Chapter 14 – Guarding
I stayed with Bella, doing what I was meant to do; keeping her safe. No matter how many miles I put between us, she was not safe unless I was with her. Knowing this, it provided more proof that we belonged in each other's life. In her house, she was concerned about Alice going after her attacker. "Bella, she has Jasper and Emmett. And trust me, Alice can look after herself." She sighed, "But what about Emmett? I don't want him doing anything stupid." "He won't. And if he did, Rosalie would get him." She half-smiled, "Then I would after she did." I laughed, "I think that would be worse." Her smile widened and her eyes were brighter. This was the face that stayed with me for those months apart. I found myself smiling with her. In her house, alone, it was as nothing happened between us. I helped her with her homework, not that she needed it. She smiled and laughed as she did before; as she did with me. This afternoon, all the concerns and conflicts that haunted her were nowhere in sight.
"I should start on Charlie's dinner." She stood, went to the refrigerator and began taking out ingredients for their dinner. "Would you like me to help?" She looked back at me, "You hate that." I smiled, "But I would hate it more for me to sit here and let you do all the work." She shook her head, "If you feel that bad, you can set the table." Within seconds I was done with the task she had given me, "Anything else?" She looked at me, to the table and back to me, "Showoff." Bella continued with her preparations for dinner and I watched her. I took in how graceful she was as she moved about the kitchen. I watched as her hair billowed lightly as she turned from the stove to the refrigerator. I knew she was trying to ignore me staring at her, but a blush was coloring her cheekbone. The little color that was coming into her cheeks was another face that stayed with me. To my dismay, I heard Chief Swan's cruiser coming down the street. I looked out the window, Not now. I looked back at Bella. She was done with preparing the meal and setting it on the table. "Damn." I flashed to her side, taking her hand. "You're usually a lot more careful in the kitchen." She glared at me, then down to her hand. She had a slight burn on her palm, "I think you'll live." Bella sighed and her breath blew onto my hand. I looked into her eyes, "I should go. Charlie's home." Her heart raced, deepening the color of her cheeks. "I won't be far."
I heard the keys in the front door. She blinked and I dashed out of the room. I scaled the house and sat on the side of the roof, hidden from the road. It wasn't completely dark outside, but it was dim enough for me to escape unnoticed. The rain stopped while we were in the house. I laid on the roof, listening to Bella and Charlie's conversation; if you can call it that. "How are things at school, Bells?" "Fine." She is trying to through me off the trail. Something is going on with Edward. I won't let him do that to her again. She was just getting her life back together when he showed up again. "How's Alice?" She laughed once, "Alice is Alice. She's just happy to be back, that's all she keeps telling me." Charlie was smiling, I missed Alice too. "She is coming over for another sleep over?" "You can never tell with her, but I wouldn't doubt it." The meal continued in silence. I saw through Charlie's mind that she was reading Wuthering Heights. She's reading again. She must be feeling better. My eyes opened at that; she stopped reading.
I sat up, staring into the night. Bella was as affected by me as I was by her. After we left, music became a thing of the past for me. The piano in the Denali's house was untouched while I was there. I didn't even hum her lullaby. In my mind, I had put it away. That song was written out of love. Love for a girl sleeping in a small bed, with her hair spread across her pillow. I remembered that image of her sleeping when I began to mentally compose of her lullaby. I snuck into her room and she was sleeping. Speaking my name brought her peace in her sleep. I watched her as she slept, as I would tonight. My phone vibrated in my pocket, "Hello Jasper." "Edward, we haven't found anything. This is becoming very frustrating." "Alice hasn't found anything?" "No. We are standing guard along the line, but she cannot see anything on the other side. She thinks that she cannot see the wolves or anything else when they are involved." I sighed, "That's convenient." I heard water running from the kitchen. "Edward," I heard Alice over the phone, "how is Bella?" "She's fine, Alice. I stayed in the house with her until Charlie came home and they just finished dinner."
"Edward, we'll call you when we're on our way home. Contact Carlisle and give him an update." "I will." "Don't wait until later on tonight, Edward. Bella won't be in her room for another 20 minutes. She still has to call her mongrel friend." I shook my head, "All right, Alice." With that I hung up the phone and contacted Carlisle. "Edward, what is going on?" "I just heard from them. They haven't found anything. This one is toying with us. He goes across the boundary line at the perfect time. Also, Alice cannot see into Quileute land. She thinks the wolves are negating her visions. When this one goes on their side, he disappears from her sight." He sighed, "Well, at least they are all right. And Bella?" "She's safe. I'll be staying here all night, making sure he doesn't come back." "Edward, Alice could see if that happens." "With all due respect, Carlisle, she didn't last time and I'm not taking that chance. He may be toying with us, but I'm not, especially when it comes to Bella's safety." "Edward…." "Carlisle, I am not leaving your daughter unprotected again." The phone went silent for a long moment. I hated taking that route with Carlisle, but I was right. Bella was a daughter to him and he would not want anything to happen to her. "You're right, Edward. We'll wait for the others to come home to talk." The line went dead and I stared at the phone in my hand. I didn't want to do that, but it was true. Carlisle suffered as I did when we left Bella behind.
I heard the phone being taken off the receiver from inside the house and a number being dialed. I jumped off the roof and stood by the window in the kitchen. Bella was making her phone call. I heard the phone ringing several times. "Hello?" an aged voice answered on the other line. "Hi Billy. Is Jacob home?" "N…, oh yes, he is Bella." She smiled, "Keep forgetting that I know?" He chuckled over the phone, "It's a habit now. Here he is." My body tensed as the boy's voice came over the phone. "Hey Bella." She sighed, "Did I wake you from your beauty sleep?" "Funny, what's up?" She turned and I saw her face. She was biting down on her lip, "Jake, I need to tell you something and you're not going to be happy about it." "What?" "The Cullens know about the other one you and the pack have been hunting." "What! How? Bella, you said you wouldn't…." Bella's shoulders slumped and her eyes clinched shut from the weight of his words. I could kill him right now for belittling her. "I had to, Jake." "Why? Have you really gone back to their side?" She sighed, "Jacob, he came here. The one you're looking for. He was outside my bedroom window."
There was silence over the phone, "What?" "Yes, I told Alice I thought it was Edward, but she said he was away that night. She called the others and I told them. They needed to know. Right now, Emmett, Jasper and Alice are looking for him. Basically, they wanted you to know that things will be covered on their side of the line." "I'm coming to check on you." Bella looked up and stared straight ahead, "You don't have to do that, Jake." "Look, I don't care. I'll let Sam knowing I am patrolling around your house tonight. I'm letting him know everything you just told me. He's not going to be too happy about this. But I'll try to help him focus on the important thing; you being safe." I rolled my eyes, she should just tell the damn dog I'm here and his services are not required, ever. It began to rain again, which I was happy about. The rain would wash away my scent. Bella finished her conversation and went upstairs for the night. While she was in the shower, I put her birthday present in her CD player and waited for her in the rocking chair. Soon, the door opened and her scent enveloped me. She turned to the sound of the spinning CD and pressed play. Her lullaby filled the room. She stood still, staring at the radio. "Bella?" She turned to look at me, "Why you put this on?" "It's been a long time since I heard it."
I looked at her arm and the bruises were lighter. She looked down her arm, "Alice was right. It feels a lot better." I shook my head, "Why did you ride that damn bike?" She sighed, "Because I wanted to." Frustration rang in her voice. I looked at her, "Fine, I won't ask anymore." "You know, this," she gestured to her arm, "that was a first for me. Sprained wrists, ankles and broken bones, I have before, but a dislocated shoulder, that's a new one." She held her arm, "It wasn't as bad as when James broke my leg and it was a lot easier to heal. Thanks to Alice." I looked at her, "Get to bed." She looked at me, "You know…." I held up one hand, "I know Jacob is coming and I don't care. I promised. Besides, Alice and I don't entirely trust him to keep you safe. I barely trust Alice with that." Bella just stared at me, "Good night, Edward." She turned off her lamp. "Good night, Bella." I love you. She pulled the covers over her body. She remained silent as the song changed to Esme's Favorite. I could smell the bloodsucker. Why doesn't he leave her alone? I heard Jacob's thoughts from outside. I looked out the window, peeking. I didn't want the dog to know I was in here, or did I? I deliberated that. It was best that he didn't, at least not now. He may cause a ruckus and that would wake Bella. Her breathing was steady and her mumbling came. I smiled and went by her bedside. Her lips were slightly parted and her breath blew into my face. I got into the bed and held her in my arms. Her body molded to mine. Once again, I lowered my face into her hair and closed my eyes.