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"He's got a good future if he can live past next week."
~~ Carlito, Carlito's Way
Isabella's POV
When I finally succumbed to sleep, wicked dreams plagued me all night. Even though my mother and I had a strained relationship my whole life,I missed her. Charlie floated in and out, and I was worried about what really happened to him. Not that I cared for Kate, but I wondered about my brother or sister. Now, I was about to meet another possible brother. Life couldn't get any more tumultuous.
I lay in bed for a while after I woke up, just enjoying Edward's arms around me. I felt safe. I was anxious to meet with the guy claiming to be my brother. I wanted to know what he could possibly tell me, but he was still a stranger. After meeting him, I would decide whether or not I wanted to pursue a relationship with him.
"You're awake." Edward stated breathing on my neck.
"Yea."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"I was just enjoying laying here. I wasn't ready to start the day."
"You don't have to do meet with this guy if you don't wanna."
"I wanna. If you possibly had a brother you never knew about, wouldn't you want to meet him?"
Edward grunted in reply and got out of bed. I followed behind and brushed my teeth while he started the shower. No funny busy in the shower. We just took a while to stand in the hot water together and Edward washed my hair and massaged my back while I prepped myself for the meeting. I took my time getting ready before we met at the restaurant for an early dinner.
I didn't care where we met, but Edward thought it would be better for the dinner to take place in a crowded, public place. I dressed casual in jeans and a cashmere sweater with heeled boots. I let my hair fall over my shoulders and Edward helped me into my jacket. More time passed than I realized, and we were on the way to Gino's place for pasta and possible family bonding.
I drew in a deep breath when we pulled up. Gino's was a small place and there was no valet parking. Edward pulled his BMW around the side and quickly came around to get my door. He squeezed my hand as he helped me out of the car. My stomach was in knots as we walked in. The girl at the door greeted us quickly before showing us to a table in the back.
"You alright?" Edward asked after ordering us drinks.
"Yea, just nervous." I nodded
"Drinks will be here quickly. That'll help. Anytime you want this to be done, tell me and I'll end it. I know you're curious, but I don't want you uncomfortable."
He quit talking as the waitress appeared and placed a scotch in front of him and a rum and coke in front of me. I thanked her and sipped my drink letting the warm tingle of alcohol over take the butterflies.
Less than ten minutes later, a much younger looking version of my father walked into the place, and I felt my nerves come back tenfold.
"That's him?" I whispered.
Edward nodded and waved Anthony over.
"Hello." He said cautiously before sitting down across from us in the booth.
"Anthony." Edward said with a hint of a threat to his tone.
"Edward, how are you?" He brushed it off and eyed me intently with a mirror image of my own chocolate eyes.
"Same as always."
"Hi." I finally spoke.
"Hi, Bella. I've been waiting to meet you."
There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but the resemblance to my father was overwhelming. I didn't need a DNA test to know the guy sitting across from me was family, whether I grew up with him or not.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions," He began after a few moments of silence, "I have some as well, but I would like to answer any of yours to start with."
"Yea, um, sorry... I just can't get over how much you look like him." I squeaked out trying to fight the tears threatening to fall.
"I've learned as much from pictures. I've searched for my father for a long time. It wasn't until my mother was on her deathbed last year that she told me who he was. She never told him about me. My grandfather forbade it, as I'm sure you know how that can go by the company you keep."
I glanced over at Edward unsure of how to respond to that. He said Anthony's grandfather was a connected guy, but I didn't want to admit anything incriminating against the man I loved.
"Anyways, against my family's wishes, I want to meet my father, even after finding out he's a cop. Chief to be exact. Nonno was upset Ma told me, but there was nothing he could do about it. I studied as much as I could about Charlie, that's my middle name, I get it now," he chuckled, "And I was just getting ready to approach him and tell him who I was when he falls off the map. The precinct says he's out of town handling a family emergency, so I changed my plans to meet a sister I never knew I had, the one who was the apple of my father's eye. It has not been easy to get to you, not that I bear ill intent. I just wanted to meet you. I felt all my life that part of me was missing and now knowing what, or rather who, I feel like I have a chance to complete it."
"Wow. I couldn't imagine growing up like that. Charlie has been a great father. I'm sorry you missed out on that."
"I am also. But I can't change the past, but I would like to change the future. I would like to have some semblance of a relationship ship with my father and sister. Would it be possible for you to contact him and arrange a meeting with all of us?"
I swallowed back the lump in my throat and glanced at Edward again. His face was a cool mask, but he knew I was becoming uncomfortable so he jumped in.
"She'll try." Was all he offered. Even knowing my new brother wasn't exactly tied to the right side of the law, I didn't want to tell him anything bad about my dad. I didn't know how much I could trust him.
"Fair enough." Anthony said studying Edward and I. His mannerism reminded me of my dad so much it hurt.
We spent the rest of dinner eating and talking about little things like what music and movies we liked, and I told him about school while he filled me in on all the sports he played growing up. I was more relaxed when the meal came to an end. We all stood and were about to part ways when a feeling of familial belonging came over me. I caught Anthony off guard as I flung myself into his arms.
"I'm so glad I got to meet you." I whispered as I squeezed him tightly. After a moment, he returned the hug fiercely mumbling things in Italian. Why was I the only one who didn't speak the language?
We traded numbers and said our goodbyes. It went better than I thought it would and we continued to text a little over the next week before I invited him to graduation. I wanted one person from my family there to see my on my big day.
Carlisle's POV
After spending the morning listening to Kate bitch and moan about how her father wasn't going to stand for the way she was being treated, I was able to determine that she would be delivering her baby within the week. She still didn't know her father was dead, and I wasn't going to be the one to tell her. I keep all emotions out of it, as it was Edward's mess to deal with. I was just helping to keep it clean.
I was finally in my car with my beautiful wife and daughter on the way to graduation. I was going to arrange for Mary Alice to walk as well, but she didn't want to. She held a brave front even though I knew it pained her to face all the people who spent so much time gossiping about her.
"Are you nervous, love?"
"No, why would I be?" Mary Alice turned towards me, her black eyes shining.
"I believe you have no reason to be, just wanted to make sure you were okay." I brought her hand to my lips to press a kiss against it.
"I love you." She smiled and turned back to look out the window as we approached the school.
After everything that had happened in the last year, I felt guilty for taking away her last chance at youth, but Mary Alice fit into the roll of wife and mother beautifully. She truly surprised everyone. Soon we would have our big wedding, the one she has always dreamed of. I wouldn't spare a cent when it came to her happiness.
I parked the car and helped her get Mallory out. We bundled the baby up and found out seats. Sitting around us were all the other members of the family, including several mothers with tears already in their eyes before the ceremony had begun. Edward has warned me about Isabella's alleged brother attending so I glanced around for him while keeping one arm around Mary Alice and the other wrapped protectively around Mallory. As my eyes washed over the room, everyone's heads dropped or turned. No one had the balls to look me in the face. My wife was the only reason they hadn't been beaten to within an inch of their lives.
I spotted Anthony sitting across the green by himself. He cast glances our way occasionally, but not for long. I'm sure he was nervous having some idea of who we all were. We were the most powerful family in the area. He would be smart to be weary. He looked just like Isabella's father. I guess the bond of blood was strong enough to brave even the most fearsome of enemies.
I kept an eye on everything as the ceremony commenced and tears of happiness and proud yelps were shed. Mary Alice kept a large smile plastered on her face throughout it all. I would make it up to her tonight at the big party. Jane was going to watch Mallory so we could spend the night out and my wife could enjoy being a teenager one last time with her friends. She deserved it after everything I've put her through.
Following graduation there was a large dinner for everyone at one of Demetri's restaurants and there were about a thousand toasts made as with any event we have. It went smoothly and time seem to fly as it wrapped up, and we were leaving to drop off the baby and go home and get ready.
Rosalie's POV
Emmett hovered around me all fucking day, and I was already sick of looking at his face. The night hadn't started, and I was ready for it to be over. How could his father not notice his fidgety behavior? Through dinner, I shot looks at Edward, and he gave me a slight nod before returning his attention back to the conversation at the table.
Emmett must have caught on because he said he would see me at the club and left with a kiss on my cheek. I was meeting with Esme to get ready. We would be hitting Twilight up hard tonight. This might be the last night I have with all of my friends in one place celebrating for a while so I decided a couple of tequilla shots would help me relax and focus on getting ready to party.
"Someone's starting early." Esme sang as she waltzed into my room with a black garment bag from our favorite boutique.
"We're done with high school, why haven't you already started?" I smirked at her.
"Good point. Today has been a whirlwind. I'm so glad it's over."
"Amen."
She shot me a look before turning the music up and emptying the contents of her bags so we could dress to impress. Esme slipped into a new aqua colored, short jersey dress while I slipped into my favorite shade, blood red. My dress was as short as it could get without being a shirt and strapless. Something my father would disapprove of wholeheartedly and I loved it.
We took a shot together and curled each other's hair while we did our makeup and before I knew it we were piling into Aro's Range to head to the club. We arrived, valet parked the ride, and strutted into an already packed club. The low lit room was filled with smoke and heart pounding music. Just the place to let everything go for a night.
We found Emmett, Santiago, and Jacob already in the VIP room with rows of shots lined up. Emmett looked at me with lustful eyes as I walked in. Good luck, buddy, you ain't getting none tonight I thought taking a seat next to Esme. It didn't take long for Edward and Isabella to arrive with Mary Alice and Carlisle. A few of the other guys from the family arrived and the party started.
We took a few rounds of shots as a group before I decided I wanted to dance. Maybe Emmett could make up for his bad behavior. Alcohol was temporarily relieving my anger. I told the girls I wanted to go dance, and they all nodded vigorously, except Bella, but she would go too. I walked over and sat down next to Emmett not caring if I interrupted his conversation or not.
"Take me to dance." I demanded giving him my best smile.
"Later, babe. I'm in the middle of something." he gestured to Peter who was sitting next to him, "Dance with the girls or Jacob or Santiago. I'll be down in a few."
"Whatever." I scoffed rolling my eyes. I pointed to Jacob and Santiago as I walked by, "You two, come on, let's go!"
They looked at each other and shook their heads before rising to follow us. Carlisle joined us on the floor and by the looks of the way they were dancing, he and Mary Alice would be giving Mallory a sibling soon. Esme and Isabella danced around Jacob while Santiago danced with me.
We spent a good two hours dancing and jumping around making wonderful spectacles of ourselves and downing jello shots every time the waitress walked by with a tray. Edward leaned over the balcony watching and Aro would join us from time to time. Emmett still hadn't made it off his dumb ass to spend time with me. I was the one who just graduated. I was the reason we were here celebrating, but did he care? Obviously fucking not.
A slow dance came on and Santiago made himself scarce as the girls danced with their men. Couples around me slowly came together swaying to the slow melody while I stood in the mass of love alone. I was about to say fuck it and leave when Jacob's warm hand wrapped around my waist pulling me into him as he started dancing.
"Thanks." I whispered so softly I didn't think he would hear. I knew how uncomfortable it must have made him, but he still did it for me.
"You deserve to have a great night." His words were low and deep against my ear before he pulled back putting a little space between us. I glanced up and saw Emmett staring at us before shaking his head and retreating.
Why should I give a fuck if he didn't like I was dancing with Jacob? He was the one that told me to since he was too fucking busy himself.
"Thanks for the dance, but I'm going to deal with that." I stepped back giving Jacob one last look before turning to leave.
He caught my wrist one more and leaned over until his lips were right next to my ear, "Be careful and do not hesitate to get me if you need me. Job or not I'm still going to protect you."
Hearing his words, I understood why he was so close. He didn't want anyone to overhear because they might see a problem with it. Jacob and I were close for friends. Not everyone would see it that way.
I nodded and let his words give me courage as I climbed the stairs to have a conversation with Emmett I should have already had.