Author's Note:
Hello out there! Here is another update and it didn't take me over a month to do it! Thank you everyone for the new adds and the comments. I get really excited when I see the comments and the increase in followers. Thank you all so much, it really means so much to me.
-Lisa
Chapter Twenty Seven
August was just beginning when Carlisle took Charlotte and Peter shopping to begin the task of back to school shopping. Peter and Bella had both recovered well and were both released on the same day as Emily from the hospital.
Emily was the apple of everyone's eye, except for Charlotte's. Her nana and grampy Cullen loved her. They couldn't wait to babysit overnight. After holding the baby, Emmett and Rosalie longed even more for a baby of their own. Even Edward was looking forward to a future with Alice and couldn't wait to have a baby. Peter loved his sister and did anything to help, except change diapers, at first. He quickly fell into the routine and helped with her.
Charlotte was more reserved and hadn't held her new sister. She went into another room and avoided her every chance she got, as well as Bella. There were very few words spoken between Bella and Charlotte since they arrived home from the hospital. Bella certainly never brought up the incident that had begun the whole fiasco.
"She is the most perfect looking baby ever," Alice cooed over the baby as she rocked the two month old in her arms.
Smiling Bella nodded. "I think so. Alice, you know how we are doing. How are you doing?"
Alice couldn't help but let a hint of happiness show on her lips. "I've been well, fantastic. My mom started to talk to me again."
"Really?" Bella asked surprised. "Alice, that is really wonderful."
Alice was silent staring at her sleeping goddaughter. "James actually went to talk to her. He told her everything about our relationship. He told her about the beatings and rapes. He spoke to her about the emotions and what I was like. Everything. He then gave mom Edward's practice number to speak to him about getting in touch with me."
"I assume she called?"
"She did. Edward gave her an earful. He lectured her on how she abandoned me when I really needed her. She said she was absolutely speechless. She said she never knew Edward to speak the way he did to her. He told her she was wrong and should have listened to me. She also admitted that Edward was wrong." Alice paused as she grinned. "Edward is amazing Bella. No one has ever stuck up for me before. No one has ever defended me before. He also told my mom that he sees us together for the rest of our lives."
"Wow," Bella replied. "I mean wow all around about your mom and what Edward said."
"I know. Mom and I went out for lunch yesterday. We laughed and we cried. She said she always liked Edward and thinks that he is a great man."
"That he is," Bella agreed. Hesitantly, Bella changed the subject. "I wanted to thank you for everything you have done with Charlotte. I don't know what we would have done without you Alice. How was she, honestly?"
"She was good Bella, honestly. She was quiet but good. She feels bad about the accident. We had a long talk. She is a good kid, just confused," Alice answered honestly.
"That's what I tried to explain to Carlisle. He still says he won't stand for her attitude. It's been going on for too long, so he says. He also believes that even though she's young, it comes down to respect and she hasn't shown any of either of us. She grounded for the rest of the summer, which is only a few weeks now. Carlisle is making her go back to her therapist. He is also looking into family therapy for the both of them. Carlisle also said she needs to earn both of our trust back. He has reiterated that we love her but she is in the wrong."
"Bella, he does have a valid point," Alice agreed.
Shrugging her shoulders, Bella looked at Alice. "Yea, but she's still a kid." Bella stopped as Alice gazed at Emily still sleeping in her arms.
"She's so beautiful Bella," Alice told Bella knowing her friend was looking at her. "I want one. I can't wait, well I mean I can but really I can't wait to become a mom."
Chuckling, Bella continued. "With Edward?"
Nodding, Alice finally looked up at Bella. "Yes. We've talked about it. He wants one or two too but wants to wait a little later in our relationship, but yes we both want kids together."
"That makes me really happy."
"Why's that?" Alice asked.
"Because Emily's godparents are happy together."
"Godparents? Are you serious?" Alice asked a bit shocked.
"Of course I'm serious. I'm glad Edward didn't spill the beans. I asked him not to say anything to you, glad he listened. Honestly Alice, there are no other people that we would trust our children with."
"I don't know. I want something more grand," Edward told Bella.
"More grand?" Bella asked. "What else do you want? We have traveled over three hours to Seattle and are in the middle of Tiffany's and you can't find anything grand here?"
Shaking his head, Edward tried to ignore half of what Bella had said. He was a sack full of nerves. "Honestly, do you see anything here that Alice would like?"
"You are so nervous, it's cute really. You weren't this nervous when you were looking for Tanya's ring Masen. Also, let me just point out that we didn't go to Tiffany's to find her ring and you weren't worried that her ring wasn't 'grand' enough. We went to the local jewelry shop in Port Angeles," Bella teased.
"Shut it Swan. Help me find a ring for Alice, please?" Edward begged.
"I thought that was what we were doing."
"Ugh, you are so frustrating sometimes. God bless Carlisle for keeping you," Edward said as he continued to look at the rings before him.
Bella shook her head and looked at the rings while the sales woman kept a watchful eye on them. "Does she even like diamonds?"
"Of course she likes diamonds. Every woman likes diamonds."
"Not true," Bella responded.
"Okay smarty pants, name me one woman who doesn't like diamonds."
"Me."
Edward looked at Bella and shook his head and rolled his eyes. "But the ring Jacob gave you almost broke your hand because it was so big!"
"Edward it wasn't that big," Bella corrected him.
"But you never took it off."
"Because it was special. It meant something to me. It was a sign of our love. When I decided I was leaving him I left them behind too. He broke our love so I didn't want it. It wasn't special anymore," Bella explained to him.
Standing up and looking at his friend, Edward crossed his arms. "Well then Swan, what do you like?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Bella began to answer. "I don't know. I think rubies are pretty, sapphires. I do like pink diamonds."
"Pink diamonds? But you said you don't like diamonds."
"I don't like the traditional diamonds."
Edward raked his hand through his hair. "This is so complicate-"
"I found it!" Bella announced.
"You found Alice's ring?"
"Yes! Excuse me, can we please see that ring? The one second from the back?" Bella asked the saleswoman.
"Great choice," the woman told her. "This ring is classically elegant with a cushion-cut white diamond encircled by a row of pink and white bead-set diamonds. As you can see, the band is adorned in diamonds. It is just almost one and a half karats. You may not be able to tell but it's dainty. This ring would be perfect for a woman with small hands." She paused and looked at Bella. "Would you like to try it on?"
Bella looked at Edward. "Is that bad luck?"
"I don't think so. You have the same size hands. Plus Bella think about this, my first wife cheated in me and Alice's husband was abusive to her. You were cheated on. I don't think we could have any worse luck."
Bella took it from the sales woman and placed it on. She looked at it and admired it. She briefly thought about a ring from Carlisle that could one day sit upon her finger. She knew that they are in life for the long haul and would be engaged and then eventually married one day. She didn't realize she was actually longing for it. Then she turned to Edward. "What do you think?"
Smiling, Edward examined the ring. "I think it screams Alice." He turned and looked at the sales associate. "I would like to take this ring please"
As Bella handed the ring to the sales woman, she smiled. "Yah! Edward is getting married!" She hugged him.
"And what about you?" Edward asked.
"What about me?"
"Would you get married again?"
Bella held Edward's hand and looked at him. "Edward I don't love you that way. Plus I would never hurt Alice or Carlisle like that."
Rolling his eyes, Edward looked at Bella. "You are a wise ass Bella."
"Chill out Edward. I do want to get married again and I think we will when the time is right, at least I hope so. Before that happens we have to communicate better and he has to trust me more, which I know he does." Bella shook her head and paused. She was trying to talk herself out of her doubts. She also didn't want to talk about herself on such an important day for Edward. "This is about you and Alice. She's an amazing person. She's lucky to have you."
As Edward handed over his credit card, he laughed. "She is an amazing person."
"You're pretty okay too Edward."
"Gee, thanks."
As they walked out of the store, Bella turned to Edward. "How are you going to do it?"
Smirking, Edward began to tell Bella of his plan. "I have it planned out. We are going away next weekend to Seattle. I'm taking her out to dinner to the place the three of us were supposed to go to when someone cancelled."
"What?" Bella asked innocently.
"The conference in June, ring a bell?"
"Oh right. I was just tired and pregnant, I didn't cancel."
"No cupid, you didn't." Edward paused and smiled. "I have requested out table when we had our first dinner date. I'm going to do a little reminiscing. I know we haven't been together long. It's only been a few months but I feel like I know her Bella. I feel like I've known her my whole life."
"A few months plus the time you knew her when I began working for her."
"Right. I also spend almost every single moment of my day with her. She has more things at my places now than she does at her own. We aren't some young stupid kids. We are adults. Plus it's not like we are going to do something stupid like run off and get married the next day. Bella, I just feel it is right."
"Of course and I support you." Bella paused and looked at Edward. "As long as you don't elope. You do realize Esme would murder you if you go married without her there, right?"
"I'm well aware thanks for the refresher. I'm glad you support me, you always do."
"I'm good like that. I hope this means that you and the soon to be Mrs. will give Emily a cousin to play with at some point," Bella added not mentioning her conversation with Alice earlier.
"That's the plan. Let's see when it happens. I think I'm ready."
"I know you are Edward and it will happen, I just know it will."
"I know you are right." Edward paused as they walked to his car. "And now as a thank you, I'm taking you out for lunch."
Bella walked through the front door and set her bag down. She didn't see anyone but heard shouting from upstairs.
"Charlotte Anne, that's enough yelling. Stop yelling at Peter. I just got your sister asleep."
"She isn't my sister. I didn't ask for her to be born!" Charlotte screamed back.
"Enough with the disrespect young lady. Bella is going to be home in a little while and you need to lose the attitude before she gets home. I'm done with it Charlotte I really am," Carlisle honestly told her.
Peter walked down the stairs and into the living room and saw Bella. "Maybe Kate was right about sending her off to finishing school. Is that where they teach you how to be a human being?"
Politely Bella smiled. "You startled me Peter. I didn't see you there and be nice to your sister."
"Why? She isn't nice to anyone here."
"Peter-"
"No it's true," Peter told her as he sat down and began to look at a magazine. "By the way, you really shouldn't go away again without Emily."
"And why is that?"
"Because dad couldn't get her to stop crying."
"Really?" Bella questioned. "She loves being with your dad."
"Not when mommy is away. He just got her to sleep. He might be laying down taking a nap too now that the queen is silent."
Chuckling, Bella walked towards the stairs. "I'll go check on him."
Bella made her way up the stairs and into the bedroom she and Carlisle share. She crawled next to him and kissed his check. He opened his eyes and smiled. He wrapped an arm around her with his eyes closed. Bella noticed how tired he looked.
"So I heard the little miss gave you some trouble today," Bella teased.
"Oh my god Bella, it was terrible. Demonic beings possessed her soul. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep. She didn't want to be held, didn't want me to put her down. Honestly I didn't know what to do so I let her cry. I couldn't do anything else."
"I'm sorry Carlisle. You should have called me. I would have come home."
Carlisle sat up. "For what? You were three hours away. We managed, didn't we? Did Edward find a ring?"
"He did. It's dainty and pretty and is very Alice. I am happy for them. They are good people and deserve to be happy together."
"They do," Carlisle said as he laid back down and closed his eyes with his arm draped around Bella.
"Edward also said that he and Alice would love to have the kids overnight, all of them so we could go out," Bella smiled.
Returning her smile, Carlisle spoke with his eyes till shut. "Really? I think we can manage that. I think-" he was interrupted by Emily's cries through the baby monitor. "Ugh, just twenty minutes Emily. Just give daddy twenty minutes. Let me get her."
"No, you stay here. I'll get here."
"Bella no, you are supposed to be out still. I'll get her and bring her back here," Carlisle told her as he got up. Bella watched him on the baby monitor and smiled. Even though Carlisle was frustrated and Emily as clearly unhappy, she couldn't help but smile at the two.
A few seconds later, Carlisle returned into the room. "Let me have her," Bella said as she reached for the baby. "Emmy, what's the matter. Shhhh," she began to calm her down. The cries began to slow down. She kissed the baby's forehead. "Does she feel warm to you?"
"Yes, she's been crying since you left," Carlisle answered as Emily's cries began to intensify again.
"Maybe she's hungry," Bella said as she adjusted the baby to her breast. Emily showed no interest. Bella then got up and checked her diaper. "When was the last time she had a wet diaper?"
Carlisle looked at Bella. "You know, I don't think I have changed her diaper all day."
"Get the scan thermometer will you please? It's in the linen closet," Bella asked Carlisle.
Quickly Carlisle got up and came back. Carlisle scanned it. "One hundred four point two."
Bella looked horrified as she held the baby. "Carlisle our baby is sick. She's so sick. Get the Tylenol and maybe she'll be better soon. We'll let her rest and she'll feel better right?"
A look of concern was in Carlisle's eyes. He shook his head. "Bella that is an extremely high temperature. We need to get her to the hospital now."
After spending most of the night at the emergency room, it was deemed that Emily had an ear infection. After receiving IV fluids and medication, Carlisle and Bella took their baby home to a quiet house. Charlotte and Peter were both at Edward and Alice's house. They were staying there until the morning. As they walked into the living room, they both sat on the couch with Emily in Carlisle's arms.
Carlisle felt disgusted with himself. "An ear infection? I can't believe I didn't even think about that. I'm a doctor and that never even occurred to me. Of course, it makes sense. I thought it was because she didn't like me."
Bella leaned into Carlisle's arm. "To be fair you are a parent first. Common sense sometimes goes out the window, at least that's what I'm learning. Also, don't doubt her love. She loves her daddy. She feels safe with you, look," Bella said as they watched their infant fall fast asleep in his arms. "Why don't I take her to her room while you take a shower and get ready for bed? You're exhausted."
"Okay, I guess you're right. I'll meet you upstairs," Carlisle said as he handed the baby to Bella.
Bella followed Carlisle upstairs but turned to Emily's room. She quickly changed her into clean pajamas. She rocked her for a few minutes before kissing her head and turning on the monitor. She walked to her room and began changing when Carlisle walked out of the room wearing a towel. Bella stood looking at him only in her tank top and boy shorts.
"I forgot my robe. It wasn't where I left it," he explained.
Bella went into their walk in closet and grabbed his robe. "I put it on the back of the door. Here you go."
Kissing her lips, Carlisle smiled at Bella as he wrapped his arms around her. "I would be totally lost without you. Thank you."
"No worries, that's why I am here," she told him as she placed her arms around his neck. "I love you."
As his hands wondered up and down Bella's sides and rested under her breast. "I love you too."
"Show me?" Bella asked as she kissed him again.
As their kiss intensified, Carlisle had the angel and the devil on his shoulder. The angel was reminding him that Emily was born just over a month and it may not be medically safe for Bella to make love. The devil sitting on the other shoulder told him to just show Bella how much he loved her and to remind her how sexy she was. In the end, the devil won the battle. Carlisle kissed Bella deeply and held her until they stood next to the bed. He gently pushed Bella down onto the bed while her arms were still wrapped around his neck. She engulfed his body with her legs.
Bella rubbed her hands on Carlisle's shoulders and stopped at his biceps. Softly she stroke his arm. "Love me Carlisle, will you? Show me?"
Kissing her breasts through her shirt, Carlisle nodded. He sat up and removed her shirt. "Much better. You are so beautiful."
"You already have me where you want me, don't try to flatter me," Bella smiled.
"You just don't know how beautiful you are," he said as he kissed her chin. His hands rested on her hips for just a few seconds before he pushed her shorts down. "Let me love you Bella," he whispered as he rubbed her core. Bella moaned in pleasure. Carlisle chuckled. "We haven't even begun yet and look at you already."
"Don't tease me Carlisle. I need you," Bella told him while her eyes closed and her hands played with his hair.
Carlisle gave Bella sweet kisses from her center up to her belly button, back to her breasts and then to her lips. "I'm right here baby, I'm not going anywhere. Tell me what you want me to do.
"I need to do this," Bella said shedding Carlisle's towel and threw it to the other side of the room. "That needed to go," she smiled. "And I need this," she said rubbing his cock. Carlisle closed his eyes. "I need this inside me."
Carlisle positioned himself to enter Bella. As soon as he hit her walls they both moaned in pleasure. Bella hung onto his shoulders as they moved in sync.
When they were both satisfied, Bella smiled. Carlisle was still on top of her kissing her neck. Bella's hand was sweeping his back. "Not bad for the first time since the baby and the getting out of the hospital. I might need another round to confirm things are back to normal."
Carlisle smiled as he used his arms to support his weight and was careful not to crush Bella. "I think I might agree with you, however I am dirty again. I think I'll have to take another shower. Would you like to join me?"
"I can't think of a better place I'd rather be," she told him as she kissed him. "Let's go now!"
Author's Note:
Me again. We all know by know I don't like writing the lemons but I thought I would throw you guys a little something. Was it okay? It was quick but okay, right? Thoughts?