A/N: Sorry about the late update, blah blah. This is Edward's POV of last chapter. Enjoy! :)
All through the night, I only had dreams of one thing: Bella. My beautiful Bella.
I hadn't intended to "make her feel better" like I did last night. But I was just craving for her. I knew that we weren't even close to having sex at this point. I just wanted to do something to show her that I would go easy on her.
I woke up to the feeling of burning petite fingers along my skin, and firey lips pressing themselves against my neck.
When her fingertips went below my boxers, I quickly took her hand in both of mine, not losing contact. Like a predator attacking its prey, I flipped her over on the bed.
I attempted to look angry, but her face just made me smile all over again, foiling my plan.
"I take it you didn't like your wake up call?" She giggled.
I smirked, knowing she was teasing me. I dipped my head down to her neck, leaving sweet kisses along her neck.
"On the contrary, I enjoyed it very much." I whispered when I lifted my head for some air.
I could feel her smile as her cheeks rose, but then the phone rang, crushing my hopes of what I was planning to do this morning.
I groaned, as did Bella. Even though I was groaning at the annoying person ringing, a small part of me inside was smiling that Bella groaned too.
"I'm not going to get it." I whispered, pressing my lips against her neck again.
"You have to," she said pushing me away. "It could be something important."
"Nothing is more important than you." I said honestly, pushing her body back down.
"What if it's Alice? You know she's going to come barging in, anyways. Do you really want her to find us in this position?" She asked.
Sister. Barging in. Me on top of her friend. Bad, bad, baaaaad.
"You're right." I said jumping off the bed frantically.
She laughed at me and I smirked back, picking up my cell.
"Hello?" I said as Bella hopped off the bed, her cute little behind exposed and put on some random shorts.
She closed the door to the bathroom and I realized that I wasn't listening to the person on the other end.
"Sorry? What?" I asked shamefully.
"Edward, I said it's Jasper!" Jasper said frantically.
"Hey Jasper, what's up?" I said, sitting down on my bed.
"Some woman called Renee Swan is here asking for Bella. She said she's Bella's mother?"
My whole body froze. Bella's mother was here.
"Did she say what she wanted?" I gulped out.
"She said she was here to bring Bella back. Edward.. there's something about her that I don't like."
"Jasper. Listen to me. Do not bring her or even tell her where Bella's dorm is. Bella's mother is bad. She's done horrible, terrible things to Bella. I can't explain it now. But don't tell her Bella is in the building or where her dorm is."
"Okay. But I suggest you get Bella out, fast, if you don't want her to see her mother. Alice is talking to her right now, but there's only so long until I can distract her."
"Alright, thanks. I'll get her out of here after her shower. Thanks, man."
"Good luck."
"Yeah, you too."
I turned off my phone and threw it on the floor. I ran my hands through my hair frantically, pacing the room.
What to do? What to do?
Bella was in danger here. That much was clear. I had to get her out. Away. Away from here. Away from her mother.
But where could I take her? I honestly didn't know.
She was still in the shower, so I quickly got dressed and put my cell in my pocket.
All of a sudden, I heard banging at my door. I ran to the door, scared stiff.
Hoisting the door open, I saw Emmett's face grinning at me. Behind her, was Rosalie and Megan.
"Hey, Bro! We heard Bella's mother -"
"Outside, Emmett. Now." I said, pushing him outside and closing the door silently behind me.
"Edward, what's going on?" Rosalie asked cautiously.
"Renee. Bella's.. mother is here. Yes, she's here.." I muttered, slamming my fist against the wall.
"Woah, Edward!" Megan said, putting her hand on my arm. "Bella's mom is here, that's good, right? She's met your mom and now you can meet hers!"
"That's not true. I don't want to meet her. The woman. She's.. she's caused Bella harm. Oh so much harm. She.. abuses Bella. I can't let her take her away." I said, almost crying.
"Edward -" Emmett started, but he was interrupted by yelling.
"No, please Mrs. Swan!" I heard Jasper and Alice yelling.
My face froze, eyes wide open. She was coming here.
"Guys," I said, turning back to my friends. "You have to keep her away from here. Please."
They nodded wordlessly, and I burst back into my room to fetch Bella. She was on the bed just putting on her sneakers.
"Bella, we're going out." I said, trying to remain my calm.
"Edward, is everything okay?" She said, standing up.
I gave her a look over, and checked that she was fully clothed. I grabbed her arm roughly, and ran with her out the door.
I briefly heard the door slam, but paid no attention to it. I was running full force, with Bella trailing behind. Her arm still in my hand.
"Edward, where are we going?" She said out of breath.
"Shh. Be quiet. Please, Bella. Just this once." I whisper hissed.
I didn't mean to be so rough with her, but I had to. This was for her own good.
We were running at full speed, and I slammed the doors of the entrance over.
Spotting my car, I ran with her to it. Opening the door, I forced her in and slammed the door behind her.
I didn't bother with my seatbelt. I just put the car into gear, and drove away at full speed away from campus.
"Edward, what is going on?" Bella shouted at me.
I winced inside. Even though I could understand why she was shouting at me, I didn't like it one bit.
I couldn't tell her. There was no way I was going to let her know that her bitch of a mother was here. It was too much stress. Stress she didn't need.
Still keeping my eyes on the road, I forced out something that I didn't want to do to her.
A lie. It was believable, at least to my ears. It would have to do for now.
"Nothing, Bella. It's just Alice. You know what she's like." I said, trying to laugh. Failing miserably.
I saw out of my peripheral vision that she sighed out of frustration, and slumped back in her seat.
I always saw that she was wearing no seatbelt.
"Bella, put your seatbelt on."
She did so, and I felt relieved.
I still had no idea where we were going, I was just driving. Driving to get away from her.
I found myself driving to the edge of the woods, far away from the city, and pulled into a secluded spot.
Once I turned the engine off, the only sound was both of us breathing heavily until Bella decided to break the silence.
"Edward. Please tell me what brought this on. What happened on the phone?" She asked worriedly.
Silly Bella. She was always worrying.
"Bella, it's nothing. You're simply overreacting." I lied. But she saw straight through it.
"I'm overreacting? I'm not the one who ran into our room, grabbed your arm, and ran so fast with you. And then broke the speed limit, Edward! Please! Just tell me what is going on!" She said, sounding almost like she was begging.
I sighed, trying to think of a solution.
I couldn't keep lying to her, and stop her from going back to campus.
What I needed was a diversion, someone to distract her.
Oh, if only I still lived at home.. wait. That's it!
"I just.. thought it would be nice to go and visit Esme for a while. Would you like that?" I asked sweetly, but I could still hear the tenseness in my own voice.
She nodded, not saying a word.
I knew she wasn't happy with not having any answers. But I guessed at this point, she would take what she could get.
I put the car back into gear and sped to my mother's house.
We made it there in no time, thanks to my driving expertise.
Just as she was undoing her seatbelt, I told her to stay in the car. I had to talk to Esme first.
I locked the car door after myself.
It seemed a bit possessive, I know. But I really didn't care at this point. I wasn't risking anything.
I tapped on my parents' front door five times. Roughly, but quickly.
My mother opened the door not even thirty seconds after I had knocked on the door.
"Edward, what a pleasant surprise!" Esme said with a bright smile on her face.
"Hey, mom. Bella thought that she would like to surprise you and spend the day with you." I said, pointing at the Volvo.
Esme looked at my car, smiling brightly when she Bella waiting patiently in there.
"Well, what is she doing in there Edward? Bring her in!" Esme said, slapping me playfully with her oven mitts.
"Yeah. See, Esme, that's the thing. I was wondering if you could keep her for a few hours, maybe even half the day." I said, scratching the side of my head.
"Edward." Esme said sternly. "What's wrong?"
"What? Oh, nothing's wrong. At all."
"Nonsense. I've known you three quarters of your life. I know when something's wrong. Not tell me."
"It's Bella's mother. She's.. in town." I whispered.
"Is that all? Oh, did you want me to keep Bella with me while you get into Bella's mother's good books?" Esme chuckled.
"No.. that's not quite it. Bella's mother.. she's hazardous. She.. let's just say that for Bella to see or even be around her mother is not good. Esme, she beats Bella up. And much worse. I cannot- I will not allow for her to be around Bella at all."
"Edward, don't you think you're being a little overprotective?"
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose between my forefinger and thumb. "Are you going to do it or not?"
"Yes, I'll do it."
"Good." I said and made my way back down to my car.
I stopped at the side of the car Bella was on and opened the door for her, like a gentleman should.
I placed my hand on the small of her back, protecting her from anyone that might be watching, and guided her up to my parents' house.
"Bella, I have to run some errands. But I'll be back to pick you up later." I said, kissing her cheek. And I ran to my car, leaving her in Esme's car.
I once again put the car in gear and sped back to the college campus.
Roughly, I took out my phone and dialed Jasper's number, hoping that there was progress on the situation at hand.
He picked up after five rings, with the whole gang on the back ground.
"Hey man, I just left Bella at Esme's place, so she should be safe for now."
"Okay, good. We don't want her in all of this mess."
"So where is the wicked bitch of the west right now?" I asked.
"Right now, Megan and Hailey are showing her to fake rooms. We don't know how long that will hold her off though. We also don't know how long she is planning on staying for, either."
"Shit. Has she gone to the main office yet?"
"No, not yet. We're going to have to get the records from there before she gets there first."
"Yeah. Okay, I'll meet you in front of campus in 15 minutes. I'm not that far now. Bye." I said, hanging up my phone.
In record time, I made it to the front of the campus. And there waiting for me were Emmett and Jasper.
"Let's do this." I muttered, walking past Emmett and Jasper, to the entrance.
"Game on." Emmett said. I turned around and saw him flexing his muscles and I rolled my eyes.
"Chill, Em. We're not going to beat anyone up. I just need you guys to look out for me while I 'distract' the secretary." I said, using air quotes.
They both snickered behind me, knowing what I meant by distract the secretary.
"Ms. Cope!" I smiled, pushing the glass barrier aside.
The small, frail, red-haired woman looked through her glasses at me.
"Edward! It's such a pleasure to see you!" She said, grabbing my head, earning chuckles from my so-called friend and brother behind me.
Everyone knew about the not-so-subtle fantasies about me. I was young enough to be her grandson, but that didn't stop her.
I avoided her as best as I could. I know that I had been with multiple girls in the past, at the same time. But Ms. Cope? I shuddered at the fact.
I knew that if her and I were ever in a secluded space that was just me and her; she would rape me. I shuddered again.
"Ms. Cope, I wondering if a Mrs. Swan has come here, looking for Isabella Swan yet?"
Ms. Cope creased her eyebrows. "No, no the only person that has come to the office is you, my dear Edward."
Ignoring the last part of her sentence, I thought back. Then Bella's mother obviously had not come here.. yet.
I have to find a way to get Bella's files from the elder perverted secretary.
"Ms. Cope, the Dean talked to me a few minutes ago and needed Isabella's files. He strictly instructed me to retrieve them and bring them to his office." I said, leaning in.
Ms. Cope leaned back, trying to catch her breath. I looked back and saw Jasper shaking his head and grinning.
"Now, now, Edward. I don't think -"
"Please, Ms. Cope? You would be saving so much time for everybody. And I would greatly appreciate it." I said, winking.
"Well.. I guess it couldn't hurt. After all, the Dean did ask for them.."
I nodded, smiling a full toothed smile. She looked like she was about to faint, before turning the fan up on high and moved to find Bella's files.
"Thank you, so much, Ms. Cope." I smiled, taking the files from her hand.
I nodded to Emmett and Jasper that we were leaving.
Before I walked through the exit door, I swore I heard a little squeal from the office.
"Dude, did you see her face? It looked like she was going to faint just from you looking at her!" Emmett laughed, punching my shoulder.
"What can I say, Emmett? I have a way with the ladies." I laughed, but turned serious. "But there's only one lady that is on my mind right now."
"Right. So what are we going to do with the files?" Jasper said, taking them from me and putting them in my backpack.
"Well, nothing.. really. We just need to hide from her mother, and make sure that she has no idea where Bella's dorm is or where she is at all."
"Okay, but promise me that we don't have to spend another minute with that woman. She scares me." Emmett shuddered.
"Wow, the big Emmett is actually scared of someone." Jasper laughed.
"Hey! Don't judge until you've spent time with that bitch of a woman! She's like the devil in mother's clothing." Emmett shuddered.
"Speak of the devil.." I murmured, seeing the bitch with Hailey and Megan, who both looked like they were going to kill themselves from the torture.
I saw Megan look up with anger in her eyes.
"RUN!" I yelled, dragging Emmett and Jasper with me.
We kept running until we were out of their sight. No way did I want to be stuck with that beast. And no, I wasn't talking about Bella's mother.
Those two were probably going to skin me alive when they got their hands on me.
"Where are Alice and Rosalie?" I asked, out of breath.
"Upstairs, guarding your dorm. If Bella's so-called mom comes, they'll point her in the opposite direction." Jasper replied.
"Okay, well let's go up to them. We're going to have to split up. And Bella most definitely won't like staying at my mom's for too long. She'll get suspicious."
xxxxxxx
"Okay, so is everyone happy with these code names?" I asked.
"No! Why do you get to be the lion while I get a rabbit?" Jasper asked.
"Jasper, we put these names in a bowl. It's just shit luck. But look at it this way – you're with a pixie, Tinkerbell. That's a good thing, right?"
"How?"
"Just get over it, Jazz. Times a wastin'." I said, rolling my eyes.
"Anybody else?"
"Rose and I both like ours, right Flower?" Emmett winked, kissing Rosalie's cheek.
"Okay. So here's the plan. Rose, you and Emmett will go get Bella's from Esme's house and bring her somewhere. Anywhere. It doesn't matter."
When they both nodded, I continued. "Okay, good. When you guys are done, just text or call Alice and Jasper, and then they'll take over from there."
"And I know just exactly how I'll distract her." Alice smiled.
"Alice.." I warned.
"Don't worry your pretty little head, Edward! I'll be.. tame on her." Alice winked.
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of." I muttered.
We split up. Emmett and Rosalie called and confirmed they had Bella.
Jasper, Alice and I stayed outside the dorm until all sorts of hours. Around six, Jasper called Emmett to collect Bella.
Alice and Jasper hugged me good luck and walked down to Alice's car.
After an hour, I decided that Bella's mother would have given up by now so I decided to go inside my room and relax for awhile.
A few minutes after reading and listening to music, I heard a knock at the door.
I opened it, thinking nothing of it. And there lied my very mistake.
"Is Isabella Swan here?" She snapped at me.
"No. She's not." I said, closing door, but she moved her foot in front of it.
"I won't take no for an answer. Some of the students here told me that this is her room. And you, for whatever insane reason, are her boyfriend. And for that reason alone – I know that you are lying to me." She growled.
"Well, I'm not. Bella is not here."
"Well then, dear boy. Please tell me where Isabella is. Now." She said, now glaring at me.
"No. Way." I said, folding my arms on my chest.
"You will tell me where she is, now!"
"And if I don't?" I asked, daring her.
She walked away from me, glaring. I thought she had gone and began to close the door.
But then I felt something hard collide with my chest, forcing me back onto the ground.
"Oof." I grumbled, rubbing my chest.
I looked up to see what she had hit me with. A fire extinguisher!
The woman was crazy. Thank god I wasn't a girl or there would have been damage.
And that made me think of Bella... all the things she hit her with.
Angry, I jumped up as she stalked slowly to me.
"Hmm. You seem to take it better than her." She noted.
"How.. how can you take it as if hitting people with objects is normal?!" I shouted, frustrated.
"You deserve it. She deserves it. Naughty little children must be punished." She said simply.
"You know what? You don't even deserve a daughter like Bella. You treat her like shit, and you don't care! You don't care that you've abused and tormented her! You don't care what she does to herself! You act as if this is normal parental behaviour! Well let me tell you, it is not!" I growled.
I, so badly, wanted to tear this awful woman apart, limb from limb.
"Edward, what's going on?" Came my brother's voice, with Rosalie beside him.
"Oh, god." Rosalie gasped, stepping back.
"Oh, hello! You must be friends of Bella's!" Bella's mother smiled, making her way over to Rosalie and Emmett.
She extended her hand towards them, which they didn't take.
What was her deal? She was bitching at and threatening me a few minutes and now, what? She was acting like she hadn't just hit me and she was a happy little surburban wife.
"Rosalie."
"Emmett."
Emmett and Rosalie both introduced themselves, not willing to step forward to be in the same space as the horrendous monster.
"What? It's okay to shake my hand, you know. I won't bite!" She chuckled, but Rosalie and Emmett kept on glaring at her, too.
"They're Bella's friends. Emmett here is my brother, and Rosalie is his girlfriend. They both know how you've been treating Bella." I said firmly.
"Oh, so you've poisoned their minds too?" She snarled.
"Why are you here, Renee?" I asked, calling her by her name, wincing.
"To bring my daughter back. She's been here long enough."
"Oh, and why's that?" Rosalie asked, stepping forward, daggers in her eyes. "Because she's finally letting go and enjoying herself? Becoming human again? Actually enjoying life the way a normal person is supposed to? All you want to do is take away her happiness."
"The child doesn't know happiness! All she ever causes is grief to people!"
"She doesn't cause grief to me!" I growled. "Your daughter is a delicate flower that you have torn apart again and again! You have no soul, you're not even human! You will not take her back! I care for and love her more than you probably ever will! I will do whatever it takes to make her safe. And if it means keeping you away from her, or even killing for her – so be it."
"I'm not afraid of you. I've come for Bella and I am taking her home. You can't stop me." Renee laughed in my face.
"As far as she knows, you're not even here." Emmett cut in, taking his place beside Rosalie.
"You mean she doesn't even know I'm here?" Renee glared at me.
"No. And she won't find out either. I'm protecting her from the likes of you." I said menacingly.
"Well, I'll wait here all night. I'm taking her home with me." She said, crossing her arms.
"What the fuck is your problem? Just get out! You're NOT taking Bella back. For one, she doesn't want you to take her back. And for another thing, she's eighteen. She's legally obliged to stay here if she wants to." I shouted angrily.
"Well, then I just want to talk to her."
"Just get out of here! We don't want you here, and she certainly won't!" I yelled.
"With all due respect, we have learned that your daughter does not want you here! That's why we've been trying to keep her away all day, so you can't hurt her!" Emmett yelled desperately.
"Nonsense. My daughter will want to see me and she will like it!"
Emmett opened the door to show Renee out, and froze when he saw who was at the door.
Bella. My Bella. Shit. We had fought all day, long and hard, to keep her from seeing this.
Bella's eyes went straight to Renee's, and as I expected – her eyes were wide with fear and her whole body went rigid and she froze.
"Mother?" She asked, wide eyed.
The next thing I knew, she passed out, Jasper catching her before she could hit the ground.
A/N:Dum, dum, dummm. What did you think?
I'm proud of Edward. ^^ Review?
It was my.. gulp.. birthday last week. Last thursday. Woop-de-doo. I am now nineteen. Hurrah. I'm so ecstatic, can't you tell? :P Review for my late birthday? xD