Disclaimer: SM owns all rights to twilight.
Chapter 7
*The next weekend*
EPOV
It has been one week since I have heard from Seth. I am starting to freak out. I think Bella has gone into robotic mode. All she does right now is focus on Amanda. It's not that Amanda doesn't need it, but I think if one more thing goes wrong my girlfriend might just lose her mind.
The other day I woke up to her vomiting in the bath room. Renee just walked up, placed her hand on my arm, and shook her head no. So I followed her to the table where she had breakfast waiting. When Bella came in she looked a little pale. She is really starting to scare me. She hasn't been eating much, but she has surly been drinking that damn coffee like no other. I think that is why she isn't sleeping well either. She is doing well keeping the worry from her face when Amanda is around, but I feel almost like she is pulling away from me right now, and I don't know how to stop it. Sex has been…well I suppose hasn't been happening since the day Billy was taken, I am a guy let's keep that in mind please. Now she doesn't even sleep in our bed, when she does sleep that is.
I am trying hard to be understanding but she just won't talk to me. When I spoke with Charlie about it on one of our many runs through town, to see if we can get any new information, all he said was 'She is working through it, you have to be there without pushing her.' So now here I sit waiting for some kind of sign, on what to do next.
Bella's phone chimes she flips it open, while she texts back I see a tear roll down her cheek. I sit next to her on the couch and pull her close to me so I can hold her. She shows me the text. I have to chuckle at my son's attempt to make is mother feel better.
Don't worry mom—all over it. Luv u
I look into Bella's eyes and see the fear that is there. "He is about to make a move. All of you need to be aware."
I nod my head and check the battery, it's still full, and so I shove it back in my pocket.
BPOV
My son…what can I say. He texted me this morning to tell me he is all over the situation. Translation; I will be making a move soon…
I make lunch for everyone and go to sit down on the couch to think. I think about Billy being taken, then Seth offering himself to the devil to help take care of his brother, and then there is the fact that I am now late again.
Damn stress, damn body doesn't it realize I am stronger than this. I can take this shit just keep doin what you need to do…
Edward's phone chiming breaks me from my worrying.
"Hello"
"Hey son," I turn in his direction "I don't think that is a good idea, we know which way he is we just can't figure out the turn off…yes I got the pictures of the tracks…yes the gum was a good idea…I know, Seth stop being like your mother and just wait for us." Then Edward groans. "No I'm not mad but I am frustrated…fine hold on."
Edward hands me the phone. "Hello"
"Hey Mom"
"Hey baby, how are you two?"
"I have Billy taking a nap right now, Eric leaves at night for some reason and is usually gone for about an hour. I have been watching. So when he leaves again tonight I am taking Billy and running. I can see the tracks and we will follow them. I will keep sending you pictures of where we are so you guys can find us faster."
"Baby, don't get hurt please. I know you want to do what's best but maybe you should wait until we find you."
"NO! Mom you need to stay away from here, please." He whisper yells at me.
"I will be fine; I need you to be safe."
"Mom this guys is an idiot, not to mention I think he is a little crazy. I got this." yes, my nine year old is trying to sooth me now. What has this world come to?
"Alright, stubborn ass, this is what I want you to do. Are you listening to me?"
"Yes, Mom" he sighs dramticly.
"Before you even leave that room, I want you to text someone, then all along the way you send us messages, and I want you to be so damn careful that you don't get caught, you got me. I don't like this young man, but I will do this with you because I love you, and I will not be staying out of this. I will find you." I take a deep breath to stop myself from crying. Why the hell my son has to be so hard headed, I will never know.
"Alright, okay, I can do that, but mom you need to be careful too and keep Dad with you." I nod-like he can see me, but I don't trust my voice right now.
"I love you baby"
"I love you to Mom" then the line just goes dead.
"Seth! Seth! Oh my god, he's…gone" I feel the panic rise in my throat. Edward comes over and holds onto me tightly, which might be a good thing because I just can't do this anymore. I think the only reason I am still functioning is because they need me. I swear though if I vomit one more time I am ripping my throat out. All this shit has just got to stop, this is not happily ever after, this is hell right smack dab in the middle of dead end fuckin Forks.
Seth POV
Eric shocked me today, I left this afternoon. I don't know where he went and he wasn't gone long. While he was gone I took full advantage and used my phone to call my mom and dad. I had made Billy take a nap, because I had decided that tonight is the night.
I lost the fight on keeping my mom away from all of this but I should know by now when it comes to use kids, nothing will keep her away. I know Dad will help keep her safe, and calm her down from our talk. I know it scared her when I hung up so fast like that. I hand to though, I heard Eric's car come back.
Just like every other day he comes back and opens the door. He looks at Billy who is still sleeping and shakes his head. Then he leaves calling over his shoulder, "You need to wake him up soon or he won't sleep tonight."
I'm counting on that, idiot. I call him that a lot, I think it's that whole 'if the shoe fits' thing mom keeps talking about.
I let Billy sleep until he wakes up on his own. When he is fully awake I keep him in the bedroom with me. It's time to tell him the truth.
"Hey, Billy let's play some cards" he rushes over and sits down across from me. As I deal out the card I start in I know we are running out of time. "Okay, Little Bill I need you to listen okay?" he nods, yes here we go again. "Mom is not on a trip. He kidnapped us, do you know what that means."
"But I wanted to come with him"
"That doesn't matter he didn't have Mom's permission to have us."
Fear covers his face, "but he said he did."
"He also said that they were on a trip. They are out looking for us. I have waited a long time for his car to make tracks to the main road. They are clear now, so we are going to leave tonight. You have to keep this quiet though or otherwise he might hurt us. I talked to Mom and Dad they are going to be out looking for us." He just sits there looking at his cards. "Billy do you get this?" he nods "So you know you have to act normal, right" he nods "and stay close" he nods "and when I say let's go you go with me. I won't leave you here" he nods again. "Or I can just leave you here"
His head jerks up "No, please don't"
"I'm wont I just wanted to make sure you were listening, now tell me what we do." A little thing I learned from Mom.
"We leave tonight and I have to act like nothing is different."
"Good job buddy, now let's play some cards," and that's what we are doing when Eric comes in to call us for supper.
I keep Billy talking all through supper, I mention Areal to keep him happy. He cannot wait until he sees our sister. Almost right after supper Eric comes into the room and tells us he will be back.
"Can we have a snack before you go?" I ask
"Uh…okay sure" idiot.
"Okay Billy I'll get this, you go, get your snack, I'll be there in a minute." He looks nervous, "I'll be right there, you get first pick, I think 'Cookie Crisp' is a good idea don't you." He gets excited at my mention of Amanda favorite cereal and rushes out.
I stick another piece of gum in my mouth, last piece so I hope this works out right. I chew it up as I hear Billy ramble on about the commercial with the wolf on it. I pull it out and shove it in the door slot, and hurry on my way. I know that will stick there for at least a day before it falls out, so we have a way out when I know he is gone.
We are taken back to the room and act like it is any other night. I wait until I hear his car pull away, grab my charger and text my Dad.
EPOV
Out…
Seth's text message lets me know he is heading out now. I look at everyone that is going they are all stand and waiting. Bella has her gun stuck in the back of her jeans, Rosalie and Emmett have theirs and the chief has his Jasper is holding his with his hand in his pocket. Leah, Alice and both mothers have decided to stay back with the kids. I look at Amanda and she has terror in her eys
I get another message from Seth, "Uh Bella, I don't understand" I point the phone to her. All it is- is a picture of the sun clouded over but setting in the sky.
"I know which way to start, let's go." She kisses Amanda and tells her she will bring her brothers back and she loves her. We all follow her out. Emmett and Rosalie get in Emmett's Jeep, the Chief gets in his cruiser with Jasper, and Bella and I get in her Audi, and we all head out Bella and I leading the way, with Bella driving.
"Edward text him and ask for another picture." Bella says as we reach an area just out of town. I do and he responds with another picture. It is the 'Welcome to Forks' sign. I show it to Bella and she hit the gas.
"Tell him to stay right there and hide" she practically shouts at me. Then she flips her phone open and calls someone. "He is at the sign" As she closes her phone, Charlie turns on his lights and sirens and pull out in front of all of us.
BPOV
My Dad flips on the lights and sirens and takes the lead. We all come to a screeching halt right at the Forks welcoming sign. I shove the car in park and jump out calling for my sons, leaving the door to my car open.
"Boys, Seth, Billy!" I see them peek around a tree as another car pulls up. Seth grabs Billy by the collar and pulls him back.
Eric out of all people gets out, "Bella, what are you guys doing here."
"You simple son of a bitch! Did you really think we wouldn't notice you took vacation right after my son went missing? Then you have a family emergency the night before my other son offers himself up on a platter for you." I points my gun right at Eric's head. I want to pull that damn trigger so bad.
"Bella, please listen. We could be a happy family. You me and our boys." I feel my jaw drop in shock.
Edward however didn't seem to agree with his plan. He runs over and starts punching Eric over and over again. When Eric falls to the ground Edward starts kicking him. He must have hit something important too because Eric is coughing up blood.
"Edward, stop!" I seem to fall on deaf ears.
"Dad, don't kill him too." Seth calls coming out of hiding. He walks up to Edward who has at this point has taken a break from his assault to look at his son. "Dad we are not hurt and he took really good care of us. He fed us and he was nice to us."
"That's what Dads do." Eric says sitting up.
"Man, are you insane or just stupid? My Mom will shoot you; WE will never want you as a Dad. Now shut up or he is gonna hurt you. I have seen him do it before. I'm tryin to help you out here" he hangs his head and I hear him mutter "idiot".
"But I love you guys," Eric starts to whine.
"What a baby" Billy says, appearing out of nowhere. I run to his side and shush him, keeping my gun in eyesight for Eric. Everyone follows me.
Emmett and Rosalie take Billy back to the jeep. "Bella we are taking him home." Rose calls back to me. I nod letting her know it is okay.
Edward steps back and drops to his knees. "Seth, please don't do this again. Let the adults handle these things."
"Right, because you were doing so good." He rolls his eyes
"Seth Swan, do not make me punish you for disrespect."
He groans "sorry dad" yes I know he was just humoring us, my impatient son. After chuckles from the adults, he shocks us all. He looks at Eric "hey man I know you are sick…so, I forgive you."
"You little piss ass, I never liked you anyway, and I was going to ship you off to boarding school anyway. This is all your fault, I knew I should have tied you up from the get go."
I think has had enough, he turns like her is going to walk away but turns back around and kicks Eric right in the face. I swear I can hear a crunch, but I don't think it possible he has that much power.
"Dad, please get him out of here." I ask before things get way too far out of control. "My trigger finger is getting really itchy and my kids don't need to visit their mother in jail." I stare right at Eric.
My dad nods walks up, maybe wrenches Eric's arms a little too hard, as he puts the cuffs on him. Maybe the head bang on the cruiser was a little much too. However the laugh that my father gives him when he starts hollering is more than necessary.
"I want that brat and his Dad arrested for assault."
I walk over and slap him "you will not talk about my son that way and…really, the chief grandson…and his daughter's love of her life…" I felt a little silly referring to myself in the third person but oh well. "What are you thinking? Dad, please" I shake my head and walk back over to my son, putting my gun back in the waistband of my jeans, as he wails in pain. I wrap an arm around him and look at Edward. "Let's go home angel."
Jasper rides home with us, talking with Seth in the back seat the whole way. It's as if nothing happened. Edward reaches over and takes my hand, and holds it the whole way home. We pull up and the door flings open and out rushes everyone.
"Seth" Amanda squeals as she runs to him and hugs him. "I don't say anything I swear.
"I know Mandy, it's all right. You rock sis. Let's go" he pulls her into the house. Billy follows close behind and the bond that the three of them have is so clear I think a blind man could see it.
Again everyone stays the night, and we all sit around the living room visiting. As we are laughing about what Seth had done to Eric, I feel a sharp pain in my abdomen,I had been feeling them for a few days now I just wrote it off as PMS because I am running a little late, but then a warm wet spot between forms my legs. I look down, as everyone gasps, and see my couch covered in blood. The room starts to spin, and then everything goes black…
EPOV
Bella just all of a sudden gasps, grabs her stomach, and started bleeding, and then passes out. Everyone was too shocked to move for a second. Renee breaks the silence.
"Edward, why did you tell us she was pregnant?"
"Well, Maybe because I didn't know Renee." I snap, unintentionally.
"Edward…" Carlisle comes to her defense.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap can someone please call an ambulance?" Emmett flips his phone open and starts telling them what information they need.
Its only minutes later and we are on our way, our mothers stayed with the children as I ride next to her in the ambulance and everyone else follow behind us in their cars. When we come rushing into the hospital Charlie is already here.
"That daughter of mine." He shakes his head. "What is the problem here Edward?"
"She is having a miscarriage but there is a lot of blood, too much for my liking. I will tell you more when I know more. She should be alright this kind of thing happens more than you think, but like I said there is a lot of blood." I feel my chest tighten.
I watch as the doctor looks her over. He says she indeed was pregnant and that, she did lose it. They have a blood hanging while I go to update everyone.
When I walk back in, after composing myself a little, I see Bella awake but still pale. I walk to her side as she starts to apologize to me.
"Edward I am so sorry, I didn't know…"
I won't have her blaming herself. "Bella its fine, I'm not blaming you. We just need to get you better. They need to do an exam, are you up for it?"
"Don't have much choice…" she cries.
I calm her down before I leave so they can do an exam to make sure she will be alright. After it is all over the doctor comes out with a not so good look on his face.
"She does have a slight tear on the wall she will need time to heal, it is sever enough that it did weaken the wall in that area. If she chooses to have more children she will need to take precautions, but she should be fine. We gave her some more blood and it looks like we have gotten the output to slowdown. I do want to keep her at least over night to make sure though and she doesn't seem too keen on the idea."
I take a deep breath and run my hand through my hair. "I will talk to her but I can't promise anything." He nods and walks away.
I walk in the room and there is more color in her cheeks and her eyes are swollen, proof she has been crying. I sit by her bed and rest my head on her belly right where our child was, and I can't stop the tears from falling. We may not have planned on having a child but it doesn't mean I wanted anything like this. We stay like this crying for so long I lose track of time. I try to convince her to stay but she, in true Bella fashion, she signs an AMA discharge.
We ride home in the Chief's car; Bella quietly sobs the whole way. When we get home she kisses the kids and holds them tight for a while on the couch, then heads off to our room, and locks the door.
"Bella love, open up?" I beg through the door but have no success. I sit on the floor outside the door, and wait for her to open.
She has to shower and go to the bathroom at some point.
"Edward, dear, please come and have some tea." My mother tries to coax me from the door.
"I don't want to leave Bella; she has been through too much."
"Edward, go away." Bella's muffled voice comes from the other side of the door.
"I don't understand Mom, what do I do?" I can hear my own voice crack.
"I suggest you do as she asks and come down for some tea, dear" my mother answers, her voice sound like it is such an obvious answer. Maybe it is I am too confused right now to make heads or tails of anything.
I reluctantly get up a follow my mother downstairs. I hardly drink my tea; I am so lost in my thoughts and trying to find a way to get Bella to open the door. I hear the faucet upstairs turn on. I look at everyone and they look to be ready to fall asleep.
I creep upstairs hoping that Bella will open up the door. I watch the kids talk to her through the door. "Mom, open up please. We need you." Seth starts.
"Yeah Mom, please" Amanda says staying behind Seth.
Billy just stands there. Then the door opens and Bella's face is red and her eyes are wet. She lets the children in and I rush to the door.
She holds up her hand to me "I can't" is all she says then she closes the door and I hear the lock click.
"Bella, please, open the door." I beg through the door again.
"Edward, just go away please" I hear her voice crack and her sniff.
"No, Bella let me in please"
There is silence on the other side of the door. I go to the closet and pull out and extra blanket and head to the couch. My whole body feels numb, or shocked, I haven't figured it out yet. All I know is, the couch is my bed for tonight… at least.
I know this sound bad, but Bella will come to her senses soon. Please don't hate me. Now you tell me what you think…nicely, please…