Ten Feet off the Ground, Chapter 4.
April 17, 1918. Seven Months later…
She's finally going to be my wife.
Me and my lovely Isabella have been courting for so long. We were inseparable. We did everything together. I took her across the lake, on long walks, and to dinner. I even told her I loved her. We've shared our laughs, our love, our first kiss and all. That night will be a night I'll never forget. But I finally gathered the courage to ask her parents for their permission…
I walked into the shop. Bella was nowhere in sight, but her parents were smiling and laughing. Renee looked up and saw me.
"Edward! Nice to see you again!" I smiled and nodded my head. "Bella's-"
"I actually came to talk to you two," I told them. "It's important." Renee stared at me, a slow smile spreading on her face. She must've known exactly what I was about to do.
"Bella and I've been courting for a long time now," I told them, suddenly nervous. What if they said no? "And I love her, more than my own life. I'll do anything for her. I came here to ask you if I could ask for your daughter's hand. I promise, I'll live up to her expectations, and I'll never hurt her. Please?" I stared at them as they looked at each other.
Charlie then turned to me. "Edward, I like you. And I trust you. You've always made my daughter happy. And I know that you will take very good care of her."
"What he's trying to say," Renee said, giving him a look. "Yes. We give you our permission. We know you're making the right choices for you. You love her. We see that." I beamed at them.
"Thank you," I said. "So much. I promise, I won't let you down."
"Or Bella," Charlie said.
"Of course," I told him, a smile on my face.
"Bella! Sweetie, get in here!"
Just then, my entire world stepped out of the kitchen. She looked exquisite in her sundress. When she saw me, the smile that made my entire day formed on her lips.
"Edward, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised that I was here.
"I have to ask you something," I told her, taking her hand and giving it a kiss.
"Ask away," she smiled. Still holding her hand, I kneeled to one knee. She gasped, and looked at the audience that gathered in the shop, and then to her parents. They gave her warm smiles, and she turned her attention back to me.
"Isabella Marie Swan, I love you. I love you more than life itself. These past few months have been the best they could be. And I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you. And I hope you are as well. Will you marry me?"
She gasped when I pulled out my grandmother's ring. She was silent for a long time, and I grew more nervous. But as she stared into my eyes, a smile began to form, and she was nodding her head.
"Yes," she whispered, still nodding. "Yes of course, of course I'll marry you!" I grinned and placed the ring on her finger before standing up. There was tears in her eyes as I cradled her face, as if it were the most delicate thing, and placed a soft kiss on her lips. The crowd erupted in cheers.
And in less than four hours, she would be mine forever. I opened my eyes, coming back from my memory. Alice skipped to my side.
"Nervous?" she asked as my father, Charlie, and my Dad's friend Dr. Carlisle Cullen fixed the tie on my suit.
"Yes, and you're not suppose to be in here," I told her, smiling.
"I just wanted to say congratulations," she said innocently. "I can't wait for you to see her, Edward. She's gorgeous."
"Isn't she always," I reminded her. She laughed.
"You know what I mean," she said.
It all happened so fast. I couldn't believe I opened up to him so quickly. In the beginning, I was pretty hesitant, but I immediately opened up to him. He was everything I wanted and more. I looked at myself in a body-length mirror as my mother and Elizabeth fixed my hair.
My cheeks were red from the blush that was applied on my face. My hair was piled on top of my head. My dress was long and elegant with long sleeves. The train flowed way behind me, and my veil covered my face. I was nervous, yet excited. I always wondered why a wealthy man like him had eyes for a poorly woman like me. He saw through my insecurities, proved to me that I was capable of being by his side, by sharing his last name.
"Ready, sweetheart?" my mother said, tears in her eyes as she stared at me. I took deep breaths and looked out the window. We were having the wedding outside the Masen home, in the meadow I adored. I looked out the window and saw a crowd of people, gathering for my big day. "Oh, you look beautiful," she said, handing me my bouquet.
"My son is a lucky man," Elizabeth smiled. I looked down and blushed.
"Nervous dear?" Mother asked me when Elizabeth headed downstairs. I nodded.
"I don't want him to regret this. Or me. Am I too young?" I heard talk around town while engaged to Edward.
They said we were too young.
That we wouldn't last.
That we'd divorce soon.
That we're only doing this for…sex.
I shuddered. Mom patted my arm. "Don't let those silly rumors get to you," she told me. "You're in love, and you'll last until you're old and grey. You and Edward will go to the grave together." I smiled and kissed her cheek. "Come on. It's time."
I met my father downstairs, and he kissed my cheek. " You look beautiful," he told me. I smiled. We descended the stairs slowly, and I gasped when I saw the scenery.
It was gorgeous. Flowers everywhere. It seemed the whole town was there, smiling at me. I was vaguely aware that I was slowly walking down the aisle, because the love of my life, the man who I'll spend the rest of my life with was not even ten feet away. He looked amazing in his suit, hands behind his back, waiting for me with a smile on his face. And when my father placed my hand on his, I knew my fears seemed silly.
Our vows were simple, but filled love. And so was our kiss. Our first kiss as husband and wife. Again, he cradled my face as if I was the most delicate of flowers. Oh, how I loved him.
Yes, a big jump, but I've been so busy with my other story, I've barely made time for this one. Forgive me!