4. Meeting With The Cullens

I ended up not going to Charlie's house, but directly to the Cullens'. It was, to me, my real home. As I drove out of Forks, I felt distinctly safer. When I got onto the long, shady driveway that led to their house, I felt as though no harm could come to me.

When I finally saw their spectacular house, I actually sighed in relief. It felt so good to be here again, to know that I would soon be surrounded by beings who wanted to keep me safe and who cared about me. I was so excited to be seeing them again that I left my truck running and had jump back in to turn it off. Then I ran up to the front door and knocked hard.

"It's Bella!" I yelled as a warning. I didn't want to surprise anyone. That could end very badly.

Esme answered the door.

"Esme!" I exclaimed. I felt a strong urge to hug her.

"Bella! What a surprise. I didn't think you'd be back until Edward finished hunting."

My face fell.

"He's not back yet?" How disappointing.

"No, honey, I'm sorry. But he should be back later this afternoon. Would you like to come in anyway? Alice, Carlisle and Rosalie are home." Her heart-shaped face was full of invitation. Even if I had wanted to say no, I couldn't have.

"Bella!" came a voice.

"Alice!" I cried. "Where are you? I tried to look past Esme, who stepped aside, smiling.

Alice came down the staircase quickly, obviously happy to see me. She gave me a big hug, though she was careful not to crush me.

"Oh," I said, seemingly bored,"There you are."

Alice laughed. The sound was like wind chimes, music in my ears.

"Don't over-excite yourself, now. Come to my room, I've got some, er, stuff we can do." She glanced at Esme. I did too, just in time to catch a conspiratorial wink.

Strangely, I suddenly became wary.

"Alice," I warned,"don't do something you'll regret."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't regret it at all. In fact, I just know I'm going to enjoy myself! And you will too!"

"I seriously doubt that."

She laughed again.

"You're such a pessimist! Come on! You aren't a coward, are you?" she teased.

"Yes, actually, I am, and proud of it!" I replied, chin high.

"Ha! Well, you're an honest coward at leasr! Now come on up to my room."

I sighed. No sense arguing with Alice when she was in one of these moods. I looked at Esme, my last chance being that she would take pity on me and save me.

"Sorry, Bella. You heard Alice. Go to her room!" she attempted the angry mother voice, making it sound as though we were in trouble. But she was smiling, so it ruined the effect for me.

I grudgingly followed Alice to her and Jasper's room, and she led me right into the bathroom. It was about the size of a bedroom, complete with a toilet, a giant bathtub that was more like a hot tub, a sink with 2 toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste on the side, and a mirror over the sink.

"Wow," I breathed. "This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been tortured in."

"Oh, stop it, Bella. You know you're interested." She opened the cabinets under the sink and reached in with one hand. With the other, she grabbed my wrist.

"So that you don't try to escape," she explained.

"As if I would make it very far," I muttered under my breath, knowing she would hear. Then, to my horror, I saw what she took out from under the sink.

"Alice, put that back right now. Drop it." The bright box could only contain one thing : makeup. I imagined grabbing it as soon as she let go and emptying it into the toilet.

"Don't even try, Bella. I saw that. This will be fun, don't you worry." She pulled me back out to her room and sat me down on the ground. She took the lid off the box. As I had feared, it contained makeup. But it appeared there was another kind of kit inside the box. It was a hot pink purse-type thing, and the first item that Alice pulled out.

"What is that?" I asked warily.

"This, my dear Bella, is a home spa kit. It comes with a rujevenating mask made with real avocado extract! And you," she added menacingly, "are going to wear it. Got it?"

I decided to try another tactic. She didn't react to resistance, so what if I cooperated? I forced all the fake enthusiasm I had into my voice.

"Got it. Let's do this!"

It worked. Sort of. Alice seemed surprised, but opened the kit anyway. Inside, there was a package of green goop, two white cloths and a CD. On top of it all was a small page of instructions.

" 'Spread the mask over your face quickly, avoiding contact with eyes. Wash your hands, then put the calming CD in your CD player and relax. The mask will harden, and you will experience a tingling sensation. Enjoy for as long as desired. Then, carefully lift the mask off. Wipe off the remains with a wet cloth. Enjoy your spa party! In the case of contact with your eyes, immediately contact the nearest doctor or optometrist…' " She broke off. "Let's not read that part, shall we? Ready?"

She took out the pack of toxic-looking liquid, preparing to rip it open. I stalled.

"Uh, maybe you should open that with a pair of scissors, Alice. I wouldn't and stain your floor or our clothes."

She looked at me suspiciously, but left the room. Unfortunately, she was backin a few seconds with a pair of scissors, a wide grin on her face. She slowly cut the pack open. I gulped.

"Uh, you know what Alice? I think I might be allergic to avocado…" Too late. She was already spreading the goop all over my face. Ew. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"All done!" she cried triumphantly.

"Your turn!" I replied. I tried to grab the pack from her hands, but she dodged. Just then, I heard the noise of a door opening downstairs.

"Honey, I'm home!" called Emmett. If Emmett was home, so was Edward!

I jumped up, racing out of Alice's room and to the top of the stair case. And there he was.

Edward stood just inside the doorway, but even from the stairs I could see that his eyes were a beautiful topaz color.

"Edward!" I called. I started down the stairs.

"Bella! What happened? Were you in an accident? Why is your face covered? Are you okay?" He was at my side on the staircase.

I stayed completely serious.

"It's Alice! Look what she did to me! Now I have to wear this awful green mask! She was so mean to me!"

"Alice!" bellowed Edward. "Get out here right now!"

Alice appeared instantly.

"What have you done to my fiancee?" He said in a low voice.

Alice appeared shocked.

"Why, Edward! Why are you so upset? It's just a home spa kit, a rejuvenating mask. Oh, no! She's not actually allergic to avocado, is she?" She seemed genuinely worried.

I cracked up. I couldn't help it. I had fooled Edward and Alice! Alone! No help!

I took off the mask easily, and smiled up at my 6 foot 2 sweetie.

"My face is fine, Edward. But I'm seriously scarred for life. She honestly scared me, with her dramatics." I searched his face for any sign of laughter. I expected him break out at any second. Instead, he stepped back and held me at arm's length, looking me over carefully.

"So you're fine? You're sure? You're not hurt at all?" He seemed anxious.

"Yeah, I'm okay, Edward. Why wouldn't I be?" Something was bothering him. Why else would he be genuinely scared for me? "Tell me," I whispered, knowing that everyone else would hear me.

Edward passed a hand over his face. He suddenly looked very weary.

"Everyone should find out together, I think. Emmett, Jasper?" He looked at them for confirmation. Emmett nodded.

"Let's go to the living room," suggested Jasper. We all walked to the huge room. Esme and Carlisle were already there and sat on one of the couches. Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rosalie all grabbed chairs. Edward led me to a loveseat. I didn't lean on him, but moved to the other side of the small couch so that I could see him better. He looked directly at me, and I noticed Jasper and Emmett did too, causing everyone to look at me. I squirmed uncomfortably.

"What?" I asked. Edward took my hands in his cold ones.

"Bella, I'm deeply sorry. Truly, I apologize. But…on our hunting trip, Emmet, Jasper and I found something rather disturbing. Bella, I don't know how to tell you this, but…Jacob Black is dead." He held his breath, probably expecting me to break down crying. Well, I'd give him a shock.

"I know," I said simply.

"You…know?" Edward asked, unbelieving.

"Yeah. Suspected it last night, found out for sure this morning. Know how it happened, who did it and why. I also know why he died, where and when. Anything else left to cover?"

"How did you find out?" asked Jasper.

Knowing my answer could cause some unwanted reactions, I decided to look down as I answered.

"I asked the pack." I held my breath.

"The…pack," said Edward slowly.

"Yeah. You know, the La Push boys."

"Please tell me you did that over the phone, Bella."

"Uh…do you really want me to lie?"

"Dammit, Bella! The time I'm not here, you decide to go to La Push, alone with a pack of werewolves, and chat calmly? Why?"

Now I started my defense.

"Well, I heard the howls last night, so I was planning on going down anyways. But then Quil called, told me something was wrong and that I shouldn't hear it over the phone. So, I met them at Sam and Emily's house. I have an alibi, if you'd like to ask one of them. Emily's human," I added.

I heard Emmett snort and looked over at him. He was obviously trying not to laugh. When Edward turned to look at him too, Emmett answered him.

"She's got you there, Edward. And, obviously, nothing happened because she's here with us." Then he burst out laughing.

"I know all that, Emmett. But I still don't see what's so funny. Oh," he said after a second. He grinned. "Yeah, I guess she is."

Apparently, he had read Emmett's thoughts. Although the rest of them didn't seem bothered, I was burning with curiosity to find out what had gone on between them. Emmett figured out the look on my face.

"I was just thinking, that's twice today that you've outsmarted Edward!"

The comment was funny, and I gave a small laugh, as did Jasper, Alice, and Esme. Carlisle only smiled, and Rosalie didn't seem impressed by her husband's sense of humor.

Eventually, the laughter faded, and Jasper spoke to me.

"But something's still bothering you, Bella. Something important. It's eating away at you. What is it?"

I remembered Jasper's ability to sense emotions. It seemed to have developped. But he had brought one of my concerns into my head.

"Well," I started, looking at each of the immortals in turn. "I have been wondering about something. One of the vampires that was present when Jake died was named Heidi. I know I've heard her name somewhere, but I can't place it. I was hoping you could help me with that."

I heard Edward give a low growl. I turned to look at him. His upper lip was curled back in a snarl, his eyes furious.

"Apparently you know her. So who is she?"

"Edward?" asked Carlisle. He sounded alarmed. I looked back at the vampire sitting beside me. I nearly screamed.

His whole body was tense, his fingers even whiter than usual because he was grasping the loveseat so tightly. His face was pained, angry. His eyes were almost completely black, with the exception of a few flecks of gold. But it wasn't because of thirst. His eyes contained hate and anger, and they were the strongest emotions I had ever known him to have.

Jasper must have sensed my terror because he came over to me and took hold of my upper arm, pulling gently. I wanted to follow. But Edward disagreed.

His arm shot out, and ge grabbed hold of my wrist. I froze. He met my gaze. His eyes scared me so much I was paralyzed. Then he closed his eyes. He seemed to be struggling to regain his self-control. On an impulse, I shook the arm that Jasper still held free of his grasp. He let go. I took a moment to calm myself down. Then, closing my eyes, I reached out and put my hand on his face. I held my position, willing my calm to flow into him, to make him feel better, to make him feel less guilty than I knew he would. I wanted him to know I forgave him, to know that I didn't blame him. We stayed like that for a while, I was never sure how long. It seemed like an eternity. After a time, I gathered up all my forgiveness, all my love, all my calm, and all my self-control in my mind. Then, I imagined all those emotions forming into a ball of warmth and landing in Edward's mind and heart. With all my mental strength and will, I wanted it to enter Edward. I couldn't stand to see him in such pain.

Then I started talking to him in my head, hoping my thoughts would soothe me, and he would feel my calm. I don't blame you, honey. I love you. I'm sorry for provoking you, I hope you're okay. I forgive you. You don't need to apologize.

Yes I do.

My eyelids flew up, and I found myself looking into Edward's startled eyes, now completely golden.

"Did you just -" I started.

"Did we -" he said at the same time. We both stopped, and just looked at each other.

Emmett cleared his throat.

"Emmett!" scolded Rosalie. "Don't interrupt! They're having a tender and obviously private moment." She directed it to her husband, but even I could hear the curiosity in her voice.

Edward answered her unspoken question slowly, without breaking eye contact with me.

"I think…I think Bella and I just communicated telepathically."