So, how do we like FighterWard? Isn't he swoon-worthy? Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story … What's up next?
There's going to be a jump in time in this next chapter, but this is the last real chapter of the story. After this will be the epilogue. Thank you for everyone who followed along with this story, even with its starts and stops (stupid mental health). FighterWard appreciates it. As do I …
What I own: A cute new dress to wear to my cousin's wedding anniversary party.
What I don't: Twilight
Chapter Forty-Four
Four Months Later
"I think that's the last box," Bella said, wiping her hands on her jeans. She took a look around the new home that she and Edward purchased together. It was on Bainbridge Island, just around the corner from where Emmett and Rosalie lived. It was Rose who told Bella about the place, and they jumped at the chance to purchase it. The timing of the sale, though, was chaotic, to say the least. "What were we smoking when we pulled the trigger on buying this place?"
"We wanted something bigger," Edward replied, adjusting a frame on the wall. "Your home on Mercer Island was great, but it had only two bedrooms with a loft." He walked over to her, pulling her into his arms. "You love this new place."
"I do, but I'm never moving again. We're never moving," she said, poking him in the chest. "We're dying in this house."
"No one's dying anytime soon, angel," Edward snorted, kissing her nose. "Have you heard from Rose today?"
"She sent a text. She hates being on bed rest, but her blood pressure is too high. They may induce labor as early as today," Bella replied. "Princess Hannah will be her sooner rather than later."
"That little girl is going to be so spoiled," Edward laughed. "How many outfits have we gotten for her?"
"I want my niece to be the best dressed baby on the planet," Bella scoffed, giving him a wry smile. "Anyway, I have to go into Bull Dog. I need to finalize travel plans for Brady, Collin and the new guy, Trevor, for the fight in Las Vegas. Have you worked with Trevor?"
"I have. He's got some fast hands and excellent footwork. I can see him going far," Edward grinned. "We sparred when he 'tried out' for Charlie. I won, but it was a close call." He sat down on the couch in their family room. Bella sat down on his lap. She trailed her fingers down his cheek. "I think I'm going to announce my retirement soon. Charlie's getting queries about when I'm fighting again …"
"I've been getting calls, as well. The Vegas organizers were curious as to why you weren't fighting at that event," she said. "I was vague on my answer, saying that you were recovering from an injury."
"I hated that you had to lie for me," Edward frown. "I could fight, but … I'm done."
"I know you were waffling between becoming an agent and coaching. Originally, you wanted to be an agent and then back to coaching … have you decided?"
"Agent. I've been speaking with Alice and my first three clients are Brady, Collin, and Trevor," he smiled. "Moving forward, I'll be working with her and you to support them. I spoke to the three of them, with Jasper, and we signed a contract for me to act as their agent."
"Congratulations!" Bella sang, hugging her boyfriend.
"I also have some football players that Alice has as clients that are not happy with their representation. I'm meeting with them next week," Edward explained. "We're scrambling to furnish my new office before those meetings."
"Alice will get it done," Bella nodded. "She's a whiz with a credit card."
"But, I have to announce my retirement first," Edward said. "I have an interview scheduled with ESPN. They're doing a special about my career and during that interview, I'm going to announce my retirement and future plans moving forward."
"I think that's a smart plan …" Bella said, cutting off when her phone rang from the cocktail table. "Hello?"
"Bells, it's Emmett. They're taking Rose back to get a C-section. Her blood pressure spiked, and the baby is in distress … I don't know what to do," Emmett said frantically.
"Take a breath, Em," Bella said calmly. "Call your family and I'll handle the rest. We'll be there in a half hour, okay? Rose will be alright. We love you."
"Love you, too, Bells," Emmett whispered. "Please hurry."
She hung up the phone, looking at Edward. "Rose is in labor and their performing a C-section because of her blood pressure. My work will need to be done in the waiting room for the boys and their trip. We need to head to the hospital."
"Do you want to pick up anything for Rose or the baby?" Edward asked. "Another outfit or a stuffed animal?"
"From the panic in Emmett's voice, I can get something from the gift shop," Bella replied, walking to the office, and grabbing her computer bag. She slid on a jacket while Edward picked up his car keys. With a kiss, they got into his Volvo, driving to the hospital.
Similar to when Emmett was hospitalized, everyone was in the waiting room, including that girl, Bree. She eyed Edward like he was a steak even though she was attached to Collin like a tick. Bella shot her a sharp glare, which made Bree avert her eyes with a blush.
"Don't worry, gorgeous. I'm yours and always will be yours," Edward snickered, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"Good to know," Bella said proudly, dragging him to sit closest to Carlisle and Esme, who were practically vibrating with excitement at welcoming their first grandchild.
An hour after Bella and Edward arrived, Emmett walked out with a tiny pink bundle in his arms. His face was elated, but there was worry in his eyes. "Welcome to the world, Hannah Marie Cullen," he said, handing the baby off to his mother. "Perfectly healthy with ten fingers, ten toes and a set of lungs that will wake the dead."
"Oh, she's precious," Esme cooed, trailing her finger down her granddaughter's cheek. "How's Rose?"
"She's okay. They're stitching her up now," Emmett answered. "It was scary at the time, but Rose fought like a warrior to bring her into the world." Looking at his sister and her best friend, he continued. "We discussed it, and we decided that both Bella and Alice will be her godmothers."
"What about a godfather?" Carlisle asked.
"No godfather. Two godmothers," Emmett pressed. "We couldn't decide on which of you we wanted to be the godmother. It was our nurse that suggested both of you do it. We agreed."
"I think it's smart," Esme said. Emmett wriggled his fingers, wanting to hold his daughter. With a frown, Esme handed the baby back to her father. "We'll give you some time to bond as a family."
"Thank you for coming," Emmett grinned. "I know I was a hot mess when I called everyone, but I was worried about losing Rosalie."
"She'll be fine," Esme reassured him. "I had a C-section when I had Alice. She was a huge baby with a ginormous head. I couldn't deliver her vaginally."
"Mom, I'm already scarred with Rose's birth. I do not want to hear about the squirt's birth. Ewwwww," Emmett groaned. He nuzzled his daughter. "I'm going to use baby snuggles and try to forget what Mom just said. We'll call you when we're ready for visitors. I know Auntie Alice and Auntie Bella want to hold their niece."
"So does Papa," Carlisle huffed, grinning at his son. "Am I chopped liver?"
"We promise, Dad. Love to all of you," Emmett responded tiredly. He disappeared through the doors to the labor and delivery ward.
"I think we need to go out and celebrate on behalf of Rose, Emmett and baby Hannah," Alice suggested. "Dinner?"
"It's on Bull Dog," Charlie grinned. "We have the next generation to celebrate."
A couple of days after the birth of Hannah Marie Cullen, Edward was seated in Bull Dog. The gym was closed for the day so Edward could have his interview with ESPN. Bella was in attendance, as was Charlie, Carlisle, and Marcus.
The latter had moved out to Seattle shortly after he was cleared of any wrongdoing. He was just a pawn in Aro and Caius's schemes. His license was suspended, but for a month. In that month, he'd packed up his life in Chicago, bought a condo in Escala and began working with Carlisle in his practice. Marcus was eager to move on from being under his brothers' thumb.
"You won your last fight, Edward. But, that fight was rife with drama. What's your take on Jacob's drug use and Volterra's actions?"
"Personally, I feel badly for Jacob. His coaches, trainers and people should have kept him away from any situations where he could gain access to drugs. Ultimately, it was his choice to juice up. It was his choice to be high when he fought me. In the long run, he's got bigger problems than his permanent banishment in this sport. From what I've heard, he's in rehab and not doing well. I pray that he gets clean and finds his path.
"Now, Volterra? They got what they deserved," Edward sneered. "Aro was money hungry and Caius? He was a few cards short of a deck. I can't speak more about their involvement due to a criminal and a civil case against Caius, Aro and the Volturi group, but let's just say that the fighters who worked with the Volturi got a raw deal. All flash, no substance."
Jasper did file a suit against Volterra on behalf of Edward based on the new evidence discovered in the raid on their compound. With the correspondence with Demetri's trainers and coaches, it would appear that Edward would be granted a hefty payout from Volterra and even more from Aro Volturi, personally.
"Before we wrap things up, I know I want to know when you're getting into the ring again. You're an amazing fighter, with so much grace and power. Any plans to come back to the sport you love?"
Edward blew out a breath, shifting in the chair. "I have plans, but not to return to the ring. I love fighting, but my body cannot take the beatings like it should. In my fight with Demetri, I was beat to hell. Cracked ribs, a concussion almost bordering on traumatic brain injury and a broken shoulder. It was because of his illegal tactics that caused me to take a year off from the sport so I could heal and rehab my body. After my fight with Jacob, it aggravated old injuries. Discussing it with my doctor and my family, I made the decision to step away from the sport.
"Now, am I completely walking away? No. I'm transitioning to become a sports agent. I'm also working with some fighters here in Bull Dog, training them," Edward explained. "This wasn't an easy decision, but it's the right one for me."
"I know that a lot of people will be upset to hear about you leaving this sport. You were one of the most influential fighters in recent time. But, I understand your decision to do so. I wish you nothing but the best."
The interview was over, and the world would eventually know about Edward's choice to retire. With that, he turned the page on that chapter, eager to begin the next one.
The day the special on Edward was aired, about two weeks after the interview, Charlie hosted a viewing party. Edward was humbled and nervous, not wanting to watch it, but Charlie was insistent. All of Bull Dog was settled in the backyard, watching on Charlie's big screen.
"Do you think I have to stay?" Edward whispered to Bella. "I really don't want to see this."
"Let's stay for the start of it and then, we can escape to the beach," Bella suggested.
"Thank you," Edward breathed, reaching into his pocket, feeling the small jewelry box that was nestled there. "An hour of watching me fight and talk? No thanks."
"I wouldn't mind, seeing you all hot and sweaty," Bella giggled, pinching his side.
"I'll show you hot and sweaty, angel," he growled, nuzzling her neck, and making her squeal.
"It's starting!" Marcus proclaimed, holding up a wine glass.
"I'll just stay here," Edward whispered, wrapping his lips around her ear, sucking deeply. Bella melted against him before elbowing him to stop.
Bella and Edward stayed to watch the first fifteen minutes of the special. Edward was a vibrant pink, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Charlie, thankfully, gave him a reprieve and let him go. Grabbing Bella's hand, they left the group of people and made their way down to the beach.
"At least I didn't break my leg this time," Bella teased. "Or run away in a panic."
"I'd still carry you, if you'd like," Edward snickered. "That means you can't run away."
"Ha, ha," Bella deadpanned, sitting down on a piece of driftwood. "I don't want to run away. I mean, we live together now and have signed paperwork that we own that house."
"A house where we can build a future," Edward murmured, moving to get on one knee.
"Edward … what are you doing?"
"Something I should have done before we bought the house, but everything moved so quickly. Bella, I love you. I think I loved you from the moment we kissed that day in the rain," he began.
"Even though I ran?" she asked.
"I get it, angel. You were hurt by Jacob and were hesitant to trust me. Once I garnered that trust, I knew that you were the one for me," he whispered. "Every moment with you is a gift. You were worth the fight. Isabella Marie Swan, I love you. Would you marry me?" He held up the ring, a two-carat cushion cut halo set engagement ring. It sparkled in the fading sunlight.
"Yes," she whispered, taking his face into her hands. "Always, yes." She kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth.
"Wait, I want this on your finger before …" he breathed, sliding the ring over her knuckle. "A perfect fit, Mrs. Masen." He pressed a kiss to the ring, blinking up at her. His eyes were practically glowing. "I love you."
"As I love you, Mr. Masen," she said, pressing her lips to his. "Hmmm, definitely worth the fight."
A/N: And, that's what she wrote … pictures of their new digs, engagement ring and such are on my blog (after I find them). You can find a link for that on my profile. I'm also on FB: Tufano's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, Hive and Spoutible, too: tufano79.
Epilogue next … leave some love! FighterWard appreciates the love. He'll give you a ring!