A/N: My apologies for the lateness of this chapter. Unfortunately, RL has once again sucked up all of my free time. To make a long story short. I'm preparing to move my family's business from a building we've been in for forty years into smaller offices while trying to keep the whole thing running. Throw in staffing changes, day to day crap and you get about 20 minutes a day to yourself. I've been writing as much as possible and will continue to do so. I'm asking you to stick with me, as soon as this move is over my writing will be back on schedule.
To my team, Sazzledazzled, and Edwardsfirstkiss thank you so much for hanging with me. You've all got busy lives and you still spend what little free time you have helping me. I appreciate it so much.
My banner maker is 2brown-eyes. She writes and makes banners.
So much talent in this fandom!
The Devil's Plan
Chapter 17
Plans in Motion
As the rain continued to pelt the windows of Esme's sun room, the two occupants were locked in a silent embrace. Bella was afraid to move lest Edward mistake her movement for rejection and Edward simply didn't want to let go. But soon even the joints of a young man needs relief from cramped and tight positions. Edward reluctantly moved away and straightened his legs out in front of him, he however didn't let go of her hand. Bella shifted as well, allowing her extremities to regain blood flow. Neither Bella nor Edward spoke. The sound of the steady rain acted as a soothing lullaby to both of them. Edward could feel the stress slowly recede as his eyelids began to feel heavy. Bella had almost succumbed to the calming hum of the storm when Esme called her name. Both teens slowly shook themselves from their stress induced exhaustion.
Bella watched as Edward began to stretch out his cramped arms and legs. The events of the afternoon were still raw in her memory, yet she couldn't help herself from appreciating his form. Her eyes followed his long-toned arms as they reached above his head, pulling his blue tee shirt tight across his chest. When he pushed himself up from the floor at her feet to stand, she was riveted to the sight of his muscular thighs stretching as he bent at the waist. He either didn't notice her quiet examination or didn't care. He didn't say a word to her as he turned and held out his hand. She pretended not to see the fear in his eyes. Even though she had given him her word, he still feared that his confession would send her running. Bella, quickly put her hand in his and allowed herself to be pulled up from her seat.
Edward dipped his head and looked at her up through his dark lashes. "Thank you," he said softly, taking both of her hands and tugging her closer until their foreheads touched. "for listening, for understanding and for not running away."
"I'll always listen and I'm not going anywhere. Even when you decide to tell me the rest of the story." Edward took a deep breath nodding slowly in understanding. He knew he'd have to tell her the rest. Eventually.
"Bella, Edward!" Both teens looked up as Esme appeared in the doorway. "Hey," she said cheerfully, not missing that her son and Bella were holding hands. "I was wondering if everything was okay in here." Esme tried really hard not to sound giddy at the sight of them together. She tried, but wasn't quite able to pull it off.
"Hey mom-"
"We're good." Bella interrupted, squeezing Edward's hand and smiling as he lowered his head and grinned.
Hand in hand, Edward and Bella walked through the house and outside to where Bella's car was waiting. "So,um,today was a little intense." Bella couldn't dispute his statement. What she'd learned today sickened her. Knowing that Edward had been abused, used and that he blamed himself for everything that had happened, would haunt her tonight and for many nights to come.
Bella chuckled darkly. "Intense seems to be kind of our thing. Edward, what you told me, it's disturbing to say the least but it doesn't change how I feel about you. I hope you believe that."
"I'm beginning to." Edward leaned down and kissed her deeply. The kiss they'd shared earlier was beautiful but had nothing on this one. She had initiated their first kiss, but this one was all Edward. His hands came up to cup her cheeks, holding her in place for his lips as the took command. Bella was overwhelmed, not only from the force but also from the expertise of the kiss. She gripped his elbows trying to stay upright under his delicious touch. Just as she felt her toes begin to curl, Edward pulled back, ending the kiss. Bella was disappointed at his departure but was relieved to hear him breathing just as heavily as she was. Proof he'd been just as affected as she was.
"Bella, I wish I knew the words to tell you how much you mean to me-" Bella stopped him with two fingers to his lips.
"Shhh, you don't have to say it, I feel the same way."
"I'm glad." He sighed quietly. "I don't know exactly how to do this, but I would like us to officially together. You know like boyfriend and girlfriend." He added quickly when her eyes widened in surprise. Between Edward's admission, her questions about her mother and now the prospect of calling Edward her boyfriend, Bella didn't know if her heart could take much more. Boyfriend. The word sounded so good in her head as she imagined all the things she could do with her boyfriend. They could hold hands at the movies, go to concerts, have picnics in the park, take long drives in the rain and kiss. There had to be more kissing.
"Bella, is that okay?"
"Huh?" She brilliantly asked. It appeared that her ability to understand a question and formulate a comprehensive answer had given way to the fantasy part of her brain.
"Is it okay if we're like, a real couple?" Edward breathed a sigh of relief as her head bobbed in an enthusiastic motion. "Oh, good for a minute there I was afraid…" His statement trailed off as his mouth was suddenly engaged in a much more pleasing activity.
Bella had no idea when she'd become so brazen, but as Edward's soft lips wrapped themselves around her's she was fairly certain that she didn't care. She was equally as certain that Edward didn't either.
~~TDP~~
"Something smells good." Charlie took an exaggerated sniff from the kitchen doorway. The smell of Bella's special fried chicken filled the air. Further investigation revealed that she'd also made loaded mashed potatoes and garlic green beans. Proof positive to Charlie that his daughter was serious about something. She only served this meal when she wanted to butter him up. Of course, he hadn't needed the aroma of the fried onion encrusted chicken breasts to tell him that. He'd found Renee's bible. There was no getting away from allowing Bella to read it. At least he'd get a wonderful meal before having to deal with whatever was to come from looking at it.
"Hey, dad. It'll be ready in fifteen minutes." Bella assured him, waving the oven mitts from her place at the stove.
Charlie trudged upstairs and removed his uniform, replacing it with a comfortable pair of jeans and his favorite Mariners jersey. He scowled at the large leather bound book resting on his dresser, snatching it from its resting place in anger. He hated that damn thing. Hated it for any part it may have played in his wife's disappearance and for what he was afraid it might have in store for his only child.
"As always, this is wonderful." Charlie praised, around a large bite of chicken.
"Thanks dad." Bella made the meal in part because she knew it was his favorite, but also because she'd needed the diversion from her afternoon with Edward. Driving home from his house had been difficult. Half of her Edward loving cells in her body wanted her to turn the car onto the 101 North, drive the three and a half hours to Seattle, find that child abusing woman and fux her up. The other half wanted to continue pressing him up against her car. Instead, she turned on Sycamore Drive, came home and fixed a Sunday night dinner on a Wednesday.
They finished dinner with little additional conversation. Her mind was on Edward and Charlie's was on the book he'd placed in his study.
"Did you do alright at school today?" Charlie decided to go ahead and get things started.
"Yes."
"Really?" He asked again with a raised eyebrow. His moustache twitched at her answer.
The stache knew a lie when it heard one.
Bella slumped in her seat and looked down at her hands. She knew she'd been caught. "It was rough in the beginning but Edward, Alice and Angela made it better."
"Did anyone say anything to you?" As a father and Forks Chief of Police, he had no tolerance for bullying.
"No. Everyone avoided the topic."
"Then why the long face now?"
Bella looked up in surprise. She hadn't realized that her distress over Edward's story was shining so brightly on her face.
"Um, I-"
"You're thinking about that damn book aren't you?" Bella nodded in relief. She and Charlie didn't lie to each other, but she couldn't tell him about Edward, so a lie had been forming like a malignant tumor on the tip of her tongue. "Well, I can't say that I'm happy about it, but I can't very well keep it from you either." He pushed away from the table and left the room only to return with the thick book. "Here, it's your history. Just promise me you won't go flying off the handle over something you find." Bella nodded and grabbed for the book only to have Charlie hold it out of her reach. "No. I mean it. After what happened at the Cullen's-" He paused, and appeared to gather his thoughts before continuing. "I can't lose you Bella. One of your traits I love the most, is your ability to wade through bullpucky and come out on the side of common sense. But after the state you were in when I picked you up last Saturday night, honey, you were not someone I recognized. That girl was rattled to the point that she was believing in ghosts." Bella opened her mouth to once again vigorously argue her belief that Grandma Swan was there, when Charlie stopped her. "Bella, I raised you to be a smart, independent young woman who can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Last week your grasp on reality was tenuous at best. You've been through a lot and I'm not going to say any more about it except, to caution you against jumping to any conclusions as you read this damn thing. And if you come across something that sends you spinning, I want you to promise that you'll come to me before you do anything. If something merits further investigation, we'll do it together. Understood?" Bella couldn't help but smile at her father. She didn't know what she would find, but it was heartening to know that her father would be there if she needed him.
"Dad," she said, placing her hand lovingly over his. "I don't even know what I'm looking for, but if I find something that looks wonky, I'll talk to you." Charlie wasn't sure her idea of wonky was the same as his, but he trusted her.
With a heavy sigh, he nodded and handed over the book.
Bella was not indifferent to the fact that her interest in the book was difficult for him. Instead of grabbing the book and greedily devouring its contents, she pushed it aside and got up from the table to face him. "Hey, why don't I clean up in here, grab my homework and come into the den with you?" Charlie's eyes lightened at her suggestion.
"I'm sure there's a football game on somewhere." He offered.
"That sounds great." Charlie smiled, visibly relieved with her decision and headed off to consult the sports channels.
Bella watched him go before glancing back at the ominous looking tome. She didn't know what she would find, if anything, inside those leather covers. But with her emotions already on level 11 after her afternoon with Edward, and the look of almost fear on her father's face when he handed over the book, she decided that whatever was inside could wait. For now.
~~TDP~~
"How soon until we will be allowed to return?"
"You know it's not up to me."
"This is maddening! I did nothing to deserve this punishment!"
"And I did?!"
"It must be you. I fulfilled my duties!"
"So did I!"
"Evidently not! You didn't find any secret spilling spirit throwing my mark into a tailspin"
"Listen, you bitter child I…" An angry bellow rang out through the cavern like structure halting his speech. Both Ba'al and Astarte stood frozen as their names were called. They'd been summoned to the throne room. Their argument was forgotten as fear took hold instead. Straightening his shoulders and taking a deep breath, Ba'al took Astarte's hand.
"Come, let's attend our Master and end the waiting." Astarte nodded, squeezing his hand. Together the two demi-gods walked out of their prison and went towards the being that held their fate in his clawed hands.
Ba'al and Astarte kept their eyes averted from the two naked women that stood next to Satan's throne. Ba'al knew from experience that if he paid the females any attention at all, they would be used in the vilest ways for his Master's entertainment. Satan enjoyed using his toys to tease his subordinates. And more often than not, the toys paid a severe price for his pleasure. Astarte just hoped that Satan didn't begin to look at her. She hated her existence in Hell with an all-consuming passion, but it was vastly more desirable than becoming a new item in her master's toy chest.
The demi-gods arrived at the foot of Satan's throne with their heads down and mouths shut. He looked down upon them, his lips curled slightly in amusement at their attempts to not attract his attention. He enjoyed it when his playthings knew their place. Especially when their fear emanated from them like a fragrant bouquet.
"I was not pleased with our outing." His statement hung in the air like an acid laden cloud. He waited for their individual fears to make themselves known and then the fun would begin.
"That had nothing to do with me!" Astarte protested, pointing a finger at Ba'al.
"I had no control over the insane musings of a dead woman!" Ba'al retorted.
"You should have done something to stop it!"
"The woman is dead! Pray tell how do you stop a dead person from talking through a fucking piece of cardboard?!"
Satan's smile grew as the two continued throwing accusations at each other. They're arguing was like sunshine to him. He could feel his spirit regenerate as their verbal barbs flew around the room.
Soon, he grew tired of the game. "Silence!" Ba'al and Astarte fell silent immediately.
"Do either of you think that I assign blame individually? Are you under the delusion that I'm fair?"
"Sire, I-"
"Did I give you permission to speak?!" Ba'al immediately stopped speaking and lowered his eyes in submission. "My vessel is showing signs of his spirit lifting. His relationship with the Swan is making him happy. And what does his happiness mean to me?" After the last reprisal, neither Ba'al or Astarte wanted to be the first one to speak. It was the wrong choice. Their silence enraged Satan.
"I suggest one of you answer me!" Both female servants visibly shuddered at his demand.
"Sire, I believe we need only to nudge the boy over the cliff, to speak. His happiness is tenuous at best." Ba'al promised. Satan, surveyed his quarry carefully. He was not convinced.
"Look." He demanded, waving one sharpened clawed finger in the air. The surrounding air began to swirl in blue hued clouds, revealing the figures of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in a tight embrace. Edward pulled back from their kiss. His smile mirrored the one Bella was sporting. "Does that look like a soul that only needs a 'nudge'?" Ba'al winced as his words were thrown back at him. He'd underestimated the girl's effect on the boy and Satan was calling him out on it.
"Sire, while it appears that he is in good spirits, I assure you that it is still superficial. His wounds are deep. The fragility of his good humor has not changed. We need only to remind him of what he's done to once again darken his soul."
Without saying a word, Satan circled his finger twice and the images within the swirling air changed to show Edward sitting on a couch in what looked like a therapist's office. Ba'al's thoughts were confirmed when the image of another man entered into view.
"He's in therapy?" Astarte asked, her voice quivered slightly with the revelation.
"It appears that the child is healing. And that does not bode well for my plans, or for the two of you." He added. "What do you intend to do about it? You're both aware that the winter solstice is approaching, my vessel must be secured before the longest night ends or you two will return to your home, here with me." Ba'al and Astarte both shivered at his words. There was need for him to make any threats; they knew fully what their continued tenancy in Hell would entail.
"Master, rest assured, we'll take care of this problem. I'll see to it myself." Astarte promised as Ba'al stood beside her in shocked silence.
"It would be in both your best interests to do just that." Satan sneered before dismissing them with a wave.
Without another word, Ba'al and Astarte quickly removed themselves from his presence, fully aware that to Satan, they appeared to be running away, but neither of them cared. All they cared about was getting away from him and returning to the surface.
"And just how do you intend to 'take care of this problem'?" Ba'al contemptuously asked, as they hurried toward their rooms.
"I will ask Emmett what would break his brother and then proceed to do just that. Hurry, I don't wish to spend one more minute in this vile place." Her statement caused Ba'al to stop walking. He was dumbfounded at her plan and its simplicity. Shaking his head in amusement, he rushed to catch up with his brilliant partner.
~~TDP~~
?POV
"It appears that we may need to force our involvement."
"Our orders were to observe only."
"I don't believe that Father means to allow our fallen brother to achieve his goal. It would mean an end humankind, possibly Earth itself. Surely he means for us to interfere?"
"Until we are given specific orders to do so, we'll stay right here and watch as we were bid to do."
Both entities resumed their positions of observance, silently hoping that they would be called upon to interfere before it was too late.
Not a lot of new stuff here. I thought the characters needed a moment to collect themselves. I hope you enjoyed it. Big things are about to go down and I think you're all going to want to hang around for it. Any ideas on the mystery POV? Thank-you for reading.
Until next time,
ruinedbyrob
