AN: Thanks again to my awesome BETA - ACEMCKEAN. Read her two stories MArital Bliss? and The Cullen Brothers! Also my friend Tristagiese has a great story up called Rising Noon. Please read and review for them. I know how hard it is to keep writing without getting feedback.

PS - Read and review. I love your comments!!

CHAPTER 49

*****BPOV*****

Arriel's vision told me what I needed to do. I tucked the lighter I took from Charlie's place into my garter and ran through the forest, taking an alternate route back to the spot where the van crashed. I had to be the one to fight Riley and Bobby. For some reason I was immune to their powers. Riley couldn't stop my strength and Bobby couldn't hurt me. They would be the most dangerous fighters to the rest of my family.

If I take them down, the fight becomes fair. If I take them down, my family has a chance to survive this.

If Bobby and Riley were not there when I got back, I knew they would be back soon. Arriel showed me where to wait.

I was almost there now. No sign of either of my kidnappers. I looked down at my wedding dress, still absolutely pristine after my kidnapping, my jump from the van, and my run through the forest.

Don't mess with a bride on her wedding day.

I almost regretted not changing into some of my old clothes while I was home.

Fighting two vampires would probably cause some damage to the dress. Alice wouldn't be happy to see my dress ruined. I hoped she would forgive me.

Actually, I knew that if I could take them both out, she would.

Unless I was dead.

That would really piss her off.

Can't think about that now.

I thought about taking it off, finding a safe place for it, that way I wouldn't ruin my wedding dress, but the thought of fighting in lingerie was a little too much for me.

I knew I had to fight them.

I knew it was the only way... but that didn't mean I was going to like it. I didn't even know if I would survive this day, or what the outcome would be, just that I had to do this to protect my babies. I assumed that I would be okay.... another vision of Arriel's had showed me kissing Edward, so I would make it back to him.

I only hoped and prayed I would still get the chance to marry Edward. That our reunion would be permanent.

I took a deep breath as I returned to the area where the van left the road. I glanced down over the side of the cliff. The van was still there, but there was no sign of Riley or Bobby.

I took a deep breath and prepared to call for them when I felt someone behind me. I whipped around to see who was there, panic washing over me.

Could I fight two vampires at the same time?

I had barely seen my family wrestle, let alone actually fight.

Could I fight?

Could I win?

My eyes fixed on the noise coming through the trees. I crouched down, ready to fight.

*****EPOV*****

We barely made it to the school when Carlisle's cell phone went off. I was frustrated. No scent of Bella or the babies or any other vampire for that matter.

We stopped and Carlisle answered the phone.

"Hello," he started. I was standing right next to him and heard some excited garble coming from the phone.

The sound didn't make sense to Carlisle either, at least he figured out who it was.

"Rosalie.... calm down. I can't understand you. What?" he said.

She screamed her insane babble into the phone again, with no luck. We were stuck wondering if they were in trouble, or if they had found something.

"Rosalie, I still don't understand you. Let me talk to someone else.... AND NOT ALICE!!!" he exclaimed, thinking that if Rosalie was this worked up then Alice would be worse.

"Carlisle, it's Kate. I think they have a scent. Bella and the babies. Apparently near Charlie's house," she said to him calmly. We could hear Emmett, Rose and Alice whooping it up in the background.

I didn't wait for more. I dashed toward Charlie's house, not caring if the others followed. I would be there in a minute or less. I pushed my legs as hard as they could go and before I knew it, I was face to face with Emmett. He grabbed me in a big bear hug as we stood in Charlie's back yard.

"They're in there!" Alice squeaked.

"I can hear their heartbeats! And Charlie too!! Bella has to be with them. She would never leave them! We did it Edward!! We have them all back!" Rosalie enthused. I think she was even more excited than Alice.

"How do we do this? Do we just knock at the door?" Emmett asked.

"Screw that!" Rosalie said, "I'm going in her bedroom window!"

"Wait!" Carlisle said, dashing into the yard, stopping Rosalie in her tracks. "What is Charlie thinking, Edward?"

"He's thinking about the babies. He's reading to them from the newspaper. He's...." I said, looking at my family.

"He's what Edward?" Rosalie asked, her thoughts betraying her need to get to the babies and Bella.

"He's wondering where Bella went and why his gun couldn't protect her," I said quietly. I took a deep breath and caught her scent, one not mixed with the babies' scent.

Me eyes went wide.

"You guys! Protect the babies. Bella's trail went this way, without the babies. Emmett, Kate, Garrett come with me!" I said, dashing into the bush following her scent. The trail was under an hour old.

I was so close to Bella! I could feel it! I just hoped I would find her quickly. Garrett, Kate and Emmett were dashing up behind me and I heard Carlisle say that he was sending the other group our way. Rosalie, Alice, Esme, Carmen, Eleazar and Carlisle would stay with Charlie and the babies. He was also going to contact the wolves.

Bella Baby, I thought to myself. Hold on! I'm coming to rescue you!!!

*****BPOV*****

AN: Are you guys ready???????

I stared at the trees, someone was coming. I was in my crouch, ready to attack. I decided to take a deep breath, to see if I could catch the scent of my visitor.

Bobby! Alone!

I bet he was so used to his unfair advantage, that he didn't know how to fight. I might actually have a chance.

I let a low growl out of my chest.

"Well, well, Bella!" he sneered at me, "Wherever you hid those brats, Riley will find them. He will tear them to shreds and watch them burn! Just like I am going to do to you."

"Really, Bobby?" I asked him, malice in my every word! "Can you even fight without your special gift? Did you forget that it doesn't work on me?"

He focused his eyes on me. I could tell he was trying to bring me down with his gift, but I felt nothing.

A snarl ripped from my lips and I leapt towards him, knocking him backward into a tree. He landed with a crash, but jumped to his feet again. He charged at me this time, but I leapt to the side, and he crashed by me. He tried this a few more times, completely unable to grab me. We stood about ten feet apart now, his breath was labored from the exertion, while I was feeling GREAT!! He charged again and I was finally tired of our game. I grabbed his neck and pulled it to the side, I used my teeth to rip through his hard flesh, before I detached his head completely. I threw it on the ground and ripped his body apart. I grabbed some dry wood from the nearby area and added them to the pieces of Bobby. I snarled at the pile of vampire before I grabbed the lighter from my garter and set the pieces on fire.

"That's what you get for calling my children brats! And for ruining my wedding day," I seethed at the flames, that were now consuming Bobby. The thick purple smoke rose and I stepped back, admiring my handy work. I didn't relish killing, but this man threatened my children, my mate and my family. He paid for that.

I watched as the flames began to die down. There was nothing left except for ashes. I began to wonder when Riley would show up. I couldn't wait to kill him.

Geez!! Bloodlust much, Bella?

I looked down at my wedding dress. Still pristine. I bet Emmett couldn't do that.

I heard movement coming from my left.

"Oh, Riii-ley," I called into the night sky. "I know you're out there. Vickie won't be pleased when she see what you have done. You lost me and the babies. Wow!! That won't make her very happy. Not happy at all! She might just kill you herself!" I taunted.

With a growl Riley charged from the bushes. He stopped just about four feet from me and smiled.

"Victoria would never hurt me. She is my mate! You are nothing but a plaything! And when I destroy you, I'll take care of your little monsters," he threatened.

"Bobby made the same mistake you did! He criticized my children! Look what happened to poor Bobby," I said pointing to the pile of smoldering ash, "Not so fun to fight when your little powers are useless against me. He didn't even get me dirty."

"I am twice the fighter that he was. I'll take you down and enjoy doing it," he threatened.

I laughed and glared at him, crouching into position.

"Come and get me, Riley. I know how this is going to go," I told him. "I have not one, but two family members who can see the future. My little girl, powerful little thing, showed me what happens. I will see my children and Edward again soon. You on the other hand will get to rot in HELL!"

I charged him then. He certainly didn't see it coming. I tore into his shoulder, tearing a large chunk from his skin, leaving his left arm hanging limp at his side.

"Oh, Riley, that had to hurt!" I soothed, as if I were speaking to a small child, or Mike Newton.

He snarled in response, adjusting himself so that his good hand was ready.

I tore across the distance between us and ripped his left arm completely off. He screamed then.

"You are going to die. And I am going to enjoy it!" I snarled, leaping at him again.

*****EPOV*****

I smelled the stench of burning vampire. I pressed my legs even harder. My God!! Bella was alone! She'd never fought before. She was alone, defenseless! I pushed my way though the trees and finally heard something.

It was the sound of vampire flesh ripping and a piercing scream. Dear God! Don't let that be Bella. The others behind me heard it too and their legs pushed harder, trying to keep up.

Emmett muttered, "I'm coming, Little Sister." Pushing himself faster than ever I could actually feel him catching up to me.

I faintly heard a voice that sounded like Bella. Could she truly be okay?

The voice said, "You are going to die. And I am going to enjoy it!"

Please let that be Bella!

We pushed towards the sound of the fight at full speed. Everyone's anxious thoughts were getting to me. I needed to get there to protect my Bella.

I heard a scream again, this time higher pitched and the sound of ripping vampire flesh. I saw a clearing up ahead and burst out of the trees. Emmett, Kate and Garrett were less than a second behind me. The sight before me took my breath away. If my heart had been beating, it would have stopped dead.

*****APOV*****

AN - sorry I couldn't be that kind!!!

We were all on edge, knowing that Bella wasn't inside. We didn't know what Charlie knew. If he expected us or not. What explanation Bella had given him about us. And worse, for the first time ever, we were flying blind. I couldn't see anything! Charlie was inside with the babies and I had no way of seeing them.

"What do we do, Carlisle?" I asked him.

"Listen and wait," he said. "For right now, at least, we know they are safe. Eleazar, Carmen, Rose, do a quick patrol. See if their are any other scents nearby. Alice, look for Bella and the others. Tell me what you see."

Watching him grab Esme's hand was the last thing I saw before closing my eyes, concentrating on the others.

First I saw Emmett and Edward racing through the forest and heard the sounds of fighting. Then I saw Jasper and the rest of the Denali's racing from the other direction, towards the same sounds. I could feel everyone's fear. They were too late. I looked for Bella and saw nothing but a thick, choking purple smoke.

"NO!" I shouted.

"What, Alice? What do you see?" Esme asked, grabbing my hand.

"Carlisle. Esme. They're too late. I looked for Bella... purple smoke... nothing else... just purple smoke... Carlisle.... I think they're too late!" I sobbed.

"No! It can't be," Esme cried.

"What's going on?" Rosalie asked, sprinting back into the yard.

"Bella....gone," I sobbed.

"NO!! You have to be wrong Alice!! Look again. Please!?!" Rosalie begged.

"I can't. I just can't!" I sobbed again.

"Here's what we're going to do. Esme, knock at the door. And for the love of all that is holy do not tell Charlie about Alice's vision. Rosalie, stay with Alice. Eleazar, Carmen and I are going to find the others. If Alice is right, God only knows what Edward will do! If she's wrong....we'll call," he said.

"Don't bet against Alice...." I said softly. OH GOD, PLEASE LET ME BE WRONG!!!!

*****EsPOV*****

I ran to the front door and rang the bell. I tried to be patient as I heard charlie moving and talking inside.

"Okay, Little Ones, Grandpa is going to put you down for just a minute," he said softly to the twins.

"Coming," he said a little louder. I heard him stop in the hall to grab something.

He opened the door cautiously and peeked his head out.

"Esme," he said, looking rather stunned.

He opened the door wide to let me in. I noted the gun in his left hand, which he quickly tucked into his gun belt, which was hanging on the wall.

"Bella told me to protect them," he explained. "It was the only way I knew how."

"Charlie, you did great!" I told him. "May I? I haven't seen them since they were taken with Bella this morning. I just want to get my hands on them."

He nodded and I dashed into the living room, not even caring about the speed, where I heard the twins' hearts beating. I bent down and scooped them up. They were perfect. Both wide awake, clutching each other's hands as always.

"Hello, my little angels," I greeted them. "I missed you so much."

They stared at me and smiled. The first smile directed at anyone but their mom and dad. Their mom.... please let her be okay

"Charlie, what has Bella told you?" I asked, looking at him.

"She said that Edward wasn't human and that she wasn't either. She said she couldn't tell me more and begged me to watch them. I tried to protect her but she ran..." he explained, tears forming in his eyes. "I told her... the gun... but she said it wouldn't help. There was something about kidnapping and escaping. Esme, please tell me what's going on. Where is Bella?"

"Charlie, what she told you is true. She couldn't explain anymore without risking your life. The gun would have been useless. She is doing what she can to protect these ones and you. She is so brave and selfless Charlie. You did such a good job with her. She is perfect. She makes our family complete," I said, sobbing.

"Esme. Why are you talking like she's gone?" Charlie asked.

"I don't know anything, Charlie. I'm just scared," I told him.

Please let that be the truth.

Maybe, maybe Arriel could help.

"Arriel, Baby Girl. Can you help me. I need to see your mama. I need to know if she is okay," I told her.

"How can she tell you, Esme? She's a baby!" Charlie said, looking at me like I was one card short of a full deck.

"It's her gift Charlie," I told him.

Alice and Rosalie came down the stairs then, both looking worn out. Charlie looked at them, shocked.

"How did you guys....?" he started, before shaking his head. "Never mind, I don't think I want to know."

"You can't ask her, Esme. What if...?" Alice started.

"Alice, we need to know. You can't. Maybe she can. Everyone touch her. I'm sure she'll show us," I exclaimed.

Rose, Charlie and Alice all crowded in to touch Arriel's little head. She looked up at me and smiled then closed her eyes, concentrating on pulling up an image.

Purple smoke was the first thing I saw....

*****BPOV*****

Riley was much stronger and faster than Bobby. Dammit!

Even with only one arm he just won't quit! I promised to kill him! I would do it too.

He sprung at me again and I darted out of the way. Using my newborn speed certainly was giving me the upper hand.

As he leapt at me, I darted out of the way again, this time a loud noise from the forest grabbed my attention just for a second.

That was all Riley needed. He grabbed me by the hair and I screamed. He used my hair to pull me tight to his body and brought his lips to my neck, just above where the dress clasped. He smiled and snickered, as he opened his mouth to use his sharp teeth on my neck I ducked, using the fact he had only one arm to get away again.

As soon as he let me go,4 I turned on him, grabbing his good arm and snapping it off at the elbow. He groaned in pain and dropped to his knees. I looked him in the eyes and grabbed both sides of his head. He knew he was going to die!

"Go straight to HELL," I screamed as I detached his head from his body.

A gasp sounded from behind me. Followed by a few more. I whipped my head around, my eyes meeting his. I knew that more family was there. I just didn't care.

"EDWARD," I screamed, dropping Riley's head and launching myself at him.

He opened his arms just before I barreled into him, knocking us both to the ground. Our arms locked in a desperate embrace. I looked up at him and pressed my lips to his. Time stopped right there.

I briefly heard Emmett in the background finishing the destruction of Riley. I heard him instructing others to collect the Riley bits and burn them. I smelled and heard the fire start, but I didn't care. I was in Edward's arms. I was home.

*****EPOV*****

"Go straight to HELL," I heard her yell and then I watched as Bella ripped some guy's head off. Seriously, my wife, the newborn vampire, ripped off his head. Not only that, she didn't have a mark on her. She looked radiant. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her hair was in complete disarray and her dress was... perfect. Seriously! I gasped in shock.

I heard the others arrive as soon as I did, not only Emmett, Kate and Garrett, but the other Denali's and Jasper. I heard their shocked gasps too, but my eyes never left Bella.

She whipped herself around, trying to figure out if it was friend or foe nearby. Her eyes met mine instantly. The shock and joy radiated out of her as she dropped the head she had just removed from the guys body and launched herself at me.

I barely had time to open my arms before she tackled me to the ground. We wrapped our arms around each other and she pressed her lips to mine. Her kiss was like fire. It ignited my entire soul in ways I never knew was possible. All thought was lost! My Love was safe. She was here and SHE RIPPED THE HEAD OFF A VAMPIRE! Finally she pulled away from the kiss and looked me in the eyes, smiling like a cheshire cat.

"Hi," she said softly, her cheeks were taking on a slight pink glow.

The others set the vampires body all together and Emmett flicked his lighter. Bella stood up, linking her hand with mine and walked over.

She looked at Emmett and asked, "May I?"

"Whatever you like, Little Sister," he said, looking at Bella. His thoughts were going a million miles a minute. Happiness was the predominant feeling but also a desire to challenge her to a wrestling match. He was impressed by what he saw. So was I!

Bella set the lighter against some scraps of cloth that had once contained one of her kidnappers and lit it. I pulled her into my arms as we watched the flames climb into the night.

"Wow," I said, speaking the first words I had spoken since I saw her today.

She turned in my arms, to look into my eyes. Her cheeks grew even pinker. I bent my head down to kiss her when Tanya cleared her throat, reminding me of their presence.

"Tanya, everyone. I'd like for you to meet my incredible Bella," I said, introducing my Bella to everyone.

She turned to look at everyone and smiled.

Tanya was first up, introducing herself and shaking hands, but everyone else followed. Even Japer and Emmett!

"Hi Bella, nice to meet you. I'm Tanya. This is my, uhh, my friend Connor," she said as they both shook Bella's hand. Friend? Lover more like it!

"Hi Bella. May I just say, WOW! I'm Kate and this is Garrett," Kate said as they both shook her hands as well.

"I'm Irina and this as you probably remember is Laurent," Irina said, keeping Laurent behind her somewhat, as if to protect him from Bella.

"I do remember, although I see that you have chosen a different path than the one you were on before," Bella said, reaching her hand out to shake both of theirs.

So she's a fighter and a peace maker. Impressive.

"I'm Emmett," Emmett said next, reaching out for Bella's hand.

"I know who you are, Goof," she responded.

"You can't! I'm trying to figure out who you are.... and what happened to my fragile little sister," he exclaimed.

"I learned from the best," she said leaning into me. "Arriel!"

At the mention of our daughter's name she turned and looked at me.

"The babies!" she gasped.

"They are well. They are still with Charlie and the rest of the family," I reassured her.

As soon as I had said that we heard more footsteps through the trees. We all took up defensive crouches. Waiting to see who came, be they friend or foe. There were runners coming from both sides. It seemed like the war had come to us.

Suddenly a wolf burst through the trees, to our right and Carlisle burst through the trees to our left. Both of them focused on the fire that was consuming the vampire's body.

"Who?" yelled Carlisle, not focusing on anything but the fire.

Bella answered, "His name was Riley. One of the chief henchmen for Victoria."

Carlisle whipped his head around to look at Bella, he seemed completely awestruck by the fact she was there.

"Bella," he gasped. "How are you here? How are you okay? I mean... Alice saw... How?"

Wow! I had never seen Carlisle at a loss for words before.

"Carlisle, you wouldn't believe it! She took down a big guy all by herself. I mean she totally ripped his head off and didn't even get her dress dirty," Emmett said, rather smugly.

"But Alice saw...Oh we better call someone... they think...Oh dear!!" Carlisle muttered again.

I dragged my cell phone out of my pocket. I got the understanding that Alice's vision showed Bella in a way worse state than she was currently in.

I dialed Alice's number, nothing. Then I tried Rose, same thing. Finally I tried Esme, still nothing. Finally I looked at Bella and shrugged my shoulders. She motioned for me to hand her the phone, so I did.

She ran her fingers quickly over the keypad and I heard it ring.

"Hello," came a gruff voice on the other side.

"Dad! It's me. It's Bella!" she said into the phone.

"Bells?? That's impossible! Arriel... vision.. Are you really okay, Sweetheart?" he asked.

"Daddy! I really am okay. How are my babies?" she asked.

"Hold on Bells. Someone needs to talk to you," he said.

"BELLA!!!" Alice screeched into the phone.

"Alice!" Bella called her.

"How are you alive?" Alice yelled at her.

"Alice! I'm fine. I promise. Ask Edward. Not a mark on me! Not scratch," Bella promised her.

"Are you coming back here? When? Bella, you have to tell me what happened!" Alice yelped.

"We will come, after the fire is out here," Bella said.

"Fire?" Alice asked.

"Yeah, I kinda took out two of the vampires that attacked me today," she said.

"Two???" Everyone asked, including all those who were present and all those listening on Alice's side of the conversation.

Bella blushed again and promised Alice she would explain when she got there. As soon as she hung up she looked at me, grinned and pointed over to the side where another pile of ashes lay.

"That's Bobby," she said with a sheepish grin.

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