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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

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A/N:- Banner by FatesLoveQueen /oed60p

I own nothing. Boydblog helped me with this and I'll be forever thankful.

She fixed. I fiddled. Any mistakes that remain are on me.

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~ EDWARD CULLEN ~

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Bella's heartbeat was steady and her breath was rhythmic. I smiled to myself when I realized she'd fallen asleep, relived that she felt safe with me again. The day had progressed differently to how I'd imagined, exceeding all my expectations.

I stayed wrapped around Bella as she napped peacefully in my arms. At least, until the temperature began to drop and I was worried she could get sick if I didn't take her home soon. Just thinking about an illness striking her down brought her statement from earlier back into my mind.

'I'm not asking for you to change me now, just to not take it off the table. If something happens, if I'm in an accident or get sick, I want you to save me, in the way that only you can.'

The simple truth of her statement was clearer to me than it had been before.

Bella would die; she would leave me.

The worst—or possibly best—part was that it was within my power to make sure that would never happen.

Was it selfish to grant her wish, or to continue to deny it?

Once I wanted Bella to live a long, human life and when she eventually died I would follow her into whatever afterlife was waiting for me. Now, I couldn't imagine a world without Bella in it.

I still worried about risking her soul and her humanity. However, I was certain that I wanted to have her by my side for as long as possible. Forever was now a possibility, one I was becoming less afraid to hope for.

I slowly untangled myself from Bella's embrace and refastened her shirt for both modesty and warmth.

"Bella, my love, we need to head back to Charlie's house." I touched her gently to wake her.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open and I smiled as she focused on me.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked.

In an instant I realized something was horribly wrong.

The dazed absence had reappeared in her eyes. She was lost to me again; she had retreated into her other world

"Bella?" I pleaded softly, hoping to rouse her.

"Edward," she replied in a voice that held an almost dream-like quality.

"Come back to me," I implored, whispering my pleas against her skin.

She looked over my shoulder to the sky. "It's late. Charlie will be worried."

I closed my eyes as the pain encompassed me.

I wanted to scream at the unfairness. How could she disappear into her other world given the afternoon we'd spent together? I didn't know what I'd done wrong. I wanted to ask but she wasn't in a position to give me answers. And I could guess the reason why.

Kieran!

He had somehow stolen her from me in our most perfect moment. I had no idea how he'd done it, but I had no doubt he was behind her relapse into that would.

I wanted to stay in the meadow until I could figure out how to bring her back to me, but I knew I had to get Bella out of the cold and somewhere safe.

I helped her to her feet and onto my back.

As I ran back to the car, I held her tighter than usual. After she was in the car, I stepped back into the forest. My fist connected with the closest tree before I'd even thought about what I was doing. The sound of the trunk cracking echoed loudly, masked only by the primal scream of frustration that ripped from my body. I felt like I wanted to lose control; my anger and sorrow battled for dominance. If it hadn't been for the fact that Bella was sitting silently in the car waiting, I probably would have.

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I thought I was going to lose my mind. The trip from the meadow to Charlie's house was quick, but I'd struggled to get Bella to speak more than one or two words.

I opened the passenger door and helped her from the car. I fell in step behind her as soon as she started to walk toward the house,

Charlie was already home. He held the note Bella had written, reading it in the hope of finding a clue as to her exact location, worrying because of the late hour. His mind kept wandering back to the night she didn't come home.

I felt renewed guilt over the pain my careless choice had caused Bella and her loved ones.

If I hadn't left, Kieran would never have found her. She'd be happy and healthy. She'd be here.

I waited beside Bella as she opened the door, listening to Charlie's mind and the relief that flooded through him.

"Hey, Bells," he said in a calm voice that belied his stress level. "Did you have a good time?"

"It was good. Edward and I went for a walk."

He frowned at her mention of my name and a moment later, his eyes came to rest on me.

His worry and concern manifested into anger in his mind, and it was aimed squarely at me. I couldn't blame his reaction—I had hurt his daughter and now I was back in her life.

"Thank you for bringing her home."

'Unlike last time. At least she seems happy, but I need to get her away from this boy! I don't like him and I don't trust him.'

"I'm sorry if we worried you, sir. We were talking and lost track of the time."

I tried to ignore Charlie's increasingly hostile thoughts.

"I should get home; my parents will be worrying about me," I said hastily.

Bella pouted. "Do you have to go?"

I cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes, longing to see that glint that signified she was back. "I'll see you soon."

After I'd said a subdued goodbye, I left the house. I drove home, parked Carlisle's Mercedes and ran immediately back to Bella's house.

I scaled the wall and climbed straight into her room, wishing that she would be herself again, yet knowing I had no way to reach her if she wasn't.

I was disappointed as I slid her window closed. Bella was physically in the room, but her spark was still missing.

She sat on the end of her bed, turning a CD case over in her hands.

I heard the final notes of the lullaby—the gift that I'd left for her to discover.

A small smile played at her lips as she listened to the music. I wondered how she would feel about the other songs I'd selected to sing for her. A moment later, the piano changed to the first of the cover songs I'd recorded on the CD.

"May I have this dance?" I asked, offering her my hand.

My Bella might have been immersed deep within her own mind, but I needed to feel her body in my arms again. I needed the burn of thirst in my throat. It had once signified my struggle for control but now reminded me that I was intimately close to my love.

When she nodded, I pulled her into my embrace and began to move in a slow circle. "When I see your smile, tears run down my face. I can't replace."

I began to sing along with the lyrics.

"And now that I'm strong, I have figured out. How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul."

I wished that she knew the meaning behind the words. I hoped that she'd realize I'd chosen the songs very carefully, each one imparting a message that I needed her to hear. Part of me even hoped that the outpouring of my emotions through song while I held her close would bring her back to me.

"And I know I'll find deep inside me, I can be the one."

This song was the one that had sparked the idea of creating a new CD, adding to the songs I'd already given her.

"I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all."

Even as I sang the lyrics—with my lips against the skin of her neck—they took on new meaning for me. I wanted to bring Bella back to this world, but if I couldn't I would ensure she'd never be hurt again. I wouldn't treat her differently. And when she did come back to me, I would do whatever it took to ensure she never left me again.

"Even if saving you sends me to heaven."

I stopped our gentle swaying and raised my hand, gently drawing her chin up to look at me.

"I love you, Bella."

She rested her head against my shoulder. "I love you too."

I knew her words were true, but the sentiment, which had been so clear during our afternoon together, had been lost since she slipped away to the other reality.

We slow danced to the rest of the songs I'd recorded on the CD and I savored every second that I could hold her close.

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As soon as Bella was asleep, I reluctantly slipped from her room. The rest of my family would have arrived already and I wanted to see them again. I ran home through the dark forest, feeling somewhat relieved when I detected fresh wolf trails. I'd never been so happy to be inundated with such a putrid smell.

They will protect her.

The whole journey home, I exerted concentrated attention searching for Kieran's scent or thoughts. I knew he was behind Bella's sudden withdrawal into herself but I hadn't detected him near the meadow or in the woods behind Charlie's house.

I had no idea how great the reach of his gift was. The last I'd seen or heard of him was in Alice's vision almost six hours ago; for all I knew he could have been miles away.

Yet, his absence worried me because I felt blind to his scheming.

I knew Alice would be keeping a close eye on Bella's future. Part of her concern stemmed from the fact that she knew, that my existence was entwined so tightly with Bella's that any harm that befell her also harmed me. Ironically though, Alice would have been watchful of Bella regardless. Alice—in fact everyone in my family—already considered Bella to be an integral part of their future.

I arrived home to find Esme waiting outside. She opened her arms as soon as she saw me and I fell into them, desperate to experience the comfort that only a mother could bring.

I rested my head against her shoulder and let out a massive sigh in an effort to release the stress and concern that I'd been holding in all night.

"It'll be okay," she soothed.

I wanted to demand that she tell me how she knew, but then I heard the sincerity of her thoughts. She believed that Bella and I were soul mates and it was destined that everything would work out. I couldn't find it in my heart to tell her that I'd seen evidence that it didn't always. Instead, I nodded and straightened up.

"Welcome home," I said.

The guilt of knowing the only reason we'd left Forks was because of my bad decision, crept back into my mind.

"Home is where my children are." She smiled genuinely, picturing Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, and myself and Bella.

I kissed her forehead before walking inside to see everyone else.

It was a long overdue family reunion with just one member missing.

I promised that I'd bring Bella home straight after school the following afternoon.

As soon as I could, I pulled Alice aside. She'd been hiding something from me and I wanted to find out what it was.

'Don't panic, but there's another vampire in the area.'

I couldn't believe what she was saying.

"How am I supposed to not panic about that?"

It was the last thing I needed with all of my other concerns; it made me anxious.

'I know what he means, Bella's a danger magnet. That's got to be…' Her thoughts trailed off as she gained control over them. 'Sorry. I don't see him anywhere near her., As far as I can see he's just passing through.'

She showed me a picture of a tall, blond, male vampire running through the forest. The area he ran through was one I'd frequently hunted and was therefore free of Bella's scent.

"Keep an eye on him, please?" I asked.

"That goes without saying, Edward."

"I know. Thank you."

Knowing I'd performed my familial duties and welcomed everyone home, I was anxious to return to Bella. I changed my clothes quickly before running back to Bella's side.

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~ BELLA SWAN ~

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The sun had sunk below the horizon, yet the dark didn't hinder my sight. Kieran and I had run for miles and miles and I didn't even feel a little exhausted. I'd never felt so carefree before.

There was only one problem—every time I stopped moving, questions niggled at my mind. There was something I'd forgotten; something important. The answers were elusive and each time I tried to focus on them, Kieran found something new to show me.

We were currently standing on Columbia Crest, at the summit of Mount Rainier. I couldn't believe how easy it had been to reach the peak. The view was breathtaking and the thinner air changed Kieran's scent slightly.

"Where to next?" he asked, smiling in amusement at my wide grin.

I shrugged. Part of me wanted to leap off the mountain just to see what would happen, but a small voice in the back of my mind whispered of the danger involved. I figured it was the survival instinct that although now completely unnecessary, was so ingrained I couldn't assuage it.

"How about Goat Rocks?" he asked. "It's just a short run from here."

I paused as something he said trigged a memory. I managed to cling to the tail of the thought as it raced through my mind. As I concentrated, words came into my consciousness but I couldn't get a clear picture. It was like watching a badly tuned TV.

"Dad, do you know a place called Goat Rocks or something like that? I think it's South of Mount Rainier."

"It's not a good place for camping. Too many bears. Most people go there during the hunting season."

As soon as I heard my father's voice, images of his face flooded into my mind.

That's what I've forgotten?

"Charlie."

I hadn't even given him a second thought.

Without another word, I spun around and ran back toward Forks, following the trail of my own scent.

"Bella, wait!" Kieran called behind me, but I didn't stop.

I heard his footsteps following me as he struggled to keep up, but I was on a mission. I needed to see Charlie. I needed to know he was okay.

What does he think happened to me?

I pushed myself as hard as I could, still surprised that even running as fast as I could I didn't break a sweat or lose my breath.

I turned away from the trail I'd been following when I got closer to Forks, trying to find landmarks that I recognized so that I could find my way back home.

While I was stationary, Kieran caught up with me.

"This isn't a good idea," he said under his breath.

"I have to know that he's okay. He's my father."

Kieran stroked my cheek gently. The move reminded me of…something.

"What about your thirst?" he asked, running his hand gently down the column of my throat.

I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. The feeling of his fingers brushing across my skin was almost—but not quite, familiar—but definitely not unwelcome.

"We don't have to do this, we can go anywhere."

I nodded. "I have to know."

Kieran sighed. "I can't deny you anything."

I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

He shifted his head slightly and cupped my cheek again. He stopped breathing and leaned closer to me.

I knew what he intended to do, but something stopped me from claiming his lips. I turned my head away.

"I need to do this," I said quietly.

I took his hand in mine and ignored the look of disappointment on his face.

As we ran I kept wondering why I couldn't kiss him.

It's only natural, right?

He was my creator, and there was attraction between us. Yet there was something stopping me; it was reminiscent of the way I'd felt at the mountain summit. Some instinct, buried deep inside, was warning me against it.

Kieran clutched my hand tighter as we approached Charlie's house. I realized he was holding me back and it occurred to me that I was at risk of losing control.

That's why he was warning me?

I squeezed his hand gently to let him know I was in control. I didn't need to go into the house; I just had to make sure Charlie was okay.

I crept forward slowly, crawling on my stomach as I edged as close to the house as I dared. Then I focused all of my attention on the noises coming from within. I heard Charlie talking on the phone. His voice didn't sound sad and he didn't seem to be upset.

I heard my name mentioned and paid more attention to the words.

"Bells? Yeah she's good. She's found her soul mate and they've gone traveling together."

I looked over to Kieran, who gave me an encouraging nod.

"I don't know when I'll see her again, but I'm okay with that. She's happy, that's all that matters."

An insane amount of relief raced through my body. I felt better knowing Charlie wasn't in pain over my new existence.

"Shall we go?" Kieran whispered to me.

I nodded and pushed up from the ground. I paused momentarily when a strangely familiar tune started. I tilted my head as it played.

Is it coming from inside the house?

I listened as the melody rose and fell until it eventually ceased.

"Bella, we should go." Kieran pulled my hand lightly, trying to get me to move.

I nodded. The music had stopped anyway. I just wished I could remember where I'd heard the song before.

I took a step toward Kieran when another song started. A soft piano introduction filtered through speakers somewhere inside Charlie's house.

"When I see your smile, tears run down my face. I can't replace."

The voice singing the songs was so familiar. Images of intense amber eyes filled my mind together with a name.

"Edward," I murmured. I couldn't picture his face, but I felt an overwhelming feeling of love and security wash over me at the thought of his name. An image of a field filled with wild flowers came to me unbidden.

"I wish you hadn't remembered," Kieran said.

"Why?" I asked, taking a step away from him; there was something in his tone that worried me.

He reached out and grabbed my hands. "I didn't want you to remember the pain he'd caused you. Remember how I found you?"

I shook my head. I struggled to recall anything from before Kieran showed me how to run. Even when I thought of Edward I could only picture his eyes.

Kieran ran his fingers along the top of my arm. "You were bleeding."

An image clarified in my mind. Edward's face, emotions I couldn't identify battling across his features. My voice cutting through the silence between us, "Well, if we're done here."

I remembered turning and running.

"I tripped," I said to myself.

He smiled. "And I found you."

I recalled looking up into hungry black eyes as the pain overtook me. Edward's and Kieran's faces merged until all I could remember was one set of eyes.

As Kieran traced the place on my arm where my cut had been, I could see the faint outline of a bite mark.

"I saved you," Kieran whispered.

"Edward left me."

"And I love you."

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A/N:- The song is "Your Guardian Angel" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

The mojo that I lost on this story was found somewhat safe & sound recently. Hopefully the next chapter should be chugging along soon.

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