Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.
Anyhow, Bella admitted she loved everyone in her family. Will she be able to tell them? Also, we're going to find out about Jane and the job in Bellevue? Real or fake? Will Carlisle get in everyone's good graces? I have a plan. I really do … I just need to get there.
Bella made some headway in accepting her past and her new family in her future. Unfortunately, Riley/Lucifer will not give up his chance to get her. Will he finally get his opportunity?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
EPOV
I woke up, my stomach snarling and my body aching. I checked for any injuries, but realized that it was residual pain from Alice's almost lethal attack. I stretched, getting up from the bed, showering and dressing before going into the kitchen. Bella was curled up on the couch with Felix snuggled to her side. She was sleeping, her face almost serene. Felix looked at me, his tail thumping. "Stay with her, bub," I said, going into the kitchen to eat some breakfast.
Devouring a hearty breakfast, I felt a call in my heart. It was Carlisle. I was not ready to see him. I responded, thinking to him that I needed time, but he reached out to me again, almost insistent. I looked at my mate, my Bella and I couldn't leave her. Alice was still healing. Charlie was back up with the other Lordships and Esme was in charge of the clean up behind the Forks Police Department, then going up to Heaven to see if Bella was punished for Charlie's indiscretions.
He landed on the patio. I huffed out a breath and snuck out, casting a glance at Bella. She'd be safe for the time being. I wasn't leaving my yard. "What is it?" I asked.
"I researched that human," Carlisle said. "Jane Hopkins? She checks out, but I'm concerned for her level of pride. Lucifer could use that to his advantage, twisting her to the dark side."
"Using one of the seven deadly sins?" I growled. "Has he done it before?"
"Hitler? He was a prideful man and look where it got him," Carlisle replied, wrinkling his nose. "I think that it's okay for Bella to interview, but you need to stay close by. Lucifer could use his newly formed power of controlling humans to manipulate her, Jane or Bella."
"We'll keep that in mind. Now, I'm going to check on my mate. Throughout this whole ordeal, her needs and her fears were neglected. It's why she's so hesitant to trust," I said.
"May I speak with her?" Carlisle asked.
"She's resting and I don't have the heart to wake her. Her world was thrown into a tailspin. First, when I entered in life and then again when she was told that her father was a Dominion Lordship who had his powers stripped, effectively abandoning her to the wolves. Now, I don't know what His feelings are regarding this whole thing is, but there's only so much that a human can take. I'm going to care for her, love her and give her the protection she needs and the reassurance she desires." I turned and went back inside, picking up Bella easily and tucking her to my side. I wrapped my wings around her, pressing my lips to her forehead. I'm here, my beloved. You're safe. I've got you and I vow to never let anything happen to you.
The rest of the weekend was spent recuperating. Alice slept the entire time. Charlie went back to work as the police chief in Forks, only to keep up appearances. Esme was doing her own research up in heaven and I could feel Carlisle hovering nearby. Bella was quiet, but she was demonstrative and always needed to be near me. I was more than willing to accept her kisses, her snuggles and her need for reassurance. Her world had been upended and she was finally healing. I could feel her acceptance, her growth and her love bubbling inside her. The pain was still there, but it was not the most prevalent feeling in her emotions.
The following week was trying. It was the week before spring break and we were completing state testing. The students were not happy, forced to sit in their seats and fill out bubble sheets or spend an hour or more on a computer to take these tests. By Friday, the kids are done, as are the teachers. When the students were dismissed, there was a collective sigh of relief and we left for our spring break.
All had been quiet on the Lucifer front. It would appear that the legion had taken out a great deal of his minions and dark creatures during the attack at the Forks Police Department. He was rebuilding. We were able to take a breath and allow our forces to heal, recuperate. It also gave us a chance to investigate Charlie's claims of punishment against Bella for his 'indiscretion.' Just prior to our departure to Bellevue, Esme came and she sat us down with news of our concerns.
Charlie was sitting next to Bella, holding her hand and I was holding her on my lap. Carlisle was leaning against a wall while Esme sat down, smoothing her pants. "I met with the Arch Angels, Michael and Gabriel. I shared with them Charlie's claim of punishment toward Bella. While it wasn't intended to happen, you were inadvertently punished by Charlie's decision to make love to your mother. When a child is born, their guardian is chosen for them by random selection. Heidi was picked for you, by the luck of the draw. She should have, if she had been doing her job, felt your anguish and helped you get out of that situation," Esme explained.
"How?" Bella asked. "How could she have helped me?"
"She did once," Esme replied. "When you received your grandmother's inheritance, giving you the opportunity to attend college, but it was too little too late. But, a guardian angel provides opportunities to help their human. It could be something as simple as guiding another foster family to look over you. One that respected and loved their children and not ones where those atrocities occurred. I hate that her inability to see, to feel your pain caused this whole situation. Her inaction resulted in her being recycled, but by that time, the damage had been done. You were deemed lost."
"Lost?" Alice growled. "So, they just gave up?"
"Yes, until Edward felt her fear, her pain before she was attacked last fall," Esme said. "That's when they determined your lineage. It wasn't confirmed until Carlisle told us."
"And Charlie's recycling?" Bella hissed. "For one mistake?"
"They admit they acted rashly, not fully thinking of the consequences. They never expected you to be born. An angel and a human had never created a baby," Esme said. "But, it hasn't really ever happened. The few times it did happen, it was when an angel had fallen from grace." She blinked to me. "Edward was brought up numerous times. But, he never impregnated a female."
"Of course, I was," I snorted humorlessly. "Condoms, Esme." I felt Bella stiffen in my arms and she moved, sitting on the couch. I grimaced, afraid that my past may cause a rift between me and my mate.
"I think we need to give Edward and Bella some time," Esme said. Carlisle went to argue, but with a curt shake of her head, the room emptied and I was alone with Bella.
"I knew you were with other women," she whispered. "I just … I never thought that they'd bring it up. I thought that as an angel … I don't know."
"As an angel, I was a virgin until I was cast out. As a human, I had a child and I made love to my wife," I murmured. "But, I was lonely, being down here, by myself. I lost myself in their bodies, but it's been a long time since I last had sex with a woman. And I only want you, pretty Bella. I want to make love to you. To show you what it's like, how you should feel. To give you a choice."
"You're right. I'm sorry," she sighed. "I'm tainted … barren …"
"You are not tainted," I said, cupping her chin. "Don't ever think that. I love you. I will only love you, no matter what. I'm yours, Bella."
"As I'm yours," she said, moving and sitting back on my lap. She kissed my lips, tenderly and gently three times. "As I'm yours."
xx OOTD xx
We drove to Bellevue the following morning. Bella had an interview with Jane at one in the afternoon. I was going to be staying in the lobby while she had her meeting. Carlisle's concern about Jane's pride was weighing heavily on my mind. I wanted to be close by in case something happened and I needed to pull her out of there. My fingers were crossed that I was just being overly cautious, but I'd rather err on the side of caution than have my mate be a casualty of this war.
Bella was anxiously shifting in the car. She was dress professionally in a black pant suit and pair of heels. This morning, Alice had helped her with her hair and makeup while I printed out a paper copy of her resume. "I hope I get this job," Bella said, twisting her ring. "This is an amazing district and opening up a new building? That's exciting!"
"Just be yourself, Bella. Mrs. Cope gave you a glowing recommendation, as did the assistant principal, Ms. Whittier," I smiled, taking her hand in mine. "I'm proud of you and I love you."
"Thank you, Edward," she smiled, kissing my knuckles. I pulled into the administrative offices, parking the car. Bella carried her bag and we walked into the lobby. She introduced herself and we were told to have a seat. Bella was bouncing her knee, looking like she was going to hurl at any moment. I took her hand, kissing her wrist. She blew out a breath, looking at me. Her eyes were calmer and her bouncing leg stopped. An older woman, with a chic bob and stylish suit came out.
"Isabella?" she asked.
Bella squeezed my hand and stood up. "I'm Isabella," she smiled. "But, I prefer Bella."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jane," the woman smiled, shaking Bella's hand. "Shall we?" Bella adjusted her bag and walked into a conference room. I opened my mind to hers and saw two other administrators inside. One was a pleasant-looking man and another was a younger woman, a few years older than Bella. The interview began in earnest and I listened to their questions, was proud of Bella's responses and kept an eye out for any sort of deception. They all seemed genuine and eager to speak to her.
After an hour, Bella was offered the position of a third-grade teacher. Bella accepted it and she shook hands with the three of them, barely able to contain her enthusiasm as she ran out to me, jumping into my arms. "I got it!" she squealed.
"Congratulations," I smiled against her curls. "I'm so happy for you." I kissed her lips. "Do you want to go out? Celebrate?"
"We should probably head back to Forks," Bella said.
I shook my head and led her outside. Carrying her bag, I put it in the trunk and was not surprised to see an overnight bag in there. Tucked inside, there was a note. I opened it. It was from Esme.
You need a night, or two, away. Have fun. Love your mate ~ Esme
I closed the trunk, helping Bella into the front seat. I drove us toward Seattle and made arrangements to spend some time at the Edgewater Hotel once again. I couldn't get the same room as before, but I did manage to get a suite. "Where do you want to go for dinner, pretty Bella?"
"Well, I want to change," Bella said, slipping off her heels. "But, I want to have a good time. It's a gorgeous night. Want to go to Pikes Market?"
I nodded and she changed into a pair of skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket. On her feet, she had on a pair of sneakers and her hair was curled over her shoulders. She reached for her purse, but shook my head. Twining our fingers together, I led us downstairs and drove us to the Pikes. We decided to eat first, enjoying a meal at one of the many fish restaurants nearby. After that, we wandered around the market. I purchased Bella a beautiful bouquet, congratulating her on her new position. She blushed, kissing my lips tenderly. She carried the flowers around proudly and I stood by her, happy that she was my mate. After stopping at Starbucks, we shared a biscotti and Bella had a latte, we decided to go back to hotel.
"I'm going to get ready for bed and wash the makeup off my face," Bella said. "I don't like wearing this much war paint. I feel like I can peel off my face." She kissed me lips, humming contentedly. "Thank you for today. I know I was adamant on returning to home, but I'm glad we stayed. Your house is getting a bit crowded."
"Hmmm, agreed. Alice, Seth, Esme, Charlie and any other wayward angels in need of a bath, or food," I deadpanned. "I like this. You and me. Just the two of us."
Bella smiled tenderly, taking her toiletry bag and disappearing into the bathroom. I removed my jacket, sweater and t-shirt. With a roll of my shoulders, my wings were released and I sighed. I hated them being squished inside me. Bella likened me releasing my wings to her taking off her bra. When she described it, I totally agreed with her.
I lay down on the bed, idly flipping through the information packet that Jane had given to Bella regarding the school district and the building where she'd be working in the fall. The door opened and Bella walked out, wearing a white, fluffy robe. Her eyes were cast down and she was gripping the robe, as if she didn't want to take it off. "Bella?"
She blinked up at me and blew out a breath. "I want to rewrite history, Edward," she whispered. With shaking hands, she pushed apart the robe. She let it fall and she wore a navy-blue negligee, revealing her slender body. "I want you to show me … you said I always had a choice with you. I choose you. I want you. Show me how much you love me."
A/N: Well? Leave me your thoughts …
Next chapter will be in Bella's POV so you can experience her feelings, emotions … It will be a lemon-ish. (Will it be a full lemon? That's all up to Bella).
Thank you for reading! See you on the flipside!
