Stolen

By: Skyela Rickman-Walters

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own any of the Twilight Saga. It belongs to Stephenie Meyer. They only thing I own is the story plot and a few original characters I have created.

A/N: I just want to take the time to thank each and everyone of you for reviewing. My goal for this story, is that it hits 100 reviews (and hopefully more, that would totally rock) so KEEP REVIEWING!!!! Secondly, I wanted you all to know, that this chapter is dedicated to those who have seen this story til the very end :) it really means the world to me, knowing that I have such wonderful fans. Also, I would like to let you know that I have a myspace (.com/seriouslyskye) and I have made a playlist for this story. If you would like to hear it, please go to .com/seriouslyskye :) Now for your enjoyment, I present to you Chapter 13: Please Read, Enjoy and REVIEW!!!!

Chapter 13: A Life So Changed

"If you do no hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes." –St. Clement of Alexandra

Renée's POV

October 28th, 2006

"I love you too Phil," I said into the phone, clutching it tightly. I held it well after my husband hung up; he had to leave months ago—being a baseball player and all, he had already missed Spring Training with everything that had happened. For the first time since meeting him, we were apart—Phil went back to Jacksonville and I felt, as a mother, that my place—for the first time in my life—was in Forks.

I placed the phone back onto the receiver, staring at it with dull, unseeing eyes; I had lost my sight a very long time ago, it seemed—even though in reality eight months wasn't that long of a time. I stared at the telephone for a few more moments while figuring out what I was to do next. I wasn't happy that I was to remain in Forks, but I had do it. Until the day I found out my baby's heart had stopped beating. I shuddered even then to think of such a horrible thing, as though things like that didn't regularly flit through my already jumbled brain. I couldn't help myself now—all I could do was wonder, really. It pained me though—for whenever I had such thoughts, Edward would always get up and leave; the pain that would break across his like an angry wave shattering across the sand. I don't think I would ever understand the way the boy felt about my daughter—but sometimes the best things in life are better left unexplained.

Charlie was sitting once again, in his arm chair, his overtired, dark circled eyes boring into the television. It was a rule now—to never turn on the news while we waited for some sort of confirmation. No news was good news, after all.

"Do you think she's really gone?" Charlie had asked one evening, when the bitter silence became too unbearable. His hands shook as his gruff voice spoke. "Rainy?"

"No." And I answered truthfully. In ways, Bella had never truly left. I could see her while I looked into Charlie's eyes—I could see her in his dimples and by the way his brown hair curled atop his head. And he could see her in my smile and in my heart-shaped face. Her laughter was now the thunder and her love was like the wind—always feeling, but never seeing.

I don't think Charlie ever gave up on Bella—I would hear him before he went to bed, while I nestled myself into the couch, curling up into one of Bella's clean shirts, as he prayed up in his room. I knew he was trying to believe in something good—he had never prayed before.

"What was it the Cullen's wanted?" Charlie's voice broke the eerie silence. I blinked and looked away from the phone, my vision blurring around my sight as if I were looking through a dusty bottle.

"They wanted to look into Olivia's case." My voice shook a little as I spoke; it sounded distorted and crackly, as if it had not been used in a long time. I shook my head. "I think it'll just be a dead end."

"Hhmph," Charlie grunted. And he went back to the television, shrouding himself once more in the darkness that was slowly consuming us all.

At some point the phone rang. But I ignored it—all the five times it rang. I didn't want to speak to anyone right now…I didn't want to hear my mother nag about how we should be moving on from this. I didn't want to argue with her, as I wondered out loud what if it had been me. I didn't want to talk to Carlisle and I didn't want to talk with any of the officers. I just wanted to be alone, here in my old house with my ex husband, the father of our child.

A cruiser suddenly screeched into the driveway. I gazed out the window, my expression turning serious as I saw Officer Brayley run up the stairs, wild eyed and fraught.

My stomach sank, dropping like a bowling ball. "Charlie…" I couldn't breathe—the air had suddenly been knocked out from my chest, as if someone had intentionally kicked me straight in the gut. I felt my knees begin to give as I tried to make it to the door, but Charlie made it first, the gaunt expression in his hollowed eyes making him look emptier than ever before.

"Sir!" Brayley choked out the moment the door was open wide. I found myself leaning against Charlie, my trembling hands covering my mouth as dread filled my very entity. This is it, Rainy, I thought, searching Brayley's wide eyes with eager anticipation. This is the moment we've all been waiting for.

But was it the news we wanted? The news we so desperately needed to hear?

"Well?" Charlie looked ready to shake Brayley as the poor boy stood on the doorstep, trying to catch his breath. "What is it?"

Another car pulled up, and I saw out of the corner of my eye that it was Edward and Jake—the two had fallen into some strained camaraderie over the past few months. I watched Edward instead of Brayley—Edward seemed to have a know how of everything that was going on—and my heart gave a little skip as his dark eyes became very wide and his body became rigid with…excitement?

"Sir—they found her!" Brayley said—and I looked at him just as a few tears leaked from his eyes. "They found Bella!"

Charlie's breathing hitched in his chest as he grabbed for my hand; I held it tightly within mine. "Oh my…is—is…" Charlie couldn't speak the words.

"Is she alright?" I finished, staring at Brayley with tearful eyes, begging him to say more. I mean, why else would he be crying, right?

Brayley couldn't speak; it seemed that his voice caught up in his throat while he tried. The seconds that went by seemed like hours slowly pacing as the sun soared higher into the sky. And when Brayley realized he could not speak…he nodded.

"She's—she's okay?" I whispered, nails digging into Charlie's palm.

Brayley nodded again, the tears of joy falling down his cheeks more profusely now, not scattered and lonesome as they had been before.

I wasn't aware that I was crying until I heard the sob break from Charlie's throat. He spun around and squeezed me tightly into his chest as I sobbed endlessly into his flannel shirt. He stoked my hair while I whispered the same thing over and over again…I wasn't even aware of the other Cullen's showing up at our doorstep, cheering in happiness—or Jake's family, laughing and crying, their worries and fears diminished.

"Thank you God…" I whispered into Charlie's tearstained shoulder, trembling in his arms as he held me just as tightly. "Our baby is coming home…"

***

Bella's POV

October 28th, 2006

Some Hospital in California

The female officer—Jenny—never left my side. She held my hand tight while one of the doctors looked me over, inspecting ever inch of my battered and violated body. I didn't resist when the doctor checked out my lower regions; I didn't speak when the doctor asked me if he touched me or hurt me—instead my eyes found interest at an pink and blue oil painting that was hanging on the wall. I almost felt myself beginning to float away in an attempt to anesthetize the burning ache that was trembling through out my veins; this was only a delusion, I had truly lost it now…. I could hear the doctor asking me different questions, but they came out slow and distorted, and I stared at her with strange eyes as I tried to understand why she was speaking in such a tone. At one point she turned to Jenny and they began whispering to one another.

I couldn't really make out what they were saying to one another, but by the looks on their faces, it was apparent that they were horrified at my physical state. I looked down at my gowned body; I don't look that bad, do I?

I was later brought to a bathtub; I tried to bathe quickly, but Jenny told me I could stay in there for as long as I liked; I sat, naked amongst the bubbles and warm bath water while Jenny washed my hair for me. I was even given the liberty to use a washcloth—how enjoyment flooded through my nerves as I scrubbed my filthy, tainted skin. I don't know how long I was in the tub for—the only thing I remember is that when I finally decided to get out, the water was chilly and all the bubbles had disappeared. The tips of my fingers and toes reminded me of raisins. I gently toweled myself off, feeling clean and somewhat rejuvenated. I hadn't been able to take a bath like that in a long time. Jenny even brought me some clothes to wear—it was simple, a blue tee-shirt, jeans and a zip-up hoodie. I was surprised to find clean socks and brand new underwear in the mix. As I pulled on the clothes, I wondered when I would finally wake up from this wonderful dream. It was too real—I was being over stimulated.

I found myself sitting on the bed in the doctor's office with Jenny pulling a brush through my long hair, once again having to wonder how exactly I came to be there. Strange how you can still function somewhat decently when you are being kept in a sluggish haze. The nice doctor came in and began talking again—sometimes she would hold my hand—whisper things—but that strange buzzing noise was back and I had to strain both ears and eyelids to pay attention to what she was saying. I furrowed my brow a bit and tried to shake the noise away, but then a wave of sleep over took my body…and my eyes closed…

"…you're okay now, Isabella. You are safe…"

***

It wasn't a perfect sleep—in fact, I don't think I was really sleeping. I was caught in between the world of dreams and awake. My eyes fluttered open to reveal Jenny's kind face. She hugged me tightly and said that I was going home…the lights of the room blinded me slightly as I tried to focus on her beautiful face. There was another officer in the room—he smiled at me gently, and at first I made to panic. But the cold bestowed upon me, reassuring me that everything was going to be alright. I don't know when Jenny left, but I never got to thank her for her kindness. My eyes fluttered closed…

"Bella…" It was my delusion of Edward again. I smiled and let the cold embrace me tightly. It hurt to think that if I did return home, he wouldn't be there…I wouldn't be able to really feel the cool caress of his fingertips or the way my warm lips would mold perfectly to his stone ones…

"We did it," I mumbled, pulling my legs up into my chest. "We're finally safe…"

***

The cold didn't leave me until I was being guided from the hospital. I could see a camera crew park just beyond the fences, but the officer that led me to his car kept me hidden from sight. Upon having some reporter come running blindly to him, he basically ignored him and helped me into the car; I was thankful for that. I was already disoriented enough.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" The reporter stretched his arm widely in front of the officer as he spoke, desperate for some sort of explanation or an epiphany even. "Sir! Is that Isabella Swan? Do you mind if we get a few words?"

I watched through my sleepy stupor as the officer gently closed the door behind me and turned to face the demanding reporter and his flashing paparazzi. I hid my face behind my hands; I didn't want my current state to be the first of what my family saw of me. The officer waved his hand—I could see him shaking his head as the reporter's excited expression fell. The paparazzi continued clicking their cameras with fierce determination.

The officer climbed into the front seat and started the cruiser. "I'm sorry about that, kiddo," he apologized, pulling away from the curb. I listened but kept my eyes on my pale, scarred hands. "You're safe now. I promise you that."

My mind was reeling—so many questions…so much change. Victoria…Vince…Bren…Olivia. My eyes widened as I though about the latter.

"Sir," my voice cracked from little use. The officer looked up at me from his rearview mirror, concern touching all of his handsome features. I held my breath as I noticed his tousled bronze hair from under his cap. The emotions swelled from deep within me as I clung to that familiarity, using it to drag out my inner demons… "You have to…look for someone else—a friend of mine."

The officer nodded intently, his eyes never leaving mine. "Do you know where that person is, Isabella?"

I swallowed. "Last I knew…she was in Mexico. Please—I promised her—we promised each other that—" I couldn't finish. My lips closed firmly together and I looked down at the floorboards. There were so many promises that I couldn't keep now…so many shattered promises that were lost to the wind…. Tears skimmed my eyes but I fought them back with fortitude; now wasn't the time to cry—I would cry enough later on.

"And her name, love?" The officer stopped at a stoplight; I was vaguely aware of the following entourage that followed in our wake.

"Olivia—but they might be calling her Lydia…" I swallowed hard again, the definite lump in my throat becoming harder and harder to push away.

The officer gave me a friendly grin. While he drove, he reached out behind him and took one of my hands into his free one. "You can tell me anything you feel comfortable with. I won't pry."

I blinked staring straight ahead, not knowing what to say. What could I say? I took a deep breath, letting it all out in a soft whoosh as I focused in on what I was about to say. I owned Livi that much at the very least.

"She was taken to Mexico…and Tilly took her babies away from her."

I let out a shaky sigh and turned to face the blurring lines of the outside world.

That was all I could say. My throat closed up as if I was having a severe reaction to a bee sting—and I closed my eyes once again, the burning ache in my head flaring dangerously once more.

***

Under a constant cover of fog and mist, the cruiser hurtled past the old 'Welcome to Forks!' sign. I watched as the fog swirled ruthlessly around the traffic as it continued onward; it gave the perfect touch to my dreamlike state—mystical, unreal and undeniably beautiful. I had always hated the cold and wet, but after missing it for so long, the icy air didn't bother me anymore. With my temple bouncing against the window, I stared aimlessly at the little town that I had missed so much. It was empty—not busy like it normally was at rush hour. It was seemingly funny to me, how so much had changed during the past eight months but the little town of Forks looked exactly the same as I remembered it.

"You've been missed a great deal," the police officer told me as he turned down a seemingly familiar side road. I watched the fiery leaves sway to and fro in the wind as I listened to the friendly cop, the colors blurring together like an old fashioned oil painting. My stomach was bubbling like a cauldron, apprehensiveness in every breath. I tried to picture what my parents would look like as we embraced—would they cry, smile or be angry with me for letting such a horrible thing happen? But no matter how hard I concentrated, I couldn't imagine their faces—it was like looking through clouded water. I shifted awkwardly in my seat, wrapping my arms tightly around my stomach as I tried to squeeze all the nervous bubbles out of me.

"Isabella—you're a miracle, you know?" The officer looked over his large sunglasses (why he was wearing them on a dark cloudy day, I'll probably never know) and smiled at me. "You don't know how lucky you are."

No, I thought idly to myself, excitement mixing with the apprehension as the officer turned down the road I had been dreaming of for months. I do know how lucky I am…I painfully thought of Olivia and Bren, my heart aching for their families—whose lives had surely changed forever. I thought of Bren's family—her father beaming brightly, looking a bit like a more human Carlisle and her mother could have possibly been her twin—and how their search for their daughter would never end. Bren would never be coming home.

The cruiser slowed to a stop. I think if I would have allowed it, my heart would have jumped right out of my mouth. I didn't look out the window at first; shame washed through me like a rain storm. I was dirty. I was used. Secretly, I was broken, and this time not even Jake could help heal the pain. The cop opened his door and I heard a lot of chattering—it was like I had just peeked into a busy room, where everyone was whispering all at once. I swallowed and wrung my hands together uncertainly while the officer pulled open my door. He held out his hand and gently helped me out. As I came to stand on my own, the noise diminished ever so slightly. I felt like a fish in a fish bowl—a girl under the spotlight.

Have you ever walked so slow, it felt as though you were floating merely inches off the ground, without a care or a whim? That's exactly how I shuffled across the yard, dream-like, eyes down, counting each blade of grass. I heard a sob—and my eyes rose bit by bit.

It was like my chest began to seize—I couldn't breathe as I stared across at the two people who had given me my own breath of life—the very two people who gave me a chance to live. My mother stood, clinging to my father as they stared at me, both fearing that I was a mirage—a delusion of their pain. These were the first tears I had ever seen my father shed.

"Bella!" The words from my mother's lips sounded almost as foreign as she looked—her eyes sunken and hollow and her cheeks were gaunt and waxy. But it was still the beloved mother who had lulled me to sleep as a little girl—the same mother who I had yearned to hug again and again. Her arms pulled me close her to and I just stood their as she sobbed into my shoulder. I didn't know what to do—how to comfort her. The only logical thought I could process was, this is just a dream.

"My Bella!" Renée pulled me at arms length and stroked my cheeks—she touched every inch of my face as though she were truly seeing me for the first time. "Baby—I've missed you so much…"

Charlie was just behind her, hand trembling as he reached to tousle my hair. I fought the automatic urge to shrivel away from his touch, but oddly his fingers calmed me; it was those hands and arms that held me first—they had given me my first human contact.

The dreamlike stupor was starting to fade; my vision became clear as the invisible haze that surrounded me lifted for the briefest of moments. I stared at my mother and father like a blind woman seeing the sun for the first time—everything hit me at once; the kidnapping, being held captive, being a lost girl and found once again by the most unlikely of people. My body began to tremor as shock paralyzed me, the pain of everything becoming to much to bear.

"Mom?" My voice shook uncontrollably—and even though I had deemed it impossible to cry ever again, swollen, fat tears found their way down my cheeks hastily. Both of my parents, Charlie and Renée alike reached out in unison and pulled me to them. Before I knew it, I was breathing in their scents, Mom's flowery perfume and Dad's old musk smell. Their were a lot of tears—some laughter, yes—but mostly tears. As my head hung over my father's shoulder while he took his turn to hold me in his arms while Renée fondly pulled her long fingers through my hair, I became to take notice of who was surrounding us.

I'd be lying if I said the whole town of Forks had gathered in my tiny front yard for my homecoming, but I must admit, it was pretty close. I saw Mike and his parents, grinning ear to ear has happy tears fell from their eyes; then there was Angela and her mother and father—Angela appeared to be crying and laughing at the same time—and I even saw Lauren Mallory and Jessica Stanley standing by the old oak tree in the front. Standing on the steps of my house was my Jake, his goofy grin mingled with tears as he watched my parents smother me. He stood with Billy Black and even Quil and Embry were there too. I took notice of how much bigger Jake had gotten since I had last seen him—I was going to have to give him a talk about the whole steroid thing.

But nothing surprised me the most as who was standing behind Jake and his family; their tearless faces were joyous as they fondly watched my father repeatedly kiss my forehead, their eyes like gold and their skin alabaster white…

My face contorted into something that felt like pain, happiness and shock all at the same time as my eyes found his—those eyes that had helped me through so much, even if they were darker than I had imagined. He watched me with an admixture of remorse and happiness—he looked as though he wanted to barrel away from his family and hold me close too. Even though he had left me, my heart swelled times ten at seeing his immortal beauty once again. The tears fell faster as I watched him over Charlie's shoulder, so happy to see that I had been wrong—they had returned. And if it had been for me…

No, Bella, a gruff voice whispered, sending chills down my spine as I remembered how the owner of this voice used to touch me. I felt my body tense in my father's arms and I saw Edward's eyes narrow a bit as his watched, his vision becoming clouded. He's only back because he felt guilty—the pain that flooded his eyes became so unbearable that I had no choice but to look somewhere else. He too, will be gone soon…

Despite my happiness at being home, sadness enveloped me tight…

***

I laughed to myself quietly as I peered around me untouched room. It was very apparent to me that my parents rarely entered this room during my absence. My fingertips touched the cool fabric of my comforter as I sank into the soft mattress. I breathed in the old smells, but it became too much too quickly. I pulled my face away from my pillow, rolled on my side and looked out into the night.

My mother had made my favorite—lasagna with homemade garlic twists—for dinner. I didn't eat as much as I would have liked, but there would be plenty more when ever I wanted it. I pulled my knees up to my chest and tried to breathe evenly, the swells of emotion becoming too much to handle. I didn't cry, but my back ached as I dry sobbed into my hands…

A knock sounded on the other side of the door. I stopped my little outburst, sat up and quickly put a hand through my hair. "Come in."

The door swung open to reveal my mother, holding in her hands the biggest piece of chocolate cake I think I had ever seen.

"Aw Mom," I whispered giving her a faint smile. "You really shouldn't have."

"I wanted to do it." Renée sat the plate on my side table before sinking next to me in the head. Her arm wrapped itself around my shoulder and pulled me to her side. "I missed you so much." A kiss was pressed to my temple.

I smiled feebly. "I missed you too—all of you…" I mumbled the last part but I think she heard me any way. Renée pushed some fallen hair behind my ear before taking my hands into hers.

"If you wanted Bella—you could come back to Jacksonville with me." My face fell a little bit as she spoke—maybe Edward had already talked to her—maybe he was leaving again and he didn't want me to rot in Forks for the rest of my life. My mother misread my face. "But if you didn't want to, I'd understand. I'm sure you'd want to go back to school—"

"I don't want to go back to school," I muttered, looking into my mother's perfect, now surprised eyes. "I want to finish high school…" I bit my lip. "But…I'm not ready I want to be in a big crowd of people right now."

"We'll do something, don't worry."

I gave my mother a faint smile and continued. "Mom. It's not that I don't want to return to Jacksonville with you…but…I don't think I ever want to be in hot climate weather ever again." Hurt flashed across her face quickly, but I had caught it before she could change it to one of understanding. "Maybe I'll visit you…but I don't think it's going to be anytime soon. I'm sorry."

"Bella," Renée wrapped both of her arms around my shoulder and pulled me close. "There is no need for you to apologize. We'll work something out…" And her brow furrowed in deep thought.

Before I could ask what she was thinking, she gave me another kiss to my temple and stood up. "There is someone who has been meaning to speak with you," she said, looking me square in the eye.

"Okay." I took noticed of how my voice shook. It wasn't normal for me by any means.

"I love you Bella." Renée kissed me one last time before turning towards my door. My eyes adverted to the floor and I heard the door snap shut. I waited in silence for someone's footfalls up the stairs or to hear a knock at my door, but suddenly the mattress sank on my left. My heart fluttered as his perfect smell wafted into my face.

"Bella." His pained voice only needed to speak once for me to raise my eyes to his. I almost looked away, for his hurt expression was almost too much. I shifted uncomfortably where I sat, unsure of what to say or do. I wanted to launch myself at him and hug him tightly—but I wasn't sure I could.

An icy hand ran through my hair, sending perfect chills throughout my body. He spoke again. "Bella. I'm sorry. If you—don't want to talk with me right now, it's fine. But please just listen to me." He paused, waiting for me to gesture for him to continue. I gave a slight nod. "Bella," his hands cupped my cheeks and forced me to look into his strangely dark irises, so unlike the ones I remembered. His thumbs stroked my face as he spoke, his voice sounding slightly delirious with emotion. "The only reason why we left—was because I thought I was protecting you."

"And you came back." My eyes stung into his stare. "Out of guilt?"

Pain washed through Edward's face again, and when he began to speak, I was astonished to hear a crack underlying within his melodious voce. "Bella—you really believed me, didn't you?"

Confusion. "Believed what?"

His face came closer to mine, his breath dizzying and pure all at once. "I would have thought I was obvious, my love for you—I love you Isabella. I have never stopped loving you."

I blinked, trying to process what he was telling me. "But—but it never made any sense why you loved me! I'm just…I'm nothing."

His lips found my forehead and his eyes closed. "Bella—why can't you see yourself through my eyes? You are everything to me. You are the air I breathe, my beating heart and my very reason for being. You are the sun, the moon and the stars in my life. Without you, my life—my existence was very blackest black. But when you're here—I forget what I've become. You complete me."

I though about this—trying to see it over in my head. It seemed ridiculous—his immortal beauty compared to my normal plainness. But it didn't seem right—especially after everything I had been through. Edward wouldn't want me now.

"I'm—I'm broken Edward," my voice broke as I said his name for the first time, "I'll never run right ever again."

"I'll fix you," Edward kissed my cheek, my nose, my forehead. "I swear, I'll fix you—if it's the last thing I do, I will."

"You—you want me even though I'm broken?" My voice trembled and I fought the urge to cry again.

My favorite crooked smile stretched wide across his face. "I would want always want you." And before I could speak, his lips gently pressed to mine, kissing me. I didn't pull away from him like I wanted to—because I realized that these were the kisses I missed; those gentle, loving kisses that were cold physically but warm any ways. He pulled away, allowing me a chance for air and took notice at how black his eyes were.

"Edward—you're thirsty," I whispered, touching the bridge of his nose. I felt guilty now. "You must be in so much pain."

"Not really," he muttered nonchalantly, as thought we were talking about the weather. "I've felt much worse." And he kissed me again. This time I pulled reluctantly pulled away from him, a soft smile barely touching my face.

"Maybe you should feed first—I think you'd feel better."

Edward kissed me again. "It can wait. I want this moment to last for a really long time."

Edward touched my face with his cool fingertips, touched every inch of my cheekbones, my nose, my forehead, my lips…I shivered, watching as he stared intently at me as he touched my face. Uncertainty filled my smile now. "What are you doing?' I asked gently as Edward continued to stare. "Memorizing my face by heart?"

Edward grinned, cupped my cheeks within his stone hands again and brought my face inches from his own. "You silly girl," he mumbled, gingerly kissing my lips. "I already know you by heart." And he brought his hand down to my fluttering heart and he rested his head inside the crook of my neck, breathing in the wonderful bouquet, but never sampling the wine.

YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! Last actual chapter of this story, but hang tight for the epilogue! It will be out in the next couple of days. Along with the epilogue, I will introduce the next installment :) Thanks again to all those who reviewed last time, and keep up the great reviews!! I love you guys!!! If you have any questions that need to be answered, just send them in with your review and I will do my best to answer then without giving away the entire story:) Love you all!!!!!!!!

Love always and forever,

Skye