I was standing by the baseball field, next to Emmet watching Vinny’s game. The women were all sitting talking about whatever the fuck women talk about. Emmet was scrutinizing the team on the field. I just listen because for fucks sake it’s a four and five year old T-ball game. I heard a commotion, drawing my attention to the grassy area on my left. A dog was running with its leash dragging behind him. He made his way straight toward me stopping at my feet. I bent over to retrieve the leash so he wouldn’t take off again. After having secured it and standing erect, recognition over took me. She wasn’t looking at me; her thoughts were on the dog. Once she was close enough she began to admonish the animal. I thought it was cute that she was calling him naughty, and threatening him with no treats, because last night we talked about treats, and I would love to reward her with a piece of chocolate. As she started to apologize to me for her dog I wanted her to look at me, to acknowledge my presence. Her name was on the tip of my tongue; it took all my strength to keep from pulling her into my arms. I conveyed that desire into her name “Isabella”
When her attention was finally off the dog and on me, all I could see was this woman. She was stunning. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from running; her hair was wrapped in some kind of mess that showed off the length of her neck, and the angle of her cheek bones. She was dressed in tight pants that hugged her curvaceous hips and round plump ass. The gray t-shirt showed off the tiniest bit of her flat stomach while accentuating the fullness of her breast. Breast that I wanted to touch, suck and bite until she screamed. She had a natural beauty that was genuine and very feminine. She was a walking wet dream.
After I handed her back the leash, a russet skin women who was obviously pregnant came over. She chastised the dog also, saying something about a brat and who the dog was named for. Isabella named her dog after someone? Who the fuck could that be? I was slightly pissed off about that. Isabella then introduced her friend, Leah - her step-sister- she looked at me when she said that Leah was Jacob’s wife. I chuckled a little when my father told mom that Isabella was my …friend. I looked at Isabella’s face; it was the prettiest shade of pink from her embarrassment of being caught yesterday.
They all stood there talking, I was analyzing the last few days. I literally bumped into this woman two nights ago. Since that night, she has become a part of my life, a part that I’m not sure I want to go away. She’s beautiful and sexy, but she has some things that we are going to have to talk about. Last night when I ran into her at the pub, I was dumbfounded. I had called to talk to my father in the afternoon and he asked if I wanted to meet him for dinner there. I had never been to that establishment before, but I didn’t have any plans so it sounded good to me. I was actually early when I walked in; there was laughing coming from one of the booths. When I looked over and saw Isabella, I was dazed and drawn to her. Once I realized that my father somehow or another knew her co-worker I was even more convinced that maybe something bigger than me was leading us towards each other.
I had a wonderful time sitting there with her. She has a compassion that transcends anyone I ever knew. I believe she was upset that I paid the bill, but hey, chivalry is not dead. Once we were outside I put my arm around her, in order to keep her from getting a chill. Her body fit inside mine so perfectly, it just felt right. I had women that I would do a scene with, that’s all they were, a means to an end. I wondered how many men she had been with, and if it was fulfilling for her. When I heard that she was only with one, her husband, I was floored.
Perhaps I acted on that knowledge the wrong way but I had to know when the last time she was with him was. All I heard was the question ‘willingly’. My temper flared because what the fuck did that mean? She wasn’t willing? So he raped her? And she blamed herself because she couldn’t fight him off. A feeling of protectiveness came over me. I wanted to hunt him down and rip his god damn balls off. But at that time, she needed comfort and I gave it to her, and it felt so right.
Then when we got to the building and she was telling me the need for secrecy, at first I was offended. Then I thought about it, she trusted me with something very important. The look in her eyes, the desire hidden deep inside, I wanted to feel that desire, I needed to see it unleashed. That kiss was phenomenal; I could feel her repressed passion coming out to the surface. All I wanted to do was take her home and see how much more she was concealing. I heard the gasp and the throat clearing, it didn’t matter to me, I’m an adult who is very secure in my sexuality. That was my father though, and Isabella’s reaction was too cute. When we left my father made a comment about getting a kiss like that. I thought; fuck that shit, not from my girl. Yes my girl. Mine!
All through dinner we talked about the center, what they do there, what their goals are. He asked me if I knew why she worked at the center for free. I told him what I knew, which admittedly wasn’t much. I did tell him that I felt a connection to her. Like there was some force somewhere pulling us together, for whatever reason.
Once I got home, I wanted to make sure that she arrived home safe. She didn’t answer, fifteen minutes later I thought maybe she had stayed at the center, she seemed worried about someone there, and by ten o’clock I was starting to get worried a slightly frustrated. I was debating what to do. I had no idea where she lived. The number she gave me was a cell, so I couldn’t do a reverse directory. I thought about looking up Jacob’s phone number, but he wasn’t listed in the phone book. I was just about ready to call Aro; I thought maybe he might have another number for her, or better yet an address. As I picked up my phone, I got her reply. Relief washed over me like a warm summer rain. I could feel the anxiety melt away as I read “Sorry, I was in the bath tub, I’m home safe - My mind went to Isabella in a bath filled with fruity smelling bubbles. Shaking that thought away, we spent the next few minutes replying back and forth. She needed sleep and I didn’t want to keep her up any longer than necessary.
Now today here she is, again. I have been at this park hundreds of times, I live four streets behind her, we work at the same place, and we went to the same college. All these things in common and yet we never met until now. Why? Is it fate? Coincidence? Have the stars and planets aligned in the perfect order? I just don’t know, but as Leah turns to leave, all I can think about is Aro’s words. ‘She’s a diamond in the rough....she needs to be refined....make her shine. I can see her confident, secure, and content in whom and what she is. And she is shining.
I become aware of the fact that Isabella is looking at me, her mouth pressed into a hard line. She lets out an exaggerated breath. “Well, it was nice to see you all. I’m going to finish the trail and head home”
Wait, she was leaving? I was just going to ask her to stay when Alice spoke up “Bella wait. What are you doing today?”
“Well, I have some work to do. Then I have to go shopping.”
Alice perked up “Where are you shopping at?” Isabella
“umm...The Superfresh?” It came out like a question, and I grinned because that was not the kind of shopping Alice was thinking about. “Ohhh...That’s no fun” Alice whined
“Anyway we are having lunch at my house, it’s nothing special just some burgers on the grill. Why don’t you come over?” Isabella looked stunned, then she glanced at me “I don’t know Alice; I don’t want to intrude in your family stuff.”
“Bella, you’re not intruding if I invited you. Come on we got plenty of food. It’s a nice day, the pool’s not open yet, but the hot tub is. Besides I have something I want to show you.” Alice looked at me with a grin. She told this morning that she had a design for Isabella and was wondering how to bring it up. I guess she figures she can dazzle her with Jasper’s grilling skills and that with soften the blow.
“Come on, just for a few hours, you’ll be home in plenty time to do your other stuff.” After she didn’t get a reply she added “I’m not going to take no for an answer.” I could see Isabella’s resolve waiver “Ok, but just for lunch I really have a lot to do.”
Alice looked pleased with herself. I smiled and shook my head because Alice always gets her way, and here was my chance to spend more time with Isabella “If you wait until the game is over, I’ll walk with you, and then we can walk to my house and go together.”
She hesitated - did she not want to go with me “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Why the fuck would I mind? “No, I would like you to come with me.” Finally she agreed and my father called her over so she could sit in his chair, with the women. Dad came over to stand by me. “I like her Edward, she seems genuine.”
I knew what he was talking about; Isabella didn’t put on a show for anyone. She was just herself, modest, shy and a little unsure of herself. The whistle blew, calling an end to the game. The kids lined up to shake hands, then went over to the bench to get instructions and snacks. Jasper went over to get Vinny, while the women folded up their chairs. Isabella came to hand hers to my dad. “Thank you for the use of the chair, Carlisle”
“You’re more than welcome Bella.”
We were all standing there as Vinny came running over, juice box and animal crackers in hand. “Hey Uncle Emmet, did you see that ball I hit?” he had juice running down his chin.
“Sure did buddy, that was great.”
“Uncle Eddie, did you see how fast I ran?”
Yes he’s the only one that calls me Eddie. “I did, I think pretty soon you’ll be able to beat me.” He smiled and looked at Isabella and pointed making a face “Who’s that?” he asked. Alice chimed in “Vincent it’s not nice to point.” I chuckled as my sister introduced them
“This is Bella, she and mommy went to school together.” Isabella squatted down so she was eye level and stuck her hand out. “It’s very nice to meet you Vinny.” He shook her hand “You’re pretty.”
Emmet and Jasper made comments about him being a ladies’ man. My dad whispered in my ear “Kid got good taste” and I had to agree. Isabella smiled “Well, you’re kind of handsome yourself.”
“If you went to school with my mom, are you old too?” Everyone snickered. My mother tried to correct him “Vincent, you don’t ask a lady how old she is.” Isabella just giggled “Well I don’t know, what do you call old?”
“Umm...fifteen.” Isabella chuckled “Then yes I’m very old.” Emmet gahuffed “That means I’m middle aged and gramps here is ready for the retirement home.” He added as he patted dad on the back.
Vinny looked down at Seth “Is that your dog?”
“It is. This is Seth” she added. Vinny made a face.
“Seth?” he asked with distaste “Why did you name him Seth?”
She bite her lip and sighed. I was wondering who the dog was named after myself and now I really wanted to know because of her reaction. “I have a bother.”
“Is he old too?” Vinny interrupted
“He’s almost eighteen.”
“That’s not old.” he said shaking his head.
“No, that’s not old. My brother’s name is Seth and doggy Seth was born on his birthday and when I looked at the puppy, he looked just like my brother. So I named him Seth.” Vinny looked at her in shock. “Your bother looks like a dog? Does he have fur?”
She chuckled “No he doesn’t have fur. But his skin is the same color brown, and his eyes are the same color. I’ll tell you what; maybe one day I will show you a picture of my brother so you can see what I’m talking about. How does that sound?”
“That sounds like we have a deal”
“OK, little man lets go” Alice said as Isabella stood back up. I took Isabella’s hand in mine and started to turn. Vinny scrunched up his face “Look mommy Uncle Eddie is holding Bella’s hand. I thought she was your friend.”
Emmet put his arm around Isabella’s shoulder ‘Vinny my man, Bella is every ones friend. But she is Uncle Eddies...special friend.” I turned to gape at him; Rose came over taking his other hand “Don’t say that to him.”
“What? Look at these two, they know each other like three days and they can’t keep their eyes off each other. That’s a good thing. We all need a special friend.”
Isabella was biting her lip, and turning redder by the second. “Vinny my man, don’t you have a favorite friend you play with all the time?”
“Emmet!” I growled. Could someone please shut him the fuck up? Rosalie came to my rescue “Let’s go Emmet, We will see you all at the house.” she pulled his free arm, making him let go of Isabella’s shoulder and they walked to the parking lot.
“Bella I’m so sorry about Emmet, I swear I raised him right.” my mother said with concern. Jasper spoke next “Words just come out of his mouth, before his brain can catch up. That’s all, but he’s harmless.”
Isabella started giggling “That’s ok really, I just kept wondering what he was going to say next.” Alice was giggling too, “Oh my god when he said special friend I thought Edward was going to kill him.” I chuckled ‘I was thinking about it.”
“Ok everyone at my house in half-an-hour. Is that doable for you guys?” she was looking at me. “Give me forty-five, that should be good.” Jasper clapped my shoulder “Minute man, huh?”
I groaned, Isabella was chewing on her lip, and my father was chuckling. Alice and my mother just stared at him. He started laughing “I couldn’t resist.”
Vinny pulled on his shirt “Dad…What’s a minute man?”
Alice held on to Vinny’s hand “Come on we have to go home and wash up.”
“But I want to know what a minute man is.” Alice glared at her husband “See what you did? Forty-five minutes, so you better get moving! Oh and Bella, Don’t forget your suit.” she called over her shoulder as they walked away.
We stood there with mom and dad chuckling as Alice put her husband in his place. “Can we give you two a lift, at least to Bella’s house? That might save some time.”
“No I think we will be fine with time. We have to go though.” I kissed my mother on the cheek “See you soon.” Isabella said good-bye and we started walking.
“So, is that the full Cullen Monty?” she asked with a snicker. I nodded “Pretty much, you won’t get the full effect until you see them eat.” she laughed.
“I am sorry if Emmet embarrassed you, he doesn’t mean any harm. He’s like a big kid at heart. But he’s loyal to his friends and even more so to family.” We had to stop for Seth by a tree. She looked at me “Really Edward, I didn’t mine. I was just shocked that he would think we had that kind of a relationship, that’s all”
I thought about that for a minute we were exiting the park, and stopped to allow a car to pass on the street. “What did you mean?”
“What?”
“What did you mean when you said that he would think we had that kind of a relationship?” We started walking again, and I was waiting for an answer to my question. What did she think our relationship would involve? I just told her yesterday that I feel something for her that I have never felt before. I was going to ask again in a more insistent manor when she sighed, drawing my attention to her face. She looked like she was concentrating really hard. “Isabella, tell me what you are thinking. I need to know.”
She sighed again “Edward I just don’t know what to think. I mean…this” she held our joined hands up. “This feels so right, but ... I’m not a special friend...I’m not really anything to you. I just...I don’t know, what kind of a relationship we have, if we have any at all.”
I couldn’t really blame her, we hadn’t talked about what we want from this relationship, but in a way I was upset that she didn’t understand.
“You look upset. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I shook my head “No, I want, no I need to know what you are thinking and feeling at all times - especially this early in our involvement. That doesn’t mean I like or understand why you feel that way.” She stopped walking. “Umm…yeah this is my house.”
The grey house sat fifteen feet back from the sidewalk. The cement walkway lead to the steps that raised to a perfectly inviting white door. The left corner of the house was all clear glass. The lot was completely covered with grass, tall shrubs lined the property on the left, while a tree bent over the sidewalk on the right. As we walked towards the house she looked at me warily. “I usually go in the back.” I gestured with my hand “lead the way.”
We walked on a cobble stone path around the back of the house. The driveway lead to the garage that was attached to the left side of the house. We climbed a few step to the patio, then a few more to the back porch.
She entered the code into the door and we stepped into the kitchen. “Umm... Can I get you something to drink? I think I have lemonade and I know there is some bottled water.”
“I’ll have water.” She went to the refrigerator pulling out two bottles. “Can you give me a minute? I just want to go to the bathroom, and I have to feed Seth.”
“Sure we have a few minutes” She started walking towards the other room “Edward make yourself at home, I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks Bella” she stopped and looked at me like she was confused. She blinked a few times, and then started walking again. “Bella, don’t forget your swimming suit” I called out after her.
“Are you serious?” she asked incredulously. I laughed “If you don’t take one, Alice will give you one.” I was looking around the small kitchen; the walls were painted soft beige. The stainless steel Refrigerator and stove were on the left, with the microwave secured to the wall above it. On the right, half the wall was a window with a small oval table and two high back black chairs. Directly in front of me sat the sink with another window above it and dishwasher nestled in between the bottom cabinets. On both sides of the window along the wall, cabinets filled the space.
There wasn’t much on the counters. The coffee pot sat in one corner in the other a decorative dish stood in a stand. I glanced on the table and picked up the book that was left there. Different Loving, I smirked - the girls been reading.
“Hey I grabbed a towel too.” She was back and had changed. She had on a pair of jeans and a blue silk sleeveless button down V neck shirt, which showed just a hint of cleavage. Her hair was out of the ponytail, hanging in soft waves down her back. “You look great.” Her face turned into that shade of pink “Thanks” she reached in the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a large plastic container setting it on the counter. Then she pulled out a double bowl dish - I assumed for Seth - she filled one side with water and the other with dry chunks from the plastic container, which she then returned back under the sink. She put the bowl down next to the wall and Seth was there in an instant. “I know you’re hungry” she said as she patted his head “You be a good boy, mommy will be back.” she looked at me “I’m ready when you are, my bag and purse are in the living room” she pointed into the other room.
I followed her; this room was painted the same color with white woodwork. The wall opposite of the windowed corner was brick with a fireplace nestled in it. The oak floor had an area rug in the center with a sofa and two chairs on each side, the square coffee table sat in the middle of the grouping.
“This is a nice house. You have a lot of windows, great sunlight. How long you lived here?” I couldn’t remember if she told me before. “I’m here four years. Yeah, I liked this house. I’d like to do something with the kitchen, but I don’t know what. I had the bathroom redone when I bought it.”
“Can I see it?”
“Sure come on.
She led the way down the hall. The doors to the rooms were open. “This is my room” She pointed to the room on the right. It was painted slightly darker beige, with white woodwork. The dark wood sleigh bed was under a row of windows, with a matching night stand on each side of it. The bedding was deep brown with a beige scroll design going through it. The only other piece of furniture in there was a dresser and a much filled bookshelf. Seth’s bed was in the corner by the closet.
“Can I ask why you don’t have window treatments?”
“Well, I like the light. But I do have treatments.” She walked over to the night stand picking up a remote, she pushed a button, and brown shades slowly descended down the window in between the panes of glass. “Do you have them on all your windows?” She nodded, walking back into the hall pointing to the room directly across from this one.
“This is my office-slash-workout-TV room. This is the room that is usually a mess” She looked inside ‘You’re lucky I wasn’t home last night, so it didn’t get messed up” I looked in and she was right. The far corner housed the computer. Three large bookshelves dominated the whole northern wall. The TV was angled in the other corner and an old plaid tweed love seat sat in front of it, with a chipped oval coffee table in between the two. There was a double tiered round end table on one side of the love seat, and a rectangle table with a light coming out of it on the other.
“Nice furniture Bella.”I said with a smirk. She looked at me, biting her bottom lip and shrugged. I walked over and sat on the love seat, stretching my arm over the pink, green and purple knitted blanket that was neatly folded over the back.
“It’s comfortable” I said with a smile. She walked over and sat down next to me.
“It was my mothers. When she died, my dad got rid of most of her stuff. But these pieces he brought back with us and they were in my bedroom. He wanted me to feel at home.” I put my arm around her “How old were you Bella?” She looked straight ahead blankly “eight” I pulled her to my chest ‘I’m sorry baby that must have been hard?” She nodded “Yeah, Charlie was great, and I told you, I spent a lot of time at La Push.”
I left her go, pulling her hands as I stood up. “Show me this bathroom, or we are going to be late and have to suffer the wrath of Alice.” She laughed and went back into the hall. The last door was the bathroom. She was right it was nice and there was an entrance leading into her room. White Wainscoting came half way up the wall. The modern sink sitting atop of the dark cherry base looked more like a piece of art, rather than something to spit your toothpaste in. The jet tub was surrounded by white ceramic tiles, with aqua tile placed chaotically throughout.
‘Alright, I see why you spent an hour in the tub last night.” She giggled. ‘I like to sit in the tub, I find it very relaxing. I missed laying in a bubble bath, so when I bought this house, before I moved in; I made sure I got what I wanted.”
“You didn’t have a tub before?” who doesn’t have a tub. She shook her head. “I didn’t have a tub until I moved here.” I narrowed my eyes “why not?”
“Well, I lived in the dorms at college; you know what that’s like? Before that we only had a shower. I mean, there was a tub there, but, well....it got broken.” Her voice trailed off as she walked towards the living room.
“Why didn’t you get it fixed?” I asked as I picked up her purple duffle bag.
I followed her back into the kitchen, “Do you really want to hear this story?” She asked as she opened the back door, hitting a code into the security system. “Yes I do, my curiosity is peaked.” I said with a chuckle. She smirked and walked down the steps to the patio. She was going to go back to the front of the house but I grabbed a hold of her hand. “We can go out the back, I live that way” I said pointing my finger. As we walked she was quiet “So... your tub was broken?” I couldn’t figure out what was bad about her tub not working.
She sighed “I had class four days a week, and I worked part-time at the Wal-Mart because we needed the money. Anyway, one day I finished class for the day and went to my job, so by the time I got home it was after ten. James wasn’t home; I figured he had already eaten, because it was so late.” I was listening to her talk and something inside my head told me I didn’t want to hear the rest of the story.
“See when that happened in the past. He would eat at his parents. I was so tired, and I had homework and laundry to do, I just wanted to relax for fifteen minutes. I had just gotten into the tub” Yeah. I know I’m not going to like how this ends. “When I hear the door open, James is standing there and he wants to know what the Fuck I am doing sitting in the tub, when he hasn’t had dinner yet. I said I had just gotten home, and I thought he ate at his moms, like he did before. He started screaming about he wasn’t married to his fucken mom and it’s not her responsibility to feed him.- Oh, that’s Jake and Leah’s house” she pointed to a slate blue two story house with a white picket fence in front of it.
“They live really close to you, who bought first.”
“I did, they moved in right after they got married. They lived in an apartment up town. My dad was really happy when they move so close. So was I actually.” She grew quiet again. I figured I better get this over with. “So you were in the tub and he was mad.”
She let out a long breath “Yeah, he was mad, told me I couldn’t do anything right, that I was a horrible wife, and a spoiled brat. He said fucking me was like fucking a wet noodle. The next thing I knew he was standing over the tub and he says, you and your God Damn baths. You want to be a wet noodle? I’ll make you a fucken wet noodle. And he grabbed my hair pulling it really tight and shoved my head under the water.”
I looked at her, with rage filled eyes. Her eyes were blank. “What did you do?” I asked as we turned down my street. “I tried to get out, I pushed on his hand but I couldn’t move them. He pulled my head up, and I thought he was going to let me go, but he shoved me back under the water again. I was kicking and trying to push my legs so I could get up. I guess I splashed him or kicked him or something, because he punched me in the leg.”
I was seething, “What kind of fucken animal is he?” She looked at me squinting “Are you sure you want to hear the rest of this?” I raised my eyebrows in shock ‘Are you fucking telling me it gets worse?” She stilled her face. “It always got worse Edward.”
We had just gotten to my house and I was leading her up the driveway. Standing on the porch, I dug my keys out of my pocket, opening the door. “Bella, I’m going to get a glass of wine, do you want one?” She nodded “White or red?”
“White” I smiled at her, cupped her face with my hand lightly brushing my thumb over her chin as I looked into her eyes - eyes that have seen so much sadness and fear. “You got it babe.”
I turned around heading for the wine cooler. “So” I took a deep breath, I fucken hated even saying the words “He punched you in the leg”
She was quiet for a minute; I stopped pouring and looked at her “Bella baby, if you don’t want to tell me, it’s ok.” Her eyes welled up with tears and I could see her trying to fight them back. I set down the bottle and she started talking
“Yeah, I don’t know how long it went on; I was so exhausted even when he would lift my head up, I couldn’t catch a breath. All I could think of was Charlie and how I would never see him again. Then I saw my mom and I wanted to go to her. I don’t know how I got out of the water. But I was lying on the bathroom floor.” She closed her eyes and put her head down, shaking it slightly as she talked.
“I remember hearing him say Now Bitch, and he had my hair wrapped around his fingers” tears were starting to run gown her face. “He pulled me across the bathroom floor by my hair. I was trying to get my footing, but I.....I couldn’t. We were over by the toilet, and he smashed my head on the floor. I could feel him straddling my chest. I don’t know when he took his pants off, but he was trying to force me to suck on him, but I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t breathe. He smacked my face a few times, saying Open up Bitch. I don’t know how long it went on, and I’m pretty sure I passed out. Because I next thing I remember, I was laying on my stomach. When I went to stand up, I felt nauseous and I threw up”
I sat there staring at her in horror fill shock, as she sits with her eyes closed reliving this. She continued with her recounting “I used the sink to pull myself up, and that’s when I saw the blood running down the back of my legs.”
“That mother Fucker!”
She finally lifted her head, staring straight ahead. I held her hand while she took a few deep breaths. “I didn’t know what to do. So I sat on the toilet and tried to clean myself off, the blood was making more nauseous and his fluids, oh” she shuddered “just, repulsive.”
Bella blinked a few times, when she was calmer, she continued. “So, I cleaned up, and went in to go to bed. My jaw was sore and was swelling. My upper thigh was black and blue. My rectum hurt so badly, it was burning” She took a deep breath, and left it go in a long gust.
“Where was the animal?” I interrupted; she looked at me with lifeless tear filled eyes. “He wasn’t there; I don’t know where he went. In the morning, I was so stiff and my face was swollen and slightly black-n-blue that I couldn’t go to school. James came in to the bedroom and wanted to know why I was still in bed and not packing his lunch. I went to get out of bed and he pushed me back down. Lying on top of me, he stuck his finger in my ass and told me That was the best lay he ever had from me. I was just glad I was unconscious through it. When he left, I went to take a bath, and he had broken off the nozzle, and had a patch over the hole. So I couldn’t take anymore baths.”
I just looked at her while I handed her the wine glass. “Bella, how old were you?” She took a sip of the wine. “Eighteen.” I could feel my chest heaving as I fought back the anger “How much longer did you stay with him?”
Bella closed her eyes, biting her lower lip as the muscles in her face started twitching “We were only married three months when that happened” more tears were coming down her face. I reached out and pulled her body to me, wrapping her in a tight protective hug. I kissed the top of her hair “How long were married to him Bella?”
She sniffled “I left him a year later, but the divorce wasn’t final until July 2007. So we were married almost five years.” “But you were only really with him for a year and a half?” I wanted her to clarify for me. “So the last time you were with a man was seven years ago?” She stiffened and finished her wine. Mine was already gone. Listening to that story, I should have the whole damn bottle. “Edward” she took a deep breath
“He came after you, didn’t he Bella? That’s why you don’t want to go home. When was that Bella?”
She looked at me “The day he signed the papers.” she said blankly. “And the only reason he signed the papers was because of Jake and Sam. But that’s a whole other story”
She looked at me with a sad smile. “Your sister is going to be upset, if we’re late.” I looked at my watch .damn! Then back at Bella “Do you want to go use the bathroom to...freshen up?”
“Yes please.”
I stood and helped her to her feet; I put my hands on her cheeks, cupping her face gently, before kissing her forehead. “I hope they hurt him bad Bella, because after hearing just one of your stories. I want to hunt him down and kill him. I’m so sorry you had to go through that shit” I ran my hand through her soft shinny hair “Come on, we have to get moving.” I showed her the downstairs bathroom, got her a washcloth and towel and closing the door to give her privacy.
I couldn’t believe what she had lived through. How can a man brutalize a woman like that? I was putting the case of beer into the trunk of my car, when a thought occurred to me. I like to hit women, am I the same kind of animal as James? He fucken raped her anally, what kind of sick fuck does that, and then brags and humiliates her afterwards. Yes I like anal sex, but only if she is willing, and for fucks sake conscious. Not brutal that she bleeds from it.
I was standing back in the house now, “Mother Fucker!” I said out loud. I was halfway through my tirade when Bella stepped out of the bathroom. “Are you Ok?”
She asked with concern in her eyes. She lives through a fucken nightmare at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and cherish her, and she wants to know if I’m ok.
“I’m fine Bella. Sometimes I have a temper problem.” She looked at me slightly frightened. “Don’t be scared, I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you, ever. It’s just for some reason, I feel drawn to you, and very protective of you.” she stared at me, I sighed “Come on let’s get moving” I picked up her duffle bag up off the front porch
“Are you sure you want me to go. I could just go home, you don’t need to feel... obligated” I looked at her for a second, trying to judge what she meat. Didn’t she want to go? Did she think I didn’t want her to come? I believed it was the latter. “I don’t feel obligated; I would like you to come.” I said as I tucked her hair behind her ears
As I opened her car door, she glanced over at my chopper; there was a gleam in her eyes. My girl liked motorcycles. “Do you ride?” she asked with excitement.
“I do.” I answered shutting her door. Once I was on my side I threw her purple duffle bag into the back seat, and started the car. I glanced at her was still looking at the bike.
“Did you ever ride?” she looked at me so full of enthusiasm, it almost made me gitty. “Oh yeah, Jake built two of them from scrap, and we would go riding around the reservation all the time. Then Charlie found out, and he nearly had an aneurysm from screaming so loud. Leah and I were grounded for a month.” She said with a giggle
. “Charlie wanted Billy, Jakes dad, to sell them or just throw them out. But Billy was more understanding. Those bikes are still in Billy’s garage.” she chuckled
‘Do they still run?”
“I don’t think so. Jake could probably get them working again. But we had a great summer that year. That was the summer before I starting dating James. I spent every day down at First Beach. That was the first time I went cliff diving.” she said with a nod.
“Cliff diving?” I didn’t know if I liked the sound of that.
“Yeah, there is this cliff that jets out over the ocean.” I was turning on Alice’s street now “How high is this cliff?” I asked cautiously. She shrugged “I don’t know fifty, sixty feet.”
“What? You jumped off a cliff sixty feet in the air, into the ocean?” I was looking at her with shock. She just beamed at me “Oh Yeah, it’s exhilarating! You should try it!”
I reached in the back for her bag; slug it over my shoulder as I opened her door. “I have to get the beer out of the trunk” she nodded as she stood looking at the house. When I joined her again, she followed me. Alice was standing in the open doorway, tapping her foot.
“What took you so long, Edward?” narrowing her eyes as she took Bella’s arm. Bella started to say something, but I cut her off. “Hey sorry, we had to walk to Bella’s feed Seth. Walk to my house, and get here, we’re only fifteen minutes late.” She sighed, “There is room in the refrigerator for that case.” She said pointing to the beer as she steered Bella through the French doors that lead to the patio.
I stuck the beer in the fridge keeping a six pack out, as Jasper was coming in. “Edward get me one of them will ya?” I got out two, twisting mine open and handing the other one to him. He eyed me “You OK man, you look a little on edge.” I shook my head “I’m fine, just needed a cold beer, it’s been quite a day so far.”
He took a drink of his beer, picked up a tray of burgers and sausages “Well, it’s only going to get better, Emmet’s on a roll out there.” I groaned “I better get out there, run some interference for Bella.” Jasper laughed “Don’t worry, Alice, Rose and Esme already threaten him with bodily harm if he embarrasses her again.” He was still chuckling as we walked onto the patio.
Everyone was sitting around the long rectangular glass table. Bella was next to Rose and across from Alice. Vinny was sitting between mom and dad coloring at the end of the table. Vinny looked up “Hi Uncle Eddie!”
“Hey buddy what’s up?” I said as I rustled his hair when I passed him, clapping my dad on the shoulder. “Hey dad” he nodded “Son, glad you’re here, Alice was going to send out a search party.” he chuckled. I bent over to kiss my mom’s cheek. “Mom”
. “Hi sweetheart”
‘Ankel Addie” Mia squealed, lifting her arms up. I picked her up out of Emmet’s arms.
‘Hey Eddie, nice bag you got there. Purple is defiantly your color.” he laughed and I rolled my eyes. I put Bella’s bag over on the bench and sat down next to her.
I put my arm on her shoulder “What you drinking babe?” She looked at me “A Margareta” I nodded “Mia did you say hi to Bella?” I asked in her ear. She put her head in my shoulder and acted shy. Jasper announced that the meat was started, and Alice got up to get the other food. Mia jumped off my lap, and followed her.
“Edward, what happened at the door, Thursday night?” Emmet asked. Bella was talking to Rose, and I was glad she was so relaxed around my family. ‘Nothing Em, three girls wanted to get in, they didn’t have passes and no one to vouch for them, so I sent them on their way.” Emmet snorted. “Tyler said one was trying to put the moves on you.” I looked at Bella, she seemed like she was half listening ‘Nothing I was interested in.” I added. Bella gave me a sly smile. Jasper announced the food was ready, and Emmet was the first one there. My mother spoke
“So Bella, Carlisle tells me you work at the center.” Alice chimed in before I could say anything “She teaches psychology at UW too.” My father looked over, ‘I didn’t know that. I thought there are only two paid position at the center?” he looked confused. Bella nodded “Yes, the director and Dr Miller. Those are the only two paid. The rest are all volunteers”
Emmet and Jasper were just sitting down with their plates. “Do you want to get some food?” I asked softly by her ear. She shivered and nodded. Alice had a fruit salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, and chips out with the burgers and sausage sandwiches. I was starving, so I got a burger and a sausage.
We just sat back down, when Rose asked how old Bella was when she married. She put a piece of tomato on her burger “Umm...it was a week after my eighteenth birthday.”
“Holy Shit!” Emmet barked “Were you knocked up?”
Bella turned red, my mother admonished him for being rude and Vinny announced to the table that ‘Uncle Emmet just said shit!” Emmet grinned at Vinny, “Don’t say that word buddy, you say poop” but then he turned his attention back to Bella, waiting for an answer.
She smirked “No, I was not.” she said with conviction. I was giving Emmet an I’m-going-to-fucken -kill-you look, when my dad told him it was none of his business. Bella sighed “That’s ok, really, everyone thought that anyway. Leah made me take a test the night before the wedding to prove it to her.” She chuckled “then she did everything she could have to try to talk me out of it.”
Alice interrupted “I would have talked you out of it, hell I would have kid-napped you if I had to.” Alice took a sip of her drink.” I only met him once or twice, but I didn’t like him.” she shuddered.
My mom tried to correct her “that’s not nice, Alice, you didn’t even know him.”
“Mother, I’m telling you. Even you would have disliked him. He gave me the creeps.”
Bella was twirling her fork in her fingers, her eyes on her plate, chewing her bottom lip. I rubbed her back, to try to ease some of her discomfort. It seemed to work, her back wasn’t so rigid. But she still hadn’t looked up.
“Where are you from Bella?” my dad asked.
“What is this, ask Bella twenty-one question.” I asked slightly irritated. My father looked at me, with a raised eyebrow.
Bella answered “I was born in Forks. It’s in the Olympic peninsula.”
“By Port Angeles?” my mother asked.
“Yes, it’s a little more than an hour west of there.”
“You lived there your whole life?” Rose asked. Bella shook her head, chewing some food. After she swallowed she answered. “No, my parents divorced when I was three, I went with my mom to Phoenix. I came back home when I was eight.”
“Your mother came back?” my mom interjected. I shot her a look.
Bella shook her head “No, she was killed in a car accident with my step-father. They were traveling to his game; he was a minor league baseball player. They traveled a lot, and I was with my Grandmother. Charlie came down, packed up most of my stuff, and a few things that were my mother’s and brought me back here.”
She looked back down at her plate. My mother put her hand over her chest ‘I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to pry. That must have been hard for you, growing up without a mother?” I looked at her like no-shit. Bella shrugged ‘Thank you, but really it was a long time ago, and Charlie is ... he really is a great father.” My mother glanced at me, with an apology in her eyes.
I picked up Bella’s hand under the table rubbing my thumb over the back of it. She looked at me and smiled. “I have dessert, chocolate cream or apple pie.” Alice got up to go in the kitchen, Bella’s phone rang
“Excuse me” she said as she stood up behind me. I looked at my mother again she mouthed ‘Sorry’ - I nodded, she didn’t mean any harm, but I tried to warn her. Bella was talking softly. Jasper and Emmet were talking about some game. Rose went in to help Alice I assumed. Bella said something about not now Jake, she didn’t sound happy, and then she started talking in a language I never heard before. After a few minutes, Alice and Rose were back, and Bella was sitting back down. Alice refilled her drink, she declined pie. Saying she was stuffed, I don’t know how, she hardly ate anything. It was quiet for a few minutes. I leaned over to Bella and whispered “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, it’s just; Jake wants me to go home next weekend”
‘What was that language you were talking Bella?” Rose asked, she must have heard it when she was returning to her seat.
“Oh” Bella blushed- that is so fucking cute “It’s native American....Quylette.”
“You know native American...that’s so cool. Say something.” Jasper insisted. Bella looked at him thoughtfully, then spoke in a hauntingly beautiful native tongue.
“What does that mean?” Alice asked with interest.
“Basically, it’s a blessing, asking for peace, long life and prosperity to all who are gathered here.” I leaned over and whispered in her ear “Would you like me to change the subject?”
“Please” I rubbed her knee, I couldn’t help it, I really liked when she said please.
“Alice what have you been working on?”
She clapped her hands once loudly “Oh my god! I almost forget. Bella the other night when I came home I got this great idea for a design for you.”
‘For me?”
“Yes...listen. Ok so, I drew it out. I think I’m pretty close on your measurement, but I’ll have to get precise numbers before I start.” She was talking so fast, Bella just sat there staring at her across the table.
“What’s the basic design Alice?” Rose asked. Alice held up her hands and made an hour glass shape. “The basic piece is a hobbler dress. Then I got the idea to put the accessory pieces towards it. So all in all right now I have six pieces to the set.” She looked at Bella ‘You’ll be able to interchange the pieces and come up with numerous possibilities. Bella... Let me tell you what...you wear this piece and I guarantee everyone... will not be able to take their eyes off you.”
Bella’s voice was speculative. “Where am I going to wear it to?”
Rose chimed in “Party’s, Munch’s the club...you’re going to need something to wear girl.” Bella looked at me with wide eyes. Alice added “Edward tell her.” I smiled gently “You’re going to need something.” She pinched her bottom lip between her teeth, nodding.
“Come on, I have to put Mia in for a nap, I’ll show you what I came up with. Rose come see what you think, you’ll be able to see the vision.”
Bella looked at me, I just shrugged “No harm in looking” she sighed. Alice called Vinny “Come on sweetie, quiet time for a little bit” Bella was still sitting there “Come on Bella...I want to get your measurements”
Bella looked at Rose “Can anybody ever tell her no?” Rose laughed pulling her hand. “We don’t even try.”
“Mom are you coming? Oh and bring your suit Bella” Alice called out. My mother took Vinny’s hand. “Is this going to make me blush?’ Alice winked at our mother “Absolutely” As they were walking through the door, my father called out. “If it gets to be to much dear, close your eyes.” My mother looked at him and giggled.
Once the women were gone, we started cleaning up the leftover food. I stacked the dishes, and took them into kitchen. After scrapping them off, I loaded the dishwasher. Then I headed out to my car to get my suit and towel out of my gym bag in the trunk. I got a new beer and went out to join the men standing by the bar.
“So...Edward” Emmet began “What’s up with you and little Bella?”
I took a sip of my beer and smiled. “I don’t know, there is just something about her. She sweet, sassy and…” before I could say anything, Emmet said “sexy as hell”
I glared at him, I had this feeling in my chest. When I talked it came out like a growl “Don’t fucken talk about her like that!” My father glared at me. Emmet held up his hands “Chill out dude, I was just kidding.” Jasper eyed me. “What?” He shook his head “Nothing” and he went back to cleaning the grill. I took another swig of my beer “I’m going to put my suit on”
When I came back, Emmet and Jasper had their shirts off, and my mom had rejoined them. My father was holding a large white garment bag “You made it out alive mom, no blushing?”
“Just a little bit, I figured I would give them some privacy. When I left they were taking Bella’s measurements” I raised an eye at her, why would she have to leave for that. “I didn’t think Bella would be comfortable being naked in front of me...Not yet anyway” she added with a giggle.
I looked up at the window I knew she was behind...a naked Bella “Yooo..Superman…you can’t see through the brick.” Everyone snickered at Emmet’s comment. My father chuckled again “You ready to go dear? I want to get home and finish up that paper work.” My mother kissed Emmet and Jasper, when she kissed me she patted my cheek. ‘I like her, she’s good for you.”
“I like her too.”
We opened the hot tub, and climbed in with our drinks in hand. Jasper pressed the button on the side, and the Mariners’ game came on the TV.. “So can we seriously talk about Bella, or are you going to throw another hissy fit?” Emmet inquired. Jasper smirked.
“I didn’t throw a hissy fit. Just don’t talk about her like she’s some whore at the club, who you scene with and never speak to again.” He looked at Jasper “Six months” they shook hands “You’re on.”
“What the fuck are you ass wipes talking about?” they shook their heads “Nothing, friendly bet amongst brothers.” Jasper replied.
Emmet got serious “What’s the story with her and her ex?”
“I don’t know the whole story yet Em, but it’s not good” He got an angry look on his face “Like what happened to Rosey?” I nodded “Close, but this went on for years. Even after she left he tracked her down, fucken abused her. You know that Jacob guy from the other night?” they acknowledged “I guess he went after him, kicked his ass that time. But she’s still afraid, and that’s why she doesn’t want to go back to Forks, I’m guessing he still lives there. You should see the security system she has on the house. I swear it’s better than fucken Fort Knox.”
“What’s the asshole’s name?”
“James”
“James what?”
I shrugged “Cummings” Jasper replied.
“How do you know that?” Did Jasper know him?
“Alice told me, she said Bella’s name was Cummings when they were in college.”
The French doors opened and the girls came out talking. Bella looked a whole lot more relaxed then she did when she went in. They stopped behind the bar to refill their drinks, they were laughing about something. As they walked over to us, Bella removed the towel she had hanging over her arm in front of her body. She had on a black strapless top that stopped two inches below her bust, and a short black ruffled skirt. Her hair was loose with a few wayward strands blowing from the light breeze. She was beautiful. Jasper was talking to me, but I wasn’t listening. I was busy watching Bella from the corner of my eye as she slipped off her shoes. What she did next, made my dick feel like it was going to explode.
Holding on to both sides of her skirt, she slid it down over the front of her thighs. The matching bottom she had on barely came above her pubic bone. Showing off a tone, trim stomach between the two pieces. Then she turned around, and bent over to remove the skirt. My mouth was gaping open and I groaned at the sight of her long toned legs that led to her firm round ass. Rose leaned over and whispered something to her, she shook her head, and giggled a little, and then Rose swatted her bottom. What the fuck is that about! They see her naked before me, and Rose gets to swat her bottom first too.
I just stared at them. Because that shit aint right! Bella stood and looked at me with a smile before returning her attention back to the girls. When she stood back up the top of her suit was an open corset style with interlacing ties in between her shoulder blades. She tucked her thumbs into the back of her bottoms and adjusted it so it fit snugly against the contours of her hips.
Alice handed her the drink, and they walked over to us. I tried to act coy, by listening more closely to Em and Jaz, but I watched her walk from the corner of my eye. When they got to the edge of the tub, Rose held her hand out, so Em could help steady her. She didn’t submerge herself in the water, sitting on the edge instead. Alice handed Jaz her glass and got in. Bella just stood on the side looking out over the back yard. “Are you coming in?”
She smiled at me “Yes Sir, I am” Fuck my dick twitched, and then she pulled a hair band off her wrist. She stretched her arms up into her hair, causing her back to arch, and her breast to push out in front of my face. I suppressed a moan, but my breathing had already picked up, and between the blood leaving my brain and heading to my dick, and the heat of the water. I was feeling a little light headed.
I stood up taking another swig of beer, wiping the cold bottle across my head. “You hot there little brother?” Emmet said with a snicker. Rose giggled “You do look a little warm Edward.”
I took Bella’s hand to help her in the water, glaring at Em and Rose from behind her back. Bella sat next to Alice taking a drink of her Margareta.
“It’s not that hot Edward. I’ve been a whole lot hotter.” I looked at her blankly. She and Alice giggled. It was then I knew Isabella Swan was going to be the death of me.
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