Edward's POV:
The flight home was the worst. But I knew we had to take it. Alice sat next to me leaning back watching Bella most of the time, leaving me to sit there and think. I considered what Bella must have thought at my leaving so easily. But she didn't see the vision Alice did. Caius was going to kill her. He was preparing a room to burn Bella in if we put up and kind of fight. It was just easier to leave without endangering her more. Besides, if people went missing in the area or if the Pack found out what had happened, we would be in a terrible position. She must have thought I was willing to leave. I argued with myself while I was saying goodbye. I wanted to take her with me or to stay with her but I knew it wasn't an option. But the bright side, the side I looked at the whole flight home, was that I knew I would see her again. Maybe not for a while, but I would see her again.
We really only had to go back to prove to the town that I had nothing to do with Bella's and Carlisle's disappearance. We're going to stay for only a month or so. The Volturi used to want me to join them. They said the offer was always open. I decided I would go home, stay for a while, then come back and tell the Volturi I'll stay with them until they let Bella come with me. That was a wonderful idea and I don't know why it hadn't come to me sooner.
We landed in Port Angeles and I drove my car home by myself. Everyone else rode with Rosalie. The ride was peaceful. I thought about Bella and the possibilities that were suddenly in front of us. I finally get to have Bella, and I can't even have her.
Edward, slow down a little, there's a big curve coming up, remember? Rosalie warned me from behind. I realized we were almost home and I slowed some for the curve. I wouldn't have normally, but I loved my car. If Bella had been there, I could have done without my Volvo, but she wasn't, so I had to keep my second favorite thing safe.
We made the hour drive in only twenty-five minutes. I went in the house to shower and once I was done, I decided to go tell Charlie I had no luck.
Charlie opened the door just as I was about to knock. "Come in." God, I miss her. I hope he knows something; I'm still at a loss. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you Charlie. How are you holding up?"
"Eh, I'm getting by. I really miss her."
"Me too." I paused and Charlie stayed silent. "Have you gotten anything from the investigations?"
"Nothing. These guys did their homework. Some people believe Dr. Cullen ran off with her. I argued he's much more of a man than to do something like that." But at this point, he's the only option to go with.
I opened my mouth to argue that I knew Carlisle wouldn't ever and I knew who would take them both, but thought better of it. Charlie still didn't know where Bella had gone this past spring break. I decided it was best to keep him in the dark.
"I wouldn't point fingers, yet. I really don't think he could have gotten Bella to go willingly and cleaned the place dry and remove parts of the security tapes without being caught in one place or another. I really hope they're both found soon. I need to talk to Carlisle."
"If you don't mind my asking, why do you call your father Carlisle instead of 'Dad'?"
I thought about this for a second and responded, "The same reason Bella calls you Charlie. It's just more convenient. Bella calls Renee by her name too, so don't think it's because you haven't been there her whole life. She loves you. She really does. She tells me all the time. Besides, Carlisle isn't really my dad anyway. So it's easier for me."
He started thinking again that maybe Bella had run away because he wasn't doing a good job being there. "Charlie, Bella wouldn't ever run away. She knows how much it would hurt you. That's why she won't do a lot of things. She doesn't want to disappoint you. She holds you in the highest respect."
Just then, there was a knock on the door and when Charlie didn't move, I got up to answer it.
"Renee. Come in. How are you?" I held the door as she looked at me questioningly.
"Hi. Who are you again? And what are you doing here?" This wasn't going to be pretty. This is her boyfriend, isn't it? Edwin. If he knows anything about her he's not telling, I'll personally go after him.
"I'm Edward. Bella's boyfriend. I came to talk to Charlie to see if he'd found out anything new."
"Oh. Well I think you can go now. I need to talk to Charlie." How come you decide to see if there's any progress now? She's been gone for almost a week.
"I just wanted to tell Charlie the information I know." I turned and walked into the living room to talk to Charlie again. "I went to Phoenix and she wasn't there. I went to LA to see if Carlisle had gone there. I went everywhere Carlisle feels safe, in case it was him. But I found nothing. I think that wherever they are, they were forced there and are being held there. This is a kidnapping on two counts. Carlisle had nothing to do with it."
"Thanks, Edward." This was really taking a toll on Charlie because at this, he stood up, walked over to me, and hugged me. I hugged him back and patted his shoulder to comfort him.
"Edward," He pulled away from me holding my shoulders and looking up at me. "You're cold. Are you okay?"
I pulled away from him completely now and started towards the door. "It's been drizzling and very windy today; I've been outside most of the day. I'm going to go now. Maybe the culprits gave them each a phone call and Carlisle called. It was nice seeing you again, Renee. I'll be back sometime tomorrow, Charlie. Goodnight."
"Carlisle... Carlisle... That name sounds so familiar. Did I meet a Carlisle at the hospital in Phoenix?" Renee asked following me to the door.
"Yes. He's my father. He's gone too."
"Did you ever think that maybe he didn't approve of Bella so he took her so that you two would stop dating?" Renee shot back at me.
I took one step forward so that I could dazzle her and leave. "No, ma'am. Carlisle considers Bella his daughter. He approves of her one-hundred percent." I smiled the crooked smile Bella told me was the dazzling one and when Renee's knees went weak, I grabbed her elbow to prevent the fall and walked her to a chair. I turned and walked out the door.
School the next day was hell. I drove up a few minutes early, just like before. Only this time, people didn't care that I knew they were staring. Most of the time, when I catch someone staring at me, they turn away quickly to pretend they weren't staring. Not that day though. They all knew what had happened and why I'd been gone for the past few days. They knew I went out looking for her. Waiting for classes to start was the worst. People constantly walked in thinking about me and how I was handling the situation.
Angela was one of the few people who actually talked to me. At lunch, she sat next to me. Alice was telling me how she hadn't seen anything new yet and I felt tapping on my shoulder.
"Edward, are you okay? I hate asking that question, because it's how everyone must be asking you, but I really want to know how you're holding up." Please, it'll be okay, Edward. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. I know she'll be okay. She'll come back. And so will your dad. They'll both come back soon. I just... She threw her arms around me and started sobbing in my shoulder. This took me by surprise, but I hugged her back to comfort her.
Oh my God. He's cheating on Bella with Angela?! That is crazy! How could he to that! Why not cheat with me?! That would make Bella come home. I bet she's just out hiding to see what kind of drama she can cause when she gets back. She loves attention. She just plays the shy part so that she doesn't seem conceited. Angela? That lucky little bitch. She has a great guy but she has to wait until he's absent and Bella's gone to show to us who she really is. You'd think they'd keep it more of a secret. Oh well. I'll call Ben after lunch and see what he has to say. Jessica was going to get Angela in a lot of trouble if Ben believed her.
That bastard!! Cheating on Bella!! How could he?! I'll tell her all about it when she comes home and then I'll be her hero and she'll love me and throw big rocks at Edward and we'll... Mike's thoughts went in the wrong direction after that and I suppressed both a growl and the urge to kill him. I didn't jump him right there because I knew Bella wasn't coming back and I knew she wouldn't buy anything Mike said anyway.
Once Angela's sobbing subsided to little sharp intakes of breath, I released her and faced her, drying her tears. "I love Bella. And whether she comes back or not, I know she loves me and that's all I need to know. You're a really good friend to both Bella and I but beware, I have a feeling that this little incident is going to backfire on us."
She nodded and walked out the doors for the bathroom. I continued to sit there staring at the table. I didn't even bother getting food today. It wasn't worth it.
Edward. Bella drank human blood. I just saw it.
"What?" I whispered back to Alice.
She did. Not straight from the human, but in a large goblet. Aro said that no vampire should go without at least a taste of human blood. She caved. She didn't really have much to argue with.
"I guess she had to try it sometime. It's a part of the lifestyle. I just hope she doesn't get too hooked."
Me too. I'll keep you posted. With that, Alice got up, dumped her tray, and walked out of the cafeteria. I waited a few more minutes before I followed. School wouldn't change much. I couldn't go through this hell hole over and over again on purpose.
As soon as Alice and I got home, I called everyone to the living room.
"This is tough. School was the worst. I know we can't right away or people will get suspicious. But I suggest that in a month or so, we leave. This way we can see Bella and Carlisle. Anyone agree?"
Esme spoke up. "I'm going back to Italy tomorrow. Carlisle shouldn't have stayed. I need him. I don't care what trouble I get in, I can't stand being without Carlisle much longer."
"Esme, not yet, it's too soon. If you leave, people will think you know something. We have to wait. Then, if people ask why we're leaving, we'll tell them that staying here with the memories of Carlisle and Bella are killing us and we can't stay anymore. Then, we can all go to Italy."
Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie all nodded and Alice went over to comfort Esme. I continued, "It's a plan then?"
"One month," Esme said through her hands.