2-Countdown
I was playing with the charm bracelet on my wrist, a little wistful, but not hurting. I was sitting cross-legged on Edward, no, our bed, just enjoying the silence. Alice was so overly excited about the wedding, and I couldn't help but see the irony in the situation, and call myself a hypocrite for actually sort of enjoying the planning. Well, the only part I'd thoroughly enjoyed was sitting down with Edward and writing up our guest list. And telling Charlie I was engaged had been fun too. We'd prepared for three days on how to steel our nerves, or at least, for me to steel mine, before we'd go to my father. It was like preparing for war. I was honestly glad that Edward was bullet proof, but if Charlie did bring out his gun, he was one more person added to the list of people who knew the Cullens' secret.
-FLASHBACK-
We'd gone out to dinner, and brought Carlisle and Esme with us; as my future parents-in-law, they had a right to be there too. Charlie had been perplexed, but by dessert we knew he'd caught on. Well, at least Edward did and he told me. Carlisle and Esme feigned surprise, giving congratulations and Esme even pretended to cry. Charlie was a bit sullen at first, but he gave in, smiled hugely and happily at us and asked if we had a date yet. It was rather nice, and surprisingly normal. That almost freaked me out. Edward brought me home. And my dad and I had a little chat.
"I didn't think you'd leave me so soon Bells," he'd said. I smiled, hugging my dad.
"Relax, Dad. I know this is big, but I'm honestly being mature about it. We'll both be in school, and nothing, absolutely nothing, is happening until school is finished." It was the truth though, sort of. He thought the "nothing happening" would be me and Edward starting a family, of course, that would never happen. And that was a little sad, because really, Charlie had nothing to worry about. He kissed my head.
"I know, I trust you. And Edward….he's a good kid. I don't think I ever really noticed how he looks at you. Like he really…needs you." We were both a little uncomfortable at this point, but I just smiled and sighed.
"Yeah, I know. Don't worry. I'll be ok."
"You better call your mother in the morning, she'll be thrilled."
"I know, I know. I will. Good night Dad."
"Good night Bells." And I slipped away back up to my room. He was waiting for me, changed from his formal attire, to a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He smiled, almost in a way that made him look like he was going to cry. He scooped me into his arms, cradling me like a baby.
"He's crying, you know. He really can't believe you're leaving him; that you're all grown up," he whispered to me, eyes closed, lips against my head. He chuckled.
"He's going to miss your cooking." We both laughed softly, and I could feel the tears in my eyes. More from relief than from sadness.
-END FLASHBACK-
And I fell back onto the bed after my little reverie, listening to the gentle patter of supernatural feet on the floor. There was a knock.
"Come in." Edward opened the door, closing it behind him, and then looking at me with a curious expression on my face.
"You don't have to knock," I said with a smile.
"It's your room." He laughed, and sat next to me.
"What were you thinking?" He stroked my hair, watching me, his golden eyes glistening back into my own.
"Breaking the news to Charlie," I giggled.
"That was just such a relief, but it was fun to. I felt like we were going to war." He smiled, the crooked smile that I loved, and I couldn't believe I was going to see it every single day of my eternity? Edward picked up my left hand, looking at the ring on my finger. It really was beautiful, and the fact that it was his mother's, made it all the more precious.
"I still can't believe you're doing this. You can always change your mind, and take me up on my other offer," he said this as he trailed kissed down my arm, and up my neck, his eyes smoldering. I reminded myself to breathe.
"Too late, the invitations have already been sent." He made a snorting noise, his cool breath causing me to shiver against his cool lips.
"You're spoiling it," he said. It was my turn to snort.
"Hypocrite. You had your chance and you said no. Now it's too late and you have to wait." He sighed and looked at me.
"I know. I'm sorry. But like I've said before, you wake so many human emotions in me, and I am, after all, a man. I can't help it." I giggled.
"Do you still have testosterone in you?" I just had to ask. He nodded.
"Like every creature on this earth Bella, females have estrogen and males have testosterone." We both laughed.
"But I'm serious. I've never done it before, and---------," I cut him off with a finger to his lips.
"Ok, let's get one thing straight. We are both virgin, BUT, we are also adults, I think we can afford to say 'sex'. It's not like we're twelve years old," I said. He kissed my finger.
"I know. But I'm old-fashioned, and I think I prefer 'making love' to 'sex'," he said this all with so much love in his voice that I had butterflies and my face was as red as a tomato. He nuzzled into my neck, and my hands were in his hair before I could stop myself.
"I'm a little scared though," he said between kisses.
"This is…sorry….will be, my first time and I don't want to hurt you," he stopped, resting his check over my heart. I took a deep, calming breath.
"I know. I feel the same way, well, I don't think I'LL hurt you," I said and he laughed.
"Bella, as a newborn…" I stopped him again with an apparently the way my face changed from serene to miffed.
"What?" he asked concerned.
"Who said anything about having sex after I was changed? What about after the wedding? I'm pretty sure we'll be having at least a short honeymoon, right?" He laughed the bellowing laugh that I loved so much, and that made me so glad to hear again.
"Whatever you want Bella, love! Whatever you want!" he kissed my ear, nuzzling there, and then whispered into my skin,
"You know I would give you the world." I sighed, one hand stroking the hair at the back of his neck, and the other wrapped around his back, under his arm.
"All I want is you," I said. He kissed my neck.
"You have me, all of me."
"I know." We stayed like that for a little while, before my stomach ruined the moment, and let out an embarrassingly loud growl. He laughed again.
"Come on. Let's get you something to eat." I groaned.
"I ruined such a great moment." He chuckled, heading for the door.
"What are you in the mood for?" he asked me.
"Mmm, something plain."
"Ok."
"Edward…" I called before he disappeared downstairs. He turned, and looked at me.
"Yes my love?" I smiled lovingly, and blushed.
"You know you have all of me too, right?" His expression softened, his eyes glistening again. I didn't know what to call that expression, but it was loaded.
"I know, sweet, I know," he said, kissing me gently on the lips and then disappearing down the stairs with his amazing speed. I sighed, flopping back onto the bed. He was far too good for me and I didn't deserve him.
"Knock, knock," came Alice's voice, as she danced into the room.
"Hi Alice," I said. She lay on her stomach, playing with my hair.
"Hello," she replied in her sing-song voice.
"Are you excited?" I could obviously tell she was. I smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. I bit anxious to just get it over with, but, I'm sorta' excited. I can say good-bye to everyone and I think, maybe 50 years from now, I'll be happy to know that I had a wedding, at least, while I was human." She smoothed my hair and kissed my forehead.
"It'll be great, I promise. Nice and quiet and sweet, just like you wanted." I nodded.
"Edward wanted that too. I guess we're both old-fashioned." She giggled the sound like dingling bells. She kissed my cheek and then sat up.
"Edward will be back here in a few seconds and Jasper is looking for me. I'll talk to you later. Only 7 days left," she sang as she left my room. I gulped. She was planning a bachelorette party, I just knew it. I moaned. I really, really didn't need that.
"Bella, what's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" I looked up to see Edward carrying a tray with a tuna sandwich and some ice tea on it.
"No, but I think Alice is planning a bachelorette party," I grumbled. He chuckled.
"Hit the nail on the head sweetheart. But don't worry. It's only you, her, Esme, Rosalie, and your mother."
"My MOTHER!?" I flopped back onto the bed and flung a hand over my face.
"I want to die," I whined. He chuckled.
"Hey, Alice is on her best behavior. You have to give her some credit. You know she could have done so much worse."
"I know. It's just, I don't think I can handle that much." He rubbed my ankles.
"I can tell her you don't want it," he offered, his voice velvety smooth.
"No, it's ok. It'll give me some time to really say good-bye to my mom, because I don't know when I'll ever see or talk to her again." Edward kissed my elbow, and then sat up.
"That would defiantly be a good idea. Get some last minute bonding with your mother. Now, are you still hungry?" I sat up.
"You spoil me. You shouldn't." He shrugged.
"Let me have my fun. You'll be able to take care of yourself eventually, I know. But your human days are numbered and I want to squeeze in some last minute spoiling." He sounded sincere, and a bit sad that in about two weeks, I would no longer need spoiling. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Ok, ok fine." He smiled triumphantly and sat the tray over my lap. He watched me eat in silence for a few moments and then spoke.
"Bella, I know you aren't really going to like this, but, I have a wedding present for you." I nearly choked on my sandwich. When I was changed, I was going to knock his perfect little face in. I groaned.
"Edward no. I thought the bride and groom weren't supposed to buy each other anything. You're changing me into a vampire, that's the greatest gift ever, I don't need anything else. I have you; I don't need whatever it is you bought me." He smiled, though, despite my little fit. I pouted.
"I didn't buy it, Bella. And it's just something I want to spoil you with." I rolled my eyes. He was too smart for his own good, finding those loopholes. I sighed over dramatically.
"Ok, bring it on," I said, seeming like I was preparing for a wrestling match. He chuckled and disappeared under the bed. He reappeared with a CD in hand.
"Here. I think I owed you." He placed the disk in my hand and in his neat handwriting, written on the CD was:
Bella's Lullaby
Preformed by: Edward
"Edward," I said, a little surprised and very touched.
"See, nothing big, nothing extravagant." I literally flung myself at him.
"You silly, stupid vampire," I said, very close to tears. He stroked my hair, kissing the top of my head.
"Shhh, don't cry love. I'm sorry, I didn't think it would upset you," he was chuckling.
"I'm not upset, I'm just amazed." He kissed me gently on the lips.
"I know that I kind of' stole your other one, so, I made you a new one." He smiled, and pulled me back on the bed, and held me close. We were silent, just lying in each other's arms.
"I can't believe how fast this is happening. Nothing ever happens this fast for me, but with you. That changed. I like the rush." I giggled.
"Edward?"
"Hmmm?" He nuzzled into my hair.
"I love you." He pulled my chin up so I could look into his beautiful gold eyes.
"I love you too Bella." He kissed me on the lips, a bit needy, but still gentle. I fisted his soft hair into my hands, melting into him. And I really, honestly, deep down, knew, like instinct, that I had made the right choice.