The Setting Sun Chapter 8

I did this one a little differently. Make sure to pay attention to the POV shifts.

Thank you again for your inspiring comments. You are all very beneficial to the writing of this fanfic.

*Stephanie
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Chapter 8: Secrets
(Bella)
We hadn’t seen much if any of Alice for the last two weeks besides the random moments when she’d dash through the living room and up the stairs or down the stairs and out the door. I was beginning to miss her. Everything was way too quiet without her little trills of excitement and sideways jokes toward Edward and the other boys. In a way I was worried. Worried about Alice’s well being, about what she may have seen that she wasn’t telling anyone. Worried. Today would be the first day I saw her for more than a few seconds, only, seeing her in this state wasn’t something I wish to remember.


She stormed down the stairway, Jasper on her heels, his face pleading while hers was stern, very unlike her. I rose from my seat staring blankly between the two of them.

“I will not say it again, Jasper! Leave it alone!”

“Alice—”

“No! For once in your life, let me be!” She pulled open the front door fluidly as Renesmee parked in the driveway.

“Alice, please?” Jasper pleaded, following her out the door as I moved into the doorsill.

“What’s going on?” Renesmee asked of Alice as she stomped toward the garage.

“You’re coming with me.” She said, grabbing hold of Renesmee’s arm and dragging her along, back pack and all.

“Where are you going?” I asked quickly, hoping to get a solid answer.

“Out!” Alice replied harshly, lifting the garage door and ushering Renesmee inside.

After only a minute her Porsche peeled out of its parking space and down the winding drive.

Jasper hung his head, turning to me slowly. “Renesmee will be fine.” These were not the words I expected him to say though I was sure it was brought about by the anxiety he was sensing.

“I know she will.” I said flatly. “I haven’t a doubt in the world. It’s Alice I’m worried about.”

“She’s feeling a bit off.” He said at her defense. Always the protector.

“I can tell. Do you happen to know why?”

He shook his head, “She hasn’t spoken to me properly in weeks. She keeps taking off on these little road trips.”

“She’s going to Los Angeles.” Edward said, stepping into sight from around the side of the house. “For the first time in a long time she was actually contemplating her destination. She thinks shopping might calm her nerves,” He smirked.

“Los Angeles? It’s a school night!” That was odd to say, but it was true and I knew Nessie wouldn’t want to miss a minute of her public education.

Edward chuckled, “Renesmee will be home in plenty of time for school, I’m sure. Alice isn’t in any fit state to drive slowly.” Though he too wondered what Alice was up to, he wouldn’t go against her decisions. Just as she respected his when he took off to track Victoria so many years ago, he was going to respect her privacy. I’d even watched him take off out the back door when he heard her coming in through the front so not to intrude into her thoughts. He was a very charitable big brother.

I shook my head.

“Are you all right, Love?” Edward asked gently.

“Fine,” I sighed. “I miss Alice.”

“Me too,” Edward and Jasper agreed in unison.


(Renesmee)
“Is there a reason you kidnapped me?” I asked quickly over the music Aunt Alice was blaring. The trees, guard rails, and mile markers whizzed by in a blur as we flew down the interstate.

With a sigh she lowered the volume on the stereo, “Yes.”

I stared, waiting for more.

After a few minutes silence she nodded, “I need to talk to you. But this has to stay between you and me.”

“Alice, as much as I love our game why couldn’t you tell my mom? Dad can’t read her mind.”

“She would freak. Overreaction is a very definable trait in regards to your mother. You on the other hand don’t. Or should I ask, do you ever?”

I stopped for a second, contemplating, “Not really, no. I mean, I guess not. Not too often at least.”

“Breathe Renesmee, I’m not going to tell you Jacob’s dead.”

“That’s not funny,” I scowled.

“I know, I’m sorry.” She apologized, looking over her shoulder before changing lanes to pass a line of unfavorably slow mini vans and economy cars.

“So what is it? What has you so freaked out these days?” I asked bluntly. At this point I didn’t care much what she had to say. I was a little bitter about the way she’d ignored me for the last few weeks.

She stared blankly out the windshield; disregarding my curious and critical gaze.

“Well?”

“I can see you.” She said suddenly.

I thought about that a second. See me. “Holy cow!” I was undeniably bewildered. For seven years I was a blur and now she could see me? “How? When?” I asked quickly.

“Your nightmare,” Alice began, her voice turning from the previous frustration to smooth calm as she turned to look at me while we pulled onto the next freeway toward our destination. “I saw it.”

“Saw. . . But it was a dream.”

“Dreams are an expression of the subconscious. I saw your decision play out like I was standing beside you.” She shook her head, “I’ve never seen you so sure; so ready to fight.”

I nodded. “Of course, I would never go with Aro.”

“I know.”

“Why can you see me now, all of the sudden?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because we’re so close. . .” Her voice trailed while, I was sure, she thought over her answer carefully. “I’m sorry, Renesmee,” She said slowly, unexpectedly.

“Sorry? For what?”

“For abandoning you, keeping this to myself. I know I can trust you.”

“Well, I forgive you. But to be honest, I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”

She pulled her lips in tight, staring out the windshield again. I could see her sadness rising again. She knew she could trust Jasper. He always had way too much on his mind to even think one iota on this subject. So why did this have to stay between us? I didn’t quite understand but I had no choice but to respect her decisions.

“What’s wrong?” I asked finally, when watching her chew on her lip began to turn my stomach.

“It seems there are things on the horizon we were hoping would never come. Lucky for us it is not yet absolute.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Her subtle response was almost desperate, like a cry for help. I didn’t like seeing Alice like this. Then again, no one wants to watch there best friend fight with inner turmoil.

She heaved a sigh, shaking her head as though she were attempting to remove her thoughts completely. “Well, we’ll be arriving soon. I hope you like Rodeo Drive. It’s really amazing.”

I allowed a half smile, “You kidnapped me to shop?”

“What else did you think we were going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

She turned to me, smiling; this was the Alice I’d been looking for. “Thank you, Renesmee. I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m happy to be of service.” I nodded, returning her grin jovially.


(Bella)
It had been hours. I watched the clock as I sat on the couch, my knees pulled to my chest. Something I hadn’t done in over seven years. There was no real need for it. I wasn’t the one suffering. I felt so horrible for Jasper. Why was it he always felt the need to sit and worry alone? It was lucky Edward had suggested a hunting trip. Of course Carlisle insisted he join his brothers after an hour of denying a need to get out. So, here I sat, thinking of ways to make him feel better. Of course the frustrated and not so all around happy moods that were bouncing around this place couldn’t have been helping much either.

Rosalie strolled through the door carrying armfuls of grocery bags. She went instantly to the kitchen and was back in a flash, letting her eyes travel the span of the living room before they fell on me. I quickly relinquished my previous position so not to look too unhappy.

“Where is everyone?” She asked. She’d been in town. Oddly enough she requested the task of grocery getter. I couldn’t be sure what she had to gain from it, though I was sure she had her favorite niece in mind.

“Jasper and our husbands are hunting,” It was still odd to say husband, even after so long, “Carlisle and Esme went to Port Angeles to see a movie, and Alice kidnapped Renesmee.”

“Kidnapped? What do you mean?” She sat down beside me, flummoxed.

“She put her in a car and left. Not your usual kidnapping, I watched it happen,” I half smirked.

“Oh.” She shrugged, “I’m sure they’ll be back soon then.” She picked up the remote and relaxed into the cushions while flipping through the channels. I had a sneaking suspicion she’d been hoping we were going to have to get Renesmee back from Alice. She must have finally picked up some kind of need for adventure from Emmett.

The back door opened. I peered over my shoulder to watch the entrants. Jasper took a seat in the armchair beside me, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. They’d obviously talked him into attempting to be social. Edward and Emmett entered last, laughing together, closing the door behind them.

“Hey Rose.” Emmett said, sauntering over and sitting on the arm beside her.

“Good evening.” She said quickly. “Hey, you think you can help me with the Ferrari again?”

“What are you doing to Bella’s Ferrari?” Edward asked quickly in an accusatory tone, as he took the place between Rose and me.

“I’m just tuning it up. I think I’ve found a way to make it go just a little faster.”

“I’m happy with the Volvo.” I said, watching the channels change.

“Bella, you have a perfectly good car of your own, I think you should get some use out of it.” Rosalie said informatively.

“You can have it. I’m thinking of buying another truck.”

“Ooh, can I help you pick it out?” She asked, suddenly very enthused.

“Sure. But I want a Chevy.”

“I can work with that.” She said with a nod, leaning back again and nodding to herself. I was pretty sure she was picking the make and model right then and there.

“You know Bella, you’re a vampire now. You’re supposed to have fun.” Emmett said in the same manner Rose had just addressed.

“I am having fun.” I replied, still staring at the television.

“Then get out there! Raise some hell, flip a couple of Range Rovers and split! Add a little danger to your life.”

“Bella’s not the Range Rover flipping kind of girl.” Edward said factually.

“You know what? Flipping a vehicle actually sounds like a lot of fun.”


I was out the door before another word could pass. It wasn’t until I was in the garage staring at the shiny red paint of my Ferrari that I realized just what I was doing. I grabbed hold of the frame, just tight enough that I had a decent grip and lifted. The metal scrapped petulantly across the cement floor as I pushed it up onto its side. I was going a little slow and from the gasp behind me I knew I’d collected an audience. I smirked, pushing harder. The car creaked and groaned as it teetered back and forth on its top.

Dusting my hands off on each other I turned. “That was more fun than I thought it would be.”

“Good job,” Emmett said approvingly.

I could hear Rosalie’s teeth grind together as she surveyed my work.

Emmett put a hand on her shoulder, grinning, “Just think, at least it wasn’t the Jeep.”

“Or the BMW,” Carlisle added as he moved into the doorway with Esme on his arm, smirking lightly.

A soft growl rolled in Rose’s throat.

“Its okay, Honey. I’ll flip it back over.” Emmett appeased, moving quickly around the car and grabbing hold while I exited. Edward put an arm around my waist while he, Carlisle, Esme and I moved toward the house.

“So why did you flip your car?” Carlisle asked with a chuckle.

“Emmett told me to.” I replied with a shrug.

“Not exactly but, close enough.” Edward clarified.

I shrugged, “How was the movie?”

“Wonderful.” Esme responded with a smile. “It was like a modern day Romeo and Juliet.”

“Haven’t they already done that?”

“They’ve already done Dracula a hundred times too but I don’t hear anyone complaining.” Carlisle retorted playfully.

“True,” I nodded with a smile.


We made it to the living room as a car moved up the driveway.

Edward halted, smiling brightly, “They’re home.”

Jasper, who had remained seated throughout my display, stood quickly, straightening his shirt and running a hand through his hair. I turned to the door just as the Porsche was put into park in front of the garage. Renesmee climbed out of the vehicle and moved around the back of the car. We watched as she and Alice pulled bags upon bags out of the trunk.

Renesmee moved through the doorway in an elegantly awkward manner, gently resting her parcels on the floor. “I’m beat. Good night.” She skipped through the room and out the back door.

“What is Rose complaining about?” Alice asked as she entered sideways, placing her things beside Renesmee’s.

“Bella flipped her car.” Carlisle said, still smiling at the prospect.

“Oh, how odd,” She replied with a nod. She looked between each of us for a moment then wrapped her arms around mine and Edward’s necks. “I missed you guys.”

I glanced up to Edward who continued to smile, holding his sister tight, “We missed you too.”

She released and grabbed Esme and Carlisle quickly before throwing herself full force at Jasper.

“Whoa.” He said as he staggered under the tiny girl’s vigor.

She placed a hand on his cheek staring deeply into his eyes, “And I missed you most of all.” She smiled brightly.

Jasper smiled. I was sure words could not express what relief he was feeling at this second.

Proving this point Edward tightened his grip on my waist, “We’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned me around and pulled me along out into the night air.

“I wanted to talk to Alice.” I protested after we’d cleared the river.

“Alice needs some quality time with Jasper.”

I sighed with a pout, “I guess.”

Edward laughed, taking my hand.