Thanks to SusanQ, Nicffwhisperer, Kikki7, Vampshavelaws, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Perry, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing/supporting me. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

Esme

The next day, I kept my mind as occupied as possible, both during classes and once I got home. Anything to keep from dwelling on Edward and his meeting with Jake. He hadn't gone into much detail the night before when I questioned him, except to tell me everything was going to be fine.

Needless to say, I was nervous.

Max and I had set up residence in the kitchen, and I was attempting to make dinner for everyone. Hannah kept a wary eye on me, while Max sniffed the ground looking for scraps.

I was trying my hand at lasagna and doing a pretty good job...if I did say so myself.

Just as I was finishing the last layer, my phone rang. I sighed when I saw who it was, knowing she was going to be upset after Carlisle informed her what had really happened between Kate and Edward.

"Hello, Esme."

"Bella." Her voice was hoarse, sad. She cleared her throat before continuing. "I'm calling to make sure you were still on board to attend the Halloween function with me. I never really a got a chance to ask you over the weekend."

It was a charity benefit, raising money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. There was no way I would back out of helping such a good cause, no matter what kind of craziness was going on in my life.

"Of course. I'll be there. I still have to find a costume, but I'll come up with something."

She laughed, but it sounded strained.

"Are you okay, Esme?"

She sobbed, but tried to hide it. "I'm sorry. I told myself I wouldn't cry when I called. You have enough to deal with."

"It's alright. I know it had to be hard for you to hear what happened."

She was quiet for a minute, but I didn't push her, instead giving her time while I put the pasta in the oven.

"I've never been so angry in my life. Angry at her. Angry at Carlisle. Angry at myself. I...I don't even know what to say to Edward."

I traced my finger along the line of the countertop, trying to come up with the right words. It wasn't her fault, but I understood how she would feel guilty regardless.

"I think he's finally starting to let it go. Just be there for him. He loves you. He always has."

She sniffled. "I'm just glad you and Edward found each other. I don't like to think about how miserable he would have stayed if you hadn't."

I hadn't thought about the alternate reality of Edward's future if he and I had never met.

Would he have ended up with Kate somehow?

Would he have remained alone?

Would he ever have understood his father's behavior toward him?

It hurt me to even think about those things. All I knew was none of them would actually happen. And the truth was that he filled as many holes in my life as I did in his.

"I'm thankful for him every day."

"I know you are, sweetie." The smile was back in her voice. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel great. I'm not nearly as exhausted all the time like I was in the first trimester." I wasn't going to talk about my nervousness. "I'm actually cooking right now."

"Hannah's really letting you in her kitchen?"

I laughed. "She's keeping a close eye on me."

Hannah looked up from the table where she was reading a magazine and winked at me.

"Well, I won't keep you any longer. I'll be in touch with more details soon. Please let me know what costume you decide to wear."

"I will. Thanks for calling."

Edward walked in soon after our goodbyes, surprising me when he wrapped his arms around me from behind. I giggled and then glanced down at Max.

He was busy gnawing on a chew toy.

"Some guard dog you are."

Edward chuckled between his kisses to my neck, and I spun around in his arms to face him.

"Well, what happened?"

He smirked, ignoring my question, his fingers playing with the strings of my apron. "You're cooking?"

"Don't sound so shocked. I can cook when I put my mind to it."

I think.

He sniffed the air. "It does smell pretty good, but did any of the tomato sauce actually make it into the pan?"

I slapped his hand away, my eyes darting down to take in my sauce-splattered front. It was a good thing I was wearing an apron. "Shut up or you won't be eating any of it."

He leaned in close. "There's something I want to eat even more than your lasagna."

I blushed and checked to make sure Hannah hadn't heard him. He was such a pervert, but he knew all of my buttons. I pushed him away before things escalated any further, and I burned my culinary masterpiece.

He held up his hands and backed away, licking his lips.

Damn him.

He had me flustered enough to almost forget about my interrogation.

Almost.

I pulled out some bread and butter, slicing and spreading as he poured himself a drink. Hannah excused herself to change over some laundry.

"Are you going to tell me or what?"

Half of my worry had already disappeared simply from Edward being in such a good mood. I expected him to be angry and vigilant, not playful and horny.

"It went well. About like I expected."

"What did you talk about?"

He smirked again. "I made him an offer."

"You did what?"

Max barked when my last word came out as a high-pitched scream. He walked over, plopping his butt down in front of me and gave Edward the evil eye.

The doggie version of an evil eye.

Edward glared at the puppy before pulling out a chair and sitting at the table.

"I made him an offer," he repeated.

"An offer to do what? How could you possibly benefit from working with that snake?"

I had been a nervous wreck all day, waiting to hear how his impromptu meeting with Jake had gone, fearing Edward would lose control again. Now he was telling me they were wheeling and dealing?

What the hell?

"He hates Eleazar as much as I do." He lifted his head, his eyes blazing.

I huffed. "But he's working with him."

It made no sense to me.

"He did it for money mostly, the fact he was also fucking me over was only a bonus." He gave a short laugh. "He's a shithead bastard, but I'm going to be the one using him now."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, not liking the idea of putting any trust in Jake. Edward sounded so confident though. I wanted to believe he knew what he was doing.

"How are you going to do that?"

"Simple. I'll let him think he's getting what he wants."

"And how are you going to do that?" I walked over to stand in front of him.

Apparently that wasn't close enough because he pulled me down to sit in his lap.

"You trust me, right?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Well, believe me when I say he's not going to get off scot-free. I'll get what I need from him and then I'll finish him. He's going to think he's getting ahead. I'll throw promises of promotions and money and power at him and he'll eat it up. That's who he is. But it won't ever really happen. I haven't forgotten how much shit he's caused me."

"But won't he figure out you're deceiving him?"

He didn't seem stupid to me. Arrogant and evil, yes. Stupid, no.

Edward pulled me back until my head rested on his shoulder. "He knew my weakness, but I also know his. I know how his mind works and what makes him tick. Believe me when I say I'll have my ass covered, even in the event Jake figures out I'm fucking him over."

I relaxed against him. He sounded so sure, and when he put his mind to something, he always got it. I was just going to chill out and trust him.

"Did your father call you today?"

I felt his smile against my neck.

"Yes. He gave me everything I asked for."

That warmed me inside. If nothing else, this situation had brought him and his father together again. Or at least talking again.

I turned my head and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you more."

I grinned. "Only because you're bigger."

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

Over the next few weeks, Edward continued his crusade to gather as much evidence as possible and to fortify his side with allies. Or at least ensure they were not with Eleazar.

He kept me in the loop enough to abate my worry, but usually avoided giving me too many details.

It was actually a nice and peaceful time, free from worry and drama. Edward and his father were talking and it seemed like the perpetual chip that had been on his shoulder since we met was slowly disappearing.

I hoped after everything was said and done, it would be gone completely.

The day had arrived for the charity benefit, and Edward stood around, reading one of his pregnancy books and pestering me while I finished putting on my costume.

I was dressing as Dorothy, complete with red, sparkly heels.

"Did you know that during pregnancy, the average woman's uterus expands up to five hundred times the normal size?"

I stopped braiding my hair, scowling over to find him staring at my stomach.

"Do you mind? Quit staring at my uterus."

His eyes quickly moved up and met mine for a second before he buried his nose in the book again. I huffed and finished my braiding.

Five hundred times the regular size? That seemed really excessive to me.

He distracted me again when he lifted his shirt and started patting his stomach.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing." He dropped his shirt. "It's just that it says here men sometimes get pregnancy symptoms too. Like morning sickness and cramps and other things."

I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the mirror. I'd never been in favor of book burning, but I was strongly considering it now.

"You had four eggs this morning, right?"

Did he have a death wish?

I glared over at him, grinding my teeth. "What's your point?"

"It's just that it says here there are some suggestions that baby boys secrete a chemical which causes the mother to eat more during pregnancy."

That's because boys are trouble. Then they grow into men, and men are more trouble.

"Are you saying I'm eating too much?"

I looked down at myself. Only in the last few days had it become noticeable the baby was beginning to show, and that was only when I was naked. I had gained a few pounds, but mostly in my hips and boobs. Edward said he loved it, but maybe he didn't.

I was a fat cow and I was only seventeen weeks along. I'd be wearing his clothes before nine months came around.

"I'm absolutely not saying that." He came up behind me, wrapping me in his arms and rubbing my belly.

"But you can tell I've gained weight." I met his eyes in the mirror.

"I think you get sexier every single day."

I snorted. "Yeah, right."

"You do." He nuzzled my neck. "When you get home, I want you to keep in these braids and leave on the red shoes."

I laughed, not able to stay angry with him. "Of course you would have some Dorothy fantasy running through your head." I shrugged out of his arms to finish my makeup. "I'm just hoping to get back here in one piece, without being eaten by the sharks."

His eyes narrowed. "I wish I could be there with you. Promise me you won't let anyone get to you."

I sighed. "I'm just going to stick by your mom and pray not to see Kate."

We both knew that wasn't likely. She was supposed to be there, along with many other New York society princesses. I just kept reminding myself it was all for a good cause.

"Just remember, we hold all the cards now. They don't know it yet, but both she and her father will soon get what's coming to them."

I nodded and smiled, wanting to be strong. It was one thing to feel safe and secure at home, but it was different trying to maintain the upper hand when you felt out of your element. I was going to be on Kate's turf and she would have the homefield advantage. She had a way of making me feel like I was a kid playing dress-up.

After a few more encouraging words and hugs from Edward, I met Esme downstairs in her car, laughing when I saw her wicked witch costume.

"I thought it was apropos," she said, patting the seat next to her as I got in. "I'm going to stick this broomstick up Kate's bum tonight if she gets near you."

I giggled, not accustomed to hearing the prim and proper Esme talk like that.

And bum? Who really said that?

I was going to remember to use that word later with Edward.

"Hopefully she will mind her manners considering she'd look very bad making a scene." That's what I kept telling myself anyway.

Esme grabbed my hand and squeezed. "Well, don't you worry about a thing. We're going to have fun."

And she was right. I was blown away from the moment we walked in the door. Every inch of the ballroom was decorated for the holiday. Cornhusks, haystacks, cobwebs, pumpkins, huge black cauldrons filled with apple cider and dry ice. I'd never seen anything so festive.

Esme kept my arm in hers the entire time, introducing me to all her friends and gushing like a proud mother would. Several times I blushed and stammered from her praise, but it felt so good.

It had been such a long time since I'd had any kind of motherly attention, and I was lapping it up.

"Do you see anything you like?" she asked as we were perusing the silent auction tables.

I pursed my lips, glancing over everything again. There were a few celebrity "dates", but those didn't interest me. The pampering packages at local spas were interesting, as well as the private dinners catered by area chefs. My mouth watered from the descriptions of a few, and I placed a hand over my rumbling stomach.

I was hungry all the damn time.

I made a few bids, Esme guiding me in how much to offer, before we finally made our way over to the interactive area and took over an apple bobbing booth. There were several different games and activities for all the kids to partake in, and I was having so much fun playing, I almost forgot Kate was anywhere in the vicinity.

But she just had to make her appearance known eventually.

She sauntered up in her catwoman costume, flanked by two other women dressed as a devil and an angel. I laughed to myself at the irony.

I finished handing out candy to a few more kids, before standing tall to face her. Esme was at my side in a flash.

"Ms. Forrester, is there something you need?" Esme's voice was ice cold, addressing her before she ever said a word to me.

I was truly surprised. Yes, I knew Esme hated her, but I figured she would at least disguise it until after Edward had confronted Eleazar.

"Esme, it's so good to see you!" Kate's tone was saccharin-sweet and phony as hell.

"I wish I could say the same," Esme said.

Kate seemed as surprised as me, stepping back a little. "I hope Carlisle and Edward are doing well."

Esme lifted her chin. "Edward's never been so happy. We are lucky Bella joined our family."

"He overpaid for her, but hopefully he'll get his money back." She sent me a smug smile before turning her attention back to Esme. "I saw Edward not too long ago and he seemed quite stressed. I'll drop by again soon to make sure he's okay."

I couldn't believe she came right out and accused Edward of buying me. My eyes flitted to the friends beside her, but they didn't really seem to be paying much attention or care what she was saying. Esme grabbed my hand and held it in a vice grip.

"I'm sure Edward will throw you out, just as he has for the last ten years." Esme picked up an apple and tossed it in her hand. "Are you here for some bobbing? I hear you're a champion at it."

Kate's eyes narrowed, the facade she put on for the public crumbling right before our eyes. She glanced from Esme to me and back again.

"Is there a particular reason you're being so rude?"

Esme chuckled darkly. Actually it was almost a cackle, which would have fit perfectly with her outfit. I bit my lip to keep from smiling.

"There are many reasons," she said, lowering her voice. "But mostly I just don't care for insufferable bitches. You can move along now. You're in the way and we're here to raise money."

I stood there in silence, completely stunned, but Esme kept squeezing my hand. Kate's cheeks burned bright red, and I thought she was going to stomp her feet and throw a tantrum right in front of everyone.

One of her friends grabbed her arm, whispering something in her ear. Kate glared at us for a couple more seconds before turning on her heel and stalking off.

I turned to Esme after she stormed off. "Why did you do that?"

Her eyes glittered in triumph. "I won't tolerate it any longer. You're my family and nobody is going to mess with you. Especially not her. She's done far too much damage already."

She said I was her family. Her family.

Did she have any idea how much that meant to me?

My eyes watered as I threw my arms around her and gave her a hug. "Thank you."

"Oh, honey." She rubbed my back, before pulling back to watch my face. "You're my daughter now. Forget that in-law business."

I laughed, wiping my eyes. "Do you think Kate is going to tell her father what happened?"

"I imagine she's probably already on the phone with him." She shrugged and pulled me back over to the booth. "I don't really care anymore. They can both go to hell."

I nodded, although my stomach was twisting. I hoped Esme's little brush off of Kate wouldn't ruin anything Edward had planned.

When I got home and jumped in Edward's arms, I felt better than I had in a long time. He listened and smiled when I told him everything from our evening, never once getting upset or worried about any details. In fact, he said more than once how proud he was of me. I'd faced the dragon, and although Esme had led the charge, I didn't back down or cower.

More than ever, it was the family around me who made me feel whole.

AN: Esme's claws come out. How did you like her in ass-kicking mode?

I've outlined the rest of the story, and it appears there are going to be around five more chapters, including an epilogue. Just an fyi…I may soon take the EPOV outtakes out and put them in a separate story.

Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, and letting me know your thoughts. I appreciate you all very much!

Find me on facebook at Twilover Seven-six – I try to put up pictures and a teaser for coming chapters in the NOP group.

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Fic Recs:

Symmetry by aftrnoondlight…hope you all are reading this!

OPERATION: Break the Dawn by katinki

Now and Then by troublefollows1017

I Never Knew by nerac

Cracks in the Pavement by Vampshavelaws