1,492I need to give a huge thank you to all of you out there who have supported Stronger Than Blood over the past few months!
I want to share a little story before we continue into the final chapter.
About six months ago I had a critique partner absolutely rip apart my writing. This person went so far as to tell me that reading my work was a waste of time. Obviously, I was devastated. I was humiliated and stopped writing for a few months.
Eventually, I decided to take one more shot at writing something new. I created a new profile so I could start totally from scratch and posted the first few chapters of a mafia story that I'd been playing around with in my head. I got a good reaction so I kept working and I built confidence the further along the story got.
You guys gave me the confidence to keep going. So, again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
A few of you have asked about a sequel. I'm keeping the door open but right now don't have an outline in my head for Stronger Than Blood part II. If I do start writing it I will keep you guys posted on Facebook. (My Facebook profile is listed in my profile. Please friend me if you haven't already!)
I have one favor to ask, if you've been following this story but haven't yet had the chance to favorite it or leave a review, I'd love it if you would! Remember, all us Fanfic writers are giving our time to create stories with no payment other than watching those little numbers next to our stories tick upward.
Without further ado- enjoy Stronger Than Blood Chapter 24!
BPOV
I twirled in the mirror, examining my dress. It was long and flowy, with lace on the neckline, and I looked like a fairy tale princess.
It was all wrong.
"Come on, Bella. You look gorgeous!"
I scowled at Alice through the three-way mirror, then sighed in resignation. After all, she was the bride.
"It's beautiful… but can we raise the bust a little? I feel like Jessica! Look at all this cleavage popping out!"
"You're being ridiculous!" She came over to adjust the top. "Besides, Rosalie already ordered hers, and she's popping out of it even more than you are!"
"You're the bride." I shrugged.
"I am!" She squealed. "No one will be looking at you, anyway. Not with how amazing I'll look in my gown." I laughed. Alice went all out during our six-hour visit to Kleinfeld's the previous week. Her gown could rival one from a royal wedding.
"I just hope Jasper can reach his bride for a kiss with all that tulle!" I teased.
"Oh, shush! It's not that bad."
I winked and stepped down from the platform, turning so she could help with my zipper. Alice wandered away to check out shoes while I changed.
I left the changing room, dress in hand, and took my time searching for Alice. To be honest, I was discreetly scoping out the bridal collection. A simple A-line dress caught my eye when I walked in, and I wanted to take a closer look. I could picture myself walking down the aisle in it, for sure.
Not that I was engaged or anything.
Despite Edwards's impromptu proposal two months earlier, we hadn't spoken of marriage since.
I shuddered at the memory of James Volturi.
There was a silver lining- the experience forced us to grow up. I trusted Edward's decisions, and he did his best to keep me informed. I accepted when he couldn't share all the details of his work- regardless of how curious I was. In reality, I probably didn't want to know the nitty-gritty of the more brutal meetings.
I fingered the gorgeous, silk Vera Wang dress, jumping when Alice popped up beside me.
"I know that look." she grinned, poking me in the side. "You should try it on."
"I'm not trying it on." I rolled my eyes. "I'm not engaged."
"Not yet." She winked.
"You're ridiculous. Do you have any ideas for jewelry?" The mention of accessories had the intended effect and distracted Alice from my non-impending nuptials.
After charging a grand total of one thousand three hundred dollars on Edward's Amex, I headed back home to change for my Wednesday night shift at Esme's.
I never returned to the library after I got back to Chicago, but I kept working at the restaurant. After all, what other manager would let me spend half my time flirting with a sexy man that frequented the place? Between Edward distracting me, and Jessica running off to flirt with Jared, Esme was threatening not to schedule Jessica and me for the same shifts anymore.
Once I jumped through all our security hoops to get into the penthouse, I headed toward our bedroom to hang up my bridesmaid dress.
"Edward? You home?" I called, entering the room.
"In here!" His voice carried over from his closet. "Hey, I got news," he said, stepping through the doorway. I gawked for a minute, never having quite gotten over how hot my man looked after a day at work. He was still in his dress clothes but with his tie ripped off, and his sleeves rolled, showing off his muscular forearms.
"Um, what?" I mumbled, distracted by dirty fantasies running through my head.
He grinned, knowing exactly where my mind went. "I said, I've got news."
"Oh. What?" I asked, shaking myself from my stupor and draping my garment bag on the bed.
"I talked to Jacob Black today. FBI found the Soviets who were working with James Volturi. They rescued another group of trafficked girls."
"That's awesome! Any chance a certain informant had anything to do with that?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He chuckled, wrapping me in his arms.
"Well, good job." I gave him a kiss as a reward for his success.
The funny thing about the Feds is that, much like the mob, their business runs in the family. Turned out Billy Black from the ATF was a second cousin of Jacob Black from the FBI. Once Jacob caught wind of Edward's arrangement with Billy, he begged Edward to help his agency as well.
"You working tonight?" Edward asked, releasing me.
"Yeah, you coming in?"
"So, no home-cooked meal?" He pouted.
"You can eat at the restaurant. You're getting kind of spoiled. You know that?" He smacked my ass as I ran toward my closet to change.
"Maybe I'll cook my own food," he called out.
"Uh, hell no. You're eating at the restaurant." I demanded, peeking my head around the door frame. "I'd prefer the building not get burned down, thanks."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "You better hurry up then. I'm starving."
oOo
I gawked at the monstrosity on Jessica's finger.
"I-how- you're engaged!" I said, dumbfounded.
"I so wasn't expecting it, you know? Like, I thought we were just going out for dinner, and then he's all, 'do you want desert?' And I was all, 'oh my God, I'm so full!' So he's like, 'I think we should get some.' And then it comes out, and this is sitting in the whipped cream!"
"Wow!" Alice's eyes were big as she admired the rock. "It's almost as big as mine!"
"Jared said it's two carats," Jessica grinned. I hummed in response. Interesting how a measly bartender could make enough money for a two-carat diamond ring.
"That must have cost a fortune," I said, curious if Jessica knew where her new fiance's money was coming from.
"He's been doing some sort of contract work recently." She shrugged.
Alice cocked a brow at me. I smirked back. Yeah, contract work- for Edward.
"I totally thought Edward would ask you first," Jessica said.
"Oh. Uh, I guess we're not there yet…." I turned back to the iPads, scrolling through our reservation list.
"Anyway, I'm gonna go show the serving staff!" Jessica bounced off.
"You okay?" Alice asked, leaning in.
"Just a lot of wedding talk today. I'm being silly. Ignore me." I waved her off.
"Then why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?"
"Alice," I groaned. "Can we not talk about this right now?"
"Fine, but for real- he will ask you soon, Bella. I think he wanted everything to blow over. First, you know? I mean, especially after his last proposal attempt-"
"Seriously, stop. Let me get back to work," I begged.
"Yep, sorry." She mimed, zipping up her lips before heading to the private rooms. Jasper and Edward were already back there talking shop over dinner.
I finished setting everything up for the night and hunted Jessica down before guests began filtering in. The temperature was starting to warm outside, but we hadn't quite hit tourist season, so our Wednesday night crowd was easy to manage. By nine-thirty, things were slowing down.
"Esme said one of us can leave early," Jessica said, coming back from seating a table. "You can go if you want. I have to wait for Jared anyway."
"Oh. You sure?"
"Yeah. Go home and get it on with your boyfriend. I don't know." She grabbed the iPad and waved me off.
Fine with cutting my shift short, I made my way toward the private rooms. I'd barely seen Edward since we arrived as he'd been holed up with Jasper and Alice. His mother had also been flitting in and out throughout the night.
"Hey, you ready?" I asked, knocking on the doorframe.
"You already done?" He checked his watch.
"Your mom said one of us could leave early."
"Oh, Bella, I think she wanted to ask you something before you left," Alice said. "She just went into the kitchen."
"Go find her, and I'll finish up here." Edward smiled at me.
I grinned back and went off in search of Esme. I found her near Riley's office, reviewing a catering menu with the head chef.
"I know she likes the ravioli, so we definitely need that on the menu," Esme said, checking off an item on her list.
"What about appetizers?" The chef asked, reading off the sheet.
"Esme? I'm so sorry to interrupt," I cut in.
"Oh, Bella! No, actually, would you mind helping us figure out this catering order? Which appetizers are your favorites?"
"I don't think you can go wrong with Bruschetta or anything with prosciutto," I said, reading the options.
"Perfect! Bruschetta and prosciutto it is!" Esme dismissed the chef, turning toward me. "Bella, would you be free to help me out this Sunday? I have an engagement party I'm hosting here for a friend."
Good God, another engagement! I sighed, starting to feel like the bridesmaid and never the bride.
"I don't know… Edward mentioned doing something that day…."
"I can talk to him and explain. Please?" She begged. "None of the other girls are available, and I'll be short a server since Gia is retiring."
Ugh, how could I say no to Esme? "Okay, I'll do it. I'm sure Edward can reschedule whatever he wanted to do."
"Oh, thank you so much! You are a life saver!" Esme threw her arms around me and squeezed. "Alright, now go home. Enjoy the rest of your night!"
I wasted no time in collecting my boyfriend and heading out.
oOo
"Edward, I really am sorry!" I apologized again as I slipped on an earring. "Your mother begged me to help her out!"
"It's fine," he sulked. Sometimes he was a big baby, but I still felt guilty. "I'm just going to meet with Emmett and get some work done."
"I promise, I'll make it up to you when I get home." I walked over and hugged him, threading my fingers in his hair.
"Oh, yeah?" He smirked, raising a brow.
"Yeah," I whispered, nibbling on his earlobe.
He growled and grabbed my hips, pulling me toward him. "How about you make it up to me now?"
"You know I can't! I'll be late if I don't finish getting ready soon!" I pushed him away.
"Call me when you're leaving," he said as he slipped his wallet into his slacks.
"I will! Love you!"
"Ti amo, Amore," he called out as he left.
Without distraction, I finished getting ready in record time and rushed out the door with my shoes in my hand. I slipped them on in the elevator and then texted Seth, making sure he was waiting for me in the garage.
"Hey," he greeted as I slid into the backseat.
"Seth, you have my permission to step on it! I am barely going to get there on time as is. If we hit traffic, I'm screwed!"
"Eh, it's Sunday. How much traffic can there be?"
"Don't jinx us!" I scoffed.
"Besides, doesn't Esme have you come in an hour early?" He asked, accelerating onto the street.
"I know, but I don't want the setup delayed because of me."
I sat back and watched the traffic, biting my lip. Three blocks from our building, I panicked as the cars began to slow.
"Seth, turn right. You know there's road work ahead! We can go around it."
"Oh, yeah. Totally forgot about that. Can't turn right at the next light. It's a one-way street. I'll turn at the light after that."
I sat back in my seat and groaned. I spent the rest of the ride trying not to snap at Seth, who was talking about Harry Potter, again. I was positive he was trying to get a rise out of me.
By the time we reached Esme's, my hand was on the door handle, and I was ready to duck and roll if it would get me out of the car faster.
We turned onto Taylor street, and my heart dropped. The valet lot was already full, and I could see people milling about inside the restaurant.
"Oh my God! I'm late!" I squealed.
"What time were you supposed to be here?" Seth asked, stopping next to the curb.
"Esme said one o'clock!" I didn't wait for him to open my door. Instead, jumping out and rushing toward the entrance. How on Earth did I get the time wrong?
I swung the door open, searching for Esme, ready to beg for forgiveness, but stopped dead in my tracks.
"Wh-what's going on?"
The smiling faces of my friends and family greeted me. Alice bounced on her toes, waving while Jasper held her around the waist with a grin on his face. Emmett and Rose were nearby, just as excited. On the other side of the group, Ben held Angela as she wiped a tear from under her eyes and beamed at me.
"Oh my God! Dad?' I whispered, spotting Charlie near the host stand, next to Esme and Carlisle.
Even my old library co-workers and most restaurant staff stood circled around, watching me. My cheeks began to heat at the attention.
A throat clearing caught my attention and forced me to look straight ahead.
I gasped as laughing green eyes locked on mine. Edward emerged from the group and stopped in front of the host stand. My breath caught at the breathtaking smile I knew was meant only for me.
"Amore," he murmured.
"Wh-what is all this?" I stammered, rushing toward him. He smirked, running his fingertips down my arms, and then took my hands in his.
"A while ago, I met this woman- a stunning woman. The moment I saw her, I was in lust." The group surrounding us chuckled- except my father, who muttered under his breath.
"But I knew nothing else about this woman. As a matter of fact, I was standing in this very spot when I met her."
"Yeah, and how did that go for you?" I laughed.
"I gotta admit, not so hot at first." Another round of laughter rang out.
"See, this woman was not impressed by my behavior. But as hard as I tried, I couldn't keep my distance. So, I was forced to win her affection, and somehow I was lucky enough to receive a second chance." I smiled and pulled a hand away to wipe a tear from my eye.
"As this woman became further entrenched in my life, I realized that I couldn't live without her. I was willing to do anything it took to keep her by my side."
"Until I met her, I believed that there was no bond stronger than blood- no one you could trust or rely on more than that of your immediate family. I have to give credit to my father, who made me understand how wrong I was. There is a bond stronger than blood- the bond of love. And Bella, I love you, with all of my heart."
He sank to one knee and pulled a black box from his pocket. I couldn't hold back my emotions as I wiped more tears from my eyes, and a smile as wide as the sun split my cheeks.
"Isabella Marie Swan, will you make me the luckiest man in the whole world and be my wife?"
"Hell yes!" I squealed, throwing myself at him. He caught me with a grunt, standing and laughing into my neck as cheers erupted around us. I peppered kisses wherever I could until he held me still and firmly placed his mouth on mine. We broke apart, gasping as catcalls sounded from around the room.
"Don't you want to see the ring?" He asked, holding the jewelry box up.
"Holy shit! That thing's enormous!" Jessica piped in from behind us.
"Couldn't let my girl get one-upped." Edward winked and placed the absurdly large rock on my finger.
"It's gorgeous," I beamed.
"You're gorgeous," he said before taking my face in his hands and locking his lips to mine again.
"Uh, let's keep it PG," Charlie grumbled, interrupting us. I let go of Edward and turned to embrace my father.
"Congratulations, kiddo." He muttered. "But seriously, you let me know if he steps out of line. I've got connections."
"I promise." I rolled my eyes.
I was passed from person to person as Edward, and I received congratulations, and all the women oohed and awed over my ring. Edward was quick to inform them it was one-of-a-kind, special ordered from Harry Winston.
"Oh, I'm so happy for both of you!" Esme cried as we made it to her and Carlisle. Edward's father clapped him on the back in a hug, then muttered something in his ear.
Once his parents left us to start the party, I turned to Edward.
"What did he say to you?" I asked.
"Just reminding me of another… stipulation." He smirked.
"Oh?"
"How do you feel about babies?" He chuckled at my shocked expression. "Don't worry. We have time. Because- you and me? We are forever." He linked his hand with mine.
I smiled up at him, my heart overflowing with the love I felt for my man. And I agreed.
"We are forever."
A/N:
And there we have it! These two are forever!
Please keep up with me on Facebook (Lauren Kelley- link is in my FFN profile). I will post there about new things I'm writing. I have one original work in progress, another outline ready to go, and a couple of Fanfic ideas :)
Again if you enjoyed Stronger Than Blood, please let me know by favoriting and leaving a review!
Translations:
Ti amo, Amore- I love you, Love.