GIVE ME A CHANCE

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline

Edward's phone beeped indicating an incoming message. He looked and saw that it was a picture message from Alice. She had kept her promise and sent the picture he had asked for. They were beautiful, Bella and his daughter. Alice had also included the information about her name, which was Antoinette Carlie Marie Cullen. He felt his eyes begin to water and the tears silently overflowed in thanksgiving. Bella had included everyone; taking his second name Anthony to name their daughter, the collection of both his father and hers for the second name and both mothers' middle name for the third, but most important is that she carries the Cullen name.

Now, all he had to do was win her love again and they could be a family once more. But, this time he would do things the right way. No more shortcuts or giving in to temptation.

Things were falling into place and he was ready.

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Yeah, another two weeks and the bitch with her spawn would be here for me to begin teaching her to mind her own business. After, I'm through she will be lucky if she can even take care of her own business. BITCH!

CHAPTER 9:

Time passed quickly and some would say a little too quickly for their taste. Both families had spent the time getting to know Toni and fell deeper in love with her each time they were around her. She was such a delightful child. Both set of grandparents had bought a super playground set for the backyards so she would have something to play on. Alice and Rosalie were her big sisters and always taking her shopping when it was allowed. And, Emmett was the pushover teddy bear. It definitely would not be an understatement to say that all of the family was trying to spoil her rotten. They had missed so much and were trying to make up for it by over doing. Bella on many occasions had to say no and put a stop to some of the want tos.

As it was getting near the end of their stay, Bella did give each of the grandparents a DVD she had made for them with all of the important events of Toni's life. This DVD included such things as her birth, her turning over, standing for the first time, crawling, learning to walk, the first work and many others like first birthday and such. When she presented it to them, Esme and Renee had tears in their eyes. The men were almost as bad, but, had to appear manly in front of the womenfolk. Bella just smiled as she watched each of their reactions.

Bella and Alice did talk with Esme and Carlisle about her going to LA and they were a bit hesitant at first to give their blessing. But, Alice was quick to point out that she was of age, that she had studied to be a designer and this was a good opportunity to be able to show off some of her work, and, lastly, she would be available to help take care of Toni and give regular updates on everything. After a bit more persuading, they agreed. So, Alice was busy over the last days remaining getting all of her stuff ready. She would be driving down with them, but, in her car.

Finally the time for teary goodbyes and the promises to call and stay in touch. Emmett and Rosalie would be moving all of Jasper's things left behind into storage and cleaning his apartment for the next tenant. Alice had her car stuffed full of everything she declared was a necessary. And, amazingly, it all fit, closely, but, it did fit. To Bella's SUV, they had gotten a tow bar to tow Jasper's car as he would be helping to drive.

Jasper noticed that Bella hadn't really given a decision as to where they would be staying, but, they had time to decide that along the way. He did say anything, but, he was ecstatic that Alice was coming. Now, away from her family he would stand a better change of showing her how he felt about her. In fact, had done for as far back as he could remember. She was his one and only. But, he just never had the nerve to tell her. This move, hopefully, was going to benefit everyone, especially him. With these thoughts he was walking around with a shit eating grin on his face quite a bit. Bella had noticed it, but, reframed from saying anything about it.

Toni gave all of her grandparents, Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Emmett big hugs and kisses to hold until she saw them again. Of course, this brought on a fresh bunch of tears with the women. The men were just to stoic to be sentimental about such things. Yeah, right! See that moisture in the corner of the eyes there fellows.

They were going to make the drive in two days. Stopping in San Francisco for the first night and then the next day arrive in LA. Alice didn't say anything to Bella about what Edward had thought about doing, staying in the house in LA. She hadn't really heard from him as to that being a final decision, so, when Bella mentioned that might be their place of residence, nothing was said. It was assumed that he decided to stay somewhere else. We all know what assumptions can lead to, right?

The entire trip went without incident. They made good time and got into LA during early evening. Pulling up to the house, Alice and Jasper were a bit speechless. They had assumed the house to be a big, overstated mansion sitting on acres and acres of ground, enclosed by a fence and gate. Instead, it was a modest house, sitting on a few acres of land with a fence and gate enclosing it for privacy, a garage off to the side, pool and patio in the back. It did need to be modernized inside and Alice decided that was going to be her mission over the next few days. She and Toni were going shopping while Bella and Jasper were at the Production Company working.

The interior comprised of family and dining room with a large kitchen in the back. Upon entrance to the right-hand side, was an office and tucked under the staircase was a doorway to a small library. Upstairs was five bedrooms complete with their own baths and the nursery suite. Bella put her things in the master bedroom and Toni's in the bedroom down from hers which was next to the nursery suite. Alice chose the room directly across from the master bedroom and Jasper chose the last one down on the same side.

After getting everything put away, all got ready to go eat since the house was not stocked as yet. That was something they would have to do tomorrow. But, in the meantime, everyone was tired from the traveling and just wanted to get a bite to eat and early bed.

Over the next week everything fell into a comfortable routine for everyone. Bella was delighted with the progress that had been made on the script for the movie. She got to meet the actors that had been chosen to play the parts. Jasper was helping to advise her on any of the legal necessities since he did have his law degree and passed the bar, just not in the state of California. Alice and Toni were busy revitalizing the house, but, at the same time Alice was also making herself known to the designers in town and showing some of her stuff. So, when the weekend came they were all ready for a little rest and relaxation.

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Edward had planned to be in LA over a week ago, but, got held up with a trip to Paris for the company. This was the last obstacle that had to be dealt with to get things set up for LA. Of course, there was already offices established in LA and an office was always ready from him in case he decided to drop in. There were no problems in that direction. He just had to decide where he was going to stay. But, it was a late Friday night, so, it was either hotel or house. Shit, Bella wasn't due until Monday so it would be the house.

Being out of town he hadn't touched base with any of his family in the last couple of weeks, so, he was in the dark as to Bella's plans. But, come tomorrow, he would call Alice and get that information. He could always count on her to be in the know.

Grabbing a cab outside of LAX, he gave the address and they were off. As the cab turned into the drive, Edward entered the security code and the gates swung open for them to drive through. As the cab pass the gates Edward told him the command had been give for them to close after he had left. Pulling up to the front door, he gets his bags and garment bag out of the cab trunk and moves up the steps to unlock the front door. Once the door is open, he turns and watches the cab drive away. He closes the door after dropping his baggage in a corner and heads upstairs. Coming to the master bedroom he opens the door while stripping down and heads for the bed, never paying any attention to what is in the room or the lump under the covers in the bed.

He slides under the covers and falls sound to sleep from the jet lag and exhaustion. After a bit he turns on his side and stretches out only to encounter a solid object. Thinking he is dreaming he pays no attention to what the object is, at that moment. Not until it moves and turns towards him. All of a sudden, a piecing scream could be heard and he jumps up to be head with bright light and the vision that was most unexpected to be only assaulted with its hand. And, the bedroom door resounding from hitting the wall from being thrown open.

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Unbeknownst to any of the people inside of the house, a figure was moving around on the grounds outside. It was moving as if exploring and learning the layout of the property. A black car was parked on the street a little ways down, but, there was nothing outstanding about it that would draw any attention to it.

He had been changing his habits for each day to where no one would start getting suspicious of being followed. One day following her and that man with her, the next the black haired woman and the little girl. Another day, check out the entries into the house, then finally going in to get the layout of the inside. Then starting all over again.

He was taking his time and make his move when the time was just right. Not a moment before that.

A/N: Well, everyone has gotten to LA, settled in and picking up with life. Edward arrives to a really big surprise. But, no one is aware of the danger lurking in the shadows outside.

What is going to happen when all get to LA? What kind of threat is waiting in LA?

I hope that you do enjoy the story as it develops as much as you are enjoying my other stories.

I will try to update at least once a week and wish you good reading on this story and many others that are just divinely outstanding.

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