CHESHIRE15 my loyal reader, thank you for reviewing this one's for you!
So Edward is asking Charles for Bella's hand!
I'm glad the story is moving along. I want to get into Mobward.
I would ask her father tonight. I would ask him to make Isabella my wife busted, swollen lip and all.
I couldn't help but smile to myself.
I looked at Emmett; his eyes were alight and a small smirk was threatening to turn into a grin. I had already known he wouldn't be fazed by the girl's fight.
"Charles, I was hoping I could have a word with you if that's alright?" I asked him stepping forward.
"Yeah. Come with me we can talk in my office." Charles replied looking back at the sobbing girls. He gestured his hands for me to follow him.
We walked into his office it looked very masculine with deep rich colors. Charles pointed to a burgundy leather chair across from his desk that was studded with gold pins along the front of the armrest. I sat down and was surprised at how comfortable it was; The leather was very soft.
"Look Edward I was told by my wife you might be expressing interest in Bells and I hope the fight hasn't caused you to change your mind. I think Bella is quite taken with you. You see….since Bella was a little girl all I ever wanted is to ensure her happiness. If she was ever to come to me and tell me she was displeased… with her treatment from her husband I would feel obligated to do something… drastic." Charles said placing a shotgun shell In front of me on his desk, a sinister smile gracing his face.
"I know a lot about you Edward. Who do you think gave your father the invitation to the debutante ball? I know all about the Cullen family and their… dealings. So tell me son, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Charles said before sitting back in his chair.
I didn't quite know what to think of Charles. He was an interesting individual. I was shocked that he already knew the true nature of my families business.
So he was the man my father had done business with my father in the past.
"Mr. Swan, I promise to love and cherish Isabella everyday that I have her with me. But I have to her in my life. She's like a breath of fresh air in my upside down world. I can't leave because I know some where deep down that I'll never be as happy with anyone else as I am with her. I don't want your permission to court her. I would like to humbly ask for her hand in marriage with your approval." I told him making sure I made eye contact with him.
Charles looked at me for a long while, I saw his mustache twitch before looking at me and nodding his head.
"You have my blessing to ask her for her hand. I will let Bella make the final decision." Charles said.
"Thank you sir. I would like Isabella to return to Chicago with me when I go back home." I spoke softly. I heard Charlie grumble. "Well, where is the ring?"
"I don't… I don't have one yet." I mumbled feeling foolish.
"Well I'd say you came unprepared." He said rubbing his face and smoothing his mustache with his fingers. "There is a Jewelry store about an hour from here. I suggest you and Emmett go tomorrow." He reached into his desk and pulled a business card out handing it to me. The card read Eclipse Jewelers. "Make sure to call them and let them know your coming, they have a few select pieces they only pull out for people with...deep pockets. But they are one of the best. They have a large selection so I'm sure you will find something." He told me getting up out of his chair. "One last thing," he stopped and turned to me. "Rosalie and Bella are best friends but they are very different girls. Bella has a weakness for unique one of a kind items, and she never wears anything too flashy. And Rosalie loves bling, the bigger the better. Hope that helps you boys tomorrow. Have a good night Edward." Charles left me sitting in his office. I looked back down at the card pulling out my cell phone I looked at the time it was close to 8 o'clock, I doubt they would still be open. But I tried calling anyway. The phone on the other line was ringing.
Good sign.
I was bouncing my knee waiting for someone to answer the phone.
"Eclipse Jewelers. Giovanni speaking."
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen. My brother and I are in the market to purchase engagement rings."
"Good evening Mr. Cullen since you called me on my personal cell number I can only assume you received my number through a client of ours. May I ask which loyal client suggested you buy from us?"
"Charles Swan."
"Please tell Mr. Swan thank you for his recommendation, could you and your brother be here at 9 tomorrow morning? We normally open at 10 but I will open early for a friend a Charles Swan. You and your brother can have the store to yourselves for an hour."
"That would be wonderful. Thank you." I said.
"Tis no problem Mr. Cullen. See you tomorrow. Good bye."
"Good bye." I said hitting the end call button.
I leaned back in my chair. I could propose tomorrow night if I wanted.
Whew.
I needed to go get Emmett and tell him the plan for tomorrow.
Walking downstairs I could hear laughter. Bella, Rosalie, Maggie, Victoria, Bella's parents, and Rosalie's parents were watching home movies with my family.
In the video I see Bella and Rosalie. They look about six years old. They are sitting at a child's table and appear to be having a tea party.
Bella and Rose were sitting next to each other on the couch laughing at their younger selves; Both were sporting ice packs on their faces. It appears that they are well past their fight.
I started to watch the video with the girls.
Video:
Bella: I'm going to marry a doctor. He will kiss me like daddy kisses mom. Momma told me that one day I'll like that sort of thing, when I'm older.
Little Bella said with a serious face.
Rose: I'm going to marry a politician.
Bella: what's a politician?
Rose: I don't know. My aunt Debby told me that I should. She says they are crooked. But that they make lots of money and that you need lots of money to have nice things. I always see toys I want and daddy says I'm expensive so I'll probably have to marry someone crooked.
Little Bella looked alarmed.
Bella: Daddy tells me the same thing! I'll have to marry someone crooked too!
Rose: Don't worry. We will do it together. We will find crooked men. We will have money for toys. And then we will have lots of babies.
Bella: oh.. babies! Mom finally told me where they came from.
Little Bella whispered like it was a secret.
Rose: where?
Little Rose whispered back.
Bella: Mom said that daddies have a special baby seed and when the mommy loves the daddy a lot the daddy will give mommy the seed and plant it in her belly. And that's how babies are made.
Rose: how does the daddy get it in her belly?
Bella: I don't know maybe the mommy swallows the seed.
Both the little girls shrug and get up running off toward a large swing set before the camera shuts off.
"Oh my gosh. That is so embarrassing." Bella said. Her face was as red as a tomato.
Everyone was howling in laughter including myself.
"That. Was. Awesome." Emmett laughed out. Tears were rolling down his face.
I had tears rolling down my face as well.
Rosalie huffed and got up leaving the living room.
Bella followed.
Although, watching little Bella and Rose talk about marrying some one who was crooked… the irony was not lost on me. They would marry some one who was crooked. I just hoped when they found out their husbands were glorified thieves, they wouldn't react too badly. Things between Bella and I were going really well and I didn't want to take any steps back with her. I only wanted us to move forward. I sound pathetic, a lovesick fool.
Remembering about tomorrow I asked Emmett to meet me in the guest bedroom.
We were still chuckling over that video when we went inside the room.
"So I asked Charles for Bella's hand. He told me I had his blessing but get this he's the guy dad got the invitation for the debut ball from. He knows about he underground world." I said.
"Congrats by the way. So dad has had dealings with Charles in the past? I never thought to ask what he does for a living. But I assume he has a good job look at his house." Emmett said pointing around.
"Thanks. Anyway he gave me a business card to a Jewelry store nearby and I figured you would want to go with me to buy a ring for Rosalie." I told him.
"Oh yeah that's great. I thought I'd have to wait until we got back to Chicago." Emmett said with a big grin. "Hey I think we should let James and Liam know about tomorrow. I bet they will want to come with us. Maggie already has Liam completely whipped, and don't get me started on James with Victoria, that guy is a goner for sure." Emmett told me standing up from where he was sitting on the bed.
"Okay, we have to leave by 8 tomorrow morning to get there by 9. Apparently the owner is opening up the store an hour early exclusively for us."
"Sweet. I'll go let them know." Emmett said walking out of the guest bedroom.
I hope that I can find the perfect ring tomorrow. Since we would be waking up early tomorrow I figured I better call it an early night. I tugged my pants off and had my shirt halfway over my head when I heard a gasp.
Bella was standing by the door staring at me in my underwear. I think I saw her package check me. I guess she realized where she had been staring because she covered her eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were already getting ready for bed." She said as she rushed out the door.
Pulling on some pajama pants and a t-shirt I left my room to go find her. I passed Rose and Emmett sitting on the couch talking.
"Rose, have you seen Bella?"
"Umm… I think she ran upstairs for just a second." Rose said twirling a piece of her hair, reentering her conversation with Emmett.
Okay.
I went up the stairs and heard music playing from Bella's bedroom. I knocked softly and could of sworn I heard Bella say come in. Opening the door slowly I saw Bella bare back she had nothing but panties. The image was engraved in my brain. I knew she was going to have a great body from the clothes she wears but to see her standing before me in a less clothed intimate way… I wanted to reach out and touch her incredibly soft skin.
I closed the door before she saw me; that would have been embarrassing for both of us. I needed a shower, a cold one.
I walked back down stairs Rosalie was saying goodnight to Emmett. He had a goofy smile of his face. Rosalie planted a quick peck on his cheek and bounded for the stairs. Her cheeks had a slight pink tint to them once she saw that I had seen them.
She walked up the stairs and I waited until she got to the top before turning around to Emmett.
"What did James and Liam say? Are they going to go tomorrow?" I asked him.
"Go where?" Emmett said.
This is why I was next in line to take over for our father.
Now you know.
"Are you for real? Engagement ring shopping?" I hissed. I could see the light bulb go off in his brain.
"Shit! I forgot to ask them. I came out and Rose looked so cute with her swollen cheek."
"Go ask them. I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
tell me your thoughts... do you think Bella will flip when she finds out what Edward does for a living?