Another Thursday, another update! Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 11

Isabella stood outside the Great Hall with Emmett, waiting to be introduced. She'd been happy when their father hadn't been there when it was time to leave. Her irritation with him was still very much simmering.

They were announced and entered, with Isabella immediately looking for Edward. King Jasper approached, answering the unasked question. "He was still getting ready when I left him."

Isabella sighed in relief. "Is it pathetic that being separated for a day makes me uneasy?"

Jasper smiled. "No, it simply means you're a woman in love."

"I am."

Isabella mingled, but turned from the people she was speaking to the moment Edward was introduced. It was only a moment later that dinner was ready, so she made her way to the dining hall without getting to speak to Edward.

The seating arrangement had been set so Isabella was sitting near Alice, while Edward was on Jasper's side. A few of Alice's countrymen attempted to make conversation, but the lot of them were more interested in discussing their holdings than asking her about her life.

When dinner was over, Jacob approached her before she could leave the dining room.

"May I have the first dance?" Jacob asked.

"I'm sorry, but the first dance has already been claimed."

Isabella strode over to Edward, who smiled when he saw her coming. As soon as her hand was in his, he led her to the dance floor and as the music began, he pulled her into his arms.

"You are a vision, my love."

Isabella blushed and looked him in the eyes. "You are looking quite dapper yourself. That deep green brings out your eyes."

"I wish I didn't have to let you go, but I've been informed that I cannot monopolize your time," Edward said begrudgingly.

"Trust me, I don't want to be in their company either, but we will deal with the inconvenience tonight and tomorrow we will be back to our lives."

The dance was far too short for Isabella's liking. The feeling of being in Edward's arms, and how gracefully he moved around the floor was a dream.

With a promise to be on his best behavior, Edward left Isabella with the next gentleman who claimed a dance with her. Most of the gentlemen were polite and well mannered, but when the first of Alice's countrymen approached, Isabella could sense a change.

Paul was arrogant as he spoke, and when he didn't get the warm, simpering response he was expecting, he called Isabella frigid.

With a glare to his retreating form, she whispered, "I'll show you frigid."

Jacob took her hand, keeping her on the dance floor after the incident with Paul. All she kept thinking was she only had to make it through one song, but as it ended, he spoke.

"I think I'm entitled to a second dance, since I had to wait for the first."

Knowing that propriety meant she was only able to give him two, she allowed the dance to continue so she could get rid of the impertinent man. But as the second dance continued, his hand slid down and squeezed her behind.

Isabella pulled away and slapped Jacob, which caught the attention of everyone around them. Edward rushed over and got between them, Isabella's hand on his bicep the only thing that kept him from leveling the ass in front of him.

A pair of guards arrived at that moment and escorted Jacob off the floor and out a side door. Alice looked to Edward and then stood, garnering the attention of the room.

"I want to thank everyone for the joyful evening we've spent together. I have two announcements to make. For the first, I'll need a bit of assistance. Edward Masen?"

"You remembered your last name?" Isabella asked.

"It was written in one of my father's journals," he whispered. When he spoke again, it was louder and clearer. "Isabella Marie Swan, from the moment you found me injured in the woods, you've cared for me, supported me, and loved me. Even when I didn't know who I was, I knew who I was to you. The love I feel for you is so profound I couldn't imagine my life without you. With our queen's gracious permission, I ask you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Isabella cried.

Edward lifted her in his arms, spinning her around until he began to feel dizzy. He set her on her feet and produced a ring from his pocket. The stone was a beautiful blue-green with three small diamonds on each side, the cut made them look like a trio of leaves on either side, set on a delicate band.

"Edward, this is beautiful."

"Not nearly as beautiful as you."

"Now," Alice said, to pull focus from the couple, "for the second announcement. King Jasper and I are thrilled to tell you all that we are expecting our first child to be born at the beginning of next year."

Cheers erupted and Isabella used the moment to pull Edward from the room.

"Shouldn't we stay longer?" Edward asked as we walked to my room.

"Believe me, Alice orchestrated that so we could get away without my father's input on our impending nuptials."

Edward's face fell. "Will he truly never accept me?"

"I don't know if he will, but he's been trying to keep me from living my life for a long time. I'm just upset that he was happy to ship me off to parts unknown with men who obviously had no respect for me. But Alice would have never let that happen. And now I have you."

"I'll always support you, Bre. You're my world."

Isabella pulled Edward in for a kiss, needing to feel him surrounding her. His body pressed her into the hard stone wall and she whimpered, loving how he knew what she needed instinctually and then gave it to her.

She wanted everything with him, but knew they needed to wait until they were married. He would never give into that desire until it was official.

A nudge to her ankle brought her out of her lust induced thoughts. Isabella looked down to see Argus looking up at her.

"Very well, Argus, but I'll remember this when you find your little bunny love."

Edward laughed against her hair and she turned to meet his eyes. "I should leave you to your evening."

"I'll see you in the morning. I'm sure Queen Alice will wish to see us before we depart."

"Until morning, Wife."

"Until the morrow, Husband."

Isabella watched as he walked down the hall, turning with a final look in her direction before he went off to his room. Holding the door open for Argus, Isabella went to her room where she changed for bed, ready for the next stage of her life to begin.