Chapter 31

CPOV

The flight back to Seattle was interesting. Emmett and Jasper were trying hard not to crack a smile at the fact that Edward laid down the law with Esme concerning Bella. Rose and Alice were fairly successful in pulling off being sympathetic to Esme but I could tell their hearts weren't in it and I was very proud of my son for standing up to his mother.

Esme was trying, I could see that but it has been close to 15 years since any woman has even challenged her position as the most important woman in his life and she was having a hard time stepping back from that role. I am pretty sure today was her ah-ha moment, Bella is most certainly the most important person, period, in his life now. I admit I am surprised she isn't taking it harder.

Once the ladies were deep in conversation, Emmett leaned over to me and whispered, "I swear if I had known what was going to happen, I never would have opened my mouth Carlisle."

I couldn't stop the smile on my face. "It's fine Emmett. It has been building for a while and, if anything, I am glad it happened here than over the phone. That would have been disastrous." They both nodded and the conversation moved to the fundraiser and the contacts we were able to make that night.

Upon landing each couple went their separate ways and I noticed I received wary looks from Emmett & Jasper. Esme must have given the girls an earful on the plane and I would be getting it on the way home. With that in mind I was surprised when the ride to the house went by in total silence. It wasn't until several hours later, when she realized I wasn't going to broach the subject that she finally cracked.

"Are you really not going to say anything about the trip?" She barely manages to say nicely.

"Is it the trip or brunch you want to discuss?" I asked knowing what she truly wants to discuss.

"Fine, brunch is what I want to know about." Esme said on a huff and I personally was enjoying this, I was pleased as punch that Edward had finally found someone that he felt was worth standing up to his mother for. Unfortunately for me, I didn't hid my reaction as well as I should have.

"You are finding this amusing, aren't you?" Even though I was pretty sure it was a rhetorical question I answered anyway.

"Yes I am now that you mention it." Nothing could have stopped my smile, especially after the look on her face. "What did you expect to have happen Esme? You have been pushing his buttons since his move, he pushed back. I am proud of him."

"Proud of him? After the way he talked to me." If her eyebrows got any higher they would disappear in her hair.

"I am proud of him for standing up for Bella. He put her first, as he should, that is why I am proud of him. You have become very comfortable of your place in his life and don't like that some other woman is now number one in his life." I am sure that is the problem. Bella was fine when she was living right next door to us. Hell, Edward was actually closer to us then. The New York thing brought out her protectiveness and the fact that Bella was the one running the show did not sit well with her at that point. His move to Chicago confirmed that she had indeed replaced Esme as the number one woman in his life and my wife was having a hard time with that fact. She needed to come to terms with this before she unwittingly pushed Edward farther away. I moved closer to her and reached for her hand before speaking.

"Esme, I know how much Edward has depended on you and Alice in past years but the time has come to let him go. He loves her Esme and I am very proud of him for putting her first. You should be proud of him for putting her first, you raised a fine man. I am going to tell you a modified version of what I told him. Bella is not like other women, she won't play the games and do the things that other women who have pursued him do. What you see is what you get with her, she means what she says and she won't chase after him, experience should have taught you this. I know it did Edward."

"I know Carlisle and I am happy that Edward has found someone." She took a deep breath and looked away before continuing. "You are also right that it isn't Bella. It would be anyone that was taking my place." She looked back to me quickly and her eyes begged me to understand her reasoning. "But he is my baby boy and, since you are forcing me to be brutally honest, I expected him to eventually settle down with someone from Seattle or not at all."

As much as I should have, I couldn't keep in the snort that came out at her statement. "Of course and we both know that had he settled down with someone from Seattle you would still have a large say in how things went in his life. No one goes against Esme Cullen and lives to tell the tale." I said through my chuckles, my wife did not look impressed with my efforts to keep a straight face.

"Maybe," she said with a glare. "It is just a hard pill to swallow Carlisle. Not only did my son move away but it feels as if he is cutting the apron strings in a permanent way, so to speak." I could see the confusion and hurt on her face and I understood. She and Alice were very close and Emmett, while not one of our own, he and Edward had been like brothers since they met in college and he still came to Esme for advice. But Edward, with Esme's attitude towards Bella, he was shutting her out and while I could see his reasons, I also didn't like to see my wife hurting. I held her hand in mine and gently rubbed her palm.

"I know dear and I do understand, but you need to understand that your attitude towards

Bella is just pushing him away faster." She started to interrupt and I stopped her. "Just listen to me. When Edward first left for college, we let him live his life and he was growing and pulling away and things were happening naturally. Then the drama with the girls started and he didn't know who he could trust and rather than depending on his friends he pulled back to just the family and Emmett. You didn't have to let him go, if anything he needed you more than ever, that pattern stayed in place and was reinforced after the Paige incident. Now he has Bella, who in my opinion is the best thing to ever happen to him. She loves him, as he is and he needs that. She always tells him the truth, no more but no less, she doesn't play games and just wants to be accepted for who she is as much as he does. They need each other and I would bet everything that he is more honest with her than anyone else in his life. She doesn't judge him, ever and he deserves someone who loves him like that."

"He does and I see how happy he is but Emmett mentioned the holidays and I was speaking before I even fully processed everything." She was trying to explain and I stopped her.

"I understand Esme, I do but you have to find a way to rein it in. Bella is not working against you, if anything I am sure Edward staying close to his family is probably very important to her. She has no family left Esme, I can't imagine her trying to distance Edward from his, at this point it is you that is causing the distance not her." She was nodding and I hoped that meant I gotten through to her. Esme knew I talked to Edward often during the day and I counted myself lucky she hadn't figured out we talked about much more than work.

EPOV

Things were hectic in the following weeks and it would only be worse after Thanksgiving. The week following the fundraiser involved several conference calls with Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle concerning the papers that were faxed to Bella and their content. While we didn't want to fire someone over a seemingly innocent mistake, it was pure luck that it was Bella looking at our financials, there are a few of our suppliers that would love to have some of that information but I trusted Bella and knew she would only look at the things pertinent to her company.

Since the problem was related to the technological part of the project it was decided that Jasper would be the one to approach James about the issue, he was the VP of Accounting. To say that Jasper was less than impressed with James' response would be a gross understatement. Jasper was one of the calmest men I knew unless something involved Alice, all bets were off if that was the case, so I was shocked when he called me about his meeting with James.

"He didn't even seem to care that the information was faxed to Swan, Edward. He was more concerned with how the mistake was caught in the first place." Jasper said and he was pissed.

"I don't understand Jasper," was all I could get out before he cut me off.

"I tried talking to him about his people sending all the unnecessary information and all he wanted to discuss was why the information was necessary, who had caught the mistake and who at Swan requested the information."

"You didn't" he cut me off again.

"No, I didn't tell him anything more but I had already told him Bella brought the oversight to your attention and he didn't seem too pleased when he heard that. His reaction when I told him that some of the information sent were cell phone bills was very telling, he became very anxious. He is in this up to his eyeballs Edward, you know he is." He was calmer but not by much.

"I know Jasper. Did you tell him his phone was one of the ones sent?" I had to know if he knew we were on to him or not.

"No, he asked which account was sent and I gave him the number of a different account, not the one his phone is paid from. I didn't want to tip him off and to be honest I am going to take great satisfaction from seeing him go down for all this shit. He is nervous Edward and we are keeping a very close eye on the accounting now."

"Where you able to talk to the auditors about performing another audit on last year and a year-to-date on this year?" Even though we knew James was one of the ones embezzling we need proof and some idea of how bad it is.

"Yes, I told them to only speak to you or me about this and we would forward to them any documents they need." I could hear the frustration in his voice and I knew how he felt, I felt it also. "I have to say Edward, I am really glad you and Bella were able to work everything out. The company owes her a lot, not that that has anything to do with your relationship but it's true. We would be mixed up in Aro's shit and who knows how long James would be running his scam." I heard him chuckle before he decided to try and goad me. "So, how does it feel to know your woman is smarter than you?"

I was glad his mood was better and knew he was teasing in fun but I still couldn't let his statement go unanswered. "You know I now have to tell Alice you think you are smarter than she is." I told him and laughed, as I disconnected the call I was sure I heard trying to argue his point about not telling her.

As I thought about my phone call with Jasper it brought back a conversation Carlisle and I had when he told me I should concentrate on why Bella was willing to risk so much by alerting us to what was happening in my own company. He was right. Her feelings for me were there to see from the beginning, if I had pulled my head out of my ass and actually looked. It may have taken some time but I did pull it out and we were in a very good place now. I hoped to be in an even better one after New Year's.

Thanksgiving was approaching and we had finally been able to finalize our holiday schedules. We were spending Thanksgiving in Chicago and then the traveling would begin. We would both be attending the Hope House opening in San Diego the beginning of December and staying at the US Grant Hotel. We both had fond memories of the city were things truly started for us and couldn't wait to go back. The Swan and Sinclair company parties were the same weekend as the Cullen company party, so we would be going to those separately. I would return in time to attend the Big Brother/Big Sister party Sinclair was hosting then we would travel to Nashville for the Swan project with Make-A-Wish before going on to Seattle for my mother's open house Christmas Eve. It was going to be a very busy four weeks.

Once everything was set and the travel was approved by Stephen I e-mailed out my schedule and called my mother to remind her if she wanted to see me for Christmas she needed to talk to Bella. I was assured she would speak to her in person in San Diego and smooth things over. I wasn't surprised the entire family would be at the opening but I also didn't want them cutting in too much on my alone time with Bella. I loved my family but I also wanted to enjoy the time with Bella and not have to worry about what my mother may say.

Things at the manor had calmed some but there were still false alarms and Stephen was not happy that Aro couldn't be located. He was sure Aro was in the country even though the FBI insisted he was not, I believed Stephen. I wasn't sure I wanted to know how he got his information but the man always seemed to know things a day or two before the FBI, if he said Aro was in the country- he was.

They were having a problem determining who James was talking to at the FBI. Two new agents had been assigned to the case so it could be either one of them, for now they were just being observed until we had proof of which one was passing information. Those two agents were the reason Stephen refused to share his information with the FBI and it was pissing them off. They tried offering their services to Stephen in protecting Bella since Aro was on the loose, he politely declined. When they wouldn't leave the house it was entertaining to watch them jump when he pushed a button and three guards appeared, with weapons drawn, to escort them off the property. That didn't stop an agent from coming to my office, trying to persuade me to get them full access to Bella and what she may know about Aro. I had to give them credit they had done their homework on me, at least pre Bella. Agent Stiller was in her 30's, attractive and very obviously trying to use her feminine wiles on me for information.

"Agent Stiller to be honest I can't determine what Isabella has to do with this case. The Cullen Group is the company that Aro was using, Mrs. Sinclair sits on our board of directors and that is all. This situation does not directly affect her and she has no more knowledge of this case than what is provided to all the board members." I told her, even though I didn't expect her to let it go.

"You expect me to believe that Edward, given the nature of your relationship with her. Surely you share more with her than other board members, I mean you aren't sleeping with them are you?" She asked with an amused smile on her face and I didn't like what she was insinuating at all.

"It is Mr. Cullen to you and I do not like what you are implying. My personal relationship with Mrs. Sinclair has no bearing on our professional relationship and for you to imply otherwise is an insult to both of us. I would be careful who you tell that theory to, it could be considered libel." She tried to mask her reaction but recognized the threat if she continued on with this line of discussion.

"Her husband worked with Aro for years, she must know more than she is telling us. We just want to catch him Mr. Cullen. I would think you would want that given he is a threat to her." She didn't seem to like it when I laughed at her statement.

"Have you seen her security? You have a better chance of getting close to her than he does. If Isabella says she has told all she can, then she has told you all she can. She wouldn't be in danger if the FBI had done its job and caught him." She had stopped playing coy and moved on to being outright pissed.

"We will find out Mr. Cullen." She said and I almost expected her to stomp her foot since she wasn't getting to me.

"As I said, I don't see what it has to do with the actual case but good luck. Are we done here? I have work I need to do." She didn't like being dismissed but recognized that is what I had done. After she left I told Bryce, my rather flamboyant assistant, to have William sweep his area and my office for listening devices. I was willing to bet she planted at least 2 bugs, in reality it was 4 and I just shook my head at William as he destroyed them. I wish they would stop trying to bug my office and smiled at the fact that this seemed almost commonplace to me now.

William was with me most of the time now, unless I was at the manor and for the last two weeks I was there every night. Staying at the condo just wasn't feasible at this time. There were three other condos on my floor and we couldn't restrict traffic to them, after finding surveillance equipment in the foyer and hall three days in a row we decided it wasn't safe for Bella to stay there. It was obvious she felt guilty about things but it was the way things had to be for now, after the New Year we could relax some because we wouldn't be traveling or attending large parties that made Stephen nervous.

Normally Bella spent Thanksgiving working in one of the shelters but this year she was cooking for everyone who lived or worked at the manor. It was obvious she felt bad for what was happening even if she couldn't control it or ever said a word about it, this was her way of making it up to people a little. As she moved around the bedroom getting dressed to go start cooking, I rolled over and my mind drift over the ways she had been making it up to me.

There had been copious amounts of sex over the last two weeks and sex with Bella was always great but last night would put a smile on my face for a looong time. When I arrived at the manor I was greeted by Lady, which was normal but the note tied to her collar asking me to come to the bedroom immediately was not. Imagine my surprise when I entered the room and found Bella sitting with her ankles crossed on her desk. From what I could see she was wearing a deep purple corset, garters holding up her black stockings and a very sexy pair of leopard fuck me heels. I was instantly hard and willing to beg her to stand up so I could get the full effect of her outfit.

I had completely forgotten about a conversation we had several nights ago about fantasies, the one where I talked about an interest in domination. When something slapped against her desk with a loud thwack I remembered it and it occurred to me I may not have mentioned that I wanted to be the one in charge.

"Cullen, you're late." She sneered at me. This wasn't what I meant when I mentioned it to her but if I went by my body's reaction, I was definitely going to enjoy it. "Bad things happen to people who can't follow simple common courtesy and be on time." She walked around the desk and I almost swallowed my tongue. "Nothing to say for yourself?" I just stared at her and sent a prayer up thanking the heavens for what I was about to receive.

"No Ma'am" I said softly. She stood in front of me and gave me a coy smile.

"You didn't even tell me I look nice." She said with a pout.

"You look…" I was cut off when she slapped my leg with one of her leather belts.

"It doesn't count now Cullen." She said and the way she sneered my name had my cock leaking in my pants. "And you are still keeping me waiting. You are just increasing your punishment, I suggest you get your fucking clothes off and climb on the bed before I decide to beat your ass with my hairbrush." I gasped loudly and quickly did as she said when she quirked her eyebrow at me, effectively letting me know she wasn't joking about the hairbrush. I laid down on my back and took some deep breaths knowing on one hand I was going to love this and praying with the other that she didn't have too much pain in store for me.

As she stood at the end of the bed I noticed she had removed the corset and two of my ties were hanging loosely in her hands. When she climbed on the bed on her knees I realized her panties were crotch less and how the hell had I missed that fact. She quickly tied my hands together then tied them to the headboard.

"See, you can be a good boy and follow directions." She said condescendingly and I growled at her. "Should I get another tie and gag you also?" I quickly shook my head no and she laughed. "I don't want to, I have very definite plans for your mouth and gagging you takes those away." She whispered in my ear before biting down on it.

"Jesus Bella," I groaned out and the thought of eating her pussy had my dick leaking…again.

She straddled my chest and gave a good tug on the ties to make sure I was secure. I couldn't stop myself when her breasts were right in front of me so I lifted my head and wrapped my lips around her nipple, slowly sucking it into my mouth. She pinched my nipple in response.

"Did I say you could touch me?" She asked as she tweaked my other nipple and I hissed. "So eager to have your mouth on me, well let's see if you actually know how to use that mouth of yours." She took off her heels and moved so she was straddling my face, as I leaned up to take my first lick she grabbed my hair and pulled me back. "Make it good Cullen or I will leave you tied up with a massive hard on all night." I shivered at her tone of voice, this was all business Bella, the one that always got what she wanted and took no prisoners in the process.

Thirty minutes later she was screaming my name for the second time and I couldn't keep up as her juices ran down my neck. When her legs stopped shaking she fell back on top of me and we both tried to get control of our breathing. "Christ Bella, that was bar none the sexiest thing I have ever seen. I love to watch you cum, it's…pure bliss." She wasn't making a sound but I could feel her body move like she was laughing.

"I feel pretty blissed out right now Edward." She moved so her head was lying on my shoulder and ruffled my hair like you would a child. "Such a good boy," she said and licked my jaw, tasting herself on me. "I am going to fuck you until you beg me to cum Cullen." Hell yes and thank you I thought while doing a mental fist pump.

For the next hour she rode me right to the brink of orgasm but would stop before I would cum, she did this four times. Four fucking times, after the second time I was begging her to let me cum. The little minx would sit there with my engorged cock inside her and play with her clit while telling me no, I couldn't cum yet, the tease. By the fourth time I was certain she was taking the term blue balls to a whole new level and I had had enough of her teasing. When she leaned forward and braced her hands on my chest, I bent my knees and planted my feet firmly on the bed so I could thrust up into her. She rode me hard, I was thrusting into her and I couldn't remember ever being this deep in her. Fuck she felt good and I knew she was close to her orgasm, she was spasming around my cock at an insane rate.

"Please don't stop Bella, please" I begged as I felt every muscle in my body tense. "Need to cum baby, please?" Technically I was still begging but I had reached the point of no return now.

"Yes, yes, yes…cum with me Eddie…" Bella screamed as she continued to roll her hips as she clamped down on me.

"Fuck Bella…too fucking tight…fuck yes…" I came so hard I actually saw stars and may have blacked out for a few moments. The next thing I remember, I was untied and Bella was massaging my shoulders so they weren't too stiff after being tied up. She was telling me how much she loved me and how much happier she was with me in her life.

I was pulled from the memory as the bed shifted when Bella climbed back in next to me. I pulled her close and kissed her shoulder. The last few weeks had me more convinced than ever that I wanted it all with Bella, as I drifted off I envisioned Bella in a white dress walking towards me. "Everything okay?" I asked her.

"Fine, I just needed to get the turkey in the oven." She yawned and we both settled in for a couple hours more sleep. We were both fading fast and I heard her murmur she loved me.

"Love you Bella…wife." I murmured as I fell into the dream I hoped to make reality.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.

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A/N: I know, I know…too long between updates. I could give all kinds of excuses but let me just say believe it or not life actually slows down once my kids are out of school and that happens next Wednesday. I promise to try and do better. Thanks for sticking with me.