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Sunset, Ch2: Tease

"Honeymoons?" I repeated, clarifying his use of the plural.

Now that was an idea that would always make me smile.

He continued to chuckle mischievously. "I'm sure we can justify having several of them in the first decade alone-Emmett and Rosalie certainly did, and I feel like breaking a few records."

I started laughing along with him then. I was still goggling when he opened my door and helped me into the Volvo.

"That doesn't sound too difficult-but what other records are there? Or...do I even want to know?" I asked teasingly.

"Of course you want to know." Edward replied, already in his seat and starting the car, perfect teeth glittering dangerously in the darkness. "But I don't think I'll tell you; all marital competitions are on a strict nee-to-know basis."

"Edward, we're engaged! I need to know!"

He grinned at the word 'engaged' and then smirked/

"Technically, you don't. Well, not yet, anyway."

His tone had become infuriatingly ominous.

"Now you're just toying with me," I accused balefully.

"Of course I am."

"Gah!"

... ... ...

We reached the house with four minutes to spare before the seven o'clock mark. Edward opened my door for me, and I continued to wheedle him as we neared the house.

"Won't you just tell me one? Please?"

He looked for a moment as if he might give in, but then he shook his head, grinning.

"No, we're almost inside, and I really don't think hat Charlie would appreciate it."

I considered that.

"So...you're going to tell me later, right?"

"Not a chance!"

I sighed loudly to demonstrate my exasperation.

Edward just laughed.

"They'd better be good, if you're going to continue to be so secretive," I mumbled bitterly.

"Oh, don't worry; you won't be disappointed."

"Now you're making me nervous."

He rolled his eyes.

"Now that we're engaged, I make her nervous," he muttered to himself.

I had to laugh at that.

I was about to reach for the door handle, but Edward caught my hand and used it to pull me to him.

"We still have three minutes," he breathed.

... ... ...

We entered the house, and I was still catching my breath; it really had been a glorious few minutes.

Suddenly, I was caught in a tight, almost vice-like embrace, and for a moment my only thought was that it wasn't Edward and I wanted to get out of it.

Then I realized who it was.

"Mom! It's so good to see you!"

"Bella, honey! How are you?"

"Great!"

At long last she released me from her breath-impeding grip to look at me. Then her eyes focused behind me, presumably on Edward, who was standing nearby.

"Well, Edward, it's nice to finally see you again!" she exclaimed, letting me go completely.

Edward flashed a dazzling smile.

"It's a pleasure for me as well, I assure you."

Renee blinked a few times, having obviously fallen victim to the Cullen charm, then returned her gaze to me.

"Well!" She got a little misty-eyed, causing a similar reaction in myself. "I can't believe how quickly you've grown up." She sniffed a bit, then straightened. "Come on, let's go sit down."

We started towards the living room, Edward and Renee on either side of me. Edward squeezed my hand, and I smiled longingly up at him. He grinned crookedly back, making my insides melt and my feet stumble. Edward caught me before anything disastrous happened, though, and we both laughed at my clumsiness. I definitely wouldn't miss it once I was a vampire, though I had a feeling that Edward might.

Although...it was kind of a nice way to get into his arms...hmm...maybe, after I was turned, I could trip a few times...just to see if it worked...

Edward and I were still grinning at each other, lost in our own thoughts, in our own world, and I noticed Renee watching us with an odd expression. It was like she was deciding how to feel, or, perhaps, trying once again to determine the exact nature of our relationship.

"Do try to be careful, love," Edward murmured, and he kissed my cheek chastely, causing a blush to flourish there.

He chuckled, lifting a hand to my face, cooling it.

"Breathe," he told me in a whisper, and I did.

We walked into the room and Renee pulled me to the couch, while Edward took a seat on the other side of the room to give us some space for the rest of our reunion.

My mother hugged me again, more gently this time, and said, "Bella, you look so happy! You're glowing!" She suddenly looked suspicious. "Are you sure you aren't pregnant?"

"Mom! How could you think-"

"Bella, I'm kidding!"

Edward looked like he was having a hard time keeping his laughter back, and I shot a venomous glare at him, which only served to cause him to start snickering, and Renee soon joined him.

Finally, Charlie came in, and they quieted.

"Bella, you're back! Um...hello, Edward. So, you kids eaten yet? There's extra pizza in the kitchen."

­Saved,­ I though fervently, and I jumped to head to the kitchen, causing Edward and my mom to totally lose it and Charlie to glance confusedly between my retreating form and the hysterical pair in the living room.


Okay...now the question is, was it a good idea to continue? If you totally hated this, I WILL delete it, so tell me, because your opinions matter to me. Really, who else am I posting this for? Myself? Ridiculous!

If you want me to continue, chapter three should be up this week! It is finals week, though, so it may be a little while.