Chapter 11

It didn't take long for me to shower, and within thirty seconds afterwards, I was already changed and downstairs. I made my way to the kitchen where Edward had already started Charlie's dinner. I started laughing uncontrollably at Edward's face as he was chopping up the onions. I resisted the urge to yell "He slices, he dices."

"I don't understand how people can eat this stuff."

"Gosh, Edward you act like you were never human. You can't expect humans to eat our food can you?" I asked as I reached into the cabinet for a can of chili. I figured tonight was going to be an easy dinner of hotdogs for Charlie, and a few deer for me. I didn't want to go off hunting too far away in case Victoria decided to make a special appearance tonight.

Edward grunted and started cooking the hotdogs on the stove next to the chili. Jus t as the hotdogs were done cooking, and I took the mustard and ketchup out of the refrigerator, Charlie walked in and hung his gun on the rack. "Bella?"

It used to bother me that he would yell that when he came home, I mean who else would be here? But then I realized that Edward was here as well and maybe, just maybe, he was just checking that I hadn't run off again. I was saddened that I left Charlie with no choice but to not trust me.

"In here, dad." I called back.

He took one look at Edward and grunted. I saw a slight smirk appear on Edward's face, and made a mental note to ask him about that later.

"Smells good Bella. What's for dinner?"

Edward scooped up for hotdogs and placed them in the toasted buns that were waiting on a plate with potato chips. "Hotdogs, Chief Swan."

Charlie grabbed the plate and sat down at the table. He started smothering his dogs with the onions and chili and mustard. I guess he didn't want any ketchup. "Hey wait, you didn't make enough, are you not joining me?"

"Ahh, no dad, we ate our hotdogs before we made yours. It's such an easy meal that I wanted to wait for you to be closer to home so they didn't have to heated up."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. There's nothing worse than a reheated hotdog." He mumbled. I couldn't even tell if he meant for us to hear.

"Chief Swan, I know that you prefer that Bella stay in for a few evenings, but Alice would really like to see her and I know Esme would too."

I wasn't exactly grounded, but Charlie did put me on a curfew. I couldn't blame him, it just meant that I'd have to do most of my hunting in the morning or after school, but at least I'd still be spending my nights with Edward in my room.

"Yeah that's fine. Bella?" He pointed to me.

"I know, I'll be home by nine thirty, Cha- Dad." I gave him a kiss in his hair so he couldn't feel how icy my lips were. I grabbed a light coat and followed Edward out the door, and into the car. "What was that about?"

"Well I just figured you'd want to hunt tonight instead of waiting till tomorrow. Now you won't have to worry about Charlie peeping in your room to make sure you're there."

I chuckled. "Did I ever tell you I had the best boyfriend ever?"

Without slowing the car down, he turned to give my eyes direct contact. "I would think by now you thought of me as more than a boyfriend. In fact, I'm not even a boy."

"Technically, but for all intents and purposes, you are a boy, and therefore, my boyfriend."

"Hmm." Edward turned his attention back to the road as he made the turn into his three mile long driveway. "How would you feel if I was you're fiancé?"

Unfortunately my mouth couldn't keep from laughing before I could think about it. "Fiance? Edward, I don't want to get married. For what purpose? I refuse to make the same mistake as Renee and Charlie." Aggh, dang mouth.

He raised an eyebrow, and I couldn't be sure if he had a small smile on his face. "I'm a mistake?"

"No, Edward, don't be silly. Renee and Charlie got married right out of high school. And look where they ended up. Charlie is at home with no one, and Renee can barely take care of herself without me. I don't want to end up like that. I love you and I know we'll be together for eternity, so I just don't see why a ceremony is necessary."

"So you have commitment issues?" He said as we got out the car. He made his way around the car and pinned me back to it with no escape. "Honestly Bella. What does it matter if we make it official with a ceremony if you know we're destined to be together?"

"What does it matter if we don't?" I started, but I could see the hurt behind his eyes. "Edward, I'm not that girl. I was never the one that looked forward to getting married, and a frilly white dress for me, and hideous dresses for my friends. Not for me. Besides, what will everyone think if we get married? By the time the rumors are done, I'd probably be pregnant. NO!"

"Well have you considered that I am that boy? I've existed a lot longer than you, Bella, and even in my time, that was all I wanted. I've waited all this time for my dreams to come true. I've waited all this time for you."

I couldn't believe he pulled the age card on me. "Vampires don't dream," I grumbled almost silently.

"What was that?"

"You heard me, and if you didn't get a hearing aid you senior citizen." I pushed him out of the way and started making my way into the house.

"Bella?" I turned around to Edward on one knee. "Please, marry me? I can't imagine my existence without you. "

I let out a soft groan as I toyed with the idea of being Edward's wife. We'd never have Edward's complete dream of children and the like, but we'd be together. There was nothing more that I wanted , so what if he insisted on making it official? I realized that I was biting my lip as I was contemplating.

"Yes. I'll marry you." I said, hoping that the concession didn't seep through the words. I didn't want to spoil the moment for Edward. But then I noticed that as I said the words, I was excited myself. All of a sudden I was eager to marry him. Not so much to get it over with, but, I truly could not wait to be Mrs. Edward Anthony Mason Cullen.

Edward leaped up from his kneeling position and was within my arms within seconds. He pulled me into a kiss of longing and celebration. He only broke it when he started into a laughing fit.

"What? What's so funny?" I wondered.

"Them. Alice saw me asking you in a vision, and gathered everyone to the window. They saw the whole proposal."

I looked back at the glassy house, and let out another groan. I turned back to Edward with a face that exuded horror and shock. When I turned to face the firing squad, everyone gave me a hug and congratulations. Alice especially was excited about the announcement.

"You know I'm planning the wedding right?"

I started to shake my head. "No. Alice, it's going to be something small. I'd consider going to Vegas to be honest with you." Alice's smile immediately cascaded into a frown, and begin to pucker in fury. Before she could even protest, I caved and told her she could plan it. "But do not go overboard!" I warned.

"Oh Bella, I promise! You will love what I have in store. Your first wedding will be magical, I swear it," she beamed.

"Whoa, what do you mean, first wedding? I'm only doing this once."

"Okay, sure," was her only reply before grabbing Rosalie upstairs. I had a feeling that my little coordinator was going to get out of control.

"I don't understand how someone so small could be so annoying." Edward startled me from behind, I'd forgotten that he was there.

"I heard that," Alice said in a regular speaking voice as if I was right in front of her. I'm not entirely sure I'd get use to the vampire hearing, or sight for that matter.

"So is this why you wanted to get me out of the house?" I asked Edward.

"No, actually. I thought it might be prudent for all of us to speak about Seattle?" He looked at Carlisle questionably. Alice and Rosalie came back downstairs promptly. Edward chuckled lightly and shook his head in amusement. They must be keeping him out of their minds somehow.

"Yes, the problem in Seattle is escalating. With all of the disappearances and murders, the police are considering the possibility of a serial killer. However, I think what is truly happening, is due to one or more newborn vampires."

For a half and hour my family started debating whether or not we should get involved. Jasper and Emmett were all gung-ho about it because it had been a while since they were in a decent fight with anyone. Carlisle was dead set against it because he despised violence. Edward was siding with Carlisle, but for a different reason. Leaving for Seattle meant that Charlie, and most importantly Forks, was left unguarded in the event Victoria returned. I didn't even point out that no matter what I wasn't leaving Charlie's side, but I knew that Edward wouldn't leave me to stay with Charlie alone.

Once that point was made, Emmett and Jasper backed off and accepted that Seattle wasn't any of our business. "I guess we can let the Volturi deal with it." Emmett doled out glumly.

"The Volturi?" I knew they were the royal vampires but I had no idea why they would be the ones to take care of the newborns. I couldn't imagine that they would get their hands dirty with something like this.

"Well the number one rule is to never expose ourselves. The Volturi have worked for over several millennia to ensure that vampires were a mere superstition. At the risk of exposure, they will not only kill the new vampires, but also their maker or makers. It's a dangerous rule to break, and the Volturi are strict."

"Which furthers my decision that we stay clear from Seattle. We wouldn't want the Volturi to mistake us for being involved."

Emmett and Jasper were completely resolved now in not going. Edward turned towards me and put his arm around my waist. "I should get you home it's almost 9:30. We wouldn't want Charlie to hold you prisoner indefinitely."

We started walking out the door when I heard a quiet gasp escape Alice's lips. Both of us rushed back into the living room where everyone else was gathered, looking anxiously at Alice. Edward's entire body was growling in reaction to seeing Alice's vision firsthand.

"Irina, no!"