Disclaimer - I don't own it.

Thanks to everyone. I love the support. I'm on Twitter now... (just in case ff tries to edit it out)NickieSantoro. I haven't tweeted yet, but I'll get around to it. It's been almost a year since I started this story and I'm about to try to wind it down to the ending. Don't fret loves, there will be a sequel. :)

Beta'd by some sexy bitch I know, Ms. MalloryKnoxx

"I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a businessman. Blood is a big expense."

~~ Sollozzo, The Godfather

Edward's POV

I knocked on the door to my father's home office and waited. Mary Alice decided she wanted to have a fucking get together and Isabella was all for it. Some shit about relaxing would be good for us. If she only knew half of what was really going on.

"Entrare." (Enter.)

"Hi Pops." I greeted as I opened the door.

My father looked at me over the rim of his glasses, his dark eyes weary of my tone.

"Qual รจ il tuo problema?" (What's the matter with you?)

I said nothing and dropped the note on his desk before sitting down.

"Mio Dio." He muttered to himself reading the card. "Where did this come from?"

"It was hand delivered to my door. We'll be here for a few days if that's alright."

"Of course! My children are always welcomed in this house." He said pouring himself some whiskey. "Does Isabella know of this?"

"Yes."

"I would rather your mother not know. Not yet. I have a feeling this has to do with those God damned Denalis."

"Emmett was into a lot of... mischief before his passing. It could be a number of people. I have the security guys pulling video for me to look through."

"Good. Good." He spoke more to himself than me.

"When I find out who took my brother from this family, they will suffer a slow death."

"Assolutamente." (Absolutely.)

I poured a glass of whiskey for myself and thought about how to bring up the next topic without pissing my father off more than he already was.

We spent a few moments reflecting on the situation before I brought up the subject he disliked the most.

"Isabella is still indecisive on the subject, and considering she doesn't know the truth, I've decided for her. I want paperwork stating Charly as our child. We'll say she came from relatives in Italy. Her father isn't coming back, and I'm going to tell her soon."

"Consider the paperwork done." He leaned back in his chair and stared at me for a beat before speaking again. "What are you going to tell her?"

"I can easily blame it on the Denalis. With everything that went on with Renee, I'm sure she'll buy it no problem."

"Handle it then."

"Yes sir."

"Perhaps it's finally time to get out of that shithole apartment building you call a 'home'. Build a house and be a real family man. This will all be yours one day. Better to start preparing for it now."

"You're right. I'll discuss it with my girl."

"My girl. My girl. So childish sounding. You have a baby now. There will be more to follow. Be a man and marry her. Charly will never know of the sad life she would have had because you and Isabella will make a beautiful one for her. Now go take Isabella to the dinner your sorella won't be quiet about. I'm sure your mother would love to get her hands on the baby."

"I'm sure she will." I smiled at my father before excusing myself. His words gave me a lot to think about.

Rosalie's POV

"Rosaliiiie!" Jane's voice rang down the hallway outside of my bedroom.

"In here." I replied touching up my lipstick.

"Are you seriously not ready?" She rolled her eyes.

"Almost. Gotta grab my bag. I'm getting drunk and passing out in one of Ali's guest rooms tonight."

"Sounds like a good way to spend the night."

"Beats the alternative."

"And that it?"

"Wallowing in my room over ... him."

Jane gave me a sad look then quickly erased it.

"Time heals all wounds."

"I hope so." I mumbled grabbing my bag.

"If not, there's always tequila."

"Now that's something I believe."

We walked down to the front door where Rico was standing.

"Don't need you tonight." I walked passed him and patted his chest.

"Your father says I'm to go wherever you go."

"She's with us tonight. It's okay." Felix assured him meeting us at the door and taking my bag.

Rico gave us a confused look.

"Call my father. It'll be fine." I rolled my eyes and walked out the door.

Santiago was standing beside Felix's car holding the back door open. I peered back at the house to see Rico nodding his head and talking on the phone. I smirked a little, but it was quickly wiped off my face when I saw Jacob sitting in the car.

"Hey." He greeted with a small smile.

I groaned inwardly and got in with Santiago climbing in behind me.

"Who's ready to party?" Santiago asked wearing a big grin.

"It's a small gathering at Carlisle's. I don't think we're going to party." Felix replied before turning up the music.

"Bet it will be if Blaze is there..." Santiago murmured looking out the window.

I didn't care what anyone else did. I was going to be 'social' and drink a lot.

Jacob and Santiago talked about sports some on the car ride and the rest of us sat chilling to the music. I kind of zoned out until we passed through the gate of Mary Alice's house.

"Party time!" Santiago hollered when he spotted Blaze's SUV.

"Oh my God." Jane laughed and shook her head.

"It's gonna be a good night people!" Santiago shouted jumping out of the car before it stopped.

"I should have already started drinking." I whispered to myself stepping out of the car.

"Got ya covered." Jacob said pulling a mini out of his pocket. I eyed his suspiciously before taking the bottle.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." he grinned before walking ahead with Santiago.

"Better be careful!" Jane chimed in my ear as she walked by hand in hand with her Felix.

Don't I know it...

I let out a heavy sigh and turned up my mini. It was going to be a long night. I shouldn't feel the way I do about Jacob or anyone. It had only been a month since Emmett's death, even if it felt like I'd lost him before that.

Esme's POV

"She'll be fine." I assured Isabella as we walked in Mary Alice's house.

"I don't like being away from her so much. What if she has abandonment issues?" She whined.

"Babies visit their grandparents. It's a part of life. Relax and enjoy the night. Please?" I gave her a big smile.

"I'll try. Besides, your parents aren't actually her grandparents."

I reached her arm and stopped her in the entryway so we would be alone.

"Isabella, Charly is, for all intent and purposes, your baby. That is how this family will treat her. She will carry the Cullen name. Don't deprive her of an enormous family that will love her unconditionally."

Isabella blinked a couple of times and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"Isabella?"

"Yea, I just..." She let out a deep breath, "I'm still holding out hope my dad will come back."

I tried not to cringe when she spoke those words. I didn't know what happened to her father, but I knew it couldn't be good. Even if by some small chance he came back, I knew my brother would never let him take the baby away from Isabella.

I didn't know what to say to her so I just hugged her tight and wrapped my arm around her pulling her with me into the great room.

Mary Alice had the coffee table covered in tasty looking food and bright colored cocktails. I recognized every one in the room except for a dark haired man who was standing and talking with Carlisle.

"That's Dr. Cooper. He works with my husband." Mary Alice answered before I could even ask the question. I swear she can see the future sometimes.

"Does he know?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Heavens no!" She laughed and handed me an Appletini. "He's new to town, and I thought it would do him good to meet some people."

"Good group of people you picked." I teased and sipped my drink.

"Ha! I know right!" She shook her head and grabbed more drinks to pass around. Mary Alice believed when you threw a party, you really threw a party. Intimate gathering was a gross understatement when it came to her.

"Your cousin is here. It should be an interesting night." Aro walked up behind me wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Without a doubt." I agreed watching Blaze take shots with Santiago, Jacob, and Carlisle. Dr. Cooper stood to the side watching. I didn't think he would be able to hang with our guys.

"Wanna bet on the new guy?" Aro grinned at Edward.

Edward sipped his drink and eyed the young doctor for a moment.

"A big bill he doesn't make it passed eleven."

"I'll say one thirty. After all, he does know a thing or two about the human body."

"Deal." Edward shook Aro's hand and walked over to join our cousin for shots.

"You guys are bad."

"Did you really just notice, Ma?" Aro trailed his lips down my neck.

"Oh no, I noticed before, but I enjoyed it too much to say anything."

"That's what I thought." I felt his smile against my neck.

Jacob's POV

"Why are there no women here?" Santiago complained as Blaze poured shot number I-can't-remember.

"Because we're pre-gaming for the club." Blaze assured him.

"Is that what you call drinking for three hours straight?" I knocked my shot back.

"It lets me weed out the guys not worthy to party with me." He explained as if it were rocket science.

Blaze was a cool guy. He wasn't as uptight as the other Cullens. Prison didn't even break his goofy demeanor.

"Where are we going later?" Santiago asked.

"Wherever the night takes us." Blaze grinned.

"Sounds like jail if you're hanging with this guy!" Aro clamped his hand on Blaze's should and snatched a shot off the table.

Santiago paled a little, and I decided I'd be going home when I left.

"Everyone's heading outside because 'it's so nice out'." Aro told us in a high pitched falsetto.

"Fuck yeah. Blunt time." Blaze jumped out of his chair.

"Right there with ya." Santiago trailed behind him.

I poured another shot and leaned back against the couch. I was all for a good time, but I wasn't fucking with any drugs. I've never dabbled much before and after seeing what happened to Emmett I was done for life.

The house got quiet as every one found their way to the back deck to enjoy the fresh air. I was just going to sit in peace for a minute before joining them. I was contemplating the drink in my hand when I heard Rosalie's voice.

"Sorry, I didn't realize anyone was in there." She said as I heard a door slam.

A couple of minutes later a male voice accompanied hers.

"It's quite alright." The doctor friend.

"Yeah, so are you done in there?" She asked in a bored tone.

"If you want me to be." I sat up as I continued to eavesdrop. I didn't like what his timbre suggested.

"Excuse me?" Rosalie said, and I could just imagine her hands on her hips, eyebrows arched.

"Nothing, I apologize." He started backtracking, "It's all the alcohol. Excuse me."

I stood up and stepped around the corner making myself seen.

He glanced my way nervously and walked around Rosalie.

"You scared him." She giggled a little once he was gone.

"Good." I replied seriously. Even though I had no claim to Rosalie, it still felt that way in my mind.

"Where are you guys going?" She asked her hand on the doorknob.

"Out."

"Jackass." She gave me a playful shove, and I could smell the tequila on her breath. "But seriously?"

"Why? You wanna go?"

"Maybe. I want to do something. I'm sick of not doing anything. Maybe Mary A was right."

"Right about what?"

"That I can't just sit in my room and waste away." She rolled her eyes, "Don't tell her I said she was right. Don't every tell anyone I said that."

"I won't. Why don't you handle your business, and I'll holler at you when we leave."

"Sounds like a plan." She said shutting the door in my face.

I smiled at no one and walked outside.

I didn't bask in my moment with Rosalie long before Edward nodded at me. I nodded back and followed him behind the garage.

"What's up?" I asked as Aro joined us.

"Do you know anyone, or have you noticed anyone who uses a kid for a messenger?"

"Not off hand. What kind of kid are we talking? Little kid, big kid, baby?" I asked for clarity.

"Like a little kid, ten or something. Someone you would definitely notice." Aro said lighting a cigarette.

"No. I'll keep an eye out. Want me to ask around?"

"Quietly. Someone sent a not so nice message to my fucking house and the security camera shows a little boy dropping the note." Edward sounded annoyed.

"That's cold, using a kid for business." Aro shook his head.

"I know. I'm not going to chase down a child and beat the truth out of him. Someone wants to play a game."

"Games are fun." Aro smirked.

"Yeah, for me. They just don't know who they are playing with." Edward replied before walking off.

"What's up with him?" I asked Aro quietly.

"It's related to his brother. That's all you need to know man." He patted my shoulder and walked off.

I shrugged and walked back over to everyone. We spent another hour with the guys making fun of the completely shitfaced Dr. Cooper. Around eleven-twenty he passed out face first in the grass. Aro handed Edward money as Carlisle and Felix lifted the guy up.

"Put him in one of the guest rooms." Mary Alice sighed and waved towards the house.

Rosalie slipped up to my side and just stood there quietly. I didn't try to engage her in conversation. She looked peaceful at the moment and Blaze was telling one bizarre story after another so we were entertained.

She waited patiently as we all laughed and Santiago asked all kinds of inappropriate questions causing Jane to smack him on the back of the head.

"You're being drunk and obnoxious. Go out already!" She scolded him.

"Fine! We're leaving!" Blaze yelled and ripped his shirt off. He walked across the yard with Santiago in tow.

"You still wanna go?" I asked Rose with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah. Beats having to help clean up this mess." She answered quickly and disappeared through the house. I quickly followed.

Since I was the least drunk of us all, I drove our merry band of misfits to the club. Thirty five minutes later I helped Rosalie out of the car so we could escape Blaze and Santiago's horrid rendition of Journey's 'Wheel in the Sky'.

Rosalie still looked as beautiful as ever and I was still looking like I did at the beginning of the night. Santiago had red eyes and his shirt was wrinkled. Blaze on the other hand was shirtless with a necktie tied around his head Rambo style. I grinned in anticipation of where the night was headed. It had to be good because Rosalie was with me.

As soon as we got through the crowd to the bar, Blaze was ordering rounds of shots. I took a couple more and waved my hand across myself silently telling him I was done. Rosalie happily took shots with them for a while. When she decided she'd had enough she grabbed my hand dragging me out on the dance floor.

I wasn't commenting on anything. If getting totally hammered and dancing all night made her feel better, I would gladly do it.

Strobe lights flickered across the room casting a rainbow of colors to dance across her bare shoulders. She threw her head back and moved her body to the rhythm of the music. I was enjoying the show. Her little black dress hugged every curve and left little to the imagination. I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her in close. I wanted to feel her against me.

Rosalie turned around pushing her back against my chest as she wound her arm around my neck. I held tightly to her hips while she grinded against me. Never has even fucking a girl been anywhere near as sensual as dancing with Rosalie Leone. Her body fit against mine just right. I tried to think about anything else as my dick throbbed against my zipper.

I don't know how many songs we went through before she spun back around to face me. I placed my leg between hers and gripped her tighter. Her big blues eyes peered at me from under her thick lashes. I swallowed back all the words I wanted to say to her in that moment. Instead, I just soaked up her beauty.

Eventually a slow jam came on and our pace turned into an unhurried grind against one another. I closed my eyes trying to focus before glancing around the room to see who all was around. Blaze was on the second floor surrounded by a group of scantily clad women. When I turned my head to look the other way for Santiago I felt Rosalie's wet, hot lips connect with my throat.

Fuck Santiago.

I tipped my head back and groaned at the sensation. I grabbed her ass pulling her even closer against me. I tilted my head back down as her mouth moved up. When my lips found hers, I had to fight off every urge in me that demanded I take her right there in the middle of the crowd.

I lost control at her verbal request.

"Let's take this upstairs." She hummed against my ear. She didn't have to tell me twice. I groped her ass once more before ushering her towards some semblance of privacy. All I could think about was finally having the woman I loved. I shouldered my way through the throng of people. Blaze was still with his harem of women, and I finally spotted Santiago at the bar ordering another round. That was the last I thought of them before pushing Rosalie out of view into a storage closet.

I immediately picked her up and she enveloped her legs around my waist. I flipped the light on and kicked the door shut with my foot. I held one arm under her, and I used my other to clear off the nearest surface. All the little moans and whimpers coming out of her mouth were sending me over the edge. I plopped her ass on the top of a table and pulled back to take in the view.

Her dress had slipped up high enough that a pair of lacy red panties were peeking out. Her blonde waves were flying out wildly in every direction. Her eyes were lustful and hooded. She was the epitome of sex on legs, but she meant more than that to me.

I mentally kicked myself as I leaned forward as kissed her forehead.

"What's wrong?" She asked faintly.

"This." I said pulling back to look in her confused eyes. "Rosalie, you have no idea how much you mean to me. I would give everything I have and will ever have a hundred times over if it meant I got to be with you. However, I don't want to fuck you in some closet at a club. I want to make love to you in my bed. All night. Until you can't take it anymore."

"Then let's go to your house."

"Not tonight. When you're done grieving for Emmett, I'll still be here waiting."

Rosalie glanced up at me with wet eyes.

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"Because I love you."

"You love me?"

"More than I could ever tell you with words. If you'll let me, I'll spend every day showing you. I'll give you any and every thing I can."

"Promise?"

"I promise." I pressed my forehead against hers and closed my eyes.

She swallowed thickly and nodded.

"Now let's go find our drunken friends and go home."

"That's probably a good idea. Blaze tends to get arrested a lot." She said softly straightening her dress.

"Your hair..."

She nodded and she ran her hands through it smoothing it down.

I grabbed her hand before she walked out, "Don't ever doubt my physical attraction to you. Ever. But this means more." I told her placing her hand under mine over my heart.

She gave me a small smile, and we went in search of the guys.

Isabella's POV

"He's getting on my fucking nerves." Edward grumbled pulling out his ringing phone for the twelfth time since we'd headed back to the Cullen's.

"Blaze?" I asked.

"Yes. He is so fucked up. I don't even want to deal with him right now."

"Do we need to go get him?" I looked at Edward as he turned the car off.

"Na, Jacob took all the drunks home with him. He's in for the night. Blaze just doesn't like the party to end."

"Since you know he is safe for the night, ignore him." I suggested wiggling my eyebrows at him.

"Ah look at you." He smirked at me and gave me a quick kiss before getting out of the car.

He held my hand as I got out and helped me as I wobbled on my heels. I paused and kicked my shoes off. I picked them up in one hand and continued walking. Edward laughed and kept his arm around me.

"You make me laugh, kid."

"I'm going to make you do more than laugh when we get upstairs." I teased.

Without warning Edward scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder. I tried to keep my giggles under control as he jogged through his parents' mansion carrying me. He ssshed me a couple of times, but never slowed his gait.

He kicked his door open with his foot and slammed it behind him once we were in. He tossed me on the bed and promptly began undressing.

"What about Charly?" I raked my eyes over his chiseled chest.

"She's good. Ma loves babies. Let's work on giving her another one." He said shucking his pants off and climbing up the bed towards me.

"What?" I squealed out.

"You heard me. We have Charly, and now she needs a sibling." He spoke huskily against my chest as he made quick work of my dress.

"How much have you had to drink?" I looked at him wide eyed.

"Not as much as you think." He was tugging on my panties.

"Where did this come from? We're young and I'm young and... are you crazy?" I stuttered out.

Edward stripped me of every last piece of clothing and began kissing up and down my body while he whispered seductively to me.

"I want you to be my wife. I don't want to wait. We'll plan a big ass wedding for next month if that's what you want. Whatever you want, I just want it done. I want you to belong to me in every way possible. I want to love you, protect you, provide every thing you could want or need for the rest of your life. Let me. I love Charly. As far as I'm concerned, she's our baby. No one will ever question otherwise. What reason is there for waiting?"

His reasoning seemed so clear while his mouth and hands were working my body over. I let my eyes flutter closed.

"I love you more than my life. I don't know how many times I gotta tell you that. All you have to do is sit back and let me handle everything."

"Hmmm..." was my response.

"Let's get married. I'll build you a big house, and we can fill it with babies."

I sighed.

"The sooner the better. Stop taking your pills."

The heat pooling between my legs made it hard to argue with him. He was coming way out of left field with these new demands, and I couldn't help but think his brother's death made him fearful of his own mortality. Even if he wouldn't admit it.

He was making me feel too good to argue so I would talk to him about it later. His tongue found it's place between my legs and my eyes rolled back. I didn't try to stifle the moans as they escaped my throat. I felt Edward smirk against my pussy.

He twirled his tongue up and down my clit as he fingers massaged me from the inside. As cliche as it is, his heartfelt words heated me to my core and in no time I was falling over the edge calling out his name. He wasted no time in moving up the bed and plunging deeply into me. I ran my nails down his back at the sudden intrusion.

"Siate mia moglie." (Be my wife.)

My walls clenched around him trying to adjust.

"Prendete il mio nome." (Take my name.)

He slow and steady thrusts made my lower regions coil in anticipation once again.

"Trasportare il mio bambino." (Carry my baby.)

His physical manipulation on my body made me beg him for more. His raspy words against my skin drove me mad. Combined with his intimate confessions I was going to come apart underneath him. Sweat beaded on his temple and he quickened his strokes. I grabbed his hair and pulled his mouth hard against mine.

I tightened my legs around his hips and dug my heels into his lower back. I couldn't control myself as I arched off the bed into his chest. I screamed his name again and again. He covered my mouth with his hand and grunted as I felt him explode inside of me.

At that moment I would have agreed to anything.