Mail Order Bride
A/N Hey everyone! Wow! Some of you guessed correctly about both Edward and James. We'll get to what Edward was up to in the next chapter, but for now, here is the newest chapter for you. Enjoy and as always, Review and show me the love!
Disclaimer: Don't own, just play with these characters.
Chapter 20
"Ahh, forgive me. My name is Hunterson. James Hunterson."
James looked over the luscious curves of the newest Mrs. Cullen. Even thinking the name made James angry. Damn the man for getting this beautiful creature as his wife! How did he manage that? James knew that Edward was still deeply grieving his precious first wife, Tanya. She should have been mine! All these years later, James still held anger at Edward for taking away the woman he loved.
Bella began fidgeting uncomfortably under Mr. Hunterson's hot gaze. Her skin began to crawl. Bella felt as though he were suddenly undressing her with his eyes. Edward, please hurry!
"So, Mrs. Cullen? How did you and Edward meet? I know you are not from around here. I would remember a beautiful creature such as yourself," James said, trying to draw her out.
Bella blanched. What do I tell him? She and Edward had never discussed what to tell others about their marriage. Something told her not to give too much information to this man. Finally, she squared her shoulders and said, "It's too long of a story for a simple sentence."
Clever, very clever! James was impressed with this enticing woman standing before him. She's a smart one. He laughed out loud. "Ahh, yes. They always are, are they not? Perhaps I should tell you the story of how I met your husband years ago."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hunterson, but my daughter and I really must be going. Perhaps some other time?" Bella said, pulling Nessie slowly backwards. Nessie moved without argument, for which Bella was extremely glad.
"Wait, Mrs. Cullen. Allow me to at least replace your little girl's ice cream," James said smoothly. He could see that Bella was panicking and wanted to keep her longer. His hope was that Edward would come in, looking for his wife and daughter. Oh, how he wanted to see Edward's face.
"No, thank you. That won't be necessary. Good day, Mr. Hunterson," Bella said quickly, heading for the door. She had just walked through it, when she collided with Edward, who was just coming in himself. He reached out to steady her.
"Bella? Are you alright?" he asked. Bella was shaking and her face was pale. She nodded jerkily, and took several deep breaths. "You look like something has frightened you. What is it?" he said, as he swept the room with his eyes.
"I ran into a man and spilled my ice cream on him. He was talking to Bella. Daddy, he scared me," Nessie told her father. Edward looked at Bella with concern. She nodded her head, telling him that is what happened.
"Who was he? Did this man give a name?" Edward demanded. Bella paled even more. From what little James had revealed, he and Edward had a history. Bella was guessing a bad one.
"No. No, he didn't." Bella lied. She looked at Nessie, willing her not to tell on her. Nessie reached for Edward's hand, pulling him back out the door. Edward sighed, but followed his child out. Bella hurried behind the pair.
None of them saw James hiding in the shadows, watching them. His lip curled into a sneer and he chuckled evilly.
I have just found the perfect revenge, Cullen. And I will make you suffer….
A few days later, Bella and Nessie were invited over to Emmett's home for a play date. Nessie jumped up and down excitedly. She hadn't seen Jackson in over a week. Bella had jokingly told Edward one day that Nessie had a crush on Jackson. He had spit and sputtered, saying that his daughter was far too young to be developing feelings of that sort for any boy. Bella had shook her head, knowing arguing would be pointless.
Bella and Nessie stood on the porch, waiting. Rosalie opened the door, saying, "You don't need to ring the bell. You're family."
Nessie raced ahead, searching for Jackson. Bella could scarcely believe this was the same child she had met the month before. Nessie was already more outgoing and eager. Rosalie and Bella chuckled, and headed for the Parlor. Once they were seated, they faced each other.
"So, Bella. Is married life what you expected it to be?" Rosalie asked.
"Honestly, no. I didn't realize… I wanted…." Bella tried and failed to put her thoughts to words. Rosalie stared at her, concern written on her face. She placed a hand on Bella's knee.
"What is it? What's troubling you?" Rosalie asked.
"I still don't really feel like a wife. Edward and I, we… he keeps things from me. He has disappeared every week since we've married. He is gone for a couple hours and when he returns, he won't tell me where he has gone. I feel like he doesn't trust me."
"Has he given you any reason to… make you worry?"
"I don't know. I try not to, but Edward doesn't tell me other things either. Sometimes I feel less like a wife, and more like a housekeeper. Like I'm on a "need to know" basis."
Rosalie cocked her head to one side. "Are you and Edward…intimate?" she asked softly. Bella blushed, and looked away.
"In a way. We…ah…haven't yet…" Bella stumbled over her words. Rosalie understood what she was trying to say though. She exhaled sharply.
"You mean, he hasn't really made you his wife yet?" she questioned softly. Bella stared at her hands, humiliated that Rosalie guessed her secret. Rosalie took Bella's hands in her own. "Sweetie, are you in love with him?"
Bella dropped her chin, hiding the tears that were forming in her eyes. She nodded her head jerkily. "I couldn't help it. I haven't said anything to him, though."
Rosalie was confused. "Why ever not?"
"Because…he's in love with his wife," Bella said quietly. Rosalie visibly bristled at this.
"You're his wife!" she stated angrily. Bella shook her head sadly. Only in name. Never in his heart.
"It's all right, Rosalie. I knew what I was getting into when we married. I knew that he still loved…Tanya," Bella told her, trying not to sound bitter. "I can't let my feelings interfere."
"Interfere!? If you love your husband, you need to tell him! He obviously doesn't see how hurt and upset you are about everything. You need to talk to Edward, today!" Rosalie was now livid.
"Please, can we just talk about something else? I can't tell him what I told you. It would just make him feel guilty. And, I don't want that to happen."
"You know, when I first met your brother, he called me "his angel" and told me that he would marry me one day. I laughed in his face and told him he was crazy. You know what he said? He said, "I am crazy. Crazy over you." Two months later, I married him."
"Why are you telling me this, Rosalie?" Bella asked.
"Because, Bella. That is the kind of man that you deserve. A man who loves you with his whole heart. Not someone who can't let go of a memory."
Bella started sobbing. Rosalie put her arms around her, letting Bella cry into her shoulder. She patted her back, and told her, "Let it out. Let all the frustration out."
After a few moments, Bella pulled back and scrubbed at her eyes. "It makes me wonder who the bigger fool is."
Rosalie chuckled. "He is. Because he can't see the wonderful woman that is right in front of his eyes. And, until he does, he doesn't truly deserve you."
"You're right, Rosalie. But, how can I make the pain go away until then?"
"Be Nessie's mother. That little girl loves you. Be there for her."
Because, she's the reason I came in the first place.
After Bella and Nessie arrived home, Bella was surprised to see Edward waiting for them. He was smiling broadly.
"We have been invited to a party tonight. I want you to find a beautiful dress and put it on," Edward told Bella without preamble.
"What about Nessie?"
"My parents are taking her for the night."
"Alright. Where is the party?"
"At the home of a very dear friend of mine. We have known each other since we were children."
"What is his name?" Bella asked, intrigued.
"Her name is Kate. Now hurry and get dressed. The party starts in two hours."
Bella felt unease settle in her stomach. Something was going to happen tonight. Something bad….
A/N Poor Bella. She really is keeping her feelings bottled up. Next chapter is going to be the party and an interesting show down. Hope everyone liked the chapter. Review!