The Engagement Part II

Edward's POV:

These past two weeks have been shitty, but that's nothing compared to the last few days. If comparing the two, it was like walking through the park.

Ever since we arrived here in Italy, which was only the day before yesterday, my father and Nonno haven't stopped talking about our return to Stateside.

Isa seems to have closed herself off since she spoke to all of us, and then to Es and Sully.

Fuck, if they told her about what we told them, then we're all fucked. There is no way any one of us will ever be trusted again. Even if she does, by some miracle, still love us all.

Everything seemed to be heading to hell!

First she shoots me as soon as she fucking sees me! Then let's not forget this morning when she almost shot me again when I tried to speak to her, though that was my own damn fault for not heading Jasper's warning. Fucker knows her better than I do now. Now, I was fucking torn.

Did I really want to do this? Fuck. I fucking hate this situation. I hate our family. Why couldn't we be one of those normal families? You know, the ones with normal jobs, and lives? The ones who are happily engaged, then married, and don't have the pressure of traditions hanging over their heads?

I was torn between protecting her, and stop this, to get her out of this damn situation, and my own selfish need to fix everything, the past included.

Right after the women left, my brothers and I took one of the rentals into town.

I didn't want to go, I was too sore, tired, and to be honest, really fed up with all of my familyamd their fucking constant, overbearing meddling. Isa was right, though I'll never verbalize it, this family was taking liberties that weren't theirs to take...and that shit was starting to cause me problems.

We ended up going to a small family owned jewelry store, Piero's, who happened to be a family friend, not too far from the Swantorinis home.

An old man by the name of Piero Blanchi met us at the door. Though aged, his eyes held a juvenile gleam in his dark eyes.

He led us through the small store, letting us admire the jewelry that was on display. Rows and rows of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Some sets, others a unique piece alone.

He soon led us to the wedding and engagement rings. Asking simple questions, making small suggestions as we pass each display case. I looked and looked at ring after ring, set upon set and began to feel disappointed.

None seemed like anything Isa would like, or would wear. I began to wonder if I would find the right ring for her when my eyes landed on the perfect ring.

It was a three carat, white gold, flower ring. The three carat diamond was placed in the middle of two flowers on either side of the diamond, each flower had half a carat placed in the middle of them.

There is a matching eternity band next to it. Perfect.

Jasper convinced me to buy a simple platinum band for myself, which I end up doing before he goes to check out the necklaces with Emmett.

The whole transaction takes a fifteen minutes before we all walk out, with a bag in our hands.

As we were walking to a different store to buy something else, I ran into one of the last people that I thought I would.

How is it possible? Am I imagining this?

"Jazz...did you just...see?" I ask.

But it's not Jazz who answers it's Em. "What the fuck?!"

"We have to go. Now."

We all watch as a person we thought to be dead for the seven years.

How is this possible? Were we mistaken? God I hoped so, if not, the shit was about to hit the fan.

"Let's go home, we need to tell dad what we just saw." Jasper says as Aro drags a shaking Emmett to the car.

Upon arriving we all rush out and find the men to tell them what we all just saw, deciding to keep this from the women, for now. Along with sending someone to confirm our suspicions.

When it was confirmed that what we saw was true, we did the only logical thing that we could think of, we let Nonna and Mr. Swantorini sent out a search party for them. Now, only questions lingered.

It distracted me from everything. Even the proposal.

See, I had had this long speech planned for the proposal but my mind blanked out when my eyes landed on her. The dress looked like it was fucking painted onto her scrumptious, delecatable body. I find myself being redundantly repetitive as I describe her in that dress, because she looks breathtaking, and I can't find the will to peel my eyes away from her delicate, curvy form… as I try to, all conscious thoughts fly out of my mind.

Leaving me to fend for myself.

I panicked when we were outside, and felt everyone's eyes on us as we stood looking at the star-filled sky.

I was trying to tell her how much it meant for her to trust me, that I loved her, that I would give my life for her but a garbled and mess, and half ass proposal. She didn't deserve that type of proposal. Hell, I don't fucking deserve her.

Fucking hell, how am I ever going to make it up to her? How do I even begin?

I know she's only accepted because she wants to fulfill her Nani's last request. I could see how much pain it was causing her to lose yet another family member. It was killing me that I couldn't take the pain away from her.

When I see the pain in her eyes as I slip on the ring, I whisper that we would figure this out, and I will be doing my damnedest too. I have to find a way to free her. Even if it kills me.

Now how do I tell that the parents she has grieved over for the past seven years are alive and well? Fuck, she is going to blow a gasket. I just hoped I didn't end up as a fucking target or a fucking pin cushion.

Seeing as I am rather attached to my balls.