She was sat on the small island. She watched as the small boat pulled up to the island she was stationed on. She was unsure of whether to be extremely angry or ecstatic that the man she knew she still loved was alive. As she sat drying in the sun, she did always love to swim and she had the stamina for it, it came with training endlessly through her youth. She watched as he walked over. She looked down at her hands at the locket that she had taken off for the first time in three years. It was sat in her hands she opened it as he came and sat down next to her.
"You left" she stated. He didn't say anything. He had dreamt of their reunion so many times, never had any of them have her pissed at him. He looked at her, he could tell she was trying to keep her tears back, she had tucked her hair behind her ear but as she looked down at her hands her hair fell over her shoulder. He nodded.
"Yeah" he said lamely. She sniffed. He closed his eyes he hated himself, he had left his mask back on the ship and at that moment it seemed his bravery, his strength and his protection.
"You never came back" she said again. He was stating the facts, all of which were not doing him any favours. "Three years I watched the horizon. Night and day I waited. Even after my father told me your ship was attacked, and that you were most probably dead I waited. I waited for you to show your coward of a face that you were alive." He sat there and listened he was taken aback that she though he was a coward. She stood and walked away a few steps.
"You think I'm a coward?" he asked, steel laced every word. She flew around facing him.
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare think you can be angry at me! You have no right!" she screamed, she had gone red in the cheeks her emotions getting the best of her, he too getting angry.
"You are engaged! How do you think I feel knowing you moved on?"
"Don't you ever say I just walked away? Since the day I spotted you floating in the water I have loved you." She threw the engagement ring at him, as well as the locket that had actually been found on him and belonged to his grandmother. He caught it. He looked at them, he had wondered what she always treasured before she slept and what she wept over before she finally retired to bed.
"I don't understand" he finally shouted at her. She glared, breathing heavily she was fuming. She was beyond furious. "Why are you in love with someone else? I was coming back for you!" he shouted at her.
"I was forced into it!" she screamed. She was in his face now, she pushed him. "why do you think I fucking ran away?" she screamed again while pushing him. He stumbled back again surprised by her strength. "How can you think I can no longer love you? How can you honestly think I could get over you? I thought you were smarter than that!" she brought her hand back and went to punch him square on his jaw. He caught her hand and blocked all her other attempts.
…
"Alice she's gonna kill him" Jasper said, looking away from the fight scene. Alice just looked at him.
"He deserves it" she said. Jasper just looked at her dumbfounded he was her brother. "Hey! Just because he's my brother does not make him right in this situation" she said. "I am on her side one hundred per cent" Alice crossed her arms.
"Do you not think that we might just need to help him out even a little bit?" he asked. Alice shook her head.
"Jas, if I left you in England saying we were just going on a trip to another port and never came back, and then you were told three years later that I had been killed, you'd be pissed right? My place is next to you as your place is next to me. To protect and love each other, that is what Bella is feeling. We have seen that boy she is dangerous she can hold her own. She knew that if she had gone with Edward she would have been able to save him, he wouldn't have died, she's been blaming herself since she found out that the love of her life might be dead, then bam the man she thinks killed her beloved is her beloved and the man she trusted the most lied to her and betrayed her. Boy if you had done that to me, you'd be dead already." Alice explained. Jasper just stood there his mouth hanging open as he looked at his wife. Then Alice thought about. "Fuck, he needs help" she cried in frustration, running over to a boat and helping Alice lower it to the water.
….
Bella screamed in frustration, more to the point of stamping her foot like most nobles do when they don't get their way. Edward thrust himself on top of her he jammed her arms down to beside her head. He looked at her face, he saw the sorrow and the depression in her eyes.
"I was found" he started. Bella started to say something. "Shut up" he commanded she shut her mouth but she did not look happy about it. "I was found by the pirates that lost me when I was ten years old" he said, still on top of her being the closest he has been since their dance and he realised he still loved her. "The pirates on that ship, are my family, Emmet my brother, Jasper my brother-in-law, Bloodbeard my father" he paused, took another deep breath in and carried on.
"When they found me, they were heading to England to pick up the rest of the family. Alice and Rose and my mother were there hiding from royalty in America. Father said when we had picked them up we would come back and fetch you. But when we reached England Rose and Alice were badly injured, and sexually abused. Mother was missing. We have searched for the bastards that dared to touch my sisters and to find my mother" Bella was still underneath him, studying his face.
"How come you never sent me a letter? You could have come for me and I would have helped you look" she started to ramble on; Edward lent down and kissed her. She froze then melted into him and kissed him back.
"That remains to this day the only way I am able to shut you up" Edward smiled at her. She managed to get one of her hands free. She brought it to his face, she traced his lips. Then she saw something swing out from his neck. She reached for it. It was a ring, on a necklace. The ring she had given him. He had kept it all these years. She shook her head slightly.
"when you left, I kept expecting to see you come into the room with your goofy smile with a flower like you did every morning" she smiled as she stared at his face. "sometimes when I was really missing you one day, I'd forget a meal. Or I'd skip lessons. Mother ended up furious with me. I slowly sunk into a depression I just missed you so much" she said, he peppered her face with kisses. "when father told me you had probably been killed by Bloodbeard. I refused to stop training, I only got better and better I stopped eating altogether" Edward nuzzled his face into her neck, hating himself for listening to what had happened to her. "then the nightmares happened, I dreamed of you, I'd dream of your body twisting and turning in the endless depth of water forever lost to me" she started crying never having told anyone before. She nuzzled herself into him. Her hand splayed out in his hair she pulled him closer to her.
"Bella, I'm so sorry" he whispered. He pulled away, she wiped her tears away. He pulled them both up. So she was sitting on his lap. "Isabella, if you will let me I will spend every day of the rest of mine showing you and telling you how sorry I am for leaving you that day and for not even thinking about letting you come with me" she sniffed. She looked at him and searched his face. She could only find hope and the disgrace of someone who was truly sorry. He held up her locket and her ring. She slowly smiled and took her locket back. As he was helping her put it back on Jasper came running up the beach screaming.
"Don't kill him" Jasper gasped, he and Alice had frantically rowed all the way here, and were now running up the beach both red faced and panting.
"She's forgiven me guys" Edward said, and just looked at them. Jasper huffed and collapsed in exhaustion. Alice fell on top of him and he just wrapped his arms around her while they both attempted to get their breath back.
"But I'm still angry with you" Bella said. She looked at him, and he started nodding like he was agreeing with everything she was saying. "Don't just agree with everything I say just because you're afraid of upsetting me!" she cried. "That's not the Edward I know" She cried. He started smiling. He was winding her up but he was just enjoying having her back.
"You know we own this island" Edward said. She looked around for the first and saw how lovely the little thing was. It was about fifty feet long with a grassy patch with some beautiful shrubs and some pretty trees then it had a quaint little rocky water full that was about the same height as her. "We're still struggling for a name, I was in half a mind to name it after you" she looked at him and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. She missed being able to do that, to always be close to him to be able to touch him and talk to him whenever she wanted. She looked over to Jasper and Alice who were close together talking like this was the first time they'd had any proper alone time in a while.
"How about… lovers creek?" she asked. He smiled at her and he too looked at his sister and her husband.
"Perfect" he smiled. They stayed there for a little while longer watching the sun set until Edward stood pulled her up and they started to stroll around the beach paddling their feet.
"What is your mother's name?" Bella asked looking up at her man. Edward looked down at his feet.
"Esme" he said ever so quietly, among the crash of the waves and the tinkering of the small stream she almost didn't hear him.
"Esme Mason?" Bella asked, she wanted to know as much as she could so she could continue to help.
"No, Mason isn't my real name, it's Cullen. Carlisle is my father." Edward stopped and turned to her.
"The ships medic?" Bella asked surprised. Edward nodded. "Esme Cullen" Bella mused, she frowned. Edward's forehead creased.
"What is it?" he asked. She was still looking down. He put his hands on her face. She looked up. "What is it love?" he asked her. A thrill went through her when he used his old pet nick name for her.
"I feel like I've heard that name before" Bella mused. She licked her lips and wondered. Edward looked at her confused.
"Where would you have heard my mother's name?" he asked her. She rolled her eyes.
"If I knew I'd tell you" she grinned pushing him playfully. He laughed and pulled her down with him. She landed on top of him. She pecked his lips.
"If you remember, will you tell me?" he asked, she smiled.
"Of course baby!" she exclaimed. She rested her head on his chest and hummed their song. He was playing with her hair until she shivered. She was getting a little cold.
"Guys" Alice called. "Sorry to disturb you, but it'll probably be wise to get back to our ship" Alice grinned at their position. Bella looked at her and grinned. She rolled off Edward who got up and helped her up in return. They walked back to their boats hand in hand. Jasper was standing next to the boats which were almost sailing away as the tide came in.
"Hey Bella" He greeted nervously. She smiled and nodded to him. He visibly relaxed. Alice got on a boat with Jasper as Bella got on the one Edward used to row over to the island. Bella took up an oar, but Edward took it away from her.
"I got it love" Edward said. Bella huffed.
"You better not treat me any different like you used to, I've not got any weaker" Bella growled. Edward laughed, she narrowed her eyes at him. "you're gonna laugh at me now?" she asked.
"I'm not laughing at you baby, I am fully aware that you are not weak" he said as he rubbed his jaw where she had punched him earlier that morning. "I wanted to row us back, but if you want to help go ahead" he offered, she grumbled back something, along the lines of not wanting to now and he could do all the bloody work. He laughed. He lifted her head up and she unfolded her arms. "your still a rubbish liar sweetheart" she smiled at him, kissed him and let him do the rowing.
"So can I be look out?" she asked. He grinned.
"Like I could keep you away" she squealed and launched herself at him. He grinned and wrapped an arm around her. "At this rate we're never getting back he grinned. She smiled, but blushed. It took them a total of fifteen minutes to get back aboard. Edward wrapped his coat around her as she shivered again. Bella was formally introduced to Emmet and Rosalie and she finally met Carlisle.
"Isabella, I would personally like to thank you for finding Edward nine years ago" Carlisle smiled as he hugged her.
"you know what it was my pleasure, and Bella please call me Bella" She smiled, she and Carlisle were talking for a while getting to know each other, Edward smiling at them, the whole crew were talking together sitting on deck drinking and the likes. Bella never stopped touching Edward, needing his comfort. Knowing that he was still there, and he wasn't leaving her again.
"You ready for bed love?" he asked, in her ear she shivered but turned and smiled at him.
"Sure" Edward stood bid good night to his crew and walked below deck. He led Bella to a door she had not been in.
"Alice has sorted it out for you, your very own quarters" Bella looked at the door and then looked at Edward; she walked a little closer to keep practically hugging his arm. "What is it?" He asked. She looked up at him, blushing a fiery red.
"I just got you back, I wouldn't be able to sleep thinking you were leaving again. Can I stay with you?" she asked, in a small voice.
"Of course my love, I just didn't want to seem too forward" he smiled at her. "I do want you to know, that now that I have you back I'm never letting you go!" he ensured. She just kissed him and he led her towards the captain's cabin. He led her inside, while he turned his back so she could get changed he did too.
She moved underneath his covers and shivered. It was really cold inside his cabin. When Edward slipped inside he pulled her into his arms and she shivered against him, he reached onto the shelf above the bed and pulled a blanket out. He draped it over them and hugged the love of his life close.
Early the next morning, Edward woke he smiled as he remembered getting Bella back. He remembered that he was now cuddling her in his arms. He looked down at her, he watched as she snuggled into his bare chest. He remembered how she didn't want to leave his side last night. He had to remember she wasn't as innocent as she once was.
It was one of those times where you would do anything to not have to get up but nature called. He somehow managed to detangle himself from Bella and stood. As soon as he did, he brushed her hair out of her face and she calmed. He wondered over to his chamber pot and did his business, when he was done he sat at his desk, most of the time watching his love sleep. When she started to get restless almost straight away.
(Bellas Dream)
"Come here little one" Bella shifted and saw the black eyes of Jacob Black one of the most feared army captains good friend to Charlie her father. She was looking through the crack of the door. As Jacob pulled a bronze haired woman with green eyes, that reminded her of Edward.
"Jacob? What is this?" Charlie asked. Jacob turned to her father and smiled.
"A wedding present" Charlie looked at him confused. "I present to you bloodbeard's wife. Esme Cullen" Jacob introduced. Charlie grinned.
"Where is Bloodbeard?" Charlie asked. Esme spat on the floor Charlie stood upon. Charlie slapped her fully around the face. Bella hated Bloodbeard but this woman had the kindest face of a mother. Bella broke through the door and jumped on Jacob cutting the woman free in the process. While Jacob struggled Bella screamed.
"Go, run" Bella was flung off Jacobs back and landed in front of the woman. A face so much like Edwards.
"Thank you child" Bella nodded stood and attacked Jacob, Charlie had run after Esme who had managed to make it out of the house while Jacob pulled her out to the back garden.
"It's time to teach you who really is the man in this relationship" Jacob stated while he started to take her clothes off. That was the only time in a long time was she truly terrified.
Bella was shaken awake by the man she had wanted to see. She started sobbing, Edward seeing her awake pulled her to him.
"I remember" Bella sniffed. Edward pulled away stroking her hair.
"You were screaming, you were terrified" Edward said, looking like he himself was going to cry.
"I remember where I saw your mother" Bella said. With those seven words Edward knew he was going to be with this woman until the day he died. When every member of the family was in the captain's cabin Bella started explaining about how her father had been trying to find people with knowledge about Bloodbeard how Jacob had found Esme and how Bella helped her to escape only for Charlie to catch her and imprison her in the basement of their house.
"I guess she's still there. It has been a year since I ran away" Bella said. Carlisle came over and hugged her so very tightly.
"Thank you for trying to help her, even though you hated me for killing the love of your life" Carlisle said.
"I fear I was no help at all" Bella said.
"You tried" Alice put in also hugging Bella. They all soon left, and Edward was still sitting at his desk, Bella walked over and stood in front of him. He had his hand fisted by his chin as he thought everything through.
"There's something you're still not telling me" Edward said. Bella froze she knew he must have heard her sleep talking but she tried to not know what he was talking about.
"No, I think that's about the size of it" Bella said, grabbing a hold of Edwards clenched hand. She traced circles on his hand until he relaxed.
"I heard you whimpering about Jacob. Asking him not to touch you again. You were terrified of him. You're not scared of anything or anyone. So why him? What happened?" Bella shrank back when Edward stood. "What did he do to you?" Edward asked. "Bella, you better tell me?"
"Or what?" Bella asked.
"I'll track the bastard down, find out and kill him myself" It was times like this that Bella understood how Edward was a feared pirate. He was angry, he was angry that someone might have hurt his little woman, so fragile but so strong.
"He raped me"