Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or plotlines of the Twilight Saga and the following is a form of fiction based on the brilliance of Stephenie Meyer's work.
Author: ToryD
Beta: Splendorous Night Unfurled
Title: A Forbidden Forever
Chapter Thirteen
Edward's hands clenched tightly on the steering wheel as he tried to bank down his frustration with Bella's refusal to give up her other two jobs. Drawing in a deep unnecessary breath, Edward paused as he thought out his next words carefully. "Bella," he began in a soothing tone that was designed to put her at ease. "I think that you are taking on too much with three jobs and a full load of courses."
Bella stared straight ahead into the darkened night, knowing that if she looked at Edward's gorgeous face she would be lost and agree to just about any suggestions he might throw her way. "I've been taking care of myself for quite a while now Edward, so I think I know what I can and cannot handle," she responded with a new terseness that sounded foreign to Edward's ears.
"I didn't mean to suggest that you didn't," Edward quickly commented as he reached out and gently took one of her tightly clenched hands in his. "I just wish that you didn't work so hard."
Bella's heart melted at Edward's concerned tone but her resolve to maintain her independence trumped any need to adhere to his wishes. "I appreciate that Edward, but I don't think you have ever known what it is like to not know if you're going to have enough money to make the rent," Bella said wistfully as she looked down at their entwined hands.
Edward winced at the thought of Bella having to struggle. "You don't need to worry about those type of things anymore Bella. I'm here now to take care of anything you might need," he said with an unconscious stake of ownership that served to put Bella on the defensive.
Pulling her hand from his, Bella turned her gaze to look out the passenger window in an attempt to calm her emotions before responding to Edward's chauvinistic statement. "I know that you mean well Edward," she began with a stilted tone that immediate alerted Edward to his error. "But I am not that kind of woman," she stated after a few seconds of silence past with a slightly hurt twinge to her words. "I don't want you to take care of me financially; I don't want to be the type of person who only thinks about what they can get out of a relationship. I grew up around just those types of people," she said with her voice breaking at the painful memory. "People who are only interested in how much money they can get for having you in their homes, people who don't care if you're scared or lonely, people who don't care if you are happy or sad, people who only care about the check they get at the first of every month."
Edward listened silently as a chill raced through him at the hurt he heard in her tone, knowing that he had been the cause of her unnecessary pain. "I'm sorry Bella," he whispered as he pulled the car off to the shoulder of the road. Pulling her resisting form into his arms, he rested his cheek upon her soft hair while cursing himself for his thoughtlessness.
Bella remained stiff in his arms, fighting her innate need to nestle into his solid inviting chest.
"I know that you didn't have the upbringing that you deserved Bella, but I just want you to know that I will always be here if you need me," he whispered softly into her ear.
Bella closed her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened at the beautiful promise of Edward's words. "One thing I learned early in life is not to count on anyone but yourself," she said with such a sad simple clarity that Edward felt as if his world had just fallen in all around him.
Reaching out with his cold fingers, he lifted Bella's chin gently so he could look deeply into her tear-filled gaze. "I wish I could turn back the clock and ride up on the proverbial white horse and rescue you from all you had to endure," he said with a wistful smile adorning his perfect lips. "But I can't. So the best I can do is to show you that you can count on me Bella," he announced with a sincerity shining from his piercing golden eyes. "I have been waiting for you all my existence and I am not going to let anything stand in the way of our being together," he announced with a firmness that attested to his commitment to their future together.
"But for how long Edward?" Bella questioned painfully, her past experiences tainting her believe in a possibility of a happily ever after.
Edward stared down at Bella's sorrow-filled face and felt as if his cold heart would split in two at the loss of hope she held for their future reflected plainly in her beautiful brown eyes. "Bella," he whispered her name beseechingly. "I love you with everything that I am. I promise that I will always," he said as he stared intently into her eyes as if to imprint his declaration indelibly within her brain, "always, be here for you, today, next week, next month, next year, and for the next seventy years if you'll allow me."
Tears began to fall unheedingly down Bella's cheeks at Edward's solemn vow to their future. "It frightens me," Bella whispered with a tangible panic to her words. "I don't think I could survive it if you decided that you didn't want me anymore."
Edward wished he could let her see into his heart so she could know just how precious she was to him. "Don't you think that I have the same fear that you will one day decide that you don't want to be with me?" he asked with a soft smile. "Yet here I am Bella, the man that has pledged his heart into your care for as long as you will have it. Here I am with all that I am, offering to share my life with you for as long as you will have me. I love you Bella Swan," he finished simply as he slowly leaned down and tenderly kissed her trembling lips with a soft kiss that attested to the strong undeniable love he held for her.
Bella reached up and traced the curve of his bottom lip with the tip of her forefinger with a fledgling look of new found trust within her seeking brown eyes. "I love you Edward," she said with a slight edge of fear in her words.
Edward, knowing that he had to win her trust slowly accepted that at the moment all she had to offer was her simple promise of this moment in time, and for now it would be enough. "And I love you Ms. Swan, so you had better get used to having me around for the long haul," he said with a feigned sternness as he leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose affectionately in an attempt to lighten the mood. "We'd better get a move on if you want to be on time," Edward said as he restarted the car and pulled out onto the deserted road.
"Edward," Bella called to him softly after several miles of silence as a warm feeling began to spread through her signaling that perhaps she could let go of her independence just a little and meet him half way.
"Hmm?" he answered as he expertly swerved to miss a raccoon that had darted across their path.
"I think that I will give up the bakery," she said softly, aware that her concession was a small step towards the trust he so desperately sought.
"Thank you," he whispered gratefully as he glanced at her with a tenderness that barely touched upon the love he held deep in his heart.
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Alice quickly dialed Edward's cell with a look akin to disgust on her face.
"Good morning Alice," Edward greeted as he turned his leather chair to watch the early morning rain beat against his office windows, satisfied that his team was hard at work on the task he had assigned to help him obtain the perfect Christmas gift for Bella.
"Edward! Where's Bella?" she questioned with an unhidden anxiousness that had Edward leaping to his feet.
"How much time do I have?" he asked as he reached for his leather jacket on the way out the door, already assessing the threat to Bella as he read Alice's thoughts.
"They are already waiting for her," Alice informed him as she drew up her vision into her mind so he could easily see the impending threat.
"Who did this Alice?" Edward demanded with a barely leashed violence in his dark tone after viewing Alice's vision of Bella fighting her way through a wave of relentless reporters, each shooting degrading questions at her regarding Jacob's recent pardon.
Alice paused as she didn't want to respond to his question, her own guilt gnawing relentlessly at being the one who supplied Rosalie with the information surrounding Jacob's pardon.
"WHO ALICE!" He yelled down the line after giving up on trying to read her jumbled thoughts as he jumped down twenty-three flights of stairs in one leap, landed in a predatory crouch at the bottom.
"It was Rosalie, but to be fair it was really my fault for answering her questions in the first place," Alice answered with an unmistakable sadness gracing her words.
Hearing his sister's regret, Edward sighed heavily. "It's not your fault Alice; Rosalie used you to get to Bella. If anyone is at fault it's me, I knew from her thoughts that she didn't approve of my relationship with Bella, but for her to actually set out to deliberately hurt Bella, well that is something that I'll never be able to forgive," Edward said with a chilling starkness that caused Alice to flinch on the other end of the phone. "Do me a favor and call the Governor to warn him. Also, call Steve James and have him do what he can to put a hold on the story," Edward ordered quickly as he exited the building into the underground garage.
"Do you think that Steve will be able to kill the story?" Alice asked hopefully, knowing that Steve held a great deal of power within the Portland journalist community.
"No, but I know that he can at least buy us some time to do some damage control," Edward answered as he started his car and sped out of the garage towards the bakery where Bella was about to be ambushed unexpectedly by a pack of ravenous reporters.
"I'll give him a call," Alice agreed with a frown marring her perfect face. "Edward," she called out almost hesitantly.
"Yes," Edward answered choosing not to answer her unasked question purposely.
"Rosalie?" she forced the name past her lips with a pained look in her golden gaze.
"I don't know Alice," Edward sighed resignedly. "I know that she still harbors some misplaced feelings for me, but this time she has really crossed the line. I don't think I will ever be able to get past this."
"Esme is going to be heartbroken," Alice added with an undisguised sadness in her tone that attested to her concern for their gentle mother.
"I'll speak with Carlisle first," Edward promised as he too thought of the pain his mother would endure when he cut off all ties with Rosalie. "I've got to go now Alice," he said as he reached the intersection before the turn into the bakery where Bella worked.
"All right, "Alice responded solemnly. "I'll call Esme to meet you at the office," she added quickly before Edward cut the connection.
Quickly reading Alice's latest vision of Esme driving a distraught Bella to Mike's Seattle home where Jacob was currently staying, Edward cursed Rosalie silently for her petty vindictive spite. "We will meet her there. And Alice," Edward called to her softly.
"Yes?"
"Don't let Esme know just yet that Rosalie was the one to tip off the press," he advised.
"I won't," she agreed before she disconnected the call.
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"Isabella," a young blond man called out loudly as Bella exited the bakery's side entrance with Meg at her side. "Just how much did Edward Cullen contribute to Governor Reaves' campaign in order to get him to sign Jacob Black's pardon?"
"Ms. Swan, can you please tell me the nature of your relationship with Edward Cullen? Are you living with him at his secluded mansion? Can you confirm the rumors that Mr. Cullen's large contribution to the Governor's re-elect campaign was the reason that Governor Reaves granted Mr. Black's pardon?" A slightly plump brunette asked as she shoved a microphone in front of Bella's stunned face.
Bella cried out softly as she felt someone grab her upper arm in a sadistic hold to whip her around to face him. "How does it feel to be responsible for putting a convicted murderer back on the streets of Portland?" the aggressive male reporter asked as he glared at Bella with a look of disgust in his accusatory eyes.
Bella flinched away from the frightening man as the throng of reporters continued to shoot their barrage of rapid fire questions at her.
"Don't' say anything! Let's get out of here," Meg advised as she placed a protective arm around Bella and began to walk towards her old battered Buick.
"Isabella! Could you please just advise us as to the whereabouts of Mr. Black? I think the public has a right to know," a rude woman shouted as she stepped directly into Bella's path.
Edward sped into the small parking lot and revved his BMW's engine savagely to announce his presence, wishing more than anything he could run over the bothersome reporters. Throwing open his door he shot the reporters a menacing look of distain as he made his way towards Bella's trembling form.
"Mr. Cullen!" One reports shouted as he saw the angry billionaire approaching. "Could you please offer us a comment on your involvement with the recent pardon of Jacob Black?"
Edward glared without answering. "Bella, come with me," he said as he reached out for her hand.
"I'll see you tomorrow Meg," Bella whispered to her friend before she took Edward's cold hand.
"Isabella, are you and Mr. Cullen lovers?" the same reporter who had grabbed her arm roughly earlier asked with a wicked smile on his smug face.
Edward whirled back to face the rude man at such an inhuman speed that Bella gasped out loud. Grabbing a fist full of the reporter's jacket Edward lifted him one handed off the ground.
Bella, fearing for the reporter's safety, laid a gentle hand on Edward's tense shoulder. "Edward?" she called to him pleadingly, wanting nothing more for him to get her away from these people.
Edward forced a sense of calmness over his murderous rage as he felt Bella's pleading. "If you dare to look in Ms. Swan's direction or even mention Ms. Swan's name at any time in the future it will be the end of your life as you know it," Edward growled into the man's terrified face, his eyes shooting an ominous message that would not go unheeded. Dropping the man back to his feet, Edward felt a small sense of satisfaction as he watched the odious man stumble back a few steps before regaining his balance. Turning his attention back to Bella he held out his hand. "Let's go," he said softly as he watched her intently for clues to her emotions.
Bella placed her shaking hand in his and allowed him to assist her into the passenger's seat of his BMW. While Edward walked around the front of the car she drew in a deep breath to clam her rapidly beating heart.
Once Edward had the car back on the street he turned to look at Bella's horrified frozen features, wishing he could get his hands on Rosalie to make her pay for putting that terrified look in his Bella's eyes . "Are you all right?" he asked in a gentle tone.
Shaking herself out of her reprieve Bella turned in her seat to gaze apologetically towards Edward. "I'm so sorry," she said as tears began to fill her eyes.
Stunned at her apology, Edward reached out to tenderly wipe her tears away with a soft smile. "You continue to amaze me," he said so softly that she barely heard his words. "Why are you apologizing to me?"
Bella's mouth fell open slightly at his unexpected question. "Because all of this is because of me," she answered with a look of self-loathing. "You were just trying to help me and Jacob and now we have brought all kinds of trouble to you, not to mention the poor governor!"
Edward shook his head in awe. Here she was, minutes after a brutal attack by professional reporters and the only thing she can think of is the impact to himself and the governor. "Have I told you how much I love you today?" he asked with a smile of pure joy on his face.
Frowning in confusion, Bella shook her head in a bewildering fashion.
Laughing lightly at her look of confusion, he leaned over and stole a quick kiss. "Well I do, endlessly, hopelessly and forever."
Bella looked out the window, her brain beginning to hurt at the complete lack of concern Edward had for his public image that had surly been irrevocably shattered due to his association with her. "Edward," she began in a worried tone that caused Edward to silence her with a gentle finger to her lips.
"Don't worry," he advised as he turned into the parking garage of his building. "I've already got someone working on damage control. Neither I nor the governor will suffer for Jacob's pardon. Esme is going to drive you up to Mike's so that you can prepare Jacob. I'll call you as soon as I can," he said as he pulled his car next to Esme's jaguar where she stood waiting.
"But," Bella began as she looked at him worriedly.
Laughing lightly he once again leaned in and kissed her lips tenderly. "Don't worry," he said with an unconcerned look in his warm golden eyes. "By this time tomorrow, the governor will look like a hero for righting a miscarriage of justice that has gone on for far too long."
Nodding slightly, Bella rested her head against his strong chest for a moment, wishing with all her heart that his prediction would come true, but not able to push away the feeling that he may be a little too optimistic in his assessment of the situation. "When will I see you again?" she asked as she reached for the door handle.
Edward frowned as he quickly mapped out the next few hours in his mind. Hours that would include the task of exiling Rosalie from his life. "Probably not until tomorrow," he advised as he thought ahead to the long hours of talking with his family.
"I'll stay up at Mike's then," Bella advised as she stepped out of Edward's car.
Edward followed her and smile at his mother. "Thanks for coming Esme," he called to her gratefully.
"Any time. Hi Bella," Esme said as she studied the worried look so plainly evident on Bella's beautiful face. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes," Bella said as she looked back towards Edward.
Edward, still seeing the worry within her gentle eyes, crossed to her side and pulled her tenderly into his arms. "Don't worry!" he admonished her lightly. "I'll come and pick you up in the morning."
Smiling at the look of promise in his perfect face she lifted her hand to trace the hard edge of his jaw. "It's Christmas Eve tomorrow."
Taking her hand in his he brought it to his lips to press a soft kiss to her palm. "So it is," he agreed with an encouraging smile. "Is there anything special you want for Christmas this year?"
"Just you," Bella answered truthfully with her worry still apparent in her brown eyes.
"That you already have," he answered as he placed a long lingering kiss upon her lips. "Take good care of her for me Esme," he called to his mother as he backed away, never once breaking his loving gaze from Bella's soft face.
"I will," Esme answered as she opened her door to enter the car.
"I love you," Bella called softly before she tore gaze away reluctantly from the man she now knew would hold her heart for a lifetime.
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A/N Thank you so much for the amazing reviews! I love any feedback you can provide. Okay next chapter Rosalie is in big trouble! Oh I can't wait to get started on it! And I will have a Christmas surprise in store for Bella and no it's not a ring! Edward wouldn't do that until she knows the truth about him. So everyone have an amazing Christmas. Thanks again for the reviews, over thirty on the last chapter…now we're talking!