The Devil Charming's
The Part 38
“No bond is stronger than blood except love.” They say all good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you...
*****
Lizbeth clasped Edward's hand and led him to enter a magnificent mansion no less large than Edward's mansion. A sudden nervousness overcame him, causing the man beside him to stare at Lizbeth with his eyebrows raised.
“You're nervous, mistress?” Edward asked in a flat tone that made Lizbeth nod just like that.
“I've only met mommy a few times, and it's been a long time after we've been through so many things, I..” Lizbeth sighed for a moment before continuing her sentence which felt a little awkward for her to say. “I...missing mommy.”
Edward reviewed a faint smile and suddenly landed his kiss on Lizbeth's pilipis gently while stroking his thumb on Lizbeth's hand he held. “I also miss mom, they will definitely be happy with our sudden arrival.”
“They?” Asked Lizbeth astonishment who immediately stopped his steps.
“Yes. All the families are gathering. Ah, I forgot to tell you that once every month the Miller and Franklyn extended families would gather for a family meeting, and now the Miller mansion is getting a turn.”
Lizbeth took a breath and took it out slowly. He stared at his own look that looked elegant with navy dress that had shown his distended stomach.
“I'm like being in a show,” said Lizbeth lowered his head reluctantly to look at Edward's blue iris which in fact always looked at him lovingly.
“You've always been yourself, be calm. Who do you think is the best at running a drama here? Wasn't I the real best actor?”
Once again Edward gave his very rare smile sincerely. It was able to make the rest of Lizbeth's heart a little lost.
“Listen, baby.” Edward cupped his wife's face with the warmth of his big palm that felt comfortable for Lizbeth. “Sometimes life forces us to go on a little theatrical run in order to cover up a secret, and I think everyone has done it too. As long as we do the right thing why be afraid?”
“So, what we did all this time is right?”
Edward nodded. “Yes. Everything we do is to protect those we love. There is no bond stronger than blood except love. You are my love, they are my family and you will forever be my priority in doing anything.”
Lizbeth hugged her husband with a rumbling feeling in her chest. Edward's confession that directly confirms how valuable a family is makes Lizbeth can also feel its warmth, as well, and Lizbeth can also conclude that Edward never moved to pull the trigger without a reason and that reason was family.
Anyone who dares to disturb the family and love Edward then be prepared to meet the figure of Devil Charming who does not hesitate to throw bullets of life or even, even, be prepared to meet the figure of the Devil Charming, Edward would not hesitate to make his body as a shield to protect those he loved.
“We're in?”
Lizbeth nodded letting go of her embrace which instantly gained a firm arm grip on her waist. The two of them entered the mansion which was already seen crowded before a sudden atmosphere of silence found Edward and Lizbeth standing in the middle of the room. All eyes stared pleasantly surprised and immediately Alena and Xander walked quickly to greet their son and daughter-in-law in the follow-up of the others with a frenzied screech from Nathalie.
“My son,” Alena hugged Lizbeth tightly while wiping her tears. “Oh Lord! I miss you guys so much.”
“How are you, son?” Xander asked Edward after embracing his son with a father's longing.
“We are good, dad, sorry if we are late.”
“Brother!”
Raphael hugged Edward and Ellena, who smiled broadly, led the twins to approach Lizbeth.
“Give greetings to aunty Liz,” Ellena told the twins.
“Hi, aunty,” greet the twins together with the characteristic of his adorable sounding lisp.
Lizbeth, who had crouched down in front of the Franklyn twins, immediately welcomed Dixon and Dixie's arms with happiness.
“You guys are already big apparently.”
“They started learning to walk and talk. How are you?” Lizbeth stood up and held Dixie while his right hand held Dixon. “I'm good, Ell. I really like them.”
Ellena smiled gently then narrowed her eyes before grabbing.
Dixie from Lizbeth's sling. “Liz, are you pregnant?”
“What? Sister-in-law pregnant? So I'll have a nephew soon?” Heboh Nathalie's.
Lizbeth grimaced and nodded looking a little awkward as all eyes looked at her. Alena Yang saw the awkwardness of Lizbeth immediately embracing her daughter-in-law's shoulder with great affection.
“Let's chat comfortably.”
Alena guided Lizbeth to sit with the women who were busy arranging various kinds of food on the table with the maids.
“So how old are you?” Ellena asked with interest with a happy expression as if she was the one who was pregnant.
“Maybe it's been three months more, haven't you Liz?”
Lizbeth blinked her eyes as Alena said that and nodded. “Sorry mom, we haven't mem—”
“Edward told mommy this, baby. When you want to leave for the honeymoon that turned out to spend months.” Alena chuckled softly.
Lizbeth frowned faintly hearing the utterance of Alena. “Honey month?”
“Didn't you guys go on your honeymoon all this time?”
Almost Lizbeth looks stupid with an expression that is very clear that Lizbeth does not know about the honeymoon, lucky Ellena who sat next to him nudged her arm slowly and gave the code through the eyes. “Edward reasoned that you went on your honeymoon while completing the mission, and apparently also reported about your pregnancy to the county but not to me and Rafael,” Ellena whispered as soon as possible. Lizbeth nodded. “Sorry. I don't know about it, Edward didn't tell me.”
Ellena shook her head slowly and chuckled. “Basic men, always act alone.”
Lizbeth laughed at Ellena's words. “You're right, El.” “It is not good to whisper in front of the parents, son,” said Bella giving a plate of apple pieces on the table.
“No, mom. We only talk about husbands who are a little annoying when his wife is pregnant,” replied Ellena.
“Is Edward really as annoying as Al and Rafael?” Ask Bella.
“Even first Xander was like that,” Alena said.
“Luckily, your grandpa was not annoying,”, said Lisa, who is Franklyn and Miller's favorite grandma.
“Is it possible that my husband will also suck like that?” Tanya Nathalie who adds warmth to the atmosphere with laughter until their small talk just flows.
Edward occasionally observed his wife's interactions with his family who looked very happy even Edward could see Lizbeth's laughter at that time.
“How was your mission?”
Edward looked at Rafael. “Still not finished.”
Now they were just the two of them walking towards the back of the mansion, the most convenient place for them to have a casual conversation. “Before?”
Edward breathed. “We're going to Russia to find out who's been managing Kostov's wealth. That way it will all be done, hopefully.”
Rafael patted Edward on the shoulder accompanied by his best smile. “All will end happily, believe me. Soon you will soon have a small family with new members.” “Yes. I'm very happy with this.”
“So, the Kostov family has a company in Russia? If yes, maybe I can help you a little for that.”
Edward looked at Rafael seriously making Rafael chuckle softly. “Don't be too uptight when with me, Ed.”
“I'm not kidding, Rafael.”
Rafael nodded his head. “Good. So, I can help you find out Kostov's company because I happen to have a lot of clients there. Well, after I successfully acquired the family-owned company Valleschkova, the relationship between Aaric International and other large companies in the country was quite good. What information have you got?” “I only have photos of the building that turns out to no longer exist after I check. Maybe the photo is an old building and deliberately changed in order to maintain the confidentiality of the information.” “When are you leaving?”
“Our day will leave,” replied Edward.
Rafael paused for a moment before sighing. “Ed, I guess..” Raphael looked at Edward seriously. “There is one big company that is likely to belong to the Kostov.” family
“How can you suspect it?” Edward asked in full. “At this time we have embraced many small Russian companies to work together under the auspices of Aaric International which of course with various policies. But there is one company that always refuses to cooperate with American companies. If they are very information-preserving on the grounds that they are not involved in one of the enemy companies in America, I think GR Group you should investigate.”
“GR Group?” Edward made sure that his hearing was not wrong. If by Rafael GR Group is an abbreviation of
The Golden Rose Group was very convincing that it was a Kostov family-owned company.
Rafael nodded. “Only that's a company that I think is too close to an American company. Even looks very reluctant to deal with us.”
“Do you know who the owner is?”
Rafael breathed. “Unfortunately no. But I can give you the address.”
“At least it will ease our steps.”
“Dad!” The slurred voice of two adorable boys stopped their conversation.
The two men turned their heads when they found Bella holding the twins approaching Rafael and Edward's seat.
“Hey nephew uncle!” Edward immediately welcomed the twins with a warm embrace.
“They're looking for you, Rafael. What are you two doing here? The meal will start soon.”
“We'll be in soon, ma. Where's Ellena?” Ask Rafael. “She is accompanying Lizbeth.”
“What happened something with Lizbeth?” Ask Edward quickly.
“No, son. They were cool in Alena's room to see how many gifts Alena had prepared to welcome Miller's first granddaughter.”
Rafael and Edward looked at each other. “Gift?” Say them in unison.
Bella laughed softly and shook her hand. “Already, the men will not understand how happy we are to welcome the baby. Comein! and bring the twins.”
Bella walks in first leaving the twins with Rafael and Edward.
“What used to be Ellena also treated like that?”
Rafael laughed loudly and immediately carried Dixon to take him to walk out of the park followed by Edward who carried Dixie.
“Mama and aunty Alena not much different.”
They both chuckled softly. Edward is grateful that his family can accept Lizbeth well even treat Lizbeth like a child himself. It was also what made Edward feel tight in his chest, how not if he and Lizbeth should feel all this from their biological family but in fact God gives another way by replacing the pain of their lives with a new family full of love.