Chapter 44 – Surprise on the Bench

Bella

There were few things about Christmas shopping I really disliked, but the mall crowds had to be one of the worst. There were so many people shopping today, it was hard to move through the place. Everyone seemed to have turned out for the early bird specials this morning, packing the place to what surely had to be near capacity. The atmosphere was almost stifling, and I felt myself becoming a bit claustrophobic. What I didn't find here today was getting ordered online, that was for sure.

We decided to split off into guys and girls to shop in earnest. Alice, Rose, and I started walking, window shopping mostly, and talking about wedding plans. Rose interjected occasionally, but she was quiet for the most part. We stopped for a drink, sitting on a bench to rest our feet for a minute, and I finally asked, "Rose, is something the matter?"

She looked at me in surprise, and then a sad smile spread across her face. "No, nothing's the matter, really. I guess I'm actually just a little bit jealous," she admitted and sighed. "You're so lucky." I couldn't imagine why she would be jealous of me. She had in abundance everything I had never had much of. Why should she be jealous of me?

"I don't understand, Rose, why…?" I started to ask, but she interrupted.

"Bella, I'm madly, hopelessly in love with Emmett. I'd give anything to be standing in your shoes, certain the man you love is in love with you, too. Emmett hasn't actually said anything outright about being in love with me," she said, tears threatening to fall.

"I hope this says it all," a deep voice said over her shoulder. We all looked around to see our guys standing behind us, Emmett holding a small velvet box out to Rose. I quickly pulled my phone out and started recording. The throngs of people around us stopped to stare, as Emmett came in front of Rose and got down on one knee, taking her hand. "Rose, I've been carrying this thing around with me for days, trying to figure out how to tell you how much I love you, without sounding like a complete idiot. Well, here I am, your idiot, and I love you, too. Will you marry me, Rose?"

"You are an idiot, Emmett Cullen, and I do love you," she giggled through her tears. "Yes, I'll be Mrs. Idiot!"

Emmett slipped the diamond ring on her finger and pulled her into an enthusiastic kiss, as the mall erupted into whoops, whistles, and applause. Jasper pulled Alice into his arms and whispered something in her ear. She looked happy, as a grin came across her face, and she wrapped her arms around his neck for a kiss of their own. Edward took me into his arms, saying, "When in Rome…" and pulled me to him for a quick kiss as well. The whole food court was cheering now. I was going to have this recording put onto a CD for Rose for her bridal shower. I was also plotting to get her a t-shirt, mug, and bumper sticker proclaiming her Mrs. Idiot. That was just what a good friend would do.

We shopped for a while longer, picking up a few gifts and things, before deciding to call it a day. On the way out, we passed by a bridal store, and Rose decided she wanted to try on a dress just for fun. Alice wanted to join her, which took Rose and I both by surprise. The guys went to check out the music store across from the bridal shop, leaving us to try on dresses. Jasper turned and winked at Alice, as he followed the guys into the music store.

"I have a feeling something's going on here you're not sharing with us, Miss Brandon," Rose smirked, poking Alice in the shoulder. "What's up with you and Jasper?"

"Oh, nothing, it's just that we got engaged last weekend, but my ring is at the jeweler being resized, so we were going to wait until I had it to say anything. But since there's all this love in the air going on today," she gestured wildly with her hands over her head, "I thought I'd go ahead and just let the cat out of the bag."

"ALICE!" we both squealed, grabbing her up into a huge hug.

"You little sneak! How dare you hold out on us!" Rose scolded. Alice was giggling and bouncing up and down with Rose, happy she had finally told us and could quit trying to keep it a secret.

We headed into the bridal store, and they started looking through gowns, while I wandered back to the trousseau section. Looking through the nightgowns and undergarments, I remembered I still had the beautiful white corset set and exquisite gown Alice and Rose had given me for my birthday tucked away in a drawer, unused. I smiled to myself, as I thought about having an occasion soon to wear them.

We finally headed home, so Edward could get in a quick nap before having to go in to work. He was on nightshift for the next week, which I tried not to think about. The thought of being alone in the house at night was near unbearable these days for some reason, even if he wasn't in my bed. Nightshift meant he would be gone from the house before I got home, and he would not be back until after I had left for work in the mornings. I tried not to show how much this affected me, but Edward knew me well enough by now to see through my brave façade.

"It's only for a week," he whispered into my hair, as we curled up on his bed. "It'll all be over before you know it." I knew Edward was trying to comfort me, but somehow, his words only made me more uneasy.