I really didn't know whose POV I was going to go with but Bella pushed Edward out of the way. She's bossy, ya know. I just think that for now her POV is better until the introductions are out of the way because Edward knows his family, Bella doesn't so I feel it is important to know her first hand experience.

Thanks to BeLynda for making this pretty but the humor is all mine.

Enjoy!

The American Princess

Chapter 6

Bella's POV

What I'm feeling as the plane touches down on the tarmac can only be described as nervous excitement. I know what he expects of me, however, what he wants and what I want are two very different things. Somehow, I have to mesh them into something that will work for both of us, without my agenda being obvious to him.

I'm an award-winning actress. I can do this. Sure, the awards are mostly made up of gold plated popcorn, but still, it's an award.

We get the go ahead to disembark off the aircraft but we swiftly freeze as the pilot sounds over the intercom.

"We have company."

I look to Edward in confusion.

"Paparazzi," he explains. "I believe they will get a great surprise. I don't think they are expecting you to be with me."

I suck in a quiet breath. I hate paps. Fucking cockroaches. I blow out said breath and get into character.

"Let's do this."

He smiles.

"I knew you were the right woman for the job."

I smile back at him and look to Emmett. "Ready, Freddie?"

"I was born ready."

Edward nods to the flight attendant and he opens the door, releasing the stairs.

He extends his elbow and I gently place my hand in the crook of his arm. My outfit is perfect for this soon to be circus. It's short and low cut enough for him to scandalize his family while covering enough to be just this side of modest for America. So, kind of a classy trashy. My hair is down and wavy; my makeup perfect.

He moves fast, like he doesn't expect them to be there. We don't look posed. We gracefully descend the stairs and move quickly to the waiting town car. An older, crotchety looking gentleman is waiting with a very pinched look on his weathered face. This must be Marcus and he is not happy.

So, what do I do? I let go of Edward and enthusiastically kiss both of his cheeks.

"It's so good to meet you. I've heard so many good things about you," I exclaim. I ignore the flashes as the cameras go wild.

Marcus is speechless, which I am sure never happens. However, he recovers quickly.

"I've heard nothing good about you, I'm afraid," he bit off, his face darkening as he glares at Edward.

"Oh, we will be sure to rectify that. We are going to best friends. I just know it," I gush, practically dragging him into the seat beside me in the car. Edward and Emmett join us and I see both of them trying to hold their amusement. Edward keeps a straight face. Em, well, he never was good at poker. To his credit, he covers it with a cough.

We aren't even out of the airport before Marcus explodes.

"What in the bloody hell were you thinking, Your Highness? Do you have any idea of the situation you have caused at the palace? Your father is beside himself in anger and your mother has her hands full trying to keep him from throwing you to the wolves."

"I heard you had lions, not wolves," I interject with a straight face. I am excellent at poker.

Edward makes a choking sound.

Marcus then turns his ire to me.

"And as for you, Ma'am … I have read all up on you. You are practically disgraceful and not at all suitable for this kingdom."

"Yeah, well … I'm American, so…."

"I don't appreciate your sarcasm," he sniffs.

"You'll get used to it. You know, since we're going to be best friends and all."

How red can a face get before seeking medical treatment? Asking for a friend.

"Enough, Marcus. I am well aware of my father's disapproval of everything I do. I don't need you to inform me of it once again. And you will do very well to remember that I am the Prince and Miss Swan is who I have chosen to accompany me to my home to meet my family. Stop this nonsense, at once."

"As you wish, Your Highness," Marcus grit out.

"Now tell me, how is your mother?" Edward changes the subject.

Marcus begrudgingly answers.

"She is still under the weather but is gaining strength every day. She appreciated the flowers and tea you had sent to her yesterday."

"I will make a point to visit her in the next few days."

"She will enjoy that, I am sure. She always did have a soft spot for you."

He then changes the subject.

"When we arrive, I will have Miss Swan whisked off to the guest quarters where she can change into something … appropriate and then I will present her to the King."

"You will do no such thing, Marcus. Bella looks lovely as she is and seeing as she is my new friend, I will present her to my family. Is that understood?"

"I love this dress. My boobs look fabulous in this dress," I interject.

Marcus makes a choking sound.

"Is his face always this red?" I whisper-yell to Edward.

"Come to think of it, no. It must be all the excitement of meeting you."

"I do have that effect on people," I agree.

"You ain't even lying," Emmett says, tapping on his phone screen.

"Buckingham Palace," the driver announces.

I let out an annoying squeal and bounce on my seat. While I am excited to be here, I would never normally emote such enthusiasm over anything. Ever.

Marcus gets out quickly and disappears, followed by Emmett then Edward, who extends his hand to me to help me out of the car.

Okay, so you know that scene in Titanic where the beautiful Rose Dewitt Bukater gets out of the car in the first part of the movie and she's gracefully peeking out from under a wide brimmed hat as she looks at her surroundings, all confident and shit?

Yeah, it didn't happen like that.

But do you remember when my friend, Jennifer Lawrence, tripped over a traffic cone walking onto the Oscar's red carpet and her publicist and date had to help her get up?

It happened kind of like that. Okay, it totally happened like that.

"I'm okay," I announce as I struggle to my feet. "Did I get my dress dirty?"

"No, it's fine," Edward assures me with a smile.

Emmett is too busy laughing to answer.

"Dude, this is your karma for laughing at Jen," he wheezed.

"I realize that. Thank you, Emmett."

"I'm sorry," I whisper to Edward.

"You're doing brilliantly."

We walk through what Edward tells me are the gardens. I look around in awe. I definitely want to spend more time out here.

Then we are inside surrounded by an opulence which I have never encountered, and I am pretty well-traveled.

"Whoa," I whisper. "You grew up here?"

He looks around and shrugs. "They're just things."

"I grew up in a simple two story house with a single father. Our couch had a blanket on the back to keep you from seeing the holes in it."

"Do you still go to visit?" He asks, as we walk up a flight of stairs.

"It's my favorite place on earth," I smile up at him as he leads the way. I glance back to make sure Em is still there.

"You're catching flies," I tease. His mouth clamps shut.

We are now traveling down a hallway. I stop abruptly, catching Edward off guard.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

I shake my head at him and take in the life sized portraits of the royal family.

"Give me a lesson," I gently instruct. "Tell me something about each of them so I don't go in there blind."

Edward looks genuinely confused, but does as I ask.

"Okay, well … This is Princess Rosalie Lillian Hale Cullen. She's the youngest of my siblings. She seems vapid but she is very intelligent and loves learning new things."

"She's a dime piece," Emmett whispers in awe.

"What does that mean?" Edward asks me.

I wonder how protective Edward is of his sister? Better be safe than sorry.

"That just means she's very lovely."

He nods then moves on. I shoot Em a warning look and he just grins and shrugs.

"This is my brother, Prince Jasper Carlisle Whitlock Cullen. He's a mental health professional. Also, very smart. He very witty, much like you are. This right here is his wife Mary Alice Brandon Cullen. She is a boutique owner. They've been married for six years and have two daughters; Grace, 4, and Alivia, 2."

He moves on to a portrait of a lovely woman with Edward's eyes. "This is my mother, Queen Esme Elizabeth Platt Cullen. She loves gardening, decorating and spoiling her granddaughters." He smiles and I can see how much he adores his mother.

That smile ends when we get to a stern looking man with gentle eyes. Very dichotomous. Looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, much like his son. I wonder if they know how much alike they are. I wonder if the King has a Masen side to him as well.

"This is my father, King Carlisle Andrew Masen Cullen. He has ruled for twenty-two years. It's all he thinks about. His hobbies include belittling me and my choices, telling me I will make a horrible king and going to the doctor weekly to insure he doesn't have to leave the crown to me. Oh, and he plays a mean game of chess and he's proficient at Rugby. I'm better, though."

"Sounds like he is going to love me," I laugh.

Edward suddenly grabs my hands. "You don't have to do this. You're right. This is insane. He will eat you alive."

I make sure I look directly into his beautiful eyes.

"Edward, let me make myself very clear. I'm not scared of your father, or your family. I have no doubt I can handle my own in there. Now, I appreciate your concern, but it's not needed. So, let's go do this."

He takes a deep breath and nods, throwing that cocky smile on his face that I am beginning to know well.

"Can we get this over with? I'm starving," Em interjects.

"Right this way."

Edward takes my hand in his and holds it tight, leading me a little more down the hall to a set of double doors.

They open and before me stands his whole family plus some. All sullen looking. Ha! The Sullen Cullens. I like it.

Ready. Set. And … Action!

Thoughts?