Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The author of this story, MyBabyBlues, is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 12

Bella's Point of View

Wow!

That's what I had to say about my date with Edward. Yes, Wow! It was so nice to spend time with him. He really put me at ease. I didn't feel pressured at all. He was sweet and very gentlemanly, opening his car door for me, pulling out the chair at the restaurant, and very respectful of boundaries.

Edward opened up to me. He laid it all out there for me. He told me all of it even though he feared my reaction.

I really do understand how he feels. I can sympathize with him having lost my parents in ways that could have been avoided if not for the selfishness of others, a drunk and a thief.

I just worry about him. I have really grown quite attached to him. In fact, I wonder if it is wrong of me for feeling the way I do. I'm starting to feel a lot more for him. I think it's possible that I'm falling in love with him. Part of me is telling me that this is wrong and another part is screaming at that part telling it to shut the hell up.

I was surprised at my boldness when I kissed him on the cheek. From his reaction, he was surprised as well. He never tried to kiss me on his own and that was probably best but part of me really wanted to kiss him again. It's hard for me to forget the one time we kissed. It was amazing. Granted, I had nothing to compare it to, but I felt that a kiss with anyone else would fail in comparison.

I still have dreams and daydreams about that kiss. As much as I don't want to admit it, I also remember how good he made me feel when he touched my body and showed me the magnificence of his magical hands. I also can't forget that wonderful mouth.

It's a very precarious situation that I find myself in. One I never imagined I would be in. It's hard to deny how he makes me feel. I also, though, have to remind myself that what he did was wrong. My parents would be horrified if they knew I was considering a relationship with a man that had kidnapped me. It's all so frustrating.

I just can't think anymore tonight. I'll have to sleep on it and resume picking this all apart later.

*

"Bella…."

"Bella…" I feel like I am hearing my mother's voice.

I'm lying in bed and I open my eyes and look around. Suddenly, my eyes settle on a figure sitting on the bed in front of me. My eyes finally focus, and I couldn't believe who I was seeing.

"Mom!" I cried and launched myself in her arms.

She hugged me tightly, and lovingly rubbed her hand up and down my back.

"My baby, my sweet Bella, you have made me so proud," she said as she moved out of the hug but held my hands and looked at me with such love in her eyes.

"Oh mom, I've missed you so much," I cried.

"I know sweetheart, but I have never left you. I may no longer be here in body, but I will always be here in spirit." She gave me that affectionate and loving smile that only a mother can give.

"I feel so lost without you and Dad," I admitted to her.

"Bella, you are so strong. You need to realize how far you've come and to be proud of what you've accomplished. Your father and I are very proud of you baby. You've become a wonderful young lady." She was smiling again, and it was such a radiant smile that it was absolutely mesmerizing.

"But, mom, I'm so confused. I don't know what to do. I think I love him, and I know it's wrong. I know you and Dad wouldn't approve," I shamefully admitted.

"Bella, your father and I raised a very bright and intelligent woman. We have faith in your decisions and stand by whatever choices you make in life. But, sweetheart, don't forget your heart. Go with what your heart tells you. We want you to be happy. Don't live for us. Live for you." Her words were nothing that I expected, and yet everything that you would expect truly loving parents to feel.

She seemed to be fading before me.

"Mom! I don't want you to go. Stay with me, please," I begged.

"Bella, you are never alone. Your father and I are always with you whenever you want us. All you have to do is look to your heart and you will find us. Trust in yourself Bella. You don't need anyone to give you the answers. You have the answers. Be happy Bella. Live life." Her voice was also beginning to fade.

"I love you Mom." I said as tears slid down my cheeks.

"We love you Bella. Remember to trust in yourself," she said as her voice faded even more.

I closed my eyes and nodded.

When I opened my eyes again, she was gone. I laid back down and closed my eyes.

*

I was awoken in the morning by the shrill sound of my telephone.

Cursing myself for not turning the damn ringer down, I picked up the phone and discovered a very alert and chipper Alice.

"Good morning, Bella! Did I wake you up?" she asked in her normal, perky voice.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was 8:30. I was surprised I slept that late. I normally wake up around 7:00 or 7:30.

"Yeah, but it's okay. I needed to get up anyway." I answered.

"Good. Well, I was wondering if it would be alright with you if we want to lunch today instead of tomorrow. Jasper is meeting with the contractor again tomorrow and he wants me there to see all the final plans. Can we do lunch today?" she asked in a hopeful tone. I could just imagine her giving me her puppy dog eyes.

I really didn't have any plans. "Today is fine Alice. Where do you want me to meet you?"

"I thought we could go in my car. I can pick you up at noon. Will that work?" she asked.

"That'll work. I'll see you then." I was kind of glad it was working out this way. I really enjoy spending time with Alice.

"Great!" she exclaimed. "I'll see you at noon. Bye Bella"

I giggled at her excitement. "Bye Alice, see ya soon."

I hung up the phone and marveled at the fact that I had made such wonderful friends.

Suddenly, tears came to my eyes as I remembered the wonderful dream I had about my mother. It was a dream, wasn't it? I guess it doesn't really matter because I got to see my mom. It really felt as if she was there, and I swear my room smelled a little like the perfume she used to wear.

She encouraged me to do what my heart tells me. She said that she and Dad were proud of me. They weren't disappointed in me after all.

After I took a shower and had just finished drying my hair, my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Good morning, Bella. I heard Alice was going to take you out to lunch today," said a familiar velvety voice.

"Good morning, Edward. Yes, Alice said she was going with Jasper to meet with their contractor tomorrow, so we're doing lunch today."

"Well then I won't keep you long. I was wondering if I could take you out tomorrow?" He asked me.

"Sounds great," I answered. "What do you want to do?"

"I thought we could do some 'real' date stuff," he said making me real curious.

"What do you mean 'real' date stuff?"

"I mean like a movie, a walk along the harbor, a pizza, and anything else you might want," he answered and I think I heard a light chuckle.

"I think that's a great idea." I really liked that. That was all the sort of things I imagined doing on a date when I was in high school.

"Great, how about I pick you up around 1:00 and we make a day out of it?" He questioned, I guess making sure that I wanted to spend that much time with him.

If he only knew.

"Yes, that sounds perfect. I'll see you then. Bye Edward."

"Great. Have fun with Alice today. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Bella," he said and I heard the phone click.

I really was looking forward to tomorrow. And I'm hoping that Edward and I can share our second kiss and hope that it's even better than the first.

xxxxx

I had a great lunch with Alice. It was so nice to have a real girlfriend to talk to. I still have to get used to opening up, but the more time I spend with Alice, the easier it seems to get.

We ate at a nice, little casual type restaurant. Pretty much a grill and bar. It was great to just sit and chat over burgers and fries.

Even though my wardrobe had improved greatly recently, Alice insisted we go to a few stores. She wanted me to get something new to wear tomorrow for my date with Edward.

I told her that I really didn't need to because it was going to be pretty casual. However, Alice can be pretty persuasive and I admit, a little scary when she's in shopping mode. I ended up getting a pair of designer blue jeans, even though I've never owned anything better than a pair of Levi's. She insisted that I get this dark blue sweater to wear with it. She said Edward said I looked so good in blue the other night. I went with it since it impressed Edward and I tried not to let Alice know that was the reason, but I'm sure I wasn't too successful. I'm not very good with the poker face.

I even ended up with a new pair of tennis shoes. Actually they were more like Keds, but they did go with the outfit and I would definitely be comfortable in those.

Finally around 4:00, I arrived back at my apartment.

Ten minutes after Alice left, there was a knock on my door. It was Alice. I had forgotten my shoes. I thanked her and she left for the second time.

I sat down and tried to recover from our afternoon of shopping.

Ten more minutes passed and there was another knock on my door. I felt bad thinking I left something else in Alice's car and she trudged back up here to give it to me.

"What'd I leave this time Alice?" I asked as I opened the door.

I was horrified by the site of the disgusting man that stood at my door.

Before I could shut the door, he barged in. He grabbed my hands and held them tightly behind my back with one of his hands. With his other hand he brought a cloth up to my face and pressed it against my nose and mouth instantly stopping my screams.

My vision began getting real fuzzy and the only thing I could think was 'Edward, please help me.'

Then everything went black.

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Edward's Point of View

My date with Bella on Wednesday was even better than I had hoped it would be.

Bella looked absolutely beautiful. She listened attentively when I told her about my investments and everything I had done concerning Aro Voltaire. She didn't seem to pass judgment.

At the end of the evening, she kissed me on my cheek and that kept me flying high all the way home.

Bella told me during one of our talks that she never dated. So, I realized that she had never done the dinner & movie date that most do for a first date. I wanted her to have the experience that most people do on their first dates. I tried to think of other things that we could as well.

I called her late this morning about going out tomorrow. She was very receptive to my 'real' date idea. I am thrilled to make her happy and that I will get to spend most of the day with her.

I went to my office, aware that I had some work to catch up on. I decided to start with my email.

I answered some emails I had been expecting. I was just about to exit out of my email when I noticed the subject line on one of them which instantly had my stomach in knots.

subject: I have Isabella Swan

I called Jasper and asked him to meet me in my office immediately and to bring Emmett with him.

I immediately called Bella. I let the phone ring for a long time, but there was never an answer.

I groaned miserably as Emmett and Jasper walked into my office.

"What's wrong Edward?" Jasper asked concerned.

"I just got this email." I pointed to the screen and Jasper looked with Emmett peering over his shoulder. They both wore a grimace when they noticed the subject line. "I called Bella's, and there's no answer."

"Did you open up the email yet?" Emmett asked.

"I am now." I said and clicked on the email, afraid of what I would find.

Edward,

I think I probably have your most valuable

possession. Quite lovely, this girl. I can see why

you are so found of her. I'm sure you would like to

have this beautiful possession returned to you.

I may be able to arrange a trade. Click on the attached

video and you will see that we have your little beauty.

Click me!

The video opened with a man in a suit, but he was wearing a black ski mask that hid his face. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He let out a breath and then moved one of his hands to where his finger was waving in the air.

"Edward, Edward, Edward … you sure have caused a lot of trouble." He said shaking his head.

"It seems that you have something my boss wants, and I have something you want." He motioned to the side of him.

"Bring her in. Ah, would you look at that. It seems that dear Isabella has passed out. Oh dear, I hope we weren't too rough with her." Another man, also donning a ski mask but dressed in a dark shirt and dark pants, sat Bella in a chair. She slumped over immediately and it took the man a few moments to get her securely in the chair without falling over. Both her hands and feet were bound, and she was gagged.

I felt utterly disgusted and totally responsible.

"You see the longer we have to wait for what we want, then the longer your little girl here will suffer. You see she only has a few bruises now." The asshole took his hand and moved her face by her chin. There was a nasty looking cut above her left eyebrow and a bruise forming under her eye. I was livid. I wanted to jump through the screen and kill them all.

"That's nothing compared to what will come to her the later we have to wait. You see we're not very patient around here. Also, one of my men here is very taken with your Isabella. Ah, look there he is, you see he has a hard time staying away from her." Another man with a ski mask entered. Blonde hair peaked out at the bottom of his mask. He knelt down beside Bella and stroked her cheek and he let out a sadistic little laugh.

I knew that laugh. James. Fucking James! God, I've got to get her out of there.

"I have denied him the full access he wants now, but should my patience be tried, well then I would have no problem letting him indulge in his desire." The first man spoke again nodding at the man I knew to be James.

"Ah Edward, she is a hellcat. She's got a lot of spunk and fight in her. That's good; our man here likes that. He says it is much more fun breaking them that way." James nodded in agreement.

I heard an irritated growl escape from Emmett.

"Now you be a good little boy and give us what we want and in return, we'll give you what you want. Oh, and Eddie my boy, I think you know better than to bring the authorities into this. That definitely wouldn't be good for Isabella." He was standing behind her now with his hands on her shoulder. He took one of his hands and brushed some hair out of her face as if he was someone who cared for her.

"I am positive you know what information I want." Suddenly I thought of the dinner that Bella and I had at Palisade.

Fuck! The man I thought I recognized there – I have seen him before. When we did some investigating on Aro …. crap! He was in one of the pictures we have of Aro. He works for Aro. Damn it!

"You see this," he said holding out something smaller than a dime. "Interesting device this is" he said sliding it between his fingers and holding it up to the camera. "You see this thing is like my own personal 'miracle ear'" he joked. "Yes, with this amazing device I can tune into any conversation in a crowded room. And I bet you can guess which one I found to be most interesting last Friday at the Palisade restaurant?" He and James both laughed at this.

Jasper and Emmett both looked at me with worried expressions.

"The more time should pass, then the more impatient I should become. Every time I grow impatient, Isabella will suffer. Don't worry, after I feel she has suffered sufficiently I will send you another email so you can see for yourself. Don't you believe a picture tells a thousand words? My video will anyway." He was still standing behind Bella and he placed his hands on her face and squeezed her cheeks.

"Wakey, wakey, Bella" he said looking mockingly at the camera.

You could hear her groan and she slowly began to open her eyes. Her eyes flitted all around her and then she seemed to remember the situation she found herself in and screamed through her gag, unaware that they were filming her.

He removed his hands and then he slapped the side of her face with one. Tears instantly sprang from her eyes as well as my own.

"So, I advise you to act wisely and act quickly. Isabella's life is depending on you."

Then the video ended. I was shocked. I was staring at the blank screen willing this all to be some nightmare that I would soon wake up from.

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Author's Note: I hope the chapter was okay. I had a hard time writing this one as my brain really didn't want to cooperate.