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"Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves."
Italian Proverb
Isabella's POV
"We're going to tell Frank and Renee tonight." My father said as we stood in the kitchen chopping onions.
I wiped my watery eyes with a kitchen towel as I snorted.
"Bells, please." My father chastised me.
"Sorry. It's just going to be crazy. If I don't laugh, I might cry."
He nodded his understanding.
"Does Frank even know you're dating?"
"No. Kate didn't think it would go over well."
"So you're springing on them that you're dating and that she is having your baby?"
"Yes. We we're going to go to a restaurant, but for obvious reasons I don't want to be seen in public with that man. It's bad enough some of the guys at work know your mother is seeing him. Things are very complicated right now."
"So where are you doing it?" I looked at him.
"I invited your mom an Frank over for dinner and we're going to surprise them."
I laughed.
"That's going to go over so much better. Better wear your bullet proof vest."
He scrunched his face up and said nothing.
"Hello." Kate said walking into the kitchen.
She has been staying here the past week. I didn't like it, but what could I do? My dad wanted her close and he planned to marry her as soon as he was divorced from Renee.
"Will you be joining us tonight?" Kate asked sitting on one of the bar stools.
"Ha! Fat chance." I smiled.
"It might make things go smoother." Charlie said his brow creasing.
"Or I could get caught in the crossfire." I responded.
"I don't think it will go that badly." He said looking at Kate then back to me.
"I really don't want to be here for this." I whined.
"Please. For your old man?" Charlie gave me a puppy dog face.
He was killing me with his pouting. I wanted to be in another state when tonight went down, but that wasn't going to be the case. I knew Edward wanted to see it. He is fucked up in the head sometimes.
"Okay." I put on an innocent look. "Under one condition. Edward joins us for dinner."
My dad's smile fell, but after a moment he agreed.
"See, now we're both happy." I hugged him. " I'm going to call Edward."
Kate took over cooking with my dad so I could make my phone call. Thank God. That man could burn the house down making toast.
I plopped down on my bed and called Edward.
"Hey kid." His velvet voice dripped through the speaker.
"Hey. Wanna have dinner with my dad and Kate tonight while they tell Frank and my mom they are together and having a baby?" I blurted out.
"Fuck yes! Can I bring popcorn?"
"No, we'll have food here. Bring yourself to support me. I think I need to be drunk for tonight."
"I can bring a bottle or two. Maybe you need three for tonight. Sure you don't want me to bring some popcorn?"
"No!" I screamed into the phone laughing. "Be here as quick as you can. I need you."
"Anything for you, boo."
We hung up, and I took a quick shower. I threw on some blue jeans and a gray long sleeve thermal. My hair went up in a messy bun, and I put on a little makeup before going back downstairs to wait. I was dressing comfortably in case a war broke out tonight.
"That's what you're wearing for dinner?" Kate eyed my outfit when I walked into the kitchen.
She and Charlie were dressed for a semi-formal dinner. I don't know why. Frank and Renee would be just as upset no matter how we were dressed. At least I was thinking tactically.
"I'm dressed to get the hell out of the way if bullets fly."
Kate shrugged her shoulders and put her attention back on the pots and pans on the stove.
"It will be fine." My dad said walking back in with a whiskey in hand.
"Liquid courage?" I smirked.
"Something like that." He grumbled.
"Good thing I brought more liquid courage." Edward greeted as he strolled in the kitchen.
"Aren't you a little young to be carrying around bottles of liquor?" My father stared at him.
"Aren't you a little busy to nosy?" Edward winked at him.
My dad waved his hand and sat at the breakfast bar.
Edward sat the bottles on the counter along with a bag of popcorn.
Are you fucking kidding me?
"Pour me one." I ordered.
My dad looked at me like I had lost my mind.
"Uh uh, you invited a mob boss for dinner. If I have to sit through all that, I get a drink."
"Whatever. You'd probably do it behind my back anyways."
"I'm sure Isabella will be responsible with her drinking. I wish I could have one." Kate said softly easing my father's tension minutely.
"Yea, yea." Charlie said holding out his empty glass for Edward to fill it.
"When are we expecting the grandparents?" Edward snickered.
"Six." Kate rolled her eyes.
"Fifteen minutes til Armageddon." I said jokingly, but it would probably be what happened.
I set the table, and we all took the dishes of food to the dining room.
"Are you going to pop out of the closet?" I asked Kate nonchalantly.
"The cake actually." She answered in a serious tone.
"Better make up your mind. They're here." Edward warned from the window.
"Great." Kate said walking back into the kitchen.
"I'll get the door." I yelled walking through the house.
I opened the door to find my mother looking like every cliché mobster's bitch in all the movies. Big hair, diamonds, lots of makeup, and a big fur.
"Wearing my college education?" I was just little miss sunshine tonight.
"Hello darling. How are you?" She chose to ignore my sarcasm.
"I'm lovely. Hello AT- Frank."
"Hello, Isabella."
I let them in the house, and we walked into the dining room.
"It was so nice of you to invite us for dinner Charles."
"I thought we could all talk over a nice meal." My father spoke. I knew he was nervous but his voice didn't show it.
"Who's the other plate for?" My mother eyes the table.
"My girlfriend will be joining us." My dad told her not looking at her.
"This should be interesting." Renee said sitting.
Understatement of the fucking year.
I snorted again. I couldn't help it.
My mom gave me a strange look.
I picked up my glass and took a large gulp. Edward had mixed a rum and coke for me, and it wasn't working nearly as fast as I wanted it to.
We were all sitting at the table twiddling our thumbs or whatever when my dad finally started talking.
"Renee, Frank, I'm glad you could join us tonight. The divorce has taken a little longer than we expected, but it will be finalized soon. I would also like to congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials. My girlfriend is joining us tonight because we're ready to take it to the next level. I thought it was time you meet her."
"Yes, I suppose it is." Renee sipped her martini.
"Come in, baby." Charlie hollered.
Kate walked into the room and I swear on my life, Edward was snapping pictures of Frank and Renee's faces.
"What the hell is this?" Frank said when the shock had worn off.
"Hi daddy." Kate gave a small wave and took her seat next to my dad.
"You have to be kidding me!" Renee shrieked.
"Not at all." Kate smiled at her.
"We would like to announce our engagement." My father looked at Kate with adoration.
"Over my dead body." Frank snapped.
"That can be arranged." Edward whispered next to me.
"Shut up." I told him with a giggle. For good measure I kicked him under the table.
"Frank, I know you and I don't see eye to eye, but I love Kate and we're going to be together." My father told him calmly. "If you don't like it, you are free to leave."
"She is way too young for you!" My mother shouted.
"I don't think so." Kate smirked at her.
This shit wasn't going to end well.
"What can you possibly know? You're a child." Renee spat at her.
"I know that I'm going to give him the children you wouldn't." Kate retorted.
Renee's eyes grew wide.
"What?"
"Kate and I are expecting a baby." Charlie replied with a smooth voice.
"Kate, I demand you come home now. We will take care of you and the baby. You cannot be associated with a cop." Frank spoke.
"Why is that?" My dad smirked at him.
Go Dad!
Frank was speechless.
"Nevermind that," Renee tried bringing the focus elsewhere, "Bella, how do you feel about this?"
"I'm happy to see Dad happy."
"I can't believe this." Renee muttered to herself downing her drink.
Edward's POV
Isabella was so cute holding her own with the wicked. I knew her nerves were everywhere, but I for one, was having a fantastic time.
I was watching Frank closely. I knew he was itching to whip out his gun and put one in Charlie. As much as that would benefit me, I didn't want Isabella to witness her father's demise.
I came packing extra in case I had to handle business tonight.
"Kate, how could this have happened?" Frank asked her confused.
Well, Denali, when a man's sperm make it with a woman's egg, it makes a baby...
"Daddy, I know you're not happy with Charlie's profession. We met at a bar, started talking, and I fell in love. He is very good to me. Can't you just be happy for me?" Kate gave him the puppy dog eyes.
When Isabella did it, it was cute. Kate just looked like a retarded shitzu on steroids.
"I will not stand for this. Renee, we're leaving. Kate, when you come to your senses, you know where to find me." Frank rose from the table. He looked like he was fighting with himself on whether or not to just start shooting, but Charlie being Chief Piggy stopped him.
Mobsters were ruthless, not stupid.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm staying right here with Charlie." Kate spoke quietly.
I was laughing on the inside. These people meant nothing to me and their grief was amusing.
Not Isabella, but she wasn't really grieving. She just wanted to get away from all of them, which I would make happen as soon as she turned eighteen.
Frank and Renee scattered from the house like cockroaches when you turned the lights on.
Kate started crying softly while Charlie comforted her.
"Maybe we should leave you two alone?" Isabella asked quietly.
Charlie gazed at me before finally nodding.
"I'll take good care of her." I whispered in his ear.
I grabbed the one unopened bottle and we left.
"Let's go relax at the apartment." I kissed Isabella's temple.
"Will Frank retaliate against my father?" She looked up at me.
"He could. Your dad is a target most men wouldn't touch though. I'm sure Charlie knows to be on the lookout." I answered her honestly.
Life would be so much simpler for me if he wasn't in the picture, but could I really do that to Isabella?
My dad was pressuring me to make this problem go away.
If I didn't comply soon, it was my neck on the butcher block.
Esme's POV
"I can't believe this!" I cried out laying back on the couch covering my eyes with my arm.
Aro had just told me about Emmett's little problem. I couldn't believe my brother would stoop to something like that. Then again, a lot of guys in this life cracked. You had to be tough stock to hang.
"It will be okay. He just lost his way a little. Your father won't let him go back to it." Aro said laying his hand on my thigh.
"Does my mother know?"
"No, I wasn't suppose to tell you, but I don't like keeping things from you."
"What about Rosalie?"
He shook his head.
"How can they not tell Rosalie? They are supposed to get married soon? How could she not know?" I voiced my thoughts out loud.
"With everything going on he hasn't been home very much. You can't tell her."
"How am I supposed to keep this from one of my best friends?" I looked at him.
"You'll just have to." He said with a solemn look.
"Aro-"
"Promise me you won't say anything."
I sighed.
"Okay. I promise."
"Alright. Now that we're done with that, let's go to a party. Life has been full of downers. We need to get out." He smiled at me.
"I guess so. What did you have in mind?"
"Jacob is having a party at his house since he has the night off. All of Emmett's guys are at the hospital and they can watch over Rosalie, too."
"Alright. Let's go."
I needed a break. There was plenty of drama with both my brothers and the family. It would be good to get out.
I changed and fixed my hair before we left.
We rolled up to Jacob's house with the party in full swing already.
"Where are his parents all the time?" I asked curiously.
"His mom is dead and his dad is gone most of the time. As long as Jacob keeps his scholarship, he doesn't ask questions." Aro replied locking the Range.
We walked around the house to bypass the crowd of people to the back porch where the kegs were.
"What's up?" Jacob greeted Aro with a one armed hug.
"Same ol' same." Aro shrugged his shoulders.
"Got ya. Let's do some keg stands and then I got some business later." Jacob motioned to the keg closest to us.
"Es, you up?" Aro grinned at me.
"I don't think so. I'll take mine in a cup please." I declined politely.
Aro nodded and Jacob filled a cup handing it to me.
I watched in amusement as they spent the next hour taking turns doing keg stands. They were well on the way to feeling very good.
We spent an hour after that socializing and having a good time.
"I have a deal to handle in a few, but I just got a text to pick Rosalie up and take her home." Jacob said frowning at his phone.
"I got ya covered. Go handle that." Aro slapped him on the back.
"You sure?"
Aro nodded.
"Is everything okay?" I inquired.
"Yea, she just wants to take a shower at home and get some more clothes. Your pops doesn't want any of the guys leaving Emmett since they still don't know who shot him." Jacob reassured me.
"Okay. I understand the shower at home. Hospitals showers are gross." I smiled at him before waving as he walked away.
"I have to go to his room to handle this. You good here?" Aro kissed my cheek.
"Yes. Handle that. I'm going to stay here and watch everyone."
He smiled at me before disappearing through the throng of people.
I chatted a little with some kids from school. It was nice for a night out, but I couldn't wait for the end of the school year to be away from these harpies.
I was having a good time, enjoying my drink when people started scattering. I looked up to see cops coming in the front and back doors.
I tried to make my way through the house quickly to get to Aro. I had just reached Jacob's bedroom door when I heard cops coming up the stairs. I knocked quietly and Aro opened the door looking at me confused.
"Give me your gun!" I ordered him.
He pulled his gun from his waist and tossed it in my purse.
Just as I closed my purse a large guy knocked me out of the way as they burst into the room.
There were large amounts of narcotics scattered around on the bed and a couple of young dealers in the room.
I watched in horror as they handcuffed Aro and read him his rights.
"Call my father." He mouthed to me as they started walking him out.
I nodded. I couldn't bring myself to stop watching as they lead all the guys from the room downstairs and out the front door.
Surprisingly, no one even spoke to me.
I ran out of the house as they were putting Aro in the back of the squad car.
He mouthed 'I love you.' to me.
I mouthed it back as tears stung my eyes.
This hurt much more than the first time at the football game. It would be a lot harder getting him out of this.
I dug in my purse for the spare key to his Range. Once I found it, I got in quickly and started the truck. As I drove away I called his father.
"Hello?" Cauis answered.
"Aro's been arrested!" I cried into the phone.
"What? Come to my house." He said hanging up.
I texted Jacob before calling my dad.
I filled him in and told him where I was going. He was going to meet me there.