Chapter Thirty Five
"I really have no idea how you did all of this and kept it from me. You couldn't keep secrets if your life depended on it," Carlisle asked as he danced with Bella.
She pulled him as close as her belly would allow. "I thought you deserved something special. Emmett helped me plan the whole thing. We've been working on this for about a month. How about you? How did you pull this off?"
Laughing Carlisle looked into Bella's big brown eyes. "I pulled it off with Emmett's help."
"No way! He helped both of us plan a surprise party for each other on the same night?" Bella questioned.
"I guess so. We're lucky that our birthdays are so close together." Carlisle commented.
"Well," Bella began, "Emmett did a fabulous job with all of the combining and all of the planning. By the way, happy birthday babe," Bella smiled before standing up on her tip toes for a kiss.
Carlisle kissed her back and rubbed her back. He let go of her for one minute and tucked a strain of her hair behind her ear. "The same to you baby."
Since Alice was no longer speaking to either Carlisle or Bella, she couldn't help them plan a surprise party for the other. Apparently both Bella and Carlisle had thought that Emmett was the next best thing. What the two of them didn't know was both of them approached Emmett on the same day only minutes apart from each other to ask for help in planning a surprise party for their partner. For almost a month, Emmett took both of their ideas for a party and combined them to create one. He wanted the surprise to be on them, which it was. Earlier in the evening when the surprise was brought forth, Bella and Carlisle were both surprised.
Carlisle felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see who wanted to talk to him. "Excuse me sir, but could I steal a dance with this beautiful woman?"
With their jaws on the ground, both Carlisle and Bella turned before she hugged Edward.
"I thought you couldn't make it?" Bella asked.
"You told me you were going to Vermont when I called you," Carlisle added.
Edward smiled. "Emmett called me before he called either one of you. He warned me that both of you would be calling me to invite me. I wanted to surprise you guys."
"Well, you did!" Bella said hugging him. "I can't believe you're here."
"Oh Bella, you only turn twenty nine once. And dad, you only get older, well, everyday." Edward chuckled.
Carlisle returned his chuckle as he hugged his son. "Wise ass."
"You know I'm only kidding. You really look great for seventy five." Edward continued to joke at his father's expense.
"You know, fifty four isn't old, especially when you can pass for forty."
Before Carlisle had a chance to reply, Edward placed an arm around Bella's shoulder. "And that's why you keep her around."
Bella playfully hit him. "Despite you acting like an ass, I'm kind of glad you're here."
Carlisle, still chuckling, agreed with Bella's sentiment. "Yes, I agree with Bella. I'm glad you are here as well you ass."
"Well, I'm glad to be here with my loved ones."
"How long are you here for?" Bella inquired.
"Just for the weekend. I'm flying back Monday morning and going straight to the hospital. It isn't much time, but I'll be back when the baby is born. Hey, how about that dance now?"
Carlisle excused himself to go talk to a few people. Edward acted like the perfect gentleman as he began swaying with Bella. "I'm sorry I was wrong."
"About?"
"Alice. It's been almost two weeks and I would have thought she would have completely caved by now. I was surprised when we spoke and she told me she wasn't coming. She even said dad went to talk to her."
As Carlisle watched Edward and Bella dance to the music, his memories shot back to the last time he spoke with Alice. He tried going to her store to speak with her after his therapy session before he caught up with Bella and Rose the day after the shower. Alice led him to her office where they could talk privately.
"Alice, I'm going to cut to the chase here. What the hell are you thinking? What is going on? I hate whatever is going on between you and me and Bella. Talk to me sweetheart."
Alice sighed as she sat in her chair behind her desk. She tapped a pencil a few times before answering her father. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep sitting around and lie to you and Bella and myself any more. Dad, it isn't normal. The whole thing with Bella just isn't normal. Dad, you are twenty five years older than her. You are best friends with her father. You are old enough to be her father!"
Carlisle sighed. He didn't think he would get anywhere with her on that afternoon. "Alice, we've had this conversation before."
Standing up, Alice leaned against her desk and softly yelled at him and rolled her eyes. "And that worked out well."
Carlisle stood up and looked at her in her eye. "Do not speak to me like that young lady."
Alice sat down and took a breath. "I'm sorry but your relationship with Bella makes me very uncomfortable. It isn't a settling feeling to think about you and my best friend."
Carlisle calmed down as he took his seat again. He gently spoke to his daughter. "Allie, we've been living together since the spring. It's now almost the end of September. Whether or not you've liked it you have had the chance to get used to the idea."
Alice looked at him, raised her eyebrow and sternly yelled softly again. "I can't!"
"Mary Alice Cullen, I didn't raise you to think so closed mindedly and selfishly."
Alice bitterly rebutted. "No you didn't because you didn't raise me at all! It was mom and Charlie who were there for me! You never did a single thing because you were too busy getting wasted and sleeping with women who weren't my mother!"
Taken back, Carlisle could feel his face turn three shades of red. He had never discussed his history with Alice before. He and Edward discussed it while they looked for Bella in Boston but it had never come up with Alice. "I can't say anything other than I am sorry. I can't make it better. I can't go back in time and change it. What has happened has happened. All I can do is try to be a better person and learn from my past. I know nothing I can say or do can ever make that time better. I want you to know that I'm not that man any more. I haven't been for some time."
Alice took a deep breath as she placed her head in her hands. "I know and I'm sorry I brought it up. It was completely irrelevant to the conversation at hand."
"Well, getting back to the conversation at hand, why is it so difficult for you to just be happy for Bella and I?"
Alice shook her head. "Dad, it just feels wrong in my heart. You probably changed her diaper when she was an infant and now she's your girlfriend?"
"You know things between her and I didn't start until she moved back from Boston. I had never looked at her in any light other than a member of our family before then. Something about the way she got off the plane and talked just made me attracted to her."
"I know that nothing went on with you guys before. She would have told me and she didn't. We were close, like sisters."
Carlisle nodded. He thought he was making headway with her. "I know how you and Edward adopted Bella as you little sister when you were children, but honey, you are not really related to her. Bella isn't a child Alice. She's a grown woman. My relationship with Bella isn't wrong."
"Dad, as I have said before, the whole situation just makes me uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry you feel that way. Bella is a major part of my life now Alice and she isn't going anywhere."
"Wait a minute, are you choosing her over me?" Alice asked shocked and with new tears in her eyes.
Carlisle shook his head. "Alice you sound ridiculous. There are no choices that I need to make. You are the one who is creating barriers. When you are ready to take them down let us know. We both love you sweetheart." Carlisle said as he exited her office. As he walked back towards the shopping area where he was going to meet Bella and Rose, tears escaped his eye.
"Do you think him talking to her made it worse?" Bella inquired as she relaid the conversation that she had with Carlisle about his meeting with Alice to Edward.
Edward shook his head. "No. Alice is just going overboard. Even Jasper thinks so."
Bella nodded she saw him talking to Rose. "It was nice of him to come. I know that Alice probably spoke to him before he left, but still. I'm glad he's here. He's a nice guy."
Edward nodded. "I know, he is. He can keep up with her and is always happy with her. That counts for something right there."
Bella nodded as she continued to dance with Edward. When the song was over, they walked over to Carlisle and Emmett.
"You," Bella said pointing at Emmett, "are a genius! I cannot believe you did this all by yourself! You did a wonderful job my friend!"
Emmett hugged Bella. "I'm glad you both are surprised. I didn't know if I would be able to pull it off, but I did!"
As they broke from their hug, Emmett beamed. "I hope you don't mind, but I invited Riley."
Bella squeezed his hand. "I don't mind as long as you finally introduce us. We've been talking about him every day for week and I want to see what he looks like!"
Edward tapped Bella on her shoulder. "Speaking of meeting people, who is kissing your father?"
Bella's head snapped as she saw a woman about his age bringing her lips to his. They both smiled. Charlie held the woman closer to him as they swayed to the music. Bella looked at Carlisle.
"Don't look at me, I'm just as surprised as you are. He didn't say anything to me about meeting anyone knew."
"Well, it's about time he did. We've been divorced since Bella was a child," Renee's voice interrupted.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Bella asked as her arms reached around her mother's neck.
"It's your birthday silly girl!" Renee explained as she broke their embrace. "So we don't know who this mystery woman is with your father?"
"Not a clue," Bella said before smiling. "Give me time, I will though. How long are you staying?"
"Just until Monday morning. I have to run to California to look at a piece of art that I may or may not be purchasing for a gallery."
As they group continued to chit chat, Emmett left but then returned with a very good looking man who looked like he was twenty. Renee excused herself as she went to get a drink and to find Phil. Edward followed Renee and kept talking to her.
"Bella, Carlisle, this is my boyfriend Riley. Riley this is my Washington family," Emmett smiled as Riley exchanged handshakes and formalities with Bell and Carlisle. Riley had actually gone to school with Bella, but she hardly remembered him. They exchanged pleasantries. Riley was really funny but yet quiet and adorable. He and Emmett seemed to beam in the each other's company.
Carlisle held Bella's hand as the four continued to chat. Emmett finally reminded Carlisle of his surprise.
"Oh yea, I have something to show you, come here with me," Carlisle told Bella as he lead her back outside. Realizing she was wearing a sleeveless shirt and they were going outside in the damp evening, Carlisle gave her his jacket.
"I love that you are always the gentleman. Thank you."
Carlisle smiled as they walked over to the parking lot near where he had earlier parked the car. "Ok, right there. See that powder blue car? That is yours. Here are the keys."
"You bought me a car?"
Carlisle laughed. "You couldn't make up your mind at the dealership, so I went ahead and picked on out for you. I hope you're not mad."
Bella looked at the car. It was a BlueTEC Mercedes R350 Crossover, not a SUV. She smiled. "You are too much, you know that?"
Carlisle got closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Do you like it?"
"Yes. Thank you," she said standing on her tip toes to give him a kiss. "I can't believe you bought me a car."
"Well, you couldn't out two children plus all of that baby gear in your little sedan. I was just helping you to upgrade."
The two held hands again as they made their way back into the restaurant. "I hope you like the gift I got you. It's at home."
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Oh, you love this song. Dance with me?" Carlisle asked as he extended his hand to Bella. Bella cuddled in his arms as he sang along with Dave Matthews.
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world
Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly
You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world
Oh and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly
Carlisle looked into her eyes as he sang, "you and me together, we could do anything, baby."
"I love you so much," Bella said as she kissed Carlisle.
Carlisle held Bella closer. He whispered into her ears and said, "I love you too."
"And the fun keeps on coming. Thank you for all of this," Bella said as she laid on Carlisle. They were resting in a bubble bath that Carlisle had drawn. Candles were lit around the bathroom.
"Really this is the least I could do for you beautiful," Carlisle said as he kissed the side of her head. He clasped his hands in hers. "Everything was perfect today. Thank you for the watch and cuff links."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Well, almost perfect."
"Don't think about her. Think about us right now and Pea." Carlisle told her as he rubbed their hands across her stomach.
"I know. Hey, this year we couldn't do anything too exciting but what about next year we take a vacation together, just the two of us?"
"I like that idea. I like this." He said kissing her again.
Bella laughed. "And what is it you like so much?"
Carlisle grinned. "You. I like being able to plan and look to the future. I know there is so much stuff happening now, but I am so happy with you."
Bella unclasped their hands as she rubbed his knee, legs and thighs. "Well, you deserve to be happy and I am so happy with you."
A smirk appeared on Carlisle's face. "Well, Miss Swan, are you trying to seduce me?"
Bella turned around and faced him as well as she could. "If I were I don't think I'd have to work too hard."
Carlisle laughed back at her. "No, I you definitely wouldn't."
Bella readjusted herself so she was laying back in his arms. "Did you get everything you wanted for your birthday?"
Carlisle nodded as he smiled sinfully and kissed her neck then down to her collar bone and her back. "Everything but one thing."
Bella laughed as she began to stroke his leg again. "We did that all ready. I woke you up before Rose got up. We had some fun. I thought it was a good way to start off a birthday."
"No, no. Not that, although we had a lot of fun and you are right, you taking me first thing in the morning was an incredibly sexy way to start off the day. There is one little tiny thing that I still want."
"Okay. There are a few hours left to your birthday, maybe we can still get it."
Carlisle smiled even though Bella couldn't see him. "I love you so much, you know that."
Bella grinned. "Of course I do." She reached for his hands on her stomach. "I love you too."
"You are the most amazing person I have ever met. You know what to do to make I think everyone around you feel better when they are upset. You are an incredibly loving and caring woman. I feel blessed to have you in my life, let alone share my life and two children with you. You have really made my life Isabella. I want to show you something."
Carlisle carefully helped her out of the bathtub. He wrapped Bella up in a towel before grabbing her robe for her. He did the same for himself. He took her hand and opened the door to their bedroom. Candles were set up all around the room. Upon the bed sat a wooden tray with different kind of chocolate dipped strawberries. There were also two flutes with orange juice in it. Carlisle walked her over to the bed and helped her to sit down.
Bella smiled. "You do realize that today is actually your birthday? What is all of this?"
"I'm hoping to get my last present." He sat in front of her. He opened his legs and intertwined his legs with hers as she rested her back against the headboard of the bed. "Almost a year ago you changed my life. I know you don't think you did, but you did. Almost a year ago I fell in love with you. I have never been this happy in my entire life. You brought out a completely different person in me. I am so thankful for you. You unintentionally fixed my relationship with Edward. Almost immediately you and Rose took to each other. Like me, I think she loved you immediately. By law you are her mother." Places hand on B's stomach. "In a little while this little girl will be here and we will raise her together. We are a family now. We have been for some time." Carlisle took a deep breath as tears began to flow freely from his blue eyes. "I want you to marry me."
"What?" Bella asked shocked.
"Marry me. I know we have never talked about, but Isabella, it seem so right. It seems so natural. You and I are a whole together. Please, please do me the honor of becoming my wife. Wait a minute," he paused for a moment as he shifted himself. "Let me do this properly." Still on the bed, he knelt in front of her and took out a ring from his robe pocket. The Tiffany's ring had diamonds in the band, like Alice's ring, however, the cut was cushion cut. The two caret stone was surrounded by smaller stones. With tears in his eyes Carlisle began again. "Isabella Marie Swan, will you please make me your husband and marry me? Be with me for the rest of our lives."
Bella began to tear and shock her head. "Yes! Of course! Yes!" She fell into him and kissed him. Confidently he places the ring on her finger and kisses her again. They both stare at each with tears streaming from their eyes. Once she was calm, she asked him, "Did you ask Charlie?"
Carlisle laughed. "Yes. He was quiet at first and then he said it seemed to only make sense. Bella, he gave us his blessing." Bella let out more tears and cries, but unlike so many tears that have fallen in their relationship before, they are happy tears. She thought that there were finally getting their happily ever after.
Author's Note: I dare you to watch the video of "You and Me" by Dave Matthew's Band and NOT smile at this particular performance. Go ahead, I double dare you. This performance just makes me happy!: http:/www .you tube. com/ watch?v=A6t78OW-yhM