Married to the Mob: Fighting for Freedom Teaser

Bella was released from the hospital two days after she gave birth. Charlie, however, had to stay for longer since he was jaundiced. My wife was a bit anxious at leaving the hospital without our son, but after taking a long shower and sleeping in our bed for a few hours, Bella was refreshed. When we were able to take him home, three days after his birth, we arrived at our house with the entire family waiting for us.

“Oh, wow,” Bella breathed from the backseat. She wanted to watch over Charlie as I drove us home. “Everyone is here!”

“They were all very excited when they received the text of Charlie’s birth,” I said, pulling around the circle of our driveway. “He’s the first grandchild of the Cullen clan. Charlie will be completely adored.”

“Spoiled is more like it,” Bella giggled, brushing her fingers through Charlie’s wispy, mahogany hair. “Be prepared, little one.” She opened the car door once I stopped and carefully lifted the car seat from back of the SUV. I took the car seat from her since she was still very sore from giving birth. I carried Charlie toward our family and my mother danced over to us, cooing at my son.

“Mom, you’re freaking him out,” I laughed. “Let’s get inside and Charlie out of his car seat.”

My mother took the car seat from my hands and walked into the house. Alice, Sue, Lauren, Nina and Claire followed my mom inside. I just watched them as Bella walked over to me, her brows raised. “She’s been itching to love up on her first grandson since she met him the day after he was born,” Bella giggled, sliding her arms around my waist. “Sue hogged him, or so Esme said.”

“He’s our kid,” I snorted. “If anyone should hog him, it’s us, dammit!”

“Well, we got an hour or so for them to spoil him before I get to whip out my boob for his afternoon feeding,” Bella said, wrinkling her nose.

“You don’t have to breastfeed, Bella,” I murmured, helping her inside and putting Charlie’s diaper bag just inside the door.

“I don’t mind it, when it’s just us,” she shrugged. “It’s my body and I don’t want to be on display. That cover up that I got from Angela is too hot. My hormones are still out of whack.”

“This is our house and if you want to take Charlie upstairs to feed him, you do that,” I whispered, taking her face in my hands. Her eyes were weary and her face was pale, but she was still so beautiful. “And yes, it is your body. The only who gets to see it is me and my son.”

She blushed, looking at me and threading our fingers together. “You like watching me feed him?”

“It’s so natural and beautiful, Bella,” I breathed, leaning my forehead to hers. “To see the two of you bond that way? I never thought I’d see anything as perfect.”

“Yeah, with my post-natal preggo belly, stretch marks and huge boobs,” she deadpanned. “I feel so unattractive.”

“You’re anything but unattractive, Bella. Despite being exhausted and having given birth a few days ago, you’re the most gorgeous and ravishing woman I’ve ever known,” I explained, helping her into the family room. I sat down in my recliner and I pulled Bella onto my lap. Blinking up, I saw Mrs. Cope fluttering in the kitchen, making lunch and from what I could smell, dinner as well.

“He’s the most adorable baby I’ve ever seen,” my mother crooned, balancing Charlie on her legs. He was in an outfit given to us by Leah, who was at school at the moment. “He’s so inquisitive.”

“He’s trying to make sense of the weirdos staring at him, Ma,” Emmett laughed as he sat down on the ottoman with his girlfriend. “You’re making contorted faces, confusing the hell out of him.”

“Language, Emmett,” Dad chided, sitting on the arm of the couch.

“Sorry,” he chuckled, winking at me and Bella. “With a little one, we’ll have to all curtail our colorful language. Eddie is probably the worst.”

“Shut up, Emmett,” I growled, scowling at my little brother. “If anyone has to curtail our language, it’s you. And don’t call me Eddie.”

Charles Edward Masen Cullen