Bella's Nightmares

The next few weeks went by in a blur for Bella. She tried her best to be strong for Christina and not to let Edward see her cry. At night, however, Bella found herself to be plagued by haunting nightmares. She tossed and turned in her sleep, trying to wake herself up from the terrible nightmares.

One night Bella's nightmares had been so bad she ran to the bathroom and violently vomited into the toilet. Edward heard her and said in a concerned voice, "Bella, what's the matter? You aren't pregnant again are you?"

Bella tried to stand up but her legs were shaking so hard she fell onto the cold tile floor again. She shook her head slowly and said in a raspy voice "No, Edward. I just had a nightmare, that's all. It's stupid really; please just go back to bed."

Edward helped Bella stand up on her wobbly legs and asked, "Do you want to talk about it? It must be something if it's making you so sick."

Bella rinsed her mouth out and then said, "The Volturi tried to take Christina from me. Charlie knew you were a vampire. I'm so scared, Edward. I just want to get the hell out of here."

Edward softly rubbed circles on Bella's back, trying to calm her down. Then he said, "Bella, my Bella Shh. Nothing is going to hurt you. When you're ready come to bed all right, we'll leave in morning, Bella. I promise that you and Christina will be safe."

Bella sniffled and said, "Edward, I'm scared. I can't protect her forever. She's my baby and I can't always protect her."

Edward softly said, "Bella, hush. I won't let anything happen to you or her. Don't be scared, Bella. I will protect you. Four years ago, Bella, nothing scared you. Now you're a scared little girl."

Bella hugged Edward and said, "I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't be scared because you'll protect me."

Edward said, "Its cold in here, you should be in bed. Come on, Bella. We have a big day tomorrow. Do you want me to take the Volvo?"

Bella sighed and said, "I'm too tired to think. Edward, you said that driving wasn't safe. Why would we take the Volvo? Oh, I get it, you just didn't want to take my truck."

Edward said, "Your truck is loud and slow, Bella. It wasn't a safe car to drive when you're running for your life. Plus, Bella, he built that car for you. The last thing you need is to drive it."

Bella sighed and said, "No don't take the Volvo. Edward, I know this is going to sound crazy but I want to fly. That will be the last thing they would expect and it'll be perfect. The plane would be relaxing and I could breathe for once. It would be just you, Christina and me. I wouldn't have to think about running or the Volturi."

Edward nodded and said, "All right, I'll book the tickets and you get straight into bed, Bella. No more bad dreams ok, love."

Bella nodded and followed Edward into the bedroom. She was almost grateful when Edward tucked her in and kissed her cheeks. Bella hadn't had restful sleep in three weeks. After a few minutes Edward teased, "Do you want me to leave the light on, sweetheart?"

Bella was too tired to say anything in protest; she just frowned and snuggled deeper into the blankets. A few hours later Bella woke up to Christina tugging on her quilt. Christina said, "Mommy, I'm scared. Can I sleep with you and Daddy?"

Bella started to say that Christina needed to sleep in her own bed. Edward cut her off and said, "Get up here, munchkin. Oh, you're getting a little big for this. That better, sweetheart? I'm scarier then anything that would be hiding in your closet or under your bed. Closet monsters are terrified of vampires so you're perfectly safe. Isn't that right, Bella?"

Christina sniffled and snuggled under the covers beside Bella. Edward bunched the covers tightly around her and kissed her cheeks. Then he tickled her until she fell asleep. After Bella was sure Christina was asleep she said. "Edward, what are you teaching her? She needs to sleep in her own bed. What happens when she's grown up and we are here when she gets scared?"

Edward lightly kissed Bella and said, "She's only two and a half, Bella. Let me baby her a little while longer."

Bella frowned and said, "I'm sorry, Edward, I'm not mad at you. I just haven't gotten a good nights sleep in over a week."

Edward sighed and said, "The good thing is she's not afraid of vampires anymore. I just wish that I could take away all of her fear. Bella, I always know how to make you feel safe but with Christina I can't. Most fathers know how to make their children feel like nothing bad can happen as long as he's there with them. I can't do that and it makes me feel helpless."

Bella sighed and said, "Edward, look at her, she's not afraid now is she? I would have just taken her back to bed. She feels safe wedged in between us. I've said it once and I'll say it again you are best for my baby."

Edward smiled and said, "Bella, you always know what to say. I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't met you."

Bella suddenly gasped for breath and ran into the bathroom. Tears stung in her eyes but she was too stunned to cry. She was positive that she had heard Jacob's voice. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on it. Bella heard, "Bells, you need to rest. I'm still watching out for you no matter what. I won't let the things from your nightmares hurt you. Go to sleep, Bells. I love you."

Bella opened her eyes when a cold hand touched her cheek and said, "Are you ok, Bella? Was it something I said?"

Bella fell into Edward's arms and sobbed into his chest. After she had caught her breath she said, "I heard him, Edward. Jacob said he is still watching over me."

Edward smiled and said, "Of course he is, Bella. Now you need to get back into bed. I love you, Bella."

Bella wiped a tear away from her cheek and said, "I guess you're right, Edward. I'm sorry I've been such a bitch these past few weeks. I've just been so nervous because of – I don't know why."

Edward lightly kissed Bella's forehead and said, "Bella, you do know why. Please tell me what's bothering you."

Bella sighed and said, "I'm nervous because for the first time in my life I'm holding someone else's in my hands. I guess I'm afraid you're a better father then I am a mother."

Edward sighed and said, "Bella, that's the dumbest thing I've heard. You're a wonderful and strong woman and you're a perfect mother. Like you said before, Christina feels safe wedged in between us. Do you feel any better Bella? Bella – Bella – are you asleep?"

Edward turned his head and saw that Bella had fallen asleep on the floor in the hallway. He laughed softly and gently carried her into the bedroom. In the morning Edward woke Bella and said, "I'm sending you and Christina to Alaska today. I will join you in three weeks time."

Bella bit her lip and said, "Edward when I said I wanted to get the hell out of here I meant all of us. Why aren't you coming with us?"

Edward said, "Bella, I have to stay with my family. I don't want to leave until the wound of Alice's passing has closed. I'm sorry, Bella, but Alice would want me to stay and keep the family together."

Bella rolled over so Edward wouldn't see her cry. After a long time Bella choked out in a voice hoarse with unshed tears, "I understand, Edward. I guess I'll see you in three weeks. I love you."

Edward heard the tears choking Bella's voice and gently took her face in his hands. Then he said, "Bella, it's ok to cry. I'll come home as soon as I can. I'll drive you and Christina to the airport as soon as you're ready. Come here, Bella, that's it, just let it out. There, that's better."

Bella cried until she fell asleep on Edward's chest. Edward rubbed small circles on her back gently. A little while later Christina woke up and crawled across the bed to where Edward was sitting with Bella lying on his chest. She said, "Daddy, do you know what today is?"

Edward laughed and said, "It's your mommy's birthday. You didn't think I'd forget did you?"

Christina hugged Edward and said, "What did you get mommy?"

Edward smiled and said, "I got her plane tickets to Alaska so she could spend time with just you. Doesn't that sound like something fun and special? You're plane leaves in three hours so go pack you things."

Shortly after Christina left the bedroom Bella stirred in her sleep and blinked her eyes several times. Edward put his arm behind her and helped her sit up. After Bella had rubbed the sleep from her eyes she said, "God, I feel terrible! Edward, what happened? Stop looking at me like that, Edward, I probably look like crap right now."

Edward sighed and said, "Bella, do you remember what I said before you went back to sleep?"

Bella said, "Blinking is really painful. What was I doing before I fell asleep?"

Edward sighed and said, "Your eyes hurt because you've been crying. With everything that went on this morning I forgot to wish you a happy birthday. Don't look at me that way, Bella. I know you hate birthdays but Christina is really excited. She even asked me what I got you."

Bella sighed and said, "I have a feeling I can't have what I want. Edward, do you have to stay here for three weeks, please come to Alaska with me and Christina."

Edward let out a very deep sigh and said, "Bella, you need to get out of Forks. It's not safe for you and Christina to be here another day. I can't be selfish and keep you here. Your flight is in three hours so we need to get going. Are you packed, Bella?"

Bella sniffed and said, "Ouch my eyes hurt; I'm going to miss you, Edward."

Edward gently said, "I'll be home as soon as I can. You and Christina are my life and I'm only doing this to keep you safe."

Bella sighed and said, "Living without you in my life, Edward, is worse then any nightmare."

Edward tenderly kissed Bella's cheek and said, "Why is that love?"

Bella started to cry again and said, "It's worse because at least when I have nightmares, I know I'll wake up and it's over. If you leave then I'm forced to believe that this isn't a dream."

Edward sighed and said, "Bella, I'm coming back to you as soon as I can. I promise I'll call you and Christina every night."

Bella forced a smile and said, "I guess I'm ok with it, as long as you swear that you'll come home to me and wake me from my waking nightmares."