The characters in this story are not mine, they are from Stephenie Meyer. The story is not mine either, it's from Teffi Masen, this is just an authorized translation.


Chapter 3: Decision

~~~~ TSM ~~~~

Three days after the burial, Bella and Edward received an urgent call from Jasper's lawyer, he needed their presence in his office because they were included in the will and it was very important that they were present.

Bella's boss had been upset because she would have to leave again even though she had a pile of work waiting for her and with meetings to re-standardize, if she wanted the promotion she could not be presenting excuses every two days.

Edward was not better, he had to cancel three very important appointments and move another for the next day in early hours even though it was Saturday and he had several videoconferences to do.

Bella arrived at the small parking lot - barely 4 drawers - of the building and saw that Edward was waiting for her, she parked next to him and smiled when he open the door and helped her out.

- Are you all in? - she asked kissing his lips - What did they quote us for? We did not even get along with them enough to leave us something, the girl needs things more than we do.

- No idea what they left as a will, but since you agree we will reject everything so that Paulette will keep it - Bella nodded and holding hands they walked to the building - the quicker we finish this faster we can go back to the office, did Marcus get upset?

- The mail tray has not stopped ringing, I think I'll have to work late today, and you?

- Today I won't be late but tomorrow I'm not sure, call me if you get out after midnight

They kept talking about things at work and that maybe they could go to eat at the usual French restaurant before returning to their respective offices.

They arrived to the indicated floor and saw that everyone was seeing them badly

- You arrived 40 minutes late - Esme recriminated them.

- We are so sorry - Bella apologized as she took the cell phone out of her purse and checked that Angela had sent three messages that she needed to respond urgently - but you know we have more important things to do, than to reprimand a child for picking his nose.

Mathias, Rosalie's 9-year-old son blushed and looked down at being discovered, he thought he was being quite discreet

The room fell silent, Bella and Edward were concentrating on their phones ignoring everyone else, although Rosalie and Emmett's children were blushing to see how Edward had seated Bella on her legs and held her by the waist, although they saw his parents kissing had never seen his mother sit on his father

The secretary made them go to the lawyer's office telling them that she would be with them in a moment, Bella and Edward were the last to enter and therefore were left standing on the wall somewhat tight since the office was too small

- I told you not to buy them so high - Edward whispered putting his arm around Bella's waist

- Shut up - she challenged him by leaning against him

- Hi aunt Belly, hi uncle Eddie - Paulette spoke down the legs of Mr. Brandon and walking towards them - I really like your blouse, it's pink and I like pink

- It is salmon color - Bella, ashamed for not having noticed her when she arrived, corrected her - I like you ... ahh ... your ... pigtails

Paulette smiled and gave a small jump to then stretch her arms to Edward, who smiled and tightened his grip on Bella's waist causing a wince

- Come here, Pau - Emmett called her looking angry to Edward - sit down with us

Paulette hugged Edward's legs and went with Emmett

The lawyer coughed as he entered, noticing a certain tension in the environment

- Thank you for coming here hastily, but to this day I have all the updated information on the testament of Mr. and Mrs. Cullen.

- I did not know that my sister left a will - spoke Rosalie
- They did it when their daughter was born, but in the last 5 years things have changed a lot, the house that they would leave on behalf of the girl was seized 2 almost 3 years ago.

- But Jasper was working and trying to recover with the monthly arrears - Esme defended Jasper remembering that he had told her he was about to get the house back, his son could not have lied to her

- Well, he did not, Mrs. Cullen, - the lawyer intervened leaving the folder that he had obtained from the bank - the house was bargained 4 months ago, until the day of his death they had lived in an apartment belonging to their sister-in-law, Bella Cullen, right?

- That's right - Bella spoke uncomfortably, she still remembered how much Alice had begged her not to say anything to anyone, she hated the idea that the family knew they were so bad economically that they could not pay rent anywhere - they would only stay for a few months, in which they found something better, a university department was not the best option to educate a little girl.

- But their stay lasted for almost 3 years and the expenses they had increased with the entrance of the girl to the preschool and the dismissal of Mrs. Alice from her job - the lawyer continued - Mr. Jasper's salary was not enough, besides he had just to be fired and in his new job he did not have enough time to give the girl a good pension.

Those present denied looking at Edward out of the corner of his eye, but he did not flinch, that Jasper had not been consistent in his work was not his fault, he could omit that he was also fired for being absent unjustifiably in the months that he had been working in the company, among many more things

- The few belongings that they still had were distributed among you

The lawyer read the words that Alice and Jasper had left to distribute their things, things so banal that they had no absolute purchase value.

Rosalie keeps her wedding dress and the record collection, Esme and Carlisle with the photo albums and wedding souvenirs, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon left the paintings that Alice painted in her spare time, while for Emmett it was the old truck that they could never compose, but it was their last point, where they left the most precious thing that they had for Bella and Edward, that surprised everyone.

- The custody of the girl is yours - said the lawyer looking away from the testament - Mr. Cullen made them tutors a few months after the girl was born, you signed accepting.

- It can not be, - Bella said incredulously, glancing at Paulette who was eating a lollipop with the other children - we were the last option, Alice told me we were the last option, after my parents-in-law, her parents and Emmett and Rosalie. We were the last option, that's why we accept to sign.

- It's what Alice and Jasper decided - the lawyer spoke looking at Bella's hysteria - in their words, you were the best suited to take care of their daughter.

- It must be a mistake, - Rosalie said - my sister would never leave Paulette to them.

- There is no error, social services has already proven that you have the ability to take care of Paulette perfectly, I understand that the girl is staying with Mrs. and Mr. Brandon

- Yes - Mr. Brandon said- and if that's what my daughter decided, we will not object, just let us see our granddaughter.

- But we can not take care of her - Edward said trying to control himself and make them come to reason - we work from monday to saturday, and sometimes on sunday, we have continuous trips an neither Bella nor I intend to reduce our working hours.

- Well, you'll have to do it - Carlisle said, standing up - Jasper has left the girl with you, you have a nice big house, you've worked for the same compañy before you even graduated, you can reduce your work hours, you will not go bankrupt for leaving the office a few hours.

- Well, we don't want to leave it, - Edward protested - We have worked to be where we are, we didn't stagnate having children when we could not even keep ourselves, we can't take care of the girl because we don't have the time that she needs.

- But, I'm going to behave very well, Uncle Eddie, - Paulette said, drawing everyone's attention - I promise not to play prank and go to bed early

- See? The girl wants to go with you - Esme said - and you will take care of her with a good face

- The girl is staying with you - Bella said using her last chance - we can help with everything you need with regard to the girl, transport, clothes, meals, health, whatever you want, but you stay with the girl.

- You're a bitch - Rosalie said standing up - this is not about money, my sister trusted you.

-Your sister trusted in our money, the lawyer said it, we are the only ones who can support Paulette, not you or your parents or Edward's, as simple as that, I don't know how to take care of a girl and I assure you that I will not leave my job to clean mucus.

But even though Bella had a point and although Edward made it clear that the girl would be alone almost all day, none of those present agreed to stay with the girl, either due to lack of rooms in their home or old age they had.

- You must mature, - said Carlisle when they left the office - the girl needs you.

- Well, Alice and Jasper should not have her if they did not have a job or a fixed home - he huffed, taking the cigar to his mouth - we don't need to mature because we don't want children, don't blame us 'cause we do not want to take care of Paulette, we have jobs and responsibilities that we are not going to leave, and I won't force Bella to leave the job for which she has fought… now excuse me, I have to call my secretary and tell her I'll arrive a little later.

Carlisle walked away from him, not believing that he would return to his job after the girl was under his care.

Bella hung up the phone and returned to Edward, Marcus had reacted as she expected, he wanted her back in the office as fast as she could, the office need her and must return, Angela could not do the job for her.

- I don't want take care of a girl, I'm not good at that, - She whispered putting Edward's cigarette and puffing on it - I'll ruin her, love.

- We have to do it, it will only be for a while, love, I promise.

- It is not a dog that we can have for a while Edward, is a girl which should go to school, do homework, feed and educate.

Edward hugged her waist and took his cigarette.

- She's under our care, love, we will send her to a boarding school in a few months.

- Can we do it? Won't your parents say something?

- What can they say? They are aware of the girl because Jasper and Alice's death is recent, but the must also continue with their lives and the won't see Paulette as they are now wanting to do, they used their age to don't stay with the girl.

Bella nodded and laid her head on Edward's shoulder thinking about how deal with everything.

That blond girl could not be under their care!

~~~~ TSM ~~~~


Author's comment

Hello girls,

I hope you enjoy this chapter, Bella and Edward tried not to stay with Paulette, but as you can see, they didn't have any success.

I hope you leave your opinions, comments, criticism, theories or whatever you want to share with me in a review.


Translator's comment

Hello girls,

This couple still wishes they had not had the girl in their lives, however, now they have no other choice.

Thank you very much everyone for your comments.

Brookeworm3: Maybe, it's more complicated than that, but you're on the right track

Breese: We do not know, but it's going to be very difficult for them to have her at home, especially because of their nosy family.