Chapter 1: Running on Faith

Bella walked down the stairs, very anxious for Edward to come back. He had gone on a hunting trip with his brothers. "He said he wouldn't be very far away." She muttered to herself.

Her dad had already left for work. Usually, he didn't work weekends. But the department asked him to work another shift, because a coworker was on vacation.

Bella's Point of View

I always hate this part. I hated being away from Edward for any amount of time.

I walked over to the fridge and got a water bottle. I decided to go out for a while. I found a pen and some paper and left a note for Charlie, in case he would get back before I did.

I went and got my coat from the closet. Walking out the door, I locked it behind me. I started walking down the road hoping that a walk would get Edward not being here off of my mind. I started picking up pace until I was at a fast jog. With every passing minute I felt even more free than the pervious.

"It's been too long since I've done this." I said to myself.

The cool breeze blowing through my hair felt exhilarating. I slowed my pace to catch my breath. Once my breathing was back to normal, I started to jog again eventually breaking into a full out run.

After half an hour, I somehow ended up at Edward's house. I knew that Edward wasn't home, but Alice, Esme, and Rosalie were. They might enjoy my company. I reached for the handle, but Esme beat me to it. She opened the door with a surprise, but pleasant smile, inviting me in.

"I didn't hear your truck. I thought I had intruders." She laughed. I've always loved the way Esme laughed. The beautiful sound that came out of her mouth was astounding every time. "How did you get here, dear?"

"I jogged," I smiled. Alice came down the stairs, her eyes grew really big.

"I was coming to get you." Her bright eyes were glittering. "I saw you walking by yourself. I didn't think that you would be here by the time I came down the stairs. We'll have to call the boys soon." She broke her gaze from me and looked at Esme.

"What's going on?" I asked bewildered. Alice looked at Esme.

"Edward wanted us to call him for updates on you."

"Well, that's Edward for you." I told her with a smile on my face, thinking about him. She smiled back at me, somehow amused. I guess she thought that I'd be upset about that. "What? You thought that I'd be surprised?" I laughed and so did they.

"Well since you're here, I have wedding designs I want you to---"

"Hey, you took on the responsibility to make the plans and you wanted me to have a nice big wedding. Pick what you want. I know it will turn out amazing and if it doesn't, so what. I don't care about the colors, the designs on the plates, or what I wear. I would've settled with going to Vegas and have Elvis marry us." I laughed uncontrollably. Rosalie, Esme, and Alice started to laugh at my outburst.

"Shall we try on your wedding dress then?" Alice asked. "I mean if you want to.... while the boys are away and everything."

"Let's go." We went upstairs to her room. When she closed the door, I realized how sweaty and gross I was. "Alice...."

"Yeah?" She turned around. I looked at myself, and gave her the hint. "Oh, of course." She giggles once then turned serious. "There's a bathroom in there," she pointed. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a light blue sweater and handed them to me. "There are towels under the sink."

"Thanks, Alice."

Ten minutes later, I was showered, had my hair wrapped up in the towel and dried off.

Alice had the dress on the sofa bed. I was speechless when I saw it again. I tried it on, and it was even more gorgeous when it was on.

There was a knock at the door and then it opened. It was Jasper. His jaw fell to the floor. "GET OUT!!" We both screamed. His eyes were the widest I've ever seen. He turned straight around and ran out. We looked at each other laughed. My heart skipped a beat then started to pitter-patter against my chest. Because of one reason......

I knew Edward was home. Alice helped me out of the dress. I got dressed. When I looked at Alice, she had already put the dress back in its plastic casing and headed towards the door. We were excited that our boys were back home. We practically ran downstairs. I looked around and everyone was there except the one person that meant the world to me....Edward. Emmett probably saw my sad expression because he gave me a big smile and said "He's in the garage putting the gear away."

I knew I missed him so much that I didn't even realize that I left the door open. I was out the door, and heard it shut when I was at the bottom of the steps. Running to the garage, I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. But I didn't care! I wanted to see him; I needed to see him. That's what really mattered to me. I pushed open the door and saw him. I ran towards him, just in the knick of time, he turned around as I jumped on him. His face was wide with surprise and the amusement. I kissed him as tears ran down my face. His face suddenly changed and looked concerned.

"They're happy tears!" I told him. Then kissed him again. I wrapped my arms tightly around him, never wanting to let go. But eventually I had to.

"Wow, I should leave more often." He laughed. But I didn't like that. I just looked up at him pouting. "I'm joking, love. I don't like being away from you as much as you do with me."

"How'd you get here? Your truck isn't here...." I simply looked at him and laughed. I told him and he joined in. I told him about what happened with Jasper, and he laughed even harder. We were still laughing when we got into the house. Jasper looked at us, embarrassed. Edward flashed him a grin. I think my face turned beat red. I glanced out the window, it was dark outside. I tried to hide the yawn that escaped me and was unsuccessful. Edward put his arm around my waist and pulled me upstairs, into his room. He laid down on the bed and waited for me to get comfortable. Charlie didn't mind if I came home or not anymore. As long as he knew where I was at all times. He even allows me to stay at the Cullen's, when Edward's home! He already knows that Edward and I are engaged, and that we are waiting until the honeymoon to do anything. Also, he knew that I was safe with Edward. Surprisingly, he was alright with it, probably because we just didn't elope like we were supposed to do originally.

My mom is excited about the wedding! But since word got out, the people of Forks are always staring and gawking at me. It's like I'm under a spotlight.

Edward was really happy that my parents were on board with the wedding. Especially since it was two weeks away. When I think about what my life will be like with Edward. I can't help but to smile. I always get the butterflies when I'm around him. I love him so much! Even if I had to bargain with him about him changing me. Going through with the wedding won't be too bad. Edward's happy that we're going to be married before that happens. It was totally worth it!

I rested my head on his chest and wrapped mu right arm around hm. Another yawn escaped me; Edward smiled my favorite crooked smile. This smile always caused his eyes to sparkle. I think that's the reason why it's my favorite. My heart started to pitter-patter once again. He kissed my forehead, and then chuckled as I drifted off to sleep.

While walking back home, I decided to take a shortcut through the woods. As I was walking, I heard a branch break. My first instinct was to look under my foot, but there wasn't anything there. Feeling terrified, I started to run as fast as I could manage. In the distance, something ran across my line of sight; I couldn't breathe. Out of nowhere, Edward's face was a mere inches from mine. Relief washed through my body, but that feeling quickly faded. His face became tight and serious, like he was angry.

"Bella! Why are you running from me?" He asked. "We have to get out of here before they find you!"

"What are you talking about?" I was confused and terrified. "Who?"

"The Volturi!" he exclaimed. "I have to get you out of here." Suddenly he was on his knees, pain written all over his face. "Bella, what are you still doing here? Run!"

"You lie to us," someone hissed from the shadows. Something pounced on him. Edward was defenseless. Still on his knees, then there were more of them. They started ripping Edward apart.

"EDWARD!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind. Tears began to run down my face. I closed my eyes.

"Bella...Bella....Bella!" They started to shake me. The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't make it out. I opened my eyes and saw Edward.

"It's okay, it was just a dream." He wrapped his arms around me, as if on a cue I started to bawl. Tears poured down my face, but I couldn't stop them. I tightened the gripped that I had on Edward, burying my face in his chest. "Shhh..... You're okay, I'm here." He said in a soothing voice. I started to calm down after awhile. I told him what had happened in the dream. When I finished telling him about the dream, I looked him in the eyes and saw worry in them.

"I'll be back," he said as he wiped the last of my tears away.

"Edward, don't leave me," I cried. Afterwards, I felt stupid and embarrassed by how pathetic I sounded.

"I'm just going to talk to Alice about something. I'll be right back. Okay?" His face was filled with concern.

"You promise?" I asked.

"I promise." He hugged me, and I kissed him. "Get some sleep."

"I'll try." I could already tell that I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. Especially without Edward near me.

I got up out of bed, and went over to Edward's mini-fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. Absent mindedly, I walked toward the glass wall and gazed out at the forest. Then a strange noise on the outside caught my attention.
"Edward------" I called and suddenly I was cut off. Glass suddenly shattered and fell on me. I screamed out in pain. The shards of glass ripped through my clothes and tore into my skin.

"Bella!" Alice yelled from downstairs. Then I heard everybody running from room to room to get to the stairs.

I tried to move, but it hurt like hell! When I looked up, I saw a dark figure about five feet away from me. The figure touched my lower back. I felt my skin burning where the figure had touched. I went to scream out my pain, but it quickly disappeared. Ignoring the pain, I pushed myself to the door.

"Edward!" I shrieked with urgency. I was halfway out the door when I saw Edward. Along with everyone else. He was halfway up the stairs.

"Bella!" I ran over to him. The dark shadow chased after me. I could hear footsteps chasing after me. I tripped and fell forward. Excruciating pain shot through my body, which made me scream. I flipped over on my back. I sat up. Edward was by my side. He didn't seem to notice the shadow.

"Edward, behind you!" I yelled. He looked behind him. Now, he finally understood. He must have smashed out the lights because I could barely see. Edward's strong arms wrapped around me and picked me up. He ran downstairs passing everyone else, who were now at the top of the stairs.

"Carlisle, I need you!" Edward called.

He laid me down on the couch. I had coughed up blood multiple times. I could barely breathe. In between coughs, I had to take staggered breaths. Carlisle came running with black medical bag. Carefully, Carlisle removed the removed the remaining glass and had Edward apply pressure on the wounds with gauze. Carlisle took a big syringe out and tied a rubber band around my arm causing my veins to pop out. I could feel myself turn white.

"Bella," Edward said, as he caressed my cheek. I hadn't realized that I had stopped breathing altogether. I took in a deep staggered breath. Carlisle stuck the needle in my arm. I felt squeamish, but it numbed the pain. There was a sickening thud. I felt like I was going to vomit. But I held it back. Alice came rushing downstairs and with that the front door busted open.

"More vamps!!" Alice said with a frown.

"There are a lot more," I said. Everyone looked at me confused. I kept fading in and out of consciousness. Edward looked at me.

"How many more, Love?" I took a deep breath.

"Hundreds." I whispered. They all gasped. "Call Jacob." I said as I blacked out.

The sound of vampires being ripped apart filled my ears. I could hear Edward's low growl close by me. I sat straight up and winced with pain. I covered my ears to muffle the gut-wrenching noise. In between the snaps and cracks, I heard howls outside getting closer. I slowly opened my eyes not knowing what to expect.

A vampire came around the other side of the living room, and lunged at me. I screamed and put my hands in front of me, but the weirdest thing happened. The vampire that was about to jump on me; slammed into the wall in front of me.

"What's happening to me?" I asked myself.

Edward turned around and saw my face. "Bella," I was totally zoned out, thinking about what happened. "Bella!" He yelled. He ran over to me and slammed a vampire in the gut with his fist and sent him flying across the room. I just sat there staring at my hands. He picked me up and took me outside; where the remainder of the fight was held.

I stood up and held my hands out in front of me. I felt ridiculous. I probably stood there for ten straight minutes trying make it happen again.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I thought about what happened. I thought about what I was feeling, thinking, and doing.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Edward on the ground and at least ten vamps on top of him. I took another deep breath. Even though it hurt my insides when I saw this, but I couldn't let it ruin my concentration. All I thought about helping him. I put everything I had in me into it. Then I pushed my hands out in front of me as fast as I could. All ten vamps were thrown at least fifty feet in the air. But this time, the vampires were engulfed by fire. By the time, it reached the ground all that was left was dust. I fell to my knees then my vision went black.