DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.

Chapter 36

Bella's POV

I entered the front of the store. What was before me took me completely by surprise. I went from being terrified to being astounded.

The room was filled with candlelight. Faintly in the background I could hear music playing; it was my lullaby. I was taking the room in while my eyes focused in the dim lighting. Finally the room became clear and I noticed Edward was on the floor in front of me…down on one knee.

"Edward, you scared the hell out of me!" I realized within a nanosecond that wasn't the reaction he was probably looking for.

"I mean, um, Edward, what is this? What's going on?"

He smiled sweetly and chuckled lightly. "Bella, you never do make things easy for me do you?"

I smiled sheepishly and lowered my head. "I'm sorry Edward, but with all the lights out, my imagination got the worst of me. I was terrified something was wrong. You didn't respond when I called you. What is all this?"

"Isabella Marie Swan, I love you more than anything. I can no longer go on with my life if you aren't a part of my future. I've wasted too much time already. I'm here on one knee in hopes that you feel the same. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

I was unable to move. Was I hearing him right? Did he say "wife"? I was just getting used to us being a couple again. Was I ready for something like that? What was I saying? Of course I was! Edward was the only man for me, now and forever. I would be a fool to turn him down now; not after all we've been through. I could no longer be afraid of moving forward. Edward was my past, present and future. And who knows what would lie ahead now with Victoria back.

Some part of me also knew that Edward would never think to change me if I didn't marry him. He was too old-fashioned for that.

"Um, Bella, are you ok? You haven't said anything. Was this a mistake? I thought maybe…" He began to rise slowly.

"No! Wait, Edward. I'm sorry. No, it wasn't a mistake, not at all. You know me; my head gets in the way of everything. I was just…taken by surprise. That's all."

I walked toward him as he stood in front of me. I looked into his beautiful soulful golden eyes and took his hands in mine. "Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, you are my past, present and future. You are all I could ever want. I would be honored to be your wife. "

His face was glowing as the relief washed over him. He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips then lifted me up and hugged me. I was basking in his scent as he gallantly danced us around the room. "You've made me the happiest man on earth. I love you so much Bella."

Gently he placed me on my feet. I was still entranced by him, his smile, his smell, his touch. I was reeling in the joy of the moment. "Don't think you have the market on "happy" cornered buddy. You bring so much happiness to my life Edward. You are my other half; my better half. With you by my side, my life feels complete."

He sat lightly onto the couch and pulled me onto his lap. We kissed and held each other for a while enjoying the tenderness of that special moment. The world seemed to be in perfect sync. It was as if the last year or so my life was washing away and creating a new path; A path which both of us would follow together.

My mind began to wander. I thought about our future as man and wife. Would his family approve? How would Jacob take the news? I was told that he and Edward have become friendly this last month, but how much? Would it be enough for him to be happy for me? I then realized there was one thing that still created a possible rift-changing me into a vampire. Edward would need to change me. I will refuse any other alternative.

"Edward. I know this is too soon to discuss this, but there is one topic we need to broach before we can move forward."

"Ok. And what is that?"

"Me, becoming like you and the rest of the Cullen family." I cringed while I waited for his reaction.

I was still waiting as the minutes passed. Was he thinking about it or was he just surprised I would bring that up? He didn't say no right away, so that was a good sign right?

"Bella. I know I have always been against this in the past. And to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I will ever really like the idea, but I know I can't say 'no' anymore. You have made it very clear that you are your own person, which is one of the main reasons why I love you. I want to spend forever with you, so if this is what you truly want, I will do what you wish."

I wrapped my arms tightly around him and began to kiss him all over his face. "Oh Edward! I can't believe you're finally agreeing to this."

He pulled away and looked at me sternly. "Bella, there is one condition and it's non-negotiable."

I nodded. "Anything."

"I won't turn you until we are married, so it will be up to you how long you would like our engagement to be. Is that fair?"

"Done. Yes, completely."

I leaned against Edward's chest feeling vindicated. He kissed the top of my head and stroked my back. "Um so, Edward. How do you feel about Vegas?"

He began to laugh. I wasn't really joking about it. I had wanted this for longer than I could remember. Marrying Edward and becoming like him was all I could wish for. He shifted his posture and I looked up at him questioningly. "Alice is on her way back here with Jasper. And just a warning, she's got bridal books with her. I think she's already making wedding plans for us."

I dropped my head onto his chest once more and sighed. "Ugh, I knew it would be too good to be true. Now we'll never be able to elope!"

"Don't worry Bella, if I know Alice, she can round up a top-notch wedding within a few weeks. She's a pro."

"I don't know Edward. I kind of liked the idea of running away to Vegas. This will be a huge fluffy ordeal that I'm not sure I'm ready for. How long do I have? Maybe you can get me home before she shows up?" I gave him a pleading grin and batted my lashes.

"Not a chance, she thought of that. She's only around the corner. You may as well set the ground rules now or there's no chance in hell you'll win her over on anything. She loves you Bella and she just wants you to have everything perfect."

"I know. I know. It is just that it's always such a production. It can get exhausting. You should have seen her with the plans when we opened this store. She was a madwoman for weeks! But I guess you have a point. I know she does it because she loves me. And to tell you the truth, she does have impeccable taste."

I kissed him once more but he didn't pull away. Instead he leaned in closer and took me tightly in his arms. The fire was ignited and I began to lose myself in his passionate return kiss. Suddenly, he pulled away and smiled. "Sorry love. I didn't mean to get carried away, it's just that Alice is here and I'm sure we won't get much time to do that again for at least a week!"

I slumped my shoulders and took a deep breath. I needed to be ready for whatever my loving sister had in store for our wedding, but no matter what those plans were, one thing was certain. I was going to finally be Mrs. Edward Cullen, and I couldn't be happier.

A/N: Ok this is only the end of part 1 of this story line. We promise we'll have answers as well as more action and drama with the next one.