Chapter 71

EPOV

The phone vibrating against the wood brought me fully awake. Up until that moment I was drifting in a half-sleep state, conscious of my surroundings yet unwilling to completely rouse. My body was wrapped around Bella’s so tightly that with every breath she took I could feel the expansion of her back against my chest. Our legs were entwined with her wrapped in my arms as we lay spooning one another.

Turning my upper body I reached to get the phone, my movement disturbed Bella and as I hit the answer button she twisted slightly reaching out towards me while making a soft whimper, “Edwa…”

“Hold on a second dad,” the sleep in my hushed voice coming through.

Taking a hold of the arm that Bella was reaching out to me with I tucked it back under the blanket, giving her a feeling of security while whispering in her ear, “Shhh…sleep my love….sleep.” At my words her body relaxed while I gently slid my other arm out from underneath her head and moved to sit on the edge of the bed to talk with my father.

“What’s up dad?” my eyes went to the clock and I wondered why he would be calling at seven-o-two in the morning.

“Sorry if I woke you Edward, but I was hoping to be able to talk with you for a few minutes before your brothers arrived.”

Oh, this wasn’t going to be good

“Would it be alright if I came down?” Dad asked yet I knew there was no denying him.

“Ahhh...” my hand ran over the top of my head letting the hair flow through my fingers until it reached the back of my neck where I vigorously rubbed in an attempt to rid myself of the sleep that was still on my brain. My eyes shifted back to clock making sure that I hadn’t misread the time as I answered, “Yeah give me ten minutes to shower.”

“I’ll bring you a coffee.”

A coffee, he better bring the damn shop
I didn’t know what was so important that dad felt the need to come here so early. I had an idea that it had to do with what he saw on the balcony the day before. Even though we had spent the whole previous night together and there were times when dad and I were alone, the subject never came up. Then again, perhaps he was right and it would be better to talk one-on-one where there was no chance of being disturbed. I didn’t have time to ponder what he wanted and there was no reason to speculate, he would make his purpose known very soon.

Bella whimpered and shifted around on the pillow when I moved away from the bed. It was as if her body was responding to my absence and in a sick sort of co-dependency - that thought made me happy. However, we were up late the night before and the women had a long day of shopping planned so I wanted Bella to sleep as long as possible.

Leaning over her sleeping form, I tuck the blankets tightly around her body and placed my pillows behind her back in hopes that she would stay asleep. Once she seemed to have settled I went to start my morning routine. We still had not had a chance to make use of the massive shower for anything other than cleaning our bodies. That would change, but for the time being I let the water wash over my skin as my mind went through the memories of the previous evening.

After calling about the floating fairy Bella and I had changed to meet with everyone for dinner. The hotel had a small pavilion area with a fire pit off to the side that was surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Mom had ordered pizza, salads and even brownies for desert. After eating we sat around the fire toasting marshmallows, drinking beer and talking.

Emmett was still gloating over winning the whiffleball game and no matter how many times Jasper or dad asked exactly what Bella had done I wasn’t telling. Alice however laughed the hardest, “Oh my god Edward, you should have seen your face,” she snickered. “I thought you were going to have heart attack!”

Emmett laughed along with our sister, “The best part was when he kind of swayed…” he drew out the word while moving his shoulders in an exaggerated motion. “I knew that was the moment to strike.”

“Yeah, yeah…I think it’s pretty bad that you turned my own mother and the woman I love against me, just to win a silly game.”

Jasper was slightly more despondent, “You all cheated and worse than that you taught my son to cheat.”

“There was no cheating,” mom insisted. “It was a simple distraction that worked in our favor. I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times on TV.”

“You’ve seen somebody…” my voiced raised several octaves as my eyes went to Bella who was quietly sitting on the edge of her chair helping Mia toast a marshmallow. The glow of the fire enhancing the chagrin on her face as her eyes shifted over to mine. I grinned thinking back to what my family had put her up to, and even though it was a dirty trick there was no way I could tell exactly what she had done. Instead I placated my family.

“I’ve witnessed a lot of games in my life and never have I seen anything like that on TV,” I was absolutely positive that there was no woman off to the side making sexually suggestive motions with the sole intent of sending the opposing team into a turmoil. I was also pretty damn sure that was against the rules.

“What are you talking about Edward? Isn’t one of the functions of a catcher to distract the hitter?” Nodding at mom’s question I had to admit that was one of his duties. “yeah but…”

“But nothing,” Mom was sure of her stance. “It’s the same concept.”

“What?” dad, Jasper and I all said in unison as they tried to cram us with the crap they were spewing at us.

“Yeah little brother just face facts, you were out played.” At Emmett’s statement Bella glanced over at with the warmest blush coloring her cheeks mouthing, “I’m sorry.”

Oh, she was going to be sorry alright.

“I say we get a re-match and next time, I’m keeping my eye on her,” Jasper pointed to Bella who was still attempting to act innocent. “Any funny business and you guys forfeit.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Emmett sat back causally in his chair tipping back the bottle of beer, “you can beat us all you want, but in the back of your mind you’ll always know that today, you got whooped. Right Team?”

Emmett was trying to use that psychological coaching bull-shit on us and it was working, at least for the people on his team because everyone except Bella agreed with a hearty, “Yes!” The talk then went to the suggestion of gold leafing the whiffle ball and using it as a trophy that the winning team could keep from year to year. I sat forward taking Bella’s hand, licking the melted marshmallow off smiling as she giggled. They could do whatever the fuck they wanted but there were two things I knew for sure. First, from that moment on Bella was always going to be on my team. Second, when we got back to the room I was going to tease the shit out of her.

That’s exactly what I did.

We stayed outside until well after midnight, mom and dad had taken Mia and Vinny to bed amongst protest from my nephew. He wanted to stay up and he kept grumbling about having to go shopping with the women. He tried his hardest to come golfing with us but it was no use, he just wasn’t old enough. His last and final try had to do with going to the bathroom; he found it unnerving that he had to use the ladies room.

“But I got Gahonies,” he whined making us all snicker.

Alice didn’t find her son at all funny and glared at Emmett who she was sure had taught him that word while explaining. “You have little gahonies and you can’t go into the men’s room by yourself because I can’t go in there and help you.”

“But I don’t need any help! It all comes out and I can flush by myself.”

“Stand outside the door Alice and let him use the men’s room.” Jasper was given a death glare that had me cringing.

“Yeah, he can reach the wall Johnny. The little guy might have to stand on his toes and stretch the monster out but he’ll be fine,” Emmett was met with four women staring at him disbelievingly while he just shrugged it off “What?”

“We’ll see,” Alice mollified her son, but I was pretty sure that Vinny would still be marking his territory in the ladies room.

Poor little guy

With the kids gone Bella had moved to sit with me. She sat between my open legs leaning back against my chest. We sat laughing and talking, a few other guests had come to join us including a couple who were on their honeymoon. It seemed to me a strange place to come for such an event and I found myself wondering where Bella and I would go. She wanted to go to Egypt and Rome, those would be great places to see and I knew she would enjoy them. I however, would prefer something more personal and private. The idea started to formulate in my mind, and when the time came I would speak to Aro.

Once we were alone in the room I exacted my revenge on Bella, teasing her body with my hands and mouth over and over again until she was practically crying as she begged me to make her cum. When I finally gave in and allowed her the release she sought, Bella screamed loudly as her body shook while she spoke incoherently. All I could do was watch in fascination as her raw essence took over making her the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. It was the second time on our trip that I had wished I brought the video camera. Because although the memory was etched in my mind, I would love to show Bella how spectacular she truly is.

After a few seconds of recovery time Bella pushed me down on the bed, straddled my thighs and rode me. She tried to go slow with small smooth movements but I wasn’t having that. With my hands on her hips I guided her motions to meet my upward thrust until we both came and fell into an exhausted sated sleep. That was where we stayed until my father’s wakeup call disturbed any chance of a morning replay.

Stepping out of the shower with the towel around my waist, I wiped the foggy moisture from the mirror to finish my grooming. While I shaved, soft sounds of Bella’s sleep murmurings came through the door that led into the bedroom. She wasn’t saying anything tangible, just muttering, but it told me that she was still sound asleep and I hoped she would remain that way. If dad wanted to talk about what he saw, I didn’t want Bella to overhear and feel any sort of embarrassment from it.

I dressed as quietly as I could, opting for khaki shorts and a white polo shirt, taking my sneakers with me to put on in the other room. Just as I walked out of the bedroom dad knocked softly on the door.

Perfect timing

He said a standard good morning as he entered handing me cup of coffee with a black plastic lid on it. Dad followed me into the small kitchen area, where we made small talk while I proceeded to make a pot of coffee, Bella would want some and I could refill the cup before I left. Taking a look at the bedroom door it was still open a few inches and I didn’t want to disturb Bella so I suggested that we move to the balcony. Dad sat down taking a sip of his coffee while I stretched my legs letting my toes touch the rod iron railing while taking the lid off my cup. I didn’t mind drinking from a paper cup, but unless absolutely necessary I hated the way the liquid flowed through that little hole. After taking a large gulp the curiosity of what dad wanted got the better of me and I needed to know, “What’s up dad?”

He sighed, “Edward you know your mother and I try not to get involved in your business but I just can’t sit back watching and wondering anymore. It’s your mother’s request that I stay out of it, let you make your own decisions and she’s right to a point. You’re a grown man, who can do what you want within the letter of the law. Normally I would let you be, but I see you moving forward with your relationship with Bella and it just makes me wonder what you’re doing.”

What I’m doing?

I didn’t know what he wanted me to say, the vagueness of his question left a lot of room for interpretation. Did he want to know what my intentions with Bella were? Was he questioning if she was my submissive and where that relationship was going? Did he not approve of our involvement or did he think that we were moving too fast?

I hadn’t mentioned to either of my parents or really anyone from my family that I was contemplating marriage, so I didn’t think that was a problem. Besides, if I wasn’t mistaken dad was in on that little bet they all had going on for when I would be proposing.

Maybe he had a later date picked out

That thought almost made me smile but my mind just kept coming up with more possibilities of what dad was referring to. It was better to take the safe route in giving an answer. “I’m not doing anything dad.”

“I know Edward, that’s the problem, you haven’t done anything.”

Looking into my father’s icy blue stare, the seriousness of his reply showed in the small wrinkles around his eyes. Deciding that he really wanted an answer, I told him what my plans were. “I’m going to the jeweler when we get back for the ring.”

That answer seemed to surprise him for a second and then he smiled, “Well, that’s nice to know son. Bella is a lovely girl however given that you’ve only know each other a short time I would recommend at least a six month engagement. I know that you have…sown your wild oats but from what I can tell Bella hasn’t been in very many relationships.” He contemplated his words before adding, “Then again that could a good thing, because who wants a wife who has…been around the block?”

All I could do was stare at my father who narrowed his eyes at me, “Is that the hesitation with your future? I’ll admit it is more difficult with a wife but since children aren’t in the picture yet…” again he stopped to consider his statement then asked, “Are they?”

“Are you asking me if we have to get married?” My eyes narrowed while dads became wider as he asked pointedly, “Do you?”

I smiled at him, “No, I assure you that my decision is based only on wanting to spend the rest of my life with the woman I love.”

At my words dad relaxed while taking a drink from his cup, “Good, then back to my original statement, having a wife is an added worry but it shouldn’t discount your work.”

The more he talked the more confused I became, “Dad what are we talking about?”

“The residency program Edward,” He said as if it should have been obvious.

Oh

Internally I groaned as dad went on, “I told you that your letter of intent needed to be in by the middle of June, as of last week it still hadn’t arrived…”

“Dad, I’m not sending in a letter.”

“Edward, your whole life you talked about being a doctor. You’re mother and I sent you to school at a great cost for the pre-med program not to mention the first two years of med school at UW…”

They did do that, and I was grateful; however, I didn’t want that thrown in my face and I became slightly indignant. “Do you want the money back?”

My father looked like I had just wounded him, “Don’t be ridiculous. Your mother and I consider it an honor to pay for your education. I’m just trying to understand why you would throw it away.”

“I didn’t throw it away,” I countered. “I just decided to use it in a different direction.” He didn’t seem happy with that answer and I wondered, “Are you saying that being an educator is a worthless career? Because that’s all Emmett ever wanted to be and he was encouraged every step of the way.”

“Yes your right about Emmett that has always been what he wanted out of life. And of course being and educator is a very essential and worthy occupation. However you always wanted more for yourself. I worry that in ten years’ time you will look back on your life and be sorry that you didn’t proceed with your dream simply because it was too demanding.”

I laughed dryly and for some reason looked down at the palm of my hand letting the words that Bella had said come to my mind. Tracing the fate line I showed it to my father, “See this line?”
Dad looked at me like I had lost my mind but I continued, “That’s my fate line and right here this little piece breaks off into nothing.”

He was watching me trace the line on my hand with apt consideration before meeting my eyes, “That was the point where I decided not to continue with medicine. You’re afraid that in ten years I’ll be remorseful about not pursuing the profession because I didn’t want to deal with the challenges. My fear isn’t the hard work dad; it’s the regret I would feel being stuck in a profession that makes me miserable.”

My father believed in what he did and I certainly didn’t want to make it seem like I didn’t respect him. After all, there have been seven generations of Cullen’s who have been doctors, all amassing a great fortune that has been passed down to me. I’m grateful for that and maybe if times wouldn’t be what they are, my love of medicine would have carried me to that point. As it was, my opinion of the modern medical establishment was at best distorted. I knew that dad wanted to know my reasons – other than because the line on my hand says so – but I didn’t want to get into the same arguments with him. I had explained most of my reasoning shortly after I decided not to reapply for the residency program.

At that time I rationalized my points about how the establishment has forgotten the care of the individual to make room for what I consider to be socialized medicine. The insurance and drug companies have more to do with patient care then the physician who is treating them. I saw very quickly how persons other than the patient and their doctor call the shots with what is happening in the care of the individual. How certain treatments or pharmaceuticals are denied because they are not cost effective. It’s become a system of bartering for time and resources; we have exchanged quality of care for quantity, all in the name of making money for big businesses.

There was a part of my decision that had to do with fear; I didn’t want to be the one to look into the eyes of a child’s mother and tell her there is nothing we can do to save them. The other part had to do with integrity; I wasn’t going to be the one who gave false hope by having the mother give over her child to be used as a Guiney pig for some experimental process. Humans, especially children, deserved more dignity than that.

If I had at that moment said all that to my father, he would (as he had before) called me naïve, when in fact I considered myself a realist. I saw how things were and I wanted no part of it, I also didn’t want to rehash all the same arguments, so I remained quiet.

Realizing I wasn’t going to actually voice my reasons again, dad surmised that we were at an impasse. “There is no way you would change your mind and go back?”

“No. I’m content with what I’m doing and all the reasons I gave you before still stand,” I tried to lighten up the conversation. “Besides my hours are better.”

Dad smiled disheartened, and I knew that was not the answer he was hoping for. “If that’s your final answer then I won’t continue to badger you on the subject.”

I appreciated that, even though I knew he didn’t fully agree with my decision he was going to let me live my life as I wanted to and I respected him immensely for that. Dad followed me off the balcony, and while I got us each a real cup of coffee he sat down on the couch eyeing the roses on the table. The loud knock on the door startled me and I moved quickly to answer it before –I was sure it was Emmett – could knock again and wake up Bella.

Both Emmett and Jasper came into the room carrying matching coffee cups and I had to know, “Why are you here so early?”

“Well good morning to you too sunshine,” the sarcasm was not appreciated at seven-thirty in the morning. Jasper however gave a legitimate answer; he wanted to get out before Vinny woke up.

Apparently it was better to have Alice deal with a dismal child than for the both of them to put up with a full out tantrum. I didn’t think that sounded fair to my sister but as it was explained to me there was a good chance that with Jasper being already gone, it wouldn’t even dawn on Vinny to want to go golfing until much later in the day. By that time it would be too late and he would already be immersed into the shopping experience so he would never know the difference. Jasper called it a trick of the trade and evidently it works, most of the time.

Emmett looked at the roses, picking up the card that was folded in front of them as he went on to explain how they had arrived at my door. “I called dad to let him know that we were in the coffee shop and mom said he was here sooo…” he held the card out to dad, “did you read this?”

Shaking his head dad answered, “No, but I heard about the roses,” he raised his eyebrows at me. “I had to explain to your mother why she didn’t get roses and then I made damn sure there will be a delivery truck at our front door Thursday morning.”

“Dude your making us all look bad,” Emmett accused as Jasper took the card out of his hand to read it.

“Did you write this?” he wondered while I shook my head, “No it’s a quote, I looked it up.”

Jasper narrowed his eyes at me while Emmett chuckled, “Damn, who the hell are you and what have you done with my self-absorbed brother?”

I shrugged, “I like to make Bella happy and if all that takes is some flowers and chocolate…”

“You bought her chocolates too?”

“Shhh,” I had to shush Emmett’s loud voice again. He lowered his tone looking around, “Where’s the candy?”

“I’m not giving you Bella’s candy,” she hadn’t even had any yet.

Taking dads and my empty mugs over to the sink I filled up the travel cup dad had brought me and was just putting the lid back on when the bedroom door opened. Bella came out wearing a pair of turquoise cheeky panties and a small white t-shirt with pink writing that said ‘take me I’m yours.’ She looked rather groggy and the shirt that barely covered her navel rose up as she arched her back and yawned while she talked.

“Edward I thought you didn’t have to leave until eight?” her right hand went up to her shoulder as she stretched out her back while adding, “come back to bed, I’ll send you away happy.”

“That is why the man never goes out for breakfast.”

Hearing Emmett’s voice Bella froze where she stood as her mouth dropped open while the pinkness from the blush moved down her body. Jasper mumbled out, “I don’t blame him,” and I watched as if in slow motion Bella’s head turn to the left to see who was in the room.

In a flash I was in front of her pulling her arms around my neck as I turned us to use my body as a shield. She gasped against my chest in embarrassment as Emmett just couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “Don’t worry little Bell, I’ve seen it before. Not quite that much, but I’ve seen it; and they’re both doctors so…they don’t count.”

I glared at my brother, who had the nerve to grin back at me, and I was pleased to see Jasper and dad at least had the courtesy to look off in the opposite direction. Lifting Bella up to take her back into the bedroom she buried her face into my neck shaking her head as she asked dismally, “Why are they always in our room?”

Shutting the door to the bedroom I put Bella down on floor and watched as her embarrassment turned to ire, “Why are they here?”

I gave her the rundown of what happened while she slept explaining dad’s appearance and then my brothers. I thought maybe she was going to yell at me for not warning her but truly it wasn’t my fault. I was just glad that she had put something on before coming out of the room.

“Is the coffee done?” she asked while putting on her gray robe and tying it tightly around her waist.

She shocked me by walking to the door stopping before turning the knob she turned to look at me with the most serious expression I’ve even seen on her, “You know by the end of the day you’re going to be short one brother, right?”

Smiling at her declaration I had to ask, “Why?”

Bella squared her jaw taking a deep breath, “Because he’s going to keep making comments, innuendos, and snide remarkes and I’m going to have to kill him.”

Her confession made me chuckle as I wrapped my arms around the small of her back, pulling her close to me. I placed a kiss on top of her head, “Don’t worry nâhtötse, I promise by the end of the day he’ll be apologizing.”

I had an ace in the hold and if that for some reason didn’t work, I’d sic Rose on him. In the mean time I didn’t want Bella to be uncomfortable, “Are you sure you want to go out there?”

“Might as well get it over with, besides that’s where the coffee is.”

I chuckled at the words yet I couldn’t help but admire her for her for wanting to face the situation head on – that was my Bella.

We no sooner stepped through the door when Emmett started, “That was the quickest sendoff I’ve even seen…quietest one too.”

Bella ignored him as she went to get coffee while I went over to the seating area to put on my shoes, giving Emmett a punch in the arm as I walked by. Dad cleared his throat getting to his feet. “Well, if we’re stopping for breakfast then we should be going.”

My brothers both followed his direction while I tied my shoes and then stood checking my pockets to make sure I had my wallet and phone. Dad said good bye to Bella who was leaning against the counter sipping her coffee. “Have a good day Bella.”

“You too Carlisle, get lots of birdies,” he chuckled, “I’ll try.”

“Don’t spend too much little Bell, although you should get some red panties. I think you’d look good in red,” Bella blushed at my brother’s words dismissing him with a cute, “Good-bye Emmett.”

She looked over at me shaking her head as Jasper said his good-bye, “Don’t worry Bella, you showed more skin on the beach yesterday.”

He was right about that, in the scheme of things she was covered more then she had been, I believe the problem had more to do with the fact that she was wearing panties and very lacy, leaving nothing to the imagination, show off her perfect round bottom panties at that.

Bella smiled at him, “Thanks Jasper.”

“What time are you leaving?” I asked not remembering if she had previously told me.

“Eight-thirty.” I smiled at her before giving her a quick kiss, “Have fun shopping.”

“Thanks,” Bella didn’t sound at all enthused. “Have fun golfing,” she answered then asked with curiosity, “Are you good at golfing?”

I shrugged, “I hold my own.”

“But you’re not all-state caliber, like with baseball?”

My eyes narrowed, “Who told you about all-state?” Bella inclined her head towards the door raising her eyes to let me know that it was Emmett, who at that moment stuck his head back inside, “Are you coming or are you going for round two?”

Bella shook her head while I grinned, “I might kill him for you.”

She laughed telling me to go and after another kiss I met up with the men in the hallway. Once we were outside each of us went to our respective cars to get our clubs. With them loaded into Emmett’s jeep Jasper and I climbed into the back seat and we were off. They wanted to eat at the pancake house where they had breakfast the day before. Dad said it was on the way and it was very good. He was right about that.

The menu was nothing but hot-cakes, every kind you could imagine, regular, blue wheat organic, filled, fruited, you name it - they had it. There was even Captain Crunch pancakes and right under that was listed Fruity Pebbles. I decided that before we left Bella would have to have some of them.

The golf course was only a fifteen minute ride and Emery was correct it was great a course. We played our usual game which was a variation of Champagne Scramble. It’s played the same way except rather than every player teeing off at each hole, only the person who had the least amount of stokes on the previous one took the shot. It saved a little bit of time and became a much more competitive match. At the end of the game a stroke was removed from your score for each lead off, it usually balanced out lost balls or penalties.

On the ninth hole we stopped to take a break letting the people behind us play through. Emmett and dad went to the bathroom leaving Jasper and I sitting across from one another at the small picnic table.

Jasper took a drink from his water bottle, letting out a deep sigh before he started talking, “I’m sorry about yesterday; I didn’t mean to be a dick.”

“It’s alright Jaz.”

He shook his head and I thought he was going to apologize more, instead he seemed to become irritated. “I just don’t understand how Bella could…do you know what her ex did to her?”

I nodded knowing exactly the abuse Bella had been through. What I wasn’t aware of was his knowledge of it; I was going to question him when he spoke up, “Alice told me a little bit…did Bella tell you everything?”

What was told to me in confidence was going to stay with me and I wasn’t going to elaborate; however, I did assure him, “I know the worst of what happened…”

Japer cut me off, “It baffles my mind Edward how that beautiful young woman could live through all that she did and then ask for more.”

“More what?”

“More abuse, more subservience, more imprisonment,” my eyes narrowed at his words and I found myself having to defend not only Bella, but my actions as well.

“There is no abuse; she is in no way imprisoned. Bella is free to do what she wants and for her being subservient that is just who she is. You make it sound like I think less of her because of it and you couldn’t be more wrong, if anything Isabella is esteemed above all other things.”

He cocked his head to the side, “I mean subservient in that she is forced to do your will.”

“Do you think I force her?” I laughed dryly thinking of the strong stubborn woman who controlled my heart and life. “You either don’t know her very well or we are talking about two different women because there is not a chance in hell that I could force Bella to do anything she didn’t want to. However, it just so happens that for small periods of time she chooses to relinquish control to me…”

Jasper interrupted before I could finish explaining the need Bella has and the void that is filled by giving into that need.

“Can I ask you something without you getting offended?”

Taking a deep breath I nodded even though I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be.
“The flowers and candy, was that like an ‘I’m sorry, it will never happen again’ gift?”

It took me a second to realize what Jasper was suggesting. I remembered Bella telling me about the three cycles of abuse – the buildup, the blow up and the honeymoon period. He was implying that my gifts had to do with the last phase, like I had hurt Bella and so I was trying to make amends.

Yeah, I shouldn’t have agreed to not get angry

I had to swallow back my rage but I was sure it came through in my voice, “I gave those things to Bella, because I love her and I like to see the smile on her face. I have never, ever, hurt a woman, any woman.” I emphasized that point so there would be no misunderstandings, “…in the way you are suggesting and I really resent that you could think I would do such a thing.”

“Are you telling me that you have never disciplined her?”

“I’m telling you that I have never - nor would I ever - strike her in anger or frustration and that’s all you need to know.”

Jasper stared at me for a long moment judging the truthfulness of my statement before commenting, “But Bella has been disciplined?”

He took my refusal to reply as an affirmative answer, “Why do you have to punish her at all?”

The condescending attitude was getting to me and I lashed out, “Why do you punish your son?”

Jasper looked at me dubiously, “He’s a child, he needs to learn.”

“So does Bella.”

It was obvious to me that answer did not sit well with Jasper, I was also sure that had Emmett and dad not returned at that moment he would have said more. As it was, when they arrived back at the picnic table they knew that something had occurred. My brother raised a questioning eyebrow which I shook off while dad took a more cordial approach asking if we were ready to continue.

Jasper and I were sharing a golf cart and for a moment I considered acting childish by switching spots with Emmett. Instead, I sucked it up playing through the next three holes in silence as I thought about a way to make things right with my brother-in-law. On the thirteenth hole the people whom we had let play through got held up again so we had to wait. The tension between the two of us sitting alone together in the cart was insufferable. After a short time we both spoke but I backed off to let him have his say.

“Look Edward, it’s really none of my business and as Carlisle said Bella is a big girl who can make her own decisions. It just eats my crawl that you put her in a position to service you in public.”

I knew he was referring to what happened on the balcony and I suppose that it would have been easy to misconstrue what was happening so I figured it best to set him straight, “Bella was not servicing me. We were having a discussion which made her upset and I was comforting her. That is what you saw.”

His head turned to eye me suspiciously, “She had to get on her knees to be comforted?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “Believe it or not, that is the position where Bella finds the most security, where she can let herself go and forget about the entire outside disturbance that threatens her peace. You don’t understand the strength she gains in her daily life by giving into that need…”

“Make me understand Edward.”

I sighed, thinking of the best way to make Jasper see what I was talking about, what I could equate in his life to the submissive’s desire to serve. I thought of something but I wasn’t sure how it would play out. Jasper is a Civil War buff, twice a year he goes out and plays soldier by re-enacting battles for the weekend. He sleeps in tents, wears hot itchy clothes and carries heavy equipment. Personally, I think it’s a silly thing to do just because some long-dead ancestor fought for the south a hundred and fifty years ago. He however likes it, looks forward to going to the meetings and doing the play-acting so much that it must bring him some kind of serenity so I was hoping that might work.

“Why do you go out on those civil war weekend things?”

His eyes narrowed, “What does that have to do with …”

I interrupted his question, “Just humor me Jaz.”

He pursed his lips for moment before getting a forlorn look on his face, “I enjoy it.”

“The heat, the scratchy clothes, the buttoned underwear?” I questioned smirking at the thought of the flannel underwear that Alice made for him with button closures and drawstrings.

“It’s more than that Edward. It’s a connection with the past, my great-great grandfather fought with Walker's Greyhounds.”

“So my great-granddad fought at Normandy, you don’t see me storming the beaches.”

Jasper huffed, “It’s not about the acting. There is just something about connecting with the past that brings a peace in my soul. Regardless of how uncomfortable the clothes are or the nasty way we live for a few days. Not showering, eating dry bread and crackers or shitting in the woods.”

“You shit in the woods?” I asked with a laugh.

“Yeah, they have these portable toilets with disposable bags in them that get buried in the ground.”

“That’s disgusting. It sounds like a lot of trouble to go through to play soldier.” There was a point I was making but it did sound gross and there was not a chance in hell I would be caught dead doing that.

“I told you it’s not about the acting,” I looked at Jasper waiting to see what he would say. His gaze met mine as he spoke with conviction.

“For those three or four days that I’m a part of something so much bigger than my own little world, I can forget about all the mundane things in my life. I have no worries about bills, work, or what new color Alice wants to paint the living room. I could be free and get lost in the role that I’m playing to the point where it’s almost rejuvenating.”

I nodded before asking, “If you could do it every weekend, would you?”

“I think your sister would divorce me,” we chuckled because that was probably the case; but then he thought about it. “Yeah, I would.”

“Now you understand.”

Jasper looked at me in disbelief so I enlightened him, “That feeling of freedom, getting lost in the role, not having to worry about everyday things, that’s exactly what the submissive feels.”

“It’s not the same thing Edward; I don’t have to worry about being punished.”

“Really?” I was the one asking in disbelief, “What rank are you?”

“Corporal,” he had a little bit of power.

“So you have a Sergeant above you and a Captain above him?”

Jasper corrected me, “Sergeant and then First Sergeant.”

Nodding in understanding I asked, “Do they give you orders?”

At his blank stare I wondered, “What happens if you don’t follow them?”

“K-P duty.”

I grinned.

That’s better than burying shit duty

“Bella gets a writing assignment,” at my words I could see his mind working as he was tried hard to dismiss my comparison.

“I can walk away,” Jasper insisted. I looked him straight in the eyes, “So can Bella.”

After a moment of quiet I summed up the similarities of the two very different circumstances. “The roles we play are just that, behaving a certain way to fulfill a desire within us. You choose to do that by sleeping on the ground and shitting in a hole. Bella and I choose to be more civilized; she wears my collar and allows me to control her for a specified period of time. She gets just as much pleasure out of the relationship as I do, along with the freedom and the…” I used his word “… rejuvenation that it brings to her. If she didn’t receive the peace she longs for there would be no way Bella would ever get on her knees, before me or anyone else. And to be honest with you, I wouldn’t want her to.”

Jasper smiled, “Are you sure about that? She did look damn good this morning in those almost not there lacey things.”

The growl came from me without even thinking as he laughed. “Hey I’m a Plastic Surgeon; women pay me thousands of dollars to look like that.”

I couldn’t help but grin because he was right, my girl had it going on; and in that last statement I also knew that Jasper had a slightly better understanding of the relationship that Bella and I share.

The rest of the golf outing was uneventful; Emmett won which meant that back at the club house we paid for his lunch while he boasted the whole way through it. As we were leaving there was a large canopy set up in the parking lot. Two young girls dressed in cheerleading outfits were standing by the walkway. As we approached the blond one stopped us. “Would you like to buy something from our arts and crafts tent to help us go to competition?”

It wasn’t normally something I would do however the girls were insistent and at the mention of bakery items we were headed under the tent. There was only a half dozen tables, Jasper went over to where a woman was selling homemade dolls and other toys. I stopped at a table that was selling toe rings, picking out three of them. One was a simple silver band curved in a continuous ‘S’ shape. The other two were also silver; one was in an antique finish with an infinity insignia and the other was a flower with a blue stone in the center that wrapped around the toe ending with a swirly. They were every inexpensive, even after I included the flip-flop shaped box to present them in. Emmett stood beside me while I paid holding a bag with a picture frame in it, he snickered, “Bella’s toes are going to turn green.”

I chuckled because he was probably right, but hey, it was all in the name of a good cause, besides I knew my girl so I could tell him with assurance, “She’s going to love them.”

He shook his head, “Not when I tell her how much you spent on those little gems.”

I chuckled without worry, “It doesn’t matter, she would be happy if I got them for free.”

The look on my brother’s face told me he didn’t believe me. I suppose he was basing his opinion on Rose who although I love her, she has a taste for the finer things in life. Where Bella was so much simpler, she didn’t want extravagance. To her it was the sentiment that meant more than the actual item. Hell, my girl got emotional over packs of ketchup, I’d lay odds that Rose never did that. No, I was sure Bella would be more than pleased with the toe rings.

The four of us left the tent carrying our clubs and each of us had a bag from the sale along with a pie dad bought. What can I say? We were suckers.

Mom called dad on the way back to the hotel letting him know that they were all going down to the pool. I had assumed that Bella would be with them so after putting the clubs back into my car I was surprised to find her in our room. She was sitting on the couch in a deep blue swimming suit with a plunging neckline that practically took my breath away. The only thing that stopped me from jumping her was the fact she was talking on the phone. As I shut the door she looked up at me and smiled waving her fingers hello. Not wanting to disturb her conversation I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and was going to go into the bedroom to change when she grabbed a hold of my shorts holding me in place while she ended the conversation.

“I think you’re right, that’s a really good idea….no Edward is here now…I will…thanks Jane, I’ll see you Thursday night.”

Jane? Thursday night?

When she hung up I looked at Bella questionably wondering why she called my aunt, or had it been the other way around? She didn’t answer my unspoken question; instead rising up on her knees she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me to her for a kiss that let me know she was glad I was back.

Pulling away I smiled at her while running the back of finger along her jaw, “Did you have a good day, or are you happy to see me?”

Bella bit her lip giggling, “Both.”

She jumped to her feet taking my hand leading us into the bedroom. “Come here, I got you something.”

My eyes took in the rest of what she was wearing, it was supposed to be the bottom of her suit but it looked more like a skin tight skimpy skirt, actually it reminded me of a strip of blue gauze. However, my eyes nearly popped out of head at the sight of all the bags on the bed, for a girl who didn’t like shopping she certainly bought enough stuff.

“What is all this?”

Bella looked at me then back to the bed, “Most of it is baby stuff for Leah. The children’s place was really inexpensive and the one store had crib sheets…” she stopped talking, tilting her head to watch me “…do you know that when babies are first born they will go through two or three sheets a day?”

“Really?” that seemed like a lot.

Bella nodded, “That’s what Alice told me. She said they pee and spit up all the time, so the sheets need to be changed, so I got Leah a dozen. I figured that would give her at least four days’ worth of clean sheets.”

“What’s all the rest of this stuff?” there were at least fifteen bags there.

“Well, I told you the Children’s Place was having a big sale, so I got five different outfits for both sexes. I figured if Leah has a girl then I would give the boys stuff to Rose.”

That made sense yet I wondered, “What if Leah has a boy, what are you going to do with the girls stuff?”

Bella’s expression turned slightly dejected as she shrugged, “I don’t know.” I wanted to ask her what was the matter but she started shuffling through the bags. “Anyway I bought you…”

“Well wait, I got you something too,” she gawking at me in confusion. “You went shopping?”

“Inadvertently…yes.”

She went back to riffling through her purchases while I went out to get the little bag off the table, when I came back in Bella was standing there holding several pair of men’s briefs.

“You bought me underwear?”

What, is she my grandmother? Is it even proper for your girlfriend to buy underwear?

“Yeeaahhh” She stretched out the word with extravagant zeal. “These aren’t just any underwear; these are mic-ro-fiber.”

“Ooohhh,” I tried to get excited for her but I just wasn’t feeling it.

“Edward,” she shoved the pair of black ones at me, “feel them.”

I did, they were soft and kind of silky and even as Bella explained what was wonderful about them, the excitement still alluded me.

“They are light weight, airy and breathable, like cotton.” Her excitement started to grow, “But better than cotton. With these, your boys will stay all nice and tucked in without over heating them.”

Overheating? Was she planning to cook my junk?

The bewilderment must have shown on my face because my girl kept talking like she was trying to sell something on an infomercial. “It’s healthier for you, keeps your little swimmers strong. And you know how with cotton you sweat and the moisture just stays there causing chafing?”

All I could do was nod as she became more animated, adding her hands as she talked, “With the microfiber that doesn’t happen, because it pulls all the moisture away from your body and holds it in the material. So you stay all nice and fresh down there and seriously if I had to walk around with that thing flopping around…”she moved her hand like she was dribbling a ball, “I would want to keep it as comfortable as possible.”

I couldn’t take it anymore, the laughter rolled out of me.

“Are you laughing at me?” not wanting to anger her I tried to stop but she kept staring at me like I was the crazy one, when she was the one obsessed with my underwear. “This is serious Edward; will you at least try them?”

“Yes,” I told her with a chuckle.

“Good, because they are better for you and if you like them we’ll change out all the cotton ones for these.”

I had to admit that it was another first for me as well as for our relationship. I have never had a woman-other then my mother- to be so concerned about what kind of material I used to cover my ass with. And even though I didn’t know if it was proper for Bella to be so involved with it I nodded in agreement, “OK.”

Taking the other two pair of briefs from her I tried to hand her the bag with the toe rings. Bella flung her hands in the air in a halt motion, “Wait, I have more!”

“More underwear?”

She tsked, “No.”

Picking up anther bag Bella pulled out two silk shirts, one was a deep maroon and the other was a burnt orange. Neither of them were colors that I would have normally picked out. Bella took the small bag from my hand placing it on the dresser and then held each shirt up to my chest, eyeing me. “I thought these colors would go really good with your hair.”

She turned me around to look into the mirror before once again holding up each shirt, she was right. The colors accented nicely against both my skin tone and hair color. Bella caught my gaze in the mirror, “They look good, thank you.”

Smiling at me she nodded, “Your welcome.”

I turned back to the bed laying the shirts on top of bags, “Did you get anything for yourself?”

“Yup, red panties like Emmett requested,” I growled at her while she giggled doing a pirouette, “and I got this, do you like it?”

“I like it very much, I took notice of it as soon as I waked in the door,” I moved to take a hold of her but she slipped through my hands.

“Now what did you get me?” a coy smile played on her lips.

Ah, my girl wanted to play hard to get.

Picking up the bag I held it out for her, only to pull it back when she reached out to take it, making Bella step closer to me. Holding the bag open she tried to peek inside but I lifted it up so she had to step on her tip toes and then take another step towards me. Once she was just out of arms reach I quickly closed the distance grabbing ahold of her waist and pulling her to my body.

Bella giggled, “That’s not fair seducing me with gifts.”

“Oh nâhtötse, if you can tempt me with what you’re wearing, I can use anything I have to even the score.”

Looking up at me the playfulness was gone, “Is it too sexy to wear down to the pool?”

“Who says we’re going down to the pool?” I wagged my eyebrows.

Using her hands she pushed on my chest breaking the hold I had on her while she assured me, “Oh we are going to the pool.”

As she stepped away her hand quickly grabbed the bag dangling from my fingers, making me chuckle as she giggled in triumph.

“Oh…isn’t that cute,” she pulled out the box biting her lip as her fingers gripped the top. Once she saw the contents she smiled at me with a twinkle of delight in her eyes. That was the look that made me the most gratified. How could anyone not want to shower her with gifts when the simplest things brought her so much happiness?

“Toe rings, thank you,” I watched as she sat on chair putting the rings on her pink painted toes. When she was done Bella lifted both her legs wiggling her toes while she tilted her head from side to side in admiration. Satisfied she stood up walking towards me with a mischievous smile. Just as she stepped into my arms her phone started singing, “Fever”.

“Oh that’s your mom,” Bella quickly left my arms to get her phone off the nightstand.

“Hi Esme…no we’ll be right down, I was just showing Edward some of the stuff I bought…ok, I’ll bring some down…see you in a few minutes.”

Damn I wanted the pleasure of taking that suit off her

If we had to go I might as well get ready, opening up the dresser to get out my suit I didn’t know Bella was behind me until I felt her arms wrap around my waist, “Hey sweetie, can we resume what was started, later?”

“Absolutely,” I guaranteed her.

Bella stepped back letting me stand up, “Good, because I missed you today.”

“What are you going to do next week when we go back to reality?” I asked as she went into the bathroom. Coming out with the beach towels hung over her arm she stopped to watch me take off my shirt before answering. “Go through Edward withdrawals. I’ll be jonesing and will have to call you every hour for a fix.”

I chuckled while I continued to change, her mention of calling me made me wonder something, “You gave my mom her own ringtone already.”

Bella shrugged, “Everyone has their own song.”

“What’s my song?” The only answer I received was a giggle as she walked out of the room.

Well that would be easy enough to find out

Bella pulled the white cover-up she wore yesterday over her head, picked up the huge bag that she had packed for the beach, handed me the towels and we left. I really didn’t feel like going down to the pool. In fact I would have been happy to sweep everything off the bed and spend the rest of the afternoon alone. Bella on the other hand seemed very intent upon getting down there.

“Baby, why are we going down to the pool?” I asked as we stepped into the elevator.

“Because Alice and Rose are going to take out Emmett,” the words were said matter-of-factly, with no emotion or doubt.

“Why?”

“Because Vinny told the guy at Men’s Warehouse that he has a ball-sac, Alice was completely mortified…and Rose peed in her pants.”