L. Sugar, Spice, and Something Affright

The girls picked up Leah and I, bright and early on Saturday morning.

Despite the early hour, I was already in good spirits. Renée would finally be leaving for Florida tomorrow, the burns along my arm had fully healed, and I was going to shop at an actual mall for the first time since the pandemic struck.

Today would be a good day.

The thought was only confirmed when Rosalie pulled up in her gleaming red convertible and Esme stepped out from the front passenger seat.

"Esme!" I squealed, running forward to envelop her in a hug. "You're coming with us?"

Esme pulled back and flashed me a sweet smile. "The girls insisted."

"If Carlisle can take a day off to hang out with the boys, then so can you," Alice chirped from the back seat.

Esme laughed as she turned to push her seat forward, allowing us access into the back. "Hello again, Leah."

"Hey," Leah said. "Thanks for letting me hitch a ride."

"It's our pleasure," Esme assured her as I slid into the backseat next to Alice, Leah after me.

As soon as Esme was settled again in the front and Rosalie had taken off, Alice declared, "Leah, this is for you!"

Alice reached across me to present Leah with a white face mask, visible through the clear packaging.

"Ah, gee. You shouldn't have," Leah said dryly and took it from her hand.

"It's so that you don't get a headache from our scent," Alice cheerfully explained.

"Too bad that won't help the rest of us," Rosalie grumbled.

"Rose, don't be rude," Esme quietly admonished her, before saying in a clearer voice, "Leah, I hope this will make you feel more comfortable."

Leah ripped open the wrapper and stretched the mask to its full size before carefully winding the loops around the backs of her ears.

"Huh, that actually does help a little," Leah said, voice slightly muffled. "You guys aren't gonna wear one?"

"Since you've yet to transform, your scent isn't nearly as overwhelming. Plus, we don't need to breathe," Alice explained, her voice serving to draw me out of a sudden bout of déjà vu.

"Um, good for you?"

I cut in before Leah could say anything too insulting. "Thank you again for agreeing to give Leah a ride to Seattle. I know the whole 'natural enemies' thing isn't exactly ideal."

Alice reached over and squeezed my hand. "Anything for a friend of yours," she assured me with a genuine smile. "Leah, I'm also letting you borrow this."

Again, Alice reached across me. This time she dropped a small flip phone into Leah's hands.

"What's this for?"

"So we can call you in case plans change," Alice explained.

"Sure," Leah shrugged. "I'll return it after."

"Actually," Alice said. "I need you to keep it a tad longer than that."

Leah rolled her eyes. "Why?"

"You invited Isabella to a bonfire on Friday, correct?"

Of course, with the presence of the pack there, Alice had soon noticed my temporary disappearance that would result from my attendance. And I'd had to explain about going to the bonfire in La Push.

"Yeah. What of it?"

"The thing about wolves," Alice confessed. "I can't see them in my visions. If anything happens to Isabella, call me. Or any of us. All of our numbers are already programmed into the phone."

Leah scoffed in disbelief. "That's a bit drastic. The worst thing that'll happen is that I might make Emily cry again. I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Then there's no harm in doing us this favor," Alice said breezily.

Leah arched her eyebrows and shot me a look. "They keep you on a short leash?"

"You saw what happened to Emily," I reminded her quietly. "I don't blame them for worrying."

"Fuck," Leah said, eyes crinkling in what I assumed was a grimace mostly concealed by her mask. "Alright, you got it short stuff. I'll keep the phone on me."

Alice beamed. "Thank you!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Rosalie," Alice said, turning to the front. "Rachel will be waiting in the coffee house on University Way and 45th."

"Got it," Rosalie said.

"How did you…?" Leah frowned and shook her head. "Never mind."

I bumped my shoulder against her's. "You get used to it," I laughed.

"Do I need to?"

I exchanged a look with Alice. "I mean, you're in a car full of vampires. I imagine it won't be long before…"

"Before I explode into a massive ball of fur? Yes, I know," Leah deadpanned. "It's going to happen whether I like it or not. What we don't need is more kids on the reservation having their lives brought to a stop because you all decided to play house across the street from us."

Rosalie looked over her shoulder without the car deviating a single inch, expression severe. "We didn't know our presence would cause this. When we met Ephraim, he and his pack were already active."

"The doctor said as much," Leah said resignedly. "And seriously, thanks for the ride and all, but the sooner you all leave, the less bullshit magic I have to deal with back at the rez. I don't make the rules."

Rosalie rolled her eyes and turned back around.

"We understand, Leah," Esme said kindly. "I'm sorry our presence has caused you so much grief. But for now, all we can promise is that once we leave, we'll keep our distance."

Leah nodded. "I think that's for the best."

"Geeze, this conversation's gotten so gloomy," Alice pouted. "It's Saturday! Let's try to keep this upbeat, okay?"

Above her mask, Leah's eyes got big and her eyebrows furrowed. "Aren't you like a hundred year old vampire? Why do you sound like you're from a bad nineties sitcom?"

Alice scowled at her. "Hey! I'm barely a hundred and four this year."

I sighed. "Let's please keep this civil."

Fortunately, the rest of the drive went by quickly, mostly filled with Alice's exuberant chatter about all clothing items she wanted me to try on. It was a little overwhelming but her enthusiasm was contagious.

And with Rosalie's mad driving, it wasn't long before we reached the university campus.

"Be sure to call us if anything happens," I told Leah as she slid out of the car.

"I will. Have fun," she said distractedly, pulling off her mask and shoving it into her pocket, before striding off.

When we were on the road again, I turned to Alice and asked, "Have there been any updates on Serena?"

Alice shook her head. "Jasper and Edward are paying Jenks a visit today. But as far as I can see, he won't provide us with much of anything we don't already know."

I frowned. "Oh."

"Isabella, we can worry about that later tonight," Esme reminded me, peeking over her shoulder, eyes soft with concern. "For now, let's focus on having a pleasant day."

"Right," I said, abashed. "I will."

"I'm glad to hear it," she said with a lovely smile.

"So, where are we going shopping?" I asked. Seattle was huge, so there were plenty of options to choose from.

"Oh, you'll love it, Isabella," Alice turned to me and beamed. "I promise!"

I giggled. "I believe you."

Within a few minutes, Rosalie drove us across the lake from the university, and pulled into the parking garage located beside the shops.

"We have to stop by Jimmy Choo first," Alice was saying as we piled out of the convertible and into the dim lot. "There's this pair of shoes I saw that will go perfect with your prom dress."

I shot her a look as Esme closed the door behind us. "You think I'll make it to prom?"

Alice tilted her head. "It's a possibility I still see. But as you well know, my visions are subject to change."

Esme came up beside me and wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Let's stay optimistic. Alice has done a brilliant job with your dress."

I perked up. "You finished it?"

"Just about!" Alice grinned.

"I suppose that means we should pick out prom dresses as well," Rosalie said, coming around the other side of her car, locking it with a deafening beep that bounced between the low roof and cement walls.

"Oh yes!" Alice nodded as we crossed the lot and headed towards the stairway. "It's been so long since we last attended a prom!"

"And when was that?" I wondered.

"Back in the eighties," Rosalie said, expression softening. "We rarely participate in high school activities for obvious reasons, but occasionally Alice will convince us to the contrary. It was a good night."

"I remember," Esme recalled fondly, as we walked down the concrete steps. "You girls looked so lovely."

"Did you ever attend prom?" Alice asked me. "You know…before?"

"Yeah. No date though," I admitted sheepishly. "I went with a couple of my friends."

"Oh, but you have Edward now!" Alice squealed.

My cheeks turned pink and I smiled, pleased. "I do."

Outside was a perfectly dry, but overcast day to go shopping in Seattle, just as Alice had predicted.

Skyscrapers towered on either side of us, metal and glass reflecting gloomy skies and casting long, weak shadows across the sidewalks and streets. The blaring Saturday morning traffic and the foul stench of burnt rubber and exhaust fumes reminded me of why I didn't miss living in the city.

Fortunately, we only had to circle the city block where the parking garage was perched on to reach the shops.

"This way!" Alice bounded ahead when we arrived to the entryway, marked by a pair of tall sand-colored pillars. The high-end shopping plaza was a bright and clean utopia buried beneath hulking towers of concrete and glass, nestled between blacktop city roads and cramped car lots.

It opened up into a grand courtyard marked with smooth granite tiles, a sparkling fountain at its center, and dotted with bright plantlife―potted plants and neatly trimmed hedges lined the square fountain, benches arranged around sprawling planter boxes, and greenery draped across the second-story balconies.

Brilliant display windows edged the far side, sleek lettering above advertising brands like Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and Hermés. The shoppers roaming about the courtyard and the balconies above were sparse, but unmistakably wealthy.

Having once been on a teacher's salary, it wasn't all that surprising that I felt completely out of place. It was only Rosalie and Esme's solid presence walking on either side of me that kept me from bolting.

Alice suddenly reached around Esme and captured my hand, making a beeline for the escalator on the far left side.

"Wait up," I laughed, careening after her.

"You're too slow," she scolded me.

"And you're too fast!"

When we reached the escalator, she turned to me with a blinding grin. "You'll learn to love it."

"There's really no other choice," Rosalie said, stepping around us and boarding the escalator.

"Very reassuring," I snarked.

Esme ushered us after Rosalie with a tsk. "Don't go manhandling your sister, Alice. Isabella isn't as sturdy as the rest of us."

Alice pouted. "I was being careful, I swear!"

"I'll be the judge of that," I grumbled.

"We can argue about it later. We're here!" Alice suddenly cheered when we reached the top, skipping ahead towards the glass doors of Jimmy Choo.

As I expected, Alice steamrolled straight over the shop's attendant, pouncing directly on the pair of shoes she'd had in mind and presenting them to me.

It was love at first sight.

"Alice, these are beautiful," I said, plucking one of the open-toed platform heels from her hands and running a finger along the velvety texture of the suede.

"They'll go perfect with your dress!"

"Yes, they're just the right color," I beamed. The shoes were a bright indigo―the same shade of fabric Alice had used to make my prom dress.

"Rose, no. You'll find a better pair at Louis Vuitton," Alice suddenly said, towards where Rosalie and Esme were browsing across the way.

Rosalie returned the shoes onto the display shelf, trusting Alice's judgment implicitly. It was a glimpse into what the rest of our shopping trip would look like.

Esme and Rosalie never appeared bothered by Alice cutting their browsing short or shooting down initial opinions. They seemed content to follow her lead.

I soon learned my lesson, after arguing with Alice the first time and then realizing that the blouse I'd wanted to try on did not flatter me at all. Despite being pale still, the undertones of my skin were different and unfortunately, the same colors didn't compliment me as they had before.

The realization was sobering and I decided to comply with Alice. For now.

Time flew, and before I knew it, it was past lunchtime and my stomach was growling.

"You two go on," Rosalie said. "I'll take her to get lunch."

Alice pouted. "Don't take too long!"

"Alice," Esme admonished, shooting her a stern look, before turning to me. "Take your time, sweetheart."

"Thanks," I said, flashing her a quick smile before turning and hurrying after Rosalie, shopping bags bouncing against my legs. "Wait up!"

She slowed long enough for me to catch up. "This way."

Rosalie lead me back through the opposite courtyard of the one we'd entered, taking the path hidden behind the escalator, past the fire pit, all the way to the end, where we entered through the shining glass doors of an Asian restaurant.

After we were seated, I asked her, "How come you wanted to accompany me to lunch?"

"One of us had to," Rosalie said, pretending to browse the menu. "It'd be stranger for three of us to watch you eat, rather than only one of us. We'd prefer not to have to choke anything down."

"Oh, true," I snorted, skimming the items listed on the menu.

"And I could tell you were ready to bite Alice's head off."

"That obvious, huh?"

Rosalie shot me an amused smile. "You learn to trust her at her word."

I set the menu down and crossed my arms along the edge of the table. "It's not that."

"Isn't it?"

I shook my head, glaring down at the silverware. "Before, I could tell at a glance what types of clothes would look great on me, whether it was the color, the cut, or the pattern. Shopping for winter clothes in this body wasn't too bad, because I expected most of it to be baggy anyway, but today…"

Rosalie reached across the table and gently squeezed my forearm. "It's going to happen again."

I stared up at her. "What do you mean?"

"It won't be as drastic," she amended. "But when you turn, your skin color will change again, and parts of your body will be enhanced. You'll look different. Clothes won't look the same on you, as they do right now."

I sighed. "I didn't even think about that."

"Everything will change for you again," she said. "Are you prepared for that?"

I grimaced. "No. Not at all."

"Then at least be aware of it. Not everyone has the luxury of foresight."

I nodded, face grim. "Anything else you'd like to warn me about?"

She eyed me for a moment and said, "You already know this, but we have a dress code. We dress in ways that are not meant to be attention grabbing. Just…be ready to have limited options. At least when we're playing human."

"Ugh, you're right," I recalled with a sigh. "That must be frustrating."

She tilted her head in agreement. "It is, but I also enjoy pretending to be human. Even if I have to stick to the same color palette for a few hours."

I huffed a small laugh. "It won't matter so much. I'm a long ways from that, Rose."

"Meaning you'll be sticking to the cheaper stuff. Newborns aren't typically known for their delicate touch." She glanced back at the menu. "Alice says you'll like the Thai mushroom satay the best."

I wrinkled my nose. I wasn't really a mushroom type of girl. Then again, who could forget the infamous mushroom ravioli?

"I guess if Alice said so," I said with an exasperated smile. "What's her suggestion for the main course?"

"I think she's left that up to you."

My eyebrows arched in disbelief. "I'm shocked."

Unexpectedly, Rosalie laughed. "She's trying."

"I know," I said, expression softening. "I do appreciate her. Today's just been a little more overwhelming than usual."

I glanced back towards the menu again and settled on the kung pao chicken. I had no idea if it would taste as good as before. I could only hope.

After the waiter took my order, Rosalie looked to me with a pensive expression. "I've been meaning to tell you…you were wrong before. But you were also right."

I frowned. "What are you referring to?"

"About…motherhood."

"Oh." I straightened up in my seat, my attention fully captured. "I won't apologize for everything I've said regarding the matter, because you asked me not to. But please, share your thoughts."

Rosalie offered me a wry smile. "I would like that," she said. "You were right, when you said that motherhood was not the fairytale I wanted it to be, but…"

She paused for a long while, gaze becoming unfocused, so I prompted her, "But what?"

Rosalie's eyes shifted back to mine. "But I cannot change the part of me that believes that."

I withheld a sigh. "Of course not. You're unchanging."

"Unfortunately, yes," she agreed. "But just because I cannot stop believing it, does not mean I did not need to adjust my attitude. I've hurt both Carlisle and Emmett for a long time. I knew that and I didn't care."

"I doubt that's true," I said with a shake of my head. "I'm sure there's a part of you that cared, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."

She gave a slight shrug. "Maybe. But blaming Carlisle, cherishing a dream more than I did my husband―it was easier, and as cruel as it sounds, it made me feel better. But you know them. They took it silently, never speaking up in their own defense. Not against me."

I hummed. "You have them wrapped around your fingers."

Rosalie smiled sadly. "I do. That's why my mistreatment of them would've never changed. Not until you called me out on it."

"They weren't my reason for doing so," I admitted. "You confronted me and I was on the defensive. And then, it all sort of just came out."

"Of course it did," she huffed delicately. "That seems to be a bad habit of yours."

I laughed sheepishly. "You got me there."

At last, my food arrived and I happily dug in.

The Thai mushroom satay was heavenly. It was only mildly infuriating.

Rosalie shot me a knowing smirk.

I rolled my eyes and then took a bite out of the kung pao chicken. My eyes grew big.

"Is it bad?" Rosalie asked curiously.

I finished chewing and swallowed. "This actually tastes better than before."

She arched an eyebrow. "Before?"

"Uh, before, in my other body," I explained awkwardly and waved a hand in my own general direction. "New body, new taste buds."

"Oh," she said, appearing slightly surprised. And then, she peeked over her shoulder. "Something's wrong."

I leaned in my seat to look around her, an uncertain type of dread filling me when I saw Esme and Alice.

They were headed directly for us. In one hand, Esme carried an accumulation of shopping bags, while her other hand was clasped firmly around Alice's, who trotted after her like a child, eyes lost.

As soon as they reached our table, Esme said, "We need to go."

But Rosalie was staring at Alice. "What did you see?"

Alice cocked her head to the side, eyes glassy as she murmured, "Isabella's gravestone…the death date is becoming clearer."

A/N: Sorry for the delay. Writer's block is a nasty plague, but I've finally overcome it! :')

A big shout out to everyone who bugged me! It did the trick! ;)

And thank you to everyone who kindly keeps reviewing this story. It means everything!