Disclaimer: I don't own any of these wonderful characters, sadly.

A/N: I wasn't sure if this was a good place to stop the chapter. It seemed appropriate at the time, but I might take it down for a bit to add some more in if the second chapter doesn't flow smoothly.

Also, just to inform you: this takes place at Phil and Renee's house, on Phil's birthday. I dunno what birthday it was, but… -shrugs- And please, review, but I would prefer no flames.

1. A Party

"Mom," my voice sounded too calm, too smooth and silky, to be my own, especially with the news I had. I took a deep breath as my mom turned her large, child-like brown eyes towards me. It was obvious she was excited about Phil's – what was it, 33rd? - Birthday. I gulped as I watched her continue to organize a bouquet of bright yellow daisies in a glimmering crystal vase.

"What is it, Bella, honey?"

I realized that my brows were puckered after it was too late. "Did you pick up Phil's dry cleaning?" I asked weakly as I glanced up at my fickle mother.

Rolling her eyes, the woman that I looked up to grinned. "Of course, dear! You worry about me too much!" She laughed as I turned my own wide brown eyes down to my hand. I had to tell her of the engagement soon, and soon was in the next hour, before Edward and Phil were home.

Scowling sourly, my mom glanced out the window at the clouds hovering above Jacksonville. It was Edward's kind of weather. "I hope it doesn't rain on our little party," Renee mumbled as she grabbed a set of four glass salad bowls.

"Mom," I took a deep breath before spitting the rest of the words out.

"Hmm?" She asked again, this time her lips taught in annoyance as though she knew what I was going to say.

"Edward and I are going to get married." I rushed the words, and cringed at my mom's reaction before it happened. But before I could explain anything, a large shattering noise filled the house. My mom had dropped the salad bowls, and was now staring at me as if I had a second head.

"Mom?" I asked weakly as I watched her, though she was unmoving; I was worried a bit about that. I had no way of telling when the explosion would burst out of her.

"Isabella Marie Swan." Her voice was harsh, and edged with hysteria like it always was when I was in trouble. "Why?" It was all she asked.

"I love him, mom," I replied weakly as I stared down at my hands, afraid to look up at her.

Renee snorted. "I thought I loved Charlie, too!" she cried in the same hysterical tone. I could tell, with out looking up, her eyes were searching my face.

"That's different, mom," I told her with a sigh.

"How?" She demanded harshly, her lips pulled back into what seemed to be a snarl; at least, it did to me.

Telling her about the vampire business was definitely out, so I was left to fend for myself. "Edward and I have been dating for at least a year now, and we haven't fought in forever!" I pointed out as I inwardly cringed at the lie. We did fight often, only that pertained to the vampire side of things.

"So?" My mother demanded, with out the hysterics this time.

"Please, mom, can't you just be-" I was cut off by the sound of tires squealing to a halt.

"Edward's home," Renee pointed out sourly, her lips puckered. I was surprised that she didn't rush out to greet Phil, as she usually would have in this situation.

Edward was the first to enter the small living room, and when he did, his brow furrowed. Phil entered behind Edward, still chuckling about something, which I guessed was linked to the tire squealing. Both were drenched from head to toe in water.

"'S raining," Phil pointed out to Renee as he ambled over to give mom a kiss. She just smiled weakly at Phil, and then turned to glare at Edward, who was now by my side.

"What's going on?" Asked a rather confused Phil as his eyes traveled from mom to me to Edward.

"Nothing," I told him dryly as I looked away from Renee and Phil to glance up at Edward.

"Nothing," Renee snorted. Obviously, she wasn't going to let this drop. "Bella," She started, her voice hysterical again, "Is going to marry Edward!" She cried as she barked out a short, harsh laugh. "Isn't that wonderful?" She asked Phil sarcastically as she sagged down into his favorite arm chair.

Phil was there in a flash, one of Renee's shaking hands held between his own. "It'll be fine, Hun. We just have to sort this out, is all," Phil cooed as he perched himself on the arm of the chair and patted Renee's hand.

Edward, on the other hand, was completely calm. He quietly lounged in a polished wooden chair he had silently dragged in from the dining room. With quick hands, he had pulled me onto his lap, and I was leaning my head against the crook of his neck. As usual, he felt hard as granite, and just as cold. Adding to this was the factor that he was drenched from head to toe, and droplets of rain water silently fell from the tip of his pointed nose onto the crown of my head. I shivered instinctively, but ignored him as he attempted to push me off his lap.

"Does Charlie know?" Renee snapped as she glared at Edward, who gently cradled me.

I shook my head in response.

With a disbelieving glare, my mom stood and stormed into the kitchen, Phil stood to follow, but I shook my head. Instead, I followed Renee into her huge, fully furnished kitchen.

"Mom, please!" I quietly begged, my eyes wide as she turned to glare at me.

"Please what, Bella? Please support you in four months, when both of you are broke and need college funds? Please take you in when he leaves you for some one prettier or you tire of that life?"

Her last words stung. "Edward won't leave me," I told her softly, tears starting in my eyes. "Mom, it isn't your decision, or responsibility! I chose this on my own, and I am ready to accept the consequences," I told her desperately.

Renee shook her head as the doorbell tingled through the house.

"We'll talk later," She told me quietly as the low rumble of voices reached us. At the same time, we both launched out of the kitchen and headed for the front room. Standing in the small office was Phil and Edward, as well as two others I didn't recognize.

"Bells," Phil chimed as I slipped beside Edward, "I'd like you to meet my eldest sister, Claudia, and her husband, tom. Tom, Claudia, this is my stepdaughter Bella, and her boyfriend," The words sounded foreign on Phil's ever-smiling lips, "Edward."

Both Edward and I quickly responded with smiles and hand shakes all around as mom chatted happily with Claudia. Soon to join us were Phil's mom and dad, who I had met at the wedding, and his other sister, Georgie, who was still single.

As soon as we could, Edward and I snuck off into the living room, which was occupied by two others. One was a boy of about 10. His chin and nose were dead on Phil's. He wore a Spiderman t-shirt, which made Edward smile from some memory or other. Sitting across from him, reading the instructions to some card game or other was a girl who seemed to be about the same age as me. She wore two tight, ribbed muscle shirts layered over one another, and a jean mini skirt barely managed to cover her thighs. Grey leggings tightly clung to her outrageously skinny legs and cut off at the calves. Long, bleach blonde curls twirled down to her mid-back, and long, choppy bangs fell across her large blue eyes.

Her skirt put my best pair of jeans, which I was wearing now, and my lacey camisole to shame. My hair, which I had quickly pulled back into a ponytail, must have seemed like a rat's nest compared to her long glossy layers. And, compared to her curves, I was as curvy as a board. My cheeks burned as I looked over at Edward, whose eyebrows were slightly raised.

The motion of me turning my head made her look up, and stare at Edward.

An awkward silence filled the room as no one bothered to introduce themselves. Finally, the 10 year old stirred. "I'm gonna go find mom," he muttered as he rushed off down the hall.

Finally, the silence was broken. "Are either of you gonna, like, introduce yourself?" my step cousin asked, her eyes set on Edward, a smile on her lip glossed lips.

I piped up, "I'm Bella, and this is my boyfriend-"

"Edward." He introduced himself, his smooth velvety voice rippling the atmosphere.

With us introduced, she stood up. "I'm Shelly," she introduced herself, her voice high and squeaky and irritating to my ears. She offered me her neatly manicured hand, which I curtly shook. She then turned to Edward, whose smile was that of amusement.

"Do you see something you like?" Shelly asked as she returned his smile.

Edward shook his head. I could tell he was about to burst with laughter. "Excuse me," He offered as he turned and headed towards the bathroom; probably to laugh and calm down, or just to leave us alone.

As soon as Edward was gone, Renee entered the living room. "Bella, dear?" she asked, gesturing to a corner. I quickly followed her, not wanting to get into any more trouble. "Please," She asked, no, she begged. "Don't mention this marriage business to any one," She threatened, her eyes following Shelly as she took her seat on the couch.

"I won't, mom," I promised quickly. I knew how much mom wanted to impress her new family, and having an 18 year old daughter who was not yet out of school and already engaged wasn't too impressive.

"Good," Renee sighing in relief, and quickly headed off to chat with Claudia a bit more before dinner.

Shaking my head, I plopped down on the sofa next to Shelly. "So," I might as well attempt to make conversation. "Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked, not even remotely curious in her answer.

Shelly looked at me as though I was stupid. "No," was her flat reply.

I just sat silently, until I realized Edward's unusually long absence. But before I could leave, Shelly spoke up.

"I'd ask you the same, but that'd be pointless. So instead, I'll ask you how you ended up with him."

I looked over at her as if she were joking. "We really like each other." I told her quietly, my eyes on my hands, not daring to look up at her.

Shelly snorted and shook her head, then opened her mouth as though to reply. But she was cut off as every one trampled into the dining room, Edward included.

Shelly and I both rushed in to snag seats, but we were all beaten by Edward, who was seated in a middle chair on the side of the table. I quickly sat on Edward's left, and Phil's right. Shelly sat on Edward's right. I rolled my eyes, but was comforted as Edward laxly draped one arm over my shoulders. I was, after all, wearing the ring; well, figuratively, of course. Edward had yet to get the actual engagement ring, but he promised me one as soon as we got back. My eyes instinctively shot over to Renee, who was scowling at me from across the table.

I was quickly distracted from my mother as Shelly made a small movement. I looked over to see her offering Edward a platter of chicken my mom had cooked up. It brought a smile to my lips as Edward genuinely refused, but instead passed the platter to me.

"So you're a vegetarian?" Shelly asked as she skillfully batted her eyelashes. This made Edward chuckle and me giggle.

"You could say that," Edward answered as he gingerly placed a chicken breast, smelling strangely of olive oil and rosemary, on my own ornately decorated plate. I managed to get the rest of my food with out Edward's help.

"I don't think I could hurt myself scooping mashed potatoes," I complained as Edward attempted to scoop for me.

"With you," He replied darkly, "anything is possible."

I rolled my eyes in response as I grabbed the spoon from Edward's hands.