Chapter 23

My dream was interrupted with a knocking noise and a voice that I loved saying, "Edward."

I got up and opened the door and said, "Yes, Bella."

"Edward, its six and I can't get back to sleep."

"Bella, go put on socks and I'll meet you in the living room."

BPOV

I slipped on socks and then started hot chocolate. Edward wrapped his arms around me and asked, "Is this okay?"

"Yes."

"Bella, I don't think I need to teach you as much as you think I do. Why are you making hot chocolate and how many are you making it for?"

"Two and I thought it would be nice since I woke you up so early."

I kissed her neck and said, "That's right. Do you like me holding you like this and hugging you like I did when I first came up?"

"Yes." I turned and smiled at him. "I like how close we are."

"We're getting better at this. Can we go up on top deck and drink these?" as the pot started whistling.

"Bella, we should probably stay inside."

"Okay."

So I cuddled up on a small seat and drank my hot chocolate, "Edward, I miss my daddy, so much. My sisters think I'm dead and my step mother sent me away. I was so happy and content hiding in the wilderness, but now I want to go home."

I was in Edward's arms and he said, "I'll get you home, I promise. Your sisters will welcome you home with open arms."

"Edward, what if they aren't there?"

"Then I'll search the world and find them for you."

"Edward, you really are my protector."

"Bella, I can be that; but let me help by making you happy as your boyfriend, too. You're as strong as the three of us guys and we'll all get you through this."

"Edward, I need some quiet time. Can you and I just take the dingy and go past the Casino Point? I want to swim, just swim."

"Of course, go get your suit and wet suit on. I'll let the guys know and then I'll meet you back here."

"Thank you, Edward," and I gently kissed him.

I went and slipped on my bathing suit and wet suit. Edward met me out back. I grabbed my mask and fins. Edward did, too.

"Are they okay with this?" I asked as we quietly went away.

"Yes, Bella, they're fine with this. Jasper even said he would make you breakfast when we get back."

We then quietly brought the dingy ashore. I put my mask and fins on, dove in and started swimming.

I could hear Edward swimming behind me. I turned and went against the current. Eventually, I turned and pulled my mask off and floated on my back. Then I felt a hand take mine. "Hello, Beautiful. Do you feel better now?"

"A little. I use to go behind the castle on the beach and just swim. Then daddy would yell from the patio, 'mermaid come on back to shore.' He would perform magic to turn my tail back into legs."

"You and your dad had a very special bond."

"Yes, we did because it was just him and I from the age of eight until fifteen. He then met Victoria and it took him two years to marry her. He was gone six months later."

"Bella, my mermaid. Let's swim some more and swim the pain away."

Two hours later, we returned to the yacht. Emmett helped us tie up the boat and said, "We were about to send out search and rescue because Bella we thought you drowned Edward or something. Come on you guys; Jasper has breakfast ready."

"Good, I'm starving after my workout this morning," I said.

Edward looked at Emmett and said, "Don't even say it man." Since Edward and I were still all wet, Jasper and Emmett brought all the food outside to the patio.

Once I was done, I walked over and gave Jasper a hug and said, "Thanks for breakfast. I'll go clean up the galley while you guys get ready."

"You're welcome, Bella. It's nice to see you smiling. You look really happy."

"I am, thanks Jasper." Forty minutes later, we pulled out of the slip and headed towards the other side of the island for our dives for the day. As we got ready for the last dive, I asked, "Well, how have I done?"

"Bella, you're amazing. You really should work for the CIA and be a spy. You would make the perfect girl James Bond. See the curves and yet you can keep up with all of us," Emmett said.

"Thanks Emmett, I think. But just to prove my worthiness of this title and without jeopardizing any of our safety, I want you to throw everything at me you can. One of you always stay back with your whistle ready in case anything gets out of hand and then you can stop us.

Edward said, "Really, Bella, you don't have to prove anything to us."

"Edward, I want to."

Jasper picked up my gear and inflated my BC and then threw it into the ocean. Edward had just barely finished kissing my nose; when Emmett said, "Go Bella, grab your gear and get under in two minutes starting now."

I jumped in, put my mask and fins on, grabbed my BC and started down. Edward soon caught up to me and instead of just swimming with me, he grabbed my foot. I turned and went into self preservation mode. I escaped and still stayed at depth. Emmett soon was trying to get my regulator and when he did, I got his spare and took it for air until I got my spare. Then I practiced sharing air with Jasper. Finally, we all agreed to just swim and then did a safety stop. As I went to get out, Jasper got my foot and pulled me back in. Son of a bitch I thought to myself. I swam down and away from them and then I realized this was part of their plan to not let me on the boat. I quickly tucked away and started releasing my BC's buckles and then I saw them swimming for me. I removed my BC after one last breath free dove down about 15 feet went under them and hit the ladder before they could come after me. This time I was on board waiting for them. The three came up and all popped off their masks and said together, "Damn, you're really good."

"Thanks boys. Will one of you go get my BC for me?"

Emmett said, "I'll get it."

I still shocked Jasper that I could help him out of the water with his gear. Then I helped Edward; Jasper picked up my BC and I helped Emmett.

We rinsed off in the deck shower and hung up our wet suits to start drying. I went and put on my signature shorts and t plus booties. We cleaned our gear and hung all of it up as well. "Can I drive back I finally asked?"

"Yes, Bella, be our guest."

I went up to the steering well and Emmett pulled the anchor up. We were under way. Edward, came up to my perch and offered me water and a piece of fruit.

"Thanks, Edward."

"Would you like another lesson in dating and hanging out with your boyfriend?"

"Sure, as long as, you aren't going to be mean and take the boat away from me."

"Nope. You deserve it after what we put you through down there. Would you stand up for a minute though?"

So I stood up and Edward moved behind me, then he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his lap. Then he nuzzled my neck and asked, "How is this?"

"Really nice and thank you Edward. You've been great all weekend. Can you just keep stubborn Edward away?"

"Maybe."

Then we heard, "Yeah man, maybe we should just throw stubborn Edward over board."

"Edward, do you want a beer or something?"

"No thanks, I got this beauty in my arms. Her and the water I have are plenty."

I turned and said, "Thanks, Edward."

Jasper said, "What is in the water around your islands?"

We talked about everything I had seen growing up in the water around my islands for the whole trip back. Once we docked, I was sent to switch to my jeans and boots. We got back to our house around 4:30 and had all the gear drying outback and Emmett said, "Now can we have pizza and beer, Bella?"

"Sounds perfect."

So Emmett went and picked it up, we sat down at the dining room table. Around seven, I went to take a shower and my cell rang. I answered it and said, "Hi Carlisle. Are you checking in on me?"

"Yes, I wanted to be sure you got back safe and sound."

"Yes, we're all fine and I'm allowed to be part of the plan. They tried drowning me and even torturing me. Speaking of torturing, how was the movie Carlisle?"

"Fine smart aleck. It wasn't terrible."

"Are you coming in tomorrow, Bella?"

"Yes. Now I need to learn how to shoot a gun properly."

"Great, we just may have to make you a CIA agent."

"What Carlisle? You want me to be the Queen Undercover Bella Swan, CIA operative."

"Sounds good to me."

"Goodbye, Carlisle. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Bella."

I took a shower and got ready for bed. I was really tired. I put a DVD in and climbed under my covers. Edward was knocking at my door.

"Yes," I said.

"Its Edward, may I come in?"

"Sure, but I have a chick flick in the DVD player."

"No problem."

He came in and sat down on the bed with me. He pulled me into a hug and said, "You smell wonderful."

"That's thanks to the shower."

"I know, but you smell good all the time. Tonight is just extra special."

"Well has Carlisle called you guys and gotten your reports?"

"No, why did he call you?"

"Yes, before my shower. I told him no one killed anyone."

"Good."

"Edward, I'm tired if you don't mind. I was going to lie down and just let myself fall asleep."

"No problem." He leaned down and gave me a kiss. He helped me lie down and put the covers on me. He turned out my lights as he left.

EPOV

"Is she okay?" Jasper said as I came out.

"Yes, she's just tired."

"Cool man. Ready for another beer?"

"Yeah, come on. Let's find Emmett; I want to talk to you about her swim this morning."

We went out back so she couldn't hear us. "So what happened?" Jasper said.

"Bella woke me up at 6 saying she couldn't get back to sleep. We were sitting in the living area drinking hot chocolate and being back out on the water brought back all her family memories. She was missing her dad, can't understand what the heck is wrong with her step mother and is worried about her step sisters. Now we're going to take her back to her home to run her country; she's finally getting overwhelmed. Just like when we went after her in Alaska and then took her to DC to meet the President. She probably swam for 90 minutes pretty consistently."

"It helped she looked so much better when you got back," Emmett said.

"I know we just need to take care of her."

"Yes we do. Jasper and I can be her big brothers or her favorite uncles; whatever, as well as, her godfathers. You teach her about love and caring and make her fall in love with you. We already know you are in love with her," Emmett said.

"Yes I am. I just hope that I don't have to walk away from her later."

"Edward, don't worry about that. If all goes right, that won't be the case," Jasper said.

"I am trying and you know what guys, I am beat. I'm going to bed as well."

"See you all in the morning."