Thought you might like a chapter one day early! ENJOY!

Chapter 35

We ate and then went and played video games including my girlie ones. Jake and Angela came by and they gave me a few pink scuba accessories; they told me my gear wasn't girly enough.

Sam and Emily came by at Carlisle and Esme's house. They had dessert with us. Emily gave me the recipe that day. The two of us went outside on the back patio. "I know the guys are leaving with you soon and I know you're all well prepared, but please protect them and please send them home to us when you are safe and sound. I love you like a sister and I want you to keep them around until you feel safe and then please send them home to us."

"Emily, I will and thank you for saying that. I'll send them home as soon as I can and I promise to protect them as much as they protect me."

"Will we ever get to see you again?"

"Yes, I promise. I'm not going to disappear off the face of the earth."

"Good, I'm so glad."

Edward was at the door and said, "Hot chocolate, ladies."

"Yes, please," and I ran into his arms and said, "Merry Christmas" and I kissed him and said, "Esme and her mistletoe."

Edward pulled me in close and said, "No complaints from me. Let's go, Beautiful." So we went inside sat down by the fireplace and Edward got us hot chocolate.

Esme asked, "Can you tell us about Christmas where you are from?"

I looked at Carlisle and Edward.

Carlisle said, "Just tell us about your parents and you only if you want to."

So I told them about the year my dad bought me my first ten speed. I always left out about the crowns he bought me. I loved ham and so we always had ham for dinner. We decorated the house with a Christmas tree and stockings. "Just a second Esme."

Then I whispered to Edward, "Can I tell her about the ice skating rink my father made me one year because I didn't know what they were?"

"Yes, just be very careful."

"Esme, one year when I was ten and I had been so sad after my mother had died. My dad built me a small ice skating rink in the backyard so that I could try out ice skating. We had so much fun that day together," but at the end of the story I was crying. Edward handed me a tissue.

"I'm sorry, Bella."

"Esme, it's okay. Sometimes I just miss him so much. He always made the holidays so special for me."

"He loved you very much."

"I know." We gathered up our presents and soon my godfathers were taking me home. Edward and I were in the back seat and he held my hand and asked, "Are you feeling okay? You've been really quiet since we left Carlisle's house."

"I didn't realize how much I missed my dad. Now, we're sneaking in to get his body in less than three weeks."

"Bella, we can go without you."

"No way. I'm going home to see what my stepmother has done."

We went inside and I said, "I think I'm going to take a hot shower and go to bed, you guys." I hugged Emmett and Jasper and said, 'Merry Christmas.' I reached around Edward and kissed him and said, "Merry Christmas. You guys have made this day perfect. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Bella," they all said. "Sweet dreams."

EPOV

About ninety minutes later Emmett was sitting in my room, "Edward, when are you going to tell her you love her?"

"I'm not. I want to let her figure it out and I'm afraid her country's traditions might get in the way. I need to know that she can walk away if she needs to. Bella needs to be the same way as she was when she left her country."

"You're way better than I could ever be man."

"Don't worry, Emmett; it's slowly killing me."

"If you can stay with her, would you give up everything you have here and become king?"

"Yes, I would; though I would miss my two best friends."

"Well, I think we might have to visit our best friends that are the fucking king and queen."

Jasper knocked and opened the door, "Sorry, man."

"What Jasper?"

"Bella has been crying for half an hour. I went to take my shower and she was. She still was when I came out of my bedroom. I think she is crying in her sleep because when I say her name at her door; she doesn't answer."

"Alright, see you guys later. I'm going to change into my pajamas and then I'll go to her."

Emmett said, "You plan on sleeping with her again, don't you?"

"Yes, Emmett sleeping and only if she calms down."

Emmett turned around and said, "You're still a lucky man."

As I changed in my bathroom, I heard Emmett say to Jasper, "When we get back from returning Bella to her country, I need to find a beautiful woman on a beach and make her my girlfriend."

"Me, too buddy," Jasper said and then my room was silent because they must have left.

I went down the hall to Bella's room and knocked. She didn't answer and she was still crying. I then quietly went into Bella's room and she was restless I could tell. I grabbed the blanket off the chair from next to her bed, lay down on her covers and pulled her body into mine.

Bella jumped some at our closeness and mumbled, "Edward."

"Yes, Bella."

"Do you know that you have been crying in your sleep?"

"No."

"What were you dreaming about?"

"Stealing my father and missing my father."

"Honey, we'll protect you and him. Missing him I know is hard. I still miss my parents, too."

"Edward, can you just hold me please?"

"Of course, Bella."

I pulled her in close and said, "Good night, Bella." I held her hand, until Bella fell asleep again. Then it was a much more peaceful sleep.

BPOV

I woke up to Edward staring at me. "Hello," I said.

"Did you sleep better?"

"Yes. Thank you, Edward."

"Bella, you know, I would do anything for you."

Later that morning, I asked, "Is there an indoor place we can go bouldering at?"

"Sure, how about around 2 until dinner time and then we can get a burger and a beer?"

"Sounds good to me."

We were all in. It was fun, but a workout at the same time. I was glad there were mats; so I didn't hurt myself. The rest of the weekend was spent on fun things like the new video games and watching my sappy movies. Sunday, I was on the treadmill when Edward came in and said, "Grab gloves and let's go."

"You're evil," but I ran to my room and we left the note. When we were a ½ half a mile from the house, we heard Emmett and Jasper say, "We got you."

"Edward, run," and we took off running for the house. We would've won, but a car pulled out and didn't see us so we had to stop short on the sidewalk that gave them the opportunity to catch us.

Emmett chuckled "Have a nice run, Bella."

"No problem, Emmett; but I expect breakfast upon my return."

"Can do. You're really a good sport even though that car cutting you off caused you to lose."

"Thanks Emmett." So Edward and I actually slowed the pace down and took our time, "Edward, this is really relaxing."

"Thanks I think so too. Running with you is fun and natural."

We were back within the hour and I went to shower really quickly and then we all sat down to breakfast.

Jasper then said, "Since Bella is house grounded for New Years Eve per Carlisle's orders, we thought we would have a party here."

"Nope," I said. "I'm taking you away from here for an unknown amount of time in February so you two are going out on New Year's Eve. Edward has already asked me to have a movie night here with him."

"Alright, Bella if you are sure," Emmett said.

"Yes, I am."

My returning home so soon was giving me bad dreams and nightmares so Edward was spending most nights in my room holding me. Everyday at the office, all eight of us sat down and ran the plan and the different scenarios that could happen and how to react to them. I also spent two hours on the shooting range everyday. On the 29th, Edward took me to the office early and Carlisle met us. "What now?" I said.

"Edward, told me about your problem's sleeping. We have a therapist and a doctor we want you to talk to with us present, if you'll allow it. We just want to know that you're going to be okay."

"Fine," I said. "I'll do it; just to prove to you that I'm okay. Carlisle, lead the way."

Carlisle and Edward just looked at each other in shock, but Carlisle lead the way.

The five of us sat down in a conference room; I looked at the two doctors, "Go ahead and ask your questions. I'm fine and ready to go on this trip and who wouldn't be anxious and nervous about returning home after six years to get a dead body. Carlisle, can you deny that you're nervous?"

"No, I always get a little nervous."

"How has my target practice been?"

"It's perfect, Bella. You have become an excellent marksmen," Edward said.

"So go ahead and ask any questions you want."

We spent the next forty five minutes talking. They asked, "How I had been sleeping?"

I said, "Fine and Edward could verify that."

The therapist said, "Why can Edward verify that?"

"Because he SLEEPS with me every night to keep my nightmares away."

Then we talked about that for twenty minutes. The doctor took my pulse and blood pressure and everything was fine. So I looked at everyone and said, "Well?"

Carlisle said, "She's clear to go."

Edward said, "I agree."

Both doctors agreed and the therapist said, "I would suggest sleeping pills; but I think the best sleeping pill for you with the least amount of side effects is sitting right next to you."

"Thank you, gentlemen. I think I have time to run the shooting range before our meeting in the conference room. Don't I, Edward?"

"Yes, but we have one more thing for you." Carlisle said.

"What?" I asked and Carlisle slid me a box.

I opened the box and said, "Oh my!"

"You really got me my own gun."

"Yes. Your godfathers wanted you protected."

"Thank you. Edward, can I go use it?"

"Of course, we want you comfortable with the gun you are taking."

First, I spent forty-five minutes indoors on the target range getting use to the feel of my gun. After our meeting, I went outside onto the shooting range. I loved it; it actually made me feel like I had some of my own control back.

The four of us went out to lunch. I was now wearing my gun in an ankle holster to start getting use to it. I understood that we didn't know who in my country would be loyal to me so I was to start getting use to carrying one as well. "Boys, please excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom."

So I went to the bathroom and as I came out someone hit me over the head and I collapsed into their arms. The last thing I remember hearing was 'You're mine, Princess."

And I mumbled out, "What the hell?"

A/N Sorry couldn't resist. Thank you for my new reviewers and all my faithful ones. Please don't hate me for this but share your thoughts over what might happen. Yes I will update on Sunday like I do faithfully.