"Oh I've already sorted that out. We've both gone home sick for the day so you have no excuses, get your homework and let's go" I replied with a smile, I wasn't taking no for an answer "We have things to do and don't try and pretend that you're thinking about it because you've already decided, I've seen it"

"Things to do?" She asked skeptically

"Yes" I replied simply as I took her hand gently in mine but began to pull her quickly to her locker

"Okay well where are we going?" Bella asked from behind me as we walked

"Well, the sun's going to be shining in a clearing that I like to go to sometimes, I'll show you what happens to us in the sun" I turned back to look at her "And then I'll take you to my house to meet my family, but we've got some of time to spare"

"An afternoon with Alice Cullen, sounds like something I can do" Bella replied nodding her head "Though you really didn't need to kidnap me, you could have just asked"

"Bella how is that any fun?" I giggled quietly

"It doesn't give me heart attacks, that's for sure" She replied "But I do want to spend the afternoon with you so this time I'll let it slide"

"Well good because you owe me for abandoning me on Sunday" I grumbled as we arrived at her locker

"You're still holding a grudge over that?" She smirked

"I'll hold a grudge over that for a while" I glared at her playfully "Vampires hold grudges for a very long time"

Once she got all of her books from her locker, I began driving us out towards the woods

"Alice, do you think maybe you could slow down a bit please?" Bella squeaked as I turned a sharp corner

"Sorry" I apologized, offering her a small smile

"It's okay" She reassured me

"Now, you certainly can't tell Charlie we went anywhere near the woods" I said "The very last thing I need right now is your father hating me for taking you out somewhere dangerous"

"If I told him, that would mean I would have to tell him that I skipped school"

"You didn't skip school though" I grinned "Nope, you were sick"

"Of course" She smiled slightly "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"If you did come across the vampire, we'd be safe right?" Bella asked

"What, you don't have faith in me?" I asked playfully

"No I do, I was just asking because I obviously can't do anything to help" She said shaking her head "I'd kind of be useless in the situation"

"Bella I would protect you no matter what" I said as my end of the conversation also turned serious "And you are anything but useless okay?"

Without replying, Bella reached over to take one of my hands from the steering wheel and she entwined our fingers, resting them on her lap.

We soon reached the woods and I parked my car under a tree so it could stay as hidden as possible. Well as hidden as a glorious, yellow Porsche could be anyway. I made my way over to Bella's side quickly, opening her door

"There's no sun here" Bella said with a look of confusion as she stepped out of the car

"Nope but there's sun up further past all the easy places for humans to reach" I said with a smirk "That's why it's one of my favourite places"

"So how am I supposed to get up there?" Bella asked

"Ye of little faith" I said "You can either get on my back or I'll carry you"

Bella paused, waiting for me to laugh and tell her I was kidding but I wasn't and she soon realized

"You're serious" Bella said slowly

"Trust me Bells" I said nodding "I won't let anything happen to you"

"Back" Bella said immediately "Can you carry me?"

"I'm a vampire Bella" I replied "I could carry numerous amounts of Bella's"

"Good thing you only have to carry one then" She said as I crouched to allow her on my back

With that she hopped on my back, wrapping her arms around my neck tightly and her legs around my waist.

"Here we go" I whispered

I felt her grip tighten and her neck bury into my shoulder as I ran. I ran at a slower speed than I usually would because I wanted her as comfortable as possible, but I knew she was struggling. We reached the clearing I wanted to go and I stopped.

Bella didn't move an inch when I stopped so I waited patiently for her

"You okay?" I asked cautiously after a little moment of silence

She didn't reply, instead she kissed me softly on the back of the neck to show me her answer, then she jumped from my back slowly

"That was an experience" Bella said shutting her eyes tightly

"You sure you're okay?" I placed a hand on her waist, stepping into her

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy" She nodded as she opened her eyes again

"I know, I'm sorry if I went too fast" I was feeling so guilty at that point "Next time we'll go much slower"

"How did you find this place?" Bella asked in awe, finally realizing where we were

"I just kind of stumbled across it one day. I was just out hunting one day by myself when we moved here for the first time" I shrugged "When we came back here, shortly before you arrived I'd come up here and just think when everyone else was in their rooms"

"What would you think about?" Bella asked with a small smile

"Are you really going to make me spell it out?" I replied raising an eyebrow

"I'd like you too" She blushed furiously

"You, I'd think about you" I said simply "Everyone was spending time with their mates so I would just like to come up and think about mine"

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting" Bella responded quietly

"It's okay"

"So what does happen when you walk into the sun?" Bella asked clearing her throat "You don't burst into flames or explode or anything like that?"

"Well not exactly" I said as I separated myself from the human, making my way to a patch of sunlight that had broken through the clouds

"What do you mean not exactly?" Bella asked raising an eyebrow "Is it bad?"

"We just start to singe, it isn't that painful actually" I said trying to be as serious as I possibly could before I stepped forward to reach the light

"Alice!" Bella exclaimed as she took a few steps towards me but she stopped when she realized I was fine

I felt the warmth soak through me and I smiled, I imagined it was what I felt like to be human

"Alice" Bella whispered and I turned to her, looking down to my arms I could see I was sparkling and I smiled

"So?" I asked hopefully

"You look so beautiful...stunning" Bella said in awe "It's like diamonds

"Thank you Bella" I smiled softly

"You realize how adorable you look today right?" I asked her as I moved from the sunlight to stand a few meters from her

"I never look adorable" Bella replied shaking her head

"You always look adorable" I replied

She leaned in, greeting her lips with mine for a moment before she pulled back to rest her forehead on mine as she breathed heavily.

"You're mesmerizing" Bella said, breathing deeply

Her lips were driving me crazy, I was having trouble trying to contain myself so I decided I wouldn't. I slowly leaned in, pressing my cold lips with her warm ones and she honestly felt better than the sun did. I was surprised though when I felt Bella began to back us up towards the tree and I was stopped when my back hit the bark.

Her warm body rested against mine as my arms snaked around her neck, one hand messing with her hair. I was staring danger right in the face as I moved to kiss her neck, and I took Bella's life into my own hands as I kissed her pulse point. I could feel it pumping blood against my lips so I quickly pulled away and freed myself from Bella's grip. She stood there, facing the tree, breathless but she huffed, wanting more

"I'm sorry Bells. Right now that is all I can handle" I confessed

"I'm pretty happy with that" Bella said with a smirk but it quickly fell from her face "Your eyes are black again, is that my fault?"

"No" I said quickly as I shook my head "It isn't your fault"

"Can I hug you at least?"

I obliged as I walked to her, wrapping my small arms around her frame.

She leaned her head into my neck and placed a soft kiss on my marble skin. I smiled to myself when I realized that we had been there for a little while

"So we should get going. I have a feeling my family is waiting to meet you" I announced "Vampires aren't the most patient bunch"

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous" Bella admitted "Like really, really nervous"

I placed my hand of Bella's waist and looked up to her

"You have nothing to be nervous about" I said shaking my head "I'll be right next to you the entire time"

"I'm excited to see your house" She replied with a little more confidence

"I'm excited to have you over" I smiled, placing a kiss on her cheek "Back or front?"

"Back" Bella answered and she climbed on my back

I drove Bella back to my house and she was caught in her own thoughts on the way but she held my hand tightly the entire time. Once we pulled in Bella just looked at the front of the house with a look of shock on her face

"Alice this place is huge" Bella mumbled while not really paying attention to what she was saying

"It's one of the nicest houses we've lived in" I looked to her with a smile "You ready Bells?"

"I guess so" Bella replied as she exhaled a deep breath

Getting out of the car I waited for Bella to reach my side, taking my hand she clung to me for dear life. I placed my other hand on her arm to reassure her that everything would be alright. We went through the front door and I paused with Bella at the stairs

"If anyone does anything to make you uncomfortable then you let me know. No one is going to make my Bella uncomfortable" I said ducking my head slightly "Okay?"

A smile came over her face that made my heart warm.

"Your Bella?" She asked raising an eyebrow

"I said that out loud didn't I?" I grinned, I knew exactly what I had said and I wasn't going to take it back

"It sounds right" Bella replied quietly and she pecked me on the lips

She pulled away with a smile and I gave her hand a very gentle squeeze.

I could smell that Esme was cooking, the house smelt very unusual and I could hear music being played so I knew they were up to something. We reached the kitchen and I kept a hold of Bella's hand. Esme was cooking up a storm while Carlisle was helping out. Emmett was cutting up some kind of herb that I didn't recognize and Rosalie was sitting by the bench

"Alice" Esme greeted warmly

Everything looked a little too staged for it to be natural but it was so like Esme to want everything to be just perfect for Bella.

"Everyone this is Bella. Bella this is my mother Esme" I began introductions "My father Carlisle. The big oaf over there is Emmett and that's my sister Rosalie"

"It's really great to meet you all, you have a wonderful house" Bella complimented and I heard Esme laugh quietly "This kitchen is as big as the first floor of my house"

"Why thank you Bella. Are you hungry? We made you some food, it was nice to actually use the kitchen" Esme said in her usual warm voice

"Oh, wow thank you but I've already eaten" Bella said as politely as she possibly could "I had a big lunch"

"I told her too. Everyone would be watching her eat, it would be uncomfortable for her" I piped up "Plus, I didn't want to risk it"

Rosalie broke the bowl she was holding onto and we both looked to the ground to see glass covering the floor around her

"Well that's perfect" Rosalie snapped sarcastically "Alice do you have any idea what implications this brings into the family? What this could do to us?"

"I know that but she's my mate" I growled lowly "At least pretend to be polite, that's all I'm asking. You can complain all you want but at least give the illusion that you can be polite"

"Girls, not in front of the guest" Carlisle said with a calm smile

"Well tell her to be civil" I hissed before I paused "Where's Jazz?"

"Now, now. No need to miss me" Jazz said as she walked downstairs, her long blonde hair tied up in a pony tail while she had changed out of her school clothes to jeans and a shirt. She stopped short of me to look at Bella with a kind smile "And you are the famous Bella. It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you"

"It's nice to meet you too" Bella offered "Officially anyway"

"Alice, would you mind prying yourself off her hand for a moment? I would like to give Bella a hug, if that is okay with her of course" Jazz said looking to Bella

Bella simply nodded so I let go of her hand slowly, immediately noticing the coldness of my hand without hers. Jazz took a few steps towards us, enveloping Bella into a gentle hug and pulled away with a grin

"Alice was right, you do smell quite good" Jazz admitted with a harmless smirk

"Jasmine" I warned raising my eyebrows

"Oh hush Alice" Jazz replied chuckling and her eyes found Bella again "I can see why Alice is so fond of you, and why you seem to make her so happy. Now where is my husband?"

"Here love" Edward said as he entered through the window, clearly coming home from hunting

"Edward, we have company" Esme said softly "We use the door when we have company"

"We don't get that much company" Jazz said winking at Bella

"Bella this is my brother Edward" I introduced them

"It's nice to meet you Bella" Edward said in a charming, honey tone "Even though we have seen quite a bit of each other at school. Alice has been waiting for this day for a long time"

"Right, okay before this gets any stranger, I'm going to take Bella around the house" I said as I took her hand in mine once again and pulled her backwards gently

"Well it was nice to meet you all" Bella said politely as I tugged her towards the stairs

"We'll talk later" Jazz said with a grin and Bella nodded

I wasn't sure whether she nodded out of shock or she was just being polite. Once we reached the top of the stairs, I stopped her and turned around

"Are you okay?" I asked as I allowed her to steady herself against me

"I'm fine" Bella said nodding "Your family is really nice"

"Well you don't live with them" I said jokingly "They weren't too much for you? Rose and I are going to have a little talk later, that's for sure"

"No it's fine" She reassured me

Bella paused and her eyes widened as she took in something behind me. Turning around I saw that she was staring at a painting on the wall

"That's beautiful" Bella said

"You can have it if you wish, I can always paint another one" I said shrugging with a smirk "Though I'd require some compensation due to the hours I spent on this painting"

"You...you painted this?" Bella stuttered

"Yes, I sure did" I answered simply "Do you like it?"

"It's amazing Al" Bella's awe changed to a smile as she turned her attention to me "Is there anything you don't do?"

"I don't cook so don't get any ideas" I glared playfully at her, poking her shoulder gently

I took her through the house; she loved every inch of it. I showed her everyone's rooms and even Edward's music studio. I showed her my art studio and our last stop was my room.

"So I hope you don't judge me by my room" I said as I paused by the door "It's not as nice as yours"

"Alice, it's probably the nicest room in the entire house" Bella reasoned "Unless you're a real pig, then we could agree"

Smiling to myself I pushed the door open and walking into my room. I let go of her hand and made my way into the middle of the room while my mate stood by the door, taking everything in.

I had paintings on the wall, a double bed and a TV. The walls were filled with with cases of books, old CD's and vinyl records with a reading chair in the corner of the room. Though my room seemed full, it didn't have many personal objects of mine to really make the room mine. Noticeably personal items such as pictures and possessions that Bella had all over her room

"Alice your room is amazing. It smells like you" Bella said as she inhaled deeply before she stepped in further to have a better look around "I could live in here"

"Well you can stay whenever you would like" I said shrugging

Bella went over to the CD's, running her hands over the spines of the books and eyeing the paintings. Once she had inspected the room to her satisfaction I smiled as her eyes met mine.

"What's the verdict?" I asked rocking on my toes expectantly

"If you don't sleep, why do you have a bed?" Bella asked curiously pointing to the double bed in the corner of the room

"That's a brand new addition actually; just in case you have to stay over one day" I teased "I hear that humans need a place to sleep so I thought it could be useful one day. Plus, it's kind of fun to just lay on the bed and imagine what sleeping must be like"

"This room is so beautiful" Bella spoke very quietly with a smile

"Why thank you Bella" I smiled happily

"But it kind of seems empty at the same time"

"I decided I would only place what is important to me in this room and when I had more things that became important to me I would add it in" I said shrugging as I sat down on my reading chair, watching Bella approach me slowly "And now you're here I guess I could call my collection complete, right?"

I didn't care how lame or how cheesy that was, it was how I felt. I finally had her at my house after a decade waiting for a moment like that, I felt like I was finally starting to live my life...well my second life

Bella didn't say another word but she climbed onto my lap and she pressed her forehead against mine. Her heart beat picked up and her chest began to rise and fall in quicker succession

"Be calm Bella" I whispered

"I'm calm" Her voice was hoarse

"Will you be calm when I come in?" I heard Jazz ask from the door

Bella quickly stood from my lap to stand behind the chair I was sitting in. It was actually the fastest I had ever seen Bella move. Her eyes were wide and Jazz chuckled lightly. I growled slightly, standing and Jazz looked to me, shooting me a sour look.

"You're making her uncomfortable" I protested with a furrowed brow

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt but all of your thinking is distracting my husband" Jazz said with a grin

"Well I have visions about you two that I don't want too sometimes" I shot at Jazz who just laughed again

I looked back to Bella to see a blush had overwhelmed her cheeks, she ran a hand through her hair quickly to move it from her eyes

"Alice I just wanted to come and tell Bella how great I think she is for stopping you mope around here everyday" Jazz said with a fond smile as she turned her attention to my mate "You took a little long to get here but I can forgive you for that"

"Well...I'm glad" Bella said, still a little lost for words before she swallowed "I mean, I'm glad I could make Alice happier"

"Well of course you do" Jazz replied "I'll leave you to it then, Bella you should sit with us at lunch tomorrow. I'm actually a little offended that you haven't yet"

"She didn't want to intrude" I said

"Well how about tomorrow?" Jazz asked

"Sure" She agreed

"Great, well I guess we'll see each other tomorrow" Jazz replied as she made a hasty exit from the room

"I'm sorry" I said turning to Bella