Maybe I should go and find her to make sure she does. Wouldn't want a repeat of last year.