Carlisle was sitting close to Danielle, watching her reaction. She let him hug her and hold her close. She had to think deeply about everything that Edward just suggested. She knew they were right. They had a plan if anyone from the authorities appeared. It was silence and the men were waiting for Danielle´s reply. She was thinking about this. She knew that the options weren´t that bad either. It assured that she would be allowed to stay with them. As long as she has to stay here, it is truly the best option. The first option differed just with the wedding ceremony. She has already gone through the wedding once with Josh. But now she was here with her new boyfriend. She has known him for a few days but he treated her better than her ex ever did. It couldn´t be that bad to go through the wedding with him. She had to admit she was curious. After few moments of hesitation she turned towards Carlisle: „ Ok, I think I know the answer….." Edward was already smiling because he knew but because of Carlisle and Danielle´s discomfort, he didn´t comment.
She was gently Carlisle´s hand and looking to him and to Edward: "I chose the first option…I am your sister then….." She turned to Edward who showed a very warm-hearted smile: " It will be a pleasure for me…"
And then she turned to Carlisle: " And your fiancee then…" The named one caressed her cheek and kissed her softly on her lips: "You won´t regret it….The ceremony will be beautiful…."
She nodded: " I hope my second experience will be much better …."
Edward took out the wine bottle and offered them a glass of the red wine: " To a new family…" Danielle and Carlisle laughed and joined him.
In the evening when Edward disappeared for a hunt, Carlisle led Danielle from the dining room table to the sofa. He sat her down and kneeled down: „ I know we are taking things too fast but I believe it´s the best for all of us…but still…I would like to ask if you become my wife…I hope you will be able to get used to me…..I promise to love you, protect you and cherish you with everything I have…"
She watched the look in his eyes and he was so sincere. She had to admit that, despite everything, it was so simple, it seemed more romantic than Josh´s proposition. He had no romantic music, no adorable dinner but the way he said it, the look he gave her, she had no doubts about his intentions. It seemed to her that he wasn´t able to do anything bad.
She kneeled down to him and smiled: " Yes, I will marry you… it´s actually pretty fast but I feel that I can trust you….I hope we will be able to be happy…..but I want to believe that, yes…" He smiled and kissed her immediately. She loved being in his arms. She gave her head to his chest and enjoyed the soft touches. In a second he gently raised her hand and she could see a beautiful golden ring on her finger. She smiled: "It´s lovely…"
He gave his finger on her lips: " No, you are….the most adorable woman I have ever seen…." She blushed immediately. He caressed her cheek again and she asked not moving the look in his eyes: "When are you planning the wedding ceremony?"
He was holding her hands playing with her fingers: "Truly, I hoped that next month…..if that is fine with you…"
She smiled: "Alright…..."
He continued: " I applied for a job position when I was visiting my friend few days ago. He had the newspapers there and reading through them, I wrote my application and he promised to send it. Now I am waiting for their reply."
She asked: "Where would we move?"
He smiled: "Is it okay with you if we move?"
She nodded: "Sure, I just…I am afraid that I won't be able to cope with the mentality of the local people…"
He asked: "Why?"
She shrugged: „ Well, I am not very sociable person and I may seem awkward to people…then… you know…people behave differently in my time…."
He kissed her hand: "Don´t worry about this, after the wedding you´re going to be Dr. Cullen´s wife and nobody will dare disrespect you…"
She smiled: "Another difference…in my time we would say that I will be Mrs. Cullen…and not the doctor´s wife…..as a reason for respect of the people….."
That made him laugh: "Sometimes you have to tell me as much as possible about these new times…I am longing to know…"
She shrugged: „ I don´t know if it is worth it…..I may not go back….so I should probably get used to the idea of the man as the head of the family and its protector….."
He kissed her temple and she warned him: "But I doesn´t mean I accept it…in my opinion the woman is equal and it should be treated accordingly….."
He grinned and kissed her forehead again: "I swear I will always treat you equally… I don´t approve the society´s attitude towards woman….."
She smiled, at least in something he tried to make things easier for her. Or he could create the impression of doing so. She hoped that she would be able to love him the way he deserved. Her previous experience was kind of painful for her and she hoped that the accidental second chance at love would help to improve her opinion of true love.
Edward entered the room when Danielle just left to go to sleep in their bedroom. He was watching Carlisle´s satisfied expression and he even didn´t have to ask. His mind was talking itself. He just asked one question: " Do you know when we should move back to town?"
He shaked his head in his hands: „ We have to wait until I get a job….we´ll see which hospital replies the earliest…according to that…we will choose a place to live…."
Edward nodded: "And the wedding…?"
"As soon as possible…..I mean when Danielle is ready…I would like her to arrive to town as my wife…..it will be better for preventing any gossips…."
"Do you plan to tell her about us?"
"Yes, I mean we should be honest…"
"How do you think she will react?"
"You might know better by reading her mind….I have no idea….but on the other hand…I hope that she will get used to it…..I really hope so….."
Edward was watching Carlisle doubting about her. Yes, it will be hard to tell but she should know…..it wouldn´t be fair if Carlisle had married her first without saying a single word. No, she should definitely know. The sooner the better and then she can make the final decision.
