A/N: SM owns Twilight. I own my imagination. Thank you to gooseonline for reading my drafts. Thanks to everyone who posted a review, you guys are awesome. Thanks to everyone reading my story, I am so honoured. So this one's a doozy! See you on the other side.

Chapter 32 - beef and potato pie

"Caius."

"Edward."

Caius came into my Board Room and took a seat across from me. There were no pleasantries. There were no handshakes. This was a hostile meeting and we both knew it.

I had a closed leather binder in front of me with a pen sitting on top of it. Other than that the table was bare, there was no coffee, cake or even water.

"You summoned me here Cousin. Perhaps you'd like to tell me why?"

"Well, Caius… cousin. I called you here to fire you."

"What the fuck are you talking about Edward? You can't fire me."

"Actually, Caius, I can fire you and I am. The documents I have here detail your severance package."

At that moment, my Uncles joined us and sat on either side of me. If Caius didn't know his goose was cooked before this, he certainly did now.

"Dad? Uncle Aro? What is going on here? Whatever Edward has told is total bullshit. I can explain everything."

Marcus held his hand up to his son and shook his head, "Son, I am going to stop you from embarrassing yourself further. I have investigated the matter thoroughly with an independent auditor. That is the only reason we did not act immediately when Edward told us of your scurrilous scheme. A scheme which not only showed a disgusting lack of respect for your cousin but also put the business which my brother and I built from the ground up at risk of scandal and ruin."

Uncle Aro leaned forward and thumped the table, "You used my son; lured him into attempting to steal from Edward's hard earned success and you tempted him with a whore leading him to cheating on and then leaving his wife. Not to mention that he has now run off with this tramp and is lost to me until I can locate them. My wife, your Aunt is heartbroken."

Caius shook his head. "James was already cheating on Victoria with other women, I just nudged him in the direction of the tramp Edward kept on a retainer. You can't blame me for the destruction of James' marriage or his infidelity. He was already there, Uncle."

I winced at the mention of Tanya in these terms. My discomfort was mostly from guilt at ever having entered in to such an agreement. My sweet Bella was a saint for her forgiveness of that behaviour, even if it was from before I knew her.

I needed to put an end to this melodrama, so I cleared my throat and took back control of the meeting. "Caius, Aro, Marcus. Please. We are here to finalise things and I for one would like to end this drama sooner rather than later."

I opened the folder in front of me and started to work through the list before me, "Caius, I am formally notifying you that I have bought out your father's and your Uncle's ownership of Volturi Investments. Which means that I now own 67% of the company."

The shocked expression on his face showed that he completely understood what I was about to explain to him.

"I see that you now understand that this investment also gives me controlling interest of Volturi Investments. My lawyer has already processed the necessary articles of ownership and I am officially merging the two companies to become CMV ~ Cullen, Masen and Volturi.

"I have designers working on a new brand logo. I have also engaged a PR company who are working on the media announcement as well as coordinating the notification of all our clients. All staff at both companies are being notified of the merger as we speak. The staff at Volturi will be transferred into the new entity subject to screening process. I need to protect the high ethical and quality standards expected of Cullen, Masen and Volturi.

"Which brings me to you, cousin. Unfortunately your unethical practice and borderline illegal trading activities mean that I cannot find a place for you in the new structure."

Caius looked to his father and to his Uncle but he found no support there. I continued through my checklist of information careful to cover off each point fully.

"You currently own 33 per cent of Volturi Investments. Caius, I am willing to buy you out here today for your share of the business and if you sell your share to me today I will add in a generous severance package." I slid the paper with the offer over the table to him. "But this offers ends when you leave this room. If you do not sell me your share here and now I will rescind my offer and also rescind any form of severance package.

"In addition, if you do not accept my very generous purchase price for your 33% today I will have no choice but to release this media statement," I slid the statement across the table to him, "which clearly distances you from the operations of CMV. As you can see this statement clearly indicates the reasons for the merger and change of operational management being on the basis of suspicion of your unethical practice."

Caius' eyes widened as he read the media statement. He obviously understood that this release would protect CMV but would ruin his reputation permanently.

"I will leave you here for 15 minutes to consider my offer, after which time I will expect an answer. There will be no negotiation. You sell and get the generous package or you don't, it is up to you but either way your operational involvement with the company is now at an end. I'll be back in 15 minutes."

I nodded to both of my Uncles and with that I left the room, leaving my cousin with my Uncles, the paperwork for sale and a pen.

I went back to my office, satisfied that I had boxed my cousin into a corner and that he would have to sell or face ruin. I knew him well enough to know that his ego would never let him remain part of a company where he had no rights and no control.

I picked up my phone on my way back to my office and noticed a message from Bella:

'Victoria's company jet is so luxurious, I feel so spoiled… they have hot towels for my hands and warm slippers for my feet…. B'

When I expressed concern about Isabella flying to New York, Victoria organised for her company Epicure to send their private jet. Bella was obviously enjoying it. While in New York they were staying in Vicky's apartment so I knew she was going to be well looked after.

'Just had my meeting with Caius…. E'

'How did it go? Will he sell?... B'

'I think so. If he has any sense, he will. I've given him 15 minutes to think about it….E'

'A whole 15 minutes - generous of you… *sarcasm*... B'

"If I had my way I'd kick him down the stairs but this is business and I need to move on with CMV as a new enterprise …. E'

'I like CMV - a good name - very catchy…. B'

'It was the idea of that PR group you recommended. I like them, they're very creative and have lots of energy. I hired them and they got straight to work with the rebrand …. E'

'That's great baby. I have to go, they have lunch ready for me and I'm starving… eating for two… :) B'

I laughed at that. I had insisted Bella take the eating plan Lauren had designed for her, she recommended eating small meals frequently. I had given Victoria strict instructions that I expected her to help Bella while she was away from me. She told me to 'fuck off you pussy mother hen' but I emailed her the instructions and diet information anyway. I know she gives me a hard time but I also know Vicky will take good care of my sweet one.

I decided to send a text to Vicky to make sure all was well:

'How's my girl?... Edward'

'Edward you worry wart, she's fine. She was a little sick earlier but the flight staff have it under control. She's managing a small meal now. … V'

'How sick? Are you sure she's okay now? …. Edward'

'Don't be a pussy. The girl is pregnant and morning sickness happens. Add to that we are flying and her nausea is to be expected. SHE. IS. FINE. I would never let anything happen to my little Bell…. V'

Victoria is such a momma bear, I knew she would rather something happened to her than to Isabella.

'Okay, give her my love… Edward'

'Pussy… V'

I laughed and put my phone away. Time's up for my cousin Caius. I wanted to get this shit sorted so I could head home to Lil Bit. Esme was looking after her for a few hours while I came in to work to get this merger started and deal with my shithead cousin. Okay, arrogant game face back on. My lovestruck grin had no place in this meeting.

I burst back into the room and took my seat opposite Caius, who looked like he'd lost his puppy. Fucker, brought it on himself, he'd get no sympathy from me.

"So, cousin, what is your decision?" I asked cool as a cucumber. I gave him a cold stare which basically told him don't fuck with me.

"I will sell," was all he said. I sent a text to Alec and within moments he came in with a Justice of the Peace to witness the signature and sale.

In just 15 minutes all the signatures were notarised and a cheque was handed over to each of my Uncles and to Caius. I now owned 100 per cent of Volturi investments. It's funny, my Uncles tried so hard to bring me into their business and now I own it. I bought it. I think my Dad would've been proud of me in this moment. I hoped so anyway.

Aro and Marcus wanted to go out and celebrate but I wanted to get home to LIl Bit so I left them to it, promising to see them on Saturday night for the engagement party. I didn't speak to my cousin. I had no time for him.

I sent a text to Tyler letting him know that I'd be ready to leave in half an hour. I spent the next 30 minutes finishing paperwork before I headed down to the basement to Tyler and heading homewards.

We stopped by my apartment to pick up some of my clothes and to meet with Mrs Cope. She was very excited to hear that I was moving in permanently with Isabella and Elizabeth. She was also pleased to hear that I needed her to come and work for us at Bella's. Between caring for Elizabeth, running the bakery and the catering business, managing Artemis investments, donating time for her community work, getting her new 'Sweet Temptations' venture started, preparing for our wedding and let's not forget growing our child inside her tiny body, Bella needed help whether she believed it or not.

Mrs Cope was very excited to hear about the pregnancy and Elizabeth. I think she was glad to feel useful again because truthfully I haven't needed too much looking after for the past few years.

At Bella's Mrs Cope's role would be more to do with supervision. I didn't want her doing too much actual cleaning herself. She was no spring chicken but she had a lot of spirit and a good heart. I knew she'd be perfect to help with Lil Bit and with the baby when the time came. We had a cleaning team come in twice a week to keep Bella's apartment pristine as well as a twice weekly laundry service.

So Mrs Cope would oversee their work as well as helping with Elizabeth and cooking some of the meals. Bella wasn't too happy about that but she agreed to Mrs Cope doing breakfast and lunch on weekdays, but insisted she would do dinner. Fair enough. It was a compromise at least. Mrs Cope would also do the grocery shopping and run any errands for us.

Before moving to her new role at Bella's Mrs Cope was going to supervise the packing up of my apartment, moving some things to Bella's and putting the rest into storage. I was happy and relieved to know someone would be coming to help keep things organised. I even think Bella secretly was happy about the new arrangement too, though I doubt she'd admit it. she was so independent, but this was something I put my foot down about. It was for her good and best for the whole family. Anyway she and Mrs Cope were going to be close, I just knew it. Mrs Cope is definitely the grandmother type.

When Tyler dropped me off at Bella's I found Esme sitting with Elizabeth drawing on note paper with crayons. Rather than disturb them, I quietly went to get changed into jeans, t-shirt and no shoes. So much more comfortable.

When I went into the play lounge, I kissed the top of Esme's head and smiled at her. I pulled up a chair next to Lil Bit, picked up some colours and started to draw on paper sitting side by side to her.

"Daddy!" Lil Bit shouted out her delight to see me and then she tilted her head just the way Bella does when trying to work something out, "What oo dwawing Daddy?"

"I am drawing a picture of Mrs Cope. She's my friend who is going to come here every day to help look after you, me and Momma. Isn't that nice?"

"Missus Cope has wed hair?" She climbed into my lap and picked up the picture I drew of Mrs Cope.

"Yes she does, little love. She also has a big happy smile, especially when she meets sweet little girls like you."

Esme must've realised that I was trying to prepare Elizabeth for Mrs Cope coming into her life, so she added her support

"Oh yes, Mrs Cope is a good friend of mine. She loves to spend time with little girls. Would you like to meet Mrs Cope, Lil Bit?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, that's good because I've invited Mrs Cope to come and visit with us in a few days."

"Have you had fun with Nonna?"

"Nonna taked me to da Art Moozeem. We seen the pwetty pain-tins and the pic-chas."

"Yes and Lil Bit enjoyed it so much we've been drawing since we got home. After we had afternoon tea of course."

"Thank you Nonna for taking Lil Bit out today."

"Wes, fank oo nonna."

"You're both very welcome." Esme broad smile showed me how happy she was to spend time with her new grand-daughter.

Lil Bit got down off my lap and took the picture of Mrs Cope I drew and placed it on her peg board with her drawings. Esme headed off to start on dinner. I picked up some paper and colours while Lil Bit took my other hand and we followed Esme into the kitchen.

I help Lil Bit as she climbed up on to her favourite stool, then I got her a half glass of juice and myself a coffee.

"How did things go with Caius, dumpling?"

"Well it went as I expected. He tried to weasel his way out of it but in the end he folded. I now officially own 100% of Volturi Investments. It was a huge investment but it will pay off in the end. It also moves me up to being the largest privately owned investment company in Washington and in the top 5 in the country. As part of the deal I promised my Uncles that I would keep the name Volturi in the business name. I am happy to do that in honour of my Mother given she was a Volturi and so am I, I suppose."

Esme nodded her head and placed her hand on my cheek, "Elizabeth and Edward Senior would be very proud of your achievements. They'd also be pleased that you keep the Masen name too."

She was moving about the kitchen pulling out dishes from the freezer which Bella had left for us.

"Yes, it's funny isn't it the name Cullen, Masen & Volturi and they're all me."

"It is a mouthful isn't it," she laughed.

"Awo and Marcus are vul chas?"

"They're last name is Vol-tur-i." I tried to say it slowly and clearly but it was a tough one for her.

"Wat Lil Bit's last name, Daddy?" She had her head on the side again. I think that brain of hers was ticking pretty fast. I was going to have to be careful around her. She listens more than I realised.

"Your last name is Swan just like momma's last name."

She nodded but I could see she wasn't done yet. "Was oo last name, Nonna?"

Yeah, this could get tricky.

"I have the same last name as your Daddy, Lil Bit. Our last name is Cullen."

"Who Ma-son?"

Yeah, she has her mother's smarts all right. Doesn't miss a thing.

"Well, Lil Bit my last name used to be Masen but then I changed it when Nonna and Poppa became my mummy and daddy. So I was Masen and then I became Cullen."

She looked at me for a moment, "I be a Cul- lan now oo is my Daddy?"

Esme's eyes widened, obviously sharing my awe at just how bright this little three year old was. I blew out a breath and stroked my hands through my hair. I wish Bella was here for this conversation.

I answered her honestly, "That's what I want little love. I want you to have my last name."

"Wes," she said. "I Lil Bit Cul - lan."

Esme gasped and came around to hug Lil Bit. "Yes, Elizabeth Cullen is a beautiful name." Esme went back to take a dish out of the microwave, brushing a tear from her eye as she walked away.

I turned back to Lil Bit, "We'll talk to momma about it when she gets home, okay?"

She nodded and went back to her drawing.

"So, Edward how are arrangements coming for Saturday night. I believe almost everyone who was invited has accepted."

"I know. Between the engagement and this business take-over we're starting to field quite a few calls from media. Bella recommended a PR company she had funded as a start up from her Artemis investment group. They've been so successful they paid her loan back with interest in half the set time. Anyway, they're great and are handling the media for me. They also came up with a great branding concept - we're going to be CMV and the brand logo ideas are really great."

"That's great. You and Bella are going to be quite the team, she's done amazingly well for someone so young."

"C'mon Ma, she's done well for someone of any age. I am really impressed with my Boardroom Bella." I smirked at her.

She raised her eyebrow at me, "Having a little fantasy there, dear?"

"Eww Ma, I am not going to talk about my fantasies in front of my mother and daughter but I will say that I am definitely attracted to Bella's brain as well as her beauty."

Esme rolled her eyes at me and laughed.

Just then my phone rang, it was Bella's ring tone. "Speaking of my girl…. Hello love, have you landed?"

"Yes, it was a lovely trip. Victoria's apartment here is amazing Edward. It's like what I imagine staying in a luxury resort must be like and the bathroom… oh baby, I could stay in that bathtub for days."

"Oh no you don't. I want you back here. I'll promise to put in a new tub if you like but we miss you too much for you to stay soaking in a New York tub."

She laughed and the sound was music to my ears, "Lil Bit is here I'll pass the phone to her."

It's momma, little love. I gave her the phone and she held it to her little ear and she looked so fucking cute. "Momma?"

"Wes. I goad to Art Moozeem with nonna, it was big and I like da pic-chas vewy much."

There was a pause as she listened to whatever Bella was saying and then she landed me in a pot of boiling water. "Momma? I be Lil Bit Cul-lan pwease?"

Oh shit. I wish I could hear what Bella was saying right now.

"I wov you too, momma. mwah," she was making kissing noises into the phone. "Daddy!" Lil Bit handed me back the phone and I nervously took it from her.

I tried to sound chirpy and innocent, "Hey love."

"Edward why is Lil Bit talking about changing her last name?" She didn't sound pissed but I was having trouble picking her emotion.

"Oh, well, she overheard me talking to Ma about me taking over Volturi Investments and changing the business name to Cullen, Masen and Volturi. One thing led to another and I told her I changed my name from Masen to Cullen when Esme and Carlisle became my new mommy and daddy. Soooo …. well, that's when she said that now I am her Daddy she wants to be a Cullen too…. I know we haven't talked about it yet, love, but I would really like her to have my name. I mean when you think about it our baby is for damn sure going to have my name and you're going to have my name …. aren't you… ? Bella?"

I realised in that moment that she might want to keep her name or she might even want to hyphenate our names. Fuck, I hoped she didn't want to hyphenate …. Swan-Cullen? I suppose it could work. Fuck now I was rambling in my head on top of my word vomit on the phone.

"Bella?"

"Edward, we should talk about this when I am home. But yes, I want to be Mrs Edward Cullen. I couldn't be more proud to take your name, baby."

Fuck, what a relief. I really wanted that. I am such a cave-man, I know, but I want her to have my name.

"And of course I want Lil Bit to have your name too."

"Thank you love," I whispered.

Esme went back to setting the table for dinner. I realised she'd been lingering to overhear the conversation. She was smiling now. I think she's happy to hear that Bella will be a Cullen too.

"Baby, can you do me a favour?"

"Of course, what is it? You want me to fly out to New York to scrub your back while you're in the tub?" A man could dream couldn't he.

She laughed, "That would be lovely, but no. l put some files I might need on a USB but I must've left it on my desk next to my computer. Do you think you could upload the files to Victoria's drop box and she'll download them here? They're some of the marketing ideas we'd been working on for Sweet Temptations."

I pulled the phone away from my ear for a moment, "Ma I need to get some files for Bella from the office, I'll just be a few minutes. You okay here?"

"Sure Edward. Get Lil Bit down from her stool though, she can go with you while I finish dinner. Bella made us a delicious looking beef and potato pie which I've just put in the oven. It should be ready by the time Carlisle gets here."

"Bella, I'll call you back in a minute when I get to the office, okay?"

"Okay baby."

I slipped the phone in my pants pocket and then reached down to Lil Bit, "Upsy Daisy"

"I Day-see petal," she giggled.

"Come on then daisy petal, bring your colours and paper. You can do a special drawing for momma while I do some work on the computer. Okay?"

"Oh-kay, Daddy."

We headed into the office, Lil Bit sat on the floor between the leather couch and the coffee table set up her colours and got down to doing a drawing for Bella. I went over to the computer and cranked it up. I pulled out my phone, pressed her number and then put it on speaker phone leaving it rest on the desk while I looked around the desk to find the USB.

"Hey baby, are you in the office now?"

"Yes and you're on speaker phone. Say hello to Lil Bit again."

"Hello Elizabeth. Are you being a good girl for Daddy?"

"Wes, I good girl. I dwawing oo a pic-cha."

"Thank you sweet heart. So Edward, have you found the USB?"

I was digging around through files, "No love, you really need to tidy up this desk. It's messy."

"Sorry, I was in the middle of a few things and I haven't filed anything in ages."

"Bella maybe you need a part time secretary or assistant. You have a lot on and you need to rest more each day." I didn't want to mention the baby with Elizabeth in the room but damn it the woman was doing too much.

I could hear Bella sigh, "Actually I think you may be right Edward. If this meeting goes as well as Vicky thinks it will then we may be looking at a national distribution and that's going to take some work. I know Vicky is going to be doing a lot of the national promotional work but I'll still need to do a lot of work getting it organised. Vicky is more PR and I am more operations. In fact you are definitely right. I'll get on to hiring someone as soon as I get back."

Thank fuck for that, I was geared up ready for an argument. I was glad she was being reasonable. Wow, if this deal goes national Bella's Bakery is going to become a national brand. That is fucking awesome. I was moving files around on the desk and I came across the one with the Private Investigator's report on me and I tossed it on the chair next to the desk. I was going to shred that damn thing. Unfortunately most of its contents spilled on the floor but fuck it I would pick that shit up later.

"Aha! I found the USB. I'll just log in and if you give me details for the drop box I'll upload the files."

"I emailed you the details, baby."

"Okay, I have it. Uploading the files now."

Just then Esme came in and walked over to the file I dropped on the floor, I was a little worried because it was the file on me and I didn't want Ma to read it. But she just gathered up the papers and put them back in the file. As she passed it back to me a photo fell to the floor.

"Thanks Ma, I'll put this file in Bella's drawer."

"Sorry about my mess Esme, I am usually more organised than this."

"Don't be silly Bella, you're a very busy woman. Sometimes a bit of clutter is a good thing." Esme bent down to pick up the photo which she looked at with a quizzical expression on her face, "Bella?"

"Yes, Esme?"

"Where did you get this photo of Edward as a little boy. The colour is too rich to be one of my old polaroids. Did you get it touched up?"

"What photo?" Bella and I spoke at once. I walked over to her and looked over her shoulder at the photo. I gasped when I saw it was a picture of Kate with a child in her arms and holding the hand of a little boy. The private investigator must have taken the photo.

Esme realised at the same time as me what we were looking at.

Bella's voice came over the speakerphone sounding a little panicked, "What's going on... Edward? Esme? Is everything alright?"

"I'll call you back sweet one. I can't talk right now." I hung up. I knew it was the wrong thing to do but I couldn't help it. I was filled with rage and I didn't want to spill it over on to my Isabella or on Lil Bit.

"Ma, are you seeing what I am seeing?"

Kate. That fucking bitch. How could she do this?

"Oh, dumpling." She had her arm on my shoulder and she looked to me with tears in her eyes. "You have a son."

Fuck. I have a son.

A/N: now before you get angry with me for the cliffie I have to tell you that it is Edward's fault. I was thinking about what i had planned for Edward when I realised that this was important and needed to happen.

So Edward has a son? I think he might want to actually kill Kate right now. What are your thoughts? I can't wait to hear your theories.