Buying Love Update ~ Epilogue

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Two Months Later …

“Edward, you’re going to wear a hole into the wood,” Carlisle, my best man, quipped. “I know you’re anxious to say ‘I do,’ but pacing like a caged animal is not going to make time go by faster.”

“Anxious is putting it mildly,” I deadpanned. “This past two months have flown by. Ava is growing like a weed and I just want Bella to be my wife. I want us to truly start our lives together, as a family. I just feel like if both of them have my name, that nothing can take them away.”

“No one is taking your happiness away,” Peter smiled. “You just need to enjoy your wedding day. It’s gorgeous outside and in less than fifteen minutes, Bella will be walking down the aisle to you.”

“Edward just wants to get laid,” Emmett snorted. I scowled at him, tossing a pillow at him. Jasper smacked him upside the head. “What? You were bitching that you were horny while we were running this morning.” Both of them were groomsmen for the wedding.

“Yeah, I’m horny, but I’ve got a newborn,” I said. “Sex is the farthest thing on our minds.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. Bella got the thumbs up from her gynecologist earlier this week and me, acting like a horny teenager, wanted to be with her in the worst way. She looked at me the same way, but Ava was still puking up everything she ate and not sleeping well. Sex was truly the farthest thing on our minds.

Until tonight.

Carlisle, Elizabeth and Charlie were taking care of Ava while Bella and I were having a weekend away at the Seattle Swan Boutique B&B, in one of the contemporary villas. Bella was terrified that Ava was going to be a mess while we were gone, but my mom said that while we adored our daughter, we had to make our relationship a priority. And our wedding was definitely a moment for our relationship to become number one. So, Rose packed a bag for Bella and made all of the arrangements.

“Edward, it’s time,” said Liam, poking his head into the groom’s suite.

We were getting married on the same land as the B&Bs. The wedding was being held in one of the more rustic villas with a large backyard. I was in the lower bedroom that acted as the groom’s suite. Bella was upstairs in the master bedroom getting ready with her bridesmaids, Alice, Jessica and Rose, who was her maid of honor.

I went outside and stood at the altar. It was gorgeous, set back against the wooded land of the villa. The chairs were white with pale blue decorations, flowers and ribbons. I escorted my mom down the aisle as the string quartet played a beautiful song written by Jasper. I kissed her on the cheek, standing next to Liam, who was acting as our officiant. Jessica and Emmett came out first. The music continued and Alice and Jasper floated down the aisle. He was dressed similarly to me, with a light gray suit and pale blue tie. Alice had on a flowy dress in the same shade of blue as our ties. She held a bouquet made of hydrangea, roses and flowers I didn’t recognize in shades of blue, peach, pink and white.

Rose was escorted by Carlisle, carrying Ava in her arms. My daughter was in a white dress with pale blue bow around her waist and around her reddish curls. When she saw me, she squealed, reaching for me. I took her from Rose’s arms, cradling my sweet baby girl. “You can’t get married holding your kid, Edward,” Carlisle quipped.

“I’ll hold her until Bella’s here,” I said, my fingers gliding along her pale, alabaster skin. “Did you see Mommy? Is she beautiful like a princess?”

Ava cooed, her feet kicking excitedly. Mom got up as the music changed into another gorgeous Jasper original, taking Ava from me. Our guests stood up and I looked down the aisle. Bella was on her father’s arm. Her dress was strapless, cinched at the waist with pale blue chiffon falling away from her body. Her dress was elegant, but casual and fun. Her hair was curled with a sparkling headband. She held a large bouquet, mainly white but with blue, pink and peach accents.

My breath was blown away at how gorgeous she looked. My Bella was beautiful wearing sweatpants and my button-downs. But, seeing her in wedding dress, walking down the aisle to me, to become my wife.

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“Is he on his way?” I groaned, gripping my belly. “I need Edward to be here, Dad!”

“He just texted. He’s on his way,” Dad replied. “He said that he didn’t trust himself to drive and he’s sprinting across the quad.” I snorted. That made sense. Edward had to focus 100% on driving. Stressing about me and nugget would make him an anxious mess. “Bella, do you want something?”

“I want Edward,” I whimpered.

“I’m here, bellissima,” he panted, gripping the edge of the door. His face was pink and he was breathing heavily. Tossing his bag on the floor, he moved closer to me and sat down. He took my hand, kissing my knuckles. “Are you okay, Bella? Is the baby okay?”

“Fine, but the baby is coming today,” I said. “I thought I was having Braxton-Hicks but when my water broke in the shower, I knew I had to come to the hospital. You were taking your tests so I called Dad.”

“It’s okay,” he smiled, his fingers tucking an errant damp curl from my face. “Nugget is just anxious to meet us, baby.”

“But, it’s too early,” I sniffled.

“Dr. Rollins said that our baby might come early. But the baby is fine,” he said, leaning his forehead against mine. I gripped his hand, pressing it to my chest. As we shared that moment, another contraction hit. I cried out, wanting the pain to stop. Edward soothingly helped me through it. But, once the contraction was done, he hit the call button. “I know you wanted a natural birth, but I can’t stand seeing you in so much pain, Bella.”

“You won’t think I’m a wimp?” I asked.

“No,” he said. “I think you’re an amazing, strong woman.”

A nurse walked in, Rebecca. She had checked me in and was very sweet. “How are you doing, Ms. Swan?” she chirped. “Do you need ice chips?”

“No, I need drugs,” I said. “I thought I could do this without them, but …”

“I’ll have Dr. Rollins paged and page the anesthesiologist on call,” Rebecca smirked. “You lasted longer than most.” I nodded, wanting Dr. Rollins and the epidural man to magically appear. Dr. Rollins came ten minutes after Rebecca left. She examined me and said that there was enough time to administer the epidural, but by the end of the night, Edward and I would be parents.

Within an hour, I had the epidural and felt no pain. It was strangely reminiscent to when I was dealing with my spinal shock, but I was grateful for the lack of pain below my boobs. The only way I knew I was having contractions was the beeping on the machine to the right of me.

Once Edward arrived, Charlie stepped out to call Elizabeth, Rose and Alice. They wouldn’t make it to the hospital on time, but would at least know that the newest addition to our family was on the way. “We haven’t finalized names,” Edward said, his hand pressed to my belly and our fingers threaded together. “We still have a list that’s a mile long.”

“We should come up with our favorites for both a boy and a girl,” I said, munching on some ice chips. “I still love the name Ava. It’s so pretty, classic.”

“Don’t you want to honor your mom?” he asked.

“I loved my mom, but not her name,” I replied, wrinkling my nose. “If I do use part of her name, it’ll be as a middle or baptismal name. Ava Renee Masen?”

“That’s pretty,” he said, his eyes misting over. “I think we’ve got our girl option of the way. Now, boys?”

“What do you think for a boy’s name?” I asked, picking up his hand and kissing his palm.

“There’s no way in hell I’m naming him after me. Edward is so stuffy,” he said, wrinkling his nose. He pushed up his glasses, having removed his contacts after he’d arrived. “How about Jared? It’s pretty modern and a fitting tribute to my friend.”

“What was your dad’s middle name?” I asked. “If you don’t want to use Edward …?”

“Same as mine, Anthony,” he shrugged. “Jared Anthony Masen?”

“His initials would spell JAM,” I giggled.

“Nope. Not that. He’d be tormented,” Edward chuckled. “Carlisle Jared Masen?”

“Meh,” I shrugged. “Or, we could use Carlisle’s middle name: William?”

“William Jared Masen,” Edward murmured. He narrowed his eyes and then a beautiful smile spread over his face. “I love that. William Jared Masen or Ava Renee Masen. Both are gorgeous names. Now, we just have to wait to see what we have.”

“I love you, Edward,” I said. “You’re going to be an amazing father.”

“I adore you,” he breathed. “You’re already a phenomenal mother.” He kissed me and then moved down to my belly. “Don’t take too long, kiddo. Be kind to your beautiful mother.” 

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Edward was out with Emmett, getting some driving lessons. I was working in my office, recovering from a mild case of bronchitis that I’d gotten while in Hawaii. With the injury to my lungs from being shot, I was more susceptible to upper respiratory infections that could morph into bronchitis or even worse, pneumonia. Our trip to Kauai caused me to catch a bug that turned into bronchitis. While Edward ran his errand upon our arrival, he was kind enough to call Dr. Banner. He prescribed an antibiotic and steroid nebulizer.

However, when Edward came back from his errand, he was quiet, almost jumpy. I asked him what was wrong, but he didn’t reply, deflecting or changing the subject. I figured he had to process it with his journal or talk to Marina. When he was ready, he’d approach me.

My reverie was interrupted. There was a quiet knock on my door. With my raspy, husky voice, I beckoned them to enter. My dad walked in. I bristled, still pissed about his recent asshole-like behavior. “You sound awful,” he said.  

“It is what it is,” I shrugged. “What do you want, Charlie?”

“I wanted to talk to you about Edward,” he sighed, sitting down across from me. His face was stern, almost pinched. “Did you know he came to see me?”

I blinked up, wanting to smack the self-satisfied smirk off his face. “I wouldn’t put it past him. He was pretty pissed about your little bombshell, Chuck,” I snapped. “If Edward Masen Sr. was such a good friend, why didn’t you know that he died? On top of that, why didn’t you treat Edward better when you met him? You said that Edward was almost the spitting image of your bestie! Yet, you treated him like shit. And let’s not talk about the way you acted while I was in the hospital? Completely reprehensible!”

“I know,” he growled. “I’m a shit father. I get that. I heard it from Edward and your reminders are just fucking salt in the wound.”

“So, Edward said that you were a bad dad. Good for him. You were,” I sneered. “Especially after Mom died. Yes, I had access to the best nannies, best education, best opportunities, but the one thing I needed was a parent, Dad. I needed to be loved and if it was Edward who pointed that out; he’s smarter than you.”

“I’m not going to win with either one of you,” he sighed, falling back against the chair.

“What do you expect, Charlie? Whatever Edward said was probably warranted and I’m still unbelievably pissed off at you. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive you or trust you. I know that Edward decided to invoke his partnership in Swan Hotels LLC.,” I said, arching a brow.

“He gave me the paperwork when you got back. You and Edward now own Swan Hotels, LLC.,” Charlie muttered. “I got everything I wanted … a chance to retire and live out my life without having to stress out about my hotels. But, at what cost? My daughter? My family?”

“It would appear so. Dad, you made your choices. In time, I might be able to get over this, but for now, I need time. A lot of time. Edward needs time and if you think this coming to tattle on him is going to make me choose you over him, it’s not going to happen,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “I will always love you, Dad. I just don’t think that what you did was forgivable. You abandoned me and you treated Edward like crap, a man who survived hell. Your behavior didn’t ingratiate you to him and I don’t blame him. Now, if you don’t mind. I have to run my company.” I turned to my computer, looking at the screen and scrutinizing the quarterly expense report. As I was checking different ways to further promote the hotels with a new advertising agency, my dad got up and left. 

Buying Love Teaser

Edward was out with Emmett, getting some driving lessons. I was working in my office, recovering from a mild case of bronchitis that I’d gotten while in Hawaii. With the injury to my lungs from being shot, I was more susceptible to upper respiratory infections that could morph into bronchitis or even worse, pneumonia. Our trip to Kauai caused me to catch a bug that turned into bronchitis. While Edward ran his errand upon our arrival, he was kind enough to call Dr. Banner. He prescribed an antibiotic and steroid nebulizer.

However, when Edward came back from his errand, he was quiet, almost jumpy. I asked him what was wrong, but he didn’t reply, deflecting or changing the subject. I figured he had to process it with his journal or talk to Marina. When he was ready, he’d approach me.

My reverie was interrupted. There was a quiet knock on my door. With my raspy, husky voice, I beckoned them to enter. My dad walked in. I bristled, still pissed about his recent asshole-like behavior. “You sound awful,” he said.  

“It is what it is,” I shrugged. “What do you want, Charlie?”

“I wanted to talk to you about Edward,” he sighed, sitting down across from me. His face was stern, almost pinched. “Did you know he came to see me?”

I blinked up, wanting to smack the self-satisfied smirk off his face. “I wouldn’t put it past him. He was pretty pissed about your little bombshell, Chuck,” I snapped. “If Edward Masen Sr. was such a good friend, why didn’t you know that he died? On top of that, why didn’t you treat Edward better when you met him? You said that Edward was almost the spitting image of your bestie! Yet, you treated him like shit. And let’s not talk about the way you acted while I was in the hospital? Completely reprehensible!”

“I know,” he growled. “I’m a shit father. I get that. I heard it from Edward and your reminders are just fucking salt in the wound.”

“So, Edward said that you were a bad dad. Good for him. You were,” I sneered. “Especially after Mom died. Yes, I had access to the best nannies, best education, best opportunities, but the one thing I needed was a parent, Dad. I needed to be loved and if it was Edward who pointed that out; he’s smarter than you.”

“I’m not going to win with either one of you,” he sighed, falling back against the chair.

“What do you expect, Charlie? Whatever Edward said was probably warranted and I’m still unbelievably pissed off at you. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive you or trust you. I know that Edward decided to invoke his partnership in Swan Hotels LLC.,” I said, arching a brow.

“He gave me the paperwork when you got back. You and Edward now own Swan Hotels, LLC.,” Charlie muttered. “I got everything I wanted … a chance to retire and live out my life without having to stress out about my hotels. But, at what cost? My daughter? My family?”

“It would appear so. Dad, you made your choices. In time, I might be able to get over this, but for now, I need time. A lot of time. Edward needs time and if you think this coming to tattle on him is going to make me choose you over him, it’s not going to happen,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “I will always love you, Dad. I just don’t think that what you did was forgivable. You abandoned me and you treated Edward like crap, a man who survived hell. Your behavior didn’t ingratiate you to him and I don’t blame him. Now, if you don’t mind. I have to run my company.” I turned to my computer, looking at the screen and scrutinizing the quarterly expense report. As I was checking different ways to further promote the hotels with a new advertising agency, my dad got up and left. 

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Staring out the window of the private jet, I watched as we approached the airport just outside of Seattle. Bella was sleeping next to me, her head cradled in my lap. She woke up sick the morning we left. It was a cold or a sinus infection, but she was miserable. Her loud snores filled the cabin, almost waking up but whimpering in her deep, husky voice, raspy from the sore throat.

“Mr. Masen, I’m sorry,” said the flight attendant. “We’re getting ready to land. If you could wake up Ms. Swan and have her put on her seat belt.”

“Thank you,” I replied, giving her a friendly smile. She moved back to the front of the cabin I shook Bella awake and she grumbled. Begrudgingly, she sat up and put on her seatbelt. However, she did put her cheek on my shoulder and continued to snore in my ear. No human should make those noises. Even a gorgeous human such as my bellissima. Ignoring her obnoxious snarling, I gazed back out the window. My mind was racing about how much my life has changed in almost a year.

I had found love.

I was free of Esme’s almost daily torture.

Esme was found guilty of her crimes and will be sentenced according to the law.

My mom, while my relationship with her was still strained, was getting stronger every day. She was almost back the woman I remembered from my childhood. But, I was still bitter about her retreating into her mind. I probably always will be.

I lived through hell to provide medical care for her and it was all in her head.

Well, and Esme’s deal with the doctors keeping my mom medicated.

On top of all that, Bella’s dad, who had been my dad’s best friend, dropped this bombshell that I’m a multi-gazillionaire. I owned half of Swan Hotels, LLC. Bella and I were business partners.

Once I sign the paperwork that Charlie gave to us prior to our departure to Kauai. If I want to sign the paperwork.

Who are you kidding? You’re signing the paperwork. 

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“Dad?” I squeaked. “What are you doing here?”

“Come, baby girl,” he said, taking my arm. “Let’s head back home.”

“Where’s home?” I snarled. “The hotel?”

“Bella, let’s just get out of here and we can hear what your dad has to say,” Edward said quietly, his arm around my waist. I gave my dad a glare as we made our way through the reporters and into the waiting limo. Everyone clambered in, including my father. Edward barked that we wanted to go to the hotel. I was grateful for him because if I opened my mouth, I would tell my father to fuck off. I stayed cuddled in Edward’s arms as we made our way to Swan Towers. Parking in the garage, we all got out and rode up to my father’s suite. I was anxious and sick, even though I should be cheering that Esme was found guilty.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my daughter and her boyfriend alone,” Charlie said.

“Why should she listen to you?” Rose snapped. “You abandoned her while she was fucking recovering, you asshole.”

“Rosalie, you’re still my employee,” Charlie growled.

“No, she’s mine,” I argued. “But, we’ll be fine.” Rose gave Charlie a glower and got off on her floor with Carlisle and Elizabeth. Edward and I rode up to the top floor where my dad’s penthouse was located. It looked exactly like mine, with the layout, but the décor was different. We walked inside and settled onto the couch. Charlie tossed his coat onto the dining room table and sat down on one of the chairs. “What do you want, Charlie?”

“Enough with the attitude, Isabella,” he snapped.

“I think her attitude is warranted, Mr. Swan,” Edward retorted. “She’s not a child and the way you acted while she was in the hospital was deplorable.”

Scrubbing his face, Charlie sat back and sighed. “You’re right. I was an asshole. What I did was appalling. Bella, you are my only daughter and I abandoned you when you needed me the most.”

Buying Love Teaser

“Dad?” I squeaked. “What are you doing here?”

“Come, baby girl,” he said, taking my arm. “Let’s head back home.”

“Where’s home?” I snarled. “The hotel?”

“Bella, let’s just get out of here and we can hear what your dad has to say,” Edward said quietly, his arm around my waist. I gave my dad a glare as we made our way through the reporters and into the waiting limo. Everyone clambered in, including my father. Edward barked that we wanted to go to the hotel. I was grateful for him because if I opened my mouth, I would tell my father to fuck off. I stayed cuddled in Edward’s arms as we made our way to Swan Towers. Parking in the garage, we all got out and rode up to my father’s suite. I was anxious and sick, even though I should be cheering that Esme was found guilty.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my daughter and her boyfriend alone,” Charlie said.

“Why should she listen to you?” Rose snapped. “You abandoned her while she was fucking recovering, you asshole.”

“Rosalie, you’re still my employee,” Charlie growled.

“No, she’s mine,” I argued. “But, we’ll be fine.” Rose gave Charlie a glower and got off on her floor with Carlisle and Elizabeth. Edward and I rode up to the top floor where my dad’s penthouse was located. It looked exactly like mine, with the layout, but the décor was different. We walked inside and settled onto the couch. Charlie tossed his coat onto the dining room table and sat down on one of the chairs. “What do you want, Charlie?”

“Enough with the attitude, Isabella,” he snapped.

“I think her attitude is warranted, Mr. Swan,” Edward retorted. “She’s not a child and the way you acted while she was in the hospital was deplorable.”

Scrubbing his face, Charlie sat back and sighed. “You’re right. I was an asshole. What I did was appalling. Bella, you are my only daughter and I abandoned you when you needed me the most.”

“What do you want, Charlie?” I repeated. “Because, if you didn’t hear, Esme was found guilty and we want to celebrate that fact. You kind of put a damper on that.”

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A week had passed since my testimony. Harold finally apologized to me and I was given the opportunity to finish my statement with Liam redirecting me. Once I was done with my testimony, I was excused and the defense started calling their witnesses.

There weren’t many.

A few of her former clients said that she was being framed by the FBI and Harold even provided fabricated evidence. Liam cut the witnesses down and obliterated the evidence with proof from the biggest and best forensic scientists. After two days of defense witnesses, closing summations were given and the trial was handed over to the jury.

Esme’s fate was in the hands of nine women and three men.

I was sick to my stomach, terrified that they would find her not guilty.

However, Bella, Rose, Carlisle, Uncle Peter, Emmett, my mother … they were all in my corner and did their best to distract me while the jury was deliberating. Carlisle and Emmett gave me driving lessons. Rose and I worked on the Swan Towers website. Uncle Peter got me out of the hotel or Jared’s home. He took me to his gym and we worked out. Or, we’d go on random trips around Seattle. Uncle Peter was very athletic and we bonded over that, working out, running along the many paths in Seattle or geeking out at the local public library. My mom shared memories about my dad, from when they started dating and their first few years of marriage, before I was born.

And Bella … my Bella … she was my saving grace. After my explosion in the gym in the hotel, she had been my rock. Even more so now. She helped me continue to heal, with talking to me, encouraging me to journal, spending time with me after I had sessions with Dr. Benson and just making me feel like a normal man.

A few days after the jury began deliberations, I got a text on my cell phone while I was reading in the living room of Jared’s, erm, my house. It was Liam. Jury’s back. Court is reconvening tomorrow morning at nine. Bella walked into the living room, her phone in her hand. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Nervous,” I said, putting the phone on the cocktail table. “Do you think that the jury found her guilty?”

“We’ll find out tomorrow, baby,” she said, sitting down on my lap. I burrowed my nose against her soft hair.