AN: Chapter 26 is coming straight to you from Forks, Washington. (Probably the only time I will be able to say this...LOL)
EPOV
I had just returned to my hotel room to pack when a knock sounded at my door. After checking to see who it was, I sighed before opening it.
"Nonno," I said, my tone cool and flat.
"Edward, my boy." His voice cracked with emotion. "Can I please come in and explain?"
His eyes begged for forgiveness and without speaking, I stepped to the side, allowing him to enter. He immediately sat on the edge of the bed and scrubbed his face with his hand.
"Son, I hope you know I never intended to betray you. Nonna and I only found out about the baby ourselves yesterday."
My eyebrows shot up at his revelation. "You didn't know about Gia?"
He seemed surprised that I knew her name. "No, we had no idea; it seems Bella had kept her and a few other things from us over the past few years."
"What other things?" I asked a bit more harshly than I had intended.
"Edward, I'm sorry, but I can't break Bella's confidence."
I released a frustrated groan and yanked at my hair. "Great! So I'll just be kept in the dark, always wondering what else you're hiding from me."
"Now, come on, I'm not intentionally keeping secrets from you."
"Well, it sure feels that way." Walking over to the window, I looked outside before adding, "It's all moot anyhow; she doesn't want anything to do with me."
Nonno stood and joined me. "What do you mean?"
"When I visited her at the hospital...we held hands, and she didn't feel anything." Turning, I met my nonno's gaze. "I just don't understand it. The connection is still there for me; in fact, it's stronger than I remembered. And when we held hands, I saw visions of a future. Hell, I even saw Gia."
Nonno's mouth dropped. "You saw Gia?"
"I did. And, I swear to God, the moment I saw that little girl was one of the happiest of my life." I shook my head as I realized what a fool I had been. "I thought I was going to be her father, Nonno, and I was certain my heart was going to burst from the sheer joy of it all."
A flash of pity crossed his face. "But Bella doesn't feel the same?"
I released a dry laugh. "No, she didn't feel a damn thing. Nothing. So as you can see, I suppose it doesn't even matter what else you are keeping from me." When he attempted to put his arm around my shoulder, I shrugged him off, not wanting to be coddled.
Instead, I retrieved my suitcase and began packing for my trip.
"Are you leaving?"
There was no way in hell I was telling him my plans; I knew he would try to stop me. "Yes. As I said, there's no reason for me to stay."
"Can't you at least wait until tomorrow? I know Nonna wants to see you."
Shit.
"I wish I could, but I've neglected business too long. Please give her my love. Maybe you both can stop in Chicago before returning to Italy?"
"Well, I suppose we can do that, if you're sure you have to leave now."
Not meeting his gaze, I mumbled, "Yes, I'm really sure."
He eyed me skeptically before sighing. "Well, I guess I should let you finish packing."
I walked him to the door and opened it. Just before he left, he pulled me into his arms for a long embrace.
When we broke apart, I began to shut the door, but at the last second, he stuck out his foot and prevented it from closing.
Leaning in, he whispered, "Edward, don't think for one fucking second you're pulling one over on me. I can smell a crock of shit from a mile away. I'm trusting you; don't make me regret it." Smiling, he patted me on the face before turning and heading down the hallway.
-IT-
I caught a flight to Boise from the Portland airport early the next morning. As soon as we landed, I made a call.
"Where are you?"
"The cell phone lot. I'll pull up at the curb outside baggage. I'm in a black Escalade."
"Okay. I'll see you in a few."
Luckily, the airport was tiny, so I made it to baggage claim within minutes. Once I grabbed my duffle, I walked outside and found the car waiting.
After I popped the trunk and threw my shit inside, I opened the passenger door and climbed in.
"How was your flight?"
"Short, thankfully." I sighed as I raked my fingers through my hair. Even though I had showered earlier that day, I felt grimy from traveling.
He hummed in response before fiddling with the radio. After finding a station that played the hillbilly shit that he loved so much, Jasper turned to me and asked, "Are you going to tell me what the fuck we're doing in Idaho?"
"Business."
"What sort of business?"
"I need to see some punk about taking care of his responsibilities."
Jasper furrowed his brow then shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't the type to ask too many questions. "Whatever you say. You're the boss."
-IT-
It was around six p.m. when Austin Marks pulled his Ford Focus into his garage. I knew from Jared that he lived alone and kept a routine schedule.
After walking through the kitchen doorway, he paused at the refrigerator to get a bottle of water.
"Can I have some as well?" I asked as I entered from the living room where I had been waiting all afternoon.
The bottle crashed to the floor as Austin jumped in fear. Turning around, he faced me with a bewildered expression. "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"
Stepping closer, I grabbed his shirt and yanked him to me. "I'll tell you who the fuck I am. I'm your worst fucking nightmare." I knew the line was cliché, but when I said it, it sounded badass.
He gulped and began to tremble violently; tears rolled down his cheeks, and then a God-awful stench filled the room.
Shoving him away, I shook my head in disgust. "Did you just shit yourself?"
He didn't answer but made a whimpering sound.
"Jesus, you're one pathetic fuck, aren't you?" I ran my hand over my jaw. Not wanting to deal with the mess, I yelled, "Jasper, get your ass in here."
Jasper strolled into the kitchen. He had been sitting in the living room the entire time reading some Civil War book he had found.
"Holy shit! What's that smell?"
I gestured to Austin. "He built a fucking log cabin in his pants!"
Jasper grimaced. "What the fuck do you want me to do about it?"
"Take him upstairs and hose him off!"
Jasper mumbled something before grabbing Austin by the arm and pulling him out of the room.
When they returned a few minutes later, Austin was showered and changed. I was sitting on the sofa catching up on some emails.
"There," Jasper said shoving Austin down into a chair. "Fresh as a daisy."
Standing, I put my phone back in my pocket before removing my Glock and setting it on the coffee table. After sitting back on the sofa, I steepled my hands together and stared at Austin.
"Wh-what...what do you want from me?" He finally asked after a few moments of silence. "M-money? I can get you everything I have in my savings and checking accounts."
I released a biting laugh. "Did you hear that Jasper? Austin here is going to give us all of his money."
"Well, that is mighty generous of him."
"It sure is considering what a cheap fuck he is; I mean, the man hasn't even given one red cent to his own child, but he's more than willing to give all his money to complete strangers."
Tilting his head, Austin said, "What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about?" My voice hissed. "I'm talking about you neglecting your responsibilities!"
"What responsibilities?"
My nostrils flared as I reached for my Glock and barreled toward him. Pointing my weapon directly at his temple, I said, "Bella and her baby. Your baby."
"B-but, I t-told her to get rid of it," he stuttered.
My vision clouded at his words. Even though I had only seen her one time, I couldn't imagine a world where that sweet, precious girl didn't exist. Before I realized what I was doing, I slammed the butt of my gun against his head, knocking him out cold.
-IT-
Later that night, I chartered a private plane to fly us back to Forks. Austin awoke an hour into the flight. After a lengthy discussion, we came to an understanding regarding what his role would be in the lives of both Bella and Gia.
When we landed in Forks, it was late, so I got a couple of rooms at the motel. Once I got to mine, I called Nonno and prayed he wouldn't be too angry with me.
"Edward."
"Hey, Nonno."
"Are you back in Chicago?"
"You know I'm not," I answered.
"So why were you in Boise today?"
I chuckled. "I'm sure you already know."
"I have a few guesses," he replied. "You don't know how much I wanted to pay young Mr. Marks a visit myself."
"Well, I saved you a trip then, didn't I?"
He sighed. "Did you at least clean up after yourself?"
"Shit, Nonno! That's not why I went there. I have him here with me."
"What?"
"He's with me in Forks."
"What the fuck for?"
"To see Bella! He needs to take responsibility for Gia."
"Edward...are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Nonno, Gia needs a father. And I thought…" I paused to take a deep breath; my chest began to ache.
"You thought what?"
"I thought maybe Bella was still in love with him. I want her to be happy."
"Oh, son," he whispered.
"Can you...can you just let me know when would be a good time for us to come over tomorrow?"
"Well, she's being released in the morning. Let us get her settled at home, and then I'll call, and you can stop over."
"Whatever you think is best."
"Edward, I'm proud of you. What you're doing for Bella...that is the truest testament of love."
"Nonno, if that's so, then why does it feel like my heart has completely shattered?"
AN:
Thanks to the usual suspects: Fran, K, Gail, and Diane. A special shout-out to Kay and Lizzie for the Nonno inspiration.
I'm visiting Forks this week with my husband. It is so surreal to see some of the places that I have read and/or written about. I know I'm driving my hubby batty with all my fanfic talk. Yesterday, we drove over the Sol Duc River, and I told him that was where Edward and Charlie released the snapping turtles in my fic, Edward Cullen: Terrible Gift Giver! I was super excited - my husband, not so much. LOL!
Anyway, thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed. I have read each and every one of them. Your support and kindness mean so much to me, and I apologize that I am behind in responding.
Until next time,
HE