The Third Year - The Second Months
"Good Morning Mrs. Cope, how was your holiday?"
"Good Morning Headmaster, I had a pleasant holiday. How was yours, did you enjoy The Nutcracker?" The look on her face was too innocent, she was hoping to catch me off guard.
"Yes, I did. I thought that was your sister I saw taking a picture but I wasn't sure so I did not approach her." I saw her deflate right in front of me at not being able to ambush me.
"She sent me the picture, your date looks lovely." She pulled the picture up on her phone. It showed my face but it did not show a full profile of Bella, with her hair up like it was you couldn't recognize her.
"Yes, she is very lovely thank you." I turned to walk into my office.
"Does she live in Forks?"
"No, unfortunately she lives in Seattle." I didn't stop or turn around to answer her.
"So are you officially off the market again?"
"Yes I am. Please spread the word so the female teachers stop throwing themselves at me." She couldn't keep her mouth from hanging open at my bluntness and I shut my office door before I smiled. The women would either back off or try even harder knowing my girlfriend lived in Seattle.
My father called me a week after school started, I was refusing to take my mother's calls and he wanted to know why. So, I told him. I explained about the conversation I overheard between Bella and mother, then I explained my own confrontation with her.
"What bothers me most Dad is I told her before this visit that she should get Bella to explain her history, it would take care of most if not all of mother's worries. But she didn't do that, she assumed that because Bella isn't wealthy all she wants is my money. Bella has a full ride to UW and has acquired a full ride for her Master's there also. She has worked her ass off year round to achieve her Bachelor's in three years and if she stays on track she will get in Master's in a little over a year. I do not pay for any of her education or the rent on her apartment, that is a gift from her mother and step-father."
"I had no idea about this Edward. Esme did not tell me what was discussed, just that you overheard something and misinterpreted it."
"There was nothing to misinterpret. She said she would understand if when I get older Bella decided she wanted to be with a younger man. Then she proceeded to tell Bella she didn't understand what Bella's motives were for being with me if not money. Bella, however, told mother exactly what her reasons were and that my looks were secondary and my money was a turn off."
"Actually Edward I can see her saying something like that. Bella strikes me as the kind of person who wants to make it on her own because it means more to her."
"Exactly Dad. She had no idea I was a trust fund baby until we were almost to Chicago and then she promptly said she would sign any papers needed to be sure she did not have access to it. I declined her offer but she knew mother wouldn't so she made the same offer to her before leaving the sun porch. That was when I let mother know I heard the conversation and if she sent those papers to Bella I would cut off all contact with her. She tried to say I misunderstood but I didn't. At that point I walked away before I said something I would regret."
"I am so sorry Edward but you know she is very protective of you. I am sure she was just trying to look out for you."
"I do not need her to look out for me or the kids. I need her to open her eyes and see that we are the happiest we have ever been and that is because of Bella. I don't know why she won't just talk to Bella with an open mind. The kids love Bella and so do I, she will be in your lives for a long time if I have any say in the matter."
"Really, I didn't think things had progressed to that level yet."
"I have been seeing her for two and a half years Dad, of course I am serious about her. Neither of us is sure about marriage but we are both in this forever."
"What makes this better Edward? Your mother is beside herself because she can't see how to fix this."
"I have told her several times, she doesn't need to apologize to me she needs to apologize to Bella and don't try to tempt her with some expensive gift, that would only prove Bella's point that mother thinks it is all about the money."
"I guess that explains the book."
"What do you mean, what book?"
"The first edition of The Nutcracker that we gave Bella, one of the maids found it in the room she stayed in after you left for New York. It was on the desk with her address lying on top of it. I didn't tell your mother because I wasn't sure what had happened between them."
"You will never get her to accept it now. Dad, she wasn't going to tell me about the conversation she had with mom. She told me she didn't want me to think ill of my mother who was looking out for me. She knows mom thinks of her as a gold digging whore and still she wanted me to be able to look at my mother with something other than disgust."
"To be honest Edward, I am not 100% sure what your mother's problem is with Bella but I do know it is more than what she is saying. I think she feels bad for not noticing things with Tanya. Now that I know more about what happened I will talk to her again. When she is ready to be open minded what do you suggest we do?"
"First, she must apologize to Bella, it may not matter to Bella but it does to me. She is graduating in June, start by attending that and work from there. I should warn you that when Bella is in town she stays with us as often as she does her Dad's so prepare mother appropriately."
"Thank you Edward, for being honest with me. I love you son."
"I love you too Dad."
After I hung up with my father I thought about what he said. I could understand my mother's need to feel as if she needed to protect us but she was going about it the wrong way.
January flew by, Tanya saw the kids once, Bella spent a weekend with me and the kids in Forks (a good time was had by all) and the teachers at school decided to double their efforts since I was now dating. I had politely turned down every offer for coffee, lunch, dinner, a movie and drinks until after a day of dealing with Newton's cocky asshole of a son and his buddies Lauren Mallory decided to push her luck too far before a staff meeting. I had turned her down three times this week before her latest offer.
"Listen Edward..."
"Miss Mallory, you may call me Headmaster or Mr. Cullen, you may not call me Edward. What can I do for you I need to finish setting up for the meeting."
"Well I was hoping we could have lunch together sometime next week?"
"Miss Mallory, I have already said no several times please stop asking."
"Ok then, let me just cut to the heart of things. You are a man, I'm a woman it can just be about sex if you would like."
I am sure the look on my face told her how disgusted I was with her offer since she backed away from me before I could respond. I looked around the room at the teachers there and decided I had finally hit my limit.
"Before I start the meeting I need to address the issue of harassment. When a man repeatedly asked out a woman or does so in sexually suggestive way, if the woman feels uncomfortable by these advances and says she is uncomfortable and they continue that is a form of sexually harassment." The women were nodding their heads. "Let me clue you ladies into something it is still sexual harassment if it is a woman asking a man out." That had several female teachers' eyes going wide. "I want to make this perfectly clear, I am not interested in dating anyone at this school. I have witnesses that I am saying no and please stop asking me, if you continue to ask me I will take it as harassment and act accordingly. Have I made myself perfectly clear?" There were mumbled yes' and nodded heads. "Good, let's get this meeting started then."
When I talked to Bella she laughed at what happened at the meeting. I swear sometimes that woman loved the position those women put me in. "How can you laugh about this Bella, it makes me very uncomfortable. For once can't you have a normal reaction and get jealous instead of enjoying my pain."
"I do get jealous Edward but I turn that anger into pity for the women who want you and can't have you because you are mine. Do you even realize what that says about the way you treat me? You have what, at least 5 women a week that ask you out, women that you turn down with me 4 hours away. The fact that I can laugh about this should let you know how confident I am in your love. I am only that confident because you show me everyday in many ways how much I mean to you and that they can never take you away from me. Can you honestly tell me that when we go out you don't get some type of satisfaction from knowing you have what some other men want?"
"Oh no, I definitely enjoy be able to look at those men and know you are mine. I see what you are saying but still, do you have to laugh at me?"
"To be honest I am laughing more at them but I will try to reign it in from now on."
"Thank you. Now did you have a chance to look at the links I sent you for the shirt and boots I want you to get for the play party?"
"Yes Sir."
"How do you feel about them and wearing the corset at the party?"
"I really like the boots. About the party I am nervous but mostly excited I think."
"Good. We will talk more on Friday when I am there before we go to the party but always remember I will not make you do something you don't want to."
"I know and believe it or not that makes it easier to do. I want to make you proud of me Master."
"I already am proud of you Isabella. I love you Bella."
"I love you too, goodnight."
Friday could not come quick enough for me, Isabella and I had not had a chance to play since Christmas and I was looking forward to it. Mrs. Call was going to stay with the kids, they liked her and she enjoyed looking after them. The plan was for her to watch them for after school on Friday until Sunday afternoon. I was hoping to stay two nights in Seattle. The kids wanted to see Bella but understood that we needed time alone also, well Emily and Ethan did anyway.
The closer I got to Seattle the more excited I became. I couldn't wait to see Bella in her outfit. The boots I made her buy resembled go-go boots but with in a soft black leather and the shirt was nothing more than a triangle of black leather that tied by one strap in the back. Put those with her corset, skirt and stockings and I was sure she would look like my biker bitch, especially with the leather jacket I had for her. I couldn't get that picture out of my mind, it turned me on so much I actually purchased her another collar for play parties, it was black leather and said Cullen's Bitch across the front in small diamonds. I had owned a motorcycle in college, hmmm maybe I needed to invest in a Harley. I was getting hard just thinking about fucking her on it.
I let myself into the apartment and about lost it in my pants when she walked down the hall towards me, she looked as if she had just stepped out of the fantasy I had on the drive here. As she knelt in front of me I got harder and knew we would have to take care of this problem before we left or else it would be a short night.
"Hello Isabella. I have missed you." Silence "You may speak."
"Good evening Master, I have missed you too."
"I have something for you. A new collar that you will only wear at play parties unless I say otherwise." I held the collar up, "take a look little girl." She lifted her head and a smile spread across her face when she got a good look at it. I removed her everyday collar and locked the new one into place. "Do you like it? You may speak."
"I love it Master. Thank you."
"You have presented me with a problem Isabella and I expect you to take care of it." Her eyes shot to my hard on and she licked her lips. "You need to make this fast kitten I do not want to be late tonight." She unzipped my leather pants and licked me from base to tip when my cock sprung out at her. She engulfed me with her hot mouth and started moaning, she loved to suck me off and it is what made her sooo good at it. "Damn you give good head Isabella." She started sucking harder and picked up her pace. "That's it girl, make me cum." She placed her hands on my hips and was going faster, deep throating me every time. "Fuck kitten I'm gonna cum." I grabbed her head to hold her still, pumped into her mouth twice and then let go. "Yesss baby...take it all...love my cum...don't you little girl..." She hummed around me as she swallowed the last bit. She licked me clean then put me back in my pants. I held a hand out to help her up.
"Let's go baby we can talk in the car." When I helped her into her jacket she realized it was identical to the one I was wearing.
"Isabella I want us to speak freely now." She nodded. "Are you still comfortable removing your skirt and shirt tonight?"
"Yes, I'm a little nervous but I want to do this."
"Ok. If it becomes too uncomfortable for you use your safe word and we will discuss things."
"Yes Master."
"When I am sitting I expect you to be kneeling next to me in your resting position."
"Not my waiting position Master?"
"No, your waiting position forces your breasts out and I don't think I am ready for the reaction that may cause your resting position will leave you exposed enough." I saw the confused look on her face. "Isabella I am a very possessive man, you know this, I will never share you or allow another man to touch you. I am nervous about tonight also because I don't know how I will react to having other men looking at you. If I pull you aside and tell you to dress remember it maybe because I am uncomfortable and not due to anything you have done wrong."
"Yes Master, I just want to please you."
"You do please me Isabella, very much."
The party this year was being held at Peter and Charlotte's, he showed us where to put our coats and explained what demonstrations would be in the different rooms. I had Isabella remove her skirt and shirt before we went to join the party. In just the corset her tattoo was visible and fuck if that wasn't a turn on. When she turned to face me, damn I had forgotten about her nipple ring and the E and C charms hanging off of it had me hard again.
We walked into the great room where most of the Dom's were and I greeted some of the Dom's I had met at previous events. I sat down near Thomas and Matt, they also had backgrounds in education and I enjoyed talking to them. They greeted Isabella and after looking to me for the ok she responded to them, "Hello Sirs."
"For a couple that doesn't get out to socialize often you two seem to be doing great Edward." Thomas said.
"Thank you. I am very happy with Isabella." I said as I laid my hand on her head. Peter was the only Dom who knew the entire story of how Isabella and I came to be but I counted Thomas and Matt as friends so they knew part of the story and that we did not have many opportunities to get together with her in school. Matt was the one who told me about the hog tie rope set.
The demonstrations were starting and I wanted to watch the one involving hot wax. I sat down and positioned Isabella in front of me so I could whisper in her ear. In this instance the Dom and sub were both male, he was explaining that his sub was new to hot wax so he started out by pouring small amounts on his stomach, thighs and arms before moving to the more sensitive areas. I leaned in closer to Isabella as the Dom poured hot wax on his sub's nipple. "Would you like that Isabella?" I was rolling one of her nipples between my fingers. "I would love to do that to you, I think you would find it very pleasurable." She nodded her head. A loud moan drew our attention back to the stage, the Dom was dribbling wax on his sub's balls and the sub loved it. I leaned into her again, "I would love to do that to our clit and pussy lips." I tugged on her nipple ring and she whimpered.
After the demo was over I led her back to where Peter and Thomas were sitting with their subs and began discussing what we had just seen. They explained about the different types of wax that were available to use and the reactions they had gotten from their subs on them. Charlotte asked Peter is she could take Isabella and Kyle around to meet some of the other subs attending. After gaining permission from me and Thomas I watched her led them over to a group of subs by the refreshment table. I watched as she interacted with the other subs and she seemed to be enjoying herself. I also looked around the room and noticed several Dom's glancing at her without being disrespectful to their own subs. Before coming here I thought the attention she would garner would upset me so I was pleasantly surprised when all I felt was a sense of pride that she was mine.
Isabella had been with the other subs for about 15 minutes when two Dom's approached Peter asking who her Dom was and he pointed to me. They introduced themselves as Felix and Demetri and asked if we would be interested in joining them in their play rooms sometime.
"My apologies gentlemen but I do not share so I have to decline your invitation."
They chuckled and Felix said, "I tried to tell Demetri that whoever her Dom was probably wouldn't share. She is beautiful, why would you want to share?"
"Exactly, she is for me alone."
"It never hurts to ask." Demetri said.
We stayed another hour before saying our goodbyes to go back to the apartment. Isabella mentioned on the way that she had been invited to attend gatherings they held monthly, just subs. "That is fine, I think it may be good for you to talk to other subs. There are things they will understand that someone outside the lifestyle won't."
"Thank you Master."
When we arrived at the apartment I sent her into the bathroom to strip while I readied what I needed in the room. When she walked into the room I could see her nipples were hard and she was pressing her legs together. I walked behind her and ran my finger through her folds. "Someone enjoyed what they saw tonight?" Silence. I rubbed her clit gently. "Remove my clothes kitten." Once I was naked I went and laid in the middle of the bed.
"Come here Isabella, I am missing your mouth again." She went to crawl between my legs and I pulled her around so we were in a 69 position. "I am very proud of you kitten. You did very well at the party. Be as vocal as you like and cum when you are ready my naughty girl." I pulled the double vibrator out from under the pillows and the lube. She couldn't see it because she was working my cock good. She hadn't seen this double yet it had the added bonus of a clit stimulator. I started to insert the vibrator slowly and she gave a deep moan when she realized it was a double. Once it was fully in her I waited so she could adjust to the feeling. I clicked the vibrator on and she was screaming around my cock. "Fuuckkk baby that is good." I was slowly rocking it in and out of her as I played with her nipple ring. She was moving faster on me now and breathing heavily through her nose. I hit the button for the clit stimulator and I felt her moan 'fucckkkk' at the same time as her cum started running down her thighs onto my face. I was licking her thighs as I started pumping the vibrator in and out of her roughly and as she came again she tugged on my balls and swallowed around my cock, pressing her teeth in at the base. "Mother fucker kitten, I'm cumming."
I pulled the vibrator out of her and moved her to the side of the bed. I went and ran us a bath when I returned to the bedroom to get her she was laying in the same position with a smile on her face. I chuckled and picked her up, "Let's go get a bath naughty girl."
"Mmm ok Master." She looked very satisfied.
Once I had her situated leaning against my chest I started the conversation about tonight. "Did you feel comfortable at the party tonight Isabella?"
"I was self conscious at first but after about 30 minutes I relaxed. When I realized people weren't staring at my chest and others were naked I calmed down. By the time Charlotte took us to meet the other subs I had forgotten what I was wearing and just enjoyed the evening."
"So you would be fine doing it again?"
"Yes Master."
"I should tell you I was approached by two Dom's tonight who asked if we would like to join them in their playroom." Her eyes were as big as saucers now and she was holding her breath. "I told them I never share so I would have to decline their offer." She relaxed back into me.
"Thank you Master. I guess I should tell you that I had several subs in the group asked if we played with other couples. I told them no we have a strict no sharing policy. They were very disappointed."
Something in the way she said it made me think there was more to this then she was saying. "Have you changed your mind? Is that something you are interested in doing now?"
"No, I think it is funny that one of the most disappointed was Master Thomas' sub, Kyle."
"What?"
"Oh yes, Kyle would love to play with you Master."
"Never going to happen Isabella. No one touches you but me and I do not want anyone touching me but you, female or male." She giggled and I pinched her nipple in reprimand.
"Sorry Master."
"How do you feel about the wax?"
"I would love to try it Master. I was most interested in the part where he said it can be even more pleasurable pulling it off. I wonder what it would do with my nipple ring though, I may have to remove it before hand."
We got out of the tub and dried off. I exchanged her collar for the everyday one and we crawled into bed. I pulled her close to me and inhaled her scent, I wanted to be able to do this for the rest of my life.
We woke up late so I took Bella to brunch at the 14 Carrot Cafe. I loved being able to go out with her and not have to worry about who might see us. We were discussing the timeline of her Master's program when Alice and Rosalie walked in, Bella hadn't seen them yet because of how she was seated but I could tell they had seen us.
"Bella, Alice and Rosalie just walked in and it looks like they are coming over here."
"Great, I just hope they can keep it civil in public."
"I thought things were better between the three..."
"Hey Bella, Mr. Cullen." Alice said.
"Please call me Edward." I told them. They just looked at me and then turned back to Bella.
"Can we come over later and talk to you Bella? We would like to just talk this out and then put it behind us." Rosalie asked.
"That's fine. We were just getting ready to leave so feel free to come over anytime."
"Umm we wanted to talk to you alone Bella. If that's ok?" Alice asked.
"Sure but you will need to come over Sunday afternoon and call first." Bella and I got up to leave.
"See you then Bella." They said together as we walked out to my car. I waited until we were back at the apartment to start the conversation. When we walked in Bella went straight to the couch, I don't think she wanted to have this conversation.
"Bella, what exactly is happening between the three of you?"
"Honestly I don't even know anymore. When we first came back everything seemed fine but they get weird if I mention you or something we did together." She looked angry and hurt.
"Talk to me baby, I want to help if I can. They are your closest friends."
"That's just it Edward, I'm not sure they are my closest friends, at least not anymore. In high school I went out and dated guys, I explained this to you in reality it was part of the research I was doing. They would give me crap about not partying and being a virgin but it was good natured and ultimately I knew they had my back. Then we go to college and yeah they want me to party and hook up but Emmett and Jasper distract them pretty fast and I escape home before the know I'm gone. They still don't give me too much crap about it but it started to make me wonder if they know me at all. I don't like partying, I don't want to hook up can't they see that. They think I am a meek, mild, shy, naive girl because I have always gone along with what they wanted."
I scoffed at that. "Maybe you should show them the video you made of us that would cure them of those thoughts." She slapped me on the arm.
"Stop that, I am not showing that to anyone. Back to my story, they knew I was seeing someone and that it was complicated and I thought they accepted that. They didn't become...hostile until they found out it was you."
I pulled her into my lap. "Do you know why that is Bella?" She wouldn't look at me so I lifted her chin. "Are you blushing little girl? What do they think that would cause this reaction?"
"They haven't admitted to anything but from what they have said I think they are jealous of what we or I have and that is you. I wasn't the only one to notice how you treat women or your general nature. Trust me when I say you are the star in a lot of women's fantasies, Alice and Rose were no different. They see me living the life the 3 of us used to talk about, without any of the problems they have had with Jasper and Emmett. What they are not taking into consideration is that we have had other problems along the way, Tanya and not being able to see each other much. They don't know about that stuff because I don't tell them, all they see is the now and they should remember it took 3 years to get here."
I chuckled, "Don't tell me any more details about what women think of me. I only care what you think of me. I hope you can work this out with them Bella."
"I want to but they are not use to having to compromise with me and that is what it is going to take to get past this. I will not be their doormat. We will never get 100% back to what we were, I know that. Too much as happened and it hurts to know their opinion of me was never what I thought it was."
"I see you clearly Bella, don't ever think I don't. I love you."
"I know you do Edward, I love you too. Can we just go to bed so you can hold me?"
"Sure sweetheart, holding you is my second favorite thing to do when we are in bed."
"Pervert." She said as I carried her to bed but at least she smiled.
I thought about Bella and I's conversation on the drive back to Fork's. While it made sense I couldn't believe that was their whole motivation for being angry. I was sure there was something more, maybe Bella was too embarrassed to tell me or she didn't know herself. I did hope they could work it out but I also realized they had hurt Bella much worse than they probably realized. I wasn't sure she would ever invite them to anything we attended as a couple, seeing us as a couple just increased their hostility. When I called Bella later she said they talked and they agreed, once again, to give us a chance. Bella didn't sound convinced anything had changed and neither was I.
February moved into March and the speculation was still high as to whom I was dating but the number of women hitting on me had dropped dramatically. Bella had registered for her last quarter of classes as an undergraduate and two of them would be counting towards her Master's degree. The program she was set on would have her achieving her master's in one year. I was very proud of her, if she stayed on course she would graduate summa cum laude at the top of her class. We were all taking a vacation for spring break this year. The kids had never taken a real vacation, normally going to Chicago for breaks but this year I booked an actual vacation for the 5 of us. All I would tell them was to pack for warm weather.
Spring break was at the end March this year and it was raining as we boarded the plane in Seattle to Cape Canaveral. They looked confused but I shuffled them on the plane knowing they would figure it out soon. They weren't as smart as I thought, it wasn't until we pulled up to the dock that they realized we were going on a cruise, a Disney Cruise on the ship Disney Wonder. It was a 5 night Bahamian cruise. We were staying in the Royal Suite, it was the only stateroom with two bedrooms. It also boasted a private veranda with a jacuzzi and a large garden tub in the master bathroom. They looks on their faces as they stared up at the ship were priceless. The kids loved the ship and they should, almost everything was geared toward them. Emily loved the fact that there was a dance club for teens that her brothers couldn't get into. Ethan loved the arcades and water slides and Evan loved meeting the characters and the group activities planned for kids his age. Bella and I loved the fact that there was a pool that was adults only, it helped to escape all the kids and not just my own.
The kids had quite a bit of freedom on the ship and I was fine with that until the night I saw Emily walking on deck holding hands with a boy. I was on our veranda when I saw them and walked through the cabin with what I am sure was an angry face when Bella stopped me and asked what was wrong.
"I just saw Emily walking on the deck with a boy holding hands and he looked like he had to be 16. I am going down there to put a stop to it."
Bella moved so she was blocking the door. "No, you are not. You will just embarrass her if you do that. You are going to sit down, calm down and not say a word to her when she gets back."
"She is too young for this Bella. Do you have any idea what could happen to her?"
"Yes I do, if she is lucky she may get her first kiss."
"Exactly, he must be stopped." I tried to move to the door again. Bella blocked me and that is when I realized Ethan and Evan had come into the living room to watch Bella and I argue over Emily and the boy.
"I will not let you do that Edward. I mean it. Charlie did to me the exact thing you want to do to Emily. I was mortified, I was teased relentlessly at school when word got out and I didn't talk to my father for two months."
"It will be worth it to know she is safe and not being taken advantage of." If I had been in a better frame of mind I would have found the boys reaction funny. They looked as if they were watching a tennis match with the turning of their heads. Bella moved out of my way and I immediately stepped towards the door.
"Fine but know this, I speak from experience, she will be very angry with you and so will I. Emily will forgive for this before I do." Then she sat down on the couch and waited for me to decide what I was going to do. The boys were looking at me with wide eyes waiting also. I went and sat by Bella slumping into the couch.
"So what do I do?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Exactly. Edward I understand you think he is going to take advantage of her but by stopping this you are telling Emily you don't trust her decisions. That she is too young and silly to understand what that boy wants. Trust me she understands and will only go as far as she is comfortable with. Trust her Edward, she will not disappoint you."
Emily returned to the cabin about an hour later. I heard her and Bella talking about him and she did get her first kiss. Bella did manage to get out of her everything that I wanted to know while warning her to never do more than she wanted and not be pushed into anything. It was later that night when Bella and I were in the jacuzzi that we overheard Ethan telling Emily about the disagreement we had earlier when I saw Emily holding hands with the boy. I was very grateful Bella had been to stop me when I heard her response.
"Thank god Bella stopped him that would have been beyond embarrassing. I mean doesn't he trust me? I know better then to do more than kiss. Geesh thanks for the vote of confidence Dad."
Bella gave me her 'I told you so' look and I may have actually blushed before she crawled in my lap and gave me a kiss that had me carrying her into our bedroom 5 minutes later.
It was the last night of the cruise and all of us had a great time. We had toured Nassau on our day there and the private Disney Island, Castaway Cay, was unbelievable. We snorkeled with sting rays and other fish, explored the island but the kids loved the big water trikes the best. I had just checked to be sure the kids were asleep before crawling in bed with Bella, we needed to be up early to disembark in the morning, she wasn't in the bedroom. I found her in the jacuzzi with a bottle of wine and 2 glasses.
"Aren't the stars beautiful Edward? I never miss seeing them in cloudy Seattle until I see them like this."
I slid in the tub. "They are beautiful but they pale next to the beauty I see before me."
She turned and moved across the tub to straddle my lap. "Do you have any idea how much I love you? How complete you make my life? Sometimes when I think back to 3 years ago, my heart aches to think you may have said no to me. I honestly don't know where I would be now if you hadn't wanted me."
"Wanting you was never a question for me Bella. The question was did I have the guts to reach out and take something I wanted so badly but didn't feel I deserved. Could I pull you into the hell my life was then. You were and are a balm that soothes my soul and once I accepted that, I couldn't let you go no matter how selfish it was."
She removed my board shorts and stroked my cock slowly. "But you did and do deserve me, you are all I have ever wanted." I pulled the strings on her bikini to remove her bottoms. She had been careful to wear a one piece in public to cover her tattoo.
"You, my Bella, are all I wanted and didn't know to ask for when I was younger. I thank god everyday for giving you to me."
She rose up and carefully sunk down on me, both of us groaning at the depth of our connection. She started sliding up and down on my length and it felt incredible. "You are my best friend Edward, my protector, my cheering section, my lover and the half that makes me whole. I love you."
I could tell we were both getting close with out ever picking up our pace, it felt as if our souls were connecting. "I love you Bella. You are my best friend, my conscience, my lover, my submissive and someday my wife. I know we aren't ready yet but I want that Bella. I want to call you my wife and I want to give you a baby." She came with a sigh and I followed right behind her. I held her close and rubbed her back. "I meant what I said Bella, I want it all with you, please tell me you will at least think about it."
"I don't need to think about Edward, I want it all with you too, I always have. My fears and insecurities about marriage have never been about you or how I feel about you. There is no one in my life I trust like I do you, when you are ready so am I. Together we can make anything work."
"Together," I whispered to her as I carried her to bed to make love to her again.
After returning from Spring Break Bella and I talked about exactly how to make it public knowledge in Forks that we were together, it was a small town that didn't offer much to do. We finally decided that when she was in town we would do things in Port Angeles, it offered more and at any given time several people from Forks were there. We were going to start at Easter.
The kids and I had been attending a Lutheran church in Port Angeles. I had been raised Catholic but it was too stringent for me. We would all attend the early service on Easter Sunday and then have lunch at my house, Bella had been soaking a Virginia Ham that looked to be delicious when it was baked.
When we pulled into the church parking lot I was not surprised to see Charlie and Sue waiting for us, they wanted to offer support if needed. I had warned Bella that half the congregation was from Forks so she wouldn't be overwhelmed. The whispers started when we walked in and continued until the service started. After the service the whispers picked up again and the gawking but no one approached us. It wouldn't occur to me until later that with her barely being in town the last 3 years and the changes to her physically, her body had matured, that people wouldn't recognize her. Lunch was as good as it had looked and Bella had to return to Seattle not long after. Monday is when it started.
Mrs. Cope and several teachers were in the office when I arrived...gossiping about me.
"Good morning ladies. Did you have a nice Easter?"
"Yes Headmaster, how was your Easter?" Mrs. Cope asked.
"Fine thank you for asking." I was trying to get to office before the inquisition came.
"I heard you family was at church yesterday with your girlfriend." Mrs. Cope asked again. Apparently she had been appointed to question me.
"Yes, it was a nice service."
"I thought she didn't live around here?"
"She doesn't she lives in Seattle but was visiting for the holiday."
"People are saying she is very young." I just looked at her, when she didn't say anything else I turned again to go to my office.
"How did you meet her?"
I sighed again and turned back to them, "She is from Forks and graduating from UW in June."
"Oh I didn't realize she was from Forks, no one recognized her."
"Well she is, her father and his girlfriend attended the service with us. Now if there is nothing else we need to start the school day." That got everyone moving out of the office but it was just the beginning of the talk. As I would moved through the halls you could hearing the students talking about how I was 'banging a young hottie'. The boys were wondering what she would want with me while the girls were speculating if they could get me given that I 'liked them young'. It was a disturbing day that continued after everyone was at home.
After dinner Emily and Ethan recounted how several teachers had mentioned us being at church with my girlfriend, they wanted to know who she was. Emily in true teenager fashion told them it was none of their business. Ethan asked them why they wanted to know and when they couldn't give him and answer he walked away from them. Evan's teacher was sneakier since our conversation and asked if he enjoyed the holiday and she was glad my girlfriend could attend church with us. Evan response was "yeah, Bella is great." And now they had a name.
It took a week for Tanya to get a hold of me. She had been calling and I had been avoiding her having the kids answer and talk to her. She finally wised up and called at 5 in the morning, I answered my cell phone without looking at the name but I recognized the screech.
"How young is she Edward? How could you do that to me?"
"We have been divorced for a year Tanya, I am not doing anything to you. You cheated on me not the other way around and she is older than Seth was when you started fucking him." She was trying to talk but not making much sense, I began to wonder if she was drunk or high on something. "This conversation is over Tanya, do not call me about this. Are you even interested in the kids? You need to clean yourself up before I take you back to court and have your rights terminated." She was still yelling when I hung up on her.
As the weeks passed I talked to my attorney about what I would need to have Tanya's rights terminated. Charlie was amused by the fact that everyone wondered who Bella was and never considered it could be his daughter, she was the only Bella in Forks. The junior class approached me about being a chaperone for the prom and I considered doing it and bringing Bella as my date but she turned me down stating that definitely is the wrong way for people to find out who she was. Bella was very amused by the local gossip and a little surprised people were that dense.
When we called my mother on Mother's Day is when my dad told me they planned on coming to see Bella graduate. He said he had spoken to my mother and while he understood the reasoning of why she had said those things to Bella she was out of line and she hoped to make amends in June. I explained the graduation would be in Seattle and we would all be staying at the Fairmont that weekend. I had tried to get in touch with Tanya so she could see the kids on Mother's Day but she never returned my calls.
It was a few days after Mother's Day when I walked past Evan's room , he was sitting on his bed looking at the cards he had made for Tanya and Bella. "What's wrong son?"
"Nothing Dad." Something was definitely wrong.
"You can tell me anything Ev. You know that, don't you?"
"Yeah, I just don't want to hurt anyone feelings."
"Whose feelings would you hurt?"
"Mom's."
"How would you do that buddy?" He turned to look at me and his face was sad before he got a look of determination.
"I want Bella to be my mom. I mean I know she can't be my mom mom because I didn't come from her belly but I love her dad. She does more for me than mom ever did and I wish I could let her know that."
This was not the conversation I was expecting to have with my 9 year old son. "Bella knows you love her Evan."
"I know that dad but I want her with us all the time and I want to call her mom. I want her to know I love her that much."
"She does know you love her that much Ev, trust me she does. One more year buddy and Bella will be with us all the time. She wants to finish her Master's and that takes one more year."
"Ok, I will wait one more year but I am still going to tell her I love like a mom next time I see her." I ruffled his hair as I stood to leave.
"You do that buddy and watch how big her smile gets, she loves you the same way Evan."
I was walking through the door when he called out to me. "Dad? Emily and Ethan think of her the same way. They may not say it but I know they do."
"So do I Ev and so does Bella."
Bella did come to Forks the weekend of the prom and since she refused to be my date I settle for taking her to dinner in Port Angeles. Charlie and Sue came to sit with the kids while we went to Bella Italia. I actually took her here to relax and because I didn't expect to run into from Forks. When we entered I saw several couples that would be attending the prom as well as the Uley's and the Masen's. Bella gave me a look as I waited by her chair and I whispered, "I swear I picked this place because I wasn't expecting to see anyone we knew. I figured the prom goers would be someplace fancier."
"It's fine Edward. We aren't hiding anymore and if we want to be open about our relationship now then we need to be places people will see us. I would rather do it this way a few people at a time instead of the entire town at once."
The kids were pointing at us trying to figure out who I was with while the other couples looked at us briefly then returned to their dinner, which I was grateful for. Bella and I were able to enjoy a nice dinner and I told her about my parents coming for her graduation.
"My mom wants the chance to makes amends for what happened at Christmas. She knows she was way out of line to talk to you like that."
"Edward I understood then and I still do why she did it. She can think what she wants about me. What I didn't like was the way it also reflected on you. You have a lot to offer any woman, I am just the lucky one that shares it with you."
"I'm the lucky one baby, you saw past the money and misery to the real me and I will always love you for that."
"I meant to thank you for the flowers earlier Edward but I forget, they are gorgeous."
"What flowers?"
"The roses that you had delivered to the apartment before I left for Forks."
"Bella I didn't send you flowers."
"Oh but the card said to the one I love."
"I don't like this, have you gotten anything else and thought it was from me?"
"No. When we get back to the house I'll tell Charlie about it but I doubt anything can be done now."
I let it drop before I freaked her out and we started to discuss the summer. Bella would be doing her Master's Essay and student teaching hours over the summer. The first session she would be at Port Angeles Community College and the second would be done in Seattle. I couldn't wait to have her close for 6 weeks.
When we returned to the house we told Charlie about the flowers. Bella was right not a lot could be done but he wanted her to bag and mail him the card in case he could get prints from it. The next time she wasn't suppose to touch anything and call the police immediately. Charlie had some friends on the Seattle force he was going to give Bella their information to call directly. While it didn't solve the problem it did make me feel slightly better.
I was surprised when I returned to school on Monday that there weren't new rumors. It seems the Uley's and Masen's had not told anyone about seeing us on Saturday night. I did hear more rumors from the boys who had seen us and they all agreed Bella was 'a hot one'. People were starting to realize they knew her but couldn't remember from where.
Before I knew it graduation was upon us and she was graduating summa and was in the top 1% of her class. I was taking Bella's present to Seattle, I knew she would love it. She would complain about the price and tell me it was too much but I knew she secretly wanted this - bad. We checked into the Cascade Suite at the Fairmont and waited for my parents to arrive. The ceremony was early tomorrow morning so after dinner Bella returned to the apartment. Dinner was nice but things were awkward between Bella and Esme. After dinner I asked her if she planned on trying to fix things with Bella.
"Mom I need to know if you are even going to try to be objective about Bella. If you can't, that is fine but I won't have her put her herself out there and try if you aren't going to. She doesn't deserve that and I would rather keep you two apart then be subjected to another strained dinner. Plus this is her weekend, she has worked really hard to get to today for me, for us and if you can't at least appreciate her efforts than I prefer you just stay at the hotel tomorrow and not spoil what should be her day."
"Edward, I am trying..."
"No, you aren't. You didn't initiate conversation once with her, ignored some of the questions she asked you and never apologized for what happened at Christmas. Do you even recognize that she makes these efforts for me and the kids. She doesn't want them to question why you don't like her."
"I bet she doesn't want..."
"Esme stop this, you promised to be open minded about this." My father said walking into the room.
"If I could understand why it has to be Edward. Isn't there someone her own age that she can..."
"I have told you to talk to her about this, why won't you do that?" I shouted at her.
There was a knock on the door and I was surprised when my father opened it to Charlie.
"Charlie what are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to your parents, more specifically your mother Edward."
"First I want to say Bella has know idea I am here and she would have my head if she did. I am not sure what exactly is happening or the problem you seem to have with Bella Mrs. Cullen but I do there is one. My guess is you think she is either a gold digger or a home wrecker and neither of those assumptions is true but to learn that you would have to actually take a chance and learn who she is. To be honest I had a problem with them at first but my anger was geared towards Edward who should have known better than to get involved with a 19 year old girl. But I have seen them together more then you have and I knew Edward before they became involved. I can tell you they make each other very happy. I recently told Edward they are like 2 pieces of a puzzle, better together than apart. And those kids, they love Bella and she loves them. I would like to think that in the end you just want all of them happy."
Charlie paused to see if my mother wanted to say anything. She remained seated to stunned to talk.
"Tomorrow is a big day for Bella and I would appreciate it if you could at least acknowledge what she has achieved and allow her to have this day. Go back to hating her the day after tomorrow if you feel you need too. I raised Bella and we are very close so I speak from that knowledge when I tell you she loves Edward and his kids and your hatred of her will not stop her from being with them."
Charlie stood and said, "Have a good night."
When the door closed my mother finally got her voice back. "How dare he come in here and talk to me like that."
"Esme, he is putting the needs of his child first by talking to you. Can you say you are doing the same thing?" my father asked.
I said good night to my parents and returned to the suite hoping that if she attended my mother behaved herself. Something Charlie said stuck with me. Didn't she just want us all happy?
I wasn't able to see Bella before the ceremony but we did text back and forth several times. I knew she was graduating summa but I didn't know she was one of the top in her class and would be giving a speech until I looked at the program. From the proud look on Charlie's face he hadn't known either. Bella's speech was great. It was about taking the reigns in your life and not waiting for things to happen. That once you decide you want something to go after it whole-heartedly and not to let the setbacks along the way deter you from your goal. I kept glancing at my mother to see if she was receiving the message Bella was sending. It looked as if she was but I couldn't tell if she was getting the message or just getting pissed off.
When Bella walked across the stage to receive her diploma she was wearing her brightest smile. She was proud of what she had done and it showed. The kids were yelling and whistling for her as she waved to them. After the ceremony was over we all went to Anthony's Homeport at Shilshole Bay for brunch. The lids were excited talking about the ceremony and the fact that Bella would be in Forks for the next 7 weeks. They had never had so much access to her at one time. Charlie and Sue kept conversation going with Bella and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves except for my mother. She was putting up a better front but she seemed to just be sitting there and observing everything. Maybe if she took a good look she would see how happy Bella made us and how she fit in perfectly.
I told Bella her present was waiting at the apartment for her and the kids were jumping with excitement for her to see it. The adults decided they wanted to see it too if they kids were that excited so we loaded into the cars and set off for the apartment. She could see it as soon as we turned onto her street, it was sitting right in the middle of her lawn. She was out before I even parked the car.
"Oh. my god. Edward!" She yelled. She was running towards me and jumped up into my arms wrapping her legs around my waist and kissing me senseless before I closed my car door. "I love it. It is too expensive and I should be upset with you but I love it and I'm keeping it. Thank you so much. I love you Edward." Then she jumped down and ran over to her present, a 2011 Horizon Blue Mini Cooper Convertible - loaded with all the extras and the license plate said Isabella. The top was down and there was a big red bow on the windshield. She was leaning in looking over all the buttons when I came up behind her.
"You deserve it baby, I am very proud of you." I told her before I kissed her.
"Thank you Edward, I love it I really do."
"I knew you would Bella."
"She should love it and what happened to it not being about money." My mother grumbled softly but we still heard her. I was turning around to respond when we heard from the porch.
"Emily why doesn't Grandma like Bella? I love her, she won't go away will she?" Evan asked in what he thought was a whisper.
"I don't know Ev but we won't let her go away, we are keeping Bella. Trust me."
I handed the keys to Bella and she turned to the kids with a smile as if the last few minutes hadn't happened. "Come on guys let's go see what this baby can do." She was laughing as they piled in and she carefully drove off the lawn before taking off.
"I can't believe you said that mother and in front of the children. They love her mom, she is what's best for me and for them. Evan actually told me he wants Bella to be his mom. I no longer care what insane notion you have in your head for hating Bella, I warned you in Chicago not to force me to prove I had already chosen. You are not welcome in our lives until you resolve things to my satisfaction with Bella and it will take her explaining to me that it is resolved not you. I am sorry to say I don't trust you. Do not call, e-mail or show up in Forks until you have talked to her."
"How do you know she will be honest with..."
"Stop right there, you are questioning the integrity of the woman I love and who has put up with your shit since Christmas. I trust Bella implicitly, she would never lie to me about anything. Our relationship was very complicated when it started and because of that we never lie to each other. We tell each other the truth no matter how much it hurts, it is the only way our relationship will survive."
"Edward you don't really..."
I cut her off again. "Yes I do mean it. Now it was nice to see both of you but I think you should leave before they return and please do not try to see us at the hotel tonight." I turned and walked into the apartment. When Bella and the kids arrived my parents had left and Bella gave me a small smile. Charlie and Sue left in the afternoon, the kids and I stayed for dinner before returning to the hotel. Bella was staying at the apartment to pack what she needed in Forks and she needed to sign some paperwork on Monday for her student teaching position but she would be in Forks by dinner time Monday.
We did not see my parents before they left for the airport, we did swing by the apartment to see Bella before returning to Forks. The kids talked the entire drive to Forks about what they want to do with Bella while she's in Forks and I had to remind them that Bella would have classes to teach also.
We arrived in Forks and everyone was relaxing when Ethan shouted from the living room, "yeah it's us. Come look guys." There on the front page of the Sunday paper was a story about the recent UW graduates, more specifically Bella and the fact that she graduated in the top 5 a full year early. Accompanying the story was a large picture of Bella, the kids and I, my arms were wrapped around her waist and she was leaning against me. It was obvious we were together, I would need to warn Bella the cat was out of the bag, by now all of Forks knew we were dating.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.
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