Disclaimer: To my own disbelief and pure greediness, I sadly don't own Twilight/New Moon characters, Miss Stephenie Meyer does.
The next morning opened with a slight drizzle and then cloudy skies. I woke the kids up then quickly helped them pack their athletic bags as they got ready for school. I packed my own bag quickly and then drove them to school. I dropped them off at their classrooms today; telling them to look for someone… but the problem was I had no idea who was picking them up. I just told them to look for someone pale white and gorgeous, asking them to remember Alice, Rosalie, Esme, Emmett, and Carlisle or if it's worst case, Edward. They smiled as I hugged and kissed them both. I dropped their bags up in the office, asking the secretary to call them up after school to pick them up.
I drove out of town, following Ben's hand written directions on a piece of 'Cheney- Attorney at Law' paper. I finally arrived in an unknown city, in front of a person's huge mansion. I knocked at the door, a friendly maid answered.
I looked down at the paper; the maid eyed my black trench coat and red dress with red heels.
I smiled as I looked up, "Uh hi, I'm here to a take a statement. I'm looking for a Mr. Van Dell…"
She smiled, "Yes, one moment, please come in."
I stepped through and looked up to see a grand staircase, and one of many living rooms, filled with extravagant paintings and sculptures. Obviously, he was a huge client to Ben…
"I'll go get Mr. Van Dell, one moment…" the maid said as she hurried off.
I looked around and kept staring off, I then heard the piano being played in the background, a soft tone; it stopped as I heard talking…
I then heard the voice become clearer as its source hurried down the grand staircase.
"Ah, Miss Swan is it?" He smiled, shaking my hand.
I smiled and stared into his eyes, they were a golden color… my mind twisted at the thought.
I finally felt his hand; it was as cold as a stone… a granite sculpture.
I gasped as he smiled an elegant smile filled with dazzling teeth.
"I'm sorry is something wrong Miss Swan?" He asked.
I shook my head, "No, no Mr. Van Dell, just uh…" I stuttered, and then cleared my throat, "felt the baby." I lied, smiling back at him.
He smiled, "Ah, I see Miss Swan, how many months are you along?"
"Uh, 7 months, I'm due in April." I said.
He nodded, "Yes, well should we get started then?" He led me to another living room, this one filled with expensive, French furniture; we sat down on a couch. A fire was lit.
He sat across from me, gracefully; I tried to sit as far from him as I could, thoughts rushing to my mind.
"Well, "he said, "Mr. Cheney didn't tell me he was sending a teenager to take my statement."
I laughed, "I'm sorry Mr. Van Dell. I think you're under the wrong impression, I'm twenty eight, not exactly a teenager."
He smiled, "I see, well you look too young to be twenty eight and pregnant."
"Yes well…" I cleared my throat.
"So, let's get started, what questions do you have for me?"
I started writing down all of his statement, clearing up questions and answers. We finished two long hours later, and after many glasses of water.
I finally got up, as he led me to his front door, the maid was in the background, cleaning.
He smiled as he opened the door; I was putting on my coat.
Quickly, and without a sight or sound from him, closed the door then helped me with my coat, I could tell he thought I noticed his odd movement.
He looked down, "Sorry, I must help a lady with her coat…"
I looked at him confused in my eyes, "Yes well thank you."
He opened the door again, "I would offer for you to stay for dinner Miss Swan, but I have… other matters to attend to tonight, I'm so sorry."
I smiled, my thoughts cleared as I realized there was no dinner. "Oh no problem Mr. Van Dell, I understand." I smiled.
He became startled, stuttering he said, "Yes well, good day Miss Swan, I hope your accommodations are to your needs." He led me to my car.
"Thank you Mr. Van Dell, I'll call Ben tonight and tell him the news, thank you." I said as he opened my car door.
I got in and he closed my door, I started the car and drove away, he kept staring at my car as I drove off, I kept breathing and reminding myself to breath.
I reached the hotel, and checked in, the hotel was obviously a 5 star, it was filled with expensive needs, and service. I couldn't believe Ben had made such arrangements for one night.
I got to my room and saw it was 7:30pm; I picked up the phone and looked for Carlisle's number. I dialed and waited, he picked up quickly.
"Hello Bella." He said calmly.
"Hello Carlisle, I was just wondering how the kids' were." I asked.
I heard him laugh, "Oh they're wonderful Bella would you like to talk to them?"
"Yes, I would, thank you." I waited a few minutes until I heard more voices.
Madeline's voice filled my head, "Hi Mommy."
I smiled, "Hey Madeline how was school?"
She laughed, "It was fun, even when Edward came and picked us up."
I gasped, "Wait, who picked you up?"
--
Edward's POV
I watched as Carlisle came into the living room, Madeline and Mason were coloring with Rosalie and Alice, Esme was cleaning the kitchen, Emmett and Jasper on the TV, watching basketball.
Mason was coloring and also staring at the game, he had an interest…
Madeline was handed Carlisle's cell phone, I could lightly hear Bella's voice, but didn't know the conversation.
"Hi Mommy." She added a smile, I smiled as well.
Her eyes ceases together in worry as she heard her mother talking, like Bella.
"It was fun, even when Edward came and picked us up." She smiled.
My eyes winced together; I could probably already imagine Bella sounding furious… Instead I heard a gasp on the phone and more talking…
"Uh Edward, Mommy." She said again.
More mumbling.
"Well he came in a shiny car and we drove out to this huge house and we ate dinner and colored!" She said excited.
There was once again, more mumbling.
"Oh yea, Mason's here."She kept listening.
Bella talked some more, it was bothering me I couldn't listen.
Madeline spoke, "I love you too Mommy. Here's Mason."
She handed the phone to Mason and went back to coloring.
"Hi." Mason said into the phone.
He was talking and looking at the TV, I hissed at Emmett and he turned it off, Mason looked away.
"I finished a whole 'nother book Mommy!" He said.
He waited for her to finish, "Yea, he's nice Mommy."
More mumbling, then Mason laughed, "Are you coming home tomorrow?" he asked.
He waited as Bella spoke, "Oh, I love you too Mommy." There was more mumbling on the phone. He suddenly got up and came over to me on the couch, handing me the phone and laughing.
I looked confused, as he laughed, "Mommy wants to talk to you, she's mad."
My thoughts became lost, Carlisle was laughing along with Esme, Rosalie and Alice were giggling, Emmett slapped my head and said "Ohhh, you're in trouble now."
I picked up the phone as Mason went back to coloring with his sister.
I cleared my throat and breathed, "Hello Bella." I said.
I heard her clear her throat too, "Edward…" she said, a tone in her voice.
"Bella let me explain…" I got up and at a slower human speed went outside, away from all of the laughs.
She seemed mad, "Explain what? That out of all 7 Cullen's you, YOU, happened to be the only available person to pick up my kids?"
"Oh Bella, I just offered after I heard you talking to Carlisle, besides they thoroughly enjoyed it."
"Yea well…" She huffed into the phone.
I laughed, and she spoke again, "Stop laughing Edward, it's not funny."
I heard her drop something and mutter, "Is everything ok?" I asked cautiously.
A few silent seconds later she responded, "Yea, it was nothing, well I have to go, tell my kids I love them, bye." She said quickly, and then the line went dead.
I heard the dial for a few seconds then later said, "Bye."
--
I woke up to a wake up call at 6:45am, the polite voice reminded me. I quickly got up and showered, I put on a black dress and black heels, a black trench coat as well. I flipped my hair out of my coat as I packed my little suitcase, my heels were killing my feet, but I didn't pack any other shoes.
I got another call, and politely answered, "Hello," I said while packing.
"Hello Miss Swan, there is a guest down here waiting for you." The polite voice said.
I started to get confused, "I'm sorry I wasn't expecting anyone, may I ask who it is?"
"Yes, it's a Mr. Van Dell, the uh owner of this hotel."
I smiled widely and started to giggle, the owner of this 5 star hotel… what else?
"Would you like me to tell him you're coming down Miss Swan?" she asked politely.
"Uh, yes, tell him I'll be right down." I said as I put the phone down, I rolled my suitcase down the hallway and to the elevator, telling the attendant to head down towards the lobby.
The elevators opened to find Mr. Van Dell staring up at a chandelier, he was wearing a casual sweater and fitting jeans, it went well with his pale jeans. Many other women were going by, pointing and gasping over his 'perfect' body.
I rolled my suitcase over to him; he looked down when I reached him.
I smiled as he said, "Well Miss Swan, you look wonderful today."
I cleared my throat, "Yes, well thank you Mr. Van Dell."
He looked into my eyes, "I felt terrible for being so rude to you yesterday, I was just wondering if I could take you to breakfast before you leave." He smiled.
"Oh uh well, Mr. Van Dell…" I was about to say no, but he interrupted,
"Please Miss Swan, call me Ian."
I stopped, "Yes, Ian, well I must be getting back to my home and kids…"
He looked confused, "Ah, how many kids do you have Miss Swan?"
I sighed, "Two, but as you know, I'm about to have my third." I sighed again.
He nodded, "I see, well if you don't mind me asking, do they all have the same father?"
I bit my lip, wanting to yell at him for the rude, obscene comment.
"Yes Mr. Van Dell, they do my husband." I added a little evil, mad smile and head shake.
He looked confused again, "Oh so you're married…" he sighed, looking down at my now obvious ring on my left hand.
I tightened my fist and looked up at him, "Uh well, my husband died in a car wreck a few months ago." I said.
Pity filled his face and eyes, his lips sealed together. "I am so sorry and embarrassed Miss Swan."
"Yes well… it's not your fault, you didn't know." I looked down.
"Well, to make up for my rude comment, I'd like to take you to breakfast, I know you must be starved from waking up this early…" He smiled.
I grabbed my suitcase's handle and cleared my throat, "I really should be getting going Mr. Van Dell, excuse me." I started to walk away but he caught my hand.
I turned around and felt his ice cold hand, he quickly let go and looked away.
"Please Miss Swan, I'd never forgive myself if I left you leave thinking I was some rude, rich guy."
I rolled my eyes, "Fine Mr. Van Dell, "I sighed.
"Good, well would you join me to the dining hall?" He pointed his hand towards the hall as I rolled my suitcase along.
"Oh no need Miss Swan, I'll have someone go put that in your car and bring it up." At that moment a bell boy came and asked for my bag, Mr. Van Dell handed him a twenty dollar bill.
The bell boy took my luggage onto a cart then turned towards me, "Your keys miss…"
I handed him my keys which were in my hand, and he took off.
Mr. Van Dell and I walked to the dining hall, and we were seated for two.
I ordered a quick breakfast as he ordered nothing, my final thoughts on what he was cleared.
I sighed as I knew what he was, "Nothing for you Mr. Van Dell?" The waiter asked.
"Oh no nothing for me, thank you." He smiled.
I took a sip of my water as he smiled and turned to me.
"So you're husband…" he started to say.
I puckered my lips then sighed. "He was a great, Mr. Van Dell. The perfect husband," I smiled," and the best dad, literally." I sighed.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Miss Swan." He said.
I cleared my throat, "Thank you that means a great deal for me and my family."
At that moment, very quickly my food came, and I started picking at my food, it didn't smell or taste appealing, my hormones were kicking in, I felt sick when picking.
He noticed, "Is something wrong Miss Swan?" He said, waving to our waiter who was coming over quickly.
"Oh no, nothing it's just I'm losing my appetite slowly with this baby…"
He stopped signaling for the waiter, who turned around, and I put down my fork.
"Maybe we should get some fresh air, would you like to go for a walk in the park?" He smiled.
I sighed, "Sure Mr. Van Dell."
He smiled, "Ian, please."
"…Ian." I corrected.
We walked out to the park, filled with morning runners and other slight walkers.
"So," I started to say, "You own a hotel and huge house, anything else?" I laughed.
He laughed along, "Well… a few cars too and well a few other non needed things." He smiled.
I shook my head and laughed, "Oh yea, that's all…" I laughed.
He smiled.
"So you go by Miss Swan, is that you're husband's name?" He asked with caution.
I sighed and let out a trail of visible air, "No, it was Black, but the name was too, too haunting for me, so I changed it back to my maiden name."
He nodded, "I see, and your kids, how old are they?"
"I have Madeline who is six and Mason who is five." I said.
"Madeline and Mason, "he repeated. "Beautiful names."
I smiled, "Yea."
"And you work for Mr. Cheney?" he asked.
"Yes, well only till April. I'm old friend with him and his wife, and am doing him a few favors around the office, I'm really a teacher, but I'm not working till next school year." I said.
"Oh, I see, do you like to teach?" He said.
"Well, I haven't actually taught yet, although I'm qualified, I just stayed at home with the kids."
He nodded.
I finally asked, "What do you do for a living Mr. Van Dell?"
"Ian…" he said, but continued. "I just run the hotel. It's been in my uh, family, for generations."
I nodded, "Oh, and you're not married, no kids." I asked him to make him think I'm oblivious to the fact that I know he was a vampire…
"No, I've never been married, and have never been interested in kids." He said quickly.
"Oh, well… hopefully you meet someone soon." I smiled.
He sighed, "Yea, soon…" We reached the end of the path and looked above to see the hotel, we walked back.
I shook his hand, "It was good to meet you, Ian. I'll tell Ben it was good to meet you." I smiled.
"Yes, I'll call Mr. Cheney and tell him you'll be home soon, thank you again, Miss Swan." He smiled, kissing my hand.
I blushed, "Bella." I smiled.
"Bella." He repeated as if it were a song…
I finally blurted out, "Do you happen to know the Cullen's?" I asked, feeling stupid.
He smiled, "Ah the Cullen's, yes. Do you know them?" He asked.
"Uh yes, they are… more friends of mine." I smiled.
He nodded, "Yes, well I see you have a long trip home Bella, I'll let you go."
I got into the car and drove off; he walked back into the hotel, dialing on his cell phone.
Author's Note: Alright, well, I was thinking about my story last night, as it's slowly
being wrapped up, into about 25 chapters, maybe 24, anyways, I was thinking.
My main goal in writing this story was to tweak it to make her somehow choose Jake,
to see what the other life style would have been. I didn't want to tweak it any further though,
make things unreal, people out of character, etc. So I tried hard to make it similar, but in my own words.
Well there were some things that were tweaked, but I stayed up late last night writing down all my
tweaks, and found answers for them... so I'm thinking that after I'm done I just might add another chapter,
like a FAQ kind of thing, except no one will really be asking, it's just me, ha!
but hey, if you have a question for me go ahead and ask it, I'll respond, I promise :)
Just don't ask what happens, it's obviously in the upcoming chapters.
hint: chapter 21, is long... very long... so be prepared for that, I think I might go over the limit.
Don't worry though, It's not exceptionally long, just big things happen in that chapter, all 3,513 words... ha, I'm so sorry guys,
but there's no way I can cut it in half, so hopefully you'll enjoy it :)
Till Then, Elizabeth
