Disclaimer: I neither own Twilight nor Autumn of the Witch

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Six

When Bella returned home from her train wreck of a meeting with Jake she was greeted by none other than the sneering face of her step-mother.

"Well, well, well if it isn't miss 'holier than thou'. Who would have ever guessed that miss 'Prim and Proper' would be dating one man while sneaking around with another?" Renee said by way of greeting her step-daughter as soon as she saw her. "I have to give it to you Bella I never pegged you for the kind who would do such things. It just goes to show that there are really wolves walking around in sheep cloths. I just pity poor Jake who you've been stringing along all this time until you caught a 'bigger fish'. There are names for women like you none of which are very flattering, you—"

"Shut up Renee! You know nothing about me or my relationships, so mind you own damn business. I am not my father who you can cow down with you annoying voice and disgusting theatrics. I have never nor will I ever care what your opinion of me is; you are only my father's wife not my mother so you can take you snide comments and shove it. Now I've had a long day and I will be meeting my future in-laws for the first time tomorrow and I wish to be well rested when I do. So I will be heading up to my room to rest now." Bella snapped at a clearly surprised Renee. Bella had never stood up to her step-mother before but with all that she's been through that day Renee's criticism was the last thing she need right now. She walked pass Renee and up the stairs to her room.

As soon as she got to her room and closed her door Bella collapsed unto her bed and cried, she cried because she was mad at the world, mad at Renee for her comments, mad at her father for making bad business decisions, mad at Edward for forcing her into this, and mad at herself for getting trapped into this. She cried herself to sleep that night.

For the second day in a row she woke in the early hours of the morning and went to look out her window as she contemplated what her life would be from now on. She would be stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who she didn't even know, a man who didn't even want her as a wife but as a mother for his daughter. Thinking about his daughter made her nervous, what if Elizabeth didn't like her? Would Edward still go through with the wedding? Would he still finance SWA if he called off the wedding because Elizabeth didn't like her? What about his family? Would they approve of her? Were they as cold and heartless as Edward?

Bella may not know a lot about them but everyone knew of the Cullen's. They were like America's very own royal family. They owned multiple businesses around the world all under the parent company Cullen Enterprise. She could only hope that they were as pleasant as they were portrayed in the media, but she was very skeptical.

Walking over to her desk and turning on her computer Bella decided to do some research and find out more about the family she would be marrying into in a few weeks. She had found out that the Cullen's were originally from Italy and moved to American in the 1800's but they still maintained strong ties in Italy and even had many businesses there.

Edward was the head of Cullen Enterprise, which was a syndicate that owned many different types of businesses from restaurants to airlines and anything between. Edward took over leadership of the syndicate fifteen years ago when his grandfather Edward Sr. retired. Edward had tripled the company's profit within the first five years of his leadership and since then the organization has steadily grown, in profits and acquired business.

Bella found out that Edward was the oldest of three children born to Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Unlike the many generations of Cullen men before him Carlisle had opted to pursue a career in medicine instead of joining the family business. He is a world renowned surgeon, one of the best in the field and Chief of Medicine at New York's biggest hospital – Sacred Heart Memorial. Esme was a fashion designer and interior decorator, but she is now retired and dedicates her time to several charity organizations.

Edward's younger sister Rosalie Cullen-McCarty the middle child and only girl was thirty years old. She followed in their father's footsteps and also pursued a career in medicine. She also worked at Sacred Heart Memorial and was one of the best in her field. Rosalie married her longtime boyfriend Emmett McCarty five years prior. Emmett McCarty, the son of another one of New York's elite families, was a lawyer for Cullen enterprise.

Jasper Cullen was the youngest of the three, only twenty five years old, he like his older brother decided to join the family business right after finishing his masters. He now worked under his brother at Cullen Enterprise.

All the Cullen's had apparently went to Columbia University and even had the library there named after them.

She found plenty information about all the Cullen's, but there was nothing mentioned about Elizabeth's mother. The only thing she could find was that Edward had a daughter with an old flame and that he moved away to Sicily shortly after she was born, and apparently left a lot of broken hearts in his wake since he was New York's most eligible bachelor.

Bella stood and looked at herself in the mirror she was dressed and waiting for Edward to pick her up for dinner with his family. She was dressed in a green dress that stop an inch or two above the knee, nude pumps and a pair of earrings and a necklace given to her by her father on her last birthday, her hair was let down in loose curls and she wore very little makeup. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, trying to make sure she was presentable and appropriately dressed to meet her future in-laws.

She was very nervous, and even though her marriage to Edward would not be a real one in the conventional sense, it would be in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of everyone around them. She wanted to make a good impression on his family and she wanted them to approve of her and like her. She had decided that even though she would be stuck in a loveless marriage she was going make the best of it and to get to know her future family and maybe should could find happiness with them. Surely they could not all be as cold and calculating as he was?

At exactly seven o' clock Millie knocked on Bella's door to inform her that Edward was there to pick her up.

Thanking Millie, Bella picked up her purse, giving herself one more glance in the mirror before walking out of her room to meet Edward, it was show time.

After driving up a long and winding driveway Edward pulled up to a beautiful mansion. I was a large white three story house.

"Well here we are, all you have to do is smile, look pretty and remember that we are newly engaged and very much in love. You seem to be able to pull it off in front of your family so this shouldn't be any different." Edward said as he parked the car and went around to Bella's side to open the door for her. "It's show time fiancé."

Bella had to suppress the overwhelming urge to punch Edward in his pretty little nose as she allowed her to place his hand on the small of her back and lead her to the front door instead. "Does your family know about our engagement?"

"Not yet, my mother knows I will be bringing over someone I have been dating, but that's it." Edward replied.

As soon as they reached the front door it was pulled yanked open by a beautiful woman, who had the same hair and eye color as Edward. She had a warm, inviting smile on her face as she greeted them.

"Oh Edward dear, its lovely to see you." she said pulling her son into a tight embrace as soon as they entered the house. "And you my dear must be Isabella, and what a fitting name. You are a true beauty." She said pulling Bella into one of her warm motherly hugs.

Bella was surprised but quickly returned the embrace; she hadn't had a motherly hug since her mother passes away eight years ago and almost forgot what it felt like. "Thank you for having me Mrs. Cullen."

"Oh, none of that my dear Isabella, please call me Esme, Mrs. Cullen is my mother-in-law."

"Ok Esme, but please call me Bella."

"Well come along you two everyone is waiting in the living room." Esme said as she took Bella's hand and led her into the living room to meet the rest of the Cullen brood.

When they walked into the room Bella could recognize everyone since she had seen their pictures on line. There was Edward's father—Carlisle who was standing next to the fire place talking to Jasper Edward's younger brother, both tall blond good looking men with similar lean muscular built had a drink in each hand and were the first to see Esme enter the room with Bella by her side and Edward trailing behind them. The other occupants of the room were Edwards's brother-in-law a huge bear of a man who had a warm smile on his face and Edward's sister Rosalie a tall gorgeous blond who looked like she just walked off the cover of a magazine, in fact the entire family looked like they should be gracing the covers of magazines. Bella could only hope that they were not all as cold and rude as Edward.

"And who is this beauty you have with you Mother?" Jasper, ever the flirt was the first to ask.

"This is Bella, Edward's guest." Esme answered with a smile.

"Well hello, beautiful Bella, I am Jasper, Edward's much more handsome younger brother." Jasper introduced himself as he walked over to Bella and kissed the back of her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Bella replied as a blush spread across her face.

"Back off Jasper." Edward warned his brother a smile spreading across his face, as he walked over and pulled Bella away from his brother. "Bella, this is my father Carlisle, my sister Rosalie and her husband Emmett, guys this is Bella." Edward said introducing Bella to the rest of his family.

"Bella it's a pleasure to meet you." Carlisle said as he offered his hand which Bella shook as she offered him a pleasant smile shook his hand. She offered a smile to Rosalie who barely acknowledged her and Emmett pulled her into a big bear hug as way of greeting.

"Edward, robbing the cradle now?" Emmett joked as he gave Edward a friendly slap on the back.

"Shut up Em." Edward joked back.

Once all the pleasantries were over everyone sat down in the couches, arm chairs or love seats around the room. "Well now that the introductions are over I have some news for you guys." Edward said as he got everyone's attention. "Well, for the past few months Bella and I have been dating and I recently asked her to marry me, and she accepted."

"Oh my goodness, that is amazing." Esme squealed as she rushed over to Edward and Bella who were sitting in a love seat across from her and pulled them both onto a warm embrace as she congratulated them. "Oh Edward, Bella congratulations, I am so happy for you both. Bella I know that we just met but I know you will be a great addition to this family."

"Thank you Esme, that means a lot."

"Damn, never thought I would see the day Edward Cullen decided to take a wife." Emmett said as he congratulated the couple.

"Edward, man I was just planning to convince Bella to ditch you for me, but I guess you already claimed her as yours, and I can't believe I did not see that ring until now, its fucking huge. Congrats bro," Jasper said to his older brother.

"Jasper, watch your language." Esme rebuked her son.

"Sorry Mom."

Soon everyone was once again on their feet as they congratulated the pair.

"So when is the big day?" Rosalie asked she had been very quiet until now; she was very protective of her family and as such very hesitant and distant around people she didn't know.

"August tenth." Edward answered.

"Is she pregnant?" Rose wanted to know.

"No Rose, we just both want to start our life together as soon as possible." Edward told his sister.

"Well you can't blame me for asking. You haven't mentioned seeing anyone and all of a sudden you bring this child here and tell us that you are getting married?" Rosalie questioned, turning to Bella she asked, "Well if you aren't pregnant then what is your game?"

"Escuse me?" Bella asked completely caught off guard by the hostility.

"Don't play innocent with me are you after my brother's money?"

"Rosalie." Edward warned his voice firm.

"I am only looking out for the best interest of—"

"I know and I appreciate your concern." Edward said.

"Well congratulation." Rosalie said before she got up and excused herself from the room.

"Well we have a lot to get done. Have you guys informed your family yet Bella?" Esme asked, trying to break the tense silence that had suddenly fallen over the room.

"Yes, we did."

"Excuse me everyone, but dinner is ready to be server," said the Cullen's butler from where he stood at the entrance of the room.

"Ok Bella, remember to come by tomorrow so we can start making wedding arrangements and bring whoever you would like to help with the planning." Esme told Bella as she was seeing them off after a very pleasant evening.

"Ok Esme I will be sure to." Bella said as the returned Esme's hug. She had had a great time that evening with Edward's family. Everyone was very warm and welcoming and she felt as if she belonged, everyone that is except Rosalie. Rosalie and been very distant and hardly ever said anything to Bella, she barely acknowledging Bella's presence. Even Edward had been at his best, he smiled and laughed and joked around, it was a part of him that Bella would not have believed existed had she not seen it for herself.

Once they were done saying their good nights, Edward led Bella out to his car where he once again opened her door before he walked around to the driver's side and got in.

"Well that went great." He said as he pulled off. "They all seem to buy our story and they approve of you."

"Except your sister, she's as cold as you are, did I do something to offend her?"

"Rosalie has always been distant with strangers; she takes a while to warm up to people. That's just how she is; it's nothing personally about you." Edward said ignoring that she called him cold.

"When will I be meeting your daughter?"

"I will be going to Sicily to take care of some business and I will be bringing her back to New York with me then so, next week I think."

"Ok, what if she doesn't like me, will we still go through with this?" Bella asked the question that was on her mind.

"I'm sure she'll like you. Elizabeth is a very warm and open child." Edward said as a warm smile spread across his face as he spoke about his daughter.

Bella could tell that he cared very deeply for his child. She really wanted to ask him about her mother but did not want to pry. She could now take comfort in the fact that even thought Edward was cold and heartless when they were alone at least he was pleasant around his family. And his family was very nice and welcoming to her so maybe she would not be as miserable as she thought. After all Edward had told her that he led a busy life so she doubted that she would see him very often. Now all she had to do was hope her meeting with Elizabeth goes well and that they get along better than Bella got along with her own step mother. She could hardly believe that in a matter of weeks she will be a wife and step mother.