A/N: hello again and I'd like to thank my lovely reviewers and my beta Tearlit for getting this chapter done quicker than I expected!
Chapter 11
One year later…Bella Pov
I sat up at the main table next to Alice; it was her wedding reception and I was slightly uncomfortable at being alone in the front of the room. I gazed out at everyone dancing happily, spying the newlyweds in the middle of the throng, and then looked back down at the food on my plate. I smiled and picked my fork back up, stabbing a bite of steak and bringing it to my mouth.
"Bella," a familiar voice said behind me.
I turned and my smile grew when I saw Edward standing there, looking down at me, his hand extended in an inviting gesture.
"Yes?" I said, looking into his beautiful green eyes.
"Dance with me?" he asked his eyes sparkling.
I nodded shyly and stood up, taking his hand. He smiled down at me as he led me to the dance floor.
"I'll warn you, I'm not a dancer, as clumsy as I am," I told him as he put his hand on my waist and his other in my right hand.
"Don't worry, it's all in the leading," he said confidently.
I laughed as he spun me around the dance floor, I spun back into his chest and I looked up into his face where a soft look had crossed his face. He continued to hold me close and I was proud of myself for being comfortable with the proximity. I had come a long way in the last year.
"What?" I asked quietly.
"You are so beautiful," he said his hands sliding up my arms to my bare shoulders. I felt a vibrating sensation against my hip, and jumped in surprise. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out his phone, flipped it open and took my hand leading me outside.
"Hello," he answered as we walked towards the door, me being very careful not to step on the hem of my deep blue dress.
"Right now?" he asked angrily.
"Fine, but I won't be there long, I'm at my sister's wedding," he said impatiently.
He hung up and looked down at me, the anger melting away and being replaced once more with the soft look.
"I'm sorry, I have to go to the hospital, Jessica brought in her baby and they want me to do the DNA test in a hour," he explained, letting go of my hand and brushing his hand across my face.
"Do you want me to come?" I offered, because I knew this was hard for him.
"That's ok, you can stay and enjoy the rest of the reception," he said leaning forward toward me. His lips brushed my forehead then down to my cheek where he left a lingering kiss.
He stepped back and took a breath before turning and waving as he made his way to his car. I waved and watched his car disappear around the corner before turning and walking back inside.
I walked back inside and ran immediately into my mother, Renee. She only knew a little bit about what had happened with Jacob the past year.
"Bella," she said pulling me into a hug.
"Hi, mom," I said smiling up at her, I had missed her.
"Now, I heard a little a bit about that Jacob coming back from Emmett, are you ok?" she asked her hands on my shoulders, absentmindedly straightening the halter strap around my neck.
"Yes, I'm fine now, thanks to Edward and Alice," I smiled at the thought of Edward. "Besides, it's been a year since all that."
"Edward?" Renee asked her eyes landing on my right cheek where Edward had kissed me. I blushed when I realized she must have been watching through one of the windows.
"Yes, he stopped Jacob when- he tried to hurt me," I finished weakly.
"Oh, baby," she said pulling me into a tight hug.
"I need to go sit down now," I said quietly.
She nodded and I walked back to my seat, quite depressed now. It always depressed me when I talked about it. Tears welled up in my eyes, I hadn't even noticed they had brimmed over until Alice said something.
"Bella? What's wrong?" She asked alarmed.
"Nothing," I said wiping my hand at my face.
"Bella? Where did Edward go?" Alice asked scooting closer to me and handing me a tissue she had pulled from somewhere.
"He had to go take that DNA test," I told her, wiping my tears away and taking a sip of the red wine in front of me.
"Now? In the middle of our reception?" she asked, clearly upset.
"Yes, he got a call while we were dancing," I told her as the tears faded away.
Alice looked over to Jasper, concerned and he shrugged. I giggled; Jasper was so funny without trying.
"What's so funny Bella?" Alice asked upset.
"Nothing," I smiled as I turned to my food, I hadn't eaten much yet.
Edward had been gone for almost an hour and it was time to cut the cake, we were crowding around as Alice and Jasper prepared themselves. An arm wrapped around my waist from the back and I jumped, gasping.
"It's just me," he whispered into my ear.
"Edward?" I asked turning in his arms; I looked up into his face where he was grinning at me. I raised my eyebrows in question.
"Bella," he whispered, leaning close to my ear. "I want you to be with me, to be my girlfriend. Please?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "I promise I'll be good to you."
"I guess I can give you a chance," I joked, resting my head lightly on his chest.
There was screaming from Alice and Jasper as they smeared cake all over each other's face, everyone else laughed and took pictures.
He led me across the room, away from the crowd and we just stood there a few minutes, being lost in the moment. As I gazed up into his eyes he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to mine. Electricity seemed to flow between us, my arms wrapped around his neck as he tightened his hold around my waist. We didn't hear the ooh and ahs as everyone mingling about saw us caught up in our moment. Alice, though, made sure her presence was known as she came out of nowhere and hit Edward upside the head.
"Ow, Alice," Edward complained, rubbing his head.
"Why did you go take that stupid DNA test during my wedding?" she asked, glaring at him. I grinned, looking over at Jasper who was laughing his head off. I slipped out of Edwards's arms and made my way to get some cake.
I didn't see Emmett come up to Edward, and when I got my cake and sat down Rose hurried over and sat down next to me.
"You'd better go check on Edward," she said hurriedly.
"Why? What happened?"
"Emmett happened," she said with a laugh, standing up.
I gasped, got up quickly and moved down towards where Emmett stood glaring down at Edward. I walked as fast as I could without falling.
"What's going on here?" I asked, stepping in between Edward and Emmett.
"I'm protecting you from my best friend," Emmett said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Do you really think your best friend would hurt me?"
He didn't speak.
I rolled my eyes, "Emmett, I love you, but Edward isn't going to hurt me," I said smiling slightly.
"That's what you think," he said roughly.
"I promise to never hurt your sister, Emmett. You've known me a long time, you know I would never treat her that way."
"You'd better not or you'll have to answer to me and Jasper!" he muttered before turning and stalking off.
"Well that went well," Edward murmured, leaning towards me.
I smiled as his lips found mine.