Days Like This

Chapter 35

BPOV

I was so anxious to tell Edward all about our freedom to have him raise Juliet with me, if that's what he wanted but timing was off, constantly. I didn't want to have the discussion in public, but alone in the room with him, only sinful thoughts filled my mind. His body called to me constantly. Teased me. Provoked me to dream up pleasurable ways to stay as close to him as possible. With the promise of a new adventure in our physical relationship, I tucked away Horny Bella and prepared to present Edward with the news. I'll admit, I was a tiny bit annoyed when he cut me off. But then his twinkling eyes and sexy smile soothed my annoyance. There seemed to be an urgency, if his voice was any indication.

I fell impossibly more in love with him each second as he professed his love so sweetly. And suddenly, he was on one knee and his eyes… oh dear god, his eyes seemed to possess me. I swear I had an out of body experience because the words he was saying didn't seem to come from his mouth; rather, they floated and swirled around the room as my head spun.

I felt dizzy.

Elated!

I must be drunk.

I was floating with the sweet words. His eyes brought me back to Earth and as I came back to my very real Edward, he presented a very real ring that shimmered almost as much as his eyes. I gasped in disbelief once more. This was what he needed to go first with? A marriage proposal! The giggles hit me as I became aware of just how much we meshed. We were meant to co-plan. We were meant to share everything.

A tiny frown line appeared on his forehead and I reached out to smooth it with my thumbs. Then I ran my hands down his cheeks and cupped his jaw as I kissed him. My lips would not stop. They acted on their own will and I followed gleefully along. He finally broke it with a breathless laugh. My giggles kicked in once more. They, too, were uncontrollable.

"Have I finally made you insane?"

I shook my head. "Just crazy in love. Yes, by the way… yes, I'll be your wife. Yes, yes, YES!" My lips went to his again, my hands clasped around his neck in a vice grip. I held onto him, even when our kiss ended. A small sound escaped his mouth – a sigh or a moan, I couldn't tell. He was grinning like mad but he couldn't keep eye contact, which was fine because I knew if he sought my soul with those things right now, I'd give it. I'd lose it and I'd give him anything he asked for.

"Bella…"

I pulled back slightly to look at him. I needed those eyes. His voice was soft but raspy… he was struggling with something. Had he changed his mind already? "What, sweetie? What's wrong?"

"If you don't like the ring, we can change it. It was really presumptuous of me to just go choose one on my own. I didn't even get help from the vast number of women in our lives who would have jumped right on that. Sorry… we'll go look together and get you something you really want. It's fine."

"The ring? Edward, I'm so focused on the fact that I'm going to be your wife – the fact that I'll get to spend every day of the rest of my life with you – I'm sorry… I'm not letting you do this the way you wanted to. I know you must have had it all planned out and I've thrown you off." I held my left hand out for him. "Please, put it on."

He chuckled and nodded his head. "I'm kind of getting the idea that nothing with us will ever go exactly according to plan, but as long as the end result is what we want, I'm pleased with it." His hand was shaking as much as mine was as he slid the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen on my finger.

"It's perfect, Edward. I could never find one that I would love more. It represents what you think of our love and that's the best part of it. Thank you." I admired it, and then him as he kissed my hand. My engagement ring hand. SQUEEEE! "Oh my god! We're engaged! I love you… I love my ring… and I really love the fact that you didn't call me Isabella when you proposed. Every time I hear that name, it makes me cringe - once I realize it's me that's being addressed. It means I'm being reprimanded or some hideous thing is about to happen. I'm about to be grounded or taken to surgery. If you had asked 'Isabella Marie Swan' to be your wife, I would have been waiting for the woman you really intended your proposal for to appear out of nowhere." I realized I was rambling and bit my lip to shut myself up.

His soft laughter filled the room as he finally stood from his proposal position and held his hand out to me. "We are engaged. You are the only woman my proposal was intended for, no matter what your name. And you've just made me the happiest man alive."

Seeing this was the perfect opportunity to offer up my proposal, I shook my head excitedly. "No. You think you're the happiest man alive right now, but trust me, you're about to be happier. I have some news for you…"

"Oh! Right! You were about to ask me about something and I cut you off."

"And you just did it again!" I scolded him with a playful grin. "Now shush. And listen. Remember the day we went to see Harry? Well, he was a busy man that day, dealing with all sorts of matters for the Swans."

"Yeah… I ran into your dad. Literally."

I nodded. "He wasn't there for a social visit. He hired Harry, himself… to start the process of legalizing the father/daughter thing you have going on with Juliet. You're her daddy, Edward… in all ways that really matter… we know that and our families and friends know that. My father…" Dammit! I didn't want to cry! This is a happy time! Happy, happy, happy time. "He went to see Jacob…" I hiccupped as I choked back the sob.

"Wait… he… he was there." Edward's eyes narrowed as he recollected that morning meeting. "Jacob… he was there with Charlie, wasn't he? I saw him. I met him, sort of. When I ran back for Blinky, Harry had his next client in there already and I interrupted…" His hand flew to his hair, raking at it wildly. "My god, I had Juliet with me! Did he know? He didn't let on that he knew who she was… he didn't seem interested at all, in fact…"

I nodded, taking his hands in mine. "That's what I've been telling you all along, Edward. He's not interested in being a father. He doesn't know Juliet and despite how you feel towards her, he doesn't have this inner need to nurture and protect her, or even get to know her. She's a stranger to him. That day, he met a stranger – you. And he met your daughter. That's all. He signed away his rights, Edward. He found out who the two strangers were and whether he did one really fucking decent thing or it was purely selfish, he gave her up. He knows you're best for her."

He stood in silence, his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to comprehend it all. His chest was rising and falling rapidly and his grip on my hand was getting a little uncomfortable. The silence was even more disconcerting. And then, the corner of his lip lifted in that sexy, self-satisfied way that he had at times. The same look he earned the 'Dr Smexy' title from upon meeting. "I am best for her. He should know it. So what does this mean for us, Bella? He can't come back for her at some point if he changes his mind?"

"What it means it that we can make it completely legal. You can adopt her and be her father in every way. If that's something you want…"

He let out a boisterous laugh that startled me. Then I was off my feet, in his arms and spinning around and around as he whooped in delight. "If that's something I want…" he teased. "Have we met? YES! I want to adopt my Sunshine. I want both of my Swan girls to be mine, legally, forever."

"I thought you might feel that way," I teased back. I could not look away from the gleam in his eyes. Before me, was truly the happiest man I'd ever known. A year ago, I never would have thought I could make someone this happy. Six months ago, had this day occurred, I would have felt that his joy was purely derived from having Juliet as his own. On this day, I looked up at the man I adored more than I ever thought possible and knew it was because of his Swan girls; both of us. Team Cullen all the way.

Muted sunlight swam across the room when my eyes pried open the next morning. The permanently etched smile on my face widened when I moved my right hand to my ring finger and found my engagement ring firmly in place. I hadn't dreamt it. And that probably meant I hadn't dreamt the hours of love-making either. All the hours I'd spent in those early days, fantasizing about the various ways I would have liked to do him – all the times I'd bit my lip so as not to scream out 'Just fuck me, Edward! Please!' – none of them were even remotely close to the perfection of our engagement night. In reality, Edward making love to me as he had was the most mind-blowing, multi-orgasmic experience ever.

I could never have imaged the depth of my love for him increasing as it had, and along with that came a comfort level that just let me completely relax and feel safe and adored and utterly aroused. I didn't have to hold back my stupid grunts. I felt no shame screaming his name (even when I called him Studward in the heat of the moment, not in jest) and those sloppy suction noises that were inevitable didn't make me giggle. Okay, I did that once, but Edward actually started it and even that felt romantic and right. I could make grunting, sloppy love with this man every day for the rest of my life and never be worried that I'd do something that would have him running from my bed and in turn, my life.

My hand crept over to get me some more of that as I rolled to face my very real Studward. It crept some more as I shimmied over, thinking he must be hugging the edge. This bed wasn't even as big as his massive fucking bed and I'd never lost him in that. Finally, I forced my eyes open once more and discovered I was alone.

"Edward!" My morning voice sounded frail.

"EDWARD!" Now panicked.

Untangling myself from the sheet, I threw on a t-shirt and rushed into the main room of our suite. Empty! Bathroom? I hadn't heard water running, but he had to be in there. All I faced was my own wide-eyed reflection in the mirror. Jesus, my hair had transformed into a rat's nest overnight. I patted it down and combed my fingers through it as my bladder indicated it had waited long enough. I filled my toothbrush with a strip of paste and stuck it in my mouth as I ran back to find some panties. Maybe some pants as well. I could hardly go running through the mountainside bare-assed looking for my beloved!

I bent over, digging through our combined pile of discarded clothes looking for his shirt to change into because I really, really needed his scent on me… even more than panties.

"Wow, I thought a mountain view in the morning was appealing. I definitely prefer this one." His liquid gold voice made my heart skip a few beats. The toothbrush fell from my mouth as I opened it to respond. His laughter made my heart race and suddenly I was in his arms and crying for no apparent reason.

He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head as I hung off his shoulders. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Y-you were gone!"

Prying me away slightly, he crouched down just enough to look into my eyes. "You didn't think I just left you here. Bella, I know you know better than that! I also know you love your sleep and so when I couldn't, I got up so I wouldn't disturb you. I went out on the balcony a couple of hours ago. And I just ran out to get us some coffee…"

"You could've left a note!" I protested.

His smirk stretched across his face. "Do you honestly think I brought Post-Its with me this weekend? I'm forgetful, not stupid!"

I pounded my fists into his chest as I chuckled against his neck. "I'm being stupid. I'm just… emotional. And hungry." My stomach growled in agreement. "You brought coffee?"

"Uh-huh. Real coffee. No decaf today."

"Wine, real coffee… you're too good to me." I stretched up to my toes to greet him properly. "Good morning, by the way. Last night was… gah!"

"Mmm…" His laugh seemed to get caught in his throat. "Yeah, ditto. So, um, what exactly were you doing when I walked in, bent over that way?"

My cheeks flushed as I bolted to retrieve my toothbrush and panties. "I was getting dressed. And looking for your shirt to put on."

His long legs only took three strides to be at my side. He took the panties out of my hand and tossed them over his shoulder. Grinning, he removed the shirt he was currently wearing before tugging my own over my head. He paused to admire for a moment before he helped me into his still-warm shirt. "This way, we'll have less to remove when breakfast is over."

I had to admit, I loved the way this man's brain worked. His body parts worked fabulously as well, but I could never marry and spend my entire life with an idiot just because he was hung and knew what to do with it. I patted my total package on his tight rump as we went to indulge our stomachs.

EPOV

I determined that my days of extensive planning – no, obsessive planning – were over. I'd been a planner all my life and until now, it had never paid off. In my mind, it wasn't having a specific plan drawn out that resulted in success, it was being with the proper person who had common goals. The environment and circumstances and timing meant nothing if you weren't on the same page. Bella and I were not only on the same page, but the same paragraph. We just had ridiculous ways of reading it out to each other and somehow, that made our relationship even more appealing. She kept me guessing, in a good way because I had complete faith in her. I had discovered that I liked the fact that I would never know how each event would turn out. I liked it a lot.

Sure, Plan Bella was falling into place as planned, but I wasn't stressed about timing anymore. Ironically, my relationship with Bella was fitting right into my original life plan. I did have the first baby I had wanted to have at the age of 30 – my Sunshine. And I would be married to the love of my life soon enough. Backwards, but a dream come true. I wasn't even stressing over the fact that I had no specifics for that event. I had faith that it would all fall into place as the rest had.

I glanced over at Bella in the passenger seat as she snorted, her sleep disturbed by a bump in the road. Her eyes flew open. "I just snorted, didn't I?"

I grinned, turning my eyes back to the road. "You did. Good thing you're already wearing my ring. I'd never have proposed to a sleep-snorter."

She shifted her body to turn towards me. I took another glance over and saw her staring back with an adoring smile. "Yes you would. I do much worse and you still love me. I don't know why, but you do. My stupid boobs ruled me for how many months? You endured. And I don't know how you put up with my mood swings – I've been a total weirdo since we met, and you kept coming for more. I keep getting glimpses of the old me coming back, but I don't know when I'll feel balanced again. I'm not usually this emotional, you know."

"Hmm. I can't be certain since I didn't know the old you, but I'd bet you always were. You just have a different release now. Your reactions have changed even since I have known you."

"How?"

"You erupt."

"Erupt?" She snorted, awake.

"Yes. Before, you used to fidget and blurt, now you erupt. Whether it's tears or anger or god help me, an impromptu blow job that comes out, you don't have that hesitation you used to exhibit. I tend to think the old you held in a lot. I'm glad this you feels safe showing me everything." I reached across to brush my finger on her cheek when I heard her sniffling. "What you don't realize is that you have changed, Bella. You've been in a continuous cycle of change for the past year and a half. You've experienced new things and learned more about yourself. You also give more of yourself – to Juliet, to me… Bella, is being different from who you were a bad thing?"

"It is when I'm a blubbering idiot," she snickered. "I used to be a blabbering idiot. See the difference? Not in control either way, but at least my nose didn't run when I babbled."

"You still babble, don't worry about that honey." I waited for the slap I knew was coming before I laughed. "Just so you know, while you were snoozing away there, I was thinking about how different I am from a year ago too. It's kind of scary… going through changes and not knowing what's in store for you down the road, but in a way, it's exhilarating. I can't wait to see how we turn out. I almost wish we had a magical looking glass so we could peer ahead and see ourselves in our golden years."

"You'll be bald."

"Ah, back to blurting?" I teased.

"No. Not a blurt - a prediction. You tug on your hair too much when you're stressed. We'll have a teenaged daughter to raise in the future. You'll be bald."

I felt my eyes watering, partly from laughter but mostly letting it sink in… I would have a teenaged daughter someday. Lord help me. "Okay, I'll be bald. And you'll still be beautiful. Will we have grandchildren? How many, do you think?"

"Eight," she replied instantly.

I let out a whistle. "Don't even mention that to Juliet until she's 30. She'll be a busy woman."

"Oh they won't all be hers."

My eyebrow lifted in interest. This wasn't the first time she had mentioned us having a baby together, but it was the first time as an engaged couple and so soon after the unexpected disappointed I'd felt when I didn't get to utilize the home pregnancy kit. It got my baby urges in full drive once more. "So, future Mrs. Cullen," I began. "How many kids do we want – really?"

"No point in wasting any of the rooms we've got. Do you agree?"

My grin could not be contained. The idea of having a house full of kids – our kids, thrilled me. "Valid point. Won't it be awesome to watch Juliet with another baby? Have you noticed how she drags that rag doll around with her everywhere now? She holds it like a baby too… well, when she's not chewing on it." We both let out a good laugh, picturing the sad looking toy hanging from her mouth as she smiled around it in her crib.

"I'd kind of like to have another one soon. I'd like them to be close, like you and Rosalie."

"Yeah?" I grinned. My heart felt like it was swollen up into my throat. "You do remember how insane my parents were… we're really close in age. And Juliet's already 9 months old."

"Yep. I'm aware."

Thump. Thump. I could feel the pulses in my throat. "You don't want to be married first?" I glanced over to catch her shrug. "I think Charlie would appreciate that more."

She laughed and stroked my leg. "The sun rises from and sets in your ass for Charlie, don't you know? He'll be fine. That said, I don't want to mess up any plan you've got formulated in that beautiful head of yours, so if you're set on waiting, we'll wait. We'll just have baby number three right after baby number two. Juliet would be a little older… Fun! Either way, I'm not going to go on the pill. We haven't exactly been diligent with birth control anyway and this weekend we were really reckless. I think we should let what happens, happen. Plan to not plan our first. What do you think?"

My head was spinning. This probably wasn't the best conversation to be having whilst driving, but I wasn't about to put an end to it. "I have nothing firmed. In fact, I'm very flexible on dates. It takes, what… a week or two to get a marriage licence? I can pick up the forms tomorrow…" Keep it light, I thought. Don't get over-excited when you should be focusing on the road.

"You're working tomorrow. I'll pick them up."

I risked another glance over. Fuck! She wasn't joking! I held up one finger as I surveyed my options ahead. There was an exit in 1 mile. I took it and pulled into the nearest gas station. "Seriously? You want to do this right away? Bella, I'm all for it, if you are. I mean, we can start planning right away – I'm sure Rosalie and Alice will lend a hand. It's just bookings that will be an issue. Finding the right place with an opening in under a year may be a challenge."

"I don't care about a big wedding, do you?"

I gazed at her intently. Did she really not care about the big walk down the aisle and the glamorous reception, the flowers and the cake... "No?" I responded, uncertainly.

"You do! Ack! Edward, of course you do! I'm sorry…" She smacked her forehead and reached for my hand.

"I don't! Me? I really don't care. I'd like to have our closest family and friends there with us, but the rest of it? Honestly, I can do without it. Or, I could have it and it would be great! Whatever you want, Bella. It should be about you. Guys… we don't give a shit. We're really just along for the ride, waiting for the wedding night. I only know that the girls I grew up with dreamt of their magical wedding day from the time they were little and I don't want you to miss out on that if you ever wanted that too."

She released my hand and covered her face. Shit. I'd said something wrong. I waited it out, afraid to make it worse.

Finally, she took her hands away and faced me. "Edward… One day of pomp and fluff and people fussing over us won't make my dreams come true. I'm living my dream. Now. Right here. With you. On our way home to see our daughter. I don't need a magical wedding day. I have a magical life."

I pulled her abruptly into my arms, smacking my elbow off her head as I did. We laughed together as I muttered apologies and kissed it better. "This never would have happened in the Fox. Just saying…"

"Oh just shut up and kiss me."

I did.

"And marry me."

I kissed her again, in silent agreement.

"Soon."

I inched back. "What is the rush, Bella?"

"Edward…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. I scrunched down in my seat, still leaning over towards her, to make certain I could hear her. "I think… this weekend… the way… ugh!" She fluttered her hands and groaned her frustration. "Why can't I just get it out?"

"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere until you say what you have to say."

Her smile made my heart flutter just like her hands. "I believe in fate, Edward. I don't know if you do, and I never did before, but this past year has made me see things differently. It's weird… I used to think that fate meant you had no control - but I feel completely in control and yet… something guided us together and it feels right. I didn't plan it, manipulate it, do anything different and here you are. The right place at exactly the right time and I can't imagine life without you."

My thumb stroked the back of her hand as she spoke. Her dialog was rushed at times, and hesitant at others but I hung on every word. "You've made me a believer, too," I whispered in response.

Encouraged, she turned sideways in her seat and her face lit up. "Here's the thing… I've been waiting for the perfect time to ask you to officially be Juliet's dad. And then you arranged this great, romantic weekend and handed me the perfect opportunity. But you had your own agenda – a wonderful agenda that fit exactly into what mine was. We never knew what each other had planned, but they go together. It's like we're reading from the same script, but only had our own lines, not each other's - and we nailed it in the first take, without a single read-through. We just mesh. And I think we have to go with it."

I smirked in amusement at her heartfelt blurt and I couldn't resist teasing her, just a bit. "So, fate will bite us in the ass if we don't rush this through?"

Her eyes filled with tears. Dammit! I embraced her at once.

"Ohhh! Bella, it was a joke! A stupid joke… I was just teasing you. Our fate is already decided, honey. It's not going to change. We won't let it."

"You've been everything to us, Edward. You have no idea. And I think…" She sniffle-snorted and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "You deserve to be a dad. You already are – a great one. I just need you to feel secure that it's always going to be that way. If we're married, we can get Harry to zip through the adoption process and Juliet is ours – yours and mine, alone. Forever. So you never have to look over your shoulder or wonder again what would happen if he…"

"Shhh… you don't have to say it. I'm fine, you know. You don't have to rush into anything on my account. I'm dealing. I can continue to deal for however long it takes to make Juliet my legal daughter."

"I don't want you to have to deal! You are her daddy! You're her everything. And the sooner we make it legal, the sooner we can seal our fate."

I gave that some really deep thought. Would she regret not having a traditional wedding in exchange for offering me this gift? "Bella, are you really sure?"

"About marrying you? Or you being Juliet's dad? Look, neither biology nor I made you her dad – fate did. I'm doing my part, keeping control, because honestly… I'm insane. I want to be a doctor's wife." Her smug look took over for Weepy Bella. "Not just any doctor's wife. A fucking smexy one. With a really big heart and big… you know…" I laughed at her comical wink. "Since you fit those requirements and my daughter has already claimed you - I think, Dr. Cullen, we have no choice but to get married. ASAP. Are you in?"

"I'm so fucking in! Name the time and place. Fate will be there waiting for us."