Sassy41 OF COURSE he didn't run *heart* he said it 1st even though she was sleeping HA
Breanna15…I feel SO bad for you Disney *jealous*
Shaz308 GLAD you are caught up!
Snooplover60 HA!
Reviews - x thanks!
You all got SO many Chapters *I have lost count* of happy dappy times, which I did rather enjoy, but all good things must come to an end as they say!
ENJOY!
Chapter 26
Tuesday 13th November 2012
"I told Bella I love her"
Carlisle listens to his panting son. He smiles to himself. Edward is so accomplished in his life besides his love life. He is finally getting there. At this age, a 34 year old man finally experiencing these feelings. It is such a sight to witness. "Was she asleep?"
Edward feels like he is experiencing what most 15, 16, 17 year olds experience with their fathers, not at 34. He doesn't feel left behind but it feels strange. He wants to whine 'Dadddddddd' at Carlisle's questions, but he chuckles instead.
"Well was she?" Carlisle laughs.
"No, she was wake this time and said it first" Edward smiles to himself twirling his pen in his fingers.
"I'm happy for the two of you" Carlisle smiles. He really hasn't had a chance to speak to Edward about his trip to Forks until now. "Bella is good for you, you are good for her"
Edward sighs and leans back in his chair. "Do you think I am too old for her?" Since Jacob's words he does question it. Not necessarily Bella's motives, she is nothing but kind and good, pure even. But she is a young beautiful woman. He is 10 years older than her. Somewhere down the line that age gap will show, she may notice and not want him. He licks his lips and waits.
"No, I don't think you are too old of her, you are perfect for her, and she is perfect for you Edward"
"Thanks" He smiles.
"I'm glad you are allowing yourself to feel and let things run as they will"
"I am glad I got some sound advice" Edward smiles, his father is a wonderful man.
"Tell me, how did it go in Forks?"
"Good, great, I am unsure as to how to tell Bella, I don't want to trick her, or hurt her"
"My advice is, if it went great…"
"Charlie, her father is very much willing, wanting to reconnect, and Bella does as well, she is just scared" Edward cuts his father off quickly. He wants Carlisle to have the full story before giving him advice.
"That is where your role becomes important, as her boyfriend and lover, her supporter" Carlisle instructs. "Help her understand she can be scared but you will be there for her, she can depend on you"
"I will be there" Edward says. "She can"
"So if it went great, just tell her you contacted him out of love for her and wanted to reach out because you knew she was too scared, tell her she doesn't have to be afraid"
"Mom loves you so much" Edward mutters listening to his father. He is so damn lucky to have Esme and Carlisle in his life.
Esme looks at Bella. "My sweet girl" She touches Bella's face. She called up this morning and invited Bella to a quiet lunch. No Alice or Rosalie. She loves both women dearly but she would like some one on one time with Bella. No Alice jabbering about shopping or Jasper, no Rose bitching about Emmett, how wonderful he is being but annoying. Just Esme and Bella. She can tell the young woman didn't and doesn't have many female friends before meeting Edward, nor from what little her husband has said a mother figure.
Bella smiles. "If I" Bella shakes her head and licks her lips.
"Did Edward ever tell you I got pregnant again when Alice was 8?"
"No" Bella says with wide eyes. They are sharing a bag of chips and bought two sandwiches from a deli. Esme Cullen with all her regal grace can relax and take her heels off on a chilly November Seattle day in the park.
"I did, and we lost her" Esme sighs, she and Carlisle were a little older at the time, she was older. "Carlisle as a doctor was beside himself, for me, for himself" She shrugs and smiles a little. "Her name was going to be Grace, we knew it was a girl, Alice was so excited" Esme laughs. "Oh boy was she ever, Emmett also Edward naturally" She smiles. "He was such a mommy's boy…still is" She winks at Bella. "We can share of course"
Bella laughs, she crosses her legs.
"Why I'm telling you this is because" Esme sighs. "I feel like you and I" She smiles a bit. Esme nods. "Do you know what I mean Bella?" Bella is the age that Grace would be now. She feels like this young woman could be her daughter, she already feels like a daughter to her. She will do anything for her as she would for Alice, Emmett, Edward, Jasper, and Rosalie. Bella has made Edward so happy, a different happy from before. More than a work happy. A real happy.
Bella has never had a mother, and Esme is here telling her that she will be that, she wants to be that for her. "I do"
Esme touches Bella's face. "My sweet girl" She pulls the young woman in and hugs her tightly.
Bella lets it go and feels the warmth of a mother's arms around her. She is over come with emotions. From what she and Edward just shared to what Esme is sharing with her now. Bella sobs into Esme coat covered chest.
"You are our family now" Esme whispers brushing a kiss over the top of Bella's head. "We will take care of you, always"
Bella clutches Esme tightly never wanting to let go of anything thing, any part or anyone of the Cullen family.
"And I love that woman like crazy" Carlisle notes with a smile. "I think you did the right thing Edward…with Bella's father"
"Thank you"
"You were not doing it for you or for selfish reasons, she will understand"
"I hope so" Edward licks his lips and sighs looking at a call coming in on his other line. "I have to go dad"
"Tell her soon" Carlisle encourages.
"I will" He has only a week until Thanksgiving and needs to speak to Bella, get her talking even. Open the doors, her mind and heart; he will be there for her, to help her.
Esme kisses Bella's cheek as they stand outside the building which she lives in. "I'll see you soon, Sunday?"
Bella nods. "Sunday"
She loves seeing her children and their other half's on Sunday lunch/dinner. It is great because Edward can slow down from hospital work and is off he can enjoy the family time. "We have Thanksgiving to talk about" Esme smiles excited to have Rose, Alice and Bella with her for a few days before the men join them in Forks.
"Yes, right" Bella nods.
"Go in before you catch a cold" Esme shoos her.
Bella smiles and watches the woman head towards her parked car. Bella goes into the lobby of the building and smiles at Felix.
"Ms. Swan" Felix stops her. "You have a visitor in the lounge waiting" He stands and walks over to her.
"What?" Bella frowns.
"He was insistent that he wait for you to return home"
The word 'home' warms her insides when she hears it in reference to being with Edward. "Oh, okay"
Felix walks with Ms. Swan towards the 'lounge' which is like a waiting area as only approved people are allowed up the elevator. Since Mr. Cullen and Ms. Swan were out the guest had to either come back or wait. He waited.
Bella turns to Felix and smiles as he pushes the door open for her. Stepping through, she gaps at the person sitting near the window.
James turns and stands. His smile reaches his eyes when he looks at Bella. "Well hello"
Bella's eyes widen not with fear but with worry. Her mouth opens and shuts.
James walks over to her and takes her upper arms pulling her shocked body in and he presses two kisses to her cheek, either side. "Get rid of the suit" He mutters into her ear before pulling away.
Felix watches the two. "Ms. Swan would you like me to wait outside?"
"Um" Bella stares at James for a moment before turning to Felix. "Um, ah, no, no" She mutters shaking her head. "I'm, I am fine, thank you Felix"
Felix takes one more look at the man smiling at him before reluctantly nodding his head at Ms. Swan and heading out, shutting the door.
"You look good Baby, amazing really"
"I-I, what are you" She hasn't seen him for years, like her father; she can't understand where he came from.
"You are really looking amazing, especially in the high society…" He pulls a paper from his back pocket and holds it open to her.
Bella looks at the photo of Esme, Carlisle and Edward at the Halloween Masquerade Ball at the Cullen's.
"…pages. Red looks mmm, so good on you, Baby" He reaches out and strokes her cheek when she continues to look at the paper stunned.
Bella flinches away from his touch. "Don't touch me" She hisses.
James folds the paper back up. "I must say when you walked out on me, I was hurt, very hurt, I was in love with you…still am" He says wistfully.
"No you aren't" Bella argues, feeling the anger boiling inside of her.
James glares at her, he towers over her. "Take me upstairs"
"No"
"But I am proud of you; you have hit it big time, the Cullen's"
"What?" He doesn't seem to hear her; he is just talking, getting to the point of why he is standing before her after all these years.
"Working Dr. Edward Cullen, and his family, they are well known, the Cullen's…good girl"
"It is not like that" Bella tells him shaking her head.
"Take me upstairs, I wanna see this joint"
"No" Bella tells him forcefully.
"How much is he paying you?" James grins and his hands rub together.
"He isn't" Money, naturally is his point. She should have known.
"What?"
"It's not like that James I said, between Edward and me"
"What?" James frowns.
"Edward and I, it is not a job"
"Of course it is" He laughs. He stops and looks at her. "Baby, you and the rich doctor?"
She says nothing.
James breaks out into a devil like laugh shaking his head. "You're a fucking hooker, a street walker, you and Cullen, no" He laughs shaking his head.
Bella shuts her eyes, she knows she isn't worthy of Edward and hearing James say it so harshly, say what she already knows what she still thinks, hurts her. All this is despite their declarations of love late last night. One night of 'I love you' doesn't take away years of feeling like she has felt.
"Does he know…his family, do they know?" He can't really wrap his head around such a classy family in Seattle knowing this, knowing one of their children is fucking a whore, a nothing, nobody. And that family being okay with it.
"You need to leave" Bella growls turning to the door. She feels him grab her upper arm. "Stop it"
"I'm not done"
Bella sobs and tries to pull away only to be held more firmly. "Get off me" She fights against him. He pushes her so her back hits the wall.
"Calm down" James growls into her face. "I think this is a good thing, we can help each other" He says watching her struggles die down.
"What, no, leave James, let me go"
"You know Bella, it wouldn't look good for Dr. Edward Cullen if it came out that he were dating a whore"
"James, please" She shakes her head, when he releases her arm it drops to her side.
James looks at her, her eyes large brown orbs, something that caused him to fall for her. Her eyes show everything. He knew how he could get her; get her to do what he wanted. He knew when he had her, her eyes showed him. "You love him…them" James frowns.
"Yes" She whispers looking away, hoping the truth will provide her with a benefit. Hoping that James will be understanding and just go. He owes her that.
"Even better" He laughs. Using her love for that family will work because she might just do anything to protect them.
Bella shuts her eyes and presses the heel of her palms to them sighing softly.
"He was paying you, how much?" James demands.
"H-he wasn't" Bella stammers.
"Tell me" He demands more roughly. It clearly started off as a pay day for Bella. Because there is no way she would meet this high society surgeon at a hospital function. The only other alternative was he picked her up. Dr. Edward Cullen picking up hookers. Perfect! Front page news really.
"Two Hundred Thousand" She whispers finally lifting her eyes.
James smiles at her. "Your pussy is magic indeed, I always knew it was"
Bella wipes a tear away. "Please leave" She begs, he is going to ruin everything, and she can feel everything slipping away so very fast.
"Oh Baby you know I can't do that" Not with two hundred thousand possible dollars before him.
"James please, I am not…Edward and I" She can't explain it to him, she doesn't want to. He ruins things; he ruined her, what little relationship she had with her father is destroyed now because she picked James and can never go back and face Charlie. Face what she is. He just ruins things. And he wants Edward now.
James watches her clench her tiny fists. "Use that anger somewhere else Baby"
"Stop calling me that" She whispers harshly staring at him. "Go, go or I will get Felix in here"
"Call him in, and I can tell him how the brilliant doctor, the son of a doctor, the son of Esme Masen Cullen, she is stinking rich you know…" He did his research before coming here. He saw the photo a week ago. Everyone in Seattle knows them, knows Esme Masen Cullen. The Masen's are rich. Very rich. He watched and waited for the perfect time to speak to Bella. "…how he is fucking a whore, a dirty whore"
Bella wipes her tears away. "Shit" She whispers.
"Bella" He says her name very pointedly. "We can help each other, I need money, you have money at your… finger tips" James smiles at her, her eyes are wet with tears, her nose slightly red.
"James I won't" She shakes her head knowing whatever is in his head is not good.
"Fine, that's fine, you will lose him, them"
"I'll lose him anyway" She whispers, her chest aches at the thought.
"Yes, but it is actually good, then you have a new pool, you can service only the richest men, we would make a killing"
"No" Bella shakes her head quickly. "No, no, no"
"Calm down" He whispers harshly.
"No"
"Get me the money"
"How?"
"Use your magic pussy and work it right out of his pocket"
"No, James no"
James steps forward closer to her. "Yes, Bella yes" He mocks her. "You do this for me, you owe me"
She gapes at his comment. "I owe you…for what, what could I possible owe you for?"
"You walked out on me, took away all the money we could have been making all these years together"
"I was making it alone, me, you just took it" Bella reminds him with a shaky voice.
"You owe me" James slams his hand on the wall near her head, he watches her jump and flinch. She is lucky she needs her looks to do this 'work' or he would have shown her who was the boss years ago.
Bella nibbles her lower lip.
"You better think about Dr. Cullen and his family before you turn me down Baby" He warns her. "Think about how this coming out would look to them, to his mother, his father…the hospital he works for"
Bella shuts her eyes and swallows thickly. Esme what she would think, how this would hurt her. Carlisle knows but the respect he would, could lose if people found out what his son was doing. Alice and Jasper what they would think of her for hurting the family. Emmett and Rose. Bella licks her lips as she thinks. And mainly Edward, a man she loves, a man who loves her. She can't hurt him, he doesn't deserve it. He deserves to be Chief of Staff…Aro if Aro found out. Bella shuts her eyes tightly.
"You better think carefully about all the people you will be hurting if your dirty, dirty little secret comes out and it will if you don't get me my money"
"I'll tell Edward" Bella argues. "He will-" He will protect her.
"Think about it Bella, you are a hooker, a prostitute, he is a doctor, and you are just a piece of ass to him. A piece of needy free ass, you think for a second if you asked him for money or even told him about me coming here. You think he wouldn't save his own ass before thinking about you"
"He's, he is not like that"
"Oh Bella, get for real" James shakes his head. "You will be nothing to him when it comes to his family and you, between his job and you, his status in Seattle and you"
"I will have to lose him to get the money" She reasons, it is the only way to keep James quiet. Going through with the orginal deal between her and Edward.
James smiles. And he will win, he will have his money maker back because she will be back to square one, in need of something someone…him. Like when she was 16. And he will be two hundred thousand dollars richer. She doesn't really have a choice, either way she loses him, she better get used to it. She takes his money, gone. Doesn't take his money, her Dr. Cullen gets ruined and she loses him anyway…by default that way though. He doesn't really give a shit. What he wants is money, and Bella is going to deliver. She owes him.
Bella looks down; her eyes just dart on the floor thinking. Trying to think of a way out of this. Just telling Edward, but that would still make her lose him because James would spill everything still. Ruining his life, putting a huge dent between them. She would always be the woman that ruined the brilliant Dr. Edward Cullen.
"Bella, I'll be back next week for your answer"
"You can't"
"I will be" He says roughly.
"I'll be away with his family" She argues. "Thanksgiving"
James smiles and shakes his head. "Well, enjoy it"
She shuts her eyes slowly. His words make her reopen them and stare into his unkind icy blue ones.
"You don't belong in this world Bella…you know it is true, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. I'm saving you from the heartache really, break it off, take his money and break it off, this will never be your life"
Bella stares at him. She would rather lose Edward and the Cullen family than lose him by having her secret exposed, Edwards secret also. She is just a whore, a dirty little secret to a brilliant doctor.
"I'll be in touch" James uses a finger and strokes down her wet cheek, he feels her flinch away from him but he doesn't care.
Bella lifts her head when the door to the lounge shuts. She hopes Edward loves her enough to give her that money and let her go. She knows that she loves him enough to let him go. She has to make him believe otherwise and hope he will really do anything for her.
To wordy? UGH – chopping and changing, chopping and changing. Do we get what James wants, what Bella is thinking to do to get the money? Why she thinks this/that is the only way to get it and protect Edward?
Had it open for days this word doc...felt like days! And it still hasn't come out like I really wanted it. So hopefully no one is overly confused with the wordiness of it!
FACT: James was ALWAYS going to come back from Chapter 1