Disclaimer: We own none of the characters - they all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: Chapter 12 was written by Chelsie-Kay :) Please keep the comments going, we really appreciate your thoughts :D
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She shivered suddenly and turned around to face me, burying herself into my chest. "I know." Her words were muffled as she spoke. I softly kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer to me, if that was even possible. "Don't worry about it now, my love. You should get some rest. I'll have Alice tell Charlie you're staying here tonight."
"But I don't want to sleep yet," she complained. I grinned, practically hearing her voice become thick – listless. "Sleep," I whispered. I nuzzled the tip of my nose against her ear, murmuring words I had repeated to her so long ago.
"Sleep, my Bella. Dream happy dreams. You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. Sleep, my only love."
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Chapter 12
Bella's POV:
The next morning, Edward stayed as close to me as possible. We walked down to the kitchen where Esme had a plate of pancakes for me. I sat down at the table and started to eat absentmindedly. I wasn't really paying attention to what I was eating. My mind was coming apart at the seams. The Volturi. Why the Volturi? Why did they want to come now? Edward's fingers ran up and down my spine lightly as he watched me eat. I stared at the table putting another forkful of syrup covered pancake in my mouth.
"Bella?" he asked softly. I looked over and the moment seemed painfully slow to me. His eyes flickered with worry and he kissed my forehead. "Bella, everything's going to be fine." I just gave a short nod. He wrapped an arm around my waist and his chair was instantly positioned as close to mine as it could possibly get. His lips were at my ear in a second. He kissed just below it. "I promise. No one will touch you." I pushed the plate away my appetite disappearing.
"I know." I mumbled. I wanted to believe him…more than anything but I didn't. They were coming after me and they would hurt my family. My eyes widened in fear. What if they hurt Edward? I felt myself pale and his grip tightened on my arms.
"Bella." His voice was filled with concern and alarm. I blinked with a shiver and looked at him.
"What? Oh…sorry."
"What were you thinking?" he questioned.
"Just worried."
He stroked my hair gently and kissed my shoulder, "I promise you, Bella. Nothing will happen." I gave a nod. I knew he would do anything to protect me but how far would he go? I couldn't risk him getting hurt. If I lost him, I would follow right after him.
Esme took my plate as Edward watched my face in quiet worry. I stood from the table and of course, Edward was at my side leading me into the living room where Emmett sat watching the TV. He looked at me grinning at first but it vanished seeing something he didn't like on my face.
"Bella?" He stood in one fluid movement.
"Carlisle, is there anything we can do?" Edward asked.
"I'll see if I can call Tanya's family." He answered.
Alice came into the room holding Jasper's hand. She immediately tugged on his hand and I felt a wave of calm hit me. I relaxed in Edward's arms. He held me closer kissing my forehead. Even if Jasper made my body calmer, he couldn't affect my mind…which was still trying to figure out what I could do. Maybe I could trick Edward into biting me early or ask Carlisle to do it. I wasn't going to hide. Maybe I could just offer myself to them. It would stop their death wish for the Cullens.
Alice grabbed my hand suddenly and pulled me away from Edward. His hands were on my waist quickly pulling me back with a growl. I looked between them as my mind snapped back to reality.
"Edward, I'm just going to talk to your Bella. I'm not running off with her."
He growled pulling me close. His arms were a little too tight and I winced.
"Edward. That hurts." I said softly. He released me quickly and Alice grabbed me before I could fall. She dragged me over to the couch and sat me down. I sighed and shook a little. She grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and put it around me.
"Bella, you need to calm down."
"Why are the Volturi coming for me?" I whispered. I felt Edward's eyes on me but Alice glanced in his direction in warning.
"They're just coming to see if you're still human. That's all I saw. They're just checking up. Really, everything's okay."
"Then why is Carlisle calling Tanya's family?"
"Just for back up if we need it. We want to make sure we can keep you safe."
"This is my fault."
She growled and I heard Edward snarl behind me. She grabbed my chin before I could look back at him, "This is a family problem. Bella, none of us want to see the look in Edward's eyes if anything happens to you. We're going to take care of you. Edward won't leave your side," she rolled her eyes, "until the Volturi leave."
"Time's up." Edward stated grabbing me around the waist. He wrapped the blanket around me tighter and held me close. Alice glared at him darkly before storming over to Jasper. I stared at the woods outside as the Cullens spoke too fast and low for me to hear. I felt tears start to run down my cheeks. Things had been going so well. The wedding was coming up and Jacob would be home soon. One split second changed my perfect world and brought it shattering down. I wasn't going to let my family get hurt because of me. Edward was not going to die for me.
