Chapter 9 – Falling Down

Annabel had been staying with Edward and they began to reconnect, and talk about all the things they had experienced during their time.

"Edward…" She sighed. "Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we weren't like this?"

"All the time."

"Sometimes I wish it would just end." She confessed. "And watching our family grow up generation after generation… it's torture."

"Anna…" He replied.

"Edward I'm only saying I wish we could have grown old together."

"Well we are 108 years old." He joked.

"Edward you know what I mean."

"Anna… we have each other again and we can spend eternity together."

"I know Edward." I sighed. "It's just so hard to watch our family die." She added. "I nearly lost it when Emilee…" She paused and her head fell.

"Anna… I know." He comforted.

Annabel knew she couldn't live like this anymore. She knew deep down Edward didn't love her anymore, and as selfish as it sounded she knew she wanted to die.

James stalked Bella like the hunter he was, and calculated everything meticulously. Bella was upset about Edward and in her depression she wanted to leave and James knew this was his time to strike. He watched her constantly as she continued to drive once she stopped he pounced.

"Hello Bella…" He taunted.

"You…" She spat.

"Me what?" He growled.

"Leave me alone…"

"Fine then… I guess you don't want your precious Edward back." James teased. "I have a plan, but I need you for it to work."

"Tell me more…"

James began to inform Bella of his plan, and she began to share his vision. She was desperate to have Edward by any means necessary.

Annabel was still with the Cullen's and James was scheming how to get Annabel back. Edward truly feared for Annabel's life he knew something was going to happen but he didn't know what or when. She sat up in the room with Alice and she began to confide in her new found friend.

"Alice I don't know what's wrong I have him back, but…"

"Anna… we all go through that…" She replied.

"But it's never going to end…" Annabel sighed. "I shouldn't have had to watch my own child die."

"I know it's hard but you will be fine…" She took her hands and a vision came to her. "Anna… James has Bella."

"Where?"

"I don't know, but you are in danger to."

All seemed quiet when a loud thud came from the front door. Edward proceeded with caution as he went to check it out. He looked down and there was a rock with a note on it.

If you want your precious Bella back, I want what should have been mine, and don't try anything stupid. And I know you can find me so no need to tell you where I am.

Edward rushed up stairs and showed Annabel the note. As she read it she became angry with James, but most of all she was angry with herself.

"Edward what are we going to do?" She sighed. "How are we going to find him?"

"Calm down…"

"How can I calm down she could be killed?"

"Anna we will figure it out."

"What if it's to late?"

"Anna he won't hurt her he need her as bait."

"Bait for what?"

"For you."

Alice took her up stairs, and closed the door, and took a seat next to Annabel. She looked here in the eye and began.

"Anna you can't go…" She instructed.

"Why the hell not?" Annabel growled.

"He'll kill you." Alice whispered. "I saw it…"

"Well I would rather die than let my family die with Bella." She replied. "Alice promise me you will not tell Edward."

"Anna…"

"Promise me Alice."

"You have my word." Alice complied reluctantly.

Alice told her everything, and she found out how she would die and how Edward would witness it. She knew she couldn't let that happen and the only way he would leave her is if he hated her, but she decided to leave him a note explaining everything. She finished writing it and instructed Alice to give it to him.

Edward had informed the rest of the family, and they all wanted to help. Alice had a vision of where James was. She saw him in a ballet studio in Arizona of all places. Annabel made her way to the location and the others wanted to help but she refused their help. She entered the studio and saw Bella lying unconscious on the ground next to a fire.

"James what did you do to her?" She screamed.

"Don't worry she isn't dead…" He paused. "Yet."

"James why are you doing this?"

"You left me for him, and I think he will save her over you."

"James if you want to kill her you'll have to kill me first."

"Why are you so stubborn?" He growled as he pinned her to the wall.

She threw him off of her and spat in his face, and once she did that he gave her a look of pure rage and anger. He threw her against the wall and they continued to fight.

"Why don't you just kill me?" She screamed. "I'll never be yours."

"Why are you doing this?" He hollered. "All you have to do is take me."

"I'd rather die."

"I can arrange that…" He smirked. "It would be a shame for Edward to miss it."

At that moment Edward bursted into the room, and the second he did James threw Annabel and rush to Bella, and grabbed her by the throat.

"Let her go…" He growled.

"Oh now you've changed your mind again?" James taunted.

"Let her go."

James rushed to Annabel and he grabbed her by the neck as well. He threw Bella to the ground and pressed his foot against her neck. Edward watched as she struggled for air.

"Edward get her out of here…" Annabel gasped.

"I'm not leaving without you…"

"Edward I don't love you…" She cried. "Just get Bella out of here."

"You're lying…" He wept.

"Edward… Emilee wasn't yours…" She lied.

"Annabel stop it…" He gritted his teeth.

"Edward go I don't love you…" She sobbed. "You cursed me the day you turned me."

James lifted his foot and released Bella. Edward picked her up and glared at both of them as he left, and Annabel's heart dropped.

"Just kill me…" She said as darkly.

"No…" He insisted.

"Kill me or I'll kill you." She growled as she tore his arm off.

The both fought in the fire, limbs falling to the floor landing in the fire. They went on till both of them were gone for good.

Edward entered the house with Bella in his arms and Alice rushed towards him. He looked terrible, and she knew why.

"Edward what…"

"She lied to me…"

"Edward…"

"No Alice she lied to me, she told me Emilee was mine and she lied to me…" He wept.

"Edward just listen."

"No Alice…" He bellowed. "She ruined something special for her own selfish gain."

"Edward just read this before you bad mouth her."

"What is it?"

"I don't know, but Annabel made me promise I would give it to you if she didn't come back with you."

My Dearest Edward,

I know what I said hurt you and I apologize, but I knew it was the only way you would leave me. I know it must seem selfish, but it's is for the best. I know your heart no longer belongs to me, and this is the only way you can be truly happy.

Please just promise me you will look after Bella, and take care of her and love her if you wish. Just remember I will always love you, even in death.

I've never given much thought to how I would die. But dying, in the place of someone I love, seems like a good way to go. Do not mourn me for death is peaceful... easy... life is harder. I will always love you…

Forever & Always

Annabel