nd you dont?

He suddenly kissed me again, not letting me answer. He pulled away after just a second. Charlies on his way.

Ill have him drop me at your house.

Ill follow you there.

Thats not really necessary, I tried to say, but he was already gone.

Bella? Charlie called from the doorway of the restaurant, squinting into the darkness.

Im out here.

Charlie sauntered out to the car, muttering about impatience.

So, how do you feel? he asked me as we drove north along the highway. Its been a big day.

I feel fine, I lied.

He laughed, seeing through me easily. Worried about the party? he guessed.

Yeah, I lied again.

This time he didnt notice. You were never one for the parties.

Wonder where I got that from, I murmured.

Charlie chuckled. Well, you look really nice. I wish Id thought to get you something. Sorry.

Dont be silly, Dad.

Its not silly. I feel like I dont always do everything for you that I should.

Thats ridiculous. You do a fantastic job. Worlds best dad. And . . . It wasnt easy to talk about feelings with Charlie, but I persevered after clearing my throat. And Im really glad I came to live with you, Dad. It was the best idea I ever had. So dont worry  youre just experiencing post-graduation pessimism.

He snorted. Maybe. But Im sure I slipped up in a few places. I mean, look at your hand!

I stared down blankly at my hands. My left hand rested lightly on the dark brace I rarely thought about. My broken knuckle didnt hurt much anymore.

I never thought I needed to teach you how to throw a punch. Guess I was wrong about that.

I thought you were on Jacobs side?

No matter what side Im on, if someone kisses you without your permission, you should be able to make your feelings clear without hurting yourself. You didnt keep your thumb inside your fist, did you?

No, Dad. Thats kind of sweet in a weird way, but I dont think lessons would have helped. Jacobs head isreally hard.

Charlie laughed. Hit him in the gut next time.

Next time? I asked incredulously.

Aw, dont be too hard on the kid. Hes young.

Hes obnoxious.

Hes still your friend.

I know. I sighed. I dont really know what the right thing to do here is, Dad.

Charlie nodded slowly. Yeah. The right thing isnt always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So . . . good luck figuring that out.

Thanks, I muttered dryly.

Charlie laughed again, and then frowned. If this party gets too wild . . . , he began.

Dont worry about it, Dad. Carlisle and Esme are going to be there. Im sure you can come, too, if you want.

Charlie grimaced as he squinted through the windshield into the night. Charlie enjoyed a good party just about as much as I did.

Wheres the turnoff, again? he asked. They ought to clear out their drive  its impossible to find in the dark.

Just around the next bend, I think. I pursed my lips. You know, youre right  it is impossible to find. Alice said she put a map in the invitation, but even so, maybe everyone will get lost. I cheered up slightly at the idea.

Maybe, Charlie said as the road curved to the east. Or maybe not.

The black velvet darkness was interrupted ahead, just where the Cullens drive should be. Someone had wrapped the trees on either side in thousands of twinkle lights, impossible to miss.

Alice, I said sourly.

Wow, Charlie said as we turned onto the drive. The two trees at the entry werent the only ones lit. Every twenty feet or so, another shining beacon guided us toward the big white house. All the way  all three miles of the way.

She doesnt do things halfway, does she? Charlie mumbled in awe.

Sure you dont want to come in?

Extremely sure. Have fun, kid.

Thanks so much, Dad.

He was laughing to himself as I got out and shut the door. I watched him drive away, still grinning. With a sigh, I marched up the stairs to endure my party.




17. ALLIANCE

BELLA?

Edwards soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, just like he had in the parking lot, and kissed me again.

This kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed mine  like he was afraid we only had so much time left to us.

I couldnt let myself think about that. Not if I was going to have to act human for the next several hours. I pulled away from him.

Lets get this stupid party over with, I mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

He put his hands on either side of my face, waiting until I looked up.

I wont let anything happen to you.

I touched his lips with the fingers of my good hand. Im not worried about myself so much.

Why am I not surprised by that? he muttered to himself. He took a deep breath, and then he smiled slightly. Ready to celebrate? he asked.

I groaned.

He held the door for me, keeping his arm securely around my waist. I stood frozen there for a minute, then I slowly shook my head.

Unbelievable.

Edward shrugged. Alice will be Alice.

The interior of the Cullens home had been transformed into a nightclub  the kind that didnt often exist in real life, only on TV.

Edward! Alice called from beside a gigantic speaker. I need your advice. She gestured toward a towering stack of CDs. Should we give them familiar and comforting? Or  she gestured to a different pile  educate their taste in music?

Keep it comforting, Edward recommended. You can only lead the horse to water.

Alice nodded seriously, and started throwing the educational CDs into a box. I noticed that she had changed into a sequined tank top and red leather pants. Her bare skin reacted oddly to the pulsing red and purple lights.

I think Im underdressed.

Youre perfect, Edward disagreed.

Youll do, Alice amended.

Thanks. I sighed. Do you really think people will come? Anyone could hear the hope in my voice. Alice made a face at me.

Everyone will come, Edward answered. Theyre all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullens mystery house.

Fabulous, I moaned.

There wasnt anything I could do to help. I doubted that  even after I didnt need sleep and moved at a much faster speed  I would ever be able to get things done the way Alice did.

Edward refused to let me go for a second, dragging me along with him as he hunted up Jasper and then Carlisle to tell them of my epiphany. I listened with quiet horror as they discussed their attack on the army in Seattle. I could tell that Jasper was not pleased with the way the numbers stood, but theyd been unable to contact anyone besides Tanyas unwilling family. Jasper didnt try to hide his desperation the way Edward would have. It was easy to see that he didnt like gambling with stakes this high.

I couldnt stay behind, waiting and hoping for them to come home. I wouldnt. I would go mad.

The doorbell rang.

All at once, everything was surreally normal. A perfect smile, genuine and warm, replaced the stress on Carlisles face. Alice turned the volume of the music up, and then danced to get the door.

It was a Suburban-load of my friends, either too nervous or too intimidated to arrive on their own. Jessica was the first one in the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Conner, Austin, Lee, Samantha . . . even Lauren trailing in last, her critical eyes alight with curiosity. They all were curious, and then overwhelmed as they took in the huge room decked out like a chic rave. The room wasnt empty; all the Cullens had taken their places, ready to put on their usual perfect human charade. Tonight I felt like I was acting every bit as much as they were.

I went to greet Jess and Mike, hoping the edge in my voice sounded like the right kind of excitement. Before I could get to anyone else, the bell rang again. I let Angela and Ben in, leaving the door wide, because Eric and Katie were just reac