Ch26 Our First Date!
Edward's POV.
I'm just so excited right now! I woke up extra early just so I go run off and get everything ready. Bella has no idea where we are going or what we are doing so she's done nothing but beg for answers since we walked out of the house. Bella hates surprises but I was sure she would forgive me once we got there. This was going to be the best first day ever, at least I hoped everything would be great. I didn't want anything to go wrong today and because of that something was bound to go wrong in some way. I just hoped that I was prepared enough to handle any situation the day may take.
"What's wrong Edward?" Bella asked as she lightly squeezed my hand again, pulling me back from my now nervous thoughts.
"Oh, nothing." I said quickly. "I just really want everything to be perfect for tonight. I don't want anything to ruin this date."
"I'm going on my very first date and I get to spend the whole day with you." Bella said with a smile. "Everything is already perfect Edward. You need to relax a little and tell me where we are going before I go insane please?"
"Nice try Bella." I said happily. "But no. I'm sorry but you'll just have to wait and see until we get there."
"Well, can you at least tell me if we are almost there or not?" Bella asked with a slight pout.
"Well. I told you, it won't be much farther now." I explained again. "So why don't you put the blind fold on now before we get too close. I really don't want the surprise to be ruined ok?"
"I still don't see why I have to wear this thing?" Bella complained but still did as I had asked her.
She placed the blindfold over her head and covered her eyes. Once I did that hand wave thing to make sure she couldn't see anything I found a place to park the car. I had to help her out and keep a close hold on her as we walked because she couldn't see anything. Bella was really nervous about walking blindfolded but I wouldn't let anything happen to her. Plus she refused to allow me to carry her like I had offered when I told her about the blindfold. I didn't want Bella to see where we were going just yet. Its going to be better this way because she'll be totally surprised and I hoped she'd like this. I wanted to something romantic but also something that would mean a lot to both of us, since this is our first real date and all.
"This is a bad idea." Bella said as she clung to my arm, her feet slipping under her unsure steps, I have her so she's fine.
"Nothing is going to happen to you." I reassured her again with a smile. "Bella just trust me and relax. Its not much father."
"Fine, but I'll probably just end up killing us both like this?" Bella said stubbornly. "That would be just my luck sometimes."
"Bella, please relax." I begged simply. "Ok, just take one more step forward. Yes, now … perfect! OK, take the blindfold off!"
Bella slowly unwrapped the black silk from around her eyes and looked around in front of us. I could read from her face that she was shocked and very confused as to what she was looking at. I had Bella turned now so all she saw were the shadowy covered woods, nothing special about that so she looked up at me confused. She also seemed a little frustrated with me, I could help laughing.
"Alright Cullen. What's going on now?" Bella asked as she crossed her arms and huffed, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm sorry Bella." I said apologetically through my laughter. "I couldn't resist the urge to see you huff like that. Just turn around and you will see the real surprise. I promise its worth it!"
Bella slowly turned around, arms still crossed tightly against her chest and her glare was fully in place as she looked around. That was until she really looked around and saw what was in front of us now. At first she was still confused but it slowly morphed into a look of shock and aw. I had come out into the woods and found the exact tree Bella and I had been sitting under that day she went out for a walk. The exact same tree Bella first told me about her odd idea about the trees and things that go with trees. I figured it was the perfect place to have our first date but I had a hard time figuring out what to do with the tree. I ended up deciding a nice picnic under the tree would be very lovely. I strung little fairy lights around the surrounding trees, and laid out a nice big white and red checkered blanket under the shade. On the blanket was a huge picnic basket and very nicely decorated place sets laid out for two. Pillows and candles surrounded the sitting area. I just didn't know how long we would be out here and if it got a little late I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. It was still daylight out but in just a half hour the sun will be slowly setting around us.
"Edward." Bella breathed in aw still, her eyes started to water a little and I wanted to pull her into my arms. "This is wonderful!"
"I'm glad you approve Bella." I said happily, I was a little worried as to if she would really like this idea or not. "I even cooked everything especially for you and I tonight."
"I'm sure it will all be amazing then." Bella said still a little stunned as she continued to look around. "Wow, amazing."
"Would you like to have a seat so we can get started now?" I asked as I held out my hand so I could lead Bella closer.
She paused for a moment. "No, Well I mean, its just that …" Bella said hesitantly and I froze fearful of what she meant.
"What is it Bella?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"Well, … this is someone's property." Bella finally said slowly and I instantly relaxed. "Won't we get into trouble for being out here like this. I mean, before I hadn't planned on rest here for so long and I didn't mean to trespass. This is different."
"Oh, is that all." I said confidently. "Bella I already took care of that. This land belongs to some old man and his son. They live a little farther into the woods and I asked if I could use this tree for a romantic night out. I explained to the man about how we found this place and what it meant to me so he said I could use it for tonight."
"Wow, Rose was right." Bella said simply as she took my hand. "You really do plan the best dates, go all out and cover every possible base that has to be covered to make things perfect."
"I think I'll take that as a compliment." I said teasingly before walking over and sitting down with Bella close to my side.
"Oh it is … from me anyway." Bella said while her eyes still glanced around dreamily at our well planned surroundings.
As the sun started to disappear and the sunlight went away, the fairly lights started to twinkle just a little brighter around us. Bella's face was being lit up with a soft glow and she looked very heavenly tonight. Her bright smile was intensified by the glow. I wanted nothing more in this moment than to lean over and kiss her soft and gently lips but instead I started pulling out our food. I had prepared all of Bella's favorites, everything from morning eggs to late night deserts of chocolate, chocolate cakes. The whole basket was filled to the brim with all the goodies I could pack inside. We had plenty of food and anything she could have possibly wanted to eat tonight was guarantied to be on the menu. Ready to be eaten.
"OH wow, Edward!" Bella said amazed. "Everything looks so … perfect! I can't believe you made all this! WOW!"
"I wanted to make sure everything was here." I answered honestly.
"I can see that!" Bella replied as I poured our drinks.
By the time I had everything laid out, the only light shining on our little picnic was coming from the fairy lights around us and the candles I'd gotten around to lighting after the sun was gone. The simply glow was wonderful and I had even brought out a small radio to play soft music in the background. The disc was mostly made of Bella's favorite songs mixed with a few things I have composed over the years, including Bella's lullaby. I had created it for her when I had found that she was having trouble sleeping. On late nights when she'd call me because she couldn't sleep at home, I'd stay on the line and hum the tone for her until she slept. I planned the music out perfectly so that song was played last. I had hoped that we would be finished eating by then and I could move on to my next surprise with it playing behind me. It seemed to be working perfectly, the meal moved along in just the right timing.
"This was suck an amazing night, Edward!" Bella said as she finished eating and leaned over to rest her head against my shoulder as she looked up passed the trees and at the stars.
"I'm so glad you think so Bella." I replied smiling like a fool now. "But there is just one other thing before the night can be over."
"Well, what is it then?" Bella asked curiously. "The night is already so perfect, I don't see how anything could be better?"
I cleared my throat, I was ready to do this but a little anxious about if things would turn out the way I'd hoped for all along. "Ok Bella. I have something very important to ask you now." I said as I pulled away and reached into the big basket one last time.
I had reached into the basket and found the small black box I had placed in the back corner. The perfect little hide away until it was just the right time to bring out my little gift. I placed the box into my back pocket and moved to stand in front of Bella. I offered her my hand to show her that I wished for her to stand with me and helped her into a standing position. She looked confused but she was still smiling so I wasn't as worried as I thought I'd be. I could handle anything as long as she was still smiling at me like this. When I moved Bella into the perfect position with the glow from the lights and waited for just the right moment with the music, I suddenly got down on my knee in front of her. I could hear her sharp intake of breath from the shock of my new actions.
"Now, hear me out first." I said cautiously to start. "Its not what you really think. Well not exactly. Please just listen to me?"
She simply nodded with wide eyes stuck on me. I didn't want her to panic over this because I know how it looks but once I explain I'm sure Bella will agree with me. This is what we both want, … at least, I'm pretty sure we both want this. Otherwise, I'm a complete and total fool and have jumped the gun like I do with everything.
"Now Bella, I know we haven't really been dating all that long and I know this is technically our very first date but I don't think that really matters." I started my speech and watched closely for her expression to change. "I've known you for so many years now and we have been a big part of each other's lives for almost that long. We have been through so much together now and being with you seems almost nature. Like breathing, Bella! I know this may seem a little shocking to you and in all honest a little strange but I think if you listen you'll understand. All I want from my life is to be happy and to make sure that you are happy! Even when all we were was best friends I wanted to make sure you were always happy. That hasn't and will never change for me Bella. You are the only person in this whole world that I would want to be with. Dating or even just as friends, I would have been happy with either one. Just as long as you could be a part of my life, for the rest of my life! I don't know what the future will bring us but I do know I will be able to handle anything as long as you are by my side. Bella, … Isabella Swan I know this seems rushed but I'd like to give you this ring now." I pulled the black box out of my pocket and presented it to her and watched as her chocolate eyes grew even bigger with shock and … possibly fear? "I don't want you to panic over this. Its not like I'm asking you to marry me just now, just to make a promise that someday, … maybe you will say yes?"
"I, … Umm" Bella stuttered softly but I wasn't done yet.
"Bella, I'm not asking for a yes or no tonight." I quickly cut her off to explain the rest of my speech for her. "All I'm saying is that I don't see myself with anyone else, ever and my mother gave me this ring from our family. She told me it was special and should only be given to someone that I found to be special enough for this ring. Bella, I don't know anyone more special to me than you so I see no need in waiting so many years to give you this! I'm not asking the question just yet, so you needed feel pressured but this ring is just as much yours now as it will be then. Even if in the future you decide that you no longer want to date me, this ring with still only belong to you. There will be no one else for me and I want you to keep this ring, as a show of the love I have for you!"
"Um, … But …" Bella stuttered out.
"Bella ever since you first told me all about the trees and leaves and everything I was so fascinated by your idea!" I started to explain once again, cutting her off. "It was amazing to me just how your mind could work sometimes. From that moment and from the moment you agreed to date me, I found myself thinking more and more about that idea … about this tree. We started off as perfect strangers in this world and slowly became so much more. I was happy when you we were simply just flowers on each other's tree. I was truly grateful to be a leaf on your tree and now to become a fruit on that tree is just more than I could have hoped for. All these wonderful things have happened to me and I just want to show you just how much I care about you. To prove to you that someday, I'd like us to be very close bugs and someday … start a branch of our very own. Bella someday, if you'll still have me I want to start a family with you. I don't want to just talk about these things but I want to see them come true for us. I want to live my life with you! I know this is only our first real date as a couple and actually our first dates with anyone but Bella I want this to be our first and finally FIRST dates. I don't want to ever have any other first date!"
"But, … but Edward?" Bella said slowly, her breathing hard and labored as she stared down at me with wide, tearful eyes.
All I could do now was hold the box out to her and wait for her next response. Bella would either take the ring and make me the happiest man on the planet or she would tell me how stupid I was for even thinking about this crazy idea. I was certain I was ready for either response but what I wasn't prepared for was the waiting. Kneeing before he like this, arm raised and waiting was almost too torturous to bare. I couldn't read the tears that fell from her eyes or the expression glued to her face to tell her answer. She just stared down at me and as time passed and her lullaby ended, I was growing fearful of her answer. I could see it coming and I instantly knew I had not prepared myself for this answer as much as I had thought I had. This was going to pain me more than anything else I could possibly go through and yet, I had made it impossible for me to escape my twisted fate now. My life, my heart and my soul were all laid out for Bella to do with as she pleased. There was nothing from stopping her from killing me right now and all she needed was just one little word to do so. Bella wasn't happy, she was shedding tears of sorrow now, and she was about to turn me and this ring down all with one word. The one word that would end my life and free her from ever having to deal with me again. No.
After a long, long, long pause Bella opened her mouth to speak finally. "Edward. …. I can…" Bella started hesitantly but once again she was cut off … but this time it wasn't by me.
"HEY! … What's going on out here?" Someone asked walking out from the woods and into the middle of our personal and intimate outing that was turning into my greatest nightmare. "I thought I was hearing noises out here. Who do you think you are?"