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 Seven
Later that week Bella glanced around the auditorium in hope; hope that was quickly diminishing. She knew he probably wouldn't be able to make it; he had said as much this morning, and she hated the self-loathing expression he wore as he left the kitchen, his shoulders slightly bent in defeat and a heaviness in his steps. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment she quickly came up with a backup plan; she knew how much he hated missing moments like these. So she had called up Angela and borrowed her video camera. She grinned as she pressed play, capturing the moment for both father and son. She watched in pride as EJ rocked his well-earned solo, she giggled softly at his little swagger that they had practiced in front of the bathroom mirror. She clapped excitedly as the production came to an end and watched from afar as EJ's grandparents gave him some well-earned praise.
"You did an excellent job, honey," Esme said as she gushed over her grandchild.
"Very well done, boy," Carlisle said tapping his grandchild's chin fondly.
Rosalie hugged him. "Good job. I bet you worked really hard on that solo?"
EJ frowned, "He didn't come," he said looking around expectantly for his father.
"Your father is a busy man. A very important man, honey, it's really hard for him to get off work in the afternoon," Esme tried to explain just like she had for Edward all those years ago, missing the rejection passing across his face until he spotted Bella. He bolted away from his grandparents and aunt, and ran straight into Bella's arms.
Esme and Carlisle were close enough to hear their exchange. "You came, you really, really came," he said smiling up at her as she lifted him in her arms.
"I told you I wouldn't miss it for anything." Bella said tapping his nose gently.
"Dad didn't come," he stated. Bella didn't miss the sadness in his voice.
"I know," she said gently, "but guess what?" she ignored the three people eavesdropping on them. "He sent me with a message; he told me to tell you that he is super-duper sorry he couldn't be here, but we have a surprise for him," she said.
"We do?" he asked, his wide eyes melting her heart and she chuckled at his curiosity.
"I recorded the entire performance. We can go home and make a DVD for your dad so he can watch your performance," Bella said proudly tapping the video camera she had borrowed from Angela. "He's going to be excited to find out he didn't miss it."
"Really, really we can watch me on the TV?" he asked in wonder, swinging Bella's hand with his.
"Yep, and we will watch it later with your dad," Bella promised, she smiled at a frowning Esme.
"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," Bella said politely.
"Abigail Pond wasn't it?" Mrs. Cullen asked.
"Isabella Swan," Bella said stretching her smile a little wider trying not to show that she felt about an inch tall next to the two women that oozed confidence.
Mr. Cullen frowned at his wife, before politely taking the young girl's hand. "It's a delight to see you here. I apologize for my wife, we are just surprised that you are here. Rosalie, this is Isabella, she is Edward's close friend."
"Well, it was very nice seeing you again, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, you as well, Rosalie," I said before turning my attention back to EJ," and you, green eyes, I will see you in an hour."
...
"Detective Grant," Edward said stiffly shaking the older man's hand tightly.
"Mr. Cullen … Emmett," Grant said motioning for both boys to sit. "I want to thank you for your assistance in trying to locate this sick fuck. Emmett and his boys have managed to put the brakes on any new victims so far, but your ears have discovered more women hurt by this man."
"What do we know so far?" Edward asked sipping the warm coffee the barista set in front of him.
"He's over six feet, tan and so far, all the woman swear they don't have a clue who he is. Grey eyes, a tattoo of a cross on his chest. We can't find any transactions or receipts at any of these places, no security footage either. He's a goddamn ghost. The woman so far have all gone to and left the bars and or nightclubs alone." Grant huffed.
"He's going to be hard to find, he's not an amateur, fuck, Edward, it's like the man is trained to be invisible," Emmett said running a tired hand over his face. "The sick twisted part is it somehow ties to you."
"What?" Edward said confused.
"Everywhere these women have been in the twelve hours before they're attacked, was owned by you or somehow attached to your name," Emmett explained grimly.
"I'm a fucking Cullen, my name is all over this goddamn city," Edward rebuffed.
"No, not dad's names, not mine, not mom's charity events. Your childhood cancer fundraiser, your bars, your nightclubs, your fucking park," Emmett said stringing out the photos of all the places these women had been or attended before being violated. "And you know how Jamie died of an overdose a few nights ago?"
"Yeah," Edward said frowning.
"I pushed them to look further, off the books," Detective Grant said. "She's a porn actress, it wasn't the coke that killed her, it was a struggle with an attacker, she cracked her head against the floor and it busted a pre-existing Aneurysm. Someone set it up to look like she overdosed. I'm not even going to ask if you have any enemy who would try to hurt you or your business," Detective Grant muttered bitterly giving Edward a twisted smile.
"Motherfucker," Edward hissed slamming his phone down on the table. "So, what we are getting out of all this, is that this man is either deranged and wants to play with the big boys or someone is paying this twisted fuck to screw with my life."
"Exactly," Emmett said squeezing his older brother's shoulder. Edward's face went ashen as he placed Bella's phone on the table.
"Someone's been stalking Bella," Edward said sliding Bella's phone towards Emmett and Grant. "She thought it was a cruel prank at first by an old ex-friend, she confronted him, a Jacob Black who told her he wasn't connected to this. She came to me; she's terrified. It's connected, it has to be. I want this Jacob Black looked into, because whoever this is, isn't getting near Bella. Find this psychopath."
Edward stormed out of the café, he needed his family, and he needed to blow off some stress. "Antonio, take me home."
"Boss?" he asked concerned.
"There nothing I can do the rest of today that can't wait until tomorrow." Edward said slipping into the car. "Just take me home."
...
"Daddy!" EJ shouted jumping from the swing that Bella had been pushing him on. "Your home and the sun is still up, up, up."
"There's my boy," Edward said relishing in the tight hug his son was giving him. Bella had definitely brought out the affectionate side of his son. "How was your play?"
"Grandma and pops said I did a superb job. Bella and I made you a surprise." The little boy gushed, pulling Edward toward Bella.
"A surprise, huh?" Edward said letting himself be pulled toward the woman that was gently entwining herself into his heart. He didn't stop himself; he leaned forward and captured Bella's lips in a warm kiss. "Honey, I'm home," he whispered receiving a warm laugh, he wrapped an arm around her needing her in his arms, reminding himself that she was safe. That they both were safe.
"EJ, go request some popcorn from Elizabeth … and Mister you better ask politely," she called after him as Edward smiled into her hair.
"Sit down, he's very excited," Bella ordered softly. "Turn off your phone for twenty minutes."
"So bossy," he teased switching off his phone. The world wouldn't implode if he didn't answer. Hopefully. "So, what's this?"
"You'll see," Bella said as EJ returned with the popcorn. Edward sucked in a deep breath as the video began to play and the images of what he was seeing hit him.
"You did this?" he asked stunned, his voice cracking with emotion as the tape finished and shut off.
"Yeah, I knew you felt awful about missing it and EJ and I wanted you to see it." Bella explained her actions and she sighed in relief when he gave her the widest and open smile she had ever received from him.
"Thank you. This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has done for me in a long time," he said capturing her mouth greedily, kissing her hard; they pulled apart at the sound of EJ's giggles.
"I love it; thank you, both of you," Edward said grunting as EJ pounced on his father. Together they enjoyed the afternoon on the couch.
"We've got to get ready," Bella announced helping both of her green-eyed boys stand. "I'm not going to be late to your mother's charity event, Edward. She doesn't care for me as it is, let's not give her anymore reason not to, okay?" Bella laughed at Edward's groan.
"What's the cause again?" Edward grunted following Bella into her room, watching with heated eyes as she slid out of her clothes and slipped on the long, sleek, pale-pink formal dress.
"Autism," Bella said glancing over her shoulder. "Would … would you mind zipping me?" she asked shyly. Edward ran his hands softly over the silky material, his eyes on her exposed back. It took a great deal of willpower to zip up the dress instead of slowly peeling it off of her like his body urged him to.
"Where did you get this scar?" he asked softly kissing the old, faded, jagged scar lightly.
"In a car crash," she whispered painfully. Edward's brow narrowed, something in her tone and the way her eyes held so much pain as they danced around his face in the mirror, never settling on his eyes had his instincts on edge. She had lied to him, to his face, straight up lied. "It was a long time ago. I don't want to talk about it." This time her eyes met his and he sighed touching her cheek.
"Right. Well, I better go get ready," Edward said kissing her neck one last time.
…
"Thank you, Elizabeth," Bella said smiling graciously at the housekeeper who had helped her finish her curls. Bella waited in the entryway and she smiled when EJ came around the corner and stood before her in a handsome little tux, matching his father.
"You both look handsome," Bella said taking Edward's offered arm and clutching EJ 's hand.
"You look pretty, Bella, just like a princess," EJ complimented grinning at her.
"And that would make you my handsome prince, right?" Bella asked sweetly.
"No way... I'm a knight," EJ replied as he rejected the idea with a shake of his head.
The Autism Awareness Ball was very extravagant and put on by none other than Esme Cullen. Bella applied her best smile for his family. It was very clear they didn't know what to make of her or her presence in their son's life. Esme made her opinion clear that Bella was much too young and green to handle their lifestyle. Carlisle was perfectly almost creepily polite and Emmett seemed to like her while his wife's cold disdain wasn't hidden. The only ones that welcomed her with open arms were Jasper and his wife Alice. Bella had somehow made it through the small chit-chat session with Edward's family.
"I'll be right back; ladies room and I want to check in with EJ," Bella whispered to Edward excusing herself from the table.
"I'll meet you back here in twenty then. The boys and I are going to hit the cigar room," Edward said, shocking everyone when he gently kissed her mouth.
Esme and Carlisle moved to make social rounds along with Alice and Rosalie.
"Did you look into Jacob Black?" Edward asked his brother and Jasper once they moved to the private cigar room.
"Emmett and I cornered him. He was sort of expecting us, Sam has asked him to prospect for his MC," Jasper said lighting up a smoke.
Edward downed a shot. "Well?"
"He said he hasn't spoken to Bella in years other than when she confronted him a few days ago. That he has no plans, intentions or ill will toward her. He only holds regrets of his juvenile behavior in high school." Jasper carried on.
Emmett added, "He said that they were childhood best friends when they were little. They had a falling out at the start of their sophomore year of high school. His regrets to this day siding with the popular kids and abandoning her to years of high school rumors and pranks. He's not connected to this. He's a football jock, a tutor, a well-to-do-kinda kid."
"Did he say what the falling out was about?" Edward asked.
"That their friendship was ruined the moment he betrayed her trust, he said that she had confided in him and he went and revealed her secret," Jasper explained. "He wouldn't tell us the secret, blew it off, said it ruined her relationship with the football captain." The boys put out their smokes and headed back out to the ball.
"What the hell is going on over there?" Edward growled, frowning as one of his bottom boys and longtime hopefuls to become one of his men, James, he believed, was chatting up Bella who was clearly uncomfortable.
"Bella Swan, my sweet, sweet Isabella," James said smoothly letting the cocky grin take over his face as he cornered the woman who had grown even more beautiful since high school.
"James," Bella said, but her voice shook, her mind trying to come up with an escape route.
"You're looking mighty fine." James leered not daring to touch the woman that belonged to his boss.
A snarl took over his face when she didn't respond, he growled lowly so only she would hear his next words. "Does he think you're a virgin? My sweet Bella, you're not playing the virgin are you? Because I know how sweet you moan." She flinched back. "Boss, he'll be so disappointed." He touted loving fucking with her mind. "Does he know why you're so good with his little boy, hmm?" he said gently caressing her stomach, but his smile was cold and taunting.
"Don't touch … me," Bella cried a little above a whisper, heart racing, memories freezing her.
"Good man, Mr. Cullen, he helped me out of a few tight spots in the past," James said winking at her; she shivered.
"Bella," Edward said wrapping an arm around her waist. "James," Edward said stiffly.
"Boss, I was just telling an old friend, hello. I didn't realize she was your date; you're a lucky man. Well, I better get back to the wife." James excused himself at the sight of Edward.
"I would like to go now," Bella said, eyes on the floor unable to maintain eye contact with Edward. She never thought, never dreamed she'd ever see the likes of James Newton again. Edward watched her, his concern growing, she wasn't being her normally strong willed, sweet self; this was a woman shaken, scared and maybe even a little broken.
"James... he works for you?" Bella asked shakily once they were alone in his car, since EJ had arranged to stay over with Jasper's son Tanner for the night.
"My father helped him out of some trouble in high school in trade for labor; he's practically family," Edward said. Bella nodded her heart sinking to her gut. "How do you know him?" he inquired, dread filling his stomach like a heavy weight.
"We went to high school together," Bella said tightly looking out the window trying not to let her mind drift back to that dark place. "He wasn't a nice boy." Edward wrapped her in his arms, waiting patiently for her to relax. He knew, his instincts urged him not to push her more; he'd learn the truth someday, but right now it was his turn to comfort her. There was no doubt in his mind that James was behind some of the pranks and social ridicule she had experienced in her past; so Jame's sudden appearance must have came as a shock.
Author Note...
Beta'ed by awaywithwords3
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