Chapter Two: Chilled Warmth

We drove off and headed towards the Cullen house. Though I was happy that Charlie gave his consent, something did not feel right. Soon my smile began to fade. I guess Edward could feel the change in my mood because he slowed the car and stopped. Once he parked the car he turned to look at me. "Bella what is the matter?" he asked and I noted the worry.

"This doesn't feel right," I whispered, then regretted saying it once I finished because I looked at Edward and he was hurt. "No, NO! Edward that is not what I meant. Being with you… the idea of marrying you is right, I don't regret my decision or doubt it," I took his face in my hands, "No more doubt Edward. I love you and I want to marry you. Please believe me." I prayed and begged that he could believe me now after what we had just gone through.

"I do, I do believe you Bella" he lightly kissed my lips, "But what is it that is bothering you my love?" Did I really want to worry him? Would he even be worried? "I just think that…well. Well with all the hate and dislike Charlie showed, he seemed to warm up to the idea of us getting married pretty fast," I explained.

Edward took my hands and twined his fingers with mine, "Bella does that bother you even if he told you that he is happy for you, for us?" I guess he was right but still he knew better. "Edward you know as well as I do that not all people speak what is on their mind."

"Yes I do know that fact but I just think that you are underestimating your father. He could very well be warming up to our engagement and you are just worrying for no particular reason. Honestly Bella you know as well as I do that your father hasn't been very happy with me. You expect him to be overjoyed with this in the matter of only two minutes?" He was right and though Edward tried to keep the mood light his eyes showed his true feelings.

"Well of course not but I figured there would have been more of an argument. More things to be said. Feelings to be hurt and even some tears," how was I supposed to explain that I was expecting more anger out of my father. How would that look? It would look like I wanted my father to be so angry that I could change my mind, but I made myself perfectly clear, I believe, that I would not change my mind.

"Do you want me to tell you what he was thinking?" I paused at the question. I wanted to say yes right away, but I also didn't because what if it was something that I didn't want to hear. Well if it wasn't then I could start getting Charlie used to the idea that Edward and I are not going to let go of each other. "All I want to know is if he is really okay with the idea." Edward nodded his head and closed his eyes to concentrate and I guess to find the right way to say what he had heard from Charlie's thoughts. He sat for a few moments. I didn't think it would take this long or maybe it was that bad. I began to panic as he opened his eyes. He could hear the fluttering of my heart.

"Bella stay calm. There is nothing that you should be so flustered over," he wrapped his arms around me tight and I breathed in his wonderful sent which always relaxed me. Once I sighed he knew everything was okay and he could continue.. Then it got still for second. "Well you are right. He is not happy with the idea, but he is trying to understand. Tonight will not be the last night that you two talk on the subject and he seems more upset than I would have imagined. Yet, to be certain on how things will go you could ask Alice. She may give you a better insight," he whispered in my ear. I tightened my hold on him and I wished that there was some way to get passed all the anger that was to come.

"No," I shook my head, "This time I don't need Alice. I know how things will end for me. Charlie's involvement is totally and completely up to him." I said with pride and courage. Even possibly with the slightest hint of arrogance. Definitely stubborn, but I learned from the best.

"But Bella…"

"No..." I interrupted him, "No buts Edward. I will not leave my father in the cold, but if he cannot accept us and decides he wants nothing to do with me or us then that is his loss; and this time it will be twice as bad because he loses his only daughter and misses the opportunity to get to know an amazing son-in-law." I suppose this gave him comfort and pride because his smile came, but not quite touching his eyes yet.

"And your mother?" that was an awkward subject considering our visit not too long ago. My mother had expressed some worries, but I told her she was reading too much into it. It threw me back a bit but it would be the same situation as Charlie, she would have to decide if she wanted to participate in my future or not. I would tell her and hope she would not fight me on the subject. "Do you think that she will approve?"

"You asked me this once before. Remember?" smiling into his eyes recollecting when we had first began talking. Yet he did not answer so it made me question its significance, "Don't tell me you don't remember?" I was very confused and a bit hurt by his lack of response. Then he smiled and I knew that he was just trying to scare me; and it worked. I playfully slapped his arm, "Don't do that," I pouted, "It makes me feel like I care about the little things that don't really matter."

He chuckled then and smiled my smile, "Silly Bella every moment from the very beginning has great significance to me. I remember every little detail, I told you; you are my world."

"Okay so you do remember that day?" I asked though he had just clearly told me that he remembers everything. He only nodded and I continued, "You had asked if my mother would show the same courtesy as I did her in the decision that she had made."

"Yes and you had mentioned that she was your mother, so it would be a bit different."

"Yes," I smiled. "Then you mentioned something like 'no one too scary then'."

"That is right and you referred to a boy with multiple piercing and tattoos as scary," he mocked. This made me laugh because I remembered how confused I was then; also because that was one of the times that he was trying to say he was scary and dangerous.

"Right and I still don't find you the least bit scary." Though my voice was light he face sank. "Edward what is wrong?" I placed my hand on his cheek and he covered it with his own and kissed my palm. Then he inhaled my sent from my wrist very much like the time he had after our visit to the meadow. "What did I ever do to deserve you my sweet Bella?" I did not like it when he questioned why I loved him, but I did and I would never stop loving him because I know that he is such a precious gift.

"Edward, you love me and that is enough. My life would be nothing if I did not have you. Even though you like to believe that my life would have been better I beg to differ. I know that it would be nothing compared to the life I have with you." I could tell he was going to point out the danger I have been in because of him so I spoke before he could. "I would be in danger every day of my life. It's kind of my thing. I would have probably fallen into a ditch or something," Edward did not like the sound of that but I continued, "and there would have been no one to save me. You my dear Edward are my savior though you like to believe the cause of my danger." He hugged me tightly and rested his head on top of mine. We stayed that way in silence for a while and that was all we needed. Then he laughed. "What is it?" I said with a smile.

"We better get going. Alice is growing impatient with waiting and she wants to get started on the wedding plans as soon as possible and she seems to need you." I moaned because I was in for a long night though all I wanted was to relax and be relieved that I had told Charlie I was going to marry Edward and to officially let my soon to be family know that I would soon be one of them.

I sighed knowing that we really did have to get going, "Alright lets go before we both hear it."

"Oh my dear we both already are," I grimaced I hated it when Alice looked at me with those eyes. Edward found amusement in my reaction. "We are going to hear how happy the family is for us. I thought you would like that." He was so sneaky.

"Edwa…" He stopped me with one kiss on my lips and I melted and lost my train of thought. After a few moments he pulled away and looked down on me with a smile.

"You were saying?" he said in the most irresistible teasing voice.

"Let's go before we get into more trouble," he smiled kissed my forehead and returned to the steering wheel and we took off once again.