Chapter 44 ~ just like his old man
A/N: SM owns all things Twilight. Thanks for your lovely comments on the last chapter, I was all smiles for days reading your delightful comments. See you on the other side!
The moment Rose said yes the house erupted into madness. Bella was crying and hugging everyone she could reach. Lil Bit was bouncing up and down clapping her hands and squealing. Mrs Cope who had filmed the whole proposal using her phone and had sent footage to Esme, Carlisle and to Alice, was now talking to my mother excitedly and fairly loudly.
In the middle of all this I went to answer the front door after hearing the bell. I flung the door open to find Anthony, Bob and Carol all carrying baggage with Tyler standing behind them carrying a large box with Anthony's art supplies written on it.
"Welcome to the madhouse," I widened the door and they stepped in only to stop and stare at the crazy emotional scene still playing out in front of Bella's office. Lil Bit caught sight of Ant and ran towards him with her hands outstretched, "Ant Knee is here!"
He put his case down and opened up his arms to hug her as she crashed into him. "Hello Elizabeth, I am very happy to see you again." Mrs Cope who held her phone up in the air filming again gasped when she saw Anthony, "Edward he really is a mini you isn't he?"
I reached down and picked my two children up into my arms for a huge hug, "He certainly is. Hello Anthony, welcome home son." He beamed at me and I laughed. My fucking cup runneth over! My heart was fit to burst with the joy of welcoming my son home to live with me.
Tilting my head to Emmett and Rose who were still in their own little love bubble I explained, "Your Uncle Emmett just proposed to his girlfriend Rosalie, who is now your Auntie Rose I suppose."
Bella came over to us laughing, "Welcome, welcome come in and we'll show you around. Hello Bob, Hello Carol, I'm sorry we're so mad this morning but it was so romantic and sweet. I am so happy for Em and Rose, please come in." She walked behind the Williams and with one hand around each of them Bella walked them into the house. They had the same look everyone has when they are in Bella's for the first time, surprise, shock and admiration to find such a huge and lovely space above the bakery. It really is a lovely home and I will be sad to leave it.
She turned back to Tyler, "Hello Tyler, thank you for collecting Anthony and the Williams for us today. Come in, we'll put Anthony's things in his room and then Mrs Cope and I will make everyone a huge breakfast!"
"Great idea Bella, I'll get started while you settle young Anthony in to his room," Mrs Cope practically bounced with joy as she headed back towards the kitchen. She turned back towards me, "Oh Edward your parents, sweet Alice and her handsome beau Jasper are all heading this way."
I chuckled, "Of course they are, thanks Mrs Cope. C'mon Anthony let's show you your new room." I put the two children down and they immediately held each other's hands as Lil Bit skipped along leading Ant to his room.
When we got to the room everyone came in carrying bags and boxes. "Is there anymore for me to get from the car Tyler?"
"No Edward, this is the lot of it." I was a little surprised there wasn't more.
Carol added, "We'll bring the rest next time we come to Seattle Edward. But we want to leave some things at our house too... for when he comes ho...over to visit." Her eyes were a little teary as she skipped over the word home because Anthony's home was here with me, with us. "I'm happy for Anthony but I will miss him too," she admitted.
"And I'm sure he'll miss you as well. Carol, I hope you know I want him to visit you any time he wants and you are always welcome to visit here too. When we move to the new house there will be plenty of room for everyone." I gave her a gentle shoulder huge and she smiled.
When we entered Anthony's room we found the two children standing in front of the mural which was still unfinished. Ant reached his hand out to trace the lines of the figure of Apollo. "Dats Apowo, he is Artemis' brover and oo is my brover," Lil Bit explained. Anthony smiled at Lil Bit and then smiled up to me.
"Lil Bit has a mural in her room too Ant. She can show you later. Let's all unpack your bags and put your art gear over here where Nonna Esme set up with a drawing table for you."
His eyes widened and he walked over to the drawing space. He lovingly touched the art paper, charcoals, and paints. I went over and squatted next to him, "Do you like it? Are they the right ones? We can get the ones you want if these aren't what you want."
He grabbed me into a hug, "I like them Daddy. I like them very much." Damn, I loved it when he called me that. I squeezed him, "C'mon let's get you unpacked and then all go eat whatever Bella and Mrs Cope are cooking in the kitchen."
We opened his bags and boxes finding new homes for all his things to add to the things which Esme and Bella had stocked on his shelves for him. There were games, toys as well as lots and lots of books.
Once we were done it looked great. Lil Bit had gone to the kitchen already bored with unpacking. Hey she was only three, so I took Anthony's hand and led him out of the room which opened into the family lounge area. "This is our family room where you can play, watch TV, play games, whatever you like." I walked him to the doorway of Lil Bit's room, "This is Elizabeth's room. That's Artemis in the mural." Then I walked him over to Bella's and my room, "This is Bella's and my room. You are always welcome but if the door is closed you need to knock and wait until we open it. We'll do the same for you in your room too. Okay?"
He nodded with such as serious face but when he saw me smile he smiled back. We headed down the hallway and I pointed out all the different rooms until we made it to the kitchen, "Let's go eat okay."
His eyes lit up when he saw Bella's beautiful kitchen and dining room, Bella had music playing and was happily cooking in the kitchen working with Mrs Cope. I leaned down to whisper into Anthony's ear, "This is your momma's favourite place Anthony, if you ever can't find her this is the best to look. Your momma loves to cook!" We both looked over to Bella, she was so beautiful with flour on her cheek and that pesky curl which fell down on her face. I looked over to see that the rest of the family had arrived including Alice and Jasper.
"Jasper, I'd like you to meet my son Anthony. Anthony this is Lil Bit's cousin and ... well, your Aunt Alice's Jasper."
Anthony held out his hand and Jasper smiled stepping over to him to shake his hand, "Hello Anthony, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your Uncle Emmett tells me you are quite the baseball player. We'll have to go to a Mariners game sometime, would you like that?"
"Uncle Emmett says he's going to get us season tickets."
"Sure am Ant," Emmet came over to join us, "Should we get tickets for Jasper and your Dad too?"
Anthony nodded enthusiastically.
"Good deal," Emmett held out his fist to Ant, I curled up his hand and showed him how to fist bump with his Uncle. He laughed.
"Food's ready," Bella declared as she strode into the room with a large tray of freshly baked croissants.
"Sweet one, are they chocolate?" I was practically drooling.
She smiled at me, "Of course baby but there are some plain ones too for those who don't want chocolate."
I looked at Anthony with a quizzical look, "Who doesn't want chocolate?"
Anthony shrugged.
"Come and sit next to Lil Bit, Ant." I led him over to the table and we all sat down together. I was pleased to see Mrs Cope joined us chirping away with Esme and Carol. They wanted to find out Anthony's favourite foods so we'd be sure to have them ready for him.
"Ant Knee, can I has jooce pwease?"
I poured half a cup of juice and passed it to Ant who placed it in front of Lil Bit, "Here you go Elizabeth."
"Fank oo." She took the cup and started to drink.
"Th ank, Elizabeth. Put your tongue as though you are going to poke it out and press your top teeth down on it, watch... Th ank. Then purse your lips like you're going to kiss someone yoooou," he exaggerated the sound.
Lil Bit was mesmerised watching Anthony shape out the letters and then she tried it herself, "THHHHHHHH ank yoooooo."
"Very good Elizabeth, that's really good," he smiled at her and she beamed back at him.
I looked over at Bella and raised my eyebrows at her. She leaned over to Anthony, "Thank you Anthony for helping Lil Bit with her words." He smiled back to her. She offered him the plate of croissants and he chose a chocolate one just like his old man. We both picked up the sweet treats and bit into them at the same time and then we both moaned our pleasure as the chocolate burst in our mouths. Everyone at the table stopped to look at us both and then broke up laughing.
"Well he is certainly your son Edward," Esme said shaking her head. Anthony and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and went back to enjoying the delicious croissants, moaning with each bite to the delight of everyone around the table.
Jasper was holding Alice's hand as she was turned chatting to Rosalie, he was deep in conversation with Carlisle about his recent trip home to Texas to sort out the Royce King drama. It was fascinating watching Alice and Jasper move, even though they were engrossed in separate conversations they were completely in tune with each other. She leaned forward looking for sugar and without breaking his conversation he passed her the sugar bowl and then a small spoon. She silently patted his hand in thanks.
They were like magnets moving when the other moved. It was natural, quiet, understated. I understood now that they were in love and I was happy for Alley. She had a loving soul but had always been a little sad and a little alone. We were close of course but I had Emmett as my best friend growing up. We looked after Alice but she never really had a bestie, not the way Emmett and I were. It was good to see her happy. I decided to get to know Jasper more and spend more time with him. I was in no doubt that we'd be brothers one day.
"Oh Carlisle, Jane was terrifying. She was out for blood and she got what she went for. Royce is done. Jane filed a complaint which was upheld with the State Bar for Kings investigation found that he had also be siphoning money from other clients Trust accounts and he's now facing significant and numerous law suits. Thankfully my Trust accounts were untouched.
"Jane was a sight to behold, I've been in significant and danger covert operations and I still found her terrifying. At one stage while she was laying all the facts out to the Judge in his rooms, it became obvious she was getting her point across. To hold back her smile at winning her point she bit her lip enough for it to bleed and I swear when she licked the blood she purred. That is one scary lawyer.
"Still I got all my holdings released and after a bit of independent research I've found a new Trust lawyer here in Seattle but I am also looking for a new investment group. Of course Edward's company came up as the best option for my main investments but I also came across another group I'd like to learn more about named 'Artemis'. It was a coincidence since that is the Greek goddess that Bella is so enamoured with. Anyway, this Artemis group are doing some amazing work with small investments promoting small business which seems to be both a profitable as well as an excellent philanthropic venture. Have you heard of them Carlisle or perhaps I should ask Edward?"
Carlisle looked a little dumbfounded and lost for words but Alice leaned over to whisper in Jasper's ear at which point his eyes looked over at my sweet Isabella. I chuckled as I saw the look of awe and pride on his face. It was an expression we'd all experienced at some stage getting to know my little Boardroom Bella. She of course was blissfully unaware of the conversation with Jasper as she seemed to be plotting something with Esme, which had me very curious indeed.
I was distracted however by the intimacy passing between Emmett and Rosalie who were holding hands under the table and being ridiculously coy with each other.
"So Em and Rose, congratulations. When's the wedding going to be?"
"Give us a minute Bro', we just got engaged." He looked at Rose and then at the ring on her finger, "Mind you if I had my way we'd be married already."
Esme scolded him, "Now Emmett, Rosalie deserves the wedding of her dreams. I'm sure she has ideas of her own for what kind of wedding she'd like."
Everyone looked at Rose, who looked shocked at all the attention. "Honestly, I never thought I'd get married again but what I'd really like is something small and simple. I don't have any family... of my own. I mean my first wedding was very fancy and gaudy because my husband wanted it that way, all for show y'know and look how that turned out. Unless you want the whole fancy thing Emmett? I don't want to spoil it for you."
Emmett snorted, "What guy wants a fancy wedding. Rosie I just want to be your husband and you to be my wife. I don't need fancy outfits or a huge wedding. The most important people in my life are sitting around this table right now. I want whatever you want."
Alice joined in with Esme and Bella as they continued their whispering at the other end of the table with Alice bouncing on her seat on the spot.
"What are you girls plotting over there?" Carlisle had clearly noticed their behaviour too.
Alice leant forward grinning like the cat who had the cream, "Rose, Emmett we were just thinking that a double wedding would be nice... don't you think?"
A/N: A double wedding! My parents were married in a double wedding with my Aunt and Uncle. I always thought it was the sweetest idea. What do you think, should they? did you like Anthony's arrival, I just love the way he is with Lil Bit. Well I hope you enjoyed it. See you soon my sweet ones!