CHAPTER NINE

The girls got on great, and spent a majority of the next morning together, until Bella decided that she wanted to leave the siblings to have some alone time, so she packed a diaper bag and her purse, then told her boyfriend and his sister that she was going to run some errands. If Bella hadn't seen her sibling in four years, she would definitely want some alone time with them.

Bella took her time while driving. She had to go back to Forks to see her dad, then stop at the bank on the way back home. It seemed like a normal Saturday; the bank was crowded because it was closing early, people were minding their own business. Bella had E.J. on her hip, balancing him with the support of her arm, while using her other arm to write on a deposit slip on the small island in front of her.

"Get down!" Bella heard a deep voice scream from across the bank.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion after that. A gunshot rang throughout the building and Ezra's small hands flew up to cover his ears. Bella immediately dropped to the floor, pressing her back to the circular island that she had just been writing on. She held Ezra against her chest, silently begging him to stay silent, while squeezing her eyes closed. Someone had screamed, but other than that, everything was silent. Bella rubbed her son's back while he held onto her, his arms reaching around the back of her neck. She let his tiny fingers get tangled in the hair on the nape of her neck. They seemed to sit there for hours, holding one another and hoping that the person who weld the gun would leave them be.

"Mrs. Cullen?" A voice said from above her. She opened her eyes to see a man with a snaggle tooth and a scar across his forehead leaning over her. He offered her his meaty hand, beckoning her to take it.

Bella searched around desperately for anyone. Luckily for her, everyone had their eyes on her and the man. She peeled Ezra off of her chest and set him down, looking into his eyes. "It's okay, honey, go sit over there. I'll see you soon, mommy loves you so much." She whispered to her son. Bella knew better than to say no to a man with a gun.

"He comes too," The voice said, causing Bella to stiffen. She looked back at him and shook her head.

"Please," She begged. "I don't know what you want, but I'll do anything, just leave my son alone."

The man's grin only grew wider. "Of course, you'll do anything. You're both coming with us, unless you want me to shoot him right here."

It didn't take any convincing from Bella. She snatched Ezra into her arms and stood up, letting the man escort her out with a hand on her back.

"Don't try to run," He growled into her ear. "We're getting into this Tahoe."

Alice and Edward were sitting on the couch in the living room chewing on some of the leftovers of dinner Bella had made last night.

"You just let her go as she pleases?" Alice asked.

"She's not my property, she's my girlfriend." Edward rebutted.

"Does she know about anything?" The girl continued between chews.

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way. The less she knows, the safer she is."

"You know dad's gonna be pissed when he finds out you're living with a girl you're not married to, right?"

"That's why dad isn't gonna find out, right?" Edward insisted with his eyes that his sister keep her mouth shut about Edward's situation.

"Yeah, yeah…" She groaned.

In their house, the men expected the women to take care of them. However, after living with Bella for years, he had changed his idealisms. As he stood up, he took Alice's plate from her and loaded their dishes into the dishwasher.

"How's mom?" Edward asked after a few moments of silence when he sat back down. He missed his mother quite often, more than often after becoming a dad.

"She's good. She misses you. Its hard on her not knowing where you are or if you're safe or not. Why don't you call her?" Alice said, resting her chin on her palm.

Esme Cullen was a gorgeous woman. She shared Edward's copper hair and tawny eyes. She was petite and in shape, but a bit wide after having three children. She was the most compassionate woman Edward had met before Bella, especially considering that her husband is a mafia boss. It was hard leaving his siblings with no guidance from him, but it was even harder to leave his mother. She cried and held him when he told her goodbye, begging for just a few more minutes with him. She knew that he wouldn't be back; he got his father's strong will.

"Its just better for everyone if I stay away." Edward muttered somberly.

Before Alice could continue on about how Edward should at least try and contact their mother, his phone went off. Edward looked at the caller I.D. and smiled. Bella.

"Hey," Edward said as he answered, holding one finger up to Alice so she would stop talking.

"Hello, Cullen." A deep voice said on the other line. Edward froze and Alice noticed it. "We noticed your plane leaving and got a bit curious. We were hoping to get your sister, but got your wife instead. Please, send our regards to your father. You'll have him to thank."

"Wait!" Edward shouted, his body jolting up. This caused Alice to jump in her spot and keep her eyes focused on her brother. "What do you want?"

"I would really appreciate a word with your father; he's difficult to reach."

"Let me speak to her." Edward said, hoping that his compliance will earn him an exchange with Bella.

The phone rustled and after a beat, he heard an extremely panicked Bella. It was music to his ears; he was glad she was still alive.

"Edward?" She gasped.

"Baby," Edward replied, almost falling to his knees. "What happened, are you okay? Where's E.J.?"

"No, no, we're together, we're okay. We're in a car right now, but we can't see." She told him. Edward could only imagine what was going on. He saw E.J., his son that wasn't even three, strapped into a car with only a seatbelt instead of the proper restraints for his small body. He hoped that Bella was not restrained in any way so she could comfort their son.

"You're going to be okay, Bella. I'm gonna get you, just hold on for me. I love you. Tell E.J. I love him. Everything's going to be okay." Edward practically begged into his phone.

"I love you," Bella said, but before she could continue, the phone cut off.

"What's going on?!" Alice asked, moving to stand next to her brother.

"Gotta call dad." Edward muttered, his shaky hands dialing the number.