Hey guys, you have every right to send a lynch mob after me since it's been so long since I've updated. I don't know if any of you are still interested for in the story but the next chapter is up.
The first few chapters are still a little introductory but I promise it will get faster paced. I do have half the next chapter written already so that's a plus.
Also, I've aged the characters. I know I had them younger in the first chapter but to go the way I want I needed them older.
Bella - 18
Edward - 18
Alice - 20
Rose - 20
Jasper - 20
Emmett - 22
So anyway I hope you enjoy and that you stick with the story.
BPOV
We I was younger; I use to explore the woods that surrounded our families and the Cullen's family estates. It was during my rebellious tomboy phase, and it drove my mother nuts. But I had a lot of fun in those woods, and when I was six I found a clearing full of wildflowers. It was beautiful and never seemed to change with the seasons. It became my safe haven, the one place hat I could go to escape everything. There was only one other person I ever brought out there, and at this moment, I was regretting it.
"What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like?" he retorted, taking a long drag of the cigarette that he had hanging from his mouth. A disgusting habit.
"I told you that you were never allowed here."
"Sorry sweetheart, but this is public property, you can't exactly keep me out."
"I told you this was my spot, that it was my space!" I said stomping my foot, fully aware I looked like a five year old having a temper tantrum. "Do you seriously have no respect for my privacy or my wishes?"
"Look, I just needed somewhere to come and think and this place popped into my mind. Calm the fuck down."
There was a sadness in his voice that I rarely ever heard. And behind his angry façade I could tell that he was really. And that made two of us.
I sighed in resignation. "Fine, just next time ask or something, alright?"
"Sure, slut."
I smirked. "Thanks man whore."
We both let out a little laugh before I walked over to the rock he was sitting on and sat on the ground leaning against it. It was quiet for a while as we both let out thoughts runaway.
"Edward, what are we going to do?" My voice was soft, not much higher than a whisper, but I was sure he heard it.
"I honestly have no idea. But we have to try and change their minds because no offense, marriage is ever something I wanted."
"I understand." And I did. Edward wasn't the settle down type, maybe he was, once upon a time, but that wasn't his lifestyle now.
Plus I had my own ideas about marriage and a family, and I really wanted kids. Always had. And if I'm being really honest, I don't want them with Edward. He wasn't the fathering type, and I was pretty sure if this marriage went through it would lead to divorce and that is not something I would put my kids through.
"I can't believe there putting this on us to fucking begin with. I mean we just turned eighteen. Aren't we a little young?"
I scoffed. "Please, Esme was pregnant with you before she even graduated high school and my mom got knocked up her freshman year of college. If it was up to our parents I would have been barefoot and pregnant when I turned sixteen."
"That's just wrong."
"Tell me about it."
"What worse is that are fucking siblings knew this entire time."
"I know, I just left Ro and Ali, laughing it up at our expense. I never wanted to gut those bitches as bad as I did in that moment."
Edward chuckled at me, and took another drag of his cigarette. I didn't know what was so funny, I was being completely serious.
"I think we need to talk with our parents. Sit down and just lay all this shit out." I looked at Edward and nodded my head. It was the first good suggestion that either of us had.
"Do you think you can sit down and have a reasonable conversation?" I had my doubts. Edward had quite the temper and was really trigger-happy.
"There is nothing reasonable about this situation." He said.
"True that."
"We're in this together right?"
"Absolutely."
xXx
Edward and I left my little meadow together and walked back to my house in silence. He had lit up another cigarette, which in turn had made me glare at him. If we did end up married, the cigarettes were the first to go.
It was such a beautiful day out, it was a shame it had been marred by such a horrible announcement. There was a light breeze that felt good blowing across my face, and the sun was high in the sky, which was somewhat unusual for the Pacific Northwest where we lived.
When we arrived at the manor, I led Edward up the winding staircase that was situated to the right side of the foyer. My father's office was on the second floor, which I was sure he would be. No doubt with Carlisle and our mothers, discussing their wayward children. Those fucktards.
I could hear voice coming as I pressed my ear up against the door. I turned and looked at Edward. "Should we knock?" I asked.
"Hell no." And with that he barged through the door, making all conversation cease.
"Son," Carlisle said, in a very even voice, almost like he was talking to a wild animal that had just escaped his cage.
"Where are mom and Renee?" Edward asked.
"They're out shopping," My dad said, in the same tone Carlisle did.
"I really think they should be here for this conversation." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I don't really think we need to involve them, do you?" My dad asked, with a sickly sweet smile on his face. He gestured for us to sit down in the two wing backed chairs he had against the wall.
Edward and I sat down in sync waiting for one of our fathers to begin talking. I think we both realized it was going to be a lot harder to remain calm during this conversation then we'd originally thought.
"I know you are both…upset right now." My father began.
"Damn right we are." Edward spit out.
"Be quiet," I hissed at him. I wanted to hear then out before we said anything.
"As Charlie was saying," Carlisle cut in, "we know what this isn't what you had both envisioned for your futures, but we think that is the best decision for you, both professionally and personally."
It was dead silent after Carlisle finished speaking. Seriously, that was all? That was their explanation for completely ruining our futures? It was a good business move. I couldn't believe my father had actually agreed to this. It was like high-class prostitution! I mean I know I dressed a little on the scandalous side but come on!
"Is that it?" Edward asked, mirroring my thoughts.
"Yes son."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"
"Language." Carlisle said, as if he had room to talk. I'm pretty sure all of the Cullens learned their swear words from him.
"Screw you."
"Edward!" Charlie, Carlisle, and I all said at once.
"Whatever, you guys are treating us like a fucking business deal. Any respect I had for you just went out the window."
"Edward, I know it may seem like we don't care about you kids, but we're doing this for you."
"Sorry but that's a load of shit Charlie." Edward spat. I was seriously concerned he was about to whip out his gun. Not that I really cared, if he shot either of them right now. Well…as long as he didn't shoot to kill.
"Edward, please calm down." Carlisle said, standing up and walking over to us so he was right in front of his son.
"I am calm. Do you see me with my gun out?"
No and I was shocked.
"Joke all you want son, but this is happening."
"And if we say no?" I asked.
"As we said before, you will be cut off." Charlie told me.
"And that means?"
"All your credit cards will be canceled. Your cars will be taken from you. Your cell phone coverage will be disconnected. And you will be forced to evacuate the grounds. You won't be able to return and your brothers and sisters will be forced to break contact with you as well."
"So you'd just throw us on the streets and say good luck?"
"Well, you'd be given a day to pack your things and would be given a small amount of money to go forward on, but essentially yes."
"What kind of parents are you?" Edward asked, stunned out of his anger. I was equally as shocked.
"We are parents that care about the well being of our children. And that means making sure that they're taken care of, physically and financially."
"You two have taken a permanent trip to crazy town."
"I'm sorry you think that son, but this is reality. You know your options. Charlie and I will give you two until the end of the week to think about this, and then we will expect your answers."
"Can we go now?" I asked, too shocked and angry to say anything else.
"Of course sweetie," my dad said.
I was out the door as soon as the words were out of his lips. I didn't even wait to see if Edward had followed me. I raced back down the stair and ran out into the backyard. I just ran and ran until my legs started to cramp and my breath became uneven. I just needed to get away. As far away as I could.
When my body wouldn't allow me to go any farther I collapsed into the grass and lay on my back, staring up at the sky. There weren't many clouds; it was like looking at the ocean. A beautiful light blue that stretched on for miles and miles. How freeing would it be to be able to fly up there, no obstacles, just an empty plane where I could do, say, or think anything I wanted.
I had my eyes closed just letting the sun beat down on me when I heard someone approach. I didn't bother to acknowledge them or even open my eyes; I just continued to lie there. After a few minutes, whoever was there cleared their throat, so I looked up.
"You ran out of there pretty fast." Edward glared down on me, and he sounded mad. Understandable, but I couldn't figure out why his anger seemed to be directed at me.
"Sorry, I just needed to get away."
"Whatever. What the fuck was that back there?"
"Um, our parents shoving us in between a rock and a hard place."
"No, I mean what the fuck was with you not saying anything?" He screamed at me. "You were silent almost the entire fucking meeting!"
Oh no, man whore did not just raise his voice at me.
"You were doing enough yelling for the both of us you dick! You really think they were going to forget about it because you threw a little fit. In case you didn't notice they're pretty fucking dead set on us getting hitched."
"Well maybe if daddy's little princess had opened her fucking mouth, things would have gone different. We were supposed to present a united front and you just sat there like a fucking mute!"
At this point both Edward and I were breathing heavily. His face was red and his chest was heaving. If he wasn't such a fucktard, or a man whore, he actually would have looked kinda hot…
Just sayin.
"We're not a united front though Edward."
"Yeah, I got that from the meeting."
"I don't just mean in this issue. I mean in general. We can hardly get through a conversation without one of us blowing up at the other. How are we supposed to work together if we can't even get along?"
"Well maybe if you weren't such a bitch…"
"Excuse me," I said one step away from slapping the stupid douche. "First, don't ever call me a bitch. Secondly, you don't have to worry about being forced to marry me, because at this rate, I will have killed you by the end of the week."
"Try it…bitch." He smirked.
Oh it is so on man whore.
"Watch your back Cullen."
"Same to you Swan."
And just like that he was gone.
Hope you enjoyed and review :)
L.
