AN: Howdy ya'll, thank you all for your patience! I'm incredibly slow at updating… sorry! HUGE fucking thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favorited and recommended my story! I'm totally and completely blown away by your support!
Love goes out to Twilightsonefan Pattinson for being fuck-awesome and helping with the citrusy lemonade you'll be enjoying! Love you sweetie!
Also, huge fucking thanks go out to my beautiful and devoted pre-reader and beta team! PixieKat7, Billi Cullen, LaMoMo & Miss JenRoxanne. I honestly haven't a clue what I would do without you ladies!
Anywho… I hope you all enjoy and I'd like to say I'll get another update soon, but who the fuck am I kidding? However, I do promise to try my hardest!
As always, I don't own the characters of Twilight, I just like playing with them!
Previously…
Not long into the movie, the doorbell rang. Esme quickly came bustling from the kitchen. "I've got it," she sang.
Edward smiled. "Thanks, Ma." He glanced down at his two sleeping angels. Bella was snuggled against his chest, her casted ankle sticking out from under a blanket. Lizzy was pressed up against Bella, her head resting on Bella's thigh.
He brushed the hair away from Bella's face and placed a kiss at her temple. His lips lingered as he noticed she didn't smell the same. Instead of her normal chocolaty goodness she smelled like a hospital. Edward grinned when he realized he'd just have to help her bathe later that evening.
Edward was pulled from his musings by a throat clearing. He glanced up and saw a vaguely familiar, huge, burly man standing just inside his living room. He was well over six feet, bulky, well muscled and had dark curly brown hair and Bella's smile.
"Kindly extricate yourself from my sister so I can do my job as her older brother and kick your ass."
Edward's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
Second Chances Never Looked So Good ~ Chapter Twelve
Edward heard murmuring from the general direction of his front door as he strained to catch what was being said. He hoped that it wasn't the police dropping by to question Bella again. After their initial interview at the hospital that afternoon, he didn't want Bella to have to relive the details again if she didn't have to.
A few moments later, Edward glanced up as a large, stocky man strolled into his living room; he was as huge as a linebacker. Edward wrapped his arm more protectively around Bella.
The large man stopped as he entered the living room and glared in Edward's direction. "Kindly extricate yourself from my sister so I can do my job as her older brother and kick your ass," the man seethed.
Edward's eyes widened in surprise as he glanced around, this must be Emmett, he thought, but what the hell is his problem? Edward hadn't ever met Emmett, since he had graduated from Forks High School a year before Edward transferred in. He'd only seen pictures and heard stories Bella had told him. From what he remembered her saying, Emmett was tough on the outside, but a big ole' softy on the inside.
"Excuse me? Are you deaf or something... didn't you hear me tell you that I need to kick your ass?" Emmett asked again.
Edward didn't like his attitude at all, especially since this was his house. He sat up straighter, brought up his chin and narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, man, I heard you. I'm Edward, by the way," he said in hopes of getting the big bear of a man calmed down. "You're Emmett, I presume?"
Emmett huffed and nodded. "That's right."
"Well, nice to meet you Emmett, but I'm not getting up. I love your sister with all my heart and I'm never letting her go."
Emmett balled his fists. "Do you know how much worse she could have been hurt?"
"Yeah, she could have been killed. You don't need to remind me of that. I'm the reason she's here and I'm the reason this happened."
"If she was still in Forks, none of this would have happened."
"I know that too," Edward sighed in defeat. "Trust me I know. Listen, I will be in love with Bella forever, she's my life. She's my daughter's life," Edward said quietly as he gazed at his two favorite ladies sleeping against his side. "I wouldn't know what to do if Bella was to leave and I can't even imagine my life without her." Edward glanced up at Emmett. "She'd be crushed if you didn't approve and support her."
Emmett's gaze softened as he trained his eyes on Bella's sleeping form. "Yeah, she'd probably kick my ass, too." He laughed.
"Emmett," a tall blonde, gorgeous woman, who Edward assumed was Rosalie, yelled as she punched him in the arm. "Leave the man alone."
Emmett grabbed his arm and pouted his lip. "Owe, Rosie. I was only tryin' to scare him a little." He turned back to glare at Edward and pointed his finger. "You'd better take care of her or I'll kick your ass into next week."
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
Bella sleepily snuggled her face into the warm scented pillow, she rubbed her cheek against it and slowly realized it was hard instead of soft. What on earth? She cracked her eyes open and saw that her pillow was actually Edward's hard, muscular chest and that warm scent was Edward's own scent of hay, soap and genuine maleness. A smile tugged at her lips and she burrowed her face against him, until she felt his arm tighten around her waist, her eyes closed once again.
Edward gently brushed his fingers through her tangled hair and placed a kiss at her temple. "Time to wake up Sleeping Beauty, you have a visitor."
Bella clenched her eyes shut; she was too comfortable and didn't want to move. The pain in her ankle had finally subsided and she was afraid that if she fully woke up it'd start throbbing again. "Don't wanna."
Edward chuckled. "Come on, Beautiful."
Bella shook her head. "Nooo."
Edward sighed and continued to play with her hair, letting her sleep a little while longer. Lizzy had woken up when Emmett and Rose had arrived and was now in the kitchen helping the ladies make dinner, while Emmett, after Edward's insistence, accompanied Carlisle out to the barn to tend to the horses.
As Edward silently listened to his ever-growing family prepare dinner, he reveled in the laughter of the ladies and the giggling of his favorite little girl. He needed to decide how he was going to handle seeking sole custody of Lizzy. He knew he needed to act quickly and he also knew he needed to discuss with Bella everything he'd learned from Carlisle. But, he decided that for now, he'd bask in the heavenly feel that was his Bella. He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist and linked his fingers with hers before he buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes.
"Mop-head," a loud voice boomed a short while later, jarring Bella from a restful sleep.
She instantly sat up and looked around. "No way, no way," she squealed as she saw her brother bound into the room. She flung the blanket off her lap and tried to stand, but was luckily caught by Edward as she'd forgotten that she now required crutches to move around.
"Emmett." Bella laughed as he squeezed her to his chest and hugged her tight. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you honestly think Rosie and I wouldn't come and see you after what's happened? Silly, silly, Mop-head, what am I going to do with you? Can't you keep yourself out of trouble?"
"Wait, Rose is here too?"
"Of course I am," Rose chimed as she made her way into the room.
Bella wrapped her arms around Rose and sank into the hug. "I've missed you guys," she said quietly.
"We've missed you too."
"Bewwa," Lizzy interrupted with her excited yell.
Bella plopped back down on the sofa and held her arms out as Lizzy came barreling towards her. "Yes, my beautiful little one?"
"inner ime." Bella glanced up towards Esme and raised an eyebrow.
"It's dinner time, lasagna," she clarified.
Bella groaned at the thought of eating Esme's lasagna again. "Oh, yummy. Did you help grandma Esme make it?" Bella asked a squirming Lizzy who nodded proudly. "Well, let's go eat."
Lizzy scrambled to the dinner table and after a short debate, Emmett and Grandpa Carlisle were elected to sit on either side of her. Bella glanced around the table and basked in the joy of seeing both families coming together so easily. She'd heard from her friends' experiences that melding two families together could be a little dicey, but she was grateful that her newly extended family seemed to get along so well. The room was filled with happy chatter and boisterous laugher. The sight made her heart swell with love.
As Renee cut squares of Esme's lasagna, Bella leaned into Edward's side and sighed.
"What's wrong, baby?" he asked as his arm wrapped around the back of her chair.
"Nothing… nothing at all. Just look how beautiful our families look together. How did we get so lucky?"
Edward kissed her temple and hummed in agreement.
"So, I gave Edward quite a scare when I came in tonight," Emmett muffled as he stuffed another huge bite of lasagna in his mouth.
Bella noticed Edward stiffen slightly so she laid her hand on his thigh and rubbed soothingly.
"Did not," Edward huffed.
"I totally did. I think he about crapped his pants."
Emmett was smacked upside the head by Renee. "Language, young man, there is a little one present," Renee said, pointing to Lizzy who was too busy chatting with Carlisle to notice.
"Sorry," he muttered as he rubbed the back of his head. "Anyway, I came in and stood over Edward like a giant and demanded that he remove himself from you so I could kick his ass."
Emmett received another smack upside the head. "Ma…" he whined.
Renee gave him a stern look that sent the table into a fit of laughter.
Edward's face filled with mock sternness as he pointed a finger in Emmett's direction, his eyes twinkling with laughter. "I did not about poo my pants. I merely told you that I refused to release my hold on Bella… ever." Edward turned and winked at Bella causing her to blush. "And that I love your sister with all my heart and even if you beat the life out of me I would continue to love her for all time."
Emmett shrugged his shoulders. "Well maybe, but it was still funny to see how huge your eyes got when I loomed over you."
"Em, why do you have to be such a doofus? Leave Edward alone, okay? He's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me and I swear I'll hate you forever if your scare him off."
Edward wrapped his arms around Bella and kissed her neck. "Nothing could ever scare me off, baby," he stated fiercely, "and just for the record, he didn't frighten me."
Bella giggled. "Oh I know, my big, strong, handsome man. Trust me, I know." She placed a gentle kiss on his lips and went back to eating.
"You two are so nauseatingly sweet, it's going to make me hurl," Emmett groused.
"Stuff it, young man, before I take you over my knee," Bella's grandma threatened. "Besides, you and Rose are exactly the same way."
Rose brightened and nudged Emmett in the side, he feigned hurt. "What, woman! I'm eating."
"Didn't you want to tell everyone something?" she asked sweetly, batting her long lashes at him.
His eyes widened. "Oh, yeah, right." He cleared his throat. "I am happy to announce that I got a promotion at work. I've been asked to manage our newest, state-of-the-art fitness center."
"Oh, Em, that's wonderful," Renee cheered. "Where is it located?"
"Well, that's the exciting part. It's here in Portland."
Bella squealed. "Really? You're moving here, too?" She looked excitedly from Rose to Emmett.
"Yeah, Mop-head, we are."
Edward chuckled. "What's with this mop head business?" he asked, as he scooted his chair closer to Bella's and wrapped his arm around her, she nestled her head against his shoulder.
"Well…" Renee started.
Bella groaned and decided she needed to tell the story; otherwise her mom would make it far more embarrassing then it already ways. "My Gramps used to call me a bag of bones and a mop of hair when I was little and Emmett being… well, Emmett picked up on it and has been calling me Mop-head ever since." Bella cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Emmett barked with laughter. "I only do it now to fu… fudge with you," he recovered quickly.
"So, when are you guys moving?" Esme asked as she finished her last bite of salad.
"Well, in the next month actually. Rosie and I have some appointments tomorrow to check out a few houses and we have to check out the hospital and Rose's new doctor." Emmett grinned.
The room went silent as everyone processed what he was telling them. "New doctor for what? You aren't sick are you, Rose?" Renee asked worriedly.
Bella squealed again and clapped her hands. "Oh my gosh, you're pregnant!"
The look of pure joy and love displayed on Rose & Emmett's faces were enough of an answer. The room erupted in congratulations and cheers.
"How far along are you? Are you feeling okay? Do you need to lie down?" Bella bubbled when the room had quieted down.
Rose laughed. "I'm about three months along, so the babies are due in early June."
"Babies?" everyone gasped.
Emmett grinned and puffed out his chest in pride. "That's right, ladies and gentlemen, not only did I knock her up, but I knocked her up with twins."
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
Long after everyone had been tucked into bed, Edward and Bella sat snuggled on the couch. A dwindling fire crackled and popped as they watched the first snow fall of the season drift down from the heavens.
"It's always so peaceful when it snows," Bella whispered.
"It sure is," he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
Bella shivered as his warm breath blew against her skin. "Can you believe that Christmas is in five days?"
"I know, time has been flying by, Beautiful." Edward cupped his hands along her cheeks and looked into her brown eyes. "I'll never be able to express to you how much I love you and how grateful I am that you're here with me now," he whispered as his lips brushed against hers.
"Mmm…" Bella moaned as Edward's tongue invaded her mouth, she wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled her body as close to his as she could. "I love you too, Handsome… so much."
Edward leaned his forehead to hers. "I need to talk to you about something," he said quietly as he stroked the skin at the base of her neck with his fingertips.
"About?"
"About Lizzy."
Bella pulled away from him, suddenly afraid that something was wrong with her favorite little girl. "What's wrong? Is she okay? She seemed fine earlier when I put her to bed."
Edward cupped the back of her neck and kissed the tip of her nose. "Baby, calm down. Physically she's fine, but my dad informed me of something after he got home from picking her up from Lauren's."
"What was it?"
Edward sighed. "Well, according to him, when he arrived to pick Lizzy up, that guy answered the door and I guess the entire place reeked of pot."
Bella's eyes went huge. "They're smoking weed with Lizzy in the house? What the fuck is wrong with these people?" Bella raged. "What are you going to do Edward? She can't go back there."
"Aww, baby I love you so much. I love how much you love my little girl. And it's not what I'm going to do, it's what we're going to do."
Bella looked at him with confusion. "We?"
Edward chuckled. "Yes, we. You are a permanent fixture in our lives, therefore everything that concerns me or Lizzy now concerns you, too. I want to know what you think and how you feel. I want you to be a part of any decisions made concerning our family."
"Our family," Bella mused as a small smile played on her lips. "But… but I'm not her mother, I have no legal say in what you should do."
Edward grabbed Bella's hands which were twisting the hem of his t-shirt. "Hey, look at me please," he pleaded quietly. Bella's face rose and her eyes met his. "You might not be Lizzy's biological mother, but you've been more of a mother to her in this last month than Lauren has ever been. Lizzy loves you and I'm hoping you'll like what I'm about to suggest."
Bella's mind raced, was he going to ask her to marry him? She was already living with the man, marrying him would be the next logical step, wouldn't it? Was she ready to marry him and become Lizzy's step-mom? Hell yes, she was, but it all still seemed too much, too soon. Bella took a few deep, calming breaths and brought her eyes to meet Edward's once again. His gaze pierced to her soul and her breath caught.
"I'm thinking we should contact my lawyer tomorrow and ask for emergency custody for Lizzy. There is no way in hell I'm going to let her go back to that house." Bella nodded. "Then, I'm going to seek permanent sole custody of her and see whether Lauren would be willing to sign over her parental rights."
"Do you think she'd go for that?" Bella asked incredulously.
"We've got to hope she will. I honestly believe the only reason why she's stuck around this long is because of the child support I'm paying. It's a God-awful amount each month, but when I set it up, I seriously thought it was the right thing to do. Lizzy needed her mother."
Bella swung her leg over Edward's lap and straddled his thighs before she laced her fingers with his. "What makes you think she'll give up so easily? If she's out for the money, then why would she just up and leave without a cent?"
Edward grinned. "Who says she would be without a cent?"
Bella cocked her eyebrow and waited.
"I make an extremely healthy amount of money from this ranch, more money than we'll ever know what to do with. I've been incredibly blessed with what I've been given, but I'd give it all away if it meant that I could have my daughter in my life permanently. So, I figure if we give her a large sum of money, then hopefully she'll comply and sign over her rights."
Bella sat back a little and eyed him curiously. "Is that legal?"
"I've heard of people doing it before and I figure if I go through my lawyer, then all of it will be done properly." Edward brought their joined hands behind Bella's back and pulled her against him. His nose skimmed her jaw and down her neck before he started nibbling along her collarbone. "There's one more thing baby," he murmured between nibbles.
"What?" Bella groaned as his fingers delved into the back of her sweatpants and his large, warm hands cupped her bare bottom, she arched into him, thrusting her chest into his face. Edward's attention became consumed by Bella's pert nipples pushing through the fabric of her thin shirt. His mouth descended and he suckled her, shirt and all. Bella's fingers gripped his hair as her body became overwhelmed with sensations.
Edward slowly released her nipple and chuckled when he saw that his mouth had made a large wet spot on her shirt. His gaze continued to be anchored to the beautiful woman in front of him. "Baby, there was one more thing I wanted to talk to you about." He released his hold on her butt and moved his hands up her back.
"What is it?" she mulled.
His hands cupped her cheeks and he brought his forehead to meet hers, their gazes locked. "I want to know if you'd like to adopt Lizzy when this is all over. I want to know if you'd like to be her mother."
Bella was stunned. He wasn't asking her to marry him, but he was asking if she wanted to be Lizzy's mother. How could she say no to that? How could she abandon that beautiful little girl? Tears started forming and slowing fell down her cheeks. "Really?" she choked out.
Edward's thumbs wiped away her tears. "Really. My daughter loves you, I love you and I know you love us. This will just complete us as a family. You, me and Lizzy-Bear would be tied together forever and ever. What do you say?"
"I say hell yes!" She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I want nothing more than to be her mother… well, except than being your wife."
"That time will come, I promise you that." Edward said softly into her hair as he squeezed her closer to him. "I think it's time to go relax."
"I thought we were," she lowly moaned as he began nibbling on her neck.
"I was thinking along the lines of a soak in the tub."
"Are you trying to seduce me?" she asked coyly as she ran her fingers down his torso and settled against his hardened erection.
Edward growled deep in his chest. He swiftly picked her up, blanket and all, causing her to squeal. "Quiet baby, you're going to wake everyone up." He closed his mouth over hers as her arms wrapped securely around him.
Edward carried her upstairs and straight into their bathroom. He sat her down on the counter as he rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a lighter. He dimmed the overhead lights and started lighting the candles placed around the small room before he started the water, filling the tub as he added the sweet smelling bubble bath under the flowing spout. Bella watched in wonder as Edward went about readying their bath.
He was such a beautiful man and she still couldn't believe her luck that he was hers, heart, body and soul. She ached to touch him, to hold him and to love him for the rest of her days. She reached a hand out and gently laid it on his strong back.
He turned. "What's wrong?" he asked as he noticed the expression on her face.
Bella smiled. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just realizing, once again, how incredibly lucky I am to be here with you and to have you love me like you do." Her hands moved to cup his cheeks. "I love you so much, Edward."
He rested his forehead against hers and placed his hands along her hips. "I love you too, Bella. You are my soul-mate, my other half. I'm completely lost without you and I will remind you how grateful I am for you every day for the rest of our lives."
Happy tears filled her eyes as she pressed her lips against his. What started out as sweet and loving soon turned into heated and passionate. Bella's fingers twisted in Edward's hair as she pulled him closer. Her tongue tangled with his and their breaths became one. She savored his flavor of mint and coffee as she explored his mouth.
Bella wrapped her good leg around his waist and nestled her body against his. Edward's hands ran along the hem of her shirt, before diving under and quickly pulling it up and over her head, throwing it behind him.
"God, Beautiful, you captivate me," he moaned as his nimble fingers unclasped her bra and his lips caressed the expanse of her neck.
"Clothes need to come off," she whimpered. "Now, Edward."
He pulled away from her and stripped quickly before he helped her pull down her black yoga pants.
Remembering she had a cast on her foot she asked, "How in the world am I going to take a bath with this thing on my foot?"
Edward chuckled. "I have a plan, my beauty." He tapped his forehead, turned and shut the water off before he went into their bedroom.
Bella's eyes stayed trained on his well defined back and his firm ass as he strode from the room.
"This is hardly the time to start dabbling with BDSM," Bella quipped when he returned with a small garbage sack and some tape.
Edward stopped in his tracks and stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise. "Wh… huh?"
Bella quickly tried to backpedal. "I was just joking, Edward. We don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with."
Edward slowly blinked his eyes. "You wanna be tied up?" he asked quietly.
Bella noticed the lust in his eyes and smirked. "Maybe," she answered, biting her lip.
"Fuck me," he hissed in a low moan as he strode towards her. His lips quickly attacked hers, his naked body pressing eagerly and hungrily against her own.
"Yes, please," she groaned as she flexed her wet, warm center against his steel hard cock. Her hand snaked down between their bodies as she searched for his hardened length. She grasped it firmly, causing Edward to groan into her mouth and gently thrust into her tiny hand.
She slowly stroked him up and down, rubbing her thumb over the thick head, spreading his pre-cum and working it all around before she guided him to her entrance and swiftly impaled herself on him, her back arched as she eagerly welcomed his hot, hard cock.
"Oh good God, Beautiful," Edward moaned as he grabbed her hips and pulled her to the edge of the counter. "You feel so fucking good… so fucking tight, Darlin'."
Bella leaned back and braced her hands on the counter top behind her so she could watch Edward's cock move in and out of her, glistening with her dripping juices. She traced her fingers seductively along her hardened peaks and down her stomach before making contact with her clit and circling it, matching the wonderful pace Edward had set with his hips. Then, he withdrew himself before returning to her throbbing core. "Edward!" she cried out.
"That's it baby, keep touching yourself. Holy fuck, that's hot!" Edward continued his relentless pillage of her body. Bella glanced to the other side of the counter and watched their sweaty and sexy reflection in the mirror before her. She couldn't tear her eyes away from their bodies as her cowboy continued to thrust his delicious hips into her, his tight ass on display. She watched his cock as it slid in and out of her aching depth.
Edward, who had been caught up in the moment staring at her eyes, glanced to where Bella's attention had been snagged and took in the fantastic view of his beautiful girl all sweaty and deliciously enraptured by their love-making. This turned him on even further and encouraged him to continue pounding into her glorious pussy.
"You like that, baby? You like watching me fuck you?" Edward asked, his soft velvety voice came out in a breathless whisper as he continued his fast pace.
"Yes… God, yes, Edward, you look so fucking sexy. I love seeing you move inside me. Fuck, yes! Harder, baby! You feel so damn good," Bella cried out with pleasure as she kept her eyes trained on the reflection of his ass in the mirror.
"So do you Bella, you always feel so damn good, darlin'," he whispered into her chest as he took her puckered nipple between his teeth and lightly bit down. He started sucking it into his wet mouth, causing Bella to arch her back and cry out before he switched breasts.
Bella moaned with pleasure, her fingers moving to grasp his silky strands. Edward pulled back to look into her eyes, not wanting to miss the window into her soul, where her love and desire were always visible.
Bella once again slid her fingers between their bodies, finding her swollen bundle of nerves. She gently circled it before slipping down past her clit to fondle his balls.
"Not… gonna… last… long…" Edward gasped, as his mouth started biting on her rosy pink nipple once more and his fingers found her clit, flicking and pinching it, bringing her closer to the edge.
She wrapped her good leg around the back of his thigh and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling her body flush against his strong muscular chest. "Don't make me wait, Cowboy… I want to cum now," Bella demanded, scratching her nails across his firm, tight ass.
Determined to make it happen, Edward fixed his mouth to hers and increased his thrusting. Within moments both were falling over the edge, moaning into each other's mouths, their tongues dancing as Edward stilled, releasing deep within Bella's clinching, pulsating pussy.
They stayed fused together, him still buried deep within her, neither wanting to move and both content just holding one another tight as their breathing calmed and their galloping heartbeats returned to normal.
"Well, I think I'm ready for my wonderfully sexy cowboy to show me what plans he has in store for our relaxing bubble bath, after all that," Bella purred, her chocolate brown eyes met his emerald green ones as she stroked her fingers through the fine dusting of hair along his broad chest.
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
The following morning was as peaceful and as quiet as it could only be after it's snowed. The only sound was Edward's feet crunching into the powdery white as he made his way out to the barn to complete his morning chores. It was only four days until Christmas and the family had decided that they'd all stay on the ranch so they could celebrate their first Christmas together. Even if Edward would love nothing more than to have them all gone so he could enjoy his first week of Bella being home more thoroughly, he wasn't about to send their loved ones away.
Edward shivered against the cold and pulled the collar of his Carhartt jacket up even further around his neck and his Stetson further down on his ears. The cold seemed to be the only downside that came with the snow.
Just as he reached the barn, his cell phone started ringing, after digging it from the inside pocket of his jacket he answered, "Howdy."
"Hey, Edward, it's Seth."
"Hey man, how's it going?" Edward asked as he balanced his cell phone between his ear and shoulder since his hands were busy with the livestock.
"Can't complain. Listen, I've completed my work over on the truck and I think you'll be interested in what I found. The police sure were."
Edward perked up and switched the phone to his other ear so he could finish giving each horse their morning flake of hay. "I'm listening."
"I found oil in the break system."
Edward stopped. What the hell. "What?"
"It appears that someone poured, I'm guessing, about a quart of engine oil into the brake fluid reservoir. That's why the brakes didn't fail immediately. It took time for the oil to work its way through the lines."
"Son of a bitch! Why would someone do that?"
"I don't know man, but I gave my findings to the police. They're thinking someone broke into the truck, which would explain the scratches on the driver side door, popped the hood and put the oil in. It's pretty clever, if you ask me. If someone had just cut the brake line they would have stopped working immediately."
"Okay, so about how long would it take before the oil started causing damage?" Edward asked as he made his way out of the barn and leaned against the corral fence, under a light sprinkling of snow falling around him.
"Considering the amount of damage, not long at all. You said you went out the night before, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, seeing as your ranch is only about fifteen minutes from town, I'd say it happened the night before the accident. The police are going to see if the restaurant caught anything on camera."
"Holy hell," Edward muttered as he whipped his Stetson off and raked his fingers through his hair.
How was he going to tell Bella? He didn't want her to worry or start regretting her decision to be with him and especially her moving in with him. He glanced back at the house and imagined her still cozy in their bed, sleeping. Her beautiful chestnut hair draped across the pillow and her beautiful back exposed by the comforter sliding down her body.
"Edward, you still there?"
Seth's voice brought Edward back to reality. "Yeah, sorry man. Just trying to process everything."
"No worries. Hey listen, on a separate matter… I'd like to invite you to Leah's play tonight. It's called Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Leah has a part as a school kid, she's so excited about it, and she even has a few lines, too. I know it's short notice, but you've always come to them in the past." Leah was Seth's eight-year-old daughter.
Edward mentally scanned his memory for any plans the family had made for the night and came up blank. "We'd love to come. Can you set some tickets aside for us?"
"Sure, how many would you like?"
Now there was a good question. Should it just be him, Bella and Lizzy or should he invite everyone? "Let's go with nine, the whole family is in town and we'll make a night out of it."
"Wow, sounds great, Edward. Leah is going to be excited when I tell her you're coming. I still can't believe the crush she has on you… it must be a cowboy thing."
Edward chuckled as he remembered Leah always wanting to hold his hand and show him all her favorite games. "It must be. We'll see you tonight, Seth."
Edward dropped his cell phone back into his jacket pocket and made his way back into the barn to complete his morning chores.
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
"Okay, I've decided that we needed a family outing tonight," Edward addressed everyone after he had them convene in the living room. The room broke out into quiet chatter as they all tried to talk at once.
"Where are we going?" Esme asked.
"It's a secret." Edward winked. "Just make sure you're all dressed and ready to go by 4pm."
Emmett groaned. "Come on man, you aren't going to even tell us where we're going?"
"Nope… it's a surprise, but I'm almost positive you all will like it."
"What about food?"
Rose smacked Emmett upside the head. "Is your stomach all you ever think about?" She laughed.
Emmett turned towards her. "Nope, Rosie. I'm thinking about your belly and our two little ones." His hand settled on Rose's tiny baby bump.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. "Thanks, bear," she cooed as she placed her lips against his.
"And they say we're disgustingly sweet," Edward grumbled into Bella's hair.
"That's because we are." Bella snaked her arm around Edward's back and looped her finger through his belt loop.
"So, Son, can we at least all decide on where we're going to eat?" Carlisle asked as he wrapped his arm around his wife.
"I'm thinking Mexican," Bella piped up.
Edward threw a knowing glance her way. She was a Mexican food junkie and he couldn't help but remember their first meal of tacos together when she'd sucked some spilled salsa off his chin. He had to shift his lower body to try and find a more comfortable position.
Bella quickly took notice to Edward's change in demeanor and placed her hand along his upper thigh, only causing Edward to do some more couch shifting.
He leaned in so his lips grazed her ear. "Beautiful, are you deliberately trying to make things hard for me?"
Bella giggled and shook her head, her fingers inching through the thick hair at the base of his neck. "I'd never," she teased.
"Uh huh… right."
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
The afternoon was spent decorating the house with the few Christmas decorations Edward had collected over the years. While the men were outside attaching strings of lights along the eaves and gutters, the women were inside listening to Christmas music and placing decorations throughout the house.
Bella sank down onto the couch and perched her aching ankle on the coffee table, all the hobbling around had worn her out. She stared into the roaring fire and decided that life couldn't get any better. However, a few minutes later life got even better when Lizzy scrambled onto the couch and snuggled next to her.
"Hey Lizzy-Bear, are you having fun today?" Bella asked quietly as she stroked the little girl's hair.
Lizzy nodded and burrowed into Bella's side, stuck her thumb into her mouth and closed her eyes.
Bella sighed in contentment and continued to play with Lizzy's hair as she listened to the soothing voice of Josh Groban singing I'll Be Home For Christmas. Bella mused on how she'd always been content with her life and that she'd always loved her family, but how she had also always felt like something was missing. Right now, though, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
She was finally home.
SCNLSG~*~*~*~*~SCNLSG
"Let's hit the road everyone. We're all gonna pile into my truck and Emmett's suburban. Come on let's go," Edward boomed as everyone milled around the foyer of the house, gathering coats, scarves and mittens. He'd suggested that they all get dressed up to make the night even more special.
He watched Bella hobble closer to him, his eyes raking up and down her beautiful form. After much prodding from Edward she'd decided to wear a deep navy blue wrap dress that showcased her world-class figure and had Edward drooling, cast notwithstanding. He frowned as she slipped her dark gray pea coat on, effectively hiding said figure.
Lizzy suddenly came barreling down the hallway and latched herself around Edward's leg. "Daddy, we go?" Lizzy was dressed in a red and white plaid jumper with a white turtleneck sweater, red stockings and black Mary-Jane's. She'd also insisted that Bella put her hair in pigtails. Edward couldn't believe how adorable and beautiful his baby girl was.
Edward bent and swung Lizzy up into his arms. "Yeah, Lizzy-Bear, we're going."
After everyone had filled their bellies with Mexican food Edward decided to let them know where there next destination was. "Well, my friend Seth called me this morning and told me about a play his daughter, Leah, is in tonight. She's eight and is in every play that our local playhouse offers and Lizzy-Bear and I have attended each one. So, I had Seth reserve us seats for tonight's show."
"Oh, that sounds like fun, Edward," Renee commented. "What play is it?"
Edward scratched the back of his neck and his cheeks started pinking up. "Hmm... honestly I don't remember, but the title had something to do with a coat?" Everyone laughed.
"You're so adorable when you blush," Bella whispered in his ear as her hand slid up the inside of his thigh.
Edward had to hold in a deep growl that started brewing in his chest. His girl was such a vixen. He glanced at his watch. "Okay, we've got about 40 minutes before the play starts, why don't we head down to the playhouse and get comfortable?"
The Mexican restaurant was only a block away from the theater, so they decided to walk. Lizzy insisted on riding on Emmett's shoulders, giggling the whole way. Edward reached to twine his fingers with Bella's before he remembered that she had to use both hands to maneuver her crutches. His mind recalled the information Seth had told him about the tampering of Bella's brake reservoir on her truck. Could Lauren or that low life Riley be behind it? Would Lauren really stoop that low?
Bella grunted as one of her crutches slipped on the snow-packed sidewalk. He saw a flash of pain briefly cross her features. His girl, the love of his life was in pain and it was his fault. He'd been the one to get involved with Lauren all those years ago. He was the one who got her pregnant and he was the one who'd insisted on keeping Lauren in Lizzy's life so she had a mother. He was beginning to doubt his past decisions. He frowned.
His hand slowly slid up Bella's back as he tried to help steady her. He started pouting and Bella giggled at his antics.
"What's with the face, handsome?" she asked, but continued before he could respond. "I think you'll survive the block we have to go. I promise to snuggle up with you while we watch the play… okay?" she asked, her eyes dancing with merriment.
"Fine," he pouted. "Make sure you go slowly, it's extremely slippery out here. I don't need you breaking any more bones. In fact, what I need is for you to heal this bone and be without any casts or crutches. They get in the way."
"They didn't seem to get in the way last night… or have you already forgotten about the bathroom counter?"
Edward grabbed a hold of Bella's arm and stopped her and moved to stand in front of her, his finger tucked under her chin to bring her eyes to meet his. "I'd never, ever, forget anything about the love-making we do. You are so precious to me, Beautiful. I'm sorry I'm being such a grouch, I just hate seeing you suffer."
Bella moved her crutches so they leaned against the outside wall of a shop along the sidewalk and wrapped her arms around him. "I know baby, I was just giving you a hard time. Please, don't be sad. It's a beautiful day and you've surprised us all with a great night. Let's go catch up with everyone and enjoy ourselves… okay?"
Edward pressed his forehead against hers. "Of course. I love you, Isabella Marie Swan. With all my heart."
"I love you too, Edward Anthony Cullen. You are my soul and I'd be lost without you." She cupped his cheeks and brought their mouths together.
"Oh, for fudge's sake," Emmett bellowed. "Would you two stop sucking face long enough to join the rest of us?"
Bella blushed as she pulled away from Edward and reached for her crutches.
After they were seated in the fourth row and middle section of the stadium-style theater, everyone chattered with excitement. Edward glanced around for Seth, but didn't see him. He did however see Leah poking her head out from behind the heavy, velvet red curtain on the stage. When she noticed Edward, she started waving enthusiastically.
Bella chuckled. "Another one of your many admirers?" she asked with amusement.
"Maybe. Why, you jealous?" he asked as he nuzzled her ear.
"Maybe…"
As the lights dimmed and the orchestra located in the pit below the stage started to play their opening number, Lizzy started giggling. Edward grinned as he watched Lizzy bounce on Emmett's knee to the music. Emmett had a hold of Lizzy's hands and was waving them around as if she was conducting the orchestra.
Edward nudged Bella and pointed towards the pair. Bella's face lit with a smile as she took in the adorable view.
"He's going to be an amazing father," she commented as she continued to watch.
"Yeah, beautiful, he is."
AN: Hey… just me again! Please leave some love and let me know what you think! Lucky reviewer number 400 will get to decide what the next outtake will be! Yea! Thanks again everyone for your support! Ya'll fucking ROCK and make me want to continue this story!
*Eifeltwr*