Chapter 17

Creating Bonds

CPOV

After talking with Edward, I had to admit my entire opinion of him has changed. I couldn't believe he actually had the balls to come and talk to me and, though I gave him a hard time, he stood his ground for my baby girl. I couldn't help but respect a man like that. I knew something was different about him when I first met him, but my pride, as usual, got in the way and I didn't want to admit that Bella was doing just fine without me. It's a bittersweet feeling when you finally discover that your baby doesn't need you to hold their hand anymore. You feel both proud and sad.

"Did you make sure to pack your toiletries that were in the bathroom, Charlie?" My beautiful wife, Renee, broke me out of my daydreaming.

"Yes, dear, I have them all packed."

"Good, because our ride to the airport will be here any moment. It was so nice of Edward to get one of his friends to drive us to the airport."

My wife couldn't stop talking about what a wonderful young man she thought Edward was and how she couldn't wait for them to come to California. The room phone rang. It was the front desk letting us know our ride was downstairs and that a bellhop was on his way up to get our bags.

"Hello sir, ma'am; my name is Seth." A young man, who looked young enough to still be in high school said, tipping his hat and opening the door to the limo for us to get in.

"Hi Seth, I'm Renee and this is Charlie. This was so nice of Edward to have his co-worker give us a ride to the airport, and in such a nice limo."

Seth got a weird look on his face, but recovered fast as he closed the door behind us.

"Charlie, look at this limo; I mean, this is top of the line."

I nodded my head in agreement, trying not to show how impressed I was with what I saw. I had to admit, this limo had every luxury that a man would want. A large TV screen, a fully stocked bar with alcohol and snacks, a mini fridge, a sink surrounded by a small marble counter and a blue light that seemed to outline everything. The leather seats were so comfortable, I felt like they were hugging me. There had to be enough seating to fit at least 10 more people back there with us.

"Mr. and Mrs. Swan, are there any other stops you will need to make on the way to the airport?" Seth asked, once he was seated in the front.

"No, you guys have done enough; I wouldn't want anyone to get into trouble. Let's just get to the airport so you can get back." I answered, as Seth pulled away from the curb. Edward had turned out to be a really good guy, who honestly loves my daughter. I would hate for him to get in trouble or, worse, lose his job trying to do me and Renee a favor.

"There are beverages in the fridge and snacks on the bar; please help yourself."

"Oh, thank you." Renee said, reaching to open the fridge.

"Renee, we probably shouldn't; I'm sure that, just like in hotel rooms, the amenities are not free and I wouldn't want this young man's inventory to come up short. That could get him into some serious hot water. We can get snacks at the airport, honey."

"I didn't think about that, Charlie; you're probably right."

When I looked up, I saw Seth smirking in the rearview mirror.

"It's really okay, you guys are welcome to anything back there; I won't get into trouble, trust me." He replied, smiling.

"Okay, if you insist." I responded, grabbing a soda and a bag of chips.

We made it to the airport in no time; while Seth got our bags out of the trunk, I reached into my pocket to get him out a tip. I held out a $20.00 bill for him, but, of course, he refused.

"I can't take that, sir."

"Sure you can; if you weren't driving us around, you would be driving someone else and they would probably have tipped you. So this is for the money we probably made you miss."

"I really appreciate your generosity, but, trust me, I didn't miss out on any money."

"All right, I tried. Edward really didn't have to do this. I mean really, what would the owner of this expensive limo say if he or she knew he was using it for personal favors? I'm sure they wouldn't approve."

"Sir, Mr. Cullen is the owner."

"Who's Mr. Cullen?"

"Edward, sir; his full name is Edward Cullen."

"What?!"

"You mean to tell me that Edward owns this limo?" Renee asked, while I stood silent, trying to process what Seth had just revealed.

"Yes ma'am, but he doesn't just own this one; there are thirteen more just like it. He also owns a handful of short body limos."

"Oh my, that is wonderful! What a successful young man he is. "

I stood there, still trying to wrap my head around what I had just learned. I'm not ashamed to admit I felt a little embarrassed for treating him the way I did.

"Oh, Charlie, for heaven's sake, close your mouth and get our bags before we miss our flight." My wife said, breaking me out of the shock I was in.

Well, I'll be damned; the kid was rich and yet he never once gloated or bragged. I really liked this Edward guy!

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BPOV

Dinner with my parents was a breath of fresh air. I don't know how he did it, but, somehow, Edward won my father over, which is saying a lot. Charlie is very stubborn and is not easily persuaded. None the less, I couldn't have been more thrilled at the sight of them talking and laughing together.

"Babe, why do you look so nervous?" Edward asked, as he fixed his tie in the mirror.

"Maybe, because I am; what if she doesn't like me?"

"Then she'll have me to deal with; besides, that's not going to happen. I love you and my mom will, too, I promise." He said, planting a kiss on my forehead before walking out of his bedroom.

He stopped right outside the door when he noticed I was still sitting on his bed.

"Are you coming, or am I going to have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here?

Downstairs, Seth waited for us in one of Edwards stretch limos. We were picking up his mom and cousin, Rose, from the airport and then heading straight to Edward's graduation. As we sat at the terminal waiting, I couldn't stop my heart from racing.

"You are going to bite a hole right through that beautiful lip of yours if you don't stop worrying it." Edward commented as he used his index finger to gently remove my bottom lip from my teeth.

"I can't help it, Edward; it's been a very long time since I've had to meet someone's mom."

"I understand, love, but, I promise you that my mother will take one look at you and fall in love, just like I did." He finished by placing a kiss right under my ear, which caused all of my hormones to react.

"Sir, there's your mom." Seth announced and got out to help them.

Edward quickly pulled away and opened the door to get out pulling me with him.

The moment I saw her, I knew who she was, because her son was her twin, except he had shorter hair. She had the same head of reddish copper hair, same gorgeous smile, and same dazzling emerald green eyes.

"Edward! Oh, my handsome son! I missed you so much; you haven't come out to see me in three months."

"I know, mom; I'm sorry. I've just been a little busier these days than usual." He replied, looking at her with a shy smile."

When Edward's mother finally pulled back, her eyes immediately fell to our joined hands. Her smile grew even bigger.

"Well, what do we have here? You are absolutely beautiful. I'm Esme, Edward's mother." She offered.

"Mom, this is Bella, my girlfriend."

"Hello, Mrs. Cullen, it's so nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

"Well, I haven't heard enough about you, obviously; good thing we have the next two weeks to catch up and, please, call me Esme." Esme said, smiling at her son.

"Who are you, again?" a gorgeous, tall blonde standing behind Esme asked.

"Rose!" Edward and his mom both yelled at the same time.

"What? I'm just trying to find out who's dating my cousin. There's no harm in that."

"Hello to you, too, Rose." Edward responded, giving her a hug.

"Bella this is my cousin, Rosalie; Rose this is my beautiful Bella."

"Hello, nice to meet you." I said, although I wasn't quite sure if I really felt that way.

"Charmed." Was her only response and she didn't bother to even shake the hand that I offered her.

"Edward, I hope you have plenty of spare time because I need to shop for the perfect wedding dress and New York has some of the best designers in the country.

"I'll try to see what I can do Rose about making myself available." Edward told her with an eye roll as he opened the door for us, while Seth finished putting their luggage in the trunk.

Esme and Rose sat across from us. While his mom couldn't stop smiling, Rose looked bored and disinterested.

"Honey, I'm so happy for you getting your Master's Degree. Your father would be so proud of you. We must have done something right to get a son like you."

"Thanks, mom, and don't start crying; I haven't even walked across the stage yet."

"I know; I can't help it."

"So, Rose, who's the unlucky guy?" Edward asked his cousin, grinning.

"Edward." His mother said in warning.

"I'm just joking, mom."

"For your information, his name is Emmett."

"Emmett who?"

"McCarty; why? Do you know him?"

"Not yet, but I'll get the info I need on him soon enough."

"He's a good guy, Edward; and he is crazy about your cousin here. He spoils her rotten every chance he gets."

"Oh, like Rose needs someone else catering to her." Edward joked and Rose stuck out her tongue at him.

"So Bella, dear, what do you do for a living?" Esme questioned, smiling that sweet smile at me.

Oh no, not that question already; my heart sank as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I'm um…I'm actually in between jobs right now. I have a degree in marketing, so I hope I find something soon." I finished, looking down.

Edward squeezed my hand giving me a reassuring smile.

"So, you don't work?" Rose asked.

"No, not at the moment."

"How long have you been unemployed?"

"Rose!" Edward warned.

"It's okay, Edward; I've been without a job for two months, but I have enough saved up to get by just fine." I replied, looking her directly in the eyes.

"I'm sure you'll find something soon, dear." Esme commented, as she reached across, patting my hand.

In no time at all, we pulled up to the auditorium entrance to the school. Edward immediately hopped out and took me with him, while Seth assisted Esme and Rosalie. Edward gave me a quick kiss before rushing off to put on his cap and gown and find his classmates.

"Esme, how are you?" I turned to see Jake standing behind us and he smiled as he approached.

"Jake, oh my, are you ever going to stop growing?" Esme commented and she gave Jake a hug.

"Hey, Jake, how are you?" I said, giving him a quick hug.

"Good, Bella, how are you?" He asked and I knew from the look on his face he was speaking of my relationship with Edward.

I hadn't seen or talked to Jake since the day he left my apartment when Edward came over unexpectedly, so I hadn't filled him in on anything. Although, I'm quite sure that Edward did.

"I couldn't be better, Jake. Things are moving along better than I ever imagined" I replied, beaming.

"Great, I'm so glad to hear that; now I don't have to beat up my best friend."

"No, please don't, he's kind of special to me." I responded laughing.

When I looked over at Esme, she was looking back and forth between the two of us with a somewhat confused expression.

"Do you two know each other?" Rose piped in.

"Yes, we do, Rose; Bella and I grew up together in San Jose, California and were best friends until high school."

"What a small world. What are the odds of you dating my son who is now best friends with your childhood best friend? Talk about destiny!" Esme remarked, smiling back and forth between the two of us.

"How have you been, Rose?" Jake asked, giving her a hug and I could see the stars in his eyes. He liked Rose, and not just as a friend; too bad she was engaged to be married already.

"I'm well, Jake, and you?"

"I can't complain; not that anyone would care or listen anyway."

"Someday, you're going to find someone who does care and will listen." Rose responded to him with a wink and I made a mental note to ask Jake about that little exchange later.

Jake smiled so wide his face should have been hurting. Esme pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number. A few minutes later, she announced that Edward's grandparents were seated already and were holding seats for us so we needed to make our way inside.

The ceremony lasted a lot longer than I planned and I had to laugh when they finally start calling the graduates' names and Edward's grandmother had to wake his grandfather up. When they called Edward's name, we all yelled out, effectively causing him to look up and smile as he accepted his degree. After the ceremony, we headed out to celebrate over lunch. After lunch, we all headed back to Edward's apartment, where his mom and Rose would be staying for the next week. I was kind of sad knowing I would have to stay at my own house while they were in town. Edward even tried to convince me that it was okay to stay over, but I thought better of it. His mom and cousin see him far less than I do and I wouldn't want to impose on their time with him.

"You know, I'm not going to get any sleep if you aren't lying beside me."

"You'll manage; besides, you have your mother and your cousin to entertain for the next week. Then, you're all mine." I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Edward and I still had not slept together, but, we have definitely had some hot and heavy make out sessions.

"So, Bella, Rose and I are planning to pamper ourselves at a spa in Manhattan while we are here; please join us. I'm dying to get to know my future daughter-in-law better."

"Mom! Would you cool it? You're going to run her away talking like that." Edward warned; I don't think I'd ever seen his face that flushed.

Edward looked over at me and mouthed an 'I'm sorry'. I shook my head, letting him know it was fine and that his mother had done nothing wrong.

"Mom, I'm going to take Bella home; I should be back shortly."

"Take your time; we're not kids, Edward." Rosalie commented, glaring at Edward.

"Rose, shut up; I was talking to my mother."

"Don't tell me to shut up! Some needs to teach you some manners…"

"All right you two, enough! Bella's going to think we are a family of buffoons! Edward, we will see you when you get back, okay?"

"All right, mom." Edward answered back, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek."

"Goodbye, Esme, goodbye, Rosalie; it was so nice meeting both of you."

"The pleasure was all mine, Bella. I'm looking forward to spending more time with you."Esme replied, smiling sweetly as she pulled me into a motherly hug.

Maybe this week would not be so bad after all.

A/N: Hey everyone I hope you guys enjoyed chapter 17. I also hoped I answered some of your questions. If not, please shoot me a PM and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and please leave a review.