Chapter 14
Bella had spent all night contemplating how to end things with Edward, but her thoughts were interrupted by her phone vibrating. She recognized the name on the caller ID and knew what was coming.
"Hey Alice, how's it going?" Bella answered in a normal voice.
"Great, Bella. I wanted to speak with you. Could we meet up down at the casino floor?" Alice asked.
"Sure thing Alice, see you in a few," Bella responded.
As she walked into the casino, Bella spotted Alice and Jasper sitting at a table near the bar. She sat down with them, knowing full well what the conversation would entail.
"I guess you saw," Bella stated the obvious.
"Yes, I'm so sorry Bella that it didn't work out for you and Edward," Alice said sympathetically.
"I know. I really tried, but I finally saw the light last night that he would never change and I will never be the person he wants me to be," Bella replied.
"We understand, Bella. For what it's worth, we thought this would have happened a while ago. We know you gave him every opportunity, really more than he deserved," Jasper chimed in.
"How do you think the rest of the family will take the news?" Bella wondered aloud. While she wasn't worried that they would abandon her again, she understood that Edward had been a part of the Cullen family since the beginning.
"They will support both of you as needed, Bella. You know that," Alice assured her.
"I'd like to tell him myself, Alice. He deserves to hear it from me and not from someone's thoughts," Bella said determinedly.
"I know that's why I called you down here. Jasper and I can't promise not to let something slip, so we're going to take off for a week or two and visit Peter and Charlotte down in Texas. Edward knows that Jasper has been wanting to visit them for a while. This will give you the opportunity to tell him yourself when you get home," Alice said, her eyes filled with understanding.
"Thanks, Alice, and thanks, Jasper. It means a lot to know that you guys have my back. I hope the breakup won't be too bad for Edward, but I have a feeling it will be," Bella admitted.
"I've only seen bits and pieces, I can tell you it will be hard for him at first. Eventually, we'll all be a family again," Alice stated confidently.
"From that, it sounds like Edward will leave for a time. I don't want to drive him away from his family, Alice," Bella expressed her concern.
"We know, but Edward is the type that likes to be alone. You knew this about him. He did the same thing when he left you," Jasper chimed in.
"He won't do anything stupid like last time with the Volturi, right?" Bella worried.
"No, Edward won't admit it to himself, but Jasper has felt the same disillusionment about your relationship from Edward the same as he has from you," Alice said honestly.
"Edward is just too hard-headed to do something about it," Jasper added.
"Bella, you're someone who has always had a clear vision of what you want in life, and you have an amazing ability to make that vision a reality," Alice said confidently. "I have no doubt that you will navigate this difficult time with grace and emerge even stronger on the other side. Your future is bright Bella. I've seen it."
"Thank you, Alice. I'll see you both when you get back. Jasper, tell Peter and Charlotte to visit us sometime. I'd really like to meet them," Bella said as they prepared to leave.
"Will do, Bella. I've told them about you and all our training sessions, and they would like to meet you as well," Jasper said as they all hugged and said their goodbyes.
Bella stayed at a Blackjack table for a while to decompress from such a heavy conversation.
