"What?" I exclaimed. "You still don't know how to tie a tie?"

Edward pouted. "Just this once and I will learn how to do it all by myself."

We were going to Edward's parents' home for dinner, since Alice just came in from Texas with her husband, Jasper. I was already donned in a silver mesh dress with floral lace at the edges of the dress. My hair was pinned up, a pale white hat covered my head and heavy pearl and crystal earrings dangled from my earlobes. Edward looked dashing as always in a suit. The black tuxedo jacket fitted him like a second skin, but the only problem was that he didn't know how to tie his tie.

I rolled my eyes, but complied. I took a step closer towards him, my eyes staying on his perfectly sculpted chest that outlined through his white button down shirt. My fingers worked fast as I twisted and turned the stray black ends together. I adjusted the tie and smiled at my end product. "There." I whispered.

He lifted my chin up with two fingers and he stared into my eyes, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "You look breathtaking tonight, Bella."

"Thank you very much, Edward, but I believe that is just exaggeration. None of these accessories can ever heighten a lady's beauty." I cocked an eyebrow.

He gave me a peck on the lips. "Do not fight me, Bella. Let's move. My mother will not be happy if we arrive late."

"Anyone else there?" I asked.

"Well... my relatives like my aunts, uncles and cousins, and family friends." Edward replied.

"I thought you just said it was dinner." I folded my arms.

He ran his hand through his silky bronze hair, looking up. "Well... uh..."

I groaned. "No lies! We are married now," I thrusted my left ring finger at his face so that he could see the starburst-cut amethyst and aquamarine stones encrusted together on my rose gold band, "and you're the one who slotted this ring in, so the commitment goes to you! Now tell me honestly, do I look good in this dress? No biased opinions!"

He sighed, shaking his head. "Isabella, you look nowhere near beautiful tonight. You look beyond that."

I stomped past him. "Frack it. Let's move!"

I heard him chuckle behind me as I snatched up my bag and walk down the stairs to the large receiving hall and out of the doors, entering the carriage that awaited us. The rider closed the door, but hadn't moved yet since Edward hadn't gotten in. After a minute, the door opened and Edward sat beside me.

My arms remained crossed, my posture facing away from him. I felt his hand cover mine, but left my wedding ring in sight. His finger swept across the gems.

"I picked out the most beautiful one from the store, and it surprisingly fits your personality," he whispered, his smile echoed in his voice. "What everyone said is true— your soulmate gets more beautiful when she wears your ring."

I closed my eyes, sighing. "Oh god no. You're gonna try to make me fall down to your knees, aren't you?"

He shook his head, his smile widening. "That has always been my objective, Bella, but now I already have you willingly held captive."

"I feel like I'm in a pirate movie," I mumbled.

The carriage came to a halt and the rider opened the door for us. I came out first, then Edward did. He slipped his arm around mine. "Now, it is time to face everyone. Careful, my folks and their friends are extremely nosey, the women much more than men."

I rolled my eyes. "Aren't they all the same?"

He pursed his lips. "Well... kind of."

We knocked on the doorbell and a few seconds later, I recognised Edward's mother's voice. "Coming!" Her voice muffled.

The lock unlatched and I was greeted by caramel-brown hair and deep brown eyes smiling down at us. "Edward! Isabella!"

Edward bowed slightly. "Mother," he said, then released me to hug and kiss her cheeks hello.

I felt awkward, not knowing what to do. I fidgeted in my place. Mrs. Cullen walked a few steps towards me and enveloped me into a hug. She smelt of roses and lilacs. "It is good to see you again, Isabella."

"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Cullen." I sheepishly giggled.

She waved my given name for her off. "Mrs. Cullen is my mother-in-law. Call me Esme, darling."

"Esme," I tested out on my tongue and it rolled out smoothly.

She smiled, satisfied. "Good! Let's get you young people in. It is an unusually cold night."

She pulled us both in and Edward removed his coat, then helped me with mine. Esme smiled. "Oh, isn't my son the perfect gentleman?"

I chuckled. "Apparently so." I kissed Edward's cheek.

"The other youths are in the entertainment room, but they can wait. Let's get you to the living room! Your parents are in there, together with a few of our friends, Isabella."

I smiled. "They're here?"

She nodded. "When was the last time you saw them?"

I shrugged. "Probably when they handed me & Edward the keys to our house."

"Then you will be glad to see them." She said, shooing us into the living room. "Go!"

Edward smirked. "Told you so." he whispered in my ear.

"Oh shut up." I pushed him away, laughing.

"Oh, look at them!" I heard my mother gasp. "Aw, does that remind you of us, Charles?"

I heard the gruff chuckle of my father. "Oh yes. She has your feistiness."

Edward & my heads snapped up and we stared at the crowd. A group of middle-aged people were smiling at us.

"Isabella!" Reneè walked fast towards us and hugged me.

I hugged her back and kissed her cheek. "Good evening, Mother."

She pulled back and looked like she was about to burst out into tears. "I cannot believe you are married already!" She sobbed.

I groaned, covering my face. "Please don't cry. Oh my god. Don't freak out on me."

Edward frowned at me. "Freak out? What kind of figure of speech is that, may I ask?"

I waved him off. "Forget it. Mother, don't cry! I've been married for a week already! Why hasn't that gotten past your mind?"

Charlie passed by her and hugged me. "How is my little girl doing?"

I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "Doing fine, Dad. How are you?"

"Oh, the household has been empty ever since you moved out. It is very bizarre not hearing the maids say 'Ms. Isabella' again."

I giggled. "Oh dear. You should see what happens around my house now. I'm called 'Mrs. Cullen' by the household crew."

He kissed my cheek before letting me go. He picked up a glass of champagne from a tray that was passing by and passed it to me. "Here is your first glass tonight. You are a woman, so I am not refraining you from alcohol tonight."

I was still accustomed to the law back in my time, and having your father hand you alcohol to drink while you're still seventeen was awesome to other teenagers, but not me. It really creeped me out. My father back in my time allowed me to do whatever I wanted, as long as I wasn't caught. I've tried drinking beer once. It just wasn't my thing. And partying? I hated being surrounded by techno music and crowds that were unaware of what they were doing.

"Father, no thanks. I really should not have alcohol." I shook my head and hand.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I'm sure."

Reneè gasped again. "Isabella! Are you with child?"

I froze, narrowing my eyes at her. "Wait, what?"

She have a small smile. "Well, you both have only been married for a week, that's a given, but Edward has been courting you for months and—"

"Oh, Mrs. Swan, we did not engage in any... inappropriate activities before our marriage, I swear." Edward stepped up from behind me.

Her face fell. "Oh. Well, let us pretend what I said never happened, but it would be nice to see my grandchildren."

Pretend that you didn't say anything related to kids to me? How the hell can I forget that? I thought. I rolled my eyes at her, chuckling. "Just how old are you now, Mother? Thirty six? There is plenty of time. Anyway, I just have not grown accustomed to alcohol. I probably will. Soon."

Charlie cleared his throat. "You may enjoy the company of young adults your age. They are in the entertainment room. Our conversations here may... bore you," he spoke up. "Run along."

He looked at me in the eye. "Sorry." He mouthed silently.

I smiled. "That's okay."

Edward & I walked up the steps and I cringed. "Oh god, I didn't realise how quick my mother judged situations."

Edward smiled, amused. "We better start working on a grandchild for her, then. She seemed disappointed when I said you were not pregnant."

"Ugh, not now." I groaned. The cries of babies in the middle of the night and diapers with poop was extremely unappealing to me. Plus, being seventeen and pregnant was weird. I felt like I could be on Teen Mom already.

Huh. Kids. Well anyways, drop a comment on the box below!

Scarlett