Ladies Luncheon - after chapter 94

Esme’s POV

For the first time in nearly twenty-eight years I seen worry on my son’s face and had no idea how to comfort him. Even in his darkest days while Mason lied in a hospital bed struggling for every breath and failing miserably, I was there for my son. Two days before his eighteenth birthday Edward collapsed in my arms in the middle of the hospital corridor as the grief of losing his cousin over took him and allowed me to comfort him. There was nothing I could do but hold him as we cried together while I reassure him that all things happen to the fulfillment of God’s plan. It certainly wasn’t my inadequate words but rather my presence that got him through the next months of mourning. Throughout the rest of the summer Edward became my shadow staying practically glued to my side until it was time for him to leave for Dartmouth.

He came home often over the next four years – much more so than Emmett – hiding in his room or spending time with Aro. I watched my son go from a carefree teenager to a control oriented man. Not that I would expect a twenty-two year old to be immature, yet still the regimentation of his life almost bordered on compulsorily. He became very conscious of keeping a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Those things could be explained as Carlisle and I instill into our children proper habits. But it didn’t explain away the one thing that had been robbed from me, the sound of my baby’s laughter. My carefree child was no more; he was always stern, formal and standoffish.

There were times when I worried over the fact that Edward never seemed interested in any particular woman. He was already only a few days shy of turning twenty-eight, all his high school friends were married, most with children. His siblings had both taken that step at an appropriate age yet he seemed destined to be alone. As a mother that was the worst fear I had for my middle child, him growing older, being all alone in his orderly solitude. I could see Edward going from one meaningless affair to the next until he was too set in his ways to change his lifestyle for anyone, and that scared me.

The last few months that has changed, Edward seems to be living again; he smiles more, has a spark of life in his eyes and participates joyfully in actives. There was only one person I had to thank for that, Bella was giving my baby something I couldn’t – hope for a happy life.

Two months’ time spent with the woman he loved had made all the difference in the world. Carlisle had been telling me from the very beginning that our son had found his other half. Then from the first time I met Bella there was no denying the effect she had on Edward and it thrilled me. He was attentive, gentlemanly and personable. All of which made me optimistic that the pretty brunette woman from a small town in Northern Washington would be the one to not only share his life but also to pull him away from the things he partook in.

Things I didn’t like to think about.

It was a blow to know my hopes were in vain, I can’t deny my disappointment yet I also couldn’t refute the love Edward and Bella had for each other. It seemed all to perfect, so once I got it through my head and heart that the woman my son chose was the one who put the smile on his face, it no longer mattered to me. Bella was the woman who made my son happy and for that fact alone, I would protect, support and love her as if she was my own.

Besides I genuinely like the girl, Isabella Swan was warm, friendly and intelligent with a fun loving charm and gracefulness that grandmother would have called ‘good breeding’. I wasn’t exactly sure of Bella’s background being something that would have passed the old woman’s standard’s. From what I understood her family provided a modest upbringing for her. Bella herself had made comments about her clothing coming from Walmart and garage sales. She told us the wedding dress she was purchased from a discount rack that only cost a hundred dollars. She is very frugal in her finances so I could only assume that is from growing up without luxuries. All of that made me overly curious as to her financial situation. I certainly wasn’t going to look down upon her humble means, yet I also needed to think about my son’s best interest.

It’s not like the Cullen’s were Bill Gate’s wealthy, still our holdings were substantial with a third of it passing to Edward. It was just a fact of life to be careful, ensuring the honesty of someone’s character along with making sure their motives were pure. Not that I thought Bella was some little gold digger who had her sights set on a large bank account. She had already proven herself in that regard by paying for the hotel room in Oregon. Still it was something to consider.

Then again I had the ringing endorsement of my own brother to ease that concern. It seemed Aro had a rather large part in bringing Bella and Edward together. At least I have been led to believe he did. So I knew Bella must surely be of the most upstanding character yet her involvement with my brother was something else for me to consider. I wondered how their relationship had come about, there seemed to be more to their involvement then passing acquaintances. Aro has genuine concern for the girl, regarding her with affection as if her welfare was sometime important to him.

Had I been on better terms with my brother I could have simply asked him what I wanted to know. As it was our relationship was often shaky most of that due to my treatment of Jane. I was working on repairing the rift between us but at it wasn’t to the place where Aro would be open with me. In fact had I made any enquiry he would have compared me to grandmother and accused me of being a judgmental snob.  It wasn’t pretentiousness; it was just normal female curiosity about the woman who was to be my future daughter-in-law.

I was going to have a new daughter

The thought thrilled me to no end.

Of course I was only going on the word of my husband because Edward had not mentioned anything to me about purchasing a ring. Still if the notion was in our son’s head to the point where he voiced the intention aloud, I could only assume Edward would be following through. Giving yet another reason for the lunch; or rather I should say the venue. If there was going to be another Cullen wedding then I wanted the bride to be to see the facilities where the reception would be held.

It couldn’t have worked out better; I wasn’t exactly sure how to get Bella to the Tower without making it too obvious what I was doing. We had spoken of Bella coming to help me clean the apartment after Marcus and Didyme had vacated it and the two of us going to a local restaurant to eat. When Edward called earlier in the morning to inform me there had been some sort of problem and he wanted to cancel our plans I was very nearly heartbroken. After explaining a stalker had made contact with Bella and he worried about her safety out in the general population, I quickly suggested The Tower.

It was safe, out of the way and private. No one would be able to get anywhere close to Bella and Edward’s reluctance was lessened by the fact Carlisle would also be dinning there. Within a matter of a few minutes it was settled, I could kill two birds with one stone without Bella being any the wiser.

Genius pure genius

The pleasure I felt all morning from my craftiness only lasted until I caught the worry in my son’s eyes. He looked tired, like he either slept restlessly or not at all, the gravity of whatever was happening clearly weighing heavily on his mind. I had absolutely no idea how to make it better, something told me his mommy’s religious dogma wasn’t going to be enough this time.

My focus shifted to Bella, she too looked rather weary standing there wearing a simple shirt dress with her hair tied back in a black scarf that gave her an air of sophistication. Giving her a hug I said ‘hello’ before doing the same to my son.  I didn’t exactly know the full extent of the jeopardy Bella was in but I could sympathize with them, as I too dealt with a stalker once.

After I had broken off the relationship with Charles in college, he followed me around for the next semester. Popping up in the most unusual places to harass and belittle me, making it difficult to walk around the campus alone. It had gotten so bad I had a restraining order issued, even then the man stayed just outside the five-hundred foot parameters. Finally the whole ordeal ended with a well place call from my father to his guaranteeing a law suit for harassment. Father also took upon himself to contact the dean of students which resulted in Charles being expelled. It was a harrowing experience; taking its toll on not only my social life but my studies as well and making me realize no one is except from being a victim.

Wanting to act as causal as possible in the hopes my calmness would ease Edward’s mind I turned to Bella “Our table is ready if you’d like to sit down”

She nodded but before Bella could answer Edward gave me a look of apprehension “Is dad here yet?”

“No but I’m sure he’ll be along any minute”

“I’ll just wait for him”

“Edward…” Bella said softly while placing her hand on his arm “…it will be fine. I’ll be fine. You said so yourself, no one can come up here unless they belong and I highly doubt Karen or Mike are members”

“I’ll just feel better about leaving you here Bella”

“Please…go met Emmett at the club so you can get done in time to pick me up at Leah’s. Your dad will be here any minute and all you’re going to do is put yourself behind for no reason”

I attempted to ease him once again “We’ll be fine Edward; I won’t let Bella out of my sight”

He gave a resounding sigh before glaring down at Bella who didn’t even flinch as he demanded “Don’t you dare get on this elevator without my father. I mean it Bella, if he doesn’t show up, then you call me and I’ll come get you. Do you understand me?”

“Yes…” she said with a smile extending her right pinky “…I promise”

There seemed to be some kind of internal war going on inside Edward as he stood there clenching his jaw until he finally relented. Curling his finger around hers he smiled and used the connection to tug her towards him “Please be careful”

“I will”

Leaning down he kissed her softly “I love you nâhtötse”

“I love you too ásgaya” smiling up at him as Edward chuckled and gave her a wink.

I knew the name Edward called Bella translated to something along the lines of ‘cherished one’ but I had no idea what she said to him. Whatever it was sure made Edward’s face light up and the whole exchange was so sweet I nearly squealed with happiness.

“Alright” hugging Bella to him Edward sighed “I’ll go”

Giving me a smile Edward kissed my cheek and I assured him “Don’t worry dear, your father and I will take good care of her”

“Have fun” he said with a forced smile before stepping into the open elevator and reminding Bella “If you have any problems call me and please let me know when you get to your sisters”

“I will” she assured him but even as the doors closed Edward didn’t look at all at ease. The sigh coming from Bella caught my attention as she continued to stare at the sealed doors “He’s so worried and I wish I could make him feel better”

From what I just seen Bella was the only one who could accomplish that mission. “Don’t worry dear I’m sure it will all work out. In the meantime the best way for you to ease Edward’s mind is to keep yourself safe”

Just then Connie, the daytime hostess appeared, after an introduction I made small talk with the girl as she led us to our table. Once we were seated Bella looked out of the glass wall at the expanse of the city before taking the offered menu with a polite ‘thank you’ from the girl who was actually scowling. The smile returning to Connie’s face as she offered me one “I was sure I saw Edward in the lobby Mrs. Cullen, he’s not joining you?”

“No, he was only here to bring Isabella, I’m afraid this is a girl’s only luncheon, so we kicked him out.” I added with a slight chuckle.

“That’s a shame, it seems like ages since he’s been here. I was hoping to at least get a chance to say hi.”

What was this girl suggesting?

Glancing across the table Bella rolled her eyes in annoyance, I knew that look. It was the same one any woman with a handsome man on her arm had to contend with, myself included. However I wasn’t going to allow the overly forward girl to insult my future daughter.

“Yes well then I would suggest you try your upmost best to impress Isabella. That way she will want to return and everyone knows a man will do anything to keep the woman he loves happy.”

The plastered on smile fell from Connie’s face as she turned to Bella who to my delight stared down the offensive girl with a witty smile.

That’s it girl – stand your ground

“Yes we will certainly do our best…Melanie will be your server, enjoy your meal ladies”

Shaking her head at the retreating girl Bella glanced down at the menu in her hands but I felt something needed to be said “I’m sorry if Connie made you uncomfortable”

“No…I’m getting used to it…” she said dismissively before adding sincerely  “But I do believe I owe you an apology”

“Me? Whatever for?” Bella hadn’t done anything to offend me, at least nothing that I was aware of.

“I offered to help you with the apartment this morning”

Oh

“Don’t worry about that, there wasn’t much to do at all. Didyme had the place spotless and the linens were already in the dryer waiting to be folded and put away.”

“Still I felt bad I couldn’t come over when I said I would”

I didn’t get a chance to respond to her as Melanie placed two glasses of water on the table, taking our drink orders. Once Bella seemed done with the menu she once again looked out the window “The view up here is spectacular”

It certainly was, Columbia Commons was the tallest building in the city, it’s all glass exterior provided splendid views on all sides. Taking the opportunity to plug the facility I started pointing out all the amenities The Tower had to offer.

“On a clear day you can see across the Sound all the way over to Bainbridge Island” pointing out the window towards our home before turning towards the South East “And of course Mount Rainer is always visible. You’ll have to get Edward to bring you for dinner one night so you can appreciate how the night skyline”

“I’ll bet it’s glorious”

“Yes, it creates a magical backdrop for the restaurant and the ballrooms on the floor below. Both Alice and Rose held their wedding receptions here. The Tower can accommodate up to four hundred people and the staff is so willing to go out of their way to make the event special for the bride and groom. For Alice’s wedding the whole room was filled with long strings of shimmering crystals with little twinkle lights reflecting off them. Rose wanted something more supplicated; the whole room was draped in white chiffon with old-world black twisted rod iron candelabras extending down. Both were held in the same room yet each was uniquely different. It’s amazing what an experienced event’s planner along with a good wedding coordinator can put together.”

“It sound’s wonderful” 

Nodding I gave more information “Both girls were more than pleased with how everything came together so perfectly. Most of which had to do with the staff; they work very hard to see that everything is exactly how you want it to be.”

Knowing mere words wouldn’t do the venue justice I threw in “You’ll be able to see for yourself how accommodating the caterer, staff and waitresses are at Rose’s Baby Shower”

“You’re holding it here?” There was a bit of disbelief in her voice I didn’t fully understand

“Yes, besides the two banquet rooms the club has several other dining options, there are private areas for business meetings, a casual relaxed reading area with Wi-Fi accessibilities and smaller celebration areas for things such as showers or birthday parties”

“Oh…” she said taking a sip from her water glass “that reminds me…”

Bella didn’t get to finish as Melanie was back with our drinks and to take our food order. After I placed mine I started to debate how much time we would have to plan a wedding. Rose’s shower was set for the first week in September, looking at Bella’s empty ring finger I was sort of hoping a diamond would be taking up residence there by then. If my son got his butt in gear and didn’t waste too much time then perhaps after the shower we could speak with the events coordinator about booking the hall for a possible June wedding. That would be a long enough engagement for two people in their mid to late twenties. However it would only allow a brief nine months of planning time, which might be cutting it close especially with ordering the dresses. Since that was going to be what took the longest amount of time, shopping would need to be our first priority. Once the orders were placed we could then begin to concentrate on all the other details. Yes, with proper planning, nine months was definitely doable.  

My internal dialog was interrupted by Bella asking about Edward’s Birthday “I know it’s Saturday but that’s Leah’s Shower…”

Taking a drink of wine I wondered “Where are you holding her shower?”

“Umm…at their house?” Answering as if she was uncertain 

Her house? There must not be very many people coming.

“You’re planning something intimate…with not too many guests”

“Ummm…I don’t really have an exact count but I’m expecting somewhere between forty and sixty people.” Narrowing her eyes Bella added “It’s kind of hard to say”

“Are all those people going to fit in their home? And what about the caterer, how can they prepare the menu without an exact head count?”

“We don’t have a caterer, Sue is doing most of the cooking, I’m making a few things and just about everyone will bring a covered dish so there will be plenty of food. We’re using in the back yard; I rented a large canopy that will cover most of the space. The rental supply is also bringing tables and chairs.”  It appeared to me Bella was rattling off some sort of mental check list.

“So you are doing a back yard bar-be-que theme?”

It sounded simple yet could be played up very nicely.

“Yeah, I guess” not sounding very definite about the plan, Bella gave me an inquisitive look “which brings me back to Edward’s birthday. I don’t know what you normally do but I was wondering about having a family picnic at the house on Sunday”

“At my house?” Normally for the children’s birthdays they came to our home and I cooked their favorite meal.

“No at our…” stopping she corrected herself “…at Edward’s house. My family will still be in town and I thought it would be nice if everyone got together. It’s not going to be anything fancy, just some burgers and hotdogs on the grill. I’m making potato salad for the shower so I was going to make extra and cook some fresh corn.”

“Would you like me to bring the cake?” Edward wasn’t one for sweets but I for his birthday I would get him a white chocolate raspberry cake. I could tell from Bella’s expression a trip to the bakery would be unnecessary this year.

“Umm…for celebrations Sue always made banana cake with peanut butter icing. Edward liked it, so I was going to make one for him, but if you would rather….”  

I waved her off “No, no, no dear…”  

If there was one thing a mother needed to learn it was when to step aside to allow another woman to care for her son. That was something I always admired about Carlisle mother and a trait I swore to embrace. 

“I don’t want to step in and take over your traditions, that’s why I was asking you before I said anything to Char…my dad and Sue”

Giving my best smile I assured her “I think a picnic would be a lovely idea and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of your family”

I was already introduced to her sister and brother-in-law at the walk-a-thon for The Center. Plus both Diddy and I had the pleasure of meeting Bella’s father the day we stopped by Edward’s house with a packet of photos I had printed out for them. There were only two people left in Bella’s family, a step-brother and Sue who for all intents and purposes was Bella’s mother and the person I was most looking forward to meeting.

From the corner of my eye I saw my husband approaching our table, Bella must have noticed too as she tensed up for a moment before giving him a smile. Leaning over the table I got a soft kiss and my mind drifted off to the morning spent alone in the apartment with my husband. I didn’t exactly tell Bella but I was rather glad she hadn’t been able to help.

The twinkle in his eye made me smirk. “Hello dear”

Giving me a wink - he really could be a nasty boy sometimes - he turned to say hello to Bella before asking conventionally “Are you ladies enjoying yourselves?”

“Yes” we both answered in unison just as Melanie arrived with our food.

Keeping his hand on my shoulder Carlisle moved behind me so she could place the plates on the table. After cracking fresh pepper over my Mahi Mahi and Parmigianino on Bella’s linguine she left and Carlisle spoke softly “Bella I just spoke with a very anxious man, who made me promise I would not let you out of my sight.”

Bella smirked “Is he still upset?”

“Upset?” Carlisle chuckled darkly “I don’t think that word comes close to what I was dealing with, yet under the circumstances I can’t say that I blame him.”

Bella smiled sadly and Carlisle gave my shoulder a squeeze before kissing the top of my head “We’ll if you two will excuse me my table is being seated. Enjoy your lunch and just let me know when you’re ready to leave” 

I watched as several women turn their heads to follow my retreating husband and Bella giggled “You have to deal with that too?”

Giving a sigh I took a long drink from my wine glass before answering her “Yes…it used to bother me a whole lot, especially when I had small children. I always felt frazzled, kind of frumpy covered in baby puke and smelling like play-dough. Those were the worse times when Carlisle had hospital obligations I couldn’t attend but he always was so attentive and reassuring. Over the years I’ve learned to accept my husband is a very handsome man that other women would like to have. There has been quite a few who actually thrown themselves at him. Yet he never showed any interest, if anything the attention embarrassed him.”

“Once my father and I were out having dinner at his lodge club and this woman whistled at him, poor Charlie turned seven shades of red” giggling at the memory she added “he was really embarrassed started stuttering and everything”

“How did Sue handle the situation?” I asked placing the napkin on my lap and thinking Bella’s response might give me an insight into to the woman’s demeanor.

Bella shook her head as she wiped her mouth “Oh this was before they got together”

I was slightly stunned as I was under the impression Bella’s father had been with Sue since she was little. “How long are they married?”

We started eating while Bella said her father and step-mother would soon be celebrating their tenth anniversary. She explained how they had all been childhood friends and Sue’s first husband had died at an early age from a Coronary. She went on recounting their courtship and eventual marriage. I could tell from the way Bella spoke of both her father and step-mother she had a deep love and respect for them. It made me wonder about her own mother, I knew Bella was young when she died yet I was curious as to what memories she had of her.

“How long were your mom and dad together?” I had hoped my question wouldn’t upset her and from Bella’s expression she seemed alright with it.

“Not very long at long, just enough time to make me but that’s about it, then mom had enough and took me back to Phoenix.”

While she spoke I watched her cutting bite size pieces off of the bread stick and drop them into her bowl of pasta. She twirled the fork around the noodles before spearing one of the breads then dug into a shell to add a clam. Holding the whole thing over the bowl Bella’s eyes went to mine giving me a sad expression.

“It tore Charlie up too; he loved my mom and never really got over her leaving. When she died he was so distraught, breaking down in sobs…” her eyes reflected the mournful memory “I think he cried more than I did.”

Something in her response peaked my interest and I continued to watch her use a spoon to scoop up a small amount of cream sauce to spread over the food stacked on her fork while I wondered “You said she took you back to Phoenix, so then your mother wasn’t originally from Washington?”

Sticking the whole thing in her mouth she shook her head as she chewed then swallowed before starting the whole process over again as she spoke “No, mom was born and raised in Phoenix.”

Lifting her gaze to mine she went on “The week after she graduated from high school her and two friends got into an old nineteen-seventies Gremlin and drove up to the Olympic Peninsula. The plan was to stay there for a few days camping out then head west and hit every National Park they could on the way back to Arizona.”

Bella gave me smirk “Mom never made it that far. The story goes, on the first night they were at LaPush she met dad at a bon-fire. Three days later her friends headed east while Charlie and Renee went to Vegas to get married. They came back to Forks bought the house dad still lives in and the following September I was born.”

“Wow, that was fast” I said while Bella nodded in agreement as she ate the fork full of food she had prepared before wiping her mouth.

“How old were you when she left?” I asked eating my food the plain old regular way.

“It was the middle of January, I was only a few months old.”

“That’s a shame they couldn’t get along”

“I don’t think that was the problem. My mother was kind of …flighty but I think she really loved Charlie. She didn’t start dating anyone for years and no one seriously until she met Phil when I was five.”

“So what was the problem?”

If they loved each other why break up a family unless there were other reasons. Suddenly I wondered if Bella’s father didn’t have a temper problem or a drinking problem or some other kind of problem.

Bella didn’t let me wonder for long “Mom hated Forks, plain and simple. She hated the rain, she hated the cold, she hated the dreariness, and she hated the squishy ground. She wanted Charlie to go with her back to warmth and sunshine of Phoenix. But he had to stay because his mother was older and needed him to help care for her. So mom left…but I think for a long time she always hoped dad would come to her and he always hoped mom would come back to him.”

“That’s kind of sad” I said with true sorrow “they were both too stubborn to admit they wanted to be together”

Bella gave me a whimsical look “I never really thought of it like that.”

“So when did you see your father?”

Bella told me how they would exchange her at the Denver airport for a weeklong visit over Christmas and a month every summer until she was five “That’s when I started flying alone non-stop into Seattle”

Five? That seemed awfully early to be traveling alone.

“You were so young, you must have been scared” There was no way in hell I would ever allow my five year old to get on a plane by themselves.

“It wasn’t too bad, in fact it was kind of fun. I was the first one on the plane and the first one off. I always got to sit in the front seat right by the bathroom and was supplied with all the soda and snacks I wanted. The airline provided a stewardess as a traveling buddy. She kept an eye on me, holding my hand through the airport to make sure I got from one parent to the other. There was an extra fee for the service but still it didn’t cost nearly as much as one of my parents flying back and forth. Or the inconvenience of being on a plane all day, especially for my mom, summer was the busy time for Phil so it just made it easier on her.”  

I couldn’t see how it could be inconvenient to see that your child arrived safely or the extra cost as being an acceptable excuse to not accompany your five year old on a plane. And never in a million years would being with a man take precedence over my child’s welfare. Yet for the sake of Bella’s feelings I pushed aside my own beliefs and changed the subject.

“Did you like him…Phil?” 

A warm smile brightened her face and her eyes glazed over with moisture as Bella announced “Phil was great, he was my daddy. He was the one who carried me piggy-back to bed, taught me how to ride a bike and bandaged up my skinned knees when I fell off. He’d let me sit in the dugout with him, eating ice cream for dinner and showed me how to spit like the baseball players.”

“You loved him” I didn’t question Bella because it was clear the admiration she had for the man.

Wiping at the threatening tears with her napkin she assured me “I did…he called me his daughter, thought of me that way too…he left me everything” the last part coming out in a hush.

“What do you mean…everything?”

“Renee didn’t have much” she said with a shrug “Like I said she was kind of flighty…still there was a small life insurance policy but the majority of my trust came from Phil. He had several policies, plus his sign on bonus, and the house…everything…it was all left to my mom. Since she died along with him, it reverted to me”

Oh, that’s where she got the funds from

I wasn’t rude enough to ask for a figure even though I was dying to know.

“My dad invested it in a trust until I was twenty-five, I could use it for college but since I was granted a full scholarship it wasn’t necessary. Then again under the circumstances I’m not sure dad would have released it. He did arrange for to use a portion to buy a house for me.”

“He bought it?” that seemed odd

“Yes, at the time I couldn’t have any assets in my own name, so Charlie purchased under his name but that’s a whole other story”

From the way Bella said the last part I gathered it wasn’t a story I would be hearing at that moment however I did get to hear something I was more than a little curious about.

“Once my divorce was final and I turned twenty-five, dad signed the property over to me along with the assets from the trust.” Bella’s eyes’ grew wider as she admitted “I had never seen so many zero’s and had no idea what to do with it all.”

The phrase ‘so many zeros’ began to settle some of my burning interest, at least it was the case until Bella said the next sentence “ Aro came to my recue by setting up a meeting with…” her eyes narrowed “…I guess it’s your family’s financial planner”

“Fitzpatrick, Lentz and Bubba?” I questioned

“Yes”

Nodding I told Bella the connection we had with the partnership. “Warren Fitzpatrick was a good friend of my father’s, he’s long retired but his son now runs the firm”

“Well they were a lot of help and Aro was very patient with me as he explained all the ins and outs of managing my portfolio” Bella gave a little giggle “because I was overwhelmed”

“It was nice my brother could be of assistance” I said as calmly as my nosiness would allow then just dove right into the question I could no longer contain.

“How did you ever get so close to my brother for him to take you under his wing like that?”

Oh that was smooth Esme

Internally cringing at my straight forwardness, yet Bella didn’t seem to notice or perhaps she didn’t care as I was regaled with story of how she came to be a part of my brother’s life. Starting with a call for information to help with her dissertation, emails passed back and forth, long talks over coffee. Theirs was a platonic friendship that she equated with a mentor and protégé attitude. Bella had great respect for my brother and a fondness for his company which he obviously returned.

Finishing her explanation with “He really has been a great help to me, I don’t know what I would have done without him and I just love Jane.”

Ah…my sister-in-law

The difficulties with Jane were something I was going to need to work on; problem was I truly had no idea where to begin. I had spent the last few years keeping her at arm’s length because I just couldn’t understand her choices yet the more I spoke with Bella the more I saw Jane. The young woman sitting across from me speaking so sophisticatedly open was so much like my sister-in-law it’s no wonder Aro has a deep affection for Bella.

They were very much the same in mannerisms – except for the eating – both were soft spoken however I knew there was a fire in Bella’s soul the same as there was in Jane’s. They both had a strong sense of tolerance, not only for a person’s life choices but also for the opinions others held against them. Both women had a calm almost docile disposition yet there was an air of confidence about them that would make even the starchiest of female CEO’s proud. They both are selfless giving women who see a cause worth fighting for and do everything they can to make a difference. Jane with all the donations she raises for St Jude’s and Bella with the time she gives to The Center.  

On a more personal level, they both seemed to have a firm grasp on how to handle the men in their lives. I had seen Jane take command of my brother with a simple look and less than an hour prior Bella was able to calm down Edward with a gentle touch of her hand.  

I suppose it was hypocritical of me to admire all those traits in one woman while scorning the other. Bella had just admitted she loved Jane and for some reason that stung. Perhaps because I wanted the woman who means so very much to my son to same those same words about me. Perhaps it’s because I knew that if Bella loved someone they must be someone truly special. Or perhaps it’s because deep in my heart I knew I should have loved Jane too.

Whatever the reason, things had to be different in the future. I had already made up my mind to fix the rift in the family yet had made no moves to start the patch work. Lunch seemed like a good start, I’d wait until they all returned from their trip to Bora Bora, then set a date. At the thought there was heaviness in my heart.  In the nearly thirty years Aro had been with Jane, never once were we out alone together. There was always a buffer there, however it was time to put my big girl panties on and face the music of the pain I had caused someone who never deserved it.

“Are you alright Esme?” Bella’s hand lightly touching mine along with the tone of concern brought me out of my thoughts.

“I’m fine, I was just thinking about Jane” Bella’s eyes narrowed in thought while her teeth bit into her bottom lip as she stared at me in contemplation for a long moment before she spoke hesitantly “You don’t approve of Jane?”

Did I want to get into the whole thing with Bella? Would she think I was cruel or worse would she assume I felt that way about her own life choices? If I refused to answer the question would Bella come to her own conclusions and would they be the correct ones?

“It’s not for me to approve or disapprove of my sister-in-law. We are just…two different people”

That seemed like a fair enough assessment and I thought it would pacify Bella, however her next statement tore my excuse to spreads “And yet you are still people...with hopes and dreams. You want what’s best for those you love, regardless if you agree with them or not.”

I got the feeling Bella knew more than she was letting on “Did Edward tell you what happened?”

Suddenly feeling very ashamed of myself as Bella removed her hand while her eyes went to the table as she said quietly “No…but I can guess”

“Please don’t think badly of me Bella…” reaching out for her hand I gave it a squeeze as her eyes met mine “…please.”

  

If anyone could understand, surly it was Bella

“I have my own mental blocks to accepting a lifestyle that would allow a woman to belittle herself. I know what it feels like to be on the opposite end of a controlling man, I remember well the fist coming at my face and the pain when it connected. I know the uncertainty you feel from day to day knowing you have to fear his angry mood swings.”

My own eyes welled with tears at the sight of the moisture in Bella’s as she asked in a hushed voice “When?” 

A thousand memories raced through my mind, the first time Charles spoke to me, the feeling of excited waiting for him to pick me up for our first date. The happy smile on grandmothers face when I told her about the boy I had met. The sense of security I had at his insistence I not walk around alone which quickly turned to fear from his anger when I did. The feeling of shame every time he would manhandle me and the worthlessness he instilled with the insults that followed. It all came back in a tidal wave of emotions and even after all those years the most powerful one was humiliation.

Staring into Bella’s warm compassionate eyes; I told her something only a select few people were privileged to know.

“In college…I was just lucky Carlisle happened to be there one night…he saved me”

Nodding in understanding, the hand resting underneath mine flipped; giving me a gentle squeeze “Did you get counseling?”

Compassion.

That was all I saw in the eyes staring back at me. This young woman must have been through so much more then I could have ever imagined and her first thought was for my wellbeing.

No wonder my son loved her

“Six months’ worth” at her smile I just couldn’t help but wonder “…you?”

With a sigh I could see her steel herself against the pain her own memories must have evoked. Removing her hand Bella sat rigid in her chair. “In total…four years”

“Four years?” the words slipped out of my mouth in a quiet whisper of astonishment. 

What kind of hell did the poor girl live through to need four years of therapy?

“Throughout it all something good happened, that was how I started volunteering for the Woman’s Center. When I got to Dartmouth…”

Dartmouth? Bella went to Dartmouth?

Interrupting I had to know “I thought you went to Port Angeles Community College with Alice, then transferred to UW.”

“No... I got my Master’s degree here in Washington, but my undergrad was from Dartmouth.” Bella sighed “I spent those two years in New Hampshire not only getting my BS in Psychology but also in therapy. After six months I continued with the counselor and started training to work with the women there. The head of the Psychology department at the college approved me for clinical study program which allowed me to stay on campus over the summer months”

“So you didn’t go home at all for two years?”

Steeling herself she answered firmly “Only for a week over Christmas Holiday”

My God

“Didn’t you miss your family?”

“Jake and Leah came to visit a few time and Char...my dad called twice a week” she said with a shrug then paused for a brief moment “I wasn’t really the best of company. The clinical study was geared towards honor students which required a lot of my time. Plus my body was still recovering from the surgery so I needed to attend physical therapy sessions. Between the heavy work load, training to be a volunteer, and all the therapy session those two years flew by so quickly. Before I knew it the time had come for me to go home. The director at the woman’s center contacted Carol here in Seattle about my work and as soon as I returned I started at The South Side Woman’s Center”

A thought occurred to me “And you continued counseling here, with one of the volunteers”

“No…the year after I moved back…” hesitating in her speech I could tell Bella was editing the rest of the story “…there was an...”

Some kind of emotion flitted across her face…fear, pain, anger…all taking residence at the same time as her eyes grew cold.

“… I spent the next two years under the care of a Psychiatrist”

I had no idea what happen to Bella to make her need a Doctor rather than a therapist, however I did know the implications of what it meant. A therapist was not licensed to distribute or regulate prescription drugs, whatever happened was bad enough she needed some form antidepressant therapy to help her through it. 

I had been so lost in our conversation that the appearance of Melanie at our table startled me “Can I get you ladies any coffee or desert”

“Coffee please” I answered while Bella asked for ‘the same’ before giving Melanie and inquisitive look “Do you have anything…chocolate?”

“We have a Chocolate Lava served warm with a vanilla ice cream and we also have Chocolate Decadence, it’s a three layer fudge cake with chocolate cream filling and ganash frosting.” Melanie leaned down and with a grin she whispered “I’ve heard people say its better then sex”

Bella’s eyes widened as we both giggled and she answered “I’ll have that” Melanie giggled along with us as she turned to me “How about you Mrs. Cullen”

“We could share” Bella offered and I accepted gladly.

I’ve never had cake that was better then sex

Melanie cleared our table saying she’d be right back, once she was gone Bella gave me an apprehensive smile “So was your experience in college the reason why you volunteered to help at The Center?  I mean…” she quickly began to justify her question “…Edward mentioned you had a degree in Social Work so I know you must have some kind of desire to work with people in need. Yet you never really actually went out into the field so …”

She continued to try and justify the original question she asked yet there really was no reason for Bella to be so worried because I myself had often asked what I had done with the degree I worked so hard to get.

Breaking into her rambling I explained “I never actually went into the work force, in part because I married and had my three children, which kept me very busy. I also was rather privileged when it came to financial stability, we had more the enough money so there was no reason I needed to bring in any more. But I still used my degree.”

Bella gave me an inquisitive look and I was hoping in my answer she could see how much alike we truly were. “Much like you I took my education and used it to work with the less fortunate by volunteering with Catholic Social Services.”

“Oh…” she grimaced “…Edward tell me that”

I gave a knowing smile “Yes well I assume to Edward - or really all of my children - my spending time at the agency would not seem like anything out of the ordinary. Or maybe they just don’t understand the importance of the work I do. Try as I may only Alice seems to have embraced the religious instructions Carlisle and I tried to instill in them.  Personally I find a great comfort in my beliefs and the good that the church tries do for not only the congregation but the community at a whole.”

“What do you do there?”

“I do a lot of paperwork, and basically run the Food Bank, which requires a lot of finagling of donations and goods from local businesses and residents”

“That’s very admirable of you…”

I didn’t tell her to receive praise

“I always thought the work I do was a worthwhile endeavor so I made sure it was done to the best of my ability, over the years it’s become…second nature. People see me coming and the checks or food donations are quickly given out. It’s almost boring in the effortlessness it takes to fill the stock room”

“Is that why you signed up to work at The Center, for a challenge?” Bella blurted out the question then turned a shade of warm pink as her teeth once again grasped her bottom lip.

“No…” thinking about it I changed my answer “…well maybe in part. Like I said people on Bainbridge know what I’m there for, and their checks are in hand. But my social status here in the city affords me the means to associate with a lot of influential people who have more money than brains.”

Bella chucked as I continued to tell my motives “Plus Carlisle had already decided to give his time there and as much as possible I like to be involved with my husband’s activities. However the thing that drew me there the most…was you”

“Me?” astonishment clear on her face.

Bella had no idea how much inspiration she truly gives with the passion she has for working to empower woman to rise above their circumstance.

She had to recognize the power she had “Yes you. The first time you came to our home on Mother’s day. Carlisle’s mother asked why you do what you do at The Center, and your response was ‘because someone has to.’

As if trying to recall the conversation, her eyes narrowed but I didn’t wait to continued “That struck a nerve with me Bella. I went through a year of dealing with a boy who tried to destroy who I was inside.  When I finally got away it took another six months to realize it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t ask for it and I didn’t deserve it. When I finally got away, it was only by the grace of God I had the financial means to see a professional therapist. Your comment that day made me realize not everyone has the same privilege and I’ll admit I was embarrassed.”

Again I was met with a look of perplexity so I expanded “I let life go on around me as if nothing had happened, I buried my head in the sand do absolutely nothing all the while knowing there were other women out there going through far worse things than I did…and it shamed me”

Anguish seemed to cloud Bella’s eyes while I went on “So the next day I called Carol to offer my assistance in the area where the blessings of my social status would do the most good - fund raising”

We had been so engrossed in our conversation I hadn’t realized we were inclined across the table until Melanie appeared and we had to sit back to allow her access to the table. Setting down the our coffee’s she then placed a plate of cake in front of both us “I cut the piece in half for you…enjoy ladies”

We thanked her and she left, using the cream after Bella did I stirred the coffee before picking up my fork and taking a bite of the rich moist cake. It was heavenly yet I wondered “This is really good, but do you think it’s better than sex?”

Bella’s face turned red as she gave a little giggle while shaking her head “No”

“Me neither” I said conspiratorially with a snicker

“May I join you” Carlisle asked as he approached our table

“Sure…what about your own lunch group?” I wondered glancing over to see the now empty table.

“We’re done; they had to all get back to the hospital”

Looking down at my watch I was surprised to see it was after one-thirty – where did the time go?

“You don’t seem to be at the hospital very much Carlisle” Bella observed before taking a sip of coffee.

“No, I cut back my hours in the ER, I guess you could say I’m kind of semi-retired”

“Is that anything like being  kind of semi-pregnant?” my husband stared at her for a brief moment before breaking out into laughter “Sort of I guess”

We spent the rest of the time finishing our cake and regaling Bella with stories of Edward growing up. While my husband capture her attention with the tale of our ten year old son deciding he was big enough to take the boat out by himself I thought about the woman he was adamantly in love with. The graceful beauty she possessed on the inside enhanced what genetics had already blessed her with in the outside. She was witty, intelligent, compassionate and dignified, in other words Isabella Swan was absolutely perfect. She would make a magnificent addition to our family, a loving wife for my son and a superb mother for my future grandchildren.

Carlisle signed the receipt while Bella and I used the restroom, stepping up to the elevator I wanted to see if Bella might be interested in viewing the banquet rooms. Being aware of what I was trying to do, my husband decided to intercede by saying they didn’t have time.

“Nonsense…” I said throwing him a stern ‘shut the hell up’ warning glance as i pressed the button for the floor below. “… it will only take a minute. This way Bella can get the full effect of what the club has to offer”

Sighing heavily my husband leaned back against the wall of the elevator and stayed quiet while Bella and I got off to explore. Pointing out the private dining rooms I lead her into the white marble foyer then into the grand Ballroom and smiled in success when I heard her gasp in awe.

“WOW!”

It was definitely a ‘wow factor’ kind of room. Even in its most basic state the room screamed of elegance with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, marble walls and polished wooden floors. Any bride would be more than happy to hold their wedding in such a place. The wide eyes of the woman standing next to me told me Bella was no exception.

Stepping back into the elevator Carlisle was giving me an incredulous look, I didn’t care, I figured this was a woman’s thing; he could go ‘stuff it’. Even if my husband didn’t approve of my tactics it didn’t matter I was satisfied that my work was done. The rest was out of my hands and up to my son to do his part; Edward needed to get moving because we had a wedding to plan and a new daughter to officially welcome into the family.

And I couldn’t have asked for any one finder or been more pleased with Edward’s choice.

Bella Cullen – Isabella Cullen – Mrs. Edward Cullen

Yes, I liked the sound of them all.

Parting from them in the parking garage with a hug from Bella and a kiss from my husband I slid into my car seat, pulled out my phone and pressed the automatic dialer.

It took three rings before he answered “Hi Mom, everything alright?”

The worry was still there but that wasn’t my reason for calling. “Everything is fine. Now when are you planning on proposing?”

“Ah…Ah…what?”

“Don’t you play dumb with me Edward Anthony Cullen; your father already told me you were planning to go ring shopping. I want to know when, where and how because you’ve played the field long enough. Now I see my new daughter in sight, so you better do everything within your power to secure her hand…because I want her”