Married to the Mob: Fighting for Freedom Update

MOTM:FFF Chapter 18 on FicPad

MOTM:FFF Chapter 18 on FFn

MOTM:FFF Chapter 18 on AO3

MOTM:FFF Chapter 18 on Stars

MOTM:FFF Chapter 18 on Wattpad

I was reading some romance novel on the patio while Charlie played on blanket in the shade. Edward was working out with Emmett, rehabbing his injury, a month and a half after the shooting. It was the weekend before my uncle’s wedding. They were running along the shoreline of the lake, rebuilding my husband’s endurance. He had a gnarly scar due to the infection, but he was healing and almost back to his pre-injury self.

“Mama,” chirped my son. He stood up on wobbly legs, using the chaise lounge to move closer to me. “Up!”

I put my book down, scooping my son onto my lap. “You thirsty, sweet boy?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, idly playing with my hair that was braided over my shoulder. I picked up a sippy cup from a cooler underneath the side table. It was cold and he eagerly drank the apple juice. “Dada!” He pointed at Edward and Emmett as they sprinted along the sand. My husband was creaming Emmett. They were laughing as they made their way toward the house. “Dada!”

“Kick his butt, Edward,” I cheered. He smiled as he darted on to the patio and slid to a stop behind my chaise. “Woo! That’s my man.”

“Hell, Edward. Even gimpy, you’re faster than me,” Emmett panted as he gripped the railing of our deck. He sat down heavily, rubbing his chest. “Can’t breathe …”

“Here, Em, have some water,” Edward said, handing water to his younger brother. Emmett just scowled at Edward, still breathing unevenly. “Hey, don’t look at me in that tone of voice. It’s not my fault that you’re so slow. It’s why you were on defense on the high school football team and I was the wide receiver.”

“I’m not slow,” Emmett muttered under his breath, slamming his water and pouring it over his dark curls. “You’re just freakishly fast, Edward. Damn.” I cleared my throat, arching a brow at Emmett and I held out my hand. “Come on, Bella! I’m dying here.”

“You owe Charlie, your adorable and malleable nephew, $15,” I smirked.

Edward reached into his pocket and handed his brother a small card that I had laminated for all the potty mouthed members of our family. Emmett’s jaw dropped. “Bella’s serious about this swear jar. Charlie is a little parrot. He repeats everything.”

“I’ll have to pay you later. I didn’t exactly bring my wallet,” Emmett grumbled. He looked down at his phone and he got up quickly. “I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Lauren at Chicago Title.”

“Did you purchase a home?” I asked. “I know you mentioned it, but I never heard anything after that initial conversation.”

“We did. I found a gorgeous home in Mom and Dad’s neighborhood,” Emmett said. “It’s further in and right along the lake, similar to this place, but on a smaller scale. It’s perfect for the two of us … and when the time is right, more.”

“Are you thinking of proposing?” Edward questioned, holding Charlie between his legs and idly playing with his son.

Emmett wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know. I love Lauren. We’re a good match …”

“You’re gun-shy,” I finished for him. “After what Rosalie did to you, cheating on you and everything else. I don’t blame you.”

“We’ll talk more,” Emmett said. He nodded before darting to the front of the house.

“What do you think about Emmett’s decision about Lauren?” I asked, standing up and picking up Charlie. It was getting warm and in the distance, I heard the faint rumble of thunder. Edward picked up the cooler, following me into the house. I put Charlie into his highchair, making us lunch. “Edward?”

“I don’t blame him for being hesitant. Rosalie raked him over the coals,” Edward answered. “But, to not marry Lauren? They are so well suited to each other. They make each other laugh. She grounds him, loving him despite his position within our family.” He pursed his lips. “Whatever he decides, I’ll support him. He needs to come to whatever realization he wants to make about Lauren on his own.”

“If I had to guess, they’ll get completely hammered and then elope,” I snickered, putting a sandwich in front of Edward.

Mobward, rehabbing his leg injury

Uncle Jimmy's bachelor party

Jasper, holding baby Sophie

Uncle Jimmy and Sue's wedding decor inspiration

Bella, Leah and Claire's bridesmaid dresses

Uncle Jimmy, Edward, and Seth's attire, minus the jacket

Charlie's wedding outfit

Sue's wedding dress

Yeah ... some schmexy times

Picking up the Pieces Update

Wait ... hold the phone ... Picking up the Pieces is being UPDATED! Holy crow! Enjoy ... Oh, and it's EPOV! Score!

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 15 on FicPad

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 15 on Stars

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 15 on AO3

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 15 on FFn

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 15 on Wattpad

 We returned from Vancouver, picking up John and Grace from Charlie and Renee’s. I dropped them off at Bella’s home, so I could get some more clothing. I tossed the clothes I’d worn on our trip into the hamper, but I didn’t want to. I could still smell Bella’s sweetness on the fabric. Memories of our time in the cabin, making love and sharing her body, they came rushing back. I wanted to feel her again. I needed to hold her in my arms, keep her with me forever.

My phone rang, and I picked it up. “Hello?”

“How was the trip?” asked Mom. “Did you ask her?”

“Ma,” I grumbled. “It’s too soon. I love Bella very much and I want to share my life with her, but if I ask now, she’ll bolt.”

“But, you have the ring,” Mom muttered, her pout evident. “Ask her soon, my sweet boy.”

I hummed noncommittally, wanting to do just that, but her trepidation prior to making love the first time was a clear indication that she was not ready for that. Not yet. But, I wanted to give my mother her wish. She pulled me aside at my birthday celebration and told me that her treatments were not working as effectively. She was still doing okay, but it was a matter of time before another opportunistic infection would steal her away. Her one wish was that she wanted to see me married before she died. She wanted Bella to be a part of our family. She wanted to love up on John and Grace, spoiling her adoptive grandchildren, if even for the final few months of her life.

“Edward?” Mom asked.

“Sorry,” I replied, shaking my head. “Just thinking about your comment. Your wish …”

“I don’t want to ruin what you have with Bella. Don’t push her, Edward,” she murmured. “Just love her. She’s been through hell …”

“She still is battling her demons,” I sighed. “But, she asked me to go to Phoenix with her after the Fourth. If I can I get the days off from Charlie, I’m going with her.”

“Charlie will give you the days,” Mom chuckled. “He adores you and I know that he thinks your good for Bella.” I blushed, smiling crookedly. “Will we see you on the Fourth? The parade? Fireworks?”

“I think so,” I nodded. “Call me if you need anything, Ma. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Edward,” she said.

We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. I finished packing and drove to Bella’s home. I parked in the driveway but left my bag in the car. I didn’t want to freak out John and Grace. They had accepted me into their lives. They loved me, and I adored them. However, I didn’t want them thinking that I was trying to replace their father. Jacob Black was a good man and he loved his children. He was their father. I’d gladly be a father figure, but I’d never be their dad. I should be upset about it, but I couldn’t be. Seeing Jacob’s devotion in the pictures I’d noticed scattered around the house, I knew Jake would have done anything for his kids. I would do my best to step in and do the same.

Walking up the steps, I rang the doorbell and John pulled the door open. He tugged on my hand, begging to throw the ball around. I chuckled, taking the baseball mitt and stood on the far end of the yard. As we played, Bella came out with Grace. She squealed, running to me and hugging my legs. I scooped her up, kissing her cheek. Bella limped, somewhat, toward us. I arched a brow and she just shook her head, her face flaming.