Hi all thank you for the continued support of my story. I know this is a far fetched tale- but I'm glad most of you seem to enjoy the concept. Due to a burst pipe at our stay I was able to type this out this am. xxx
Chapter 7 The Aftermath
I woke up to an empty bed as I replayed yesterday's events, it was such a beautiful day that ended in a very satisfying way. I didn't think I would ever get used to Edward and I's connection.
I dread looking at my phone knowing it was all real. By now everyone had to know. I heard Edward in the bathroom on the phone having a very heated discussion. I couldn't make out what was being said but tempers seemed to be flying. I grabbed my phone and turned it back on unsure of what was to come.
I searched Edward's name and immediately the first article that popped up was "Cordova's New Princess, a Union of Love or Money?" I cringed at the title. Most of the articles were fairly neutral and complimentary. They shared our photos and the story we had shared. Little details of me were released. Though Charlie's photo was released alongside mine. He would be considered famous in Forks.
After doing some digging it seemed there was a bit of skepticism due to me being so unknown. Our union seemed too sudden. The people of Cordova seemed a tad mixed about whether this union seemed like a good thing or a bad thing. The titles ranged from- "No Longer a Heartbreak Prince?" "Who is Princess Bella Swan?" "Gold Digging Princess?" "American Girl Marries Royalty" "Who is Prince Edward? Why Did He Marry An Unknown" "Will Princess Bella's Heart Be Broken?" The last article was- "Not Our Princess" I sighed and felt mixed emotions about the whole thing. The internet was littered with so many things I couldn't sort through them all.
I noticed a new article pop up as I refreshed the page, it was an exclusive with a "close friend of mine." I opened the article and found someone who I had one class with my freshman year of college had given an exclusive all about me. Lauren Mallory. I believe we never had spoken. She claimed we were inseparable and she knew all about Edward and me. It was a harmless article but it left me feeling icky, knowing someone wanted to tag along in the spotlight. I sighed unable to read any more on the subject questioning why we continued with this lie.
I scrolled through my phone, I never had received so many DMs, texts, Facebook chats, and phone calls. My voicemail was full. It was so overwhelming. Most of the messages were from people I didn't know. Clear I needed to change my number as mine may have been leaked somewhere. I responded to a few closer friends and family a very generic response.
My heart dropped as I saw his name pop onto my phone. James. What could he possibly want? He simply wrote "you shouldn't have done that" I shuttered and exited out of his message feeling uneasy.
I decided to just leave the rest of the messages unread as they stressed me out. I knew more would most likely pop-up. I made a mental note to change my number and to set all my socials to private.
Charlie had messaged as well, reporters were lined up outside his home. He joked he had his shotgun ready and loaded. I laughed at the notion but felt awful knowing he was there alone. This all felt like a huge disaster. One that we could no longer take back. I sent Charlie a few photos from the wedding and one of me, Jess, and Ang. I had forgotten to do so yesterday.
Edward walked out of the bathroom in a huff. Frustrated as he tugged on his already disheveled hair. He glanced over at me and half-smiled. Both of us were struggling with the aftermath.
"Good morning" he finally breathed out. Pouring us both some orange juice. I could tell something was on his mind. He wasn't his usual self.
"Good morning" I smiled back at him accepting the orange juice and sipping it back.
Silence fell upon us as he sat back on the bed. Placing his phone downwards and away from him clear he had had enough of his phone as well.
"Who was on the phone?" I finally asked. Biting my lip unsure if I should breach the subject. He glanced at me and hesitated.
"My father. He wasn't happy about our unexpected announcement. I should have given them more notice. What's done is done. I knew it was just better to ask for forgiveness than acceptance."
I shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. This was all just a mess. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He smiled lightly at me and kissed me. We both let our worries fade as we deepened our kiss. His erection was pressed against my leg as his tounge wrested mine. His touch was a helpful distraction from all the chaos. A knock at the door stopped us as I slipped on my robe and Edward adjusted his erection making us both more presentable.
Alice barged in a fury. She grinned at us both before sitting down at the table facing us. Almost aware of what we were just doing.
"Did you talk to them?" Edward sighed. Tugging again at his hair, clearly frustrated by this whole conversation.
"They are furious Edward. I tried to ease them, I did. Dad just isn't grasping this all. I think you two need to fly home right after the wedding to smooth this all over. Emmett is on the phone with them now" she blurted out. She was talking a mile a minute.
"They wanted me to take a bride! I didn't realize they would be so upset with Bella's status" he practically yelled. My stomach knotted up as I heard the words. Edward's parents already didn't like me.
"It's not that Edward, it's the fact you gave them no notice. They were humiliated hearing about your union from their staff. I think we all underestimated this whole situation" she stated.
"Once you're home I think things will settle this was a gamble we all knew that"
Edward nodded his head in agreement. It was a gamble we knew this was unconventional.
"Thank you Alice for everything. We owe you." He grinned.
"Don't worry I most definitely will collect one day" she laughed. We both looked at one another scared of what that could result in.
"Alice I think my phone number may have been leaked. I'm being blown up. Most are people I do not know" I bit my lip and scooted my phone away from me again.
Edward's eyes widen and he grabbed my phone and handed it to Alice. "We will get you a new number. Give Alice your passcodes she will have Emmett work on locking down your accounts and social media for a minute that should help things as well"
"Also someone gave an exclusive on me who I barely know" I shifted uncomfortably.
"We know" Alice and Edward said at the same time. Smiling at one another.
"There will most likely be more, it's human nature to want to be in the spotlight" Edward sighed. Clear this must have been common in the life they lived.
"We are monitoring all the articles. Though it may not seem it, the press overall is good." Alice smiled. It was very hard to believe. Gold digging princess floated in my head. I shook off the words and grabbed a notebook and wrote down all my info for Alice.
"Also I received a not-so-friendly text. He may be the source of the leak of my number" piecing the two together.
Alice scrolled through my phone and her eyes widened. "Bella this seems serious" Edward snatched the phone out of her hand confusion dancing upon his face.
"Who is James?" He growled. I bit my lip not ready to relay to them who he was and what he had done. Alice seemed to recognize my discomfort immediately.
"Just give us his full name Bella" she grabbed at my hand clear I wasn't ready to address the whole situation yet.
"James Hunter, we worked together at Hunter's Bar and Grill. It's located in Pullman, near Washington State. His father owns the bar. We worked together for a few months." I shuttered. Unsure if I could share anymore.
Edward and Alice exchanged looks and seemed to understand this was a more delicate situation. "You don't have to tell us now Bella but we should be made aware of anything that may harm you." Edward soothed. Clear he wanted nothing more than to ease me. I nodded my head and wiped away the small tears that had started to form.
I gave Alice my important info and sighed feeling extremely overwhelmed. We said our goodbyes as Alice was off to help with Jess's wedding. I had a feeling the wedding would be just as lavish as ours was. It honestly was the furthest thing from my mind. We had to arrive at the venue around 1 pm. Which gave us little time to sort out our mess and emotions.
Edward scooted over to me unsure how to approach me. We still were strangers after all.
"Bella I don't like seeing you sad" he breathed out. Trying to let me have my space. Unsure of what I needed at the moment.
I grabbed his face and kissed him. I wanted nothing more than to get James and his message out of my mind. He kissed me back gently unsure if this was what I truly wanted. I slipped my robe off and laid back on the bed taking Edward down with me. He hesitated again and I simply said "Please Edward." He responded fully tugging his clothing off of him.
He grabbed a condom and lowered it onto himself. Slowly entering into my body. Though slow, each move he did made felt calculated bringing immense pleasure to me. It was so intimate, it felt heavenly. He littered me with kisses as his mouth found my neck, collar bone, nipples, and even my belly. His touch was sending waves of heat throughout me. He slowly pumped in and out of me, making each move count. I was losing myself in it all. Letting us both let go of the mess we had created. It was so different than our other times together. It was intimate yet fiery. We were so connected. He took his time roaming my body. Kissing me delicately everywhere he could. It felt beautiful, I felt beautiful. He grunted out my name as he neared his release. Slipping his hand again to my clit. I came alongside him, feeling my worries melt ever so slightly.
"Woah" was all I could muster. He chuckled back at me and kissed my lips quickly ending our intimate moment.
We showered and got ready smiling at one another. Still feeling connected from our moment with one another. It was clear feelings were starting to develop on my end. I was no match to the heartbreak prince.
We got to the venue early and I was put into the full maid of honor mode. Alice had switched out everything. The venue was beautiful, also decorated for a winter wonderland theme. Sparkles and glitter filled the space along with snowflakes. Jess looked radiant she was literally glimmering, I assumed it had to be due to Alice's doing. I hugged both Ang and Jess, clear they had read a lot of the articles. I was so happy to be with my friends just one more day. The day passed in a blur. It was a genuine ceremony filled with tears and joy. Mike looked like the happiest man alive. Jess made a beautiful bride. I couldn't be happier for them both.
Edward and I decided to leave early, unsure if anyone would capture us on film, not in need of anymore attention. Unfortunately, all eyes seemed to be glued to us after the ceremony. I hugged the girls' goodbye and congratulated Jess again. Tears filled my eyes as I knew I would not see them for a while. We promised to FaceTime and that they would visit once everything settled down. Reality hitting me in full.
I cried in the car feeling uneasy about the new life I chose. Edward rubbed my back unsure again of what to say to his new bride. Our bags were packed, I believed Rose may have been the culprit. A private jet scooped us up and I was happy for my extreme exhaustion as I passed out on the seat about 10 minutes into our journey. I was a terrible flyer normally. When I woke I could see the daylight peeking through the windows and we were nearing our landing. Surprised I had slept almost the whole 8-hour journey.
We ate our breakfast quietly. We both were nervous about what was to come.
Edward finally cleared his voice and said "Welcome to Cordova Bella" as we touched down on the runway.