AN: Now Bella meets the family.
My thanks to MeteorOnAMoonlessNight who always finds the time to beta, and to all those who are following and reviewing this story.
I apologise for the lack of review answering; there's always so much to do.
Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight and all of its characters.
Chapter 9
Now, Bella
"I'm so happy to finally meet you, Bella. Is it okay if I call you Bella?" Alice questioned without releasing me from her hug. "I'm so sorry for hanging around this last couple of weeks and never saying anything; I promised Edward I'd let him tell you. I hope you can forgive me?"
"It's okay, Alice, there's nothing to forgive. Truthfully, with everything that's happened in the last twenty-four hours, I really can't find it in me to be angry. I'm far too worried about Charlie. It is, however, nice to meet you as Edward's sister instead of that stranger lurking around the building." I smiled at her and then pulled back as Edward encouraged the people standing behind her to come into the room, while three of the other five individuals standing around left to do whatever it was they were supposed to be doing. Emmett remained for a few minutes and then left after a nod from Edward; presumably to follow an order he'd been give earlier. The next person to enter the room was introduced as Jasper, who moved to Alice's side, hugging her and kissing her temple.
Ushering the other two people further into the room, Edward introduced them.
"These are my parents, Esme and Carlisle Cullen," he said, running his hands through his hair as usual. From the glare he got from his mother, I was pretty sure he was in as much, if not more, trouble with her than with me.
"Hello, Mrs. Cullen." I stepped forward with my hand raised as I had with Alice, and like Alice, she acknowledged me with a hug. I would have known her as his mother anywhere, as she had the same green eyes and hair color.
"Please call me Esme," she said, smiling widely. "I would say it's nice to finally meet you, but since we didn't know about you until yesterday"—she glared at Edward again, who wilted under her gaze— "I can only say that I'm glad you decided to include us in your family.
She moved on to Edward, hugging him, too, and berating him at the same time. "I can't believe you've kept them secret for six years, Edward. What were you thinking? Your son would have been safer if you had told us."
He swallowed hard before answering. "I know, Mom, I fucked up," was all he said.
I almost giggled at the look on his face, but I was glad he didn't point out the marriage thing, which might have meant Charlie's safety would have been more secure. I wasn't sure that was true, anyway.
I turned to the man who stood in the doorway who was smiling indulgently at his wife. He had the same sharp jawline, and while Edward's coloring was all his mother, his features were all his father. I could see how Edward might age as Carlisle grinned, his eyes amused at my perusal.
"And I'm Carlisle. Please don't call me Mr. Cullen. I feel old enough having to use this cane without that addition." He did hold out his hand in greeting, and then pulled me into a hug much as Alice and Esme had done. "Welcome to the family."
Alice and Jasper had taken the sofa and were wrapped in each other's arms, while Esme had taken the other end of the sofa. "Now that the introductions are out of the way," she began, "tell me about my grandchildren, please, Bella."
Edward drew me back to the loveseat and pulled me down beside him, and although I was still angry at him, I knew he was just as worried. Added to that, he probably felt guilty, too, so I allowed him to take some strength from me.
"Where to start," I mused. "Hold on a second and I'll get the photo albums, and maybe we can go through them and talk at the same time? I can get Rose to bring Lily in here so you can meet her, too."
"I'd love that, Bella." She smiled at me encouragingly, and I made my way to the family room.
Stepping into the kitchen, the sight of Emmett and Rose leaning against the breakfast bar locked lip to lip brought me to a halt.
"Rose?" I questioned, my eyes flicking from one to the other, the look that passed between them earlier coming to mind. I opened my mouth to speak and then shook my head, holding my hand up. "Never mind."
Leaving the door open, I walked across the room and took the two photograph albums from the shelf beside the television, which was quietly playing cartoons, and then reached down to pick Lily up, settling her on my hip.
"Could you bring some coffee through to the living room, please, Rose? Edward's parents and Alice and Jasper are here, but don't think we won't talk about this later," I said.
"Sure thing, Bella." Rose seemed totally unrepentant, although I knew her well enough to see a little guilt in her eyes, but now wasn't the time to question either of them. She and Emmett, whose face was a little pink, separated, and she busied herself with setting up the coffee maker.
The door to the kitchen slamming behind me brought Edward out of the living room, giving me a quizzical look. Glaring at him, I brushed past him, and pasting a smile on my face, stepped inside. Esme immediately slapped her hand over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears, giving Alice time to step forward and grab Lily from my arms.
She went willingly, and Alice sat back down beside Jasper, talking to Lily and giving Esme time to pull her emotions under control.
"Oh Bella, she's beautiful," her voice quivered with unshed tears as she took a seat beside Alice. "How old is she? When's her birthday? Oh, I don't know what I want to know first."
My smile for her was much more genuine. I could tell she was itching to know everything. "Her full name is Lily Elizabeth Cullen, and she'll be one on June twenty-fifth, just a week after Charlie will turn six. His birthday is on June nineteenth."
Jasper left his seat beside Alice, who shifted along so I could take a seat between her and Esme, and then I opened the first of the photo albums, which was entirely Charlie.
"Charles Edward Cullen," I said, pointing to the picture on the first page. "He's only a few hours old in this one." The picture showed Edward seated on the hospital bed beside me, Charlie in his arms and his face suffused with the biggest smile I had seen, except the one from the day Lily was born.
I knew that Esme, especially, would want every detail of both her grandchildren's lives, but I was more concerned with finding Charlie. When Edward, Carlisle, and Jasper left the room, I narrowed my eyes and then followed them to the kitchen, where I interrupted a heated discussion between the three of them while Emmett and Rose listened in.
"What's happening here?" I asked suspiciously. "What's the plan for getting Charlie back?"
Edward separated from the group, and I stepped into his embrace. "It'll be fine, Bella. We will get him back soon. We're just working out the best way to do it," he said soothingly.
"I need to be involved, Edward. Don't shut me out," I said, angry tears coming to my eyes. "And don't patronize me. I'm not stupid so you have to include me in everything; he's my son, too."
Edward stepped back, and I could see he wasn't happy about my demands. "Would you do me a favor, please, Bella? Can we move to my parents' house? You and Lily will be safe there, and then we can discuss this further. Please?"
I could see that he was placating me, but I did, in fact, feel he had a valid point so I agreed to the move, leaving them to their discussions for now. Esme and Alice accompanied me upstairs to help me pack some things for myself and Lily, giving them both a chance to interrogate me while Rose gave Lily her lunch.
It didn't take long for me to be ready, and Edward spoke to the officers both in the study and outside the house, telling them where we would be. They would be left in the house ready to answer the phones for any ransom, though their thoughts were pretty clear; if we hadn't received one by now, it might be that there would be no need for one.
** Dangerous Secrets **
