R&R

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Chapter 8:

3rd person POV

Two months had passed and Bella and Edward's relationship had really developed. Much to Charlie's dismay, no matter how much he loved having Renesmee visit.

Ever so slowly they were all saying farewell, however Bella's life really came to a change when she returned home from school a sunny day.

The Cullens had not been to school for obvious reasons and she could not wait to meet up with Edward a bit later.

"Charlie! I'm home!" Bella yelled as she stepped inside. Today had been his day off.

Frowning she went into the living room. He was not to be found. She pulled up her phone and dialed Edward's number.

"Bella?"

"Hey, Edward-" She froze when she came into the kitchen.

The blood was still making a puddle on the floor, spreading it. Her breath hitched and she covered her mouth a sob escaping her.

"Bella!" Edward called from the other side of the line. "What's going on?"

"Charlie," she whispered.

He hung up, called 911, and then ran to Bella's home. She was standing with the phone against her ear, staring at his dead body.

"Bella, love," he said softly.

He carefully took away her phone as sirens sounded outside the home. He pushed her aside and dragged her into the living room. He put her on his lap.

"I know this must be a great shock to you-"

"That's not it," she said harshly. Her fists clenching. "He was not meant to die. He has been nothing but kind. The witches are alive. This is their warning."

"What?" Edward whispered a bit confused.

"They came to me in a dream a while ago. They threatened me, not my family."

"I'm sorry…"

"I know…"

There was nothing they could do, so Bella went with Edward back to the Cullen mansion. Her house was now a crime scene and she could not live there. The family met her with open arms and she found comfort with them.

She sat with Renesmee, brushing her hair before bed. The gesture comforted her a lot.

Charlie had been her father for seventeen – almost eighteen – years of her life, when she had had no memory of her previous one. That he was gone in such a manner wounded her heart.

She would have taken it a bit lighter if he had died of old age, naturally. However, there had been nothing natural about his death.

She put the brush away and kissed her girl good night. Then she made her way to her old room. Everything was still there, except that her sheets had been switched out on her bed.

She took a deep breath. She had died here.

With a shaky smile, she got ready for bed and laid down under the covers.

Edward knew, even without Jasper to check her emotions that Bella needed him. He was in a pajama Alice had bought for him and he pulled up the duvet and hugged her. Breathing in her scent from the back.

"Edward?" she asked quietly.

"Who else?" He smiled.

She pressed herself up against him to be closer and her heartbeat started to calm.

I bet he got it good now.

Your emotions are all over the place.

Plan for wedding, plan for wedding. Let's see, we need to change the flowers…

Renesmee is a good comfort…stay out of my head Edward!

I wonder what she will like for breakfast…

Hm…suddenly I wish I took venom from her before anything happened. We cannot afford to lose her again…

Edward had to agree with Carlisle. They simply could not let her slip through their fingers again. It would only end in disaster.

It was a new day. Carlisle and Esme had officially adopted Bella until she turned eighteen by law and she had a permanent stay with the Cullen family. At least they did not have to be separated again.

The semester had come to an end and it was summer. However, the Cullens had no time to relax as they were constantly on edge. Keeping an eye out for the three sisters. It was not much time for relaxation at all.

Bella sighed as she put the book away. She wanted everything to be over and done with, of course with the best outcome. That they would all be alive.

Her uneasiness was easy to see and most of the time it felt like her family was tip-toing around her. To say the least that it was annoying her, would be an understatement.

More than once a day Edward would find her meditating. She told him that she was trying to get a grasp over her mental shield. It was obviously there, she just needed to reach it. She had to be able to protect them somehow.

Renesmee was playing with Emmett and Jasper right outside the house when it happened. A loud scream rung through the house. She was the first to react.

She ran straight to her mother's room, followed by Edward and saw her sit with her hands shielding her head. She frowned and went forward, then placed a hand on her cheek. Mama? she asked.

Bella took a shaky breath. "I'm ok. Just a little prize I had to pay for finding my shield again."

"I don't want you to hurt yourself, Bella," Edward said, voice a bit rough.

"I know, but I wasn't aware that this would happen. My human mind is weak compared to my former vampire one," Bella said frustrated.

"Mama, do you want to play with me?" Renesmee asked. Carefully looking between her mother and father.

"Sure I will," Bella said softly and followed her daughter into her room.

It did not take long before Renesmee got tired and she fell asleep in her mother's arms. Bella had her head in her lap, and stroked though her hair.

Edward knocked ever so carefully. "Do you want me to take her to bed?" he wondered.

"Mm-yes. That would be nice," she responded and moved her hand.

Edward lifted up his little girl – well, not so little anymore – and placed her on bed. Then he pulled a blanket over her and turned to his mate.

"I was thinking…" he started. Bella raised an eyebrow. "…that maybe we could go out for some?" he suggested.

"Sure," she responded and smiled.

Without warning her, he lifted her up in his arms and carried her bridal-style, then he started running.

The thrill and shock together was great, and Bella understood just how much she had missed the speed. You truly felt free.

He came to a stop and let her down. She supported herself against him and gasped when she saw the beautiful meadow. It was lit up by lanterns that were placed by the edges close to the trees. Some even hung in them. A blanket was placed in the middle and she walked straight to it when she had regained her balance.

"This is so beautiful," she whispered.

"Not as beautiful as you," Edward mumbled, mainly to himself. But Bella's smile proved that she had heard him.

They both sat down, and for a long time they just enjoyed the peace and quiet, and the presence of each other.

Edward took a deep breath and felt his pocket. Ok, so it was still there. He turned to his love and held both her hands in his.

"Bella," he said ever so softly. "I love you. I love you more than anything."

She was about to reply and got to opening her lips when he motioned her to be quiet, making her smile ever so slightly.

"I cannot live without you. Both you and I know we are mates, but I want to make it a bit more official." He was grinning and she started to wonder if… "Bella Swan Volturi." She rolled her eyes but kept smiling. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked, pulling open the box and showing a beautiful ring that rested inside.

She was gaping. He was! Shaking her head a bit, her smile widened if even possible, and it felt like her face could crack at any moment.

"Yes!" That was all she had time to say as he nearly attacked her lips.

She started to giggle against his lips, and almost felt silly from her behavior.

Edward could not even describe the relief he felt when she said 'yes'. For a moment he had almost thought she would say 'no'. However, Alice's vision had been right. Maybe it was not so bad that she had started to plan early on.

The kiss deepened and neither of them wanted to pull apart. However, Edward was the responsible one and pulled away so they both could breathe (even if he could manage without air, she couldn't). They briefly looked at each other before he pulled her into an embrace and held her close. And like that they stayed until light started to form on the sky. Breathing. Living. Not caring about the world around them.

Returning to the house was almost depressing. It was a sign that their lives were starting again, and they had to continue on as 'humans'. Alice met them first, pleading to plan the wedding, which Bella agreed as long as it was fine for Edward.

Good thing most preparations are done already, Alice thought mischievously.

Edward noticed her thought and shook his head in defeat, though he did not have much time to think about it as the rest of the family came to congratulate them.

The wedding date was set. After Bella's birthday, but before that, they would move.

Bella made her way up the stairs slowly as she felt the exhaustion from a very long but wonderful day.

She had barely entered her room when she fell straight on the bed, not wanting to move. She briefly turned so she laid on her back and pulled off her top. However, when thinking of her pants, she was lazy. She used ages – at least it felt like it – just to pull them off, before she covered herself.

The soft knock on her door made her aware again, and her eyes shot open. Edward was coming in and then he closed the door behind himself.

"Going to sleep without me?" he teased.

"Hm." She did not want to say more. She wanted sleep.

He sat down on the part that was free and made space. Then he laid facing her.

"I love you," he whispered.

She smiled. Eyes closed. "I love you too."

He pulled her in and hugged her close, giving a soft kiss to her lips.

She did not mind the coolness that was Edward. She enjoyed it quite a lot. She took a deep breath and let her mind relax.

"I love you," she whispered.

A quiet chuckle. "As I love you."

"Mm."

"Sleep well, love."

Thanks, she thought and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Hope you liked it :)