A/N: I'm not Stephenie Meyer. I'm still Hannah! I wouldn't have it any other way, either.
After Bella hung up the phone, I decided I should take a shower. I couldn't wait for tomorrow. I knew Bella was nervous, but I wasn't. I knew my parents would love Bella, especially my mother.
My last and only girlfriend in Chicago never gave my parents a very good impression. She was a spoiled rich snob. I was really only with her because it was expected.
Much to my surprise sleep came to me quickly. I think I felt good knowing that Bella was safe at Alice's house, with Emmett.
I woke up the next morning and began helping my mom. She wanted to begin making a stew, and cook it all day in the crock-pot. I walked around the counter and began chopping up carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery.
"Are you nervous?" My mom asked me with a sly smile.
"Not really. Bella is though, which makes me feel kind of bad." I told her, implying that she needs to be extra nice, which isn't hard for her.
"I'll do my best to make her feel welcome. I remember when I first met Carlisle's parents." She smiled as she remembered.
"I was so nervous I thought I would throw up." She laughed lightly. "When I was finally to the front door, I almost turned around and left when your father opened it and led me in."
I had heard many stories about my mother and father, but never this one. I listening intently as I smiled and thought about the type of love my parents share. I only hoped I could be as good to Bella as my father is to my mother.
"His mother came up to me and gave me a hug as she introduced herself." I could picture my grandmother doing something like this. She passed two years ago. She was always such a sweet woman.
"She made the best beef stew I had ever had in my life, and many years later when I was already married to your father, she gave me the recipe." She winked at me and pointed to the crock pot.
"I promised myself that if one of my sons ever brought home a girl, I would make her feel welcome the same way your grandmother did to me." She was still smiling, and so was I.
"Thanks mom." I gave her a hug. "I know you'll love Bella." It was true. She would.
Jasper walked in on our little moment.
"Momma I want a hug too." He pouted making fun of me. It was rare that I had touching moments with my mom. I wasn't much the emotional type, though we all knew we loved each other.
"Come here baby." She looked toward Jasper with open arms, which made me chuckle. My whole family was so amazingly crazy.
I walked out of my room and saw my dad in his office. I tapped on the side of the already open door to announce my presence. "Can I come in for a second?" I asked.
"Sure thing. I'm just sorting through some files. What do you need?" He looked at me with curiosity, and compassion.
"I just wanted to ask if you could please not mention the other night to Bella when she comes over for dinner tonight." I didn't think he would anyway, but I wanted to make sure.
"Of course not. I know you two weren't doing anything you shouldn't be." So he thought. I'm not sure if he would exactly approve of me climbing on top of her and taking off her sweater.
I smiled a little as I thought about that. The way she kissed me with no warning at all. She was truly amazing.
"Of course not." I conceded.
"However, Edward." He suddenly became serious. "I don't suggest you ever do that again. If her Father woke up and found that his daughter was missing, I can't even imagine how he would feel." He sighed.
"I know you're a respectful young man, Edward, but I wouldn't blame her father for thinking otherwise if he found out you were sneaking her out in the middle of the night to join you in the Volvo." I knew he was right.
I suddenly felt guilty. I didn't want to do anything to make Charlie think I wasn't good for Bella. Especially after he found out about my record, and still let me be with her. If I ever had a daughter, I'm not sure I would let her do that. Even more so if she was as amazing and special as Bella.
On the other hand. If I had to make the choice of making either Bella or Charlie happy it's no contest. Charlie would definitely be unhappy if he found out that I slept with his daughter in my car, and by slept I mean slept. But Bella needed me that night. She was scared, and I can never just let her be scared.
"Do you understand me Edward? I don't want this happening again." My Father cut into my contemplation.
"Yes sir. It won't happen again." I nodded.
"Edward will you please quit calling me sir whenever we have these talks. I always taught you to be respectful to adults, but you're making me feel old." He chuckled, and I joined in.
"Yes Dad. It won't happen again." I mocked jokingly.
"Thank you. Go help your mother get ready for tonight, and clean your room." He sounded fatherly again.
"Thanks Dad. Good luck with the file sorting." I smiled, and headed out the door toward my bedroom.
I walked in and looked around, there really wasn't much to do in here. Make my bed, and pick up a few stray discs I had lying around my stereo.
Cleaning up my room took all of ten minutes. I looked at the clock. It was only 2:20. Bella and Alice wouldn't be here until six.
It was going to be a very long day. I went downstairs where my mom was setting out a table cloth, and folding silverware into cloth napkins that we only used on holidays.
"Mom. Does it really have to be this fancy?" I knew that my mom liked to overdo things, but I didn't want Bella to think we were all uptight snobs.
"Honey calm down, I just want it to look nice." She smiled at me. I knew that she would get her way. My mom wants to impress Bella and Alice as much as they wanted to impress her.
I smiled back at her. "Do you need any help?" I asked, since I was instructed to by my father anyway.
"Sure. Do you want to roll up the silverware? We're going to need five." She stated while motioning me to the table where she had the napkins set out.
I sat down and picked up the napkins, rolling a spoon, fork, and knife in each one.
"Mom. If we're having stew, why do we need a fork and knife?" I asked her slightly puzzled.
"We're going to have pie for dessert, so you'll need a fork. And the knife is for butter to spread on the bread I'm baking." She smiled at me. She was always one step ahead.
"I should have known you had this all planned out." I chuckled. My mom was a bit of a perfectionist.
After I was done folding up the silverware, and setting the table, I desperately tried to find something to do until later on tonight.
I found Jasper in his room staring at two outfits laid out on the bed.
"Edward come here." He motioned for me, and I sighed as I walked toward him. Whatever he needed me for was better than waiting around aimlessly for the next two hours.
"Yeah?" I asked him.
"Which outfit do you think is better?" He was dead serious. He was actually asking me.
"Jasper. I don't know which outfit is better, I'm a guy. I do know that you and Alice are perfect for each other though." I chuckled. I knew Alice was probably doing this same thing to Bella right this very moment.
"Edward please just pick one. I'm really nervous about tonight, and Alice will freak if I don't coordinate." He was already whipped. She would flip out though. That's just how she is according to Bella.
"I pick the green one, it goes nicely with your skin tone." I joked. He didn't think it was that funny.
"Edward this is serious!" He yelled.
"I really do like the Green one Jasper, it will look nice." I tried to smile genuinely, but it turned into stifled laughter.
"Get out Edward. You're not helping!" He stated. Did he really expect me to help?
I went back into my room and decided to take a hot shower and begin getting ready, I couldn't think of anything else to do.
I went to my closet and picked out my outfit in a matter of seconds. Much quicker than Jasper.
I decided on jeans and a button up beige shirt. I headed to the bathroom, and turned on the water.
I decided to stay in the shower as long as I could. I was a little tense, and the hot water soothed my muscles.
After I stepped out of the shower I dried off and put on my clothes. I put on some light cologne, that I rarely wore, and brushed my teeth.
I decided just to let my hair be a little messy. I know I sound like Jasper, but Bella seems to like it that way.
When I got out of the shower I looked at the clock for probably the millionth time today, Bella and Alice would be here in about 20 minutes.
I walked into Jaspers room. He was just sitting on the bed, wearing the green shirt I picked out.
"I see you decided on the green." I smiled at him.
"Be quiet. At least I brushed my hair." He threw a pillow at me.
"Bella likes my hair messy." I threw it back at him.
"Well Alice likes it when I dress nice. So who's a hypocrite now?" He chuckled.
"Whatever. We're so whipped. How is it that we lived in Chicago, and dated the lamest girls ever. Then we move to the middle of nowhere Washington, and meet the most amazing girls we've ever come into contact with?" I was chuckling too.
"I don't know. But I'm glad you punched that kid in the face so we had to move here." For the first time he mentioned it since our move.
"I'm glad I punched that kid in the face because he deserved it." I mumbled.
"That too." Jasper sighed. "I never thanked you for that. I should have been able to stick up for myself. I'm sorry you got dragged into it." He looked down. I was shocked.
"Jasper, you're my little brother. Of course I'm going to stick up for you." I went over and sat on the chair across from his bed, where he sat.
"Well. Thanks." He smiled.
"Anytime." I smiled.
"Oh and to pay you back, I'm going to help you get back at those guys who are after Bella." He smiled, and my jaw hit the floor.
"How did you know about that?" I asked, completely shocked. I had intentionally tried to keep this from Jasper.
"Well aside from my girlfriend, Emmett knows about it too. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
I had never seen Jasper act this way. He would never use violence.
"I just didn't want to get you involved, I know fighting isn't your thing. I don't blame you." I told him honestly.
"Well. I want in." He said. I didn't know what he meant by 'in'. I had no definite plans of what to do about these people. I decided to brush it off.
"Okay. You got it. I'm warning you though, these people aren't going to fuck around Jasper." I looked at him seriously. Half of me wanted to scare him out of any thought of fighting these people that Bella thought were so crazy.
"I'm not either." He said with such venom in his voice, I probably would have stepped back if I wasn't sitting down. I had definitely never seen Jasper like this.
Just then the doorbell rang, and we glanced at each other quickly before bolting to the door.
Our mother had beat us there, and by the time we were downstairs Bella and Alice were already walking in.
Bella looked stunning. She was wearing a beautiful dark blue blouse that made her skin look like cream and a khaki skirt that showed off her sexy legs, without being provocative.
My mother and Father introduced themselves. Bella seemed oddly confident, I was glad she wasn't nervous.
"Dinner won't be ready until half an hour, why don't you two ladies go upstairs with the boys while I finish this up." My mother smiled at Alice, and then Bella.
"Sure. Thank you Mrs. Cullen." Bella spoke up.
"Please, call me Esme." My mother was as charming as ever.
Bella nodded and her and Alice walked over to us.
I grabbed her hand. "You look beautiful, love." I smiled brightly at her, and she blushed.
"Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself, as always." She giggled.
Once we got up the stairs, Alice and Jasper went into Jasper's room, and I led Bella into mine.
She wrapped her arms around me without hesitation and sighed into my chest.
"Is it stupid to tell you I missed you? Because I really did." She said meekly.
"I missed you too, but you needed to be safe." I pulled her back and brushed my hand against her cheek. It wasn't as bruised as it had been two days ago.
She nodded into my hand and smiled lightly.
I pulled her into another hug and kissed the top of her head.
"Your hair always smells so good." I chuckled. "Like strawberries." I placed the scent.
"Thanks, I wash it." She smiled coyly. I loved her wit.
I placed a small kiss on her lips. And suddenly her eyes widened, and she was looking behind me.
"Edward Cullen, how many Cd's do you have?" She asked, amazed. She was gazing at my wall that was covered with them.
"A lot. I like a variety of music." I admitted, slightly embarrassed by my collection suddenly.
"I love it." She said, still in awe.
She looked over to the other side of my room, where I had a keyboard set up.
"Would you like to play me chopsticks?" She asked jokingly.
"I would actually like to play you something better, if you don't mind." I was a little nervous to play her song.
"I don't mind at all." She practically beamed at me, as she sat down next to me on the bench.
I began playing the song I had written for her what seemed so long ago at the mailbox. I didn't need sheet music. I had played it several times a day every day since I wrote it. Playing the song that reminded me of her, made me think of her.
When I was playing it every memory of her became so clear. Her eyes, her smell, her kisses, her laugh, her voice. It made it much easier to not be with her twenty four hours a day as I would prefer.
The song came to a close, and I looked at her, awaiting her reaction.
"Wow Edward. That song….It's the one you hummed to me in the car." She smiled with emotion.
"Yes, it is." I smiled back as I wrapped my arm around her.
"It's beautiful." She looked like she might cry in a good way, this time.
"I wrote it for you after I talked to you at the mailbox." I admitted now that I knew she didn't think it was terrible.
"You wrote that?!" She exclaimed.
"Yes." I said bluntly.
"I thought you only played the piano a little bit?" She giggled poking me in the ribs.
"I lied, my love." I kissed her cheek.
She smiled at me, as my mom called us to dinner.
I grabbed her hand and kissed it before lacing our fingers together. "Let's go." I said, and she nodded.
I led her down the stairs where Alice and Jasper were already waiting with my parents. Alice was chatting it up with my mom.
"So what do you think you want to do in college, Alice?" My mom asked as Bella and I took a seat next to each other.
"Well I definitely want to major in design. I love fashion." She smiled brightly, and my mom smiled back. It was obvious that she liked Alice very much. My mother had double-majored in interior design and architecture in college.
"And how about you Bella?" My mom turned her attention to my love, making her blush a delicious pink.
"Well. I don't really know. I love Philosophy, but I hear it's kind of a pointless major. I was thinking I might like to be an English teacher someday. I have always liked literature." She answered. I could tell she was relieved that she didn't stutter, or mumble, like she often does when she's nervous.
"What kind of books do you like to read?" My father stepped into the conversation.
"I like the classics. Shakespeare, Wuthering heights, Pride and Prejudice." She answered with a beautiful smile.
"I like the classics too." My father smiled back.
"So." My mother cut back in. "I just got hired by the school to help decorate the gym for prom. Do you girls have any idea what kind of themes your class might like this year." Bella practically spit out her soup.
"The prom?" She asked. I knew Bella wasn't a big fan of dancing.
"Mom. It's two months away. I don't think it's really important to" I was cut off by Alice.
"I've always wanted a masquerade ball. Something that is kind of early 1900's like 'The Phantom of the Opera'." Alice was obviously excited, while Bella just put her hands on her head.
"Bella what do you think?" Alice asked, and I wished that she didn't.
"Umm. Well. I actually…I don't think I'll go, so I don't really know." She was doing so well up until this point.
I was a little disappointed. I was planning on asking her to go with me. But if she won't go, neither will I.
"Oh honey? Why won't you go? It's an experience everyone should have!" My mom told her with compassion.
"I just….don't dance. I can barely walk without falling, ask Edward." She was slightly embarrassed.
"Oh my God. That's totally true. Bella is a huge klutz." Alice cut in while giggling, and Bella Glared at her.
"Oh. I'm sure it will be fine. Besides who will go with Edward?" My mom asked.
"Jessica Stanley, maybe." I heard Bella mutter under her breath.
"What was that, hun?" My mom asked.
"Oh. I just said that I'd think about it." She smiled brightly at my mother.
The awkwardness was over and the rest of the meal flowed nicely with light conversation.
Around 8 o'clock I decided to walk Bella home.
We walked in silence to her house.
"I'm sorry about my mom and the Prom thing." I said nervously, hoping her feelings weren't hurt.
"It's fine. I don't think most people get the concept of how much I fall. I don't want you to really go with Jessica, however." She giggled.
I pulled her close to me.
"If you're not going, I'm not going to go. I would like to take you though. I mean, if I don't let you fall when we walk, what makes you think I would let you fall when we dance?" I asked as I gave her a little twirl, which made her giggle.
"See? You did beautifully." I chuckled. "So will you please go with me?" I asked her, hopefully.
"Edward. I don't know. You've never seen me try to dance." She said nervously, so I looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Ahh! Don't do that to me Edward!" She scowled at me for a moment before her expression softened.
She pulled me back into a tight hug. "Do you promise you won't let me fall?" She asked quietly.
"I swear I will never ever let you fall." I held out my pinky and she took it.
"Okay. Then I would love to be your date to the prom, but you can't laugh at my dancing, or me in a dress." She was serious.
"Love, I think you will look amazingly beautiful in a dress." I told her honestly.
She blushed and gave me a small kiss. "Thank you. I think I better head inside though." She said sadly.
"Okay. You can text me, or call me no matter what time it is. Got it?" I asked.
"I got it." She smiled.
I placed one last kiss on her lips, and she pulled me in to deepen it.
"I love you." I whispered unintentionally. I couldn't believe I just said that.
She looked at me with a shocked expression.
She took a deep breath in. "I love you too, Edward." She smiled, and kissed me again.
A/N: There you go. She met Edwards parents. YAY! Review?