DISCLAIMER: Stephanie Meyer owns everything; I just have an overly active imagination.
ATTENTION: This story's theme is rape.
A/N: Okay… SO SOORY for the long wait everyone! Between vacations and sinus infections and just too many ideas having to be sorted through… we finally got this chapter out- FINALLY! I hope y'all love it!
~Enjoy a bit of Edward! Some more background information and what has been happening in Chicago since Bella left for Forks.
A/N #2 (danna0724): yes, you can blame me for the delay, horrid, horrid sinus infection took me out of commission for a few days, I apologize profusely. And as a reminder; the plot to this story belongs to Jessi and Danna respectively, please don't "gank" it… or we may have to call in a favor with Aro ;o)
Tortured Sole
Edward's POV
I sat there fuming at my desk awaiting James' return from his fifth lunch meeting in the same number of days.
I had just about had it with him and his shady clientele. I could tolerate most of them, but one just got under my skin- The Volturi brothers. All three of those men were known to fully believe themselves to be above the law. Sadly, for the most part they were. They paid top dollar to the best lawyers they could hire to represent them to get them off scotch free. Unfortunately, the next lawyer on their list was my law partner, James Campbell.
Everyone knew of their 'probable' and 'alleged' guilt in pretty much every illegal crime that went on anywhere. They had ties to people all over the world. The Volturi name was internationally known. They knew it and they used it. They used their influence to help them in ways nothing else could. A skilled lawyer knew how to use it. James was one that knew how. He had a nice track record for it. James had a client list that made up the elite of East and Midwest United States. In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before they secured him for their representation.
Their family originated in Italy where they wreaked havoc for decades. Now this next generation of crime lords, kingpins, whatever you want to call them were here in Chicago. They weren't shy of the limelight… they never had a reason to be afraid. They were always found. All three could always be counted on for a very generous donation to every charity to have any type of fundraiser. All three had the best seats at every ball game, orchestra, and theater production to come into town. Hidden in the spotlight, I suppose. They were chauffeured in the most expensive cars, living in the swankiest neighborhoods and married to the daughters most wealthy men in the world.
I couldn't stand this any longer. I couldn't tolerate my law partner and best friend getting mixed up in their filth. I couldn't stomach James getting rich off their crimes. James had pulled every legal trick or used every legal loophole and given everyone his charming smile to get these men off clean.
James' newest case involved the most outspoken and rash of the three brothers - Caius Volturi. Caius is on trial for murder. All evidence and witness testimony point to him as guilty. James has been working nonstop with his newest hire to his section of our law firm, Laurent, to convince twelve people just the opposite.
I had been drawn to James in law school for his remarkable ability in the courtroom. He never lost his cool, he had no tells, and he could turn around even the most convincing arguments in his favor. As of late however, he has been using this gift for evil.
When we went into business together we had set up standards for ourselves. Of course we had represented people who were guilty and we had presented the evidence and they had been found guilty. And of course others had not been, however, this was not what James was doing. The manner of James' representation was not my concern. He was doing what every great lawyer does; James was getting twelve people to believe that these men were innocent. He was hoodwinking them into shoving aside rock solid evidence. It's all just a lot of smoke and mirrors.
What I have a problem with is the tainting that this firm's representation is taking. We are a reputable firm; we certainly can't have prospective and current clients thinking that we are lawyers for the "mob", even though there is no solid evidence that Aro, Marcus and Caius are, in fact "made men". We both have spent the majority of our adult lives working toward this one goal of having our own law firm, to have 'Campbell and Cullen Law' on the outside of a building. We put forth far too much blood sweat and tears for it all to be torn apart by one client. I wouldn't stand for it, not this time.
That wasn't what we had agreed to as law partners. Today I had to confront him about this. He was not becoming their new get out of jail free card. I couldn't allow it anymore. So here I sit attempting to calm myself behind my desk before James comes waltzing back through the lobby, gives his fiancé a kiss and pokes his head in my office to tell me he will be heading home to finish up his work for the day.
Just like clockwork there were two quick successive knocks on my door before James walked into my office.
"Hey Eddie, my man, how has your morning been?"
I was far too mad to play along with his games.
"James, just cut the bullshit."
"What shit, Edward? I can't ask my business partner about his morning?" In a second he goes from smiling at a dumb statement to the light bulb just came on look. "Hey, didn't you have a conference downtown or something? Sucks, man."
James did this often. He was very good at changing the subject. And one of many magic tricks he used in the courtroom on judges and juries.
"Well, that conference was securing us a major multimillion dollar contract, but yeah sure it sucked majorly. That's not what I meant by cutting the bullshit, James."
He just stared at me. This may have been the first time I was bringing up this topic of conversation, but it wasn't the first time I had let it be known I didn't like it.
"James, I want to talk to you about your current client, Caius Volturi."
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't expected his eye roll while I tried to maintain my cool exterior sitting behind my desk.
"Edward, there isn't anything to talk about. The prosecution has absolutely nothing concrete on him. Nothing whatsoever that will bring about a murder conviction." Not the same story that I've heard, brother, I thought to myself. "It's nearly laughable, bro. All they have is feelings and guesses that he was the one that murdered that scumbag they call a victim. There is more evidence to support suicide than anything. People are just looking for something to pin on my innocent client."
That smirk. I couldn't stand that smirk of his. Just the exact smirk he was sending my way at the moment.
"James, he's a Volturi brother! They may keep you in designer suits and high-performance sports cars, but that can't justify…" I figured he was going to cut me off sooner rather than later. I half expected him to scream 'objection' at me with the look I was getting from him.
"Not you, too! None of the three of them have been convicted of anything! They can't be guilty by association. Just because their father and uncles were in and out of prison all their lives doesn't mean the same applies here!"
"Don't you think that's only because lawyers, exceptional lawyers such as yourself, have been used to keep those three out of jail? Don't you think that's why everyone thinks they're guilty? Everyone knows that family has had their hands in everything over the years. Drug and human trafficking, prostitution rings, smuggling, explosives, pretty much everything illegal that this and every other country has a law for." Running my fingers through my hair before pinching the bridge of my nose, I had to know one thing. "James… why are you doing this?"
By this time I was pacing my office ripping my hair out. I needed an outlet. One that wasn't conducive to being contained in my leather office chair.
It's a good thing I only had phone calls this afternoon since I'm sure I looked a fright.
"Oh, come on Eddie boy…"
"No, you listen, James. I am saying this because you are my best friend. Please, just think about what you are doing. You are making it so a known breaker of the law never spends a moment in jail. James, we promised each other when we started this firm we would never do this. We both have a tremendous talent; we can't use it for evil." (I don't like the word evil here, we could say something like 'we can't use it for such shady clientele' or something like that…)
I was pleading with him here, and he had to audacity to scoff at me!
"Wow. Jesus, Edward. I'm sorry; I thought I went to work every day to make money. Edward, you have gone soft on me. Jeez, you get married and I can't even represent a damn client without you flipping out on me. You just need to calm the hell down. He's just a wealthy client, dude." Catching me by the shoulders to put a stop to my pacing he looked dead into my eyes which I am sure would be spitting fire if they could. "Get a grip, Edward."
We were in the center of my office in the middle of what looked like one of our usual staring competitions.
"Sir, oh, I'm sorry Edward, but your first afternoon conference call is on the line waiting for you."
Without looking away from James I nodded, sending my secretary briskly walking out of the room no doubt getting a taste of the tension filling the room. She knew better than anyone that our little staring contest could on occasion escalate to heated words. This time I guess that's what began it in the first place.
The idea of just canceling the conference call to settle this subject between James and I once and for all looked mighty appealing right now. I didn't think I could even concentrate on some CEO rambling on long enough to land a contract deal right now. I'd probably end up snapping at the poor man for calling three minutes early.
"We'll chat later, bro. You have fun on that call. Oh, by the way I'm heading home. I have a date tonight with Vicki. Say hello to Bella for me, and tell her again how great having dinner at your place was. We'll have to do it again when Vicki can join us. You can sure choose 'em, Eddie, that little lady can cook. Laters, bro." And just as soon as the whole thing started, James flashed me a smile and walked out my office door.
Still pissed as hell, I glared at my phone. I didn't need this right now. With two deep breaths I picked up the conference call. With that the voice of the senior partners of one of the supply companies I have represented filled my office. I spent the next two hours getting the particulars of a problem they had and needed representation for. Until exactly five o' clock on the dot, I immersed myself in legal jargon.
As predicted Victoria wasn't at her desk rather her new assistant, Kate, who was chatting about shopping with my secretary Irina. Just what I needed, no one getting any work done.
Sighing heavily I head straight for the elevators not even bothering with any niceties today. I couldn't wait to be home with Bella. She should be home from her meeting with her editor and the grocery store by now.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Cullen." The elevator just couldn't come fast enough. I spared the women a quick nod just as the blessed elevator pinged and I was able to step in without any conversation. Thank the Lord.
Speeding through the crowded streets of Chicago rush hour traffic, I caught every damn red light and got stuck behind every fucking granny driver out there. Finally, I was able to pull up into my driveway. Sure enough Bella's car was in the garage. Perfect.
"Hey, Bella! I'm home!" I called out as I set my things down by the door where they would be waiting for me in the morning. I didn't plan on doing any work tonight.
Heading toward the kitchen to grab something to eat, I hear the tell-tale signs of Bella. Clanging and banging around, I found her in front of the sink washing dishes and quietly singing to herself.
Coming up behind her wrapping my arms around her waist, I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck. Just what I needed after a day like today. I could have stood there all evening and not complained.
"Why, hello, Edward. You dinner is warming in the oven. I was famished when I got home so I just ate. UGH! You know how much I hate going to see my editor…" I think I might have mumbled something still nestled at the base of her neck. I needed her intoxicating scent… I'd missed it today. "Anyways, it actually didn't go that bad, pretty well actually. I am very pleased with how things are progressing." She was still washing whatever dishes she used while making dinner. I still hadn't moved since finding her. "My publisher was there today,too, a bit of a surprise. She was her normal self, gushing over and loving everything."
Bella paused for a moment. I liked hearing about her days…they were always so much better than mine no matter how much I loved what I did. Everything about Bella was interesting to me… maybe James did have a point. I'm not sure how, but Bella has changed me somehow just in the short time we have been together.
"Umm… Edward?" Oh, was I supposed to say something other than just stand here completely enthralled with my lovely bride? "How was your day?"
Groaning in frustration, I did not want to talk about my day. I wanted to eat dinner, make love to my wife, and sleep. Not even necessarily in that order either. At the moment dinner would be put on hold.
"I take it something happened."
Oh, my sweet Bella, if only she knew what happened every day when I went to work. That would give her something to write about.
"You could say that. Nothing I want to talk about though." I needed to get her off this subject and in bed now. I didn't want her worrying about anything that she didn't need to. Right now, if I told her, that is exactly what she would do, worry.
Reaching in front of her, I took the plate and dish sponge out of her hands and shut off the faucet. "You, my love, are done with dishes." Then I pulled off the ridiculous bright pink rubber gloves she insisted she had to wear.
"Oh, really? Done with dishes you say."
With a mischievous grin I bent down to place a single kiss at the base of her neck.
"Yes."
I moved my hands up from her waist to begin undoing the buttons on the front of her shirt.
"Edward, what happened today?"
Why would she not just forget about this? Groaning once again in frustration, I dropped my hands from her all together and gripped the kitchen counter. Why couldn't she just give this up? I didn't want to talk about this right now.
"Bella, honey, can't you just drop this right now? I don't want to think about work right now."
My voice was a touch sterner than I intended, but it got her attention.
She turned to look up at me with those brown doe-like eyes of hers. God, I loved those eyes.
"O-okay, sorry honey."
Stepping up so she was flush against me again, she wrapped her arms around me. Dear Lord, what she does to me.
"I just had a rough day baby, I'm sorry."
With that I hoped this conversation was closed for today and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.
With the shy little smile that played on her lips I figured it probably was.
"Now, what was it that you had in mind for this evening?"
Swallowing thickly, I was hoping the huskiness wouldn't come through as much in my voice, even though I knew it was hopeless. I never have been able to keep my damn voice even not as a hormone driven teenager and not now as a married man.
God, I still remember in High School that she had this same effect on me. The poor girl probably thought something was wrong with me. Well, she did think something was wrong with me; she thought I was one of the biggest geeks to ever grace the hallways of any high school. In my own defense I wasn't president of the chess club and the history club and a member of the math and electronics club like Jasper was. I guess when you are the middle child between the football jock and the fashion queen, people tend to size you up. Which is a reason why I couldn't wait to get out of Washington for college.
Somehow though, I managed to catch her eye when we all came back together for Jasper and Alice's wedding. How I got the courage to ask her out; I will never in my life know.
"Hey, hello?" Coming out of my trip down memory lane, I was greeted by Bella waving her hand in my face. "Hey where did you go? … Hello?"
Chuckling, I grabbed her flailing hands.
"I was thinking about when we met and then when we met again."
Arching her eyebrow, she lightly snickered.
"Oh, you mean when I thought you were a freak and then when I fell head over heels for the matured version of the same freak."
Now, it was my turn to arch my eyebrow.
"You thought I was a freak? Ha, I do distinctly remember you agreeing to go with me to my senior prom."
My Bella, my own wife, full out laughed at this point.
"Oh, my God, Edward. Yes, I thought you were a freak! You played the piano, which I love now by the way. You wore those ridiculous glasses that looked like they could pick up cable and that constantly slid down your nose. And you had still been growing your hair out from when your mom insisted you have a buzz cut. Oh, and your clothes!..."
She had to end her assessment of me during high school because of her peals of laughter.
"Okay, that is quite enough of that."
She actually rolled her eyes at me! There was no way I looked that bad. I still love those glasses; I still wear those glasses sometimes.
"Well, if I was that revolting why did you go with me to my prom? Hmm…?" This ought to be good. Talk yourself out of this one my love.
Bella's face fell a fraction. I didn't understand why.
"There were several reasons. Your sister talked me into it. Emmett dared me. And…" Her voice fell and no longer danced with humor.
I tried keep it light. I wanted to know what was bothering her. "And…"
"Rose told me about Tanya. That she was the reason why everyone… I just…"
Her voice was almost too quiet to hear her. I didn't think anyone really knew. Of course that would explain a few things. If Rose knew, then that means Emmett knew, and if Bella knew, then that means that Alice knew, so of course Jasper would know because everyone else knew. Oh, my God! That does explain a lot.
"Rose told me how Tanya said… all those things about you in front of nearly everyone in your class when you had asked her to prom." Her voice was still whispers; yet I could hear the venom in her voice. "I'm sorry I never told you… I just couldn't. You seemed happy enough that I went with you. It's not something I think about all that often. You were so crushed by the lies she told about you. Then everyone was talking behind your back. I knew I had to do something. And…"
And she just stopped… again.
"And what?" I had to know. I had to know about the events that had sent me packing as far from home as I could get.
She looked up at me with eyes that could have been shiny with tears.
"It was then that I really looked at you. I realized just how beautiful you are. I sat in the back row of that dark music hall that day and fell in love with your music. Everything you were feeling, all the anger and sadness and- and emotions I couldn't even name came flowing out into that piano that day. It was then that I wanted to get to know you. I realized I wasn't going to agree to go with you to your prom because of Alice or Rose or Emmett. I was going to say yes when you bucked up the courage to ask me because I wanted to. But then…"
I had never known she was in the music hall that day. I had thought I was alone as I poured out my heart and soul. I knew what she was talking about though. I fell in love with her at prom just a few days after. I had lusted after her, but that night I fell in love.
She couldn't dance to save her life, but her laugh and everything about her drew me in. The look in her eyes told me that somehow on some level she felt the same way even if she didn't know it yet.
It was then that I realized what she had begun to say. The reason why there was so much time wasted between us. Why we both didn't understand our love sooner than just a short time ago.
"Then, I left for Harvard." I felt every bit of the solemnity that was reflected in my voice.
She just nodded.
Hugging her to me, I smoothed out her hair the way I always do, trying to bring her a little bit of comfort. Time was lost between us. Time we can't get back. But that time got us to where we are now. And that, I would never regret.
A short laugh made me look down questioningly. "You know I drove Charlie crazy for most of my senior year trying to get into Harvard. I would just not take no for an answer. No matter how many times everyone tried to tell me I was better off with the English program at Arizona where I could even stay with my mom. It actually is quite silly now. Ha, poor Charlie, had he known I put him through hell and back for a boy… I wouldn't have wanted to be within firing range."
Even I had to chuckle at that. Charlie would have flown all the way out east just to kick my ass. Just taking Bella to prom had been hair raising enough.
"I never knew that… any of that."
Bella sighed deeply in my arms.
"I always knew I would know when to tell you. I never really wanted to. We were young and kind of stupid. It wasn't the happiest moments of your life. I just never wanted to dredge them all up again just to tell you like one little thing. No matter how much I wanted you to always know when I knew I had fallen in love with you."
My Bella always was caring about me. Giving her a reassuring smile to let her know I wasn't upset or anything, I decided a good subject changer was in order.
"How did we get on this topic in the first place? I thought I was in the middle of getting these clothes off you and was taking you upstairs."
Bella blushed the beautiful pink she has all the years that I have known her. I would always love that blush. Figuring I could make her blush even more, I scooped her up from the floor throwing her over my shoulder.
With Bella in my arms… sort of, I sprinted up the stairs even with her wiggling all over.
Depositing my beautiful wife on our bed, I was fully intent on making slow meaningful love to my wife. I was intent on showing her with my body how much she meant to me, how very much I loved her.
"Wait." Definitely not what I wanted to hear at this point in time. "There is something I wanted to tell you."
Whatever it was it needed to wait. I couldn't wait. Kissing a trail from her lips down the column of her throat I began working on the buttons of her shirt… again. I really hated buttons at this point.
"Edward… oh, God… please just wait. It's important. I want you to know before we do this. Please."
Rather unwillingly, I listened to the pleading tone of her voice. I brought my face up to meet hers. Pecking her on the lips, I prepared myself to listen. It wasn't as easy as it looked.
"Okay, tell me."
She took a breath and let it out along with a sentence all strung together.
"Today, I had a doctor's appointment."
After I separated her words and figured out what she said, she had my absolute attention. Why would she keep something like this from me?
"What?! Are you okay is everything all right? Bella?"
She started to tear up thus increasing my worry.
"No, no nothing like that. It was a good doctor's appointment. I didn't want to tell you until I was totally sure."
I took her tear stained face in my hands. I hated seeing her cry. Especially when I didn't know why. I just wanted to fix this, whatever it is.
"Then why are you crying love?"
She smiled a shy smile up at me before giving me a chaste kiss.
"What is it, baby?"
A smile lit up her face, a true smile this time.
Taking my hand in hers she slid it down from her face to her nearly flat stomach. I'd told her many times I hated women who looked sickly thin. My Bella was perfect, though I had no idea what she could possibly want to tell me.
"I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby, Edward."
Pacing the den in Emmett and Rose's apartment for the thousandth time since James left, I ripped at my hair some more. I didn't know what the hell to do with myself. It was great to see him again after so long, but something just felt off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but something. Maybe in the way he talked about Bella, I'm not really sure.
When the phone rang, I wasn't going to answer it. I didn't even stop my pacing to go see who it was. Not until the answering machine picked up and Rose's voice came barking through the tiny speakers.
"Edward! Pick up the damn phone. I know you're in there. You never leave that den so pick up the phone!"
Rolling my eyes, I went over and did as ordered.
"What do you want, Rose? Where are you and Emmett? I asked him where he was going when he left, but he just shrugged me off. Then he came home a few minutes ago and crashed. What's going on, Rose?"
Nothing was making a bit of sense. I just hope Bella is alright. Rose and Alice have been with her all day.
"Edward, don't freak out okay. Please just listen to me. Okay. Look, Bella went up to stay with her dad for a while."
WHAT! No! I can't have her that far away. I need her here not half way across the country.
"Rose! Did she say when she is going to be back? Why did she just up and leave?!"
She took a deep breath before she continued. I just wanted some answers.
"Edward, she didn't say when she would be back. I don't think Bella knows when she will be back. I think this will be good for her. Okay, so just calm down. She needs to get away from Chicago for a bit. She can't stay in that house, Edward. She's not getting any better here. Some home time away from it all could be just what her mind and body needs."
I wanted to break down and cry at the moment. What could anyone in Washington do that I couldn't do here? I am her husband! I am supposed to be the one to take care of her. I'm supposed to do it, yet that is exactly what I haven't been doing for over a month now.
"Rose, what if something happens to her?! Rose! I can't believe you just let her go! I have to get to Forks!..."
"EDWARD ANTHONY CULLEN! You most certainly will NOT be going anywhere near the state of Washington! Jesus! I can't believe it! No wonder she said she felt smothered! Just listen to yourself, Edward. She needs some space and you are not giving it to her. So much so that she had to fly halfway across the country to find some peace and quiet. You are not going anywhere, Edward."
I understood what Rose was saying. She was the expert on this, but that didn't mean I had to like it anymore or calm down any.
"Edward…" She took another calming breath. Something I should probably be doing instead of pacing the room again and pulling at my hair with the hand not holding the phone. "Look, Bella promised she would call when her flight landed. Also as her friend and psychologist, I demanded she call three times a week. Edward, I'm pulling into the garage now I'll be up in a minute."
My mind was still reeling and all together still boiling in anger to make much sense of anything right now. I wanted nothing more than to be on a plane headed for SeaTac right now.
I was glad there were no cases at the firm to tempt me with, I had been turning down work for weeks. I'd probably send my client to prison while trying to keep them out. However I was getting tired of sitting on a couch doing nothing. I just couldn't focus on anything, anything, but my Bella. I couldn't bear not being with her no matter how much she wanted time to herself.
I didn't realize I was still clutching the phone in my hand until Rose tried to pry it from my fingers.
"Bella should be calling in a few hours. I already went over and closed up your house after we dropped Bella at the airport. It should be fine until you decide to head back. Why don't you wait up with me for Bella's call? I could use some company."
She gave me a warm smile; one I wished I could return. Instead, I just nodded. Months overcome with worry and grief for my beloved wife, and I still couldn't do anything. I felt just as useless now as I did the day the Officer Uley carried her limp form out of that cabin in the woods.
"She just needs time away. That's all. She'll be better with time." I internally scoffed at her words. All Bella had was time. I just wanted my wife back. "I know it doesn't seem like that. She doesn't believe it herself. When I was in her position I didn't believe such words, but they're true Edward. All we can do is love her."
I got lost staring at my sister-in-law mulling over her words, remembering the long time when she was the broken, tortured woman that Bella is today. Emmett and Rosalie should have been the first of the six of us to be married. It should have been them instead of Jasper and Alice. Em and Rose were the ones who had loved each other since the moment they met. Rose couldn't do it, though. She was too tortured to make a vow like that.
I hadn't realized how long we sat like that until the phone ringing broke the silence of the late hour. Rose pushed the small phone I had been clutching earlier toward me.
I didn't know if I was ready to talk to her or if she was ready to talk to me. I wanted to, God how I wanted to hear her voice and hold her in my arms, but I didn't know if I could. Or if I even should.
No matter my insecurities though, I had to know that she was safe.
"Bella."
There wasn't a response on the other end of the line which only served to heighten my anxiety.
"Bella! Bella, are you alright?" I tried not to notice the size of Rose's panicked eyes boring into me from across the kitchen table. Did she fear Bella wasn't ready to talk to me or something far worse? I didn't think I really wanted to know.
"Edward?" I let out the breath I hadn't known I had been holding, but I felt the burn in my lungs which told me it must have been some time. Her voice sounded so tiny. Had not the house been void of all other noise I may not have heard it.
A/N (Jessi): Whew. That was an… interesting one. I didn't know what to expect when I began this chapter it just flowed once I got started.
I hope you all liked it! Let us know what you think.
We are still looking for ways to snuff out James!
As always a HUGE thanks to my wonderfully amazing collaborator danna0724 and Beta songster! They are amazing!
Also on a side note remember to check out at your leisure my polyvores! The link is on my profile. I spend… WAY too much time over there collecting the fashions for my beloved characters. Drop me a comment and let me know what you think.
A/N #2 (danna0724): ever wonder what makes the creative juices flow faster and gets the chapters pumped out quicker?? It's that little button below… go ahead… you know you want to… hit that review button and tell us what you think… and give us your thoughts on how YOU would take out James if given the opportunity… a lot of victimized women don't ever get the chance, and we are genuinely interested in what YOU THE READER think…