Chapter 26 (Edward's POV)
I had been planning the events of this week for months now and I couldn't quite wrap my mind around the fact that it was finally here. I was a mix of so many nerves that I didn't even know what exactly I was feeling right at this point. I had my doubts of course; I mean asking a girl who I had only known for a few weeks short of a year to marry me was going to be quite a challenge. Sure, there were plenty of other couples that had done this a lot sooner than I was and everything worked out for them but we are only kids. I'm in my 3rd semester of college and Bella is hopefully going to be starting her first next spring after the holidays. Logically speaking, we were in no position to be getting married and living on our own.
I had to do this though. Bella needed a support system for her and Ethan. Ethan needed to know that he had a family even though the start of it wasn't exactly as Bella had planned. I needed to do this for myself, to reassure myself that everything was going to be okay. And also to affirm to myself that Bella was never going to leave my side. I loved her so much and the idea of losing her was more than I could ever stand to bear.
Ethan and Charlie had been home for 2 weeks now and life was slowly beginning to return to normal. Carlisle assured me that both Ethan and Charlie would be able to fly over to Disney World like planned ahead of time with the rest of my family. Bella had no idea as to what was going on and I was planning on keeping it that way.
"Edward, can you get Ethan from the nursery? I need to feed him but my hands are a little preoccupied."
"Of course love! I'll be there in a second!" I made my way down from the library my dad had put into our house where he kept all of his medical journals and made my way towards Ethan's nursery. After I collected him and swaddled him in a blanket I brought him to Bella who was juggling a few dishes in an attempt to bring them out to Charlie. Even though he had been discharged from the hospital, Carlisle was still ordering him to rest as much as possible. His body had been through a severe trauma and he needed time to heal and recuperate.
"Just take him out to where dad is, I'll be right behind you." I turned and walked through the open doorway towards the living room where a reclining Charlie could be seen with Emmett and Jasper. She handed him one of the plates she had prepared and helped set him up so he could eat. After she had situated herself in the recliner I handed the baby over to her and helped to cover her with the baby blanket.
"So Edward, you still haven't explained to me what exactly is going on for the holidays? You've been keeping me so in the dark." She began to pester me about the upcoming holiday as she fed Ethan. Emmett and Charlie both gave me a knowing glance before returning their attention back to the television.
"I already told you that Carlisle and Esme have arranged for you and I to go somewhere special and have our own holiday. Esme has already said she'll be taking care of Ethan so that we can have some time alone."
"Yes however isn't the point of Christmas to spend time with family?"
"It is but we are going to be spending time together, it is our first Christmas together after all. I want it to be special."
"Can I at least know where we are going?"
"Nope." I shook my head and flashed her my crooked smile.
"How am I supposed to know what I need to pack?" Her eyes narrowed into slits as she continued to try and pry information out of me.
"Alice and Rose will take care of everything for you. You don't have to worry about a thing."
"Edward Anthony Cullen…you know that I do not like surprises. There better not be anything extravagant being planned in that little brain of yours." She elevated the volume of her voice just enough to get her point across but not enough to disturb the now milk-induced coma Ethan was now in. Emmett chuckled lightly under his breath and I quickly sent him a death glare. "What in heaven's name is going on around here? Does everyone know what is going on except me?" The exasperated tone in her voice almost made me cave in and tell her everything that I had planned but I quickly stopped myself from blowing everything to pieces.
"You are just going to have to wait until tomorrow when we get ready to leave." She scowled one more time and shot me another glare before stomping up the stairs with Ethan. After I was sure she was out of earshot I turned my attention towards the two giggling men in front of me. "Emmett! You very nearly gave me away!" I scolded him. He just burst into more laughter as I began to yell at him like a child.
"You very nearly gave yourself away. I saw that loss of resolve look cross your face when she turned on you."
"Oh shut up Emmett!" I flopped back down into the couch and crossed my arms over my chest.
"So, is everything arranged?" Charlie asked from his spot on the recliner.
"As far as I know everything has been taken care of. Magic Kingdom will be closing an hour early so that the staff can set everything up and I'll get her there around 7:30 hopefully. I think they'll bring you guys in earlier than us and set you up with dinner and everything. Do you know what time you guys are leaving tonight?"
"I think Carlisle said that a car was coming around midnight tonight to pick us up. She'll be asleep before then so she won't even notice us leaving."
"Good…now I just hope that this has a happy ending."
Everything went smoothly last night. Bella fell asleep with Ethan like she normally would a little after nine at which point I placed my son back into the cradle by our bed and tucked in a sleeping Bella. Shortly after midnight two black suburban's pulled up into our driveway and the rest of my family including my son piled into the car and headed off to sunny Florida.
I was too excited and anxious to actually sleep myself so I locked myself in the study and worked on what exactly I was going to say to Bella. I wanted everything to be perfect for her because she deserved nothing less. Before long, the sun began to peak through the blinds and I decided to make Bella and I some breakfast. In order to calm her suspicious I did in fact have a tiny gift to give her. I knew Bella wasn't one for gifts and for attention so I made sure that it was something small and inexpensive.
"What smells so wonderfully delicious?"
"Well, I figured that I would make my beautiful girlfriend some breakfast before we headed to the airport." I plated the French toast and eggs and bacon and set the steaming plate in front of her. I let a chuckle escape as I heard her stomach grumble loudly.
"Where's Ethan?" Her eyes focused on the baby monitor that sat on the kitchen counter shut off.
"He's with the rest of the family. They left early to go to my family's cabin up in Vancouver. They'll be back when we get back."
"It feels so strange not having him here. I don't know how I feel about it." Ethan may have only been home a few weeks but Bella had never been separated from him for longer than the trip to the hospital was from the house. I was amazed at how well she was coping with the separation. We sat in silence for the rest of the breakfast the only noise that could be heard was the chewing coming from our mouths.
Before long the time had come for us to make our way to the airport. Carlisle had arranged for a private plane so the destination could remain a secret for longer. I had just loaded the last bit of luggage into the car that had been sent to fetch us when Bella came out.
"Are you all ready to go love?" I took her hand in my own and guided her towards the black sedan sitting in the gravel driveway of what had become our home.
"I guess, I don't really know since I don't know where I'm going or how long I'm going or anything." She sighed dramatically and slid her way into the car.
"You're going to love it." I only hoped that she was going to love what I had planned. I only hoped that she would say yes to my question. The ring that was now sitting in the pocket of my pants was beginning to feel more and more like lead weight. Almost an hour later we finally arrived at the airport where our luggage was quickly unloaded and we were escorted to our plane.
"Really Edward? A private plate? Why in heaven's name are we flying on a private plane?" I laughed at Bella's exasperation.
"Because, love, if we had flown with everyone else, you would know where we are going as soon as we arrived. At least this way the surprise remains a surprise."
"This is a ridiculous way to spend money. There are kids in Africa who are living off of a dollar a day and barely able to eat and we're flying on a freaking private jet so that your surprise can stay a surprise. Where's the logic in that?"
"Just hush love. I agree that this isn't the most practical way of doing things but for once just accept the gift without complains." I gave her a puppy dog look I knew her softened heart could not resist and smiled victoriously as she sighed in defeat.
We sat aboard the plane entertaining ourselves with cards and movies and each other. The 7-hour plane ride seemed shorter than it normally would because I was in Bella's company. The last leg of our flight was spent cuddling beneath a blanket on the built in couch.
"We will be beginning our descent to our destination." The pilot announced over the loud speaker.
"So am I going to get to know where we are finally going?"
"Not until we get to the airport love and that's only if you can figure it out from there." I smiled at her and she scoffed at me while she buckled her seat belt.
"I miss my little munchkin." Her playful demeanor had fast turned to sorrow as she began to think our son.
"Hey, he's going to be okay. He's probably buried in presents right now thanks to his family."
"It's his first Christmas and I wasn't even there to open gifts with him. How bad of a mother does that make me? I won't be in any of the pictures or anything."
"Love, just calm down. We're going to have another Christmas together when we get back. Carlisle and Esme did this so that we can have some alone time and just be together. You've been through a lot you just need to clear your mind. This way you can start of the new year with a fresh head."
"I know but I'm a mom now, I don't come first anymore."
"Even mother's need a break. Don't let this spoil the vacation just let yourself have fun. It may be the last opportunity you get."
"I guess so." We deboarded the plane soon after Bella had come to terms with the idea of leaving behind Ethan. Little did she know that he was currently enjoying his first trip to Disney World with the rest of our families and that we'd be seeing him soon enough. "Oh it's so warm!" Bella stepped off the last step and did a few spins around reveling in the warm air.
"I figured you would want to get away from the yucky cold climate of Forks and get some sunshine."
"I've missed the sun and the warm air." She closed her eyes and tilted her head back to take in everything. She was simply beautiful and I stared on in awe.
"Simply beautiful. That is what you are."
"Oh hush Edward." I watched as her cheeks turned that beautiful shade of tomato red that I have grown to love so much. After we had spent a few minutes in the warm air, I led Bella to the awaiting car.
"Would you humor me for a second?"
"That depends on what it would take to humor you."
"Can you wear this for me just so that you aren't prematurely surprised or anything." I held up the silk light blue scarf.
"You're kidding me right? Am I ever going to find out about this surprise?"
"Just trust me?"
"Whatever." She turned around in the seat and I delicately placed the blindfold over her eyes tying it snugly.
"We're almost there love, I promise." The car soon pulled up to the front of the Grand Floridian hotel and resort where Carlisle had so graciously booked us a room. When the car came to a halt, I sprinted out and hurried to the other side to open Bella's door. "Okay Bella. I'm about to remove the blindfold." I warned her as I reached around and untied the knot. I heard her small gasp as the sight before her unveiled.
"You brought me to Disney World!?"
"Your dad told me that you had never been before but that you have always wanted to go. I figured now would be as good a time as ever."
"Edward!" She wrapped her tiny arms around my lithe frame and jumped up wrapping her legs around my waist. "Thank you so much! I'm so sorry for all the crap I've been giving you. I just passionately dislike surprises 99.9% of the time but this one I will most certainly take."
"I'm glad that you like it love but now I think we need to get checked in so we can go and explore."
"Oh yes please!" She tugged my arm as she made her way into the grand lobby of the Grand Floridian. I stationed Bella on a sofa while I went to check us in.
"Edward Cullen."
"Ah, yes Mr. Cullen. We've been expecting you." The concierge greeted.
"Is everything all set up?"
"I believe so. If there is anything else that you would like for us to do please speak to anyone on staff." The lady smiled at me and handed me two key cards with the room number. "Welcome to Disney World Mr. Cullen and I hope that you have a magical stay."
"Thank you." I walked back over to Bella and collected the two duffel bags before guiding her to the elevators and up to our floor.
"Welcome Bella dear to our home away from home." I swung open the door to reveal the elegant one bedroom suite Carlisle had reserved. There was a small living space with a decently sized television, not that we would be using that. Through one of the doors was a large bedroom with a huge king size bed.
"This is…amazing." Bella whispered out as she ran her fingers lightly over the wooden table. "I…I don't even know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything. I just want you to make sure that you have fun and that you relax and that you forget about everything that has happened in the past year."
"Well, it's a good thing you took me to the most magical place on Earth because that would require a miracle."
"That was kind of cheesy there love."
"I know but I couldn't resist." Bella flopped herself on the couch and sighed dramatically. "So what's on the agenda first?"
"Well, we don't have anything planned until tonight. I figured that until then we could just lounge around and relax. We have been traveling all day."
"That sounds like a fantastic plan." Bella and I continued to just lounge around the hotel room for the next couple of hours. Eventually she wanted to get up and explore the extravagant lobby that was like 7 floors below us. It was like I had unleashed a small child in a candy store as Bella took in every detail of the resort. Before long we made our way back up to our room and I prepared myself for what was to come. To say that I was nervous was a major understatement; in fact I think I was way beyond nerves. I excused myself from Bella for a moment and put a phone call into my father.
"Dad?" I asked once I heard his end connect. "We're going to be heading down to the park soon."
"We're all here just enjoying ourselves and I think we're all anxious to see the events of tonight unfold. Lord knows Alice is more than ready to plan a wedding. How are you feeling about everything?"
"My stomach is doing flip flops like crazy. Maybe this is what it feels like to be pregnant with all of the constant movement I'm experiencing."
"Just remember to breathe son and trust that everything will go well. We're all here waiting take your time and we'll see you in a couple hours."
"Thanks Dad." I closed the phone and made my way back into the room to find Bella all ready to go. She had dressed slightly nice in a flowy blue skirt and a white tank top with a black cardigan. "You look gorgeous."
"You're looking pretty handsome yourself."
"Are you all ready to go?"
"You bet, let's get the magic started!" I grinned at her and led her out of the hotel. This was probably going to be one of the biggest moments of my life. I could only pray that Bella would accept my proposal. We made our way down to the lobby and onto the monorail and headed towards Magic Kingdom where the big event would be taking place.
A/N: Sorry guys, I know I promised you that this would be the uber romantic chapter that all of us have been looking forward too but I wanted to build up to it a little bit more and also elaborate on their Disney adventure a little more than just the proposal. I will however promise that the next chapter will be it. Will she accept his proposal? Will she turn him down and break his heart? I guess you're just going to have to stick around and find out....
Also, I apologize for the lack of updates. I went to a cabin out in the middle of no where with some friends for the Thanksgiving holiday and there was no internet service whatsoever. In addition, I also managed to contract the flu from one of the kids I was with over Thanksgiving holidays and it temporarily put me in bed for a few days. Alas, here is the long awaited update and I apologize if I disappoint anyone. Oh, if this update seems a little off it's only because of how heavily medicated I have been the past couple days. My brain is still in a bit of a fog.
Speaking of Edward and Bella, who thought New Moon was freaking amazing!? I've already seen it like six times in theaters and it's only been out for two weeks. I loved it. I loved everything about it and I cannot wait for Eclipse now. Let the countdown begin. Anyway, enjoy this update and don't forget to let me know what you think. Sorry if it disappoints but I promise the next one will be much better. I will try and have that up either late tonight or sometime tomorrow. Enjoy and please review! Thanks guys and I love you all!
~Jess