Haha. Your reactions to Bella's new bold attitude were hilarious! But think of it from her POV: she is in love with a vampire, about to give up her whole world for said vampire, and her parents worry that they don't know what love is! -snort- Considering everything these star-crossed lovers have been through, it's ridiculous! So Bella should flaunt her relationship in front of her parents. I mean, really! Don't just tell them you love him, show it! Actions are stronger then words. And oh boy, were those some strong actions. Tee hee. Now to see how Edward is taking all this! -laughs manically-
.:dresses up as Stephenie Meyer:. ...It's just not the same! I'll never be her!!!! I'll never own Twilight and New Moon, nor the sure to be awesome Eclipse! WHY?!?!?!
EPOV (real men sparkle):
Where did this all come from? My shy little Bella had grown bold! Here she was, on my lap, kissing my neck, right in front of her shell-shocked parents. Her face was slightly red, but she didn't seem to regret her actions in the least. And neither did I for that matter.
Of their own accord, my hands closed around her tiny waist, closing the small gap between her and I. Bella gave a sudden intake of breath, and then giggled shyly. I knew I must be grinning like an idiot, but I couldn't help myself. When I was with Bella, everything just seemed so right.
I dragged my eyes away from her soft expression to concentrate on her parents. Ah, that was a mistake. Now that I was focusing on the two others in the room, their thoughts blared in my mind.
What is she doing! Sitting on his lap!?! What has come over Bella?! Oddly enough, her mother's thoughts were in line with mine. But whereas I enjoyed this surprise, Renee was having a melt down. And she just acts likes it's nothing? Do they do this often? More then she would ever know, that was for sure. More questions buzzed in her mind, wondering exactly how far we had gotten. I was extremely thankful Charlie had not felt it necessary to inform his ex wife of our... late night escapade the other day.
I turned my attention to Charlie now. God, I promised Bella I would accept that they were together! I'm not going to break that now but... He tried to shake the image of Bella wrapped in my arms, in my lap, out of his head. Not something you want to walk in on. My daughter... Oh God. Chief Swan gave up on his train of thought. They're engaged; this is what engaged couples do. They're engaged; this is what engaged couples do... He repeated this nonverbally until he had calmed down enough to talk.
Charlie cleared his throat once again. "Well. Erm... I guess we need to discuss the-the marriage, right?" I hope Bella managed to talk to her mother. I don't think I can stand to have Renee start yelling again. He reluctantly turned to Bella's mother. "Renee?" He meekly called to her. "You and Bella... you guys talked everything out last night, right?" From the shouting yesterday, I should hope so. Bella seems okay so I guess they worked something out.
Renee shot Charlie a glare. I can't believe he caved. Does he not remember how difficult our lives were when we married? Barely 2 years and we were already fighting every night. Unpleasant memories of younger version of Bella's parents fighting filled Renee with sadness. But I promised to give this boy the benefit of the doubt. I swear, if it was anyone but Bella..."Yes, we talked. And came to a... a mutual agreement." If one could call it that.
I caught a glimpse of her and Bella's conversation last night from her mother. This new, brave Bella didn't shock me anymore after I listened to their conversation. Bella had fearlessly defended me with her whole heart. I looked forward to having the rest of our existence to uncover the enigma that was this woman. I kissed the top of her head.
Bella flashed her teeth happily at her mother and father. "Glad we've got that all settled now." She made to stand up, but I held her close. "Ah, not quite, sweetheart. There's still more to discuss." Her impatience was adorable; as was the pouting face she made when I pointed out that this conversation was not over. She leaned back against me with a sigh. "And what more is that?" she mumbled to herself. I looked over to Bella's mother.
"I've yet to speak to Edward about this." Renee refused to meet my eyes. She must have remembered how I 'dazzled' her at the airport and knew she would lose her train of thought. Instead, she watched Bella was heated eyes. "Now, Bella has told me you both really care about each other. Obviously, there's nothing I can say to discourage this marriage at this point." They'll have to make their own mistakes. These kids don't know what they are getting themselves into. "But I still want to throw in my two cents."
Bella snorted and turned away from her mother rudely. I kissed her cheek and shook my head. The whole point of this was so she would end her time with her mother and father with no regrets. Being angry with her mother because she was concerned was not going to solve anything. "Please Bella, let's hear her out. You own your mother that much." This would be the last time she ever saw here mother. After that she would have to disappear forever, hurting Renee in the process. It only made sense to indulge her. Bella understood what I wasn't saying and relented without a fight. "Fine."
Renee's face softened when she continued. "Bella, you know I am only thinking of what is best for you. And it's not as if my response wasn't to be expected." She knows how I feel about committing yourself to someone so early in life. "And while I have accepted that you do love each other, that doesn't change my views." I've raised such a strong willed girl. Somehow I know my view on this union is less about naivety and more about their devotion to each other. I will never see my daughter in that much pain ever again. I wanted to die when I left, but I had to. "And to make this choice without letting me get to know Edward better..." How can I know if he won't skip out on her like Charlie did to me?
"I believe that was my fault, Mrs. Dwyer." At least I can put away some of her fears. "I know you may think we are rushing into this, but I've never been more sure of how I feel about Bella. When we broke up, I felt so hollow inside. Not like someone was missing, but rather that someone had been ripped away from me in the cruelest way possible." I smiled down into Bella's wide eyes. "I wanted Bella to move on, but I knew I never could. I knew that if I even attempted to find someone else, it would rip me apart. And besides that, it would be unfair to the new person in my life. To give them the shattered remains of my heart knowing good and well that Bella's name would be forever stamped across it." She sat up in my lap to kiss me softly. I saw my own pain reflected in her eyes. The pain that I had caused. "So naturally when we moved back here, I was nervous. Maybe Bella had moved on. Maybe she didn't love me anymore. Maybe she would never forgive me."
Bella smiled sadly and muttered "stupid" into my chest. I hugged her closer. "Yes, I was very stupid, dearest Bella. But it would have been fair for you to move on. I was selfish to hope for anything otherwise. Still, I would have been happy to just see you again. To know I hadn't just dreamt up someone so selfless, so beautiful, so enchanting. And then, there you were." I looked up at her mother. "Yes, we are young, but we are positive about our feelings. I'm not so blind anymore; as I told Jacob Black, I'm at her side until she forces me away. Besides," I chuckled. "I have a certain sister and brother that would beat the tar out of me if I ever hurt her again."
He seems so much more mature then a high school senior. And the way he speaks! With conviction and… love. Renee stared at the tablecloth. He does care about her, I don't doubt that. Shesighed loudly. "There is no point in denying that you do… love my daughter. But trust me when I say, your siblings aren't the only ones you should worry about should you make Bella unhappy." I think I can shove away my personal views, but just this once. Bella has changed. And it's for the better.
I nodded. "I'll not forget that, Mrs. Dwyer."
Renee turned a vivid pink color, her eyes still tracing the pattern on the table. My gosh! I don't even know him still I just know he's being sincere. Why can't I find just one justifiable flaw with this young man? Somehow Bella did it: she found herself the only perfect man on earth.
Charlie stood up from his seat, grinning. "Congratulations, you got over the hardest barrier: Bella's mother." He would make a good husband for my Bella. He'll take care of her. I shook his hand. "Thank you, sir."
Bella leaned back and closed her eyes. "That's a relief!" She turned around in my lap at wink at me. "Otherwise we would to have just eloped." She nuzzled her face under my chin. "Las Vegas is only about 1000 miles away."
"And decline Alice the pleasure of planning each and every detail of our wedding? I'd much rather take our chances with your parents." She trembled at the thought of a incensed Alice and nodded in agreement.
A/N: For anyone who's actually interested: Forks, WA is 941 miles from Las Vegas, NV.