Chapter 30 - Running Away

A/N Don't own it – just own my crazy ideas.

Bella POV

I can't believe this – I can't even cry anymore. How could he?

"Emmett, please tell me this is a dream."

"Bella-boo, I wish I could – I really wish I could."

"Why? Why would he get on the plane having this feeling? Did he actually love me?"

George took my hands "Bella, he loved you with all his heart and soul. He had to go – you know how dedicated he was to his family."

"But George, he took all this trouble to write this. If he did this, he could just have gotten on another plane on another day."

George looked at me "Bella, he thought this was going to happen no matter what – it was destined."

Why? Why him? Why bring me love if it will be taken away?

"Edward, is it true?"

"Bella, I don't think it's a good time..."

I screamed "TELL ME THE TRUTH!!!"

Mina starting crying as Edward nodded yes remorsefully. I couldn't handle this. I needed to get out. I needed to escape. I didn't care and I left as everyone was calling me. The elevator was immediately there and it was too late for anyone to catch me. As I got to the first floor, I realized that I didn't have a coat. Shit, I don't care! I needed to get out of there. Seth tried to stop me and I growled to leave me alone. Thank God I had my sneakers on as I started to run. I didn't care where I was going - I just needed to get away.

Jasper POV

Emmett and I tried to catch up to Bella but we were too late. By the time we reached the ground floor, Bella disappeared and we had no idea where she went to. Worse – she didn't have a coat or sweater. We both went upstairs to see what was going to be the next steps. Dad, Mom, Liam and Tanya were worried since she left with no coat and it's really cold.

Tanya spoke "We need to find her. She is going to get sick. Please boys, bring her back."

Emmett, Edward, George and I nodded. Rosie took Mina and we decided to split up. George came with me as we decided to walk around. Emmett went another way and Edward took his car to drive around for her. We realized that maybe she ran; the question is where she was headed. It was night and it was cold. We knew we needed to find her fast since she could get hypothermia quickly.

Edward POV

I can't believe Demetri. We spoke once on this – he knew how I felt for Bella. I can't believe he included it in his letter. I guess he thought I was going to keep quiet.

God, help me, where is my Bella? I love her so much and I can't imagine my life without her. Please God, help me find her.

I drove around and I still couldn't find her. Let me think – where can she be now? Think Edward – where? She loves the water – it helps her think. Could she be at the waterfront?

I sped to the only place I knew she loved to go to – Pike Place Market. She loved to cook and she would always go there to get the freshest of foods. It was closed by now and I knew she must be lost somewhere there. I finally got there and ran out to find her. I went to the entrance of the market and the doors were shut.

My God – please help me find her. I can't lose her. Please help me help her!

I stood quiet and hear the wind howling. It was getting cold and I can't imagine how she was fairing in this weather.

"Bella! Where are you?"

I screamed again as I walked on the boardwalk. Then I noticed a small bulk sitting on the floor.

"Bella!"

I ran to her and she was trembling and crying.

"Bella, please look at me."

She finally did – her eyes filled with endless tears.

"Bella, please let me take you to the car?"

She kept looking at me – looking into my eyes – searching for something. I couldn't help it but I was crying. I needed her to be ok. I didn't care about me at this point. I hated to see her cry.

"Edward, please help me. Please – Edward."

I took off my coat and placed it around her. Then I picked her up and took her to the car quickly. I gently placed her in the front seat and shut the door. I ran to the other side, turned the car on and turned the heat on full blast. She was trembling and her face was numb. She was sobbing and I didn't know what to do. I slid my seat all the way back and then took her in my arms and placed her on my lap and held her in my arms. I held her tightly so she could try to understand that I wasn't going to leave her.

"Bella, I can't imagine what you are going through. I really can't, but I do know that I wish I could take this pain away. I wish so much I can bring back Demetri so you can be happy again. I know what Demetri stated wasn't a good time but please know that if I could fix this I would, even sacrificing myself so he can come back to you."

After I said that she tightened her hold on me.

Bella POV

I couldn't believe what he had just said. He should never feel that way – not about me.

I need to calm down. He can't suffer. He has Mina. He has to live for her, not me.

"Edward, please look at me. I never want to hear those words out of your mouth again. You have Mina. She is the most important thing in your life now and she should be your priority. I am not worth anything on this earth. Mina is worth more than gold. Please never say that again."

"Bella, I know Mina is and will always be the most important thing in this world, but you are too and I don't ever want to lose you. I know this is too soon and I will wait for you, but I need you to know that you are my reason to live, you are my breath, you are my sunshine, and you are everything to me. If I had to sacrifice my life so you could be happy, I would do it in a heartbeat. I love you Isabella Swan and I will wait for you."

As I heard my heart was breaking even more. "Edward, if Demetri would still be here, would you have ever told me about your feelings for me?"

He nodded no. He was going to sacrifice his "life" for my happiness.

"Edward, let me heal first. I am not going to give up seeing Mina and you are still my friend. Let me heal from this pain in my heart. Give me time, is that ok?"

"Bella, I will wait forever."

He held me and I held him. "Take me home Edward."

He called the men to stop looking for me and he took me home.

Rosalie POV

Once Edward brought Bella back home, Tanya and Liam took her and took care of her. She looked so broken, so weak. My heart and soul broke for her. We had become close friends and actually I considered her to be my little sister. I didn't want her hurt – I wanted her to be happy as I was with Emmett. I thought she found it with Demetri. Now he dies and throws the curve ball with Edward's love for Bella. We all knew that Edward was infatuated with Bella – but we never imagined he was in love.

As we stayed in her apartment, we spoke to Edward and he confessed it all, how at first he just wanted Bella as another notch on his belt and how she became his obsession and later how he fell in love. He told us the conversation Demetri and he had a while ago. Demetri approached him on Edward's feelings towards Bella. With this, Demetri still allowed Edward to get closer to Bella. I cannot imagine what Demetri has gone through, living life with Bella, with the feeling that he wasn't going to come back to her.

Around 3am, I woke up. I couldn't sleep anymore. I slowly slipped out of Emmett's arms to see where everyone was. Carlisle and Esme were on the loveseat sleeping. Jasper had Alice in her arms asleep. George wasn't around – I guess he went to sleep in Angie and Brad's apartment. I went to Tanya and Liam's room and they held each other tightly. Where was Edward?

I went to Bella's bedroom. Bella held Mina closely against her chest as they slept soundly. Edward was on the floor with his head against the bed with Bella's hands in his.

I need to wake him up – he is going to feel it later.

"Edward – get up."

"No Rosie, I can't."

"Edward, you can't stay this way. You are going to feel it tomorrow and Mina is going to need you."

"Bella needs me more."

Stubborn mule – he isn't going to change. "Don't say anything tomorrow."

I took the chair in the corner and just stared at both of them. I haven't prayed for the longest time, but it doesn't hurt to try.

"Dear God, please help my sister Bella overcome this pain and hurt. Help her realized that love is around the corner and that she will be fine. Please help her heal quickly so that my brother can finally live a life – so both can live a good and loving life. I know I have no right to ask you of this, but Bella has been too good and she doesn't deserve this. Please – help her."

Tanya and Liam POV

The next few days went quickly and the "family" helped Bella in every way possible. Jacob, Billy, Leah and Jakey came daily to help Bella and talk to her and bring her guidance. Carlisle and Esme showered her with parental love. Alice, Rose, Emmett and Jasper were there to be her support system and her cheering up squad. Angie, Brad and George were her toughest critics and they helped her not fall into a deep depression. It was tough love from them, but though we hated it, it helped Bella. Edward – well he was there showering her with love and care quietly.

Felix called Bella and expressed his condolences and support. Unfortunately, she wasn't invited to the funeral and she had not expected the invitation since his family didn't know of their relationship. Their family was of high royalty and Demetri was actually working on convincing his family on Bella's acceptance. This "rejection" actually seemed to push Bella out of her depression. One night she stated to Alice that she always had this inkling that she would never be accepted in his family.

Christmas and New Year's was coming up quickly and we were hoping that Bella would be better. She actually was starting to work and her mind was slowly coming back to reality. Our daughter was tough but we advised her to take it easy and not to dive in too quickly to the real world. She agreed and slowly her smile was coming back and her sense of humor.