Parallax

Chapter 13

"Now look what you've done, you just made us all curious again. Now, we're dying to know what your hiding!" Kate grumbled and pouted her lips in annoyance which made Bella laugh.

"Don't worry. It's nothing bad. I just don't want to cause unnecessary issues if things don't turn out the way it is in my future. What you don't know, at least won't disappoint you" She winked at Kate which left her aghast, and Kate had no choice but to roll her eyes at Bella's antics and shake her head in disbelief.

Bella turned towards Jasper and Alice in question.

"Should we get going?"

Esme came up to her and handed her a paper bag that felt warm and heavy. She could already smell the bacon inside which reminded her that she needed to eat on the way.

"For the road" She patted her hand affectionately then turned to the trio of vampires who would be accompanying her. "Make sure that Bella gets to eat and have her bathroom breaks. I expect all of you to watch out for her all the time." she told her children firmly.

"We won't let her out of our sight" Alice promised, and Bella frowned.

"You sound like I'm going to try to run away from you" she told Alice.

"Well, you've done that before. This Bella, I mean, has a knack of going off on her own." Alice commented dryly and she realized that Alice was referring to a memory that she had when Bella sneaked away from Alice and Jasper to meet the nomad in the ballet studio. She just shrugged and decided not to comment further because if it was her, she would have done the same thing.

Esme looked at Edward and held his hand.

"We haven't been able to find time to talk to you since you've returned but know that we will be waiting for you when you get back..." she told him softly and Bella could see the guilt etched in Edwards's face knowing that he had caused his adoptive parent's sorrow from his leaving.

"Thank you" was the only thing that Edward could say. He looked like he wanted to say more but he kept silent. Carlisle stood beside Esme and patted his son's shoulder.

"We will be seeing you in Forks... all of you" he gestured to the rest of them as well.

"Hopefully it will be the Bella in this timeline that will be returning to you by then but if not... I guess I'll see you all guys soon"

After the four of them bid their goodbyes, they left in Edwards rented car with Jasper behind the wheel besides Alice and Bella and Edward at the back. They were all silent during the drive and it wasn't until they were nearing the airport when Alice finally turned from her seat and looked at Bella.

"Okay, you got me curious. What was it back there that you didn't want to tell the sisters? Is it something that you can share with us instead?" Alice was filled with curiosity and excitement with the prospect of knowing something ahead of the others like she always does with her gift.

Bella studied Alice and wondered if it would be a good idea to tell them about it.

"You don't have to indulge her Bella" Edward spoke up from beside her and his sister glared at him from the front seat.

"You already know the future, why don't you look it up yourself?"

"I forgot how annoying you were. How would I 'see' if I don't even know what I'm looking for?!" Alice whined but Edward only scoffed and rolled his eyes.

Bella was taken aback at their interaction. She wasn't used to seeing them banter like they were... brothers and sisters. It was going to take a while for her to get used to that kind of interaction and she hoped for her sake, she didn't have to stay long enough for her to get used to it.