Chapter 13

"I expect a good and proper proposal, Mr. Cullen."

"I'll see what I can do, Ms. Swan."

Auld Lang Syne

Carlisle stood proudly next to his wife and welcomed guests to their New Year's Party. Esme had outdone herself. The rooms were sparkling elegance. Food tables lined the formal dining room wall, and staff had cleared the living room for a dance floor. White lights and garland graced every surface, and soft strings music floated in the background.

The rooms were filling up as Charlie Swan and Sue Clearwater stepped across the threshold. Carlisle noticed the discomfort on Charlie's face as Esme stepped forward to hug a beaming Sue.

"It's good to see you, Chief," Carlisle said as he shook Charlie's hand.

"Oh, call me Charlie. I think we're past formalities at this point, Carlisle," Charlie said as he took in the formal entryway with its vaulted ceiling and pulled on his collar.

Esme leaned toward them and said, "Charlie, we're so glad you're here. There's a coat room just off this room, and food and drinks are in the next room.

Carlisle watched Sue lead Charlie into the main living room and smiled. After hearing all of Charlie's story, he could understand Charlie and his actions better. What would he have done if he was a single dad trying to protect his daughter?

He pulled Esme to him and kissed her temple. She patted his cheek before reaching out to hug and welcome the next guests.

~o0o~

Edward and Bella were late. There may have been two nervous dress changes on Bella's part and a kissing session requiring a touch-up of hair and makeup. But they were here now, and Edward placed a wine glass of diet Coke in Bella's hand as she swayed to the music and watched the dancing.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned in. "We'll dance in a little bit, but I was wondering if you would like to see the patio. It overlooks Esme's flower garden with a water fountain."

She placed her hand on his hand resting on her hip and nodded. Taking her hand, he led her to the French doors and out onto the shadowed balcony patio. The flower garden had lights along the path, and lights illuminated the beautiful water fountain in the center.

"Can we walk out in the garden?" Bella asked as she squeezed his hand.

It wasn't what he planned, but Bella among flowers was perfect, and he slipped off his jacket and slid it around her shoulders before leading her down the stone steps to the garden.

They held hands and walked for a few minutes. Edward's heart raced as he let Bella lead them from bed to bed, chattering about each flower species and praising Esme for her gardening vision. In time they came to a stone bench tucked among bougainvillea.

Edward knew this was the setting he wanted, tucked away from prying eyes while overlooking the fountain. "Let's sit for a bit," he said as he towed her to the bench.

She sat, but he did not follow, instead, choosing to drop to his knee before her.

"Edward?"

He swallowed before smiling tenderly up at her.

She squeezed his hand and nodded for him to continue.

He took a cleansing breath and returned the gentle pressure to her hand. "Bella, I've loved you since that first day in biology, and even while we were apart, my heart was always yours. I came back to be close to family, it's true. But mainly, I came back to see if there was any way to be reconnected to my heart.

"I missed you every day we were apart, and now I thank God for every day we are together. I never want to be away from you again. You're home for me, Bella. Will you put me out of my misery and marry me?"

Crying, all she could do was nod yes. Edward pulled them to stand, and he wrapped his arms around her.

In the safety of his arms, a sob escaped, and she whispered, "Yes, yes, yes."

His arms tightened, and strangely his first thought was how happy the dogs would be. He laughed at himself and pulled back to look into Bella's blotchy, smudged eyes. She was angelically beautiful at that moment. He kissed her tender, salty lips, "I love you."

She sniffed and pressed her lips to his for another kiss, "I love you."

He rested his forehead against hers, "Forever."

She tightened her arms around his waist and whispered, "Forever and ever."

"Amen," he said.

She closed her eyes and grinned, "Amen."

~o0o~

Carlisle saw Charlie standing tucked off the beaten path near the food tables.

"Charlie, I hope you're enjoying yourself," Carlisle said.

Charlie nodded and took a sip of his beer, "Yes, you put on quite the shindig."

Carlisle smiled. "Yes, well, it's all Esme. I just show up in the suit she lays out for me."

Charlie pulled on his collar and said, "I know what you mean."

Both men look across the room at Esme and Sue, arm in arm, talking with three other women. "Women bring civilization," Carlisle said as he took a drink of his gin and tonic.

Charlie nodded. "There's truth in that." He shifted and scratched his neck and said, "Carlisle, I need to apologize for the way I treated your boy. He's a good boy, and I see that now—a fine young man."

Carlisle clapped Charlie's shoulder. "I'm not going to say it's alright. You didn't handle things right back then. But I do understand your need to protect Bella."

Charlie hung his head, "Bella suffered for years. She put on a happy face but seeing her true happiness since Edward came back, I know now how much damage I caused her."

Carlisle nodded and noticed the couple enter through the patio doors. They looked secretive, but—

"Is Bella's face blotchy?" Charlie asked as he took a step, "has she been crying?"

They watched Bella walk toward the bathrooms and Edward pace as he waited.

Charlie growled, "If that boy hurt her, I'll …"

Carlisle rounded on him, "You'll what, make up bogus charges against him and have him run out of town again?"

Charlie froze. "I'm sorry. No, nothing like that, never again."

Carlisle patted him on the back. "Let's reserve judgment and see what the young people have to say."

Charlie and Carlisle walked toward Edward as Bella came back looking fresh and pulled together. She smiled and slid under Edward's arm as he tapped a spoon on a wine glass. The room quieted, and Edward cleared his throat.

"I hope everyone's having a great time tonight, and I hope your new year will be a wonderful one. I know mine promises to be the best of my life because tonight, Bella Swan agreed to be my wife."

He leaned down and kissed her as the room exploded in congratulations. Esme and Sue ran to Carlisle and Charlie's sides, hugging them before dragging them to congratulate the engaged couple.

When Charlie hugged Bella, he truly felt pleased. He could sincerely congratulate Edward and be happy for his girl. He had to swallow, and his eyes stung, but he got through it.

~o0o~

After family, Alice squealed until Jasper had to hold her back, and Angela couldn't seem to stop looking at Bella's ring and hugging her. People surrounded and congratulated them, and Edward held her hand and braced for all the slaps to his back as they were embraced and congratulated repeatedly. It seemed as if the whole town was there and after a while, Bella became overwhelmed.

While Emmett congratulated Edward, Jacob Black took advantage of the moment to shake Bella's hand a little too long and wish her every happiness. Charlie stepped in to angle Jacob toward the open bar with a wink for his girl.

Soon after, Bella followed Edward to the dance floor to get away from the swarm of well-wishers, and for that, she was glad. As much as she enjoyed the smiles on Sue and Charlie's faces and the congratulations by many of the church members she had humiliated herself in front of on the church lawn, she wanted Edward's attention focused on her. She wanted to be in his arms. The thought of them tucked away in her little house with the dogs at their feet, and the cat stretched across their laps had her longing for the wedding to be swift. She was ready to start the life they'd been waiting for.

"Are you happy, baby?" Edward asked as she waved to Pastor Banner and his wife.

"I've never been so happy. I love you," Bella said.

He twirled her before bringing her in close. "Your happiness is my whole world."

The homey scene flashed in her mind again. "I don't want to wait too long," she said.

He slowed their dance and looked at her, "The wedding?"

She saw the tentative hope in his eyes and said with confidence, "Yes, I want to get married ASAP."

"Okay," he said with a grin, "I'm all in. I've waited a long time for you, Ms. Swan."

A thrill rushed through her. This was it. This was really happening. Her forever was finally here. As she moved in to rest her cheek on his lapel, she felt safe and whole with his arms wrapped around her, and her heart overflowed with thankfulness.

~o0o~

Emmett watched his friend dancing with his girl, and a rush of feelings ran through him. Edward and Bella were together committed and happy, and he was thrilled for them, but what had happened to his life? Where had it derailed? He looked to ask Rosie to dance and found her eyes locked on a figure across the room. She had a sly secret smile shadowing her lips, and Emmett felt a click in his heart that brought a clarity he hadn't had since high school.

"Rosie, you wanna dance with me?"

She pulled her eyes away from Royce with a sigh. "Sure," she said and held her hand out for him to take.

As they danced, he spotted Angela looking at Bella's ring. She glowed as she tucked her glossy black hair behind her ear and hugged her friend.

"Are you happy for Edward?" he asked as he swayed Rosalie past King.

She screwed up her face in disgust, "No, not really. Edward has lost his damn mind. I don't like that you're in business with him. I don't like who he's become."

Emmett nodded with resignation, "I thought you'd feel that way, Rose. It saddens me that you don't see it and never will."

Emmett waltzed Rose over to Royce King. As he spun her toward her lover, Emmett let go and had the satisfaction of watching her collide with that glossy putz. "She's all yours," Emmett said, "good luck, buddy, with that one, you're going to need it."

Rose righted herself before her eyes shot around the staring room, "What!"

Emmett had to laugh. "I'll be contacting a lawyer in the morning, Rosie dear," He looked between the two stunned people and nodded, "Enjoy the rest of your evening. I know I will."

As he walked across the room, no one seemed to want to make eye contact with him. Edward and Bella looked concerned as they slowed their dance, but it was Angela's refusal to make eye contact that had him seeing the callousness of what he had just done. He hung his head but pushed forward to her side.

"Um, you wanna dance, Angela?"

She locked eyes with a furious Rosalie in the corner of the room and asked, "Am I your rebound girl?"

Emmett ducked his head. "Yeah, but I'm getting a lawyer on it in the morning."

Angela had pined for Emmett McCarty most of her high school years. He had been everything that made her smile. He still was, and Rosalie Hale was the devil. Her weeks revolved around the times Emmett came into the diner for lunch. She had always wondered, dreamed, but had given up hoping. Angela looked at Emmett and knew she would never forgive herself if she didn't take this opportunity.

"Okay, here are my terms, Emmett McCarty. I'll be your rebound girl for tonight. No bases will be run, and we stay on the bench."

Emmett reddened around his neck and ears. "Sure, of course, Angela. Nothing but respect."

She tucked her hair behind her ear, "And I expect a date within 48 hours, Deal?"

He grinned and held out his hand. As Angela smiled back and placed her hand in his, Emmett said, "Deal."

They danced together most of the evening, stopping only to catch their breaths and hang with Edward and Bella and Alice and Jasper. Rose left somewhere along the way, but Emmett didn't notice. It was easy for him as if he had let go of the tiller, and the boat had naturally righted itself. Emmett had the freedom to enjoy Edward's friendship, to get to know Bella, Alice, and Jasper. It had been a long time since he just—had friends.

And Angela was an even better version of the kind, slightly awkward band girl. She was beautiful, funny, and sweet, with a bite to her tongue that kept him on his toes. The night flew by, and Emmett realized he wanted to see her again, to take his time to get to know her. Yes, this just felt right.

~o0o~

Three … Two … One led to kisses and fireworks as the new year took center stage. After Auld Lang Syne, the band went on to play two more 'rat pack' songs as the crowd began to thin. The band turned the stage over to a DJ. Bella, Angela, and Alice kicked off their shoes and danced together with the pumping rhythms of louder music.

There was a freedom to the night that Bella had missed in the past eight years. She had true friends, the deep roots of family, and Edward, her forever love. Bella glanced over to the guys gathered around Edward and hoped that he felt the same connections. She wanted him to have a rich life with her, and she would do all she could to make his life a good one.

~o0o~

The sky was lightening behind the tree line as Edward and Bella climbed the porch steps, each hated for the night to end, and they shared a smile at the sound of thumping tails behind the front door.

Bella's keys were left dangling in the lock as she spun to place her hand on his chest. "Stay for a little bit."

Edward smiled and pulled her tenderly against him as he reached around to open the door. "Of course, we'll make breakfast together, and soon I'll stay forever."

Bo and Jangles greeted them with happy chaos, and Edward kicked the door closed as he picked up Mischief. "It's good to be home," he said and followed Bella to the kitchen.

A/N: Just the epilogue left. I've enjoyed getting to know them and their story.