Baby Isabella

Chapter 22

I was sitting in the corner of Edward's music room, attempting to read the book I had bought in Port Angeles. The tune of one of Edward's new compositions was playing in the background. As usual, his music was so beautiful that I couldn't do anything else while he was playing.

I had given him the blank sheet music and he was eager to use them. I was just glad he was doing something other than dwelling on the events in Port Angeles a few days prior.

I closed my book as his song came to an end. I hadn't been able to focus on it anyway. I got up and made my way over to sit with him on the piano bench.

"Are you okay?" He asked. He hadn't stopped asking me how I was since my near rape in Port Angeles. He was still waiting for me to go into shock.

"Just as okay as I have always been." I stated. "That song is my favorite so far."

He smiled at me, "Well, that's a relief. I did write it for you after all."

I looked at him, puzzled, "Why would you do that?"

"You inspire me."

I blushed a deep chrimson as he chuckled at my reaction. I leaned my head on his shoulder, trying to hide it as best I could.

We stayed that way for a few minutes before my phone vibrated in my pocket. I sighed, pretty sure I knew who it was and frowned when I was right.

"Mike?" Edward grumbled.

"Who else?" I joked as I quickly turned down yet another request for a date.

"My offer to get rid of him still stands. I know that Emmett and Jasper would agree." He grinned as I laughed.

"As much as I don't like him, I'm going to have to reject that offer. He may be ungodly persistent, but that doesn't mean I want him dead."

Edward chuckled, "Who said anything about killing him? I was thinking of something more along the lines of threatening him to get him to stay away from you."

"Sadly, I don't think anything could deter him from attempting to woo me."

"School does start again in a few days, so he is going to have more chances."

"Shit, don't remind me." I groaned.

"Esme would like me to remind you to watch your language." He was trying to hold back a wave of laughter.

I blushed, ashamed, "Sorry."

"You are forgiven." Edward answered for Esme who was somewhere else in the house.

"Have they heard anything from Tanya yet?" I asked. His face suddenly became serious.

"No. She hasn't made an appearance or attempted to contact anyone yet. Not even Alice has seen anything. Whatever she is doing, she is doing a great job at hiding it." He rubbed a hand across his face, rubbing his temples.

"I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything." I looked at my hands. Edward grabbed my hands and made me turn my attention to him.

"None of this was your fault. She had no right to hurt you. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me. I should have noticed sooner." He sighed.

"You did nothing wrong. She just managed to hide her thoughts extremely well." I gave him a half smile.

"No where near as well as you do." He chuckled.

"Of course not."

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The next few days passed in a blur. Tanya's whereabouts remained a mystery. Edward and I spent our time relaxing before starting school for the new year. I declined more invitations from Mike as well as shopping trips with Alice and Rosalie.

School resumed that morning, much to my dissmay. The day carried on much like any normal school day. Class after boring class that I suffered through alongside the rest of the students. The final bell had rung and everyone started leaving. I had gathered all my stuff and started walking with Rosalie and Jasper from the gym to meet up with the others at our cars.

"Bella!" I turned to see Mike speed walking towards me. I groaned.

"Good luck, we will be at the car." She winked at me and I glowered back as they both kept walking to where I could see everyone else waiting. I caught Edward's eye, he seemed to be a bit irritated.

"I'll just be a second." I muttered and watched him nod slightly in reply.

I turned back to Mike just as he caught up to me. He smiled widely when he saw that he had my attention.

"What's up Mike?" I asked with fake enthusiasm.

"I was wondering if you had any plans for this weekend. There is a new movie coming out that I thought we should go to." I groaned internally.

"Would anybody else be coming?" I asked, hoping that the answer was yes.

"No, I figured it would be nice if it was just you and me. Like a date." He rocked back and forth on his feet.

I looked over my shoulder to see my family watching. Edward looked annoyed but that changed to amusement and he saw through Alice what I was about to do.

I turned back to Mike, "Sorry Mike. I am sure you will make someone very happy someday but I just don't like you in that way," his face fell, "I don't think it is fair to you if I just keep avoiding it. I'm sorry." I turned and started walking away when his hand grabbed my wrist, keeping me from getting any farther.

I whipped my head around to see the hurt look on his face.

"Please, just me a chance." He begged. I shook my head apologetically and tried once again to walk away. He pulled harder on my arm, turning me around and quickly brought his lips to mine.

I froze. It took me a second to process what was happening. He put a hand on the back of my head and attempted to deepen the kiss. I quickly put my hands against his chest and pushed as hard as I could. He seperated from me and staggered back a few steps.

"What the hell?!" I gasped. His face was flushed with embarssassment. "What part of no do you not understand?!"

"I just thought that maybe I could get you to feel something," he started.

"By forcing me to kiss you?" He reached out to touch my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I-" He stuttered as I stepped back quickly.

"Don't touch me." I snapped as I turned and walked as fast as I could to the car, doing my best to ignore the students who had been watching the whole situation.

Most of my family seemed to be upset with what Mike had done. Edward, however, was fuming.

"Want us to beat him up?" Emmett glared past me at Mike.

"Can we please just go home?" I walked past them and climbed into Edward's car while he climbed into the drivers seat.

"I should have walked over there as soon as he even thought about talking to you." He growled as we left the parking lot.

"I had to tell him at some point, I'm just glad it is over with." I sighed.

"Does that fact that he kissed against your will mean nothing to you?" He stared at me as he tried not to break the steering wheel.

"Of course it does. I'm pissed. I should have slapped him," I sighed, "Just don't try to kill him... please."

"Well, since you said please." He turned back to the road and focused on driving again, glancing at me occasionally.

A shiver of disgust went down my spin as I fully recalled what had just happened.

"Do you have a mint?"

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Wow it has been a long time! I am sorry guys. I lost the inspiration to write and up until recently, had no motivation to continue. This chapter was long overdue. I also went through and deleted the Author's Note chapters and numbered all the chapters because that is easier for me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me even through my abscence. It means a lot.

~Holly