Chapter 2
There wasn't much to tell Edward's family. They only feared that Charlie would say no, and of course Alice already knew that he wouldn't. She was so excited, she could barely contain herself and she dashed to meet me the second we pulled into the driveway.
"Oh, Bella!" She exclaimed. "I'm so excited! This is going to be so much fun, and I promise I won't go overboard, and…" A sudden look of horror crossed her face. "Oh my goodness! There's so much to do and so little time! What am I doing sitting her babbling to you?! I must get busy!" And she was gone before I could even blink, dashing off to plan some obscene detail of the wedding. I cringed at the thought, but then relaxed and laughed. Alice was hard to be upset with.
"Come on." Edward was tugging at my hand. We walked up the steps of the porch and through the front door. All of Edward's family—our family—was standing in the entryway, waiting to greet us.
Esme stepped forward first. Her round face was so full of compassion and caring, it made my heart swell. I truly loved her as if she were my own mother. "I suppose the correct sentiment would be to say 'Welcome to our family,' but you are already a part of our family. You have made my son whole, as you have made our family whole. Thank you." She embraced me in a hug and we were both crying, only she produced no tears.
Carlisle moved towards me as Esme went to hug Edward. "Bella, you are wise beyond your years. And while you will be the most accident-prone of my daughters," he winked. "You will also be the most caring. We are so happy to finally have you as part of our family." He smiled down at me and moved on to talk to Edward.
"What up, sis? It's nice to finally have you home!" I turned to see Emmett and Jasper standing a few feet from me.
I laughed. "Thanks…bro." He gave me a nudge on my arm, then walked off. Jasper gave me a pat on the shoulder and a warm smile. It was such a relief to know that they all wanted me to be a part of their family. Well…almost all of them. Once they both moved, I could see the final person of my new family.
Rosalie smiled timidly at me and stepped forward. "Congratulations, Bella. I'm so happy for you and Edward," she said.
"Thanks Rosalie," I smiled back. We were still on shaky terms, but getting better and I didn't want to push anything. Her blessing was enough. I turned then, straining to see Edward above the heads of the members of my new family.
"Looking for someone? I hope not another boyfriend. Alice will be so disappointed if she doesn't get to plan the wedding."
His velvet voice startled me and I jumped a little. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist. I laughed then too and leaned back into him.
"Let's get out of here," he breathed into my ear.
We were sitting on the black leather sofa in his room. It was quiet; we didn't have much to say. Just being with each other was enough. After all of the trouble we had been through, it was nice to spend time with him and no one else.
He had pulled me onto his lap and was playing with a strand of my hair. I watched his face and felt content; there is no place I would rather be. He smiled at me when he saw me watching him and it reminded me of his earlier attitude.
"Edward," I said. My voice was scratchy. We had been sitting in silence for a while.
"Yes?" He said.
"Earlier, you were so quiet. You just kept smiling at me, but you never spoke. Not even when I told Charlie we were getting married. Why?"
Edward sighed and his delicious breath wafted over me. "I can't explain it. I was so unbearably happy that I couldn't put it into words, and it seemed pointless to clutter the moment with meaningless words," he explained. He looked at me with wary eyes, afraid that I was upset with him. Instead I laughed, surprising him.
"Is that all? Edward, sometimes you are so obtuse!" But it comforted me to know that he was happy. I know that he frequently reminded me of how much he loved me, but sometimes I doubted it. How could such a perfect, beautiful creature love such a plain, ordinary girl?
He sighed. "Come on, we better get you home. You need
rest for tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" I asked.
"Tomorrow…Alice attacks."
