Chapter 6
I was standing in the middle of one of the old ballrooms in my palace in Jacksonville. I was cut up and lying on the floor, bleeding terribly.
"Wait until your precious Edward comes to find you. Then the real pain will come," my captor told me.
I tried to stand up and run, but it was useless. My legs felt like jelly and my captor had red eyes, which only meant one thing. Vampire. It would be utterly impossible to escape.
The hunter saw this and he picked me up and flung me against the wall. I could feel my bones shattering. The pain was unbelievably horrible. The hunter smiled and came over to me. He stepped on my leg and snapped it with a sickening crunch. I couldn't even cry out now. I was too numb. I couldn't even feel the pain anymore. That was before I felt the fire. I looked over to my hand and I saw my hunter sucking my blood from my hand. His venom spread through my body and set it on fire.
I whispered one phrase before I passed out, "Edward…I love you."
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I woke up gasping for air. My face was soaked with tears.
"It was just a dream," I repeated out loud until my body settled down.
Charlie came into my room.
"Bells? Are you okay? You were screaming pretty loud."
"Yeah," I responded, "Just a bad dream." I assured him.
"Okay. Here," he handed me a glass of water, "It will make you feel better."
"Thanks." He walked out of my room, but I knew I wasn't alone.
"Edward?" I whispered. I felt so idiotic calling for him, but I knew he was here.
I felt two cold arms wrap around my waist. I looked up and saw Edward looking down on me with concern written all over his face.
"Bella?" He asked, "What went on in your dream?"
"Uhh…well…there was a vampire and he was attacking me," Edward stiffened visibly.
"Continue."
"…and I was calling for you. I…I don't know why…but I think the vampire was using me to get you." I started to sob. Edward spun me around so I was facing him. He put his hands on either side of my face and made sure I was looking him in the eyes.
"I will make sure that doesn't happen," he promised me. He pulled me to his chest and stroked my back as I continued to sob. After I cooled down a bit, I pulled away and looked at Edward.
"Thanks," I told him.
"For what?"
"For making me feel better," I told him honestly. I looked down and I saw that his shirt was all wet from all my tears.
"Oh Edward!" I gasped, "I'm so sorry! I got your shirt all wet! Oh I'm sor-" He cut me off.
"Don't worry about it. It's just wet. It's not ruined." He told me.
"I know, but still…"
"Hey Bella?" Edward asked.
"Hmmm?" I responded.
"It's my turn."
I laughed, "Go ahead then."
"Do you want to go to my home today? I don't think you had a proper introduction."
"Uhh…sure," It came out like a question.
"Great!" He exclaimed, "I'll pick you up in 2 hours, okay? You should probably talk to Charlie about this."
"Oh. Okay. What time is it anyway?" I asked suddenly.
"It's about 8:30," He told me.
"Oh my gosh! I never slept in this late in Jacksonville! I have to get ready!" I immediately jumped out of bed, but as I jumped, my feet got tangled and I flew to the floor. Luckily Edward came to my rescue and caught me before I made contact with the wooden floor of my bedroom. I felt the heat rush to my face, and I realized that I was blushing.
"The blush on your cheeks is lovely," Edward whispered in my ear. I blushed even more, and I felt chills run down my spine because of his beautiful voice.
I then looked at our position. Edward had his arms around my waist, and my arms were resting on his chest. I looked up into Edward's eyes. They were a light and free topaz color. I just melted right into them.
"Bella?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can I ask one more question?" Edward questioned suddenly.
"Sure. Go ahead."
"When's your birthday?" He asked.
"It's September 13th," I sighed, "2 months away. 2 months to fall in love." I muttered to myself.
"Bella," Edward whispered. I looked back up into his eyes and I noticed he was leaning in towards my lips. Our noses were touching and right as our lips made contact Charlie called for me.
"Bella! Are you awake?"
"Yeah. I'm coming downstairs," I responded to him.
I pulled away from Edward and tore myself out of Edward's grasp, reluctantly. He was pouting, and it made him look so cute. I quickly ran over to him and gave him a quick kiss on his pouting lips. He looked shocked. I just smiled in return.
"I'll see you in two hours?" I checked with him.
"Yes. Two long hours…" He muttered. I just chuckled.
"Bella! Are you coming?" Charlie yelled.
"Yeah," I told him.
Bye! I mouthed to Edward. With that I ran down the stairs and met up with Charlie.
"Bella, there is a letter in the mail for you." Charlie told me.
"Really?"
"Yes…it's from your mother…" He responded.
"Oh…" He handed it to me.
I slowly opened the delicate parchment and read what my mother had to say.
Isabella Marie Swan,
Do you have any idea whatsoever, of how worried I was when you left! You are to be married in two months! I am picking out a suitor for you when you get back if you do not take this seriously! I am sending a carriage to pick you up! You will not put on a fuss! You will return home no matter what! We need you here in Jacksonville!
Your mother,
Renee
I sighed. I knew where my stubbornness came from. I looked at Charlie. He obviously read the letter.
"Bella, if you want to go home, you can. I'm not going to stop you."
"Dad, I don't want to go home. That's the whole reason I came here. Mom will just have to be disappointed," I walked over to the trashcan and threw the letter in the garbage. As I put the letter in the garbage I caught a glimpse of Charlie's clock. It was 9:00. Edward was picking me up in and hour and a half. I had to tell Charlie.
"Hey Dad," I told him, "Edward Cullen in sort of taking me to his home to meet his family today. He's coming in and hour and a half."
"What?!?" He shrieked, "You are going over to the Cullens, now? Why?"
"I thought I explained that. Edward wants to introduce me to the rest of his family. It's the least I can do for him saving me the other day," I told him hoping he would buy it.
"Fine," He gave up, "Be home before it is dark out. I squealed.
"Thanks dad." I ran up to my room and looked around in my suitcase for something to wear. I finally decided on my red dress. The same one I wore when Mike Newton came to my home. I quickly put my hair up in a French twist. I wore the same ruby necklace, and I put in some ruby earrings as well. I found my red shoes to finish off my outfit. I was glad that this was the only full dressy outfit that I brought with me. I ran downstairs and grabbed an apple for a quick breakfast. I then ran to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and ran downstairs. I caught myself on the railing as I tripped on the last step of Charlie's stairs. Just as I hit the bottom I heard a knock on the door. Charlie was already opening the door and welcoming Edward in before I could get in the kitchen. When I stepped in both Charlie's and Edward's jaw dropped.
"Wow, Bella. Do you wear those all the time in Jacksonville?" Charlie asked.
"Yes. This is one of my calm ones, too."
"Wow," Charlie just muttered. I walked over to Edward's side. His mouth was still agape and I just chuckled. I stood on my tip-toes and whispered in his ear.
"Your jaw might fall off if you don't close your mouth." Edward shook his head to clear his thoughts and then turned to Charlie.
"I will have her home before nightfall," He assured Charlie. Charlie just nodded and Edward pulled me with him outside. Right by Charlie's house stood a beautiful white horse. Its mane was delicately braided, along with its tail, and there was no speck of dirt on the glowing horse. The horse also had huge brown eyes. I gaped at its beauty.
"She's so beautiful," I told Edward.
"She is," he responded, "But not nearly as gorgeous as you are," he told me. I blushed.
"Let me help you up," He told me. He grabbed my waist and hoisted me up onto the horse. He soon followed and sat in front of me. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Ready?" He asked me.
"Nope," I told him. He turned his head to look at me confused. I quickly kissed his lips.
"Now I'm ready," I told him. He chuckled.
"Well, now I'm not," he said. He turned his head and leaned down like he did in my room this morning. Our noses were just touching when he spoke.
"Bella?"
"Hmmm?"
"I love you," Edward told me honestly.
"I love you too," I told him blushing.
"Good." With that Edward kissed me passionately until I was out of breath. He rested his forehead on mine.
"Well," I said breaking our silence, "If you're planning on me meeting your family, I suggest we leave now."
"Excellent idea," Edward told me. He turned and faced forward. I rested my head on his shoulder again. He gently shook the horse's halter and he rode off to his home. It was so peaceful just riding with Edward and looking at all the green trees.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked.
I sighed, "How beautiful everything is." I responded.
"It is beautiful," He agreed. I smiled. Edward was so perfect. I turned my head and started trailing kisses down his neck.
"Bella," Edward moaned.
"Hmmm?"
"Do you really think I can steer a horse while you are distracting me?"
"Yes," I told him, "You're Mr. Perfect." He laughed. I felt the horse stop and I noticed that we were in front of Edward's home. Edward hopped off the horse and grabbed my waist and helped me down. As soon as my feet touched the gravel, he took my hand in his and walked up the doorsteps and through the door. All of the other six vampires came rushing over to us. The pixie like one came over to me and kissed both my cheeks.
"Hi Bella! I'm Alice! And this is my husband Jasper!" She pointed to the tall male with the honey-blonde hair. She jumped around so joyously. It was as if she was waiting for an extremely long time to meet me.
"It's wonderful to meet you Alice!" I told her, "And you too Jasper." Jasper nodded in response.
The gorgeous blonde came up to me next.
"I'm Rosalie, and this is my husband Emmett," She pointed to the muscular male and he came up to me and shook my hand.
"It's nice to meet you Bella," Emmett told me.
I smiled, "It's nice meeting you too."
Esme and Carlisle were next.
"Hello again Dr. Cullen," I addressed Carlisle.
"Please," he said, "Call me Carlisle." He extended his hand and I gladly took it. He smiled and I smiled back to him. Esme came up next. She gave me a warm and motherly hug.
"It's so nice to meet you Bella," She told me.
"It's very nice to meet you too." I noticed that Rosalie and Emmett were immediately gone after their introduction, and that the others gave Edward and me some alone time. I spotted a piano when Edward was giving me a tour of his gorgeous home.
"Do you play?" I asked him.
"Yes."
"Will you play something for me?" I asked being bold.
Edward just smiled. He motioned for me to sit down next to him on the piano bench.
"You inspired this one," Edward told me. I watched in awe as his ivory fingers moved gracefully across the keys, producing such a sweet sound. I felt a tear roll down my face.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked concerned.
"Yes. It's just so beautiful," I told him.
He smiled in my response and then spoke.
"They all like you, you know," he told me, "Esme especially. She's just happy I found someone to love. She thought I was too lonely."
"I'm glad you found someone to love too," I whispered not intending for Edward to hear. He caught it anyway and just smiled. I blushed. The last cord of the beautiful song rang all through the house.
"You wrote that?" I asked unbelievably.
"Yes, and you inspired it," he reminded me. Just then there was a knock on the door. I looked at Edward and he looked confused.
Carlisle appeared down the stairs quickly and answered the door.
"May I help you?" Carlisle asked politely. Soon all of the other Cullens were at the door.
"Yes, actually. We are looking for an Isabella Swan. We are to take her back to her palace in Jacksonville." When I heard the voice, I recognized it, but I couldn't place not until Edward spoke.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"You have to get out of here. That is a vampire. He smelled you in here. He wants your blood."
It all clicked. It was the same vampire in my dream.
"Edward!" I gasped, "This was the vampire from my dream!"
"Oh god," Edward cried, "I have to get you out of here." He picked me up and he ran out one of his back doors. He put me down and whispered to me.
"Stay here. I'm going to get my horse. Don't move." He instructed me.
I nodded in response. He quickly ran away to get his horse and I heard the back door open. I gasped and I heard my heart race. It slowed down when I saw who was standing in the doorway. It was Alice. I ran up to her.
"Alice!" I cried, "I had a dream about this vampire. He wants my blood."
"Shhh…" she told me, "Everything will be okay."
Edward soon returned with his horse in the back yard.
"Bella, get on." He instructed. I did as I was told. I hopped on quickly and he sped off away from his home. Suddenly someone shouted, "Look! There she is! Isabella! The princess of Jacksonville! She's riding on that white horse with the Cullen boy!" My heart rate quickened. Edward could hear it.
"Bella, it will be okay. I promise." He sped up and made his horse go as fast as its legs would carry it. I looked back at the Cullens and I saw looks of confusion written all over their faces. It was funny thinking that in the 3 months I knew Edward, I was never over to his home until today and he obviouslyfailed to tell them I was the princess.
I turned around and faced forward and suddenly heard more horse feet behind us.
"Edward!" I cried, "They're coming! They're gaining on us!"
AN: Thanks so much to bella-loves-edward for her wonderful idea for this chapter…if you're not sure what part she suggested, check my reviews! And thanks so much to all that reviewed! I couldn't do this story without you! If any of you readers have any suggestions, let me know and I will try my best to put them in the story and give you credit! Thanks!