Emma Hope

31st July 2016

Dearest Emma,

So now you know how your father and I got together, let me fill you in on the weeks that followed until we became engage. I should tell you this that I asked your father to marry me, not the most romantic way, but it worked for us I guess, since we are still together. I wish that I could tell you these stories in person when the time was right, but it was just not meant to be.

After we agreed to be together we spent the rest of the day just cuddling and kissing, nothing more. Around 2pm your father said he had to go home as he had to prepare for job interview the next day. Sadly, we parted and I watched him drive away.

I spent the next few hours in a daze- that this amazing young man, who could any woman he wanted, yet he chose to be with plain, old boring me. Though I was not going to dwell on that, I was too elated over the fact I had a boyfriend. Then I realized I would have to tell Charlie and Renee.

Though my relationship with Renee was strained, at best, I still tried to be her daughter, even though she was no longer with Phil. I still could not put aside what she had done to me and what she had allowed to happen to me. Charlie could not understand why I continued to have a relationship with Renee, so we had an unspoken rule not to talk about her at all.

So, I called Renee quickly and told her I had met a guy from an online chat-room, that he was amazing and we were together, and that I was already serious about him. She did not say much, she wanted to talk about how bad her life was and how I had ruined it with my lies about Phil. I still, to this day, do not understand why I put myself through that except to say, that I wanted my mother in my life no matter how bad she was.

Next, I called Charlie and told him all about Edward and what he was beginning to mean to me. About how we met and our weekend and that we were now together. Charlie, being a man of the law, wanted to run a background check on this 'young hooligan', as he put it- as far as Charlie was concerned there was no man good enough for me plus he did not want to see me hurt. Finally, I got Charlie to calm enough to listen to what I was saying about Edward and that he was important to me. Charlie's advice was not to rush into the relationship and that he wanted to meet Edward the following weekend.

After speaking with both my parents I tidied up the apartment and straightened the bed and couch. Then I logged into the chatroom to wait for Green-Eyes. I did not have to wait long. I am sure Edward broke every speeding law to get home quickly so that we could talk again. First, he told me he missed me and could not wait to see me again. I told Green-Eyes that I had informed both my parents about him and that Charlie wanted to meet him next weekend. Surprisingly Green-Eyes agreed to this, but said he had to go offline for the night and get ready for his job interview at a local piano bar that was looking to hire a new pianist, but before he went he wanted to exchange mobile numbers, which we did.

During the week neither of us had much time to be online, but Edward and I texted and called each other every day or night, texting throughout the day little things about how our day was going. Edward would always find a way to pay me a new compliment; about how beautiful I was, how sexy I was, or how he wanted to spend all his free time with me. Edward did tell me that his parents knew about us. That his mother knew something had happened the moment he got home on Sunday, as his face was lit up and had he had a cheesy smirk on his face. So, Esme just said right out to him he had met someone and Edward happily told her about me. Edward said that she was excited and wanted to meet me as soon as possible and to not be surprised if she suddenly dropped into the bookstore, if he waited too long before introductions were made. I laughed at this, why would someone travel so far just to meet her son's new girlfriend, but I didn't question Edward on this.

The following weekend Edward drove down to my apartment to spend the weekend with me and I knew I had to tell him all about my past. I didn't want to start a relationship with him with secrets. So, after dinner, I explained to him my family dynamics, who was who, and then proceeded to explain to him about Renee, the abuse I was subjected to at the hands of Phil, how my mother never stopped it, and said I was a liar, even though Phil had been abusive to her also. I explained what happened on my 17th birthday, how I came to live with Charlie and what life had been like since moving to Forks. That Charlie means the world to me and without his unconditional support and love I was unsure of where I would be today.

As usual I expected your father, Edward, to run for the hills thinking I was too much work. I explained to him, as best as I could, my own understanding of what my mental illnesses meant to me and anyone else in my life. That it wasn't an easy life to live or deal with and that I totally understood if he didn't want to be with me anymore. I explained to him that even though we had the most amazing chemistry, I wanted our relationship to go slowly and not just be based on sex. I needed more than that.

Edward surprised me yet again, he slowly approached as if scared to startle me and placed his hands upon my checks coming closer to my face and gently kissing me. He then proceeded to tell me that I was a survivor, that I had this amazing talent to become a strong, independent woman after everything I had been through and could still allow a man to be close to me. He said he was even more proud to be my boyfriend, and that there was nothing I could say or do now, or in the future, that would scare him away from me, and that I was stuck with him if I would have him. I was in shock. I didn't know what to say, so I just sat there for I don't know how long, then I felt an arm come around my shoulder and hold me tight. I felt safe and the tears started to flow, I was slowly letting go of the emotions I had felt all week about telling Edward my secret.

After some time and a brief nap, Edward reminded me we had dinner with Charlie, I had forgotten that. So, I drove to Charlie's house and surprise, surprise, Charlie opened his door with his shotgun in his hand, appearing to have been cleaning it. I should say now, that I did give Edward a head up on what to expect when meeting Charlie for the first time, that Charlie would probably have all his guns out and for appearances sake appearing to be cleaning them, but I knew better. Charlie was trying to scare Edward and though Edward paled when he saw the guns, he held strong, introducing himself and telling Charlie what a wonderful daughter he had. Charlie did not fall for this. Over the evening, while I cooked, Charlie and Edward talked. Well, Charlie for a man of few words had a lot to say to Edward, making it clear that if Edward ever hurt me he knew how to get rid of him and no one would know where to look; Charlie was a lawman after all and knew how to hide a body. Not that Charlie has ever broken the laws he upholds, but he made it clear to Edward that hurting me would be his end.

Edward explained to Charlie that I had told him about Renee and Phil, the surprised look on Charlie's face was priceless, but I quickly explained to Charlie that I wanted no secrets with Edward from the start, that I want to be open and honest from the beginning. Therefore, allowing Edward the opportunity to leave before he became too committed to me. Edward quickly reassured Charlie that he was going nowhere and that he would always be by my side, no matter what happened down the road. That he was in this relationship for the long haul and though he did not understand my mental health illness issues he was willing to learn how to be the best support person for me, Edward then asked Charlie for advice on how to support me best. This took Charlie by surprise and I could see Charlie start to soften towards Edward as they spent the rest of the night talking. By the end of the night, I had a sense of peace around me, I had never felt before, Charlie approved of my boyfriend.

The next weekend I drove to Seattle to meet Edward's family. To say I was nervous was the understatement of the century. I just couldn't calm myself during the drive, thinking what if they don't like me, what if they think I am after Edward's money. But this all proved to be fruitless because when I arrived at the Cullen's' home I was first greeted by Edward and then by his mother Esme, who was the most loving, compassionate woman I had ever met. Edward's father, Dr Cullen was still at the hospital and I would meet him later. Last to meet was Emmett. He was huge, but gave the best bear hugs you could ask for.

That this family was just so loving and understanding was so alien to me, but after spending time with them I knew I had fallen in love with them all. Edward could see I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed by all the affection and attention so he took me to his room, where we spent the evening getting to know each other better, both physically and personally. Though I did not want to rush the relationship I could not fight the undeniable need we both had to be intimate with each other, kissing was just not enough. So finally, as things were crossing beyond the barrier of our relationship I told Edward I was ready to take the next step. It was earth shattering, just amazing. I spent the weekend with Edward and his family and as I was driving away Edward rushed to my open window and said three little words that changed my life forever. "I love you". I was stunned as I drove away, I had no response.

I knew I had strong feelings for Edward, feelings I had never experienced before. But was it love? I was too scared to face the truth, that after only a few short weeks I was in love with this man? I could not admit to the truth to myself until I got home that night. I then admitted to myself that yes, I was in love with Edward and that I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him.

We had spoken through the week, on the phone, learning more about each other's interests and dislikes, things we had done in the past and our dreams. The weekend came and Edward again drove down to Port Angeles to spend the weekend with me. I knew now was the time to tell Edward how I felt about him, he had been telling me all week how much he loved me. So, after dinner and some pep talk to myself, I finally had the courage to tell Edward I loved him with all my heart and we spent a blissful weekend together doing nothing but talking, making out and watching crappy TV.

The next week Edward surprised me in the middle of the week by coming down and cooking me dinner, for when I got home from work. It was the most romantic thing, he had rose petals scattered all over the couch and bed and was waiting for me to arrive home. After a delicious dinner, we were lying in bed together and again I had this little voice in my head saying 'Ask him to marry you', I was running scared, that he would reject me, I wouldn't be able to cope with that at all. Finally, after about ten minutes of arguing with myself I turned to Edward "Will you marry me?" He surprised me by kissing me and saying "Yes" and that he had wanted to ask me for a while but was scared that I would say no and be scared off the relationship with him.

So, there you have it! How your father and I became engaged, and yes it was me that asked him the question and I would do it all over again, because Edward stuck by his promise to always be by my side no matter what.

Till next time my beloved daughter

Love always and forever

Bella Cullen

A/N thank you everyone for you support a special thank you to Sherry and Carole for taking time out of their busy lives to be my betas and helping make this story great