DISCLAIMER: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight not me. I just love playing around with the characters we all know and love. :-)
Authors Notes:
***Back to Edward's POV this chapter.
***They Kissed and Edward FINALLY asked Bella out. Man he's lucky she's so patient and that he's so hot... LOL. How many of you would have waited for him to ask, given up, or just asked him out instead?
***Quite a few of you spotted my reference to James in the last chapter where Edward mentioned that he's a prosecutor. And yes prosecutors work for the DA's office (government) not private firms whereas defense attorneys can work in the private sector. Clever of you all to notice that. :-) Yes he's a prosecutor but because of his family ties with this firm he does work there for numerous reasons that I simply didn't elaborate on yet as he's barely mentioned in the chapter. Sometimes I think all of you are to smart for your own good. It forces me to do so much more research to keep this story as accurate as possible. LOL.
***Sorry for slow updates on both my work-in-progress stories. I have LOTS on my plate right now and have gotten very little time to write. :-( (Evicting Roomate, 2-3 doctors appointments weekly, working 50+hours, 2 kids, husband, pregnant,... life) I do have to sleep sometime. LOL. Sorry again.
***REVIEW PLEASE
CHAPTER #12: Admissible Acquittal
EPOV
"You're being awfully quiet there Eddie." I was in to good of a mood to even be annoyed by Alice's terrible nickname for me. All I could think about was Bella. I had FINALLY asked her out and she had said yes. Above that I had kissed her and she'd kissed me right back. I was flying on such a major high at the moment that even my sister's annoying tendencies couldn't crush it. I chanced a glance at her after she made her little observation and I couldn't resist smirking at her confused expression. "What's with that look on your face?"
Alice was sitting in the seat next to me as I drove her home. "What look?" I gave her a warm innocent smile as I asked. That would certainly confuse her even more.
"Well it's a lot like the way your face looks when Lizzie is around. I think... I mean I could be mistaken, but I think you're smiling." She was smirking and despite her efforts to annoy me I couldn't stop the smile she was referencing.
"I can't just be in a good mood?"
"Of course you can, it's just not normal. It's not YOU." I chuckled and shook my head as I pulled up to the curb of her condo complex. I parked but she made no effort to leave my car or even that she'd noticed we'd stopped. She crossed her arms over her chest as she eyed me suspiciously. I continued to smile back innocently, knowing it would seriously irritate her.
"I'll see you at dinner tomorrow at Mom and Dad's." Her eyes narrowed further at my non-to-subtle attempt to dismiss her.
"Yes... you will." It was taking an amazing amount of effort not to laugh at her and to keep my poker face but I managed. We proceeded to have what our brother referred to as a 'twin moment', though we were far from twins, where we seemed to speak to each-other without saying a word, like we could read the other telepathically. Our eyes stayed on the other before Alice grumbled loudly in annoyance. "What the HELL Edward? Tell me what's up with your face!"
I laughed loudly at her beyond irritated tone as she practically yelled at me. There was little Alice hated more than being out of the loop, which was exactly where I was keeping her and she knew it. "My face? What ever do you mean?" Her eyes narrowed to slits and if she wasn't such a ridiculously small pixy I may have been more than a little scared of her. As it stood though she was far from threatening, just amusing.
"Why the hell are you smiling like that?" She gestured wildly to my face which just made me smile further.
"Because you are being ridiculously hilarious." It wasn't untrue...
"I swear to God Edward. Tell me or else."
Now my eyes narrowed though she still didn't have the power to make me loose my smile. Thoughts of Bella and I kissing were still far to prominent in my head for the smile to be leaving anytime soon. I could still picture her heated face, soft lips, and eager response to me... "Or else you'll what?"
"I will find out anyway and then I'll tell Emmett." I sighed at the threat. Emmett's favorite past time was torturing people with embarrassing information, and there was no one he enjoyed doing this to more than his siblings... namely me as he actually WAS scared of Alice.
I shrugged off her threat. "You'll do what you have to do I suppose." She watched me for awhile while keeping her annoyed expression. After a couple moments her eyes widened slightly and a large smile crossed her face.
FUCK... I knew that look
"OH... MY... GOD..."
SHIT...
"Alice..." I tried to sound both scolding and calm but she wasn't listening to me at all by this point into her apparent epiphany.
"It's a girl isn't it!" I rolled my eyes at how ridiculously happy she sounded.
"Alice..." I repeated myself but she cut me off.
"There's only one thing that you EVER get so secretive about and that's your love life."
"I don't get secretive about my love life." That was a complete and utter lie but in my defense as wonderful as my family was they could be a bit invasive when it came to any women in my life. This had gotten even worse since my divorce. They each wanted to see me with someone perfect and it was frustrating to answer a million questions for them when I had dated someone for all of five minutes. It had gotten to the point where I didn't tell them anything at all, not even IF I was seeing someone, let alone who it was.
"You're full of shit you know that right?" She was smiling victoriously as she spoke sweetly.
"Can you leave my car now?"
"NOPE." She popped the 'p' as she answered. "I think I'll stay right here."
"Well I'm going home."
"That's fine. You have guest rooms."
"For Fuck sake Alice... Why do you want to come to my house?" Suddenly I was very tired and it was all because of the overzealous gnome sitting next to me.
She shrugged uncaring. "I want the chance to grill you some more." My jaw clenched slightly and I gave her my best brotherly meets fatherly look of disapproval. She just smiled ignorantly. I should have known that look wouldn't have any power over her. Our dad had been under her complete control from the moment he first saw her in the delivery room. One major thing her and Lizzie had in common was how much power they had over their respective fathers. Unlike Dad though I wasn't completely helpless to Lizzie's charms. Alice positively owned our father.
"What do I have to do to get you to leave my car right now?" She seemed to put some serious thought into my question which made me roll my eyes. This was both a good sign and a worrisome one. What would she ask for?
"Admit I'm right like always, tell me who the lucky lady is, and..." She was ticking off her demands on her fingers with a big smile plastered on her face. "...tell me what happened tonight to make you so happy."
Might as well get it over with... "You're correct Alice, as usual." I mockingly bowed my head in her direction and rolled my eyes at her happy grin. "It is a WOMAN that has me happy." I needed to clarify the 'It's a girl' comment she'd made earlier. Alice smiled while nodding. "Her name is Bella and I was smiling because I officially asked her out and she said yes." No way in hell was I mentioning the kiss. If I did she would NEVER leave.
"Bella... Miss. Swan? Lizzie's teacher?" Alice's expression was neutral, hard to read so I responded with a simple head nod.
"OH MY GOD! She's perfect for you!" I was torn between smiling at my sister's clear approval and wincing at her loud voice drilling into my ears in the enclosed car space. "She's so sweet, she's absolutely BEAUTIFUL, she obviously loves Lizzie..." Alice trailed off as she seemed to think about everything I already knew about Bella. I wanted to both laugh and shake my head at her enthusiasm. This was why I didn't discuss my romantic life with my family, especially my mother and sister. I hadn't even gone on the date yet and she was already calculating our compatibility.
"Will you leave now?" I wasn't actually annoyed with her as much now but I was tired and just wanted to go home.
Alice acted like she hadn't heard me. "She seems quite a bit younger than you..." I couldn't help myself as I frowned and stiffened a little from Alice's observation. She didn't notice my tension though as she was still staring off, lost in 'Alice land' as I always called her little moments of gazing into the unknown. I was about to say something in response to her comment, probably something harsher than necessary but she spoke again before I had a chance. "But age is just a number so who cares?" She waved off the idea of an age gap with a flick of her wrist and I couldn't help but smile at that. Alice had her flaws but judgmental has never been one of them. Nosy... yes, determined... certainly, but not judgmental. She didn't say anything in response to my relieved reaction as she was still lost in her own thoughts. After a moment she looked back at me and smiled. "She really does seem perfect for you." She smiled gently before cementing her gaze slightly. I swear her mood swings could always leave me confused. "Don't screw it up." She gave me a menacing look while pointing her finger at me and I couldn't hold in the laughter if I'd wanted to. My sister was nothing if not entertaining.
"I love you Alice."
"I know. I'm awesome." She leaned over the console and kissed my cheek before stepping out of my car. She still had the door open as she leaned back in and gave me a bright smile. "I love you to big brother." I laughed as she closed the door and went into her building. She texted me as soon as she was inside her condo which was my signal she was safe and I could leave. She lived in a very nice building in a very nice section of town but I was protective by nature so she always told me when she was safe inside.
As I drove off towards home I thought about Bella and how she was probably home by now as well. I had really hated the idea of letting anyone, especially another man, take Bella home but given that I had my sister with me and Bella had arrived with JASPER, I didn't see that I had much of a choice. Knowing Bella I knew she probably didn't want to be rude by ditching him for me so I was left with no real option. I had to let her leave with him, but I sure as hell didn't have to like it. After I finally manned up and asked her out, and even kissed her I was feeling a bit more possessive than I knew I had the right to be. I was a very jealous and possessive man about anything I cared about, which of course included Bella. Yes... technically I knew she wasn't MINE...
'Not yet anyway...' My possessive thoughts pointed out but I skated past it. My emotions had me on edge at the moment but I tried to reign it in. I hadn't anticipated seeing Bella tonight and then when I did and she was dressed... the way she was... absolutely no words described how I felt. I had always known she was beyond gorgeous but WOW. From the moment I first saw her in her classroom it was obvious she was a stunning woman but tonight she was truly a sight to behold. I'd had to summon up every bit of restraint in me to avoid ogling her inappropriately and grabbing her to my side, unwilling to release her. Seeing that she was there with another man was not a feeling I handled well but hopefully my territoriality hadn't been plainly obvious. Logically I knew it was unfounded as Bella was a free woman capable of befriending whoever she pleased. We hadn't established any specific relationship other than friendship at that point and I knew it. Even if my inner Alpha male wanted to ignore reality entirely the truth of our rather 'innocent' relationship meant that I really had no rightful claim on her...
'Now I do though...' I smirked to myself at the truth behind that line of thought. I did have a claim on her now. I had seen to that. Part of me was surprised by how fast she responded to my kiss but I was beyond thrilled. Her and I had been floating through limbo with regards to our relationship from the beginning when there was so much attraction but just as much hesitation. Now, finally, I was eager to define what we were or at the very least what we could be.
As I thought of Bella and what our very near future held I felt a bit more uneasy with regards to where she was right now. Was she home yet? The fact that I didn't KNOW whether or not she was safe and sound was grating on my mind so at the first red light I pulled out my phone and texted her.
"Are you home safe, beautiful?" I wasn't sure why I had given Bella a nickname as I don't think I'd done that for any other woman I'd ever been involved with, not even my ex-wife, but with Bella it was natural. I truly liked having something only I called her, even if it was a cliche term of endearment. That plus the fact that it suited her given that she WAS beautiful, the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen in fact, made the name flow naturally. I had hardly started driving again when my phone buzzed with a message. I wanted to check it but years of being extra careful in the car due to normally having the precious cargo of my daughter with me meant I had trained myself to wait to check my phone with what was hopefully Bella's response.
"I'm safe at home. Are you home safe?" I smiled thinking she was concerned for me.
"Not yet. I just dropped off my sister." Why was I texting her such insignificant things? I wasn't usually the type who texted all the time or used twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any other forms of social media. It just wasn't me. I liked talking with her though, even over silly little things. Since returning from my vacation we had taken to calling and texting each-other more and more often, over everything but also over nothing. It was just so easy but also so natural and fulfilling. I'd never had that before with a relationship. I've had complicated and I've had far to easy, to the point of boredom and disinterest. This was something new, something so much better.
My phone buzzed again and fortunately I was at another light this time so I could read it right away. 'Could you text me when you're home okay?' I couldn't help smiling at her word choice. I swear I could feel her light pink blush coming from my phone.
"I COULD... I suppose." I couldn't resist the chance to correct the grammar of a professional educator.
"WILL you text me?" I laughed as I turned off my car. I was home now and as I walked into my house, nose buried in my phone a small part of me wondered what had gotten into me. I was never like this with a woman, eagerly responding like this via text. I realized quickly that the reason was simply because this was Bella. She brought out a lighter side of me, a less serious side that I didn't really know was there until her. She was special, that had been obvious since the moment I met her. As I was thinking of a comeback to her text I realized I was doing this because I didn't want our conversation to be over. I didn't want to say good-night to her. Did she feel the same way?
"I'm home beautiful."
"Tell Lizzie goodnight for me."
I smiled at how much Bella cared for my daughter. "She's spending the night at my parents tonight." I was picking her up tomorrow and we were going to spend the day together before dinner with my family.
"Oh. Are you lonesome? :-)" God she was cute. Even through texting I could see how cute she was.
"No. I have you." Before I even sent the message I just knew she would be blushing intensely in response to my wording. I did have her though...
"LOL. I'm not even there." Ah the double meanings...
"But you said yes... Trust me when I say that I'm far from unhappy in any way right now." She didn't respond which I took as a sign that she was feeling quite bashful at the moment. Score for me. There were few things that thrilled me more than making Bella blush.
"Are you blushing sweetheart?" … AND now I had a new nickname for her...
"Yes."
"Wow, you're actually admitting it." I laughed out loud as I typed that.
"Goodnight Edward..."
"Dismissing me already, MY beautiful girl?" Let her read the meaning she chooses behind MY definition of 'having her'.
"Aren't you tired?"Fair question given that it was almost midnight.
"Not enough to let you go."
The flirty easy going texts continued for awhile after that. Honestly I didn't know why I hadn't just called her to talk instead but the texting was fun and different for me. It was engrossing to imagine her reactions and it was also a different experience to get her responses free of the usual shyness she displayed when we spoke on the phone and certainly when we were face to face.
I didn't bring up our kiss even-though I desperately wanted to. I knew her reaction to the subject would not disappoint but I refrained nonetheless though I couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew I would be thinking about it for a long time and the smile I had annoyed my sister with earlier stayed fixed on my face as I thought of Bella and I's private moment. I had worried I was crossing a line when I kissed her but her immediate response to me, the way she held onto me, her smile afterwords, her immediate yes when I'd asked her out... It all meant I hadn't overstepped at all.
I was a little surprised that she hadn't asked for any more information about our upcoming date but I was thrilled at the idea of surprising her. I already knew exactly where I wanted to take her and it wasn't going to be some boring average dinner and a movie date. I wanted to do something special with her and a date like that certainly wasn't special, it was mediocre. Not to mention something as basic as that meant the date would last about 5 hours, 6 tops. That wasn't nearly long enough for me. I needed more time with Bella. I felt like I'd been waiting a lifetime for her already and a few hours just wouldn't do...
…...
"DADDY!" I crouched down as Lizzie ran into my eager arms. I picked her up and she gave me a big kiss on the cheek before snuggling into my neck. As much as I knew my parents enjoyed having Lizzie for the occasional sleep over it was so incredibly hard to give her up... to anyone. Every-time I picked her her up I could swear she'd grown. I dreaded the day she didn;t greet me like this anymore but tried not to think about it.
"Hey baby girl. Were you good for grandma and grandpa?"
"She was a perfect angel as always." My mother spoke adoringly and I laughed before tickling Lizzie and hanging her upside down. She clung to me tightly while laughing. As I smiled at her expression I was pretty sure I smelled something sweet in the air... something chocolaty.
"Hmmm, I don't know... I think she turned into a monkey over night. What have they been feeding you?" I pulled her up so I could look into her bright upside down eyes.
"Ice cream and chocolate milk." I rolled my eyes and turned to the only culprit I could think of that would be guilty of giving my little girl such things at only 8 o'clock in the morning. My eyes met my father's who at least had the decency to look a bit sheepish. I shook my head at him unable to feel the least bit surprised as I knew he couldn't resist Lizzie anymore then he could Alice.
"Well Thanks for the sugar hype gramps." My mother laughed at my sarcasm and my father shrugged. "I hope you enjoyed it monkey girl because I'm taking you for a healthy lunch." She gave me a pout that was far to convincing for her own good but I resisted. "Don't look at me like that." My eyes narrowed as her own emerald eyes starred back at me sadly.
"You said you would take me to the aquarium today." Her big green eyes implored with my heartstrings to give her anything she wanted. Damn her power over me...
"I am taking you, but that doesn't mean you can't eat healthy baby."
"But you always take me for pizza and fudge when we leave there."
Crap. I did always do that. The Seattle aquarium was an amazing place and Lizzie loved looking at all the tanks inside but every-time we left we would do some shopping nearby where there was a pizza place we both loved and a shop that sold fudge, which was Lizzie's favorite form of chocolate and that was saying something as she LOVED chocolate in all forms.
"Baby girl..." I wanted to get out of this but her little face melted my resolve and I sighed. "Okay. We can go for pizza and fudge..." She cut me off with a loud round of applause. "...but you are eating a salad with the pizza." She gave me an annoyed frown and I narrowed my eyes back at her.
"I don't like salad."
"I've seen you eat plenty of salads." I rolled my eyes as I began to put her down on the floor so she could give her grandparents their goodbye hugs and I could gather her things which my parents already had by the door.
"I like Ms. Swan's salad. She puts fruit in it." I smirked to myself as I wordlessly gathered Lizzie's bag. It was true, Bella did put fruit in Lizzie's salad. She had done it the night we ate spaghetti at her apartment after Lizzie mentioned she didn't like salad. To combat this Bella had made Lizzie a special 'fruit salad' which included lettuce, vegetables, and fruit with a sweet dressing that Bella and Lizzie made. Of course Lizzie ate it all causing Bella to beam and me to once again be left in awe of the woman.
"Ms. Swan?" I closed my eyes briefly as my mother was at eye level with Lizzie and was curiously asking Lizzie when 'Ms. Swan' had cooked for her. I glanced at my father who glanced back at me with a light shrug. Clearly he'd kept the specifics of who had picked Lizzie up from school that day to himself and I was grateful.
"Yep. She's a REALLY good cook, and she let me help." Lizzie smiled proudly and I laughed. "Isn't she a good cook Daddy?" Great, nothing like calling attention to the fact that Bella had cooked for the both of us.
"Yes she is baby. Now let's go."
"Edward?..." I knew perfectly well what THAT question was going to lead to so I ignored my mother as she asked it. I gave her a quick kiss goodbye and hurried Lizzie out of there. The whole drive to the aquarium I couldn't stop thinking about Bella or specifically what my family was going to ask me about her, especially my mother.
I had faith that my sister would keep her own knowledge of my relationship to herself at least for the time being but my mother on the other hand... who knew. She had a quick mind and a vivid imagination. Not a great combination for me growing up as it hurt my ability to get much past her though luckily my trouble-making brother kept her plenty occupied.
…...
We had a great time at the aquarium and as we were eating Pizza, Lizzie threw a surprise at me. "Daddy are you dating Ms. Swan?"
"What?" Where on earth had she heard that? She hadn't spent time with Alice since last night, obviously, so where could she have come to that conclusion? How did she even know what 'dating' was?... ALICE... I grumbled as I answered my own silent question. I swear my sister forgot that Lizzie was only 5 years old. She was way to young for 'GIRL talk'.
"Are you dating Ms. Swan?" She was watching me expectantly.
"What do you think?" A cop-out question sure but what should I say to my 5 year old child about me seeing her teacher?
"I think Ms. Swan is the best." She smiled happily and I laughed.
"I think that too baby." Luckily the subject dropped thanks to the short attention span of a five year old girl, and as promised I took Lizzie for fudge after our lunch WITH a fresh salad. A few mumbled words about how 'Ms. Swan's salads are better' made me chuckle but not comment to my little girls sass. After we ate we went to the movies and Lizzie had a great time and I just enjoyed being with her. I had missed her yesterday more than I thought I would since really without counting the time we were sleeping I'd only been away from her for a few hours but I couldn't help it. I was never happier then with her and there was no denying the power she had over me.
…...
"AUNTIE ALICE!" Lizzie escaped my arms using contortionist type moves the moment she saw Alice and I let her go crashing into my tiny sister, who somehow took the assault easily, even lifting Lizzie into her arms and laughing.
"How's my favorite girl in the whole world?" I rolled my eyes as both ignored me entirely as we walked into the living room of my parents home. My father was talking with Emmett and my mother was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was most likely in the kitchen cooking. Alice took Lizzie over to the couch where Rosalie was sitting and the three of them immediately got wrapped up in a discussion about... something and I was forced to leave my ONLY child with them so I could converse with the family members not ignoring my existence. Was I their brother/brother-in-law or just Lizzie's chauffeur?
"When are you going to have a child so that mine isn't always being stolen from me by the crazy women of this family?" I greeted my brother with a playfully annoyed expression and he laughed, as did our father.
"I'm working on it... believe me." He winked and I shuddered a little. I really didn't need a mental image. The two of them had been trying to get pregnant for a little over a year and despite the frustrations Emmett kept a good attitude about it all. He even spoke easily about adoption, IVF, and many other things that many would consider to be depressing alternatives to the more traditional 'natural' conception. He didn't seem to mind though. He just wanted a child for the two of them to love and I respected that. My brother had always had a huge heart, just like our dad. He was an easy to be around and an amazing person to look up to. Without a doubt he would be an amazing father when it did happen for him.
"How was the aquarium?" My father made small talk and I laughed while going over our day, including some pictures for them to look at. I made sure to 'Thank' my father again for the sugar high he'd given Lizzie before returning her to me and he just shrugged, clearly unashamed.
"Where's my little girl?" My mother came into the room and I swore she looked right past me, her first born, as she searched for Lizzie. Why was I even here again?
"I believe you mean MY little girl..." I trailed off as I smirked at my mom and she just waved her hand dismissively as she went to the couch to give Lizzie a hug. They embraced lovingly and I laughed. My mother was a tough woman but a big softy when it came to 'HER' babies.
Her eyes met mine and she came over to hug me after Lizzie. "Oh NOW you notice me." I laughed while hugging my mother tightly.
"I saw you as soon as I came into the room. You're to tall to miss." I rolled my eyes at her dismissive comment. She chose to ignore my attitude as she announced that dinner was ready. Lizzie ran to me and took my hand as we walked into the dinning room. I sat her down in her usual spot in between myself and Alice. We sat across from Emmett and Rose and our parents sat at each end of the table.
My mother had opted for traditional beef stew served over fresh mashed potatoes. It was my absolute favorite dish that my mother made and she was well aware of this. My stomach rumbled but my curiosity peeked. I was positive that originally my mother was going to make Corned Beef sliders, which was my brothers favorite thing she made. I glanced at my mother and she smiled warmly at me in response. My gaze shifted to my sister accusingly but she was enraptured in a conversation with Lizzie about what was the best way to eat potatoes. Clearly she wasn't to blame for my mothers menu change so that left just one person to accuse... dad. I looked to him and he was avoiding my eyes at all costs. BINGO, we have a winner... a betrayer... JUDAS. My father spilled the beans about Bella and my mother was trying to sweet talk information from me. Fuck... the food smelled amazing too. I was going to cave. I could feel my will collapsing already.
"How's everything at work Edward?" Great she was starting her interrogation before I'd even started eating anything. The woman was good, no denying that. If I wanted to eat I would have to respond...
"Wonderful actually." I dished myself out a more then generous amount of mashed potatoes as my mother made the best in the entire God damn world before reaching for the stew. Honestly I could live on the potatoes alone, the stew was just a huge perk. I knew she would need more then that so I elaborated about the Canadian real estate venture I'd been working on with Carmen and the other law firm. She smiled widely and I realized the critical error I'd made bringing up the event that had really started the Bella situation.
"Oh, how is Carmen? I haven't seen her in awhile." My mother adored my PA and I swear if the woman wasn't married my mother would have done everything in her power to get us together, not that she would have succeeded. Carmen was like a sister to me, actually a less annoying one then the one I did have.
"She's great. I issued her a nice bonus and she wants to surprise her husband with a cruise, though she doesn't know where to yet." I was happy for a diversionary subject but I wasn't stupid enough to think my mother didn't have a plan. The woman was alarmingly brilliant at getting information. In another lifetime she had to have been a top secret interrogator for some powerful government agency. The woman was THAT good.
"Oh that's so sweet of you. I know she's wanted to take a vacation just the two of them for some time now." I nodded then averted my attention to the food in front of me. THANKFULLY my brother used the opportunity to discuss his and Rose's mini-vacation and my mother happily listened and I breathed a sigh of relief. They had gone to the coast and had a relaxing time sightseeing and just being together.
"Speaking of vacations..." SHIT, there was that tone. The tone that showed my mothers plan coming together. "How was Florida Lizzie?"
...She wouldn't... She wouldn't use Lizzie to get what she wanted, would she?
"I LOVED IT!" Lizzie practically yelled in her excitement. She started telling everyone about the Magic Kingdom.
"Who was your favorite character?" My dad chimed in. I knew something was up as my parents had already undoubtedly asked Lizzie all this after I dropped her off with them yesterday. What were they planning?
"PLUTO." My little girl thought Pluto was adorable and since Mickey was my favorite character she proudly praised his loyal 4-legged best friend.
"I love Pluto too." Rose chimed in innocently. Clearly her and Emmett were out of the loop as to what my mother had planned but I doubted my sister was as innocent and my father definitely wasn't.
"I got my picture with him 3 times." She held up her fingers happily and I smiled before leaning in to kiss my little girls cheek.
"Yes you did baby girl. We chased him down a few more times but the line was to long to get a picture." I explained and Lizzie pouted.
"Can we see the pictures?" My mother's eyes were on me now and I narrowed my own slightly. What was she up to?
"Of course." I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the gallery to find our Disney pictures. As soon as I got to them Lizzie grabbed my phone and ran over to her grandmother. My mother pulled her into her lap and I watched carefully as Lizzie scrolled through and explained all the pictures in vivid detail.
"You look so pretty Lizzie." My mother gushed over Lizzie's attire which had been selected by her two aunts specifically for our vacation. All her outfits had Disney characters on them and were in numerous bright colors. Lizzie pointed out which outfits were from Rose and which were from Alice. Emmett seemed to shrug off whatever my mother was concocting as he reached for seconds of the stew. I however was nervous, waiting for the ball to drop on the Bella topic. I had barely touched my food, thanks to my nerves. I swore only my mother had this effect on me. Like I said she was THAT good.
"This one is my favorite." I knew Lizzie was referring to the one an employee had taken of the two of us at the gates of the park... the very one I had sent to Bella... at Lizzie's insistence. My mother glanced at me with a big smile.
Oh she WOULD use my little girl to get the information she wanted. "You look so handsome, Edward." I smiled but it was hesitant.
"Daddy's always handsome." I smiled at Lizzie and she smiled back at me. "I asked Daddy to send the picture to Miss Swan too."
Fuck.
"Miss Swan? Your teacher?" My mothers faux innocent tone would fool no one, except Lizzie of course. My brother and sister-in-law watched the three of us curiously as the other two smiled while avoiding me entirely. GREAT...
"Yep." Lizzie smiled happily before explaining ALL ABOUT Miss Swan. She went on and on about Bella's art skills, how nice she was, how she was the prettiest woman she'd ever seen, and of course mentioned the cooking lesson she'd given Lizzie as well. This got me quite a few looks from my family, which I studiously ignored. I instead immersed myself into the process of eating my food. As soon as the dinner with Bela and Lizzie was brought up I focused on my food even harder, shoveling it down before anyone could ask me anything. "Daddy sent her a picture because I missed her." I glanced up to see my mother smiling adoringly at Lizzie's response.
"She sounds just lovely." My mothers eyes weren't leaving me now, I could feel it, though I kept my eyes on the food in front of me.
"She's SO pretty. Isn't she pretty Daddy?" If I thought it was possible I would swear I was being set up with this whole dinner...
"She is baby, very pretty." I sure as Hell wasn't going to lie. Bella was a gorgeous woman, plain and simple. I looked up when I responded to Lizzie and I caught my mothers smile out of the corner of my eye, though I ignored it, instead shooting Lizzie an encouraging smile. Ah to be the innocent one in the room and not having a clue about what everyone else was up to.
"She is beautiful." AND we have traitor #2... Alice.
"When did you see her?" Suddenly the whole table was interested in Alice's answer. I heaved a sigh and dropped the pretense of eating, instead opting for sitting back and taking what was to come...
"Last night at the fundraiser." I closed my eyes briefly while keeping my arms crossed over my chest and my shoulders tense. Alice proceeded to describe Bella in great detail, from her hair, eyes, height, smile, even the dress she wore. Yeah... like I needed a reminder of that. The image was well ingrained in my memory and I doubted it would be leaving anytime soon. She had looked amazing in it.
"She was at your firms fundraiser?" Why did this keep coming back to me?
"She was. Lizzie's principal had brought her as his plus one." I couldn't tell if there was still some bitterness in my tone at the memory of seeing Bella with another man, however innocently. If there was any sign of my displeasure though no one seemed to notice it. Everyone was watching me and my mother closely now, putting everything together. FANTASTIC, I thought sarcastically.
"Oh, so she's seeing the principal?" My mother looked so disappointed and I wanted to roll my eyes. Seriously she hadn't even set eyes on Bella yet and wanted to get involved in my relationship with her.
"No they were there as friends... colleagues."
"Oh." My mother immediately looked uplifted. "So she's single?" I took a deep breath as I proceeded to have a stare down with her.
"Perhaps..."
"Perhaps?" Emmett chimed in sounding quite confused. "What does that mean?" I simply shrugged in response to his question, having no intention of answering it.
"I doubt she will be single for long." Alice stated easily while winking at me causing me to narrow my eyes at her.
"How do you figure?" My mother was more then politely interested at this point and in fact the whole table was more interested then they should be in what we were discussing. Why my romantic life was such an interesting subject I'd never know...
"Well like I said she was BEAUTIFUL and every man there noticed." Alice was happily enunciating her point about Bella's looks. "Trust me ALL OF THEM were watching her." She grinned wickedly at me and I narrowed my eyes further. My sister knew how much of a jealous asshole I could be and she wanted to torture me with that knowledge.
Well two can play that game little sister...
"Yes every man did notice her, even the principal." After I muttered that comment the smug look on my sister's face dropped and I cocked a brow at her. I had seen her interest in Mr. Whitlock, despite how she tried to hide it. My sister was big into being chased by men so she loved to play hard to get with them. She never liked to show her own interest until they had expressed theirs plainly, which he clearly hadn't... yet. A worthy foe for her it would seem.
"Did you notice her as well big Bro?" Emmett seemed to want to cut through the banter between myself, our mother and our sister. I could almost appreciate that if it wasn't so inconvenient for my immediate needs.
"He is a man isn't he?" Alice smiled evilly and I just starred at her annoyed.
"If you're asking if I saw her then yes I noticed her." God I shouldn't have said anything. I saw the look of dawning fall on my brother's face. Rose looked like she was trying hard to suppress laughing and my father looked about the same. God how I wished I was on the outside of this conversation like the two of them were.
"So... you like her?" Well that was delightfully junior high. Gee thanks for that Emmett. I internally rolled my eyes but didn't give any outward appearance that I'd even heard him.
"Daddy says she's the best." I took a deep breath as my sole reason for living, my sweet little girl, actually dug my own grave for me.
"She is baby girl." Lizzie beamed at me and I gestured for her to come back to me which she did, hopping up onto my lap. I wasn't above using her as a shield against anymore relationship talk. "Ms. Swan is an amazing woman and a great teacher." Lizzie nodded and started to play a game on my phone as I held her and continued to eat, effectively dropping the topic... at least for now.
…...
I practically collapsed onto my bed after such a long day. I had kept Lizzie close to me the rest of the night and though there were many subtle attempts to get information on Bella and me I was able to change the subject each time. I doubted I would be as well prepared at the next family get together but I considered tonight a success since I was able to avoid admitting that I was in fact seeing Bella. Alice still knew but she was the only one. I knew my mother would be talking to her about it but I knew my sister enough to know she wouldn't reveal much. She enjoyed teasing me but was still very loyal underneath it all and she wouldn't betray my confidence, however unwilling it had been given.
I heard my phone ring and grudgingly I reached for the end table to pick it up. An unknown number flashed on the screen which seemed really odd given the late hour. I shrugged and decided to answer it anyway.
"Edward Cullen speaking."
"Wow, you do have a great voice." A woman's voice responded to my greeting jovially. What?
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, sorry. Hello."
"Um, hello?" Whoever this was she kind of reminded me of my sister.
"You don't know me..." Well obviously...
"No I don't."
"My name is Angela Weaver. I'm Bella's room-mate." Ah yes. Bella had told me about her slightly crazy best friend but why was she calling me?
"Oh, Hello?" What do I say to that? My immediate thought was that something had happened to Bella. "Is everything okay? Is Bella alright?"
"Yes she's fine. I'm so sorry for the late night call. I work strange hours and this was the most reasonable time I could work out." I didn't respond as I figured she would continue on her own. "Do you have plans for the weekend after next?"
What?
…...
END NOTES (Don't read until after you've already read the chapter as there may be spoilers):
-PLEASE REVIEW
-Just a fun easy chapter. I wanted to have a nice family get together. :-)Where would that be without them butting their noses in each-other's business?
-I hope everyone enjoyed the Cullen's.
-The way Edward felt in the face of his whole family ignoring him in light of his daughter's presence is exactly how it is as a parent when you go to the grandparents house. My husband and I joke all the time that the only reason we are even 'invited' is so we can chauffeur the girls back and forth. LOL
-It's nice to see that SOMEONE can render Edward a bit flustered since he always does it to Bella.
-Edward has big ideas for their date. Will Bella be swept off her feet? Well it is EDWARD... What girl can resist?
-What is Angela up to?
