Chapter: waking up next to you
Bella had just gotten into the car but froze when someone else got in across from her.
"so, Daughter in law…we need to talk."
Carlisle.
With a simple snap of his fingers, Carlisle had the car door closed and they were speeding down the Chicago highway.
Bella fidgeted with the mask on her face and swallowed. When she had went on hiatus from Edward, that didn't mean her dates with his father stopped and never told him that they had taken a break, she just kept the conversation open and yet distant...never truly revealing anything.
However, she always felt that he knew she was lying but he never called her out on it.
"pop?" she questioned
"I see you and Edward have gotten back togather…I'm glad…it was very distressing to see you both so depressed."
"depressed?" she questioned nervously.
Carlisle slowly reached over and grabbed Bella's shaking hands.
"I know you better than you think figlia piccola. And i know all about the sleepless nigjt and the anxiety. I can only imagine how much worse it was thinking that you and Edward would never be togather again...and he in turn had some horrible night terrors. He stopped eating, barely slept...of course, no one noticed...he is very good at hiding things and so are you."Bella rolled her eyes.
"what do you always have to know everything pop. And ok, ok I was …. hiding some things. Mainly, my anger towards you. I...I feel somewhat betrayed and hurt by you pop. I mean…I came to you…I came to you and asked your permission bout my trip with Edward, no I stood up to you which is something I sure a lot people don't do and yet you had us followed and watched! How could you do that? bottom line is I don't think you trust me! and that hurts because I have nothing to offer this family, I have nothing to offer your son and yet you treat me like I'm some spy. Lile…like I would just steal all your money or that I'm some cheap whore! I mean I have nothing pop! My father pretends I don't exist. My mother is nonexistent and yet your son loves me and asked me to marry him and I have no idea why. Ok, never mind I do know why he wants to marry and why he loves me…. I guess I just don't feel worthy. I mean…I don't even know anyone in your family and I'm dreading when I do. because I know all heck will break loose. I'm not rich, I'm by definition a bastard child, in your world I have no worth…. So, what happens next. Edward and I marry and everything is just peachy... tell me the truth po- no, tell me the truth dad…What's really expected of me? am I gonna have to watch my back because people are going to try to kill me! or because the paparazzi don't care about human privacy, mine will be invaded. Now tell me the truth and don't lie to me!"
Aaron held his breath as he waited the boss's answer. No one would dare talk to the boss like that especially not his own family. not even his own daughters and if they did…well they'd be in big trouble.
However, Isabella was probably an exception to everything…
"what I'm going to say to you next…its going to hurt…but you wanted my honesty… While I did give you my permission, I did not give you my full trust. My trust as the head of this family and the tycoon of this very city is on a thin line. I cannot trust easily because putting my trust in just anyone can get me and my whole legacy killed. So, no... dear when I first met you, I didn't think there was much to it. you were mute and didn't move…but then…you and Edward connected, and I saw potential. You brought him back from the dead. He wasn't living. But after he met you, he began to come out of his shell and honestly, I was skeptical of your intentions. On the outside you were sweet and quiet, but I needed to know who you really were. To make sure that you weren't there to harm him. So no, I did not fully trust you…but after watching the footage from your trip and talking with sue and harry i- "
"wait? You talked with sue and harry? How?"
"well, after I called you both back, I met up with them. I needed to see for myself that you were the real deal. I needed to know where you came from outside of Charlie…who you were before he took you in. I needed to do a thorough background check. Now as I was saying before…talking to someone is one thing but seeing actions…that's different. I know you love my son Bella and to be frank. ...I don't think your prepared for the world he lives in. you will not fit the role of a typical wife in this family, you don't have the history, the background, the look, or the personality. You wouldn't fit in at all…and that's exactly what Edward needs."
The depression that Bella was feeling quickly disappeared
"So…What does this mean?" she asked quietly
"It means ...that I trust you Bella and it is not given lightly and when I say trust you, I mean I trust you with our secrets…with our truth…with who we really are. with that said, you have my blessing daughter… we have much to discuss, but I'm sure tonight was overwhelming."
Bella squeezed Carlisle's hands, just to calm herself.
"is...it always like this? All those people clawing after Edward?"
"unfortunately, honey. But you will be his pillar. The one person who he can trust…"
"dad…what about...what about Charlie?" her voice broke when she said his name. deep down, Bella was terrified and yet angry at her parents.
Carlisle let go of Bella hands and cupped the side of her face.
"Listen to me Piccola, Charlie swan has no power over you. Yes, you may be his blood, but you do not have his family name and nor has he clamed you and with you being Edwards intended, he has no rights. He left you when you needed him most and he left you in my care. My world has rules about that, that cannot be broken. So, rest assured. Everything will be ok."
…..
Jasper sat in one of the back rooms. Icing his ribs. Yep, they were definitely broken.
Stupid, spoiled, no good, rotten son of bitch. How dare he embarrass me! and I'm the oldest! I should have bene the one in charge! And how is it that Edward can break the tradition of introducing your future wife to the family first and getting their approval. It took months maybe even a year for his father to approve his children's spouses and yet here Edward was just bringing this girl out of the blue. The though almost made jasper laugh. This time, his father would see Edward for who he was. A child who was not worthy of being don, Especially since Edward broke tradition. Oh, the look of horror on his mother's face.
He shifted the ice to his face and had to think. Yes, he was definitely going to go through with his plan. He couldn't wait for the sun to rise.
…..
Edward ripped off his tie and his suit jacket and threw it to the floor.
Three in the goddamn morning, he thought. The party didn't end until 3 in the morning. Who partied that long? And because it was technically his party, he was required to stay. The whole time, that meant celebrities and women being shoved in his face plus paparazzi and journalist and stupid enemies that dared show their faces. He actually had to have a few people kicked out.
His siblings were scare through the night, but he could feel there angry, confused, and surprised stares.
For the rest of the night he had sat at a hidden table with his crew, and let Santiago decide who was allowed to approach him and who wasn't.
Edward had gone quiet for the rest of the night. He was exhausted and just wanted to shut his eyes, but his new role wouldn't let him. family heads just had to congratulate him.
A groan reached his lips as he fell unto his bed. He did everything he could to avoid his mother and it wore him out.
He knew he would have to face everyone in the morning…but it wouldn't be tonight.
And just as his eyes were starting to close, there was a quiet knock on his door. Anger flared and Edward turned cold.
"This better be an emergen- Bella?"
Edwards mouth dropped.
Standing there wearing a blue frog night gown that stopped at her calves and hair up in a messy bun, was Bella his fiancée. Her face was tomato red and she looked sleepy.
"um…hi...I'm sorry. Dad called me and told me the party was over and that his daughter needed to be under roof with his son immediately. He sent Ben over this time. That man is a grouch…um is the spare bedroom available?"
Edwards mouth was still hung open. However, he quickly caught himself
"spare bedroom? Yes, its open…but …you don't have to stay there…I mean…we slept in the same bed in the cabin. If you want…you could...stay in here? I won't touch you without your consent honey… would never do that to you."
"I... it's not that…it's just…were not in a secluded cabin in the woods of Kentucky…we are in your parents' house. And your whole family is here…. I just …I'm just so nervous…I feel like I'm making things worse for you."
Edward didn't care whether she was shaking like a leaf. He quickly drew her into his arms.
"oh, I missed you. Now listen to me. first off, the fifth floor is always isolated, no one is up here except for me and if my father called you, I'm sure Ben showed you the secret passageway. Number two, it doesn't matter where we are, when I'm with you I can't see anyone else. And number three, you could never make things worse for me. you've only made them better. Now where do you want to go babe? Cause I'm happy either way just as long as your close…"
"but…"
"no buts Bella. Don't let your fear rule your decision. Do what you want to do ….im here for you no matter what..."
To his surprise, instead of going to the spare room like he thought she would, Bella launched herself into his arms.
"I love you Edward…"
"oh god say it again…" he whispered as he gently brought them inside the room and closed his door. Making sure it was locked.
"I love you; I love you…I love you…"
Edward didn't respond, but he scoop Bella up and take her to the bed. He simply laid next to her and looked into her eyes.
"I'm so glad you're here…" he said
"and I'm glad to be here…matter of fact… I desire you more than food
and drink My body, my senses, my mind hunger for your taste
I can sense your presence in my heart. although you belong to all the world, I wait
with silent passion for one gesture, one glance from you."
Edward sat up and stared.
"what? What's wrong? Did I say something bad?"
"no, no…I- I no ones ever recited poetry to me before…especially something that…expresses their desire... oh Bella that beautiful… Say it again…"
"I desire you more than food…"
…..
Rosalie sipped her latte quietly and then sneered.
"what in the – Sherry!" she suddenly shouted, causing the residents at the to stop their morning conversations.
"Rosalie honey don't shout… its too early" her mother in law groaned.
"yeah well if its too early where in the world is Edward. I would like to speak with him breaking tradition…" Anthony "Nonno" Cullen spat.
No one answered the former don's question, they just ate quietly.
The table was long with a beautiful shade of mahogany and it ideally fit all the residents in the mansion.
As always there were the regular residents and weekend visitors like the Cullen siblings and there spouses minuses one even though that was going to change soon. Then there was Carlisle's brother Caius, his son Santiago and cacius wife Athendora. Next, you had Aro and sulpicia, Rosalie's parents along with Marcus, Aro's brother. Beside them was Eleazar, Carlisle's advisor and distant cousin, his wife carmen, and their daughter Tanya. Across from them was Charlie swan and his family, then Anthony Cullen the former don and his wife. And sitting at the head of the table was Carsile himslef and Esme.
All togather it had to eb just about 35 people at the table and only one was missing.
"Sherry!" Rosalie bellowed again.
"Rosalie stop that shouting! Please! I pretty sure we all have hangovers!" Alice whined
"hangover? Alice did you drink last night? Are you crazy?" Jasper hissed
"oh jazz, relax. I don't drink… I wouldn't do that?"
"why can't Alice have a drink? I thought you were the alcoholic?" Rosalie accused
"Rose! Watch your mouth! Emmett? I think you need to remind your wife her place." Sculpia ordered.
"wait, why can't Alice have a drink?" Elizabeth" Nonna" Cullen asked
"No reason. I just always get so tipsy, so I had to limit how much drink." Alice said shyly.
"well actually Alice, I think this is the time to tell them." jasper said proudly as he stood up.
Esme straightened up as she look between the two. Could it be?
"padre…may I have the floor?" jasper asked. His ribs were bruised, his face was bruised but pride was beaming off him.
Carlisle nodded silently. Already knowing what his son was going to announce and already seeing through his plan.
" la mia famiglia stiamo aspettando…" my family, we are expecting….
Of course, the table erupted into applause and quick hugs but with all the noise and cheer, no one saw Edward simply walk past the breakfast room to the kitchen, a small figure following behind him.
…
"Edward why don't we just eats what's on the table?" Bella asked sleepy
Edward smiled down at her. Always so polite.
"because honey, I want to introduce you our cook. She had saved me form starvation multiple times and once she finds out who you are to me…she will cook you something even better then what's on that table…"
"I see. Um, so are your relatives normally this loud in the morning?"
Edward frowned.
"no…but Alice and Jasper are having a child…so everyone's excited."
"ohhh! I see…and their unborn child would be the first grandchild…are you ok with that?"
"doesn't bother me…. I know exactly what my brother is doing and it sucks… but enough about that. Are you alright? I mean Charlie is in the next room over…you don't have to worry about him though."
"Thank you, Edward…I trust you and pops. I-"
"Edward! Is that my college graduate!" a voice said from behind them.
Both Edward and Bella turned around and Bella gasped.
"Mrs. Weber?"
….
"oh my gosh! I can't believe it! my first grandchild!" Esme squealed "oh we must have champagne! Sherry!"
No response.
"oh damn! That cook! Carlisle that is the third time today she has not answered us! We need to fire her."
Carlisle gave his wife a stern look. He was not happy about this. He knew exactly what was going on with his eldest son and it sickened him. He needed to get away for just a minute.
"son! This amazing your first grandchild!" his mother cheered.
Carlisle gave her a silent nod and stood, letting everyone know that he was stepping away.
"I shall return in a moment…" he muttered.
out of the corner of his eye, he could see Eleazar, cacius and Charlie's faces. They were probably wondering why he wasn't celebrating his eldest son creating an heir to the family. An extra heir…but Carlisle didn't need or want an extra heir. He had a true heir. And he needed to talk to that heir.
Where was Edward? For some reason he headed towards the kitchen.
Where he found something unexpected…
…
"oh my god…Isabella…" Mrs. weber cried. She quickly set the trays down and grabbed Bella. pulling her into a crushing hug.
"Mrs. weber" Bella said between sobs. "you're here? W-What are you doing here? I- I can't believe it…"
"oh, my sweet dear, I can't believe it either. How in the world did you get here and how do you know the Cullen's and what are doing with- "Mrs. weber stopped? Her eyes fluttered from Edward to Bella and then her eyes stopped. Narrowing on someone behind them.
"Mr. Cullen."
Bella and Edward turned to see Carlisle leaning on the doorframe.
"Sherry, Good morning. I see I'm interrupting something."
"No, your fine. But what I want to know and fire me if you want to, but what I want to know is if you are forcing Isabella into an arranged marriage. I mean why would she suddenly be here in this house, with your family. oh god Mr. Cullen… please…she's an innocent."
Carsile held hand up to silence the distraught women.
"relax sherry. Isabella is a member of this family. She is Edward fiancée…and they are togather because of love…not because of force or arrangement.…I promise you. But please enlighten me how you know our Isabella?"
"oh well, I've known this little girl from birth all the way up to her sophomore year of high school. However, I was forced to move away some jerk off from Boston. Never knew who he was…but he some how bought me out of my restaurant, and I forced to move away…"
"that's why you left? … someone forced you out? But wait...what about Angela? H-how is she?" Bella asked
Mrs. weber smiled.
" She's doing good, she's actually works at one of Edwards restaurants. She wanted to be a chef…"
"oh Mrs. weber…that's awesome…" Bella complimented.
"oh Isabella. she would be so happy to know you're here…maybe we can-"
"Sherry! I swear if I have to call you again Esme will-"
Rosalie stopped as she entered the room.
"is this why you haven't been answering? Look you can't sit here all day and coddle Edward, we need champagne! Get it now!"
Three mouths opened but only a fourth mouth spoke.
"How about you learn some respect for you elders. Did it ever occur to you that Mrs. weber was occupied? I think not. She will not be getting you any champagne because once again she is occupied and sense your already standing…get the champagne for your damn self. She may be a cook, but she is not your slave."
All eyes turned to Bella, standing next to Mrs. weber with her hands behind her back, and her face tomato red.
Carlisle held a stoic face but on the inside he was proud. Bella stood up for Mrs. weber and didn't break down, even thought he could see her hands shaking.
Before Rosalie could respond, he cut her off.
"Rosalie. Get the champagne and go back to the table. We will be there shortly. Now, please."
Rosalie made a face, glared at Bella, and then stomped out.
"Sherry. Why don't you take off the rest of the day? And don't worry about a pay cut, your fine. Ill give you a day off soon, so that you and Isabella can reconnect again…"