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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just a cute chapter that sets the scene for the proposal. Please review and I'll try my best to post the proposal chapter tomorrow. Thanks you guys! Much love.
-EPOV-
I was euphoric as we drove through the familiar terrain of my former home. Everything about it had me being slightly nostalgic. As we passed land m arks I would tell Bella stories that they reminded me of. Alice and Emmett would add in random details they remembered at times and Bella listened with her whole attention, seemingly entertained with my memories. It felt so good to finally be able to share some of my memories with her. Of course I had told her of my small home town before, quite often actually. But I felt remorse because Bella shared her meaningful memories with me almost everyday and I knew nothing could measure up to the importance of what she was sharing with me but showing her my former life seemed to be a good start at least.
"And that's the coffee shop they had to rebuild after Em burned it down." I told her.
Bella's eyes widened slightly and she looked to the backseat with her eyebrows raised where Emmett shrugged nonchalantly.
"Accidents happen." He replied easily.
Alice giggled.
"I remember that! I was visiting for the summer! He was tired of waiting for someone to take his order so he decided to make it himself. He pushed all the buttons at once and a spark caught a napkin."
Bella put her head in her hands, shaking her head.
"You act as if I killed everyone!" Emmett huffed indignantly. "Everyone got out!"
The reset of the ride was made with minimal comment as we all sat, enjoying the beautiful landscapes. We pulled up outside of a two story house on a hill, providing the best view of the town. It was the house I had frown up in. Carlisle never sold it because it held so many memories and we knew we would be back for some visits at least. We were also under the impression that I would be moving back soon and he thought I could use this house during my stay before college. That hadn't turned out like we had thought it would. Not that I was complaining.
---
"I'll leave you two to unpack. Remember we're all going to have dinner tonight."
Bella and I nodded and Esme walked away, leaving us to examine my old room. our room for the remainder of our stay. It seemed different since I had been here last. It seemed bare, even if most of my belongings remained here when we had moved, Esme had wanted to decorate the new house in Forks with all new stuff.
"love?"
Bella looked up at me with an eyebrow raised questioningly.
I smiled, just having her here with me in Alaska was the most I could ever ask for. Well, I suppose that's not completely accurate since I hopped to have her with me for the rest of my life.
"Did you bring your picture of Zach?"
She wrinkled her brows in confusion.
"Of course I did." She said slowly.
I held out my hand.
"May I see it please?"
Bella remained confused but she undid the outside pocket of her suitcase and slid the picture out, placing it in my hand as if it were the most precious belonging she owned. I suppose it was.
I placed the picture in a silver frame that was sitting on the desk and stood back, appraising it with satisfaction.
"There. That's much better." I said resolutely.
Bella stood in front of me, looking at her picture on my desk, and I slid my arms around her waist automatically.
"What's better?" she asked quietly.
"The room." I explained. "it didn't seem right when I walked in and I think it's because there was no you here."
I kissed the top of her head and sighed happily.
"Now it's much better." I decided.
Bella laughed, causing an automatic smile to form on my face.
"We should unpack. Esme wants everyone to meet in half an hour."
I nodded and reluctantly released her. There was a restaurant that we had gone to every weekend when we lived here and Esme wanted to take the entire cumulative family there tonight to celebrate us all being here together. I couldn't agree with her more. It was definitely something to celebrate. It was no doubt also going to be interesting; having us all in public at once. I wasn't sure this little town was ready for the combined force.
"Bella?"
She looked up from her suitcase where she had been unpacking her things and hanging some shirts in the closet.
"Would you like to go somewhere with me after dinner?" I asked hopefully.
She didn't hesitate to answer.
"Of course. Where are we going?"
I felt the corner of my lips pull into a smile at her immediate answer and she flushed a little.
"It's a surprise."
She groaned.
"Some things never change huh?"
I just smirked. This surprise was going to change everything in one way or another. I just prayed that it would change things for the best.
Bella left to take a shower after the long plane ride and drive and I finished unpacking our things. I couldn't contain my smile as I moved around my old room, humming the lullaby I had composed the night I realized I was in love with Bella.
Someone's happy!" Alice chirped as she skipped into the room without knocking.
I rolled my eyes but I didn't believe there was anything that could dampen my mood today. Granted, I was more nervous and anxious than I had ever been in my entire life but if Bella accepted me tonight it would all be worth it.
"I'm happy to be back here." I responded coyly. Of course I was happy to be back in Alaska but it had not caused even a small fraction of the euphoria I was feeling now.
Alice hopped onto the king sized bed in the corner of the room and sat crossed legged in the middle, staring at me skeptically.
"I thought it was because you were finally going to ask Bella to marry you! You are aren't you?" I definitely think you should!"
I stared at Alice for a moment in slack jawed silence before shooting an anxious look at the bedroom door. I could still hear the water running in the bathroom though so I was pretty sure Bella hadn't heard her.
"Alice!" I hissed. "Please lower your voice."
Alice nodded enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming.
"I'm right aren't I?!"
I ran my hands through my hair and paced back and forth a couple of times before going to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Yes Alice. You're right but please keep this to yourself for the time being."
Alice squealed excitedly and attacked me, wrapping her little arms around me in a tight hug. I hugged her back before she sat back on her heels and looked at me.
"You can trust me! But when are you going to do it? Where? Oh!" She clapped her hands together in delight. "Oh! What are you going to say?!"
I chuckled.
"If everything goes as I have planned I am going to propose after dinner." I told her, a knot forming in my stomach.
Alice beamed at me, obviously approving of my timing.
"And I am not telling you or anyone else for that matter anything else until I talk to Bella."
Alice crossed her arms over her chest and pouted but then she sighed and nodded.
"I suppose that's fair. But I want details as soon as you get home and I want to see the ring! Oh! Please tell me you have the ring Edward!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Of course I have the ring." I replied indignantly. "I've been carrying it around since before prom waiting for the perfect moment."
Alice clapped again, her entire tiny form practically vibrating with her enthusiasm.
"That's so romantic!" then she smirked. "It's about time!"
I sighed. I could only hope these were Bella's sentiments. I knew she wasn't exactly keen on the thought of marriage but I couldn't bare the thought of a future without her.
"How did you know anyways?" I asked curiously. Her intuition was scary sometimes, really.
Alice rolled her eyes as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Everyone knew you two were going to end up together. We've just been waiting for you to man up and ask already! It only made sense that if you were going to do it you'd do it here, in a place that's really important to you."
I smiled and pulled out the velvet box that had taken up a constant occupancy in my pocket since the week before our prom. I handed it gingerly to Alice.
It had been my great grandmothers engagement ring and Esme had actually cried when I asked if I could give it to Bella. I knew that my mother wanted to pass it on to either me or Emmett. My great grandfather had gotten it for my great grandmother after they had been dating for three months. He told my grandfather that he hadn't needed any more time than that to realize he never wanted to spend his life without her. They were married seventy-three years when he died. My grandfather had given it to my father when he proposed to Esme and I felt that the background of so many happy couples would be a good sentiment.
Alice gasped.
"Edward! It's perfect! Bella is going to love this!"
I smiled at my cousin and she handed me Bella's ring back.
"I hope so." I sighed. I wanted nothing more than for everything to go perfectly tonight.
Alice giggled.
"Of course it's perfect!" She reassured me. "Bella is going to love anything you get her because she loves you."
I looked at the ring once more before sliding it into my pocket.
"There's only one more person that can know about this." I sighed.
Alice looked at me questioningly.
"I am going to need to borrow Emmett's jeep."
---
-BPOV-
Another surprise? Why does he feel the need to surprise me all the time? I had mentioned my hatred for surprises more than once and yet he continues to torment me. Of course even I had to admit that I ended up loving his surprises in the end but it was the principle of the matter.
I was still shooting Edward questioning glances as we pulled up at the restaurant but I was forced to look away when he led me into the most beautiful restaurant I had ever seen.
The lighting was dimmed, candelabras providing the only light, casting shadows all around the golden table cloths and cream walls.
A short man with a thin mustache took our coats and ushered us to a big table in the back of the restaurant where the rest of the family was already seated. Alice bounced in her seat when she saw us and waved enthusiastically. The rest of the family looked up and smiled warmly in greeting as Edward pulled out a chair for me.
Rosalie still looked worn out from the plane ride. Wow. When Emmett said that she was a nervous flyer I hadn't realized he meant it so seriously. She still looked beautiful of course, but it was evident she was tired and she looked the tiniest bit green. She wasn't even yelling at Emmett, who was busy trying to persuade Jasper to sword fight with the bread sticks.
I giggled as Emmett made a show of saying, "On guard!" a bunch of times. Jasper didn't looked amused but I always found great entertainment in watching Emmett.
Edward chuckled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"How are you liking the town so far dear?" asked Esme kindly from across the table where she was sitting beside Carlisle.
I returned her warm smile.
"I like what I've seen so far but I haven't gotten the chance to see a lot of the town yet."
Esme nodded.
"Oh! Bella!" Alice exclaimed, startling a waiter who was walking past with a tray full of cheesecakes. If it were me I would probably have dumped the entire tray.
"You should let me show you around!"
Edward started to say something but she shot him a look.
"You need to learn how to share her Edward!" She reprimanded him and everyone laughed as Edward rolled his eyes.
The rest of the dinner was fun, just like it always was when I was with my second family. Emmett had given up on the make believe sword fight shortly after the food had arrived. Alice had talked non stop about all of the places she was going to show me tomorrow. I wouldn't think she would be able to find so many destinations in a town this small. It was bigger than Forks but not by much.
Esme and Carlisle had done what they always did… sit on the sidelines with amused smiles as they watched their children and niece. It was obvious they thought of all of us as the children. That thought made me smile.
After we had eaten Carlisle paid the bill, despite some opposition from the guys. Carlisle said he liked treating us all once in a while and there was nothing we could do but thank him.
We all ended up walking outside together into the cold Alaskan weather. It had just started to snow and even I, with my intense dislike of the snow, had to admit it was absolutely beautiful.
I felt two strong arms snake around my waist and I melted into his warm embrace. I didn't even need to look. I knew it was Edward.
"It's so beautiful." I sighed. "I can see why you missed it so much."
Edward chuckled.
"It pales in comparison to you my love."
I didn't have to worry about the cold for long seeing as my cheeks were heating up noticeably with a crimson blush. I didn't think I would ever get used to the sweet things Edward said. I knew it would sound cheesy coming from anyone else but Edward could get away with it because I knew he meant it. I didn't fully understand how he could mean every sugar coated saying he uttered but I fully believed he did.
"I think you're slightly biased." I mumbled.
Edward leaned down and pressed his lips to my neck in a kiss.
"Probably." He admitted.
I rolled my eyes.
"But that is beside the point." He murmured against my neck.
Before I cold say anything in response Emmett walked over. He looked at our position; me with my back to Edward, Edward's arms around my waist, and his lips at my neck.
"Why so red Bells?" he smirked.
I glared at him but it did nothing to stop my blush from intensifying.
"Don't listen to Emmett Love. I adore your blush." Edward said, somewhat reluctantly looking up again.
These two would stop it nothing until I was crimson from head to two wouldn't they?
"Well Eddie, the jeep has snow tires on it non and it's got a tank full of gas." he said as he held out the keys to Edward.
Why were we barrowing Emmett's jeep? I was surprised to see that he was even offering! Everyone knew that Emmett loved his jeep more than anything except his family. Come to think of it maybe we all tied with the jeep? That's why he had another one here in Alaska, even though he was hardly ever here, that was almost identical to the one he drove in Forks.
Edward reached over for the keys but Emmett jerked them out of his reach at the last second and glared threatening at him.
"Remember. This is not your Volvo Eddie."
I smirked as he resorted to calling Edward by his most dreaded nickname twice in the past five minutes. Edward must really want to barrow the jeep because he hadn't said anything about it yet. Although I could feel him tense behind me as Emmett spoke.
"You can't go 110. You to press the brakes before you reach the stopping point."
Edward sighed, clearly not amused. He reached out once more for the keys but Emmett pulled them back again with a serious expression on his face for once.
"And no fishtailing around the corners!"
"I understand Emmett. Now give me the keys." Edward replied calmly.
Emmett finally let the keys fall into Edward's hand and Edward pulled them back quickly as if he thought Emmett would change his mind again. Although knowing Emmett he probably would. Just to irritate Edward further.
"Where's Rosalie?" I asked, trying to discourage him from pestering Edward further. I really did want to know though. She had disappeared shortly after we had all walked outside.
"She had to go to the store." Emmett informed me. "She wanted some Pepto-Bismol."
He grinned mischievously.
"Heart burn, nausea, upset stomach, diaria!" He sang proudly, smirking at people walking past.
Edward groaned.
"Thank you for that spirited rendition." he said dryly. "Now if you'll excuse us Bella and I have prior engagements."
Emmett grinned, even wider than before.
"Engagements you say?"
Edward didn't even answer him. He simply grabbed my hand in haste and led me to the jeep. What was going on with everyone lately?
"I have an idea!" I said suddenly as Edward helped me buckle the off-roading harness.
He quirked an eyebrow at me.
"You should tell me where we're going!" I said hopefully with enthusiasm. I knew he would never go for it but you couldn't blame a girl for trying could you?
"We're going for a drive my love." he smirked.
Oh, he thought he was so funny.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: the next chapter is the proposal but I want at least ten reviews before I post it.
7 pages all for you! Did you like it. More Emmett for those of you who requested him. Review. Review. Review. I am excited to see what you guys think! Lol. Much love.