As always I own nothing. This is all Stephenie Meyer's. But I have no life so what else would I do?
We drove silently down the curvy lane driving, as always, much too fast. Edward said nothing and neither did I. My nerves were jumping and my stomach had tied itself in knots. By the time we reached the drive, I was almost hyperventilating.
Edward looked down at me, concern in his tawny eyes. "We don't have to do this now Bella," he said softly. "We can wait a week or two."
I tried to make some comment, but my throat was closing up. I shook my head and reached for the door handle.
As always, Edward was quicker, and he pulled the door open for me.
I stumbled out of the car and up the front steps to Charlie's house. I stood at the front door, staring glumly at the door knob. I tried to reach for the key, but my hand didn't want to move.
Edward seemed to understand, so he grabbed the key and pushed it into the lock.
As we walked inside, I could hear a game going on in the living room. At least Charlie would be in a regularly good mood.
Edward held me to his chest. "Do you want to do this now, or at dinner?" he whispered almost silently into my ear.
"Now," I croaked; my throat was still closed.
He smiled down at me reassuringly and we walked into the living room holding hands. Luckily, it was commercial.
"Um… Dad?" I asked.
"What's up Bells?" he said looking up from the TV.
"Well…" I stuttered. "You see…"
"Chief Swan," Edward interrupted.
"Yes Edward?" Charlie replied looking weary.
"Sir," Edward began. "I love Bella with all my heart- no with all my existence. I can't imagine living without her-"
"Well you seemed just fine a couple months ago," Charlie grumbled, his sentence almost unintelligible.
A flicker of pain flitted across his face, but he composed himself quickly and continued as if nothing had happened. "I know you might not think very well of me after what I did in September, but I came here to ask for your blessing. Bella and I are engaged."
I cringed, waiting for the shouting. To my surprise, I hardly heard his breathing accelerate.
I looked over at him to see him eying Edward and me. He didn't seem angry, not even surprised! I looked questioningly up at Edward, but he shook his head. I looked back toward Charlie to see little drips of moisture falling from his eyes. Charlie, the police chief who normally showed no emotion what so ever, was crying!
"Aw Dad!" I said walking over to hug him. I started to cry too. So Charlie and I sat there just hugging each other and looking like idiots while we cried.
After a few minutes, I looked up to see Charlie smiling, smiling the smile that made Renee love him. "Edward," Charlie said, weighing his words. "I know you love Bella very much. I can see it every time you look at her. I see the love, the adoration, everything. I remember when my eyes looked like that when I looked at Renee. I don't know if it's wise to get married so early. I don't want you to loose the wonderful relationship you have."
"Sir, I know that I couldn't live another day without Bella. I know I'll want to marry her in twenty years so why don't I just marry her now?" Edward asked trying to keep the longing out of his voice.
Charlie was silently contemplating what Edward had said.
"Dad," I said as I stood up to stand next to Edward, "I know you think it's too soon, but Edward and I are really close. I can't imagine life without him. So just think Dad. Edward made my life a whole lot brighter. So why don't I return him the favor?" I was surprised that had come out so well. Normally I stutter when I try to make a point… or maybe it was because Edward was always staring at me…
"You know what Bells?" Charlie said. "I believe you. I give you both my blessing." Charlie grinned up at us then asked, "Hey why don't you order some pizza, kid. I'm starved!"
"I'm on it Dad," I said laughing.
As soon as we were in the kitchen Edward picked me up and set me on the counter. He pulled my face closer to his and whispered, "That wasn't so hard was it?"
I was light-headed before the kiss even started. This wasn't like our normal kisses, not nearly as careful. His fingers twisted in my hair as he pulled me closer. Soon, we were both gasping. He tried to pull away but I held him close and growled, "I'm not done kissing yet!"
He laughed and kissed me again, but this kiss was gentler; sweeter. All too soon he pulled away. "No!" I moaned.
Edward smiled my favorite crooked grin and said, "I believe we have a pizza place to call?"
Please R&R! I need some fuel to keep going! Gently criticism helps A LOT!