Star Shine A Twilight Fanfic
One: I Promise
"When you love someone, all your saved up wishes start coming true."
-Elizabeth Bowen
I sat in the passenger seat of Edward's Volvo, my heart pounding inside my chest, sweat breaking out on my forehead, and my fingers twitching now and then. I vaguely wondered how long it would be before I passed out. We were outside my house, and I was panicking at the thought of going inside.
Edward sat in the driver's seat next to me, perfectly still and calm, watching me freak out with slight humor on his perfect features. He reached over and pressed his cool hand to my cheek, then leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"It will be fine," he assured me, but it didn't work. I took a deep breath to try and calm myself. I don't remember ever being as anxious as I was at that moment, preparing to tell Charlie the biggest news I've ever had.
"He's very content right now," Edward told me, brushing some of my hair out of my face. "And I'm sure he won't blow too out of proportion."
"Thanks," I mumbled sarcastically, rolling my eyes. He chuckled softly and opened his door. A millisecond later, he was opening mine and holding out his hand. I took it and he pulled me out of the car and into his arms, hugging me tightly and kissing the top of my head.
"Ready?" he asked, smiling his crooked smile. I sighed.
"No." But I took his hand anyway, and together we walked up the pathway to the front door. With every step my heart became faster and my breathing uneven, and soon I was gasping for air.
"Bella?" Edward put his hands on my face and looked into my eyes. His golden orbs were full of concern.
We were right in front of the door. If I didn't control my breathing, Charlie would hear me and come outside. The thought of my dad right now didn't exactly help me calm down.
"Breathe, Bella," Edward soothed. "Everything will be fine. He's watching the game, not sharpening an axe, or something."
My breaths slowed down as Edward rubbed his hands on my arms. I smiled at him when I was normal again.
"Okay," I said, turning the doorknob. "C'mon."
Edward was right. Charlie was on the sofa, looking very at ease as he watched the basketball game. He looked up to see who came in, and smiled when he saw us.
"Hey kids," he greeted, standing up. "I already ate, Bells, but there's some pizza in the kitchen for you two, and-"
"Dad," I interrupted. "There's something we have to tell you."
I must have sounded scared, or my nervous face gave it away, because Charlie's smile disappeared and he moved closer to us.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, his eyes quickly flashing to Edward, and then to my stomach. They widened. "Are you...?"
My eyes widened too as I realized what he was insinuating. "Oh, no, Dad," I said, quickly. "I'm not pregnant."
His relief was obvious; his shoulders relaxed and his eyes brightened, but his face turned bright red.
"Our news is much more exciting," Edward stated, squeezing my right hand. Charlie's eyes became curious.
"What is it?" he asked, cautiously. I took a deep breath and held up my left hand, where my engagement ring shone beautifully.
It took him a few moments to speak. He reached out and took my hand in both of his, tracing the ring with his fingers.
"You're getting married?" he whispered, looking into my eyes. I nodded. Edward squeezed my hand again.
I expected Charlie to throw a fit; maybe even threaten Edward with his gun or something. I was ready for a lecture, some yelling, maybe being kicked out of the house. But not for what happened.
Charlie's face broke into a huge smile, and he pulled me into a hug. I don't ever remember being hugged this tightly by my dad before, and it felt nice. He rubbed my back lightly and kissed my temple.
"Congrats, kiddo," he whispered as he pulled away. His face was blurry, and I realized I had tears in my eyes.
"Thanks, Dad," I sniffed. He chuckled and wiped a tear away from my eye.
"Why are you crying?" he asked. I heard Edward shift around behind me.
"This isn't what I expected," I told him, smiling. He laughed again.
"I can't say I didn't know this would happen sometime," he said, his eyes shining as if there was more meaning to his words. I saw them flash to Edward before coming back to me.
"Wait a minute..." I started, but Charlie held out his hand to Edward.
"Welcome to the family, son," he announced, and Edward took it, a huge smile on his perfect face.
"Thank you, sir," he replied, then he came and took my hand in his again. I scrutinized him carefully.
"What?" he asked, noticing me.
"Nothing," I shrugged casually. Charlie intervened then.
"So when's the big day?" he asked cheerfully.
"August thirteenth," I answered automatically, smiling to myself. Two more months until I would be Edward's. Well, officially.
"Two months?" Charlie asked, sounding surprised. "How will you get everything done by then?"
"Alice is very good at dealing with last minute arrangements," Edward answered, and I laughed lightly. "I think she's looking for places for the wedding to be held at right now."
"Really?" The smile still had not left my father's face. "So your family knows already?"
"Yes, sir," Edward said. "They are all extremely happy Bella is joining our family."
I smiled and squeezed his hand, telling him I understood both the meanings of his words. He flashed his crooked smile at me and pulled me close to him, putting his arm around my shoulders.
"Did you tell Renée yet?" Charlie asked, and I shook my head.
"Not yet," Edward answered. "We were going to call her after you, actually." I stared at him- I didn't know that. But I didn't say anything.
"Well, I'll leave you to that," Charlie said. "I'm going down to the station to check on things. There's been a report on a missing person in the area, and we have to search for her, and my shift starts in a half hour." I blinked. Missing person?
"Good luck with the search," Edward said, and my father nodded in thanks. He looked in my eyes again and smiled at me.
"Congrats, Bells," he told me sincerely. I dropped Edward's hand and wrapped my arms around my dad, hugging him.
"Thanks, Dad," I said, tightening my arms. He patted my back awkwardly in shock, then hugged me back. A moment later, he cleared his throat and I pulled away. He touched my cheek with his hand, nodded to Edward, then left the house.
When his cruiser left the driveway, I turned to Edward, but he was gone. I walked into the kitchen to see him sitting at the table, a newspaper in his hands, his face unreadable. I walked over to him and sat on his lap. He looked up at me in surprise, putting down the paper.
"That went well," I started, and a smugness appeared in his golden eyes.
"Told you," he teased, touching my nose with his finger. I scrunched up my nose, smirking.
"But," I resumed. "He seemed to know something about it. Care to explain?"
Edward looked into my eyes, not saying anything for a moment. I stared back, trying not to blink, and finally he sighed.
"All right, he knew," he admitted, and I raised my eyebrows.
"He knew everything?" I asked. "I thought maybe someone told him we had news, and to not get mad."
"No, he knew everything," Edward said, smiling. "I asked his permission before I asked you." I stared at him in silence.
Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "I told you I'm old fashioned," he whispered, his eyes light. I laughed.
"Yes, you are," I told him, kissing his forehead. "But, he said it was okay to ask me?"
"Well, it took some persuading," he admitted, smiling sheepishly. "But it finally got through to him that we love each other, and nothing will ever seperate us, and I will never let anything happen to you."
"How long did that take?" I asked, and then remembering something, I added, "And when did you ask him? You seemed to ask me out of a whim when we got back from Italy."
Edward laughed, the sound like angels singing. "You were out for fourteen hours when we came back here," he reminded me. "When you went to bed, Charlie and I had a discussion, and I asked him then. It took less than an hour for him to calm down, and then a quarter of an hour to get him to agree for us to be married."
I nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Thank you for telling me," I said. He kissed my cheek.
"Anytime," he murmured.
"So what is going on with this kidnapping?" I asked casually, trying to hide my growing panic. The only other time there had been major news in Washington was when Victoria had created a bunch of newborn vampires a couple of months ago, and they killed a lot of people. It couldn't happen again, could it?
Edward seemed to sense my fear anyway, and his face softened with reassurance. "Don't worry," he murmured, smiling. "There's only been one kidnapping in Washington."
"Has there been other kidnappings elsewhere?" I asked, suspicious of his tone.
"Well, in New York, there had been twelve in the past week," he admitted. "And all over the world people are being taken. But this happens all the time."
"I guess," I muttered. "It's still scary." Edward kissed my wrist.
"I'll protect you," he said, resting his head on my shoulder. I put my cheek on the top of his head, inhaling his scent.
"I love you," I whispered into his hair. His arms squeezed me affectionately.
"I'll always love you," he vowed. "I promise."