EPOV:
"Charlie fucking Swan you have to be fucking kidding me. That guy is a fucking beast and if he finds out th-"
"Emmett; not fucking helping bro, can we not even fucking think about that right now. What we should be focusing on is finding out where the press got that little tidbit of information from an it would do us all well to maybe reach out to Charlie and see what's up. I mean we were on good terms the last time I was out there, I don't want that shit to change. You heard what he did when the Jersey boss pissed him off" I said watching Bella sleep on the couch
"Did they ever find him?" Jasper asked from his spot on the couch.
"Not that I know of, and good riddance, the fucker was a disgrace" My dad said walking in.
"Has Bella woken up yet?" he said in a hushed voice.
"Yeah we talked for a bit, and she said she's just tired; we had a late night last night. This shit today was the last thing she needed"
"So I have a call in to Charlie; we actually go way back-I think if we reach out to him before the media gets to him we can get in front of this" Carlisle said walking in.
"Bella has never once mentioned his name. I don't even think she knows who he is. I mean she is convinced her mother didn't even know who her father is"
"Don't talk about me as if I'm not here. Jesus the least you guys can do is not turn my napping spot into your war room" Bella said sitting up.
"Sorry baby I just couldn't let you out of my sight and I don't know where this has all traveled to yet" I said sitting next to her
"How did they even know or connect me to this person. My mother never talked about my real father. She just said he was one of a string of her bad choices and he would never be an issue" Bella said wringing her hands.
"She ever tell you anything else about him?"
"She just said that he was no good for either of us; he was a bad mistake" Bella shrugged.
"Well Bella this is kinda up to you baby I-"
"Edward do what you think is gonna be best for us. I trust you to make the right decision; all I want at the end of this is to be sure if this Charlie guy is my father or not"
"I'll reach out to him; our family has done some business with him in the past. He's not an ogre living in a swamp surrounded by a moat Bella; and even if he is we will keep you safe" I said sitting down next to her and wrapping my arm around here kissing her temple.
"It's crazy that if he's my father; if I wouldn't have ever met you, I wouldn't know about him" she said snuggling into me"
"You give me entirely too much credit love, but I will make sure that no matter what we're gonna be fine. I will keep you safe baby" I whispered to her and she turned towards me and I swear Bella's lips and eyes have this look to them that pulls me in. I couldn't help it when I pulled her into my lap and kissed her with everything I had.
I lost all train of thought as my hands caressed the round of her ass and the soft skin of her thighs as I nibbled on her bottom lip. Her nails softly scraped my scalp I was so gone I barely heard my father clear his throat behind us. I couldn't get enough and really couldn't stop myself.
"Sorry to interrupt you two defiling my office, but can we talk for a minute" My father boomed. Bella jumped off my lap and to the other side of the couch so fast she resembled a cartoon character and she tried to subtly wipe her smeared lipstick away as if we hadn't been caught.
"I um Carlisle Esme I'm sorry- I" Bella was stuttering I on the other hand found he whole thing funny. She was acting like we were fifteen years old and we're been caught feeling each other up.
Carlisle was trying to be stern but even he thought this was funny.
"So guys I just got a call from Charlie; he's invited us to New York" Carlise said looking at Bella.
"Us as in who?" Bella asked carefully.
"Bella this is just as much of a shock for him as it is for you. He's been looking for you there's of course going to be a DNA test; but the story he told me lined up pretty accurately from what Phil had told an associate of mine.
"So Phil knew about this? He knew who my father was the entire time and he never told me?" Bella jumped up.
Carlisle help up his arms in defense and Bella flinched.
"I'm sorry Carlisle I didn't mean to-"
"No sweetheart it's okay. I understand and trust me Phil was punished for everything he's done to you" Carlisle said.
"So they were right he is dead?"
"No, actually that's how the press got wind of this; there was some incompetence on the part of some people and he slipped away and now we have no idea where he is, but there are quite a few people looking for him; quite a few people he needs to answer to"
"Umm I want Edward to come too, I can't do this without-"
"Bella; Your father-Charlie isn't a bad man-he just wants the truth and he wants to meet you. He knows that you and Edward are engaged and that my family is quite taken with you. He just wants a chance to get to know you if it turns out that you are his daughter"
"When are we leaving?" she asked quietly.
"Charlie would like to meet us as soon as possible"
"Wait dad, is this smart? I mean shouldn't we meet on neutral territory?" I asked pulling Bella behind me.
"Edward we want to keep him as comfortable as possible, if this goes bad, he is within his right to forbid you from seeing his daughter; remember this laws of the family apply here. This is technically his party. We're invited guests" Carlisle offered
"Wait, what about what I want? I want Edward to be my husband; I'm a-"
"A princess and the king in our world must agree to the choice of prince. At the core of all of this we are traditionalists" Carlisle explained.
"That's not fair, how is it he can-"
"Bella-Stop it right now. I don't like it either, but this is the world we live in. If Charlie proves to be your father and he says no. I have to respect his wishes. I wouldn't want to- remember baby we gotta protect the throne" I said trying to calm her down. She was shaking and I was standing behind her running my fingertips down the lengths of her arms.
"Well here is the thing; We have to go to the governor's ball if we don't that starts a new shit story. How about we ask Charlie to come here; is he married? They can be our guests and that way we have control of the situation and access to what the press can get at? For all we know Phil has gotten into bed with jersey and we now that New York and Jersey hate each other right now and they could be waiting on us to all be in one place at the same time I mean think about it. We run the south Charlie runs New York they knock us all out there is the enire eastern seaboard up for grabs; fuck that" I said stepping in front of Bella.
"You know I didn't even consider that- good call Edward. Good thinking out of the box" Carlisle complimented me.
"Look dad make the invite and I am gonna take Bella and find her gown. I think the press expects us to be in hiding for the rest of the day circling the wagons.
"You think you guys will be okay?" my mother asked.
"Come on momma, I will keep her safe. I swear I won't let anything happen to us. We need this mom"
I was feeling cagey and needed to get out of the house for a while.
"You think we'll be alright baby?" I asked wrapping my arms around her waist
"We got this tough guy; let's go do this" she said kissing my chin.
"You're going to take a drive and security with you Edward; non negotiable" My dad said sitting behind his desk.
"I'm to tired to fight with you and after we're going home for the night. If you need me you know where we're gonna be" I said holding my hand out to Bella.
I had to puff my chest out when she put her hand in mine and followed me out.
I put my darkest wrap around Oakley's on as the Escalade came around.
"I love those sunglasses on you; they make you look so sexy" she whispered in your ear.
"You have no idea how sex it is to see Roll Tide across your chest"
"What does it mean actually; I know all about the Alabama Crimson tide" she said.
"The night I marry you I will tell you exactly what roll tide means" said holding her hands and pulling her close to me. I pushed the button to put up the divider between us and the driver.
"So you wanna finish what we started in the office?" I asked winking at her.
She turned absolutely crimson. I loved fucking with her.
"You mean here? In the car? What if someone sees us?" she asked looking around suspiciously.
"Babe the windows are blacked out; No one can see what we're doing. Trust me" I said licking my lips. I stared at her and then the radio cam on and I sang along with it.
"Just like they say it in the song let's marvin gaye and get it on; we got this king size to ourselves; don't have to share with no one else, don't keep your secrets to yourself it's kama sutra show and tell"
She smiled and got closer to me and sang softly "Ooh there's loving in your eyes that pulls me close; it's so subtle I'm in trouble but I'd love to be in trouble with you" before our lips touched. I ran my tongue along her bottom lip and that did it. We were lost in each other her lips her touch her moans and her whisper soft please were all I could focus on. I was so gone over her.
The car slowed to a stop just as we were forehead to forehead catching our breath.
"Ey the block once and give us a minute would you?" I called into the intercom.
"Sure boss. There might be some static; we picked up some press about three blocks back, but teams ready"
"No worries man. Let's go"
"Are you ready for this love?" I asked taking Bella's hands and kissing her fingertips.
"We're together, I can do anything if we're together stop worrying Edward. We're going to be alright" she said with this look in her eyes that made me realize that she trusted the decisions I was making for us.
She was right we had to get over this. No matter what we did or where we went as long as my family was who they were and if Charlie swan was her father this was gonna get worse before it got better.
We took one last look at each other before Enzo opened the door to let me out and just like earlier there were the screams and the flashes of the cameras.
I grabbed Bella's hand and walked toward the mall entrance. We were surrounded by the Samoan enforcers my father kept on the payroll. So they could scream and snap all the pictures they wanted but they would never get close to us. I held her hand tight the entire time and she let my know by running her fingers over my knuckles we were doing okay.
"Jesus who would have thought some guy taking his girlfriend to the mall would be front page news?" I said and she looked over at me and snickered we climbed out of the car at the side entrance of the mall and there were the photographers in full force. The lights and cameras and the screaming questions.
I was worried for a second that Bella would become overwhelmed again; but my girl totally surprised me.
"Just a guy taking his girlfriend to the mall; jesus when they realize how much of a dick you really are; you won't be so popular you know" Bella leaned over and whispered to me squeezing my hand as we walked.
Now that was a picture the press would love; Bella and I holding hands on our way into the mall our heads both thrown back in laughter.
Her joke was exactly what the both of us needed to forget about the world around us and be just us.
People stared as we walked into the mall surrounded by security.
"Babe, let's just get lost for a minute; forget the security and the press and be us?" she said wrapping herself around my arm and looking up at me.
"What's up?" I asked her
"As long as I'm looking at you we're the only ones here and the only ones that matter, the rest can just get lost" she said and winked.
"Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?" I leaned down and gave her a soft innocent peck.
"You're pretty amazing yourself handsome; now can we get this dress crap out of the way. I need to go get some bigger serving platters. I told your mother I would host Sunday dinner this weekend"
"You're gonna do what? You realize my we go to my grand-"
"Trust me I can handle the wicked bitch of the west they call your grandmother" she said with a roll of her eyes.
"You're going to cook the whole meal yourself?" I asked in a shock. Not even Alice had the balls to take on that shit and the girl could actually cook a little bit. Nowhere near as good as Bella but she could do a little something.
"Well here's the thing-We're going to grandpa's for dinner this Sunday" I said looking down at her and tried my damdest to be a sheepish as possible. I knew about the fact that she and my grandmother had butted heads.
"How? You do realize we just announced we're engaged. There Is no way in hell the press is going to let us out of their sight. Sneaking off to have dinner with a wanted fugitive ain't gonna happen" she whispered harshly into my ear.
"You trust me right?" I asked a sly smile on my lips.
"In theory yes, but sometimes-" she trailed off with a snort.
"smart ass that has jokes huh?" I asked as she drug me into some store with a bunch of pots and pans.
"Where in god's name are we Bella?" I asked looking around and quickly losing interest.
"Edward just hush and go sit over there" she waved me off pointing to a bench in the corner where there was a couple of other guys sitting.
"Whatever man, don't take forever baby" I mumbled and went over and sat at the far end of the bench and started going through some texts from Emmett and my mother asking about wedding shit. Emmett wanting to know if I wanted to go to Vegas for my bachelor party. I started laughing when he said we can get some bitches when I felt holes being stared into the side of my head.
I looked up and saw all three of the dudes on this bench staring at me.
"What?" I snapped.
"Hey man aren't you that guy on tv?" one of them asked.
"There are a lot of guys on tv. You ain't really narrowing it down genius" I grumbled.
"that mob guy, that judge locked you up cause your daddy knocked up his old lady?" the other one chimed in.
"First of all my father never knocked up anyone; he got his wife pregnant. Second of all that judge treated my mother like crap so she left him for another man my father; he got shown up and he don't like me because of it" I hissed.
Right when I was about to loose my shit I heard Bella.
"Edward come here I want you to see this dutch oven" she was so excited.
"A dutch who?" I asked narrowing my eyes at the dipshits I was sharing the hubby bench with.
"Just come here" she walked away grumbling about she couldn't let me get arrested again.
"What are you going on about woman"
She turned around and stared at me "outside of the family are you actually nice to anyone?" she asked
"umm-wait; what the fuck does that have to do with anything?"
"Edward you know from now until we are married we're both going to be under a microscope. I know how private and close to the chest you are; but baby you have to be nice. I know who you are. We know what's real about us. So let people stare and say what they want. They are just trying to get a reaction out of you" she said softly touching my face.
"Baby you have no idea how much you save me. I got you baby" I palmed her ass and pulled her to my chest.
"You better; I promised your father I'd keep you out of trouble; don't make a liar out of me Edward" she shook her fingers at me. I didn't even respond. I just palmed her ass and pulled her to my chest and kissed the top of her head.
"Seriously Bella, what the hell did we come in this store for. It's a bunch of fucking pots and pans. We got all this shit at the house" I chided her.
"No you don't. You have the basics and I plan to beseat that evil ass grandvillan of yours. So I gotta bring my A game, you wanted me to spend money so that's what I did. I am having it delivered to the house. I'm done"
"Dam that didn't take as long as I thought it would" I said.
"that's because I knew if I made you spend any amount of time in there you might explode. So I pre-ordered everything I just needed to go pay for it." She shrugged and started walking towards the front of the store.
"Bella you gotta know I'd do anything for you babe; there is nothing I wouldn't do for" I said squeezing her arm.
"Well there is one thing you could do" she said looking up at me with this smile and those lips I leaned down and kissed her.
"Anything you want baby girl" I wished I knew then what I know now I would have totally rethought this fucking statement.
"Tell me everything you know about Charlie Swan" she said sofly.
"Uhh, I don't Bella-until-"
"Edward come on we both know you think there is some truth to the reporters statement. I mean I don't remember a whole lot cause of the fainting but I saw the look on your face before I went out and you were white as a sheet. You think he's my father too huh?"
"Yeah, I mean I've worked with him a few times. He's a tough guy but he's fair. He's great friends with my grandfather. I can't really talk about it here"
"Fine; but you will talk about it. Right?" she asked.
"Yeah I'll tell you anything you wanna know. But there are some things that you're going to ask him"
"I don't even know what I would want to ask him. Mostly I would ask him why he left me with Phil; why he and my mom weren't together?" she thought
"I wish I knew the answers to those questions baby; but I swear I never knew he had a daughter, the shit was just as shocking to me as it was to you.
The rest of the time we tried to be a normal couple. Well as normal as you could be with like fourteen fucking photographers following you around. We held hands and laughed. Fuck w even shared an ice cream cone.
"So you ready for tomorrow night?" she asked as we watched the guards load up the bags that held her dress and shoes and my tux into the back of the SUV my father had send for us.
"What is there to be ready for; you my woman; the woman that I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with. I love you Bella. I been waiting my whole life for you babe"
I looked at her and her eyes filled with tears.
"baby; what did I do? What's wrong? Why you about to cry?" I fired off questions and she just stared at me for a minute. I swear it was the longest minute of my life.
BPOV:
The day with Edward had been amazing. Even if we were shopping; my least favorite thing to do.
He was a total sneaker head. It was almost like the guys who worked in the Foot Locker at the mall were tripping over themselves when they saw Edward.
He gave on oof the guys a handshake man hug thing and they stated chatting. I realized quickly it was business and started to browse around the store. I stopped in front of the smallest cutest pair of pink leopard pink nikes I had ever seen.
"You know our daughter would have those right?" his voice whispered in my ear and I jumped.
"Wow you think I'm gonna give up my tme with you to give you babies. Are you insane?" I giggled
"You don't wanna have babies with me Bella?" he whispered putting his arounds around me.
"I didn't say I didn't want to. I just said I don't want to give up my time with you just yet; but I think we'd make pretty babies" I smiled up at him.
"I'm buying those; you know for our daughter" I said to him picking up the shoes.
"Her first pair of shoes, I think you having a daughter could be a bad thing" I laughed as he took the shoes from my hands.
The next day was the Governor's ball we'd spent the night at the compound with the rest of the family. Esme thought it was of the utmost importance that the family show up to the ball together. That morning when I woke up something felt different. Like something was coming but I had no idea what.
I turned over pulling the sheet over my exposed upper body. I felt Edward's arm wrap around me. The room was bright and warm.
"Why are you awake?" he grumbled
"I should go check on the girls; we're supposed to go to the spa and crap for the ball tonight"
"So I don't get to see you all day. That sucks"
"It wasn't my idea; in fact, I actually didn't want to go" I complained.
"Well then don't go. You don't have to do shit you don't want to do Bella, I told you stop letting them goad you into shit" he sat up.
"I know Edward; this is for your mother. She has always been good to me and I just wanted her to be happy. She wanted all us girls together and even though I can't stand to be around Alice for more than a few minutes I would endure it to see your mother happy"
"You're amazing baby. I love how good you are to my mother; I'm serious though, Don't take Alice's shit, if she won't get off your ass I'll say something to Jas"
"Edward; no, let's just get through the party tonight then we will deal with it. I don't want to make an already stressful day even worse by adding a whiney Alice onto it" The thought of the little lunatic and her toddler like tantrums were enough to get me to roll my eyes so hard I was seeing the top of my skull.
"What's her deal with you anyway?" he asked rolling over to grab his cell phone.
"I don't know, sometimes I think it's she feels left out because Rose and I are so close? Then it's like she wants to treat me like some little dress up doll. She wants to do my hair and makeup like I'm some invalid or charity case whose too dumb to know how to put together an outfit. I've told her once before just because I don't bother doesn't mean I don't know how but it's like she doesn't hear me unless I'm saying exactly what she wants me to say"
"Babe, I think you're beautiful, smart and amazing. There's not a dam thing about you that neds to change; and if there was you for dam sure wouldn't need her fucking help. Don't let her get in your head Bella, you don't have to do all that shit to keep my attention"
"Edward I was never worried about it. For better or worse I'm me. I love you but I intend on being the same girl I have always been. It would be really messed up of me to forget my beginnings or what my values are. I'm just not like that"
"One of the many reasons why I am so on you. I would be stupid not be totally in love with you, and your nerves aren't the only ones she works. I think that as much as my parents love her she gets to be a bit much for them too. Hell why do you think Jas hasn't moved out yet. He don't wanna deal with her ass own his own" Edward laughed.
"I don't hate her Edward. I really think that she has the best of intentions but she tries too hard and comes on a bit too strong. Just let me do this baby. I promise I will handle this. Now you need to get going. You, your brothers and your dad are going to play golf in the Governor's tournament. You need to be ready in thirty minutes and I need to go check and make sure Rose and Esme are ready to go Alice will explode if we're late"
Edward grumbled a bit but headed into the bathroom and I let out a breath when I heard the shower turn on. I turned my head when I heard a knock on the door.
"Are you fuckers decent? I'm coming in anyway" Rose declared. I barked out a laugh when she walked in with her hands over her eyes.
"Rose I'm dressed and Edward is in the shower, it's safe" I giggled.
"I don't wanna see anyone's bits" she said and sat down on my vanity bench.
"You almost ready to go?" she asked as I checked my purse for my phone and purse
"Yes and No-not really in the mood for Alice's whinning and trying to take over everything. I love the girl but I swear she rubs my nerves the wrong way"
"She takes some getting use too, the trick with her is to let her know she needs to stand the fuck down; you can't let her push you around or talk to you any kind of way"
"I'm trying to just ignore it; but knowing I'm meeting Charlie tonight I'm on edge and my nerves are just not in a good place" I confessed.
"We'll be fine, the spa is going to be great, my hairdresser is amazing. You're going to love him. Now did you say goodbye to lover boy? Can we go?" she asked
"Yeah let me let him know I'm leaving"
I walked to the door and softly knocked. Edward was standing at the sink a towel wrapped around his waist and shaving.
"Baby we're going to head out. I'll see you after your golf game. Please be good" I said blowing him a kiss and starting to walk away.
"Hey baby" he called
"Yeah?"
"I love you. Have fun and don't take no shit" he said with a wink.
"Love you too. I won't see you later"
I left the room and headed downstairs feeling somewhat giddy. I loved that man and he had no idea how happy he made me.
"You have the big goofy I'm in love smile. He must have said something cute?" Rose snickered poking me in the side.
"Oh you mean the same smile you had at dinner the other night?" I said giving her hair a small tug.
"No fair you guys went to dinner and didn't invite me?" Alice whined.
"The guys had a meeting and we got bored so we went out while they were doing business. Stop making something out of nothing" I snapped.
"I'm gonna ask Jasy why he always leaves me home and you guys get to go that's not fair" she continued to whine and I tried to control the eye roll I did but I knew I wouldn't be able to so I put my sunglasses on and walked out he front door and crawled into the Escalade and leaned my head back to enjoy my last few minutes of silence.
The door opened and I could still hear Alice going on and on. Esme for the most part was ignoring her and typing on her blackberry. Rose was texting on her phone.
This went on for a few minutes as Alice whined on and on about constantly being left at home and Jasper got to go out and have fun and whatever else until she looked around and noticed the attention wasn't on her.
"Oh for fucks sake; everyone brace yourselves. Here she blows" I thought to myself
"Why is no one listening to. Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me" Alice screeched at the top of her voice.
I had to bite my lip to stock the snicker from Erupting as Esme jumped and nearly dropped her phone and Rosalie stared at her in shock with her one of her perfectly arched eyebrows raised.
"Mary Alice is screaming like a petulant attention seeking child really necessary?" Esme hissed
You would think the ice in my future mother in laws voice would have stopped this latest tantrum but it didn't.
"Ma you don't get it do you. Bella and Rosalie are shutting me out. Jasper ignores me and I have no one to talk to or hang out with and it's not like I can go out and make my own friends and it's just not fucking fair" she whined and I couldn't stop the groan that escaped.
"Do you have a problem Bella" Alice asked the challenge evident in her voice.
"Alice you know what I've fucking had it. This is stupid you go on this rant because not everyone has their head up your ass. Get bent. Maybe if you weren't so fucking annoying always trying to control and manipulate people, if you let friendships happen organically instead of treating everyone like your own fucking make up and dress up dolls and shut up every once in a while someone would want to be bothered with you" I spat before I could stop myself.
I almost clamped my hands over my mouth and mumbled an apology but I didn't. I sat up a little straighter and stared her down across the seats. I chanced a look at my mother in law who had a look on her face that mixed pride and shock.
"Who are you to fucking-"
"Alice I'm sorry but she's right. The childish all eyes have to be on me routine is making it hard for me to stomach you. I get it Jasper is gone a lot and he doesn't spend a lot of time with you; but did you ever stop to think that you freak him out? Jasper is so calm and quiet and you're like the Tasmanian Devil on steroids. You have to relax. We love your cute bubbly energy but you have to come with an off button. You have to find an outlet for your energy otherwise shit will keep going as it because you honestly get on everyone's nerves" Rosalie said turning towards her.
"So what you all hate me and Jasper instead of letting me go just fucking avoids me? How is that fair?" she whined
We were all shocked by her response and I was just wondering how she missed the entire point. I was about to lunge at her when the car stopped in front of the spa.
The day actually went better than I thought it would since Alice pouted in silence the whole time and refused to speak to any of us. We treated her like an angry toddler and ignored it and laughed and had a blast. I go an amazing massage, manicure, pedicure and facial. The hairdresser oohed and ahhed over my long beautiful thick hair and natural maroon highlights. I got a trim and a few curls but left my hair down. Edward liked it down.
"So you nervous for the ball tonight" Rosalie asked as the hairdresser put a few pins in my curls.
"No not really I mean okay never mind I'm nervous as hell. I don't think I've ever been to a ball, let alone a party thrown by the governor" I confessed.
"He's in the family; I mean in the family" Rosalie whispered.
"Oh my god-"
"Most of the people at this party will be" she said as the hairdresser came back and began to work on her up do.
When my stylist turned me around I could barely recognize myself. I mean it was me but wow I had smoky seductive eyes a set of pouty red lips.
"Holy shit" I whispered.
"What's wrong?" Rosalie said immediately by my side
"oh my god Rose-I'm-I look" I stuttered.
"You look beautiful Bella and my brother is going to be beside himself" she said squeezing my shoulder and going back over to her chair.
It took no time before we were leaving. While my hair was down my back in large curls down my back and Rosalie's hair was a half up do with an intricate design of braids and curls with the rest of her hair hung sleek and straight down her back.
Alice still hadn't spoken one word and I was in absolute bliss.
"I'm leaving Jasper" she spat out.
"Don't be an idiot, and stop this insolent bullshit before I tell my son you dam near ruined our fucking day. I'm tired of this attention seeking. It needs to stop before you make me angry" Esme hissed.
Alice narrowed her eyes into slits. "I'm not scared of you or your son, and don't ever threaten me again" Alice bit out.
Esme flashed her a bright sweet smile "Sweetie; you have no reason to be afraid of me. I wouldn't hurt a fly; I'm just saying that if my day is ruined, I will ruin my son's day and we wouldn't want him to tell his father; would we?" Esme cooed.
I couldn't just see the fear of god in Alice hell I could almost smell it and Rosalie tsked and bit her lip.
Nothing else was said for the remainder of the drive home and I was honestly greatful for it because I wasn't sure how to respond to anything that had just happened.
When we arrived home Esme stopped us all before we could get out the car.
"Now I don't want neither the boys nor the press to get wind of anything that happened today. Am I understood?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
We all agreed after she told us we would be riding together in two separate limos. Jasper and Emmett in one with their wives and Edward and I would be with Carlise and Esme and we'd be meeting downstairs in thirty minutes to take the picture for the annual family picture.
I avoided Alice's pleading gaze as I bolted towards the door. I was hoping to make it to mine and Edward's wing without having to deal with anyone else.
I nearly screamed when I heard Alice's voice behind me.
"You have to help me" she whispered.
"What are you talking about Alice, help you do what?" I sighed rolling my eyes.
"You saw how Esme threatened me. I swear if something happens to me Bella you have to-"
"I don't have to do anything Alice and you heard Esme; if the guys find out about this we're all gonna be in trouble" I hissed.
"Bella you know just as well as I do that was a really thinly veiled threat; you think you're safe because you're the fav-"
"Look Alice all I know is that if Edward hears any of this he is going to ask questions that I can't answer, and if you were smart you would shut your mouth go to Esme and apologize and pray to god she accepts your apology and doesn't tell Jasper; I refuse to lie to Edward because you can't control yourself. You need to change, start acting normal; stop being an attention seeker and go get ready; we're both going to be late and I refuse to be caught having a conversation about something we're not supposed to be talking about anyway!" I hissed.
"Baby' what's going on, what are you not supposed to be talking about?" Edward asked coming around the corner with a garment bag and his shoes.
"Nothing babe; just some girl stuff. How was your golf game?" I asked smiling up at him and tightening the sash on my robe.
"Alice, Jasper is looking for you, you should get downstairs" Edward said looking at us strangely.
I narrowed my eyes trying to silently warn her to stay quiet.
I tried to push today out of my mind. Edward ushered me into our bedroom and closed the door behind us.
"So how was your day baby?" he asked as I unzipped the bag that held my dress.
"Spa, hair and nails and a massage. I could totally get use to doing that very weekend." I laughed as I went into the closet.
"Don't make lying to me a habit Bella. I know something happened today and I heard you and Alice talking. You and I are working on something deeper. I don't know what happened today and to be honest I don't care as long as you weren't hurt in any way" he said as he pulled up the pants to his tuxedo.
"I'm sorry but I am just trying to be a good daughter in law to Esme and Carlisle and be a good future wife to you. I wanna-"
"No babygirl. Stop putting all that pressure on yourself. All you have to worry about is pleasing me, what makes us work and that's it. My mother will be fine. Tell what all happened today?" he asked.
"Edward please, no. Esme specifically asked Rosalie and I not speak about what happened today. I-"
"No worries babe. I won't put you in that spot. You look beautiful. Did you have a good time at least?" he asked looking at me as I struggled with all of the dress.
I smiled as I stepped into the red Tony Bowl gown that started with a white corset fit on the top and ended with red and black roses at the floor length gown.
"Edward can you help me with the back zipper on this monstrosity?" I called as I pulled the dress over my chest.
"You look amazing" he whispered in my ear as he zipped the dress into place.
I smiled at our reflection in the mirror as he rested his chin on my shoulder.
"We look amazing together. We're going to knock them all on their asses tonight" he continued.
"I never knew being this happy was an option for me. I've never felt this beautiful" I whispered.
"Bella you've always been beautiful; you've always been amazing, I'm just lucky enough to have you waste all that beauty on a scrub like me" he laughed as he turned to the mirror to tie the blood red tie.
I was touching up my makeup when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Edward said as he continued to work on his tie and I sat at my vanity.
"Edward Bella? Carlisle wants you both downstairs" Rosalie called
"God what has she gone and done now" I mumbled.
"What babe?" Edward asked.
"Nothing, just thinking out loud-nothing" I mumbled.
I held my hand out for Edward as I carefully walked across the floor trying to avoid the long train of the dress with my heels.
At the bottoms of the stairs stood a group of four men I didn't recognize.
"Bella is that you, man did you grow up. Do you remember me?" a large native American man asked me.
"What the hell is going on, who the fuck are you?" Edward asked pulling me behind him.
"You oughta learn some fucking respect boy" the large man growled squaring off in front of Edward.
"You're in my fucking house bitch, you wanna talk about fucking respect?" Edward demanded.
"Fuck you" the guy said and was reaching for his back pocket but before I could blink Edward had one hand around the guys throat and the other hand held a silver shiny gun to the man's temple.
"Now should we talk more about respect?" Edward gritted out.
Carlisle walked into the entryway and groaned.
"Jesus fucking Christ. Come on son put the dam gun down" He pleaded.
"Nah Sitting Bull here wants a lesson in respect, so I figured I'd help him out"
Another man that I didn't recognize walked in behind Carlisle. He was a tall dark haired man that was going gray at the temples. He was a big solidly built man and was sipping a cocktail.
"Jesus Billy I told you to stay quiet and not to rattle the cage. What did you do?"
"Charlie what the fuck are you doing man, you know I can't stand this fuck" Edward bit out.
"Yeah but at the same time I know he covers my ass. How ae you Edward?" the man asked holding out his hand.
"Get your dog bro, no need for his ass around here" Emmett said slapping the man on the back.
I just stood there, waiting.
"I swear you haven't changed since the last time I saw you when you were four" he said.
"I have no idea who you are" I whispered.
"Bella, I'm your father. My name is Charlie Swan" he said with a small smile. The way the edges of his lips crinkled when he smiled felt so familiar to me.
"Yeah, you both have those gorgeous brown eyes" Esme whispered.
"I don't know what to say" I whispered.
"Nothing little girl, you don't have to say anything. We have all the time in the world. I just wanted to get this out of the way so that this moment would be ours, not the governor and not the press. I just wanted to keep this as private for you as possible"
"Where have you been, why did you leave me?" I whispered.
"Renee found out who my family was, she thought Phil and his family were a better choice. I found you once when you were six. I tried to bring you back to New York. Phil's father had me arrested and you and your mother disappeared while I was getting rid of the charges and I had almost found you again last year but Phil said you left and you knew the truth"
"He lies, I never knew. I had no idea. They never told me about you. My mother said you were dead. She-"
"Your mother hated me, she hated that I came from money and more so she wanted to hurt me because I can admit my family hurt her. I loved your mother though and I never stopped loving you my beautiful little girl. You're a beautiful young woman Isabella. You know I named you. Your grandmother and grandfather can't wait to meet you. Your brothers-"
"Wait hold it. I have brothers? I have a family?" I squeaked.
"Yeah and we've been tearing this country apart looking for you and were never gonna give up. I was at my wit's end and then your brother saw you and Edward on TV. I called Carl that night. I wanted to call you, but I been taking care of some things that I should have been responsible for a long time ago"
"like what?" I asked
"Protecting my only daughter from people who only harm her, sending my only daughter to college, making sure my daughter marries a good Italian boy" he said stepping towards me.
"Look Isabella-you have every right to be leary,angry and confused. I promise we will sit down and talk and you can ask me anything you wish. Tonight I just want you to enjoy the attention being lavished on you. I want you to enjoy just being a young girl in love. Edward take care of her. If you hurt my daughter-"
"It don't even need to be said Charlie. I love your daughter. I'll do good by her" Edward said.
I just looked from my fiancé to my father in law to my father. I was more protected than the queen of freaking England. This night was going to be something else.
A/N:
This chapter was itching to be written just this way and there is a shit ton going on. I honestly just wanted to write and once I started I couldn't stop. I know that it is wordy and shit but honestly there is a little bit of everything in it but this is kind of a set up chapter and the next one some shit explodes. I really hope that you guys will vote for me in the multifandom awards. Inside and Out has been nominated for best fic of all time. I really would appreciate your votes and your thoughts on the chapter.
The awards can be found: fanaticfanficsawards. /