Chapter 14: Hope is Strength

Edward's POV

Liam paced around the airport floor anxiously. His already accelerated heart rate was beating even faster than usual. As well as his breathing. He was dangerously close to having a full on panic attack. I was also in a riddled state of anxiety. Everything had gone horribly wrong here and now we were all in grave danger.

I couldn't even assure Liam that we'd be okay. The second that Aro read our thoughts we were in trouble. Aro knew what Liam was now. He also knew about his human family being knowledgeable about our world. Because of that he believed that all hybrids were untrustworthy and couldn't keep our secret.

Getting out of the Volturi castle had been nothing short of a miracle. Thanks Liam was so close to the door when Aro made his decision to execute Liam. He was able to make a run for it and thanks to the sun's shining rays the Volturi were kept at bay. I ran after him as fast as I could. We got into the car we had rented and sped to the airport as fast as we could do so.

"I'm so sorry Liam," I said to him. "This is all my fault. You and your family would not be in danger if hadn't been for me,"

He sighed. "All of my life this has been my biggest fear. The Volturi finding out about the existence of hybrids I mean. Now that it has come to pass I'm more scared than I have ever been,"

Scared he was. "Liam I promise that my family and I will do everything that we can to protect you and your family. We haven't known each other very long but you can count on our help,"

"You can't promise that nothing will happen to my grandparents,"

"No but I can promise that we will do everything we can to try and save them. It's the least that I can offer you after all that has happened,"

"Thanks," he said.

Just then they started the boarding process. Liam visibly relaxed. He would feel slightly better once we were up in the air. The Volturi wouldn't be able to attack unexpectedly while we were in flight at least.

"I never felt so relieved to be on an airplane," he said.

"Same here," I admitted. "However I'm scared about what I'll face when we get back home,"

"What do you mean?"

"Well by the time we land Bella will have awoken from her transformation. Once my family has filled her in on everything that I have done and caused she'll probably want to rip me apart and burn the pieces. I wouldn't even try to fight her either. I know I deserve it,"

"I thought for sure you were going to mention Jacob," he laughed.

"I actually hadn't even thought of Jacob until just now. Yes he'll want to kill me also,"

"I'm a little confused on the whole imprinting thing. Is it like a love at first sight kind of thing?"

I shook my head. "Not exactly. It's how the wolves find their soul mates. From what I understand they just become whatever it is the object of their imprinting needs. A friend, a protector, a lover..." I had to stop myself from continuing on that line of thinking. I couldn't imagine my baby girl being anyone's lover especially that dog's. I would die of insanity before anyone else had the chance to kill me.

"Meanwhile I can't even get a date to save my life," he said. "She gets a soul mate as a newborn and me...nothing,"

I laughed. "Have you ever asked anybody out?"

"I have asked out several girls and they've all turned me down. It's like they instinctually know that I'm different and want to avoid me at all costs. Which really ducks because I want to get married and have kids of my own one day. But maybe it's better this way. I mean eventually I would've had to tell them about me and what I am. Not that it matters now anyway,"

"Liam can I ask you something?"

"You just did but sure,"

"Why did you go to medical school?" I had not thought to ask him this question before.

He smiled. "It's because of my mother actually. When I was born there was no one around to save her. Unlike your son I didn't bite her. I didn't know that I could've tried saving her by biting her at the time. I couldn't save my mom but I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to save others. So I began studying to be a doctor. I got a degree in Biology and then went to study medicine in Florida. I was only a year away from finishing school and starting my residency. To bad it was all for nothing,"

"All for nothing?"

"I mean I'm going to die now. I won't ever get the chance to become a doctor or have a family of my own one day,"

"Don't ever give up hope kid. If you give you without fighting then they have already won. You have to remember what you're fighting for. If you do die you at least died trying,"

"If you say so,"

The future looked bleak for us. But I had to hold onto some hope that everything would be okay. I had to believe that my family would survive this. Just like Liam had to hold onto hope that somehow everything would be okay. Hope was the only source of strength that we had right now.

A few hours into the flight Liam fell asleep. I envied him. What wouldn't I give to be able to escape our problems even for a little while? I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep so that the humans wouldn't get suspicious. I'd never been more awake in my life though.

Finally the airplane began to descent after the long flight. Nobody was waiting for us at the airport. With Bella, Lizzie, and the babies their hands were full. I understood that. So we rented a car and left the airport on our own.

Anxiety didn't fully set in until we pulled up to the building where everyone was surely waiting for us. I walked up the walkway right up to the door. Wondering what awaited me inside. I opened it and saw my family waiting our arrival.

My eyes went straight to Bella. She was even more stunning and breathtaking then before. I looked straight into her red eyes. I would miss her chocolate brown ones but at least our daughter had inherited them. She took one step toward me and I took one step back. I could see the anger inside of her.

"Edward I'm giving you a three second head start. You better take it because as soon as I get my hands on you I am going to kill you!" she snarled.

"But-"

"One!"

"You wouldn't-"

"Two!"

I took off like a speeding bullet. I ran like my life depended on it.

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