Shopping with Alice
I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.
Tammy Faye Bakker
BELLA'S POV
For some reason, I needed to get away from Edward. I wasn't sure why exactly I was frustrated with him. But when I did remember, I didn't want to be near him, not trusting myself not to hurt him. I had no doubt that I could.
When I reached my bedroom at the Cullen's, my cell was ringing.
"Hello?" I asked, not looking at the caller ID.
"Isabella, why haven't you been picking up?" Iain asked.
I grimaced.
"Hey, Iain. I've been kind of out of it," I answered before launching into the full story of what was happening.
Iain, being one of the trusted clan members, knew of my powers and never questioned why I was named heir.
"Sounds like you have a great team of protectors. Now, for why I called. You are still planning on coming to fashion week this year, right?"
"Of course. That reminds me, the Cullens will be coming with me. Would be okay if they stayed with you, too?" How could I have forgotten about the trip was a puzzle, but a lot had happened in the past few weeks.
Iain laughed. "Do you have to ask, Isabella? The more the merrier, you know that. If they're coming I need to really get busy and much sure I have a few outfits for them to take home with them. I'll need measurements."
"Well, I would have to call Alice up and she could give them to me. It is a wonder how she has not barged in yet. We're going shopping this afternoon."
"Good to hear. You need to supplant your wardrobe. Stick to the colors I laid out for you, and you can't go wrong," he said.
"I will and I'll give Alice the list also. I better call her up here, and she can give you the information you need, hold on a minute."
I placed my phone down on my bed and walked out of the room to the stairs.
"Alice, can you come up here a minute, I need your help," I yelled down, not knowing if the other guests knew the Cullen's secret.
I went back into the room and to the closet, trying to decide what to wear.
"What do you need, Bella?" Alice asked.
"My cousin needs measurement for everyone. He always gives gifts of clothing to his houseguests," I said, motioning to the bed.
Alice picked up the phone and started giving the measurements needed as I pulled out a preassembled outfit. By the time I showered and finished getting ready for the afternoon out, Alice was finished and handed me the phone.
"Your cousin wants to talk to you again. Be quick," she said.
I rolled my eyes as I took the phone. "Iain," I said.
"Alice told me about the upcoming Valentine's Masquerade. Are you planning on going?" he asked.
"Yes. Although, Edward has yet to ask me to go with him. I wanted to talk to you about that anyway," I said, closing the door and putting a charm on the room to prevent anyone from overhearing. "Could you make three dresses using the measurements Alice just gave you for her and Rosalie's dress? They have done so much for me that I want to do something nice for them in return."
"No problem. I'll do it for free, a gift from the clan, if you would," Iain said with a chuckle.
"Iain, you don't have to do that. I'll pay you," I argued.
"I won't hear of it. What colors were you thinking and for who?"
"I know this is not one of my colors but I was thinking red for me, burnt orange for Rosalie, and hot pink with black for Alice."
"Red is one of your colors just not a focal color, though for this one night it will be. Are you sure about the other colors?" Iain asked.
"I am. I'll send you pictures of everyone tonight. I've been meaning to anyway," I admitted.
"I'll be excepting them especially with the timeframe you're giving me to get the dresses done. And I suggest keeping the other dresses a surprise. You can tell them about yours, though," Iain remarked.
"Thanks. I had best be going. I'll talk to you soon." I hung up the phone and removed the charm before leaving the room.
"Finally," Rosalie said when I appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "If I didn't know better, I would have thought Edward was holding you hostage."
"I heard that," Edward yelled from another room.
"I was talking to my cousin about our trip in a few months and about my Valentine's Day dress," I said as we walked out the door.
"Urgh, don't remind me." Rosalie said as we got into Alice's Porsche. "We have got to find ours today."
"That was the plan, though it sounds like Bella won't need to buy one. It must be great to have a designer as a cousin," Alice remarked.
"Not all the time," I said, shrugging not sure how to explain. "Oh, that reminds me. I need to supplant my wardrobe and have a list of colors for you, Alice."
Alice took the list from me and read over it while driving.
"Not surprising," she said, "these are the colors I would have picked out for you."
We arrived at the Northgate Mall in Seattle two hours later. The others had left before us and arrived at the same time as us. The first place we headed was a dress shop. Rosalie and Alice were not successful in finding anything there.
"I can't believe it," Esme said, "you two always find your dresses at that store."
"Is there another dress shop here?" Maisie asked.
"Not of the quality of that shop," Esme replied.
"Not to worry. We'll order online from Paris then," Alice commented.
"Your father will be thrilled," Esme said with a laugh.
Okay, that just answered my question, the others didn't know the Cullens were vampires and inherited from themselves every so often. Not to mention, they had more money than they could ever spend.
We spent the rest of the time going from shop to shop. With everyone's help, I was soon carrying several bags.
"Maybe we should run out to the car and stow these bags," I suggested.
"Give them here," Alice said, reaching for them. "Esme, Rosalie, and I will take them out. You keep shopping."
I watched as they left the group and a moment later my phone beeped. A text message from Alice.
"We'll join you again in an hour. The sun is about to come out but won't stay out longer than an hour."
Perfect, I thought. I can now speak with Daniela.
I asked Daniela to stay back with me as the rest of the group went into the record store.
"Can I talk to you about something?" I.
"Anything, you know that," Daniela answered.
Lowering my voice so passersby could not hear, I said, "Before I summoned Charlie to me Edward had kissed me."
"Yes, I know. Edward told us that much," she said.
I didn't know what to say to that piece of information and continued.
"I was really frustrated at him when Charlie appeared."
"Oh," Daniela said. "Why?"
I smiled at the typical therapist question. Not that Daniela was my therapist anymore, she was more of a friend I could talk about anything with.
"Ever since New Year's Day, the kisses he gives me is just a quick peck. I feels like he is kissing his sister and not his girlfriend."-
I knew tears were brimming, and I dashed them away quickly.
Daniela led me over to a bench and sat down next to me, wrapping her arm around me. "Have you told Edward how you feel?"
"I really haven't had the chance, and I just realized I felt that way yesterday," I replied.
Daniela stared at me a moment.
"Call him right now and make plans for tonight. A drive or a walk so you can talk. It doesn't have to be for very long," she said.
I nodded as I pulled out my phone and found Edward's number.
"Bella," he said, answering. "I would like to take you someplace tonight."
"And hello to you too, Edward. Where?"
"It's a surprise. I want to talk to you without prying ears."
"Edward, I hate surprises"—I took a deep breath, releasing it as my gaze met Daniela's—"but will let this one slide. I need to talk to you, too."
I could hear the smile in his voice as he responded.
"Okay, we'll leave when you get back. Do you know when that will be?" he asked.
"You're going to have to call Alice, and she just took some bags out to her car," I said.
"Is she shopping like crazy?" he asked.
"Nope, the bags are all mine."
"Really?" He sounded shocked. "I can't believe Alice hasn't bought anything."
"It's true. She has tried to buy me a few things, and I won't hear of it. I think I'll have to cave soon, though. You should see her face when I tell her no."
"I can only imagine," he said, chuckling. "Let her buy you a few things and anyone else for that matter."
I bit my lip. "I will. You better call Alice."
"I love you, Bella. I'll see you soon."
I returned his farewell and closed my phone.
"He beat me to the punch," I said.
"I heard. Where is he taking you?" Daniela asked.
"I wish I knew," I remarked with a laugh.
EDWARD'S POV
As soon as I hung up with Bella my phone rang. "Hello… Alice."
"Where are you taking Bella?" she demanded.
"What you don't know?" I countered, in a mocking tone.
"Edward, would I be asking if I did?"
Of course she didn't. I've become a master of not settling on anything concrete until the very last second. Although, I made a very conscious decision on where I was taking Bella. Alice not knowing could possibly mean that magic is in play.
"I guess not. And I'm not going to tell you either. Make sure Bella has something warm to wear. I know she has durable hiking boots, so she won't need those."
"Edward," Alice said in a curious voice. "What do you have planned?"
"Absolutely nothing," I lied. "I need to spend some time alone with Bella."
"I see," Alice remarked.
I rubbed the back on my neck. "What do you what me to say, Alice? I'm afraid I'll lose Bella again if I don't spend time with her."
Alice sighed. "I don't like not knowing, but since you talked Bella into letting me buy her something, I won't pester you."
"Thanks, Alice. How much longer will you be?" I asked.
"We'll get back home at seven."
"See you then," I said, hanging up.
That gave me three hours to get everything ready.
"Charlie, can you help me out?" I asked, coming downstairs before filling him in on what I had planned.
"Sounds like a good idea," Charlie said. "What are the coordinates of this field?"
"I'm not sure, but I can take you there," I said.
Charlie and I left, heading toward the field. Once we were on the outskirts, I turned to Charlie.
"This is the place. Can you figure out the coordinates from here?"
"Absolutely," he touched his badge and spoke to whoever was on the starship.
A moment later coordinates were read off.
"Store those coordinates and transport me up on my mark. Edward, I'll have everything set when you and Bella arrive."
"Here's the music," I said pulling out a CD from my pocket.
"Have fun tonight. Energize," he said and a moment later he vanished.