So I finished my work on MSG 23 and sent it off to Jess2002, YAY! Tomorrow I will do my best to work on MSG 24 and 25 to get it wrapped up too.


Chapter 53

As soon as we're on the dance floor, I pull a shaky Bella into my arms.

"You okay, love?" I ask, moving my mouth close to her ear.

"I'm not sure yet. I would say sorry, but I'm still pissed that she was in there claiming that you and she ..."

Kissing her neck, I'm trying hard to calm myself. "I've never, ever, been with her, love," I say feeling the need to reassure her.

"I know that, but they didn't. They were judging you without hearing your side of it. God, I fucking hate chicks like that."

"I really wish we could throw them out on their asses. And wait, before you say it, I know we need them."

I sigh shaking my head a little. "If they keep this up there will be no throwing them out, just some shots busted in their asses."

I feel her smile against my chest. "Wanna go home?" she asks.

"I do but we need to stay for the ringing in of the New Year."

Bella rolls her eyes, but looks at her watch. "Thankfully, it's just another ten minutes to go."

Grinning with a nod, I pull her closer to me as we sway slowly to the music.

"Edward, Bella," I hear from behind me.

Bella groans a little, but she lets me go and we both turn to Eleazar.

"WHAT?" I say harshly.

This man has been in a part of my existence all my life and until recently, I've looked up to him. To me he's always been an important member of the family. These last few weeks he has acted completely different. It's like none of the closeness of our past even matters. He's been looking out for what is best for him and his family, and that's acceptable. For him to take things this far is not okay and he has really pissed me off.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for how Tanya behaved. Ah ... she ... well, that's for another day." He stutters out and it shocks me though I don't let it show. In all my time, I've never heard him stutter or have a lack of words.

"Eleazar, just keep her away from Bella and me," I grit out to him.

"And get her to shut the fuck up. I will not have her, or anyone saying nasty lies about my Edward," Bella bites out sounding as if she's still angry and upset about it.

"I will, but you have to understand, Tanya has been in love with him for years. She thought that—he made her believe—they would be a couple," Eleazar replies, trying to soothe the situation against his daughter.

"That's utter bullshit and you know it," I snarl. "I have never led her on, nor spoken to her or about her and a desire to be married to her, ever. The only time marriage and she was mentioned is when you or she brought it up and each time, I was adamant and clear that it would NEVER happen. Do not EVER put her ideas, which you planted in her head, on my shoulders again, enough is enough. There is nothing more to say about this, am I clear?" Raising my voice causes a few of the other guests to look our way, but no one says anything.

Eleazar opens his mouth to say something, but my dad puts his hand on his shoulder stopping him. "This is a party; let's keep this conversation under wraps. You're both garnering unwanted attention again," my dad says in his fatherly tone. "No more, understand?" my father asks, raising his brow as he looks between Eleazar and me.

"I couldn't agree more; come dance with me," Bella says pulling me away.

"I'm so sorry, love, I don't get why he's acting like an asshole."

"I don't know, either, I'm still coming to grips with all this," Bella says waving her hand around.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you can all get a drink to bring in not only a New Year but the dawn of a brand new era for our family," Aro says. "Edward, please bring yourself and my Cara up here."

I nod to him and offer Bella my arm. Leading her up onto the stage, I hide my smirk. I'm so proud of her, all the pressure of everyone here watching her, and she still holds her head up high. Standing beside Aro, a waiter brings us each a glass. As the clock counts down, Aro faces the crowd.

"Buon anno," Aro says with a raise of his glass and we all follow him. As Auld Lang Syne plays, people sing, hug, kiss and share greetings around the room.

"Let's go home," Bella says walking into my open arms.

I look over at Aro who gives me a nod and smile.

"That sounds like a great plan, my love."

Turning us to face Aro, I take his hand and kiss his family ring. "Thank you for everything, Grandfather."

"Cara, Edward, take care of each other; I'll see you both here again soon. I love you my sweet girl," he says before kissing Bella's cheek and patting my back.

"We'll see you soon," Bella says, after kissing his cheek.

"Come on, love," I say leading her out of the hall.

I start kissing Bella as soon as we get through the door of our apartment. We make our way to the bedroom, and after closing and locking the door, we begin to undress each other.

Layer after layer of the old-fashioned dress and suit are removed between kisses and licks. When I finally lie Bella down on the bed, we are both desperate in our need to consume each other. With pants and nibbles of skin, we come together in a rush of bliss that makes every bit of the drama tonight worth it. As our breathing becomes slower we hold each other, with our gazes locked.

"Happy New Year, my love," I whisper.

"It's the happiest yet and once this drama is taken care of, it will be better."

"I will make sure this family problem is taken care of, if it's the last thing I do."

"The last thing you need to do is always hold me close each night," she tells me.

"I will, love, forever," I promise her.


A/N: Aren't they cute together? Eleazar has a wake up call coming, don't you think?