Disclaimer: These characters are Stephenie Meyers wonderful creation. I'm just toying with their lives. **cackles evilly**

Here We Go Again

Chapter Ten

Esme's POV

I had to get out of this room!

Three hours ago I watched my daughter run out of our lives. The devastation was instantaneous. We had lost her again. Jasper had been frantically sending waves of calm our way for the past few hours but they didn't help. Edward hadn't moved an inch since Bella's departure, he simply stood in the centre of the room staring off into space. Emmett and Rosalie had moved to the window, where they stood holding each other close. Jasper was soothing a still sobbing Alice, her face pressed so tightly to Jaspers chest it looked as though she was trying to burrow into him. I was no better, Carlisle wouldn't let me move from his tight embrace as I shook from my overwhelming grief. He buried his nose in my hair, taking in my scent and quietly murmuring soothing words.

I couldn't take it anymore, I had to get out of the house for a while and clear my head. Seeing my family so destroyed only fuelled my misery. It would give me time to think. I gave Carlisle one last squeeze, thanking him for being there for me, before gently unwrapping myself from within his arms. He understandably looked confused.

"Honey, I'm going to go for a run. I need to be alone for a while. I hope you understand?" I tentatively asked while glancing up at his reassuring face.

"Of course dear. I understand. Please be careful. I love you." He is such a wonderful man.

"I love you to." I raised myself up and gave him a quick kiss. Turning away from my wonderful husband I spoke slightly louder for my children's benefit.

"I'm going for a quick run to clear my head. I'll see you all later. I love you all." They all nodded before going back to their spouses reassuring words.

I hesitantly walked over to Edward. My poor son. He looked so lost and alone, if there was any way I could help him I would do it in a shot. I stood infront of his paralysed figure waiting for a response but I didn't get one. Lifting my hand I gently stroked his soft cheek while trying to show as much love in my gaze as possible. He slowly moved his eyes until they met mine in utter desperation. Seeing the heartbreak and fear emanating from their depths made me take in a few shaky breathes. I had to reassure him, I couldn't lose my son aswell, I wouldn't!

"It'll all work out son, I'm sure. She's still going to be around, we can win her over. We wont give up. Understand?" A flicker of life came back into his golden eyes at the determination in my voice. He simply nodded while trying to send me a small smile. He failed.

After one last wave at my hurting family, I headed out into the forest to run away from my worries. On our first visit to Anchorage, Carlisle and I had found a beautiful lake to the west of our new property. We had sat by the picturesque surroundings and relaxed in each others arms. It was such a peaceful place, maybe sitting by the lake I would be able to think of a way, any way to help my family.

I pushed faster in my urge to get there, my feet barely making contact with the wet ground. My hair whipped past my face as I flew through the dense forest. I was nearly there, I could here the water lapping at the shore. Jumping over an uprooted tree I moved into the centre of the clearing. Taking a deep breath I moved towards the waters edge, it really was beautiful here. As far as I know, only Carlisle and I know of this place and he wouldn't disturb me tonight.

Just as I was starting to unwind slightly I heard rustling to my right. I wasn't alone. Whipping around I saw who was with me.

Bella!

I really didn't expect to see her here. She looked as confused as I felt. She was here first I should leave. Before I could voice my apologies she spoke up.

"Esme. What are you doing here?"

"I'm so sorry Bella! I didn't know you were here honestly. I'll just get out of your way." I made to leave but was stopped by her reply.

"No. It's fine Esme, I was just leaving. It's so peaceful here, enjoy." That's not fair on Bella.

"No it's alright Bella you stay. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Its perfectly fine, I was just leaving I swear. You should stay."Before I could argue back, my reply fell away as I heard a ghostly chuckle over Bella's shoulder.

"I know. Why don't you both stay." More laughter followed, "Right... Here... With... Us..."

We both quickly turned around to where the voices were coming from. They emerged from the same direction I had arrived. A shiver of fear ran down my spine as I took in their intimidating appearances. There were three of them, all dirty, huge and lude, from the looks we were being given.

The largest of the trio, the one with the most startlingly bright red eyes sauntered further into the clearing, closely followed by his grinning companions. He cracked his knuckles while looking me over. "I followed you little miss. I didn't expect you to bring us another new friend. How nice."

His idiotic friends cackled loudly as he took in Bella's defensive posture.

I felt Bella grip my arm tightly and bring my stunned body behind hers slightly, before she growled out, "Stay the hell away from us!"

Sadly this only seemed to amuse them further. The second largest piece of scum raised his hand in the air and pointed to Bella shouting, "Dibs, I like 'em feisty." He then had the nerve to wink at us.

As they laughed boisterously at their obvious whit, I came to a shocking realisation. Alice would have seen this by now but nobody had come to help. Bella's gift must be masking this somehow. We were on our own.

I began to shake slightly, but tried to control it as much as possible. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing my fear. Bella began rubbing my arm slowly as if to sooth my worries. I should be the one soothing her! She is my daughter!

I sank into a crouch while snarling at them. "You will not touch my daughter!"

Bella grabbed my hand to stop me from attacking.

They still had the nerve to laugh. "Awww fella's how sweat! Momma bears protectin' her baby!"

I saw red. Before I could launch myself at his disgusting body I found myself suddenly air born. I had been pushed backwards into a pile of ferns. I looked up startled to see what had happened and nearly broke down on the floor.

Bella had pushed me away before any of them could attack me, but in doing so was taking on the three of them alone. She had her legs wrapped around the smallest ones neck in a choke hold, while her upper body fought off the punches being thrown in her direction.

I let out a roar of utter rage and launched myself into the fight. I knocked over the largest and started pummelling him into the ground. Surprised that I was actually winning a fight, I carried on destroying him almost gleefully. That is until I heard the sickening sound of tearing limbs. Turning my head sharply to the sound of the noise, I became incredibly relieved when I saw my Bella was unharmed. That couldn't be said for the smallest scum bag. His head now lay on the other side of the clearing, far away from his broken body. Bella was finishing off the second as I looked on in shock. Where had she learnt to fight like that?

She dodged his kicks effortlessly while landing a few sharp round house kicks and strong upper cuts. He looked to be on his last legs. As I watched on in awe I saw her head snap quickly in my direction.

"ESME! Watch out!"

I turned around quickly to come face first with the same one I had torn into moments ago. Before I could react I had my arms pinned behind my back while he lowered his head to my neck.

I knew this was my end, I only hoped Bella would survive and try and make my family happy again. I started to close my eyes, succumbing to my fate when I saw Bella starting to race over to me. Before his teeth could sink into my neck, Bella's fist connected with his face. He flew backwards and landed with a loud thud. I quickly leapt on his limp body and tore at his flesh. As his limbs flew over my shoulders and his head rolled into a bush nearby, I heard a gut wrenching scream from behind my back.

The site that met my horrified gaze will forever be burned into my memory. The vampire Bella had left behind in order to protect me, had snook up on a surprised Bella and torn viscously at her left arm.

"NO!"

I left the remaining parts of my attacker behind and raced towards Bella before I was too late. Just as I reached their violent struggle I saw his teeth sink into the skin of her neck.

"BELLA!"

I removed his hands from Bella and gripped his head tightly between my hands and twisted with all my energy. The satisfying metallic screech of his head being removed did little to help my state. I let his head roll by and took a second glance at their lifeless corpses before rushing over to an unmoving Bella.

Picking her up, I sat down and gently cradled her in my arms. I had to get her awake. I opened an eyelid and saw her lifeless eyes roll back into her head.

"No Bella! Stay with me! I'll get you to Carlisle, he'll fix you. Please Bella, wake up!" I shook her a little but it didn't help.

I quickly got to my feet with Bella tucked securely in my arms. I ran for home as fast as my legs could carry me. She would be OK, she has to be. She saved my life.

I made it home within 5 minutes and raced into the living room. Nobody was there.

"CARLISLE!"

Everyone appeared within seconds and quickly took in my tattered appearance and Bella's limp body in my arms. Carlisle quickly instructed me to lay her down on the sofa. As I gently set her down I noticed Edward fall to his knees in my periphery.

As Carlisle frantically poked and prodded at Bella's shoulder and inspected her neck, everyone began yelling at once.

"What the hell happened!"

"Is she going to be OK?"

"How did I not see?"

"Esme are you OK?"

I could only shake my head erratically while staring at Bella's lifeless body. Edward's frantic voice from my side made me snap out of my bubbling hysteria. I quickly latched onto Edwards chest, sobbing uncontrollably. He sat down next to the sofa staring at Bella while rubbing my back.

"Please Esme. What happened?" I finally answered Edwards question, relaying how we bumped into each other to the west and how the three vampires had attacked. I told them all how she saved my life and how sorry I was for not being able to keep her from being harmed.

Everyone was quick to reassure me that it wasn't my fault but I couldn't shake off my self hatred. Carlisle finally finished his assessment and turned to address our anxious faces.

"Her left arm is torn at the elbow and the bite on her neck is very deep. I believe her body has shut down in order to repair itself. I don't know how long she will be unconscious for but I'm sure she will heal." We all let out sighs of relief as I moved to sit by her head.

I gently smoothed away the matted hair from her face while Carlisle continued. "I suggest we cover her body with a sheet, her clothes are torn all over."

I glanced down and noticed a lot of flesh was currently on show. I quickly ran and got a throw blanket and covered her battered body.

"We shouldn't move her, it may hinder her recovery." We all nodded in agreement. The quicker she heals the better.

I could sense Edward behind my back. He was desperate to take my place and be with his love. I pecked my baby's forehead and stroked her cheek before moving out of the way for Edward. He smiled sadly and quickly took his spot by his soul mate. As I watched him whisper loving words and desperate pleas for her to return to him, I couldn't take it anymore.

I ran into Carlisle's waiting arms and clutched onto him with every ounce of strength I possessed. The thought of never seeing my family again hurt my heart. But the thought of never seeing my husband again tore it from my chest. As I sobbed into my Carlisle's neck, he buried his nose in my hair shaking. We whispered vows of our love and waited for our daughter to come back to us. Our Bella.

AN

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Much Love

xxxx