I don't own Twilight. If I did, I think I'd have a fully equipped gym in my mansion - which I'd never use.
Thanks to EchoesOfTwilight and Karentwilighted for the beta. I think your comments for this one were funnier than the chapter.
So what's our Bella going to do, guys?
Chapter 36: Playing Hardball
"Today," I repeated, rearing back to see him more clearly. "Today?" He nodded. "TODAY!"
Yes, Bella, today. T-O-D-A-Y. 'T-t-t-t-today, Junior!'
Not even Billy Madison quotes were funny when coming from the girls.
"Yes, today, Bella. Why wait? I know what I want, and that's you...forever."
"But Edward...it's so fast. So fast! And what about Charlie? He'll castrate you with his Desert Eagle!" I babbled, my thoughts racing faster than I could process.
Oh, GOD, NO! Not the Precious!
I ignored them. Though I was extremely fond of the Precious... No...not now, Bella!
"I already talked to Charlie about it," he said in that damn calm voice, which was starting to grate on my nerves.
"What?" I literally shrieked. How embarrassing. I was now wide awake, and itching with the need to move. My legs were the worst ― damn restless leg syndrome really does exist ― so I sat up, belatedly realizing I was naked when the sheet fell to my lap. Quickly, I brought my knees up to my chest and crossed my arms over them. Edward sat up next to me, giving me a sleepy, knowing smile, and put his hand on my foot.
I felt as if my foot was suddenly a no-no place. He might as well have put his hand right between my legs.
"There's one thing I didn't tell you about my conversation with the Chief in July," he said, rubbing his thumb over my ankle. I could barely contain the shiver that itched at the base of my spine. "I also requested his permission to ask you to be my wife."
Oh, my Lord...how perfectly swoon-worthy and old-fashioned! I fell for him even more, which I hadn't thought was possible. Edward had been brave enough to ask the Chief for my hand...
I almost couldn't stand it. But thankfully, some part of my brain remained rational. Marrying here in Hawaii would be taking his blessing too far; I was sure of it.
"Edward, I really don't think he meant that it's okay for us to get married without him there! You know, he probably thought I'd come back with a pretty ring..." I looked down at my left hand. It really is pretty...
So sparkly...
Jeez. They were like little ravens. Of course, I was just as bad.
"Bella? You all right, there?" he snickered, continuing his voodoo assault on my foot.
"You be quiet. I've got a lot to process here." I scowled at him. "Give you an inch, and you take a mile, Edward! Give a girl a bit of breathing room." Taking a moment, I tried to decipher my scrambled thoughts. "As I was saying, my father probably thinks he's going to get to walk me down the aisle somewhere. And Renee..." Renee would probably be the one person in the world who would get it. The question was, did I have enough of my mother in me to make that leap of faith? "Well, Renee would probably be the first to congratulate us ― after hitting on you just once more for old times' sake."
Edward laughed and put an arm around my shoulders. At least he wasn't molesting my foot anymore ― though I really missed his touch.
"We can always do another little ceremony when we get back. I wouldn't mind promising myself to you forever more than once," he said softly.
Oh, my God...that might be the sweetest thing he's ever said to me...
"Just give me one day, Bella. One day to convince you to marry me. If I can't do it, then you know I'll wait however long it takes. But I think this... I think we will work, no matter when we make it official."
"Edward, I..." It was all I could get out, and I was so glad that he knew me and, after today, he would know I was just trying to figure out how to explain. His eyes were so hypnotic, so intense, and I felt like he was literally offering me the world. How could I say no?
"I told you, I know what I want, and I'm trying my hardest to make it happen. I love you, Bella. You're always worried about everything between us being perfect, but why? What's the use? We're still the same Edward and Bella. I'm just your guy, and you're my girl.
"I have one more card to play." He got up and rummaged through his clothes, pulling out his wallet. When he produced a worn, folded piece of paper, I knew instantly what it was. "One date, no questions asked," he murmured, slinking back onto the bed with a smirk.
"Well, I really have no choice then, do I?" I asked with a grin. "I accept your...proposal."
"You do?" He was so adorable, and so full of eager excitement. Our families would forgive us, right?
"I do." His eyebrows rose in shock before his face relaxed. I laughed, not missing the significance of the phrase.
"I think you're a tease, Bella Swan." In an instant, I was flat on my back in the bed with his heavy body right on top of mine. "Soon to be Bella Cullen," he whispered, rubbing the tip of his nose along my cheek. I grinned, loving the way my flesh burned where it met his.
"Do I have to change my name? It's such a hassle, you know, with credit cards and Social Secur―mmpf!" I couldn't finish my ribbing as he covered my lips with his, a frustrated growl vibrating against my mouth. "K-kidding," I managed to get out, between his biting kisses and my gasping laughs.
"I'll show you kidding," he threatened, his voice low and rumbly in all the right places. One of his knees pushed between mine, urging me to spread my legs wide. At the same time, a hand brushed slowly over my stomach, heading for the Promised Land.
Oh, yes...those fingers were definitely high on the list of reasons why I should marry this man; though everything paled in comparison to one thing: knowing I owned his heart.
-w-
We both had a clean change of clothes thanks to Edward's terminal preparedness, so we were covered on that end. However, we'd need to go shopping if we wanted to stay here another night.
Would we stay here another night? My stomach was almost ready to fly away with all the butterflies that came with the thought.
We'd also need to go shopping because I just might need a wedding dress...
We want to stay the night in the Honeymoon Suite...
I ignored them again and continued fretting in my head. When is he going to call his family? Won't they be wondering where we are? Will Alice show up like the scorned wannabe wedding planner from hell and start screaming at me? These were all very important questions.
It was still early, and we were finishing breakfast in one of the hotel's restaurants. Edward had left almost five minutes ago, looking for the restroom. The longer he was gone, the more I kept thinking, and that was not a very good thing. I people watched, looked for animals, stared at the prisms my new accessory scattered across the tablecloth, anything I could do to keep from wondering if I'd wake up tomorrow as Mrs. Edward Cullen. The girls made an unidentifiable sound of joy, one that reminded me of fingernails raking down a chalkboard, or one of the velociraptors in Jurassic Park. I shivered.
The morning sun's rays shone brightly on the foliage that surrounded the deck. Palms and ferns gave the space a cozy, lush feel without impeding the ocean view beyond. It was all so beautiful, there was no doubt, but my legs bounced nervously as I waited alone at our table, picking at the remains of my fruit from breakfast and staring at the ring that weighed heavily on my finger.
God damn...this ring is almost prettier than Sex Hair himself...
"You're still here," Edward teased as he reappeared, startling me out of my ruminations. Ruminations, I laughed to myself. Like my brain is a cow, chewing at the thoughts over and over and over...
"Did you think I'd leave?"
"The thought crossed my mind, yes. But you know I'd catch you, so don't even try it," he mock-threatened, holding out his hand to help me up.
"You're probably right. I'm not a very fast mover after yesterday." I stretched after standing, my back cracking as if to emphasize my point.
He winced. "Are you still sore?"
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why, are you planning another day of hiking?"
"No! Well, not unless you want to go..." he trailed off, rubbing his thumb over my palm as we headed out of the restaurant.
Yes, Bella, let's go! Hiking means sex!
It also means more walking and a sore ass, girls.
"I don't know..." I said, frowning for effect. "I was thinking more along the lines of a morning at the beach." Biting the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning, I pretended to focus on where we were going, which appeared to be back to our cottage.
"We can do anything you want, Bella," he answered, sounding nervous. "I haven't really planned anything...I just want to spend the day making you happy."
Now I felt terrible for teasing him. "Edward," I began as we reached the front lanai, "being with you makes me happy." Suddenly feeling shy, I ducked my head, staring at my toes. It was strange how the simplest and most heartfelt admissions could make me feel so vulnerable. He stopped in front of the door, turning me to face him and looping his arms around my back. I finally got over my little mushy moment and looked up into his face. He was smiling and handsome and literally the best thing in my world.
"I'll spend every day making you happy, Bella, if you'll let me," he said softly. "Every day of forever."
Speechless in the face of his statement, all I could do was return his smile.
-w-
"Have I told you I really like you in this?" he whispered in my ear as he leaned over me. I was lying on my stomach, and we were baking in the sun on padded loungers placed too close to one another. He lightly snapped the back tie of my bathing suit, letting his hand rest there. I'd thought I was being silly when I packed the spare yesterday, as it was a little more frivolous than the practical one I'd worn on the hike. This one was black, strapless, and had too many ties. Edward usually had wandering hands, and measly tied bows at my hips and back would be too tempting for him to resist. We'd been out here for about forty-five minutes, and since the hour was so early, there were only three other people on the stretch of Hamoa Beach that was reserved for hotel guests.
"Three times, I think," I answered smugly. I was lying on my stomach, head resting on my folded arms and turned toward him. My eyes were closed to block out the sun which, I could tell by the sudden darkness behind my lids, was no longer necessary. I opened my eyes, only to find them falling closed again as his lips dropped to my jaw and his breath drifted over my skin in a chuckle. My lids rose again and, when my eyes adjusted, I admired the view of his bare chest and lower.
"You look gorgeous," was his only reply ― other than another slow, tingling kiss on my neck that might have appeared chaste, but felt so, so dirty, in a very good way. He backed away with a smile, mirroring my position. Our bodies were still only inches away from one another, and I could smell the scent of the sunblock rising from his skin again. Who knew SPF 120 could smell so good on a man?
"Thank you," I said coyly, playing along. I was ninety-nine percent sure what would come out of his mouth next, so I decided to call him on it. "And I'm not untying my top."
"You think I'd ask you to do that here?" he asked incredulously, pushing himself up on an elbow as he reached out to toy with the tie, his actions completely contradicting his words.
"Yes," I replied bluntly, laughing.
"Well, you wouldn't have any tan lines..." Another snap of the bathing suit followed his statement, and this time he was much closer to untying it then he had been the first time.
"Stop it!" Laughing harder, I tried to roll onto my back to get away, but his fingers caught one end and my own motion untied the top. My laugh turned to an embarrassingly loud yelp of surprise. Edward actually pouted when I managed to keep the top in place by some miracle of my usually slow and clumsy reflexes. I would have taken a swing at him, if my hands weren't keeping the Twins covered.
Those little hussies...always wanting to show off, the girls grumbled.
As if it wasn't enough that, thanks to Edward, I was now calling my boobs "the Twins," the girls were pretty snappy this morning.
"Ooops." His tone oozed smugness and that damn effortless charm, and if I wasn't so busy scanning the beach to make sure no one had seen, I would have really started in on him. I was relieved to find that no one was staring. Then again, it was a late response on my part, so they all had plenty of time to avert their eyes. Awkwardly rolling back onto my stomach, I finally turned my glare on him. The Tractor Beam was at full strength, but I refused to fall prey to his tricks.
"Tie it back," I huffed, turning my face away from him. When I didn't immediately feel his hands complying, I got a little angry. "Now, Buttercup!" I was a bit louder this time, and again I cursed myself for being so damn conspicuous.
"Fine," he pouted, making sure to graze my skin as much as possible as he did as I demanded. "Promise me you'll wear this if we go hiking again."
"No!"
"That would be even better," he said slyly, urging me to turn my head back toward him when he finished. "Just wear regular clothes. We'll skinny dip."
I turned red, and it wasn't just from the sun. "You, mister, have a one-track mind. Stop trying to get me to go on your sexy-time hikes."
"In that case, we could stay in..."
"Stop it with the voodoo, Edward." I braced my elbows underneath me so he wasn't looming overhead.
"What voodoo?"
"The voodoo that you do," I quoted, starting to laugh.
"You like it."
"So sure of yourself," I whispered, flicking at an imaginary grain of sand on my chaise.
He leaned closer. "I think I can prove it." I looked up at him, and my lips collided with his, my eyelids fluttering closed. He was gentler than I'd anticipated, and I could feel warmth bloom in my chest before it sank deep in my hips. His hand settled low on my back as his tongue stroked softly over my lower lip. I sighed, parting my lips, and he took full advantage, deepening the kiss. The soft little hum that I loved rumbled in the back of his throat, the sound going straight to all the right places, tingles prickling in its wake.
I pulled back, gasping when I realized I'd pushed him to his back and was lying half on top of him. "You're dangerous," I said, my voice actually a little hoarse. "And you're right. I sort of love your voodoo. I sort of love you, too."
"Only 'sort of?'" His hand shot up to my neck, pulling me down for another kiss that was quick and hot and wet.
"Okay, a lot," I sighed, resting my head on his chest and hiding my face. "A whole lot."
"How much?" He was laughing softly, and the vibrations against my cheek made me smile. "More than chocolate?"
"Definitely. No contest."
"More than coffee?" God, he was so cute.
"Of course," I laughed, sitting up. My reasons for doing so were twofold: one, being so close to him was making me just itch to climb all the way on top of him, other people be damned. Two, it was getting hot and sticky in the sun, and it wasn't very sexy when I was sweating all over him.
He grabbed my hand, playfully toying with my fingers. "More than gyros?"
I pretended to consider. "Oh, Edward, I don't know. I really love those."
He growled, scowling quite realistically, and I hopped backwards off of the chaise, my bare feet sinking into the hot sand.
"Remember what I said about running," he said darkly, and I grinned in response to his threat.
"Then catch me," I taunted, spinning around and taking off for the water.
He caught up with me just as I hit the water, which surprised me ― I lasted much longer than I thought. Bending low, his arms came around my hips like he was the freaking Hulk, doing very nice things for my lady parts.
Bella, he's squishing us!
You can take it, girls. I didn't care what they said because I was suddenly occupying space much higher than usual and he was bounding into the waves. My hands locked onto his forearms with all the strength I had, because some of those suckers looked huge. The water, however, was pleasant on my overheated skin, and I trusted Edward to look after me. I was almost embarrassed at admitting to myself that I needed a babysitter, but it was the awful truth. My name should have been Murphy. After Murphy's Law, not Murphy Brown.
When we reached the spot past the initial crash of waves, where they came in swells that dipped up and down, he let me slide down the front of his body.
"Caught you," he said in my ear.
I whirled around, both of us treading water as we faced each other. Water dripped onto my lips when I shoved stray hair back from my forehead, and I grimaced. No matter how many times I got in the ocean, I was never quite prepared for the bitter, salty flavor.
Without warning, Edward grabbed my hand, pulling me toward him. His lips met mine as he closed his fingers on my hip, encouraging me to wrap my legs about his waist. He held me close as we bobbed and floated on the ocean swells, kicking his feet lazily to keep us afloat and in the same spot. I shut my eyes and clenched my fingers at his shoulders, glad for my tight grip when I felt the light scrape of his teeth on my lip. Then he was licking at my mouth, and I opened to him just as the first of a large set of waves swelled underneath us. The dramatic change in height matched the dip my heart took as tongue played with mine and his fingers dug into my hips.
I was dizzy after the last wave passed, and not just because of the large swells. Edward finally pulled away, and I opened blurry eyes to find him licking his lips. They looked swollen, and held a hint of darker color similar to his sun-warmed cheeks and forehead.
"Salty," he said with a smirk, and I splashed him in the face. I admit, the splash was quite a bit bigger than I'd intended, and I tried not to smile through my apology as he sputtered in protest.
"Sorry!" I shrugged, as much as I could in the water, anyway. "Clumsy."
"Excuses, excuses," he sighed, holding me too close to splash him. He was pulling me in for another kiss, and as much as I'd enjoyed the previous one, we couldn't keep making out in public. The beachfront was growing more crowded, and I couldn't fully concentrate on Edward when I was afraid we were being watched.
I turned my head so his lips grazed my cheek as I spoke at his ear. "Stop it, I think there are kids here now." His groan was loud as he kissed his way over my cheek.
"Now do you see why it's better to hike to out of the way places?" he complained, diving right back in for my lips, and I let him kiss me. He kept it short, a sweet, tender press of lips, and I could feel his smile against mine. "But, we don't have to be alone to have fun."
"You are not doing anything to me out here!" I protested, and he laughed in my face.
"Stop thinking such dirty thoughts, my pretty little pervert. Let's swim!" I gasped as he tugged me closer to the shore, intent on riding a wave with me back to the sand.
He sure has you pegged.
Me? He has ME pegged? You two are the perverts.
We do live in your body, Bella.
Oh, Mother of God...
I started to panic a little as we reached the rougher surf, well aware of the power behind the waves.
"It's okay, Bella," he said as he eyed a set of waves that were starting to take shape in the distance. "Pretend I'm your boogie board." He patted his back and smirked at me, the burst of heat I felt at his smile helping to bolster my courage. I hopped on his back, digging my fingers into his shoulders and pressing my face into his hair.
"I like breathing, Cullen," I said nervously, hoping he didn't notice the trembling in my voice. "Please keep us above water."
"We're going to be fine," he said confidently, and I sort of wanted to shake him. "You're going to help me. You see that set coming in?"
I looked back distractedly. "Yeah. It looks big."
"We're going to ride the last swell in."
"WHAT? No! It's too big. It's huge!" Edward snorted at that, and I snapped, "Don't you dare make a 'that's what she said' joke."
He really started laughing then. "I'm not the one who went there," he said smugly. "Now, we're going to do this together. You tell me when to start swimming. I trust you."
"You have a death wish." Oh, God. This was going to end badly, I just knew it.
"Hurry, Bella," he just said with a smile. "And hang on tight."
"Shitshitshit," I muttered as I eyed the coming waves, my heart leaping into my throat as they neared and grew larger. "Okay, here's the first one!"
"How many?" he yelled back, keeping his eyes on the beach as we dipped up and down. How the hell can he trust me with this?
"Three!" I yelled, just as the second one reached us. "That's two! I think you should go!" I started to panic, digging my fingers into the swells of his shoulders. It was all I could do to remind myself that he needed air, and locking my arms around his neck would probably lead to both of us drowning. He started swimming like he was a freaking fish, and somehow, we timed it perfectly. I laughed loudly as we rode the top of the wave most of the way to the beach, only slowing by some miracle of God (or Edward) as it broke near the shore.
"You make a good boogie board, Buttercup."
"I told you we could do it," he said breathlessly as we drifted to shore in sand and fizzy foam. We did do it! "We've just got to have a little faith in each other."
How does he do it? I thought as he kissed me softly, pulling back to laugh. "Kissing in the breaking surf...how cheesy movie of us," he said, hopping to his feet and tugging me up with him.
"It really is," I agreed with a sly smile. "You're the Kraft Mac and Cheese of fiances."
"The Cheesiest?" he returned drolly, arching a brow at me.
"The one and only," I whispered.
"Your one and only."
Blinking up at him, I let him see. "Yes."
I pointed back toward the waves. "That was so much fun. I wonder if that's what it's like to ride a dolphin," I said, more to myself than to him, but he responded anyway.
"Well, we'll have to do that someday, so you can compare. I'm sure that riding me is much better, however." The last part was a growl in my ear, low and deep, as we headed back out to ride some more waves.
I was sure too. So were the girls.
We stayed in the water, playing in the surf until we were both tired and starting to feel a little pink in the cheeks, before we headed back to dry ourselves and gather our things. We were quiet as we drove back to the hotel. I was glad for the Volvo, as it was much better than riding a hotel shuttle bus packed with strangers.
My face was sore from smiling, and I still couldn't keep the goofy grin off my face. So I hid, staring out the window for long moments, and he let me. He knew exactly what I was doing. Around Edward, I didn't have to be anyone else. I didn't have to play the role of friendly chick who pours drinks, or be the good daughter who enjoyed her solitude and didn't want to disappoint her parents. Our silence was comfortable, natural, and easy. When we reached the lot at the cottage, he watched me with hooded, cloudy eyes as I grabbed the tote bag from the small back seat. I almost fell back inside the car, because that stare nearly knocked my knees right out from under me.
He's not even going to need a full twenty-four hours to convince me at this rate...
"Let's get inside and get the salt off of us," he said, hooking an arm around my shoulders. He gently rubbed his palm down my arm, and the tiny salt crystals that clung to me made my skin tingle as they scraped over me. As we walked through the dappled sunlight up to the door, the salty residue that stuck to both of us made our skin sparkle in the patches of light.
He yanked at the bag when we were still in the entryway, letting it fall to the tile floor with a thump as the door swung closed. His head bent swiftly, lips covering mine in a warm, wet second. Salt and sweat and Edward filled my mouth as he backed me to the bathroom, his hands guiding me with hard fingers at my hips. Of course, I caught a heel on an ottoman that I swear hadn't been there when we left, but he responded by swinging me up into his arms and stalking to the bedroom suite, heading straight for the shower. His mouth never left mine. He was in the air I breathed, the ground beneath me, in the sky above me. Most importantly, his arms were around me and he wasn't going anywhere. He claimed he wanted me forever, and I'd never wanted anything more in my life.
My damp shorts hit the floor seconds after he set me on my feet, even before he reached past me to turn on the water. I stripped my t-shirt off as he turned back to me, catching and reveling in the way his eyes flared when he saw me standing before him in my bathing suit. Both hands came up to hold my face, tipping my head up for his kiss. My skin pebbled with goose bumps as he drew one hand down the midline of my body, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips as he suddenly detoured to pull on the bow of thin black string at my hip. A similar tug at the other side, and the bottoms were gone. His hand moved to rest at the small of my back as he stepped closer, his tongue slipping into my mouth with a sureness that sent me reeling. Slowly, he explored every inch of my spine with his fingertips until he reached the tie between my shoulder blades. Taking his time, he toyed with the material, slipping his whole hand underneath and pulling it taut and away from my skin.
I clenched one hand in his hair and clung to his shoulder with the other, needing to hold myself up in the force of what he made me feel. Surely this was what people came together for, the type of love that people would lie, cheat, and steal for. And he was offering it to me forever.
That was the reason I stopped. As Edward tugged at the ties of my top, sending it falling to the floor, I stepped back, waiting for him to open his eyes.
"We should wait, Edward," I said, my voice almost swallowed by the rush of the shower.
"Why?" His response was equally as soft, his eyes warming and matching his tone.
"Can I tell you later? Just...let's wait, Edward," I hedged, begging him with my eyes to just drop it.
He smiled; a beautiful curve of his lips that was DaVinci-like in its mystery, and I couldn't help but smile nervously. I didn't know what he saw right then, but he obviously seemed pleased. "Anything for you, Bella."
-w-
Calling my father was inevitable, so I decided to just get it out of the way while Edward ordered us some lunch from room service. We were both showered, and not a little sexually frustrated. That situation wasn't going to get much better as the day went by, so I was better off with this behind me.
For some reason, I found it much easier to call the Chief than Renee. Maybe it was because I knew she would forgive me for eloping without telling her. Charlie, however, held a grudge like a dog with a bone, and he would gnaw away at it like a beaver with big, ugly yellow teeth. He'd never let Edward forget this if I didn't tell him.
Charlie was silent for much of the conversation, and I was truly terrified by the time he finally spoke. I couldn't even remember everything I'd told him, but I was well aware of my tendency to babble when nervous. My propensity for word vomit was a dangerous thing when it came to my father.
"Bella..." he huffed, and it was one that told me he'd come to a decision. "I meant what I said when I gave Edward my blessing." He paused, and I could just imagine his mustache twitching. "You do what you have to do, Bells."
"Oh, Dad. I don't know what to do." I made sure my voice was hushed, because I didn't want Edward to overhear in the next room.
"Let me just say one thing."
"Okay." My heart was beating out of control with the fact that Charlie just might be okay with this...
"If you two come back here married...I'm going to give Edward some hell, and you're going to let me have my fun for a little while."
"Dad! How long?" I demanded, my shock rising by the instant.
"A couple months, at least."
"WHAT?" I shrieked, bringing Edward running to the door. I only heard him knock once before he popped his head in. I tried to smile reassuringly, waving him off and giving him the signal for five more minutes. He frowned and I could tell he wasn't happy, but finally he nodded and shut the door with a quiet click. "I'm sorry, Dad, did you say two months? Let's get real here. Two days."
"A month," he bargained. Wow. He was really playing hardball. I didn't expect my dad to go all Chris Matthews on me.
"Dad," I whined. "I don't even know what I'm doing yet! I don't even think his family knows what he's planning. A week, Dad, tops."
"Bells," he said, laughing, "Even I think you want to marry your messy-haired boyfriend."
"Fiance," I interrupted.
"See? I knew it was coming, just not this fast. You're my daughter, and I know how much you stew about things ― you're like your old man in that way. I think you'll make the best decision for yourself, and I don't want you worrying about your mother and I. You've done too much of that in your life.
"I like to think you're the best of both of us, Isabella Marie. Stop being afraid of what might happen. I wasted too many years doing that, and I can tell you for sure it doesn't work."
I couldn't remember a time when I'd heard Charlie utter so many words in a row. "Wow, Dad, I―"
"But I repeat―" he interrupted, "if you two come back married, I get two weeks to haze him. And that's final."
Edward could handle a couple weeks of verbal jabs, Egbert incidents, and intimidation, right? Charlie wouldn't actually harm him...I hoped. Plus, we didn't even live in the same city. He'd have to harass Edward by phone.
As long as he leaves the Precious alone...
"One week, Dad. IF we come back married." I wouldn't be Charlie's kid if I didn't try to haggle with him one more time.
"Boy, you sure are my daughter, Bells. I'd be mad if I wasn't so proud that you paid attention when I took you to those swap meets with me when you were little." He paused for a long moment, and my mouth began to grow dry and I worried that my phone had dropped the call. "Okay. One week...sure thing, Bells," he laughed, and I knew that smug tone. It was Charlie's "know-it-all" chuckle. The one that made him sound like he should be asking for my license and registration while wearing a pair of mirrored cop sunglasses.
"You go have fun with your guy, and tell him I said he better take good care of you," he said gruffly. Good thing Edward and I had decided not to tell anyone about the cliff incident. Charlie's head might explode if he knew. "I love you, Bella."
"I love you, too, Dad," I said, the words tight in my aching throat. It was hard to swallow as I ended the call, heading for the living area to find Edward.
Holy crap. Am I really going to do this?
I found him sprawled on the sectional, messing with his laptop that rested on the coffee table. I had no idea he'd even brought it ― the man really was prepared for everything. He looked up as I entered the room, frowning as he patted the leather next to him.
"Everything okay?" he asked, hugging me tightly as I sank into the couch. We both lay on our sides, my back against his chest, his chin resting on top of my head. As we settled, the opening words to Spaceballs started scrolling across the screen of his computer, and I laughed.
"Yeah," I said softly. "It really is."
He was my Lone Starr, and I was his Princess Vespa. Why fight the inevitable?
What would Yogurt do? Yogurt would tell me to look inside myself for the Schwartz. Did I have enough Schwartz in me to ask Edward to take me shopping for a dress...for a wedding?
Am I seriously comparing myself to a character in a parody of Star Wars?
"Edward?"
"Yeah?"
"I think we should go shopping." He raised up behind me, pushing my shoulder down so he could see me.
"Shopping for what?" His voice was quiet, and a hopeful smile flirted with his lips.
I took a deep breath, stalling so I could gather my guts. "I think I need a dress."
A/N: Aww, they're just so darn cute. Thanks to all who read, alert, favorite, and review. I am utter fail at replying, as always, but you can catch me on twitter sometimes. Same username: araeo. And if you've followed me but I don't follow you back, tweet me something (if you even tweet - I know some of you are lurkers to the core :) and I'll return the favor. I know, I'm so lazy, aren't I?
Are you all reading the entries for the There Will Be Blood contest? Vamps, blood, and sex...what's not to like? The name makes me think of Daniel Day-Lewis (you know, that oil movie) but not in that role...in Last of the Mohicans. Yum.
I'm working on chapter 37, so I'll try to keep this update thing somewhat regular. I can't be exact all the time...this IS a fic featuring ovaries.