A/N: Buckle up...Thank you for the love!
"Do you think she'll like the cake I got? I had to go to two different bakeries to get the seven-layer cake. That's Nonna's favorite, right?" Bella asked nervously, biting her bottom lip.
I grinned, happy that my girl wanted to impress my grandmother so much. I turned left on Avenue Q and reached for her hand, bringing it to my mouth to kiss.
"Bella, chill. She's gonna love that you're coming over. I mean, if she remembers who I am, let alone you, but she'll love the fucking cake too," I admonished, as Bella gave me a death glare. I better watch my step or I wouldn't be getting any tonight.
I pulled into the small driveway. Emmett had parked like a fucking cocksucker once again. Who gave him a fucking license? And when the fuck was he going to wash the fucking car? It looked like he let every bird in Bay Ridge shit all over it.
I jumped out of the car and walked to Bella's side and opened her door, grabbing the bakery box from her lap.
She got out of the car, and I was wafted with her perfume. Bella was trying to go all out, impress the old lady and shit. Just me bringing her home spoke volumes. She was wearing a shawl and a pretty conservative dress. I guess a hoochie dress didn't work to meet the grandma for Sunday dinner.
Bella stood behind me on the porch, waiting for me to open the door. I turned back and rubbed her arm. "Don't be nervous. She's a crazy old lady who will fucking love you. I fucking love you." I lightly pressed a kiss to her temple and went to open the door.
My jaw slightly went slack as I realized what I said, and Bella looked shell-shocked. There was no time to talk or recover because we were greeted by Ma with her handy dish towel over one shoulder and the freaking wooden spoon in her hand. I flinched just thinking about that fucker.
"Bella, dear. Thank God you're here. Non is going crazy asking when you would show up." Ma pulled her into the dining room taking the bakery box with her.. I quickly followed behind, afraid of the shit that would come out of the crazy bat's mouth.
Nonna was sitting at the table, cane at her side, and she was cleaning her coke-bottle glasses. As she put them back on, Ma pulled Bella to her side.
"Non, this is Bella, Edward's girlfriend." Ma was practically bouncing with excitement. Nonna never met any of my girls, so this was a big deal.
Nonna stayed silent for a moment, and I honestly grew a little concerned. This lady was never quiet.
"Holy shit! The beards get prettier and prettier. What the fuck are you paying them?" Nonna spat, her teeth flying out of her mouth at that very minute.
Right into the meatballs with sauce.
I'm not eating that shit.
Crack.
"Edward, shut up!" Fuck, I must have said that shit out loud. "Carlisle, get your mother's teeth out of my food before I get committed to the loony fucking bin." Ma shrieked, stalking away, waving her mappine.
Pops waltzed into the dining room, stretching as he walked—waddled—over to the table. He put one hand on Nonna's shoulder and then fished her teeth out of the bowl. "Ma, keep the teeth in your mouth. You need more adhesive? Edward won't mind going to the store." Pops grinned at me and then looked at Bella.
"Madonna mia, you look beautiful. Are you sure you're not into older men? Edward's not the only Cullen who has game," the fucker said unabashedly, leaning down to kiss her hand.
The asshole. I shoved him slightly and looked at Bella who didn't seem scared at all. She looked very amused actually. Like the cat who ate the fucking canary. She fit right in with this band of crazy people.
"I'll take that into consideration," Bella said, playfully, winking at the old man.
My mouth gaped open, and I shook my head slightly. This couldn't be real life.
"Close your mouth, Edward. I can put my teeth in as a placeholder if you need to." Nonna snorted, going back to eating her spaghetti. "Esme, you put too much red pepper. What have I told you?"
Nonna's back was to the kitchen, so Ma poked her head out and started waving her middle fingers in Nonna's direction. Bella stifled a laugh.
Then there were loud and obnoxious footsteps coming down the stairs. "Party's here, motherfuckers." Emmett made his way into the dining room and plopped his ass right down in his seat.
"He never leaves," Nonna muttered, shaking her head and mumbling something about fanuks.
I motioned for Bella to sit far away from the old bat. I would be the brave soul who sat next to Nonna.
Ma made her way back into the dining room, carrying a new bowl of meatballs.
"Let's try to keep all of our body parts to ourselves this time." Ma's eyes narrowed toward Nonna.
Nonna smirked and leaned back in her chair. Everyone started filling their plates. Pops filled everyone's glass with wine while making inappropriate jokes.
Emmett chewed loudly across from me, fucking gavone. "Bells, you should make up with Ro. She should be here tonight too."
Bella gulped and looked at me. She didn't have to hold her tongue with this fucker. I was surprised because she usually didn't hold her tongue with anyone.
Sensing Bella's discomfort, I jumped in for my girl. "Shut the fuck up, you no good greaseball."
Emmett threw his hands up as I pointed my fork in his direction. He was seriously testing my patience. It was like having another Blondie around.
"Boys! Behave, we have a guest." Ma whined, already done with tonight after Nonna's teeth situation.
"Yea, if you two mamalukes keep this shit up, I won't get laid tonight," Pops muttered, shoving another meatball in his mouth.
"Esme, can you tell this one to go home already. He's making me uncomfortable. I'm getting agita," Nonna complained, looking in Emmett's direction, wearily.
"Ma, how many times do I have to tell you. That schmuck is your grandson," Pops reminded her.
Bella couldn't hold back her laughter as Ma apologized. "I'm sorry, Bella. I'd say it's not usually like this, but then I'd be lying."
"No, no, Esme, it's fine. More than fine. You guys are cute," Bella remarked, taking a swig of her wine.
"Just cute?" I asked, giving her a puppy dog look. I dished her another helping of spaghetti.
She swatted my shoulder as I heard a loud gasp from beside me.
I looked over to see Nonna grabbing her chest. "Can't breathe," she said, straining as she slid out of her seat.
Ma yelled, "Call 911."
It was a blur of EMTs and ambulances, and once we got to the hospital, it was the same shit just with doctors and nurses.
Pops paced the waiting area of the hospital as Ma rubbed his back whenever he was in reach of her. Emmett sat in the yellow plastic chair, eating what looked like a Snickers bar, while Bella ran out to grab everyone coffee. God bless that woman.
We were waiting for the doctor to give us an update while they ran tests and shit.
A little while later, Bella arrived with coffee and danishes.
"Family of Elizabeth Cullen?" a nurse called out to the waiting area, and we all jumped up.
"How is she?" Pops asked, winded. Old fuck hadn't moved that fast in years. Better slow down or he was going to need one of those beds.
"She's stable. Her pressure is elevated, but that's to be expected," the nurse informed, clutching her tablet.
"So she had a heart attack?" Ma asked for confirmation, holding Pop's hand tightly.
The nurse shook her head. "No, she just had a case of severe heartburn. She needs rest and to lay off of spicy food," the nurse informed as Ma's eyes bulged out of her head. No doubt thinking of the red pepper in her sauce.
"Can we see her?" Pops moved closer to the patient rooms, motioning with his hands. Typical guinea.
The nurse nodded, walking toward the nurses' station, Pops and Ma following closely behind her. "Just two at a time."
I chanced a glance at Bella, who had been unaffected by the crazy that was my family. Anybody else would be running for the hills. Not this broad. She was firmly planted next to me.
And fuck did I love her.
"So…" Bella started, looking unsure, and then glanced back to the direction where Emmett was sitting.
I took her hand in mine and led her to a more private spot.
As we made our way to the marble floor lobby, I looked at those beautiful brown eyes and couldn't help but say, " I love you."
"You do? You're not just saying it because I blurted it out, are you? Because you don't have to lie. I'm a big girl and I can handle the truth," Bella demanded and walked backwards to lean against the pillar.
I shook my head, vehemently. "I'm not going to lie to you, Bella. I fucking love you."
Bella let out a snort. "I fucking love you too," she emphasized, rolling her eyes.
"Roll your eyes again and you're going to see what happens when we get home," I warned, pinching her side.
She leaned up and puckered her lips, so I grabbed the back of her neck and crashed my lips to hers. We were lost in our own little world when Ma called my name, Emmett hot on her trail.
"Gosh, do you two ever stop?" Emmett scolded.
I gave him the finger and then looked at Ma. "How's Nonna?"
"She's Nonna. She's giving me shit for my cooking. Bitch isn't going to eat when she comes home if she keeps this shit up. Fucking red pepper." Ma shook her head and gestured to the patient rooms. "She wants to see youse."
"Yeah, even my own grandmother doesn't want to see me." Emmett whined, pouting a little.
Bella looked at Ma and then to me. "Are you sure? I don't want to overstep."
"Nonsense, you're family now." Ma waved her off. Insecurities weren't needed with this crew.
I was glad my grandmother was going to be okay, but I wasn't looking forward to hearing how "she almost died because of Ma's cooking."
We were never going to hear the end of that shit.
Bella and I walked hand in hand to Nonna's hospital room. I glanced over at Bella, and she looked a little frazzled. "What's wrong? Nonna's not dying yet," I blurted out quickly.
She shook her head dismissively and said, "later," as we approached Nonna's room.
"Oh if it isn't the lovebirds?!" Nonna greeted us. "Did you hear how your mother tried to kill me with her shitty cooking?"
Bella giggled, putting her hand over her mouth, trying to be discreet but failing miserably.
"Yeah, yeah. The red pepper, right?" I chuckled, moving to sit on the foot of the bed.
Nonna nodded and went on and on about my poor mother. "So you two look good together," Nonna remarked and patted the spot next to her for Bella to sit. "Dollface, sit down next to me." Monitors beeped beside Nonna, who was always the worst patient.
Bella did as the old broad said and plopped down next to her on the hospital bed.
"I'm glad you're all right, Non, but why won't you let poor Em come see you? He's beside himself," I rationalized. The poor schmuck.
"He's annoying! So loud and obnoxious. I can't!" Nonna brushed me off and turned to face Bella. "So Bella, when are you and this stronzo tying the knot?"
Bella's eyes widened, and she looked over at me to save her from this uncomfortable situation.
I took Nonna's hand in my own and muttered, "We shall see." I didn't want to see Bella's reaction. I know chicks loved marriage and engagement talk, but I didn't want to get myself in trouble.
"Why wait? Do you want to be in a hospital bed and your other half can't see you because you aren't married? Life is too short. If you love each other, you marry. You kids these days over complicate this shit," Nonna ranted and grabbed her button for the nurses' station. She started pushing it rapidly. I thought something was the matter and looked at her questioningly.
"They gave me orange Jell-O. I wanted green," she deadpanned and proceeded to scold the nurse that dared to enter the room.
Later back at my crib, Bella was pacing my bedroom. Back and forth. She was starting to make me dizzy.
"Bella?" I asked, sitting up in bed. All I wanted was to get fucked and go to bed early. But I could tell neither of those things were on the agenda.
She shook her head and proceeded to do her little pacing shit. I rolled my eyes and waited until she was ready to open up to me. And not in the way I would have enjoyed.
"Edward." Bella sighed and finally sat down, her legs crisscrossed on the bed, across from me.
"What's the matter, babe?" I tried to touch her, but she clenched her eyes shut.
"My mom," she whispered. The pain on her face confused me. She never talked about her mom. She talked about her dad enough though, stunad fucker. "When I was twelve years old, my mom was killed."
"I'm so sorry." I had a pit in my stomach, seeing how much pain the girl I loved was in. Fuck. Her ma was killed. In this life, for a mob wife to have been murdered, something had to have really gone awry.
She let out a sob, and this time I wasn't going to let her push me away. I pulled her into my arms, and she shook her head. I knew that Bella always tried to put up a strong front, but I had hoped she would realize she could drop her guard with me. "She was killed, murdered, in cold fucking blood. She was shot and left to bleed out and die alone in an alley. My dad couldn't protect her, and I never forgave him fully for that." She pulled out of my arms, standing to only go back to pacing. "Rose and I found out from overhearing him talk to one of his cop friends."
Holy fuck. "Bella," I whispered gently. This poor girl didn't deserve to lose her mother so young, let alone in such a brutal way.
I reached out and pulled her into my arms. She settled into my lap, burrowing her face in my chest. I continued to kiss her hair and whisper how sorry I was. I didn't know what else I could do.
So if she was twelve when her mom died, I was eighteen. God. I couldn't imagine losing Ma now, let alone back then.
Before I turned eighteen, I was still insanely stupid and reckless. I only smartened up once I joined mafia life. I became a made man at eighteen. To complete me working the ranks, I had to make my first kill. You never forget your first.
Bella calmed down and then stood up proceeding to grab her keys from the hook. She had a ton of keychains and even a carabiner clip attached to it. She fingered a gold one and handed it to me. "That's all I have left of my mom, Renee Cigno. That was when my dad changed our last name and scrubbed us from the system. He believed we weren't safe. The Volturi killed my mom, and I…" She clenched her jaw and shook her head. "I wanted to hate you, Edward. I wanted to kill you, but I can't and I don't regret stopping."
I took the keychain, which was originally a necklace, between my fingers. It was gold plated with rhinestones around each letter of the word "Renee" in chunky block lettering and two tiny diamonds were missing.
I knew this because I had seen this necklace before. I saw this necklace on the night I made my first kill. I saw this necklace on Renee Dwyer.
Renee Cigno.
I killed Bella's mom.