A Mother's Fear

[Bella Cullen]

It had been a few days since Bella had seen or heard from Renesmee. Edward assured her that everything was fine, he'd spoke with her and Ness just needed some time. Time was something Bella could give her. Although she hated not speaking to her daughter especially around the holidays, she knew it was all she was asking. Alice had been watching decisions, nothing had struck her as odd. Jacob said that she'd been normal on their last talk, but he hadn't seen her. It was beginning to worry Bella. Edward had mentioned Renesmee possibly visiting their cousins in Alaska, the Denali clan. Only...when she called, no one there had seen her either. That threw her into a state of panic. Her worst fears...the Volturi. Aro had finally taken her daughter. The phone cracked in her hand and she realized she had been squeezing it. Edward had gone out to speak to Carlisle, leaving her alone in their cottage.

She felt like crying, the tears wouldn't fall...but the feeling was deep within her soul. Her daughter...she was in danger or she had left. All because of her. She blamed herself. Running a finger along the framed photo of her and Renesmee when she was a little girl, it only made her break down more. She sank to her knees and placed her head in her hands.

[Edward Cullen]

"Trust your instincts Edward, it will all be fine, Trust me son."

Carlisle smiled softly at Edward. He had always found comfort in Carlisle's words, knowing that he could always provide the answers that he needed. Edward had arranged for Renesmee to spend some time with the their cousins the Denali Clan, as she wanted some time alone to collect her thoughts, for which he could understand, he knew the troubles that clouded their daughter's mind. The past relationship with Bella and Jacob, true it was still something that he could not apprehend himself, but knew that it was all in the past, something that he had tried to explain to Renesmee, hoping to qualm any of her building worries that troubled her.

"Thank you Carlisle, have you seen Bella?" he questioned Carlisle.

"No, i haven't Edward, have you checked the cottage, we all know how Bella loves it there" he smiled.

Edward nodded to Carlisle as he joint into a fatherly embrace, he felt happy knowing that Carlisle would always be there for him when he was needed.

"How is Esme?" he asked quietly.

"She is, she is coping. But i do worry about her, with Ryder and Renesmee, she is finding it hard. I plan to take her on a trip" he said softly.

"Well, you know I will always help" Edward said in a much softer tone.

"Thank you Edward" Carlisle smiled "Go find Bella, I am sure she is anxious to see you" his smile became brighter.

Edward nodded as he exited the room and headed down the stairs to the front door, and once outside, he sped across the short distance to his and Bella's cottage that still remained as beautiful and perfect as it always remained too be. Standing on the porch, he opened the front door to see if Bella was here.

"Bella?.......Bella?" he called out quietly, knowing that she would hear him.

Not hearing her call out to him, he closed the door to the cottage and searched out Bella, finding her sitting quietly, holding a picture of her and their daughter when she was still a young child in form. Crouching down in front of Bella, wrapping his hand around her's, his other hand cupping her cheek as his thumb stroked her soft cheek.

"Bella, Bella, what's wrong? Has something happened?" he asked softly, a clear display of worry on his face as he waited for her to respond.

[Bella Cullen]

The pain and worry was almost unbearable. She felt as if she were crying but couldn't show it with tears. It was a pain, it was a feeling...it was deep. She heard his footsteps before he called out her name. The way her name sounded coming from him was always enough to make her smile...but not this time. Staring at the framed photo in her hand as she knelt down and sat back on her legs. He found her in the room Renesmee had since decorated to suit her growing nature. It wasn't childish anymore, it was perfect for a young woman of her...age?

When he knelt down in front of her and ran his thumb over her cheek, she looked up with pained eyes. "She's not in Alaska, Edward. She never arrived there. I just...." She covered her mouth to regain her composure before continuing. "I spoke to Tanya..." She shook her head. "She never went. Where is she?! What if...." Closing her eyes and looking down back at the photo, so afraid to say her fears out loud. Pushing her shield back she pictured one person...Aro. Sending him her thoughts and fears since she couldn't bear to say it aloud.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward felt a pang in his chest that he had only ever felt when he was subjected to the impending wait as Bella started her change to become a vampire, and now he felt it again, something that he hoped that he would never feel again in his existence, something that he prayed silently would never happen again. When Bella said that she had spoke to Tanya about their daughter never arriving in Alaska, and he knew Tanya well enough that she would not lie about a matter of this importance, especially knowing that they still grieved heavily over Irina and knowing fully what the Volturi were capable off. And knowing as Bella failed to finish the last part of her sentence, he knew what she was about to say, but afraid to say it, as it had passed through his mind for a split second.

"Bella...If the Volturi had anything to do with Renesmee, we would know, Alice would know. Nothing has happened to her, I know it...Have you spoken to Jacob? Did she say anything to him about where she may have gone?" he questioned Bella.

He knew in the pit of his stomach, that nothing had happened to their daughter, but yet he couldn't fight of this wave of doubt, not knowing where she was, the doubt has somehow managed to seep in and fill him with worry, but he tried to not let it show, knowing that if Bella could sense his worry, it would send her into a panic.

[Bella Cullen]

His reassurance that they'd know if the Volturi was behind it made her feel slightly better, but not by much. She was all alone, on her own. She may be older but to her Renesmee was still her little girl. What if she was hurt, or in danger? "How did Alice not see her decision? How did you not see it in her mind of her true intentions?? Jacob didn't even know she left, he's panicking." Had her gift grown and no one know it. So many questions and concerns going through her mind. She threw her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. "Oh Edward, what if something happens to her?"

[Edward Cullen]

Edward felt like he was put on the spot, under the blaring light, being interrogated by his wife, he was lost for words. How was it that Alice did not see their daughter's decision? How did he not hear what she was thinking? Had she become that advanced that she was able to shield herself like her mother? All these questions passed through his mind as he tried to summon up his reply, thinking carefully on his words, he sighed.

"You know that Alice can only see when that decision is made, Renesmee is almost like a blank spot for her, like the wolves. And I had no reason to listen in on her, And if her powers have advanced as they may have done, she changes everyday, she is the first of her kind what powers that we know of, other than Nahuel" his words tried send calmness to Bella.

He took both her hands into his, and kissed them softly, hoping to try to qualm Bella of her worries.

"Bella....I know that our daughter is safe. If something had happened to Renesmee, you would know about it....Your her mother, and I am her father, we would know if something had happened...Trust me" he offered a soft smile.

[Bella Cullen]

Bella looked into his eyes and sighed softly, giving him a nod. "You're...right. I'm just..." She shook her head and offered a forced smile. Placing her forehead against his, listening to his reassuring words over and over in her mind. Renesmee would be fine...she just needed some time. She needed to be on her own for a while to sort through her feelings. If something were wrong they'd know...she'd feel it. Wouldn't she?

"I love you, Edward." She whispered with her eyes closed. He was the one who kept her grounded and offered her words of wisdom when her own failed her. He was such an amazing husband and father, she was lucky to have him...forever. She took a deep breath to calm herself and knew that she had to trust in him. She had to have faith as she always did, that their daughter was not in danger but needed this alone time. Now she had to calm Jacob sooner or later, explaining that this was fine would not go over well with him. All her worries melted away with his words, she trusted Edward...completely.

[Edward Cullen]

"Trust me Bella. Everything will be alright. I know it" he whispered his last words. He knew deep down inside that their daughter was well and safe, he had to believe that, he forced himself to believe that everything would turn out alright. He didn't want Bella to worry, but the doubt had set in his mind that he would need to alert Alice to keep a look out for anything, and that he would take a trip to the Denali to see if their cousins had seen any whereabouts of their daughter, and if necessary, he would take a trip to Italy to speak with Aro. But that was something that he would need to tell Bella.

"Bella, I want you to take Alice and Emmett to the Denali, and i need to take a trip. But i don't want you to worry. I shall be back by the end of the week."

He hoped that he could get away without revealing where he was going, but he doubted that, if Aro got a whiff of Bella being within the city walls, he would claim her, and would not let her go, and he would not let that happen.

[Bella Cullen]

She looked up into his eyes and nodded. Listening as he spoke about going to Denali with Alice and Emmett she shook her head. "I go where you go. We can't keep proving splitting up only adds to our weaknesses." He was going to go off in search by himself and that would always end in something bad happening. She could not and would not let them part ways. If they were to find her they would do it together. With a stern face and determination she looked at him and waited to hear his rebuttal, which he was sure to have.

[Edward Cullen]

"Bella..." he paused as he tried to make her understand, he knew what Aro wanted, and he would not let that happen.

"Bella, I need you to trust me. Where I am going you can't follow. It will be dangerous for me if you come" he tried tried to be as subtle as he could.

"I shall be safe, but i need you to stay here, i only ask this of you, because it is important. I do not want to be apart from you, but i need you to promise me this Bella" his words barely a whisper.

[Bella Cullen]

She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking of his question. Having a feeling of where he was going only made her worry more. But she knew he was right, it would be dangerous if she went. IF it was where she was thinking. It still gave her chills up her spine. "I'll do this but you have to promise me to be careful and keep in contact with me."

Kissing his lips, lingering with such need and desperation before pulling away slowly and opening her eyes to meet his. "I promise..."

[Edward Cullen]

"I promise to call you every hour Bella...I promise" he offered a soft smile as he pulled her into for a sensual kiss as he hated to be away from Bella, but if he wanted to get a head start on his journey, he would need to get a head start in the next few hours, the sooner the better, if Aro had anything to do with this, he wanted to know. Aro knew about Alice and what she was capable of, and if a new member of guard had s gift that could blind Alice, he needed to know.

"Bella...If I am to get there, I need to go now sweetheart" his voice became low and hesitant.

[Bella Cullen]

It was hard saying good-bye...no matter how short a time it was. She nodded and kissed his lips again, cupping the back of his neck as her fingers drew deftly across the small hairs. It was the type of kiss that gave her chills down her spine, knowing she wouldn't see him for a week or maybe more she deepened the kiss to show her need.

When she finally pulled away, looking up into his eyes with her lips inches from his. "Come home soon. I love you..."

[Edward Cullen]

"I love you Bella" he smiled softly as he drew her into for one last kiss, before he be-grudgingly tore himself away from her lips as he gave her one last glance before he turned to head to pack a bag for his journey, this was what he had to do.

He had to know if Aro had something to do with Renesmee's disappearance, he pulled out his cell and made a quick call to book a flight to Italy.

So to Edward began his journey to Volterra.