Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the super hot and sexy characters associated with it. They belong to the ever glorious Stephenie Meyer, who I thank vehemently for creating them.
Chapter 1: Acceptance and denial
"We can't do this. Edward, Charlie's no older than Harry, and look what happened! What if this pushes him over the edge?" I worried as we sat in the driveway.
Edward just smiled. "His thoughts are calm, and if we don't do this now, he's going to get suspicious, love. But I guess it is a good thing I'm bulletproof." he joked.
"Ok, let's go." I stepped out of the car and slipped on the now wet driveway. As I went down I scrabbled for a handle, but then there was Edward. "I really don't know what you'd do without me." He smiled and I lost my train of thought. He set me back on my feet, but retained possession of my hand. We hit the porch and he unlocked the door with the key above the door. "Here goes nothing."
I took a deep breath and stepped in the door.
"Dad?"
"In here, Bells!" he was in the kitchen. Uh-oh. That was when I smelled something burning. I sprinted towards the kitchen, but no matter, Edward was still there before me. He walked into the kitchen at human speed. I entered the kitchen and walked over to the stove.
"Um, Dad, you do have to stir the chili you know." I said as I grabbed the potholder and put the pan in the sink. I ran the water and scrubbed the pan vigorously. I left it to soak and walked over to the freezer. I pulled out a bag of fish fillets. Life savers, that's what they were. I put some on a pan in the oven and set the timer. Edward and Charlie just stood there and watched me.
"Charlie, um…" Edward looked almost, well, scared at this point. " Canwetalkinthelivingroom?" He said it so quick, I almost didn't catch it. That century of experience he had didn't prepare him for this moment.
"What was that, Edward?" Charlie asked. Edward looked terrified at having to ask again.
He took a deep breath. "Can Bella and I talk to you in the living room?"
"You're not leaving again are you, boy?" Edward and I both winced at the question. "No, he's not, Dad. But we really want to talk to you, okay." I said.
Charlie led the way to the living room in silence. As he was a few feet ahead of us, I felt it safe to ask.
"What is he thinking?" I muttered almost too low for even myself to hear. Edward pulled me to a stop and put his lips to my ear.
"He's still on the thought of me leaving. He's imagining a few rather graphic ways to kill me. And he's touched on the thought of a proposal. He's going to kill both of us if that is the reason for this
discussion." He chuckled as I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, but should I remind you that I'll be the one dead, since you are the bulletproof one here."
"If you two want to talk I suggest you get in here." Charlie yelled to us. Edward grabbed my hand and led me in to the room. Charlie was in the recliner, which left the couch to Edward and me.
"Dad, Edward and I have some, um, news for you." I started wanting to ease Charlie into this. Edward had other ideas.
He flashed me an apologetic smile, but a smile still. While I was recovering, he dove right in.
"Chief Swan, I asked Bella to marry me…" he began.
Charlie exploded. "You better have told him no, young lady! You know how I feel about this kind of thing!" We all knew what he left unsaid: how I feel about him.
I sat there with my mouth agape, having no response at the moment. Then I got in on it.
"Dad, do I have to yet again tell you I am, by law, an adult and can do as I please? But I guess you being the Chief and all you should know that. So I am going to be as nice as I can about this. I am going to marry Edward, and be happy, whether you are happy for us or not. Got it? I would really like for you to accept this, because I want you to be the one to walk me down the aisle." I stood up. "With that said, Edward and I are going to his home to break the news to Carlisle and Esme and the rest (they probably already knew) and I will be back later." I started to walk out the door, but Charlie stopped me.
"Bella I really wish you wouldn't. I mean he's already left you once," I winced," so what's to stop him from doing that again?" he asked.
Edward answered for me. "Charlie do you remember when Bella disappeared with Alice for those three days? When they came to see me in L.A.? The length of time it took them to get there, I believed Bella to be dead. After living through that time, I don't think I can consider leaving her; it hurts to even think about it. I swear to you, upon pain of death, that I will never leave her. Can you accept that? Please consider it. I will bring Bella back or she can call and see if Alice wants to have a sleepover. Her choice." He looked to me.
"I'll go call." I left the room with Edwards's cell and called Alice.
"Sure Bella, just bring some stuff, ok? See ya in a few!!" Well, there's Alice for you. As I walked down the hall, I heard murmurs from the living room. I poked my head around the corner."Alice said sure, so I'm going to pack some stuff." I tossed Edward his cell.
"I'll help you." He said as he unfolded his leonine form from the couch. We walked up the stairs and I grabbed my bag of toiletries from the bathroom as we passed it. He had my bag on my bed within a few seconds of being in the room and I tossed it in there. He sat on the bed as I searched through my drawers and closet for what I'd need. I put them in there and zipped the bag.
"Ready?" I asked.
"No." I must have looked confused because he reached out and drew me onto his lap. I sat there enveloped in his arms, perfectly content. It couldn't have been more than a minute when he stood up and put me on my feet. "Now I am." He smiled.
We headed out to the Volvo and within ten minutes we were parking outside his house. He grabbed my bag and helped me out of the car. We turned towards the house and there sitting with barely constrained excitement was Alice. Best friend and psychic extraordinaire.
"They're here!! Come on guys you'll want to hear what they have to say!" She yelled. We made it in the front door, and there standing in the foyer was the rest of the Cullen's.
"I hear you have news for us, Edward," said Carlisle.
"Bella has agreed to marry me." Edward announced proudly. After all the congratulations Esme gave me a tight hug. "I knew he would get around to it. He's probably had it planned since day one." We all turned to Edward. He raised his hands in surrender. "It always helps to be prepared." We all laughed.
Edward grabbed my hand and led me up to his room. He set my stuff on the bed and turned around. "Alice is already planning a shopping trip for tomorrow." I gasped in horror. Edward put his arms around me and lowered his head to mine. When his lips touched mine I lost my train of thought. He employed this one a lot in order to make me forget the horror of a shopping trip with Alice. He laughed against my lips and raised his head.
"Breathe, love. You're going to pass out." He said. I held it just a little longer until my legs collapsed. I then took a breath. Edward of course had caught me. He swung me up in his arms and raced down the stairs. I looked up and his expression was livid. "What is it, Edward?" I asked.
We had made it down to the bottom floor and the Cullen's were there with varying facial expressions ranging from disgust to fury. Edward set me down and stepped in front of me. He employed this one a lot in order to make me forget the horror of a shopping trip with Alice. He laughed against my lips and raised his head.
"Breathe, love. You're going to pass out." He said. I held it just a little longer until my legs collapsed. I then took a breath. Edward of course had caught me. He swung me up in his arms and raced down the stairs. I looked up and his expression was livid. "What is it, Edward?" I asked.
We had made it down to the bottom floor and the Cullen's were assembled with varying facial expressions ranging from disgust to fury. Edward set me down and stepped in front of me.
"Edward, what is it?" I asked again.
"Jacob and the pack are here. Charlie called Billy and Billy told Jacob about the engagement. He isn't happy, nor is the pack." Edward explained.
"We filed out the door, me last with Edward in front of me. There, in a semicircle around the house was the pack. Jacob stepped forward.
"Bella, I won't let him do this. I know I said I'd behave but I can't let you go. I can't let you marry that thing and change into one of them. I'm sorry." He said.
I saw him begin to shift when someone, I'm assuming Edward threw me back. I landed and tried to stand. I fell back down and must have hit my head. I heard a ghastly growl, and my last coherent thought was for Edward. Please don't let him be hurt. Please, please. Let them all survive.
Hope you liked it. Please RR because this is my first one and I wanna know if I'm doing ok! thanx! )
