10. Many Thoughts
BPOV
It was a long night. Not only was I extra tired from carrying a baby, but tonight of all nights, my system decided to get rid of the crap in me…the wrong way. I hated having to pull over every hour, but this was a rental car.
I did not want to pay extra for cleaning.
Eventually, however, I made it back to the airport. It was a very long eventually. Every time I say a silver volvo, or a jeep or a Mercedes, anything like the Cullens automobiles. I paniced. Bad. I always started to hyperventilate. Then my stomach would hurt and that is what brought me back. Always, it wasn't them.
I was always disappointed and relieved.
And then the questions would start to reel. If they found you they would help you! Can you really run from your husband forever?
They wouldn't hurt you or the child! They'd only hurt Jacob…right?
But if they hurt Jacob…it would kill me. If they killed him, on purpose or in an accident…
I shuddered and felt the sickness. I pulled over, but it went away.
Finally…I reached the airport and hurried to drop off the car. Then, I bought a ticket to Florida.
I was going to have to go to my mother.
EPOV
The words echoed in my head long after we'd left the dogs territory and Emmet had pulled me back to the car. So what if I am? What are you going to do about it?
Bella had cheated on me? Why? And why had she run? I felt numb. But I'd felt numb for four months. This was no difference.
Jasper grimaced. "Edward, stop it. I feel your pain. Literally."
I hardly heard him. From in front of me, Emmet clapped my shoulder. "Dude, now all we have to do is follow Bella's trail and see where she goes."
I tried t reply. The only thing we heard was a small whimpering sound. Alice sighed.
"No wonder I could see her," she whispered. "She's had a little of him with her the entire…"
I groaned. Disgusting. I felt like I was going to be sick. Maybe it was possible. That vile, spineless creature inside Bella.
I shut my eyes tight and tried not to think.
Alice noticed. "Sorry," she whispered. "But on the bright side, as soon as she has it, we can track her down…" she tried.
Five more months. Ugh.
"So her test was true," whispered Rosalie. "It wasn't a mistake. No wonder she had rushed out of there like a horse. She had to tell him and hide." Stupid human. Stupid human that Edward had to marry who can have a baby when I can't.
Emmet sighed. Poor Rose. I know that she's jealous.
Carlisle looked at me. Edward, please, try to live a bit. Stop being so…reclusive. She's going to come back.
I forced my dry mouth open to rasp "How can you be sure, Carlisle? Can you be sure that she won't go with that dog after the child's born? How do you know she won't leave me again?!" I shouted, me hands clenched and my breathing ragged.
Everyone stared at me. Finally, Carlisle averted his eyes and returned to driving. "I don't."
I closed my eyes and curled into the corner of the car. I was going to start crying my tearless sobs in a second. Moving as if I were going to freeze in a second, I pulled a picture out of my jeans pocket and stared at it.
It was of Bella, a few days after she'd agreed to marry me. She had been washing dishes at the tiny sink of Charlie's house and I'd surprised her with her old camera. She'd turned around at my voice, smiling and I'd snapped the picture.
Afterwards, of course, she'd jumped on my back and held on tight, demanding I give her the camera. My only action was to carry her upstairs and lay her on her bed.
I clenched the hand that wasn't holding the picture. Thinking of me and Bella on her bed was a bad idea, after all this….
A low sob burst out and I curled up tighter, closing my eyes. I heard Alice turn and look at me in the back of the car.
Edward, please don't cry. Her thoughts intruded my misery. Bella would never do that do you. She's going to come back.
From inside my pther pocket, my phone beeped again for the millionth time. I pulled it out, letting the picture flutter to the floor. I opened it and saw I had a voicemail from a "Unknown Caller"
It was of Bella. She was pleading, close to tears. I listened to it twice before putting it on speakerphone.
"Guys…listen."
Everyone listened.
"Edward, stop it. Jasper said you were being…not yourself. That you were just sitting in our room all day. Edward, my love, please stop it. I love you. I promise I'll come back as soon as I can. I have to keep him safe right now, but I promise you. I'll come back. Leave him alone. I love you so much and I'm so sorry."
Everyone was silent for a second. Then Carlisle smiled.
"I told you she wouldn't leave you."