Innocent Until Proven Guilty Chapter 22

"Marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me. I don't know about you but I don't want to be with anyone else. I want everything you just said, I feel everything you just said. Marry me Isabella, spend the rest of your life with me." He began lowering himself down on one knee but I was in too much shock to stop him or even say anything.

This is definitely not how I thought today was going to go down. I mean we were literally arguing not 5 minutes ago and now he wants me to marry him?

"Edward do you realise what you're saying?" Surely this is some sort of dream, right?

"Yes, I know perfectly well what I'm saying. I fucking love you so much, I don't ever want to lose you. I want you to have my family's name. I want to be bound to you for life because I'm only ever going to do this once, and that's with you." He pulled me closer by the hand to the point where my thighs were touching his chest. We're both still as naked as the day we were born and Edward has the biggest smile on his face as he's looking up at me.

I meant every word I said to him earlier, he is it for me.

"Yes" I uttered quietly whilst looking into his emerald eyes.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" My voice rose louder and louder and suddenly, I was off the floor as he swept me off my feet and spun me around the small room. I couldn't hold in my laughter at how crazy this is and at how happy I am right now. I felt like my love for him grew 100 times more just now.

Our lips crashed together as he continued to hold me in his arms. We were both smiling into the kiss and I wanted nothing more than to run away to Vegas and elope.

"I can't believe this!" I couldn't control my excitement as the realisation was setting in.

"Believe it angel! I'm sorry I haven't got a ring for you but I promise you, I will get a ring on that finger of yours before you know it. How long should we wait before I can get you in that white dress and call you my wife?" God, just hearing him call me his wife was making the butterflies in my stomach kick up a storm. My cheeks were starting to hurt from how much I was smiling.

"I don't think I'll be able to wait too long before I can call you my husband. Oh my god! I can't believe this. I never thought I'd be getting married so soon. I thought we would do more shit together and then maybe settle down. Gosh this is all happening so quick. It's the right thing to do though right?" Panic was starting to set in. What if we start resenting each other? What if we jumped into it too soon? I always told myself that if I ever got married, I would only do it once. I would do everything in my power to make my marriage work if shit happened to hit the fan. Even back when mom tried to set me up with her country club hussy sons, I swore I would try my hardest to make it work.

"It feels right Bella. Living by some sort of timeline never fit in with us. This feels so fucking good baby, I've never been more sure of anything in my life. We can still do all the shit you want to do, we'll just be doing them as husband and wife. Bella do you realise that us being married makes you untouchable? The Families all live by a code, wives and children cannot be harmed. Do you know what a relief it is knowing you'll always be safe?" I saw his eye glisten slightly with unshed tears and I don't think I've ever seen such raw emotion in him before.

My safety has always been the cause of most of our arguments. The realisation at what he was saying felt like the constant sword over my head was finally being lifted.

Today has been such a whirlwind of emotions, I didn't bother holding back the tears this time.

"Please baby no more tears." He tried to wipe them but they kept on coming.

"Happy tears Edward, I promise." I leaned forward so I could kiss him and he met me half way. I opened my mouth so his tongue could caress mine and moaned at the taste of him. He was my addiction and I have no plans of giving him up.

Alice and Jasper's quick engagement didn't seem so crazy now. I definitely don't want to steel their thunder with this, I'm happy to wait until after their wedding before we announce anything or actually get married.

"My dad is going to kill you." I suddenly said as I pulled back. Oh god, he's going to kill us both once he finds out.

"I'm not scared of your father Bella. He can't do shit. You're an adult and you can make your own decisions. He's just going to have to accept it. I don't care if he disapproves of me. As long as you still want him in your life, I can play nice." He said it with finality. Edward is right, we'll just cross that bridge when we get to it.

"When can we tell everyone?" He was so giddy with excitement; I almost didn't want to tell him I'd rather we wait.

"About that…do you mind if we announce it after Alice and Jasper's wedding? I really don't want it to overshadow their day. Its only a couple more weeks and we'll be flying out to Vegas to celebrate our best friends. Then we can tell the whole world if you want." I beamed at him; my excitement written all over my face.

"Ok I guess I can wait. Just so you know, my mom will know something's up though." He smirked at me and then carried me out of the bathroom and back into his room where he laid me down on the bed. He stepped back and grabbed my ankles, before I could blink, he had me flipped over onto my stomach and he dragged me down to the edge of the bed.

"All I want now is to bury my cock deep inside you and hear you scream my name." He whispered against my ear as he wrenched my head back by my hair and closer to his mouth, making my back arch.

"Oh fuck-" I managed to utter as he entered me from behind, his pelvis smacking loudly against my ass in the process.

Thank god we're on the third floor.

Because damn that feels good.

-o-

After a second shower where we still couldn't keep our hands off each other, we finally made our way back downstairs in search for Esme and Carlisle. Edward's hands were constantly on my ass as we walked around the house looking for his parents and I didn't have the heart in me to tell him to behave. He looked so peaceful and carefree, I wanted to bottle it all up as long as I can before we're hit with anything else. Let's face it, it hasn't been easy for us from the get go.

First it was Felix, who has now been dealt with.

Then there was my old English professor Michael, who's status I don't know actually. Edward and I never spoke about him since that night. I wonder what happened there?

Last but not least, Hunter, still someone I've never met but has taken an interest in me. But I'm just a pawn in his fucked up plan to get back what is owed to him.

Right now, I didn't want to think about any of that. I want to bask in the fact that Edward has proposed to me. Not the way I had imagined it but I wouldn't change it for the world. It seems like raw emotions bring us closer together. We let each other know what we're really feeling in the heat of it all but I guess that's just us and how we work.

Edward was relentless with his groping and I found myself caged against a wall as his body covered me. His hands roamed up and down my waist whilst his lips left a wet trail down my neck. My clit continued to pulse for him, it hadn't stopped since our second shower to be honest. One thing for sure though, I wasn't going to let him get carried away out in the open like this. We had to at least try and be respectful in his parent's house.

He was just about to put his hand up my top when Esme spoke out of nowhere.

"There you two are. Bella sweetie I hope you're feeling better. Edward your father wants you in the office, I can keep Bella company whilst you go…play." She was glaring at him but in a playful way. I was sure my face had turned beet red with embarrassment at getting caught like that.

I really didn't want Esme to think I was a hussy. She doesn't need a front row seat to our sex life.

Edward slyly pressed himself against me before backing away as he walked backwards towards Esme. The bulge in his jeans was very evident and I hope he wasn't going to turn around and let Esme see it.

"Take good care of her mom. She's special." He manoeuvred passed Esme and turned a corner before she could see that snake between his legs.

My gaze remained on the corner he just turned to as I tried to clear my head from the Edward fog.

"It's a Cullen thing, you'll get used to it." Esme teased as she wound her arm through mine and led me back into the kitchen. Our drinks were refilled and I sat at the breakfast bar again and waited for Esme and their housekeeper Carmen to finish discussing dinner ideas for tonight. It looked like Edward and I were staying.

"Bella dear are you hungry?" Esme turned to face me.

"I'm fine thank you Esme. I'll wait for dinner." I beamed at her. It was either the great sex, our engagement or the wine but I was feeling fine as hell, and so god damned happy I could burst.

"Ok follow me then, let me show you pictures of Edward when he was a baby, you're gonna want a little clone of him once you see them!" She grabbed another whole bottle of wine and I jumped off the high stool and followed her into a living room that looked more lived in than the lavish one I got a peak into earlier whilst Edward and I were looking for Carlisle and Esme.

I got comfortable on the sofa whilst Esme walked over to the cabinet and pulled out two large photo albums. I felt a warm feeling inside as she sat next to me and scooted closer. Esme mirrored my position and giggled like a little girl as she opened the first album and placed it between us so I could see it clearly. The first picture was of baby Edward asleep in a basinet, his cherub face turned to the side as sunlight through the window luminated his angelic sleeping face.

"This was the first day we brought him home. He was such a calm baby; I wouldn't let him out of my sight for a second. I kept checking to see if he was breathing constantly because he hardly made any noise. After the miscarriages before he came along, I was a nervous wreck that something might happen to him. I thought god had an evil plan for me and would never let me be a mother…" She trailed off as she ran her index finger down and around his little face. My heart broke for the pain her and Carlisle must have gone through before Edward.

I laid my head on her shoulder in support and she turned to the next page. It was a picture of a younger Carlisle with a sleeping Edward on his chest. He looked more like the Carlisle from what I remember when I was little. Edward's mouth was open and his little cheek was pressed lovingly against Carlisle's chest as Carlisle kissed the top of his head.

"These pictures are beautiful Esme, did you have a professional photographer at your beck and call?" I teased and my head bounced on her shoulder as she laughed.

"No baby girl, I took these. It was a hobby of mine. I've got a whole box of pictures that didn't make the album cut where I documented pretty much every day of Edward's life until he wouldn't let me take any more." She laughed at what was probably a fond memory.

I could just imagine, a young Edward no longer wanting to have his picture taken because he thought it was lame.

She carried on flicking though the pages and like she said, she captured almost every stage of his baby years. There were pictures of first Christmas and birthday. Pictures of family gathering and parties where both Carlisle and Edward wore matching tuxedos. I was sure that one caused my ovaries to weep at how cute it was. Esme was right, I'm looking forward to having my own mini Edward one day.

There were pictures of Edward doing random and silly things as he was growing up, it looked like he was always up to something. We both laughed and cried as we looked through them.

There was one particular picture of Edward in what looked like private school uniform. He wore little camel coloured shorts with white socks and a navy and maroon jacket with the school's emblem on it. In the picture he was pulling on the tie and his front teeth were missing. My heart melted at the sight of him and I wished he was here with me.

The last picture in the first album was of a much older Edward, I'd say he was about 10 or 11 and I could see he was starting to hate the pictures being taken because he hardly smiled anymore in the last few.

"Oh no, I've seen that face before." I laugh as I bring the album closer to get a better look.

"Ah yes, this is when he would no longer smile for the camera or let me take them. I had to get creative with capturing them from then on, you'll see what I mean in the next album." Esme put the first album on the coffee table and then reached for the wine bottle and topped our glasses up.

We cheered and she told me a few more stories about Edward when he was little, how she tied little mitts to his hands when he got chickenpox because he wouldn't stop scratching them. He told her he didn't care that it would scar, he said all big boys had scars and he wanted them too. My heart swelled just hearing all these stories about him. I felt like I was getting to know him better.

The first picture in the second album had a gloomy looking Edward as Esme and Carlisle stood behind him with their hands on his shoulders, posing for a family picture. He had the tell-tale look of someone not wanting to smile because they had braces. I've been there myself so I know that look fairly well.

"The brace faze." I said quietly and Esme burst into laughter.

"Yes! How did you know?" She continued to laugh as she threw her head back on the sofa and turned her head to look at me.

"Believe it or not, I wasn't born with these straight pearly whites like I like people to think." I winked at her and took a big gulp of my wine before giving her a toothy grin. She made me feel so at ease, the way a mother is supposed to make you feel.

"God he hated them, and us for making him wear them. He was a cheeky little shit though, he had Nonna wrapped around his little finger and every time he had them tightened, he turned into a baby and she loved to mother him, made him his favourite soft foods so it wouldn't hurt to eat, because god forbid if her Edward Anthony didn't eat because his teeth hurt." We both started cackling like hyenas, I had literal tears running down my face from laughter. The wine was definitely getting to my head.

We carried on flicking through the album and I watched as Edward got older, the glimmer in his eyes was slowly disappearing the further we flicked. His features hardened, he shot up overnight and there were less and less pictures of him smiling. There were pictures of both him and Jasper playing video games, pictures of Edward and Emmett wrestling in the garden, pictures of all three boys turning into men as they stood by the front door in suits. I guessed it was prom night. Emmett wore sunglasses and tried to act cool whilst Edward looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Jasper looked at ease like he usually does as he had his arm slung around Edward's shoulders.

There were no girls in those pictures and I wondered whether the guys went to pick them up.

God if I had known Edward back then, I wouldn't have lost my v card to him on prom night for sure. I was positive he had girls eating out the palm of his hands that night. He had lost all traces of baby face and was starting to look like the Edward I know now.

"God he must have been a heartbreaker back then." I thought out loud and Esme snorted.

"He was, I had girls' mothers constantly calling me asking why Edward hadn't called their daughters back. Girls would turn up at the house asking for him, there were even a few fights right outside our doorstep because more than once, two to three girls at a time would show up looking for Casanova only to realise he was seeing all of them at the same time." The mental imagine was amusing and I couldn't blame them.

"I'm sure you've noticed how quick Edward grew up in these pictures, how little he would smile and the spark in his eyes had gone. I never thought I'd ever see that spark return until you came along. Bella you don't know the change we see in him. He's a completely different man, you make him so happy sweetheart. He rung the house phone in the middle of the night one day and I thought the worst had happened but he called to let us know he met someone and he was shit scared of messing it up. He wanted to have a chat with Carlisle, you know man-to-man, but Carlisle had put the phone on loud speaker instead so I heard everything. God sweetheart I don't know what you did but he was head over heels in awe of you. I don't know if he even realised it was love he was feeling. I know he has never been in love so that's probably why he panicked. He was talking a mile a minute, warring with himself about what he should do, should he let you go or run after you. He wanted to keep you safe. He thought he doesn't deserve a girl like you, that you wouldn't want to be caught up in this life. He wouldn't even tell us your name for Christ sake." She laughed and nudged my shoulder.

"I so badly wanted to tell him he should trust his gut feeling and just go with it but he didn't know I was listening in. But Carlisle told him exactly that. He asked if Edward trusts you and he said he did, but couldn't understand why. Carlisle told him that when the right woman comes along, you want to share your everything with her, you would do anything and everything to make sure she's safe. I'm going to try my hardest and not meddle, but I really hope to call you my daughter one day." Her voice broke and when I looked up, her eyes were glossy with tears as they darted to my left hand quickly before she looked back at me. I wondered if she knew, or suspected something.

I very nearly blurted it out but we were interrupted by Edward who strolled over to us and placed a kiss on our foreheads before he sat on the coffee table in front of us. He kept looking between us both and our watery eyes and then at the photo albums beside us.

"Oh no, what have I just walked into?" He groaned and dropped his head into his hands which made Esme and I laugh, we laughed harder than was appropriate but that was probably the wine more than anything.

"I was just showing Bella your scrawny ass when you were little." Esme teased as she regained her composure and took one more swing of wine as she stood up and ran her fingers through Edward's hair.

"You should get a trim." She mumbled before patting his shoulder and walking out of the living room, saying something about checking on dinner.

And then we were left alone again.

I couldn't stop the smile on my face from spreading as I looked at him. His hair was getting a little long but I like it, it was something to grab onto as he rocked my world.

"I take it we're staying for dinner." He said as he moved forward and rested his hands on my knees in front of him. I just nodded as I placed my hands on top of his.

"Who did you take to prom?" I asked as I tilted my head to the side. He rolled his eyes and then glanced at the still open photo album.

"I think her name was Stacey, or maybe it was Emily, fuck baby I don't know I can't remember. There were a lot of girls…at the time…" He at least looked embarrassed about it but I couldn't help but laugh as it confirmed what Esme was saying.

"Would you have fucked me at the back of your car if we'd gone to prom together?" I asked.

"Would you have let me?" He asked back and tilted his head to the side eyeing me up like I was his next meal.

"Fuck yeah, I would have let you do anything you wanted. You're a dangerous creature Edward Cullen." I teased and bit my bottom lip as my eyes travelled down his body.

"If we would have known each other back then, there wouldn't have been any other girls Bella, I hope you know that. You're like a wet dream personified. And now I get to keep you and someday soon call you my wife." He said it quietly in case anyone was in earshot. I leaned forward and captured his lips in mine. My kiss was hungry and I poured everything that I was feeling right this second into it. I wanted to get lost in him again and I wished more than anything to get him on this sofa and climb on top of him.

"Fuck Edward I want you." I moaned against his lips and saw him palm his cock and shift a little.

"I can't wait to get you home and fuck you again." He whispered against my lips and then took my bottom lip in between his.

"Kids dinner's ready." Esme's voice rang out from somewhere and we pulled apart.

"We'll finish this later." He grunted out as we stood up.

"Promise?" I teased and laughed as he smacked my ass before he threw his arm around my shoulders and we walked into the dining room to find Esme and Carlisle already sat at the table.

Edward pulled my chair out for me and then sat next to me, he reached out to grab a serving of food but Esme smacked his hand away and I swear he nearly growled and said "What the fuck ma?"

"Wait for Jasper and Emmett." She scolded him and then turned to look at the said men as they both walked into the dining room. Emmett held an icepack to his crotch whilst Jasper's hand was covered in gauze and he had a small cut on his forehead. They both walked over and kissed the top of my head before they sat opposite Edward and I. I didn't even realise they were here. I wondered what had happened to Emmett as he winced when he sat down and continued to keep the ice pack on his crotch.

"Now that you're all here, please put your guns and phones on the tray in front of you so we can have a peaceful dinner for once." She gave them all a bitch brow and I watched as 4 huge men grumbled and pulled guns from the back of their trousers and placed it on a silver tray followed by their phones. I had no idea where my phone was so I didn't follow suit.

They were all mumbling something underneath their breath and I tried extremely hard not to laugh. Edward once again tried to reach out for the food but Esme smacked his hand away again.

"I'm not an idiot Edward Anthony, the other one too, you too Jasper, I know about the one strapped to your ankle." She took no shit from these boys and I want to be her when I grow up. A laugh escaped me and five sets of eyes shot to look at me. Both Carlisle and Esme were smiling at me whilst the other three had their eyebrows quirked up in question.

"Is no one going to ask me to put my gun away too?" I have no idea what made me say this.

"Are you carrying angel?" Edward asked in amusement.

"Since these rules don't seem to apply to me, I guess you'll never know." I winked at him and the whole table burst into laughter.

"Ok everyone, dig in." Were Carlisle's final words before chaos ensued as the boys fought over food, even though there was plenty to go around.

I was basking in what feels like a strong family dynamic, something I've never been a part of. Most of the time I ate my dinners alone the older I got as mom and dad had dinner parties and other events to go to. Sitting right here right now, I vowed to myself that I will always make sure to be at home for dinner time with my own family.

-o-

"Drive home safe ok? Emmett give Rose my love and bring her round next time. Jasper, please let Alice know that the dress designer is in town tomorrow if she wants to meet her. And you two, please take care of each other. I love you all." Esme hugged me one more time before we all piled into Jasper's car.

I sat at the back with Edward, my hand clutched tightly in his as I rested my head against his shoulder.

Emmett bitched and moaned that his dick hurt and I shook my head as he once again recalled that he got kneed in the balls by some 'punk kid'.

"You won't be able to go near Rose with a sore dick Em, you might as well sleep on the couch." I mumbled through a yawn. I was absolutely shattered and I couldn't wait to crawl into bed.

"Ha ha very funny Bella. For your information, I can make Rosie feel good without using my dick." He boasted and then stuck his tongue out at me and wiggled it for emphasis.

"Ew gross Em, I didn't need to know that." I covered my eyes and the guys laughed at me.

We dropped Emmett off first and then Jasper dropped us at the club. We bid him goodnight and made our way inside. It was a weird but nice feeling knowing I'll never have to see Felix again. Edward actually took a key out to open the door and it threw me a little.

"Is no one here tonight?" I wondered.

"It was supposed to be Felix but you know what happened there and Seth can't do tonight. Don't worry baby, we'll be fine." He kissed my temple and then locked the door behind us once we stepped through. There was a steady thump as the music vibrated through the walls whilst we walked to the elevator.

Once the metal box opened up and we stepped through, I was leaning my whole weight against Edward for support. He wrapped his arms around me and we reached his floor in no time. The apartment was illuminated by moonlight as it shone through the huge windows to the point where we didn't even need to turn the lights on.

We walked into the bedroom and started stripping. There were no more words exchanged between us as we climbed into bed and into each other's arms. I lay with my head on his chest, trying to match my breathing with Edward's. His hand was lazily trailing up and down my arm and I was on the brink of falling asleep when he spoke.

"120." Was all he said.

"Huh?" I asked incoherently.

"120, that's my number." He didn't elaborate and he didn't need to. I understood what he was telling me.

Wow. It definitely wasn't a number I had thought it could be.

"Okay."

"Okay? Bella I had-"

"Edward, it's okay. It's okay." I repeated as I leant up and kissed his lips. He continued to stare at me but I wasn't going to say anything else about it. That number doesn't change how I feel about him in the slightest.

I kissed his chest where his heart is and laid my head on it again.

"I love you baby." I mumbled as the rhythm of his heart was lulling me to sleep.