DISCLAIMER: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight not me. I just love playing around with the characters we all know and love. :-)
Authors Notes:
***Mmmm... Edward
***Thanks for all the reviews. I can't give a personal thank-you to all the guest readers so 'THANK-you'.
***Keep the reviews coming. They are my writing fuel. :-)
***New holder of 'Longest chapter' record. :-)
CHAPTER #18: Predatory Presence
EPOV
"WAR!" I rolled my eyes as my psychotic sister laid out the cards for our 'duel to the death', her words.
"Just a card game Alice."
"Says the loser." Sure enough her card came up an ace and mine was a 2...
"Ha. Gnome beats Shark."
"Fuck off Emmett." Alice flipped Emmett the bird as she said the sentence through an adorable smile.
"MA. ALICE TOLD ME TO FUCK OFF AND IS GIVING ME THE BIRD!"
"Jesus Christ, you two..." I just shook my head at my brother yelling that through the house. My two siblings and I were in the family room playing cards while my mother, father and Lizzie were getting dessert in the kitchen and Rosalie was in the restroom.
"Alice..." My mother came into the room holding two root-beer floats. Lizzie chose the dessert tonight and she was a sucker for these.
"Yes Mommy?" I rolled my eyes before reaching for Lizzie who came in holding another mug. We always shared so there were two straws in it. She sat in my lap and looked at the mess we'd made with the cards. She grabbed them up and started setting up concentration, a game we usually played together since it was one of the few she could understand.
"Behave you two." My mother gave them her 'Don't fuck with me look'.
"He called me Gnome!" Alice spat the word with disgust. She absolutely despised her tiny size. Everyone else in the family was tall or at least 'average' size except her and my brother never let her forget it. He'd given her that name from a young age and despite her best efforts it had stuck.
"Emmett apologize to your sister." My dad entered now with the last three mugs.
"Sorry Gn... Alice." Yeah that was genuine...
My mother smacked the back of Emmett's head hard enough that I winced and he gave her a fake 'hurt' look which she chose to ignore. Rosalie came back in and was reading a text. She showed the screen to me and it was the estimate on a couple parts for Bella's car. I mouthed a thank-you in which she gave me a small smile before sitting down behind Emmett, who was on the ground in front of the couch. He immediately grabbed her legs on either side of him and stroked her calf's without seeming to notice he was doing it and she began rubbing his neck in the same casual manner.
"Pictures?" Alice tried to see Rose's phone but I spoke up.
"Just an estimate on car parts I asked Rose to get for me."
"What's wrong with your car?" My dad sounded worried.
"Nothing. Bella's car was in an accident and Rose is assessing the damage for me." I really wanted to stop being as stand-offish with my family involving my girlfriend but it wasn't a habit that would die easily. They overdid their interest and I liked my privacy a bit to much. I pulled out my phone and texted Bella that the estimates were in and Rose would send it to the insurance company. Hopefully she wouldn't ask how much it was... I had learned this morning that money was a sore topic with Bella. It was something that would probably cause small fights for us throughout our relationship as I wasn't exactly discrete when it came to finances. I didn't flaunt my wealth but I was fortunate enough to never need to worry about price so I've always bought what I wanted.
It really had been that simple for me when it came to the necklace I'd purchased for her. I saw the perfect necklace that I knew would look amazing on her and that was it. No qualms or hesitation on the topic. The couple thousand price tag wasn't that bad and considering you only turn 21 once I wanted to get her something special. Hopefully she never managed to figure out the price of that either...
"Oh my God! Is she okay?" Alice, always the dramatic one, looked freaked out.
"She wasn't in her car at the time. It was a hit and run while she was shopping."
"Well thank goodness for that." My mother gave a kind smile that I returned.
"Daddy." Lizzie drew my attention to the cards she's laid out. I flipped over a king then a jack. Lizzie's turn was next and she found a pair of fours immediately, looking smug as she went again. I chuckled as I kissed her head. My little mini-me.
"Well that's lucky." Emmett leaned in for a turn after Lizzie missed her second match. We played for a few awkward moments before the prying was sure to start. I could feel my mother and sister doing a silent exchange with each-other. Here we go...
"So...how are things going with you two?" My mother sounded casual, to casual in fact.
"Great. It was her birthday yesterday so I spent the evening with her and her friends." I was trying to give something without giving a lot. Of course this reminded Lizzie of her part in Bella's present. She relayed to everyone what myself and her class had made for Bella. All three women 'awwed' over it and Emmett started laughing at me so hard Rosalie slapped his back when he started choking on ice cream. Ha serves him right...
"GOD DAMN you are so smitten with this girl."
"Shut up Emmett." I rolled my eyes as I found my first match. Queens... how fitting.
"I'm serious you have NEVER gotten any woman EVER something like that. I think the only thing you ever got Tanya was jewelry, or something else cold and flashy."
"In my defense that was what Tanya liked. Bella is...different. She likes things with sentiment." I shrugged. It wasn't that telling that I got Bella something like that was it? Yes I put a lot of work into it involving getting the school and her class in on the surprise but still... did that mean something? The amount of time I spent on it? I had really just wanted to get her something she would love and there was nothing she loved more than her kids or art so when the idea came to me I just had to do it for her, no matter what.
"No jewelry?"
"Well..."
"Oh my god you got her jewelry and that picture didn't you?" Alice chuckled as she joined in the game. My only response was to shrug.
"So you really like this woman?" My mother had been studying our exchange with those all-seeing mom eyes.
"Obviously mother. I'm dating her."
"I asked for a simple answer not for your attitude." I sighed at the scolding.
"I'd really rather not talk about this anymore."
"So when do we get to meet her?" The proverbial pin dropped at the question. Surprisingly it was my brother that asked it. Apparently my desire to drop this was falling on deaf ears. I again answered with a shrug. "Hey that wasn't a 'Never' or 'F-off Emmett'. You are serious about this Bella girl."
Lizzie reached for my phone when she saw it light up with a text. "Ooohh, it's Ms. Swan." She handed the phone to me with a big smile, having read the name Bella on my screen. Great, nothing like answering my texts with an audience.
"Thank your sister-in-law for me. I'm sure she's not used to dealing with old cars like mine. Thank-you both. :-)"
"You're welcome Beautiful. I'll tell her."
I showed the text to Rose who gave me a smile in response. She was the only member of my family who wasn't completely invasive with me. We were kindred spirits in this manner. Our reasoning's behind our behavior were different but we still understood the others need for space. Her careful nature had been a source of tremendous amusement for me when it came to watching my outgoing brother pursue Rose when they first met. She had absolutely zero interest in him but from the moment he saw her she was the only woman he could see. Her rough past that was still fresh in her mind and body had made her understandably guarded and stand-offish. Emmett was desperate for her to give him a chance though which honestly I hadn't thought she ever would.
He did volunteer work at the women's shelter she was staying at and he worked hard for months just to get her to be friends with him. She was so hesitant with men but somehow in the way only my brother could, he got her to notice him. He was able to make her smile, laugh, and eventually open up. He had introduced her to the family as a friend of his since she wouldn't date anyone but we could all see how infatuated he was with her. After knowing her about 2 years he asked her out for the millionth time but she finally said yes. I don't think I'd ever seen my brother happier then the day she said yes to him. Being Emmett where did he take her on a first date? A nice restaurant? No. A movie? Nope. A coffee house, museum, aquarium? Of course not. He took her on a game day; laser tag, bumper cars, paintball, and other juvenile Emmett-like activities.
It seemed to work though and she fell for my brother. Despite his brutish ways he instinctively knew when to push her and when to back off. I didn't know her whole past but I knew enough to understand that Emmett had a lot of work ahead of him. For a long time Rose would never be alone with any male apart from Emmett, myself and my father included, but we understood. It was why one day when she met me by surprise at my office I had been caught off guard. Emmett hadn't known she was going to be there because she wanted to do it alone. I was even more shocked when she had a business proposal for me. It wasn't the kind of thing I typically handled but I was intrigued with her well laid out business plan. She wanted to open a mechanic shop, as it had been her life long dream until her ex happened.
She had done so much research on real estate locations, similar business that had failed and succeeded, and so much more. I hadn't understood why she came to me when Emmett had enough money to back her. He didn't make the money I did but he did have a small inheritance plus he had a percentage of our family business. That wasn't what she wanted though. She wanted a legitimate business partner, not charity. She laid out how much money I would need to lend but that in exchange I would own 60% of the company, with her having the option to buy back 20% of it as her business succeeded. In the end she would have 70% and I would have 30%, if the business was a success. I had been so impressed with how much she had researched, as well as her personal accomplishment to be alone with a man she didn't exactly trust, that I agreed to her proposal.
I had been a little worried that Emmett would be pissed or at best hurt that she didn't go to him for all of it, but he surprised me. He was simply proud of her and grateful to me. Within two years Rose bought back her needed 20% leaving me with my final 30. The company actually made me a good amount of money but I never felt like it belonged to me so as their wedding present I signed over the last of my ownership to the two of them. Rose had cried so hard when she opened up the paperwork giving her 100% of her lifelong dream. That was the official moment Rose and I became quite close, and she really felt like my sister.
She mouthed 'welcome' to me with a smile as I put my phone away quickly before diving back into the game. "So?"
"So what?" Delay tactics weren't going to work yet I was using them anyway.
"When do we get to meet the new woman in your life?" Alice asked the question this time, while smirking at me.
"You've already met her Alice." I sighed while completing another match, earning me a high five from Lizzie.
"HEY YEAH. That's another thing..."
"What is?"
"How come shrimp here has gotten to meet her yet when we even bring her up it's like pulling teeth with you?"
"Because I'm awesome and you're annoying." Alice answered simply.
"Suck it Gnome." Emmett shot back at Alice. I swear these two could revert to childishness instantly when given the chance.
"Anyway Edward..." She ignored Emmett as she spoke. "...I haven't gotten to meet Bella as your GIRLFRIEND. That changes everything." She sounded ridiculously excited.
"I sincerely doubt it changes anything about her."
"It changes how I read her. I want to see..." Before she could spout some made-up pixy magic answer I interrupted.
"Regardless of her and I's status she's still kind, soft, beautiful, and incredibly intelligent."
"Awwww. You really do like her." Alice's eyes turned soft as she smiled, while all I could do was roll my own eyes.
"You're actually both annoying." I chose to change the topic, as best as I could. "Alice you only met Bella because you were in the right place at the right time." I made my second match in a row as I responded.
"She came to the shop today." That made everyone silent as Rosalie spoke up.
"She did?" My mom spoke up now. Bella had texted me about 2 hours after I'd left asking for the address of the body shop. Apparently her father wanted to see the damage and her pictures weren't enough.
"Yeah she and a man were there and they were looking at the damage. It really was so fortunate she hadn't been in the car at the time." Rosalie looked at me with a small smile. She didn't need to tell me that. When I heard that crash and Bella didn't answer me over the phone right away I swear it took a couple years off my life. Bella was so very precious to me and the damage had been extensive.
"What man?" Alice perked up and I saw an opportunity to turn the tide. I glanced at Rose who was smiling ever so slightly. Such a clever woman. I gave her a discrete fist bump confirming that I realized she set this up for me. It wasn't exactly a hidden fact that Alice was a worse jealous type than me and that's saying something.
"Not Jasper Whitlock, Alley Cat." It was a nickname I'd given her whenever her temper reared as she was a bit scary when it did. She glared at me and I smiled innocently.
"Who's Jasper Whitlock?" Uh-oh here comes overprotective dad to interrogate Alice and save the day. See how you like it baby sister...
"No one daddy." She smiled at him but he was clearly not convinced.
"Alice?" She sighed while shooting me another glare."
"A man I met at the fundraiser Edward took me to. He's the principal at Lizzie's school."
"The principal? How old is he?" FUCK, I had not seen that backfiring. Regardless of any age difference between them, it was far less than Bella and I's.
"What does that matter?" She seemed genuinely confused, not defensive. My sister had her faults but she wasn't a judgmental person. She followed her heart and always had.
"I'm just curious. How old?" Yeah sure dad...
"I don't know. Thirty maybe?"
"That's 7 years older than you."
"So?"
"That's a big difference."
"Oh let's get back to the topic of Bella." Emmett waved off his disinterest on the subject of Alice and a potential new man in her life. Apparently that interest was reserved for me alone... "Who was the guy?" Rosalie shrugged as she was only relaying the story and hadn't been there to meet Bella. Her mechanic had simply told her that the car was looked at.
"That was just Bella's father." I probably shouldn't have answered...
"Wait... you've met her parents?" My mother looked more than a little pissed now. Great...
"No but I knew she was spending the day with them because of her birthday. She said her dad wanted to see the damage to the car."
There was another text and because I'm lost to this girl I immediately look at it. "My parents finally left. How are things going with yours?" We had been joking with each-other on who's family is more invasive.
"They will not drop the topic of a certain perfect woman in my life because I refuse to share her." I smirk before sending the text.
"When do we get to meet her Edward?" My mother spoke in a final no nonsense tone making me sigh.
"When I'm ready I suppose. When she's ready."
"When will that be?"
"Share me?" Oh my sweet innocent girl. The Cullen Clan is ready to pounce you and I have no idea how long I can keep you safe...
"They all want to meet you and wont drop it."
"Who are you texting to make you smile like that?" My brother tried to swipe my phone and I gave him a deadly look.
"It's daddy's Bella smile." Oh God... Lizzie...
"Excuse me?" Oh Emmett was on cloud nine with that little comment from my own child.
"He always smiles like that when he sees Ms. Swan. I call it his Bella smile." She smiled between Emmett and me, completely unaware of the ammo she was giving her uncle against me.
"Shoooosh." I held Lizzie closer and shushed her quietly, all the while futilely wishing I could reverse time.
Perfect timing, Bella responded but I didn't want to prove Lizzie right so I didn't answer it. "Oh really! His Bella smile." And that's my que to take a bathroom break. I excused myself and went to the bathroom to admittedly hide. I looked at my phone and smiled at Bella's response.
"Why do they want to meet me?"
I couldn't resist calling her to give my response. "Hello?"
"...Because they want to meet the beautiful woman consuming their son/brother's every thought." She responded by laughing happily. God how I needed one of her laughs right now. What I really wanted was to hold her, kiss her, and most definitely other things. Lots of other things... I pushed those thoughts away before this night became even more unbearable for me.
"Where are you?"
"Bathroom, avoiding my family,"
"So you're hiding?"
"Maybe."
"Not very man of action like." Oh she's giving me a hard time now... My girl is gonna unleash my wild side if she's not careful.
"If you want to see action I'd be happy to show you what I can do."
"I have a good imagination." Her voice was nervous now, but excited. She sounded like that a lot when we flirted. She was so innocently cute and I loved it more than I would think possible.
"How did everything go with your parents?"
"Uhhh, interesting."
"That sounds intriguingly ominous."
"Well, you sort of came up."
"Really?" As far as I was aware Bella hadn't told her parents about me yet due to their (mostly her father's by the sound of it) overprotective nature of their only child.
"Yeah I mentioned you without really meaning to."
"Elaborate Ms. Swan. How did I just come up? Were you fantasizing about me?"
"Horrible. No Edward I wasn't fantasizing about you."
"Are you now?"
She gave a heavy sigh but it didn't sound frustrated... at least not in the bad way. That's a yes. She's definitely imagining me. I was suddenly very thankful to be alone right now as I discretely had to adjust myself. Images of Bella from our morning were swirling in my mind and I couldn't shake them. "Do you want an answer about my parents or not?"
"Sure. We'll come back to this topic later." She sighed again but continued.
"So after we looked at my car and got back to my apartment, we were having dinner. My father, as usual wanted to make sure everything was safe in my life. He repeatedly wanted to talk about my car and everything related to the accident. He wanted to know about the repairs, to make sure they were done right."
"Go on." I was smiling at how uncomfortable she sounded. I imagined her cute blush and how it turned her nose and cheeks the most delicious color of pink that was impossible to look away from.
"I gave him the name of the shop your brother and sister in law own and he looked them up afraid that I would get 'scammed' by some unknown place." I could practically feel her eye-roll and had to laugh.
"And I'm guessing he saw how high profile the place is." I remembered Bella confessing to me about how her dad was a very 'do-it-yourself' type and how that had rubbed off on her making it difficult for her to accept generosity.
"That's putting it mildly..." She sounded like the conversation with her dad still had her worn out.
"Are you tired baby?"
"God yes. I love them but it's been a taxing day." I really really wanted to sleep with Bella again and I hated that it would be 2 weeks before I could. She was as much if not more of a cuddler in her sleep as she was when drunk. It was so fucking cute it had been honestly next to impossible to leave long enough to get her Birthday presents out of my car. When I had tried, her sleeping self had actually grasped me closer and made a sexy as hell groan of displeasure.
Sleeping with her had definitely shifted our relationship into way more serious, and that was WITHOUT sex. Before I thought about Bella a lot now she consumed just about every thought. All I really wanted was to hold her again as she slept and watch her beautiful face pressed to me.
She was constantly surprising and intriguing me. Last night I learned that she mumbles in her sleep a bit and despite my normal propensity to tease her this was something I would never joke about. I had never actually heard someone talk in their sleep before and as soon as I had heard her mumble 'Edward' before snuggling deeper into me I knew it would fast become one of my absolute favorite things to do.
"So what happened next?"
"My dad was worried about the price of the place, my insurance run-around, and the police report. He kept going on about how I needed to keep up on it to make sure they were doing everything they could... that's when I accidentally..."
"Accidentally?"
"I mentioned something along the lines of 'Edward is already keeping up on that'. Ugggg it was so stupid. I was just slightly tuning him out and it came out of my mouth before I could stop it." I laughed at how irritated with herself she was.
"Keep going beautiful."
"Of course they asked 'Who's Edward?' so I … told them."
"Told them what?" I was giving her a hard time, just because I could.
"Who you are."
"And that is?"
"You know who you are Edward." Judging by her timid voice she knew what I was getting at.
"I want to hear you say it though. We've never actually said it to each-other."
"I told them you were my boyfriend." I could tell she was smiling despite how shy she was. Fuuuck I wanted to kiss her so God Damn bad right now. Hearing her call me hers was fucking Hot and I wanted to show her that she's just as much mine. Jesus Christ we'd only been apart for a few hours. How can I possibly miss her this much?
"That I am." My arrogant self had to add on to her statement. However I wasn't oblivious to the fact that I'd never directly called her my girlfriend before and I needed to remedy that. "And what did MY GIRLFRIEND do after that?" She gave a small giggle and knowing I was making her smile was enough to make my night better from the hell my family had put me through.
"Mostly I tried to change the subject." She laughed and I joined in.
"How did that work out for you? It certainly hasn't worked for me tonight."
"Probably worse than your attempts. My dad is a cop after all." I chuckled before regrettably realizing that I'd been hiding in here long enough.
"I'm sorry beautiful I don't want to let you go but I need to get Lizzie ready to leave so I can get her to bed before school tomorrow."
"Okay. Good night."
"Good-night sweetheart. I'll call you tomorrow before class starts." I didn't usually call her in the morning but with how little I'd actually get to see her this week I was gonna need to take what I could get.
"Okay." Our parting felt unfinished somehow, like there was more to say though I didn't know what it was.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." With that we hung up and I was left with a longing for her and still that little plaguing question in my head about what felt like it was missing. I suppose I'd figure it out eventually.
…...
"Have I mentioned how much I hate this time of year?" I was getting increasingly annoyed with all the superficial shit I was sifting through today. The holiday season meant so many frivolous complaints, financial deadlines, court continuances, and to many other boring bureaucratic Bull Shit tasks to count.
"Tis the season." Carmen shrugged while acting as my notary on a few high profile forms I needed to send out.
"It's not even November. Please no Christmas references." She laughed but nodded in agreement.
"Lunch?" She gestured to her watch. It was more than a little early for lunch so I could read between the lines. She was sick of my bitching and was hoping getting food in me would help. I was pretty hungry...
"Sure but you pick. I don't want to make one more fucking decision today."
"Such a drama Queen." She laughed at me but irregardless chose Chinese since it was closest and one of the few places open already. I had really just wanted to get the food to go but she insisted on a break.
"We can eat while we work you know."
"All I need is for something to spill on notarized forms and have to listen to lord knows what flying out of your mouth." I rolled my eyes but truthfully couldn't argue. The day itself hadn't been bad except that I'd gotten a continuance from the judge and Tanya's lawyer about pushing back the hearing involving our custody agreement. That was all I needed, the source of 90% of my stress just lingering on the back-burner. That was just another shitty piece of news I had to deal with.
"Fine as usual you win." We ordered our food and were making small talk when I got a phone call. I glanced at the caller ID and instantly knew my day was about to get so much worse. It was Lizzie's school. Not Bella's number but the actual school itself. Bella always called me from her cell, even for school business, because well why wouldn't she? Because of this I had a feeling whatever this was about would be bad.
"Edward Cullen speaking."
"Mr. Cullen, this is Jasper Whitlock, your daughters principal."
"Yes, we've met. Is there a problem?"
"There was an incident today at recess on the playground involving Elizabeth."
"What the hell does that mean?" Poor word choice I know but at least my tone was calm. It was the best I could do under the circumstances. Why the Hell hadn't Bella called me? Texted?
"She's okay I can assure you. There was a confrontation with another student and he hit Lizzie in the head."
"Excuse me? Someone hit my daughter?" Oh FUCK no. Carmen's eyes widened but I couldn't focus on communicating with her. I needed to focus on breathing before I lashed out and did something irreversible, at least a small portion of which would be directed at Mr. Whitlock. "What the fuck do you mean someone hit my 5 year old little girl?"
"Apparently he was following her around irritating her and she studiously ignored him. Unfortunately he grew aggravated and shoved her down the slide on the playground. She confronted him about it and that's when he smacked her on the side of her head."
"I'll be there in 30 minutes." If I stayed on the phone much longer I was going to get my ass barred from the school. I needed to see Lizzie... NOW.
"Of course. She's in the nurses office with her teacher. She's completely fine, it's just policy to have the nurse look at her to make sure she's okay. She was very upset though and wouldn't calm down until we let Ms. Swan stay with her."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." At least that explained why Bella hadn't called me. She was occupied with Lizzie. I didn't wait for his response I simply just left, only telling Carmen I would be back to the office when I could.
I didn't remember the drive to the school in the least but I know I made good time. I went to the office which was right next to the nurse's office at the front entrance of the building. They got me my guest pass, and I tried my absolute best not to look like a raving lunatic but I was worried sick about Lizzie. She had NEVER had a fight with another student before and I needed to know she was okay.
As soon as I walked into the office I saw Bella holding Lizzie in her lap while Lizzie sobbed her little heart out. Immediately I wanted to kill something. Lizzie wasn't fickle and she didn't cry over much. If she was this upset it was for good reason, something had really hurt her. "Baby?" She looked up at the sound of my voice and my heart broke all over again. Her face was dripping with tears and the left side of her face was red from where she'd been hit.
"Daddy!" She practically leaped from Bella, who had been perched on the nurse's cot with her. "Daddy!" She collapsed into my arms and I held her while she cried. "Daddy he hit me." God those sobs while her innocent little voice cried out her inability to understand why someone would hurt her. For fuck sake she's a sweetheart and only 5 years old. Why the hell was another kid hitting my little angel?
"I know baby girl, I know." I kissed her head while shushing her softly. "Are you okay?" I pulled back to look at her and was relieved that the red mark didn't look very big up close.
"He broke bubbles." She started crying again, even harder now.
"What?"
"Her unicorn." Bella walked over to explain and I looked up to see her holding Lizzie's ceramic unicorn she'd made in the art class. She loved that thing and had taken to carrying it everywhere. Bella held a few pieces showing me that the head, tail, and horn had all snapped off the figurine.
"Baby..." I realized that she probably wasn't even crying over being hit. Her only concern was for her toy which meant a lot to her. "I'm so sorry Lizzie."
"I didn't do anything... but he shoved me down... I fell down the slide and when I fell... bubbles horn come off." She sniffled through her explanation. "I told him he had to apologize to Bubbles and when he refused I told him I was going to tell Mrs. Thomas." I knew Mrs. Thomas was one of the teachers that watched the Kindergarten playground but I hadn't actually met her. Bella leaned down and patted Lizzie's back, while she clung to me like a life-preserver. "He tried to grab bubbles and when I wouldn't let him he hit me. Daddy I dropped bubbles and she broke."
My sweet little girl. I continued holding her while she cried all over again. Bella was examining the toy and she seemed to be thinking about something intently.
"What?" I mouthed the word to her as soon as her eyes met mine. She held the broken pieces together and mouthed something that looked like "I'll try to fix it." Well if anyone had a chance of doing it, Bella was our best bet. She had a lot of experience with ceramics seeing as she taught the class that made them. Hopefully she could fix it, though I wouldn't say anything to Lizzie in case it didn't work. I didn't want to get her hopes up.
"Mr. Cullen?" I looked up and noticed there were other people in the room with us. The principal and a woman I assumed was the nurse were standing near but far enough away to give us a moment.
I gently gave Lizzie one last hug before handing her over to Bella gently. She picked her up off the floor and resumed their position on the cot. Lizzie was back to hugging Bella tight, while being soothed and comforted. If we weren't in such a rough situation I would have been able to enjoy the image of the two of them together.
"Thank-you for calling me quickly." I shook hands with the principal, feeling much more generous now that I knew Lizzie was okay. He nodded and started explaining about the other student. Apparently he had been suspended for the next couple days from any playtime with the other students in order to teach him to keep his hands to himself. I tried to be understanding of the fact that the boy is the same age as Lizzie.
"What's going on here exactly?" I turned at the sound of Tanya's angry voice. She looked about as pissed off as I'd felt before seeing Lizzie.
"Mommy." Lizzie looked up from Bella before gently hoping down and walking to her mom. Tanya bent down and looked Lizzie over. I saw fire in her eyes when she saw the red mark on Lizzie's head.
"Could someone explain why this school is allowing one of their students to hit my daughter?" Tanya stood up, keeping Lizzie's hand in hers as she did. Her cold blue eyes were shifting between the principal and the nurse, ignoring me entirely and I wasn't sure she even noticed Bella in the room. I wasn't sure exactly where this was going but it wasn't anywhere good.
"Ms. Denali we are so sorry for the incident and the little boy has been disciplined..."
"Disciplined? How old is he?"
"He's in Kindergarten, just like Lizzie, same class."
"I want Lizzie in a different classroom. I wont have her in the same room as a bully."
"Tanya, you can't pull Lizzie from all her friends." I tried to sound reasonable but I knew if I didn't watch my words her wrath would find me and we were like fire and gunpowder. Nothing good would happen if I couldn't maintain my rage in the face of hers.
"Clearly there's worse things than friends in her class Edward. I can't believe you would be okay with someone hitting out child." Oh she did not just accuse me of allowing harm to Lizzie... Hell no was I gonna take that lying down.
"That's not even remotely what I said." Count to ten Edward... Just count to ten...
"What I heard is you care more about her social standings than her safety." Oh HELL NO.
"Tanya, we don't have to play this game right now, but if you choose to drag us..." I gestured between her and me. "...into this know that I will respond ten fold." If I wasn't so fucking pissed right now I would be able to feel bad for Bella, the principal, and the nurse having to witness this. As it stood though, I didn't have enough emotions left to feel anything more than seething rage
"I want her moved Edward. Now." That icy blue stare held mine but I wouldn't be swayed.
"And I do not." I have authority over things like this and she knows it. My word is law when it comes to educational choices, for now at least. Unfortunately I also knew that Tanya could try to use this as evidence that I wasn't putting Lizzie's best interests first. Judging by the look she was giving me she would without a doubt be using this against me.
"I don't want to leave my class." Lizzie was crying again, softer now as she looked to her mother, who only gave a glance back.
"You wont baby." I starred Tanya down as I spoke. She would NOT hurt Lizzie with her selfishness. I looked to Lizzie who met my gaze before coming back to me quickly which allowed me to hold her tight. I stayed standing so I didn't lose my stare down with Tanya but I held Lizzie as she wrapped around me.
"Fine, if you want to make the decisions on this it's on you but if my daughter gets hurt again I will be going before a judge. Lizzie grab your backpack. We're leaving."
FUCK, I'd somehow forgotten that technically it's Tanya's day with Lizzie but I was really hoping I could take her home with me so I can make sure she's okay. "I want to go with Daddy." She grasped me harder and it broke my heart. I had NEVER missed any big things in Lizzie's life, good or bad and I need to be there for her today. She was scared and it's my job to keep her safe. How can I do that if I'm not even with her? "Daddy please take me home."
"Not today sweety. I don't want you here anymore, for your own good. I need you home with me where I at least know you'll be safe." I sure as hell didn't miss Tanya's double meanings and they pissed me off.
"Daddy?" Her big green eyes implored me to let her stay with me but there wasn't anything I could do. GOD fucking damn you Tanya.
"Listen baby..." I stroked her hair as I looked down at her, hoping she didn't get hurt more by my words. "...Your Mommy really misses you and needs you today okay?" She started sobbing some more. Sometimes it really sucked being the favorite parent because I was the one she always looked to and when the power was with Tanya, Lizzie just didn't understand that there wasn't anything I could do.
"Please Daddy?" Jesus Christ.
"Tanya please just let me take her today." I held Lizzie as she grasped onto me for dear life. I was reduced to begging Tanya for some level of kindness and compassion but the problem was I knew she had none, at least with regards to me.
"Given everything going on with us I think it best that we stay with the schedule YOU set up."
I took a deep breath hating just about everything right now, especially what I had to do next. I bent back down so I was eye level with Lizzie, before I spoke to her.
"I'm sorry baby but not today. I'll see you tomorrow though I promise."
I tried so hard to speak in a normal voice but I knew I sounded off. Her sad eyes watched me intently as I powerlessly broke her little heart. I was her hero, her best friend, her guardian and yet here I was letting her down in the worse way. Abandoning her in her emotional time of need. It didn't matter that Tanya calls the shots today. It doesn't matter that I'm doing everything I can to limit Tanya's power in the future. All that matters is that look on Lizzie's face as I tell her I can't be there for her no matter how much she needs me. The feeling of letting her down like this is something that I wouldn't wish on my greatest enemy. "Okay daddy." Her voice was so much sadder than before and it made me want to cry.
"Be good for your mommy okay?" She didn't talk, just nodded. She reached for another hug and I held her as tight as I could while peppering the side of her head with kisses. I can't believe she wont be with me tonight so I can make sure she's okay. I could read to her, draw with her, or just take her out for ice cream to make her smile but instead I wouldn't be with her at all.
With a heavy heart I gave her one last hug before standing and watching as both her and Tanya were escorted out by the principal to discharge Lizzie from the rest of the day. The nurse went as well to fill out paper work on Lizzie's condition. This just left Bella and me.
I was still standing there, staring at the door where Lizzie had left when I felt Bella grab my hand with both of hers. "I'm sorry Edward." My only response was to return her gesture, keeping both her hands in my one. I took a few deep breaths, trying with everything in me to stop myself from screaming. Tanya and I fought a lot over the years but I had NEVER seen her purposely go against what Lizzie herself wanted just to spite me. To help herself sure, but to solely hurt me, no she's never stooped that low. She would rather hurt me and Lizzie then lose at this point.
Bella moved in front of me and without a word leaned up to wrap her arms around me. I didn't realize how much I needed her touch until her arms were around my neck. I hugged her back tightly needing her soft kind presence as much as I needed air. She stroked my hair as we hugged for awhile. After a few moments I kissed the side of her head to let her know I was okay.
She slowly released me, keeping her eyes on mine as she did. The instant I saw that sweet, beautiful and perfect face with misty eyes something just overtook me. She had stepped back to a respectable distance but I didn't let her stay there. I pulled her back to me with a noticeable amount of force. She started at the unexpected movement but didn't make a move to stop me. I took that as encouragement so kissed her, not wanting her to be anywhere but right here in my arms.
Surprisingly she didn't stop me, despite my more than publicly polite ministrations. The back of my head kept an annoying buzz of reminders such as... 'You're at her place of work' or 'This is a school, reign it in'. I listened but not happily. This kissing was deep, hot, and amazing but I held back everything else I wanted to do, which was a lot. My hands were respectfully placed on her hips and cheek despite wanting to explore her anywhere I could reach. I also didn't have her pressed up against a wall like I REALLY and I do mean REALLY wanted. Overall I was doing a good job of containing myself. God I wish we were anywhere else right now.
Like everything about Bella her mouth was warm and sweet making it next to impossible to pull away from her. She was kissing me back but was futilely trying to steer our display to softer touches. I didn't want soft though not in the least, so as a silent physical compromise I kept us somewhere in the middle. Somewhere between hot and tender. I sure as hell wanted to be rougher with her but I wasn't completely out of control...yet.
"Are you okay?" She pulled back just enough to speak through her heavy breathing so I could still feel her breath on my lips. Her heat was on my face while both of her hands were holding my neck. Her soft fingers were tracing from the back to the sides in a cycle that brought me an incredible amount of comfort. Feeling her light little touches helped pull me back from the edge. I held her a bit longer before giving her a small but honest smile.
"I'm okay Beautiful."
"Is there anything I can do?" She sounded so sad, so empathetic to the feelings of those around her.
"Just this." I kissed her again, a very tiny sweet one this time. She didn't disappoint in giving me what I really wanted in response... her smile. "Just be you."
After a few stolen moments the door opened so I pulled away from Bella. The nurse re-entered alone and I took that as my signal to leave. Bella followed me to the parking lot and gave me one last hug before I drove back to my office, feeling emotionally drained.
…...
"Are you sure you don't need me to stay?" Carmen had stayed an extra hour with me to help but I knew I was horrible company today and I could do everything else alone.
"I'm sure. I need to get all this done so I can surprise Lizzie with a movie date when she gets out of school tomorrow." There was some teen girl movie playing in the theaters with lots of ear-splitting singing that I knew Lizzie would love. I also knew I would absolutely hate it but she was worth it.
"A movie date? God you are so whipped by that little princess."
I responded by giving her the bird and smiling. "Goodnight Carmen."
"Goodnight. Please leave in enough time to eat something. You are the worst when hungry."
"I promise." I heard the office phone ring and Carmen stepped out to answer the receiver on her desk. She had her purse, coat, and some personal stuff in her hands as she answered so she looked pretty off-balanced. I couldn't hear the call but it was unusual for anyone to call at 6 at night. She was smiling though so good news at least. Nice to know it exists somewhere...
"Okay do you need anything before I go?" She had walked back in, still holding all her stuff.
"Nope have a good night and take tomorrow off."
"You're sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Okay good-night." She stepped out to leave when I held her back.
"Who called so late."
"My husband. He was wondering when I'd be home." I felt even guiltier for having kept her.
"Do you want me to walk you to your car?"
"Such a gentleman but no I parked right up front."
"Alright. Have a nice couple days off." She waved and left leaving me alone in the building. I was desperate to get all of this done so I could set aside at least one day for Lizzie. Truthfully she would probably be spending a few evenings at the office with me over the next few weeks so I owed her at least one fun night.
I was starting to feel a little sluggish when there was a small knock at my office door. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was almost 7pm.
"Come in?" The door opened and the most beautiful sight met me. Bella, wearing an all white dress with a light gold sweater over it. In her hands she held two large bags and I could smell something heavenly inside. "Bella?" I stood up and walked around my desk to get closer to the awkward beauty standing in my door frame.
"Knock Knock." God she's so cute, saying that while blushing pink. I couldn't resist chuckling but never halting my advance to get as close to her as possible.
"Who's there?" One arm went around her waist and the other moved up to stroke her pink cheek with the back of my fingers.
"Tad."
"Tad who?" I must have looked perplexed...
"Tad old black magic."
"Seriously,..." I leaned into her face and spoke against her lips. "... that was really awful." She didn't get a chance to defend her horrible joke because my lips met hers eagerly. She kissed me back through her smile and I laughed while we continued to kiss. "Awful baby... just awful."
"It's not my fault. I'm a kindergarten teacher so I've been hearing lots of Halloween ones lately." I shook my head and gave a mocking look anyway. She shrugged with both shoulders and looked around me at my heaping desk. "Is it okay I'm here?" She looked so unsure. It was both cute and frustrating. How the hell could I complain about such a vision dropping by for a visit? I didn't respond verbally at first, instead electing to pull her close and give her another small kiss as greeting.
"As you can see you are a huge hindrance that I'm trying to get rid of as soon as possible." I tightened my hold to show how much I wanted her to stay and she smiled at my vice grip she couldn't escape. "Of course it's okay you're here." She blushed and I brushed her hair behind her ear. "Why are you here?"
She held up the bags briefly while blushing bright red. "I called your office earlier and spoke to your assistant, Carmen. I asked her if you had eaten yet and she said no and that, I'm quoting her here, 'he's being a major pain in the ass'." I laughed at Carmen conspiring against me.
"So you brought me food?" God it smelled good and both me and my stomach were now very aware of the fact that I hadn't eaten all day.
"Yeah, I wanted to cheer you up." She held the bags up to eye level now and her sweet face was the only thing keeping my focus away from whatever the hell was in the bag.
"God you are fucking perfect." She giggled as I grabbed the bags then gave her another kiss, this time on the side of her head above her ear. I walked to my desk as she closed my office door and followed me in. I set the bags down on the far side of my desk as my side was full of papers. I sat down and just as Bella went to sit next to me I pulled her over so that she would sit on my lap instead of the free chair. I pulled her so she was side sitting on me so that I could see her but she could also eat with me.
"I hope you're hungry because I made way to much."
"You made it too?" No wonder it smelled so good. Bella was an amazing cook.
"Yeah. I hope you like it." There's my timid girl. I grabbed her face with my right hand and pulled her lips to mine. God this girl was so fucking incredible.
"I think I'm distracting you from your duties counselor." I was still kissing her as she joked.
"So?" I pushed her hair out of the way so I could kiss her ear now with small open-mouthed kisses. Her breathing got labored which made the arrogant part of me smirk.
"Edward, what if someone sees us?" I couldn't tell if she was actually concerned about this or if she was using it as an excuse. Either way I could tell her body was very much enjoying my touch maybe even as much as I was enjoying touching her.
"I repeat...so?"
"Wont you get in trouble?" I chuckled as I pulled back to look at her worried face.
"Don't you recall where our first kiss was?" She smiled while glancing over to the couch we had sat on that night. She pointed to it as she blushed.
"Right there." She spoke the confirmation unnecessarily.
"Exactly." With that I kissed her again, short and sweet this time.
She kissed me back for just a moment before pulling back and pointing to the food, still sitting on my desk. "Stop getting sidetracked and eat it while it's still hot." I loved when she ordered me around, way more than I would think possible.
I honestly didn't need to be told twice to eat though. I tore into the first bag and found one container with some sort of soup while another one held enchiladas. The second bag had chips and salsa. "This smells amazing Bella."
"Do you like enchiladas?" She sounded worried.
"Yes." I chuckled at how relieved she looked.
"I made the taco chili and tortilla chips myself so they're extra fresh."
"Baby you didn't need to put forth this kind of effort for me. You worked today." She blushed as I held her face to me so I could look into her eyes.
"I wanted to." That pink blush... Jesus Christ. How did I ever resist this woman?
"Well there's more than enough for both of us so eat with me?" I didn't want her to leave yet.
"Okay." She went to move to the next seat but I halted her hips.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I can't eat on your lap.
Why not?"
"What if I spill something on your clothes."
"Then I can take them off." She blushed and I laughed. "I keep a spare outfit here sweetheart. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Shut up." I laughed before pointing out that I had a bathroom in my office where I keep some spare clothes. She mumbled something about rich people and private bathrooms which just made me laugh more. I helped her dish out the food on the plates she'd provided while taking every chance to give her a kiss on the side of her face, eliciting a giggle each time. She gave me a real kiss when I wrapped one arm around her waist, figuring one hand to eat with was more than enough.
…...
"Is there anything you can't do, beautiful? You cook, clean, paint, teach, read, have the patience level of a saint, you're great with children... and you do all of it while managing to be the sexiest woman in the room at all times."
"I'm not the sexiest..." She had stood to grab a few napkins from the bag and I took the opportunity to readjust our positioning. Before she could finish her self-deprivation I pulled her hips to me so that she was standing between my legs.
"Yes you are." She blushed while shaking her head in disagreement.
"Are you arguing with me?" I smirked as she rolled her eyes. I loved when she got snarky. Her timid sweet nature was a beautiful thing but I also loved how she could turn the tide on me as well.
"I know better than to argue with a lawyer."
"So we're in agreement then? You are the sexiest..." I pulled her closer to me and pulled her onto my lap so that she was straddling me. "...sweetest, kindest, most beautiful woman in the world."
"You have to say that stuff." She wrapped her arms around my neck as she smiled at me.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"And why do I HAVE to do anything?"
"Because, you're my boyfriend. It's your job to say sweet things."
"To what end?" I was holding her hips as she sat on me. I hadn't really thought this through before having her sit on me like this. When I sat her on me the dress had bundled up exposing her sexy as hell legs to my greedy hands.
What were we talking about again?
"I don't know." There was that look again. We flirted constantly and with increasing levels of sexual advances and as much as she seemed to get excited sometimes, there were other times where she looked more hesitant. I could tell our talk excited her but there was more there too. Nervousness maybe?
"Hmmm." She pushed her hair behind her ears and I reached forward to hold her face. Her big doe eyes watched me as I leaned in to kiss her. Her hands went to my face while mine returned to her legs, rubbing from her knees all the way up to her hips.
I'm not fooling myself with the whole PG-13 nature of our relationship. I was getting hornier and hornier the more time I spent with her and I was trying to feel out her opinions on the subject but I seemed to be getting conflicting signs at every turn. I didn't want to just come out and ask about it as that was sure to be a mood killer but I wasn't sure how else to approach the subject. Bella was a question mark for me and had been since the beginning.
"There's lot's I'm not good at."
"What?"
"You asked if there's anything I'm not good at. There's lots actually." Oh wow my mind was still on her soft legs and her warm thighs still wrapped around me... Should I let her stand up? I didn't want to... Luckily she's not sitting close enough to notice my interest in her...yet.
"Such as?" Distraction... I need a distraction.
"I'm a really bad swimmer."
"Really?" I had to fight laughing at that.
"Yeah my lack of coordination shows best in the water." A new piece of the puzzle that is Isabella Swan.
"Hmmm, does this mean I'll never see you in a bikini because I can't have that." DAMN IT. So much for a distraction.
"I wear them to tan." She smirked at me. Wait, My Bella just smirked? FUCK that's hot.
"Of course you do." I tried to play off how aroused I was by rolling my eyes but she wasn't buying it. She leaned forward to kiss me and as soon as I responded she shuffled her whole body forward and pressed herself right against me. OH GOD.
Simultaneously a few things happened then. She let loose a sound that was both a squeak and a moan, I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, and I lost the small amount of control I'd been holding onto all day. I pulled her face to me and we kissed heatedly. For the first time her tongue reached out to mine before I could initiate it. My hands rubbed her everywhere I could possibly reach; her legs, hips, sides, arms... everywhere.
And then my phone started ringing...
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I had pulled away from Bella at the sound of my cell phone, just enough to mutter my annoyance. With my words any sexual mood diminished and Bella started laughing so hard she actually clapped her hands over her face and her body shook. "What the Hell is so funny?" I starred at her absolutely perplexed as to why she found this humorous. When her eyes met mine she just sputtered and laughed even harder. I rolled my eyes and pulled her in for a quick hug while she laughed at my expense. "Cruel woman..."
"Hey this time it's your phone..." She smiled innocently while I ignored her. I pulled back to grab my phone just to see Tanya's name flashing on the screen. GREAT, if the mood wasn't killed before, my ex-wife certainly would do it now.
"Tanya." I spoke in a no-nonsense tone that barely contained my contempt. Bella looked up at me, all humor gone. She gently rubbed my arm and gave a soft but awkward smile.
"Edward." Her tone sounded identical to mine.
"What can I help you with?"
"Elizabeth is really upset about today and can't sleep."
"Do you need me to come get her?" Bella eased herself off my lap, and even-though I didn't want her to go I could understand her discomfort. I imagine it was a little strange to sit on your boyfriend's lap where you'd just been making out, just to have your session interrupted by his ex calling...
"That's hardly necessary. She did ask if I could call you for her though." To Tanya's credit her voice did soften slightly as we spoke of our daughter. Bella gestured to my bathroom and I nodded as she went to use it. Ha, see it was useful having a 'rich person private bath'. I made a mental note to mock her later for using it.
"Of course. Put her on."
"Daddy!" Despite Tanya's words Lizzie sounded happy.
"Hey baby girl. Your mom says you're having a bad night?"
"I miss Bubbles."
"Sweety, I'm sorry."
"Do you think Ms. Swan is mad at me for breaking it?" She sounded so worried.
"Baby, you didn't break it and Ms. Swan could never be mad at you."
"Promise?"
"Of course Lizzie. She loves you so much." I looked towards my bathroom door wondering if it would be appropriate to have Bella say good-night to her. On the one hand, Bella is Lizzie's teacher and this is obviously not school related, at least not really. On the other hand she is also my girlfriend and as such she will be a part of my daughters life for the foreseeable future, or forever if I have my way. I decided against having them say goodnight to each-other. My main reason being Tanya, who as far as I knew wasn't even aware I was dating someone. It wasn't something I felt like enlightening her on either given our current standings with one-another. The last thing we needed was more tension for Lizzie to suffer through.
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too baby. So much. How's your head? Still red?"
"No. Mommy put lotion on it. It smells like vanilla ice cream."
"Hmmm, good thing it doesn't smell like chocolate or else I might have to eat you. You know how much I love chocolate..." She started giggling so I knew she was doing a lot better. "Are you ready to get some sleep?"
"Yeah. I miss you though."
"I miss you too but I'll pick you up from school tomorrow okay?"
"Okay."
"Get some sleep."
"Can Ms. Swan have dinner with us tomorrow?" I smirked while looking to the bathroom again. I loved the idea of having time with the both of them as it was a rarity. I had planned on setting tomorrow aside for just Lizzie but if she wanted Bella with us I was certain I could get Bella to agree. I really didn't want to wait another week to see her outside of passing at the school anyway.
"I think I can arrange something."
"Yay!"
"Okay, no more excuses. Get your cute little butt in bed and get some sleep."
"Okay. Night Daddy."
"Night baby." I hung up then figuring Tanya didn't want to talk to me anymore than I wanted to speak to her. Besides I preferred to keep our communications by email only so that I could give copies to my lawyer if need-be.
I walked up to the bathroom and gave it a knock as I heard the water running. "Beautiful, I hate to ask but Lizzie was reminding me about her unicorn. Were you able to look at it?" I felt bad as Bella had worked today and made an amazing meal for me on top of it. Adding another task to her list felt unfair.
"Actually I was able to fix it. There's a few chips missing on the tail but she can touch it up on Tuesday during class." My girl rocks...
"Do you have it? I'd love to surprise her with it when I pick her up tomorrow." She laughed and I smiled. Yes I know I'm owned by my little girl, sue me...
"I knew you would so I wrapped it up and it's in my purse. The big pocket." I headed over to her purse and opened it up. Big pocket? The whole thing was huge. God how do women need so much stuff? I mean I know Bella is a teacher so she carries art supplies and things like that but jeez it's a wonder women don't suffer serious back problems. I picked up a few things and was digging into the bottom when I saw something wrapped up on the bottom. Just as I grabbed it I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Bella come running into the room before halting near me. I looked up to her wide-eyed expression.
"Are you okay?" She looked really freaked out and I noticed her eyes dart to her purse then me a few times. I glanced down at the bag but didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"Ummm, yeah."
"What's wrong?" She looked down and shifted uncomfortably. I went to put all the stuff back in her purse so I could go to her, when I realized what was still in my hand.
Birth Control pills.
END NOTES (Don't read until after you've already read the chapter as there may be spoilers):
-SHOW ME SOME LOVE...REVIEW.
-The incident with Lizzie and getting hit actually happened to my oldest daughter. The first day the little boy was shoving her down on the sand making her cry before a teacher stopped him and she was checked out at the nurse where her father and me were notified. She was a trooper and just said she would stay away from him. THEN ON DAY #2 he actually hit her in the head. Apparently he had it out for her but gave no reasoning for it. That was when my #MOMMABEAR came out I can tell you that. I didn't want to be pissed at a 5 year old for hitting my little girl but when you see your kid in pain all you want is to make it better.
-Birth control pills, Tanya drama, family feuds... OH MY
