Have a happy weekend, we'll see you on Monday for the next update.
Chapter 16
I wake up feeling the cold air on my skin. I frown looking around and see that I'm still on the roof. I look to my side and see Bella is lying there still asleep and naked. I grin jumping up, and pull on my pants, turning off the small fireplace. I grab the blanket and wrap it all around Bella. I make sure I have my door key in my hand, before picking Bella up and walking down the four flights of stairs. As soon as I enter my apartment, I take her right to my bedroom.
I unwrap her from the blanket and lay her on my bed. I can feel the warmth from the sheet and blanket as I pull the covers over Bella. I'm glad that I put on my heated blanket. I quickly grab some warmer clothes and put them on and scribble out a note. I head back up the roof to tidy up, leaving Bella the note just in case she wakes up.
It doesn't take me too long to pick up our discarded clothes, wine bottle, glasses and docking station and put them in the tote I brought them up here in. I wind up the cords on the little electric fireplace and put it beside the tote. Once everything is all picked up, I stack the small tote on top of the fireplace and take it all back down to my apartment.
I put the fireplace in the corner of the living room where it normally sits. I put the small tote in the kitchen for cleanup tomorrow. I strip, turning off the heated blanket and slide in next to Bella, pulling her into my arms. I honestly feel more complete than I ever have before.
I wake with a smile and turn to face Bella, only to find her side of the bed empty. I jump up and walk out of my room checking the bathroom, before making my way to the kitchen.
"Hey, I think our first rule should be that we don't wake up alone after sharing a bed," I say as I wrap my arms around her, kissing her neck softly.
"No regrets, then?" Bella's voice is a little shaky.
I turn her around to face me. "What, why ask that? I said last night that this was it. I told you that you were – are mine, you're it for me. I'm all yours; we're in this together. We're now an 'us,' you agreed."
I can see the flash of pain in Bella's eyes and I know she's trying to hide it. "I am – I have been yours for so long. From the time – since we first made – had sex – even before that – I don't know – I just thought that maybe ..."
I frown at the mumbled and stuttered speech Bella just gave. I run my hand through my hair, processing her words a few times. Finally, it hits me so hard; every time—until now, that is—after she had sex with someone they've dumped her. Tyler, her first boyfriend, then Mike, and even I did it, too.
"Fuck, baby, no – I love you. That first time when made love, and that IS what we did, I didn't know that I loved you then, but I did. I wish I had known it then, because I wouldn't have left your side that day. I will not be leaving your side now, unless you send me away. Bella, I want to marry you, have and raise a family with you. I swear to you, Bella, I mean what I say, and no one—no matter what or who—will take me from you again."
"I'm sorry. I just got scared," Bella says softly as she hugs her small arms around my middle.
"It's not your fault, my love. We'll work on this with Jasper. After everything we have overcome so far, we will conquer this, too."
"Thank you," Bella says softly.
I kiss the top of her head and pull away. "Something smells really good. What did you make, Little Chef?"
"I made some omelets. They're in the warming oven. I was going to cut up some fresh fruit and make toast."
"Hmm, that sounds really good. The omelets smell great; want some help cutting the fruit and buttering the toast?"
"Yeah, you can butter the toast," she says turning and putting four slices of bread in the toaster.
"I'll butter your toast anytime," I say slyly.
I watch as Bella blushes as she looks at me from over her shoulder with a smirk. We work quietly together getting our meal finished. Once the toast is buttered, I plate our omelets and carry them to the table. Bella joins me with two small bowls of fruit.
"Phil called me this morning," Bella says after a few minutes. "Tanya's court case has a date now. It's set for the twenty-seventh of this month."
I swallow a little looking at Bella. I knew this was coming up, but I don't look forward to seeing the Viper again. I close my eyes as I feel the anger build up and this is only at hearing her name.
"You need to speak to Peter about this anger you feel over her." I open my eyes and look at Bella and she looks worried.
"I will – I just hate her so much," I say with a sigh.
"There's a fine line between love and hate," Bella says.
I lean back on my chair just looking at Bella, hoping she doesn't doubt things between me and the Viper.
"Edward, it's just ... you have these overwhelming emotions at just hearing her name."
"That doesn't mean I like her, Bella. I love you, and she just ... she hurt you, and my family. She made my mom cry, she made you cry. I've never seen my mom cry because another person was mean to her. That shocked me; hell it shocked us all. Esme has always been the kind of person that keeps her head up and sees the best in all. She brought my mom to her knees and kept her there."
"Bullies are all the same, Edward," Bella says. "They see something about your life that may not be right in theirs. It's their hurt and anger at themselves, and they use that anger and take it out on you. You have to remember that your family and friends have the only opinions that should matter to you. No one else knows you well enough to have a say in your life."
"You're right, but remembering all of this is not easy, when I see my mom crying in my father's arms. She was scared for us as a family, for the business as a whole, but mostly she was worried about being alone with Tanya. Fuck, Bella, I wanted to kill Tanya. Then she hurt you and forced my hand making me hurt you, too. I hate her for all of those reasons, but you are right, I need to let it all go now. The Viper isn't worth holding onto this anger, and I hate how it makes me feel."
Bella comes over to me and sits on my lap. "I don't want to lose you," she says softy in my ear.
"You won't – come on, let's go back to bed and hug for a bit." I stand up along with her and lead her back to the bedroom, to bed.
~*FB*~
The weeks flew by quickly and things have been wonderful for Bella and me. My family took the news that Bella and I are together well. Caius, Jasper, Peter and Renee also took the news well. Aro, on the other hand, pulled me aside and warned me that I have used up all of my extra lives, when it comes to hurting Bella. The media has been printing that we are a couple, but neither of us have publicly confirmed it. They've started to hound my life, too. They even printed a picture of when I took Rose to the doctor when she was sent home sick. They wrote that Rose was MY wife and was expecting my baby. They went on about how Bella was trying to sink her teeth into me. Of course, Rose and I put the paparazzi right, which they seem to have forgotten, because they keep trying to circulate the rumor.
I'm hoping that it will be made clear today, since the whole family plans to be in court to support Bella. I take a deep breath as the car pulls up to the courthouse. Three bodyguards are with us and the lead guard, Felix, gives us a nod, before they all get out. Felix scopes out the area and then leans into the car.
"We need you to move forward, and don't speak or make eye contact with anybody. Just remember to move forward all the time. My staff and I will do our job keeping you safe," Felix says. When he's done speaking to Bella and me, he speaks in code through his earpiece radio.
"Miss Swan, you come out of the car first and then you, Mr. Cullen. The rest of the Cullen family will be arriving in five. If you're ready, we should go now." Bella smiles at me nervously and quickly gets out of the car and I follow her.
"Isabella, what does it feel like to be the other woman?" a reporter yells, while thrusting a microphone to Bella's face.
"Do you even care that his wife is pregnant and due to have a baby?" another reporter harps out.
"Edward, is this the only affair you've ever had?" a reporter asks me.
"Is it true that you are being threatened with job loss, if you don't continue this lewd affair?" another reporter yells.
"She's easy on the eyes. I would work for her and do her," some guy yells.
The voices seem to all combine together and I have no idea who's saying what. Then, there are the flashes that make me glad that I don't have light sensitivity. As the level of noise gets louder, I slightly turn my head to see Rose now out of their car along with Emmett.
We walk in the main entrance and we're directed into a room. Bella and I sit and take deep breaths. I move closer to her, rubbing her back. The guards all give her wide breathing space, knowing she's not good with a lot of people around her.
"Once this is done, we're sorting out who the fuck I'm married to," Rose almost screams as she enters the room.
"Calm down, honey," Emmett says soothingly.
"What? Would you be happy with them thinking that you were married to that?" Rose says waving her hand at me. No one answers her, so she keeps going. "Well, I'm not. I like big hard men that are smelly and dirty, and not clean cut, skinny ones."
"I would marry him and would want everyone to know," Bella says softy cutting Rose's insults off.
"Hmm, but yeah, you look like you need someone like him. Even the asshole side of him seems to like you. Which is a good thing, because the asshole side of him is what's going to kick those dipshits' asses if they don't back off. By the way, Edward, you better do it soon, or I'll be shoving their cameras in their asses myself."
I roll my eyes at Rose, who's still muttering away as Emmett tries more to calm her down. It's a few minutes later when my mom, dad, Alice and Jasper all walk in, after being held up outside.
"Okay, we're ready for you all to come in," the court clerk says.
We get up and make our way in. We take a seat near the front, where the district attorney suggested that we sit. Shortly after taking our seats, Tanya, along with the guilty board members: James, Angela, Ben, and Harry are all led into the room.
Tanya looks at me, then Bella, and smirks blowing a kiss at me.
"Edward, I'm here for you, don't let her do this to you, to me," Tanya sobs.
I frown and look to Bella who looks hurt and worried.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Davies," the court clerk says, and I stand helping Bella to stand.
The case proceeds slowly with Tanya and her minions claiming it was Bella who told them to do the things they did. They all claim they were simply following orders. Tanya then went on to claim that she and I were a couple, and Bella is paying me for sex. I can see the heartbreak on Bella's face the whole time Tanya has been on the stand. I was glad when Phil brought up the teen with whom Tanya had sex with. She tried to get out of it, but it turns out the boy in question taped it. When showing the tape, it was clear the boy was more than pleased to have sex with Tanya, but Tanya had also paid him for it. There was even a recorded conversation between her and the boy. She told him she could pimp him out to her friends, and he would make loads of money. She even went on to say he would never need to get a real job; she'd take care of him. This was the point where the media that were present in the room started to sway from Tanya and her claims.
By the end of the day, we had only proceeded through a fifth of the case. I'm just glad to get home and hug Bella the rest of the night.
~*FB*~
It's taken ten very long days for the entire case to be heard. The jury is out now and we're playing the waiting game.
"Come on, Little Chef, we should get out of here and go for a walk?" I make it sound like a question, but I fully intend to drag her out of here, if need be. As the ten days of court went by, Bella became paler and paler. Bella's really not great at dealing with stress. My mom had gently reminded me of Bella's tender age when I started to get upset about it. I hold Bella's hand as I walk out with her. Felix is just behind us, but behind enough to give us some privacy.
"I was thinking that maybe we could go away, just us, for Valentine's weekend?" When Bella doesn't say anything, I start talking again. "It's just a few days away, and I think it would do us both a world of good. Besides, I'd really like to spend some time with just you, and hopefully they won't follow," I say tilting my head to where the paparazzi are off to the side taking pictures of us.
"If we go to my dad's island, then they can't even get within five hundred feet of it. I always wondered why he put the big dock around the front side, but now I'm glad he did. No one can see the house, because of the dock and the way it's set. He valued privacy for me, and I'm glad he did."
"Yeah, that sounds great," I say with a sigh.
"What's wrong; I mean, we can go somewhere else?" I stop her by shaking my head.
"No, I think it sounds great there. I just ... well, I wanted to pay for us, pay for you. You're my girl and I want to take you places and pay for you. I want to bring in the bread as they say. I know that's outdated and clearly you don't need that from me, I just ..." I pull her to me not able to find my words.
"You have more money than I do, Edward. Everything I own has come from my father and what he earned."
I start to tell her that's untrue, but she keeps talking.
"He has a private plane and boats; he has everything. I can't see myself using these things without you. So how about this: we use the things he left me and you give money to charity in my name or something like that. Besides, you're a working man and I'm in college. I'll more than likely only be a chef in a small restaurant; so clearly, you'll be the bread winner. I'll end up being the one who stays home and raises our kids."
I cut her off by kissing her. "I'm sure we can come to some agreement. Just for the record, I'm all for you having our children. Maybe we should start practicing tonight," I say as I start to kiss her neck.
I pull back, when I feel her face heat up and she giggles a little.
"Well, now that we've given them a show, shall we carry on with our walk?" I ask kissing her hand. We keep walking more or less in a circle, around the courthouse grounds. We've been out here walking around for almost two hours, when my phone rings. I answer and I'm told the jury is back and we should head back in.
"That was too fast," Bella says as she pulls at her hair.
"No, not really on this type of case. Most are done within a few hours, plus we had a strong case," I say. I hug her to me and kiss her head, before we walk back inside.
We all take our seats and Tanya and her minions are all led back in. It's not long before we are all asked to rise. The judge comes in, sits and calls the court to order.
"Foreman, has the jury reached a decision?"
"We have, your honor," the foreman says after standing.
The court recorder collects a slip from the jury foreman and gives it to the judge. The judge looks it over and hands it back. The judge turns to the defendants. "Miss Denali, Miss Weber, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Banner, and Mr. Cheney, please rise for the verdict."
They all stand up smugly and I close my eyes.
"Foreman, please read the verdict on all charges."
"In the charges of seventeen counts of embezzlement, we the jury find the defendants guilty. On the charges of seventeen counts of falsifying information, we the jury find the defendants guilty. On the charge of attempted blackmail, we the jury find the defendants guilty. On the charges of seventeen counts of fraud, we the jury find the defendants guilty."
As the guilty charges continue being read, Tanya and her minions pale as people start to cheer.
Once the verdicts have all been read, the judge hits his gavel down on the bench to get the court's attention.
"Thank you for your service; the jury may be dismissed."
The jury all stand and are shown out of the courtroom by the bailiff.
"I will set the sentencing hearing for one week from today. Bailiffs, please take the defendants into custody."
They're each led out without any of them speaking a word. I'm sure they're all in shock.
"Miss Swan," the judge says softly, and Bella swallows before standing.
"Yes, Sir," Bella says with a shaky voice.
"You're a remarkable young woman, and I do know that these hearings – and the past year and a half have been rather hard, but you have shown that your father raised you well. I also know that you have been having a hard time with the media. I would like, if you want, to release a statement to the press. I want to be sure your name is cleared. I see no reason your name should be attached to any of the wrong doings of the former workers of what's now your company. Would you allow this?"
Bella looks to me unsure what to say or do, so I quickly stand.
"Yes, Sir, your honor, I believe she would like that, if you have the time."
The judge looks to me and smiles. "Yes, of course, I will make sure that goes out no later than this time tomorrow. This court is adjourned," he says in an authoritative voice. He slams the gavel down on the bench, before standing and making his way out.
I pull Bella to me, hugging her.
"What exactly does that all mean?" Bella asks sounding unsure.
"It means he's going to the public and letting them know the truth about what has happened. He will fight to make sure your name is no longer attached to the bad light those wicked people tried to hang on it."
Bella nods and then sighs.
"I was thinking about after the sentencing next week. Maybe it would be nice to put a meal or something on for the companies that were affected. What do think?"
I smile, shaking my head at how much this girl thinks of others.
"I think it sounds like an amazing idea. I'll work on doing the invites tomorrow, but come on, Little Chef, it's time to go home."
I lead her out and take her home. Once she's settled, I head to my apartment, hating that I'm not staying with her. I rush to my room sitting on my chair by the window. I just get there, when my cell chimes with an incoming text. I smile and wave to Bella as I read it. I do love that even when I'm at home, I can still see her.
A/N: So we touched on some insecurities and we also let justice serve some due diligence to the Viper and her group of followers. What are your thoughts? See ya on Monday with the next update.