DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to us, although we would love to have Edward. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer, but we are willing to purchase them if she ever decides to sell.
REMINDER! We are not Stephenie Meyer and we are not following all of the vampire lore she has set forth. We are pulling from many different sources. Remember to keep an open mind! Thank you again for all of your continued support and feedback!
By the time we reached our backyard, it was only drizzling. We were all joking around with one another in our usual manner. Jasper was twirling Alice around as they danced to some imaginary tune. Rosalie and Emmett were holding hands and laughing at something Emmett had said as they made their way into the house, along with Carlisle and Esme.
Bella and I stayed behind the rest of the family, taking our time. Bella's face was serene but I could see the concern in her stare.
"Bella, are you alright?" I asked her softly.
She looked up, smiling at me immediately. "Yes, yes of course," she replied, taking my hand up to her lips and kissing the back of it. "I am just taking everything about this afternoon in is all."
I knew there was a bit more to her response but decided now was not the time to press her.
Bella and I walked through the backdoor and came to an abrupt stop upon seeing Alice. She was in the kitchen, picking up pots and pans and a few cookbooks from the floor and smiling a very wicked smile. Of course, she knew they were the casualties of my very heated moment with Bella.
I was mortified. How this pint sized creature could cause such a reaction in me was incredible. Bella leaned into my arm, covering her face, equally mortified. Before anyone else could say a word, Rose grabbed Bella and Alice and headed for the stairs.
"We are going to get changed!" shouted a giggling Alice.
I, of course, knew that they would want Bella to dish the dirt on us and to also figure out how Bella was capable of the things they witnessed in the woods. They would think I had given her some special tutoring, no doubt. Bella's abilities were just as surprising to me as they were to the rest of the family.
"What was that about?" Emmett chuckled.
"C'mon E, let's go upstairs and see what's on T.V.," Jasper said, coming up behind Emmett and pushing him out the kitchen door. From the look on Jasper's face, I knew he just wanted to get Emmett out of the kitchen before he caught on to what had happened in this room.
I made my way toward the couch in the living room, still embarrassed about my sister's knowledge of my intimate relations with Bella, but looking forward to just sitting and watching the view of the garden and woods at night. As I stepped into the room, I found Esme and Carlisle already sitting on the sofa, as if they were expecting me.
"Hello, Edward," Carlisle greeted. "This has proven to be a most interesting evening, indeed."
I sat in the oversized loveseat and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. "Yes, she is something isn't she?" I replied.
"Edward, we have to make sure that Bella is aware that these abilities are not the norm for all newborns," Esme stated, concern in her voice. "She has to take precautions until we are all sure that she can control her urges."
"I know, Esme. I am just trying to wrap my head around everything that has happened in the last few days," I replied, rubbing my palms into my eyes. "I am trying to figure out what is the best way to proceed about Charlie, school, and us. Obviously, Bella is going to have to give up her human existence, and living with Charlie for very long is not an option. This is complicated and I want to make sure that everything happens in a way that is best for Bella's family. We owe them that much."
Carlisle sat up and leaned forward, removing his scarf and folding it neatly in his hands. "Edward, we will handle this together. Remember Bella is our family now, too, and we will do everything possible to make this transition as easy as possible for her and her loved ones."
"Does she remember Charlie at all, Edward?" Esme asked quietly.
"Yes, her memory is pretty much intact. It seems to get clearer for her as time goes on. Charlie was foggy for her at first, but now she has more and more flashes of him and her mom." As I opened my eyes, I heard Bella in my mind, giggling and carrying on with the girls upstairs and my heart leapt out of my chest. I smiled despite myself and the many worries that plagued my mind.
"That girl is like your talisman, Edward," Esme mused, smiling sweetly at me. "She will always bring you back to yourself. What you two share is palpable."
"For that very reason, we must be more careful than usual with how we handle this situation," Carlisle added. "Edward, she has to call Charlie tonight. It was part of our agreement with him. We should make preparations to take her back home the day after tomorrow. That way, we still have the weekend before she has to go back to school."
"Yes, I will have to enroll in school again myself," I replied. "Hopefully, we won't have too much trouble returning to how things were before we left. Bella is going to need all the help she can get to make sure she remembers everyone. Not to mention that she will need our help in keeping her instincts in check."
I had been staring outside of the window as I spoke trying to concentrate on my rudimentary plan, but something outside kept distracting me. The most unnerving part was that I couldn't seem to pinpoint exactly what it was. It wasn't anything I was looking at in particular, not the weather, nothing I smelled…To the human eye they would only see our reflection in the dark window, but my vision could see on for miles. For some reason, my eyes were continually drawn to the woods, almost as if I was being summoned in some way.
The sound of Alice calling my name from upstairs brought me back to the present. "Edward, we need you!" she yelled out, knowing full well I would have heard her had she whispered. I wondered what had her so excited this time—she was currently humming loudly to keep me from hearing her thoughts.
Carlisle stood and took Esme's hand, pulling her up onto her feet. "Edward, go on up. We can continue this conversation later. We have all had a busy evening and I'm sure we could all use some time with our significant other," he said.
Esme placed her hand on my shoulder and kissed my cheek before Carlisle and she walked up the stairs, hand in hand. I smiled as I watched them leave, hearing in her thoughts just how thrilled she was to get that close to me again without me shunning her.
I had planned to get up and see what Alice wanted, but my attention was called to the window once again. I stared out the window as the wind picked up, along with my sense of unease. There was something there, but I couldn't seem to grab it. Each time I felt close to figuring it out, it slipped from my fingers again, as if I had applied too much pressure and had crumbled it to dust in my marble hands.
Alice would no doubt bellow out my name again shortly if I didn't move. I tore my eyes away from the dark night and headed up the stairs, smiling as the scent of freesia hit me. I sighed happily, knowing my Bella was not far away now.
I stood in Alice's doorway with my arms crossed, taking in the spectacle of her room. In no time at all, Alice had transformed her room to its prior state—clothes, make-up, and fashion magazines everywhere.
But the sight that really captured my interest was a smiling Bella. She was lying on her stomach across Alice's bed, with her elbows bent and her chin resting in the palms of her hands. In that moment, she looked so innocent and carefree, and I knew nothing would ever take away her angelic qualities, not even taking her life.
"Well, don't just stand there, Edward. Come in!" Rose chirped as she strutted past me, holding up different dresses.
I rushed to Bella's side and plopped myself onto the bed, mimicking her exact position as I placed a kiss to her temple. "Hello, sweetheart," I whispered.
"Hi there, handsome," she smiled.
"So, what are you ladies up to?" I asked, glancing over at Alice who was lost in her cavernous closet.
Bella giggled, knowing that the estrogen overload would be too much for me soon. She playfully ruffled my hair before relaxing back into her original position.
"Edward, we wanted to get our stories straight before we get back to school and to Charlie," Alice said as she made her way out of the closet and sat on her vanity chair.
"Sure, that's a good idea," I replied. "What do you have in mind, my little fairy?" I asked, smirking at my sister.
"Fairy! Ha! I love it," Rose laughed, lying on her side on Alice's chaise as she thumbed through a magazine.
"Well, if you are all quite finished, I will tell you," Alice sneered, glaring at me. "I will get you for that fairy comment later, Edward," she let me know with her thoughts.
"Go ahead, fairy," Rose encouraged, barely holding back more laughter.
Alice huffed, but began to explain her plan anyway. "As for Bella's new look, we can simply say that Rose and I have given her the full makeover I have always dreamt of giving her."
"That makes sense!" Bella agreed, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"Ok, Bella, when lunch comes up at school just remember that you are on a diet! Technically, you could consume a small portion of human food, but you would get sick and there's really no sense in putting yourself through that, so just avoid it," Alice instructed, scrunching her nose up in disgust as she thought of the few times she'd had to eat human food.
"I think I can live without having anymore school hamburgers," Bella giggled.
"But can you live without biting into one of your schoolmates? That's the real question," Rose joked with a serious undertone.
"Rose!" I shouted, glaring at her. "She will be fine!"
Bella sat up and rubbed my shoulder in an attempt to calm me.
"Oh, pipe down, Edward. I am only stating the obvious," Rose chided. "She hasn't been around humans yet and she will need guidance. That's all I meant."
"Rose is right. Bella, we should take you out for a sort of test run before we get you back," Alice said, smiling reassuringly at her.
"Sure, I think that's a great idea!" Bella replied, truly excited to test herself.
I only nodded, knowing they were right, but still wary of the consequences. This would definitely be a huge test for Bella…and could lead to her having a reason to regret becoming mine forever. The mere thought of her being unhappy twisted my dead heart.
Bella looked up at me from under her lashes, pouring out her unconditional love for me. I knew right then that there would never be any regrets from her and it eased a pain I didn't even realize I was suffering from.
"Now is the perfect time," Alice informed me with her thoughts, already having seen what I wanted to say to Bella.
"We need to call Charlie, love," I said to Bella. "He was expecting you to call during the week and now is as good a time as any. He will be watching T.V., getting ready to go to bed, and he will be less likely to notice the change in your voice."
Bella nodded, but her face gave away her nervous feelings.
"I promise this will be easy, Bella. Just apologize for not calling sooner and then jump right in to giving him a few details. Let him know that we have whisked you to Beverly Hills and have taken you shopping, complete with a full makeover that has left you feeling much better. Let him know that we have been to a few dinner events as part of Carlisle's goodbye from the hospital here in L.A. Charlie will believe all of this, especially after he sees how you look when we take you home," Alice explained, her voice ringing with complete confidence.
Bella still looked nervous as she eyed the cell phone in Alice's hand.
"Don't worry Bells, we will be here for you," Rose added with the most sincere face any of us had ever seen on her—we all looked at her in surprise. "What?" she asked gruffly, her expression changing.
Bella and I laughed out loud, both of us thinking that this "ooey-gooey" version of Rose was too weird. I hid my face in Bella's hair as I continued to laugh heartily.
"Rose, I must say having Bella become one of us has certainly made you into the doting big sis," Alice giggled. "I'm almost jealous!" she added, laughing with us.
Rose flung her magazine right at Alice's head, missing her by inches. "Damn future seeing pixie," she muttered as she glared at a beaming Alice.
"Alright, guys. If I am going to do this, you need to be quiet!" Bella cautioned, trying to look stern. However, the laughter that kept escaping her beautiful lips was making it hard for anyone to take her seriously.
"Bella, why don't we make this call from our room? That way you can focus without distraction," I said, taking her hand and lifting her off the bed.
"Good idea!" she replied as we walked toward the door. Bella stopped me before we made it out, walked over to Rosalie, and kissed the top of her head. "Thanks Rose, for being there for me."
Rose just smiled warmly in response, not one for really putting her true feelings into words. "She really is wonderful, Edward," she let me know before quickly starting to sing "Tiny Dancer" in her head to block me from knowing any more of her true thoughts.
"That was sweet of you, Bella," I said kissing her hand as we made our way to the room.
"I truly am grateful to her…to all of you," she replied as we entered our room. She released my hand and sat on the couch, tucking her legs beneath her.
I went over to my shelf and put on the CD player, hoping it would help to drown out any remaining noise in the house.
"You ready for this love?" I asked, watching her fidget with the tiny cell phone in her hands.
She pressed her lips together and nodded. "I have to be ready, Edward." She took a deep breath and then opened the phone, flipping through the numbers until she found her name in the address book and let the speed-dial do the rest.
After a few rings, Charlie picked up, sounding tired. This was definitely the perfect time for Bella's first conversation with him. Along with all of her physical changes, the transformation had also affected her voice, making it sweeter and silkier than it had been before.
"Charlie, it's me, Bella," she started, closing her eyes as if bracing herself for some sort of hurtful impact.
"Hey, honey!" he said loudly, sounding truly thrilled to hear from her. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to call."
"Of course I was going to call, dad! I promised," Bella replied, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Alice was nice enough to call me a yesterday and let me know that you were at a dinner with Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. How was that?" he asked.
I struggled to hold back a laugh at my pixie sister's antics; Alice was truly something else.
Bella barely held back her own urge to giggle. "It was great, dad, and real fancy. We have been sight-seeing and shopping non-stop. They've gone a little nuts with me."
"Nuts? What do you mean?" he asked, immediately concerned.
"Rose and Alice—well, mostly Alice—have sort of…well…given me a bit of a makeover. Honestly, I didn't think I would like it at first, but I really do, dad. It really makes me feel more grown up." Bella bit her lip, her thoughts showing just how guilty she felt for using that particular line on her father. She knew just how worried Charlie had been about her in the last few months.
"Huh, really?" Charlie chuckled, seeming relieved. "Alice sure does enjoy getting you all dolled up."
"Yep. She arranged new clothes, new hair, new make-up…the whole deal," Bella replied, relieved that the conversation was falling into the usual rapport she shared with Charlie.
"Bella, no matter what Alice, or any other Cullen, tries to do to you, you will always be the same old, Bella—my little girl. Nothing can change that," he said warmly. His words seemed to cut her like a knife and her face fell as thoughts of a broken-hearted Charlie raced across her mind.
I sat at her side, wrapping an arm around her and trying my best to comfort her as much as I could in this situation.
"Bella, you there?" Charlie asked.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Yeah, dad, I'm here," she answered, her voice soft as she fought for control of her emotions. "That was just really sweet of you to say, old man."
"I can't wait for you to come home, kid. Alice mentioned you guys were coming back Friday, so I took the day off. I want to be here when you get in. I would like to be able to speak with Edward and you," he said calmly.
"Sure, dad, whatever you need. Is everything ok at home? Have I missed much?" she asked, trying to compose herself and steer the conversation to safer waters.
I hugged her tighter and kissed her head, leaving my lips in her hair as she leaned into me comfortably. I cradled her as she waited for Charlie to reply.
"Well, it has been pretty busy here actually. I don't want to upset you, Bella, but you need to know," he said, his voice a little stiff.
"Know what, dad?" Bella asked, furrowing her eyebrows as she imagined all the things Charlie might reveal.
"It's Jacob. He's been missing for a few days now, hun," he replied.
Bella sat up at his response, knowing exactly what had really happened, and that she could never explain it to Charlie. "Wh-what?" she croaked into the phone, not even having to pretend. She was honestly upset about the mutt's disappearance. I put aside my own feelings and focused on comforting her completely.
"The last time anyone saw him was the afternoon you and I spoke last. Billy said he was going for a run and hasn't seen him since. All the kids down on the reservation have been all over the woods, helping the authorities, but we still haven't found him. A few of us are going put up some posters around town and in Port Angeles. This just isn't like him," he finished sadly. "Jake's a good boy and I just can't believe he would run away for no reason. When was the last time you saw him, hun? Did he say anything about going anywhere different?"
Bella exhaled loudly into the phone before delivering a perfect lie. "No, dad. He didn't. The last time I saw him was at our house with Alice, and he seemed fine."
"I see," Charlie said. "Well, I'm sorry to have to put this on you while you are away. I just wanted you to hear it from me first," he added lovingly.
"Thanks, dad, but it's fine really. I'm okay. I just hope Jacob is, too," she said, glancing down at her hands sadly.
I ached to see her this way and hated that I had anything to do with it, but this was out of our hands now. Who knew if Jacob had lived? And if he had, would he out us to everyone? Honestly, I had the distinct feeling that things with Jacob were far from over. But rather than worry about the mutt, I would focus on Bella.
"Well, dad, I am going to go to bed now," she yawned, pretending to be sleepy.
"Alright, kiddo. I'm going to get some sleep as well. I am glad you are having a good time but remember we have some important things to talk about Bella. Stay safe and I will see you Friday." he replied before hanging up.
Bella shut the phone closed and turned into my chest, burying her face against me and breathing in my scent deeply. I wrapped my arms around her, not saying a word, knowing she was keeping herself together for my sake; I would not press her. I hummed her lullaby and ran my fingers through her hair as Chopin filled the room. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, holding her tightly to me.
Bella and I sat there in silence for an immeasurable amount of time, needing nothing but each other. I listened to the thoughts of my family as a way to keep my mind from fixating on how powerless I was to keep Bella from suffering right now. Alice was in her room with Jasper, Rose and Emmett were in the living room, and Esme and Carlisle were in his den.
The silence finally became too much for me and I needed to hear Bella's voice in some fashion. Not wanting to break our silence, I opened my thoughts to her. "I love you, Isabella."
"And I love you, Edward," she replied, her smile evident in her thoughts.
After a few more minutes of silence, I spoke aloud to her, wanting to let her know of our plans. "Bella, we are all going back to school with you next week."
"Yeah, I heard," she replied.
"Did Alice fill you in on all the details?" I asked.
"No, silly. I heard your conversation with Esme and Carlisle when you were downstairs," she giggled. "Super hearing, remember?"
"Oh, I see," I chuckled. "You know, I thought you were too busy in the Alice fashion warp to pay any attention to little, old me," I teased, lying down and pulling her half on me.
"Well, I sort of felt like you were in trouble or something," she said, her face serious as she gazed up at me.
"Trouble? What are you talking about, Bella? Esme and Carlisle were only discussing plans for the future. I was hardly in trouble with them," I replied.
"I don't know how else to explain it, Edward. I just felt like I needed to make sure you were alright," she said, pressing her face into my chest and holding me tighter.
"Shhh, it's okay, love," I cooed, concerned by the unease coming from her. "I'm fine and there is nothing to worry about. You don't ever have to worry about me. Besides the most troubling thing in this house is one floor below us and she just happened to have been in the same room with you! I swear I could have died—again—from embarrassment in the kitchen earlier," I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "That little pixie will be the death of me."
"Oh, my God, Edward!" Bella giggled. "That was so awful! I can't believe we both forgot to clean up that mess!"
I smiled, pleased that she had relaxed and was no longer clinging to me in a fearful manner. Her hold was one of complete love and adoration and I reveled in it.
"Well, we have been busy love," I replied, taking my index finger and lifting her chin to kiss her lips. I stared deeply into her eyes—they seemed to go on forever. They were a very dark brown hue with a tint of red near the outer lining. As long as no one got too close, they wouldn't notice the red.
"Do you like the contacts?" she asked, smiling at me.
"Yes, they look very good on you," I answered, kissing her nose and her cheek.
"I know something else that looks very good on me," she replied. Her eyes closed as a wistful smile appeared on her tempting lips.
A low, playful growl escaped me at her seductive words. "Oh really?" I questioned, trying not to let on how much her simple statement had affected me. "What would that be?" I asked, rolling her to the side so that I was mostly on her now.
She answered by wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me passionately. I cupped her chin with the palm of my hand, letting my fingers graze her cheek as I explored her mouth hungrily. A deep sigh flowed from her mouth and into mine as my hands caressed her supple body.
I was lost in the moment, barely able to stop myself from taking her, when a scream echoed through the house and shook me to my core.
I jumped from the couch, pulling Bella along with me. We raced down the hall and to the second story of the house. Carlisle, Esme, Rose, and Emmett were already in the room. I pushed past them all to find Alice sitting up in her bed, crammed between her headboard and the wall. Jasper was whispering loving words to her and trying to calm her down as she stared out at nothing, breathing in short bursts.
"Edward, I can't help her. Do something!" Jasper pleaded in his mind.
"Alice, what's wrong?" I asked, gripping her shoulders lightly in the hope that she would focus on me.
Esme rushed over and pulled Alice into her arms, rocking her gently and rubbing her little arms. "Relax, little one. You are home with all of us and safe," she whispered.
Carlisle knelt down next to me, staring into Alice's expressionless eyes. "What did you see, Alice?" he asked softly.
Alice did not reply. She simply let Esme rock her, continuing to stare at nothing and breathing erratically. I glanced behind me to check on Bella; Emmett was holding both Rose and her, neither one able to stand the sight of Alice like this.
I turned my attention back to Alice, cupping my little sister's face in my hands. I pulled her head to mine and sat there, forehead to forehead, closing my eyes and willing her mind to open up to me. "Talk to me, Alice," I pleaded, praying she could hear me. "It's just you and me, hun."
The screams and whimpers continued in her head; her mind was too unfocused for me to make out what had caused this. I began to rub the pads of my thumbs on her cheeks as I held her head to mine. The only sound in the room was her hyperventilating, which was only a nervous reaction since breathing wasn't necessary for her.
I tried once again to reach her with my thoughts. "Ally, it's me, Eddie. I'm here for you. Just let me know what happened. No one is going to hurt you. Calm your mind and let me help you out of this."
Her eyelashes grazed my cheekbones as she closed them and the first coherent thoughts flashed across her troubled mind. "The—ther—there was so…so much bl—blood!"
I was taken aback by her words but kept quiet; not wanting her to stop explaining. "Where, Ally? Where did you see this?" I carefully pressed, not wanting to upset her any further or have her close off her mind.
"In th—the forest ju—just outsi—side," she managed. "She's com—ing ba—back, Edward." The voice in her head was shivering just as much as her petite frame in Esme's arms.
"Who is, Alice? Who is coming?" I asked. The fear and panic emitted by her thoughts was causing me physical pain and it was taking all of my control to keep from crying out.
"Vi—Victoria," she replied. "Sh—she is not al—alone."
"What?" I shouted, barely managing to keep it as a thought. I was not willing to let any of the others know just yet. Not until I knew exactly what was going on.
"Bella." That single word in Alice's mind chilled me as no wind could ever do. Alice's mind opened to mine fully, like clouds parting in the sky and her vision filled my mind.
There was blood splattered all over the trees near the clearing where we played baseball. Emmett was fighting a crazed newborn but he was the only one standing. Carlisle and Jasper lay lifeless with their throats torn out. Esme was fighting off two distinct vampires who had stripped her clothes off and were pinning her to the bloody ground; they're gray cloaks identified them as Volturi members.
A flash of red hair made my breath catch as I saw Victoria. She was feeding on Bella's broken neck, cradling the lifeless body of my love in her blood-soaked arms. Bella's throat and abdomen were unrecognizable. Victoria's mouth curved into a bloody smile, showing just how pleased she was with her work.
I could bare the images no longer so I forced my self to let go of Alice's head for fear of hurting her. My head spun and a roar left my chest without my consent. I was struggling for unneeded air, my hands clenching as they searched in vain for something to rip apart—anything to relieve the pain and fear that was running through me.
Bella wrapped me up in her arms her thoughts letting me know she hoped to calm me. I wrapped my arms around her protectively, holding tight enough that I would have crushed her had she been human.
Emmett grabbed my shoulder from behind. "What the hell is going on, Edward?" he demanded.
I looked up at Alice, relieved to see she was alert and lucid now. Esme handed her over to Jasper who cradled her against his chest. Alice's golden eyes locked with mine, but I couldn't bear to see the fear in them any longer. I closed my eyes as I held Bella even tighter, wanting to erase the vision from my mind.
"Bella, stay with me," my thoughts begged of her. I stood up slowly, keeping Bella in my arms. "I need some air," I said, not even stopping to wait for a response from anyone.
Voices, both out loud and in my head, asked what had happened, but I couldn't answer them right now. I led Bella to the upstairs deck at the back of the house, holding the door open to let her pass through first. The night wind rushed over me as I inhaled deeply, hoping to clear my mind. I gripped the railing a bit too hard, crippling the metal, but I couldn't seem to care. I leaned over it, feeling the need to wretch, but knowing I couldn't. I stayed bent over the railing, letting my head hang down as I stared at the ground below me.
Bella stood behind me, her arms wrapped around my waist and her cheek to my back. "Oh, God, Edward!" she gasped, having seen everything in my mind. "What are we going to do?" she asked softly.
I sighed, wishing she wouldn't have had to see those images. Yet, there was nothing I could do to buffer our problems for her. She saw everything now.
"I won't rest until she is dust at my feet, Bella. I have had enough of this…enough of her," I hissed out into the night, my horror turning to a rage that burned bright enough to eclipse the brightest star.
Bella came around and stood in front of me, her eyes filled with worry. She put her little hands on either side of my face and kissed me tenderly.
I kissed her back eagerly, enveloping her in my arms. "No one is going hurt you, Bella," I promised. "No one!"
"We will handle this together when the time comes," she whispered, her voice uncertain as she held on to me. This angel was trying to comfort me—the one who had brought such evil demons into her life.
"Let's get back inside. I need to talk to the others," I said, my voice gruffer than I had intended. I was anxious to be done with the entire thing, tired of my happiness with Bella being interrupted by insignificant creatures hell-bent on disrupting our life. I turned toward the door, still holding her in my arms.
"Edward, wait," Bella pleaded. "Stay here with me just one more moment." She smiled weakly, taking my hand and pulling me back to where we had stood.
I caressed her cheek with the back of my hand, feeling my love for her wash over me and calm me slightly. I loved this woman so much; I couldn't handle the idea of anyone threatening to take her from me. The visions from Alice's mind came rushing back into my head and I turned to face the night, both my hands gripping the thick strands of my hair tightly as I fought to hold back the sob I felt welling up inside me. I didn't want Bella to see me this way, to see me struggling with the absence of tears in my distraught state.
Bella came around to stand in front of me again, pulling my hands out of my hair. She didn't say a word, she just held me, knowing I had only been showing a strong front before. She knew I needed to let this out before I could truly go back and face the others; her embrace was filled with that understanding. She held me as I wrapped my arms around her neck, my hands in her hair holding on for dear life.
I loved this woman enough to fill a thousand lifetimes. I gently pulled her face back so that I could see her beautiful face. Looking into those loving, understanding eyes of hers, I felt the dam break and the words poured out of me. "Bella, I can't get that vision out of my head!" I cried. "The people I care for the most splayed out like meat. And you…Bella! Oh, God, Bella! I can't lose you again," I sobbed, dropping to my knees before her.
She quickly knelt in front of me, holding me with all of her newborn strength as my sobs flowed freely, shaking us both. We held on to one another with everything in us for what seemed like forever before I pulled away, kissing her forehead and nose, and down to her lips.
"Edward, you don't have to always be the strongest." she whispered, looking up at me lovingly through her lashes. "As much as Carlisle is the father-figure, you always seem to feel you have to protect us all. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. But, Edward, you are not alone, my love. Never again will you be alone," she said, kissing my lips and caressing my cheek.
"Bella, I can't lose you—any of you. Not again," I replied. I kissed her forehead and then placed my chin on the top of her head.
My eyes scanned the night sky, searching for some heavenly sign that things would work out somehow, someway. If there was a God, he was not answering my pleas at the moment.
"Let's get back inside. They're waiting," I whispered, the urgent thoughts of my family beginning to overwhelm me. They needed answers and Alice was still in no shape to give them.
Bella nodded as I helped her up. We walked into the house silently, our hands intertwined tightly.
Regardless of what I wanted, danger was coming for us. This would have to be our biggest victory…or my family's undoing. If Victoria teamed with the Volturi, then they were coming with more than just a visit in mind. The idea seemed unimaginable to me…that the Volturi would just join forces with a disgruntled nomad. Maybe there were rogue vampires from within Volterra that would, though. None of this made sense, but I knew better than to bet against Alice…we had to prepare.