personally responsible. Do you understand that?" I said softly.
I heard her loud gulp. "Yes," she whispered.
I looked at Alice who turned back to me. "Can Jasper handle this?"
He cares for Bella, too. "Give him some credit, Edward. He's been doing very, very well, all things considered."
I raised an eyebrow. "Can you handle this?" I asked.
I have fewer problems handling it then you do. I'd never hurt Bella. How dare you. Alice thought while a growl ripped up her throat and she pulled back her lips to show her gleaming teeth.
Coming from Alice, the very tiny Alice, made me smile despite the events of this evening. "But keep your opinions to yourself," I said harshly, knowing that the knowledge of her visions would be too much for Bella to handle.
You mean the one where I think you should change her into a vampire so she can live with us forever? She thought with great smugness.
I grimaced while pulling into Bella's driveway, looking out at the dark grounds surrounding her house. A lump formed in my throat at the thought of what had to happen next.
21. Goodbye
There is no scent of a vampire anywhere near us, Emmett thought while looking around the darkened grounds.
All clear here, Alice looked through the future. He'll show up, but he won't bother us...he wants her to himself.
Looking out through the window of the Jeep I could see no sign of the tracker. I was secretly hoping that he wouldn't show up. Putting Bella in the line of danger was burning holes through me.
"He's not here," my voice was tense. "Let's go," I firmly commanded.
I gave Emmett a tight nod and he started unbuckling Bella's harness. I could hear her pulse start to race as her breathing became harsh and ragged. Her breath filled my lungs, reminding me forcibly of the precious creature I would be protecting this evening.
She's worried...so human. "Don't worry, Bella," Emmett said in an amused voice, "we'll take care of things here quickly."
Moisture was beginning to build up in Bella's eyes and in that most fleeting of seconds I wanted to take her and run - run thousands of miles - just me and her, together.
That's not an option, Alice's vision swirled in her head before it went up in a wisp of smoke as I realized she was right. We should hurry, her thoughts were strained as the many smoky and shadowy figures shifted and disappeared with each decision that was being made.
"Alice, Emmett," I called.
I hope he's here! This is going to be so much fun! Emmett ran away gleefully.
Don't worry, Edward. We'll keep her safe. Alice slid silently into the trees.
Bella was showing extraordinary strength for someone so human. I swept out of the Jeep and opened the back door to see Bella's face which was still full of sadness and my protective side took a different turn as I took her hand and brought her to my side to comfort and protect her.
As the terror rose in my chest I was beginning to drag my feet reluctantly towards her door, where she would leave me to go inside. I knew the only safe place for her was in my arms. Our footsteps echoed in the silence but I was not oblivious to my surroundings as we walked; my eyes continually darting from every corner of the open space like we were in the middle of a war.
I hear someone approaching, Emmett resisted the temptation to attack but his thoughts were always wildly enthusiastic about the prospect.
"Fifteen minutes," I reminded Bella while stealing a glance to look at her face, an icy surge of terror rising in the pit of my stomach.
Tiny tears began seeping from beneath her eye lids as she looked up into my eyes. "I can do this," she sniffed like she was trying to convince herself more than me.
The lights on the porch were on, making her tears reflect the light as soon as we ascended the last step. She turned around to face me, bringing her warm hands to my face, sending a quivering feeling through my body in the most hostile of times.
"I love you," Bella said intensely. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."
What did she think was going to happen to her? An odd chill ran up my spine. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Bella," I replied fiercely.
"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep Charlie safe for me. He's not going to like me very much after