Hey everyone! So, I've been on a little bit of a hiatus... figuring my life out and what not. I didn't have any intentions of posting this chapter today, but, a reviewer who's been reviewing as they read really pushed me to post. It seems like this particular reader is going through a tough time and I just want to show my support to them at this hard time in their life. I hope you all enjoy, especially the new reader!
Chapter Thirty-One
Jasper had arrived at Edward's house. He was already dressed for tonight's dinner. They were both sitting downstairs waiting for me and Alice to finish getting ready.
Alice was wearing a beautiful purple dress; the color was vibrant, and it flowed around her body. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was half up, and she had put decorative yellow flowers in it. Tomorrow she'd wear white flowers.
Yellow represented single and white represented mated. I knew this because she was telling me all about it. I was also wearing yellow flowers in my hair because by Outerrian standards I was unmated.
Even though Edward and I were together, like boyfriend and girlfriend, our relationship would only be considered an actual relationship when we formally mated.
I was wearing a light blue dress, it was long in the back and short in the front. It was cute, Alice helped me pick it out.
"Okay, you look perfect," I said as I watched Alice continuously fiddle with her hair.
"I'm just so nervous," She said, "I've met his family before but still."
"It's fine, no need to be nervous. You and Jasper love each other. And if anyone tries to mess things up I'll fight them," I said, "Now, come on."
I dragged her out of the bathroom and we walked downstairs, Edward and Jasper were lounging on the couches talking.
"Oh, wow hello beautiful women," Jasper said when we entered the room.
Edward stood and kissed my cheek, "You look lovely." He then glanced at the yellow flowers in my hair, a look passed across his face, but it flittered away so quickly that I couldn't identify it.
"Thank you," I smiled, "You look pretty handsome yourself." I stroked his cheek with the back of my hand.
He chuckled, "Thank you, dear," I looped my arm into his, "Alright let's go."
Alice and Jasper had reserved the restaurant for the party tonight. We were the first ones there, which worked out perfectly because Alice and I were decorating a bit, much to the surprise of Edward and Jasper. They didn't understand why we would decorate a perfectly fine room for a party.
"Okay, it looks great," I said.
"And why are we doing this?" Edward asked as he watched me meticulously decorated a table.
"Because it looks nice and on earth this is usually what people did for weddings and such." I said.
He hummed and continued to watch me. Jasper was doing the same with Alice.
Jasper's mother was first to arrive; I noticed she was smaller than the average Outerrian, and her eyes were a wide duller green that seemed to be filled with fear. It seemed as if she was slightly confused about where she was.
Jasper leaned down and kissed her cheek, smiling and murmuring something to her. He then grabbed her hands and lead her to a seat beside him and Alice.
Esme and Carlisle walked in, Esme was wearing a big smile as she walked over to Edward and I, scooping us in a big hug.
"Nice to see you two," She said, "You look very lovely Bella. Human women are very pretty, what's the word? Exotic looking." She chuckled.
"Well thank you," I smiled.
Edward put his arm around me and nestled his nose against the top of my head.
"Mother, Bella and I are sitting over there, where are you and dad sitting?"
She gave him a look, "We are all going to sit over here, and Carlisle and I will sit in between you and Emmett. We won't have any nonsense tonight."
"I will not sit at a table with him."
"Edward, stop." Esme said sternly. Her tone surprising me.
He sighed harshly and looked away. I rubbed his arm and gave him a little smile.
Although I was trying to be supportive, I was also trying to figure out who Edward's brother was. I was interested to hear more about the little feud between the two of them.
As I was talked with Alice, a blond female Outerrian approached with a baby on her hip. She smiled at me and extended her hand.
"You must be Bella," She said.
"I am," I said as I shook her hand, "I'm sorry but I'm not sure who you are."
She smiled, "I'm Rosalie, Emmett's mate."
"Oh, Emmett, Edward's brother. Hi," I said, "Sorry, Edward hasn't told me anything about Emmett or you."
She sighed, "I'm not surprised. Those two are… stubborn."
"Which one is Emmett?" I asked, looking over the crowd.
"The one that's standing as far away from Edward as possible." She pointed to the tall Outerrian who was in deep conversation with Carlisle, on the other side of the room as far away from Edward as possible.
"Oh," I said, "So, I have to ask, but why are those two fighting."
She sighed, rolling her eyes, "Honestly, I don't think they even remember. It was so long ago."
"Well, I only learned about Edward's brother a few hours ago," I said, "I plan to pester him about it."
She smiled, "Maybe you can be the one to bring those two together. I'm over the feuding. I just had this little sweetheart," she pinched her baby's cheek, "And I'd really like for my son to have an uncle."
I smiled, "I promise I'll try to get Edward over this silly feud. Your baby is adorable, what his name?"
"This is Alec. He was born just a month ago." She smiled.
"Do you have anymore?"
She sighed, "Unfortunately no. I'm having reproduction problems. I've been wanting to go to Edward because he's the best female care doctor, but, Emmett acts ridiculous if I even say his name."
"Who acts ridiculous?" Emmett came up behind her with a big smile and kissed her on the cheek.
"I was just telling Bella a few things," Rosalie said.
"Are you Alice's friend?" Emmett asked.
"I am, and Edward's partner." I said.
His eyes moved to the yellow flowers in my hair, "You're his partner?"
"No officially, but we cozy with one another." I chuckled.
He nodded, "Hey, Rose, isn't it about time for Alec's feeding?"
Rosalie sighed and shook her head, "I guess it is. I'll see you later Bella. It was nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you two as well."
They walked off just as Edward came up behind me. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
"What were you talking to those two for?"
I spun around in his arms, "I was just meeting them. They both seem very nice." I said.
"Hmm," he said as he plucked a yellow flower from my hair, "You know these would be prettier in another color."
"Oh really? I like think the yellow is pretty, but the blue flowers are prettier." I said.
He smiled, "I was thinking more along the lines of white."
"White flowers?" I said, "That's only for mated—,"
"Bella," He said, "My time with you has been amazing. I thought I'd never meet anyone that would suit me as well as you do. I'm very much in love with you. I can't imagine spending the rest of my years with anyone else."
My mouth was agape, "Are you asking me—?
"I am," His forehead leaned against mine, eyes closing, "I care very deeply about you. And I want to be tied to you forever, even in the afterlife. Will you consider mating to me, and me only?"
A couple happy tears fell down my cheeks, "Of course! There's no consideration at all, I'll happily tie myself to you."
He chuckled, "Then why are you crying? Doesn't crying mean sadness?"
"Not always," I said, wiping them, "In this case, the crying is happy. I'm very, very happy."
He smiled and leaned down to kiss me, "I love you, human Bella."
I snorted unattractively, "I love you, Outerrian Edward."
A glass clinging pulled us out of our little bubble, Jasper and Alice were calling everyone's attention. Edward put an arm around my back and his tail wrapped around my leg.
"I want to thank everyone for being here with us tonight to celebrate," Jasper said, "It's an honor that I am to be mated to this beautiful human woman. I met this human the first day she came to work. To me, she was very intriguing. Small, oddly colored, and strange mannerisms. I wasn't sure what to make of her. But, beyond the strangeness, I found my closest friend, and then my mate," He looked at her lovingly, "I can't imagine my life without her. I never realized how much of me was missing until I met Alice."
She smiled, leaning up and kissing his cheek. She whispered in his ear, which made his tail sway a little faster. He smiled and whispered back. Watching their interactions put a big smile on my face, and I couldn't help but kiss Edward again.
The evening drifted to a close. Alice, Jasper, Edward and I were waving off the last of the guests as they left. Once everyone was gone, and we cleaned the room, we headed back to Alice and Jasper's house.
We were lounging on their couches, drinking sweet drinks and talking about tonight and tomorrow.
"So, did you ask Bella?" Jasper asked.
"Asked Bella what?" Alice said.
I smiled, "Well, Edward asked me to be his mate."
Alice gasped, "No way! And you didn't tell me he was going to ask her!" She said, looking at Jasper.
Jasper smiled, "I couldn't risk you telling Bella. And Edward never really had a set time when he was going to ask her. He just wanted to do it when he was ready."
Edward leaned back, "Well, I had been ready for a while, but I wanted the setting to be perfect." He said.
I leaned against his chest, "It was perfect. Honestly, you could've asked me at any time and I would've loved it."
"So, when are you two going to have the ceremony?" Alice asked.
"I don't even know. I haven't thought about it." I said.
"Well, you have to do it soon! It'll be cold soon and you won't be able to do much until the cold season is over."
I shrugged, "We'll figure it out. We've got time."
Alice groaned, "Let's do it soon or I'll die from excitement."
I chuckled, "We'll tie the knot, don't worry."
Both Edward and Jasper made a face.
"Tie the knot?" Edward said.
"It's another term for human marriage." I said.
"Ah. You humans have a lot of strange terms." Jasper said.
"You better get used to it, you're mating with a human." I smiled.
"Soon to be mated to a human, and soon to be father of a half human child." Jasper smiled.
"Wait, what," I said as I sat up, "What does he mean by that, Alice?" I asked.
She smiled widely, "I was going to wait to tell you, but, I'm pregnant."
I gasped, "Oh my goodness! That's amazing! I can't believe you kept that from me!"
She laughed, "I couldn't help it. I just found out I was pregnant a week ago and I didn't want it to overshadow the ceremony."
"I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt," I laughed and looked to Edward, "And you're going to be an uncle to another baby."
Edward's eyes squinted and then the realization hit him, "No, this would be my first niece or nephew."
I sighed and shook my head, "Edward,"
"Bella," He said, his eyes turning slightly darker. The expression on his face was scary, I had never seen him show any other emotion beside happiness.
I pursed my lips but raised my hands, "Alright, I'll relent, for now."
I looked to Alice who had her eyebrows raised. I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. This was a talk for another day. Not right now, not when everything was already perfect.
"Okay, we have to go so you two can get some sleep for your big day tomorrow." I said as I stood.
Alice hugged me, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you."
Edward and I left their house, holding hands as we walked to ours. As we were walking down the beautifully lit path, I stared at our two houses.
"We should figure out what to do about the houses." I said.
"Huh?"
"You know, we're planning on becoming permanent. I figured we should either move into your house or mine."
"Well, my house has a lot more space." He said.
"Yeah, and my house is right by the river. The location is beautiful." I said.
He nodded, "True, but, when the sun rises, it sets over that mountain peak behind my house, which I have the perfect view of."
I tapped my chin, "True you do have a nice view. But, I'd like to point out that my home is only a year old. It'd be a shame to abandon it. I worked really hard on it."
"Hmm, well my home is nearly ten years old. I'd hate to lose all the history I have in it." He said teasingly.
"Hmm, well, you do have the bigger house," I said as I leaned into him, "And when we decide to have kids, it'll be perfect."
He smiled widely and kissed my forehead, "So, we agree on my house?"
"Your house." I kissed him.
He chuckled, "We can keep your house in the family. My parents have been looking to move into a smaller home, out here. Maybe they can use it for the time being."
I smiled as we walked through the doors of his house. Once the door shut, I jumped into his arms and started kissing him, fully intending on celebrating our new engagement.
How did y'all like this chappy? Edward and Bella are going to tie the knot! Officially! Annnnnnnnd Miss... Mrs. Alice is going to have a baby! 3