Buying Love Update

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Buying Love Chapter 84 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 84 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 84 Update on TWCS

Working with Jenks, I got everything set up for the life insurance policy, transferring ownership of the house and getting the money from Jared’s accounts. Little did I know that Jared was quite well-off, thanks to his time with Volterra Technologies. From the life insurance policy, the expenses of the house were paid for and the accounts in the bank were for me and my needs. I wanted to use the money to pay for college, but Bella was insistent that she pay for my college education, but I still didn’t know what I wanted to do.

Or if I wanted to go to college.

I just couldn’t look past this trial. Once Esme was gone for good, then I could focus on my future and what I wanted to do with my life. Though, that didn’t stop Bella from researching colleges and sending me texts or emails about college life.

Jared’s memorial service was beautiful and intimate, just as he requested. Meeting a nearby funeral home, we listened to a short service by the priest in Jared’s neighborhood. Marcus was with his wife, who was tall and elegant, and a former client from my time at Buying Love, Inc. Her eyes widened when she saw me, but didn’t say anything, thankfully. I was just her date to a charity dinner since Marcus was out of town, but she wanted more and I almost obliged her because Esme was in a particularly bad mood that day. Thankfully, I didn’t because that would have been very, very awkward between me and Marcus.

Not that it wasn’t in the first place. He totally flirted with my girlfriend despite his wife being there with him and I didn’t like it. I wanted to ram my fist into his dimpled jaw and break his perfect nose. He was more subdued at the memorial, but he still looked at Bella like she was something to eat and I had to give him a few nasty glares.

After the service at the funeral home we drove through Jared’s old neighborhood. Down the road from Jared’s home on a cloudy, blistery day, we met at a nearby marina to spread Jared’s ashes before going to Canlis for a late lunch to celebrate Jared’s life. I held the urn, standing at the end of the pier. Marcus, Bella and Carlisle were with me while the rest of our group was heading to the restaurant. Opening it up, I took out the bag and wrinkled my nose. Such a small bag for some a big man. I handed the urn to Bella and quietly read the poem he wrote in his letter to me. I also had had it engraved onto the urn with Jared’s date of birth and date of death. Together, Marcus and I poured the ashes into the sound and said our quiet prayers.

“Can I get a few moments?” I asked, crushing the bag in my hands and stuffing it into my pockets.

“Do you want me to stay?” Bella asked.

I shook my head, kissing her cold lips. She latched onto Carlisle’s arm and the three of them walked back up the pier. I shivered in my coat, wrapping my scarf around my neck. “Jared, I know that you are still out there and I appreciate all you did for me. It was too much, old man,” I snorted. “What the fuck am I going to do with a house?” I blew out a breath, smiling. “I know, live in it. I could just hear you snarking at me. That’s my plan, but I need to get past this trial with Esme. I pray that she gets the maximum sentence, Jared. Hopefully, you’ve got some pull with the big guy upstairs and he can make things happen.” The clouds parted, a ray of sunshine shining down on me and I looked up, smiling. “Thank you, Jared. I love you and I’ll miss you. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” The sun ducked behind the heavy cloud cover and I walked to the waiting limo. 

Masen Crest on Edward's ribs

Reborn with Lotus on forearm

Swan tattoo on his left pectoral

Buying Love Teaser

Working with Jenks, I got everything set up for the life insurance policy, transferring ownership of the house and getting the money from Jared’s accounts. Little did I know that Jared was quite well-off, thanks to his time with Volterra Technologies. From the life insurance policy, the expenses of the house were paid for and the accounts in the bank were for me and my needs. I wanted to use the money to pay for college, but Bella was insistent that she pay for my college education, but I still didn’t know what I wanted to do.

I just couldn’t look past this trial. Once Esme was gone for good, then I could focus on my future and what I wanted to do with my life. Though, that didn’t stop Bella from researching colleges and sending me texts about college life.

Jared’s memorial service was beautiful and intimate, just as he requested. Meeting a nearby funeral home, we listened to a short service by the priest in Jared’s neighborhood. Marcus was with his wife, who was tall and elegant, and a former client. Her eyes widened when she saw me, but didn’t say anything. I was just her date to a charity dinner since Marcus was out of town, but she wanted more and I almost obliged her because Esme was in a particularly bad mood that aday. Thankfully, I didn’t because that would have been very, very awkward between me and Marcus.

Not that it wasn’t in the first place. He totally flirted with my girlfriend and I didn’t like it. I wanted to ram my fist into his dimpled jaw and break his perfect nose. He was more subdued at the memorial, but he still looked at Bella like she was something to eat and I had to give him a few nasty glares.

Down the road from Jared’s home on a cloudy, blistery day, we met at a nearby marina to spread Jared’s ashes before going to Canlis for a late lunch to celebrate Jared’s life. I held the urn, standing at the end of the pier. Marcus, Bella and Carlisle were with me while the rest of our group was heading to the restaurant. Opening it up, I took out the bag and wrinkled my nose. Such a small bag for some a big man. I handed the urn to Bella and quietly read the poem he wrote in his letter to me. Together, Marcus and I poured the ashes into the sound and said our quiet prayers.

“Can I get a few moments?” I asked.

“Do you want me to stay?” Bella asked.

I shook my head, kissing her cold lips. She latched onto Carlisle’s arm and the three of them walked back up the pier. I shivered in my coat, wrapping my scarf around my neck. “Jared, I know that you are still out there and I appreciate all you did for me. It was too much, old man,” I snorted. “What the fuck am I going to do with a house?” I blew out a breath, smiling. “I know, live in it. That’s my plan, but I need to get past this trial with Esme. I pray that she gets the maximum sentence, Jared. Hopefully, you’ve got some pull with the big guy upstairs and he can make things happen.” The clouds parted, a ray of sunshine shining down on me and I looked up, smiling. “Thank you, Jared. I love you and I’ll miss you. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” The sun ducked behind the heavy cloud cover and I walked to the waiting limo. 

Buying Love Update

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Buying Love Chapter 83 Update on TWCS

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 Update

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Buying Love Chapter 80 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 80 Update on TWCS

“Kid, I love you and all, but my old legs are fucking killing me,” Carlisle said, rubbing my back. “You may be young and spry, but I’ve got a fake hip that needs to move.”

I pulled back, sitting on my ass and wiping my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go …” I got up and Carlisle dragged me by the arm to the couch in his suite.

“You put your ass on that couch and talk to me about why you’re so upset,” Carlisle said, sitting down next to me. “I mean, I could figure it out that it has to do with Jared, but there’s more.”

“You’re right,” I snorted humorlessly. “I went to my mom first and I just couldn’t get past her abandoning me. I know that I’m working on that, but I’m still struggling. I still have a ton of resentment toward her. Carmen asked me how grieved for my father and I said that I didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you?” Carlisle asked.

“Because I had to take over where my dad left off,” I said, sitting forward and thrusting my hands into my hair. “Mom was useless and we had to make sure that …”

“You became the man of the house,” Carlisle murmured. I nodded, looking at him and trying not to cry again. You’re such a pussy, Edward. It’s no wonder why Charlie hates you. “Your wounds, both physical and emotional, are still so raw right now. It’s going to take a lot of time before you can truly forgive your mom, grieve for your dad, heal from your ordeal and move past all of this. If that’s even possible. There is no magical cure-all for that, Edward. I just know that your mom is probably beating herself up over what she did.”

“She is treating me like I’m still her little boy. Her sweet boy. I’m not that anymore. I’m not sweet,” I spat.

“Bella would disagree. She loved that Christmas picnic you planned for you two,” Carlisle said, his lips curving into a crooked smirk. “That was definitely very sweet.”

“I’m sweet to her because I adore her,” I shrugged. “But, I can’t be the same to my mom. Not after knowing that it was her coping mechanism to shut down and abandon me. I love her, yes, but I can’t go back to the way things were before my dad died. When he died, so did I, when I had to become the person who made decisions for both of us.” I took off my glasses, pinching my nose. “On top of all these feelings with my mom, I’m struggling with the death of Jared and the contents of that envelope.”

“What was it?” Carlisle asked. “Emmett was pretty secretive about the details. I knew that it was a revised will, but that was it …”

“He left me everything, Carlisle,” I breathed. “His house, his car, money in two bank accounts and a life insurance policy. It was all transferred to my name and signed by Marcus Volturi and another witness. He also left me instructions for his death, what he wanted to be done.”

“And what’s that?” Carlisle questioned, his face open and his eyes filled with concern.

 “He wanted to be cremated with a memorial,” I said. “I just don’t think that’s enough!”

Buying Love Teaser

“Kid, I love you and all, but my old legs are fucking killing me,” Carlisle said, rubbing my back. “You may be young and spry, but I’ve got a fake hip that needs to move.”

I pulled back, sitting on my ass and wiping my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go …” I got up and Carlisle dragged me by the arm to the couch in his suite.

“You put your ass on that couch and talk to me about why you’re so upset,” Carlisle said, sitting down next to me. “I mean, I could figure it out that it has to do with Jared, but there’s more.”

“You’re right,” I snorted humorlessly. “I went to my mom first and I just couldn’t get past her abandoning me. I know that I’m working on that, but I’m still struggling. I still have a ton of resentment toward her. Carmen asked me how grieved for my father and I said that I didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you?” Carlisle asked.

“Because I had to take over where my dad left off,” I said, sitting forward and thrusting my hands into my hair. “Mom was useless and we had to make sure that …”

“You became the man of the house,” Carlisle murmured. I nodded, looking at him and trying not to cry again. You’re such a pussy, Edward. It’s no wonder why Charlie hates you. “Your wounds, both physical and emotional, are still so raw right now. It’s going to take a lot of time before you can truly forgive your mom, grieve for your dad, heal from your ordeal and move past all of this. If that’s even possible. There is no magical cure-all for that, Edward. I just know that your mom is probably beating herself up over what she did.”

“She is treating me like I’m still her little boy. Her sweet boy. I’m not that anymore. I’m not sweet,” I spat.

“Bella would disagree. She loved that Christmas picnic you planned for you two,” Carlisle said, his lips curving into a crooked smirk. “That was definitely very sweet.”

“I’m sweet to her because I adore her,” I shrugged. “But, I can’t be the same to my mom. Not after knowing that it was her coping mechanism to shut down and abandon me. I love her, yes, but I can’t go back to the way things were before my dad died. When he died, so did I, when I had to become the person who made decisions for both of us.” I took off my glasses, pinching my nose. “On top of all these feelings with my mom, I’m struggling with the death of Jared and the contents of that envelope.”

“What was it?” Carlisle asked. “Emmett was pretty secretive about the details. I knew that it was a revised will, but that was it …”

“He left me everything, Carlisle,” I breathed. “His house, his car, money in two bank accounts and a life insurance policy. It was all transferred to my name and signed by Marcus Volturi and another witness. He also left me instructions for his death, what he wanted to be done.”

“And what’s that?” Carlisle questioned, his face open and his eyes filled with concern.

 “He wanted to be cremated with a memorial,” I said. “I just don’t think that’s enough!”

Buying Love Update

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Buying Love Chapter 79 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 79 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 79 Update on TWCS

I pulled up the letter and saw Jared’s hand-written note to me. His script was bold and easy to read, but the writing was shaky, like he was crying or sad. “Dear Edward …”

If you’re reading this, son, that means that I’ve left this world. I really wanted to see you again before I died, but something was niggling in my brain that I needed to get my affairs in order. After I met with your Bella earlier this year, who is so incredibly beautiful, Edward, I contacted Marcus Volturi. I remained close with their family after I resigned from my job. With Marcus’s help, I set up an inheritance.

For you.

My son died and I thought I lost a part of myself when he died. My marriage quickly unraveled and I was alone. When I started working for Buying Love, I saw something in you that reminded me of my boy. I also saw that your light was dimming because of what Esme was forcing you to do. I did not want you to have the same fate as my son. I refused to let that happen. I worked with your Bella and Carlisle, obtaining a search warrant for Esme’s office and home. We got you out. I was so happy that you got out. I was supposed to see you the day that your mother was taken from the nursing home, but that never came to fruition, due to some very obvious circumstances.

Regardless of whether or not I saw you, I knew one thing for certain. I loved you and I always will. You gave me another son to love and to dote on, but I am so incredibly sad that I never got to say it to your face. My absence will undoubtedly hurt, Edward. Just like I will miss you, even though I’m gone. However, I wanted to give you something that you could use to start a new life. It’s not much, but I 

needed to do this.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I did not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds circled flight.
I’m am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

These words by Mary Elizabeth Frye will probably offer you little solace, Edward, but I am with you, just like your own biological father is with you, protecting you always. You are the son of my heart. I was given another chance to make it right and I hope that I have.

All of my love,

Jared 

Buying Love Teaser

I was chilled to the bone, thanks to my hasty exit to get to Edward after he ran out of the conference room in the Seattle courthouse. Despite taking a long, scalding hot shower, I could not stop shivering. I was wearing leggings, loose pajama pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, hoodie and covered in a blanket. Edward was in the bathroom and I could hear him crying inside of the shower. The loss of Jared had hit him to the core.

“Here, Bells,” Rose said, handing me a large cup of tea. “Hold it for a few minutes. Maybe it’ll help warm your hands.”

“Thanks,” I replied, taking the tea and wrapping my fingers around the mug. I inhaled it, smiling at the spicy orange flavor she’d chosen. “Rose, I want you to do some digging about Jared. Find out if he has family.”

“Already on it,” Rose smirked. “Carlisle actually beat me to it, using Emmett and his contacts at the Seattle PD. The preliminary findings indicate that Jared was alone in the world. His wife left him when their son died. She disappeared, it seemed. My guess is that she went back to her maiden name and flew across country.”

“What about that family he worked for? The Volturis?” I asked. “Do we know why Jared stopped working for them?”

“Hold on,” Rose said, flipping through her notebook. “Ah, got it. Aro Volturi had to go to Italy to care for his dying father, Caius and his mother, Maria, who suffered a stroke. He’s been in Italy ever since late 2015. Marcus gave Jared the option to stay, but since Marcus preferred to drive himself, Jared left the company and began working for Esme shortly after.”

“Find out as much as you can, Rose. But, I want to help out and pay for the funeral, if no one claims the body,” I sighed, taking a sip of the orange spice tea.

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” Rose said. She kissed my cheek and got up. “I’ll leave you with Edward. I don’t want to intrude on whatever is going to happen. If you need anything, I’m just a call away. And take your medicine. I really don’t want you back in the hospital, Isabella Marie.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said. She kissed my forehead and left me in the living room, looking at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. I got up from my cocoon of blankets, taking the time to admire the elegant decorations, ornaments and details that Edward chose for our first holiday together. I reached for a crystal ornament of two angels, twined together with their foreheads touching. Half of the angel was a clear, faceted crystal and the other was smooth, but frosted.

“You are the one with the sparkle,” Edward said, his voice somber and gruff. “You always had this glow about you, pulling me in and giving me hope.”

“And the other?” I asked, turning to look at him.

“It’s me, but I’m no angel. My life was dim and lifeless before I met you,” he murmured. “I don’t know. I saw it on a website and fell in love with it. It was very expensive, but Rose ordered it for me for our tree. I need to pay her back.”