Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 31 Investments

BPOV

"Yes, okay . . . no, it's not necessary . . . yes, thank him for me . . . I have it. I'll put in the buy order as soon as the market opens. Yes. Call me or I'll sell at $6.75. Got it. Bye Alice".

I reached for my husband only to grab air. His velvet voice filled the room, I had heard it. As I became more conscious, I realized Edward was on the phone. He was sitting at the desk in our bedroom with his laptop open. He was so cute sitting there naked. I knew he was working, planning and coordinating the list of the day's trades.

I lay still and thought about our visit here at my Mom's house. We had spent the last two days with Phil and Renee going to the beach, swimming, playing putt putt golf, even riding go carts at the amusement park. The weather had cooperated perfectly, just as Alice predicted and we were under a thick cloud cover the entire weekend.

Edward at the beach was a blast! You never knew where he would turn up, him and his ability to go without oxygen was maddening in that waves crashing over him didn't phase him and he never had to sputter or breath salt water or any of the things that I endured! Edward also had an uncanny ability to move fast underwater and would startle me and grab me from beneath at the most unexpected times . . . it was like playing with a shark on his own turf!

My attention turned back to the present. I knew he wasn't actively trading, it was only 4am and the market wasn't open yet.

"What are you doing over here all alone", I asked as I put my arms around his neck.

"Just preparing, love. Getting some work done. What are you doing?", he asked as he pulled me around onto his lap.

"I was just admiring my naked husband and I had to come over here close . . .", I said as I stood and repositioned myself so that I was straddling his lap.

". . . so that I could get a better view", I said.

"Did you now", he said, pushing his papers further onto the desk, moving the laptop aside and giving me that crooked grin, "And do you like what you see?"

"I love everything I see", I told him as I kissed his temple, his cheek, the very edge of his lips and down his neck. "I woke up lonely, my husband wasn't in bed with me!", I whined.

"Well, perhaps I can entertain you till he returns", he said as his hands stroked from my waist to my backside.

"I don't know. My husband is kind of overprotective", I told him.

". . . and I would never do this", I said as I kissed his lips and licked them with my tongue.

". . . or this", I said as I ran my hands over the defined muscles of his chest and stomach.

". . . or this", I said as I kissed him, my tongue begging entrance to his mouth.

His unnecessary breathing increased now, as did the the wandering of his hands. He kissed me so lovingly for the longest time, until I needed air and even then his lips never left my skin

The desk chair fell backwards as he stood, his mouth claiming mine and our tongues tangled together. My husband made love to me right there, sitting on the desk in my room. He had to grab my face with his hands to keep his mouth over mine as my moans escaped me. We just held each other for the longest moment.

I don't remember moving to the bed, but I loved the feeling of Edward's body over mine. He almost never allowed his full weight on me, just enough that I felt him pressing me into the bed.

". . . and I would never do this", I said as I let my hand run down over his naked rear.

He lifted his head and held my face in his hands. "Damn right you wouldn't", he said as he kissed me soundly and continued to make love to me again and again. Instead of our lovemaking becoming more gentle after the first couple of hours as was our habit, Edward seemed to become more frenzied, desperate even. I handed him a pillow to stuff behind the headboard to stop the noises it was making, but it did not deter him, he continued to become more frantic. I was just about to start trying to calm him, to have him soften his movements when the bed giving way under the strain and the top part of the mattress falling to the floor with a loud crashing sound.

As we calmed and held each other close, Edward had the presence of mind to grab covers and pull them up over us. It seemed an odd thing to do in our head angled down position on the off kilter mattress, but when the knocking on the door started, I understood.

"Bella! Bella, are you alright!"

"Oh God", I whispered to Edward as he lay half on me half beside me. I opened my mouth to answer her, but I was so out of breath, only a small squeaky whisper came out.

"We're fine", Edward answered.

"I'd like to hear that from Bella, if you don't mind", Renee said worriedly from the other side of the door.

I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself and regain my composure, well as much composure as you could have when you were laying in a tangled sweaty mass with your husband on the bed you just broke in your mother's house!

"You need to answer her or . . .", Edward was cut off by my mother's entrance into our room.

". . . or she'll come in, love", he finished whispering in my ear, tucking his head to my shoulder.

"I'm fine, Mom", I finally managed to say.

I have to admit, her expression was priceless. I don't know if I would go through the embarrassment again if I had a choice, but I will never forget her face. She had just walked in and found us tangled together on a slanted mattress that had once been a level bed.

"I . . . I . . . I just wanted to make sure you were okay, sweetie . . . I was worried . . . I thought, well . . . I'm not sure what I thought . . . I just needed to make sure but, I'll just be going . . . now . . . ", Mom said.

Edward laughed. Just a small laugh at first, but when Phil appeared at the door, Edwards laughter had become infectious and Renee and I were laughing as well.

"You guys are sliding, you know!", Renee offered between laughs.

"Renee, it's not like they can get up with us here," Phil continued to laugh, "come on and shut the door so they can get up before they slide all the way off and onto the floor!"

It was such a stupid position to be in. Edward looked over at me, "Sorry, love. I told you it was getting harder and harder for me to be gentle. You okay, cause your Mom wasn't so sure! Her mind was going a hundred miles an hour thinking I had hurt you and you couldn't even answer her! "

"Yea, I'm sure she will say something later", I told him as I nuzzled in closer.

It was after eight in the morning so I dressed and went downstairs to face Mom, well really I went downstairs to get breakfast, but I knew she would be there waiting for me. Edward stayed behind to repair the bed and set the room right. I'm sure it hadn't helped when they walked in that the desk chair was also knocked over on the floor!

Mom was in the kitchen with breakfast cooking. Phil had the paper and his coffee in hand.

"Do you have some time this morning, Mom . . . I want to show you the things I got for you in Rio", I said as I poured myself a cup. "Edward needs to work for awhile today."

"I'd love that. Let's take them to my room though, yours needs . . . some repair", she chuckled.

"She turned to me more seriously, putting a hand on my shoulder, "Are you sure you're alright?"

I had to end these questions . . . shock her or something.

"Mom, I'm fine. Carlisle says it's hormones. I just can not get enough . . . you know", I tried to tell her quietly. "I seem to need sex . . . now that I'm pregnant. Several times a day just is not enough, but Edward doesn't seem to mind!"

She hushed. Done.

~oooOooo~

I went back upstairs after breakfast to check on Edward. He had repaired the bed and tidied the room, of course, and had gone back to working with the laptop, probably needing to finish what I had disturbed him from doing this morning when I straddled him on the chair!

It was 9:25 and the market was about to open in New York. I had watched Edward trade before, but he had not done more than just what had been necessary with his finances, opting to spend time with me instead and not caring about the money he could have made. He was feeling bad about the time he had spent away from me. We keep getting a broader view of just how many people we hurt and things we disrupted as time goes on. It was Edward that understood the stock market and did the finances for the family, something he had paid no attention to during the time we were separated and he was so depressed. The Cullens were fine on money, of course, having more than enough stable investments to offset the market losses while no one had bothered with the stock accounts. I think Edward said that Alice had made one trade to avoid loss because she saw the company folding, but other than that they had made no buys, and done no trading for profit. Edward felt terrible about his perceived failure to take care of their investments and apparently the next two days held the promise of large profits.

The main company, Cullen Investments, LLC, was owned by all of us, but Edward had opened a separate etrade account for us because I wanted to learn how to buy and sell stocks and he was enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge with me. He had surprised me one morning at home by showing me the account that he had opened in both our names and placed a half million in it for me to learn with. He had tripled it by now, of course, just the few times we had traded and I had done a couple of silly things, like buying $50,000 worth of stock in the Ford Motor Company, just to support American made cars for a change. We were both thrilled when the stock I bought for $3.24 went up over seven dollars, doubling the investment, and on my own! I sold immediately. I was so thrilled that I had actually made over $50,000 for something I myself had done, choices I had made without input from Alice! I thought it was exciting and he got a kick out of the squeals I made and the jumping up and down and hugging when I traded successfully and saw the profits. I was brand new to this and the excitement I felt seemed to be contagious, making the entire idea of playing in the market fun for him all over again.

Anyway, Alice had seen a new company just listed on the market taking off today and an opportunity for serious gain. Edward bought 6 million shares at 50 cents a share for the family.

We were laughing and talking about different companies and their quarterly reports when Phil stuck his head in the door. Edward hid the family account quickly, but left ours on the screen along with the stock ticker going.

"That's really interesting looking, Edward, do you understand what all those red and green lights flashing numbers mean?", Phil asked.

"Yes, it's really simple", he said pointing to the screen, "the numbers are the stock share prices and they turn green when the stock is going up and red when it's going down. Simple."

"Well, I'm sure there is more to it that that! It can't be that easy or everyone would be investing, Edward!", Phil said incredulously.

"Well seeing what the stock is doing is easy, picking the right ones to buy and when to sell is the trick", Edward told him.

Phil looked as though he wanted to say something, he looked so timid as he asked, "Any chance you might school me a bit on how to buy and trade? Do you think it's something I could do, you know, to add to our income?"

"If you have extra funds, investing can be a good idea, but it takes awhile to get the hang of it, Phil, and you should never invest any monies that you can't afford to loose. The market is volatile and there are just no guarantees. I study the companies, but in the end it's just my best guess, that's all", Edward told him.

"Would you consider showing me how to set up an account and what to look for in a company, Edward? I would never expect you to do it for me, but if you just showed me how, maybe I could learn a few things about it," Phil said hesitantly.

Edward looked to me, and I nodded my head just slightly, indicating that it was fine with me if he wanted to help Phil get started.

"Alright Phil, look here".

Edward pointed to the screen and proceeded to show Phil our account.

"This is just mine and Bella's, the company finances are more considerable, but Bella wanted to learn how to invest as well. Why don't I help you set up an account and get started, then Bella or I can help out with some potential stock choices in the future, if you want. I have one request, though, if you want me to help you."

"What's that, Edward?", Phil asked.

"Whatever amount you start with today, once I help you with a trade and you make money, take that amount back out and put it back in savings. I assume you are using savings to invest with", Edward covered the fact that he had read it out of Phil's mind that he would be using their savings to do this.

"That's sounds like a smart thing to do, then any funds in stocks would be money I didn't have before", he paused for a minute, "but how can you be sure I won't just loose the whole thing?", Phil asked.

"Because", I said looking at Bella for her approval, "I'll give you the first buy and tell you when to trade it. You'll make enough to take your investment back out and put it back in your account. After that, I can advise you from time to time if you like, but I have never shared this with anyone but my family and Bella. It would need to remain a secret from anyone else, unless you simply tell them that it's all you doing the investing. Do not mention me, or Bella. You agree?"

"Yes,of course, and thanks for being willing to help me. I appreciate it, Edward", he said as I turned the screen to him and began to explain.

Phil had a hand on the desk, leaning in to see the computer. He nearly fell when he saw the bottom line of over two million in the account.

"This morning we are buying into a new company that has great promise. Their financial report is coming out today and there is a news conference set up for them later. I think their stock is going to go up today, so I am recommended Bella buy a half million share at 50 cents a share, so the initial buy will cost $250,000 pluus the cost of the trade."

I typed in all the appropriate information and hit 'buy'. The stock appeared on our portfolio as purchased, minus the cost of the trade. Phil looked on with interest.

"Now we wait. See this abbreviation on the ticker, that's the stock we just purchased."

"But it says 49 cents, Edward, not 50?", Phil noted.

"That's right. Just in the time it took us to buy it, it lost $5,000", Edward calmly stated.

Phil looked crushed, "You just lost $5,000 and you aren't even frowning! How do you do that?"

I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm going to go show Mom what we got for her in Rio and leave you boys alone to play. I'll check back with you, okay sweetheart?", I said as I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. Edward gave me a quick squeeze back and Phil took my seat at the desk. Edward had a student for the afternoon.

Renee POV

Could I be any more embarrassed this day. I was so worried about Bella this morning, I just wasn't thinking clearly. I am just so used to her falling and hurting herself, crashing into things and even having to get stitches once because she rolled out of her own bed and hit the corner of the night stand with her head! When I hear the loud crash, I could only picture her hurt, and when Edward answered instead of her, it really scared me. Not that I thought he hurt her, I just didn't know what to think. I was not prepared for what I saw when I opened the door. They had somehow (and I don't even want to think about how) broken her bed and were sliding off the mattress onto the floor, desperately trying to keep the covers over their what I can only presume would have been naked forms. Oh well. They laughed it off so I guess it's best forgotten.

I waited in my room as Bella came in with several shopping bags. She opened them on my bed and proceeded to take out some of the loveliest dresses I had ever seen. Vibrant colored sundresses and soft tops. She had outdone herself shopping!

"Bella, how many things did you buy me?", I asked.

"Just a few, Mom. Just part of a suitcase full. I had to stop Alice or we would have had to ship it to you!", she told me.

I sat on the bed and took her hands in mine.

"Bella, about Edward giving me that cell phone, I . . .", I tried to talk to her, but she cut me off.

"Mom, Edward is right. I do want to be able to talk to you more now that I'm expecting. I really want you to keep the phone. It's nothing, really", she said with such determination in her face I had to let it go.

"Okay. Thank you. But about the computer . . . "

"Nope. Sorry, have to leave it here. Phil is in there right now with Edward showing him how to set up a stock account so that he can trade. He'll need the computer program to do that, so you'll have to keep it here for us, no discussion Mom!", she told me.

"Fine, fine, fine.", I said throwing up my hands, you have become a force to be reckoned with. I knew you were never a teenager, sweetie, but I guess I never saw you as this determined!", I told her.

"Have you thought any more about Dartmouth?"

"It all depends on the baby, Mom. Next Fall or maybe start Winter semester, or the next Fall even. Apparently Edward bought a house up there to surprise me with as well so we already have a place to stay if we go. I don't know. Jasper and Alice are talking about going, too, and Rosalie offered to come along just to help with the baby. The house is large enough for us all if they want to come but . . ."

"What's wrong? Is everything, I mean are they moving too fast for you, sweetie?", I asked as i held her hands in mine.

"It's not that. It's just, what if I just want to stay at home and take care of Masen?"

"Masen?", I asked.

"Yes, the baby's name is Masen. Anyway, what if I just want to stay at home and take care of him and Edward. Is that so bad, I mean, am I supposed to feel like an underachiever or a failure if I don't want a career?", my daughter asked.

"Wait, wait a minute Bella. Masen? How do you know that the baby is a boy?", I asked with a smile.

"I just know, Mom. Anyway, with the amount of money available to Edward and I, and his ability to make more so easily, or even if he never made any more, we could do anything we wanted, go anywhere we want. Mom, we can actually just spend all our days together and enjoy each other and wherever we are! I just don't know if I care about school.", she exclaimed.

"Bella! Education is important!", I told her. But then I thought to myself, college to get a degree to get a better job to support your family . . . that's the way it's done. But their family doesn't need to be supported, well, other than the way it already is. She probably wouldn't even get a job in the field she got the degree in, anyway. I sat quietly for a moment, then I had to agree with my daughter. College for her would only be for the sake of wanting to do it if it interested her to learn about something in particular.

"You know what, sweetie. You're right. You do whatever makes you happy. Whatever you and Edward decide, I'm sure you will have an extraordinary life. You have what's important to you already, sitting upstairs on that computer . . . or breaking beds with you like earlier!", I laughed till I couldn't as my daughter turned redder and redder, but continued to laugh with me.

"So when is this baby due, anyway", I asked.

"You know, Mom, I was so excited, I didn't even ask Carlisle that! He did the blood work before we left Highlands and I waited till we were on the island to tell Edward. I had a period right after my birthday, so maybe I got pregnant the end of September, let's see, that would be a May or June baby, right?", she said.

"But I thought you said Spring?"

""Well, the xrays showed that I have to have a cesarean delivery, I can't have it normally because I am apparently too small, Mom. Maybe he is planning on an early delivery so I don't go into labor?"

"Well, that makes sense, I suppose", I said as I hung up the last of the dresses Bella had given me.

"I just hope Carlisle knows shat he is doing", I said as I hugged my daughter.

"So do I, Mom. So do I"