The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com

Prompt: 11 (Photo of Bride and Groom)
Main Character/Pairing: Bella & Edward
Rating: T
Word Count: 1901

- Edward's Point of View -

"Stop fidgeting, Bella," I implored, reaching out to keep her hands still.

She'd been worried all afternoon that Charlie was going to throw a fit, and though I agreed with her to a certain extent that having his beloved daughter get married at the age of eighteen would not sit well with Charlie, especially given his personal experiences with early marriage, I hoped that he would set aside his prejudices and accept the fact that I loved Bella more than my own life.

It pleased me that Bella's father looked out for her, and I didn't blame his in the slightest for his still-present hatred towards me for the incident last September. To his credit, he was unaware of the true details of my relationship with his daughter, so I couldn't very well explain to him that I'd abandoned his daughter because I was too dangerous to live—and love—her.

Yet, whatever feelings he would have regarding the news we were ready—at least I was thrilled—to share with him, I sincerely hoped that he would look at our relationship as not a mistake, the way his had been.

"People are going to assume I'm pregnant, Edward," she'd argued, several days ago. "Mom, Dad, everyone in town—"

"Let them assume whatever they want, sweetheart," I'd assured her, sighing sadly at the fact that I never would have the ability to someday make that assumption come true. With every passing second I selfishly spent with her, she was making only more sacrifices for me. "And what does it matter in the future?"

She'd shaken her head. "I know I'm being silly, but if we could just avoid the whole drama that comes with it… Nobody gets married at eighteen, Edward."

"Of course they do." I'd replied promptly. "And age is just a number. Look at us, our relationship is strange enough, and I want to marry you as soon as possible."

Her cheeks had tinged pink with my completely honest declaration.

"Let me rephrase: nobody sane gets married at eighteen. What reason do people have for getting married at such a young age?"

"Love," I'd replied, nonplussed, while she rolled her eyes and snorted. "People get married because they love each other regardless of how old they are."

She'd groaned. "Not anymore. You're impossible!"

I leaned forward to peer into Bella's eyes. They were filled with tension and anxiety, and I knew she was terrified of his reaction.

"Please try to remember," I said softly, letting my breath fan across her face, "that you're not confessing to a murder here."

She glared at me, trying to wiggle her hand free from mine. I refused to let it go, admiring the ring that sparkled beautifully on her finger.

"Easy for you to say," she muttered, eyeing the direction the door with apprehension.

Charlie's cruiser pulled to a stop outside the house, and Bella's heartbeat started to match the sound of his boots clomping on the gravel. Charlie's house keys jingled in the doorknob, and Bella's heartbeat went haywire.

"Calm down, Bella," I assured her quietly, a little concerned for her health. Perhaps we could this another day when she was mentally ready…

But it was too late since Charlie had already banged the door open.

"Hey, Charlie," I said loudly, getting his attention.

Oh, wonderful, came the sarcastic thoughts from my soon-to-be father-in-law. He had been making an attempt to put the past behind him, and he been considerably politer to me, but I knew that I would always remain the same in his eyes.

"No," Bella hissed, nudging me in the ribs lightly.

"What?"

"Wait till he hangs his gun up!"

I laughed softly, stroking her fingers affectionately. She was so endearing. The idea of Charlie shooting me was quite amusing. Well, at least his reaction afterwards anyway.

"Hey, kids," Charlie greeting, surprisingly addressing me as well, as he slumped into the living room. "What's up?"

"We'd like to talk to you," I announced, since Bella's tongue seemed to be frozen. She was gulping hard and her heartbeat was absolutely racing.

A burst of excitement swelled inside of me, and I felt the smile growing large on my face. Finally, the moment had arrived! I would be marrying Bella no matter what anybody said, but I valued Charlie's relationship with his daughter and found it only right that we had his approval and well wishes.

Well, that sounds ominous, Charlie pondered, looking suspiciously between the two of us. Wonder what this could be about… Edward and his family are not moving again, are they?

"We have some good news," I continued, flinching slightly at the understatement behind my words. It was more than just "good news." Bella and I were getting married. Finally, she would be all mine for eternity. That revelation was a million times stronger than merely good news.

Keep it light, I reminded myself.

"Good news?" Charlie repeated, frowning at his daughter.

"Have a seat, Dad," Bella suggested nervously, extending a shaking hand to his recliner.

Beads of precipitation had started to form on Bella's neck and forehead. I wished I could help cool her down, but we were on a very important mission at the moment.

What on earth could they want to talk about?

"Don't get worked up, Dad. Everything's okay."

I grimaced again, this time at her word choice. "Okay" was not nearly enough a feeling to accurately describe the state of bliss I was currently floating in.

"Sure it is, Bella, sure it is," Charlie responded sarcastically, now noting the sweat on her face too. "It everything is so great, then why are you sweating bullets?"

Bella flushed deeply, blurting, "I'm not sweating."

What's going on? Charlie wondered, Edward seems calm and casual — what's new? — but Bella's a nervous wreck. What could possibly be the—?

"You're pregnant!" He bellowed, the thought just occurring to him. His face turned completely, just like Bella's face beautifully did whenever she got embarrassed, but Charlie was furious. His thoughts, already so incomprehensible, were more jumbled than usual.

I swear — my baby girl — too young — ruined — irresponsible — never trusted him to begin with…

I was unsurprised to hear the words "kill him" from his mind, and I stifled a disappointed sigh. Charlie had every reason to distrust me for what I had done to his daughter, but I wished people in general wouldn't jump to the conclusion that a young marriage meant that the girl was pregnant. Didn't the simple but profound word "love" have any meaning anymore?

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Charlie demanded, scowling in my direction. His fingers stretched towards his gun, and I heard the word "shoot" among his mental voice.

The thought of Charlie shooting me almost made me smile, but Bella and her father were both deeply distressed.

"No! Of course I'm not!" Bella shouted.

She's not pregnant… the way they're sitting and want to tell me… ominous… then what is the news?

Charlie's heart rate slowed significantly, and with Bella's denial, he gradually relaxed visibly. His eyes were darting between both us suspiciously, but I remained serene as usual, silently urging Bella to do the same.

"Oh. Sorry." You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.

Bella's heartbeat stuttered. "Apology accepted."

For a long moment, we sat expectantly in silence until Bella looked around nervously.

Well? Charlie demanded impatiently. What's going on then?

Bella shot me an anxious, wide-eyed glance, silently telling me that she wasn't able to tell the news.

I squeezed her hand assuringly and turned to face Charlie.

"Charlie," I began, making sure he was looking at me before continuing, "I realize that I've gone on about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I don't want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, I'm asking you for your blessing."

Charlie's eyebrows were furrowed in confusion as he stared unblinkingly at me, and he wasn't sure what to think.

"We're getting married," I revealed finally, resisting the urge to grin hugely. Bella's heart raced at the word, while Charlie's completely stopped. I added softly, "I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and — by some miracle — she loves me that way, too. Will you give us your blessing?"

Bella's father had shifted his incredulous gaze from me to Bella's face to Bella's ring finger. He eyed it, almost dispassionately for a while, his mind racing.

His face made an entertaining rainbow as it changed colors with his thought processes. Bella was worrying herself over her father's health, but I quietly assured her that he was fine.

Once again, I tried to catch tidbits of his thought process, hoping to get insight on how he was feeling. At this point of time, I wished Jasper was around to know Charlie's mood. Too young — marriage at eighteen — making a mistake — my only daughter — but she's not pregnant — love each other…

The transition from furious denial to reluctant acceptance had been so quick in Charlie's thoughts that I had barely been able to register them.

"Guess I'm not surprised," he mumbled eventually, surprising and relaxing both of us. "Knew I'd have to deal with something like soon enough. You sure about this?"

I hadn't ever been sure of anything in my existence as much as I was certain about marrying my girl, but the question was directed at Bella, so I kept my mouth shut with difficulty.

"I'm one hundred percent sure about Edward," Bella replied automatically, and I knew that this was her way of saying she was ready to be with me whether we got married or not.

"Get married, though?" Charlie demanded. "What's the rush?"

Bella only agreed to get married if it meant that I would change her as soon as possible. While I'd assured countless times that she would always be the most important person in my life no matter how old she was, she was determined to limit her days as a human, and I refused to change her before getting married. It was a complicated bargain that was beyond Charlie's understanding.

I explained, "We're going away to Dartmouth together in the fall, Charlie. I'd like to do that, well, the right way. It's how I was raised."

Old-fashioned morals, but I'm surprised he even has those… kids these days, especially boys, prefer living together without getting married… Bella and Edward… doing it the right way…

"Knew this was coming," he repeated, sounding calm.

An image of Bella and me at our wedding floated up to his mind. I was at the altar, dressed in a black tux that contrasted with my pale skin, and impatient but standing confidently as I waited for my blushing bride. Our families and friends surrounded us, smiling and whispering, as they watched. Bella came around the corner, her arm linked with Charlie's, and each step they took was pictured in his mind. Finally, Charlie imagined himself placing his daughter's hand in mine, with the promise that I would look after his baby girl forever.

I sighed happily before pulling myself out of Charlie's mind to level him with a serious gaze and wishing he was the one to read minds at the moment.

Forever, I vowed.