Chapter 25
"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."
― George Burns
EPOV:
Things have been so hectic lately with Bella's recovery and me going back to work, sometimes I just needed to take a deep breath to try and relieve the pressure that begins to develop in my chest. It's like a bubble is forming in my chest and it continues to grow.
It was just last week when Bella moved back into her apartment with Alice. I'm not going to lie and say I was happy about Bella moving away from me, after all that has happened to her I really just want to have her by my side at every moment, to protect her from all the future hurt and pain that she may possibly feel.
After settling Bella down with Alice I was off to have an official 'Cullen' meeting at a local Italian restaurant, it was the place that we would meet when non family members would be attending our meeting, Carlisle was not comfortable having them in his house and all other restaurants are either too busy or we do not trust the owner to keep our secrets.
I managed to get to Bella Italiana in less than fifteen minutes and got a car park easily enough, I was happy because I was able to see my car from where we would be sitting in the restaurant. I had a few minutes to spare so I quickly sent Bella a text, just needing to know if she was doing OK.
B- How's the love of my life doing?-E
After I sent it I got out of my car, putting on my suit jacket that was lying on my back seat before making my way inside. Just as I reached for the door handle my phone chimed.
E- I am doing wonderfully, though I miss you already! Is the love of my life behaving?-B
I smiled as I read her text, I was about to reply when I heard my dad calling to me from inside, I guess my reply is going to just have to wait. I pocketed my phone and approached the table, clearly I was the last one here as Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper and Uncle Caius were all sitting.
"Hello gentleman.." I said as I shook hands with my brothers then kissing my fathers and uncles cheeks, a sign of respect to the older members of our family.
"How have you been boy?" My uncle asked me as I took my seat that was tucked right into the corner of the room; in fact our whole table was as far removed from the other patrons as possible, for obvious reasons.
"I'm great thanks Uncle, getting better with everyday. How have you been?" I asked him politely as I took in his outfit for the day a grinned.
"I'm fabulous!" He exclaimed as he tilted his purple feathered hat to show more of his face, he was smiling at me showing his perfect set of white teeth.
Uncle Caius was by far my most favorite Uncle; he is kind, caring, funny and flamboyantly gay. He has the weirdest sense of fashion I have ever seen, wearing all colors of the rainbow and will never change for anyone. He is as gay as the day is long but if you make fun of him for it, you will not live to see the next sun rise. That is what I love about him most I think, that he may be gay but he is no prissy douche bag either, he is a deadly motherfucker! He is also a huge flirt with the ladies.
"How's Pete been?" I asked about his most recent partner, he goes through them faster than I go through rolls of toilet paper. The genuine smile that lit up his face at the sound of Pete's name made me smile too, maybe this one was different for him.
"He is amazing…." He sighed as he looked down at the table, a huge smile still on his face.
"He is actually organizing a huge ball for the Seattle Children's Hospital, they need more funding so I expect to see you all there on the second weekend of December. I have already RSVP'ed for you and your dates." He said rather rudely but that's just him, he is a weird but loveable man.
My brothers and I groaned a little under our breaths, it was no secret that we hate formal events but supporting our family members is a must. We do not have to enjoy ourselves while doing so though. We were still talking among ourselves when our meals and drinks came, I was more than happy to rip into my Beef and Spinach Cannelloni while sipping my red wine. I was a happy Italian.
With our stomachs full and the lunch time crowds leaving it was time to get down to business, with my hiatus to take care of Bella I was itching to see how the business was going.
"So how have thing been?" I asked, I needed to be filled in on what I missed.
"Well, do you remember my old friend Stephan?" Carlisle asked me as I tried to recall the name.
"Yep, guy your age with dark hair and a nose that bent to the left" Jasper said with no hesitation, of course with his photographic memory he would know. Once he said that I instantly remembered him, I actually quite liked the man.
"Well two years ago we decided he would go undercover in the Volturi, he wanted the challenge and I wanted the information. I got a call from him a couple nights ago, apparently the Volturi had a big meeting four nights ago, turns out that Aro's son Felix has been named a Capo. We can all guess what his first order of business is then?" Dad asked me in a flat voice, I knew this day would come but I never imagined it would be this soon.
"He wants to ice me." I stated because there was no question in my mind that that is what he would want, Felix hates me to bone ever since I shot him in the leg three years ago. The boy can hold a grudge like nobody's business.
"Exactly, according to Stephan the Volturi plan on cleaning house. They have 9 major hits going out on our family as well as the Chinese, their main plan is to take out the next generation, so that when I die the Cullen's will have no-one left to run the organization. The same thing is going to go down Chinese too." Carlisle said as his hand few around, you know my dad is upset when he starts to gesture with his hands, it's the same with all us Italians.
"Damn, just as I thought things were going so well for us lately." Emmett huffed as he banged his hands on the table, I knew how he felt because there is nothing worse than finding out there is a cash amount lingering over your head, as well as over your whole family. I looked at Jasper to see that he was OK, I know he will never show his emotions but the fingers that he had drumming on the table were enough for me to know he was upset.
"I need you all to watch your backs, we are going into lock down mode until we have more information. You guys should know the drill by now, no going anywhere that is not a necessity, wear bullet proof vests at all times, avoid windows and all the rest on the jizz jazz." Dad said flippantly, we had gone into lock down so many times before in our lives that were all well aware of what is expected of us in these times.
"Fucking shit on a stick! I had tickets to go see the Sea hawks next week!" Emmett whined as he threw his folk at the distant wall, it got wedged in the wall at a perfect right angle.
"Suck shit buddy!" Caius teased as he took a long drink of his wine, a grin plastered on his face. Emmett and I flipped him off at the exact same time, bringing a small smile to both our faces as we high fived.
"What about the women?" Jasper asked, finally deciding to join the conversation.
"As far as we know they have nothing planned against them but we can never know for sure" Dad sighed as he skulled the rest of his drink, these situations have always gotten to dad. He hates the life we live even though we have no way out now. When hits go out he gets even more frazzled, waking up every morning and knowing that there is a high chance of having to plan one of his sons funerals really gets to him.
Carlisle has two personalities, there was boss Carlisle and then there was dad Carlisle. Boss Carlisle was who he was when he needs something to be done, or when we have fucked up and need a scolding. Father Carlisle was who he is now though, he was simply a worried parent who was relaying information to his sons. I hated seeing him this way, all worried and concerned. That was when you know the situation is really fucked up.
"How much money is on our heads?" I asked in curiosity, I knew that the higher the amount, the more people want you dead. Everyone wants a quick pay day and with the economy as it is, I knew someone would gladly blow my head off if the price is right.
" Seven hundred thousand for Jasper and Emmett, one million for you." Dad whispered with a dead look in his eyes.
"Fuck!" I murmured, everyone knows that the more money you have on your head, the money likely you will end up floating in Lake Washington.
"There is no need for anyone to go doing anything rash, we are all to sit on our hands until I find out some more info and then we will act. No harm is going to come on this family on my watch, everything is going to be fine." Carlisle told us and it really managed to calm me down a bit, I knew my dad would never let anything happen to his sons and that really helped to ease my mind.
Thankfully we managed to move on to a much lighter topic of conversation, our mum and her stupid antics, bring a smile back to everyone's face. We all told our favorite Esme story, like her burning our chicken parmigiana's then covering up the evidence with cheese, or when she got into a brawl at Emmett football match because one of the other mums called Emmett fat.
God she was the best mum we could have ever asked for.
After about another hour of conversation we all said our good-byes and headed our separate ways, except for Carlisle who stayed to meet with other non-family members. It was not until I got into my car that I realized I had five new text messages and two missed calls, Bella was going to cut my dick off for not replying to her sooner.
E- OK I was joking when I asked if you were behaving but now I am genuinely worried. Can you please reply and let me know what you are up to?- B
E- Is everything Ok?-B
E- Why have you not replied yet? You always reply super fast!- B
EDWARD CULLEN! YOU ANSWER YOUR PHONE RIGHT NOW!-B
E- well let's see how you like it when I don't answer your calls and texts-B
"Shit!" I murmured to myself as I hit call on my phone, of course it went straight to voicemail. I quickly typed her a text as I drove over to her place.
B- Calm your shit love, I was at lunch with my family and didn't hear my phone. I'm coming over to your place now, I'll see you soon.-E
I quickly stopped off and brought Bella some flowers, not because I had actually done anything wrong but because I felt like spoiling her, not even a few minutes later I was pulling up to her place. I smiled to myself as I waited for the elevator, the elevator that I am personally responsible for and went up to her floor.
I knocked on her door for at least 5 minutes; she was being such a bitch about something so tiny I didn't quite understand. Maybe she is PMS'ing or is just sexually frustrated.
"Come on Bella, open the door! I know you are in there I saw your car out the front!" I yelled as the door slowly opened a tiny bit to reveal a dripping wet Bella.
"Sorry hun, I was in the shower and didn't hear my phone or the door" She said as she got on her tip toes to kiss me without letting her body touch me. I was instantly hard.
"That's ok…" I said in a slight daze, most likely because all the blood had rushed to my throbbing cock.
"OK well I have to get back in, I still have conditioner in my hair" She said as she took a few steps towards her bathroom, I instantly flowed as I started to strip out of my clothes.
"And where do you think you are going?" Bella asked with a grin on her face, I froze as I was unzipping my pants.
"Getting in the shower too?" I asked with uncertainty because with the smug look she is giving me I knew it was not going to end well.
"No you're not, some of us need to 'heal'" she said as she used air quotes, a frown instantly found my face. Then she dropped her towel and before I could pounce she entered the bathroom and locked the door.
"And next time ANSWER YOUR GOD DAMN PHONE!" She yelled as she turned back on the water. I was then tortured for the next 15 minutes with her moans and screams, I have never been more turned on and proud.
A/N: So what did you guys think? Like, love or hate please review and let me know!
Merry Christmas everyone,
xoxoxoxoxox