Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyers.
Chapter Sixteen: Romance in Hyde Park
It was Friday morning and Bella was sitting in the oversized armchair facing the window, looking out the window towards the beautiful park on the other side of the fence and reflecting on all that had happened since they left Forks 3 weeks ago. She sat with a dreamy look on her face as she recalled yesterday.
Edward had taken Bella to see 'Romeo & Juliet' at the Globe Theatre, Shakespeare's own theatre. Bella had been so surprised and Edward had enjoyed himself immensely as he watched her reciting her favorite lines along with the actors. Occasionally Edward would recite a favorite passage, enjoying how Bella's heartbeat would accelerate as he whispered the words in her ear. They'd finished the day with a moonlight cruise on the Thames.
"What are you thinking about, love?" Bella sat up with a start as she heard Edward speak to her from the doorway, his head tilted to the side as he tried to read the expressions dancing across her face.
"I was thinking about yesterday and how much I enjoyed spending time with you," Bella replied as she rose from her chair. Before she could take a step Edward was at her side, scooping her up into his arms and sitting down in the chair with her firmly on his lap.
"And which was your favorite part?" Edward asked in a low voice that made Bella shiver.
"Without a doubt the last…" Bella replied, looking up at him through her lashes.
"That being…" Edward prompted.
"When you tucked me into bed last night and kissed me to sleep." Bella grinned as she laid her head against Edward's shoulder. A low growl sounded in his chest as he tightened his arms around her. They sat quietly for the next ten minutes, content to stay still and enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning before the hustle and bustle of the day.
Bella was the first to break the silence. "Edward, where are you taking me today?"
Edward had been strangely secretive about their plans for the day. He would only say they needed to get an early start and that they were spending the day in the city.
He shook his head. "Bella…it's a surprise, love. You wouldn't want me to spoil it by telling you, would you?" He chose that moment to try to distract her by attempting to kiss her just below her ear. Bella quickly dodged away from his lips and instead whispered into his ear.
"Please, Edward. Won't you please tell me?" she asked sweetly, leaning back to look at him with her brown eyes wide and innocent. She lightly kissed his ear before brushing little feather kisses along his temple, brow, nose and the corner of his mouth.
"Bella," Edward warned as he tried to capture her lips. She was playing the "please" card, a word he knew he couldn't resist. "Please don't make me…"
"Please" was also a word that Bella found impossible to resist, although she didn't let Edward in on that little secret. A girl had to have some weapons in her arsenal, especially when all her fiancé had to do was look at her for her to be dazzled.
She planted a quick kiss on his lips before jumping up and walking towards the closet to select an outfit for the day. Before she could reach for a garment she heard Alice yell out, "Outfit #34, Bella!" She immediately reached for the outfit and came back out of the closet.
"That's not fair. You know I hate surprises." Edward started to laugh. She glared at him, sucking her breath in between her teeth and making a hissing sound. Startled, she looked up to see Edward standing right in front of her.
"Again the kittenish anger…I love it, you know," he growled as he placed his arms around her and gently nipped at her neck, causing her to squeal and giggle before ducking out of his arms. "I promise you, Bella, this is one surprise you will love. Trust me, okay?"
"Alright, Mr. Cullen, I trust you but only because…"
"Because what, my love?" asked Edward, intrigued.
"Well, that's for me to know and you to find out…" was Bella's girlish reply as she sauntered towards the bathroom with swaying hips, one backward glance showing Edward with a slightly dazed look on his face as he watched her from behind. She gave him quick wink before closing the door to change.
Edward closed his eyes, shaking his head as he took a deep breath. Does she realize what she does to me when she looks at me like that? Of course she does, Cullen, she knows it and you know you like it!
Edward had a goofy grin on his face as he went downstairs to prepare Bella's breakfast and make the final arrangements for Bella's surprise.
Edward and Bella walked hand in hand down the small neighborhood streets, enjoying the sights and sounds of city life. Everywhere there was something to see. A shop selling colorful scarves, a small café where customers were sipping coffee at little tables set outside so they could watch people as they discussed life, death and the usual things that interested people.
Edward watched Bella as she watched everyone else. She was oblivious to the looks they were attracting from both males and females alike. There was a continuous low growl in Edward's chest as he listened to the thoughts of males who were appreciating his Bella's beauty. At the same time he was irritated by the women's thoughts as they were particularly catty towards Bella and offensive in their lustful thoughts towards him. He did his best to tune them all out, grateful that he would soon be alone with Bella and the peacefulness he felt when with her.
Edward led Bella towards Hyde Park where they walked along the many paths and enjoyed the beauty of the park. Edward and Bella then strolled towards The Rose Garden to enjoy the beauty of all the flowers that were blooming spectacularly, the air heavy with their glorious scent. Edward guided Bella towards a pale white rose that was standing by itself among a group of red roses. Bella was enchanted by its beauty and as she leaned in closer to inhale its scent, she noticed the small plaque in front of the flower identifying its name. The plaque identified the rose as the "Bella Marie Cullen". Her jaw dropped open as she quickly turned to look at Edward who was smiling at her reaction.
"I hope you like your surprise, love. It's the only one of its kind, breathtakingly beautiful, just like her namesake. For the woman who holds my heart..." Bella's eyes filled with tears as she looked again at the beautiful flower.
"Oh, Edward, it's beautiful. I don't know what to say…" said Bella as she embraced Edward, turning her face into his chest and kissing the spot where his heart would be. "Thank you."
Edward whispered into Bella's ear a famous line from Romeo & Juliet. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Bella started laughing through her tears. "Are you reciting Shakespeare again, Mr. Cullen?"
"Of course. I don't go arranging to have roses named after just any woman. And it doesn't matter if your name is Juliet or Bella, Swan or Cullen, I will love you for eternity."
"That's was so beautiful…" Bella said through her tears as she stood on her toes to kiss Edward.
"Yeah, sickeningly so…" came Emmett's voice as he walked up to Bella and Edward, followed by Rosalie who quickly smacked him upside the head. "Ow, Rosie! What did you do that for?"
"What did I do that for? Edward arranges to have a rose named after Bella, yet I'm the one named Rose and you've never done anything as romantic for me!" Rosalie huffed as she quickly winked at Bella.
Jasper and Alice were right behind Rosalie as they too joined Edward and Bella.
"Yes, Emmett, you best explain yourself to Rosalie!" Jasper added as Alice nodded in agreement. He shook his head and gave a dramatic sigh. "These little Appalachian men…not a romantic bone in their bodies!"
"Hey, I can be romantic!" said Emmett as turned towards Rosalie and bent down on one knee. "O Rosalie, Rosalie! Wherefore art thou Rosalie?"
Bella started laughing. "Emmett, I thought you said you didn't, how did you put it, 'I don't go for that Shakespeare dude and any of his plays?'"
Everyone started to laugh, including Emmett.
"So what are all of you doing here?" Bella asked.
"Oh, we were just strolling through the park and thought it would be fun to see what the two of you were up to?" Emmett said as he waggled his brows. "Wouldn't want to have to report any unseemly or inappropriate behavior to Charlie."
This time Alice took it upon herself to smack Emmett upside the head. "Knock it off, Emmett. You leave my sister alone!" Alice stepped up to Bella and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Actually, Bella, we're here to deliver this." Alice handed a picnic basket and small blanket to Edward. "Enjoy your afternoon!"
Bella turned to Edward, a huge smile on her face. "We're having a picnic too?"
"Yes, love, just the two of us. There is a meadow here in the park. It's not the same as our meadow back home, but I think it will suit our purpose just fine."
Bella and Edward waved goodbye to the others as they made their way to the meadow. Edward spread the blanket and sat Bella down, and then proceeded to open the picnic basket and take out fresh fruit, bread, cheese and sparkling water. As Bella ate they looked out over the meadow, watching the butterflies zipping back and forth among the flowers, a gentle breeze playing with the tall grasses as dandelions floated through the air.
When Bella had finished, Edward stretched out on the blanket and pulled Bella close to him. He pulled out a book of Bella's favorite poems and read them out loud while Bella laid her head against his chest and listened to him read.
After an hour had passed Edward stood up and gently pulled Bella to her feet, leading her towards the lake where her next surprise was waiting, a small rowboat for two. Bella raised her eyebrows and nodded her head towards the rowboat, bringing a smile to Edward's face as he stepped into the rowboat and reached for her hand, not letting go until he had her safely ensconced on the cushions and pillows he'd arranged to have put in the boat for her comfort. He sat down and taking the oars in hand he gently pushed off from the dock, skillfully maneuvering the rowboat out onto the lake while Bella sat facing him, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the gentle breeze on her face.
They lost track of time as they enjoyed the peace and quiet and each other's company. As they neared some low-hanging branches, a familiar voice could be heard out on the water.
There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl.
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
My, oh, my
Look at the boy too shy
He ain't gonna kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la
Ain't that sad
Ain't it a shame, too bad
You gonna miss the girl
Edward groaned and he started pinching the bridge of his nose while Bella tried to not to laugh, knowing it would only encourage Emmett.
"Emmett…" Edward growled. "Is there no place we can go where he won't disturb our peace?"
"Sorry bro, just wanted to make sure you had a little mood music." Emmett called out from the middle of the lake, rowing towards Bella and Edward's boat.
"Emmett, keep that boat away from us!" said Edward as he quickly maneuvered their boat away from Emmett's.
"Don't worry, bro, nothing is going to happen. You worry too much!" replied Emmett.
"When it has anything to do with you, yes, I do. Go the other way." Edward gestured towards the opposite direction of the lake.
Emmett rolled his eyes. "Fine! But only because Rosalie's in that direction and she and I have a night out on the town!"
"Bye Emmett!" Bella called out as she waved from her seat in the rowboat. Emmett waved back as he disappeared into the distance, still singing the "Kiss the Girl" song from 'The Little Mermaid.'
Edward turned towards Bella. "Are you certain you want to marry me, considering you will have to put up with Emmett's singing and antics for the next century, or two, or three?"
Bella leaned forward carefully, Edward moving towards her at the same time to make sure she didn't lose her balance. She gently poked him in the chest. "You're stuck with me mister! Remember? A Cullen, Bella, that's what you are. For eternity."
Edward's answering smile lit up his face. "For eternity, Bella, for eternity."
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. Just two chapters to go in this story, so don't give up on me! I should have the next chapter out within the next couple of days. Thanks! :-)