Chapter 14: "Worst Fears"

Disclaimer: The proprietary elements of Breaking Dawn, including its original treatment and all of the characters, belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Edward's POV

The moment I was close enough to decipher Alice's panicky thoughts, time seemed to stand surreally still—an eerie calm before the pending storm. I'd intended to forge ahead, regardless; I'd told myself to ignore all mental distractions from this point forward, at least until Elizabeth was safe in my arms. Focus. No mistakes. That had been the plan. But now, as a flash-flood of images swamped my mind and rendered my resolve as useless as soggy sandbags against a raging tempest, I realized I'd have to act quickly to save her. Bella was already here.

No, no, NO! This wasn't happening. Like a drowning man grasping at a life-preserver in a swirling current, I reminded myself that Alice's visions were alterable. There might still be time to change the course of events she'd foreseen.

"Something the matter, Edward?" Demetri asked, raising an eyebrow.

I felt myself slipping under. Would Bella really dive head first into this volatile situation? Of course, she would.

Carlisle put a steadying hand on my shoulder. What is it, son?

The tortured expression on my face must have alarmed him, because Carlisle's thoughts were suddenly full of fatherly concern. Edward, are you alright? What's wrong?

And then I heard a small, sweet cry. My head snapped up, and a force—like reverse gravity—pulled me back to the surface. Elizabeth.

"Pretty little thing, your daughter," Felix sneered. "Dibs when she's older."

I growled—it was a deep sound, low and building in my chest.

Edward, don't do it, Carlisle cautioned—his thoughts still a mixture of anxiety and mild confusion.

"Let's stay focused, shall we?" Demetri encouraged. "Come now, right through this door."

I almost took the door off its hinges as I bolted through. Alice stood, expectantly, with Elizabeth in her arms. Jasper was positioned protectively at her side.

"Finally," Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

I crossed the room in a single stride, arms out-stretched.

Elizabeth reached for me. Reached, I noted.

If it were possible for tears to have formed in my eyes, they'd have been there—overflowing and rolling down my stony cheeks. What I felt as I carefully cradled her against my chest was indescribable; equivalent only to the overwhelming sensation I'd experienced when Rosalie had first placed Elizabeth in my arms moments after her birth. I'd wanted to share that moment with my wife and had not been able to then; I needed her more than ever now. Bella.

My throat constricted instinctively, and my heart—though it'd been silent for decades—didn't know whether to burst or break.

It's going to be okay, Alice thought, wrapping her arms around Elizabeth and I. Jasper stepped between us and Felix, daring him to intrude. Probably half-hoping he would.

"Alice, Jasper!" Carlisle called, as he entered the room a second after me. Demetri followed.

With Elizabeth safely in my arms, I turned to Demetri. "Where is she?" I hissed.

"Pardon me?" he responded—confused.

"My wife," I spit the words at him. "I know she's here. I want to see her. NOW."

Carlisle's face went paler than his usual pale, as he put my words together with my actions.

"Of course," a pleasant voice said, coming from behind Demetri. "She'd like to see you, as well." Alec joined the company, and my worst fears were confirmed as his lilting voice dropped an octave and rang with a tone of ominous finality, "She'd like to say goodbye."