All normal disclaimers apply.


Chapter 29

We get to the house just as Jasper is about to knock on the door.

"Jasper, I hear that you're my brother-in-law."

Jasper jumps turning with his hand over his chest. "Fucking hell, man," he says with a wheeze. He's too busy calming himself to see that my mom has opened the front door, and heard his use of bad language.

"Jasper, ladies are present, watch what you're saying."

Jasper gives me an odd look.

"So, this is Mr. Whitlock."

Jasper suddenly stands straighter and slowly turns around.

"Mrs. Cullen, you're looking very pretty today," Jasper says, using all of his charm. "These are for you," he says handing her the now messy handful of flowers.

"Couldn't you afford a real bunch of flowers? Or did Leah throw these away?"

Jasper turns and glares at me.

"Edward, shut the hell up, come on in Jazz," Alice says as she appears next to Mom.

I chuckle as Jasper walks in. "Why are you being mean to Jasper?" Bella whispers to me.

"I'm not. I'm just having a little fun. Besides, he married my sister without even asking my father for her hand, that's a huge NO."

"So you asked our dad for mine?" Bella tilts her head chuckling and continues. "Wait, that just sounds weird and more than a little wrong in several ways. I mean, think about it, 'Dad I want to ask for your blessing in asking your almost daughter for her hand in marriage.' I just hope you didn't ask him in public or people will think we are brother and sister who are marrying each other."

I stop Bella's movements. "I didn't think to ask him," I say pulling my hair, "but I will tonight, and I will also ask Peter."

Bella opens and closes her mouth, and I kiss her quickly, sliding my tongue in when her mouth opens. "Edward, why are you kissing our sister?"

I pull back feeling my heart beating and Bella looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Peter, I wanted to talk to you, do think you can get Dad, and meet me in the office?"

Peter looks a little puzzled, but nods and runs off.

"You're really going to ask them?"

I nod at her, before I kiss her lightly.

"What if Dad says no, does that mean ... that we can't get married?"

"He won't say no. Remember, he's the man that brought me up to become the man that I am. I will plead our case, and make him see that I will not be everything I'm meant to be without you by my side. My heart belongs to you, and will always belong to you, now and forever."

I kiss the tip of her nose and pull back right away as I hear Peter's footfalls. I turn, just as he and Dad walk in.

"Go and see Mama E, Alice and Jasper."

Bella nods at me and walks out. I watch her go, until she's out of my eyesight.

"You wanted to see us?"

Without looking, I know my father is grinning. I turn and he gives me a nod, and whispers "Always." I know that is his way of letting me know I have his and my mother's approval. I take my eyes off him and look at Peter, who looks worried and confused.

"Peter," I say, kneeling on the floor, so I am able to look him in the eye, "I wanted to talk to you and Dad, to ask you an important question."

He nods as he tilts his head.

"You have been in my life for two years now, and as the time has passed, you've become my friend, and now I see you as my brother."

Peter smiles at me. "I think of you as a brother, too." He quickly hugs me and I kiss the top of his head.

"You are an amazing young man, and you mean the world to me, to my parents, to our sister Alice. But mostly, you mean everything to Bella. Bella and I didn't have an easy start, but slowly she opened up to me, and we've become quick friends. Our relationship just kept growing. It changed and grew, and then I found myself in love with her. I'm lucky enough that she loves me back. So I stand," I stop and chuckle as I remember that I'm kneeling, "I kneel before you, Peter, to ask for your approval and blessing in asking Bella to become my wife."

Peter tilts his head a little. "But you've already given her the ring. I saw it on her finger."

I chuckle pulling at my hair. "Yeah, I did, but I would still like your approval – your blessing."

Peter rolls his eyes. "I told you long ago—when I made that picture—that you and Bella will be married. Why wouldn't I approve? Besides, you make her happy."

I hug him to me. "Thank you, she makes me happy, too," I whisper into his ear.

"Dad," I say questioningly, wanting to hear him give me his approval out loud.

"Of course you have our approval and blessing. All your mother and I have ever wanted was for our children to be happy and loved."

I give him a quick hug and we all walk to the dining room together. Alice, Jasper, and Bella are sitting at the table, as Mom brings in the food.

"Before we eat, I would like to make an announcement," I say, and everyone at the table looks my way.

"Peter, Dad, you both know what I'm about to say and I know I can say this with your approval and blessing, because I asked for it."

My eyes go to Jasper and he swallows visibly.

"I have asked Bella to be my wife and she has agreed."

There are squeals and cheers from Mom and Alice. "I'm so happy for you, Edward. Bella, you could do better."

I glare down at Alice and she smirks at me.

"And on a side note, I'm thirty-two and I haven't asked my dad's approval for anything in years!"

"It was Jasper who was supposed to ask, smarty pants. Anyway, I took Bella to Grandma and Grandpa's meadow, and that's where we want to get married, at sunset." I pull Bella a little closer kissing her head.

"Wow, little brother, I never thought you could be that romantic."

I roll my eyes, pushing Alice a little. The rest of the meal goes by and I only make a few more cheeky remarks at Jasper, but it's all in good fun.

"It was lovely to get to know you, Jasper," my mom says with a smile. I roll my eyes as he has managed to get around her. He grins, while looking at me with a smug look.

"Next time tell me, I would've liked to seen you get married," I whisper in Alice's ear as she hugs me.

"I know, but there won't be a next time – he's it for me. It kind of just happened, a spur of the moment decision. Besides, I knew that you and Bella had to be together on the fourth of July."

I kiss the side of her head. "Tell me if he mistreats you, and I'll kick his ass."

Alice giggles. "Please, Edward, if he mistreats me, I'll sort him out myself. Remember, I'm a better shot than you." I give her a nod and she waves as she walks to Jasper's car.

I turn to see Bella biting her lip, but there's also a smile there as I walk to her. "I'm going to spend some time with Peter playing games, and reading stories in his room."

"Make sure you say goodnight to me, honey."

I sit down with my parents and just look at them. When the silence becomes too much, I pull at my hair.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But believe me when I say I love her with my whole heart and soul."

"We know you do, son, and we are behind you on this. Where it was a shock, it really wasn't a big one. Make no mistake – we're very proud of you."

I bob my head letting out a breath. "So, have you two spoken to Peter about adopting him yet?"

"No, we were thinking of a family day, with the five of us tomorrow?"

"Bella and I are not due back to the clinic until the day after you leave for your vacation."

"Okay, tomorrow we'll have a family day, and then the day after, we'll speak to Jacob and Leah."

"If Dad is going to be working at the doctor's office here in town, what are you planning on doing, Mom?"

"Oh, I am not sure. Maybe I'll work in the shop, or I could help Kate and Rose with the teaching. I could work at the Grill. They're looking for a cook."

I chuckle shaking my head at her, knowing that she'll more than likely do all three if she can.

It's not that late when I head to bed. I stop to have a look in on Peter and Bella. Both are sound asleep hugging each other with smiles on their faces. I pull the covers up on them. I kiss Bella's head, before walking out and heading to my own bed.

I lay in the bed on my stomach, breathing in the faint scent of Bella that seems to linger on my bedding. I allow myself to drift off into a nice dream, when I'm woken by someone knocking on my door.

"Come in," I say sleepily rubbing face as I open my eyes. I see Bella standing at my bedroom door. Without speaking I move my covers and she smiles as she slides in. I let out a soft sigh and she lays her head on my chest closing her eyes.

"I feel like I'm at home, when you are with me, too," I say out loud as I drift back to sleep.

~*BNB*~

"Peter, Dad and I have something we would like to ask you," Mom says softly, as she sits next to Peter on the blanket.

Bella is between my legs with her back leaning against my chest. She's gently running one of her hands up a down my arms that are around her.

Dad is on the other side of Mom, and he caresses her hand and she starts to speak again. "What we would like to do, Peter, is adopt you, so that you would legally become our son. You're already our son in our hearts."

Peter smiles broadly and hugs Bella tighter, seeing the happiness in Peter's face.

"I would love that, Mom. You and Dad are my parents in my heart, too. My birth mom is happy that I love you like that, and she knows I ... we ... Bella and I will be safe with you."

Peter stops and looks at Bella. "Mom said to tell you it wasn't your fault, and you did everything you could, and she's proud of you."

Bella sniffs and hugs Peter to her. "I love you," Bella whispers.

The rest of the family day goes by with us having fun. We arrive home late at night and head right for bed. This time I keep a hold of Bella's hand, leading her to what has become our room.

The next day, we all call asking Jacob and Leah to meet us outside of what I know will become their home.

"Hey, boss, house need more work?" Jacob asks as he walks to us.

"No, this for you," Bella says handing them the paperwork with shaking hands.

Leah frowns and then starts to read. "What ... WHAT?" she sounds stunned and the last what came out more of a shriek.

"Leah, what is it, sugar?"

"She wants to sell us her house, for ninety thousand dollars, spread out over ten years. Monthly house payments would only be seven hundred and fifty dollars. There's no interest on it either," Leah says slowly as she looks at Bella to see if she's read it right.

"That's right, the house, as you know has eight bedrooms, more than big enough for your family."

"But it's worth way more than that; a lot more than that."

"But we don't want it. This isn't my home. My home is and always will be the ranch. The money is for Peter, for when he goes to college. Please take it; this house needs love, just like Peter and I did, and your family needs a bigger home."

Leah wipes away her tears, and hugs Bella to her. "Thank you, thank you so much."

We give them the keys and they sign the paperwork. As soon as they are done, Jacob grins picking Leah up and carrying her into the house. Bella and I give them a quick goodbye, before leaving them to look through the house.

"So now that the house is all sorted, and it's Friday, how about a date in town this week?"

I only move my eyes hoping she's ready to have people know about us. It's becoming harder and harder for me to keep myself in check.

"I would really like that."

I grin as I pull her to me, kissing her on the open road.

I pull up outside the Grill. I lift Bella's hand kissing it before getting out and opening her door. I can feel Bella shake as we make our way inside the Grill.

I lead her to a table that is a little off to the side. I help her to sit, and then take the seat next to her, holding her hand.

"They're all looking already," Bella whispers out, but keeps her eyes on mine.

"I know they are, love, so I say let's make it clear that you're mine and only mine." I lean in and kiss her softly as I run my hand up the side of her face and into her hair.

"Bella, Edward, what can I get for you?"

I turn, smiling at Emily as I place our order. As Emily walks away, I scan the room again, seeing that most people have at least one eye on Bella and me. Since most of their mouths are wagging, I know they're speaking about us.

Bella and I share some soft kisses, until our meal arrives. "They're all still looking," Bella says, as she moves closer to me taking a small bite of her meal.

"It'll be fine, they're more than likely surprised that we are openly together," I say trying to reassure her.

"Edward, Isabella," I swallow looking at Paul, who's looking down at us.

"Yeah?" I ask taking Bella's hand and she grips it.

"I … well we … just wanted to say that it was really nice what you all did for the Black family. They've been talking about it nonstop, since they arrived back to town this afternoon. That's all I wanted to say, so I'll let you get back to your meal." Paul nods and walks away.

I chuckle as the room seems to turn away from us, and starts talking about other things.

"We are going to be fine," I say to Bella, kissing her one more time, before eating the rest of my meal.


A/N: Well Jake and Leah like the house. Everyone approves and is clearly not bothered by Bella and Edward being together. There is 33 chapters in total, and we just added a BPOV to the epilogue (Chapter 33). What are your thoughts?