AN: Sorry guys! The load of school work after all was much bigger than I was expecting. I missed Fanfiction so much. This is my escape. I was really in need to write something. I hope you'll like the new chapter. The next one I'll try to update sooner... but I'm not promising.

Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Three days had gone since the incident at the airport. Were it possible, Edward by now would have the paparazzi species banned from the earth surface. After what happened Saturday at Heathrow airport, Edward was a mess. He had never wanted before to kill someone, as much as that Saturday. The way those… Gah!He couldn't even find and appropriate name for them. The way they treated her beautiful fiancé! It was abominable, despicable. He was suddenly remembering the events of that day.

*Flashback*

"Prince Edward! Look at here! Bella Swan! At your right!" the shouts coming from the media representatives were loud and were making Bella cringe.

Edward tried to shade his eyes with his right hand, while his left one was grabbing Bella's with the most strength he could muster so that she wouldn't lose herself in the middle of the crowd by being trapped. Where the hell are the bodyguards? He thought. Bella imitated his gestures but forgot the new belonging in her left hand – the engagement ring.

As soon as the photographers saw the elegant piece of jewelry that adorned her finger, Edward felt Bella being pushed and pulled at the same time in all directions, while still attached to him. He immediately tried to grab her around her waist, but without the bodyguard's help, that were still nowhere to be found, it was proving to be difficult to rescue her from them. After some more pushes and pulls, and a strangled cry from Bella; the bodyguards made their way through the crowd of paps and were able to take their claws off of Bella, as well as all the microphones, recorders, and cameras, from both of their faces.

*Flashback*

Those fuckers! Yes! That was the best term to describe those paparazzi. As soon as they saw Bella's engagement ring they started pushing or/and pulling her, just to get the best picture at her hand. Of course, adding that, to the fragile body structure of Bella's, it resulted in her wrist sprained and a very scared Bella.

Bella was shaking and panting by the time they get in the car. Edward did everything in his power to calm her down, and quickly called the palace, so that a doctor could be there for them as soon as they arrived. Bella was still shaking when they entered Edward's – now theirroom. Dr. Morrison arrived not even five minutes after and his diagnosis was quick – apart from the huge stress Bella was submitted, her wrist was sprained.

That was, of course, when Edward exploded – almost too literally; which was a miracle he hadn't yet. After all the events that occurred in the afternoon, the addition of Bella's injury was the last drop that made the glass overflow.

He kissed Bella quickly and swiftly walked out of the room before he lost his mind in front of her and scared her even more. He found his father and demanded him, as well as the Public Relations of the Royal Family – Diane, that a public statement should be made on the subject, and the courthouse should release a restraining order, stating that no media workers could approach Bella, unless the meeting was arranged. Carlisle, even though understanding his son demands, tried to calm him.

"Son, the restraining order will not help with anything. You should release the public statement, and as well request to all press members present a public act of apology for Bella. More than that, I'm sorry, but you can't do."

"But father! They hurt her!" Edward said exasperated.

"I know son, I really do. However, the press, unfortunately is a huge interference in the people's minds, and right now, you won't need to be seen as the bad guy. Go to your Bella, and when she's feeling better bring her here, so we can all talk. Also, I believe your mother and sister are dying to know how you proposed her…" Carlisle finished, trying to light the conversation, to see if his son forgot most of what he wanted to do.

Edward returned to his quarters, to find Bella still talking to Dr. Morrison. He had finished the instructions on how she needed to take care of her wrist and gave her a couple of calming pills to help her relieve the accumulated stress. One of the palace maids had already brought an ice pack to apply in Bella's wrist. When the doctor left the room, Edward picked Bella, and placed her on their bed, situating himself next to her.

"I'm sorry," he sighed. Bella's eyes shot curiously to him, as she didn't understand what he could be sorry for, after all, he had tried to protect her, but one person against dozens was an impossible task. He also took care of her, calling the doctor quickly to assess all of her possible injuries; and of course, calmed her.

"I wasn't able to stop them from hurting you," he formulated, after realizing she hadn't understood. "I tried, I really did, especially when the bodyguards where nowhere to be found, but I couldn't. They were too many. I'm sorry… so sorry. I love you so much."

Bella used her good hand to caress his face. "You don't need to be sorry. I know you tried, but as you also said, they were too many. I know you love me, and I love you too! But if you need me to forgive so you can put your mind to rest then, you're forgiven," she smiled, and kissed him gently on the lips.

"By the way, what possess you to think that you're supposed to rescue me from everything?" She smirked. However, Edward demeanor was still serious.

"Of course, it is my duty, and I want to protect you all the time Bella. You're my everything! I love you with all my soul, body and mind, and the last thing I want is to lose you, or for you to resent me. I can't lose you – not now, nor never. My life will lose all the meaning without you here to bright my day, to embrace me at night, and simply be my side when I need you the most. I love you Bella."

While Edward proclaimed his love once more for her, still looking her in the eyes, Bella couldn't stop the tears that leaked. She smiled and kissed him sweetly. Then she proceeded to find his ear and whispered in it.

"I hope that's what you'll say in your vows. I love you too," they made out for a little in the bed, but Edward was still preoccupied with Bella's wrist, which she noticed easily, as he was very careful with the positions, he put her in. When the calming pills Bella took started to be effective and Bella's eyes were droopy, Edward cuddled Bella and they both fell asleep quickly, as their bodies finally succumbed to the events of the day.

Later that night, during dinner, the entire royal family reunited around the table in the dining room. Questions were fired for both of them, as soon as they sit, and it was Carlisle the one who had to calm everyone down.

"Bella, I hope you're better, and that the pain had subsided. I'm sorry that the bodyguards were not there in time to prevent this incident, but the issue was already taken care of." Carlisle assured, after getting everyone quiet.

"What do you mean by 'taken care of'?" Bella was slightly suspicious of what he meant by that. Did he really dismiss the bodyguards?

"Bella, you can certainly see that if they let this incident happen I can't trust my family with them anymore. I'll always be wondering if they were doing their job correctly. Also, a press statement was also released, explaining what happened, with an adjoining request to a public apology to you from the media," he explained further.

"Thank you, Carlisle. Yes, the pain is inexistent for now, at least, but I guess that it's just the painkillers working. And you don't need to apologize…," she was suddenly interrupted by Alice.

"All right, we got it," she said waving her hands in a dismissive way. "No apologies are necessary. So, will you finally tell me how my brother proposed?" her eyes here sparkling with excitement at the prospect of what was to come. As Bella took a little time to answer, Alice demeanor changed to defeat. "You're going to tell me he just asked you for dinner and went down on one knee?" Both Bella and Edward laugh at her comment, and after an exchange of looks, Edward let Bella start telling the family the story behind the proposal.

"Ok. So, Edward took me to dinner, yes," she held her hand to signal Alice to stay quiet, as she was starting to protest. "It was the most wonderful thing!" Bella sighed dreamily. "He, I really don't know how, and I never want to know," she said glaring at Edward, which in return released a little chuckle "was able to get my favorite public garden in Naples closed for the day – the Villa Comunalle. It was the garden where I used to spend my Saturdays with my father; just talking or being in each other's company. It's a very special place for me," the other women at the table awed. "With Emmett and Rosalie's help they decorated the gazebo existent there, which looked just like from a fairytale; and my brother sent one of his servers from the restaurant to serve us dinner."

"We ate, and after that Edward stood up and picked my present that was on a side table. It was on my birthday," she looked at Edward for help to continue. Alice realizing what she said, burst.

"You…" she said menacingly, with her eyes narrowed "Both of you…" she kept pointing at them "that was 3 days ago, and you didn't tell me?" The whole table erupted in laugh at Alice outburst. Edward remembering the silent request from Bella resumed the tale.

"I gave her the present," he chuckled as he remembered its content. Bella punched him in the shoulder. When she noticed the whole family silently observing their exchange she decided to explain.

"This idiot here," she smirked "offered me a book."

"Edward! You gave her a book as a birthday present? I thought I taught you better." Carlisle admonished.

Edward looked sheepishly. "I know dad. However, this way I was able to turn the whole proposal into something more casual and unforgettable… and you, young lady, don't pretend you didn't like. You loved it!" he said to Bella.

She laughed once more. "Yes. I loved it!" and kissed him quickly.

"Ok. I understand he gave you the book. Now what? While your unwrapping it, he kneeled?" Esme asked confused. "Oh! By the way son, even the simplest proposal is always memorable."

"No, no, Esme. For starters the book your son gave me, was literally, to mock with me." Esme glared at Edward. "Son!" she whispered-yelled, while Bella laughed.

"It's alright. At first, I was actually a little apprehensive, but when I saw the contents, everything was forgotten. He gave one of Meg Cabot's books: Princess Lessons. The book supposedly teaches you how to behave like a princess, you know. It's for adolescent girls, but in the contents, it has lessons on how to properly do your hair, how to behave in public, how the complex social hierarchies' function, how to be the perfect hostess, well, the basic lesson to be a real-life princess," the whole table laughed at the book Edward presented Bella with.

"And?" Alice asked impatiently, while tapping her hand on the table.

"As he saw my apprehension, he asked me to read the first page of the book. That was the proposal. We wrote it in there."

"Really?" asked the girls. As they saw both Bella and Edward nod, they awed together. "What it said?"

Bella quickly left the room in mind, as she remembered the events of that wonderful night. Now that she observed everything in retrospect, she could see the nervousness in both Edward behavior and eyes and beyond the nervous feeling, she could also sense his expectation, or was she imagining things now? Then she remembered how she opened the book quickly, only to find his elegant script. She remembered the tears that leaked her eyes after reading it and the feeling of readiness that she had as soon as she finished reading the proposal. Nevertheless, the best was when she realized he was already kneeling in front of her, and she hadn't even noticed him moving. The only word in her head was – Yes!

*Flashback*

"Mia Bella Principessa,

Since the first day I saw you, quietly muttering in the halls of the palace, I knew without a doubt that you belonged there. I never believed in love at first sight, but in retrospect, I instantly knew you were the one I longed to have by my side, as soon as my eyes focused on your beautiful chocolate ones. You brought the light and bright to my monochromatic life; you gave me the reason to believe in love, to hope and to cherish.

I love you so much.

I know I've only met you a short time ago, but the years I've lived before ceased to exist, as I only see you now. You are my future. In my mind, it is almost as if I've known you my whole life. You're not only my best friend, but also my love, my soul mate – my everything.

You are the true love I have waited my whole life to wrap myself in and I promise to love you until the end of my days.

Will you marry me?

Eternally yours,

Edward Cullen"

*Flashback*

Edward started telling his family what he had written in the front page of the book, as soon as he saw Bella space out. The family was happy for them, but he could also see in his father's eyes the pride, in how he was able to woo his woman just as he taught him. The rest of the dinner was a simple affair. No more important subjects were approached, and the events of that afternoon were forgotten.

Sunday was a rest day. Edward and Bella spent it at the palace gardens, walking hand in hand. Bella's wrist was getting better and the pain was almost inexistent if she was careful not to move the wrist quickly.

Edward was suddenly interrupted from his thoughts about the previous days, as Diane, the Public Relations of the Royal Family, called him and Bella. They were outside the pressroom of the palace, waiting for everything to be ready for the public apology from the press to Bella. Since Saturday, both his and her faces were stamped in every magazine, newspaper, or website, nationally and internationally. The headlines carried from simple things as 'It is official: England has a new Princess' to 'Bella Swan forces Prince Edward to marry: pregnancy results positive'. This last made the whole family to laugh.

Edward grabbed Bella's hand. "Are you ready?"

"No, but let's go," she sighed.

They walked through the door as the guards opened it. When they stepped one foot inside the room, once more the flashes of the cameras blinded them.

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Catarina