Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. However, I do own this plot and storyline. I also own my own original characters.
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, products, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Note: I want to apologize for the delay in updating. RL kicked my ass last week. I won't bore you with the details but I'm back.
Chapter 6: Takin' Care of Business
EPOV
I wake up feeling light and happy. Lleu even slept through the night in his bed, although I did have to put it right next to mine.
After taking a quick shower and getting dressed, I head downstairs to start breakfast. As I enter the kitchen, I see that Bella and Sarah are already hard at work getting breakfast ready. After a quick and quiet greeting, I make my way over to the cabinets to get dishes so that I can set the table and help them finish up. Breakfast is quickly finished and ready to be plated.
It isn't long before Billy and the guys walk in and immediately start filling their plates. My family joins us just as the rest of the food is set on the table.
"After breakfast, Bella and Jessica are takin' y'all to town to take care of business," Billy states, looking up from his plate. "Jasper, you'll be driving the large coach."
"Yes, sir," Jasper replies, a little shell-shocked.
"Make sure ya have everything you need: financial records, current insurance information. That kind of stuff," Bella adds. "Jessica already has your proof of residence and employment records."
"Sure thing, dear," my mother confirms.
As soon as I'm done eating, I clean my plate and head upstairs. I pull the envelope with all my financial information from the dresser drawer, where I keep it stored until I can purchase a safe. I make sure everything's in there and head back downstairs.
My father stops me at the bottom of the stairs, "Give that to your mother and she'll put it in her bag for you."
"Thanks," I reply in appreciation and walk off to find my mother. She's in the kitchen cleaning with Sarah, but I notice her bag on the counter.
"Mom," I say, getting her attention. "I'm putting this in your bag."
"Sure, sweetheart," she agrees. "Do you have Lleu's leash? Sarah's gonna take him with her so he doesn't have to stay locked inside all day."
"Yeah," I answer. "It's hanging in the utility room."
"Let's load up," Jessica calls out. "Don't want Cassie being late to school."
Jasper is already on the bus with Billy, who is answering any questions he has. "Just remember that Bella knows how to drive this thing. She just doesn't like to," Billy comments, making sure Bella can hear him.
She just smirks and shakes her head while buckling Cassie into her booster seat. Jessica climbs in the front with Jasper, I'm assuming, to give him directions.
"Y'all have fun," Billy comments while exiting. "And don't wreck this bus."
Once we're on the highway heading into town, Jessica turns in her seat, "After dropping Cassie off, we'll head to the bank. Y'all's driving appointments start at ten."
"What will I use to get my Class B license?" Alice inquires with a look of fear on her face.
Jessica and Bella both laugh but Bella explains, "You just have to take a written test. I think it may even be computerized now."
"Thank, God," Alice sighs out. "I was scared I'd have to drive this thing."
"Naw," Bella laughs. "We wouldn't do that to ya."
We ride the rest of the way in silence.
"Jasper," Jessica directs, "pull over into that parking lot across the street. We can walk Cassie in to school from there."
"Yes, ma'am," he replies, pulling into an empty lot. The school across the street is buzzing with activity.
Bella unbuckles Cassie from her seat while Jessica grabs her backpack. "Esme and Rose, I'd like you both to come in so I can add y'all to the pick-up list."
"Sure, dear," my mother states, grabbing her purse as Rose does the same. They follow Jessica and Bella along with Cassie across the street.
"Have y'all decided what you gonna get to drive?" my father asks, breaking the silence.
"Another truck," Ben answers, looking at Angela, who nods. "A newer model though."
"I want a small SUV," Alice states. "Maybe a Chevy Equinox or Jeep Compass."
"Those are both safe, right?" I probe.
"Yeah," Jasper cuts in. "We researched them last night."
"Rose said we'll look and see what we like," Emmett states. "She'll want to see how it drives before making a decision."
"Have you even driven your truck, son?" my dad asks me.
"Nope," I confirm. "It's awesome though. Bella has it in the garage. Have y'all been in there yet?"
"Yes," Emmett confirms. "She has some kick-ass cars. That old Corvette is beautiful."
"Is it a 1968 baby blue one?" my father asks with a frown.
"Um, yeah," Emmett hesitates, picking up on my fathers sudden change in dominer.
"It was Charlie's," my father confirms. "He fixed it up and drove it all through college," he states sadly. "That's who Bella got her love of cars from."
Just as he finishes explaining, Bella and the others are climbing back on the bus.
"Carlisle said y'all wanted to change to a smaller bank?" Bella asks, looking around at all of us nodding in agreement. "I'll take ya to the bank I use for both the ranch and personally. The people there are friendly and private; none of that big city political stuff."
Jessica directs Jasper where to go, and a few minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of Normangee State Bank.
As soon as we walk in, an older woman walks up to Bella and hugs her. "How ya doin', child?"
"Good, Lindley," Bella greets. "I brought ya some customers. They're family," Bella states, emphasizing family.
"All my customers are family, woman, you know that," Lindley laughs at her. "Who've we got here?"
Bella introduces us all, and Lindley's eyes go wide when Bella states we'll all be opening accounts with her.
"OK," Lindley starts. "Due to privacy, I'll take one set at a time. There is coffee and water over there. Make yourselves comfortable, and whoever is first, come with me."
My mother opens her bag and hands everyone their own stuff before following my father and Lindley to her office.
After fixing a cup of coffee, I take a seat next to Jasper, who is looking through the folder in his hands.
"I was never good with financial crap," Jasper sighs. "I hate dealing with money and budgets. I had an accountant handle the business back in Seattle so I wouldn't have to deal with this mess."
"And that is what these people are here for," I stress. "They'll help you and answer all your questions."
Another lady walks over to us, "I'm Tara, the assistant manager here. Lindley said y'all were needing help?"
"Yes, ma'am," Emmett replies.
"Well whoever's next, come with me," she suggests. "I can help you."
Emmett and Rose follow her back while the rest of us sit and wait.
Thirty minutes later, my parent's walk back out with big smiles on their faces. Lindley and an older gentleman follow them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cheney," Lindley states, getting Ben and Angela's attention. "This is Beau and he's gonna help you. Is that all right?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ben answers. "That's fine with us."
"Edward," Lindley states, looking at me. "Your turn."
I follow her back to an office and sit across the desk from her, waiting for her to take a seat.
"Your parents told me that you had the most accounts and funds to transfer," she states. "I wanted to make sure you understood all your options."
"Um, yeah," I confirm. "I already dissolved my business account," I tell her, pulling out a cashier's check and handing it to her. "I want to either invest that or put it into a savings account."
"All right," she acknowledges. "What I would suggest is to put this in a Money Market savings for now, and then I'll set up a meetin' for you with an investment adviser later on so you can make a more informed decision."
We take care of the savings account and then move on to checking. I pull out my bank statement along with another cashier's check from the casino and my checkbook.
"I suggest you open a Money Market checking with this," she states, holding up the cashier's check. "Then, go to the branch for this bank in College Station and close your account. Tell 'em you want a cashier's check for the balance remaining and then deposit it in your new checking account."
"Sounds good," I reply.
We're done in no time, and I feel so much lighter knowing I will not have to worry about my money being stolen again.
When Lindley and I walk back to the lobby, we only have to wait for Jasper and Alice to finish up with Tara.
"Lindley," Jessica calls. "Can you email me a direct deposit letter for all their checking accounts, please? I need to set them up on payroll."
"Sure," Lindley replies. "You'll have 'em by the time you get back to the ranch."
Jasper and Alice arrive a few minutes later, both sporting genuine smiles, Alice bouncing in excitement.
"What's got you all hyper, short stuff?" Emmett asks.
"I get a new car," she states excitedly. "Well, I do if I keep it under a certain limit."
"Well then let's go get your licenses so we can see 'bout gettin' you a car," Bella states. "Thanks, Lindley, your help is, as always, appreciated."
"No problem, Bella," she replies, hugging Bella and shaking the rest of our hands. "I'm here anytime."
Once back on the bus, Jasper follows Jessica's directions to get on the highway, heading toward Bryan to get our licenses changed.
"Oh," I say before forgetting. "I need to stop at a Bank of America branch while we're here."
"I think we might all need to go there, son," my father comments. "Can we do that after the DMV?"
"No problem," Bella confirms. "We have plenty of time."
A half hour later we're pulling into the DMV and Jasper parks the bus in the first commercial vehicle lane.
"Here's what you'll need," Jessica states, handing each of us papers clipped together. "Tell them you have an appointment and give them those. Let me know if you need anything else."
I walk toward the entrance with the others following. I always hated getting my driver's license renewed. The picture sucks no matter what you do. I walk to the first counter and the grey-haired lady looks up.
"What can I do for you, hon?" she asks in a deep southern accent.
"I just moved here and I need to get my license changed," I state, handing her the papers from Jessica. "I have an appointment."
"Your name, son?" she asks sweetly, sounding like the grandmother I'm sure she is.
"Edward Anthony Cullen, ma'am," I reply friendly.
"Well let's get you squared away, young man," she states. "Let me have your current driver's license."
I take it out of my wallet and hand it to her. Ten minutes later, I walk to the lobby where Bella, Rose, and Jessica are waiting with a temporary license and a big smile. I'm officially a Texas resident.
"What's that smile for?" Bella grills with a smile of her own.
"I'm happily a Texas resident," I return. "I can even vote."
"Well, it's like they say," Jessica cuts in, "you might not have been born in Texas, but just get here as fast as you can."
I laugh at her but nod my head in agreement. We sit in silence waiting for the others. I'm playing a game on my iPhone when my mother, Ben, and Jasper walk over and sit down.
"Alice is freaking out over this computer test," Jasper sighs. "I told her to just remember what I've taught her over the years, but she's still nervous."
A little later Angela walks in following an officer to the counter looking white as a ghost. Ben gets up to go to her but Bella grabs his arm and makes him sit.
"She'll be okay," Bella whispers to him. "I went through the same thing. Just let her finish and calm herself down."
He nods but never takes his eyes off her. She is smiling by the time she walks over to us holding up her new temporary license.
"I did it," she exclaims. "It was scary as hell, but the officer was really nice and kept me calm. The written part was worse than the driving," she laughs out.
"That's great, babe," Ben states, hugging her. "I knew you'd do great."
She is cut off when Alice comes out bouncing and smiling, holding up her paper as well.
While we wait on Emmett and my dad, Bella explains to Angela why they wanted her to get a CDL.
"When transporting anyone, we like to have a driver and a nurse or therapist on the bus," she explains. "So let's say you're the nurse and Seth is drivin'. He steps off the bus to help load the passengers and sprains his ankle, you could safely drive the bus."
An hour later, my father and Emmett are both done and have their CDLs. Emmett even decides to drive to the bank, only hitting one curb along the way.
The bank is a pain in the ass; this is why I want to move to a small bank. Besides the long lines, the people are so rude. When I'm finally called back, I'm thinking it would take that long to close my account. I'm finally fed up with the lady's flirting and asking if there is anything she can do to keep my business. Frustrated, I run a hand through my hair and blurt out, "Just close the damn account and give me my money."
Her eyes go wide at my outburst, and she scrambles to get the paperwork finished and my check printed.
After signing the papers and taking my check, I walk out and climb on the bus. I'm not sure what look I had on my face but Bella busts out laughing, "Who pissed in your cheerios?"
"The bimbo behind the counter," I retort, but before I could explain, the others are climbing on the bus laughing.
"Wow, Edward," Emmett exclaims. "The whole bank heard you go off."
"Well the stupid tramp was more concerned with getting in my pants then giving me my money," I declare throwing my head back and closing my eyes as they continue to laugh.
The bus starts moving and I look up to see Emmett in the driver's seat again.
"I sure could go for a fish taco," Bella states out of the blue.
"Fuego's it is," Jessica answers, directing Emmett how to get there.
"What's Fuego's?" my mother asks.
"It's this Mexican grill," Bella explains. "The menu is small but they're famous for their tacos. Their rice and beans are gluten free and you can get corn tortillas instead of flour if you want."
"Oh," Jessica interrupts. "They have the best queso, hands down."
We pull into a parking lot next to the small grill since there is nowhere else to park a bus.
Lunch is light and uplifting as we regale our adventures from the morning. We eat some awesome tacos. Our conversation quickly turns into car talk, as that is next on our list of things to do today.
"Are y'all all right with a Chevrolet dealership?" Bella asks openly.
They nod in affirmation, still eating.
"Bella, what are we doing for Billy and Sarah's anniversary?" Jessica inquires.
"I booked 'em a trip to Grand Casino in Biloxi," she confirms. "They just don't know yet."
"Oh, they're gonna love that," Jessica exclaims.
We finish eating and my dad drives us to the dealership. My parents and I walk into the showroom and take a seat before the salesmen can swarm us. Bella walks to the reception desk and asks to see Larry.
"Ah, Ms. Bella," a grey-haired older man comes out, giving Bella a hug. "My favorite customer. What can I do for you, sweetheart?"
"I brought some family to see you," she states, waving toward us. "Larry, these are the Cullen's and Cheney's. I know you'll treat 'em right. Plus, where else would I go?"
"Well y'all follow me and I'll see what I can do," he assures, leading us to a small conference room. "Now tell me who needs a vehicle and whatcha looking for."
"We do, sir," Ben states putting his arm around Angela's shoulder. "I want a newer model extended cab or crew cab truck."
"How much you looking to spend, Mister ...," Larry starts, looking at Ben.
"Sorry," Ben states. "Ben and Angela Cheney. We are looking to spend no more than twenty grand. We don't want to finance anything."
"That I can work with," he tells them, turning to look at the rest of us. "Who else?"
"Jasper and Alice Cullen, sir," Jasper answers, shaking his hand. "And this li'l darling wants a small SUV, and she has twenty-four thousand to spend," he states, looking pointedly at Alice.
"I have the perfect SUV for you then, dear." He smiles at her. "Anyone else?"
"Um," Rose starts, looking at Emmett. "Do you mind if we look around while you help them? I'm a hands-on buyer."
"Not at all, dear," Larry tells her. "You go look, and if anyone bothers you, tell 'em you're working with me and they'll leave you alone."
"Is that it?" he asks, looking around the room to an astounding 'yes.'
Bella, Jessica, my parents, and I decide to stay in the conference room while the others go pick out their cars. I pull my iPad out of my mother's bag to play a game. She just shakes her head and smirks at me.
"You know you want one," I sass her. "You could rule the business world with one of these babies."
"Let me see that thing, smarty pants," my mother replies, holding her hand out for the iPad.
I hand it over with a dramatic sigh which earns me an eye roll from her in return. I lean my head back in the chair and close my eyes. I hope Rose doesn't have to drive every vehicle on the lot before deciding.
Two and a half hours later, Ben and Angela walk in with big smiles, "Thanks, Bella. Larry is awesome. We got what he called the Swan discount and purchased an awesome truck under our budget."
"That's great, guys," she responds, smiling at them both. "But I have no clue what the Swan discount is. What kind of truck?"
"Oh," Ben rushes out. "It's a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in red. Angela loves that the driver's seat raises up. They're getting it road-ready now."
Rose and Emmett walk in an hour later arguing, "But, babe, I wanna drive it too."
"I thought you said it was too girly for you?" Rose asks, smirking at her doofus husband.
"But that was before you said you wanted it," Emmett replies. I wonder if he even realized what he just said.
"What did y'all choose, sweetheart," my father asks, breaking up their bickering.
"A 2011 Honda Pilot," Rose answers with a smile. "It has low mileage and a ton of safety features. Oh, and it's this metallic silver color."
"Very nice," my father agrees with a nod. "Honda's are good cars."
While we're waiting on Jasper and Alice, the receptionist walks in handing Ben and Angela their keys and telling them their truck in parked out front.
An hour later, Jasper and Alice walk in followed by Larry. He hands Emmett and Rose their keys as Bella bursts out, "What the hell is the Swan discount?"
"You said they were family," Larry states, shrugging his shoulders. "So they get the family discount."
"Yeah, whatever." She waves him off. "Are you done making me sit here?" she sasses him.
"Nope," Larry smirks at her. "Are you gonna do a charity event again this year?"
"Um, yeah," she replies. "In October and Esme is gonna be putting it together." She motioned toward my mother.
"Well then," Larry states, turning toward my mother. "You call me up when you have the details. I'd like to be the main sponsor as this event is dear to both my wife's and my heart."
"I'll be sure you're on the top of my list then," my mother replies, smiling like she just won the jackpot.
"Y'all have a good day," Larry tells us all before kissing Bella's cheek and getting ready to leave. "Call me if you have any questions or problems."
I notice Jasper and Alice are whispering to each other by the door before he turns to Bella with a look of concern. "Bella, why didn't we have to write a check or anything? We just signed the papers and he called Lindley and said it was all taken care of."
"Oh," she smiles. "He should've explained a little better. Let me see your paperwork."
She flips through the papers Jasper handed her and pulls out a sheet, placing it in front of him.
"Small towns are very trusting," she explains. "This is authorizing the bank to wire the funds to pay for the vehicle. He called Lindley to verify you had the funds, and now she will wire the money to the dealership account."
"So he's just gonna let us leave before he even has the money?" Jasper sputters out.
"Yeah," Bella answers with concern of her own. "Why wouldn't he? You signed a promise to pay."
Jasper just shakes his head in amazement.
Small town life will take a little getting used to.
"So what did ya get?" I ask, breaking him out of his panic attack.
"It's beautiful," Alice exclaims bouncing on the balls of her feet. "A 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and it's Twilight blue. I've never had a new car before so this is pretty exciting, and I even stayed under budget.
"Well let's go home," my dad states, getting up. "I want to see these cars."
We're standing in the parking lot after checking out their cars when Jasper asks if Bella needs him to drive the bus back.
"Nope," she answers, laughing at Alice still bouncing. "Ride with your excited wife. Carlisle and I got this."
So as the couples head home in their new vehicles, I climb on the bus with my dad in the driver's seat. The ride is so smooth, I doze off on the way.
I'm jolted awake by my mother shaking my shoulder. "We're home," she whispers. Home! I think to myself. Yes, home is good.
Walking into the house, I hear Cassie repeating 'bock, bock' over and over.
"What in the world are you goin' on about?" Bella asks her daughter, kissing her forehead. "And what is a 'bock, bock'?"
"The chicks came today," Sarah sighs, smiling at Cassie. "We went out to the barn to see them after school, and apparently, they're now 'bocks.'
"How far did Sam and Tyler get on the chicken house?" Jasper cuts in. "Or should I say 'bock' house?"
"The posts are in the ground and there was a lot of bangin' out there," Sarah replies. "Not sure how far along they got, though."
"I'll check on it in the morning," Jasper replies. "I'm starving, and my wife's bouncing is givin' me a headache."
"I heard that," Alice yells from the other room. "I can't help it. I'm excited."
"Come fix ya a plate," Sarah directs, raising her voice so everyone can hear her. "I made stew and biscuits."
"Thanks," Bella sighs. "I really appreciate you pickin' her up and cookin' dinner."
"And as I've told you before," Sarah responds, kissing Bella's forehead. "That's what family does. Oh, she has an order form in her backpack for field day shirts, and they need volunteers, too."
"Can I?" Rose blurts out. "Will they let me volunteer for field day? I wanna shirt, too."
"I don't see why not," Bella answers, laughing. "You can go with me to drop her off in the mornin' and we'll ask."
We fix plates of stew and go to the dining room to eat. Cassie sits next to her mother and stares at Bella's plate. Bella lifts the spoon to Cassie's mouth and she takes a bite.
"Did you eat, baby girl?" Bella asks in concern.
Cassie just smiles in reply.
"She didn't eat much," Sarah states, walking into the room. "I think she was wonderin' where you were."
So Bella continues to feed her daughter from her plate. Once Cassie's full, then Bella eats what's left.
"Dasher, Lleu, and Gracie have all been fed," Sarah asserts with a smile, folding the dish towel in her hands. "The dogs played outside after dinner; they're all in Bella's room asleep. I'll see y'all in the mornin'. Goodnight."
"Thanks, Gamma," Bella calls to her retreating figure. "We love you."
"Love ya, too," Sarah calls back just as you hear the door shut. Bella just shakes her head.
"You ready for a bath, baby girl?" she asks Cassie. "Maybe if we have time, you can watch a movie."
"Yeah," Cassie whispers, smiling at her mother.
"You go, Bella," my mother instructs. "We'll take care of cleaning this up."
"Okay, thanks," she replies, helping her daughter up. "Whenever you're ready for your babies, my room is right down the hall to the left of Cassie's playroom. Alice knows where it is."
So after the dining room and kitchen were cleaned, Alice leads me down the hall next to the stairs. I hadn't been further than the office in this part of the house yet, so I explore as we go.
At the end of the hall is an open door, which, from the looks of it, is Cassie's playroom. There is a shorter hallway on both sides, each with two doors. We turn to the left and can hear giggling come from the last room.
Entering Bella's room brings me back to the way her office felt, like walking back in time. The ceiling is exposed wooden beams, all distressed and whitewashed along with the walls. The floor is old planks of light wood. Her bed, tables, chair, and armoire are antiques as well as the huge chandelier hanging in the center of the room.
Dasher and Lleu are laying on the rug at the foot of her bed while Gracie is curled up in the chair. Alice peeks her head in the bathroom to let Bella know we're taking our babies.
I take one last look around before scooping up Lleu, who's not too happy about being woken up, before leaving the room.
I head upstairs and put him in his bed and get ready for bed myself, because I know that tomorrow is gonna be just as long of a day.
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