Twelve
"Just shut up," I hold Bella's hand tugging her toward the lake, "I just need to show you something. I want your opinion before I paint."
"It's fucking freezing," she huffs out.
Ignoring her I lead her to the spot Edward wanted her.
"Okay, so this gazebo. Do you think I should water paint it or use oils?" I ask.
"You couldn't point this out from up at the house?" She narrows her eyes at me.
"I wanted you to see it up close," I shake my head.
"I guess oils," she crosses her arms trying to fight the chill, "let's go back inside."
The evening was beginning to sink in. Fairy lights were on around the edges of the gazebo, reflecting beautifully off the frozen lake. Edward's picked a movie-worthy location to propose. The romance in the air was making me want to cry. I have no idea how Bella is oblivious to what's happening.
He's in position, behind her. He'd come out before us hiding behind some trees while I got her where he needed her. Where I'd painted them to stand.
She'd attempted to come out wearing a different coat and I'd yelled at her to change it without offering a valid reason.
I could tell she was getting annoyed with me.
"So like this?" I move behind one of the benches, lifting the canvas I'd spent all night painting.
She stood under the gazebo, just inside the entrance, Edward quietly dropping to one knee behind her.
Breathing out I hold the painting out to her.
Don't fucking cry.
"You.. when did you do this?" she takes it in her hands, studying it before her eyes focus on herself.
I watch her, waiting for it to click.
"Let me hold this for you," I take it from her grip, her hands already quivering, "I'll let Edward take it from here."
Tears are in her eyes already as she looks up at me with an excited confusion. She follows me eye line, and when she turns she lets out a chocked gasp, hands flying to her mouth in shock.
Quickly I step aside out of the way so they can have their moment.
"Hey," he smiles up at her, "you okay?"
She nods, speechless. Unable to communicate through words. But I know exactly what she wants to say to him and so does he.
"Isabella Swan. You know you're my endgame already and that no one else on this planet will have the ability to make me as happy as you make me. Every second of every day I fall a little more in love with you. There's something new about you I uncover after convincing myself I know it all. You keep me on my toes, you challenge me and I can't go another moment without having asked you the question that's been burning inside of me since we met," He reaches out to take her shaking hand, "Baby, please do me the honour of…"
"Fuck yes," she interrupts him, bouncing on her toes, "without a doubt yes."
"I hadn't finished," he pulls the box out from his pocket opening it to reveal the beautiful ring he showed me.
"You don't need to. It's yes. I don't want to spend another moment waiting to become yours permanently," she crouches down, taking his face in her hands, "I love you so much. I want to be your wife. I want to be your endgame forever."
Leaning forward she presses her lips to his, silencing him from any further proposing. I laugh at them, clapping and cheering through my own tears.
Edward slips the ring onto her finger standing to lift her up as he kisses her again.
"Always the bridesmaid becomes the bride," she wraps her arms around his neck, "I can't wait."
Unable to wait any longer I rush them, pulling them into a group hug. I feel a flood of emotions having had the chance to witness it all unfold before me.
"I'm so excited. Congratulations," I bounce excitedly on my feet in their hold, "I love you both."
"You kept this a secret," Bella smacks my arm playfully, "and painted the whole thing."
She moves to pick the painting up where I'd placed it carefully on a bench.
"This is beautiful, Rose," Edward studies it, "you did an amazing job."
"I'll treasure this for the rest of my life," Bella lets out a fresh round of tears, "oh my god this is the best day of my life. I can't believe you were here for it."
"Let's go celebrate," Edward wraps his arm around her, "none of my family know yet."
"Oh.. well Emmett might," I bite my lip, "he helped me paint some of it. But he'll act surprised."
"How?" Bella looks at me.
"We can discuss it later. Let's go open champagne," I wave my hands, motioning for them to start walking.
When Bella shows off her hand Alice screams bloody murder, racing to crash tackle her. Jasper and Emmett hug Edward, congratulating him. Esme is in tears instantly and Carlisle is the picture of pride. Clapping his son on the back, with a knowing nod.
Distinctly a different reaction to their other son's engagement.
Cassie notices it too. Crossing her arms from her couch, glaring at the family as they share their moment.
"If the wind blows the other way you'll get stuck that way," I say to her while they're occupied.
"Is that your excuse?" she fired back.
"Nah. The only thing I blew was your fiance," I wink at her, moving past her into the kitchen to find champagne.
I make it to the wine fridge in the kitchen, but she follows storming in. Lightening and thunder follow her. Rumbling ready to take me out to battle.
"Are you telling me you slept with him?" she growls.
"I'm telling you to be supportive of my best friend's engagement or fuck off out of here. This is her night and if you wreck it I'll wreck you. I don't know what you're holding over Emmett's head, but I'm going to find out what it is," I move around the kitchen as I speak, pulling glasses out, "Emmett is mine. Regardless of what alien species you've got in your stomach, he will always be mine. I'll pry him from your filthy hands because there's one thing I can give him that you cannot."
She stares at me in anger. I think she might hit me.
"I can give him happiness," I gather up the glasses on a tray and hold the wine in my other hand, "oh and a fuck tonne of worthy orgasms. If I were you I'd call it a night. Go to bed. Because if you fuck with Bella's night once I'll fuck with you. You don't want that even if my fucking abilities might teach you a thing or two."
I shove past her, returning to the room with a huge grin.
"Here. Everyone take one," I hand them out, "unless you're Alice. I'll have hers too."
The cork pops and I pour us all champagne, we toast to our friends, none of us even noticing her absence.
I'm drunk.
I'm not alone with it.
Edward and Bella are cuddled on the couch, sharing kisses, studying her ring. Alice has fallen asleep with her feet in Jasper's lap. Jazz and Emmett argue over the plot of How to lose a Guy in Ten Days, while I shuffle the deck of cards. We were playing Uno and miraculously hadn't murdered each other yet.
Esme and Carlisle had ditched us to retire upstairs, while Cassie had vanished since I'd snapped at her. Emmett had gone looking for her but had returned with a sour look on his face. I managed to make him smile again within minutes.
"Why are we talking about this?" I hiccup.
"Because the love fern was fucking dumb," Jasper rolls his eyes.
"He killed it," Emmett is so expressive, "it's not dumb."
He's drunk too.
"So he killed the love," I nod, "I hate that I made you watch that movie."
"Any other chick flicks I should be prepared for?" Jasper asks me.
"The Notebook, Legally Blonde and he watched Charlie's Angels too but he was preoccupied," I begin to deal cards.
I sat on the floor beside Em, Jasper on the couch above us.
Bella and Edward were both in their own world. Whispering about wedding plans, about honeymoon locations. I was not far off suggesting they go to their room and just undress already.
"With what?" Jasper asks.
"Fucking," Emmett answers.
"Jesus," Edward mutters overhearing his brother, "sugar coat it."
"Fucking while she was in handcuffs. I was bad cop that night," He looks at his brother, "if you need advice now that you're married you can always count on me, Shrivel."
"Stop calling me that," he points at Emmett, "I won. You two have no power."
"No, we just won't get to see the shrivelling," I glance at him.
"You two are overdue for a streak," Edward points between us.
"Rose can't run, Edward," Bella shakes her head.
"Exactly," I nod.
"Emmett can carry her," Edward suggest.
"While she's naked? Fuck no," Emmett shakes his head.
"Your fiancé is here. You'll be respectful," Edward knows exactly what he's doing.
"I mean you did have a bet," Jasper agrees.
"Shut up," I glare at him.
"It was your idea," Edward points at me, "you know if it was me that fell over you'd be demanding I do it."
I would.
Standing I throw down the rest of the card deck. Shrugging I pull my shirt up over my head, beginning to unbutton my jeans.
"Jesus," Jasper nudges Alice, "wake up darl."
Alice groans and opens her eyes. They widen when she lands on me.
"I'm not having an orgy," she shakes her head horrified.
"What?" Bella laughs loudly.
"They're fulfilling their end of the bet," Edward clarifies.
Emmett stands and watches me as he pulls his shirt up. My eyes drink him in without waiting a second. Jesus he's got it all. His muscles made me feel tiny when he held me. Hard and tight in all the right places.
I wanted to lick him. Mount him. Everyone else could flee with their eyes covered.
"Lap around the house," Edward says, "chicken out and you have to run a second one."
Slipping out of my jeans I begin to make my way to the front door. The cold already seeping underneath. I hate myself for suggesting this.
"I can try and run. It's not far. Ready?" I look back at Emmett.
"No. I'm staring at you in your underwear and I am fighting filthy thoughts," he shoves his pants down.
We pull on boots and he opens the door.
"Fuck," I growl.
The air is gusty, snow fresh.
"If you chicken you have to do two laps," Edward rounds the corner, "go on Shrivel."
"It's only funny when I say it to you," Emmett glares at his brother, "have fun watching my tight, perky ass. Just know if you ever speed past me I'm going to love writing you a ticket."
"I've got a good lawyer," Edward shrugs.
"Fucking idiot," Emmett pulls his boxers down and my eyes widen.
Edward is behind him so his eyes remain clean. Mine are filthy as I stare shamelessly. He was slightly erect. For me.
"Come on Rosie. Let's show this asshole how it's done," Emmett's covered in goosebumps.
I step out onto the porch with him. Before I take off running after him I slip my panties off and my bra, throwing them in the doorway behind me.
Shivering and trying not to cry from how cold I am, I race after Emmett. My eyes fixed on his naked form as inspiration. He's fast. He's so physically fit. Strong. Edward might not be looking at that tight, perky ass right now, but I sure am.
We round the corner of the house, I try my best to catch up, covering my chest. Hoping my nipples won't simply crack from the cold.
"My nipples are rocks," I cry out.
Emmett laughs loudly, as we rush around the back of the house.
Once we run the length of the back of the house, we begin the home stretch. Our legs moving quick, breath huffing out in small clouds.
He looks back at me and when his eyes catch mine, we both let out loud rounds of laughter.
This might be the second most fun thing we've done naked.
"Come on, Rose," he calls out.
For a moment he slows down until I catch up. When I do he reaches out to take my hand, pulling me along with him.
When we approach the front door, Bella is there holding blankets out, eyes averted.
"As if you've never seen it before," I shiver as I wrap it around me.
"I have," she nods, "but it's still weird."
Jasper and Edward are crying from laughing so hard, hunched over, smacking their knees.
"Children," I roll my eyes, moving to start the task of collecting my clothes.
Emmett's arm catches me though, tugging me back into his body. His mouth moves to my ear, and it's a miracle I don't shove him against the wall and climb him.
"If we did this in Summer I think I would have been fucking you after the first minute of that," he growls into my ear, "seeing you naked even under conditions like that… I'm coming to your room tonight."
I shiver.
"Pineapple on pizza," he whispers, "don't you dare think about taking it off."
It's got nothing to do with the temperature.
thanks for reading x