Song: "Back Down South" by Kings of Leon
Up Love's Creek
Chapter Twenty one
"Stop fidgeting."
"I'm not!"
"Yeah, you are. You look beautiful. Stop worrying."
"Easy for you to say. You already know your dad. He likes you."
"Maybe just a little bit. That whole him fathering me thing helped some." He smiled down at her.
"Don't be a smart-ass with me today, Cullen. I'm trying to have a mental breakdown at the moment." She said whilst twisting her fingers together.
"Better to be a smart-ass than a dumb-ass. Right? And you're a chick so mental break downs are a normal part of your daily routine. Like brushing your hair or waxing something."
"You know what Cullen?"
"What's that Swan?"
"You're a dick."
"No, I have a dick. Which you can't get enough of. Damn it! What was that for?" He rubbed his upper arm.
"You opened your mouth again, babe. I thought we had agreed that was a bad idea. But you don't listen to me when I tell you that your best bet is to just stand there looking pretty. Not to speak." She sighed.
"I speak the truth."
"No. You showed- yet again might I add- that you have a PHD in herp derp."
"Nice insult, baby. How long you been saving that one?"
Bella sniffed. "A few days. With you, I find I use up all my good insults too quickly, I'm always having to come up with new ones. It's hard work for sure, but I'm up for it."
"At least I keep you on your toes." He teased.
"And then some." Bella stopped walking to stare ahead of her. She could feel butterflies the size of air planes inside her stomach. Everything in her telling her to run hard, run fast and to not look back.
Edward came up beside her, throwing his arm around her shoulder. "The doors aren't going to open themselves. I mean, my family may be rich, but we're not to that point yet."
"I know that. Leave me alone. I'm having a mental pep-talk here." She said as she continued to stare at those damn doors. When Mr. Cullen had sent Edward over with the request to have brunch with him and his father, Bella was shocked to say the least. She then wondered if perhaps Mr. Cullen planned to have her food poisoned. Or that this was somehow a trick, and that he would have her arrested for trespassing. She had to admit the thought wasn't that far fetched. She knew the man couldn't stand the sight of her. And yet he had asked her to join him for a meal. It was only natural to wonder why.
Edward was about to tell her again, for the millionth time that day, to relax when the doors opened.
"Damn, look at that. I guess we are that rich after all." He winked at Bella before turning to address the small woman on the other side of the door. "Hello Maria," Edward said in his flirty voice. It only caused the pretty little woman's face to turn into a deep scowl that had him taking a step behind Bella as Maria stood to the side letting them pass into the foyer.
He tried again, "Maria, you're looking well. But something's different.." He looked her up and down. Didn't take long since Maria was a tiny thing. "Oh, I know! Did you file down your fangs this morning?" Edward grunted out as Swan's sharp little elbow dug into his side. Maria stepped aside as Bella entered.
"Hola, Maria." Bella held out her hand to the woman while asking in Spanish how she was, and watching as friendliness flashed across the her face and her kind eyes shone with joy.
Closing the doors behind them, Maria turned to look at Bella. "Señorita Swan, Señor Cullen is waiting for you both on the patio. Brunch is almost ready." Her English perfect, but with a thick accent.
Edward's head snapped towards Maria. "I knew it! You do speak English."
Maria rolled her eyes at him before muttering under her breath, "estúpido." And motioning them to follow her.
"Did she just call me stupid?" He asked a giggling Bella. "And how the hell do you know Spanish?"
"Because unlike you, Cullen, I pay attention in Spanish class." She said slowly as if he were daft.
" You're probably the only person that did. I'm impressed, Swan. It's kind of sexy. Maybe you can speak Spanish to me later. Say something dirty." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"I'm full of surprises. And no. I am not going to say something dirty!" Bella whispered as she followed behind Maria. She was starting to feel as if she were being lead to the gallows. Cullen was just adding to her nervousness.
"Hmm. Keep it up, baby, and you're going to be full of something else." Bella jumped as Cullen's hand grabbed her ass.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed his hands away. "Do not touch my ass when I am about to meet with your father! A man who doesn't like me, I might add. Last thing I need is for him to see us in yet another awkward situation." She hissed up at him.
He grabbed her arm to stop her. "Hey, did he say something to give you the impression he doesn't like you?" He was frowning down at her, asking the one question she didn't want to answer. Especially not here, not now. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a fight between Cullen and his dad. Those two didn't get along as it was. No need to add gasoline to an already simmering fire.
"Nothing like that. I promise. I just remember the night he found us.. I didn't make the best first impression." She tried to smile as he studied her face. She had always been a terrible liar. He must have believed her, though, because he took her hand and lead her to the backyard.
Taking a deep breath, Bella raising her head high, pushing her shoulders back, walked out onto the patio. Here we go, she thought.
/
"Isabella, so glad you could join us today. I'm afraid Elizabeth is out for the afternoon, and the Dawsons have taken the yacht on a sail. But our Chef has prepared for us a small feast. Come, sit." Mr. Cullen was all smiles and even pulled out Bella's chair. He then turned to Edward. "Son." He nodded.
Edward being the tool he was, bowed at the waist before saying in a British accent, "Father."
Laughing, Anthony slapped his son on the back, before turning to join Bella at the table. "What are we going to do with this kid? Any ideas Isabella?" He asked as he placed his cloth napkin across his lap.
"Oh, well, I have a few, but they all involve taking the advice of Bob Barker." She shrugged. And here comes the silence. She could tell he didn't get the joke. Well, at least they had about three seconds of none awkward conversation.
"Yes. " Mr. Cullen laughed. "Well, I must say I've been meaning to have you over formally for a while now. It's just with our summer guests and work, it never seemed like a free moment was had." He eyed them both as Edward put his arm around the back of Bella's chair. Clearing his throat, Mr. Cullen went on.
"I was going to announce this at the anniversary party, but I think I will tell you both here and now the good news. I have decided to officially run for Mayor."
Edward just stared back as his father. His mouth turned down at the corners. Bella not knowing what to do, gave a simple smile.
"Since when?" Edward finally spoke.
"I beg your pardon?" His father asked.
"Since when have you decided to run for Mayor? Isn't that kind of a big deal? Does mom know?"
"It's something I have thought about for a few years now, to be honest. I have quite a few important people, friends, in high standing within the community that have told me for years they want me to run. That they would back me in any way they could. And of course your mother knows, Edward. Who knows if I would actually win, but with the right amount of support, the right people backing me," He shook his head, "I think I've got a hell of a shot here."
Edward simply nodded, saying nothing more. His eyes seemed to have lost some of their teasing sparkle he had come in with. The playful grin was gone. Bella wondered at that. Did Cullen not want his father to run for Mayor? Sure she was a little nervous about having the Mayor hate her guts, but hopefully she would be out of this town soon enough.
"Now that that's out of the way, Isabella, I wanted to take the time and get to know a little more about you. Tell me, how's your family?"
He really had the gall to ask that after the last time they had talked? When he had basically called Bella and her family trash? She had to bite her lip to keep from saying something rude. Something like 'Hey, Mister Mayor-to-be, Fuck you!'
"They're doing excellent, Mr. Cullen."
"I'm glad to hear it. I remember the day your father and mother died. It was a sad day for this town. A sad day indeed. Your father was a good man, a good chief. He's still missed."
Bella felt her throat get tight with emotion. Why was this man sitting her giving her lip service? She knew he didn't like her. What was going on inside that head of his?
"My parents were the best." She agreed, having nothing more to say to him. She just wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. Bella was still waiting for the reason he had asked her over. Was it really as innocent as it seemed? A simple meal to get to know one another better? If so, what was the reason for the sudden change of heart?
"Edward, it seems Maria has forgotten to bring out the rest of the dishes that I specifically asked for. Would you be so kind as to go remind her of them?"
Edward looked from his father to Swan who was looking at him like she might swallow her tongue if left alone with his old man. But what harm could there be in that? It might even be a good idea to allow them a few minutes alone to get better acquainted.
"Sure. But just so you know, Maria would be more likely to throw the dishes at me then to hand them over." Anthony watched as his son kissed Isabella on the forehead before entering the house. He sat back in his chair and seemed to study Bella over the rim of his coffee cup. She felt as if his eyes were piercing her flesh. Almost as if he were searching for a way into her head.
"Isabella, I wanted to apologize for the last few times we have spoken. We got off on the wrong foot, and I'm afraid I wasn't very hospitable to you." He took a sip of his coffee before continuing, "I've always been very protective of Edward since he was a young boy. With his natural charisma and good looks, he always seemed to lure people to him. Girls especially were crazy over him. As he got older, well, you've seen it first hand I'm sure. As I'm sure you remember our last conversation.. My point is this, he's young, you're young. You both have goals, dreams, and getting into a serious relationship at seventeen is a bad idea. But I should never have taken my frustrations at the situation out on you. I behaved rudely, for that I'm deeply sorry. I hope you will except my apology and with it a personal invite to the anniversary party here this coming weekend. It's sure to be the party to end all others, and Elizabeth and I would be thrilled if you helped us celebrate."
Now it was Bella's turn to sit back and study him. Did he really just say he was sorry? The mighty Anthony Cullen? Or had someone put acid in her Spam? She almost giggled at the thought of that- She was willing to bet the Cullen's didn't even know what Spam was.. She pulled herself back from her runaway thoughts.
"Alright, Mr. Cullen. I accept your apology. But please, sir, do not mistake my receiving of that apology as my agreeing with anything you may have said or thought about my family. I'm not ashamed of where I come from. I'm not ashamed of who I am. And I think judging my worth based on where I am geographically located on a map is idiotic at best. "
Anthony cut his eyes to the patio doors. "Does Edward know-"
"You mean did I tell him about the rude way his father treated me? No, Mr. Cullen I did not tell your son anything about that. I would never, unlike some people around here, try and worm my way into the relationships of others. But I would like the chance to start over as well. So, I am willing to over-look these faults of yours.. for Edward's sake."
She watched as Mr. Cullen's jaw ticked. Looked like someone was holding back his anger. "You're a very bright girl, Ms. Swan. I'm quite sure your future will be entertaining to say the least." His tone held something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Bella placed a smile on her face when all she really wanted to do was dump her juice over his head. What the hell was taking Cullen so long?
"Speaking of futures, what colleges have been holding your attention?"
Talk about coming from left field. "Oh well, I don't know. I've looked into a few. SSU, GSU-"
"Now tell me where you really want to go. A smart girl like you dreams bigger than local colleges."
Bella took a deep breath, trying to steady her heartbeat. She didn't really feel like sharing with this man. She hadn't even told Emmett where her heart was set on going.
" I've applied to NYU and Dartmouth. My dream is to attend Dartmouth." But she knew it was just that: A dream.
"Ah, Dartmouth. Excellent college. I have a some friends in high places there. I could put in a few words if you like. I would imagine, like most things nowadays, the cost to attend such a place would be quite pricey.."
She could almost hear him thinking the 'For a girl like you'. "That's very kind of you Mr. Cullen, but as you said the cost is more than pricey. Try astronomical. That's one of the reasons I have been so motivated in my schooling. I want to be able to say I gave it my all. That I got into a school that will help me get where I want to be."
"I see. I can respect that kind of determination. How much would that dream cost?" He asked while keeping his tone light, friendly.
She was sure he would know even better than she the cost of Dartmouth. But she went on anyway. "We're looking at around two hundred and sixty thousands dollars. Give or take a few." Bella shook her head. The cost of getting an education was simply crazy. A person almost had to be from royalty to get ahead in this world.
"That is a lot of money." He rubbed at his cheek.
"No kidding. That's why I know to keep my eye on closer, less costly schools."
"And you realize the schools you've listened are not exactly down the road from YLS." He leaned in across the table from her. "Isabella, Edward will be going to Yale. He will study Law there, and he won't be allotted a lot of time for a long distance relationship. Think about it, at that young of an age, getting serious now will only hinder you both. Could possibly even damage your futures down the line. I don't want that for you anymore than I do for him."
"It isn't that far- just a few hundred miles. And not to be rude, Mr. Cullen, but again I ask you, is Yale Edward's dream.. Or your dream for him? And what does he having a long distance relationship with me matter to you?"
"I just worry about two children, who have a sexual relationship, ruining both their lives. And possibly dragging a baby into the mix! Edward doesn't need that right now."
Good lord this man was off his rocker! "What exactly do you see me as Mr. Cullen? Do you think Edward and I are that stupid? What, you're afraid I'm going trap Edward? That I would get pregnant on purpose unless you give me everything I want? Maybe I'd ask for a pony as well. Think again Mr. Cullen. Not to be rude here, but maybe if you'd remove that stick from your butt, you might see that I'm not the town whore you've painted me as. And your son, the one you don't seem to think has enough intelligence to make his own choices, he knows me. He knows I would never try and manipulate him like that. Edward is a lot smarter than you give him credit for. Whatever colleges we attend, whatever happens between now and then, we'll work things out." One way or another.
A soft smile came across his face. A smile that had chills running down Bella's spine. He leaned back in his chair, acting as if he had won some great victory.
"Perhaps you're right, Isabella. Only time will tell I suppose. In the mean time," He picked up his orange juice, he held the crystal in the air. "A toast to new beginnings and dreams coming true for us all."
Hesitantly Bella lifted her own glass to softly click with his. She had a weird feeling about the look in his eye, the tone of his voice. As if he were a spider that had just caught a little fly.
A loud slam had both Anthony and Bella looking up to see Maria stomping out of the patio doors, her nostrils flaring, hair wild, and trailing behind her was a pale looking Cullen. She sat the piping hot dishes down between the white bone china. Edward took the long way around the pool to avoid getting anywhere near the woman. Clearly something had happened in that kitchen.
"Son, why do I have a feeling you did something to poor Maria?" The man asked his son as Maria stormed off the same way she came in.
Edward shuffled forward with a frown on his face. " That woman is crazy! But I might have tried my hand at Spanish.."
Uh oh. Bella grimaced.
"What does that mean?" Anthony narrowed his eyes.
"I think I may have inadvertently insulted her. A lot." He rubbed the back of his neck while frowning.
Whatever had happened, Cullen wasn't saying anything else. Other than that, and the awkwardness between the three of them, brunch wasn't as awful as Bella had expected. She only thought about drowning herself in the pool once.. But she sighed in relief when she was tucked back into Cullen's car a few hours later, watching as Mr. Cullen had a few words with his son.
"Thanks for this, dad." It was hard for Edward to get the words out. His relationship with his father had never been an easy thing. At the best of times there was always an underlying tension. Since he was a young child he could remember a wall his dad had always had up. It wasn't as if Anthony were cold or mean to his son, just distant, removed. But he felt that what his father had done today, the steps he taken in welcoming Swan, that was a step- hopefully- in the right direction. A new start for them.
"Ah, it was nothing." Edward thought he saw a flash of guilt in his old man's eyes. But before he could think twice about it, it was gone just as fast. "Drive safe." And with that his father went back into the house. Edward wondered if he would ever figure the man out.
/
"Where's Edward?" Katherine asked as she arrived back at the Cullen estate later on that day. Edward had yet to return from driving Ms. Swan home.
"He took Isabella home after our brunch meeting this morning." Anthony said as he looked over some paper work. Normally he tried to leave the weekends free for family time, but with him running for Mayor there never seemed to be enough hours in the day.
"Brunch? With Bella? I thought you didn't like her!" Katherine's hands went to her hips.
Anthony looked up then from his work. Taking his reading glasses off, he regarded the young girl with fatherly amusement.
"Katherine, surely you've heard the expression; Keep your friends close, your enemies closer."
"Of course. But I still don't think there is much you can do to come between Edward and that girl." God knew if there was, Katherine would have found it. She would have found it and used it.
That must have been the wrong thing to say. Especially to a man like Anthony Cullen. A look of sheer determination came over his handsome face. A fire that burned all the way through him, blazing in a single thought: He was a Cullen. And a Cullen always got what they wanted. Anthony decided to fill Kat in on the plans that had been set in motion that very morning. As he spoke, the coolness in his voice, the arrogant calmness that poured from him, had Katherine almost feeling sorry for Bella. The girl had no clue what was coming her way.
ULC
"Told you today wouldn't be so bad." Cullen said to Swan as they drove back to her house.
"You just like it when your right. Because it happens so rarely." She smirked back at him.
Lowering his Aviators, he cooked one eyebrow. "I'm always right, Swan. You just hate to admit that."
"Oh, it's getting deep in here. You're eyes should have been brown, Cullen. And why is it your father had to be the one to invite me to the party? Why didn't you bring it up?"
Edward paused in how best to make her understand. "I don't know. Would you believe it slipped my mind?" He looked over to her shaking her head no. Pulling into the circle driveway, he cut the car off, leaving the radio going as One Republic's "Good Life" played.
"Swan, I don't want to go to this thing, let alone make you go. It's going to be the same fuckery I have had to endure my entire life. The party will be full of fake people that pretend that they are better than the rest of the world simply because they have more money than they could ever spend. Fake conversations full of mindless chatter. Fake friendships that were formed for nothing more than staying in the know- staying connected. The drinks will flow, and so will the bullshit. I wanted to spare you that. Hell, I want to save myself from it." He said as he played with her fingers in his lap.
"But they're your parents. You have to be there." She wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of spending an evening with those types of people, but she would go. She would go and place a smile on her face, if for nothing else then to prove to Mr. Cullen, and perhaps Katherine, that she could fit in. Bella Swan could be classy and carry on conversations with them all. She could be Cullen's girl.
"I know. But when it gets to the point that I can't take another air kiss or story about who's trust fund has finally kicked in, we are so out of there. We'll go up to my room and fuck ourselves stupid."
She couldn't keep a chill from running down her spine. Just the thought alone of being with him in his room, while the house was full, knowing any second they could get caught. The idea had her mind racing with excitement.
"Now come here and let me kiss you."
"You're becoming very demanding in this relationship. Always bossing me around. Maybe it's time I make it harder for you."
He turned his head just so to look at her and a ray of sun caught the corner of his eye- making the green pop like an emerald. His eyes were truly breathtaking. His smile could set an iceberg on fire. His laugh was rough and deep, even his natural scent was sexy. "Swan, I'm already hard for you."
'I didn't mean like that. Well… maybe I did." She leaned across the console to press her lips against his neck. She bit lightly, feeling the muscle tense as she did so. A male groan leaving his mouth. "If you want a kiss, come and get it." And with that Bella threw open the car door and ran for it. All the while her giggles trailed behind her. She took a path well worn behind her house. She knew exactly where she wanted to lead him.
Edward watched her run away. Her sweet little ass swaying, making his mouth water. Standing up from the car, Edward turned his hat backwards, smirking, he ran after his girl.
"Hot Damn."
Bella laughed as she ran through the worn path, past the infamous tree-house, heat rising as the thoughts of what happened there flooded her mind. And as she ran through the full lush woods she could hear him behind her. She knew Cullen wasn't running full out because if he wanted to catch her, he would. No, he was playing the little game of tag-you're-it just as she wanted. After the stress of the past few weeks, this silly little child's game was just what she needed. She could see the clearing up ahead. She ran faster, a smile stretched across her face as she heard him teasing her.
"I'm going to catch you, Swan. And when I do, I'll be wanting my damn kiss. Be ready, baby"
Edward wasn't even breathless- well, not from the run anyway. He was left breathless by the sight before him. Bella was running with surprising grace and speed. Her long legs eating up the distance, her beautiful hair flowing behind her like ribbons of black silk. Her giggling laugh was sweet and sexy. He had no idea where she was leading him, but he would follow. The thoughts of earning that kiss making the blood pump hard through his veins. He had never seen this side to her before. The light, carefree side. Her laugh was free of all the safeguards she always had in place. Suddenly they broke out into a wide open field. Looking more like something you would see in Montana back country. The tall green grass mixed with wild flowers that swayed softly in the afternoon sun, grasshoppers jumped from one grassy ledge to another, and even a few butterflies fluttered about. And there stood Bella Swan: Right in the middle of this little magical place looking more like a fairy princess than anyone else ever would. He smiled at the image her face would take on if he ever told her that.
"What do you think?" She asked holding her arms up as if to say 'Look what I found'.
"I think," He said slowly as he kept his eyes on hers, "that I still have to catch you to get my kiss." And he practically pounced of her.
Bella tried to turn and run at the last second but he was faster. His arms went around her waist.
"Oh, no you don't." His lips moved over her ear. She could feel his heart beating hard against her back. "I've got you now, I plan on keeping you." A voice in the back of his mind added the word forever. "I want my kiss." He turned her in his arms. She was so small compared to him. Her head barely coming to his chin. He loved how short she was. It brought out all these protective feelings within him.
"Come down here and get it then." She teased. She batted her long lashes up and him. Looking just like the little vixen she was.
"Don't have to tell me twice." And she didn't because next thing Bella knew she was locked into a kiss that could have set her heart on fire. He sucked her tongue into his mouth. His spicy taste mixing with her sweetness. The stubble from where he needed to shave rasping against her soft skin. Bella stood on her tiptoes to try and get closer to him. His arms wrapped around her and he lifted her into his embrace.
He pulled back after a few moments of breathless passion. Leaving a pout upon Bella's face. She wanted more. She had the distinct impression she could live off his kisses, off his body forever and it would never be enough.
"We better slow our roll or I'll end up taking you right here." He nipped at her full bottom lip. "Damn it, you are so beautiful."
Bella blushing, didn't see the problem with him taking her, and said so.
Smiling down at her, eyes lit with his own need, Edward kissed her lips softly. "I won't take you here on the grass without even a blanket to protect that fine sexy soft skin. But next time, sweetheart, next time I'm bringing a blanket to lay you out on under this big ass sky and I'm going to bury myself so deep in your tightness that you won't know where I end and you begin."
It was a promise she intending to make sure he kept. Even though they didn't have sex, Edward and Bella made good use of that meadow. Making out, teasing, laughing, and talking all afternoon locked in their own private world. Fate hoped they enjoyed it all because the time would soon come where their feelings, feeling neither one would admit to themselves, would be tested.
Thanks to those who might still be reading! Much thanks to those who review! Two more chapters left.