Chapter 2: Acceptance?
"You're not pregnant, are you?!" Charlie nearly exploded. His face was turning red.
I responded before he could turn on Edward, before Charlie could get a chance to let his imagination wander.
"No, it's not that," I tried to calm him quickly, before anything got out of hand. "I'm not pregnant, dad. Promise."
It wasn't like I hadn't thought about that, though. The what-ifs had been through my head, more than once. It wasn't too long ago that I had almost gotten that far with Edward, either. I blushed, remembering how I had pushed for it…
"No, I'm not pregnant. But, I have something very important to tell you."
I sounded a little more confident this time, probably because Edward was holding my hand a little tighter.
I took a deep breath, deciding to just let it out- I was never one for subtlety- and exhaled.
"Dad," I started pulling my hand out of my pocket, where I had conveniently hidden the ring, "I am engaged. Edward asked me to marry him, and I said yes."
By the look of shock on Charlie's face, I was readying myself to do one of two things: I could run, fast, or I could stand there and take whatever Charlie had to give me. I chose the latter.
"Isabella," Charlie seemed to have himself under control, "I don't know what to say."
He was taking this better than pregnancy, I thought to myself.
"Bella, honey, I don't think I could change your mind even if I wanted to. I can think of some people who I would trust more, who I would rather you had chosen-"
I grimaced as soon as he said that, images of Jacob Black flashing before my eyes. I shook my head and realized that I was missing the lecture.
"- but I am happy for you, happy that you are happy." He finished. Turning to talk to Edward, Charlie got a stern look on his face, "Edward, I am not sure if this is the right thing to do, for Bella or for you. But, as it seems she has made up her mind and chosen you, you had BETTER take care of my baby. If you hurt her, if you ever do to her what you did before-"
I cut him off before he got me thinking of those times, "Dad, you know Edward wouldn't ever hurt me. I know he wouldn't hurt me. Now, I want to ask you one more thing."
"Bella, before I answer whatever you are going to ask, let me say this. I am happy for you, and if I thought I had even the tiniest chance of talking you out of this, I would. But," he looked at me, and then Edward, and sighed, "I know you two are right. I have this, feeling, and it tells me to go with this."
"Dad," I almost broke down, tears welling up in my eyes, "thanks for understanding. Thank you so much!"
I nearly jumped on him, on the couch, when I went to give him a hug. I heard him gasp for air as I landed on his chest, but I was too busy crying and hugging him to care.
"Alright, alright," Charlie started, "That's enough. You are gonna get my shirt all wet. Now, what did you want to ask me?"
"Dad, will you walk me down the aisle?"
"Of course, Bells! Why wouldn't I?" he exclaimed, as I caught him for another hug. "Man, now I need a new shirt!"
I let him saunter off, to find a new shirt, overhearing him mumble about wedding cakes and flowers and guest lists…
"Now that that's over," Edward startled me as he kissed my ear, "what do we do now?"
"Now we go back to your house and I will check over the guest list that Alice has come up with," I stated.