Disclaimer: I own nothing, the characters belong to Stephanie Meyer


This is a little shorter than I would like but I had to split the previous chapter so I've been trying to figure out how I wanted to end this chapter, I think I'm pleased with the ending just wish I could have made it a little longer.


Chapter 9

Edward's POV

"Now, what are you doing here? Let me guess, you're here for the royal tour am I right?" Bella asked, a teasing smile on her face. Looking behind me outside the gate, her face fell. "Where's Alice? She didn't beg to come along?"

"I didn't tell her I was coming, I probably should have." Looking around at the surroundings, I couldn't get over how beautiful it was. There was a patch of trees just to the left and I swore I heard the distinct sound of a stream. To the right was a flower garden, an angel fountain in the middle. "It's so beautiful here."

"It's a beautiful prison." Bella murmured looking at the ground. Holding her left hand up weakly, she added, "look what found its way back." Sure enough, placed on her ring finger was a huge engagement ring. I told myself to try and not be frustrated with her

"You didn't have to come back, you chose to." My frustration with her choice was beginning to come out. "Excuse me if I have a hard time feeling sorry for you."

"Why did you come here then? To lecture me? Trust me, I get enough of those from my mother."

"I came for…"

"Who is this?" Turning my head, I saw we had a guest that had snuck into our conversation. "Must be the mysterious Edward, I'm guessing."

"Jake, not now," Bella said holding her hand up then running it along her forehead.

"Is this the guy you told me about?" I asked remembering the son of the chef that she was friends with. The one she had told me she wanted to marry when she was younger.

"Please no," Bella was blushing, as annoyed with her as I was, she was very cute when she blushed.

"You talked about me?" He, Jake, asked with a laugh. "Was it good?"

"Briefly," Bella defended. "Now, can you go?"

"I could, but your father is looking for you. He sent me to come get you, if you don't come in soon someone will come out looking for you."

"Too late…" Then he was there, well I'm assuming the man that Bella would be marrying. Prince James in all his awful glory. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, but he made his way over to Bella and put his arm around her. I wanted to punch him, I wanted to tell him to get away from her. "You are?"

"James, this is Edward…" Bella said weakly, it was obvious James didn't care about who I was.

"Come, your father wants to speak with us." With that, he led Bella back inside. Giving me one final glance, I could see she was pleading with me to help her out again. Why had she left in the first place?

"I hate that guy," Jake mused before taking a sigh. "Sorry you couldn't talk with her more, she looked happy with you."

"Well, I guess I'll be leaving. Nice to meet you, Jake." I began my way out, looking behind me one last time. Bella had described it as a beautiful prison, and it was. It was her prison, and I would break her out again. This time, I would have a plan, I would have tickets out of the country. We would be gone before they even woke up.

-0-0-0-0-

"Where have you been?" Alice asked when I walked in the apartment. "I was getting worried! You hadn't replied to my texts or calls…"

"I'm sorry," I muttered as I sat down on the couch next to her. How was I supposed to tell her I went and saw Bella without her? I could feel her eyes on me as I ran my hand across my face. "I… I went to see Bella. I wanted an answer."

"And what did she say?"

"I didn't actually get one…" I trailed off, but when I looked at her face I saw the disbelief. "Not my fault! We were interrupted quite a few times then that guy came out and took her inside."

"That's why I should have gone with you. I doubt they know anything about me, so I could have easily stayed and talked with her." Alice said with a matter-of-fact tone, I shook my head and couldn't help the small smile that I gave her. She had always said she knew best between us both, she always had to be right. This time was no different.