Disclaimer-All Characters unless posted otherwise are Stephenie Meyer's and NOT mine, No matter how much I wish I owned them. Apologies for all spelling, grammatical, and any other errors that have occurred.
On the way home,Edward drove one handed while I began to think about Charlie's reaction. Well, worrying more like.
Would he have a heart attack, or disown me? I started to take another deep breath, but I realized that if I did I would probably start to hyperventalate. Edward sensed my unease and tightened his grip around my waist. I was surprised that even with his small adjustment I felt a little better.
"Bella" He started, as he pulled into my driveway, "It'll be fine, I swear. I'll be with you the whole time, you wont be arguing with Charlie alone." He looked at me, his own topaz eyes searching my own. He quickly pulled me into his arms, his head resting on top of mine.
I gave a small nod, settling for a small shallow breath. I stepped out of the truck and started heading for the front door. Edward took my hand in his, and we went inside.
Charlie was sitting in his chair, watching what I assumed was a sports highlights show.
"Char-" I cleared my throat, my voice coming out small and hoarse. "Charlie? Can I-we talk to you for a second?" I asked, a small part of me hoping that he would refuse. Ok, maybe it wasn't that small.
"Sure Bella." He said, getting out of his chair, heading for the kitchen. I followed along with Edward, his hand still in mine. We all sat down at the table and Charlie nodded at me to start.
"Charlie" Pause, " I know you still haven't forgiven Edward for what happened a while ago, but I have. I know you really don't understand that, but... I just can't... function with out him, he's my heart, my soul, my... life. In fact, I forgave him the moment that I saw him. And, I don't know if you know this, but I... I really love him dad. More then I thought I could even love anyone. And Edward has expressed to me that he feels the exact same way." I paused again, getting ready for the part of the conversation where he threw me out.
" Edward has also expressed to me that he would like to spend the rest of his life with me, and since I wouldn't want it any other way, I consented... to marry him." I finished, extending my left hand out to Charlie.
Charlie sat there, stunned, staring at my most recent hand-me-down. After we sat there for a few moments, I broke the silence.
"Charlie? Say something Charlie." I pleaded, fearing for his health.
He just grabbed my hand and pulled it closer to his face to see the ring more closely. Then he looked up at Edward and I with an unfathomable expression on his face. Some where between rage and disbelief.
"I wanted to give her something special for her engagement ring." Edward started, "So I decided that the one that my father gave my mother would be best for Bella. It really means something to me. I don't remember my parents very well, but it's one of the few things I inherited from them, so it's special to me. I got it before I was adopted by Carlisle and Esme. I offered her something newer if she would prefer that, but she expressed great preference for this one so it stayed." He said, glancing from my hand to Charlie, my face, and back to my hand.
"...Charlie?" I questioned.
He finally blinked.
"Bella... Honey are you sure? No offense Edward" His expression suggested otherwise, "But are you sure he's the one you want? Don't you want to date some other people before you become encased in Holy Matrimony?"
"No Charlie, I want Edward. I've known that since the day that I met him."
"... You aren't pregnant are you?"
"CHARLIE!"
" Absolutely not Chief Swan. She isn't."
"Why Bella?" Charlie asked, his face totally confused.
I sighed. He wouldn't get it. I hadn't really expected him to though.
"Because I love him, Cha-Dad. When ever I'm not with him... It's like my heart isn't with me; like he took it with him. But when we come together again, I feel complete."
I was blushing by now, so my explanation changed to chargin.
"Look, we came for your blessing, but we're going to get married weather you give it or not." He had winced at that, so I hastened to add, " I hope you'll be there to walk me down the aisle." I said, giving him my best pouty stare which I had learned from Edward.
Charlie sighed in defeat.
"So am I going to be moving out or are you gonna hand me off to Edward?"
Charlie paused for a few seconds, a pensive expression on his face.
"Of course I will Bella. I'll do whatever makes you happy... But I hope you know what you're doing."
"Thanks dad." I took his hand in my own. " Im glad you can share this experience with us." He smiled, and I released his hand and stood up from the table, as did Edward.
Now I just had to deal with Renee. Easier said then done.
Charlie clapped Edward on the shoulder and smiled.
"Congrats Edward." Charlie said, attempting to be friendly.
"Thanks Charlie" Edward smiled.
Charlie smiled at me, then turned to leave. As he left the room he half-yelled,
"You better call Renee soon... You know how your mother can be." Boy did I.
I grimaced, but grabbed the kitchen phone. As I was dialing I took a huge breath in through my nose, and waited for her to pick up.
After 6 and a half rings, she finally picked up the phone.
"Hello?" My mom asked, a bit breathless.
" Did you forget where the phone is Mom?"
"Bella! I'm so glad to hear from you honey I've been worried sick! I haven't heard from you in a week and a half!"
I sighed.
"I know. Im sorry, I was-busy" I said, my eyes flickering over to Edward. "But I finally got some down time so I decided to check in with you. How are you? And Phil?"
As she chattered on and on about her daily activities and Phil's games, I was thinking about the best way to tell her.
"So Bella" She started, finally out of things to to say about her life in Florida. "How's Edward? Things going good?"
"Yeah... Really good... That's actually the reason I called you. I have uh- something to tell you."
"Oh god, you're not pregnant are you? I believe we had the safe sex discuss-"
"MOM! Of course I'm NOT pregnant."
"Well, Bella, what is it?"
I re-iterated the speech that I just had with Charlie, almost exactly word-for-word.
"Well, what do you think? Say something Mom."
"Bella" She began. I had the feeling I was in for a lecture. "I don't understand. I thought you would learned about early marriages from... Well example. They aren't a good idea when you're young. You may be Eighteen, but you are not an adult yet... You don't know what you want. There's no way you can. He's your first boyfriend for God's sake!" I had a feeling she wasn't referring to only me. The ghost of her past was prevalent in her words.
I massaged my left temple with my hand. This was not going well.
"Mom, did you even listen to a word I said? Look, different things work for different people. So you and Charl-Dad didn't work out... That doesn't mean Edward and I are destined for failure. If this really is a mistake-which I doubt it is- then it's my mistake to make, and you should just be happy for me and support me." I took a deep breath, preparing the last part of my speech. I was preparing to say some harsh things to get through to my Mom. "And if you can't handle it, then don't come. Miss it. But you better know Mom, I can play that game too. I don't need to call and check in with you. I only do it to make you feel better, to let you know that your daughter is Ok. I could just not call again for a while, and let you think what you want about what's happening to me... Leave you to your own imagination. But it's your choice. Are you going to be my mom, or Bail?" I finished, waiting for her response.
"Mom?" I wondered to myself if she had hung up.
"When?"
"What?!" I questioned, my voice getting louder.
"When is this wedding Bella? I need to make preparations." Her voice was thick with subjugation.
"Really? Oh mom I'm so glad to here that! I know Edward was hoping that you would decide to come. And so was I." I said, my face breaking into a smile at Edward's confused expression.
"Huh. When did you say?" She was obviously...Pissed.
"August 16th. Thank you so much Mom. You have no idea how much this means to me-us." Maybe this hadn't gone so bad.
"Well just be sure to keep me posted on what's going on with this thing... You do have someone to help you plan this- thing, right?"
A small giggle erupted from my lips, which turned into full fledged laughter.
Boy did I ever have a wedding planner.