Chapter 23- Disney Trip (part 4) Tuesday 3/30/2010
Now back in mine and Edward's suite, all of the girls are dressing for dinner. The Cullens are treating for dinner at 'Victoria and Albert's' tonight. Located in our hotel, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, it is Central Florida's only five-diamond restaurant, awarded by AAA. It offers a menu that is customized daily using the freshest ingredients available in the market. The entrees include anything from fish and fowl to veal and lamb. There's an extensive wine list and a variety of desserts include world-class soufflés.

Alice bought all new clothing for us to wear. Renee is in dress pants and a flowy red silk blouse. Esme is in a cashmere top and dress pants. Rose, Ali and I are 'dressed to the nines'. Alice picked a purple silk wrap dress for herself. She put Rosalie in a sophisticated white dress with black and red trimming.

My dress is fairly simple; falling to calf length, its sapphire blue with silver trimming. The neckline to my dress is a deep sweetheart. "Oh, Alice! You've out-done yourself! I love it… and Edward will too." I say hugging her.

She giggles. "The guys are waiting downstairs. Come on! I can't wait to see their faces! Bella, you have to be last."

So we walk down the hallway and into the elevator. Mom and Esme are in front. I see Phil come and take her hand to lead her out. Carlisle takes Esme's hand and kisses it before making room for Jasper to approach Alice. Emmett is next to lead his lady away. All eyes are now on me. I look up searching for Edward's face.

I giggle. His mouth is hanging open and his eyes are focused on my dress. I feel his gaze travel from my wavy hairstyle to the peep toe pumps that match my dress, and back up to my made-up face. He's speechless for a moment. I take a step forward, out of the elevator and trip. He quickly reaches my side and catches me in his arms. His lips touch my cheek as he whispers to me. "You look amazing, love."

Each couple gets a private table. I look around and say, "Edward, this is so extravagant! You guys totally spoil me!" The waiter comes and I order the Minnesota Elk, medium well. Edward smiles and orders the same, medium rare. I notice him glance at Renee for a moment.

When he turns back to me, there is determination in his eyes. "Bella, my love, I think it's safe to say, we've gone against the rules for nearly our entire relationship. I think we should stand against the stupid rules your father set for our engagement. I want to marry you…you've already said yes…and I don't want to wait another 9 months…Marry me, love…as soon as it can be arranged." He gets up, drawing everyone's attention and gets down on one knee. "Please, become my wife…?"

As I gaze into his golden eyes, I am struck with a mix of emotions. I feel Jasper's wave of calm as it flows over me. I open my mouth to say something and stop. Feeling only happiness, I take a breath and say, "Edward, you are the love of my life…and my soul's true mate…nothing and noone will keep us apart. I've never really stood up to Charlie… nothing has been important enough to me… but…" I add resolve to the emotional flood that is pouring out of me and see Jasper smile. "You and I… we are too important to indulge his overprotective and overbearing control issues any longer. Yes, he's my father, but I'm 27 and it's the 21st Century. I don't need him…or Jake, for that matter…making my decisions for me…So, yes, Edward… I will marry you as soon as Alice can arrange it."

His face lights up as he kisses my hand and then brushes my lips lightly with his.

Alice squeals and comes over to hug me, while the others just grin from their seats.

"Human moment…" I whisper to my love. The girls all get up and follow me. As I pass Renee, I whisper, "Powder room, Mom?" She grins and follows us.

As soon as we're inside, I turn to face her. "Mom, Edward and I have decided to push the wedding plans up. I don't want to hurt dad's feelings, but I need to make him understand that I can make the important decisions in my life for myself… What do I say?"

She smiles gently. "Well, I'd start with that. Honey, I've been wondering when you would finally stand up for yourself. He'll get over it… I just know he will…now on to something just as important. Dr. Cullen spoke with Phil and Edward about the pregnancy today. I can't believe you haven't taken a test yet to find out if you're really pregnant or not!"

I stop and think. "Oh…how stupid am I? You're absolutely right, Mom. I didn't even think about it! I'll have to see if the gift shop has them."

"They don't, but apparently, there was a CVS in Kissimmee and Phil says that Carlisle got one for you and will give it to you later, back at the rooms. Let's just enjoy dinner for now." She shakes her head at my silliness. I let all the girls hug me and tell me congratulations again before using the ladies room and going back out to be with the man of my dreams.

As I walk to the table, Edward pulls my chair out. "So, why is Alice so excited? Did she see something?" I ask quietly.

He loves that we can talk about everything, so he grins and glances at her before answering. "She saw that our talk with your dad will go ok. He will apparently be a little sad that you don't need him to take care of you as much as you used to, but he'll get over it when we tell him that we want to be married before any children come along. He's going to be happy if we have kids. She hasn't looked to see if we do or not… I don't know about you but I want to be surprised when Carlisle gives you the EPT test he bought this afternoon."

"I don't think I'll mind that one." I say nodding at the surprise. "And…?"

He sighs. "I'm sorry, Love, I'm sworn to secrecy on the rest…just til she settles the issue in question."

I smirk. "Oh, alright." The waiter delivers our food. I cut a small piece and the elk tastes wonderful. I look up to see Edward sucking on a piece of the rare meat and then slipping it into his napkin. Glancing at the other Cullens, I notice that they are all doing this. I smile and shake my head. "The things some people will do for those they love… I love you, too guys. I know how much you all hate the human pretense. Thanks for this."

"You're welcome, Love." Edward says softly.

After we finish dinner, everyone goes to their rooms. Carlisle and Esme join me and Edward. "I've spoken to Dr. Gerandy. He told me that scar tissue is completely blocking one fallopian tube and only partially blocking the other. Bella, your uterus is mostly undamaged so, it is fully possible for you to carry a baby to term… It'll be difficult for the egg to get where it needs to be, but possible…If it turns out that you aren't pregnant right now, but want to be, I can take one of your eggs and Edward's… Well, in essence I can take a fertilized egg and place it inside your uterus. It will take hold and you can have a child. That's called in-vitro fertilization and I can acquire the proper equipment in just a few weeks."

I feel tears well up in my eyes. "Really?" Edward grins at me like he's won the lottery or something.

Carlisle nods and Esme places a hand on my shoulder with a smile. My doctor/ father-in-law-to-be hands me the box, and sends me into the bathroom with orders to use all three of the tests, 'just to be thorough'. I pee on the sticks and rejoin my husband.

Carlisle begins to tell us about his research. "On a related question, I've spoken to a few of our Vampire friends. Many of them have never heard of a vampire/ human mating, let alone a human getting pregnant from said match. One coven told me something different though. Zafrina and her sisters in the Amazon have heard tales of a male vampire who, every once in a while, will seduce a human woman; get her with-child then leave and only come back for the child once it is born. Nothing is said of the mother after that point... For now, let's see what the tests say… It's been 2 minutes, Bella." I take a deep breath as he walks into our bathroom. He picks up one test after the other. Edward is holding my hand. I look into his eyes and cling to the hope I see there. I know the others are listening and hoping just as hard.

I say a silent prayer. 'God, please, you gave the love of my life back to me, and for that I'll always and forever be grateful…I hope against hope and wish against wish that the union of our two souls will produce a miracle. I want desperately to have a child with him. Let it be… Please God, let it be?'

I hear a sigh as Carlisle comes back into the room and takes my hand. "Bella…I'm so sorry. You aren't pregnant at the moment, honey." He breaks the news and my heart as gently as possible.

Edward's arms wrap around me as my tears begin to fall. I shake with the force of my painful sobbing. "We need a little time alone, Carlisle, please…" His 'parents' nod in understanding and walk out the door, closing it behind them. My lip trembles as Edward gets me a box of tissues and proceeds to inform my mother and Phil while still holding me. "Bella-love, you heard Carlisle, this isn't the end of the world. We'll try the in-vitro. I don't care how many times it takes. You are the most important thing to me. I want what you want…and I'll do whatever it takes to see this through." He rocks me in his arms and hums my lullaby. After a while I fall into a deep and dreamless sleep.