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 Four
EJ was bouncing on his heels at the entrance of the Seattle Zoo, his excited green eyes scanning the crowd for Bella. His father had his hand clutched tightly into his as he talked on his cell phone.
"And what did she do yesterday?" Edward asked into his phone, glancing down to look at his boy as he waited for an answer. Edward had to smile at how joyful and carefree his son was behaving. It was out of character for his normally serious child.
"She left her apartment around ten p.m. on Friday evening and went to work at the Corner Market. She worked for eight hours. Boss, she was lifting and moving heavy boxes throughout the night. She left the market with two bags of groceries after her shift ended. She went home for about thirty minutes before rushing down the street. She ran at least five blocks until she arrived at a diner, where she washed dishes until three in the afternoon. She made her way home slowly, climbed the stairs, then reemerged a little later with a sack of laundry and headed over to the laundromat. Boss, she dozed off, she slept on and off while doing her laundry; it was fucking insane. Then she went home, bundled up and went to bed by nine," Andrew said, finished with his report. He had jumped at the chance to prove himself to the family. He'd protect Isabella Swan with his life.
"Thank you, Andrew," Edward said. "Take today off, she'll be with me."
"Sure thing, Boss," Andrew said.
Edward snapped his phone shut as Bella walked toward them. She was dressed in a simple, classy sundress and inexpensive flip-flops. Fuck... how Edward loved the view of her long legs and bare shoulders.
"Bella!" EJ squealed, letting loose of his father's hand the moment Bella offered him hers.
"So what's your favorite type of animal?" Bella asked, looking down at EJ returning his smile.
Edward winced, funny how a stranger thought to ask such a simple question, a question he was curious to hear the answer to.
"I love Dinosaurs. X-especially the giant-a-tosaurus, it's the biggest meat eater ever found. It's even bigger than a T-Rex." EJ gushed excitedly.
"I'm rather fond of the triceratops," Bella shot back, making EJ's eyes light up.
"Dad, what's yours?" EJ asked, causing Bella's eyes to shoot up to her future husband. Edward blinked, his eyes flashing towards Bella, who was giving him a look, a look telling him that he needed to answer and not redirect his son's question with another question.
"…. The Pteranodon," Edward said, pausing to come up with the name of a dinosaur. "Are you ready to go in now?" Edward asked, motioning to the entrance gates.
"Yes," EJ said, tugging Bella forward.
Edward stared at Bella's other hand, that she was obviously offering for him to hold. He reached forward and grasped her hand with his. They looked like any other family at the zoo, minus the men shadowing them. It was a shock to Bella how they could forget about the men following them, guarding them. A few times she swore she saw a couple of people gasp or snap Edward's picture from afar. She grinned to herself, she didn't mind, she even enjoyed Edward's ever growing handsy nature. He'd wrap an arm around her as they walked, or pull her into him and point to an animal he wanted them to spot.
"Dad, can I feed the giraffe, please?" EJ begged, pulling Edward's attention away from Bella's who had been telling them that her favorite mammal was the giraffe.
"Come on, Edward, it will be fun," Bella encouraged, following EJ up the stairs to the feeding deck. Edward made sure to follow behind Bella a few steps, enjoying the view and the subtle sway of her hips. "I've always wanted to feed one," she admitted to EJ, who insisted she lift him up for a better view over the fence.
Neither EJ nor Bella noticed Edward slip the zookeeper a few hundred bucks and a promise of a future generous donation to clear out the feeding deck for thirty minutes.
"You may pet them if you wish," the zookeeper spoke softly.
"Thank you," EJ squeaked, eagerly turning his green eyes on Bella, who giggled lightly, thrilled when her hand brushed over the giraffe. Edward watched Bella help EJ pet the long necked species.
"Antonio," Edward said turning toward his long time security guard. "Take a few pictures," he requested, tossing his camera at Antonio.
"Sure thing, Boss," Antonio said, snapping a picture of Edward sneaking up on Bella, who was tickling a laughing EJ as an Giraffe reached between them for the leafs in EJ's hands.
Bella knew she should be worried at how at ease she was with EJ, at how much he had already wormed his way into her heart.
"Anyone ready for lunch?" Edward asked them once they finally left the feeding deck.
"I am! I'm starved!" EJ announced rubbing his belly. "I am so hungry that those leaves were starting to look really yummy up there."
"You're starving, huh," Bella gasped, playfully lifting him up and onto her back effortlessly. Edward couldn't help but feel a little smug at how right this felt, how right he had been about Bella. She was gorgeous; no she was fucking sex on legs, but something much more than that. It was the way EJ and her took to each other so naturally. Like she was meant for them, for him. And goddamn, he couldn't stay focused! She looked amazing in that sundress, he couldn't help but imagine taking it off of her.
Edward stopped mid bite when he noticed EJ's smile slip from his face as Antonio stepped up to the table, phone out and held towards him.
"Boss, it's important." It was the tone of his voice, that leaked cool ice and steel, that had Edward on alert as he reached for the phone and pressed it to his ear.
"I'll be right back," Edward said before stepping away from the table.
Bella watched the color drain from Edward's face, his voice increasing, his language harsh and despicable as he hissed into his cell phone. EJ pushed his plate away dejectedly.
"He's not coming back ya know." EJ whispered to Bella, his eyes watering making her heart clench painfully.
Bella nodded somberly, having had the same feeling that their good time together had come abruptly to an end.
"We can still have fun just you and me," Bella whispered back playfully. "We don't have to let these old boogies ruin our fun, now do we?"
"I've got to go," Edward said, stepping back to their table, while fishing out a hundred dollar bill and handing it over to Bella. "Take EJ to the gift shop, buy whatever EJ wants. Jimmy will watch over you until Marcus arrives with the Lexus. Bella, I'd like for you to spend the day with EJ, his nanny has the day off and while Marcus is capable of watching him, I'm sure EJ prefers your company. I should be back to the house by nightfall. If I can salvage the day, we'll go to Aqua as planned."
Bella blinked up at him, for a moment there was something swirling in his eyes. Before she could place it, he smirked at her and pulled her into him, kissing her soundly on the mouth before walking briskly away followed closely by an alert Antonio.
"Let's go ma'am," Jimmy said, motioning toward the nearest exit. It was like someone flipped a switch with the guards, that's how quickly the change happened. They went from shadowing them to full out bodyguard mode.
With the cautious, nervous vibes everyone was throwing off in the past few minutes, Bella scooped EJ up in her arms protectively for the relatively short walk to the gift shop, where they were to wait for Marcus to arrive with the car. Bella watched as EJ picked out two different toys, one was a plastic dinosaur to go with his collection and another was a soft plush giraffe.
"Giraffes are my favorite...umm, what'cha call it again?"
"Mammals… Mammals are normally four-legged land animals, but some mammals have adapted to live in the sea, like the whale," Bella explained.
"Giraffes are totally my favorite mammal, too!" EJ said proudly. "The gorillas are really cool, too. It's too bad we didn't get to see them." He ended with a whisper.
"We'll come back soon. The zoo not going anywhere. It's open year round, rain or shine," Bella explained as they checked out.
"Marcus is here with the car, he's waiting out front." Jimmy said interrupting them.
Bella wasn't sure what had happened to cause Edward to flee so suddenly earlier, she wasn't oblivious, the sudden change in Edward's guards' demeanor, she understood something was wrong, so she clutched EJ's hand and walked briskly to the waiting luxury car where Marcus was waiting with the backdoor open.
EJ's eyes drifted closed as they drove further away from the inner city of Seattle, out to the gated community where the mega rich built their multi million dollar homes. Bella sucked in a breath as the car turned into a drive and proceeded to the massive gate. It wasn't just a house; it was three stories, a goddamn mansion. It was modern, glass and stone. It was breathtaking. Manicured lawn, beautiful brick drive. Bella felt out of place until EJ, who had woke up when the car pulled to a stop, beamed up at her. "Wanna see my room?" he asked excitedly.
"I'd love to," Bella said, pleased she could keep a smile on the boy's face. Marcus led them into the home where an older though kind looking woman was standing and waiting for them.
"Miss Swan, this is Mrs. Goff, she's the homemaker, she cooks and cleans up after the Cullen boys," Marcus said, making introductions.
"Elizabeth," Marcus said, turning towards Mrs. Goff, "Edward has been called away until this evening. You're still welcome to your day off, but would be paid time and half if you stuck around."
Bella noticed Mrs. Goff seemed unsure. Mrs. Goff was weary that Bella would be like the other women that have come and gone this past year.
"If I can get a tour, Mrs. Goff, EJ and I will be fine, I assure you."
Mrs. Goff raised a surprised eyebrow, never had any of Edward's women spoken so fondly of the young lad. Her nerves eased just by the smile across EJ's face.
"Marcus, my baby girl is in town with my first grandbaby; I'll show Miss Swan around and then be on my way out," Mrs. Goff said, dismissing the security guard who nodded and opened, what at first glance appeared to be a closet door near the front door, but after a quick glance, Bella realized was actually a room filled with monitors; it was shocking to say the least.
"That's the security office. Marcus, Jimmy, Andrew and Antonio will occasionally pop out of that door. Marcus and Antonio are permanent residents here along with Nanny Jesse, while Jimmy and Andrew, are currently part-time. In a few years, Mr. Edward will recommend them to another family in need of their assistance," she said, fondly pointing down the hall. "Now, down that way is my office, the kitchen, pantry and holiday storage. Right out that door is where I live above the garage. A mighty nice little apartment I have there," she explained, pointing down the hall where the door led outside. Bella could clearly see the large garage of which she was speaking.
Bella and EJ followed Mrs. Goff as she gave Bella a skim over the kitchen, dining room, family room, den, and the reading nook that should be considered a library. Mrs. Goff also made sure to show her where to find the bathrooms. "Upstairs are EJ's rooms; his bedroom and playroom; I'll let him show you those. Edward's room, a couple of guest rooms, and the upstairs bathrooms. The basement is mostly an entertainment area. Edward's cleared your access to the entire the house, though he has requested you stay out of his office."
"No problem," Bella smiled widely, a little overwhelmed at the abnormally large house in which she was standing.
"Also, Miss Swan, at the end of the hall upstairs, across from Edward's room is a room with the door open. It's yours." Mrs. Goff said giving Bella a knowing smile. "Mr. Edward has had a handful of people in and out this week working on it. Now, I know and I'm one of the very few people that do know that you will soon to be running this home, not even Edward's family is aware of his plans as of yet. So please dear, make yourself comfortable." Bella blinked, startled by this information, but she managed a shaky smile.
"Now Miss Swan, I have a grandbaby to be seeing, so I'll leave you two be for now. Oh, and please Miss Swan, call me Elizabeth," she said seriously.
"If you'll call me Bella," Bella offered, having the sinking feeling that this is one woman whom she'd be growing close to if Edward and her go ahead with the contract.
"I will, ma'am," Elizabeth said, excusing herself as EJ tugged her toward the staircase.
"Do you want to see my room first or yours?" EJ asked his eyes twinkling.
"Yours, definitely yours," Bella said in a whispered breath, nowhere ready to see the room Edward had arranged for her just yet.
Bella was astonished, EJ's room, she was convinced, came straight from the Kid's Pottery Barn magazine, and it bothered her that everything was so tidy. The room had an almost untouched feeling. Almost like a child didn't live here, that he didn't find his sanctuary here. Bella's heart warmed when he placed his new stuffed Giraffe on top of his bed. His playroom would make any child care center jealous. Overboard, was the word that came to Bella's mind as she stared into the large room filled to the brim with toys, most of the educational variety: board games, puzzles, blocks, art supplies; a race track, train table, anything a child could ever want was stuffed inside this large room.
"So, what do you want to do?" Bella asked curiously, glancing down at the boy who would soon be her son. Her lonely heart fluttered at the word, at the realization.
"Wanna play candy land?" EJ asked pulling out the Cars edition of the game. "You can be Miss Sally," he offered.
Three rounds of candy land, a game of chutes and ladders and two rounds of don't break the ice later the sky was beginning to darken.
"Bella, I'm hungry," EJ announced. Bella had learned all sorts of interesting things throughout the afternoon; most were about EJ, but a few things included Edward. Like how the pair of boys never drank white milk, that it was always chocolate. EJ informed her very seriously, that white milk was cook milk and chocolate milk was drink milk.
"Oh—okay," Bella said happy to finally be off the floor of the playroom; the pair made their way into the kitchen.
When EJ looked at her cautiously before blurting out, "You do know how to cook, right?"
Bella chuckled, "I can cook, so rest assured, I've been told I'm a very good cook. Now what would you like?"
"Umm... I don't know. I don't really like anything," EJ said shrugging his shoulders, used to having to eat whatever Elizabeth or the Nanny placed in front of him.
"Okay, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and carrot sticks," Bella said rutting around the refrigerator.
"A what?" EJ asked his eyebrow rising curiously, as Bella sat the ingredients on the counter. Bella's heart almost stopped, but she quickly set to work making her childhood favorite sandwich for the clueless little boy.
"That was delicious," EJ stated pushing his plate away after consuming two sandwiches. "Can you tell Elizabeth about those, please?" EJ begged turning her to mush with his hopeful green eyes.
Bella snorted quietly to herself. "Come on Green Eyes," she teased pulling him from his chair. "Let's get you ready for bed."
…..
Tomfuckery! That's what Edward had to put up with all afternoon. No one had any clue of who took a shot at Jasper outside of the downtown office. Just some hooded, masked punk.
"You all right?" Edward asked weary, he tried hard, so fucking hard to sway them away from all the illegal shit. The shit that could get them killed or arrested. They'd never get away from it completely. No, the Cullens were in; too connected to ever just leave this world behind them.
"Fine man, stupid fucker, whoever did this," Jasper said, motioning to his injured knee, "I can guarantee he's a dead man walking. My only concern is for you, Boss. If you hadn't made quick arrangements to be gone today, this would have been you. My gut tells me whoever did this wasn't after my ass, because if he was, he wouldn't have stopped with just a graze to my knee," Jasper said with a frown.
"I have my back covered," Edward said, lifting his button up to reveal the bulletproof vest Antonio insisted he wear until this shit-storm clears over. "We'll find out whoever did this and fuck his world up," Edward said grimly. No one inside the small room missed the cruel meaning behind Edward's words. "I'm going to head out, Jasper." Edward said, shaking hands with his oldest friend and brother-in-law. "Stay with him, Emmett." Edward ordered.
"Boss, hold up," Jasper said, stopping Edward from leaving. "Baskov called, he wants us to move him and his little daughter out of Russia and set them up with a comfy bland life in Albany. The whole shebang."
"Sure." Baskov was a billionaire psychotic dickweed who had many enemies.
"He's only willing to deal with one of us three though; he doesn't want one of our men handling him," Jasper said grimly, hoping it didn't turn him off.
"How much is he offering to get him out of Russia," Edward asked.
"A million... he's in some pretty deep shit," Emmett said with a chuckle.
"I'll handle it," Edward said.
Edward walked into his house with Antonio. "We're headed to Aqua in an hour," Edward said briskly, letting Antonio know he wouldn't change his plans before they parted ways in the entryway.
Edward climbed the stairs. His breath caught in his fucking throat as he looked into EJ's room. It was a fucking sight to behold. Bella was asleep in the rocker, a book lying limply on her chest as EJ snored in his bed.
EJ opened his eyes as soon as Edward stepped into the room and made his way to wake Bella.
"Dad, we got to keep her, she checked under the bed and everything," EJ whispered before drifting back to sleep.
"Bella," Edward nudged her gently, smiling as her beautiful golden-brown eyes opened. "Hi."
"You're back," Bella said standing, hugging him. After the craziness of today, she had been worried about him, even if she didn't know why, she had been worried.
"Are we still going to Aqua?" she asked.
"We are. Have you seen your bedroom?" Edward asked, picking up her anxious gaze. "You haven't. I… never mind," Edward said with a chuckle. She proved to him once again she was different from all the other women he had ever brought here. He could have sworn she'd have a list of things to change or remodel.
Edward pulled her down the hall. The room was stunning, a girly, blue, white and grey theme decorating throughout. Empty bookshelves, a desk, a huge bed that looked so much more comfortable than her thin cot back at her apartment.
"The closet has clothes, pick something, love. I'll collect you at nine. The bathroom is completely stocked as well," Edward said leaving her alone in her bedroom.
Bella chose a navy and black, dazzling dress obviously meant for nights spent with Edward at Aqua. It fit her well, almost perfectly. Bella shuddered, knowing deep down that Antonio or someone must know her sizes, even the shoes fit perfectly. Someone Edward had hired to find out this information. Her mind whirled as she applied the make-up that was waiting for her in the bathroom. All the right shades, nothing was wrong, everything was as if she herself had bought them.
"Holy Fuck," Edward breathed from her doorway.
She turned and glared at him. "How did you do this?" she demanded, waving at her dress.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes sparking with lust. Holy mother of God, she was his, she was absolutely going to be his, even If he had to move hell, heaven and earth.
"Everything, everything is too damn perfect, Edward, tell me how?" she snapped.
"Antonio and Jenks looked into you to make sure you were safe," Edward said. "Rosalie used a picture of you for the makeup, and I memorized your shoe size when I jokingly asked you on our first date."
"I see," she said, slowly growing less annoyed by the minute; she did faintly recall laughing and telling him her shoe size. His good looks were distracting her, his cocky smirk of a smile, black slacks, emerald cashmere sweater. Good Lord, he was good enough to eat.
The club was mind-bogglingly loud, glamorous and busy. It didn't take her long to realize why it was the most popular club in Seattle. Bella couldn't help but smile at Edward as he overlooked his business from the VIP section. His arms wrapped around her as they swayed to the music. He whispered in her ear how he built this place, remodeled from an old abandoned warehouse.
Neither noticed the pair of cold, angry eyes following their every move around the club. His target shifting from Edward to the beautiful auburn on his arms, who he stared so adoringly at. He laughed coldly, a plan rising. What better way to rock Edward fucking Cullen's world than take what was so precious from him.
Author Note...
Beta'ed by awaywithwords3
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