I'll Mend Your Heart

A/N: Erm…hi *nervous smile*. I know it's been forever, and I totally understand if you're not bothered about this story anymore, but I am back and updates will be back to a weekly basis.

My absence…well, since we last spoke I've had two operations and I've been juggling a degree course so things have been kind of hard for me. I've now finished university for the year so that's why I'm back.

Those of you who remember (and actually read these things) will know I've had a lot of health problems the past year. Things started looking up and now I'm kind of back to square one. I'm currently waiting on some test results so I should know more then.

ANYWAY, I think I've made you all wait long enough for this chapter… so I think maybe a quick overview of what happened last is in order? Okay:

- Edward broke Bella out of the hospital after the house fire

- Bella is pregnant

- Edward kidnapped Bella and took her without anybody knowing

- Edward and Bella arrive on their private island

- Bella found Edward's room to deliver the baby

- Edward saw a news report about Bella's disappearance.

Chapter 37

Bella

"What's wrong?" I squeeze his hand, as we walk over the white-hot sand. The island has to be the most beautiful place I've ever seen. However the earth's natural beauty has nothing on my husband at this moment…strolling around in some deep blue board shorts and nothing else.

We'd been walking around the private island for about half an hour now, considering he's never actually been here before, he knows an awful lot about this place. But even as he's been showing me round, planning our swim in the sea tomorrow and telling me the best sun spots, he's been rather…sullen about it. At first I assumed he was just tired from our long flight since he's not slept at all, but as out walked continued his mood seemed to sour more, and I just couldn't put my figure on why.

"Bella, I've got something to-" he started, but was soon cut off by a very familiar bark.

"Masie!" I yelled, spinning round to spot the little fur ball running full pelt towards us, her tail wagging enthusiastically and a silly dog grin on her face.

Her first port of call was to circle us both, letting out happy squeaking noises, her tail wagging so hard her whole bottom was moving making her walk oddly. I couldn't help but laugh at her, and it seemed Edward couldn't either was we both stood laughing like idiots. Soon, she stopped and began nuzzling my leg, licking whatever skin she came into contact with. I bent down and began fussing over her, rubbing her belly and stroking her fur.

"I can't believe I forgot about her" I told Edward, twisting my neck so I could see his face. Giving me a sad smile, he bent down too, stroking the dog, but pressing his lips to mine. "It's understandable, you were seriously injured. Besides, she's been having a great time. She's spent the whole day exploring"

As he was speaking Masie's head shot up, eyes trained intently on a bird in the not-too-far distance. She ever so slowly got to her paws, and began walking in a crouched way….stalking the bird. Edward and I watch in fascination as she got closer ever so slowly. As soon as she got within a close range, her speed kicked up and she began running towards her pry…the bird naturally flew away, seemingly not too panicked about its attack. The dog continued running as though she too would soon take flight. We watched her run into the forestry until we couldn't see her anymore.

"Will she be okay?" I fret, craning my neck to watch my little fur baby.

"She'll be fine" Edward chuckled, kissing my temple "She's been out for hours now. There's nothing dangerous here or anything that could harm her…it's like our garden back home. Just a whole lot sunnier" I giggled at his remark, before taking his hand and continuing our walk.

"What were you going to tell me?"

"huh?" he asked, brows furrowed.

"Before Masie interrupted us…you were going to tell me what's wrong"

"oh" he shook his head "It was…it was nothing important now"

"oh come on" I nudged him with my shoulder "tell me."

I wasn't prepared for his tortured expression, pained eyes and frowned lips. "I'll tell you later"

"No, tell me now. You'll feel better"

"No I won't because you'll be-" he trailed off with a deep sigh.

"Well you've got to tell me now! You can't just say that and not tell me! Edward!"

"Alright, alright, calm down. It's not good for the baby, Bella" his large hand finds its way to my none-existent bump, caressing the skin tenderly. "I'll tell you if you promise not to start worrying too much or stressing out or-"

"Edward! You're scaring me now. What's going on?"

"it's…erm.." he started pulling his hair so hard I was surprised none of his copper locks had come away and tumbled to the ground. "Well…it's about your hospital stay".

"Edward-"

"-no, just…don't. Let me say this…" grabbing both my hands, his beautiful green eyes bore into mine. "Baby, I did something bad"

At that I can't help but laugh. It's no surprise to me my husband is no angel. In fact, I've always been aware of this fact. "Edward, I don't think anything you say will shock me". At least I hope not. Edward's always been extremely protective over me in all ways, including sharing information with me about his business that most would deem…unsavoury. But I have a vivid imagination and I've seen all the 'Godfather' movies, so really? Would it be that bad?

"Bella this isn't…this isn't what you think" his eyes…God, his eyes were so scared. I don't think I've ever seen that look from him. "Baby, you're a missing person".

Another pearl of laughter broke through my lips before I realised he's completely serious. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Bella, please, your blood pressure!"

Completely ignoring him – "just tell me!"

"When you were in the hospital…I didn't discharge you. I just…took you. No one knows where we are. No one knows anything. Not even my family, or your father. No one."

This cannot be happening.

"Edward Masen, you better explain yourself or so help me –"

"Okay, okay. The fire. The house fire, it was no accident"

"Well, yeah, Edward I kind of got that" My husband has a lot of enemies, all of which would love to see him die…not to mention a certain Volturi family that are looking to destroy his entire bloodline.

"No, Bella you're not letting me explain. All evidence would point to the fact that someone from the inside – someone we trust – is working for the enemy. I couldn't…I couldn't live like that. I couldn't trust anyone…and with you being pregnant, I couldn't handle it. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep you both safe there."

"Edward…I…I…I don't even know what to say!...I mean-" this cannot be happening! "okay just putting all that to one side for now, why can't we tell our family? Surely you don't think-"

"-I HOPE TO GOD NOT, BELLA! But I'm not prepared to put you and our child's life on the line to wait and find out"

"Edward-"

"Bella, would you?"

"What?"

"If you, like me, if you had one shred of doubt about how trustworthy our family is, would you stay and leave me and our baby at risk?...or would you run?"

I sighed because let's face it….he had me. And he knew he had me. If I felt like Edward did then I'd be begging him to allow us to just disappear…and if I'm honest, my husband is not new to this game. In fact, he probably plays this game better than anybody else. So, how can I doubt him?

"…..okay"

"Okay?" his eyebrows were furrowed, lips pursed as though he totally didn't believe me.

"Well, no it's not okay you just did this without talking to me, but I understand why you did it. And I know you only did it because you love us" as I said that, my hands began caressing my non-existent bump.

His hands were joining mine in a matter of seconds. "I do. Ohh baby, I love you both more than words. It's like my heart could burst because it's not meant to physically hold all the love I feel. And I know I'd die of anything happened to you…to either of you."

His words made me melt, like they always do, and all I wanted was to pull him as close as possible. My arms are around his neck and I bury my face into the crook of said neck.

He smells mouth-watering…all manly.

"I'd go to the ends of the earth to keep you both safe…I hope you know that"

"I do" I whisper into his skin "and I hope you know we'd follow you anywhere…whether that be a private island or the People's Republic of China" he laughed at that, which was my aim.

"There's more?"

"Nothing that needs discussing now, the important stuff has been discussed. I think we should just try to enjoy our walk now"

Though Edward's words were calm, almost relaxed, I could see his mind screaming – HER BLOOD PRESSURE! HER BLOOD PRESSURE!

I said nothing though because truthfully I don't think I could handle any more heavy conversation right now. I had millions of questions – can I call my Dad just to tell him I'm fine? What will happen to his family without him? Will we ever go home? – But I didn't ask. Something told me I wouldn't like the answers.

Instead I ask "how will we get food?"

"oh shit" he gasped, his footsteps stopping suddenly "Oh my God, Bella, I don't know. I didn't think…God, how could I be so stu-" he was cut off by me punching his arm…and maybe kicking his shin.

Ass.

He was practically doubled over in his laughter. He's not even funny.

"Oh hell, you're so gullible"

"Am not! I didn't even believe you for a second! Now be serious"

He was gasping for breath, and I was expecting to see him brushing stray tears away. "Okay, okay. We'll get a shipping in every week from the mainland. If we run out of anything in between then I'll go out on the boat."

"Could I come?"

"Sorry baby, you're a missing person. I don't think we should risk it…people will be looking for you. And judging by how gorgeous you look I'm sure all eyes would be on you"

I ignored that comment, I look like hell. Technically I look like someone who's been in a burning down building but I digress "Well in that case…surely you're a wanted person"

"Yeah, but I'm a dangerous criminal…people are less inclined to approach those, you know." He had this big goofy grin on his face…like he'd been carrying the world on his shoulders and he'd finally been freed.

"I don't know…" I trailed off, maybe my hands were running across the plains of his chest "…you don't seem so scary to me"

"ohh…you're gonna regret saying that" I let out such a girly scream as he pulls me up into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist.

"Somehow, I really don't think I'll regret anything we do tonight" and with that he began running back up the beach.

A/N: So…leave me a review if you're still with this story or erm…yeah okay. I'll be back next week