Disclaimer: All characters are not mine. No copyright infringement was intended. Thank you to Stephenie Meyer for creating Edward and Bella for our enjoyment. I just like playing with them, making them my own … even for just a little while.
We'll be back to Masen next chapter, with some citrusy goodness and taking Bella around the country and the chapter following? Alice at the New Year's Eve celebration.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Masen
Upon our return from the hospital on Christmas Eve, we had a quiet meal in my parents' private quarters. We also exchanged a few small gifts before we all went our separate ways. Bella called them 'stocking stuffers.' They were small trinkets, representative of Gevalia for each member of the Swan family. Charlie and Linda got a gift basket of various coffees that were popular in Gevalia. We also included a coffee liqueur, as well. The coffee baskets came from Emmett. Bella and Alice got smaller baskets with the coffees, along with a box of chocolate truffles. Mother gave Bella, Linda and Alice exquisite lace scarves, made by the finest artisans in our tiny country. Charlie got a cashmere scarf.
We went back to Masen Manor. I spent the night making love to Bella, showing her how much I adored her. Seeing her with that little girl made my heart soar. I wanted nothing more than to start a family with her, after making her mine. Forever.
I wanted to make her my wife.
I knew it was too soon, but I could see a future with her. I could see her ruling by my side.
As I held her, after making love to her for the third time, I stared at her. Her naked body was pressed to mine, curled to my side. I ran my fingers through her hair, just watching her sleep comfortably.
My reverie, unfortunately, was broken as my cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. I picked up the phone, grimacing as I saw my mother's private number pop up. I slid out of the bed. I looked at my girl, happy and loved for the first time since her dad's diagnosis. I wanted to make sure she had that. For as long as possible.
Pulling on my sweats, I ducked into my private living quarters. "Mother? It's three in the morning."
"Go to a computer. I've sent you a link, Edward," Mom said, her voice taking on a hard edge.
"Hold on," I said, sitting down at my desk and waking up my laptop. I opened my email, I found the link my mom sent. It was a blog post from one of the nasty 'reporters', trashing my girlfriend. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
"The inside source?" Mom snarled. "I have no doubt that it's Bella's sister."
"Do you have proof?" I asked. "I know you have security cameras."
"No proof. Her phone is still locked up in Renata's room, along with Linda's. The phones in the palace cannot make outside calls unless you put in the correct code," Mom huffed. "Either she gained access through the palace phones, using a servant to make the call, or she met up with this … asshole … outside."
"Charlie and Linda have enjoyed the capital, but Alice has stayed in the palace, holed up in her room," I answered. "She must have called upon one of the servants. Befriended them and got access to the phone." I pinched my nose. "Interview the staff."
"Felix is already on it, Edward. You do need to … you have to tell Bella," she muttered. "I know this will shatter her heart."
"What are we going to do with this libelous drivel?" I sneered.
"I've already drafted a response and I'm working with our legal team to handle the blot site. This site has posted negative press about the royal family, but this is the most atrocious thing I've ever read. We're working on getting a retraction, along with closing the site down. They've posted awful things about you, Emmett, me and everyone in the royal family. We're used to it, Edward. You're sweet Bella? She's not."
"This is going to … her self-esteem is pretty low. All thanks to her lovely sister," I growled. "I wanted nothing more than to give Bella a memorable, perfect Christmas. Now? It's marred by this blog post."
"Be that is it may, the press about Bella far outweighs the negative. Every article is positive, save for this blog post," Mom breathed.
"What about Alice?" I asked.
"Until we get solid proof that she's the source, we can't do anything," Mom sighed.
"We could question her," I smirked.
"Not until we have something concrete, Edward," Mom argued. "As soon as we have that, I'm throwing her in a cell. She didn't even thank us for the presents we gave her. She just shrugged, tossing them aside. Those scarves cost …"
"I know how much they cost," I nodded. "And Bella was certainly appreciative."
"I never expected a hug. She was so grateful," Mom breathed. She was quiet.
"Mom?"
"Bella needs a mother so much," Mom whispered. "Linda is a lovely woman, but I can see … Edward … Masen … love her. Don't let her go and love her."
"I do, Mom," I murmured, shocked to hear my mother call me by my nickname and not my given name.
"I approve of her, my sweet boy," she said. "She's everything I ever wanted for you, Masen. She's smart, compassionate, loving and makes you happy. Never in my life have I seen you so relaxed, so happy. I'm sorry for trying to push you into an arranged marriage, Masen. Having a love match with your father? It made ruling Gevalia easy. To have a partner, someone who supported me and loved me unconditionally? I get it and I support it, sweetheart. Come see me tomorrow, after church, so I can give you …"
"Not yet," I said. "I see a future. Forever, really, with her. I just don't want to rush it. But, in time, I will get the ring for her."
"Okay, Masen," she chuckled. "Now, I'd like to get a few hours of sleep before church tomorrow. You do the same."
"When should I tell Bella?" I asked.
"You know what to do," she replied cryptically. "Get some sleep, Masen. Be ready to go to eleven o'clock mass."
"Yes, Mom," I nodded. "I love you."
"I love you most, my sweet boy," Mom sniffled, hanging up the phone.
xx AMDFT xx
I didn't sleep at all that night. I just held Bella until the skies lightened. It was snowing again, with fat, white fluffy flakes. Bella sighed, snuggling closer to me. I kissed her forehead. "I love you, cherie."
"I love you, too, Masen, but I can feel how tense you are," she muttered, her voice drowsy and slightly slurred. She blinked up at me, her eyes unfocused and her hair rumpled. "Talk to me, baby."
"Let's shower first and enjoy some breakfast, a quiet moment before …" I trailed off, brushing my lips over hers. We got up, going into my private ensuite. I lavished her with attention, kissing her and making love to her in the shower. Dressing separately, I took Bella to the private living room, where breakfast had been set up. I held her in my arms as we shared food, teasing and loving each other.
"Okay, you've managed to distract me, but I can still feel how tense you are, Masen," Bella chided, still in my lap. "You're not breaking up with me?"
"Never, Bella. But, there is something I need to show you," I said, moving her off my lap. I picked up my laptop and set it on the table. "There were articles written about our trip to the children's hospital. Many of them were positive and the press adored you."
"But?" she breathed.
"There was one reporter, and I'm using that term loosely, who completely bashed you," I grimaced, pushing the laptop toward her. She bit her lip, reading the article. Her eyes filled with tears and she sniffled. A few tears escaped down her cheeks and she shot up, stomping to the window. "Bella, none of it is true."
"Alice did this," she growled. "She's your source. Fucking bitch. I hate her."
"My mother and I believe she's the source, too, but we're trying to figure out how she was able to reach out to the press. Her cell phone is still locked in Renata's safe and you can't dial out unless you have an access code."
"Heidi leaves a paper with a six-digit code in my room. Is that what you're talking about?" Bella asked, still looking sad and broken.
"Yes. It changes daily. Our head of information technology creates those codes everyone. It's for safety and privacy reasons," I said. "We believe that Alice may have buddied up to a member of the staff. We just don't have proof." I slid my arms around her waist. "My mom has already issued a statement, blasting the writer and we're working with our legal team to get a retraction and apology."
She wriggled out of my arms, sitting back down, and scrolling down on the laptop. "The comments are quite inflammatory against the writer. He's being completely torn apart." She bit her lip and wiped her cheeks. "One of the nurses at the hospital completely rebuked his claim. Call me an angel and a perfect match for you."
"I don't disagree with that statement. You truly are an angel and I'm not letting you go, cherie," I murmured. I crouched down next to her, wiping her cheeks and smiling at her. "I love you."
"I know you do, but this is … how often does this happen?" she asked, her nose wrinkled.
"More often than we care to admit, but it's never personal. It would attack a policy or legislation, not about who we're dating or personal relationships. If anyone has to deal with it, I'm the target, being the next in line for the throne and being single. Well, up until I left, I was single. Now? I'm with you. You're my future, Bella," I whispered. "With that being said, you may be … there may be more press like this in the future."
"I won't let this make me throw us away. You're my future, too," she smiled, leaning forward and brushing her lips with mine. "I'm not saying that it doesn't hurt, Masen. The fact that Alice may have …"
"I know, cherie," I frowned. "We'll get to the bottom of this. I promise you. Okay?"
"I trust you, Masen. I trust you, your parents and your brother. I don't trust my sister and I never will," she frowned. With a sigh, she closed my laptop. "I'm going to finish getting ready for church. I just … I need to absorb all of this."
"Are you okay?" I whispered.
"Not right now, but I will be," she said, brushing my hair away from my forehead. "Meet you downstairs?"
"Always, Bella," I said, cupping her cheek. She kissed me and left my rooms. I shook my head, afraid that she was not okay. That she was trying to be okay, but her heart was shattering because of Alice's supposed involvement. With a sigh, I went called Alec, trying to reach Charlie. I talked to Bella's dad and he was heartbroken that the press had attacked his oldest daughter. He was also pissed off that Alice may have been involved. I expressed my concern about Bella's emotional well-being. Charlie said he'd talk to her, agreeing with my assessment.
Even now, Bella's self-esteem was being attacked by her sister.
Supposedly.
Very likely.
I hated that. I hated that the one person that should have Bella's back is the one person who is ruining her life. I couldn't imagine Emmett stabbing me in the back like Alice does to Bella. Emmett and I disagree, but we still love each other. We support each other.
With a firm shake of my head, I went to get dressed for church. Putting on a grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie, along with my crest, I finished wrapping Bella's present. I slid it into my pocket and read the comments on the blog post by Laurent DuBois. The comments were scathing toward Laurent and I was shocked that he had responded.
I've been contacted by royal counsel. I've also read the comments on this post. It would appear that I was too hasty in my assessment of Miss Swan. I did not do my 'due diligence' when it came to researching my subject. After receiving a phone call from the royal attorney, I did my research and my comments were unfounded. I apologize to Isabella and to her father, Charles. I will be removing this post, along with a personal apology to Prince Edward's girlfriend and her father.
I smirked, happy to read that he'd apologized. I took several screen captures, preserving the positive comments and support that my girlfriend received from my subjects. I closed my laptop, heading downstairs and saw Bella in the foyer of Masen Manor. She was dressed impeccably in a burgundy dress that matched my tie. On top of her dress, she wore a white winter coat, the scarf my mother gave her and a pair of beige heels. Her hair was curled, pinned back with tendrils framing her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, but she looked beautiful. When I got closer, I saw that she wore her pendant and matching earrings. "You look beautiful, Bella," I whispered.
"Thank you," she said, giving me smile. "You look very princely."
"I have to look princely. Christmas mass is a big deal," I said, sliding my arms around her waist. "Are you okay?"
"I had a good cry with Heidi," she chuckled. "Then, she showed me a picture of Laurent DuBois. The man is quite unfortunate looking. I'm not surprised that he complains and writes untrue stories." She slid her hands up my lapels of my suit coat. "I'll be fine, Masen. I love you and I know that my life will change because of my relationship with you. In some ways, it will be more stressful. In other ways, it will be more amazing. You want to know why? Because, I'll be with you. You'll be with me, holding my hand and supporting me. With you by my side, I can do anything." She grinned at me, her espresso-colored eyes twinkling beautifully. I leaned down and kissed her, tasting her sweet lips.
Her words solidified my feelings and I knew that Bella Swan was destined to be my wife.
Felix cleared his throat and we clambered into the waiting Range Rover, driving to the palace. We all rode together in a caravan of limos to the cathedral in the capital. The press were swarming the steps of the church, taking photos of us as we walked inside. Charlie and Linda attended as well, along with Alice, looking like she'd rather get a root canal without any sort of anesthetic. I kept my face politely impassive, holding Bella close to my side, but I was seething internally.
Mass was over an hour long and we left after my mother gave a donation to the church orphanage and school on behalf of the royal family. Back at the palace, we had our royal Christmas photos taken in the throne room and went up into the private residence for dinner, along with the Christmas gift exchange. As the staff was preparing the dining room, I pulled my mother aside. "I know what I told you this morning, but I would like …"
"I've already removed it from vault, Masen," Mom grinned, squeezing my fingers. "Though, the ring is very old-fashioned. When are you going to ask?"
"New Years," I smiled. "And can I have a jeweler fashion it into something more current? In style?"
"Go with Felix and Emmett," she said, kissing my cheek. "I'm happy for you, Masen. She's a wonderful girl. I love her very much and I can see how much you cherish her. But, I'd speak to Charlie. It's the right thing to do."
"I will, Mom," I nodding. I hugged her and she gasped in shock. We never really showed affection, but I couldn't NOT … I was going to be asking Bella to be my wife. My mother approved of her.
It truly was a perfect, wonderful and magical Christmas.
But, the new year? It will be a dream come true.
A/N: So, yeah? What do you think? Leave me your thoughts. Up next will be … originally, I wanted it to be Alice, but I want to spend some more time with Masen. We'll finish Christmas, exchanging gifts. Then, have him bond with Emmett, ask Charlie for Bella's hand and find out about Rosalie, on Emmett's behalf. Plus, we'll have some citrusy times. I glossed over them in this chapter, but we'll have some more Masen/Bella schmexing. Alice will be up in chapter thirty-one.
Pictures of the presents they all received, along with Bella and Masen's clothing and the unfortunate-looking Laurent are on my blog. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79. Leave me some!
