Disclaimer: All of these lovely characters belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. I am but a loyal reader who just wanted more.
Hey guys, so I just noticed something very important in the last two chapters. Me, being in la-la land while writing this story spelled Bella's name wrong. I swear I slapped my forehead so hard that I had a red mark for like an hour. I fixed the errors in the last chapters. Also starting from this chapter, I will start writing in first person. I really hope that people like this story. So far no reviews. I get that I am a new author, but some support would be help my confidence tremendously. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Things are starting to pick up. Enjoy
EPOV:
After having my father explain his plan for exposing the KKK, I felt lighter and was able to breathe easier. I really was hurt when he didn't let me know about this earlier. His word and acceptance meant the world to me. He was my mentor and best friend, well other then Emmett.
As I lay awake in bed thinking about all that was happening, someone knocked on my bedroom door. My mother walked in with a plate of cookies and milk. Somehow she knew that I needed something after my talk with my father.
I moved over to allow her space to sit down next to me. She had that look on her face when she wanted to talk about something important. Knowing my mother, I feared this conversation.
She sat on the right side of the bed and pulled my head down, so I would be able to lay in her lap while she played with my hair. This was our typical position for her talks about marriage and grandchildren.
"So how are things with you and Lauren?" she asked.
"Ok I guess. I saw her like a week ago when she dropped by the office." I told her while taking a bite of her heavenly chocolate chip cookies.
Now I know I was too old to be lying on my mother's lap while I ate cookies, but what the hell. No one can see me and I really don't care. I love my mama.
"When are you planning on settling down? Lauren is a smart and beautiful young woman who any man would kill to have. She won't wait around forever." I rolled my eyes as she said this.
Sure Lauren can be considered "beautiful", but her character and attitude just was not for me. I pride myself in being a humble person. Anyone who knew Lauren knew she was anything but humble. I was only "dating" her to get my mother off of my back about settling down and having children. Guess I didn't think through that plan well enough. Not to mention that fact that my mother was obsessed with the idea for me marrying Lauren.
"Ma, come on. I have only been seeing her for like a month. Isn't that a little too early to be thinking about marriage, let alone children." I asked her.
Damn I need another cookie. This was starting to anger me. Truth of the matter was that my mother was pushing me to date Lauren ever since I turned of age. I finally gave in so she could stop her nagging. Hey I loved my mother, I just didn't like her sometimes.
"Edward, I want grandbabies. End of story. I want to see you happy, and I just know Lauren will do that for you. You haven't even given the poor girl a chance. Her mother called me today and invited us all to dinner tomorrow night. I expect you to be on your best behavior. She is the one for you I just know it." She said passionately while mindlessly stroking my hair.
It felt good and I knew she was trying to distract me. She wanted grandchildren so what better way to achieve that than to hook your son up with your best friend's daughter. She and Cindy, Lauren's mother, were best friends since first grade. They got married around the same time and got pregnant at the same time. When they found out that my mother would have a boy and Cindy was carrying a girl, they had our wedding planned, and our children named before we were even born.
"No, mom." I said, while sitting up and taking her hand.
"I will not marry Lauren, just so you can have grandchildren. That is not fair to me or for the children. No and that is final. When I meet the right one, then I will give you all the babies that you want, but I can tell you for certain that it won't be with Lauren. I don't like her, heck I don't even care for her. I am just doing this for you, but I have no intentions of marrying Lauren or having children with her. Hell if you want details, I haven't and will not even kiss her. So please just stop it with the Lauren talks already." I said.
This shit needed to end now. I can't live my entire life through my mother's plans. I tried to break away, but listening to my mother and doing what she says has been engraved in my heart since before I was born. It takes power and guts to say no to Elizabeth Masen.
"Honey, don't give up just yet. Give it some time. Please, for your dear old mother. Please." ah hell, she was giving me her I-carried-you-for-9 months-so-you-better-do-as-I-say-look. Shit, I had no will power against that look.
"Fine Ma, but just so you know I am doing this for you and I'm leaving Lauren the moment someone else comes along." I say as I kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug.
"Sure dear whatever you say. I know that you will change your mind. Now go to bed, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow." she says as she stands up and takes the plate of cookies and milk with her.
I don't like her tone, but seeing as I was too tired to argue, I gave up on convincing her that there was no way in hell that I would end up marrying Lauren. I will try again tomorrow.
*****
After waking up from a rather disturbing dream where I had 10 kids with Lauren who all looked like her I made my way to the office with my father. We say good morning to Ms. Cope or was it Mrs. I never know anymore. That old bat has married so many times people have lost count. She is a kind soul though. He went to his office and I went to mine. I have a few new cases, but none of them seem interesting enough anymore. It's been about three weeks since my father and I spoke of the KKK. I want to help him with the KKK cases but every time I ask he tells me that it's not time yet. Whatever the hell that means.
As I look over the new cases, I hear a commotion coming from downstairs. I hurry out of my office to see that Ms. Cope is denying Chief Swan from seeing my father.
"He is very busy this morning Chief. Please come back later." She tells him.
"I don't have time for later. Just let him know that I am here right now. I need to speak with him and it's urgent. I will see him even if I have to force my way through." He yells at her.
"Chief Swan follow me Sir. I will show you up to my father." I tell him. I offer my hand and he greets me and thanks me for my help. I lead him up stairs to my father's office. I find him being bombarded with files and books. He almost looked lost in a sea of papers, pens, and books.
"Dad, Chief Swan is here to see you, says that it's extremely urgent." I show Chief Swan to the leather seat and he takes it without another word. My father drops whatever he was working on and a look of fear flashes across his face.
"Last night a group of fishermen found a little girl on the bank of a small lake where they were fishing. Her clothes were missing and she was bruised all over. Turns out it was little Hailey, Carl Lee's daughter. She was going to the store to pick up some groceries for her mama but she never came back. After a couple of hours, her mother sent her brothers looking for her. They didn't find anything. Thankfully the group of fishermen knew her daddy and took her home. She's in the hospital now but it doesn't look good. No one knows who did it to her." Chief Swan explained.
"Jesus Christ. Little Hailey is not a day over 10 years old. Her poor parents. I hate to ask cause I know the answer but was she violated?" My father asked.
" Well the little girl ain't saying much but the bruises on her body indicate that she was raped. Right now they're focusing on her head and upper body. She has some internal bleeding and she has been unconscious ever since they found her. Her father is going crazy and her mother hasn't stopped crying. But the reason I'm here is because some people saw a brand new yellow pick up truck with a repel flag drive past the lake where they found Hailey. Now you know who that truck belongs to."
"Shit. Jamie Cobb. That son of a bitch. That kid needs to be fried for the shit that he's done. Damn it. Edward sit down. Its time." My father says as a looks up at me. I was standing in the doorway ever since Chief Swan took his seat. For a moment I lost all thought process. All I was focusing on was the fact that this poor little girl who hasn't even begun to live had her entire future stolen away from her. I moved from the doorway and sat down next to Chief Swan. I was a little nervous. That guy scared the shit out of me. He had a large build and didn't take shit from anyone. Best example was today with Ms. Cope where he was getting ready to shoot her if she didn't let him through.
"So son, I know you know some of the workings of the KKK. Well Jamie Cobb is the little brother of James Cobb. James Cobb is the leader of the Klan here in Forks. Whenever Jamie got in trouble, James always found a away to find a distraction that would result in his brother being found innocent of the crime that he's done. This boy needs to pay for what he did to Hailey. This case will be the hardest one we've had in a while and I need all the help that I can get. Almost no one is willing to mess with the brethren of the Klan. Well not me. I am taking down Jamie Cobb and whomever helped him if it's the last thing that I do. Now I am going with Chief Swan to the hospital to pay my dues and to see if there is any more information. Chief Swan, quick question, whose Hailey's doctor?"
"That would be Dr. Carlisle Cullen." Chief Swan answered my father. Carlisle was my uncle through marriage. His wife Esme and my mother were sisters. Their daughter Alice was like a sister to me who annoyed the ever-living daylights out of me. I loved them all very much.
"Great that makes things a little bit easier. Carlisle hates those boys almost as much as I do. He has seen and attended to all of their victims. Now Edward I need you to stay here and hold down the fort. I will let you know with whats happening." My father asked me while getting ready to leave with Chief Swan.
"Now I know this isn't the best time, but Renee wanted me to let you all know that she is throwing a welcome home party for our little girl tomorrow and it would mean a lot to us if you and your family would attend." Chief Swan asked my father.
My father laughed at this.
"Charlie, I've known you since we were kids. We are family. Off course we will come. We haven't been together in a while. Carlisle would love to come as well. Stop being so formal." My father chuckled once more and both he and Chief Swan left without another word leaving me to attend to matters here at the firm.
Now I knew that my father, my uncle, and Chief Swan were all like brothers but I kept my distance from Chief Swan. What can I say? That man scares me. He had always been nice to me when I was a child. Emmett and I got into trouble once when we were teenagers and if it wasn't for my father's influence I would have spent the night in jail. Chief Swan has kind of given me the cold shoulder ever since. I think he hates me for some reason. Oh well. Can't have everyone love me.
Around mid afternoon, my father came back from the hospital. He looked shaken and tired. He went straight to his office asking me to follow him and close the door.
He sat down as his desk for a while before he spoke.
"Well Hailey woke up about two hours ago. Her parents held her and cried. She kept saying that she was sorry over and over again. She kept asking her daddy why he didn't stop the bad men from hurting her." My father choked at the last words.
He tried to hold back his tears but a few of them escaped. I knew this was hard on him. He always wanted a little baby girl to spoil but it was never meant to be. That is why he spoiled the hell out of Alice. He treats her like his little girl.
" She kept repeating "I kept callin for you daddy but you never came". I swear her father almost died right there and then at the anguish in his daughter's voice."
"Dad, you said that she said that the men hurt her. It was more than one?"
"Yeah. It was two. She didn't know who they were. But from her description it sounds like it was Jamie and his buddy Will. Them two boys have been attached at the hip and always do their shit together. Charlie is talking to one of his informants. They are all meeting down at the bar tonight to try and get Jamie to talk. Charlie is confident that those boys will be behind bars tonight. The problem is keeping them there. Carl Lee is in shock as of now but once that wears off, there is no telling what that man will do." My father said. He looked outside of his window for a while. He was deep in thought and he seemed to forget I was in the room.
"So, how are things with you and Lauren?" my father asked with a smile in his voice.
"Oh good God. Not you too. Dad I don't like her. I am only doing this to stop Ma from harassing me about settling down. But ever since I told her that Lauren and I were "dating" she has it in her head that, that means me dating Lauren means that we are engaged. Good Grief." My father started laughing at my outburst. I felt better now that his dark mood seemed to be lifted.
"Son thank god for that. Lauren drives me insane. If she were to become my daughter in law, I would disown you and that is no joke. Stop doing what you mother wants you to do. You are your own man. She can't control your life."
"Well can you tell her that cause she doesn't listen to me."
"No way. I like going home to a nice cooked meal and a warm bed. You are on your own when it comes to telling your mama that Lauren is not the girl for you." He just kept on laughing.
"Dad, you think I don't tell her this. She just keeps saying that I am wrong and everything will work out for the best." I tired explaining this to my father. He just kept at laughing at me.
"Yeah well don't worry I have a feeling that you will be meeting the girl of your dreams soon." He told me.
"What, not you too dad! What is wrong with you people! Why can't you just let fate or whatever do its thing instead of trying to hook me up with who ever you think is good for me." Great now my father was playing matchmaker.
"Son, just shut up and listen to your old man. Your soul mate is just around the corner. Now get up off of your fat ass and do some work. I want to go home early today."
"Yeah whatever dad. Please just stop with all the soul mate crap. You know I don't believe in that shit." I tell him as I leave. He just kept on laughing. Stupid know it all lawyers.
The next day my parents, Emmett and his family, and myself all gathered outside of Charlie Swan's house. My parents and Emmett's parents left us at the front door. They all went to the back yard.
"Man, I know Chief Swan is a nice guy and all but I am scared. He has hated us ever since we te-ped the mayor's and judge's house. That man can hold a grudge." Emmett said.
"Yeah I know what you mean. I still can't believe that he invited us here today. Our parents yeah I understand but us. I don't get that man sometimes."
"Whatever, lets just go in the back yard, eat drink and be merry." He joked.
We made our way to the back yard to find it filled with people. Who ever Charlie Swan's daughter is must be the town princess or something. It seemed that everyone in town was here.
We made our way to the drink table and each grabbed a beer. It was smoldering outside and the icy beer felt good.
"Hey man, whose the hot babe that Alice is talking to?" Emmett asked.
I looked over to where he was looking at. There stood three people with Alice. A tall guy with blond hair and a good build, a striking blond beauty with a body to kill, Alice, and another person who I couldn't see.
"Don't know man. Lets go see." I said.
We made our way over to the group of people. Alice noticed us coming and rushed over to greet us. She jumped into my arms and squeezed my neck until I couldn't breathe. The blond that she was speaking to gave me a dirty look. Guess he thought I was her boyfriend or something.
"Ali…sweetie. ..let …go. I can't… breathe." I managed to say.
"Opps sorry," she said as she gave me a kiss and jumped off into Emmett's waiting arms.
" I just really missed you guys. I haven't seen you for a whole week. That is just too much." She said while jumping up and down.
"So, Alice baby who are your new friends over there and most importantly can you hook me up with the pretty blond lady over there?" Emmett asked.
"Oh I forgot. Lets go over there and let me introduce you guys. And no Emmett, stop being a pig. Rosalie doesn't need you to be all over her." She said.
We made our way over to where the group of people were.
"Guys I would like to introduce you to my cousin Edward and his best friend Emmett." She introduced us to the group.
"Edward, Emmett, this is Jasper, his sister Rosalie, and our very own Belle Swan. They just moved here from Maryland and from what I hear they are here to stay." She introduced us.
"Nice to meet you man." I said while shaking hands with Jasper. He had a smile on his face once he found out that I was Alice's cousin.
"Well hello there little lady. I must say that today the angels have graced us with their presence seeing as you're here." Emmett told Rosalie while kissing her hand. That dude was a smooth fucker. I just hoped that Rosalie didn't fall into his traps.
"Well you must be mistaken cause I am no angel." she said.
Everyone laughed but one laugh stood out the most. It sounded like bells ringing. It was smooth and warm at the same time. I turned to the source of the sound.
What I saw took my breath away. She stood there in a blue and white summer dress that came up to her knees. She was slim and perfectly shaped. Her legs and arms were toned and her hair fell to her waist. It was a lush brown with red and gold that danced in the sunlight. Her lips were ruby red and she just looked beautiful and natural. But was captivated me the most were her eyes. She had warm chocolate eyes that were big and round with gold around the edges. They seemed to look right through me and into my soul. They were deep and warm in color. She was breathtaking. I found myself staring at her until someone cleared their throat. That seemed to snap me out of whatever spell she had me under.
"Ms. Swan, I must say that is my extreme pleasure to make your acquaintance." I said while taking her hand and kissing it. As soon as my lips made contact with her skin, a shock rushed through my body.
She gasped and I let go of her hand ending the circuit that seemed to run through my body.
"The pleasure is all mine." She said in a voice so beautiful that I was wondering if Emmett was right about angels gracing us with their presence today. She blushed and looked away. The red in her cheeks made her look even more breathtaking. I wanted to look at her. I just couldn't look away. She would meet my gaze every once in a while and each time she would blush and look away.
The group continued talking to each other. I found my self-captivated with every word that Bella said. I was lost under her spell until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see my father smiling at me.
"What did I say about finding you soul mate today. You wouldn't believe me. I have just spent the last ten minutes watching you stare at the beautiful and lovely Bella. Don't ignore what I said. Good things come to those who wait." He said. He left me alone after that. I wasn't sure if soul mates existed or not but something was special about Bella. She captivated me from the start and no girl that I have ever met had done that to me. All I know was that things were going to be interesting this summer.
A/N: Ok so things are staring to pick up. Let me just explain a few things. Some people may not be familiar with who the KKK are or what the NAACP is.
The KKK stand for the Ku Klux Klan- they are group of white extremist who intimated anyone who is different from them. They have an extreme hate of people of color. Below is the Wikipedia answer to the KKK.
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as The Klan, is the name of several past and present far right hate groups[2] in the United States whose avowed purpose is to protect therights and further the interests of White Americans of Protestant faith by violence and intimidation. The first such organizations originated in the Southern states and eventually grew to national developed iconic white costumes consisting of robes, masks, and conical hats. The KKK has a record of using terrorism,[3][4] violence, and lynching to murder and oppress African Americans,Jews and other minorities and to intimidate and oppose Roman Catholics and labor unions.
The NAACP stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Their mission statement is below.
The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.
Hope that Clarifies any misunderstands. Please Review. That would make my day.