La Musica del Cuore Teaser

Yawning, I stretched my body. I blinked my eyes open and saw the sun creeping over the horizon. I squinted at the clock and saw it was a little after seven in the morning. I went upstairs, exhausted after sharing our news with our families and meeting Kellan’s parents, it was a little after three in the afternoon. “Nugget, you knocked Momma out,” I whispered to my flat tummy. Then, I felt my stomach lurch. “In more ways than two.” I shot up and ran into the bathroom, throwing up my breakfast from the day before.

I felt Edward behind me, rubbing my back before holding my hair back. I retched for what felt like forever. I fell back, my face covered in sweat. “I don’t like that part of pregnancy,” I croaked.

“I don’t like seeing you hunched over a toilet first thing in the morning, Bella,” Edward said, reaching up and grabbing a washcloth, dampening it and wiping my face. “We need to make an appointment with our doctor at home.”

I leaned against my husband’s body, nodding. “After we find out about Pandora. Were they really involved? And I want to see Kellan, too.” He pulled me into his lap and cradled me against his chest. His hands went directly to my stomach, rubbing it tenderly. “Are you surprised?”

“That you’re pregnant?” he asked, his hands moving to cradle my belly. “Or, about what happened?”

“Us being pregnant,” I whispered. “I wanted to try after the tour, but knowing that we’re going to have a baby … a baby …” He smiled crookedly, his large warm hand on my skin. “Our love created this, Edward.”

“We did,” he breathed. “I really want to lose myself in you, Bella.”

“Me, too,” I whispered, but my stomach lurched. I shot up off his lap and threw up again. Edward stayed by my side as I continued to throw up. “This is …”

“I’m going to get Carlisle,” he said.

“Can you get me some shorts and a t-shirt?” I asked as he got up. He did, helping me in them before he darted out of the bedroom. Carlisle came back, sleep rumpled and bleary eyed, but carrying a few things. “I’m sorry, Carlisle.”

“Don’t apologize, Bella,” he said, crouching down in front of me. “Have you had morning sickness?”

“My stomach was off, but I never threw up. Not this much,” I said, smiling weakly. “I don’t want to take a medication to settle my stomach.”

“Your best bet is to eat small meals throughout the day,” Carlisle said. He handed me some cheese crackers and a small can of ginger ale. “Nibble on this. While you’re getting your strength back, I’ll do some further research on how to help you with the morning sickness. Do you have your computer, Edward?”

“Yeah. Let me get that for you,” Edward said. Going into the bedroom, he rummaged through his bags. He handed his father his laptop. “I don’t know if there’s Wi-Fi.”

“I’m certain there’s Wi-Fi,” he quipped, taking the computer. He stood up, giving me a tender smile. “I can tell you that the worse the morning sickness, the less likely you’ll be in having a miscarriage.”

“So, as long as I keep puking, I won’t lose your grandbaby?” I snorted. Carlisle shrugged, kissing my forehead and walking out of the bedroom. I sipped the drink and nibbled on the crackers. Edward was sitting on the toilet, hovering anxiously. “I’m okay, baby.”

“You look grey,” he said, wrinkling his nose.

“I need to eat. I only had breakfast yesterday,” I said. “I didn’t think I’d sleep straight through to this morning.”

“We both didn’t sleep well the night before, Bella,” he said, moving to sit next to me on the bathtub. His fingers traced down my clammy cheek and I shivered. “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m horny, but I’m afraid I’m going to puke all over you,” I snickered. He pressed a kiss to my temple and sighed against my skin. “I love you, Edward. I heard you last night … or, I think I did.”

“I think you did, too. You were smiling when I pulled you into my arms,” he said, handing me my soda. “You and Nugget are the two most important things in my world, Bella. If the tour is too much, we’re done. We’ll walk away.”

“I think we just need to meet with our doctor and get some real answers, Edward,” I said. “But, after we find out more about Pandora, Max, Kellan and the investigation.” I snuggled against him.

The One That Got Away Teaser

“Edward, it’s Thanksgiving,” Jenks grumbled. “It’s before dawn on Thanksgiving. What the fuck, man?”

Edward was down in the kitchen, trying to stay quiet. After they returned from court, they both crashed and slept. Edward stayed in bed as long as he could, but he was anxious to get ahold of Jenks to start the beginning of his plan for his happily ever after. “I need adoption papers.”

“Who are you adopting?” Jenks yawned.

“Not for me, you idiot,” Edward hissed. “For Bella. I want her to adopt the twins. I don’t know if you heard …”

“Yeah, I did. Perez is a good guy and he told me about the case when met up for our bowling league,” Jenks said. “Adoption papers. Got it. I’ll work on that on Monday.”

“Good. That’s good,” Edward murmured. “I want to propose to her … have the kids help me …” He blew out a breath. “I need something good to come out of all of this. Bella is the only thing keeping me sane.”

“I can imagine, Edward. Do the kids know?” Jenks asked.

“I’m going to talk to them today. We’re celebrating Thanksgiving at my parents’ house. Charlie, Sue, Seth and Leah, Sue’s kids, are spending it with us, too. I’m going to pull them aside and ask if they want Bella to officially be their mother and if they were okay with me marrying her,” Edward whispered.

“Excellent plan, Edward. I’ll get the paperwork started and it should be ready to go before the end of the year,” Jenks explained. “Now, let me go back to fucking sleep. It’s still before dawn, asshole.”

“Sorry,” Edward chuckled. “But, I am a paying client. You did give me your cell phone number to call you anytime.”

“I’m changing my fucking number, Cullen,” he grumbled. “I’m going back to bed, snuggling up with my hot wife. I’ll talk to you later. Happy Thanksgiving.” He ended the call abruptly, making Edward laugh.

He went to his to-do list and crossed off ‘calling Jenks.’ Next, Edward started looking for engagement rings. He had no idea what he wanted or what Bella wanted, but something unique, special was important. He perused rings until his eyes crossed and all the rings looked the same. When he heard Bella shuffle around upstairs, he closed his laptop and began making coffee and preparing breakfast for them. She walked down the stairs, looking bedraggled and sleepy. Her hair was a rat’s nest, but he never thought she looked more beautiful. “I missed my snuggle buddy,” she yawned, padding over to him and sliding her arm around his waist.

“I restless and I didn’t want to disturb you, sweetness,” he said, kissing her forehead. She hummed, putting her head on his chest. 

The Magic Within Teaser

Waking up, I was warm. Very warm. My entire being was on fire and it felt amazing. Blinking my eyes open, everything seemed sharper, more colorful and more in focus. The smells of the room were more fragrant. Some, not so pleasant, but I was more aware of them. Looking down, I saw that Bella was curled on my chest, her cheeks flushed and her face relaxed. The bruises on her face had faded significantly and her hair was draped over my chest in mahogany curls.

This is not good. She’s my client.

I tried to move her, but Bella tightened her arms around me, whimpering quietly. She snuggled closer, burying her nose into my neck. “Bella,” I whispered, trying loosen her hold on me. She sighed, her eyes fluttering against my neck. I felt her smile. “Um, this is awkward,” I laughed.

“No. It’s nice,” she giggled, her hand gliding across my belly. “You’re like a human ‘Chillow.’ You know, one of those pillows that are constantly cold? It feels so nice against my heated skin.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it,” I said, rubbing her back. “As nice as this is, you’re still my client. And this is crossing so many lines that are highly unethical and very unprofessional. You want to divorce your husband? Your husband. You’re still legally married to him. You don’t want to give him proof of you cheating.”

“We’re not cheating, Edward,” she said, sitting up and giving me a mock glare. “We fell asleep and it’s not like we had sex.”

“There was snuggling,” I chuckled. “Snuggling usually leads to other things, like sex.” I pinched my nose, sliding out of the bed and padding to the window. I leaned against the frame, watching as ice cracked from my hands. I had to get my temper under control. “I have to finish the order of protection and get it submitted to the court. I’m sorry.” I stomped to the nightstand, grabbing my laptop and smiling tightly at Bella before I ducked into my room. I sent a text to Carmen.

I don’t know if I can handle this case with Bella ~ Edward

Too bad … you’re stuck with her. Trust me ~ Carm

“Fuck,” I spat. I dialed her, sneaking into the bathroom. “Carmen, pick up the damn phone.”

“Edward, I’m holding firm on this,” she said as she answered the phone call. “You have to trust me.”

“You know something,” I said. “And it’s not about her case. Why are you so insistent that I work with her?”

“Do you know where I live?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve been to your house numerous times. Christmas party? Marcus’s birthday? Heidi’s wedding thingy?” I snorted.

“Just to the north of my house is a gated home. The pin number to enter is 1918. Meet me there after you file Bella’s order of protection,” Carmen said. “I need you to know more than what I can tell you over the phone.”

“Carm?” I barked.

“Just be there, Edward,” she said. “I’ll explain everything. I promise.” Before I could respond, she hung up. I got another text, too. I’ll pick up Bella. I think that staying at the hotel is not an option much longer. Jacob, Bella’s husband, came to the office looking for her. I don’t know how he figured it out, but I’m on my way to pick her up.