A/N: Twilight saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I on the other hand own very little besides my own thoughts. A huge thank you to everyone following my story as well as those sending me your reviews and comments. A huge thank you also to gooseonline for her unfailing support. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 31 - small bite of cherry pie
"I'm sorry for not telling you yet Ma, but we haven't even been to the doctor yet. We've just done a few, well four actually, of those at-home pregnancy tests. We didn't want to say anything until we'd at least had our first visit with the baby doctor."
Ma was still giving me the cold shoulder but everyone else was laughing and happy for us.
"How did you even find out, anyway?" I narrowed my eyes teasingly at Bella, "We were supposed to be keeping it a secret for now, weren't we?"
Bella gave me sad face and pouted her lips.
"Bella can't lie to save herself Edward, you should know that about your soon to be wife," Jacob said as he slapped me on the back enjoying my discomfort. "Speaking of marriage, with this blessed news to add to the engagement I suppose we should be talking about wedding dates sooner rather than later, shouldn't we?"
Esme walked over and lightly slapped me upside of the head, "That's exactly why I am so cross Rev J. We have to plan the wedding for these two and I thought we had ages but we'll have to get it done soon. When do you suggest?"
Esme and Jacob starting talking dates while Bella and I just looked at each other wondering what the hell just happened. I walked over to her and tucked her loose curl behind her ear. "Are you alright with all this sweet one? If not just say so and I'll send them all packing."
She laughed, "This is perfect baby. Let them hash it all out, you and I will just turn up, I don't care much for the details so long as I am Mrs Edward Cullen at the end of the ceremony."
"Mmm, I like the sound of that. Mrs Edward Cullen. Yes that's fine." I leaned down and kissed her neck. She moaned into our kiss a little louder than is really polite in company and there was some throat clearing from my Uncles.
"Isabella, Edward. Perhaps we should serve dinner now, hmm?"
Bella and I pulled away from each other - me smirking, her blushing.
"Okay, let's start with our Tuscan soup and bread. Edward there are two tureens on the sideboard can you bring them over and I'll ladle the soup into them. Esme the bread is already out of the oven and just needs to be put in the baskets. They're pull apart loaves so no need to slice them."
We all bustled about and headed back into the dining room and took our places around the table once again. We fell into another moment of silence, this time while Jacob said grace and then the room burst into conversation again. Lauren and Jess had joined us as they'd put Lil Bit and Seth to sleep.
"Jasper?" Bella spoke quietly to her step-cousin. "I am very sorry I slapped you... especially so hard. I'm not normally a violent person."
Jasper looked at Bella's contrite expression and smiled shyly. "My dear Isabella. I can only imagine how angry you must have been with me. To receive that horrible letter and then for me to just turn up at your door that way. Of course, I forgive you. I wouldn't even have let you in the door if the situation was reversed."
Bella smiled and breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you Jasper."
That set me to wondering again why Jess had let Jasper in when he came to the door. I leaned over to her and asked her quietly, "Jess, why did you let Jasper in this evening? I mean I don't mind because it all worked out okay but I am curious."
"Don't you remember what you said to me this afternoon boss? You said you wanted to put an end to all this legal nonsense before it got out of hand. Well, I thought how much better to just let him in and hear what he had to say."
"Fair enough." It was a gamble but it paid off and even if it hadn't and Jasper had been up to no good we were all here to show him that Bella and Elizabeth were well protected and were certainly not alone. We were a family.
I looked around the table to see Jasper talking with Alice and Carlisle about starting his teaching year with UW. Esme was chatting with Leah and Jacob about wedding plans. Aro and Marcus were listening as Bella and Vicky explained about their new business venture. Alec and Jane were thick as thieves. Although I couldn't hear what they were talking about I assumed it had to do with how they were going to deal with Royce King and his dodgy legal practice. Emmett and Rose were laughing and chatting to each other.
"Isabella, this soup is divine, il mio angelo prezioso. You must come to Italy once your baby is born and enjoy my new home there. You would enjoy the markets and the delicious flavours of the local cuisine."
"Why are you always trying to steal my girl Uncle?" I teased him.
"Well my dear nephew if I could I would but I think she likes it here right where she is and she seems to like you, although I don't know why."
"Honestly, neither do I Uncle." It was the truth. Bella could do so much better than me but thankfully she seemed happy to have me and I was going to do my best to keep her happy.
"Edward, I am going to steal Bella from you but just for a week. I am going to whisk her off to New York to meet with Laurent the CEO of my father's company. Can we take Angela with us too? She's got some good ideas for kicking off the Sweet Temptations business and I'd like her to be with us when we negotiate with Laurent in New York."
"Why is everyone trying to steal my girl from me?" I hugged Bella close to me and she giggled. "When were you thinking of going?" I asked.
"This week."
What the fuck. "Why does it have to be so soon?" I didn't like the idea of Bella travelling without me.
"Bella won't be able to fly once she gets further along in her pregnancy and anyway you'll probably have wedding stuff to do. So it is probably best we get things rolling sooner rather than later, don't you think?"
Made sense, I just didn't like the idea of her being away from me.
"It's okay Edward, I'll take good care of her. You worry too much."
"Well, it is up to Bella of course. I would like Angela to join you, definitely. Ma will you be okay to help me with Lil Bit this week?"
"Of course, dumpling. You know how much I want to spend time with Elizabeth."
Alice turned towards Bella excitedly practically bouncing in her seat, "Oh, Bella, I was thinking that I'd like to do something regularly with Lil Bit that is just an Auntie/Niece activity. Y'know something special for just the two of us. She's so musical, do you think she'd like to start dance classes?"
Bella laughed and smiled at Alice. "I think she'd love that Alice. Really, that would be lovely."
"Okay then I'll look into some 'kiddie ballet' classes and let you know."
Clearing his throat Jasper spoke up then, "That's an excellent idea for a special activity. I'd like to do something with her too. With your permission of course."
Jasper looked at Bella with a hopeful look on his face.
"Um, well. What were you thinking Jasper?"
"Horse-riding... well it would be pony-riding at her young age. But I started riding at her age and I'd be sure to find a pony club with the strictest safety ratings."
I could see Bella was nervous about it but honestly I thought it was a great idea. "Why don't you look into it Jasper and maybe Bella and I could check out the one you choose and if we're all okay with it then she can start. We won't tell her anything about it until we've all agreed. Is that fair?"
"More than fair, Edward. Thank you."
Rosalie and Leah stood and started to clear the plates from the table.
"Baby, I am just going to go into the kitchen to prepare the main course. I won't be long." She reached over and planted a kiss on my cheek. I watched her move into the kitchen, I loved to watch her, so gorgeous.
I knew she wouldn't be able to hold it in any longer and was dying of curiosity, so I wasn't the least bit surprised when Alice tried to find out more about my plans for the engagement party, "Honestly Edward, it's not a surprise party or anything. Why won't you tell me about your plans for Saturday night?"
"It's all going just fine, Alice. You needn't worry. Jess is helping me organise the dinner and Vicky is helping me with the party at the Club afterwards. It should be great because honestly I haven't had that much to do with it."
Jess and Lauren laughed, "That's true Alice. We tried to get him to pick colours and themes and he just walked away. He did select the menu though and he's been most particular about that."
"Just looking after my pregnant girl. I didn't want any high risk foods on the menu."
Bella, Leah and Rose came back in with the delicious smelling cannelloni dishes and several large bowls of salad.
"Marcus, I believe Isabella has cooked this just for you." I teased him again.
"I can't help it my boy if she has a soft spot for me."
Alice turned to Jasper and explained that Marcus and Jacob had been the ones who had helped Isabella after the accident to get on her feet, literally and figuratively.
When talk moved to Bella's petition for emancipation, Jane's interest was peaked. "Bella I would like to read the file notes on your case for emancipation if that is okay. I want to see if there is anything there I can use against Mr King. Given that your petition was granted and your adoption of Elizabeth was completed. Then this should all be on public record, well certainly public to a legal search. If he had done his duty to his client, Jasper, Mr King would have found all this information. I am intrigued as to what he thought he would gain by trying to sneak Lil Bit away from you."
Fucker. I knew exactly what there was to be gained, a share of Lil Bit's fortune. Isabella had told me that Marcus had helped her set up Elizabeth's inheritance into a trust fund which won't be touched until she's twenty-one, except an annual allowance for living expenses.
Isabella of course has her own inheritance and has grown her investments over the past three years, so she has never used any of Elizabeth's money. So even the annual allowance has remained untouched. Bella arranged to have it rolled over back into the trust fund capital. I am sure Mr King thought that by wrenching Lil Bit away from Bella he could get his hands on at least some of it.
"Money." Jasper said quickly. "I have my own money, but I am aware that Elizabeth and Isabella would have inherited money from Uncle Phil's estate. King most likely hoped to get investment control of Elizabeth's money if I got custody." He shook his head and looked to Bella, "I am so sorry for causing you pain. Please believe me when I say that was the opposite to my intention."
Vicky slapped the table and laughed, "Don't worry Jazz honey, Jane and Alec will take care of those fuckers!"
Jasper's eyes popped out of his head, shocked by Vicky's language and manner. Everyone else laughed, more amused by his reaction.
"Don't worry Mr Whitlock," Alice touched Jasper's hand lightly as she spoke softly to him, "her heart is much softer than her manners, I can assure you."
Whitlock turned to Alice looking fondly at her hand on his, "Thank you Miss Alice. I appreciate your kind words but I can assure you that after many years in the Service I have heard manners much more shocking than Miss Victoria's. But you are right it is easy to see that her heart is much softer than her manner, a lovely phrase by the way."
Alice smiled shyly. Well, how about that. I looked over at my brother and tipped my head at the scene of Jasper and Alice in a quiet, intimate bubble. I raised my eyebrows at Emmett and he smiled knowingly.
"Hey, Jasper," Emmett called breaking Jasper away from Alice's gaze, "You should join us on Saturday night, we're having a shindig celebrating Edward's ability to punch above his weight." Jasper's brow wrinkled clearly confused.
"He means that I somehow managed to get my sweet one to agree to marry me and we're having an engagement celebration on Saturday. We'd love you to join us."
Alice smiled, "Oh, yes. You should definitely join us... although I'm not sure what kind of a night it is going to be since Edward insists that he won't let us help him organise the evening even though his mother, his sister or his fiancee are all expert, experienced event organisers and caterers."
"Don't worry Alley Cat. I won't shame you. Jess and Vicky will make sure of that!"
"That's for sure Alice. Don't worry. We've got this one under control. You girls get to just come along for once." Vicky was beaming with pride. "The Club part of the evening is coming along great. Oh and speaking of coming... " she smirked and started waving her hand in front of her face, "that gorgeous hunk of man, Garrett, has been great with arrangements at the Club."
Rosalie chuckled, "He really is a fine piece of man, that's for sure, Vicky!"
"Now girls, don't talk about Garrett in such a demeaning way," Carlisle admonished them smirking, "and Vicky watch your language in mixed company."
"Don't get jealous of Garrett, Carlisle, you are always my number one fantasy!" Vicky laughed.
"Ugh," Emmett shouted. "I don't want to hear that you fantasise about my Dad..." He stuck his hands over his ears and shouted, "la la la la la."
Esme leaned over and kissed Carlisle's cheek, "Oh Emmett, I can't help it if my husband is ... a fine piece of man..."
Alice, Emmett and I all groaned in unison. This kind of display was not unusual from Esme and Carlisle. I only hoped Bella and I would be so loving after 30 years of marriage. I turned to watch my girl as she chatted with Rosalie and Leah across the table. She was so beautiful and sexy as hell. I couldn't resist I leaned over and placed a small kiss on her neck. "I love you Isabella," I whispered.
She turned and we just looked at each other. She reached her hand up and cupped my cheek and just as quietly as I had spoken she whispered to me, "I love you too baby."
The room was quiet and we realised that everyone was watching us. I smirked, Bella blushed.
Jacob stood and started collecting dirty plates from the table, "Okay, that's enough lovey dovey, you too. I saw all those fruit pies Bella baked and I saved just enough room for at least one slice of pie."
Bella laughed at him, "Jacob you have such a sweet tooth."
"Hey," he complained, "It's your fault, your cooking is too good to resist."
There were nods and mutterings of agreement from around the table.
While the others were clearing after dinner, getting dessert and coffee ready, I decided to poke my head in and check on Lil Bit.
"Can I join you Edward?"
I turned and Jasper was standing with a nervous expression on his face. It was odd to see such a tough looking guy seem so nervous. He was a green beret for fuck's sake. I nodded to him and he started walking alongside me down the hall.
"This is a lovely home." Jasper's head was turning this way and that trying to take in everything as we walked along. He did as I did the first time I came here and stopped to look at all the framed pictures on the wall.
"I am glad to see Isabella has kept photos of Uncle Phil around. I was worried that he would be forgotten, what with Isabella being her mother and … well, I heard her call you Daddy."
"Bella hasn't told Lil Bit about Phil and Renee, she was a baby when the accident happened. I mean she hasn't not told her about them it's just not been appropriate to tell her… yet. But we will. I mean, she is Isabella's daughter legally and she will be mine legally too once we complete the formal adoption but we definitely want her to know about Renee and Phil. Of course."
We started moving down the hall again. I led Jasper through the large entertainment / play lounge outside our bedrooms and we quietly made our way to Lil Bit's door. I opened the door and tip toed in. Jasper hung by the door hesitantly so I gestured for him to come in.
Seth was asleep on a pull out bed which was next to Lil Bit's bed. The beds were pushed just close enough for Lil Bit's hand to reach Seth's. Damn they were adorable.
I tucked them both up and kissed Lil Bit's forehead while Jasper wondered around her room. I picked up the book that had fallen on the floor. 'Olivia' by Ian Falconer. Alice had given her this one and Lil Bit just loved that crazy little pig character. It was fun to read aloud which was a blessing. I put the book back on the shelf nearest her bed while Jasper roamed past the bookshelves which were all around the room and filled with books, photos, toys and more books. He stopped in front of the mural of Artemis. I stood next to him as he stood transfixed.
"Bella is obsessed with the stories of Artemis." I explained
He nodded, "Bella is just like Artemis, isn't she?"
"Yes."
He turned to look at Lil Bit all snug in bed. "Alice was telling me all about Bella's business success but she's also done such an amazing job with Elizabeth. I love that she's surrounded her with books."
"Bella loves to read and we read to Lil Bit every night and during the day sometimes too."
"That's wonderful. I love to read too. I loved being in the Service. I was good at it, too. But I'm a quiet person by nature and now that my duty is done I am looking for a quieter life. When I was in the service reading was my sanity. I have a doctorate in American History, y'know."
I did know because Jane and Alec had put together some background information on him but I didn't think he'd want to hear that right now.
"I hope you'll let me read with Elizabeth sometimes."
"I would never deny my little love anything that would bring her joy, Jasper. She is a sweet, loving child. She's bright, fun, musical and full of curiosity. She's kind, polite and well behaved. But most important of all she's my daughter. Her happiness is very important to me."
He nodded and I slapped the back of his shoulder. "C'mon. Let's go eat some of Bella's pie. You haven't lived until you've eaten my sweet one's pastry. I'm running an extra few miles every day just to make up for my girl's cooking."
Jasper laughed quietly. I leaned down and kissed Lil Bit's forehead one more time and then we headed out to join the others.
As we came back into the dining room, Isabella walked over towards me. I opened my arms and she walked into my embrace. I circled my arms around her and breathed in that delicious Bella smell.. cinnamon and something… vanilla maybe? Whatever it was I fucking loved it.
"I was just warning Jasper about how addictive your cooking is, shall we tempt him, love?"
Bella laughed and smiled at Jasper, "Come and have some pie Jasper. I promise you won't get addicted."
Staying wrapped in my arms she led Jasper into the kitchen where we all gathered around the bench with our coffee and slices of pie, just mingling and chatting about nothing. It was relaxed and it was fun. I sat with Marcus and Aro who were very excited about our plans for this week to finally get the business with Caius sorted out.
"Has Caius agreed to the meeting Uncle?" I looked to Marcus. It was his son after all and I was concerned he may have second thoughts about our agreed course of action.
"Yes. He's concerned that I have returned from Italy and now want to meet him at the office. He's probably wondering what I know. I haven't told him anything as I didn't want him to preempt our actions."
"Are you sure you are happy with what we've decided brother?"
"Yes Aro. This is the best thing I can do for my son and for the business you and I worked so hard to build." He turned back to me, "Do not worry Edward, this will be the best in the long run."
I nodded. Bella brought me a plate with a slice of cherry pie and gave me a cheeky wink. I took the plate and placed it on the shelf beside me then I grabbed her round the waist when she turned to head back to the bench. "Not so fast you cheeky thing." I kissed her neck as I pulled her into lap and spoke privately in her ear, "Have you managed to eat anything. I saw you have some soup but you just moved your cannelloni around your plate, you didn't fool me."
She looked at me with a regretful expression on her face. "I'm sorry baby, but even though I am hungry I feel squeamish. I don't want to be sick while everyone is here."
I squeezed her to me and kissed her cheek. "I was thinking that we might chat with Lauren about how to help you while you have morning sickness. She's a qualified nutritionist. What do you think, love?"
She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips. Mmm, tasty girl. "That's a great idea baby. Maybe she could help me work out a good safe exercise plan for the different stages of pregnancy. I want to exercise but I want to be safe."
"Perfect. I'll organise a time for you to come to the gym at work so we can both meet with Lauren." I picked up my plate of pie and sliced off a small bite and held it up for her, "Now how about a small bite of cherry pie. It smells amazing."
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. I raised my eyebrow at her giving her a warning look, "C'mon, love. Our baby needs to eat too."
She opened her mouth and took a half bite of the small bite I had on the fork for her. Well, that was better than nothing, I suppose. Having her on my lap like this I realised just how much weight she had lost. She pulled out of my grip, kissed the top of my head and headed over to Esme. Those two were becoming closer every day.
I went over to sit with Jess and Lauren. "Lauren, I am worried about Bella. She's having morning sickness and has lost a bit too much weight. She's got next to no appetite and that can't be good for her or the baby."
Lauren nodded and looked over to my girl, "It's normal for some women to lose weight in the first stage of pregnancy because of morning sickness and lack of appetite. But I agree with you that Bella is underweight for her size. She's small to start with. I can chat with her if you like and we can work out some eating plans which might help her."
What a relief. "I was hoping you'd say that. Can I bring Bella in sometime this week to the gym? We can discuss food and safe exercise. She loves to run but isn't sure if that is okay with the pregnancy."
"You know Edward, every woman is different and every pregnancy is different. Running is okay for some people and not for others. Have you seen your OB/GYN yet? I'd really like you to have seen your doctor before we work out any kind of exercise or diet plan."
"That's a great idea, I think Bella will feel better once we've seen her doctor. We'll do that and then we'll meet with you. Thanks Lauren, I appreciate you wanting to help us."
"All part of the service." She smiled.
I finally took a bite of my cherry pie and a desperate moan escaped from me, "Oh my god, Isabella."
Everyone looked at me and laughed. I smirked, Bella blushed.
Esme's hands went back on her hips and her toe was tapping again, "EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN!"
Oh shit, I was in trouble again.
A/N: I love Esme so much. I have to tell you that I am really excited about the next couple of chapters. I am pleased to say that I have a big writing weekend ahead of me as I travel 8 hours by train to visit my husband who lives in a different town from me - we only see each other on weekends. It's hard but we manage. I have a new Macbook Air which is making the trip with me this weekend and i plan to write the whole way on the train. So with any luck I will have at least one if not two new chapters for you early next week. Let me know what you thought of this chapter won't you?