Chapter 28 – Protection Comes out of Love
BELLA
It was strange how being intimate with someone changes your life. I didn't think anything would be different with Edward than it had been with Jacob. Boy was I wrong. The whole experience was different, no it was special. Edward didn't rush things once he laid me on the bed in our room, not that I expected him to rip our clothes off and get down to business. No, that was not him. He was tender, worshipping not only my body but me.
I lost track of time and the number of times we both cried out in pleasure. When exhaustion finally claimed me, I was wrapped in Edward's arms with my head on his bare chest.
~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~
Cracking open my eyes, I found myself alone in bed and the lack of warmth when I ran my hand over the spot Edward occupied told me he had been up for some time. My hand come in contact with a small box when I reached for his pillow. Curious, I propped myself up on my elbows. A small, yet elegant card was tied around a white box. My name was on the folder card in a beautiful, flowing script. Unfolding the card, I was greeted with the same script.
One-hundred roses are hardly enough to express the depth of my love for you, Isabella. My love is endless. I want you to have a constant reminder of my love. Always yours, Edward.
Pulling the ribbon free, I removed the white lid only to be confronted with a black box with the word JARED on it. Confusion swept through me. Who or what was Jared?
Slipping the black box out, I opened it and dropped it when I saw what was inside. An infinity pendant with each of our birthstones in the two loops with diamonds on the band along with our names. Clutching the sheet to my chest, I sat up and felt moisture on my face. I didn't care.
Getting out of bed, I retrieved my robe from the back of a chair and slipped into it. I didn't even wonder why it wasn't hanging in the master bath. Once decent, I retrieved the Jared box and walked in the bathroom to shower and dress.
~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~
With the necklace around my neck and what I hoped was a sultry smile, I snapped a picture and sent it to Edward.
EDWARD
My fingers trailed down the side of Bella's enchanting face after I placed a gift on my pillow. I didn't want to go to work and wished I could stay in bed with her until she woke and make love to her again. With a sigh, I leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips.
~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~
Juniper Lawrence had just been shown into the conference room when my cellphone beeped with an incoming message. I glanced at the screen and smiled when I saw the display read "Isabella." Like her father, I didn't see why she didn't like her name. It was beautiful just like her.
I set down my laptop and the paper contract on the table. "Do you mind if I respond to my wife, Ms. Lawrence?"
"Of course," she responded.
Opening the texting app, I was greeted with a charming selfie of Bella and saw something interesting. Zooming in to what was around her neck, I was delighted to see she was wearing the necklace I left her. Closing the picture, I read her message: "Thank you, it is lovely. Love you, Bella."
Typing out a quick response: "You are quite welcome, my love. I'll call you later."
~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~
My desk phone was ringing when I returned to my office three hours later.
"This is Edward," I answered, sitting heavily in my chair.
"You sound beat," Esme said.
A long breath left me. "I am. It's been a hectic couple of weeks."
I filled Mom in on Jacob showing up to crib shopping to admitting my love to Bella and her returning it.
"Oh, Edward, that was a sweet why to tell her, but I have to ask why you didn't call your father and me after the incident with Jacob."
Swiping my hand down my face, I thought about it a moment. "Honestly, it didn't even cross my mind to call. I didn't even call Bella's father, Charlie."
"Don't you think you should call him. I know things are strained between them, but she is his daughter."
Again, I swiped my hand down my face. It was like I hadn't had the thought myself, however I needed to finish going through the letters and documents first, having found the other folder with Bella's personal files in it this morning. "Yeah, I know. I plan on it, just haven't had time."
"Good. Now, your father and I will be in Seattle this weekend and would love to take the two you out to dinner."
Dinner sounded good having missed lunch due to a meeting. "Can I text you later with any answer? I want to check with Bella first."
I could hear smile in her voice when she agreed. "I've got to go. My pain in the butt client will be here soon."
"Good luck with them. I had mine in yesterday," I said in solidarity.
Pulling up my calendar, I saw I was free for the next hour. Hopefully it would be plenty of time to review all the documents Charlie gave Bella, even if she didn't know about them all.
With the divorce decree in hand, I walked out of my office. It wasn't odd for me to be walking through the office reading one contract or another. Slowly, I made my way to the kitchen, pouring myself a cup of coffee before leaning against the counter. Sipping the hot brew, I continued reading. The decree was strange and I was going to have to get Jasper's take on it to fully understand it.
"Ms. Cope," I said, stopping at her desk.
She looked up. "Mr. Cullen."
"Would you please scan this document and send it to Jasper Hale? Be sure to encrypt it."
"Certainly. Do you need it back?"
"Yes, and keep it out of the office files. It's not something I want Bella to run across," I requested as I entered my office.
I sent Jasper a quick email and then picked up the fifteen police reports and court summary page. I couldn't believe what all Renee got away with before she was arrested. Charlie had report unexplained burns, bites, bruises, and broken bones. One report stated the child was afraid of her mother and would burst into tears when her father left the room. The child advocate recommended immediate removal of the child from the environment. The courts and Charlie agreed on the condition a restraining order be put in place. Bella was taken to her Grandmother Swan and flourished. It was while Bella was at a playground Renee kidnapped her daughter. Tears stung my eyes as I continued reading. Seattle PD found Renee standing over unresponsive Bella. Renee was arrested on the spot as Bella was revived by an officer. There were plenty of bystanders who witnessed Renee strangle the child, many of which tried to intervene. The DA charged Renee with child endangerment, assault of a child in the first degree, and drug possession with intent to distribute. The court through out the first charge and sentenced Renee to three years for assault and fourteen years for the drug charge.
"Are you okay, Mr. Cullen?" Ms. Cope asked.
Dashing away the tears, I looked up. "These documents are sad and hard to read."
She nodded and handing me the divorce decree. "Mr. Hale should have that document shortly."
"Thanks."
I looked over at the stack of envelopes, not sure if I would be able to read them. And I sure as hell didn't want Bella reading them until I had.
My computer dinged and I looked up to see Jasper had responded. "Sure, Eddie,"–I groaned at the nickname–"I'll read over the document tonight and call you tomorrow with my thoughts."
Sucking it up, I grabbed the letter from Renee to Bella. It was as Charlie said, a mother writing her child and expressing how much she missed her. Each letter to Bella read the same, except the last one. It asked Bella to call her, a number was provided. Reaching for my desk phone, I called the number.
"Palisade," someone answered.
I balled my fist as I recalled what Charlie had written about Renee knowing Jacob's uncle, but Bella said his name was Royce not Felix as Charlie had stated. Was that Royce an alias? Or, was Felix? Either way, Renee must have been working at the same restaurant as her daughter and hadn't known it.
"Sorry, I dialed the wrong number," I said, hanging up.
I picked up the handset again, dialing the number for the station Charlie worked at.
"Sammamish sheriff."
"Chief Swan, please."
"May I tell whose calling."
"Edward Cullen," I responded.
Two minutes later, I was talking with Charlie.
"I had no idea Renee possibly worked at the same place as Bella, Edward."
Having opened the last letter myself, I knew he was telling me the truth. "I can't tell, let alone allow Bella to read that letter."
"I agree with you. Shred it and lie about the envelope being empty," he suggested.
Rolling my head, I looked up at the ceiling and considered it. "I'll think about it."
"How's Bella?" he asked, moving the conversation away from Renee.
My computer dinged. My last client of the day canceled.
"Fine now. She ran into Jacob and he threatened her."
"What!"
"I talked her into filing a police report."
"Good. Creating a paper trail was the best thing I've even did be Bella."
My gaze moved to the picture of Bella and me. "I don't know if we've seen the last of him. She been asked by the detective to report him each time."
Charlie asked who the detective was. I gave him the name. We talked for a few more minutes before he had to go on a call.
I was growing to like Charlie.
