Today was Sunday morning; we had to be at the school at 12. Bella had arrived at nine and had been with Alice since. I was waiting impatiently; I looked at my watch again; 11:30. They had better hurry up or we were going to be late.
"Bella, Alice, hurry up!" I yelled up the stairs. I heard the two of them giggle and the bathroom door open. Bella walked down the stairs looking astonishing, per usual. She was wearing a sky blue v-neck, in a pair of denim capris, and a pair of wedges. Fortunately they weren't that high of a wedge. She was on the last step and someway managed to trip. I caught her before she could fall to the floor.
"Oh, Bella, Bella, Bella," I mumbled under my breath, but I knew that she had heard me.
"Come on. It's not my fault; Alice made me wear these shoes."
"Well, I don't care why you are wearing. I like them on you. At least it's better than last year's stiletto incident." I said eyeing Alice.
"Oh, come on now, you know that you loved the way she looked," Alice replied at me.
"Of course," I turned my head backed to Bella's and leaned my forehead against hers. "I'll always love what you look like," I whispered. I could feel the muscles in her forehead move as she smiled. She slightly kissed my on my lips, and was talking before I could even react.
"Come on, you already said if we don't hurry we will be late."
I was seated a couple rows ahead of Bella. Alice was next. I watched as she walked up to podium to her next diploma.
"Edward Cullen," the principal called my name. As I stood, I turned around and winked at Bella. She smiled back, I, too, walked to the podium, and received my next diploma. I grabbed my new seat next to Alice.
"Congrats once again; but are you ready for tonight? It's a life-changing incident," Alice whispered into my ear.
"I know that, and don't think that I haven't thought of that. But, it is what Bella wants, and I want it too. I just wish that there were some other way." I sighed as I said this to Alice.
Bella's name was called; she stood up and approached her diploma. As she walked by, I could smell her sweet scent. I would miss that smell terribly. Everyone else was called and now it was time to tell Charlie and Renee about our so-called 'plan' to leave tonight as soon as we got home.
Bella, Alice, and I walked over to Charlie, Renee, Carlisle, and Esme.
"Oh, let me take a picture of you and your friends, Bella," Renee asked, she looked like she was about to cry. Bella just rolled her eyes, but got in between Alice and me. I put my arm around her, and Alice leaned her elbow against her shoulder. She also took a picture of just Alice and Bella, and then it was my turn. We each put our arms around each other in a hug, in then right before Renee snapped the picture; I leaned in to kiss Bella.
After she realized what had happened, she looked up at her mother and smiled bashfully. All her mother did was smile.
"Edward, let me take another one of the two of you, but this time, please look at the camera," she asked.
"Okay," I had never let go of my grasp on Bella; and she was still holding onto me. I smiled for the camera, and the picture was quickly done.
"Edward, don't you and Bella have something to tell her parents?" Carlisle said.
"Um, yeah, mom, dad, I think that we better go back to my house," Bella spoke up before I could. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go say bye to Angela," she said, and then she walked away. Everyone else headed towards the parking lot, but I waited in my spot waiting for Bella.
I looked around at the gymnasium full of people, people I would probably never see again. It's not as if it was a dreadful thing, especially that creep, Mike Newton. It would be a blessing to see him never again. I saw Bella give Angela a hug, it looked as if Angela had tears in her eyes.
I was still looking around when Bella walked up to me.
"So, are you ready to go break the news to Charlie?" I asked her.
"Yes, but I don't think that he is going to take it very well. Edward…will you help me tell my mom about us? You know how she is about early marriage, especially after her lethal blow-up."
"Of course I will, but I doubt that she takes it well." We started to walk out toward my car. We arrived at Bella's house, and it seemed perfectly normal.
'Edward, they want to know what is going on. Charlie and Renee have been begging me to tell them, but don't worry I haven't told a soul,' Alice thought. I just nodded my head in understanding.
"We're going to have a big mess on out hands, you do know this?" I whispered into Bella's ear.
"Ugh, I figured we would, but you'll stay won't you?"
"Certainly," I squeezed Bella's hand in further confirmation. We, too, sat down in the living room. I tuned out the thoughts of the others in the room; I didn't want to know what they were thinking.
"Mom, I have something to tell you first. Charlie already knows about this and after a long discussion with both Edward and I has left it to us that there would be no other way but to let us do what we have planned."
"Bella, what are you trying to tell me, dear?
Bella held up her left her for her mom to see. Renee gasped, and then all hell broke loose.
"What are you thinking; you want to get married at 18? Why didn't I know about this as soon as it happened? Charlie, do you agree with this? Are you actually going to allow them to get married? Carlisle, Esme, do you agree with this too? Why would I have been the last one to be told? Bella, I'm your mother!"
"Renee, now just calm down," Charlie spoke up. "I have had a talk with Edward, and Bella both, it's what they both want. And, Edward knows he could never hurt Bella again, and I believe him when he says it. I have gained his trust back, you're not here everyday to see the love that they have for each other. It is much more than we ever had. I think this marriage is a good thing."
Renee looked stunned. Carlisle stood, "Renee, may I talk to you in the kitchen?" I knew what he was about to do. Talking to him, he would dazzle her, of course, she would then let Bella and I get married. I looked at Esme.
'Edward, it's for the best. He will say exactly the right thing, no worries,' Esme didn't have to say any of this; I knew that Carlisle would convince Renee.
"Oh boy, well I guess that went well," I could here the sarcasm in Bella's voice.
"Don't worry, honey, I'm sure this will all be worked out. But, is that what you really called us all here for?" Charlie was starting to sound a little worried.
"Well, no, but I think it might be best if we eat before. Maybe mom will cool down some," Bella spoke she sounded worried. If only Jasper were here, I thought, and then maybe all of these emotions would be better under control.
"Yes, that might be bested." Charlie got up from his chair and went to grab the phone. I heard him order two pizzas. All three of them walked back into the room then.
Carlisle sat down, and Renee looked at Bella. It was done, and settled, I could tell by just looking at Renee's face.
"Bella, Carlisle has told my how much the both of you want this, and I guess all I can do is wish you the best, and help plan your wedding," Renee assumed. I saw Bella's body slouch just a little bit, I'm sure Charlie and Renee didn't notice, but Esme, Carlisle, and Alice surely had.
The pizzas came, and we ate. Well, more like Charlie, Renee, and Bella ate. Bella knew the truth, Charlie was used to me and Alice not eating, so he wasn't surprised that Esme and Carlisle didn't eat, but Renee looked somewhat skeptical.
Bella was the first one to speak up, "Well, now that we have eaten, Edward and I have bigger news. Esme, Alice, Carlisle, of course you already know about this, and thank you for helping Edward plan this entire thing out."
'Oh my Lord, she's going to be pregnant isn't she? She did eat an awful lot,' Renee's thoughts made me chuckle, but I covered it up with a slight cough. Charlie just looked confused, as if there could be anything worse than his daughter wanting to get married.
"Mom, dad, Edward and I have both been accepted to college in Maine and we have both decided to go. But, I have to leave tonight if we plan to make it there in time for classes that start on Wednesday morning. I know that this is last minute, and we probably should have told you much sooner." Bella stopped Charlie and Renee both had the same look on their faces. Flabbergasted.
"Whoa, now, just wait a minute. Do you honestly think that we are going to let they two of you run off together unsupervised?" Charlie spoke I don't think Renee could.
"Of course not, Charlie. Alice has also been accepted, so my whole family has decided to settle down in Maine," I said. This seemed to make him speechless.
"Well, I suppose that would be okay. What do you think Renee?"
"What do I think, what do I think? Does it really even matter what I think, either way they are going to go."
Bella stood up and ran to her mom. "Oh, thank you soo much mom," she said hugging her mom. "Alice come help me pack," they ran up the stairs together. I heard them laugh.
"Edward, I am putting a lot of trust into you, I think that we all are. Just don't let anything happen to my little girl," he spoke with sincerity.
"Don't worry Charlie, Renee, I wont." They had no idea that tonight was going to be the last night they would see Bella.
Alice and Bella came back down; Bella had a bag in her hand.
"Bella, is that all you're taking?" Renee asked her.
"Yea mom, Alice and I will go shopping when we get to Maine."
"Okay, so I guess this is goodbye. Promise me that I'll see you soon."
Bella walked over to hug her mom, "Yea, mom, I promise." Tears had sprung up into Bella's eyes. She gave Charlie a hug. My family knew the reasons behind the tears. Final goodbyes were said as we stood on the front porch. Bella, Alice, and I got into my car, and Esme and Carlisle got into theirs. We drove into the night back to my house, where Bella's future awaited.
