I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch: 3 EPOV

I stepped from the bathroom with a smile on my face. Last night was more than I originally expected. Who knew this innocent kindergarten teacher would be a hellcat in bed? I had been tempted to join her shower, but the way she acted when we woke up told me it wouldn't be a good idea.

I got dressed then went to grab my things from the nightstand. I frowned when I spotted Bella's rings and a note. I wasn't really surprised she ran, but she was underestimating me if she thought I would easily let her go. I pulled out my phone and hit a button.

"I have eyes on her," Jasper answered.

"How did she get off the floor?" I wondered if I was going to be short one less an employee soon. The top level of the hotel had two penthouses, mine and Emmett's, and was only accessed by special clearance.

"Your mother," Jasper told me.

I cursed under my breath, hoping my mother didn't do anything to scare her off further.

"Who's watching her?" I demanded

"Riley. Do you want him to bring her back?" he asked.

"No, not at the moment. Where is she now?"

"Sitting in a car at a Taco Bell with the maid of honor," he explained.

"Have him keep an eye on her for now but not approach her," I ordered.

"Edward, maybe you should just let her go," Jasper said quietly.

"I haven't asked for your advice. Did you file the papers like I told you?" I asked.

"It's Sunday, boss. I'll do it first thing tomorrow. But, boss, there are things you should know—"

"What?" I asked impatiently.

"Her father was the chief of police in a small town called Forks about three hours southwest from here," Jasper informed.

"What do you mean by was?" I furrowed my brows.

"Killed three years ago responding to a call for domestic violence. It ended up being ruled a murder suicide," he explained.

"And her mother?" I asked.

"Her parents divorced when Isabella was about two. From what I can tell she was raised by her father. Her mother, Renée, nee Higginbotham, Dwyer lives in Florida with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. Judging from phone records and flight records, I don't think they are in contact."

A felt a tug of sympathy for Bella. She seemed alone in the world. However, it only cemented my plans.

"This changes nothing," I told Jasper.

"She's a cop's kid." He tried to reason with me.

"A dead cop," I stated coldly.

"Fuck, Edward, word of advice, don't ever say that to her face." Jasper sighed.

"I don't plan to. So, it's my understanding she has no family, so there's no one to miss her or interfere with our lives," I said.

"Except Mary Alice Brandon, the maid of honor," Jasper pointed out. "Aspiring wedding coordinator, funny enough."

"Well then give her Heidi's job, and we can keep her under our thumb." I shrugged.

"I already planned to keep a personal eye on her." Jasper chuckled.

"And what about your wife?" I scoffed.

"Maria is in Paris," he answered.

"Keep it in your shorts, Jasper. I've had enough of my men not being able to control themselves around some pussy. I won't have my bride upset any further. Get the paperwork filed asap. Clear?" I ordered.

There was a long moment of silence before he answered. "Clear, but Ed—"

I hung up on him before he could finish. Jasper cheating on his wife never bothered me before; however, I was irritated he would bring Bella's friend into it. The marks Newton left would be raw enough. I wanted to build a cordial relationship with my wife and having her upset that her friend got played by one of my men wouldn't help. Newton was no great loss, but Jasper would be.

I went out to my living area and frowned when I saw my food was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't in the hallway either. That meant one of two things: it wasn't delivered, which I found highly unlikely, or Emmett stole it, which was far more likely.

I pounded on Emmett's door for him to let me in. I lowered my fist when the door opened and my mother was standing in the doorway with arched eyebrows. She tilted her head for a kiss.

"Mother," I greeted with a peck to the cheek.

"Edward, must you behave so barbaric? I know I raised you better than that," she said stiffly.

I smoothed my features from reacting. She barely had a hand in raising me, it was nannies, Aunt Esme, and boarding school for as long as I could remember. "Sorry, Mother. I was looking for Emmett, he stole my breakfast."

"I invoked the five minute rule," he said around a mouthful of food.

"There's plenty of food left." Mother waved her hand to the tray. "It's good that you're here, now I don't have to repeat myself. I missed you at church."

"Sorry, we were preoccupied with other matters," I told her. I wasn't ready to divulge anything about being married yet.

"Mhmm. Well, I expect you both to be at the charity event next weekend with proper dates. No cheap drunken floozies. I have a list for you, Edward, of all the eligible young women who would make a fitting wife for you." She pulled out of her purse several pieces of paper and held them out to me.

"But—" Emmett stopped when he caught my eye.

"Don't worry, Emmett, you can have your pick of my leftovers." I smirked at him.

"Exactly. Your brother is going to be boss one day, so he should have first selection." Mother nodded. "And might I point out, Edward, Liam's girl Margret would be perfect. She's one hundred percent Irish."

"You mean, haggie Maggie?" Emmett snickered.

"Really, Emmett, manners." Mother looked aghast.

"Don't worry, Mother, I will choose a perfect date to become my wife," I told her.

Mother beamed at me. "Wonderful. I'm glad you're finally seeing reason and not going to resist me or your father. Now if your brother could only follow suit."

Emmett grew quiet and shoved his mouth full of pancakes. I shook my head and took pity on him by changing the subject.

"Will Aunt Esme and Uncle Carlisle be there?" I asked.

"Of course, the event is to raise money for the hospital after all." Mom kept her smile, but her eyes showed her displeasure. My mother's sister married a doctor, who in her opinion did too many things pro bono. She also found it distasteful I used my uncle's surname for my businesses. She stood and fixed her hair, though nothing was out of place. "I have a luncheon to attend, and I mustn't be late."

As soon as she was out of the room, I tossed the list in Emmett's lap. He scowled and threw it on the coffee table. I grabbed myself a plate of food and went to the microwave in the room to reheat it. Warm drinks and cold food were starting to become a pattern.

"Why do I need to find a wife?" Emmett complained.

"Because now that I'm married, you're next, little brother," I reminded him. "So, Maggie is all yours."

"Ugh. I had the perfect girl, before Ma scared her away." Emmett stabbed his food forcefully.

"Mother is particular," I agreed.

"Is that why you didn't tell her about Bella? Where is the blushing bride anyways?" he asked.

"Runaway bride. She thinks we made a drunken mistake, and our marriage isn't valid." I sighed.

"What are you going to do, drag her back?" Emmett questioned.

"I'll give her some time then go get her. Maybe find a way to convince her a marriage between us is a good thing. Especially, if she's carrying my child."

"You need to try and romance her." Emmett waggled his eyebrows. "Or spoil her."

"She doesn't seem to be into material things." I frowned.

"What about making a huge donation to her school and threaten to take it away if she leaves you," Emmett suggested.

I placed down my fork and stared at him. His idea was diabolical and borderline cruel. But I'd never claimed to be a nice guy.

"Find out what school she works at and what they may need. Schools are always looking for computers and books, right?" I told him.

"Sounds like a boring Jasper job." Emmett frowned.

"Well, today it's yours for stealing my breakfast." I smirked.

NA

I met with the principal of Bella's elementary school. He was amazed and thankful for the Cullen foundation. He didn't even hesitate when I asked for a tour of the school. I paused to look into Bella's classroom while she taught a room full of kids. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, and she was dressed more conservatively than last I saw her. But she still was breathtakingly beautiful.

I stepped back when the kids started to line up at the door. I was curious what her reaction would be when she saw me. The kids filed out of the room following another adult, going in the opposite direction than where we were standing. Bella didn't come out of the room.

"Where are they going?" I asked.

"They are headed to their UA," Principal Greene said simply.

I was curious to what the heck that was but didn't ask. We continued our tour, ending by the front doors. He shook my hand and thanked me again.

"Would you mind if I use the restroom before leaving?" I asked.

"Not at all. There's one right around the corner." He pointed.

I headed toward it and was glad he didn't follow me. I bypassed the bathroom and went back to Bella's classroom. When I got there, I was disappointed to see the room was empty. The space was colorfully decorated with rainbows and smiling emoji faces. I took a seat at her desk and decided to wait for her to return. The clock ticked away, and right before I decided to give up, she walked in, looking deep in thought with my card in her hand, sans flowers. She looked startled to see me.

I stood to greet her. "Hello, my bride."

"What are you doing here? Visitors are not supposed to roam around the school," she asked me.

"The real question is why did you run away without a word?" I answered her.

"I left you a note," she said sheepishly as her cheeks grew dark pink

I snorted. "A chicken's note." Then I held out her rings. "These belong to you."

Bella tucked her hands under her arms and refused them. "I think we both know our marriage isn't legal. You can't get a license on that short of notice, let alone file them on a Sunday."

"On the contrary, as I told you it's all about connections." I pulled out the official license and handed it to her.

She took it then sat in one of the smallest chairs I had ever seen. She read with a blank face, then she placed the paper on her lap and looked up at me.

"See. We are husband and wife, my bride." I stood and placed the rings on top of the paper.

She grabbed them quickly before they slid off her and onto the floor. She looked at them before balling the rings in her fist. "I really don't get you. I know the license was filed today, not yesterday. I also don't get why you're insisting on marrying someone you barely know."

I shrugged, not entirely surprised by her reaction. But I wasn't about to give up, there was something about her that intrigued me. "I know you well enough to know that you are a good and compassionate person. And as I said before you ran, we are both getting what we need from the relationship, including great sex. Win-win."

"Shhh!" she hushed me and looked toward her door. "My kids will be back any moment, and they don't need to hear you talking like that. In fact, you shouldn't even be here." She stood up and handed me the license and rings. I only took the paper from her for safe keeping.

"We're not done talking," I told her.

"We are for the moment. And to be clear, I'm not quitting my job. I love working with my kids." She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Fine…for now. I'll take you to dinner tonight and we can finish talking. I'll pick you up at nine," I stated.

"That's too late, it's a school night." She shook her head, perplexing me. Nine was too late? "I'll make dinner and we can talk. How does six sound?"

"I'll be there," I agreed.

"Let me give you my address." She reached for a scrap paper on her desk.

"No need."

"How? Are you stalking me?" she demanded.

I snickered. "No, my bride. Your address was in the hotel records."

"Stop calling me that." She casted a nervous look at the door.

"But you are my bride. And you should be wearing my rings." I looked pointedly at her still-balled fist.

"I can't go around suddenly married. Everyone here knows my wedding to Michael failed, and I can't suddenly announce being married to a new guy. I'm already a first year teacher under enough scrutiny. Do you have any idea how it would make me look?" she asked.

"I suggest you get over it. I just came from speaking with your principal about a more than generous donation to this school. It would be a shame to rescind it," I taunted.

Her nervousness was instantly replaced by fury, looking similar to the hellcat I met. "That's blackmail."

I shrugged. "I'll see you at six," I told her as the room became filled with a bunch of little people and the other adult I had seen earlier with the group.

A young boy with blond curly hair and a dimply smile held up a picture to Bella. She pocketed the rings then took it from him and gave him a kind smile.

"Thank you, Shane." She ruffled his hair.

"Miss Swan, who's he?" a little girl in pigtails asked, pointing at me.

Bella looked at her briefly before turning back to me. "Class, this is my friend, Mr. Edward. Can you all say hi?"

"Hi, Mr. Edward," a bunch of voices chorused.

A devilish smirk appeared on Bella's face. "He's here to read you all a story."

"Yay!" They all squealed, jumping up and down.

"Uh…" I felt put on the spot and didn't like it.

"You don't want to let a bunch of kids down, do you?" She gave me a pointed look. My hellcat had come out and it wasn't to play.

"No more than you?" I quipped back.

She kept a smile on her face, but her eyes tightened. "Kids, to the rug. Mr. Edward, the rocking chair is all yours."

The kids raced to a corner of the room with Bella following behind them. She looked through a bin of books before selecting one. She gestured to the rocking chair, and I obliged her by taking my seat. She handed the book to me with a grin.

"Make sure you show everyone the pictures before you turn the page." She patted my shoulder before walking toward the back of the group. The other adult looked back and forth between us before sitting next to Bella.

"How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?" I read the title.

"Excuse me, Mr. Edward. You'll need to speak up for everyone in the back," Bella told me.

I started again, reading a story that was meant to teach kids how to play nicely with others. I caught Bella's impish grin a few times as she watched me read. At the end, she sent the kids to their desks for them to brainstorm on ideas how to play nicely with others. I followed her toward the door.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Edward," she said.

"Nice move, my bri…Bella. I will see you later." I smirked at her.

NA

I pulled up to Bella's apartment just after six and grabbed the bottle of wine from the seat next to me. I glanced at the building with distaste, it looked rather rundown and not safe at all for my bride. My home on Bainbridge Island would be more suitable, and I was sure if she really insisted on teaching, I could find a nice private school for her closer to home.

I entered her building, disgusted at the lack of security as I made my way up to her floor. The elevator smelled like piss. I knocked on her door and waited. She appeared moments later through a crack in the door. Her eyes were red rimmed—she had been crying again.

"Edward, I thought you changed your mind. Look, tonight isn't a good night. We're going to have to do this another time." She looked apologetic, but there was something she wasn't telling me.

"What's wrong?" I demanded.

"Just some crap I have to deal with. It can't wait until tomorrow." She glanced over her shoulder then back at me.

Without warning, I pushed past her and into the room. I looked around and frowned. Since Bella didn't seem the type to keep a messy home, it was obvious that it had been ransacked. The only thing that looked pristine were the flowers I sent her.

"Have you been robbed?" I turned to her.

"I think so. But my landlord says it won't stick in court since Mike had a key. He even helped Mike carry things out of here. None of the things were even his, as he wasn't staying here. Michael left a note telling me he was taking them to sell to pay off my debt to you," she ranted.

"And you didn't think you should tell me about this?" I snapped, furious Newton had gotten away with this stunt. I felt bad when she flinched and took a step back from me. Fuck, I didn't want her scared of me.

"I don't know… I'm not used to relying on anyone else. Besides, I've troubled you enough with my issues." She hugged herself.

"You wouldn't be troubling me," I said coldly. I softened my demeanor when I saw her frown. I had to remember it wasn't her I was angry with. Newton's ass was going to be mine. Why the fuck he was he still breathing? I was pissed Emmett hadn't handled his job.

"I'm not angry with you, my bride. I'm angry the man indebted to me hurt you to get to me. I promise you, you will get your things back," I said calmly.

"Most of it's material things I can live without. But there was a trunk that contained china and handcrafted tablecloths. They've been in my family a long time. Plus, there were things of my dad's, which are special to me." She started to tear up.

I went to her and pulled into my arms. I hated to see her upset and preferred my little hellcat. "I will take care of it. Your trunk will be returned to you in the condition that it was taken in –– I promise."

"What are you going to do?" She pulled away and looked at me suspiciously.

It was at that moment, I suspected she heard about the Cullen-Masen rumors. So much for hoping she was in the dark.

"I will make sure Newton is handled by the appropriate authorities," I told her. Though her authorities and mine were sure to be different.

She seemed to buy the explanation and nodded. "Maybe you can just point me in the direction of a good lawyer who won't put me in the hole too much."

I snorted at her stubbornness of trying to be independent. "Edward Cullen, attorney at law, at your service, my bride."

"I thought you were a businessman?" Bella looked confused.

"I'm both." I winked at her. "Let me make a quick call then I'm taking you to dinner. We won't be out too late. I do remember you said it was a school night."

She looked ready to argue then seemed to change her mind. "Thank you, I'm going to go freshen up."

I watched her go into a separate room before I walked out into the hall since I didn't want her to overhear me. I pulled out my phone and hit speed dial.

"Yo, Bro."

"Emmett, can you explain to me why Newton is still wasting oxygen?" I demanded.

"Fuck, I guess this isn't a social call. He needed time to get money together, boss. I gave him the week."

"Well, he's had too much time. He robbed Bella to get money," I snapped.

"Double fuck. How many pieces do you want him in?" His tone became more serious.

"I will be taking care of him myself. Get his ass to the place tonight. But first there was a trunk that was very important to Bella. It has family heirlooms and her dad's things. I want it back with everything intact or there will be hell to pay," I told him.

"How will I know if anything is missing?"

"Not my problem. I want it back in her apartment before we return from dinner tonight," I hissed.

"Do you even know where it is?" he questioned.

"I suggest you start with the rat," I snapped.

"Yes, boss."

"One more thing. Find out who owns the apartment building on 1547 Sycamore Street," I ordered.

"But that's Jasper's job."

"Tonight it's yours."

"Yes, boss."

"Take care of it." I hung up my phone.

I stepped back into the apartment to see Bella coming out of another room. She was wearing a blue dress with sleeves to her elbows and her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She stood twisting her sweater in her hand.

"I hope this is okay, I don't have a ton of dressy things. Where are we going?" she asked shyly.

"You look beautiful, my bride. Wherever you like," I told her.

A/N: How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends? By Jane Yolen. There's a series of dinosaur books written by Yolen. My children loved them as kids. As many of you commented last time, Edward isn't going to let Bella go that easily.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.