"Three dresses… Three!" I shouted as I fell onto the couch. Edward laughed at me as he walked in the room
"Rosalie didn't even have to go through this," I mumbled.
"I guess that's what happens when we combine traditions. Even though we are of the same family, we each also have our own separate ones babe."
Edward sat beside me and put my legs into his lap, removing my shoes and began to rub my feet.
"Oh yeah. Your mother and Daniela graciously reminded me. The main dress is supposed to be traditional with a 'Irish lace fit for a princess' You mother's words not mine." I do like that grandma Swan's and Mom's dresses with be incorporated in the design. "The reception dress is of my choice as long as it's made of Italian silk. Rose and Alice didn't even help me, they just laughed at their antics as I was thrown into tulle hell. The third dress is the going away and it's one that you pick for me," I finished with a huff.
"Oh, that could be so dangerous," Edward smirked mischievously while inching his hand up my shirt and pulling me into his chest. "If it were my choice you would have nothing on at all, but since I don't take too kindly of others seeing what is mine. I guess I could find a moo-moo for you to cover up in." He rained kisses along my neck.
"You're so lucky I am even marrying you," I whispered kissing along his jaw.
"I am reminded daily how lucky I am Miss Swan."
September brought its shares of ups and downs. I was glad I had wedding planning distractions to help me through it all. News of our engagement spread like wildfire, our family knew and we had planned to take it public the next month, but news never stayed quiet around this town; as I was soon learning. I was lying out by the pool with the girls when Edward walked in and laid a piece of paper on the patio table beside my chair. There was amusement written all over his face.
"What have you done?" I accused.
"I can guarantee this time I had nothing to do with it, but read this. You're famous, cats out the bag now baby," he laughed taking a seat next to me.
I picked up the paper and saw the headline:
True Love or Strategy: The merging of an Empire
There have been rumors flying around this city for the last few weeks that everyone seems to be talking about. Could Edward Cullen the son of alleged Godfather of the Swan-Cullen crime family be ready to tie the knot? It appears so says a source. We shall all have a moment of silence to mourn this newest development. There are truly a lot of broken hearts if the rumors are true. We were told the couple became engaged while on vacation in South Carolina. So who is the lucky lady you may ask yourself? The bride-to-be is no stranger I assure you, she is none other than Isabella Swan, granddaughter of Antonio Swan, alleged former Godfather to the same family. My question is this. Could Miss Swan and Mr. Cullen actually be in love? Or is this a ploy to strengthen the family? The family had been showing signs of struggle a few months back with the shift of command. It has been said that Isabella is now a ranking member. What does this mean for this family and others like it here in Chicago? It means 90% of the two families businesses and real estate holdings will cover the entire city, not to mention The Swan and Cullen international affairs. It is expected to be the most anticipated wedding since Prince William and Kate.
I leave you with this... time will tell if this marriage is real or just another arranged marriage between families for financial and political gain. We wish Isabella and Edward lots of luck and best wishes.
"Where in the hell did you get this?" I asked dropping the paper back onto the table.
"My Dad gave it to me this morning. It was on some mafia news website, it's like the Star Magazine of the underworld. He found it amusing, he thought you would too."
"Oh yeah! trust me, I'm laughing on the inside. So much for being out the spotlight, any word on who sent the photo? How about who took the one in Charleston that has Vanessa ready to skin me alive?"
"Carlisle had requested a meeting with Vanessa and sent word that her son needs to tag along. She will be back in town the middle of October with Brandon. So he is giving her until then, no later. The photo as you know is many years old and Charlie and Carlisle have obviously seen it before. The copy was destroyed but the one you were sent came from whoever sent the original. Jasper is working on tracing the digital imprint and what computer it was scanned into. Esme didn't know, it was already into the file she labeled our Charleston pictures and burnt onto the disc with them."
"Edward, the only person who doesn't like me in this family is Marcella, isn't it plain as day. Maybe she is working with someone. I remember Tanya telling us that James shot me because he was fucking a woman who promised him he would be guaranteed a higher rank."
"But did she say a higher rank with whom? Bella there were five families in this town and each benefited from Swan before you came back. Since Sam is gone, that number is now down to four but that doesn't change the fact that Marcella doesn't have the clout to up rank. The books are only opened maybe once every three years unless the person being made is a direct member, a blood member," Edward explained.
"Okay, but what about Marino? Alec belonged to her."
"Babe, you don't send a junkie to off a mafia princess, especially one that belongs to me," Edward said kissing along my collar.
"You're trying to distract me," I moaned.
"Then I am doing my job, you have a wedding to plan, let me and Dad worry about family business."
"Edward," I sat sternly. "This is my family too, just because I will be your wife doesn't diminish my role and obligation to it. I may have a wedding to plan, but I also have a family to protect; the same as you."
"God, you're so hot when you go all Mafiosa on me."
Frustrated I lay my head on the table, I was up to my ears in color and flower samples.
"Esme, how can the guest list be nearing seven hundred? I don't even know seven hundred people."
"There are several families coming from out of town, professional and political contacts with Cullen Construction and Vita Da Sogno Shipping. Our extended family will also be coming and of course they have dates."
I groaned in frustration, I really would've preferred it if Esme did it all herself and just thrust a dress in my hands and told me when to show, but no the nuptial Nazi, meaning Esme said I should be hands on cause all women want their wedding day to be perfect and how can it if it's not the way I want it. She brought me out of my inner-rambling by asking me if I decided on the cake.
"What, I thought we picked out the cake already." The cake I'd chosen was a favorite of mine that Grandma Lilly made when I was a kid, lemon with strawberry filling.
"No, we picked out the first cake. We still have two more we need to choose," she said sorting the seating chart for the millionth time.
"Why? Rosalie didn't have three and come to think of it she didn't have three dresses either." I eyed her suspiciously. I sighed and just gave in, if Esme needed input then, let's get it over with.
My phone vibrated alerting me to a picture message, It was of Emmett, straddling what looked to be a civil war era cannon tied to the back of his jeep with the caption...
Emmett says he got you a wedding present ~E
Dear god!
Where did he get that, (fell off a truck, isn't an acceptable explanation) don't bring that to my house! ~ B
It takes awhile for him to answer but then I get another picture of said cannon, now on my front lawn and posed beside it are Edward, Emmett still on top and Jasper all smiling. The attached message read...
Too late... ~E
I shake my head, first it's a cannon then before you know it we'll be gator fishing in the swamp of Louisiana yelling "Choot'em. Choot'em Lisabeth."
It's not funny. For that you have a cake tasting 9 am with your mom, let Jasper and Emmett know that Esme is thrilled you all will be tagging-a-long also. You didn't answer me, where did you get it? ~B
Edwards reply comes in pretty quickly,
Baby, we were just playing. We all played poker and some douche put it up as collateral. Emmett won a nice chunk of change and a cannon. He thought it was a camera, not actual cannon. You just made Emmett's day, cake tasting isn't a punishment ~E
I sigh in defeat before I send out the next text to him.
Tell Jethro to take it to his house, ~B
A few hours later and with the seating arrangements for the first three hundred people are final I make it home. Looking through the gate before I greet Travis, I spotted the monstrosity sitting proudly on my front lawn. It actually looked intimidating and ridiculous at the same time. Travis saw me and came out of the building,
"Nice Cannon," he commented with a chuckle.
The Friday of my twentieth birthday was spent with morning naked cuddling with Edward. Followed by an afternoon with the girls having lunch, shooting at the gun range and doing some shopping. Brooke's birthday was the following week and my engagement party was supposed to be two weeks later. We needed some gowns and to get Brooke a gift. This would be her first birthday with us and Esme. I couldn't believe what an amazing woman she was planning my wedding as well as planning the perfect princess party for Brooke. I was looking forward to it everything coming up.
Charlie and I were tolerant of each other and Brooke proved to be a wonderful distraction. We both doted on her which allowed us interact without having to do so directly.
"Happy Birthday sissy," Brooke said cheerfully as I walked into the Cullen Estate.
"Thank you Brooke, a little birdy told me that you have a birthday coming up soon too." I bent down to hug her.
"Yep, next Friday, are you coming to my party? Miss Esme planned a princess one and we get to wear crowns and eat pink cupcakes," Brooke gushed.
"That's sounds like an awesome birthday" I replied enthusiastically.
"Are you gonna have a party?" Brooke asked.
"No, I won't have a cool birthday like you but we will probably have dinner or something like that."
"I don't wanna be a grown up if you don't get to have a crown and a princess dress," Brooke said pouting.
My birthday dinner was the first time the family had all been out together since the news of the engagement went public. Edward insisted that we have a birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and rented out the banquet hall for our private party, Marcus and Marcella even came. She was pleasant and even congratulated Edward and I. She also apologized for her behavior in the past, I nodded acknowledging her but not quite giving her the forgiveness she'd been seeking.
"Edward let Emmett take care of your cake, so I would worry if I was you," Rosalie informed suspiciously.
"Why would he do that? I just got that cannon out of my front yard. What did he do with it anyway?"
"Jasper and Charlie got him to donate it to a museum down in Atlanta."
The night went on and everyone was having a good time. We ate way too much and the drinks were flowing. I noticed Marcus had limited Marcella to one glass of wine at dinner and the rest of the time it was water. We danced and had a wonderful time. I even had a moment where my ovaries twitched when Edward held Brooke in his arms as they danced to an Adele song. She rested her head on his shoulders, it was the sweetest thing.
"Makes you wanna get knocked up, huh" Daniela laughed nudging me.
"It's sweet but don't even try to start the baby thing with me. It will be quite some time before that happens. You have a better chance at getting your baby fix from Alice or Rose," I informed her.
"Yeah, we have time for babies later, maybe when this family stuff gets settled and things go back to normal," she sighed.
"We are doing everything possible to make sure that happens." I tried to assure her. The heavily armed guards outside and the bullet proof armor vehicles we all arrived in was proof that we were all in an heightened state of alert.
"Ladies and gentlemen, May I please have your attention," Emmett announced. "I was given an important job and that was to make sure our Bella had a Birthday cake that reflected her." The waiter rolled in a three-tiered pink and black cake with a replica of my glock gracing the top of it. I loved it, Emmett did a damn good job with what he'd picked for me.
"Thank you Emmett, It's beautiful," I said hugging him.
"I didn't think you would want tiaras and flowers even though Miss Brooke said you can't have a cake without it," he said grinning.
The evening wound down with me opening up presents. Brooke got me a sister spa package which I just adored, any reason to spend more time with her was amazing. Jasper and Alice got me a G.P.S. enabled diamond bracelet. Rose and Emmett got me a Kindle loaded with all my favorite books. Edward's gift was the smallest, which was just an eight by ten picture of a beautiful boat, I would even venture to say it was what hey call a yacht.
"What is this?" I ask looking at Edward.
"I had it made for you, this is the Lady Swan. I remember you telling me that when you were a kid that you wanted to see the world and travel, well Bella this is me giving you the world," Edward answered.
I looked up at him teary-eyed and lean into him to kiss him. His tongue seeking entrance as it glided along my bottom lip.
"Ahem! There are Children here," Brooke said giggling, making us all laugh.
"Thank you baby, I love her."
A few moments later we were all sitting at around telling stories. Carlisle told the story about the time Antonio hired a stripper to work at Zanna only to find out after he hit on her that Miss Diamond was swinging a huge set of balls under that skirt.
Charlie regaled us with a story of their fishing trip in Alaska. They'd stopped at a remote fishing village for lunch where the special of the day was rocky mountain oysters. Carlisle ate his weight in them and proclaimed to be the best oysters he ever had. It wasn't until after they left did Charlie tell him he was eating Bull testicles. Carlisle threatened to shoot him.
We were laughing and for a while we were just a normal family. This was our thing.
I was holding my stomach laughing at Jasper's story about Emmett. When they were in school Jasper told him that their English teacher Mrs. Kubrick liked him and that she told Jasper to tell him to meet her in the classroom naked after school. Well Emmett being young dumb and full of cum, Jaspers words not mine, went. Thirty seconds after she went in. Mrs. Kubrick ran out the room screaming and ranting about anacondas and brain bleach. Edward and Jasper were watching outside the door and took pictures.
"Sissy, you forgot one present," Brooke said holding, a large rectangular box. I lifted the lid and a god awful smell hit me full force, it was rancid and foul. The lid fell to the floor and seconds went by before I realized what I was looking at:
A dead black swan with a note attached that said: You're Next!
I couldn't do anything but stare and go numb as the rest shouted and cussed around me. Edward snatched the box out of my hand and effectively brought me out of my shock. I looked around the room and Marcella was beside Esme their hands covering their mouths horror.
I didn't believe her for one minute. It looked as if she were staging and forcing the shock on her face.
I was across the room and had her by the neck within seconds. I threw Marcella across the table where the leftover cake is displayed and shouted.
"I know you did this, you stupid bitch."
Info: the three dress and cake idea is something that is unique to a close friend's family... its symbolizes the past , present and future
PR Note: Hi everyone, I just wanted to take a moment and say I'm sorry for the delay in this chapter. Insert sent it to me about 2-3 weeks ago, but my hubby went on a business trip taking my lappy with him, so I was delayed from being able to DL and work on it. Then when he finally got back I planned on working on and I was dropped a bomb that I have two months to find a house and pack because he is being transferred across the country. So please don't be mad at Insert for this taking so long it is all my fault and she is amazing enough to wait for me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and support as well. OOEG.
AN: Thank you your patience and love.. next chapter is EPOV and it is finished. Thanks to One of eddies girls... I wish all the luck on her move. The awesome readers in the mobwife group lots of love.. Chicago Mobwives is now on Vh-1... I am soaking up the reasearch. love it