Chapter One: Not Happily Ever After
BPOV
I couldn't help the nausea that overcame me at the smell of my own blood. I could swear I was seeing red. I dropped the rock that I'd held so tightly in my hand. I could hear strangled cries in the background, causing me to snap back into reality.
Little did I realize, I'd made everything so much worse… Victoria was crazed at the smell of my blood and it only seemed to be making her stronger. Edward on the other hand, was distracted now and trying to fight her. This wasn't what I had planned. I wanted her to come after me, to give Edward the upper hand. Edward wasn't letting her near me, causing her rage to come out on him.
Only moments after this wild screaming began, I suddenly heard someone yelling for Edward and I was met with a cold chest slamming into me. It sounded like Emmett, but I didn't look up. He was yelling at Jasper to help Edward. 'He'll be okay.' I thought with relief. I thought I could honestly cry.
It didn't seem like he was running with me for very long, but then again, everything was going so fast. Emmett let a furious growl rip out, scaring me to death. Next thing I heard was Alice's worried voice. "I didn't see it coming. But I don't think they'll hurt Carlisle." 'Hurt Carlisle? Who?'
"Bella? Is she okay?" I felt her touch my shoulder with her tiny cold hands. "She's bleeding." He said roughly. I could tell it was probably difficult for him. I finally snapped out of my trance and looked at Alice. "I don't think it's too bad…" I mumbled. Alice gave me a small, strained, reassuring smile. I think she was glad I wasn't in shock.
I had to know what was going on though. "What happened to Carlisle?" I tried to sound as calm as I could, but I was still shaken. Alice looked down. 'It's bad.' "The Volturi apparently had caught wind of what Victoria was doing and they arrived a few moments ago. They said Carlisle was to come back with them. He tried to argue, but they wouldn't listen. They took him."
"But…Aro likes Carlisle." I said as though that would change anything. Alice nodded, but didn't change her fixation on her feet. "That's true. That's why I don't think they will hurt him. But there's no reason for them to take him otherwise either."
I thought about it for a moment, but I didn't know a whole lot about the Volturi. What they would want with Carlisle was beyond me. "Emmett, you can put me down-" I looked up at Emmett, realizing he didn't hear me at all. I followed his gaze to Alice, who was frozen where she stood. She was seeing something.
"Oh god, Jazz." Was the first thing she said. 'Jasper? Is he hurt?' "Alice, what's wrong? What happened to Jasper?" I wiggled until Emmett let me down, only to realize I couldn't stand on my own and everything went black almost immediately.
--------------
'Mmm. I don't want to get up. But he already knows I'm awake.' I giggled internally, waiting for Edward to acknowledge my waking. He always worried holding me that I would get cold, but I didn't mind. I sighed a rolled toward him. "Bella, dear? You are awake now?" 'What?'
I looked up not to see my Edward, but Esme that was holding me. I looked around me, it was an unfamiliar room. "Where am I?" I asked when my eyes came back to hers. "My room, dear." She replied with a small smile. I looked over myself briefly to see the bandage on my wrist. "Oh, Jasper…What happened to him?"
Esme looked at me, confused, but pain evident in her expression. "Jasper wasn't hurt…" She looked away from me. I knew she was not wanting to tell me anything. "Then what did Alice see? What happened? Where's Edward?" My panic was growing by the second. Something was wrong and very very wrong. Esme turned back to me with the most heartbreaking expression I think I'd ever seen. "Oh god…Edward…"
I think right at that moment, the Earth might have stopped spinning and I wouldn't have noticed or cared. 'Edward. Edward. My Edward. He can't be… This is a mistake…' I just sat there as the tears rolled down. I couldn't accept this as reality. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. I'd wake up any moment and Edward would comfort me from this nightmare.
The hours rolled by. I didn't wake up. My love was gone. My life was gone. Gone for good this time. There was no coming back. He was dead. Esme, she was so sweet. She laid there with me and never moved other than to bring me water, which I didn't drink. After another hour…or two…or three…there was an argument downstairs. Two shrill voices and a booming gruffy voice. I knew it was Emmett, Rosalie and Alice. Esme was with me, Carlisle was gone…Where was Jasper?
After a little while it was quiet. I heard who I believed to be Emmett trudging up the stairs, then a few minutes later go back down. Then the back door open, and shut. I wanted to know what was going on, but I was so numb I couldn't really move or find the will to talk. Esme was always so motherly, but I could see she was hurting and worrying. I could imagine your husband being with the Volturi not a pleasant experience.
Suddenly the door slammed open with such force, I was sure the wall had a dent in it. It was Rosalie and she looked mad. Really mad. "Why didn't you stop them?!" She screeched. I always thought her voice was beautiful, but right now it hurt. "Bella doesn't need to be left alone right now." She said calmly in response.
Unfortunately, it only made Rose even more angry, if that was possible. "It's always about Bella. Bella this, Bella that, god damnit! What about our family?! Because of her, my brother is dead, my father is being held by the fucking Volturi and my husband could be walking to his own death! Can't you think about anyone but Bella?!"
Esme quickly turned from calm to furious. I'd never seen her look so deadly as she did at that moment. "Rosalie Hale. You'd better get out of this room and not come back. Do you understand? I don't care what you think about Bella. She is a part of this family and its time you got over it. It's not fair to take your pain out on her. You can't imagine what she must be going through. I don't want to talk to you at all. Get out." She said with as much venom as possible. She actually scared me.
I lay, unmoving, in the same spot and just stared as Rose stormed off. Esme took a deep breath to calm herself before she returned to me. I must have looked terrified, because she was immediately worried. "Are you alright, dear? I didn't mean to frighten you. Rose is upset, she got a little out of line, please don't take her seriously. Once she calms down she will regret it, I assure you. She has a good heart underneath."
I nodded, trying to look calmer. Well, at least the way I did before Rose came in. Esme scooted over to my side and held me the way she did earlier that morning. I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't think about what Rose said. She was probably right, but I didn't care. Esme was caring for me, and to be honest, I didn't do much, but I wanted her there. It made me feel like I wasn't sinking into a black hole that would swallow me alive. A had a root to my life. My empty life…
--------------
EsmePOV
I had stayed with Bella for hours. She was finally asleep. I was so worried for her. Of course I was worried for Carlisle as well, but I knew deep down he'd be alright and so would Alice and Emmett. They left earlier to go to Volterra. I didn't try to stop them. Alice would do what she thought best, that was good enough for me. Emmett would keep her safe. Rose was upset that Emmett wouldn't allow her to go with them. And because Emmett was going period. I knew she was worried sick, but it didn't excuse her behavior.
I needed to hunt. But I wasn't sure leaving Bella with such a volatile Rosalie was a good idea. I'd have to seek out Jasper. At this point I wasn't sure who was better. Jasper has been a complete mess and won't talk to anyone. He'll give a nod, but that's about it. It worried me terribly to see him in such a state.
He was sitting out by the creek. I calmly approached him. He didn't look at me for a while. When I sat next to him he finally looked up. "Jasper. Could you please sit with Bella? I don't want to leave her, but I need to hunt and to be honest, I need a little time to clear my head. She's asleep. You don't have to say anything. Could you please?"
Jasper looked at me with a dull expression that quickly turned to slight shock then a tinge of fear. He began shaking his head furiously. "No. That's not a good idea." He backed away from me a little. "Jasper, you can't run from her forever. She's not mad at you. Why do you continue to avoid her and everyone else?" I was trying hard to understand how he felt. Even as a vampire, I knew this was traumatic for him. Someone he cared about died and he couldn't stop it.
"I'm only gonna to do it because of what Rose did." he finally replied. I sighed. It was better than nothing. "Thank you Jasper." He looked back at me, "And cause I love you both." He added as he walked toward the house. I couldn't help but smile. That was my Jasper. I knew he had a big heart down inside. He's always been a little reserved, but I know in time, he would relax around Bella more. He just needed some time, like everyone else.
--------------
RPOV
I was so angry. At everyone. At myself. How could this happen? How could I let this happen? Edward. He was gone and I couldn't help him. Jasper tried and he failed. It was too much. We knew that from the beginning. But we didn't really have a choice. We all loved Bella and would do anything to keep her safe.
I felt bad for lashing out at her, but I was emotional. It just sometimes seems like she's the only person they consider. What about my feelings? But then again, she's human. She's in such a fragile state. I think Esme was worried she'd turn suicidal. To be honest, if I were human and Emmett had died, I might have too. I hope I never have to think about it.
She was holding most of it in. Esme told me to stay away, so after I took a break to calm myself, I listened. Occasionally she'd cry again, but mostly she just laid completely still. No sound but her heart beating at her shallow breaths. Her crying was one of the most pitiful sounds. I felt bad. She was in a lot of pain.
I noticed after a few more hours, Esme left her room. I wasn't sure where she was going and if she would come back, so I didn't move. After an hour, I figured she'd left to hunt. She wasn't in the house anymore. But someone else was with Bella.
I slowly walked toward the door. I couldn't believe Esme got Jasper to stay with her. She's the last person I'm sure he wants to see right now. And he was so messed up when he finally came back. He actually completely ignored Alice, which upset her a great deal.
"Jasper? I need to talk to her." I whispered, though I doubt Bella would've woken. I was suddenly overcome with anger and protectiveness. He wasn't even trying at all to not project. "I'm not mad at her anymore, you know that. I just wanted to apolegize." I told him.
Jasper continued to glare at me for a few moments. "No. Esme told you to stay away. You won't talk to her until Esme says you may." He finally spoke. His voice sounded a little off. I didn't like how he was feeling so I decided to give it up for once and walk away. I really wasn't sure if things would be okay around here. It was just me, Esme, Bella and Jasper.