Chapter 5

I didn't go get the door. Alice did that for me. She came back a few minutes later with Edward in tow. Edward looked and me and conveyed everything into that look. You already told him. I nodded almost imperceptibly. He smirked. Then is face fell and I guessed he was 'hearing' Charlie's mind.

I looked over at my father. I saw him glance at me, then at Edward, then back to me again. I knew what he was thinking. "Dad?" I asked anyways.

"Bella, you know I will always support you with anything you decide to do, but I really think that you might be making too big a commitment, too soon." I almost laughed. Marriage compared to an eternity as a vampire?

"I know what I'm doing, Dad." I told him calmly. He nodded, then suddenly smiled.

"Well, welcome to the family, I guess." He told Edward, though his heart was clearly not in it. I smiled nonetheless. I was glad he was at least acting happy for me. I didn't have to be a mind reader to understand, though. He was disappointed in me.

"Alice?" I asked suddenly. She looked up at me. I jerked my head towards the door and she got the hint. I looked at Edward. "Stay." I told him. He smiled and nodded that he would.

Out in the hall, I told Alice to tell me everything she heard between them. I could hear them too, but only barely. I was pretty sure Edward was getting 'The Talk' and Charlie would be badgering him about why he asked so suddenly.

"Charlie just asked him, 'Why now? Why not in a few years?'" Alice told me quietly. "Oh, and Edward knows we're listening in." She added.

"Of course." I muttered. "What else? What did Edward say?"

"He said that he wasn't going to live without you, that he loved you, that he hoped you loved him too, and that now just seemed a good time. Then he asked Charlie why not now?" I smiled.

"And Charlie said…?" I prompted.

"And Charlie said …nothing. He just spluttered like you when you're embarrassed." I blushed.

"Edward?" I pretend-called. I thought I'd rescue my dad from his sudden humiliation.

"Yes Bella?" I heard him playing along.

"Could you come here?" I asked him.

"Of course. I'll be right there! See you around, Chief Swan." I heard him say politely to Charlie.

He entered through the door and smirked. "Hear anything worth while?"

"Not a thing." Alice pouted. "You could have made it a little more interesting."

"Yes I could, but by doing so, I would have made Bella's father angry with me and then where would we be?" Edward retorted. "Come on, we still have my family."

At the Cullens' I actually felt nervous. I knew (or I thought I knew) that Esme and Emmett would agree. I wasn't sure about Jasper and Rosalie. Carlisle …well I'd just be in for a surprise. Edward, sensing my growing anxiety, wrapped an encouraging arm around my waist. I looked at him and he smiled.

"Esme, Carlisle, everyone." Edward said in a normal conversation tone. He did not even raise his voice, but I was sure they'd hear.

In a few minutes, everyone had assembled in the living room. Rosalie and Emmett sat in the loveseat by the fireplace, Jasper sat down in an armchair with Alice perched on the arm, and Carlisle and Esme sat on the couch. Edward and I stood in the center of the room. Six pairs of expectant eyes met ours.

Edward looked at me, pleading. I sighed and shot him a scornful look. This was not missed by Emmett who chuckled openly. "You all should know that Edward and went on a date, and that he proposed. I said 'yes,' so I guess that means we're engaged." I shrugged and gave a little half-laugh.

Emse immediately ran across the room at vampire-speed and hugged me tightly. "Oh, my dear." She said into my hair.

Jasper and Emmett got up and clapped Edward on the back congratulating and Emmett even went so far as to say, "About time, Edward!"

They then proceeded to hug me and welcome me to their family. Even Rosalie hugged me warmly, if shyly.

Then Carlisle stood up and all conversation stopped at once. He walked over to me, smiling. "Welcome to the family, Bella." He told me, then hugged me.

When all the conversation and congratulations was over, Carlisle asked me unexpectedly, "So, where do you want to do this, Bella?"

"Excuse me?" I joked out. Everyone was staring at Carlisle, puzzled.

"You have met Edward's condition, and mine. I will change you. Unless, of course, Edward wants to." Everyone's gaze turned to Edward. He seemed ready for the question.

"Yes, I do." He stated calmly. I was so happy I threw myself into his arms to give him an ecstatic hug. He laughed at my reaction and hugged me back.

"Ok, then we're going to do this tomorrow morning." Carlisle said. "Enjoy your last night of sleep, Bella. Make it last. Make sure to sever all ties with any humans you know and love, so that they do not come looking for you when you are changed. Your self-control will take years to perfect, but we have unlimited time." He chuckled. "Go home now. Rest. Get your readies made and meet us back here tomorrow morning at 7:30."

I nodded that I understood and Edward guided me to the door.

"That wasn't so bad, was it? Couldn't have been half of Charlie's reaction." He joked.

"Actually, Charlie was only concerned that I wasn't rushing into anything. He told me to only be sure and that he would support me through it no matter what." His face showed the shock I felt.

"Well, maybe I misjudged him…" Edward said quietly. It was then I realized we were home.