71

I'm sitting at my desk, scarfing down the sandwich Bella made me because she knew I wouldn't be taking lunch today.

The high school is hosting a benefit for one of their beloved teachers who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Angela was heartbroken to find out that Bob Banner was terminal and that he wasn't interested in applying for Eternal Life.

After losing his wife unexpectedly a few years ago, he made the decision to join her when it's his time.

Alice's drama class put together tonight's carnival to collect money to make sure his last few months on earth are comfortable. Tonight is doubling as his surprise retirement party, and they are going all out to make it special.

I haven't seen much of all three of my girls because they've been so busy planning and getting things set up, and I couldn't be more proud of Alice and Angela.

I'm eating with one hand and filling out a final report for a client when my office door flies open, scaring the living daylights out of me.

"What the—" I stand in surprise when I realize who the intruder is. "Mom?"

My mother comes storming into the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Hi." I try to hug her, but she waves me off.

"Don't you dare, Edward Masen Cullen," she hisses. "Guess what happened to me today? I'll tell you. There I was sitting in line, waiting to pick up your father's and my supply when Reverend Webber walks up, gabbing about how she saw you and Isabella Swan, the president's daughter, canoodling it up at the movies."

"Oh."

"I thought to myself. Oh, Esme, don't believe this gossipmonger. Surely, your only born child would inform you if he was dating someone, let alone an immortal one with a title! And guess what she did?"

Knowing that she needs to get this out, I ask her what Reverend Webber did, and she fumes.

"SHE PULLED OUT HER PHONE AND SHOWED ME A PICTURE OF THE TWO OF YOU KISSING!"

"She took a picture of us? That's weird."

"NOT THE POINT!"

"Mom. I'm at work."

Mom points to her face. "Does it look like I care?"

I sit back down and try to clean up the mess that was my lunch while she paces. "Are you done?"

"Not even close." She huffs.

"I've been meaning to call you, but I've been busy."

"Busy dating the president's daughter!"

"Well, it didn't start out like that," I explain. "She was the vampire they assigned to work for me when I went to Volturi Consultants and applied for V.A.M.P."

I think I'm witnessing a vampire going into shock for the first time.