The Wedding Picture Chapter 7, a twilight fanfic

This story is un-beta'd. All mistakes are mine.

I had fun writing this chapter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Chapter 7

Aaron

I sat at my desk in my home office staring out the window that was slightly covered with the morning frost. Although there were still multi-colored leaves scattered about, the brisk sunrise was making way for the winter to settle in soon.

Normally I enjoyed not going to work, opting to work from home in my pajamas, with my favorite black mug full of black coffee. I hated cream and sugar in my coffee. What was the point of drinking it if it was going to be sullied from the raw, vibrant flavor of sugar?

I tried to distract myself from the memory that seemed to be ingrained in my mind when I was suspended. Days later I still found it hard to believe Myles allowed Carlisle and Edward to speak to me like that. I had been the golden boy to him before those damn Cullen's came along.

I couldn't decide if I was irked more between being tossed aside by my colleagues or Bella continuing to ignore me. My personal and work life has never been out of order at the same time.

She was my fucking wife and nowhere to be found while I was going through some serious shit. She should be here consoling me, encouraging me, reminding me of how much of a great goddamn attorney I am. But where the fuck was she? Not with her husband that's fuckn where.

Since I had nothing but time on my hands, I would use that time to track Bella down and drag her ass back home. It didn't matter if she came kicking and screaming, I needed her home so I could fuck this stress away. She was the reason I was in this shit show in the first place.

A good punishment sounded good to me. Tie her to the bed for days and have my wicked way with her until I got tired. I would get off over and over leaving her a wanting mess, not allowing her any type of release.

I smiled at the thought of that.

Lover's Playground was definitely a stop I'd be making.

The ring from the doorman downstairs brought me out of the plans I had for Bella.

"Good morning, Mr. Smith." He greeted me when I answered the phone.

"Good morning, Gilbert."

I was curious why he was calling me so early since I wasn't expecting anyone or any packages.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir but there is a sheriff down here stating there are some important documents that need your attention."

A sheriff? That was odd. What type of paperwork would he need to give to me?

Perhaps it was something Garrett had delivered to me that needed my signature. After all, it's not like he can handle the clientele I do.

"Okay, send him up," I said before hanging up the phone.

I exited my office and made my way toward the front door just as the doorbell rang.

A chill ran through my body, so I stopped to turn the heat up. Then the doorbell rang again.

"Hold your horses. I'm coming." I sighed.

There was a short, stocky man standing at my door once I opened it.

Good morn—" he abruptly cut me off.

"Mr. Aaron Michael Smith?" His tone was sharp.

"Yes." Mine was sharp, too.

"You've been served." He handed me two envelopes.

"Served? What the hell is this about?" I demanded.

"Read it and you'll find out." His brown eyes drilled into me briefly before he walked away.

I slammed the door shut and quickly started to pull out the first set of documents.

The first thing I saw at the top of the page was a Petition for Order of Protection. Then I saw the petitioner as, Isabella M. Swan, with a date for me to appear in court tomorrow.

Breath left my body as if I'd been sucker punched.

I read and reread it again to make sure I read it right.

It didn't matter how badly I wanted the words to change, they weren't going to. I had to face the fact that she wanted to legally keep me away from her.

"Goddamnit!" I ran my hand over my face.

I continued to glare at the offense form in my hand when I saw she even used a pseudo address as if I was some type of danger to her.

This had Chief Swan written all over it. That bastard has never liked me, but the feeling was mutual. We tolerated each other. Got along for the sake of Bella. He was another one of her family members who thought I was never good enough for her.

They were too blind to see that Bella married up. I was a well-known, thriving attorney in Chicago. Any woman would be lucky to be my wife and they have the nerve to think I'm beneath her. Please.

The whole family was crazy if they thought they'd get rid of me that easy.

Had Bella forgotten I'm a goddamn lawyer, with connections?

It must have slipped her tiny little mind how ruthless I can be.

I will drag her and her whole goddman family through the mud and have her begging on hands and knees for me to take her back.

No piece of paper will keep me away from my motherfucking wife.

I jammed that shit back into the envelope and threw it across the room.

I had almost forgotten I was holding something else in my hand. I slowly walked over to the couch trying to mentally prepare for what was next.

Bad luck seemed to have been attached to my hip lately.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union was what pushed me over the edge.

Anger stirred within me.

Before I knew it, I was on my feet with the glass cocktail table that Bella had taken weeks to find, in my hands throwing it against the wall.

That felt good but that wasn't enough.

The pictures on the wall went aimlessly flying from the living room into the dining room, cracking the glass dining room table.

Twenty-thousand-dollar Bernardaud Kintsugi vases were slammed to the marble floor.

Fine china was pulled from the white oak cabinet piece by piece and hurled in every direction as if I were playing baseball.

I had meticulously had this condo decorated to impress Bella. I wanted her to see the type of lifestyle I could offer her. I had our lives perfectly planned but she goes and does this. She thinks I will tolerate a stunt like this.

Rage quickened my blood as I continued to move from room to room destroying anything in sight.

The noise must have alarmed my neighbors since the doorbell rang without Gilbert calling me from downstairs first.

Some nosey fuck-face probably called the cops.

Just what I needed.

The bell rang again with a hard knock that followed.

"Yeah, yeah. Hold the fuck on, asshole." I huffed, as I marched toward the door.

I snatched the door open ready to chew off a motherfucker's head.

Two Chicago policemen stood in the entryway. "Is there a problem, Mr. Smith?" The taller one asked getting straight to the point.

I chuckled and shook my head wishing I could click the delete button on my day already. "No," I replied positing myself so they could see the mess I made inside. "Why do you ask?"

"We got a call saying loud noises were coming from your here. Are you alone?" The shorter officer inquired.

"Yes, I am alone, and I have no idea what you're talking about. I've been working in my office for the past three hours." I shrugged my shoulders. "Sorry, you wasted your time."

"Are you sure?" The taller one squinted his eyes in what looked to be disbelief.

I had to get rid of them before I said something that would land me back in jail.

"Do you gentlemen have a search warrant?" I smirked.

"No." The shorted glared.

Checkmate.

"You fellows have a good, now." I waved at them, laughing as I closed the door in their irritated faces.

I ran my fingers through my hair as I looked at my place in shambles.

Too bad, it would have to wait until later.

I needed to find Bella and get her to dismiss this bullshit ass order of petition court date.

TWP

There was chatter everywhere as several different crowds passed me while I stood stoically off in a corner, near a window.

I wasn't sure if my heart was beating fast due to the five cups of coffee I'd had before nine o'clock or from the anger I'd felt from being in a courthouse for something other than my own cases.

Yesterday had been a complete bust. That bastard, Robert, had his address listed as private. Even with the acquaintances I had, including the shady ones, I still couldn't get an address on the asshole. He had it sealed tight.

Bella was smarter than I thought she was.

I thought to follow him home from work one day but then decided against it. If I got caught, then that would have opened another can of worms. I was treading on thin ice with the firm already.

My eyes widened when I saw her walking up the stairs with Renee, Robert, and Caryn, or whatever the hell Robert's wife's name is.

She looked as beautiful as the day I met her. They were all laughing but Bella's smile was just as bright as the autumn morning sun.

Seeing her long dark, wavy hair took my mind back to the many times I had tangled my fingers in it as I thrusted into her over and over again.

I began to get hard remembering the last time her full, plump lips were wrapped around my cock, as I fucked her mouth.

Damn! I needed her, now.

Get together, Smith. You can't appear before a judge with a hard-on.

By the time I shook those memories away, they had made it inside.

I hadn't been this close to her in days, but it felt longer than that.

I had to touch her—sniff her.

"Bella?" My voice cracked.

Her shoulders stiffened as she turned around to face me.

I had rehearsed all these things in my head to say to her when I saw her, but every single word escaped me. I stood there like a babbling idiot as her milk chocolate brown eyes blazed with fire into mine.

A cold shiver jolted through my body.

Her entourage flanked her on both sides with expressions daring me to step any closer.

"Please." I finally managed to get out.

If I could have just gotten her alone, I was sure I would have been able to get her to drop this order and the divorce. I only needed five goddamn minutes.

I was Aaron fuckn Smith and I've pissed on people and made them think it was raining.

"Bella?" A tall, slender guy, with short black hair and a black Armani suit walked toward her.

Her tight facial expression changed once she looked at him. "Sean." She smiled.

He glanced over at me briefly before he leaned down and hugged her, then Renee.

This Sean guy had to have been her lawyer.

Shit! I didn't think she would have lawyered up.

She wants to play hardball; I could play too.

Time to put your game face on, Smith.

"All rise." The bailiff said in the courtroom.

We all stood when Judge Colette Atkins entered.

She looked older than me with medium-length blonde hair.

Perhaps I could charm her old ass into dismissing this bogus request.

"You all may be seated." The Judge announced.

It was so quiet; you could have heard a pin drop.

"Good morning, everyone." She smiled and met our gazes before putting on a pair of black framed glasses on the tips of her nose as she shuffled some papers around.

We all murmured good morning back.

"Counselor Aaron Smith," she looked over her glasses. "are we waiting on your attorney or do you plan to represent yourself?"

"I don't have any representation, Your Honor." I gave her my panty-dropping smile.

"Very well." She nodded. "All right we have Swan versus Smith, docket number 247500-B-3381. Sean, you may go first."

Sean? Does this motherfucker personally know her?

"Thank you, Your Honor." He stood up from his chair. "Have you had a chance to review the reports I submitted?"

"Yes, I have." She confirmed.

"Good. Mr. Smith came to Ms. Swan's place of employment, unannounced, and even when he was dismissed by personnel, stating that Ms. Swan could not be disturbed, he remained in the lobby area waiting for her. When the main guard, Mr. Walker, noticed Mr. Smith appeared to be harassing Ms. Swan he proceeded to ask Ms. Swan if everything was all right. Once the security guards were informed by Ms. Swan that she was in fact being harassed and asked them to escort Mr. Smith out of the building, that is when things went extremely wrong." Sean stated.

"I've read both detailed accounts from the security guard and the police officer and I have to admit, Sean, you gave a much nicer summation compared to what I have in front of me." Judge Colette arched an eyebrow at me. "I have to say I am quite concerned for your client's safety." She looked between Sean and Bella.

"I am too, which is why we're here today. As you can see, Your Honor, although Mr. Smith has an impressive record in the courtroom, his personal life doesn't measure up in the same way. I'm sure you'll find a copy of the divorce decree there as well," Sean pointed. "as further proof that Ms. Swan wants to cut all ties to Mr. Smith and move on with her life."

"Thank you, Sean." He sat down and squeezed Bella's hand.

What kind of shit is that? I don't touch any of my clients like that.

Is she having an affair with him?

I've heard how some divorce attorneys pounce on their female clients. They're usually lonely or seeking revenge on their cheating spouses.

Maybe I should have some of my associates dig into Colette Atkins's life to make sure there's no conflict of interest happening.

She folded her fingers together and her cold gray eyes looked at me. "You may begin Mr. Smith."

I scooted my chair back and stood with pride. "We all know that communication is key to any relationship whether it be romantic, a friendship, or business. Countless numbers of relationships have failed because of it, Your Honor." I pleaded. Although I do talk for a living, I have taken my wife for granted by not disclosing my thoughts and feelings to her, which has led us to this grave misunderstanding today."

I continued. "The day in question was a stressful, challenging day for me at the office. I will admit, my anger was displaced. But, Judge Atkins, you know what it's like being an attorney yourself and all the pressure that's entailed in this type of job. It was one bad day," I held up my index finger. "that was blown way out of proportion." I purposely paused to look at Sean. "I want nothing more than to finally begin my life with my lovely, new wife and put all of this nonsense behind us." I sat down knowing I'd charmed my way of this uncalled-for embarrassment.

Bella knew how I felt about my reputation and how I appeared to my colleagues. We could have handled this behind closed doors.

This all started because of one damn picture.

I still wanted to ring Michael's neck about not having the balls to do his fuckn job.

"What a nice speech," Judge Colette said bringing me out of my thoughts. "but that still does not answer for the type of behavior you displayed at Durand Martin, of all places. Where military guns are manufactured." She chuckled and shook her head. "Even when they gave you several minutes to calm yourself down you still resisted arrest and caused a scene."

This airheaded woman had missed my whole point.

"Your Honor they tased me." I stood, yelling, and pointed to my chest.

"Order!" She banged her gavel once. "I did not ask you to speak, Mr. Smith. This is my courtroom, and you will only speak when I say so," she cocked her head to the side. "Is that clear, Mr. Smith?"

"Yes, Your Honor," I mumbled.

She gave me a curt nod. "Now, Mr. Smith you have proven these reports to be correct." She gestured toward the papers in front of her. "On paper, you seem like a young well well-accomplished attorney on the rise but keep in mind, Counselor, the surprising thing about young fools is how many survive to become old fools." She placed her hand under her chin. "In good conscience, I will give Ms. Isabella Swan the order of protection she has requested today."

I closed my eyes and sighed in bewilderment.

Bella tried to conceal her squeal of happiness but failed miserably.

"Furthermore," the Judge continued. "I have required you to attend anger management classes for twenty-eight sessions and you better not miss one or you will see me again." She paused. "And Mr. Smith," she pointed her gravel at me. "I can guarantee you that you won't want to appear in my courtroom again, sir." She scowled at me before ending the session and leaving the room.

I sat in my chair flabbergasted while they all celebrated me having to stay one thousand feet away from my own damn wife.

This was complete and utter bullshit.

The judge had to have been paid off or something.

I have never lost a case in all of my career.

I felt something in my gut that was new—I had never felt it before. I didn't like it and certainly wasn't going to put a name to it.

But one thing for goddamn certain, I wasn't going to lose the next round in court. I planned to pull out everything including the motherfuckn kitchen sink to stop this divorce.

Isabella Swan was mine and I had no plan on letting her go any time soon.

A/N: Thank you for your awesome reviews. I appreciate your encouraging words and for supporting this fun little story.

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