Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Freedom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 21:

BPOV

Life has not slowed down. My baby girl was now closing in on her sixth month in this world. So far, so good. No more word from the Cullens or the Volturi. Paul’s job was going well and I still had no motivation to do anything besides hang out with my baby girl all day.

Paul was off today, so I went for my run with Tina and left Emmy at home with her daddy. I had worked my way up to running 5 miles and I have to say I am in better shape than I have ever been. I don’t even fall down anymore when I run. At least not much.

I arrived back home and showered. Emmy was napping so of course I had to fight off Paul trying to help me wash off. I didn’t fight hard.

We had plans to go into Port Angeles today. I was going to drop off Emmy at Sue’s and she was going to spend the day with Sue and Charlie. I couldn’t trust her in Forks with Charlie alone. Too much could happen there. The last thing I needed was some leech getting near my baby and my father.

After dropping off my baby, we were on our way. I needed new curtains for the living room and wanted to stop by a bookstore. Paul wanted me to find a female body piercer so I could have my jewelry back and maybe add some in unmentionable places. After childbirth, I doubt it could hurt that bad. Plus he was nervous about letting me off the reservation without him. I half-heartedly argued with him but knew he was right. We needed to stick together.

“So where do you want to go first baby?” Paul asked me.

I was about to answer him when a flash to the passenger side caught my eye.

“Paul did you see…”

Those were the last words out of my mouth before our car was suddenly stopped and I saw the front end crunch forward. The seat belt saved me from going through the windshield but the airbag deployed and knocked the hell out of me. I was dazed but I noticed Paul had the steering wheel in his chest.

I heard the door rip off and felt myself tugged out of the car by a cold hand.

“What do we do with the wolf?”

“Kill him. Aro only wants her alive.”

“NO! If you kill him, I die as well. Our souls are bound. If you want me alive you have to let him live.”

I saw Paul coming out of his daze. He quickly took in the scene and pushed the steering wheel off of this chest.

“Fine, leave him.”

“You can’t do that.” I heard Paul say from the seat beside me.

“If we are apart we will die as well. Our mating mark doesn’t allow us to be apart for more than a few hours before we become sick and die.”

That was bullshit but the look on his face told me to shut the hell up. So I shut the hell up. See I’m not that stubborn all the time. I saw a limo pull up. The window rolled down to reveal another leech. It must be a goddam convention in town.

“Demetri. Take them both.”

“Master he is a…”

“I know what he is. And he will behave if he wants to keep Bella safe, right Paul?”

“How do you know my name?”

“I know a lot about the both of you. Now Paul, are you going to behave or should we just kill the both of you right here?”

“I won’t attack you if that is what you are asking. So long as Bella is safe.”

“I understand. I want Bella alive. And from what I understand of mating, you too are a matched set. So you are both coming along.”

“Where are we going?” I asked. Anything to stall.

“A location near here. A place that is safe where we can talk. I would bring you back to Italy but I doubt that Caius would be happy about me bringing a wolf home.”

Thank God we weren’t going overseas. There was a chance to escape. I hated that Paul was coming with us but I was relieved as well. I have a feeling it won’t be as easy this time to set a house on fire. These guys didn’t strike me as stupid as the Cullens. I was placed in the limo and Paul sat down next to me. He was shaking. Demetri had his hand around the back of my neck. If he wanted to he could snap my neck at any time with no effort. Paul knew this and was doing his best to stay calm but we were in the back of a limo with 3 leeches. The stink was almost unbearable. I placed my hand in his hand to hopefully help calm him down and thought soothing thoughts. I knew he was blaming himself for our present circumstances but it wasn’t his fault. I never expected an attack like this.

“So Bella, I am a little angry with you. I sent Jane and Alec with a nice invitation for you to come see me. Your wolves killed them. That wasn’t very hospitable.”

“Aro, I am a little angry with you. I was having a good day until three vampires showed up at my door, telling me to come to Italy or they would kill my family and friends. That was not very kind of you. You could have picked up the phone and called.”

“You have no fear of me, do you?”

“Why should I?”

“I could kill you and your mate easily.”

“I have lived the last few years of my life in constant danger. My mate is a shape shifter designed to kill vampires. We don’t exactly have safe lives. Death is something I have come to accept as inevitable. I am not scared to die. And you can’t turn me into a vampire. So I have no reason to fear anything.”

“And why dear, do you not believe I could turn you into a vampire?”

“Paul and I share DNA. I can smell a vampire, same as he can. If you bite him he dies. Same thing will happen to me. Bite me and I will die. So no matter what, the worst thing that could happen to me is death.”

“And what of your loved ones?”

Paul started growling. “Calm down baby.”

“Aro, you like to threaten people to get what you want. I can’t stop what you are going to try to do to my loved ones. But they never leave the reservation. And it took you and three vamps causing a car wreck 20 miles outside of La Push to get the two of us. My loved ones are protected by the same people who took out the two most powerful vampires you had. The same people who took out a newborn army. So if you think you can get to them, try it. But I have a feeling if you could, you would have already. So don’t give me empty threats if you expect me to be polite in our conversation.”

He began laughing. But I didn’t see humor in his eyes. He was laughing to make me think he was in a better position than he was in. So I started laughing too. That shut him up.

Paul was shaking again. I looked at him and told him with my eyes to calm down. I need him thinking and working with me. Not going off halfcocked and letting his anger control him. He nodded, letting me know he understood.

“Do you find this situation humorous Bella?”

“Do you?”

“No, not particularly.”

“Then stop laughing. I have no tolerance for games Aro. Keep up your Dr. Evil act and I may kill myself out of shear boredom and intolerance for the smell in this car. My mate is having enough trouble staying calm. If you kill me, I am pretty sure he will have enough time to phase and destroy you and your two boys before he dies. Now what do you say we get to the point of your little kidnapping plot. You may have wanted me to turn into a vamp but you must have suspected that wouldn’t work. I don’t think you’re that stupid. So what is your goal here? Other than breaking my car.”

“We are arriving soon at the safe location I told you about. We will discuss it in greater detail then.”

So I sat quietly ignoring the cold ass hand on my neck and holding Paul’s hand trying to keep him calm. He hadn’t said a word since he got in the back of this car. Poor baby must be at war with himself. His wolf must be going nuts. Speaking of, I wonder where my wolf is.

No sooner did I wonder than I heard her voice in my head. “I’m here B. Inside you. You are playing this perfectly. Show no fear. We are not afraid of death. We are not afraid of pain. Emmy is safe. She is the only fear we have and he can’t get to her. They cannot take anything from us.”

“What about Paul, Amber?” I thought to her.

“When you allowed Paul to mark you Paul was no longer his own. There isn’t a separate Bella and Paul. There is only the one that the two of you have made. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. Now stay tough bitch. Don’t give this creepy bastard an inch.”

“I won’t Amber. Hey does it seem like this guy should be the headmaster of Slytherin at Hogwarts or what?”

“No shit! I was thinking the same thing.”

I started laughing. Everyone in the limo looked at me. I didn’t care. Let them wonder. I’m sure Paul understood.

“What do you find so amusing Bella?” Aro asked me with a smile.

“Oh I was just having a conversation with my inner bitch and she told a funny joke.”

“Oh, I see.”

“In all that you found out about me Aro, you didn’t know I was insane?”

“I saw it in the Cullens minds but I couldn’t be sure if you really were or if you were just putting them on.”

“What do you mean? Are you a mind reader like Eddie?”

“With a touch I can read every thought you have ever had.”

“Touch my finger Aro.”

I reached my hand out to him. Paul growled. “Stop it Paul. I’m just going to touch Sna… Aro’s finger.”

I touched his finger with mine.

“Well?”

“Nothing. Amazing. May I try yours, Paul?”

Paul growled. “Yeah, may not be the best idea Aro.” I said trying to hold off a premature phase.

“I understand.”

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. I looked out the window. We appeared to be in the mountains somewhere but I had lost my way at some point. We had been on the road about an hour when I felt the car slow down. We pulled into a road that was barely noticeable at all. I saw a two story house. Sort of modern looking. Not what I would expect. We walked in with Demetri’s hand still on my neck. Paul was looking from side to side for an opening. I looked at him and conveyed with my eyes that this was a bad idea. Paul against three leeches was not good odds. Even if he did have me on his side.

“Aro, seriously can’t this guy just stand behind me? I am getting tired of having him touch me and I am going to get frost bite on my neck.”

“Of course Bella.”

We walked in and Aro opened a thick steel door in the living room. We descended down a flight of stairs. Apparently this safe place was underground. The door wouldn’t keep vampires out but it would keep wolves and humans out.

Paul and I sat down on a couch. Aro sat across from us and the two leeches he had with him and who I supposed was the driver stood behind him.

“Now Bella let’s talk.”

“Let’s do so Aro. I believe we can find a mutually beneficial middle ground.”

“You do?”

“Of course Aro. We both want things. There are things we cannot get. Tell me what you want Aro?”

“I wanted you as a member of my guard Bella. But I can say I believe you. I don’t think you can be turned. Your scent is that of your mates. At first I thought it was your proximity to him but it is your scent. You have the scent of a wolf.”

“And yet I am still here, so I am guessing there is something else I can do for you.”

“Bella, tell me what it is you want?”

“I want me and my family and friends to be left alone by vampires. All vampires. You, the Cullens, every one of them. I want to live my life free of vampires. That is all I want.”

“And I want Edward and Alice Cullen.”

“Take them. I don’t want them.”

“Unfortunately it is not that simple. They have joined with my enemies. If I am to get them I have to use you as leverage.”

“Well you got me here, so call them up and let them know. I’m sure they will come join you in exchange for my safety. Maybe. I kinda burnt down their house last time I saw them so they may be kinda pissed off at me.”

“Yes I saw on CNN the remains of their house. My congratulations. I was quite impressed by that feat. My guard got a good laugh out of the human who bested the Cullens.”

“Hey thanks. Anyway so you call them, you get them to agree in exchange for my life they will work with you. You let me and Paul go to live our happy lives and I can guarantee the Wolf pack won’t hunt you down and chew you up.”

“That does seem mutually beneficial. But how can I be sure that the Pack won’t come after me.”

“You can be sure if we don’t get back they will come after you. If we are back there is no reason to. We only defend. We do not attack outside our boundaries unless we have too. You know, like if one or two of us are kidnapped?”

“You make a good point.”

“Okay so you got me in your underground lair. Now call Eddie and Alice and let’s get this show on the road. I have a baby as you very well know. I have to get back to her. You have driven us 3 hours from La Push and wrecked our car which means I am going to have to figure out how to get us home sense growly next to me can’t seem to speak right now.”

“Bella it absolutely breaks my non beating heart that you cannot become a vampire. You would make a spectacular one.”

“I guess that is a compliment so thanks.”

“If you and your mate would wait here. I will go call Carlisle and see if I can get him to answer.”

“We can call Sam and get Edwards number if you would rather have that.”

“That’s quite all right dear Bella. I will leave you two alone. The doors are very thick. I can trust you to stay here correct?”

“Of course Aro,” I said with the best smile I could pull off. “I have nowhere to be at this minute.”

Paul POV

The leeches finally left. “What the hell Bella? Why are you being so nice to them?”

“I’m trying to get us out of this situation. I thought about sitting here and shaking and growling for the past three hours but that didn’t seem to help the situation so I thought I would try using my brain.”

Ouch. Okay I will admit that makes sense. But I have my doubts about these leeches ever leaving us alone much less letting us out of here alive.

“Okay, I can see that. But even if Edward and Alice join him you know Edward is going to insist on you staying.”

“Aro doesn’t need us though. He can use my continued life as something to control Edward with. And then Edward would be out of our hair, which means the Cullens most likely will be and the Volturi can go back to Italy and leave us the hell alone.”

“And what if Edward says that the only way he will stay is if you stay with him.”

“Well, Aro already believes that we can’t be apart. Nice thinking on that by the way. So if that happens we will have to convince Edward it is true and you can stay as well. Then we will figure out an escape plan. By the way, why don’t you phase while they are gone and let Sam no what’s going on.”

Hmph, why didn’t I think of that? She’s right, as always. I need to start using my brain more.

I quickly undressed and phased. The living room we were in got a little more stuffed.

‘Sam?’

‘Paul! We are here. Where are you and Bella?’

‘About three hours south of La Push. Listen.’

I showed him what had happened and Bella’s hopes that this could work out.

‘I don’t like making deals with leeches but it seems she is making the best out of a bad situation. We are heading to that general area to see if we can pick up leech stink anywhere. ‘

‘Cool I have to phase back before they come back.’

And I was human again. I could hear them opening the door at the top of the stairs. There was no way I was going to get my clothes back on in time. Bella grabbed my hand.

“On the couch.”I laid down on the couch and she took her shirt off and her bra and laid on top of me. She began grinding against me and kissed me. Aro walked in.

“Uh, oh my. Uh I wasn’t expecting this. I will give you some privacy to get dressed.”

Bella looked at Aro and smiled. “Sorry Aro. Danger turns me on. I can’t help myself. Could you give us a few minutes so we can you know?”

“I think we should get down to business Bella. I will step out while you dress.”

“Of course Aro. Thank you.”

BPOV

Well that was close. I only half lied. I was a little turned on. Seeing Paul naked gets me going. What can I say? My man looks good.

I looked at Paul and placed my finger to my lips to remind him we can be heard most likely. I hope there were no cameras in this room. I’m sure if there were, leeches would have busted in the minute Paul phased.

“Get dressed.”

Paul did as he was told. I swear I don’t know what he would do without me. He may be the brawn but I am definitely the brains of this operation.

“Aro you can come in now.”

“Thank you Bella,” he said opening the door.

“So did you get Carlisle to answer?”

“Unfortunately no. It will be necessary to send someone to try to get close to Edward and pass the message on to him. I am sorry but I will need you and your mate to stay longer.”

“I see Aro. And how long do you think we will be staying?”

“I don’t know right now Bella. But I will leave the two of you alone. I am sure the two of you can come up with something to keep you occupied.”

And with that he walked out, locking the door behind him.

“I don’t like this Paul. Something wasn’t right about the way he was looking at us.”

“I haven’t liked this since we have been here. But since he is your new best buddy, then I guess we have to hope for the best.”

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“Nope, just stating facts.”

“Oh really?”

“Yep.”

“You disagree with how I’m playing this feel free to step up and take control at anytime husband.”

“Maybe I will. Might be I half too when he double crosses us.”

“Yeah well I haven’t seen you do one helpful thing except phase and call Sam for help. And that was my idea! Don’t get smart with me Paul. I am not in the mood.”

“I don’t give a damn what kind of mood you are in Bella!”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s right. I can be a bitch right back. You think you are having a bad day? What about my day?”

Enough of this. I have had enough of his mouth.

“Take off your clothes.”

“Why? You want me to phase again?”

“Nope. The way I see it we have some time to spare and I believe in making good use of time. And alone time with you is best spent with your clothes off.”

“But Bella, we are kinda in a life threa…”

“Now Paul.”

“Yes ma’am.”

So we spent the next hour having alone time fun. I have to say that it was hot. Having sex in a situation with imminent danger is a blast. I was about to reach my peak for a fourth time in an hour when we heard what sounded like an explosion.

“You think Sam found us already?”

“No way.”

The door ripped open and who should I see but Esme Cullen.

“Bella dear, please put some clothes on you and Paul. It really is important we get out of here now.”

“Esme what are you doing here?”

“Alice saw that Aro had decided that once he got Edward into the fold he would lie to Edward and kill you and Paul. I know you hate me Bella. But I will always love you like you are my own. And I am not going to stand around and watch Aro kill you or Paul. Now get dressed!”

We threw on our clothes. Paul led the way up the stairs after Esme. We reached the top and the house we had entered into had been torn apart. A fire had been lit outside burning a familiar purple smoke.

We walked outside and I saw Jasper and Alice and two vampires I did not recognize. Alice ran up to me and hugged me. I was surprised to see her.

Jasper walked up. “Hello Bella, Paul.”

“Jasper. Where is Aro? Please tell me that pile of ash is him.”

“No that is Demetri. Or was. Aro and the other two escaped. “

“Who are your friends?” Paul asked.

“This is Peter and Charlotte.”

The tall lanky one reached his hand out to me. “It is a pleasure to meet the infamous Bella Swan. Now I can see what the fuss is all about and I have to say princess. You are worth it.”

The short female with a rather large bust and a tiny waist walked up next. “I’m Charlotte. I’m the mate to this idiot. What do you say we get you out of here and back home to your baby?”

“That would be great. Paul go phase and let Sam know what is going on.”

“You want me to leave y…”

“Paul!”

“Fine, I’ll be right over there.”

Paul trotted over to get on the Wolfmail and let the others know the situation.

“Esme, Alice, I appreciate the rescue and all but I have to know. Please tell me you are going to keep Edward away from me.”

Esme looked down at the ground. Alice looked worried.

“Bella, Edward left us. So did most of our allies when he left. They don’t feel the Volturi is a threat anymore and the two Romanians we were working with drove everyone crazy. We don’t know where Edward is.”

I felt Paul walk over to me.

“You let Sam know?”

“Yeah they will be waiting on us in La Push at the boundary. So what you are saying is there is still a vampire with an unnatural obsession with Bella out there and Aro may still want her?”

Esme spoke up. “It’s doubtful that Aro will mess with her anymore. He has lost 4 vampires going after her out of his guard. Edward, well we are trying to do everything we can to find him but…”

“So I need to kill him.” Paul stated bluntly.

I saw Esme flinch but she said nothing. Peter spoke up. “Believe me when I find that prissy asshole I aim to kill him myself.”

“Alice will let us know his decisions. But it is entirely likely he will wait until the last moments to make any decisions.”

“Can we talk about this on the way home? My baby needs me.”

“Of course Bella.”

We got to the boundary line and were greeted by the pack.

Sam ran up and hugged me and then hugged Paul followed by Jake. I watched Sam walk up to Esme.

“Thank you Mrs. Cullen. I am guessing since your husband is not with you he did not know this was going to happen?”

“No he did not. Alice and I made the decision and Peter, Charlotte and Jasper were nice enough to come along for the rescue. Aro planned to tell Edward he would keep Bella safe and as soon as Edward joined him he would kill both of them without telling Edward.”

I know I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth but I had to know. “Esme, how did Aro think he would hide thoughts of that from Edward?”

“I don’t know Bella.”

“Esme I appreciate what you did today but I don’t know that this changes anything. I still think it is best if we stay apart.”

Esme looked sad but nodded her head. “I agree Bella. I love you and I want you to have a life apart from vampires. We will do what we can to find and talk sense into Edward. But he is obsessed Bella. I have never seen him like this.”

I watched them drive away. The Pack had gathered around us.

“What do you think Bella?” Sam asked me.

“Sam, All I have is their word that Aro was planning to kill us. It is entirely possible they rescued us to prevent Edward from joining the Volturi or to make us trust them for some reason. I hate to be this way but they have been manipulative in the past I have no reason to doubt that they would do the same thing now.”

“I agree.” Paul said.

“Of course you do baby. Now be quiet and look cute.”

Ouch! He slapped my ass!

Sam laughed. “Bella, Emmy is at my house. We picked her up from Sue’s the minute we found out about the wreck. Your car has been towed to Jakes. What’s left of it. From this point on, no wolves leave the reservation by themselves without another wolf present. Everybody understand?”

Nods of agreement went around. I grabbed Paul’s hand. Despite the sex at Aro’s house he was still tense. “Let’s go see our baby, okay honey?”

He nodded his agreement.

“Paul?” Sam caught his attention as we walked away.

“Yeah Sam?”

“You did good. Not losing your temper. You used your brain.”

“I had to be rescued from leeches by leeches.”

“You did what you had to do. Both of you did. I’m proud of the both of you.”

I could see by the look on Paul’s face that wasn’t good enough for him. I had a feeling I was going to have a long night of reassuring my man before I got any sleep. The things I do for my wolf.

We arrvived at Emily’s and jumped out of Jake’s car. I ran into the house and their was my baby. She looked up and was smiling at me. It was nearly her dinner time and Emily handed me a bottle.

“Thank you for taking care of my baby girl Emily.”

“Are you kidding? It was an honor to have the Wolf Pack princess in my humble home. I made Quil change her diaper. That alone was worth it. You had better call Charlie. He has been so worried. He is still at Sue’s place.

“I will do that. Sam can I borrow your cell?”

As I was looking for Sue’s number in contacts his phone rang. I answered the phone. I had too.

“What can I help you with Edward?”

“Bella, it’s so good to hear your voice. I think it’s time we had a serious talk about us and the future. The time for games is over.”

“Edward I have a feeling your game is coming to an end real soon.”