A Modern Day Fairy Tale Teaser

I sat on the couch after Masen left, holding the pendant in my hand. Tears fell down my cheeks, and I tried to wrap my head around everything that was going on. Masen was a freaking prince. He was royalty. Why would he want to be with a poor baker’s daughter? I meant it when I said that I was a nobody. I was treated like shit by my sister and I barely loved myself. How could I love someone else?

Shaking my head, I thought about his insistence on becoming our investor. Money and relationships … not a good combo. I didn’t want to … I was afraid that if something happened and he didn’t get his investment back, he’d sue our family. For certain, we’d be out on the streets.

I got up, grabbing a notebook from the kitchen and I made a t-chart of pros and cons of Masen helping us out of our financial dire straits. The pros far outweighed the cons. But, the biggest con was the possibility of losing him. He’d made me feel so special. I didn’t want to lose that relationship. If I was even capable of having that relationship. Hell, I mucked that up when I left this morning. 

God, I suck.

No, Alice sucks. She’s the one who was planting all this bullshit in your head that you’re a whore.

I added that to the con list and I pushed the paper away. I curled up, hugging my pillow and quietly sobbing until I heard the front door open. I sat up, watching as Alice stomped toward her bedroom. Her face was puffy, and she’d be crying. I looked back, watching my dad as he followed her. He closed the door, walking over to his recliner, sitting down stiffly. He looked at me, his eyes swirling with concern and anger. “What happened, Dad?” I asked.

“I’m worried about you, baby girl,” he said. “I heard you crying.” He also picked up my list, pointing to the last ‘con’ statement. “And this is total bullshit.” I bit my lip, holding the pillow. “Bells, I’m going to tell you what I told Alice. She’s turning eighteen in a matter of weeks. If she cannot pull her weight around here, she’s out. I already told her about how I was now considering going to the police for her stealing money from petty cash for her homecoming dress, which she didn’t even attend.”

“What?” I growled. “That’s total crap! She could have returned the dress and the money!”

“She returned the dress and kept the money,” Dad sneered. “Her boyfriend was suspended, supposedly. He couldn’t even go to the dance. So, yeah.” He looked at me. “Things are going to change here, Bells. You deserve happiness and since you’ve come home to take care of me, you haven’t had any happiness. You would get up before dawn, work like a dog and be berated by your younger sister. I’m so sorry.” His voice cracked, and he began crying. I shot up from the couch, hugging him tightly. I could feel his body tremble. “You shouldn’t have to shoulder this alone, Bella.”

“I do this because I love you, Daddy,” I whispered, rubbing his back. “I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

“But, at what cost?” he asked. He sat back, taking my face into his hands. “Masen told me about his offer to be our investor.”

“I told him that I needed think about it,” I said, sitting back on my haunches.

“I understand why you want to think about it, but I’m still the owner of the Swan Family Bakery,” he said, taking my hands in his. “I told him yes.”

“DAD!” I growled, standing up and glaring at him. “How … I … I can’t believe this!”

“Let me finish, baby girl,” Dad said sternly. “I showed him your plans and he said that he’d do some research, finding contractors and vendors to give us a good deal. While the shop is closed down for renovations, you’re taking time to yourself. Living your life. Sleeping in a real fucking bed.”

“You’re kicking me out?” I whimpered.

“No, Bells,” he murmured. “I’m giving you a chance to be happy. Does being with Masen make you happy?”

The One That Got Away Update

TOTGA Chapter 72 on FicPad

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TOTGA Chapter 72 on Stars

TOTGA Chapter 72 on FFn

TOTGA Chapter 72 on Wattpad

Edward dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a black paisley tie. He was anxiously pacing the bathroom trying to tie the tie, but it was too crooked. “Edward, stop,” Bella said, walking over to him and clumsily trying to help. It was useless because her right hand was encased in a cast from her recent wrist surgery. “Why are you nervous?”

“Because …” he whispered, stopping her fussing and kissing her forehead. She was also dressed for court, but she was in a conservative dress. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, cascading down her back. She looked far too beautiful for such a solemn day, but it was a necessary evil to put the Wicked Witch of South Beach away for a long, long time.

“Edward?”

“Because, seeing her will … people will know what she did,” he hissed, gripping Bella’s waist and his eyes drifting shut and a lone tear trickling down his pale cheek. “I’m not ashamed …”

“Baby,” Bella murmured. “I can see it in your eyes. You are ashamed with what happened. She violated your trust in more ways than one.” He blinked and looked at the woman who was holding him together. He cupped her cheek, wiping his thumb down her warm skin. “You’re a good man. A strong man. I’m sorry that she did that to you.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his cheek to her hair. “I am ashamed at what she did. I’m also pissed as hell, sweetness. She’s going to pay for what she did. With our statements, she’s going to go to jail for a long time.” He tipped her chin up, kissing her lips tenderly. “I love you, Bella. I’m sorry about being emo Edward.”

“You have every right to be emo Edward,” she giggled. “I’m not exactly a bowl of sunshine. This cast itches like a son of a bitch and where the staples were in my head, I have a nagging ache. I feel so badly that I’m so cranky most of the time.”

“You’re not cranky. You’re recovering,” he countered, turning and retying his tie, finally happy with its result. “Dr. Wells is happy with your progress.”

“I still get daily migraines and my vision is not what it should be,” she grumbled. “I may need to make an appointment with an eye doctor …”

“I’ll make one for you. My eye doctor is awesome,” Edward said, waggling his chic frames. Bella 

nodded, kissing his chin. “We should go, though. The prosecutor wants to go over our statements.”

“It makes me wonder why she pled guilty,” Bella mused.

“Me, too, but I’m not fighting it. If she wants to plead guilty, that’s her prerogative. I just pray that she’s not getting some sort of deal,” Edward sighed. He checked his watch. “Do you need a pain pill?”

“No. I mean, it hurts, but they make me kind of foggy,” she replied. “When we get back.” He wrinkled his nose, swiping the bottle and putting it into her purse. He threaded their hands together after he put the sling around Bella’s right arm. He kissed her forehead once more before sliding behind the wheel of his SUV. Backing out of the garage, he drove them to the Thirteenth Judicial Court House in Hillsborough County. Charlie, along with Seth, Sue and Jacob were waiting outside. Carlisle and Esme were planning on attending, but the kids were off school for the Thanksgiving break. Besides, the hatred they had for the former daughter-in-law was barely contained. So, they decided to stay back, prepare for Thanksgiving, using their little minions to help with the preparations. 

The One That Got Away Teaser

Edward’s car had been towed. Apparently, he parked in a tow zone or in the chief of staff’s spot, or something. It was open and he didn’t honestly care. He called his parents and Carlisle arrived. “Edward, I’ll get the whole car thing situated,” his father said, flustered for his son. “Dr. Holt is a douchebag.”

“Whatever,” Edward said, shrugging sullenly. “I don’t care about the car. I don’t care about anything but seeing my kids and having Bella open her eyes.” He looked at his father. “How are they?”

“Asleep with your mother in our bedroom,” Carlisle said. “Liam is pissed and Lucy … she’s just lost, heartbroken.”

“I’m going to get them some help. This was a nightmare and it’s impacted their lives,” Edward sighed, leaning his head back in Carlisle’s Mercedes. “I’m also going to keep them home tomorrow. I don’t want them to be the butt of other kids’ jokes. And with their scantily clad, biological mother getting carted off in handcuffs … that would definitely make them a huge target.”

“I’d do it for the rest of the week. Send them back on Monday, after they’ve met with a counselor,” Carlisle said, squeezing his son’s shoulder. “Their birth mother tried to kidnap them. It’s going to take time for them to feel safe. They’re going to need their father and their mother.”

“Too bad their mother is in a hospital bed, in a medically-induced coma,” Edward scoffed, his emerald eyes hardening. “They won’t be okay until Bella’s home.”

“You may want to call her boss and explain the situation,” Carlisle said. “Bella’s belongings are in the backseat.” He gulped and slid a glance over to Edward as he found Bella’s cell phone. “The attack has been on television, too, Edward. Bella’s name or the children, they haven’t been mentioned, but Tanya’s face was splashed all over the newscasts.”

“Great,” Edward grumbled, opening Bella’s cell phone and finding her boss’s cell phone number. He pressed the button and waited. “Hello, Sarah?”

“Edward, why are you calling using Bella’s phone?” Sarah asked.

“Look, today, Bella was in an incident involving my ex-wife. Have you seen the news?” Edward asked.

“Tanya Denali is your wife? She tried to kidnap your kids?” Sarah breathed. “Are they okay?”

“Ex-wife, yes. And they’re physically unharmed, but emotionally, a mess. Bella, however, is hospitalized with a head injury and a fractured wrist,” Edward said. “I know that she’s new to the university, but she’s obviously going to need some time off.”

“Oh, my word! Yes!” Sarah said. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything. Tell Bella to get better soon and that I’m thinking about her.”

“Sarah, it’s serious,” Edward whispered. “I don’t …” His heart cracked, along with his voice.

“Edward, she’ll be okay,” Sarah replied. “And I’ll take care of everything.”

“Thank you,” Edward sighed. “I appreciate it.”