"The creative impulses of man are always at war with the possessive impulses."

-Van Wyck Brooks-

Chapter 8

"New Living Arrangements"

"Calling the police," he replied in a strangled voice.

I stood there in shock, not knowing what to do. Who did this? I mean, I had a fairly good guess at who would have done this, but how did he get in here in the first place?

I backed out of the room and headed toward the living room. Hannah was falling asleep cuddled close to Rose. I sat next to them and pulled Hannah into my lap.

"Hannah, sweetie, did you see anyone come to your room?" I asked calmly. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and just put her head on my shoulder. "Hannah, I need you to answer me."

"But if I tell you, then you'll get mad," she whispered burying her head more into my shoulder.

"I promise I won't get mad. I need to know if someone got into the house," I said rubbing her back, trying to get her to tell me.

"Daddy was here. But he told me to be quiet and close my eyes. He told me not to tell you he came. Then I heard a noise and I thought he fell out the window," she answered looking into my eyes, her own eyes on the brink of tears. I pulled her into a hug, rocking back and forth trying to calm her down.

I heard my phone go off, but I ignored it. Rose looked at me questioningly before she got off the couch to get my phone off the coffee table. She looked at the screen and the corners of her mouth pulled up.

"Maybe you should answer this," she mumbled still smirking at me. I took the phone and glanced down at the screen. Edward. I felt a smile of my own come across as I hurried to answer it.

"Hello," I said still smiling.

"Hey," he stated simply.

"Edward, I'm glad you called, but nows not the best time," I said trying to not sound defeated or upset in any way.

"Why, what's going on?"

"Um, I think Mike broke into the house," I mumbled squeezing Hannah as though to reassure myself that she's okay.

"What? Are you okay? Is Hannah okay?" He asked sounding a little frantic.

"Edward, everyone's fine. Emmett's calling the police right now," I replied.

"Are you at Emmett's?"

"Yes," I responded becoming confused.

"I'll be there in five minutes," he declared. Before I could tell him not to worry, he had already hung up.

I stood up trying not to move too much because Hannah was sleeping. Emmett came out of the room with a hard glare plastered on his face.

"The police are on their way," he said coldly.

"Hannah says it was Mike," I told him. His face remained the same glare as before.

We didn't say anything to each other for sometime after that. My phone went off the same time the police knocked on the door.

I'm here. Can't get in though.
Edward

"Rose, Edward's here, so I'm just going outside," I said as I walked out the door. Rose nodded and followed close behind Emmett as they went back into the spare bedroom.

Once I was outside, Edward rushed by my side, pulling me into a hug, which was a little awkward because I was still holding Hannah. Hannah started to stir from the commotion and she lifted her head off my shoulder and looked around. When she spotted Edward, she smiled brightly and reached her hands out for him to hold her. He grabbed her without hesitating.

"Edward, why are you here? Isn't it bed time?" She questioned him. He chuckled, causing her to grin wider.

"It is bed time, but I wanted to come say goodnight," he said soothingly.

"Can I call you Eddie? Cause sometimes it's hard to say Edward," she pouted. Both Edward and I laughed as she continued to pout.

"Well since you asked, but you're the only one allowed to," he smiled at her.

"That's because I'm special," she proclaimed proudly. She let out a yawn and put her head in the crook of his neck. He looked down at her and smiled widely at me.

"Are you okay?" He asked gently.

"I guess, I'm just a little freaked out," I responded honestly. But worried would probably be the better word. Of course more for Hannah than anything, who knows what Mike would do? "You know you didn't have to come," I murmured looking at the ground, biting my bottom lip.

"I know that, but I had to make sure you were both okay," he said. He gently put his finger under my chin, pulling in up so I was looking into his brilliant green eyes. "I love when you blush," his silky smooth voice causing me to feel dizzy. "You shouldn't hide it," he said as he delicately brushed his thumb over my rosy cheeks.

"Isabella," I heard a low voice call from behind me, allowing me to break free from those green eyes I find myself always getting lost in. "I'm Officer Uley, and Emmett says that your daughter saw the man that came into the house, we would like to ask her a few questions."

"Not that I have any problem with you talking to her, it's just that she's only four and this is way past her bedtime," I said pointing toward Hannah, who was dead asleep against Edward.

The officer nodded his head. "You wouldn't mind bringing her to the station tomorrow then would you?"

"Of course not, just tell me the time," I said.

"How about ten?" I quickly nodded my head. Jeez, I don't even know where the police station is. "Just ask for Officer Uley, and someone will help you."

"Thank you," I mumbled. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist, and I put my head against his shoulder letting out a deep sigh.

"But there is one more thing," the officer said suddenly looking nervous. "We found a butcher knife under the pillow with a note attached to it."

I felt like someone knocked all the air out of me. My eyes widened and my heart sped up. Edward's hold around my waist tightened.

"What did the note say?" I asked scared of what the answer would be.

The officer looked at Hannah before returning to meet my gaze. "It said that next time won't be so gentle."

I looked over at Hannah and ran my fingers through her long brown hair. I don't know what I would do if something happened to Hannah. She is my everything. But to think that harm would come from her own father is just impossible to imagine.

"I suggest you find somewhere else to stay, possibly another relative," the officer said. I started to get my phone out to call Charlie, but Edward stopped me.

"They can stay with me. Security is tight, and no one can get in without a key or getting permission," Edward said calmly. My head snapped to him. He gave me a pointed look, begging me not to say anything.

The officer nodded before turning around to go back into the house.

"Edward, we can't stay at your place," I said.

"Yes you can, and you will," he countered. "Please, Bella, I really want you both to. Let me take care of you."

I felt my resolve starting to crumble, but no one would be able to deny Edward when he was all but begging. It was too irresistible.

"Bella," Rose called coming outside. "So Emmett and I are going to visit my parents, as requested by the police, you are more than welcome to come along, but I just figured you would be staying with your dad."

"No, they will be staying with me," Edward declared defiantly.

Rose smirked at me before running back into the building yelling over her shoulder that she would be right back.

"Edward," I said.

"Bella," he mocked me. "Please, just stay the night. It's late and Hannah needs a bed to sleep in."

I took a deep breath. "Fine, we'll stay tonight," I said. He smiled and leaned down to lightly press his lips to mine. I couldn't help but smile into the kiss.

"Okay, so here's your bag," Rose said as she walked back outside. "Emmett's bringing down the extra car seat."

"Thank you," I whispered as I pulled Rose into a hug.

"Is that your car," Emmett said pointing to the silver Volvo, but still not acting like himself.

Edward nodded his head, and Emmett went over and put the car seat in his car. Emmett walked back over to where we were standing before pulling me into a bone crushing hug.

"Be safe, Bella," he whispered as he kissed my cheek. I smiled at him. He kissed the back of Hannah's head before walking back into the building.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Rose said grinning as she followed Emmett into the house.

Edward grabbed my hand, leading me to his car.

I can't believe I am actually going to spend the night with Edward, who even if I do trust him, is pretty much a stranger. What am I doing?

I watched from behind the bush. I watched as he kissed her, as he held Hannah, as he wrapped his arm possessively around what belongs to me. I should just rip his arm off. Teach him to mess with what is mine.

Oh my Bella, leaving me was the worst thing you could have possibly done.

Reviews are better than spending the night with Edward...okay so I'm totally kidding with that one. It's a shame Edward isn't real and I'm getting married soon (once again totally kidding)

~Scarlet :)