Chapter 2
The next day when I woke up, Edward, as always, gently kissed my forehead and left through the window. I sighed contentedly. That was when the doorbell rang. I ran down the stairs to get it, only tripping once. It was Alice, just as Edward had said.
"Hey, Alice." I greeted her cheerfully, yet sleepily.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" She asked politely.
"No, I woke up a few moments before the doorbell rang." I admitted sheepishly. "You didn't wake me up."
"Oh, that's good. Great timing on my part, then, huh?" She added. "Now hurry up and get dressed! We have a lot to do this morning."
I sighed inwardly. This day was going to feel like eternity.
Later on, Alice and I had gone shopping. She insisted on hitting all the designer names first. When I objected to her spending money on me, she merely laughed like she thought I was joking. I clearly wasn't. She knew how I hated it when people spent money on me.
"Ok, all that's left now is these two." She said, holding up the two dresses we had chosen. "I simply can't decide."
"Well, what do you see me wearing tonight?" I asked reasonably.
"Oh! Excellent point, Bella! Hold on, I'll check." She closed her eyes and her face instantly became smooth and still. After what seemed forever, she finally opened her eyes again. "You'll be wearing this one."
She held up the small black number. I couldn't believe it. This dress was so gorgeous; it would only ruin the designer's reputation to put on me.
"Go try it on." Alice encouraged. "I'll wait right here."
I put the dress on. In it, even I looked great. It was a sling shouldered kind of dress. The kind that only stay up on one shoulder and then trail off under your other arm. It was not too revealing of my top, only just showing that they were present. (author's note: HAHA! I couldn't think how to describe that without sounding too perverted) It was very figure-flattering. I came out of the dressing room to show Alice.
"Oooh! Bella, you look fantastic!" She exclaimed delightedly.
"Thank you." I said. "Are we done now?"
"Oh, yes. We have to hurry home now so that I can 'put your face on,' I believe that's how they say it?" Alice asked, smiling.
I laughed and pulled her to the black Mercedes. "Yes, you could say it like that." I agreed, still chuckling.
Hours later, my makeup was perfect. Alice also insisted on doing my hair. We argued for a while on what style it should be done in. Finally, we agreed simplicity was best. My silky straight brown hair was pulled up into a high, but loose, ponytail. Alice put some grey eyeshadow on my eyes, then a lot of mascara. She said the fuller my eyelashes were, the more they brought out my 'big, puppy dog, brown eyes.'
She lined my lips in a darker pink, then put on some light pink lip gloss. When I was finished and all dressed, she made me stand in front of the mirror and observe her handiwork.
"I thought you looked amazing before." Alice said quietly. "Now you look incredible."
The doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock. He was right on time. Alice glanced at me and said swiftly, "I'll get it!" And before I could even register it happening, she had left and answered the door.
"Hey, Edward! We just finished!" I heard her saying cheerfully. I then heard them coming up the stairs. I turned around at the sound of the door opening to my room.
Edward gaped at me. Of course, I blushed. Then I noticed what he was wearing. Slice had obviously planned our outfits because he was wearing a black jacket to match my dress over a white tee and slacks.
"You look great." I said to break the silence.
Edward seemed to realize that his mouth was open. He quickly reassembled his expression and said, "You look …well, I can't think of a word that fits. 'Incredible,' doesn't even seem to cut it."
I blushed again. "Thank you. So, where are we going tonight?"
He smiled mischievously. "Now, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?"
I sighed, but smiled slightly. "You know I don't like surprises."
His smile widened. "I know. But I think you might like this one."
That made me wonder. He laughed at my curiously puzzled expression. "Come on, we'd better go."
In his car, we rode in comfortable silence, only broken by the occasional laughter sponsored by me when I caught his glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes. He would laugh along, but than he would focus on the road again. I must have caught him staring at least 5 times.
It was too dark for me to see where we were going. So I settled to just stare at the blackness out of my window.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked suddenly.
"Just thinking where we're going. And why you had me so dressed up." I added with a smile. He grinned.
"Well, you'll find out soon enough. We're here." I only just noticed that the car had stopped. I still couldn't see anything. "I'm sorry, Bella, but we'll have to run a bit."
"I don't mind at all." I said truthfully. He raised his eyebrows. "Never mind, I don't want to spoil the mood tonight by talking about it."
We got out of the car and he gently placed me on his back. I barely noticed we were running. There was hardly even a breeze against my face. Then, he reached up and touched my hand. "We're here."
I looked up. It was our meadow. There was a wooden crate set in the center, and it had a candle on it that was burning brightly. There was fine china on it that looked like it came from a high quality restaurant. Beside the 'table' there was a rather large picnic basket. I started crying. It was a stupid reaction, I knew, but I couldn't seem to stop myself.
"I'm sorry, Bella." Edward said, clearly not knowing what he was apologizing for. "We don't have to eat here. I can take you home." He offered, and he was obviously saddened by this thought.
"I'm such an idiot." I stated through my tears. He looked at me, puzzled. "I'm crying out of happiness, stupid." I laughed softly. His fell into an extremely relieved expression.
"Oh, is that all?" He asked. "I thought you didn't like it."
"How could anyone not like it?" I demanded. "It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so." Edward said, then started pulling me toward the table of sorts.
We ate. Or rather I ate, and he watched. The food tasted like it too came from a high quality restaurant. When I was finished, he bent down and took out of the basket two glasses and a bottle of wine.
I raised my eyebrows. "You're drinking some too?"
"Yes, this is a special occasion." He said quietly.
"Oh, is it? Why?" I asked. He smiled.
Then he rose slowly from his seat and ordered me softly, "Get up."
I did. He stood in front of me for a moment, deliberating. Then he sank onto one knee. I started tearing up again.
"Isabella Marie Swan, you have made me so happy for the time we've been together. I realize that I cannot spend my life without you. Would you make me the happiest man …existing by saying you'll be my wife?"
I paused thinking it over. Of course Charlie would be upset, and Renee. Then I thought of what it was like just to be with him. It was like the world was suddenly a much happier place. I knew what my answer was going to be, but I still didn't like thinking of the consequences.
"Bella, say something. You're scaring me." He said, and indeed he did look scared. I smiled down at him and nodded.
"Yes. Edward Cullen, yes, I will marry you." For a second he simply looked up at me, stunned.
"What!?" He demanded. "What did you say!?"
I smiled even wider. "I said, 'Yes.'"
He jumped up and kissed me so passionately I almost fainted right there.
He stared laughing, ecstatically. "You said 'yes'! You said 'yes'!!" He turned toward the forest around us and said to no one in particular, "She said 'yes'!!!"
He turned back to me. I laughed at how happy he looked. "What are we going to do now?" I asked him.
"We are going to go back to your house, and I am going to kiss you until you absolutely faint." He said.