Chapter 39: 35: The hunt
A/N: Sorry all you get a double post as I mixed up these last two chapters.
After the initial shock we spend the next several hours making arrangements for extra security and background checking the spa staff.
It's decided that Mum, Rosalie, and Alice will stay here while Tegan, Mary, Bella, Angela, and Ben will go to Mary's parlour New Bells Tattoo's.
They will then stay in my old apartment before going to the church.
We'll have Jake and Seth staying in the apartment with the girls while the house opposite is filled with one of our security teams.
Bella will be relaxing with the girls while we entertain Amun and his entourage.
It's no longer about chill out time for Bella but protection as well.
We don't know if Amun has Bella's photo or address or anything other than her name.
We decide we want Bella out of the house on the off chance Amun has photos of her.
We were planning to sit down with everyone that wished to place a claim on Bella after the wedding service but now we realize it's better to at least talk to Amun before.
After planning the spa day we then arrange Bella's extra protection detail.
Bella will now stay at the shop and my apartment till she's walking down the aisle.
She won't be alerted to anything other than she won't be staying here and we've decided to tell her she has to follow the old 'bride can't stay with the groom the night before' rule.
She will arrive in a convoy that she thinks is three cars when in fact it will be seven cars.
Once everything is sorted I go back to bed cuddling up behind Bella with my hand lying over the babies.
It's a few hours later that I'm standing in the entryway holding Bella's bag as we get ready to send her off on a 'spa retreat' as soon as possible to not risk Amun arriving early.
We've not told any of the girls what's going on but Mum; Rose and Alice will know when Bella leaves and Bella will find out when she gets back.
I watch as she is pushed into the foyer with her head down and twiddling with her t-shirt hem.
We have told her we are shipping her off to the Mary's palour for a pamper and chill session with Mary and Tegan. Angela and Ben.
I'm not happy about sending Bella away but I don't really have a choice.
We just can't afford for anyone to find out Bella is pregnant before the vow renewal, or that she's married to me.
"Hey." I say crouching down to her level.
I hold out my hand and wait for her to take it.
"I love you."I whisper moving in to catch her chin and pull her face up for a kiss. "You have something I need. I don't know what but I can't live without you."
I place a hand on her bump and stroke it gently.
"And now these three have the same thing. All of you are my life, my number one priority from now on." It's then I realize that is why she's miserable and I lean closer to her.
"It's two more days then we will never be separated again. I give you my word." She looks up at me before grabbing my tie pulling me down and kissing me passionately.
She buries her hands in my hair pulling till I hiss in pain, opening my mouth so she can force her tongue in my mouth.
We fight a war of pure passion and marking of ownership on each other.
We finally break apart when I hear a throat clearing and feel a kick against my palm.
I rub her bump gently then lean forward and kiss her bump three times.
"Be good to your Mother for me." I'm rewarded with another kick.
"Do I take it that they are agreeing to something or just telling you to leave them to sleep?" Bella declares giggling as I look up at her.
"They were agreeing to my request." I say happily and kiss her head one last time before getting behind her so I can wheel her out to the SUV.
She pats my arm in encouragement before looking to my left and holding out her arms.
I watch as Dad walks forward to hug her and smile.
"Do me a favour Dad?"
"Anything sweetheart." He says getting onto his knees in front of her.
"Make sure he behaves and doesn't do something stupid enough to get himself killed."
She throws her thumb over her shoulder to point at me.
I can't help but smile as I watch our father turn to putty in her hands.
"I will do my best." He promises her and kisses her head before being shoved aside by Emmett who gets on his knees and holds her bump.
"Now you all be nice to your Mother and Uncle Emmett will buy you your first car princesses and for my little nephew I'll get you your first gun."
"Emmett McCarty Cullen!" Is shouted from several voices as Bella groans and rubs a point on her side.
"Fine Uncle Emmy will get you all shiny new guns." He coos.
I don't say anything because I know they will each have their own car when they turn of age and my boy will be given his first gun by me.
"EMMETT MCCARTY CULLEN!" Several voices shout as I try to hide my laugh.
"What?" He says looking around and seeing his wife standing there cross armed tapping her foot as she, Mum, Alice and Mary stare daggers at him; while Dad and Tegan look like they want to pin him down and torture him.
I quickly start pushing Bella outside and get her into the car and settled before Tegan and Mary come out with Ben and Angela, snickering.
I raise an eyebrow at Ben and he just shakes his head laughing.
I watch the car leave and smile before turning back to the house.
When I enter I'm shocked to see Emmett on his ass with his wrists tied to his ankles hunched forward.
He has a ball gag in his mouth and is looking miserable.
I can't help but snicker.
"You do not promise my nieces and nephews guns and cars for fuck sake Emmett!" Rose shouts tapping her foot at him. "You better not buy any of our children stupid stuff like that. I swear if you do I am going to kill you."
I leave them to deal with Emmett as I walk to my office.
After opening the door I walk to the bar and pour a whiskey before I place my phone and the whiskey bottle on the table and sit down.
I stare at my phone and drink the whiskey as I wait for the message I'm so desperate for.
It finally vibrates with a message from Sam.
'All arrived safely. Bells having a rest will call you later. Sam'
I look at the clock and realize it's an hour till lunch time I hate this but it's something I have to do as a family.
Mum's always insists if we are home we come down for our meals as a family.
Personally I'd rather be drinking more whiskey.
Deciding to get ready for lunch I walk into my bedroom and have a shower.
As I get out of the bathroom drying my hair I hear loud screaming.
I grab my gun and run to the top of the stairs only to find Mum yelling at Dad in the foyer.
"That asshole does not step foot in this house." Mum screams at Dad poking a finger into his chest.
I walked towards Jazz who is standing calmly on the landing.
"What's going on?" I ask looking at my Dad standing there as Mum hits his chest.
"Dad's told Mum about Amun coming here." He points to Alice in the corner with Em and Rose.
"We got as far as a full explanation but Dad only got as far as 'Amun is coming here'." I look at Rose and Alice again and can see that they are obviously livid but keeping remarkably quiet.
"I don't want him near our girls." Mum barks.
Dad obviously has it in hand and I head back to my room to put my suit on.
Once I'm dressed I head to the library and smile when I spot a post it note on the lamp in the middle of the room.
'We love you. Stay safe. Bella and bump.'
I smile and take a deep breath just being in this room helps as I feel closer to Bella.
I feel my phone vibrate and smirk again as I read the message on the screen.
'Stay safe my heart belongs to you. Bella' I tap out a quick I love you reply to her message before I go and grab a glass of whiskey from the office.
'You're supposed to be resting.' I type back as I collapse back into my chair.
'We are in bed therefore resting.' I chuckle at her cocky answer.
She's always been cocky and stubborn but that doesn't mean she doesn't make me smile when she gets all smart ass on me.
'Stop worrying.' I text back I don't know if this is more for me or her but I say it anyway.
A few seconds later I get a simple one worded answer
'Can't.'
'Why?' I ask worried about what's causing her to worry.
I start thinking of all the things that could worry her and what I should of done to comfort her.
'Not all the babies got to say goodbye to Daddy and are now kicking Mummy.' I can't help but feel guilty for what Bella's going through.
The weight of the babies is hurting her bad leg when she stands for too long.
I also know she is struggling to get comfortable and its worse when the babies kick her too much.
'Tell them to go to sleep. I'll see you all in two days. Promise.' I just hit send when someone knocks at the door.
"Enter." I shout before filling my whiskey glass.
As the door opens I look up to see Mum standing in the doorway.
I instantly stand up as I look into Mum's eyes and see the tears.
"Mum?" I whisper as I walk up to her and hold her tight in a hug.
"Edward, I don't want that man near my girls." she whispers before stepping back and looking at me.
"Come take a seat Mum." I drag her to the sofa and sit down next to her.
"I don't want to deal with him either but we have to." I say gravely and watch her starting to protest.
I hold a finger up and she stays silent but pleads with her eyes.
"For Bella's sake we have to deal with him. For my children's sake I've had to send my family away from home." I can see Mum's eyes open wide as she guesses that Amun is here to claim Bella and possibly the children.
"Charlie?" She says as a fresh flood of tears leave her eyes.
I can't say much but nod.
"Amun is coming for dinner tomorrow to talk about a contract over Bella and possibly the babies."
"That monster sold my grandbabies." She stutters looking into my eye and I just watch as she crumples and sobs.
I hold Mum tight as she cries in my arms.
I sit there for hours till Dad finally knocks and enters the room and takes her sleepy body to bed.
I get up again and go to the liquor cabinet for a fresh bottle of whiskey.
In its place I find a bottle of wine and a post it note.
I hold it up close expecting it to be a love note or a make you smile note.
Instead it's a riddle.
'You're the first thing I see in the morning and last at night. You can see me in the light you can see me in the dark.'
I stare at the clue puzzled until I flip the post it note over.
'I sometimes buzz. I sometimes ring and make every noise between but I will always be known for saying tick tock.'
I smile as the hunt starts and I go and check the alarm clock in the nursery.
As I examine the clock I realize nothing is there.
I then go to my room climbing the stairs three at a time.
I ignore Jasper and Emmett as I walk past them.
"Bella's left a hunt for him." Jasper says shaking his head.
I slam open my door and grab my CD alarm clock examining it for a clue but find nothing.
In frustration I slam it onto the table and groan.
"How many alarm clocks are there in this house?"
"Hey hey! Hey hey!" I turn to the CD player and stare at it as Bella's voice comes through it.
"In my rear view mirror, my life is getting clearer
The sunset sighs and slowly disappears
These trinkets once were treasure, life changes like the weather
You grow up, grow old or you hit the road round here
So I drive, watching white lines passing by
With my plastic dashboard Jesus waiting there to greet us."
"Damn woman." I growl playfully before closing my eyes and focusing on Bella's voice singing Bonjovi's Lost Highway through the CD player.
When the CD finally gets to the end I wipe a tear away.
It's only been a few hours but I'm missing my Bella.
"You put me up on holiday whether at the beach or in a tropical place. As long as you put me up right I will keep you dry and warm even when you go on adventures with me."
I press play again. On the fourth time I finally realize she means the tent.
Our childhood fort.
*Flash back*
"Hey Mum, where's the tent?" I shout from the top of the stairs.
While Bella stands next to me in her adventurer's costume.
"In the garage dear why?" I head towards the garage with Bella in tow and start pulling the cupboards apart.
"Edward, will you answer me?" Mum says standing in the doorway. "Why do you need the tent?"
I look up to Bella and roll my eyes before looking at Mum.
"We." I say pointing to Bella.
"Hi Mrs Cullen." I turn and glare at Bella.
She just shrugs, huffs, and then turns back to the cupboard she's searching through for the tent.
"As I was saying, we want to go on an adventure and you can't go exploring without the proper provisions." I say before I turn and go back to searching for the tent.
"Oh really and what provisions are these that you require?"
"Tent, Food, sleeping mat and spare clothes." Bella says as she ticks them off on her fingers. "And water too."
"We also need the telescope if we are going stargazing Bella." I say smirking at her forgetting.
"Found it." Bella squeals and I get up to help her pull it out.
"And where are you going to do all this exploring?" Mum asks crossing her arms as she watches me and Bella trying to get the tent out of the garage cupboard.
"Our meadow." Is all I say dragging Bella behind me as she holds onto the other side of the tent.
It takes us two hours to get everything together and then up to the meadow and set up.
We spend a few hours staring at the sky through binoculars before Dad pops by at midnight looking cheerful and jolly but I can see the seriousness in his face.
"What are you doing kids?"
"Star gazing." I answer as I look through the binoculars at the stars above us.
"Hello Mr Cullen." Bella says from the campfire. "I'm cooking some soup would you like some?"
"No thank you dear. I just wanted to check on you two." He says smiling at her. "Do you mind if I disrupt your adventure to borrow Edward for a moment? I need some help bringing a piece of equipment up here."
"No problem Mr Cullen." She says not turning away from the pot she's stirring.
Then suddenly turns around at looks at him.
"What equipment?" She asks cautiously looking at him.
"Well it seems my wife called me because a pair of adventurers were missing a crucial piece of equipment. On my way home I found one and thought I'd bring it here for you to use. It's a brand spanking new telescope I actually got two one for each of you to use."
"You didn't need to do that Mr Cullen."
"Bella, how many times have I told you to just call me Carlisle?" He says in a tone that makes her look up at him. "And for your information I bought one for Emmett or Alice to use if they decide to go star gazing too."
"Okay Mr. Cullen." She says smiling at him.
"Come on Dad let's get this telescope." I say standing up and looking at him and noticing his business nod.
I hate family business when I'm having Bella time so I try and get this over with as soon as possible.
"Can I come and help?" Bella says suddenly looking shaken.
"Actually Bella, do you have some tea or hot chocolate?"
"Yes" she says quietly but looking at Dad curiously.
"Do you mind making Sam and I a hot chocolate? That is if we are welcome to stay for a little bit."
I then notice Sam walking through the woods.
"Hey guys, I bought marshmallows."
"Marshmallows?" Bella asks with relief and excitement in her voice.
"Yeah why?"
"Cause Edward ate them all before dinner." Bella says with her hands on her hips glaring at me.
Sam shakes his head as he hands Bella one of the bags.
"We will be back with the telescope in a few minutes." Dad says to her before she turns away with the bag of marshmallows in her hands.
When we are a safe distance away Dad takes me towards the garage but stops halfway there when Emmett appears with the telescope.
"You are to stay with Bella. There are a couple of hidden guards around the meadow if you need help." Dad says looking at me. "But have some fun okay."
"Thanks Dad." I say as I take the telescopes off Emmett and we start dragging it up the hill to Bella and our night of star watching.
*End Flashback*
I run to the garage and start searching for the tent.
I finally find it with a photo of a cupboard that I instantly recognize as Bella's art space and start heading there.
I spend the next six hours searching the house and its grounds as I look for hidden clues to my little treasure hunt Bella has set me on.
Every now and then I find some quirky item like three baby grow outfits that said 'Cullen 1', 'Cullen 2' and 'Cullen 3'.
The treasure hunt eventually finishes when I find a hamper full of weird and wacky things including an orange baby jump suit that says 'I've just spent nine months inside' and a t-shirt that says ' my wife had triplets and I survived'.
I smile as I look it over and the other treasures in the little hamper.
There's even a t-shirt that says 'Your gun don't scare me my wife's pregnant' I laugh at that one so hard that I bend over.
I finally notice the time and get ready to head to the club to sort a few things out in preparation for going on a mini-moon with Bella after the renewal service.
With everything that has been happening we need a break and some time to focus on our growing family.
I spend three hours at the club searching the net for wacky baby gifts for Bella, these include a t-shirt with 'I just carried triplets and my husband got me this'.
I sigh and look at the clock and seeing that its 8pm I decide it's time I went home and settled in for the night.
This time tomorrow I'll be having dinner with Amun.
Fourteen hours after that I'll be married to the mother of my three babies and staking my public claim in front of all the families.
Then three hours after that I will be at our manor estate with Ben and Angela in the house opposite as I have a fortnight with Bella alone or as alone as we can be with her injuries and pregnancy.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter please leave me a review.