Disclaimer: I don't own them...

Hugs and kisses to SunflowerFran for making this pretty.

Edward

I can't sleep.

I look over at Bella, her hand is gripping my shirt; we were both scared today. I roll my eyes, scared doesn't even cover my feelings today.

I could have died today.

I adjust my body slightly so I can run my hand through Bella's hair. The only thing running through my mind is her.

All of the moments we've shared together, (and the moments we haven't) play out like a movie in front of me.

I almost missed out on her laughter, her tears, and her anger.

I almost missed the look I imagine on her face when she agrees to marry me.

I almost missed out on the birth of our first child.

I almost missed out on her.

My throat feels tight, and I close my eyes against the tears. What a stupid decision I made, making us go through that. But what would the alternative have been?

If we had altered everything completely, would I have been hit by a bus?

Caught in a flash flood?

Suffered a brain aneurysm?

At least this way we tried to keep everything exactly the same. We didn't alter the time, the place, or the three main characters. We just added a few more faces and asked for help.

It has to make a difference, right?

"Edward?"

I open my eyes and find Bella's concerned eyes staring back at me.

"Baby ..." I choke out.

Her thin arms wrap tightly around me, and I wrap mine around hers, just as strong. I want to fuse us together so we won't ever be apart.

"I was so scared today; so scared that I would never get to hold you like this again," I murmured into her shoulder.

I can feel her tears on my arm; I can feel her breath stutter against my neck.

"I love you so much, Bella … so very much."

I have to tell her. I have to make sure she knows.

"I love you, too, Edward." She pulls away, and her red, watery eyes are looking into mine. "You're everything to me. I don't want to ever go through this again. I can't even fathom ..." She stops herself and fresh tears fall from her eyes.

I kiss her, pouring everything I am feeling into it; love, fear, adoration, hope …

"Marry me, Bella," I whisper against her lips, eyes open.

Her brown eyes meet mine, and her lips curve into a small smile. She's still crying, her eyes tinged with red, her long, brown hair is fanned out everywhere, and it's the most beautiful I've ever seen her.

"I don't want to be apart from you ever again. Today was … All I could think was I almost missed out on a life with you, and I can't … I can't allow that to happen. I want a life with you now, today, tomorrow, next week … I want everything with you, and I don't want to wait.

"Marry me," I say again.

"Yes," she says quietly. A sob, laugh escapes, "yes."

I roll so that I'm hovering above her.

"Yes, I'll marry you," she whispers.

I kiss her and kiss her. I feel every nerve in my body tingling.

She said yes.

Our bodies know one another; our movements are slow, and her warmth envelopes me, making me feel whole.

I can't take my eyes off of her.

Isabella Cullen.

Just the thought of it gives me a jolt of pleasure.

I am touching every part of her, not an inch of space exists between us. My movements are slow as I rock into her; I want this to last forever.

I can feel her fluttering around me, and I grind a little harder, making sure I am giving her the friction she needs.

"Edward," she gasps, and I feel her shake. Her hold on me tightens, and I rest my head against her shoulder.

After a minute, her fingers trail along my back, and her hands cup my ass. She pulls me against her, "let go, I want to feel you let go."

I sit up and grab her hips, pulling her onto my thighs. Her hair is spread out behind her, and her face is glowing with satisfaction.

"I love you like this," I say, pushing into her. "You look so ... beautiful and sexy. I love that it's me that does this to you. I love that you're going to be forever mine."

I can feel the fire burning within me and I hold her hips, speeding up my movements. My thumb is massaging her in tight circles because I want her to come again and when I can't hold off any longer, I press my thumb against her; as she tightens, I let go.

**p**

We are sitting side by side on the couch, Bella with her iPad and me with my laptop.

Bella asked me not to go into the office today, and honestly, it wasn't a difficult decision. I am still feeling uneasy about what happened yesterday.

The police have Hollingsworth and Kate in custody, but what if they get out on bail or … I don't know. Jesus, every case I've ever looked at starts running through my mind.

I lean my head against the back of the couch and look at Bella.

Her fingers are twirling her engagement ring around her finger.

In the middle of the night, I snuck out of bed and into my closet. I pulled out the jewelry case my grandmother had gifted me in her will. She left instructions for each piece of jewelry inside. Who gets what and when. I remember thinking it was strange that she left it with me, but proud that she trusted me with these heirlooms. She trusted that I would follow her instructions.

I opened the case and pulled out the royal blue, velvet box.

I open it slowly, anticipation making my fingers shake.

Nestled in the blue velvet is a simple, platinum, engagement ring with a two-carat diamond.

It's stunning; and it belongs on Bella's finger.

I closed the case, making my way back to her.

I slipped back under the covers, and she instinctively moves closer to me.

Her left hand is resting on my chest; I'm surprised she doesn't feel it beating frantically against her palm.

I slipped the ring onto her finger just as her eyes popped open.

I smile and kiss her knuckle; it fits perfectly.

Never have I been more certain that fate was intervening when it ended my relationship with Kate; because this, right now, is perfect.

I glance at her iPad, and she has pictures of wedding dresses on the screen; her little pen clicking quickly from image to image.

I don't know how to explain the feeling in my chest, in my heart … we've been engaged less than twenty-four hours, and she is already planning. I don't know if I have ever felt more … loved, than I do in this moment.

"What are you looking at, baby?"

She turns to me with a big smile. "Dresses." She sets the iPad on the coffee table and turns toward me. "I know we just got engaged, but I am so … I can't wait to start planning. But my dress," she raises an eyebrow. "No one will have a say on my dress. That is the one thing I can control, and I'm starting early."

"What do you mean?" I ask, frowning.

"Well, once our families know, we'll have to choose a date that accommodates everyone, and we will have to make sure we have a venue large enough for all of our guests. Then there's the food, and cake and photographer … it will be so much, and I will need as much help as I can get. But I want my dress to be mine; my choice, my style. Does that make sense?"

"Baby, we will do whatever you want. If you want a ceremony in the backyard, we'll do it. You don't have to settle or adjust to anyone."

"Edward," she smiles, and sits across my lap. "I want to marry you in front of the world. I want everyone to see how happy we are, how in love we are. I want my father to walk me down the aisle in front of our family and friends. I want our mothers, as well as, Rosalie to help me choose colors and menus and … I want all of it. But mostly," she smiles, and leans in to kiss me. "Mostly, I want to take your breath away. I want you always to remember what I looked like on the day I became your wife."

My eyes search hers and I take her face in my hand, pulling her into me for a kiss. "You, Isabelle, always take my breath away."

Her eyes water, but she smiles brightly. I adjust her body so she's straddling me and I pull her tightly, against me, kissing her with a love that I still haven't adjusted to; that I hope I never adjust to. It's a love that grows and changes every day.

There's this heat that burns me from within, and it feels like I will never be able to release all of it. But when we are together like this, the passion, and devotion and desire take over, and our bodies just know what each of us needs.

I have no idea what happens to our clothes or how we made it into the bedroom, but as her warmth envelopes me, all coherent thoughts are gone, and all I can do is love her.

**p**

It's evening before we know it, and we're in the kitchen preparing dinner while laughing, kissing, and dancing to the songs on the radio … I don't think I've ever been so carefree.

A loud knock on the door stops us before we get too carried away. I glance down, making sure my clothes are in decent shape.

As the pounding started again, I pull the door open, finding Bella's family and my family standing in the hallway.

My mother holds up a basket, "I hope you don't mind, but we thought it would be nice to have dinner together tonight."

"Hi, yes. Of course, come in." I step aside allowing everyone inside. I glance around the living room hoping Bella and I didn't leave anything incriminating lying around.

My mother and Renee kiss my cheek and go into the kitchen; two seconds later there's screaming.

I can't help but smile, I know what they found.

"Edward, what's that look all about?" I shake Mr. Whitlock's hand, and open my mouth to answer when another knock sounds.

"I've never had this many visitors in one day before."

I open the door to find Charlie Swan, his wife and two children. He lifts a bottle of wine; "I hope you don't mind …" he trails off when he hears all of the commotion, and then laughs.

"Guess everyone had the same idea?"

I reach out and shake his hand and kiss Sue's cheek. "Looks like it. Come in, please."

All of the men greet one another as Sue and her daughter go into the kitchen. More screams, the men laugh and then the living room is overflowing with people.

Bella wraps her arms around me and squeezes. "So," I say, cheekily. "I guess you all know the news."

"What news?" Charlie and Emmett ask.

"We're engaged!" Bella screams.

I can't help but laugh. My mother is sobbing into my father's chest, Rosalie is smiling brightly, and Renee is teary but visibly happy.

Phil looks a little …, not sad, but as if he isn't too happy his little girl is all grown up. I glance over at my father who is looking at Rosalie the same way.

I look at the ground and wonder how I will look when my daughter announces her engagement.

I feel Bella's arms slip away from me, and I watch her walk over to her father. He hugs her tightly and whispers something in her ear. She buries her face in his chest and nods, before looking up at him with a teary smile.

"Hey," Rosalie pokes me in the arm.

"Hey," I poke her back.

"Congratulations, big brother. This is absolutely the girl you are supposed to marry," she smiles up at me.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder. "Yeah, it feels right." I nod over at Emmett, "what about you two?"

My sister blushes softly and shrugs, "One day, maybe."

I catch my dad's eye again, and he smiles, but shakes his head, "Over my dead body."

I laugh, and Rosalie scowls. "Daddy, what are you talking about?"

"Okay," my mother cuts them off. "I brought the food, Mr. Swan brought the wine, let's eat!"

**p**

We relaxed through the weekend and then hit the ground running again on Monday morning.

Bella's project was almost finished, and she was vibrating with excitement lately. She was so happy with the way the house turned out, and I think she can sense that my grandmother is also happy with the outcome.

My grandfather has been in an odd mood the past few days but has made it clear he does not want to talk about it. I'm not quite sure what is going on, but I hope it isn't health related. I don't think any of us could take a blow like that right now.

I walk along the street toward the office, sipping on my coffee and smiling up at the sky. The leaves are changing, there are white, puffy clouds in the clear, blue sky; life is good.

I step onto the sidewalk and make my way toward the office building. I recognize one of the women from the third floor and say hello.

I turn my face toward the doors when I'm hit in the chest at full force.

Everything happens in slow motion.

My coffee flies away from me and I tense, anticipation the impact against the concrete.

"Edward!" Someone screams and then everything goes black.

a/n: Hi everyone! happy Monday! Actually, I'm just happy it's over.

So here is the chapter, a little later than I wanted but I just couldn't get Edward to work with me on this one. Conflicting opinions, full paragraphs deleted ... it wasn't pretty.

Let me know what you think! You guys have been so amazing and I look forward to hearing from you.

I reposted the picture teasers on my tumblr page and I've been listening to Ben Rector like nobody's business. For those of you that like music, there is a website/magazine called American Songwriter and they have a music sampler available on their website. The artists are amazing and I've been listening to that non-stop as well.

Let's see, the stories that pop up in my inbox...teamswitzerlandmom has a story called Going Green out there that I'm in love with. Edward in baseball pants...enough said. I'm hoping he'll be able to chuck a baseball at A-Rod's head in this story (sorry, I got a little carried away there.) Changing my Course by twilover76 - I mean, I love when that one pops up with an update...Terroir by Thimbleswas really good and is complete. Also, there's a story called Mirror, Mirror on the wall by TheFanWhoWasntThere. It's a little different and may take some getting used to, but very intriguing. I'm sure there is something else I've read recently that I'm forgetting...If you have any rec's, send them my way.

Have a great week! Talk to you soon. :)