Worth the Fight Teaser

 “It’s starting again,” Jasper said, pointing to the television. “James appears to be in better shape.”

Edward frowned, holding Bella’s hand as he watched the fight continue. James played defense, only taking a few punches. He mainly blocked Emmett’s blows. The fight continued along this vein until the second to the last round. Emmett was getting tired, but still put everything into the fight. When the bell indicated the end of the round, James flew at Emmett and rapidly hitting him in the head. Emmett fell onto the ground, clearly unconscious. The bell rang consistently as Charlie and Caius moved to pull James off Emmett.

“Bells, why did he do that?” Rose asked, her voice sounding hysterical. “Why did he attack my monkey man after the round was over?”

“I don’t know, Rose,” Bella said, moving to crouch in front of Rosalie.

“Oh, fuck! He’s seizing!” Charlie growled on the television.

“Bella!” Rose cried, gripping Bella’s arms. Her face was contorted in anguish, terror. “I need to get to Emmett!”

“We’ll get us there,” Bella whispered quietly, gesturing for someone to turn off the television. She handed Edward her phone. “On my phone, there’s a number for … a private charter company.”

“Bensen Aviation?” Edward asked, arching a brow as he scrolled through her contacts.

“Make arrangements for Rose, Alice and me to fly to Portland,” she pleaded, hugging her hysterical friend who was inconsolable.

“I want to go, too. You may need legal representation,” Jasper growled. “I can be the spokesperson for the gym.”

Edward nodded, stepping out of the family room, which had been filled with a cacophony of sounds – mainly of shock and anger. He made arrangements for Bella, Rose, Alice, and Jasper to fly up to Portland. The pilot, a close friend of Charlie’s, waived the cost of the private charter and promised wheels up in an hour.

A Modern Day Fairy Tale Update

AMDFT Chapter 46 on FicPad

AMDFT Chapter 46 on FFn

AMDFT Chapter 46 on AO3

AMDFT Chapter 46 on Wattpad

AMDFT Chapter 46 on Stars

The next few days passed by in a blur. Esme came to visit each day, but I stayed hidden out in my room. I used Rachel’s tablet to watch television, using her Netflix account. I didn’t really pay attention. It was just noise. Billy listened to me as I told him the full story of what happened, starting with my mom’s death, my dad’s illness and my sister’s hatred. He knew the rest of the story, with the media because Jake had told him when we spoke to him about my flying out to Washington state.

When I wasn’t talking to Billy, I was starting rehab with Rachel. She’d removed my stitches and I was trying to strengthen my knee. She brought some materials from the hospital and worked with me when she was off work before going back to her house on the reservation. Eventually, I had to go back to New York. I couldn’t stay hidden in La Push forever.

After a week of constant visits, Esme came back. She was still dressed casually, but I could tell that she was leaving. She was still upset. “I need to fly back to New York,” she said, her voice cracking. “Bella, I understand that we may never be okay. I’ll never be able to regain that trust.”

“You’ve got that right,” I muttered under my breath.

“Hate me all you want, but don’t throw away your relationship with Masen because of my mistakes,” Esme said, sitting down across from me and taking my hand. I stared at her; my lips pursed. “I know you still love him.”

“That hasn’t changed, Esme,” I whispered. “But, I’m not good enough. He deserves someone …”

“Like you,” Esme said, pulling me closer. “You are good enough. You’re better than good enough. You’re better than me, Bella.” She stood up, kissing my forehead. I pulled back, turning my face away. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could take my hurtful words back. I wish I could be a better person and make it all better.” She put something on the table. “This is a ticket back to New York. Well, tickets. I know that you can’t maneuver the airports on your own because of your injury. I’ve also …”

“I don’t want your money, Esme,” I scoffed. “I don’t want the press to label me as a gold digger.” Esme looked at me, her brows furrowed. “I can take care of myself. I’ve done it most of my life.”

“It’s a gift, Bella,” she murmured. “Come home, sweet girl. Please?”

I didn’t respond. Esme brushed her hand down my hair once more before ducking out of the house. Billy came into the living room, taking the seat that Esme was sitting in. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know that she is right, in her own way,” Billy said. “Bella, I know that woman broke your heart. I understand your pain. You feel betrayed by someone who you thought loved you.”

“Who betrayed you?” I asked.

“Rachel’s sister, Rebecca,” Billy answered. “After my injury, ending my police career, I fell into myself. I was agoraphobic and afraid of everything. Rachel and Jake were understanding. Rebecca, she told me to buck up and deal with my issues. It was her that essentially forced me into this exile, away from my son and terrified of being injured again. She pushed me out into the world before I was ready and I fell apart. Rebecca called me weak while her siblings reamed her out for being heartless and cruel. I couldn’t handle being in New York, so I left. I came here. Rachel and Jake refuse to talk to Rebecca because she refused to believe that her way was right.”

“It’s not,” I frowned.

“No, it’s not. My shrink disagreed with her and every other counselor said she caused more harm than anything,” Billy said. “I love my daughter, but I can’t forgive her. Not yet. She hurt me. She hurt her siblings. All because she felt that I was too weak to deal with my injuries and the aftermath of my injuries. Now, you have a chance to get your man.”

“He probably hates me,” I whispered. “I left without saying good bye. I left my engagement ring.”

“I think he understands, Bella,” Billy said, squeezing my hands. His smile was sincere and from the twinkle in his eyes, it seemed like he knew more than he was letting on.

Rachel Black

Living Room at Billy's

Billy Black

Queen Esme of Gevalia

Private Jet

Oliver, tech guru who swept Rachel off her feet

A Modern Day Fairy Tale Teaser

Bella was curled up on my lap, sleeping deeply as we flew over the Atlantic, hurdling to Teterboro. We’d left very early the following morning, only to be delayed due to a nasty storm. I’d also been a horny bastard the preceding night, keeping her up just to make love to her and feel as close as possible.

As we flew back away from Spain, I just relished in her soft hair, pliant body and completely relaxed form. I know Bella was excited to be going home. There was, however, a lingering fear in her eyes. And it niggled in my brain, too. She was terrified of the paparazzi. She’d handled them like a champ at the New Year’s Eve Gala and again at the Louvre. They were contained in those instances, with specific rules that had to follow. The paps were different out in the wild. They could be ruthless, cunning and even deadly. 

Need I remind you of Princess Diana? I still had anxiety when we approached that stretch of road where Diana had been run off the road all those years ago.

“Your Highness, we’re approaching our destination. We’re about fifteen minutes away from Teterboro,” said the flight attendant. “Lady Bella needs to be back in her own seat.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing Bella’s temple. The attendant left, settling down in her own seat near the cockpit. I brushed Bella’s hair away and stared at her sleeping face. She was so relaxed, so beautiful. “Cherie, wake up.” I brushed my lips over her forehead.

“Hmmm,” Bella retorted grumpily as she snuggled closer. “No … Sleep.”

I laughed, shifting her so she was back in her own seat. She blinked up at me, her eyes bleary and her face flushed. I  stared at her as she rubbed her eyes and shifted to get comfortable. “We can sleep once we get back to the penthouse. Jake is waiting for us.”

“I would like to see my dad,” she pouted.

“Bella, it’s almost midnight. He’s probably asleep. We can go see him tomorrow,” I said, buckling her into her seat.

“I’m not a baby, Masen,” she grumbled, giving me a wry grin. “I could have buckled my own seatbelt.”

“It gives me an opportunity to touch you, Bella,” I snickered. “Are you okay?”

“Other than tired and wanting to curl up next to you in bed? I’m fine,” she answered, with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m glad we’re home, but completely jetlagged. I want to sleep for days.”

“Well, you can lavish in my penthouse. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning,” I said, threading our fingers together. Her nose wrinkled as she looked at me. “A royal’s work is never done. You can relax and then go visit your dad tomorrow after you get caught up on sleep.”

“A meeting?” she asked.

“It was actually scheduled for about six hours ago. I have to meet with my staff at the consulate,” I smirked. “Get finalized details for my remaining time in the states.” Bella’s brow furrowed and she moved in her seat. “What is it?”

“I know that Gevalia is your home,” she muttered. “I just hate that there’s a finite amount of time we have together.”