Surprise, Surprise

Alice helped me find the perfect ring for Edward in less than an hour. It was tungsten, beautiful and strong. It had etchings in the center, never-ending knotting that was intertwined and always connected.

I loved it, and I also loved the fact that they had it in his size. If it didn't fit, we could get it resized later. I was sure it would be a bit too big, not too small. Edward was a thin man with even thinner fingers.

It would do.

By the time I got home around nine thirty, he was already in bed and asleep. I changed and brushed my teeth before crawling in with him, kissing his forehead lightly. He moaned in his sleep, clutching me to his body.

I fell asleep quickly in his arms. My body needed the rest as much as it desired the closeness and warmth.

I began to dream sometime during the night. I was weaving through a crowd of people, all of them smiling and laughing but I was having trouble finding the person I wanted. The person I needed. Edward. I searched and searched until I finally found them in a clearing, the people around him in a circle but ignoring him at the same time. I reached for him, and when he saw me, he smiled and reached his hand out to me. But, just as we were about to touch, I woke up with a start.

My hands blindly searched for Edward in the sheets and blankets, but I couldn't find him. He wasn't in bed with me, nor was he in the bathroom.

I slipped on my slippers and began to search the house for him. He wasn't in the living room or his music room. Finally, I began to hear the clanging and clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen. I came to the doorway and leaned against it as I watched.

There was a whole bunch of stuff out, items that I didn't know what they did. But, there were a lot of mason jars out with a dark red goo in them. There was also a large pot that appeared to be filled with boiling water.

"What are you doing?" I asked quietly so not to frighten him. He was leaning against the sink, washing something.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" He asked instead of answering my question.

"No, I had a dream, and it woke me up. You weren't there and I got worried."

"I'm sorry," Edward answered softly. "I didn't mean to worry you. And don't worry, I'll clean up this mess when I'm done."

"I don't care about the mess. I care about you. Is something bothering you?" I asked quietly, coming to stand behind him. My arms wrapped around his waist as my cheek rested against his back.

"I'm just... nervous, I guess."

"About what?" I asked, my hands resting on his hips.

"Tomorrow, I suppose?" He shook his head. "I'm curious to what your surprise is, and I don't know. Worried about being a year older, I guess."

"Well, you don't look a day over twenty-five," I teased him, making him chuckle softly. "And I think you'll like your surprise. You'll just have to be patient. You can't always be the one surprising people."

"Hm," he muttered as he turned around. His hands were warm and slightly damp as they found their way underneath my thin t-shirt. "I suppose not. No hints?"

"None," I said, kissing his jaw. "So, are you going to tell me what you're doing?"

"I'm making stuff... When I couldn't sleep, I used to get up and cook all this stuff for later. I've been sleeping really well lately, and I guess I was due. I was almost out of jam."

"You're making jam?"

"Well, I made some homemade mayo and some ketchup first. Those are easy, and I know how you like the mayo in tuna," he said with a sigh. "I was hoping I'd be tired by then, but I wasn't, so I decided to make some strawberry jam and some fig preserves. I got some fresh the other day from the farmer's market."

"I didn't know you knew how to make this kind of stuff," I replied, turning to look at his efforts on the counter. I should have realized he knew how to preserve his own jam. Only my Edward. I realized there was another pan beside the larger pot filled with a bubbling tan colored goop.

He shrugged, blushing for some reason. "My grandmother taught me. I know it's a little... well... fruity... to do this kind of-"

"Fruity?" I stopped him before he could go any further. "It's fantastic, Edward! It smells so good in here."

"Want a taste?" He offered, pointing at one of the pink jars. "The figs aren't done yet. This jar didn't preserve as it should have so we'll be eating it first."

"I'd love some."

He pulled out a loaf of bread and pulled out a single piece. He carefully arranged a glob on one corner before handing it to me. "It's still warm, so be careful."

I moaned in pure delight as I tasted the sweet sticky substance on my tongue. "Edward... This is soooo good..." I hummed through my bite. "Oh, my god. This is like orgasmically good."

"Thanks," he said, blushing a bit more. The color spread from his cheeks all the way down to his neck. "I think my figs are a bit better. I also do a grape jelly and a blueberry jam."

"This with some of Jasper's homemade bread would be heaven," I told him. "You've ruined me to all store-bought stuff, you know that?"

"Kind of the idea," he laughed. "This is better for you anyway."

"You know what you should do?" I said as I spread some more onto the bread. "You should talk to Jasper about selling some of this in the bakery. It makes sense. I bet he would."

"It's something to consider," he shrugged, leaning down to snag a bite before I could take another one. "You really do like it?"

"I love it," I told him, touching his nose. "You're going to make me fat again."

"I'll keep you active," he teased. "Besides, it wouldn't matter what size you were. I'd still love you with all my heart and soul."

"You know I feel the exact same way, don't you?" I whispered as I leaned against him. I could feel his heart thumping wildly against my cheek. "That I would love you no matter how you looked. I will love you when I'm a fat old woman, and you're a crazy old man losing his mind."

"Why do you assume I'm going to lose my mind?" He asked with a raised and challenging eyebrow. It just made me laugh.

"You're making jam at four in the morning. I love you but that's not normal," I teased him. "On your birthday, no less."

He snorted. "You're down here, at four in the morning, eating my jam. What does that say about you?"

I laughed, "I never said I wasn't abnormal too."

"And I love you for it all the more," he cooed, kissing my lips softly. Slowly the kiss began to deepen, his hands dragging down my back to my ass. Just as he squeezed it between his fingers, a timer went off with a loud ding.

"Never heard my ass make that sound before," I said, looking behind me and down at his hands. He laughed, squeezing it again before releasing me.

"Figs are done."

"Want some help?" I offered, biting my bottom lip. I wasn't going to be able to go to sleep without him anyway.

"Sure. Why don't you grab that funnel there," he said, pointing at a big metal funnel with an opening that sat perfectly in the hole of the jar.

We stayed up until six in the morning, eating a breakfast of eggs and toast with the literal fruits of his labor. We went back to bed for a couple of hours before we had to get up again.

Jasper and Emmett were picking up Edward at eleven for lunch, and they were going to blindfold him and bring him to his aunt's house at four. I was going to be out of the house as soon as he left, going to help decorate.

"Are you sure I can't talk you into staying in bed all day?" Edward whined as someone, Emmett most likely, laid on the horn outside.

"Yes, I'm sure," I laughed, hugging him tightly. "Go have fun. Go do... manly things."

"Yeah, sure. As long as we don't go to another strip club."

"In the middle of the day? Yeah, that sounds like something your uncle would do," I chuckled, kissing his chin. The horn blared again. "Go, and I'll see you tonight."

"Fine," he whimpered. "Love you, Bella."

"Love you, always and forever with all my heart," I told him with a big kiss, weaving my fingers through his hair to give it one final tug. With that he stumbled out the door, drunk with the passion I just showed him.

You know, just to give him something to think about in case they did go to a strip club in the middle of the day.

As soon as the door closed, I rushed into our room and packed a bag so I could change after I decorated. I would be going in and out all day in the Texas heat, and I didn't want to sweat all over my pretty summer dress. Also, who knew the mess I would make.

I slipped the box that held the ring into the bag before leaving the house. I was more than prepared.

Edward's aunt Evelyn's house was already buzzing with excitement when I got there. People were going about, doing all sorts of things to get ready. The men were outside setting up tables and chairs while the women were in the kitchen getting food prepared.

Rosalie and Esme had apparently gotten the decorations that morning, and they were sorting through what looked like twenty bags of stuff from Party City.

"Holy crow, did we go overboard?" I laughed as I sat down on the floor.

"Yes," they said the same time, laughing. Esme smiled at me sheepishly. "Well, I wanted the party to go with the cake. I've got everything in blue and green. We've got tablecloths, plates, forks, cups, balloons, and confetti. I've got some happy birthday signs too."

And then she pulled out a massive bag of balloons.

"And we've got six helium tanks over there," Rosalie added, my eyes growing wide.

"How many balloons are you planning to do?" I breathed.

"Three hundred or about there. Oh, and here are some adorable centerpieces!" She gushed. I waved my hands in front of me, trying to slow her down.

"How are we going to get all of this done before Edward gets here? It's already close to noon."

"Honey, that's the best part about having a big family. You've got plenty of helpers," Esme said, patting my hand before winking at me. "You're going to have to get used to it, you know."

"I am," I agreed before looking down at the bags to hide my blush. "So, where do we start?"

We worked on setting up the decorations for about an hour before I got a little break. The tables were clothed, so to speak, once the men were done setting them up. We covered them with confetti with the help from the children, and the centerpieces were placed just so. About ten people were working on the balloons, and they were getting blown up amazingly fast. The other set of men, half of which I didn't even know, set up a dance floor underneath one part of the tent.

Apparently, Edward's grandmother decided it was a good idea to hire a DJ. It wasn't something I even thought about, but it did seem like a good idea. Edward loved music.

At one, a delivery van with Jasper's bakery logo on it pulled up. The baby faced Seth brought the cake in on a large rolling cart. "Hey, Bella! Nice to see you again!"

"Great to see you too," I told him, smiling. "Thanks so much for bringing the cake. You know, you're welcome to stay."

He laughed, ducking his head. "I would, but someone's got to keep the bakery running. Thanks though. Maybe I'll come by when it's closed if you think you'll still be partying."

"I certainly hope so. We'll have enough food," I assured him. He smiled at me before clearing his throat.

"Jasper said that you can keep the cart for today. It'll make bringing the cake out easier."

"Good thinking," I agreed.

At that moment, Esme came in with garland wrapped all around her. I don't know what she was doing, but I do know she was instantly distracted by the cake.

"Oh, my god! It's more beautiful than I imagined! This is so wonderful!"

And she began to cry.

Which in turn, made me cry. I had been holding it in for days, but I became so overwhelmed that it finally came crashing through.

Seth ran quickly after that, not wanting to be around the crying women.

"Why are you crying?" She sniffled, her arm around my shoulder.

"Why are you?" I countered, laughing through my tears.

"I'm just so happy!" She said, squeezing my shoulder before coughing to clear her throat. "Okay, we can't be standing around here doing nothing! We need to get this garland up. We're almost done decorating, and then we can help with the food before we go get ready ourselves."

At three o'clock more people began to arrive, filling up the yard with cars. Food was piled everywhere. My stomach began to protest the fact I did not have lunch, but I ignored it as I got ready.

"Knock, knock," Alice cooed outside the bathroom door. "You need some help in there?"

I opened the door and pulled her in with me. "Hey! How do I look?" I asked as I fluffed up my hair and did a little turn. "Do I look okay?"

"Is someone a bit nervous?" She asked with a giggle. "Baby, you look great. Where do you have the ring hid?"

"In my pocket," I said, patting the side of my skirt. "Oh, my god. I'm about to propose to the man I love in front of hundreds of people. What if he says no?"

"Don't be stupid," she scoffed. "He won't say no. Bella, he wants to marry you."

I gave one last look in the mirror as I reapplied my lipstick. Along with the ring, there was a wad of tissue in my pocket, just in case I cried again. Or Esme cried. Or if anyone cried. I was, at the very least, prepared for tears.

When it came close to the time Edward was to arrive with Jasper and Emmett, we sent the kids in the house so they would be quiet. Charlie went with them, Bridget clutching his hand and clucking away about having her own surprise party. Tanya was our lookout.

When Emmett's car pulled up, she came around back and yelled that it was time. Silence spread across the massive crowd. It was rather impressive actually.

I heard Edward's voice first.

"Would you bloody fucking let me go?" He complained, his feet scuffling across the grass. "This is insanity."

The blindfold was firmly pulled across his eyes, a large thick black piece of fabric. Jasper had his arms behind his back like he was being arrested. Emmett was leading him forward towards where I stood facing the crowd. His mother and father, along with his grandparents, were standing in the front row.

"You better watch your language," Emmett teased. "You might be going to a church."

"I highly doubt that. More like a strip club or maybe Mexico," he said, stumbling forward when his feet hit the wooden dance floor. Jasper kept him from falling on his face. "Come on, guys. I've got a special date tonight. How do you think Bella is going to feel about this?"

At about that time he came to stand beside me. I moved behind him just as the boys let him go. Whispering in his ear softly I said, "who's idea do you think it was?"

And I removed the blindfold, the signal for everyone to yell surprise. He jumped back in shock, his mouth hanging open as he looked over the crowd.

"Wow," is all he muttered.

He was instantly surrounded, arms going around him in all directions. There were kisses passed around as he greeted the family he rarely got to see but loved so much. There were tears as well, Esme's, of course, but also Edward's.

Finally, he pulled away and turned to look at me. "You did this?"

"Yes," I said slowly, biting my bottom lip. "Is that okay?"

He grabbed my face and kissed me soundly. "This is... Oh, my god," Edward pressed his forehead against mine as his hands held my face. "This is... you are... unbelievable. You are amazing."

"I just gave them the idea, they ran with it," I laughed, motioning towards his family.

He shook his head and kissed me again. I swallowed thickly, blinking back my tears. But our moment was ruined by my stomach growling loudly. Edward laughed, hugging me tightly. "I think someone's hungry."

"I think we've got the perfect fix for that," Elizabeth, Edward's grandmother cooed. "Come on, baby. We've got all your favorites and twenty times more."

We ate dinner outside, large fans sending a gentle breeze through the tent. We sat at a table with his grandparents, parents, and my father. We talked and laughed and ate way too much. Music was playing in the background, kids in the middle of the dance floor already getting down. They were so cute.

After everyone finished and cleared the plates, Esme signaled to me that it was time to do the cake. I pulled Edward up to his feet and to the middle of the dance floor so that we were standing in front of everyone. The DJ handed me a microphone just in case I needed it.

I was sure I did. Because I knew this was my moment.

"I hope you guys don't expect me to open all the gifts right now. We'll be here all night," Edward shouted, making everyone laugh.

I smiled, taking my boyfriend's hand. "No no. We have more important matters at hand."

"Like dessert!" Someone yelled from the crowd, another round of laughter going through.

Just then Jasper brought the cart out from where it was hidden in the kitchen with the giant cake. Several white candles were arranged on the top, burning already. "Happy birthday," I whispered in his ear as everyone began to sing to him. Just as they finished, the cake came to stand right in front of him. Jasper moved out of the way so everyone could watch him blow out the candles.

"I don't know what to wish for," Edward laughed, sniffling as he wiped a tear away from his cheek. "I've got everything I could have ever wished for. Thank you so much, everyone, for doing this for me."

"Just blow out the candles!" A female voice said from the crowd. It was Rosalie. He smiled at her gratefully for breaking up his emotional moment. He leaned down and blew hard.

They all went out with a single breath. A round of applause broke out.

"Okay, so before we cut the cake-" I began but was interrupted by Emmett.

"Hey, some of us have cranky pregnant women to feed!" He teased. I laughed as his mother popped him against the back of the head like a naughty puppy.

"Be patient! I promise you'll get cake in a minute, Emmett," I rolled my eyes dramatically, the crowd snickering. "First off, I want to thank every one of you for helping me do this for this wonderful man standing beside me. Since he came into my life less than a year ago, he's changed my life dramatically. I am so much happier than I ever thought I would be. And I know that we've," I looked at Edward meaningfully, his eyes trained on me, "haven't always done things in the right order or the right way. And well, I thought... well, hey, why would I break with our tradition?"

I dropped down on one knee in front of him. Any sounds the crowd was making beforehand stopped. Everyone was curious about what I was doing, except for Alice and Jasper who knew what was coming.

"So, I was hoping that..." I took a deep breath and pulled out the ring from my pocket, "Edward, will you marry me?"

A sharp collective intake of breath could be heard as the seconds ticked by. Edward looked down at me with wide eyes and his mouth hanging open. I would have paid anything to know what he was thinking at the moment.

"On one condition," he said slowly.

"What?" I said, my hands shaking as I felt embarrassment sweep over me. Perhaps I should have waited for us to have the talk. Doubt filled me.

That was until Edward dropped down onto his knees in front of me and pulled out a box from his pocket.

"You wear my ring. I do want to do some things the right way."

He opened the blue box and inside was a gorgeous single diamond on a silver colored band. I let out a nervous laugh as tears rolled down my cheeks. I then, with almost no grace at all, tackled him to the floor as I kissed him.

"Yes! Of course!" I squealed.

I heard the noise around me, of course, but nothing in my world was more important than Edward. We kissed and kissed before finally sitting up. He brought the ring from the box and slipped it onto my left hand. He pulled me to my feet, hugging me close to his body.

"So, did you guys know this was coming?" Edward asked the crowd, his chin resting on the top of my head.

"We did!" Emmett said with a wild smile, pointing to him and Jasper.

"Warning would have been nice," he mumbled, kissing the top of my head.

"When did you get the ring?" I asked, looking up at him adoringly. "It's perfect."

"Well," he said, looking over at Jasper and Emmett. "I thought perhaps we could have that marriage talk during dinner tonight and I wanted to be prepared to propose to you right then and there. We got the ring after lunch. And I am certainly glad we did."

After that a flurry of people surrounded us. There were hugs and kisses all around this time. My father squeezed through the group, pulling me into a big hug. "I guess the boy didn't need my blessing after all," he laughed into my hair.

"Was that what you were talking about during the game?" I asked quietly. He just nodded, giving me a squeeze before I felt another pair of arms pull me back. I turned in Edward's arms, kissing him lightly on the lips. "No wonder you didn't tell me."

"Well, I was trying to do it the right way," he laughed, taking in a deep breath. "Hm, well, did you help Jasper with the cake? Did you get to scratch that off your list as well?"

"The list doesn't matter anymore." I shook my head, looking up at him. "But yes, I did help make it."

He was thoughtful for a moment. "It does matter. It brought me to you. I will always be grateful for that."

"Alright, you two," Rosalie said as she waddled over to the cake with a knife and a plate. "You can be mushy somewhere else. The pregnant woman is getting cake."

"Sounds good to me," Edward laughed as he held onto my hand. Bridget ran over to me and tugged on my dress to get my attention. I assumed she wanted a piece of cake, but I was wrong.

"Are you getting married? Are you and Edward going to live happily ever after now?" She asked with wide glittering eyes. "Like in a fairy tale?"

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that heard the question. My fiance knelt down in front of the girl so he could answer her. "Yes. Yes, it absolutely does. Bella and I are going to live happily ever after."

And I knew, without a doubt, that he was right.

The End

So there is. There is an epilogue as well. There are some outtakes as well. Add me to your author alerts to keep an eye out for those. I'm going to take a little break after I finish this though.

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