Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters

(A/N: -means time skip)

Bella's POV

I got ready for my date. I wore a knee length khaki skirt and a green button-down blouse. I refuse to wear blue because that was the color that Edward liked best on me. I put on a touch of makeup and left my hair down in waves. My dad, Charlie, is so excited that I'm going on a date with Jacob. He's always wanted me to end up with him. I told him that if he liked Jake that much that he should date him. We all four met at the restaurant. Jess went to use the restroom. Neither of the boys even looked at her.

Jess finally came back and when I introduced Jake to her, it was as if they were in their own little world. I could tell that Jake imprinted on her, so I asked Eric if he minded hanging out with me since we were being ignored by our "dates." He said sure, so I told Jake and Jess that Eric and I were leaving to let them get to know each other better. Jake looked at me gratefully and nodded. Eric turned out to be pretty cool. He was really sweet and didn't ask any questions about the Cullen's which I appreciated. He was pretty shy and reserved, but once he got to talking, he was really interesting.

I took stock of his appearance. His hair was just a little longer, he filled out a little so he wasn't as gangly as he was in high school, his face had cleared up, and he was a couple of inches taller. He had the most beautiful green eyes. We talked about our plans, I wanted to stay with Charlie and take care of him since he could barely work the microwave.

I told him I wasn't sure what I wanted to do since I was supposed to have been married. He told me that I should take a year off and think about it. He was planning to take online classes from Yale. I must say I was really impressed.

We ended up going to a fast food place and just talked about random stuff. It was a lot of fun. I didn't think I'd ever have a good time with an actual human being. I thought the supernatural would be it for me.

- Eric and I have been hanging out quite a bit now that all of Jake's time is spent with either the pack or Jessica. I thought it was really weird that they were each other's perfect match, but it's not my place to judge. I'm really starting to like Eric and it's a little scary. I've had my heart broken so many times, but he seems to understand. It's as if he instinctively knows what I need, whether it's a hug or a tub of Chunky Monkey ice cream. Charlie approves of him. He told me that he'd be happy with me ending up with Eric as long as I gave him a grand-baby to spoil. I told him he was a little ahead of the game because Eric hadn't asked me out. If he does, I think I might actually take a chance on him.

- Eric asked me out and was really surprised when I said yes. I told him it'd be stupid for me to say no because he was such a great guy. I told him that I wanted us to be Eric and Bella still, no awkwardness on dates. I said it could be like normal except we'd be doing more couple type activities. That was six months ago and it's been great.

I never thought I'd be able to be so happy with anyone but Edward, but I'm even happier with Eric. Eric doesn't treat me like a child who can't make her own decisions, he doesn't tell me what I can and can't eat, he doesn't criticize my fashion choices, and he definitely doesn't hold back when he kisses me. Charlie loves him.

Eric helps me cook dinner twice a week for Charlie; it's become a tradition. Eric knows I hate having money on me and celebrating my birthday. He told me happy birthday, made dinner for me, and gave me a really cool sculpture he made out of leftover junk in his garage. It was perfect.

-It's our one-year anniversary of dating. That seems rather hard to believe. We've had some difficulties, but for the most part, it's been great. Eric said that he knows that I hate having money spent on me, but that tonight I was just going to have to deal with it. He told me we're going to a fancy restaurant so I should look dressy. Charlie seems to know what's going on because he has a permanent smile on his face and keeps laughing at my annoyance.

I guess I'll be wearing an Alice approved dress tonight. I got a package from Alice with a note that said 'Wear this and you'll knock him dead.' I looked in the box and there a 'little black dress,' apparently every woman needs one. I guess the pixie knows what's gonna happen.

I decided since I'm going to be uncomfortable anyway, I might as well go all out. I did my hair and makeup up elegantly. I also wore one-inch heels. I'm not quite as clumsy anymore, but I'm not gonna chance it with heels any higher than that. I looked in the mirror to see the finished product. I looked beautiful, if I do say so myself. I got my camera and brought it downstairs with me.

"Bells, you look beautiful." Charlie told me.

"Thanks, dad. Do you think you could get a picture of me and Eric before we leave?"

"Sure honey, that's a great idea." He answered enthusiastically. Good ol' Charlie. I grabbed my purse, one Alice insisted on sending me for Christmas last year. I'm sure she'll be ecstatic that I'm using it tonight.

Eric arrived looking super handsome. His green eyes sparkled with happiness and his breath caught in his throat when he saw me. "Bella, you look amazing."

"Thanks," I said blushing like an idiot.

"Smile for the camera!" Charlie cried happily. At least he didn't say it was for me. Eric and I posed for the camera. He stood behind me and had his arms wrapped around my waist. We smiled at the camera. Then we took another picture, Charlie's idea, of us looking into each other's eyes.

After we left, Eric took me to an expensive restaurant like he said he was going to. The food was amazing. We fed each other bites of our food just like the sappy couples we always used to make fun of, but it was perfect. Then he took me for a memorable stroll along the beach, which made me glad that I didn't choose higher heels. He shrugged off his coat for me to wear when I got cold.

We sat on the beach and talked. He told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I was stunned speechless when he opened up a ring box to show a silver band with five tiny diamonds along the top. It was gorgeous, and me. I've never thought of marriage as a good thing, but with Eric, I couldn't imagine saying no. So I threw my arms around him, whispered yes, and then planted a kiss on his lips.

When I got home, Charlie immediately zoned in on my left hand and smiled. "You knew, didn't you?" I accused.

"Of course I did. That boy's a proper gentleman and asked for my permission first. I couldn't let you in on the plan though. He told me it was gonna be tonight. I'm so happy for you kiddo."

"Me too, Charlie, me too." I said dreamily. He just laughed at me. I took my camera upstairs and uploaded it to my laptop, the one good thing about the Cullen's constant gift giving. I sent the two pictures to Alice, Jasper, and Emmett. I knew if I didn't send them to Alice and Jasper separately that Jasper would never see it. I'm not sure if he'll want to, but just in case, I wrote each of them an email stating that I'm in love and engaged to a human we used to go to high school with, telling them in case they couldn't figure out that my fiance was the man in the picture with me. I told them to guess on who they thought it was because he looks rather different now. He looks hot, but I may be biased.

(A/N: Read and Review)