AMOC Chapter 3: The Prenup
BPOV:
Arriving home from work I found a vase of flowers sitting on my porch, along with a card. Not knowing who it was from gave me an unsettling feeling. Ignoring it for the moment I took Charlotte inside and fixed her a quick snack and placed her in front of the television to watch one of her favorite videos before I found the courage to go back to the front porch.
Opening the front door I took a cautious step out and looked back and forth down my street. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary to set off any further alarms in my head. Kneeling down I picked up the vase and took a quick sniff of the beautiful flowers before forcing my free hand to remove the card.
Licking my lips, I sat the vase down on the railing as I took a deep breath before sliding the vanilla card out of the envelope marked Bella.
A short message was inscribed across the card.
Come to my father's house tonight at 8 pm. I lookforward to seeing you again. Jacob.
The air in my lungs seemed to disappear as I felt shock and a small dose of excitement surge throughout my body. Jacob had returned home. Did Billy somehow convince him to marry me? Why would he do that? He already knew that I had no intentions of marrying Jacob or anyone else. What did Billy propose to Jake in order to get his rebellious son to not only come home but to consider this outrageous offer?
Crumpling the card in my hand I started to walk back into the house when I heard a vehicle pull up in my driveway. Closing the door firmly, I watched as Edward Cullen stepped out of his vehicle. His relaxed stride as he approached me made my nerves tingle with absolute fear. We both knew he wasn't allowed on my propertynor was he allowed within a hundred feet of me.
"Go home Edward." I demanded as I crossed my arms over my chest while I gave him a warning look.
"Don't tell me what to do Bella." His voice was cold as his eyes pierced a hole right through my invisible armor.
"This is my property and you know you aren't allow here or within a hundred feet of me."
"I know the rules Bella and you should know by now that I don't give a rats ass about the law." He snickered as he stopped on the first step.
"What do you want now?"
"Look, I don't give a shit about you or that brat but my parents are dead set on getting to know their grandchild so I'm going to do whatever it takes Bella, to make them happy."
"I'm not giving up my rights just to please your parents." I argued.
"You're playing with fire Bella and we both know you can't handle the heat. Why not give the kid a chance ata better life? Let's face it, this dump of a house is falling down. Your job barely pays the bills and soon what little money you have saved will be thrown away on a case you aren't going to win."
"That's my choice."
"You call yourself a mother. What can you offer your child? My parents can give her much more and you know it. You're being selfish Bella." He walked up the steps and came within an inch of me. My body tensed up as my heart hammered unmercifully in my chest. He was scaring me and he knew it. He took pleasure in my fear. It sicken me that I gave him so much control over me.
"Get off of my property and get the hell out of my life."
"I don't want to be a part of your life, trust me. I have moved onto better things unlike you." `
"You don't know anything about my personal all you know I've already met a real man who is willing to raise Charlotte as his own."
I couldn't stop myself from provoking him. He always managed to bring out my ugly side.
Edward's hand shot up from his side, gripping my upper armcausing pain to swarm throughout my body until it rattled my heart.
"Let me go." I clenched my teeth together, hoping to prevent my voice from shaking too much. It gave him great pleasure to watch me as I trembled in fear of him.
"Oh I plan on letting you go once you give me what I want. You keep fucking with me and I will make sure that we get full custody of Charlotte instead of what we've already offered you."
Swallowing the lump of fear that lodged in my throat, I tried to pull away from him.
"Never in a million years will I let you get your hands on my daughter."
"Don't be stupid Bella. We have the means, the money and the clout you never will."
"Then why are you here?"
"My mother is being the voice of reason at the moment but even she has her breaking point. If you were smart, you would listen to her."
Squeezing his hand tighter around my arm, his eyes burned into mine. There was no doubt in my mind that he was still the same controlling monster that left me black and blue on more than one occasion.
"Leave now or I will call the police."
"Go ahead call them. Now that your precious daddy is dead, I've been able to buy some of their loyalty. No one is going to rush to your rescue anymore."
He leaned in closer to me and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead.
"Be a good girl now, Bella. " He gave me an evil grin before releasing me and walking away.
Waiting until he was out of my driveway I grabbed the flowers and rushed back into the safety of my home. Setting the vase down on the entryway table I flew into the living room where Charlotte continue to nibble on her carrots and was once again unaware of the conflict between her mother and father.
Watching her helped me relax. I knew Edward was slowly buying as many people as he could to help his case in court. How could I compete with that? I was relying on people to be honest with this case but now it seemed that Edward was playing as dirty as possible in order to ruin my life and steal the only good thing I had left in it.
Walking into the kitchen to start dinner I took another peek at the lovely bouquet of flowers and realized sadly that I was going to need Jacob to help me in this battle. As much as I hated the thought of marrying someone just to help me during a stressful time, I couldn't afford to let my pride rule my heart. I loved Charlotte and I owed it to her to keep her safe, even at the cost of my own happiness.
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JPOV
Checking my phone for any messages I noted that it was already eight o'clock and we hadn't heard from Bella. I told my father that I had sent word for her and hoped she would give us a courtesy call, letting us know she received the flowers.
"Remember son, Bella might act headstrong and independent but she is really just a young woman who needs to accept some help even though she will fight you every step of the way." Billy warned his son as they walked into his study.
"Oh so you're the expert on Bella Swan now?" I huffed.
There was no doubt in my mind that once Bella saw me and understood what she was getting with this deal she would agree with no questions asked. Women were constantly trying to tie me down but I always managed to escape their devious clutches.
What bothered me about this whole situation was why wouldn't Bella be jumping on board to this arrangement if she really feared Edward as much as my father seemed to believe? I thought every woman desired marriage the way men desired sex so why did my father act like Bella might put up some resistance to this arrangement?
Was she holding onto some foolish notion like love? Love was over rated. Over half the marriages today ended in a bitter divorce. This arrangement was beneficial for the both ofus. We would walk into this with our eyes wide open and no false hopes. It was a win-win situation as far as I could see. Once my obligations were fulfilled then we both could walk away and start our new lives however we saw fit.
"She's here." Billy pushed himself out of the chair as he made his way slowly to the front door to greet her.
I remained in the study, not wanting to appear too anxious about our meeting.
"Bella, I'm so glad you were able to make it." My father's voice replied cheery and full of pride that for a moment I was actually jealous of her. It was clear that my father was quite taken by Bella.
"I have to say I'm not too happy about this Billy. I've already told you once that this whole idea of yours is crazy. I had hoped Jake would agree with me."
I was immediately impressed with her integrity but reminded myself I wasn't here to agree with her but to persuade her into this mad scheme of my father's so that I could get my money.
"Come on into my study Bella. Jake is already in there."
Billy led her into the room. Standing up I turned slowly to get my first glimpse at an old friend and future wife.
Time had been good to Bella, she now had a body that made my dick twitch. She had seductive curves and ample breasts that I could imagine bouncing up and down on top of me. Her lips were fuller and a darker shade of pink that would look good wrapped around my cock. This Bella was definitely different from the flat chested, plain girl I remembered.
"Hi Bella." My mouth moved but I was frozen where I stood as she walked across the room.
Her lips curled up in a soft smile and her eyes widen with what I hoped was approval at seeing the grow up version of myself after all these years apart.
"Hi Jacob."
"How are you?"
"Well, I would love to say that everything is wonderful. I think my presence here speaks for itself."
"I know the feeling." I chuckled roughly as my Dad made his way to his seat behind the desk.
"Bella and Jacob you both know that I care about the two of you and I feel that it's my duty to make sure you two know what it is I expect from this arrangement." He paused as he looked between us.
"Jake will marry you and help you insure the custody and protection of your child Bella. He will present himself as a very happy and loving husband and father." His eyes directed toward me as his voice grew tense before returning to a sweeter one when he looked over at Bella.
"Bella, you will in return marry my son and provide a stable home for the three of you. I had your attorney take a look at the contract before I asked you both here. It states that after you have gained full custody of your daughter or to a degree that makes you happy then Jake will stay married to you for at least one full year afterwards."
My mouth opened wide as I sat up straighter in my chair.
"So I get all my money as soon as we are married, right?"
"Listen to the rest of what I have to say Jake before you start throwing a tantrum." His voice boomed in the room, causing Bella to flinch next to me.
"Fine." I sat back and exhaled.
" You will receive one million dollars directly after the wedding and an additional million once Bella's custody issue is resolved. On your anniversary each year you are married, you again receive another million. If you should continue to be married up until your thirtieth birthday then you will receive the rest of the money along with any interest it might have accrued at that time but if you should divorce, then Bella will receive alimony until she remarries or Charlotte turns which time, Charlotte will come of age to receive her own inheritance from me."
"That is very generous of you but I don't want your money." Bella exclaimed.
"I know you don't but sweetheart I made a promise to your father. I don't know how long I will be around and I want to know when I go to my grave that I did everything in my power to assure yours and Charlotte's happiness and welfare."
"I appreciate the trouble you are going through to help me. All I want out of this is Charlotte's safety from the Cullens. I don't need your money."
The blood in my veins ran cold hearing their name.
"You will take the money and that's that, it's already settled Bella. The contract is written up and I'm not going to change it. If you marry Jake then you will accept all of the terms." Billy's voice was stern but loving.
Bella stood up and paced back and forth behind me while she gave his offer some thought before finally responding.
"Fine." Bella threw her arms up in defeat.
"So I will get a million dollars for each year I'm married to her."
"Yes but if you should do anything that could jeopardize her case I have it on record that you will not receive anymore money until you are forty."
My stomach dropped to the floor. Why was he making this so damn difficult for me? Did he think I would screw it up for her? His lack of confidence in me wasn't anything new but it still stung.
Bella's head turned toward me and our eyes locked. I could see that like me she wasn't exactly too keen about this arrangement. However, I also saw something else in her brown eyes, compassion. Why would she feel anything for me? We didn't really even know each other, at least not the grown up versions.
"Is there anything else we should know about?" I broke the staring contest between us and turned my attention back to my dad.
"Nope. Just that I have a marriage license here that will expire in fourteen days so if you two agree to these terms I suggest you make the wedding arrangements pretty damn quickly."
I heard Bella suck in her breath. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one freaking out about how fast everything was happening.
"Bella." I looked over at her and feared she might be hyperventilating for a second before she lifted her head up and looked at me with a pair of frighten eyes.
"I'm okay. I just...I...I will do it, if you will." Bella appeared to be choking on her words. Patting her on the back until it appeared she could breathe without any difficulty, I look at my father and nodded my head in agreement.
"Good. Now I just need you both tosign this." He pulled out the contract and slid it across his desk.
I took the pen he offered and signed it first before handing it to Bella to do the same.
Bella's hand trembled while she signed her name on the dotted line.
"Good now that this is settled...here is something you will need to make it official."
My eyes widen with disbelief as my father walked around the desk and open the black velvet box that held my mother's engagement ring inside of it.
"It's beautiful." Bella mumbled as she took the ring out and studied the unique design.
"Jake put it on her finger already." Billy chuckled. I saw the tears that glisten in his eyes as I took the ring from her hand and gently placed it on her ring finger.
"Good. Now you both need to set a date and time." Billy flashed us both a satisfied smile before he left the room to give us some privacy.
"Are you okay?" I watched as she studied her hand in front of her face.
"I think so. I...this seems so surreal. Doesn't it?" Bella inhaled sharply.
"Yeah it does." I agreed sitting back in my chair and leaning my head back to look up at the ceiling as I realized I was losing my freedom.
"I'm sorry Jacob. I know this isn't easy for you."
"No it isn't. On the bright side if it all goes the way we hope, then I walk away a very rich man."
"Is that all you care about? Money?" Her tone came across judgemental as I whipped my head around to stare at her with my usual harshness that normally made most people cower in fear of me.
"What else is there to care about?"
"A lot actually. Don't you want to find someone to love you and spend the rest of your life with?" She looked dumbfounded at me.
"Honey, I can find love anytime I want it but of course you're speaking about a different kind of love. I'm sorry to break it to you Bella but the kind of love you're talking about only exist in movies. It's not real."
I watched as her face turn a deadly shade of white as she curled her hands up into fists on top of her legs.
"I'm surprised to hear you say that. As I recall your parents were very much in love."
"Yeah they were but did that stop her from dying?"
Bella looked shocked by my statement.
"Love can't save us from death."
"No it can't. So when is a good day for you to get married?"
I changed the subject swiftly to prevent us from experiencing our first fight.
"I...don't know really." Bella shrugged her shoulders.
Pulling out my phone I looked at the calendar and chose the date for us.
"How about Oct. 1st. It's on a Saturday and it gives us eight days to prepare. I don't think we need anything too fancy do you?"
"October first is fine I suppose."
"Good then let's go tell Dad so he can call my sisters with the good news."
Bella follows me out of the room as we found my Dad in the kitchen making himself a snack.
"October first is good for the both of us." I informed him.
"Wonderful, I will let your sisters know. Bella you should let your closest friends know as well. Just remember you have to convince them that you and Jake fell madly in love and couldn't wait to get married. We don't want the Cullens to know that your relationship is all an act."
Bella nodded her head in agreement.
"Come on I will walk you to your car so we can discuss how you fell head over heels for me. It shouldn't be too hard." I couldn't resist snickering.
"Very funny Jacob, howeverpeople who really know me, know that I don't fall for jerks anymore."
Her comment not only surprised me, it also intrigued me.
"Well, I'm the only jerk who was willing to marry you after you proposed to me of course."
Her eyes widen with fury and I watched as her chest heaved up and down as she reacted to my playful jab.
"Okay, fine. If you want people to think I proposed to you, then we will go with that story."
"You are a real piece of work, Jacob Black."
"What? I'm just trying to make light of the heaviness of our situation."
"Sure you are. I can understand now why no one has ever tried to win your heart before now."
"Oh and why is that?"
"Cause you don't have one." She flashed me a smirky grin that threw me for a loop.I was learning real fast that Bella might have a sense humor but she also had a temper that matched my own. Unlike most of the other women I had known, Bella Swan wouldn't be sucker in by my charms and good looks. This was definitely going to be an adventure for the both of us.
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