A/N: Hey there readers! I am back, with a chapter for all of you!
The poll that I had set up for readers to vote on, on which important story did you want me to write for after my short stories were finished, is closed. Since the short stories are on hiatus for now, it's time for me to get started on my important stories!
Here's the order of the important stories from the poll:
1. Reality of Our Lives
2. Raising a Baby Bella
3. High School Never Ends, A Remake
4. Vampires At Sea
5. The Twilight Mafia
6. Familial Ties
7. TIE between The Prince and the Tattoo Artist, and Alternative Eclipse
By this ranking list, Reality of Our Lives won!
And, I had said previously that RoOL was coming to a close very soon with only a few chapters left. And, I believe I had promised all of you that there will be a sequel to this sequel.
Now that I'm working on this story once again, I believe it's time for me to get everything set out straight.
Plenty of you are still confused as to how Rosalie and Jasper are twins, when Jasper is older than Rosalie. Well, here's my answer to you: they are NOT twins! Please ignore the facts and/or pointing out that they are twins, when really by their ages and their years of their birthdays, it would be impossible for them to be twins!
Also, someone pointed out that they didn't like how the twins of Bella's and Edward's, seem too young to talk and crawl. How about we just believe that those two are quick, smart babies? XD After all, this is FanFICTION.
Here is some Age Clarifications for everyone:
Jasper:
Age: 27
Birthday: May, 1983
Edward:
Age: 25 (soon-to-be 26)
Birthday: September, 1984
Rosalie:
Age: 25
Birthday: November, 1984
Emmett:
Age: 25
Birthday: March, 1985
Alice:
Age: 24
Birthday: January, 1986
Bella:
Age: 24
Birthday: December, 1985
And, by the way, for Emmett and Bella to be born in the same year, it is possible! I've counted the months from March to December - it just means that while Emmett was a newborn, Renee and Charlie conceived Bella.
Plus, these ages were based off from the 1980's to 2010. I thank my sister for helping me with the math.
And finally, I know lots of you are wondering when Charlie's warning will happen. Well, his warning will come in soon enough, trust me! Just be patient, that's all.
If anyone has any more questions, just ask me.
Let's get started with the long awaited Chapter 36!
Chapter Thirty-Six
Edward's POV
"Bella..." I rasped out, when I saw her form being moved from my totaled car. "Goodbye Mister Hot- Shot Cullen. Good luck raising those brats of yours all on your own." James' voice came from outside the car. A few minutes later, I heard a car driving off, the tires squealing as it sped off.
I sat there in the driver's seat, unable to move, while blood from gash of my forehead dripped down my face. "Edward, son!" Carlisle's voice came from my left side. "Dad..." I groaned, trying to shift so I could get out of my car. "Don't move son. Stay where you are before the paramedics arrive, alright?" Carlisle advised me. "Bella... Have to... save her." I muttered, shifting some more.
"I know, Edward, I know. You don't have to worry about Bella so much; she still has her tracker." Carlisle's soothing voice assured me. I ignored him; that damn James could have taken it off and throw it off on the road by now. I opened my eyes, staring bleary eyed out my shattered windshield. Glass shards littered the dashboard, while some had embedded into my skin. I sat up straight, fighting the urge to sway from the dizziness in my head.
I unbuckled my seat belt, thankful that Carlisle wasn't watching me but talking on the phone, before I raised my leg weakly. I kicked out the door with all my might, and when it landed on the ground with a loud thud!, that was when Carlisle turned around. "Edward! Sit back down!" Carlisle hissed to me worriedly while I slowly stood from my broke car. "No." I grumbled, swaying out of the car.
"Edward, sweetheart, listen to your father." Esme's sweet voice came from my left. "Where's... Carson and... Celeste?" I rasped out, holding my head up with one hand. "In our car. Edward -" Esme stopped short when I began stumbling towards their car. Carlisle rushed towards me, and helped me walk over to their car. Esme rushed over to another car that sat next to mine. When we reached Carlisle's car, I leaned against the driver's side, looking over my shoulder to see my babies sitting in their car seats, wide awake and crying.
Carlisle unlocked the car, and I opened the door on the driver's side. Carson was on the driver's side, and when the door opened, he looked up at me with his green-brown eyes staring up at me. I unbuckled him from his seat, cradling him in my arms. Carlisle was getting Celeste out of her seat. "Dada!" Carson cried, patting my cheek repeatedly, touching the blood.
Carlisle came around with my sniffling daughter, and handed her to me, so I was holding both of my kids. "Daddy's got you, babies. Daddy's got you." I reassured them in a hushed voice, hoping that their soft crying would stop. "Momma?" Celeste asked me, looking around for her. "Momma's not here right now, honey. But, she'll be back soon." I murmured to her, sighing. I hope Bella will be returned to me soon.
Paramedics arrived, after we waited for 10 minutes. They sewed up my gash on my forehead, picked out the shards of glass in my arms, and disinfected and cleaned my kids' hands that were covered in blood from patting my face. The paramedics tested me to see if I would get a concussion - I didn't have one - and soon, I was riding home in the backseat on my parents' car.
When we reached the mansion, the driveway was full of fancy cars and police cars. Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie and Alice stood waiting outside of the house; no sign of their kids. Must be inside the house. "Edward!" Alice shrieked when I stepped out of the car. She raced forward and grabbed me in a tight hug, sobbing into my chest. "She's been taken, hasn't she?" Emmett asked me solemnly, frowning. I nodded numbly, fat tears rolling down from my own eyes.
Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper joined in hugging me with Alice, and I was in the middle of the giant group hug. "We'll get her back, soon, Ed." Rosalie whispered to me, kissing my cheek in a sisterly manner. "Come on; let's all get inside." Carlisle suggested, carrying Celeste while Esme carried Carson. We went inside to see that Jasper's and Rosalie's dad and his FBI crew had set up a base. Interns ran back and forth, while people looked at maps, and some police officers talked with Mr. Hale; Mrs. Hale was reading to the twins and Piper in the living room, and Scooter and Abby sat on the couch together, watching the people running around.
"Dad!" Jasper yelled out to Mr. Hale. He looked up, along with the police officers. "Bella's been taken." Mr. Hale stated the obvious. "Yeah." Emmett muttered unhappily. "Don't worry everyone; Bella's tracker is still on, and still in the Washington area for now. Bella will be returned to us soon." Mr. Hale informed us.
"Sir!" one worker yelled to Mr. Hale. "Please, just don't worry so much; Bella will be fine." Mr. Hale told us, before running over to the worker. We scattered about my home; my family went towards the living room, while I went upstairs. I set Carson and Celeste down in their play pen in Bella's and my bedroom, while I walked into my bathroom, and washed my face.
The afternoon passed slowly into the night. Esme had came up a long time ago to feed my kids. I had been sitting on top of our bed, staring at space. My mind was blank. My stomach growled for food. My limbs ached from not being used. My heart was beating slowly, because the sole existence of my life was not here, and it had no motivation to beat.
Finally, I stood from my bed, and walked downstairs. Activity from Mr. Hale's FBI team had died down, while only Esme, Carlisle, Renee and Phil were the living room, watching the News about Bella's disappearance, while Carson and Celeste played on the floor together with their toys.
I walked numbly into my kitchen, searching through our storage room before finding our stash of alcohol bottles in a spare fridge we kept in there. I chose the wine bottle, and then closing the fridge there, I exited the storage room. After I sat down at the island counter, I opened the bottle, and began drinking. Now, I can already guess what you're thinking: "Edward! Drinking is horrible! Don't wallow yourself in alcohol!" Normally, I would agree with you because I was never one for heavy drinking - if I were to drink any alcohol, I would drink at least one wine glass or two. But, I needed to at least feel something during this horrible time. And, if it meant for me having a drunken buzz, and then a hangover tomorrow, then so be it.
"I'm disappointed in you, Edward." Carlisle's voice came from behind me. I drunkenly turned around to see him standing in the doorway, a frown on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. "Ah well." I slurred, taking another swig of my wine. Like he would ever understand what I'm going through right now. "Edward, you should know that drinking while you're depressed like this is never a good combination." Carlisle advised, walking up to me and setting a hand down on my shoulder.
I harshly shrugged away from his hand, drunkenly leaning away from him. "Like I give a big effin' damn, Carl - *hiccup*! You... hav're no idea what I'm goin' through." I slurred to him angrily, rubbing a hand over my face roughly. "Yes; you are right there, son. But, I know Bella, and she wouldn't want you to do this." Carlisle told me. I scoffed at him, blowing a raspberry at him oh so maturely. "You do NOT know my Bella *hiccup* like I do." I grumbled to him, sniffling.
Carlisle didn't argue with me any further. He took the half empty bottle of wine from me, with me trying to fight him for it in my buzzed state, then he helped me up from the island. Carlisle half- walked/half-carried me out of the kitchen, and towards the stairs. I stumbled, and fell down on the ground, groaning.
"Son, come on; get up." Carlisle asked of me, but I passed out, the world fading to black.
~*~*~*E&B*~*~*~
I awoke to sunlight streaming in from my glass doors, with a splitting headache and queasy stomach. After I had bolted to the bathroom to wretch up last night's events, I stumbled downstairs in the clothes I wore yesterday, tired as hell. Entering the living room, I saw that my whole family was there, while Mr. Hale's FBI team was alight with anxiety. "What's going on?" I asked out in a grumble, holding my head with one hand after I reached the last step of the stairs. Esme rushed over to me, leading me to the couch.
"You got an email an hour ago, bro." Emmett informed me. "Yeah, so? Everyone get's emails." I grumbled to him while Esme returned with a tall glass of water and aspirin. Why is me getting an email so huge?
"It was an email from James." Rosalie told me.
Oh; that why is was so huge.
"Really?" I asked them, coughing on the water I had been sipping.
"Yes. We were waiting for you to get up before we see what it is." Alice told me. I nodded just as Mr. Hale came towards the couches, standing behind me. "Pull up Mr. Cullen's email." Mr. Hale ordered his team. Minutes later, on the TV, my email popped up - and there was one unread new email there waiting for us.
I nodded; I was ready for whatever this was. I just hoped it wouldn't be a photo of Bella - dead.
The mouse scrolled over, clicking on the email. There was no message; just a video attachment. The mouse scrolled over the attachment, and clicked.
A video with James' face popped up on the TV screen. It began playing.
"Well hello Mister Cullen." James' voice came to, a sinister grin on his face. "I thought that I would be at least moderately nice and send you a little video message of just how I am doing right now." James' voice was sickly giddy as he said this. I growled quietly to myself; enough with these games. I need to know if Bella is still alive.
"I'm doing most pleasant, now that I have what I've been wanting most of my life. Say hi to Edward Cullen, wifey!" James finally moved away from the camera. Everyone gasped quietly at the sight that was now before the camera. My Bella, dressed scantily in a small outfit, tied and gagged. Her hair was knotty, her skin was pale, and dark circles lined under her angry brown eyes. My anger boiled; James is a dead, dead man.
James moved over to the left side of my Bella, and bent down some, his hands on his knees. "Isn't she just ravishing?" James asked rhetorically in a deep voice, and then he raised a hand, and grabbed her little chin. Bella jerked away from him, and stared pleadingly into the camera. Silently asking for help.
"I guess I'd like to thank you for keeping her well, Cullen. But, I suggest that you move on with your life now. Once I woo this spitfire here, she'll be mine, and won't be coming back to you." James said tauntingly into the camera, chuckling madly. Bella scoffed quietly to herself, rolling her brown eyes. That's my girl. I thought, smirking mentally. At least my Bella hasn't changed one bit over this kidnapping situation.
"So, with that, I bid you farewell. And, this will be the last time you'll get to have Bella all to yourself." James said, and then, walked over to the camera and turned it off.
The anger reached its point; my hand squeezed into a fist, but the glass of water that I held in my hand still, was there, so from the squeezing, it shattered, water getting over my hand, arm, couch and floor. The glass pierced my skin, blood dripping onto the pristine white couch. Carlisle rushed off upstairs while everyone looked expectantly over at Mr. Hale.
"Bella's tracker is still on, everyone. In a few days time, we'll get Bella back." Mr. Hale told us. "What! A few days time? What the hell is wrong with you?" I growled angrily up at him, rising to my feet angrily. "Edward!" Esme gasped out, appalled by my anger. I ignored her. "Why do we have to wait? I'm not leaving Bella in the hands of that... that crazy ass psycho! If you think I will, then you're out of your damn mind!" I roared just as Carlisle came back downstairs with a first-aid kit.
"Edward, I say it would be best to wait in saving Bella - let James think he has won." Mr. Hale tried to reason with me. "Hell no! I don't give a rat's ass about what James can think. There's no need to wait in saving MY WIFE!" I screamed, while Carlisle bandaged my hand. "Either we wait, or we risk in James killing Bella!" Mr. Hale yelled.
"He won't kill her, not before I kill him!" I snarled. Finally, Carlisle finished bandaging my hand; when he did, I stomped off towards the front door. "Edward, son? What are you going?" Carlisle asked me angrily. "Out." I grumbled, and the keys to Carlisle's Mercedes in my hands, I slammed the door behind me.
I drove away from Seattle, heading towards our hometown. I passed by the high school, the familiar restaurant of my first date with Bella, the park that we almost had our first kiss together, and past the hotel of our almost first night together*. Then, I reached my destination - Forks Memorial Cemetery.I parked the car, shut it off, and exited the car into the cool, crisp September morning air. I walked down the pathway, and stopped in front of the grave littered with tokens of gratitude from the townsfolk of Forks, and a sea of flowers rested against the items.
Here lies Charles Swan; loving father, great man, and protector of Forks.
I sighed, sitting down on the cold grass. I sat there, eyes closed. It wasn't until I felt a cold brush on my shoulder that I opened my eyes. "I'm sorry that I failed you, Charlie." I murmured to him, not looking up to him. Charlie sat his ghostly form down beside me, still in his famous police uniform. "You haven't failed me, Edward. Why do you think that?" Charlie asked me in his ghostly voice.
"James has Bella." I muttered angrily, still refusing to look at him. I heard Charlie sigh softly. "I know that, Edward." when Charlie had said that, I looked over at him, surprised. Charlie's ghostly face was sad, but also intuitive. "You... knew?" I asked him, rather confused. Charlie nodded. "I know because while Bella is being held captive by James, I've been watching over her for her safety." Charlie informed me.
"Is she alright?" I asked him in nothing but a quiet whisper. Charlie nodded once more, this time with a small smile. "My baby girl is mighty strong, son. But, I know James; he can be very dangerous when he wants to be. And, he's planning on hurting Bella sometime soon." Charlie informed me. "What do I do? How can I save her? Please, Charlie, you got to help me!" I pleaded with him, desperate.
"Wait one day, then go get Bella. Her tracker is a good thing, son. Just, please, don't let her die." Charlie told me. "I have to wait until the day after tomorrow?" I asked him, saddened that I couldn't go save my Bella now. Charlie nodded a third time. "Use that gun I gave you to kill James. That's all I ask of you to do for me." Charlie bargained with me. I nodded vigorously, just as Charlie disappeared.
I walked back to the Mercedes, but stopped short from the car when I found someone familiar leaning against it. "How did you find me?" I asked him, walking around to stand beside him. "Just call it intuition?" Joshua's reply came out more like a question. I sighed, leaning against the car right next to him.
"Look, you need to be patient. I know Bella matters to you, but she matters to me too." Joshua said. I looked up at him, narrowing my eyes at him. "Not as much as you do, and not in that sense." Joshua hastily replied to me, holding up his hands defensively.
"Good." I mumbled, shaking my head. We stood there in silence for a few minutes.
"We're going in that warehouse together, to save Bella." Joshua stated, and I looked at him, confused. "How do you know she's in a warehouse?" I asked him. "James is all for clichés, and keeping a hostage in a warehouse - that's abandoned no less - is right up his alley." Joshua told me.
I nodded, sort of getting it.
"Just be patient, Edward." Joshua informed me.
One more day, and then, Bella will be back in my arms.
Ending of the chapter sucked, but at least I got it all set up for the big rescue. :)
I've finally figured out how many chapters are left for the story. After this is posted, there will only be 3 more chapters left! I just can't believe the story is coming to an end soon. :(
Oh well; I've had fun writing this story. ;)
Please review if you liked the chapter, and wait for the next chapter to come. :)
Bye for now,
~*Lady Lily of Darkness*~