Weather the Storm

by SexyLexiCullen

Part Two: How does the head of the world's most powerful crime family juggle being a father, husband, and boss? Surrounded by trouble, Edward tries to manage his organization while struggling to spend time with his children and wife, Bella. Sequel to Quiet Storm. EDITED TO MEET THE TOS. FULL STORY CAN BE FOUND ON TWCS, where you'll need to log-in. A few passages are missing

25. Intricate Dance

Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA.

Huge thank you to everyone still reading and reviewing. I've been a total fail at getting replies out, and for that I apologize. Know that I am thankful to everyone who still reads, enjoys, and leaves me their thoughts.

Thank you!

"Weather the Storm"

Chapter Twenty-Five: Intricate Dance

Sitting and bullshitting with Aro has become easier and easier as the weeks have gone by. We don't speak about certain things, like, my wife. Well, I do, but he doesn't comment about his issues regarding her—if he even has any. I have no idea. Bella has come to accept Aro as just my associate. If she feels otherwise, she hasn't mentioned it, and they don't speak.

I never forbade Aro from speaking to her; I just suggested they not be so buddy-buddy. They choose not to converse—she doesn't even say "hello" or greet him. But since they have no problems with the way things are now, I don't bring it up.

"So . . . let me get this straight." Carlisle sat up in his chair, wearing a smile and leaning toward Aro. "You took the niece out, but then got down with the aunt?"

Aro wore a coy smile, while he rubbed his forehead. "There's no way you're more surprised than I was—she just threw herself at me. That never happens—since when am I that lucky?" he laughed.

I laughed, too, and then sipped my soda. Since I've been drinking so much lately, Bella asked me to tone it down a bit. It's not like I'm a fall-down drunk, I just come home smelling like booze every night.

And since I'm home, I found that to be a reasonable request.

"That's just wrong."

Aro's head and mine whipped to Carlisle after he said that.

"You—" Aro pointed to him, "are going to judge me?" He poked his own chest. "I was surprised as fuck. She. Threw. Herself. At. Me . . . and you," he laughed, "and you expect me to turn her down?" He shook his head. "That shit was hot."

Carlisle widened his eyes and arms. "Well, what'd you tell the niece—what'd she tell her niece?"

Aro blew out a breath. "I have no idea. Gina's called me, but we haven't spoken about that, and Charlotte hasn't called me. I don't know—we're going out this weekend."

"A second date?" Carlisle nodded. "Good for you. She must've loved the cannoli."

"The first—what happened wasn't a date." Aro chugged his beer. "She's the type you wine and dine, though . . . regardless of what she did." He raised a brow at me.

I pointed to him. "You said we know her?" Cocking a brow, I leaned back in my chair.

Aro nodded. "She used to work at La Bella Italia, while Misone still owned it." He stared at me. "Gina Bertinelli . . . ring a bell?"

"Doesn't right away." I thought about it for a moment. There was a Gina who has worked at La Bella Italia for years, but I don't know her other than her waiting on my table. She's about fifty years old, too, still works there, and I think her last name is Serrano or something. Her father used to do the meat deliveries. "Nope . . . Bertinelli? No. Can't say I know her."

"I don't remember either." Carlisle looked to me. "If she was hot, I'd remember. Trust me. It's all stocked." He tapped his temple.

"You're such an ass." I chuckled, taking a sip of my Mountain Dew.

Aro jerked his chin to me. "She says Skip popped her cherry—"

Reflexively, I spit out my soda and even choked on some. "No." I rasped, coughing a bit.

"Yeah," my brother agreed with me. "That shit used to freak him out." He was correct on that one. When I was senior in high school, I took some girl's virginity, and then she got clingy. I vowed to never be that guy. Chicks think it's something special, and none of that interested me. Funny how, I would've given anything just to be the one to take Bella's—to be her only and her mine.

Aro shook his head. "She said she never told you she was a virgin—you guys got it on in the storage room in the back."

I sighed, still not remembering. "Buddy, there were a lot of girls in many . . . storage areas—places," I whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Carlisle laughed. "Afraid Bella bugged your office? That was so long ago."

I shrugged, pursing my lips. "Maybe back in the day I was a whore, but I don't think my wife has to be reminded of that fact at every fucking turn," I grumbled. "It's disrespectful—"

"Especially since you'd lose your fucking mind if you ever met any of her old—"

"Shut up." I snapped.

My brother laughed at me.

"You really can't remember?" Aro asked.

"You didn't remember Mary Rose." Like I told my wife over two months ago, I only recall those who were tag-teamed, those who were part of a threesome, or the nasty—bad sexual experiences.

He shrugged his shoulders, slumping back. "How many fucking Mary Roses lived in the neighborhood—who've never left. It's like everyone named his or her daughter Mary Rose. I've probably boffed more than one." He ended with a laugh.

"Sansone—Bay Ridge heirloom, got passed down," I said. "Fort Hamilton Park?"

"Nope." Aro sighed.

"I remember Mary Rose Sansone." Carlisle nodded. "I took her out to dinner, and then—"

"She would've done it for a bag of chips and a 22 of Coors." I chuckled, knowing I was going to hell.

Carlisle rolled his eyes. "I liked the sister better." He smiled. "She was always so shy and sweet . . . and now she's a nun." He frowned. "Whatta waste."

"What's the deal with you and the nun?" Aro asked me.

I groaned. "I think she came with the house—I swear it. She's going to be Dame's teacher, but she takes walks and our crib is in her path, and so she drops by. Mostly, she tries to be cordial with Bella. My wife thinks she's weird. I don't know. All I do know is that I get stuck all the time talking to her."

"So this weekend." Aro clapped. "Usher's gonna be at Midnight Sun . . ."

"I'll be there. The boys will be at camp and guess who we got to babysit Kylie?" I laughed.

Aro shrugged, and Carlisle looked excited. "Whoever it is, you think they'll sit with Ant? I'd ask Esme, but she's going to the Bahamas with her mother while the girls are gone. She's leaving the day after tomorrow, and . . . even if she wasn't." His face fell. "It'd be awesome to see the show."

I pursed my lips. "Maybe . . . Bella and Jackie don't get along, but Jackie didn't say no to me. And Bella, despite her personal feelings, knows that Jackie is pretty good with kids. She and Dad are going to keep Kylie for the night, so . . ." I smiled, thinking about a carefree night out with my wife.

"Bet . . . Dad'll hang onto Ant." Carlisle nodded.

"I'm thinking about bringing Gina." Aro stared at me again.

"Dude . . . I don't remember this chick," I said. "And if you truly have a problem with something that happened . . ."

"Thirteen, probably fourteen years ago," he said.

"What? And you expect me to remember?" I asked, laughing.

"You remember that one—Mary Rose . . ."

I shook my head, wondering what the fuck his problem was. "Maybe she lied, but if you have a problem . . . bro, I can't take back the past. Don't see her anymore."

"She's cool—goes with the flow and kind of knows what I do," Aro said so low. "She doesn't know, know, but—" he waved a hand. "Fuck it. Maybe she did lie. I don't know."

Carlisle laughed. "I think more women would lie about NOT sleeping with Edward." He turned to slap Aro's hand. "I truly commend you for staying faithful. You were worse than me . . . on my best days."

Before I could argue, there was a knock, and we all turned to the door. "Come in," I said.

Bella poked her head in to smile. "Dinner's almost ready . . . are they staying?" She waved to Carlisle and Aro.

My wife looked gorgeous with her wet hair up in a messy bun. She wore a pair of long shorts and a t-shirt, and she looked like a kid. It made me smile so wide—just the sight of her.

Today, she took the kids to the beach, and that's why I decided to stay home—talk with my guys here. They came home a little while ago, and then I heard what must have been all the showers going.

"Uh, no, they're not." I shook my head.

"Okay." She waved again, closing the door.

As soon as she was gone, Aro rubbed his stomach. "I could eat."

"So could I," Carlisle said.

"Go get a slice or something." Now I felt bad, since Anthony's here. He went with Bella and the kids today. "Do what you want, just go tell Bella."

"I'm kidding." My brother smirked.

"I should get going . . . gotta take AJ to the mall before it's too late. He needs a new sleeping bag." Aro stood up. "It's not cool enough or something."

I gave them both a wave as they left my office. Then I just sat there, enjoying the quiet. My new office is downstairs. It's right off of the living room, the nice one. My wife made sure we had two sitting rooms—one for the kids, which is also down here, and one for guests, which doesn't have a television. The theater room is down here, too, along with the kitchen.

All the bedrooms are upstairs, just like our old house. I really liked the schematics of our new place. My office is more private—not like my old one, which was down the same hall as all the bedrooms.

"Boo!" Bella barged in with Kylie in her arms. "You didn't even jump."

I laughed. "Was I supposed to grab my heat?"

"No." She came over to place our daughter in my arms. "I lied. Dinner isn't almost ready." She sat on my lap, too. "The boys leave tomorrow—thought we should all hang or something without company."

I smiled, nuzzling my nose into Kylie's hair. Just like her mother, my daughter's hair always smells amazing. "What'd you have in mind?" Turning my head, my wife's cleavage was in my line of sight, and now I wanted to motorboat those puppies. Instead, I dipped to bite her heart-shaped locket to take it out from between her breasts.

She giggled, leaning back. "How 'bout a movie in the big room? We haven't used it yet, and the pizza should be here in twenty."

"Sounds like a plan." I kissed her cheek.

"No!" Kylie said sternly.

"No?" I asked.

"Da-da-da-da," she sang, grabbing for my chain.

"Wish she'd say more, like, without us coercing her . . . Anthony is three, and he's so well spoken, speaking in full sentences. Kylie speaks more and more every day, but—"

I hummed. "You'd never believe it, but my brother was a genius—still is. Me, not so much," I laughed. "Carlisle was reading by the time he was four. She'll talk more when she's ready." I kissed my daughter's cheek. Kylie knows her colors and understands when we talk. She also has no problem voicing her wants and when she doesn't agree with something. She knows numbers, too, can point them out when you ask. I did a puzzle with her the other day and asked her to bring me the red "A", and she did so.

"Kylie, what does the cow say?" Bella smiled.

"Moo." It came out as soft as a whisper—so short and adorable, almost like a sigh.

I felt so proud. "My baby girl is smart—"

"Bebe." She hit my chest.

"Oh . . ." I let out a small whine, hugging my two favorite women. "I love you guys so much." Feeling mushy, I held them tighter and wished the boys were in here, too.

"Kylie, where's . . . Daddy's nose?" Bella asked, and Kylie poked her own nose. "No, Daddy's nose."

"Da-da-da-da," she sang again.

"I'm trying. We're doing puzzles and working on the alphabet . . ." my wife sighed. "Did you know there's a waiting list for St Anselm preschool?" Bella shook her head, leaving my lap. "There's that Tiny Tots place, but the school is better. I put Kylie on the list, so by the time she's three . . . well, I hope—"

"Don't worry about it." I nibbled on Kylie's cheek. "Daddy's gonna eat you—"

"No!" She pushed me away.

"They'll have a spot for her." I gave Bella a look, wondering how she could question such a thing.

"I ran into Tavia today at the park." She frowned.

"I thought you went to the beach?" I asked.

"Nope . . . we were at the park, had a picnic and the kids went ape shit at the sprinklers . . . We went to the beach yesterday."

"Oh."

"Tavia seems lost . . . just walking around the neighborhood." Bella moved her arm with a flourish. "I bet she's bored with school not in session. Anyway," Bella sat across from me, "she says the earlier we work on stuff with Kylie, the smarter she'll be in the long run. Like, she'll know her ABCs before she even goes to preschool—know how to read and write her name before Kindergarten. I knew that already—did it with the boys. I mean, there's not much else to do during the day. So, we go to the park, and I work with Kylie, and I—"

"Baby—"

"Bebe!"

Chuckling, I asked, "Are you okay?" My wife said that whole speech without taking a breath. "How much coffee have you had?"

Bella blinked. "None since this morning. It's just—well, you're home early. When you come home late, we don't get the chance to talk, and it's just me and the kids all day . . . I love it; don't get me wrong. It's just nice to speak to an adult—"

"Esme's been home with the girls—"

Bella scoffed at that.

"She's no threat to me," I whispered. "I wish you'd let it go—all of that . . . it's not our problem. That's Carlisle's headache, just like Lauren is Aro's. You can be friends with them . . . I just can't see how marital problems can destroy a friendship youse have shared for over a decade." I totally spoke out my asshole. "Lauren didn't cheat on you; she cheated on Aro—and Aro's already dating some chick."

She waved a hand. "Lauren and me always fight and threaten each other, and then we're friends days later—we're fine, I guess. We talk shit, although I know one day we'll come to blows," she laughed. "I mean, I hate what she did to Aro—not the cheating crap. I just can't believe she'd leave him in the hospital like that—I can't let that go, but . . . you know me." She shrugged.

But she wasn't finished. "We're all going to brunch tomorrow, even Nicole, after we put the kids on the bus." She ended with a whisper, blowing out a breath. "It just feels so fake." She shuddered. "It's vomit inducing . . . how the both of them can just sit there and act like, like nothing's wrong. And I'd rather not chill one-on-one with Esme. I might just smack her for that stunt she tried with Aro." My wife folded her arms across her chest, wearing a pout. "You think I'm mad about the Candace stuff," she whispered, "but I'm not. I'm mad about the other stuff."

"Bella, baby, don't worry about me. Okay?" I raised a brow. "I don't feel she's a threat—"

"Maybe she's not, but whichever . . ." she stared at Kylie, "dingbat she approaches with some cash might be," she ranted, barely above a whisper.

I nodded. "I know you worry." As I cradled my daughter, she started to squirm. "But don't." I stood up, placing Kylie on the floor. She ran right into the small couch I have, slamming her face into the cushions while she laughed. "Little knucklehead."

"You swear?" Bella asked.

"What?" I looked to her, but grabbed Kylie before she could climb onto the sofa.

"Esme's no threat."

"Yeah," I said, just as our toddler did one of those wiggle cries to get out of my hands. "Here—take this." I don't do whiny.

Bella laughed at my choice of words, taking Kylie from my arms.

/=/=/

Eating in the theater wasn't the best idea. There were many "oops" and "uh-oh"s when the boys made a mess. The room was dark, and Kylie made her own mess, even in her high chair. Also, it wasn't very comfortable. We watched Aladdin, and while the chairs reclined back, I would have been more at ease sprawled out on the couch.

After the movie, I helped Bella clean up, while the boys kept their sister company in the den. Then we made sure they all bathed and that their bags were packed for the morning.

Sonny was excited to go, voluntarily going to bed before nine. Of course, he'll do anything to get away from his parents these days. In fact, I don't think he's stared Bella in the eyes since last week—when he and his friends, Aro's kids, walked in on us.

How the fuck were we supposed to know they'd come back?

Honestly, I don't know what's worse—Dame seeing us fuck or Sonny seeing my head between his mother's legs. Thank fuck Bella was semi-clothed both times. They've seen me naked—we have the same parts, and I have no shame—but that's beside the point.

Twice in a little over a week's time, we were caught—the only times ever. The Damion thing was a fluke. We're more careful than that, and I hope it never happens again.

That day, I shouted for Sonny to come back in, just so he wouldn't go bitching to my guys about what he saw—too bad I forgot about his friends.

Aro never mentioned it, but Lauren called the house to bitch Bella out after Aro Jr. spilled the beans—or more like just told her, inquired about what I was doing.

Bella apologized, as much as it pained her to do so. We were both apologetic, feeling mortified about the whole thing. Bella's just stubborn and didn't want to say sorry to Lauren about anything, even if we were wrong—which I don't believe we were.

It was one of those once in a blue moon things.

When I tried to talk to Sonny about it, he didn't want to hear it; telling me he knew exactly what we were doing.

And he's given us both the cold shoulder ever since.

While Sonny would rather I'd never touch his mother again, Damion thinks naked wrestling is cool.

My youngest son also doesn't want to go to camp—Anthony needs him and he's going to miss us, as per Damion. He did the same thing last year—crying about leaving us—but was fine by the second day. There's just so much shit they can do. Hell. I wished my parents sent me to camp at their age, instead of just chilling—riding my bike around the neighborhood and getting into trouble. There's a lake, a fuckload of kids their age, and they do . . . camp stuff, like, games and group sports.

Bella never wants them to go, but they've been going for the past few years. They all go: Sonny, Damion, Hanna, Carli, Katie, and Aro Jr.

The only kid who doesn't go is Lizzie. My father's little princess won't go anywhere she can't bring her maid or nanny, who carry out every one of her requests.

Actually, my wife is even more melancholy about their future departure because she was away from them for so long—seems like too short a time between the kids being away.

Sure, I'll miss them. But I told Bella the same thing I told Damion two minutes ago. It's only two and half weeks—nineteen days—and we'll see them again in nine days for Parents' Day.

"Take care of your brother."

Sonny nodded, refusing to look at Bella. "Will do," he answered her.

She sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "I'll miss you."

He nodded again, not looking at her.

"Sorry to interrupt," I said, walking right in. I had been watching from the doorway—watching as my wife continued to try to speak with him. "Can we have a minute?" Now Sonny sat up, looking wary.

Bella kissed his hair, whether he liked it or not, and then walked out past me.

I squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek. "I'll be in in a minute."

She nodded, walking down the hall.

"What'd I do now?" Sonny asked.

I walked in and closed the door behind myself. "That's your mother. You look at her when she's speaking and knock it off with this attitude."

"I didn't—"

"You did!" I shouted.

He huffed, sitting back.

"You're young, so I don't expect you to understand. But you walk around like an encyclopedia saying, 'I know, I know'." I mimicked him.

"I do not—"

"Excuse me?" I thought he might be talking back.

He was smart and didn't reply.

"There's so much you don't know, but let's pretend you do." I sat on his bed. "I'm a man—that's my wife. And sometimes . . . I like to have my wife. When you get older, you'll know more about that shit, but for now . . . just know that privacy is hard to come by for us. And so . . . if you know we're home, and you're just arriving, keep in mind that this is our house—me and your mother's—and we may be doing whatever-the-fuck, wherever-the-fuck."

Sonny looked pissed as all hell, and I found it amusing.

"Being in the living room was our mistake—my bad," I admitted. "We'll keep in our bedroom from now on. But be mad at me," I slapped my chest, pausing to make sure he was following, "when you're mad at her, she gets sad—beats herself up."

"I'm sorry."

"Go give your mother a hug and kiss." I nudged him. "But knock if our door is closed . . . she might be undressing."

He smirked, standing and going for his door.

Once the kids were in bed, I was fast to jump into mine. Feeling utterly exhausted, I held Bella close and inhaled the scent of her shampoo. Everything was perfect, and I didn't feel guilty thinking that way—not waiting for the other shoe to drop.

.

.

/=/=/=/=/

Just like I knew she would, Bella cried as we all gathered to place our kids on the yellow bus. Camp Lokanda isn't that far north. It's up in the Catskill area—about two hours and change away. Damion surprised me by not carrying on, but then again my wife cried enough for us all.

"Be good." She placed kisses all over Sonny's face.

"Ma!" Our son cringed away.

I laughed, while I held Kylie in my arms. "Sonny's funny," I told her.

"Bunny," she replied.

"Close enough." I kissed her hair.

"MC gonna be okay?" Aro asked, holding Peto in his arms right next to me.

"Yeah . . ." I sighed, looking over to Esme and Carlisle. My sister in-law was a little emotional, too, and so was Carlisle—although he didn't cry. Anthony did cry, wanting to get on the bus with his cousins and his sisters. That was sad.

Looking over to Lauren, I saw her laughing on her cell phone, but then her kids were already on the bus. "They're going for brunch?" I asked.

"I don't know," Aro said. "She's doing something . . . Peto and I are going home to chill." He looked down to his son. "Right?"

Peto placed his hands on Aro's cheeks.

I nodded. "Same here. Wanna set up the kiddie pool and have beers in my yard?"

"Bet," Aro agreed.

"I'll see if Carlisle wants in." I walked over to my brother, who was bent low trying to soothe his son.

Esme was trying to push Carli onto the bus—she has the same issues as Dame.

"You wanna come over? You and Ant? We're gonna sit by the pool."

Carlisle sighed, looking between Anthony and me and back. "Wanna go swimming at Uncle Eddie's?"

Anthony sniffled, his little belly quivering as he calmed down. "O-okay." He wiped his eyes.

And that was that.

"That sounds fun." Esme ruffled his hair. It was sad that my brother kind of knocked her hand off of him. I have no idea how their shit works. They're trying to be a family, and yet Carlisle controls just how much contact Esme is allowed to have with Anthony.

My brother drew that line—Esme is not, and will not be, Anthony's mother, replacement mother. Carlisle can't forgive what she did, but he won't punish her for it either. She doesn't even know that he knows.

He's a logical thinker, too.

Making the mother of his daughters disappear won't bring back the mother of his son.

"We should get you a mop," I heard Aro say to Bella behind me. I stayed where I was—waiting to hear how their conversation would progress. I didn't even turn around. Knowing what I told my wife, I honestly didn't think she'd stick to it—not conversing with Aro. She waved the other day and said hello this morning. That's it, though.

"We'll barbeque, too," I said, straining to listen behind me. Not hearing anything while I spoke to Carlisle, I felt arms wrap around me.

"Sounds good," Carlisle replied, wincing as he picked up his son. "You're getting heavy."

Bella never replied to Aro. "Sorry," she said to me.

I turned to face her, but behind her my buddy wore a frown. "Why are you sorry?"

"I don't know. I know they'll be back soon, and they'll have fun." She sniffled. "I'm sorry for getting emotional."

"What about this one?" I kissed Kylie's cheek.

Bella smiled, pushing her hair back. "Yeah . . . you make Mommy smile." She took Kylie from me to hug her tightly.

I sighed, and then waited to see who was going in whose car and whatnot.

/=/=/=/=/

BELLA

/=/=/=/=/

At the Greenhouse Café, the girls and I enjoyed a nice big jug of sangria. It totally hit the spot, tasting fruity and went well with my French toast and pancetta. The conversations were pretty dull. And currently, they were oohing and aahing about the diamond locket Edward gave me.

The day we came back from Plattsburgh, Aro dropped something off for Edward. Never knowing or questioning what it was, I never asked. Then two days ago, he gave it to me. He waited—not knowing when the right time was. It was just a gift, but he didn't want it to look like he was buying my forgiveness—for that shit that happened so long ago. I really couldn't believe he was able to hold onto it.

Edward loves . . . things—material and otherwise, and he can never wait to give people their gifts. It truly is an adorable quality. He adores the surprised expressions and the gratitude.

I showed him how thankful I was the night he gave it to me. I wore the locket and nothing else.

And I told him we could have anal sex. Maybe I don't admit it, but I enjoy it, and we don't do it very often. He never accepted or turned down my offer—coming inside the usual spot, maybe before he could get to the back. It was all good, though.

Inside the locket, there's a picture of Sonny, Damion, and Kylie, only it's very small. So, I now wear my "E" pendant necklace along with my locket, which holds my kids.

"What'd you do to get it?" Nicole winked at me.

I laughed. "Well . . . I'm sure we can all agree, since April things have been—" I didn't continue, seeing the three other long faces around me. Lauren just didn't look like she wanted to be here, having no idea what I was talking about.

Nicole let go of my necklace, widening her eyes while shaking her head and sitting back with a whistle. "My hair's already gray," she mumbled, but her hair is really dark brown with highlights. It's obviously not natural. She's a few years older than the rest of us. "Caius had one of his friends—well, you know this." She looked to me and turned to Esme. "He had someone tailing each of the girls—Crazy. Never thought it'd hit so close to home, but . . ." She didn't want to continue. After Candace was shot, everyone was on alert, figuring no one was off-limits to New Jersey. Nicole doesn't know what I know, but she knows that Candace was Carlisle's girlfriend.

Esme let out a noncommittal hum and sipped her sangria.

"So, Lauren . . . how was Cali? I hear you're fucking some dude?" God love Nicole and her no-nonsense ways and her outspokenness. She really kept the conversation flowing.

"What?" Lauren laughed.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't bullshit us. It's not like we're going to run and tell Aro."

All of our heads whipped to Esme as soon as it was out of my mouth. "I wouldn't!" Esme protested.

Lauren let out a snort. "Aro knows . . . well, he's hinted." She shrugged. "He does what he wants, and I do what I want, and we're both there for the kids. Chris—" She paused like she didn't want to say his name. "Chris likes New York . . . but everything's up in the air. And—" she smiled, "I really am happy, except for when I'm home. You all think Aro is wonderful, and he used to be, but I-I—" And now she was crying.

"Oh . . ." Nicole handed her a napkin.

Esme scoffed at nothing. "Aro is wonderful."

"Esme," I hedged. Even I think Aro is a stand-up guy, I wasn't married to him. I can level with Lauren about that, although I don't agree with her actions—leaving him in the hospital, without a memory, without anyone.

"What? She has no idea how good she had it. Try being me," Esme hissed.

"Shit . . . my husband doesn't wear a halo either, but—" Nicole started.

"Screw you," Lauren told Esme. "Unless you were a fly on the fucking wall of our house, I don't want to hear about what you think!"

"He was faithful—"

"How the hell would you know?" Lauren asked. "Were you a fly on his cock too?"

I threw my head back and laughed, and they all turned to me. "Sorry."

"'Cause your marriage is perfect." Esme scoffed.

"Yeah!" Lauren agreed.

"Have some more sangria—we have a whole, half of the pitcher," Nicole said as she started to refill our glasses.

"Thank you." I sipped my drink, but they were all staring at me, even Nicole. "What?"

Lauren blinked, leaning toward me. "You have nothing to contribute?"

I shook my head no. "My marriage isn't perfect . . . however, I don't feel like sharing."

"Oh, come on," Lauren bitched. "You know almost everything that goes on in our marriages—"

"I've heard a thing or two." Esme winked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," she sang, drinking from her glass.

"I've heard a lot of shit about you lately. So . . . if you want to do this, we can." I smiled at Esme. "Go ahead . . . share what you know."

Esme shut her mouth, and I looked to Lauren and Nicole, who sat across from me. "We argue, have our problems like everyone else. But . . . we're good, solid," I told them.

Lauren snorted. "So . . . he didn't knock you around or cheat, and then give you the . . . bling?" She reached to gently pluck at my necklace.

"What?" I found what she said to be funny.

Nicole placed her hand on mine. "You can tell us. Caius has . . . before. It happens. They fuck up, and then make up for it."

"You bitches are crazy," Lauren spat. "Aro placed his hands on me once, and that's all it took. We were talking divorce at the time, but . . . fuck that." She started eating again. "The infidelity thing . . . well . . ." She didn't have much to say about that.

"Bella?" Esme raised a brow.

"No," I said. "I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Edward didn't cheat or put his hands on me."

Lauren stared at me. "We can be honest . . . or is Edward going to be 'upset' if you talk about your personal lives?"

I pursed my lips, nodding my head. "He doesn't appreciate it, yet that doesn't mean I can't. I don't mind keeping what happens in our marriage . . . in our marriage." There was no way in hell I was going to speak about my relationship. It will not become a conversation piece. I tell the three of them, and, regardless of their marital status, they tell their husbands. Then everyone will know. We all have secrets we have to keep. But there's always other juicy info that gets passed around—becoming misconstrued like a game of telephone as it does.

"No . . . you just get Aro involved," Lauren said under her breath.

I still heard it. "You have a lot of nerve. And no . . . I never got Aro involved. You don't know what you're talking about."

"You never used to be like this." Esme frowned at me. "You were scared of the world, but put Edward in his place, and now it's the other way around—"

Groaning, I grabbed my purse to dig out a few bills. "What is this, a roast?" I threw forty bucks down. "We're not perfect. We have problems, but I'll be damned if I have to list them to make you bitches feel better!" I stood up, and Nicole did too.

"We're sorry. Just sit." She rubbed my bicep.

Lauren and Esme wouldn't look at me. Suddenly, the two are in cahoots after years of not getting along. They didn't give a fuck if I left, which was obvious. It was unfortunate, since I wanted to have a little chat with my sister in-law—before she's not related to me anymore—while she's still kind of in the inner circle. Guess it doesn't make a difference if she is or isn't while I speak to her. Maybe I'll stop by her house during the week.

"I have to go," I whispered. "Edward scheduled his weekly beating and cheating at two, so—"

Nicole laughed. "All right." She squeezed my hands.

The other two still wouldn't meet my stare—not that I cared. I honestly didn't give a fuck, fewer Christmas cards to send out when they don't reside with their "husbands" anymore.

After kissing Nicole's cheek, I left the table to leave the restaurant. Nunzio was waiting for me outside, and I was able to see him throughout brunch. When I was close to the door, I heard Esme call for me, which provided me the perfect opportunity to get her alone. We needed to be alone.

And I suddenly couldn't wait to chat with her until later in the week. As the days pass, I get angrier and angrier—seething and stewing—in my frustration with my sister in-law. Just thinking about her makes my blood boil.

Truth be told, I know Edward is trying to show this . . . united front. He wants people to see that there's no beef within the Cullen family. So, when Nicole mentioned we all get together, I was all for it. While we ate, many people waved and said hello. We're obviously known around this neighborhood, and I hoped people would believe the ruse—that we're all friends and are happy. Blah.

Instead of leaving out the front door, I veered to my right and went into the bathroom, knowing she'd follow me.

Entering the bathroom, I went straight into a stall while I heard her high heels clank against the tile.

"Dramatic exits aren't usually your style," she sang. Through the crack in the door I saw that she was at the sink checking her makeup.

"You have a lot of nerve, Esme . . . and calling me dramatic?"

Her heard whipped to where I was, and she stared, wearing a confused mask. "What do you mean by that?"

Of course, Esme knows that Edward shares certain things with me. She wouldn't dare expect Edward to tell me something he hasn't told Carlisle. Oh, no. Esme has no idea that I know that she paid to have Candace killed. She also doesn't know that Carlisle is aware of it as well.

"We can all be a little . . . theatrical at times." I grabbed my new Glock out of my purse, using my foot to flush while I cocked the slide back. "You know?" I held it close as I straightened my purse on my shoulder—half-hiding my piece under my shirt.

"I'm sorry for being a bitch."

I opened the door and went for the sink. "Yeah . . ." Staring in the mirror, I kept my eyes on Esme. "How's your finger?"

She gazed down at her hands, puffing her cheeks, as I turned to her. There was a brief moment where I hit a crossroad in my conscience—it lasted less than a second—deciding not to second-guess myself, anger won out.

"Oh, you know—" She was still staring at her manicure, when I placed my nine to the base of her neck. Esme didn't dare move—freezing on the spot. "Bella . . ."

I stepped in front of her, digging my gun deeper into her neck. "You have a lot of balls—" I seethed.

Tears flooded her eyes even though they were half-closed. "Ed-Edward told you."

Smirking, I slightly nodding my head. "He knows . . . he knows you tried to . . ." I racked my brain for the correct word. "He knows you tried to sway Aro." Deep down, I didn't give a fuck about the shit she pulled with Candace, and I wasn't about to bring it up either. At the end of the day, Candace was fucking her husband. That day I sought Edward out at Eclipse, I was thankful—thankful I didn't clip Candace myself before I had answers. So, there we go.

"I don't know—"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about—" My heart leaped into my chest when the door opened. We both whipped to it. Esme was ready to scream, but it was only Nicole.

"Bella!" she exclaimed. She's grown a little too accustomed to certain things as well. In lieu of yelling or calling a cop, Nicole locked the door, and then rushed to us. "Bella, Bella stop—"

My gaze went back to Esme, not fazed by either presence. "He knows and I know, so . . . if you take care of him, you have to take me out too, or I'll come for you—wait for you!" With my other hand, I grabbed her hair, and her body bent backward over the sink as I stepped forward. "You can pay whoever . . . talk to whoever, but I can pull this trigger right here—"

"Bella, stop!" Nicole went for my hand again.

"Back up!" I hissed at her.

She was smart, stepping away from us.

"Esme?" I asked.

"I don't know what you're—"

"Keep playing stupid . . . and you'll continue to look like a fool," I laughed. "You have this perfect little charade—like you don't know any better. My father never taught me . . ." I mimicked a sentence she had said years ago. "The apple doesn't fall far. You just don't have the balls to get your hands dirty."

"Get that gun away from me." Esme grew a pair, staring me in the eyes now.

It made me smile. "Consider this a threat. Your life is forfeit if a hair on my husband's head is touched." I smiled wider. "Frankly, I don't give a fuck who does it—even if you have nothing to do with it. I'll kill you. . . Your buddy Aro, who you think is going to protect you? He'll help me get rid of your body—"

"I never threatened Edward—"

"Fuck that!" I spat. "You went to the hospital, tried to talk Aro into clipping him. My husband? My life?" Tears filled my eyes now, becoming so angry, but I refused to let her see me cry. "Get the thought out your fucking head." I backed away from her, placing my piece into my purse. "You know how things work. Instead of trying to stir the pot, why don't you just be glad you're not dead—for your past indiscretions?" I quirked a brow. Maybe I didn't admit to knowing about Candace. However, she might just know that I know now.

Esme cupped her neck, looking down to the floor.

And I had no idea what I was doing. Regardless of my threat, Esme is going to do what she wants to do. Why couldn't I let this go? Edward didn't care—sees her as no threat, but any threat—any-fucking-thing—puts me on edge.

"Are you finished?" Esme asked.

I snapped—my brain fucking snapped, and so did my hands. Without my gun, my fist came out to pop her in the mouth. She gasped, her head whipping from the blow, and before she could come back to me, Nicole got in between us. She held onto Esme, who lost her cool. I did first, but I was okay now that I knocked her one.

"Now I'm finished." Since I have class, I didn't spit in her face. "Good talk." I fluffed my hair in the mirror, and then left the bathroom.

My hand was stinging something awful. I couldn't let Esme know that, though.

"Hey!" Lauren caught me before I met up with Nunzio.

"What?" I wasn't in the mood.

She looked sheepish, and yet beautiful as the wind made her hair blow every which way. It made me laugh. Lauren really should go find happiness, even if it's not with Aro. Unlike some of us, she really hasn't aged a day, and I'd love to know her work-out regimen. "We might be in-laws one day." She smirked.

I hummed, looking behind her to the restaurant, wondering when Esme and Nicole might emerge.

"When he lost his memory, I was scared," she blurted.

I nodded, since I was listening now.

"I was torn. We've talked and . . . I don't know. Bella, I had my freedom in my hands, even if it was only for a few weeks. Can you understand that?"

"You used his credit cards—shit that was in his name. You didn't think he'd find you?" I asked. "You left a paper trail miles long."

"I'm not as crafty at staying hidden as I thought I was—wasn't thinking. His power—Bella, it's scary—hot when we were together, as I had no—no cause to fear it. But as long as he was . . . as long he didn't know who I was, I was safe."

"Aro would never hurt—"

"You don't know what my marriage was like." She sniffled. "I could never be what he wanted—a mother and a maid, someone to fuck when he wanted—"

"Lauren . . ." I let her name hang there.

"I wasn't raised that way," she said, hugging herself. "Marriage—I was taught it was give and take, and besides the kids?" She snorted. "After—when Aro Jr. was three, we pretty much ran out of things to talk about. I have so much resentment . . . when I was pregnant; I knew I made the right decision. No matter how much I loved Aro at the time, I didn't want to marry the mob." She shrugged.

"You knew—"

She cut me off. "Then—" She blew out a breath, staring at me. "He saw me . . . I had his child, and there was no hiding anymore." Her lip quivered. "I went with it and tried to be happy." She shook her head. "With Chris . . . he's nothing like Aro. So what if he's . . . poor. Aro owes me. Maybe you can't see it that way, but I raised his kids. I cooked and cleaned and was there for him, whenever he needed me, and . . ."

"Lauren, they're not 'raised'." I shook my head. "Aro Jr. is eleven. Katie is ten, and Peto isn't even two yet. They still need—"

She cut me off again. "I'll always love him because I love my kids."

"Lauren!" I wanted her to hear me.

"Just let me talk, please."

With a wave of my hand, I gestured for her to continue.

"When I first met Aro? He was older, so gorgeous, mysterious, and just—I was so young." She stopped, but what she says doesn't exactly match up with what I see and what I've heard.

Nevertheless, it's not my place to comment on her parenting skills—her neglect. 'Cause let's face it, lately Lauren isn't even around to be a mother to her kids. What I just heard was a sob story, something she tells herself to make her actions okay.

"Can you understand?" she whispered.

Maybe Edward—this life—has its hooks in me deep, because I honestly couldn't. "Of course," I lied. "We do the best we can with what we have." I made up some bullshit.

"Exactly." She hugged me.

I hugged her back, as I saw Esme and Nicole leave the restaurant. They approached us, Esme keeping her gaze low.

"We should do something." Nicole smiled at all of us.

Lauren and Esme exchanged a look, and I looked back to Nunzio. "I really have to go." My thumb jerked to him.

"Oh . . ." Nicole nodded.

I grinned, hugging her tightly. "We'll hang out this week?"

"I'd love to. I'll call you tomorrow?" she asked, and there was no reason for me to ask for her discretion.

"Sounds perfect." Leaning back, I looked to the other two. "We should do this more often."

Now that they were together, Lauren acted like she hated me again, and Esme didn't look at me at all.

"Right," I said, rolling my eyes.

Without any more words, I entered the car and strapped myself in while I saw the three women scatter to theirs. Marcello ran to meet up with Esme. Lauren—who had no one with her—ran over to her BMW, and Nicole walked over to some kid named Vinny who's been driving her around.

It was kind of bittersweet as we pulled out of the parking lot, as I had the sense that this would be the last time the four of us would meet by ourselves.

Instead of walking in through the front door, I bypassed it and entered through the backyard. Little did I know, I'd see the cutest thing ever.

"Everything okay?" Nunzio was behind me.

"Shh!" I was short, trying to hide and stare at the scene.

Edward and Aro were standing next to Kylie and Peto, while Carlisle was in the big pool with Anthony. Music was playing, and Edward was actually dancing—maybe he wasn't busting out any grooves, but he was swaying his hips just a little bit, which is something he never does.

"Come on, Kylie . . . dance!" He clapped his hands, while our daughter wiggled her little butt. "Yay!" He took her hands.

Aro was dancing with Peto, too, but my gaze stayed on Edward.

"Shake it!" Edward laughed, and Kylie giggled along with him. Then I watched as Kylie turned to Peto. She clapped her hands, and he laughed. It was just one of those perfect candid moments in time—the ones you want to freeze. "Does Mommy wanna dance?" Edward turned to me.

I had been caught, but shrugged it off. "Hey," I said, and then our daughter ran to me. Bending low, I hugged her tight, not caring that she was wet, and gathered her into my arms.

"How was brunch?" Edward asked, leaning over to kiss my cheek.

"Great." I smiled.

"Great," he repeated, nodding his head.

Thank you for reading.

Please leave me your thoughts.

v

v

v

3