As always, a big 'thank you' to Frannie for helping me make my words readable.
Several days passed before Edward returned.
During that time, Seth had been instructed about how to care for my knee and keep me away from the TV.
I had a lot of time to ponder how Carlisle could have shot me, and Edward could have killed him concurrently. This was a mystery I needed to solve.
Of course, even without the TV, I managed to stumble over the news I wasn't supposed to see while googling the after-effects of knee surgery on my phone.
My phone dropped when I saw the headline regarding my art museum burning to the ground.
I called Edward instantly, but he rejected my call. He texted me several hours later, asking how I felt. I refused to start an argument over the phone, so I asked when I would see him again. His answer had been 'soon,' which proved to be three days later.
I was entertaining myself with a book Seth had brought to me from the library when Edward stepped into the room I occupied.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hello to you, too," I joked.
I had never seen him so tired or worn out before. Edward came to sit next to me, taking one of my hands in both of his.
"I'm so sorry, Isabella. There was no way around it."
"You mean the art gallery?" I guessed. "Did you…were there…"
"No judge would have ever sentenced Volturi. He went down in flames, along with his lackeys. Your mother, James, and Senator Whitmore are facing twenty-five years to life for all the blood on their hands."
I wasn't sure whether I should be happy my mother was still alive or even more pleased that she would get what she deserved. "I see. And they are going to have a clean trial?"
"Oh, yes. I know the judge. He used to be my father's friend. He promised to make sure they wouldn't see the light of day again." He nodded emphatically.
"Good." As much as I rejoiced in our victory, tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of my art gallery.
"Shh." Edward wrapped his arms around me, stroking my back. "I managed to save your favorite painting. It's at my house."
"Oh!" I threw my arms around his neck but groaned in pain instead of crying for joy. I had turned my knee in a position that hurt like a bitch.
"Shit, Kitty. Does it still hurt? Are you taking your meds?"
"Yes," I said through gritted teeth.
"I can take you to the hospital. Now it's safe."
"I trust you. I'll be fine."
A wide smile spread on his lips after he checked my surgery. "Okay, so I have some news. Do you want the good or the bad one first?"
"Wasn't the good news about our enemies being dead?"
"Oh, it was only a matter of time before we got them. So?" He looked so eager I wasn't even sure what to pick.
What else could he tell me?
"Surprise me," I said, amused.
Edward licked his bottom lip, distracting me from paying proper attention to his words, but they registered in the back of my head.
"We have to plan the wedding soon."
"Is this the good or the bad news?"
He shrugged. "You decide," he chuckled. "The other news is…I'm the mayor. At least, until the city elects someone else."
Suddenly, I felt faint. "Whoa! What?"
"The options were limited. Carlisle might have had a good chance to replace Volturi, but he became his dogs' meal." I wished he hadn't reminded me of that. "So, the party asked me when the other option, Laurent Carraway, slammed the phone after telling them to forget his number."
"Well, you should have done the same," I muttered.
"Believe me, I'm not happy about this, but it's for the best."
"And why the hurry to marry?"
"As much as I hate making it about the money, it is about the money. We need to keep it safe within our family. With Carlisle dead and Renee incarcerated, I'm afraid who might resurface, eager to claim their money."
"Okay, okay. I get it."
Edward pulled me into his arms. "We're going somewhere warm to relax."
"I'd love that. It feels like my job to save the city is done," I admitted, pressing my cheek against his shoulder.
"It is. We finally get to relax, Kitty. I might take out the suit for a stroll for old time's sake, but my patrolling nights are over."
"Good to hear. I can't wait to see you sleep at night, Edward."
"I was hoping you would keep me awake," he teased, pulling back enough to meet my eyes.
"I might. At least I'd know you're safe." I leaned closer to kiss him. "I can't believe it's over."
"I really am truly sorry about the art gallery, Isabella."
"It's okay. After learning what had been going on behind my back there, it had lost its meaning. Good thing you saved my favorite painting."
"How could I not? Uh, are you up for some visitors? Jacob said he would break my nose if I didn't let him see you. I'd love to see him try. I'm confident I can squish him like a bug in a matter of seconds."
"Edward, he's worried. Can you not fight with my friends? Please."
"Oh, and don't get me started on Rosalie. She accused me of downplaying the gravity of your wound and keeping you sequestrated on purpose."
"Jesus. Just bring them here. You can stay, too."
"You bet I'm staying. You're not getting rid of me that easily, Kitty."
.
.
.
Having my friends over made me deliriously happy, yet it brought on a pounding headache. They were so excited to see I was alive and with no lasting injuries, they kept talking loudly; thus, my head hurting.
Edward noticed I wasn't well and tried to break the party.
Rosalie got upset for being kicked out so soon, and I decided to compromise by telling all the men to go so I could have some girl time with my friend.
Edward insisted I take a painkiller before steering the others out of my room.
"I was so mad at him for interfering in our communication channel during the auction," Rose said with a huff, relaxing at the foot of my bed.
"I'm actually glad he did it," I quipped.
"Yes, I understood we needed his help. It was too bad when you couldn't sneak Emmett or Jake into the auction."
I shrugged. "Well…it is what it is. I don't want to talk about what happened there…"
"Of course, hon." She reached out to pat my ankle. "How's your knee?"
"Much better than the past week," I admitted. "Uh, did Edward tell you about the wedding?"
"What wedding," she gasped.
I wanted to kick myself. Of course, he wouldn't talk to her about this or anything else…in particular. The only one of my friends Edward seemed to like was Emmett. The feeling was pretty much mutual since Emmett had always admired Edward for both his personalities without really knowing either of them at the time.
Emmett could relate to Edward's orphan status since he was one himself, and he had made it out there on his own. He also admired Edward's fighting technique during his vigilante acts, even when he didn't know who he was.
Rose and Jake were not Team Edward, and this was their common ground. I wasn't sure how to convince them Edward was the good guy if his actions so far hadn't done his character justice.
"So, Edward wants to get married before any more threats come our way. He probably already has a plan where to invest our money so it would be safe," I rambled, unsure why I was nervous telling Rose the reason behind the hurry for our wedding.
"Oh, so it's about the money?" she sneered.
"I knew you'd comment on that. What more does Edward have to do to prove to you he loves me?"
She scowled, rolling her eyes. "I always admired your tenacity, Bella, but your big heart always got you in trouble. After finding out about his uncle…who turned out to be his father…well, you know that saying about bad seeds."
I sat up straighter in the bed, narrowing my eyes. "Tell me about that saying, Rose. Tell me exactly what you believe about children being born from bad parents," I spat.
She blanched, realizing her mistake. For once, I saw Rosalie opening and closing her mouth without any sort of reply at hand.
"Spare me." I raised a hand. "Tell Edward to come in here. We have a wedding to plan."
"Bella…"
"Go." I pointed to the door.
I knew I was going to forgive her, but she had to get her priorities straight. If she believed Edward was a bad seed just because he was born from a rotten father, then she must believe the same about me. My mother was far worse than Carlisle had ever been.
But as another saying went…the sins of the father shall be visited upon the son.
Edward joined me not long after Rosalie had left.
"She upset you," he stated, his voice rough. It was similar to the tone he used with the lowlifes we used to fight during our nights together. It sent chills down my spine.
"Rose doesn't understand how similar you and I are. We both had a bad parent, yet we chose to fight for the good."
"I see." He sat next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Does she believe I'm going to marry you, murder you, then run away with your money?"
It would never cease to amaze me how smart and intuitive he was. "In a nutshell." I snuggled into his chest. "Let's prove to her how serious you are."
"For me, it's enough that you believe me when I say I will never hurt you. I promise to love you for the rest of my days, Isabella."
Tears welled up in my eyes at how sincere he sounded. I wished everyone would see Edward as the vulnerable, lovable man I saw.
"As I love you, Edward," I whispered, tilting my head to seek his lips.
The door opened brutally and was soon followed by a loud gasp. "Sorry, guys," Seth said sheepishly. "Jasper's here for the interview."
I felt Edward's grimace before he pulled away. "Tell him we'll be right there."
Seth had the decency to shut the door in his wake.
"What interview?" I asked, confused. The name Jasper tickled a memory, but I wasn't sure where I had heard that name.
"My friend Jasper owns the gazette. I promised him an exclusive interview about the happy couple," he said softly. "We really have to pick a date."
"Does it have to be fancy?"
"It can be anything you want, Isabella. If you want just the two of us and the minister, so be it. If you want your friends, too, I don't mind."
"What about your friends?" I asked because I had learned he had friends even though he appeared to be a recluse.
"Anything you want," he insisted, intertwining our fingers.
"Only close friends. How soon should it be?"
His thumb stroked the top of my hand. "Soon."
"What day is it?" I had lost count during my recovery.
"It's November sixteenth."
"And weekday?" I laughed, feeling silly.
"It's a Tuesday," he answered, laughing, too.
"November twentieth, then. Just us and our friends."
His thick eyebrows shot up, and a throaty chuckle escaped his lips. "I hope Jasper brought over his wife. Alice would love to help with the dress."
"I don't need anything fancy."
"Of course, you don't, but it might be frowned upon if we tie the knot in our costumes."
"Now…that's an idea," I giggled.
"No," he said softly. "I want to see you in white."
I felt my face and neck burn in embarrassment at his words. Edward was the only person to make me blush like a schoolgirl.
"Ready to tell the world we're getting married?" He helped me out of bed, supporting most of my weight.
"The world already knows," I reminded him.
"Technicalities."
We have the epilogue left.
Thank you all for sticking around during the many breaks I took while writing this story.