BPOV
To say that what Royce's legal team did was grotesque would be an understatement. Only local media had picked up on this whole nightmare. Edward's grandfather pointed out that since the majority of Royce's accusers are minors that their identities were to remain anonymous by law.
It was Gramps who spoke with the Seattle D.A.'s office. He became an interpreter of sorts for me since my dad only knew so much within his own jurisdiction.
It was Esme who made all the men leave Carlisle's study as I retold my story to Gramps. I was embarrassed to have to recap it all to the man Edward looks up to, but that's when both he and Esme shared a story about her ex from college.
He spent two years in jail for assault and breaking her leg, his sentence was five years, but he was released early for good behavior. She said that she was with Carlisle and had a life already established in Seattle when he was released.
"He never tried to contact you?" I ask.
"He sent an apology letter from prison but other than that, not a word," she explains.
Gramps politely dismisses me from the room which is where I stand now on the other side of the door.
"They should castrate all boys who behave like this," Gramps says to Esme. "This is the reason Edward refuses to practice criminal law."
"Though he'd be perfect for it," she responds with a sigh.
"He could've eventually aspired to become the D.A. for Chicago," he says bluntly.
"I feel like you and Liz know more about Edward's future than he does," Esme says accusingly.
"I'm happy with whatever choice he makes, but there is a lot of interest in Edward's future," he explains.
"Like there was for Ed."
"Ed didn't handle the opportunities that were available to him well," he says.
"Are you going to talk to Edward again?"
"I think he's on the right path," he starts letting out a breath. "He needs Seattle, you know as well as I do that Edward has already started to build a life here in Washington. I can see how serious he is about Bella, he never looked at Kate the way he looks at her."
I rest my hand against the door knowing that I am probably as in love with him as he is with me. I slowly back away from the door walking the hallway to the living room where my dad and Edward are sitting.
Edward is the first to see me.
"Hey," he says standing.
I try to give him a smile but feel drained.
He's in front of me immediately pulling me into a tight hug.
Charlie remains quiet on the couch watching us before he stands. "Is Ethan still in Carlisle's office?"
I nod and he takes off in that direction.
"I feel like I ruined Thanksgiving dinner," I mumble against Edward's chest.
"I believe Channel Five News ruined dinner," he says, kissing the top of my head.
"Rosalie was scheduled to talk with Detective Diaz on Monday and they haven't heard otherwise if that has changed," I explained, looking up at him.
"Her father won't let her back out; he knows how important she is to the case," Edward says, but it's mostly to himself.
"Did Jazz and his mom show up?" I ask.
"They did but his mother said with everything happening she understood now was not the time to celebrate the holiday. My mom gave her food to take home and Jazz left this with me," he says pulling the joint out of his pocket.
"You both are crazy, my dad probably smelled that from a mile away," I tell him slightly panicked.
"Did you smell it?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
I roll my eyes but he's right.
He takes my hand and our coats leading us through the kitchen.
"Where are you two going?" Liz asks from her seat at the island.
"We're going to the pool house for a bit. Charlie's talking with Gramps, so my guess is they'll be a while," Edward explains.
"I should take plates into them," she says with a sigh. "Edward, remember, her father is here so please be respectful."
Edward looks insulted, but I see the smirk on his mother's lips.
"We'll behave," I promise.
She gives us both a look, but I'm quick to get my coat on as is Edward. He strides across the yard with my hand in his.
Once we're in the warmth of the pool house, I make my way to his drawers to grab a t-shirt and sweatpants, being in this dress for the rest of the evening wasn't an option.
I start to put my leg through the pant leg but Edward stops me. "Hold on, maybe let's smoke this first," he says, holding the joint up.
"You got a lighter," he shrugs, holding up matches.
He opens up the window close to his bed, no one could see us over here in this corner if they decided to come looking.
We both sit in the window sills nook, he takes a hit first passing it to me. I cough a little because this shit is strong, like stronger than usual. Edward doesn't even flinch as he inhales.
It might be strong, but it's good, oh so good, because as we're finishing Edward already has me hoisted up against the wall.
His nose nudges my dress and bra cup out of his way until he latches onto my nipple. My hand grabs his hair and pulls.
We are hands and limbs while we undress each other while my legs are still wrapped around his waist. I reach into the drawer where his condoms are. We had them scattered throughout the pool house for our convenience.
"Put this on," I beg as he strokes my clit.
"I'm going to drop you," he grunts against my neck.
"Put me down then," I whine feeling overwhelmed.
"I don't want to," he pants in frustration.
I unwrap my legs from around him sliding down him, I grab him, rolling the condom on giving him a good squeeze.
"Fuck," he sputters.
I look around him to make sure we are still out of view from the main house. The coast seemed clear.
"Floor," I say, pulling him down with me.
Once he's inside me his thrusts are hard and frenzied. My nails dig into his skin the harder he thrust hitting all the right places.
My eyes roll back when everything explodes.
It takes a minute for us to both catch our breaths, but his lips stay on my skin while we both come down. My fingers gently run through his hair with each breath.
He goes to move, but I place both my hands on either side of his face. "Thank you," I say quietly.
"For what just happened?" he asks, confused his full condom just hanging out in his hand.
I take it from him, throwing it into the trash bin next to the dresser.
"No, thank you for loving me— I know that I'm—"
"You better not say broken or anything like that, Bella. I love you because you're the most genuine human being I have ever met," he murmurs against the shell of my ear, his fingers work their way into my hair scratching my scalp.
"This is a lot for me at times are you sure—"
He cuts me off. "I'm sure I'm going to love you in Forks and when we get to Seattle. I will respect your father's wishes that you live in the dorms next year, but I want you at my apartment whenever you want to be there. I want you to move in with me your sophomore year," he confesses, staring me down.
"Edward, that's a long time from now. What if we break up?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his back.
"I don't think that will happen," he tells me and I can see he honestly means it. "This is what we will work towards, you, in the end, moving in with me. When you're ready that is."
"So all I need to do is say the word and we'll live together?"
"Yes," he answers simply.
It's at this moment I realize what a complete and total idiot Kate is, because this man is the best of the best. We spend the next hour sprawled out on the floor touching and kissing until we move it into the shower.
I wish I was as sure of us as Edward. Gramps said that Edward never looked at Kate the way he looks at me. He was going to marry her and now, three months into us we've declared our love for each other. Was it as easy as that? Could you fall in love that quickly?
"Why have you gone quiet?" he asks, helping put his t-shirt on.
"How are you so sure you love me?" I ask quietly.
"I think about you nonstop," he confesses simply. "I think about us in the future and what our life will be like."
"The future isn't promised, Edward," I sigh.
His hands rest on the tops of my thighs while he rubs them.
"I know that more than anyone, Bella. Call it a gut feeling I have that you and I are meant to be," he says earnestly.
I cup his cheek looking at him in wonder. "What if you're just an optimistic stoner?" I tease.
"Maybe I am, but maybe I also know what I want out of this."
I shake my head, but can't help smiling, because I know how sure of a person he is. Edward isn't the type of guy who minces words. In my heart, I want nothing more than to spend every day with him, but I also want to go to college, then get into a psychology program dealing in trauma.
I want to help women and men who have been through what I've been through. I want to make a difference in their lives and let them know they aren't alone. That there are people like Edward out there to love them, who will support them. It doesn't have to be a significant other, it could be a friend or family member.
I need to do this so I can believe in the good of others and that there is another side of this terrible thing that happened to me.