Bella POV
Chapter Three
"Mommy, where are we goin'?" Masen asked from the back seat. Every time he read my mind he have a laughing fit then tell me what was so funny. It was entertaining to watch.
"Cam is visiting some friends and then we're going on a trip!" I said. Mason smiled a smile that seemed to big to possibly fit on his face. He flung his hands up into the air waving around the teddy bear he held tightly in his fist.
"We're going on a TRIP!" He then laughed hysterically then caught sight of the show that was on the TV above his head and went silent. That was the first time during this trip. He'd been going non-stop!
Every little thing that happened he'd make a song about it. Almost all of them were catchy and had stuck in my head, driving me crazy. Some of them were just crazy and wild like his trip song. Masen had inherited his father's talent in music. And loved to flaunt it. Because he was spoiled he had a room dedicated just to his instruments.
And he wanted every instrument. It was a different one everyday. But he played all of them well. And he made a song every day too. They were simple, but good. I had never seen Charlie be more proud. We had to stop three times to get cups of blood from the cooler in the back for Masen.
Then he'd needed his teddy bear Fluffypottymus right now. Or he wouldn't be able to sleep. So we'd gotten that too. But he ended up entertaining himself by reading Cam and my minds.
He'd then made a story about every person they'd passed on the road, connecting it to them somehow. "Oh! Mommy! Look! They guy with the black spikey lookin' hair and no shirt. He has a wife and she, she…um…um… she saw Cam shopping for pink bunny slippers last week." His ridiculous ending had me and Cam laughing.
"Spongebob! Daddy! It's SPONGEBOB!" Masen squealed his cute voice filling the car. "OOOHHHHHH, who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQAREPANTS! A'sorbunt and ye-yo and spongy is he!..." Masen sang the whole intro to the Spongebob Squarepants show and I laughed at all his mispronunciations. He had wanted to learn at the same pace as his friends in school so he didn't know any better.
I changed the radio station then rested my hand on Cam's, he looked away from the road for a second to give me a brief smile.
The Spongebob episode came to a close and I looked back to check on Masen to find him sleeping, snoring softly, his head resting on Fluffypottymus. I smiled softly at the cute sight and took a picture on my Iphone, setting it as the background. Then I leaned my head against the window. I needed as much strength as I could get.
It'd been one week since I'd dropped Cam off at his parent's house. I'd stayed there with Masen a few days but then Masen had been eager to get to the resort. Cam hadn't called me yet. I checked my cell every five minute, maybe he had forgotten his cell, but he knew my number, so I was worried.
Masen was starting to catch on the something was wrong so I decided to keep the checking calls to a minimum. After we'd visited every tourist spot and gone to every amusement park, I decided to check out of Disney World Hotel and move to our next adventure; skiing.
Masen had never gone skiing before and when I told him he went over the moon. This time I bought us plane tickets and paid for our car to be shipped out ahead of us. We were going to Alaska.
Because when Masen caught on to skiing, (and he would) he would want some challenges. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a pro at skiing and snowboarding before we left. This helped to divert his attention away from my worrying.
A week and a half, still no calls.
I was 80% sure something was wrong. We'd agreed to splitting up to have a less chance of being found by anyone. But I was missing Cam's comforting presence.
What if they he'd gotten caught by the Volturi? What if they had killed him for being involved? What if they were after me this very minute? Now that I thought about it, going to a ski resort when you eight months pregnant wasn't a really good idea. I know I wasn't going to ski or anything just watch Masen and follow him, but it was dangerous.
I didn't realize I was shaking until Masen was standing in front of me trying to shake me from my trance with his little hands.
"Mommy! Wake UP! No sleeping, Skiing!" he shouted in my face. I forced a smile and picked up out ski's from the hotel floor. The hotel was made just to accustom customers who skied and snowboarded on the mountain behind the hotel.
They had a store with everything you could ever need. Masen had bought one of everything. And he'd already figured out how to put on the ski's. He ripped them out of my grasp and placed them on the ground placing his feet in and snapping them down.
Then he slid his poles over his hands and grasped them tightly, pushing off while I stared at the snow. Cam… "Mommy! Hellllloo? Mommy!" Masen shouted from the ski lift line.
When I looked up Masen was climbing on the lift with complete strangers and I was still standing in the snow with my skis over my shoulder.
"Masen don't-!" but he was already gone. I threw my ski's on a rushed to the ski lift line, I had to get to Masen. Anything could happen.
As I pushed toward the ski lift I whipped out my phone dialling Cam's number. All I got was an operator's voice.
"We're sorry but it appears that your previous bill has yet to be paid. To talk to costumer service press 1."
I froze; previous bill? How had I forgotten? This wasn't possible; I didn't forget things like this! It had to be a mistake. I quickly pressed one. "Please hold while we connect you." Crappy music played and the single's line moved up as two guys jumped on a lift.
I balanced the phone against my ear as I joined a family of three in the line waiting to board a chair. We waited in the slots and moved forward to catch a chair. All of this took only half a minute but it felt like half and hour to me.
I had to find Masen.
Edward POV
She was alive.
Alice said she wanted nothing to do with us, but I would try anyway. I wasn't about to let Bella go. I had to let her know I loved her. Esme had planned a family trip to get our mind's off of everything. She said we needed to give her space and get used to us trying to get back into her life.
I wanted to be with her now, but Esme was right. As always. Esme had chosen a ski resort in Alaska so we could be out all day, and invited the Denali's. Tanya had been all over me as soon as they arrived. But this time I didn't have a reason to avoid her because I was no longer in a relationship.
I'd read Alice mind and I saw Bella in the arms of another man. It nearly broke my unbeating heart realizing that she'd moved on. There had been one thing wrong with the picture. Like it'd been edited, Alice had hidden something from me. Something she didn't want me to know about Bella.
But I'd been so hurt I'd hadn't bothered to press her for more information, and I'd made the mistake of letting Tanya in. She'd jumped on the opportunity and proclaimed us a couple after I let her kiss me.
"Edward, wait!" I turned around to stare at Tanya as she threw open her room door and grabbed my arm. She smiled and pulled me into her room. "Let's stay back for awhile and enjoy finally being alone."
I heard Alice hiss down the hallway as the rest of my family left for the ski lift.
I followed Tanya into her room and closed the door. I let my mind drift thinking about how I used to kiss Bella like this. But with Tanya, she was just a replacement.
The rebound; and she didn't mind.
Bella POV
The ski lift was fast since it was an advanced hill and we were halfway up the hill in under ten seconds. I was still on hold, then; "Hello this is Stacy and how may I help you today?"
"I'm calling about previous unpaid bill and I'm sure I paid it." I said scanning the hill for Masen as we went up.
"Your name please?" Stacy asked
"Bella Salvatore." We'd agreed it would be smart to use Cam's last name to keep us hidden.
"Please wait as I pull up your account… I'm sorry ma'am but your bill was not paid." She stated. "You have $58.90 left to be paid."
"Oh," I gasped frantic to get to Cam. "Well is there anyway I can pay it now." I asked
"Yep, if you can just tell me your credit card number you'll be all set." She said cheerily, I quickly recited it, I was getting frustrated at that point, wanting to talk to Cam.
"Okay ma'am your all set, have a-" I hung up on her and quickly dialled Cam's apartment again.
"Bella! I've tried you a hundred times! Are you okay? Did something happen?" Cam instantly bombarded me with questions.
"Masen's gone!" I gasped, "I messed up! I screwed up everything!" tears stung my eyes and I stopped to wipe them away.
"Bella calm down! Tell me what happened." He said calmly, how could he be calm in a time like this?
"We went on vacation to Florida, then Alaska and we were going skiing and I got really worried that you hadn't called. So I tried calling and it turned out I'd forgotten to pay the bill. And Masen went up the ski lift alone, and when I got there he wasn't anywhere! And so I called you a-and anything could have happened to him. He could be hurt, and scared and…I lost him on a friggin mountain!"
By then I was in full panic mode and attracting more than a few stares. "Alaska?" was all Cam said.
"Yes!" I replied "But that's not the point Cam, Masen's missing."
"No, no Bella you're misunderstanding me, there are a lot vampires live in Alaska. Like the Cullen's." He explained, I froze. My hand started to crush the phone before I pulled myself back into control.
"I'm going to have to call you back." I whispered
"Bel-" I hung up the phone and looked around one more time, still no Masen. I started to ski down the trail looking out for his neon green coat. I passed more than five entrances to side trails that snaked into the forest and were thinner than the family ones.
Masen would probably have gone down one of them, but which one? Should I just stick onto the family trail and hope his was there? What if he was already at the bottom and waiting for me? What if he had come back up hoping to find me. What if he was hurt on a side trail and waiting for someone to find him? Oh God! What do I do?
I stood in the middle of the family trail and cried. Then I heard crying, it sounded like…Masen. I raced toward the sound, skiing further down the family trail and around the sharp turn. On the other side of the trail was Masen sitting on the side of the trail his ski's thrown to the side and crying.
A group of people surrounded him but I ignored them, quickly taking off my ski's and making my way across the trail to my son. A woman had her arm over his shoulder and was trying to sooth him, but Masen wasn't to be soothed. He pushed the woman's arm off of his shoulders.
He sniffled and flashed his big eyes up to the woman glaring at her. "I want my mommy!" he screeched. Masen was never that bad. What was wrong? I reached the small group and pushed past and big burly guy who had his arm over a slender blond.
"Masen!" I said relieved. I fell on my knees next to him and pulled him into a hug. His small arms wrapped around me covering me in snow but I didn't care, I had my son back. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" I scolded him pulling back to stare him in the eye." He nodded still crying and I pulled my gloves of and wiped his face.
"Are you hurt?" I asked and he shook his head. I sighed and pulled him to his feet picking up my gloves and sliding them back on. I looked up to thank the strangers and froze. Because I had figured out what had pissed Masen off. The people who had stopped to help him, the people I despised the most; the Cullen's.
"Uhm…th-thank you." I gasped, grabbed Masen's hand and ski's and pushed my way past Emmett and Rosalie.
"Oh! Wait!" Esme said, I thought about ignoring her for a second but then I would seem suspicious. My eyes fought between their brown and red. I took a deep breath and focused on keeping them brown.
"Yes?" I answered turning around, Esme was holding one of Masen's glove and his poles and if I could've blushed I would've. I must look like a incapable mother to them. But then why do I care what they think? I moved to take them when two people pulled up beside them.
"Sorry we're late." Tanya said "Eddie and I were…busy" she giggled and kissed his cheek. Edward smiled but I would barely call it that. I could feel my control slipping as I saw the couple and turned to walk away clutching Masen's poles. I handed him his glove, and pulled him along behind me.
"Who's this?" Tanya's annoying voice said before I could get away. Emmett shrugged, "What's your name?" Tanya asked, leaning towards me.
I stared at her for a few seconds, deciding how I should kill her. "Ella" Masen said for me. Then he looked up at me "Momma I'm hungry"
"Masen, you just ate." I reminded him. I saw Edward stiffen at my words but I ignored it. He wouldn't be able to make the connection by Masen's name. Anyone could name their child Masen. I started to walk away again when someone else stopped me. Alice.
"Wait!" she said, I was so surprised that I actually did stop, Alice wouldn't tell them who I was would she? "Why don't you eat with us? We're finished anyway." She said, Tanya looked like she was about to argue with Alice but Rosalie shot her a glare.
"I don't really think-" I started to say,
"I insist." Alice was doing this on purpose! I knew if I stayed near the Cullen's one more second I would lose it. I had to get out.
"No we have to leave." I said firmly.
"But we just got here yesterday!" Masen protested
"Masen, I can't take this right now. We're leaving! Now put on your skis!"
"Well maybe another time." Alice said cheerily. Now I wasn't sure if she recognized me behind my face mask. But I felt the last of my control slip and my eyes flashed red. I'd been hiding behind my hair before, to avoid staring at them before but now I looked her square in the face.
"I'm sorry, but no." Then I turned away pulling Masen behind me. All the Cullen's had frozen in shock when they'd seen my eyes. I looked like a vampire yet I'd had a child. It probably made no sense to them. Good. The trail was almost empty and I didn't bother acting like I was a regular human anymore.
I had my skis on in almost one second and picked Masen up placing him in between my skis so I didn't have to worry about him going off on his own. I pushed off keeping Masen steady.
"Wait!" Alice's voice shouted after me, but I ignored her, I hissed and sped up. I knew she'd heard me clearly. I heard her push of after me but I didn't turn around. Of all the people to stop and help is had to be them. Maybe it was a good thing that Masen knew who they were. He'd stayed calm while I was freaking out.
And with Masen's hair covered by his hat they wouldn't be able to see the aching similarity between his hair and Edwards. I sped through all the other people startling more than one.
Alice was still racing after me but I didn't dare stop, or there would be one big massacre. The end of the trail came in sight and I felt relief. Maybe I would be able to get away from her. When we reached the end I kept skiing, I stopped when I reached the entrance of the hotel. They had shovelled away the snow there.
I had Masen's and mine skis and poles off in seconds and on the return rack. I walked quickly inside and checked out. I picked Masen up and carried him to our room. Taking the stairs because the elevator was just so slow.
When I reached the hotel room I kicked the door open and slammed it close. I had lost the Alice in the throng of people pushing to get to the ski lift or just standing around. But I was sure she'd had seen me enter the hotel. And there was no doubt the Cullen's were probably staying here too.
I set Masen down and started to pack. Masen pulled himself onto the bed and sat there watching me.
I was a whirlwind around the room, opening draws and closing draws taking out all our things and tidying up the room. I had it clean and our bags packed in under five minutes and picked them up. I slung the bag over my shoulder and dragged the suitcase behind me. Taking Masen's hand with my free one.
Masen had been silent after I'd freaked out on him and left the Cullen's so abruptly. "Mommy what's wrong?" He asked "Was I bad?"
I shook my head. "No it wasn't you, it was…those people on the mountain." I told him.
"What about them?" he asked, but I shook my head.
"This is one of the things that you're too young to understand." I told him. I went to get my keys out of my purse when I realized I didn't have it. I sighed and Masen held up his arm, it had my purse over it. I laughed, "Thanks, Masen. I'm sorry about this. It'll all be done and over soon."
A valet took our keys and another took our bags and went to get our car. When they pulled the car up to the entrance our bags were packed neatly in the back. Masen opened the door and climbed into his car seat buckling himself in.
I closed the door behind him and hurried over to the driver's side. I had to get out before the Cullen's noticed us. I was halfway into the car when I heard that annoying little voice again.
"Please, wait!" Alice shouted
I quickly buckled my self in and shut the door starting the car. Suddenly Alice was next to my window. "Please, hold on. Your son…I mean, Bella…"
I glared at her and she trailed off. "Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Car." I hissed at her. She blinked at me and I didn't thing she was getting the message to I propelled a physical shield at her. She flew back and shouted in surprise. There was a flash of color and all of a sudden Jasper was behind her and caught her.
I started to drive away but the other Cullen's blocked the way. I reversed spun the car around and sped out through the other exit. At the speed I was going I reached the highway in minutes. I had to get as far away as I could before I lost complete control and turned around to kill them.
When we hit the bridge I lost it. I stopped the car next to the railing and opened my door. Cars honked but I ignored them. I turned up whatever show Masen was watching so that it was all he could hear and closed the door locking him inside. I walked to the side of the bride and looked down.
Everything was tinged with red from my anger and I was shaking. Tears flowed down my face and I raised my head to the sky and screamed. I let out all the anger I felt and when I stopped I stepped away from the edge, suddenly dizzy. My fingerprints were indented in the side and I grimaced. I had to get a grip.
I walked calmly back towards the car and got back in. Masen stared at me obviously wondering what I had been doing but didn't bother to explain. "What are you watching?" I asking calmly turning the volume back to normal level.
"Diego, because Dora's for girls." He said. I smiled and continued back to the airport. I had to get out of here.
Edward POV
"What just happened?" Tanya asked, from my lap. We were all sitting in the lounge at the hotel. Everyone was outside so it was completely deserted.
I stared at Alice but she was avoiding my gaze.
When I tried to read her mind she starting to think about all the times she'd been with Jasper. And I hated it when she did that.
"You know something." I said to her.
Everyone turned to look at me. Then followed my gaze to Alice, she shrugged and stood up "I'm going to get some fresh air." She murmured.
"Alice." I hissed,
Alice sighed and stood with her back facing me so I couldn't read her expression. "I'm sorry Edward." She said.
"Was it Bella?" Tanya asked suddenly. Alice whipped around and glared at her.
"Don't you dare say her name!" Alice snarled. Tanya stood up to face her but I stood in between them.
"Was it?" I asked
Alice looked away and nodded. I stood in shock for a few human seconds. I'd been so close to Bella and hadn't known it. "B-but she's didn't look anything like—"
"She's changed somehow."
"She looked like a vampire Alice! And that can't be because she was preg—" I couldn't finish my sentence, because I didn't want it to be true. My Bella couldn't have moved on. We had been in love. But the way I hurt her, this was all my fault. My reason for living was gone.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Carlisle asked
But I would try to get her back, no matter what.
"We need to find her." I whispered, I had to apologize. I'd been selfish and hurt her and everyone else I cared about.
"What about me?" Tanya asked from behind me. Hurt laced through her voice.
"No wants you here if you didn't notice." Alice spat.
"Fine!" Tanya hissed, we stalked across the room and wrenched the door open. Before she left she looked back at me "You'll regret this." She snarled and slammed the door closed. I ignored her and turned back to my family.
"We have to follow her scent before it's gone." I said, they all nodded and we went into action. We had a long trip ahead of us.