Chapter 13: Time

#A/N. Woop Woop! Chapter 13 everyone! I hope everyone wasn't too impatient, I know this was the longest I took to update. But life ( i.e. school) was getting in the way. Well, this story only has a few more chapters to go. Probably about 5 more. Cries. I know, I don't want it to end either, but all good things must come to an end. lol well, I'm going to stop ranting so you can read...

To Jessica314: Your comment gave me the idea to the discussion in this chapter (the one about if they were going to have a private jet) I was thinking about doing that anyway, but you helped me solidify that decision. Yay! Thank you, my dear reader.

Please Review and post any comments!

Enjoy! ;)

*Edward's POV*

I clutched Renesmee's hand tightly in mine as we strolled through the forest. We were currently on a hunting trip, just the two of us. Once I heard the slightest hint of Renesmee's thirst in her thoughts, I quickly pulled her out with me to hunt. Jacob wanted to come along with us, but I managed to convince him that Renesmee and I needed some time alone.

The scent of deer wafted from the East. From what I could tell, there were about three of them. I could just make out the sound of their tongues gently lapping at the water from the lake that they were residing near.

"Do you smell the deer? They're just over there, towards the East." I said to Renesmee, pointing in the direction the scent was the strongest.

She nodded her head in confirmation. "I smell them." she whispered quietly, no emotion in her voice.

I turned in the East direction, pulled Renesmee in my arms, and broke out into a run. It didn't take long to find the deer. They were sitting near the lake, finished with their drink. I placed Renesmee on the forest's floor gently. Renesmee tugged on my hand signaling for me to bend down to her height. Even though she knew she didn't need to use her gift on me, she placed her hand on my cheek.

Can I catch my own, daddy? She asked.

I hesitated. I knew that Renesmee was more than capable of getting her food on her own, but I was a father.

But who was I to deny her anything she wanted?

And I would be here; ready to take over if I felt things were getting out of hand.

"Alright, go ahead."

I watched as Renesmee slipped into a crouch, she prowled towards the smallest deer, not making a single sound. As she tackled the deer to the ground, the others scurried away in fear. Knowing that she would be occupied for a few minutes, I went to catch my own kill. It took no time to catch up with the deer and wrestle them to the ground. I drank quickly, in a hurry to get back to Renesmee.

"Are you ready to go back?" I asked, walking to her side and taking her hand in mine.

Renesmee only looked at me. Suddenly, tears began to fall down her face.

"Shh…don't cry Renesmee." I pulled her into my arms, holding her against my chest. Her tears caused my heart to ache. I couldn't stand seeing her upset. I wiped away her tears, but more fell quickly to replace them.

I miss momma! she wailed in her thoughts.

"Believe me, so do I; more and more every second." I said as I rocked her back and forth in a soothing manner.

"And I swear to you." I pulled Renesmee away so I could look her in the eye. "I will do everything….anything it takes to bring your mother back home. I promise." Sincerity and determination laced every word.

I tucked Renesmee's head under my chin and held her close. We stayed that way for a long moment, until Renesmee's tears turned into quiet sniffles. She lifted her head from my chest.

"I love you daddy." She said, her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"I love you too, my angel."

"Edward, can I talk to you?" Carlisle asked as Renesmee and I walked into the house. Having heard us approaching, he came to meet us at the door.

"Of course." I said. Then I turned to Renesmee. "Why don't you go find your aunts? I'm sure they have something new for you to try on."

Renesmee nodded and headed towards the stairs, giving Carlisle a small smile as she passed him.

"What is it?" I asked, turning towards him once Renesmee was out of sight.

"Perhaps we could take this up to my study?"

I nodded slowly. "Alright then."

"After you, son." Carlisle motioned for me to walk ahead of him. The trip to his study was short and quiet. I turned around to watch Carlisle shut the door firmly behind us.

"Have a seat, Edward." He said. I sat down in one of the empty chairs, and he sat in the other.

"What did you wish to discuss?" I asked pointedly.

Carlisle sighed. "I understand what you're going through, but I can't help but think that you're trying to rush into things."

That got my attention.

"Rush into things?" I repeated incredulously. "I'm trying to get my wife back!"

"I know you are, Edward. And I want nothing more than to bring Bella home safely, as you do, but we do need to look at this logically." Carlisle said.

"I have been looking at this logically."

"You have." Carlisle agreed. "But you have also been fueled by your anger."

I could only stare at him in silence.

He sighed again. "Look Edward, all I'm saying is, don't let your hatred blind you."

"I am not blinded by hatred." I said stiffly, rising from my seat.

Carlisle rose from his seat as well. "You are."

"All that I am..is working to bring my Bella back."

"Edward you are living in resentment and fear. Fear for Bella, and maybe for yourself."

I sighed a pinched the bridge of my nose with my right hand.

"And there's nothing wrong with that, Edward." He continued on. "But just….don't do anything rash, or it could cost us all our lives."

Part of me knew he was right.

I was letting my fear and hatred drive my decisions. I wanted vengeance on the Volturi for taking one of the most precious things in the world to me. I wanted vengeance on the Volturi for causing my daughter pain.

And also for whatever Bella was going through, what they were subjecting her to.

Hatred flashed through me.

I slowly brought my hand away from my face and breathed a deep sigh. "You're right, Carlisle. You're absolutely right." I hung my head.

Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder.

"I just can't imagine what Bella is going through. Who knows what they're doing to her? Felix already has bitten her." I growled out. "And it's killing me. Being separated from her already hurts so much, and knowing that I can't protect her from what's going on there, and I just..." I trailed off, my emotions getting to me.

I wasn't embarrassed or afraid to talk to Carlisle about how I was feeling. He was my father. The man I respected and looked up to for most of my existence.

"Edward you have to hold on to hope. Bella is strong – possibly the strongest of all of us. And she has plenty reason to fight." Carlisle said, looking into my eyes, willing me to hang on to his every word.

"Well, that's Bella for you, my little fighter. A stubborn one she is." I said, smiling weakly.

Carlisle chuckled softly. "That she is."

"And I do have hope, Carlisle. Truly, I do. But I'm…..scared." I told him, my voice nothing more than a whisper.

"It's ok, to be afraid Edward. But as long as you hold onto that hope, what could really go wrong?"

I nodded. "Thank you, Carlisle." I said, sincere.

"Anything you need, son. Anytime." He squeezed my shoulder.

Once again, I was glad I had a man like Carlisle in my life.

I was glad I had Carlisle.

We both looked up towards the door when we sensed Jasper behind it.

"Come in, Jasper." Carlisle said, giving my shoulder one more squeeze before placing his arm back to his side.

Jasper walked in.

"There are still some plans that need to be made." Jasper told us, only halfway coming into room.

Carlisle nodded. "We'll be right down."

Jasper turned an about face and left the room, leaving the door open.

"Ready?" Carlisle asked, turning towards me.

I nodded. "Let's not keep the others waiting."

The rest of the family and our guests were already stationed in the living room when we walked in. Carlisle took a seat next to Esme on the sofa, and I went to stand next to Jasper and Alice who were standing in the corner of the room. Alice took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

"You ok?" She asked me.

"I am now. Thanks, Alice."

Jasper spoke up then. "There's one more thing that we need to discuss – our transportation."

"I was thinking we could get to Italy by plane." Carlisle said. "It's the fastest way."

"Maybe we can get our own private jet." Emmett said, smiling a wide grin at the idea.

"Yes." Jasper said, nodding.

"Do you think we will need two?" Esme chimed in.

"I'm sure we can all fit in one. But I'm not too sure how the wolves would take it." I responded. I didn't think that the wolves would like to be cooped up with vampires in a small plane for more than a few hours.

"I do not want to be in a plane with a bunch of dogs. Not with their smell." Rosalie said, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

"Maybe two planes will be a good idea." Tanya said. "It would make everyone more comfortable."

Words of agreement passed throughout the room.

"Two planes it is then." Jasper said, nodding to himself.

"But wait." I interrupted. "One of us would have to ride with the wolves. I'm sure none of them have any experience in flying."

"Right."

"I'll fly with the wolves." Carlisle volunteered.

"And I'll stay with you, Carlisle." Esme added.

"Alright, now that's settled." Emmett said.

"I'll go order the jets offline right now. Hopefully I can get something quickly." Jasper said, walking out of the room.

"Get a fast one!" Emmett called after him. "Let's ride in with style." He rubbed his hands together.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Walk with me?" Alice whispered to me.

I let Alice lead the way outside and into the woods. We walked in complete silence for a few minutes. I recognized the way to the cottage. A stab of pain went through me.

I hadn't been back here since the night Bella was taken.

"Alice -" I began.

"Oh, we're not going in. I just wanted to see how it was doing. It's been neglected." Alice said sadly.

The cottage came into my line of sight. It looked exactly the way it had when I saw it last, though I suspected as much. The grass was starting to get high, and Bella was usually the one to cut it back down.

Somehow, the cottage looked lonesome.

Or maybe it was just me.

Looking at mine and Bella's home made my feelings of loneliness resurface.

"You know I won't be able to see the outcome. Not with the wolves so close." Alice said suddenly. I knew she was talking about our approaching fight with the Volturi.

"I know." I said calmly. "But I'm willing to bet on you, Alice, just this once."

"I think we have a chance. We will have an even better chance if you can get to Bella on time." She replied.

"Is that your foresight talking?" I teased.

"Nope." Alice chirped. "Just my hope and positive look on things. That's something most people need – a little positivity."

"Are you talking about me?"

"Maybe, you old grouch." She poked her tongue out at me.

"Well, I'm learning to hold onto hope." I told her, putting my arm around her shoulder and bending down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

"You're learning to see the light." Alice said, laughing her bell- like laugh.

We stood in comfortable silence, looking at the cottage. I tried to bask in the positivity that was radiating from Alice.

I let my own hope come over me.

The only thing that was standing in our way now was time.