Twilight isn't mine, but the idea is. I was inspired to write this after a marathon of Fast and Furious. All the songs on the soundtrack helped me create this, so you should check them if you don't know them.
Many thanks to my dear friends m0t0b33 and TeamAllTwilight for the pre-reader and beta work.
And to you, my readers and followers, thank you! I wish I had the time to answer you, but we can discuss stuff in my facebook group. ;)
The wedding at the City Hall was short. Edward didn't have any term of comparison, because all he knew were the church weddings—all family friends who got married over the years did it in the church. In his opinion this was much better.
As their witness, not actually Best Man as he thought wrongly of the term, he had to linger once the ceremony was over. The party would be at a restaurant downtown. Soon after everything was sorted and the documents sent to the right people to prove Rosalie was married to an American citizen, she departed with a lingering kiss for Emmett.
"Smooth, man," Edward said laughing, loosening the blasted tie around his neck. "She's now married to you and already left."
"Only to change her shoes and get there before us. You know Rosie, always in control of the situation." Emmett looked happier than Edward had ever seen him. "Come on, let's go. You're driving with me. I want to chat."
"Sure." Edward swallowed nervously thinking back a few hours ago. If Bella hadn't talked sense into him, he'd probably be begging his cousin to send him to the juvie.
"Everything okay? You look a little tense, kid."
They were in the warmth of Emmett's car, away from the cold Chicago air, but Edward still felt chilly.
"If you're worried about your girl, don't. I can tell your mom likes her. She's in good hands."
"That's the problem," Edward mumbled.
"That Aunt Esme likes her?"
"She knows, Em." It was suddenly too hot and Edward clawed at his tie until it was off and three buttons of his shirt open. "This is too complicated. Maybe you should have sent me away and be done with it. How long would I have been in juvie?"
"Are you kidding me now?" Emmett shouted, turning to glare at his younger cousin. "Juvenile detention over a normal life?"
"Normal life?" Edward snorted. "I'm…wait, what term did Dad use…oh, right. James gave you good reviews about me, and like a good sport you passed them to my parents. Did I get a golden star too?"
"Edward…."
"Look, Emmett. I've done stupid shit, I know. Okay? But I don't want to pay for it left and right or the past to keep me from living normally, as you put it."
Emmett huffed. "And you think going to juvie would have done that?" he asked incredulously.
"It would have helped me think. It's too late to do that, right?"
"We're not having this moronic discussion." The older man started the car, grumbling about idiots under his breath. "You better have an impeccable behavior on your record by the end of school. I'm serious, cous."
Edward slouched in the seat, burrowing his face in his hands.
"Kid, after that accident you being still out and about is huge, and considering your rap sheet…the Judge was more than—"
"Cut the crap, Emmett," Edward muttered in his hands. "We both know Dad paid him off to keep me out of juvie, prison wherever they wanted to send me. If Dad wasn't who he is…I wouldn't be here, we'd probably talk through phones separated by a window. I'd be in orange or something like that."
A lump created in Emmett's throat. "Cous…"
"I'm sorry. I tried not to say anything. Not today. I ruined your day." Edward dropped his hands to his lap.
They arrived at the restaurant, but neither of them got out of the car. Emmett was searching the glove compartment for paper tissues, and Edward was struggling to put his tie back.
"Come on, I think we're late," Emmett urged his cousin suddenly.
They left the car and Edward kept tugging at his tie until Emmett turned around and took pity. Edward stared down his nose at Emmett's fingers as they knotted his tie just right.
"Jake wanted me to race the car I repaired," he blurted out. Emmett's finger slipped, choking the teenager. "I didn't do it!" Edward cracked out.
"Sorry. It took me by surprise. Good thing you're not going back—you won't be tempted."
"I am going back to help Bella pack some things."
"Are you sure that's why you're going back. As a matter of fact, I know that race will take place on January fourth."
"How?"
"I'm a cop, kid. James told me."
"Figures," Edward muttered. "Anyway, it's your big day. Let's go have fun!" He wrapped his arm around his cousin's neck leading the way inside the restaurant.
"Keep in mind you're underage. If I see or smell anything besides soda in your glass, you're in heaps of trouble."
"Aye!" Edward mock saluted.
They were greeted at the door by a waiter with champagne flutes on a tray.
"Take one. It's polite," Emmett whispered. "But don't drink."
"You'd be an awesome dad. The kid will hate you and count down the days until he's twenty-one."
His words had a great effect on Emmett. He'd been worried about what kind of parent he'd make. Edward joking about his skills didn't make him feel any better.
Edward noticed how pale his cousin had gotten and immediately apologized, but his words were drowned by a large group of Emmett's friends from the police coming over to congratulate their friend. Edward mumbled about going to find Bella, and made himself scarce.
He walked around the large restaurant, searching for his girlfriend, his heart doubling in speed when he couldn't find her. Maybe after all she left. He couldn't conceive that.
Suddenly, a small figure grabbed his attention. There she was! Bella sat at a corner table, facing the window with her phone to her ear.
Edward sneaked behind her, hugging her that way, kissing her exposed neck. "Hey, baby."
She visibly jumped, not expecting her boyfriend's presence or his cold nose and lips attacking her. She quickly covered the mouthpiece. "Shh. It's Jimmy. He's upset."
Edward nodded in understanding and sat next to her, stretching his long legs under the table. He pulled his own phone out, which reminded him to ask his parents of a new one, before quickly firing a text message to Jasper. His friend was busy at the garage and couldn't chat for long, but offered to meet Edward that evening. They set a time and place.
Bella shifted in her seat, letting Edward know she was done talking to her brother.
"What's wrong?" he asked, confused.
"He agreed I come here with you, remember? Now he's upset I'm here and says he'd come and take me home."
"What? No. He can't," Edward said panicked.
"Don't worry." She covered his hand with hers. "I reminded him that in only two weeks I'll have to live here…second semester is around the corner."
"Right. You do have to go back…to get your clothes." Edward tried clinging on something, anything. He had to go back to Fredonia and talk to Jake about the race. He wasn't going to be part of that, and he knew the implications of not showing if your name was on the list.
"James is coming here after Christmas. He'll bring my things and he wants to meet your parents to make sure they're not as insane as you. His words." She blushed furiously. "I don't think you're insane."
Edward chuckled nervously. "I sure hope so. Want to come with me later to Jasper's? I need to talk to him about things. You can meet Alice."
"Things?" Bella raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, things." He grinned. "Nothing against the law."
"I hope so. I kept meaning to ask…" She bit her lip, clutching at his fingers. "Did Jimmy know? Everything about you?"
He averted his eyes. "Yes, I told you last night. You were probably too shocked. Why do you think he kept me in a leash?"
"Jeez. I can't believe I didn't see anything…I mean there was something off with you…"
"Thanks," he joked, tugging her closer and pecking her cheek.
"I mean, I could tell you had a secret, but then again everyone has a deep dark secret."
"The difference between us, is that you told me yours. I should have told you about mine right away. Actually, I wanted to tell you that day—when you told me about Brady. Which I already knew…a little…from James."
Bella sighed. "Can we not think of that now? It's done. At least you told me. It doesn't matter it was by mistake and we had a fight, but I know and it all makes sense now."
"What makes sense?"
"You knowing cars. You have no idea how many times Jake cornered me asking if you read car magazines for leisure, or if you're another cop—like Brady—infiltrated in high school to observe the deeds of students."
Edward couldn't help but burst out laughing. "A cop? Me?"
"I know, it's silly. I always told him to give it a rest. You're just a boy on the student exchange program."
A flurry of pale pink dress appeared at their table. Rosalie was smiling brightly. She had her long blonde hair done in a coquettish twist, a few strands curled at the nape of her neck, her blue eyes standing out thanks to the dark eyeliner and mascara on her lashes.
"Edward." She offered her hand, showing her French manicured nails.
He looked horrified at her. "I don't dance!"
"Only in bed, I know. All little boys say that," she said on an amused tone.
"Why don't you find your husband? Dance with him." Edward folded his arms across his chest. He chose not to comment on her snide remark. He didn't want to talk about sex with Bella next to him.
"It's not polite to refuse the bride."
"Go," Bella whispered, nudging him.
That seemed to be everything Rosalie needed because she grasped Edward's hand and pulled him up.
"I really have no idea how to dance, Rose. Besides, Bella's my date."
"You are a lousy date if you plan on sitting at the table the whole evening."
Edward frowned, watching his cousin walking to Bella and offering to dance with her. He turned his eyes to his dancing partner. "Teach me," he said determined.
"Jealous?"
"Rose."
The new Mrs. Emmett McCarty showed him patiently the ground rules of dancing. This was the Rose he'd grown to know once she got comfortable around Emmett's family. It always took her time to get used to new people.
"Give Bella the benefit of the doubt, will you?" Edward asked, twirling her before returning to waltzing around the dance floor.
"You really like her. Wow." Her wide blue eyes stared in amazement at the young boy. "She's not that bad." Rose glanced toward her husband who was laughing with Bella as she kept stumbling over his feet. "I see you're a match made in heaven when it comes to dancing."
Sullenly, Edward stepped on her foot, looking as innocent as possible.
"You're an ass, Cullen."
"I've been told many things about my ass."
"Ewww!" Rose made a face. "I might need the powder room if you keep disgusting me."
"And we didn't even eat." Edward laughed at his own stupid joke making Rose digs her long nails in his palm. "Ow, crazy!"
"Don't say stuff like that. Anyway. I think I should rescue my husband." A brilliant smile appeared on her face.
"And I my girl."
They strolled across the dance floor, shoulder to shoulder. Emmett was in the middle of telling Bella about one time when he had to babysit his little cousin and the adventures they had. She was laughing so hard there were tears in her eyes.
"Sharing a private joke?" Edward asked, stepping between them and taking Bella's hands.
Chuckling, Emmett shook his head. "I was telling Bella about our five years age difference."
"Yeah, so? There's nothing funny about it. Just imagine how much fun it would have been the other way round!" Edward smirked.
Bella giggled loudly, her cheeks flaming. "Emmett told me of the time you two were left alone, and you made poo-poo and wanted him to clean you."
Edward turned scarlet from embarrassment and anger. He glared at his cousin. "That's private, dude! You don't see me telling Rose of the times you were supposed to have fun with me, when we were older…but in reality you installed me in front of the TV so you could bed some chick. Shit, I think I just did." He didn't look really sorry.
"Edward!" Emmett groaned, eyeing his wife warily.
"That's why he turned up crazy. He had to listen to you doing indecent things to your friend?" Rose laughed, wrapping her arms around Emmett.
"I'm not crazy," Edward protested. "Come on, let's go eat something." He pulled Bella toward their table.
"Don't be upset. Everyone does funny things when they're young."
"I bet you were very well behaved," he murmured.
"Not really. You'll be surprised. Remember the toy car I stole from Jimmy? That was nothing."
Edward cocked his head to the side, regarding her amused. "Maybe Rose is right. Maybe we're a match made in heaven."
"She looks really happy," Bella noted, eyeing the newlyweds as they were kissing in the spot they had left them.
"I told you, Bella. She's not like that. She'll come around. Now that you're staying over, you'll get to know each other better."
"So that means all thoughts of going to juvie left your head? Thank God."
He smiled sadly. "I thought you hated me. It was the only thing I could think of that would bring me on the right track."
She cupped her cheeks. "You are on the right track. You've been ever since senior year started."
He gave her a dubious look.
"Forget Jake."
He laughed, hugging her tightly. "Thank you."
Soon everyone got seated. At the restaurant Emmett and Rose had invited their friends and their small group had expanded. Carlisle and Esme joined Edward and Bella at their table. As much as it embarrassed Edward to have his parents at the same table, Bella didn't seem to mind. She liked his parents and truthfully, she missed hers. She didn't have much time with them, and of what she remembered they were very nice and attentive.
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