"Bella!" 

Oh, crap. I knew what was coming when Alice sounded like that. It meant that she was going to do something either extremely annoying or extremely embarrassing to me. Preferably both, in her opinion, although she didn't see it as annoying  or embarrassing from her point of view. 

My five-year-old daughter, looking like she was sixteen, was sprawled over the couch, intent on the movie we were watching. Nessie had been fascinated with the story of Romeo and Juliet ever since I'd let her read the book, so the screen versions naturally called to her. It was her first time seeing this particular version of Shakespeare's original tragedy, and I didn't want her to miss any of it.

"Not now, Alice," I hissed. "We're watching a movie." I was pleased to have an excuse to stay out of Alice's silly little games.

She appeared in the doorway to the living room, sinking gracefully into a chair. "Bella, you've seen this movie more times than I care to count, both human and non. Surely you've memorized it by now? Therefore, Nessie is the only one watching the movie, so you are available to do whatever you want to do, and right now, you want to come with me."

Nessie laughed, a tinkling melody of wind chimes. "She's got you there, Mom." She lazily reached out one finger to touch my cheek. Se was envisioning me going off with Alice. I'll be fine, she told me mentally. I always am. 

I sighed. Alice grinned, then grabbed my arm, yanking me upstairs. 

"Alice!" I complained. "I know how to walk!"

She didn't say anything, just laughed as she came to a stop in her room. To my surprise, Rosalie was there, and Esme. 

"What is this, a girls' party? Why wasn't Renesmee invited?"

I heard Nessie laugh again, and, as Romeo had just killed Tybalt, I doubted her humor was from the movie. So, my own daughter was in on the plot.

I shook my head, trying to distract Alice with a question. "When are the guys getting back?" I missed Edward, and knew Alice missed Jasper, just as Esme and Nessie missed their men.