Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Ms. Meyer owns Twilight and all of its characters, no copyright violation is intended. References to real people, places and groups are used fictitiously. The plot is inspired by my very active imagination and a very weird dream I had once. Therefore is my original work. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization. ©Copyright MinaR 2010

I want to say thank you to all my readers who review. You help me grow as a writer and encourage me to keep writing. Also, thank you all for your understanding on this difficult time in my life. :)

Thanks to my pre-reader Annie for helping me with this chapter.

To all my girls on Facebook for giving great ideas for Emmett's gift! ;D

And to my awesome betas: Eifeltwr and LaMomo, love ya ladies!

P.S. Annie and Momo, Ted said that you can keep the souvenirs you got from him the other night, apparently Liz is doing something for CK so he has extras now! ;D

CHAPTER 3: Gifts

I was trying to put on my sleeveless v-neck navy blue t-shirt without touching my aching shoulder.

"Motherfucker!" I exclaimed as I bumped a sensitive spot with my hand.

You could say I was rather unsuccessful.

"Cock-sucking-balls-breaker-son-of-a-bitch!" I hissed through clenched teeth when my t-shirt was finally in place.

I was panting from the pain and had one hand propped on the edge of the bathroom counter. I looked myself in the mirror, thank God I wasn't sweating yet, the last thing I needed was to feel of sweat burn my raw skin.

I hated the pain and the inability to move my arm after a long tattoo session, though I guess not enough to stop me from getting more. It was extremely frustrating and tiring. When I got my back tattoo, it was a completely different scenario. I was used to sleeping on my stomach, and it felt like I had sunburn when I put on a shirt, but the shoulder… it was fucking killing me!

It had been four days since I'd left Akilla's place in Tokyo with my sleeve completely finished. The session had been cathartic and exhilarating at the same time. My dad didn't get anything, for he was under strict orders from my mom not to. In fact, her exact words were: 'If you get another tattoo, Ted, I swear to God I'll make you get an Apadravya'. I was shocked that my mom even knew what that was. Unfortunately, my dad wasn't that knowledgeable, so when I explain to him that it was a type of piercing that was placed centrally and passing through the glands and the urethra, all color drained from his face and immediately called Akilla's to cancel his appointment.

I had never laughed so hard in my life!

All that talk about piercings made want to get one. There was a girl named Aome-san that did piercings at the parlor. I asked her if she would have time for me before I started with the tattoo. She was most happy to comply and to see me shirtless, since I wanted my left nipple pierced. She was sad when I told her that I was not interested in girls. At least she didn't persist in her flirting, I hated when girls did that, as if batting their eyelashes at me would just make me straight all of a sudden.

I snorted at the thought.

Since then, I had spent most of my time in my suite, walking around shirtless and taking extra care of the tatt, so the pain was bearable. My mom and dad tried to get me to go out with them the day after my session, but when they heard me screaming trying to get dressed, they simply left me to rest.

What a great way to spend spring break!

At least I got to return to Zipangu last night. It took me two hours to get ready, but it paid out in the end. My parents and I arrived on time for our reservation. The interior of the restaurant was most impressive. There was a huge selection of wine, with a dedicated room surrounded by walls of wine cellars. The ambiance was mellow, yet classy; no rowdy crowd or screaming babies. After checking out the menu, placing our orders and getting some drinks, we were served with a piece of tofu and some vegetable as starter. The texture of the tofu was somehow closer to cheese than tofu and really had the added sophistication. Then came the soup with a slice of lime and some mushroom that carried a tangy taste that I usually didn't associate with hot soup, it was very good nonetheless.

The next item on the menu was foie gras. I had eaten this delicacy before, since Bella favored it quite a lot and had made me eat it on several occasions, but I really wasn't a fan. It was served on a piece of winter melon and lightly seared. The texture was akin to butter and yet just ever slightly more solid. The taste was subtle but yet so good, it was as like a taste I never knew existed. Kind of like the first time you have orgasm: new, exciting, and addictive (if your wallet was fat enough). I now had a better understanding why Bella enjoyed it so much.

I had ordered the beef teriyaki with tempura and the sushi set. The food was succulent and the sauce that came with the meat was so delicious that I was basically in a constant state of nirvana. As for the ten pieces of sushi, I could say that I had never had sushi this good before, the salmon cut was from the belly, and so was the tuna. It was of course, very fresh, and absolutely delectable.

After that orgasmic experience, I decided to stay at the hotel to rest for the next two days before I got back to New York. That was, until Bella called me today and threatened me that if I didn't return bearing gifts, she would cut my left nut and slap me on the shoulder. It was the second threat that scared me the most (talking about priorities), but since I had promised her gifts, I guess one day wasn't going to be that bad. I hoped.

I walked back to my room and picked up my phone. I saw I had four unread texts.

Tony, get some aloe vera cream for ur shoulder… and don't forget my tea set! ;) –Bells

I chuckled. I needed to find a small tea set with cherry blossoms for Bella. I had seen one in Kappabashi-dori, so it wouldn't be something difficult to get, and it wouldn't take me too long to get back at the hotel to keep resting until tomorrow.

I check the other texts and was surprise to see they were from the gang.

Eddie! I want the coolest sake set u can find, dude. I know my sis's ur #1, but don't forget ur boy here! –Emmett

Masen! Em told me u're getting gifts? I WANT A SHAMISHEN! –Jasper

Emmy said I can ask u for a gift. Can I get a yukata? Make it red! –Ro

Un-freaking-believable.

I was sure that Emmet, the fucker, had made the others think I was buying gifts for everybody. I bet he did it on purpose too, just to laugh at my discomfort to go out with a freshly finished tatt. Well, he didn't know who he was messing with.

Payback is a bitch, my friend.

I started formulating a plan in my head to get him something that would put him in a rather compromising position. The best way to do that was getting him something that would irate Rose and therefore he'd get no booty for a month.

I know.

I'm evil.

But for the plan to work, I needed help. I checked my watch and saw it was nine o'clock in the morning. The time difference with New York was thirteen hours, so it was eight o'clock at night over there.

PERFECT!

I walked out to the sitting area and grabbed an apple form the complementary fruit basket while I dialled Bella's number. She answered on the third ring.

"TONY! So good to hear from you! How've you been? How's the shoulder?" Bella fired her questions in one breath.

Bella was the only one to call me Tony. I was only ten years old when Bella moved to New York and I'd met her at school, we became friends immediately. One day when we had a school project, she came by my house and met my dad and learned that his name was also Edward. She said it was too confusing and therefore he would be addressed as Mr. Ted and I will be Tony for my middle name. She looked so cute and commanding that my dad simply laughed it up and congratulated her for her quick thinking.

"Jeez, woman. Breath!" I laughed. "I'm fine, B. I'm going out right now to find you that tea set," I took a bite out of the apple and swallowed, "but I wanted to ask you, who told Emmett that I was buying gifts for everybody?" I almost growled that last part.

"WHAT?" Bella gasped. "That stupid orangutan...," she seethed, "I swear, Edward, it wasn't me. He's so gonna pay for this."

"I know, B. I have an idea, but I need your help," I said with an evil smile on my lips and took another bite from the apple. It was quite juicy, so I had to be careful to not get my shirt stained; the last thing I wanted was spend another hour changing shirts.

"Ooohhh… I like the sound of that. I'm all ears, Tony." she giggled.

I explained the plan I had come up with and what it entailed. Bella said that she would take care of everything as soon as Emmett was out of sight.

"Have you heard from the BHF?" she asked timidly.

I sighed and put the half-eaten apple on the coffee table.

I had told Bella all about my encounter with Carlisle and his attitude during breakfast the next day. She tried to appease me by commenting that perhaps he was just trying to act normal to not make my dad suspect anything. I recognized that, I even understood it, but not the part where neither of my parents knew about Carlisle's supposed preferences for hot dogs instead of tacos. When I told Bella that, she was pissed. She knew how Riley had used me to get a little fame by dating The Hot Hollywood Couple's son, and understood the pain I had been through; she had been through it as well – just not in the same circumstances. It was one of the reasons why she always kept Jake at arm's length.

I fucking hated James because of it.

Since that pathetic conversation (I cried through the whole thing) Bella had tended to call Carlisle, BHF. Blond Hottie Fucker. Though, she first had several other choice names that would put any sailor to a shame. I never expected any less from my girl, especially with Emmet as a brother.

"Haven't heard from him at all," I said in an angry voice.

"Oh! Okay."

I raised an eyebrow at her word, "Okay?" I said confused.

Bella was a terrible liar. When she had a tidbit of information she wasn't supposed to share, she kept her answers short and almost mechanical, just like she was doing right now.

Something wicked this way comes…

"Isabella, what aren't you telling me?" I asked suspiciously as I walked towards the balcony and opened the sliding doors. There was a cool breeze outside that felt great against the exposed skin of my shoulder.

"No one," she gulped.

This is exactly what I meant; she really can't lie to save her life.

I chuckled as I stood in the middle of the sitting area with the balcony at my back. "I asked what, not who, Bella."

"Ummm…" she hesitated and I could bet she was biting her bottom lip raw.

"Out with it, Isabella Marie!" I yelled with authority.

In a small voice, Bella said something I never expected to hear, "I saw him."

I gasped and dropped the phone and it landed with a soft thud against the carpeted floor. All playfulness and laughter died with those three little words.

I knew exactly who she was talking about and when what she said started to sink in, a million questions ran through my mind.

The fact that she had seen him, it meant that he was already in New York. He had left and never looked back.

He didn't even call me to say goodbye…

I shook my head and took a deep breath to shake off the pang of hurt that I felt at that last thought.

I picked up the phone from the floor and I immediately started firing questions in agitation, "Where? When? How? Was he alone? Tell me, Bella!" I immediately smacked myself on my forehead for my need to know about him.

"Calm down, Tony," Bella said in a calm voice. "I saw him this morning. I was going to Ro's penthouse when I saw him coming out of your house with Felix."

Felix was helping Carlisle?

Felix was our driver and sort of like our butler. He was in his fifties, and was basically a second father to me. The man has known me since I was in diapers. He was born in Naples, Italy and migrated to the States in the 60's. He spoke with a heavy Italian accent and was funny as hell. He was also an excellent cook, he taught Bella and I how to make the best gnocchi ai quattro formaggi. He used to tell me some crazy stories when I was little about how he used to be a hit man for a very powerful Mobster, when in reality he had never even seen a gun.

I miss that old man.

If Felix was helping Carlisle moving his stuff into the townhouse, then that meant my Dad knew of his arrival in New York and he must have told Felix to help him with the move, but why hadn't he said anything to me last night? I would have to ask him when I saw him later at dinner.

"What happened, Bella?" I asked her while running a hand through my hair and wincing at the sudden movement of my shoulder.

"I must say Tony, that man is certainly fuckhot! You have excellent taste; though I still have no idea what the hell you ever saw in Riley," she practically spit his name.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. We always had this discussion; I knew now it was a mistake to get involved with Riley, but I had just come out, he was also openly gay, he was the first to show interest, and I had wanted to explore my new sexuality.

Big fat mistake, I had to admit it.

"Yes, thank you, Bella. What I want to know is if he was alone?" I asked with a frustrated sigh.

She sighed, "Yes, he was alone. I didn't see the little girl. Do you think she is still in Tokyo?"

"I don't know," I said with my frustration growing by the minute. "Did you talk to him?"

She paused for a minute before taking a deep breath and said, "Yes."

So that was what she was really trying to hide from me. "What did you say to him?" I asked hesitantly.

Bella cleared her throat before she started telling me what happened, "I was actually talking to Felix. I was telling him about the Miami trip we did for my birthday last year, we were laughing and joking. Then Felix started joking how I would be the perfect wife for you and all that, you know… if you weren't gay!" she laughed, "that's when he came out of the house and… well, if looks could kill, Tony… I would probably be six feet under by now." she answered impishly.

What?

"Wait; did he say something to you?" If he'd said something rude to Bella, I would punch him in the face; forget best-make-out-session-of-my-life-with-a-total-stranger-in-a-foreign-country.

"Not really," she sighed, "he just gave a very icy, cold glare that would even put Rosalie to shame, and pretty much ignored me. Even Felix commented about his change of demeanor."

I pinched the bridge of my nose hard and began to breathe deeply, very deeply. I was so confused by his behavior. Why would he even care what Felix or Bella said about me? I knew he had felt a little jealously when I had flirted with the waiter during breakfast, but since then he hadn't even tried to talk to me to explain himself, or to even apologize or anything.

He really never felt the same for me…

All I heard about him was from my dad, and only that his niece was now legally his daughter under the name of Sayuri Kurata-Cullen, and that both of them should be at the townhouse by the time I arrived back in NY.

"Did you say something to him, Bella?" I asked with sadness lacing my voice as I walked back to the bedroom.

She signed. "I was mad at him Tony, you had cried the whole night the other day on the phone, and well… I just might have said something like: 'No matter how good looking you are, you attitude really leaves too much to be desired. Get off your high horse before you hurt the people I care about.' After that I turned around, got into my car and never looked back."

I sat down on the foot of my bed completely flabbergasted. "I can't believe you said that to him."

"I'm so sorry Tony, but I was SO mad! And I just couldn't help myself," she said in a tiny voice.

I chuckled "I guess he deserved hearing that, I couldn't have done a better job myself." I said with a smile.

Bella was not the kind of girl to lash out like that to strangers, but if a person she cared about was wronged then you had better watch out, for the little kitten that was Isabella Marie really knew how to throw a punch or two. I should know, since I was there when she let it out towards that asshole James; his nose was never straight again.

My girl had a soft spot, too. She loved with all her heart, and once you were there, she would fight with tooth and nail to see you happy. That's why what James did to her hit her pretty hard. The fact that I had introduced them still left a bad taste in my mouth and made the guilt sting my heart.

I sighed, and at the sound Bella immediately started talking, "Tony, don't go there, please…" she said in a small voice. "I know what you're thinking. It wasn't your fault." As always, Bella knew me and the direction of thoughts all too well.

"Bella… If I hadn't introduced you..." I started to say, but she cut me off quickly.

"NO! It wasn't your fault," she yelled, but then kept talking with a more calmed voice, "I was the one who chose to ignore all the warnings and go out with the asshole. I never blamed you! Why should you?" I could hear the frustration in her voice. "Look, the thing is in the past. He is in jail now and won't hurt anyone else anymore. My dad will make sure of that."

Thank God for Commissioner Swan.

"Bella, just…" I groaned. There was no point in arguing with her.

"It's ok, Tony." I heard the doorbell of her apartment through the phone. "That's Jake, his dad is in town with mommy dearest and he asked me to let him stay here for the weekend."

"I bet you're happy Charlie likes him so much," I joked trying to go back to our previous playfulness.

"HA! He practically worships him, but he sure doesn't let it show!" She giggled and then I heard a door open, a 'Hello Beautiful' and some movement. "I'll see you on Sunday, right?"

I heard Jake ask who she was talking to, when she said it was me he yelled a "Hello, Eddie!"

The dog knows I HATE to be called that.

"I'll see ya on Sunday, B. Tell JAKEY POO to take care of you and to wrap it up!" I laughed when I heard him growl at my name for him.

"EDWARD!" Bella gasped at my last comment, and I bet she was blushing red. "Goodnight, brain!" she said a little annoyed.

"Goodnight, pinky!" I replied in the same tone.

I plopped down on the bed and laid for a while with my legs hanging, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I decided to make a list of all the events and analyze them little by little.

First, Emmet was a dick.

Yeah… he is definitely gonna beg for forgiveness when I return to New York.

Second, Carlisle was in New York.

And His Fuckhotness didn't even say goodbye.

Third, I had reason to believe that my dad was hiding things from me.

But how in hell was I supposed to ask him about Carlisle without sounding suspicious?

And finally, Bella had seen Carlisle and he had behaved like a complete ass towards her.

But I bet he looked fucking hot going all caveman on her…

I groaned as I scrubbed my face with both of my hands at that last thought. What the hell was I doing wondering if he looked hot or not? Fuck! He always looked hot! SHIT! I mean... he was rude to my best friend, I should be mad at him and his fucking hot bod… NO! What the hell was wrong with me? This shit was weird - and completely out of character for me. Why I couldn't seem to stop thinking of him? I wasn't obsessive. I really wasn't, but those damned lips…

"DAMNIT!" I yelled into the empty room and stood up from the bed quickly. I walked to the stereo in the living room determined to clear my head with some music. Plugging my iPod into it, I hit shuffle and hoped that it would play some good shit to help me relax and sort out my thoughts. I groaned when I heard "Across the Universe" playing. It appeared that my iPod had moved into the sixties, courtesy of Bella, I was sure. That girl was obsessed with the fucking sixties. It wasn't like I had something against the Beatles; it was just that my tastes tended to be on the heavier side of rock. I sighed and I was about to hit next when there was a knock at my door.

I hit stop on my iPod and went to the door. "Who is it?" I yelled on my way.

"Junior, I'm your father!" said my dad in his best Darth Vader voice.

I barked a laugh, forgetting completely about my shitty mood at the sound of my dad's voice, and opened the door. My dad was there, leaning against the door frame, legs crossed and hands in his pockets. He had a goofy grin across his face and a knowing look in his eyes.

"What's up?" I asked mimicking his stance on the opposite side of the door, being careful with the tatt.

"A little brown eyed swan told me you might need my help." he said with a chuckle.

"Bella called you?"

"Yep! Just finished talking to her," he said, waving his cell phone in his hand. "Apparently there is some kind of master plan that I'm supposed to help you out with." He shrugged.

I laughed. Leave to Bella to involve my father, the king of jesters, into a prank for Emmet. I shook my head and made a mental note to buy her something extra while I was out shopping.

"I have to buy some gifts for the gang, but I do need your help with a 'special' gift for the orangutan that Bella has for a brother," I said with a smile.

"HA! So, it's a payback kind of plan as I can see," he laughed and then in his best Yoda voice he added, "this task to complete you should leave to me, young Padawan."

"I am indeed in need of advice, Master, which is why I think Princess Bella called for you."

"Well, then. Let's get going!" He stood up and walked into the suite. "Get your stuff, I'll call your mother and tell her we are having father/son bonding time."

"Ok, where is she by the way?" I asked as I made my way to the bedroom to grab my messenger bag and wallet.

"She is doing an interview for a national TV show," my dad yelled from the living room.

"I'll just go to the bathroom quickly and be out in a minute!" I yelled back and heard my father grunt in response. I went to the bathroom to check the tatt. It was healing nicely. I washed it with some soap and put on some antibacterial cream I had bought at Akilla's place. I grabbed some of my favorite Tommy Hilfiger cologne and dabbed a bit on my neck and shirt. I brushed my teeth and finally turn off the lights of the bathroom and bedroom. I grabbed my cell phone from the bed and wallet from the nightstand and walked back to the sitting area.

I found my father sitting on the arm of the sofa talking to my mom using the suite's phone.

"Yes, Liz, we won't take long… We'll meet you back for dinner at six?" he chuckled, "I love you too, Peppermint Pattie. Bye!" he hanged up with a chuckle.

After checking he had his cell phone and wallet, we walked out of the suite and out of the hotel. Mao was already out there with the car waiting for us.

"Ohayou, Mao-san," both my dad and I said in unison.

"Ohayou, Ted-sama. Ted-kun" he answered with a little nod.

We climbed inside of the car and were off to Kappabashi-dori. We kept on a light conversation in the car, but I was going to take advantage of our little trip to try to get more information about Carlisle and his family. At least the little things my father knew, for now I believed that Carlisle was not a man to openly reveal his affairs to everyone. Not even to my father.

I just hoped that what I found out would shine some light into who Carlisle Cullen really was.

I hoped.

DON'T FORGET!

An outtake of Carlisle's Point of View was submitted for the Fandom for Preemies author compilation. From Nov. 1st until the 30th, each donation of $5 to the March of Dimes will receive an compilation of one-shots, outtakes or blurbs from over 100 authors that have been so gracious to contribute their time and talents to this cause, that happens to be one that is very close to my heart as 28-weeker myself. For more details, go to .com

Also, check out my blog for outfits and teasers of the outtake! The link it's on my profile.

Now, don't be shy and tell what you thought! Even a smiley would be fine! =D

xoxo

Mina