AN: Before anybody reads this you must have done one of two things:
Read the whole story today…
Re-read chapters 5-6 because I changed them to make the story better…
If you didn't do any of those things, please go back to chapters 5 and 6 and re-read them. The whole story will be better…
Thanks!
Chapter 7
I sobbed into Edward's back. He suddenly turned around and grabbed my waist. He quickly pulled me around him and sat me back down on the horse. Edward wrapped his arms around me and grabbed the horse's halter again and sped off.
I could feel the tears streaking down my face. I couldn't let this dream come true. No matter what.
"Bella?" Edward told me, "I'm taking you back to your house. You have to grab your suitcase and run back out as soon as possible. Tell Charlie that you are going back home to Jacksonville to return to your palace. You have to leave your horse here."
I nodded stiffly. Edward noticed how tense I was. He kissed my neck and it made me relax a little.
We soon arrived at my home and it was my turn to act. I ran upstairs and grabbed my suitcase. Luckily I didn't quite unpack. I threw everything that I took out of it, back in. I ran down the stairs and yelled to Charlie when I was in the threshold of the door.
"Charlie, I'm sorry. I have to go to Jacksonville! My palace and people are in need of me. Take care of my horse."
Charlie ran over to me.
"Bella," he said sadly. It broke my heart to see him in this much pain. "I thought you wanted to stay."
"I can't Charlie. Just let me go." I repeated my mother's last words four years ago. Charlie stood in the doorway shocked. I tore my face away from his tear-streaked one and hopped on Edward's horse. I realized too, that I was sobbing uncontrollably.
Before Edward took off he grabbed my face between his hands.
"Bella, I will make sure you are safe. Don't worry." And with that he kissed me again. But this kiss was different. It was more fierce and needy, compared to a kiss filled with love and passion. It was if Edward was telling me good-bye.
Edward pulled away and sped away back to his home where we would come up with a plan on how to escape this vampire.
"Bella, that vampire is a tracker. His name is James. He caught your scent and he won't back down until he has you. He has help, too. Her name is Victoria. We will have to kill them. Carlisle won't be happy. I'm so sorry Bella," I could tell Edward was truly sorry and upset with himself.
"Edward," I comforted him, "This isn't your fault. If it's anyone's it's mine. I mean who else is as tempting as me," I joked to lighten up the mood.
It worked a little bit. I saw a smile creep across Edward's face.
"You are exactly right. I don't know how anyone can be as tempting as you." Edward started planting butterfly kisses all over my neck. I shivered at his touch.
Edward silently took back roads to his home so we could stay unnoticed. We reached his home quickly and quietly. Edward grabbed my waist and helped me down from his horse he grabbed my suitcase with me. He ran me in the house. All the Cullens were standing in the back door way looking confused and concerned.
"Uhh…" I started.
"Bella is indeed the princess of Jacksonville. She ran away to get away from all the stress since she has to marry in 2 months. She had a dream about James attacking her, and we need to get her home where she is somewhat safe behind the castle walls," Edward explained quickly.
"Esme?" Edward asked.
"Yes."
"Can you trade clothes with Bella? It should confuse the scent and help us get her out of here."
Esme nodded, "Of course dear." She came over to me and picked me up and carried me to the first room she saw. She put me down and immediately started climbing out of her dress. I did the same. I handed her my red one and she gave me a long sleeved pale blue one. The sleeves were too long for me and the skirt drug along the floor. Esme quickly took off her shoes and handed them to me. I took off mine as well and gave them to her. Luckily they fit me. She quickly gave me a hug and whispered to me.
"Don't worry Bella. Everyone loves you. We won't let you get hurt."
"I'm not worried about me getting hurt. I'm worried about you guys. I wouldn't be able to stand it if anyone of you got hurt," I started sobbing again.
Esme comforted me, "I promise we will be okay. Just promise me you will stay safe. I can't bear to see the expression on Edward's face when you aren't with him or you are hurt."
I just nodded in response and muttered a small, "I promise."
Without another word she picked me up and carried me back downstairs. I noticed that everybody was in groups. Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle were in a group; Alice and Jasper were in another, and Rosalie and Esme were another one. I soon realized with fear that Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle made up the hunting group.
Edward ran up to me and explained the plan to me.
"You will be going with Alice and Jasper to Jacksonville. You must insist they stay with you always in the castle. They will stay with you until further notice," I realized the further notice was when James and Victoria were killed.
"Okay," I told Edward. The worst thing right now was to argue.
"Rosalie and Esme are going to stay behind you and go after Victoria. Emmett, Carlisle, and I are going after James."
I nodded in response. Edward just stared into my eyes.
"Edward," Carlisle spoke, "We have to go." Edward turned his head slightly and nodded. He picked me up in his arms, unaware of his family watching us, and kissed me quickly just he had on his horse. He stroked my face and whispered.
"Be safe."
I watched Edward leave, and I sunk to the floor, crying. My only chance at love was gone, just like that.
Alice came up behind me and patted my back. She knelt down.
"Bella, everything will work out. Edward will be fine," she assured me.
I just nodded.
"We need to go now."
"Okay," I said weakly.
"May I?" Alice asked if she could carry me.
I laughed squeakily, "Yes. You're the first one to ask," I told her.
She laughed with me, except hers was musical and joyous. She then picked me up and ran me outside into the carriage. Jasper was in the front steering and Alice was in the back with me. Luckily the whole carriage was covered up, so I wouldn't be seen as easily by James or Victoria, and Alice and Jasper wouldn't glow like Edward did in his meadow.
Flashback
I was sitting at the table talking with Charlie when I heard a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." I told Charlie. I walked up over to the door and grabbed the brass knob. I slowly turned it swung open the door. Edward stood there looking like an angel in the rain. When he saw me he smiled my favorite crooked grin.
"Edward!" I screamed. I threw my arms around him. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks, since he was out on a family vacation/hunting trip.
Edward chuckled, "It's nice to see you too." Edward was looking down at me smiling, and then looked up suddenly. Charlie was standing behind us.
"Edward, Bella, why don't you two come in the house? That way you don't get all wet," Charlie suggested. I blushed not thinking about it before. I stepped in and Edward soon followed suit. Charlie left us in the kitchen alone so we could have a reunion.
"How was your trip?" I asked Edward.
"It was nice, but I missed you." I blushed again. He didn't know how much I missed him.
"I missed you a lot too."
Edward smiled then asked me a question.
"Can I take you somewhere tomorrow? I want to show you something."
"Sure!" I said enthusiastically, "Where are we going?" I asked.
"Not a chance. It's a surprise." Edward told me.
I groaned, "I hate surprises."
Edward engulfed me in another hug.
"I have to go now. My family is expecting me home. Is 12:00 okay for tomorrow?" Edward asked me.
"Of course," I told him.
He smiled, "Great. See you tomorrow, Bella."
"Bye." I told him sad that he had to leave already. Right as he was about to cross the doorway, I ran up to him and spun him around so he was facing me. I stood on my tip-toes and pressed my lips to his. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I tangled my hands in his hair. I felt his lips curve upward, and then he pulled away.
I blushed. "Sorry," I muttered. "See you tomorrow." I turned away and started heading into my house when Edward grabbed me and pulled me to his chest. He quickly kissed my lips.
"Don't be sorry." He told me. He stoked my face and then whispered, "Good-night, Bella."
"Good-night," I waved to him as he released me and jumped on his horse.
It was then I knew that I loved Edward Cullen. He was constantly in my dreams that night and I was really excited for what was coming my way tomorrow.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Bella!" Charlie yelled up the stairs, "It's 9:30! Don't you want to get up?"
I immediately jumped out of bed, but not before tripping on my sheets and falling on my face on the wooden floor. I groaned.
"Thanks Dad!" I yelled down the stairs.
"Bella? Are you okay?" He asked concerned. Obviously I didn't hide my pain well in my voice.
"Yeah! I just tripped!"
I could hear Charlie's laughter all the way up in my room. I smiled. It was good to hear him laugh.
I walked over to my suitcase and pulled out a dark blue dress, which Edward once complemented. It was similar to my red one. The only differences were that it had short sleeves and the skirt didn't flare out at the bottom.
I quickly put my hair up in a Victorian Twist and I looked for a matching necklace. I unfortunately couldn't find one, so I just went downstairs to eat some breakfast. I grabbed a peach and nibbled on it. I wasn't that hungry. I was too nervous to see what Edward had planned.
"Going somewhere Bella?" Charlie asked as I walked back upstairs.
"Yeah," I told him, "Edward Cullen is taking me somewhere."
Charlie's response surprised me, "Okay, have fun." I thought he was going to freak out, when I told him.
"Thanks dad." I quickly gave him a hug and ran upstairs to brush my teeth. I quickly ran to my room, threw on some blue shoes, and checked the time on the clock.
11:00. I groaned. Why did it have to seem so long?
I went into our living room and sat on the couch. I grabbed one of the books on the table next to me, and I started reading it. My eyes roamed across the pages, but the text never soaked in. I was thinking about Edward too much.
I jumped up when I heard a knock on the door. I looked at the clock again.
12:00. I forgot about my book and ran to the bottom of the steps. I yelled upstairs to Charlie, who was hanging out in his room.
"I've got it, dad!" I ran over to the door and quickly swung it open. Edward was standing there looking gorgeous as ever. I ran over to him and hugged him fiercely.
"Good-afternoon, Bella," Edward chuckled.
I looked up at him and smiled, "Good-afternoon to you too, Edward."
"Are you ready to go?" He asked me.
"Yep. Let me just remind Charlie." I told Edward. He just nodded.
"Dad, I'm leaving!" I yelled up at him.
"Okay, Bella!" He yelled back to me.
I looked at Edward, "Okay, I'm ready."
He engulfed me in a hug and kissed the top of my head.
"Good." He released me and hoisted me up on his horse.
He got up and sat behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and took my hands in his. He put our hands on the halter and rested his head in the crook of my neck.
I sighed in contentment. Edward got the horse moving and the horse slowly took us to Edward's surprise.
I watched all the green trees go by and I didn't even realize that we stopped until Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me down.
"You were quiet the whole way," Edward stated, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I told him, "I'm just thinking about how beautiful everything is."
"You are the most beautiful thing here." Edward told me. He took me into his arms and leaned down and pressed his lips to mine again. It felt so right.
Edward pulled away and spoke, "We have to go so you can see the surprise."
"Okay."
He picked me up bridal style and carried me through a forest of trees and twigs and moss.
"Bella?" Edward asked.
"Yes?"
"Can I show you how I travel in the forest?" He asked excited.
"Uhh…sure…" It sounded like a question
"Okay, hop on my back." He instructed me. He bent down and helped hoist me up. I tightly clamped my arms around his neck and legs around his waist. I buried my face in his hair and breathed in his wonderful scent.
"Ready, Bella?"
"Yes." I said suddenly nervous.
Then he took off. Everything was going by so quickly. All the green trees were a blur. I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see myself hitting a tree. I didn't notice we stopped until Edward unclamped my limbs and pulled me to his chest. He was smiling my favorite crooked grin. Edward grabbed my arms and spun me around so I was facing his surprise. I gasped when I saw it. Edward brought me to a meadow. A gorgeous meadow. There were flowers everywhere that were in bloom and trees surrounded the meadow beautifully. There was a stream at the bottom of the meadow, and all the plants were swaying in the wind. I had to fight the temptation of just taking off my shoes and running around
"Do you like it?" Edward asked me.
"Yes," I whispered, "It's gorgeous."
"I'm glad you like it."
"How could I not like it?" I asked him. He jus shrugged.
"I have another surprise for you," He told me, "Turn around." I did as I was told and I faced away from Edward. He came up behind me and trailed his fingers up and down my arm. He kissed up and down my neck and his fingers made their way up to my collar bone. I suddenly felt something cold placed on my neck. I looked down and I saw a gorgeous necklace. There was a single dark blue sapphire stone surrounded by ten beautiful diamonds. I gasped.
"Edward," I looked up at his face beaming down at me, "It gorgeous! But you probably spent a lot of money on it and I-" Edward put one slender, cold finger to my lips.
"It was my mother's. I had no one to give it to. I knew that this necklace was perfect for you when I met you. It was my favorite necklace out of all of hers. She told me to give it to a girl that I loved very much."
I felt tears come up to my eyes with his speech. I jumped up on my toes and gave him a quick kiss.
"Thank you so much!" I told him, "I will take great care of it!" I promised him. He smiled at me. It was then I noticed that we were still in the shade. It occurred to me that I never saw Edward in the sun.
"Edward?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Do vampires burn in the sun?" I asked.
He laughed, "Let me show you what happens." He stepped out of the shade and I gasped. He un-buttoned his long-sleeved shirt and his skin glittered like diamonds in the sun. I looked down at my necklace, and I saw that it too was shining brightly in the sun.
I watched as Edward laid down in the soft flowers. He closed his eyes and I could see his bruise-like shadows underneath his eyelids. He left his shirt unbuttoned and all the sun was reflecting off his bare chest. I walked over to him and sat down behind his head. I leaned over him and played with his hair. I saw him smile and I chuckled.
"What are you laughing at Miss Swan?" Edward asked opening his eyes.
"Nothing…" I trailed off.
He raised his eye brows, "Oh really?" He questioned me.
"Yep."
Edward stood up and crouched down. My eyes widened.
"You wouldn't!" I gasped. He suddenly jumped and landed right on top of me. He didn't touch one inch of my body while he landed.
I looked at his face, and his eyes were full of love and humor. The humor started to fade out, and passion took its place. Edward slowly leaned down and just as our noses were touching he whispered to me.
"I love you." Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, and he was kissing me with more passion I thought possible. I brought up my hands and put them in this hair and pulled him closer to me. I could feel Edward's lips curve upward into his beautiful crooked grin, as he pulled away.
"I love you too." I told him. He smiled and pulled me into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me and we looked at the sun. It was sunset. I sighed. This day couldn't get more perfect.
All days had to end though, so Edward picked me up and carried me to his horse.
"Edward," I whispered, "This day was perfect."
"Yes it was. And it was only perfect because you were in it," he told me. I blushed and snuggled closer into his chest.
End of flashback…
I sighed in remembrance. I touched my neck. I felt my necklace still there. I never took it off since that day. Alice noticed that I was touching my neck. She looked at me with one eyebrow raised.
"Bella? Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm just thinking about the day Edward took me to his meadow."
Alice nodded.
"Oh yes. He was freaking out that day. He kept bugging us and asking us what to say to you," Jasper told me.
I laughed. Alice and Jasper joined in.
"Why were you touching your neck?" Alice asked.
"Edward gave me his mother's necklace. I never took it off." I pulled it out from under the dress and showed it to her. She gasped.
"Bella! It's so pretty! That's Edward's favorite necklace. He wouldn't let anyone besides himself and Esme touch it." Alice told me.
"He must love you," Jasper said.
I smiled. Just then a thought came to my mind.
"Alice?"
"Yes."
"Did you have any visions of me getting married?"
A look of pain crossed her usually perky features.
"Yes," she started, "And the groom wasn't Edward."
AN: OH NO!!! THE GROOM ISN'T EDWARD!!! GASP!!!
Tell me what you think. I hope it was long enough for you guys! I tried my best!
