Hey everyone! So I managed to get one more chapter done before I leave for vacation. So I have a time line finally set up about how things are going to go with this story so I must say that we are making our way towards the end, but don't worry there is still quite a bit of material to cover. I don't plan on it ending soon. I plan to cover some adventures and highlights of Mary and Spencer's schooling, some of the wedding planning chaos and preparation for the baby, solving the James and Maria mystery along with the people that are making Maria nervous, pregnancy stuff, a special trip for spring break, Alice and Jasper's wedding, a surprise wedding from another couple, Carlisle and Bella's wedding, the birth of the child, and other things, and not in that order necessarily.
SPECIAL NOTICE: So I would just like to thanks and Keeper of the Covenant and CarlislaCooper for the recent help they have given me with ideas for this story. BUT the real special notice is thanks to them for helping me with ideas for my next story. I am going to write another story AFTER I finish this story. So I decided I would give you all a little taste of what I plan to write after I finish this story.
Renee is a terrible mother who marries Phil, who abuses Bella. Renee knows and doesn't care. In an attempt to escape the pain Bella doesn't return home until late or as often as possible and so she finds her wonderland, Burlesque. Too young to work as a showgirl (not the trashy kind, the glamorous kind from the 1920's or in the movie Burlesque with Christina Aguilera and Cher), she puts her sewing skills to work and makes and mends their costumes. Shit goes down causing her to flee to Forks where she lives with her father unaware of her awful past or passion for Burlesque. After working as a back up burlesque dancer through college she makes it to Seattle working as an editorial column writer for a weekly newspaper by day and a Burlesque headliner by night. The Cullens move to town and Carlisle and Edward are both captivated by her compete for her. Who will she choose? What happens when her past comes back to haunt her?
So what do you all think? Please let me know. I really can't wait to work on this story, but I am holding back so I can finish this one because this one will never get finished if I start a new one. So I am really looking forward to writing the Burlesque one. It will not be a trashy burlesque like gentlemen's clubs or strip shows; they are unfortunately considered Burlesque to the ignorant. Those are not glamorous. Burlesque, classic, is glamorous with all its dancing and singing as they show how beautiful they are. So that's all I really have to say. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Gobble gobble.
Playlist:
Swan by Elisa
I'm not that girl from Wicked the musical
Grace Kelly by Mika
Absolutely (Story of a Girl) by Nine Days
New Twist on an Old Groove by Rebecca Lynn Howard
Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance
Vampire Money by My Chemical Romance
The show by Lenka
Seasons of Love from RENT
I just love you by Five for Fighting
Syrup & Honey by Duffy
Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Discovering Hope
Spencer couldn't remember the last time she slept so well. The bed in her room was extremely comfy and she had felt so safe. She had to admit that the PJs Bella had Dean buy for her were extra cozy and she didn't want to get out of them, for she was still wearing them now as she sleepily walked down the stairs following the smell of breakfast.
"You're only being nice because I have food. Aren't you boy?"
She heard Carlisle tease, knowing that he must be talking to Da Vinci.
"You guys spoil that dog so much." Spencer recognized the voice as that belonging to Felix, whom she had met yesterday and learned he was Bella's bodyguard. She now understood that Felix worked for Carlisle. "Bella fed him a hell lot of chicken last night."
"He's our dog child. What can I say?" Carlisle laughed.
Spencer walked into the kitchen with a smile when the two men looked over at her.
"Good morning, Spencer." Both Carlisle and Felix greeted.
"Good morning, Carlisle. Good morning, Felix." Spencer chimed as she took a seat at the counter.
"Did you sleep well?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, very. That bed is like sleeping on a cloud. I could barely get up because I didn't want to leave."
Carlisle couldn't help but chuckle for Spencer had bed head.
"I'm glad to hear that. Now can I interest you in some breakfast? I made omelets."
Her stomach began to growl and she realized how hungry she was. She just felt so good because she had slept so well and her shower last night had been amazing. She didn't have to share a bathroom anymore with a group of girls because she had her very own, and the shower had real water pressure.
"I'm starving." Spencer confessed.
"Yours will be done in a second. Isabella will tell you I can't cook, but she knows I'm the master of breakfast."
Just then he plated one of the omelets and presented it to Spencer, and then he plated the other two, one for Isabella and the other for Felix.
"Where's yours?" She asked.
"I already had one. I woke up this morning with an urgent message for work. One of my advisors, Aro, called to inform me that we've got the guy we've been looking for and so they need me sooner than I thought they would. Isabella is getting dressed and will be down soon. Depending on the progress we make I hopefully will join you and Isabella for lunch."
Carlisle walked around the counter when he heard his fiancé on the stairs. Isabella appeared looking as beautiful as ever in a fitted pair of boot cut jeans with a long open cardigan that hung on her body rather nicely, and was a bit long for her arms but was meant to be that was as was the fashion, and underneath was a fitted white blouse. She paired it with knee high black riding boots. Spencer thought she looked absolutely fabulous and pulled off the fashionably casual look perfectly. Jealous of Bella's long wavy and curly hair she found herself running her fingers through her own short blonde locks that she was so insecure about.
"You look beautiful as always, Love." Carlisle swooned as he closed the distance between him and his lover.
"And you look handsome as ever, Honey. I wish you didn't have to be in such a hurry, but I understand. Just know that I love you."
He stared deeply into her chocolate doe eyes, marveling at the angel that was his. Gently he brushed a strand of hair that had fallen upon her cheek back behind her ear. She was lovely and clearly made by the hands of God. Every curve and smallest detail appealed to him like she was made for him. Until her he always found something that needed improvement in the women he was with even if he was just spending one night with them. He thought they had to try harder to look better, but no. Isabella didn't even try and she was brought him to his knees with her beauty.
"I love you, too, Isabella." He breathed. "Always."
Tenderly he took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted it upward as he brought his lips down to hers. Kissing her was always like a dream and with each kiss he depended on it even more. Her kisses were like breathing; he needed them to survive. But at the same time they were the sweetest gifts. He loved showing her his affections through tender and sweet kisses like these that revealed the man within him, but he still enjoyed ravishing her with his mouth and body when her side of his beast was set free.
Isabella was sent into a daze by her love's tender affections. Moments like these made her feel like nothing could ever go wrong. He convinced her with his kisses that he would take care of her and look after her, no matter what the cost. When the kiss ended she was blushing, much to Carlisle's satisfaction.
"Mizpah." She whispered ever so softly.
"Mizpah, Angel."
He pecked her on the lips and then smiled.
"I must be going, Love. I will see you in a little while."
Carlisle then walked to Spencer and kissed her temple.
"See you later, Spence. Have a good day and have some fun."
Spencer blushed. Carlisle nicknamed her, which made her heart soar. Isabella then walked Carlisle to the door and he pulled on his coat, gloves, and scarf, and then finally grabbed his briefcase. She kissed him once more and Spencer couldn't make out their whispers.
Carlisle then disappeared out into the cold with Isabella staring after him. She seemed to be lost in her own little moment but once she was woke from it she shut the door and floated to the counter, kissing Spencer on her temple.
"Good morning, Sweetie. How are you?"
She sat down next to her with Felix on her other side, who was stuffing his face.
"I'm good. I'm excited for today."
"So am I." Bella said with a big smile to show her enthusiasm. "We can do whatever you like. Carlisle is going to call the school on the way to work and so we might be hearing back about that today. I'm sure they'll want to meet you later this week for an interview. And Emmett and Rosalie are getting back Sunday morning so you will be able to meet them. So today is your day Spencer, you get to decide what we do."
After taking a bite of her delicious omelet Spencer began to play with his short hair nervously.
"I wish I had pretty hair like you." She murmured softly. "I miss my long hair."
"Oh, Spencer." Bella cooed. "You're beautiful just the way you are."
Spencer shook her head in disagreement.
"It's a mess, Bella. And one of the girls did it. It's awful and I hate it."
Tears started coming to her eyes and Bella pulled her into a hug.
"Oh, Spencer. It's not that bad. I think you're beautiful."
"I use to have hair like yours." Spencer sniffled.
"Until he took it away from you, right?" Bella asked and Spencer nodded. "Yeah, James did that to me too. But, Baby I want you to know that you're beautiful just the way you are. But if it would make you feel better I could take you to Rose and my stylist and we could see if they can do something you like. I know how you feel about missing your long hair and it makes you insecure. But mine grew back."
"My hair takes forever to grow back." Spencer hiccupped as she wiped the tears from her eyes. And thank you."
"It's no problem, Sweetie. God I remember how upset I was when he cut away my hair. And then Rose got me in a chair once we were here in New York and let Angelo stylist work his magic. I had short hair for a while. I let it grow out but he would change the style as it grew so that it didn't look like I was growing it out. He moved salons to something more upscale about a year ago, and now he does hair for runway models. Rosalie helped him get there. I'll just give him a call and see when he can do your hair."
Spencer couldn't help but smile. She ran her fingers through her hair nervously and wondered about what her hair would look like. It was cut this way and that and it was a complete mess like someone had gone at it with a weed whacker. Breakfast continued with light conversation and Bella made the appointment. Angelo didn't have an early appoint for once, but he would come in for a friend, such as Bella. Of course his employees had early clients so they wouldn't have the salon to themselves.
A sudden gasp escaped her lips upon entering the salon for she had never seen such a beautiful place. It was like wonderland. Everything was pristine and spectacular.
"Bella!" A man called out happily with an Italian accent.
When Spencer looked at the man her eyes widened. The man was Italian and absolutely gorgeous. He hugged Bella and kissed her on both cheeks and she did the same.
"Angelo, it's so good to see you. You're handsome as ever."
"Always with the compliments, Amora. If I didn't bat for the other team… but look at you. God, you're beautiful. We have so much to catch up on. Rose told me you were engaged and wow you're glowing."
"And pregnant." Bella giggled. "But that's not why I'm here." She put her arm around Spencer's shoulder and smiled. "Spencer, this is my friend, Angelo."
Angelo smiled as he looked at the young girl, whom reminded him a bit of young Bella even though this girl was much younger than Bella was when he first met her.
"So this is the beautiful girl you spoke of. Spencer, why don't we go over to my station and we can talk about some ideas for your new style. I can get you color charts if you'd like to die your hair and magazines to look at styles."
"Thank you." She murmured, now a bit shy.
He easily sensed that she was a bit out of sorts and not quite sure what to do with herself. He really did feel like he was looking at Bella the first time Rosalie brought her in. Bella took Spencer by the hand for encouragement and walked her back to Angelo's station.
Once she was in the chair Angelo brought out magazines and charts.
"I want to stay blonde." Spencer murmured.
He nodded in agreement as moved to stand behind her and ran his fingers through her hair.
"Blonde looks good on you. Most girls your age always are looking to change their hair color. Most of them aren't blonde but they die it so they have the hair they always wanted. But you have a lovely shade of it because it's not too golden or too white."
"Thank you." A genuine smile lit up her face, which made Bella smile with pride.
Angelo was good at making women feel good about how they looked. He could read people so easily and he knew how to make a woman's insecurities her strongest features and qualities.
"Now Bella told me over the phone that you don't like your short hair and that you miss your long hair. If you want long hair you'll have to get a weave so I can out in extensions."
He could tell from the look on her face that she wasn't so sure about getting a weave. And so he moved from standing behind her to crouching beside her chair that was on the lowest level so that they could be at the same eye level. He really noticed how lovely and stormy her blue-grey eyes were and couldn't help but smile.
"You're a normal girl, Spencer. What happened to you in the past doesn't make you any less of a teenage girl. You can still do everything everyone else can. But I can tell just by looking at you that you're not like every other girl your age, and not because of what happened in your past. You know Bella was afraid just like you were when I first met her. She sat in my chair and looked at pictures with Rose and I as we coaxed her into choosing something. You have such angular features such as your beautiful high cheekbones. You have such a lovely face. Most girls your age just have the same long straight blonde hair that they curl for prom. But you're an individual. There's no need to hide behind long hair no matter how lovely it is. So what I'm suggesting is that you let me style it so it stays short, but I'll cut it so it flatters your features. I'd also like to give you something I think would look good and that's to color your roots, but your roots only. It use to be like a sin to let your roots show, but now it's a trend. I'd like to put some chestnut in your roots to complement your blonde hair. If you don't like it we can do things your way and I will give you a weave with luscious blonde hair and you can pick the style. Do we have a deal?"
Spencer took a moment to think it over and she came to the conclusion that he was a professional and knew what he was doing. He had also done Bella's hair over the years and did Rosalie's, her new mother, who is a model. It couldn't hurt to try.
"You have yourself a deal." Spencer said with a smile.
"Excellent." Angelo cheered and threw a glance at Bella who was already walking over to hug the young girl.
"You won't be disappointed." She promised.
And she wasn't disappointed at all. Angelo had turned Spencer around so she couldn't see what he was doing when he cut her hair. And now was the moment of truth. He pulled off the cloth that hung around her neck and spun her chair around so she could face the looking glass. Bella had to contain her excitement because she wanted to see how Spencer reacted first. Spencer let out a gasp and stared at the mirror. Her hair was no longer choppy and uneven. She had light feather bangs on the right side of her face with thinner short ones on the left. The bangs and hair merged just at her eye where it descended to her jaw line and slightly below in a formation that shaped her face. It was short in the back lining with the curve of her jaw. And at the top going slightly to the start of her bangs was the chocolate Angelo had promised for her roots. She ran her fingers through her hair in complete awe. She let out a squeal of joy to both Angelo and Bella's relief and delight.
"I love it!"
"I've done it again." Angelo laughed.
Bella hugged her and gushed about how wonderful she looked.
"I really like it, Bella. Thank you so much." Then she looked up at Angelo. "And thank you. I love it so much. I guess it just goes to show that the professional knows best."
Angelo laugh hardily and then hugged her. Bella was so pleased at how excited Spencer was. It was such a small thing, hair, and yet a change like this brought this girl so much joy. Bella hugged her again, knowing just how she felt.
"You're beautiful, Spencer."
…
"Are you going to tell me or do I have to continue to do things the hard way?"
Carlisle spat as he cracked the whip again. The man continued to whimper like a coward, further infuriating the Capo.
"Don't play games with me, Boy. And don't you even think of lying to me." Carlisle roared with another crack of the whip.
"It's PCP." The man croaked as he winced, anticipating the whip once more.
"And what else?" Carlisle hissed. "It doesn't work alone like this. You of all people know that. This could all be over if you just told me what he's after."
"The man with the blonde hair named James?" He asked.
"Yes!" Carlisle roared with violent anger.
He grasped the sides of the chair and stared down at the man with flaming eyes.
"It's mixed with LSD!" The man exclaimed as he writhed in fear when Carlisle put his hand on his throat.
"See how easy that was." Carlisle laughed but tightened his grip on the man's throat.
Every muscle in Carlisle's body was pulsing, writhing to be used to find the truth in order to protect his Angel. His body obeyed its master's wish to protect what was his by harming the enemy.
"Then why are you the only one dealing it if he wants it so badly? Surely someone with his kind of money would be a wanted client by many dealers."
"They're afraid." The man whimpered.
Carlisle loved this man's fear. It made him feel so powerful to be in control like this.
"Who are they afraid of? Is it a woman? Someone higher on the pole than James?"
"Not a woman." He squeaked.
"Really now." Carlisle was truly interested, so much that he let go of the man and smirked.
"Yes." The man saw the right time to play his cards. "All I know is that they're scary. They've got men, lots of them, but they haven't come for me yet. They haven't told me to stop."
"Who? And why would they want you to stop? And why did they stop the others from dealing this drug?"
Carlisle began to circle around the man, working his tricks in order to intimidate. They were close and he knew it. It was like a hunting dog picking up on the smell of its prey, just like a bloodhound.
"No one has ever seen them." The man stuttered when he saw the glint in Carlisle's eyes. "Nobody knows who they are. All they know is if they want to live another day they will stop selling the drug."
"Why?" Carlisle demanded. "You're high enough up on the pole in the trade you should know. You can distribute. You have the resources. Why stop the sell of a drug?"
The man held back his answer in fear for his life. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to wake up from the nightmare. The only problem was, to his misfortune, this wasn't a dream; it was real. His life was on the line no matter what.
"They want James at his mercy." He pleaded. "Everybody at the top across the country knows that he's lost his mind. But he knows what the brothers are looking for. They want to lure him into a trap and limit his supply. I'm the only guy in New York James would go to sure there are plenty that would make the same drug but he doesn't trust many people and so they've got their work cut out for them."
Excited to be hot on the trail but angry that he couldn't get any more answers Carlisle grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt.
"Who are they?" He practically growled.
He looked like a beast. He was savage and inhumane with his prey in his hands.
"I don't know their names!" The man pleaded.
"Don't feed me the bull! If you tell me what you know I can save your pathetic ass. You tell me what I need to know and I'll make sure they don't get to you. I've got men. I know how these games works. Leave it to the big boys and you won't get hurt."
The man took a breath and looked Carlisle in the eyes.
"Their names are Vladimir and Stephen and they're not after the drug James is addicted to. They killed my brother because he knew what they were looking for." He looked up at Carlisle and sighed. "You're going to want to sit down for this. It's a long story."
Carlisle nodded and pulled up a chair, removing some of the restraints and began to listen to the tale. The man had quite a story to tell.
When the man had finished telling his story a good hour had passed by. Edward was the first to speak.
"That is so messed up."
"I told you it wasn't pretty."
"So what you mean to say is that Maria did all that just because she was angry about James keeping one for himself and that that one girl wasn't herself. Maria loved James and Victoria. That's so messed up." Carlisle groaned. "So she faked friendship with the brothers, stole from them, framed James and told him what the Romanians needed without knowing herself what the thing was. And when they found out it was she who had stolen from them she blamed James and promised to get it back." Carlisle was in disbelief.
Maria was mad at James for wanting to keep Bella for himself when it was Maria who wanted to be James's one and only and so she used Victoria to get to James. This was just kept getting weirder.
"Exactly." The man confirmed.
"And so when the Romanians found out what the drug was they used it against him knowing they could get to Maria through James even though Maria doesn't know what the thing is and James doesn't consciously know what it is. They just came out of no where like a deadly plague." Carlisle continued to muse aloud.
He walked away and signaled to his men to make arrangements for the man's protection. He had quite a bit to think about.
Due to Emmett's absence Edward acted the part, following him out with Aro, Marcus, and Caius.
"What do you plan to do, Capo?" Edward asked.
He stood his respectable distance away with his arms folded behind his back.
"Find them." Carlisle hissed through clenched teeth as he grasped the edge of the table in the hallway, hunching over it as stress wracked his frame. "I want everything anyone can find about the Romanian brothers! I want to know who their men are! Go to the dealers we talked to before. Get them to confess who came to talk to them to get them to stop selling. Find Maria, Victoria, or James, or all three for that matter! This is bigger than they thought. There's a new drug waiting to be put on the market and Maria stole whatever the formula was. Or whatever it was she stole they need. It's something make this drug. They're big, these brothers, and they'll kill. Maria will go after Isabella when she finally gives up hope of James. She's buying time with James knowing it's a lost cause. I will not let my Isabella be harmed. I will not allow her to be at risk. My fiancé and my child will not suffer because of Maria or James or because we couldn't solve this fast enough. We're going to put an end to this once we figure out what this formula is. If we can figure out what it's made out of. Sure he says it's a formula but what if it's not the kind we think it is. It could be numbers or some form of a code. It could be anything."
"Carlisle, you need to walk away from this for a moment. You should go out to lunch with Isabella." Marcus suggested in a calming voice as he put his hand on his shoulder.
Carlisle shook his head in protest.
"I need to work harder. My mind is turning. I need to research. I need to find those mother fuckers!"
Anger pulsed through his body. He wanted to kill the fuckers who were putting his angel and child in danger. He couldn't go on if something happened to her because he was careless. He needed to research. He needed to think. And then the thought came to him.
"He said they want the drug for the trade." He mused allowed. "I'll be in my office."
…
When Isabella and Spencer returned home from shopping and having lunch at Serendipity, unfortunately without Carlisle because he was on a role with research, the house was quiet. Felix knew Bella was a bit saddened by not seeing Carlisle, but at least Da Vinci would be here soon for Dean would be bringing him over from Carlisle's office. Spencer went up to her room to wash up for dinner. Bella sadly made her way up to her room but had the urge to stop in the nursery. She couldn't help but smile when she found a surprise. The floor was covered in tarp for painting, there was a ladder and paints set out. He had come home at some point she guessed and began working. She shut the door and found the note.
Dear Isabella,
I am sorry that I did not get to have lunch with you and Spencer today. I truly wish I could have been there. Edward and I spent all day working. He didn't go to Dylan's Candy Bar with Tanya and Mary like he thought he would. We want to win this "war". We have a lead and I've spent all day researching and talking with some of our connections. I came home under Aro's orders to take a break and decided to start on the nursery, but after an hour and a half I returned to work. I miss you terribly, my angel. I am sorry to say that I won't return home until this evening. Go ahead and have dinner without me. I'll grab something on the way home. I know it's strange of me to put the note here, but I had a feeling if I came home to paint you'd just know like you usually do. I love you, Angel. I love you more than words can express and that's why I am coming home late. I'll explain more when I get home. But please know that I would rather be home with you than away from you. I long to have you in my arms once again. I need to have you near me. Until tonight my love.
Forever yours,
Carlisle Cullen
She sighed and held the note close to her heart. She missed him terribly. All she could do was walk to her bedroom and put away her purchases and then go downstairs to start making dinner. Dean's timing was perfect for he came just when she was about to enter the kitchen. At least she could have Da Vinci by her side. But nothing was the same without Carlisle by her side.
…
Later that evening after Spencer had gone to bed and Felix had retired to his room Bella found herself waiting in the living room in her nightgown for Carlisle. He had texted her telling her not to wait up for him but she wanted to see him the second he walked through the door. Da Vinci had given up hope and was sleeping on the bed upstairs. She couldn't sleep knowing that Carlisle was not home yet. But when she was on the edge of giving up hope that he would come home soon she heard the door open and her heart raced with joy. She saw him taking off his outerwear as he set down his briefcase, along with his shoes and socks for she assumed he thought she was asleep so he didn't want to wake anyone with his heavy footsteps on the stairwell.
"Carlisle." She gasped.
She stood from the couch and walked around so she was free of obstruction.
"Isabella." He whispered in reply.
That ever-famous pull tugged at them both, drawing them close to be ridden of the distance. He had her in his embrace within seconds with her lips kissing his passionately.
"God, why did you have to be away so damn long?" She panted as she unbuttoned his shirt and pealed it off his body.
"I'm so sorry, Angel. I didn't mean to keep away for so long. I didn't want to be there. I want to be with you, always with you."
He pulled back from the kiss and stared deeply into her eyes.
"I love you, Isabella. If I never had to be away from you then I would always be by your side."
"I know." She breathed. "I love you, Carlisle."
In front of the stairwell he kissed her passionately. His arms acted as a fortress for her as their souls embraced as well.
Spencer woke and looked at the clock, feeling she should go convince Bella to come upstairs and get some sleep. But when she ventured down the stairs she stumbled upon the unexpected. She saw every girl's dream, a man kissing a woman with passion and love. Carlisle was shirtless, only in a pair of dress pants, and Bella was in a sexy but classy lace and silk nightgown that went to just above her knee. He pushed away the sink robe she wore to keep her warm when she had been waiting for him, but now she had Carlisle to keep her warm. Spencer decided it was best not to disturb the couple for they had been apart for far too long and she would not interrupt their passionate reunion. She knew that this was what Bella meant when she said that it was possible to be with a man again in a physical sense even after all both girls had been through. Every woman needed a man like Carlisle. Spencer remembered that she had a glass sitting on her bed and that she could just fill it with tab from the bathroom. She was so tired when she got up she had forgotten it was there. Quickly but quietly, she made her way up the stairs and to her room with a smile on her face and hope in her heart.
So I just thought you all might like to see what Spencer's haircut look like so here it is.
http : / / wp-content / uploads / 2009 / 08 / womens-razor-blonde-hairstyles .jpg
So please tell me what you think and any thoughts you have about the story I am going to write next as mentioned in the note at the beginning. Have an awesome day and happy holidays.
