Sunset

Chapter Fourteen

I sighed as Bella pushed around the fruit on her plate. We were holed up in a hotel in Arizona. All the curtains were drawn so the sun couldn't hit Alice and Jasper's skin. Jasper was watching the small TV while Alice was braiding my hair.

"Bella," I sighed. "You need to eat."

"It's not worth it." Bella mumbled lost in thought. "I'm not worth it, I could get one of you killed."

"Be-" I was cut off by Jasper.

"You are worth it." He says sternly. "You've both changed Edward and Theo for the better, we won't be able to look them in the eyes if you girls die. You're both worth it."

I gave Jasper a smile giggling at Bella's shocked look. Suddenly her phone started ringing causing her to rush over and answer it. I glance down at the text I received. 

From: Eddie

The tracker's gone he caught onto us tricking him.

Oh fuck. Bella looked panicked as she spoke with Edward. Soon he had hung up sitting back down beside me. Alice's hands stilled in my hair as she gasped.

"What do you see?" I asked with Jasper.

"He changed course. I mirrors." Alice says. "A room full of mirrors."

I quickly get up grabbing my sketchbook and a pencil flipping to an empty page I handed them to Jasper who said a quick thank you before placing the pencil in her hand and the sketchbook on the table. Alice started sketching at hyper-speed while staring blankly in front of her.

"How do they work?" Bella asked as Alice sketched. "Theo said they're not always certain."

"They're never certain." Jasper says glancing at her. "The future isn't set in stone."

"So James is in a ballet studio?" Bella asked causing me to snap my eyes to the drawing.

"You recognize this place?" Alice asked.

"Yeah." Bella says. "I took lessons here as a kid, had an arch just like that."

"Do either of you have a reason to go here?" Jasper asked us.

"No." I shook my head. "Bella took ballet while I opted for Piano lessons."

"I hated that place." Bella sighed. "I quit when I was four."

"Six." I corrected. "Everyone made fun of her for falling. Mom thought it'd help her coordination." 

"Where was this ballet studio?" Alice asked.

"Here in Phoenix, not far from our mother's old house." I say.

Alice cursed under her breath as she made a quick call while Jasper started packing things up instructing the both of us to pack up our things. Bella and I silently started packing up our dirty clothes. Alice had informed us of her and Jasper checking out and to stay in the room unless we go to checkout with them. 

I got my bag fully packed before turning to Bella. She was still packing her stuff with shaky hands.

"I'm going to head to the lobby with Alice and Jasper." I say. "Or do you want me to stay here with you?"

"No." Bella says. "You go, I'll be down in a moment."

I nodded squeezing her shoulder before I headed out the hotel room and went down to the lobby. I looked around at the many people walking around before spotting Alice talking with the receptionist. I walked over to her looping my arm through hers. Alice smiled as she patted my hand gently.

"Where's Bella?" she asked. 

"She wanted to finish packing up alone." I say. "Said she'll be down in a minute. I think she's just trying to calm her nerves."

Alice nodded understandingly. I looked around for Jasper and saw him outside under the awning putting our things into the Mercedes. Once Alice had given her room keys to the receptionist she lead me out to where Jasper was. As soon as she stepped outside she froze having a vision.

"Alice," I say quietly. "What do you see?"

"Bella." She says with fear in her voice.

"What about Bella?" I panicked. 

"She's went to meet James at the ballet studio." She says pulling out her phone calling someone. 

Jasper quickly pulled me into a warm hug calming my nerves. I sighed laying my head on his chest trying to control my breathing. For some reason, I've felt this connection with him and Rosalie. Nothing romantic, something platonic. I'd have to talk to Carlisle or someone about it.

--

"Nicoletta." Jasper says gently. "You're gonna stay here with Edward while the rest of us go save Bella, okay?"

I nodded numbly as Jasper passed me off to someone. I sighed heavily smelling Edward's natural woodsy scent mixed with the smell of new books. Edward gently brushed his fingers through my hair while leading me to the elevator. 

--

I woke up with a jolt. It felt like I was floating on air. I tiredly open my eyes to see Edward carrying me. I looked around and saw he was carrying me into a hospital. Edward gave me a gentle smile pressing a warm kiss to my head before setting me down once we entered the hospital. He held my hand leading me toward the waiting room.

"Daddy!" I cried out rushing to his arms.

Dad hugged me tightly kissing my hair. 

"Hey, Coco." He says. 

"I'm sorry we left, I was trying to get Bella to come back." I say quietly.

"It's fine, Nicoletta." He says. "Your sister's alright, even though she fell down the stairs and fell out a window."

"Sounds like Bella." I sighed. 

"Nico." Mom says pulling me into a long squeeze. "Who's this?"

"Mom, this is Edward." I introduced. "How's Bella?"

"She's still asleep." Mom says. "You girls are going to love Jacksonville."

"What?" I questioned. "I'm not leaving Forks."

"I thought, since Bella was in Arizona with you..." Mom trailed off.

"I was trying to talk sense into Bella." I snipped. "Only reason she left was because of the shit you said before you left dad. She said the same exact words, because she was falling in love and it made her feel trapped." 

Mom silently walked back towards Bella's room. Dad gave me a stern look and I only raised my hands in surrender.

"Sorry, I love her to death but I just can't control my anger with her." I say. "I never had a real childhood when I was with her. I either had to remind her to pay bills or pay them myself, along with groceries and making us dinner. I learned to cook when we were six because mom went to the neighbors house for a little party forgetting to feed Bella, and I was reminded of a few days after I turned thirteen. She said I ruined her future."

Dad had a pissed look on his face before mumbling something about needing a coffee and stormed off. I frowned. Did I make him mad, Eddie? 

"No, my love." Edward says into my hair. "He's upset with your mother. What happened a few days after you turned thirteen?"

"I'll tell you when I'm ready." I say looking down at my hands. 

I wasn't ready to tell anyone outside of my family about it. Not yet anyway.