Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all things Twilight…I just swim in her pool

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EPOV:

So here I was partnered with a girl who was beautiful both inside and out. I was ready to call the caterers and call the minister. I was going to marry this girl someday.

Our chemistry was so undeniable. I felt drawn to this petite brunette like my life depended on her. If she was happy, my world was great! I f she was sad, then I wanted to make her smile. Yeah, I was a gonner!

We finished our project and began working on dinner. Bella was a gourmet like my mother. She had marinated the chicken in just the right spice blend to render it succulent and juicy on the inside and crisp and spicy outside when she blackened the diced breast pieces. I of coarse washed and rinsed the romaine lettuce and built the perfect Caesar salad to go with the chicken dish. She even let me use some of her chicken to toss into the salad.

I was mixing the dressing when I dropped my whisk. Bella bent to recover it and our lips brushed lightly in the process. She blushed muttering to herself as her adorable blush made me want to repeat our accidental kiss and maybe even do more. She went to the sink and washed the whisk, handing it back to me.

The awkward silence and sexual tension between us was broken as the sound of tires pulling up into the driveway and subsequent squeak of breaks signified the arrival of Chief Swan.

"Something sure smells good in there, Bells!" Charlie called out from the foyer as he hung his gun belt on a coat peg next to the front door.

"In here, Dad! I tried to call you at the station earlier, but Mark said you were in Port Angeles helping with some case. We have company tonight."

Charlie Swan was a middle-aged cop, his short mop of curly brown hair matted down in a case of "hat hair' and the lines on his brow furrowed as if he was deep in thought. His brown eyes were the same as Bella's and he had an easy smile that ruined his otherwise somber appearance. He was just under six feet tall and looked to be in great shape for his age.

"Oh, hi. I'm Chief Swan, Bella's father, and you must be Edward Cullen. Are you Carlisle Cullen's kid?" Charlie asked as we shook hands.

"Yes, sir. I am his youngest son."

"I see you have met my Bella, here. So what do I owe the pleasure of eating dinner with you to?"

"We were paired on an English project, and I came over to finish it. Bella invited me to stay for dinner, so I called my mom and asked for her permission to stay until later. She said as long as you were fine with it, then I was welcome to stay, but I must get home by ten."

"Ten, huh? You like baseball, Cullen? There's a Mariners game on in a few minutes, and I'd love it if you would join me."

"Are you kidding, Chief? I love baseball! The Mariners are looking good this season, and I think if we can beat the Phillies tonight, then we might have a shot at the penant and maybe even the playoffs this season."

"Yeah, if our pitching staff can stay healthy, we really will annihilate them!"

We sat down at the table and Charlie quizzed me about my grades, my college prospects and politely inquired about my family. Upon completing the meal, I helped Bella clear the table.

"You've completely won him over, you know?" Bella added as she packaged the leftovers into plastic containers and placed them in the fridge.

"Really? I would have thought it would have been a bit tougher."

"Nah! You're in. I know it's not like you're my boyfriend or something, but it means a lot to me that you are making such an effort." She said with her signature blush in full effect.

"Bella, what makes you think I don't want to be your boyfriend?"

"Well, you're you and I'm me. Guys like you get supermodels and shit. Not ordinary small town girls like me."

"Bella, you are anything but ordinary. You are beautiful both inside and out. You have a gorgeous smile, a nice body, soft and silky hair with just the right amount of bounce that begs me to run my fingers through it. You have the most expressive and deep eyes that I have ever seen and I'd really love to kiss you right now if I wasn't afraid of your father pulling his gun and putting a few extra holes in me fro my trouble."

Bella blushed furiously and let out a ragged breath, "Edward. Get over here and put your money where your mouth is."

I reached up and cupped her chin in one hand and stroked her cheek gently with the other. I looked deeply into her chocolate brown eyes and placed a delicate caressing kiss on her soft pink lips. I was not prepared for her response. She attacked my face with such a ferocity that I was momentarily taken aback. We kissed so passionately that my knees almost buckled. I softened the kiss and finished it with a light peck to the forehead as she clung to me like drowning victim to a lifeguard.

"That means we're officially together now, right? I mean exclusively and completely together." She was not really asking, but basically affirming my previous statement.

All I could do is nod sheepishly and grin.

"Game's on! Get in here and pull up a seat, Cullen!"

We sat mainly in silence, Charlie in his recliner and Bella and I on the couch. It was sheer torture keeping my hands to myself. Bella had provided a bowl of

Chex Mix and an ice chest stocked with beer for Charlie and Coke for me. We made some small talk during commercials about various players and coaching blunders. I t was actually fun.

"My Uncle Aro actually is one of the owners, so if you want box seats or dugout seats to a game, I can arrange it for you, sir."

"Really? I'll have to take you up on that when they face off against Arizona. I want to watch Phil Dwyer choke! He's my ex-wife's new beau!"

I looked at my watch. "Oh, Chief, thanks for the game, but I need to make curfew now. I'll arrange those seats for you and five friends. Thank you for allowing me to stay."

"Hey, Edward. No problem. Why do't you invite some buddies next time, and I'll order pizza."

"Sounds great, sir! Goodnight and it's been a pleasure" I concluded shaking his hand again.

"I'll walk him out, Dad. I'll be back inside in five minutes."

"Alright, Bella, but no funny business." She blushed tomato red.

"DAD!" She blushed furiously, as she walked me to my car.

"So…are we dating, Edward?" Bella asked me as she wrapped her arms around my neck and I wrapped mine around her waist, pulling her close and staring into her eyes. I could feel our pulses quicken. She was warm and soft against me.

"I would love to be your boyfriend if you'll have me."

She stretched up and we kissed, our tongues massaging the inside of each other's mouths. "You are mine now, Cullen, and I have no plans to ever let you go."

I kissed her softly on the forehead and took in one last whiff of her scent, strawberries and freesia. I had to leave or else I would be in serious jeopardy of jumping her right in front of her house with her father peeking through the blinds.

"I'll be here at seven to pick you up for school in the morning, babe. See you then. I'll miss you horribly!"

"Okay. I'll see you in the morning, handsome."

I broke our embrace and immediately missed the feel of our bodies together. I pushed the button on my keys and my car purred to life, the door opening for me. I got in and buckled my safety belt. I rolled my window down and blew her a kiss. I waited until she was safely on her porch, and then pulled away.

I made it home and parked my Volvo in its spot next to my other car- my Aston-Martin Vanquish. I rarely drove the Vanquish, because I wanted to blend in with the rest of the kids. That car would announce to the world of this small town that I came from money, and that would not be good for me.

My mother Esme Masen Cullen was waiting in her drawing room for me as I entered the house from the garage. Esme was an interior decorator and socialite. She had caramel hair and hazel eyes. She was a loving and devoted wife and a great mother. She had a beauty and grace that reminded everyone of the film stars from the silent movie era.

"So tell me about this Bella you seem to be so taken with." She tended to get nosy when it came to girls and me. I had never really dated before, so I was fresh meat.

"Well, her name is actually Isabella Swan, Chief Swan's daughter. She's funny, intelligent, kind-hearted and a bit of a klutz. She has the most gorgeous eyes and her smile lights up a room. She has soft mahogany hair that shimmers with auburn highlights in the sun. We're dating exclusively now, and I think I'm falling for her, mom."

"She sounds wonderful, sweetheart. When do I get to meet her? I'd love to have her over for dinner tomorrow night. You could invite her father, too, if he's not working. I'm making my famous pasta del olio e aglio rostini. I figure I'd fix some of my bruchetta as well."

"Okay, mom. I'll ask, but this is new and she is very important to me. Don't embarrass me."

"Of course not, son! My baby is bringing home a girl!" Esme squealed in delight.

"MOM!"

"Sorry, just had to let that out of my system."

I reached over and hugged her bending down to place a tender peck on her cheek, "Goodnight, mom."

I went to my room and sent a quick text.

EAC18: Goodnight, my Juliet! I am off to the shower and for the bed.

I stripped and threw my laundry into the hamper.

I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water waiting for it to heat. I heard my phone and checked the text.

BellaBear: My Romeo…shower…naked? ;p

EAC18: Yep! Nothing but a smile. Night, Love ;p

I hopped in and quickly washed myself. I brushed my teeth and put on my pajama pants. I pulled down the sheets, knelt at the foot of my bed, said my prayers and tucked myself in, checking my messages on my phone one last time.

BellaBear: OMG! I so wish I could join u! Think of all the fun to be had…u, me, and slippery wet naked fun ;p

EAC18: WTF! I'm trying to go to bed and u r not helping. I'll get u my pretty….and ur little dog, too!

BellaBear: U so just did not quote the WW of W at me! Goodnight my sweet prince.

I put down my phone and fell fast asleep.

We were walking hand in hand through a meadow in the woods, the trees green and the wildflowers were in bloom. She was wearing a simple white dress, with a garland of those same flowers woven through her hair. I was in a white button down with the sleeves rolled, khaki slacks and a huge grin on my face.

"Edward, I'm so happy to be your wife. I love the sound of Isabella Marie Cullen."

"Mrs. Cullen, today I am the happiest man on earth! I love knowing you are mine eternally."

"Edward-" she was then cut off by "Sex on Fire" by the Kings of Leon. I had dreamt of marrying Bella! Of course my stupid alarm would ruin it!

Okay. It was now time to face the world. I had to ask her to meet my parents tonight. Bella tends to be shy and freak about the smallest things.

I hope she's ready for dinner- Cullen style. This may prove to be my biggest challenge, yet. Getting Bella to say yes.