I own nothing but my thoughts
Bella moved to the sliding glass door as she looked out she felt more than heard Edward moved to her. "Bella what happened to change things?" She sighed and shook her head. "Change is constant." She whispered. He snorted and ran a hand through his hair. "Very profound but it did not answer my question." She nodded and turned into him as he wrapped his arms around her again laying her head on his chest. "Let's go swimming." Alice interrupted there talk. "We are not going back to class and it is actually sunny." She was almost bouncing on the couch with the idea. Esme nodded. "Sounds like a good idea you could all stand to relax." She said. "I will make supper you will all be hungry." She moved into the kitchen. Tyson watched Bella move to the stairs. "Cherry bug I need a minute." He moved with Jacob to the dinning room. "Jacob is staying he will be close until….." She frowned and shook her head. "No it is not a good idea." "I did not ask you." Tyson said firmly but not harshly. "It is not one I am willing to discuss. He will be there so get used to it." Bella's lips thinned to a thin line and she turned ignoring them both headed upstairs. "Bella." Rose said from Alice's door way. "I am sorry I did not mean to involve you all in this." Bella looked at her feet. Rose tilted her chin back up. "Nonsense. I am all for the adventure but you do know Jacob is pissing Edward off he is seriously jealous." Bella blinked as she looked at her. "Why?" Slipped out before she could process she had even said it. "He likes you silly." Alice smiled as she entered from the bathroom. Bella shook her head but Rose nodded. "Now I have the perfect suit." She pulled Bella in and changed her. As she moved down the stairs all the boys stopped and Edward could not stop the gasp of. "Dam." That slipped from his mouth. Jacob was all but drooling. "Jacob." Tyson hissed, Jacob looked down and his ears tinged pink. "Sir." He said swallowing hard. Bella blushed Rose had dressed her in a black and red suit that matched her cherry belly ring showing of more than she normally would but Rose would not let her change. Following Alice she moved to the pool. It was not long before the boys had pulled them all in the pool Edward could not stop himself as he pulled her under running his hands down her sides. When she came up and caught her breath he was hovering over her on the edge of the pool she wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him down starting the kiss slow as he slid closer pinning her flush against the wall she arched into him as Tyson's shadow fell across them. "Isabella." His tone was one that she knew not to mess with. Sighing she unwrapped her legs from Edward's waist and climbed out of the pool. "I am heading out. Jacob is here and will stay with you at Charlie's. Behave." He looked at her but she just nodded.
The nightmare was disjointed and violent as she moved from place to place faces swimming in and out of view. She could hear the storm raging out side and shook and whimpered with each lightning strike. Panic bubbled and boiled in her as shrieks escaped from her as she fought against each scenario. Jacob was trying to hold her but she flailed and tried to move away. When the rain started Charlie had called Carlisle he was on his way over to give her a shot. Charlie felt horrible about sedating her but they could not bring her out of it and with the storm coming he was not sure how she would react. Jacob had her by the waist and was trying to hold her arms but when she gagged it was all he could do to hold the bowl as she tried to move from him. Carlisle moved in and was shocked he could tell she was not awake but the panic was there when the thunder rolled overhead she shrieked and gagged again. This poor thing she had been through so much he waited as the sedative took effect. She murmured Edwards name as her body stopped fighting and she lay limp on Jacob's lap. "Is that normal?" He asked looking at Charlie. "No and yes. She has had nightmares like that but the storm has never been a part of it like tonight, she does not do well with them either. Thank you Carlisle I am sorry to call you out on a night like tonight." Carlisle only nodded and patted Charlie's shoulder.
When she woke in the morning she had a horrible headache. She entered the building carefully as Jacob followed behind her. Edward frowned at how comfortable they looked but when she leaned into him laying her head on his chest he swelled with pride. "Are you alright?" He whispered she made a noise as she leaned up. "Headache." He was so close his lips right there she shifted a step, so close she could feel his breath ghost across her lips as she needed more. She took a breath as he leaned a fraction both moaning slightly as there lips connected. The world dissolved there was no one else in the hall way but them. He hands moved involuntarily to his hair tugging him closer. He brushed his tongue a crossed hers as she pulled him closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Enough of the PDA." Emmett shouted jerking on Edward. Bella blushed as she looked at the floor. Alice was about to burst but Jasper laid a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Sorry." Bella murmured. She turned and saw him he was out the window. "James." She hissed and stiffened. Jacob tensed and moved closer. "There see him." Jacob shook his head. "He is in the lot by that red…." "Dam it." Jacob hissed moving away from Bella taking out his phone he moved out a side door. The bell rang and together they headed to class. Jacob moved in about fifteen minute's late apoligiesing. He would not meet Bella's eye though.
Bella waited with lemonade at lunch she was shaking it as the rest sat. "Bella what is that you put in there?" Jasper asked watching her. "This is a Kool-Aid packet. My father used to do it I guess it was a habit I picked up. He said it needed more flavor I like to add raspberry or strawberry to it." Jasper smiled her body had relaxed as she spoke and her eyes went from a dull distant blue to sharp clear and focused. "What is your favorite food?" He asked trying to pull her back to the here and now and not to the what if and may be. She sighed as she thought. "Uuummm Pizza from Sam's Uncle's on twelfth they have the best and Crepes from La Bonnet in Paris and Fries from Martin's on sixth not the one down town they are soggy." Edward laughed out right as she finished. "So you have to go all over the world to eat?" She laughed with him. "No he asked my favorites." "How many times have you been to France?" Rose asked seeing what Jasper was doing Bella's color was looking better. "Twice but Irene said we could go after school broke. She is itching to meet you. We will stay at their villa and do some serious shopping." She looked at Alice who looked about to faint. "Really?" She gasped out. Bella nodded. "I think we should also look for new shoes in Italy I have no boots for winter." Bella took a drink. "Stephen asked about you." She said slightly softer to Edward. He swallowed hard as he paled. "No he wanted to know if you were a good person that is all. He suggested you guys come to and he will entertain you while we shop." Emmett swallowed hard at that. "Bella is that a good idea?" He almost squeaked. Bella giggled. "Of course Uncle Stephen is a teddy bear." Emmett snorted. "Right he is a mob boss and a teddy bear." Bella leaned over and whispered in his ear. Emmett looked surprised but Bella nodded. The bell rang and they headed to class Emmett a little more confident. "What did you say to him?" Edward asked before he left her. "Stephen is afraid of spiders screams like a girl, even the teeny tiny ones." She kissed his cheek and headed into class Jacob on her heals.
Edward was taking her home two days later and noticed a car parked on her street but dismissed it. She moved from the car slowly. "Charlie is working late want to come in?" She seemed nervous he watched her blush spread. "Sure." He leapt from the car and followed her into the house. He had never been happier nor more afraid that he did that. They shut the door as men moved into the door ways A blonde moving from the kitchen smiled. "Isabella." Bella jerked back against Edward. "James." She hissed as if his name was dirty. "Come now sweetheart none of that." He ran a hand down her cheek, neck, and waist. "I came to see you and this is the reception I get." He grabbed her chin jerking it up. Brushing his lips a crossed her she tried to jerk back as Edward grabbed her pulling her to him. The men took a step towards them. "Enough it is time to go." James growled snagging Bella's arm. Shoving her towards the door she moved out as Jacob moved up. "James." He growled. "None of that Black I will be taking what I came for and you will be staying here." He nodded and a gun moved under Jacob's chin, the man smiled as he hissed. "Told you we would meet again Black." Jacob's eyes hardened. Edward moved closer to Bella. "No the toy stays here I plan to have some fun we do not need an audience." James said as Edward was jerked back and Bella pushed forward. No one had seen the injector until he pulled it back from her arm. "I always hated dramatics." James said as Bella swayed and finally collapsed against him. Edward growled and the man hit him in the head with the butt of his gun. Edward crumpled the gash not bad but blood poured freely. Jacob jerked but the man had him tight. "No Black I warned you." He moved to fire but Jacob moved left and it missed striking a tree Jacob brought his fist up and broke the man's nose. James pulled away with Bella as the other three fought with Jacob when he woke it was to Charlie shaking him. "Where is she?" He shouted. "James." Jacob managed to hiss before his world shifted and he willed the blackness to claim him.
Edward was sitting up in the hospital bed waiting for the pain pills his father had given him to kick in his head hurt like hell. His mother and brothers and sisters watched him carefully. The door opened and a large man walked in. "Now what?" Edward growled his head in his hand. "My name is Stephen Afanasi I was told you were injured when my God daughter was taken." Edward's head shot up and it took a minute for his world to focus he swallowed visibly. "Yes sir." He shook as Emmett moved to his side. "I tried…" Stephen raised a hand. "I came to see if you were alright." Edward nodded and winced. "Few stitches. I am fine have you found Bella yet?" His eyes showed Stephen the pain he was feeling. "No but it will be soon." He patted Edward's shoulder before moving to the door. "Isabella has told me she wishes to remain in Forks instead of coming home I have to thank you all for making her welcome." "Thank us by finding her." Alice said through her tears. Stephen nodded and moved out the door. "Shit." Jasper groaned expressing the thoughts of the rest fairly accurately. Edward laid his head back. "Find her." They heard him mutter as his eyes drifted shut.
Stephen moved to Jacob's room. He was arguing with Carlisle as he tried to dress. "You do not understand doc it is not an option." He stopped as Stephen walked in. "Sir." He stood stiff as his ribs pulled. "Back in that bed Jacob. I saw the tape you should not be up. "Tape?" Jacob gasped. "Of course you think we would not have her watched for goodness sakes please tell me you are not that stupid." Jacob only nodded. "Doctor Cullen." The man turned to Carlisle. "Stephen Afanasi I am Bella's God father." "Carlisle Cullen. Doctor and friends parent." He said shaking his hand. "I owe you an apology I have been informed Markus was rather abrupt a few weeks ago.' Carlisle frowned not sure what he meant. "Lizzy is prone to panic attacks she was lost during a tropical storm in a warehouse and…. I am afraid we are all a little protective of her." Carlisle nodded remembering how Markus had shown up demanded a sedative and that Carlisle go with him now. He would have done it willingly and was shocked at the man's manor he seemed almost frantic to get him where she was. "Markus was there when the child was found…." Stephen again stopped and shook his head. "It is as if she is there daughter too. They have seen her grow up." Carlisle nodded. "I would have gone willingly if he had said what it was for Bella has become part of my family as well. I know my family and wife are as worried as I am about her. Have you heard anything?" Stephen shook his head this time. "My wife is going to be joining me…" He cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "I do not wish to bring my sister in law would it be possible for her to remain with your wife and family it would comfort her." Stephen looked uncomfortable as if he hated asking. "Not a problem Esme and her, I am sure will get along great and I am sure Esme could use the comfort as well." Stephen relaxed visibly. "Thank god that cyka can make the easiest thing difficult." "My mother in law is gone thank God but she was a witch." Carlisle whispered to him Stephen smiled then straightening moved to the door. "You will be kept well informed." Meeting Charlie out side the door he moved to set up a base for information.
Irene was visibly distraught as Stephen led her into the Cullen house later that evening. "Ms. Esme this is my wife Irene." Esme smiled and opened her arms Irene collapsed into them, Esme led her away slowly and Stephen heard his wife speaking. "Never have children…..Bells mine….If she is harmed…" He sighed as her tears consumed her. "Our business is a tough one and the lack of little shoes in our house is tough on her." He spoke slowly his accent thick and heavy. Carlisle laid a hand on his arm. "Our have all been adopted Esme could not handle a little one after we lost Ethan…" He cleared his throat. Stephen clasped his hand. "We are checking several places in Port Angeles I will contact you." With his leave the house seemed to sigh in relief. There was no doubt the power this man held or the consequences that went along with defying him.
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