The Wedding Picture Chapter 8, a twilight fanfic

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

Here's another piece to the puzzle. I think you all might like this one. Let me know your thoughts, please.

Chapter 8

Althea

"Oh, Peter," I giggled. "you can't keep talking like that and I have to get back to work soon." I blushed.

When Peter called me, I had just ended the court session for the day. We had been on the phone for over thirty minutes talking dirty, even though I had paperwork that needed to be done before I left for the day.

He'd been in New York for a week due to work. He's a computer software engineer who travels often, even out of the country sometimes.

We talked every day while he was gone. But he'd arrived home this morning after I left for work and told me everything, he'd planned to do to me when I got home.

"If I had my way, baby, you'd be coming home to me right now." His voice was husky. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Petey Bear," I cooed and rubbed my thighs together.

I was so in love with my husband.

"I'm making one of your favorites for dinner, pan-roasted lobster with chive beurre blanc, with the Babcock chardonnay you love."

My Petey was a magician in the kitchen and the bedroom.

"You spoil me." I teased.

"I know and I love every minute of it, too. How soon can you get here?"

He had made it impossibly hard for me to focus on my work.

"Give me two more hours and I'm all yours for the rest of the day," I promised.

"I'm going to hold you to that, sweetheart." I could tell he was smiling.

"I want you too." I purred.

"Okay, I'm going to let you go now. The sooner you're done the sooner you can come home to me. I love you."

"I love you, too." I smiled and disconnected the call.

I knew I was going to come into work the next day walking funny but damn it was worth it.

I stood up and removed my robe, hanging it in my closet. I grabbed a couple of my Lindor chocolate candies from my stash and drove into my work.

A gentle knock on the door brought me out of the intense notes I'd been reading. "Come in."

He walked in with a chalk-striped Brioni suit, that accentuated his broad shoulder and a crisp tailor-made white shirt that fit him perfectly.

His presence was majestic—captivating. You couldn't turn away even if you wanted to. It pulled you in as soon as he entered the room.

The warm toffee, bourbon vanilla scent filled my office as he strode closer to my desk, with a slight frown on his face.

He had always been a good-looking man, second to my Peter, of course, but I knew women fawned over him wherever he went.

"Thea," he smiled the same lopsided smile reserved for close friends and family.

"Well," I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "Hello, stranger."

"Aww, why are you playing like that?" He chuckled.

"I haven't seen or heard from you in weeks." I playfully rolled my eyes.

"You know I keep a busy schedule." He countered as he sat down.

"Mhmm," I smirked.

"Okay, okay." He held his palms up in surrender. "I'll make sure I have everybody at my house soon. How does that sound?" He laughed.

"Perfect. And do you promise to make your famous chocolate cake, too?"

"You're pushing it, Thea." He snorted.

"It's not my fault all the important men in my life know how to cook." I shrugged one shoulder. "Plus, it's almost a tradition for you to make it anytime we come over to your house." I pouted.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll make it. You're so damn rotten, girl." He joked.

"Thank you." I grinned a big tooth grin of victory. I repositioned in my chair. "Now, what brings you by, Edward?"

He ran his finger through his disheveled hair. "I came by to see if you knew how Bella was doing?"

"Is that so?" I leaned forward and propped my hand under my chin.

"Quit playing, you knew I would be concerned about her after the way she left her wedding."

"Why don't you call her and find out for yourself? You know her number hasn't changed." I challenged.

"I haven't called because I don't want to have to deal with that douche she married." He shook his head. "How is she, Thea?"

"I haven't spoken to her yet. I was giving her the space she needed. I've been waiting for her to contact me, but it's been weeks…" I trailed off.

Once I had the opportunity to look through everything thoroughly that Emmett brought me, my heart broke for Bella over and over again. I see and hear a lot of shit as a judge, but it hits differently when it's you or someone you love.

"Are you telling me you don't know what happened?" Edward asked.

"I didn't say that."

"So, you do know?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

"What happened?"

"I can't tell you."

"You can't—" he stood up and began to pace. "Thea, this is me." He pointed to himself. "What do you mean you can't tell me?"

"Edward, I'm sorry but it wouldn't be fair to her to talk to you about it and I'm not sure just how much she knows."

He paused his pace. "Was it that bad?"

"It was horrible."

He ran his hand over his face. "I hate this shit. I don't like feeling like my hands are tied. Fuck!" He yelled.

"Trust me, I feel the same way. I wanted to go and strangle the bastard myself but helping Bella through this is what's important right now."

"I want to help her, too." His tone softened.

"I know you do." I walked from around my desk and stood next to him. "I can see you still have feelings for her by the way you look at her."

"Is it that obvious?" He seemed surprised.

"Maybe not to others but I know you, so yeah."

"Thea, I can't stand by and watch her be hurt like this." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I have to do something." He sounded desperate.

"Be her friend. She needs that more than ever right now."

"I don't know if that's enough." He mumbled.

"It is Edward," I urged. "Trust me, that's exactly what she will need." I squeezed his arm. "Call her and just listen if she wants to talk and if she's not ready just be there for her until she is ready. She's going to need all the love and support she can get from all of us."

"I know you're right." He sighed "It's just… do you know how hard it was for me to watch her marry another man and try to be happy about it?"

"I can't tell you I know how you feel but my heart went out to you that day. I know this won't help you, but it gave me a new respect for you. Most men would have stayed home and sulked, but you showed up."

"Can I be completely honest with you, Thea?" He stared at me intently and continued before I could respond. "I wanted to stay home and get wasted to try and numb the pain, but I couldn't." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Edward, I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could have done to change that for the both of you."

"Thanks, but you didn't do anything. It was me who made the foolish decision that I've regretted for years now." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking off at nothing. "If I could go back and change it, I would. Then Bella wouldn't be going through this shit. That no good sonofabitch doesn't deserve her."

"I couldn't agree with you more." I leaned on the edge of my desk. "Most if not all of the family feels the same way." I snorted a laugh. "Knowing Uncle Charlie, Auntie Renee has had to stop him from killing Aaron."

He met my gaze. "You're probably right." He chuckled. "He had always been protective of Bella, just as Phil has been with you. I don't blame either of them. If I had a daughter, I would be the same way. But now I wonder if I'll ever have that."

Between my dad and Uncle Charlie, I lost count of how many guys they'd run off when Bella and I were teenagers.

I was surprised when Edward told me he wasn't in a serious relationship. I mean look at him. What sane woman wouldn't snatch up a man like Edward Cullen?

"Maybe you just haven't found your person yet." I tried to console him.

"I haven't." He rolled his eyes. "Half of these women are gold-diggers that want to be with me for clout and then the other half are just plain dumb." He flopped down in the chair. "I had the perfect one…but…" he didn't finish his thought.

Neither one of them has been the same since.

I wasn't sure what to say. My dear sweet cousin is hurting because of the jackass she married. But then the man we all thought she'd eventually marry one day sat in my office upset over a not-so-great decision he made years ago.

I'm not the type of person to kick you when you're already down. At least not the ones I love.

"Wait a minute." He got my attention. "You never said how you found out."

"You never asked," I smirked.

"Come on Swan, out with it." Edward beckoned with his hand.

"Emmett."

"Emmett," he sat up straighter. "How in the hell did he find out?"

"It's a long story." I sighed and waved a dismissive hand. "I don't feel like getting into all of that. The point is he found out and as soon as he did, he told me."

"You mean to tell me Em knows and hasn't beat the shit of Aaron yet?" He laughed. "That's a miracle within itself. I think out of all of us, except me, Emmett hated him the most. Hell, he even apologized to Bella beforehand because he knew he wasn't going to attend their wedding."

When Emmett found out that Bella had accepted Aaron's proposal he was upset. It wasn't like the two of them ever dated or anything, he just never liked Aaron.

Had Emmett changed his mind and come to the wedding, I'm positive things would have been different.

"I know. I remember that day. Petey and Aaron were both out of town on business and we decided at the last minute to hang out at my house. Bella was hurt but she tried not to show it because she knew they didn't get along."

"Who does the asshole get along with?" Edward asked sarcastically.

"You all work at the same firm. Does he have any friends there?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I only deal with him when I have to, which was rare until recently."

"Really? Why is that?" I questioned.

"I'm a partner now." He smiled.

"For real." I beamed. "So, that means you're Aaron's boss now, right?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

I leaned down and hugged him as he stayed seated. "Aww, I'm so proud of you." I stood up to my full height. "I know he's not happy about that." I snickered.

"No, he's not. And believe it or not, I've had to reprimand him already." He shook his head. "Anyway, thank you. I appreciate that. It was a long, hard road, too. I know some of the associates think I had it easy because of my dad but they don't know he was tougher on me than he was anyone. He didn't hand me anything, I earned everything I have."

"Carlisle is a ballbuster." I snorted.

"That he is." He laughed, standing up. "I've kept you from your work long enough, Thea. I don't like that you won't tell me what you do know but I respect your decision, so I won't push. I'm at an impasse here. I want to reach out and be there for Bella, but I don't know if that would be wise to do."

"I can't tell you what to do but I will say do whatever you feel is best. I don't see any harm in it. You all are still friends." I sucked my teeth. "You know I've always rooted for you. I didn't agree with the choice you all made but I had to deal with it. But maybe, just maybe…" I trailed off hoping he understood my point.

"Maybe." He laughed nervously.

"Just reach out to her," I suggested.

He leaned down and hugged me kissing the top of my head. "Thanks for the chat. I'll talk to you soon."

"You're welcome." I smiled as I watched him walk toward the door. "Oh, yeah, Edward," I called out.

"Yeah?" He turned around and faced me.

"Be ready to get your ass kicked in Mortal Combat," I smirked.

"Bring it." He laughed as he closed the door behind him.

Once I sat down at my desk and looked at all the unfinished work, I decided it would stay that way for another day. I couldn't wait any longer to get home to my Petey.

A/N: Thank you for all of your lovely reviews and comments on FB. I loved them. Keep them coming.

A lot of you have expressed your disdain for Aaron… it's been hilarious. LOL

Tropes TWIFIC Contest is still accepting submissions until May 12th. For info go search Tropes Contest: Twilight Fanfiction on FB. There's a long list of tropes for you to choose from.

RECS

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OZ, by Deb Drotuno Rotuno, WIP

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Wicked Games, by creatingmadness WIP