Chapter Thirty Two

Esme

Sasha filled Rose and me in on all that had happened while we had been absent. Bella may now be out of danger but I couldn't just drop the clients who had booked events with my company and Rose had offered to help.

This meant for the past couple of days we had been away from home and whenever I called Carlisle and asked how things were going I got only vague answers. Emmett had been too busy playing secret agent with Edward to talk to Rose so it was with relief that we discovered the person behind the arson had been unmasked.

When Sasha explained her role in proceedings Rose glanced at me with a 'who is this person?' expression. We'd never found Sasha to be a team player and it came as a shock to discover that she had been instrumental in unmasking Bruce King as being the one responsible.

She then went on to tell us about the fundraiser and her mischief-making. Now, this was totally in character for the Sasha we knew.

"It was so funny to see Magda's expression when I described the woman I had seen with Bruce. She was virtually spitting fire!"

"What do you think she'll do?"

Sasha shrugged, "I don't know, Rose but she was set to put a bullet in Sophia's brain when we got back to their place."

"Well, I'm glad you talked her out of that."

With an expression like an angelic schoolgirl, Sasha preened, "I knew you would. I don't know why everyone automatically thought I would offer to hold her jacket while she did it. Even Carlisle praised my actions, or should it be inactions? Well, whatever."

"Where's Edward? I haven't seen him since we got home."

Sasha's expression darkened at the mention of her husband's name.

"I don't know and to be perfectly honest I don't really care right now. Do you know what he did, Esme?"

"No, but I'm sure you'll tell us."

"I will. I was so upset. It seems he doesn't trust me. Isn't that terrible? A man who doesn't trust his wife!"

Rose stifled a smile, "I guess so. What did he say, Sasha?"

She sighed heavily, "Well when I told him what happened at the fundraiser, how I told Magda about Sophia, he wanted to know how I knew."

She'd lost me and by Rose's expression, her too.

"Sorry? How you knew what?"

"How I knew what Sophia, Bruce's mistress, looked like. He had the temerity to accuse me of being involved somehow. ME!"

"Edward thought you were involved in the arson?" I was genuinely shocked. I knew how devious and destructive Sasha's gift could be, but to accuse her of that?

"Yes. He didn't ask me HOW I knew what Sophia looked like. He just assumed that I knew her. I'll tell you what I told him. I snooped when I was at the King's place. I thought I should get as much information as I could while I had the opportunity.

So, while I was supposed to be using the bathroom I went through Bruce's wallet. It was just lying there on the bedside cabinet so I thought why not? It had a discreet pocket and inside was a photograph of a woman and on the back, she'd written, "Bruce, the sexiest man I've ever met. All my love, now and always Sophia xx"

I knew that was the name of his mistress because I'd overheard a telephone conversation between the two of them."

"Oh." It sounded like Edward had put his foot in it right up to his neck and I was sure Sasha was going to make him pay through the nose for his accusations.

"Yes, Oh! I was so mad I slapped him. He's lucky all I did was wipe that smug look off his face. He apologized but I just walked away. How dare he!"

"I'm sure he realizes how upsetting his suspicions were for you. He'll be full of contrition when he comes back."

Sasha's eyes flashed dangerously and I thought that maybe Edward had gone too far in accusing Sasha of being in league with the Kings.

"He even had the temerity to throw my own words back at me. I admit I said Bella's life was going too smoothly, that she should have a little chaos in it, but I never meant for her to lose everything. I like Bella. I guess I said it in the heat of the moment when it appeared to me that everyone liked her and not me. Juvenile I know."

Carlisle appeared at that point and Rose took Sasha by the arm and steered her out of the room. Rose was a good person to soothe the savage beast and right now a lion was roaring loudly in Sasha's breast.

Once we were alone, Carlisle filled in the gaps in Sasha's story.

"She was very helpful and it's good to know that Alice is still keeping an eye on us. We couldn't have got the evidence we needed without her help."

"I can hold on to the hope that she'll come back home eventually then?"

"Maybe, my love. We'll see. Emmett is extremely pleased with himself. I think he regards his work as on a par with The Matrix. He is going to be unbearable for a while."

"Now all that's left is for Rose and me to liberate Bella's painting and Hugo. I'm just glad we have a small part in this vast performance. Have you spoken to Jasper and Bella?"

"I've kept them abreast of developments but I haven't gone into detail. They did ask if you would call when you get time. It sounds like they want to discuss something with you."

I beamed, "Oh I hope it's the wedding. I'm so excited, Carlisle. It will be wonderful to see them both happy and to have Bella in the family officially."

Carlisle sighed smiling as he shook his head, "My dear sentimental wife. You love a happy ending."

"Of course. That's how stories should end, with happiness and the conquest of all evil. Every fairy tale ends with a happy ever after."

He laughed, "Then I guess you should probably give them a call."

Bella

I was nervous when I heard Esme's voice on the phone. I owed her so much and was desperate not to upset her.

She began by telling me how much she missed me and made me feel even worse.

"Carlisle said you wanted to talk to me. Is everything OK, sweetheart?"

"Yes. I'm feeling much better and Peter and Charlotte have been so kind to me. It's like having two more siblings."

"Good. I know they didn't get on with Alice but I knew they would take to you. Is Jasper OK?"

"He's fine. Desperate to hear all about your sleuthing and wishing he was involved but we're keeping him busy."

"Good. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?"

I explained what Charlotte and I had discussed and asked if she and Rose would be prepared to travel to Boulder and join us.

"Of course. We'd be delighted. To be honest I was worried that you might not want to come back to Phoenix and we wouldn't see you again. Is a visit OK with Peter? I know he's not keen on the family."

"Yes. Charlotte is arranging that. I just want everyone I love to be involved in our wedding."

"Thank you, Bella. So, when do you need us?"

"Would next week be too soon? I know you still have commitments."

"Actually Rose and I have taken care of most outstanding events and I have another company ready to step in for the couple that are left. Family business always comes first. See you on Monday."

When Peter heard about the visitors he wasn't exactly happy.

"How come no one thinks to clear something like this with me? I mean it's only my fucking house. But no, don't worry about Peter. I'll just hang him in the fucking closet until they've gone."

"Peter, you never came out of the closet."

He glared at Jasper, "Fuck you. I thought you were my friend. How come you're bringing the alien fucking horde to invade my space?"

Charlotte put a hand on his arm but he pulled away angrily, "Hey, don't try to sweet-talk me. You know I don't like the fucking Cullens so why would you invite them here?"

I thought I should step in and try to diffuse the situation.

"Peter, it was my fault. Charlotte is going to help me plan my wedding and I wanted to include Esme and Rosalie. I didn't think you would object so strongly. I'll call them back. We can go there instead."

Peter stared at me for a long time, "Your wedding? You asked Charlotte to help you?"

"Yes. I don't have anyone but you, Charlotte and the Cullens. I just wanted all the girls around me. I never meant to upset you, Peter."

He grunted, staring out of the window, "Well, in that case, I guess I could cope with Esme and Rosalie. Just promise me that Edward the asshole isn't coming, or Carlisle. He spends all his time looking down his nose at us because we kill humans and I'm as good as that fucker any day."

"Thank you, Peter. It's only Esme and Rose, I promise. I do have a big favor to ask you though."

He glared at me suspiciously, "That sounds ominous. Go on."

"Could we get married here? I know it means you have to put up with the rest of the family for a couple of days but it would make me very happy."

"Here? You don't want a fancy fucking wedding in the Vatican or at St Paul's Cathedral? Well, that's a nice change from the last Mrs Whitlock. I guess I could go along with that. So long as they mind their fucking manners."

"Thank you."

I threw my arms around him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

By the time I had stepped back, he was grinning from ear to ear.

"What did I tell you? I'm fucking irresistible to the fairer sex. OK, Bella, the ranch is yours for the wedding but the first Cullen who treads on my toes goes down the well headfirst."

"Peter, we don't have a well."

He scowled at Charlotte, "Then I'll dig one so fucking deep they'll need to be speaking Mandarin when they land."

Later when Charlotte and I were alone again she tried to apologize for Peter.

"He tends to feel a little inferior around Carlisle and Esme which is silly. The only person who ever tried to undermine him was Alice and I don't think she did it deliberately, we're just different kinds of people."

"No need to apologize, Charlotte. Peter's entitled to be upset if he thinks we're going behind his back."

She laughed, "Peter finally has a champion other than me. Now, that is a novelty."

"I like Peter. He doesn't try to fit in and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. I like his honesty."

Charlotte beamed, "You do know I love you even more for saying that, don't you? Most people don't even try with him, which is a shame because underneath that rough exterior there's a really sweet guy."

I hadn't realized how nervous Jasper had been when he brought me here to meet his friends. He only told me later that night.

"Thank you for coping with Peter so well."

"It's not coping. I like him."

"He likes you too, although I was a little worried. He didn't understand why I was wasting my time on a human who had the intellect of a flea. His words, not mine."

"Cheek!"

"He was basing that on the fact that you had fallen for Edward who is on a par with an amoeba as far as Peter is concerned.

He gave me a really hard time in the beginning. Now he sees why, he just doesn't like the fact that I didn't tell him how I felt about you at the time. I tried to explain that I didn't even allow myself to acknowledge my feelings then but I don't think he believed me."

"But he stayed and helped you. That's true friendship."

"I know, and I also know that Peter would stand with me whatever the peril. You just have to accept the baggage he brings with him."

"Do you think it's safe for Esme and Rose to visit?"

He smiled, "Peter will behave. If he doesn't, Charlotte will crucify him. She doesn't have many rules but one that she insists he sticks to is being polite to invited guests."

"What about the wedding? Are you happy to get married here?"

"Perfectly. If you wanted to get married in the middle of a river I'd be happy but having all my friends around us makes it even more special."

"When everything went wrong. When the fires started I started to think I wasn't meant to be happy. That it was all going wrong. I'm glad that wasn't so."

"You really think a little thing like a fire would put me off or come between us?"

"No. I just felt so miserable."

"And now?"

"And now I couldn't be happier. If we can just get through the next few weeks without Peter killing anyone…"

"He'll behave. I told him if he wants to be the best man he'd better."

"Do you think we could have a spring wedding? I know it's short notice for Charlotte to make my dress but I'm worried something else might go wrong."

"Charlotte will be fine and a spring wedding sounds great. There is just one thing."

I tensed.

"Will you be inviting Alice? I only ask because she's been instrumental in getting Bruce King where we want him. She'll be bringing her partner with her if she comes."

"Have you spoken to her?"

I cringed at the accusatory tone in my voice but he just smiled.

"No. I thought I'd let you do that."

"Oh right. Well, I guess we should in that case, but isn't it going to be awkward?"

"Not for me. I'll only have eyes for the woman I love and that's you, Bella Swan."