I own nothing. But my beta owns a cardboard cut out of Edward… Jus sayin.
17
epov
"Bellllllla! Can you grab some more salt for my popcorn? Oh and a beer! And that bag of skittles!"
I roll my eyes at Emmett. He's already on his second bowl of popcorn and the interview hasn't even started yet.
"Emmett Charles Swan you get up off your fat ass and get it yourself!"
Bella storms out of the kitchen holding two beers, and glaring daggers at Emmett. My poor angel is so stressed. With work, the court case, and our interview airing tonight, she is on overload. I'm going to have to take her on a vacation. Perhaps a private beach for a week or two.
"My ass is not fat! It's solid muscle! Shall I prove it?"
Bella gags while handing me a beer. She settles herself beside me on the couch looking like she's fighting the urge to puke. Hell, she probably is. I know I am.
"Emmett, I swear to God if those pants come off I'll murder you. Slowly. I guarantee Charlie will help me bury your body."
Emmett glares and starts grumbling about crooked cops while we all watch him, amused.
Alice and Jasper come strolling into the living room laughing at something (probably the size of Jasper's peen).
Shudder. That would mean my baby sister has seen it...
I visibly gag. I've really got to watch how I mentally make fun of my friends. This can't be good for my health.
"Are you ok, Edward?"
I turn to Bella and see her big, brown eyes flashing in concern.
I grimace at my thoughts and nod. Bella furrows her brows, obviously not believing me, and probably trying to decide whether or not she should push me. I shake my head 'no' telling her to drop it. She nods, eyes me a second longer, then turns to Emmett.
"So, big brother, did Charlie tell you the news?"
Emmett's eyes widen and he nods. Charlie had called Bella up yesterday wanting her to come and meet his girlfriend. We didn't even know he was dating. So, it came as a shock to us when he asked us to come to Forks this weekend to meet her.
After Bella freaked out for about ten minutes, we got her to agree.
It's not that she isn't happy for her father, she's just shocked. It's more than obvious that he still loves Renee; even twenty-some years after she left.
"Are you going to Forks this weekend?"
Emmett sighs.
"I was hoping all six of us could go down. We're all his kids in some way. And it's just..."
Emmett trails off and gets lost in his own head, as he so often does. He looks like he's trying to multiply 438 by 9,372 or something. It's just not natural for Emmett to think. If they weren't talking about something so serious I would laugh at him.
"What Emmett?"
Bella's musical voice serenades us with a harmony lacing her own pain. The divorce was so hard on both of them. Jasper told me it was like they retreated within themselves. They barely even spoke to him and he was over at their house every day.
Emmett sighs.
"I'm happy for Charlie. I really am. It's just... It's bringing it all back."
Bella nods.
"I know."
I throw my arm around her and pull her into my body. My angel can't be upset because when she hurts, I hurt. Bella cuddles into me and lets me comfort her while squeezing her eyes shut.
Emmett's normal shit eating grin is nowhere to be seen. Rosalie grabs a hold of his hand but lets him be. It's best not to try to talk him down when he's like this. It only ends in him storming off. We let him be to gather his own thoughts while Alice and Jasper both agree to come with us.
I was honestly already assuming they would be coming. I'm surprised Charlie hasn't already called Jasper himself to ask him to come down.
Alice fills the silence with the arrangements for Saturday when we head down to Forks. She decides Jasper will drive us all down in his SUV and we'll be staying at Carlisle and Esme's. When she finally shuts up, Emmett and Bella are back to themselves. Thank God. I hate seeing my angel hurt.
"Jasper, did you ever find someone to head the PR department?" Rosalie asks.
Jasper sighs. He heads up the Seattle office for Cullen Enterprises. Carlisle wanted someone he could trust to run the office. He really has had his fill of greedy corporate hot shots fucking things up. Jasper's perfect for his job.
"No, and it's a fucking nightmare. I haven't had a single trustworthy person walk in for an interview."
Rosalie nods.
"I had an idea. I think Bella would be perfect for the job."
Bella whips her head to Rosalie in shock.
"I already have a job."
Rosalie shrugs.
"Yeah, and they're running you down. How can you work in an environment that hangs your job over your head every day? I mean your douche bag bosses see it fit to remind you that they wouldn't mind firing you every single day. It's not good for you, sweetie. You should see the things it's doing to your complection."
Bella sighs.
"They're just keeping an eye on me."
I glare at thin air, fighting the urge to yell and scream. Maybe kick a chair or two. I've seen Bella break down at least five times over the shit they've said to her. And I only saw her break down because she didn't know I was around.
"No, Bella. They're bastards. And you would be perfect for the job," Says Alice.
Bella glares at Rosalie and Alice who are obviously ganging up on her. She begins to speak but Jasper interrupts her.
"Bella, you would be perfect for this. Seriously. And I trust you with my life. You would be making triple what you make now. You would get to make your own schedule and would only have to answer to me. Meaning you'd be making me answer to you."
We all laugh at Jasper's honesty. She has him wrapped around her tiny finger. I look over at Bella and I can see the wheels turning in her head. This would be really good for her. I can see the light die in her eyes every day she leaves for work, only to return when I walk in the door at night.
It's not worth it if you don't enjoy your work anymore.
"I'll think about it, Jazz."
Jasper smirks. He's going to fight tooth and nail to get her to agree. With Alice and Rosalie backing him up, Bella doesn't stand a chance.
"Emmett, change the channel! It's about to come on!"
I jump at Alice's screech, causing Bella to bust out laughing. I playfully glare at Bella before turning my attention to the T.V.
A preview of our interview shows before it goes into commercial. We're all silent, waiting for the interview to start. When it finally comes on, Bella starts to clam up.
"Relax, love. Everything is going to be just fine."
She sighs and nods, keeping her attention on the television.
Following her lead, I turn to the T.V. myself and am instantly drawn to the beauty of Bella on screen. She looks beautiful, as she always does. Her white blouse brings out her blush, making her mouth watering in my opinion.
"So, Edward, how did you two meet?"
And so we all watch the interview in silence. No one even speaks during commercials. It looks like everyone is fighting the urge to blink. I fight the urge to laugh and refocus my attention to the interview.
When it finally ends, every one makes sure to tell Bella they love her, too, after her little shout out at the end of the interview. I smile at all of them and pull Bella back into my side. She is such an amazing creature, and you couldn't even tell she was nervous in the interview. She was gracious and even graceful, something you would normally not describe Bella as.
The phone rings and Bella jumps up to go grab it as the gang all talk amongst themselves, joking about random bullshit. It's nice that they're not all caught up in the publicity and stuff. I mean, we were just on a nationally televised program. Hell, they were mentioned. And here we have Emmett and Jasper arguing over who has more toe jam.
Gag.
"Hey, Jazz, Charlie wants to talk to you."
I roll my eyes. It's about damn time Charlie invited him personally. Luckily, it ends the toe jam conversation and the girls begin speaking about how Bella looked. Bella rolls her eyes at them as she joins me on the couch.
"So, Bells, are you glad that's over?" Emmett asks.
Bella sighs.
"It's not over. It's the beginning. We just practically invited the paparazzi to stalk us now. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some out front right now."
I sigh and bury my face and Bella's hair.
I'm such a monster for putting her through this. But her name is clear and she deserves it. Rosalie and Alice both go running for the windows only to come back with grim expressions. I guess Bella was right. I wonder how long it will take for them to realize we're boring and they'll back off.
"See? Are you all prepared to handle it? Because they will be stalking you, too."
There was a collective eye roll throughout the room, even from Jasper who was still on the phone with Charlie. Gotta give the man points for following two different conversations at one time.
"We'll be fine, Bella. Just worry about yourself. It's not the first time we've been through this. And I doubt they'll be as ruthless as last time," Says Rosalie.
I sigh. How the hell could I have missed that? I know I was practically living under a rock, but how the hell did I have no idea that they were all basically terrorized by the paparazzi after the wedding?
Immense guilt flows through me but quickly leaves. I need to do what Bella tells me to do and look at our future. And by God I can't wait for the rest of our lives to really begin. I just need to get a rock on her finger, first.
"Edward? Where are you?"
I look over at Bella and furrow my brows. I would think it's quite obvious where I am, right next to her. She rolls her eyes, apparently knowing what I was thinking.
"You phased out there for a minute."
I sigh.
"Sorry, just thinking."
"I know you were, babe, care to share?"
I smirk, shaking my head 'no.' I'm sure she knows we'll be married at some point but I'm not going to be dropping the clues about when I plan on asking her. The second the judge announces I'm divorced, I'm falling to one knee and proposing. But she doesn't need to know that.
Bella shakes her head and turns back to the conversation. Not long later, we all say good night and split off to our own rooms. Bella falls asleep the second her head hits the pillow. I watch her sleep for a while, trying to figure out how to ease her stress.
Of course there is sex but her problems will still be waiting for her the second her 'o' face goes away.
Damnit.
She really needs to consider Jasper's offer to work at Cullen Enterprises. She has too much hanging over her head at Harmony Publishing. She's put down every single day by her bosses. She doesn't even enjoy her job anymore. And I know she would be happy at Cullen Enterprises. She wouldn't have anyone yelling shit at her- Jasper wouldn't dare. Neither would dad.
I'm doing the best I can to shield her from the court case but I can't let her go in blind. That's not the right way to protect her. I'll just have to be satisfied with the fact that I'm doing the best I can for her in that department.
She sighs and snuggles further into me in her sleep. I tighten my hold around her making sure she knows I'm here for her. I'll do whatever I can to make sure life is good for her. No matter what. With that last thought I finally drift off to sleep, with my arms around my angel.
The week passed by agonizingly slowly. We were literally chased down by the paparazzi. Rosalie was even knocked down at one point. She, of course, reciprocated by kicking the guy in the nads, adding another lawsuit of my list of things to worry about.
But I insisted we do this interview, like an idiot, and I will do whatever I can to protect every one of them. And Rosalie will have the best defense out there. Me. I should be able to have this dropped in about a week.
It's finally Saturday and we're all packed and ready to head down to Forks. The temporary escape will be nice. No paparazzi, no questions, no cameras... Just us. If only it wasn't so emotionally stressful for Emmett and Bella.
But they're both holding strong, joking around. I occasionally catch a shadow fly through Bella's eyes as we prepare to leave but she's holding herself together. I just have to be there for her.
We finally leave and the conversation of Bella working for Cullen Enterprises comes back up, making me ecstatic.
"Bella, have you considered my offer?"
Bella rolls her eyes at Jasper, "I'm not even qualified."
"Yes, you are. I say you are. Carlisle agrees with me so don't even try that route. I don't understand why you're being so stubborn about this."
Emmett snorts at Jasper.
"Do you know Bella at all? She's stubborn about what grocery stores she shops at!"
Bella glares at Emmett, "Hey! I just won't shop at Kroger after the incident."
Emmett and Jasper both bust out laughing while I look at them in confusion. What the hell happened at Kroger?
Emmett, noticing my confusion, decides to fill me in.
"Ok, so one time we took her to Kroger so she could get some stuff to make us some lasagna. We'd been begging her all week for some so she finally gives in. So we get there and Classic Bella doesn't see that they're mopping the floors. She trips over the 'wet floor' sign, goes sliding across the floor, knocks the poor boy that's mopping over, sending him into a display of cupcakes. Cupcakes go flying every where leaving the both of them completely covered in frosting. Funniest fucking thing I've ever seen!"
Every one busts out laughing except for Bella who is still glaring at Emmett.
"Well I would have been watching where I was going if I didn't have to keep you from running down every single aisle for random food!"
This just causes us all to laugh harder, now getting the complete picture. Bella's face is bright red, making her look delectable. I calm my laughter, now feeling horny. The things that blush does to me… She sees the look in my eyes and glares.
I lean down and start kissing and nipping her neck, hoping for a hand job or something. I would be more than happy to return the favor, of course. Bella pushes me off glaring, but I can see her fighting the urge to smile. Emmett, sitting in the seat in front of us, turns around and immediately knows what's going on.
"Eww!!! DUDE THAT'S MY SISTER! I'm in the damn car man!"
I pull back from Bella laughing, with her giggling along with me. Emmett buries his face in his hands while the rest of us continue to laugh at him.
The rest of the drive continues in the same fashion, us all laughing at Emmett for random stuff, and the occasional funny story.
We finally arrive in Forks two hours later. The anticipation is palpable in the car, but Emmett and Bella are slightly somber. I kiss her cheek, reminding her I'm there for her. She smiles at me slightly before leaning forward and resting her head against Emmett's back.
She watches the scenery through the window as we drive and I just watch her. Several emotions flash across her beautiful face. Anger, sadness, happiness, excitement. It seems she can't decide how to feel. Emmett sighs and turns to Bella.
"At least the old man is getting a decent meal several times a week. His arteries have got to be clogged to the max by now."
Bella sighs but smiles.
"Good point."
They grin and stare at each other, seemingly to forget the car full of people watching them. They used to do this all of the time, driving all of us crazy. It's good that they have each other but this can go on for hours if we let it.
"We're here."
Jasper parks the car and we all pile out. Charlie's house hasn't changed a bit in all these years. Emmett and Bella's old rusty Chevy that finally died is parked in the driveway, along side the cruiser, and a red Neon I've never seen before. Must be the girlfriend's car.
I grab a hold of Bella's hand and we all file towards the house. The door flies open, revealing a very excited looking Charlie, which is rare. Shocking, even. He isn't a man of many emotions but I'm glad to see that he's coming out of his shell and proving how happy he really is.
Both Bella and Emmett perk up seeing their father's excited demeanor, causing the rest of the gang to perk up as well.
"Bella! Emmett! You brought them all! Good, good! Get in the house!"
We all chuckle and file in the door. Charlie grabs Bella in for a hug while we all stand by and watch, smiling. He shakes both Emmett and Jasper's hands before coming to me.
"Edward, my boy, how the hell are ya?"
I chuckle. It's the same old, Charlie.
"I'm good. And how are you?"
He smiles.
"I'm great."
He leaves me to greet Alice and Rosalie, pulling them both in for enthusiastic hugs. He loves them as if they were his own. Spoils the heck out of them, too. Like they need it. I look to my left and see a nice looking woman with raven black hair and laugh lines watching on with a smile.
So this must be the girlfriend.
Charlie walks over to her, putting an arm around her waist. He beams at her before introducing as us all.
"Kids, meet Sue Clearwater."
We all greet her while Bella, Emmett, and Jasper all furrow their brows, all obviously trying to figure something out.
"Where the hell do we know that name from?"
We all turn to Emmett when he poses his question. It's obvious when the answer comes to him because his eyes grow three sizes bigger and his mouth keeps opening and closing like a fish.
"Are you, by any chance, Leah Clearwater's mom?"
His voice squeaks, showing just how terrified that possibility really is to him. Both Bella and Jasper's eyes grow wide with realization.
Sue nods.
"I am."
Emmett slowly backs away, grabbing a hold of Bella. I can see both Bella and Jasper trying to hold in their laughter as Emmett pulls Bella in front of him as if she were a human shield.
"Um... She doesn't... She isn't here is she?!"
Bella and Jasper both finally lose their battle and bust out laughing while the rest of us, excluding Emmett, look on in confusion.
"Um... No, my daughter isn't in town this week."
Emmett lets out a breath of relief while Bella bends over, holding her knees she's laughing so hard. Jasper next to her grabs a hold of her, laughing just as hard.
"What are we missing?" Charlie asks.
Bella and Jasper take deep breaths trying to calm their laughter but keep failing. Emmett stands beside them with is arms crossed glaring at them.
"It's not funny guys!"
Bella and Jasper both break down laughing again. I watch on in amusement, happy to see Bella carefree and laughing. After all her stress lately, it's a good sight to see.
Five minutes later, Bella and Jasper finally calm their laughing. It's obvious they're avoiding Emmett's glare, which keeps sending them into hysterics.
"Ok, kids, what did we miss?" Charlie asks.
Bella eyes Jasper, silently telling him to tell the story while Emmett glares on. Jasper grins widely before clearing his throat.
"Right before Emmett and I graduated high school Emmett, Bella, and myself went out for a drive. We ended up driving to La Push to hang out at the beach. So we spend the day at First Beach jus' chillin. The sun is setting and I'm playing my guitar making up random lyrics as I go, when Emmett here sees Leah walking along the water.
So Emmett, being Emmett, plasters on that smug I'm-going-to-do-something-stupid grin he constantly wears. At this point, she's only about five or six feet away from us. So, he jumps up and runs to her and he says..."
He breaks off into chuckles as Bella clutches to his arm laughing her happy ass off. Emmett huffs, glaring daggers at the both of them while the rest of us remain silent, waiting for them to calm down enough to tell us the punch line. Jasper fights for air and finally calms down enough to tell us.
"So he says 'Excuse me, my sister over there is a little embarrassed. She'd like your phone number. She wants to know where she can get a hold of me in the morning.'"
We all bust out laughing. Leave it to Emmett to walk up to someone and actually say that. Jasper fights for air, obviously trying to finish the story. A good five minutes later, we all sober up enough to let Jasper finish, as Emmett glares on.
"She socked him. It was glorious! But she didn't even stop there! She literally kicked his ass! And I'm talking full-blown, straddling his waist punching the hell out of him while he screeches and attempts to deflect her punches. By far the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life!"
We all bust out laughing again at the mental image of a 250 pound Emmett getting his ass kicked by a girl. Emmett crosses his arms and glares at us, but keeps his mouth shut. We probably wouldn't hear him talking over our laughter anyways.
Eventually, our laughter finally dies. Even Sue is wiping tears from her eyes. She'll fit right in with this bunch if she finds that story about her own daughter hilarious. We all walk into the living room and get to know Sue.
Bella and Emmett seem to respond to Sue very well. Their eyes shine brilliantly exposing their obvious happiness. Wide smiles match their bright eyes. I exhale, relieved that my angel is happy, even if it is just for a moment.
I know it's been forever since an update. I have the usual excuses that I'm sure you're sick of reading. Standing ovation to my beta justme317.