SM owns twilight.
Love like you've never been hurt, dance like no one's watching.
Chapter four.
Esme had decided to have the whole ceremony right inside the house, she wasn't sure of the weather being fine being Forks, this was a sensible decision. Luckily they lived in a mansion.
We had to park a way off as there were a lot of cars blocking either side of the road, already.
We walked down the road, and I remembered the first time I came here, I was shaking and scared, really nervous just like today.
"Hey girl, don't you look insane! I almost didn't recognize you!" Leah called out and hugged me.
"Yeah Bella, you look like someone off the pages of a fashion magazine!" Angela smiled kissing my cheeks.
"Thanks! You two scrub up pretty well too! Let's go in, I'm getting cold." I shivered.
We went in and I kept my cashmere wrap on, I was still chilled.
I found Carlisle looking flustered and wondered if he was going to cope with all the extra drama his family had created, on top of having two little ones.
"Carlisle?" I smiled at him, handing him the gift bags with the quilts.
He gaped and frowned slightly, then blinked. "Bella! Look at you! You look so different! I didn't recognize you for a second! And who's this with you?"
I shook my head; we must really look different if Carlisle didn't recognize either of us! I leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"That's Garrett, I'm sure you recognize Leah and Angela though, don't you?"
"Oh my! Garrett! Look at you! I didn't know it was you... sorry! You are completely different both of you, you look like royalty, or something."
"Carlisle, you sound like you could do with a drink!" I chuckled.
"I'll wait to have a stiff drink after the ceremony; hopefully the twins will make it through without either of them cracking up first."
"That's good. Where do you want these?" Garrett ask holding up the chairs.
"There's a table over here, for the gifts."
"I've got another small gift; here I'll just put it in your pocket?" I slipped the spoons in before he could protest.
"I just remembered, I need you to sign something Bella, come into my office." Carlisle motioned for me to follow him.
"I'll just be a moment, don't go anywhere!" I mumbled to Garrett and Leah, they nodded.
Carlisle closed the office door and sighed. He looked stressed.
"How are the babies and what's it like being parents at home, now they're out of hospital?"
"An awful lot harder than I had ever imagined, but also so much more wonderful too! Esme and I are completely head-over-heels in love with Amelia and Aaron. They are the very best thing that's ever happened to us! Thank you again Bella!" Carlisle enthused.
I nodded.
"Now my lawyer drew up this document up and here's an official set of adoption papers for you to sign too." He laid them out in front of me and I pulled up chair.
I scanned through them, there was nothing else but to sign and officially start my new life, free to be me. At the bottom of the solicitor's document, I saw a monetary figure and felt confused. This wasn't in the original document that I had signed at the beginning of the process a year ago.
"Carlisle what's this? Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, that's a lot of money! What's it for?"
"For you and all of the pain and suffering you went through. Having twins, nearly dying from the sudden blood loss, the awful heartache first with Rosalie and then what Jasper did to you." He said quietly.
"Carlisle it's too much!"
"No Bella, it's really not enough! We want you to have it. Esme is a wealthier woman than me and has put this aside for you and your future. You have more than earned it, believe me! It's been transferred into your bank account today anyway, so no arguments."
"Oh...ok, I'll promise to use it for something fantastic! Maybe buy a house, or build one." I picked up the pen and signed. My maternal rights were now officially relinquished.
"Here's your copy, I can put it in an envelope for you, to stop all the sticky-beaks asking too many questions."
"Thanks. Is there anything I can do for you or Esme at the moment?" I asked as I put the envelope into my clutch.
"No, just hang around until the ceremony starts in fifteen minutes. I'll call you and Emmett over, when it's your time."
"Ok." I smiled and got up and hugged him. "Carlisle, promise me to get some rest, you look like you need a holiday."
"No, there's absolutely no rest for us, with the babies. But I haven't gone back to work yet, I might even take an extra six months off to help out, and enjoy them while they are very young, I haven't decided yet."
As we opened the office door, I heard a big gasp and looked over to see Anthea and another woman, who looked similar to Esme look shocked, and they turned to each other, whispering suspiciously.
"That's Elizabeth Mason, Esme's sister, she's Edward's mother. I believe you have already met Anthea, Jasper's mother." Carlisle said, quietly to me as he guided me away from them and into the main room.
"She and Anthea seem to be good buddies." I muttered, wondering what they were thinking... about me and Carlisle leaving a room together, like it was some sort of nineteenth century scandal, being a young woman without a chaperone.
I searched the main room and saw crowds of people I didn't know, Garrett had most likely gone to do a pee in one of the bathrooms and Leah was also off somewhere else.
I heard a high pitched giggle and looked around to see a small, dark haired waif, with a pixie hairdo leaning into Jasper's side. She looked about thirteen. Maybe this was one of his ex's, the one Esme referred to a long time ago.
He was smiling in a way that had me shiver. It was a different Jasper I saw here, a cold, calculating man, instead of the man I used to love.
I turned and went over to the table for a sparkling wine. I needed to gather myself and calm down.
"Well, here's a face I haven't seen before!" A man said beside me.
I looked over and saw Caius, the creep who had said the most appalling things to my face, not more than six months before. He might not recognize me, but I hadn't been lucky enough to forget his face, unfortunately.
I just stayed quiet. I had no intention of telling him who I was, I'm sure he'd figure it out soon enough, the cruel and calculating manipulator.
"What's a lovely lady like you doing in a place like this? I'm sure I would have met you before, if you were from around here." He said trying to get me to spill my identity.
I looked him up and down, as he leered, a bit too close for good manners. Hadn't he learnt anything about personal space?
I gave a small smile, took my drink from the barman and turned to leave.
But I was blocked by one man who looked like an older version of Emmett, and another who was older version of Edward. All three of them blocked my path, I had been herded. Pinned against the bar, with no escape! Ughh!
"Who's this Caius, aren't you going to share?" Edward senior asked smoothly.
"She's not saying who she is, are you my pretty one?" Caius smiled. I shivered.
I was about to elbow Caius in the guts to make an escape, but my savior arrived in the form of Garrett who reached over and somehow quickly pulled me into his side, from the clutches of the creepy guys.
"There you are my darlin! I thought I'd lost you!" Garrett said loudly.
I snuggled into him and we walked off.
When I was far enough away from the old guys, I hissed...
"I was just swamped by the three amigos. Fricken creeps!"
"I'm so sorry to have left you there Bella, but I really needed to pee. I had to wait for ages until these stupid, blond women came out. It looked to me like they'd been snorting coke in there." He rolled his eyes.
"Fancy doing that at a christening, it's not like it's some random rave party, that's going to be running way into the night. It's only eleven in the damn morning!" I growled.
I spotted Emmett, Garrett and I made our way over to him.
"Hey Godfather! How's things hanging?" I said as we got closer to Emm.
Emmett chuckled and shook his head, "Bella! You have got a lot of people just dying to know who you and your fella are...it's Garrett right?" He laughed.
Garrett and I laughed loudly.
No one seemed to recognize us and it was just too good for words!
I nodded and looked around the room, "ready for your big role as Godfather Emmett?"
"Are you?" He responded, smiling. "Ooh look, here they are now! That lady with Esme is my Ma, she loves those twins."
"That's good, I'm glad Esme's got someone else to help her with them.
They looked so tiny!"
The celebrant had set up a mini stage area, to hold her ceremony. Esme and Carlisle took the babies up and looked around for Emm and I.
Emm and I got signaled over to the stage. We stood quietly and a hush settled over the room. The celebrant welcomed everyone to the special day and went through a small background to the Cullen's becoming parents. I was happy that the surrogacy agreement wasn't mentioned, people could assume whatever they liked, I didn't want to hear it.
The ceremony started, I held tiny little Amelia and Emm held Aaron. Luckily, they were both sleeping, I didn't know how Esme managed to get them so relaxed, dressed in funny clothes and handled by strangers in a big, noisy crowd.
Aaron started to wake up and looked at Emmett with big blue eyes. Amelia slept on, laying quietly in the crook of my arm, and bundled in a white, silk shawl and long, embroidered gown.
I just stood holding her... this tiny precious gift, this little bundle, so very delicate and fragile. She had been through so much and she was still tinier than most normal newborns, even though she was already four months old.
Esme looked tired, but happy and I smiled at her. Carlisle wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her to him. They had survived all the dramas, and we're still strong as a couple.
I said my words with Emmett, when it came to our turn.
"I solemnly swear to take a life-long interest in the Aaron and Amelia's welfare; to mentor, guide, support and love them, as if they are my own.
To offer friendship, counsel and shelter, to assist in their comfort and to nurture them for as long as I live."
At that moment, Amelia awoke and took a look at me and smiled. Her eyes were big and deep, dark brown. I smiled back at her and she started making cute baby noises back at me.
Aaron started making his baby noises too, and Emmett bought him closer to Amelia. They started making their cute baby noises, chatting to each other.
There were a lot of quiet chuckles around the room as they goo-ed and gahh-ed at each other, waving their little arms around, towards each other.
The ceremony finished up and Garrett came and gave me a fresh glass of bubbly. I sat down and held onto sweet Amelia, sipping my drink. She was as cute as a button and I just wanted to hold onto her and interact a while longer.
Leah and Angela joined us and we all admired her. Emmett stood close still holding Aaron and had a fun time chatting about things with Garrett.
Emmett complained about how uncomfortable wearing a suit was. He said how much weight he'd put on since Rose had left him, he could eat as much junk food as he wanted to now.
Garrett asked to hold Aaron, and Emmett handed him over, he took off his overly-tight jacket and loosened his tie.
I was so happy I was sitting down, my feet had been aching. The high heels were a reminder why I had never liked wearing them.
A waitress came around with a big, tray of finger food. I was hungry, Garrett picked up a small morsel and popped it into my mouth, and he then put one in his. It was delicious.
"Thanks my darling, I could do with some more food if you have a chance. How does it feel to hold Aaron? Look at his big, blue eyes and big smile, are they teeth I see there?" I smiled.
"Amelia, I think your brother is getting some teeth!" Garrett said looking at her, she smiled at him and waved her arms.
"They are so cute, don't you think so Jazzy? I just adore babies! I bet we could have great looking babies! Don't you think? I really would love to try one day! I mean, look at what happened... one day these twins just appeared and Essie and Carl got two little darlings? Aren't they lucky? Fancy being able to adopt these little beauties? What a wonderful thing! Apparently, the mother wanted them to adopt her babies specifically, did you know the story Jazzy? At least that's the bit I heard. What do you think?" The pixie girl chirped squeakily, non-stop.
My eyes met the girl, who Jasper had come here with.
"Hi I'm Alice. What's your name? I'm sure I haven't met you before, because I never forget a face! I just love that outfit! Where did you get it? It's so great! I just know we're going to be great friends! I'm only friends with people who know how to dress, you know? Cause being with bad dressers is such a drag...right? I mean if you can't try and dress for your shape and put in a bit of effort, then don't bother leaving the house in the morning!" She didn't seem to need to stop and breathe; I wonder how she did that?
Jasper stood there silent, trying to look anywhere but at me, while Alice spouted more and more shit.
Leah looked over at Alice. "Hey you! Motor mouth! Wanna try shutting that trap of yours?"
Emmett, Garrett and I giggled.
Jasper didn't bother defending his little friend.
"Well I never! Who the hell do you think you are?" Alice whined loudly.
"Your worst nightmare! Now either shut up, or go away"! Leah snarled at Alice.
Alice went very pale and tried to pull Jasper away. But he stood firm and didn't take any notice of her. She huffed in desperation, and eventually flounced off into another room.
"Nice date you got there Jasper, how old is she anyway?" Leah asked him, stepping right up into his face.
Amelia decided right then, to get restless and start crying. I didn't blame her, the tension around her was rising and it had probably stopped being fun for her ...with all of the adults around her getting grumpy with each other.
I winked at Garrett and we got up simultaneously. I took him and the twins into the other living room. Amelia was squawking loudly by now, and I was having a hard time holding her, let alone settling her. Emmett came up and rescued me.
I gratefully gave him Amelia and I kissed Garrett.
"I just need to go to the ladies' room. I'll be back in a little while, will you two be ok?"
Garrett and Aaron were fine, Amelia had settled down with Emmett's happy face cooing at her.
I found the first bathroom busy, went upstairs to the next one, and that was busy too, so I went into one of the bedrooms and realized that the ensuite was free, I went in and locked the door.
I felt so much tension and jealousy about Jasper being with Alice.
I know I shouldn't, but I did, I really did!
I knew he'd be here in Forks, but I didn't know what to expect and how to deal with him in this situation.
I blew my nose and re-applied my make up, taking a deep breath and making sure my dress and hair were looking tidy.
I could do this!
We didn't have to stay here much longer, if we didn't want to.
I wondered how Emmett was feeling with Rose here. Did she bring along someone else here too? I wonder if she still wanted to have children with a surrogate?
I took some more deep breaths. Looked myself over again and opened the bathroom door.
I was stopped by Edward and one of the Denali girls making out. I didn't want to stop, so I kept on walking, opened the bedroom door and slammed it loudly.
What was with this family? Were they all sex addicts, apart from Esme and Carlisle?
I needed to keep calm and keep moving!
I was stopped by Edward racing up behind me and grabbing my shoulder. "Wait!"
I turned around and stared.
"I haven't been introduced to you, but I'm Edward Mason. I'm sorry that you had to see that back there." He gestured with his head, referring to the bedroom I'd just walked out of.
I shook my head and shrugged. I didn't want to get caught up in a conversation with him. He was dressed as ridiculously as ever, and was stupid enough to be spending time with one of those nasty, Denali sluts.
I turned and started to walk again. "Please! Wait... at least tell me who you are? Alice said she tried to talk to you and my cousin's Jasper and Rosalie don't want to tell me who you are. Have I met you before? I'm sure I would have definitely remembered it, if I had! You are so beautiful, so stunning. They must know you well, if you got the job of Godmother to the twins!"
I shook my head and huffed, starting to walk off.
"Don't leave me like this! I need to get to know you!" he called out to me.
I kept walking, as a woman's voice said, "Why are you talking to her? Aren't I interesting enough for you Edward?"
"Tanya, it's just that...I want to get to know her, she's fascinating." Edward admitted to Tanya.
I didn't want to hear anymore, this place was crazy!
I scooted away as fast as my heels would go, down the stairs. Until Jasper tried to stop me.
"Bella please, it's not what you think!" Jasper tried to say, but I'd heard him say this exact thing before, when I found him in bed with two of the Denali skanks.
"You don't know what I think! You no longer have the right to know anything about me!" I said icily, staring at him.
"Who's that new guy you're with?" Jasper asked, referring to Garrett, who he didn't recognize.
"None of your damn business." I muttered.
"Yes it is! I care about what happens to you! Do you know anything about him? Where he's from? What he does for a living?"
I started to chuckle. Jasper was being ridiculous and over the top.
I moved under his arm and continued down the stairs.
"Please Bella! Please stop and talk. I need to know you are ok!" Jasper pleaded.
"Oh! Is that Bella? She looks completely different from the last time I saw her!" Edward said to Jasper. "I heard she was with you and then she dumped you. What happened?"
"I happened and Irina too!" Tanya must have caught up with them and filled Edward in.
"What! Both of you? Bella found out about both of you...you did both of them Jasper?" Edward said in shocked disbelief.
"Yes she came home and walked in on us, with Jasper, in her bed." Tanya calmly admitted.
"Oh!" gasped Edward, as he got the implication of the gruesome scenario, Leah and I had walked in on.
"Ah yeah, so you see that's why she's not speaking to anyone and was ashamed to tell us who she was." Tanya said loudly. The bitch!
I'd had enough of this clap trap! They were all delusional!
I just wanted to say hi to Esme, goodbye to Emmett and the twins, grab Garrett and leave Forks for good!
I finally reached Garrett and huddled into him.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Garrett asked.
"I really, really want to leave, but want to see Esme and the twins first."
"I've got an idea, how about we leave now, and arrange to come back tomorrow? That way everyone will be calmer, and there'll be a lot less craziness." Garrett my sensible savior offered and slowly rubbed my back.
I nodded.
Leah came up to me. "Swan what the hell is happening?"
"Leah, I gotta go. Can you tell Esme, that I'll ring her and see if we can come here and visit tomorrow, before Garrett and I leave Forks?" I asked.
"Yeah sure, want me to bash anyone up for you, before that?" Leah asked, cracking her knuckles and ready for a fight.
"No, although Jasper, Edward and Tanya are all acting insane. Not to mention Caius, Ed senior and possibly Emmett's dad are just creepy and then there's Anthea and Edward's mother who have started rumours about me and Carlisle." I sighed, what a strange family!
Garrett looked down at me and calmly said... "Did you know that you're in the perfect position to stand up once and for all, and face down your tormentors? You are like a queen in the chess set, she is all powerful and she faces the opposition without fear, she's flexible, adaptable and lethal. That's who you are Bella, the Queen. My Queen!"
I felt Garrett's belief in me pull me up and strengthen me. I didn't have to avoid them... I just needed to not let them beat me, or cause me anymore pain.
"Well if she's the Queen, I'm going dibs on the Knight, I like how they move." Offered Leah.
"I've always liked the Bishop myself," said Angela quietly, who'd been listening in all this time.
"Emmett you are what?"
"That's obvious, the Castle, of course!" He guffawed. He was built as solid as one anyway.
"What are you Garrett?" I asked.
He chuckled and smiled like a Cheshire cat, "although I'd like to be your King, today I'll be your whole legion of Pawns, my Queen. Today there'll be no check-mate! Today we're going to dominate, not annihilate...that is if you want to stay here, instead of going? I'm fine either way, you can stay, or go Bella, it's totally your call." He said calmly to me, smiling at his deep belief in me, to make the right choice for me.
"Let's stay then! My main objective will be to spend time with Esme and the babies. I've just had a few great ideas. As no one knows who you are Garrett, I'd like you to see if you can keep all of the older men busy... for quite a while, maybe start using a lot of that psychological stuff on them, to get them questioning their lives, and learn how to treat a woman with respect.
"Sure, I can do that!" He went off towards the bar and food, where all the older men were gathered, Carlisle was with them.
"Emmett I'd like you to stay beside me and block any opponents if they look like they are coming towards me." He nodded, looking all business as he rolled up his sleeves.
"Leah go and play havoc with the Denalis and Edward. Garrett thought they might be doing coke in the bathroom. Edward was also getting it off with Tanya, that strawberry-blond one, you remember her?"
"I'm on it! See what I can do to mess even more with their heads," Leah laughed loudly and strode off towards the stairs.
"Angela want to see if the older women need a distraction?"
"I'll ask them all about their husbands and business, maybe their stock portfolios, they love all of that stuff ...if not, they might like talking about their pets." She said.
"Anthea loves talking about her horses, Edward's mother Elizabeth loves talking about the prize-winning dogs, she breeds." Emmett offered.
"That's even better! I can keep them talking about animals for hours!" Angela went off with a determined look on her face.
"I know where Esme went with the twins, they'll be over in the sun room, it's set up like play-room now."
"Ok, let's go. Did you see Garrett's cute chairs he made for the twins?"
"Yeah, I can't wait till they're older; it's going to be so much fun." Emmett chuckled.
"Are you still looking for the right woman?" I asked him.
"Rosalie got a shock when she was served with my divorce papers, but she signed them, so now I'm free to enjoy looking. I don't suppose you're free, are you Bella?"
I smacked his arm and shook my head. "Me and Garrett are enjoying our time together a lot, and I have to say I think he is a big improvement on Jasper. We get on so well, I feel so secure and comfortable, and so at peace with Garrett, you know?"
"He's a really lucky guy. But remember, I'll welcome you with open arms, if you and Garrett don't work out!"
"Ok, but don't hold your breath! Here they are!" We found Esme, Emmett's mother and the twins in the playroom.
Emmett, his mum Doris, Esme, the twins and I spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying ourselves, chatting quietly and holding and playing with the babies.
I got to feed Amelia a bottle, change her diaper and burp her. She fell asleep in my arms, Emmett did the same with Aaron.
It was the best moment of the day so far.
