I won't say goodbye

by stevie419

Bella and Edward are in love, they are both seventeen years old and humans living in Phoenix. One night Edward disappears and both have to come to terms with what they have lost. Where is Edward? What happened to him? Will they ever find each other again?

10. Shock and protection

Chapter 10- Shock and protection

Edward's POV

I clutched my arm around Bella's waist as we headed towards the car, I didn't want to let her go, not even for the seconds it would take to get into the vehicle. I was so proud of my Bella. She was so strong, and I wanted to show her how much I loved her. Ever since we had found each other again, I had always felt like I owed her something, maybe it was guilt for leaving her the way I did (not that I had much choice), but I wanted to give her something that proved my love. I climbed in the driver's side and made sure Bella was strapped in properly before, I sped off down the road. "How about popping back to mine for a bit?" I asked. Bella stared at me from her seat. I could see the gleam in her eyes that had been missing the last few months. "Um sure, I mean yes, but I have to be back in time to cook dinner for Charlie". She said fluttering her eyelids, almost unintentionally flirting with me.

We arrived at my home in a short amount of time and I helped Bella out of the car. I walked her to the front door, and let myself in. "we have the whole place to ourselves, Esme is visiting friends and the others are still at work and college" I explained with a grin. Bella smiled back at me as I led her up the stairs and into my room. She sat down on the couch that was near the floor length windows, twiddling her thumbs. I let out a silent giggle as I watched her. She looked so uncomfortable, but relaxed at the same time. I sat myself down next to her and pulled her head into my chest. I heard her gasp slightly as she felt the cold, from my touch, but quickly felt her muscles relax.

"I love you Bella, more than you know". I said after a couple of minute's silence. "I know you do, but I love you more", she said pushing on my chest and looking up into my eyes playfully. "No Bella, I'm serious. When I had to leave you, nothing had ever hurt so much; it was as though someone had taken my soul, and at first I believed that it was becoming what I had, a vampire that had caused the feeling. But when I saw you again, my beautiful Bella, I really, truthfully realised how much you meant to me. I loved you before, but I didn't realize how much until I lost you, and that can't happen again, not unless you decide differently. I need you Bella, you are my soul, you are everything to me." Bella put her hand behind my head. "Edward I know, it's the same for me, when I lost you I lost my life. Being here with you again, means the world, and I'm here as long as I'm wanted. Forever and always" she said slowly touching her lips to mine. I held my breath, so I didn't ruin the moment, but Bella stopped at just the one kiss, knowing how difficult it was for me. I loved this girl more than anything on earth, we understood each other in a way no one else did. She was the moon that lit up my night sky, and In return i wanted to be the sun that would brighten up her days.

I got off the couch and made my way to one of my drawers, inside was a box hidden underneath a t-shirt. I lifted it out and made my way back to Bella. I saw her gulp when she noticed the little jewelry box I held in my palms. "Don't worry, I'm not proposing… yet" I smiled. "I will one day though Bella, I promise". Her shoulders relaxed and I saw her cheeks blush pinky red. "Bella I want to give this to you, so you have something of mine. This is to show you that I will never intentionally leave you again; I will always be by your side, for as long as you want me, I will be there when you need me, I'll do anything to make you safe. This is from me to you." I said stuttering slightly at how cheesy all this must sound, and not 100% sure how Bella would receive the gift. I opened the box and placed a silver chain necklace that had a silver ring hung around the bottom of the loop. "Edward! It's beautiful but you shouldn't have, you can't give this to me. It was you're nans'." She cried. I had forgotten that she knew about the necklace from before, but now it seemed to make the moment more special, I had always promised this to her, and now I was fulfilling that wish, when a few months ago I thought I may never be able to give it to Bella."I can and I will. My Nan gave it to me, to give to the girl who I was going to give my heart to, and that is you Bella. Please take it, I want you to have it, and when we're older it can be your engagement ring" I added trying to lighten the moment up a bit. Bella let out a small smile and lifted up her hair from her neck so I could do up the necklace. "Thank you Edward" she said with slightly teary eyes.

We spent the rest of the hour laid on the couch, just the two of us. We didn't talk much, but we didn't need to, everything that needed to be said, was shown. Bella lay across my stomach with her hand clutched around the silver necklace, while I traced circles up and down her arm. I never wanted these moments to end, but they always did. I knew that in less than 30 seconds we were going to be disturbed. I was right, suddenly Alice came bursting through the door, "Hi Bella, I thought I'd come and say hi, see how you were" she beamed. "Alice!" I sighed. "Oh am I interrupting" she said still dancing around my room. Bella sat up, "No don't worry Alice, you're not. I'm fine, but I'll probably have to get going. I need to cook for Charlie." Bella said slightly flushed. "Don't worry, I know, what you to are up to. I can see what your plans are after all" Alice said giggling."Oh and by the way the necklace looks great on you" she added before sitting herself down. "Alice, Bella isn't staying" I reinforced. Alice slouched back into the couch. "I know, I just wanted to say hi, before she went Edward, I'm being polite!" Alice answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

15minutes later Bella and I had finally managed to escape from Alice and were driving back into Forks. It was just starting to get dark and when I reached the driveway there was no sign of Charlie. "I told you, I'd get you back in plenty of time" I said helping Bella out of the car. She laughed and opened the front door of the house. "Will you come in?" Bella asked. "Of course I will, I want to see you cook" I teased stepping into the front room. "I think I'll do something easy tonight, hmm I'll use the fish up from Charlie's fishing trip and then some chips and peas." Bella spoke sort of to herself. I laughed "sounds good, but it doesn't really appeal to me anymore, any chance of a freshly caught mountain lion" I joked. "Bella crinkled her nose up at me. She turned back around and busied herself with the pans and kitchen utensils, while I sat at the table and watched.

3 hours later and the dinner Bella had cooked for Charlie was still left stone cold, and uneaten on the kitchen side. "Where is he? He's never this late." Bella said sounding slightly worried. "I'm sure Charlie's fine he probably just got held up at work". I said trying to comfort her. "But why hasn't he called?" she said tapping her feet on the floor. Just as she finished her sentence the phone rang. She raced to pick it up, "Dad? Where are you? Aare you ok?" she said all at once. I watched as Bella's appearance changed from worry, to panic, her face turned pale white and she almost dropped the phone. I managed to catch Bella in my arms before she fainted on the floor and I sat her down, picking up the receiver. "Bella, Bella?" Charlie called from the other end. "It's me Edward," I answered "Bella's in shock, what's happened Charlie?" I asked. "Jessica Stanley has gone missing. There is no trace of her anywhere. Nothing is missing from her possessions, nothing. she has just vanished. I was calling to say I would be late home, is Bells all right?" Charlie called down the phone.

"Yes Bella is fine" I answered looking at her slumped in the seat, and breathing heavily. I didn't want to worry Charlie now. "Thanks for calling, I'll ring, if we need you" I said putting the phone back down, and making my way back to Bella. "Mike, it must be Mike, he has Jess, why else would she disappear, without taking anything?" Bella spoke through panicked breaths. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves Bella, anything could have happened. Listen, I'm going to call the others so we can check things out. Is it ok if they come over here? It's just I don't want to have to take you out of the house; I don't think Charlie would be very pleased." Bella nodded, and pushed her head between her knees, while I rang Alice on her mobile.

"Alice, listen to me please, I need you to try and see Jessica Stanley's future, or if you can what Mike Newton is thinking of doing" I said hurriedly. "Yes Alice, I said Jessica Stanley, she has gone missing without taking anything, can you get over to Bella's house?" I asked. Alice agreed to make her way over to us with, Jasper, Emmet and Carlisle as well. While I waited I sat holding Bella, trying to get her to calm down, 10 minutes later there was a knock on the door, Bella gasped at first, but realised it was Alice and the others. They made their way into the living room and stood still while Alice explained out loud what she had just seen in the car. "I couldn't see what Jessica was thinking of doing at all, but when I turned my attention to Mike, I realised why. I'm sorry Bella but he has Jess." She said shaking her head slowly. Bella screamed and pulled her hands through her hair. "We have to help her!" I exclaimed. "It's too late Edward" Alice replied.

"What? She's dead" Bella whispered through the sobs that had taken over her body. "No, well sort of, that's what's strange. Jess is with him, but she's a vampire, a newborn. That's why I couldn't see what Jess was planning, because she's different now, I have never met her in her new form." Alice said in a worried voice. I shook my head but before I could say anything, Jasper cut in. "What he can't have had the restrain to turn her, not how young a vampire Mike is and especially the way he has chosen to live. He would have drained her of all blood. Someone must have done it for him". He said curling his fist and placing it on the top of the couch. "It must have been the other vampire that's with them; he's more experienced I can tell by the way Mike looks up to him, and that the other vampire has taught Mike some control, over how he feeds, but I don't know this vampire I am sure I have never seen him before". Alice explained placing her arm around Jaspers tensed shoulders.

I looked back at Bella, who was still sobbing into her hands. "What have I created?" I said cringing as I moved myself t her side and pulled her into my arms. "Edward you did what you had to at the time, to save who you loved. You can't blame yourself for the evil mike has done". Carlisle cut in trying to take away my guilt. "All we can do now is try and stop Mike and whoever is helping him, personally I think the sooner the better, before this can get out of hand and more people have to suffer". We all nodded our heads, except Bella. "No you can't, you might get hurt" she said crying into my chest. "Emmet actually sniggered, which I glared at him for. "Bella, stop insulting us, we are strong enough to kill Mike and his mate. There are more of us and the Cullens will have me on their side and that has to count for something" he laughed. What Emmet had said was sort of true there were more of us, 6 against 2; we definitely had the better chances. "It's just coming up with a plan to find him, Alice can you see what they are planning next?" I asked. I saw Alice's eyes glaze over and listened into her thoughts as she saw the vision. "They're heading this way, they're coming to Forks, but I can't see what for at the moment, it's blurry, I'll keep trying" Alice spoke, so the others could hear as well.

There was silence for a little while longer, while everyone was thinking. "All we can do is keep Bella safe and try and get to him before he reaches Forks. Until then it's too risky, we will have to stay put." Jasper said finally. Carlisle nodded his head "I agree we don't want to go looking for trouble until we have to, Edward I think it would be safer for Bella and Charlie, if Bella stayed with us for a while, that way we can keep her safe and Mike won't trace her scent here." Bella agreed immedialty she was desperate for Charlie to be safe. So I nodded my head in agreement, it would be easier in more ways than one. "When Charlie gets home tonight I'll see if Bella can stay around with Alice, so that he doesn't have to worry about her being home alone, especially since he will be having late nights, looking for Jess. I don't think Mike will take longer than a week to turn up, so it won't be too long. I think you're dad will agree as long as you keep in contact, he will agree to anything that makes you safer and he never has to know the truth this way either." I suggested. Bella nodded in agreement and so did the others.

Carlisle went home to explain the situation to Rosalie and Esme. Emmet and Jasper offered to keep watch outside of the house until we left. Alice stayed with me and Bella to help get Bella's stuff ready and to help explain to Charlie. He would be more likely to agree if Alice was here to justify it. Bella never left my arms the whole time, she was shaking and every now and then she would cry out loud. I placed soft kisses on her forehead to calm her and reassure her that everything was going to be alright. She needed to compose herself as much as possible for when Charlie arrived otherwise he wouldn't let her go. When I heard the car pull into the driveway, I wiped away Bella's tears with my sleeve and gave her hand a squeeze before opening the door for her dad. He sighed as he wiped his work boots on the mat, and when he looked up from the floor he looked worn out and stressed, today's events had definatly taken their toll on many people.

Bella's POV

I was sat on my bedroom floor, surrounded by a half filled suitcase. Clothes were sprawled all across my bed and Alice was in the process of emptying my wardrobe of its limited content, While Edward had just popped outside to talk with Jasper and Emmet. I sat watching Alice, meanwhile my body was slowly putting more in the travel bag, without really processing what I was packing. I couldn't stop thinking about Jess and what her family must be going through. How could Mike do this? Put people through so much torment for his own amusement. He was sick and I couldn't wait for this all to be over, but then I also worried about the safety of the Cullens. I don't know what I would do, if one of them got hurt or worse, trying to fight Mike. I placed one more piece of clothing in the suitcase, before zipping the top to the bottom. I was now ready to leave for the Cullens' house. That would make things easier, I felt more comfortable when I was near Edward, and Charlie would be safer if I wasn't here. Charlie had been surprisingly easier to convince than even I thought, but then he did look tired and probably felt I would have more company if I stayed with the others.

I made my way downstairs to say goodbye, I didn't know exactly how long I would be gone for, so gave my dad a hug and promised to call him regularly. Edward had come back in to pick up my suitcase and put it in the trunk of his Volvo, he promised Charlie that he would look after me and then I left following Alice out of the house. Charlie stood at the door and watched Edward reverse out of the driveway. He gave a small wave before we turned the corner and out of sight. "Emmet and Jasper are running behind us", Edward informed Alice, while I stared out of the passenger seat window. We sat in relative silence for the rest of the journey. I was still distraught at the thought of Jess becoming a vampire, how her life had been changed so dramatically because of someone's selfishness, she wasn't suffering or didn't want to be turned, Mike had just wanted to hurt someone else.

Edward practically carried me into his home and we were welcomed by Esme who was waiting for us to arrive, she looked worried and immediately started fussing over me. "I'm fine" I said shakily as Edward sat me on the couch "just slightly in shock". Esme bought me in a glass of water and then sat opposite. The other Cullens also took seats and waited for Carlisle to speak, but Edward cut in first. "We need to make sure Bella is safe, she comes first in all of this. Getting rid of Mike and whoever his accomplice is comes second" Edward said glaring across the room at Emmet. I imagined Edward had been listening to what he had been thinking, and being Emmet he was probably all for fighting Newton right now. "Edward I am sat right here, you don't need to stand up for me. Mike Newton is our first priority I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me." I said annoyed slightly that Edward was being so protective. I understood how he felt but I didn't want to cause any more problems than there already was.

"No Bella, Edward is right" Emmet said "I was out of order, I was getting ahead of myself, I just can't wait to rip him apart", I saw Carlisle clear his throat, as if to tell Emmet to shut up. I couldn't help but smile at this silent gesture, as the largest of the Cullens sunk back into his seat. Carlisle turned his eyes away from Emmet and started to talk. "Bella your safety is important to us; we are going to come up with something to make sure you are safe while we take care of Mr. Newton, and then things can go back to normal. Jasper will insure that Mike doesn't reach Forks". Jasper nodded from his seat next to Alice. "Thank you, I just don't want any of you to get hurt". I said telling the other Cullens my true fears. "We won't get hurt, we outnumber Mike, and have more collective experience, and you don't need to worry about us, only yourself." Alice replied.

"What about Jess, you can't punish her, she didn't ask for this?" I suddenly panicked; I was worried that the Cullens would kill Jess too. "Bella stop worrying, Jess will be given a choice, if she fights with Mike we may have to get rid of her too, but if not we will give her the opportunity to live with another vampire coven, somewhere she won't be recognized but can still have quality of life, our friends the Denali coven will take her in. The will be pleased to have another member of the family, especially someone like Jessica Stanley, they have so much in common". Edward answered kissing my forehead and pulling me closer. I was more content now I knew more about what was going to happen and listened as the others discussed the finer details of the plan. I felt my eyes close and was soon drifting off to the sound of seven vampires beautiful voices.

When I woke up I was no longer in the Cullens sitting room, but lying in a comfy double bed, with gold coloured bedding. I looked around and realised I was in Edwards's room and that the Cullens must have put the bed in here just for me, as I knew he didn't sleep. Turning over I noticed that it was still dark outside, but through the bedroom door cracks I could see that the other lights in the house were still on. The Cullens must be down stairs, I wondered whether they were still discussing Newton and how long I had been asleep for. I got out of the bed and made my way to the light switch; I turned it on and then started looking for my travel bag. I found my phone in one of the little pockets and checked the time, it was 2:30 am which meant I had only been asleep a couple of hours, so I decided I wouldn't disturb the others but would try and go back to bed.

I pulled the duvet right up, above my shoulders and snuggled my face into the pillow. Closing my eyes it didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep again. But it was only a short while before my mind was in the same place. Back in the clearing Mike was draining a human Edward of all his blood, I screaming for him to stop, however this time I was also being held back by Jess, my own friend. She was baring her teeth and hissing at me on one side and then a shadow of the other vampire was on the other, both stopping me from getting to Edward, there was nothing I could do but watch him die. Suddenly I was being shaken and my eyes flew open. As I focused I realised it was Edward. "Bella, it's all right, just a nightmare" he said holding my, sweaty body in his arms. I was shaking and could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I had obviously been screaming aloud because my throat felt sore, and when I looked around I noticed Alice was also in the room, looking slightly concerned.

"I'm sorry, it was the same nightmare Edward I couldn't save you from Mike, jess was holding me back" I sobbed into his shoulder. "It's ok Bella, I'm here, he will never hurt me or you or anyone else soon" Edward said rubbing my back comfortingly. "You must think I'm so pathetic" I said looking across the room at Alice. She immediately shook her head "I do not think that Bella, I think you care and worry about other people too much, when you should be thinking about yourself. I know this is hard for you, I'm just glad you're ok. I'll leave you and Edward in peace now and, hopefully you'll get some better sleep" she said moving behind the door. "Thanks Alice" Edward called, as Alice left the room. Edward pulled me into a more comfy position, one where I could fall asleep, and then started humming a song in my ear. It was beautiful and I lay listening to the magnificent sound that was coming from his lips for a long while, before even attempting to get some rest.