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Disclaimer: Do we really have to go over this again?
BPOV
Once again the thoughts seemed to pour through my mind. Should I risk everything and say yes, or should I please my mother by marrying Jacob Black? How could this man who just met me possibly think he could love me for a lifetime? Besides I wanted love not lust and that was all Jacob could offer me currently.
In all reality I just wanted to say yes to Edward. He was the only man I had ever and would ever want to say yes to for the rest of my existence. The kind of love and happiness he brought to my life encompassed me every time I found myself enclosed in his arms; he was my safe harbor.
"Edward," I breathed. "Do you wish to marry me because you love me, or is it because of the threat Jacob presents towards you?"
"Isabella," he said. "I have wanted to marry you since the moment I first moment my eyes leapt upon you. You are my soul perpous for my every breath. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my existence with you. I want to have babies with you and build a home. What I am proposing is forever, the question is will you accept it?" Once again I found myself pondering fiercely; there was only certainty in my mind in that moment; I would be in love with Edward Cullen forever so I gave the only answer I could think of.
"Yes," I replied. "Yes I will marry you. Yes I will spend the rest of my life with you and only you. Yes I will have babies with you and we will build a home together. You are what I want more than anything in this life Edward. I love you and I accept your proposal with all of my heart and all of my being."
"I love you Isabella Marie Swan," he said taking me into his arms.
"I know," I said pulling myself even closer to him. I reached up on the tips of my toes and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He returned my gesture my deepening the kiss and holding me so that our bodies formed one.
"Oh," Edward said suddenly. "I almost forgot. Isabella before my mother died she gave this to me. She told me to give it to the woman I knew could make me happy for the rest of my life. Before you I ceased to believe such a woman could exist but then you walked into my life and l couldn't be more certain that you are the only one for me." He placed the beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring on my ring finger of my left hand.
"It's beautiful," I said shocked. I had never seen anything more gorgeous in my life and it simply took my breath away. "I love you so much Edward."
"And I you love," he said. "Now we must get you back to the house at once."
"Back," I said. "Are you insane Edward? How may I ever step foot in that house again when I have behaved so crudely? Mother has probably already disowned me as she said she would. She told me if I did not find a husband within a year than I would be severed from our family and our name."
"Bella you must go back," he urged. "Until I return from my journey I need to be certain that you are protected and taken care of."
"You are still leaving," I asked bewildered. "I thought that since I agreed to marry you that you would not consider leaving again. How can you do so when it leaves me here alone defenseless and miserable? If you leave I will be forced to marry Jacob or I will surely be tossed into the street."
"That is why you must agree to marry him Bella," he said. How could Edward ask so much of me? I knew that he wanted me safe but were these measures not a bit drastic?
"Edward how can you ask me to do so," I yelled. "I love you! You mean the world to me and yet you are asking me to pledge my love and my life to another man! I will never marry Jacob Black and that is final!" I began walking in the opposite direction unaware of where I was heading. I hadn't made it but three feet before I tripped on an uprooted tree branch. Leave it to a klutzy woman such as me to ruin my dramatized escape.
"Love," he said catching me. As soon as I was in his arms again I allowed my emotions to do as they pleased. I wept rigidly into Edward's chest while he held me close. "I do not wish for you to pledge your life or your love to another man."
"Then what do you suggest Edward," I asked. "If I do not marry Jacob I will be in the exact position I am in currently. No matter what we do, it seems we always have another problem to face."
"Bella," he said forcing me to look into his eyes. "You have to accept Jacob Black's proposal. I am not suggesting that you marry him but accepting his offer may keep you out of harm's way until I return."
"What shall happen when you return then Edward," I asked. "What if by the time you decide to return my mother has decided to have me married? What if you do not make it back on time?"
"Love you need keep this engagement as long as possible," he said. "I know you shall manage because you are undoubtedly the strongest woman that I have ever met it my life."
"Why must life be so complicated Edward," I asked. "Why does every true love story have to have such complications?"
"Because without struggle love could never be this strong," he chuckled. "You must suffer for what is right and for what is worthy. I promise you my Bella, when I return I will make you my wife, and then we shall never have to separate from each other again."
"Do you swear," I asked. "Do you swear that you will return?"
"I do Bella," he said. "I love the sound of saying that to you, "I do,".
"And I love hearing you say it Edward," I chuckled. "Days with seem infinite until your return but I promise to stay strong if not only for you my love."
"As much as I dread this thought you should make your way back to the house," he sighed. "Your mother will be waiting as will your other future husband."
"Please do not be so crude Edward," I pleaded. "Is it not horrendous enough that I am forced to marry such a mongrel without you acknowledging such out loud?"
"You are most certainly correct Bella," he chuckled. "But you see laughing about such matters is the only thing that is helping me with the fact that the woman I love will be forced to court another."
"But my heart will always belong to you Edward," I said. "Just please remember this while you are away. I will always be waiting for you, no matter what fate deals me next." He kissed me deeply before taking my hand and leading me back to the house.
When I returned I found my mother festering outside. She looked outraged and I feared a conflict that was surely afoot. Edward had allowed me to travel the rest of my journey alone seeing as if my mother saw him our secret would surely be discovered. I had also taken the liberty of hiding my ring, Edward's symbolic gesture of his love for me, away in my dress.
"Mother," I said approaching her cautiously.
"Isabella Marie Swan," she roared. "That was the last time you make such a fool of me. You will marry Jacob Black or you may pack your things and leave immediately. Now what option shall you choose girl?"
"I give you my deepest apologies mother," I said. "It was never my intention to make such a mochary of you."
"Get to the point Isabella," she urged. "Will you accept Jacob's proposal or will you be leaving this evening?"
"I shall accept mother," I said though every part of my body wanted to scream at her then and run to Edward. "I will accept Jacob Black's proposal." A sharp smile found my mother's lips and she led me by the arm to soon to be fiancée. My only hope was that Edward would keep his end of the compromise; he would return.
So what did you guys think? Did you love it? I will update after ten reviews so make sure to R&R. Also I am sorry if people are upset about her saying yes to Jacob but it was the only way that Edward could keep Bella safe. No flames for that please. Also Bella's ring is on my profile.