HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE! The Epilogue will post in a little while. Stay safe if you go out tonight, we wish you a prosperous new year.
Chapter 9
"Edward, can we talk to you, son?" I look over to where Bella is dancing with Coby and Corrine.
"Yes," I say walking out with them.
"We wanted to give you this." I look to see that it's a check for thirty thousand dollars.
"What?" I ask unsure. I know they don't have this money.
"It's your inheritance money."
I frown looking at them.
"We got it out early; everything is already planned and paid for. Carlisle gets the office and this is your share to do with as you want."
I just look at them then to the check.
"What?" I stutter again.
"The grandkids all still have their money in a bank account. We would rather see you enjoy it than wait until we are dead for you to get it."
I smile and pull them in for a hug. "Thank you."
I look to the door knowing what I want to do with this money, and I look back to my parents.
"Is she going to be in your life for a long time?"
"Forever," I say right away feeling my heart beating.
"I think I'm in love with her," I say feeling faint. "It's too soon, right?" I ask them and they shake their heads.
"Love hits us, sometimes faster than others, but true love makes you feel many different things. It can be wonderfully fast and feeling scary, too, but ride out the waves, Edward."
I let out a breath closing my eyes. "I have to give her this," I say waving the check, "not because I want to make up for my wrong doings, but because these last days working with her felt so right. I have had more ideas flowing through my head, when she's right there than ever before. She's also my childrens' sister." I look at them to see they are not shocked.
"We saw Charlie with Tanya one time," my mom says, revealing that she knew.
I sigh and rub my face, understanding why my mother never said a word.
"She's a kind, sweet, amazing, beautiful woman, and I'm in love with her."
My parents smile at me.
"It's about time. We'll take the kids out for fireworks and give you two a few hours alone before the ball drops."
I smile at them and go help get the kids ready to go out. I wave to them from the door before walking back into the living room seeing Bella is cleaning up.
"I have some news," I tell Bella hugging her from behind. "Before you say no, hear me out."
Bella nods at me turning in my arms.
"Okay ... my parents gave me my inheritance early. It's not much, but I would like to invest in Swan's."
Bella just looks at me.
"It's something that can go to Coby and Corrine in the future," I carry on hoping she'll not say no.
"It's already part theirs. I plan to give them their share when they are old enough," Bella says right away, and I shake my head at her.
"That's yours, Bella."
"If they were alive before my grandfather died, he would have left it to all three of us."
"But they weren't. Let me do this, Bella, it's not much," I say handing her the check and she closes her eyes.
"What?" I ask
"Aro agreed to pay us half upfront; this is half of what's left to pay the Blacks off."
I grin. "Then it's fate."
Bella groans. "If you give me this then you are taking the thirty percent of the company."
I shake my head knowing that's far too much.
"Then no deal."
"Why are you so stubborn?"
"Why are you?" Bella counters.
"Fine, but I'm going to work my ass off for you."
Bella smiles, before kissing me. "You already do; I've never had a work partner before."
I grin as we sway from side to side. "I'll be every kind of partner you will ever need," I say kissing her softly.
We share a few more soft kisses, and I lean my forehead onto hers as I look at her. She's so close to me that I can feel her heart beating in rhythm with my own.
I kiss her again with more hunger as my feelings for her become more intense. "Bed?" I growl out.
"Bed," Bella moans agreeing with me. We crash into a few things before I throw her over my shoulder running to my bedroom.
Bella and I make hot, sweet love for the next hour. We move to the shower, where between washing each other, we share many more kisses and caresses.
I watch her get dressed in her red dress. It's a dress like nothing I have ever seen.
"Where did you get this?" I ask touching it softly.
"It was my grandmother's. I changed it a little ... not much. I think I should've been alive in the fifties. I love these dresses," Bella says as she starts to pin her hair up.
"Honey," I say moving to her as she looks at me in the mirror. "Is there a reason you always put your hair up?"
"It looks more professional. The banks and businesses didn't take me seriously with my hair down," Bella says and I kiss her shoulder.
"I like your hair down," I say touching it softly. "I'll take you seriously no matter what."
Bella turns and looks at me. "Is this your way of asking me, to not put it up?"
I bite my lip and grin a little.
"Just saying – I love your hair, and I'm finding you more and more attractive as the seconds pass. You could wear your hair up or down, though, and I'll still find you delectable."
"But, it's a bigger turn on when it's down," Bella says moving her lips so they're hovering right in front of mine.
"When your hair is down, the long tresses make me want to thread my fingers in it, and hold you how I want you when I ravage your soft lips. When it's up, I want to lick and bite that gorgeous, delicate neck of yours and nibble on your cute little ears."
"Lucky for you I like to turn you on," Bella says kissing me.
I pull the pins back out of her hair, letting it drop down her back.
"Daddy, we're back," I hear getting yelled and pull away from her. "Finish getting dressed, babe," I say walking out of the room as I button up my shirt.
"Did you have a good time with Grandma and Grandpa?" I ask as Corrine runs into my arms.
"Yes, when are we going to the party?"
"Soon, my sweet girl," I chuckle at her excitement.
Corrine's mouth drops open as she looks behind me in shock. I turn around seeing Bella standing there. She looks incredibly beautiful, with her light makeup and hair laying loosely down her back.
"You look amazing," I whisper out.
Bella helps Coby get dressed as I help Corrine.
"Daddy?" she says as I fix her hair.
"Yes, baby?"
"Is Bella your girlfriend now?"
I swallow and turn to see Bella is smiling while tickling Coby.
"I'm not sure, sweetie."
"Do you like her?"
I smile and nod.
"Do you kiss her?" she says swaying a little.
I narrow my eyes, but nod at her again.
"Then she should be your girlfriend."
"She may not want me," I say, and Corrine raises her eyebrow perfectly.
"Don't be silly. She looks at you like Grandma looks at Grandpa."
I look around at Bella again, finding she is hugging Coby as they look at Corrine and me. I give her my grin and she blushes biting her lip. She drops her head so that she's now looking up at me through her eyelashes. She's so fucking cute and sexy at the same time.
"You really like her, too," Corrine says in my ear making me look at her.
"I really do," I agree.
We walk to the living room where my parents are dressed and waiting for us.
"Is everyone ready to go to the party?" I ask and they all nod at me.
We walk out heading down the short walk to Carlisle and Esme's house. We arrive and get a warm greeting by the others that are here.
"Edward, Bella," Rose says in almost a sneer.
"Bella, you look beautiful," Esme says kissing her.
"Thank you and you do, too," Bella says shyly as Jessica and Rose roll their eyes.
I glare at them. I'm sure their behavior has more to do with the fact I gave both of them a written warning yesterday at work than anything else.
I remove the kids and Bella's jackets taking them to the coatroom.
"Bella, may I have this dance?" Coby asks sounding so much like me.
"I would love to," Bella says, and I watch my son lead Bella to the dance floor.
"My little lady, would you dance with your old dad?" I ask Corrine when I reach her.
She chuckles at me nodding.
When we get to the dance floor, I place her on my feet and look to see Bella has taken off her shoes. Coby is at eye level with her breasts and his eyes are currently staring at them. I flick his head when we pass.
"Eyes up, Coby," I say and he blushes.
My eyes move to Bella to see she's blushing, too.
"He's just like his father at that age, you always had a thing for boobs," Carlisle says close to my ear as he chuckles.
"I still have a thing for boobs," I whisper back to him, and he nods moving away from me.
"May I have this next dance?" Coby asks Corrine and she nods.
I smile as I watch them do a waltz-type dance I know they learned from the student teacher at the school. If I recall right, when they showed me, it was called the Gay Gordon's dance, and it's from Scotland – where the student teacher is from.
I look to Bella. "Will you dance with me?" I ask.
She bobs her head moving to me, and we follow the kids. Smiling and enjoying ourselves the whole time.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice how low cut this dress was," Bella says once we start to dance to a slow song together.
I pull Bella closer as my eyes drift to her breasts. "Don't be," I say still looking at them.
"I gathered that they are your favorite part of me," she says.
"They are one of my favorite parts of you. This right here," I say tapping her hot little ass, "is another. Then of course, there's that sweet, warm place between your legs," I growl seductively in her ear. "I want to take you someplace and fuck you for the rest of the night."
I pull back looking down at Bella who has a blush on her face, but looks up at me with her eyes filled with heat and lust.
"And I know this," I say grinding my cock against her front. "This is one of your favorite parts of me?"
"I like your eyes better," Bella says and I chuckle.
"There you go showing me up. I'm being dirty and you're sweet as apple pie."
Bella bites her lip as she looks at me giving me the mixed sexy and cute look she has perfected.
"I can't wait to take you home," I say pulling her in closer to me.
The night passes with Bella and me dancing together or, with one of the kids. We're all outside during the countdown. At the stroke of midnight, I kiss my kids then Bella. As it's already late, we walk home looking very much like a family unit.
Bella helps change Corrine and I deal with Coby. Once they are changed, we tuck them into bed. We walk out of their room, and I lead Bella back to what's fast becoming our room.
I kiss her as we enter the room, and I kick the door closed with my foot. I unzip her dress and watch as it pools at her feet on the floor.
"Happy five-thousand-seven-hundred-and-seventy-five," I mumble out as I start to kiss her neck.
"You know what year we are on in the Jewish calendar?" Bella moans out.
I grin at her nodding. "I learned some information so that I could understand your traditions and heritage, too," I tell her as I start to kiss her amazing breasts.
"Make love to me," Bella says and I feel her freeze a little.
I look at her, seeing yet again the hurt young woman.
"Gladly," I say as I pull down her panties. "I'll make love to you anytime and every time."
I make her orgasm and enjoy watching her as the flush covers her neck and chest. I line myself up with her and only enter her a little, before stopping. I place my hands next to head and look her in the eye. "I'm falling in love with you," I tell her as I slowly enter her. I'm not sure if the gasp was because of me entering her or for what I said.
"Ed ... ward," she moans and l lean my forehead to hers. Our bodies rock together, and our eyes never lose contact. "Love you ... too," she gets out as she comes. I follow her, feeling this sensation of happiness shoot throughout my whole body.
I stay inside her as we share gentle kisses. "I love watching you come. I think, I could watch that all day," I whisper between my kisses.
I wake finding Bella is nestled over me again. I kiss her head and slide out from under her. I get washed and dressed and start on breakfast.
"Morning, Daddy," Coby says as he walks into the kitchen yawning.
"Morning," I say back to him.
It's only a few minutes later that we are joined by Corrine and then Bella. I look at her as she sits talking to Coby and Corrine. She still has that freshly fucked look about her.
"Stove, Edward," she says and I tilt my head at her as the kids chuckle at me.
Bella shakes her head, jumping up taking the griddle full of pancakes I was cooking off the burner.
"Shit," I say taking the hot pan from Bella, and putting the burnt pancakes in the trash. The kids chuckle and I kiss Bella, before getting a fresh griddle.
"Round two for the pancakes," I say jokingly.
"Need any help?" I turn looking at Bella grin.
"Nope, you'll just distract me again," I say turning back around in time to save my pancake.
After breakfast is done, Bella and I take Coby and Corrine out to the reindeer farm. We go on another sleigh ride, before heading home to play games and have our New Year dinner.
~STTAR~
"Bella, you need to take a break," I say.
She has been working non-stop since six this morning, and it's now almost three in the afternoon.
"Five more minutes," she says without looking at me.
"You said that an hour ago, Bella."
I pull her chair back turning it.
"We are getting there," I tell her. As I lean in to kiss her, the office door flies open.
"When you said your partner, I thought it was as in business, not a fuck buddy."
I turn around to see Jacob Black, the mongrel standing at the door with a grin on his face.
"Didn't anyone teach you to knock before you enter someone's office?"
"This is my office, Eddy boy."
I arch my brow at him as he swaggers in.
"Don't you think it's about time to clear this shit out of here?" He asks as he makes a disgusted face looking around at Bella's belongings.
"No, we'll be buying you out on Friday," I tell him and he shakes his head.
"Thanks for the offer, but no. I'll like this place."
"You don't have a choice," I say and Jacob just looks at me smiling.
"I'll be back, and when I do, I want you, your shitty staff and all this shit out of here. This is my town now." Jacob walks back out of the office and I follow him.
I look down at the staff who are all glaring at him.
As soon as Jacob is out the door, I loudly clear my throat to get their attention. "Get back to work people, we have an order to get out."
I walk back into the office to see Bella is yet again working away.
"Just take a five-minute break, honey," I whisper in her ear.
She shakes her head as a tear runs down her face. I sigh and start to work again, too.
"Edward, take your break, I'm fine, and this is what I'm used to."
I shake my head at her. "No, babe, the more I help you the bigger chance I have of getting you out of here before sunrise tomorrow."
~STTAR~
The four days go by with Bella and I both pulling sixteen hour shifts each day. I really have no idea how the hell Bella managed to do this each and every day for four years. Thankfully, we have pulled it off, and have the money to buy out the Blacks. Both Bella and I are there at their main office in the nearby city.
"What if they don't take this?" Bella asks and I run my hand down her hair.
"They have no choice, Babe."
Bella just looks at me as if to say it's not going to be that easy.
"I'm here for you; they will take it."
We get called in and I take her hand as we sit at the table clearly outnumbered as the Blacks have sixteen people around the table all staring at us.
"This is the money that you paid ten years ago, plus the ten percent needed to buy the thirty percent back according to the contract," Bella says placing a copy of the contract and the cashier's check down.
"I like Swan's and have a plan for that land; therefore, we're buying you out," Jacob says.
"Too bad that's not a choice. Miss Swan retains seventy percent of Swan's, and therefore, it will not close or sell now or ever."
"As a matter of fact, if a company goes bankrupt, it has no choice but to close," Jacob informs us.
"We're nowhere near bankrupt," Bella grits out.
"How long can you keep it going? You're low in funds. You'll last no more than a year. This way you will walk away with something. If you wait a year, you'll not only be out of business, but a home, too, in the end."
Bella turns and looks at me.
"That will not happen!"
Bella and I both turn to see Aro standing at the now open door. I jump up smiling at him.
"Thank you for coming, Aro," I say and pull another chair out for him.
"Aro, I didn't know you were coming?" Jacob says as he struggles to keep the grin on his face.
"You should have looked at the guest list then. Since I'm an investor in Swan's, why wouldn't I be here?"
Jacob sits up a little straighter.
"Now, this contract says that you have no choice but to take the money, and return the thirty percent of Swan's back to them. Be so kind to do that, or I will need to think about my investments with your company starting immediately."
"Aro, my friend, this company is not what the modern world needs. It's outdated. They still have a human staff, where everywhere else it is already computerized."
"And that my friend is what's wrong with today's world. You have your payment, kindly take it and sign the company back over to Miss Swan."
I watch as Jacob signs the papers and hands Bella the part of the company they owned.
"You have made a huge mistake," Jacob says walking out.
I help Bella walk out of the Black building. As soon as we are clear, I hug her to me.
"We got it?" Bella stutters out.
"We got it," I say kissing her.
"Thank you," I say as I look at Aro.
"It was my pleasure," he says shaking our hands. "I'll see you next week for my orders?"
I nod at him and kiss Bella again.
"Edward, how ... Aro?" Bella says looking at me.
"I called him, asking if he would come and support us."
"That was good thinking."
I nod and give her a big smile. "Come on, let's get home and tell everyone."
It's very late by the time we arrive back into town, and we head right home deciding that it can wait until tomorrow.
Bella and I make love again before falling asleep in each other's arms. The next day we call all the staff in and give them the good news. We also tell them that we are on our own, meaning that everyone needs to pull their weight to keep Swan's open.
"I have a feeling this is going to be a really good year," Bella says.
I watch as she looks down at the staff that all seem more relaxed.
I wrap my arms around her, placing my chin on her shoulder.
"I have a feeling, with you by my side, my life will be complete."
Bella turns her head around a little looking at me.
"I love you," I say and she smiles, but I can feel and hear her heart beating faster.
"I love you, too."
I kiss her and groan when I hear the "AWW" coming from the floor.
"Get to work," I yell, with a chuckle.
I kiss Bella's nose before we walk down joining the others to make the toys.
I take my space and look at Bella who's talking to Alice and Jasper. I know the town still has a lot to make up for. Yet, I can't help being thankful, even for Operation Scrooge. After all it helped me find someone that I know I want and need to spend the rest of my life with.
A/N: So in a little while I will post the epilogue, what are your thoughts so far?
