I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Ch 54 Into my arms (EPOV)
It was early morning; we were waiting for my Bella to get here so we could finish the book. I was outside learning how to cast a fishing pole. I wanted to learn before I went out with Charlie. My two brothers were trying to help me out, by showing me what they could remember.
"So the worm or bait goes here," Emmett started pointing at the hook. I rolled my eyes.
"Thank you, Einstein," Jasper snickered.
"Hey, at least in my day we had more than a stick and hook." Emmett huffed. "Someone has to teach the pansy city boy."
"Hey, I was never pansy, you hick." I gave him a shove.
"Boys!" Esme yelled from inside the house.
We settled down and I cast into the river behind the house.
"You think there is anything in there? Emmett barrels through it all the time, he might have scared them all off." Jasper snickered. I laughed along with him when I felt a tug on the line. I started to reel in my first fish ever.
"Hmm, we should have brought a camera to take a picture of little Eddie's first fish." Emmett smirked. I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore him.
"Look, Alice, Edward caught a fish." Jasper held up the line as he was preparing to throw it back in.
"What's wrong?" Jasper suddenly sounded alarmed. My head shot up and I looked over at her. Her face looked worried and alarmed.
"Edward, I'm sorry, it had to be a snap decision," Alice showed me her vision of Bella coming down the stairs at Charlie's, opening the front door and she disappeared.
"When?" I dropped the rod at my feet. Please tell me this wasn't happening.
"I think it already happened. I tried to call her, there was no answer." I took off running for Charlie's, vaguely aware of my brothers and Alice following me.
We got to the house; there was fresh scent of werewolf in the air. Two wolves Emmett looked at me.
"That smell wasn't here when I left this morning," I growled. I went to the front of the house and knocked. "Bella!" I called. I was about ready to scale the house to her window when Jasper informed me "Her truck is gone."
I spun and noticed it gone from its spot. Panic was starting to set. She had promised not to go to La Push, what on earth happened. She wouldn't just vanish like this after knowing she would send me and Alice into a panic.
I yanked out my phone to call her; it went straight to voice mail.
"Bella, love, I'm trying not to freak out here. Call me, now, please. Alice saw you vanish and we can't get hold of you." I hung up pinching the bridge of my nose. "What was the purpose of the cell phone if she doesn't have it on?" I groaned.
"Calm down, Edward, we will find her." Jasper sent me some calming waves.
"Someone clue me in, please." Emmett was looking annoyed and worried. He was scanning the area. Bella is okay, right?
"I had a vision. Bella was coming to the door, she thought it was Edward. She opened the door and then she vanished." Alice answered him quickly. In the mean time I sent Bella a text.
"So the wolves have her?" Emmett asked her, his eyes tightened.
"I think so." Alice bit her lip. I'm sorry, Edward someone must have made a snap decision. I don't think she would go own her own without saying anything. What if they did take her?
"So what are we going to do?" Jasper's voice was soft, but his eyes were dark as he looked at me. I hope she is alright.
"We should go back to the house and inform everyone else what is going on." Alice stated walking backing into the tree line.
"You guys can go back to the house, but I'm going after Bella," I hissed. Wait, I will go with you! Emmett told me. I'm going to. Jasper also insisted.
"Hold up, we don't know the circumstances." Let's get back to the house and talk about this, before anyone breaks the treaty, Alice insisted. I shook my head. Edward, they aren't going to hurt her.
"You can't promise that." I was alarmed, what if they read something they didn't like and Bella was in the line of fire.
"No, I guess I can't, but if we are going to break the treaty by crossing the line. At least all of us should be with you if comes to a fight." Alice begged.
"Fine, quickly. I don't want to waste any more time." We ran back and I continued to try to reach Bella by both text and phone. Edward, she would get the hint with one call. Her phone is off; it's not like she is ignoring it.
I ran into the house at top speed. Rose looked up from the couch, she had a sneer on her face and was about to say something when she saw my face.
"Carlisle, Esme get down here quick." I was getting more frantic with each passing moment.
The others entered the house at this point, as my parents made it downstairs.
"Edward what is going on? Where is Bella? Shouldn't she be here by now?" Carlisle asked, taking in all our faces.
"She is missing. I think she is in La Push or at least a wolf is around her," Alice continued to rush through her vision.
"What are we going to do?" Esme looked worried.
"I'm going after her," I snarled impatient to get my angel back. I had just gotten her back. No one is taking away my angel from me.
"Hold on. We don't know for sure if she is in La Push, just that a wolf is with her." Carlisle placed a hand on me to hold me in place. "We also don't know if she went on her own free will or was taken by force."
"It was at least two wolves," Jasper was frowning.
"She did go last minute in the books," Rose pointed out with arms crossed over her chest.
"Bella wouldn't have just gone without telling me, she promised. She knows it would scare the crap out of me and Alice." I ran my through my hair rigorously. I started to call again, Alice rolled her eyes. Edward, stop obsessing.
"Bella had no plans to go. In my vision it was almost like she thought Edward was at the door because she was running late. She was saying something about figuring something out about the book when bam it went dark." Alice looked worried. I know she hasn't had any plans to do this.
"I still think we should wait. The wolves are not going to hurt her. They are protectors. Plus the tribe has a relationship with Charlie. I doubt they are going to keep her against her will." Carlisle still had a restraining hand on me. "It's going to be okay. She is going to be okay." Son relax, getting upset is not going to solve anything.
"You can't guarantee they won't hurt her. They are young wolves. The slightest thing could set them off." Emmett looked concerned. I'm behind you still if you want to go.
"If it would make you feel better, I will go call the council." Carlisle tried to reason with me.
"What good will that do? They haven't returned any calls about having the books." Rose was growing irritated.
Just then I got a text from Bella.
"Thank God!" I murmured.
"What does it say?" Alice came to stand by my shoulder.
B: Please calm down. Don't overreact. I'm ok. Quickly I typed back.
E: Bella, thank god. Where are you? I wished it was her voice though. Why was she answering me by text.
B: La Push, I think? But it wasn't my idea. "What does she mean she thinks? Doesn't she know where she is" Alice frowned.
"Not if they knocked her out or blindfolded her," Jasper growled. I wanted an answer fast, so I knew that he was wrong.
E: How? Please tell me, you didn't go on your own.
B: Apparently the wolves want to talk to me about the books and I have no choice in the matter. "Shit, they did take her against her will." I started to growl. I got even more concerned.
E: Did they hurt you? Jasper sent me soe calming waves before I broke my phone into two.
B: They took me against my will from Charlie's before I could even realize what was happing. She ignored my question, but in a way answered another. Alice started to growl.
"What? Is she okay?" Esme was looking frightened.
"She just confirmed that she was taken against her will," Alice snarled for me. Rose was now on her feet hissing. I was concerned about her even more now.
E: Are you hurt?
B: I'm fine. I started to shake uncontrollably. What did that mean? Calm down Edward, you can't help her if you get too upset. Jasper tried to help me calm down so more.
E: Bella, I hate it when you say fine.
B: Nothing major, I'm fine. "What does that mean nothing major? Did they hurt her?" Rose cried out now reading over my other shoulder.
"It's Bella downplaying anything that has happened. We are getting her out of there," I hissed and no one argued.
E: I'm coming to get you hold on.
B: No, don't cross the line. Don't be the ones to break the treaty. Let me talk to them. I was not happy at all with that idea.
E: Bella, if something happens to you… I trailed off, I couldn't finish my thought.
B: They are only supposed to be protectors; they not going to hurt me. They can't hold me here forever. Nothing they can say is going to change my mind from coming home to you. "Let her stay and answer the questions. We can always get her if it gets out hand." Carlisle looked at me.
"Why didn't the wolves just contact us if they want answers," Emmett narrowed his eyes.
"Maybe they want to make sure we are not trying to control Bella. If we go running in there that might cause more harm then good," Jasper tried to reason with me. I don't want to see her hurt either, but maybe this is the best way.
"They might be trying to get us to break the treaty, like they did in the book," Rose scowled. I sighed, then typed.
E: Please be careful. I don't like this. If they hurt you, they will pay for it.
B: I will, do not call me though. It may be best if they don't know that I have a cell. I love you!
"Where is she if they don't realize she is texting?" Emmett looked worried.
"I don't know, but she has to have wolves near by since I can't see her still." Alice shrugged.
E: I love you! How many wolves? I wanted an answer for the worse case scenario.
B: Possibly 6? I'm not sure if they all have changed yet though. Jacob is bigger, but not near the size they described in the book. Two of the others are not that big either yet? So at least 3 definite. "Good, we out numbered them by far," Alice smirked.
"They are currently three definite wolves and possible three others," I told the rest.
"Not even a workout," Emmett smirked.
E: Stay safe, my love. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call.
B: I will .
I sighed, placing my head in my hands, willing myself not to go charging over the border line.
"So, what now," Emmett asked, he was getting antsy.
"Now we wait," Alice told him grumpily crossing her arms in front of her chest.
I turned to head out the door.
"Where are you going Edward?" Carlisle called after me. Son, don't cross the line without us.
"I'm going to go wait at the border," I looked back over at him; I wanted to see my angel the second she was back not a moment later. His eyes were full of concern. I will come with you.
"I'm not going to cross the border. You don't have to babysit me," I told him irritably.
"I wasn't going to go babysit you. I wanted to keep you company. We are all concerned about Bella," Carlisle told me.
"I'm going too," Esme spoke up.
"Me three," Emmett chimed in. If there is going to be a fight; I'm going to be there. I can't believe they took my baby sister like that
"Actually, it looks like we are all going," Alice smiled; heading for the door. I nodded quickly heading to the Volvo.
"Wait, we should run. It will be less obvious if we wait by in the woods at the edge, than with a bunch of cars." Alice called after me.
"Fine," I growled and took off towards the border to wait.
"How long has it been?" Emmett whined leaning against a tree. My family was watching as I paced back and forth I was staring into La Push willing myself to see some sign of my Bella.
"It's about two hours since she disappeared and only hour and half since she last had contact with us," Alice sighed as she leaned into Jasper. I was starting to feel panicky again. I was getting tempted to run across the border. I groaned as I pulled at my hair some more in frustration.
"Stop it Edward. Keep yanking on your hair and it will fall out. That will probably upset Bella since she enjoys tugging on it herself," Jasper joked, trying to calm me down. It only received him a small smile as the rest of the family snickered.
That is when I heard it, my head snapped up and I let out a sigh of relief. Her truck was heading this way.
"Thank goodness," Esme let out a sigh, hugging Carlisle.
"She isn't here, yet," Rose watched anxiously. We all listened as we heard the truck suddenly stop.
"Why did she stop?" Carlisle looked at Alice.
"I can't see her yet?" she bit her lip. I was pulling out the phone debating to call, even if it was against her wishes. I heard the truck start up again.
"Come on," I mumbled on her breath.
"Yay! I can see her," Alice breathed a sigh of relief. I could see Alice's vision now.
I eyed the road her truck was coming into sight around the bend. I wanted to smile, but I wasn't able to until I had her unharmed in my arms. I stepped out to the side of the road and she slowed as she crossed the border. She barely came to a full stop before I had the door open and was pulling her into my arms. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her head in the crock of my neck, she was on her tip toes so I picked her up and her legs wrapped around my waist.
"I never though I would be so thankful to hear or see that truck." I sighed into her hair. She smelt like wet dog and some dried blood, but at the moment I could careless. I already told Jasper he might have to hold his breath, but it's old blood so he is going be okay. Bella giggled and pulled her face away to look up at me. I knew that look in her eyes even if they were tear filled. I leaned down to kiss her deeply, her hands automatically went to my hair. I heard Emmett clear his throat. Bella pulled back and started to blush as she unwrapped her legs. Each of my family members quickly pulled her into a hug; including Jasper, which surprised my Bella. I quickly pulled her back into my arms refusing to let go again.
"Are you aright, love?" I asked her.
"I'm fine." Her gaze didn't meet my eyes.
"If you're fine then why can I smell that you have been bleeding recently?" She froze. "Let me see," I told her. She quickly glanced at the rest of my family.
"We are all fine, Bella." Alice gave her a smile. Bella sighed and pushed up the sleeves of the sweatshirt. Both wrists were wrapped in gauze. My eyes narrowed.
"They are just scratched a little. " She admitted.
"How?" Emmett asked his eyes were narrowed. What the hell did they do to her?
"Perhaps I can tell everything back at home." She tugged on me to go; she was only making me suspicious. She is feeling very nervous.
"Why can't you explain here?' I asked not moving from the spot.
"Because if you're going to overreact, it should be away from the border." She bit her lip.
"What did they do Bella?" I was beginning to lose my patience with the situation, she sighed. She rested her hand against my cheek.
"There was a knock on the door this morning. I went to answer, thinking it was you. The next thing I knew I woke up in La Push with my wrists bound and I was gagged; Sam was screaming at Paul and Jared for kidnapping me instead of asking me to come like they were suppose to." It all came out in a rush.
"When you woke up?" Carlisle asked for me. Bella nodded and she pulled back the hood. I could see a fairly large goose egg on her head. I touched it causing her to wince.
"Does it hurt?" I asked through narrowed eyes, my rage was starting to build. How dare they hurt my sweet angel?
"Not until you touched it." She touched my cheek with her hand. "Edward, calm down, please."
"Bella, they hurt you?" I growled.
"They didn't mean too. Jared and Paul got overzealous. They apologized a few times. I'm okay. Can we go now, please," she insisted.
"That's a good idea. I should be able to check out Bella's wrists and head out better at home." Carlisle agreed.
"We should take her to the hospital to get her head checked out." I insisted.
"My head will be fine. I'm not going to the hospital." Bella got her stubborn look on her face.
"Do you know how long you were out for?" Carlisle asked her.
"I don't know. I texted about 5 or so minutes after I came to." Bella told him. So, about twenty, twenty-five minuets. Her pupils aren't dilated. We can watch her closely at home. Let it go for now.
"If you feel funny at all, you need to tell us immediately. Do not hide anything trying to make me feel better. Head injuries are serious, Bella." I pleaded with her. She nodded.
I helped her back into the truck and then slid next to her to drive. I held her close to me as I started the truck.
"Bella, love what happened?" I asked her.
She proceeded tell me all the questions they had asked her and why they wanted to speak to her alone. Then she told me about the questions that she asked them. I held her all the while, just glad to have her back in my arms. I was also thankful that they have not read Breaking Dawn. Now, the dog will know nothing about our daughter. I was both amused and curious to find out about Bella twisting the truth and telling lies about the fight in Breaking Dawn. I wondered, and hoped, the wolves believed her. It appeared that they did. Still, I felt she was keeping something from me.
"Why is the bat in the front?" I asked pointing to our feet where the bat lay, remembering briefly that she had a wolf in that car with her.
"Jacob wanted to talk to me on his own. I wasn't sure what he wanted to talk about, but judging by his actions at the house it seemed he thought he stood a chance. I wanted the bat to be on the safe side. He got a laugh about it actually." She smirked. I wasn't as amused as her.
"He knows he doesn't stand a chance, Edward. I told him it was you and never could be him," She told me softly, giving my cheek a kiss. "He still wants to try and be friends." I stiffened. "I told him he would have to accept that you will be there and it had to be in neutral territory, he seemed to accept that."
"What was his exact response?" I tried not to growl, I wasn't happy with Jacob coming into the picture.
"He told me some of the wolves wanted to challenge your family to a game of baseball." She shook her head in amusement.
"That could be interesting," I raised an eyebrow. "So he expected to change then?"
"They are pretty sure he and Embry will change. They are not completely sure about Quil yet." She told me.
I pulled into the garage at the house.
"I figured you might like a shower before we start reading. Alice stopped by your house for a change of clothes." I looked down at her.
"That bad?" she asked and I nodded. I got out of the car and then pulled her up into my arms and ran us to my room.
"I could've walked," she ruffled my hair. I still refused to put her down until I entered the bathroom.
"Let me see your wrists," I demanded. She held them out and I slowly took the bandages off. My heart clenched to see her skin marked and roughed up. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as I feared. They were more like abrasions from rope burn than deep cuts. "Take a shower and I will help you cover these again." I pulled her wrists to my lips, giving them gentle kisses. I turned to give her some privacy leaving the bathroom only to stay in my room. I paced outside the bathroom door as I listened to the water run. As I paced, I caught the rest of the family up with the information Bella told me in the car.
In about ten minutes she emerged with wet hair and dressed. She had on a soft chocolate brown sweater that had a v-neck which hugged her curves. She wore a pair of slim khakis with it.
"I think Alice has been shopping behind my back. I don't recall owning this sweater." She was looking down pulling at the sweater.
"I like it; it matches your beautiful eyes." I took her hand and led her to the bed. Carlisle or Alice must have brought medical supplies in before I got home. I rubbed ointment on her delicate skin then covered it with gauze.
"Thank you," she gave me a soft kiss. I returned it, to deepen it as I pulled her onto my lap. I held her to me as I pulled away leaving her looking 'dazzled'. I smiled at her.
"Ready, to finish this book?" She nodded, so I picked her up and I ran down the steps.
I placed her on her feet at the bottom of the steps.
We walked hand in hand to the couch. I sat and moved to drag her to my lap, but she resisted. I gave her a pouting look and she giggled. I really didn't want to let her go at the moment.
"Give me a second." She grabbed one of the books the wolves had off the table and pulled a slip of paper out.
"I'm going to need you to sign this." She handed the paper to Carlisle who took it with great interest. What could this be?
"Well, I'll be. How did you pull this off?" I could see through his eyes it was written permission from the wolves to change Bella and not break the treaty.
"Wasn't really that hard. I guess there was a small benefit of letting them read the books. Emily actually was the one who really help to convince Sam. That and I think they understood it was my choice to decide my life and it wasn't worth going to war over." She smiled proudly. Carlisle grabbed a pen from his pocket and signed the form. Bella smiled and she bounced back over to me and settled into my lap.
"So, if I understand correctly, the wolves are giving permission to change Bella despite the treaty?" Jasper asked.
"Yup," Bella popped the 'p'. I couldn't help but kiss her cheek. She seemed so happy. I handed Bella the book from table.
"I believe it's your turn, love." I smiled at my angel, who was all smiles.
A/N: So yes Carlisle reined Edward in. If you wondering how Jasper was able to hug her, he was holding his breath, but it was old blood(not very tasty I understand to vamps) plus the strong scent of Wolf of set it enough that he was able to. Bella was keeping the permission form a secret until she got the house that was what she was hiding in the truck.
Alice couldn't see Bella in the truck, because even if though Jacob is not a wolf yet he is very, very close to it.
Jacob was able to let go easily, because he knows he will lose out anyways due to the books.
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