I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 12
I could have sworn I made this mattress softer, I thought as I tried to snuggle under the covers, hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. I felt it shift underneath me and I realized it wasn't my bed I was trying to burrow into. I peeked my eyes open and gazed at Edward, and he gently stroked my hair.
"You stayed." I was pleased.
"You didn't give me much of a choice. When I tried to get out of the bed, you'd bring me right back, even though you were in a deep sleep." He smirked.
My smile dropped. "Oh…I won't stop you if you really want to leave."
His smirk changed into a softer smile and stroked my cheek with one finger then tilted my chin up to give me a light kiss.
"It wasn't unbearable, Kitten. In fact, it was rather peaceful and enjoyable, lying here with you. I'm just not used to staying still for so long. I wasn't planning on leaving the house either, I only wanted to make a quick phone call to update Carlisle on our travel plans," he told me.
"Our travel plans?" I quirked an eyebrow and bit my lip as I glanced into his mind. "We're going to Ireland?" I sat up quickly and the sheet dropped away, exposing my chest.
Edward didn't hide his wolfish ogling of my breasts. Annoyed he wasn't answering me, I zapped him. He didn't flinch but chuckled. I yanked up the sheet and hid my chest from my voyeur.
"Hasn't anyone told you that it's rude to stare?" I asked amusingly.
He snickered, finally meeting my eyes. "Probably the same person who neglected to tell you that biting is rude."
"On the contrary, I was informed vampires like it when their mates bite them. Something about it being erotic." I bit my lip and batted my eyes at him.
"Meddlesome harpies," he muttered.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Actually, I have found them very helpful. And it was you yourself that informed me. Are you getting forgetful in your old age?"
"Of course you would, they're on your side. And I'm not forgetful or old. Didn't you find that out from me several times last night, or do I need to teach it to you again?" He rolled us over so I was pinned under him.
Feeling playful, I disappeared on him and went to the kitchen. However, I projected my giggling and heartbeat into other areas of the house. I bit my lip from laughing as I could tell he was running from room to room trying to follow where the sound went. Meanwhile, I prepared myself some breakfast, being careful to hide the scent of it. He paused, then raced for the kitchen just as I was sitting down.
"If you don't want to be treated as a child maybe you shouldn't act like one." He gave me a pointed look.
"Aww admit it, you had fun trying to find me." I winked at him before licking the tip of the banana and then taking a big bite out of it.
He clucked his tongue and took a seat across from me. "You won't be happy until you're the death of me, will you?"
"Maybe." I shrugged innocently. "So you probably shouldn't piss me off." I placed my feet on his lap and let my toes play with his cock.
Edward laughed and picked up my foot and started to massage it. "Dually noted, Kitten. But as much as I would enjoy playing with you, I need to get a hold of Carlisle, stop by my office, and we both should pack for Ireland."
"Packing isn't really necessary. I can get us anything we need. Are we going to Ireland today?" I grew eager.
He nodded. "I thought it was prudent to go as soon as possible. I know you have many questions you still want answered."
I smiled. "I do. And maybe we can take a few days, just the two of us, like a mini vacay. I always wanted to go to Ireland."
I waited for Edward's answer, half expecting him to tell me no. But I was pleased when he nodded in agreement. "As you wish, Kitten. However, do we need to find someone to feed Bruce while we're gone?"
"Who?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Your pet shark," Edward inferred.
"My pet what now?" I was confused.
"Shark. The one you put in the fish tank in the game room. That was you, wasn't it?" Edward looked as confused as me.
"Oh, that. It's not a real fish tank. It's actually a live feed from the ocean by The Great Barrier Reef. Does it really look so convincing, you thought it was real?" I was pleased.
"Certainly did. I didn't expect to see a shark in my house. Emmett will get a kick out of it if one swims by when he's here. He'll probably try to convince you to get a live one, so he can feed it the remains of our kills." He chuckled.
"Sounds gross, but I can make a shark room if you'd like," I told him.
"We'll talk about it later. I'm going to go run my quick errands and be back in a couple of hours. Would you please stay here while I'm gone." Edward stood.
"Can I go with you to visit Esme?" I saw the answer as soon as I asked, and my smile dropped from my face. I was hoping to have a relationship with her, but Carlisle was going to be a problem.
Edward frowned in return. "He'll learn to trust you in time, Kitten."
"I hope so. I guess I can't blame him," I admitted, knowing that it was hard to trust after being betrayed. "I'll be good and stay here. Please, no babysitters. Franklin is here if I need help…and I guess I could feed anyone who bothers me to Bruce."
Edward chuckled and kissed my cheek. "Thank you, Kitten."
Once Edward left, I roamed around the house bored and a little anxious. I looked for the future of our trip to bide my time, I couldn't see everything in Ireland or at least not meeting Siobhan and Liam. I could see us exploring Dublin, and other sites, but not the other couple. I didn't get too worried because I could see us returning in three days. So, I assumed it was Siobhan who was blocking the encounter.
I paused when I got a vision of three police cars arriving to search the house. They wouldn't find anything, especially with me here. Edward would arrive halfway through anyways, so I didn't think I needed to alert him. Besides, this might be fun.
I took my time answering the door, and on the front step were six uniformed officers. The one in front scowled at me, clearly hoping to find Edward here.
"Is it calendar time already? We'll take two," I said sweetly.
"We have a warrant to search the premises so step aside," the leader of the investigators stated.
"Gladly," I told them. They stepped forward, but I didn't move. "But only after I see and have a moment to read the warrant. I know our rights. Plus, there's always time for manners, the house has a solid foundation, it isn't going to get up and move."
One of the officers snorted, finding me humorous. His partner elbowed him then glared at me. He looked me up and down, wondering if I was one of Edward's sluts. I zapped him in the back of the neck; he swatted at it like a bug had bitten him, he then looked around in confusion to try and find it.
"Who are you?" the leader questioned.
"I'm Marie. I live here. For someone who was in a hurry moments ago, you do seem to be taking your time showing me your warrant," I said in a bored tone.
The officer pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. I took my time reading and making a few changes to it before handing it back. I took a step back and opened the door.
"Come on in, gentleman, I will show you the way." I gestured to the foyer.
"No need." The leader brushed past me. "Marks, Stevens, head for the garage. Conway, Briggs—"
"Excuse me, I didn't catch your name, Officer…" I interrupted him.
"Sergeant Varner, if you impede any further, I will have you arrested," he growled.
"I won't interfere as long as you follow the warrant. It clearly stated Edward Cullen's home office on the warrant. Therefore, that is the only room you're allowed to search. You will not be allowed to search any other room. If you want to do so, then it should've been stated on the warrant." I held out the piece of paper.
He snatched it out of my hand. "I know what it says. It says…" He trailed off as he read.
"I know how to read, Sergeant. Now if you all follow me, I'll show you the way." I walked over to the hallway and waited.
"Sarge?" the guy I now knew was Conway questioned.
"Follow her. I'll have to get another warrant for the rest of the house," Sergeant grumbled.
"This way, and please, be dears and wipe your feet. I just vacuumed and it's a rather big task in this house," I said perkily.
As I walked with them behind, I overheard the officer who scowled at me, Briggs, making a rude comment about me to another officer. I got even by making him trip over nothing and fall into his boss.
"Watch it, Briggs," the sergeant snapped.
"I tripped over…over…" Briggs looked for the invisible stumbling block. "Sorry, Sarge."
I opened the office door and stepped aside. They filed in and spread out around the room. I leaned on the doorframe watching them. Stevens went to the desk and searched the empty top with a frown.
"Doesn't he own a computer?" he asked out loud.
"He does but it's a laptop that travels to and from his main office with him," I answered, then my attention was diverted by a loud thud.
I glared at Briggs, who purposely threw a book on the floor. The other officers also weren't being as careful as they should be either.
"If you break the binding, you'll be paying for a new book. I understand you have a warrant, but it doesn't give you permission to treat our things with such disrespect. I will not hesitate to report you to your superiors for misconduct," I told them firmly.
"It would be your word against ours," Briggs snapped at me, giving the book a kick for good measure.
"Actually, it would be my word and our surveillance cameras against yours. I doubt anyone who wants to rise in ranks would lie for you," I countered.
"Briggs, cut it out and get to work. Clean up the mess you're making too," Sergeant Vernar snapped at him while eyeing the camera. "I want copies of the surveillance videos from the last month."
"Certainly," I agreed, and he started to smile. "As soon as you get a warrant authorizing it," I added, making his smile drop.
"Fuck!" Briggs screamed, dropping the book once more. "It tried to electrocute me."
"How can a book shock you? Stop being a drama queen and let's get this over with. This place gives me the creeps," Conway whispered.
"Where's his safe?" Marks asked, removing a painting off the wall behind the desk.
"Well, it wouldn't be behind a painting, like some cliché movie and book. I don't even know if this house has one, to be honest." I sighed, growing bored of this game. "What are you looking for anyways?"
"Proof that Edward Cullen is a criminal," Sergeant Varner stated.
"Edward a criminal?" I scoffed. "Please, he's just a rich businessman. Pretty boring really."
"Don't you know about the clubs he owns?" Briggs scowled at me, getting on my last nerve.
"If you're talking about the two dance clubs and one strip club, then I do. But none of those places are illegal." I rolled my eyes, glad that Edward was finally at the house and would be here within seconds.
"If you were an intelligent girl instead of a slut, you'd run before you get implicated by association," Briggs snarled at me.
"What did you call my wife?" Edward growled from the doorway.
A/N: Bella had a little fun with her magic in the one. Thank you for your thoughts.