Chapter Twenty Five: The Ring

EsmePOV

"Guess who I saw today," Carlisle called from the door, returning from work. I was making dinner in the kitchen. He came in after setting his bag on the floor and kissed me until I pulled away, about to burn supper.

"Was it Bill? How's his chemo going?" I asked, thinking it was my friend Margaret's husband.

"No it wasn't Bill and Margaret. It was Bella, getting her brace off," he said as he sat down.

"Oh how is she? Were they all there then?" I asked, wondering if Edward and Bella went everywhere together.

"Yes dear, they were. Now, I'll go ahead and tell you that she also did her checkup." I froze, knowing there was one question that Carlisle always hates asking.

"So? Tell me," I said and kissed his neck as I sat his plate down from behind. I could get anything I wanted be by kissing his neck.

"Fine, fine. Apparently they aren't sleeping together," he said. Carlisle didn't understand why I needed to know these things. I merely rolled my eyes, my curiosity sated for the present.

"How can you be so passive when it comes to our son, future daughter-in-law, and possible future grandchildren?" I asked, sitting next to him and digging in. I can't decide how I should feel about them. The 'not sleeping together but in the same bed' thing, I mean. Well, I guess that means there won't be another Jade repeat.

I'm not going to say that the Jade thing didn't really piss me off, but there is no way the Madi and Owen are not worth everything that we all went through with their mother. My only wish is that Jade hadn't been a bad person and could be a good mother to the twins. The mother that Bella is now. Too bad that she's four years late.

EPOV

"Bella honey, wake up. I've got a date planned for us," I said as I kissed her forehead. She stirred but kept her eyes closed. Another five minutes and she's finally awake after sleeping away the afternoon. It was almost seven and I was feeling insanely nervous, my stomach curled in a knot.

"Why? We've never had a real date before because I live with you," she asked once she could comprehend what I'd said.

"That's why. We need to have a date, just you and me. I called Mom and she's thrilled that we're doing this so we won't have to find someone to watch the kids. Alice is letting you borrow a dress of hers and she left it in the closet in your old room using the secret staircase. We have half an hour before we need to go, OK?" I kissed her and pulled her up off the couch.

"Sure, I'd love to. Thanks for planning this, Edward," she smiled up at me from the doorway of her room. She kissed me before walking in to get changed. I changed quickly before walking into the twin's room. I didn't have Charlie's permission yet, but I do need the twin's permission. I walked over to where they were playing and sat on the floor with them.

"Madi, Owen, do you want Bella to be your Mommy?" I asked softly.

"Isn't Bella already our Mommy?" Owen inquired innocently.

"Well, she loves you like a Mommy but it'll be official if I marry her. Is that what you guys want?"

"Of course Daddy, but I wanna wear a pretty dress and throw flowers at the ground," Madi said. I was relieved, even though I didn't have much to worry about.

"Sure you can, pumpkin." I stood up as I hear the doorbell ring. I opened the door and was tackled in a huge hug from Mom.

"Honey, I'm so glad you're doing this. They need a mother and Bella's perfect!" Mom squealed in my ear, high enough to hurt but not loud enough to catch Bella's attention. I smiled at Mom but totally forgot she was in the room as soon as I saw Bella. She was in a stunning knee length electric blue dress with a modest neck line and the straps were off the shoulder. She'd put her hair up in a simple yet elegant bun with strands hanging into her face.

"Where are we going?" Bella's voice cut through my trance. I can't say that I stopped staring, though.

"That's a surprise, love." I felt Mom's eyes on me and turned. Her eyes were smiling but her mouth was straight as she walked towards the hallway.

"I saw that too, dear," she whispered as she walked past. As soon as she was farther away, I pulled Bella close and kissed her. After a few seconds I heard her stomach growl and I pulled away with a laugh. I didn't take my arm off her waist as we went to the car. The fabric of her dress was smooth and soft under my skin.

"So now are you going to tell me where we're going?" Bella whined, sounding like a little kid even though she looked anything but.

"Nope. Now put this on," I said as I pulled out a blindfold and wrapped it around her beautiful eyes, trying not to mess up her hair. I drove to the restaurant and led Bella up to the door, which Luigi opened for me. I led her to the back that was separated by a paper wall like the Chinese had and the lighting was subdued. There were drinks already at the table.

"Edward, where are we?" Bella asked warily. I laughed as I untied the blindfold and let it fall to the ground. "Oh, Edward," she breathed. Before I knew it she'd thrown her arms around my neck and had me in a choke hold. Luigi tried not to, but he started laughing at the shocked look on my face.

"Luigi! What are you doing here? Wait, you arranged all of this at Luigi's restaurant?" Bella said. I had just started to nod as she threw her arms around my neck out of no where again. Luigi was in hysterics over her enthusiasm. I could hear his thoughts now: How can a guy who's always been quiet handle that?

"Luigi, I think we're ready for dinner," I managed through my laughing fit. I took Bella's arm in mine and jokingly escorted her to the table and bowed. "I hope my lady is pleased with the arrangements."

"As long as you're here, I'm content," she said as I sat down, flashing me a glimpse of her perfect white teeth.

"Your dinner, lady and germ," Luigi said as he sat our food down with a flourish.

"Thanks again for doing this, sir. I would appreciate some time alone with my lady before I infect you," I said in an equally formal voice.

"But of course," Luigi bowed himself out. I heard Bella laugh and didn't join in, enjoying the unpolluted sound of her laugh.

"Lord, I'm starving! What did you order for us, Edward?" she asked, the smile still on her face.

"One big plate of spaghetti, like from the Lady and the Tramp. Except that I think we'll use forks. Alice would die if anything got on her dress," I said and watched her laugh again.

I'm so nervous. My stomach feels empty with a few bouncy balls still bouncing around in there. I think she'll say yes, but you never know. We haven't known each other very long and all that. And I know that I do come with a lot of baggage, but she really loves Madi and Owen. Wouldn't we be really good together? Well, I thought, trying to strengthen my resolve, too late now. Isn't love supposed to overcome most things?

"Edward, are you OK?" I heard Bella ask.

"Of course, just thinking." Luigi saved me from making up more excuses when he came in with the 'special' breadsticks.

"Sorry to interrupt," Luigi said with a wink in my direction and a bow towards Bella as he walked through the curtain. I took one, hoping that'll make her take the 'special' one. She reached towards one until her eyes fell on the 'special' one. The ring sparkled in the dim light, just as I'd planned. I watched it sink in on her face.

"Oh Edward, you didn't," she said softly, her eyes looking teary. I slid onto my knees, feeling ready to puke, and took the ring off the bread stick. I looked up at Bella and smiled a bit shakily.

"Isabella Swan, I love you. Will you marry me and be a mother to Madi and Owen?" I said in one breath, hoping my voice didn't betray my nerves. My heart soared as she nodded; her eyes were spilling with what I hoped were happy tears. If they weren't, then we'd have a problem. As soon as I'd slid the ring on her finger, she tackled me. Literally pushed me onto the ground and we sat there, laughing. I was so happy that I didn't even realize how cold the floor was.

BPOV

I stared down at the ring as we sat on the floor. I had to blink a few times to get the tears out so I could see properly. It had an emerald in the center and was surrounded with small diamonds.

"Edward, it's perfect," I breathed. He took my hand and kissed my ring finger, then my lips, pushing me onto my back. I heard Luigi clear his throat at the curtain and I blushed brightly as I pulled away.

"What is it, Luigi?" Edward said impatiently, not taking his eyes off of me.

"Nothing, I just wanted to know if I could be the best man." Edward merely rolled his eyes and kissed me again.