***THE FABULOUS STEPHENIE MEYER STILL OWNS ALL THAT IS TWILIGHT***
A/N: Thanks for sticking with us and loving this story! We are thrilled to bring you more! Here we go!
Yoga. It was a tool of the devil, I was sure of it. I love Bella more than anything in this world. I will do anything in my power to make her comfortable and to give her everything she needs. Keeping Bella calm and stress free while she carries our child is my top priority. So it was in that spirit that I agreed to attend a yoga class with my love. Dude, that shit is hard! I have never felt so awkward and uncoordinated in my life, and I was a geek in my younger days! But Bella got a good laugh out of it and for a few hours she relaxed. If that's what it took, I would do it over and over again.
The best part of the class was afterwards. We got home and my wife's pregnancy hormones kicked in big time. Bella is a sexually charged woman anyway, but coupled with second trimester hormones, let's just say that I was a happy Edward. She showed me several times that night exactly how much she appreciated my attempted yoga class.
I was on duty in the ER with Garrett a couple evenings after the jail cell incident with that bastard Jacob Black when he told me something I was all too happy to hear. I had just warmed up my lunch and sat down in the break room to eat when Garrett came in to take his break.
"Cullen, what's up man? How's that beautiful wife of yours?" He slapped me on the back as he took the seat beside me.
"Hey Gar, she's great man. Thanks for asking. How goes it with you?" I twirled a fork full of Bella's delectable spaghetti and shoved it into my mouth.
"Well, funny you should ask Cullen. There is actually something I've been meaning to tell you. A couple nights ago I had a patient in the ER by the name of Jacob Black. Poor motherfucker had gotten the shit beat out of him in jail. They brought him here to have him looked over." I looked up at Garrett, my mouth still stuffed with food and raised my eyebrows.
"Wow, somebody whooped his ass huh?" I tried to act surprised.
"It appeared so. He was quick to make sure you weren't here; kept spouting off some bullshit about being man handled by you, some big guy, and some old dude."
"That's weird. I haven't put my hands on that dickhead." I kept eating my spaghetti acting like I could care less. "So what happened?"
"Well, I checked him over. His eye looked pretty bad. I pushed around on it pretty hard, you know, just to make sure there were no blood pockets or anything under the skin. His cheek had a pretty nasty bruise too. I made sure to slap some ointment on it for him to soothe the ache. He's a pussy too, kept wincing and shit like I was hurting him or something. I kept telling him that I was just doing my job and giving him the care I thought he deserved." Garrett smirked at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, here at Harborview ER, we are nothing if not thorough. I'm glad Mr. Black was able to get the high quality care he deserved from you Dr. Martin." At that point I was no longer able to stop my laughter. Garrett couldn't hold it in either.
"Oh Edward, man, I can't say I have ever had a better time in the ER. I wanted to do so much more to that sorry bastard for what he did to your Bella. What kind of man does that to a woman? A pregnant woman no less? There is a special place in hell for him."
"Gar, what can I say? Jake is certifiably insane. He's crazy. I can't wait for all of this to be over. I know Bella will feel so much better and so will I. I am worrying myself sick about her and the baby."
Garrett just nodded in agreement. We sat there a few more moments and talked before it was time to go back to work. The rest of my shift went by quickly as I thought about what Garrett had said to me. It's a shame that somebody had beat the hell out of Jacob.
Much to my dismay, Jacob kept contesting the divorce, so that meant Bella would be forced into a face to face meeting with the sorry sack of shit. That day was today.
"Sweetheart, do you think I should wear a suit or just some slacks and a dress shirt?" I asked Bella from our massive closet.
"I don't think it really matters much Edward." I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was almost in tears. Exiting the closet I went to her and pulled her into my arms.
"Hey baby, it's going to be ok. I promise. Relax Mama." I kissed her forehead and she leaned into my touch.
"I love it when you call me that." She ran her hands over her adorable baby bump and I couldn't help but do the same thing. We stood in our bedroom just holding each other and rubbing gently on Bella's stomach. I had yet to feel Little Bit kick and I was kind of upset about that. Bella had felt movement for a week or so now but every time the baby would move, I missed it or wasn't home.
"As much as I'd rather stay here we really should get going. We are supposed to meet Jasper in twenty minutes at his office." I cupped Bella's face in my hands and kissed her on the nose. "It's going to be fine Sweetheart. Trust me." She nodded and we gathered our things and made our way to the car.
Fifteen minutes later we pulled up to Jasper's office. He met us at the elevator and told us Jacob and his attorney had yet to arrive. He then led us to his floor and told us to take a seat outside the boardroom where the meeting would take place. I sat down and Bella took the seat beside me. Pulling her into my arms I kissed the top of her head and inhaled her glorious scent.
"Really Edward? Did you just sniff me?" She raised an eyebrow at me and smiled widely.
"Yes I did. Problem?" I cocked my eyebrow right back at her and she began to giggle. That was my favorite sound in the entire world.
Our casual playfulness was quickly brought to an end when Jacob Black and his attorney entered the office. I tightened my grip on Bella just as he looked up at us. I heard Bella gasp when she saw Jacob's bruised and battered face. I wasn't quick enough to stop the smirk that ran across my face when I saw him. I made a mental note to buy Dad and Emmett a beer after all this shit was over. Pissed off Team Cullen did a number on the douchebag.
The lawyers exchanged pleasantries as Jacob continued to leer at me and Bella. I was two seconds away from beating his ass just for breathing the same air as Bella when Jasper came to kneel in front of us.
"Bella, it has been requested that we meet without Edward in the room. Jacob is claiming that he does not feel safe around him." Jasper looked at me and rolled his eyes.
I told him in no uncertain terms that Bella would not be going into the boardroom without me by her side. She tried to reassure me that she would be ok since Jasper would be with her. Jacob's lawyer, Mr. Wolfe then came over and told me that he would not allow Jacob to upset Bella given her condition and that he wouldn't oppose it if she asked that I be brought in at any time during the meeting. I supposed this was as good as it was going to get so I kissed Bella on the lips gently and reassured her that things would be ok. Our moment was interrupted when Jacob decided to mouth off once again.
"You'd better enjoy that kiss Cullen, because it's the last one she will be giving you, after today she will be coming home with me." Before I could issue a proper fuck you to Mr. Black, his lawyer stepped in and told him to shut the fuck up. I was really beginning to like this Wolfe guy.
Jasper stepped up and put his arm around Bella, leading her into the room with his hand on the small of her back. I had to trust my future brother in law and let the two most important people in my world go with him while I stayed behind. Once the doors closed I sat down hard in the chair and finally allowed myself a deep breath.
They had been in the boardroom twenty four minutes when the door flew open and Jasper came out and motioned for me to join them. My blood immediately started to boil knowing that Jacob had done something to upset my Bella enough that she thought she needed me.
"Edward, Bella needs you. Come in and take a seat." Jasper said matter of factly. I jumped up and sprinted into the boardroom. As soon as I entered I could tell the tension in the room was high. Bella's eyes found mine and I saw her visibly relax. Sliding into the chair beside her I immediately took her into my arms and she started to sob into my chest. I threw Jacob a murderous look and the asshole had the nerve to smirk at me.
"Sweetheart, I'm here. Relax. It's going to be ok. I love you Bella." I began to rub her baby bump while I kissed the top of her head. She relaxed more with each passing moment. When I finally got her calmed down she looked up at me with red eyes and touched the side of my face. I smiled at her and kissed her nose. I heard Jacob snort.
"Did you do that to Jacob's face?" Bella asked me with worry in her voice. I told her that I absolutely did not do anything to Jacob and that I never laid a hand on him. Black thought this was a good time to add his two cents in.
"You may not have done the deed but you were there taunting me and saying things about Isabella that I am sure she would be horrified to hear." The bastard had the audacity to look smug. Bella looked up at me and asked me what I said. She knew I would never say anything degrading or disparaging about her. I decided that if Jacob Black wanted to play, I was more than willing to help him out with that. I also knew that when I repeated my words where Bella could hear them she would be extremely turned on. A small part of me, ok that's a lie, a massive part of me wanted to say them out loud so Jacob could hear them again.
I began to gently caress Bella's arm up and down with my forefinger. She dropped her gaze to where my hand was and I heard just the slightest hitch in her breathing.
"Sweetheart, I only told him that I should be thanking him for being such a dumbass. Had he not been, then I wouldn't have you." I kissed her knuckles as I continued to speak. I recounted my words to Jacob verbatim. To say that he was seething by the time I was finished was a gross understatement. I'm sure the smirk I threw in as I finished telling Bella how I had told Jacob that I thoroughly enjoyed her tight, hot, wet pussy probably played a part in his building fury. Truthfully I probably should be ashamed of myself for saying those things with others in the room, but when I looked at my wife and noticed her flushed and completely turned on, my give a damn went out the window. I leaned in to whisper in her ear loud enough for Asshole to hear as well.
"Sweetheart, I can't help but notice you clenching those luscious thighs together. Tell me Mrs. Cullen, are you in need of some time with Mr. Multiple?" I nipped her earlobe and she let out an audible whimper.
"Oh God Edward, yes." She all but moaned and my cock turned to steel inside my slacks.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jacob was livid. He slammed his fists on the table and looked at his lawyer. "You can't sit here and not say a fucking thing to them. They are trying to purposely get me pissed off. This is bullshit." He stood up and threw his chair behind him against the wall. Bella immediately tensed and spoke.
"I need to use the restroom if you don't mind. Please excuse me. Edward would you come with me?" She looked wide eyed at me.
"Of course baby. Let me get your chair." I stood and pulled her chair out and helped her to stand. Jasper spoke next.
"Let's go ahead and take a twenty minute break so everyone can calm down. Mr. Wolfe is that acceptable to you and your client?"
"Absolutely Mr. Whitlock. I think Mr. Black and I will go downstairs for some air." Wolfe looked pointedly at Jake and nodded his head toward the door. They stood to exit in front of where I stood placing Bella behind me. Naturally Jacob mouthed off again.
"This isn't over Isabella. You will be coming home with me." I stepped toward him just as Bella grabbed my arm.
"Leave it Edward. He's so not worth it." She tugged me back to her as I wrapped my arms around her waist and led her to the restroom.
Have I mentioned that I fucking love Bella's pregnancy hormones? Much to my surprise, Bella really didn't need to use the restroom. She pulled me in with her and proceeded to rock my damn world. I have never gotten so hard so quickly. Fuck, that woman owns me in every way. After our courthouse romp, we rearranged ourselves and tried to look presentable to the public as we exited the restroom. I was kissing Bella's knuckles when I heard Jacob scream. I only had about half a second to react when the stupid bastard launched himself at me.
It all happened so fast. Before I knew what had actually occurred, I was flat on my ass on the floor with Jacob on top of me swinging. I managed to see out of the corner of my eye that Jasper was underneath me on the floor. Apparently he had jumped in front of Bella and taken the brunt of my fall. If he hadn't done that, I would have landed directly on top of Bella on the floor because she was standing behind me when Jacob attacked.
Needing to get the upper hand on him, I managed to flip us over to where I was on top of him. I knew it was the chance I had been waiting for. This stupid son of a bitch had started this. Anything I did to him now would be considered self-defense. I let all my frustration for the last couple of months fly out through my fists. I vaguely remember hearing Bella screaming something and I remember Jasper standing up and positioning himself in front of her. Suddenly, Jacob hit me in the mouth with a right hook and I tasted the blood as soon as it happened. He stood up and walked over to where Bella was.
"We're out of here. Come on Isabella. Now!" I saw him step forward just as Jasper put his hand on Jacob's chest.
"Step the fuck off Black. I will have you arrested right fucking now if you don't back the hell up. Bella isn't going anywhere with you."
"Jacob! Leave us alone. I don't love you. I don't want you. Get that through your fucking head!" Bella was in tears and I had seen and heard enough.
"Black! Your fight is with me. Leave my wife alone. I'm nowhere near done with your fucking useless ass." I walked pointedly at him and stood toe to toe and eye to eye with him. I had a couple inches on him and I used it to my advantage.
"Fuck you Cullen! I'll fuck up that pretty boy face before this is all over." And with that he took another swing at me. This time however, I was ready for him. I caught his fist and wrapped his arm around his back and slammed him against the wall while I punched the shit out of his ribs. When he was doubled over I punched him twice in the jaw and heard the distinct crack of a broken bone. He screamed like a little bitch and I couldn't help the smirk I knew was on my face.
Jasper and Sam had gotten in between us now and were pulling us apart. Bella flew into my arms.
"Edward! Baby are you ok? Oh shit! Your lip is busted open." She had my face in her hands and began to kiss me all over. I brought my hands up to still her movements and she gasped. "Oh my God, your hands! Your knuckles are split open. Come on, let's get some ice." We turned to walk back to the restroom but were stopped by a man that had just come out of an office. That's when we noticed the crowd that had gathered in Jasper's offices. The man asked if I was ok and if I needed a doctor. I chuckled as I told him I was a doctor. He raised his eyebrows at me and smiled crookedly.
"Mr. Whitlock, given the circumstances I'd say this meeting is over. I need to get my client to the hospital to be checked over." Jacob was still out cold on the floor. It didn't escape me that it seemed like nobody really cared.
"Certainly Mr. Wolfe. I'll be in touch." Jasper shook his hand and Sam nodded to Bella and I.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, please accept my apologies for my client's behavior. I'll make sure he signs these papers immediately. Best wishes to you both." We nodded at Sam as he picked Jacob up by the collar and began to bring him back to consciousness.
About a week after the in person meeting, Bella and I were just sitting down to dinner when my cell phone rang. It was Jasper.
"Jazz? What's up?" Bella looked at me over her salad. I quickly put my phone on speaker.
"Edward, is Bella around? She needs to hear this too."
"Yeah she's here. We were just about to have dinner. I have you on speakerphone. Is everything ok?"
"I wanted to let you know that I just had a visit from Judge Demetri Platt. I don't know if you remember him or not, but he was the gray haired gentleman that you were talking to right after the attack."
"Oh sure, I remember him. What did he want?" Bella looked at me and shrugged her shoulders.
"Well he came to ask me some details of Bella's case. After I told him what I could he said that he had checked into Jacob Black a little deeper. It seems Jake has a police record we didn't know about back in La Push. It's under the tribal police records so we never even looked there. He's been arrested for domestic violence against Leah. Twice."
"Oh my God Jasper, so what does this mean?" Bella asked, suddenly moving to sit in my lap.
"Well Judge Platt said that he would love to take your case Bella. He said he can get us a court date of October 23. That's just a little over two weeks away. He said that what he witnessed Jacob do that day was completely uncalled for and deserved to be punished. He also said that anyone could clearly see how in love you two are and anything he could do to help get this over with so you can await the arrival of your baby in peace he would gladly do."
Both of us sat stunned for a moment as the weight of what Jasper just told us sank fully in. In a couple weeks this could all be over. Hell yeah.
"Jasper, man I can't tell you how happy that makes us. What do we have to do?" I was hugging my wife tight to me.
"Well, I figured you wouldn't mind if I accepted his offer on your behalf before I talked to you." He chuckles softly.
"Jasper have I told you lately that I thoroughly love you?" Bella was smiling ear to ear.
"No darlin' but I'd be glad to hear it." The smile in Jasper's voice was evident. Poor guy, he had been through just as much shit over this as we had. I was so glad my little sister was marrying him. Jasper Whitlock was a damn good man.
We ended the call both on cloud nine. Finally it seemed like this nightmare was going to be over. I couldn't wait to marry Bella again.
The next two weeks seemed to drag by. I threw myself into work and so did Bella. The best part of having an end date was that Bella completely relaxed. Her blood pressure was back to normal and she was calm and still super sexy. Also a good thing was that we hadn't heard a peep out of Jacob. Jasper had said that Jake's lawyer had called him and assured him there would be no more problems and that when the court date came it would be cut and dry. That remained to be seen since Jacob was so unstable. We went forward with our lives with cautious optimism. FINALLY, the day came.
"I just don't think it's fair baby. I mean, you have been feeling the baby move for weeks now, my mother has felt it, Rosalie, Alice, fuck, even Emmett. I'm the daddy and I haven't gotten to feel it." I pouted as we drove to the courthouse. I was in a near constant state of pout for the last week or so. My baby was wiggling around inside Bella so much that everyone in my damn family had gotten to feel the kicks but me. Each time the baby would kick, Bella would tell me and I would rush over to her only to never feel it. I was beginning to think my own child didn't like me.
"Aww Edward, don't be like that. You'll feel it soon. Hey, remember what tomorrow is? We get to find out if we are having a boy or girl. Can't you just be happy for that?" She pushed her lip out and I wanted to bite it, so I told her so.
"Put that lip away Sweetheart or we'll be late for court." I smirked at her and she shook her head at me, pushing her lip out further. "Last time I'm going to tell you Isabella Marie." I warned.
"Did you seriously just middle name me Edward Anthony?"
"Yes ma'am I surely did." She shook her head at me as I brought our joined hands to my mouth for a kiss. We arrived at the courthouse a few minutes later.
"This is it Edward. Hopefully this is it." Bella squeezed my hand as I helped her out of the car.
"It will be over soon baby. And the moment it's over I'm going to propose to you again and ask you to be my wife. Then I'm going to carry you to our bed and make sweet love to you over and over until you forget your name." Her eyes widened and she licked her lips. I couldn't resist so I leaned in and gently caressed her lips with my own. When I heard the moan escape her lips, I slid my tongue into her mouth and tasted my Bella. The kiss turned from chaste to lethal in a matter of seconds. We were just about to get back inside the car and have a quick go of it when a throat clearing broke our lustful haze.
"Good Lord son, don't you ever get enough?" My dad stood with his arm around my mother as they both chuckled at our antics. Beside them stood Rosalie and Emmett and I assumed Jasper and Alice were already inside. The entire Cullen clan was here in a show of support.
"Dad, I plead guilty. Bella is so beautiful I have a hard time behaving myself." Everyone laughed at me as we made our way to the elevators.
Jasper met us at the courtroom and told us we could go inside and take our seats. He and Bella were sitting at the plaintiff's table while our family filled in the seats behind them. I was leaning against the railing beside Bella's chair chatting when Jacob, Leah, and Mr. Wolfe entered the courtroom. Jacob sneered in our direction but we ignored him. I thought I heard him mutter something about "whole bunch of fucking Cullens" or something.
"Jasper, it's not right. I mean shit, this is my child and I haven't even felt it move. What's wrong with this picture?" I was wining again like a child. I could hear my family behind me giggling softly.
"Oh! Edward! Here…hurry!" I dropped to my knees beside Bella as she placed my hand on her stomach. Everyone was completely silent for a moment. I was even afraid to breathe. Suddenly I felt a strong movement directly under my hand. I nearly lost my shit.
"Yes! Finally! Hey baby…it's Daddy…thank you for moving for me." I leaned down to kiss Bella's stomach as she stroked my hair.
"Oh my fucking God already. I am about tired of this motherfucking bullshit. Who gives a flying fuck if you felt that little bastard kick or not." Jacob spewed. All at once, my father, Emmett, Jasper and even Sam Wolfe stepped toward him. Before anyone else could speak or move, the bailiff cleared his throat and announced the judge, and he had seen and heard every bit of Jacob's outburst.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Demetri Platt." We stood and wait for him to take his seat on the bench. After a moment he told us to be seated.
"Good morning everyone. I'm Judge Platt and I'll be presiding over these proceedings. We are here to finalize a divorce between Mr. Jacob William Black and Mrs. Isabella Marie Swan-Cullen. Counselors you may begin with introductions."
"Jasper Whitlock on behalf of Mrs. Isabella Swan-Cullen your Honor."
"Samuel Wolfe on behalf of Mr. Jacob Black your Honor."
"Very good gentlemen. Are your clients both present?"
"Yes sir." They said in unison.
"I'd like to say something first before we begin. Mr. Wolfe, your client has not impressed me at all. In fact his little disrespectful outburst as I entered my courtroom has me wondering why I don't take him into custody right now for contempt of court. Mr. Black I'm going to tell you right now that I will not tolerate any additional outbursts from you. I witnessed your attack on Mr. Cullen a couple of weeks ago and wondered at that point why he didn't file assault charges on you. It became clear to me that Mr. and Mrs. Cullen only want this ordeal to be over. They want to be able to await the birth of their child in peace and harmony. I have reviewed the case Mr. Whitlock has presented through the paperwork I was given and have one question for you. When Mrs. Cullen first filed for divorce more than two years ago, you didn't even raise an eyebrow. It's unfortunate that Judge Volturi's decisions were voided and that we all ended up here today. Why now Mr. Black do you refuse to cooperate and release Mrs. Cullen to be happy? She obviously has moved on and remarried and now has a child on the way. Why would you be so callous to keep dragging her through this?" We all sat stunned at the judge's words. I glanced over at Jacob and he was looking down at his hands. The judge continued.
"I don't expect you to answer me Mr. Black. I've seen men like you in this courtroom day after day. What further worries me is that you too have remarried but don't seem to care for your new wife. You haven't once looked at her the entire time I've been here. I simply don't see any reason to drag this out any longer than it already has. I am hereby awarding this divorce to Mrs. Isabella Swan-Cullen. Mr. Black, you will sign these papers immediately and should you refuse, you will be taken into custody today and booked for the assault of Mr. Edward Cullen on October 1st of this year. The divorce will be final thirty days from today. Mrs. Cullen, I wish you nothing but the best in your future and congratulations on the impending arrival of your baby. This court is adjourned." And with the bang of a gavel it was over.
A/N: Phew! Finally they are rid of that wretched Jacob Black! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for more good stuff coming up! How about a little less angst and a little more fluff, lemony fluff that is **wiggles eyebrows**