End of Chapter 25

Bella took her seat and began looking out the window, lost in her own thoughts. I smiled at her and returned to searching the future.

The first thing I looked for was Jasper, I knew that this was foolish but I had to know that he kept his promise to me.

I saw him, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme and Carlisle sitting in the living room of Tanya's. Concern on each face as they discussed what could possibly be going on. I smiled, knowing that he did keep his promise, and with any luck I would keep mine too.

I looked for Edward and saw him walking into the center room of the castle. I saw him begging Aro to end his life, they deliberated a minute before deciding to deny him his request.

I opened my eyes, joy filling every part of my body. I looked to my side and saw that Bella had fallen asleep, I knew I should let her sleep...but I knew she would want to know.

I shook her shoulders a few times before she woke. "Bella." I said too loudly.

"What's wrong!?" She asked.

"It's not wrong, it's right. They are deliberating, but they have decided to tell him...no." I said as I smiled.

"The Volturi?" She asked. Was she really awake?

"Of course, Bella, keep up. I can see what they're going to say." I said as I shook my head at her.

"Tell me." She demanded.

Just then the stewardess walked over to our seats, a smile on her overly painted face. "Can I get you ladies a pillow?" She asked, trying to give us a hint to keep it down.

"No thank you." I said as I smiled up at her, locking my gaze on her face.

I looked down at Bella, the look on her face was priceless. Obviously she realized that I just 'dazzled' the stewardess into going away. Bella looked like she was going to say something but shook her head, letting it go.

Chapter 26

"Tell me." She demanded again as she watched the stewardess walk slowly down the isle.

I leaned in close enough to rest my head on her shoulder. I wondered if other people thought I was cuddling with her? I rested my head on her shoulder, my lips next to her ear..speaking so softly no one would hear me.

"They're interested in him, they think his talent could be useful. They're going to offer him a place with them."

"What will he say?" She asked, her voice raising an octave.

"I can't see that yet, but I'll bet it's colorful." I said as I smiled.

I knew that my brother would not offend the Volturi. He would want to keep them on his side, as much as possible...in case he needed them for further plans.

"This is the first good news, the first break. They're intrigued..they truly don't want to destroy him." I explained. "Hmmm 'wasteful' that's the word Aro will use, and that may be enough to force him to get creative. The longer he spends on his plans, the better for us."

Bella nodded slightly, taking in everything. She turned away from me, looking out the window while biting her finger nails.

"Alice?" She asked, still looking out the window.

"What?"

"I'm confused. How are you seeing this so clearly? And then other times, you see things far away...thing that don't happen?" She asked as she turned to face me, still avoiding my eyes.

I felt my eyes tighten while I thought about what she was asking. She was referring to the time when Edward realized he loved her and didn't want to be without her. I had seen two possible outcomes for their relationship. The first was that Edward would kill her in the meadow where they went to talk...the other was still vivid in my mind.

I saw myself and Bella standing side by side, arms wrapped around each other. The difference between now and then is that Bella was white as I was, she had been turned and was still happy.

I had to think about my answer before I spoke, I didn't want to offend her..or hurt her further.

"It's clear because it's immediate and close, and I'm really concentrating. The faraway things that come on their own...those are just glimpses, faint maybes." I said as I met her eyes. She looked like she was going to interrupt, so I continued quickly. "Plus, I see my kind more easily than yours. Edward is even easier because I'm so attuned to him."

"You see me sometimes." She said quietly as she looked down at her hands.

I shook my head quickly, "Not as clearly."

Bella seemed to think before she could answer, she turned her body in her chair so that we were face to face again. "I really wish you could have been right about me. In the beginning, when you first saw things about me, before we even met..."

"What do you mean?" I asked, pushing her to talk more.

"You saw me become one of you." She said so softly that I had to watch her lips to get the final words.

"It was a possibility at the time." I said as I sighed.

"At the time." She repeated back, her voice cracking.

I stopped to think about all of this when a vision stopped me. I saw Bella and I going into Italy together, both of us as vampires. I tried to focus on what it meant but the whole thing faltered and then disappeared. I wondered what this was all about? I was thinking about how much easier it would be if I wasn't the only one on our side who was a vampire...how if she was human it would only cause more problems.

Would Edward believe that he was in hell since she was cold, still, a vampire? Would the rest of my family hate me? Could I honestly do this? Would I be able to stop?

I looked in her eyes, hoping to find all the answers. She looked back, pleading eyes searching mine for...something. I took a deep breath before I could tell her anything.

"Actually Bella...." I cut myself off. No I couldn't do this..I couldn't end her life. I couldn't turn her, I had to continue thought. "Honestly, I think it's all gotten beyond ridiculous. I'm debating whether to just change you myself." I said quickly.

Bella froze, her whole body becoming still. I was about to shake her so she would breath..I was becoming worried.

"Did I scare you? I thought that's what you wanted." I asked her as she took a breath.

"I do!" Bella yelled. "Oh Alice, do it now! I could help you so much....and I wouldn't slow you down. BITE ME!" She pretty much yelled the last part.

I noticed the attendant and most of the other passengers had stopped what they were doing and now were staring at us.

"Shh!" I said as I moved my hand to silence her. "Try to be reasonable." I whispered. "We don't have enough time. We have to get into Volterra tomorrow. You would be writing in pain for days...and I don't think the other passengers would react well." I said as I smiled.

Bella bit her lower lip, chewing on it for a second before she continued. "If you don't do it now, you'll change your mind."

"No." I said as I thought about it one more time, knowing that this is what she truly wanted..even knowing what she knew. "I don't think I will. He'll be furious, but what will be able to do about it?"

"Nothing at all." Bella said angrily, her heart rate rising.

I laughed at her, the angry kitten showing it's head again. "You have too much faith in me Bella. I'm not sure that I can. I'll probably just end up killing you anyway."

"I'll take my chances." She said quickly, a smile spreading across her face.

"You are so bizarre, even for a human." I said as I shook my head.

"Thanks." Bella said as she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Oh well, this is all hypothetical at this point, anyway. First we have to live through tomorrow." I said as I changed the subject.

"Good point." Bella said as she yawned, then returned to staring out the window deep in thought.

"Go back to sleep, I'll wake you when there's something new." I encouraged.

"Right." She said as she watched me pull my legs up on the seat in front of me, resting my head on the back of the seat.

I went back to searching for what Edward was up to. I knew that Bella would count on me to keep my promise...would I be able to? Would everyone hate me? Would it matter after tomorrow?