Life According to Alice - after chapter 98

Alice's POV

Checking the flank steak under the broiler I turned back to the stove giving the glazed carrots a stir and swallowed hard to keep the smell of the melted butter from getting to me. For the moment the kids were sitting on the floor together contently playing with the Aquadoodle. So when Jazzy came into the kitchen it was a happy little scene of domestic bliss to greet him after his day at work.

“Hey guy's what are you doing?” talking to the kids and looking quite dashing in black Armani pants, his crisp white dress shirt a perfect backdrop to the Burgundy silk tie. The image of professionalism right down to his Gucci oxfords.

“Daddy!” A happy Mia sprang, nearly knocking him over as he squatted between our children“ook me coloring”

“I see that, and it's a beautiful picture” appeasing her while Vinny inclined his head giving Jazz the sweet smile that always melts my heart. “haáahe ha'éehe”

“Ha-hay ...what?” Jazz questioned while I rolled my eyes .

One night away from me and my son comes home sporting a whole new vocabulary.

Vinny laughed “Not ha-hay...ha'-ack ha'éehe it's native talk and means hello daddy”

“Oh...well ha-ack to you too” smiling at our son as he ruffled his hair and asked “Did Aunt Bella teach you that?”

“Nope ...” giving a head shake “Jake did, he and Leah told me how to say lots of words. We were talking them all night and even Uncle Eddie knows how to say stuff and they are going to teach me more”

“Me wonna say ha'-acks too daddy”

Vinny scowled “You're a big copy cat Mia”

“I not copy cat!”

so much for domestic bliss

“Hey, hey, hey... Mia stop yelling and Vincent you don't call your little sister names, there's nothing wrong with her learning the words too. In fact, it would be really nice of you to teach her just like someone took the time to teach you.”

Great, now they are both going to be walking around speaking in tongues

Jazz's tone lost that reprimanding edge to it “It sounds like you had a lot of fun at Uncle Eddie's”

“I did... we made pizza and played cards...”

Tuning him out as I checked the meat under the broiler because I had already heard – several times – all about the 'PIG' game you play by sticking your tongue out. How he stayed up late, slept in bed with the dog and in the morning made eggs with Edward.

How's that for a giant kick in the ass?

I'm doing everything I can to keep from wrenching my guts up and Bella's getting served breakfast in bed.

Maybe that was payment for services rendered, or possibly an incentive for things to come and I didn't even want to think about what repayment would entail. I was still rather sickened by the sight of her ass after my brother hit her with a cane – A fucking cane.

What the hell is the matter with Bella and my brother?

I can understand the mind games, role playing at being the weak minded woman who lets her man have his way with her. That can be fun and even Jazzy and I aren't above a bit of kinky bedroom fun. Hell even Rose has her moments of getting lost in her man. But with Bella, it goes way to far, having to seek permission to do anything. Openly calling him Master like his word was the die all, end all decision that makes her world go round.

Where is her dignity?

Men are different creatures, if allowed to perpetuate their desires they will act out on everything that comes into their minds. And with Edward, I can only begin to imagine what kind of sick things he's seen over the years. Since his return from Dartmouth my brother has been our uncles little crony, helping out with the club and even living at his house for a time. All those images of live bondage scenes warping his mind until he begins to act them out. The only thing needed is a willing partner and he's definitely had his pick from the women at the club. All of them swooning over him like he was 'gods gift to womanhood', feeding his ego and his desires at the same time.

What man wouldn't eat up that shit?

They all 'played' with him – and it was playing, acting out a scene the same way they would in a movie – all of them hoping to be 'the one'.

The one he would choose for his own, the one who would steal his heart, and the one who would eventually become Mrs Edward Cullen.

The problem was none of those skanks were good enough, they were all just whores who gave my brother their bodies for his own pleasures. So when Bella came along, and it was so clear to me from the very beginning that she was 'the one.' She was going to be 'the one' who would complete my brothers soul, who would save him from his self destruction. Bella was the woman who – like Rose - would 'play' at his games yet put a stop to all the other stuff. The revolving bedroom door would be shut down and Edward could once and for all put an end to his nasty sexual appitite.

She was so utterly perfect, not only for Edward but also to take a place in our family and among our social peers. Her father's occupation in law enforcement was totally commendable and his being the chief of pilice was even more repetitable. Her Ivy League education would be enough to open doors for her among my parents social associates. And the fact she was a home owner, a college professor and gave freely of her time to charity work made her more then acceptable. On paper Bella would fit in perfectly without bringing any form of embarrassment to herself or the family.

At least I had thought that was the way it would be however it soon became very clear that Bella Swan was so totally middle class with the attitude to go along with it. No matter how much I tried to make her see the differences in social standards she just wouldn't listen to my advice. I knew my brother would be asking to marry her and as a Cullen, Bella would be expected to show herself in a highly refined and dignified manor. She would be a reflection of the Cullen family in both deeds and appearances and her off the rack taste just wasn't going to cut it.

I explained to her the benefits associated with a designer label, finer quality material, better fit, longer wear and of course the deprecation value isn't as high, which comes in handy for tax purposes. Yet for all my talking, Bella would still rather shop the clearance racks at Target. It's like my brother will forever be destined to scan the Sunday circulars looking for the cheapest pair of Fruit -of-the-Looms.

Or perhaps not, it made me wonder what happens when little Bella Swan became grown up Isabella Cullen and along with the name change came a whole bunch of zero's on my brothers bank statement. Would her values and views on spending money stay the same or is a change going to occur to fit the standard of living Edward could give her?

I knew Bella had her own trust fund from the death of her mother, it was a nice little sum but no where near what Edward was entitled to and would receive in the future. The sheer amount would be enough to make anyone’s head spin from second rate racks to personal shoppers and Bella would be no different. A marriage without the benefit of a prenuptial agreement would set the woman up with a whole lot more then she has in the bank should a divorce take place. Receiving a share of something she had no claim on, something that by only sheer luck she fell into.

And what would her claim be for divorcing my brother and taking half of everything he has? The same thing she claimed in her first marriage – abuse.

There was a time when I felt sorry for all that Bella had gone through, at the moment I'm beginning to wonder. Was it really abuse or did she just go along with what her husband did to her as a means to being married and a way of getting an early advance on the trust fund. She told both Rose and I how she regretted every time she had been with her ex. If it was so damn bad why in the world would you link yourself to a person by marrying them?

The only reason I could come up with was because it was a means to an end, so she sold her soul to the highest bidder. Marring a man just to get her hands on the money she was not due to receive until she was twenty-five. Then when things got to be more then she had bargained for, she split, expecting the world to see her as the victim and carrying the scars to prove it.

It all seems like a sick conniving person to come up with such a plan for gaining access to money, yet people have done far less for the almighty dollar. The thing is, Bella was bringing my brother's life and reputation into the mix. She would be lumping Edward in with the violent abusers who leave their women with black eyes and broken bones. Making my handsome, kind, intelligent, thoughtful, generous and honorable brother nothing more then a common wife beater.

It would fit the profile of the poor little victim who once again found herself at the hands of a monster. And what would her proof be?

A bright red ass curiosity of Edward and his collection of canes.

I couldn't for the life of me figure out how Bella could be so damn hypocritical. How she could allow my brother to 'have his way' with her and then go to the shelter and counsel abuse victims. How could she look at herself in the mirror and not see how much of a phoney she was?

Was she so desperate that she'd put herself in the position to allow my brother to act out his sick fantasy's. What kind of woman allows herself to be beaten with a cane and then smiles about it like she's proud of the marks it left on her ass?

A conniving diabolical bitch whose on a mission – that's who.

And she is on a mission, she has Edward wrapped around her little finger, mom fawning all over her and gushing about how wonderful Bella is. My father thinks she's the most genuine person he has ever met, referring to her as 'my daughter'. Rose who hates everyone and takes forever to form a bond with, was sucked right into Bella's web. In two months time, my sister-in-law has become closer to Bella then she has with me in seven years. Emmett calls her little Bells, like she's some kind of good luck charm and even my grandma thinks she's so utterly perfect and cant wait for the wedding. I haven't gotten a chance to speak with my aunts and uncles but I know for a fact Aro simply adores Bella.

He would...sick and twisted as he is

But the worse is when my children run to her and she attempts to mother them. She can worm her way into everyone else and take a spot she didn't earn, but not with my children. And to think that out of respect for her, I'm the one who started calling her Aunt Bella. That was before our trip to Oregon and all the things that have occurred since we've been home. I've seen the way Bella works, sucking everyone in with her deceptions and making them think she is some kind of hero for having survived the brutality. When in reality is like a con-artist who uses her past life to get attention and sympathy while she attempts to gain something she's not entitled to.

Shutting off the heat I was slightly startled by my husbands arms wrapping around my waist, his open palm resting on the lower portion of my stomach. “Did you have a good day baby girl?”

Did I have a good day?

The best part about my day was Mia woke from her afternoon nap completely dry. It had been almost a week since she's had an accident. The palm on my stomach moved, reminding me of the little accident that did happen. I suppose I have Bella to thank for that also.

Jazzy and I are so careful in our natural family planning using my monthly cycle as an indicator of when it safe to have intercourse and when we are to abstain. Thanks to Bella's presence, along with that strange phenomena which somehow synchronize monthly periods in a group of women, my normal cycle got off kilter and must have ovulated early.

The night we had dinner at mom's apartment I had Jazz stop at the drug store before we came home, Friday morning my suspicions were confirmed. The fatigue, the sore boobs, the queasy stomach and late period was all one big 'SURPRISE' I was not exactly happy about.

The positive EPT test could not have come at a worse time and it left me with no alternative but to turn down Riley's invitation to work with him on his new collection. The opportunity to be at the New York unveiling would have been a boost to my career, however come February I will be in my third trimester and unable to fly. He congratulated me of course and still gave me the choice of being a part of the line by working with him here in Seattle. Yet being part of the total experience, not to mention the possibility of gaining a broader client base is completely out of the question.

Thank you very much Bella

And what happened when I called my mother to tell her the happy news? All I got was a 'that's great honey' before she launched into a two hour description of lunch time with Bella and started planning a wedding for a person who hasn't even been proposed to yet. Mom's ideas are completely over the top, a ten piece orchestra, live swans in a three tier flowing fountain and commissioning Perrine Bruyere to do the dresses.

The woman was out of her mind

“Are you feeling sick?”

I didn't want Jazz to worry about me, especially since there was nothing he could do to ease it. Spinning in his arms I wrapped my hands around his neck, raised up on my toes and kissed my husband. “I'm fine Jazzy, just a little tired and kind of perturbed”

I didn't want to have another fight with Edward, in fact when he brought up the subject – again – I tried to walk away, hopeing he would get the point that I didn't want to keep dwelling on it.

“What are you perturbed about” Jazz asked after I released my hold on him to turn off the carrots.

“Edward dropped off Vinny and we had a...discussion” lowering my voice so the kids didn't hear “He accused me of being condescending and patronizing all because yesterday I brought up the idea of him having a pre-nup”

“Alice” saying my name in the same reprimading tone he takes with the kids “That's none of your business. How would you have felt if Edward had said that to you”

“My brother's welfare is my business, besides you and I are more equally dividied then he and Bella are”

“Not really Alice, there's still a big difference”

“Yeah but your family is a lot closer to mine then hers will ever be and besides your income is enough for us to live comfortably. What is she bringing to the table? An eighty- thousand dollar a year income and a small trust...” raising my eyebrows and pointing out “...which was from a death benefit so technically it was never earned, it's like hitting the lottery”

“I don't think her mother dying is the same thing as winning the powerball and I hope you didn't say that shit to Edward.”

“Of course not”

“Good”

“All I said was that he needs to be careful and he should consider speaking to a lawyer and so today he asked why I didn't like Bella. And you know I have been nothing but nice to her, making her feel welcomed and trying to show her what is expected of her. I mean Edward is going to marry her, do you know what it means when she becomes a Cullen?”

Seeming to be thinking of an answer his forehead crinkled “She has to change the monogram on her luggage?”

Sighing I turned to the broiler and started plating the steak “If your just going to treat this like a big joke...”

“I'm sorry baby...”the humor still in his voice “really I am. But I think your making a bigger deal out of this then it has to be. Edward's financial status is his own business, whatever he chooses to do is on him.”

“Yeah well, I don’t like being called mean and being told it was all my fault if the family gets ripped apart. He basically said all the things I did to try and help Bella were worthless and you can joke about her being a Cullen but it means something. We have a high social standing in this town, my mother is on the board of so many charities and my father is a highly respected man. You know that, it was daddy's influence that helped get you into the group your in. Bella doesn't see that because she's never been taught the meaning of being one of the elite. And for all that I did for her, Edward basically slapped me in the face, told me to keep my mouth shut and said if I wanted to help someone I should sponsor a child from Africa.”

My husband knew me well, cupping my face in his warm hand he gave me a concerned look and asked quietly “What else did he say?”

“He told me I was a self-centered snob...and he didn't want me influencing his perfect Bella with my destructive attitude.” my eyes filled with tears at the memory of his parting words “And he said it be a cold day in hell before he let me hurt his precious Bella...” the tears were flowing down my face as I spoke in a whisper “...heaven forbid poor Bella has her feeling hurt ...but he didn't give two shits that he was hurting mine”

“Shhhh...” holding me against his chest and letting me cry for a moment until I felt a small tug on my shirt. 

"Are you ok mommy?" 

Vinny's voice so full of worry for me helped to put everything back into perspective. I wasn't responsible for my brother or who he chooses to be with. I had my own children to take care of and my own life to keep track of.

Nodding at my son I wiped my eyes "Yes baby I'm fine would you please take your sister to wash your hands for dinner" 

The worry was still in his eyes along with Mia and that was something I just couldn't let happen. My children didn't need to see me upset over my brother. Jazz lifted my chin and with the pad of his thumb wiped the last tear from my eye.   “I'll talk to him baby girl”

“No...” shaking my head and sniffling as the hurt turned to anger “...if Edward would prefer I not have anything to do with his delicate Bella, then that's what I'll do. I'll be polite, and cordial and other then when I have to be with her at family gatherings or other events, I’ll leave her alone.”