Chapter 35

Everybody loves Bella!

Edward's POV

"Boss, we've got a car following us."

Shit! This was the very thing I had been dreading since morning. When Bella suggested that she and Alice should start moving some of her stuff to Alice's today at lunch break, I had felt it was a bad idea. She didn't want me to come along because the others might become suspicious. I also had a lot of stuff to catch up on since I had been missing most of last week. Jasper had done his best, but there were a lot of things pending. I had grudgingly agreed to let her go after she and Ally both pleaded with me. I had let my heart rule over common sense. Spending even a night away from her now that we were married seemed impossible to me. So I had been as eager as she was to get her things moved. I cursed myself for my stupidity.

"What's the make of the vehicle?"

"Looks similar to the one that followed the big boss, but the licence plate numbers are different." Of course they'd be different. I sighed. It was most likely the same people who had been after Carlisle.

"Where is Rosalie?" I hated the fact that Paul seemed to be the one following Bella today. I thought Rosalie was supposed to do that. I had actually agreed to Bella's trip thinking a trained secret service agent would provide enough protection for my Bella.

"Rosalie said she wanted a long lunch break today. And I agreed to take over. She did offer to cover my evening shift." Double shit! I didn't want Rosalie following Bella in the evenings because that was my time to be with her. I knew I could just ask Paul to leave, telling him I would be with Bella and the idiot would never think twice about it. Em and I had agreed on it. Em must have not known about this change, otherwise he wouldn't have let Rosalie let Paul cover her.

"Did you tell Bella?" We had already informed everyone that Bella knew she was being followed.

"No, Sir." Thank God! I didn't want her to worry unnecessarily. But I wanted them to come back to office right now before anything happened. Carlisle had been lucky and I knew he was also a good driver. But my Bella…I had to get to her.

"Where are you now?"

"Bella just turned into a McDonald's drive-through."

"What the f*ck? Why does she want to go to a drive-through? We just had lunch."

"I don't know. Wait, she's calling me."

"Put me on conference."

"Paul, we have a car following us. I think the vehicle is the same one that followed Carlisle. I'm going to go back to the office now. I don't think we should go to my place right now. I pulled into the drive-through to confuse the other car. I'm just going to buy something and take the exit on the opposite side. He won't expect me to do that, he's waiting parked on the curb near the exit we came from. After I drive off just follow him and see where he goes. I'll drive straight back to the office. Please let Emmett know of the change of plans."

That's my girl! I had forgotten she was a cop's daughter. Of course she knew she was followed. She must have even noticed before Paul.

"Bella, are you all right?"

"Edward, is that you?"

"Yes, I've just been talking to Paul. I heard what you said."

"Okay, that's good. I'm fine, Edward. Don't worry about me. I'll just drive back to office."

"Please let Paul follow you back to office. I just don't want you driving back alone without back-up." I heard her sigh on the other end.

"Okay. Paul, change of plans, drive straight to the next turn and drive to the exit that I plan to take. Then follow me back to office."

"Okay, Bella." Paul responded.

"Thanks, Bella," I said with relief.

"You are welcome, but you do realise that we are missing the chance to discover what this creep is up to don't you?"

"I know. Please just…" I sighed. "Bella, your safety means more."

"I understand, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to your hare-brained plan. You do know I know how to take care of myself don't you?"

"I do and I trust you. It's just…"

"I know…okay, I'll drive back. Could you at least inform Emmett about all this?"

"I'm on the call too, Bella. Get back safely. I'm sending Seth after the other vehicle." I heard Em's voice on the call. I was glad Paul at least had enough sense to connect Em.

"I'm nearing the drive-through window, do you want anything?" What? Was she joking?

"A big Mac for me, Jellybean with extra fries." Trust Em to order food even with so much going on. I guess Bella did need to get something to look like her drive was authentic.

"On it, Emmett."

"And Jellybean, call me Em."

"Will do, Emmybear." I heard Em's chuckle on the other end as Bella disconnected.

"Em?"

"I've got it, Ed. Try not to worry. We are dealing with Bella here. Don't forget she's a cop's daughter. I like her idea of the drive-through rouse. It's good thinking."

"I know, Em."

"Hang in there, she'll get back."

"See you at two." Carlisle had set up a meeting to review the tapes from his office at two. We were all supposed to meet-up for that.

"Sure. Don't eat my fries before I get there." I hung up without responding. Trust Em to make me smile even when things looked really bad.

The next twenty minutes were the longest I had spent in my whole life. I wanted so much to call Bella or Paul and ask for an update, but I didn't knowing that I will just be distracting them. I knew I could call Ally but I hesitated. The pixie must be very excited as it was and her talking on the phone would distract Bella. Oh! God! The pixie…if something happens to Ally…

Jazz kept me company. He was pacing the floor non-stop and I didn't have the heart to tell him that he was making me dizzy. I could imagine what must be in his mind now. We had to get the girls back safely—I didn't even let myself consider the alternative.

Suddenly my office doors swung open and Bella flung herself into my arms. I have never known such relief as I was feeling at that moment. I kissed the living daylights out of my girl. I knew Jazz was hugging Ally near me. The endless string of excited chatter told me I had made the right choice in not calling the pixie. Bella and I had run out of air and had just pulled back to breathe when the doors suddenly burst open again and Carlisle stepped in followed by a very hassled looking Em. I could tell he had been running. My father must have beaten Em, who must have tried to get here to warn me.

"Bella, what happened? I just heard about it." I saw Carlisle frown at the picture before him. Shit! The last thing we wanted right now was a confrontation with Carlisle. Bella too seemed a bit disoriented. I guess my kisses were too distracting.

"Oh! Carlisle! I was so scared! They gave chase and I didn't know what to do. Bella was so calm. I mean she practically just handled everything and took care of me." And suddenly Bella was out of my hands and she was in the arms of a sobbing pixie. I didn't know whether Ally was actually scared or she was a good actress. Either way, Carlisle's frown disappeared and it was replaced with a look of concern.

"There…there, Alice. You really shouldn't worry you know. We had you followed anyway. Rosalie is a good agent." I looked at Carlisle in surprise.

"I contacted the secret service after the incident with the filing cupboard. I didn't want us getting blamed for anything illegal that might be in those shipments. Imagine my surprise when I was told we already had two of their undercover agents working for us." He gave me a stern look. I couldn't help the sheepish look on my face.

"It's okay, Edward. They told me that they had specifically asked you not to tell me. I can understand their point of view considering how closely I'd been dealing with Aro." He ran an agitated hand through his hair. I felt like shit. I didn't know what to say.

"Dad…"I started anyway.

"Don't worry, Edward. It's all fine. I understand. They explained that they wanted me to act normal and didn't want to let me know in case I found it hard to maintain the secret. I think it was for the best. Anyway, they informed me about their suspicions and I have agreed to keep them updated on everything."

"That's good." I tried to smile, and finally did smile when Carlisle patted me on my back. I could tell he didn't hold this against me. I sighed in relief.

"So Bella what happened?" Bella was now comforting the pixie who had actual tears running down her face. Wow! I tried very hard to remember whether the pixie did any drama in university. I couldn't get myself to think of the other possibility…that she was scared. When I pulled her into my arms, the pixie held me tightly as if her life depended on it. By now she was sobbing. And I realised that she really was very shaken with what she had gone through.

I kissed the top of her head.

"Shh Ally, it's okay. You are with me now. I'll never let anything to happen to you, if I can help it. Do you hear me?"

I felt her nodding. I saw Carlisle frowning again, while watching me with Ally. That should give him something to think about. I loved both girls. He met my eyes and I was surprised to see a touch of sorrow in his eyes. I gave him a questioning look. He sighed and shook his head and then looked at Jasper, who was watching me and Ally. Then he sighed again. What was all that about? I looked at Em who gave me a huge smile. Bella was now in his arms.

"So Jellybean, where's my Big Mac?" Carlisle looked at Em as if he had grown three heads.

"Oh! It's still in the car. I forgot to bring it up. Shall I go get it?" Bella asked with a big smile.

"What the hell? Don't tell me all this happened because she went out to get a big mac for you." Carlisle's sudden temper took us all by surprise.

"No, Carlisle. We actually went to move my stuff to Ally's from my place," Bella said with another smile, after giving me a look that said let's go with the flow. I guess there was nothing wrong with Carlisle knowing that Bella was moving in with Alice. In fact he would be more suspicious if she didn't.

"Where are you living?" Carlisle still looked very upset. He didn't act all that satisfied when she told him.

"I know your condo has security, but I'm not comfortable with that."

"But Carlisle, you've got us followed everywhere and even today Paul was with us."

"What do you mean Paul was with you? Where was Rosalie?" Carlisle looked puzzled and angry.

"On an extended lunch break no one knew about." Em informed him and I could tell he was furious with her.

"You mean to tell that idiot Paul was the only security the girls had?"

"Hey, I'm trained in self-defence." Bella looked offended.

"I know you are a cop's daughter, Bella. But your safety is our responsibility as well now. I know Alice is like a sister to Edward. And I owe your grandfather. In fact I guess we should inform him about all this."

"Let's not tell him just yet, Carlisle." Bella pleaded with him.

"Okay, fine. I guess you don't want the information about the wedding coming out before your birthday?"

"Yes." Bella and I both answered at once.

"Fine—then I think you moving in with Alice would anyway be a bad idea if someone found out about it."

"But…" I started to speak. I didn't really know what I was going to say, but hell I had to have Bella with me. In fact I didn't want her out of my sight even for a minute.

"I have a good security system installed at my place. I also have my own bodyguards…" Carlisle closed his eyes and touched the bridge of his nose.

"I think you should move in with me, Bella," Carlisle said with a very serious look on his face. What the hell?

A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews. So what do you think of what Carlisle suggested? Do you think he's still interested in Bella? Or is he trying to get her alone?

Thank you very much for all the well wishes I received. I'm still feeling a bit out of sorts but I think I'm slowly getting back to normal. Unfortunately, this chapter is also not Beta'd. I couldn't get it written in time to send it to my betas. So I'm very sorry about any mistakes in my writing. I have named this chapter 'Everybody loves Bella' at the suggestion of 'That'sMzPeaches TYVM'. Thank you for coming up with the name. She thinks everyone loves Bella. I guess she's right.