Buying Love Update

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The day after Christmas, Edward and I spent time just hanging out and watching movies. Carlisle and Uncle Peter got Edward several BluRay discs that he might like. He watched them, happy to see the movies. However, he was more anxious to read the various books he’d received. He was eyeballing the paperback version of The Martian, which we had just watched on the flat screen in our bedroom. As I made dinner, he devoured the book, and couldn’t stop talking about it.

I think he was just trying to keep his mind occupied. I knew that the death of Jared had hit him hard. Jenks was coming over the next day to go over the will and to meet up with Marcus Volturi at Jared’s home. Marcus had the keys to Jared’s house, as well as to the car and the safety deposit boxes. Rose had arranged for Jared’s memorial service, using my credit card to fund the whole thing. It would be a couple of days before we could have the service. Edward wanted to get a few mementos from Jared’s home to celebrate his life.

Just before we went to bed, Edward put down his book. “It’s weird,” he whispered.

“What’s weird?” I asked, putting my paperwork from the hotel on my nightstand.

“Everything,” he said, rolling on his side. He was wearing a tight t-shirt, teasing me with his muscles. I was drooling at how much he’d filled out since he started to live with me. Plus, the almost daily workouts while I did my physical therapy helped, too. “Bella? Bellissima? You’re spacing out.”

“Sorry. I was just ogling your bulging biceps,” I quipped.

“Yeah, they’re huge,” he deadpanned. I rolled my eyes, brushing my hand through his messy bronze locks. “Anyway, since I got away from Esme, everything has changed, so much. First was your stupid idea in trying to save my mom.”

“It was stupid and I’m sorry,” I frowned.

“Bella, you could have been killed,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you, bellissima. Seeing you on that floor …”

“You didn’t lose me,” I murmured. “I just couldn’t let her take you away from me.”

“I was protected. Underneath my coat, I had on a bullet proof vest,” he sighed, kissing my forehead. “But, you didn’t know that and I love you for wanting to save me, but I was so close to losing it because of your little stunt.”

“You had a vest on?” I squeaked. Well, crap. He tightened his arms around me, nuzzling my hair. “I didn’t know.”

“And then, my mom miraculously getting better, your injuries, Charlie’s apparent hatred of me, Esme’s indictment and Jared’s death … it’s all weird. I don’t know how to react to all of it. I’m thrilled that you’re getting stronger and that Esme is going to go to trial. I’m still coming to grips about my mom’s illness. What bothers me the most is how much your father hates my guts and Jared’s untimely death,” he sighed. “Plus, wrapping my head around the fact that he left me everything.”

“It’ll be a fresh start for you, Edward,” I said.

Jared's Home (Now Edward's)

Front Foyer

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

First Floor Bathroom

Office 

Guest Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Jared's new Silver Volvo

1966 Red Ford Mustang

Buying Love Teaser

The day after Christmas, Edward and I spent time just hanging out and watching movies. Carlisle and Uncle Peter got Edward several BluRay discs that he might like. He watched them, happy to see the movies. However, he was more anxious to read the various books he’d received. He was eyeballing the paperback version of The Martian, which we had just watched on the flat screen in our bedroom. As I made dinner, he devoured the book, and couldn’t stop talking about it.

I think he was just trying to keep his mind occupied. I knew that the death of Jared had hit him hard. Jenks was coming over the next day to go over the will and to meet up with Marcus Volturi at Jared’s home. Marcus had the keys to Jared’s house, as well as to the car and the safety deposit boxes. Rose had arranged for Jared’s memorial service, using my credit card to fund the whole thing. It would be a couple of days before we could have the service. Edward wanted to get a few mementos from Jared’s home to celebrate his life.

Just before we went to bed, Edward put down his book. “It’s weird,” he whispered.

“What’s weird?” I asked, putting my paperwork from the hotel on my nightstand.

“Everything,” he said, rolling on his side. He was wearing a tight t-shirt, teasing me with his muscles. I was drooling at how much he’d filled out since he started to live with me. Plus, the almost daily workouts while I did my physical therapy helped, too. “Bella? Bellissima? You’re spacing out.”

“Sorry. I was just ogling your bulging biceps,” I quipped.

“Yeah, they’re huge,” he deadpanned. I rolled my eyes, brushing my hand through his messy bronze locks. “Anyway, since I got away from Esme, everything has changed, so much. First was your stupid idea in trying to save my mom.”

“It was stupid and I’m sorry,” I frowned.

“Bella, you could have been killed,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you, bellissima. Seeing you on that floor …”

“You didn’t lose me,” I murmured. “I just couldn’t let her take you away from me.”

“I was protected. Underneath my coat, I had on a bullet proof vest,” he sighed, kissing my forehead. “But, you didn’t know that and I love you for wanting to save me, but I was so close to losing it because of your little stunt.”

“You had a vest on?” I squeaked. Well, crap. He tightened his arms around me, nuzzling my hair. “I didn’t know.”

“And then, my mom miraculously getting better, your injuries, Charlie’s apparent hatred of me, Esme’s indictment and Jared’s death … it’s all weird. I don’t know how to react to all of it. I’m thrilled that you’re getting stronger and that Esme is going to go to trial. I’m still coming to grips about my mom’s illness. What bothers me the most is how much your father hates my guts and Jared’s untimely death,” he sighed. “Plus, wrapping my head around the fact that he left me everything.”

“It’ll be a fresh start for you, Edward,” I said. “I think you need it and Jared, he knew that you could use his gift to start a new life, without being indebted to Esme or someone else.”

Buying Love Teaser

Edward helped me into my red winter coat with matching Burberry scarf. He put on an overcoat, looking some sort of Mafia don. He was so sexy and lithe. Plus, he’d come such a long way in the few weeks that I’ve been home. Granted, almost daily appointments with Dr. Benson and his therapist, Michele, helped him tremendously.

There were still things that Edward freaked out about. He didn’t like to be touched by anyone but me. He also couldn’t wear a belt since it reminded him too much of the whips and chains that he was beaten with. Uncle Peter got him suspenders so his pants for his suits wouldn’t fall down. Edward still harbored a great deal of anger and resentment toward his mother. She was a victim in this, almost as much as he was, but she gave up when he was fourteen, when he needed her the most. Edward did have some huge anger issues. For the most part, he was easy-going, but if something made him pissed, he would stomp around like a bull and things would get broken. Michele is working with him on that, having him use various calming techniques.

Finally, there was the guilt and pain associated with anything sexual. Edward’s introduction to sex was violent and cruel. He knew how to pleasure a woman, but now, the mere thought of doing anything other than kissing, hugging or cuddling, made his stomach churn. Dr. Benson said that was a normal response for someone who underwent such long-term sexual abuse and rape. When the time was right, both Edward and I would go to couple’s therapy. I would do anything for him to ensure that he was happy, healthy and most importantly, safe.

Edward, looking like a mafia Don

Bella's Cane

Bella's SUV

Bella's Suit (with flats, not heels)

Bella's winter coat

Buying Love Teaser

Forty-five minutes later, we were all strapped into a helicopter. I was watching as the urban jungle morphed into the Pacific rainforest. The ride was smooth and exhilarating. If it weren’t for the fact that we were flying to Forks to try and save my mom and Bella, I would have really enjoyed it. However, I was sick to my stomach, worrying about what was happening to them. I trusted Agent Dean, for some reason. Perhaps it was because he knew, in some way, what I was dealing with. What I had survived.

“Oh, God,” Rose whimpered. “Why did I agree to get into this oversized egg beater?”

“You’re not enjoying the flight, Rosie?” Emmett asked, shooting her an amused look from the front seat. He was seated in the copilot’s chair. He was a certified pilot, helping the other agent navigate the helicopter to the landing pad, just outside of Forks.

“I think I’m going to puke,” Rose said, leaning her cheek against my shoulder.

“You’re not the only one,” I said, patting her knee. “But it’s not because of the flight.”

“Right,” she sighed. “I never liked flying and that was in a plane. Now, in a helicopter? Nope. Never again. I’m renting a car to go home.” She wrapped her arms around my own and buried her face into my shoulder. I was stiff, but I knew that Rose wouldn’t hurt me. She was freaking out, trembling from the flight. I sat still, trying calm her down until we began our descent. “Oh, shit!” She dug her nails into my forearm, making me hiss.

“Rose, be careful. Edward has cuts and bruises on his arms,” Carlisle chided.

“Sorry, Eddie,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to …”

“I’m fine,” I said, rubbing her hand. Rose gave me a half-hearted smile as the helicopter descended to the landing pad behind the police station in Forks. She gripped my hand until we landed. Once the rotors stopped, the pilot opened the door and were led inside of the station. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 48 Update on FicPad

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Buying Love Chapter 48 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 48 Update on TWCS

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. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on TWCS

I held Bella, sobbing like a freaking baby. I was such a fucking mess. It took Carlisle almost two hours to convince me to go to the hotel. I begged to stay with him. I didn’t want Bella to see me like this.

Broken.

Battered.

Ashamed.

Empty.

Lost.

Carlisle said that she would never forgive him if I didn’t at least see her. He was gentle and patient as I sat in the car in the parking garage, working up the courage to ride up to her penthouse suite. With each passing floor, I was growing more anxious but Carlisle held my hand and told me that I was strong and resilient.

My ass.

Seeing her was too much. She had not changed. If anything, she was far more beautiful than I remembered. Her hair was braided over her shoulder, her alabaster skin was free of all makeup and her eyes were filled with such concern.

Pity, you fool. She pities you.

I couldn’t stand the pity, so I tried to flee. Carlisle calmed me down, explaining that I could stay with Rose if I wanted, or with him, but I didn’t. I wanted to stay with Bella, but I didn’t want her fucking pity. Then, she walked closer to me and I could smell her sweet fragrance. She said that she missed me and she began apologizing. I took her hand, pressing it to my cheek. The warmth of her hand sent shivers down my spine and made my empty heart began beating again. When her other hand cupped my face and her espresso-colored eyes bore into mine as she told me she loved me, I lost it. The tears came down and she pulled me to her body. I collapsed under the weight of what had happened and held her to my chest, letting all of my walls down. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 46 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 46 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 46 Update on TWCS

Buying Love Chapter 46 Update on FFn

“Jenks, can’t you work some magic and get us on some judge’s docket?” I whined, pacing in my suite. He was on the phone with the third judge today, trying to get Elizabeth’s care placed with me and not with Esme. We’d provided a doctored marriage certificate, claiming me to be Edward’s wife and proof of abuse with the clerk, but no one was biting. Not yet, at least.

“Thank you,” Jenks sighed, ending his call. “Judge Donnelly has a full docket but suggested Judge Trask. He’s not taking any new cases since he’s this close to retirement.”

“And that helps us how?” I asked, arching a brow. “He’s not taking new cases.”

“This isn’t a case. It’s a removal. All he has to do is sign the order, removing Elizabeth from Esme’s legal guardianship and putting you in her place,” Jenks explained. He searched his phone, grinning when he found the number. “Now, you’re killing my mojo. Go call Rose. See how things are going with Edward.”

I grumbled, walking back to my bedroom and pulling out my cell phone. I dialed Rose, impatiently waiting for her to pick up. “We’re on our way back, Bells,” she said.

“Are you with Edward?” I asked.

“He’s with Carlisle. They’re taking a longer route,” Rose said, her voice unsure. “I think Edward is afraid that we are going to be followed, if you know what I mean.”

“There’s more, Rose,” I said, my stomach churning. “What did she do to him?”

Buying Love Teaser

“Jenks, can’t you work some magic and get us on some judge’s docket?” I whined, pacing in my suite. He was on the phone with the third judge today, trying to get Elizabeth’s care placed with me and not with Esme. We’d provided a doctored marriage certificate, claiming me to be Edward’s wife and proof of abuse with the clerk, but no one was biting. Not yet, at least.

“Thank you,” Jenks sighed, ending his call. “Judge Donnelly has a full docket but suggested Judge Trask. He’s not taking any new cases since he’s this close to retirement.”

“And that helps us how?” I asked, arching a brow. “He’s not taking new cases.”

“This isn’t a case. It’s a removal. All he has to do is sign the order, removing Elizabeth from Esme’s legal guardianship and putting you in her place,” Jenks explained. He searched his phone, grinning when he found the number. “Now, you’re killing my mojo. Go call Rose. See how things are going with Edward.”

I grumbled, walking back to my bedroom and pulling out my cell phone. I dialed Rose, impatiently waiting for her to pick up. “We’re on our way back, Bells,” she said.

“Are you with Edward?” I asked.

“He’s with Carlisle. They’re taking a longer route,” Rose said, her voice unsure. “I think Edward is afraid that we are going to be followed, if you know what I mean.”

“There’s more, Rose,” I said, my stomach churning. “What did she do to him?”

“He looks even worse than before, Bells. He’s even thinner and Carlisle mentioned something about stitches on his back. He wants you to have a doctor on hand. He can’t go to the hospital. Edward’s too skittish,” Rose explained. “I would suggest a man since Esme did a number on him.”

“Dr. Banner, my father’s physician, is the best. I’ll call him,” I sniffled. “And I know he’ll be discreet.”

“We should be back in a half hour. Edward will probably want to sleep. He was a little woozy when I came back into the hotel room. Carlisle said it was due to the pain meds he gave him.”

“Thank you, Rose,” I sighed. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

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Buying Love Chapter 45 Update on TWCS

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Carlisle left a few hours later, after attending to some older wounds. When Esme asked for the bill, he waved it off. Esme offered him one of her girls, but he muttered that he was gay and in a committed relationship. He took his bag and left. Esme gave me a scowl, dragging me from my room and into the kitchen. “Carlisle said that you needed food since you lost so much blood.” She put a plate in front of me. It was a steak, veggies and a baked potato. “I know that we’ve been hard on you, Edward.”

Hard, I snorted mentally. I’ve been scarred and broken beyond all recognition. “Thank you for the meal, mistress,” I whispered, picking up the utensils.

“I’m only feeding you since you have a big date tomorrow, Edward,” she said, putting a glass of water in front of me. “Mistress Marie is so excited to have someone to submit, bending to her every whim. However, you may be hers for the next three days, but you’ll always, always be mine.”

“Yes, Mistress. I’m yours,” I repeated.

“Now, eat up and then you can go to sleep. I want you to be rested for your date,” she said, gliding away and shutting herself into her office. I ate what I could, focusing on the steak. The vegetables and potato didn’t look very appetizing. Plus, my stomach was unsettled from the lidocaine Carlisle gave me to stitch up my back and the pain killers, too.

Once I finished my meal, I did my dishes and stumbled back to my room. I found a bag in my room and a suit hanging on the door. It was my outfit for the next day. I reached under my bed and grabbed my cell phone, the money from my tips and the few nick knacks I had from my old life. I tossed them into the bag that was in my room.

I was never coming back to this hell. Finally, I would be free of Esme and be able to live my life. 

Motel

Tristan

Buying Love Teaser

Carlisle left a few hours later, after attending to some older wounds. When Esme asked for the bill, he waved it off. Esme offered him one of her girls, but he muttered that he was gay and in a committed relationship. He took his bag and left. Esme gave me a scowl, dragging me from my room and into the kitchen. “Carlisle said that you needed food since you lost so much blood.” She put a plate in front of me. It was a steak, veggies and a baked potato. “I know that we’ve been hard on you, Edward.”

Hard, I snorted mentally. I’ve been scarred and broken beyond all recognition. “Thank you for the meal, mistress,” I whispered, picking up the utensils.

“I’m only feeding you since you have a big date tomorrow, Edward,” she said, putting a glass of water in front of me. “Mistress Marie is so excited to have someone to submit, bending to her every whim. However, you may be hers for the next three days, but you’ll always, always be mine.”

“Yes, Mistress. I’m yours,” I repeated.

“Now, eat up and then you can go to sleep. I want you to be rested for your date,” she said, gliding away and shutting herself into her office. I ate what I could, focusing on the steak. The vegetables and potato didn’t look very appetizing. Plus, my stomach was unsettled from the lidocaine Carlisle gave me to stitch up my back and the pain killers, too.

Once I finished my meal, I did my dishes and stumbled back to my room. I found a bag in my room and a suit hanging on the door. It was my outfit for the next day. I reached under my bed and grabbed my cell phone, the money from my tips and the few nick knacks I had from my old life. I tossed them into the bag that was in my room. 

I was never coming back to this hell. Finally, I would be free of Esme and be able to live my life.