All around me happy Christmas tunes blared out, although I wasn't exactly a Grinch this time of year had never particularly filled me with joy.
Until now.
Edward and his parent's were due here at any moment and I had to try to control my nervousness.
Tidy apartment, check. Beef wellington cooking in the oven, check. Nice, non slutty meet the parents outfit, check.
I can do this.
When Edward had mentioned to his parents he was planning on spending the holidays with me they had decided that a Christmas break was in order. Edward had already told me they weren't really big on traditional and often decided to get away to exotic locations at this time of year.
Seattle was hardly exotic though, however after a few days here they were heading to New York, some people they knew from their travelling days lived there. So here I was pacing my floor waiting to meet Carlisle and Esme Cullen. I had wanted to collect them from the airport but Edward insisted that it would be a zoo there and no way did he want me in that chaos, so he was bringing his parent's here for a nice dinner, hopefully.
Hearing the sound of car door closing I leapt up and took a final look in the mirror, smoothed my hair down, wiped my palms on my brown, cord skirt and took a deep breath.
The happy chatter of voices from the other side of the door made my stomach tighten and then I heard Edward say, 'for god's sake mum if you ask that I'll throttle you woman.'
It made me giggle and then there was a hearty bang on the door. Opening it wide the first thing I saw was Edward's beaming face, the next minute he was been knocked out of the way as a woman about my height embraced me tightly.
When she stepped back I finally get a good look at her, she was slim, her hair a similar colour to Edward's with the same green eyes her son had. She had an exuberant grin on her face as she looked me over.
'I'm Esme, Edward's mum and I'm so happy to meet you Bella. Aren't you just gorgeous, I'm not surprised Edward couldn't keep it in his pants.' I heard a bang beside me and looked over to see Edward hit his head on the wall and groan.
'It's lovely to meet you too, Esme.'
'Ahem.' I looked up to see Edward's father smiling at me warmly, Edward had his mother's colouring but the build of his father. Carlisle Cullen was tall and slim with the same sexy smile as his son; he had very fair hair and bright blue eyes. I am no longer surprised at how gorgeous Edward is; he kind of won the lottery in genetic terms with these two as his parents.
'Hello Bella. I'm Carlisle and I whole hearted agree with my wife's earlier comment.'
'Jesus, will you two quit it.' I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing out loud. Ushering everyone into the living room I asked how the flight was.
'It was great if you know what I mean,' Esme winked at me while Edward turned nearly purple in the background.
'Yeah baby,' Carlisle grinned at his wife and that seemed to be the final straw for Edward.
'For god's sake you are not Austin Powers dad. And mum I think the whole damn world knows what you mean, the stewardess on the plane who opened the door on the two of you certainly did.'
'Oh yes that was funny dear, especially when Carlisle tried to convince her we were in fact just inspecting the fitting of the airplane toilets.' Esme threw back her head and let out a loud peal of laughter to which I couldn't help but join in.
Esme and Carlisle both looked impossibly young, their love for each other was plain to see, they were constantly giving each other little touches or looks.
'I believe your friend Alice is the one who has Jasper all of a tizzy, honestly at the minute I doubt that boy knows his arse from his elbow.' Carlisle laughed and winked at me.
'Yes she is and believe me Alice is just as bad, getting rational conversation out of her at the moment is near impossible.' I gestured for Carlisle and Esme to sit and Edward joined me on the other couch, his hand grazing my thigh as he lowered himself beside me. A quick look out of the corner of my eye told me the touch was definitely no accident, he was giving me that sexy as hell lopsided grin and one eyebrow was raised wickedly.
Carlisle and Esme were wonderful, very different to my staid, socially awkward father; as far as they were concerned no topic was taboo.
'I remember the first time I saw Carlisle, we were at some party in one of the dorms at uni, all the girls were swooning over him and his big spliff.' I couldn't help but laugh at the way Edward had gasped when he heard his mother say big, his face almost purple.
'Ah but I only had eyes for you didn't I?' Carlisle's hand fondled Esme's knee and they shared a secret smile before he turned to me with a wide grin. 'Well I mean everyone only had eyes for her because all Esme was wearing was some tin foil wrapped round her body.' I choked on my drink, gasping for air as they both laughed at me.
'Silly dare dear, still I can't complain about the outcome.'
'Okay, enough with the craziness,' Edward sighed. 'Something smells great Bella by the way.'
'Oh right, I made Beef Wellington I hope that's okay with everyone.' Enthusiastic nods followed my declaration and I went into the kitchen to check on things.
As I adjusted the heat under one of the pans of vegetables I felt large, warm hands wrap around me from behind. Sighing I leaned back into Edward's strong, lean body, his lips ghosted over my ear as he whispered, 'God I have missed you a ridiculous amount.'
Edward's breath tickled my ear and my pulse skyrocketed, I'm pretty sure it was not okay to be so turned on when your boyfriends parents were sitting in the other room. His lips were now working their way along my throat, softly sucking at my skin. It was the lusty moan that left my mouth that finally brought me back to reality.
'Okay we have to stop.' I pushed Edward back and he pouted like a little boy.
'But you taste so good,' he whined. God he was adorable and so hard to resist, but the thought of Carlisle and Esme finding us humping on the kitchen counter managed to override my rampaging hormones.
'Come on everything is ready.' Walking through to the living room we found Edward's parents wrapped round each other in a very passionate embrace.
'Growing up with these two was hell I tell you,' Edward's tortured tone made me giggle as his parents drew apart, not one bit phased by getting caught.
Dinner was fun, full of tails of Edward growing up; I thought his head was going to implode when Esme started telling me about the imaginary friend he had growing up.
'Now what was his name again?'
Edward groaned next to me and muttered 'oh god.'
'Wasn't it Bob?' Carlisle piped up, clearly enjoying ribbing his son.
'No not Bob, Oh I know it was Bill. Edward was always talking to him – I even had set an extra place at mealtimes for him. If I remember rightly Bill was very fond of chocolate ice cream.' Esme grinned at her son who rolled his eyes but I could see the smile tugging his lips.
'Alright thank you mother for sharing that with Bella,' turning to me he begged quietly, 'please don't leave me.' Everyone laughed and I hugged his arm comfortingly.
'I think it would take more than that to put me off you.'
'Oh I have lots of stories.' That earned a death glare for Esme.
'Woman if you ever want grandchildren I'd be quiet.' My face flushed at Edward's words and he seemed to realise exactly what he'd said because he became very red too.
'You two are just so adorable together,' Esme clasped her hands and smiled widely.
'Esme you are a minx darling, but she's right anyone can see you are perfect for each other.'
The next minute I found myself been hugged by Edward's parents, it felt nice, a little strange maybe but nice.
They left shortly after, leaving some gifts for both Edward and I. We could hear their giggles down the hallway as they left, Edward looked at me sheepishly, 'you realise they are probably getting busy in the lift.'
'Your parents are great Edward, I really ...' the rest of my words were stopped by Edward's mouth. His lips moved hungrily over mine, his tongue sweeping my mouth and making it hard for me to even remember my name.
'Less talking, more nakedness,' he mumbled against my lips.
'Edward Cullen you are such a charmer,' my words were muffled because Edward was tugging my sweater over my head.
I emerged from its folds to see Edward grinning impishly, 'I know right?'
I never thought it possible to love someone so much. In that moment I could see our future together, the fun, the laughs, oh I knew there would be arguments but I also knew there would never be anyone else for me.
'I love you.' Edward blinked a little at my words, the cheeky grin turned into a euphoric smile that stretched right across his face, lighting his eyes a blazing green.
'Bella I love you too.' I knew I was wearing a matching silly smile as Edward took me into his arms and spun me round.
Falling back onto the bed with Edward's face hovering over mine, he traced along my cheekbones with his thumbs before he gently kissed my lips. I could feel him fiddling around in his trouser pocket and I raised an eyebrow at his antics.
'What are you doing in there?'
'This!' Edward held up a little jewellery box. 'This may be too soon, and I mean seem like a little bit of a looney but I don't want to let you slip through my fingers. Bella you captured my heart from the moment I saw you and when we are apart it feels like a piece of me is missing.' I was gaping like a fish at this point, my hand fluttered around our heads because I just didn't know what to do.
'Will you marry me; do you think you can put up with me for the rest of our lives?'He flicked the ring box open but I didn't really look, I was too busy nodding and kissing every inch of Edward's beautiful face.
After I had finished expressing my happiness Edward finally placed the ring on my finger – it was simple, beautiful and a perfect fit.
'I can't wait to show dad when we visit him tomorrow.' Edward's face took on a slightly hunted look.
'Don't worry; he'll love you as much as I do.'
I hoped!
A/N Next Edward and the dreaded met the father chapter.
