Chapter 30:
"Ugh! What is it now Alice?" Edward simply hated getting calls from this particular sister of his. But she was being persistent. It was her eighth call in the past three minutes, after all!
Lately, she never had good news. And she always, always, called when Edward was either pressed hard against his mate or was in the process of ravishing her or was having the time of his life kissing her mind out!
May be it's just karma coming me bite me in the ass for all the times I've put a splinter in my siblings' plans.
He pecked Hermione on her lips, and then because he couldn't resist himself, gave her breasts quick kisses through the flimsy material that had the audacity of calling itself her bra, not that he was complaining mind you, but then he excused himself with a very sorry expression plastered on his face, walking out through the French windows separating the balcony that was attached to Hermione's room. His mind was still on his mate who had plopped herself on her bed, wearing her pink brasserie and an unbuttoned dark blue denim that was hugging her perfectly and was staring at the ceiling, twisting her pout quite temptingly, when he continued speaking with his sister in their fast vampiric speed. Firstly, because he in no way whatsoever wanted Hermione to know what Bella had done this time. His witch was just too passionate to not care, and secondly, because he really wanted this conversation with his sister over and done with so he could go back to what he was doing in the first place.
"I told you, I already met her at the hospital three days back. She's delusional! Said I was under some sort of a spell from Hermione and that I actually was in love in her, Bella! And honestly, Alice, I've had enough! I can't believe that she'd try to attempt suicide just to get some attention. That's just…"
"Oh, will you just shut up and listen to me for once!" Alice snapped. "Edward, Bella's gone missing. She flicked Chief Swan's wallet and left. The last transaction on his credit card shows a ticket for one to Italy! Charlie's going berserk…. I'm so sorry, Edward. I tried keeping my eye out on her, but she's stopped thinking things through so I can't really see any of her decisions any more. Sam and his pack are on the verge of outing our secret. Only Jacob's speaking against it, and that's only because of Luna. Jacob being the true alpha is able to yield some power over the pack and has his packmates hushed for now, but since I can't see their future too, I don't know for how long they'll stay quiet. And I think the Volturi know I am trying to see their plans, for their minds are showing an indecisiveness I've never seen from them before. I… I also can't see Bella anywhere, anymore. She was booked on a flight for last night. That gives her enough time to have actually reached Volterra…"
Oh fuck! Edward ran his hand through his messy copper hair in exasperation. "Why would she do such a thing? She can't be that stupid! Hell! She was supposed to be a smart one!"
"Guess that ship has sailed, huh?" Alice said, shaking her head on the other line. "Edward we need to save her before she goes and does something that can't be reversed, assuming she hasn't already crossed that street, yet. And… and I think it'll have to be you, seeing as she's doing it all for you, she'll probably only listen to you."
Stupidly, Edward nodded, so lost in thought that he forgot that Alice wouldn't be able to see his nod, and he flapped his cellular phone shut. The instrument squeezing and breaking in his hand.
"Are you going to tell me what all of that was about?" Hermione asked from the entryway. But seeing Edward's still form, she mutely walked up to him and hugged him tight, rubbing his back soothingly.
Unthinkingly, as he was still reeling from the shocking news he'd received from his sister, he narrated the whole episode to Hermione, censoring nothing. By the end of his tale, Hermione was as still as him, before she kicked her mind into action.
"It may not be late yet, Edward, may be we can still get her back."
"There's no way the Volturi will keep her there, alive, for so long. Even if I charter a flight right away…"
"Edward," Hermione stopped him with a hand on his arm. "I'm with you all the way. Give me five minutes. I'll floo over to Seattle and get us an international portkey. We'll be there in Volterra within the next thirty minutes, I promise. Just give Draco a call, explain everything and ask him if he has connections in the ministry at Italy, to see if the vampires can be stalled for a bit longer. Also, call Harry and ask him to arrange for some back up at Volterra. I'll be back soon, love," Hermione pecked Edward's lips and ran out of her room to the drawing room downstairs to floo to the ministry offices, while Edward made the necessary calls.
Hermione made complete use of her celebrity status and demanded a portkey the minute she set foot in the ministry lobby and was back at her place within seven minutes. "Edward! The portkey goes up in the next five minutes, grab whatever you need and come down."
"Granger," Draco stepped out the green fire and into her drawing room, not even bothering to dust his pants off.
"Draco?" Hermione looked at the blond perplexed.
"I came to collect Teddy," the silver eyed wizard shrugged.
Hermione felt her heart twist when she realized that in her urgency she hadn't thought of the sleeping toddler.
Seeing her expression, Draco just knew what she was thinking. "I told you I'll be around when his god-parents would be busy saving the world," Draco winked at Hermione, scurrying off to the babe's room.
"Oh good, Draco, you're here," she heard Edward greet the wizard. "Rosalie was out hunting when I called her. She did say she'd get here quickly but Hermione said the portkey would be off in five minutes and I really didn't want to take a werewolf offspring in front of the Volturi." Both the wizard and the vampire shuddered at the thought.
"I'll wait till Rose gets here and then floo over to my place. You guys get that psycho sorted, don't worry about here," Draco patted Edward's arm and continued his way towards Teddy.
Edward flew down the stairs in complete vampire mode and stood tall in front of Hermione. "You got the portkey?"
Hermione nodded, holding out an old piece of parchment in her hand. "You arranged for Draco to come over for Teddy?"
"Of course," Edward said, eyeing Hermione curiously. "We couldn't just leave him be, now could we?"
Hermione wasn't sure if she could put what she felt for Edward right then, into words, but she knew it was far beyond love. He'd not only accepted her in his life, but made place for her surrogate family too. He was the one who spoke first with Draco. He was the one who consoled Ron. He was the one who was left arranging for a sitter for Teddy…
"What's the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?" Edward asked, seeing the intense way Hermione was staring at him.
"Nothing. I just realized how lucky I am to have you in my life…" Hermione replied and kissed him on his cheeks, pulled him down by his collar and kissed his forehead and then finally his lips. "Now let's go kick some Vampire ass and get your friend back," Hermione said, feeling the portkey warming in her hands. Edward quickly held on to it too and they were out in a snap.
And yet, it was too late…..