Chapter two
A/N: Sorry it took so long. You know life happens. I've started chapter three in Edward's POV. Thanks to everybody that reviewed, followed or favorite this story!
It had been two weeks since the party at the Cullen home. I had been having contact with Carlisle every night unbeknownst to my mother. She had been trying to pry information from me on a daily bases, but I had kept my lips sealed much to her dismay.
I had played coy with him, going with the friendly approach, because a man like Carlisle would not respond to an aggressive approach. I had learned that he was widowed eleven years ago. He had taken in his nephew when he was five years old, orphaned when his parents died in a car crash. His nephew was named Edward like that dick my sister had dated. I had worried that it was the same Edward but Carlisle's last name was Cullen not Mason.
Carlisle was a gentleman in every way, he held doors open for me, gave me his coat when it was chilly, pulled out chairs, picked up every bill. He took me to elegant places that screamed elitist yet he was a kind and humble man. I wasn't in love but maybe one day I could be. I had let him into my life slowly; I had to give some parts of me to get closer to him. I told him about my close relationship with my father and the arguments I always overheard as a child. It was on this night as I was leaving the restaurant when he first kissed me. It was a sweet patient kiss, none of the passion I craved was there but it was a start.
"I hope that was okay?" he asked nervously when he pulled away.
"It was okay." I replied with a smile that hid my real reaction. The kiss was merely that, it was okay. He smiled clearly feeling sparks that I was not. This was exactly what I had hoped would happen, time was running out and I needed to save my father's house.
"I really like you Leah, I haven't been interested in anyone in a long time. I hope you can see us together despite the age difference." He spoke as always honestly and open.
"I really like you too. I don't care about the age difference. I know I may be too forward but I am ready to settle down and I want a man who can be by my side." I leaned forward trying to make him think he was in control of the situation and just as I expected he leaned in and kissed me with more force than I had expected from a calm man such as himself.
That night I slept like a baby feeling secure that soon enough I would have what I needed.
Uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh
I woke up late the next day, waking up to hear my mother's obnoxious laugh.
"Yes we'd be delighted to attend. My youngest daughter is returning today, so you can finally meet her." I waited for her to exchange some more pleasantries before I began to grill her.
"Whom were you talking to?" I asked wearily.
"Oh darling. Carlisle finally called me. I knew it was only a matter of time."
"Really now?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, I used the Clearwater charm on him after all." She smiled wickedly.
"Yeah? Well so did I." I teased her.
"Please Leah he could be your father. Now I must find the perfect outfit for tonight." She laughed it off not taking my words seriously.
Getting Carlisle to marry me would be like shooting two birds with one stone. I would be saved from poverty and my mother would suffer. I know most people wouldn't understand why I hate my mother so, but most people don't know that the sight of my mother with her lover triggered my father's heart attack. I was there with him when he caught them, when my mother shouted how she never loved him. He died in my arms that day.
I was determined to make her pay, but now I had to go pick up Rosalie. She was just returning from her honeymoon probably all sexed up. I entered the airport waiting area only to find Edward with a bouquet in his hands. I fumed my way towards him and demanded to know what the hell he was doing here.
"Well yes it is nice to see you again too Leah." He smirked.
"Don't bullshit me. What are you doing here?"
" I am just waiting for my girlfriend, and no I don't think Rosalie is my girlfriend anymore. This one is a model I picked up around my travels." He answered unashamed.
As he spoke a bubbly blonde squealed her way towards him and threw herself on him.
"Leah this is Tania, Tania this is Leah my friend." He introduced us like I really cared who this girl was.
"Nice to meet you, but Edward and I are not friends. I must be going now." I replied with cold indifference before I walked away. I only had to wait a few minutes for Rosalie to arrive sporting a beautiful glow.
"Leeahhhh! I missed you so much!" she hugged me tightly.
"I missed you too!" I smiled as we caught up a bit.
"Let me go get the car ladies." Emmett interrupted our moment leaving quickly.
"Oh so tonight we are all having dinner at Carlisle Cullen's home." I mentioned casually not expecting Rosalie to turn pale.
"What why? What if Edward is there?" she panicked.
"He invited us. Why would Edward be there?" I asked confused.
"Leah Edward is Carlisle nephew! He just has a different last name." she screeched.
"Oh." I replied thinking what shitty luck it was that the man I was pursuing was related to an ass like Edward.
"What if mom marries Carlisle and I have to be a part of his family?" she freaked out clearly mortified.
"Relax Rosalie. You are married to a wonderful man who is crazy about you and don't worry mom is not going to marry Carlisle." I chose to not tell her that I would be the one marrying Carlisle.
"You're right." She let out a nervous laugh and let the subject drop as Emmett arrived to take their bags into the car.
We made it home and parted ways. She was exhausted from her traveling and I had to look beautiful. I showered and primped every surface of my body, I made sure my hair was curled to perfection and my make up was flawless. I dressed in a simple black cocktail dress that had a modest V-neck and reached just above my knees. It was modest enough to please a man like Carlisle and sexy enough to appeal any man.
I met my mother and sister downstairs both living up to the beauty of the Clearwater woman, but tonight they paled to my elegance.
"Wow Leah! Who are you trying to impress?" Rosalie teased as she took in my appearance.
"No one. Can't someone try and look as gorgeous as you?" I smiled as we walked out to where Emmett had already started the car.
Carlisle lived in a beautiful home; it looked like something taken out Rome. I was impressed every time I saw it.
We were ushered in to a large dining room with a large antique table decked out in silver and crystal. I wondered if Carlisle was trying to impress us or if this was just the norm for him.
"Welcome to my home." Carlisle greeted us warmly immediately making us feel like long time friends.
"Thank you. I was so pleased by your gracious invitation Carlisle." My mother smiled charmingly.
"It was no problem. Rosalie, it has been awhile see I've seen you. How are you doing my dear?" he changed the subject politely.
"Quite well Carlisle. I just got married, this is my husband Emmett Hale." She introduced them and they both shook hands.
"Is your father the head of Hale Corporation?" Carlisle asked with a pensive look.
"Yes. I know you and my father are competitors but do not worry I don't approve of his business approach." Emmett cleared the air. We all knew his father was a ruthless businessman; luckily Emmett was nothing like him.
"Very well. Leah you look…" Carlisle began but was quickly cut off by a childish voice calling out.
"Daddy!" Isabella stepped into the room wearing a nude colored dress that really made her pale complexion look even more washed out.
"Bella our guests have arrived, can you go get Jasper and Esme so they can join us please." I was glad Edward was not in attendance tonight. I didn't want his snide comments to upset Rosalie.
"Who is Esme? I was not aware you had two daughters?" my mother asked with barely concealed jealousy.
"I don't. Esme is our au pair, she has helped me over the years and she is like a mother to my children." He answered with a genuine smile.
To my delight his family walked in and little Jasper greeted me first.
"Leah you look so beautiful." He said charmingly taking my hand to give me a kiss.
"And you are as handsome as ever." I replied playing along with him. I could just feel the approval rolling of Carlisle as I interacted with his son.
We all greeted on another politely, although my mother had been somewhat cold with Esme. Now Esme was quite beautiful but she had been with him for so many years and nothing ever happened so she did not threaten me.
We sat down and the first course was served. I was about to take a bite of my mashed potatoes when I heard him.
"Starting without me?" Edward walked in as he sat in the empty chair next to mine.
"We didn't think you would make it, weren't you supposed to be with Tania all day?" Bella asked speaking up for the first time tonight.
"You know I wouldn't miss this dinner for Tania Bella." I scoffed, what a typical Edward approach not caring about his so called girlfriend.
"Got something in your throat Leah?" Edward asked with a cocky smile.
"No." I replied stiffly. I was not about to let him draw me into a stupid argument with him in front of Carlisle.
"You have such a beautiful family Carlisle." My mother tried to get the attention back on her.
"Why I was just about to say the same to you Mrs. Clearwater." Edward answered for his uncle looking straight at Rosalie.
"I see you are as charming ever Edward." I kicked him under the table. Warning him to watch his mouth, I could see he was making Rosalie uncomfortable. He grunted in pain and drank a sip of his drink.
"He is as charming as a frumpy old cat lady." Bella replied dryly causing us to chuckle.
"I think Leah is charming and beautiful." Jasper interjected lightening the mood.
"I agree son. The Clearwater women are beautiful." Carlisle agreed with a special twinkle in his eye. I wasn't the only one who noticed. I noted that my mother had a smug smile on her face thinking that look was directed towards her.
"Dad, you forget that the Cullen women, Esme and I, are beautiful too." Bella added sounding a bit jealous.
"Of course squirt." Edward smiled sweetly at his younger cousin. I knew my mother was dying to point out that Esme was not really a Cullen, but she bit her lip and kept all her comments to herself.
"Don't call me that! I'm almost eighteen Edward."
The conversations dropped as the help cleared the table and brought out cream covered strawberries. We all enjoyed some chitchat; thankfully Edward ceased his inappropriate comments.
"Why don't you come help me pick out a wine from the cellar Rosalie?" Edward asked. Looks like the peace could only last so long with Edward.
"I'll help you, I have better taste then Rosalie." I knew the double meanings of my words were not lost on Edward but he simply guided me to the massive Cullen cellar.
"You need to leave her alone! Have you no shame?" I hissed once we were secluded down bellow.
"I don't know what you are talking about Leah."
"Oh please. Cut the act Edward."
"Okay. What if I love her?"
I erupted into mad cackles, "Oh please you never loved her. You only want her now that she's taken."
"That's not true. Her and I had…chemistry."
"I will only say this once, leave her alone. She is married now and she and Emmett are expecting so back off."
"She's pregnant?"
"Yes. So like I said back off and lets get going." I grabbed the nearest bottle knowing that anything Carlisle kept would taste great. I was right of course. The rest of the night went on without a hitch, sure Edward was uncharacteristically quite but I know he'll get over it. We said our goodbyes and went back home where I slept better than I had in months.
I woke up that morning to a handwritten invitation to join Carlisle on his yacht for the day. I giggled, what man still did this? I found it romantic. I got ready and left before anyone could question me. I wore a blue and white-stripped summer dress with a killer red one-piece bathing suit underneath. I drove up to the dock where Carlisle was waiting for me. He looked dashing in khaki shorts and a white button up shirt.
"Leah you look so beautiful." He greeted me with a small kiss, nothing that set my blood on fire but enough to create a romantic mood. I followed him onto the yacht as he babbled on nautical facts. We shared a delicious lunch and I was delighted when I was presented with a plump chocolate covered strawberry.
"You remembered my favorite."
"I remember everything about you." He stared at me expectantly so I took a bite immediately feeling the hardness of an object in the strawberry. I, as lady like as I could, took out an engagement ring out of my mouth. It was beautiful, a diamond that must have been about four carats on a platinum band surrounded by even more diamonds.
"Leah I know we haven't been dating for a long time, but I just know you are the one. I've waited years to find love again and when I had given up you came into my life. Leah Clearwater will you marry me?"
"Yes." I sealed my fate with one word as Carlisle smiled and placed the lavish ring on my finger. I kissed him eager to feel something and I was pleasantly surprised to feel a small spark somewhere deep within me.
"I will make you the happiest woman alive. Thank you Leah. I love you."
"I love you too." I whispered caught up in too many emotions.
"When do you want to get married? I will give you the wedding you deserve." Carlisle took me into his strong arms and peppered my face with small kisses.
"Well we have to tell our families first but I don't want to wait long. How about in two weeks?" I could tell he was surprised at my rush but he probably thought I was so eager to be his new wife.
"As you wish. I will go to your house tomorrow so we can tell your family and we can tell my children afterwards."
"I can't wait to be Mrs. Cullen." I sighed, feeling content. Soon I would save my fathers legacy and piss off my mother all at once.