Chapter 8 – Doubtful

It had been weeks since Edward and James encounter, and Annabel was even more confused than before. She thought she was sure that she wanted to be with James, but after seeing Edward willing to fight for her it caused her to take another look at him. She had to see him and talk to him, but she knew James would lose it if she told him. She planed to wait for him to go on a hunt, and she had to be quick about it.

"Anna…" He bellowed.

"Yes dear." She replied.

"I'm going on a hunt with Laurent." He said while walking into the tiny living room.

Annabel let out a quiet sigh of relief and looked over to James and smiled, but it looked like he was on to her scheme.

"Any plans?" He added.

"Oh no just going to sit and read." She responded.

"Oh…" He paused. "Alright be back soon."

"Alright sweetheart." She smiled pecking his cheek. "Love you."

"I love you too." He smiled caressing her cheek.

James had left and Annabel peeked outside of the window to make sure he was gone, and out of sight. She saw the coast was clear, and she hurried out the back door, and headed to the Cullen home.

While Annabel was on the way over to Edward's, he was having a small talk with Bella, and he was just as confused as Annabel.

"Bella you know I truly love you right?"

"Yes I know Edward, and you mean the world to me."

"Bella I don't think we can be together right now." He added.

"Edward is this a joke?" She replied confused.

"No Bella, I just need time to think." He said guiltily.

"Oh… about your wife." She shot back.

"Well-" He was cut off by the doorbell.

He left Bella in his room and walked down the stairs to answer the door, but Alice had already opened it and he was shocked to see Annabel standing in the doorway.

"Annabel right?" Alice smiled.

"Yes… is Edward home?" She asked shyly.

"Yes he is, but I don't think-" Alice was cut off.

"Alice its fine." He smiled down at Annabel. "Anna could you just wait here for a minute."

"Sure." She said timidly. "But I really don't have much time."

"I promise it will be really quick." He replied as he rushed up the stairs.

Edward went back up to his room, and while he was away Alice thought it she would strike up a conversation with Annabel.

"So Annabel how did you meet Edward?" Alice inquired welcomingly.

"He used to live down the street from me." Annabel tried to smile. "Alice you know him a lot better than I do now, be honest with me do you think he still cares about me?"

"Well I honestly don't know we really don't talk about stuff like that to much." Alice replied some what guilty that she couldn't help. "But I know he talks to Emmet a lot, you would be a lot better off asking him."

Alice's could see the sorrow in Annabel's eyes and took her hands to comfort her. As she did her face froze, and she was getting one of her visions. She released her hands from Annabel's and she had a shocked look on her face.

"Are you seeing a vampire by the name of James?" She asked almost lifeless.

"Yes why?" Annabel inquired.

"Annabel you are in danger." Alice informed.

"How do you know that?" Annabel still confused by Alice's prediction.

"I have visions, and I have had a run in with James before." Alice responded. "He tried to kill me, but then I was turned before he could."

"But this vision how can you be sure…" She asked baffled.

"Well I can only predict the outcome of a decision, but most of the time they are right." Alice added. "Annabel if you are staying with him you can't go back I don't think it's safe for you anymore."

"What's not safe?" Edward inquired as he walked behind a crying Bella.

"What is she doing here?" Bella screamed.

"Alice can you please take her home." Edward pleaded.

"Sure." As she walked past Edward she whispered. "Don't let Annabel leave."

Edward seemed confused by Alice's word, but he still kept it in mind. He walked over to Annabel and took a seat next to her.

"Edward-" She was cut off.

"Annabel I'm an idiot." He sighed. "It took me a while to realize it, but I want to be with you and only you."

"So what about Bella?" Annabel inquired.

"I will always care for her, but I will never love her the way I love you." He added. "I'm sorry it took me so long to remember."

"Edward I love you too." Annabel smiled. "I've just been so confused."

"About what Anna?" He asked knowing she was referring to James.

"I know I've always loved you, but the time I spent with James…" She paused. "I don't know if I was going to him because I was hurt, or…"

"Or… what darling." Edward replied trying to stay composed.

"Or if I really loved him too."

"Well either way I will always love you no matter what." He replied with a big gulp.

"Why are you so good to me?" She smiled.

"Because you deserve it." Edward smiled and kissed her on her forehead.

"Well I really should go." She replied shyly.

"Anna… you can't go." He begged.

"Why not?" She knew he probably had over heard her and Alice talking.

"Alice thinks you're in danger, and I don't want to risk you getting hurt." He answered. "Please stay."

"Edward I-" She was cut off.

"Please stay for me."

"Edward-" She tried to reply.

"Annabel… please." He almost whimpered.

"Alright." She smiled.

James and Laurent had finished their hunt and he had returned to the cottage, and couldn't wait to see Annabel. He entered the house and it seemed different. The intoxicating aroma that often surrounded the house was gone. James began to look for Annabel. He searched the small home once, and then a second time, but there was no sign of Annabel anywhere.

"Laurent where could she be?" James inquired angrily.

"How should I know?" Laurent replied. "I was with you remember."

James was furious and afraid. He began to think what if she was kidnapped. He couldn't believe that she would just get up and leave.

"We have to look for her." He instructed.

"What if she went back to her husband?" Laurent replied.

"No…" James added with an unsure look on his face. "He's crazy over that Bella girl."

"You never know." Laurent added.

"Well if she did go back to him." James said with an evil smirk. "We have to prove he cares more for Bella then he does for her."

"James what are you saying?" Laurent replied shocked.

"I'm saying I lost her once to Edward, and I'm not going to let it happen again." James spat.