Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.
Chapter 101 Landed
She was right . . . and I had a feeling there would be lots of discovering on this trip!
Rosalie POV
"Now baby, just simmer down," Emmett whispered to me, way too fast for the humans to hear.
I just didn't want to share. Period. It wasn't that I didn't like Renee, she was alright as humans go . . . better than most because she was accepting of Bella and my brother's relationship and encouraged them. I just didn't want to share Masen right now! Had just gotten him, for heaven's sake. Bella and Edward stuck to him like glue, the only exception was when they were fooling around . . . which, right now, was a lot. Hours on end in fact, and I loved it. Oh they let us hold him when they were up and in the room, I got to feed him his bottle even, but I loved the alone time with the baby.
Alice and Esme held him some of the time and Carlisle as well as the guys from time to time, but mostly it seemed to be just me and Esme for most nights. Edward used the excuse that Bella needed to sleep. Edward needed to fuck was more like it. I couldn't say I blamed him. He had waited over 90 years as a vampire to find just the right woman for him . . . we just didn't expect her to be human.
Of course, I didn't expect Renee to be going abroad with us. I was expecting to get lots of alone time with the little guy and had offered babysitting services whenever they wanted. I had been to Europe countless times and while I did enjoy it, I liked being with the baby more.
"She's only here for a week or two, Rosie," my husband reminded me.
"I know, I just do not want to share," I stated petulantly, staring him in the eye as he put his arms around me and the baby I was holding.
"Tell you what, I'll make it up to you."
"Yea?"
"Yea. I'll take you dancing and to clubs every night that Renee wants to watch the baby and I won't even complain once," he told me, kissing my cheek.
"Emmett, you mean that?"
"Damn right. I'll dance your socks off and you won't even miss Masen while we're out we'll be having so much fun!"
"You big oaf, I do love you you know," I told him as I leaned into him.
Of course, Masen was in my arms between us and he pushed Emmett away, resting his head back on my shoulder. It was the single most fulfilling thing that had happened to me since I became a vampire, other than Emmett of course. I loved this little baby and if Alice's predictions were right - and they almost always were - I dared to hope that we were going to have a couple more little ones running around.
Bella was fast becoming one of my favorite people and I no longer considered that she was making a mistake wanting to become what we were. It seemed only natural that she would become immortal so that she would always be with Edward and their children, though we didn't yet know if the children were immortal or not . . .
True to his word, after we were settled in the apartment and it was obvious that Masen would be spending at least the afternoon and evening with Bella and Edward . . . and Renee, Emmett insisted that he and I have a night out on the town. There was this favorite dance club I knew and I was anxious to go there again, hoping it still existed.
"What fun!" Alice trilled as she came into our bedroom with curling irons and makeup, threatening to get us both ready for a night out. I could live with that. She must have known this would happen because when we opened our suitcases, there were dress clothes for Emmett and the most beautiful short red dress, formfitting and cut low so that cleavage showed.
"Alice! When did you do this?" I asked, eying the shiny silver dress that she was shimming into.
"I ordered it a month or so ago when Europe became a firm vision. I thought we might get to go clubbing a few nights, especially since Edward and Bella would be preoccupied for most of the next few weeks (or years)."
"I seem to remember our brother harassing Emmett and me about breaking furniture and being so noisy, never coming up for air. I guess now that he understands what it's like in the beginning . . . even if she is human."
"What's that about being human?" Bella snickered as she walked into my room, "And what's all this?" She said as she gestured to our dresses and the killer Louis Vuitton shoes that Alice had picked out for us to wear.
Five inch heels. Love it.
"We thought we would go clubbing since you and Edward were going to take Renee to dinner and for a walk through the streets to see some of the sights and lights this evening," Alice told Bella.
"But I was just coming to tell you . . . I should have known you would have already seen, Alice. You guys have a good time!" Bella told us as Emmett emerged from the bathroom looking hotter than I had seen my man look in a while.
"Babe!" he drooled as his hands grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. "I don't think I want to go out anymore after seeing you in this dress," he exclaimed.
"On no you don't. You promised, if I had to share Masen time with Renee, you would occupy me. I can't wait to see all the women drooling over you tonight," I told him as I reached up and kissed his lips, his hand going to the back of my head to pull me closer to him.
"Wow!" Jasper exclaimed as he walked into my room as well, probably wondering what the gathering was about.
"I wondered why there was so much lust coming from this room, but now that I see you, darlin', I understand completely," he said taking Alice's hand and holding it above her head for her to twirl around, obviously ogling her. "Those shoes will not be coming off tonight, however," he said hoarsely, kissing the top of her head as he hugged her to him. "I think Paris will thank both of you for bringing sexy back," he said as he held her to him.
"Bella!" Alice chided, why are you not dressed yet?"
"I am dressed, Alice. I'm not standing here naked and I'm not going clubbing, just dinner and sightseeing," Bella said defensively.
"That may be, but this is Paris and there are outfits for you and Edward waiting in your dressing area. Go on, you don't want to miss your dinner reservations!" Alice insisted.
I knew my sister, so her having arranged everything was no surprise. If she had thought to order and pack me a dress and shoes for the occasion, she surely would have planned Bella and Edward's evening as well.
"Dinner reservations?" Bella asked, "You saw us coming here . . . and my mom coming?"
"BELLA! Yes, I saw this as a possibility and I prepared for it . . . you don't think I would leave something like that to the two of you, do you? Best restaurant in town for food, not so much for romance so Renee and Masen won't seem out of place," she whispered,
I took Emmet's arm and Alice grabbed her clutch as we walked into the living room to leave. Alice had one of her silent discussions with Edward as we headed to the door and Renee walked into the room. Edward had appropriately put her in the room farthest away from the rest of the rooms - I guess it was designed to be the master or something, Carlisle and Esme usually used it, and we all understood Edward's reasoning. We needed a little space when we could get it.
~oooOooo~
BPOV
"Baby, could you go and get Masen for me, please?" I asked as i snuggled into his side and nuzzled his neck.
"Ummmn, I'm not sure I can move, love. My very human wife seems to have had her way with me so many times that even a vampire is tired," he said as his hand stroked down my side.
I knew this game and I wanted to shock him somewhat.
"Stow it, Cullen. My favorite vampire just had his way with me half a dozen times and YOU need to go get the baby . . . you're not fooling me. Vampires don't get tired . . . and we're not going to lay here till you convince me to fuck you again."
"Bella! Language! You know talking like that just makes me hard, right?" he said rubbing himself against me.
I had to laugh, he was just so damned cute when he was this needy.
"Sweetheart, you're 17 . . . a breeze blowing by makes you hard. Now move, I know my son is hungry!"
"Bella, I'm the mind reader, remember?" he whined.
"Well?
"Okay, okay, I'll get him. You're right, he is hungry and he wants his mom," he said as he rolled away from me to sit on the edge of the bed and grab his boxers.
I saw the sparkle in his eyes and knew something was coming.
"It seems he's had enough bottles and wants his home brew on tap!"
I flung a pillow at him as he stood to go get Masen and I grabbed my tee shirt. Ridiculous vampire, honestly. Does he think we can just make love ALL the time and do nothing else? I smiled to myself at the thought . . . of course he does, deep down that's all he wants to do. Apparently that was instinctual for a newly mated vampire, and Edward was no exception.
I had made several bottles to bring on the plane, refrigeration not being an issue, but I really wanted to nurse him myself. I missed the connection with my son and though I knew he was being well cared for and spoiled even, I kind of hoped he missed being with me as well.
Edward walked back into our room with Masen sitting up on his arm like he was six months old or something . . . maybe even older. He was reaching for me with his little hand, fingers outstretched.
"Ma . . . ma . . . ma"
"Edward . . . ," I breathed the word so softly, not even sure I said it out loud.
"Ma . . . ma . . . ma," Masen repeated, staring straight at me. He was three weeks old.
"Apparently Rose worked with him most of the night, when he wasn't sleeping, love, He's quite proud of himself," my husband told me as I sprang from the bed and stood to put my arms around them both.
"Rose says he has da da down as well, though I haven't heard it yet," he continued, Masen turning his head to stare at his father.
"Da . . . da," he said in the sweetest little voice imaginable.
"That's right, son, I'm daddy," Edward told him as he rubbed his back and looked at him with a look that could only be described as absolute love and adoration.
We were immediately surrounded by family, Alice smiling widely while Rose was almost glowing with pride at having helped our son with his first words.
"Dude, you are just too cool," Emmett exclaimed as he held Masen's hand and showed him a high five.
"Nice," Jasper commented, "I bet he'll be high fiving us all soon enough."
"He will," Alice said, her arms crossed as she stood and a look of amusement on her face. She had obviously seen something and wasn't about to share it with us, though I caught the smile that crossed Edward's face as he snickered at her. I would have to remember to ask him about it later . . .
"So, what's all the fuss? Is something wrong?" Renee asked, timidly holding onto the door jam as she leaned into our bedroom.
"Everythings cool," Emmett answered, turning his head toward her, "Little dude just said mama and dada, that's all."
My mom looked pale.
Rosalie slapped Emmett on the shoulder, "Emmett!"
"What?" he said surprised, "I thought we were supposed to treat Renee like family?"
"You are you big lug, but things like that let Edward or Bella tell her!"
Alice grabbed my mom's hand and led her to sit on my bed and ushered the rest of my new siblings out of our room. Edward handed me the baby and I sat beside my mom, deciding that the best way to handle the situation was just to go about my normal routine. I reached for a breast shield and pulled up my tee shirt which, thankfully had been one of Edwards and long enough to cover my but when everyone had come in. Luckily I had also slipped on a pair of panties.
Masen took the nipple greedily and was busy playing with pulling my shirt down to hide his face, then unhide it and stare at me while he nursed. It was just the cutest thing. I told him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him and how happy he had made me and his father by calling us mama and dada.
Edward returned from the ensuite with a cool washcloth and laied it on the back of my mom's neck. She was almost ghostly white now and she was barely breathing.
"Are you okay, mom?" I asked, Edward nodding behind her to let me know that she was.
"I . . . I . . . ," my mom stuttered, "I just never expected him to be talking, well I mean saying anything. Then of course I never expected him to be sitting up either and I just . . ."
"Mom. We told you he would be different, more advanced . . . remember?"
"Well yes, of course I remember you saying he would be more advanced I guess I just never realized what that would mean, that's all," she said quietly.
"I think, Renee, that it means he will be calling you grandma much sooner than you thought," Edward chuckled.
"Yes, well . . . I imagine he will. Bella, I . . ."
Edward cut her off, obviously having read something in her mind.
"Renee, accept what you see, remember? No explanations, no questions . . . you agreed. If you can manage it, I think getting to know this little guy will be amazing," Edward reminded her, "and you don't want to miss out on any other children we may have. Just accept what you see at face value and enjoy this time with us."
She nodded and left, the captain having come over the intercom to tell us that we would be landing in Paris in about half an hour. I was so excited.
Paris . . . with Edward.
We landed and were met by a limo, of course, typical Cullen style, and a car seat already strapped into it. Mom looked stunned and I just shrugged my shoulders at her, laughing. We drove through the streets of Paris and Edward had the driver take us by the river and the Eiffel Tower before going to the "flat" they called it. Well, the Eiffel Tower first, it seemed that the "flat" was on the Seine River.
I was so excited, Alice was bubbling up and down just from the excitement that was rubbing off from me! Edward carried Masen in as the doorman held the door and gestured to an elevator off to the side. Penthouse, of course.
"Alice, this is yours?" I asked.
"Well, technically, I suppose, though we all use it. I'm the logical choice to buy a flat in Paris, after all. You're going to LOVE it. Even Edward's room has an amazing view, though not as good as the living room . . . ," she chattered on.
My mom followed, seemingly stunned.
The doorman had our bags brought up and Alice was busily directing him which bags to which room.
"Edward, will you show Renee to the master while I finish here?" Alice asked.
"Sure," he gestured towards a hallway at the other side of the room and grabbed her bag.
My mom just stood kind of dumbfounded and Edward had to call to her to get her attention.
"Renee," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder to nudge her along.
"Wait here, love. I want to show you our room myself," he said with his crooked smile.
He was back in a flash, Renee staying to unpack. Edward had handed me Masen before he grabbed my mom's suitcase and I carried him down the hallway at the other end of the room that Edward pointed to. Third door on the left, sweetheart, he said.
I was shocked. I wasn't even really expecting a bed as Edward said this was his room and he had never had a need for one before. There in the middle of the room was a bed that matched the one in our bedroom at home. Instead of the beige curtains that hung like gauze from the canopy at home, the curtains here had a slight pink tone to them, as did the comforter. Though the room was basically done in beige, the bed fit beautifully and the matching gauze curtains framed the floor to ceiling sliding glass doors that led to the balcony.
What was the most surprising, though . . . even more than the light pink color of the curtains and bed linens, was that one of the two walk in closets, one with a window, had been converted to a different use. There was a dresser with a lamp and a crib there, the room done in shades of blue that perfectly complimented the obviously original cream colored room. The crib was an exact copy of the bassinet at home, just a little larger and deeper and no shelf underneath.
"Edward, you thought of everything," I exclaimed, hugging him and Masen to me.
"Do you like the room your daddy fixed for you, sweetheart?" I cooed to Masen as I sat him in the crib and he grabbed the bars and stood to look at us.
"Bella, I had the room done, the colors that is. Edward insisted the crib match the bassinet and he ordered another duplicate of the bed in your room at home," she snickered. "Actually, the crib and bed are duplicated in almost every house we own now."
I laughed and hugged my husband, going up on my tip toes to reach his soft lips with a kiss.
"You had beds put in all the houses?" I asked.
"Of course. I had no idea exactly which places we would visit, but we will get to them all in time . . . and I knew you loved our bed so I had one made and delivered to each place. We do, after all, need a bed . . . ," he said seductively, kissing me again. "Alice insisted on the pink, though, for here."
I turned to Alice and her eyes were sparkling. I wondered if she had some specific reason, or if she just thought the color went nicely in here for a change. Hum. Alice always had her reasons . . .
"I"m just going to go check on mom, sweetheart. Can you entertain Masen for a little while?" I asked.
"I'd love to, We'll be in here waiting for you, though. Don't be gone too long, mom," Edward teased, giving Masen a sideways glance.
I walked to the other end of the flat, realizing that Edward had been smart to put her off on her own, well, as on her own as she could be, Esme and Carlisles's room was usually away from the 'kids' rooms and that was a good thing in this instance. I found her just sitting on the bed somewhat dazed.
The room she was sitting in was just gorgeous, like all the places that I had seen that the Cullens owned. Since Carlisle and Esme usually used this room, it was done in her preferred shades of cream, ivory and beige. I walked over to the bed and sat down beside my mom, putting an arm around her and gently rubbing her back.
"It's a lot to take in, mom. I know," I said as her head turned and she looked at me, "Just enjoy this time with Edward and Masen and I, okay? We don't have to do anything special today, we'll just take a walk by the river and get some dinner, alright?"
I spent quite awhile just talking to her, not about anything in particular. We discussed the cream decor of the room, how pretty the hardwood floors were and how wonderful it would be to lie there in bed at night with the view of the city out the window. She agreed with me, of course, and we both took turns hanging up the dresses from in her suitcase. She looked confused by some of the things we found in the suitcse and I had only one explanation.
"Alice!" I laughed.
Mom sighed, realizing that, like I told her, the Cullens took some getting used to!
I left her to take a nap, having spent over an hour with her, and could not help but look into Rosalie's room as I headed toward mine, having heard a part of their conversation.
"What's that about being human? And what's all this?" I asked as I took in their appearance . . . and their shoes!
"We thought we would go clubbing since you and Edward were going to take Renee to dinner and for a walk through the streets to see some of the sights when they are lit up in the evening," Alice told me.
"But I was just coming to tell you . . . I shook my head. I should have known you would have already seen, Alice. You guys have a good time!" I told them as Emmett emerged from the bathroom.
Jasper and Emmett seemed impressed with the clothing and shoes as well and commented in typical form, Jasper accusing them of 'bringing sexy back'! Alice's answering smile was blinding as she hugged him to her.
"Bella!" Alice chided, why are you not dressed yet?"
"I am dressed, Alice. I'm not standing here naked, and I'm not going clubbing, just dinner and sightseeing," I told her.
"That may be, but this is Paris, and there are outfits for you and Edward waiting in your dressing area. Go on, you don't want to miss your dinner reservations!" Alice insisted.
"Dinner reservations?" I asked, "You saw us coming here . . . and my mom coming?"
"BELLA! Yes, I saw this as a possibility and I prepared for it . . . you don't think I would leave something like that to the two of you, do you? Best restaurant in town for food, not so much for romance so Renee and Masen won't seem out of place," she whispered as she took Jasper's arm and headed toward the living room.
I headed back towards Edward's room - well, our room. He was sitting on the floor with Masen, rolling a ball back and forth between them and they were both laughing.
"If it's alright with you, sweetheart, I think Mom would do better with an evening with just us. Something quiet, maybe a walk by the river and dinner?" I told him, "And it seems that Alice has already laid out clothes for us and made dinner reservations."
"Sounds like a plan, love. Your mom is somewhat overwhelmed right now and some alone time with just us would probably be good. He looked up at me, trying to comfort me, "She is trying," he said quietly.
"I guess so, but do you think it's all just too much to expect from her? Maybe we should just consider that it would be easier to break all ties with her, Edward," I said thoughtfully.
"Let's see how the evening goes, okay? Maybe you'll feel differently in the morning, and I can't wait to show you the lights of Paris at night!" my husband said excitedly, a gleam in his eyes, "I would suggest some alone time with her though, maybe I'll leave you two on the balcony tonight and say I'm putting Masen to bed, would that seem human enough?"
I had to laugh, "Yes, babe. Very human."
~oooOooo~
The restaurant Alice had chosen was just a few blocks away. Rosalie, Alice, Jasper and Emmett had taken the limo to the club and we decided to just walk there rather than bother with a cab. Walking was good, walking was natural and I was hoping my mom would come out of the mild trance she seemed to be in. She was obviously overwhelmed and trying to process everything. Edward kept rubbing my back and whispering to me that she was fine, she was just trying to adjust and let go of her fears and concerns. He wanted me to just treat her as though there was nothing wrong and give her some time.
Time. I could do that.
The restaurant was small and charming and on the river, having a wonderful view. We sat at a quiet table outside as the sun started to set and we were handed menus. In French. Huh. Edward looked at us and asked if we minded if he ordered for us, which relieved me tremendously. What I didn't expect, however, was that when the waiter walked over and greeted us, Edward ordered our meal in fluent French . . . at least it sounded fluent to me. As soon as mu chin reattached itself to my face, I started with the questions.
"Sweetheart, I had no idea you spoke French. Do you speak any other languages?" I asked. I knew better than to be surprised, but he never ceased to amaze me.
"A few, love," he looked somewhat sheepish and I saw his eyes dart to Renee. "I never had friends in school, remember. Lots of time to study," he said by way of explanation.
"So, Edward, what other languages do you speak?" Renee asked. It was one of the first things she had said, other than commenting on the beauty of the river and how much she liked the blouse and heels I was wearing with my jeans.
"Italian, German, Spanish . . . ," he started telling us. I should not have been surprised, I guess it had just never come up. It was just like Edward to have spent all his nights studying languages, well, when he wasn't playing piano and composing.
"Um, I want to hear some of this later, baby," I told him as my hand ran up the inside of his thigh under the table. From the expression on his face, he would have been blushing if he could. After all the things we do together, him being shy was still just so cute.
Dinner was amazing. Mom and I had some sort of lamb with vegetables and a sauce that the restaurant as apparently famous for. It was completely delicious and I found it difficult not to moan with each mouthful. Edward seemed to be enjoying listening to me moan over food, in addition to my reaction whenever the waiter spoke to us and Edward answered him. I didn't think there was anything sexier than Edward's velvety voice . . . till I heard him speak French.
Masen sat in Edward's arms throughout dinner, looking around the restaurant and greedily eating any bits of Edward's dinner that his dad would share with him. I noticed that Edward had ordered himself some sort of chicken dish and I suspected that it was so he could give bits of it to the baby.
Mom seemed to loosen up a bit, probably the normalcy of sitting and eating together. After we finished dessert, we walked along the Seine, stopping to admire the boats and some of the street performers. Paris was just beautiful and the way everything was embellished with flowers and the buildings ornately carved, I could see how this was supposed to be the city of romance.
"I'll just put Masen to bed, love. I have a bottle for him," Edward told me as we closed the door to the flat. Mom was slipping out of her heels and sat on the sofa looking out the window at the tower which was lit against the night sky.
"Mom, what are you thinking?" I asked as I sat with my arm on the back of the couch behind her.
"Sweetie, I was just thinking what an amazing life you're going to have."
Author's note: I thought about ending this story since it's geting so very long . . . but I really like writing it and I just have so many more ideas rolling around in my head. I just don't want to bore anyone or to drag things out. Detail is just important to me and some things take many words to write. If Edward's need for sex is too much for you (too much sex, though I have no idea what that would really be) you might want to skip or skim for a few chapters - or maybe even just stop reading here.
Edward nursing from his wife while she produces milk is not gross, as I have personal experience with this. Trust me. Of course, some folks think that missionary position is enough, and more power to them!
I'm excited about the visit to Europe and all the possibilities, and I hope you'll join me!