Sorry if these last posts seem rushed! It's because they are. Still don't own Twilight or New Moon. Still wish I did. Oh, and I don't own The Portal either. Just read.

BPOV:

I was focused on my mother's arrival so close at hand during the ride home. Some much had changed since we last talked, it was almost hard to keep track. No doubt she would be shocked that I took Edward back, yet I knew her main concern would be the marriage itself. Her disapproval would not stem from Edward's abrupt departure and we both knew it. No, her main source of discomfort would be me making her same mistake. She had loved Charlie, Renee told me that often, and when he didn't try to stop her from leaving she was shocked. Since then she held the belief that a man could never truly love a woman, despite what he said, until he had fully matured. I loved Renee to death, but she had always shoved her views onto me. That simply had to change.

I didn't even realize we were here until Edward kissed my hand again as he pulled the Volvo right beside the Cruiser. He helped me out of the car without a word. It seemed I wasn't the only one deep in thought. We walked hand in hand to the door, but paused there. I knew Charlie was here, but did he really want to see Edward? After everything we had been through, I doubted it.

Edward felt my confusion. He squeezed my hand and stepped into the house. "He wants to talk to me." It didn't take a genius to figure out why.

Charlie sat in kitchen, his hands folded on top of the table. That was rather unusual; by this time he would be found on the sofa watching television. I could only assume he was waiting up for us. He waved us over to join him.

I wanted very much to avoid this if possible. Nothing could make me feel more guilty then discussing our engagement with Charlie. An engagement he would never see fulfilled. There was no way he or Renee could come to my wedding. To them, I would be dead before that.

Edward had filled me in on everything this morning. How we would fake my death the night of graduation. It had to be done. If not, who knew how long Charlie and my mother would waste their lives trying to track me done. But if I were dead, they'd have to move on. It would hurt, but hopefully both my parents would think I died happy: in love and engaged. Once everything was settled, we would leave to Alaska. I would start my life as a vampire, with a new family. And with my husband.

Edward and I took a seat across from my father. He gathered his thoughts before raising his head to face us. "Edward… You have asked my daughter to marry you, and she's said yes, correct?"

"Yes, Chief Swan. I love Bella. A lot. More then I thought was possible." I closed my hand around his on the table. He smiled at it, then at me. "And I'm proud to say the feeling is mutual."

"Well… that's good." He paused. "I want you both to understand that this- that marriage- is not something to taken lightly. It's the ultimate test of trust. You… you want to spend the rest of your lives together, right?"

I nodded. "Of course, Dad. I can't imagine not being with Edward." He means so much to me. He gave me his love, and I gave him mine. For this vampire, I have renounced an entire life, an entire world. And he has given me a new one. One in which I can spend with him forever.

Charlie started to speak again, but froze as he noticed my newest piece of jewelry. The ring tinkled as Edward lifted my hand for my father to see it clearly. "You've-you've already got the rings?" He choked out.

My angel chuckled slightly. "Yes. I've had this rings put away for quite some time. Just waiting anxiously for Bella to change her mind." I looked at the rings too before answering. "Edward had a lot of faith in me. In this relationship. It's not surprising really. I swear, it's almost like he can read my mind sometimes."

Edward bit back laughter at that. "Not at all, my love. I doubt anyone could. I merely held out that our love would be strong enough. Trust, my dear. That's all it took." I gazed into his scorching eyes, nearly losing myself in their beauty. Oh Edward. You're such a cheater!

Charlie dragged us back to the present by clearing his throat loudly. My face turned a bit pink, but I hoped my father wouldn't notice. As for Edward, he would have felt me flush even in pitch black. His teasingly winked at me while Charlie continued to stare at out hands. I turned my face back to Chief Swan. He sighed and shook his head. "You both… completely serious about this." We nodded. "Then… best of luck. Edward, you will take care of my daughter. God knows how many dangerous situations she somehow gets herself into. Just, look after her. Protect her. And… care for her." His voice grew softer as he spoke, his eyes fixed now on my face. I offered him the best smile I could. Poor Charlie. Little did he know that Edward was going to inflict the greatest pain I would ever feel upon me soon. And dangerous? Charlie had no idea exactly how dangerous my soon-to-be husband exactly could be.

Edward gave him the best response he could. "Yes sir. Bella means everything to me. I'll do everything in my power to protect her, no matter what." I could almost hear the double meaning in his words. To protect me, he would have to kill me. How's that for ironic.

0- o O o -0

I was nervous again. My mother's plane was due any minute now. I had received an irritated email from her this morning concerning Edward. Charlie had informed her that Edward was back in my life, apparently. I read through four paragraphs of 'you'd better dump that boy' and 'you're too good for him' before I deleted it without bothering to reply. Renee sure was one to hold grudges.

Oh boy was she in for a shock when she arrived. Edward pulled my closer into his arms. "Calm down Bella. You're scaring us a bit." Alice patted my back when I dug my face into his chest. "Um... Jasper, could you help us out a bit?" Her husband slowly came to her side. I felt the soothing waves circulate my body then. "Thanks a lot Jazzy." Alice kissed his cheek. His response was slightly amused. "No problem. She was looking a bit green."

Once Edward had made it clear that he was coming with me to the airport, Alice promptly enlisted the rest of the family to join the welcoming comity. My pleas to discourage then where cheerfully ignore. Esme grasped my hand in hers. "Bella honey, don't worry. Everything will be fine. If you want, I'll talk to your mother." She offered.

I sighed and shook my head. "It's okay, Esme. Thank you, but I think I'll have to handle her myself. I guess I owe her that much." But my resolve wavered when he plane docked. Jasper sent another relaxing wave at me while Edward's arms tighten around me. Rosalie and Emmett returned with a bagel for me. She forced it into my hands with a determined grin. "You didn't eat anything this morning. And I doubt it'll help Edward's case if she thinks he starves you."

I hesitantly took a bite, releasing Edward to embrace Rose. Emmett grabbed us from behind, lifting us to the air. Caught by surprise, we both shouted," Emmett!" while he and Edward laughed. "Tis' a beautiful thing to see you both together without Rose plotting your death." He joked, placing us upright. "Makes me all teary eyed!" He jumped back to dodge his wife's hand.

I laughed along with the rest of my new family. Their kindness still amazed me. The Cullens had willingly opened their arms to me, a mere human. Now I would join their ranks as a fellow vampire. Every single one of them agreed to up and move so suddenly.

Edward lifted his chin from on top of my head. I followed his gaze to see Carlisle carrying my mother's luggage as they walked up together. Whatever her distrust of Edward, no one could resist Dr. Cullen. She was so distracted, Renee didn't realize the rest of our entourage until Alice tackle/hugged her.

"Oh my!" she squealed at the small vampire kissed her cheek. "Alice! It's such a delight to see you again." But her face fell as she spotted me admits the other Cullens. She had only met Carlisle, Alice, and Edward, but it was easy to surmise they were all a part of the family. Edward kissed the top of my head and released me. "Your poor mother is overwhelmed." He whispered while Emmett grinned. "Maybe you should say hello."

I made a face at him, but did as he told me. Renee brought me into a tight squeeze. "Oh Bella! I'm so glad to see you. You look better." I pulled slightly away so she could walk. Her eyes swept through the crowd of beautiful vampires, narrowing as they lingered on the most beautiful of them all. He smiled softly, making me wonder exactly what my mother was thinking. "Are these all Dr. Cullen's children?" I stifled a laugh at the word 'children' when even the youngest could past as my great grandparent.

Esme made her way to us. Renee gasped at her graceful movements and flawless face. "Mom, this is Edward's adoptive mother, Esme." Esme warmly greeted my awestruck mom. "Hello. It's so wonderful to finally meet you." Renee's mouth hung slightly open, now in response to Esme's musically alluring voice. She only acknowledged Renee's stunned expression with a slight smile before resuming her introductions. "I believe you are already acquainted with my husband Carlisle and my youngest two, Edward and Alice. These three are Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper." Esme waved her hand at each of them nonchalantly was she spoke their names.

My mom finally gained back her power of speech. "It's very nice to meet all of you. I… wasn't expecting this large of a party." Her voice was weak from astonishment. Edward was at our side in an instant. "I believe that would be my fault. I insisted that I would escort Bella. And Alice wanted to see you again as well my mother wanting to meet you." He chuckled. "Before we knew it, the whole family had decided to join us too."

Renee watched Edward carefully, trying to ignore his relaxed tone and handsome face, but evidently losing the battle. Her immediate anger appeared to recede when she stared into those dazzling eyes while he spoke. Emmett elbowed Jasper, who snickered. Alice locked her arm with my mother's. "Let's get going! I'm sure Bella's mom must be tired from her trip." Renee blinked a fair few times before answering. "Oh… yes, I do feel rather wiped out." I threw Edward a glare when he smirked.

Our group of nine made our way out of the airport and into the parking lot. Esme took her seat in the car as Carlisle and Edward loaded Renee's suitcases into the back of the Mercedes. Alice gave me a confident grin as she dragged my mother into the back seat, with Jasper not far behind. Rosalie and Emmett piled into the back of the Volvo as I climbed into the passenger seat. Once Edward slid into his seat, we followed Carlisle back to Forks, thankfully, at a safe speed.

Rosalie and Edward looked extremely bored as we kept the speed limit. "Why do humans have to do everything at such a slow pace?" Rose mumbled as we passed a blue truck. Emmett rolled his eyes as he dragged her into his arms. "Not all of us have the ability to hot wire engines to go past 200 mile per hour, Rosalie." Edward just shook his head.

Emmett tried to take Rose's annoyance in his own hands. "Come on, Rose. There are some advantages to driving this slow." She glared at her husband. "Such as?" He grinned and ran small circles on her thigh. "Give it a second. I'm sure you can think of a few." Her voice was a near whisper now. "Perhaps not. Would you be willing to show me a some of these 'advantages'?"

Edward growled lowly as he turned to face his siblings. "No way. Not in my car. If you even think about trying it, you'll be walking." My face turned red, as I understood what they were thinking.

"You're no fun." Rosalie sighed and straightened herself in Emmett lap. "Not that it matters. We could walk home faster then this."

But Emmett took a different approach. "Just because Mr. Prude says we can't do anything, doesn't mean we can't thin about what we're gonna go when we get home, Rose." Their evil smiles were identical.

"Ugh! Emmett that is sick!" Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. "Rosalie Hale! How dare you! Not on my piano, you are not!" He roared at his sister while twitching uncontrollably.

The rest of the journey home pasted in that fashion. We pulled up behind the Mercedes in my driveway. As soon as the car had stopped, Rose and Emmett raced out of the car. Alice walked over to my side, helping me out as Edward slammed his head again and again into the steering wheel. "Glad I don't have his power right now." She giggled as we hurried into my house.

Once my mother's entire luggage had been but in the rest bedroom, the Cullen piled back out the house. Esme kissed my cheek and hugged me as did Alice and Rose. Emmett ruffled my hair, wishing me the best of luck. I returned that when I saw the look Edward was giving him. Jasper waved a quick good by and Carlisle gave me one last hug before they headed back outside. Now all of the Cullens were in the two cars, except one.

Edward pulled me close in front of the door while Charlie helped Renee unpack. "I'll be back tomorrow." He shook his head before I could complain. "No, I think you'll need to talk with your parents first. Then we'll talk to them together." He smirked. "Your mother is waiting to bombard you with questions. I'd better go." I stood on the tips on my toes for my good night kiss. His lips pushed softly against mine at the same moment we heard the Volvo's horn beep. I sighed, taking a step back, but Edward grabbed me closer. "Let them wait." So I willingly leaned into the kiss. His arms were around my waist as soon as mine closed around his neck. With one shift on my legs, I was pressed against him.

Unfortunately, Emmett's patience had reached it's end; he stormed into the house dragged Edward out with him. "Sorry Bella, but we want to get going. See you later!" I waved after him while closing the door. I turned to walk up the stairs, my smiling leaving at the thought of the conversation that would follow. Tonight shall be the night our destinies shall be decided, I quoted grimly as I pushed open my mother's door.