A/N: Hey Guys! Long time no see huh? Okay don't shoot me. Let me explain myself. First of all I have had this chapter for a couple of months at first I wasn't prepared to put it out and then other stuff started happening. I finished my first year of college and moved back home for the summer. I started a new job and worked all the time and then...MY LAPTOP BROKE! Thank god I had sense to back everything up on a flashdrive or things could have been bad. I just got my laptop back Sunday and am now putting out this chapter. By the way before you bite my head off this chapter is not edited. Sorry but I wanted to put something out and its not that horrible. Oh and for those of you who follow Say Major a chapter should be coming out soon. Sorry its taking so long. I have part of one already I just got to finish it. Now you guys have to be patient with me because I am in my second year of college and that comes first. LOOOOOVVVVEEEE YOOOOOUUUUU!
The table is quiet as Billy glares at the man. Silently I hope that he answers the man question to prevent bloodshed. As much as I dislike him I don't want him dead at the table. Billy watches the man his eyes twinkling with hatred. Hatred never looked so volatile until now.
"I thought Bella had better sense than getting her cherry popped by a common thug," Billy bites out.
Jake beats everyone to the punch, "Dad! That was totally out of line."
"I don't know what is with you two and my sexual relationship with Jay but it needs to stop. Let's act our age and eat. This is a celebration after all," I remind them before waving the waiter over.
Everyone order something much to the pleasure of the owner. Jay and I ended up ordering the exact same thing. My father isn't discreet as he watches Jay and I interaction. He makes me feel like I am an animal in the zoo. But Jay doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. He must be used to being watched. I can't imagine having my every moved watched, I love my privacy way too much.
Suddenly I remember exactly why we are here. My eyes narrow onto Embry. He is talking quietly to Jake. The affection is written clear on his smooth face. He is pretty. Don't get me wrong, if I was walking down the street and happened to pass him by I wouldn't think he was gay. But upon looking at him I see that he has more of a feminine beauty rather than being handsome. He had brown hair that is short favoring a spiky look. His face is smooth from any hair. His eyes are the color of mahogany and he has thick eyebrows. Embry resembles a track star rather than a linebacker.
"So Embry how are you," I ask as I sit my glass on the table.
He looks up startled and looks slightly frightened, "I am fine. Congratulations on your pregnancy."
"Thank you. You are the first one besides my doctor to say that," I admit lowly already softening against him. "Have you guys decided on where you are going to live?"
"We found a house in the same neighborhood as his uncle," Jacob is practically jumping in his seat with happiness. I shake my head at him find his antics a welcome relief from the seriousness that is surrounding us..
"And your uncle is?" I ask.
"Carlisle," Embry answers nodding towards the man that scares me.
Carlisle has never been outright rude to me but he hasn't been that welcoming either. Our eyes meet and he nods at me in acknowledgment. To him I have been nothing but a piece of ass to Jasper. I have heard him many times talk to Jay about finding someone to spend the rest of his life with. Apparently I am bad for their image with being the daughter of a cop.
"Do you work, Isabella?" Embry asks.
I nod, "Yes and Bella will be fine we are family after all. I am an artist and I own my own bakery. Both are a passion of mines."
"That must be hectic."
"Sometimes. But when I was just finding my footing it was a lifesaver. Everyone knows you can't make a living off of art before you're famous. I wouldn't trade it for the world. If you don't mind me asking what exactly do you do," Jacob cuts his eyes at my question. I blink innocently wish causes him to growl.
"You don't have to answer that, honey. Bella isn't this rude normally," Jacob looks at Embry apologetically.
I lean forward, "I wasn't being rude. He a grown man if he feels some type of way about the question he can tell me. He doesn't need you to answer for him, Jake."
Jake locks eyes with me and I know he would like to smack the living fire out of me. I roll my eyes he can be dramatic at times. But I can't very well smile and welcome his husband with open arms if I don't know if he is in the sex slave trade. I know he won't admit to anything here but I can get it out of Jasper later.
"I am an accountant for my Uncle clubs," Embry clears his throat shifting uncomfortable in his seat. What he really just said is he makes illegal money look legal. I chuckle he needs a better poker face.
Jasper squeezes my thigh and I know I am treading on thin ice. His eyes are tight with annoyance and I realize he hasn't really said anything since I got here. Jay's silence is big indicator that he is not happy. My hand drifts down and strokes the one he has on my thigh.
"Leave it alone, Choc," He whispers to me.
Fine I will leave it alone. I can't say right now that Embry isn't in that vile trade because I know his family is master at disguises. My eyes drift around the table as everyone else starts talking. I have taken the liberty to assume that the unnamed man earlier is Carlisle father. Which means he used to be the Don of the Chicago Outfit before his son took over. His era was one of blood or so I gathered from listening to my father and uncle late night conversations.
"How are you feeling, Bells," My father asks.
"Great but stressed. Danny wants to do a gala and there is new art school that was just built that has commissioned me to paint a mural. I need to find someone to take over for me at the bakery for a while when I enter my third trimester and during the first couple months of the quadruplets life."
My father looks concerned, "You aren't spreading yourself too thin are you, Bella? Your mother had a rough time when she was pregnant with you and she didn't work."
"Not every pregnancy is the same, Dad."
"But yours is at high risk," He snaps back.
I growl at him, "What do you want me to do? Terminate it, because that is not happening! I have no choice but to work. Stop judging everything I do and give me shoulder to lean on."
"Come home, Bella. We got that extra room we change it into a nursery. It'll be perfect. That apartment in the city is too expensive for you alone."
"Dad, I am not coming home," I whisper quietly.
I should have hit him it wouldn't have hurt as much as seeing the reaction on his face. To him I am choosing Jay over him. But I can't come home. Just because things are rough, I can't hightail it. It wouldn't be fair for Jasper to miss this. I just wish Charlie would see that I am doing what is best for me right now.
"I can't do this," He declares pushing his seat away from the table. I look up at him in fear, "I can't pretend like I am okay with your choice. You can't expect me to watch you ruin your life."
I sniffle, "And this alternative is better? I can't go through this alone, Dad! I need you."
"Well, you should have thought about that before you became his whore. Now that you are knocked up how long you think he is going to continue to fuck you? You are nothing to him."
The table is silent at Charlie outburst. I can't help but realize that the quiet dinner I had in mind has went off into the middle of nowhere. Why is it that when I want things to go smoothly they have the habit of not? Charlie is man of his words and I know that his threat is not to be taken lightly. But how does he expect me to walk away from Jay when he is the father of my children? Not to mention that Charlie doesn't think of me more than a common whore.
"You need to leave," Jasper commands taking his hand off my thigh. I don't bother looking at him I already know how he looks. Terrifying, the God of War.
Billy looks amused, "What he didn't say anything but the truth. Jakey over there is just a little permanent fuck buddy for that bitch. You'll understand our outrage when you have kids. Now Jake get your ass up we are leaving. Bella is free to be the Cullen's whore but yo-"
I don't remember moving but the next instant I am leaned over the table my knife in pinning his hand to the table. Billy howls in pain at my attack but I don't care. Billy meets my eyes pain and anger simmering within his.
"I warned you what would happen if you disrespected Jake and his partner. I told you plainly," I seethe trying to bite back all of my feelings. "I am going to remove my knife out of your hand and you are going to take my father and leave. There will not be anymore word exchange or threats. Am I understood?"
He doesn't say anything. I twist the knife. He nods in acceptance. I jerk the knife out of his hand ignoring the puddle of blood that is on the ivory tablecloth. Billy jumps to his feet whilst cradling his injured hand to his body. He can be very dramatic. My father looks at me in horror that barely affects me. But he follows his stumbling brother out of the restaurant without protest or a look back. For some reason I feel like this will be the last time I see my father. That thought doesn't rest lightly with me.
Jay move to put his arm around me but I flinch away. I can't help but think that I am slipping back into the old Bella. Renee's Bella. I look down at the empty spot in front of me that soon will have a plate of food without an appetite. When I thought of starting a family it was never this stressful. Loosing my father wasn't in the equation. The father of my kids for damn sure wasn't supposed to be a mobster. I really didn't imagine having four kids at one time. And I never thought I would feel this alone.
"Well that was horrible. I think we should call it a night," Embry declares.
I snap. I was not put through that hell just for everyone to go back to their expensive houses and have their chefs fix them a five star meal. They aren't going to weasel out of this simply because they have the means to. That is not the ways of a Swan.
"No. You are going to keep your ass in that seat," I snarl turning to look at him. "Matter of fact everyone is going to stay in their seats. We are all going to eat our meals and act like human beings. There will be no calling it night. I don't care who doesn't like it. You didn't have to come in the first place. Now that is out of the way, nice weather we are having. Isn't it?"
Needless to say no one else voice thoughts about leaving. Not that they had a choice. I don't think anyone thought I could be that monotone yet angry. But to their defense they stayed seated and they even talked. They talked and they talked. They talked when the food came. They talked when they drank. And while they talked that keep glancing at the blood stain on the table. Billy's blood. I don't bother trying to force anything down, Jay decided not to fight me on it. He knows how to pick his battles.
When I figure out that everyone is done. I push my chair back from the table and stand. They all look at me expectantly, and I know I should be burning red but I can't find it in me. My father basically disowned me. I don't have any family support. Jake doesn't like the idea of Jay and I, so he doesn't count.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming out to congratulate Jake and Embry on their nuptials. I wish you two a wonderful and happy life together. I love you, Jake." I smile at the end.
Then I am slipping on my jacket avoiding Jay's eyes. I whisper goodbye then make my way to take care of the bill. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. When I step outside and make my way to my car I see man leaned against my car. He is blonde and he looks dangerous. I stop and debating on if I should go the other direction. But he acknowledges my presence with a boyish smile.
"Isabella, I am Peter Whitlock," I arch an eyebrow still not understanding why he is leaned against my car. "I am head of your security detail."
"Ok."
He looks at me oddly, "I am your personal bodyguard. That includes being your driver."
I could fight but its not worth it. It will just give me a headache. One that I don't care for right now. I dig my keys out of my purse and place them in his hands. So it begins, the dissolution of my hard earned freedom. Something makes me look over my shoulder just as Peter opens the door to the backseat. Jay is standing at the entrance surrounded by his father, grandfather, and brother. But his eyes are locked on mines, searching. That's how I leave them, searching, before I climb into the spacious backseat.
My actions are childish but they satisfy me. Ever since that stupid dinner I have been avoiding every Cullen. Jay was the first to reach out but I ignored his calls, text, and pounding at my door. He gave up two day ago. It hurt but I am over it. Rose was the toughest, she stills leaves me voice mails twice a day one to bitch me out and the other to complain about my absence. Jake doesn't understand why I won't let him in. I stop reading text and listening to voicemails yesterday.
I finish icing the cake before me with a grin. Its a five tier cake of pink madness. A sorority hired me to make a engagement cake for one of their sisters. They requested bubble gum pretty pink as the icing. It's pretty but it hurts my eyes. I step away from the masterpiece and wipe my hands on my apron. Work is truly the only reprieve I have from my thoughts.
"Ms. Swan," I groan at the sound of Garret at the door. He is one of my security detail that Jasper hired. "Um, Mrs. Cullen is here to see you."
"Tell her to go away," I mutter not turning around.
"I can't."
I whirl around my hands glued to my hips, "And why not? I made it abundantly clear I wanted space."
"It's the senior Mrs. Cullen, ma'am." He informs.
"Senior? Who...," He sees the recognition in my eyes and sag in relief. "Nana Cullen?"
"Yes, that's the one." Oh, fuck me.
I take off the sticky apron and smooth my hair back. Garret follows on my heels as I surface from the kitchen. I wave at my busy staff before going to the corner where several huge bodies shield a slender one from view. They grudgingly let me through making sure to eye me for weapons. Yeah, I am going to assassinate Moira Cullen with a butter knife, while we are surrounded by people that could kill me in seconds. I might not be smart but I am not that stupid.
Moira is seated at the table cutting regally into a cinnamon roll. She looks so nice its hard to believe she is the wife of Juan Cullen. She glances up at me her green eyes twinkling in mischief. I smile at her politely before taking my seat.
"You must give me the recipe to this cinnamon roll. Juan would eat dozens," She enthuse before stuffing her mouth full again.
"Family secret," I tell her.
"You look nice," I look like shit.
I shake my head, "You aren't here for a social call. So get to the point."
"I like you," She declares fingering the strand of pearls at her throat. "You got fire and class. Not like most these hussies. And you got a spine of steel."
"Okay, but why are you telling me this?"
She looks at me in knowing way, "Because I see myself in you. When I first got with Juan I wish I had someone with the knowledge as me to give me insight."
"I am not with, Jasper. Sure, I am having his kids but when he gets the chance he can leave," I tell her lowly trying to banish the feelings that comes with that thought.
"Honey, you are carrying his first children. You are with him."
"Anyone can get pregnant, Mrs. Cullen."
"Nana will do just fine, dear," She smiles at me, "You are right. Anyone can get pregnant but only one person can give him a first born."
I gulp not liking where this is going, "So."
"Jasper world is your world now, bambina."
"No, that is reserved for his wife. I will never be that."
Nana chuckles, "I think you know that statement is false. It's the way of our world. Well your world now. It will only be official when he puts the ring on your finger."
"He has to marry me?"
"Yeah."
I am going to be sick, "What if I say no?"
"You won't. You love him. I see it in your eyes. You love him but you are scared to lose yourself," She says this so sure that I almost believe she read my thoughts, "If you didn't you wouldn't have let your father walk away."
"So this is it? He marries me because I am the mother of his first-born? That's sick."
"Some of us have been married for worse. I was married to Juan because my father owed him a blood debt. I hated Juan for years. It wasn't until Carlisle was five that I started to allow myself to love him."
I look at her shocked, "You hated him?"
"Yep, tried to kill the bastard three times. Well four if you count the incident that happened thirteen years ago," I arch an eyebrow in question. "He allowed for Jasper to get his button at 13."
"Jasper, has been in the family business for 13 years?" I gasp in horror.
"Juan, wanted him open to his life at an early age. You know Carlisle is now head of the family but Juan brought the family to its prime. He loves our son but he thinks that his grandson can take us further towards the horizon."
"Jasper is the underboss."
Nana sighs, "My baby has a soul, Isabella. You and your kids will probably be the few to see it. He needs you and he is too blind to realize it. Isabella you will wield so much power it will scare you. Think about the position you hold in Chicago now, it will only increase. Chicago thinks of you as it's little sister but when you come out with your relationship with Jasper you will be a Princess. Then a Queen. You can't escape it."
"Jasper knows this? That he has to marry me. That's what has been on his mind lately," Fucking hell.
Nana nods her head, smiling as I piece it together. If I was Jasper I would have advocated sending me away before anyone found out. Yet, I know Jasper could never walk away from his kids its not the way he was raised. I don't know how to react. The thought of marrying Jasper was never in my mind. I always knew my placed would be in the shadows until we both decided to find someone to accompany us for the rest of our lives. Jasper isn't a simple man. He is made man. A mafia man. There will be stuff I will be exposed to that will give me nightmares. Will I be strong enough to stand with him?
"What's spinning through your head, bambina?"
I sigh, "I think it time Jasper and I finally talk."