Title: Lovers for Eternity

Summary: Sequel to Friends for Eternity! What if Bella and Edward were best friends before lovers? This is a story on how they up as teenagers and into adults where their feelings become more than friendship. All Human.

Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) do not own Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse they are all owned by the very talented Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 11: Popped Question

BPOV

I woke up early, probably due to the nerves. After fiddling around doing busy work in the kitchen and starting laundry, I went back upstairs and took a quick shower. I was relieved when I got Alice to agree to let me get myself ready. I told her she could either have prom or graduation, so she of course chose prom.

I towel dried my hair, and then put on a pair of jeans and a nicer shirt than what I usually wear. I knew that if I didn't dry my hair or do something to it that Alice and Rose would have a fit so I went in the bathroom and dried my hair straight, letting it hang over one shoulder. As soon as I was done, I went back into my room and threw on socks and shoes. I still had about an hour before I would have to leave with Charlie.

I walked downstairs, trying to find something to do. Since Charlie wasn't come yet, I put in a CD and went into the kitchen to put the dishes away. Just as I picked up a wooden spoon, my favorite song from the CD came on. Before I knew what I was doing, I was dancing around the kitchen, singing into the spoon. Half way through a twirl, I threw the spoon across the room and felt my cheeks start to burn as I looked away, embarrassed.

"Having fun?" Edward chuckled as he bent down to pick up the spoon.

"Announce yourself next time." My heart was still beating quickly, I was droning in mortification.

"Sorry. I was about to but then I saw you dancing and belting out a tune." He said playfully. My cheeks turned redder, as if that was even possible.

"Oh my gosh." I put one of my hands over my eyes.

Edward chuckled again, stepping closer to me and pulling my hand away from my eyes. "I thought it was very cute."

"I don't usually do that." I said quickly, then wanted to take the words right back when I saw his amused expression. I scowled then walked back to the counter to put the rest of the dishes away.

"Okay, I'm sorry for laughing. But Bella, if you could have seen yourself, you would have been laughing twice as hard as I was."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him. I picked up a dish towel to dry a cup that was still a little wet then the towel was taken out of my hands swiftly. "Hey!"

Edward looked amused as he held the towel in both hands and hit my butt with it playfully. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to continue until you acknowledge how sorry I truly am." He said then hit me again.

"Ow, Edward. Stop!" I protested. I tried to pull the towel out of his hands, but he tugged back, causing me to let go then fall on my face. This time he didn't laugh as he held out his hand to help me get up. I didn't take it as I reached up to get a grip on the counter to get myself back up on my feet.

"Oh, is Bella in a bad mood?" He said in a sarcastic tone.

I ignored him again, going back to putting the dishes away. After I put the last dish away, I moved my hands to my shirt to pull it back down because I'd just reached up to put something away. Edward gently placed his hands around my waist from behind. I jumped, startled at first as he put them on top of mine, interlocking them together. I didn't protest because I couldn't even form words at that second. He was looking down at my hand, playing with the third finger on my right hand.

"You're still wearing it?" He almost whispered, maybe to himself.

I nodded. "I never take it off."

He smiled then turned us around, pulling up my right hand and kissing the ring. I smiled as I watched him.

The front door suddenly opened then closed. "Bells? You ready?"

Edward and I jumped back away from each other quickly, now a few feet apart.

"Yeah, hang on." I yelled back.

"I'll see you there. Don't trip in front of everyone." Edward said quickly, smiled then ducked out the backdoor before Charlie could see him.

"Bye." I said then went out into the living room where I grabbed my bright yellow graduation gown and cap. I sighed at the ugly color then Charlie and I left.

EPOV

Jasper, Emmett and I found seats right in the middle of the crowd. They weren't bad seats, but they weren't great like I wanted. We sat down quickly and waited in anticipation for the ceremony to begin. The principal finally quieted down the audience and soon the music began as everyone with last name that start with an A, glided across the stage to accept their diploma as well as a hand shake. Soon it was the B's and finally the C's.

"Mary Alice Cullen." Jasper and I broke into a round of cheers, applauds and whistles as she walked across the stage. Well, danced, actually. She grabbed her diploma then made her way down the stairs of the stage and went to take her seat.

I blocked out the rest of the names until they got to the H's. Emmett elbowed me when the principal said Rosalie's name. I looked up quickly and say her glide across the stage, taking her diploma, shaking a hand, and then moving her tassel to the opposite side before sticking her tongue out in a rocker sort of way and grinning at Emmett. He laughed and did the same thing back. Rose laughed then walked off the stage.

"What the hell?" Jasper laughed.

"Inside joke." Emmett said, focusing back at the ceremony.

I rolled my eyes then faced back forward towards the stage. I mentally counted every person who came across the stage until it was finally getting to the name I wanted to hear most.

"Jessica Elizabeth Stanley." Almost there.

"Isabella Marie Swan." The principal spoke.

"Yay, Bella!!" I stood up, screaming and applauding. I saw her focus her eyes on me and blush as she quickly ran off the stage. Everyone around me was staring, but I didn't care. I sat back down then it was soon over after a few more names. Soon all the graduates were throwing their hats up in the air then running off towards their families. Alice went over to our parents, Rose to hers, and Bella to Charlie. After their rounds of hugs and kisses and happy tears, it was our turn. Jasper, Emmett, and I walked over to congratulate them.

Emmett pulled Rosalie into his arms and kissed her. Jasper and Alice hugged then mumbled to each other softly. Bella was blushing for some reason as she looked down at the ground, avoiding my eyes.

"Congratulations!" I shouted at her. She looked up and smiled, still looking flushed.

"Thanks."

"Now we'll all finally be in college together!" Alice beamed.

"Yes, with dorm rooms…" Emmett said, looking at Rose. She rolled her eyes and he kissed her forehead.

"Bella, why are you so red over there? Graduation is over." Jasper asked. I was wondering the same thing, actually. Usually I could read Bella like a book and tell why she's embarrassed or upset, but this time I was completely clueless.

"Oh… It's not graduation." She said.

"Then what's wrong?" I asked. She avoided my eyes again.

"Hey, are we going out to dinner or not?" Alice interrupted suddenly. I saw Bella give throw her an appreciative look.

Emmett, Jasper and I took the girls out to dinner. Emmett and Alice fought over where we should go, but they finally solved the issue, by asking Rose. Alice gave her the pouting looking and Emmett snaked an arm around her waist and kissed her. Rose was about to go for Alice, but Emmett whispered something in her ear that made her change her mind. Bella had giggled at that, but had been quiet ever since. I was studying her face very carefully, trying to figure her out on the way to the restaurant. She was silent,static.

We all had a nice dinner together. Emmett drove Rose home and Jasper and Alice went for a walk since it wasn't raining for once. I, naturally, was going to take Bella home. I opened her door and she got in quietly like before.

I went around to my side, started the car and we drove. After a few seconds, I couldn't take the no noise policy she'd set.

"Bella, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked gently, but frustrated.

"Nothing." She answered quickly, looking out the window.

"Don't give me that, please. I know something is wrong."

She shrugged, quiet.

"Bella, please. You can tell me anything…"

She swallowed and turned to look at me. I forgot how to breathe for a few seconds. She looked so beautiful with the street lights brightening up her face.

"Fine, don't tell me. But I have something I want to tell you then." I said, reaching over for her hand. We were almost to her house now.

"What is it?" She asked, curious.

I took a breath. I parked in her driveway and turned to her. "I love you Bella. Looking at you right now and knowing that I can't lean over and kiss you is killing me. I'm still waiting for you, but I'm not sure how much longer I can do that. The suspense is painful. I know I deserve to be with someone that will love me back," She was about to interrupt me, but I stopped her. "I'm not saying you don't love me, but I'm guessing you're still not ready to be in love with me again… I will always love you. Forever. End of story; no exceptions."

She was soundless. I just poured my heart out her and she's just tossing it off. I counted the seconds. Fourteen… Fifteen… Sixteen… "Now would be the time to say something, Bella."

She pulled her hand away. "I… I think I better get inside. It's late." She said. It felt like someone just shot a giant hole through my chest. It was hard to breath and I could feel rejection washing over me.

I nodded once after I could control my emotions. She reached for the handle and opened the door, putting her foot out. "I'm not going to wait anymore." I said.

"I know." She looked back at me for half a second then got all the way out of the car and walked up towards the driveway, never looking back. I watched as she went inside then saw her bedroom light turn on a few minutes later. I stared at the window, composing my thoughts.

I finally started my car and drove the necessary yards to get to my old house. I got out of my car and went inside, never looking back at the past or what could have been.

EPOV

I was tossing and turning all night long, trying not to think about… her. I finally fell asleep, but woke up soon after. I sighed and got out of bed, giving up on finding rest. I looked at the clock, it said five a.m. I grabbed some basketball shorts and a clean T-shirt, wanting to go out for a run to clear my head. As soon as I opened my bedroom door to get to the bathroom, I tripped over something small, yet big at the same time.

"Shit!" I said quietly, rubbing my toe from banging it against the wall.

I heard a gasp, but couldn't really see anything since it was so dark. The figure on the floor quickly stood up and crossed their arms over their chest. I squinted my eyes and took a step closer. "Bella?"

"Hey." She said groggily, her voice heavy with sleep.

"Hi." I whispered back. It was quiet for a few seconds. "So… Why are you here?"

"I… I'm sorry," She cleared her throat and spoke in a normal tone instead of whispering. "I was a jerk last night and I couldn't sleep so I wanted to come apologize, but when I got here, all the lights were out and I didn't want to wake anyone, so I took the key out of the turtle and came inside. Then I saw that your door was closed and I wasn't sure if you wanted me to come in so I got nervous and the more I got apprehensive, the floor looked more comfortable and now that I was at least in your house, outside your bedroom door I was really tired. So, I lay down and fell asleep then you came out and tripped then cussed and that's how we're here right now." She ranted quickly. I smiled at her nervousness.

"It's okay Bella."

"Can we still be friends? Please say yes."

I thought about that for a moment. "You know what, for once, we can't be. I can't be just your friend Bella. It hurts and I really just can't. I want you to be my girlfriend not just some guy you're lugging around with you!" I yelled the last part.

"I'm not just 'lugging you around'!" She yelled back.

"Yes you are! For the past year I've been waiting and waiting for you to come around. You'd lead me on, and then back off. I don't know what to think anymore."

"I was angry at myself! I hurt Jacob so terribly with what I did with you last summer. I couldn't trust myself."

"Are you saying that that's still your excuse now?"

She was quiet.

"That's what I thought!"

Just then the bedroom to my right opened up and Alice was standing there, looking tired. "What the hell are you two doing screaming this early in the morning?"

We both ignored her. "At least I'm not some pathetic loser who sits around pining and praying that some girl will come and rescue me!" Bella shot back.

"Oh yeah, just because I actually loved you means I'm some pathetic freak. Real nice Bella." I said sarcastically.

"Arg! What, you think I don't love you? What kind of crazy crap is that?" She screamed.

"Wait; was that past or present tense?" I asked.

"Why the hell does it matter?"

"Because if you said, 'didn't love me' then you're saying that you were in love with me. If you said, 'don't love me' then that means you still love me."

Since Alice's lamp was on in her room, I could see that her cheeks were reddening. "Well, maybe I do still love you! What are you going to do about it?"

"Absolutely nothing! I'm moving on, remember?" I said harshly.

"What? No!" Alice screeched. Neither of us turned to look at her; we were staring into each other's eyes, flaming.

"Yeah, I do remember. And you should move on because I'm moving on too!" Bella yelled.

"Oh, no you're not!" Alice yelled again.

"Good!"

"Great!" Bella said then everyone was silent for a second. I wanted to hear a pen drop at that moment because it was so silent. "Why are we doing this?"

"Doing what?" I spat, still scathing in anger.

"This! Why the hell do we let things get so great between us then let it turn into crap?"

"Because you make it that way!"

I saw her face fall for a second. She closed her eyes then looked back up at me. "Damn it Edward!"

"What?"

She looked down for a matter of seconds then looked up, searching my eyes for something. She looked completely vulnerable and nervous. She was fidgeting. "Marry me." She said, just above a whisper. I felt my face soften as I stared at her. She was standing there in her old sweats and a holey T-shirt; Alice would never approve of them. Her hair was a mess too and she had either angry or scared tears in her deep brown eyes; she took my breath away.

"No way…" I heard Alice whisper, shocked.

I gapped at her because she was standing there, proposing to me.

A/N: If you guys don't review for this chapter, it will take a long time for me to update, or I'll just end it here!

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions? Reviews are to me like true love is to Edward and Bella!