Black eyes narrowed at the sight in front of him. His family had all betrayed him in favor of Rosalie. He couldn't believe it. Even Carlisle, who had always stood beside him, was choosing Rosalie. Why didn't anyone see that Bella was meant for him? She was his singer and he hadn't killed her. That had to mean he loved her. On top of that he couldn't read her mind. The one person in the world he couldn't hear. It was perfect. It was love. There was no other explanation.
What happened in Port Angeles was unfortunate. He never meant for Bella to get hurt. The blood had been too much. He was working on it though and he was confident it wouldn't happen again. But what's done is done and he couldn't change it. He would simply make it up to Bella. He just needed to get close to her.
That was the real problem. His siblings never left Bella alone. Rosalie was always beside her. In her bed while Bella slept, holding her and kissing her forehead when she had nightmares. It disgusted him. That was where he belonged and sooner or later, he would be right where he belonged. It would be him touching her and kissing her.
Edward leaned back against the tree trunk. Planning his next move would be difficult with Alice watching his every move. Luckily, he learned a trick. Vampires could think of many things at once. Some things were at the forefront of their mind. Those were the thoughts he could hear and the decisions Alice could see. The trick was to keep his plans at the back of his mind. That was how he got around Alice's visions.
With one last look at his peaceful mate, he took off running. He had a lot to do and not a lot of time.
"Bella," Rosalie muttered, kissing her hair. "I know you're awake."
Bella groaned and rolled over to face Rosalie. "What time is it?"
"Just after eight," Rosalie replied. Bella groaned again and covered her face. "Don't cover your face. I happen to like looking at it." Bella blushed and moved her arm. "Emmett's been itching to leave."
Bella frowned. She had forgotten about her promise to him. "I should get ready." She tried to get out of the bed but Rosalie held her in place.
"Emmett can wait. There's something I want to talk to you about," Rosalie said. Bella's eyes widened and she started shaking. She was terrified about what Rosalie had to say. "Relax Bella." Rosalie squeezed Bella's hand. "It's nothing bad. It's about Esme actually."
"Did you talk to her?" Bella asked hopefully.
"I did," Rosalie confirmed. "While you slept. She wants to spend time with you. I told her you were going to Seattle with Emmett but she was hoping to make dinner for you."
"I…" Bella started. She didn't know how to react.
"It's your choice love," Rosalie said. "If you don't want to see her, I will support you."
"I… I want to," Bella said slowly. "But I want you to be there."
Rosalie cupped her cheek. "I will be there if you need me. So will the rest if that makes you feel safer." Bella leaned into her touch. "Esme won't hurt you, if that's what you're worried about. When I talked to her, she seemed ashamed over her actions."
"I'm not worried about her hurting me," Bella whispered. "She's already hurt you and I don't want that to happen again."
"I'll be okay Bella," Rosalie promised. "This is about you."
"I'll see her," Bella decided. "But I can't guarantee anything."
Rosalie nodded. She pulled Bella into her arms. "You don't need to guarantee anything. Agreeing to see her is more than enough. She'll do anything you need."
"Okay," Bella said slowly. "Dinner tonight." She frowned. "I don't know when Emmett and I will be back."
Rosalie laughed. "Don't worry about that. Alice will see and Esme can plan around that."
Bella sat up. "I need to shower," she said. "I don't want to make Emmett wait all day."
Rosalie grabbed her hand. "You don't have to go yet," she said softly. She pulled Bella into her arms.
Bella reluctantly pulled away. "No. I promised Emmett. It's not fair to keep him waiting." Rosalie kissed her cheek. Bella looked around for her bag but couldn't find it.
"Here," Rosalie said laughing. She opened a dresser drawer that was full of Bella's clothes. "Alice decided you needed a space in my room for your things." Rosalie frowned. "Do you not like it?"
"No, it's great," Bella said. She threw her arms around Rosalie. "I love it Rose."
Rosalie kissed her cheek. "Go, get ready. I'll get you some breakfast."
"Is Emmett here?" Bella asked, surprised he wasn't trying to bother her. She grabbed jeans and a turtleneck. She tucked her bra and underwear into her clothes, not wanting Rosalie to see it.
"He went hunting," Rosalie answered. "Between sitting in a car with you and all the humans in Seattle, he wanted to be safe." Bella nodded. She wasn't worried about Emmett hurting her but it didn't hurt to be extra careful. "Go shower love. I'll be downstairs."
Bella went into Rosalie's bathroom and shut the door behind her. She turned the lock, in case Emmett tried to sneak up on her. She didn't think he would but better safe than sorry. She cranked the water as hot as it would go before stripping off her pajamas and climbing into the shower.
She sighed as the scalding water hit her back. The water felt good on her muscles. She reached for Rosalie's shampoo. She hadn't thought about bringing her own stuff.
The only thing that kept Bella from staying in the shower until all the hot water was gone was the fact that Emmett would be back soon. Bella turned off the water and reached for the towel. She frowned at the sight of a piece of paper on the floor. It looked like Rosalie shoved a note under the door.
Bella grabbed the note and flipped it over. Her name was on the outside but it wasn't Rosalie's handwriting. Bella's hand shook as she opened the letter.
I'll always be waiting for you.
That was all it said but that was enough.
"Rosalie," Bella screamed.
Before she could finish the door to the bathroom was knocked off its hinges and Rosalie was standing beside her, eyes black. Bella looked up to see Emmett and Jasper hovering by the doorway. Rosalie glanced at her brothers. They nodded and took off.
"What's wrong?" Rosalie asked rung her hands down Bella's arms.
"Where did they go?" Bella asked, her voice raw from screaming.
"Edward was in my room," Rosalie answered. "They went to look for him. Did you see him?"
Bella handed her the note Edward had left for her. Rosalie scanned the paper. Her snarls echoed throughout the bathroom.
"Rosalie," Alice called standing in the doorway. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see."
Rosalie pulled Bella into her arms. "It's okay Alice. I know he got around your visions."
"He didn't want to hurt her," Alice said softly. "I would have seen that."
Bella shivered. Between her wet hair and Rosalie's cold body, she was freezing. "Should I stay here?"
"No," Rosalie answered. "You and Emmett are looking forward to this. But we're not leaving you alone. Look at me Bella," she said softly. Bella looked at her. Her eyes were black from anger and Bella didn't foresee that changing. "I want you to stay by Emmett's side, no matter what. I won't risk Edward trying to get to you."
"I'll stay by Emmett," Bella promised.
Rosalie didn't like the idea of Bella going off to Seattle. She knew Emmett would protect her but the thought of Edward being close to Bella made her tense.
Emmett walked into the bathroom. "I'll keep her safe Rose," Emmett swore. He did his best to avoid looking at Bella, since she was still wearing only a towel. "No sign of Edward. His car was parked a few miles away. That's where his scent disappeared. Jasper is contacting the pack to let them know he is dangerous."
"What about Carlisle?" Rosalie asked. She already promised him a chance to talk to Edward.
"We called him," Emmett answered. "He agreed with our decision to go to the wolves." Rosalie glanced at her towel clad mate and then looked to Emmett. "I'll be waiting downstairs Bella."
Rosalie moved to the doorway, her back to Bella in order to give her some privacy. "Get dressed Bella," she instructed gently.
Bella didn't move. "Are you really going to stand there while I get dressed?" Bella demanded.
Rosalie turned around. She stepped toward Bella and for the first time Bella was afraid. "Edward was able to slip you a note without us noticing. If he wanted in here, he would have gotten in, and who knows where you would be right now," Rosalie snapped. "So yes, I will be right here."
Rosalie glared at her. Bella cringed and Rosalie's face softened.
"Nice job Rosalie," Jasper snapped from his room. "Now you've gone and scared." He stepped into the bathroom. "Wait downstairs with Emmett."
Rosalie growled at him. "No."
Jasper squared his shoulders. "Go downstairs," Jasper repeated, his lip curling back. Rosalie still didn't move. Jasper sent her an emotional cocktail. "This is what you did to her. Now go cool off and let me try to help."
Rosalie looked at Bella with a horrified expression on her face. "Bella," she started.
"Go," Jasper repeated one last time.
Rosalie glanced at Bella one last time. "Sorry," she muttered before running out of the bathroom.
"Is she okay?" Bella asked Jasper.
"She'll be okay," he answered. "She's terrified and ashamed of her actions. In all honesty, she reacted far better than I would have."
"She wouldn't have hurt me," Bella said confidently.
"No she wouldn't have," Jasper agreed. "But she did scare you. She needs to take some time to calm down." He glanced at Bella, wearing nothing but a towel. "I'll be in Rosalie's room. Call me if you need anything."
While Jasper sat on Rosalie's bed and waited, Bella quickly got dressed. She brushed her hair before pulling it back into a messy bun. Five minutes later she stepped back into the bedroom. She grabbed her shoes and sat beside Jasper while she put them on.
"What's going to happen with the door?" Bella asked, gesturing to the broken bathroom door.
"Don't worry. We'll get it replaced before you and Emmett get back," Jasper promised. "That's not what you wanted to ask."
"Edward," Bella started, unsure what exactly to say.
"That was our fault," Jasper said with a sigh. "We didn't think he would be stupid enough to come to the house with us all here. We won't make that mistake again. I'm getting the wolves involved to help keep an eye on things."
"What if Edward tries to hurt them?"
"They won't," Jasper said confidently. "All he wants is to prove that you're his mate. It is only true in his mind. That's what makes him so dangerous. He fully believes he's doing the right thing."
"And if I die in the process," Bella muttered.
"You're not going to die Bella," Jasper said firmly. "We underestimated him and that will not happen again. We will be patrolling around the house and your father's house. He will not get close without us noticing."
"How did he get in?" Bella asked curious. She didn't blame them but she wanted to know how he was able to slip past a house full of vampires.
"His scent is all over the house," Jasper answered. "His scent didn't register when he came in. Plus, he's fast. Even if we had noticed he was in and out before we could do anything." He paused to study Bella. "You're worried about Rosalie."
"I've never seen her so angry," Bella said softly.
"It wasn't directed at you," Jasper said, putting an arm around Bella. "No matter what she said, she wasn't angry at you. She's scared for you. She's terrified Edward's obsession is going to get you killed, or injured. She's angry that Edward was able to get close without us realizing. When you screaming…" Jasper shuddered. "Every one of us stopped breathing and for Rosalie it was ten times worse."
"I should see her," Bella muttered.
"Only if you feel comfortable with it," Jasper told her.
"She won't hurt me," Bella said again.
"I never for a moment believed she would. But she scared you," Jasper reminded her.
Bella sat there silently for a moment, leaning against Jasper. The cold body is nice but it wasn't the cold body she wanted beside her. "I want to see her," Bella said.
"Alright," Jasper said pulling away from Bella. "Let's go." He cocked his head to the side and sighed. "Emmett's getting impatient."
Bella laughed. She stood and held out her hand for Jasper. He took her hand and they went downstairs.