I don't own anything Twilight. The idea of Bella being a mind reader is mine and a few events. Everything else belongs to Stephenie Meyers. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 21: Goodbyes

"Bella?"

I tried to sink into the seat and hide myself.

"Bella, it is you." 'Wonder why she's here?'

The voice was getting closer and I noticed Alice and Jasper were looking at my strange reaction.

"Bella, hi." The girl with short golden hair and deep blue eyes was standing in front of me now.

I stood up to greet her. "Hello, Anissa."

"Oh Bella, it's been so long since we've seen you. How's it been in Washington?" she put on a perfectly cheerful face. 'Honestly, how much fun can Washington be? Where did she go again, Knives, Spoons, or was it Forks?'

"It's been exceptionally good. It's very quiet and there is a lot of fresh air. My school is great, and I have several friends." I was a bit leery to tell her about Edward but I wanted to rub it in her face. "I have a boyfriend too."

"Really you do?!" Her eyes were incredibly large. 'I thought she was a lesbian.'

"So why are you here at the airport?" I really needed to get her mind off of me.

"Oh, I'm going to the Bahamas with Aimee and Texas for spring break. They'll be here any minute. What about you?" 'She's probably having a tour of the libraries of the world.'

Now I was annoyed, "I'm waiting for my boyfriend, he was detained in Forks but he's on his way. We're going to Cancun, we had a layover here."

"We have a beach house there." Alice chimed in from her seat behind me. She stilled her eyes on me but kept her head resting against Jasper's shoulder.

"Oh, Anissa, this is Alice, my boyfriend's sister. And that's Jasper his adopted brother." I indicated to my two companions.

'They're gorgeous, wonder what Bella's boyfriend is like. Maybe I can get him to turn to me.'

I was clenching my fist; I wanted so badly to deck her. I suddenly felt calmer and I turned to Jasper. He was transfixed on the ceiling, playing innocent.

"Anissa, there you are!"

I saw the black haired, tan skinned girl and the platinum blond run up to us. Oh great, two more to add to this fiasco. Please Edward, hurry up.

"Oh, my, gosh, it's Bella!" Aimee, the girl with tan skin looked at me with wide surprised eyes. 'She looks really good.'

"Is it really…" the blond, Texas, walked up to me and gently poked me in the shoulder. 'Oh wow, I can touch her, I thought she disappeared.'

"I'm not a ghost Texas, knock it off." Texas was a few tools short of a toolbox but she was innocent enough.

"Bella is waiting for her boyfriend so they can go to Cancun." Anissa stated smugly, like she didn't believe me.

Aimee's eyes grew wider and a large smile lit her face. "You managed to find a boyfriend in that small town of Forks, amazing." 'Wow it's about time.'

"What's he like?" asked Texas.

"Um, his name is Edward; he's a junior like us. He's well traveled and cultured. He plays the piano and listens to a lot of music. He has golden brown eyes and bronze colored hair and -"

"He's your Prince Charming," interrupted Anissa. 'Bet she's still into that fairytale crap.'

"As a matter of fact, he is. We have more in common then you would with your doppelganger. And he believes in fairies, vampires, werewolves and such also." I shouted at her.

Anissa scoffed at me. 'He must be a dork. He probably wears glasses and wears a cloak to school.' "You are so ridiculous."

I balled up my fist and swung at her, not caring about the repercussions. Before my fist made contact with her face my lips were hit with a cold piece of stone. I know these lips, I dream about these lips.

'Ignore her, you know the truth.'

Finally, Edward you're here. I felt my body grow weak as he deepened the kiss, he wrapped his arms firmly around my waist to keep me on my feet.

'Its about time Edward, another second and we would be facing the police.' Alice scolded him in her thoughts.

Edward broke the kiss and glared at his sister. "You could have told her I was already here."

Alice shrugged nonchalantly. "But this was more fun, and you got to make quite an entrance." She pointed behind us.

We both turned our head around at the same time to see three slack jawed teen girls.

'OH. MY. GOD!' they thought in unison.

I caught a small smirk from Edward and I felt the confidence swell in me.

"Girls, this is Edward, my boyfriend. Edward this is Anissa, Aimee, and Texas, they're…old friends." I winked at him, hoping he would realize these were the girls I told him about from my past; the friends turned enemies.

'I must have him, he's absolutely gorgeous. What does he see in her?'

'Oh wow, Bella did really good in her decision.'

'What a hottie!'

Edward tightened his hold around my waist before he spoke. "It's nice to meet you. I remember Bella mentioning you before, something about a birthday party."

I wanted to start dancing when I saw them cringe briefly. Anissa was the first to recover, of course.

'Wonder how long it will take to make him mine?' Anissa stepped closer to us, getting ready to place her hand on Edward's arm. But before she could, Edward walked around and stood behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Doesn't Anissa mean: companion and faithful friend? You don't seem to be very faithful to me." Edward told her casually.

"What do you know? Your just a pretty boy, you probably don't have a brain in that head of your." She snapped back. 'Oh that was a great way to try and win the guy.'

I tensed and Edward's grasp tightened and he kissed my neck causing me to immediately relax.

"I know more than you do little girl. Bella means: beautiful, fitting don't you think."

Aimee and Texas nodded their heads quickly while Anissa balked and glared at me. I heard Alice and Jasper chuckling behind us.

"Tell them what your name means." Jasper added.

"Wealthy guardian -"

I started laughing uncontrollably. Edward followed me to the floor as my knees gave out from laughing so hard.

"Bella?" Edward's voice was tinged with worry.

"Is that really what your name means?" I felt him nod against my head. "Oh, it's so perfect. Wonder if your parents had the gift of foresight when they named you." I continued to laugh hysterically until I was stopped by Edward's lips crashing down on mine.

'Are you done yet?'

As long as you keep this up I am.

"Our flight to Mexico leaves soon, we should go."

I heard Alice's announcement and I whimpered when Edward released my lips and pulled us back to our feet. I watched as Edward went and retrieved my bag from my seat and walked back to me. I turned on my old frenemies.

"See you around."

Aimee and Texas were still too dumbfounded to speak and Anissa just glared daggers at me.

Edward placed an arm gently around my waist in a possessive manner he then leaned over to speak into Anissa's ear, but it was loud enough that I could hear him.

"By the way, I don't like blonds."

"How did -"

We walked away from my once upon a time friends to board the plane. Not once did I release Edward in anyway. The last six hours had been hell for me. Always worrying, not knowing if he was safe or in danger, that is not a very pleasing feeling.

As we took our seats, I clung to Edward tightly. All of the emotions from the last twenty-four hours were crashing down on me.

'Bella I know Edward doesn't need to breath but you do, ease up a bit.'

I was startled by the calm voice coming from the seat in front of us. "Oh Carlisle, I didn't know you came along as well."

He chuckled softly, "I noticed. So those girls were friends of your?"

I rested my cheek on Edward's chest as Carlisle looked over the back of the seat at me. "Yeah, they were till my tenth birthday. They made fun of me for believing in the supernatural and fairytales and we stopped talking to each other."

Carlisle shook his head, "kids can be so cruel sometimes. But considering what you're holding onto right now, I would assume it was a good thing you did believe in the supernatural."

I smiled at the young father figure and felt Edward press him mouth against the top of my head.

'Bella you should get some sleep now that Edward is here.'

"You haven't slept all night?" his voice was shocked.

"Not very well, I was too worried." As if to proof Alice's point, I involuntarily yawned.

"Well I'm safe and here, so get some sleep." Jasper handed a blanket to Edward and he wrapped it around me.

"Thank you…for everything." He kissed the top of my head again and in a few very short minutes I was out like a light.

I was surprised when I awoke curled up on a large fluffy bed with white sheets and blankets. I was startled into sitting up suddenly when I realized I was alone. I climbed out of the bed and ran to the double door and threw them open. There before me looking stunned at me was Edward, Carlisle, Alice and Jasper. I breathed a sigh of relief as I fell to my knees.

"Bella?" Edward was by my side in half a heartbeat. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," my voice cracked a little. "I just wasn't expecting to wake up alone."

"I'm sorry, we were discussing this whole James thing and I hadn't realized how late it was."

Late? I then noticed how dark it was in the cozy little room. It had a beach theme with a lot of light blues, yellows and whites. I looked out the large open French style doors and saw the ocean waves, it was night time. How long had I slept?

"Is this the beach house Alice had mentioned you owning?" my eyes continued to take in my surrounding; it was so cute and cozy here.

"Yes it is. Do you like it?" Edward asked as he picked me up in his arms and deposited me on the white sofa next to him.

"I love it."

"Esme will be happy to hear that, she's the one who decorated it."

"Okay its time for me still her away."

Before I could argue with Alice she pulled me from my comfortable spot by Edward and pulled me into another bedroom. I grabbed onto the door frame to prevent myself from being sucked into Alice's world.

'Edward, a little help please, I'll even let you see her when I'm done.' She was pulling on my waist gently, trying not to hurt me.

In a blink of an eye, Edward was standing in front of me with an apologetic look. Without warning he assaulted my mouth fiercely and my hands instinctively traveled up and wrapped into his hair. He pushed me backwards into the room.

'I'm sorry; I really want to see you when she's done.'

What?! With that he grabbed my arms and brought them to my sides and pulled away from the kiss. Edward had a remorseful yet pleased look on his face and his eyes where black.

"She's all yours Alice, but be quick about it." Edward turned around to leave the room.

"You are SO cut off, no more kissing, Mr. Cullen." I shouted after him.

He stopped at the doorway and looked at me with a crooked smile. "We both know that won't happen." He then left and closed the door behind him.

I growled out loudly. I could hear Carlisle and Jasper laughing in the next room.

"Are you growling at Edward because he knows you so well or at yourself because you know he's right?" Alice asked as she brought a shopping bag to the bed.

"Both…" I watched as Alice pulled a light blue scrap of fabric from the bag, a mess of fishnet and fringe intertwined with the skimpy fabric*. "ALICE, I AM NOT WEARING THAT!"

Alice tilted her head slightly as she gazed at me with an evil smile. "Oh really? I'm sure Edward would like it though."

"I want to see!" echoed a shout from the other room.

"Shut up Edward!" I felt my face ignite in fire. Alice started giggling as she placed the scary suit back in the bag.

"Well you're in luck, that one is actually for Rose…this is for you." She pulled out a cobalt blue bikini with a matching transparent wrap*.

"Alice, it's perfect. Why a bikini?"

'Edward, stop breaking the furniture. You know Esme loved that chair.'

Alice and I started giggling, Alice having seen the vision of the destruction and me having heard Carlisle's thoughts. Alice winked at me as she handing me the swimsuit. I quickly changed and admired myself in the full length mirror. I was surprised at how beautiful I was. The dark blue contrasted with my pale skin perfectly and the shape of the suit enhanced my coke bottle figure.

'Do you want to show Edward now?' Alice asked as she stood behind me and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I nodded nervously.

"Yes, please do!"

"Edward, SHUT UP!" Alice hollered at him.

"Your blocking him aren't you?" I whispered to her as I went and stood before the door.

"Not exactly, I told him earlier that if he peeked than he would never see you in it. I think it's driving him crazy not knowing. Ready?" Alice winked at me and I took a deep breath, then Alice opened the door and I stepped out.

There was a sudden round of applause and I looked to see Jasper and Carlisle were clapping their hands. Edward just stared at me with black eyes, slack jaw, immobile and breathless. In an instant he was standing in front of me wrapping a blanket around my shoulders.

"Edward, what are you doing?" I fought with him to pull the blanket off but he was stronger.

He placed his forehead on mine. "Please, for both of our sakes, cover your skin."

"Why?" I heard a throat being cleared and I looked to Jasper. He indicated with his eyes to look down. I leaned back and noticed the reason for Edward's discomfort. I leaned in to Edward, pressing my body to his chest. I whispered into his ear seductively. "Well that's a good sign. I was thinking you were only with me because of my mind."

Edward scoffed as he tried to look anywhere else but on me. I heard three sets of snickering.

'Bella, please tone it down a notch or five.'

I glared at Jasper, "joy kill." I stepped away from Edward and smirked when I saw his fingers twitching. I let the blanket fall from my shoulders and pool around my feet and then ever so slowly I turned around in a complete circle. "So how is it, does it suit me?"

'Bella, you're wicked. Is Rosalie teaching you bad things?'

'I said to tone it down, not raise it.'

'Yes, go Bella!'

I saw and heard Edward gulp, his nervousness getting the better of him. I ran my finger up his chest, up his neck and stalled on his lips. "It's still fairly early. I'm going to go take a shower and get dressed for the day."

Edward shivered then nodded his head.

It was hard to imagine that at this very moment, there was a blood crazed vampire after me. Everything was so normal, even the company I was in made me forget that they too were vampires.

I walked around him and into the room I awoke in, sure enough, my bags were there. There was an adjacent bathroom and I went in and turned on the water so it could warm up while I undressed. My phone went off just as I was wrapping a towel around my naked body.

"Hello?"

"Be careful what you say and I promise I won't hurt your dad." I remained silent as I listened to the man's tenor voice. He spoke quickly and fluidly, "pretend it's a survey calling, only yes or no answers. Do you understand?"

"Yes," my voice was cold and I was trying to think of how he had gotten a hold of Charlie.

"Are you in Cancun like you told your dad?"

"Yes."

"Are you alone at the moment?"

"Yes."

"This is working out quite well. Did you know your high school doesn't protect the privacy of its students very well?"

"No."

"That's how I got your phone number. Do you think you can get away from your companions?"

"No."

"That's a shame. What will I tell Charlie? If his life was in jeopardy do you think you could get away?"

"Yes."

"You do know how dangerous we can be right?"

"Yes," I tried desperately to not let my voice crack.

"Excellent. Here is what I want you to do. I want you to get away from your friends and take a taxi to this abandon amusement park outside town. Go to the fun house, I'll be waiting there. Can you do this?"

"Yes."

"Get here before midnight, please, Bella. I'll see you soon." The phone clicked off but I was frozen with terror and continued to hold my phone to my ear. I slowly lowered my phone to my side, stunned. How had he gotten Charlie? He was being guarded. If Esme had lost Charlie she would have called, it was probably a trap. But I couldn't take that chance.

If James didn't have Charlie maybe I could make a deal with him. He could kill me if he left everyone else alone; it was me he wanted after all. I needed a plan, but first I needed to say my last goodbyes. I found a stack of paper on a small desk and I sat down to write, my hand was shaking the whole time.

Edward,

I love you so much. He says he'll hurt Charlie, I know it's probably a trap, but I have to try. I'm so very sorry.

Tell everyone thank you for all they have done and that I love them like they were my real family.

Please don't come for me. I couldn't bear it if he did anything to you or anyone else. Please just stay there and be safe.

I'll love you forever and always,

Bella

I folded up the letter and placed it on the bed side table for Edward to find later. I silently ran to my bag and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt then I escaped to the bathroom. Under the disguise of the showers loud pouring sound I quickly dressed and slipped through the bathroom window. I then noiselessly crept toward the road.

I looked back at the cute little beach cottage and said goodbye to my heart.

Chapter End Notes:

I know…this chapter was entirely different than SM's, but was it good? I was extremely shocked when I found out I had written more than SM had in this same chapter, oh well right.

The names: Anissa = companion, faithful friend, Aimee = Beloved friend, Texas = friend; I figured they were fitting for the situation, and yes Edward = wealthy guardian.