Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

In Six Months I Lost My Mind But Found My Heart

Chapter Thirty-One: Kidnapped

June 26th

1 Week Left

Bella's POV

1 week. 7 days. 168 hours. 10,080 minutes. 604,800 seconds.

For the last six days Edward and I have practically been inseparable. We do nearly everything together and usually don't spend longer than an hour apart. When I leave I'll miss him terribly and every time I think of leaving I end up wrapping myself up with Edward and being there for at least five hours. The thought of being without him is a little scary and I just don't know what I'm going to do when I go.

He doesn't seem that upset with me leaving and honestly that hurts a little. I thought he would be slightly annoyed or upset that I am going in a week but he seems completely normal. At first I started casting doubts on our relationship, which Alice noticed, but then he was so adoring towards me on our first date that I knew he loved me when he said it.

Tonight he said he had something special planned for me but he wasn't telling me anything about it. I tried to pry answers out of Alice but she would just smile and shake her head, even when I offered to spend a whole two days shopping with her.

When I woke up this morning I expected to be crawled up in bed with Edward but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead there was an envelope addressed to me on his pillow. I picked it up and opened it, pulling out a piece of cream parchment.

Dear Bella,

My dearest apologies that you have woken up alone. I would have loved to have been there but had important issues to take care of. Do not worry I will return to you tonight in one piece and we shall spend the remainder of our time together.

Love Edward

P.S. Alice won't tell you what I have planned tonight so save your time and stop asking.

I smiled but still missed his presence here. Changing into more appropriate clothes to go walking around I headed downstairs and was greeted by Alice and Rose. Before they let me get to the kitchen to have something to eat they were dragging me outside to Emmett's jeep that was waiting and put me in the back, ignoring my protests.

They strapped me into the seat, Alice on my left and Rose on my right. I was basically tied down while Emmett drove away quickly and Jasper handed things back to Alice. I opened my mouth to ask what an Earth was going on but Alice put tape over it. Now I was really worried.

"No need to panic Bella." Alice said soothingly as though they hadn't just kidnapped me.

"MHHMH!" Was all that came out why I tried to argue back with her.

"Was the tape really necessary?" Jasper asked from the front.

"Yes. She'll whine and protest so we're going to save ourselves a headache by shutting her up." Alice said happily. I on the other hand was not so kicked her shine. "Ow! Bella that hurt."

"MMMHM!" I nodded, indicating that it was meant to as she rubbed her skin.

"Look Bella all will make sense eventually. There is really no need to struggle. We're almost there anyway." Rose said, glancing out the window.

I looked out to take in my surroundings and could barely see anything through the thick trees. We were in a massive forest by the looks of things and now I was truly confused with where they could be taking me. If we had headed in the direction of the city I would have been able to get rough ideas, like going shopping or something like that, but out here there is nothing so I haven't got a clue where I'm going.

I slumped in the backseat realising that I had no way to escape and I didn't even know what I was trying to escape from. Eventually we pulled up to another big country mansion and Emmett parked his jeep among the other throng of vehicles across the courtyard.

"Now Bella, listen carefully." Alice said as everyone turned to me. "We are all going to go in here, have a great lunch, listen to the guy talk then leave without a fuss or scene. Got me?" I nodded and she took of the tape.

"Why the hell did you tape my mouth shut?!" I cried once it was removed, momentarily forgetting about the stinging of my lips.

"To keep you quiet."

"Where are we?"

"At this house."

"Obviously but what am I doing here, why did you kidnap me and why won't I want to be here?" I asked suspiciously.

"You're here because you have to be. We kidnapped you because you wouldn't come and you won't want to be here because you're stubborn like that. Now let's go." She answered before whisking the door open and pulling us out.

Deciding it would be better just to follow through with this quietly rather than be stranded because I kicked up a fuss I made my way in with the rest of them. We were shown around the house which was bigger than the Cullens and led to the dining room for lunch, which I was grateful for as I hadn't eaten today.

We were with another twelve or so people; most I recognised from our school, and then an older couple whose house it was. I stayed silent throughout the meal, hoping to catch why I was here but nothing. Everyone was talking about summer plans, what they wanted to study at university, and other things along those lines. It wasn't until the meal was over and we were led to the drawing room where the gentleman was going to speak to us did I get why I was here.

"Congratulations." He started. "I am very pleased to see such an amazing group of students that will be joining us in the autumn. It is sad that not all students could be here but I'm sure you will meet them at a later date." I was lost but then noticed the pin he was wearing on his jacket which had a logo on it with text surrounding it. The text read: 'University of Oxford'. That's when my heart dropped.

He then went on to tell us more about what we will be experiencing at Oxford and about all the different research opportunities and extra curriculum event s we can join. I kept shooting frantic 

looks at Alice but she just smiled happily. At the moment I had a rough idea what they had done, I just wish they hadn't. Edward promised.

"Before you go there is a pack for each of you to take that will have all the information you need to know before September." With that we were excused and all of us headed for the main door where we were given our pack. Before I had time to look at it Alice had taken it from me and given it to Jasper.

They ushered me to the car quickly and pushed me into the back again. The second the doors shut and we were driving away I started firing questions at them.

"You all better explain what is going on because that guy seemed to be under the impression that I'm attending Oxford in September and I sure as hell didn't apply there!"

"Relax Bella, we took care of things. Edward said you didn't apply to Oxford so I applied on your behalf. Surprise!" She cheered.

"What?! But Alice…when…how am I even going to afford the fees? I'll have to work six jobs, and that won't even cover my living costs." I shook my head. This can't be happening.

"Nothing to worry about. We took care of it."

"How?" I asked suspiciously. How much money have they just forked out to get me into Oxford? Probably too much.

"We got you a scholarship." She said proudly.

"Eh…how?"

"Easily, you don't need to know the details. We just wanted to send you to the university you deserve."

I tried to protest more but Alice threatened to put the tape back on so I kept quiet. I'd have to speak to Edward and find out if he was involved in all this, if he was then he broke his promise to me.

I was dropped back off at the house, given my pack, then the four of them drove off. I entered the house and headed up to my room so I could investigate further into what they've done for me.

There was a pamphlet regarding the history of Oxford, several letters from members of staff and alumni, a guide leaflet showing all the buildings and departments, and other bits and pieces. Coincidently it told me nothing about the prices of anything and how things were going to be paid for. It just makes me wonder what Jasper removed when he had it.

I spent the day trying to work out what happened when I was out then fell asleep on the bed. I was awoken much later by my personal Adonis, lying next to me kissing the crook of my neck.

"Edward?" I said running my hand in his hair.

"Yeah?" He kissed me again and pulled back to look at me.

"Do you have any idea what your crazy sister did to me this morning?" He nodded softly and I playfully swatted his chest. "What?! You knew and let me go through with that. She put tape over my mouth!"

"What?! She wasn't meant to. I told her not to do anything drastic."

"But you promised that you wouldn't spend any money on me to get me into a university!" I moaned.

"I didn't Bella, I promised you so I didn't spend any money on you whatsoever."

"Then how did Oxford get to the conclusion that they should give me a scholarship?" I asked pointedly.

"They were persuaded by some famous alumni that you would be a perfect student to enrol but it would have to be on a full scholarship."

"Edward! Why?"

"Because I love you and want you to get into the best university possible." He looked down into his lap. "If you don't want to go I understand, I just wanted us to be together." He said softly, making me feel bad.

I kissed him quickly and pulled him close. "No I want to go…I want to be with you…I just…I just think it's a lot of effort for just me." He lifted my chin and kissed my lips slowly.

"It was completely worth it. You are completely worth it."

"So where were you this morning?" I asked, blushing at his comments.

"Your father's house."

"What, why?" Surely Edward would not go near my father without a damn good reason.

"I wanted to ask him if he would be okay with you attending Oxford with us next year and the living conditions."

"What are the living conditions? There was nothing about that in the pack."

"We own an apartment there with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. We're planning on staying there and we want you to join us. So will you?" I smiled and hugged him.

"Of course."

"So you're not mad at me?" I shook my head and kissed him again. "We should eat dinner. I cooked." Edward said as he ran his hands up and down my ribs. I shook my head again and pulled him down next to me, kissing him passionately.

I pulled his shirt over his head as he kissed my neck, probably leaving marks from the pressure of his kisses. He helped remove mine then quickly returned his lips to my neck, moaning as my hands ran up and down his body.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Edward asked, looking deep into my eyes. I nodded and kissed him, pulling at his belt giving him the go ahead.

I woke up to the smell of pasta and tomato sauce. Edward, who was now dressed in boxers, had brought a tray of food up. He placed the tray on the bed next to me and handed me his shirt to put on.

"This was what we were going to have for dinner, I had to reheat it."

"Thanks." He handed me a fork and we ate in relative silence, with him occasionally kissing my neck. Once we finished our food he dashed back downstairs with the tray and came up grinning ear to ear.

"What is it?" I asked as he crawled towards me on the bed.

"You look amazing in my clothes and I couldn't be more in love with you." He sighed and looked at me adoringly. "I'm going to miss you over the summer."

"I'll miss you too but remember I only live three hours away." He nodded but still looked sad.

"It's going to take some getting used to, being apart from you. At the start of this exchange I thought I was going to endure the most painful six months of my life. If someone told me six months ago that I would be in love I would have told them it's not possible and the only way that would be possible if I went crazy. Turns out I have, I have completely lost my mind but in the process I found something I didn't think I had…my heart."

"I really do love you Bella."

"I know Edward and I love you too." With that he kissed me and let me nestle against his chest where I fell asleep, completely content that everything was going to work out.