TAP Chapter 19
BPOV
Because it's been soooo long…
Last chapter they had lunch at the palace and Carl offered Bella a deal she couldn't refuse…
All mistakes are mine and I own them. I don't, however, own these characters or Twilight. Just in case you had me confused with the other Stephenie.
I am walking towards what I hope is the dining room when I'm grabbed and pulled into a room. My squeak was quickly cut off by a large masculine hand covering my mouth. My elbow made purchase with an equally strong masculine chest.
"Ooompf!"
I whirled around to face my attacker only to realize I had just assaulted the crown prince of England.
"Edward, what the hell?"
He coughs a little trying to catch the wind I had knocked out of him.
"Sorry." He croaks. "I just wanted your attention." He wheezed.
"There are better ways to get it. I was aiming for your family jewels next."
He winces and protectively covers his groin area.
He coughs again and warily walks around me into the room he had dragged me into. I smirk at his behavior then my eyes widen as I take in the room.
It's the Beauty and the Beast library, I shit you not. Complete with floor to ceiling bookcases, thousands upon thousands of books, the moving ladders and the handsome prince, of course.
"Oh my God, I love you."
Edward looks startled and I realized how that might have sounded. "I was talking to the room, not you." I assure him.
Then I think about how that sounded. "Not that I couldn't mean that towards you but not yet? I mean I've known you for what seems like five minutes and you are a great kisser and you're really great as a person it's just I really love libraries…" I finish weakly then stand there waiting for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
"You are the most distractingly interesting woman I have ever known." He replies with a soft smile.
"Thanks… I think."
"We will revisit that subject later but first I need to know what my father wanted with you? Are you okay?"
"Oh that? Yes. I'm fine." I assure him, waving that subject off.
He stands there, waiting. "Oh, you want be to elaborate?"
"Yes, please." I detect a hint of frustration in his tone.
I walk over to sit on one of the plush couches and pat the spot next to me. He sighs then sits rigidly next to me. "Relax."
"I find that hard when it comes to anything that regards my father and you."
"That's sweet but no need to worry. He offered me a job of sorts."
"A job? Doing what?"
"First off, don't sound so incredulous. I have many talents, Charming."
"I'll attest to that." His grin is what the British would call 'cheeky'.
I ignore that comment.
"Secondly, it allows me more time with you."
"How so?"
"I'll be your royal consultant."
"Sorry?"
"He thinks that your approval numbers are coming along quite nicely, and he gives the credit to me what with my philanthropic past and all. Basically, I am making him look good by helping you look good."
He scrubs his hand over his face. "His ego knows no bounds."
"He also informed me he has watched one of my movies." I make a face.
"Which one?"
"The one in which I'm a prostitute slash stripper."
He makes a strangled sound. "You were a stripper?"
"In the movie, Charming. Keep up."
"I must have missed that one." He mumbles something else under his breath, but I don't catch it.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. So, that was it? He wants us to continue to do what we are already doing?"
"Yeah."
"He's up to something."
I laugh. "Of course, he is." I settle closer to him, leaning my head on his shoulder. "But as long as he's 'playing nice' the longer I can be here under friendly terms."
He smiles that smile at me. "There is that." He looks around. "You want to look at the books?"
I look out the window. "I much prefer to explore this room on a dreary day. The sun is out, and I would very much like to spend some time in the gardens."
He stands up and extends his arm to me. "The gardens it is, Milady."
I giggle at his choice of words and when I stand up, I rise to my tiptoes to brush my lips against his.
"Lead the way, Charming."
***TAP***
Turns out he had grabbed a book before leading me out to the garden and I am currently lying with my head in his lap as he reads aloud from 'Romeo and Juliet'. I'm not concentrating so much on the words I already know by heart, but rather the way he says the words and how it makes me feel. He's melodic and engaging and I know now more than ever why his country adores him so.
He'll make a wonderful king one day.
"Uncle Edward!"
Suddenly it's not just me on his lap but two giggly princesses vying for his attention. He sets aside the book and focuses on them, listening to their stories told in high pitched girly voices as he indulges their imagination and makes them laugh even more. I make room for them and settle back a little and just watch him.
He'll make a wonderful father one day.
"Yes, he will."
I startle then relax when Alice gingerly sits next to me.
"Yes, he will, what?" I ask.
"He'll make a wonderful father one day."
I blush. "Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes."
"Oh. Well, I can see it's the truth."
"Do you want to be the mother of those children?"
I smile sadly. "I barely know him, but we both know that can never happen."
"I think you know him quite well."
"It's barely been a month since I've laid eyes on him. Not enough time to know enough about a person. Not really."
"Time doesn't mean anything. The first time I met Jasper, I knew he was the one for me."
"Did you know who he was?"
"Of course." She laughed.
"I didn't."
"Seriously?"
I nod.
"How is that possible? I know you Yanks have rags across the pond."
I blink. "I understand Yanks, but could you decipher the rest?"
Alice rolls her eyes. "You really need to get caught up on the lingo if you're going to stick around. You do have tabloid magazines in America, right?"
"Yes. I don't read them."
"Why not? They're my guilty pleasure."
"I'm normally in them so I avoid them at all costs."
"Fair enough. But still, who did you think he was?"
"Just some guy from England."
"Do you wish he was?"
"Wish he was what?"
"Just some guy."
I look over at him playing with his nieces, his smile so content. He looks happy- light years different from when I first met him. He glances over at me and his smile grows to beaming. I smile back.
"No. I like him just the way he is."
She smiles then calls out to Edward. "Can you escort them to their nanny when you are done? Bella and I have a meeting to go to?"
Edward looks as confused as I am but he doesn't protest when Alice drags me away. Traitor.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see," is all she says.
****TAP***
"Why did I let you drag me to this, Alice?"
"No one resists me." She says, like it's obvious.
"Bella! I'm so thrilled you're joining us."
I smile at Esme, who sounds so genuine I believe her.
"Thank you. So, what are we doing?"
Rose breezes in. "Sorry, I'm late. Did I miss anything?"
"No, I was just about to explain to Bella that we are planning certain aspects of my party. Theme, colors, guest list, food."
"And you want my help?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?"
"Because I'm the woman your husband thinks is corrupting your eldest son." Might as well cut to the chase.
Esme laughs airily. "Oh Bella, I love my Carlisle very much but I'm not oblivious to his shortcomings. He is rigid and much too stern about certain aspects of Edward's life. Personally, I think you are a breath of fresh air and just what my son needs. So, if you don't mind, please relax because no one in this room is judging you. Well, maybe those dreadful portraits of Carlisle's dead royal relatives." She throws her hand out to indicate the stern looking men and women.
I giggle. "I see where Charming gets his sense of humor."
"Charming?" Rose asks.
I blush, just a little, but I own it. "Yeah, you know… Prince Charming. Charming? It's a nickname." I explain, rather unnecessarily.
"I gathered as much. It's priceless is what it is."
"Well, I adore it." Esme says. "Now, this party will not plan itself." She presses a button near her and two assistants come in with book upon book and place them quietly on the table before taking their leave.
"First up, theme."
The three of them discuss different ideas and I just take it in.
"What do you think, Bella?" Esme tries to draw me into the conversation.
"I think you don't need me for this."
"I value your opinion. What do you think about a masquerade party?"
Alice nods in approval. It's her idea.
"With all due respect to Alice, I think it's overdone. They're quite popular in America and I've been to so many, it's starting to bore me."
"Then why do you go?" Alice asks. She's not upset which I thought she might be but interested in my answer.
"Charity." I reply simply.
"So, do you have another idea?"
"Well, maybe. I've only been to one before and it was in Vegas, so the theme was rather fitting considering where we were. But what about a Casino Night?"
"A Casino Night? Tell me more."
"Okay… um. Well, how do you feel about your birthday party moonlighting as a charity ball?"
Esme slowly smiles. "I say I quite like that idea. Go on."
"The purpose is to have people come out for a night of gambling debauchery and to raise money for the charity or charities of your choosing. We could have poker games, craps tables, roulette tables, live and silent auctions. Dress would be glitzy and glamorous- lots of sparkles and tuxes. Black tie extravagant. Food could be a four-course meal or appetizers and buffet style. The one I went to was buffet style because people were too busy to sit for a proper meal. Oh! Live entertainment could be worth looking at…" I trail off when I see them looking at me with their mouths agape.
"Too much?" I ask.
"Did you even take a breath?" Rose asks.
"Probably not. When I get excited, I tend to go overboard. My apologies."
"I love it." Esme announces.
"You don't have to say that to appease me."
"I'm not. It's a wonderful idea and certainly unique for us. Sounds like a marvelous time. I may have lots of questions, so I hope I don't bother you too much."
"No. Feel free to call me anytime."
"I think that's enough for now. I have to get with Mrs. Cope about dinner." She rises, and we rise with her.
I look at Alice once she leaves. "I hope I didn't step on your toes."
She grasps my hands. "Not at all. It's gonna be a great party. We all need to go shopping for dresses!"
"Brilliant idea." Rose chimes in. "Bella. Do you think you could invite Emmett?"
"If I'm allowed to, yes. Why?"
Rose looks down at her twisted hands. "Because I can't officially have him as my date."
"Yeah, I suppose you can't. Of course, I will, Rose."
She beams at me much like her brother did earlier.
These damn Cullen's will be the death of me, I just know it.
Note: I wrote this all today, so it might suck. *shrugs*
Also, it might be tacky for the royal family to do a Casino Night, but we will go with for fiction's sake. I think it will be fun.
Book Rec: I rarely read books as I am firmly attached to my fanfics but y'all I just read Melanie Moreland's BAM series in 29 hours. That's four books, y'all. They are so good. They're on Kindle Unlimited and for sale on Amazon.
Fic Rec: Destiny in The Mountains by MarieCarro. She does most of my banners and manips I post in my FB group (BitterHarpy Fanfiction) - shameless plug- but she is a great writer and I am proud to be pre reading this story. It is Emmett centric, but she is going back and doing all the secondary character's back stories! Tell her BitterHarpy sent you so she knows I'm having people stalk her.
Song rec: Tequila by Dan and Shay. Has nothing to do with this story but I can't get this song out of my head!
Okay, I'm done. *kisses to you all*