A/N: sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I have made it quite long to make up for lost time!happy reading.
Bella's POV
I heard the most beautiful voice calling my name, calling for me to wake up. I stirred and found myself not on my soft bed but lying on the ground within something strong, and then I remembered everything in a flash.
Edward. Clearing. Alice. Makeover. Stars. Diamond. Ring. Engagement!
I turned in Edward's strong grip to face him. "Is this true Edward? Is all this really happening?" I asked him while losing myself in the golden pools that were too beautiful for a normal person to possess. Of course, Edward was no normal person. He smiled back at me.
"I think little Isabella here is still half asleep. Let's wake her up shall we?"
Edward proceeded to place both his arms at the small of my back, the small inch of skin where my halter ended. I shivered at his cool touch but surrendered to his cool lips right in front of me. Our lips seemed to be glued together for the longest time. But I still couldn't wait for Edward to change me, only then would I be able to feel the full force of his lips.
"We'd better go back, it's almost noon and the human needs to eat." Edward murmured as he reached to stroke my ponytail. He packed the basket and folded up the blanket all in a split second while I was still standing there in a daze. He finished what he was doing, looked at me and roared with laughter as he saw the expression on my face.
Edward's POV
Bella looked utterly irresistible. I walked over to her and enfolded her in my arms yet again and looked down her happy expression. She reached out with both her arms to lock them around my neck.
"Try and make me let you go." She smiled right in my face.
I laughed. "Might as well make the most of it!"
I planted my lips on hers as her eyes widened from shock. She pressed back as we stayed locked in our embrace. My lips gradually left her lips and traveled down her throat and to her bare creamy shoulders as my arms slipped under her top once again to stroke her smooth skin as she placed her lips beside my ear and started blowing her sweet breath on it.
Suddenly I heard something.
I looked away from Bella's shoulders to find...
NEWTON STARING BACK AT US!
He was just opposite us hidden among the trees. His mouth was hanging wide open and staring at us as Bella turned to see what had captured my attention away from her. She reared back in shock as I glared at him. He looked at my arms under Bella's top.
What the hell is he doing! Get your filthy hands off her. What could Bella be doing with such a pervert! The things I would do when I get my hands on him.
I growled under my breath. "Be nice..." Bella warned as he strode over to us.
Newton stood in front of us, "Get your hands off her."
"And what business is it of yours?" I spat back at him
He opened his mouth to answer then Bells cut him off, "Look Mike, WHAT THE HELL are you doing here in the first place! This is Cullen ground."
He had the gall to answer that he was camping with his family near by and that he had heard someone laughing, which sounded like Edward and decided to come investigate.
Actually spy, he thought guiltily.
I growled protectively yet again. I wasn't going to take any more chances around him. I swept Bella up, along with the basket and blanket and ran off at a human pace until I heard Newton stalk away, then I really picked up the pace. I burst into the living room where my family was gathered. The unhappy moment was forgotten and we were back with family now.
"She agreed. Maybe she was dazzled by me when she answered but she's stuck with me now." I announced with the most terrific smile I could muster.
Bella blushed the most beautiful shade of pink and hid her face in my shirt, unsuccessfully.
Alice shrieked, dragged Bella out of my arms and started chattering away about plans and colours and dresses. I groaned, it hadn't taken long for Alice to start. Esme then caught Bella and kissed her soundly on both cheeks to congratulate her. Carlisle shook Bella's hand forcefully with the most idiotic grin I had seen in my entire life. Jasper and Emmett came over and started giving comments, "That's great man...FINALLY my little brother is getting married...we'll beat you to a pulp if you bully Bella..." until Rosalie asked THE question.
"When are you going to change her?" She cares, she actually cares, I thought in surprise while looking at Rose.
I turned and saw one of Bella's thankful expressions, thankful that Rosalie didn't reject her anymore but instead, accepted her as part of the family now.
"A week before the wedding maybe, so Bella can be as pretty in the wedding photos." At that point, I politely whisked Bella away from my excited family and raced up to my room and gently placed Bella down on the couch. I sank down to the floor as dear Bella started muttering to herself again. I laughed when I caught what she was saying even though she was trying real hard not to let me hear it.
She was saying over and over: Mrs Edward Cullen, Mrs Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, Mrs Isabella Cullen, Mrs Bella Marie Swan-Cullen, trying to figure out which name suits her the best. I placed my head in her lap, looked up at her and whispered, "I think Bella Cullen will suit you just fine, no fancy titles, no fancy names in front or behind."
She turned to me in shock, "You heard?" and turned that lovely shade of red.
I laughed and leaned over to lightly brush her forehead with my lips when Alice, Rosalie and Esme came bursting in.
Bella's POV
I reluctantly pulled back from Edward's lips when I heard the sound of thundering footsteps. Doomsday had come. I was dragged away from Edward by Esme and Rosalie (who was becoming nicer and nicer to me each day) and I heard Alice telling Edward that on no account was he allowed to come within a hundred feet of the mall to come and rescue me and that if he did, the girls would kidnap me on my wedding day. I sighed, looks like I'm taken up for the rest of the day. The girls put me in a simple forest green blouse, jeans and sneakers and whisked me off into Esme's BMW.
The first thing we did when we got to the mall was to sit down at a café and discuss wedding plans. Final decisions were made and written down by Esme who was taking notes. The two girls fired question after question at me, I figured that Rosalie had so many weddings; she must know what she was talking about. Some answers I had already discussed with Edward so it was easy.
Wedding Colours: White, Black and Topaz
Date: 6 months from now, after graduation, in the summer, in the Cullen Mansion officiated by Carlisle, if he accepted our offer.
Dresses: That was easy; Alice had already had a vision and had already drawn out all the dresses eons ago.
Guests: Charlie, Renee, Phil, the Cullen family, Jessica, Angela (I had wanted to include Mike and Jacob but Edward looked murderous and started strangling the air so that was out of the question) that was about it, I wanted it simple.
The girls then proceeded to drag me to shops like Gap, Macy's, Victoria's Secrets etc. I tried on dress after dress, blouse after blouse. I was quite satisfied with some purchases on the whole-a black spaghetti top with topaz etchings to match Edward's eyes, a halter and a tank top in the blue that Edward loved and many more. Countless trips to Esme's BMW were made to load in many bags. Skimpy lingerie was also bought for me for the first night as the girls squealed in laughter and I blushed crimson. At one point, I happened to spy something in a jewelry shop and got it as an engagement gift for Edward. Finally after a long while, I was allowed to return back to the Cullen Mansion.
The four guys were waiting for us at the doorstep. Edward must have caught the girls' thoughts as we were returning and assembled the guys. When we finally parked, the guys scrutinized the insides, saw no sign of shopping bags and said in unison, "Trunk" and proceeded to limp back to the house, bogged down by the countless purchases, shaking their heads at their respective wives or in my case, girlfriend. Alice then sat us down in the living room to inform the guys about the wedding plans. Edward reached out as I was walking to a seat next to Carlisle and pulled me down onto his lap, running his fingers up and down my arms.
"Ok so we decided the date to be in the summer next year, preferable in the first week or so to give the newlyweds time for their honeymoon. Where are you going?" she asked Edward pointedly.
I looked up at him expectantly. "To our private island in the Caribbean, for a week or two. We can fly in the private jet, or I can fly it if Carlisle lets me..."
"Absolutely no way", I protested, "After the way I seen you drive a car, a jet will be even worse." As the whole family burst out laughing at the sheepish expression on Edward's face, I blushed yet again and returned to the topic.
"Dresses have all been designed"Alice continued amidst laughter as the family saw that she had already seen the entire wedding in a vision, "Guests lists also have been decided-Charlie, Renee, Phil, our family, duh, Jessica and Angela. Bella said Edward decided against having Jacob or Mike. Anything else?"
"Wait let me get this out. This is the final decision. Edward wants Jasper and Emmett to be both his best men and I want Rosalie and Alice to be my bridesmaid. Both Carlisle and Esme will be officiating. If that's alright with all of you. Since both of you are like parents to be already." I got it out in a rush as I saw the rest of the family grin and agree. The gathering broke up and Edward swept me up to his room yet again. I was feeling grumpy, 'cause it was already Sunday and I would have to return home tomorrow.
As we resumed our positions on the couch, I remembered my present and took it out of my pocket. He watched me questioningly and I took a deep breath and said, "This is MY present to you Edward."
I watched him as he removed the wrapping to reveal two necklaces intertwined. The charms were fixed together as two puzzle pieces joined in the centre. On my charm, it was engraved 'Edward' and under it the word 'for'. On Edward's, it was engraved 'Bella' and under it the word 'ever'. When we fixed the charms together, it would read 'Edward Bella Forever'. My chain was made of delicate links but Edward's were thicker, like how a guy's necklace should be. He looked down at me as I explained.
"You got me such a nice ring, so I wanted to get you something in return. Then I saw this interlocked chain in a store and I requested for it to be engraved. Its not really that expensive so don't worry..." I was cut off mid-sentence as Edward crushed me in another embrace and stroked my hair.
"Why would you ever accept a monster like me?" he asked.
"I've always considered you human Edward."
He leaned back, slipped a finger under my chin and tilted my face upwards; he then brought his face closer to mine and our lips made contact. I struggled to get my arms out from his embrace and locked it behind his neck and brought his head down, closer to mine. He let his tongue slip out and run it over my lips as I knotted my hands in his hair. Then the self-restraint in him kicked in and he pulled back.
I sighed, "Like I said Edward, fully human." And I smiled.
The time passed as always with Edward and it was evening already. We had spent the time lying on the couch with me cradled in his arms, his head on top of mine as I doodled away on his shirt, just happy to be with each other. Edward drove me home with some of my new purchases. It was only after I had reached the front door that I realised.
Goddamn I have to break the news to Charlie and Renee.
Edward's POV
The look on my angel's face told me that she was not ready for this but I squeezed her hand comfortingly, hefted her duffle bag over my shoulder and walked in.
I greeted her father and he turned around.
"Had a good weekend Bells? Hope you were eating...what the hell is that on your finger Isabella Marie Swan!" Crap he saw it. He has really good eyesight though.
He proposed to her? That's bad. I mean that's good, OH I DON'T KNOW. He loves her, but what if he abandons her. Why didn't she ask for my permission? My sweet Bells growing up already. What will I tell Renee? He was thinking so fast, my own head was starting to spin. Bella by my side was looking shocked at his reaction.
I sat both of them down and started talking to Chief Swan.
"Chief Swan, I assure you that in every way possible that I love Bella and that I will never leave her or forsake her. Bella is my life Chief Swan; I wouldn't be able to live without her. I love her; I will not get tired of her and dump her like five years down the road. I will not abuse her, shout at her, hit her..." I must have talked for hours trying to convince Charlie but it had only been 20 mins. I could hear Charlie's thoughts with every word that came out of my mouth.
Well, Bella does love him and she actually ran away for this guy. Should I trust him? What if I saw Bells hurt. It would be my fault. What if they decide that they are tired of each other next time? Why don't they have guidebooks for fathers? I realised Charlie worried alot about Bella.
Bella was next to me, having a death grip on my arm. Charlie finally put up his hand to stop my declaration of love.
"Alright, I'm convinced. I have no objections to this engagement." At this point, Bella squealed and made a move to hug him but Charlie continued on, "But I have to warn you, if you break Bella's heart or harm her in any way, physically or emotionally, I will personally break both your legs do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear Chief Swan." I saluted him. Bella saw me out of the door and I gave her a small kiss, so as to not to shock her father too much.
"I'll see you upstairs in a minute." I whispered to my angel and promptly scaled the trees next to her window and lay down on her bed, inhaling her sweet scent.
Bella's POV
I love my father. How could my mum not love this man? I ran over and gave him a tight hug. He laughed and ruffled my hair. I would have to ask Edward what he had been thinking. I kissed Charlie goodnight and ran up the stairs to my room. True enough, Edward was already there with her angelic head buried in my pillow, trying to inhale my scent I supposed. I gave a small cough to announce my arrival. He looked up and smiled.
"You had better go take your human minute before my temptation and desire takes over." He said with a look of pain and desire. I grinned, grabbed my stuff and quickly changed into some new night clothes that I had bought that afternoon-black boy shorts and that blue tank top. Edward's mouth dropped open as I walked out brushing and pulling at my hair. I climbed into bed next to him and promptly pushed his mouth closed.
He shook his head a few times, grinned evilly and put his arms around my waist, squeezing me hard until I could hardly breathe.
"Edward we humans need oxygen you know. Without it, we'd die." I gasped out, "And if you don't release me, I'd deny you kisses for two weeks." At this point he looked down my face, which was rapidly turning red.
"Now how can I make you change your mind?" He blew that delicious scent into my face. Edward kicked off the blanket and hitched my tank top up until my stomach was exposed. He leaned down and planted kisses on my belly, slowly kissing up to where the top was and then groaned at it and switched to my arm. I was hyperventilating and my heart was beating an abnormal tribal beat.
"One week?" I asked, this 'torture' was totally unfair to me.
Not good enough it seemed. He continued making his way up and had reached the crook of my arm.
"5 days?" I pleaded but he shook his head and continued kissing my shoulder.
"Oh screw it." I whispered, grabbed Edward's face and kissed him hard. He laughed and kissed me back. "I hate it when you do that I can't think straight."
"Well think crooked then, I couldn't really be bothered about it." He smiled as he tucked me back in. He reached over to take the necklace I was wearing and fixed it with his, it looked so perfect joined together.
Edward's POV
It looked so perfect. Bells was great at choosing gifts. I gently rocked her to sleep as I hummed her lullaby. I had to teach it to her someday. I watched as her eyelids slowly closed but he hands never released her hold on my waist. I removed her hands and placed it on her chest. I kissed first her eyelids, then the tip of her nose; her top lip, the bottom lip and both lips together. She stirred and mumbled "Edward Bella forever"
I smiled and whispered, "Edward Bella forever" as I slipped out to change my clothes and park my Volvo at the corner of the street just so I could be here when my angel wakes up.
A/N: now if I really wanted to end here, I think my readers would all have me executed on the spot so here's the scoop on what happened in school that Monday.
Bella's POV
I woke up to find Edward's hand twisting the ring on my finger. I covered his with mine, "I want to wear it to school. It's not like we have anything to hide."
He smiled and pointed to the bathroom, "I'll be the waiter for today ma'am. Your table is right downstairs."
When I was heading downstairs, I was clad in some new clothes. My sneakers were the same but I had on a pair of black jean that were studded with crystals down the side. I had on a white V-neck that was moderately modest and the sleeves covered my entire arm, ending in a flared V at my wrist. I was attempting to scrape my hair into a ponytail when I tripped over the last few steps. Of course Edward was there to catch me in a strong embrace.
He stared at my outfit and muttered, "Utterly indecent and tempting." and proceeded to scrutinize me up and down before commenting "Leave your hair down, I like it that way."
We had a quick breakfast, got into his Volvo and arrived at school. A strong arm snaked around my waist as usual and we walked into the school halls together. First period was English and I had Jessica and Angela swooning over my ring and the fact that Edward had proposed. I was delirious with happiness until I saw Mike glaring murderously at my ring. I covered it protectively and turned to face him. He grabbed me by the wrist and hauled me outside where he stood with arms crossed to face me.
Edward was just next door in French class. Should I yell? My mouth was open and ready when Mike clamped down on me.
"You are going to listen to me and you listen properly. Edward doesn't deserve you. He governs your entire schedule. If you have to meet him, you can't meet us." I heard the hidden me there. "You don't sit with us at lunch anymore, you sit with the Cullens..." Mike would have gone on and on if Edward had not come flying out of the door seconds after Mike had started his rant.
Edward shielded me protectively, "Get your own girl Newton."
Mike glared at both of us and walked away. Edward sighed and pressed his cool lips to my forehead. "I heard his thoughts and came rushing out. Sorry I was late." I assured him of my well-being and went back to class. The entire day went by without event until I had reached back home with Edward. I took a deep breath, it was time to call Renee.
I picked up Edward's cell phone and dialled. She picked up on the first few rings and greeted me. I took a deep breath.
"Mom Edward proposed to me a dew days ago and I accepted. The wedding is in 6 months next summer. I would like you and Phil to be there."
"He what!" she shrieked. "You're 18 Bella. You have a lifetime ahead of you. What makes you think you love Edward. You told me at the hospital that it was just a crush." Edward grabbed the phone from me.
"Ma'am I assure you that I love Bella with all my heart. Chief Swan has already cross-examined me and given us his blessing. I will not leave Bella in five years, I will be with her forever. I will not hit her, abuse her or torture her in anyway. I will take care of her forever..." My tears welled up as I listened to him convince my mother. He passed the cell back to me after awhile.
"Bella do you really love him?" she asked
"I do Mom, I really really do." I replied without hesitation.
She sighed, "Fine, put me on loudspeaker."
"Edward Cullen," her voice blared out, "If you hurt Bella in any way, any way at all, I will come over and personally break both your legs." Edward was taken aback at her loud voice and tone and I burst out laughing.
"Mom you are so like Dad! Love you!"
We both sank down onto my bed and sighed in relief. We stayed in my room talking about the future life that we would have together and discussing topics, like if we were going to tell my parents about my transformation. We discussed how to redecorate Edward's room, how we were actually going to live together. Charlie had already come home and saw Edward's car in the driveway and therefore, had the sense to leave me alone. Did I mention I love my dad?
The doorbell rang at that moment but we didn't really care really, as Edward was currently making me model all my new clothes and giving me comments. We only went downstairs when Charlie yelled that we had a visitor. Edward promised to let me walk down by myself and we found that Alice was standing in the doorway.
She smiled sweetly at us and said, "Chief Swan said you could stay over at our house today Bella. I have some homework to discuss with you."
Something was not right. I had no classes with Alice and I opened my mouth to voice this out to her when Alice shot me a worried look that clamped my mouth shut.
Edward speedily helped me pack some of my new clothes and we got into the car in silence. Something serious must have happened for them to call me over so suddenly...
And suddenly, I was scared, even though I had Alice and Edward by my side...
Edward's POV
The moment I saw Alice in the doorway, I was worried. Why would Alice come and look Bella up when she knew full well that I would be here. She glanced at me at vampire speed. I hurriedly entered her mind.
Edward, I saw something really bad...A/N: Thanks to all my readers for being so patient with me! This chapter took up 12 pages in word form. 12 imagine that. The chapters seem to get longer and longer don't they? Hope you all like it and don't forget to review!