He held my hand in his as we walked, stroking the back of it with his thumb.
I looked up at his face, which was glowing with utter happiness; I couldn't help but wonder how silly I must have looked; smiling stupidly at him, at his perfect straight edged jaw, at his visible but not too predominant cheek bones…His full, kiss swollen lips. I couldn't believe my luck, finding such a perfect being. He was simply angelic…I sighed and he turned to look at me. His eyes were liquid emerald, made brighter by the light of the morning sun bouncing off the leaves.
"What is it?" he asked in his sexy velvet voice, I could hear a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Nothing," I replied, still grinning.
"Oh please tell me what you're thinking…" he pouted.
"I don't think so," I teased.
"Well if you won't tell me then I guess I'll just have to drag it out of you." He smiled his breath taking crooked smile.
"How do you propose to do that?" I tilted my head in mock curiosity, my hair falling in my face.
He gently, moved the hair behind my ear, and in the same fluent movement, cupped my face in his long, soft hands and pressed his lips to mine, he broke away much too soon.
"Now, tell me, what was it you were thinking?"
"I…" I arched one of my eyebrows, thinking….What had I been thinking about? The kiss fogged up my head completely. "I can't remember…" I admitted sheepishly.
He chuckled and turned back to face the dirt road, we were almost to the busy street; I could hear the shuffling of feet, running through the dirt. People were shouting at each other, screaming things like where to go and to watch out for their carts. And something else too… It sounded like… Like men, screaming…There were dogs barking as well…
And then I heard my name, being called over and over again. It took me a moment to fully comprehend what was happening. My stomach clenched as I realized that the voices were cops, looking for me.
No, hunting for me.
I felt my hands starting to shake as the realization of it hit me. My mother had sent the authorities after me!
Oh god! I didn't want to go back, I couldn't go back! I was happy with Alice despite the fact the fact that I had only lived with her for one day. And Edward, I couldn't leave him! Mom would never let me be with him! My knees began to shake as well, until my whole body was shivering.
Edward turned to face me; his face was full of concern.
"Bella," he whispered, "What's wrong?"
More barks reached us, they were getting closer.
"Run." I said my voice quiet but surprisingly strong, considering the state of shock that I was in.
I think he heard my name being called at that precise moment, because before I knew what was happening, he was tugging on my hand, taking me through the woods. I stumbled a couple of times. Each time he helped me up, looking at me in a comforting way.
When we were finally far enough away from the booming voices, he spoke, surprisingly not out of breath.
"I have to get back to Jasper, I need to tell him what's happening… He will be able to tell Alice where you are so she won't worry" he was speaking quickly but clearly.
He took a deep breath, "I'm going to have to leave you here."
The fear must have been plane on my face because he immediately wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his chiseled chest.
"Don't worry love. I'll come back in half an hour... I'll bring everything we need to stay the night…We'll form a plan, everything will be fine." He whispered in my ear. I knew it was wrong, but I really liked the sound of spending the night with Edward, despite the…Circumstances.
He held me in front of him by my shoulders, "Do you promise to come back for me?" I whimpered, my voice going up an octave at the thought of being left alone in this unfamiliar-not to mention scary- place.
He kissed me briefly, "Would I ever, ever abandon you?"
"No," I said. At this point tears were streaming down my face.
"Don't cry Bella, please," his voice was pained, I couldn't stand it. So I sucked it up and held back my tears. I nodded and reached up to kiss him passionately, he held me closely, pressing his body against mine. The barking got closer suddenly. He pulled away with a single tender kiss.
Then he took my hand and led me through the woods.
He stopped in front of a massive tree, we walked around it until we reached a rope ladder. I looked up and saw it, a tree house of an admirable size.
"This is where jasper and I used to spend our days as children." He explained while he tugged on the ladder probably making sure it was still in working order.
"I'll lead you up and then I'll have to leave"
I nodded resolutely holding back more tears. I felt a tad overdramatic….
As I watched Edward sneak through the forest, risking his life for my happiness, I couldn't suppress the anxiety bubbling up in my chest. I went to one of the four corners of the massive tree house, which was supposedly extremely well camouflaged, sat down and pulled my knee's tightly to myself.
Dogs began to get closer; I prayed that I wouldn't be discovered. I had close to a heart attack when I heard one of the men shout "I see something! Over there!"
I began to panic.
I spotted a trunk and crawled to it. I opened it and found all sorts of things. Toys and sorts, most likely from Edward's childhood. I grabbed the first thing I could get my hands on I ran to the "door", made sure I couldn't be seen and threw it out as far as I could. I could see figures turning around to see what had made the noise. And then the dogs began running towards it.
I sighed, relieved and retreated back to my hiding spot.
I waited for what seemed like an eternity. The sun had gone down and the forest grew dark. I crawled back to the trunk and blindly began searching for a candle or matches.
Dark thoughts passed through my mind and I searched. What if Edward couldn't find his way back here until morning? What if he and Alice had been discovered for harboring me? I simply couldn't bear the thought of the two people I cared so much about rotting in a jail cell, waiting for their trials. Tears began to stream from my eyes, I covered my face with my hands. Edward, where are you?
An hour or so passed when I heard the ladder creaking. I stayed where I was, walking where the chance of falling 20 feet just was not appealing to me, especially since I was exhausted.
"Bella?" the angelic voice called.
"Edward? Where are you?" I said looking around uselessly.
I heard a chuckle and then the scratching sound of a match being ignited.
It was such a relief to see his face when he lit the candle. I jumped up and ran into his arms; he embraced me stroking my hair. He kissed my head.
"I'm so glad you're alright!" I said, a mix of emotions colouring my voice.
He held me tightly for a few more moments.
"Are you hungry?" he asked and as if waiting for that question my stomach rumbled. A laugh rumbled in his chest as he let me go and lifted the bag of his shoulder.
He took out a loaf of bread, some cheese, grapes, and to my delight wine. He poured me a glass and handed it to me as he cut up the bread and cheese.
"Cheers" I said as he clinked his glass to mine.
We ate and laughed. I felt so light and carefree.
I was on my third glass of wine when Edward took away my glass. I pouted.
"I'm sorry darling, but I don't want to get you completely drunk…"
"But Edwarddd…"
"No Bella, if anything…well…happened because you weren't in your right mind…I would never forgive myself."
He was too much of a gentlemen. I crawled to him and kissed him on the lips, he kissed me back but only for a moment.
"You should sleep," he said in a whisper, clearly not wanting to say goodnight.
I put my hands on his muscular chest, kissed him and began to unbutton his shirt.
"No Bella. Not tonight, not like this." He took my hands in his and kissed them.
I sighed, "Alright."
He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a couple of blankets and spread them on the floor.
"Goodnight Edward."
"Goodnight my love."
I lay down. I waited for him to come by my side when he didn't I sat up.
He was sitting at the edge of the door and looking up at the moon, which was reflecting against his face; illuminating it in the most beautiful way. I sighed. He looked back and smiled softly. I forgot how to breath.
"You look lovely in the candle light" he complimented. I couldn't help but laugh. Compared to him I was so incredibly plain.
"You look very handsome in the moonlight," I replied.
He chuckled.
I got up and walked to sit by him. The sky was truly wonderful tonight. the forest around us seemed to light up in its mysterious light.
Edward put him arm around my shoulder tenderly and as we starred up at the stars I thanked god for this perfect moment.
