Disclaimer:The characters from the Twilight Series belong to the absolutely talented Stephenie Meyer. We hold no rights to them otherwise. DARN!
A/N:
It is a bit strange to write this as Gustav is wrecking havoc in the gulf. Stay safe everyone! I love that everyone is enjoying this story. I have to be honest; I became a bit nervous at the end of chapter 14. My co-writer dropped down to Beta and since then has been kidnapped by the everyday business of life. I have been flying solo for the last 6 chapters. You're all still hanging in there, so I must be doing something right! Thank you for all your great reviews!
I do have an odd habit of talking about things that seem to end up happening. Feels like the twilight zone doesn't it? LOL Seriously though, I promise no earthquakes or blizzards in this story. LOL
Reigns Wondering Thoughts when Alice and Jasper are focused on each other they are not aware of very much else. Not even Emmett screaming, LOL.
Ishtar14 I would love to send Edward to visit you in Miami but I don't think Bella would let him go.
Silver Speed Demon thanks for the storm info for the area. It was a great help! Hope I am keeping the story pretty close to actual events. I won't get too over informative on hurricane details now that another storm is in your area but I will keep it in the line of how things would go.
totallyvamptastic sorry about all the rain there in England! Hope you have some sunshine soon!!
birdee18 and any other readers in the gulf coast areas affected by this new hurricane. Please….be safe!
Enough of the talk…let's get to the story!
Previously:
I saw Esme curled up against Carlisle on the couch. They were talking quietly as Edward and I tiptoed up the stairs so as not to disturb them. We changed into pajamas and snuggled tightly in bed after we spent a good 20 minutes just kissing each other. Neither one of us said a word. We just drifted off to sleep.
EMPOV
There was a pretty steady breeze blowing this morning. I stood on the patio drinking my coffee and waiting for everyone else to come down for breakfast. I assumed we would need the generator for sure this time, so I had already pulled it out of the storage shed.
"Ah Emmett, I see you're thinking ahead." Carlisle said as he joined me on the patio. He took a long sip of his steaming cup of coffee as he stared at the generator.
"I thought we would need it." I said. "Is there anything else?"
"Well, we can start by closing the shutters and taping up the windows here and then this afternoon we will head over to the shop and get the windows boarded up there. Jack is picking up the sheets of plywood for the windows as we speak." He said. "I already have the wood stored in a storage unit."
"Good Morning Carlisle!" Alice came bouncing out the patio door with Jasper right behind her.
"Good Morning Alice, Jasper." Carlisle greeted them.
"Hey Emmett, Esme just put out some fresh bagels and juice." Jasper told me.
"Alright! Sounds like breakfast!" I headed through the door to find me some bagels. There was also a basket of fruit sitting on the counter.
"Morning Emm." The sweet sound of Rose's voice brought a smile to my lips. "Can you fix me some coffee?"
"Sure thing beautiful." I answered as I poured coffee into a mug for her. Rose came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist.
"You're going to keep me safe during the storm I hope." She said laying her head against my back.
"I won't ever let anything hurt you Rose. Anything that wants to get to you will have to go through me first. And that isn't happening!" I growled as I set her coffee on the counter and turned to face her. She looked up into my eyes.
"I'll show you how much I appreciate your protection later." She purred running her fingers up my chest and around my neck.
"That's my Rose!" I lifted her up and kissed her lips hungrily.
"Oh Please…people eat in here you know!" Bella's voice made me jump. I turned to see her face smiling at me. "You really are a glutton for punishment Emmett. You're going to get yourself worked up for nothing or have you forgotten? That's funny!" She giggled.
No, I hadn't forgotten. My box was empty and Rose would not compromise on that. I better make sure I get to the drug store today. Just in case. Edward walked in and took Bella's hand and they came over to the counter to fix something to eat.
"Has Carlisle been down here yet?" Edward asked.
"He's out on the patio with Jasper and Alice." I answered as I sat down at the table to eat with Rose.
"I was wondering if he had an update on the storm this morning." Edward was watching Bella as he asked. She was fixing them both a bagel and putting fruit on a plate.
"I think he is going to fill us all in at once." I told him. "We'll be pretty busy today. We're going to start with the house then head over to the shop."
Carlisle, Jasper and Alice came into the kitchen. They refilled their coffee and stood around the table with us.
"According to the weather report this morning, Hurricane Felix has picked up speed and is getting close to the coast, a few miles out. We still have time but the storm will strengthen if it stalls out in the warm waters. Hopefully it will keep moving so we can get this over with. Girls, Esme and I have set a box of masking tape in the dining room. You will need to go around the house to the small windows that have no shutters and tape them with an "X"." He explained.
"What will that do?" Rosalie asked.
"Well if the wind gets strong enough to break the windows it will keep them from shattering into small pieces. We have never had a window break to test that theory but we still do it. Jack will be here with the wood soon with plywood for the sliding glass doors." Carlisle said. "Emmett took out the generator already, but boys I still need you to stack all the chairs and lounges from the patio into the shed. Anything in the yard that can move will need to be stored away or it will become a flying projectile."
"Yeah, I'd hate to be the one that got hit with a flying gas grill!" I snickered. "Ow!" Rose didn't find my comment very funny and pinched my arm.
"Emmett, there will be a lot of things flying around out there that people did not secure correctly. You'll see. The bridges are closing in the next hour and anyone who wants to leave will be doing it this morning. The storm is still expected to stay at a category 1 so we will have heavy wind, lots of rain, and flooding. Chances are the electricity will go out and it will be a while before we get it back. The electric companies will be very busy after this thing moves over us. Is there any questions?" He glanced around the table at everyone.
"I think we all understand so far Carlisle. Just let us know where you need our help and we will be there for you and Esme." Jasper answered for us all.
"Thank you Jasper." Esme replied as she walked to the table to join us. "We are very confident that things will be okay. We've had to do this many times over the years. You'll notice a lot of the long timers from the area are staying to weather out this storm. We have learned how to judge a hurricane. We won't stay if it's a very strong storm."
"Winds that are blowing at 90 miles an hour seem pretty strong Esme." Bella commented.
I watched Edward standing behind her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders pulling her into him. Then he kissed the top of her head. Bella seemed to relax with his touch. I nodded my head as he looked over at me. Edward nodded back at me and tightened his arms around her. He knew I was asking him to keep her safe and I knew his answer was…always. Bella is going to be okay. I could trust her with Edward and this helped me to turn my focus to Rose.
"You won't want to be outside." Esme said. "If you are fascinated by weather you may find this experience very interesting. Since the storm is coming at us somewhat sideways. We will first have winds hitting us from the south, then a nice clear sky and calmness as the eyes passes, until everything starts again, but blowing from the opposite direction."
"That does sound rather interesting." Said Alice. "I am curious to see what this will be like. I have a very strong feeling that we will all be fine. So I'm going to try not to worry. Besides, I will be too busy keeping Jasper away from the windows when there is lightning!"
Everyone laughed and Jasper just shrugged his shoulders. "I like storms, what can I say."
"Let's get down to work. Jack should be here any minute. Boys there are pegs around the glass doors that the wood will fit into. Each piece is marked so you will know which one to put it on." Carlisle explained. He then went out front to wait for Jack.
The girls followed Esme into the dining room while the guys and I went out by the pool to begin rounding up the loose stuff.
Edward and Jasper brought the chairs to the shed and I stacked them inside. We moved
the grill and tables inside also. I looked out the window waiting on Jasper to bring the pool side torches but it looked like he was playing around.
Leaning out the door I yelled to him, "Jazz, what the hell are you doing?"
"Trying to get the beach ball out of the pool. Give me a minute." He yelled back. Edward handed me the torches shaking his head.
"Jazz, I don't think we need to worry about the beach ball." I shouted.
"Do you want to be the one that gets hit in the head by a 90 mile an hour, flying, beach ball?" Jasper snapped.
"Jasper really, I don't think it will be a big deal." Edward told him.
"Wait…I got it!" Jasper pulled the ball out of the water grinning from ear to ear.
"Way to go Jasper! The residents of Key West are now safe from the attack of the killer beach ball." I teased.
"Here Emmett, just put it away!" Jasper growled hitting me in the head with the beach ball.
"Nice throw." I laughed at him. "Was that supposed to hurt?"
"Oh I'm sorry, did you want me to make it hurt?" He said as he jumped on my back and started punching me in the arm. I spun around fast trying to shake him off.
"Emmett what in the hell are you doing now? Quit giving Jasper a piggy back ride and get your work done!" Rose yelled from an upstairs window.
"Rosie, he started it!" I yelled back up to her then shoved Jasper off my back. "Get off cowboy, what do you think this is a rodeo?"
"You guys are pathetic." Edward was laughing so hard his eyes were tearing up.
"Oh really?" I looked at Edward then at Jasper. It took a whole two seconds before Edward realized what was happening. Probably about the same time he was flying through the air into the pool.
"Edward!" Bella was standing on the balcony staring at us. She was frozen in place until she saw Edward come to the surface of the water and climb out of the pool. He stood up and glanced toward the balcony. "Edward, are you okay?"
"Um…I'm not real sure." He bent over placing his hands on his knees. "Ughh…"
"Edward, what's up?" Jasper asked as I walked over with him to check if everything was okay.
"It's just…" He paused and we both bent forward to look at him. That is when it felt like a truck hit us. "Paybacks are a bitch!"
With a grunt Edward rammed us full on and sent both Jasper and I flailing into the pool.
As I surfaced I heard a chorus of laughter coming from the balcony above us. Rose, Alice, Esme, Carlisle and Jack had joined Bella by the railing.
"I hope you boys are relaxed now." Carlisle yelled down still laughing. "Go grab the wood off the truck so we can finish up here."
We climbed out of the pool laughing and shook hands. Our girls tossed towels down so we could dry off. I guess it didn't really matter because that's when a light rain started falling. We shrugged our shoulders and headed out front. It didn't take very long for us to board up the glass doors. Carlisle and Jack walked around the house to make sure all the shutters were secure and then they drove out to the shop with the remaining wood. Esme and the girls followed behind with her car and after me and the guys changed into something dry we walked to the shop to finish helping.
"Hey Jasper, isn't there a drug store on our way to the shop?" I asked.
"It's on the next block, why?" He looked at me confused and then he figured it out from the grin on my face. "They are probably getting ready to close if they haven't already."
"Shit, I'll meet you at the shop." I told them and took off jogging.
BPOV
We tossed towels down to the boys and I enjoyed the view of Edward's wet clothes clinging to his body. He ran the towel over his hair then looked up at me with his cute crooked smile. I winked down at him and smiled back. The guys shrugged and threw their towels back up to us as a light rain started to fall. They went around the house to meet Jack and Carlisle out front.
"Rose, what exactly attracts you to my brother?" I asked with a giggle.
"I guess I love that he can be a man and a kid all at the same time." Rose laughed. Alice and I shook our heads laughing with her.
We went out back and brought in all the plants and potted flowers for Esme. We put them along the wall by the doorway.
"Alice, are you sure you're okay?" I asked. She was staring outside at the rain.
"Just watching the clouds. They sure are moving fast." She said almost in a daze. Rose and I joined her to watch the clouds sliding past. They were moving the opposite way you would expect to see them go.
"Wow." We all said together.
"Wow is right!" Rose said nudging us to look the other direction. The guys were coming around the corner of the house with no shirts on, carrying big sheets of plywood. Even Carlisle and Jack had their shirts off. We stared at their bulging muscles as they walked right past us.
"Alice, why are you standing in the rain?" I asked noticing that she moved out from under the shelter of the patio.
"Bella, after looking at that, I needed something to cool me off." She grinned. Rose and I quickly ran over to her and stood in the rain.
"You silly girls, get in here!" Esme was giggling at us. "I have some lemonade to cool you off with."
When everything was shuttered and boarded up we got ready to head over to the shop. Carlisle left first in Jack's truck so they could take the wood and get it unloaded. The guys were going to get changed and would walk over and meet us there.
"Girls, I am going to run next door and make sure the neighbors don't need anything from town before we go. I'll be right back." Esme said as she ran out the door.
Rose, Alice and I looked at each other, smiled and then ran up the stairs to check on the guys. I found Edward changed into dry shorts and pulling on a t-shirt. I stood in the doorway and watched him run his fingers through his hair to try and tame it.
"I would love to do that for you." I said. He turned around quickly and grinned at me. We moved to each other and met halfway in an embrace. "Edward." I sighed.
"Bella, I wish I could hold you like this forever." He whispered. "I love you."
I looked into his eyes and felt my heart skip a beat.
"I love you too." I whispered as my lips found his. It was such a soft sensuous kiss. Edward pulled me tightly into him and I pressed up against his body in a perfect fit.
"I will be a few minutes behind you but I won't be long. You better go ride with Esme. Be safe my love." He said.
"Okay, but please hurry. I want to stay near you." I told him. I felt a shiver as I thought of the storm so near.
"Don't be scared Bella, I will keep you safe. I promise." He stared into my eyes as he told me this crossing his finger over his chest. "Cross my heart."
We kissed one more time and I hurried down to meet Rose. Alice came down a few seconds later and we left with Esme in her car.
When we reached the store we helped to secure things from out front. We brought in the plants and the park bench then took down the pretty canopy awning.
Edward and Jasper arrived while we were trying to fold the canopy. The rain started falling down steady and thunder rumbled over head. They hurried over and helped Carlisle with a piece of plywood.
"Jasper, hold it tight or the wind is going to grab hold of it." Carlisle told him.
They slid it carefully into the brackets around the window and tightened them down before moving on to the next one. Emmett rounded the corner jogging. He was shoving a small bag into the pocket of his hoodie. You have got to be kidding me!
"Bella! We need to try and fold this inside. Let's take it in and lay it out on the floor. It will be easier." Rose said. "Where did Alice go?"
"Oh, she went with Esme to help the lady at the flower shop next door. She was having a hard time taking in the last of her plants." I said.
We spread out the awning and together we were able to fold it quickly and take it into the storage room. Esme wanted us to move all the clothing racks into the back room also in case the windows still gave way. That way nothing would get ruined by water. I was happy all the racks were on wheels. It made it easier.
"Bells," Emmett stuck his head in the door. "Are you and Rose almost finished?"
"Just about, we have a few things to do and we will be all set in here." I told him.
"Well, the windows are done and we are going down the block to make sure everyone is all set with their shops. Jasper and Edward are two doors down and I am going the other direction with Jack. Just in case anyone else may need help. Carlisle said we are to meet back at the house as soon as we are done. So hurry up! The wind is really picking up all of a sudden." Emmett said.
"Okay Emm. I'll let Rose know. She's in the back." I said as I walked quickly to the back room. I heard the door shut as Emmett left.
"Rose we need to finish up, it's getting very, very windy out there. Emmett said we should meet back at the house." I told her. I must have sounded nervous because she walked up to me and gave me a hug.
"It's okay Bella." She said. "I'm done so I'm going to let Esme know and she can bolt the door. We can get back to the house after that. I'll be right back."
"I have this last rack to put in the back and I might see if the guys are still at the shop two doors down so I can let Edward know we're going to the house. I don't want him to worry." I told her.
Rose ran out the door to get Esme and I hesitated before I put away the last rack. I should just tell Edward what we're doing so he'll know. Then I can put this rack away and leave with the girls. I ran next door to find him and Jasper but no one was around. The shop two doors down was locked and I guessed they moved on to help some others or already went back to the house. I turned and ran back to finish up before Esme returned. The rain felt like it was blowing sideways. It hit me in the face stinging my cheeks as I ran.
I pulled open the shop door and hurried inside. "Rose, Esme, Alice?" I shouted. No one answered. Good. I made it back before them so I grabbed the last clothing rack and pulled into the back storage room. Pushing it up against the other racks, I bumped into a shelf of blankets knocking a few of them onto the floor. What a time to be clumsy.
"Bella!" I heard Esme call my name.
Balancing a pile of blankets in front of my face I shouted back to her. "Just a minute."
I heard the door close knowing they would be waiting for me out front. Quickly I pushed the blankets back onto the shelf. I could straighten them later. Then I double checked the back door to be sure it was locked and hurried out of the back room so I could get back to the house and be with Edward.
When I reached the front door, I pulled the handle but it wouldn't open. Come on stupid door! I tugged harder but still nothing. I couldn't understand. I looked out the window of the door and couldn't see anyone in either direction. Esme's car was gone too. As I strained to try and see someone, that is when I notice the padlock hanging on the door. Oh my Gosh! Esme didn't hear me! She didn't know I was still in here! I ran to the phone and dialed the house, but no one answered. They must not be back yet. I'll wait a few minutes and try again. Pacing back and forth I let 10 very long minutes go by and walked back towards the counter to use the phone again. All at once I heard a loud gust of wind and the lights flickered and went out. Oh No! I ran the last couple steps to the phone but I already knew before I picked it up…no dial tone.
EMPOV
"Whoa, it's raining sideways out there! That really stings!" I commented shaking the water from my hair.
"Emmett! Don't shake like a dog you're getting everything wet." Rose frowned at me.
"Oh Rosie, give me a hug." I ran up and grabbed her pulling her into my wet clothes. She giggled and tried to pull away but I could tell she wasn't trying very hard.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked.
"Alice, Jasper and Edward are in the media room watching the weather channel. Esme and Carlisle are in the kitchen fixing something for us to eat and…where is Bella? Wasn't she with you?" Rose asked looking around.
"Last I seen her, she was with you at the shop." I said. A frown formed on my face.
"Hey Emmett, where's Bella." Edward said bounding into the foyer. His smile turned into worry as he glanced around not seeing her.
"Bella was putting the last rack of clothes away and then going to find you and Jasper." Rose told him.
"We never saw her." Jasper answered from behind Edward. "We went to help the other shop owners but they were pretty much set so we came back here to the house to wait for everyone."
"Where is Bella?" Edward's voice was becoming panicked.
"What is wrong?" Esme and Carlisle came out to see what the happening.
"Bella is not here!" Edward shouted running his hands nervously through his hair. "I have to go find her."
"I'll check the phone in case she tried to call here before we all got back." Alice said and ran from the room.
"Edward, just hold on a minute so we can figure this out. You can't just go running down the streets in this storm." Carlisle told him. Edward paced back and forth in the small space.
Just then the lights flickered along with a strong gust of wind outside. The power went out and we were standing in a darkening foyer. It would soon be night.
"Before I locked up the shop, I called her name, but I didn't hear her answer. I thought that she had already left. I noticed the floor was wet but didn't think anything of it. Maybe she was in the back room and didn't hear me." Esme's voice quivered. "Oh Carlisle, I put the padlock on. I might have locked her in."
Alice ran back into the room and stood beside Jasper. "I'm glad I was able to check the phone before the power went out. There was no message but a call came through to the house from the shop. It would have only been a minute or two before we started arriving home. It had to be Bella. I picked up the phone to call the shop but that is when the power went out. The phones are down too." Alice's voice cracked. "She's all by herself. She's scared, I just know it."
"Esme, I need the keys to the shop I have to go get her!" Edward was getting panicked.
His eyes became dark with determination. Esme pulled a set of keys from her pocket and handed them to him with a tear in her eyes.
"Hurricane Felix is not going to wait for you." Said Carlisle. "You can't try to make it back to the house; you'll have to stay at the shop with her. The storm is getting way too dangerous. The winds are already at 70 miles per hour. It is only getting worse."
"I'll go with him." I said. "It's my sister. I have to go."
"No Emmett, thank you but you have to stay here and keep everyone else safe. I promise I'll bring her back. I promised Bella…" Edward's voice drifted off and then returned quieter. "I promised her I would keep her safe. I crossed my heart."
And before anyone else could say anymore or insist on going with him, Edward was out the door running as fast as the wind would let him. We stood on the front porch watching him disappear into the pouring rain.
A/N:
So, the lion is off to rescue the lamb. Will he get there in time before Bella completely freaks out? Did Esme give him the right keys? Will he get hit in the head by a flying beach ball and knocked out before he even reaches the shop?? Oh My!
Watch for the next chapter so you can find out!
Don't forget to leave a review. I'm always anxious to hear your opinion : )