Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Steph Meyer!

Chapter 3 Disclosure

Charlie wasn't home from his fishing trip, which was a huge relief. I'd stopped by the store to grab a few items to make a special dinner for him. I got the stroganoff started and set to work readying the table. I added the navy shadow-striped table cloth that Alice had liked so much with cloth napkins tucked away in brass napkin rings and a blue and white medley of candles to the center of the table with the new plate settings that Alice had said we were in dire need of. I turned my attention back to the simmering pot and stirred lightly, my nose wrinkling. I hated this dish, but it was his favorite.

I hurried up to my room and grabbed the beautiful, yet dreaded, ring off the top of my nightstand, placing it on my ring finger. The ring, so hated just a week ago, had morphed into one of my most prized possessions. Of course, I would never let Edward in on that little secret. His head was swollen enough as it was. I still couldn't quiet that sickening feeling that I was about to become the gossip of the town. I found myself wishing I could at least confide in Angela, but I knew that I could tell no one until I'd broken the news to Charlie. And god, what was I going to tell my mother? No matter how badly Charlie took it, it would pale in comparison to Renee. That was one phone call I was not looking forward too.

I felt a cool breeze tickle along my back. I knew he was in here, waiting for my human senses to clue me in. Without turning around I asked, "So, what did you do all afternoon while Alice dragged me to store after store?" I chanced a glance into the mirror on my dresser. He was wearing a charcoal grey suit with a purple dress shirt. He must have picked my agenda out of Alice's thoughts.

"Car shopping," he answered vaguely.

"What on earth do you need another car for," I asked, fully bewildered by his afternoon activities. Perhaps it was an addiction like heroine or something. I was going to have to check out a twelve step program for addicted to unnecessary sports cars.

He looked down nervously. "Well, it wasn't exactly for me," he explained cautiously.

I turned facing him with my hand on my hips. He so had better not be thinking about replacing my truck. I loved that truck despite its so obvious shortcomings. "Who exactly were you car shopping for then?"

His nostrils flared and his face swiveled to the doorway. "Are you cooking something?"

"Shoot!" I ran down the steps and removed the lid to give it another stir, but it was still simmering perfectly. His low chuckle was echoing down the stairs. He'd just wanted to distract me. "That damn vampire," I muttered under my breath. The front door banged closed announcing Charlie's arrival. Dinner wouldn't be ready for another half an hour, so he'd have plenty of time to shower. Plenty of time to get my thoughts in order. How bad could it be? Ugh! I didn't really want to consider the awful things Charlie might say to Edward.

"Something sure smells good, Bells," he said as he entered the kitchen. His eyes widened as he took in the table settings and the lit candles. "What's all this?" he asked, his voice full of suspicion.

"Just wanted to do something special today, that's all." I went back to stirring, not ready to deal with him yet. "Edward is joining us too." I added hastily and plowed on, not giving him time to say something disparaging against Edward. "It'll be done in thirty minutes, why don't you go take a shower?"

He nodded and sulked out of the room. I wish he wasn't so against Edward. It was only going to make this announcement all the more difficult. Speaking of scrumptious vampires, Edward had just walked in and raised his eyebrows at all the fanfare I was throwing at Charlie.

"When you said you were going shopping with Alice, I never dreamed you meant for housewares."

I studiously ignored him. "Did you buy a car today?"

"Your hair looks lovely," he countered and smiled as he glided toward me, ignoring my question as much as I'd tried to ignore his. Just the brush of his cool fingers against my hair sent a thrill of chills down my spine. "Mmm, yes, I really should thank Alice for this." He brought his face close to my hair and inhaled deeply, a shudder coursing down him.

"Stop that," I demanded weakly, when all I really wanted was for him to throw me up against the wall and have his way with me. "I'm trying to prepare a culinary masterpiece," I huffed, giving him a firm push against his marble chest. He didn't have to react, but he gave me the space I'd asked for, taking a seat at the table.

"So, what's the plan? Do we eat first or announce our engagement first? Personally, I'm all for the latter."

"Why's that?" I asked over my shoulder while I began pouring the drinks.

"Because he's unlikely to want to eat and I won't have to pretend to." He winked at me and I had to stifle my giggle.

"In that case, we'll be eating first," I said bestowing a wide grin on him as I set the glasses on the table. I heard the water shut off. He'd be back down here in minutes. I was beginning to feel downright ill. Maybe Edward was right about getting the bad news out of the way. I would so hate to throw stroganoff up. It wasn't great the first time around; I very much doubted it would improve the second time.

Charlie stood in the doorway taking in Edward's nice attire. He'd thrown on a pair of jeans and a Sea Hawks tee-shirt. "Dinner's ready," I announced, placing the dishes on the table.

"You've really out done yourself tonight, Bells." Presented with his favorite dish, even Edward's presence didn't damper his desire for food. Edward moved his food around on his plate silently watching as Charlie ignored him. I managed about three bites before I set my fork down, eyeing Charlie warily. He was eating with gusto, not noticing our lack of appetite. After a second helping, he pushed back from the table and met my eyes.

"You sure went through a lot of trouble tonight." He turned it into a question with a lilt at the end.

"I guess," I mumbled. Now that the time had come, I was having third and fourth thoughts. He wasn't very observant for the Chief of Police. I'd had the ring on all through dinner and he still hadn't spotted it. I was counting on him detecting it and making the connection, but no-oo, he'd just make me come right out and say it.

"Was there a reason for all of this," he motioned around the table and shot a glance in Edwards's direction, who had remained oddly silent.

"I have something I need to tell you." I wasn't brave enough to chance a glance at his eyes. I just kept rolling and unrolling my napkin in my left hand. The silence stretched on interminably, giving me no choice but to meet his gaze. His eyes were frozen on my hand, his whole body tense. Edward was staring intently at him, taking in every expression that was flitting across his face.

It's just like taking off a band-aid, I thought. Best done quickly. "Edward proposed to me and I accepted," I blurted out in a rush, bracing myself for a classic Charlie freak out.

He remained quiet and stiff for a short time, then turned his eyes to Edward, truly seeing him for the first time. He looked back at me with a forced smile. "You're getting married?" He almost seemed to be restraining his laughter, like it was all some sort of big joke.

"Uh-huh," I nodded, shooting a nervous look at Edward and back to Charlie.

"Are you pregnant?" he asked dryly. Because of course, if an eighteen year old just out of high school wants to get married, then they must be pregnant. His attention remained fixed on me, pointedly ignoring Edwards presence.

I sighed. "No dad, I'm not pregnant." I forced my hands to release the napkins and fiddled with my ring instead.

"Then why?" he asked, voice filled with anguish.

"Because we're in love, Charlie," Edward interjected. "That's not going to change, so why not get married now?"

Anger darted across his face and he closed his eyes for a full minute before looking at Edward. "If it's not going to change, then what's the hurry? Why not wait until you both graduate from college?" He was trying so hard to be reasonable, but I could see the pain he was trying to mask.

Edward seemed at a loss for words and shot me a look. "I'm ready, dad. We're ready now. I want to do it before we leave for Dartmouth."

He shook his head, covering his face in his hands. "Do you already have the date set, then?" he whispered into his hands.

"August thirteenth."

"So soon," he murmured raising his face up to me, tears glinting in his eyes. Then a huge smile replaced his darkened features. "You tell your mom yet?" This thought seemed to greatly amuse him.

I shook my head no. "And don't you go ruining it for me. I'm going to call her tonight."

"Oh ,Bells, I wouldn't deprive you of this moment for all the football tickets in the world," he snickered. "All I ask is that you let me listen in on the other phone."

"Well, I'm glad my discomfort is so entertaining for you," I said sarcastically.

"Just trying to make the best out of this mess."

"Dad? One more thing." He walked his dish to the sink and rinsed it out before turning around waiting for me to continue.

"Will you walk me down the aisle?"

He walked over to me and hugged me tightly. "I'd be honored," he whispered into my hair. "I love you, Bells, even when you make ridiculous decisions." He released me abruptly and strode out of the room, not to the safety of the living room and a ball game, but into the sanctuary and privacy of his bedroom. But not before I saw the tear that had escaped his iron control.

Edward wrapped his hard arms around me pulling me into his body. "That went better than expected."

"You think so, do you? I think aside from him not screaming, it went exactly as I expected." He placed his cool finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Are you having second thoughts?" Fear danced across his usually stoic face. How he could doubt my love for him was beyond me.

I rose up on my tip toes and placed a soft kiss on his. He moaned low in his throat and deepened the kiss, walking us against the refrigerator. His hands roamed down my back and curved around my waist as I knotted my fingers into his hair, gluing him to me. He lifted my legs around his waist, and I cried out in surprise. "What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, turning my head toward the doorway. "Put me down," I demanded.

He kissed down my neck, ignoring my outrage. My breathing was ragged and my blood turned to fire as I fought against what I'd been wanting for so long. "Please, Edward," I begged. His lips trailed farther down to the edge of my neckline. I whispered again, before the sensation of his cold lips licking an icy trail down my chest made talking impossible. "Please stop."

He set me down gently and leaned his head against me, trying to regain control over his raging body. "Sorry," he muttered. "Just give me a second."

I used his inability to move or think rationally to question him about his earlier activities. "So, about this car?"

He groaned loudly. "I bought you something safer. You are after all very breakable and I'd very much like it if you made it to our wedding day in one piece."

Who could argue with that? "What kind of uber-safe vehicle did you buy me?" I asked teasingly.

"A Mercedes." He didn't elaborate.

"And when can I see said car?"

"Right now. I parked it down the road. I'll go get it." He chanced another kiss. "Be right back."