Way better than Snail Mail

[Alice Cullen]

-Jazz had left earlier to run into town and check on the progress of the work crew we'd hired to help us with the new shop. I was thinking another two weeks and we'd be ready for business, it was exciting! In the meantime, I had filled Greshnorish House with color swatches, paint boards and catalogues as we both set about to this dual venture. We were thinking that soon perhaps, we'd kip over to England and spend a few days with Rose, Em and Ryder but for now a volley of sassy texts and emails were being sent. Which reminded me...

Hopping onto the couch, I grabbed my laptop and opened it up as I got comfy, letting it start up. The weather was beautiful, well, in my opinion: low hanging,grey clouds that looked puffy with rain and a crisp breeze was stirring the Caledonian pine trees that surrounded this strip of land. Romantic weather. Very Wuthering Heights.

Quickly typing, I glanced at my watch and nodded before bringing up Skype and dialing Bella's number. We hadn't spoken for a bit now and I missed her like I'd miss any limb that was severed from me because plain and simple: Bella Swan Cullen WAS another part of me. -

[Bella Cullen]

Bella sat reading one of her favorite books from the collection she brought with her on their travels. Renesmee was out somewhere having had some plans and Edward was out for a hunt. She enjoyed her quiet alone time in the small nook by the large framed window of their penthouse in France. The view was amazing, she loved Paris. As much as she missed everyone, she knew that this was better for them all. It protected their secret and gave them all their own lives, experiences and space.

The chime from her laptop made her put her book down and smile. The screen was open from when she had typed an email to her mother and one to Charlie promising to call soon. It was her Skype ring and only one person skyped on a regular basis.

Alice.

Her best friend and sister whom she missed more than she could explain. Hitting the answer key she smiled and put the book aside. Her face came on the screen and she waited to see Alice. When she did her smile grew and she waved. "Bonjour!"

[Alice Cullen]

-I grinned and waved as her image swam into focus-

"Bonjour, ma petite ange! Comment ca va?" -we both laughed and I felt that wholly familiar fuzzy feeling of happiness when we all connected.- How goes it, Bells? Anything new going on with Le Francais? -beaming a cheeky grin, it was so good to see her!- How's Edward? Ness?

[Bella Cullen]

She chuckled and nodded. "Ca va tres bien, merci." She laughed again with the high melodic laugh of Alice. Shaking her head with a smile she listened to her questioning. "France is...oh France is amazing. I...the city is so beautiful and Edward plans on a secret rendezvous soon. I have no idea what he has planned, but you might. Care to share?" She wiggled her brows playfully and smiled.

Letting out a sad sigh she looked down. "Edward is great, still occasionally beating himself up and blaming himself for Nessa's anger about leaving." She looked up at the screen, her smile gone. "I'm worried about her Alice. She's distant and won't really talk to us. I can tell she isn't happy and she's always got plans no matter where we are. She has to meet a friend. Do you think Jacob followed us?"

[Alice Cullen]

-arching a brow, settling back into the cushioned sofa as she spoke. Of course I knew what Edward had planned for her, but no way could I admit it. She knew I wouldn't tell her "the good things", I just generally tended to share when it was a "bad sitch". We all had a good laugh over THAT peculiarity of mine-

"I don't think so. Could he even be away from the pack that long? I mean, he's tied to the land and to his family in ways we can't comprehend. And as much as Leah has partially softened to us, she can still be cranky. I don't think he'd just leave her for everyone to deal with..." -chuckling at memories of prickly Leah Cleartwater. She was a strong woman with a world of hurt inside of her. She was bent, but not broken. Growing quiet for a moment, I tried to "see" Renesmee but it was fractured and grainy...no real vision- "I'm sorry, Bella....she's hard to read on a good day....but you know IF something were to crop up, I'd tell you

[Bella Cullen]

Bella smiled and nodded knowing it was worth a shot in getting her to spill the beans about something good. OF course like Alice would say, good things come to those who are patient and don't ask their clairvoyant sisters. She chuckled about her Leah comments and knew she was right, Jacob could never leave his pack and if it were him Renesmee would be in a good mood more often, not bad. She'd even learned how to control her thoughts around Edward, Of course if Edward did know anything he wouldn't say unless it was something harmful. Maybe in time she'd tell her what was going on.

Nodding she smiled, "I know, just can't help but wonder what she's hiding. I can feel it. I don't want to push her for answers but I'd like to know whats happening in her life." She shook her head and sighed. "But enough of that, how's Jasper...and life alone?" She wiggled her brows playfully at the question.

[Alice Cullen]

Honey, for all intents and purposes, she's a perfectly normal teenager sometimes, you know? And she's at that point where parents just don't understand, or so she thinks. It's like her Terrible Two's..Teen Edition! -shaking my head and laughing as she asked about Jazz and our alone time. -It's great. I think there might be others like us here but I'm not totally one hundred on that, you know? As long as they don't come at us with harmful intent, I'm content to share the bounty of rugged Highland Cattle. Which tastes great by the way. Buuuuuttt...super shaggy!

-we laughed together and then I regaled her with all the plans for our new shop in town before finally, happily ending with- And we'll open in two weeks, I'm sure. This town needs a splash of color! And the women could use a make over. I mean, every woman IS beautiful..something about her that stands out...but a lot of them just need to be shown. And that's where I come in!

[Bella Cullen]

Hearing that they were happy made her happy. Maybe this move was needed for them all and allowed them to grow. She laughed at the shaggy comment and set the laptop on her lap, looking at the screen with Alice on it. Her face lit up as she talked about her shop she was opening up, fashion no doubt. Alice was amazing when it came to fashion and as much as she hated being made a fuss over and treated like a mannequin, she missed Alice dressing her like one.

"I'm sure Scotland won't know what hit them at all once you get a hold of them. The birth rate may increase." She chuckled, sighed happily. "I'm happy for you, be sure to let us know when you open. I'll stop in and let you...dress me." She forced the last two words out but knew deep down she missed Alice's fashion expertise. After all, she did have a cover story to go on for each place and considering their penthouse and how young they appeared, she had to look like someone from money. Inherited money.

[Alice Cullen]

-letting out a loud squeal of pleasure, clapping my hands together when she said she'd come by and let me dress her up- "I'm so lucky! I have my own better than Barbie doll when I have you, Bella! -laughing- And I am SO holding you to it! You know I will!"

-we talked a bit longer, she told me some more about their travels and Edward, whom I missed just as bad- "Hey...have you spoken to Esme and Carlisle lately?"

[Bella Cullen]

She chuckled and nodded. "I know you will, I'm counting on it." Telling her of the places they had been so far and where they planned on going next, she smiled at the thought of going back to Swan Island, possibly to live there for a while. But her daughters happiness hung in the balance, what to do about her would be the deciding factor.

"Esme and Carlisle...no I sure haven't. I received some emails about them getting to Rochester safely and that Esme was enjoying decorating their new place. I miss them both, I think I'll have to skype them soon since you know, it's so much better than a phone call or email." She smiled picking on Alice's words about seeing a person was better for the soul than reading an email or hearing their voice.

[Alice Cullen]

-eager nod- "It's way better than snail mail! -winks and blows a cheeky kiss- I think I'll try and ring her up again soon. I miss them. And while, being all adventurous right now is fun, I still get homesick for Forks. But..we'll go back someday. And we'll all be together again...-soft smile, I'd seen it. Hearing a car pull up outside, I glanced out the window to see both a bit of light rain finally falling and Jasper coming up the steps with his arms full of boxes. Ah! My deliveries had arrived! YAY! Glancing back at Bella, I reached forward and laid my hand on the screen, smiling when she did the same. We didn't speak again for a moment, we didn't need to but then I finally gave a brief nod and sat back again.-

"Same time next week, Ms. Cullen?"

[Bella Cullen]

Bella smiled and looked down for a moment. "I have no doubt we'll find our way back to where it all began." She looked up and saw Alice looking out the window and beamed with delight that packages had arrived, most likely for her shop. Placing her hand on the screen to touch her sisters hand with her own she smiled softly and no words were spoken.

Letting her hand drop to her lap when Alice sat back, she gave a small nod with a smile. "Same time next week, Ms. Hale." Winking, she blew a kiss and gave her goodbyes until the next time and ended their skype call. She could just picture Alice running out to greet Jasper excited about her deliveries. Alice was a ball of life on her own, a spark of positivity in her life that Bella always needed and craved. In the dim light of the world, Alice was the light. She hoped that would never change. Looking out the window as a rain drop slowly ran down the clear window, off into the distance stood the regal Eiffel Tower. As much as she loved it here, she missed her dad and Sue, Jacob and Billy...all of them. Her vampire family too, but she held onto the fact that Alice saw them together again one day...and together they'd be, even if just in one another's thoughts, memories and hearts.