A/N: So guys, I'm really sorry that my story is taking so long. But life is crazy, and I'm sorry to say that this won't be updated regularly, but know that I'm working on it and I always try to get teasers out fast. =) Plus reviews make me want to update! So let's get to it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, however I do own a glorious Viva La Vida shirt from a Coldplay concert. =)
(BPOV)
Granddaughter. Wow. She just said that. I had to gather my wits so I could pick my jaw up off the ground and talk to her.
"Oh, well if you insist Mrs. Cullen, oh I mean Katherine."
She smiled at me broadly and then stopped at a rack of dresses that were about ankle-length. She selected a beautiful red one with a large pleat down the front and elegant pleated detailing on the bodice. It was perfect and to my surprise, only a hundred dollars.
"I can actually afford that one…would you let me pay for it?"
"If that's what you want. But I expect you to let me accessorize it with you."
"Alright, sounds like a plan."
We shared the rest of the afternoon having lunch at a swanky Italian bistro and picking out a clutch, a pair of high heels, some earrings, and a pretty necklace. She was actually a really amazing inspiring person, using their money to fund non-profit organizations. She even whipped out her iPhone and showed me some of the pictures she had of the boy's right after they were born, before the family fallout happened. I felt really natural around her, especially when we had a talk about the age difference between me and Edward. She actually felt my pain about how people looked down on my relationship because when she was first met Lawrence, he had been 23 and she had been 18. Times surely had been different back then but still people didn't like the age difference.
"Well lovely girl, it's been a fabulous day, but I know you have to go in now…from what I hear my grandson wants to have some fun with you tonight."
"Ha-ha that sounds so crude. But I am going to go in; it's been a long day. Thanks so much for the jewelry and shoes…they really are going to make the dress something special."
"Oh no now, you make anything you wear special. It's the love that radiates from your eyes."
I hugged her as I exited the car that had been in my front yard for at least fifteen minutes because we had been so into our conversation.
(EPOV)
I had been waiting patiently all day for Bella to get back home from her shopping excursion with my grandmother. I didn't know how it was going to work out, if they would even get along by themselves-it was very stressful on my part.
I had received the suit that I was supposed to be wearing from Lawrence (aka Gramps); well actually his assistant brought it by. I was just relieved that I would be able to give it back after the charity ball, taking things from them made me feel extremely uncomfortable. And I was used to having to work for everything I received. I mean, that's part of the reason why I joined the military. Sure I was attending college, but I wasn't happy there. I wanted to get out and make something of myself, and make some real cash while I was at it. Joining the military was the best choice I ever made, they were making me into a real man who stood up for himself and the others around him and protected his family. It was a life changing experience, but it means a lot.
My ringtone went off while I was putting together moms new side table for the living room. She had recently bought some new furniture for the house, and Jazz had put some stuff together but he had left one or two more things for me to do while he was out with Tori, shopping for some new clothes.
I grabbed my phone just as "God Love Her" finished up and flipped it open. Bella had just texted me and sent me a beautiful picture of her with her dress pulled on and her long brown hair all curly down around her shoulders. I automatically texted her back.
To: Bella
From: Edward
Beautiful. Just plain beautiful.
Instead of her texting me back, she just proceeded to call me. Her very own ringtone, "God Love Her" rang out again and I picked it up, a smile playing on my lips as I heard her sexy voice.
"So how was the day with Grandmother dear?"
"Screw your grandmother…yeah she's awesome but right now…you need to come here."
"You come here. I'm about to go downstairs…"
"Be there in five or less."
I practically jumped the stairs to the basement and threw everything on my bed. I had been trying to go through some of my clothes so I could take some different stuff back to Texas when I went in a few days.
All of my clothes were thrown rapidly in the closet, I threw my covers back onto my bed as well as I could, but honestly, this was the messiest my room had been since we moved in so I didn't think it was honestly that bad.
Before I even had time to think about it, I turned around rapidly and knocked a few of my CDs out of the CD tower. I leaned over to pick them up and that's when I heard my basement door open.
I looked up and there was Bella, wearing a short baby blue sundress, her beautiful tanned legs gliding towards me as she came down the stairs almost like an angel descending Heaven.
"Bella…"
She didn't say anything, just pressed her pointer finger to her lips and gave me a seductive smile.
The last few steps disappeared between us and B was in front of me, pushing my back to the cool brick wall behind me. Our clothes practically disappeared as her dress flew over her head, my shorts kicked off toward my living room; my shirt was already gone anyway.
She jumped up, wrapping her legs around my waist, my hands automatically going to her butt to hold her there. Her body broke out in chills as I swiftly entered her. We were both so close, the air was so hot and think, the humidity resting on us, clothing us in a layer of sex and sweat.
Our sweat mingled together, our bodies pressing hard against each other, our hips pulling apart, and then crushing back together again. I used my forehead to push Bella's hair back so I could find her ear with my lips.
I tried to steady my harsh breathing as I whispered, "B, I talked to your dad this morning…"
"Don't talk about my dad." Bella breathed out her words, whimpering a little bit.
"But it's important baby."
"Edward…fuck…I'm almost…there. Shut up."
I decided to finish what I was getting and as we climbed into the shower after our sexcapade she laughed and told me that I could bring it up again.
"Well…it's like this Bella…I talked to your dad this morning in Lineville over breakfast. And I asked him a question…"
"Edward, you know my dad doesn't care about our relationship."
"No, it's not that or anything bad. I asked if I could maybe…marry you."
She looked at me, water coursing over her bare body, looking delicious, and smiled at me, suddenly covering me with kisses.
"Edward! Are you proposing to me?!"
"Well…something like that. It's just I didn't know what kind of ring you wanted…but see Esme said that I could have hers…if you wanted it."
"Edward, I've seen Esme's ring. It's beautiful. I would love to have it."
We climbed out of the shower, after drying me; I took my time lovingly drying all of her beautiful parts.
I left her in my bathroom to dry her hair as I searched my bedside table for the ring box Carlisle had given me before he left for the road again.
Aha! There it is, a pretty little red velvet box, I opened it just to make sure the family heirloom was still tucked inside. It was a vintage ring, passed down through at least three generations. It had a beautiful center diamond, with several on the sides; inside there was now an engraved word, forever.
I sat it on the table as I pulled a pair of black boxers on and topped them with a pair of gray mesh shorts. Then I slipped the ring box into my pocket for when she got out of the bathroom.
She walked toward me, a vision in her sundress again, with her hair still slightly damp and tangled in curls all down around her shoulders. A slight smile played about her lips and I couldn't help but return it. She walked calmly up to me and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. I slid my hands up from her neck to her cheeks and kissed her again harder. I decided to pull away; I wanted that ring on her finger more than anything.
I dropped to my knee as she slid down onto the bed; this moment was all too surreal for me, it was unlike anything I'd ever imagined before. Never in my life had I thought I would be right here right now proposing to my girlfriend, who was only seventeen. Never in a million years would I have thought that Charlie would have even allowed it, but I did assure him that I would wait until she was eighteen to marry her, and that if she ever wanted an out that it would always be there for her, I just wanted my ring on her finger to let everyone know that she was my precious angel.
I looked into her eyes; they were glistening with tears, one slowly rolling down her cheek, almost at the crook of her smile and I took my thumb and wiped it away gently, pressing my lips to her cheek and whispering into her ear that I loved her more than anything in the world.
I took her hand into my own, slipping the velvet box out of my pocket with my other hand. I looked down at her beautiful fingers, rubbing my forefinger and thumb up and down her ring finger, feeling the soft skin under my own slightly rough skin. Then, looking into her eyes, which were practically portals to her soul, I kissed her hand softly and pulled myself back.
"Bella…I need to know, officially. Will you be mine…for forever?"
She broke out into a huge grin, tears pouring out of her eyes at a rapid pace, she leaned down to kiss me.
"Yes, Edward! Of course I'll be yours for forever and for eternity! I love you Edward Anthony."
I slid the ring on her finger and barely giving her time to get a good glance at it, I stood quickly, pulling her up with me, and swinging her around the room. This was the happiest moment of my life, and yeah she could admire the ring in a minute, but gravity sucked, and my Bella was so light and I just wanted to look into her eyes and feel this moment.
As I sat her down, because obviously it was inevitable, we could only spin for so long or one of us would get sick (and when I say one of us, I mean me), I touched her cheeks with both of my hands and kissed her again.
"Shouldn't your parents be looking for us or something?"
"Dad's out on the road, mom's at my aunt's house, staying with her to watch her three little kids since her husband's a trucker too."
"What do they think about all of this?"
"Well…obviously they thought it was too early. But I reassured Dad that it would be a long time before we actually got married, this was just a way to prove my devotion and so that we would both know we had each other for forever. But apparently they came around because you have that ring on your finger. Esme said that when the time came, you could have the wedding band also, Dad said he owed her something new anyway."
"And what did my dad say…?"
I thought about my answer to this question as I saw her fingering her new ring, a loving look in her eyes. I decided the truth would be the best option.
"Bella, I have to tell you. It wasn't easy at all. Charlie didn't like it, and Renee wasn't very happy either. But I reassured them just as I assured my own parents, and Charlie began to see my point of view, that we are good for each other and that we love each other very much. They were all in after I told them that we would not wed until at least you were of age eighteen. I know, before you say anything, I know that is a long time, but I know it's important for us both to finish school-for you, and for me to finish my assignments, and I may still have to go over-seas. Who knows what the future holds for us, all I know it that I want to spend my life with you. I want to spend every second with you, but even though I know I won't be able to, my ring will be there, on your finger signifying that I'm always with you, and I'll always return to you and only you. I love you baby girl."
Bella was no longer looking at her ring. She was staring at me with a dumbstruck expression on her face.
"Bella baby, what's wrong?"
"Those were beautiful words Edward…I just wish I had some equally beautiful words to give you back."
I took her face in my hands again, feeling the tears prickling at the back of my eyes. I knew that yes, I was still practically dating a child, but her answer was so innocent. Her wants were so precious.
"You don't owe me any words, because every word you say is perfect and beautiful. I could look at you in silence and still be happy. Now let's go see your parents, let's stay in this moment."
"Ha…maybe I could tell people about my new fiancé and his hot ivory shaft…"
"Are you seriously comparing me to Jim Morrison? Last time I checked I wasn't exactly a rock-god."
She shot me a look and I had to smile at her.
"You rock me…therefore you can be my rock-god."
I ruffled her hair as I pushed her softly towards the stairs, "silly Bella, this is just one of the many reasons why I love you."
(BPOV)
Engaged. It's such a heavy word. Okay, maybe not as final as married, but still pretty intense. I just couldn't believe Edward had asked. Over that, I couldn't believe my parents said yes to him, and that Esme had given me her engagement ring. It was…so overwhelming. Edward and I had come to see my parents, and then we had met Tori and Jazz, Rose and Adam, and Alice and even Emmett at a restaurant in Oxford. We celebrated over a Hitachi table at a Japanese steak house. It was a lovely celebration, and afterwards Edward and I headed back to my house to watch Dear John and then he left, after carrying me to my room, worn out from the day.
I wrote in my journal and then I lay in the dark, looking out my window at the big bright moon. This day was everything I should've wanted, right? I was supposed to be in love with Edward. So why did I keep thinking about my future and feeling as if I had lost it. It was nothing like that, and I felt silly for believing that. I just needed to stick with it, and wait and see how it felt.
Honestly, I knew inside that everything would be okay between Edward and I. He wasn't forcing me into marriage or anything like that, and he told me I would always be able to get out if I wanted to. I knew that he didn't want to tie me down, he loved me.
I rolled over, pulling my blinds down so the room would plunge into pitch black darkness. I drifted off to sleep with thoughts of a beautiful wedding, walking down the aisle on Charlie's arm in a beautiful dress, then babies, raising them in a big southern plantation-style house with horses in the front yard and Edward coming home from work everyday and playing with the children outside. It would be a beautiful life…
(EPOV)
Sleep that night was going to be hard to come by, I could already feel it as I drove away from Bella's house. She had been almost asleep when I laid her in her bed and kissed her goodnight. I was afraid that she would start second-guessing our relationship, but she seemed so confident in me and our relationship and everything else. I was so proud of her for being very mature, she was just what I needed. But the innocence she radiated…it kept me grounded, it made me realize how good waiting was for us, how much time she would have to grow up, and for us to grow in our relationship. I never doubted-not for a second- I would always love her, no matter what.
I was about to turn into my driveway, but I realized, I didn't want to go home, so I drove. I just kept driving; I drove into Lineville and met my friend Embry. We hung out at his house; his friends were all there drinking and listening to music, even a few of them were smoking it up in a bedroom. I knew this was where I didn't belong, but I just needed to release and relax for a little while.
With my red Dixie cup in hand, I decided to chill on a ratty old couch in Embry's living room. There were random girls all around me, I felt Leah, Seth's sister, come up and place her hand next to my crotch, and somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it was wrong so I pulled away.
"Edward, what the fuck is wrong with you?"
I stared at her numbly. I was in love. I needed to be at home, resting. I had to be ready to spend my next few days working on the charity, and filling them with fun with my fiancé, so I threw my cup in the trashcan as I walked out the door.
The door to the trailer slammed behind me, rattling off its hinges, and soon I heard footsteps behind me.
"What the fuck are you doing here Cullen?"
I turned around to face Jacob Black, Bella's best guy friend.
"Nothing Jacob, I'm not doing anything here. I was just leaving."
"Bella texted me and told me about yall two. Why aren't you with her…or at least answer me, why are you here."
"Jacob…if I talk to you, it has to be off the record. I have to be able to tell you this in confidence that you won't go report this to Bella."
"I won't tell Bella unless I think it would save her heartache. So spill it Cullen."
We walked toward my beater of a truck and both ended up sitting on the back, legs stretched out; popping the top off of a Bud-Light that Jacob had scored from a cooler sitting on the ground outside.
"Well Black…here's the deal. I love Bella, she's my life. I would feel so completely empty without her. But tonight after proposing and celebrating with our siblings, I just had this overwhelming feeling that I was taking away her future. I kept going over the what-if's in my mind, what if she wants to go to college and see other guys, and what if she doesn't get to do that because she's got my ring on her finger. What if she doesn't take the out that I'm giving her if she wants it, because she's afraid of hurting me, or leaving a soldier? I know guys who have been through that and came back to girls that had cheated on them and hurt a lot more people in the end, than they would've if they had just waited on getting married till the tour was over."
Jacob looked at me with his deep soulful eyes that no seventeen year old should have, and maybe it was just because they were glazed over from his alcohol consumption, but I felt as if he could see right through me.
"Edward, I'm going to say this once, so listen good."
I nodded carefully, preparing to soak in what was coming my way.
"Cullen, Bella is my best friend in the entire universe and I would never want you to hurt her. I feel like you are the best thing for her at this point in time, and I feel that the ring that is on her finger now is exactly what she needs. Sometimes at school and around her family, B feels as if she just sort of disappears in the crowd. And even though both you and I know that isn't true, you make B feel special. She mentions that to me all the time, how you make her feel. Even before when I took her to the prom, she talked constantly about your latest Skype date, and I have to admit, I was way jealous of your relationship with her. I really thought she deserved better, someone who could always be there for her, but now I know that isn't the case. You give her something to look forward to. If Bella wants to get rid of you then she will. She won't worry about hurting your feelings. She always knows to do what is right for her. So give her the benefit of the doubt and just feel with her. Tell her about your reactions to the things you do and let her answer your doubts. Don't drown your fears in a sea of whiskey or beer. Just be with her and love her."
I looked at Jacob with new found appreciation for him.
"Thanks Jacob, I really appreciate you talking to me about this. It's something I needed."
"Anytime Edward, oh and one last thing."
"What's that Black?"
"If you ever hurt her, I will kill you. And don't doubt that, because do you see all these people around here? I'm not just a one-man-wolf-pack."
I laughed at the reference to the movie "The Hang-Over" that had come out on DVD at the first of the year, it was pretty funny, but I knew Jake was serious; he protected his best friend with everything he had.
We smiled at each other and with a slight nod and a handshake that turned into a hug; I was into my truck and back into the direction of home. Checking my phone I saw that it was nearing one A.M. and Esme would probably be pretty upset, if she had been home. Thank God for my aunt.
I pulled into the driveway just as Tori was pulling out, she waved through her darkly tinted windows and I pulled into my parking spot by the basement. As I opened the door, I realized my TV was on and I saw Emmett sprawled out on my couch watching some movie.
"Whatcha doing bro?"
"Not much…watching Fast and Furious."
"Digging out the old ones aren't you?"
"You know it."
"Any reason why you're in my room?"
"Tori and Jazz were being…loud."
I grinned at him, knowing just what would get him to run up the stairs like a bat out of hell.
"Well you know something, me and Bella were being "loud" the other night down here…right about where you were sitting too."
"Ew! You are nasty man. I gotta go."
"Sweet dreams."
"Right, nasty."
If he only knew how un-nasty being with Bella was. She was like the sweetest candy in the world; her taste was unlike anything I'd ever had before. Every time a bit of her was in my mouth, I was waiting for it to melt into my tongue.
I turned off the TV and took the DVD out, placing it back in it's case and back onto the shelf. My OCD was defiantly taking over as I straightened up the pillows on the couch and finally made one last sweep around the room, collecting Bella's runaway thong from the other night and placing it on a picture of us from the lake that my mom had taken and gotten framed for me.
As I turned down the covers of my bed, preparing to go shower to get the stench of sweat and beer, I realized how much I wished Bella could have been there with me. Despite my worries, I loved Bella and I always wanted her by my side. With less than one week left before my return to Texas, and my one month exile, I was needing her more and more. Planning what to take on my trip wasn't easy. I had my one personal bag, which I knew would hold a few books, a journal, and several pictures of my Bella baby.
The shower water coursed over me, taking away all the worry of the day, spiraling down the drain along with the smell of the beer and sweat and everything else that had dirtied me up during the day. I painstakingly dried off again, and climbed into my cool bed wearing only a clean pair of baby blue boxers. The last thing I thought of before I drifted off to sleep, was how they were the same color as her amazing sundress and how I couldn't wait to see my Bella again. I was too busy thinking and too sleepy however, to hear the slight buzz of the vibration of my phone…
