Cullen & Friends, Down on the Bayou

Chapter 21

Summary: Sequel to Edward Cullen, FBI Special Agent & Psychic - Edward Cullen is still an FBI Special Agent now visiting his friends, Sam, Angela and Lauren, who own a house boat in the Atchafalaya Basin, with Bella Swan who's no longer with the LAPD. The plan is to start a detective agency with Bella as a full partner. What strangeness will they find in the Louisiana Swamps. Will they be able to solve crimes that ordinary law enforcement is unable to solve.

Warning: Subject matter is of an occult and supernatural nature. Some scenes may be difficult for some to read. Just remember that this is a work of fiction and a product of my imagination, and as such I've taken "liberties" with some things. So with the above in mind, please just accept this as a work of fiction and enjoy the world I'm creating. Things don't really go "bump" in the night, do they?

Disclaimer: Ms. Meyer started it all. I've borrowed her characters, but this storyline is mine.

~o0o~

Chapter 21

Previously:

The water still didn't look very good, but that awful smell was not nearly as strong as it had been.

Phoebe was standing by the pool, looking into it. When the friends got back to where she was standing, she smiled at them.

She went to Bella and grasped Bella's hand, "Thank you so much for seeing to it that my pond was taken care of. I hope to see you and your friends again soon, when the water is once again bringing life and not death." She then faded back into her tree.

Emmett was once again staring opened mouth but at the tree that Phoebe had vanished into. Edward pulled on his brother's arm and together they walked back to the houseboat.

~o0o~

"I can't believe I actually saw that. That beautiful woman just vanished into a tree? That shit didn't really happen, did it?" Emmett was shaking his head and not actually speaking to anyone, just talking to himself mostly.

Finally, once they reached the houseboat, they found Angela had some of her wonderful sweet tea waiting for them. Emmett asked again, but this time he asked Angela, "I didn't really see a beautiful woman vanish into a tree, did I?"

Angela laughed loudly. "Of course you did Emmett. Didn't you see that Queen Fairy pop in and sit on Edward's shoulder? Why would a woman vanishing into a tree be any different?"

"Well... I don't know, or I'm not sure, I guess." Emmett said. His look was one of pure perplexity and wonder. It was evident to those around him, that he didn't really want to believe what his own eyes have witnessed.

"Look, Brother of Mine," Edward laughed, "how long have you known me? How many times have I told you about the psychic adventures I've had?" Edward shook his head. "Only all our lives!"

"Yeah, but... but it's not the same hearing about something as it is seeing it!" Emmett exclaimed.

Sam came up and put his hand on Emmett's shoulder. "Emmett, I'm a gonna tell ya somethun' for true, what you saw was real. In fact what you saw was very tame compared to some of the things your brother and I have witnessed over the years."

For the next several hours, in fact all the way through lunch, and even during supper, Sam, Angela, Lauren and Edward regaled not only Emmett with old "war stories," but Bella as well. Even though Bella had so easily accepted what Edward as well as Sam and now Angela and Lauren were capable of doing, she was still a little shocked by what she heard.

Edward pulled Bella's chair closer to his so he could easily put his arm along the top of the chair back. He leaned close then and whispered to her, "Bella, will you marry me?"

Even though the question had been meant for Bella's ears only, the rest of the room came to a screeching halt. The air was thick with anticipation.

Bella gulped, looked at her friends sitting at the table, all waiting eagerly for her answer. She looked at Edward, whose face was just inches from hers. "Would you please repeat the question?"

Edwards face broke out into a grin, "You heard me. Will you?" And with that final question he placed a little blue box on the table before her.

Bella gasped.

She reached for the box and with shaking fingers, opened it.

Inside that little box was the most beautiful engagement ring Bella had ever seen. The center stone must have been five carats, set in a white gold or platinum. The two side stones had to have been at least two carats each, and those weren't the only diamonds on the ring. The band had diamonds all the way around countersunk on the top of the band as well as along the sides. Those diamonds must have been a quarter carat each.

"Edward? Are these real diamonds?" Bella whispered. He nodded.

"Wow! Just WOW." Bella's eyebrows practically disappeared into her hairline, for how big her eyes got. "You're serious, aren't you?" she stammered. "Edward, you hardly know me!"

"I understand it seems a little early, but Bella, I've been in your head - literally - and I've loved and liked what I saw in there! You may not realize it yet, but we're perfect for each other!" Edward exclaimed.

Lauren then spoke up, "Bella, I've seen you and Edward getting married. I could even tell you what your wedding dress will look like, but I won't. That needs to come to you!"

It was Sam's turn then. "Yeah, Bella. In the entire time I've known this guy he's never looked happier...ever. He's more settled, more relaxed."

"Holy Shit!" That was Emmett. "Bro! You're gonna do it again? I thought you'd sworn off love."

"Ouch!" Emmett cried out as Lauren kicked him under the table.

"Be quiet!" Lauren hissed.

Emmett ducked his head, "Sorry." He looked very sheepish and a little boyish.

"Edward, the ring...well it's the most gorgeous and most unusual ring I've ever seen, but I can't accept it until we talk some more...privately that is," Bella said smiling.

"Ok. I understand." He picked up Bella's left hand and turned it so it was palm up. "Here, hold the box until we've had the talk you want to have. It's yours at any rate because I bought it just for you. It reminded me so much of you." He kissed the top of her head as he closed both of their fingers around the blue velvet covered ring box.

Bella knotted her hands together; her mind was a sea of questions. Holy shit! Edward wants to marry me? Am I ready to get married? I've never been married. I've just never thought it was for me. Is it? Do I know of any people who are married that are really happy? Looking at Sam and Angela I can see that they are really in love with each other and happy. Maybe since Edward and I have our work in common, it would help. It would, wouldn't it? Oh I just don't know. I know that I love being with Edward. I love the way he makes love to me. He's just perfect when it comes to that. Maybe I should accept the ring and then live with him for a year or so to see if he changes his mind...Ugh! What do I do? Bella closed the ring box and put it back on the table in front of her staring at it.

Edward chewed on his bottom lip. His mind was a jumble of questions and worries - just like Bella's. I've put myself out there. I think Bella and I would be very happy with each other. We have a great deal in common, but we do have our differences. There's room to grow. OK. Man the hell up. Let's go talk!

Edward takes Bella's hands and brings them both up to his lips, then turns one at a time over and kisses both palms in turn. His eyes bore into hers. "Bella I've been falling in love with you ever since we met, surely you've felt it too?

Sighing, Bella looks into Edward's eyes as well as his thoughts. Yes, he does love me, with no reservations, how can that be? Is he only saying something he thinks I'd like to hear? No, I can tell he's very sincere in what he's saying. I still can't say yes yet. I don't know if I love him enough. I really need to think about this.

Edward is following Bella's thoughts. He understands, but is not happy. How could she doubt his love for her? Of course you oaf, you've not told her before. You've made love to her but didn't let her know how much it meant to you. You've got to build trust between the two of you. Resolved, Edward says, "Bella, I'll do whatever it takes to make you understand the level of my feelings for you. I'm know I've not told you before, and for that I am very sorry. I do love you. I do want you to marry me."

Bella stands there shocked. "Edward...Edward. I just don't know. I think I love you too... But, I want to make sure. I'll keep the ring until I decide. Is that okay with you?"

"Bella, whatever you decide is fine with me. Just please don't take too long, I might expire from the tension. Edward gathers Bella into his arms and kisses her soundly. "I love you Bella Swan."

~o0o~

A/E/N1: We're getting close to the end of this story line. A couple more chapters and then the Epilogue to tie it all up in one nice package. I know many of you will not be happy, but I'd rather end it soon than drag it out and not be happy about what I'm writing.

E/A/N2: My undying thanks to my Beta JoanOfArt; buggins74, AnakinsRealMom and NanStew who pre-read for me, and Gabby1017 for her back up on the psychic stuff. Wouldn't be able to do this without you! I have a great team helping me bring this weirdness to you! Go! Team Steel!