Disclaimer: I neither own Twilight nor Autumn of the Witch
Chapter Five
After dropping Bella off at her father's home Peter drove to Upper East Side New York to Edward's mansion to see him as he was ordered to do.
When he entered the house he was told by Edward's butler – Marcus that Mr. Cullen was awaiting his arrival in his office. Thanking Marcus, Peter made his way to Edward's home office.
"Edward, you asked me to see you once I dropped Ms. Swan off at her father's residence."Peter said in a monotone voice when he entered the office.
"Have a seat. I'd very much like to discuss what the hell you thought you were doing meeting with Swan's daughter." Edward demanded.
"My meeting with her was for purely personal reasons. I had no intention of doing anything to compromise the company take over, not that either Ms. Swan or I had that kind of power anyways." Peter explained.
"Oh, so now it is Ms. Swan, earlier I thought you two were on a first name basis." Edward said as he studied his longtime friend and employee. "Tonight you went to that restaurant and acted like a silly love struck fool and I do not want to ever see a repeat of such nonsense. I need to know that as my right hand man you are able to make the hard calls and not let important decisions be affected by your emotions and personal feelings. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Peter answered, he knew that Edward saw emotions as a weakness when it came to making good business decisions and he usually was right, but not everything in life was a business deal. Sometimes one needed to use their emotions as their compass and emotions especially love can often be the greatest strength.
Edward sat back in his chair as he regarded his employee and friend. He was pissed at Peter for going behind his back and meeting with Isabella Swan but he knew that Peter would never do anything to jeopardize the company and its interest so he easily forgave his actions. "Good," was all he said.
"Edward what exactly is it that you are planning with this offer you made Ms. Swan. I am sure that you do not simply want her as a nanny; Lizzie has Emily who I am sure will agree to move here to take care of her. So what game are you playing?" Peter asked the question that had been bothering him since Edward mentioned his offer at the restaurant, he had his suspicions, but he really hoped he was wrong.
Edward smirked at Peter; he knew full well that Peter knew what he was planning. "There is no game her Peter, I think I am beginning to see logic in your words, you are the one who is always telling me that Lizzie needs a feminine touch in her life so I have decided to finally take your advice and give her one." Edward answered.
"I know what I said to you but what I meant was that you should find a woman, date her fall in love and marry her, not use the offer of helping Swan's company as leverage to make his daughter Lizzie's unwilling Au Pair, she needs a mother not another nanny." Peter argued.
"I have no intention to make her an Au Pair. I intend to marry Ms. Swan, and thereby giving Elizabeth the mother she deserves. Ms. Swan will be perfect for Lizzie, she is young beautiful, educated and above all wonderful with children, I think she is even better suited as a mother than the woman who gave birth to Lizzie. What more could I ask for?"
"You want to marry her?" Peter asked incredulously, when Edward finally confirmed his suspicions. "Edward, you can get any woman you want to marry you. Why must you choose Isabella, you clearly have no feelings for her."
"Peter this is not about me and whether or not I can find a woman. I have no doubts in my abilities, but I do not seek a real wife, I will admit that Ms. Swan is quite the beauty and I find her quite endearing, but my priority is and will always be what is in the best interest of my daughter. Right now that is finding her a mother as you have pointed out more times than I can count, I do believe that Ms. Swan will be the perfect person for that role." Edward said. He was very impressed with what he found out about Isabella Swan when he read the file with her background check. She is beautiful, smart, generous and strong, all great traits in a suitable partner for a man of his stature. He had to admit that she was rather very young but seemed to possess wisdom and maturity beyond her years.
"Edward you led her to believe that you are offering to finance her father's company in exchange for her being your live-in nanny. If she accepts that offer how do you plan on turning that into a marriage?" Peter asked.
"Tisk, tisk Peter." Edward said shaking his head as he looked at his employee, a mischievous smirk gracing his handsome face. "It sounds like you doubt me. It is not an if but a when she accepts. And as always I have everything planned. All you have to do is wait and see." Edward said confidently.
"I really should know better by now. What Edward Cullen wants Edward Cullen always gets consequences be damned."Peter said in a defeated toned, he really had feelings for Isabella, but it seems that he would have to get over it real quick.
"Peter I know you have a little crush on her, but I'm sure you will get over it in no time." Edward said as if he was reading the younger man's thought. "Besides weren't you seeing that girl that wanted to set me up with her friend? What was her name, Lisa, Laurie?"
"Lauren, I haven't seen her in weeks. It was just casual." Peter said. "When were you planning on telling me about this move to New York?" He asked turning the conversation away from him and his feelings.
Edward looked contemplative for a moment before he answered honestly. "I have been thinking about it for awhile. Elizabeth is getting older and growing up away from her family isn't good for her, she gets so happy when they visit and devastated when they leave. I just thing staying in Sicily isn't the best thing for us now. But I hadn't made any definite decision until you brought her up in the conversation at the restaurant tonight. That's when I came up with this plan."
AN: Just a really short chapter the next chapter should be up in a few days.