Innocent Until Proven Guilty Chapter 25
"Mmmm you definitely do the job right. Let me think it over ok? I'm not saying no, let me just sort some shit out first and then we can see ok?" he said against my lips as he kept leaning in closer and closer to my mouth. I made the final move and bit down on his bottom gently before capturing it between my lips. The kiss held all sorts of promises and as always, left me breathless. I hummed into the kiss before we pulled apart, we got into the car and drove to the jewellers.
I had no idea what sort of rings we wanted, I just hope Edward and I will be able to find something that we'll both love.
With the way Edward drove, we reached the jewellers in no time at all. Once he turned the engine off he gave my hand a gently squeeze before he jumped out and jogged over to my side to open the door. I gave him a lingering kiss on the corner of his mouth as I felt people watching us. I felt so empowered right now walking beside him. I felt at the top of the world as we stepped inside the jewellery store with the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
A saleswoman was instantly by our side placing her hand on Edward's otherwise unoccupied arm as she gleamed at him with her pearly whites. She had an orangey glow about her and platinum blond hair that looked too straight to be healthy. I rolled my eyes at her and didn't even bother to hide it. I was too excited about getting married to care about petty women like her.
Edward brought my body closer to him whilst moving his arm out of her grasp. I could feel how tense he was and I just wanted him to feel as happy as I did right now.
"I need to speak to your manager." He spat out in annoyance.
"I'm sure whatever it is, I am able to assist you Mr Cullen." She purred seductively, or at least she tried to. Ok, seriously I'm right here, what the actual fuck?!
"I'm sure you're not. I need to speak to Mr Robinson." He said through gritted teeth. His face scrunched up like he could smell something unpleasant and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh as I wound my arm around his waist and ran my fingers up and down the side of him.
Her eyes darted to me and she looked me up and down before huffing and going back behind the counter and retrieving a telephone. Within seconds an elderly gentleman with greying hair and a perfectly tailored pinstripe suit stepped through and made his way over to us. He had a twinkle in his eye and a beaming smile as he neared us.
"Ah Mr Cullen, how are you dear boy?" I couldn't help but smile at the older man.
"I'm great Mr Robinson, please call me Edward." My heart swelled watching how he interacted with the elderly, first Nonna and now Mr Robinson. It was like the weight of the world was off his shoulders and he was just a regular guy who wasn't next in line to the throne of Chicago.
"Then I insist you call me George. And who is this beauty next to you?" His gaze turned to me and his smile stretched further.
"My fiancé Isabella." The pride in Edward's tone rang loud and clear and I swooned a little at my new title, at least for the next few hours, then I'll become a wife.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Robinson." I extended my hand and he gently took it in his and brought it up to his lips.
"The pleasure is all mine." He responded and I chuckled as his cheeks turned pink.
"What can I do for you both?" Straight down to business it seems.
"We're looking for wedding bands." Edward proclaimed and kissed the side of my head as he brought me closer to him.
"Fantastic!" Mr Robinson exclaimed and clapped his hands in excitement.
"Genevieve, please unlock the cabinet for the wedding collection." Mr Robinson turned to look at the blond bimbo who would have most likely scoffed if her boss wasn't standing there.
I watched him shake his head and mutter something under his breath before he walked behind the counter and shooed her away. Edward and I stepped up to the glass counter illuminated by a white light and looked down at the velvet cabinet that housed wedding rings.
"When is the big day?" He asked as the twinkle in his eyes grew.
"Tonight." Edward said as he leaned closer to have a look at a set of white gold rings. The men's one was a wide band with a matte middle and two shiny strips going around it. The women's one had intricate floral design going all the way around the ring with diamonds nestled throughout. I was mesmerised by the ring and I was pretty sure I held my breath whilst I followed Edward and leaned in closer.
"That right there are the Eternity 14k white gold bands. My late wife helped me design these bands and I have been reluctant to sell them to just anyone. It feels like fate to me." I looked up as Mr Robinson spoke and he shot me a quick wink.
Edward turned to look at me and raised his eyebrow in question.
"How long where you and Mrs Robinson married?" I asked instead or replying to Edward's question.
"We celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary the year she passed. She was my high school sweetheart and what a sweetheart she was. She was my absolute rock. Supported me whilst I tried getting the business up and running, worked 3 jobs to keep us afloat and never once complained. Once the customers started trickling in and I was able to support us both and live a comfortable life, I begged her to stop working and help me with the paperwork at the shop but she was adamant we would drive each other crazy if we worked together. I left it for a while, dropping hints every now and again how I couldn't figure out the forms and when computers were introduced, I was like a fish out of water. She used to huff and then say 'hand it over would ya?'. She was the brains and the beauty behind my store. Working together actually brought us closer than we imagined. There's not a day that goes by that I don't miss her or think about her." I watched as his eyes glistened whilst he reminisced and I hoped Edward and I will be just like them when we're older.
I grabbed hold of Edward's hand and squeezed it as a lump formed in my throat.
"We never had any children, this store was our baby and we were content to just be. But fate had other plans. We found a lump in her breast and were told she had 6 weeks to live. We were angry and hurt that our time together was taken away from us and it was out of our control. I watched everyday as my Sandra lived out her final days to the fullest. She had this crazy idea of ticking things off her bucket list. It wasn't a long list but I tried my hardest to make sure she could complete it all before that disease had her bed ridden." Tears ran freely down my face as my heart broke for this man. Edward wrapped his arm around me tightly and rested his forehead against my temple, his warm breath ghosting across my face.
Mr Robinson chuckled before he carried on with his story.
"She wanted to get a tattoo; I tried my best to talk her out of it because I didn't want her to be in any more pain than she already was. She told me off for trying to wrap her up in bubble wrap and we both ended up with matching tattoos." The three of us laughed and I tried my best wiping away the tears.
"You two remind me a lot of us. You can feel the love you have for each other. You two move in sync and probably don't even realise it. Edward, keep her close and keep her safe. Exquisite Isabella is one in a million just like my Sandy was. Let me give you some good old fashioned advice, if you upset her, make sure you come back with flowers. Never go to bed angry and tell each other you love one another every day because you never know what fate has in store for you." He smiled gently at us and then excused himself as another saleslady called his name.
I turned to face Edward and he engulfed me in his arms. I breathed in his magnificent scent and held on to him, snaking my hand under his jacket and up his strong back.
"What do you think?" He spoke quietly as we both turned back to look at the rings.
"They're perfect." I whispered.
The older gentleman appeared in front of us again and beamed at us.
"So what will it be kids?" he asked.
"We'll take the Eternity rings George." Edward answered
"Splendid!" Edward chuckled at the old man who clapped again and then proceeded wrapping the rings up for us after we tried them on. The rings fit us like they were made for us and I felt reluctant to take mine off in order for Mr Robinson to ring them through.
We were a step closer to becoming husband and wife and I felt giddy again. I wanted to go to the courthouse now and just get the paperwork signed so I can finally become Mrs Cullen.
"Of Edward, before I forget, I hope the other purchase is satisfactory. It's been a while since I had to get that design out." He laughed to himself and brought out a large book that looked vintage with its leather binding.
He opened the large book and started writing out the details of the ring, who purchased it and for how much. I couldn't believe how much they cost and I almost told Edward we should maybe look for something else but it was like he could read my mind because the look he gave me said don't even think about it.
For a second I wondered what the other purchase Mr Robinson was speaking about and I was just about to ask Edward when I felt someone looking at me. I turned to look out the front window but there was no one there. I shook off the feeling and thanked Mr Robinson profusely as he handed us the package that housed our new wedding bands.
After exchanging pleasantries, we bid him goodbye and walked out of the store hand in hand as the rings were nestled inside Edward's jacket. His phone started ringing as he opened the car door for me. I hopped in and was about to shut the door when Edward's whole demeanour changed. He did a full 360 as he looked around him, a hardened look crossed his face as he listened to whoever was on the other side of that call.
"You better be fucking kidding me, I swear to everything you believe in that if you don't get me that information in the next 2 minutes, you're going to regret it. I will not have this happen again do I make myself fucking clear? Do I look like I give a shit if it's not ethical? Don't forget who you work for Ben." He ended the call and I could see he was seething.
"What's wrong?" It felt like Déjà vu as I once again uttered those words.
"Hunter." Was all Edward said as he shut my door and swiftly walked to the driver's side and climbed in. A cold shiver ran down my back as Edward sped away from the curb and made his way back to the club.
He made quick calls to Jasper and Emmett as well as Carlisle and Demetri. They were all on high alert and I just prayed to god nothing was going to get in the way of us getting married tonight.
I really didn't want bloodshed on my wedding night.
When we got back, Edward and I quickly gathered our stuff to change into and we were back in the car in record speed.
I was a little confused as Edward went the opposite way from the courthouse and instead drove out of the city. I watched him glance at the rear-view mirror and speed up. I tried to look back but all I could see was a pair of headlights that were on full beam. I couldn't make out the asshole behind the wheel and had the sudden urge to shoot at his lights. There was nothing I hated more than assholes who had their lights on high beams. Edward reached forward and opened the glove compartment and pulled out a Glock. My breathing picked up as he handed it to me.
"What the fuck is going on?" I demanded as he kept looking at the car behind us who was getting closer and closer to us.
"We're being followed." Was all he said as he wound through traffic, trying to get more and more cars between us.
"Is that Hunter?" I asked as I once again tried to make out the driver.
"No, Hunter wouldn't want to get his hands dirty just yet. He's testing the waters to see how close his goon can get to me." Edward was calm as he continued driving but I was pretty sure I was close to hyperventilating.
"Baby where are we going?" I asked and heard my voice tremble ever so slightly.
"To get married." Was his only response.
We carried on driving for some time and there were less and less cars in front of us and behind us.
"If he gets close enough again, shoot the headlights and then the tyres. I need to see his face first." Edward instructed as he turned down some back roads. The headlights beamed through the rear-view mirror again and the car was getting closer.
Before Edward could say anything, I opened my window and leaned out of it to get a good shot.
"Bella get the fuck back into the car!" he bellowed.
"How the fuck do you expect me to get the lights and the tyres?!" I shouted back as I took aim and fired two quick rounds, successfully turning his lights out. The car swerved ever so slightly but he tried to gain speed again to get closer to us. I quickly ducked inside the car when I noticed his own gun sticking out the window.
"Can you see the fucker now?" I asked as I tried to look behind us.
Edward rolled down his window and took a shot out at the car hitting the left front tyre with precision. I was about to do the same to the other one but the car swerved and drove into the ditch on the side of the road. Edward slowed down ever so slightly and did a U-turn. As we got closer to the car, Edward once again took his gun out and fired once, hitting the guy between the eyes before he could take a shot at us.
He parked the car on the side of the road and got out, his gun still in his hand. He walked over to the car and opened the drivers side door and started looking through the pockets of Hunter's goon. He took his phone and wallet and walked back over to our car.
He jumped back in and handed me the guy's belongings.
"Who is he?" He asked me as I opened the wallet and got the driving licence out.
"Stefan Padolski," I read out and I wondered whether it was his real name.
"The Romanians? What the fuck is Hunter doing getting involved with the Romanians?" Edward asked rhetorically. The phone in my lap vibrated and I jumped in surprise.
It was a text message from an unsaved number.
"What does it say?" Edward asked as he tried looking at it himself as well as keeping an eye on the road.
"See where Cullen and his little bitch end up and then take care of her. Make sure to leave Cullen to me." My breathing picked up as I read out the message, no doubt it was from Hunter.
"FUCK!" Edward exclaimed as he hit the steering wheel and increased the speed. His face was deadly and he didn't look at me as I tried to keep my emotions in check. For the first time since we decided we'll get married tonight, I wondered whether we should do this alone or if it would be safer to have someone there with us.
"Edward I-"
"Angel please," he said through gritted teeth as his knuckles turned white with the grip he had on the wheel. He suddenly took a right turn, the tyres screeching in the process, and sped down a small quaint street. The streetlights were sparse and it looked like most of the town was asleep. It housed a local convenient store, a café, a small bakery and at the end of the road was a small church that looked like it needed some work done. The roof was rundown but the actual building itself looked inviting. The thick wooden doors were open letting out the bare minimal light that kept flickering which made me think it was probably lit up by candles. Edward slowed down outside the little church and took a deep breath before he turned to face me but looked out at the church.
"Where are we?" I asked, never once being down this side of Chicago.
"My grandparents got married here. My grandmother ran away from home to be with my grandfather, as you can imagine her family didn't approve of his. I believe the same priest is still running a service here." he spoke softly as he continued to look out the window.
"Baby is it safe for us to do this alone?" I finally voiced my worries and he finally looked at me.
"The sooner we do this, the safer it will be Isabella." He sounded pained and I wanted more than anything to forget the past half hour ever happened and just bask in the fact that I will be tied to him for the rest of our lives. Getting married will give me the protection he has been trying to provide me with since the beginning.
Wife's and children can't be touched.
"Then let's do this." I smiled at him reassuringly, grabbed his hand that was resting on the armrest and brought it up to my lips, kissing the palm whilst I looked at him through my lashes. I watched him swallow and quickly nod his head as he turned the car off and opened his door.
Once I stepped out, I could hear the sound of faint traffic but the little street was otherwise quiet.
Edward grabbed our garment bags from the back as well as the small bag I packed with my makeup and hair products as well as something I could pack my current clothes in. He walked around to where I stood and took my hand in his free one.
We made our way inside the church; I was pleased to see it was empty apart from an old gentleman who was sat in the front pew with his head bowed down. Unfortunately, my high heels disturbed the silence inside and it made the old gentleman turn to look at us. His expression as one of recognition.
As we walked closer, his quick intake of breath made me worry that he would turn us away.
"Eduardo?" He whispered and Edward and I turned to look at each other in confusion.
"Father Agostini?" Edward asked as we now stood in front of the frail man.
"Sì," he nodded and held out his hand, Edward shook his hand and as I reached mine out to do the same, Father Agostini clasped it in both of his and bowed his head whilst he whispered something.
"Father we would like to get married tonight, is there any way you can help us with that?" Edward asked as the priest glanced between us.
"Right now?" he asked in a slight Italian accent.
"Please, lei è in pericolo." She is in danger.
Hearing Edward speak Italian did funny things to me but I squashed them down because now wasn't the time. Whatever Edward had said made the priest give us a quick nod before he told us to follow him. He led us to a set of stairs and told us that there are 2 rooms at the top for us to get ready in. He told me he will have someone help me with getting ready and I was about to protest but he turned around and went down a set of stairs that was to the left of us.
We held hands as we made our way up the steep stone stairs and then Edward opened the door on the left, quickly looked inside and motioned for me to come through. The room was illuminated by 2 wall lights and held a floor length mirror that rested against the cobbled wall as well as 2 plush chairs. There was a vanity table under the window that looked out to the courtyard at the back of the church, but all I could see was the reflection of us as we stood side by side.
Edward leaned in and left a gentle kiss on my temple.
"I'm just across the hall, if you hear or see anything that doesn't feel right, shout and I'll be here." He gave my hand one last squeeze before he placed the bag on one of the chairs and hung the garment bag with my dress in behind the door.
I couldn't speak.
All I could do was nod and watch him go across the hall to his room to get dressed in.
I watched as he quickly looked around the room before he turned back to the door just as a young girl who couldn't have been more that 16, appeared at the top of the stairs and looked down at the floor before squaring her shoulders and looking up at me.
"Hello." I managed to finally say and I watched as she looked at me with amazement in her eyes before she turned to where Edward still stood. She almost did a double take but then a gentle smile crossed her features and she stepped into my room and gently closed the door, the last thing I saw was Edward mouth that he loves me before it was just me and her.
"Let me help you to your forever." She gently said as she gave me a genuine smile and proceeded to unzip the garment bag.
We worked quietly together, she offered minimal conversation and I was happy with that. I was too lost in my own thoughts to be able to keep up conversation.
She helped me pin my hair up in a subtle updo and then assisted me in putting the dress on, she politely turned around as I got naked in front of her, I even noticed the slight blush on her cheeks as she caught a slight glimpse of me in the mirror. I was too excited to care, it wasn't like I was going to ever see her again.
I can't describe how it felt to finally have the dress on my body. My nipples hardened as the fabric was held up by the spaghetti straps. The cowl neck fell around my breast and luckily hid my nipples. I shivered ever so slightly as my back remained bare and Lucia proceeded to do up the 4 buttons at the bottom.
That was when I heard the other door open and close, there was no movement for a bit but then I could hear footsteps descend down the stone stairs. I felt like my heart had stopped as I heard his voice ring through the building as he spoke to Father Agostini.
Lucia guided me over to the free chair and helped me slip on the white heels I had packed. As she helped me clasp the last strap on the heels, she gave me her hand and helped pull me up.
I turned to look at myself in the mirror and what I could see reflecting back at me took my breath away. I had packed a set of pearl earrings my mother had given me one day as she was going through her jewellery. I left my neck bare as the dress already had a lot going on at the front. The dress was long enough to hide my shoes as it rested on the floor ever so slightly, going around to the short train at the back. We had kept my makeup light and I couldn't take my eyes away from the reflection looking back at me.
I watched as Lucia stood to the side beaming at me with excitement. She clasped her hands together and bounced on the balls of her feet, making me laugh softly at her excitement.
"Are you ready?" She'd asked.
"Yes," I whispered back and Lucia handed me a small bouquet of baby's-breath that were tied with a thin satin wrap.
She proceeded to open the door and then reached her hand out to help me down the stairs. As we slowly descended, I noticed that the little church was now covered in hundreds of tealights and tall pillars that held much larger candles. Lucia led me down a corridor to the side and we were stood by the entrance once more.
The doors were closed this time as we stood in front of them.
Lucia squeezed my hand before she stepped away and I finally looked up to the front of the church.
There stood my present and my future.