Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight…

A/N: Ok, so I finished the insert mentioned a few chapters ago (It tags onto the end of chapter thirty…) P.M me if you want to read it I'll be more than happy to send it to you (asking for it in your review works too) but be warned it's not exactly my normal rated T area… anyways sorry it took me a little for this chapter, but I think you will like it…its quick… Read. Enjoy. Review…

Bridges

Chapter Thirty Eight – The Beach House

Isabella Swan

I woke up a week after Carter was born, cuddled up to Carlisle as Carter slept on his chest. We had had a bit of a rough night, and the only way, come to find out around two that morning, that Carter was going to fall asleep was if Carlisle held him. Carlisle was already awake and he leaned down and kissed my forehead lightly as Carter gurgled, announcing that he too was awake.

"Good morning, my beautiful," said Carlisle, "I have something planned for us today, so I was wondering what your thoughts were about leaving Carter with your mother and Rosalie for today and tomorrow."

My mother hadn't gone back to Jacksonville since the baby was born. She was staying in the guest room and helping us adjust to the baby, she was going to stay until Carlisle started at the hospital and then I would be on my own, with Rosalie to help me after school while Carlisle was working. I wasn't so keen on leaving Carter with anyone for longer than a few hours just yet.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, kissing his shoulder as I took Carter from him and cradled the baby in my arms as I adjusted so I was leaning against the headboard.

"Well part of my inheritance from my uncle was a beach house – mansion – in Malibu," said Carlisle, "I want to take you there for the weekend, and it's a two hour flight, one that I don't think Carter would fair well with."

"Oh," I said, quickly deciding that, by the look on Carlisle's face he really wanted to go, I would deal with it, "Ok, he should be fine with Renee right?"

"He will be," said Carlisle with a smile as he leaned down and kissed me.

Leaving Carter was more traumatic than I had even imagined, but I was looking forward to spending the night with only Carlisle again. Carter, being to young to understand that we were leaving him there for much longer than he would think, just sat there in Rosalie's arms smiling while we said our good byes in the driveway.

"There should be enough bottles in the fridge and remind mom that he prefers to sleep cuddled with someone instead of in the crib or basinet," I said as Carlisle loaded up the car, "And if the bottles run out there's enough formula to last a month in the cabinet, and the diapers are all under the changing table in his room. He likes you to sing to him when he can't sleep and if you have any problems, I know Carlisle told you to only call in an emergency, but call if you need anything…"

"I know," said Rosalie politely as Carlisle came up behind me and rested his hands on my hips.

"And his pacifier is in our bedroom, in the basinet at the foot of the bed," I said, "But only if he needs it…"

"I think she's got it, Bella, sweetie," said Carlisle, "They've both been living here, with the routine, they've got it covered. Carter will be fine."

"Okay," I said sadly as I kissed Carter's forehead and Carlisle did the same before we got in the car and Carlisle pulled away from the house.

"I'm sorry, we don't have to go," said Carlisle as we approached the airport, "I just wanted to bring you before I had to start work, and Carter's doing so well…"

"I know," I said as I let him wrap his arm around me and we went through security and boarded the plane.

Once the plane was up in the air I laid across the seat and put my head in Carlisle's lap for a nap. I hadn't slept well, seeing as Carter hadn't stopped crying until two, and we both slept the whole flight. The flight attendant had to come and wake us up so that I could put my seat belt back on so they could land the plane. We landed at around noon and Carlisle then drove out to the house. Which, he hadn't exaggerated on, it was enormous, beautiful, and right on the sand. Our first order of business when we got there was to go back to sleep, and we did in the master bedroom, which had a cute little balcony with a view of the water.

At around eight when the sun was out of the sky, Carlisle brought me out the front door, across the board walk, and onto the sand. We were in sweats, considering it was still December and even in Malibu it was relatively cold. He had set up a little picnic dinner on the sand. There was a small square of blanket, surrounded by torches for light. The light was just enough so that you could see on the blanket, but you could only hear the waves in the background. It was an extremely romantic scene as he led me by the hand over to it and sat down, pulling me down with him.

"Well, well, Carlisle," I said as he pulled out our dinner, he had expertly packed lasagna and he handed me one serving on a plate with a fork, "Aren't we going all out."

"Anything for you, my love," he said with a smile as he pulled out his own plate and we started to eat.

"Do you think Carter's ok?" I asked and Carlisle nodded as he swallowed.

"No news is good news, dear," he said sweetly, though I noticed in the dim light that he had remains of lasagna on his upper lip.

I started to move my hand up to wipe it off for him, but then I got the better I idea and leaned up and kissed it off of him, pulling away only when I was sure, a few times over, that it was gone. We ate the rest of out meal in peace and by the end our plates were back in the basket and I had myself propped up on my elbows listening to the waves hit the sand, totally out of my eye sight. Carlisle was propped up too, and had his arm around me as we sat there, and I wondered if he thought to pack desert.

"Bella?" He said without peeling his gaze away from the waves that we couldn't see.

"Yeah?" I said, not looking away from the sound either, but resting my head over on his chest and I shifted to lean on him rather than my elbows.

"Will you marry me?"

I was shocked, I had figured that he would ask soon after Carter was born, and had been waiting for it, but for some reason I hadn't even thought about it today. After I took a minute to take in what he said I turned around, intending to bring my mouth right to his, but he was holding a little open ring box and my attention faltered. The ring was beautiful. The carvings on the band were intricate and old fashioned, I could see that even by the light of the torches, and the diamond was a tasteful size, which made me feel a little relieved. I really had been hoping that he wouldn't go overboard on the ring.

"I knew you wouldn't want a huge rock on your hand for the rest of your life, so I went with something a little less," He said sweetly as he looked into my eyes, "So what do you say?"

"Yes," I said as though it were the most obvious thing on the planet, and he leaned down and kissed me before taking the ring out of the box and placing it on my finger, where it would stay.