I am bouncing in my seat here friends! You have blown me away with your love and support for this story that has been rolling around in my head for quite some time.
I really didn't plan on updating everyday, but if the material keeps flowing, then I will continue updating daily. I do have a big cushion, and I am still writing every day, so please keep checking back.
I am pleased to announce that I have a beta! YEA! Everyone give it up for the amazing hapakids. Darling please stand up and take a bow! Thank you so much for offering to beta for me! You are truly awesome!
So now...on to chapter three...oh, I give all props to the amazing Stephanie M for blessing the world with Twilight! Thank you for letting me play with your characters.
"Oh, Dio! La mia Bella! [Oh, God! My Bella!]" I hear my Mother cry as she comes into the room. I rush to her and walk her over to sit in the chair. She grabs Bella's hand and kisses it and begins praying in Italian.
I walk over to my father who is just standing there. A crushed look spread over his face as he stares at Bella. I know what is going through is mind, it is the same thing that went through mine when I first seen her tonight. "I know, the same thoughts went through my mind when I first seen her."
"**Questo stronzo James e morto. [This James fucker is dead.]" My father says. And I simply nod in agreement.
"Boss?" I hear Emmett say as he peeks his head in the door. "We..." he states, but then his eyes find Bella. "Fucking hell, I'll kill him myself." I hear him say so softly.
"It's going to be a group effort Em." I see him nod to me. "Do you got anything?"
"Yeah, you wanna talk in here or outside?"
"In here," my father says, "Caius assured me complete safety here.
Emmett comes in followed by Jasper, who also curses under his breath and clenches his fists as he walks over to where we are standing in the corner of the room. "Jazz, tell 'em what Alice said." Emmett says.
"I called to tell her about Bella and see what she knew. Turns out this James is in one Bella's photography classes. Alice said Bella came home one day last week kinda creeped out saying this James guys asked her out on a date. Apparently he has been bothering her in class and showing up to the diner she works at."
"Wait. What the fuck do you mean the diner she works at?" I asked angrily.
"Alice said she has been working at Heritage Diner for the past two years. Something about not having enough scholarship money to pay for all of her classes and lab fees."
"Fuck me!" I hiss between my teeth.
"Why wouldn't she come to me for money? I would have given it to her in a minute. She is family. She knows that." My father said shaking his head.
"Carlisle," my mother whispers from Bella's bed side, "You know how Bella is at asking for money from us. She always felt like she was putting us out by having her live with us and paying for her dance classes. She would never come right out and ask us for money to help."
"Damn it!" I hiss again. "How did I not know? I should have known."
"Son, it's Bella. She may seem to be an open book, but she is great at keeping secrets and keeping things to herself. It is how she deals with the business." My father said putting a hand on my shoulder.
I sigh, knowing he is right. She dealt with the family business better than I expected, and I do know she put up a lot of walls and blinders where the business side of my family was concerned. It was a need to know basis with her. She always knew when something big was happening because Sam and Seth would show up to guard her. She took it in stride and never once argued, knowing that her safety was my concern, especially after I moved away for college. It killed me that I couldn't be there next to her to protect her, but I trusted Sam and Seth more than anything.
"Find him. Take him to the warehouse. Rough him up a bit, but not too much. I want him completely alert when I get to him. I won't leave Bella until she wakes up, but once she does and I know that she is OK, I will be there." I look at both Emmett and Jasper, "I want you both there with him while I am here."
"I will be coming with you Son." My father states. I look at him with shock on my face. He never goes to these "questionings" anymore now that I was working for him. "Don't look at me like that. She is my daughter. He will dread touching my daughter." And with that, he walks over to Bella and sits on the other side of her bed and takes her hand bringing it to his cheek, "Mia Isabella, figlia mia. [My Isabella, my daughter.]"
I look over to my family and let out a shaky sigh. "We will find him Ed, I promise." Jasper says. He walks over to Bella and kisses her forehead and whispers something into her ear. Emmett follows suit and leans over and kisses her forehead. I hear him say, "Ti prometto che Bella, io la troverò. Nessuno pasticci con il mio cuginetto. Ti ho preso Belly. [I promise you Bella, I will find him. No one messes with my little cousin. I got you Belly.]" I smile a little at Emmett's nickname for Bella, she hates it.
I nod my head to them as they are leaving. "Get Sam and Seth here. They are to be outside her door at all times. She knows them. She will be safer when I am not here." They nod and head out the door.
I walk over to my mother and and stand behind her putting my hands on her shoulders. She gives out a sigh and looks up to my father, "Take me home Carlisle." My father nods and stands. She rises and give me a hug, she pulls my head down to her face and whispers "When you get him, you kill him Edward." I am shocked, my mother never, never says things like that. I simply nod and kiss her cheeks then wipe her tears away.
As they leave the room I sit back down in the chair and take her hand again. Even though she is sleeping, as soon as our skin touches I still feel that spark that I only get when I touch her. Only her. My best friend, the one woman I love. I let out a sigh and press her hand to my lips. I think back to the day I realized I loved her as much more than my best friend.
It was the beginning of May 2008 and I was coming home for the summer to spend some time with my family. My Father knew I was coming home from Chicago today, but Mom or Bella didn't. It was a surprise. I was coming in early for the big annual charity ball my family helped sponsor every year. When I opened the door my Mother was just walking down the stairs and started sprinting down the minute she seen me. "Edward! What a surprise! I am so happy you're home!" She said as she crushed me in her hug!
I chuckled, "Mom, you just seen me a few weeks ago when you and dad came to Chicago for The Family meeting."
"Yes, but that was three weeks ago. I am so happy you're home. I'll make your favorite, chicken parmigiana for dinner tonight." She says patting my cheek.
"Well, Bella will be happy too, it's her favorite as well." I say.
"Yes it is. But she won't be here for dinner tonight." She says as we walk to the kitchen.
"What do you mean? Where's is she?" I ask, pouring myself a glass of tea.
"It's prom night honey."
"Oh yeah? Her and the girls going together?" I ask while taking a drink.
"She is meeting Alice and her date and Rose and her date there. Riley is picking her up here and they are going to dinner first."
I almost spit out my drink. "She didn't mention anything to me." I say trying not to sound shocked and hurt. Wait, why do I feel hurt?
"Oh, well it was a last minute thing. He just asked her two days ago. Something about he thought he wasn't going to be in town for it, but I guess plans changed. Oh lord, it was difficult finding her a dress on such short notice."
"Is she here?"
"Yes, she is upstairs. I had a hairdresser and make-up artist come to the house for her. They should be almost finished."
"I'm going to go up and surprise her." I say jogging off to the stairs. Once I reach the second floor I make my way to her room, which is just across from my room. I knock on her door. "Come in." I hear. I open the door and see her sitting in a chair set up in her bathroom getting her hair curled. Wow, her hair has really grown since the last time I was home at Christmas, it is almost down to her waist.
I lean in the door way just looking at her with a smirk on my face waiting for her to look up at me. When she does her smile reaches her eyes and she jumps up from her chair and launches herself into my arms. "You're home early!" She says softly. "**Ho perso il tuo. [I've missed you.]"
"I've missed you too Bella." I whisper back. She pulls back and adjusts the robe that she's covering her chest with. "So, prom?" I ask
"Yeah. Riley Beirs asked me a few days ago. I actually wasn't going to go. I was going to stay home to help Esme organize the raffle items for the ball tomorrow, but she insisted that I go."
"Why did he wait so long to ask you."
"He was supposed to be out of town with family, but I guess plans fell through. So he asked me."
"So, are you two dating?" I have no idea why I asked that.
"No, we are just friends. We have a few classes together. He is my lab partner in bio." She states as she makes her way back to her chair to get her hair finished. "Why?"
I just shrug. "Just looking out for you Bella. I don't want some asshole taking out my best friend."
"He isn't an asshole. He is very sweet. Shy even. I was shocked when he asked me. But, we are just friends." She stares into the mirror for a minutes then looks back to me, "You will be nice to him Edward. No intimidating him when he gets here. Don't go all Godfather on him." I feign a look of shock. "Don't act innocent with me Cullen. It is bad enough Carlisle is going to be in extra protective father mode tonight giving him the look of death, I don't need you doing it too! He will just walk off and leave me in my dress! And Esme and worked hard for this dress. I don't want to waste it."
"Fine, I will be on my best behavior." She looks at me with a raised eye brow. I trace a halo around my head and say, "I promise, I promise."
"Good, now get out so I can finish and get dressed."
"Nice way to talk to your best friend," I say as I start to walk out of her room.
"Yeah, yeah." I hear her laugh as I leave.
I should go and unpack and check out my tux for tomorrow night, but I decide to take a walk out in the gardens. I don't know how long I have been out there just wandering around, but I look up to see mom coming out with her camera. Then I see the most beautiful sight ever. My best friend comes out behind her in a one shouldered, long flowing emerald green dress. As a warm breeze blows through, her dress moves to show a long slit going up to her thigh showing off some nude colored four inch heels Her beautiful brown hair, in perfect waves, blows behind her. My breath catches in my throat. Has she always been this beautiful?
"She is breath taking isn't she?" I hear my father say from behind me.
"Beautiful!" Is all I can get out.
My father just laughs. I see him move from behind me and walk towards Bella. "You are more beautiful than there are words for Isabella." He says she he embraces her. He then whispers something in her ear and she smiles and I see tears forming in her eyes as he kisses her cheek. I am shaken from my trance as my mother says, "Bella can you go and stand next to the roses so I get a picture please."
She starts to walk my way, but stops as soon as she hits the grass, "My shoes are getting stuck." She says. I don't know what came over me,but I run to her and lift her up bridal style and walk her over to the roses and set her down on the stepping stone. I sweep away a stray strand of hair and tuck it behind her hear. I see her blush as she stares at me and it makes me smile. I hear the camera clicking and I am broken from ourmoment. I look back at my parents who are smiling. I step away and let my mother take some pictures. Then dad comes to stand with Bella, and them my mother trades places with him. I make my way over and have my picture taken with her, and finally my mother sets the timer on the camera and we take a family photo. I look over at Isabella and I know in that moment, I am in love with my best friend.
Did we see that coming? Are you mad at me for the cliff hanger? I promise to update tomorrow. Lots of love to all of you who have read, and if you feel moved, please leave me some love!