Chapter 11: The Announcement

I let Edward drive us both back to his family's magnificent, white house this morning since I always had trouble finding the secluded driveway amongst the summer greenery that spread like wild fire through forks every season. It was there in the winter as well, of course, but in the summer it was thick enough to stop a transport truck dead in its tracks should it collide with it, not much unlike a brick wall.

I made the conscious decision to keep the ring on my finger as we pulled in. After all, if we were just going to tell them anyway, there was no point in hiding it as I was planning to do Charlie. This could be fun, I convinced myself, if, of course, Alice hadn't told them already. And if she indeed had not, I was sure they were all going to be thrilled. Edward's family had always been wonderful to me, no matter what I managed to put them through as a clumsy, accident-prone human being. Of course, I was sure they'd forgiven me after their son flew to Italy intending to kill himself and I returned with him on my arm, smiling and waving like a maniac. Even though I knew I didn't, I could almost recall shouting, "nobody panic! I got him!"

I remembered how grateful Esme had been to be. She was always kind, of course. Carlisle could not have picked a more wonderful, motherly figure for his children. Even Rosalie had thanked me for saving her brother, which took me by surprise, but even so, the Cullens had never been spiteful toward me…for anything, despite all I'd done to their family.

Before I could so much as reach for my passenger's side door handle, Edward had opened the car door for me in that old-fashioned, gentleman-like manner that I loved so much. Smiling gratefully, I stepped out of the car and stumbled only briefly on the driveway before Edward caught me and stood me upright, chuckling, clearly amused. I glared at him, but this wasn't an easy feat to accomplish considering the last twenty-four hours and that dazzling smile of his…

Edward led me into the house, his arm encircling my waist protectively, as though he were more nervous about this than I was. I reassured him by planting a quick, encouraging smile on his cold cheek. That gorgeous smile reappeared instantly.

I couldn't help but grin broadly myself as I stepped through the front door to the huge, white mansion, recognizing and silently greeting my surroundings with a longing, 'hello stairs, couch, piano. I really missed you.' It seemed I always felt more comfortable among Edward's family and belongings than my own. Perhaps it was because my own held so many recollections of unpleasant conflict with my family. Or perhaps it was because the Cullens loved and treated me like their own daughter, and they would die before any of them let something happen to me. Both seemed like perfectly plausible explanations.

Alice was the first of the bunch to appear, bounding down the stairs like an ecstatic Chihuahua when she caught sight of both of us standing by the front door. I quickly stuffed my left hand in my pocket. I could tell just by the expression on her pixie-like features, however, that she already knew the outcome. She hadn't known it until we'd walked in the door. And then she'd obviously seen what we were about to announce to the family.

It seemed Edward was on the same mind track that I was, for, the moment Alice began to shout, "Carlisle! Esme! Everyone get down here now! Edward and Bella are…" he snatched the back of her shirt in one, strong fist and yanked her to him in a motion that I thought would have been painful had the victim not been immortal. He wrapped his free hand tightly across her still-open lips, silencing her immediately before she could reveal anything to the family. Then his lips found her ear and I could only just make out what he was saying to her. "Don't blow it, Alice." He whispered. "We want to tell them ourselves." Then he released her, seemingly confident that she would keep her mouth shut.

She crossed both arms over her tiny chest and pouted, obedient, although she was still grinning in a manner that reminded me of the Cheshire cat from Alice and Wonderland. Then a thought entered my head. Maybe that was where Alice got off to in her head sometimes…Wonderland. I couldn't help but laugh at the notion. It could very well be true…

Carlisle and Esme appeared in seconds from the kitchen, their expressions expectant, questioning. Clearly Alice had said something to them, just not the entire something. Emmet, Jasper and Rosalie were at the bottom of the staircase now as well, next to a silent and clearly aggravated Alice.

"It's so good to see you again, dear." I was in Esme's warm, welcoming arms before I had a chance to say hello. I recognized the difference in the hug immediately. It was tighter somehow, more affectionate than usual. Normally it was looser, more careful. The moment she released me, Carlisle's strong, strapping hand was on my shoulder. "Likewise, Bella." He told me gently. I smiled in return. I liked Carlisle. I remembered the first time I'd seen him. I was in the hospital as a result of nearly being run over by Tyler Crowley in the school parking lot. I lay on a gurney in the emergency room, not a scratch on me, but mortified over the ridiculous precaution when he appeared, Edward smirking at his side, clearly amused by my predicament.

I'd thought Dr. Cullen was good-looking, charming and not unlike his son in many ways, only slightly older. I enjoyed being in his company always. Next to Edward, Carlisle was certainly the one I felt safest around. He was a doctor, working every day around blood…gallons of it. And never once did he let himself taste a drop. He was certainly the most controlled, and the most comforting.

Jasper and Emmet waved from the staircase. I would never get over Emmet's grizzly-like size. "Bella." He greeted cheerfully. I nodded my acknowledgment and now Rosalie flashed me a more beautiful smile than I would have thought possible from her. "Hello, Bella." She surprised me by welcoming. Rosalie and I were still far from being best buds, but she was certainly coming around, just as Edward had said. She was willing to help me when I needed it, and she didn't glare at me any longer, so I supposed that was something.

Esme spoke again now. "Now, Edward," she turned to her son, "what's this all about? Wasn't Alice calling us?"

I could see how hard she was trying to keep the excitement out of her face and say nothing, just in case I hadn't said yes last night, but it was clearly difficult for her. This gave me some comfort. At least I knew which way it would go when we told them.

Edward motioned for everyone to move into the living room, where a couch, a loveseat and two arm chairs resided not too far off from that beautiful piano Edward had played for me once before. I smiled a little wider now. "Why doesn't everyone sit down?" Edward suggested good-naturedly and in a surprisingly composed tone for someone who was about to tell their entire family he was engaged.

Carlisle and Esme took their places on the loveseat while Emmet and Rosalie went for the couch. Alice sat on the arm of one of the chairs which Jasper was also sitting in, one of his hands entangled in hers lovingly.

Edward stood, which, I assumed, was a pretty good indicator that I was supposed to stand as well. Not wanting to appear too possessive of him in front of his wonderful family, I merely hung off of his left elbow before his arm slowly wrapped itself around my waist, forcing me to let go and be satisfied with his hold on me.

"We just wanted to let you all know," Edward began, his perfect voice wavering ever so slightly, "that…um…" he was struggling for words again. This was not a color that I enjoyed seeing on him. He was usually so confident. "Bella and I…" he seemed to finally decide on a way to do this. "…love each other very much. And last night…"

I glanced around at all their expectant faces and prayed that Edward would hurry up. I couldn't stand the tension in the room any longer. "Last night…" It was clear he was attempting to get straight to the point, not bothering with small talk in the least. They would know if he was trying to stall. "Last night we…"

That was it. I couldn't take it anymore. I decided to rescue him. Tearing my left hand from my jeans pocket, I held it up for everyone to see, and savored the joyful smiles that seemed to spread across the room so quickly that I didn't have time to see them all before I spoke. "Edward proposed to me." I told them, having to raise my voice over the gleeful shrieks that were already radiating from certain individuals who had noted the glorious diamond on my finger.

Edward kissed my temple gratefully. "Thank you." He whispered so only I could hear. I grinned up at him. "No problem." I had to mouth the words quickly before Esme and Alice were on me, demanded to see the ring and raving about how excited they were. They both crushed me into another hug and for a moment I wondered if they were ever going to let go. Even Rosalie was smiling from where she stood by the couch, her arms folded uncertainly, but a grin evident on her features. I beamed in silent reply.

Emmet had already gotten a hold of Edward as the room exploded in a whirlwind of motion and disbelieving cried of joy. The relief I felt in that moment was overwhelming. Then I though I was stupid for ever thinking they might be upset in the least.

I felt Edward's arm slide away from my waist as gently as possible as Emmet grasped him around the chest and crushed him into an embarrassing bear hug, the hand that wasn't holding him ruffling his hair so hard that it looked almost painful as he congratulated him. Jasper was there too then, patting him on the back and crushing him in his own hug.

When Carlisle approached me the motion stopped with a frightening abruptness. My smile faded as I struggled to match his serious expression. Esme and Alice stepped away from me immediately, giving the head of the household his moment with me.

Placing both hands on my shoulders, Carlisle's eyes bore into mine with a seriousness that I'd never seen from him before and my mind sifted through ways to react. This was so sudden, unexpected. "Bella," he said to me, his voice quiet, "you are a wonderful, charming, kind young lady." I could feel the blush creeping into my cheeks as I watched Edward out of the corner of my eye, silently supervising from across the room.

"Edward couldn't have found someone better." Carlisle pressed on, still holding my gaze seriously. But then his voice lightened and I let out my breath in one heavy sigh of relief at Carlisle's next words. "Welcome to the family!"

We spent the remainder of the day at Edward's house, sitting in the living room and discussing every detail of our upcoming wedding, Esme continuously slipping in that she couldn't wait to have me as a daughter. This warmed my heart considerably. We didn't discuss my inevitable 'transformation'. Every time I came close enough to broaching the subject, Edward silenced me with a simple look in those perfect golden eyes of his. It was clear he was still going to try to find a way out of it. I could see that. He wasn't big on the idea of taking my soul away and then condemning me to the worst pain any person could ever feel. But so what? I would convince him…somehow.

Finally though, my eyes drifted to the clock on the wall and I started, leaping from the couch. "Oh, crap! Charlie!" I exclaimed as I made for the door at a brisk pace. Edward was close behind me, along with the rest of his family. "I'm really sorry to leave like this," I apologized as I opened the front door for myself, "it's just that my father's going to be home soon and he's going to be wondering where I am." I left out the fact that I wasn't allowed to be outside the house with Edward, let alone at his house, with his family, talking about our wedding.

Esme's smile was more than reassuring. "Of course, Bella." She forgave me softly. "We'll see you again soon, no doubt. You get home to your father now."

I flashed her a grateful smile and waved to everyone else as Edward ushered me out the door, urgency in his own step now as well. "Goodnight everyone!" I called as I waved. But I was gone before they could reply, Edward racing me to the car at a now-panicked pace. I was going to be in so much trouble for this…