Reaching for Love

Chapter 13: Meeting the Cullens

Edward

The flight from Las Vegas to Fork was for the most part quiet. Bella and I sat side-by-side as I showed her the different features of her iPhone, I had replaced her other before Emmett had found spyware on her other one. I still hated there was no way of knowing who infected her old one. Deep down, I had the feeling it was Jacob.

Bella and I were driving through Forks, heading to my parents house. They had called during the flight and reminded me they had taken a cruise. That was a forehead slap. How I had forgotten was beyond me. I couldn't bring myself to tell them why I had been trying to get ahold of them and had Mike make a destination change inflight.

Yes, Bella and I could have driven instead of adding about a half hour to our flight time. We would be driving back to Seattle. I had left one of my cars in Forks the last time I visited and had to rush to New York. It was a hop, skip, and a jump for Mike to fly and get me instead of driving to Seattle then hopping in my jet.

Driving through Forks was a bit strange with my wife next to me. It amazed me I was married. I never thought I would wed, and here I was a married man to a woman who had my heart. I wasn't afraid of my feelings, more afraid of expressing them to Bella. Afraid she would reject me if I uttered the words too soon. I knew I had to tell her, but today was not the day.

I wasn't sure how I was going to explain to my parents. And the near I got the sweatier my palms became. I wasn't lying when I told Bella they would love her, but my friends words kept ringing in my head – "you're a dead man."

As if sensing my discomfort, Bella touched my arm. "You looked worried."

She didn't know the half of it.

"I'm still willing to speak with them."

Her words were of little comfort. I know she offered before but getting married was my idea. And her accepting… well, that was her story.

"I appreciate the offer, but no. I have to be the one to tell them and introduce you."

"Okay. I'm going to tell them the truth about everything. I know we didn't tell your friends the truth about my condition and you not being the father…"

"And that's different. There will come a time when we'll tell them." I sighed. "You're right about my parents. Nothing but the truth will suffice."

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

Dad was sitting on the porch when I came to a stop in front of the house. He stood, shielding his eyes as I got out.

"Edward, is your friend not getting out?" he asked.

Mom had come out of the house.

I blew out a breath and looked back at the car, at Bella. She motioned for me to go ahead. Swiping a hand down my face, I faced my parents again and moved toward them.

"She's waiting for me to tell you something first."

Mom's head turned toward my car and like Dad had earlier, she shielded her eyes. "She?"

Nodding, I said nothing more for a long moment as I gathered my thoughts. "She, Bella, is my wife."

Both my parents' eyes widen. "You're what?" they asked in unison.

Mom went on. "Where are you coming from?"

I rubbed my face. "Bella is my wife," I said again. "She stole my heart when I met her, and I knew then I had to marry her. Before I knew it, I was asking her to marry me and flying off to Vegas to make it happen."

Dad brought his hands up in front of his lips, like he was praying, before pointing them at me. "Edward, I am not sure what to say. Why the rush?"

"It's not my story to tell, it's Bella's. Once I heard it, I knew I had to help her, to marry her."

"Did she talk you into wedding her?" Mom asked.

It was a good question. I chuckled. "Sorry, Mom, I don't mean to laugh. She didn't have to talk me into it. It was more me talking her into it."

Silence. I was met with silence. A full minute, then another went by and neither said a word. "Would you like to met her?" I asked.

"Of course," Mom remarked. "I go get some wine."

"Bella doesn't drink. Make hers apple juice or something."

Mom nodded before disappearing into the house.

"Dad?"

He swiped a hand down his face. "That's why you called so many times, isn't it? You wanted your mother and me there."

"Yes," I answered honestly.

He chuckled. "Then you better go get Bella."

I strode over to the car and opened the passengers door.

"Well?" Bella asked.

"They know. Not sure if they are happy about how fast we wed. I think they want to hear your story before they pass judgment on me."

With a nervous gait, she walked toward my childhood home with me rushing to keep up. Capturing her hand, I slowed her to a stop. "Bella, you're so brave. Facing your ex, marrying me, and now, my parents. What about your dad?"

I was fishing for information with my question, and I was hoping she was take the bait.

"I can't face him. If he wants to see me, he'll find me."

I blew out a breath as we started forward again. Bella hadn't given any clues on how to find her father.

Mom was back on the porch with a tray of flutes, one had a flower on the stem, when Bella and I stepped up. Picking up the flowered one, I handed it to Bella before taking another. With a small sip to wet my throat, I introduced everyone.

Bella dove straight into her story, today my parents everything. At the end of it, silence filled the air and remained so for five minutes.

Dad leaned forward. "Edward, I can't say I happy about missing my only son's wedding."

I cringed. "I tried calling."

Mom and Dad before chuckled.

"Yes, you did. And we can understand your need to protect Bella. The wedding could've waited a week or two," Mom remarked. She held up a hand when both Bella and I made to say something. "What's done is done."

She turned to Bella. "Welcome to the family."