*POV BELLA*
If you had told me a year ago that this would be my life... Vampires and wolves, imprints and mates. I wouldn't have believed you. But here we are, and everything is perfect. Too perfect if I was to be honest. I watch my love and our families play baseball. Even though everyone tells me to relax and enjoy the happiness. Life has taught me nothing last forever. I must have zoned out because the next thing I know, there's a ball clocking me in the head. I feel the blood dripping down over my eye.
Alice: EMMETT!
Rose: what the hell is wrong with you!?
Everyone is next to me instantly. Emmett taking off his shirt, handling it over to Alice to put over my eye. Her black eyes glaring at him.
Emmett: I'm so sorry Bella. I thought you would catch it. Wolfie genes would kick in or something.
Bella: Don't worry bro. I'm ok. Seriously guys, it'll heal in no time. Besides it's on me, I wasn't paying attention.
I take the shirt from Alice and show her the wound is already healing. I won't lie and say it didn't hurt because it damn sure did. But I'm fine. The others stroll back to their positions. I can hear them debating about continuing the game while Rosalie tells Emmett off some more. Alice's eyes bore into the side of my head, but I don't turn to look. She eventually gives up and sits down next to me, laying her head on my shoulder. Without skipping a beat, I softly kiss her forehead.
Alice: what were you thinking about?
Bella: if I tell you nothing would you believe me?
Alice: well after that answer… no I wouldn't.
Bella: I was just thinking the same thing everyone thinks when things are too perfect. You know waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Alice: well until it does, can you just live in the moment? Now come on, we're losing!
Bella: between you and Edward, we should be winning. But come on…
I grab her hand as we go to join the others. The wound fully mended by the time we walked across the field. After another hour, our team wins by 10. With Esme promising a celebration dinner to the winning team, everyone starts heading back to the Cullen house. Even though our team won, she still sends Alice and I out to get the food. We don't mind, because at times the house gets too crowded. Not that there isn't space, it's a very big house. But with all the Cullens, Jake, Paul, Leah, Charlie and Billy. It tends to feel a lot smaller. Even though Alice's car is a lot faster than mine, she loves when I drive my car. Besides it gives her control of the radio which ends up playing nothing but Taylor Swift. With Esme's list in hand, we had over to the grocery store.
Alice: Esme wants to have a big thanksgiving dinner for EVERYONE, next week.
Bella: she doesn't have to. It'll be too much to feed all the wolves.
Alice: Bella, if you haven't noticed, Esme is in her happy place when she's hosting. She loves cooking for you guys. Hell, look at what we're doing right now.
Bella: ok ok, I'll let everyone know. But we're going to help her. I don't want her having to do everything herself.
Alice doesn't say anything, just smiles and squeezes my hand as we pull into the parking lot. When she hands me the list, I roll my eyes at the amount of steaks Esme's requesting we get. Grabbing a cart as we head inside. We decide to leave the meats for last, wanting them to stay as fresh as they can. I never would've thought grocery shopping would be so entertaining till I started doing it with Alice. The enjoyment she gets when she's picking out a tomato makes my heart swell.
Alice: ok, we got the potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, lemons, onions, sodas… you get the steaks! I'll get the bread!
Bella: yes ma'am. Can you get some of the cupcakes Leah likes?
Alice: of course!
I shake my head and hold back a laugh, watching her skip to the bakery side of the store. Turning, I head to the back of the store to place the order for the steaks. The butcher sees me and before I can even say anything, starts layering them up. Over the last few months, he's gotten use to our big orders of meats. Her scent hits me before I can turn around.
Lauren: Bella!
My body immediately freezes when she comes up and hugs me.
Lauren: it's so good to see you again. Oh, wow that's a lot of meat. Are you guys having a party down at the Res? How are the guys? I haven't been down to see them, but I've missed them over the years.
She takes a step back dropping her arms from around me. Looking at her now, with no anger in me, she hasn't change. Her eyes are still the same shade of dark chocolate brown.
Bella: Lauren… I guess you're visiting again.
Lauren: well, actually I moved back home… I'm getting a divorce, and I have more support here. Family you know.
Bella: sorry to hear that. Well, I wish you the best. See you around Lauren.
I turn to leave, wondering why Alice hasn't come to my rescue. She must surely hear our conversation. Before I can turn down the aisle, her hand grips my arm.
Lauren: Bella… oh wow, I didn't realize how buff you were now. Really looking at you, you're taller. And your eyes!
Bella: what do you want Lauren?
Lauren: Bella, I just don't want things to be awkward. Since I'm back, we'll run into each other a lot.
Bella: I doubt it, but you have a good day, Lauren.
Lauren: I took a job at the school.
Bella: you… you took a job at the school? Why… why would you do that Lauren?
Lauren: I needed a job. Listen Bella, I know things ended badly between us. And I know it's all my fault. I cannot tell you how deeply sorry I am. Bella, I never stopped loving you. I would've… I would've made it up to you. Would've fixed things. But my dad… well you know how he was… look Bella, can we just go somewhere and talk? Dinner? Coffee at least?
Alice: hey Lauren! Nice to see you again. Guess you're back in town.
Lauren slowly drops her hand from around my arm when Alice starts making her way towards us. Not before Alice had a chance to zero in on it. She places the cupcakes into the cart, before giving me a quick kiss on my cheek and wraps around my arm. I hear her heartbeat quicken. Lauren's already pounding a mile a minute.
Alice: I was able to find the cupcakes love. Are you ready to go?
The small smile on Lauren's face drops.
Lauren: well, I guess you guys are together now. My you do move quick Bella.
Alice: actually, we took our time. But your advice helped. We really do have to get going though. Don't want to keep the guys waiting. As you see we have a lot to cook. You'll have to take a rain check on that coffee, was it?
Lauren: yeah, if it's ok with you.
Alice: Bella doesn't need my permission. She's her own person and can make her own decisions. Anyways, we really do have to go. We'll see you around Lauren.
I don't say anything as Alice leads us to the front. I can feel the anger rolling off of her. When I reach out to hold her hand, hoping it would calm her, she side steps out of my reach. We quickly pay and I grab the bags as we head out. She doesn't say a word as we get to the car, quickly getting in and slamming the door. Causing me to wince at the damage it probably caused. I drop the bags into the trunk and turn to get into the car. Taking a deep breathe before stepping in.
Bella: Alice…
I hear a low growl coming from her. She looks away and rolls down the window.
Alice: you smell like her.
I take a sniff and notice the lingering smell on my shirt. I don't say anything just start heading to her house. She doesn't turn on any music. She's not even breathing. Shit… her heartbeat has slowed back to normal. At least her heartbeat normal. When we pull into the driveway, she hops out and rushes into the house. I hear her room door slam as I pull the bags out. I walk in to a room full of eyes on me. All with a questioning look. A look of motherly worry on Esme.
Edward: Bella, what happen?... oh…
We share a look, and I know he must have heard Alice's thoughts. He gives me a small frown. Disappointment?
Jake: what happen?
I don't say anything, knowing Eddie will tell him. I put the bags on the counter and start to head upstairs. The sounds of the others heading out can be heard as I wait outside her door, I'm sure knowing the possibility of this outcome. Now it's just both of our heartbeats. Mine beating out of my chest and hers a little too calm. I take a deep breath before stepping in. She's standing with her back to me, staring out her window.
Bella: Alice… Alice, can you look at me?
Alice: Bella, you smell like her.
Bella: I know and I'm sorry, she hugged me and…
Her growl cuts me off.
Alice: she hugged you and you didn't stop her.
Bella: she caught me off guard. Alice, can you please just look at me?
She quickly spins around, her eyes the darkest I've ever seen.
Alice: why didn't you stop her?
Bella: she caught me off guard and when I went to walk away, she caught my arm, you saw that.
Alice: I saw that you stayed. Do you still want her?
Bella: what?!
Her heartbeat picks back up. I step towards her wanting to calm her, but she takes a step back, stopping me.
Alice: Do... you... still… want… her?
Bella: Alice don't be ludicrous.
Alice: you didn't answer my question.
Bella: because you're being crazy.
Alice: I'm not being crazy. You're avoiding my question. Do you still want her? Did you want to go get coffee with her? Because you can. I meant what I said, you can make your own decisions.
No words come to me, and we just remind in a staring contest. Do I want to go get coffee with her? If this had been before Alice, I would've said yes in a heartbeat. I would've wanted so many answers. I would've… would've or still want to? I want to say yes, I want to know why. But I don't want to do it if it'll hurt Alice. My wolf growls at me as I stand by not saying anything. I'm pulled out of my thoughts as I see venom pool in her eyes.
Bella: Alice… I…
She turns back to her window.
Alice: Bella leave.
Bella: what?
Alice: leave.
Bella: Alice…
She snaps back, growling at me to leave but I stand my ground not wanting to leave things like this.
Alice: Bella, leave my room. I don't want to see you and I want to be alone.
The words cut through me. She doesn't want to see me. Can I blame her? I didn't reassure her. I should've reassured her that I only want her. Taking a deep breathe, I turn to open the door. My wolf growls at me to stay, but we have to give her what she wants.
Bella: I love you.
She makes no reply. After a minute, I turn back to look at her and she's gone. Fuck…
*POV ALICE*
I run. I run away as fast as I can. Away from her. Away from the look on her face. She didn't say no. She… didn't… say… no… Without thinking, my body takes me to my hill. Our hill. The lingering scent of our love making from yesterday fills my lungs. A scent that typically brings me bliss now scorches inside of me. She didn't say no. Lauren's back and she didn't say no. A million thoughts run through my head before the realization kicks in that Bella didn't come after me. She didn't say no, and she didn't even follow. My knees give out from under me. I don't know how long I've been here, but soon the sun starts setting in the distance over the ocean.
Alice: you can come out.
Rose: thank you for not running away to Alaska this time.
Alice: yeah…
She takes a seat next to me. Putting her arm around me and pulling me into her side. I feel the venom pool again.
Rose: want to talk about it?
Alice: Lauren's back.
I hear the growl in her chest, but she doesn't let it out. She's giving me a chance to speak without inserting her thoughts.
Alice: she's getting a divorce and moved back. She asked Bella to get coffee so they can talk. And Bella didn't say no.
Rose: is that who she smells like?
Alice: unfortunately, Lauren hugged her. And Bella didn't stop her. Nor did she tell her no to coffee. When I asked Bella if she still wanted her, she didn't answer. And when I asked Bella if she wanted to go talk to her, she didn't answer.
I hear the low "oh". She doesn't say anything, waiting on me to continue.
Alice: I told her to leave me alone. And she didn't follow. She was suppose to follow.
Rose: oh sis. She wasn't suppose to follow. She did what she should've done. Listened to you and respected your wishes.
Alice: She was suppose to say no to her. Tell me no when I asked if she still wanted her.
Rose: I know that's what you wanted her to say, hell it's what I wish she had said. But I'm sure she didn't want to lie to you… now wait… I'm not saying she wants Lauren. Bella loves you. You're who she wants to be with.
Alice: no, I'm who her wolf wants to be with.
Rose: Alice….
I push Rose away, knowing what she's going to try to say.
Alice: her wolf wants me. He picked me. Yeah, she said she chose me but that was before Lauren came back. Lauren broke up with her. Bella didn't break up with her. That was her first love. Now she's back and getting divorce and will be available again. What's to stop Bella?
Rose starts laughing and I fight the urge to smack her.
Rose: her love for you stops her. Bella doesn't want her. Alice, look at me… Bella wants you. Bella loves you. Bella wants to marry you. She probably just needs closure. Considering how things ended, I mean didn't you need closure too? Weren't you all excited when Jasper came back?
Alice: that's not the same!
Rose: Alice… you should talk to her. Give her time to process and hear her out. Stop… I know you. Give her a chance to process and explain. She loves you. And I'm sure she loves only you.
She pulls me into a tight hug. We've fought many times before but when it comes down to it, Rose is the best big sister. I didn't have a big sister in my human life, but I did have a little one. I hope I was the big sister; Rose is to me. She's always tells me the truth. She's always wanted me to be happy. She's always been a type of glue when I've started to come apart. I realize right then, it's not her arms that I want. I want Bella's, no I need Bella's. But will she even want me now? I was an idiot. I didn't give her a chance to talk. I told her to leave me alone and then I ran away. But what if she does want Lauren. What if Rose is wrong and she wants to get back with her? What if she leaves me? The thoughts run back in through my head. The heartbreak feeling crashes into my chest and my knees give out again. Rose catches me before they hit the ground. I cling to her like my life depends on it, wanting the sister glue to keep me together.
Rose: stop it Alice, she loves you. Only you.
I feel the venom that pooled in my eyes start falling down my face. Before I can acknowledge it, Rose jerks my face up.
Rose: you're crying? Alice… you're crying!
I touch my cheek, and I feel it. It's not water, it's venom but it's falling. Our shock is cut short by a heartbreaking howl in the distance.
Alice: Bella….
Before you come at me about Alice's reaction and behavior. Remember, this is her first real relationship. Think about your own, how crazy love made you a few times. :)
Hey to the newbies! Thanks for the continuing support! Once the kids go back to school, I'll have more time to focus and get back on track guys!