Chapter Thirty Three

Bella

When we got back to the Chalet I had a hot bath and went to bed to warm up, thanking my lucky stars that Edward was too cold to cuddle me in my present frozen state. He sat by the bed though and I tried again to persuade him to take me home,

"Edward, is it really too dangerous to go home? I miss Charlie."

He sighed and touched my face quickly then leaned down and kissed my flushed cheek gently. I tensed but didn't pull away, I didn't want to upset him when I needed him in a receptive mood.

Edward

I had to play this very carefully, she had to believe that going home was out of the question.

"Would you like me to call Carlisle and find out what's happening? In case anything has changed Bella"

She nodded eagerly,

"Would you Edward? Thank you."

She watched as I made the call but she didn't see my finger on the disconnect which I pressed as soon as the phone was answered and I knew she wouldn't be able to hear the supposed conversation from the other end with her weak human ears.

I tried to say little and listen a lot with the appropriate nods and murmurs as she waited impatiently. When I "finished" the call she questioned me eagerly.

"What did Carlisle say? Is Charlie OK? I bet he's frantic with worry."

"Yes Charlie's fine. Carlisles already rung him so you needn't worry about your father any more."

"What else did he say? You were listening a long time."

I looked at her gravely,

"It seems the Whitlocks weren't as good as they made out. Their plan was to get your gift for themselves."

"But that doesn't make any sense Edward, they protected me, they went to Italy to get me back."

"Yes Bella they took me in too. They had to rescue you, you were their ace in the hole, Show Aro how good you were then take you away again. Aro couldn't come after them while they had you and he still thinks they have. Jasper and Alice are acting as if you are with the others. Peter and Charlotte are doing much the same as us, moving around a lot as if hiding you from the Volturi. It's a good plan and it will keep them safe as long as no one finds out you aren't with them."

"But Aro never saw me."

"It doesn't matter, Jane will tell them about you."

"What did Jasper and the others think I'd do for them? None of this makes sense Edward."

"Did they ever mention The Major to you?"

"Yes Charlotte did, why?"

"He's their leader and a very dangerous man. He'd rather have you as an ally, protecting them but if not he'd kill you without a second thought and they obey him in everything."

"But why? I would have helped them if they'd asked, in return for keeping me safe."

"He doesn't think like that Bella. You're just too dangerous to let Aro get his hands on."

It still didn't sound a realistic plan to me but what could I do? If I came out in the open then I'd be snatched by either the Volturi or The Major and be held captive. Much as I hated to admit it Edward was the only one I could trust.

"Did Carlisle say anything about me?"

"No why should he? Except to tell me to keep you safe."

I shuddered and Edward took me in his arms.

Edward

As I took her in my arms and cuddled her to my chest, the scent of her blood sent my senses whirling.

"Its OK Bella, I'll look after you, but it does mean another move."

"Where are we going now?"

She sounded weary and I smiled to myself, I was wearing her down gradually.

"Where would you like to go?"

She thought about this,

"I'd like to go somewhere warm, somewhere the sun shines, where there are beaches and the ocean."

"That's not very practical for me Bella. How can I look after you if I can't go out in the sun."

She looked crestfallen but apologised, then I had an idea.

"There are some private islands in the Caribbean. How about if I could rent one for us. Then we could be together out in the sun and you'd be safe."

I saw her horror at the thought of the cost but she was torn. It took a lot of persuading on my part but eventually she agreed and I went out to phone and make arrangements through our lawyer in Seattle. I hadn't wanted to use him but I could see no way round it under the circumstances and I thought the others were hardly likely to think of me taking the risk in using Jenks, after all he usually dealt with Jasper. I liked the irony of it and smiled as I spoke to him. It took longer than I liked but these things couldn't be rushed not even for money.

Bella

I had a rethink while Edward was out, did I really want to be alone with him on a desert island with no way off? I looked at the phone by the bed and debated ringing the Cullen house or Jake again but what was the point? My Guardians had left me to Edward for safety which really was ironic. Jasper had washed his hands of me and gone off with his new wife and after all the lies he'd told me about their relationship, I was beginning to think I might be better off with the Volturi and my father after all. He was the only one who wanted me when all was said and done. I needed to speak to Edward as soon as he got back, so I dressed and sat impatiently watching the clock until he returned, eyes glowing and face excited.

"Its all being sorted now. As soon as all the arrangements are made we'll be off. Just the two of us on a sun drenched island away from the cares of the world."

"Edward, I'm sorry but I've changed my mind. I don't want to go, I just want to go home and take my chances"

He came over and sank to his knees in front if me,

"You're just scared and tired Bella, you'll feel better once we get there"

"No I won't Edward. I don't feel for you what you feel for me. I'm sorry"

"Its him isn't it?"

"Who? Jasper? What's the point? He's married to Alice so he's out of reach. I'm sorry but I don't love you Edward. Thank you for all you've done and I know this is a poor way of repaying you but I want to go home to Forks"

"And the Volturi?"

"I'll take my chances with them, its better than spending the rest of my life running and hiding."

He got up angrily, muttering under his breath then went out slamming the door. I waited for his return but after two hours it seemed obvious he'd gone off to sulk so I had a shower. I looked at the phone again, if only I could speak to Jasper just once more but he didn't want me or the bother of looking after me and the other two were gone as well. All safe, while Aro thought I was with them, still that might work in my favour. If he thought I was globe-trotting then he wouldn't be looking for me in Forks, I should be safe there at least for a I closed my eyes I thought back over the past months. I'd gone from ordinary school girl in Phoenix to hunted fugitive in the company of vampires. It sounded like a bad horror movie plot and I had to laugh even as the tears leaked from beneath my closed lids. I'd met the man of my dreams and that's exactly what he'd turned out to be, a dream man who'd dropped me to marry his long time and gorgeous vampire girlfriend. As I started to drift off I really hoped I wouldn't dream about him tonight.