Not too long of a wait this time. And I'm already working on another chapter. My plan is to have this finished by September so that I can work on other projects. Olympic Pen Missed Connections, I am looking at you.

We have about ten more chapters, folks.

But for now, we have a different point of view for the first part.

The American Princess

Chapter 23

Carlisle

On my desk, you can see tabloids, newspapers, files and pictures- all focused on the same subject.

Bella Swan.

Outside my office window which gazes down on our prized gardens, I see Ms. Swan, my daughter and my daughter- in – law all laughing with each other as they plan my beloved wife's charity birthday gala.

She is more often than not at my dinner table. She's at our family functions.

She's like surround sound- all around me. Everywhere I turn. There is no escape.

Contrary to my son's belief, I do not hate her. I've tried, but she makes it sort of impossible.

She's smart. She's talented. She's beautiful. She's generous.

She's everything I could ever hope for for Edward's future, except she isn't.

She isn't titled. She's isn't British. She isn't proper.

I've seen her movies- some tame, most risky.

I've seen her press interviews- she can be awkward but gracious- like all she really wants to do is go home but she's determined to see her obligations through.

I've seen her paparazzi videos- she can be vulgar as she pushes her way past them.

She's stubborn- she should have been on her way back to America weeks ago. At first this was a game to her now it's something more.

I break out of my musings by a knock at my door.

"Come in." I say authoritatively.

Marcus enters and bows, no doubt more tabloids in his hands this morning.

I return to my desk.

"What is it now, Marcus?" I am weary.

"They went to Burger King after the dinner last night." He sneers. This offends him.

"'The home of the Whopper'? My son ate at a fast food franchise?" This surprises me. Even at his casual, forward thinking best self, he can be a bit of a food snob.

"The fact that you even know their slogan is disappointing to me, Your Majesty."

"Marcus, you really have to lighten up, old chum." Marcus is one of my oldest friends and my biggest male confidant. He was my personal butler but as Edward got older, I asked Marcus to watch over him. To help him make good decisions. To help him prepare to be a good king, much as he did for me once. Marcus is steadfast but I'm afraid that the more power I give him, the more it goes to his head.

I thrust my hand out for the rags he has in his possession. He is indeed at a Burger King surrounded by commoners. She has ketchup on her designer dress, and he is smiling as he takes a huge bite of his sandwich. Definitely not the most flattering photo I've seen of the two of them.

Yet, it's the happiest I've ever seen him. He looks smitten. I can see why.

"What are you going to do, Sir?" Marcus asks.

"I thought about taking her out back and rounding up the firing squad." I deadpan.

"I have it on good authority that Princess Rosalie snuck out again to meet Mr. McCarty. Should we schedule him as well?"

"I'm not serious, Marcus."

"I'm not either, really. I abhor violence but she's such a nuisance. A commoner. She's vulgar. And she has tattoos. And he came with her so…"

I don't say anything because I was thinking exactly this only moments before. I instead decide to go back to my musings.

I see Edward has joined them now. Rosalie and Alice are having a conversation while my son and Ms. Swan are lost in their own little word. He whispers something to her and her eyes light up. Whatever it is makes her blush and she bites her lip.

I feel as if I am intruding in a very private and intimate moment, so I clear my throat and turn back to Marcus.

"I'm sure this will run its course and then we will be rid of Ms. Swan once and for all."

But even as I say it, I know I don't believe it for one moment.

And judging by the look on Marcus's face, neither does he.

***TAP***

Bella

"Don't you have work to do, Charming?" I ask even as I am cradled in between his legs, his arms wrapped around me.

"I finished early."

"Oh, are you usually an early finisher? Because if so, I'm afraid this has run its course and I must bid you goodbye."

"I think you must know that is a blatant untruth, Ms. Swan." He growls into my ear.

I blush and bite my lip because he's right. A very blatant untruth.

"Oh, give it a rest, can't you?" Alice teases while Rosalie just looks troubled.

So, when Alice stands up to 'round up the girls for lunch', I ask Edward to help her. His look is questioning but he does so without complaint.

When it is just Rosalie and me, I turn to her and wait. And wait. And wait.

"Princess, I'm not getting any younger here." I complain.

"If I could find a way to keep you here with Edward and him still go on to be King, would you stay?" She asks.

Whoa. I was not expecting that question from her.

"Um… I am just here for you to have someone to talk about Em with. This isn't about me." I object.

"But it is. Since you came into our lives, it's all been about you. And I'm great with that, really. You're amazing and wonderful and you make my brother so blissfully happy. But with you, came Emmett and he's as equally amazing and wonderful and so funny. I don't think I've ever laughed so much. And he's respectful and… he sees more than a princess. He sees me."

"Yeah, he's kind of great that way."

"So, would you?" She presses.

"Would I stay here with a man I adore and can sort of see a future with?"

She nods.

"Yes." I answer honestly.

She smiles and is about to speak, but I interrupt her.

"But if you're asking if I would stay here with all this animosity surrounding us. If you're asking if I would give up my career and live by the rigid rules of the monarchy? Then that answer is no."

Her face falls.

"Why?"

"Because I can't give up an important part of myself anymore than I would expect him to do it for me."

"Even if you loved him?"

"Yes, because I'm afraid I would start to resent him and that isn't what I want for any relationship that I'm in."

"He would give up the crown for you."

"I know he would. But I refuse to let him."

Rosalie starts to cry.

"Hey, what's all this? I'm not trying to hurt your brother. We've known how this was gonna go from the start."

"No, it's not that. If you go, Emmett goes." She sniffs.

"Oh, so it's really not about me at all."

She shoots me a watery glare.

"Emmett is welcome to go wherever he wants. I don't own him, Rosalie."

"He loves you and he will feel obligated to you."

"He's very loyal but he doesn't have to be. If you two can be together, then I'm all for it. He could do worse than a princess. Hell, I'll even fire him if you want." I mock her playfully.

"I doubt my father would be happy with it but I'm so far down in the lineage that I could probably bat my eyelashes and make it happen. Not that we're there yet, mind you. It's just he's the first man I've really held any interest in. Everyone I've been approved to date has been vapid and they hold dreams of titles in their eyes. I don't want to be anyone's corporate ladder." She blows out a breath. "You really wouldn't give it all up for the love of a future king?"

"Definitively, I can't say never. We're not there yet, mind you." I throw her words back at her.

"I'm still going to research a loophole in these archaic laws."

"Whatever floats your boat."

"You Americans are very odd," is her reply.

"Emmett more so than me. Beware. And once you take him, there are no refunds. So, don't try to give him back once you have him."

"Have who?" Edward asks as he rejoins me. "Giving me away so soon?"

"No, not just yet. We're talking about Em."

"Oh. Well for what it's worth, I approve." He tells his sister.

"It's not your approval I need as you well know. However, if you were already king, this would be a much different conversation."

"Well, if you can wait twenty years or so…" I chime in.

"Yeah, I don't think so." Rosalie laughs.

Edward remains quiet.

He's up to something and I'm pretty sure I know what it is.

And he knows I know something is up, so he smiles innocently at me.

I decide not to force the issue.

My mother always told me that during her marriage to my father, she would pick her battles. So that is what I will do.

However, that marriage only lasted two years so maybe she's not the best to dole out relationship advice.

Speaking of my mother, her escalating voicemails tell me she is not happy about being left out of the loop and how dare my father be allowed to dine at the palace but she had to find out through People Magazine that I was even in this 'situation'. No doubt my father gleefully let her know about his dinner at the palace and left out all the drama that accompanied it.

I love them but they drive me fucking crazy.

"Bella?"

I realize I had let my mind wander, so I bring myself back to the present. I realize Rosalie has left our company and it's just us.

"Sorry." I apologize.

"What has you lost in your head?"

"My mother." I reply, ruefully.

"I haven't heard you mention her much. Are you two similar?" He asks.

"Not in the least. Though I imagine I get my flair for the dramatics from her. Everything else is Charlie."

"How is he? Still mad at me I suppose."

"Probably. He'll be fine. He tends to hold a grudge when it comes to me. I'm his only child and a daughter at that so he is super protective. Occupational hazard he calls it."

"Ah, yes. He's the Chief of Police as you Americans call it. How was that growing up?"

"Well, as a younger child, I was fascinated. I would make him use his lights and I'd radio his deputy, Mark, and chat with him. But when I hit puberty and I started noticing boys, I noticed it embarrassed me because no boy wants to date the Police Chief's daughter. So, I'd catch a ride with Angela's mom as much as I could." I laugh but then sober up quickly. "As an adult, I appreciate everything he ever sacrificed for me. The times he took off work to take me to auditions, the money he spent on head shots and tutors so I could finish high school on time. He's the first man I ever loved, and I know that I haven't always made it easy on him."

"I'm sure he doesn't mind a bit, Bella."

I smile softly. "I know. He's a great dad. And my mom was a good mom but she's just less structured than Charlie. She helped with the costs and was thrilled with my success. She's made every premiere I've ever had and she's very proud. But she was content to leave the day to day to Charlie. She loved me very well from afar." I shake my head. "I'm sorry. I'm very morosely rambling today."

"No, I like this insight into your upbringing."

"It's very different from yours though, Charming." I point out.

"Yes, but no less important. It shaped you into this wonderful woman sitting before me."

"Thank you." I accept his compliment graciously.

"But I need to make one thing very clear, Bella."

"What's that?"

He leans closer until he is inches from my face. "I'm not some little boy intimidated by your father, his gun or his job. I wouldn't have run away. He would've had to shoot me dead."

"Oh, Charming, he still could." I reply earnestly.

I enjoy the slight look of panic on his face before breaking into a huge grin accompanied by my signature giggle he so enjoys.

"Oh, you are going to pay for that, Ms. Swan." He gently leaps on top of me until I am flat against the plush grass and every clothed inch of him is touching every inch of me.

Just before I pull his lips to mine, I reply, "I always pay my debts, Charming."

No other conversation was needed for quite a while.

Babies at the Border is holding its second annual compilation. This time we are focusing on two charities rather than five. All you have to do to get this fabulous piece of works by some of your favorite fanfiction authors is to donate. All details are on their blog which I will link you to in my bio or the info is posted in my facebrook group Bitter Harpy Fanfiction. Ladylibre and I are submitting chapters 5 thru 8 of Scars to Your Beautiful, which is a continuation of our previous submission last year. Please consider volunteering and donating to this worthy cause.

Thank you and Charming and I will see you on the flip side.