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Ok guys here we go.
Chapter 29: Beautiful Love
EPOV
My whole body ached. I was running towards Bella and no matter how fast I ran she just got further and further away. The sky was dark and then a big black hole formed behind Bella who was holding on to a double stroller. I was calling her name, screaming till my throat burned. My muscles were throbbing; it felt like my legs were going to fall off. But I kept running, faster and faster. The black hole got bigger and I could hear Bella calling my name, but I could never reach her.
I screamed again, telling her to hold on but it was no use. A figure appeared from out of the hole and took a hold of Bella with one hand and then reached for the carriage with the other. The figured looked up at me and smiled evilly. I felt my legs give way and I was on the ground as I watched Bella and our babies being sucked into the black hole. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face; the tears were streaming as I clutched my heart and cried. In the faint distance, I could hear my name being called.
"Edward, Edward, wake up. Baby, please wake up. I'm right here." I felt my head go side to side, my body thrashing back and forth. Then a hand came into contact with my forehead. There was a tingling feeling where the hand was and I felt my body relax. That same hand ran through my hair and I heard the voice of an angel whispering for me to wake up.
It was then that I realized I was dreaming. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Bella was staring at me, concern written all over her face.
"Edward, I'm right here, it's ok. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." She soothed, staring deep in my eyes, her hand still running through my hair.
Then a whirl wind of emotions hit me all at once. The overwhelming feeling of failure, defeat, happiness, love, it was all too much and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was gasping, but the air wouldn't register in my lungs. I shot up fast, startling Bella. She ran to the bathroom and I heard the water running. She walked back in quickly with a glass of water and wet cloth. Sitting on the bed, she handed me the water and brought the cloth up to my forehead, wiping away the sweat.
"Edward baby, drink the water." She said, leaning closer to me and caressed my cheek.
I reached up for her hand and turned my face to kiss her palm, my lips lingering on her sweet skin.
"Please take a sip of this." She said in a shaky breath. I realized that I must be scaring her. I turned towards her, taking a few deep breaths trying to calm myself. I took a sip of the water, finishing it all in 3 gulps.
Placing the cup on my nightstand, I turned back towards Bella and pulled her to me.
"I'm ok. I just had a nightmare." I confessed, feeling myself calming a little. Bella's presence was helping, her petite little hands stroking my back was soothing.
"Want to talk about it?" she asked looking up at me, her eyes a little watery with tears that were about to fall at any moment.
I shook my head, not ready to relive the nightmare. Knowing she understood, I pulled her down on the pillows.
The sun was shining through the windows and I knew that we were going to have to get up soon. I looked over at the clock and noticed it was going on 10:30.
"Everyone's going to be here soon." I said.
Her head lifted and her body shifted so she was sitting up, gnawing on her lip. I let my thumb smooth it out, keeping my fingers on her face, as she leaned into my touch.
"Let's get ready and go have some breakfast." She suggested.
Kissing her lips softly, I murmured, "I love you," against them, then headed to the bathroom to rinse off the sweat that my dream had brought on.
Once out of the shower, I stood in front of the mirror again and just stared at myself. What the hell was wrong with me: I should be bursting with joy. I'm engaged to the love of my life, we are expecting twins, I'm free; Tyler and Mr. Smith are paying for what they did. So why the hell do I still feel so utterly despondent?
"I love you," Bella said, coming up behind me and kissing the spot between my shoulder blades, her kisses continuing up around my shoulder. I turned towards her, placing my hands on her hips and pulling her against me.
"I love you too." I said, kissing the top of her head. I just stood there for a few minutes holding on to her as if she was my life support. Hell, she was my life support. I needed her now more than anything. She was my reason for breathing.
"Edward, we need to talk about some revelations that were made while I was with Mr. Smith." Her voice was cracked and I could tell by the heaving of her chest that what she wanted to talk about made her nervous. I could feel her body trembling a little. It frightened me to know what would cause this kind of a reaction in her.
I looked down into her eyes, a frown wrinkling her brow.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Listen, you know I love you, and I'm going to be here for you. You and our babies are my life and no matter what happens, I'm not going anywhere. You are my home now, where you are is where I'll be. I need you to know that."
"I do know that Bella, I do. And I'm not going anywhere ever, unless you're with me."
"Okay," she took a deep breath and pulled me back to the bedroom and we both sat on the bed.
"This……this doesn't have to do with me, Edward. Mr. Smith, he did put a knife to my throat and he did grab at me forcefully but James was there, he never left me and when Mr. Smith got a little too dangerous, he stepped in. I was safe, but….."
I cringed at the thought of what happened to her. It took every bit of restraint I had to not move from this bed and go after that bastard. But what I didn't understand was why she said it didn't have to do with her. What else could possibly be so important to have her be this worried?
"I owe James my life." I said, pulling her closer to me. She sighed and pulled away.
"There's more, Edward. God……..there's so much more." She said hesitantly.
I knew I must look like a wreck and the way I woke up this morning wasn't the best for Bella but today was going to be hard as it is. I could tell by the way Bella was gnawing away on her lip that it was important and it was something she wanted to tell me alone and not in front of the others.
"I know it doesn't seem like it now, Bella, but I can take it, I promise. And I know that you love me and I know that we will get through this together. We're a family, right?"
Smiling weakly, she shifted her body again so she was sitting right in front of me; she intertwined our hands, her thumbs rubbing circles along my skin.
She took a few breaths then reached up and cupped my face. "Edward, what you're about to hear is going to be very hard. These things that I found out are going to shock you and it's not going to be easy to hear…...hell, I don't even know if I can say it." She paused and glanced down, staring at our intertwined hands. I could tell by the way her jaw was set that what she was about to say disgusted her. My mind immediately went to the thought of that scum touching her. I took a breath to try and be strong for her because if that was what she was going to tell me, I needed to be strong. I needed to be there for her and I needed calm my fucking nerves.
I heard her take a deep breath and let it out slowly, shakily. Her hands started trembling even more and I tried to soothe her with my touch.
She looked up at me with watery eyes and fear on her face.
"M-Mr. Smith and your mother were……having an affair." She said quietly. My mind went hazy and I started to feel dizzy. What the hell was she talking about; that my mother and Mr. Smith had an affair? It was a lie. He was just saying that to destroy me even more.
"Ex-excuse me?" I stuttered, letting go of her hands and standing up from the bed. I paced back and forth like a maniac, trying to catch my breath.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. But Edward, there's more. Oh god…how do I say this…..Edward…..she….your mom, she was…..she was….pregnant."
My head shot up, the tears were now streaming from her eyes. She stood up and reached for me again. Her arms wrapped around my waist and she held me tight, her tears staining my shirt. I couldn't move. I was dead weight. I couldn't even lift my arms. I just stared blankly at the wall in front of me. I was frozen, numb. My mind shut down.
I'm not sure how long I just stood there staring at that wall. I didn't know what to do, what to say, how to feel. I was so baffled. My mother and Richard Smith? How the hell did this happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen? How long were they an item? Would I ever know the answer to these questions? Did anyone else know?
Then like a tidal wave, I started to feel guilty, like this was my fault. She stayed with my father for me. She was miserable all those years, but she put on a happy face for me and what did I do with the sacrifice she made for me? I fucked up, I became a hellion. And still all that time, she continued to be with my father and part of me felt like maybe she did that because when I did come around I would still have both my parents.
"It was my fault." I whispered. Bella dropped her arms and I sat on the edge of the bed letting my head fall to my hands.
Bella kneeled in front of me and removed my hands from my face. I looked up into her eyes.
"Tell me what he said Bella, please, I need to know."
She leaned back on her legs and took a breath. "He told me, that he and your mother were lovers and that the day you called, for them to go see you was the day that she was going to leave your father. She never showed up at the location and then he saw it on the news."
"He blames me." That I knew. Of course he did, why wouldn't he? I've been blaming myself for years. Bella confirmed my suspicion with a nod of her head. She then stood up and took the spot next to me on the bed, wrapping her arm around my waist.
"Listen to me, please Edward. You can't blame yourself. You have to stop. None of this is your fault. You didn't force your mother to have an affair and you didn't force your parents to fight all the time. You were just a child when it all began. I know. Trust me, I know that you have a thousand questions and I hate that they can't be answered. But you blaming yourself or feeling this guilt is not going to help and it's not going to answer any of your questions or bring your mother back to answer them for you."
I stood up abruptly and walked over to my dresser. I dragged my hands from one side, pushing everything off, all of it falling to the ground with loud bangs.
"I just feel so out of control with everything! I always have. I feel like no matter how hard I try or what I do bad things are bound to find me! Motherfucker, I'm a magnet for trouble and aggravation and….I'm not good, I'm not good for you and I'm not good for this and…"
I reached the mirror and I was about to punch it after looking at my sorry self in the mirror but I felt Bella's hands on my back.
I turned around and she stood there right in front of me. Her gaze was intense, mad even. She stared me down and I noticed that she was getting angry.
"Shut up! Just shut up right now! Edward Anthony Masen, you will never….ever so much as think those words again. Do you hear me? You are good. I know you are. And I know that you are going to take good care of me and…." She grabbed my hands, placing them on her stomach. "And you are going to be a wonderful, loving father."
I pulled her to me, crushing her body to mine. I let my emotions take over and I scared her. I held her tightly, repeating that I was sorry over and over again. I had let my temper go. I hated myself for doing that.
"Stop saying you're sorry. It's ok. It really is. Come here." She said, leading me to the bed. She sat against the headboard and I laid my head on her lap as she ran her hands through my hair. I was allowing her to take care of me. I was breaking down. Everything was bubbling at the surface. I didn't cry, I couldn't, I was angry and I wanted answers. I wanted this to end. I felt like I was coming apart at the seams.
I thought about everything, I tried to make sense of it but I knew I would never be able to. I knew that I either had to let it go and just make a better future for myself or I could go see Richard Smith and get some answers. But today I wasn't going to think of that. Today, I was going to meet with my family and friends, talk about the next step in this whole mess, share our good news and just be with Bella, love her, take care of her and allow her to do the same to me.
I looked up at Bella and once her eyes met mine, I instantly felt all my worries disappear. She smiled at me and I sat up to capture her lips with mine.
"It's going to be okay." She whispered against my lips and I knew it. Her words were true. It was going to be ok.
The door bell rang and we knew that it was time to face the music. I hurried to get dressed and Bella jumped in the shower.
Opening the door, everyone was there. Alice, Jasper, Charlie, Jacob, some girl who I assumed was Nessie, Emmett and Rose, Carlisle, Esme, and in the distance, I saw James and Tori.
James was kind of hanging back, holding on to Tori's waist. I motioned for them to all come in. Esme and Alice were in my arms in a matter of seconds. They were both crying. After a few minutes of hello's and look over's I asked everyone to wait in the living room. Just as James passed me, I stopped him. He leaned over and whispered something to Tori then she walked away.
"I just wanted to thank you for taking care of Bella, and being there when I couldn't. It means a lot to me." I stuck my hand out to shake James' hand and he in return reciprocated.
"It was nothing, like I said, I owed you one."
"I know but, well, I'm not going to lie but I thought the worst of you and…"
"It's ok, everyone did and that was my decision. I needed to keep it that way for this work. Come on, man. Let's go sit down." James said as he started to walk away
"Wait." I called after him. "Did Mr. Smith say anything to you about him and my mother?"
James tensed for a moment then walked back over towards me.
"He did. But let's talk about later. We'll go for a ride or something."
Just as I was about to protest, Bella came down the stairs. "James!" She shrieked and then ran to him and gave him a hug.
"Are you all right? You saved my life. I'm so thankful, we're so thankful." She said pulling away from him then walking towards me and wrapping her arm around my waist.
"I'm fine. Not even a scratch." He said smiling.
"Let's go." Bella said pulling me towards the living room.
When she walked in, her dad stood up and pulled her into a hug. I stood to the side feeling a little on edge. I kind of felt another panic attack coming on but then Charlie walked up to me introducing himself and patting me on the back..
"She loves you." he said matter-of-factly.
I nodded, "I love her too, Sir."
"Take care of her."
"I will, as if my life depended on it." With that he sat down and I felt a little relieved.
Bella patted the seat next to her on the couch and I sat down, taking her hand in mine. I looked around the room that was eerily quiet until finally Carlisle, all business like, pulled out a folder and said we had many things to discuss.
"I'm kind of hungry." I said right before Carlisle was about to begin. I realized it had been way too long since I'd eaten and it started to catch up to me.
I looked over at Bella and leaned in and whispered. "And you need to feed our babies."
She smiled and then I heard the loudest squeal ever. It was worse than nails on a chalk board.
"Oh. My. God." Alice yelled jumping up and running over to Bella. She grabbed her hand and stared down at the ring that was on her finger. Bella blushed and looked over at me apologetically, probably thinking maybe I didn't want anyone to know, which was far from the truth. Wanting her to know that I was more than ecstatic about this, I kept my gaze on Bella's eyes and said, "I asked Bella to marry me and she has agreed." Then I placed my hand on her stomach and looked over at our friends, who were all smiling from ear to ear. "And we are expecting twins."
It was the first time I said those words out loud and my heart swelled with love as I looked back at Bella and saw the water fill her eyes, I leaned over and kissed her, whispering to her how much I loved her.
There was a round of congratulations and hugs and then more introductions when Bella realized that I hadn't officially met Jacob, Nessie, Rose or Emmett.
"Bella, how far along are you?" Alice asked. Once we were all kind of settled from the round of hugs and introductions.
"Well I'm about 10 weeks. I found out the day that you made me go to the doctors in Forks." She informed Alice. Alice looked at Bella, quirking her eyebrow. I could tell by her façade she had questions.
"Is everything Ok? With the baby I mean…you know, since you took that nasty fall, b-because of me." James asked nervously.
"Everything's fine, I promise. And you saved me, James. I didn't fall because of you."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Jasper added.
Bella looked over at me and smiled. "I wanted to tell Edward first."
Charlie then walked up to Bella and hugged her. "My baby is having a baby." he said, swallowing hard. I then heard him whisper how happy her mom would have been.
Bella's eyes filled with tears as she and her dad hugged.
"Well I think we need to get you guys fed and then we can all sit and talk." Esme chimed in.
After deciding on Chinese food, Esme went with Tori to go pick up our order while the rest of us stayed back and made small talk.
"Edward, Bella, can I talk to you two for a moment?" Carlisle asked. Bella was talking with Rose and Alice and I was listening in on a conversation between Emmett and Jake. We both looked over at him as he started to walk into the other room. I helped Bella up from her current spot and we followed behind Carlisle into the kitchen.
"Sit," he said, pulling out a chair for Bella.
"I wanted to talk to you two in private to discuss something that we need to hash out as soon as possible,"
Bella looked over at me, concern in her eyes.
"Bella, the Attorney General is asking for you. He wishes to speak with you right away."
I could feel Bella tense up.
"What's going to happen to me, Carlisle?" I pushed her hair aside and started to rub her neck, hoping that this would relax her a little.
"Well, honestly, nothing. You did your job. Edward was prosecuted. Technically, you did nothing wrong. But morally, he may ask you to resign and give up your license. Honestly, I have no clue. I do know that legally you've done nothing wrong. If anything, Bella, I think all he wants to do is talk to you and make sure you are alright."
I hoped my uncle was right and that the Bella wasn't in any trouble legally. I never thought of that during our time while I was on trial.
"Ok, I'll meet with him tomorrow." Bella said, shrugging her shoulders as if it was nothing. I stopped rubbing her neck and she looked over at me.
"It's going to be ok, regardless of what it is. It's going to be fine. All that matters is you and I and our babies. That's all I want now." I smiled at her, leaning in to graze her lips with mine.
"Edward," Carlisle interrupted. I looked over at him and watched as he took out some paper work.
"Listen Edward, as your uncle, not only your lawyer, I advise you it's best to close the doors of E&M Investments. The FBI got all your money back and I'm in the process of filing a claim against the state of Washington and personally against Richard Smith and Tyler Crowley. All of your investor's money will be returned as of 10:00 am EST Monday and I just think it would be better for you and all parties involved if you parted ways."
It didn't even have to think about it, I knew that I no longer wanted the doors of E&M Investments to be opened.
"I want nothing to do with the company any longer Carlisle, do what it takes to close the doors."
Bella tried to protest but I knew that I wanted nothing to do with the company.
"This is what I want, Bella. I promise."
"If you're sure, then I'll stand by you."
"I'm sure." I said.
She smiled in response and Carlisle handed me some paper work to sign that would close the doors to E&M Investments for good..
"Do you want to sell the property?" Carlisle asked when I handed him back the signed paper work.
"Can I think about it?" I asked.
"Yes, take all the time you need."
"What's going to happen to them, Richard, Tyler and Lauren I mean?" Bella asked.
"Well, they are all now being held without bail. A preliminary hearing has been sent for next week. The Attorney General is anxious to close this case. Tyler and Lauren will probably get 10 years but be out in 5 for good behavior; I'm sure they are striking a deal. As for Richard, well, I doubt he will ever see the outside again. Not only will he be tried for tax evasion and embezzling, he's being tried for attempted murder, kidnapping and falsifying a court case."
"Who will the new DA be?" Bella asked.
"I'm not su-." Carlisle started to say but was interrupted when Tori and Esme walked in saying that there was a swarm of paparazzi outside.
We all went to the window to see and they were right, the paparazzi had swarmed my home. TV cameras and news stations were everywhere on my lawn.
"And that was my last plan of business, you and Bella talking to the paparazzi." Carlisle said, walking up behind us and putting his arm around both of our shoulders.
Alice had put on the news station and I could hear reporter talking.
Sources say that DA Richard Smith was the culprit in the whole Edward Masen scandal. Mr. Smith, Tyler Crowley and Lauren Mallory are being held without bail.
Edward Masen was released from prison just yesterday and was last seen entering his home with Isabella Swan last night.
We have made numerous attempts to reach the twobut have been unsuccessful. We do however, have and inside source, who says they are parked inside of Edward's residence, surrounded by their families.
This is Cydryna Hughes, coming to you live from outside the Masen home.
I reached for Bella, pulling her next to me by the waist. "Carlisle, you tell us what to do and we'll do it." I said.
"Well I think that Bella needs to meet with the Attorney General first but in the mean time, we can send someone out there as a representative for you Edward."
"I'll do it," James volunteered.
"I think that may work perfectly." Carlisle said.
In the blink of an eye, Carlisle had the door half way open motioning for one of the news crew members to come. They spoke briefly and then Carlisle closed the door.
"It's all set, James. In 15 minutes you will approach the press and only speak about Edward. If anyone asks about Bella you respond with 'no comment.'
"Got it." James said.
We moved into the living room, Bella was biting her nails and pulling on her lip. I could tell that she was nervous. I pulled her hand away from her face and rubbed it lovingly, trying to reassure her that it was all going to be ok. I pulled her to me and she curled her feet up on the couch and rested her head on my chest. Rose came and kneeled in front of Bella, taking her hands.
"Bella, you have to relax a little, honey. Everything is going to be ok." Rose sat there for a few moments talking to Bella and trying to make her laugh.
Charlie and Emmett were talking with Jake and Nessie, while Alice went to the kitchen to help Esme and Tori with the food.
James and Carlisle were talking quietly in the corner. I laid my head back on the couch and let out a breath. Bella squeezed my thigh lightly. Such a small gesture was enough to relax me just enough.
I looked over at Carlisle and he looked at his watch then over at me and Bella. He stood up and walked over to James, thanking him for what he was doing.
James walked out the door and all we could hear was the continuous clicking of the cameras and the reporters talking away, every one of them trying to outdo the other. They pushed and shoved to be the one that got James' attention first. They were relentless.
The news station was on and we could see James stand at a podium with several microphones. Carlisle walked up first and said that James was going to make a brief statement on behalf of Edward Masen.
"Edward Masen is home and happy to have this ordeal over with and relieved to have his name cleared. I'm working with the Attorney General's Office and the courts to ensure that Richard Smith is punished to the fullest extent of the law for the crimes he has committed. The DA's office will hold a separate conference tomorrow. I will not be disclosing any information on Miss Swan or her whereabouts. However, I will let you know that she is ok and is resting with her family."
"James what about you? Is it true that you and Edward are friends that go back to your high school days and that you share a child with Edward's best friend who also worked on this case? Also, is it true that you helped the FBI investigate Mr. Smith?"
I saw James take a deep breath then look over at Carlisle. Carlisle bowed his head, as if telling him go ahead.
"Edward and I are friends, yes. As soon as I saw the case, I informed the DA. Edward and I hadn't talked in years and since it was Miss Swan's case along with the DA, I was able to stay on. Yes I do share a child with Alice, Edwards's best friend but that has nothing to do with the case and I will not divulge any information in regards to my personal life. As soon as I found out what the DA was up to, I worked directly with a friend and the FBI. I've paid for my wrong doings on this case not only professionally but personally as well. I'm not ashamed of what I did because it has freed an innocent man. That's all I will be saying. As I stated before, there will be another conference tomorrow regarding information pertaining to the DA's office."
James then walked away. He and Carlisle came back into the house. When they walked into the living room, it was noticeably silent.
"Thanks," I said standing up, "We appreciate it, more than we could ever possibly say."
"Any time."
"Let's eat." Esme suggested and we made our way to the dining room.
Once we were all settled, Jake and James explained everything, how they tapped Mr. Smith's phone right after James called to tell Jake what he knew. They went to Lauren and tapped her phone as well and how they set up surveillance on her. That was how they found Tyler.
I asked how Emmett got involved and he said that Jake called for him to help just in case the FBI wasn't going to go get Tyler right away. Jake wanted to do it on his own with Emmett's help, but luckily as soon as the FBI knew where he was, they snatched him.
It was so incredibly nice to be surrounded by all these people who care so much for Bella and I that they risked their lives and their careers to help us.
After dinner, Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper left. Alice needed to pick up EJ from a friend's house. Rose and Emmett had a meeting early the next morning. Charlie, Jake and Nessie were going to stay a few more days, they had a hotel room and they left as well.
Bella and I were sitting in the living room when James came in holding two beers and laughing with Tori.
"Want to go sit outside for a few?" He asked, handing me the beer.
I took the beer and gave Bella a kiss on the lips. Tori took my spot next to her and then Esme sat on the other side. They immediately started talking babies and weddings.
We stood on the porch drinking our beer in silence for a few minutes.
"I just need to know what he said, James. What did Smith say about my mother?"
James took another chug of his beer. "They were seeing each other for a little over 2 years. They met at one of your dad's Christmas parties and from what he said they hit it off pretty great. Then I guess they ran into each other a few times here and there, like at the market or post office. One day your mom was driving and she got a flat tire. She tried your dad but he never answered. According to Richard, that was something that happened pretty often. Your dad not answering his phone, I mean." He stopped to take a breath before continuing. "Well Richard was driving by and he noticed your mom's car and then pulled over to find her crying. She melted down about how she felt like a failure to you and to your dad and then one thing led to another and they were sleeping together. Richard thought your dad knew about it but could never be sure. Richard said that he was so engrossed in his work that if he knew, he didn't care and that he never said anything about it to her.
"The night that she was going to leave your dad, you called, that was the same night she found out she was pregnant and she had told Richard about the baby. He found out the next morning about them dying and that they were on their way to visit you. From that moment on, he blamed you and plotted his revenge, vowing that you would pay for stealing her and his child away from him.
"There isn't much more that I know. I know that you want answers and I just want to tell you that I'll go with you if you want me to. I'll take you to see him."
"Fuck, James….I don't…..I don't know what to do."
I was so fucking torn and mad and angry and tired that I had no clue how to feel, what to say, what to do. Things were just so fucking complicated. After everything I went through, from being an angry asshole to embezzler, to falling in love and going to jail and then becoming angry Jailward. Then, getting out of jail, having Bella, getting engaged, and going to be a father all in the matter of about 5 months. It was the worst fucking feeling in the world and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was so overwhelmed by it all.
"Yo Edward, man you're white as a ghost, what's the matter?" James asked, walking up behind me and putting his hand on my back. I closed my eyes tight and pressed my lips together. I pushed his hands off of my back and balled my hands in fists. I felt the emotions of everything surfacing and I couldn't take it. The anger in me came out full force. I closed my eyes again and saw the hatred of the guys in jail, then my mother crying for me. I saw Bella and our babies being taken away from me. I lost it. I punched the beam on the porch hard, my fist instantly bruising. All the pain I felt crushing my chest disappeared as I felt the wood connect with my fist. I felt like I had to keep punching it again and again, harder and harder, to dissipate the ache that was a constant reminder of how fucked up my life was. I heard James' loud voice yell for Carlisle before he grabbed me by the arms, pulling me away from the beam.
Everything was hazy, my mind was reeling. My blood was boiling in anger, rage, regret, all of it coming out in full force. Then it was gone, with one single touch, the feeling in my chest felt different and even though my eyes were open, I felt like I was opening them for the first time since we walked outside. Bella was there in front of me, her hands cradling my face, her eyes deep, and shining but sad.
"Come on Edward, let's go up to bed." She said softly, rubbing circles on my cheek.
I nodded, and then heard her tell my aunt and uncle she would call them tomorrow.
I followed her to the bedroom and she sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'll be right back." She whispered, moving the hair from my face and running her fingers through it scratching lightly on my scalp. I hummed in response and then I threw myself back onto the pillows as she walked away.
I slowly started to come out of my funk, my head was aching, and my hand was throbbing. I sat up quick to make sure that I was still at home and not dreaming. Just as I was sitting up, Bella came walking into the room with an ice pack, a glass of ice water and some pills. She reached for my hand and put the ice on my bruised knuckles. She then handed me the pills, tossing them in my mouth before I reached for the water and took a sip.
She sat down beside me, her hand caressing my thigh.
"Want to talk about it?" she asked, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"I….I…" I stopped and shook my head. I really didn't want to talk about it.
"It's ok, I'm not going to force you but I want you to know that I'm here for you, Edward. I love you and I'm going to help you. We will get through this together."
"I love you too, Bella, so much and I'm so sorry for…..this."
"Edward, don't apologize to me. There is nothing to be sorry for, I just want to help you. Right now you need to rest. You have been given a lot to deal with today. Just rest. OK? " I put the ice pack on the night stand and Bella stood up, her hands creeping under my shirt as she slowly pulled it up over my head. Letting it fall to the floor, she slowly started to rub my shoulders. I wrapped my arms around her waist, laying my head on her stomach, her hands still rubbing my tense muscles.
"Do you want to go see him, Edward? If you do I will support you and stand by you every step of the way."
Looking up into her eyes and seeing the love pouring from them gave my heart the best feeling in the world. I was lost in her. Every bad thing that happened flew out the window with the touch of her hand or a simple look in her eyes.
"I want to, yes. But not yet."
"Ok….when you are ready, promise me you will talk to me first before you go?" She begged
"I promise." I stood up, brushing my lips on hers. "I promise you'll be the first to know."
I started to remove my pants as Bella went to the suitcase that Jasper and Alice had brought over earlier. I peeked out the window to still see some of the news stations outside waiting to get a glimpse of Bella in my home. Chuckling to myself at the irony of this whole situation, I walked back to the bed and lay down.
"I'm going to just go and wash up. I'll be right back." Bella said, as she headed into the bathroom.
"Ok." I smiled.
I laid there with my hands behind my head, trying to stop my brain from going on overload. The shock of my mother and Richard wore off a bit. I guess I didn't blame her for finding love. But what got me the most was the way he re-acted. I guess I can see why he did. I don't know what I would do if I lost Bella or our babies. Hell, maybe we aren't too different.
I closed my eyes and remembered what I did to Raul and the only thing he had was Bella's picture. All these thoughts were running through my mind. It hurt. Then another thought ran through my head and the anger started to build up again, the guilt, the anguish of what I did. I was afraid of Bella going to see the Attorney General. I had hoped that none of this would get her in trouble but if it did and she had to give up her license, I knew if that happened, I would feel worse. FUCK! These thoughts are just tearing me apart. I was ready to scream, I sat up quickly feeling a little bit of sweat on my eyebrow. I tried to take some calming breaths. I heard the door open and looked up to see Bella standing there.
Her hair was down, thick waves cascading over her shoulders. A short white silk nightgown hugging her body so perfectly and the blush I love so much blessing her cheeks when our eyes met.
Every thought, every emotion, flew out the window. All that mattered was her. I reached my hand out for her to come to me. I needed her, I needed the comfort of her touch, the feel of her body, the love that she had for me. I needed it like the air I breathe.
Leaning against the headboard, she crawled up and straddled my lap, her knees settling on each side of me. I ran my hand up her silky night gown, caressing her calves.
"I love you so much Edward. I know this can't be easy for you and I promise I'll do whatever it takes to help you, to make you see just how much I love you and just what you mean to me. I know that right now your brain is going in a million directions and I can tell that you are on the verge of destruction but….just know, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. I love you Edward. Such a strong emotion doesn't do exactly what I feel justice. I wish there was a stronger word that could show….."
Tears welled in her eyes. I cupped her face and brought her closer to me. My heart swelled at her words and I swear that my bones were going weak with each word she spoke. I knew what she meant. I felt the same way. She was my everything, my life.
"I know what you mean, I really do. I feel it too…..here." I took her hand and put over my heart. "In my heart there's only you….and…..I want….I want to hold you close to me, I want to protect you, to love you, because your love has changed my world. No one has ever meant this much to me, ever. I love you. I love you." I pulled her down to me, kissing her lips. She moaned softly and I pushed her bottom firmly against me.
"Edward." She whispered and looked at me through her thick beautiful eyelashes.
"Let me make love to me; let me show you how me, I need you." I confessed, rubbing her hands up and down my arms and massaging in slow, lazy circles.
If I were to live for forever, I don't think there would ever be a way to truly show her just how much I really love her.
She leaned up and I could see her rose-tinted nipples peaking through the silk that covered them. She rubbed up and against my length eliciting a grunt. I cupped her ass and moved her so I was now hovering over her.
My hand moved over her chest to her neck, I could feel the heat of her flesh as I caressed her. My palmed cupped her cheek; I loved being this close to her. It made me feel cherished and surrounded by her love. The other hand pushed beneath her nightgown, stroking her legs on the way up then circling my hands around her stomach till I made my to her taut nipple. Teasing her nubs, I felt the heat of her skin.
"Oh God," she moaned, her voice low and raspy. Electric pulses of pleasure surrounded me as her hands gripped my biceps.
I slowly lifted her nightgown as she sat up slightly to help pull it off. My mouth traveled down her neck till my lips made their way to her nipples. I could feel her heart thundering away, loving the way her body reacted to my touch. My lips were on her breasts, my tongue stroking the distended peaks.
She was withering beneath me, rubbing herself against my legs. I could feel the wetness of her on my thigh. She jerked up and I shifted a little so I was right at her entrance.
Her back arched of the bed, "Please Edward, I need you." She whimpered.
"Shh…let me make love to you. Let me savor your body, this feeling….."
My body was straining against my control and she could sense it. "Please, Edward." She begged, her voice low and raspy.
She sat up, pushing me back so my ass was resting against the heels of my feet, and straddled my lap, sliding herself down my length. I hissed. The feeling consuming me. I leaned back on my hands, giving myself a different angle. I pushed my pelvis up slightly.
"Fuck." She yelled, moving her hips up and down, her breasts swaying with the movement.
Her hands fisted in the bed spread as she continued to move. Her eyes were on me. I could tell but I was too engrossed with watching as my cock slid in and out of her, the sleekness of her juices shimmering on me. I moaned when she went all the way up and slammed right back down, causing her hair to fall in her face. Reaching up, I pushed it off her face then dragged my hand lightly down her arm to cup her ass.
I could see the glistening beads of sweat build up between her breasts and I fought the urge to lick the light petal of shine that was sliding down to her stomach.
With my other hand, I cupped her other ass cheek and moved her back to lying at the head of the bed. Her hands reached up and gripped the head board while her feet were planted flat on the bed. She lifted her pelvis and I drove into her deep and hard. I could feel the adrenaline soaring through my veins. Her hands were trembling from holding on to the headboard so tight.
"Oh…Harder. Please…Fuck Edward harder." Like a prayer, the words fell from her lips.
Harder and deeper my hips surged against her until I felt her pussy ripple and tighten around my cock.
"Oh, god, baby, I'm cumming…UH…fuck don't stop." And I couldn't. She lifted her hips higher off the bed, causing me to hit the spot within her.
"Oh ya, baby, does that feel good?" I panted.
"MMM." She responded thrashing her head back and forth then straightening her legs out and wrapping them around my waist while removing her hands from the head board to grip my biceps. I leaned down and kissed her fiercely.
"Cum for me again, I want to feel you come again." I whispered softly and deeply. She moaned and arched to almost a breaking point, her muscles drawing me in tighter. I went faster, causing her to implode violently. Her walls were pulsating around me, coating me with her juices, my name falling from her lips over and over.
I slowed down, holding on to her for dear life, kissing her lips. She was breathless but returned my kiss with just as much eagerness.
I pulled her a little closer to me, still sliding in and out of her. The feeling of her wetness leaking on my inner thigh was driving me into a frenzy.
"Don't stop Edward. It feels so good like that." She whispered reaching up to run her hands trough my hair.
I brought my arms under her back and held onto her shoulders from behind, my face leaning against her cheek, her legs still wrapped around my waist.
"I love you…I love…I love you…" she chanted in my ear. Her warm breath was causing shivers to run down my spine.
"God Bella, I love you too…you feel so good like this."
I was going slowly but the feeling of being connected to her like this, almost all my weight on her, it felt like we were one. In this moment our bodies were so connected that I couldn't tell where I ended and she began. I loved it. I loved the way it felt, the way she felt.
"I feel like we're one. I love having you this close to me." She said, nibbling on my ear.
My breathed hitched with her words, and my heart melted, our sweaty bodies were connected, we were connected and the feeling alone was amazing. I felt her body stiffen a little and then she convulsed around me one more time but this time drawing me with her. I pushed closer to her as I shuddered through the echoes of ecstasy that consumed my body.
I rolled off of her, pulling her into my arms and kissing the top of her forehead. She reached over to grab the towel that was on the floor and cleaned both her and me up then settled on my chest, running her hand up and down from my pelvis to my Adam's apple while I lazily massaged her spine.
"Edward?"
"Hmm."
"Are you going to be ok?" she asked, tilting her head up to look at me.
I closed my eyes, knowing that the answer to that question right now was a no. I wanted to tell her but she needed me now. She was the one held prisoner, she was the one pregnant. She needed me. But I needed her as well.
"I……I…."
"I know, baby, I do. We'll get through this together. We'll take it one step at a time."
"I love you." I whispered, kissing the top of her head then I started to hum her song.
"I missed that; I love you humming to me." She whispered sleepily.
I leaned in a little closer to her ear and I hummed the same melody that I had in my head the first night I watched her sleep.
I thought about all we've been through since that night and where we are today and yes, it may not be the best of circumstances now, but we made it through, and we have a blessing to go with it. I took my other hand and laid it on her stomach.
I kissed her head once more, whispering that I love her. A low moan escaped her lips and I smiled. She was my everything, my life, my heart and soul and even though I broke easy, I worked hard to get to where I am today.
Edward is going through a lot and I hope that I was able to show you how is emotions are all over the place. Send me a review and let me know what you think.
So we are nearing the end. Just about 2 chapters left. I'm going to give you guys some fun times though....I think you all deserve it....but you have to keep reviewing :)
Thanks again for sticking by me and being patient well I hash out my RL. It means a lot.
Review, review, review....come on you know you want to :)
CM
