~ Paris, France - June 12, 2005 ~
The first person out of the limousine was my Bella. She ran to me and jumped straight into my arms.
"Heaven!" I sighed as I held her close to me. I pulled away slightly so I could capture her lips with mine. We kissed until she was out of breath. I knew Charlie and Irina were in the car giving us a moment to reconnect. So, even though I would have rather ravished Bella right on the tarmac, I lowered her back to the ground. I kissed her forehead before allowing myself to get a good look at her. She looked tired and her lips were dry, but otherwise she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
I took Bella's hand in mine and walked over to where Charlie and Irina were now standing. I shook hands with Charlie and kissed Irina's cheek. Both of their minds were working overtime to not think of something. "What are you all doing here?" I asked.
"It was Dad's idea," Bella said. I raised a questioning eyebrow, but Charlie just nodded.
"After you left, Dad and I talked with each other and then Alice. She was pretty confident you would be back as scheduled. Dad asked her what she saw if we flew out and met you in Florence, but Alice was against that."
"That would have been a problem," I interrupted. "I was escorted back to the airport."
"Alice saw that," Charlie said. "So I suggested Paris, since you would be refueling here. Alice thought about it for a moment, before giving us a thumbs up on the idea, as long as 'Rina, came along, you know...just in case."
"Like I would miss a trip to Paris!" Irina added. "Plus, I wasn't about to let Charlie and Bella come alone."
"Our only hesitation in coming out was not being by Alice to hear her visions of what was going on in Italy," Bella added. "So Emmett pulled some strings and arranged for your entire family to fly out with us so we could all hear Alice's updates on our way here."
I could see from Charlie's and Irina's thoughts, that as my trip progressed, Alice's visions of the future detailed everything that I experienced, including Santiago's testimony, my revelation, and Marcus' termination. The whole family, especially Jasper and Carlisle, were quite stunned and upset with what transpired.
I searched for the remainder of my family's thoughts, but I did not hear them anywhere at the airport.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked.
"They flew back home, once Alice knew you were ok and being driven back to Florence." Irina answered. "You see, we…well…Charlie, you tell him it was your plan." Irina smiled at him before she kissed his cheek.
"Yeah," Charlie said as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Well, I never gave 'Rina the honeymoon she deserved after our quickie wedding, so I thought we could fly out. Surprise you. And if everything was good, Bella could fly back with you and we'll stay for a bit."
"He can be such a romantic, when he wants to be." Irina gushed before kissing Charlie's cheek. His mate's admission caused Charlie to blush, but he enjoyed being seen as romantic.
After their wedding, I had read Charlie's thoughts. The reason he never went away for an elaborate honeymoon after the wedding was the cost of a big trip. However, now that he was mated and married, he knew what Irina's, and his, net worth amounted too. Both Irina and I had tried to explain to him that between Alice's and my gifts, as well as Emmett's strange knack for financial planning, investing was rarely risky. Plus we had the luxury of time on our hands. We weren't billionaires, although we easily could be if we wanted. However, each one of us were at least multi-millionaires several times over. Some of us, like Emmett and myself, had quite large and diverse portfolios. We each managed things a bit differently, but largely when our funds started to burn down, we would just invest a bit more to top off our coffers. Additionally, we all used our substantial wealth to help and fund a great many causes. Esme and Rose, were the most involved with our foundations and charities, but we all enjoyed being able help others using the fruits of our good fortunes.
Overall, Irina had been patient with Charlie. Although, they had a some of minor, and a couple not so minor, disagreements regarding finances and overall equality within their marriage. As he and I had discussed on his wedding day, it had been hard for Charlie to reconcile this part of our world with his sensibilities, but he was getting there. I was glad he decided to embrace, at least in part, the resources he had available to him and make this trip. I tried to have similar conversations with Bella concerning my wealth and resources, but she said it really didn't matter to her. She loved me and not my money.
However, now we were in Paris. Perhaps I could use some of my deep resources to spoil her a bit.
"Would you mind if I kept Bella here in Paris for a couple of days so I could show her the sights?" I asked Charlie and Irina. "That is, if Bella is also okay with it."
"Really?" Bella squealed in delight. "I would love that!" She looked at me as if I just granted her fondest wish. I nodded my head and waited for Charlie and Irina to say what they were already thinking.
"Irina and I had already discussed this. We were already going to suggest you delay your trip home so Bella could see Paris." Charlie couldn't help smiling at how happy Bella was. "But you beat us to the punch."
Bella was now channeling Alice by bouncing up and down. She was ecstatic and giddy. I quickly thought through everything I wanted to show Bella. I knew jet lag and the toll that past three days would be setting in soon.
"Excellent! Let me just arrange things with the flight crew. Does us leaving on Thursday sound good? That will give us three full days to explore." I said.
Bella nodded emphatically. I looked over at Charlie and Irina. Charlie nodded before thinking, "You made her very happy, thank you."
As expected the flight crew had no problem with delaying our trip home. Before the crew was released to enjoy their extended layover, I asked the steward to make hotel arrangements for me, as well as reserve a car for us.
As I was speaking to them, I received couple text messages from my family.
"Words cannot express how happy Esme and I are that you are safe! We decided to re-direct to London for a couple of days. I think everyone could use a respite. Call when you can." …Carlisle
"Hi! I am so happy you are safe! It was quite tense there for a while. Anyway, enjoy Paris! P.S. I had some clothes sent to your hotel. From what I can see, you need them! I may have also got Bella a few things ;-) Kisses!" …Alice
"Yo! Glad you made it out of Italy in one piece! Can't say the same for Santiago or Marcus! You still are the only one that gets to have fun!" …Emmett
"By the way, we took the new Gulfstream. Not as nice as your ride, but a good find for us. Its going to make us $$$" …Emmett
Just like my family, I felt relieved that I was out of harm's way. I was sure once I got back home, there would be lots of discussion, but for the next few days, we all deserved a vacation from the drama. So, while the remaining arrangements were being finalized, I walked back to give Bella, Charlie, and Irina an update.
"We are all set regarding the flight home," I told them. "They are arranging the hotel and transportation." I paused and waved my phone in front of them. "The family has decided to spend a couple of days in London to decompress. Plus, Alice will have some stuff waiting for us at the hotel so I'll be more presentable."
Charlie was just about to pull me aside to discuss the hotel, when the steward came over with our details.
"Everything has been arranged per your instructions, Mr. Cullen." The steward said. "The car should be here any minute and you are to ask for Etienne at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée."
"Nice!" Irina mentally cheered, before adding "Charlie is not going to like this. He's not a five-star kind of guy."
I shrugged in response to her thoughts. Wait until they all saw the suites I asked to be reserved. Each one looked out onto the Eiffel Tower.
"If you require anything during your stay, you have my number. Also, Sheri at the home office said to call her at home or the office, if you can't reach me."
"Thank you," I told the steward. "Enjoy your layover."
"I will, sir, thank you," He said before leaving us.
"Who is this Sheri?" Bella asked in an annoyed tone. "And why do you have her home number?" I loved it when Bella got jealous. Her fiery attitude was very sexy.
"Sheri, is the president of the charter company. She is thirty-seven years old. She has two kids and a husband named Kevin." I replied smoothly before I took Bella's hand and gave it quick kiss to help diffuse her anger a bit. "And I have her home number because technically she works for me."
"What?" Both Bella and Charlie asked.
"Emmett and I own the charter company," I said causally. "Given what we are, flying commercial is not also prudent, so about three years ago we bought the company." I leaned in like I was going to tell them a secret. "They think Emmett and I are trust fund babies."
"So that is why the planes just happened to be available and in Port Angeles right when we needed them?" Bella asked.
"Well, long story short, yes. Seattle is their western hub." I answered now feeling self conscious. "The company is profitable and a good investment," I added in my defense.
I felt it was probably best to not tell them that the plane I arrived on was for our family's use only, so therefore always available. The Gulfstream Bella arrived on was a new purchase for the company to cater to corporate clients. Before I could be questioned further, a black Mercedes limousine pulled up.
"Saved by our ride," Irina thought while suppressing a laugh.
A few minutes later, after I gave the driver my instructions for the drive into Paris, we were heading out of the Airport.
"I asked the driver to pull over and let me out after we clear the airport property." I told them.
Bella looked at me in shock and grabbed my arm as if she trying to keep me from leaving. The privacy window was raised so the driver could not hear anything we were saying. I knew I could talk openly.
"I need to hunt, Love. The past few days have been very trying."
What I didn't add, mainly because Charlie was sitting directly across me was that I fully intended on ravishing her later and I did not want blood lust interfering with my Bella-induced lust.
Bella looked at me before nodding. "Your eyes do look kind of black. Will you be long?"
I took Bella's hand and kissed her palm. "I will meet you at the Hotel. I will probably even beat you there. This is going to be my version of fast food."
"Edward, do mind if I join you?" Irina asked. "I think it might be wise for me to get a snack to go as well." Irina gave Charlie a knowing look.
He did not like Irina and I leaving, especially in a foreign country where he and Bella did not know the language or their way around, but he knew it was for their safety.
"Sure, no problem," I answered. The car came to a stop on the side of the road as instructed. When I requested that the driver do so, he was quite surprised, but the generous tip I gave him seemed to calm his nerves. He just added it to the long list of quirks he felt Americans had. "The driver speaks English so if you need anything just press the call button."
I kissed Bella's forehead before I opened the door. "I'll see you soon. I promise." Bella nodded and gave me a sad smile before I closed the door.
Luckily, it did not take long for us to find some deer. Both Irina and I finished with our first course very quickly. She was sated, but I needed more. It took me just a few more minutes to find another and drink it dry.
"Fast food, indeed," Irina commented after my second kill. "And look at you, not even a drop of blood on you." She was teasing, but it would be hard to explain a blood splattered shirt once we reached the hotel. As it was, my clothes definitely showed the three day ordeal I just had. I could see why Alice was appalled.
"Let's get to the hotel." I said. Irina nodded and ran with me until we reached the outskirts of Paris. Evening had descended so it was easy for us to travel through the darkened alleyways. We only needed to slow down to a human pace a few times. Soon we were within a couple of blocks of the hotel, which meant we had to walk in public the remainder of the way.
"Do you think we will beat them there?" Irina asked.
"I'm sure we will. I told the driver to take a leisurely loop around Paris to give us some more time."
"Damn, you think of everything." Irina thought to me as we walked up to the Hotel.
"How bad is the room you arranged?"
"Suite. Actually suites." I said smugly. Irina shot me a glare. "What? Tell Charlie it's a belated wedding gift from my family."
"Me? Tell Charlie?" She said nearly laughing. "Oh no! You can tell him, mister, I-own-my-own-airline!"
As soon as Irina and I entered the grand lobby of the hotel, a woman quickly approached. She was looking at me, and thinking, that I was some kind of vagrant and obviously did not belong there. I quickly told her that Etienne was expecting me. Her look of disdain suddenly turned to an accommodating smile. She quickly walked away and then back with a portly gentleman in tow.
"Bon jour! You must be Mr. Cullen." Etienne said in heavily French-accented English. "Welcome to the Hôtel Plaza Athénée!"
Irina wandered to the front windows, looking for Charlie and Bella, while I confirmed with Etienne our lodging arrangements. The steward had done his job well. Before handing me the keys to our suites, he took a long look at my clothes and then fully understood the delivery of men's clothes he signed for thirty minutes before. When I was done with Etienne, I went over to where Irina was standing.
"Come on," I said giving her a nudge. "They will be here shortly." As we stepped outside, I could hear Charlie's thoughts as they rounded the final corner. He was quite overwhelmed and awed by the beauty and congestion of Paris. In his thoughts I could also see Bella. She was wide-eyed by the sights of of the city, but also worried that we would not be at the hotel when they arrived. Charlie was equally worried. He did not have much experience traveling abroad. Several trips to Canada, and one ill-advised trip to Tijuana, Mexico with some of his Quileute friends many years ago, made up all of his prior foreign travel.
As soon as the car pulled up to the Hotel, one of the liveried staff opened the limousine door. Charlie poked his head out of the vehicle, looking apprehensive until he spotted Irina and I. He exited the car and immediately went to his wife. I reached in and helped my smiling Bella.
"Bon jour, mon amour. Welcome to the City of Light." I said. Since Charlie was being welcomed by Irina, I lightly kissed her lips. Bella instinctively grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer to her before realizing her Dad was just a few feet away.
"You did beat us here." She said quietly. "I'm glad because I missed you."
"I missed you too. Come on. I think you're going to love Paris."
Charlie looked around the suite I arranged for Bella. It was on the same floor as Charlie and Irina's. Both suites faced the Eiffel Tower, but they were on opposite ends of the floor for privacy reasons. I had reserved a room for me as well, to keep Charlie appeased, but it was on the floor below.
"All of this is a bit over-the-top, Edward." Charlie thought before sighing. I smiled and shrugged as our eyes met. "I don't mean to seem ungrateful, because I really do appreciate it. I'm just not used to all of this. Thank you."
"This is really beautiful!" Bella said. "Just look at the Eiffel Tower all lit up. And this room is so...French!" Irina and Bella both laughed. The two suites were decorated in a classic French provincial style. Both were very elegant, but also very...French.
"Edward, where are you staying?" Bella asked.
"Yes, where exactly is your separate room?" Charlie asked. He was half expecting me to say I was staying here, but really hoping I wasn't.
"I have a room on the floor below this one." I simply said.
Bella's smile fell at my admission. Charlie noticed it as well. He suspected Bella and I have been intimate, but would rather not think of Bella in those terms. He still saw her as his little girl in pigtails. Irina knew for a fact what Bella and I have been up to. With her heightened senses, there is no way she could not know. However, Irina was fine with Bella and I having a physical relationship. To her it was the vampire way.
"I'm sure you'll be spending the nights here in this room." Irina thought. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Charlie is distracted."
I left Bella so she could refresh herself and change. Charlie and Irina went to do the same thing, but they got distracted. We were supposed to meet in thirty-minutes, but I would have to guess that they would now be delayed.
In my room, I found clothes hanging in the closet, some grooming supplies in the bathroom, and a small piece of empty luggage. All of these items were curtesy of Alice. I showered quickly and changed clothes. As I was tying my shoes, there was knock on my door. The lack of thoughts and the strumming heartbeat told me it was Bella.
I open the door to see Bella dressed in a new outfit that must have come from Alice. "Um," Bella said shyly. "I came to see your room."
"Come on in." I motioned for Bella to enter.
Once she has cleared the threshold, I shut and bolted the door. We glanced at each other for a moment before we jointly attacked one another. Quickly we were panting as our mouths fused together and our hands roamed over each other's body.
"I love you," I gasped between kisses.
"I love you," she echoed.
"It was you I thought of when Alec used his gift on me."
Soon our clothes were coming off.
"It was you I thought of when I was released from his gift."
Then we were on the bed.
"I was so scared I would never see you again, Bella. I never want to feel that way again. I can't lose you. I won't lose you, ever!"
Finally we were joined together. Despite being five thousand miles from Forks, I was home.
Eventually, Bella and I made our way to the lobby. We were worried that we would be late given our impromptu love making, but our fears were unfounded. Charlie and Irina came down about ten minutes after we did. Charlie wanted to feel bad about being late, but he enjoyed his time with Irina too much.
Irina on the other hand, knew exactly what we were up to. "I see you two used the time well," she teased in her thoughts.
All I could do is give a quick wink. It was time well spent.
"Come on, let's go feed the humans," I said out of earshot of the other guests. "I know a great little cafe just down the street. You'll love the food, or so I've heard." Bella giggled and Charlie rolled his eyes.
"Good! I'm starved!" Bella said as we walked out of the hotel. "Plus, Dad and I need to talk to you two."
Irina and I looked at each other, we both wondered what they could want to talk to us about. Then I caught Charlie's thoughts. He had been trying very hard to not think of the private conversation that Bella and he had after I left for Volterra. My head jerked towards him.
He knew he gave away the conversation, so he shook his head slightly. "Please let us explain."
Author's Note:
So how was part one of Paris? One more Paris chapter coming on Monday. I wonder what Charlie and Bella want to discuss? I also wonder how much damage is going to be done to the the Hôtel Plaza Athénée by our couples?
Thank you to everyone that has been reading and reviewing! I hope 2019 brings you health and prosperity!
-Chris