2brown-eyes reads

Mistakes=Mine

I fire off six shots in quick succession, five of the bullets hitting the person-shaped target at the end of my lane. None of them hit the head area, but it's a huge improvement from my two sessions last week, where I couldn't even hit it at all. I land them almost every time now.

"Reload!" Garrett's voice is loud and sharp, and it makes me jump into action.

I have the clip ejected and a new one in place in mere seconds, and I hold my arms out, taking aim.

"Good job," he says, pacing behind me. "Go again."

I look down the sights, aiming dead center on the head, and squeeze the trigger. The target quivers from the blows, but from here, I'm unable to tell exactly where the bullets land as I squeeze over and over until the gun falls silent.

"You think you hit it?" Garrett asks, moving over to bring the target forward.

"I don't know," I hedge, picturing how steady my arms were as I pulled the trigger on that first shot. "I think maybe one landed."

As it comes closer, I spot a bullet-riddled chest and torso. But it's the single, small hole in the target's forehead that causes my breath to catch. I break out into a smile, and without even meaning to, I throw my arms around Garrett.

"I did it!" I'm so happy that I don't notice he's standing there like a block of concrete.

"Uh, you did." He gives me an awkward pat on my back.

Realization dawns and my cheeks burn. "I'm so sorry," I say, pulling away. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just so proud of mys—"

"Stop." His fingers press against my lips. "No apologizing. It just caught me off guard, and I'm not the touchy-feely brother."

His assurances relieve me, so I lift a brow. "There's a touchy-feely Cullen brother?"

"Touché." He booms a laugh. "I guess the closest one would be Jake. He's a bit more like our sisters in the feelings department."

I roll my eyes. "I find that hard to believe."

Garrett huffs. "You're right. He's nothing like our sisters; he's even whinier."

"Who might that be?" I jump at the sound of Edward's voice, but a smile breaks out automatically as I turn to him.

"He's referring to Jake, but he's definitely joking," I say as Edward approaches.

"This your work?" He nods to the target.

"Yes." I beam, but then I become concerned. "I, um, I was overly excited and I, uh, accidentally hugged Garrett, but I promise I didn't me—"

"Bella." Edward's tone is that soft yet firm one I've heard so many times, so I zip my lips. "Were you hitting on my brother?"

He doesn't sound like he believes that, so I rush to assure him. "Absolutely not."

"Then you have nothing to worry about," he replies, picking up my gun and changing the clip. "You don't need to ask permission or report to me every time you interact with someone, especially if they're my family. They will soon be your family too and having that strong support system so close is amazing. I promise, once you're accustomed to it, you'll hug them all many times." He places the reloaded gun in my hand and turns me toward the fresh target Garrett has somehow readied. "Now"—his lips are at my ear and his voice is so low it's practically hypnotic—"pretend that's Eleazar Denali and he's coming for you. End him!"

I lift my chin and take aim, drawing on the strength I get from Edward's presence, and empty my gun. I don't sag in relief like usual when I'm done. Just knowing that Edward is here gives me a confidence I'm unaccustomed to experiencing.

"Very nice," he murmurs before backing away. I miss the heat from his body instantly. "It looks like you mutilated him."

As the target moves toward me, I'm hyper-focused on the head. There's a gaping hole in the paper where his nose should be, and I sigh, relieved. There are three in his chest, not centered, and two more on an arm, but all the rest are in the face.

I turn to Edward, beaming. "I've never hit any spot continuously before."

"This is nice, Bella." Garrett whistles, glancing to his brother. "Maybe you should teach her this too."

Edward shakes his head in a firm no. "Bella needs to be prepared to defend herself in my absence. You'll continue her training." He shifts his hard gaze to me, and it softens. "But not today. She and I have something personal to handle."

My brows rise. "We do?"

He smirks, holding out his elbow. "Yes."

I take it and allow him to guide me out of the range and into the hallway that leads to the elevator. "Did something come up?"

His lips twitch. "The final copy of the pact has been delivered, and my father is eager for us to sign it so the announcement can be made." A shiver runs through me, and he stops us cold. "I felt that." He turns to face me, his soft hands cupping my cheeks. "I'm hoping it's over the announcement and not the pact itself?"

For the first time since I've known him, he seems unsure. "Definitely the announcement," I say, fighting a smile. "I'm very pleased with the pact."

"Good." He's making that face again, the one where he looks like he's got a big secret that only we know, and I guess he does. "As for the other, you can't hide away in this ivory tower forever. That's not a life. As soon as the paperwork is signed, you'll officially be the fiancée of Edward Cullen, and that will mean venturing out into the world."

"I don't know if I can." I draw my arms around my stomach, afraid he's going to be upset with me. I'm trying to adjust, but I feel safe inside this fortress. "I'm not sure I'll ever feel safe out there."

"You will." His jaw is tight. "I'm actively gathering information so that I can plan an attack on those who're a threat to you. But until that has happened, you must know that everyone within the Cullen family network is prepared to die for you." He grabs my shoulders and bends his knees, so we're at eye level. "You'll always be protected, by those you can see and those you can't. I swear, Bella."

I wish his words could take away all my worries, but they don't, so I pretend. I give him a small smile. "Thank you. You've taken on so much for me, and I feel like the scales are unevenly tipped."

His lips purse to hold back a smile. "There will come a time when you'll have the opportunity to even them up, but it's not just yet." He grabs my arm. "Now come, let's make you the future Mrs. Cullen."

For the entire ride up to his apartment, I'm lost in my thoughts. The going out into the world part terrifies me, so I focus on the future Mrs. Cullen aspect of our talk. I guess I haven't thought about it in a tangible sense. It was an offering, a negotiation, and now it's becoming reality. All those articles in the pact will jump from the page and land in my life.

What does that even look like?

"Bella." Edward's questioning voice startles be back into the present, and I realize I'm still standing in the elevator. His brows pucker. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I say, stepping out to join him. "I was lost in thought."

"About?" he asks as he lays his palm against my lower back.

It should probably bother me, after what happened with Eleazar, but it doesn't. It's comforting, if not pleasant even. "Our marriage," I respond, glancing up at him. "Reading things on paper is different than them being real life."

"Very true," he says, guiding me to our formal dining table. "And don't feel like I'll expect you to jump into everything we've outlined." He pulls out a chair for me, lips twitching. "You'll have a grace period."

"Thank you." I take my seat, eyeing the yellow envelope. "I'll definitely need it."

Instead of responding, he drops to a knee before me, a black velvet box in his hand. "I realize this is not as romantic as it could be, but I want you to have all the experiences of a real marriage because this will be real." He smiles then, tilting his head. "Just with an unconventional start." My heart is thundering against my ribcage. "Bella Marie Swan, would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"

A lump in my throat prevents me from responding verbally, so I nod my head furiously instead. My eyes burn as he opens the box to reveal the most breathtaking ring I've ever seen. My hand shakes as he takes it in his and slides the beautiful jewelry into place.

This is the most spectacular moment of my life, and I throw myself at him, holding on for dear life as tears spill down my cheeks.

He drops the rest of the way to the floor and pulls me against his strong chest. "Shh," he soothes. "I promise you'll never be mistreated again."

I sniffle, pulling myself together so I can meet his gaze. "I trust you."

Gone is serious Edward Cullen and in his place is smiling Edward.

My favorite.

And he is stunning.

I stillllll haven't finished the almost done chapter from last week, but I realized late last night what this chapter includes and that I'd missed a cool shot at posting it on V-Day, so here it is... close enough.

See you next time :)