"Bella, love, there really is nothing to worry about. What's the worst that could happen?" Edward crooned in his velvet voice, lips at my ear.
"He could say no," I stated matter-of-factly, flipping the channel leisurely without bothering to see what was playing. Edward squeezed me gently – his arms were wrapped around my waist with his hands folded lightly on my stomach. This position was difficult to manage on Charlie's ancient, sagging sofa, yet there was no place I would rather be than here in Edward's marble grasp.
"In all honesty, Bella, nothing could ever stop us," I felt him smile as he tenderly pressed his lips into my left temple, "Besides, Renee already agreed, and we've always knew her views were stronger than Charlie's." I was still not convinced.
I breathed in deeply, hoping to rid myself of all nerves on the exhale, but still found my fingers to be trembling slightly. I eyed the gun belt that hung ominously on the hook nearest the door. Well, that would be convenient.
"So, how are Angela and Ben doing? Talked to her recently?" Edward asked randomly, kissing my cheek now. The combination of his words and kisses was clearly meant to serve as a diversion, which was successful.
"They are both fine. I think they are planning on sharing a dorm in the fall. And I know you are trying to distract me, Edward Cullen!" I teased with false irritation, peeking up at him to see his all too innocent expression. And then he noticed the nervous shaking of my fingers, the way I twisted them over and over. His hands, once intertwined, left my stomach and began to rub my lower thigh reassuringly.
"Really Bella," Edward sighed, but I saw through his casual tone. There was some anxiousness behind his words, too, though only someone who knew his voice perfectly would have been able to detect it.
Suddenly, I was off of Edward's chest and sitting somewhat more normally beside him, only our fingers interlaced. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and nodded. Within seconds, the door swung open and wet, rubber boots squeaked against the tiled floor.
"Hello, Charlie," Edward said politely, rising as my father entered our humble, outdated kitchen, "How was your trip?" I followed Edward as he approached my father.
Charlie grumpily threw down a small metal box besides the door and slung his rain slicker over the back of Edward's chair, despite the close proximity of the coat hanger. This was going to be more difficult than I had thought.
"I drove all day with Billy to this new place he told me about. Right when we pulled up, it started pouring. Damn Washington," He grumbled under his breath, shaking out his drenched hair like a puppy.
I glanced at Edward, whose eyes were suddenly intensely focused on me, his head nodding – urging me on, despite Charlie's obvious mood.
"Um, dad?" I asked, knotting my fingers behind my back.
"What is it, Bells?" Charlie's eyes instantly shot up and locked with mine, all knowing. He read my tone and the creases in his forehead deepened.
"Could I…could we talk to you for a moment, please?" I noticed the formality in my own voice.
"What is it?" Charlie asked again, gaze turning to Edward, his eyes narrowing as his fatherly instincts interceded and overwhelmed his manners, "And I think I'd rather stand."
I shot an angry look at Edward, recalling Harry Clearwater's heart attack not too long ago. Charlie was the same age as Harry, and this news definitely had the ability to stop his heart.
"ISABELLA!" Charlie bellowed in his suddenly thunderous voice, "What is it?!" His face had turned a startling shade of plum.
"Actually Charlie," Edward interjected as he reached for my hand once more, "Bella and I have some wonderful news for you. In fact, nothing could be better." His thumb stroked the back of my hand as he spoke.
Charlie sunk into the nearest chair, the slits that were his eyes spewed daggers at Edward. He crossed his arms, his face fading to a deep scarlet.
"DadEdwardandIaregettingmarried," I blurted out without thinking. Charlie's head whipped around to face me. Edward spun around with shock stamped across his expression and I flushed.
"I…you…oh thank goodness," Charlie sighed, and his posture relaxed as the tension left his shoulders.
"Dad?" I asked, looking at Charlie suspiciously.
"Charlie?" Edward's brow furrowed.
"Well if that's all," Charlie muttered, rising to his feet again and moving to the fridge, which he searched thoroughly.
I stood there for a few moments, speechless as I watched my father move through the kitchen, heating up some spaghetti from Tuesday night.
"You aren't mad?" I finally managed, leaning into Edward's shoulder.
"I was at first, right after he returned from Alaska or wherever it was. I expected you two to marry then. But you didn't and I've been prepared ever since. Really Bells, did you think I was that oblivious?"
"I, uh, no. I just, um." I shifted my weight awkwardly as I blushed.
"So we have your blessing then, Charlie?" Edward pressed, still not convinced. He knew Charlie's reply as soon as Charlie's mind did, but still listened intently to his answer, almost as though he needed verbal confirmation.
"Yup," Charlie responded nonchalantly, stirring his pasta. I watched, stunned into silence as my father flopped down on his favorite recliner and changed the channel. Only then did I realize that I had flipped the station to a Spanish soap opera. How did I not notice that before?
I struggled to process what I had just witnessed. Renee hadn't been too difficult. Charlie hadn't seemed to care once he realized that no one had died, but rather his teenage daughter would be marrying her first and only boyfriend – who happened to be a vampire.
"Thank you Charlie. This means so much to Bella and I," Edward said, truth ringing in every word. My father spun his fork in his pasta and pushed it into his already full mouth before grunting his reply. The action left a trail of marinara sauce down his chin, though he was too consumed in the big game to notice. Typical Charlie.
"Well," Edward continued with a squeeze of my hand, "I better get going. See you soon, Charlie. Goodnight, Bella." He pulled my hair away from my face and kissed my cheek lovingly, his fingers lingering there.
"What?" I nearly shouted, stunned. It was only eight o'clock! Edward gave me a look and I quickly added, "I will uh, walk Edward out."
We put on our coats and headed outside, the rain pounding the pavement fiercely and turning our lawn into one large puddle. Edward's Volvo was parked in front of the vacant house next door, and I followed him there.
"Where are you going?"
Edward chuckled quietly, "I'm going hunting. I think you should spend some time with Charlie, let him know how much his approval means to us."
"You'll be back, though, right? Later tonight?" I was still surprised by the abrupt change in our conversation. I realized that my voice sounded like I was pleading with him, but I remained unashamed.
Edward shrugged, "I'm not sure either way. But I love you, Bella Swan." He took both of my hands in his and then leaned in to kiss me. Our kiss began lightly, normally, but quickly deepened as rain clattered off of his hard skin. Unexpectedly, his hands forcefully – yet still softly – seized my face and pulled me closer. There we stood in the rain, consumed only in each other. At last, I was forced to pull away, gasping for air, but I wanted to continue. The expansion of our physical boundaries was something I couldn't deny enjoying.
"I love you, too," I breathed, reaching out to stroke his cheek as he ducked into the car.Edward started the Volvo, but the door remained open. I watched as he fastened his seatbelt and prepared to leave.
"Three weeks," Edward murmured, looking at up me from behind dark lashes. When our eyes met again, his were glowing, twinkling with excitement and love. I could look at them forever, "Goodnight, love."
And with that, he drove off.
Author's Note: Hey there! Thanks so much for reading the first chapter. I hope you liked it. Updates will be frequent and the chapters long, so make sure to add "Dawn's First Light" to story alert so you don't miss anything. This chapter may not be the best, but I promise it gets better. Be prepared for lots of twists and turns, but my favorite part of the amazing Twilight Saga is the romance – so be expecting even more cute, Edward and Bella moments that I know we all love! Thanks again. Be sure to check back, and R/R!!
-LoveWillFindYou