Buying Love Update

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I was sitting anxiously in a conference room at the Seattle Courthouse. Bella was with me, as well as Rose and Carlisle. Uncle Peter was working at Swan Towers and Emmett had begun investigating a new case. Liam was in the grand jury room with Jasper. Alice was waiting outside of the room, praying that her husband wouldn’t completely melt down. Jared was going to testify after lunch and then the case would go to the grand jury.

“Edward, you’re going to gnaw off your fingers,” Bella said, lowering my thumb from my mouth. I’d started biting my nails during my time in Port Angeles and it only got worse the more anxious I became.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “I just hope that Jasper is okay. You know?”

“He’s been working with Dr. Benson and his own therapist down in Los Angeles. He’s doing much better since I met them in mid-October,” Bella said. “At least, that’s what Alice said.”

“I’ll just be happy once the two of them are in here,” I said, bringing my thumb back to my mouth. Bella snorted, taking my hand and twining our fingers together. I smiled sheepishly.

Shortly after our argument about my fingers, Alice and Jasper came into the conference room. Jasper was pale and covered in sweat. His movements were jerky and he was deep in a panic attack. “Jazzy, you’re safe,” Alice cooed, reaching into her purse. She pulled out a bottle of medication. Rose got up and handed her a water bottle. “Deep breaths, Jazz. Esme will pay for her crimes. You will help put her away.”

“Put her away,” Jasper choked out, gripping Alice’s jacket. Their foreheads touched and he calmed, slightly. Alice managed to give Jasper the medicine she took out and she breathed him, slowly and deeply. Jasper even went so far as putting his gnarled hand on Alice’s chest, feeling her heartbeat. With one more deep breath, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “I’m sorry, Ali. I’m so sorry.”

“Shhhhhhhhhhh, you’re okay, Jazzy,” Alice said, scratching her fingers in his hair. He looked up, cupping her face and kissed her tenderly. 

Seattle Courthouse

Alice Whitlock

Jasper Whitlock

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I was released from the hospital the day following Charlie’s explosion. I went directly to Bella’s side and I sat next to her for an hour, begging for forgiveness. However, it felt wrong for me to be there. I was not her family. I was this parasite and she didn’t need that. I kissed her temple, murmuring my love for her and I left the hospital. I started walking, ending up at a marina.

“Fancy seeing you here,” said a male voice. I turned around, seeing Peter smoking a cigarette. “Carlisle said that you had been released, but I figured that you’d be with Bella.”

“I’m not family. I have no right to be there,” I said.

“Fucking Charlie,” Peter snapped. “You are as much a part of our family as I am.” He walked toward me, tossing the cigarette onto the ground. “I love my brother, but he tends to talk out of his ass when he’s emotional. He knew what you had endured and yet, he still attacked. I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged. “I need to learn to deal with it,” I whispered. “I’m not good for her.”

“Bullshit,” Peter said. “I remember seeing you two at the opening of Swan Towers. My niece had a light in her eyes that I hadn’t seen in years, since her mother passed away. And there was something about you that seemed linked to her.”

“But, you know what happened to me and what my life was. I was a whore,” I spat. “Women used me, abused me and I got paid for it.”

“Edward, I know why you did it and it wasn’t because you had a choice. Esme, she forced you,” Peter replied. “But, I can say that until I’m blue in the face and it won’t make a lick of difference until you actually believe it, Edward. Do you love my niece?”

“With my entire heart,” I said. “But, I’m not go …”

“You are good enough. You’re a loving, kind man, despite all that happened to you. Yes, you’re dealing with a lot of bullshit right now, but we’re all in your corner. Charlie will come around. If he doesn’t, I’ll kick his ass,” Peter snorted, winking at me.

“Why do all of you believe in me?” I asked. “I can’t even believe in myself.”

“Because you’re still alive and here, Edward. You could have curled up and given up, but you didn’t. You fought your way out, with a little help from a spitfire named Bella,” Peter said. “Now, let’s get you back inside. I only came out here since I wanted a smoke. It’s freezing out here!”

Uncle Peter Swan

Edward Masen

Port Angeles Marina

Buying Love Update

First off, before I post the update, I wanted to apologize for the drop off in updates. This weekend marked the one year anniversary of my mother's passing. I wanted to spend the weekend remembering her and celebrating her life. I miss her more than words can express, but focusing my thoughts on her this weekend helped. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Now, with further ado ...

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I watched as Edward fell apart. He was curled up in a little ball as Peter screamed at Charlie. And when he slumped onto the ground, his eyes shut and his body trembling in abject fear. Turning to them, I screamed, “Will both of you shut the fuck up! We’re going to get kicked out by security and I need some help.”

Peter smacked Charlie’s head and crouched down to where Edward was in a heap. “I hope you’re happy, Charlie. You know what happened to him. Rose told you in explicit detail what this young man went through. Yet, you still got in his face. You still hurt him. If Bella was awake, she’d tear you a new asshole,” Peter sneered.

“It was because of him that she’s here!” Charlie snapped.

“No, Charlie. It’s not. She made the decision to go after Esme on her own,” I said calmly, placing Edward’s head in my lap. I tenderly ran my fingers through his hair. “If you can’t handle him being here, then you may need to back off, Charlie. She loves him.”

“But, my little girl,” Charlie sniffled. “She’s fighting for her life. I cannot walk away.”

“Neither can he,” I said. “He would do anything for her. He would die for her, but he’s already beating himself up about what went down. However, he faced the monster that tortured him for ten years, Charlie. He went in there so he could help his mom and help Bella. Both of them would have died if he hadn’t gone in there.”

“Take a walk, Chuck,” Peter said coolly. “When you can be in the same room as Edward without screaming at him, we’ll let you back in to see your daughter. For now, we have to preserve his mental health as much as possible. Come on. Let’s go.” Peter grabbed Charlie’s arm and dragged him out of the stairwell. “I’ll get a doctor or a nurse for Edward, Rose.”

“Thank you, Peter,” I said quietly. 

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“You’re safe, Edward. I’m sorry,” I whispered in his ear. “I love you and I will always be by your side. I will do everything to make sure that Esme will pay for what she’s done to you. You’re okay.”

“Bella,” he choked out, his nose buried in my neck as he gripped Carlisle’s hand.

“Shhhhh,” I soothed, running my fingers through his damp hair and rocking him tenderly. Carlisle kissed Edward’s temple and gave us some privacy. Edward wrapped his arm around me and pulled me flush to his body. His grip was tight. I could feel every muscle tremble and his breathing panting against my shoulder. When Carlisle closed the door, I pressed a kiss to Edward’s forehead, guiding him to rest on my chest. “Listen to my heart, Edward. Take slow, deep breaths, love.”

He did that, finally calming down. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice ragged and haunted.

“Don’t apologize, baby,” I said, leaning my cheek against his sweaty hair. “Don’t ever apologize.”

“I’m a fucking mess,” he frowned. “I hate this. I hate feeling this way.”

“You may be a fucking mess, but we’ll get you help,” I whispered. “And don’t apologize ever again, Edward. This wasn’t your fault.”

“Isn’t it?” he asked, sitting up. His face was flushed and still so gaunt. He’d lost so much weight. In Napa, he was easily thirty pounds heavier of pure muscle. Now, he was skin and bones. “If I hadn’t trusted Esme so easily, none of this would have happened.”

“Esme is a predator, Edward,” I said quietly. “She sees a weakness and exploits it. Even Felix was one of her victims.”

Edward shot me a look of disbelief. “Unlikely. That man took too much pleasure in torturing me,” he spat. 

Buying Love Teaser

CarlislePOV

I watched as Edward eventually drifted off to sleep. He was exhausted, but I could tell that his sleep wasn’t restful. His face was drawn and his muscles were tense, almost ready to strike. I frowned, incredibly pissed off at what Esme did this to this sweet boy. No one should have been through this.

“Sleep well,” I whispered, brushing a hair away from his forehead. He flinched, but eventually snuggled into the bed. I got up from the bed and went into living room. Bella was curled up in on the couch and crying, a steady stream of tears falling down her pale cheeks. “Little One.”

“I’m fine, Carlisle,” she said, wiping her face. “I’m just …”

“Concerned? Worried?” I asked, sitting next to her and holding her tightly.

“Feeling guilty. I should have done more, Carlisle,” she hissed. “MORE. I let my stupid fucking pride get in the way and he was tortured almost two months in the clutches of Bitchme and her evil, disgusting minions. He’s broken and it’s my fault.”

“No, Bella. It’s not. It’s Esme’s fault. It’s her fault that Edward’s like this. Not yours,” I soothed, rubbing Bella’s back.

“What can I do for him? I’m terrified that he won’t trust me ever again,” Bella muttered, leaning her cheek against my shoulder. “Carlisle, will he come back from this?”

“Despite all he’s been through, Edward still sees the good in people,” I whispered. “He said that I would be great father.”

Buying Love Teaser

She got up, pulling on my arm. I let out a small yelp since the angle at which she tugged on me caused my shoulders to ache.

“What’s wrong?” she questioned, her eyes big and filled with concern.

“I strained my shoulder,” I explained. “Esme had me move some furniture around and I …” Bella narrowed her eyes. “You don’t like her, do you?”

“Esme? Fuck no,” Bella snorted. “She has you on a short leash, so to speak and her rules are …” Bella held up her hands, her head shaking angrily. “There’s something about her that I do not trust. She sent over this contract for our agreement and there are so many loopholes for her to break it.”

“Can I see it?” I asked, curious as to what these loopholes were.

Bella nodded, walking to her office and handing me a hefty document. It was well-highlighted and written on with questions, concerns and snarky comments. Bella sat next to me, flipping to a page that was covered with a lot of her writing. “I mean, on here, Esme can end the contract if you are late back to the Buying Love offices. There’s also a stipulation that there can be no out of town dates. I put the kibosh immediately, telling her of the weekend for Jacob and Seth’s wedding in Napa. She begrudgingly agreed, charging more for that trip.” She looked at me. “How much of what I pay for you do you get? What percentage?”

I wanted to tell her the truth. I got nothing except for the tips. However, I didn’t want to incur the wrath of Mistress Esme. I gave her the programmed response that I told any of my clients who asked that question. “A little more than half.”

“I don’t believe you,” Bella snorted humorlessly.

“Believe it or not, it’s what I get,” I snapped. I got up and walked to the window, pinching my nose. I was so tired and my stomach was aching from hunger. I shouldn’t have snapped at her, but I couldn’t have her snooping around. Bella’s words from our first date came back to haunt me. Our relationship was a farce. Esme would always control me. My wants and needs were inconsequential. I didn’t want to lose what I had with Bella. Esme, however, could easily rip it away, as obviously shown by the insane contract she drew up for our exclusive escort relationship.

Bella walked behind me. Her arms slid around my middle and she pressed her cheek between my shoulder blades. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have pushed.”

I closed my eyes, one lone tear falling down my cheek. I wiped it away. “I’m sorry about snapping. I am more tired than I thought. When I’m tired, I get cranky,” I muttered, turning in her arms and enfolding her into a hug. I leaned my cheek against the crown of her sweet-smelling hair. “Can we make a promise?”

“What’s that?”

“Not to talk about Esme or the true nature of our relationship?” I asked. “It’s the only time we tend to argue. I don’t want to argue. I don’t want you mad at me.” I don’t want to lose you.