Chapter 22

EPOV

This is my third day in the hospital and they are making me stay another two days, even though I feel great and would rather be resting at home in Seattle. When I asked Joshua about this I was told Bella insisted I rest here before being moved.

"You are my doctor Joshua. Sign me out and then she will just have to deal with it and I can rest at home." He laughed at me.

"If that is how you feel about it then sign yourself out and you can deal with her wrath. I am enough of a man to admit she scares me and I know who butters my bread Edward. You are staying." He said.

"Fine" I huffed as he exited my room. I had to admit she did appear to scare most of the doctors, the nurses not too much but definitely the doctors. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused that. Carlisle had mentioned something about one of the doctor's giving her a hard time about my surgery. I could imagine how that went over with her, she must have threatened him and word got out to the other doctor's. It would explain them trying to stay out of her way.

It felt good to have a moment to myself or almost to myself. William sat quietly in the corner reading his book. Since waking three days ago he or Grey never left the room. Bella insisted that one of them be with me at all times until Jacob was found. Once she reassured me Anthony or Stephen was with her I gave in. I understood her need to protect me, it was almost as intense as my need to protect her. I thought back over the conversation I had with my father yesterday concerning my rescue and my mother's reaction to everything.

"I have to admit Edward when we found your car outside Tanya's building all of us worried over Bella's reaction but she never even entertained the thought that you could be with Tanya. She had things rolling before we arrived at her house to tell her what we knew, which wasn't much. Esme did not like the idea that we couldn't contact the authorities. In hind sight I find myself wondering if I had mentioned that fact first instead of Bella if you mother would have blamed her as much as she does. Bella took charge quickly but your mother seemed fine with that at first. I just don't know Edward."

"It's fine Dad. Bella told me that she felt left of things, that Bella was hiding things or withholding information from her. I hope she realizes that some things she was better off just not knowing."

"I think she will, in time. I have to say Edward, I had no idea you two were so serious about each other until I witnessed the reactions of people when Bella mentioned you were important to her. It was obvious she hasn't said that about many people that don't work for her."

"No she hasn't. I know mother feels that Bella hasn't been as open with me as she should but she really has about the big things. Mother feels that way because she doesn't know the details herself and she is use to knowing these things. Bella takes privacy to a new level but she has her reasons for that and I respect them and her. Mother needs to come to terms with the fact that most things she will never know but that doesn't mean that Bella hasn't shared them with me. Bella loves me dad I know she does. She may have a difficult time saying those three words to me because she still feels guilty sometimes but I know she loves me. I see and feel it every time we are together and when she does things that go against her grain, such as, including my family when trying to find me it just reinforces to me that she loves me and will marry me one day."

"I understand that Edward but your mother will take some convincing. I also think that is why when your mother saw the opportunity to have all the information she took it. As your next kin she was finally being let in on everything. Between that and her fear for you she reacted irrationally. She likes Bella, she does but she also knows Bella won't live in Seattle. She feels as if she is losing you and that is hard for her to deal with. In many ways your mother has led a sheltered life. I don't share the ugliness of business with her like Jasper does with Alice and she grew up in Seattle, she had always been accepted here. She has a hard time understanding Bella because she can't put herself in her shoes. She will come around Edward, she likes Bella she will remember that."

As much as I tried to understand what my father was saying it didn't help my unease about the way Bella was treated while I was in surgery and recovery. Alice and Rose weren't openly hostile to Bella but as Esme's hostility increased so did their cold attitude towards her. They were supporting my mother, even though they liked Bella and the man I was with her, and I could appreciate that and Bella, she understood the reasoning. I was glad Jasper and Emmett and the girls flew back to Seattle today, I would have a chance to talk to my mother alone. She had been hiding behind other people to avoid this and her time of running was over. When she entered my room it was obvious she didn't expect us to be alone.

"I thought Bella or your father would be here with you? Where is everyone?" she asked.

"I asked them to give us some time so I can talk to you. You have been avoiding this conversation and I know it. William, could you possibly wait in the hall so I can talk to my mother?"

"Not a problem Edward. Call out if you need anything." William said.

"Thank you William."

She looked uncomfortable as she sat down before she took a deep breath and looked at me. I reached my hand out and she took it in hers. "Mother I know you having been avoiding being alone with me. Is that because of what you think I will say or do you feel guilty about something?"

"A little of both I think" she said.

"I know you blame Bella for what happened mother. I am also pretty sure you know that blame is misplaced. Jacob has had issues with me for years and you know this. Yes he did this because of my relationship with her but his obsession with her isn't her fault. Just as his problems with me aren't all my fault. She saved me mother. You do realize that they would have killed me if not for her?"

"But you wouldn't have been taken at all if not for Bella." She said softly.

"That may be true but I also wouldn't be CEO and The Cullen Group would be in trouble without her tipping us off to Aro and his dealings. It is possible that Jacob would have come after me anyway over the Sinclair Foundation bid even if Bella and I were not involved. I love her mother you know this. You had that party and went out of your way to try to make her comfortable in Seattle to just turn your back on her."

"The people she had finding you Edward. She wouldn't even introduce us to some of them and said it was for our own good. What kind of people does she know, I don't want you to get mixed up in that sort of thing. It can't be safe and what if something like this happens again, what then? Maybe next time we won't be so lucky. Why would you want to be mixed up in that Edward?"

"Do you think she actively sought out these people? You know how she came to know so much about Aro and his dealings. Why do think the others are any different?"

I thought back to one of the conversations Bella and I had in Scotland.

"Edward I know eventually we will set down and go through things very in depth but you need to know that most of the people I know and the dealings I have were set in motion long before I was ever on my own."

"I don't understand Bella."

"My father was very involved with the government and not just the US government. There are a lot of classified contracts for all sorts of things with friendly governments. It is one of the reasons Edgar fought so hard for Swan Enterprises. Imagine Aro with those kinds of government contacts. Almost all of the contracts are military, highly classified, highly sensitive contracts. Weapons, intelligence technology - I have quite a few high placed contacts, it is how most of my detail is ex-military. Edward my godfather was head of the CIA for years, he and my father went to school together."

"Damn Bella I had no idea you were that well connected."

"Most people don't and I keep those connections because I keep them private. I don't go running my mouth to anyone, they know I can be trusted. Just as I know you can be trusted Edward but these are not things that can be explained to your family under any circumstances. Should anything happen to me Stephen will set in motion things that will have your family asking what the hell kind of people I associate with and it can never be explained to them, not ever. This is one of things you need to take into consideration about a life with me Edward."

"Just as my father was highly connected in the 'legal' world Edgar was highly connected in the black market. His dealings with Aro were the tip of a large iceberg. Yes he pulled his businesses out when we were married but he still explained it all to me. He never wanted me to be caught off guard and he also understood that if a situation arose that my father's contacts couldn't solve odds are his would be able to. I have never called on any of those people for any reason, once I do I out myself as knowing much more than any one has ever suspected and that would be very bad not only for me but for those around me as well."

I remember being shocked and angered because she had been exposed to that and pissed but grateful that she still seemed to be giving me an option. I was beginning to understand what she meant about me having the choice she never did. These contacts and people she knew, she had grown up with some of them in her life. She was forced to play someone's hand instead of being dealt a new one of her own. It also made me realize there were some things she would never share with me, it would be too dangerous for me and her.

"Edward, are you even listening to me?" I was pulled from my thoughts as my mother called my name.

"I'm sorry mother I was lost in my thoughts."

"Personally I like Bella. She is just what you need Edward and I can see how happy she makes you, a blind man would be able to see how happy both of you are. But the mother in me wants to take you as far away from this trouble as I can. I know I over reacted when you were first brought in and I am ashamed that I tried to tell you she wasn't in the hospital when you ask about her."

"You need to know that when I went to Scotland Bella was very honest about her parents and Edgar, vague but honest. I have known since then about the people she interacted with growing up and in her time with Edgar. I have to admit that right now lying in this bed I am glad she has them because I was 30 seconds from being killed in the woods. I made a knowledgeable decision to be with her mother. These aren't people she interacts with everyday but they are there for her when she needs them."

"Edward I heard her give an order to have someone killed. 'Take them out' were her exact words."

"She did that because he had shot me. If you had been in her shoes would have let me be killed?"

"NO" she gasped.

"Then why are you judging her harshly for keeping me alive?"

"I don't know Edward."

"I love her mother, she is the woman I am going to marry and have a family with. I want you to be able to be a integral part of that so you need to come to terms with this quickly."

"You would cut me out?"

"No, but how large of a part you will get to be depends on how well you get along with Bella. I can not go back to living how I was before her, I was miserable mother. I can't go back to that not even for you."

"I would never ask you to, I love you Edward. Somehow I will make this up to you and Bella, I promise." Neither one of us realized that Bella was standing in the doorway.

BPOV

"I told you Esme there is nothing for you to make up to me. I understand why you reacted the way you did."

I walked over to Edward's bed and held his hand as I leaned down to give him a soft kiss. "I hear you are trying to get Joshua in trouble?" I asked with a laugh.

"I don't think I would put it like that." Edward replied.

"You won't rest in Seattle Edward, you know this. You will have your office send all kinds of things to you and while yes you will be at home you will not be resting. Please, for me, just another day or two then we can return to Washington."

"Only because you asked so nicely love. I promise to be a good boy and not try to have someone spring me anymore. But I want a reward for behaving myself." He was wiggling his eyebrows at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"When we get home I will give you any reward you want." I glanced at Esme and she looked ready to bit her tongue in two. While her problems with me stemmed mostly from the rescue, part of it was also that I was taking Edward from her. She was used to him leaning on her and coming to her with things and now he had me. It was a lot for her to adjust too.

"I have them getting everything ready for you Edward, it will be good to have you staying with us for a few days and your father can keep you up-to-date on what is happening at the office." Esme spoke excitedly. She was straightening Edward's blanket and didn't see the look on his face. He was getting ready to speak and I gently shook my head so he wouldn't. He looked confused but remained silent until Esme looked at him. "You are going to come home aren't you Edward?" Even he could hear the hope in her voice.

"Of course, I could stay at the house for a day or two, we'll see once I am cleared for travel." He smiled at her and I chuckled softly and shook my head. It was obvious to me that mom's house was the last place he wanted to be. Esme puttered around for about an hour before leaving to find Carlisle. It was the first time today we had been alone. Edward patted the bed next to him, wanting me to lay with him.

"I overheard the last part of your talk with your mother earlier Edward. You have to know that she wants you to be happy."

"I know she does but she needs to make her peace with you and let me live my life."

"She knows that Edward..."

"Does she?" He cut me off. "because she isn't acting like she understands it. I am 41 Bella not 18, she should know to back off."

I moved so I could run my fingers through his hair, most of the time it relaxed him. "Edward may I say something, I am not trying to offend you or make a statement about your life or anything." He nodded and gave me a soft "mmmm hmmm" he was very relaxed. "She is use to doing certain things for you. Yes you are 41 one and not 18 but it has been years since you have even had a serious girlfriend. I mean who has played hostess for you to business dinners and things of that sort. I come to town and within six months have firmly ensconced myself in your life and appear to be taking over. Plus you told me you discussed with her your possibly moving to Chicago to be with me. Take all that and mix in you be taken, it is a lot to have thrown at you Edward."

His eyes were closed and he was very relaxed, I loved to see him this way. I loved this man so much it physically hurt to think of how close I had come to losing him. "I can understand that to a point Bella, but I don't like it when any one hurts you and that includes my mother. My happiness should be more important to her because she has seen the struggles I have been through to get here. I love you so much Bella surely she can see that."

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned my head to see Esme standing just outside the door but I was sure she could hear us talking. "She can see how happy you are baby and she wants that for you. She just needs to reconcile that with her fear that she is losing you." I looked Esme in the eye. "I would never try to take you from her permanently or cut her out of your life. She is your mother and you love her. Give her some time to adjust to her new role in your life, not as involved but still important to it."

He pulled me closer to him and started kissing my neck. "She knows she is important to my life."

"Yes but it can be hard to go from being the most important female to the second most important female. Just promise me you will give her time to adjust and I promise I will show her I understand that she will always be important to you." I saw Esme nod and turn to leave.

He had pulled the blanket over us and was working on the button of my pants. "Fine, fine whatever, I'll do it. Right now it has been too long since I have felt you in any way and I am about to rectify that."

"We are not having sex now Edward. Any one could come in and I don't think you are recovered enough for it."

"Not sex but I want to feel you even if it is just around my fingers. I want to watch you come undone, please. We can be fast about it." He was giving me the look he knew would melt me into submission as he was stroking me and he groaned as I wrapped my hand around his cock.

"We need to be fast and quiet Edward. I have missed you so much, I love you Edward." God what this boy could do with his fingers, I couldn't wait until I could have him inside me again.

"I love you too Bella. Fuck you are so wet girl and I can feel you tightening around my fingers. Cum for me Bella please, I am not going to last long." He whispered against my ear.

I could feel him hardening against my hand and knew he was as close as I was. I kissed him hard to cover our moans as we came together. He pulled his fingers to his lips and licked them clean. "I can not wait to taste you again straight from the source. I was worried I wouldn't see you or have the chance to tell you how very much I loved you again." He looked at me with tears in his eyes and I couldn't hold back my emotions or tears in front of him any longer. I broke down pressing my face against his chest.

"I was scared to death I wouldn't get to you in time. That they would hurt you in a permanent way or even worse. I love you so much Edward and it hurt too much to think that they might...that I would never get to...that I would find you..." I broke down sobbing.

He pulled me close to him. "Ssshhh Bella, its okay. I understand. I was worried about ever seeing you again too. I meant what I said Bella, about making you my wife. After what happened I want it sooner not later. I have every intention of giving you a proper proposal but I want us married shortly after that so I suggest you start thinking about a wedding. A small wedding, I'll be damned if we will invite all the people who have made our life hell just to be socially correct, fuck them."

I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Alright, I will start thinking about it and I agree a small wedding. I don't what I would have done if I hadn't been able to..." He put his finger on my lips.

"No more talk of what could have happened. Sleep with me, my beautiful Bella, it feels so good to have you back in my arms." He was ghosting his fingers up and down my back lulling me to sleep.

I woke several hours later to Stephen patting my leg. I looked at Edward and he was still asleep, as I sat up I noticed Carlisle and Esme sitting on the couch smiling at us. "What is it Stephen?"

"We have found Jacob Black?" He said. That made me wake up quickly. He handed me a piece of paper explaining where Jacob was.

I moved to Edward and felt bad for waking him up but he had a decision to make about Jacob. "Edward, you need to wake up." He pouted and rubbed his face in the pillow. "Wakey, wakey Edward I need to talk to you." He shook his head and inhaled deeply in the pillow. "They found Jacob." That caused his eyes to pop open.

"What did you say?" He questioned as he scrubbed his hands over his face trying to wake up. I handed him the paper Stephen had given me.

"They found Jacob. Billy has him in a treatment facility in Arizona. He has been committed against his will." I watched Edward closely and he still didn't seem to understand what I telling him. "Edward you have a decision to make. Jacob was behind you being kidnapped, you can file charges against him if you wish."

"What do you mean if I wish? Won't they automatically be filed?"

"No. Part of the reason I contacted the people I did is because they will back what has happened here in New York based on the story we choose to tell. I called Graham to help clean things up because Sam and those guys can be charged with many crimes that don't involve anything that is happening now. How much of this is revealed is completely in your hands Edward. If you want no one will ever know anything about this and they will go to jail for other crimes or you can press charges and they go to jail for this but you will have to testify and every thing becomes public knowledge."

"Why is this my decision and do I have to make it right now?"

"It is your decision because you are the one who was kidnapped and no you have some time before you need to decide but not much. Probably a few days."

"You don't want me file charges against them."

"No, it is not that. Sam, Paul and Embry are going to jail for life if you file charges or not. They may even earn the death penalty for things they have done that don't concern you. Jacob... I know the family history and while I could kill him myself for what he put you through I can't help but feel sorry for Billy. You are my concern Edward, I will support whatever decision you make."

"I just wish I understood why Bella? Can you explain to me why he did this?"

"No, but I can tell what I know. There is a history of mental illness on Jacob's mother's side of the family. My father's family used to spend summers near Forks, Billy and my father grew up together in that context and remained close friends. I have known Billy most of my life. I never had much interaction with Jacob because he was older and I was a nerdy girl that was beneath him. Edgar meet Billy through his business with my father and while they were friends I would not refer to them as confidantes."

I looked to Edward to make sure he understood how everyone was connected. He nodded at me to continue. I walked over to the window and tried to draw comfort from the sun and mountains. Edward hadn't asked his parent to leave the room so they would be hearing this as well. Would this give Esme a reason to be upset with me again? It was a chance I would have to take, Edward wanted answers.

"Jacob's mother is manic/depressive and has paranoia tendencies. She has been hospitalized for years. Although I have never met Rachel given her reaction to how things ended with you and the aftermath she has some issues too I am sure. Jacob definitely has paranoia issues and an unhealthy obsession with Edward. He wants to live the life Edwards has, it is an obsessional stalking disorder of some type. When I talked to Billy he admitted that he thought Jacob overheard a phone conversation between him and Edgar in which Edgar said that Jacob would be his first choice for me when he passed but he was unavailable because he was married. Not to long after that Jacob started divorcing his wife."

"Edgar wanted you to be with Jacob?" Edward choked out.

"No he didn't. Edgar was sick for much longer than any one knows, years longer actually. He did however do down hill faster than we expected him to. Billy Black is a good man and nothing like his son. H e worked hard to get The Black Trust to the level it was before Jacob took over. Billy was grooming Jacob to take over before his accident. Billy remained in charge until about two years ago when what should have been a minor car accident aggravated his injuries to the point that he is in almost constant pain that is when Jacob took over. Edgar was trying to help Billy with Jacob, but Jacob has felt as if we was entitled to certain things in life and Edgar has always loathed people who think that way, especially considering the company was just handed to Jacob he didn't have to work his way up like most people would."

"Is that the only reason he didn't like Jacob? He could have changed his mind and been serious when he talked to Billy." Edward asked.

"No, there was an incident at a fundraiser in San Diego, it became physical between Jacob and Edgar. No, Edgar despised Jacob I am sure of that now. But Jacob overhearing that conversation explains why he has made some of the comments to me he has. Such as, 'he saw me first' and 'I was meant to be his' or when he told me 'even Edgar knew I was meant for him'. He is delusional Edward, as much as I want him to go to jail he needs intense therapy also."

"What did you mean you are sure now that Edgar hated Jacob?" Edward was asking a questions that I preferred to explain to him in private. I didn't want to lie to him but I didn't want to lay everything out with Carlisle and Esme sitting there either.

"Edgar and I discussed a second office for the Foundation for months before he became too ill to travel. He warned me that if after he was gone I hadn't started the process within a few years he would force me to. I put it out of my mind until the lawyers came to me with a codicil to his will it spelled out exactly what I had to do to remain President of the Foundation and that was to open the second office. He left me a list with the cities to look in, some of the companies to deal with and in a few instances even the people I had to do business with." I looked at Edward to see if he understood the importance of that statement and by the look on his face, he did. He knew I had insisted it be him I work with and now he knew why, because Edgar had insisted on it.

"I knew he did it to force me to get out and live my life again. Two names were starred on the list, one of those was Jacob Black. Jacob knew I had to deal with him specifically and I think he took that as a sign he had Edgar's blessing and stepped up his pursuit. I have to admit in the beginning I questioned the reasons those two names were starred but a few months ago I found a letter Edgar had written to me that explained everything to me. I am sure he expected me to find it much sooner as he left it tucked in a book of poetry I have, right next to my favorite Frost poem. The letter explained he wanted me to work with Jacob because he didn't trust him and he hoped I would be able to warn Billy if things were as bad as he thought they would get. On a personal level Edgar didn't want me near Jacob Black, he felt Jacob was...unworthy is the word he used."

"You said there were two names starred?" Edward asked and I nodded. "Who was the second name?"

I looked at Edward never breaking eye contact. "The letter explained the second name was someone he hoped I would grow to trust and rely on. Someone that he could see helping me enter the world again and maybe in time help truly live my life again. The letter explained the second name, the man it is, is someone he deemed worthy of and knew he could trust to take care of his most precious possession and he hoped in time I would trust him too."

Edward took my hand before asking, "what is this possession that he trusts to this man?"

"Me" I answered quietly.

Edward looked away and I thought I saw tears in his eyes, he had not figured it out yet. "Who was the second name?"

I took Edward's face in my hands and turned so he was forced to look at me. "I met him once you know and he was such a horse's ass I couldn't believe that Edgar thought I would ever be able to deal with this man. It made me question if my husband knew me at all."

He moved my hands and looked at them joined with his on the bed. "Who Bella? Who is it he wanted for you?"

"Edward Cullen" I said and he looked up as if I was trying to get his attention. "The second name, is you."

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.

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