Chapter Twenty

Charlotte

It wasn't until I stopped talking on the phone that I realized how quiet the house was. I rushed upstairs and into her room but it was empty and Grace had gone too. I opened the closet and noticed Bella's clothes were gone as was Shadow. As I walked out I kicked something on the floor, Bella's cell phone. She must have dropped it as she left. I picked it up and checked the log for incoming and outgoing calls swearing as I flew back to the phone in panic,

"She's gone Major, so is Grace. She received a call while we were talking and she's left."

"She didn't leave a note or anything?"

"No but I know she was upset, she thinks you don't care, that she's lying about Grace. You really shattered her and she was scared enough as it was."

What was the number Char? Who called her? Was it her Dad?"

"No, not Charlie. I don't recognize the number and it's not in her contacts."

I reeled off the number and heard his curses,

"That's Rosalie's number. If Bella thinks Carlisle is the one who is responsible for what happened then she'd trust Rose. Get after her, stop her Charlotte. If Rose gets her then it's over, for Bella and her baby."

I went out running full pelt and soon saw her walking up the track with Grace in her arms. I shouted in panic as I saw a car coming fast. Bella turned hearing me and tried to run but she twisted her ankle and went down heavily rolling so as not to land on Grace. Coming to her side I explained quickly about Rose as the car closed the distance. I saw shock and pain on her face,

"Take Grace Charlotte and run. Keep my daughter safe for me, please."

I was torn but I couldn't keep Grace safe and carry Bella at the same time so with a scream of frustration I took Grace in my arms and ran, the little girl screaming for her mother as we got further and further away.

Rose

I saw Bella walking towards the highway her baby in her arms and smiled, I was about to get my lab rat back. It hadn't been difficult to get away from the others on their way to Denali, they knew I'd been doing some experiments that necessitated my presence frequently. Finding Bella's cell phone number using Emmett's tracking program I got through to her, she was in Oregon and I was close by. I was almost within grabbing distance when a female, probably Charlotte Whitlock, took the child from Bella and ran away and I thumped the steering wheel in frustration. Well, Bella would do for now, I could possibly get the child in return for the mother or start over. Opening the door I debated running after the woman with the baby but she had too long a head start and she was very fast so I grabbed Bella by the collar and heaved her onto the back seat before jumping back in the car and hitting the central locking, I turned the car round and headed back the way I'd come. I may have lost the result of my experiment but I still had my lab rat and I could do it again, more sure of the outcome this time. I heard a stifled scream from the back seat and turned to see Bella hanging out of the open window. As I applied the brake she fell outside the car and just my luck a car coming the other way skidded to a halt just avoiding her. I couldn't afford to get caught up with a Police investigation so reluctantly I made off, away from the scene as quickly as I could. I toyed with the idea of following the woman and baby but I had no idea whether they were headed to the house or who else was around so I took off back towards Boston, a long and fruitless journey this had been, and I no longer had Jasper in cold storage for another attempt. I'd need to find another sperm donor.

Bella

There was no way Rose was going to get my baby so I told Char to go, run with Grace, keep her safe. As Rosalie came to a halt and grabbed me I managed a curse before she bundled me in the back of the car and I heard the doors lock. Before she could stop me I wound the window down and slithered out catching my ankle on the door frame and crying out in pain. Seeing the road pass beneath me I knew the landing was going to hurt but I had to at least try. I saw the black top spin crazily as I rolled along, my ankle and various other parts of my anatomy screaming in protest as they came into forceful contact with hard surfaces. I saw tires headed towards me and closed my eyes waiting for the crunch as my bones hit the oncoming car but it skidded and must have just avoided me. As I came to rest on softer ground, presumably the grass strip at the road side I heard a squeal of tires then voices.

"Did you get the number?"

"That car tried to run her over"

"No I think she jumped out"

"Is she dead?"

I felt hands turning me over and felt stabbing pains all over, I was badly beaten but still breathing and free of Rosalie's clutches so I considered it a win. As I heard sirens I held on to consciousness barely. I needed to get word to Charlotte that I was safe. The paramedics checked me over before strapping me on the stretcher and I managed a whispered conversation, giving Charlotte's number as my sister before I felt a sting in my thigh and the world turned grey then black around me.

Charlotte

I wasn't sure if Rose would follow me so I ran as fast as I could then I heard her car moving away so I stopped and comforted Grace who was crying bitterly and calling for her mother. As I picked up Shadow and banged him against my leg to get the dust off she held out her hand and I passed him to her. Her cries stilled slowly and I saw she was holding him tightly to her face. I turned to go to the barn intending to drive after Rose if possible when I heard the sirens. Were they for Rose? Had she been involved in an accident? I started to run but Grace screamed and pointed to the house over and over. Deciding she was trying to tell me something through her distress I went to the still open door and heard the phone ringing insistently. I picked it up dreading to hear Peter or Jasper but it was the hospital. They'd been radioed an incoming casualty of a traffic accident, my sister Bella was on her way in. Thanking our lucky stars I told them I was on my way and putting down the receiver kissed Graces face,

"You knew didn't you little one. Lets go find mummy".

Before I could move the phone rang again but this time I ignored it. I would ring the guys from the hospital, until then I had no news for them. Grace sat in her seat in the car hugging Shadow and singing to him softly as I drove as fast as legal to the hospital. Inside the reception the emergency desk was deserted so I had to wait holding Grace in my arm as she looked round interested in the new surroundings.

"Mummy?"

"Soon Grace. The doctor is making sure she isn't hurt"

"Mummy hurt?"

"I don't know darling. We'll find out soon."

A nurse came out through the swing doors and I grabbed her explaining who we were.

"She's in with the doctor now. She was very lucky, a badly twisted ankle, bruised ribs, and severe contusions. I think the Police would like a word if possible Mrs Whitlock then you can wait in one of the relatives rooms with your daughter. She's very pretty aren't you darling"

"Grace"

The nurse looked at me,

"She speaks very clearly for such a young child"

"Yes she's very forward aren't you Grace"

Grace peered at the nurse shyly over Shadow.

"What's his name Grace?"

"Shadow"

"That's a nice name for a horse."

She led me to a room where two Policemen sat I assumed waiting to speak to Bella.