If This Is Fate Chapter 12, a twilight fanfic

I know, what a great day to add a chapter right? Happy Thanksgiving to all American readers. So I think this chapter is a little bit of a tear jerker. I even cry when I re-read it, so you might want to have some tissues handy. Thanks so much for all the reviews, I love reading what everyone thinks. And thanks to bzeemomof4 and redlulu for helping me make the story sound and look better.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or it's characters.

Bring Me To Life: Evanescence

How can you see into my eyes like open doors,
Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb.
Without a soul, my spirit\'s sleeping somewhere cold,
Until you find it there and lead it back home.

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside,
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside,
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark.
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run,
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone.
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become.

Now that I know what I\'m without,
You can't just leave me.
Breathe into me and make me real.
Bring me to life.

Frozen inside without your touch,
Without your love, darling,
Only you are the life among the dead.

All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see,
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me.
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems.
Got to open my eyes to everything.
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul,
Don't let me die here.
There must be something more,
Bring me to life.

Bring me to life.
(I've been living a lie there's nothing inside.)

Bring me to life.

EPOV

The minute my parents said we are going to Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Peter's for Thanksgiving, I knew it would be bad. I can't leave Bella that long. What if something happens and I'm not here to help her? I know I'm not really doing anything to help her anyway but there is always that chance in the back of my mind that I would be needed to protect her or save her from him someday. I was ready for it too. In the beginning, I was a little scared of him and worried about what he might do to me, but now none of that mattered; I will do anything I have to for Bella, there is no doubt in my mind anymore. And if that is love then I guess I love her.

I attempted to get out of going, begging my parents to let me stay home but they insisted that I go, stating that it would be good for me to get away for a little while and spend time with family. But they don't understand what this is going to do to me. I want her to come with me and talk to my parents and tell them everything. I know if she will talk to my parents we will stay, but I know Bella and she won't do that because she is a selfless person and would rather risk the chance of being beat for a few more days then ruin my families Thanksgiving. I also know that getting her to talk to someone is almost impossible, I had a pretty good inclination that when I get back she will want to make arrangements to run. I expect it and planned for it, but I can't help the pain I feel when I think about her being gone forever.

The only way for me to keep in contact with her while I was gone and to make sure she was safe was to get her a phone. I rushed to Port Angeles, after my parents first told me we were leaving, to pick up a simple cell phone for her. When I gave it to her, she looked at it like it was a bomb about ready to go off in her hands. It never dawned on me that she wouldn't know how to use one. I spent a good hour showing her how to use it and what to do. I stayed longer than I had planned on staying, but I couldn't pull myself away and in return, I spent most of the night packing and not sleeping at all. Not that I was able to sleep anyway.

We left early the next morning, the anxiety rushing through me was torture. I texted her to make sure she was okay. I know it is early but she will be up by now. Then I read her reply saying she was fine, I relaxed a little but I am still on edge. I'm sure my family notices but the only one that said something was Emmett. He teased me the entire plane ride about my strange behavior and all while making jokes about Bella. Even though he knows about Bella, I never actually admitted anything to him, so he continually tries and pushes me so I will spill. The only problem is the more he mentions Bella the more anxiety I get.

When we arrived at Peter and Charlotte's home in Chicago, all I can think about is sleeping, but my cousins had a different idea. Benjamin jumped on me, and Sasha got the idea to do the same. Carmen is starting to get to the age that she doesn't want to rough house and play, but by the end of the night she is wrestling with Emmett and I just as much as the other two.

Charlotte is Carlisle's younger sister and after their parents died a few years ago; all they were left with was each other, even though we only see them maybe twice a year. But apparently there is a reason for this visit; after the children have gone to bed for the night, Charlotte informs all of us she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. My parents are devastated and I have to admit it is kind of scary. She told us that her doctor's are hopeful that all will be okay since they caught it early enough but she and Peter are scared. She wants Carlisle's advice on treatments and how best to prepare the kids if something were to happen to her. That really got to me; I don't like thinking that my cousins might not have a mother. I can't imagine not having my mom, even though she's overbearing and controlling; I'd rather have that then nothing at all. I began to think even more about Bella's situation and how she was without a mother. James had taken that away from her and now she is the mother figure to Seth and Leah.

I text Bella as often as I can, waiting for any reply from her to kill the anxiety I feel while being away from her. When I actually speak with her I feel so much better. Then she tells me that James wants her to cook a huge Thanksgiving dinner for guests and my anxiety spikes again and I get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. I want to believe her when she says it is fine and there is nothing to worry about but something about it bothers me. Thanksgiving day my phone rings and it is Bella and immediately I start panicking, wondering what is wrong. I am beginning to think that this girl is going to give me a heart attack with all the emotions that are spiraling around inside of me. It is strange for sure; there is never much that bothers me. I'm always a laid back type of guy that just goes along with things. But now I am feeling everything all at once, I notice everything; I am caring about things that I never even thought about before. I am a mess.

It's Friday morning and I am awaken bright and early by a very hungry Benjamin who wanted breakfast immediately. I reluctantly pulled myself out of bed and went down stairs to get him some cereal then went back up to wake Emmett, I am not planning to watch the kids by myself, while he sleeps in. Emmett and I all of a sudden hear a loud rumbling of sorts coming down the hall, we peaked out to find that both Carmen and Sasha were rushing down the stairs, pushing and shoving each other all the way. Emmett and I looked at each other and laughed remembering we used to do the same thing when we were that age. I followed them down and got them both some cereal. Shortly after, Emmett finally came downstairs pouring a bowl of cereal for himself also. While the girls and Emmett sat at the table eating breakfast, Benjamin and I sat on the couch watching cartoons, while we waited for everyone else to get back from shopping. My parents and aunt and uncle left very early this morning to catch all the great deals. My mom and Aunt Charlotte loved to shop and did it every time they got together. My father and Uncle Peter were mainly there to chauffer, hand over the credit cards, and to carry all their purchases. That is why Emmett and I volunteered to stay behind to watch our cousins, because if we hadn't we would have been dragged into every store and been given arm loads of stuff to carry and mom probably would have made us try on at least a dozen different sweaters to find just the right one. She had this thing about getting us sweaters every year and there isn't a sweatshirt or a hoodie or anything that we would actually wear. It was always something festive and colorful and when we were younger they always had some type of Christmas themed picture. She would make us wear them on Christmas day and we hated it but it made her happy so we did it every year and still continue to do it now.

Emmett and I decide to play some board games with the kids, which then became watching Disney movies. I texted Bella during one of the movies with no response, I decide that maybe she was busy cleaning or studying, so I decided to wait and see if she would respond later. Several hours passed and I realize I had not heard from Bella, so I text her again, and again throughout the day and never receive a response back. I suddenly start to get really scared. I am at the point that I am thinking of calling Alice to have her check on Bella. But thankfully, around three, right when I was about to call Alice, I finally got a text from her letting me know that she is busy. I immediately started relaxing realizing that my original assumption was right and that everything is fine and I have nothing to be worried about.

"I take it Bella finally text you back," Emmett commented.

"Why do you think it's Bella?" I ask, irritated by his pestering.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and smirk on his face. "Because you've carried that phone around with you all week and every time you get a text you relax. But you've been texting someone all day and with every text you send you get more tense and fidgety. I assume you finally got a reply since you seem to have calmed down a little." I stared at him with disbelief. I am surprised he actually noticed all that. He obviously must have understood the look on my face because he rolled his eyes and looked at me like he was hurt. "It's my job to notice these things Edward; I'm a cop, that's what we do. We notice things and pick up on things to get to the truth."

"Well, you don't do a very good job of it," I mumbled, almost inaudible.

"Edward, I don't understand why you are keeping this a secret. Have you even told mom and dad that you're dating her?"

"Who said I'm dating her?"

"Edward, you're my little brother, I know you better than anyone. This girl has you completely changed. I'm not saying it's all a bad thing but you can't be so wrapped up in this girl that it controls your life. And you can't keep going behind James' back to see her. You both need to grow up and tell him. He's not as bad as you think, I know he comes off as a tough cop and strict, but that's just his outer appearance. He's really a nice person who would probably be happy to have you dating his daughter over some of those jerks that go to Forks high school."

"And what if I told you that the minute I told James I want to take his daughter out, something really bad would happen?" I asked seriously.

"Like what?" He laughed.

"Like someone might get seriously hurt."

"Did Bella tell you this? Did she make you think that he would hurt you if you told him? Come on Edward, this is stupid, you are acting like a thirteen year old who's afraid to tell your parents about your first girlfriend. You're eighteen now and should know how to treat a girl properly. Mom and Dad taught you better than this."

"Fuck you, you have no idea what's going on. It's a lot more complicated and has nothing to do with not wanting to tell mom and dad, or James," I said, in haste. "It has to do with keeping her safe. You shouldn't even know that we've been seeing each other. And you're one to talk, I remember a few weeks ago you telling me you had a date and you haven't said anything to mom or dad about it."

"Just because I took someone on a date does not mean that it's anything serious. I think I've been out with at least three women since I mentioned I had a date that night. And none of them was I ever serious about like you seem to be with Bella. And what are you talking about keeping her safe?" He asked, giving me a questioning look.

"Nothing can we just drop this? If you must know yes the text was from Bella and yes she's who I've been texting all weekend and why I've been on edge but as far as why that is, I can't tell you yet because you are too close to the problem."

He began laughing and got up off the couch where we were sitting to head to the kitchen. "God teenagers these days are so dramatic. I hope I never acted like that when I was your age." I got up quickly and headed up stairs wanting to get away from him. I text Bella again asking if it was a good time to call, I really need to hear her voice but she quickly text back telling me it was not a good time. I end up lying down and fell asleep instead. I decided for the rest of the weekend I will avoid Emmett as much as possible. I came very close to telling him everything, part of me really wanted to but after seeing his reaction, I understood why Bella was afraid people won't believe her. Even my own brother laughed at the little bit of information I had given him.

When we were ready to fly home on Sunday our flight got delayed due to the weather, so we had to wait in the airport for five hours before we could head home. I spent that time texting Bella asking how her week went and asking who the guests were for Thanksgiving wanting to know everything she did while I was gone but her responses were little more than a simple "hello" or "not a good time", she wouldn't answer any of my questions and refused to let me call her or come see her once I got home. I was starting to get worried and wondered if something was wrong. My gut told me something was, but there could be a very logical explanation for her distance. James could be suspicious and she was trying to protect both of us from him finding out or maybe she was just exhausted from the weekend like I was. I figured as long as she was still texting me then she was fine and I would see her on Monday. We got home very late Sunday night so I went straight to bed knowing I had to get up in just a few hours. And knowing I will see Bella tomorrow at school.

In the morning, as I walked downstairs I was still exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go back to bed. I found my father sitting at the table reading the paper, so I sat down next to him and poured myself a bowl of cereal.

"You look tired Edward, why don't you take the day off? I'll call the school and get you out." My dad offered."

"No that's okay; I really want to go today. I've missed too much as it is." I had been missing a lot of school, but the most important thing I was missing was Bella.

"Alright, if you want to go I won't stop you but I would prefer you stay home and get some sleep."

"I'm fine dad," I replied. I went back to eating my breakfast trying to waste time before I could go to school. I considered going over to Bella's house to pick her up but with James watching me lately and with trying to keep up appearances at school it would be a mistake.

"Where's mom?" I asked, realizing for the first time that she isn't around.

"She went to school early to try and figure out what kind of mess the substitute left her." We both chuckled, knowing that mom didn't like having subs take over her class because they always messed something up or didn't do it right. Every time she had to use a sub she would come home complaining about something they did. I'm sure today would be no different. I got up to put my bowl in the sink when the phone rang. My dad answered it while I ran upstairs to grab my backpack and books. When I came back down stairs, I found my dad standing in the kitchen looking sad and worried about something.

"Dad, what's wrong?" I asked. I wondered if it had something to do with Aunt Charlotte. I knew he was worried and this week she was supposed to start treatment so I had a feeling that was what the phone call was about. I hoped nothing serious had happened.

"That was the chief of Police," he said in a sullen voice. My stomach tightened with fear and my heart started pounding, I was sure my father could probably hear it. "He said that he had to send his oldest daughter Bella, to a feeding clinic in Seattle. He's come to me a few times wondering if she may have an eating disorder from the signs he was seeing. I guess during Thanksgiving dinner she didn't eat anything and had a major outburst, he finally confronted her and told her he was sending her away to get help." I couldn't even breathe; I didn't want to think about what he did to her. I knew that was a lie, I knew it wasn't an eating disorder. This was a cover-up, what is he trying to cover up though? She has been texting me all weekend, she would have said something if he was hurting her or sending her somewhere. Then it hit me, he very well could have found the phone and has been sending those texts himself. That's why he insisted I didn't call or come over. I got light headed and everything went blurry, I felt like puking or passing out. "Edward, are you okay?"

I barely heard him through my erratic breathes, I don't know what to do, I don't know where she is or how to find out. "Dad, he hurt her," I spurted out.

"Who hurt who?" He asked, confused.

"I have to save her," I declared.

"Edward, what are you talking about?" He still looked confused about what I was trying to say. My heart is beating so fast I felt like it is going to rip through my chest, I can't even breathe.

"Dad, I need you to come with me." I grabbed his arm and pulled him out to my car getting in as quickly as I possibly could. I pulled out of the driveway and sped down the road. If anyone would know where he sent Bella, it would be Seth and Leah and I need to get to them to make sure they are okay. This was my worst fear, that something would happen to her and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it. I don't even know where she is or if she is even still alive. All I knew is I had to find her. I could hear my dad yelling at me to slow down and to answer his numerous questions about what is going on but none of it registered enough for me to be able to answer coherently. I just continued to drive as fast as I could to the school where I hope Seth and Leah would be. Unless, he pulled them out too and sent them away. There is only one way to find out. When my father started yelling to pull over because there is a cop car behind me it finally registered that I am getting pulled over.

My father started yelling that it serves me right for getting pulled over after driving like I was. He doesn't understand that this has nothing to do with my speed; this is James pulling me over to get rid of me somehow. I have come to the conclusion that he has found out and now he needs to get rid of any evidence, being me since I know too much.

"Well, well, well, Edward Cullen. We meet again under similar circumstances," James intimidated. I glared at him trying to hold my anger inside.

"I'm so sorry James," my father stressed from the passenger seat. "Edward seems to be in a huge hurry this morning for some reason." My father glared over at me.

"Dr. Cullen, I didn't see you there," James admitted, almost sounding nervous. I smirked slightly knowing that he can't do anything to me with my father right here.

"I completely understand if you give my son a ticket for his recklessness, I don't know what has gotten into him this morning." My father said.

"Where you headed in such a hurry son?" James asked.

"I think you know quite well where I'm headed," I said through gritted teeth.

He stifled a laugh while he wrote out the ticket. "Yes well, I'm afraid that where you're headed may not do any good if you end up getting in an accident on the way there. As a matter of fact, it may not do any good regardless," he hinted. My father may not have gotten it but I understood.

"I hope your daughter is doing better," my father remarked. "Please keep me updated on her treatment and let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

"I'll do that Dr. Cullen, I appreciate all the support," James said, ripping the ticket from the ticket book.

"You know, it's funny, I've seen Bella eat just fine quite often, and she has never given me any inclination that there was anything wrong with her, at least nothing that she was doing to herself," I added. I glared at him and he glared back. I could see his jaw flexing and his fists balling up. I wanted to get out of the car and kill him and I very well may have if my father wasn't sitting right next to me.

"Well, eating disorders can be complicated, Edward," James said, trying to remain calm.

"Really, is that still the story you're going to stick to? Because I can get at least a dozen people to state that she eats just fine," I lied. "Why don't you tell me where she really is? What you did to her?" I don't know why I am testing him like this but part of me knew he wouldn't do anything with my father here and I am pissed. I want to know where she is. I want him to screw up and do something stupid so my father would believe me.

"You better watch it kid, unless you want to get arrested," James said through gritted teeth.

"Is that what you plan to do, arrest me so I won't tell everyone who you really are?"

"Edward, what are you doing?" I heard my father warn.

James and I glared at each other for a few seconds more, testing each other's limits before he sighed in defeat. "Have a nice day Dr. Cullen, Mr. Cullen," James said quickly before retreating to his car and taking off down the road.

"Edward what the hell was that?" My father asked with anger in his voice. "Are you trying to get yourself thrown in jail?"

"He won't hurt me, I know too much and he knows it. But if you weren't with me right now he probably would have killed me and left me on the side of the road," I disclosed.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, still looking completely confused. I started up my car and took off down the road again.

"Dad he beats her, he's mean to all of them," I admitted.

"Who hurts who, Edward?"

"James," I yelled. "He beats Bella, and he's mean to Seth and Leah too." He started laughing in disbelief just like Emmett had done the other day.

"Edward, you have to be kidding me. You can't go around making those types of accusations against someone like James Hunter. He's a good man and a good father," my father explained.

"Really, how well do you fucking know him dad? Have you ever been in their home? Have you ever seen the bruises on her body? Have you ever seen the fear in all of their eyes? I shouted, still driving erratically.

"Edward, you need to calm down, there has to be some sort of logical explanation for this," he said.

"God, why do you believe him over your own fucking son? Damn it dad, are you even listening to anything I'm saying?" I yelled.

"I'm trying to Edward, but none of this is making any sense." I pulled into the parking lot and slammed on my brakes right in front of the doors, not even worrying about parking in a spot. I jumped out and ran inside rushing to the front desk where an older lady with gray hair pulled up into a bun, sat.

"I need to talk to Seth and Leah Hunter right away," I said quickly. The secretary looked up at me through her eyelashes.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" She asked.

"Edward Cullen, my mother is Esme Cullen who works here," I explained.

"I'm sorry, for my son's rudeness," my father said coming up behind me. "Can you ask Esme Cullen to come down here? We need to have a family discussion. It's kind of an emergency."

"Of course, Dr. Cullen," she said, picking up the phone to call down to her classroom.

"No," I shouted. "I need to see Seth and Leah, now."

'Edward, let's talk to your mother first. You have some explaining to do," he stated.

"I don't have time to explain things," I shrieked, running my fingers through my hair out of frustration. "I'll do that later. Dad, please, I need your help."

"And I'm trying to give it to you but I need to know a few things first."

I groaned loudly through gritted teeth just as my mom came around the corner.

"Edward, what's wrong with you?" She asked looking concerned.

"Mom, please you have to help me, I have to talk to Seth and Leah Hunter right now. Can you get them out of class for me?" I begged. She looked at both of us in confusion then guided us down the hall into a small conference room. I noticed my parents give each other a look of concern once inside the room, but not concern for the right thing. "Will you both stop this; you've wanted to know what was wrong with me for weeks, now when I finally tell you, I get looked at like I'm crazy. James Hunter, Chief of Police of our little town of Forks, is beating his kids and very well could have killed Bella and I need to find her now. Please, I need your help," I shouted, probably loud enough for the secretary to hear down the hall.

"What's going on Carlisle?" My mom asked looking to him to explain. I rolled my eyes and let out a guttural yell. I was so frustrated that we were wasting so much time. I paced as my father explained what James had called about this morning and then how I panicked and rushed out of the house with him in toe, how I behaved towards James, what I told him about Bella being beat. When my father was done he looked over at me still questioning me with his eyes, but my mom looked concerned, I knew I could get her to believe me.

"Mom, please, you told me the story a few weeks ago about your own experience and how much you regret it, please don't let me have that same regret," I pleaded. "I'm not lying about this and if I can talk to Seth and Leah they will tell me where she is, maybe she's still alive and I can save her but I need to know where to look and we're wasting time right now." My mom looked at me with compassion filled eyes and then she sighed heavily and looked away from me. My heart sunk, I was sure she also doesn't believe me, but then she looked to my father and surprised me.

"Carlisle, call Emmett, we may need him," she ordered. I took a sigh of relief knowing that she believed me and is going to help. She walked out into the hall asking the secretary to have Seth and Leah called down to the office then went and asked the principle to join us. My mother gave the principle a short explanation of our suspicions and asked if it would be okay to talk to the children. Seth and Leah walked in to the room with wide eyes and fear in their faces. I was told not to talk to them and to wait until Emmett got here before anyone said anything. I made eye contact with both of them as they walked in, I half expected Seth to come running over to hug my waist like he normally did, but he didn't. He stayed close to Leah almost hiding behind her. Not being able to talk to them was killing me. Shortly after we were all in the small room Emmett showed up walking down the hall way in full uniform looking between all of us wondering what is going on. Once he saw Seth and Leah though, he looked in my direction, clearly giving me a look of 'what have you done now' it didn't go unnoticed and it hurt that even my brother doubted me. He always believed me and stuck up for me.

The principal looked over to Esme asking her to begin since she knew more of what was going on. "Leah, Seth, I need to ask a serious question and I need you to be completely honest with me," she began. "There have been accusations brought to our attention that your father has hurt both of you and your sister. Is that true?" Leah looked from my mom to my brother then to me. She was scared, I could tell. She wasn't going to answer. "Leah, what happened to Bella?" My mother questioned further.

"She went to a hospital in Seattle for eating disorders," she murmured. I rolled my eyes trying to hold in my frustration.

My mother looked back at me and I started to see doubt in her eyes. "If something is happening at home that shouldn't be, you need to let us know," the principal stressed. They said nothing, just looked blankly ahead showing no emotion.

I finally couldn't take it anymore and pushed my way towards them. I noticed my father trying to reach for me but my mom held him back, letting me go.

"Leah, please," I begged, kneeling in front of them to make better eye contact. "You and I both know the eating disorder isn't true, I need you to tell me where she is so I can help her. I promise I won't let him hurt you ever again. Just tell me where she is." Tears began filling her eyes as she tried to divert them to the ground, she looked tired and worn out. Dark circles were under her eyes and she had a long sleeve shirt on that was pulled all the way down to her hands. I noticed how much she looked exactly like Bella always did after she was beat. I reached out and gently grabbed her hand but she instinctively jerked it back and gasped.

"Edward, maybe this isn't such a good idea," my father suggested. "You're obviously scaring the child and I don't think we need to subject them to this interrogation any longer. We can discuss this later and get more answers from James. Maybe he can even give us the name of the hospital she's at so you can go see for your own eyes where she is if it's that important to you."

"Dad, shut up!" I yelled, turning slightly to look at him. "Just believe me for once in your life, believe me. I'm not making this up, I've known for weeks, I've been spending time with all three of them every night, that's where I've been sneaking off to, that's why I've been so angry lately. They aren't scared of me, they're scared of James.

I turned back to Leah after my outburst realizing my yelling at my father was in fact probably scaring them. "Leah, please just tell me where she is. Everyone in this room will keep you safe, he can't hurt you here. At least tell me if she's still alive. "

"I can tell you where she is, Edward," Seth said, timidly. I turned to him quickly as did Leah who shot him a look and she said his name in warning then glanced at my brother. He cowered once again behind her. I turned around to look at my brother standing in the door way with his hands across his chest in his uniform and looking utterly confused and angry by what is going on. It finally dawned on me what they were scared of. They didn't know that Emmett was my brother and would help them. All they saw was a police officer who was connected to their father. They were scared of him.

"You don't need to be afraid of him," I said gesturing to Emmett. "He's my brother, he's on our side. He won't let James get anywhere near you. Leah, please just give me some sort of clue to where she is. I love her and I need to know if she's okay." Leah's eyes shot up at me when I said that I loved her and I heard a gasp fall from my mother's lips behind me, but I didn't have time to worry about that right now.

I looked to Seth, begging him with my eyes to say something but he wouldn't, I saw the tears falling from his face. "Edward, are you going to leave us?" Seth sobbed, through his tears. I reached out to him hugging him tightly.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'll never leave you. I don't care what I have to do, I'll keep you safe."

"Edward," I heard Leah's quiet voice say beside me. I pulled away from Seth slightly to look towards Leah. She had tears streaming down her face and I could barely recognize her. She looks like she is holding her breath trying to not make sounds while she cries. I reached out and pulled her into my arms as well. They both clung to me out of fear and knowing I am their only life line now that Bella is gone. I have a really bad feeling that she is, I began to tear up knowing that they are all I have left of her, that I am too late and let them all down. "Did Bella ever tell you how mom died?" Leah asked, quietly. I pulled away to look at her. Trying to remember the story she told me.

I nodded my head in understanding. "Did she tell you where he kept her?" She looked in my eyes intently trying to relay a message I wasn't getting.

"I remember her telling me that she tried to run with all of you, he found you and brought you back home, then he locked her in the basement and beat her for days before he took her to the cliff." I heard more gasps from almost everyone behind me but I didn't care at the moment, I understood the message. "The basement, is that where she is?" I had chills run all through my body when I figured it out.

Leah nodded her head letting me know I was right. "I don't know if she's still alive, she's been down there for days and he keeps going down there beating and yelling at her. He won't let us see her. Edward please, you have to save her," Leah begged through her sobs.

"I will, I promise," I said through my own tears. I turned around and looked back to my mom who had tears streaming down her face as well. "Will you take them with you and please don't let them out of your sight for one second. I have to get to Bella." She walked forward and pulled Seth from me picking him up into her arms and reached for Leah. "Be careful, Leah has bruises on her arms and maybe other places." Leah looked at me shocked but she knew I was right. My mom gave me the same shocked look but walked them into the hall without saying a word about it. The principal followed them out.

I looked around for my brother but he was nowhere to be found. "Where's Emmett?" I asked my father.

"He's in the hall making some calls; I think he's trying to get a search warrant." I nodded my head and walked towards the door to leave but my father reached out and grabbed my arm.

"Let your brother handle this son," he demanded. I pulled away from him, glaring at him for a second and kept walking.

I walked out into the hall and saw my brother closing up his phone. "I'm getting a search warrant faxed over now, I'll go search the house and find her. I've asked Garrett to meet me there," he explained. "I need you to stay here."

"Like hell I am," I shouted. "I'm going now. I'm not waiting any longer." I ran towards the door hearing my father and brother shouting at me from behind. I jumped in my car and skidded out of the parking lot as fast as I could, heading to her house. I didn't care if James pulled me over again. For all I knew he was at the house now beating her to death and I am not going to let that happen anymore.

I pulled up to the house and ran to the door, knocking loudly and yelling, I knew no one was there to open it and if James is there he probably would have come out by now. I ran around to the back of the house and climbed up the tree to the window. It was locked, which was odd but I knew it had to have been James that did it. I decided to use my elbow to break the glass and reached in to unlock it. I pulled it open just as I heard the cop cars pulling up. I jumped into her room and ran down the stairs trying to figure out how to get to the basement. I ran all through the house opening up every door searching. I finally found a door off the kitchen that was locked just as I heard my brother's voice at the front door yelling at me to open up. I didn't listen.

I kicked the door continuously trying to break it open. My brother had gotten into the house with me now, his gun was pulled and ready to shoot if need be. "Emmett he's not here, please just help me with the door," I asked. He sighed and put his gun away coming over to where I was.

"You need to go outside and wait," he demanded.

"I'm not going anywhere until I find her," I exclaimed. "Either help me get her out, or go find James." He gave me a look of frustration and began helping me with the door, giving up on trying to get me to leave. We were able to kick a hole through the paneling and reach through to unlock it. I ran down the stairs looking around amongst the boxes and bins that were everywhere. I called out to her but didn't get any reply. My eyes scanned across every wall and open space trying to find something amongst the stuff that cluttered the basement. My heart was beating so fast trying to search for her; I kept calling out to her and not getting a response scared me. Maybe he came back after he stopped me this morning and took her somewhere else. Emmett was helping me search and I could hear my father and someone else who I assumed must be Officer Garrett upstairs. I pushed a couple boxes away from the wall and that's when I saw it, there was a small door no bigger than a cupboard. I yelled for Emmett and heard him come running across the room, I pulled the door open full of fear and then I saw her lying on the hard concrete ground tied and gagged. She wasn't moving, I couldn't tell if she was still breathing. I crawled through the small space and pulled her into my arms. She looked up at me with slightly opened eyes and I felt her sigh. There was a feeling of relief that came over me instantly. I reached down and pulled the gag out of her mouth and untied her hands.

She opened her eyes a little more to register who had her. "Edward," she whispered, sounding weak and hoarse. "You have to leave, he'll find you."

"Bella, it's okay now, I'm here to get you out. You're going to be okay," I said quietly making her understand that she doesn't need to be scared anymore. Her eyes closed again and she went limp in my arms. I pulled her out of the small hole with Emmett's help and carried her up the stairs. My father ran over instantly telling me to lay her down on the couch so he could look her over. I could hear the ambulance coming in the distance but it didn't seem close enough.

"Is she going to live?" I asked my dad, full of fear. He didn't say anything or acknowledge me at all. "Dad, please answer me."

"I don't know son," he barked. "I don't have anything with me to do a proper exam. She still has a pulse so that's a good sign. But I can't tell you much more." The paramedics came rushing in and started connecting all kinds of tubes to her and lifted her on to the stretcher taking her away. My father rode in the ambulance with her and I followed behind in my car.

I sat out in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, waiting for any word from my dad. Emmett showed up after about an hour wanting to know what exactly was going on. I told him the entire story, from the beginning which helped pass the time and keep my mind occupied. He was upset that I hadn't told him sooner, which I'm sure everyone was going to be but that didn't matter right now. What mattered is that she is still alive, at least I hoped. He is also mad at himself for not picking up on what was happening sooner.

"Did you find James?" I asked.

"No, we think he was tipped off or got wind of what happened and left. We have calls in to all the neighboring counties to be on the lookout but there's no way to tell if he'll be found."

"It was my fault," I admitted.

"What was your fault?" Emmett asked.

"All of it, everything, I didn't say anything when I should have, I didn't protect her when I promised her I would, I left her by herself, I wasn't there to help her, and I tipped him off." Emmett looked over at me, his eyebrow furrowed.

"What do you mean you tipped him off?" He asked.

"He stopped me this morning on the way to the school, he was planning to do something to me I'm sure of it, but since dad was with me he couldn't. I was mad at him so I started saying stuff and glaring at him, feeling like I could be a smart ass since dad was with me. I did it, I hurt her."

"Edward, you didn't hurt her, you saved her," Emmett countered. It didn't make me feel any better though; all of this was my fault. Emmett sat with me for the remainder of the time until our father came out of the room. I stood up almost running the distance to get to him quicker.

"Is she okay? Can I see her?" I asked.

"She'll be fine," he stated. "She has a couple broken ribs, she needed stitches on her arm from a pretty bad gash, she has quite a few bruises that cover almost her entire body, and she was severely dehydrated, but she's going to okay."

I sighed in relief and leaned back against the wall. "Thanks dad." He nodded his head and reached up to pat me on the shoulder. "Can I see her?"

"Edward, we normally only let family visit in situations this serious," my father explained.

"Dad, she doesn't have any family. The only family she has is Seth and Leah and I'm not letting them in there to see her like that, they've been through enough already. Please dad, I can't let her be in there by herself. I won't wake her I just need to see her."

"Alright," he conceded. "But just for a few minutes."

I walked in the room and sat down next to her, she was sleeping and for the first time since I got her out, I noticed just how bruised and hurt she was. I was afraid to touch her in fear that I would hurt her more. I laid my head down on the bed next to her and lightly brushed my fingers across her fingers, figuring that was the only safe place to touch her. I sat with her for quite a while just feeling happy that she is still alive and here with me now. After a while I heard my mother's voice in the hall then I remembered Seth and Leah. I didn't want them coming in here to see her like this. I don't even know if they are still with my mom. I got up and rushed out the door. Seth and Leah were standing in the hall with my mom and once they saw me they came running. They almost knocked me over from the force of them running into me. I hugged them both and walked them over to the bench against the wall sitting them down.

"They wanted to see you," my mom explained. I turned around to face her; she looked concerned and worried about me. I'd have to explain myself later. But for now I just nodded in understanding.

"Is she okay?" Leah asked, sounding sad.

"She's going to be fine," I said.

"What about dad?" Seth asked.

"The police are looking for him, they'll find him but regardless he's not coming back and he'll never hurt any of you ever again."

"Hey kiddos," Emmett said coming to sit down with us. They stiffened for a moment when they saw him but I assured them that he was here to help. Emmett asked them some questions and wanted to know everything that happened. Eventually my mother pulled me away to talk to me privately.

"I want to know everything that has happened, how long this has been going on, and why it is you chose not to tell us anything until now, but that can wait," she said. "What I do want to know is what you plan to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I called the social workers; they're on their way here and will be taking over the case. Most likely Seth and Leah will be moved to a foster home. But I don't know what will happen to Bella, she's over eighteen and usually there isn't much they can do after that. Plus, with James still out there, who knows what he will do."

"No, mom they can't split them up, Bella is all they have. She's been a mother to them for years. You can't let them do this."

"'Edward, there isn't much I can do; they have rules they have to follow. What I want to know is if you are going to be able to handle that? You seem connected to all of them in a way I can't even begin to understand and I'm afraid that you might try to do something stupid when you think you are trying to help them."

"Like what mom, run away with them?" I asked, sarcastically but having every intention of doing it, if it meant keeping them safe and together.

"That has crossed my mind and obviously since you were so quick to answer, it must have crossed your mind as well." She paused before finishing. "I understand that you want to help them, which you have in so many ways, but you need to think about your future and what running away with a girl and two young children will do to you. I would like us to come up with some other solution than something as drastic as you running."

"Can they come live with us, all three of them?" I asked, hoping my mother would say yes.

"I can't do that, I can't put our family at risk and have a girl that you say you love living in the same house," she declared.

"That's what this is about, because I said I loved her, you won't let her live with us?" I questioned in disbelief and anger. "Mom, I promised them I would take care of them and not let anything happen to them. If they're split up, I'll be breaking my promise. Please mom, I'll abide by any rules you set forth and so will they. They're good kids and don't ever do anything wrong, I'll do whatever you want me to do."

"I'll need to talk to your father and the case worker about this first before I say anything," she replied, giving me hope. "I'm sure it would be okay at least for the night to let them stay with us since they've already been through so much today."

"Who is staying with us?" My father asked coming up behind us.

"Edward would like Seth, Leah and Bella to come live with us, I told him we would need to discuss it but that it was probably fine for Seth and Leah to stay at least tonight," my mother explained.

"Bella will be staying here for a few days but if you're okay with Seth and Leah then I'm sure it will be fine," my father agreed.

"I'm staying here with Bella," I announced. "I'm not leaving her."

"Edward, you can't stay at the hospital," my father insisted.

"Dad, I'm not leaving her, you made me leave her once before and this is what happened. I'm not leaving again," I stated. My father sighed heavily before he and my mom walked towards Seth and Leah. They started walking them down the hall to the cafeteria to get them something to eat. I went back into Bella's room and sat with her for the rest of the day and night. Occasionally, my father or a nurse would come in to check on her but she didn't wake up.

My parents decided to let Seth and Leah stay with them as long as they needed and the case worker allowed it but they were given a stack of paperwork to fill out to make it possible for them to stay. They still had not told me whether or not they were planning to let Bella stay also, but I figured they would. I felt bad about snapping at them when everything was happening and I did apologize to them for my behavior. They kept insisting that I go home and get some rest but I wouldn't. I was not going to leave her ever again.

After two long days of waiting for her to wake up, she started to stir early in the morning. "Edward," she called, opening her eyes slowly. I jumped from the chair and reached for her hand.

"I'm here baby, you're okay," I said leaning over to kiss her hand.

"Where are Seth and Leah?" She asked still coming to.

"They're fine, they've been staying with my parents," I replied.

Her eyes shot open and she looked over at me with fright in her eyes. "Where's James?"

"Don't worry about him, he can't hurt you anymore," I replied.

"You didn't... kill him did you?"

"No baby," I chuckled. "I wanted to and I probably should have but no, he took off, the police are looking for him but they haven't found him yet. They don't think he'll be coming back any time soon. Hopefully never but regardless he won't come anywhere near you. I won't let him." She nodded in understanding and let out a breath that she was holding.

"Thank you, for saving me," she said quietly, squeezing my hand.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I should have been there. I should have never left you. It's my fault," I said sadly.

"Edward, don't, it's not your fault. You saved all of us. I'm alive because of you." She reached over and brushed the hair out of my face and smiled. "Don't ever doubt that." I nodded my head and leaned over to kiss her on her lips very gently in fear of hurting her. I heard the door open and my father walked in clearing his throat. I pulled away but still held her hand tightly not wanting to let her go for anything.

"How are you feeling?" My father asked.

"I'm okay, just sore," she replied.

"I think you'll feel that way for a while but we'll get you back to normal soon," he explained. "You're very lucky, if Edward hadn't found you when he did, I don't know how much longer you would have made it."

"I knew I was going to die," she began. "As soon as he pulled me down to the basement, I knew that's what was going to happen. But Edward saved me." She turned to me and smiled lightly. "He's my hero." I smiled back at her but I didn't feel like a hero at all, I felt like I had let her down and broke my promises to her.

"Yes, I guess he is," my father said with a proud smile across his face while he checked over her chart and wrote some notes down. "It's still a couple hours before the breakfast trays come around, why don't you go down to the cafeteria and get you and Bella something to eat Edward?"

"Dad, can't you call a nurse to do that?" I asked holding tighter to Bella's hand. I didn't want to leave her now that she was awake.

"Edward, I need to speak to Bella privately," he clarified. "I'm sure you're both hungry. They have some great breakfast choices, now go get something to eat and by the time you get back, I'll be done." I looked to Bella who gave me a reassuring nod.

I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed the back of it. "I'll be right back."

I walked down the hall to the cafeteria and picked out 2 plain bagels with cream cheese, 2 blueberry muffins, and 2 bottles of orange juice. I didn't know what she would prefer, the bagel or muffin so I got them both and I was starving so whatever she didn't eat I would. After I paid, I walked back to her room; I walked over to her bedside placing the items I had bought on the side table, waiting for my father to finish with his exam. After he was done he helped her sit up in bed slightly. With the broken ribs she couldn't sit up fully but she needed to sit up a little so she could eat and begin to regain her strength.

After my dad left the room, I offered her the bagel and muffin, she took the muffin. I smiled slightly knowing that I would have chosen the muffin also, which I did. We sat there together eating silently. It was hard for her to sit up like she was, but she did it because she's strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever met.

"So, what did my dad want to talk to you about privately?" I asked, nonchalantly.

"He wanted to know if James had ever done anything to me besides beat me," she said quietly.

"Has he?" I asked hesitantly, not knowing if I wanted to know the answer to this.

"No, he never touched me any way other than hitting me." I nodded my head thankful for that. I couldn't imagine what that would be like for her if she had to deal with that pain as well. I wasn't a virgin but I was pretty sure she was and I wanted our relationship to get to that point eventually if she was willing, but if she had been touched by him it would be really hard to get to that, if ever. But I would stay with her regardless. I could be patient and wait as long as I had to for her. I know I was probably being selfish even thinking about sex right now but I'm a guy, it's what we do.

"He also wanted me to try and convince you to go to school." She looked over at me shyly gauging my reaction.

"No, I'm not going back until you do," I insisted.

"Edward, you can't stay here with me all day and night, you have to go to school," she pressed. "I'll probably be sleeping most of the time anyway."

"Bella, he's still out there, I can't leave you again. What if he came to the hospital?"

"I'll be fine, there are lots of nurses and doctors around, they won't let him get to me if he does come," she countered. "Besides, I'm going to need someone to get my homework for me and who better to do that than someone who's in most of my classes already?" We both laughed lightly and I could tell it hurt for her to laugh.

I stood up and laid the bed back so she could get some rest. "Alright, I'll go but I'm going to call your room every break we have and I'll be back right after school is over. We can do our homework together here and I'll turn it in for you every day. And I'm staying here at night."

"Edward," she began to argue but I cut her off.

"I'm staying here," I said ending the conversation. She sighed, conceding to what I wanted. Her eyes started to get heavy and I could see exhaustion was taking over her again.

"Get some rest; I'll be back later today." I stood up and kissed her gently on the forehead and brushed the hair from her face before I left. I didn't want to and I hated leaving her all alone but she was right, no one would let James anywhere near her and I did need to go back to school, I'd been missing so much lately and that wasn't going to look good on college applications. I rushed home to take a shower and change my clothes before I headed to school.

When I arrived, I felt like everyone was staring at me, which wasn't unusual but it felt like they all knew what had happened already. Gossip spreads fast in a small town. I went to my locker trying to ignore everyone around me but I was bombarded by Alice.

"Is she okay? Where is she now?" Alice asked in a rush. "Did you really break in to their house and take her away right in front of James? I heard you got into a huge fight with him? Someone said that you shot him too, is that true?"

"Alice, whatever rumors you've heard they probably aren't true," I replied. "She's at the hospital right now and she's going to be fine. My mom took Seth and Leah to our house and James took off. The police are looking for him but they haven't been able to find him yet.

"So, is it true, did James kill Bella's mom? Did he intend to kill her?" I nodded my head letting her know she was right but I didn't want to go into detail about it. "Can I go see her later today?"

"Yeah, she'd probably like to see you."

"Good, I'll stop by right after school. I'll bring her flowers and maybe a few magazines to look at," she said with excitement.

I smiled and stifled a laugh. "I'll see you there then."

"So, are you two together now?" She asked, fishing for information.

"Yeah, I guess so, I don't know though, I mean we haven't really discussed what we are," I answered.

"Well, you look happy and I think she'll look the same way even after everything she's been through," Alice commented. I hoped she was right, I wanted Bella to be happy and I hoped she would let me be the one to make her happy.

"So," Jasper said with a smirk coming up behind Alice. "Bella Swan, huh, that's the girl you've been keeping a secret?"

"There are reasons why I had to keep it secret, Jaz," I replied.

"I still don't understand why you had to fucking lie to me about it," he complained. "I would have kept your secret."

"I'm sorry but I had no choice."

"Is it true that you tried to run away with her and James caught you and almost killed you but Emmett stepped in and took him down?" He asked.

"No," I said smiling, in disbelief. "Like I told Alice any rumors you hear are most likely not true."

"So, the rumor of you killing him with your bare hands isn't true either?" He joked.

I started laughing at all this craziness. I didn't understand how all these rumors got started. "I have to go to class; I need to talk to the teachers about getting Bella's homework. I'll talk to you both at lunch." I turned to walk down the hall, heading for my class.

"Edward," I heard Alice yell after me. I turned around to face her and was attacked with a hug. I returned the hug hesitantly not knowing what she was doing. "Thank you for saving her," she whispered. She sounded sincere and full of gratitude.

"You're welcome," I replied. I didn't feel like I had done anything special. But I guess to Alice maybe I had. Bella was her friend and I'm sure Alice loved her and wanted her safe just as much as I did.