Author's Note: This is my first time writing fan fiction, so please don't be too harsh. Though, I deeply appreciate constructive criticism and any pointers anyone would be willing to give me. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters, they were created by the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.


Chapter One: Engaged

My hold on the deer slackened as I took every last drop into my mouth, savoring the taste, and relishing in the warmth that flooded my body. I could faintly hear Emmett playing with his elk a few yards away, and I grimaced in disgust. The flow of blood into my mouth and down my throat slowed, coming to a trickle, and the deer finally went completely limp.

I removed my teeth from its neck and dropped the animal to the ground, not looking at its cold, lifeless body. I stood and brushed myself off, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, blood smearing on it. I shuddered to think what Bella would think if she saw me like this, so raw and natural, my instincts in control of my actions, and my thirst overpowering me. I shook the thought from my head, not even pondering the thought of her here with me.

I looked around for Emmett and spotted him by a tree nearby, nearly done with his meal. I looked away, patiently waiting for him to finish so we get on with this little surprise-hunting trip.

It was hard enough leaving Bella's side for only a moment, just to change my clothes, and was completely unbearable when I was away hunting. The need to see her, touch her, have her warm little body next to mine, safe and sound, was so strong whenever I was not with her I could barely stand. I hid my desire well, however, not to torture my family with my complaints and depressing moods. I did not want to make them feel as if they could not spend time with me, for fear of making me upset.

However, it was stunts like the one Emmett pulled today that drew the line.

I had hunted barely three days before. Yet upon arriving back at the house to change clothes while Bella was sound asleep—the talking came earlier—Emmett had tackled me to the ground, screaming threats at me in his thoughts until I agreed to go hunting with him. It was always easier to oblige Emmett than to go against him, and so I was forced to race back to Bella's, scribbling her a note of reassurance, explaining where I had gone and when I would be back, before returning home to hunt with Emmett.

I still wasn't quite sure what this little surprise was all about, for Emmett had barely said or thought anything to me all day, and I was growing more and more anxious to get back to Bella.

Relax, bro. Emmett's voice floated through my head. I'm finished.

"It's about damn time," I muttered under my breath, knowing he would hear me anyway.

I looked over at him in time to see him roll his eyes at me. He had dropped the elk and was striding over to me, but seemed in no rush to get back home. I guessed that he was going to start talking, and I was right.

So, he thought, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed, watching me carefully. The big day is approaching.

I nodded, wondering where he could be going with this.

There was silence for a moment, before he gathered his thoughts and continued. Are you ready? His question wasn't mean to be insulting. I noted the tone in his thoughts, and his careful expression, and my face softened when I realized that he was asking more than if I was ready to be married. He wanted to know whether or not I was ready for all of it: The wedding, the honeymoon...the change.

I sighed, not knowing how to put my feelings into words. There were so many mixed up inside me that I had no idea where to begin. Of course I was exceptionally happy, no, ecstatic that Bella had agreed to make our bond official through matrimony. She was an angel, and I, the luckiest man on earth for being the object of her affections. The simple fact that she could love me, like I loved her, with her entire heart and soul, and give herself to me forever, could have stopped my heart and killed me if I was human. Being with her was the most glorious thing in the world, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

However, despite the feeling of happiness and content that soared within in me every moment I was in her presence, there was always that constant stab of pain and despair with it. I was still torn on whether or not changing her was the right thing to do. I could not live without her, and she without me, that much was clear after I had left her after her eighteenth birthday. That had caused us both so much heartache and sorrow, and I vowed never to leave her again. But that presented the choice of whether or not she should stay human. Of course, she immediately jumped to the decision to become like me. It pained me to see her want that, to see her desire to give up her life so easily, without a care in the world. She had no idea what she was asking of me, and yet, despite all of my objections and worries, I had agreed to change her after our wedding. To damn her to this unfulfilling life. I was still having second thoughts, though if I backed out, someone else would surely do the job, and Bella would forever wonder why I was not the one to change her.

And then there was the newest topic of discussion: The honeymoon. Another part of our fantastic bargain was that if Bella agreed to marry me (along with some other suggestions), then we would "try" after the wedding.

I sighed heavily. She had no idea what the mere thought of making love to her did to me, let alone actually attempting the act. Just the image of her, in that state of vulnerability, giving herself to me, and to me alone, caused ripples of desire to shoot through my entire body. It was hard enough imagining her like that, with me, and I did not know how I was going to make it through eve one time without hurting her.

She always took my refusal to her advances as rejection, that I didn't want her, and I almost laughed out loud right then, thinking about it. Her mind was an enigma to me, and I couldn't even contemplate what led her to such absurd ideas. Only a few months ago she had offered herself to me, and she had taken my very blunt "no" as rejection, and had immediately assumed that I didn't want her in the same way she wanted me.

This time I did laugh at the thought, and Emmett looked at me curiously, obviously still waiting on my answer.

She thought that I didn't want her. How could I not? She was always tempting me, whether she was aware of it or not. That luscious brown hair that tumbled down her back, that crept down her neck towards her breasts, was enough to drive me insane. Those deep, chocolately eyes drew me in whenever our gazes locked, and it took all my will power not to get sucked in, and take her right then and there. And her lips. Oh when her lips met mine, fire coursed through my veins. Every kiss we shared sent waves of desire and longing through my body, and heat seemed to rise up in my stomach. I had never experienced these feelings before, and they frightened me sometimes. Bella always made me feel so alive, and it was impossible to think straight when I was with her. And those feelings that enveloped me in her presence were the reason I was unsure of our bargain. I could not guarantee my control when she made me feel that way, and there was a very good possibility of her getting hurt.

A hand on my arm and Emmett's voice calling to me brought me out of dangerous thoughts.

"You okay, man?"

I looked at him, remembering our conversation. If I were human, I would have blushed at that moment, embarrassed at how long my thoughts took me away from reality. That seemed to happen a lot where Bella was concerned.

"Sorry," I apologized sheepishly.

Emmett grinned, shrugging. "It's alright." Thinking about the wedding night, eh, Eddie?

I growled softly, a warning, and he backed off some, putting up his hands up in defeat. His thoughts were still a bit mocking, though I could tell he really wanted to make sure I was okay.

I shook my head. "I don't know if I am ready for this, Emmett," I confessed to him, my voice barely audible. If Emmett were a human he would not have been able to hear my voice.

Emmett paused, thinking of the right thing to say I'm sure. "Well," he said. I don't know what to tell you, Edward. You've tried living without her, and that was disastrous. The very first day you were a complete mess, and you only got worse. So that option is out.

I nodded, having already come to the conclusion earlier.

So you're going to be with her, but you don't want her to be like us.

I nodded, but I mentally disagreed with him. For her to become like us was one of my deepest desires. Something I could only dream about, if I were able to sleep. It was a selfish desire, one that I felt immensely guilty about giving in to. But I did not want her to be damned to this life. Her soul was beautiful, and I refused to let it be forever ruined just so I could have her by my side as long as we both should live.

But, Edward, she wants this. She really does. He looked at me seriously. She's different than other humans Edward. She knows things that others just don't…get. They don't understand. But she does. And somehow she knows that this is what's right. I was shocked into silence at his mature approach to this topic. She knows that you two belong together, and she's willing to do anything to make that destiny come true. She's agreed to marry you, despite her fears and objections. Why can't you return the favor?

I couldn't answer him, but continued to stare at him in surprise, wondering where this knowledge and wisdom came from. Most likely Carlisle or Esme.

His hand came up to my shoulder and he squeezed it gently. "She loves you, Edward," he told me. "And if she's willing to go for it, why can't you be?"

I didn't answer, couldn't answer, and we were enveloped in silence once more. I could tell from his thoughts that he had gotten what he truly wanted to say out of his system, and he was becoming impatient to get back to Rosalie. I smiled, thinking how I had felt that same impatience as soon as I stepped away from Bella's bed that night.

"How's her dad holding up?" Emmett asked suddenly. "This has gotta be tough on him. Especially since he's never liked you one bit." He smirked.

I punched him in the shoulder, not feeling guilty when he winced a little. "He's actually doing fairly well," I told him. "He's come not to hate me as much as before, but there is still some reluctance to giving Bella away to me forever." I sighed. "Though I can tell from his thoughts that he will wind up doing what is best for Bella, which, plainly put, means that he'll do whatever it is that she wants."

Chief Swan was slowly warming up to me, but still had some doubts about that marriage concept. I remembered when we first told him we were getting married, his reaction…. I smiled at the memory.

*

Bella and I sat on her living room couch, awaiting Charlie's arrival. Bella looked absolutely terrified, while I was simply ecstatic. It bothered me more than it should that Bella feared this moment, but I shrugged those thoughts away, not wanting to dwell on the bad when all I could feel at the moment was good.

Charlie's cruiser pulled into the driveway, and Bella fidgeted in her seat. She tried to pull her hand away from mine, but I held firm. She glared at me.

"Stop fidgeting, Bella. Please try to remember that you're not confessing to a murder here." It pained me to use those words, because to her announcing her engagement to her father was as equally horrible as committing a crime.

"Easy for you to say," she mumbled.

Her father was approaching the door, his boots loud enough so that Bella could hear his every move. He had seen my car parked outside (how could he not?) and his thoughts had immediately turned suspicious.

Edward's here early. Wonder what those kids are up to. They better not be—

I shook my head, blocking his vulgar thoughts. I didn't want anything to ruin this moment for me.

Charlie's key rattled in the doorway, and I heard him curse under his breath at the task. He could not get in the house soon enough to stop whatever it was that we were apparently doing. I heard Bella's heart accelerate as she heard the sound, too, and I looked down at her.

"Calm down, Bella," I whispered.

Her heart refused to slow and I gave up. The key finally slipped into the lock, and Charlie pushed the door open. He listened carefully for any noises that we might have been making, before the door slammed after him.

I felt Bella flinch beside me.

She obviously wasn't going to approach this in a calm manner, or even approach this period. So I silently vowed to take matters into my own hands.

"Charlie," I called, not feeling an ounce of worry.

They were waiting for me?

"No!" Bella whispered harshly at me, and I looked at her in confusion.

"What?" I inquired.

"Wait till he hangs his gun up!" She glanced nervously at the entrance to the doorway, probably expecting to see an angry Charlie standing there with his gun pointed directly at me.

I chuckled softly, and ran my free hand that was not restraining Bella through my hair.

Charlie came around the corner, still wearing his uniform, still armed, and I could tell he tried not to make any visible facial expressions at the fact that we were sitting together on the couch. Quite close, actually. His thoughts, however, betrayed him.

What's going on here? Why are they sitting so close together? Bella knows the rules…

I could tell that seeing us together like this took away points for me when it came to his good graces.

"Hey, kids. What's up?"

He attempted nonchalance, but I could hear the wariness in his voice, and his thoughts continued to display his authority over us.

"We'd like to talk to you," I said calmly, and I could feel both Bella's and Charlie's eyes on me. "We have some good news."

Charlie's expression immediately transformed. He had been attempting a look of friendliness, which had looked sort of strained, but now he held a look of suspicion. His face was instantly dark and his thoughts even darker.

Good news? Charlie blanched in his head. He noted Bella's nervous fidgeting and the fact that she was sweating uncontrollably. I rubbed soothing circles on her hand to try and calm her, but that only seemed to make her more afraid, fearing Charlie would catch the display of affection.

The news can be anything but good when Bella looks like that. What has he done to her? His eyes immediately zeroed in on me, and I prepared myself for his furious thoughts. He strode into the room further and planted himself on the very edge of the recliner.

"Don't get worked up Dad," Bella said after a moment of silence. "Everything's okay."

I grimaced at her word choice. Personally, I would have used something more liked wonderful, or glorious. The fact that she regarded our situation as merely okay broke my dead, cold heart a tiny bit.

Charlie was not assured at her words, and his suspicion grew. He started forming theories on our good news, and I stopped breathing at his first conclusion. She's gotta be pregnant. That's the only logical explanation for her behavior. God, I'll shoot him right here if he's gotten her knocked up, that filthy, good for nothing…

I tried to hide the hurt on my face at the mention of pregnancy in his thoughts. How I wished it were possible for me to give Bella children. How I wished, just a little, that he was right. That Bella was pregnant, instead of engaged to be married to me that was a part of the bargain in order for her to become like my family and I.

The desire to reproduce with Bella swelled up inside me, so strong it almost knocked me over. I couldn't control the longing for children that was suddenly present, and I wondered if Bella had lied to me, and truly did wish to be a mother. It seemed nearly impossible for her not to want it, considering what I knew of Esme and Rosalie.

Charlie's words brought me out of my reverie.

"Sure it is, Bella, sure it is." He doubted everything that had come out of her mouth so far. "If everything is so great, then why are you sweating bullets?"

"I'm not sweating," Bella lied. Charlie rolled his eyes at this, knowing she was lying. I smiled softly to myself, unnoticeable to either of them, at the thought that my Bella was such a bad liar. It was an adorable attribute she held, and I loved her more for it.

Bella leaned away from Charlie's scowling face, cringing into me. She tried to be subtle as she wiped the back of her right hand across her forehead to remove the sweat, but the action was very obvious to both her father and I.

Charlie could not contain his thoughts and suspicions any longer, and finally exploded. "You're pregnant!" he shouted. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

I felt another stab of pain at the accusation, and again wished it were true.

I will shoot that boy, and tear him to shreds. Bella is forbidden to see him anymore. I knew he was no good for her, knew it from the very beginning. And I can't believe she actually took him back after what he did to her last year…

I blocked his thoughts, not wanting to relive the most painful experience of my entire existence. I, too, wondered why Bella took me back without a second thought, after I had broken her heart, scarred her forever. It was surely the most unforgivable act I could have committed, and yet, she thought nothing of it.

"No!" Bella protested, making a face. "Of course I'm not!" I could tell she wanted to hit me, elbow me, or something, but she knew that that would only give her a bruise. I knew what she wanted me to know, and I got the message loud and clear.

She had told me once before that people would immediately come to the conclusion that Bella was pregnant upon finding out about our engagement.

"What other possible reason would sane people have for getting married at eighteen?" she had asked me, her expression frustrated.

I had simply answered, "Love," and she had rolled her eyes at me.

I was brought back to the present by Charlie's apology. He knew that she was telling the truth, there was never any doubt when she was honest, and his glower lightened. He visibly relaxed and slouched a little in his char.

"Apology accepted," Bella said.

There was long silence as both Charlie and I waited for Bella to continue. Charlie was growing anxious again by the second, and Bella just sat there. I suppose she realized the attention was focused on her, for she looked up at me, her eyes filled with panic, and my heart broke for her. She could not do this without my help.

I smiled, assuring her, and turned to face her father.

"Charlie, I realize that I've gone about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I don't want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, I'm asking you for your blessing. We're getting married, Charlie. I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and—by some miracle—she loves me that way, too. Will you give us your blessing?"

In that moment my words couldn't have been any truer and I hoped that Bella could finally understand how much this meant to me, and how important marrying her was.

When I finished with my speech, Charlie's eyes had immediately located the ring on Bella's finger, and his gazed remained fixed there for a long time. His thoughts jumbled and I couldn't make sense of them. His face was a mixture of emotions and colors, and I could tell Bella was worried. She went to stand up and go to him, but I held her close.

"Give him a minute," I whispered so low that only she could hear me.

The silence stretched out, and we waited patiently for Charlie to calm down. Then, gradually, Charlie's color returned to normal, and his expression relaxed. His thoughts righted themselves and I could hear what he felt about the situation, as he studied us for a few moments.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. It's obvious she's not going to get on without him, and he doesn't look like he's going anywhere…

"Guess I'm not that surprised," Charlie grumbled, voicing his thoughts. "Knew I'd have to deal with something like this soon enough." But not this soon.

Bella exhaled next to me, relieved.

"You sure about this?" Charlie demanded, glaring at me again. If he's forcing her into this, I'll have him locked up. Or at least get a restraining order…hmm…

I tried not to roll my eyes at Charlie's dramatics.

"I'm one hundred percent sure about Edward," Bella answered him, sounding so confident it made my cold, stone heart soar.

"Getting married, though? What's the rush?" He still looked at me suspiciously, wondering if I was forcing Bella into a marriage that she didn't want. He couldn't believe she could actually want this herself.

Bella thought for a second, and I knew she was thinking about Charlie's question. Why so soon? Because Bella didn't want to get any older than she was, not wanting to stray too far away from the age I was frozen at for eternity. And to her that didn't necessarily require marriage, but it was something I required if she wanted me to change her.

However, these were not things that were to be said to Charlie.

"We're going away to Dartmouth together in the fall, Charlie," I reminded him, though it was a lie. "I'd like to do that, well, the right way. It's how I was raised." I shrugged.

And it was true. Growing up in the early 1900's did have it's affect on me and I would forever have good morals embedded into my mind.

Charlie's expression twisted a bit, and I could tell he was trying to come up with some kind of argument, something to prevent this from happening. His thoughts conveyed to me that he wasn't quite ready to have his daughter taken away from him, not after he had only just gotten her back.

"Knew this was coming," he muttered to himself, frowning. But then, his face adopted a smooth, blank expression. His thoughts immediately jumped from one thing to another.

"Dad?" Bella asked anxiously, and she looked at me in confusion. I kept my face blank as I tried to read his thoughts.

Renee's going to throw an absolute fit!

I tried to prevent a smile from appearing on my face.

"Ha!" Charlie laughed, and Bella jumped slightly. "Ha, ha, ha!"

Charlie doubled over in laugher, and his body shook with the action. He clearly was amused at Bella having to tell her mother of our engagement. He figured that she would be the one to put down her foot and give Bella some talking to.

Bella glanced at me, but I was too busy trying to prevent myself from laughing.

"Okay, fine," Charlie choked out through his laughter. "Get married." He chuckled once more. "But…"

"But what?" Bella demanded, frustrated.

"But you have to your mom! I'm not saying one word to Renee! That's all yours!" He burst into uncontrollable laughter after that.

*

I laughed, remembering when Bella told Renee. She hadn't cared one bit. Instead, she was utterly thrilled and had questioned Bella why she had waited so long to tell her. I wondered if Bella had gotten some of her mother's qualities mentally, because if I weren't able to read Renee's thoughts, she'd be as confusing as Bella sometimes. A total mystery.

In fantasy land again, Eddie? Emmett's thoughts invaded my mind. Can't you go a day without picturing Bella—

I smacked him upside the head, pulling a Rosalie. Emmett frowned.

"I was just having some fun, Edward, relax." And it's not like it isn't true. I mean, who wouldn't picture Bella like that? She's so—

I growled and tackled him to the ground, unwilling to listen to his immature, vulgar thoughts any longer. We continued to fight and wrestle the rest of the night, until I finally gave up on him and went home to change before going back to Bella's.