Bella's POV
"Ready to go?" I asked as I stood in front of Edward grasping his large warm hands in my petite ones.
"Of course" he replied pecking my lips as I giggled.
Taking my hand we left the apartment and walked towards the elevator. Once inside Edward pressed the ground floor button and the doors closed. Once we felt the lift begin to move Edward wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me towards his body. I leaned into him smelling his cologne.
"I don't think I'm going to be able to keep my hands off of you all evening, your father may arrest me" Edward growled playfully kissing my head.
"Then don't" I winked grasping his suit jacket pulling him closer. I stared into his eyes and at the connection I lost concentration on what was around us. We were locked in each others intense gaze. A throat clearing interrupted us.
As I looked up I noticed the elevator doors had opened and George was stood greeting us with a small smile on his face.
"Well don't you two look like you just stepped off of the run way" George said as we exited the lift arm in arm.
"Thank you George" I replied grinning as Edward lead us through the lobby.
"Have fun tonight" he called as we exited the doors.
"Oh we will" Edward called out chuckling as he playfully patted my backside which was shaped in midnight blue silk.
As Edward held open the door of the taxi I slipped in him following soon after. As the car took off Edward pulled me into the crook of his arm. I turned my face up to his beaming.
"I can't wait to get you out on the dance floor tonight" Edward grinned taking my hand in his, interlacing our fingers.
"You may need to lace me with a few glasses of bubbles if that is the case" I laughed rolling my eyes.
"I don't know why you worry so much, you're a wonderful dancer. Anyway it is all in the leading, and I'll never let you fall."
"I've never wanted to dance at these parties, but tonight, with you I think I'll change my mind"
"Good"
Five minutes later we pulled up outside of the gala, couples were filtering in, all dressed in their best attire. Men in suits and women in dresses, some classier than others. But nobody was going to tear my eyes away from Edward.
As Edward opened my door his hand extended towards me and I gently stepped out ensuring I didn't trip over my dress. Once we stood together I took a deep breath and glance up to my rock.
"Ready?" Edward smiled.
"Let's go" I nodded. I knew if I had him, I would be fine.
...
The gala entrance was decorated beautifully. Fairy lights littered the archway and set out a pathway for people to walk along towards the main ballroom. Red carpet was rolled out at the entrance with a podium to check in guests.
"Name please" A blonde woman asked.
"Isabella Swan" I replied confidently, using my business voice.
The woman glance up over her thick Black framed glasses, her eyes widening slightly before gathering her composure and checking my name and plus one from the list.
"Have a wonderful night Miss.. Swan" she stuttered slightly.
"Thank you" I smiled pulling Edward with me to the ballroom.
"I think she was a fan" Edward chuckled.
"If she was shocked by my attendance, she is going to be speechless by the end of the night. There are far more notable people here than myself." I laughed lightly.
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit for your work" Edward added pointedly.
I looked up to him a smiled.
"So, are you ready for me to meet the parents?" Edward grinned confidently.
"My father sure, he will love you. Renee I just hope she is polite and keeps her thoughts to herself. And possibly eats her own words when she meets you and realises how much of a wonderful, caring man you are. And how wrong she was to judge you before she met you"
"It's okay, I can handle whatever she throws at me, but I won't be so gentlemanly if she targets you."
"Isabella!" Renee called out.
I looked up to Edward and my eyes went wide.
"Here we go" I muttered, turning around seeing my mother sweep towards us in a ill fitting green dress which was barley keeping her chest in. Really?
"Mother" I smiled tightly as she pulled me into her tightly. I saw my dad over my shoulder, I grinned at him and he winked back.
"Isabella you never told me you were bringing a date! And such a handsome man at that, see I told you if you just put yourself out there in the city you'd find a man. Much better than a small town guy you think you're in love with." She crooned at Edward.
I wished the floor would Swallow me Whole. Now.
"Let her embarrass herself Bella" my father whispered in my ear as he appeared next to me as my mother fawned over a grimacing Edward.
"But"
"I think Edward can handle this, and I think there is nobody better suited to defend your relationship to Renee."
"So what is your name? How did you meet Isabella? Where do you work? You look like you are in society" Renee fired off.
Edward looked at me and winked. He had this.
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen" he told her in his most velvety voice making my inside ache for him.
"Edward Cullen? Why do I know that name?" Renee muttered looking between my father and I .
As Edward stepped around my mother to take me in his arms. He looked directly to my mother.
"I'm Bella's boyfriend. I'm the small town music shop owner you seem so adverse too."
"Edward? You're Edward... No " Renee stuttered getting flustered.
"Yes. I'm the man who is in love with your wonderful daughter. I flew in last night after I received word Bella needed me. I'm the one who helped her find her passion again for her work, I'm the lucky guy she fell in love with. And as long as she wants me around I will be here for her and only her. So I'm sorry if you feel indifferent but quite frankly I do not care what you want for your daughter isn't me because I'm her decision and that is all I care about."
Renee was gob smacked, she stood with her jaw slack. Looking between us both.
Not wanting to dwell on the moment Edward turned to my father brightly.
"Charlie, lovely to meet you at last. Thank you again for helping me get here for Bella." Edward said reaching out a hand to my father which he took and shook.
"Pleasure's all mine son. Glad to have you here. I can clearly see the life and light back in my daughters eyes and that is all I care about."
"Oh dad" I sighed, my hand reaching out to grasp his arm.
"Well you kids go have fun, I'll keep the gawping fish over here away from you." Charlie chuckled pushing Renee through the crowd.
"What just happened?" Renee asked as Charlie moved her along.
Edward wrapped his arms around me and leant in to kiss me.
"Well that went well" Edward Chuckled
"Thank you, I wanted to step in but my father told me to leave you to handle Renee. Thank you for what you said. I love you." I told him honestly.
"I meant every word, I'm here for you till you tell me otherwise."
"I'll want you always."
"Forever" he added.
...
After the meeting with the parents Edward and I grabbed drinks and found Pierre and Maggie sat at one of the large circular tables. We waved to them as we made our way over Pierre standing immediately to admire us both.
"Well don't you two look amazing, Maggie come meet Edward" Pierre said to his wife.
"Hello dear, it is lovely to meet you." Maggie said taking Edwards hand pulling him in to give him a kiss on the cheek. I giggled as Edward blushed.
Once he was released I was pulled into a fierce hug.
"I've missed you too dear. When Pierre told me you were in the city I was so excited. And look at you, your eyes they're alive. You've found him haven't you." She winked nodding to Edward.
"I've missed you too Maggie. And yes I've found him, I'm beyond happy. He's it for me. He's my Pierre. My Edward." I giggled resting my head against hers.
As we sat down we began to catch up about my book launch and how long we were going to be in town. They were sad to know we were leaving late tomorrow night.
"So Edward what do you do?" Maggie asked.
"I own a music shop and I'm also a music teacher. I mainly teach piano to Young students."
"Oh how wonderful, what a talent to pass on to the Young minds. You have such a gift Edward dear. Maybe on day a gift you can pass on to your children" she winked at us as I almost choked on my champagne.
"Slow down Maggie, don't scare the poor kids" Pierre laughed kissing his wife gently.
"Oh hush, think how creative they'd be. Edwards musical talents and Bella's ability to create stories, all in one brain. Fantastic."
"And if they looked like their mother, they'd be beautiful too." Edward said pulling me into his lap.
Did Edward think about our future children? Did I. I thought about a small copper haired girl running around laughing with bright emerald eyes and a boy with brown hair and green eyes. Playing, laughing.
"Fingers crossed they don't get my clumsiness " I laughed connecting my eyes to Edwards.
"I'll be there to catch them, like I'm here to catch you"
"Let us leave these two love birds Maggie, I think it is time for me to take you for a spin around the floor." Pierre said to his wife taking her hand and escorting her to the dancefloor where a small group of couples were dancing.
"Are you ready to show off our insane dance skills to the awaiting crowd?" Edward crooned into my neck.
"If you insist." I replied standing from his lap.
He took my hand and we walked to the floor. We joined near Maggie and Pierre and I grinned as Edward took my hand and span me into his hold, with one hand in mine and the other resting one the very base of my back. Taking his lead he began to softly move us around the floor in time with the music. As we moved across the floor my dress span out around my feet making me look far more elegant than I felt. Edward chuckled as he span me around catching me as I almost tripped dipping me into a low back bend. As I laughed he pressed his lips to mine before pulling me back into an upright hold.
"Very smooth love" Edward Chuckled.
"It was most definitely all you" I laughed as we began on our circuit once more.
As we danced and laughed together I spotted my father with Maggie and Pierre who were watching us as we moved through the dancing couples. My father smiled and winked. I beamed back at him before Edward span us away once again.
"Remind me again to thank Esme for having you and Alice take dance classes. You are an excellent lead and I am enjoying myself far more than I thought I would" I told him as the music came to an end.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I must say your smile is brightening up this whole room. Happy suits you and I hope to keep that smile there for a long time."
As we walked from the floor towards my father, Maggie and Pierre I couldn't help notice people staring at us.
"Is it just me or is everyone looking at us?" I asked Edward.
"Oh no they're staring alright love, I don't think you see yourself clearly. You are the most stunning woman in this room."
"You two looked wonderful out there, everyone stopped to just watch. Edward you didn't tell us you could dance too" Maggie said.
"He's much too modest Maggie" I told her lightly nudging Edward in the ribs.
"Would you like to dance with me?" He asked Maggie extending a hand.
"Oh I would love too! Bella is it okay if I steal this wonderful man for a dance?"
"He's all yours Maggie, just make sure you bring him back... I'm watching you" I laughed pointedly between the both of them.
My father and I walked to take a seat at the edge of the floor watching as Edward danced with Maggie. He was so gentle with her and they were laughing together as they passed where we sat.
"He's a stand up guy Bella, you've done well for yourself. At First I won't lie I was a little concerned but after seeing you two together and how he flew out to you when you needed him. He's impressed me." My father said taking my hand in his.
"Thank you dad. He really is the most caring, gentle, loving man I have ever met."
"You love him, and he is clearly in love with you too. He'll take good care of you Bells'"
"Where is Renee?" I asked him curiously.
"I have no idea, I told her not to bother you both if she had nothing nice to say or I'd escort her out personally. She clearly took the hint to stay clear unless she wanted to apologise to Edward and yourself."
As my father stopped speaking Edward and Maggie returned from the floor. Maggie was beaming and Edward chuckled as he pulled me to him.
"Did you enjoy yourself Maggie?" I asked as she took a seat next to her husband.
"Wonderful dear, you hold onto him. He's a gem."
"I will do" I whispered looking up into Edwards eyes which were soft and full of love.
"One last dance?" Edward asked.
"One last dance tonight" I agreed as he escorted me out to the floor once more.
As Edward took me into his arms Christina Perri 'A thousand years' began to play.
Heart beats fast, Colours and promises, How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid, To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt, Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Edward pulled me closer as we span in time with the music, the music rose and I lost myself in the moment. I looked into Edward's eyes and everything around us began to disappear, it was just him and I.
I have died every day, Waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid, I have loved you for a
Thousand years, I'll love you for a
Thousand more
I thought about our life right now and how much he had bought me out of my personal rut, how he'd opened up his family to me and how much they all meant to me.
Time stands still, Beauty in all she is
I will be brave, I will not let anything
Take away, What's standing in front of me
Every breath, Every hour has come to this
One step closer
As we slowed our eyes were drawn to each other, I clung to him as he wrapped me in his arms and he lifted me with ease off of the floor holding me close to his chest. His arms filled me with warmth and a sense of safety and home. He was my life. He was my future. Forever.
I have died every day, Waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid, I have loved you for a
Thousand years, I'll love you for a
Thousand more
I couldn't wait to return home and resume our lives, together.
And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought, Your heart to me
I will love you, Thousand years
I'll love you for a, Thousand more
One step closer
Xxxxxxxxx
My apologises for making you wait so long for the next chapter. I hope you enjoyed. We will be re-joining the group soon. Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper will be back next chapter. Also Esme and Carlisle, maybe next chapter or the following. I have a few events to plan out for the next few chapters. Try to figure out where this story is progressing too or where it could possibly end. Don't worry it is far from over yet. Please continue to review I do read them all and appreciate all your constructive advice and complements. Thank you so much for supporting the work, I do aim to please but I know not everyone enjoys all the plot lines, but stick with me. Thank you so much again for the support.