(A/N): You guys seriously rock! Thank you so much for all your amazing reviews!
This chapter was beta's by RandomatGedz
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight …I just play around with Steph's character s :D
Living Royal
Chapter Twenty
"When do you think we should tell them?" Edward asked a few hours later while they were snuggled together in bed.
"Not now, definitely not now. We don't want your father to think that you did this to spite him. You didn't, did you?" Bella asked hesitantly.
Edward pulled her closer and rested his forehead on hers, "Bella, I love you with all my heart. I asked you to marry me because of that and only that. My father had nothing to do with it."
"Okay, just checking." She smiled.
"I'm sorry; I don't have a ring yet. Actually, I'm sorry the proposal wasn't more romantic."
"Don't apologize, that was the most perfect proposal any girl could ever get. I don't need anything more than that."
"You need a ring."
"No, you really don't need to get me one."
"You're getting an engagement ring, Bella. The biggest one I can find." He said and silenced any further protest by kissing her senseless.
The next day Edward went in search of his mother. He found her in the South Wing overseeing some changes that were being made to the rooms there. Edward knew that if his mother wasn't Queen she'd definitely be a professional Interior Decorator.
"Mum, can I speak with you for a moment, please?" He asked, drawing her attention away from the workers, towards the doorway where he was standing.
"Of course, dear." She walked towards him, "Is something wrong? You look very anxious. Did something happen with Bella last night?" She pulled him to an empty room where they could speak privately.
"No, no. Bella and I are fine. More than fine, actually, we're great." He grinned happily.
"That's fantastic! I was so worried that something would happen between you two after the fight you had with your father."
"It could've gone in that direction if Bella hadn't snapped some sense into me."
"Good, I knew that Bella was the one for you the moment I met her." Esme smiled lovingly at her son. She was so glad that he was happy. She had waited a long time for this and actually worried that they'd have to arrange his marriage like so many other royals had done for their children.
"I'm so happy that you think that. That actually brings me to the reason I wanted to speak with you. Um, remember when I was fifteen, you showed me Grandmother's ring and told me that the girl I chose to marry would have it?"
"Yes, of course, how could I forget something like that? The ring is kept in the private vault right here in the palace."
Edward shuffled his feet, suddenly nervous. He didn't know how to ask what he wanted to ask, and more importantly he was worried about his mother's reaction.
"Uh, I was wondering if I could have it…now?"
Esme's face turned from confusion to understanding to elation in a few seconds.
"Oh, sweetheart! You're going to ask Bella to marry you? That is fantastic! I couldn't have picked a better wife for you if we had chosen her out of a catalogue."
"Actually, I've already asked her to marry me and she said 'yes'." Edward replied, grinning like an idiot.
Esme smiled so wide that her cheeks felt like they were about to crack, and she hugged Edward tightly to her.
"That is the best news I have heard in such a long time. Congratulations, sweetheart!"
"Thank you, mum." He hugged her back. "I don't want father to know yet, though. We don't need a reason for another argument right now."
"Oh, but if you're giving Bella the ring, don't you think that he'll notice?"
"I'm giving it to Bella tonight and we're leaving early tomorrow morning so he won't really see us." Edward shrugged. It wasn't that he was afraid of his father's reaction. He just wanted to have this remain between him and Bella for a while, just the two of them without the whole world making it their business.
"And the press? How will you keep it from them?" Esme asked, trying to cover all the bases.
"Bella can wear the ring backwards whenever she goes out or she can wear it on a necklace around her neck."
"You've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?" Esme grinned at her son.
Edward smiled, "You only get engaged to the love of your life once, right? And I really want this to work out, Mum. More than anything."
"I know, sweetie. You deserve to be happy." She patted his cheek. "Just remember that I want some grandbabies as soon as possible."
"I'll make sure to work on that." Edward laughed, imagining a little brown-eyed girl calling him 'Daddy'; A miniature Bella. His smile grew wider.
They went down to the family vault where all the jewellery was kept under lock and key. The vault was full of beautiful pieces of jewellery that were worn by his family members throughout the years. His mother led him to one side where his grandmother's ring was encased in velvet. The ring was extremely beautiful. It was a large rock diamond with smaller diamonds forming a circle around it. The band was thin and delicate, just like Bella, Edward mused with a smile.
"It's perfect." He breathed.
Later, Edward had a very important call to make. He needed to ask for Charles Swan's blessing.
God help him.
However, it went better than he expected. Aside from the threat of assassination if he ever hurt his baby girl, Charlie gave Edward his blessings with ease. He told him that he saw how they were together and as long as his daughter was happy than who was he to object?
He and Charlie chatted for a few minutes before Renee stole the phone from him to speak with Edward. She talked excitedly about how happy she was for the both of them.
Edward heaved a huge sigh of relief after that phone call was done. He rested his head on the back of his chair and closed his eyes. He was in his parents' study because he wanted a little privacy for the phone call.
Someone knocked softly at the door a few minutes later.
"Come in." He called out.
Bella poked her head in, "Hey, I was looking for you."
"Hey," He motioned for her to come in and when she was close enough he pulled her onto his lap. "I needed some privacy to make a phone call."
"Anything important?"
"Yes, actually, I was speaking with your parents."
"My parents? Why?"
"I thought it would be wise to ask your father for permission to marry you." He said, kissing her forehead.
"Really? What did they say."
"Your father loves me. Of course, they said yes." Edward said smugly.
"Aw, I love that you're so old-fashioned."
"I'm not old-fashioned." Edward said, indignantly. "I just like traditions."
"Exactly," Bella snorted. "Old fashioned." Then she shrieked when Edward started tickling her.
"Edward! S-s-stop!"
"Say I'm modern and hip."
"Nope." She refused.
He tickled her harder causing her to shriek.
"What in the world is all this commotion about?"
Bella and Edward immediately stilled at the sound of that voice.
They both looked quickly towards the doors to find the King standing there, arms crossed, frowning at them.
Busted.
Bella scrambled out of Edward's lap and stood awkwardly next to his chair. While Edward got up slowly, he wrapped an arm around Bella's waist and pulled her close, all the while looking his father in the eye, as if challenging him.
"You two seem to be having fun." King Carlisle commented. Bella noticed a glimmer of something in his eye, something close to…amusement?
"Yes, we were." Edward emphasized the past tense to make it clear that his father interrupted them.
What is he doing? Does he want him to be mad at us?
King Carlisle remained unfazed.
"Carry on then." He nodded and then walked out.
Bella and Edward remained where they were for a few seconds to make sure that he wasn't coming back.
"What just happened?" Bella asked.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think that it's my father's way of letting us know we have his approval."
Bella furrowed her brows, "Really?"
Edward smiled crookedly at her, "Really."
Bella channelled her inner Alice and squealed happily. She threw herself at Edward and kissed him.
She'd been doing that a lot lately. Could anyone blame her, though? Besides, it's not like he was complaining.
Edward moaned into her mouth.
Nope, he's definitely not complaining.
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A couple of hours later, Bella was watching TV in their room, waiting for Edward. After they were done with their make out session in the study, he told her that he had some important things to do, refusing to elaborate on what those 'things' were.
Alice came waltzing into her room right when she was seriously contemplating going to look for him. She had a black garment bag with her and her make-up kit.
"Alice what are you doing?"
"I'm here to help you get ready. Edward said he had a surprise set up for you and he needed my help, so here I am." She said, happily.
"What surprise?"
"He didn't say. Otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"
"I guess." Bella admitted, nervously.
What was he planning now?
Alice opened the bag to reveal a gorgeous white, one shoulder dress with gold beading on the shoulder.
"Wow, Alice, this dress is amazing. Where did you get it?"
"Edward picked it out for you. That man has pretty good taste…for a guy." She grinned.
Coming from Alice, that was a very high compliment.
Alice helped Bella put on her dress then fixed her hair and make-up. An hour later she announced her ready.
James, the 'Royal Butler' or whatever it is they called him, came to lead her to where Edward was waiting. Bella walked silently besides the grim servant wondering what Edward had up his sleeve this time.
James led her out of the palace and into the gardens and then to a spot she remembered very well. She'd been there not too long ago, after all.
James left so silently that she didn't even notice until she started looking around. But he was forgotten in a second.
Despite how dark it was outside, this particular spot was very well lighted. There were candles everywhere. Edward stood right in the middle looking as gorgeous as ever and holding a single red rose.
"Hey, beautiful," He said.
Bella melted inside.
"Hey, umm what's going on?"
"I wanted to do this the right way." He took a few steps closer to her.
"Do what?"
"This," He kneeled down on one knee right in front of her. "I know that you're not a particular fan of grand gestures but I love you and you deserve a romantic proposal."
Bella's heart was eating so fast that it felt like it would beat right out of her chest, "Edward, you didn't have to…"
"Yes, I did. Besides, I have your ring now." He opened one of his hands to reveal the most beautiful engagement ring she'd ever seen.
"Bella Swan, will you do me the extreme honour of becoming my wife?"
Bella's eyes were filled with tears by then, "Yes."
He slid the ring up her finger then kissed her knuckles. He rose up and hugged her close to him.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." Bella replied before he claimed her lips with his own.
"Do you realize that this is the third time you've proposed to me?" She said between kisses.
"Um-hm, third time's the charm."
"Edward, please tell me you didn't spend a lot of money on this ring."
"I didn't spend a dime. It was my grandmother's engagement ring. She left it to me when she died so that I could give it to the woman I chose to marry."
Suddenly soft music filled the air. Edward kept Bella in his arms and swayed with her from side to side.
"Where is the music coming from?" She asked, smiling.
"There are speakers everywhere around the gardens for when my mother throws parties outside."
.
You're a falling star, you're the getaway car
You're the line in the sand when I go too far
You're the swimming pool, on an August day
And you're the perfect thing to say
.
And you play it coy but it's kinda cute
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true
'cause you can see it when I look at you
.
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything
.
"I love Michael Buble." Bella exclaimed.
"I know. But, do you love him more than you love me?" Edward pouted.
"Hmm, well, you both look great in suits…I don't know, it's a tough call." She grinned.
In response Edward dipped her back. Bella shrieked in surprise and then laughed.
"Say you love me more." He demanded laughingly.
"You're getting pretty demanding these days, Eddie. Is the spoiled Prince complex rearing its ugly head?" She teased him.
Edward got a devilish look in his eyes. "You're gonna get it now."
He proceeded to chase her around the garden. Bella took off her high heels so she could run faster but he still caught her easily.
Damn men and their longer legs.
"Okay, okay. I love you more than Michael Buble." Bella yelled before the situation got too out of control.
"Hm, I'll take that for now." He grinned. He let her go, but Bella's extreme lack of co-ordination caused her to trip against her own feet and take Edward down with her.
They both fell to the floor but instead of hitting grass they fell against a soft blanket that was spread on the floor.
What?
"What's this doing here?" She asked.
Edward had settled himself against the blanket and laid there with his head resting on his hand.
"I brought it here. I thought we could celebrate the engagement our own way." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Any other guy would probably get slapped for that line, but coming from Edward it was something completely different. Bella stared dazedly at his lips.
"What if someone comes?" She asked.
"Don't worry; I gave strict instructions that no one disturbs us as long as we're here. Besides, this is one of the few places in the Palace where there are no security cameras. So we're all clear." He looked so proud of himself for thinking of everything.
Bella needed no further encouragement. She pulled him down for a kiss. They both moaned loudly as the electricity that always passed through them whenever they touched coursed through their bodies.
That night they made love slowly and unhurriedly, savouring each kiss and each touch.
Savouring each other.
(A/N): Aw, Edward!
One of my readers said that the proposal shpuld've been more romantic and since I don't like to disappoint anyone, I figured out a way to make it so :D
Hope you guys liked it and that it wasn't too cheesy for your tastes :)
Tell me what you think!
Oh and the photo of the engagement ring and the dress are on my profile!
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