I want a Mommy!
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The plot, along with a few of the characters I add here and there belong to my ruthless muse.
Chapter Three
Bella spent the next four days mulling over Edward's offer and the contract. It was unquestionably a once in a lifetime opportunity–that was absolutely true. The money itself was enough to make a greedy person pounce, but Bella wasn't a materialistic person. Reading through the contract once again, she sighed and let it fall upon her table, next to her notepad full of questions and concerns.
*What would be my place in Edward's life? Would I be viewed as an object? A thing, an accessory?
*If not for sex, but for appearances. How long am I to remain married?
*What kind of man proposes marriage to a stranger?
*Why didn't he just offer me a nanny job, If his main concern is for his son?
*Could I have a future with him? Did he even want a future? What about children? My education?
Her eyes wandered over to the business card Edward had handed her; on the back was his personal e-mail, cell phone and extension number to his personal secretary. Deciding she didn't actually want to talk to him on the phone, she texted him.
We need to talk, preferably in person – Bella
Come to the office was Edward's reply a few minutes later. Not ten seconds later came another message.
Antonio will be outside waiting for you in twenty minutes – Edward
Bella took a minute, along with a glass of wine to collect her nerves before getting ready. She straightened her hair, applied a bit of makeup, slipped on a casual three-quarter-length sleeved black dress, and as she pulled on her heels, she spotted Edward's luxury car pull up to the curb.
"It's now or never," she muttered while she locked her front door.
"Hello, Ms. Swan," Antonio greeted kindly.
"Hi, Antonio, right?" she asked fairly sure. Antonio was the large serious man from the day at the park, and when Edward had appeared in her life again, the day he offered the contract.
"Yes, Ma'am," Antonio said as he opened the car's door for Bella to step in.
"How do you know my name?" Bella questioned after a few minutes of silence, when Antonio rolled to a stop at a red light.
"I'm Mr. Cullen's head of personal security. It's my job to know who you are, Ms. Swan," Antonio said kindly, but his piercing stare made Bella shrink back surprised.
"I see," Bella mumbled awkwardly, uncomfortable with the information. No doubt he knew more about her than she even knew herself. "How long have you been working for Edward?"
"I've been with the Cullen family over fifteen years now," he stated proudly. "You must be something special, Ms. Swan. Edward has never sent me to protect or collect someone other than his son," Antonio said when he pulled her car door open for her.
"Thank you." She stared up at the largest building in Seattle; there had to be at least eighty floors. It was stylish and modern. She couldn't help but feel insignificant and small next to the large building.
"Follow me, Ma'am," Antonio requested, leading her into the building and over to a private elevator. With a swipe of his card, they were skyrocketing upward. "76th floor," Antonio told her as the elevator door opened. Bella stepped out keeping her head high as several pairs of eyes turned and stared at her; following her all the way until she stepped into privacy of Edward's office.
"Bella," Edward said placing his telephone back in its cradle, his eyes running down her body focusing on her long legs.
"Edward," Bella smiled tightly, both of them gazing at the other not speaking for a short while.
"Well, what is it?" Edward said leaning backwards.
"I would like some clarification on a few things?" Bella asked, setting the contract upon his desk.
"Which would be?" Edward asked stiffly.
"Why not just offer me a nanny position?" Bella was frustrated not knowing how to start, so she just blurted out the first question that popped forward in her mind. "It would cost you financially so much less, and honestly I'd love to have the job. EJ is a bright boy with a brilliant future ahead of him, and yes I could see that after spending an hour at the park with him."
"Are you saying, no?" Edward asked dryly.
"No, I'm just confused," Bella said hotly, not knowing how to explain the connection she felt to him… the desires he awakened in her. "The contract is vague in areas and crystal clear in others. I want it straightened out, because I want to understand. I'm not changing the course of my life without knowing what I'm getting into."
"What isn't clear?" Edward asked, pinching his fingers together.
"Why marriage? If not for sex, then why?" Bella said folding her arms crossly. "The contract you laid out before me was nothing more than an extravagant nanny job with the entanglement of a marriage to you; it didn't even say how long the marriage is supposed to last."
"Sixteen years," Edward said answering her last question, trying to think of the best way to explain his actions. There was a silent inner voice warning him that she wouldn't tolerate anything less than the truth. "My son needs a mother, not a nanny. He wants a mother," Edward admitted reluctantly his words taking on a bitter tone. "Somehow he reined my parents into this idea and somewhere along the road, me, too. I searched for months; every time backing out when it came down to decision time. That was until my father strapped a stipulation onto my current position. I want you to know I could ignore his request. I'm a very wealthy man in my own right. Yet, I've spent too many years and taken too many risks to lose my rightful place."
"Then why me and not someone more accustomed to your lifestyle? I'm sure there are women that would kill to be with you," Bella asked, but her cheeks flushed with concern, her eyes wide and begging Edward to be truthful with her.
"I knew you were right the moment I saw you in the park, kneeling next to EJ," Edward said stiffly. "You were a breath of fresh air; I wanted you," he said softly against her ear as he passed her by to grab a drink from the mini bar.
Bella's breath got caught in her throat, arms goose-bumping at his near presence. Bella pushed down the fear, the bubble of negative emotions that her next question brought her.
"Would this marriage have a chance to be romantic, or am I supposed turn a blind eye?" she questioned bluntly, watching Edward's eyes carefully as they narrowed, angry at her softly put accusation.
"I wouldn't have asked you if I wanted another woman to warm my bed."
Bella eyes widened at Edward's possessive words. "I thought you said this marriage wasn't about sex?" Bella squeaked.
"I said that you would be in no way a whore." Edward set his glass down. "I want you as my wife, Isabella. You are not obligated to have sex with me, but at some point, I do foresee us in a marital bed." Bella blushed at his serious words.
"Then, why not date me instead of handing me marriage proposal? Seriously, what kind of man does that on a first date?" Bella huffed, but her eyes were lighter and her tone sounded teasing.
With a charming smile, Edward said, "I'm not letting you slip out of my grasp, Isabella Swan, I can offer you the world, and all you have to do is accept."
"As much as I want to say yes, Edward, I think we should get to know each other first. I suggest we wait six months, and date before we rush to the altar." Bella was firm; her pleading eyes met Edward's intense green ones.
"I'll think about it," Edward said shortly. He turned sharply, slipping his hand into his coat jacket as his office door opened unexpectedly. Edward's hand dropped to his side when his parents stepped into the room unannounced along with his son.
"Bella," EJ squealed, letting go of his grandmother's hand and bolting toward his friend.
"EJ, how've you been?" Bella said picking the boy up and twirling him around, causing the usually serious little boy to giggle
"Dad's taking me to the zoo," EJ said, happiness coloring his tone until he glanced over to his dad who winced.
"EJ," Edward shook his head, his heart clenching knowing he was once again going to let down his boy. "I still have some work to do." EJ nodded and it made Bella's stomach twist.
There were no temper tantrums and no tears; just a quiet brooding acceptance. "I'm not working at all on Sunday, I promise," Edward smiled in a feeble attempt to make up for his son's let down. EJ looked skeptical but he pushed a smile on his face when Edward continued.
"We'll go then, I swear and Bella can join us."
"Will you?" EJ asked excitedly. "Please."
Bella knew she should be worried at how her heart and emotions failed her when she looked into those pleading green eyes.
"I'd love to go as long as there's going to be ice cream involved," Bella bargained, enjoying how EJ's eyes widened in excitement.
"Can we get ice cream, too, Daddy?" EJ said turning to his father with a wide smile. Edward couldn't remember the last time his son smiled so brightly at him.
"If the lady insists," Edward agreed.
"Yes–yes. The lady does insist." Bella's playfulness was even more evident as she winked at the little boy who, in return squealed from excitement. She looked at her watch and realized that it was time to go. "EJ, I have to go to school, okay? I'll see you Sunday."
"How many days is that?" EJ demanded eagerly.
"Two…You go to bed tonight, then play all day tomorrow, go to bed again and the next day after that, I'll see you," Bella explained simply.
"Okay, bye, Bella," EJ said softly followed by his father's "I'll talk to you later," Edward grinned at her. Bella turned and gave his parents kind nods before exiting the room.
"Who was that?" his mother demanded stiffly. She knew she wasn't among the many women that were acceptable to date his son.
"Her name is Bella. She's a friend of EJ's and mine," Edward explained smoothly.
"She appears to be quite young," Esme said imprudently.
"It's none of your concern," Edward snapped. EJ bolted out of the office no doubt going to look for one of his uncles or to the back office that was used as a lounge area. Marcus would watch over him. "I decide with whom I spend my personal time," Edward stated coolly before turning to his father, "Dad what brings you here?"
"Garry McNay called me asking for an extension for his son-in-law's debt," Carlisle said not bothered by his son's sudden sour mood. "He's been a friend of the family, son for over thirty years."
"No," Edward barked coldly. "These old-as-fuck acquaintances of yours think they can borrow my money and because of their connection to you, then assume they can fuck around with me. I don't know why they can't borrow money from a regular bank, and frankly I don't care. Jarrod Donavan borrowed seventy thousand dollars to start up his own fix-it repair, second hand electronic shop. I gave him twenty months to get grounded; his business has been a success. He should have been able to pay me back twice by now, with the revenue he's bringing in."
"I apologize my son, Garry spun a pitiful tale, lying bastard," Carlisle ground out, proud of his son who was tough as nails. His son, who had defied him, had taken his childhood savings and opened a bar, which grew quickly into a franchise of seven bars. Then he took those profits and opened a nightclub, flipped the profits again, bought a hotel and invested in a porn company. Carlisle guessed that Edward brought in more legit money than they ever did illegally, though not all their current earnings were above board. Nor did Edward work completely inside of the law when it came to running this city; he was feared, respected, and he got the job done.
"You'll come to dinner tonight?" Esme asked. "Emmett and Alice will be there."
"We'll try," Edward said. "I'm sure EJ will want to play with Tanner." Esme and Carlisle dismissed themselves when Edward's phone rang. He spent his next hours bombarded with information on different clients, thinking about Bella's request, going over the financial numbers for his businesses for the month. All the while EJ played quietly in his father's office, entertaining himself with his iPad and the numerous puzzles and books his father's secretary kept around for him. Every once in awhile, Edward would glance up and make short conversations with his child in between various phone calls.
"Let's head out, EJ, Antonio is waiting for us," Edward said holding his hand out to his child, who took it happily; thrilled his father had offered him his hand.
Edward remained mostly silent, enjoying being surrounded by his family. He watched as Tanner brought EJ out of his shell with adventurous, imaginative games of pretending to be cowboys and pirates. He thought of Bella and contemplated her offer. She has balls, he admitted to himself and smiled lightly. The extension she demanded and her questions concerning the marriage proposal were solid. That meeting was another plus for him to know that his decision was the right one. Bella wasn't like the power hungry, pretentious whores that tried to worm their way into his life. He was pulled from his musing when his mother tapped his shoulder.
"It's nice to have you here, Edward," Esme said sweetly, drawing a smile out of her normally tense and troubled son. "Now about that girl at your office, Bella," she stated, watching his smile shifting into a tense frown. "I know she's beautiful, but she's young, Edward, hardly more than a child and she's still in school."
"Mother," Edward growled warningly, "she's a university student."
"Don't mother me boy," she snapped gently not bothered by his icily tone. "EJ is getting attached and quickly to this Bella, and children shouldn't be raised by children, Edward. You need to find a more suitable woman to raise him."
"Mother, you're not to interfere with my decision. I let you push me into multiple suitable women this past year and not one of them were," Edward said coolly leveling his mother with an annoyed stare. "EJ and I enjoy Bella's company, and if I want to see where this goes, then it's my decision."
"Edward," Esme gasped.
"Don't Mom," Edward said softly. "I'm done discussing this with you. EJ and I will head home now."
The ride home was spent in silence as EJ struggled to keep his eyes open and by the time the car turned into their driveway, he was asleep. After tucking his sleeping child into bed, Edward headed toward his office. The other rooms in the house had always felt too big, too empty to relax in after EJ was in bed. He took a moment to climb into his chair and gather his thoughts before he picked up the phone and dialed Isabella's number.
"Hello, Edward," her soft voice greeted him. Surprisingly, it aroused him.
I gave your stipulations some thought and I'd like to propose my own counteroffer," Edward said while his eyes drifted to the window and the vast backyard.
Bella lips twitched. Only Edward could make a wedding conversation sound like a business meeting, even if it was. "And?" she asked.
"I suggest we start dating; get to know each other for three months and during the three months' trial, we will decide whether and not to continue the relationship. If we decide to move forward, we'll be engaged for a three- to six-month period. If, at any time, during those months you decide this engagement doesn't work out, you can bow out gracefully," Edward said confidently, even though he was leaning forward in his chair and clicked his pen in and out anxiously.
The phone line remained silent for a long moment as Bella rolled his words around. His offer made her heart beat faster with excitement. "Okay... okay," Bella said. It was strange to begin a relationship and openly know where it was headed. "I can live with that. I do want the contract to remain open to changes, while we figure out all the kinks in it. I mean, I might discover something I'm not okay with and I won't be locked into something with which I'm not comfortable," Bella said firmly. She might be young and naïve enough to consider jumping into a marriage with a man she hardly knew, but she didn't want to be trapped in it either.
"That's fine," Edward said compassionately. Her cautious nature made him proud. That was another plus because it meant that she would take seriously the role of EJ's mother. He might be a killer and ruthless, but he'd die to protect his family.
Edward turned the marriage conversation into a small generic talk for a while until he heard Bella yawn. "I'll see you Sunday, Bella," Edward said looking forward to the outing.
"Goodnight."
Author Note...
Beta'ed by awaywithwords3
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