My phone vibrating on my nightstand woke me up out of a deep sleep.
"Thank god," Edward mumbled beside me. "It's gone off about ten times now."
"It's Alice," I groaned, checking my missed calls. "She left a voicemail."
I dialed my voicemail to listen to the message. I quickly pulled the phone away from my ear when I heard her unintelligible squeals, followed by a 'call me ASAP!'
"I guess I better see what she wants."
The phone didn't ring twice before she answered.
"Jasper proposed! I'm getting married! You have to come over and help me plan!"
My sleep addled brain couldn't handle her shouting. "Alice...what?"
Alice let out an indignant huff. "I said Jasper proposed last night!"
"Alice, that's great! Congratulations!"
I felt a poke in my side and turned around to face Edward. 'Jasper proposed,' I mouthed.
"So, are you busy right now? We have to go buy bridal magazines. I'm thinking a spring wedding," Alice chattered on.
My mind was still foggy, trying to make sense of everything. Last time I talked to Alice, her issues with Jasper weren't as bad, but they still hadn't really talked about it.
"Alice, I'm in bed still. It's only 8 on a Saturday morning," I reminded her.
"Oops, sorry. I guess I was a little excited. But could you get up now anyway? I'll buy you breakfast. Or brunch. Whatever."
"I'll text you as soon as I'm ready," I conceded.
0-0
An hour and a half later, I was waiting outside of Barnes and Noble for Alice.
"Bella!" I turned around to see Alice waving at me, a giant diamond sparkling on her finger.
I smiled, hugging her when she greeted me. "Let me see the ring."
Alice stuck out her hand, showing me the ring.
"Wow." The ring was….big. Scratch that, the diamond was huge. Jasper must have spent a fortune on it.
"I know, right? Isn't it gorgeous? Jasper totally listened to all the hints I've ever dropped."
"Alice...I don't want to be a downer or anything, but not that long ago, you thought you guys were fizzling out. Now you're engaged."
I didn't want to make her feel bad, I just wanted to make sure that she was making the right choice and not going into the engagement blindly.
"Jasper explained it to me. He said he was nervous about settling down. He knew he loved me, but getting married is a huge commitment. I guess he had a little case of cold feet. But he realized the alternative was worse and he was just being silly. Then he was nervous about proposing. He felt really bad about making me worry like that."
"Well, if you're sure. I just want you to be happy."
Alice nodded. "I get it. That's how I felt about you and Edward. I know I went about it completely the wrong way."
I shrugged. "Hey, water under the bridge. Now let's get those magazines so we can go eat. I'm starved."
0-0
I loved Christmas.
I hated Christmas shopping.
Especially since I procrastinated until December 22nd.
The mall was jam packed with other crazed, last minute shoppers trying to score deals.
I glanced down at the list in my hand. None of the names were crossed off yet. I sighed; I might as well start at the top and work my way down.
I was browsing the aisles of a toy store when I heard my name being called.
I turned around, seeing an unsure looking Rosalie standing behind me.
"Oh. Hi, Rosalie," I greeted her uneasily. I hadn't seen Rosalie for months, ever since the dinner at Edward's parents.
"Bella, I thought that was you." She gave me a weak smile, then nodded at the barbie I was holding. "Christmas shopping?"
"Yeah. I'm actually looking for Caitlin's gift." I waved the box in my hand.
Rosalie gave me a more genuine smile. "Cait loves Barbie. That one's great, actually. She doesn't have it."
"Great. I guess this is it, then. Thanks." I clutched the box to my chest and looked past Rosalie to the checkouts. "I guess I'll just—"
"Look, I know I'm a bitch." Rosalie interrupted me. "I really messed up. Not just with you, but with a lot of stuff. I'm hard to deal with. I'm not very nice. It's nearly cost me my marriage."
"Rosalie…"
"Look." She held her hand up to stop me. "I don't know what's going to happen. But can we just….be cool? I'm going to be spending Christmas with the Cullens, for Caitlin's sake. I figure you will be there too. We don't have to be best buddies, but I'd like to call a truce."
"A truce? I'm not the one with a problem. It's you. You decided all this stuff about me before you even got a chance to know me. Almost a year later and none of that is true. I mean, I'm still working a crappy minimum wage job, even though Edward told me I didn't have to if I didn't want to." I felt myself get worked up again. I definitely didn't want to start an argument in a toy store, of all places.
"Okay, okay. I know, it was a bad choice of words," Rosalie conceded. "I'll admit I may have been wrong about you. Can we just put it behind us and….move on?"
I thought for a minute. Part of me wanted to immediately say no, but then I thought about Emmett and Caitlin. Emmett was clearly miserable without her and Caitlin deserved both parents together, even if her mom was a bitch.
"Fine. But you get one chance. Don't expect me to put up with any crap from you and remain quiet. I don't deserve it and neither do the Cullen's."
"Sounds good to me. I just want my life back."
0-0
Instead of trying to juggle both families on one day, we spent Christmas Eve day with my Dad and Sue. I called my mom and talked to her for a while, then to Phil. After a lengthy phone call, I ended up promising that both of us would be making a trip to Florida in January.
Edward and I spent Christmas Eve alone at our house, where we exchanged gifts. He gave me an iPad and a pair of white gold, diamond studded earrings. The earrings were gorgeous and I could tell they were pricey. The watch I got Edward seemed silly compared to his gifts, but he assured me he loved it.
Even the pets were spoiled for the holiday. Chester and Lulu each got gift baskets with new toys and treats in them. Edward, who had really taken to spoiling Lucy bought her new toys, treats and a pink rhinestone collar with her name embroidered in it.
On Christmas morning, we woke up early in order to get to Edward's parents in time for breakfast.
Emmett, Caitlin and Rosalie had spent the night at the house. I hadn't told Edward about my run-in with Rosalie yet. I didn't really have a reason as to why not, but since Emmett didn't mention anything the last time I saw him, I figured Rosalie hadn't mentioned it to him either.
I figured Rosalie's reasoning was that she didn't want to get Emmett's hopes up in case she somehow slipped up. I didn't blame her, I was half expecting her to make a snide comment all throughout the day.
But I was wrong.
The day went great.
Breakfast was a delicious feast. Esme and Rosalie cooked up every conceivable breakfast food.
We exchanged gifts after breakfast, then just spent the whole day hanging out. Caitlin was on cloud nine playing with all her new toys and the guys were busy playing a new video game in the TV room.
I volunteered to help in the kitchen, along with Rosalie and Esme. At first, it was awkward. Conversation between Rosalie and I was stunted and Esme seemed to pick up on the tension, but we soon fell into an easy routine working together in the kitchen.
I was pretty proud of us for how well the dinner turned out. Everything was perfect, right down to the pies that I made.
Later in the evening, after second helpings of pie, Edward and I said our goodbyes and headed back home. I hugged everyone, even Rosalie.
"So, what was that about?" Edward asked a few minutes into the drive home.
"What was what about?"
"You and Rosalie getting along all day. You and Rosalie hugging."
"Oh. That." I shrugged. "I guess we just decided to put it all behind us. What is it that kids these days say? YOLO?"
Edward shook his head. "Please, never say that word again. Whatever brought on today, thank you. That was the happiest I've seen Emmett in months."
I shrugged again. "It was nothing."
0-0
As the end of the year approached, I found myself reflecting on how much my life had changed in such a short period of time.
I went from living alone, hanging out with Alice and burying myself in school and work, to meeting Edward. I never would have considered dating him, but I was so glad I took a risk and went with my heart. Then I got in a somewhat serious car accident and moved in with him. Then I never left. I have 2 giant dogs and a cat.
Life was good.
Life got a little better when Edward surprised me with tickets to the SkyCity Soiree at the Space Needle. It seemed like a cheesy idea, but for as long as I could remember, I wanted to go and see the fireworks.
"This is amazing!" I said in awe, looking out over Seattle from the observation deck. The night had so far been magical. Perfect, even. Dinner and dancing and lots of champagne.
"Yeah, baby. It is pretty amazing. Are you sure you want to keep drinking that champagne?" Edward asked.
I twirled around to look at him. Edward had been acting weird all night. Nervous, even. When I asked him why, he brushed it off, saying that the height bugged him.
"Yep! Maybe you need some more champagne?" I took a sip from mine. I was on my third, maybe fourth glass. But they were small. "It might help you loosen up."
"I'm good. I have to drive us home, remember?"
"Ohhh yeah." I giggled. "Look! The countdown is about to start!"
Edward and I counted down with the rest of the party-goers, as soon as the clock struck midnight, I grabbed Edward and kissed him, just as the fireworks started going off.
"Best New Years ever!" I yelled.
After the fireworks ended and another champagne toast, Edward and I headed down to the ground floor.
"There, are you okay now that you're on the ground?" I asked.
"Yeah," Edward replied. "How drunk are you?"
"Ummm, Like a 7?" I thought for a moment, coming to a stop in the middle of the busy crowd. "No, maybe a 6. Out of 10."
"Okay, well. I really hope you remember this in the morning." Edward dropped down to one knee, surrounded by people. At first, I thought he was tying his shoe.
Until I saw him pull a box out of his jacket pocket.
"I know this is really cheesy and cliche, but I also know you like that," he prefaced. "Bella Swan, I promise to love you every moment of the rest of our lives. Will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"
There's still an epilogue to follow.
If you aren't connected with me on twitter or facebook or don't have me on author alert, you might have missed that I've updated chapter 1 of My Perfect Match in EPOV. Go check it out and review! I think that's all for now. See you next time!