2,663I Want A Mommy
Chapter Fifteen
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The plot, along with a few of the characters I add here and there belong to my ruthless muse.
Bella stared at herself in the mirror as she put on her great-grandmother's pearl necklace. Her hair was twisted into an elegant updo, and her makeup had been applied skillfully, the artist had taken her time to blend, color, and blush Bella into looking like the glamorous bride fit to be seen at Edward's side.
She smiled to herself, she couldn't believe they've already been married for three months. Esme had spent most of the summer planning their wedding reception; the early July plans had been shifted to mid-August to accommodate a few of the more important guests. Bella tried hard not think about all the people who were downstairs, gathering in the large ballroom of Edward's hotel.
She twirled as she took in her reception dress; thin lacy shoulder straps held up the delicate sweetheart neckline. The embroidered, tea length skirt was dainty and graceful. Together it made the perfect gown for a summer event. She eyed the heels with great trepidation, they matched the dress beautifully, chosen by someone with great care, but she couldn't bring herself to slip them on.
She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh as she envisioned her father there and the laughter they would've shared over her heels. "A death trap," she could almost hear him say. A soft knock on her door pulled her from her daydream.
"Hey," Angela smiled tentatively and held up the key card that had let her into the suite, one that held more glitz and glamor than Bella cared for. "I know I texted you and said I couldn't come," her ears reddened, "but I couldn't not-not come, I'd hate myself forever. You've been my best friend since third grade when you beat up Mike for making fun of my glasses."
"I'm so glad you came," Bella said forgivingly. "I know you don't approve of Edward, but I'm thrilled you're here."
"For you, always, I'm sorry I lost sight of that for a second," Angela apologized for the distance between them since she had pushed Bella to see who Edward truly was. "I see how much he cares for you, so as long as he keeps his... lifestyle away from EJ and you," she let out a low breath, "I approve." She smiled slowly, eyes glinting with humor, "but if you're having any second, third, or even fourth thoughts, I can book us on the next flight out of here," she held up her clutch and wiggled her eyebrow suggestively.
Bella chuckled as they hugged, careful of each other's hair and the box in Angela's left hand, "no, I'm happy."
"Good," she pulled back and jiggled the box, "I brought you something," she smiled, "open it."
"Oh," she gasped in delight as she lifted the embroidered ballet flats from the box. "They match perfectly," she murmured in amazement as she glanced up to catch Angela's eyes.
"Of course they do silly, I made them," Angela stated proudly, "I contacted your sister-in-law Rosalie, she sent me a few pictures of your dress." Her smile stretched into a playful grin, "Plus, we both know you and heels don't mix. The last time, you ended up on crutches for six weeks."
Bella blushed as she hugged her, "you're a lifesaver. Thank you," she whispered in her ear.
"Now, I'm going to head downstairs and mingle, try and find that hunky guy I saw earlier, who I'm so going to try and flirt with, but you owe me a dance later," she ordered, kissing her cheek happily.
Bella nodded, "I'll see you in a bit," she promised, "go, have fun. Find that mystery man."
Angela laughed and wiggled her fingers in a wave goodbye before shutting the door on her way out.
"Hey you, Ma'am," EJ stopped Angela in the hallway outside of Bella's door.
"EJ?" Her eyebrow rose, startled to see him unsupervised.
"Do you have a key to my Mom's room?" He asked sweetly, giving her his most charming grin. "I forgot mine," he put on a small pout, "I want to give her these," he held up a small vase of flowers.
Angela nodded, "sure," she pulled the card from her purse, "here you go, sweetie."
"Thank you, Ma'am." He beamed up at her as she helped him in, he shut the door as quietly as possible and snuck into her room.
"Whoa..." Bella jumped at the soft voice, she turned and smiled as EJ beamed up at her, "you look beautiful, Mom, like a princess."
She chuckled, "thanks, Green Eyes," she carefully knelt down to adjust his black bow tie, he looked charming in his tux that matched his father's, "and you look sharp, the ladies will love you," she teased, opening her arms to him for a quick hug.
She grinned as he crinkled his nose in disgust and made a fake gagging noise, "gross," he complained.
"Never grow up," she murmured, kissing his forehead reverently. She let him go and stood as she smoothed out her dress. "Now, E, does anyone know you're up here?" She asked, giving him her best mom look.
He shrugged and dropped her gaze guiltily, "I may have slipped away from Dad..." he admitted but continued quickly in his own defense, "and I'm all dressed and I really wanted to see you."
"Edward Cullen, you know better," she frowned, as he cringed at the use of his full name. "I'll text your father before he freaks," she sent off the text message as he ducked his head.
'I'm aware, Marcus followed him. Figured he was headed to your room,' Edward replied a few moments later, 'please, reprimand him for not seeking permission.'
Bella rolled her eyes, "reprimand," she mumbled to herself, "sometimes I wonder about you, Mr. Cullen."
"Wonder what?" EJ asked, looking up at her curiously.
She shook her head, "never you mind," she tapped his nose, she took his hands gently, "EJ, you know you need to ask before you wander off."
"I know," he sighed, chewing on his bottom lip, "but it wasn't that far. Just a couple doors."
She nodded, "yes, well, you still need to ask. Even if it's close by, I would've been very scared had I looked up and discovered you were gone," she explained, her heart pinching as she tried to shake off the image of someone taking her boy.
His chin quivered as he refused to look at her, "did I scare Dad?"
"Maybe a little, so when you see him, say you're sorry for worrying him, and you'll promise to try your best to remember."
He frowned; face falling into a scowl that resembled his father's. His cheeks turned an angry pink.
"EJ?" Bella squeezed his hands.
He shook his head stubbornly and gritted out, "I don't want to."
"You don't want to?" She lifted an eyebrow as a frown tugged at her lips.
He gave her a short nod in response.
Bella forced herself to take a few deep breath as she felt the familiar sting of annoyance and frustration start to flare, "Edward," she spoke his name in full, then shook her head, "EJ," she started over, "you owe your father an apology."
"Why?" He grunted, folding his arms stubbornly over his chest. "I don't want to. I don't have to."
"EJ, we apologize, say we're sorry as a way of saying, we're aware of what we did, or the hurt we caused - even if we didn't do it on purpose.."
"On purpose?" He looked up confused.
"An accident," she clarified.
"Oh," he grumbled under his breath.
She continued, "and it's a promise that'll we will try to do better. We all mess up. Everyone. Even Daddy does. It's not always easy to say sorry, sometimes it makes our tummies feel bad but you'll feel much better once you do. I promise," she kissed his forehead and held him close for a moment until her phone chimed. 'Do you want me to send Marcus after him?' Edward inquired.
'No, EJ and I, we'll walk down together,' she responded, slipping her phone into her clutch. She offered her hand to EJ who grinned and tucked his hand into hers.
Emmett laughed, draping an arm over his eldest brother's shoulder, "Dude, why are you so nervous? You're already married."
Edward rolled his eyes in annoyance as he shrugged off Emmett's arm, "shut up," he groused playfully. His fingers itched for a cigarette, a drink, something to calm his nerves.
Jasper placed a tumbler in his hand with a smirk before bringing his own glass to his lips and taking a long sip. "Better?"
Edward nodded, he clutched the glass as he turned his eyes to his father and Uncle Caius and the few friends that surrounded them, a frown etched across his face. "Do we have ears on them?"
"Course," Emmett agreed, "and Jimmy is keeping an eye on Aro and his boys."
Edward twisted his watch on his wrist, "let the guy's know we'll be having a drink at ten past ten in the Cullen Lounge," he ordered his brothers. He motioned Antonio over with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Boss?" He asked lowly.
"I'd like for you to sweep the Lounge, post Matt and Tiny outside the room to keep it clean," he ordered coolly, his eyes looking over the room once more for any signs of potential danger, trouble.
Antonio nodded, "understood," he moved towards the elevator as he pressed his phone to his ear.
Edward turned his head towards the staircase as the room hushed. Bella and EJ stood at the top of the stairs, scanning the crowd, searching for him. His heart clenched for a second before expanding with warmth. She looked beautiful. Elegant. His lips twitched upwards as EJ offered Bella his hand. He moved to meet them at the bottom of the stairs.
He ran an affectionate hand over EJ's hair and gave him a proud grin before his focus shifted to Bella. "You look lovely," he complimented as he slipped his hand into hers and pulled her close for a quick, chaste kiss that set the room into cheers and applause.
"Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen," the DJ announced them, as they stood together and posed for a series of photos at their photographer's insistence.
He curled his arm around her waist and swept her across the room, introducing her to his friends, family, and many of his business associates.
She relaxed as he pulled her onto the dance floor.
She laughed as Edward spun her around, they swayed and clung to each other. His cool indifference was unmasked as tender affection played out across his face as he gazed at her in his arms.
His wife.
He guided her to their table and pulled out her chair. He wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed, barely listening to the chatter that surrounded them throughout the meal.
His eyes twinkled as Emmett and EJ pulled Bella back to the dance floor for the cha-cha slide, after a series of toasts and well wishes to the newlyweds.
He slipped up behind her as their song ended and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She stayed in his arms as the music stopped and the large media screen turned blank. A cough sounded through the speakers before the screen flickered back on. She stilled as her breath caught in her throat as her father's image filled the screen.
"Sweetpea," Charlie spoke gruffly, adjusting the oxygen tube under his nose. "It still seems like yesterday that we, your mother and I brought you home. Our new bundle of joy. " He smiled wistfully, his eyes full of memories of years gone by. "And here you are, today, a woman. And I know you look gorgeous." He smiled serenely as if picturing her in her gown.
"How I wish I could be there to help you embark on this new journey of your life. To see you become a wife and further down the road a mother." He leveled the camera with a look that made her chuckle sadly, as a pang of deep longing hit her.
How she missed him.
He paused and took a shaky drink from his water bottle. He adjusted himself in his dark brown recliner. "Bella, you've been a wonderful daughter. I couldn't have wished for a better life. You were my world. My sweet, kind, baby girl. I have few regrets, but you were never one of them. Life has taught me many lessons. So I have a few pieces of advice for you and your new husband." He glanced down at his flash cards with watery eyes.
"Tell each other often how you love each other, but do not simply speak the words, show them. Have fun together. Set goals you both want. Remember your commitment, because things will get hard. We all have good times and bad times. That's how life is, Sweetheart, a lesson I know you've learned too young and while these bad times are tough, they'll make you appreciate the good times all the better. Keep your chin up and be happy. Whatever comes your way, you can handle it."
There was a soft female whisper from the background, "say something to the groom."
Charlie grunted and grumbled under his breath. Bella laughed and wiped away her tears as her father looked squarely at the camera, giving it his best glare for a second before his expression softened, "I know you're a good man for I have raised Bella to accept nothing less than the respect and love she so deserves. I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Take care of our girl. I'm entrusting her to you." He gave a firm nod.
"I love you, Pumpkin. Enjoy your day." He winked at the camera before it turned off.
She turned and wrapped her arms around Edward as the music restarted, "where?" She asked.
"The Weber family sent me the tape after they received their invitation to our reception," he explained, his deep voice gentle as he brushed a stray tear from her cheek.
She hugged him close as he rubbed a comforting hand up and down her back, shielding her from the audience that surrounded them giving her time to gather herself.
The music started slow and sweet, and she swayed in his arms, smiling as his lips pressed against her temple, reverently.
Her gaze followed Antonio as he stepped out of the shadows and up to their table. She watched with growing worry as he leaned in and spoke quietly into Emmett's ear, his expression shifted, his piercing blue eyes darkened as they became cold and calculating.
She shivered, unable to stop the small frown that formed on her lips as they turned and moved towards them.
She stepped away from Edward as they approached, he turned apologetic eyes on her. "I'll find you, soon," he promised and placed a soft kiss to her lips before following after his brother.
She couldn't turn her eyes away from him and watched as he disappeared behind the closing elevator doors. She took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as she put on a large smile.
"My dance," Angela requested, offering her hand. Her brown eyes filled with warm amusement as Bill Medley's song, The Time of My Life started to play. "For old time sake," she smirked at her.
Bella let out a breathy chuckle as her hand closed around Angela's. "I'm glad you came," she confessed as they twirled together, lip-syncing the lyrics of the melody that had seen them through their adolescent years.
They hugged briefly as the song came to an end, "is that the guy?" Bella asked, nodding towards a young man of Asian descent, who was well dressed and sporting a short stylish haircut. He stood off to the side of the dance floor, his gaze settled on Angela.
"Yes," Angela blushed, "he's totally cute, yeah?"
"Completely," Bella laughed, "does he have a name?"
"Ben Cheney; he was a business major," she wrinkled her nose, "but he's really sweet and kind, he works for his father's company, who owns a chain of restaurants," she said as she passed a glass of champagne to Bella. "There's no way he's actually attracted to me."
"He looks pretty interested to me," Bella murmured, taking a sip of the cool, bubbly liquid.
Angela turned around, her grin widened as her eyes meet Ben's, "go, have fun," Bella nudged her. "I'm going to get some fresh air," she spoke to Andrew before making her way out to the balcony that overlooked the dark water as the stars twinkled above.
She smiled warmly down at EJ as he wrapped his small arms around her waist as they stood together peering over the private balcony, "why aren't you inside?" He asked her innocently.
"I just needed some air," she sugar coated her disappointment, her upset in Edward's disappearance, "there are a lot of people in there, I just needed a reset."
"Oh," he murmured, his green eyes were heavy as he fought off his own sleepiness from the exciting day.
"C'mere," Bella settled down in a soft lounge chair, careful of her dress. She opened her arms to him, smiling as he climbed onto her lap and rested his head against her shoulder. "Did you and Tanner cause any trouble I need to know about?" She asked teasingly.
"No," he yawned, "we just played power rangers."
She kissed the side of his head in response and went quiet as she rubbed his back, her gaze on the stars as EJ's breathing evened out and his soft snores filled her ears.
Edward stepped off the elevator into the basement of the hotel. His green eyes examined his surroundings before he followed the dimly lit hallway. He walked past an old office, the hotel's large laundry room before he paused to enter the passcode to an abandoned storage room.
Antonio and Emmett traded looks as Edward opened the passageway that led down to the old tunnels. They followed the dark path until Emmett assumed they were under the parking garage across the street from the hotel.
Edward pushed a large metal door open, "what the fuck is going on?" he thundered, his expression murderous. "And why the hell would you have him brought here…tonight of all nights?" He turned his eyes on one of Jasper's young thugs. He rattled his brain trying to recall the young man's name, "Oliver, answer me."
"I'm sorry, Boss, but Jasper insisted," Oliver nearly stuttered, his words coming out quick and anxiously. His fingers curled into the shoulders of a little girl, keeping her still and quiet as she sniffled into her dirty hands.
Edward cut his eyes to his brother-in-law. He lifted an eyebrow in question and waited for him to explain.
"This stupid motherfucker," Jasper hissed, lifting a bloody man up off the floor by his neck, "either has the biggest pair of the biggest balls I've ever seen or he's a complete fool. He put a bullet in Peter and stole this month's tributes. All of it."
"Peter's?" He asked, his voice dropping low and stunned. It had been years since a member of his family had been murdered
Jasper gave a tight nod, "yes," his fingers curled around the young man's neck.
Edward rubbed a hand over his face, his mouth twisted in a grim line as he carefully removed his jacket, bowtie and his dress shirt, "put him down, brother," he ordered evenly, watching as Jasper's fingers tightened for a few seconds before he let go.
He watched the man gasp for breath as he clutched his neck, "please don't hurt her," he rasped.
The child whimpered, Edward's eyes snapped closed as he focused on controlling his rage at the sound. He turned his head and took in the little girl. She was a filthy, tiny little thing, possibly EJ's age. Skin and bones. Matted brown hair, sad, moss colored eyes.
"Sweetheart," Edward spoke, his tone shifted from cold to warm, fatherly, as he knelt before the child. "What's your name?"
She blinked at him with watery eyes, "it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help," he promised, giving her his most charming grin. "Is that your daddy?" He asked.
She shook her head from side to side. "Uncle?" he guessed again and nearly swore when she shook her head once more, "uh...brother?"
She smiled.
"I'm all she's got man, don't, please," the man whimpered as Jasper held a gun on him.
"Your brother, he's in big trouble. I'm sorry you had to see this," he apologized.
"Cuz he did the bad thing?" She asked quietly, rubbing her runny nose. "Hurt that guy?"
Edward frowned and nodded, "exactly." He turned his head and motioned Emmett closer, "this is my brother Emmett, you can call him Emmy. He's going to take you upstairs, his wife Rosalie is going to bring you food, toys, and...candy."
Emmett's lip twitched upwards, "don't be scared, okay," he spoke reassuringly as Emmett lifted her up into his strong arms. The girl didn't make a sound, just blinked owlishly up at Emmett as he carried her out of the room.
Edward brushed off his pants as he stood.
"Did anyone find what he stole?" He asked, moving across the room.
"No. He already handed it off by the time we located him. Dumbfuck here kept the van; we found Peter's body in his cook shed. O'Riley had to hack into Peter's tracking system. The van had already been empty by the time we reached his residence."
Edward nodded, "either you're the luckiest fucker who ever thieved, or someone told you, who, where, and when to hit," he murmured, looking over the meth head with disgust. He tapped his gloved finger to his skull, "and I'm not Einstein but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you didn't mastermind this robbery."
He smirked as the man frowned at him. "Help me out, tell me who you work for and you may see that sweet little face again," he tried to coerce, looking him over for any link that might give a clue of what gang or family he may be affiliated with.
"I can't man. I can't. They'd kill her, me, our grandmama." He shook his head, tear stung his eyes as he knew his words sealed his fate. "I'm sorry man, I'm sorry, so sorry," he murmured, covering his face.
He stepped back and nodded to Jasper, "for Peter," he agreed and watched stoically as Jasper pulled the trigger.
"Get this cleaned up," he ordered, pulling his dress shirt, back on and carefully buttoning it.
"Now tell me, who's fucking bright idea was it to bring that child here?" He snarled as he skillfully tied his bowtie, his eyes skimming over Jasper and Oliver.
Jasper jerked his thumb toward Oliver. "That'd be boy genius here."
"I couldn't leave her there alone. You didn't see that house." Oliver defended his actions, putting away his gun, "there was a shit-ton of meth, coke, guns, and the fucker got real talkative after I scooped her up."
Edward rubbed his temple and shook his head, "next time genius, call the fuckin' cops or some shit."
"The cops?" Oliver asked as Antonio tossed him a pair of gloves.
"You could've reported some bogus crime and called them to the house. Then she would've been social services problems and not ours." Edward explained a hint of annoyance coating his voice.
"Oh."
Edward checked his appearance on his phone's camera.
"Who do you think orchestrated tonight, Ivanov?" Jasper kicked at the body, "dude, sorta looks Russian." He tossed out a wild guess.
"I don't know," Edward admitted, "but even if it was the Ivanov family, they would have had to get their tip, their knowledge from the inside. We have a traitor in our blood." He declared coolly.
"Aro?"
Edward shook his head, "no. It was someone close to us, very close."
"What do we do?"
"Trust no one but carry on as normal." He murmured, sanitizing his hands. "I'll talk to you later," he said, "I need to get back."
"All right, brother," Jasper agreed, understanding passing across his face.
Edward smiled widely as he stepped off the elevator and rejoined the party, pausing only a time or two to speak with or greet a guest as he scanned the crowd for his wife, "Where's Bella?" He asked his parents, after pressing a chaste kiss to his mother's cheek.
"We saw her a bit ago carrying your sleeping boy towards the elevator. I don't believe she's come back down yet," Carlisle informed, passing him a glass of scotch.
He nodded, taking a sip from the glass and placing it back on the table, "I'll go check on them," he spoke after a minute, moving back to his feet.
Esme smiled, "please don't dilly-dally, Edward. You have guests," she reminded him.
"Of course, Mother." He kissed her cheek once more before breaking away from the table.
He slipped his card into the lock and swung the door open silently and stepped into the suite. He smiled as he found Bella sitting on the edge of EJ's bed, watching him sleep.
"Hey," he murmured.
She turned to him, looking him over as if to try and piece together where he had gone, "everything okay?" she inquired after a thoughtful pause.
"Everything's fine," he promised, moving closer to her. His hands wrapped around hers, he squeezed gently as he pulled her to her feet. His lips crashed down upon hers in a short, heated kiss. "I've wanted to do that, all day."
She chuckled as she pulled him close for another.
"Marcus is in the living room," he murmured, "would my beloved wife care to join me downstairs?"
"I'd love too," she grinned, "or we could," she wiggled her eyebrow suggestively.
He groaned and turned her down reluctantly, "we don't have time for such shenanigans, dear. My mother is waiting."
"Oh she's waiting is she," she smirked slyly, running her hands up his chest.
"Isabella," he growled, eyes flashing.
She laughed softly, "teasing, lead the way, husband."
Author Note...
A huge Thank you to Sunflower Fran for beta'ing and TeamAllTwilight for Pre-Reading.
I hope ya'll are doing well.
Summer is over. My kids are back in school, which my muse has been most pleased about. Seriously, she's scared of them.
This chapter was brought to you a good amount of guilt for taking so long to get back into the swing of this story and a few sneaked cups of caffeine. Now I'm off to try and squeeze in what my children like to call one of my 'pregnant nap' ;)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a Review!
Hugs - Emily