Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Stephenie Meyer owns it all. I am merely having fun with her characters. I also do not own Brothers and Sisters.
Chapter 14
EPOV
September 13, 2003: Age 18
I was looking down at the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on…next to her mother of course. My daughter…my little CC. She was gorgeous. She had fuzzy bronze colored hair and bright green eyes that looked as if they were staring into your soul.
I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks and I didn't fucking care. Yes, I was crying like a pussy. I had good reason to…my beautiful Bella was holding our magnificent daughter…finally.
Bella was crying and rubbing her nose gently to Camilla's. She turned to me and smiled. "Would you like to hold your daughter Edward?"
I couldn't speak. I just nodded. I held out my arms while Bella placed her gently in them. "You have to support her head okay?" She said to me. She was already so motherly and loving. She was an absolute natural at this.
I cradled my baby girl gently in my arms. "Hi CC. I'm your Daddy. I'm so happy to finally meet you," I sobbed to this angelic little creature. Bella wrapped one of her arms around my waist to hug me and used her free hand to gently caress Camilla's forehead.
"CC?" Bella asked me quietly.
"Yes…Camilla…Cullen. I was hoping she would have my last name. I kind of wanted something that just I would call her. I like CC."
She smiled. "I like it too!" She told me excitedly.
We were brought out of our beautiful moment by someone clearing their throat. "Um, guys…this is great and all…but Bella, did you forget about the adoption papers?" It came from that faggot boyfriend of Bella's brother.
"Steve! Shut up! We talked about this!" James scolded him.
"No James. It's not right. You were complaining about it yourself. Everyone always coddles Bella and caters to what she wants. It's time she learned a lesson. She signed papers and now she needs to be a grown-up about it and give us our daughter."
There was about to be one less gay dude standing in this room!
Steve walked towards us as if he was going to actually try to pry CC from our arms. Over my dead body! The only way he would get my daughter out of my arms would be by force!
Emmett stood in his path. "I think it's time you just back the fuck up, son. You will NOT be touching that little girl! She is with her parents and I intend to make sure she stays that way!"
I knew I loved my big brother for a reason. Poor Bella was crying again as she turned her anguished eyes to her brother, "Why James? Why would you come here and put her in my arms like this only to go back on your word and try to take her from me? What did I ever do to you?"
I couldn't put my arms around Bella because I had never held a baby before and CC was still in my arms. I was so afraid of hurting her that I could not bring myself to remove one of my arms to put around Bella. Sorry Bells.
Rosalie spoke up, "Emmett…you need to sit down and butt out! This is just like you…butting your nose into other people's business where it doesn't belong! Some of us have a home to get back to…you know with a husband and a baby? I would like to get this stupid 'family' meeting over with so I can go home! Besides…we all know that Edward and Bella are not fit to be parents. I don't see the issue with letting James and Steve have the baby."
We heard a voice from the hallway speaking along with the sound of their footsteps walking into the living room where everyone was. "Oh I see a big damn problem with allowing two queers to have a baby!" We all looked up to see Bella's father standing in the doorway.
Esme glared at him. "Charlie! I have told you repeatedly to stop letting yourself into this house! You do not live here anymore!"
"Well this is still my house. I fucking pay for it and these are my goddamn kids Esme! And that is my granddaughter," he said as he pointed to CC.
Bella had not looked at her father since he entered the room. She still had her angry gaze on Rosalie. Finally, my Bella stood up and stalked her way over to her sister. She slapped Rosalie right across the face.
"What the FUCK Bella?" Rosalie screeched.
"Bella! Stop that!" Esme yelled.
Jasper put his hands gently on Bella's shoulders and pulled her away just as Rosalie was about to retaliate on her little sister.
"How DARE you say that Edward and I are not fit to be parents?!"
Rosalie smirked and said, "Well…if the shoe fits…fucking wear it…Isabella. We all know it's true! I am just the only one around here with the balls to say it out loud. No one else wants to hurt the poor, precious, little baby girl's feelings!" She said mockingly.
Bella laughed bitterly, "What happened to you Rose? When did you become such a vapid bitch? You are really acting like a cunt right now!"
Jasper didn't get Bella pulled back in time for this one. We could all hear the smack as Rosalie's hand met Bella's cheek.
Jasper stood in between them. "RoRo! Don't you fucking touch her again! I mean it! I will restrain you!"
"Please Jasper…I've known you your whole life. Like you would ever hit a fucking girl!" Rosalie laughed at him.
My tiny twin sister stood up side by side with her husband, "He may be a gentleman…but I'm not! I do not have any reservations about hitting a girl…especially one who is acting like a raging bitch at the moment!"
Yeah! I love my sister!
Bella started speaking again, "Who are you to judge anyone at their parenting skills?" She directed at Rosalie.
"Excuse me? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"It means…what kind of a mother knowingly takes her baby into a house where there is abuse occurring?"
Rosalie looked livid. "You…you…you have no idea what you are talking about! Royce and I are fine. There is no abuse going on in my home!"
"Sure Rose…that's believable. I will ask you one thing…what's going to happen when Peyton cries too much, she's too loud, or she takes up too much of your attention? What's Royce going to do then? What about when she is older? God knows the kind of sick things that fucker might try to do to her once she starts maturing!"
Rosalie looked stunned and as if she was deep in thought. "I've got to go. I've said my peace and I don't give a shit what any of you do."
She bolted from the room and slammed the door.
Bella calmed down and took her place back at my side. CC was making little noises. All of this tension in the room was upsetting her.
"Could we all please just discuss this calmly now? All of this noise is disturbing my baby girl," I told them.
Bella smiled up at me. "You know…you're pretty good at this Dad stuff already."
I smiled brightly back at her. "Thanks…Bells."
Esme spoke next, "I agree with Edward. So…the next person who decides to get loud or out of hand…will be leaving this house! Understood?"
Everyone nodded…even Charlie.
Charlie took this as his opportunity to speak. "I don't like the idea of my granddaughter being raised by two men. It's too hard to be a kid in today's world as it is…let alone having to deal with having two fathers. I do not need to hear about that innocent little baby girl walking in on you two doing god knows what to each other."
It was so wrong for Charlie to feel this way about his son. As much as I was happy that he wanted Camilla to stay with Bella and me…it was for the wrong reason. He just did not want her with James and his partner.
"Oh but it's alright for your children to walk in on you having relations with someone other than their mother? That's really rich Dad! You're such a fucking hypocrite!" James seethed.
"This is why I don't call him Dad. He is and always will be just…Charlie. Right asshole?" Brady said.
Bella looked at her brother intently. "Is that how you really feel James? Was what Steve said earlier true? You think I always get what I want…and now you want to take my little girl from me?"
James came over to us and knelt down in front of Bella. He took her hands into his. "Bells…I didn't mean it like that I swear. I was upset in the moment. What I said to Steve was that everyone has always coddled you and in turn, we've done nothing but enable all of your issues.
When I was angry, I did say that I felt we should not relent until we got to keep Camilla. BUT…after thinking long and hard about it…and talking to Mom…I realized that Camilla belongs with you, Bells. I love you sis. I could never hurt you this way."
Jasper huffed with his arms across his chest. "Yeah sure you couldn't. Maybe you should learn to keep a fucking leash on your boy toy then and keep him from coming in here and upsetting our sister!"
James stood up and got in Jasper's face. "What the fuck Jazz? Why are you always jealous over anyone who has anything to do with Bella in this family besides you? She is our fucking sister too! Contrary to what you might believe…I would never hurt her!"
Jasper's expression softened but he still didn't look completely convinced. Steve grabbed James's arm and said, "We talked about this! I want my daughter!"
"Yes, we did talk about this Steve…and I fucking told you how I feel. Bella keeps her baby…end of fucking story! You go along with what I say or we are through! We don't have much of a case anyway…Edward never signed over his parental rights. Now…let…it…go."
"Fine…can we go now?" Steve spat out sarcastically.
James looked over at Esme, "Mom…since we are bowing out gracefully…do we really need to be here for the rest of this? I think we need to go home and work some things out…and I have some papers to destroy." He said that while smiling at Bella.
Esme smiled sweetly at her son as she got up to hug him. "You two can go. Behave yourselves! Go kiss and make up!"
Steve made his way over to Bella and me, as if he was coming to say goodbye to my CC. I don't fucking think so.
"Don't even fucking think about it!" I growled at him. "Get the fuck away from my daughter. You've done enough!"
He shook his head and walked away as he muttered under his breath, "Fucking psycho."
That's right. No one is coming near this little girl without my fucking permission! Or her mother's of course.
I felt bad because I could tell that Bella wanted to hold her again…but I was not ready to let her out of my arms just yet. Call me a selfish prick if you want…but this sweet little creature was just to perfect to let go.
I kept kissing her tiny little nose and playing with her even tinier little fingers. She was simply a miracle.
Emmett looked at Bella and me and said, "Well guys…I guess I'm not really needed here for this part either. I am going to take off. I need to clear my head after seeing Rose again. Dad or Alice will call and let me know what is decided with you Edward."
I nodded and told him, "Thanks Em. Don't forget to say bye to your niece."
He leaned in to us, kissed CC on the forehead, and said, "Love you little one. Your Uncle Em will be coming back to play with you really soon!"
I made sure he heard me when I whispered, "And you will be spilling on this situation between you and Rosalie…soon."
He nodded. "See you guys later," he called out as he left.
Jasper stood up and stretched his arms as he said, "Well…I guess that means Alice and I can take off too."
Esme gave him a look that could kill as she stood up and said, "You sit your ass down right this instant Jasper Swan! There are things we will be discussing between the two of you as well," she said motioning between him and Alice.
Oops…guess Bella and I weren't the only ones being lectured today. Dad looked confused…and so did Charlie.
Esme rolled her eyes and said, "These two," her thumb pointed towards Alice and Jasper, "got married and didn't bother telling anyone."
"WHAT?!" Both fathers stood up and yelled.
At that, poor little CC was a bawling mess. The loud voices really upset her. I pulled her into my chest as I supported her head and cooed to her, "It's okay baby girl…shhh…it's alright. Don't be afraid, Daddy's got you."
Bella was patting her back. "It's alright sweet baby, no one will hurt you Cam," she told her.
I looked at Bella and our eyes met. I couldn't help myself; I kissed her quickly on the lips. It was a quick peck but it was full of a spark…that I couldn't explain.
Bella felt it too because she touched her fingertips to her lips and had the biggest smile on her face.
"How could you be so fucking stupid Jasper?" Charlie yelled at him.
"Charles Swan you will lower your voice or you will get the fuck out of my house now! You are upsetting Camilla Rose!"
Jasper and Bella both were looking at their mom with their mouths hanging open. Something told me Esme didn't drop the F-bombs around much.
Charlie sat down as he looked like a scolded child. Then my dad spoke directly to Alice, "Mary Alice…is this true?"
"Yes Daddy," she said in her innocent voice that she knows melts our father's heart.
Oh give me a break. I chuckled internally at my sister. She's a smart one.
Carlisle tried to regain his composure, "Well…that is not the issue at the moment…but Esme is right…you two are staying right where you are. We will deal with you after we have dealt with these three," he said as he waved his arms towards my family.
"I have a suggestion," Charlie stated.
"And what would that be Charlie," Esme said bitterly.
"I think Bella and little Camilla there should move in with us."
"Excuse me?" Esme said.
"What?" Bella said in a very loud whisper. CC was finely calming down in my arms. She had her tiny little fingers wrapped tightly around one of mine.
"You heard me. I think that Sue and I would be a better influence on you two than your mother and the craziness that she allows to go on over here."
"You have got to be kidding Dad! You are ridiculous! You turn your back on me every chance you get and choose Sue and her kids over us…and you really think I am going to bring my daughter into your house?"
"Bells…come on…give me…"
"Get out Dad!"
"Bella…"
"GET…OUT…DAD!"
Thank goodness CC didn't wake up this time. She had my finger so she was content and out like a light.
"Charlie…you better go," Esme told him.
"I will not be thrown out of my house by a sixteen year old that seriously needs to be turned over someone's knee!"
"Out Charlie! Now!" Esme told him.
My father stood up and glared at Charlie. "I believe the ladies have asked you to leave. There's no reason for you to stay. If they want you to know what we decide here…then I am sure they will let you know. I can escort you out personally if you like."
I had never heard my father sound quite so menacing before ever in my life. It was kind of cool and I was never more proud to call him Dad than in this moment.
I could feel the shakiness returning. I really needed a drink…a hit…something. I was going to jump out of my skin if I didn't get something soon. No…I could do this. I had to do this. I looked at the beautiful sleeping baby in my arms. I would do this…for her.
I turned and saw Bella smiling at me as I heard Charlie stomping out of the house.
Bella leaned her head on my shoulder. "Edward…can I hold our daughter now please? My body aches for her," she asked me…her voice trembling.
"Of course you can. I'm sorry I've been hogging her."
"It's okay. I know you're going to be going…away. I wanted to let you bond with her. I don't want her to forget her daddy."
Once again…I didn't stop the tears from falling down my cheeks as I stared at this beautiful girl who loved me so. I knew she did…I could see it in her eyes. We were both so messed up right now though. Would we really get a chance at happiness together? I hoped so. I wanted to be with her. I wanted to love her.
I was pretty sure I already did love her….probably have since I started protecting her when she was in third grade and I was in fifth grade. But could we both bounce back from this crap? I looked down at my little CC as I passed her to her mother and I was given my answer. I knew that we could manage this. It would just take time and work. I was willing to go the distance.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and looked to everyone in the room. "So, what's the plan?"
My father spoke first. "Well, I don't think that it's a good idea for you and Bella to be in any type of romantic relationship right…now…with each other or anyone else."
"Agreed," I said.
Bella did not look happy at that but she held her tongue.
Esme spoke this time, "I agree with that. I also think that Camilla and Bella will be staying here with me. Bella, you are going to be responsible for this little one. I work during the day. You are going to have to find someone to watch Camilla while you go to school. You will not be a drop out young lady."
"I can agree to that Mom."
"Edward…you will be going to a rehab facility in Seattle that I found. I have signed you up for the most intense program that they have and you will be there for ninety days. During this time you will also be going to individual therapy. Also, Emmett, Alice, and I will be coming to the rehab facility weekly for family counseling with you. I also think that maybe we would benefit from having Bella come with us. The two of you could have a counseling session together and work out your issues if you would like to. This would also give you an opportunity to see Camilla weekly."
Bella and I both nodded emphatically at that. I loved that I could still see my little girl weekly. It would be great for Bella and I to talk to a counselor together as well…as a team.
"When do I go Dad?"
"If you think you can handle it…we will wait until tomorrow for you to go. I thought you might like to spend the day getting to know your daughter."
"Thank you…Dad."
"You are welcome son. Now…I think we should go and get some dinner, don't you Esme? We've got three birthdays to celebrate that are long overdue."
We all agreed and tried to decide where we wanted to go eat. My thoughts drifted to the new leaf I was turning over and my new life.
This was it…I was going to turn my life around for good. I was determined to be a better man…for Bella and my little CC.
Emmett POV
September 13, 2003: Age 24
The way things were between Rose and me was really bothering me. I really cared for her. I knew things were not good between her and that bastard she called a husband. But there was nothing I could do until she was ready to get help…right?
I had a bad feeling when I left the Swan house. I drove around for about twenty-five minutes with no destination in mind before I ended up heading towards Rose's house. I just had to see that she was okay. Something in my gut told me there was a problem at the house.
I had never been more heartbroken that one of my feelings had been right than when I turned on the street to Rose's house. There were two ambulances, police cars, and some unmarked cars in their driveway.
I pulled up to the side of the road and parked my car. I jumped out and sprinted over to where I saw a stretcher coming out with a black body bag resting on top. Oh God. Please not Rose…please not Rose.
Then I saw another stretcher come out of the house along with cops. Thank God! Rose was on this stretcher. The paramedics had her hooked up to an IV thing already and were pushing her towards the ambulance.
"Excuse me! I'm a friend of the family. What is going on here?"
"Sir…you have to move. We need to get Mrs. King to the hospital."
"I can see that…why the fuck is she handcuffed to this stretcher?"
I had noticed that both wrists were handcuffed to the railings of the stretcher…what the fuck?
"Sir...Mrs. King is under arrest for the murder of Royce King. I suggest you call her next of kin and a lawyer for her. Now…we've got to go."
I was left standing there dumbfounded. My Rosie had killed that bastard. Good for her. But how much damage did he do before she killed him? How was she doing? Where was Peyton in all of this?
Fuck! SO many questions. I had to call Esme…now.
A/N…Review for your teaser my lovelies!