A/N: Okay, so I know you probably don't want to hear a list of excuses but I feel that I should explain my absence. A. we have district music festival tomorrow so our choir has been working nonstop to prepare, 2. I've lost count on the number if essays I've had to write recently, (school sucks), and C. I have to keep applying for jobs because my family really needs the money. All in all, things aren't very great right now, but that shouldn't impede your reading.
Again I am really sorry and now that we're through the rambles, here's the second half of chapter 10, the exciting part. It will mostly be in Edward's POV.
Bella POV
I had danced with Charlie and several other people who were willing to risk their toes, and I was now back in the arms of my Edward. It felt so right calling him mine, although he would he say that he was mine from the moment we first laid eyes on each other.
He didn't twirl me around the dance floor but spun slowly on the spot, him lightly running his lips over the skin under my ear. His fingers drew pictures on my back as he held me, molding my body to his. I rested my head on his chest and I felt him sigh with contentment. He buried his nose in my hair and inhaled deeply. I smiled and giggled. His chest rumbled beneath me as he joined me.
The song ended and we made to separate when I felt his body tense. His gaze darted to Alice, her eyes wide. I placed my hand on his chest to bring him to look at me. He muttered something so quietly that I couldn't catch it.
Edward POV
I had to keep my focus, especially with Bella in my arms and a yard full of witnesses. Still, I couldn't ignore the fact that I wanted to rip that damned dog to pieces.
How dare he show his face on the happiest day of my life!
I reached out, trying to feel his mind to see into it. I could feel his hatred towards me emanating off of him in waves and it gave me some pleasure to know that he hated seeing Bella in my arms instead of his.
He quickly shoved that thought aside and told me that he knew I was listening and that he demanded to see Bella. I wished that could just ignore him and continue on but if I did, he would come barreling out from the trees and make his presence known. Bella would know that I had seen him and would be furious with me for not taking her to him. He knew that too. I could picture the smug look on his face as he thought this and it sickened me.
What I wouldn't give to punch him in the face. But Bella would frown on that and I couldn't bear to have her be upset with me.
I bent down so I could whisper in her ear. "Hold on, love." Her hands gripped my arms tight and I spun us around the dance floor in time with the new song until we stood at the edge of the trees. I scooped her up and ran, careful not to ruin our clothes in the process. The sound of air moving behind us told me that Jasper and Emmett were following close behind.
We stopped about two hundred yards outside the party, standing before Jacob and, to my surprise, Sam. I waited for Bella's eyes to adjust to the change in light, but her momentary blindness gave me ample time to show that mutt just how much I hated him without Bella seeing.
Bella rubbed her eyes and gasped as she focused on Jacob. She gave a half shriek and launched herself at him. I watched as he scooped her up into a hug, nearly crushing her. He held her close and didn't seem to want to let go.
Red started to cloud my vision and I balled my hands into fists to stop myself from shaking. I took several steps towards them and saw him tense. He knew what I wanted so he pulled her closer briefly before releasing her. She stumbled at being let go so unexpectedly. I stepped up beside her, wrapping my arm protectively around her and pulling her close.
She looked up at me questioningly but snuggled into my side nonetheless. I kissed her hair and watched him turn away, looking repulsed. I couldn't help the smug grin that appeared on my face as he glared at me out of the corner of his eye, jealous of what I had been given: Bella.
I couldn't take the silence any longer. As much as I detested him, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought him back after he had ignored her.
"What do you want, Jacob?" I went for the first name, hoping I could bring some civility into the conversation. Still, it did nothing to mask the hostility in my voice.
"I'm here to see Bella. As I recall I'm her best friend and had an invite." His eyes narrowed, fists clenched at his sides.
Bella had been quiet but decided to speak up.
"Then why weren't you here? You know how much I wanted you to be here, Jacob. How could you do that to me when I needed you?" Tears began falling down her face and my vision clouded again as I heard her say she needed him. She was beginning to get angry. She took several steps towards him, with me in tow.
"How could I do that to you, Bella?" His voice was rising as he spoke. "How could you do this to me? You know how I feel about you and you expect me to come and watch you give yourself away to someone else? Bella, he's not even human!"
"I don't care, Jacob. I love Edward and we can have a normal life. You can't follow us through our lives, telling us what we can and cannot do." She was becoming hysterical but didn't stop. "We can have a great life and do things just like everyone else."
Jacob's face flushed. "What kind of things, Bella?" She looked at him, mouth agape and her cheeks rosy. When he started yelling, I thought he might spontaneously combust with fury.
"Bella, what are you thinking! He could kill you! Are you insane?!" I quickly put myself between the two. He began shaking violently and Emmett and Jasper came up to cover me on my sides. I held Bella behind my back as I crouched, ready to attack.
I heard a commotion in the trees behind us and watched as Seth came to stand next to Jacob, him and Sam each holding one hand on his chest, restraining him. He managed to break free momentarily and stood before me, Sam and Seth rushing to his side to prevent him from making a mistake.
"I swear to god," he seethed, his form still visibly shaking as he tried to stop his body from phasing, "if you hurt her, I will kill you, monster."
I didn't say anything. I already knew that if I did hurt Bella, I would be begging him to kill me anyways, but for the time being, he didn't need to know that. He ripped his body from their grasp and took off through the trees, his shredded clothes floating to the forest floor. I looked at the two men before me and nodded. Seth headed off back towards the party while Sam took off in to the forest after Jacob.
I turned around and pulled Bella into my arms, cradling her against my chest, rocking her slowly. I heard her tears stopping and pulled her face up to look at me. I kissed her softly before offering her my hand. She gave me a watery smile and took it, wrapping it around my neck as I scooped her up into my arms.
Bella POV
We made it back to the reception in time to dodge questions about where we had disappeared to. I spotted the rest of the Cullens talking with Emmett and Jasper, getting the details about what happened. Alice smiled at me and I had to remember to thank her later for using waterproof make-up on me.
The rest of the party ended on a dull note after what had happened in the forest. The nest thing I knew, Edward and I were standing next to his Volvo, waving good-bye to our family and friends. He held open my door and I climbed in. He walked around the car and climbed into the driver's seat. I took one last look at my mother and father and Phil, all standing side-by-side on the porch, tears streaming down my mom's face. Carlisle and Esme stood next to them, warm smiles on their faces, arms wrapped around each other. My new siblings waved good-bye with my friends, Angela crying silently too.
We turned the corner and they were lost from view. Edward took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it, smiling as he drove us to our destination.
A/N: Okay, this probably sucked and it was really short and I was gone for so long but hopefully it was action-y enough for you.
Please review and tell me how it was. Again, really sorry!!!!!!!
-Truth in the Moon
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain.