Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chapter 32 Weights
BPOV
To say that I enjoyed my Sunday evening was an understatement.
Edward made a stroganoff and proved to be very talented at multitasking in the kitchen.
I fell asleep in his arms later that night a tired, boneless and happy woman.
...
Monday dawned bright and clear, with a sleep humping that for once no one was compelled to put a stop to.
Edward made pancakes for breakfast.
After breakfast I received a verbal ass chewing from AT on my obligations as CEO of Cask which apparently include checking the weather in my crystal ball. The French meeting was postponed till Thursday.
Edward lent me some of his foul weather gear and we spent an hour or two in the snow indulging our inner children which mostly consisted of doing unspeakable things to someone you allegedly care about with cold wet snow.
Followed by an hour in the bathroom warming each other up.
...
Tuesday we spent the day in bed, reading and making a liar out of Edward.
Not that I was complaining.
...
It is Wednesday by the time I make it back to New York.
And since its moving day, after work Demetri drops me off at my new rented apartment.
Its not even disconcerting, especially after Edward's barn, its just like exchanging one hotel room for another and thanks to Lauren's scary efficiency I only have one box to unpack.
...
Thursday morning I try out my 'new' home gym, even the view's not all that different, though I think the running machine needs re-calibrating after being moved, because damn that was hard.
The skirt on my dark blue 'I mean business' suit is also feeling a little tight.
No more eating what Edward eats, metabolically speaking he and I are clearly not compatible.
Demetri picks me up with coffee and a brief un-Demetri like complaint about all the 'damn' Board Members he's got to run around the city picking up.
I sympathise since I can't be assed with most of them either. There's something about the smugness of a man who started life rich and entitled and managed not to fuck it up that makes me wanna join the communist party, and I'm a Capitalist.
I am not looking forward to this afternoon's meeting. There's nothing wrong with the proposal for the French Acquisition, Klaus, Felix and I did an epic job on it, but the majority of the Board like to give me a hard time if they get the chance and postponing the meeting is only going to make it worse, the whiny emails I've had already . . . .
...
"Coffee's already on." Lauren informs me as I sweep out of the elevator. "AT was in your office but I managed to entice him down to Accounting."
"Thanks Lauren, you're a life saver!"
"I'm about to go down and grab a Danish, want one?"
"I'd better not I'm having a bad skirt day." I sigh.
"You look fine."
"Thanks." I head toward my office. "Oh, Lauren, thanks for sorting me out yesterday, there's something for you in your inbox . . . ."
One, two, three . . . . her squeal is epic but it's the least I can do. Her devotion might make me uncomfortable but it also makes my life so much easier.
Thankfully I have so many conference calls booked this morning that every time AT sticks his head around my door I'm able to legitimately shoo him out.
...
Lunch is served in the Boardroom, I'd skip it but my stomach thinks my throat's been cut.
Taking a deep breath I let myself out into the foyer and AT immediately pounces.
"Bella, I must protest, we have so little time to consult already and I feel like you are avoiding me."
"Of course not AT, I'm just busy running the company." Smooth voice, bright smile.
He scowls, taking my reply in the spirit in which it was intended. Mean.
"Well it is nice to see you putting the time in for once." He huffs. "We can catch up after the meeting."
"Of course." I demur as he strides ahead into the Boardroom.
"Watch it." One of the other Board Members murmurs as he appears at my elbow. "His jockey shorts are still in a bunch."
"Thanks." I murmur, giving him a grateful smile.
Allies, in business as in war, are everything.
Sad but true.
...
Well that fucking sucked.
They didn't actually demand my resignation but I should have put a telephone directory down the back of my skirt before the meeting.
I had to postpone one fucking meeting. One fucking meeting ever. Turnover is up. Profits are up even in these challenging times. What do they want? For me to have a heart attack at my desk like The Old Man did?
Assholes!
Even my own Father never spoke to me like I was a two year old!
They couldn't find anything wrong with the French proposal but they delayed making a decision anyway just so they could prove a point. And fuck that they're damaging the business to make it.
Assholes!
I collapse behind my desk and close my eyes.
Tide comes in. Tide goes out. Tide comes in. Tide goes out.
Fuck!
It's not working.
My door creaks and I open one eye to see who has dared invade my sanctuary, because if it's AT I'm going to dangle his ass out the window by his exquisite Italian loafers.
"What?" I growl at Lauren.
"Mr Donahue, AT, asked me to inform you that he doesn't have time for your meeting now so he's commandeered Demetri to drive him to his next appointment.
"Peachy." I grind out. "Thank you Lauren."
"Do you need anything Bella?"
"No, but thank you."
"Bella?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for the Coldplay tickets, I mean, it's a pleasure to work for you. But thank you so much."
"Have fun Lauren."
"As a VIP? I will Bella I promise. Goodnight."
"Night Lauren."
The door creaks and I close my eye.
Tide comes in. Tide goes out . . . .
...
An hour later I'm caught up on all my emails and more than ready to go home.
I should call Demetri but the poor man's probably still distributing Board Members across the city. I'll get a cab, it won't hurt just this once.
...
"Want me to kick his ass?" Edward asks.
"Funny, but no, he's older than your Dad so it'd just be rude. Besides it's sort of the Chairman of the Board's job to challenge everything."
"He doesn't have to be a dick about it though."
"No he doesn't but that's just the way it's done I'm afraid."
"Oh Bella, I wish I could give you a hug right now."
"So do I but you'll be here tomorrow night so I guess I can hang on."
"Dismissive." He chuckles.
"Its not." I confess. "It's just that if I think too much about it I might need a little cry."
"Oh love . . . ." He sighs.
"Now now Edward." I snip. "Modern woman here, don't undermine me."
"Yes ma'am. On a lighter note I've got a present for Charlie."
"Cool. Is it safe?"
"I think so, its football related and right in the time period he recalls."
"Thanks Edward." I tell him with real feeling.
"Not a problem, I enjoyed my little research project. Are we still going to visit your Mom too?"
"I'm not sure you really want to do that." I hedge.
"Yes Bella. I do. Whatever vitriol she's got to spew she can spew at both of us."
Oh Edward . . . .
...
Friday morning and the running machine definitely needs the tender mercies of the engineer who is due some nebulous time 'after Monday'.
Demetri didn't bring me coffee because he's punishing me for not waiting for him to take me home last night.
Lauren's out getting ready for her intimate and well earned brush with Coldplay so I'm able to put the phone on hands free to gossip with Rose for most of the morning.
Once she's done trying to get me to over share being snowed in with Edward she drops the bomb. She's pregnant!
Holy shit!
Which is what Em said apparently.
I'm so happy for them I'm on Posh Tots' site while we talk ordering up a storm of stuff.
And I can't believe she told me before they're going to tell Esme . . . .
"Shit! Don't tell Esme you told me first!"
"We won't, we like you too much to risk your life that way. But don't cross me Cyggers or I might drop you in it one day."
"She'll be just as mad at you."
"Yeah." Rose sniggers. "But I'll be using her first son and her first grandchild as human shields."
"Nice."
"Aren't I?" She's silent for a moment. "You'll be Godmother, right?"
"Oh Rose. Yes please. If you'll let me."
"Of course we will. You can explain puberty and procreation to he or she, your face will be priceless."
"You know Rose I'm not sure how sarcasm and verbal abuse is gonna cut it as a parenting tool."
"It worked on you." She laughs. "Just look how well you turned out after all my hard work."
"I'm going to hang up now and get lunch with Demetri, maybe we'll even go to Dave's and get a burger."
"Bitch." She growls. "You'll pay for that."
"Love you."
"Love you too. Laters."
...
After lunch, no burger, I had a salad which Demetri thought was hilarious, I try to work but I'm so amped up to see Edward tonight that I can't concentrate. So it's a welcome distraction when Esme calls to tell me the baby news and subtly grill me on how things are going with her favourite boy. She seemed pleased, almost like she wanted to give me a gold star for effort and then she invited us both home the following weekend to celebrate Rose and Em's good news.
At three I give up pretending to be productive and ask Demetri to drive me home, Edward says he's taking me somewhere special tonight and I'm vain enough to want the extra primping time.
...
I've just lowered myself into the tub when my cell rings but I let it go to voicemail while I close my eyes and relax in the bubbles and fragrant steam. This is the probably the shortest working week I've had since my Saturday job in High School, but I'm more than done with it and need to decompress.
Not easy though, I should have switched the fucking cell off because it's ringing again.
And again.
Grumbling I heave myself out of the tub and skid across the tiled floor to the vanity unit.
Two missed calls from Edward and one from my voicemail. Shit, it's still snowing on and off, I hope he's not delayed . . . .
Forgoing the voicemail I call him back while I slip into my bathrobe.
"Hey. What's up?"
"Bella!" He sounds a bit odd. "I sorry."
"Why, what's wrong? Are you drunk?"
"No. Not. Pregnant."
"Here." Another voice drawls somewhere in the background. "Give it to me."
There's a scuffle of some description which Edward doesn't sound very happy about.
"Bella?"
"William?"
"Hi Bella. Sorry about this. Your boy got himself kicked this afternoon visiting one of his patients on the way to airport."
"Oh my god. Is he alright?"
"He will be. His leg is broken though and the pain medication seems to be doing interesting things to his neural pathways."
"Um. Can I talk to him?"
"Sure, hold on."
"Bella?"
"Edward! Are you okay?"
"No. Leg was bend the wrong way. Really creepy."
"Oh love. Can I do anything?"
"Kissy kissy?"
"Um?"
"Kissy." He says with more force.
"Edward." William says again. "Give me the damn phone."
"No!"
There's another scuffle.
"We're going to be here a couple more hours at least." William informs me as Edward protests in the background. "And then if they discharge him I'll take him home with me. But I think what he's trying to tell you is that he wants you to come."
"Yessum." Edward mumbles. "Love when Bella comes. Amazin' noises."
"Oh dear god." I moan as my face goes beet red and William chuckles quietly.
"Anyway." He says, clearing his throat. "Do you think you might be able to get here?"
"Yes." Is the easy answer. "I just need to check flights."
"Thank you, it will mean a lot to him, the boy is totally 'gone' over you."
"I'll let you know when I'll be there. Can you let me know what's happening at your end?"
"Of course. And don't worry if you can't get here until tomorrow. Moira and I will look after him."
"Thank you so much. Should I call Esme?"
"If you don't mind, it chaos here with all the snow and we've only managed to call you because Edward was freaking out, we had to come outside to get a signal."
"I'll do it now."
"Thank you, talk to you soon . . . ."
"Bye!" Edward demands and William hands back the phone.
"Kissy kissy?" He asks.
"Yes Edward, as soon as I get there I'll kiss it better."
"Good."
...
Esme has had two testosterone filled sons and is stoic.
"Look after my boy and let me know how he is."
"I will."