Where She Belongs

Chapter 21

We're not just kissing, we're making out. The best part is Bella initiated it.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away," she stammers as she slowly pulls away from me.

I pull her back to me. "Don't be. Feel free to get carried away anytime."

She giggles a little, but at least she doesn't make a move to get off of my lap.

I can't help but to run my fingers through her hair and down to her shoulder.

"You're beautiful, I hope you know," I say as my fingers run over her lips.

"No, I'm not." She shakes her head. Before I can interrupt to argue with her, she continues. "But, you make me feel pretty."

"You should feel pretty. You are beyond pretty. You are the most stunning woman I have her seen and met. I can't express enough how much you have changed me," I say honestly.

"I … I've changed you?" she questions. "How?"

"You make me want to be a better man, a better human being. I want you to be proud of me." I have never been this honest with a woman. Hell, I've never felt this way about changing who I am. I've never taken a good, long hard look in the mirror. However, the way I feel about her now is a game changer. No, it's a life changer.

"I … I… I just don't understand. Why do you want me to be proud of you? You own me." The bitterness in her voice is not present, but I can imagine it there anyway.

"No, baby. I was a fool. A lucky fool, but a fool nonetheless. I'm lucky because I met you even if it was in horrible circumstances. I admit I wanted to own you. I wanted to control you and possess you."

She shudders. I pull her a little closer to me and hold her face in my hands.

"But you've taught me, sweetheart. You've taught me how to care again, how to feel compassion and love. I thought those feelings didn't exist for me, but you've proved me wrong." I smile at her and lightly kiss her lips before bringing my hands down and resting my forehead against hers.

After a minute, she looks up at me. "I don't think I understand. I don't see how I could have changed you like that."

"Believe me, you have. You've opened up a whole new world for me. I see things that I have never seen before. Most of all, I see the wonderful person that you are. I see someone beautiful, intelligent, and yet has a caring heart even with everything she's been through. I see someone that truly is and deserves to be her own person." I could have thought as myself as a total sap, but all I see is a man who is finally being honest. A man who truly cares about the welfare of another human being. I owe it all to her.

Tears are running down Bella's beautiful face, and I feel a sting of pain for making her cry.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. You're going to be okay. I promise you."

She sniffs and wipes her eyes. After a minute she looks at me and stares into my eyes.

"You really mean it don't you? You're not just saying this to get my hopes up. You really do care for me?" She seems awed and hesitant all at the same time.

I understand that. I truly do.

"Yes, I really do mean it. I want the best for you, Bella. I'm sorry that I've made you do things that you didn't or weren't ready to do. I'm sorry for ordering you around. But, baby, I'm not sorry that I met you. I'm not sorry that some other pervert didn't take you. I'm glad that I have been granted to see the error of my ways. I just hope you will give me the chance to prove to you just how sorry I am." I really am turning into a sap, but I will be her sap any day.

"Edward," she cries out and hugs my neck. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. How much it all means to me. The fact that you honestly care, and for letting me finish school." She sniffs into my neck but keeps a tight grip on me.

For once I am doing something right. For once, I am being a sensitive, caring human being and for once, I actually enjoy it.

After we return to the house, I call Sherry over and she and Bella get busy discussing the details of her schooling.

I am very impressed at what she has prepared for her. Sherry seems to have a natural rapport with Bella. Before long they have just about everything mapped out. Sherry has scheduled for Bella to meet with the tutor tomorrow, a woman named Kate Harris. Kate will help Bella with subjects that she has trouble with and basically oversee her education.

Bella doesn't even grimace or complain when Sherry explains that she will have to do her schooling as Isabella Cullen. I was afraid she'd object, but she seems to understand that it is best for her safety if we created records for Isabella Cullen. She will be safer.

I have to admit that I like the sound of "Isabella Cullen." That surprises me totally. I never ever once thought about what it might be like to have a wife. But, like I mentioned before, she changes me.

After Sherry leaves, we enjoy a nice meal out on the balcony as the warmer weather seems to have continued into the night.

.~***~.

Its morning now and Bella is meeting with her tutor, Kate. I'm in my office having just ordered a desk, a top of the line computer, and all the necessary supplies that Bella may need to start her schooling. I think I'm just as excited about this as she is. I pulled a few strings and will be having this all delivered later today.

I'm clearing out a space for Bella's desk in my office when there is a knock on my door.

"Come in," I answer as I continue to clear some space for Bella.

"How did it go, sweetheart?" I ask as I start to move the bookcase over.

"Sweetheart? You're calling that tramp 'sweetheart' now?" I hear my father's voice and my fists immediately ball up.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I try to keep my face blank.

"What am I doing here? I'll tell you what I'm doing here. I want to know why the hell my son had me followed. Did you actually think that I wouldn't notice?" My father spits out.

I wasn't about to confirm or deny anything. I will keep my mask in place.

After staring each other down, my father finally speaks. "Why can't you just give up the whore? You can get another one. Hell, get two for all I care."

I'm so angry, I could spit nails. As hard as it is, I keep my composure, though I am dying to beat my own father to a pulp for suggesting such a thing.

"Why is it so important to you?"

"Because we need to make peace and this little whore is what it's gonna take to bring it. It's not much of a sacrifice." He looks at me like he expects me to agree.

"Exactly who do we need to make peace with? Who is it that wants her?" I can't help but raise my voice. I'm so angry. I knew it was something like this.

"Do I need to remind you who is in charge here?" He raises his voice as well.

"I will not give her up, or have her taken from me!" I shout.

"Who said she would be taken from you?" My father questions, raising an eyebrow at me suspiciously.

Shit. Cover your tracks Edward.

I calm down a bit on the outside, though I am raging internally. "I won't give her up. It's not going to happen."

"I don't understand why you're being so stubborn." He shakes his head and then begins to pace around his desk.

"Why do we need to kiss someone's ass by giving her to him?" I question in response.

"Edward!" He roars.

Fuck!

"I don't kiss anyone's ass! I do business, that's what I do. You need to get your head out of your ass and do what you are supposed to do!"

"I will be happy to do 'business'. However, I will not trade, exchange, or give up Isabella. She stays with me. End of Story." I am standing my ground. I have done and will do his bidding, but giving up Bella is not an option.

"Fine! So it will be. I'm tired of seeing your face," he says rather calmly. Too calmly.

He turns and leaves my office slamming the door behind him.

.~***~.

I'm sitting in my office waiting on Emmett. I called him after father left and asked him to come over. I need someone to talk to that I can trust; someone that will see Bella for what she is and not for the pawn she could be.

Emmett comes in and I explain everything that has happened.

He agrees with me in thinking that this is not over even though father has 'agreed' to let me keep Bella.

Yes, something is brewing and I want to know what it is.

We have been very quiet now, both of us contemplating the situation when Emmett suddenly pipes up. "Edward! I know the answer. I know what you have to do!"

This ought to be good.

"What Emmett? What's the answer?" I ask him rather impatiently as curiosity has gotten the better of me.

"Marriage. You have to marry her."