A/N: If you recognize it, I don't own it!
Thank you to everyone that took the time to review/read/favorite/alert this story! *Group hug!*
Thank you also to my awesome beta Alley83! Who by now is probably ready to choke me with all the times she has to correct my then/than and your/you're!
One last thing... *Drum roll* I co-wrote this chapter with the lovely "NativeVampire"... So props to her, for putting up with my crazy brain! Also for coming up with some of the emails for this chapter!
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It had been 3 months since Bella and Edward had returned from the trip that was to be never spoken of again. She refused to acknowledge the trip, even if millions of people had already seen what happened on youtube.
Things had been pretty blissful. Bella and Edward had grown much closer these last few months, and the best part? It had been months since either one of them had to deal with Tanya.
Tanya was still "away" at acting school.
In other words, she was spending her days learning the important lessons of life. Like don't run with sharp objects, all thanks to The Seattle Mental Health Institute.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Bella sighed, then glared down at the empty screen of her computer.
She hadn't seen Edward in two days! Bella had hit a block in her writing. So she chose to isolate herself until she could get a little work done. Bella failed to realize just how much she would miss Edward. They talked on the phone and texted, but it just wasn't the same.
Bella was having a hard time with her story mainly because she was so damn happy in her life right now. This book had started at a bad time in her life, therefore the book was extremely sad for the majority of it. She had already written the ending of this book that had been an easy task for Bella, since the ending was a happy one.
She had even tried placing herself back in the mind frame of the days post Tanya/Ben. Even that didn't help much because Bella would get a mental picture of Ben working at the pretzel place in the mall, or remember that Tanya was away in the nut house. So all of her effort was lost as Bella would immediately start to giggle.
Bella was almost desperate enough to call Renee… Almost. If anyone was able to put her in a bad place mentally, it was her mother. She had nixed that idea promptly. There was no way Bella wanted to open that can of worms. Knowing that if she called Renee, she would be stuck dealing with her harassment for months to come.
With one final glare, Bella closed out her blank document and went to her email.
Bella was surprised to see a new email from Edward, it had been months since they had emailed each other. She actually kind of missed them. Now given the choice between how things are now, and how things were when it was just emailing, Bella would choose now over emails any day. It didn't mean she couldn't miss them though.
To: Bookworm (at) mail (dot) com
From: Green-Eye-Devil (at) mail (dot) com
Date: Oct 23, 2011 9:45 am
Subject: Do you trust me?
Good morning beautiful,
8 months ago today, you changed my life. Bella you turned it upside down, or maybe it was always upside down and you just turned it right side up?
Love, I know you might be confused, or even freaked out as to why I am emailing you since we have not done so in months. But I promise this will end well...hope it does anyway. The choice is all up to you.
Once upon a time, lovers would communicate with each other by giving them roses with colors that had certain meanings behind them. So I will be borrowing that idea, as well as expressing my feelings to you through email.
This will make more sense once you get to the next part of our little adventure. When you are done reading this, head to the place it all began, Eclipse.
My Bella, I remember you that first night at Eclipse. I noticed you as soon as I walked in that door. I can remember how beautiful you looked on the dance floor, you looked so care free, and so damn sexy and beautiful. I don't know how long I stood and just gazed at you.
I wanted to make my way over to you, and introduce myself, but I was sidetracked by Emmett, nothing new there I guess, he tends to need a lot of attention.
When you bumped into me, I was hoping you would turn around and look at me, but I know now it was not the right time for us to meet. Now that I have you, I do not want to let go of you. So please, play along with me on this adventure I have created, and see where you end up.
Enjoy your adventure my little bookworm.
I love you
Devil
Bella clapped excitedly! Not only did Edward have something planned for her, but she also got out of trying to make the main character in her book cope with her true love leaving her.
Bella grabbed her keys, cell phone, and wallet before throwing on some chucks, and sprinting out to her behemoth.
It didn't take her long to reach Eclipse, even if her truck refused to go over 55. What surprised Bella was that Angela was standing outside the doors holding an envelope, and a rose.
Puzzled Bella approached Angela.
"Angie?"
"Oh Bella, there you are! I was starting to wonder if I was going to be stuck standing out here all day."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm the first stop on your adventure silly girl, here read this first." Angela stated as she pushed the envelope towards Bella's eager hands.
Bella was confused. Looking inside the envelope, Bella noticed a printed out email.
Bella,
I see you have started your adventure! I'm hoping you will enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed setting all of this in motion.
You are a beautiful person Bella, inside, and out. You don't need fancy clothes, or make up, nor do you need anything else to enhance your natural beauty.
You could have 3 eyes, and a peg leg. I would still think you are the most beautiful woman in the world. I fell for your beautiful heart and soul before I knew the beauty you possess on the outside.
All of these reasons, and many more, is why you are now the proud owner of a dark red rose. It's meaning being Unconscious beauty.
One of these days I will make you understand the effect you have on people. I want you to see yourself the way I see you.
It's time for your adventure to continue. Take your rose to the place I learned a valuable lesson in humility. The Ice skating rink.
I love you
Edward
Bella sniffled, trying her hardest not to cry. That idea was shot to shit when she looked over her shoulder to see a very misty eyed Angela, who had been slyly reading the email over Bella's shoulder.
"Your brother is such a fuckawesome guy!" Bella wailed.
Angela nodded. Why didn't Emmett do this kind of shit? "I know!" she mumbled.
"I'm going to be a snotty mess by the end of this, if he keeps saying stuff like this!"
"You better get going then. The faster you make your stops, the faster you get to Edward!"
She hugged Angela quickly before heading off to the mall.
Bella gaped at Emmett while rubbing her eyes just to make sure she hadn't started hallucinating. Nope sure enough, there was Emmett in all his huge glory twirling and prancing around on the ice, with a rose hanging out of his mouth.
She shook her head, trying to rid herself of those images, it's just fucking unnatural for someone of his size to prance!
"Yo! Bells! Catch!" Emmett shouted while tossing his rose at Bella.
Totally forgetting common sense, Bella grabbed the rose, only to drop it immediately.
"What the hell Emmett? Fuck!"
Emmett cocked his head to the side, totally confused by her reaction. "Huh?"
Bella held up her slightly bloody hand right before she passed the hell out… again. Fucking skating rink!
When Bella finally came back around the first thing she noticed was a very giddy looking Emmett, frantically hitting buttons on his cell phone.
Groaning Bella sat up. "No need to call the cavalry Emmett, I'm fine."
"What? I wasn't calling anyone, I was looking up a song on youtube, just for you."
Bella raised her eyebrow at Emmett, just before the lyrics of said song caught her attention.
Every rose has it's thorn
Just like every night has it's dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has it's thorn.
Emmett's snickering was cut off quickly by a smack to the back of his head.
Emmett glared. "Why the hell is everyone always hitting me?"
"Enough DJ Em! You have something for me?" She said quietly. Bella all the sudden felt like she should be in a dark alley somewhere slipping Em some cash for her "package".
Emmett narrowed his eyes, but passed Bella her envelope and rose.
Bella ignored Emmett's pouting and tore open her envelope.
Hello again beautiful,
If you are reading this then you have found Emmett at that god forsaken skating rink you drug me too. Even though I ended up with stitches, and an aching groin, it was all worth it just to see a smile on your beautiful face.
You were given a white rose which means purity, and innocence. I chose this color because of how our relationship started off. It took us a little more than 2 months to actually meet, but it was worth every single second of that wait, and I'd do it all again if I had too.
From the start there was something very innocent about our interactions. There was no hidden motives, no agenda's. Just two people getting to know each other. Without the distractions we may have run across in reality.
I promise you sweetheart, my love for you is pure. I want no other, nor do I ever see myself with anyone but you.
Now my beauty It's time to continue this little adventure, you will find your next message at Civil War.
I love you.
Edward
After a quick good bye to Emmett, Bella was off to Civil War. Bella found an eager Jasper pacing back and forth in front of the shop.
"Are you alright B? I saw the video of you passing out, at the ice rink on youtube a few minutes ago."
"What the hell? How was that even on youtube? It just happened 20 minutes ago!"
Jasper simply raised an eyebrow.
"Emmett!" Bella growled.
Jasper nodded.
"Fucking youtube! I swear to god anytime something happens it's magically on that fucking website!"
Jasper ignored Bella's ranting, choosing to shove the next envelope into her hands to distract her.
It worked. Bella quickly forgot about that evil website, and tore into her letter from Edward.
Bella,
I see you have made it to Civil War, and Jasper has presented you with a yellow rose that has a red tip. This flower stands for friendship, and falling in love.
I remember our days of the friendship we first created months ago. The morning coffee we shared with each other. I may love you, but let me be honest here… You are horrible in the mornings!
The lunches we had together. Do you know that those were the highlights of my day? I would constantly count down the seconds so I could see you that much faster and hear your voice.
I can remember the very first time I saw you in this very shop, you may not have seen me, but I sure as hell saw you that day. Even with your head in some other guys lap, you still took my breath away.
This also happens to be the first place I told you that I loved you, well more like shouted it at someone else, but the point is still the same. It was here that you knew my love for you.
My love grows for you more, and more every single day. You truly are amazing, and I feel honored to call you mine.
Your adventure is growing short, the prize is insight. Can you make it just a little longer my bookworm? Head down the highway, right after exit 96 you will find a small turn off, take that road, when you reach the fork in the road, pull over and you will get your next message there.
I love you
Edward
Bella giggled, remembering the day that Edward had first said I love you to her. If you forget the she-devil that was there, it was the perfect moment.
"Do you know what this is all about Jasper?
"I sure do darlin', but you're going to have to wait just a little while longer."
Bella pouted, pulling out her best puppy dog pout. "Please?"
Jasper smiled. "I don't think so! That pout doesn't work on me, you should know this by now."
"I'll slip you all the answer's next time we play Taboo!"
"Nope, still not going to tell you." Jasper stated firmly.
"I'll hide Uno cards for you."
"Nope." Jasper was losing his resolve.
"No more Balderdash… ever."
Jasper contemplated giving in, before shaking his head. This was way too important to Edward to give in to the awesomeness that Bella was offering.
"Can't do it darlin'."
"Fine, I see where your loyalty lies. Will you at least tell me who will be meeting me at the next stop?"
"Why, Alice of course."
Sure enough standing in the middle of nowhere bouncing on the balls of her feet was Alice.
"Hey Ali, got something for me?" Bella asked while making her way to her overly excited friend.
"I do! This is so exciting Bella!"
Bella grinned as she opened the envelope.
My angel,
Are you curios yet as to why I have you in the middle of nowhere, stuck at some random fork in the road?
Let me first explain that the dark pink rose Alice has given you means thank you.
There are a lot of things I could thank you for but the main one? Thank you for choosing the path less traveled. You could have just ignored my first email, like most people would of done.
You didn't though. You took it upon yourself to stick up for someone that you didn't even know. It's one of the many reasons I love you.
You also could of shied away from me, because I don't exactly look normal. You chose to look past my ink, and steal to see the man I am on the inside. You don't love me in spite of my differences, you love me because of them.
I will keep this short, as I can only assume you are as anxious for the end as I am by now. After reading this I want you to go to the beautiful beaches of La Push for your next message.
In parting I leave you with the wise words of Robert Frost.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
By the end of the letter both Bella and Alice were crying. Not just little quite tears, this was all out wails, snot, and spit dribbling cries.
"I'm so glad I decided to be a bitch that night!"
Alice slyly wiped her snotty nose on the sleeve of her coat. "God, he is so sweet. How do you stand it?"
Bella stealthily wiped her snotty nose on the shoulder of Alice's coat as she hugged her. "He doesn't look normal? I don't see that when I look at him! I see what a wonderful person he is! I should find everyone that has ever said a bad thing about my Edward and kick their shins!"
Alice nodded.
By the time Alice and Bella had finally calmed down, 30 minutes had passed.
"I've got to go Alice, I can't stand the suspense anymore! I need to see Edward, and figure out what this is all about."
Alice gave Bella a knowing smile, before giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
While Bella drove to La Push, she kept going over everything Edward had written to her today. What was this all for? It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her, but she really had no clue why he was doing this.
Deciding not to dwell on her questions, she would learn soon enough. Bella spent the rest of her drive to La Push thinking of all the naughty things she was going to do to her sweet, sweet boyfriend tonight when this was all over with.
"Hey Jake!"
Jake smiled down at Bella. "Are you getting anxious yet?"
Bella snorted. "I've been anxious since I got the first email this morning."
"You're going to know soon enough, how about we just relax awhile and watch the tide come in?"
Bella tapped her foot.
Jake ignored her and walked towards the water.
"Jake, letter NOW!"
Jake snickered, but ignored Bella.
Bella glared at Jake, she wanted that damn letter! Who the hell really needs to watch the tide come in?
"Come sit with me."
"Damn it Jake! Give the letter to me now, or I'll tell Charlie it was you that side swiped his cruiser last year."
Jake paled. "You wouldn't."
Bella just smirked.
Begrudgingly Jake handed Bella her letter, and rose.
Isabella,
Jacob presents you with an orange rose. This represents desire and fascination.
Do you know how much I desire you every second of the day, Bella? I not only want the physical with you, but everything else you have to offer. The intelligence you possess, the passion that flows through you, the warm and giving heart that beats in your chest, and the beauty that you put into everything you do. I would name more my love, and I will.
I can remember times when I created mixed images of you and bookworm in my mind. I wanted you both so, so, so much but I was too frightened to admit it. I can remember many times when you were angry, how sexy you looked in that moment to me, and you still are when you wear any emotion on that face of yours.
My feisty little bookworm, do not EVER change who you are. When you kissed me at the bar...I was fire and ice at the same time. I froze because I was in a complete daze from the gentle touch of your lips. I was also aflame for you, and how you felt against my mouth. Does that make sense? When I knew you were bookworm all the ice quickly melted away, and I was left with only a raging fire for you. It grows and grows my beauty.
You adventure is coming to a close, just one more to go. Make your way to Charlie's for the final piece of this puzzle.
I love you
Edward
Bella was giddy. She couldn't wait to see Edward. Whatever he was doing this for, didn't matter to Bella really, just as long as he was waiting for her in the end.
Bella glanced up, and realized Jake was staring at her with a soft smile on his handsome face.
"Joking aside Bella, I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks Jake."
"Now you go get that fine piece of man meat of yours!"
"Hey now!" Bella grinned at Jake, before hopping in her truck.
Bella was in such a hurry to find Edward, she nearly ran Seth over in her haste to get into the house.
Seth chuckled. "Whoa there little sis! Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm a woman on a mission! I need to see Edward." Bella said impatiently, she had waited long enough.
"Hmm, I think you are forgetting something."
"What?"
Seth held up an envelope, and 2 rose's for Bella to see.
Bella groaned. ''I thought Jake was the last person I would have to go through before getting to Edward!"
"Nope! That would be me."
Bella narrowed her eyes at Seth, what is it with people and stalling?
Seth reached over, and kissed Bella's forehead before handing her the last letter and roses.
My Bella,
You are near the end, do you feel it in the pit of your stomach? We are not far from each other, trust me, as you have been. At last Seth presents you with a red rose, and a white rose. The meaning is quite simple, yet beautiful and represents what I hope for our relationship, Unity.
You and I are united Bella. I knew nothing would keep us apart when I heard you say you were Bookworm. When I chose to reply to that email you sent me, never in my wildest dreams did I think it could lead me to my forever.
It all fell into place for me and every day since then has been heaven for me. When I sat in that grave Charlie dug, I was not going to give up. I respected your father, but I wanted you, I love you. I had worked so hard in finding you, and I refuse to ever give you up without a fight. I meant every single word I said to your father that afternoon.
Life is about choice. I have made mine, now it's your turn angel. You are my forever, the question is, am I yours?I give you my inked body, my heart, and my soul for without you I am nothing. If this is what you want, come around the house to my waiting arms.
I love you
Edward
Edward was a nervous wreck! He had been pacing for the last hour around the Swan's backyard.
A lot of thought had gone into this proposal. Bella was a very special girl, so in his mind no ordinary proposal would do.
When the idea of getting a tattoo came to him, it didn't take him long to decide what it would be. The hardest part of this whole idea? Keeping Bella from finding out about his new tattoo before she was supposed to.
The tattoo itself was simple, at least to anyone who didn't know the story behind the images that would forever be marked over his heart. A single open book, with a little worm curled around the words "Marry me Bella."
Footsteps brought Edward back to the present. It was show time Edward thought as he dropped to one knee.
He waited until Bella was all the way in view before he began to speak.
"Bella, I see you had enough faith in me to follow my messages all day today. Since you are standing in front of me, I know you agree that we are each other's forever. Before you I was just going through the motions of life, it wasn't until I met you that I truly felt alive. I know there is no one else more perfect for me then you. I want to spend the rest of my life proving my love for you. I want to grow old and grey with you by my side. I want to have beautiful babies with you, I want it all."
Edward took a deep slow breath before uttering the words that would change him forever.
"Bella I promise to love you till my very last breath. Will you marry me?"
Bella failed to register exactly what Edward had just said to her. Her focus was intently honed in on his bare chest.
With out a conscious thought, Bella slowly walked towards Edward, licked her finger then promptly started rubbing it over the markings covering his heart.
Bella added in some nail scraping for good measure, you can never be too sure.
After several minutes of scrubbing, and scraping, leaving a very pink chested Edward. Bella realized the tattoo was indeed real and not some drawn up prank he was playing on her.
The first words out of her mouth after his heart felt speech you may ask? "Holy fuck, is that a tattoo? Is it real?" Brilliant Bella, just brilliant.
Like she hadn't just spent the last 5 minutes practically rubbing his chest raw to prove that it was in fact real.
It was then that Bella finally took the time to look around. She all together stopped breathing when she realized all the people standing around holding beautiful bouquets of the very same color roses that Bella had received throughout the day.
How she loved her Edward. Bella couldn't believe he had done all of this for her. Even more so the tattoo was amazing. She really couldn't imagine a life without Edward in it.
As the time grew longer, Edward began to fidget. It had been 5 minutes since Bella had said anything at all.
"Bella?" Edward asked nervously.
She had been so lost in her own little world that Edward's voice startled her.
"Yea?"
"So um, what do you say?"
"Oh fuck me sideways!" Bella blurted out before jumping on Edward, knocking him to the ground in the process. She couldn't believe she actually forgot to answer him!
"I love you Edward, more than words can describe. Yes I want to marry you, and have beautiful green eyed babies with you!"
"Really?"
"Yes!" Bella shouted before attacking Edward.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the proposal!
I was asked by several people about missing Vegas memories. I am still undecided if I will do a side chapter for just those memories or not. Soooo... *pauses for dramatic effect.* As my way of saying thank you, to those that take the time to review... You will be getting a missing Vegas memory as a reply to your review!