Planning

So sorry about the wait, but first my computer died, then I had to get used to a newer version of Word, not to mention an immense case of writers block.So just a lot of setbacks. But now I’m back, so enjoy the chapter!

Edwards P.O.V

The car screeched into the driveway, burning rubber as the breaks squealed. We hopped out and ran into the house. We had called Esme from the car and Carlisle had come home from the hospital.

I still held the letter, and it felt as though it were burning a hole in my heart. My stomach twisted and clenched, and I was forgetting to breathe. Ha, forgetting to breathe. It reminded me of all the times I had to tell Bella to breathe when I kissed her with too much passion.

Which is why I never went as far as my body screamed at me to, lest I hurt her. Bella thought that I was always under perfect control, but she had no idea how much her body tempted me, even more than her blood, something I had not thought possible.

She also didn’t grasp how strong I really was, how easily I could hurt her. Which is why whenever my hands threatened to roam; I forced myself to pull them back. I would not tolerate taking any chances, although as of late, I had been finding it harder and harder to keep my hands to myself.

Thinking of my beautiful Bella was starting to hurt, and so I pulled away from happy memories and decided to explore Jaspers mind. I was sure that with all the fear and panic swimming around, he was close to losing it, and I was right.

Oh god, my head is pounding. So much fear, too much panic… Alice is hyperventilating, Emmet is close to tears, Rosalie is frustrated, and Edward, yes, I know you are listening. You man, are feeling fear, panic, anger, frustration, sadness, love, and I caught some lust back there. Don’t worry brother, we’ll get through this.

I nodded my thanks and went in the house, my siblings trailing behind me. Inside, I found Carlisle pacing around the cavernous living room, and Esme hugging her knees on the couch. I went up to my father figure and wordlessly reached into my pocket and handed him the letter.

He read it, eyes tightening in pain and then passed it to Esme. She read it, and then went back rocking. In desperate need of a distraction from the growing pain in my stomach and lower lungs, weighing me down with hurt, I roamed to Carlisle’s thoughts.

Oh god, not again! Our poor, poor Bella. Things never go her way. And Edward! He loves her so much, and I can tell this is killing him. The expression on his face is heartbreaking. Now, what to do…

I pulled out and went to Esme, who was still rocking on the couch.

No, no, no, not Bella! We can’t lose her; she’s my daughter, not to mention the best thing that ever happened to Edward. Losing her would just kill him. We can’t lose her, no, no, no.

I felt a great rush of affection for Esme, glad for her determination. Next up was Emmet.

Shit, shit, shit! Just as things are going great, Edwards in love and the Cullen’s are happy, those damned Volturi have to go and snatch Bella. I swear that if any of them lay so much as a finger on my baby sister, I will personally rip their arms off! And I can only imagine what Edward will do, overprotective as he is. I wonder how he’s holding up…

Emmet glances over at me and realizes that I heard it all.

Oh. Hey Edward, how’re you holding up? When this is over, don’t beat yourself up. Remember, it’s not your fault and Bella really hates it when you do the whole “I’m a monster” self-loathing thing.

I scowled and turned away. Time to go explore Rosalie’s thoughts.

Ugh, not again! Why must that little human cause so much trouble. I don’t care for her, but I suppose that we will have to go after her, seeing as she means so much to Edward. Losing her would kill him, and I will not have my family broken.

Well, at least her thoughts were not too unkind, that was better than I expected. Last came Alice, and I was almost afraid to hear her as her face was scrunched up in fear and frustration.

Show me Bella, show me Bella, why can’t I see her?!? Maybe my powers are malfunctioning. Let’s see. Show me Edward, show me Edward…

Her face went blank and her eyes lifeless as a movie played in her mind. It showed me, walking up the stairs, robotically entering my room, and curling up in the fetal position on my bed, eyes filled with pain.

Okay, well at least my power seems to be fine, but poor, poor Edward, I don’t know what he’s going to do. He relies on me so much to see if she’s safe, and now we have no way of knowing if she’s still alive. Oh no, oh no, oh no…

I sat immobile, stunned by the terrible news. I had no way of knowing if my angel still breathes? I have no way of knowing if my life still holds meaning? This was so much worse than I thought. At the pain and desperation surging through me, the weight in my lungs got heavier. It got harder to breathe, and it felt like there were a hundred knives bouncing around in my body, piercing me through with agony.

I looked to Jasper and his eyes showed pain, panic and pity, he had obviously sensed my mood. He tried to call out to me with his thoughts, but I was incapable of hearing. Not trusting my voice, I made Alice’s vision come true by walking up the stairs, into my room and curling up on my bed.

I don’t know how long I lay there, it could have been minutes or even days. I wasn’t making the slightest effort to keep track. A while later, there came a knock at my door.

“Edward?” Esme’s soft voice called out. “Can we come in?” I sighed and walked lethargically to the door, swinging it open as my entire family filed in, Esme, Alice and Emmet sat down on the bed with me. Carlisle, Rosalie and Jasper took the couch. Carlisle cleared his throat and began to speak.

“So Edward, we have been discussing it, and have come up with some sort of a plan. It says in the letter, that the Volturi-“ I hissed at the name, “have Bella, which most likely means Volturi castle.” “Since Alice can’t see her at the moment, we won’t be able to know for sure, but we have come up with a plan.”

A plan? I sat up straighter, the sooner I hear this, the sooner Bella is returned to me. And I knew that this time I would never ever let her go. “We know that we will have to get inside the castle, and as we all know it is a fortress, the only way will be to get captured.” “Alice, Emmet, Rosalie and myself will pose a fake rescue attempt and get captured by the Volturi.” “Once we get inside, we will find out where Bella is, and plan the best way out.”

“If we can’t get Bella out within three days, you will go in and pretend to join them. That will give us another person to help plan.” Hmm. This plan was very shaky, and had a million ways to backfire, but it was all we had at the moment. “Okay then,” I agreed. “Let’s do this.”

But suddenly, Alice’s face went blank, and her eyes rolled back slightly. A few seconds later my cell phone rang. But it was impossible. The only ones with my number where my family and… Bella.

Alice came back then. “Answer your phone, Edward.”

I flipped the lid and put it to my ear. “Hello?” I said. “Edward?” Came the one honey sweet voice I longed to hear. Hardly believing it, I gasped and while my family stared in shock. I replied, “Bella?”

Ooh, a cliffy! Yes, I know you hate me, but just keep those reviews coming, they make me write faster! 3