Chapter 7 – Welcome distractions

Alice could not tell them how long it would take for the Volturi would arrive, but she knew only that it would be soon. She told Edward that they had been trying to arrange them safe transport away, but with no success. All of the traditional transport avenues were being monitored by the Volturi and every time she made a decision on a possible route she got an image of Aro gloating of his new acquisitions.

After many conversations Edward, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee agreed to go back to the island and spend some quality time together, whilst Kaure and her people would monitor the airport and other transport avenues for signs of the Volturi's arrival.

Once they arrived back on the island Bella began pacing the living room, whilst Edward spoke on the phone with Carlisle. Jacob was outside playing with Renesmee on the beach.

After Edward finished speaking to Carlisle, he updated Bella on what he had learned. Carlisle had been speaking to Sam and the pack and they have all agreed that Cullens and the pack would travel out to Isle Esme to stand against Aro and the Volturi. Travel arrangements were taking some time, but they were doing their best to speed things along.

Bella sighed in frustration. Edward made his way over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Relax" he pleaded.

He watched as Bella's face filled with anguish, she lowered her shield and allowed him to see the frantic thoughts filling her mind.

Edward sighed. How typical of Bella that all of her thoughts were of Edward and Renesmee's safety and not her own. She was even more concerned over Jacob's safety; this truly bothered Edward, but now was not the time to get into it.

"Aro and his brothers obviously want us to join them, so they will want us alive, so we and more importantly Rensemee will be relatively safe" he murmured into her ear.

Bella shook her head wildly.

"I don't want to be around them, I cannot stand what they are and I would rather not exist than be one of Aro's possessions." she groaned worriedly.

Bella nuzzled her head into his shoulder and tried not to worry too much.

"If they get to us and Kaure and the others can't help, then I think you and I should make a stand. If nothing else we can delay Aro and the others so that Jacob can flee with Renesmee."

Edward sighed, the thought of being parted from his daughter filled him with dread, but he knew it made sense. He nodded his head towards Bella and nodded his head in agreement.

"If it looks like we can't win, then we will do all that is in our power to ensure that Renesmee is safe, even if that means sending her away with Jacob."

Edward and Bella stood in an embrace, whilst listing to the sound of Jacob and Renesmee's laughter.

"You know... I am almost glad that we brought the mutt with us" teased Edward, hoping to lighten the tense mood.

Usually Bella would complain of his use of the word mutt, but she could understand what Edward was trying to do, so she just rolled her eyes and chuckled.

Over the next few hours Edward, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee enjoyed the island and did their best to forget the upcoming danger that they faced.

Once it got late Bella settled Renesmee for the night and stood watching her daughter as she slept peacefully, she lifted her daughters hand to her cheek and was relieved to only see relayed images of her playing with Tawémake and Jacob, there seemed to be no signs of distress.

As she watched her daughter for a little while longer her dead heart grew heavy with sadness.

The thought of being separated, or losing her daughter was too much to contemplate.

Bella was unaware of how long she had been standing there, but she felt the familiar hands of Edward on her shoulders.

"Come on love, she's fine. I called Alice and she can definitely see that we are safe until at least tomorrow" Edward said gently.

Bella battled with herself, but eventually agreed to follow Edward downstairs. Jacob was sat on the couch and she could see that he was deep in thought.

"I don't like this, I don't like it at all" he moaned. His pleading eyes bore into Bella's.

"I can't let anything happen to her" he said

Bella nodded her head in agreement and Edward patted Jacob on the shoulder.

"Jacob, Renesmee is our world. She's our reason for living. Bella and I have talked about this and have agreed that whatever happens we cannot let Aro and the Volturi get our daughter"

Edward paused for a moment and held his hand out for Bella to take. He didn't like the idea of anything happening to Bella either, but he had to agree that Renesmee was the main priority.

"If things get to a point, where we cannot stop Aro and his brothers... If it looks like our capture is unavoidable, we want you to take Renesmee and run. We'll do all we can to cause a distraction. We still have the fake documents that Bella arranged with J Jenks; in fact they're with the rest of our travel documents. So please whatever happens to us... Please make sure you get our daughter away safely"

Bella sank her head into Edwards's chest.

"Please Jake, promise us... make sure that she is safe." she pleaded

Jacob slumped back into the couch watching Edward and Bella. He could see how desperate they were and how worried they were.

"I don't like the idea of running away, but I promise... if that is the only way to keep Renesmee safe then I will do it. After all she's our number one priority" he agreed.

Jacob let his mind wander and he replayed some of the day's events.

"I have to say though. I do have faith in Kaure and her people. My tribe, we are something quite special, but her tribe is off the scale. I believe her when she says that they'll be able to put up a good fight" Jacob said with a hint of hope in his tone.

Edward and Bella nodded.

"I hope you're right Jacob, I really do, but we have to prepare for the worst case scenario." Bella replied.

After some lengthy discussions over what needed to happen, should Kaure and her people fail to help, Edward and Bella bid Jacob goodnight.

Edward even allowed Jacob to sleep on the floor in Renesmee's room, to make sure she was safe. Normally he wouldn't agree to such a thing, but he sensed that Jacob needed to be close and it did give him and Bella a sense of relief.

As Jacob and Renesmee slept soundly, Edward and Bella took a tip in the sea. What started off as an innocent swim, soon heated up and before long they found themselves recreating scenes from their honeymoon, only Edward didn't need to hold back as Bella was no longer breakable.

The threat of their capture or even death meant that they were both so much more eager to enjoy each other's bodies. They allowed their instincts to rule them and enjoyed every last second of their carnal pleasures.

It was early morning when they returned to the house. They shared a shower and freshened up, before preparing breakfast for Jacob and Renesmee.

Jacob and Renesmee were descending the stairs when Edward's phone rang.

"Carlisle" Edward said after flipping the phone open.

Bella watched on and listened anxiously to get an idea of what was going on. Edward relayed the information to everyone that Carlisle, the rest of the Cullens and the pack were all on their way. They had chartered a private plane and had secured a high speed yacht to complete the rest of the journey; their estimated time of arrival would be in around 30 hours.

"Maybe they'll get here in time" Jacob suggested optimistically.

Edward was about to nod in agreement when he heard the engines of a boat approaching. He sped out to the boat launch and looked out into the sea. He was relieved to see that it was Kaure's boat approaching.